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Sunday, October 27, 2019 FOOTBALL Safar 28, 1441 AH Lewandowski GULF TIMES makes history as Bayern go top SPORT Page 3

RUGBY England storm All Blacks to reach WC fi nal Eddie Jones’ men play with breathtaking power and precision to win 19-7, putting them within touching distance of a second crown

New Zealand’s Kieran Read (centre) reacts after losing the Rugby World Cup semi-final match against England in Yokohama, Japan, yesterday. (AFP)

Reuters shreds by George Ford. How they been unbeaten in 19 World Cup Tokyo, Japan must have wished for the boot of matches going back to 2007 — 18 Dan Carter or the Richie McCaw- wins and a technical draw after ness of Richie McCaw. their clash with Italy here was ll Blacks? This Rugby Instead, almost 69,000 rugby cancelled due to a typhoon. World Cup semi-fi nal fans witnessed that most rare England’s record against the was all white. of sporting apparitions: an out- three-times World Cup winners In Yokohama yester- fought, outplayed and fl ustered had off ered no real comfort — sev- England’s scrum-half Ben Youngs (left), centre Manu Tuilagi and fly-half George Ford (right) celebrate a try during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Aday, it took just over a minute for New Zealand team. en wins from 41 games, none at the Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Yokohama yesterday. (AFP) England to breach New Zealand’s “We were beaten by the bet- World Cup and only one victory, in rugby citadel. By the end of 80 ter team,” All Blacks coach Steve 2012, in their last 16 clashes. the traditional Maori ceremonial for a try. hour fl anker Ardie Savea nipped Understandable, perhaps. minutes they had well and truly Hansen said. “Take it on the chin. Yet for all the pyrotechnics and challenge, all bets were off . Dominant England wasted a in to touch down when England’s The All Blacks are not used to sacked it. Hard to stomach but this is what theatrics with which organisers “We knew we had to be in a ra- handful of chances, but added to otherwise impressive lineout losing. But there was nothing Eddie Jones’ England players happens in sport sometimes. heralded this semi-fi nal — thun- dius,” skipper Owen Farrell said. their score just before the break was caught dozing, and Richie even their inventive play could played with breathtaking power Sometimes sport isn’t fair but derous Japanese drumming and “We wanted to not stand there and through a George Ford penalty. Mo’unga converted. do to prevent being smothered by and precision to win 19-7, a result tonight it was.” fl ame cannons shooting fi re into have them come at us. We wanted That half must have made for So much for all the play and all England’s white blanket. that not only puts them within the darkening skies before kick- to have a respectful distance but uncomfortable viewing for the the pressure. For the All Blacks it will be touching distance of a second DEMOLITION OF AN ICON off — little could prepare specta- we didn’t want to be just a fl at line whole of New Zealand as their All Enter that man Ford. time for refl ection and rebuild- World Cup crown, but arguably With more English territory, tors for what would unfold. and have them come at us.” Blacks went in trailing 10-0, al- Taking over the kicking from a ing, while England reach their re-calibrates world rugby’s peck- possession and set pieces won, All day this had felt special. Other teams have confronted though some might have felt re- limping Farrell, he ended up slot- fourth World Cup fi nal and fi rst ing order. the statistics of this clash tell There is something about this the haka in novel ways before, but lief that the defi cit was so small. ting four penalties for 12 points since 2007. “New Zealand are the gods of their own tale, but this was about England squad. most of them have gone on to lose. Their reputation as one of the while New Zealand failed to add They will meet either Wales or rugby so we had to take it to them much more than fi gures and And when they metaphori- Not this England side, though, greatest teams in any sport has to their tally, and England eased South Africa in the November 2 and put them on the back foot as scores and percentages; this was cally embraced the famous haka and with less than 100 seconds been hard won, however, and it to the fi nish line. showpiece, seeking their second much as we could,” smiled Jones. the surgical, forensic demolition with a v-shape formation of on the clock, a magnifi cent fl urry was perhaps inevitable England This New Zealand performance victory after 2003 when they be- New Zealand were battered in of a sporting icon. their own before kick-off , reject- of passing ended in centre Manu would be made to pay for some was ultimately characterised by came the fi rst, and to date only, possession, taunted by England’s Long the byword for rugby ing absolutely the intimidation Tuilagi punching through the All wasted chances. poor discipline, moments of anger northern hemisphere country to superb handling, and kicked to invincibility, the All Blacks had many nations feel at the sight of Blacks’ defence from close range Sure enough, just before the and some hot-headed decisions. claim rugby’s biggest prize.

Qatar beat Saudi Arabia in handball

Qatar handball team players celebrate their victory over Saudi Arabia during the Asian Qualifying Tournament for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall yesterday. Qatar won the match 31-21 to win the bronze medal in the tournament. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 27, 2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP

FOCUS ‘Didn’t want to just stand there’ for haka: Farrell

New Zealand’s players perform the haka before sesemi-finalmim finnal againstagag innsts EnglandEngglandn yesterday.yesteerdr ayy. (A((AFP)FFPP)

AFP World Cup semi-fi nal victory. land, who led after less than two and be respectful to that. But we vanced towards the All Blacks way to “show their mindset. the fi rst moment you get in front Yokohama, Japan Joe Marler, one of three play- minutes through Manu Tuilagi’s didn’t just want to stand in a fl at in a V-formation, crossing the However, he said far from in- of them so it was important for ers who entered All Blacks ter- try — and ultimately stunned the line letting them come to us.” halfway line. They lost the game timidating the All Blacks, it may us to show that we weren’t tak- ritory to stare down the haka, defending champions 19-7. Challenging the haka does not 8-7, and were later fi ned for their have had the eff ect of firing them ing a backward step regardless.” aptain Owen Farrell said ignored calls from offi cials to “We knew we had to be within always end well, as Ireland dis- approach. up even further. However, he played down the England didn’t want to retreat as England stood in an a radius behind them and we covered when their fans’ chant- Lock Courtney Lawes revealed “I kind of felt that it made impact on the early stages of the take a backwards step unusual inverted V-formation wanted to not just stand there ing drowned it out in the quar- to reporters afterwards that Far- them more up for it. As soon game. Countering the haka was against New Zealand’s for the pre-match routine. and let them come at us,” Farrell ter-fi nals — before New Zealand rell had suggested the idea to the as we started moving towards “not really part of the gamep- hakaC after they challenged the The feisty approach was fol- said after the match. “We want- won 46-14. players a couple of days before the them, they accepted the chal- lan,” said Lawes. “They can’t war dance ahead of their Rugby lowed by a storming start by Eng- ed to keep a respectful distance In the 2011 fi nal, France ad- match and they felt it was a good lenge,” said Lawes. “That was score any tries off it.

SPOTLIGHT REACTION ‘End of the World’: All No excuses as Hansen Blacks loss stuns NZ

Agencies era ends in semi loss Wellington, New Zealand ‘They were deserved winners. You had two very, very good sides going at each other’ he All Blacks’ World Cup semi-fi nal Reuters team under Hansen. defeat stunned New Zealand yesterday Yokohama, Japan The 60-year-old had been in- as dreams of a third consecutive crown volved with the side for 16 years, as were crushed by a superior England an assistant for eight years under Tside. ll Blacks coach Steve Graham Henry and then as head “End of the World! All Blacks stunned by in- Hansen had no excuses or coach, and is stepping down after the credible English,” said the New Zealand Herald. regrets as his side’s eight- tournament. England’s 19-7 victory in Yokohama ended year hold on the World Cup Under Hansen they had a win-rate an incredible 18-match unbeaten run in World endedA with a 19-7 loss to England approaching 90 percent as they con- Cup games for the All Blacks, who had reigned in the semi-fi nal in Yokohama yes- tinued to reshape the game and force supreme since defeating Tonga at the start of terday, stating simply that his team the rest of the world to try and peg the 2011 tournament. were beaten by a better side. them back. New Zealand betting agencies had installed The 2003 champions rattled the The forwards, however, were not the All Blacks as overwhelming favourites to All Blacks from the opening whistle as dominant or menacing as the side beat England and win the World Cup fi nal in with a Manu Tuilagi try in the sec- that won the 2015 tournament, with Japan. ond minute, setting the tone for the England’s pack far more destructive Research company Gemba Insights had sug- rest of the match as they put pressure in contact and defence. gested the nation’s mental health could be on New Zealand’s lineout and at the Against the fearless twin open- negatively aff ected by an All Blacks loss after breakdown. sides of Tom Curry and Sam Under- recording “a noticeable rising anxiety” as the They played much of the game in- hill, and faced with a career-defi ning team advanced into the knockout stages. side New Zealand’s half, suff ocated performance from lock Maro Itoje, Against a spirited and superior England, New the All Blacks attack and will now the All Blacks were fi rst beaten up, Zealand never looked threatening and former meet the winner of today’s second then ground down. All Blacks fl y-half Stephen Donald saw the semi-fi nal between Wales and South The backs have also stuttered over writing on the wall fi ve minutes into the second Africa. the last two years in the face of the half when England led 10-0. “They were deserved winners,” aggressive defences that have de- “If they (the All Blacks) can get out of this it Hansen told reporters. “You had two veloped in the northern hemisphere will be a hell of an eff ort,” Donald, who kicked very, very good sides going at each and while they managed to get wide the match-winning penalty in the 2011 fi nal and other and the team that took the at times they were often smothered is now a television pundit, said during the live game won the game. or forced out by covering tacklers. broadcast of the match. “We have got no regrets. I’m very “England were better than us at The Herald, looking for a reason why things proud of the All Blacks. They have New Zealand coach Steve Hansen waves to the crowd after the loss to England in the semi-final yesterday. (AFP) dominating the parts of the game went wrong, said the decision to start Scott played very well but... we got beaten that we wanted to dominate,” Barrett at blindside fl anker was “a gamble that by a better side.” Webb Ellis trophy for a third suc- a major overhaul from the side that The loss was more signifi cant be- Hansen said. didn’t work”. Barrett was replaced at half-time. The All Blacks had entered the cessive time but instead were left did not progress past the pool phase cause it signalled the end of an un- “You have to give them credit... But most New Zealand media accepted that tournament as favourites to win the chasing a team who had undergone in 2015. precedented era of success for the and good luck to them next week.” England were just too good. Herald columnist Gregor Paul credited Eng- land with reducing “the world’s best attacking PREVIEW side to a somewhat dishevelled looking, uncer- tain mis-mash of frantic bad ideas”. Stuff .co.nz website rugby correspondent Marc Hinton said: “New Zealanders have to ad- mit it. The Poms were magnifi cent.” Wales, Boks seek to shrug off injuries in semi Radio New Zealand said the All Blacks’ hopes of a third consecutive title have been “smashed AFP last couple of years to redeem our- by a superior English squad”. Yokohama, Japan selves,” he said, with the Boks hav- Television New Zealand blamed the “relent- ing lost their pool opener in Japan to less pressure and an unrelenting pace” from New Zealand before hammering Italy England, while Television Three’s Newshub ix Nations champions Wales to advance as runners-up. website said the All Blacks were “rocked by an will be out for revenge in their “We were number fi ve, six, seven opening assault” and never recovered. Rugby World Cup semi-fi nal in the world since 2015 and had some against Rugby Championship proper hidings — some people lost title-holdersS South Africa in Yoko- faith in us and we’re trying to get that Congratulations to the @englandrug- hama today. respect back. by team. Too good tonight lads, good While the Welsh have won the last “That’s a diff erent kind of pres- luck at the big dance next week four Tests between the two sides (after sure. People are starting to believe in winning just two of their fi rst 31), they us again as a team.” ‘ — NZ’s Sonny Bill Williams, went down 23-18 in the quarter-fi nals Both coaches predicted a kicking- on Twitter of the 2015 World Cup at Twickenham heavy game based around forward with current Bok fl y-half Handre Pol- domination, with Erasmus again nam- lard kicking 18 points. ing a replacements’ bench including Most dominant @EnglandRugby “We feel like we owe them one six huge forwards and two backs. performance of all time? If anything — that will be in the back of our That tactic worked well in the I think the score fl attered the (All minds and hopefully we can get one quarters as the South Africans eff ec- Blacks). Totally dominated. Congrats over them this week,” Wales centre Wales coach Warren Gatland (centre) attends a training session on the eve South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus tively outmuscled hosts Japan for a ‘ boys Jonathan Davies said. of the semi-final against South Africa in Yokohama, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) at a training session yesterday. (AFP) comprehensive 26-3 win. Wales, who have never reached the “Lately, we’ve struggled against — Danny Care, fi nal, are bidding to become only the winger Cheslin Kolbe both ruled out player,” Gatland said of Williams. knows his quality and the contribution Wales. They know what they are England and Harlequins scrumhalf on Twitter second northern-hemisphere team with ankle injuries. “But to bring in someone with the he makes,” Erasmus said, also quick to good at, and focus on that,” Pollard to be crowned world champions, Wales coach Warren Gatland experience of Leigh Halfpenny gives point out that Nkosi was no slouch, said. “They starve you of possession while South Africa have lifted the named the experienced Leigh Half- us a diff erent element. We had a long with eight tries in 10 Tests to his name. and territory, and enforce their kick- They squeezed the life out of the All trophy twice. penny in place of Williams and in- debate over whether to start Leigh in ing game on you. Blacks It could have been an even Davies sat out his team’s nail- sisted the team were not “weakened the fi rst place and move Liam to the ‘STRUGGLED AGAINST WALES’ “They take away your set piece. greater scoreline. They absolutely biting 20-19 quarter-fi nal win over in any way” for a game he predicted wing.” Erasmus has transformed South It’s not a game plan or rugby with a nullifi ed one of the most potent France with a knee injury, but is back would be a “tight kicking fest”. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus Africa since taking over last year, lot of fl air in it, but it’s suff ocating. If ‘ attacks in world rugby. in time for the Springboks. “He’s undoubtedly a big loss from brought S’Bu Nkosi in for Kolbe, turning around a terrible set of re- you fall into that trap, they will en- Both sides, however, had last- an attacking perspective and what one of the stand-out players of this sults and also naming the fi rst black force their game plan on you for 80 — Andy Nicol, minute withdrawals, Wales full- he’s achieved in the game over the World Cup. Springbok captain in Siya Kolisi. minutes, and you will probably not Former Scotland scrumhalf to BBC back Liam Williams and electric Bok last year or so — he’s a world-class “It’s a big blow because everybody “We’ve been under pressure in the win that match.” Gulf Times Sunday, October 27, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA PREVIEW Pressure builds on Solskjaer to provide Lewandowski creative solutions

AFP this season. Norwich Chelsea were thrashed 4-0 on the opening weekend of the campaign, Leicester beaten 1-0 anchester United and Arsenal held 1-1 at Old Traf- makes history as travel to Norwich ford. today hoping the But Solskjaer’s men have promising perform- looked toothless in defeats to Mance to hold Premier League Crystal Palace, West Ham and leaders Liverpool last weekend Newcastle, as well as draws at proves to be a turning point in Southampton and Wolves. their season rather than another Even in Belgrade in midweek, false dawn. the visitors needed a penalty to Bayern go top A 1-1 draw against the Euro- fi nd the net as Anthony Martial pean champions still left United scored from the spot on his fi rst just two points above the relega- start since August. Striker sets a new record for scoring in the first nine Bundesliga games of the season tion zone in 14th place after their The win over Chelsea in Frank worst start to a league season in Lampard’s fi rst game in charge is 33 years. the only time in the last 19 fi x- Back then Ron Atkinson was tures that United have managed sacked to pave the way for Alex to score more than a solitary goal. Ferguson’s arrival at Old Traf- The decision to allow Romelu ford, but United’s executive vice- Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to chairman Ed Woodward has been leave for Inter Milan without re- emphatic in his belief that Ole placements being drafted in has Gunnar Solskjaer is the man to already backfi red. turn things around. However, Solskjaer is placing Solskjaer managed to avoid his faith in Martial’s return to matching another unwanted club remedy his side’s lack of goals. record of 12 away games with- “We’ve not created as many as out a win with a 1-0 victory at we’d have liked and not scored as Partizan Belgrade in the Europa many as we’d have liked,” he said. League on Thursday, his fi rst on “Now Anthony is back, he got the road since being appointed a goal, and I’m sure we’ll see us on a permanent basis in March. improve as a team with Antho- The Norwegian was credited ny in the side. He does gives us for his tactical shift to a 3-5-2 something diff erent.” that restricted Liverpool to pre- Martial, though, is the only cious few chances. senior player Solskjaer will have But ahead of a trip to Carrow back for this weekend with Paul Road, the pressure is on Solsk- Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Luke jaer to show he has the creative Shaw all still missing. solutions to break down the sides “We’re working very hard to United are expected to beat in the get them fi t and, hopefully, we lower reaches of the table. can get them back soon,” said United are unbeaten in their Solskjaer. “I’m not going to put four Premier League games a deadline on it but it won’t be against those in the top fi ve so far long, hopefully.”

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their second goal against Union Berlin yesterday.

AFP league record set by current Ar- the lead before Lewandowski’s Kovac’s Bayern by beating Augs- Leipzig. After beating Zenit Berlin senal forward Pierre-Emerick second just after the break. burg at home. Saint-Petersburg in the Cham- Aubameyang who scored in At the other end, Bayern cap- Dortmund moved up to third pions League in mid-week, each of the fi rst eight games of tain Manuel Neuer saved a Se- after a goalless draw at Schalke, Leipzig came unstuck as Nicolas obert Lewandowski the 2015/16 season for Borussia bastian Anderson penalty on 59 who had the better chances in Hoefl er gave Freiburg the lead made yet more history Dortmund. minutes and not to be outdone, the Ruhr derby. on the stroke of half-time be- yesterday by netting in Lewandowski also scored Union’s Poland goalkeeper Ralf Schalke centre-back Salif fore striker Nils Petersen came Bayern Munich’s 2-1 twice in Bayern’s 3-2 mid- Gikiewicz denied Bayern winger Sane headed onto the crossbar off the bench to add a second Rhome win against Union Berlin, week win at Olympiakos in the Serge Gnabry from close range. with nearly half an hour played on 90 minutes. Lukas Kloster- which sent the defending cham- Champions League, leaving the Lewandowski looked to have and soon after midfi elder Suat mann scored a consolation goal pions back to the top of the Bun- 31-year-old with 19 goals in just claimed a second, but his eff ort Serdar hit the post. for Leipzig. Bottom side Pader- desliga table by a point. 14 appearances in all competi- six minutes from time was ruled Schalke’s Welsh striker Rabbi born earned their fi rst win this The Poland striker showed tions during what is turning into out. Union grabbed a late con- Matondo, 19, wasted three clear season as defender Sebastian clinical fi nishing to tuck away the best season of his career. solation goal when replacement chances, while at the other end Schonlau and midfi elder Abdel- an Alphonso Davies second-half Lewandowski is already the striker Sebastian Polter netted Dortmund playmaker Marco hamid Sabiri scored in a 2-0 win pass at the Allianz Arena to claim top-scoring foreigner in Bun- from the penalty spot having Reus and England winger Jadon at home to Fortuna Duesseldorf. his 13th league goal and set a new desliga history with 215 league been brought down by Pavard. Sancho went close for the visi- Mid-table Hoff enheim earned record for scoring in the fi rst nine goals for Bayern and former club Munich can lose top spot tors. their third straight success, hav- Bundesliga games of the season. Dortmund. Sunday to previous leaders Freiburg went second after ing beaten Bayern and Schalke, Lewandoski, on the mark Bayern quickly took charge Moenchengladbach, who host bouncing back from last week- with Benjamin Huebner scoring in each of his last 13 games for at the Allianz Arena as defender Eintracht Frankfurt, and Wolfs- end’s shock defeat at Union to late in their 3-2 win at Hertha Bayern, overtook the previous Benjamin Pavard gave the hosts burg who can leap-frog Niko earn a 2-1 win at home to RB Berlin.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. SERIE A Lecce halt Juventus winning run with shock draw FOCUS Reuters Tottenham face test Rome of togetherness uventus dropped points for just the second time this AFP 3-0 loss at Brighton and a fortu- season in Serie A when they Liverpool nate home draw with bottom club Jwere held to a 1-1 draw at Watford meant Tuesday’s meet- Lecce yesterday. ing with Red Star was always go- Paulo Dybala’s penalty put he comprehensive mid- ing to be signifi cant. the champions in front early in week defeat of Red Star The eventual 5-0 victory pro- the second half but Lecce cap- Belgrade raised hopes vided a much-needed lift, and tain Marco Mancosu quickly re- Tottenham Hotspur have a fourth win in 13 games in all plied with a spot kick of his own. Tturned the corner after a dismal competitions allowed Pochettino Juventus, who remain un- start to the season but their re- to talk of a renewed confi dence beaten in the league under Mau- vival will face a stiff test when within a squad whose unity has rizio Sarri, came into the match they face Liverpool at Anfi eld been questioned. on the back of a seven-match today. It will be the fi rst meeting After fi ve years in charge, the winning run in all competitions. between the two sides since their Argentine’s ability to motivate They struggled to fi nd a confrontation in the Champions his squad has come under scru- breakthrough against the spirit- League fi nal in Madrid in June, tiny but the togetherness shown ed hosts in the absence of rested since which Jurgen Klopp’s side before and after the Red Star star man Cristiano Ronaldo, but have pushed on from their vic- win will be needed if they are Sarri said he had been right to tory and took control of the early to end the nine-game unbeaten leave the forward at home. Premier League running. start that has allowed Liverpool “Ronaldo was tired both Tottenham coach Mauricio to open up a fi ve-point lead on physically and mentally, so it Pochettino admitted on Friday Leicester and six over Manches- wouldn’t have helped him to that defeat has weighed heavily ter City. Spurs’ performance make this journey and sit there,” on his players and has bled into midweek recalled their vibrant the coach told Sky Sport Italia. their miserable early season form displays of last season with Harry “When a player expresses his that suggests June’s fi nal was a Kane and Son Heung-min both fatigue, it was only right to give high-water mark. scoring twice, albeit against a him a rest.” “It means a lot for the club to much weaker defence than the It was only the second time reach the fi nal of the Champions one they will face today. this season that the Turin club League but for the players or the It was also achieved without had failed to win a league match, coaching staff we felt empty after Christian Eriksen — out of con- after they were held to a 0-0 the game,” Pochettino said ahead tract at the end of this season, draw by Fiorentina in Septem- of the trip to Merseyside. along with Jan Vertonghen and ber, while Lecce earned their “Now we have full energy and Toby Alderweireld — who re- fi rst home point of the cam- Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuain sustains an injury after colliding with Lecce’s Gabriel yesterday. we have recovered from that situ- mained an unused substitute and paign. Juventus remain top on ation and now it’s the moment to is unlikely to return to the start- 23 points but will drop to second “I think we took it a bit easy in Alex Sandro cross-shot, but Assistant Referee (VAR) review to calmly send goalkeeper Wo- build again our confi dence and ing line-up this weekend. place in the standings if Inter our fi nishing and after we took the Argentina international was showed Miralem Pjanic had jciech Szczesny the wrong way. trust and start to show our real “It was not that they forget Milan (21 points) beat Parma the lead, acting almost as if it fl agged for off side. been brought down just inside Juventus forward Federico talent and potential.” how to play football, that Harry later on Saturday. was natural we would win.” The visitors broke the dead- the box. Lecce needed just six Bernardeschi did brilliantly to A return of just three Premier Kane doesn’t know anymore — “The fact remains, we created Juventus thought they were lock fi ve minutes into the sec- minutes to draw level, Matthijs control a long ball and round the League wins this season and a he showed in that game (against 10 scoring opportunities and in front after 17 minutes when ond half, when Dybala fi red de Ligt’s handball inside the area goalkeeper, only to fi re his fi nish run that included the humiliating Red Star) how good he can be,” didn’t fi nish them,” Sarri added. Gonzalo Higuain turned in an home a penalty after a Video giving Mancosu the opportunity off the post. 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, a said Klopp on Friday. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, October 27, 2019 FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE PREMIER LEAGUE Duhail back on Pulisic stars for Chelsea top with 2-1 win as Man City over Al Gharafa close in on Bounedjah nets brace as Al Sadd edge out Al Ahli Liverpool

AFP ly comfortable win at the Etihad London Stadium. “Of course, respect and credit for Aston Villa. The fi rst half hristian Pulisic hit the we played football but we don’t fi rst hat-trick of his ca- play in the way we should play,” reer as Chelsea crushed Guardiola said, after second- Burnley 4-2 yesterday half goals from Raheem Sterling, Cwhile Manchester City overcame David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan. a sluggish start to beat Aston “We were better in the second Villa and increase the pressure half. I don’t know if it was be- on Liverpool. cause of the early goal. In the early kick-off , a frus- “In the second we play in the trated Pep Guardiola watched his way we normally do but we have side recover from a tepid fi rst half to try and play 90 minutes. We to defeat Villa 3-0 and close the played just 45.” gap on Premier League leaders City’s second successive Liverpool to three points. league win means Liverpool are US international Pulisic under pressure to beat Totten- scored his fi rst goals for Frank ham at Anfi eld in Sunday’s clash Lampard’s Chelsea, who have between last season’s Champi- now won four straight Premier ons League fi nalists. League games, while Marco Silva At the Amex Stadium, Everton is under pressure after another blew a 2-1 lead over Brighton in Everton defeat. the fi nal 10 minutes to leave boss Pulisic, who had not previ- Silva fi ghting to save his job. ously scored for Chelsea and has Silva’s side recovered from struggled to win a starting berth, conceding the fi rst goal to lead emphatically staked his claim but Brighton’s Neal Maupay with a hat-trick at Turf Moor. scored an 80th-minute penalty The 21-year-old capitalised on after Michael Keane was con- some indecision from Burnley to troversially ruled by VAR to have drive into the penalty area and fouled Aaron Connolly. steer a low left-footed shot into And Everton defender Lu- the corner of Nick Pope’s net cas Digne added to Silva’s woes midway through the fi rst period. when his stoppage-time own The former Borussia Dort- goal from Leandro Trossard’s mund winger doubled his tally cross left Everton two points for the Blues with a second goal above the relegation zone after just before half-time, benefi t- their fi fth defeat in their past six ing from a big defl ection off Ben league games. Mee, and grabbed his third with a “We have to be more mature second-half header. to control the last 10 minutes,” Al Duhail’s Mohamed Muntari (right) celebrates after scoring against Al Gharafa yesterday. Willian added a fourth for Silva told the BBC. “It’s a tough rampant Chelsea in the 58th moment for us. We have to stick By Sports Reporter home a rebound from goalkeep- minute to take the score to 4-0 together.” Doha er Saad al-Dossari. and despite late goals for Jay Ro- Watford remain bottom of the Al Sadd took time to settle driguez and Dwight McNeil, the table after a 0-0 draw against down and once they did, they visitors avoided further shocks Bournemouth. l Duhail bounced back controlled the game to go into to win 4-2. Lys Mousset, who scored the from a goal down to half-time with a two-goal lead. Earlier, City boss Guardiola winner against Arsenal last week, beat Al Gharafa 2-1 and Al Sadd’s spearhead was frustrated with the way his fi nished a memorable week on a Aregain top position in Bounedjah fi rst found the mark players struggled to establish high note with the equaliser in the QNB Stars League yesterday. through a volley with ease. The any momentum in the fi rst half Sheffi eld United’s 1-1 draw at In another match, Al Sadd had Algerian striker then converted against Villa despite an ultimate- West Ham. to rely on the enterprise of Bagh- a penalty, awarded after Al Ahli dad Bounedjah to get past Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodriguez by a similar margin. tripped Akram Afi f inside the Al Gharafa scored through So- box. fi ane Hanni in the 61st minute Bounedjah was guilty of miss- and Al Duhail brought the game ing a sitter in the 42nd minute level via Mohamed Muntari in when he, latching on to a long the 66th minute before Paulo lob by Jung Woo-Young, chipped Edmilson completed the scoring the ball over the bar with only in the 87th minute. the goalkeeper in front. With both teams set up of- Al Sadd’s Abdelrahman fensively, a good game was on Moustafa caught the eye with the cards and neither side dis- his darting runs along the left. appointed with their attacking Other than them, The Brigadiers endeavours. Teammates congratulate Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah after he scored against Al Ahli yesterday. did not have much to show in the Ahmed Alaaeldin broke free fi rst half. early on for Al Gharafa and against the post before Ali Afi f’s The lead did not last long minutes as Al Sadd moved on to However, Al Ahli could reduce should have opened the scoring powerful rebounded strike de- though when substitute Is- 15 points. Abel Mathias scored the margin not long after the when in on goal, but his shot was manded a great save from Qasim mail Mohamed advanced down for Al Ahli in the 48th minute. second half started, Abel plac- blasted over. Almoez Ali also saw Burhan. the right and his perfect cross It was Al Sadd’s fi fth vic- ing home the ball in a goalmouth a low-curling free-kick from the Burhan was in action again across the face of the goal was tory from six games. The Wolves melee after Mohamed Diame set edge of the area parried to safety moments later when Msakni met by the grateful Muntari to have played two games less due him up off a corner kick. by the keeper in the frantic early broke free of his marker and hit home. to their AFC Champions League The goal seemed to have exchanges. lashed a shot which was saved in With more and more chances engagements. Their fi xtures boosted Al Ahli’s confi dence as Al Gharafa had edged the brilliant style. being created by Al Duhail, it against Al Arabi in Week 5 and they attacked with vigour. Her- opening stages based on chanc- It was always going to take was no surprise when they made Al Khor in Week 7 were deferred. nan Perez had a free-kick just es and were unfortunate not to something special to separate the breakthrough in the dying Al Sadd had lost the other about being parried over by the score when Alaeeldin fl ashed a these two teams and that mo- moment as Edmilson latched game 2-4 against Al Rayyan in Al Sadd goalkeeper in the 65th dangerous cross into the penalty ment arrived when Sofi ane onto a cross-fi eld pass, con- the Qatar Clasico in Week 6. minute. box and the oncoming Sofi ane picked up the ball on the edge of trolled the ball perfectly, before Al Ahli started off by shak- It was Hernan vs Saad al-Dos- could not keep his shot down. the area before planting a low, striking in emphatic fashion to ing the Al Sadd net in the third sari again in the 78th minute, the Al Duhail started the sec- right-footed drive into the cor- snatch all three points for his minute, but the goal was disal- latter blocking the former’s shot ond half on the front foot and ner, with the goalkeeper stand- side. lowed as Abel was adjudged to with his chest in a close one-on- thought they had scored when ing no chance of preventing the Earlier, Bounedjah scored have handled the ball while he one encounter and Al Sadd held Yousef Msakni smashed the ball goal. in the 23rd and 32nd (penalty) was in the process of placing on for yet another victory.

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Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic celebrates scoring their third goal to Rodgers hails ruthless Leicester complete his hat-trick yesterday. Reuters Southampton lost Ryan Bertrand to a Ralph (Hasenhuettl, Southampton man- have to apologies and take 100% respon- RESULTS CHECK London red card after 12 minutes, by which time ager) but we have to do our job and score sibility,” he told the BBC. “I’ve never seen they were already a goal down, and could as many goals as we can. a team act like this, there was no fi ght for Brighton 3 (Gross 15, Maupay Played Friday not cope with the speed and accuracy of “The game is 0-0 at halftime, we said. anything. 80-pen, Digne 90+4-og) Ever- Southampton 0 Leicester 9 eicester City manager Brendan Leicester. This is part of our education, we have to “It was horrible to watch and everyone ton 2 (Webster 20-og, Calvert- (Chilwell 10, Tielemans 17, Perez Rodgers said his team were learn- The Foxes, who won the title after come out of the ‘boy zone’ and play like a who stayed to watch is really a fan of this Lewin 74) 19, 39, 57, Vardy 45, 58, 90+4- ing to be ruthless after Friday’s starting as 5,000-1 outsiders in 2016, man and respect the game. They are very football club. Leicester were in every part Burnley 2 (Rodriguez 86, Mc- pen, Maddison 85) record-breaking 9-0 Premier moved up to second in the Premier talented and learning to be ruthless. of the game better than us.” Neil 89) Chelsea 4 (Pulisic 21, LLeague win over Southampton at St League, fi ve points behind leaders Liver- “We believe in our work, believe we can Hasenhuettl said it was now up to him 45, 56, Willian 58) Playing today: (7.30pm Mary’s Stadium. pool who have a game in hand. push over the course of the season. Our to rally the players ahead of a League Cup Manchester City 3 (Sterling It was the biggest victory on the road Leading 5-0 at halftime, Rodgers urged mentality is how we work every day. The fourth round trip to holders Manchester 46, D. Silva 65, Gundogan 70) unless stated) in English top-fl ight history and equalled his players to keep chasing goals to show players want to get better and improve.” City on Tuesday. Aston Villa 0 Arsenal v Crystal Palace, the Premier League record win, home or they were a “top team”. Austrian Hasenhuttl accepted respon- “I’m a proud man but the way we Watford 0 Bournemouth 0 Liverpool v Tottenham, away, as Leicester ran riot on the south- “We said at halftime, keep your speed sibility for the defeat, but questioned his played today is not the way I want to see West Ham 1 (Snodgrass 44) Newcastle v Wolves (5pm), coast helped by hat-tricks from strikers in the game and we have to punish them,” players’ desire to compete with Leicester. my team play. We must get our heads up Sheffield United 1 (Mousset 69) Norwich v Manchester United Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy. Rodgers told Sky Sports. “It is tough for “The performance was a disaster, and I and that is my job in the next few days. Gulf Times Sunday, October 27, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB NHL Caps rally from Players meeting four down to sink Canucks in SO

Reuters cutting in front of the net and beat New York, United States Markstrom with a wrist shot on his blocker side. Vancouver then scored fi ve helps Astros get icklas Backstrom consecutive goals to go up 5-1. scored the game-win- Boeser started the streak with ner in the third round of a power-play goal at 5:33, and the shootout as the vis- Schaller followed two minutes Niting Washington Capitals rallied later with a short-handed goal to from a four-goal defi cit to defeat give the Canucks a 2-1 edge after the Vancouver Canucks, 6-5, on the fi rst period. Friday night. Pettersson made it 3-1 early in their groove back Backstrom fi red a wrist shot the second period with his third inside the left post for the 11th goal of the season. Schaller then shootout winner of his career. batted in a rebound at 13:59 for Houston beat Washington 4-1 to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven MLB final T.J. Oshie scored in the fi rst his third of the year, and Virtanen round for the Capitals, but Elias followed 55 seconds with his sec- AFP Pettersson evened things up in ond of the season. Washington, United States the second round to set the stage But Kuznetsov cut it to 5-2 for Backstrom’s game-winner. with a wrist shot that just beat Michal Kempny and Evg- the buzzer to end the second players-only meeting eny Kuznetsov each scored two period and start Washington’s helped the Houston goals, and Lars Eller added a comeback. Astros solidify their short-handed goal and an assist. The Capitals scored three goals confi dence in one an- Washington scored the fi nal four in the fi rst 7:41 of the third period otherA after two shock home goals of regulation over an eight- to tie it, 5-5. Eller got the fi rst with losses, as they beat Washing- minute stretch that began with a short-handed goal at 1:57, and ton 4-1 to pull within 2-1 in the one second left in the second pe- Kempny followed with two goals best-of-seven Major League riod. Rookie Ilya Samsonov had just 2:44 apart. Both came on slap Baseball fi nal. 29 saves. shots from the left point that beat “It kind of re-establishes us,” Tim Schaller scored two goals, Markstrom on his glove side, giv- Astros manager AJ Hinch said. and Brock Boeser had a goal and ing Kempny the fi rst multi-goal “They threw a big punch at us in an assist to lead the Vancouver. game of his career. the beginning of this series. Pettersson and Jake Virtanen also “We’ve got enough experi- scored goals, and Bo Horvat add- RESULTS ence and enough feel about how ed two assists for the Canucks. series go that we knew (if) we Jacob Markstrom fi nished with Colorado 6-1 Las Vegas win today, get a little bit of mojo 24 saves. Arizona 5-3 New Jersey back on our side, a little bit of Washington, playing the sec- Toronto 4-1 San Jose momentum, start to swing the ond half of a back-to-back that bats a little bit better, it was a started with a 4-3 overtime loss Buff alo 2-0 Detroit huge win to sort of re-energise at Edmonton on Thursday night, NY Islanders 4-2 Ottawa us.” jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 3:18 Washington 6-5 Vancouver At the heart of the triumph mark of the fi rst period. Kuznetsov (SO) was an airing of concerns every- took a pass from Jakub Vrana while one on the team was feeling after falling behind 2-0 with home defeats, a hole only three teams have ever escaped from to win Chiefs rule out QB Mahomes the title. “Some guys said some things Reuters Week 9 availability — the I think a lot of us maybe were New York, United States Chiefs play the Minnesota thinking in our heads but it’s Vikings next week (Nov. 3). sometimes nice to hear them out The 2018 NFL MVP has 2,180 loud,” Astros relief pitcher Will ansas City Chiefs passing yards with 15 touch- Harris said. quarterback Patrick downs this season. “The biggest thing was we KMahomes will sit out to- Moore will start for the first didn’t want anybody feeling day’s game against the Green time since the 11th game of sorry for themselves coming in Bay Packers with a dislocated the 2017 season for the Miami here because that’s not going to kneecap. Dolphins. accomplish anything. That was Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman hits a two run home run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of game two Mahomes was injured October He relieved Mahomes at Denver the message.” of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, United States, on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) 17 at Denver in Kansas City’s and went 10 of 19 passing for The Astros, seeking their sec- win over the Broncos but was 117 yards, including a 57-yard ond title in three seasons, knew “We have a lot of veteran tomorrow, set the tone and play very happy. Very few Mexicans reporters has not been an issue able to practice Wednesday touchdown to Tyreek Hill. no club has ever won a World leaders in our locker room that as a team.” have had this opportunity. I’ll to the players, Harris said. and Thursday in a limited ca- Other Chiefs players ruled out Series after falling behind 3-0. have been here before, a lot of try to take advantage of it as “That has nothing to do with pacity. Head coach Andy Reid for Sunday included defensive “Every man in there was guys that played in the World URQUIDY READY FOR START much as possible. I know they really anybody in our club- said Friday the Chiefs would tackle Chris Jones (groin), aware of where we were and Series and know what it takes,” Houston’s 24-year-old Mexican are very good hitters. They at- house,” he said. “That was a instead give Matt Moore the defensive end Frank Clark understood that to do your job Brantley said. rookie right-hander Jose Urqui- tack very good. I’ll give it my completely isolated issue that start in a primetime game at (neck), left tackle Eric Fisher today as well as you could was “We have a lot of faith in dy — who has allowed one run best stuff , pitch by pitch.” didn’t involve a player so none Lambeau Field, aff ording Ma- (groin), cornerback Kendall very important,” Harris said. “A each other, a lot of confidence in 4 1/3 innings over two playoff Urquidy is ready for the chal- of us are really concerned with homes more time to recover Fuller (thumb) and left guard lot of energy in our dugout and in one another. Just wanted to games — will start game four, in lenge, according to Brantley. “I any of that kind of stuff .” from his injury. Andrew Wylie (ankle). we expect to carry that over to make sure we know we still had which the Astros are expected don’t think the stage is too big for Of huge concern is Nationals Reid said Mahomes “just Wide receiver Sammy Watkins, tomorrow. it, were still going to play as a to dig deep into their bullpen him,” Brantley said. “The way he slugger Juan Soto, who was si- wasn’t ready” and pointed who came away from an “We believe in each other in team. against Nationals left-hander talks. The way he prepares.” lenced on his 21st birthday. to the original projection of October 6 game against the there.” “This is a team eff ort. Every- Patrick Corbin. “We’re going to try to adapt about three weeks for the Indianapolis Colts with a Four-time All-Star outfi elder one is picking up one another “Just right now after the game TAUBMAN NO DISTRACTION to him,” Hinch said. “Our pitch- quarterback to be healthy. hamstring injury, was cleared Michael Brantley, who singled in regardless of who is at the plate ended the manager told me I was The fi ring of team executive ers did a good job of mixing. We Reid said the team would to play tonight against the two runs, said the team meeting or what’s going on. We’ve got to going to have the ball,” Urquidy Brandon Taubman over intimi- didn’t stay in one area. We didn’t discuss on Monday Mahomes’ Packers. let leaders seize the moment. come out and play a good game said. “I’m living the dream. I’m dating remarks made to women get him out the same way twice.”

NBA Irving, Nets hold off Knicks in Big Apple battle, Lakers win upstart cross-town rivals the AFP RESULTS Los Angeles, United States Clippers, bounced back with a 95-86 victory over the Utah Jazz. LA Lakers 95-86 Utah James scored 32 points with 10 he Nets, out to make assists and seven rebounds and Brooklyn 113-109 New York Brooklyn the center of Anthony Davis scored 21 points Sacramento 112-122 Portland New York City’s NBA with seven rebounds. Denver 108-107 Phoenix universe, edged the Davis also blocked fi ve shots as (OT) TKnicks 113-109 Friday, but not the revamped Lakers delivered an before a fourth-quarter dogfi ght. impressive defensive perform- Memphis 102-110 Chicago Brooklyn’s new star Kyrie Irv- ance. “The more we can defend New Orleans 116-123 Dallas ing didn’t match the 50 points like this, the easier it’ll be for us,” Oklahoma 85-97 Washington he dropped in a heartbreaking said Davis after the Lakers har- season-opening loss to Minne- ried the Jazz into 23 turnovers that Boston 112-106 Toronto sota, but his 26 points included yielded 22 Los Angeles points. Charlotte 99-121 Minnesota a step-back three-pointer with “That’s who we are,” James 22.4 seconds to play that gave said of the defensive eff ort. “We shots from the fi eld, making four the Nets a 111-109 lead that they want to be that every single three-pointers. wouldn’t give up. night, being able to hold teams In Boston, Kemba Walker “Ah man, I just had to get to under their averages.” scored 11 of his 22 points in the my spot, make sure my elbow was James scored 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Celtics won pointed and, you know, grate- third quarter and the Lakers led a tense battle with the reigning fully it went in,” Irving said of the by 19 heading into the fi nal frame NBA champion Toronto Raptors shot that drew comparisons to his — when they stretched the ad- 112-106. game-winner in game seven of the vantage to as many as 22. Two days after falling to the 2016 NBA Finals for Cleveland. “He just was locked in,” Lakers 76ers in Philadelphia, the Celt- Allonzo Trier’s 22 points coach Frank Vogel said of James, ics got off to a slow start in their helped the Knicks erase a “especially in the second half.” home season-opener but came 19-point defi cit and take a three- alive off ensively in the second half point lead with 3:41 to play. T-WOLVES WIN AGAIN to withstand a Raptors challenge Irving said his only message There was no let-down for the that included 33 points for Pascal to his teammates as the Knicks Minnesota Timberwolves after Siakam and 29 for Kyle Lowry. poured on the pressure was “stay their one-point overtime victory Jayson Tatum and Jaylen poised, stay calm.” over the Nets on Wednesday in Brown scored 25 points apiece for Irving ramped up the Big Apple the face of Irving’s 50-point ex- the Celtics. rivalry on Thursday when he said Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (second from right) grabs a rebound against the New York Knicks during the third quarter of the NBA plosion. The Dallas Mavericks surren- at a promotional event that the game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, United States, on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) Karl-Anthony Towns scored 37 dered 41 fi rst-quarter points in Nets were “going to take over the points, pulled down 15 rebounds New Orleans but aided by a tri- whole city. Nets fans had their say as well, former league Most Valuable The Knicks had a chance to for Brooklyn — made two free and handed out eight assists as ple-double from Luka Doncic of “It’s about us,” said Irving, who with taunting reminders that it Player Kevin Durant — who is tie it at the end, but Julius Ran- throws to seal it. the Timberwolves won their sec- 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 as- was booed by Knicks fans who was Brooklyn that won the off - still recovering from an Achilles dle lost the ball under the basket LeBron James and the Los An- ond straight — 121-99 over the sists rallied from a 16-point fi rst- crossed the Brooklyn Bridge for season free agent contest with tendon injury that marred the and Spencer Dinwiddie — who geles Lakers, who lost their sea- Charlotte Hornets. half defi cit for a 123-116 victory the game at the Barclays Center. the acquisition of Irving and end of his tenure at Golden State. scored 20 points off the bench son-opener on Tuesday to their Towns connected on 13 of 18 over the Pelicans. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, October 27, 2019 SPORT

MOTORSPORT SPOTLIGHT Top F1 teams wanted rule changes Verstappen takes delayed to 2022 pole as Bottas ‘It will be a bit diff erent starting first instead of second, so I’ll give it all and we have a good crashes race car anyway’

Red Bull principal Christian Horner. (Twitter)

Reuters lished next week. Mexico City “I think with hindsight we would have been better bring- ing the cap in fi rst for 2021 and eading teams wanted then taking more time to devel- Formula One to delay a op these regulations and evolve major revamp of the rules them and bring them in for 2022, by a year until 2022 after so that any development the big Lintroducing a cost cap in 2021 but teams undertake would be un- see little chance of that happen- der the umbrella of the cap,” said ing now, bosses said on Friday. Horner. Red Bull principal Christian Wolff said there had been an Horner told reporters at the argument to bring the cost cap Mexican Grand Prix that “a bit forward to next year and imple- of an opportunity” had been ment the technical and sporting missed. regulations in 2021, but that was He described the proposed not an option. 2021 technical regulations, the “The single most important result of years of debate among factor is the auditing and polic- teams and technical experts, as ing process and none of that is in still “immature” and said they place for 2020,” he said. left a lot of questions to be an- “And obviously if you can’t swered. police it in the right way, it makes A delay was discussed at a no sense to implement the rule.” meeting of the sport’s various Wolff said pushing the intro- stakeholders in Paris last week. duction of the rule changes back “I don’t think these regula- a year was more logical but the tions are going to be stopped. It’s idea “didn’t gain the traction and been made very clear that this didn’t trigger enough appetite is moving forward,” said Toot with the ones that decide.” Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen powers his car during the qualifying session of the Mexican Grand Prix at the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico City yesterday. (AFP) Wolff , principal of world cham- Formula One’s commercial pions Mercedes. rights holders Liberty Media and Reuters to fi nish on the podium if he is fi rst in Hungary before the Au- medical centre. “We need a good start then “There will be tweaks and the governing FIA are keen to Mexico City to secure a sixth title with three gust break. Mercedes, who have already take it from there — it’s a long changes in detail and interpreta- level the playing fi eld and reduce races to spare today, qualifi ed Bottas, the only driver with secured the constructors’ crown race, it will be a tough one on tions but broadly I think this is costs to make the racing more fourth for Mercedes. any mathematical chance of for an unprecedented sixth year brakes and cooling in general moving forward.” competitive. Some teams, such ed Bull’s Max Verstap- “It will be a bit diff erent start- denying Hamilton the title, will in a row, said they were assessing and tyres. All top six cars opt to The 2021 sporting and techni- as McLaren, are keen to stick to pen put himself on pole ing fi rst instead of second, so I’ll line up sixth on the grid barring the damage. The accident pre- start on medium tyres so we see cal regulations are due to be pub- the proposed timetable. position for a Mexican give it all and we have a good race any penalties he might incur for vented others from challenging who dares to go the longest.” Grand Prix hat-trick car anyway,” said Verstappen, a possible gearbox change. the provisional pole time set by Verstappen’s British-born yesterdayR in a qualifying ses- winner in 2017 and 2018 from The Finn, 64 points behind Verstappen on his fi rst fl ying lap Thai teammate Alexander Albon Australian MotoGP qualifying sion that ended with Mercedes’s second on the grid. Hamilton, lost control into the of the fi nal session — even if the qualifi ed fi fth. title contender Valtteri Bottas Verstappen’s second career last Peraltada corner and ca- time of one minute 14.758 sec- McLaren’s Carlos Sainz had cancelled due to high winds smashing heavily into the wall. pole position ended a run of fi ve reered along the wall at speed onds already looked hard to beat. another good Saturday, taking Qualifying for the Australian paramount importance, there Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in a row for Ferrari, who came before slamming into the end “I had a mistake on my fi rst seventh ahead of teenage team- MotoGP race was rescheduled will be no further track activity joined the Dutch youngster on into the weekend as favourites of the energy-absorbing Tecpro run, so I was quite confi dent on mate Lando Norris in eighth for today morning, subject today,” the Australian Grand the front row with teammate and locked out the front row in barrier. the second run that I could make with the two Toro Rossos of Da- to weather conditions, after Prix announced on its off icial Sebastian Vettel behind them on the previous race in Japan. He stayed in the badly-dam- up for it but it was a double yel- niil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly com- being wiped out by high winds Twitter feed. the second row for what could Champions Mercedes have aged car, his breathing heavy low (warning fl ag) so I had to pleting the top 10. at the Phillip Island circuit on The third practice session yet be a title-deciding race. now gone six races without a over the team radio, before slow down,” said Vettel, who was Mexican Sergio Perez quali- yesterday. had also been halted when Lewis Hamilton, who needs pole, with Verstappen taking his climbing out and going to the on pole in Japan. fi ed 11th for Racing Point. The decision was made Australian rider Jack Miller’s on safety grounds after pit board blew onto the front Portuguese KTM rider Miguel straight. Renault F1 boss optimistic team will stay beyond 2020 Oliveira crashed heavily when If qualifying cannot take place his bike was blown off the track today then grid positions will Renault’s Formula One future is business, including Formula One, sporting and technical rules from be optimistic,” he said. decide whether or not we sign on while accelerating at around be decided by the combined under review but team boss Cyril were being examined. Formula then. “Renault will be presented with a those new terms, but those terms 300kph (186mph) in final practice results, which would Abiteboul says he is optimistic One’s owner Liberty Media is Abiteboul told reporters at the new contract for the period 2021- are better than the ones we have practice. put Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales the French carmaker will stay in also negotiating new contractual Mexican Grand Prix that he could 2025 and we will assess if we now anyway, so I am confident.” Oliveira escaped with no more on pole position. the sport. The company’s interim agreements with all teams from give no categoric assurances until want to sign on those new terms,” The 2021 regulations are due to than bruising. The season’s MotoGP title has CEO Clotilde Delbos told analysts 2021, when existing deals expire, the internal review was complete. said Abiteboul. be published next week, during “Due to high winds, and the already been won by Honda’s this week that all aspects of the and plans a major revamp of the “Let’s follow the process. But let’s “There will be assessment to the US Grand Prix in Austin. safety of the riders being of Spaniard Marc Marquez.

TENNIS Thiem outlasts Berrettini to reach fi rst Vienna fi nal

Federer into 15th Swiss Indoors fi nal Top seed Dominic Thiem came AFP Tsitsipas in Dubai earlier this year. back from a set down to earn Basel, Switzerland “I had to play aggressive and take a 3-6 7-5 6-3 victory over Italy’s risks against Stefanos. There was a lot Matteo Berrettini yesterday of running. But it’s always easier to to advance to his first Vienna oger Federer extended his play at home, I was energised.” Open final. With the home Swiss Indoors win streak to Federer will be in uncharted terri- crowd behind Thiem at the 23 matches as he beat Ste- tory in the fi nal with De Minaur, who Wiener Stadthalle, the 26-year- fanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 yes- has won trophies this season in Syd- old broke Berrettini five times terdayR to reach the fi nal for the 15th ney, Atlanta and Zhuhai. in the contest and became time, racking up his 50th win of 2019. “He’s one of the fastest players,” the first Austrian to reach The top seed will be playing for his Federer said. “I’m very excited to be the tournament’s final since 10th title at his home tournament in the fi nal again. Juergen Melzer beat compatriot when he faces Alex de Minaur in a “I was not sure how it would go this Andreas Haider-Maurer in fi rst-time meeting after the Austral- week, so I’m really happy.” 2010. “I’ve never experienced ian stopped Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7/2), The 28th-ranked De Minaur, who such a great atmosphere here,” 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3). trains and lives in Spain, is the fi rst Thiem said. “It was full from Federer, 38, has now made the Ba- Australian to reach the Basel fi nal the first point on, such a loud sel fi nal in his last 13 appearances and since Mark Philippoussis fi nished atmosphere as well. 15th overall. runner-up in 1997. “It was perfect to play in and His last defeat came in the 2013 De Minaur, who measures up at the match was on a very high fi nal at the hands of Juan Martin del 1.80m compared to Opelka’s towering level from the first to the last Potro. 2.11m, set up his semi-fi nal victory point. With all the support and For Federer, victory yesterday was with a passing winner for four match home advantage, I was able to his second of the season over 21-year- points. pull through.” No player has old Tsitsipas who had stunned the Opelka saved the fi rst with an ace won more matches than Thiem 20-time major winner at the Austral- but was caught out on the second as when play goes to a deciding ian Open in January. his opponent sealed the win. set this season (11 wins) and the Federer, who had a walkover in the “Nothing can prepare you for that victory also ended Berrettini’s quarter-fi nals due to the pre-match serve,” de Minaur said. streak of 28 wins when he had injury withdrawal of compatriot “Reilly’s an incredibly tough com- taken the opening set. Thiem Stan Wawrinka, notched up two love petitor who never gives up. I’m just will now play Argentina’s fifth games in the second set and advanced happy to be in the fi nal. I guessed seed Diego Schwartzman who on his fi rst match point. right a few times and got lucky. I was beat French fourth seed Gael “Having the crowd behind you re- just lucky to have gone the right di- Monfils 6-3 6-2 in the other ally helps you believe in your game,” rection, I was just hoping not be hit Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his semi-final match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Swiss Indoors Basel in semi-final. said Federer who had also defeated by any of those serves.” St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, October 27, 2019 7 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Finch fi t for Sri Lanka but Tye Woods shoots out of T20 series second 64; leads by two in rain-hit Zozo ‘I’ve been able to strike my irons pretty well this week so far and that’s been nice’

AFP Inzai, Japan

iger Woods surprised himself with a second straight 64 yesterday for a two-stroke lead over TGary Woodland at the halfway stage of the rain-delayed Zozo Championship in Japan. “I’m surprised that I was able to score as well as I have,” admit- ted Woods, who is playing his fi rst tournament for two months after having arthroscopic knee surgery. “It usually that takes a lit- tle bit of time. I’ve been able to strike my irons pretty well this week so far and that’s been nice.” The 15-time major winner lit up the back nine in fi ve-under 31 to take control on an empty Narashino Country Club course, closed to spectators for safety after soaking up more than six inches (150mm) of rain during Friday’s washout. “I had made a couple putts today and I went to put my hand up and I’m like, don’t put your AFP after injuring his right elbow hand up, there’s no one clap- Adelaide, Australia fi elding on Friday. ping,” said Woods. Finch said Tye picked up the Chasing a record-equalling injury throwing the ball. 82nd PGA Tour victory, Woods aptain Aaron Finch “I think it was one of the fi rst had bounced back from bogey- was yesterday cleared drills he did. He was a bit off ing his opening three holes to to play in Australia’s balance and felt a bit of a pop in shoot a mesmerising 64 with opening Twenty20 there,” the captain said. nine birdies in Thursday’s fi rst againstC Sri Lanka, but the team New South Wales quick Sean round. was dealt a blow with fast bowl- Abbott will replace him after the He started more steadily yes- er Andrew Tye ruled out of the match today, which marks the terday and was one-under at the series. return to T20 action of Warner turn before switching on the af- Tiger Woods shoots on the 9th hole during the second round of the Zozo Championship at Narashino Country Club in Inzai, Chiba, Japan, There were fears that Finch and Steve Smith following their terburners. yesterday. (Reuters) might not recover from a side bans for ball-tampering. “Hit the ball a little bit better strain he has been nursing for a The pair have already been than I did (Thursday),” Woods ie of the round and a 36-hole ‘IT’S GOING TO BE with an eagle at the 10th to get They will go out in the re- fortnight, but the batsman was welcomed back onto the Test said. “Let’s hope that trend con- 12-under par total of 128. A LONG ONE’ back to level par. scheduled third round at 8:30am given the all-clear to open the and one-day teams. tinues.” US Open champion and over- A pond to the left of the 10th A birdie four at the long 14th today (2330 GMT Saturday) with innings with David Warner. Despite Tye’s absence, Aus- Three birdies in four holes night co-leader Woodland said fairway had expanded into a kept up the momentum and two the fourth round commenc- “I was a bit worried about tralia have plenty of bowling from the 10th took him along- he had to dig deep for his 66 to lake, forcing offi cials to move the more gains at 16 and 18 saw him ing immediately to get as many throwing yesterday,” Finch told fi repower at their disposal, side clubhouse leader Woodland keep in touch with Woods. tee forward, and in a trice a 376- turn in 31 and his way to a 65 to holes in before dark. reporters in Adelaide after a including Mitchell Starc, Pat at 10-under. “It was a grind all day,” said yard par four became a 140-yard be three-under total, nine be- The fi rst US PGA Tour event training session ahead of the Cummins, Billy Stanlake and Woods kept his foot down. the 35 year-old. “I didn’t have par four. hind Woods. in Japan is destined to fi nish to- fi rst game in the city today. Kane Richardson. The US Masters champion my best stuff today. Fortunately Local favourite Hideki Mat- American Keegan Bradley, morrow. “It didn’t progress all that After Adelaide, Australia smoked a massive drive down I made three big putts there on suyama immediately took ad- the 2011 US PGA Champion- “Well, it’s going to be a long quickly but... the last three days face the Lasith Malinga-led Sri the long par-four 17th and his 16, 17 and 18 which was awe- vantage of the tiny 10th with an ship winner, stormed up the one and we’re going to play it it has been really good. I have got Lankans in Brisbane and Mel- pinpoint approach from 154 some.” eagle two but trod water there- leaderboard with a seven-un- from sun-up to sundown,” said full movement... I feel confi dent bourne before Pakistan arrive yards left him a simple two- Friday’s postponed round fi - after to fi nish four shots behind der 63, the best round of the Woods. to go.” for T20s in Sydney, Canberra footer to take the solo lead. nally began at 10am yesterday Woods. week, to position himself in “Probably looking to get But short-form specialist and Perth. He saw a 20-foot eagle putt on a weather-ravaged course World number two Rory McIl- today’s final group with Woods somewhere near 27 holes in to- Tye, who is usually deployed in The teams are all kick-start- slip by at the par-fi ve 18th but with bright sunshine helping to roy had a ragged two-over 72 on and Woodland at eight-under morrow. Hopefully I can play the fi nal overs, will take no part ing preparations for the World tapped in for his seventh bird- dry the turf. Thursday but he too opened par. well and get myself right there.” in the three-match campaign Cup in Australia next year.

CRICKET Bangladesh’s Tamim Bangladesh Cricket Board to pulls out of India tour sue skipper Shakib AFP we will take tough action,” he said. Dhaka Grameenphone — which is ma- jority owned by Norway’s Telenor — was the sponsor of Bangladesh angladesh cricket authori- Cricket Board during the period of ties said yesterday they 2009-2011. would take legal action Hassan said the Board incurred against star all-round- huge losses after the company erB Shakib Al Hasan for allegedly signed players individually instead breaching his contract to sign a of bidding to become the team spon- sponsorship deal with a top mobile sor in 2015 when a rival operator won phone operator. the deal. “This is why we barred the Shakib on Tuesday inked the players to sign any agreement with agreement with former national telcos... yet, he (Shakib) did this. team sponsor Grameenphone for an And you see the timing? Agreement undisclosed sum at a time when he after stopping play. These are auda- was also leading a players’ strike for cious behaviour,” he said. better pay and benefi ts. The BCB president also criticised Bangladesh opening batsman recent tri-series Twenty20 “We believe there was a contrac- Shakib for his on-fi eld performance. Tamim Iqbal has pulled out of tournament after a dip in form. tual and procedural breach in his “We defeated England and Aus- next month’s Twenty20 and Test The left-hander also struggled contract. Of course, we will take ac- tralia in our own ground. Now we lost tour of India on personal grounds, in the World Cup in England, tion against it,” Bangladesh Cricket to Afghanistan. If I was responsible the Bangladesh Cricket Board where he scored only 235 in eight Board (BCB) chief executive offi cer I would not show my face let alone said yesterday. innings, a 29.37 average. Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP. stage a protest,” he added, referring to The 30-year-old Tamim — The 30-year later made interim BCB president Nazmul Hassan Bangladesh’s 224-run loss in one-off Bangladesh’s top run scorer in captain for a three-match one-day said they will seek compensation Test against Afghanistan in early Sep- all formats — had indicated he international series in Sri Lanka from both Shakib and the phone tember when Shakib was captain. would likely miss part of the tour in the absence of injured regular company. Shakib led a players’ strike on to be with his wife as they expect skipper Mashrafe Mortaza. But “We are going to take legal action. Monday which follows increas- their second child, chief selector the leadership role failed to bring There is no scope to spare anyone. We ing criticism from players that the Minhajul Abedin said. out his best, with Tamim making will seek compensation from both the Bangladesh Cricket Board was not Bangladesh are scheduled to play only 21 runs in the entire series, company and the player,” Hassan said sharing its wealth. three Twenty20 internationals which Bangladesh lost 0-3. in an interview with Bengali newspa- The players called off the strike and two Tests in India in The Bangladesh Cricket Board per Kalerkantho yesterday. late on Wednesday and started November, starting in Delhi on said it will name a replacement of “We thought it’s a kind of ‘I don’t training on Friday for next month’s November 3. Tamim for the India tour in due co give a damn to the rules of Board’ at- India tour as the BCB accepted most Tamim missed Bangladesh’s urse. AFP titude. If that is the case, of course, of their demands. File photo of Shakib Al Hasan speaking with journalists in Dhaka. (AFP)

Sunday, October 27, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT RICH HAUL BY QATAR WOMEN Online ticket sales for world squash start today By Sports Reporter prestigious tournament. We are Doha extremely proud to host another edition of the prestigious PSA Men’s World Championships. he online sales of tick- “It is a great privilege to wel- ets for the 2019/20 PSA come the world’s top players as Men’s World Champion- well as fans of the beautiful game ships will go live today of squash to Doha once again. afternoonT and will be available Doubtlessly, all lovers of the on the federation’s offi cial web- game are in for a good time as all site (www.qatarsquash.org). arrangements have been made to The $335,000 total prize- ensure the tournament is one of money event, to be held from the best so far. We believe it will November 8 to 15 at the Khalifa be an exciting time for all par- International Tennis and Squash ticipants as the best of squash Complex in Doha, will feature is witnessed inside the beautiful Qatar basketball team (above), and handball team (below) pose after winning the gold medal in the the GCC Women’s Games in Kuwait. 64 players from 24 countries, courts of the Khalifa Interna- Picture at bottom right shows Qatar’s Ameena Abdulkareem posing with her gold medal in the 53kg category in taekwondo. including the 56 highest ranked tional Tennis & Squash Complex. players and eight wild card en- We are looking forward to seeing trants. Defending champion and the fans troop out in large num- World No.1 Ali Farag is leading bers to enjoy this amazing expe- the array of world class players World No.1 Ali Farag rience.” which includes two other former All matches of the eight-day world champions – 2017 cham- new look in preparation for the tournament will be held with pion Mohamed ElShorbagy and championship. The branding at play split between the glass court 2016 winner Karim Abdel Ga- the venue has been completed and the ‘traditional’ plaster side wad, for the tournament taking and the necessary makeovers courts. Fixtures from the glass place in Doha for the fi fth time. done in readiness for the most court will be streamed live on Tickets will also be available prestigious tournament on the SQUASHTV (rest of world), Eu- onsite at the Khalifa Internation- PSA men’s tour. rosport Player (Europe only) and al Tennis & Squash Complex and Commenting about the devel- the offi cial Facebook page of the date to be announced soon. opment, Tariq Zainal, the Tour- PSA World Tour. Meanwhile, the Khalifa In- nament Director said: “We are To purchase tickets and fi nd all ternational Tennis & Squash delighted to announce the start tournament information, please Complex is already wearing a of online sales of tickets for this visit www.qatarsquash.org

SUPERBIKES FOCUS Krummenacher clinches world Rea keeps promise, Supersport title wins Qatar race for ailing grandma ‘I wanted that race victory so bad. My nana is not so well’

By Sahan Bidappa Doha By Sports Reporter Federico Caricasulo was only Doha fi fth, the top two in the Cham- pionship split by Lucas Mahias onathan Rea fulfi lled the (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing). At promise he made to his andy Krummen- the end of Lap 1, Isaac Vinales ailing grandmother yes- acher clinched the (Kallio Racing) completed the terday. The Kawasaki rid- World Supersport top six. Clearly feeling the erJ from Northern Ireland had al- Championship after pressure of the title-defi ning ready sealed his World Superbike R fi nishing the fi nal race of the race, both Caricasulo and (WSBK) Championship title, his season in fi fth place at the Lo- Krummenacher made early fi fth in succession, last month in sail International Circuit yes- mistakes to drop down the France. terday. order as Cluzel was chased by Yet, his clean sweep of victo- he Swiss rider was Mahias. ries in Qatar will hold a special fi ghting for the world On Lap 7, Caricasulo set the place in his heart. Last night at title against Bardahl fastest lap of the race, while the Losail International Circuit, Evan Bros Yamaha Vinales made a mess of Turn Rea had to keep his emotions in T teammate Federico Cariscaulo 1 and went wide from fourth. check as the Ducati duo of Al- and GMT94 Yamaha’s Jules With the front four battling, varo Bautista and Chaz Davies Cluzel in a tense title-decider. Caricasulo and Krummen- pushed him hard in the fi nal race In the end, Krummenacher acher were edging nearer, of the season. But Rea is a fi ve- did just enough to become the making for a six-rider battle time world champion for noth- champion for the fi rst time. in prospect. At Turn 1 on Lap ing, as the 32-year-old prevailed Cluzel, who needed to win 8, Vinales pinched third from in a thrilling three-way battle. in Qatar to stand any chance Perolari, while Mahias cap- “I wanted that race victory of winning the the title, fi n- tured fi rst place from Cluzel so bad. My nana is not so well. I ished second behind race win- at Turn 4. Come the end of the texted her this morning and told ner Lucas Mahias, the Puc- lap, Mahias had pulled out a her ‘watch the race, because I am cetti Kawasaki rider taking his 0.3s advantage, while the top going to win the race for you’. It second win of the year. Cari- six were covered by just under gave me motivation to not take casulo was fourth, but with 2.5s. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Saeed lightly even one lap of the race, Krummenacher coming fi fth, al-Sulaiti racing for QMMF just go all in from the fi rst lap. it wasn’t enough for the Italian Racing Team Yamaha fi nished That one is for you nana!,” said to clinch the crown. in 17th place. an emotional Rea. Krummenacher picked up His fi fth consecutive race win Winner Jonathan Rea (C) celebrates on the podium with second-placed Chaz Davies and third-placed Alvaro Bautista at the Losail Interna- four race wins and four further QATAR WORLDSSP: RACE in Qatar was his 17th of the sea- tional Circuit yesterday. podium fi nishes on the way en RESULTS son – matching the record out- ner-up place in his debut WSBK ahead. The two riders continued in eighth place for Ten Kate Racing Racing Ducat +3.100 route to his title as he ended six 1. Lucas Mahias (FRA) Puccetti right for most wins in a single season. to trade overtakes but Rea broke Yamaha as Leon Haslam suff ered 4. Alex Lowes (GBR) Pata points clear of Caricasulo and Kawasaki Racing 15 laps season from his own eff ort in “Thanks to my team for giving past Bautista by mid-race dis- a late race fade to ninth place on Yamaha +12.473 13 points ahead of Cluzel. 2. Jules Cluzel (FRA) GMT94 2018 and Doug Polen’s 17 wins me an incredible bike,” Rea said tance to begin to build a com- his fi nal race for Kawasaki. 5. Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) Ka- “This feeling is so great,” Yamaha +0.868s in 1991. Earlier in the afternoon, of his Kawasaki team, which had fortable lead. Bautista spent the Sandro Cortese completed the wasaki Puccetti Racing +14.346 said an elated Krummenacher. 3. Isaac Vinales (ESP) Rea had eased to victory in the sealed their manufactures’ title rest of the race fi ghting team- top 10 on his last race for GRT 6. Eugene Laverty (IRL) Team “I’ve been working for 24 years Kallio Racing Yamaha Superpole ahead of Bautista. on Friday night. “We changed mate Davies for second place to Yamaha ahead of Leandro Merca- Goeleven Ducati +15.109 to achieve this goal. It is such +3.332s Rea grabbed the holeshot off the the bike race to race massively. allow Rea cruise to an easy win. do on the Orelac Racing Kawasaki 7. Michael van der Mark (NED) a big thing that I still quite 4. Federico Caricasulo (ITA) line from pole position and was So looks like our bikes are work- Alex Lowes captured third place and Tom Sykes on the BMW. With Pata Yamaha Yamaha can’t realise it. I am thankful Bardahl Evan Bros Yamaha never surpassed all the way to ing in a huge window. I achieved in the overall riders’ champion- Jordi Torres in 13th place for Ped- +15.625 to all the people who have sup- +8.033s the chequered fl ag. a massive target of mine in my ship thanks to fourth place on his ercini Kawasaki, Markus Reiter- 8. Loris Baz (FRA) Ten Kate SBK ported me, to my family that 5. Randy Krummenacher (SWI) His Race 2 win also sees Rea career, which was to fi nish every fi nal outing for Pata Yamaha. berger (BMW) and Michael Ruben Yamaha +16.020 stayed behind me even on the Bardahl Evan Bros Yamaha overhaul Bautista for most wins single race in the season. We did Toprak Razgatlioglu sealed a Rinaldi (Barni Ducati) rounded 9. Leon Haslam (GBR) Kawasaki bad days, they pushed me to +8.430s across the season in the fi nal that, so I am immensely proud. I clean sweep of Independents’ out the points places. win. Thank you!,” he added. 6. Corentin Perolari race of 2019 while sealing his Racing Team +17.854 couldn’t have done that without titles on his fi nal outing for Puc- 10. Sandro Cortese (GER) GRT In a captivating race, Ma- (FRA) GMT94 Yamaha fi fth world title by 165 points. At the incredible team and support cetti Kawasaki in fi fth place with QATAR WSBK RACE RESULTS hias made it a third consecu- +8.482s one point in the season, Bautista Yamaha +18.322 of my family, so thank you very Eugene Laverty enjoying a late 1 Jonathan Rea (GBR) Kawasaki 11. Leandro Mercado (ARG) Ore- tive win at Losail. Cluzel and 7. Raff ele De Rosa (ITA) MV had held a 61-point lead at the much to all of them,” he added. surge to sixth place for Team Goe- Racing Team 18 Laps Corentin Perolari had hit the Agusta Reparto Corse +9.527s top, but a series of crashes from lac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki Bautista had made the most of leven Ducati for his best result 2. Chaz Davies (GBR) Aruba.it +22.254 front, making lightning starts 8. Hikari Okubo (JPN) Puccetti the Ducati rider combined with the Ducati power to lead the fi eld since Aragon. With Michael van Racing Ducati +2.978 secs from third and fourth on the Kawasaki Racing +9.670s Rea’s relentless racing meant the 12. Tom Sykes (GBR) BMW to Turn 1, although the Spaniard der Mark in seventh place for Pata 3. Alvaro Bautista (ESP) Aruba.it WorldSBK Team +22.367 grid respectively. Krummen- 9. Kyle Smith (GBR) Pedercini Spaniard had to settle for run- went wide and allowed Rea back Yamaha, Loris Baz capped his year acher hit third place, while Racing Kawasaki +11.533s