MMOTORCYOTORCYCLINGCLING | Page 2 TENNIS | Page 7 Consistency Thiem beats pays as Mir Tsitsipas in wins fi rst ATP Finals world title opener

FOOTBALL Monday, November 16, 2020 Rabia II 1, 1442 AH Germany shine in Nations League as GULF TIMES Ramos endures miserable landmark SPORT Page 3

‘Thank you so much guys...that’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it too man, I believe in you...’

Reuters SPOTLIGHT Istanbul

ritain’s Lewis Hamilton held back the tears as he won a record-equalling seventh Formula One world championship yesterday and be- Bcame the most successful driver in the sport’s Vettel history. The Mercedes ace put on a masterclass in wet and slippery conditions to take a record-stretching 94th ca- reer win at a rollercoaster of a Turkish Grand Prix and secure the title with three races to spare. acclaims Only Ferrari great Michael Schumacher has seven ti- tles to his name, a number once thought unlikely ever to be matched, but most of the German’s records have passed to Hamilton. So complete was Hamilton’s domination that he Hamilton lapped sole rival and team mate Valtteri Bottas with 12 laps to go on a nightmare afternoon for the spinning Finn who fi nished 14th. Hamilton already had more race wins, pole posi- tions and podium fi nishes than anyone in the history of as ‘greatest the sport but, despite starting a season-low sixth, the 35-year-old was determined to add to the tally. “Thank you so much guys...that’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it too man, I believe in you guys,” he whooped over the radio after of our era’ taking the chequered fl ag. The Briton fi nished a massive 31.6 seconds clear of Racing Point’s second-placed Mexican Sergio Perez in a race run behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pan- demic. “Seven is just unimaginable but when you work with such a great group of people and you really trust each other, there is just no end to what can do together,” said Hamilton, who has yet to sign a new deal for 2021. “I feel like I’m only just getting started.” Hamilton was congratulated after parking up by Pe- rez, who still has no seat for 2021, and Ferrari’s Sebas- tian Vettel who completed the podium in a race full of spins and changes of lead. “I told him that it was very special for us because we can witness history being made today,” said Vettel, a four-times world champion with Red Bull and on the podium for the fi rst time this year. “There is no doubt Lewis is the greatest in terms of what he has achieved.” Bottas, who said over the radio four laps from the end that he wished the race was already fi nished, also went across to extend his hand. Mercedes had already won the constructors’ cham- pionship for a seventh year in a row, an unprecedented feat. While Perez started third and eked out his tyres, Canadian teammate Lance Stroll saw his dreams of a fi rst win disappear after leading from his fi rst pole posi- tion. He fi nished ninth, the slide down the order start- Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel celebrates on the podium with a ing when he pitted on lap 37. trophy after finishing the race in third place. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took fourth place, after passing Perez on the last lap but then sliding wide, with Reuters “It doesn’t matter. I think Spaniard Carlos Sainz fi fth for McLaren and Red Bull’s Istanbul every era has its driver or Max Verstappen sixth. drivers and Lewis is the Red Bull’s Alexander Albon was seventh with Lando greatest of our era,” contin- Norris eighth for McLaren and taking a bonus point for our-times world ued the Ferrari driver, who the fastest lap. Australian Daniel Ricciardo was 10th champion Sebastian won his titles with Red Bull for Renault. Hamilton said there was a point where he Vettel hailed Lewis from 2010-13 and had hoped thought the race was slipping away from him, and the Hamilton as the to add to them at Ferrari. leaden skies and constant threat of rain added to the greatestF of his era after the “To me emotionally sense of uncertainty, but he kept believing. Mercedes driver celebrated Michael will always be the When the team suggested he pit for fresh tyres to- Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates his seventh Formula One greatest driver but there is wards the end, given the safety of his lead and the on the podium after winning the title with victory in a wet no doubt that Lewis is the amount of laps done on the worn intermediates, he Turkish Grand Prix and the world Turkish Grand Prix yester- greatest in terms of what he over-ruled them. championship yesterday. day. has achieved. “I lost a world championship in the pit-lane, I learned The German was quick to “He has equalled the my lesson from 2007, that’s for sure. I felt like I really congratulate his British ri- championships, he has more had it under control and I was going to deal with the rain val after Hamilton equalled races won, he has a lot more if it dropped,” said the former McLaren driver. Ferrari great Michael Schu- pole positions.” macher’s record seven and, Hamilton smashed Schu- with an unprecedented 94 macher’s record of 91 wins RESULTS AND STANDINGS wins, became the most suc- with his 92nd in Portugal LEWIS HAMILTON FACTFILE cessful driver in the sport’s last month. RACE (TOP 10) 4. Sergio Perez (MEX) 100, 5. Charles Leclerc (MON) history. Vettel said Sunday’s race, Name: Lewis Hamilton (since 2013) 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1hr 42mins 97, 6. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 96, 7. Carlos Sainz Jr “I told him that it’s very on a wet and slippery track Date of birth: January 7, 1985 Debut: Australia 2007 (3rd) 19.313sec, 2. Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point- (ESP) 75, 8. Lando Norris (GBR) 74, 9. Alexander special for us because we can that caught out plenty of Place of birth: Stevenage, England First win: Canada 2007 Mercedes) at 31.633sec, 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/ Albon (THA) 70, 10. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 63, 11. Lance witness history being made drivers, was proof of Ham- Stroll (CAN) 59, 12. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 40, 13. Se- Nationality: British Last win: Turkey 2020 Ferrari) 31.960, 4. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) today,” third-placed Vettel ilton’s extraordinary talent. 33.858, 5. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault) bastian Vettel (GER) 33, 14. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 26, 15. Height: 1.74m Victories: 94 34.363, 6. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda) Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 10, 16. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) told reporters when asked “Probably if we are honest Weight: 66kg Podiums: 163 44.873, 7. Alexander Albon (THA/Red Bull-Honda) 4, 17. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) 4, 18. Romain Grosjean what he had told Hamilton it wasn’t his race to win and Team: Mercedes-AMG Pole positions: 97 46.484, 8. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) (FRA) 2, 19. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 1 after stepping out of the car. he still won it,” said the Ger- Car number: 44 Fastest laps: 53 1min 01.259sec, 9. Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing “He is the greatest of our man, who is leaving Ferrari Formula One career Points scored: 3,738 Point-Mercedes) 1:12.353, 10. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/ Constructors standings era for sure. I think it’s al- at the end of the year. World championships: 7 — 2008, 2014, Championship history: 1st (2008, 2014, Renault) 1:35.460 1. Mercedes 504 pts – champions, 2. Red Bull- ways diffi cult to compare “Once again, he managed Honda 240, 3. Racing Point-Mercedes 154, 4. 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), 2nd (2007, Drivers standings McLaren-Renault 149, 5. Renault 136, 6. Ferrari 130, 7. (eras) — how can you possi- to pull something special out Races: 264 2016), 4th (2010, 2012, 2013), 5th (2009, 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 307 pts – champion, 2. Valt- AlphaTauri-Honda 89, 8. Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari bly compare (Juan Manuel) of that bag and therefore I Teams: McLaren (2007-2012), Mercedes 2011) teri Bottas (FIN) 197, 3. Max Verstappen (NED) 170, 8, 9. Haas-Ferrari 3 Fangio and Stirling Moss to think he deserves everything our generation? You can’t. he has achieved.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, November 16, 2020 SPORT

FORMULA 1 The Mercedes MOTORCYCLING driver’s seventh Formula One title, Consistency pays secured in as Joan Mir wins Hamilton still Turkey with three races to fi rst MotoGP world spare, raised him to new heights as championship rising, on and the sport’s most successful driver of all time and surely with off the track more to come

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Joan Mir celebrates on the podium after winning the world championship yesterday.

AFP Aft er a season of solid Valencia, Spain consistency, Mir held a 37-point lead meaning he only needed to fi nish on the uzuki’s Joan Mir won podium in the penultimate the MotoGP world title race to secure the title, yesterday a week af- while fourth would have Ster finally securing his been enough if neither Alex maiden Grand Prix triumph at Rins nor Fabio Quartararo the same Valencia circuit. won The 23-year-old from Mal- lorca inherited the crown left that put him out of the race. vacant by the injured six-time The 21-year-old had often champion Marc Marquez when looked the most likely inheritor finishing seventh in the Valen- to Marquez. cia Grand Prix won by Italy’s But the Yamaha-SRT rider This combination of file photographs shows the 94 victories by British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton from June 10, 2007 (bottom R) to November 15, 2020 (top L). Hamil- Franco Morbidelli. championship was already in ton, 35-year-old, became Formula One’s record all-time race-winner on November 15, 2020, when he claimed his 94th victory in the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix to seal the The ecstatic new champion a serious wobble when he hit title of seven Formula One world wins, thus cementing his position as one of F1’s true greats by equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time seven championship win record. His better known for diligence and the deck on the first lap of last victory in Istanbul allowed him to add the 2020 title to his championships of 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. perseverance, was able to make weekend’s race and his luck did a rare celebration. not improve yesterday. Reuters The numbers, however, only tell part of a The paddock is now only one part of the world championship’s a good Pulling wheelies and screech- Morbidelli won the penulti- London bigger story — the rise of Hamilton from Hamilton’s world as he takes a knee be- thing but it’s not been the most im- ing his smoking tyres in front of mate race of the season, lead- racing driver to global fi gure, from sports- fore races while wearing a Black Lives portant thing for me. the paddock, there were no fans ing from pole until the very last man to spokesman, reaching up and across Matter shirt and campaigning against ra- “For sure you want to look back and say but his family where there to lap when he came under intense he words “Still I Rise” are tat- barriers to something more universal. cial injustice and for diversity. I was part of something much bigger than celebrate too. pressure from Australian Jack tooed large across Lewis Ham- Before the start of the season, the He has set up a commission of experts myself, than my team, than the sport and “I’ve been fighting for this all Miller. ilton’s shoulder blades and that 35-year-old showed off a new helmet to help increase the representation of I did it with a whole group of people and a my life, I can neither laugh nor “I just came up short,” said Tassertion has been self-evident design with a twist — one with “Still We Black people in British motorsport, and lot of force against us.” cry but I’m flooded with emo- the Australian. “There was this year, both in sporting terms and in Rise” written on it. acquired a team in the all-electric Ex- Asked last week about the seventh ti- tions,” said Mir. quite a bit of tailwind that just the wider world. 2020 has been a year in which the Brit- treme E series to highlight global warm- tle, Hamilton told reporters he would be This was the first MotoGP ti- stopped me getting the win but The Mercedes driver’s seventh Formu- on has increasingly used his platform as ing. prouder of his campaigning. tle won by a Suzuki rider since we’re happy to back on the box la One world championship, secured in an opportunity to make his voice heard on The sport’s only Black driver persuad- Team boss Toto Wolff said Hamilton 2000. (podium) though.” Turkey with three races to spare , raised subjects from racial injustice, to diversity ed his Mercedes team to repaint their sil- had grown as a personality. As this often chaotic and Morbidelli and Miller played him to new heights as the sport’s most and the environment. ver cars black and has taken part in pro- “There are topics that are very close to memorable season entered its cat-and-mouse overtaking successful driver of all time and surely “What’s important with the journey test marches. his heart and because of his large audi- end game Mir’s guts and endur- each other several times over with more to come. this year is it’s been combined with the As he said in a recent interview with ences he has realised he has a voice and ance saw him emerge as a wor- the final tight corners. “I feel like I’m only just getting start- fi ght for equality and a real growing proc- Sky Sports television, speaking of the in- he wants to utilise his voice to support thy champion. Earlier yesterday, Spain’s ed,” he said after winning yesterday’s ess this year of learning what’s happen- fl uence of the late heavyweight great Mu- (them). I think that’s absolutely accept- Mir’s championship has been Jorge Martin stole in at the race, his record 94th career victory. ing around the world,” Hamilton said last hammad Ali, his aim is to “not only be the able,” the Austrian said. a model of consistency with death to win the Moto2 race, Only Ferrari great Michael Schumacher week. greatest...but also stand for something”. “He’s obviously polarising but that’s three second places and three overtaking his compatriot Hec- won so many titles and Hamilton has al- “Being a little bit more aware of sur- “I want to know that I didn’t waste OK. You want to polarise and get your thirds before a single win from tor Garzo and Italy’s Marco ready powered past the German when it roundings and starting to see progress my time here, just collecting acco- message out rather than be down the 13 races. Bezzecchi just ahead of the fin- comes to wins, pole positions and podiums. with that.” lades and titles...of course winning middle.” Born in Palma, he first rode ish line. a motorcycle at a nearby track This marked a second win of aged six, under the watchful eye the season for Martin, who was SPOTLIGHT of his father. Moto3 champion in 2018. Many years later the early The title itself will go down to promise delivered a world title. the wire in Portugal next week “It really hasn’t sunk in,” said with championship leader Enea Mir at the finish line. “It’s a Bastianini of Italy on 194pts af- wonderful moment and I’m so ter his sixth place in Valencia happy.” leading British rider Sam Lowes Hamilton vs Schumacher: Who After a season of solid con- by 14 points. sistency, Mir held a 37-point In the lower ranks starting lead meaning he only needed 13th on the grid Italy’s Tony to finish on the podium in the Arbolino won the Moto3 GP penultimate race to secure the to climb third in the standings is the greatest driver in history? title, while fourth would have with 159pts. AFP “Michael may have had a little more been enough if neither Alex Spain’s Albert Arenas was Paris competition than Lewis”, said French Rins nor Fabio Quartararo won. fourth on the day and leads the driver Romain Grosjean. Frenchman Quartararo ru- championship on 170pts ahead The Haas team driver added: “On the ined any chance he had of pro- of Japanese rider Ai Ogura of ewis Hamilton yesterday won his track, Michael had some dubious little longing the title race with a fall Honda 162. seventh Formula One world title clashes, with Damon Hill, with Jacques to equal the all-time record held Villeneuve... Lewis, he has always been by Michael Schumacher. class.” LBut who is the greatest driver? The VALENCIA MOTOGP RESULTS AND STANDINGS British star or the German legend? The car and the team — Since 2014, The numbers — The statistics show Hamilton has driven a Mercedes F1 car MotoGP KTM) 122, 8. Jack Miller (AUS/ that Hamilton has raced for 14 seasons which has been a class above all others. 1. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/ Ducati-Pramac) 112, 9. Takaaki and has taken part in 264 Grands Prix This was also the case for Schumacher Yamaha/SRT): 41mins Nakagami (JPN/Honda-LCR) since 2007 while Schumacher competed with Ferrari between 1999 and 2004. 22.478sec, 2. Jack Miller (AUS/ 105, 10. Miguel Oliveira (POR/ for 19 seasons with 307 races in two spells “When I joined, I was personally able Ducati-Pramac) at 0.093, 3. Pol KTM-Tech3) 100 — 1991-2006 and 2010-2012. to put my stamp on the car and make a lot Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 3.006, 4. In 2020, Hamilton surpassed two other The talent — For Mercedes techni- properly tell.” of alterations, particularly in 2013,” said Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 3.697, Moto2 Schumacher records — number of podi- cal director James Allison, who worked All that said, when it comes to pure Hamilton. 5. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 1. Jorge Martin (ESP/Kalex) ums (163 against 155) and victories (94 with both Hamilton and Schumacher, it speed on the track, Hamilton and Schu- Drivers in 2020 also have the benefi t 4.127, 6. Miguel Oliveira (POR/ 40min 02.225sec, 2. Hector against 91). In qualifying, Hamilton has is their “burning desire” for victory that macher are in the slipstream of the late of even more sophisticated technical aids KTM-Tech3) 7.272, 7. Joan Mir Garzo (ESP/Kalex) at 0.072sec, the clear edge with 97 pole positions distinguishes them from “simply very Ayrton Senna, the world champion on and technological improvements. (ESP/Suzuki) 8.703, 8. Andrea 3. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Kalex) dwarfi ng Schumacher’s 68. good drivers”. three occasions. “Schumacher was driving on his own Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 8.729, 0.204, 4. Marcel Schrotter Schumacher, however, has more fastest “All the truly great champions proba- In a recent F1 study using artifi cial in- more or less when he was racing in his 9. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) (GER) 0.689, 5. Luca Marini laps — 77 to 53 bly have more in common than they have telligence, it was concluded that Schu- car. Hamilton has got God knows who 15.512, 10. Maverick Vinales (ITA/Kalex) 0.812,6. Enea Bas- At the age of 35, Hamilton still appears diff erences, in that they are all unusually macher was 0.114sec slower than the helping him, telling him what his tyre (ESP/Yamaha) 19.043. tianini (ITA/Kalex) à 2.239 to have time on his side although he has determined,” he said. Brazilian while Hamilton was 0.275sec pressure is, speeds through corners,” yet to start negotiations on a new con- “The fact Lewis still cares about win- behind. former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone Standings after 13 of 14 Selected tract with Mercedes. ning championships with the same ar- told AFP. races 14. Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) at Statistics can, however, be misleading. dour that he had when he was an 18-year- The rivals — With three world cham- “You cannot say anything bad about 1. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 171 15.345sec The number of Grands Prix each year old boy, is what sets him, Michael and pions (Fernando Alonso, Jenson But- Lewis, you cannot say he is not good, points - champion, 2. Franco Standings after 14 of 15 has increased over time. In the Schu- the other great champions apart. ton and Nico Rosberg) as teammates at that is not the point. Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) races macher era, there were an average of 16 “Clearly they were near the front of McLaren and Mercedes, Hamilton has “How good he is compared to some- 142, 3. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 1. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Kalex) every season. In Hamilton’s time there the queue when God was handing out faced fi erce internal competition. body else? Well, he is super, super tal- 138, 4. Maverick Vinales (ESP/ 194pts, 2. Sam Lowes (GBR/ have been an average of 19. physical gifts.” His current domination over Valtteri ented and would be amongst the top fi ve Yamaha) 127, 5. Fabio Quar- Kalex) 180, 3. Luca Marini (ITA/ In the golden age of Juan Manuel But in terms of who is the greatest of Bottas, on the other hand, is not unlike drivers for the last 30 years. tararo (FRA/Yamha-SRT) 125, 6. Kalex) 176, 4. Marco Bezzecchi Fangio, who won fi ve world titles in the the two men, Allison won’t be drawn. that of Schumacher’s stranglehold over “Is he better than Michael? Would Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) (ITA/Kalex) 171, 5. Jorge Martin 1950s, there were just eight races in an “Unless they actually run alongside Rubens Barrichello at Ferrari. Michael have been better in that car 125, 7. Pol Espargaro (ESP/ (ESP/Kalex) 150 average world championship. one another in a car, then you can’t Apart from their team-mates, (Mercedes)? You can’t say.” Gulf Times Monday, November 16, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

NATIONS LEAGUE FRIENDLY Six South Korean France, Germany shine players positive, Qatar clash in doubt

Reuters tion said in a statement that a as Ramos endures game could go ahead as long as a Seoul team has 13 healthy players with at least one goalkeeper, Yonhap ix South Korea play- reported, adding South Korea ers and a member of the had 19 players including two team’s staff tested posi- goalkeepers available. miserable landmark tive for the new coro- The initial four players who navirusS before their 3-2 defeat tested positive were Kwon by Mexico in an international Chang-hoon, Hwang In-beom, Ramos missed two penalties as he set a record 177th international appearance friendly on Saturday, casting Lee Dong-jun and Jo Hyeon- doubts over their clash with Qa- woo, with Kim Moon-hwan and AFP tar tomorrow. Na Sang-ho joining them on the Paris Yonhap news agency reported list later. that South Korea were initially All the players and the member informed of four players and of staff will have to spend 10 days orld champions France and one staff member testing posi- in quarantine in Austria. Hwang Germany rode on the infl u- tive around 20 hours before they Ui-jo and Kwon Kyung-won ence of their Chelsea stars to began their fi rst international scored on either side of the break rack up Nations League wins match of the year in Wiener for South Korea while Mexico Won Saturday night while Spain’s Sergio Neustadt, Austria. A retest of netted three times in three min- Ramos missed two penalties on the night players who tested negative re- utes in the second half, through he celebrated a record-setting 177th in- turned two more positives and Raul Jimenez, Uriel Antuna and ternational appearance. the match was played only after Carlos Salcedo, to seal the vic- Chelsea midfi elder N’Golo Kante discussions with the Mexican tory. South Korea are scheduled scored just his second international goal Football Federation and the Aus- to face Asian Cup winners Qatar as France defeated European champions trian Football Association. in a friendly in Maria Enzersdorf, Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon to secure a place in The Korea Football Associa- Austria tomorrow. next year’s fi nals. Kante was quickest to react to a rebound as he netted the winner on 53 minutes that clinched France top AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS spot in their group. France lead Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portu- gal by three points ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Sweden in Paris but are guar- Mane scores as anteed fi rst place by virtue of their supe- rior head-to-head record. “It’s very nice to see them snatch the win. It’s deserved. Senegal qualify We’ve fulfi lled our objective of fi nishing fi rst,” France coach Didier Deschamps said after the win over a Portuguese side Agencies After drawing in Nairobi last which had won the inaugural Nations Cape Town week, the Indian Ocean island- League title on home soil in 2019. ers set off frenzied celebrations Kante’s teammate in the English Pre- as El Fardou Ben Mohamed and mier League Timo Werner scored twice enegal became the fi rst Faiz Mattoir scored to ensure a on his return to Leipzig as Germany en- country to qualify for the famous win, which puts them on joyed a 3-1 win over Ukraine. Werner Africa Cup of Nations fi - the cusp of a place in the fi nals. spent four years at Leipzig before moving Snals after a late goal from Earlier yesterday, Saidi Ntiba- to London and he fl ourished in familiar Sadio Mane secured a 1-0 victory zonkiza scored twice and Yous- surroundings at the Red Bull Arena de- away at Guinea Bissau on Sun- souf Ndayishimiye added the spite the absence of fans. day. other as Burundi beat Mauritania The win leaves Germany undefeated in Mane, who also scored last 3-1 in Bujumbura. Burundi are their last 12 games and top of their group, Wednesday when Senegal beat one point behind second-placed a point ahead of second-placed Spain Guinea Bissau 2-0 at home, net- Mauritania in Group E with both with the sides due to meet in Sevilla to- ted with eight minutes remaining countries left with two qualifi ers morrow. “I had four good years here and to ensure they maintained their to play in March. it was fun to come back and win,” Werner 100 % record in Group I where The top two teams in each of said. Ukraine took an early lead when France’s N’Golo Kante (centre) vies for the ball with Portugal’s Diogo Jota during the UEFA Nations League group match at the Luz they are guaranteed a top-two the 12 qualifying groups advance Roman Yaremchuk caught the German stadium in Lisbon on Saturday night. (AFP) fi nish and therefore a place at to the fi nals except in Group F defence napping. The hosts roared back the fi nals in Cameroon in Janu- where the highest fi nisher be- with three unanswered goals by Leroy Enrique. “If there had been a third penal- who plays his club football in China with for Galatasaray in Turkey, tested positive ary 2022. sides Cameroon, already in the Sane and Werner, who scored either side ty, he would have taken that one as well.” Dalian Pro, headed in the second from a for coronavirus. Senegal have 12 points from fi nals as hosts but also playing in of half-time, to seal a deserved win. Remo Freuler gave the Swiss a 26th- corner in fi rst-half stoppage time. UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE RESULTS four games, six ahead of second- the preliminaries, goes through. In Basel, Ramos missed two penalties minute lead but they had Nico Elvedi sent Danielson had the misfortune to put League A: Group 3: Sweden 2 placed Congo and nine ahead of Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah- as Spain needed a late equaliser from Ger- off for conceding the second penalty with through his own goal with eight minutes (Kulusevski 36, Danielson 45+2) Guinea Bissau in third spot. less Egypt scored through de- left after making contact with an Ivan ard Moreno to draw 1-1 with Switzerland. 11 minutes left. Spain fi nally found an Croatia 1 (Danielson 82-og); Senegal were runners-up at fender Mahmoud el Wensh to equaliser in the 89th minute as Moreno Perisic header. edge Togo 1-0 in Cairo on Sat- Ramos was making his 177th appearance Portugal 0 France 1 (Kante 53) the last Cup of Nations tourna- to break the international appearances capitalised on a tiring Swiss defence by Croatia had beaten the Swedes 2-1 in ment in Egypt in 2019. urday and kick-start a 2021 Af- record for a European player, pulling clear converting Sergio Reguilon’s cross. their first meeting but they arrived for Group 4: Switzerland 1 (Freuler 26) Spain Mane’s Liverpool team mate rica Cup of Nations qualifying of Italy’s Gianluigi Buff on, who has 176. After losing all four of their opening the return without midfielder Marcelo 1 (Gerard Moreno 89); Germany 3 Naby Keita scored for Guinea as campaign. Prolifi c Liverpool But it was a night to forget for the de- games in the Nations League, Sweden Brozovic and defender Domagoj Vida, (Sane 23, Werner 33, 64) Ukraine 1 they stayed top in Group A with scorer Salah tested positive for fender, who saw one spot-kick saved fi nally found some form in Solna, beat- both of whom had tested positive for (Yaremchuk 12) a 1-1 draw away in Chad. Covid-19 after arriving in Cairo by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but ing World Cup runners-up Croatia 2-1. Covid-19. League C: Group 1: Cyprus 2 (Kastanos Ahmat Abdaraman equalised for international duty and a sub- backed himself to score a second, only The Swedes, whose coach Janne Anders- The coronavirus pandemic also saw 34-pen, 71) Luxembourg 1 (Kousoulos just before halftime for Chad, sequent test produced a similar to miss again with a dreadful attempted son has been sidelined with coronavirus, UEFA cancel Sunday’s match between 5-og); Azerbaijan 0 Montenegro 0 who collected their fi rst point af- result. Apart from missing back- ‘Panenka’. Ramos had previously scored were 2-0 up at half-time. Romania and Norway after Norwegian ter three successive defeats. to-back matches against Togo, League D: Group 1: Malta 3 (Emili Garcia 25 penalties in a row and his inaccuracy Juventus star Dejan Kulusevski opened authorities banned the squad from trav- The tiny Comoros Islands he could also be ruled out of the 56-og, Degabriele 59, Dimech 90+3) from the spot cost Spain, who will now his international account in the 36th elling to Bucharest due to a Covid-19 boosted their hopes of a fi rst ever next two matches for his club, Andorra 1 (Rebes 3); Latvia 1 (Kamess 59) have to beat Germany to reach the fi nal minute when the 20-year-old control- case. Norway’s health minister had qualifi cation as they beat Kenya against leaders Leicester City in Faroe Islands 1 (G Vatnhamar 60): Group stage. “Sergio’s numbers for penalties are led a long pass from Mikael Lustig before ordered the squad not to travel after 2-1 in Moroni to go top of Group the Premier League and Atalanta 2: San Marino 0 Gibraltar 0 out of this world,” said Spain coach Luis scoring. Defender Marcus Danielson, full-back Omar Elabdellaoui, who plays G. in the Champions League.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Euro heroes Scotland’s unbeaten run ends Liverpool goalkeeping great AFP Trnava, Slovakia Clemence dies aged 72 AFP end. We will miss you. Rest in cotland failed to follow up their he- London peace my friend. My family and roics of reaching a fi rst major tour- my thoughts and prayers go out nament for 22 years as Steve Clarke’s to Vee, her family and friends.” men were beaten 1-0 by Slovakia enny Dalglish led the Liverpool paid tribute to yesterday,S their fi rst defeat in 10 games. tributes to Ray Clem- Clemence on their Twitter ac- Jan Gregus’s defl ected strike on 32 minutes ence yesterday after count, saying: “We’re deeply separated the meeting of two teams who Kthe former Liverpool saddened by the passing of one qualifi ed for Euro 2020 this week as a much- and England goalkeeper, a key of the greatest-ever goalkeepers, changed Scotland were left to rue not taking member of three European Cup- Ray Clemence.” a series of chances. winning teams, died aged 72. Clemence won 61 England A fi rst defeat in 13 months for the Scots Clemence, who was diag- caps, but would have had many means they have to wait to secure top spot nosed with advanced prostate more had he not been compet- in Nations League Group B2. That could still cancer in 2005, was one of the ing with Peter Shilton, who ac- happen if the Czech Republic fail to beat Is- fi nest ‘keepers of his generation, cumulated 125, for the number rael or if Scotland are victorious when they winning a host of trophies dur- one shirt. travel to Israel on Wednesday. ing 14 glittering years at Liver- “I’m absolutely devastated to Clarke made eight changes from the side pool. An £18,000 signing from be told of the sad news that Ray that beat Serbia on penalties on Thursday to Scunthorpe in 1967, Clemence has just passed away. Ray was a reach the European championships. How- was part of the Liverpool team brilliant goalkeeper with a ter- ever, the visitors still enjoyed the better of which won the club’s fi rst ever rifi c sense of humour. I will miss the chances and will feel aggrieved not to European Cup in 1977. him a great deal,” Shilton said. have at least extended their unbeaten run. He also played in their 1978 After retiring in 1988, Clem- Oli McBurnie scored one of Scotland’s and 1981 European Cup fi nal ence served on the Tottenham fi ve successful penalties in midweek but the triumphs and won the UEFA coaching staff , managed Barnet Sheffi eld United striker is still searching for Cup in 1973 and 1976. Liverpool I will never forget how he helped and then worked as England’s his fi rst international goal from open play clinched fi ve First Division ti- me to settle in at Anfi eld. Our goalkeeping coach under Sven- and wasted two huge chances to give his side tles with Clemence between the thoughts are with the Clemence Goran Eriksson. “As a player he the lead. posts, while he also won the 1974 family. RIP Clem.” was one of the best ever, to work Craig Gordon returned in goal for the FA Cup and the 1981 League Cup Clemence left for Totten- together with him was fantastic,” fi rst time in over two years but was helpless during his time playing for Bill ham in 1981, aged 32, for a fee Eriksson said. “He was a great when Gregus’s shot clipped Kenny McLean Shankly and his successor Bob of £300,000 and won another man for me, not only profession- and fl ew into the bottom corner. Stuart Scotland’s Liam Cooper (left) and Slovakia’s Lubomir Satka go for a header during the Paisley. UEFA Cup and the FA Cup in his ally but personally and we be- Armstrong was inches away from an equal- UEFA Nations League match in Trnava, Slovakia, yesterday. (Reuters) He is survived by his wife Ve- seven-year stay in north London. came close friends.” iser just before half-time as he fl icked Ryan ronica, son Stephen — a former Ossie Ardiles, who played with England players wore black Christie’s excellent through ball wide. Then with the last action of the game, Czechs, who they will face in their opening player himself and now a coach Clemence at Tottenham, tweet- armbands during their Nations After the break it was Slovak goalkeeper Leigh Griffi ths thought he had earned a game of the Euros. — and daughters Sarah and Julie. ed: “So sad to heard the news of League game in Belgium late Marek Rodak who ensured his side took all point with a powerful low shot that Rodak Slovakia, who qualifi ed for Euro 2020 Anfi eld icon Dalglish, who played Raymondo passing away. He was last night and will pay tribute to three points. First the Fulham stopper made turned behind. with a playoff win over Northern Ireland on with Clemence for four years, a great goalkeeper, wonderful Clemence before Wednesday’s an incredible save to deny McLean’s header Scotland still top Group B2 of the Na- Thursday, remain bottom of the group with tweeted: “Clem was a fantastic companion, friend. He battled match against Iceland at Wem- from Kieran Tierney’s cross. tions League with a four-point lead over the four points from fi ve games. teammate and great to be around. this illness right until the very bley. Gulf Times 4 Monday, November 16, 2020 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT EMOTIONAL Abbott fought back Kohli a very powerful guy tears on learning of his selection in world cricket: Taylor IANS Sydney

‘He does a good job to walk that fine line in being an aggressive cricketer and also a statesman’ ace bowler Sean Abbott, who has been IANS picked in the Australian Sydney Test squad for the se- Pries against India, said he had to “fi ght back tears” after learning ormer Australia captain Mark about his selection. Taylor believes current In- Abbot is a right-arm bowler dia skipper VIRAT KOHLI is who can bat also and plays for a very powerful guy in world New South Wales in the Sheffi led cricketF who does a very good job of be- Shield competition. He took a ing a statesman as well as an aggressive four-wicket haul and scored a cricketer. Following the pink-ball Test, century in the last fi rst-class which will be played from December game he played. 17-21 in Adelaide during the upcom- “I had to fi ght back tears there ing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli will for a minute. I would be happy to return to India to be with wife Anushka put my hand up for any spot that Sharma who is expecting their fi rst baby would come up. I’d take that op- in January. portunity with both hands,” Ab- However, he will take part in the lim- bott told reporters yesterday. ited-overs leg of the tour, which consist Abbott says he is willing to of three ODIs and as many T20Is. “I play as a batting all-rounder too think he is a very powerful guy in world although he is primarily a bowl- cricket, but I think he does a very good ing all-rounder. job to walk that fi ne line in being an ag- “I probably see myself as gressive cricketer and also a statesman. more of a bowling opportunity I think he’s doing it very well,” Taylor who can bat. But if there’s that was quoted as saying by The Sydney opportunity to bat higher up Morning Herald. the order and the selectors and Accepting the notion that the tal- (Tim Paine) think I can do that ismanic Indian batsman could be the job, then I’m not even going to most powerful fi gure in the game, Tay- think twice when I’m walking lor believes it’s a title that sits well with out there. I’ll bat as a batsman Kohli. “I think he treats that responsi- and do whatever job is in front of bility with great respect,” the former me,” he added. Australia skipper said. “He’s still very much his own person when you watch him play. I’ve always found him in the times I’ve spoken to him to be very respectful to the game I would always say never, ever miss the 23-year-old Pucovski alongside David anxious. I am not enjoying the game’,” and those playing it and those who have birth of your children because it is one Warner. Pucovski, who was identifi ed as Taylor told Sydney Morning Herald. played it,” he added. of the great things you’ll ever do,” he potential Test cricketer at a very young Taylor said that it took courage to Recently, current Australia head added. age, had to take a break from cricket in take yourself away from not just the coach Justin Langer termed Kohli as October 2018 for some time to overcome Test squad but also from the fi rst-class “probably the best player” he has seen TAYLOR PRAISES PUCOVSKI’S mental health problems. In February squad. Pucovski took himself off from in his life. “Virat Kohli is probably the HONESTY IN ADMITTING 2019, he was released from the Australia the Victorian side’s roster as well. best player I’ve ever seen in my life for MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES squad playing Sri Lanka and allowed to “He took himself away from the game so many reasons, not only batting but Meanwhile, Taylor praised young open- work on his mental health. He, however, not just potential Australian squads his energy and passion for the game, the ing batsman Will Pucovski for be- returned to cricket soon after. Pucovski but also the Victorian squad. He took way he fi elds,” Langer said. ing open and honest about his mental has scored back-to-back double centu- a break from it. He has now come back He also hailed Kohli’s decision to health problems saying that Australian ries in the two Sheffi eld Shield games he and I like the fact that Victorian coach leave the series mid-way in order to be cricket has moved on from his playing has played this season. Chris Rogers had a word to him and said with his wife. “I cannot believe he dis- days when acknowledgement of mental “He has been open and honest about to him bat top of the order, take over the plays the energy he does in everything health issues was considered a sign of it, right from the word go which is not opening spot. He has done that, made he does and I’ve got so much respect for weakness. always easy. I mean in the sides I have two double hundreds and he has now him. I’ve also got respect for him in the Taylor also picked the right-hander played that would have been seen as perfectly come out and said, ‘I now feel sense that he’s made this decision (to in his Australia’s 13 for the fi rst Test a sign of weakness. Now it is actually good. I am now enjoying my cricket. I return for the birth),” Langer said. against India and said the Aussie team seen as sign of strength that yes, ‘I am am ready’,” added Taylor, who felt Pu- “He’s a human being like all of us... if management should drop the more ex- not handling the mental side of the covski’s openness will be an example for I was giving advice to any of my players perienced opener Joe Burns and play the Former Australia captain Mark Taylor. game as well as I would like. I am getting young cricketers.

FOCUS PSL No local Covid transmission Wiese secures fi nal berth for Lahore Agencies spells good news for Indians Karachi IANS According to a report in cricket.com.au, the Sydney WBBL players can leave the place for jaunts. n all-round perform- “Those housed in the (WBBL) Village can now ance by David Wiese leave to buy takeaway meals and coff ee, beach and carried Lahore Qaland- hanks to no local transmission case of golf trips have been organised to provide a break ars to the fi nal of the Covid-19 in Sydney over the last week, from the hotel-gym-cricket ground routine, PakistanA Super League as they life for the touring Indian cricketers is while other escapes can be approved if shown to defeated Multan Sultans by 25 expected to be a bit more relaxed than it be Covid-safe,” the report said. runs in the Eliminator 2 at the Twas for many women cricketers who are also sta- The WBBL will end on November 29 with the National Stadium yesterday. tioned in the Sydney Olympic Park for the last 20 coming week to feature the last of league phase Qalandars will face Kara- days for the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League games. India will play three ODIs, three T20Is and chi Kings in the fi nal tomorrow (WBBL). four Tests, beginning November 27. evening. This will be the fi rst The Indian team, which is on a 69-day all-for- Meanwhile, it is horses for courses for the In- time these two teams will feature mat tour of Australia, has already been allowed to dian cricket team during their initial practice ses- in the fi nal of the tournament. practice and train during the mandatory quaran- sions in Sydney. With the Covid-19 pandemic en- Wiese took three crucial wickets tine period, a pre-condition of the BCCI before suring that the entire squad, including those only of Adam Lyth, Ravi Bopara and the tour. They can also order food like during the for Test series which begins only in the second Sohail Tanvir as Sultans were Indian Premier League that was held in the UAE. half of December, had to reach early and undergo bowled out for 157 with fi ve balls Though the New South Wales government had quarantine, the team management is taking care spare in their pursuit of 183. promised some freedom for Indian cricketers, it to give them format-specifi c practice. On Sun- Sultans were provided a solid will be come into eff ect after the end of the quar- day, the Indian team took fi eld for the second day start as Lyth smashed a 29- antine period. However, if the experience at the running following their gym and running-only ball 50. The 33-year-old struck WBBL is anything to go by, things should be easy session on Saturday and did some fi elding prac- four fours and three sixes as he for the touring Indians. Movement of the WBBL tice. With Test members too part of the squad, the stitched a 47-run fi rst wicket players was limited to exercise for the fi rst few management ensured that they took their catches partnership with wicketkeeper- weeks of the tournament. However, now it has with only the red ball while those who are part batsman Zeeshan Ashraf (12 off been relaxed after a week of no local transmission of the limited-overs squads, the T20s and ODIs, nine) and 33-run stand for the Lahore Qalandars’ David Wiese (second) celebrates with teammates after dismissing Multan Sultans’ of coronavirus in Sydney. took catches with the white ball. second wicket with his captain Sohail Tanveer (unseen) during the Pakistan Super League match in Karachi. (AFP) Shan Masood, who scored 27 runs from 22 balls. after they were asked to bat by Shahid returned the match fi g- On his bowling, the South Lyth, in red-hot form, was Sultans’ captain Shan. ures of 4-0-18-2. Africa added: “Fortunate to bat stopped in his tracks by Wiese Qalandars openers Tamim Following the dismissal of fi rst so we could sum up the con- in the ninth over. The dismissal Iqbal and Fakhar Zaman stitched Dunk, Qalandars were totter- ditions quickly. Wasn’t a pitch dried the fl ow of runs and then a 46-run partnership in 4.5 overs ing at 111 for fi ve in 14.2 overs. where we could blow them away sparked a collapse which saw before left-arm pacer Junaid But,Wiese’s scintillating knock so change of pace was important, Sultans lose fi ve wickets for just Khan struck in his fi rst over to at death not only pulled his team but length was also important. 20 runs. dismiss the former. Qalandars’ out of trouble but lifted them to a I know it’s going to be a mas- Late blows by Khushdil Shah, Bangladesh import Tamim made daunting total. sive game (the fi nal). Would have who hit two sixes and as many 20-ball 30, in which he struck The South African all-rounder been awesome to have a packed fours in his 19-ball 30, instilled a fi ve fours. crunched fi ve fours and three house but everyone in Lahore is ray of hope amongst the Sultans’ Sohail Akhtar, the Qalandars sixes in his 21-ball 48 not out, going to be supporting us. I think fans. But, his dismissal on the captain, followed the left-hand- which helped Qalandars pile 67 we’ve got one more push in us.” third ball of the penultimate over ed opener back in the pavilion on runs in the last fi ve overs. – with still 28 runs left in the run the penultimate ball of the pow- Over the course of his unde- BRIEF SCORES chase –made the victory certain erplay as he was caught off Mo- feated stay at the wicket, Wiese Lahore Qalandars 182-6, 20 for Qalandars. hammad Ilyas’ bowling at deep partnered with Samit Patel (26 overs (David Wiese 48 not out, Pace bowlers took sultans’ all square leg. Qalandars accumu- off 16, four fours) for a remark- Fakhar Zaman 46, Tamim Iqbal 10 wickets. Wiese and Haris Rauf lated 54 runs at the loss of two able 59-run partnership from took three wickets each, while wickets in six overs. 5.2 overs. “We had a nice little 30, Samit Patel 26; Shahid Afridi Dilbar Hussain and Shaheen Fakhar made 46 off 36, stud- partnership towards the end. 2-18) lost to Multan Sultans Shah Afridi shared the other four ded with four fours and two six- The spinners bowled well but we 157 all out, 19.1 overs (Adam wickets equally. es. Shahid Afridi’s immaculate knew if we could hang in there Lyth 50, Khushdil Shah 30, Shan Qalandars had posted an im- leg-spin bowling tightened the and put pressure on the bowlers Masood 27; David Wiese 3-27, posing 182 for six as their bats- screws and yielded crucial wick- at the death we could get a few Haris Rauf 3-30, Dilbar Hussain men made the most of the pow- ets of Mohamed Hafeez (19 off 21) away. It worked out,” man of the 2-29, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-36) Indian players Ravindra Jadeja (left), Umesh Yadav (centre) and Kuldeep Yadav train in Sydney. erplay overs and the death overs and Ben Dunk (three off three). match Wiese said. by 25 runs Gulf Times Monday, November 16, 2020 5 SPORT

MLB GOLF Stramrood wins Qatar edition of Does free-agent Maxxroyal Cup

By Sports Reporter Ji Won Park and Mohamad Doha Fahmi Mohd Firdaus came sec- ond and third respectively. The tournament qualifi er is ander Stramrood won typically contested with over McGee fi t into the the inaugural Qatar 2,000 golfers competing in a edition of the Maxxo- total of 35 tournaments around ryal Cup tournament. the world and Education City ZAt the Education City Golf Golf Club has been added to Club (ECGC), the event was the list of events on the annual played on October 31 as an In- schedule. With 35 events all dividual Stableford tourna- along Europe, Middle East and ment over the 18-hole cham- Asia, Maxxroyal Cup becomes Dodgers’ plans? pionship Course. in its fi fth year, one of the most Stramrood, won the tourna- important golf events and the ment by scoring an impressive “Finals in Belek” the top golf ‘I THOUGHT THERE WAS A LOT OF UPSIDE TO COME OVER HERE’ 43 Stableford points, defeat- competition of each year in ing over 100 players to win a amateur golf. Turkish Airlines business class “We look forward to wel- fl ight ticket and a special trip coming the Doha winner to to the Maxxroyal Cup Finals in the fi nals and the Nation’s Cup Belek, Turkey. in the luxurious Maxxroyal “I am very excited to be Resort. We are happy to host visiting Turkey and look for- Stramrood for four nights in ward to participating in the one of the splendid suites, all Maxxroyal Cup representing inclusive of food and bever- Qatar and Education City Golf age. We are sure that Zander Club. I would like to thank will enjoy three rounds on Turkish Airlines and Maxx our famous Montgomery Golf Royall for a wonderful prize Course,” said Stated Eugen and opportunity to partici- Mesares, CEO of EWNS GmbH pate in a global competition at and the tournament organiser. a world class venue in Belek, Ali Rizvi won the Division B Turkey. Secondly, thanks to title ahead of Anton Dickinson ECGC for bringing this oppor- and Terence Simmons. tunity to golfers in Qatar, and The 2021 edition of the to the agronomy team for giv- Maxxroyal Cup is already pre- ing us a championship course scheduled to be played in Edu- in magnifi cent condition to cation City Golf Club on No- compete on,” said Stramrood. vember 27, 2021.

Winner Zander Stramrood poses with the Maxxoryal Cup prize. Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Jake McGee (left) celebrates with catcher Will Smith after recording the final out in an 11-2 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on August 1, 2020. (Getty Images/TNS) Falcons put Fowler on the By Jack Harris one of the key left-handers in the appearances between 2018 and strikeouts by a Dodgers reliever re-sign him to help compensate Los Angeles Times Dodgers’ bullpen, with a 2.66 2019. He had given up more hits in the regular season, 33. He for the loss of left-hander Caleb Covid-19 reserve list ERA (his lowest since 2015) and a than strikeouts. His ERA+ was walked three batters and gave up Ferguson, who underwent re- career-best 14.6 strikeouts-per- 89 (100 is considered average). just two home runs. His 94.9- constructive arm surgery in Sep- The Atlanta Falcons have NFL. The team shut down all very time he spoke with nine-innings. Still owing the majority of his mph average velocity was his tember and will probably miss placed defensive end Dante in-person operations on Nov reporters over a video “I thought there was a lot of prorated $3.5-million salary for highest since 2017. most, if not all, of next season. Fowler Jr on the Covid-19 6 following a staff member’s call this season, Jake upside to come over here,” he 2020, the Rockies decided to re- In the playoff s, McGee didn’t However, rookie Victor Gonzalez reserve list. positive test. McGee struck a grateful, said during the regular season. lease him anyway, a week before pitch until the National League became the Dodgers’ preferred The Falcons are idle this The Falcons, however, played optimisticE tone. “Just really comfortable and opening day. Championship Series, giving up left-hander out of the bullpen week, and the league typi- Denver as originally sched- He was thankful the Dodgers throwing my fastball a lot.” However, the Dodgers still saw a home run in the ninth inning of during the postseason and si- cally administers Covid-19 uled on November 8. signed him in late July, days af- At 34 and entering free agency potential in the 6-foot-4 fast- the team’s series-opening loss to dearm southpaw Adam Kolarek tests during bye weeks. It’s Fowler, who signed a three- ter he was released by the Colo- this winter, it’s likely that Mc- ball specialist. After signing Mc- the Atlanta Braves. will also be back after posting a unclear if Fowler, who has year, $48 million deal with rado Rockies following four pe- Gee’s Dodgers tenure will end Gee to a low-risk one-year deal, McGee appeared three more sub-1.00 ERA. started eight games this the Falcons in March, has destrian seasons that made his having lasted just the one pan- the team helped him revamp his times after that — all with the The class of free-agent relief season, tested positive or 16 tackles, including three early-career success with the demic-shortened season. How- delivery to maximize the natu- Dodgers trailing late in games — pitchers runs deep, so McGee was in contact with someone behind the line of scrim- Tampa Bay Rays feel like a dis- ever, his MLB career looks far ral movement and speed on his and posted two total scoreless and the team could go either who did. NFL teams are mage, and two sacks in tant dream. from over. And when he arrived four-seamer. innings. way. But if this is the end of their prohibited from commenting eight games. He sat out the He gained confi dence from in Los Angeles in July, there was The results were impressive. The Dodgers paid a 60-game relationship, it was a mutu- on a player’s medical status Falcons’ 34-27 home win last renewed eff ectiveness with his no guarantee that would be the Despite relying almost exclu- prorated portion of the major ally benefi cial partnership: The other than whether he is on week because of a hamstring four-seam fastball, which fooled case. sively on the one pitch — of his league minimum of $563,500 Dodgers got productive innings the roster. injury. hitters with increased velocity Having signed a lucrative 332 pitches, 320 were fastballs for McGee last season, with the on the cheap. McGee rebuilt his Fowler is the fourth Falcon Atlanta (3-6) plays at New Or- and movement that he hadn’t three-year extension with the — McGee recorded a career-best Rockies on the hook for the rest. reputation. to be placed on the Covid-19 leans (6-2) on November 22. generated in years. Rockies after the 2017 season, 34.4% swing-and-miss rate and McGee would cost more than And everyone walked away reserve list, according to the (Reuters) He felt valuable too, becoming McGee posted a 5.54 ERA in 106 matched Kenley Jansen for most that for 2021, but they could with championship rings.

NBA Heat’s draft intel limited by distanced learning By Ira Winderman those are events where you can Wednesday, obviously. But cer- week later, then three weeks of Sun Sentinel look at a lot of players and re- tainly diff erent. “For us, in this summer-league play, then two ally zero in on their games, and case, something was better than months of drills at America- workouts, agent-run workouts, nothing, and so we took advan- nAirlines Arena. Now there will n many ways Adam Simon in-house workouts. Yeah, so tage of it.” be 12 days between the draft and has come to feel like the rest certainly missing out on that is Typically, players would ar- Dec 1 start of training camp. of us, dealing with the reali- challenging. But everyone has rive for their NBA tryouts within “One player we interviewed ties of distanced learning. the same challenge.” a month or two of the close of the other day said they hadn’t IIn his case, as the Miami Still, even with all the home the college season. This time, played a basketball game since Heat’s assistant general man- schooling, the team’s 60-player that calculus changed, as former March,” Simon said. “They’ve ager, it has added an entirely board is being crafted, as in any Heat forward Keith Askins, now done workouts, they’ve done new perspective on leading the other year, for the two-round a college scout for the team, not- drills, he worked on his body. But team’s NBA draft eff ort. And, no, draft. ed to Simon. “What we did see no basketball at all, no games. little amid the coronavirus pan- “I think our lists haven’t that I think that was a lot diff er- “There will be a lot of rust demic has looked the same, as he changed too much,” Simon ent than most years is most play- there. But we expressed to all of prepares, at least at the moment, said. “I’m sure that’s the same ers improved their bodies from them that they need to be ready, to deal with the team’s No 20 se- way across the board for all 30 where they were back in March ‘You’re coming in in three weeks lection on Wednesday night. teams. We’re making the best of to now,” Simon said. and you’re going to be playing in “I think it’s diff erent. There’s it. We’ve watched a lot of fi lm. “The draft would have been games and in training camp in no doubt about it. That’s evi- We’ve talked to a lot of people. 141 days from today back on June a month. Don’t come in out of dent,” he said, with the NCAA So whatever the challenges are 25. They had a lot more time to shape, and be ready to go.’ “ Tournament and the pre-draft there, yes, it’s diff erent, but it’s work on themselves. Keith said, Otherwise, it could be off to scouting camps cancelLed and the same for everybody.” ‘Hey, nobody is the same from the G League, if the NBA is able the draft delayed from late June. Unlike typical years, when before. Either they got better or to get its development league “I think we did our homework. teams run quartets of prospects they got worse.’ Certainly, that up and running. “Certainly, this We were prepared. We missed through competitive workouts was the case. “The players that year might be more of an evalu- a couple of events. We missed at their arenas, teams this cycle were active took advantage of it ation, observation of when they scouting towards the end of the were limited to 10 solo sessions and worked on their bodies and come into camp and we’ll have to season. You always like to see at their facilities. their game and some of them see where they are,” Simon said. how players perform in tourna- “I won’t disclose if we’ve didn’t. But most of them did.” “If they’re not ready, then cer- ments, and conference tourna- used all 10 at this point,” Simon In the Heat system, a draft tainly we’ll be able to send them An overview of the basketball court shows the NBA logo and Black Lives Matter before the start of a game ments. You missed a couple of said. “We’re still going through choice typically would go from to Sioux Falls to get them up to between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Com- the pre-draft camps. “Certainly, that process. We have up until the draft to a team-run camp a speed.” plex on August 1, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Getty Images/TNS) Gulf Times 6 Monday, November 16, 2020 RUGBY

FOCUS Wales’ Davies says under-fi re Pivac has backing of team Wales centre Jonathan Davies Saturday. Davies said the team said coach Wayne Pivac retains must build on the positives Townsend questions players’ work the full support of his players from the Ireland defeat and cut despite their recent poor form down on their mistakes. and believes the team must ad- “We feel there was an improve- dress the indiscipline that has ment, but nowhere near where cost them points in games. we want or where we can be. rate and spurs them to success Wales fell to their sixth suc- There are a lot of mixed emo- cessive defeat in a 32-9 loss to tions and frustration comes in Reuters that nobody questions our work- Ireland in the Autumn Nations with that,” Davies, who has 84 Florence, Italy rate or our physicality again,” he Cup on Friday, raising the heat caps, said. said, adding that that was what Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend on New Zealander Pivac, who “Indiscipline has been a major allowed them to turn the game looks on prior to the Autumn Nations Cup took charge after the World Cup factor in the last three games aving their work rate around in the second half. match against Italy on November 14, 2020 at in Japan last year where they we have lost. It has cost us a questioned by their “We asked boys to stand up and the Artemio-Franchi Stadium in Florence, were semi-finalists. huge amount of points and coach proved the spur be counted – and to empty the Tuscany. (AFP) Asked by reporters if the play- we don’t accept that at all. Our to kick Scotland into tank. We knew we had the players ers were behind Pivac, Davies indiscipline needs to be ad- secondH half overdrive and hand on the bench who could come on said: “Yes, of course... We enjoy dressed immediately.” them Autumn Nations Cup vic- and make a diff erence,” he said. preparing the plan he wants (Reuters) tory away over Italy, said captain There were various factors that in the week. It’s just at the Stuart Hogg. Scotland were 11-7 hampered Scotland early, added moment we need to make sure down at half-time in Florence Hogg, not least a determined we’re delivering on a game day. but the half-time team talk from home showing by Italy. “There has been a bit of change Gregor Townsend provided in- “The big thing for us is that but it’s been in a positive way. spiration for Saturday’s 28-17 in rugby you have spells when We need to make sure all the win that ensured a bonus point momentum doesn’t go your way work we put in during the week haul for the Scots at the start of and it is about how we combat comes to fruition. We were the new competition. that,” he said. “It took us a bit too bitterly disappointed with the “Gregor touched on the fact we long to get into the game – and result” at Ireland. weren’t working hard enough and you get that sometimes when Wales, who finished second as players that hurts us,” Hogg you can’t get hold of the ball and from bottom in the Six Nations told reporters. “It gave us the dictate play. It is about how you before the Autumn Nations kick up the backside we needed. overcome that,” the Scots skip- Cup, take on Georgia next I said to the boys at half-time per added.

SPOTLIGHT COMMENT Pumas shock hands Australia tri-nations Pumas win over opportunity: Hodge

Reuters table with six points courtesy Sydney of the bonus points they picked up in the 43-5 demolition of the Wallabies in game one and ustralia will be wary the 24-22 loss to the Wallabies All Blacks built on of Argentina in next last weekend in Brisbane. week’s Tri-Nations They have only one more test but also aware match to play, however, and thatA the Pumas beating the All Australia can win a major tro- Blacks has opened up an op- phy for the fi rst time since I can’t see a guy hit in the portunity for the Wallabies the 2015 Rugby Champion- to get their hands on some ship if they can beat Argentina face of one of my men’ silverware, Reece Hodge said next week in Newcastle and at player buy-in yesterday. Western Sydney Stadium in The Tri-Nations replaced early December. Reuters the Rugby Championship this That will be easier said than Sydney year after the withdrawal of done on Saturday’s evidence. South Africa and Argentina’s “You saw how much passion 25-15 upset of the All Blacks in they played with last night, rgentina’s victory over Sydney on Saturday blew the and skill also, so it’s going to be New Zealand might competition wide open. a tough challenge,” Hodge said have stunned the rugby “It’d mean a lot for us to win of the Pumas. world but the coach the Tri-Nations at home in “A lot of boys were watch- andA captain of the Pumas said front of our own fans,” Walla- ing intently and were very im- they went into Saturday’s con- bies back Hodge told reporters pressed with how the Argen- test confi dent that their newly yesterday. tina boys defended especially. forged team culture was about to “All the teams have won one Just didn’t give an inch to the pay a rich dividend. game now and there’s an op- All Blacks at all, and yeah, they An early indication that some- portunity for us to go in front were pretty impressive. “Con- thing special was brewing at the on Saturday with the All Blacks sistency will be one of their fo- Western Sydney Stadium came having the week off and really cuses heading into Saturday so in the fourth minute of the 25- put some pressure on for the we’re expecting a massive test, 15 victory, Argentina’s fi rst over last couple of matches.” it’s going to be an awesome New Zealand. The All Blacks still lead the battle.” Pablo Matera was summoned to referee Angus Gardner when All Black Shannon Frizell slapped TOP 14 an Argentina forward around the head, triggering some push and shove with the Pumas captain at the heart of the fracas. Nonu marks Toulon “I can’t see a guy hit in the face of one of my men,” Matera told the offi cial, standing his ground. comeback with win “It’s not respect, I’m playing for my country.” Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez over struggling Agen kicked the ensuing penalty from 48 metres to give Argentina the AFP Marcellin Buttin drop-goal, lead and Matera and his team Paris kept Agen in the game at 13-9 mates rarely took a backward at half-time. The tide quickly step for the rest of the contest. changed in the second half, It has been the toughest of a’a Nonu may be Tongan half-back Sonatane years for Argentina with the 38 years of age, but Takulua, with literally his fi rst Covid-19 virus keeping most of the ex-All Black touch of the ball after coming the Pumas off the rugby pitch centre showed on for Isaia Toeava, darting until Saturday, infecting several Mglimpses of his former glitter- over from close range after an of them and forcing them to un- ing past in an assured come- eff ective attacking line-out. dergo strict quarantine on arrival back for Toulon in their com- Theo Dachary, who re- in Australia. prehensive 38-9 Top 14 victory placed Nonu after 57 minutes, Coach Mario Ledesma, one over Agen on Saturday. crossed for Toulon’s fourth try of those who contracted the vi- More than 900 days since he after fi ne bulldozing work by rus, did his best not to waste the last turned out for Toulon, the Paia’aua, Serin converting. downtime, however, and the Argentina’s coach Mario Ledesma celebrates victory with team members at the end of the 2020 Tri-Nations match against the New Zealand two-time World Cup winner, And fl anker Swan Rebbadj fruits of that work were on full and Argentina at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney on Saturday. (AFP) capped 103 times by New Zea- added some gloss for Toulon display on Saturday evening. land, again proved a menacing by muscling over for a fi fth and “We started working in Janu- explained. where the Pumas slunk out in the gered not only by having beaten of recession and thousands of presence in midfi eld, against fi nal try in injury time after ary with Pablo and some of “They were really disciplined pool stage with Ledesma com- one of the great rugby nations Covid-19 cases are still being re- an Agen side that has now lost fi elding a pinpoint crosskick by the boys around what team we around what they were trying to plaining of a divide between the for the fi rst time. ported every day. all nine games this season. Serin, who also converted. wanted and we talked about do because they really believed Argentina and European based Matera spoke movingly on “It comes down to energy and Nonu bossed Toulon’s ef- “We didn’t want to be the identity and culture. The big dif- in what they were doing.” players. the pitch of the team playing for commitment and playing for fective defence, producing a fi rst team to lose at Agen,” said ference I guess is that they own It was a stark contrast to last The outpouring of emotion at the people of Argentina, where the most beautiful jersey in the couple of turnovers and a solid Toulon coach Patrice Collazo. it now. It’s their team,” Ledesma year’s World Cup campaign, the end of the match was trig- the economy is in the third year world,” added Ledesma. tackling display, albeit against There was some consolation the club which has not only for rudderless Agen, however, the worst attacking record of with the post-match anounce- the Top 14, but also the worst ment that Regis Sonnes will Knives out for Foster aft er ‘shambolic’ All Blacks loss defensive one. A slick one- take over as head coach, aided step pass by Nonu’s Austral- by fellow former club players Ian Foster said after the loss to Argentina go,” columnist Chris Rattue wrote in the Pumas’ first test since the World Cup last two thumping wins over the Wallabies. ian midfi eld partner Duncan Jalil Narjissi (forwards) and on Saturday that he was not feeling under New Zealand Herald. Gregor Paul in the year, things are just stacked too heavily His immediate predecessors Steve Paia’aua enabled winger Er- Sylvain Mirande (backs). any great pressure but the morning pa- same newspaper said the team had been against them,” it read. Foster’s heavy artil- Hansen and Graham Henry had win wan Dridi a clear run in for the The trio has signed until pers back home in New Zealand yesterday reduced to a “shambolic, unimaginative, lery misfired at Western Sydney Stadium, records of 86.92% and 85.4%, however. opening try. 2022, according to president would have made for grim reading for the uninspiring body of players that couldn’t however, and the Pumas conjured up a “Five tests, two wins, is grim reading in The Kiwi’s attacking guile Jean-Francois Fonteneau, who All Blacks coach. catch, couldn’t pass, couldn’t win their performance for the ages to win 25-15. anyone’s book,” another Herald writer, was demonstrated as he pro- assumed interim coaching re- Expectations are always high in New Zea- lineout...” That came on the back of last week’s Liam Napier, wrote. “For a team with lofty duced a deft grubber through sponsibilities after the sack- land when it comes to rugby and a 40% The extent of the shock of Saturday’s de- 24-22 loss to Australia in Brisbane, where expectations such as the All Blacks, it’s that was collected on the Agen ings of Christophe Laussucq win rate over his first five tests in charge feat against an Argentina side which had a young Wallabies side coached by New completely unacceptable.” line by Fijian fl anker Masivesi and his assistant Remi Vaquin have led inexorably to calls for Foster to not played for 13 months can be gauged Zealander Dave Rennie also found the All The All Blacks have only the rematch with Dakuwaqa for try number two. earlier this month. “All three of be sacked. “The first and most obvious by Stuff .co.nz’s preview of the contest, Blacks wanting under pressure. Argentina on November 28 to restore France scrum-half Baptiste them have a link, a particular thing to say about Argentina’s brilliant win which rated the Pumas chances of a win In the plus column for Foster, his team had some pride and anything short of a hand- Serin missed the two con- attachment to the club,” said over the All Blacks, from a New Zealand as close to zero. “Between Foster sending already secured the Bledisloe Cup for an some victory could bring a summary end versions, having hit an early Fonteneau. “They are profi les point of view, is that Ian Foster must out the heavy artillery and this being the 18th straight season after a 16-16 draw and to Foster’s reign. penalty. Two Paul Abadie that correspond to the identity penalties, allied with a Jean- and values of Agen rugby club.” Gulf Times Monday, November 16, 2020 7 SPORT

AMIR CUP SHOOTING: NASRA WINS 10M AIR PISTOL GOLD

Nasra Mohamed Mahmoud won the 10m air pistol gold medal of the Amir Cup Shooting Championship at the Lusail Shooting Range yesterday. Noura al-Mutawa and Zainab Boufatim came second and third respectively. In the women’s junior category Al Jazi al-Kathiri emerged the winner.

TENNIS BOXING Crawford crushes Brook with 4-round Thiem beats Tsitsipas knock-out

AFP who has fought as high as mid- Los Angeles dleweight. Brook had a diff erent trainer for this fi ght because his regu- nbeaten Terence lar didn’t want to come to the in ATP Finals opener Crawford won his US due to the coronavirus. He fi rst fi ght of 2020 on suff ered his third loss in his Saturday by defend- last fi ve fi ghts and his record ‘It was a tough match, both of us served well and conditions were fast’ Uing his World Boxing Organisa- dropped to 39-3 with 27 KOs. tion welterweight title with a “I got caught with a shot I AFP stunning fourth-round knock- didn’t see. I have always said London out of Kell Brook in Las Vegas. that if I am in a fi ght, and am American Crawford shook going to lose, I am going to go off ring rust from a long layoff out on my shield,” he said. ominic Thiem beat Ste- due to the coronavirus epi- Crawford was making his fanos Tsitsipas in the demic with a statement vic- fi rst ring appearance since opening singles match tory over the former champion December 2019 when he beat of the ATP Finals yes- from England at the MGM Egidijus Kavaliauskas, and he terdayD as Rafael Nadal prepared Grand Hotel and Casino. hopes he doesn’t have to wait to launch his bid for a fi rst title at Crawford beat Brook to the as long for his next one. the elite eight-man event. punch with a right jab that In a repeat of last year’s fi nal at sent the challenger stumbling CRAWFORD EYES London’s O2 Arena, won by Tsit- back into the ropes. He then PACQUIAO NEXT sipas, US Open champion Thiem fi nished him off moments later He is confi dent this victory stumbled after winning a fi rst- with a chopping right and a will land him a fi ght with Fili- set tie-break but found his range fl urry of short lefts prompting pino superstar Manny Pacqui- again to win 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3. referee Tony Weeks to stop it at ao, who was the opponent he Thiem was impressive on 1:14 of the round. initially wanted but couldn’t serve in the fi rst set, winning The 33-year-old started meet because of the virus. 79 percent of service points, slowly, looking for an open- Crawford said the circum- but failed to convert three break ing to try and take advantage stances had now changed, and points against the Greek world of his superior speed and skill. he would reopen talks with Bob number six. Brook’s game plan appeared Arum and Pacquiao for a fi ght The Austrian third seed found Austria’s Dominic Thiem returns against to be working until Crawford in the Middle East, maybe Qa- himself in deep trouble when Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in their seized his chance midway tar, in the fi rst half of next year. trailing 4-1 in the tie-break round-robin match on day one of the through the fourth with a dev- “So now we can go back to but battled back and made his ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena astating right jab to the face. the drawing board and try to fi rst set point count when Tsit- in London yesterday. (AFP) “I was trying to gauge the revisit a fi ght with Manny Pac- sipas went long with a backhand distance. He had good dis- quiao,” he added. Arum, who lob. tance,” Crawford said of the manages Pacquiao, said Satur- Tsitsipas produced a forehand frustrating fi rst couple of day the fi ght is a real possibil- winner in the third game of the rounds. “I was trying to fi nd ity, but didn’t go into details. second set to break the Austrian my rhythm. That is why it He said previously it could be and haul himself back into the was so competitive at fi rst. I in March or April in Qatar. contest, facing no break points couldn’t get my shots off .” “The money was there. The as he levelled the match. Organisers decided to al- fi ght was going to take place in The defending champion ap- low 100 spectators, including the Middle East,” Arum said. peared to have the momentum Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses family members, into the Ne- “Then the minister of health but it was Thiem who drew fi rst with the 2020 ATP Tour year-end vada casino to watch the fi ght said we can’t do it because we blood in the deciding set, earn- Number One trophy in London in the midst of a pandemic that can’t guarantee that spectators ing a break with a delicately yesterday. (AFP) has killed 1.3 million around would be allowed. dinked forehand at the net in the the world, including 245,000 “Now they called us and second game. Americans. Crawford im- said if Terence is successful, The fi fth game ultimately proved to 37-0 with 28 knock- then we want to resume talks proved to be decisive. Tsitsipas outs despite a size disadvan- and see if we can do it in the had a chance to break but caught tage against the bigger Brooks, spring.” the net with a powerful back- hand and could not engineer an- other break point in a game that contained six deuces. “It was a tough match, both of us served well and conditions were fast,” Austrian Thiem, playing at the elite year-ender for the fi fth time in succession, said on court. “I know how important it is to have a good start in the fi rst match here.” In the evening match in Group London 2020, second seed Nadal, appearing at the end-of- season event for the 10th time, In this file photo Terence Crawford sits between rounds against takes on Russian debutant An- Egidijus Kavaliauskas during their bout for Crawford’s WBO drey Rublev. welterweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York City on The 20-time Grand Slam December 14, 2019. (AFP) champion has qualifi ed for the ATP Finals for a record 16 con- secutive years but has missed six Peaty breaks 100m breaststroke editions due to injury. Sabalenka wins Linz title Earlier, Novak Djokovic re- short course world record ceived the ATP Tour No 1 trophy Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka year-ending WTA Finals in after fi nishing the year at the finished the 2020 WTA season China were cancelled due to Britain’s Adam Peaty set a world record for the short course 100 top of the rankings for a record- in style, winning her third title the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving metres breaststroke at the professional International Swimming equalling sixth time. of the year with a straight-sets the event in Austria as the last League (ISL) in Budapest yesterday, finishing in a time of 55.49 The Serbian, who has drawn victory over her doubles partner of the campaign. Sabalenka has seconds. level with American Pete Sam- Elise Mertens in the Linz final now won nine straight matches The previous record of 55.61 seconds was set by South African pras, said: “Obviously I am su- yesterday. Top seed Sabalenka after also taking the title in swimmer Cameron van der Burgh in Berlin 11 years ago. “It’s my per proud of it, but I have mixed saw off the second-seeded Ostrava last month. It was the first short course world record, which I struggle with, but no-one emotions because of what is Mertens 7-5, 6-2 to tie Simona 22-year-old’s eighth career title. works harder on the last length and that one was for my family,” going on in the world. I can’t be Halep for most tournament Belgium’s Mertens remains Peaty told the BBC. The Olympic breaststroke champion also ignorant to that, although I have triumphs in the coronavirus- without a trophy since the Qatar holds world records for the long course 100m breaststroke and achieved one of the biggest goals disrupted season. The usual Open in February 2019. the 50m breaststroke. in sport.” Monday, November 16, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

GOLF No. 1 Johnson fi nally clinches Masters with record low score The 36-year-old American becomes the first reigning world number one to grab the green jacket since Tiger Woods in 2002

AFP par-5 13th and a six-footer to birdie the Augusta, United States 14th to reach 19-under, seizing a fi ve- shot edge with four holes remaining. “DJ has just an amazing ability to stay op-ranked Dustin Johnson calm in tough moments,” Woods said. shook off an early stumble to “There’s no one more suited to that, I win the Masters in record- think, than DJ.” breaking fashion yesterday, Johnson sank a fi ve-foot birdie putt Tcapturing his second major title with at the par-3 16th and parred in for his the lowest total score in the tourna- 24th career PGA title, his four bogeys ment’s history. on the week the fewest of any Masters The 36-year-old American, who champion. Im was trying to become the grew up only an hour’s drive north of fi rst Masters debut winner since 1979 Augusta National, became the fi rst and only the second male Asian major reigning world number one to grab the winner after compatriot Yang Yong- green jacket since Tiger Woods in 2002. eun captured the 2009 PGA Champi- Johnson, whose other major victory onship. came at the 2016 US Open, fi red a clos- Smith, a 27-year-old from Brisbane ing four-under-par 68 to fi nish on a 72- chasing his fi rst major crown, closed hole Masters record 20-under-par for a on 69 and settled for becoming the fi ve-stroke triumph over South Korean fi rst player in Masters history to shoot Im Sung-jae and Australian Cameron all four rounds in the 60s. Four-time Smith. major winner Rory McIlroy, needing a Johnson smashed the old 72-hole green jacket to complete a career Grand Masters mark of 18-under 270 set by Slam, went three-under on the front Woods in 1997 and matched by Jordan nine but made bogey on 10 and never Spieth in 2015. Third-ranked American threatened Johnson. Justin Thomas was fourth on 276, one McIlroy, unable to recover from a stroke ahead of fi fth-ranked Rory McIl- fi rst-round 75, took some solace after roy and South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli. a sixth failed attempt to complete the Johnson, who began with a four-shot career Slam. “I didn’t have a great start edge, had never converted a 54-hole but over the last 54 holes, only two bo- major lead into a title, stumbling at the geys, a lot of great golf in there,” McIl- 2010, 2015 and 2018 US Opens and in roy said. “Not overthinking it as much August’s PGA Championship, where he could be the key for me.” settled for a runner-up spot. Defending champion Woods found That hex ended Sunday, but not Rae’s Creek three times on his way to a without some early drama as Johnson, septuple-bogey 10 at the par-3 12th, his runner-up in three of the past six ma- worst score ever on a major hole. jors including the 2019 Masters, saw his He responded with birdies on fi ve of lead trimmed to one. After curling in a the last six holes to close on 76 and fi n- 12-foot birdie putt at the par-4 third, ish on 287. “Hit a few too many shots Johnson made back-to-back bogeys at than I wanted,” Woods said. the fi fth and par-3 sixth, ending a run of “Had a lot more experiences there in 33 bogey-free holes. Im birdied the sec- Rae’s Creek.” ond and third to stand only one adrift The 15-time major winner, a fi ve- on 14-under, but he faded with bogeys time Masters champion, matched his at the par-3 sixth and par-4 seventh. best Augusta start with a 68 but back Johnson responded with six-foot pain doomed his bid for a sixth green birdie putts at the sixth and par-5 jacket. Germany’s Bernhard Langer, a Dustin Johnson celebrates with fiancee Paulina Gretzky after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, yesterday. (AFP) eighth to reach 17-under, stretching two-time Masters champion and at 63 his gap to three on Smith, four on Im. the oldest player to make any Masters who closed on 73, never coming close id-19. or whatever is going on. I’ve got to get There were no spectators to provide Johnson was unfl appable from there cut, fi red a 71 to fi nish on 285. to overpowering Augusta National as “I had some weird things happen to healthy fi rst and foremost.” trademark Masters roars due to the with deadly accuracy and consistency. That was one stroke better than US some feared. He struggled with dizzi- me I just couldn’t forsee,” DeCham- American Andy Ogletree closed on Covid-19 pandemic that postponed the He sank a 12-footer for birdie at the Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, ness, testing negative Friday for Cov- beau said.”I’ve got to fi x this dizziness 72 to fi nish as low amateur on 286. event from its usual April slot.

FOOTBALL OOREDOO CUP Qatar ready to host AFC Champions Sailiya, Wakrah enter semis By Sports Reporter Mohamed Bader Sayyar’s shot the Kharaitiyat box and moved League (East) matches from Wednesday Doha was blocked by Sailiya goalkeep- a couple of steps. Finding a nar- er Amine Lecomte with his leg, row angle to work on, Benyettou signalling a famous victory for quickly launched a fi erce drive l Sailiya and Al Wakrah The Peregrines. that smashed into the goalpost to entered the semi-fi nals Earlier, Mohamed Benyettou the left of keeper Shehab Mam- of the Ooredoo Cup put Wakrah ahead in the ninth douh. The ball hit the post and yesterday after both minute, but Daniel Goumou crashed into the net as Al Wakrah neededA penalty shootout victo- equalised for Kharaitiyat in the celebrated the early goal in abso- ries. Wakrah beat Al Kharaitiyat 71st minute. With a 1-1 score- lute jubilation. 4-3 on penalties after their quar- line, the match was straighta- Close to the half-hour mark, ter-fi nal match ended 1-1 in reg- way pushed to the tie-breaker, Mensah, under pressure from ulation time at Al Arabi Stadium. as stipulated by the tournament four Wakrah players, swivelled In the second last eight clash, rule in the event of a tie, without on the edge of the box and fi red Sailiya got past last season’s extra time. a slick drive that fl ew agonisingly runner-up Arabi in shootout 5-4, Kharaitiyat’s Oumar Sako and over the bar. after both teams had fi nished 2-2 Abdulmajid Anad missed their In the 69th minute, Wakrah’s at full time. Abdulaziz al-Ansari spot kicks. Wakrah won after all Cristian Ceballos broke free of (24th minute) and Ibrahim Nass- of their four players converted his marker and charged into the er Kalla (33rd minute) scored for the penalties. Lucas Mendes, Kharaitiyat box, but his shot from Al Arabi, but late strikes from Mohamed Benyettou, Salih Mo- close range was expertly blocked Ahmed Hamoudan (78th minute) hamed al-Yahr and Murad Naji by keeper Mamdouh. Soon came and Abdulqadir Ilyas (86th scored from the penalty spot for the equaliser through Goumou’s minute) pushed the game to pen- Al Wakrah, while only Rachid spectacular header. Khaldoun alties. In the tie-breaker, Tiago Tiberkanine, Evans Mensah and Ismail Mousa charged into the Bezerra, Ilyas, Serigne Mbodji Moustapha Alhaje could score Wakrah box and slipped in a and Majdi Siddiq scored for Al from the spot for Kharaitiyat. short cross for Abdulmajid Anad Sailiya, while Fahad Waad’s shot Tiberkanine outpaced his to set up an unmarked Goumou, was blocked by Al Arabi goal- markers Ali Karami and Ous- who jumped high into the air, a keeper Sataa al-Abbasi. mane Coulibaly in the fourth few feet away from the keeper, For Arabi, Hamdi Harbaoui, minute, but his low left-footed and nodded the ball home. Australia’s Sydney FC players arrive at the Hamad International Airport yesterday. Marc Martinez, Gaser Yahia and drive from inside the box was Wakrah reached the knockout Sebastian Soria converted from blocked by Wakrah keeper Saoud quarter-fi nal by topping Group few days separate us from the 14th to October 3rd 2020 and writing a new several strict preventive measures through- the spot, whereas Ahmed Abot- al-Khater. Five minutes later, A with 11 points (three victo- fi rst whistle that will signal the chapter in Qatar’s history for its accom- out the tournament to ensure the safety and rika was off -target), thus forcing Wakrah surprised the Kharaitiyat ries and two defeats). En route resumption of the AFC Champi- plishment in hosting major sporting events, health of all players and offi cials. the sudden death. backline with a stunning goal. to the last eight, The Blue Wave, ons League East Zone matches in whether, at the continental or global level, Hani Taleb Ballan, a member of the Ex- After Sailiya’s Abdulla al- Benyettou picked up a short the only side with an unbeaten Doha.A The opening match between Shang- Qatar once more reaffi rms its ability and ecutive Committee of the QFA and Qatar Marri found the target, Arabi’s pass from a team-mate outside record in the group. hai Shenhua of China FC and Australia’s readiness to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Stars League CEO, said in a statement: “We Perth Glory at the Education City Stadium Qatar’s agreement to host the AFC are pleased with our capability to provide a on Wednesday will offi cially mark the re- Champions League (East) fall in line with safe atmosphere for the AFC to complete the sumption of the remaining matches of the the country’s support to assist AFC in com- AFC Champions League (East), and we look AFC Champions League 2020 that were pleting one of the biggest and most prestig- forward to welcoming the top football clubs stopped in March because of the Covid-19 ious continental tournaments. from East Asia in November and Decem- situation around the continent. The matches will be played at four stadi- ber. We are proud to be selected as the host Sixteen teams will participate in this ums – three of which are scheduled to host country for the remaining matches of the group from six countries: China, South Ko- matches during the FIFA World Cup Qatar AFC Champions League 2020 for the East rea, Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Thai- 2022 – Education City Stadium, Al Janoub teams for the second time in a row after the land, and will compete for a spot to face Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium successful hosting of the AFC Champions the winner of the AFC Champions League – in addition to the Jassim bin Hamad Sta- League (West), adding a new achievement (West) Iran’s Persepolis in the fi nal sched- dium. Three of the training sites nominated for us on our way to the FIFA World Cup Qa- uled for December 19th 2021. for use at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tar 2022.” A total of 44 matches will be held in Qatar, will host the training sessions for the clubs. Ballan added: “There is no doubt that our with one round already played in the East These designated sites are the training com- anticipated hosting of the AFC Champions groups and only fi ve more remaining. Qatar plexes at Qatar University, Al-Oqla and Al- League matches is a refl ection of our coop- fi rst got the AFC nod in June to host the West Ersal, allowing players to train in modern fa- eration with the AFC, who have indicated Zone matches in Sept-Oct. Once the event cilities meeting the highest FIFA standards. their confi dence in Qatar’s organisational was successfully conducted, the AFC had no The Qatar Football Association (QFA), the capabilities. Moreover, we are incredibly hesitation to seek Qatar’s assistance in host- Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, confi dent that we can provide the right at- ing the East Zone matches also. and the Qatar Stars League Foundation mosphere for the teams by providing the Following its success in hosting the AFC (QSLF) are working with all partners to en- best sports facilities coupled with organisa- Champions League (West) from September sure the safety of all participants by taking tional experience and healthcare.” Al Sailiya players celebrate after their win over Al Arabi in the quarter-finals of the Ooredoo Cup yesterday.