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CRICKET Bangladesh post historic Test win against England Bangladesh secured Test status in 2000 and the win was only SCORECARD their eighth in 95 Tests — and the first against a full-strength side Bangladesh I innings 220 (Mominul), 3-152 (Mahmudullah), 4-200 C Woakes not out ...... 9 England I innings 244 (Kayes), 5-238 (Shakib), 6-238 (Rahim), A Rashid lbw b Shakib ...... 0 Bangladesh II innings (overnight 7-268 (Sabbir), 8-273 ( Taijul), 9-276 Z. Ansari c Kayes b Shakib ...... 0 152-3) (Mehedi), 10-296 (Kamrul) S. Finn lbw b Mehedi ...... 0 Imrul Kayes lbw b Ali ...... 78 Bowling: Finn 3-0-18-0, Ali 19-2-60-1, Extras: (b4 lb2) ...... 6 Shakib Al Hasan b Rashid ...... 41 Ansari 19-0-76-2, Stokes 12-2-52-3 (nb1, Total (all out; 45.3 overs) ...... 164 Mushfiqur Rahim c Cook b Stokes ...... 9 w1), Rashid 11.5-1-52-4, Woakes 2-0-14-0 Fall of wickets: 1-100 (Duckett), 2-105 Sabbir Rahman lbw b Rashid ...... 15 England II innings (Root), 3-124 (Ballance), 4-124 (Ali), 5-127 Shuvagata Hom not out ...... 25 Alastair Cook c Mominul b Mehedi ..59 (Cook), 6-139 (Bairstow), 7-161 (Stokes), Tajiul Islam c Bairstow b Stokes ...... 5 B. Duckett b Mehedi...... 56 8-161 (Rashid), 9-161 (Ansari), 10-164 Mehedi Hasan c Root b Rashid ...... 2 J. Root lbw b Shakib ...... 1 (Finn) Kamrul Islam c and b Rashid ...... 7 G. Ballance c Tamim b Mehedi ...... 5 Bowling: Mehedi 21.3-2-77-6, Shakib Extras (b17, lb7, w1, nb1) ...... 26 M. Ali lbw Mehedi ...... 0 13-1-49-4, Shuvagata 6-0-25-0, Taijul Total (all out, 66.5 overs) ...... 296 B. Stokes b Shakib ...... 25 5-2-7-0 Fall of wickets: 1-65 (Tamim), 2-66 J. Bairstow c Shuvagata b Mehedi ...... 3 Result: Bangladesh won by 108 runs

Bangladesh players celebrate after beating England in Dhaka yesterday.

AFP “The coach was a bit fi red up at tea. land were desperate for Jonny Bairstow Dhaka We didn’t bowl too well. Then they to replicate his recent fi ne form. But tried to bowl in good areas and did re- Mehedi dismissed Bairstow to com- ally well. The bowlers did a great job. plete his second fi ve-wicket haul in the angladesh yesterday recorded We didn’t think Mehedi will shine like match. their fi rst Test victory over this. He’s a good batsman as well and The England wicketkeeper-batsman England, taking all ten wickets hopefully will be a great all-rounder departed for three to leave his side pre- Bin a single session thanks to for Bangladesh.” cariously poised on 6-139. teen off -spin sensation Mehedi Hasan Mehedi, who celebrated his 19th Shakib then took Bangladesh to the to win the second Test by 108 runs and birthday this week, took the fi nal wick- brink of victory before Mehedi — the square the series. et of Steven Finn to fi nish with 6-77 in man of the match and of the series — Celebrations erupted at Dhaka’s the innings and 12 for 159 in the match. trapped Steven Finn leg before. Sher-e-Bangla Stadium and across It was his country’s best-ever bowl- “270 would have been a helluva the country as Bangladeshis revelled ing fi gure in Tests, overtaking Enamul chase probably,” Cook said after the in one of the proudest moments in Haque Jr’s 12-200 against Zimbabwe match. “Today we showed our inexpe- their sporting history. Chasing a target in 2005. He fi nished the series with 19 rience in these conditions. When the of 273, England seemed to be cruising scalps. ball got rolling we couldn’t stop it.” when Alastair Cook and Ben Duckett Shakib Al Hasan, the only other Earlier in the day Adil Rashid guided them to 100 without loss at tea. Bangladeshi apart from Mehedi and claimed 4-52 and Ben Stokes 3-52 as But 19-year-old Mehedi, playing in Enamul to take 10 or more wickets in England dismissed Bangladesh for 296 only his second Test, triggered a dra- Tests, joined the party with 4-49, in- to keep their victory target below the matic collapse in the fi nal session of cluding three wickets in an over. 300-run mark. But the visitors squan- the third day. England crumbled to 164 Yet England had reason to feel con- dered the chance to dismiss Bangla- all out to suff er their fi rst-ever defeat fi dent after Duckett and Cook gave desh more cheaply, dropping a series of by Bangladesh in 10 Tests and share the them a confi dent start in pursuit of catches and allowing the hosts to build two-Test series 1-1. an achievable target, before Mehedi on their overnight 152-3. Bangladesh secured Test status in struck with the fi rst ball of the fi nal Stokes was fi ned 15% of his match 2000 and the win was only their eighth session. He bowled Duckett for 56 and fee for breaching the ICC code of con- in 95 Tests — and the fi rst against a then quickly removed Garry Ballance duct, ignoring requests from the on- full-strength side from a major coun- (fi ve) and Moeen Ali (zero). Then came fi eld umpires to stop “verbally engag- try. “It’s a great moment for Bangla- the coup de grace, the wicket of Cook, ing” with Bangladeshi batsman Sabbir desh cricket. It was up and down and the only other half-century maker Rahman. The English player admitted you never knew which team would with 59. his off ence and no formal hearing was win,” said jubilant captain Mushfi qur With Shakib having already removed need, the ICC, cricket’s global govern- Rahim. Joe Root for one in the meantime, Eng- ing body, said in a statement.

Bangladesh’s Mehedi Hasan poses with his man of the match and man of the series trophies. Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 31, 2016 FOOTBALL

WELL PLAYED Guardiola all praise for ‘Special One’ Aguero AFP 150th for City when Guardiola’s former Guardiola was also pleased with with our performance in the fi rst half. London club visit Eastlands this week. Gundogan after the German playmaker We won 4-0 but in the second half West After dropping Aguero for City’s 4-0 netted his fi rst brace in English football. Brom showed how good the Premier defeat at Barcelona recently, Guardiola “Sergio scored two but so did Gun- League is. ergio Aguero was branded Man- was delighted with the contribution of dogan. He has the qualities with the ball “For me it was diffi cult to understand chester City’s ‘Special One’ the former Atletico Madrid star. “Ser- in the middle, he’s safe and he’s really why we had control in the fi rst half, and after ending the worst run of gio is a special player. But I would like good with the ball one against one at- then we didn’t in the second half with manager Pep Guardiola’s career. to convince him how important he is for tacking central defenders,” Guardiola the same players. At 60, 65 minutes, S Argentina forward Aguero scored us,” Guardiola said. “We need him a lot said. “He showed that with the fi rst goal anything could have happened, but the twice in the fi rst half against West and when he’s in that mood and shows with the pass to Sergio.” moment Ilkay Gundogan scored the Bromwich Albion before setting up that hunger, Sergio is defi nitive. Guardiola admitted City needed to end third goal, the game was almost over.” the third for Ilkay Gundogan, who also “He’s an important part of this club their winless run — so they didn’t lose West Brom assistant head coach grabbed the fi nal goal in City’s 4-0 win and we want to try to help him to become their heads. “I was very pleased — after Dave Kemp admitted they couldn’t live at the Hawthorns. a bigger and bigger part of this fantastic six games we needed a win for the head with Aguero. It was a welcome result for City boss club. Sergio is so important for us. We (minds),” he added. “The problem when “Aguero’s two goals were tremen- Guardiola, who had gone six games in don’t have too many strikers — we have you haven’t won for six games is you lack dous. You know he’s a good player but all competitions without a win. Sergio and Kelechi (Iheanacho) but he’s a bit of confi dence for the next one. you hope he’s off colour a little bit. He City remain top of the Premier too young and he has to learn a lot.” “That happened in that period but wasn’t, and you fi nd yourself in trou- League on goal diff erence ahead of Ar- Aguero was sacrifi ced for tactical we played well. But when you don’t ble,” Kemp said. senal despite their recent struggles and reasons in the fi rst meeting with Barca, win, your argument about how many “If something isn’t quite right they can now look forward to Tuesday’s but Guardiola admitted his talisman has good things you did sound like excuses. they’re good enough to be all over you Champions League clash against Bar- earned his place in the team for the return. When we win you’re right, when we like a rash — as they were. Sometimes celona with more confi dence. Asked if the marksman will start against don’t, you just look for excuses. you have to hold your hand up. If you’re Aguero’s double took his tally to 13 Barcelona, he said: “I think so! But I’m “That’s why it was so important to playing a lesser team sometimes you get goals this season and he will chase his not going to tell you which position!” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Sergio Aguero after the match. (Reuters) win the game and I was very pleased away with it. Not against these.” FOCUS Bale extends Real contract till 2022

areth Bale tied his long moment in a Real shirt came term future to Real with a stunning solo eff ort Wenger expresses GMadrid yesterday by that demonstrated fully his extending his contract with the athleticism as he outstripped Spanish giants to 2022, the club the Barcelona defence to net confirmed. “Real Madrid and the winner in the 2014 Copa Gareth Bale have agreed an ex- del Rey final. tension to the player’s contract, Despite those successes, keeping him at the club until Bale hasn’t always found life the 30th of June 2022,” Madrid easy in Spain. His diff iculties delight at Giroud’s said in a statement. with the language means he Bale, 27, joined Real for a is yet to address the media in then world record fee from Spanish, although he insisted Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 on towards the end of last season a six-year deal and has won he has improved to allow the Champions League twice himself to be a more active in his three full seasons in the presence in the dressing room. Spanish capital. On the pitch, Bale has been ‘mental strength’ The Welshman is just the hampered by a series of calf latest of a series of Real stars injuries and he has still not to agree contract extensions in won a league title in his career ‘Mentally, Olivier is absolutely fantastic. He has come out stronger every time he is recent weeks as the club pre- as Real have gone four years pares to serve a one-year trans- without lifting La Liga. questioned, he gives you the right answer on the pitch and I admire that in him’ fer ban imposed by FIFA should He suff ered from stinging a final appeal to the Court of criticism and was jeered by the Arbitration for Sport fail. Real fans towards the end of AFP Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and his second season as Madrid London Lucas Vazquez have already ended the campaign trophy- agreed new deals, whilst less under Carlo Ancelotti. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected Rafael Benitez was hired at rsenal manager Arsene Wenger to follow suit. the beginning of last season says Olivier Giroud (pic) will By tying Bale down for the with the aim of getting the continue to answer his critics af- prime years of his career, Real best out of Bale. However, ter the France forward ended his aim to ward off any suitors after Benitez’s reign ended goalA drought in style at Sunderland. from the cash-rich Premier in the sack after just seven Giroud climbed off the bench to score League for the Welshman, who months in charge, it is under twice — his fi rst Premier League goals since was twice voted player of the Zinedine Zidane that Bale has May — as the Gunners won 4-1 away to the year by his peers in England. flourished. Of his 62 goals bottom-of-the-table Black Cats on Saturday. Bale shone in Real’s two in 135 appearances, 14 have Victory extended Arsenal’s unbeaten Champions League finals come since the Frenchman run in all competitions to 14 games. It also against cross city rivals took charge in January. kept them in a three-way tie at the top of Atletico Madrid. He scored Bale’s performances in the table with Manchester City and Liv- the crucial second goal as leading Wales to the Euro 2016 erpool as they strengthened their bid for a Real ended a 12-year wait for semi-finals — their best ever run fi rst Premier League title since 2004. their tenth European Cup in a in a major finals — confirmed The 30-year-old Giroud has been a 4-1 victory after extra time in his status as one of the world’s largely peripheral fi gure so far this season, his debut season in 2014, and best. And a first ever place on and he has still to start a league game. But from the penalty spot when the podium for the Ballon d’Or he pressed his claims for more fi rst-team Los Blancos edged this year’s could follow after Bale was action by scoring twice in the space of fi ve final in May 5-3 on penalties. named among the 30 nomi- minutes after his second-half introduction Yet, his most spectacular nees for the prize last week. at the Stadium of Light. “Mentally, Olivier is absolutely fantas- tic,” Wenger said. “He’s come out stronger every time he’s questioned, he gives you the right answer on the pitch and I admire that in him. “He’s gone through some diffi cult ques- tions, even before the European Champi- onships in France he had been questioned the opening day loss to Liverpool. in a 4-4-2, so I will see. Defoe’s second-half penalty, but the by the crowd, and yet still afterwards eve- Wenger insisted his side’s hectic fi xture “We also have Ramsey back and with northeast club have yet to win this season ryone was on his side. I think the fi rst two list made it easier to keep his players happy Granit Xhaka available after suspension we’re after posting the worst start in Premier balls he touched were goals, so that shows in terms of their individual time on the fi eld. in a good position. Let’s not create problems League history, with just two points from you the quality we’ve got on the bench.” “At the moment we’re playing every when there are none at the moment.” their fi rst 10 games. Alexis Sanchez also scored twice as Ar- three days, so no one can play in every After the midweek Champions League Nevertheless, under-pressure manager senal made light of the absence of eight- game,” he said. “It’s down to me to fi nd the trip to Bulgarian side Ludogorets, Arsenal David Moyes insisted he could still turn goal joint top scorer Theo Walcott, who right balance in every single game between host fellow title contenders Tottenham Hot- things around. was left out to rest a minor injury. attacking and defending. spur in this Sunday’s North London derby. “The players are doing their best, we “People have asked me whether it’s a “Sometimes I can play Giroud and “We’re in a good position in the table, fought hard to grow into the game and I headache to have both Giroud and Sanchez Sanchez together, and sometimes sepa- where everybody wants to be, so we’re thought at 1-1 we were the better side, but scoring, but the only headache comes when rately,” Wenger explained. “We play so not complaining,” Wenger added. “At this Arsenal have that quality to hurt you,” said they don’t score,” said Wenger. many games that everyone should be able stage it’s too early and too tight, in addition the Scot. “I’ve not quite been in this position The Gunners were also boosted by the re- to get the number of games they want. to there being so many good teams in the before as a manager, but I’m experienced and turn of Aaron Ramsey, the Wales midfi elder, Sanchez is doing extremely well, or some- league, so we go game after game.” I’ll keep doing what I do,” added the former who came on for his fi rst appearance since times we can play two through the middle Sunderland levelled through Jermain Everton and Manchester United boss.

BOTTOMLINE Liverpool’s sloppy defence no cause for alarm, says coach Klopp AFP head his second goal after Lovren him- “They are all human beings, we work failure to capitalise on Liverpool’s mis- son’s corresponding fi xture, which the London self had restored Liverpool’s lead. on it. I am completely convinced about takes, with Palace paying a heavy price Reds won 2-1. Saturday’s result meant the Reds the quality. If they make mistakes and for their own errors at the back. Saturday saw Marriner turn down have kept just one clean sheet in the stay in the game, then it’s a very good After a successful September when three Palace penalty appeals and urgen Klopp insisted Liver- league so far this term, but Liverpool test for them, and they stood it again. they recorded three wins, the south Pardew said: “I don’t think Andre Mar- pool’s defensive problems were manager Klopp said: “We will sort the “I was happy with the reaction. Not London side have lost three games on riner should have reff ed this game. He no cause for alarm after his side defence. When that happens, we will with the situation, not with the style of the run and need to end that sequence gives the penalty last year so we’ve got maintained their push for the see (if we can challenge in the league). the game, that’s what we have to work if they are to avoid getting dragged to- a negative in our mind anyway. PremierJ League title with a 4-2 win They can defend really well — it’s nor- on, but I’m happy with the reaction.” wards the lower reaches of the table. “And then we get three penalty calls, away to Crystal Palace. mal (to have lapses). But I know that Lovren’s fellow central defender Joel “McArthur was exceptional, he okay they are tight, but they are probably Despite an ultimately comfortable everybody will talk about this.” Matip put Liverpool ahead for a third scored two goals and his energy levels no worse than Christian’s last year, so scoreline that drew Liverpool level on The German said that singling out in- time immediately before half-time and were a positive force for us all game,” it’s just a little bit frustrating that part.” points with league leaders Manchester dividual players for criticism was not his Roberto Firmino wrapped up the win said Pardew. “But at times the back four As for Liverpool’s chances of win- City and second-placed Arsenal, the style, adding the way Liverpool respond- midway through the second half. looked like it will need some work today,” ning a fi rst English title since they lifted visitors’ shaky backline was badly ex- ed to their early errors against the Eagles But Philippe Coutinho was the the former Palace midfi elder added. the old First Division trophy in 1990, posed at Selhurst Park at times. demonstrated the team’s resilience. game’s outstanding player and Klopp important for the team, and you can- Pardew also questioned Andre Mar- Pardew added: “They are certainly Dejan Lovren was at fault when “I don’t go in the dressing room and praised the contribution of the Brazil- not change this because you cannot be riner’s appointment for the match, af- going to be close. “Their two centre- James McArthur cancelled out Emre say, ‘You’re a really bad defender, and ian international. a genius every day,” he said. ter the referee awarded Liverpool a con- halves are terrifi c, even if they made a Can’s opening goal and the centre-back you are the goalkeeper, where are you?’,” “He’s a very good football player. Meanwhile, home manager Alan tentious penalty converted by Christian mistake. That’s an area they are not so later allowed the Palace midfi elder to he explained. His work-rate is outstanding. That’s Pardew was left frustrated by his side’s Benteke — now at Palace — in last sea- strong, but they played well.” Gulf Times Monday, October 31, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE SERIE A Roma hit blanks as Milan, Lazio move up Chelsea close gap AFP league goal of the season. Milan Milan coach Vincenzo Montella replaced ineffi cient striker Carlos Bacca six min- tephan El Shaarawy utes from the end, and the Co- and Edin Dzeko fi red lombian was unhappy at being a series of blanks as replaced by Luiz Adriano. Roma were held to a The hosts went on to endure on leaders with scorelessS draw at Empoli yes- a tight fi nish that saw Pescara terday that has left champions pour forward in a bid for a late Juventus four points clear at equaliser after seven minutes the top of Serie A. of extra time were added on. Roma travelled to the Cas- Lazio broke the deadlock tellani stadium looking to close in controversial fashion at the a fi ve-point defi cit after Ju- Stadio Olimpico, Senad Lulic ventus secured a 2-1 win over appearing slightly off side when Southampton win title rivals Napoli on Saturday Keita Balde’s cross into the box when former Azzurri striker came off goalkeeper Andrea Gonzalo Higuain hit the win- Consigli and then off the de- Their fourth straight league win puts Chelsea above Tottenham and into fourth ner in Turin. fender before landing in the net. But Luciano Spalletti’s men But the goal stood, and place on 22 points, just a point behind Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool were frustrated throughout minutes later the Biancocelesti by an astute Empoli defence, doubled their lead when Ciro and ‘keeper Lukasz Skorupski Immobile smashed a volley Agencies pulled off a series of late saves past Consigli off a Sassuolo leg London to help claim a share of the from a corner that had been points for the hosts. nodded into his path. Roma’s fi rst scoreless stale- Frenchman Gregoire Defrel den Hazard and Diego mate of the season left them in hit a consolation goal just be- Costa scored excellent second place at four points be- fore the hour but Lazio held on goals as Chelsea main- hind Juventus, who are aiming for a sixth win of the season to tained their superb form for a record sixth consecutive stay unbeaten since a 2-0 loss withE an immaculate 2-0 win at title this season. to Milan last month. Milan sit Southampton yesterday. Napoli’s defeat left them in third at fi ve points behind It was an extremely impressive seven points adrift and Mau- Juventus, with Lazio a further performance from Chelsea, per- rizio Sarri’s men dropped to point off the pace. haps their best of the season. Their fi fth place after AC Milan and Inter Milan, sitting in mid- defence didn’t give Southampton Lazio held on amid tight fi n- table at 13 points adrift, will a sniff , and Hazard and Costa were ishes against Pescara and Sas- look to get back into conten- full of menace on the break. Since suolo respectively to move up tion when they face Sampdoria moving to a back three they have to third and fourth. away in Sunday’s late game. won four league games in a row by A 3-0 defeat to Genoa in Elsewhere, Crotone claimed a combined score of 11-0. They are midweek meant Milan were their maiden Serie A win af- less adventurous than the three looking to get back to winning ter a fi rst-half penalty from sides above them but they look ways against league newcom- Marcello Trotta and an injury- dangerous and durable. ers Pescara. time second from Diego Fal- Antonio Conte kept faith in the It took the hosts until four cinelli secured a 2-0 home win players that destroyed Manches- minutes after the restart to over Chievo. Crotone remain ter United 4-0 last week, and they break the deadlock at the San bottom of the pile, with just enjoyed similar control against a Siro, but Giacomo Bonaventu- fi ve points to their name. gritty Southampton side to move ra’s 49th minute free kick was within a point of Premier League worth the wait. Results leaders Manchester City, Arsenal He rightly anticipated sev- Atalanta 3 ...... Genoa 0 and Liverpool. It was their fourth eral players in the Pescara de- Crotone 2 ...... Chievo 0 top-fl ight victory in a row. fensive wall jumping to block a Empoli 0 ...... Roma 0 In just the sixth minute, Haz- high shot, and he simply rolled Lazio 2 ...... Sassuolo 1 ard shot between the legs of Fra- the ball under their feet and AC Milan 1 ...... Pescara 0 ser Forster to put them ahead, past rooted ‘keeper Albano Bologna 0 ...... Fiorentina 1 while Costa struck a brilliant Bizzarri to score his second Juventus 2 ...... Napoli 1 second goal 10 minutes after half- time to double Chelsea’s lead and the visitors never looked like sur- Suele header lift s Hoff enheim to 3rd rendering their advantage on a Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (right) celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Southampton, in Southampton, yesterday. (AFP) ground where they have lost just Berlin: Rising Germany star Niklas Suele sealed Hoff enheim’s 1-0 once in nine league visits. less run in the league. Everton manager Ronald Koe- their own half none more so than Reid after Adrian had saved Sea- win over Hertha Berlin which put them third in the Bundesliga and Southampton were undone ear- For Barkley — who had been man said he was pleased with when Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo mus Coleman’s shot — his perfect- set up a mouth-watering clash against leaders Bayern Munich. ly on as Hazard punished mistakes dropped both from the England Barkley’s performance but added nipped in to win a ball that the ly delivered cross was headed into Suele’s 31st-minute header yesterday gave unbeaten Hoff enheim from Steven Davis and goalkeeper squad and the Everton starting he needed to be more aware on the West Ham defence should have the empty net by Lukaku. their fifth win in nine games as his side took Hertha’s place in Ger- Forster. The Belgium international line-up this season as his form pitch of what was required of him. dealt with. Robles then produced a spec- many’s top flight. It leaves Hoff enheim four points behind Carlo ran beyond the Northern Ireland dipped — it was his fi rst goal since “It was a total team performance He looked up and found Barkley tacular diving save to deny Mark Ancelotti’s Bayern, who they play in Munich next Saturday. midfi elder into the area and, after the opening day of the season today,” the Dutchman said. “Ross free in the box but his goalbound Noble as West Ham turned on the The tie at Munich’s Allianz Arena will pit two teams unbeaten cutting back onto his left foot at against Spurs. Barkley had more impact in the eff ort was brilliantly turned away pressure searching for the equal- against each other after Bayern’s 3-1 win at Augsburg on Sat- the near post following Victor Mo- Belgian international Romelu last part of our attacking, not only by goalkeeper Adrian. iser. That was as good as it got urday. Having battled relegation last season, this is the highest ses’ pass, he nutmegged Forster for Lukaku — who set up 22-year-old in scoring but he was dangerous Gueye, though, showed less for West Ham as Barkley’s magic Hoff enheim have been in the German league table for two his fi fth league goal of the season – Barkley for his goal — had opened throughout. That’s what the team alertness in defence as he had to produced the decisive second goal years. The turn around in their fortunes is mainly down to the one more than he managed in 31 the scoring for the hosts with his needs. He can be very good, but it is resort to tugging at Obaing’s shirt 15 minutes from time. hard work of their 29-year-old coach Julian Nagelsmann, the games last term. 50th for the club. It also main- all about knowing what you need to bringing him to the ground and The England international youngest coach in the Bundesliga’s history. Chelsea were denied a third tained his extraordinary record do. Sometimes I have to shout too earning himself a booking which gained possession looked up and Suele, 21, grabbed the winner when the giant centre-back got by some last-ditch defending against the Hammers as it was much, he needs to run more.” rules him out of next weekend’s saw Lukaku breaking free down on the end of Kerem Demirbay’s curling free-kick. after Forster had spilled Moses’ his ninth goal in as many Premier West Ham should have gone clash with Chelsea. the right and found him with a With an eye on the 2018 World Cup, the strapping centre-back shot and Davis at last threatened League matches against them one-up in the 12th minute as a The hosts took the lead fi ve perfect long pass. The Belgian is in the plans of Germany’s head coach Joachim Loew. Thibaut Courtois’ goal when his since he moved to Everton. deft pass by Dimitri Payet slipped minutes into the second-half as dallied long enough for Barkley Suele, who won a silver medal when Germany lost the Olym- header glanced off the top of the Everton stay sixth, just fi ve Pedro Obiang free in the box but Winston Reid’s poor clearance was to make up the ground and then pic final to Brazil in the Rio de Janeiro games, made his debut crossbar. points off the top trio of Manches- he completely miscued his shot as played back into the Hammers box. produced the perfect cross for the for die Mannschaft in September’s 2-0 friendly win over Finland, Elsewhere, Ross Barkley’s ex- ter City, Arsenal and Liverpool — it ballooned over the bar. Yet again the extra hunger of the midfi elder to beat Adrian with a Bastian Schweinsteiger’s 121st and final appearance. cellent goal sealed an impressive West Ham stay fi rmly in the bot- The hosts produced some Everton players played a decisive half volley, celebrating by beating The defeat cost Hertha third place and was only their second 2-0 win for Everton over West tom half of the table three points sparkling attacking football after role as Yannick Bolasie charged into his chest and tugging at his shirt loss having also been beaten by Bayern this season. Ham, ending a four-match win- above the relegation places. the early West Ham forays into the area and got to the ball ahead of in answer to his critics.

LIGUE 1 Balotelli shines as Nice stretch lead with Nantes rout

AFP half-time. an ultimatum last week by club owner Paris Nice kept coming, though, and Jean-Michel Aulas to notch up 31 points Ricardo Pereira’s goal-bound shot was before the winter break or face the blocked by Diego Carlos. But the hosts chop. Last year’s runners-up now have ario Balotelli starred once shot themselves in the foot at the start 16 points with eight games still to come again as clinical Nice of the second period as Mathieu Bodmer before Christmas. opened up a six-point gap tried to dribble the ball out of defence Montpellier had to scramble youth at the top of Ligue 1 with a on the edge of his box. He was robbed by players to make up the numbers for M4-1 thrashing of Nantes yesterday. Sala, who stroked a sumptuous shot into their match at Lorient after gastric The maverick forward, back in form the top corner on 47 minutes. fl u swept an already injury-depleted after a nightmare spell at Liverpool, Suddenly Nice were reeling and strug- squad. “Five of our players came down scored one and was involved in two gling to hold on against a rejuvenated with gastroenteritis on Friday night,” other goals as Nice took their unbeaten Nantes, with Sala and Mariusz Stepin- a Montpellier statement said. To their run since the start of the season to 11 ski spurning good chances. But the tide credit Montpellier, struggling around matches. turned again on the hour mark as Plea the relegation zone, came from two Wylan Cyprien scored a brace and rose ahead to head home Seri’s corner. goals down to eke out a 2-2 draw at Lo- Alassane Plea also netted while Emil- Minutes later a sublime fl ick from rient, who stay bottom. iano Sala replied for the out-gunned Balotelli sent Pereira scampering to- On Friday, a thunderous second-half visitors at the Allianz Riviera, as Nice wards goal and he pulled the ball back strike from Edinson Cavani gave Paris played with panache and incision. for Cyprien to drill home. Saint Germain a 1-0 win over Lille, as The league leaders were quickly in Second-placed Monaco lost ground the French champions were made to control of proceedings and Balotelli was in the title-race with a 1-1 draw at fi ght all night. It was a real moment of at the heart of it as they opened the scor- Saint-Etienne on Saturday. Kamil Glik magic from 29-year-old Cavani as the ing. The Italy star ran onto Younes Bel- put Monaco ahead after fi ve minutes Uruguayan controlled Angel di Maria’s handa’s chip over the top and although but the hosts pulled level just 13 min- pass with his chest, swivelled and un- he was stopped in his tracks by desper- utes later through Loic Perrin. leashed an unstoppable shot for his ate last-gasp defending, the ball broke to Champions Paris Saint-Germain 10th league goal of the campaign. Cyprien to slot into the empty net. are behind Monaco only on goal diff er- Nice were piling on the pressure and ence after winning 1-0 at Lille on Friday the Nantes backline cracked again as night thanks to a goal from Uruguay Results Balotelli ran onto a long ball from Jean forward Edinson Cavani. Nice 4 ...... Nantes 1 Seri and calmly took a touch before In other matches on Saturday, 10- Toulouse 1 ...... Lyon 2 placing the ball past Remy Riou and into man Lyon survived a late onslaught to Guingamp 1 ...... Angers 0 the bottom corner. earn a 2-1 away win at high-fl ying Tou- Lorient 2 ...... Montpellier 2 Nantes weren’t completely out of louse with Alexandre Lacazette scoring Bastia 0 ...... Dijon 0 contention and Yacine Bammou should both goals. It was just Lyon’s fi fth win Nancy 2 ...... Caen 0 have done better than fi re over from in 11 league outings this season, af- Saint-Etienne 1 ...... Monaco 1 Nice’s Italian forward Mario Balotelli (centre) in action during yesterday’s French L1 clash against Nantes. Nice won 4-1. (AFP) Lucas Lima’s cross 10 minutes before ter coach Brunio Genesio was handed Paris Saint Germain 1...... Lille 0 Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 31, 2016 FOOTBALL

OPINION Someone must stop David Moyes trying to disprove Einstein’s adage on insanity

By Barry Glendenning of the lowest tally of points amassed in to the football fi nance blogger Swiss salary earned by residents of the city The Guardian a single season. Ramble, this was the third largest defi - whose team he represented. If anything, they are well ahead of cit of just six top fl ight clubs who pulled On the pitch, Moyes’s apparent de- schedule: in 2007-08, the Rams were off the spectacularly impressive feat termination to disprove Albert Ein- t is over 43 years since an over- relegated with just 11 but at least man- of losing tens of millions of pounds stein’s adage about the defi nition of joyed Bob Stokoe raced, arms out- aged to conjure up a victory in their fi rst at a time when the Premier League is insanity continues to damage his in- stretched, across the Wembley six matches, a feat Sunderland have drowning under a constant deluge from creasingly poor reputation as a man- sward to celebrate one of the great failed to achieve in any of the past four the TV money-hose. ager. In the face of all available evidence IFA Cup upsets. seasons. They have now gone 10 with- Much of this defi cit can be put down to the contrary, the Scot insists his team Second division side Sunderland had out a win in the current campaign and to hideously bad investment in players, is improving and that their elusive fi rst just slain the mighty Leeds team fea- even a club renowned for its implau- with poor performances and the high win is just around the corner if they turing Billy Bremner, Norman Hunter sible last-ditch feats of escapology turnover of managers meaning each in- “keep doing what they are doing”. and Johnny Giles to win the 1973 fi nal will do well to emulate the 17th place cumbent has been saddled with barely There are no shortage of poor sides and their manager, looking faintly ri- with which they secured their Premier adequate hand-me-downs they don’t in the Premier League and Sunderland diculous in a brown raincoat, red track- League status last season. want, prompting them to buy even more have long been among them, but they suit bottoms and trademark trilby, was While much of the blame for Sun- inadequate new duds of their own. have now reached a point where fi nding rushing to embrace his goalkeeper Jim derland’s latest glacier quick burst from “Something seems to happen to play- three worse ones will be little short of a Montgomery. the blocks has been laid at the door of ers when they move to the Stadium of miracle. Going down might serve them The iconic ‘Stokoe run’ has since their seventh manager in the past fi ve Light,” wrote the Secret Footballer, for- well, as neighbours Newcastle are cur- been cast in bronze and erected on a years, it seems unfair to blame David merly of this parish, last March. A couple rently showing the euthanasia of rel- concourse outside the Stadium of Light Moyes (pic) for many of the shortcom- of years previously he had incurred the egation can be a mercy. as a reminder of happier times. Given ings of a club that gives every indication wrath of many Sunderland fans when In more important news for citizens his pose, those unfamiliar with its con- of being utterly dysfunctional from the criticising a squad drinking culture that of Sunderland, the future of the local text could be forgiven for thinking the boardroom down. many of them claimed did not exist. Nissan factory was recently assured club’s former manager is fl eeing in ter- Their behind-the-scenes handling He illustrated his point by recalling following controversial government ror from the apocalyptically awful per- of last year’s child-sex case involv- a time in Marbella that he had seen one “support and assurances”. formances of the players who currently ing Adam Johnson, currently serving a supporting victim of Johnson’s crimes the Premier League, their longest top unnamed Sunderland player order- This week, Moyes and his players call the ground behind his statue home. six-year jail sentence, was little short of marked an unprecedented low for a fl ight spell since their fi rst relegation in ing a Nebuchadnezzar of champagne are due to visit the car manufacturing Defeat at the hands of Arsenal on disgraceful and cost the club’s chief ex- club that has always prided itself on its 1958, Sunderland have contrived to let all for £75,000. The player in question plant, while the manager joked that Saturday mean Sunderland have now ecutive Margaret Byrne her job. links to a local community whose tol- the fi nancial benefi ts that ought to have was Connor Wickham, now of Crystal some of them might soon be looking for broken one-time sultans of slapstick Despite showing little or no aptitude erance for the myriad on and off -fi eld come with being top fl ight staples at such Palace, although other reports of the jobs there. They are unlikely to get them Manchester City’s record for the worst for her role, she had been earning an as- shortcomings of their local club often a lucrative time bypass them completely. striker’s extravagant poolside purchase – while Nissan have announced plans start in Premier League history after tonishing salary of more than £450,000 borders on the heroic. Under the stewardship of their own- suggested his 15 litre bottle of Armand to build two new models on D, collaps- 10 matches. They remain on course to per year. Byrne’s almost complete Currently enjoying – or perhaps en- er, the billionaire fi nancier Ellis Short, de Brignac cost just £17,500, still more ible clown cars are not expected to roll break Derby County’s unwanted record disregard for the young, Sunderland- during – a 10th consecutive season in they lost £25mn in 2014-15. According than two thirds of the average annual off their assembly line any time soon. SPOTLIGHT Mourinho’s right-hand man criticises ref’s Mourinho is behaving ‘fantastic work’ AFP Manchester

anchester United assistant manager Rui Faria suggested Msarcastically that referee Mark at United exactly as his Clattenburg did “fantastic work” by sending off Ander Herrera during their 0-0 draw with Burnley. United midfielder Herrera was dismissed for two bookable off ences, the second of which came midway through the second half for a foul on Dean Marney. The Spaniard appeared to slip as he made critics said he would the challenge, but Clattenburg ruled it wor- thy of a booking and issued a red card. Herrera wasn’t the only one to see red at The danger with hiring the Portuguese, it was said, is he becomes the story at the expense Old Traff ord as Faria conducted post-match media duties, with manager Jose Mourinho of your club. That is what seems to be happening at Old Traff ord, writes Paul Wilson absent after being sent to the stand for reportedly protesting too strongly at half- time following a rejected penalty appeal. Mourinho was believed to be angry Jose Mourinho gestures and shouts that Clattenburg had refused to penalise after being sent off to the stands during Burnley full-back Jon Flanagan, who escaped Saturday's English Premier League clash punishment after appearing to catch Matteo against Burnley at Old Traff ord. (AFP) Darmian’s trailing leg on the edge of the penalty area just before half-time. Asked about the sending off incident, Faria said: “I just want to say it was fantastic work from the referee.” Faria refused to confirm why Mourinho had been sent to the stand, saying: “I don’t know and I don’t think it is really important. “I think what is important is what the referee will write in his report. I can’t give you more details.” Despite his dismissal, Mourinho was able to communicate with Faria via written mes- sages passed down by another member of his coaching staff , but his notes weren’t enough to stop United’s winless run in the league extending to a fourth match. “Normally we define situations according to the diff iculties of the game. Sometimes a detail is important,” Faria said. “The team did a fantastic work from the first second of the match. We were dominant with 11 men, and we were dominant with 10. “We fought from the first minute. We showed fantastic mentality especially after a game in the middle of the week. With this mentality and approach, I think we need to wait for better days ahead. I believe better days will come.” Burnley secured their first away point of the season largely thanks to a superb goal- keeping performance from Tom Heaton. The former Manchester United youth keeper made a series of magnificent saves, here is no Premier League foul did take place it was initiated out- Mourinho being on his best behav- saves, none better than the second- to make another save. denying Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and rule that forbids managers side the box. iour did not even make it to Bonfi re half star jump to keep out a Zlatan Ib- It was that sort of day for United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic among others. dismissed from the dugout In other words, Mark Clattenburg’s Night. Details are sketchy about what rahimovic volley that put everyone in who were a little unlucky to lose An- Burnley manager Sean Dyche saluted coming to speak about their decision was justifi ed and Mourinho took place in the tunnel at half-time, mind of Peter Schmeichel. der Herrera for a second yellow in the Heaton’s display: “I think Tom Heaton was Ttreatment afterwards—when Arsène might have felt a bit foolish having to but if the authorities take a dim view The United striker was not at fault second half. He was initially booked superb. He is in very good form. We kept Wenger was so photogenically sent to explain why he had reacted so angrily. of what Clattenburg describes in his on that occasion, he put so much pow- for a fi rst-half challenge on Dean Mar- him so quiet last year that I think he has the Old Traff ord stands seven years ago Mourinho is already facing a sepa- report Mourinho could be facing an- er into a well-directed shot that Hea- ney and the referee appeared to have been saving it up.” he still made it to the press room at the rate FA charge of discussing the referee other charge and a possible stadium ton thought he might have broken his little choice when Herrera upended Heaton’s best save was a block from end of the game—so José Mourinho Anthony Taylor’s performance be- ban before he has even fi nished with arm. Yet the more prosaic truth is that the same player with 20 minutes left, a stinging Ibrahimovic volley, although opting to send his assistant, Rui Faria, fore the Liverpool game—today is the the earlier one. the Swede missed easier opportunities although there was little malice in the Dyche was wary of giving the goalkeeper in his place suggests the Manchester deadline for an offi cial response—and All for the sake of a routine referee- to score in both halves, and when Paul second incident. too much praise. “He just spread himself. United manager was probably wary of in addition to his admittedly light- ing decision that the offi cial probably Pogba conjured the sort of last-minute This was Burnley’s fi rst away point Keepers get hit in the face all the time. It’s making a bad situation worse. hearted remarks about the diffi culties got right. Darmian himself off ered no opportunity the old Manchester of the season and, with 11 points from his job,” he said. It is possible that at some point in of being holed up in a Manchester ho- argument when Clattenburg ignored United would have grasped with both 10 games, they look a more solid mid- Dyche admitted he had not realised that the immediate aftermath of the goal- tel it might have occurred to him that his appeal, so it was bizarre to see his hands Ibrahimovic tamely missed the table proposition this time round. Mourinho had been sent off , but compli- less draw against Burnley, Mourinho just three months into his new job he is manager lose the plot so completely. target with a free shot from six yards. They are in fact only four points be- mented United on continuing to attack got the chance to have another look at doing exactly what his detractors said Perhaps Mourinho was reluctant to Wayne Rooney could do no better hind United, who also look destined so positively after Herrera’s dismissal. “I the penalty claim that was apparently he would. confront the task that Faria found so either with the last chance of the game for mid-table. The diff erence is that thought Manchester United were first class. the cause of his strop. The danger with hiring Mourinho, it diffi cult, explaining why United failed in stoppage time. Daley Blind’s clever- Mourinho is not working with cast- They opened us up, they pressed and they He would have seen Matteo Darmi- was frequently said, is that he becomes to score with a wealth of possession ly disguised free-kick gave him a clear off s. After his lavish spending in sum- probed,” Dyche said. “Massive credit should an go to ground dramatically under the story at the expense of your club. and now fewer than 37 attempts on sight of goal from inside the penalty mer he has some explaining to do, and go to them because they never stopped. I’m very slight contact from Jon Flanagan, That is precisely what seems to be goal. Tom Heaton was one reason; the area, but Rooney wafted his shot over not just about his latest dismissal. pleased that we managed to deal with that.” and he might also have noted that if a happening at Old Traff ord. goalkeeper made a string of excellent the bar without even obliging Heaton (The Guardian) Gulf Times Monday, October 31, 2016 5 GOLF

MILESTONE SPOTLIGHT Stenson eyes Race to Dubai glory aft er Matsuyama storms Shanghai second to maiden WGC title in Shanghai Matsuyama, who won the Japan Open earlier this month, began the day with a three-shot cushion and carded a six-under-par 66 in the final round to finish on 23-under

Henrik Stenson in action in Shanghai yesterday.

AFP Stenson’s putt also took him Shanghai further clear of Rory McIlroy, who remains third behind Wil- lett in the Race to Dubai. ritish Open champion “I could see Rory was going at Henrik Stenson leapt it,” said Stenson of the Northern into pole position in the Irishman, who shot a six-under European Tour’s Race to round of 66 at Sheshan Interna- DubaiB standings after fi nishing tional Golf Club on Sunday. tied second in the WGC-HSBC “So I just tried to keep up and Champions in Shanghai yes- it was nice to sneak that one in terday. The Rio Olympic silver the last to go one ahead of him.” medallist snared a crucial birdie Stenson now leads Masters with a snaky putt at the fi nal hole champion Willett by 261,387 to move to 16-under and a share points with three events remain- of second with American Daniel ing in Turkey, South Africa and Berger in the $9.5mn event, sev- Dubai over the next three week- en shots behind runaway winner ends. McIlroy is a further 757,748 Hideki Matsuyama. points behind the Englishman. “It was a sweet putt to make on Willett will play in all three the last,” he told reporters after a fi nal events, Stenson has opted seven-under 65 to end a satisfy- to skip Turkey and FedEx Cup ing week in which he fi nished as champion McIlroy will play just the leading European in the event the season-ender in Dubai. dubbed “Asia’s Major”. “It’s going to be tight all the “A nice way to fi nish with a way to the end, and that’s the bogey-free 65.” way we like it,” said Stenson, who Stenson’s 712,836 Race to Du- won the Race to Dubai in 2013 bai points for tied second place — the only time since 2012 that enabled him to leapfrog long- four-time major winner McIlroy time standings leader Danny has not won the European Tour Willett, who could only take crown. away 38,721 points for fi nishing “It would be nice to go into the a disappointing 75th in the 78- last one knowing that if you win man fi eld. in Dubai, you win overall.”

LPGA MALAYSIA Feng wins in KL as Ko fi zzles

AFP Feng ended a two-year title Hideki Matsuyama of Japan poses with course staff and the trophy after winning in Shanghai yesterday. Kuala Lumpur drought. “It’s really good, espe- cially in the last four years where I Reuters “My next goal is to win a major and I’m back nine, getting the fi rst of them with card. So nice way to fi nish with a bogey- fi nished second, fi rst, second, fi rst Shanghai going to do all that I can to prepare well a 30-foot putt on the 13th, and managed free 65.” hina’s Feng Shanshan here,” she said. for that.” to avoid a bogey on the signature par-fi ve McIlroy, who also picked up seven won her second Sime “Even though I only improved British Open champion Henrik Sten- fi nal hole despite landing in the water. birdies, was unfortunate not to tie with Darby LPGA Malaysia one spot, I think I’ve had a fantas- apan’s Hideki Matsuyama has son hit a fi nal round 65 to share second The youngest player to win the HSBC Stenson and Fitzpatrick on 65 for the title in three years as a tic week coming back here. Makes set his sights on winning his fi rst place with American Daniel Berger (69), Champions, which is co-sanctioned by day after seeing his birdie attempt on the fiC nal-round charge from world me feel like I’m at home.” major after cruising to his maiden good enough to take the Swede past US all the major tours, Matsuyama is also 18th lip out. number one Lydia Ko of New Zea- Ko struggled early in the tour- World Golf Championship title Masters champion Danny Willett at the the fi rst Japanese to win a European Tour “I think Hideki has played much su- land fi zzled yesterday. nament but jumped into conten- Jwith a dominant seven-shot victory at top of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai event since Isao Aoki in 1983. perior golf than the rest of the fi eld this Feng, who won in 2014, had tion after shooting 65 on Satur- the $9.5mn WGC-HSBC Champions standings. Stenson also turned in a fl awless week. You know, he’s going to be a de- stormed into the lead with a day. She made a run on Sunday yesterday. World number three Rory McIlroy round, picking up seven birdies, in- served champion, that’s for sure,” said seven-under par 64 in a rain-in- with three birdies on the front Matsuyama, who won the Japan Open remains third in the standings behind cluding one with a clutch putt from the McIlroy. terrupted third round that forced nine but her hopes evaporated earlier this month, began the day with a Willett after shooting a fi nal round 66 to fringe at the last, as he tied for the day’s “It’s been a decent week.Obviously her and several others to wait until when she double-bogeyed 15, and three-shot cushion and carded a six-un- fi nish in a share of fourth with American low score with Britain’s Matthew Fitz- there’s a couple good scores in there early yesterday to fi nish up. later bogeyed the fi nal hole to fi n- der-par 66 in the fi nal round to fi nish on Bill Haas (69) on 15-under. patrick. mixed in with a couple of ones that I She then started the fi nal round ish at eight-under with a closing 23-under for the tournament. Matsuyama chalked up in his second “It was a sweet putt to make on the would like to take back. But you know, with a bogey on the fi rst hole but even-par 71. Ko, 19, hasn’t won “Winning today, I feel has got me error-free round of the tournament on last. I probably felt like I was playing overall, the week’s been pretty good.” regained her footing to fi nish at since the Marathon Classic in July. closer to being able to compete a lot bet- Sunday, starting the day with a birdie better on the front nine yesterday than Willett fi nished a disappointing week 17-under for a three-stroke win “I think there’s still a lot of ter in the major tournaments,” said the before picking up shots on the fi fth and what I did today, but today I kept it going at the Sheshan International Golf Club over Norway’s Suzann Pettersen positives out there,” said Ko, who 24-year-old, the fi rst Asian to win an in- seventh holes. all the way to the end,” Stenson said. with a 75 to end the tournament on 14- at TPC Kuala Lumpur. used a Malaysian caddie for the dividual WGC title. He made three birdies in a row on the “There was not a bogey on the score- over. With the win, the ebullient tournament.

BOTTOMLINE McIlroy skips Turkish Open over security

AFP day night that McIlroy would not trav- time since winning the US Masters in Shanghai el to the Regnum Carya Golf and Spa April. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the Resort, Antalya, for the $7mn tourna- British Open champion and Olym- 18th hole during the final round of the World Golf ment which starts Thursday. pic silver medallist Henrik Stenson orld number three Rory Championships-HSBC Champions golf tournament in It is the second blow to the tourna- now leads the Race to Dubai after fi n- McIlroy has made a late Shanghai yesterday. ment. ishing tied second in Shanghai. decision to skip this Tiger Woods was originally on McIlroy remains third but now has Wweek’s Turkish Airlines the entry list but withdrew earlier only one event remaining, the season- Open over security fears. this month after electing to delay his ending Dubai World Tour Champion- The four-time major winner con- comeback from injury until December. ship in three weeks time. fi rmed his pullout yesterday from the Up to three rockets fi red by un- Willett will play all three Final Se- fi rst of the tour’s “Final Three” se- known assailants on October 15 in the ries events in Turkey, South Africa and ries of big money playoff events after Antalya region hit a roadside fi sh- Dubai. Stenson will play the two after fi nishing fourth in the WGC-HSBC monger, causing no casualties, reports Turkey. Champions in Shanghai yesterday be- said. That means even a win for McIlroy hind winner Hideki Matsuyama. Although the attacks took place in Dubai may not be enough to retain Asked by AFP if a rocket attack two some 90 kilometres (56 miles) from his European Tour crown for the third weeks ago in the region which hosts the tournament venue, they prompted consecutive year and fourth time in the event had been behind his with- offi cials to seek security reassurances. fi ve years. drawal, McIlroy said: “I think it’s ob- McIlroy’s withdrawal leaves Mas- “I guess it’s out of my hands. vious. ters champion Danny Willett, who That’s the thing,” said McIlroy Sun- I gave it a lot of thought, basically slumped to 75th place in Shanghai, as day. “If I have somewhat of a chance all week. the top-ranked player on the Turkey going into Dubai, that’s great. “It was sort of a weight on my mind entry list. Those boys can battle it out. and I felt like I slept a lot better last Willett will be looking to regain “I think over the course of the sea- night knowing that I’d made a deci- ground after his poor showing in the son, they have had big wins and played sion.” WGC event dropped him out of the top well. The player’s management had in- spot in the “Race to Dubai” European They are two major champions, so formed the European Tour on Satur- order of merit standings for the fi rst I’m OK with that.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 31, 2016 SPORT

BASEBALL Indians a win from Series title aft er crushing Cubs Indians are powered by homers from Santana, Kipnis, and gifted with runs from sloppy fielding and misfiring pitching

Reuters Chicago

he Cleveland Indians moved within one victory of winning the World Series with a 7-2 rout of the Chicago Cubs on TSaturday that gave them a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Fall Classic. The Cubs, appearing in the World Series for the fi rst time in 71 years and looking for their fi rst title since 1908, were on the brink of elimination after a lackluster display in their second suc- cessive loss before a hushed Wrigley Field crowd. The Indians were powered by home runs from Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis, and gifted with runs from some sloppy fi elding and misfi ring pitching. Kipnis and Santana had three hits each to pace Cleveland’s relentless 10-hit attack. Ace Corey Kluber, the Game One winner, once again shut the door on the Cubs, holding them to one run in six innings of work for his second victory, putting the Indians in reach of their fi rst championship triumph in 68 years. The right-hander extended his outstanding postseason run to three earned runs in 30 1/3 innings for a 0.89 ERA. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he would not tinker with his team’s attitude or approach going into Sun- day’s potential Series clincher. “Nothing changes,” said Francona. “We’ll show up and try to beat a really good pitcher tomorrow and that’s what we always do.”

SOMETHING TO CHEER The Cubs gave their long suff ering fans something to cheer about at the start, bouncing back from a 1-0 shutout loss in Game Three by getting on the score- board fi rst. Dexter Fowler led off the Cubs’ rstfi with a double to left and came around to score on a single to center by An- thony Rizzo, who roared, “Let’s Go” as Wrigley rocked with thunderous noise. The Indians, however, quickly re- sponded. Santana pulled a home run into the right-fi eld bleachers leading off the second against starter and loser John Lackey and a pair of throwing errors by third baseman Kris Bryant led to anoth- er run for a 2-1 Cleveland lead. Kipnis doubled leading off the third Francisco Lindor (right) and Rajai Davis of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after beating the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday. (AFP) and scored on a single by Francisco Lin- dor to make it 3-1. dropped a pinch-hit double into center pitchers. occasion. You have to be able to play Cubs fans who looked destined for an- Trevor Bauer, Cleveland’s losing pitch- Cleveland added another run in that Dexter Fowler could not snare. “We made mistakes. Absolutely, we through the tough moments by doing other year of waiting for a championship. er in Game Two. the sixth on a sacrifi ce fl y by Lonnie Crisp moved to third on a wild pitch made mistakes tonight,” said Cubs man- something off ensively, and we haven’t The Cubs will try to avoid being Six teams have come back from 3-1 Chisenhall and after Rajai Davis was hit by a pitch, ager Joe Maddon. “That was part of it. been able to do that.” swept out of the Series with a third defi cits to win the World Series, the last In seventh, Game Three hero Coco they all trotted home ahead of Kip- But then again, we just have to do more Fowler homered in the eighth for Chi- straight loss at their venerable ball to succeed being the Kansas City Royals Crisp, who drove in the only run of nis, who belted a three-run homer off off ensively to give ourselves a chance. cago’s fi rst round-tripper of the Series park when they send ace lefthander Jon who overcame the St. Louis Cardinals Friday’s win with a pinch-hit single, Travis Wood, the fourth of fi ve Chicago “You’re going to make mistakes on and one last cheer from disappointed Lester to the mound on Sunday against in 1985.

BOTTOMLINE Britton and Jansen win Reliever of Year awards Miami baseball star Fernandez was Reuters a season with at least 40 saves, Chicago converting all 47 of his save op- portunities. In 67 innings, the 28-year-old left- drunk, had cocaine in system at fatal crash ach Britton of the Baltimore hander gave up 38 hits, including Orioles and Kenley Jansen just one home run, and 18 walks, Reuters a full investigation are known. Zof the Los Angeles Dodgers while striking out 74. Opponents Minneapolis “If indeed there was cocaine in his were named winners of the Ameri- hit only.162 against him. system, whatever the nominal amount can and National League Reliever Jansen’s 47 saves were second in is, still it is something that’s completely of the Year awards on Saturday the NL to the Mets’ Jeurys Familia, iami Marlins star Jose Fern- out of character,” Fernandez said. before the start of World Series but the Dodgers’ closer was domi- andez, a dominant pro The attorney said there was evidence Game Four. nant in other facets. baseball pitcher and hero in that just before the crash, the pitcher Both All-Star closers finished with He anchored a Los Angeles bullpen Miami’s Cuban communi- was talking on a phone with a man who 47 saves, and led their team to the that combined to set a franchise Mty, was legally drunk and had cocaine in heard the player giving someone else postseason. record with 590 2/3 innings pitched his system when he was killed in a boat directions on driving the boat, then a Britton, in his third season as the and 607 total appearances, both of crash in late September, an autopsy and loud noise and the call dropped. Orioles’ closer and sixth overall which led the majors. toxicology report released on Saturday “Defi nitely, he wasn’t driving,” Fern- in the big leagues, was virtually Balloting for the awards, named found. andez said. unbeatable in 2016. after the American League’s The toxicology report showed Fern- Emilio Jesus Macias, 27, and Eduardo He led Baltimore to the American Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoff - andez had a blood-alcohol content lev- Rivero, 25, were also killed in the crash. League Wild Card Game and man of the National League, was el of 0.147, nearly twice the legal limit of Both had alcohol in their system below became only the third pitcher to conducted among a panel of eight 0.08 for driving in Florida, and also had legal limits and Rivero tested positive post an ERA below 1.00 (0.54) in all-time great relievers. cocaine in his blood. for cocaine, according to the reports. Fernandez, 24, and two other men All three men sustained blunt-force were killed before dawn on Sept. 25 trauma to the head and other injuries, when their 32-foot boat struck a rock the reports said. jetty off Miami Beach, according to the Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez US Coast Guard. It was unclear who said he ordered the reports released was driving the boat. after the Miami Herald newspaper Born and raised in Cuba, Fernandez sued the Miami-Dade Medical Exam- tried three times to defect to the United iner seeking their release under open States before arriving at age 15 with his records laws. mother, surviving harrowing condi- Gimenez had withheld the informa- tions at sea. tion at the request of the Florida Fish The Marlins drafted Fernandez in the & Wildlife Conservation Commission, fi rst round in 2011. He won National which sought to delay the release until League Rookie of the Year in 2013 and it concluded a criminal investigation. was a two-time Major League Baseball Gimenez said he ordered the records all-star. released after the state agency refused Ralph Fernandez, an attorney for the to join the county as co-defendants in pitcher’s family and a longtime friend the lawsuit. who said he considered him like a son, A Fish & Wildlife spokeswoman said In this file photo, a memorial of flowers and photos are placed outside a gate at said he was angry and disappointed at the report would provide invaluable in- Marlins Park in honour of Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez, who was killed the report’s release before the details of formation for the investigation. in a boating accident in Miami, Florida, in September this year. (USA Today-Sports) Gulf Times Monday, October 31, 2016 7 SPORT

NBA Reigning champs Cavs edge Magic to stay unbeaten ‘Not every game is going to be pretty... it’s just about being ready no matter what the score is... just got to stay resilient’

AFP Los Angeles Noah makes quick mark at Madison Square Garden t wasn’t always pretty, but the Cleveland Cavaliers held on for a AFP coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He set 105-99 victory over the Orlando New York the tone defensively. Marc (Gasol) Magic on Saturday to stay unbeat- is a big, tough guy and he’s hard to Ien in the fl edgling NBA season. guard. Jo did a great job of mixing it Shooting guard JR Smith, whose passionate Joakim Noah up, fronting him, getting behind him, contract dispute dragged on through made his presence felt on making him take tough shots.” training camp before the reigning NBA A Saturday at Madison Square Last season the only player to post champs inked him to a four-year deal Garden as the New York Knicks won at least 10 rebounds and seven worth as much as $57mn, gave good their NBA home opener 111-104 over assists for New York was forward value with three three-pointers in the Memphis Grizzlies. Carmelo Anthony, who scored 20 the fi nal three and a half minutes as The Knicks were out to erase the points Saturday. Cleveland won after letting most of an memory of their lopsided season- Kristaps Porzingis led five Knicks 18-point lead get away. opening loss to the NBA champion players in double figures with 21 “Not every game is going to be pretty Cavaliers in Cleveland on Tuesday points. Anthony added six rebounds for us,” Cavs guard Kyrie Irving said. — and Noah, the French-American and five assists. “We understand that. (We) came off a player who grew up just blocks from Courtney Lee bounced back from kind of late win just like this against To- Madison Square Garden cheering a scoreless performance against ronto yesterday and now Swish (Smith) for the Knicks, was just the man to Cleveland with 16 points and Derrick hit the big shot. For us it’s just about be- help them do it. Rose, another marquee off -season ing ready no matter what the score is. “It’s a long season. Thanks for the acquisition, dazzled with deter- We’ve just got to stay resilient.” support. Let’s get it,” Noah told the mined drives to the basket, par- Superstar LeBron James had 23 crowd before the contest. ticularly one featuring a cross-over points, nine assists and six rebounds, He ran the floor with abandon and that left the Grizzlies’ Mike Conley Irving added 20 and Smith shook off delivered on defense, finishing with floundering. another slow start to score 16 points — six points, 10 rebounds and seven Spanish center Gasol led Memphis 11 of them in the fourth quarter. assists before fouling out to a stand- with 20 points and James Ennis Kevin Love fouled out in the fi nal ing ovation with 2:28 remaining and added 16. The visitors got as close minute with 19 points and fi ve re- the Knicks up 101-91. as 87-85 early in the fourth period bounds as the Cavaliers improved to “It was really special to play at home,” but New York responded with a 12-0 3-0 for the season less than a week said an emotional Noah, son of French scoring run to extend the lead. after raising their 2015-16 champion- tennis great Yannick Noah. “I was just “We were getting stops,” Grizzlies ship banner. trying to stay in the moment because coach David Fizdale said. “Right now After controlling most of the con- it is real easy to get caught up in early on we’ve lost our way a couple test, Cleveland opened the fourth everything that is going on around of times where we’re a bit too of- quarter shooting just 2 of 12. They you. This building means so much to fensive minded and not focused on went more than fi ve minutes without me. I was very nervous, but it was the the defensive end and trying to win a basket from the fl oor, and the Magic best feeling.” games off ensively. had trimmed the defi cit to 88-85 with The crowd chanted for Noah several “We have to really dig in and get four minutes to play. times. back to understanding who we are “I just thought there was a stretch “Jo’s energy is big,” Knicks first-year first, which is a defensive team.” in the game where we messed around, Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (centre) prepares to shoot the ball during the game against Orlando Magic at Quicken took some bad shots,” Cleveland coach Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) Tyronn Lue said. Lue said Smith is still fi nding his Portland erased a nine-point With 9:18 remaining in the fourth Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard rhythm after missing all but one pre- fourth-quarter defi cit, handing the quarter half of the overhead lights in scored 16 of his team-high 20 points season game. Nuggets a defeat in their home opener the arena went out, delaying the game in the second half and San Antonio But James found him in the corner for the third straight year. for 28 minutes. smothered Pelicans power forward for a big three-pointer after Orlando’s Lillard scored 37 points and C.J. Portland put a further damper on Anthony Davis, who came into the Elfrid Payton’s jump shot pulled the McCollum added 23 with 10 rebounds the festivities with their huge rally, contest averaging 47.5 points per game visitors within three. for the Trail Blazers. scoring the last six points of the game in the young season but was held to 18. Smith added another three-pointer Nikola Jokic scored 23 points and to win it. on the Cavaliers’ next trip down and pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds RESULTS one more in the fi nal minute. and Emmanuel Mudiay had 21 points for SPURS POUND PELICANS Atlanta 104 Philadelphia 72 “The guys just set the table for me,” the Nuggets on what proved an eventful Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker sat out Boston 104 Charlotte 98 Smith said. “It was just time for me to night at their Pepsi Center arena. San Antonio’s home opener, but the NY Knicks 111 Memphis 104 eat.” At halftime the Nuggets retired the Spurs still had enough fi repower to Cleveland 105 Orlando 99 In Denver, Damian Lillard made a number 55 of Dikembe Mutombo, the beat the New Orleans Pelicans 98-79. Chicago 118 Indiana 101 fl oating seven-foot shot with three- Congolese great whose Hall of Fame San Antonio never trailed after the Milwaukee 110 Brooklyn 108 Joakim Noah (right) of the New York Knicks and Marc Gasol of the Memphis tenths of a second remaining in over- career spanned 18 seasons. fi rst quarter and used a 17-4 scoring San Antonio 98 New Orleans 79 Grizzlies jump for the tip-off during their game at Madison Square Garden in time to lift the Portland Trail Blazers But the night on which he was hon- run late in the third period to take a Portland 115 Denver 113 (OT) New York City on Saturday. (AFP) to a 115-113 triumph. oured didn’t go entirely smoothly. stranglehold on the contest. Sacramento 106 Minnesota 103

NHL Panthers’ road woes continue as they fall to Sabres, 3-0

By Harvey Fialkov that had lost four in a row, including a double-post, rattling shot from Johan Sun Sentinel (TNS) their only two home games, in which Larsson, Thornton showed some rust they were outscored 8-1. Similar to the in the neutral zone where he lost a puck Panthers being down three top-nine battle to Nick Foligno. Brian Gionta fed wo plays in the third period forwards, the Sabres (2-3-2) have been Larsson for a one-time riser from the summed up the Florida Pan- without top-liners Jack Eichel (ankle) right dot for a 1-0 Sabres’ lead at 7:47 thers’ worst eff ort of the young and Evander Kane (ribs). of the fi rst. season. The Panthers had gone 10-2-1 in “I wish it was a better result,” Thorn- TFirst, former Sabres defenseman their past 13 meetings against the Sa- ton said of his fi rst game. “Personally, Mark Pysyk, who scored fi ve goals in 125 bres, including 8-0-2 in Buff alo where for the fi rst how many minutes I was games with Buff alo before being traded they hadn’t lost in regulation on March rusty 100 percent. Not conditioning- to Florida last June, inadvertently 25, 2011. Also, goalie Roberto Luongo wise, but the pace of the play for not kicked the puck into his own net in the had gone 9-1 in his last 10 starts with seeing any action, but I felt better as the third period. That sealed the 3-0 loss in four shutouts against the Sabres, but game went on. a Saturday matinee at KeyBank Center. he was bested by Nilsson, who made 33 “A little too much from the perim- Then with 57 seconds left, defense- saves, mostly weak shots from the pe- eter, the last couple of games and we man Dmitry Kulikov, who the Sabres rimeter. made opposing team’s goalies look picked up in that trade, hooked Vincent “We never had any Grade A scoring pretty good.” Trocheck on a breakaway to gift him a chances,” Gallant said. Trailing 1-0 after one, Kampfer drew penalty shot. However, Trocheck, like The Panthers were dominated on his second penalty on a delay of game. most of his teammates, missed the net, special teams, an area they had excelled During the penalty kill, Colton Sce- thus presenting Sabres backup goalie at recently with a power-play goal in viour, moved up to the second line, Anders Nilsson with the second shut- each of their last four games and a sev- got called for a trip, giving the Sabres a out of his career and fi rst in four years. enth-ranked penalty-kill unit. How- 5-on-3 for 12 seconds. “I tried to give him a penalty shot,” ever it was the Sabres clicking on 2 of A minute later, Sam Reinhart defl ect- cracked Kulikov after the game. “We 4 power plays, while the Panthers went ed Rasmus Ristolainen’s shot which needed to win a game to get back on a 0-for-4. clanged off the post and caromed right winning streak, so it didn’t matter who “Look at one bad bounce off our guy to Kyle Okposo, who backhanded in the we played. It was a desperate situation and trickles in for their third goal, mak- rebound for a power-play goal and 2-0 for us.” ing it tough to bounce back from that lead at 5:57. The Panthers (3-4-1) know the feel- one,” said defenseman Keith Yandle, Jaromir Jagr got caught on a hook and ing. They have now lost fi ve of six, in- who only has one power-play point just 17 seconds later, Reinhart fl icked a cluding three on this four-game road (assist) this season. “Ultimately, we centering pass from behind Luongo swing that ends in Detroit on Sunday weren’t able to fi nd one on the power that glanced off Pysyk’s skate and in for against the suddenly torrid Red Wings. play to get that spark we needed.” the dagger with 11:12 left. So the Panthers, who set a franchise Other than being forced by an injury, record with 22 road wins last season, for the fi rst time this season, Gallant RESULTS are still seeking their fi rst road win of tweaked his bottom three lines in an at- Buff alo 3 Florida 0 the season (0-3-1). tempt to snap out of a slump. It didn’t Montreal 2 Toronto 1 “We didn’t work hard enough or work. Boston 1 Detroit 0 compete hard enough,” Panthers coach Fourth-line forward Shawn Thorn- New Jersey 3 Tampa Bay 1 Gerard Gallant said. “It’s the fi rst game ton and defenseman Steve Kampfer Pittsburgh 5 Philadelphia 4 I’m really disappointed in. I thought we made their season debuts for Kyle Rau St. Louis 1 Los Angeles 0 Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson (left) scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (right) played well all season long, but (today) and Mike Matheson, respectively. Both Minnesota 4 Dallas 0 and defenseman Luca Sbisa during the second period at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday. Johansson scored ... we weren’t even close to winning endured diffi cult moments that led to Colorado 3 Arizona 2 two goals and collected an assist as Washington defeated Vancouver 5-2. TJ Oshie, with a goal and an assist, and Tom Wilson also that hockey game.” Buff alo’s fi rst two goals. Washington 5 Vancouver 2 scored for the Capitals, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Philipp Grubauer stopped 23 shots. Bo Horvat and Jannik Hansen The loss came against a Sabres team One rush after Luongo was saved by San Jose 4 Nashville 1 scored for the Canucks, who haven’t won in five games (0-4-1). Markstrom made 30 saves for Vancouver. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 8 Monday, October 31, 2016 RUGBY

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Bennett urges England to Tough love the key to learn from Kiwi agony

AFP success, says Jones Huddersfield, United Kingdom ngland coach Wayne Bennett says ‘...but in any high-performance environment you need a certain level of discomfort’ his new side must learn how to win close games after the hosts opened their Four Nations campaign with an agonisingE 17-16 loss to holders New Zealand AFP London on Saturday. There was a sense in which history re- peated itself as man-of-the-match Shaun ngland rugby union coach Johnson — whose last-minute try saw New Eddie Jones denied yesterday Zealand beat England in a 2013 World Cup he is ruling with an iron rod semi-fi nal — returned to haunt the hosts but insisted keeping one’s with a late drop goal in Huddersfi eld. distanceE from the players is key to be- The half-back also crossed for a try while ing a success. Jordan Rapana grabbed a double for the The 56-year-old Australian — who world No.1 Kiwis as they gained revenge for has resurrected England’s fortunes last year’s defeat in a three-Test series on since the abject failure of the 2015 World English soil. England have now twice lost Cup hosts to get past the fi rst hurdle — narrowly in recent international events, told BBC Radio there was no harm in while the 2014 Four Nations saw them slip to making the players feel ill at ease. defeats by both Australia and New Zealand That strategy appears to have by a combined total of only six points. worked since he replaced Stuart Lan- England, or Great Britain as they were, caster as England swept to the Six Na- have not won a major global event since the tions Grand Slam and whitewashed 1972 World Cup and in order to make next World Cup fi nalists Australia 3-0 on month’s Four Nations fi nal they will likely the Wallabies home turf. now need to beat outsiders Scotland and the “I don’t think they (the players) are world champion Kangaroos in their upcom- frightened but in any high-perform- ing group fi xtures. ance environment you need a certain “We didn’t do the smart stuff well enough, level of discomfort,” he said. everything else was there,” said celebrated “As a coach, the players are never Australian coach Bennett after his second your friends. You have a great deal of game at the England helm following a com- respect for them but you’ve got to fortable warm-up win over France. have a certain level of emotional “I’m disappointed in the result, but I’m not distance because you’re in a work- disappointed in anything else. “We’ve got to ing situation and half the week you’re learn how to get over the line in tight games. telling them you love them, and then They (England) have got a history of not be- there’s some parts of the week you’re ing able to do it (win close matches) so they’ve telling players they’re not going to got to learn to do it. It’s part of the process. play.” “The eff ort and commitment was there to- Jones, who secured the job on the day, we’ve been unlucky here.” back of an impressive World Cup as Ryan Hall and Jermaine McGillvary both Japan handler which saw the 2019 crossed for England, who had Gareth Wid- hosts sensationally beat two-time dop’s sublime goalkicking form to thank for world champions South Africa, said keeping them in touch in Sam Burgess’s fi rst if he managed to guide England to match as a Test captain, but were unable to World Cup success in three years time turn the game around. he might consider other options. Jones has reached the fi nal once ‘Humbling’ before when he was Australia coach Victory gave New Zealand head coach but a last second drop goal by Jonny David Kidwell his fi rst victory since taking Wilkinson in extra-time saw England charge of the Kiwis following two defeats by snatch victory in 2003. Australia. “What a Test match, it had every- “I want to win the World Cup but thing, I thought, that’s what Test matches once you’ve won the World Cup I are meant to be about,” Kidwell said. “We had think there’s other projects you could some adversity that we had to overcome but be involved in to make the game bet- we just covered each other out there. ter,” said Jones. “It’s very humbling to get my fi rst win. It’s “I’m lucky to be involved in a great always good to get that under your belt but sport like rugby and having done we’ve now got to set our minds on the task at something with Japan that people hand and look ahead to the Australia game. thought you couldn’t do, I’d love to do “There are still areas of improvement for that in another country. us, we’re always looking to get better and “Who knows — we’ll wait until the continue to grow.” end of the World Cup, then we’ll take Next up for the Kiwis is another crack at it from there.” the Kangaroos after their 20-point defeat Jones, whose mother is Japanese, in Perth earlier this month. Australia put 10 said his immediate goal is for England tries past Scotland to kick off the tournament to go through the year unbeaten. on Friday and coach Mal Meninga was pleased They face a busy November sched- “We’ve put ourselves in a great po- Forward Beaumont called into Sale Sharks captain Beaumont, son injury list already including regular by the depth of talent at his disposal. “That’s ule with Tests against a struggling sition to achieve that but that would England squad of World Rugby chairman and former starters in the second row, Maro Itoje the beauty of this team,” said the Kangaroos South Africa — who have lost four of be the icing on the cake. Uncapped forward Josh Beaumont England skipper Bill, missed his and George Kruis. legend. “We’re 24 deep and they’re all great their last fi ve matches — Fiji, Argen- “What’s more important is that the has been called into the England chance to make a test debut in the Six Eddie Jones’s side play home players, they all deserve to be here. tina and then Australia to round it off players keep growing, the team keeps squad for next week’s pre-Novem- Nations and Australia tour this year matches against South Africa, Fiji, “Our job is to get the best team out of all on December 3. developing, because ultimately ber internationals training camp in because of injury. Argentina and Australia over succes- that but it’s nice to have that competition. “That (remaining unbeaten all year) we want to win the World Cup in Portugal as cover for lock Courtney Lawes, who has a swollen knee, will sive weekends during the interna- It’s nice to have internal pressure amongst is the target,” said Jones. 2019.” Lawes. remain with the squad but joins an tional break. the players, they responded really well to it.”

FRENCH TOP 14 Castres edge Bordeaux-Begles in a thriller

AFP half Baptiste Serin sold a dummy ing 42-12 victory over struggling Paris to lumbering prop Daniel Kotze Grenoble. before scampering over. Toulon ran in six tries for Yet on 20 minutes Castres put the winning bonus point with astres held on to beat together a fl uid move that ended Mathieu Bastareaud, Mamuka Bordeaux-Begles 33- with Samoan wing David Smith Gorgodze, Jocelino Suta and Axel 27 in a six-try thriller passing inside for centre Thomas Muller all crossing. in the French Top 14 Combezou to score. “It was a good match, a good yesterday.C Urdapilleta and Ireland fl y- start, we won with the bonus But Bordeaux left without half Ian Madigan exchanged point, which is very valuable even a losing bonus point — penalties before Bordeaux closed in this competition,” said Ford awarded when teams lose by out the half with a try from as Toulon went top of the table fi ve points or less — after former full-back Jean-Marcellin Buttin ahead of Clermont’s match with France fl y-half Lionel Beauxis down the right following quick Brive later on Sunday. missed with a last minute pen- hands in the backs. Montpellier are level with the alty attempt. Madigan’s conversion left top two on 27 points after edging The visitors had been on the Castres leading 23-17 at the end La Rochelle, fourth on 25 points, ramage leading up to that at- of an exhilarating fi rst half. 12-11 thanks to a dramatic last- tempt with New Zealander cen- The second half didn’t live minute penalty from Ben Botica. tre Jayden Spence missing out on up to the fi rst until replacement Defending champions Racing a try when he spilled Beauxis’s Castres scrum-half Antoine 92 won their fi rst away match up-and-under in the Castres Dupont scored a carbon copy of the season, defeating rock- end zone. of Serin’s earlier try, sending no bottom Bayonne 16-3 despite It was a a nerve-wracking end less than Talebula the wrong way playing without star fl y-half Dan to what was a great advert for with an outrageous dummy. Carter, who was injured in the French rugby, particularly the Bordeaux wouldn’t lie down, warm-up. Toulouse also earned fi rst half. though, and Spence fi nished off their fi rst away win of the season In a thrilling start to the another blistering attack to dot in a 24-20 success at Pau while match, Castres fl y-half Ben- down in the corner. 2015 champions Satde Francais jamin Urdapilleta kicked two He almost scored a try that beat Lyon 25-19. penalties before the hosts were would have given Beauxis the awarded a penalty try on 11 min- chance to kick a match-winning Results utes after a deliberate knock-on conversion but ultimately Bor- Castres 33 Bordeaux-Begles 27 from Fiji wing Metuisela Tale- deaux were left empty-handed. Pau 20 Toulouse 24 bula prevented a certain try. On Saturday, Three-time Eu- Montpellier 12 La Rochelle 11 Despite Talebula also coping ropean champions Toulon gave Stade Francais 25 Lyon 19 a yellow card, Bordeaux struck new coach Mike Ford a winning Toulon 42 Grenoble 12 Castres’ New Zealander flanker Alex Tulou (C) runs with the ball next to Bordeaux-Begles’ French scrumhalf Baptiste Serin (R) during the back on 15 minutes when scrum- Top 14 start with a command- Bayonne 3 Racing92 16 French Top 14 rugby union match at the Pierre Antoine Stadium in Castres yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, October 31, 2016 9 SPORT

ACHIEVEMENT SPOTLIGHT Cibulkova beats Kyrgios accepts Kerber to win ‘care plan’, WTA Finals ban could Ranked as low as 66th in the world in February, Cibulkova only just snuck into be cut the WTA Finals when she won this month’s Linz Open in Austria. Reuters ing body of men’s tennis said the Melbourne player had accepted help. AFP in the decider to win a nailbiting semi “Nick has taken up the care Singapore against Svetlana Kuznetsova. Dominika Cibulkova of plan on off er to him from the For her win over Kerber, Cibulkova Slovakia celebrates with the orld number 13 Nick ATP,” the ATP told the Australian was presented with the Billie Jean King trophy after beating Germany’s Kyrgios looks set to Associated Press. ominika Cibulkova pulled off trophy and a cheque for $2.05mn, the Angelique Kerber in the final of have his two-month “The details and contents of a stunning upset over Angel- biggest payday of her life, while the the WTA Finals tennis ban from the ATP the plan are strictly confi den- ique Kerber to win the WTA German was left wondering what went WTour cut to three weeks after tial.” tournament in Singapore DFinals yesterday, beating the wrong. yesterday. agreeing to a “care plan”, Aus- Kyrgios was beaten 6-3 6-1 newly crowned world number one in a “I’ve had an amazing year. I gave tralian media reported yesterday. by Mischa Zverev in the second dramatic 6-3, 6-4 final in Singapore. everything on court today,” Kerber Kyrgios received the ban and round in Shanghai after a bizarre Runner-up at the 2014 Australian said. a $25,000 fi ne after being found display in which he delivered a Open, Slovakia’s Cibulkova turned the “We’ve had an amazing year.” guilty of “conduct contrary to series of half-hearted serves and tables on Germany’s Kerber a week For me it’s an honour to play on the the integrity of the game” after walked off court before the Ger- after losing to her in the round-robin biggest stage in front of you all, the “not giving his best eff ort” in a man returned the ball to him. stage to capture the biggest title of her whole world.” match at the Shanghai Masters The tempestuous 21-year-old career, sealing it with a fortuitous net Oozing with self-belief after mak- earlier this month. also clashed with a spectator be- cord after nervously blowing her first ing the quantum leap from another The ATP said the ban would fore being booed off the court. three match points. promising player to the woman who be cut if the Australian agreed to The original ban would have “This is a big moment for me. dislodged Serena Williams at the top “a plan of care under the direc- ruled Kyrgios out of men’s tour It’s the biggest moment in my ca- of the world rankings, Kerber had done tion of a sports psychologist, or events until the Australian Open reer,” Cibulkova said at the presenta- everything right this week, giving up an equivalent plan approved by but he was only scheduled to tion. just set one in the four matches she ATP”. play at the Jan. “It’s hard to describe in words (how I played en route to the final. Although largely academic be- 1-7 Hopman Cup, which is not feel). I have to congratulate Angelique The left-hander had won each of her cause Kyrgios is not scheduled to an ATP event, before the year’s Kerber, you are an inspiration for me last five matches with Cibulkova, but play again this year, the govern- fi rst grand slam in any case. to play hard this year. With hard work, did not bank on her playing the match everything is possible.” of her life, hitting winners from every Kerber went into the final as the part of the court, eliciting huge roars FOCUS overwhelming favourite to win after and gasps from the crowd. taking this year’s Australian Open and There were some anxious moments US Open titles but the 28-year-old at the end for Cibulkova. was powerless to stop her diminutive She squandered three golden oppor- opponent, whose shock win capped an tunities as her nerves started to fray, inspired return to the game’s elite that but regained her composure and was saw her named as this season’s WTA rewarded for her aggressive approach Djokovic Comeback Player of the Year. with a slice of luck, hitting a ferocious Ranked as low as 66th in the world forehand that clipped the tape and in February after struggling with inju- landed on the other side of the net just ries in 2015, Cibulkova only just snuck as she fell to the court in disbelief at into the WTA Finals, restricted to the her achievement. rejuvenated world’s top eight players, when she “I’m here for the first time, winning won this month’s Linz Open in Aus- the biggest title of my life,” Cibulkova tria. She was facing an early exit when said. she lost her first two round-robin “I was mentally really strong. I knew matches in Singapore but suddenly I played well in the first two matches, by Murray turned things around, and won her last just really unlucky. one. In this match, you see, I was lucky.” She only qualified for the semi-fi- Russia’s Olympic gold medallists nals on a countback when Kerber did Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina her a huge favour by beating Madison won the doubles final, beating US battle Keys in straight sets and fought back Open winners Bethanie Mattek-Sands from a set down and a service break and Lucie Safarova 7-5 (7-5) 6-3. AFP day’s fi nal in Paris, he will retain Paris his world number one ranking. But if he fails to make the ovak Djokovic admit- championship match, then Mur- ted yesterday that Andy ray will become the number one Russia’s Makarova and Vesnina Murray’s dramatic as long as the British star wins last-gasp assault on his the title. take WTA doubles title Nworld number one ranking has Djokovic, who has admit- rejuvenated a season which was ted “private issues” contributed AFP, Singapore: Russian Olympic doubles pairs, rounds off a remarkable limping into mediocrity for the to his summer slump, believes champions Ekaterina Makarova and year in which they reached the finals 12-time major winner. Paris is the perfect place to revive Elena Vesnina beat US Open winners of the French Open and won Olympic Djokovic has suff ered a worry- his fortunes on his return to the Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safa- gold. ing dip in form since winning his French capital. rova 7-5 (7-5) 6-3 in the doubles finals of “This year for us is just amazing,” fi rst French Open and completing “Winning Roland Garros this the WTA Finals in Singapore yesterday. Vesnina said. the career Grand Slam in June. year gave me a lot of joy but it re- After the start was delayed by 30 The pair were presented with the He had a shock early loss at quired a lot of energy. minutes due to a lighting problem, Martina Navratilova Doubles Trophy at Wimbledon followed by a fi rst I felt a little exhausted after Makarova and Vesnina began the first the Singapore Indoor Stadium by the round exit at the Olympics and a and I was a little less motivated,” set by conceding two games. tennis legend in person. runners-up spot at the US Open. said the Serb, who hasn’t played But they fought back in a closely con- Makarova and Vesnina, who have been But as the 29-year-old pre- since a semi-fi nal defeat to Rob- tested encounter which saw 14 break playing together since 2012, have pares to defend the Paris Masters erto Bautista Agut in the Shang- points and three match points. seven doubles titles as a team, includ- title he has won for the past three hai Masters. Each time they pulled ahead, Mattek- ing the US Open in 2014 and the French years, he insists Murray’s charge “I took a little time to think Sands and Safarova caught up quickly. Open in 2013. for the top has provided the fresh about all these things, to fi nd a But Makarova and Vesnina dug deep to Makarova is left-handed while Vesnina impetus he needs. new motivation and a new ambi- take the first set on a tie break. uses her right hand, a feature which “It makes me want to go on tion. It’s in place.I feel good. I’m They went on to dictate the second Vesnina described as their winning court and fi ght for every point happy to come back here to Paris. set and were handed the title due to a combination. because there is something to win I hope to have a good week.” service error from Mattek-Sands. “When we’re motivated, ready and at the end,” Djokovic said yester- Djokovic has a bye in the fi rst Their victory in the season-ending healthy, we’re a very dangerous team,” day adding he felt “rejuvenated round at the Paris Masters before tournament, open only to the top eight she said. and regenerated”. facing either Nicolas Almagro or If Djokovic reaches next Sun- Gilles Muller.

BOTTOMLINE Murray claims title to stay on No.1 course

Agencies light of the crowd. by winning next week’s Paris Masters – needed 90 minutes to impose his big Vienna Tsonga broke for the fi rst time to before the season concludes at the ATP game on Asia’s top player. level the set at 4-4 when Murray made World Tour Finals in London. Nishikori lost a 2011 fi nal to Roger a rare unforced error and began hitting He is now only 415 points in arrears Federer in the Swiss icon’s hometown; ndy Murray’s charge towards with ferocious power to shake the Scot. of the Serb who will be under pressure Federer, like Rafael Nadal, sat out of the world number one ranking The 29-year-old Murray, who won to try to defend his title in Paris. this year’s event having ended his sea- continued as he beat French- the titles in Beijing and Shanghai to Should Wimbledon champion Mur- son early to recover from injury. Aman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 eat into Djokovic’s lead in the rankings, ray overhaul Djokovic he would become The trophy was the second for Cilic 7-6(6) to claim the Vienna Open title would not be denied though and played the oldest fi rst-time world number one this season, after claiming his fi rst yesterday. a typically solid tiebreak. since John Newcombe scaled the sum- Masters 1000 honour two months ago The Briton, seeking to end Serbian He failed to convert his fi rst match mit aged 30 in 1974. when he beat Andy Murray in Cincin- Novak Djokovic’s stranglehold on the point when he netted a forehand re- Basel: Marin Cilic won a rerun-run nati. number one spot by the end of the year, turn but set up another with a brilliant of the 2014 US Open fi nal as he beat Cilic established himself as a solid was cruising towards his third con- fl icked backhand down the line off a Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) ninth in the race to the World Tour Fi- secutive title before Tsonga turned the cute Tsonga dropshot. yesterday to claim the Swiss Indoors nals in London, where the provisionally match into a real fi ght. He then nailed a fi rst serve to com- title and boost hopes of a place at next seventh Nadal is out of the running. Murray was 3-1 ahead in the second plete victory and secure a career-best month’s year-end showpiece in Lon- But the Croatian will have to put in a set and had three break points to move seventh title of the season. don. The Croatian fourth seed – who solid performance next week in Paris at 4-1 ahead but Tsonga dug in and began Andy Murray of Great Britain (R) poses with the trophy after beating Jo-Wilfried Murray’s 15th consecutive match will also lead his nation in the Davis the last event of the ATP regular season to play some stunning tennis to the de- Tsonga of France in the final of the ATP Erste Bank Open in Vienna yesterday. win means he could overtake Djokovic Cup fi nal in Zagreb against Argentina to ensure a year-end place. Gulf Times 10 Monday, October 31, 2016 SPORT

HOCKEY India beat Pak for second Asian CT triumph

IANS the result of the match bore to beat Pakistan goalkeeper Am- Shan slammed past Chikte at the the 51st minute. Later, Pakistan The win puts India on top of ing the Koreans deep into their Kuantan, Malaysia much more signifi cance than the jad Ali in the 18th minute to mark near post on the left in the 38th made the mess of a penalty cor- the pool standings. defensive area. title. And both the teams lived up his 11th goal of the tournament. minute. Rupinder made a poor ner opportunity when the stop- A composed fi rst quarter saw The fourth quarter was most to the expectations of the high- India moved in good rhythm trapping at the top of the ‘D’ and per failed to trap after the push as both sides challenge each other exciting, keeping the spectators ndia’s hockey team gifted ly-anticipated clash. However, it and Talwinder Singh could have the ball went behind into the the time ran out and India stood in a midfi eld battle. India were on the edge of their seats, as both the country on Diwali its was India who started the match made it 2-0 when a move created path of Sardar, who made a poor strong to secure the win. the ones who were pushed to the teams pressed hard to take the second Asian Champions brightly as Pakistan looked de- by Thimmaiah was squared to him clearance before Shan grabbed “It’s always good to win backfoot early on, conceding a lead. It was Thakur’s experience ITrophy hockey tournament fensive at the beginning. on the left but his reverse hit went the opportunity. against Pakistan. Most of the penalty corner, but Indian goal- and skill that earned India their title after defeating arch foes Dominating the possession, above the bar on the right, with Further drama unfolded when time we dominated but Paki- keeper Rajani’s smart save en- second goal when she eased past Pakistan 3-2 in the fi nal at the Indian earn a penalty corner only goalkeeper Amjad to beat. Ramandeep claimed to have stan came back. We played com- sured both teams went into the the South Korean defense, mak- Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium when Birendra Lakra played to the But India found the second made it 3-2 for India in the 39th pact hockey as we have done fi rst break, locked in a stalemate. ing her way into the their pen- here yesterday. foot of a defender in the seventh goal two minutes later as You- minute with a close-range de- throughout the tournament. It’s Early in the second quarter, alty area, fi nding enough space India’s two second-half goals minute. But Jasjit Singh Kular’s suf defl ected in from close range fl ection following a drive from a great win,” Sardar said. Korea’s Baek scored to give her to swing the ball past the Korean from Rupinder Pal Singh (18th fl ick went wide of the left post. a Ramandeep Singh’s square the top of the circle by Kothajit. team a 1-0 lead. Though the Ko- keeper. minute) and Aff an Yousuf (23rd) However, Pakistan didn’t take pass from the right after the lat- But the umpire’s referral showed Indian women down reans kept up the pressure, the From being a goal down in the were cancelled out by Aleem Bi- long to get into groove and two ter was fed by Sardar Singh few that neither Lalit Upadhyay nor South Korea Indian defence ensured that they fi rst half, India had stormed to lal (26th) and Ali Shan (38th) but aerial balls – one to the top of the yards behind the Pakistan circle. Ramandeep touched the ball. An inspired second half per- went into halftime down by a a goal lead within 10 minutes of Nikkin Thimmaiah (51st) scored circle and another to the left of Pakistan hit back and reduced Pakistan enjoyed some good formance saw India outgun single goal. the fourth quarter. the winner for the reigning Asian the circle – rattled the Indian de- the gap to one when a foul by moments and mounted attacks South Korea 2-1 in an exciting The Indian eves stormed out It was a lead India fought to Games champions. fence. But Akash Chikte, stand- Kothajit Singh led to a penalty but the Indian defence stood tall. Pool encounter at the 4th Women of the blocks in the second half, hold on, playing the fi nal few In the third-place match, ing in for injured premier goal- corner and Bilal fi red a grounder Later, India regained the lead Asian Champions Trophy hockey and soon enough striker Rani minutes of the match smartly hosts Malaysia got their fourth keeper and captain PR Sreejesh, to the right-bottom corner of when a fi erce counter-attack tournament here yesterday. scored India’s fi rst goal by tact- and cautiously, to earn a well- bronze medal as they edged out was up to the challenge. Chikte in the 26th minute. led by Akashdeep Singh saw Rani (47th minute) and Deep- fully converting a penalty corner deserved victory. south Korea via penalty shoot- In the second quarter, India Eight minutes into the third him pass to Thimmaiah on the ika Thakur (54th) scored for In- to draw them level. India will next take on Ma- out. Amid the diplomatic feud stepped up their game and they quarter, Pakistan benifi tted and left and the Karnataka forward dia after Eeseul Baek had handed With the teams level, India laysia, who have lost the two between the two countries who were rewarded. Penalty corner scored their equaliser from a sounded the board with a drive at South Korea the lead in the 28th were suddenly on the frontfoot, matches they have played so far are erstwhile hockey masters, specialist Rupinder fl icked high defensive error from India as the far post for the crucial goal in minute. crowding the midfi eld and push- in the tournament, tomorrow.

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT Tharanga scores second century Bishoo and Gabriel 10 years aft er fi rst

AFP were unable to refer the deci- Harare sions to the third umpire. All-rounder Asela Gu- naratne marked his Test debut en years after scoring by scoring 54 in a 99-run stand restrict Pakistan his maiden Test cen- for the sixth wicket with Tha- tury, Upul Tharanga ranga, but Zimbabwe stuck to notched up his second their task and managed to bowl ‘We must build on this good bowling performance by posting a good total’ Tas Sri Lanka continued to make an opposition out for the fi rst all the running in the fi rst Test time in three matches. against Zimbabwe at Harare The hosts looked shaky with FP Sports Club. the bat when Herath intro- Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Tharanga’s fi rst century had duced himself in just the sixth come against Bangladesh in over and dismissed Chari, March 2006, and his 110 not but Masakadza got through a eg-spinner Devendra out yesterday allowed Sri Lan- nervy start to share an unbro- Bishoo and fast bowler ka to amass 537 all out on the ken 67-run stand with Ma- Shannon Gabriel shared second day in Harare. woyo. seven wickets between Having dropped seven “We’ve had two long days Lthem to stop Pakistan from catches in the fi eld, and seen in the sun, and I think to come posting a big total on the open- three dubious umpiring calls out and be as positive as we ing day of the third and fi nal Test go against them, Zimbabwe were was good,” Mawoyo said. in Sharjah yesterday. managed to rouse themselves “(Suranga) Lakmal swung Pakistan were cruising along with the bat and go to stumps the ball away, and as you know nicely at 230-4 when West In- on 88 for one. Rangana is a world-class dies grabbed four quick wickets While opener Brian Chari bowler and he came in and to put Pakistan on the back foot fell in Rangana Herath’s fi rst kept it simple, so it was tough at 255-8 by close of play at the over, Tino Mawoyo reached going. I think we can be rela- Sharjah stadium. the close unbeaten on 41, while tively happy at the end of the At close, tail-enders Moha- Hamilton Masakadza was 33 day. mad Amir was batting on six and not out. Yasir Shah on one as West Indies Tharanga had not played a Scoreboard will look to bowl out Pakistan Test in more than a year and Sri Lanka first innings early on day two. was not picked in Sri Lanka’s D. Karunaratne c Mawoyo b Pakistan, who won the toss initial squad, but made the Cremer ...... 56 on a batting-friendly pitch, saw most of his opportunity when K. Silva c Williams b Waller ... 94 opener Sami Aslam (72), Mis- it came along. K. Perera c Waller b Perera ..110 bah-ul-Haq (53), Younis Khan “I came into the side af- K. Mendis c Moor b Cremer ..34 (51) and Sarfraz Ahmed (51) all ter a year out because Angelo U. Tharanga not out ...... 110 reach half centuries. (Mathews) and Dinesh (Chan- D. de Silva c Williams b Cremer Ahmed and Misbah had added dimal) were ruled out, so it ...... 25 80 for the fi fth wicket but Pa- gave me a good chance,” said A. Gunaratne c Cremer b kistan lost four wickets in the Tharanga. Williams ...... 54 space of 18 runs to slump to 248- “The pitch was a bit slow D. Perera run out ...... 23 8, with Bishoo registering fi gures and low, but when I got to the R. Herath c Waller b Mumba ...7 of 4-74 and Gabriel 3-58. middle we were in a good situ- S. Lakmal c Tiripano b Mpofu .7 “We are in a good position to ation so there was no pressure L. Kumara c Moor b Mpofu .....0 get them out (under 300),” said and I was able to play my nor- Extras (10b, 7lb) ...... 17 Bishoo, who took a career best mal game.” Total (all out, 155 overs) ...536 8-49 in the fi rst Test. The fi rst day had seen Kusal Fall of wickets: 1-123 “We must build on this good Perera cash in on two dropped (Karunaratne), 2-198 (Silva), bowling performance by post- catches to score 110, and Tha- 3-282 (Mendis), 4-307 (K. ing a good total and that will ranga enjoyed similar fortune Perera), 5-351 (de Silva), 6-450 strengthen our position.” on the second day. (Gunaratne), 7-498 (D. Perera), That slump could hurt Paki- The 31-year-old resumed 8-512 (Herath), 9-536 (Lakmal), stan’s chances of whitewashing on 13 with Sri Lanka on 317 for 10-536 (Tharanga). West Indies 3-0 after winning four, and earned a reprieve on Bowling: Mpofu 31-6-96-2, the fi rst Test by 56 runs in Du- 66 when he chipped a delivery Mumba 24-2-101-1, Tiripano bai and the second by 133 runs in from Donald Tiripano to short 26-7-71-0, Cremer 42-6-142-4, Abu Dhabi. midwicket, where Mawoyo put Masakadza 9-3-31-0, Williams Misbah had started his record down the chance. 17-2-54-1, Waller 6-0-25-1. 49th Test as captain – bettering On top of Zimbabwe’s char- Zimbabwe first innings Imran Khan’s feat of 48 Tests as ity in the fi eld, Sri Lanka ben- T. Mawoyo not out ...... 41 captain – on a good note when efi ted from three questionable B. Chari lbw b Herath ...... 5 he won the third straight toss decisions in which umpires Si- H. Masakadza not out ...... 33 and instantly decided to bat, mon Fry and Ian Gould turned Extras (4b, 5w) ...... 9 but his batsmen played reckless down appeals for lbw that re- Total (1 wkt, 23 overs) ...... 88 shots. Misbah was himself guilty plays suggested should have Fall of wicket: 1-21 (Chari). as he gloved a reverse sweep off been given out. Bowling: Lakmal 6-1-14-0, Bishoo after hitting three fours With the Decision Review Kumara 4-0-34-0, Herath 9-1-29- and a six. System not in use, Zimbabwe 1, D. Perera 4-0-7-0.

Aggrieved Misbah was lucky to survive a close leg-before decision after West Indian captain Jason Hold- er took a review against Austral- ian umpire Paul Rieff el’s not out decision, but television umpire West Indies’ bowler Shannon Gabriel (L) celebrates with teammate Devendra Bishoo after the dismissal of Pakistani batsman Sarfraz Ahmed Richard Illingworth backed up unseen on the first day of the third and final Test at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah yesterday. (AFP) the on-fi eld offi cial on the basis of sound, which could have been also played a rash shot and was taken a single off the first ball. Shai Hope and paceman Alzarri Yasir Shah not out ...... 1 an edge off the bat. caught off Roston Chase. Asad Shafi q also survived just Joseph coming in for Miguel Mohamad Amir not out ...... 6 That left West Indian players Ahmed, who hit fi ve fours, one delivery before being trapped Cummins. Extras: (lb4, nb4, w1) ...... 9 aggrieved. was bowled by Gabriel while at lbw as that time Holder success- Total: (for eight wkts; ...... 83 Aslam, who added 106 for the the other end Bishoo had Wahab fully challenged Reiff el’s not Scorecard overs) ...... 255 third wicket with Younis, also Riaz for four. out decision. Pakistan brought Pakistan Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Ali), 2-1 fell to an irresponsible reverse Earlier, it was Gabriel who back pacemen Mohammad Amir Sami Aslam c Holder b Bishoo 74 (Shafiq), 3-107 (Younis), 4-150 sweep off Bishoo after looking jolted the Pakistan innings at the and Wahab Riaz – rested for the A Ali c Brathwaite b Gabriel ..... 0 (Aslam), 5-230 (Misbah), 6-242 set for his maiden hundred, hav- start with the wickets of Ali and second Test – in place of Sohail Asad Shafiq lbw b Gabriel ...... 0 (Nawaz), 7-248 (Ahmed), 8-248 ing hit seven fours and a six in his Shafi q in the very fi rst over of the Khan and Rahat Ali. Y Khan c Johnson b Chase ...... 51 (Riaz) 172-ball knock. match.Ali, who scored a career- West Indies also made two Misbah c Dowrich b Bishoo .....53 Bowling: Gabriel 17-1-58-3 (2nb), Younis, who hit four bounda- best 302 not out in the fi rst Test, changes from the Abu Dhabi S Ahmed b Gabriel ...... 51 Joseph 15-5-43-0 (2nb, 1w), Sri Lanka batsman Upul Tharanga plays a shot as Zimbabwe ries and a six off Chase in com- edged a lifting delivery from Test, with fi t-again wicket- M Nawaz st Dowrich b Bishoo ..6 Holder 12-4-29-0, Chase 20-5-47- wicket-keeper Peter Moor looks on during the second day’s play pleting his 31st Test half century, Gabriel to slip after Sami had keeper Shane Dowrich replacing Wahab Riaz lbw b Bishoo ...... 4 1, Bishoo 19-2-74-4. in the first Test the Harare Sports Club yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, October 31, 2016 11 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Bangladesh erupts in joy aft er win

Dhaka: Thousands of people Skipper Rahim hails took to the streets in cities across Bangladesh as the perennial under-achievers beat England by 108 runs yesterday to post one of their most mo- mentous cricketing victories. It was Bangladesh’s first start of new era win in the game’s long form against a full-strength major Test-playing country. It was also Bangladesh secured Test status in 2000 and win was only their eighth in 95 Tests only the eighth Test victory in 95 matches since the country secured Test status in 2000. As teenage spinner Mehedi Hasan dismissed Steven Finn to level the two-Test series 1-1, Teenage spinner Mehedi joyful fans waved national flags Hasan was declared man of and shouted slogans to mark the match for bagging 12 the historic occasion. “ wickets in the game. (Reuters) Flag-waving fans flashed victory signs as they marched user Ahsan Al Mahbub wrote in through the streets. Supporters reference to Mehedi. also staged processions in the Mehedi, a 19-year-old play- port city of Chittagong where ing only his second Test, was the first Test was played, local declared man of the match for police chief Jashim Uddin said. bagging 12 wickets in the game Prime Minister Sheikh which ended yesterday, two Hasina, who is also a cricket days early — and man of the se- fan, congratulated the players, ries for a wicket tally of 19 over coach and off icials. “The whole both games. Shakib Al Hasan’s nation is proud of seeing the salute after sending Ben Stokes team spirit of our players and back to the pavilion went viral their tremendous perform- as thousands of supporters ance,” her spokesman Ihsanul posted photos imitating him. Karim quoted her as saying. The last time the country saw Social media was flooded similar celebrations was in with thousands of comments. March 2015 when Bangladesh’s “The teenage wonder-boy has one-day team beat England in given us first win over England! the 2015 World Cup to reach So this is party time!” Facebook the quarter-finals.

FOCUS Lack of experience cost England against Bangladesh’s Shakib al-Hasan (second right) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Zafar Ansari in Dhaka yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Test cricket history. It came against a very cially in the fi rst innings in Chittagong. I – the matches against England were their Bangladesh: Cook Dhaka good England side but there will be a time think that 78 was greater than his double- fi rst in 15 months – have compound- when we will win a series 2-0 against any century. He utilised his good form, which ed their problems. Over the next few big team,” Rahim said. is a really good sign.” Rahim said. months, Bangladesh will play two Tests angladesh captain Mushfi qur “This is a start,” he told reporters after The wicket-keeper batsman said in New Zealand and one in India. Rahim said his team’s historic the match. He paid tribute to the young- Bangladesh prepared spinning wick- Mushfi qur said they now needed to Test win against England yester- sters in the side, especially Mehedi who ets and the pitches worked according to adapt to conditions away from home. “In day was the beginning of a new had a record match haul of 12 wickets and the hosts’ plan. “From the time we knew the last two years we’ve played really well eraB with the country now blessed with a series tally of 19. England were coming, we planned to in our home conditions and it’s one of our talent like teen sensation Mehedi Hasan. “It feels great the younger players are make wickets that last three to four days. goals to beat every team who come here,” Bangladeshi bowlers, led by 19-year- also contributing. We have a number of The sort of wicket that would help our the wicketkeeper-batsman said. “The old Mehedi, took all ten England wickets performers in the team, which is always spinners and trouble the English bats- next challenge is our overseas (form). in a single session in the second Test as great for a captain. We knew the type of men. “We played well in Chittagong but I We have to adapt really well because you Rahim’s team beat Alastair Cook’s men player he was,” Rahim said about Mehedi. was surprised that it lasted fi ve days. Here can’t get home conditions everywhere.” by 108 runs and square the series. “We wanted him to play against Eng- our bowlers executed our plans and the Bangladesh beat England en route to The victory saw celebrations erupt land rather than Afghanistan so that they batsmen did well too, which made this reaching the quarter-fi nals of the 50- at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Stadium and don’t know anything about him. It is all win possible,” he said. over World Cup for the fi rst time last year, across the country as Bangladeshis rev- his credit that he did so well,” he said. Rahim also pleaded for more Test and have scored one-day international elled in one of the proudest moments in “There’s a lot to learn from him, and I matches against cricket’s ‘big boys’. victories over India, Pakistan and South their sporting history. Chasing a target of know he has the calibre to do well in the While their limited-overs side had al- Africa during a run of six series wins at 273, England seemed to be cruising when future,” the 29-year-old added. ready savoured victories over top teams, home. A cricket-mad nation of 157 mil- Cook and Ben Duckett guided them to Mehedi, who twice led Bangladesh’s Bangladesh had won just seven of 94 lion people, Bangladesh will hope that 100 without loss at tea. under-19 cricket team prior to the call in Tests before yesterday– fi ve against min- success can now translate into the longer But Mehedi, playing only his second the senior side, took the fi nal wicket of nows Zimbabwe and two against second- format of the game and England captain Test and who celebrated his 19th birth Steven Finn to fi nish with 6-77 in the in- string West Indies sides. Alastair Cook had encouraging words for just this week, triggered a dramatic col- nings and 12 for 159 in the match. It was “We are getting there, hopefully if we the South Asian side. lapse as England crumbled to 164 all out his country’s best-ever bowling fi gure in play more Tests there will be more good “You can see their development, spe- England’s captain Alastair Cook and Ben Duckett look on after they to suff er their fi rst-ever defeat by Bang- Tests, overtaking Enamul Haque Jr’s 12- results coming our way,” Mushfi qur said. cially one-day cricket over the last cou- lost to Bangladesh in the second Test yesterday. (Reuters) ladesh in 10 Tests. 200 against Zimbabwe in 2005. “The boys are really eager. Hopefully the ple of years,” Cook said. “Clearly at home Bangladesh secured Test status in The skipper also praised opening bats- International Cricket Council and the they will be a tough side to beat. They Reuters for me to say, but it’s a good win 2000 and the win was only their eighth man Tamim Iqbal who scored the series’ board will give us a couple more series have a got a lot of good spinners. It’s not Dhaka for Bangladesh cricket. Maybe in 95 Tests — and the fi rst against a full- highest total of 267 runs including a cen- against the big boys.” easy for me to say now, but it’s a good some things are bigger than one strength side from a major country. “It is tury in the fi rst innings of the second A lack of willing opponents and Test win for Bangladesh cricket. Some things game.” a very big achievement in Bangladesh’s Test. “Tamim was outstanding, espe- playing opportunities against top nations maybe they are bigger than one game.” ngland captain Alastair Cook expressed his ‘frustra- Cook said a lack of expe- tion’ with the umpires’ treatment rience on the subconti- of Ben Stokes during the second TEST SERIES nent cost his team dearly Test. Stokes was fi ned 15 percent asE they fell to a fi rst-ever Test of his match fee for breaching the defeat by Bangladesh in Dhaka ICC code of conduct, ignoring yesterday. England suff ered an requests from the on-fi eld um- astonishing collapse at the Shere pires to stop “verbally engaging” Bangla National Stadium, losing with Bangladeshi batsman Sab- SA return to happy hunting ground 10 wickets in a single session in bir Rahman. The English player their second innings, and were admitted his off ence and no for- Agencies all out for 164 while chasing 273 mal hearing was need, the ICC, Perth for victory on the third day of the cricket’s global governing body, second and fi nal Test. said in a statement. Next up for Cook is a fi ve- The incident happened during outh Africa will lean on the con- match Test series in India start- the morning session yesterday fi dence from their past successes ing on November 9, on spin- when Stokes ignored the on-fi eld as they prepare for the fi rst cricket friendly pitches similar to the umpires’ requests to stop “ver- Test against Australia starting at one England struggled to come bally engaging” with Bangladesh theS WACA ground in Perth on Thursday. to terms with in Dhaka. “Prob- batsman Sabbir Rahman. The Fast bowler, Dale Steyn, who is one of ably, today, we showed our in- on-fi eld umpires – Kumar Dhar- four Protea players in the current squad experience in these conditions,” masena and S Ravi – had also to have been part of the ‘double’ against Cook said. “We’ve got to learn advised England captain Cook of Australia, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and fast, there’s a lot of talent, the Stokes’ actions but, in the words Morne Morkel are the others, says it’s ‘ex- experience will help us if we can of the ICC media release, “the citing’ to be back at a fortress that holds take things out of it. We had our player didn’t comply with the in- many fond memories for the team. chances here. Yesterday evening structions”. “Eight years ago we won here, a couple we didn’t bowl great and often Sabbir and Stokes were in- of years ago we won here again,” he said lost too many wickets early.” volved in a heated passage of play, of the 2008 and 2012 successes in Perth. The skipper also pointed out with Sabbir taking the attack to “It’s nice to come here with that feel- how England had contributed to Stokes’ bowling and Stokes beat- ing that you have done well here before, their own downfall with some ing his bat on a couple of occa- regardless of the pitch, whether it will uncharacteristic generosity in sions. Each time, Stokes treated be fl ying through or hitting the ankles, it the fi eld, but backed his team to the unfl ustered Sabbir to a piece doesn’t really matter. get back on track. of his mind. “To walk into a venue where you feel “When the ball got rolling we Cook suggested the umpires comfortable is always exciting so we are couldn’t stop it,” he added. “ If had involved themselves ‘too really looking forward to it. I think the I’m honest they shouldn’t have quickly’ and felt Stokes and guys who are on their fi rst test tour of Fast bowler Dale Steyn (second left), is one of four Protea players in the current squad to have been part of the ‘double’ against been chasing 270, we had four or Sabbir had contested a compel- Australia are coming here with a good Australia. Hashim Amla (second right), JP Duminy and Morne Morkel are the others. fi ve chances.” ling passage of play. “I do fi nd feeling because the other guys who have Cook said he had no regrets it a little bit frustrating,” Cook come here before have done well,” he said. lier this month, but rather expects a com- “You are always going to have big play- a new player steps into the side you have about the series, which was said. “Both Sabbir and Stokesy “It’s not that feeling where in the past petitive on-fi eld battle played in the right ers coming out of the team through inju- them automatically being able to throw dogged by security concerns in are very competitive cricket- when we came here we had our tails be- spirit and above the line. ries or new guys stepping in,” Steyn said out those big scores or put out those big the leadup, and made a case for ers. To me, people love it. That’s tween our legs, we are coming here with The Proteas may be missing their star in Perth yesterday. “I remember when performances with the ball. That is what England to keep visiting the sub- what people watch. Sometimes good history. The boys are comfortable batsman, AB de Villiers, but similar to we came here eight years ago, Ashwell we are focused on, when you lose a player continent country. I believe the umpires can get in- and ready to go, we have been here for two 2008 and also a growing trend around the (Prince) was a major player for us and like AB (De Villiers) it is a massive loss, “I’m really glad I’ve been able volved too quickly, and then it weeks and are ready for the match.” Proteas squads over the years, it creates he broke his fi nger, JP (Duminy) stepped but that doesn’t matter, we are focused to lead an England side here,” he blows up even more. When um- Steyn says they won’t be underesti- an opportunity for a new-comer to make up and hit the winning runs in Perth and on the culture and how welcome we make said. “People need to come here pires get involved it can drag it mating Australia following their 3-0 loss an impact on one of the toughest away went on to score 170 in Melbourne. players feel when they step into the side and play cricket. You can see out and brings more theatre to it to Sri Lanka and the Proteas’ 5-0 win ear- series on the calendar. “The culture in the side is that when so that they can perform at their best.” their development. It’s not easy than you need.” Monday, October 31, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Ducati’s Davies clinches double victory at Losail Welsh rider wins sixth successive World Superbikes race as champion Rea ends the season by finishing third

Ducati's Chaz Davies races during the Race 2 of the World Superbikes championship at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. RIGHT: Davies celebrating on the podium.

By Joe Koraith win the title next season if he continues like this. Doha Earlier in the day, the World Supersport race saw a thrilling fi nish, which saw Kyle Smith pip current world champion Kenan Sofuoglu by just ith the championship already de- 6 thousandths of a second. In third place was Ju- cided, one expected the fi nal race les Cluzel, riding for MV Augusta Reparto Corse of the WSBK season to be a bit of a team and that fi nal spot on the podium also gave tame aff air. But Race 2 provided a him the second spot in the championship. Wfi reworks-worthy ending at the Losail Interna- Smith riding for CIA Landlord Insurance tional Circuit yesterday. Honda team started fi fth on the grid but then Ducati rider Chaz Davies claimed a double worked his way up the order and put up a fi erce victory yesterday and produced a similar domi- battle with Sofuoglu’s Kawasaki for a nail-bit- nating performance as in Race 1, which saw him ing fi nish. Luke Stapleford was the pole position burst into the lead in the early part of the race, man with Sofuoglu in second but it was Alex all the way to the chequered fl ag. But that didn’t Baldolini who took the lead after the fi rst corner. mean that the Brit rider had it easy. Smith then started his move and went straight He fi rst had to battle Rea who was putting up into the lead at the end of the second lap. Cluzel a strong fi ght in the fi rst lap but then the cham- was battling for second place in the champion- pion went off the track in the second lap and re- ship and the race with Randy Krummenacher joined only in 13th place. but the Swiss rider couldn’t keep up. Stapleford Davies then increased his advantage over Tom crashed in the second lap and that brought an Sykes, with whom he was engaged in a battle unfortunate end to his race. for the second place in the championship. As World Champion had dropped down to fi fth it stood then, Sykes would have got the second place and was caught up in traffi c but then he spot beating Davies by just two points. started to make his move and with three laps to But there was a red fl ag event when Qatari go the Turkish rider overtook Smith for the lead rider Saeed al-Sulaiti had what looked like an on the straight. It then looked like another win engine blow-out. It was an unfortunate end to for Sofuoglu but the British rider didn’t give up. the home race for local rider. But his incident Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes (right) and newly crowned World Champion Jonathan Rea celebrate after clinching 1-2 in the championship In the very next lap he did the same move on So- meant that there was oil spillage on the track fuoglu, outbraking him in the fi nal corner and and the organisers stopped the race to be able to advantage of the restart and was soon behind race, Rea considerably slowed down and allowed a gentleman and I did that for the team,” said Rea wrestling back the lead. And then, as expect- clean the track. Sykes. Sykes to take second spot at the fi nish line. after the race. “It was an exciting race for me. It ed, Sofuoglu took down with exactly the same The track was cleaned up by the marshals He battled with his teammate for a few laps This meant that Kawasaki had managed a 1-2 felt I was fi ghting for the championship all over move. It looked like the Turkish rider would in just 15 minutes and then race was under- and then overtook him and set off in pursuit of in the championship. “I am a team man. I real- again. I am happy to fi nish the season on such a then keep the lead till the chequered fl ag but way again. When the race was stopped Rea had Davies. But despite having a few close chances, ised that I couldn’t overtake Chaz. And it’s im- high,” he added. Smith overtook him at the last corner and then climbed up to seventh and he now had ten laps Rea couldn’t overtake Davies and he then decid- portant for Kawasaki to get a 1-2 in the champi- Davies will be happy with the knowledge that got a good exit speed to win a photo-fi nish of a to try and catch Davies. The Kawasaki rider took ed to help his teammate. Towards the end of the onship. Though there were no team orders, I am he has a powerful machine that can help him race. It was a fi nale to the season.

FORMULA ONE Hamilton is a great example for other drivers: Fittipaldi

By Giles Richards in Mexico City that,” he says. “It’s very important to give our The Guardian opinion the way we want to give it. It’s some- times controversial but that’s part of life.” Bernie Ecclestone has shared Fittipaldi’s ad- If I’d known what the reaction was going miration for Hamilton’s ability to promote the to be, I would have drunk the milk fi rst,” sport and the Briton is happy to engage with says Emerson Fittipaldi, unable to prevent fans, unlike some of his peers. himself from chuckling as he recounts the “The drivers are too controlled by the teams, incident“ that, even 23 years later, is recalled by the sponsors, the PR guys,” Fittipaldi says. “We many fans in the United States more clearly than are missing their personalities, because of the his two Formula One world championships. system and it has to change. They have to have By reaching for orange juice after winning the more freedom, to express their own opinion, not Indy 500 in 1993 the Brazilian might have pro- just what the team or sponsors want them to say. voked rancour but he was always a singular driv- “They have to express their feelings more, er and a singular character and he has no time, that’s what people want to know. Racing fans nor patience, for regrets after a remarkable ca- love that, they like controversy. reer. Being himself was always more important “Motor sport is all about pressure and adren- to Fittipaldi and it is something he shares with aline and sometimes the drivers want to express and admires in Lewis Hamilton. that but cannot.” The winner drinking milk after the race at In- Fittipaldi, saw out his fi nal years in F1 staying dianapolis is one of motor sport’s oldest tradi- loyal to the team his brother had set up in 1976; tions, begun in 1933 after Louis Meyer celebrat- they struggled from the off and were never real- ed his second victory with a glass. But Fittipaldi Emerson Fittipaldi ly competitive with third their best result. Cart wanted to do his own thing (and doubtless help would follow, but since retiring in 1996 he has the business of the orange grove farm he owned) the Cart series, including the title in 1989, after not left motor racing behind. Last week, along- after taking the fl ag for the second of his two twice winning the F1 world title, with Lotus in side some other notable fathers and their sons wins at the Brickyard. 1972 and McLaren in 1974. including Riccardo Patrese, Juan Pablo Montoya He duly swigged orange juice and was still be- He went head-to-head with Clay Regazzoni and Jarno Trulli, he was at the South Garda kart- ing booed years later when driving the pace car – “diffi cult to fi ght, I knew he was dangerous”, ing track in Lonato, Italy, with his nine-year-old before the opening of the 2008 race. Mentioning Sir Jackie Stewart – “a fantastic champion, I boy, known simply as Emmo. it now provokes gentle amusement. diced wheel-to-wheel with him, he was always Did the youngster have the makings of a fu- “I was promoting the Brazilian orange juice,” on the limit but respected your space”, and Ni- ture world champion? “He has the passion and he says. “I won the race and I did drink the milk, gel Mansell – “in Cleveland, in three laps we Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes GP at the drivers parade before the start of the Grand Prix of Mexico talent but a long way to go,” was the reply, again but it was after I drank the orange. The media all changed position seven times, we were right on at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City yesterday. (AFP) with the same warm chuckle with which he had said: ‘Emerson broke the tradition.’ the edge of the track and nearly touching wheels recalled causing horror at the Brickyard. “I had drunk the milk but there are no pictures – it was fantastic”. He was respected in turn and Hamilton, the world champion, has received and the fans like that. That’s part of the sport. I Hamilton, however, regardless of whether he of me drinking it,” he adds earnestly, with the has been lifelong friends with Stewart. a lot of criticism for his jet-set lifestyle and like his personality, doing what he wants to do.” can come back again at Nico Rosberg’s 26-point tone of one who has had to defend this charge Now 69, he looks back on his years behind interests outside F1 and their potential eff ect He has a valid point, the complaints about lead in another must-win race in Mexico on before. “I didn’t want to off end anybody, it was the wheel with unsurprising fondness. “I was on his driving, as well attracting an aggressive over-media-trained, bland drivers have been Sunday, was someone he was willing to back for a mistake but it was not intentional.” so happy to win the world championships, to media response after the Snapchat incident in around for years but when one strays from the the future. “Lewis is a fantastic talent,” Fittipal- Diehards may still bristle but apologies are win at Indianapolis twice,” he says. “I have no Suzuka. But Fittipaldi is sympathetic. “From script, even only at the expense of journalists di says. “His driving, his achievements show the not really necessary; his career will ultimately regrets. I had the best behind me, I drove for Lo- all the modern drivers, Lewis has a very strong expecting stories, there is a furore. Fittipaldi in- talent that is there and the talent will deliver the stand testament. On top of those two 500s, tus and McLaren and some of the best teams in personality, which is great for motor racing,” he sists you can’t have it both ways. “It’s important result. He absolutely has more world champion- there were 22 race victories driving Indycars in America. How can I complain?” says. “He is able to communicate with the fans that someone can express themselves, we need ships in him.”