SPORT

Sunday 15 October 2017

PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 PAGE | 31 Sharapova reacheses Perez widens Zaha inspires first final since lead at CIMB Classic Palace to drugs ban in Kuala Lumpur Chelsea win Weiss strikes twice as dominant Al Gharafa rout Al Khor

ArmstrongArmstron Vas The PenPeninsulai

brace from former Rangers winger Valdimir Weiss fired Al Gharafa to a resounding 3-0 winwiAn ovoverer ten-men Al Khor in the Fourth-RoundFourth match of the QNB StarsStar League (QSL) at Al GharafaGharafa SStadium yesterday. TheThe 27-year-old27 struck two goalsgoals withinwit a span of seven minutesminutes toto take the game away from theth visitors to give the CheetahsChee their first win of the QSLQ season. AlA Gharafa now have a taltally of five points from four matchesm with one win andand two draws, while Al Khor remain onon four points with one winwin and a draw. BothBoth thet teams started with a flourish,flourish, aiming to control the Al Gharafa’s midfieldmidfield pplay and had an equal shareshare of ballb possession in the Slovakian ffirstirst quarterquart of the match. midfielder TheThe ppicturei changed in the Vladimír Weiss nextnext quaquarterr with Al Gharafa Al Khor’s goalkeeper Lecoumet Kloud Amin (right) is shown a red card during their QNB celebrates after dictatingdictating terms. Stars League match against Al Gharafa at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. scoring his Al GharafaGh broke open second goal through theth rival defense in the against Al Khor 22nd22nd miminute.n the top of the box forcing Amin not add more goals in the first time in the match after been put yesterday. PortuguesePortu striker Diogo to leave his charge to clear the half their game plan of using through and finished the move Carlos AmadoAm positioned him- ball but in the process the goal- the aerial balls to break the by getting past the advancing QSL: YESTERDAY’S RESULTS selfself for ttheh damage and timed keeper was penalized as having defense worked to a plan and rival keeper and slotting the hhisis jump tto perfection to meet brought down the rival striker. it bore results again in the sec- ball into an unguarded goal. Al Gharafa beat Al Khor 3-0 a cross frfromo Yousuf Muftah to Amin saw the red from the ond half. Thereafter, Al Gharafa tried

Umm Salal beat Al Arabi 4-1 give Al GGharafah the lead. referee and an indirect free kick Al Gharafa stuck 11 minutes hard to increase their tally but Al Sailiya beat Al Kharaitiyat 2-1 FiveFive minutes from the was awarded, but nothing came into the second half, with Weiss could not trouble the scorers goal,goal, Al KKhor suffered a body out of it. heading home a cross to beat and had to content with the 3-0 blow whenwhe goalkeeper Lecou- Thereafter, Al Gharafa the Al Khor keeper and yet verdict. TODAY’S FIXTURES met KloudKlou Amin got the red raised the tempo of the pro- again penalised the Al Khor Later yesterday, brilliant cardcard ffromrom referee Khamis Al ceedings and came up with defense for their sloppy piece double by Yannick Sagbo pow- 5:30pm: Al Rayyan vs Marri.Marri. varied combinations to trouble of aerial defending, 2-0. ered Umm Salal to a formidable Al Markhiya at Al Sadd Stadium Al Khor defender the rival defense. Using both the Seven minutes later, the 4-1 win against Al Arabi at Al

7:40pm: Al Sadd vs Qatar SC at Al Sadd Stadium Mohamed Sayyar challenged flanks, Al Gharafa playmakers Slovakian striker was in the Gharafa Stadium.

Al Gharafa striker Youssef Has- kept Al Khor guessing. thick of action again. Al Sailiyah beat Al Kharaiti- 7:40pm: Al Duhail vs Al Ahli at Al Duhail Stadium san and the ball ran loose on Although Al Gharafa could Weiss struck for the second yat 2-1 at Al Ahli Stadium. Qatar SC seek return to winning ways but wary of Al Sadd threat

Rizwan Rehmat first three league games, the win this match,” said Laudrup The Peninsula Argentinian coach said that they yesterday. must mainly tighten their “Of course, we start as the truggling Qatar SC visit Al defence. favourites. But favourites can lose, Sadd today, knowing their “Even in the QSL Cup, we I am expecting a so you’ve to show your strength Sdefenders must deliver a scored eight goals, but conceded on the pitch. We’ve prepared well promising performance as the five. Our defenders need to pull tough game as for this game. Al Markhiya are the two teams lock horns at Jassim up their socks,” Calderon said. Qatar SC can promoted side, but they’ve played Bin Hamad Stadium. Calderon said: “So far, we’ve some tight matches and have good Qatar SC, coached by Gabriel only scored one victory to show throw up a game plans,” the Dane added. Calderon, have won one game in for our efforts in our comeback surprise: Al Sadd “They’ll defend stoutly and the QNB Stars League this sea- campaign so we definitely need resort to counter-attacks with the son but lost the other two in the more of them and points. We coach Jesualdo help of a few fast players. They three rounds of the 10-team seek at least a point from this Ferreira also showed their strength league. high-profile fixture. I’m very through a couple of good games Al Sadd, coached by Jesualdo happy to announce that my in the QSL Cup during the break Ferreira, will be looking to pick wards are getting better after (Al Markhiya defeated Al Sadd up points against the visitors in every match.” again and drew with Al Arabi),” a game set to kick off at 7.40pm. He added: “We know that Laudrup said. “They’re a side which can lift even though Al Sadd took time The Danish coach underlined its performance to any level any to settle down (in the opening injured and is away for a long “In fact, I wish I had all my promoted side Al Markhiya at Al the fact that Al Rayyan have many time. They’ve the players to do games), but they came back time, he’ll need some time to players, including youngsters, at Sadd Stadium. options in the attack with the likes that and Xavi & Co can tear off strongly. Our players are an regain his form and physical fit- the team training sessions, so we Lions’ coach Michael Laudrup of veteran forward Sebastian any defence,” Calderon said at a inspired lot.” ness,” said Ferreira. could’ve our drills comprehen- said his team won’t take new- Soria and Abderrazzak pre-match press conference. Al Sadd coach Ferreira said When asked about his oppo- sively,” Ferreira said. comers Al Markhiya lightly. Hamdellah. “As far as I’m concerned, he was thrilled to welcome back nents, Ferreira quickly said: “I am Ferreira, however, said “We’re taking the game Teams officials said key every match is like a final and key Algerian striker Baghdad expecting a tough game as Qatar releasing players for national duty against Al Markhiya very seri- striker Rodrigo Tabata, who I’m preparing my boys that way,” Bounedjah. SC can throw up a surprise.” should not affect the team’s prep- ously as they had beaten Al Sadd underwent a surgery after their the Argentine added. “Baghdad had missed the first The Portuguese pointed out arations for league fixtures. in the very first round, no matter last league match, is expected to To a question on the lessons three league matches with an that Al Sadd took great advantage Meanwhile, former champi- the overturned result for fielding take the field in the second half picked by his players from their injury. When a player is severely from the league’s stoppage. ons Al Rayyan will take on an ineligible player. We want to against Al Markhiya. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 Shanghai set for big showdown

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Marin Cilic of Croatia during their semi-final at the Shanghai Masters in Shanghai yesterday. LEFT: Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their semi-final yesterday.

Shanghai Slam champion, triumphed at Nadal, Federer final there were suggestions he may winning the game. Federer sent for the victories, for sure you’re AFP the US Open and then last week not even make Saturday’s the match into a deciding third going to have tough matches, at the China Open for his sixth match. But he showed no ill set and he got the break early and today was one of them.” afael Nadal and title of another remarkable effects in stunning the pro-Fed- to tee up another Nadal Nadal put Cilic under Roger Federer will campaign. 37 erer crowd to break for 4-2 in meeting. immediate pressure in the meet in today’s final But he was forced to sur- the first set. Federer, the older man, Croat’s first two service games. of the Shanghai vive a rollercoaster with fourth The celebrated duo has And Del Potro grasped set could be at a slight disadvan- But the 29-year-old Cilic, Masters, just the lat- seed Marin Cilic in their semi- faced one another 37 point following a thrilling rally tage because he has a shorter the 2014 US Open champion, Rest chapter in their storied final, saving three set points in times, with the that had the spectators whoop- time to rest having played the eventually settled, only to rivalry. the opener before pulling Spaniard and world ing, only for 19-time Grand second match of the day. squander three set points as The celebrated duo have through 7-5, 7-6 (7/3). number one Nadal Slam champion Federer to Croatia’s Cilic had only ever Nadal hung on grimly. faced one another 37 times, The Swiss Federer, the winning 23 of their inexplicably shank his volley got the better of Nadal once in In the next game Nadal with the Spaniard and world world number two chasing a out of the court. five previous meetings, but he capitalised, breaking Cilic on number one Nadal winning 23 second Shanghai crown, rolled contests. The second set went with made him work hard for this the way to claiming the first set. of their contests. back the years to fight back serve until Federer, going after latest win. With the crowd firmly in And the 31-year-old Nadal, from a set down and defeat And he got it. Del Potro, the a 94th singles title, made the Nadal said he was just glad his favour, the Spaniard broke who has never won the Shang- Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 6-3, 2009 US Open champion whose breakthrough on the Del Potro to be in the final. Cilic again in the third game of hai Masters, will be slight 6-3. career has been blighted by wrist serve to inch ahead. “The way doesn’t matter,” the second set, only for Cilic to favourite this time because he The 36-year-old Federer injuries, quickly allayed fears Del Potro began showing he said with a smile. break back for 3-3 when Nadal goes into the showdown on a had said that he wanted that his latest problem would be irritation, engaging in a series “We are at the highest level put his simple volley into the terrific run of form, and his revenge over the 16th-seeded a major handicap. of discussions with the umpire, of our sport so nobody wins net. They exchanged a further opponent faces a quicker Argentine for defeat in the The 29-year-old fell and including demanding Federer easy. “And if you want to com- break apiece to race into the turnaround. quarter-finals at the US Open hurt his left wrist in winning his be warned for triumphantly pete in the most important tie break, before a grateful Nadal, a 16-time Grand this summer. quarter-final on Friday and hitting the ball away after events of the year and try to go Nadal pulled away at the last.

Sharapova Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return Gavrilova, Pavlyuchenkova against Peng Shuai reaches first of China during their women’s singles semi-final sweep into Hong Kong final final since at the WTA Tianjin Open in Tianjin Hong Kong drugs ban yesterday. AFP aria Gavrilova produced Tianjin her best performance of AFP Dthe week to cruise into the Hong Kong Open final with ive-time Grand Slam win- a 6-0, 7-5 defeat of Jennifer ner Maria Sharapova Brady yesterday. Fcrushed Peng Shuai 6-3, 6-1 She will face Anastasia Pav- at the Tianjin Open yesterday to lyuchenkova in today’s final reach her first final since serving after the Russian sixth seed also a 15-month doping ban. completed a comfortable win, The 30-year-old Russian, 6-3, 6-4 against China’s Wang playing on a wildcard in the sev- Qiang in the second enth tournament of her semi-final. comeback, hit top gear as she Naturalised Australian sev- swept aside the Chinese third seed enth seed Gavrilova, who was in one hour, 18 minutes. born in Moscow, sped through In front of a large home the first set in 22 minutes, drop- crowd, a businesslike Sharapova ping just four points on her own Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia waits for Naomi Osaka of broke four times and conceded serve as her American opponent Japan to serve during their women’s singles quarter-final on zero breaks of her own before looked overawed in her first wrapping up the semi-final with Italian Open second round and world’s highest-earning female WTA Tour semi-final. Friday. INSET: Australia’s Daria Gavrilova hits a return against a clinical crosscourt forehand. also withdrew from her sec- athletes, will now expect to win Jennifer Brady of the US during their semi-final yesterday. In today’s final -- her first ond-round match at Stanford. her 36th career title and end a since she won the Italian Open in Sharapova missed Wimble- trophy drought of more than “I feel like today was my flu-type virus all week. May 2015 -- she will be the red- don qualifying because of injury two years, the longest since her best performance since I’ve It was Brady who was blown hot favourite against and she wasn’t offered a wild- debut win in 2003. been in Asia,” said a delighted away by Gavrilova in the first 102nd-ranked Belarusian Aryna card to the French Open, but By contrast Sabalenka, 19, I feel like today world number 22 Gavrilova, set as the searing heat of earlier Sabalenka, who beat qualifier she reached the US Open last is gunning for her first WTA who broke the American’s serve in the week gave way to a blus- Sara Errani 6-1, 6-3. 16 on her return to Grand Slam title after a run to the Tianjin was my best seven times on the way to a tery autumnal day, the world Sharapova has had a stop- tennis. final that included wins over performance since dominant win. number 70 winning just 11 points start and injury-hit season since She has cut a swathe China’s Duan Ying-Ying and I’ve been in Asia: Pavlyuchenkova had it in the first set. her controversial return at Stutt- through the limited draw in Lin Zhu. slightly tougher against the Gavrilova’s stuttering quar- gart in April, following her ban for Tianjin, only dropping one set Sharapova, currently Daria Gavrilova 48th-ranked Wang, being bro- ter-final win against world 155 using the banned substance so far in her victories over ranked 86th, has also been ken three times on her own Lizette Cabrera on Friday night meldonium. Irina-Camelia Begu, Magda handed a wildcard for next serve. But the Russian ranked had been liberally sprinkled The statuesque former world Linette, Stefanie Voegele and week’s Kremlin Cup in Moscow, 21 always had enough firepower with 16 double faults and 20 number one reached the Stuttgart Peng. which she will play for the first to subdue China’s number three, unforced errors in the second semis but she retired in the Sharapova, one of the time since 2007. who has been suffering with a set alone. SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 27

JAPANESE GP GRIDS

1st row 1. Johann Zarco (FRA/Yamaha) 1:53.469, Zarco claims surprise pole 2. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 1:53.787, 3. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 1:53.903 2nd row Yamaha Tech3 rider 4. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 1:53.947, Johann Zarco of France 5. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Ducati) 1:54.235, 6. powers in action during Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 1:54.342 the second practice 3rd row Frenchman roars to the top of session of the Japanese 7. Bradley Smith (GBR/KTM) 1:54.872, 8. Grand Prix in Motegi, Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 1:54.906, 9. An- the timesheet on his non-works Tochigi prefecture on drea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 1:55.064 bike with a lap of one minute Friday. INSET: Zarco 4th row celebrates after claiming 10. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 1:55.483, 11. 53.469 seconds pole yesterday. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Suzuki) 1:55.617, 12. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1:57.786 Moto2 1st row 1. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) 1:53.776, 2. Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 1:53.904, 3. Xavi Vierge (ESP/Tech3) 1:54.046 2nd row 4. Mattia Pasini (ITA/Kalex) 1:54.139, 5. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) 1:54.289, 6. Hafizh Syahrin (MAS/Kalex) 1’54.362 3rd row 7. Sandro Cortese (GER/Suter) 1:54.409, 8. Marcel Schrotter (GER/Suter) 1:55.181, 9. Xavier Simeon (BEL/Kalex) 1:55.220 Moto3 1st row Tokyo session, with Ducati’s Danilo race 16 points behind Marquez, main target. And we are there, hinterland circuit in Tochigi 1. Nicolo Bulega (ITA/KTM) 2:09.320, 2. Reuters Petrucci pipping Marquez into will start ninth on the grid, with we are in front of our main prefecture. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA/KTM) 2:09.592, 3. second on the grid on a greasy third-placed Vinales 14th after rivals.” He was further frustrated Aron Canet (ESP/Honda) 2:09.708 ohann Zarco claimed a sur- track after weekend rain. he failed to get his works Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro on the drying track in Q1, fin- 2nd row prise pole for Yamaha Tech Third on the grid, defend- Yamaha into Q2. will start fourth on the grid ishing fourth in the session, 3 at the Japanese Grand ing champion Marquez “Honestly on the fastest lap, ahead of fifth-placed Jorge with Pol Espargaro and Brad 4. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Mahindra) Prix in Motegi yesterday as admitted a mistake at a corner I did a big mistake on the last Lorenzo and Honda’s Dani Ped- Smith posting the fastest times 2:09.797, 5. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) J championship leader Marc had cost him a better time but corner and I lost a lot of time,” rosa. Twenty-eight points to graduate to Q2. 2:09.846, 6. Romano Fenati (ITA/Honda) Marquez grabbed a spot on the he will have been buoyed that three-times MotoGP winner behind Marquez and with three His team-mate Valentino 2’09.881 front row. his closest rivals Andrea Marquez said track-side. races remaining after Motegi, Rossi has also had a forgettable 3rd row Frenchman Zarco roared to Dovizioso and Maverick Vinales “This time maybe I sacri- Vinales’ title hopes have waned weekend with grip problems and 7. Jorge Martin (ESP/Honda) 2:10.152, 8. the top of the timesheet on his will start well back. ficed a little bit to attack more. in Japan with his Yamaha strug- will start 12th in today’s race after Gabriel Rodrigo (ARG/KTM) 2:10.227, 9.

non-works bike with a lap of one Ducati’s Dovizioso, who is “But anyway, happy to be gling badly for grip during wet falling from his bike in the final Manuel Pagliani (ITA/Mahindra) 2:10.305

minute 53.469 seconds late in the second in the championship on the front row which was the practice sessions at the practice session.

Shakib and De Villiers Perez widens return for ODI series

Kimberley lead at CIMB AFP he return of leading all-rounder pro- vides encouragement for Bangladesh ahead of a Tthree-match one-day international series against South Classic in KL Africa starting at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley today. But Bangladesh, outplayed in two Tests against the hosts, will have to contend with a South African team strengthened by the inclusion of AB de Villiers, one of the world’s most daz- zling limited-overs batsmen. Also back in international action for South Africa is JP Duminy, who retired from Test after a run of low scores, but who remains a highly effective one-day player. In the most recent one-day outings for both teams, Bang- ladesh reached the semi-finals of the ICC Champions League in England in June, while South Africa failed to advance beyond the group stage. Bangladesh were victorious in their two most recent one-day internationals against South Africa when they won a series at home in 2015. Pat Perez of the US plays a fairway South Africa have won 14 of 17 one-day matches against shot on the 15th hole during the Bangladesh and triumphed in all six previous encounters in second round of the 2017 CIMB Classic South Africa by convincing margins. golf tournament in Kuala Lumpur Bangladesh will be under new leadership with veteran yesterday. bowler captaining the side instead of Mush- fiqur Rahim, who remains in the squad. Although Shakib’s return from a brief sabbatical will strengthen the tourists, they still rely mainly on the players CIMB CLASSIC SCORES Kuala Lumpur the poor performance of Thomas, who has who suffered two crushing Test defeats. AFP just finished a superb season and was hop- Nor was there any encouragement for Bangladesh when ing to triumph at the CIMB Classic for a third they were convincingly beaten by an invitation team in a 195 - Pat Perez (USA) 66-65-64 at Perez took a four-stroke lead in the successive year. warm-up match in Bloemfontein on Thursday, despite Shakib 199 - Xander Schauffele (USA) 65-67-67 third round of the CIMB Classic in He improved slightly Saturday with a top scoring for the tourists with 68. 200 - Kang Sung-Hoon (KOR) 67-68-65 PMalaysia yesterday with an eight- three-under-par 69 but he was still languish- For South Africa, the series is the first step on a road to under 64, as Justin Thomas’s title defence ing far down the leaderboard in tied 24th the 2019 World Cup. 201 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-68-63, Keegan looked all but over. position, 15 strokes off Perez. Faf du Plessis has replaced De Villiers as the one-day Bradley (USA) 65-71-65 The 41-year-old Perez’s impressive per- Perez insisted he did not feel under pres- and together with new coach Ottis Gibson will be 204 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 67-73-64 formance put him on a three-day total of sure to win. seeking to build a squad capable of challenging for global 21-under 195, leaving him in a strong posi- “I’m not going to put pressure on myself honours. 205 - Ollie Schniederjans (USA) 72-68-65, Jazz tion heading into the final round of the PGA to win,” he said. “Of course everybody wants Janewattananond (THA) 70-69-66 Tour event today. to win, it would be nice to do it, get the year 206 - Peter Uihlein (USA) 73-68-65, Danny Lee The American shrugged off sweltering started off right, but it is what it is. SQUADS (NZL) 73-65-68, Lucas Glover (USA) 71-67-68, heat at the TPC Kuala Lumpur to fire nine “I’m going to go out and try to hit a little birdies as he continued his impressive better, make some putts and we’ll see what South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quin- Rafa Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67-70-69 putting, which has been the standout fea- happens.” ton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Dane 207 - Stewart Cink (USA) 72-68-67, Gary Wood- ture of his game this week. World number three Matsuyama stormed Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada land (USA) 66-73-68 He holds a significant advantage over into contention with the lowest score of the Coach: Ottis Gibson (WIS) 208 - Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 72-70-66, David second-placed compatriot Xander Schauf- day, 63. Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), , Liton Das (wkt), , Mehidy fele, who sits four strokes behind him. But he admitted it would be hard to over- Lipsky (USA) 69-71-68, Luke List (USA) 70-70-68, Schauffele overcame a first hole bogey to take Perez: “You know, with the way Pat is Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, , (wkt), Mustafizur Rahman, Brendan Steele (USA) 67-71-70, Kyle Stanley end the day on five-under-par 67. playing, I don’t know if he can be caught or , , , Shakib Al Hasan, , , (USA) 71-67-70, Cameron Smith (AUS) 64-71-73 South Korea’s Kang Sung-Hoon is also not.” . 209 - C.T.Pan (TPE) 70-70-69, Paul Casey (ENG) a threat heading into the final day at five The shot of the day belonged to South Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha (SRI) shots behind Perez in third, while Japan’s Korea’s Whee Kim who fired a 191-yard hole- ODI FIXTURES

77-63-69, Harold Varner III (USA) 72-67-70 Hideki Matsuyama and American Keegan in-one on the 15th, for which he won a BMW Oct 15: Kimberley; Oct 18: Paarl; Oct 22: East London

Bradley are in tied fourth position. car as a prize. The $7m CIMB Classic is co- But the shock news of the event has been sponsored by the Asian Tour and PGA Tour. 28 SPORT SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 29 I was never disrespectful to EPL: Seven-goal super show fires Man City to the top my colleague:

Guardiola Manchester threat this season, with Fabian AFP Delph slotting in seamlessly on beforeStoke half-time pulled a whengoal back Diouf just Manchester the left following a long-term surged past Delph down the right, AFP abriel Jesus scored injury to Benjamin Mendy. and then received Jese’s first-time twice as Manchester It was Delph who tested Jack backheel to score from 15 yards. ep Guardiola has moved to City produced an out- Butland with a long-range effort City continued to seek more placate Mauricio Pochettino standing display to that the Stoke goalkeeper gath- goals and only a good diving save Pafter the Manchester City thrash Stoke 7-2 and ered comfortably, but it was from Butland prevented De Bru- manager was accused of disrespect G move two points clear at the top right-back Walker who was cen- yne from finding the corner of the by his Tottenham Hotspur of the Premier League tral to the stylish move from net. counterpart. yesterday. which Guardiola’s team took a Stoke pulled another one Pochettino is annoyed that City scored seven goals for 17th-minute lead. back barely 90 seconds after the Guardiola recently described Spurs the first time under Pep Guardi- Walker, played in down the interval, with Tom Edwards as “the Harry Kane team” after cit- ola, and for only the second time right by De Bruyne’s finely judged crossing for Diouf, whose header ing Tottenham, Chelsea and in the Premier League, as Raheem pass in behind Wimmer, reached was deflected in off the post by Manchester United as City’s main Sterling, David Silva, Fernand- the byline and cut the ball back Walker. rivals for the Premier League title. inho, Leroy Sane and Bernardo for Jesus to sweep in. Sadly for Edwards, his after- England striker Kane has Silva were also on target at Barely had Stoke absorbed noon was ended by injury shortly scored 11 of Tottenham’s 21 goals Eastlands. that setback when they fell two afterwards, as he was carried off in all competitions this season, with All of this was achieved with- goals behind, and again, the on a stretcher. nine goals in his last five matches out star striker Sergio Aguero, left build-up play was wonderful. City, having recovered their for club and country. as an unused substitute after Sane cut in from the left on to composure, then sprinted for- That blistering run has seen recovering from a broken rib suf- De Bruyne’s return pass, before ward to extend their lead once Kane score seven goals in his last fered in a taxi crash just over two rolling across goal for Raheem more. three games for Spurs. weeks ago. Sterling to control and steer in his De Bruyne was involved once He also scored two winning City were 3-0 up after 27 sixth goal in six Premier League again, haring down the right side goals as England completed a suc- minutes before Stoke briefly appearances this season. before crossing low for Jesus to cessful World Cup qualifying threatened a revival through A third goal for Guardiola’s steer high into the net from six campaign with successive 1-0 vic- Mame Biram Diouf’s strike and a team arrived with just 27 minutes yards. tories over Slovenia and Lithuania Kyle Walker own goal. played. It was the signal for another this month. But Guardiola’s team then This time, Jesus fed Sane City goal surge; Fernandinho took Pochettino has bristled at the powered away to secure an down the left, and the Germany on Delph’s short pass to hammer suggestion that Spurs are a one- emphatic win that took their goal international played the ball in a 25-yard shot off the under- man team, calling Guardiola’s tally to 24 in their last five league across goal for Sterling to steer side of the bar for the fifth. comments disrespectful, but the games and put distance between back into the middle, where The outstanding De Bruyne Spaniard now says it was never his the leaders and second-placed David Silva stretched to slot was involved once again for the intention to belittle them. Manchester United. home. sixth goal, splitting the Stoke “I was never disrespectful to my Stoke looked defence with a sublime colleague. I was never disrespect- stretched from the early diagonal pass for Sane, ful in a press conference. Never,” minutes, and Sane should MANCHESTER CITY 7 - 2 STOKE CITY arriving from the left, Guardiola said. have given the home side to steer between But- Jesus 17' Diouf 44’ “When I talked about Harry a seventh minute lead, Walker OG 48’ land’s legs. Kane’s team, it was because Harry lifting a shot over the bar Sterling 19' Substitute Ber- Kane was scoring a lot of goals. from close range after David Silva 27' nardo Silva poked in “And I know perfectly that Kevin De Bruyne’s cross Jesus 53' his first City goal for Tottenham are not Harry Kane from the right had flicked Fernandinho 60' the seventh, after Yaya alone.” off Kevin Wimmer. Sané 62' Toure and Sterling had Guardiola, whose side are top City’s full-backs are a Bernardo Silva 79' combined to set him of the Premier League ahead of much greater attacking up. Saturday’s game against Stoke Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva scores their seventh goal against Stoke City during their English Premier League match played at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, UK yesterday. City, said he has always been quick to give credit to Tottenham, who finished second last season, one place above City. “I think last season, the person who spoke most about appreciat- ing the way Tottenham play was me,” Guardiola said. “When they lost to Chelsea in United frustrate Liverpool in home derby the FA Cup semi-final last season, I said it was incredible, because Chelsea had four shots on target and scored four goals. “As I said, Tottenham are one Liverpool of the best teams playing. So I’m Reuters really disappointed if he said that. “I don’t know what he said, but cautious Manchester United frustrated hosts Liverpool I was never disrespectful about my as a lacklustre North-West Premier League derby colleagues. Aended 0-0 yesterday with neither side able to find the “I respect a lot what Tottenham creative touch. have done in the last two or three The draw left United alone at the top of the table on 20 years. There is a lot of credit in the points although Manchester City regained first place when way they play, in the way they want they defeated Stoke City later yesterday. Liverpool’s German to show their football in the Pre- Those hoping for a classic blood-and-thunder clash of For sure you manager Jurgen Klopp mier League, the way they are the two most successful clubs in English football were prob- could not play (left) shakes hands with always attacking.” ably being overly optimistic but few would have predicted Manchester United’s Guardiola thought he had a such an uninspiring 90 minutes at Anfield. this way at Spanish goalkeeper good relationship with the Totten- United manager Jose Mourinho’s team selection suggested Liverpool but David de Gea after their ham manager, who he believes that, as last season, he would adopt a cautious approach to English Premier League must have misunderstood his taking on Juergen Klopp’s side. it’s OK for comments. Instead of Spanish craftsman Juan Mata on the right, the Manchester football match at Anfield “Maybe I should say Pochetti- more defensively diligent Ashley Young started in the role in Liverpool yesterday. The no’s team when I said Harry Kane’s and Marcus Rashford, carrying a slight knock from England United: Klopp game ended 0-0. team,” Guardiola said. duty, was left on the bench. “But I said it because he scored With United’s Romelu Lukaku left alone - and isolated - two goals more against Hudders- in attack and French forward Anthony Martial shunting up field and a goal for the national and down the left with little inspiration, United sat deep and Manchester United got point team and another goal for the waited to see what Liverpool could do with the possession. national team. The answer was not very much. “I think Mauricio has made a Brazilian Philippe Coutinho drifted into pockets of space mistake. Never in my career have and from time to time threatened to produce something eye- they came for, says Klopp I not been respectful. catching, while Egyptian Mohamed Salah’s pace and dribbling “Maybe I can answer something caused some awkward moments for United left-back Mat- where I attack my team or my club, teo Darmian. Liverpool here for a point and got it," said "In the second half but never would I be disrespectful But those glimmers of flair were not enough to create any AFP Klopp, whose side went close (Nemanja) Matic tired and I had about Mauricio or Tottenham.” sustained pressure on United and, as the second half drifted either side of half-time no solutions on the bench. I Guardiola, meanwhile, is hope- towards a goalless draw, neither side could find another gear iverpool manager Jurgen through Joel Matip and Emre tried with my substitutions to ful that City midfielder David Silva or the inventiveness to create a clear opening. Klopp said Manchester Can. make us more dynamic in will agree a new contract soon. Liverpool’s best chance came in the 35th minute but LUnited got the point they "For sure you could not attack, but in reality we lost Silva, who has scored 51 times United keeper David De Gea pulled off a superb save with came for at Anfield yesterday play this way at Liverpool but power and energy and control in 315 games for City since arriving his legs to keep out a shot from Joel Matip and Salah’s follow after a dour 0-0 Premier it's OK for Manchester United," in midfield." from Valencia in 2010, has just up was wide. League draw. he added. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool under two years left on his current United created little beyond a Lukaku shot two minutes Free-scoring United came Mourinho said his team have now won just once in contract. before the interval which was well dealt with by keeper Simon into the match second behind had good control in the first eight matches, but this was a He is expected to sign an exten- Mignolet. Manchester City at the top of half. brighter showing on a warm sion through to 2020, with director The only half-chance of a poor second half came when the league only on goal differ- "The opposition was good Merseyside afternoon. of football Txiki Begiristain lead- Liverpool’s Emre Can tried to get on the end of a floated ball ence but Jose Mourinho set out today, but we played our The second successive ing the negotiations. from Jose Gomez but could not turn his effort goalwards. Manchester United’s David De Gea makes a save during their English Premier his team to frustrate the home game," said Mourinho. "In the goalless draw between the “It’s about Txiki but I think we’d side's attackers and had only first half we had a couple of teams at Anfield preserved League football match gainst Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool yesterday. like him to stay,” he said. one shot on target. very good chances and good United's seven-point advantage "Manchester United came control of the game. over Liverpool in the table. 30 SPORT SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 Astros beat Yankees in ALCS opener

Houston Keuchel strikes times in celebration after watch- AP ing McCann make the tag. “It’s Keuchel struck out one of the best throws I’ve ever allas Keuchel faced 10 in seven scoreless seen from an outfielder,” Correa the New York Yan- innings to help said. kees in the Houston to a 2-1 Gonzalez threw out Boston’s postseason for the victory in the AL Mitch Moreland at the plate in second time and the Championship Series. the Division Series finale and is DHouston Astros ace shut them the first outfielder with assists in down again. consecutive postseason games Keuchel struck out 10 in Series games, Japanese starter since Jim Rice in the 1986 World seven scoreless innings to help Tanaka kept the Astros hitless Series. He joined Lance Berkman Houston to a 2-1 victory on Fri- until Altuve’s infield single rolled as the only players in franchise day in the AL Championship through the pitcher’s legs in the history to have two outfield Series opener. fourth. Altuve swiped second assists in one postseason. “I think it’s just pitch execu- before scoring on Correa’s sin- After controversially failing tion, and it’s just been there more gle. Gurriel followed with a to challenge a call in Game 2 of times than it hasn’t against the two-out single, his 10th hit of the the Division Series, Girardi didn’t Yankees,” Keuchel said. postseason. hesitate to ask for a review. Keuchel threw six scoreless Bird singled to start the fifth “We thought he was out,” he innings in a 3-0 win over New and Matt Holliday, making his said. “But God knows I’m not York in the 2015 AL wild card first appearance of the postsea- doing that again.” game. son, reached when Altuve Luis Severino will make his He allowed four hits — all dropped his slow bouncer to sec- third start of this postseason for singles — and walked one to ond for an error. Judge singled the Yankees on Saturday. Sev- improve to 8-2 with a 1.09 ERA with two outs and Gonzalez, erino yielded three runs and four New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird (33) is tagged out at home plate by Houston Astros in eight starts against the Yan- throwing with such force that he hits in seven innings of a win in kees in the regular season and catcher Brian McCann (16) during the fifth inning during game one of the 2017 ALCS play-off fell to the ground, made a 97 mph Game 4 of the ALDS to bounce postseason combined. He joined baseball series at Minute Maid Park on Friday. one-hop throw to catcher Brian back after allowing three runs Nolan Ryan and Mike Scott as the McCann, who tagged the sliding and getting just one out in the only Astros pitchers to reach threw out Bird at the plate try- pinch-hitter Jacoby Ellsbury. Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. Houston Bird. wild-card game. double digits in strikeouts in a ing to score on Aaron Judge’s Giles, who threw a season-high is in the Championship Series for “That was their best moment For the Astros, Justin Ver- postseason game. two-out single in the fifth. 37 pitches, escaped a two-out the first time since beating St. in the game, (I needed) to stop lander is scheduled to make his “Late movement — he moves “We had a shot,” Yankees jam in the eighth by striking out Louis in 2005. The Yankees, who the momentum,” Gonzalez said. 18th playoff start on Saturday. the ball and he commands it manager Joe Girardi said. “If Didi Gregorius. Greeted by MVP overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat “All I was thinking was to go Verlander got the win in Game 1 well,” the Yankees Greg Bird said. Bird’s safe maybe we really get chants each time to the plate, Cleveland in the Division Series, get the ball as fast as I could.” of the ALDS against the Red Sox Carlos Correa and Yuli Gur- to him in that inning.” Jose Altuve had three more hits lost their sixth straight ALCS Primarily an infielder, and picked up win No. 2 of this riel hit RBI singles in the fourth Bird homered off Ken Giles and at 11 for 19 (.579) has the game since 2010. After the Astros Gonzalez had just two outfield postseason when he made his off loser Masahiro Tanaka, and with two outs in the ninth, and most hits in a team’s first five totaled eight runs in the first assists in the regular season. He first career relief appearance in left fielder Marwin Gonzalez the closer struck out postseason games since Seattle’s innings of their four AL Division beat his hand into his glove three Game 4. US wants Winter Games, must decide on 2026 or 2030

Los Angeles that we are interested in hosting Probst added, referring to the Olympic bids on Friday, Probst -- as it did last month in choos- on Nevada’s border with Califor- AFP the Winter Games,” USOC chair- Summer Games awarded to Los said, adding that officials still ing Paris for 2024 and Los nia and other cities have man Larry Probst told reporters Angeles. need more information from the Angeles for 2028. expressed interest. he US Olympic Committee on Friday as he discussed talks The United States last hosted International Olympic Commit- In that case, the USOC could “We really need more discus- wants to bid for the Winter at the USOC Assembly in Colo- the Winter Games in Salt Lake tee on the bidding process. be interested in entering the next sions with the IOC to understand TOlympics, but is still mull- rado Springs, Colorado. City in 2002. Probst said the USOC wants round of bidding. If so, they their process and timing before ing whether it would be better to “Ideally, that’s probably USOC board members dis- to be part of the discussion if the would need to select a bid city we determine what our process seek the 2026 or 2030 Games. 2030, so that there’s no confu- cussed the pros and cons of IOC decides to award the 2026 by next March, Probst said. Salt is going to be,” USOC chief exec- “I put a stake in the ground sion with preparations for 2028,” possible 2026 or 2030 Winter and 2030 Olympics in one vote Lake City, Denver, Reno-Tahoe utive Scott Blackmun said. Red Wings rally past Golden Knights in NHL

Las Vegas AP

ed Wings coach Jeff Blashill put a lot of weight Rin this four-game road trip. A season after missing the play-offs for the first time in 25 years, Detroit was hoping a strong start could help chase away some of that disappointment. Gustav Nyquist scored twice and the Red Wings had four goals in the third period to beat the Vegas Golden Knights 6-3 on Friday, handing the NHL’s newest franchise its first loss. The Red Wings finished their trip with back-to-back wins after beating Arizona on Thurs- day, overcoming James Neal’s sixth goal of the short season for Las Vegas to improve to 4-1-0. “You can’t play from behind in this league in the standings, you can’t be climbing all year,” Blashill said. “We knew when we looked Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates with his at our schedule, the stretch in the beginning of the year it was team-mates after scoring against the Calgary Flames during a lot of road games, and the an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, stretch at the end of the year Canada on Friday. there’s a lot of road games. So, quick starts are a big factor in some key saves. Good to see.” Fleury to make it 4-3. Less than success.” Vegas (3-1-0) is the first NHL four minutes later, Nyquist Zetterberg finished with a expansion team to win its first jabbed in a loose puck after goal and two assists for Detroit, three games. Mrazek made 24 Fleury made a save on Anthony which is 4-1. saves for the Red Wings, while Mantha. Luke Glendening’s goal “I think the start we had last Marc-Andre Fleury had 21 saves with 5:04 left finished the night was nothing we’re proud for Vegas. After killing a penalty scoring. about,” Zetterberg said. early in the third, Detroit’s Frans It marked the first time “I thought tonight didn’t go Nielsen and Zetterberg worked Fleury allowed six goals since perfect, but it was better. I a 2-on-1 to perfection, ending Janaury 14, while he was with thought (goaltender) Petr with Nielsen poking what ended the Pittsburgh Penguins and also (Mrazek) played well, made up being the winning goal past against the Red Wings. SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 31 Zaha inspires Palace to Chelsea win

Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha scores their second goal against Chelsea during their English Premier League match at Selhurst Park, in London, yesterday.

London Manchester City, a second loss ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE from Cesc Fabregas’s corner but AFP leaves them already trailing Pep English Premier League results yesterday: the way the French international Guardiola’s side by nine points Burnley 1 (Wood 85) West Ham 1 (Antonio 19) was allowed to drift away from ilfried Zaha after just eight matches. Crystal Palace 2 (Azpilicueta 11-og, Zaha 45) marker Van Aanholt was frus- returned to Palace manager Hodgson Chelsea 1 (Bakayoko 18) trating for Hodgson. inspire bottom insisted he had seen positive Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0 Chelsea may have been back club Crystal signs from his players on the Manchester City 7 (Jesus 17, 55, Sterling 19, in the game but Antonio Conte’s Palace to their training pitch during the inter- David Silva 27, Fernandinho 60, Sane 62, Ber- side were far from convincing. Wfirst win and first goals of the national break despite the nardo Silva 79) Stoke 2 (Diouf 44, Walker 47-og) Alvaro Morata was sidelined Premier League campaign with dismal run of early-season form. Swansea 2 (Abraham 42, 48) Huddersfield 0 with a hamstring injury and dep- a shock 2-1 defeat of champions And the home side’s Tottenham 1 (Eriksen 47) Bournemouth 0 uty Michy Batshuayi struggled Chelsea yesterday. approach during the opening Watford 2 (Deeney 71’ pen, Cleverley 90+2) Ar- to make an impression as the Hodgson’s side finally broke stages of the games suggested senal 1 (Mertesacker 39’) focal point of the Blues attack. their seven-game goal drought the manager had done a good Playing today And while Fabregas was when Yohan Cabaye’s 11th- job in restoring confidence to a Brighton vs Everton (1230) Chelsea’s most threatening

minute shot deflected in off side that has endured the worst Southampton vs Newcastle (1500) player when he advanced from

Playing tomorrow Cesar Azpilicueta, prompting a start in Premier League central midfield, it was clear the huge outpouring of relief around history. Leicester vs West Brom (1900) industry of N’Golo Kante -- Selhurst Park. It helped that Zaha was back another hamstring casualty Tiemoue Bakayoko levelled in the ranks and partnering Frenchman, against David Luiz, -- was missed. Palace could with an 18th-minute header but Andros Townsend up front, the and then again off Cabaye, sense they had an opportunity Zaha -- back in the side for the winger quickly demonstrating before deflecting past Thibaut to claim a morale-boosting win first time since injuring his knee he had the capacity to worry the Courtois via a hefty deflection and restored their lead immedi- in the opening-day defeat to Chelsea backline. from Cesar Azpilicueta, Hodg- ately before half-time after Huddersfield -- secured the vic- He was not alone in that as son’s side were grateful for any Mamadou Sakho stepped up tory with the second on the Hodgson’s side quickly pressed fortune that came their way. from the backline to dispossess stroke of half-time. the reigning champions back on It was the kind of goal that Willian and release Zaha inside Palace remain rooted at the their heels, particularly when in normal circumstances would the Chelsea box. foot of the table despite this Patrick van Aanholt found space be quickly forgotten, but the The Ivorian did the rest, notable win but Hodgson’s side on the left to deliver a testing low reaction from within Selhurst moving past Azpilicueta and West Ham United’s were handed a much-needed cross. Park confirmed the strike’s sig- placing a right-footed shot Manuel Lanzini boost by a victory that revived The breakthrough, though, nificance. Palace, though, are not across Courtois and inside the memories of last season’s dra- came from the other flank after in desperate trouble for nothing far post. collides with matic survival bid. James McArthur had sent and they quickly demonstrated Chelsea dominated the sec- Burnley manager For Chelsea, this was an Townsend heading towards the the side of their game that has ond half with Fabregas hitting during their English early blow in their efforts to byline. The England interna- been far more prominent this the bar and Pedro, Charly Premier League defend their Premier League tional pulled the ball back season when they gifted Chel- Musonda and Marcos Alonso match at Turf Moor, title. Having gone into the inter- towards Cabaye and while there sea a route back into the match. coming close but Palace Burnley, in Britain, national break on the back of a was a huge amount of luck in the Tiemoue Bakayoko pro- defended impressively to hold yesterday. home defeat to leaders way the ball bounced off the duced a good downward header on to their advantage. Bayern win on Late Ronaldo winner Heynckes return rescues Real at Getafe Berlin Lewandowski and Joshua Kim- AFP mich completed the rout. Madrid second and within four points form since returning from an “The team was awesome AFP of Barcelona, who travel to early season five-game upp Heynckes (pictured) today, we deserved to win,” said Atletico Madrid. suspension. made a perfect start to his Thiago. ristiano Ronaldo struck his Despite being shorn of Guaita was left helpless six Jfourth spell as Bayern Munich The win saw Bayern move first La Liga goal of the Gareth Bale, Dani Carvajal and minutes before half-time, coach with a 5-0 thrashing of within two points of Borussia Cseason five minutes from Keylor Navas through injury and though, when Benzema latched Freiburg at the Allianz Arena Dortmund at the top of the Bun- time to save Real Madrid from illness, Zinedine Zidane surpris- onto Ronaldo’s pass and kept his yesterday. desliga table, before the league told Sky Sports. “We went to losing more ground in the title ingly left Luka Modric and Isco composure to fire low into the An own goal from Julian leaders’ match against RB Leip- sleep a bit for their second goal, race with a hard-fought 2-1 win on the bench after their exer- far corner for his first league Schuster put Bayern in front on zig later on Saturday. but the draw is a fair result.” at Getafe yesterday. tions on international duty and goal of the season. seven minutes, and a flying Heynckes’ men are two At the other end of the table, Real looked on course for a with one eye on Tuesday’s Getafe had barely threat- header from Kingsley Coman points clear of third-placed Hof- Hamburg could celebrate scor- comfortable three points when Champions League clash against ened before levelling in doubled the lead shortly before fenheim, who twice threw away ing their first goal since August Karim Benzema fired the visi- Tottenham Hotspur. fortunate circumstances 11 min- half-time. the lead in a 2-2 draw at home despite losing 3-2 to Mainz. tors into a deserved half-time However, that decision utes into the second half when “We wanted to show what to Augsburg. After Michael Gre- Alexandru Maxim’s second- lead. backfired as once again Zidane’s Molina bundled home Francisco we can do straight away,” Tho- goritsch had cancelled out minute opener for Mainz was However, Jorge Molina’s men produced a lacklustre per- Portillo’s low cross despite mas Mueller told Sky Sports. Benjamin Huebner’s opener 15 quickly cancelled out by Walace, equaliser early in the second formance in La Liga. appearing to be in an offside “There will be a lot of people minutes from time, Mark Uth the Brazilian’s equaliser ending half and an incredible miss by Real dropped points at home position. singing our praises in the com- restored the lead with a curling a five-game goal drought for Ronaldo left the European to Valencia, Levante and Real Zidane threw on Isco, Theo ing days, but we need to just strike into the top corner for Hamburg. champions needing a late Betis to allow Barcelona to open Hernandez and Borja Mayoral keep working well.” Hoffenheim. Augsburg, though, Stefan Bell restored the lead saviour. up a seven-point gap at the top from the bench in the search for A fine strike from Thiago equalised once again in the 89th shortly after half-time, however, And Ronaldo rode to the res- of the table and even failed to a winner. And it was Isco who Alcantara put the reigning minute, with Kevin Vogt deflect- before a Christian Mathenia cue and made amends for his find their top form in seeing off provided the inspiration as his champions 3-0 up on 63 min- ing a Jeffrey Gouweleeuw cross error allowed Danny Latza to earlier profligacy with an accu- Alaves and Espanyol in recent through ball released Ronaldo utes, just moments after they into his own net. add a third. A late penalty from rate volleyed finish into the far weeks. to finally break his duck in La had been denied a penalty by “We were the better team at Sejad Salihovic was not enough corner. Part of Madrid’s problem has Liga for the season by firing into VAR. Further goals from Robert times,” Augsburg’s Daniel Baier for Hamburg to avoid defeat. Victory takes Real up to been Ronaldo’s poor league the far corner. 32 SPORT SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 Hamad grabs Hathab honours

Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, astride SIEC Lonnie, in action during the feature competition - 130/140cm - of the opening round of QR1m ‘Hathab’ showjumping series at Al Shaqab, Indoor Arena yesterday.

HATHAB: INAUGURAL ROUND RESULTS Comp. (6) Big Tour - One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1, 130/140 cm S I E C LONNIE, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi 68.88 QR 10,500 DAYDREAMER EC, Saeed Nasser Al Qadi 73.32 QR 8,400 ST. LUCIA, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi 72.44 QR 6,450 BCO COME ON BOY Z, Hamad Towaim Al Marri 87.95 QR 4,650 Competition (5) 120/130cm Class: JESSICO 4, Saeed Nasser Al Qadi 36.45 seconds CORRADO’S CORIANA, Mohammed Said Haidan 39.68 seconds JAZLY, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi 41.47 seconds Competition (4) Future Riders Class: ILSE, Barzan Azzam Saleh 47.74 seconds KASHMIR, Fahad Abdulkarim Abed 48.26 seconds SITA, Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al Thani 48.51 seconds Competition (3) Future Riders Class (85/100cm):

FRIEDRICHSHOF DARK DREAM, Ali Mohammed Al Qadi AQUEENA, Tamim Nasser Al Qadi

Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula

amad Nasser Al Qadi, astride SIEC Lonnie, yes- terday grabbed the top spot in the feature com- petition of the opening Hround of QR1m Hathab showjumping series. Producing a flawless routine with 12-year-old entry, Hamad clocked a time of 68.88 seconds in the 130/140cm class held in the Indoor Arena at Al Shaqab where a huge crowd turned up to watch the coun- try’s young riders in action. Hamad picked up the top prize of QR10,500. “I am very pleased with this per- formance. It was great to compete in front of home fans. The riders are happy about this new series,” Hamad said. Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, who entered the fray with Daydreamer EC, finished the round against the clock in second place in a time of 73.32 sec- onds. Saeed won QR 8,400. The duo of Hamad and St Lucia A rider competes in the 120/130cm class during the last day of Hathab’s opening round at Al Shaqab, Indoor Arena yesterday. Right: Hamad settled for the third place following a Nasser Al Qadi receives trophy after winning the 130/140cm class contest. Pics: Lotfi Garsi fault. The third-best time, worth QR6,450, was 72.44 seconds. Hamad Towaim Al Marri, seen in astride Jessico 4, clocking a time of (Jazly) grabbed the third spot (41.47 competition at Al Shaqan Indoor horse riding among Qatari youth action with BCO Come On Boy Z, fin- 36.45 seconds. Al Qadi picked up the seconds). Arena. while encouraging the involvement ished in fourth spot in a time of 87.95 top prize of QR 5,000. Bandar Mansoor Al Hoban (Tag- In the Future Riders’ Class, Bar- of private stables and individual horse seconds. Al Marri bagged QR4,650. Mohammed Said Haidan (Corra- fart 111Z) and Mohammed Sultan Al zan Azzam Saleh guided Ilse to the owners to grow awareness of horse- Earlier in the 120/130cm class, do’s Coriana) finished in second spot Suwaid (Numero Uno - T) completed top spot in a time of 47.74 seconds. manship as part of Qatar’s history and Saeed produced a flawless routine in a time of 39.68 seconds. Hamad the top five riders in the two-phased Fahad Abdulkarim Abed, astride tradition,” Ali Al Rumaihi, Executive Kashmir, finished second (48.26 sec- Director of the event, said. onds) while Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al “This is just the beginning of what Thani (Sita, 48.51 seconds) ended the will be a great series. We are pleased 70/85 cm competition in third spot. with the enthusiasm shown by the In the Future Riders class young riders,” Ali, Qatar’s Olympic (85/100cm), Ali Mohammed Al Qadi, Games team member, added. guided Friedrichshof Dark Dream to the top spot. Tamim Nasser Al Qadi (Aqeena) finished in second place. The ‘Hathab’ series is a 12-leg competition that will be alternatively I am very pleased held at Al Shaqab and Qatar Eques- with this trian Federation’s (QEF) Outdoor Arena over the course of the next performance. It was seven months. great to compete in The sponsors of the series include ExxonMobil, Salam International, front of home fans. Woqod besides support from QEF and The riders are happy Al Shaqab. Hathab, meaning ‘Canter’ in Ara- about this new series: bic, is an initiative launched by HE Hamad Nasser Al Qadi Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. Young riders who finished on the podium in 85/100 class pose for a group picture following the competition “The new showjumping series is at Al Shaqab, Indoor Arena yesterday. aimed at improving the standard of