SPORT Wednesday 28 November 2018 PAGE | 07 PAGE | 10 ‘Big 3’ finish Yasir’s 14-wicket the year on haul sinks NZ top of the as Pakistan ATP rankings level series Real, Roma through to last 16 as CSKA lose

REUTERS MOSCOW UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE YESTERDAY’S RESULTS Ajax qualify Viktoria Plzen 2 - 1 CSKA Moskva Holders Real Madrid and AS Roma Ajax 2 - 0 AEK Athens reached the Champions League for knockouts knockout stages before kicking a ball TODAY'S MATCHES yesterday after CSKA Moscow lost Atlético Madrid vs Monaco (8.55pm) REUTERS 2-1 after suffering a late collapse at Lokomotiv Moskva vs Galatasaray (8.55pm) ATHENS home to Viktoria Plzen in Group G. Borussia Dortmund vs Club Brugge CSKA had to win to have any (11.00pm) Ajax Amsterdam reached the Champions League chance of reeling in the top two who PSV vs Barcelona (11.00pm) ) knockout stages for the first time since 2006 met later yesterday in Rome, and Tottenham Hotspur vs Internazionale after a Dusan Tadic brace gave the Dutch side took the lead after 10 minutes with (11.00pm) a 2-0 win over 10-man AEK Athens in Greece a Nikola Vasic penalty after Lukas PSG vs Liverpool (11.00pm) on Tuesday. Hedja had tripped Georgi Napoli vs Crvena Zvezda (11.00pm) The result left former European Cup winners Shchennikov. Porto vs Schalke 04 (11.00pm) ) Ajax top of Group E on 11 points from five games, The Russian defender then con- one ahead of Bayern Munich who are at home ceded a penalty at the other end just to third-placed Benfica (four points) in the 2000 before halftime for a foul on Radim GMT kickoff. Tadic fired Ajax ahead with a 68th- Reznik. However, Russia’s World minute penalty and sealed the win four minutes Cup goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev dived later after the visitors, who have won four titles to his right to save Roman Proc- in Europe’s premier club competition, dominated hazka’s weak effort. their subdued rivals. Although they enjoyed the Prochazka made up for that lion’s share of the possession, Ajax failed to miss by beating Akinfeev with a create any chances before midfielder Donny van miscued finish into the top right de Beek hit the post in the 63d minute after corner 10 minutes after the break tadic’s clever cut-back from the left. before Hedja got redemption of his English referee Michael Oliver awarded Ajax own by heading in a cross from a penalty after Livaja handled a free kick and Patrik Hrosovsky to complete sent off the Croatian with a second yellow card Plzen’s comeback. for the offence before Tadic calmly converted CSKA’s first defeat by Czech the spot kick. With AEK reeling, the visitors opposition at home meant that delivered the killer blow as substitute Klaas Jan Plzen join them on four points in Huntelaar squared the ball to Tadic and the the group, intensifying the battle for Serbia forward made no mistake from eight third place and a Europa League Ajax’s Dusan Tadic celebrates after scoring their first goal against AEK Athens during their UEFA Champions League Group metres after home keeper Vasilios Barkas was spot. E match played at the OAKA Spiros Louis in Athens, Greece yesterday. caught out of position. Al Sadd star Hassan eyes Asian glory Muscat gets ready for AFC Annual Awards 2018

THE PENINSULA THE AWARD CATEGORIES: wiwinnersnners and ththosehoose whwhoo wwewerere MUSCAT Diamond of Asia Award shshortlisted.ortlisi tet dd. WWee shoushouldld aalllll Member Association of the Year (Aspiring, Developing and Inspiring)spiring) apapplaudpplaua d ththeireir acachievements,”chih eveemmeennts,”, Influential Qatari defender President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football (Aspiring,spiring, ththehe AFAFCFC PrPresidentese ident ssasaid.aid. Abdulkarim Hassan (pictured) will Developing and Inspiring) “Finally,“Finally, I mmumuststst eextendxtennd mmyy be eyeing the biggest honour to AFC Coach of the Year (Women) hehheartfeltaarrtfelt apaappreciationpreciationon ttoo ouourur wwowon-on- come his way at the AFC Annual AFC Coach of the Year (Men) ddederfulrful hhostsosts – tthehe OOmanmman FoFootballooto bbaalll Awards Muscat 2018 today. AFC Futsal Player of the Year AAsAssociationsos ciattioi n - fofforor ththehe sspspiritiririt ooff The Al Sadd star was one of AFC President’s Special Recognition Award ggegenerosity,nen rosityy, uununrivalledrivvallleedd hhos-os- three nominees announced by AFC Player of the Year (Men) pipitalityitat lity aandndd wworkingorrkkinngg ddil-iil- the Asian Football Confeder- AFC Player of the Year (Women) igigentlyenntly ttotowardswaardds ation (AFC) last week along with THETHE NOMINEES:NOMIN Kashima Antlers’ Yuma Suzuki The following award categories will be announced att and Kento Misao. the gala event in Muscat: MEN The Japanese stars played AFC Referees Special Award 2018 KentoKeentn o Misao key roles for J League side’s AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) stagingstaaging a spspectacularecctataccular ceccer-r- (Kashima(K(Kaasshhimam AAntlersnnttlele and first-ever AFC Champions AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men) emonyemonny – ononene trtrulyruly bbebefittingefif tting ofo JJapan) League title triumph earlier this AFC Asian International Player of the Year anotherannotheher remarkablerer mamarkkaabblele yearyeaear ofof YYuYumaumma SSuzuki month. prprogressroggrresss fforor AsianAsian ffootball.”oootbbalalll..” (K((Kashimaasashhiimaa AAntlersntntlele and “It is a great honour for me TheTThe ceceremonyereemoony willwill beb JJapan) and my club to be part of the “And there is no better time final between eventuall wwinnersinnneerss atattendedtteennddedd bbyy FIFIFAFAA PPres-rees- AAbdelkarimbdbdelelkakarir m HHassan three nominees at the AFC to mark another successful year Kashima Antlers andd finalistfinnallist ididentdeennt GiGianniaanni ((AlAl SSaddaaddd aanandd QQatar) Awards,” Hassan said last week. in Asia than now as we are just Persepolis once again captivatedaptivvatatede InInfantino,nfaantntinoo,, “I want to thank my coaches and a few weeks away from the AFC the world as a record 100,0001100,0000 QFQFAA chchiefhief WOMENW my team-mates for sticking with Asian Cup UAE 2019 – which fans showcased the undeniablenddeneniablb e ShSSheikhh eie i kh SamanthaSaammaanthh Kerr me over the years,” the 25-year- will be the biggest and best passion for football in Asia.Asia. SaSSalmanalmmaann ((Australia)Auus old added. Asian Cup ever held. Those exploits and thee starsstarss ofof bbini n WangWaangn ShuangShhuaanng (China)(C The stage is set for a dazzling “Asian football, thanks to our the AFC Women’s Asianan CupCup in IbIbrahimbraahhim SakiSaaki KumagaiKumaaggai (J(Japan) night of celebration today at the continued unity and strength, Jordan feature on ourur lilistsst ooff AAl Oman Convention and Exhi- again has shown the world that nominees. bition Centre. our standards are rising. “I thank them all andaannd offerooffeer AFC President Shaikh “The AFC Champions League my congratulations to oouourur 2020180188 Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement posted on the www.the-afc.com website: “The The last Qatari player to win the award was striker Khalfan AFC brings the stars of Asian Ibrahim who bagged the prestigious Asian trophy inn 2002. HASSAN’SHASSAN’S KEY STATS:STATS: football together for a cele- bration of their outstanding per- Abdulkarim Hassan, an integral part of Qatar footballll plans, KKhKhalifaalifi a anand Sheikh Saad AbdulkarimAbddulkarim HHassanaassan plpplayedayedd 3366 gamesg thisthis yyearear formances in a season which has been seen in top form and fitness in the last feww years. bbibinin MohammedMoM h bin Said Al again has promoted the ever- MMaMardhoufrdhooufu AAll SaSaadi,aaddi, MMinisterinister oof improving standards of our SpSportsporo ts AffairsAfffaia rs ooff OmOman,maan, it hhasasas SpentSpent a totaltotall ooff 39683399686 minutesmiinnutes on thethe pitch game across this great He has rarely missed a Qatar international home orr away. bebeenen cconfirmed.ono firmmedd. continent.” FootballFooototball officialsofficiaalss fromfrom WasWas ppapartrt ooff 232 wwinsins andand 7 losseslosses with “Everyone who has been The 25-year-old, who plays for QNB Stars Leaguee giants 46 mmemberember cocountriesunttries off 6 drawsdraws nominated for an award – Al Sadd, was the captain of the national side that finished AFAFCC alalongono g wiwithth ddigni-igni- whether it be a Member Associ- fourth in the AFC U-23 Championship held in Qatar.tar. tattariesries ffromrom OmOmanaan wwillill ScoredScored 4 gogoalsals anandd mamanagednaged 9 goal- ation, a coach or a player – pro- alalsosos bbee atattending.tendinng. scoringscoro iing assistsassists vides inspiration for the next QFQFAFA ofoofficialsfif ciala s wiwwillll generation in their field and Hassan is expected to play a key role in Qatar’ss 2019 alalsoso attendattend ththee leaves a legacy of excellence and Asian Cup campaign to be held in the UAE. awawardsards HelpedHelped Al SaddSadd reach the semi-fisemi-finalsn of achievement. ceremoceremony.ny. thethe AFC Champions League 08 SPORT WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2018

Braves sign Wizards shoot down Rockets Donaldson

AFP to 1-year LOS ANGELES Washington Wizards guard deal Bradley Beal (3) shoots the John Wall scored six of his 36 points in overtime as the Wash- ball as Houston Rockets REUTERS ington Wizards outlasted the centre Clint Capela defends MIAMI Houston Rockets 135-131 in in the third quarter of their overtime on Monday despite NBA game at Capital One The Atlanta Braves on James Harden’s season-high 54 Arena on Monday. Monday night announced the points. signing of third baseman Josh Bradley Beal equaled his Donaldson to a one-year, season-best with 32 points and $23m contract. Markieff Morris finished with 22 A three-time All-Star and points and 10 rebounds. Wall had the 2015 American League two baskets in overtime and MVP, Donaldson missed 110 dished out 11 assists. regular-season games in 2018 Harden scored 12 points in because of a calf injury and the first quarter, 11 in the second hit.246 with eight home runs and 21 points in the third quarter. and 23 RBIs. Injuries have His career high is 60 points. cost Donaldson 159 regular- He started the fourth quarter season games the last two on the bench then added six seasons. more as the teams remained Donaldson, who turns 33 deadlocked 125-125 at the end on Dec. 8, finished the 2018 of regulation. season with the Cleveland Harden missed five of his Indians, who acquired him seven shots in the fourth. In from the Toronto Blue Jays overtime, Harden was one of two despite the calf injury. He is from the field and had two free a career.275 hitter with 182 throws. He had 11 turnovers, home runs since breaking including three in overtime. into the league with the “It’s not even about myself,” Oakland Athletics in 2010. Harden said. He joins what should be “It’s about our entire team. one of baseball’s best We had a really good start to the infields, along with Freddie game and kind of let our guard Eric Gordon scored a season- came just two nights after he Monday, Durant gave the War- figures on Monday. Durant Freeman at first, Ozzie down.” high 36 for the short-handed torched the Sacramento Kings riors the lead on a three-point became the seventh player in Albies at second and Dansby Harden played a season-high Rockets, who played without for 44 in a 117-116 Warrior play with 79 seconds remaining franchise history to post consec- Swanson at short. 47 minutes and Rockets coach Chris Paul for the second straight victory. before nailing another from utive 40-point games, joining The Braves, who went Mike D’Antoni said he knows he game. “You not born with anything, beyond the arc with 22 seconds Curry, Thompson, Rick Barry, 90-72 last season to win the is asking a lot of his superstar. Washington’s Otto Porter you have to craft your skill and to go. Golden State’s deep talent Wilt Chamberlain, Antawn NL East, also announced they “We’re asking you know opened the scoring in overtime your game,” said Durant. “I feel pool was on display as they were Jamison and Purvis Short. are bringing catcher Brian what? Play (47) minutes, make with 4:47 to play and the Wizards like I am relaxed in those without stars Stephen Curry and Nikola Vucevic had 30 McCann back on a one-year, every play,” D’Antoni said. maintained the lead the rest of moments and it is all about Draymond Green. points, 12 rebounds and six $2m contract. “There are going to be periods the way. getting the best shot I can get. Durant got help from his assists for the Magic, who are The 34-year-old McCann where he’s just gassed.” Wall said Elsewhere, Kevin Durant “If I focus on getting the best supporting cast. Klay Thompson coming off a victory over the Los was a seven-time All-Star for Beal enjoys the challenge of continued his hot streak, scoring shot from the start of the game finished with 29 points, including Angeles Lakers. the Braves between 2005 and facing Harden. a season-high 49 points Monday to the end of the game then I feel six three pointers and 19 points The Warriors now embark 2013. “It’s what you dream of,” as the two-time defending NBA comfortable in the fourth quarter in the fourth quarter. on a five-game road trip that The Minnesota Twins Wall said. “It’s what you live for, champion Golden State Warriors when my team needs me. The past three games, Durant begins Thursday against the claimed first baseman/desig- to be on the big stage, a big beat the Orlando Magic “Tonight one of my favorite has scored 125 points and league-leading Toronto Raptors nated hitter C.J. Cron off moment, going against a guy like 116-110. shots came to me at the end I Thompson 91. They were the in which they hope to have Curry waivers from the Tampa Bay that.” Durant’s explosive evening was able to knock it down.” On only two Warriors in double back in the lineup. Rays. Marner, Andersen shine in Maple Leafs victory

AP “I don’t know if there’s a period to extend New York’s NEW YORK timeline, if he’s back in Thursday, success on home ice with a win if it’s that simple. But right now he’s over Ottawa. Andersson snapped Josh Leivo scored on a power play out of any danger from what we’ve a 1-1 tie 3:26 into the third by late in the second period to break heard.” tipping a wrist shot from Ryan a tie, Frederik Andersen stopped Capitals 4, Islanders 1 Strome into the net for his second 38 shots and the Toronto Maple Tom Wilson scored two goals career goal. His goal was upheld Leafs topped the visiting Boston and added an assist to lead visiting after Ottawa challenged it, con- Bruins 4-2 on Monday night. Washington over New York, com- tending Andersson committed Travis Dermott, Igor Ozh- pleting a reunion-filled evening. goaltender interference. iganov and Zach Hyman also The Capitals earned their sixth Marc Staal and Mika Zibanejad scored goals for the Maple Leafs, straight win hours after Islanders also scored for the Rangers, who and Mitch Marner added three head coach Barry Trotz, who left improved to 8-1-0 in their past assists. David Pastrnak scored for New York after coaching Wash- nine home games and 10-4-0 twice for Boston, with Torey Krug ington to the franchise’s first overall on home ice. Staal’s goal and Brad Marchand each notching Stanley Cup last season, received was his first in 95 games since Oct. two assists. Jaroslav Halak saved his championship ring prior to the 7, 2017. 27 shots for the Bruins. first game of the season between Blue Jackets 7, Red Wings 5 Bruins defenseman Kevan the Metropolitan Division rivals. Pierre-Luc Dubois scored two Japan’s national rugby team head coach and the super rugby Japan team Sunwolves’ general Miller was hit in the throat area by Trotz gave an emotional goals and added an assist as manager Jamie Joseph (left), head coach Tony Brown (centre), and Sunwolves CEO Yuji a first-period shot from Toronto’s speech to his former players inside Columbus held off host Detroit. John Tavares, and he was taken to the visiting locker room at Barclays Artemi Panarin had a goal and Watase pose during a press conference to announce 2019 season team players at a hotel in a local hospital. Center. Former Capitals assistant two assists, while Josh Anderson, Tokyo yesterday. “Looks like X-rays are neg- coaches Lane Lambert and Mitch Markus Nutivaara, Boone Jenner ative, got it in the throat. They’re Korn, who accompanied Trotz to and Seth Jones also scored for the going to keep him overnight for New York, also were presented Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky observation, make sure his with their rings Monday afternoon. made 27 saves. Robertson eyes All Blacks breathing stays normal. Hopefully Rangers 4, Senators 2 Anthony Mantha had two goals he’s able to fly back tomorrow, Lias Andersson and Chris and an assist for Detroit, which has that’s the plan,” Boston coach Kreider scored less than five lost three straight. Gustav Nyquist, job after Schmidt exits race Bruce Cassidy told the media. minutes apart early in the third Dennis Cholowski and Mike Green had the other Wings goals. REUTERS he would quit coaching after that’s served me well, is the Panthers 4, Devils 3 WELLINGTON the Japan World Cup to focus patience side of it, and the Jonathan Huberdeau scored on his family. ability to get your timing right. the tying goal with 1:29 left in the Canterbury Crusaders coach Robertson, who guided “I’ve got a great job at the third period, and Mike Hoffman Scott Robertson will wait for the Crusaders to back-to-back moment and I’ve got a big scored 88 seconds into overtime New Zealand counterpart Super Rugby titles in the last decision in the next three or to lead Florida past New Jersey in Steve Hansen to make a two years, is out of contract four months -- what’s going Sunrise, Fla. Huberdeau also had decision on his future before at the end of 2019 and seen as to happen in 2020, and I’ll just two assists on the night, including taking a “good look” at the All a strong candidate to replace see where the cards fall with on the game-winner. His goal was Blacks role. Hansen, along with Wales other coaches and just see his fifth of the season and 100th of Hansen, who guided New coach Warren Gatland and All what opportunities there are.” his career. Hoffman’s goal was his Zealand to a World Cup Blacks assistant Ian Foster. Schmidt has transformed team-high 12th of the season. triumph in 2015 and is con- “The All Blacks job doesn’t second-ranked Ireland into Panthers captain Aleksander tracted until the end of next come up too often. When it genuine World Cup con- Barkov had one goal -- his eighth year’s tournament in Japan, is does, you have to have a real tenders and a team without of the season -- and one assist. expected to announce his good look at it,” Robertson, fear of the All Blacks, who Teammate Evgenii Dadonov had long-term plans in the coming who has coached New Zea- they beat 16-9 in Dublin two assists. Florida also got a goal weeks. land’s under-20 side, told earlier this month. from third-line center Jared Ireland coach Joe Schmidt local media on Tuesday. However, former All McCann. McCann just has four was widely touted as a “The decision from Steve Blacks loose forward Rob- Washington Capitals defenceman Dmitry Orlov (9) gets called for a goals this season but has tallied in potential successor to Hansen (Hansen) will play a really big ertson sympathised with penalty on New York Islanders centre Valtteri Filppula (51) during the two straight and in three of his past but the New Zealander part of it. Schmidt’s decision to bow out second period of their NHL game at Barclays Center. five contests. announced on Monday that “The biggest thing for me, after Japan. WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 09 10 SPORT WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2018 Yasir’s 14-wicket haul sinks NZ as Pakistan level series

AFPA bowled out for 312 soon after SCOREBOARD Taylor tried to take the DUBDDUBAIUBBAIA tea on the fourth day. attack to the bowlers, hitting “I came to know yesterday PAKISTAN, Ist innings 418-5 seven boundaries and a six in Leg-spinnerLeeg-g spinnner YaYasirasiir ShSShahahh ffol-oll- (about Imran Khan’s record) so NEW ZEALAND, Ist innings 90 his 82 but grew impatient after lowedloowweed hihiss exextraordinaryxtrt aordr innara y fiffirstrsr t it’s an honour that my name NEW ZEALAND, second innings being tied down. An attempted J. Raval st Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 2 inningsinnings peperformancerformamancnce withwiw thh a will come with him,” said Yasir. T. Latham c Sarfraz b Hasan ...... 50 sweep off Bilal Asif ended in a sixssix wicketwickkete haulhauul as PakistanPakkistan “I haven’t bowled as well K. Williamson c Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 30 top edge that looped to deep beatbeat NNewewe ZZealandealandd bbyy ann as this, especially with the pitch R. Taylor c Yasir b Asif ...... 82 backward square leg where inningsinnin nggs andand 16 rrunsununs ini offering turn and bounce like H. Nicholls b Hasan ...... 77 Yasir took a comfortable catch. thetthe sesecondcoond TestTest ini it did. We wanted to put the BJ Watling lbw b Yasir ...... 27 Yasir trapped Watling leg DuDubaiubab i yyeyesterdayesttererddaay toto disappointment of the first Test C. de Grandhomme b Hasan ...... 14 before for 27 to end another levelleevev l thethhe seriesseseriese 1-1.1-1. behind us and set up the I. Sodhi b Yasir ...... 4 frustrating the stand and get TheThT e 3232-year-2-yyeeaar-r series.” N. Wagner c Hasan b Yasir ...... 10 into the Kiwi tail. De Grand- old,olo dd,, whowhoo tooktook Yasir’s figures are the Ajaz Patel not out ...... 5 homme made just 14 and Sodhi 88-8-41- 414 1 oonn second best match return ever T. Boult c Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 0 was bowled behind his legs for MoMonday,ondndayay, hahhadd for Pakistan in Test cricket, bet- Extras: (b 9, lb 2) ...... 11 four, unwisely trying to sweep figuresfigug rees ofof 66-143-143 tered only by former captain Total: (all out; 112.5 overs) ...... 312 Yasir from well outside in thethe ssecondeccond and current Prime Minister Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-66 3-146, 4-198, 5-255, off-stump. iniinningsnnings fofforor a Imran Khan who took 14-116 6-270, 7-285, 8-301, 9-311 Nicholls stood firm amid matchmaattch hahaulaul ofof against Sri Lanka in Lahore in Bowling: Abbas 15-7-29-0, Hasan 19-7-46-3, the wreckage, striking Bilal Asif 14-184.1414--184. 1982. Yasir 44.5-9-143-6, Hafeez 3-1-6-0, Asif 27-5- for a straight six, before Yasir NewNeN e w They are also the best by a 61-1, Sohail 4-0-16-0 nipped one between bat and I came to ZealandZeZ alaannd --- Pakistani bowler against New Result: Pakistan won by an innings and 16 runs pad to bowl him for 77. know yesterday following-ffolllowwinng-g Zealand, beating Waqar It was a brave stand from (about Imran onon aafterftterer Younis’s 12-130 in Faisalabad boundary to reach his 29th half Nicholls but as skipper Kane Khan’s record) beingbeb inng diddis-s- in 1990. century in Tests, a welcome Williamson later admitted, the missedmim isss edd Medium-pacer Hasan Ali return to form having scored damage had been done in the so it’s an honour forfoor 9900 iinn was also at his best, taking just 21 runs in the three innings first innings when New Zealand that my name thethhe ffifirstirsst 3-46 as Pakistan gained a of this series. lost all 10 wickets for just 40 will come with inningsinnniningngs --- measure of revenge for losing Latham completed his 15th runs in 14 overs. him: Yasir Shah werewew rere the first Test by four runs in Test fifty but was dismissed the The end came swiftly as Abu Dhabi last week. following ball, a little edge Yasir picked up the last two Resuming on 131-2 and behind off Hasan, television wickets in the space of four needing a further 197 to make umpire Ian Gould confirming balls, Neil Wagner caught at Pakistan bat again, the New that Sarfraz Ahmed had taken midwicket -- another man Zealand batsmen, led by Ross the catch cleanly. trying to sweep -- and Trent Taylor (82), Henry Nicholls (77) Harry Nicholls came to the Boult feathering an outside and Tom Latham (50), dug in crease and set about frus- edge to Sarfraz behind the Pakistan’sPaPakkisttaann’ss YasirYaassir to make things tough for the trating the Pakistan bowlers, stumps. ShSShahhaahh celebratesceellebebraatees Pakistani bowlers. adding 52 with Taylor for the The third and final Test hhihisis bowlingbbowwlinng Taylor smashed Hasan’s fourth wicket and 57 with BJ starts in Abu Dhabi from fifigfiguresguurreses againstagag insst first ball of the day to the cover Watling for the fifth. Monday. NNeNewew Zealand.ZeZ aallanndd.

Big appeal: India’s Kohli pulls in Angry Mithali opens the ad dollars despite verbal slips fire over snub from World T20 semi-final REUTERS man’ image that can appeal to a Coming in at No. 83 on the back of his estimated NEW DELHI middle class audience - and $24m income over the previous 12 months, Kohli is the harness its spending power. world’s top earning cricketer and comes in ahead of AFP Being the highest profile athlete “The youth of the country - other high-profile athletes such as Novak Djokovic and NEW DELHI in the world’s second most pop- and more than half of India’s pop- Sergio Aguero. ulous country, India cricket ulation are under 25 - can identify Indian cricket heroine captain Virat Kohli (pictured) has themselves with the man living Mithali Raj (pictured) has built such a formidable brand their dream,” said Kohli biog- Kohli could soon eclipse Mahendra Singh Dhoni furiously accused cricket across the spectrum that even his rapher Vijay Lokapally. as the highest earning Indian sportsman ever. Former leaders of bias for dropping occasional brash and indiscrete Kohli has a strong social India cricket captain Dhoni earned $31m in 2015 as he her for last Friday’s World comments fail to tarnish it. media presence with over 37 promoted a series of brands. Twenty20 semi-final, Watches, cars, sports shoes, million fans on Facebook and is which India lost to England. motorbikes, clothes, ride services, followed by more than 25 million Raj, the highest run tires, snacks, health foods, head- on Instagram and 27.1 million on According to Forbes, $20m of Kohli’s total comes scorer in the women’s phones - even toothbrushes -- Twitter. from endorsements and $4m from salary and so-called international game and still they have all had the Kohli mar- His sponsors have had a “winnings”, which would include prize money. India’s one-day captain, keting treatment. bumpybumpy ridede at ttimes. es. wrote a furious letter of complaint and met Board of The 30-year-old cricketerricketer WhenWhen a cricketcricket fanfan recentlyrecently Control for Indian Cricket (BCCI) leaders on Monday to with tattooed arms and coiffuredoiffured describeddescribed KoKohli,hli, tthehe worworld’sld’s top countrycountry anandd llovingoving ototherher coun-coun- actuallyactually boostbo the brand, pro- vent her anger. hair currently endorses 211 bbrandsrands rankedranked Test bbatsman,atsman, as “ove“over-r- tries?tries? I don’tdon’t mindmind youyou not likingliking videdvided it alignsalig with the brand’s “For the first time in a 20 year long career, I felt including Tissot, Audi, Puma, rated” and said he me but I don’t think you should message,”me said Mishra, deflated, depressed and let down,” said the 35-year-old Uber and Hero, pushing hhimim into wouldwould rratherather livelive in our countrcountry...”y...” whosew firm manages in the letter. the Forbes’s 2018 list of thethe watch AuAus-s- KohliKohli later said he other Indian crick- Raj questioned whether “my services to my country world’s 100 highest-paidst-paid ttralianralian aandnd waswas “all“all forfor freedomfreedom ofof eters including are of any value to a few people in power who are out to athletes. EEnglishn g lish choice”choice” aandnd whilwhilee tthehe Ravindra Jadeja and destroy me and break my confidence.” Coming in at No. 833 on tthehe batsmenbatsmen ththanan episodeepisode bburnishedurnished hhisis Prithvi Shaw. Raj singled out BCCI committee of administrators back of his estimatedd $2$24m4m “these“these reputation as beinbeingg According to member Diana Edulji and national coach Remash Powar income over the previousious 1122 Indians”,Indians”, KoKohlihli ttouchyouchy about criticism it Forbes, $20m of his for dropping her from the team beaten by eight wickets months, Kohli is the world’srld’s top responded with ddidid llittleittle to ddamageamage hhisis totalt comes from by England. earning cricketer and comesomes in bothb oth brand.brand. endorsementsendo and $4m “The brazen support of a COA member is a clear sign ahead of other high-profilefile athath-- QuiteQuite the opopposite,posite, sasaidid from salarysalary and so-called “win- of bias and also that a stance has already been taken letes such as Novak Djokovicovic andand TuhinTuhin Mishra, managingmanaging nings”,nings”, whichwhic would include prize against me,” said Raj, who has played 197 one day inter- Sergio Aguero. directordirector of sporsportsts money. nationals, 85 T20 matches and 10 Tests for India since It is unlikely he woulduld everever marketingmarketing firmfirm Kohli’s earnings could con- making her 50-over debut in 1999 against Ireland. be able to challenge the likes of BaselineBaseline Ven-Ven- tinuetinue to increaseincr thanks to India’s Raj hit two straight half-centuries at the World T20 current Forbes’ No.1 Floydyd MayMay-- tures. “Such“Such strong growthgrow - it is the fastest in the West Indies before missing India’s last league game weather or No. 2 Lionel Messiessi duedue franknessfrankness growing largela economy in the against Australia with a knee injury. to cricket’s appeal beingg mostmostlyly cancan worldworld andand that should mean She was declared fit on the eve of the England semi- tied to a small batch of predom-redom- many moremore marketing dollars - final but the selectors stuck with the team that beat Aus- inantly Commonwealthwealth andannd the obsessive interest in tralia. T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur said selectors had countries. cricketcric here and across stuck to a “winning combination”. However, he could soon thethe Indian diaspora. “I would also like to point out that I have nothing eclipse Mahendra Singh DDhonihoni He has smoothed against the T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur except for as the highest earning Indiandian barrels.barrels. outout some of his rough the fact that her call to support the decision of the coach sportsman ever. Formermer “You“ Y ou edges.edg He does not to leave me out of the eleven was baffling and hurtful,” India cricket captain Dhonioni should gogo eendorsend soft drinks or Raj wrote. earned $31m in 2015 as hehe andand live skin-lighteningskin-lighten cream anymore, “I wanted to win the World Cup for my country and promoted a series of somewheres omewhere advocatesadvocates a healthy lifestyle, and it hurts me because we lost a golden opportunity.” brands. He wed actresss else,else, you know,” he comes acrossacros as a family man and England lost to Australia in the tournament final. Anushka Sharma last yearar said in a video posted a leader.leader. “Never did I think she (Edulji) will use her position to create a marriagee on his ppersonalersonal teletelephonephone HeHe fightsfight for salary hikes for against me, more after hearing what all I had to go through between cricket and Bol-- app, which he uses to interactinteract hishis players,players, ddemands that players’ in the Caribbean as I had spoken to her about it.” lywood, India’s twoo withwith fans and sell partnerspartners be allowed on tours, and The BCCI did not immediately comment on Raj’s biggest obsessions,, merchandise.merchandise. seeksseeks to influence who is tirade. helping give him a ‘familymily “Why“Why areare you livingliving in ouourr appointedappointed teamt coach. WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 11 Qatar ‘team to beat’ as AVC beach volleyball show gets under way

FAWAD HUSSAIN QATAR MASTER 2018 THE PENINSULA Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Aspire Beach Volleyball Qa- Star Qatari pair of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan tar Master 2018 Pools Janko will open their title Pool A: Qatar (A), Japan (A), Thailand, defence against Thailand at the Oman (A) Asian Volleyball Confederation Pool B: Australia (A), Thailand, Kaza- (AVC) Aspire Beach Volleyball khstan (A), Qatar (B) Qatar Master 2018 that gets Pool C: Australia (B), Iran (A), Kaza- under way today at Aspire Park. The Cherif-Tijan side, given khstan (B), Qatar (C) the top seed in the 16-team Pool D: Iran (B), Japan, Oman (B), New event, has been placed in Pool A Zealand

along with Japan (A), Thailand Venue: Aspire Park and Oman (A). Final; November 30 Australian pair of Cole Durant and Damien Schumann, who are seeded FROM LEFT: Roberto Reggiani. beach volleyball technical expert at Qatar Volleyball Association second are expected to give (QVA), Srinivasan, Technical Supervisor, Abdul Salem Al Kuwari QVA official and Ahmed Hussain, tough competition to the referee delegate during the technical meeting of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Aspire leading Qatari duo in the Beach Volleyball Qatar Master 2018 tournament yesterday. PIC: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA three-day competition are bracketed among Thailand, Kazakhstan (A) and Qatar (B) are currently ranked World before predicting thrilling battles for this event in Adelaide,” comprising Assam Mahmoud No.10, will start as firm in the next three days. “All the Damien said. “It is going to be Tamer Abdelrasoul, in Pool C. favourites after their title- teams are good and must have a good contest with best Asian The second Australia outfit winning performances at Asian come after some good prepara- teams taking part. We are very – seeded 3rd – is leading Pool Beach Volleyball Championship tions. There will be very good excited about the event,” the C, which also has 4th seeded Iran in Satun, Thailand, last Sep- matches in the next three days. Aussie said before terming Qatar (A), Kazakhstan (B) and third tember and a gold medal in We are happy and excited to A as the ‘team to beat’. home side - Qatar (C) comprising August’s Asian Games in play in front of home spec- “Both these players ( Cherif upcoming players Nasser Ahmed Indonesia. tators,” he added. and Tijan) are having an amazing Al Meer and Hamad Al Kuwari. “We have been good in this After meeting Thailand pair, year. They have won Asian The Pool D involves Iran (B), season and for us this Qatar the top Qatar team is scheduled Games and Asian Champion- Japan, Oman (B) and New Masters is all about keeping the to meet Japan’s Yuya Gottsu and ships, and a bronze medal in Zealand. same level,” Cherif told The Ageba Ishijma in their second Vienna. They will be a team to Top two teams from each Peninsula on the eve of the match today. beat in the tournament,” said pool will enter tomorrow’s opening day. Meanwhile, leading Australia Damien. quarter-finals, after the round- “We are not thinking about pair of Australian Cole and The organisers, who have Qatari pair of Cherif robin group stage. The semi- our title defense, there is no Damien will open their cam- made special arrangements for Younousse and Ahmed finals and final are scheduled to pressure. All we are looking for paign against a Kazakhstan side the event, are expecting a Tijan Janko in action in be held on November 30. is to maintain our good per- before taking on a Thai duo. turnout of over 12,000 fans this file picture. Qatar’s Cherif and Tijan, who formance,” the lanky player said “We had a lot of preparation during all days of action. Al Khor aim to bounce back against Al Sadd THE PENINSULA DOHA

Al Khor will aim to bounce back from the last round defeat against Al Duhail when they take Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal looks on during a press on Al Sadd in the QNB Stars conference at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven on the eve of their League Stars League rescheduled match, which was UEFA Champions League Group B match against PSV Eindhoven. postponed from Week 5 because of the latter’s AFC Champions League fixture. The kick-off is at the Al Khor Barca top global Stadium today at 6:30pm. Al Khor coach Bernard Casoni is aiming to lift the sports pay morale of his boys ahead of the key clash. “We are focused on boosting league: Report the players’ morale, especially since we went down fighting narrowly to leaders Al Duhail in AFP the last round. We weren’t lucky LONDON in that match and wasted many opportunities. Barcelona are the best-paid team in global sport and the first to “We’ll face a strong com- have average basic annual pay of more than £10m according to a petitor that has players of great global survey published on Monday. technical ability. We’ll play with The Spanish giants return to the top of the pay rankings in the the same spirit that we displayed ninth edition of Sporting Intelligence’s Global Sports Salaries Survey in the Al Duhail match, where (GSSS) for the first time since 2012. we provided a good level and The average annual basic first-team salary at the Camp Nou were close to a drawn result. We was more than £10.45m in late November of the 2018-19 season, must put in more efforts against the British-based researchers said. Al Sadd. Barcelona are well clear at the top of this year’s list but domestic “Iraqi professional player rivals Real Madrid have climbed to second place. Average basic Ahmed Yassin regularly trains The players of Al Khor celebrate after scoring a goal in this file picture. pay at the Bernabeu is just over £8 m per year. with the team and is ready to In third place are last year’s number one team, basketball’s play. Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA (£7.85million). “I’m seeking stability and training. At the same time, Gabi’s top-scorer award in the 2018 The players resumed their The metric used by the GSSS is average first-team pay. It looks consistency in our performance. compatriot Xavi Hernandez is AFC Champions League. He had training without injured Abdulla solely at earnings for playing sport, not for endorsements or other I haven’t been thinking about still nursing a muscle tear he scored 13 goals, matching the Marafy, Ahmed Ibrahim and extra-curricular activities. relegation or play-off. Our aim sustained during their QSL Cup record for the top scorer in a Franco. “In last year’s list, Barcelona were the world’s best-paid football is to collect maximum points and Round 3 drawn match against season. Al Sadd had played out While Marafy is having a team but it has still taken an extraordinary combination of new the best possible ranking in the Al Sailiya recently. a fighting 1-1 draw with Iran’s long injury layoff with a knee lig- contracts and signings to lift their average basic pay this time above table. We don’t even think of Abdulkarim will be absent Persepolis in the second leg of ament problem, Ahmed Ibrahim £10m from £6.6m a year ago,” the report said. play-off,” said Casoni. as he has to attend the AFC their AFC Champions League and Franco are likely to recover “Foremost among those contracts was the biggest pay deal in Al Sadd on the other hand Player of the Year award cer- semifinal clash, but lost out 1-2 fast. The duo had missed their Barcelona’s history awarded to (Lionel) Messi, widely regarded announced that Spanish player emony in Muscat today. The left- on aggregate, having lost the first Qatar Derby match against Al now as the best footballer of all time. His gross basic (pre-tax) Gabi Fernandez was ready to back has been nominated for the leg 0-1 in Doha. Sadd last week. annual Barca pay tops £50m per year, including guaranteed image play against Al Khor. honour along with Yuman Meanwhile, Al Arabi have Tunisian coach Hatem Al rights fees.” Six of the top 10 payers in this year’s GSSS are NBA Gabi, who got injured in his Suzuki and Kenti Misao of started preparations for their Moaddeb’s men are keen to put teams - an ongoing consequence of a huge new TV deal in the NBA ankle towards the end of their Kashima Antlers. QNB Stars League Week 14 home it across Al Kharaitiyat and thus that kicked in before the 2016-17 season, the report said. QNB Stars League Week 13 game Meanwhile, Al Sadd’s star game against Al Kharaitiyat, to get back to winning ways. The As recently as the 2015 GSSS, there were eight football teams against Al Arabi which they won Algerian striker Baghdad be played on December. 1 The Dream Team are ninth in the in the top 10 but there are just four this year -- Barcelona, Real 3-0 last week, was back in Bounedjah received his kick-off is at 6:30pm. standings with 15 points. Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United. WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 07 It is a great honour for me and my Al Sadd’s Qatari TODAY’S ACTION club to be part of the three nominees midfielder Atlético Madrid vs Monaco Tottenham Hotspur vs Internazionale at the AFC Awards. I want to thank my Lokomotiv Moskva vs Galatasaray PSG vs Liverpool coaches and my team-mates for stick-stic Abdulkarim UEFA Borussia Dortmund vs Club Brugge Napoli vs Crvena Zvezda Hassan LEAGUE iningg withwwith meme over the years.year PSV vs Barcelona Porto vs Schalke 04 CHAMPIONS

World’s top three men’s singles tennis players, (from left) Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

‘Big 3’ finish 2018 on rankings summit

AP They accounted for Nos. 1-3 With Novak Djokovic at the year-end top three for a ATP SINGLES RANKINGS WTA SINGLES RANKINGS LONDON in the final rankings in 2007-11 No. 1, Rafael Nadal at record 14th time. The 37-year- and 2014, too. No. 2 and Roger Federer old from Switzerland has won RANKING/PLAYER POINTS RANKING/PLAYER POINTS The Big Three is the year-end For Djokovic, it marks the 20 Grand Slam singles cham- at No. 3 on Monday, the top three, something that last fifth time he has closed a year pionships, the most by a man, 1: Novak Djokovic (SRB) 9,045 1: Simona Halep (ROU) 6,921 happened in 2014. in the top spot, following 2011, trio of tennis greats followed by Nadal with 17, then 2: Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7,480 2: Angelique Kerber (GER) 5,875 With Novak Djokovic at No. 2012, 2014 and 2015. Only Pete leads the season’s final Djokovic and the retired 3: Roger Federer (SUI) 6,420 3: Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 5,586 1, Rafael Nadal at No. 2 and Sampras, with six year-end No. ATP rankings for the Sampras with 14 apiece. 4: Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,385 4: Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5,350 Roger Federer at No. 3 on 1 finishes, did it more often. The rest of the ATP top 10 seventh time. 5: Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 5,300 5: Naomi Osaka (JPN) 5,115 Monday, that trio of tennis The 31-year-old from for 2018: No. 4 Alexander 6: Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,710 6: Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,023 greats leads the season’s final Serbia is also the oldest man to Zverev, No. 5 del Potro, No. 6 7: Marin Cilic (CRO) 4,250 7: Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4,630 ATP rankings for the seventh be No. 1 at season’s end and the Svitolina and Naomi Osaka. Kevin Anderson, No. 7 Marin 8: Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,095 8: Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 4,465 time. first to finish atop the rankings Djokovic overtook Nadal Cilic, No. 8 Dominic Thiem, No. 9: Kei Nishikori (JPN) 3,590 9: Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,335 This is the first time, though, after being outside the top 20 three weeks ago; the Spaniard 9 Kei Nishikori and No. 10 John 10: John Isner (USA) 3,155 10: Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 3,415 that each of those three men during the year - or outside the did not compete anywhere Isner. 11: Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,835 11: Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3,240 spent some time at No. 1 during top 10 at the end of the previous after stopping because of a Del Potro was the runner- 12: Borna Coric (CRO) 2,480 12: Elise Mertens (BEL) 3,165 the same year. year (he was No. 12 in 2017). painful right knee during his US up at the US Open, Anderson at 13: Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,315 13: Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,145 The seven changes there Simona Halep ended the Open semifinal in September Wimbledon, Cilic at the Aus- 14: Kyle Edmund (GBR) 2,150 14: Julia Goerges (GER) 3,055 were the most since 1999, when season at No. 1 in the WTA against Juan Martin del Potro. tralian Open, and Thiem at the 15: Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 2,095 15: Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 2,985 there were eight. rankings for the second con- Nadal had arthroscopic surgery French Open. 16: Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 1,977 16: Serena Williams (USA) 2,976 Djokovic won Wimbledon secutive year; she clinched that on his right ankle this month. Neither Anderson nor Isner 17: Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 1,880 17: Madison Keys (USA) 2,976 and the US Open in 2018, while spot more than a month ago. Nadal concludes a season ever had finished a year in the Federer took the Australian Angelique Kerber was No. at No. 1 or No. 2 for the 10th top 10, while del Potro is back 18: Milos Raonic (CAN) 1,855 18: Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 2,910 Open, and Nadal earned the 2 among women, followed by time, trailing only Federer’s 11. in that group for the first time 19: Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1,835 19: Caroline Garcia (FRA) 2,660 title at the French Open. Caroline Wozniacki, Elina Federer, meanwhile, is in since 2013. 20: Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 1,819 20: Qiang Wang (CHN) 2,485 Woods-Mickelson showdown Croatia’s Davis deemed ‘huge success’ by AT&T Cup winners BLOOMBERG in an $85bn deal this year, put on the platform. While final figures on paying tisers and corporate sponsors, which by get hero’s NEW YORK competition to show that it could apply customers across all platforms aren’t yet the way, every single one of them wants the time-honored pay-per-view model in available, Levy said that those numbers to come back in.” A pay-per-view showdown between Tiger sports outside of boxing and with online are going “to exceed all of our Turner is likely to stage additional welcome Woods and Phil Mickelson turned into a distribution. It set out to charge $20 for expectations.” events with the same format, Levy said. high-profile stumble for AT&T Inc.’s Turner the show, called “The Match,” which aired WarnerMedia reportedly paid $10m “We now know that formula works,” AFP division after glitches forced the company on Friday. for the rights to the event. Levy said it he said. “We know that ‘The Match’ is now ZAGREB to offer the event for free. Instead, it turned into another dem- was worth it, despite the money lost to a franchise brand. Can we do it for golf? But the matchup was ultimately a onstration of how hard it can be to stream refunds. Can we do it for other sports? The answer Thousands of Croatians gathered in Zagreb’s breakthrough, Turner President David Levy live sports on the internet. On Friday, after “We’re going is probably yes.” main square on Monday to embrace their said in an interview on Monday. That’s some customers couldn’t get past the to be impacted on As for the technical problems, Levy returning Davis Cup team, who routed hosts because it helped the WarnerMedia paywall on the company’s B/R Live the distribution said he doesn’t expect they will damage France in the final to clinch the trophy for division, now part of AT&T’s sprawling platform, Turner decided to make it revenue for sure, consumer confidence in new streaming the second time. media-and-telecom empire, build its available for free. Once that happened, but that was platforms -- since everyone was able to “Croatia, Croatia!” chanted both the brand and show that the concept could many cable providers that had charged only one of the watch the event once the paywall was crowd and the players, led by world number work. for the event -- including Comcast Corp. revenue down. He attributed the problems to seven Marin Cilic, who were standing on an “This was a huge success,” he said. -- offered refunds. Turner then also streams,” he insufficient memory, server capacity and improvised stage in Ban Jelacic square. “This worked extremely well as a pay-per- extended refunds to its customers who said. “We also the high volume of consumer access Behind them a giant screen replayed view event.” had already paid. had a tre- requests in a short time. their matches from the Davis Cup final in AT&T, which acquired Time Warner Putting aside the money aspect, the mendous “It had a little to do with us -- it had Lille, France. event drew 750,000 unique video views amount of a little to do with our Amazon cloud “We are delighted to become world on B/R Live, Levy said. That demand partners,” Levy said. “It was also Black champions and bring this trophy to Croatia,” added up to 55 million from our Friday on top of everything else. They Cilic told the crowd, many of whom were minutes consumed on the adver- had a lot of incoming stuff coming wrapped in Croatia’s red-and-white cheq- less-than-year-old through Amazon as well.” uered flags. The victory has been celebrated as a sweet revenge for Croatia’s loss to France in the World Cup final in July. It is the second time the Balkan nation of 4.2 million has won the Davis Cup, the first time being in 2005. Cilic, 30, secured the 3-1 victory by beating Lucas Pouille on Sunday and giving his country an unassailable lead. On Monday the Croatian press crowned it a “miraculous year” for the country’s athletes. “Happy and proud again!” read the headline on the daily Vecernji List. Tiger Woods plays his shot from the first tee during the President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who Tiger vs Phil golf match at Shadow Creek Golf Course in attended the event in Lille, is expected to Las Vegas, USA in this November 23 file photo. decorate the players with medals later Monday.