FOOTBALL | Page 2 NFL | Page 6 Bayern interim Cowboys boss Flick beat Giants recalls Mueller to stay atop and Martinez divisional fi ght

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 TENNIS Rabia I 9, 1441 AH Djokovic ready for GULF TIMES ‘big task’ to grab year-end top spot SPORT Page 3

ASIAN SHOOTING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Kumar bags Tokyo Barca held by Slavia spot as Chinese Prague; Leipzig win and Indians shine at Zenit TEENAGE SENSATION MANU BHAKER WINS 10M AIR PISTOL GOLD DPA Berlin

ive-time winners Bar- celona were held 0-0 by Slavia Prague yesterday which should give the CatalansF some headaches going into their fi nal two group games in the Champions League. Lionel Messi smashed against the crossbar in the 35th and was then ruled off side when he fed Arturo Vidal to score in the 58th as Barca disappointed again af- ter a weekend 3-1 La Liga defeat at Levante. They missed injured marks- man Luis Suarez while newly- signed Antoine Griezmann failed again to get his fi rst Champions League goal for them, substituted with some 25 minutes left for 17-year-old Ansu Fati. Slavia Prague’s Czech defender Prague goalkeeper Ondrej Jan Boril (C) kicks the ball during Kolar made several good saves their UEFA Champions League and his team-mates were also group F football match against dangerous up front, with Nico- Barcelona at the Camp Nou Gold medallist Yukun Liu (C), second-placed Haonan Yu (second from left) and India’s Dipak Kumar pose on the podium after the 10m Air Rifle competition in the 14th Asian lae Stanciu’s promising shot stadium in Barcelona yesterday. Shooting Championships yesterday. At extreme left is Ali Mohamed al-Kuwari, the President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association. hitting the back of a teammate, and Jan Boril’s goal on the stroke 16 with a 2-0 win at Zenit St Pe- By Anil John of half-time disallowed for off - tersburg in Group G. Doha RESULTS (ONLY FINALS side. Barca top tricky Group F Diego Demme fi red the open- with eight points but their last er into the bottom left corner Men’s 10m Air Rifle two matches are against former on the stroke of half-time and he 14th Asian Shooting Cham- 1. Yukun Liu (CHN) 250.5 champions Borussia Dortmund Marcel Sabitzer wrapped up pionships began yesterday and 2. Haonan Yu (CHN) 249.1 and Inter Milan who take four matters for the Germans in the based on initial evidence China 3. Deepak Kumar (IND) 227.8 each into their duel later Tues- 63rd. Leipzig lead the way with and India seem to be blessed with day in Germany. nine points, with Zenit on four Tthe steadiest hands and the sharpest eyes Women’s 10m Air Rifle Slavia are last with two while Lyon (four) and Benfi ca as far as the sport is concerned in the 1. Qian Yang (CHN) 251.6 points. RB Leipzig meanwhile (three) were meeting later in the continent. 2. Tessa Neo (SGP) 251.4 took a big step towards the last day. Shooters from these two nations 3. Eunhea Jung (KOR) 228.9 equally shared the four gold medals on off er on the fi rst day and their domina- Women’s 10m Air Pistol Verona given partial stadium ban for racist abuse tion is likely to continue throughout the 1. Manu Bhaker (IND) 244.3 event, the last-chance saloon for hope- 2. Qian Wang (CHN) 242.8 Milan: Serie A club Verona have where the abuse was heard for fuls to book quota spots at next year’s To- 3. Ranxin Jiang (CHN) 220.2 been handed a one-match partial their next home game. kyo Olympics. stadium closure over the racist It said in its report that Balotelli Yukun Liu grabbed the 10m Air Rifl e Mixed team Trap junior abuse suff ered by Brescia for- was the target of racially dis- gold for men while Qian Yang won the 1. India (Vivaan Kapoor and Manisha ward Mario Balotelli on Sunday criminatory chanting which was women’s competition in the same disci- Keer) while the club themselves have “clearly perceptible” to both the pline at the Lusail Shooting Complex. 2. China (Ting Zhang and Pengyu banned one of their leading player and the match delegate. Later, India’s teenage sensation Manu Chen) ultras for more than 10 years. Both the home club and Verona’s Bhaker once again displayed her tremen- 3. China (Hanyu Jiang and Haiyan However, Balotelli also came mayor had denied the abuse had dous potential to clinch the women’s 10m Yang) under attack from politicians and taken place. Air Pistol gold. a group of Verona councillors Meanwhile, Verona banned ultra The Indian junior duo of Vivaan Ka- India’s Manu Bhaker (C) poses with her gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol event with Today’s schedule (Only finals) asked the municipal government Luca Castellini from its matches poor and Manisha Keer emerged victori- silver medallist Qian Wang (L) and bronze winner Eunhea Jung of South Korea. In 1.15pm: 25m Rapid Fire Pistol (men) to take action against him for until June 2030 for “considera- ous in the Trap Mixed Team contest for front is Asian Shooting Federation General Secretary Duaij al-Otaibi. 1.30pm: Trap (men) damaging the city’s image as the tions and expressions... utterly juniors to round off proceedings for the 3pm: Trap (women) fallout continued from Italian contrary to the ethical principles day as far as the gold medals were con- He was given a stiff fi ght by compatriot Asian championships and my intention 4.30pm: 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team football’s latest racism scandal. and values of this club.” cerned. Yu but he went under 10 on three occa- has been to give my best just as the oth- Balotelli kicked the ball into the That appeared to refer to an China had secured 25 quota places at sions to hand the advantage to Liu. ers. crowd and threatened to walk incendiary radio interview on the Olympics even before the Qatar event “I am very happy to become the Asian “Today is also special because it is my off the pitch early in the second Monday when Castellini said that began, while South Korea had bagged 12 champion after such a tough competi- birthday and I feel I have gifted myself pics next year,” she added. half of Verona’s 2-1 league win Verona fans were merely being and India nine. tion,” Liu said. I was confi dent from the this bronze medal and a place at Tokyo Qatari men and women were also in because he said some fans were “irreverent”, that Balotelli was Yesterday, Deepak Kumar bagged In- start but my rivals pushed me hard. I 2020 Olympics. I aim to continue to ex- action in the trap competitions yester- making monkey noises. “clowning around” and that the dia’s 10th Olympic spot after clinching had to show strong resolve.” cel and bring more laurels for my coun- day. Rashid al-Athba is in ninth posi- The referee stopped play for player could never be consid- the bronze in the 10m Air Rifl e competi- Kumar, who was celebrating his 32nd try.” tion with a score of 71, while Mohamed around five minutes while an- ered completely Italian. tion with a total score of 227.8 among the birthday yesterday, scored 10 or over Seventeen-year-old Bhaker, mean- al-Rumaihi is 14th with 70 after the nouncements were made to the Earlier yesterday, the Gazzetta eight fi nalists. with 23 of his 24 shots, but was let down while, clinched her first Asian Champi- first three rounds. crowd. The 29-year-old, who was dello Sport published a motion Kumar is the second Indian to bag by his very first shot, which fetched him onships gold in style, winning the 10m After two more rounds today, the top born in Sicily to Ghanaian par- sent to the Verona council by a quota spot for Tokyo after Divyansh only 8.9. That meant he was in sixth Air Pistol competition for women. six will make the finals. Qatari women ents and given up for adoption four councillors proposing that Panwar in the 10 Air Rifl e event, but he spot after his first round of five shots, Having already grabbed an Olympic are also participating in the trap. when he was three, has faced “the mayor and the legal off ices was overshadowed by gold-winner Liu, but as the event progressed, he steadily quota place with a gold medal at the Meanwhile, Hussein Saleh al-Sada, the racist abuse throughout his of the municipality should take who shot 250.5, while Haonan Yu, also of made lost ground to realise his dream of Munich World Cup in May, she was un- Vice Chairman of the Organising Com- career in Italy. He was backed by legal action against the foot- China, bagged the silver with a score of qualifying for the Olympics. der no pressure whatsoever and shot mittee, expressed his happiness with the Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti and baller and all those who attack 249.1. “I feel very proud that I could win an aggregate of 244.3, edging out Qian proceedings on the fi rst day. by rival club AS Roma, among Verona by unjustly defaming it.” Liu, the 22-year-old left-hander from an Olympic quota place for my country Wang of China (242.8) and bronze med- “Everything went off smoothly. We others, for his action on Sunday. The motion added: “It is no Shanxi, never let his concentration waver along with the bronze medal,” Kumar allist Ranxin Jiang (220.2). didn’t have any complaints. We have ex- Serie A’s disciplinary tribunal longer fair that Verona is put in and amazingly didn’t have a single shot said. “I am very pleased with my effort,” cellent co-ordination between all the sub yesterday ordered Verona to the dock when, as in this case, that fetched a score below 10 points with “The Indian shooting fraternity have said Bhaker. “I hope to continue with committees we have put in place for the close the part of the stadium nothing happened.” his 24 shots. high hopes from all shooters at these my good form and do well at the Olym- championships,” he said. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, November 6, 2019 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND-UP Liverpool to play twice in two days in two Bayern interim diff erent countries iverpool will play two CLARKE YIELDS TO ARSENAL games in two days REQUEST TO OMIT TIERNEY nearly 5,000 miles apart Scotland manager Steve Clarke after their League Cup said he had omitted Kieran Lquarter-fi nal against Aston Villa Tierney from the squad for their was scheduled for the day before fi nal two Euro 2020 group quali- boss Flick recalls their Club World Cup semi- fi ers because of a request from fi nal in Qatar. The European the full-back’s club Arsenal. champions will travel to Villa on The 22-year-old — who cost the December 17, League Cup organ- Gunners £25mn ($32mn) when isers the English Football League they bought him from Celtic in announced yesterday. the close season — underwent a Liverpool play their fi rst double hernia operation in the match of the Club World Cup in summer. Mueller, Martinez Doha the following day, meaning He eventually made his debut the Red’s will be forced to use for Arsenal in the 5-0 thrashing two separate squads for the fi x- of second tier Nottingham For- Both Mueller, 30, and Martinez, 31, mainly started on the bench under Kovac tures. Due to a midweek round of est in the League Cup on Sep- the Premier League in December tember 24. A couple of Europa and Liverpool’s participation in League matches followed and the Champions League and Club he has played in their last four World Cup, there were no free games. “Arsenal asked us not midweeks to play the quarter- to select him (Tierney),” Clarke fi nal before the semi-fi nals were said. “Kieran has an ongoing due to be played in early January. issue that Arsenal are keen to Jurgen Klopp has fi elded a address in the next international much-weakened side in both break. It’s a little bit frustrating. Liverpool’s League Cup victories It’s obviously frustrating for Ki- so far this season over MK Dons eran as well, but we’ve got good and Arsenal. It is expected that cover in that position.” fi rst team stars such as Sadio Tierney will miss two ef- Mane, Mohamed Salah and Rob- fectively dead rubbers — Cyprus erto Firmino will head to Qatar away on 16 November then as Liverpool aim to win the Club Kazakhstan at home three days World Cup for the fi rst time, later — as Scotland cannot leaving younger players behind qualify from Group I. to fulfi l the League Cup fi xture. GROSSO APPOINTED EVERTON’S GOMES BRESCIA COACH RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL Former World Cup winner Fabio Everton midfi elder Andre Grosso was appointed coach of Gomes has been discharged Serie A strugglers Brescia after from hospital just two days after Eugenio Corini was sacked at the suff ering a horrifi c ankle break. weekend. Grosso, who won the The Portugal international 2006 World Cup title with Italy, had surgery on Monday on the takes over the promoted side fracture dislocation of his right who are second bottom of the ankle that he suff ered during the Serie A table after seven defeats second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw in 10 games. The 41-year-old with Tottenham. Grosso would conducted his fi rst Gomes fell awkwardly after training session with the north- being tackled from behind eners yesterday. His fi rst game by Son Heung-min, who was in charge will be at home against subsequently sent off . The South Torino this Saturday. The former Bayern Munich’s interim coach Korean was distraught when he Inter Milan and Juventus left- Hansi Flick (right) looks on as saw the extent of the dam- back started his coaching career midfielder Thiago Alcantara trains age to Gomes, but his red card with the Juventus youth teams on the eve of the Champions League was overturned on appeal on followed by a season at Serie B match against Olympiakos. (AFP) Tuesday. side Bari. He coached Verona for The Football Association (FA) the 2018-2019 season. overturned the decision follow- Corini was sacked on Sunday AFP mainly started on the bench under Kovac, phase as they currently sit fi ve-points Flick, part of the Germany staff when ing an appeal by Spurs, meaning after a 2-1 defeat at Verona, a Munich, Germany but Flick wants to utilise the experience clear of second-placed Tottenham, who they won the 2014 World Cup, will re- the South Korea international game overshadowed by racist of the veterans, who helped Bayern win they host in December having routed main in charge until a new head coach will not serve a three-match abuse directed at Brescia for- the 2013 treble of Champions League, them 7-2 in north last month. is named. Bayern Munich president Uli ban. ward Mario Balotelli. nterim boss Hansi Flick says Thomas Bundesliga and German Cup titles. However, all is not well behind the Hoeness says they expect to name the Mueller and Javi Martinez will start “Of course, you can’t change every- scenes at the Bavarian giants, who have new boss within three weeks but two po- for Bayern Munich in today’s Cham- thing immediately, but it’s also about the won just three of their last six games in tential candidates have already dropped pions League tie against Olympiakos selection with perhaps one or two tactical all competitions. Following Sunday’s out.Ajax’s Erik ten Hag has stated he Ias he rings the changes for his fi rst game changes,” said Flick. “Javi Martinez and upheaval, ex-Bayern and West Germany will not leave the Dutch side before the in charge following Niko Kovac’s sacking. Thomas Mueller will play,” he added with defender Andreas Brehme says the Bay- end of the season while a German report Kovac was dismissed as head coach on Martinez to start at centre-back. ern squad “let Kovac down” with a series said Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Sunday in the wake of Bayern’s 5-1 drub- “Niko appreciated Thomas as a player, of lacklustre recent performances, senti- Tuchel has turned down an approach. bing at Eintracht Frankfurt. His assistant he (Mueller) is important for the club ments echoed by midfi elder Joshua Kim- Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Mas- Flick has been appointed interim coach and has won everything. He can sweep mich, who says the players must step up. similiano Allegri have been mentioned as for today’s European tie at home to Ol- the team along and lead them. The team “It’s not so easy for Hansi, he hasn’t possible contenders. ympiakos and Saturday’s league game needs to be active and take the initiative, had much time,” said Kimmich. “The against Dortmund. we need to show the quality we have in main responsibility now lies with us CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES Flick, 54, was called to an emergency the squad. That goes for every individual players. We have to pull ourselves to- GROUP A: Paris Saint Germain vs Club meeting by Bayern’s bosses on Sunday player — not just (captain) Manuel Neuer gether. There are no alibis for any of us night and was “honoured” to be asked to or ‘Lewy’”, he added with striker Robert anymore. An excuse from the coach no Bruges; Real Madrid vs Galatasaray take temporary charge. Now the former Lewandowski having scored a phenome- longer exists.” GROUP B: Bayern Munich vs Olympiakos; Germany assistant coach wants an im- nal 20 goals in 16 games so far this season. Bayern now have two tough games be- Red Star Belgrade vs Tottenham Hotspur mediate response from Bayern’s stars Group B leaders Bayern host bottom fore the international break, also hosting GROUP C: Atalanta vs Manchester City; against Olympiakos. “The goals we con- side Olympiakos at the Allianz Arena second-placed Borussia Dortmund on Dinamo Zagreb vs Shakhtar Donetsk ceded recently were not ‘Bayern like’”, with a fourth straight Champions League Saturday in the Bundesliga with defend- said Flick in a press conference. “We win in their sights after beating the Greek ing champions Munich fourth in the ta- GROUP D: Lokomotiv Moscow vs Ju- trained today like we want to play.” side 3-2 in Piraeus a fortnight ago. Bayern ble, trailing leaders Borussia Moencheng- ventus; Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Atletico Jurgen Klopp has fielded a weakened side in both Liverpool’s League Both Mueller, 30, and Martinez, 31, already have one foot in the knock-out ladbach by four points. Madrid Cup victories so far this season over MK Dons and Arsenal. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Qatar face Sri Lanka in AFC Zidane unfazed by Wales calling up Bale

AFP more positive in recent weeks about Bale’s U-20 Championship qualifi ers Barcelona future. “People say I want him to leave in January, it’s nonsense,” Zidane said. “People can’t say I’ve said what I haven’t said. I want inedine Zidane said yesterday he is him to stay here until the end of the season. unfazed by Wales calling up Gareth He’s doing well and I am counting on him.” Bale but insists the Real Madrid for- Welsh manager Ryan Giggs said Bale be- ward is still unfi t to play. Zidane also lieves he will be able to play a role in Wales’s Zreiterated his desire for Bale to stay at Ma- must-win fi nal two Euro 2020 qualifi ers drid for the whole season, describing sug- against Azerbaijan and Hungary. “It wasn’t gestions he wants the 30-year-old to be sold a big injury, but with the short turnaround in January as “nonsense”. it’s a worry,” said Giggs after naming a 27- Bale picked up a calf injury during the man squad. last international break in October and has “I’m in constant contact with him and he not played any of Madrid’s four matches feels confi dent that he’ll be fi t for the game. since. He will also miss their game against It’s just monitoring it this week, literally day Galatasaray in the Champions League today. by day. The last time I spoke to him he was But Wales included Bale in their squad confi dent he’d be OK.” Coaches of Sri Lanka, Qatar, Yemen and Turkmenistan attend a press conference yesterday. for their two crunch Euro 2020 qualifi ers The Welsh — surprise semi-fi nalists at against Azerbaijan and Hungary on Novem- Euro 2016 — are presently fourth in their By Sports Reporter Qatar coach Fabio Cesar said his boys have pre- ber 16 and 19 respectively, as they face a fi ght group, six points adrift of table-topping Doha pared well for the tournament. “We have played to qualify from Group E. “It doesn’t bother Croatia and four shy of second-placed Hun- preparatory matches and are ready for the quali- me,” said Zidane in a press conference. “The gary. Both Croatia and Hungary have just fi ers. I am confi dent that the team will be able to fi rst one to suff er is the player, he wants to one game remaining. atar host Sri Lanka today in their open- qualify,” Cesar said yesterday. be involved and if he is not ready to play for Meanwhile, Madrid play Galatasaray at ing match of the AFC U-19 Champion- The qualifi ers are divided into two geographical Wales, he won’t play.” the Santiago Bernabeu, where victory would ship 2020 qualifi ers. Qatar are in Group regions: West (West Asia, South, and Central) com- Bale is yet to return to full training and put them within touching distance of pro- B, where they are joined also by Yemen prising 25 teams in six groups and the East (East he is not expected to recover in time to play player wants is to be available. But we will gressing to the knock-out stages. “We feel andQ Turkmenistan. The qualifying matches will be Asia and Asean) with 21 teams in fi ve groups. against Eibar in La Liga on Saturday, Ma- see how he is this week and what will happen good, we know the situation we are in,” said played at the Aspire grounds from today till No- Top spot in the respective groups will earn direct drid’s last game before the international with Wales and whether he is ready or not. Zidane. “We are just thinking about getting vember 10. qualifi cation, while the four best second-placed break. There have been suggestions in the For now, the point is that he is not ready.” the three points that would practically give Qatar will be aiming to improve their form af- teams will also advance to the 2020 Finals. Uz- Spanish press that Bale is more eager to play Zidane said last summer it would be “best us qualifi cation.” ter suff ering an early exit in the 2019 WAFF U-18 bekistan will host the event and should they fi nish for his country than for his club, with Marca for everyone” if Bale left Madrid but a move As well as Bale, James Rodriguez is una- Championship in August. Turkmenistan and Sri either as group winners or emerge one of the best carrying the headline :”For Wales, it’s a yes”. to Chinese club Jiangu Suning fell through at vailable, although Zidane would not clarify Lanka also did not enjoy good outings in their re- four runners-up, the fi fth best second placed team “Right now he is not ready,” Zidane said. the last minute. the Colombian’s injury. Nacho and Marco spective regional tournaments, making Group B an will qualify for the championship, scheduled for “He is not ready to train normally. His coun- Instead, he enjoyed an encouraging start Asensio are out with knee and cruciate liga- open aff air. October 14-31, 2020. try has the right to call him up and what the to the season and Zidane has been noticeably ment injuries respectively. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 6, 2019 3 SPORT

TENNIS MOTORSPORT Hamilton and family celebrate FI Djokovic ready for crown in New York

AFP always the darker side that’s try- Austin ing to pull you down — and you constantly have to wake up. “I look in the mirror each ewis Hamilton was still morning and I’m trying to lift ‘big task’ to grab celebrating with family myself up and say ‘you can do it. and friends in New York Yes, you are great’.” on Monday after clinch- In the aftermath of winning Ling his sixth Formula One world his fi fth title in six years with title and opening his heart at the Mercedes, Hamilton also re- United States Grand Prix. vealed how much he missed his The 34-year-old Briton, now friend and mentor Niki Lauda, the second most successful driv- the three-time champion who year-end No 1 er of all time behind seven-time was Mercedes non-executive champion Michael Schumacher, chairman and died in May. ‘THERE’S ALWAYS A CHANCE THAT I WIN ALL MY MATCHES IN LONDON’ fl ew to New York with his party “I would say that I didn’t think after Sunday’s race and an ad- it would hit me so hard, losing mission that he had been ‘bat- Niki,” said Hamilton. “I miss him tling certain demons’. dearly. I didn’t realise how much “Each and every single one of I loved the guy.” us is struggling with something Hamilton, now within reach of in life. I try to show people that, Schumacher’s records of seven from the outside, things always championship wins and 91 Grand look great, but it’s not always the Prix victories, is expected to be case,” he said. back in Britain for a team cel- “I am struggling with lots of ebration at Mercedes headquar- diff erent things and battling cer- ters at Brackley. The team this tain demons. When you look in year won a record sixth consecu- the mirror each day, whether you tive drivers’ and constructors’ feel good or you feel bad, there is championship double.

Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his semi-final match against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov at the Paris Masters in Paris on Saturday. (AFP)

AFP player every single match. So er fantastic season, winning the NADAL CONFIRMS one simply by reaching the fi nal Paris that’s a big task on my end that Australian Open and Wimble- World number one Rafael Nadal, after two group-stage wins. I have to focus on. don among his fi ve titles. recovering from injury, con- “And as a consequence, of That looked a long way off fi rmed yesterday he will com- DJOKOVIC FACES Lewis Hamilton reacts after being crowned World Champion at the ovak Djokovic says he course, if I manage to get the when his comeback from a long- pete at the season-ending ATP FEDERER F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, on is ready for the “big year-end number one, that standing elbow injury suff ered Tour Finals in London from No- Swiss great Roger Federer has been Sunday. (AFP) task” of trying to win would be fantastic.” a setback last year with a shock vember 10-17. drawn against Novak Djokovic in the ATP Tour Finals in Djokovic is bidding to equal quarter-fi nal de- “Yesterday I had an MRI in the group stage for the ATP Finals NLondon and claim the year-end Pete Sampras’ record of fi nish- feat by Italian Marco Cecchi- Majorca and despite a slight in London from Sunday while top world number one spot for a ing six years as the world’s best nato. strain to the left abdominal mus- seed Rafael Nadal meets Daniil Becker’s bankruptcy restrictions record-equalling sixth time. player, while Nadal is looking But he has since added four cle I will go to London,” tweeted Medvedev in a rematch from the extended to 2031 The 16-time Grand Slam to achieve the feat for the fi fth major titles, having also claimed Nadal, forced out of last week’s US Open. champion sealed his fi fth Paris time. the 2018 Wimbledon and US Paris Masters by the same injury. Federer, seeded third, takes on German tennis great Boris of his situation when seeking to Masters title on Sunday with a “It is a motivation and a goal Open crowns. “Thursday or Friday I will long-time Serbian rival Djokovic Becker has had his bankruptcy borrow more than 500 pounds. 6-3, 6-4 victory over Canadian every day,” said Djokovic. “It is a Djokovic — who is closing in start hitting services. The idea in the Bjorn Borg group which also restrictions extended to Restrictions are usually lifted Denis Shapovalov. goal that I have as a professional on Nadal, who has 19, and Fed- is to play the ATP Finals. Thanks contains Dominic Thiem of Austria 2031 after an investigation after one year. “Owing to the Djokovic would also be sure of tennis player to win as many erer, with 20, on the all-time list for your support.” and Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, the into assets and undisclosed nature of Boris Becker’s actions, the year-end top ranking should Grand Slams as possible and also of Grand Slam titles — says he Nadal took over as world lowest ranked of the eight players transactions valued at more the Off icial Receiver pursued he win the tournament. to be number one worldwide for is hoping to play on for as many number one this week from No- competing. Nadal faces Medvedev than 4.5mn pounds ($5.80mn). extended restrictions to prevent “There’s always a chance that as long as possible.” years as possible. vak Djokovic who went on to win again having defeated the Russian Becker, who won six Grand Mr Becker causing further I win all my matches in London, The 33-year-old Nadal could “I would like to play tennis the Paris Masters. in a thrilling fi ve-set fi nal to win Slam singles titles in his career harm to his creditors,” Britain’s that I play well. I have done it have ended the race for top spot for a long time. I don’t know The eight top-ranked players the year’s last grand slam in New including three at Wimbledon, Insolvency Service said in a in the past, and I like playing by winning the Paris title, but he how long that is going to be, but in the world gather in London York. Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and was made bankrupt on June 21, statement yesterday. there,” said the 32-year-old, withdrew before his semi-fi nal I wish to really play pretty long. for the ATP Tour Finals where Germany’s Alexander Zverev com- 2017 in the London High Court. An online auction of Becker’s who has won fi ve ATP Finals ti- against Shapovalov with an ab- “So hopefully you’ll be seeing Nadal’s world number one rank- plete the Andre Agassi group. Under the terms of the trophies and memorabilia in tles. dominal muscle strain. me around for many more years.” ing will be under threat from After the round robin group bankruptcy order, the 51-year- July raised more than 680,000 “But it’s (an) extremely dif- Djokovic’s victory on Sunday Djokovic. stage, the winner of each group old was bound to provide full pounds, with his 1989 US Open fi cult task considering who my DJOKOVIC NOT SLOWING delivered his 34th Masters title If Nadal fails to win even one plays the runner-up of the other in disclosure of assets to the trophy attracting the highest opponents are going to be. DOWN and his 77th on the ATP Tour in round robin match, Djokovic November 16 semi-fi nals with the trustee and inform any lenders bid of 150,250 pounds. Reuters “You’re playing (a) top-10 Djokovic has enjoyed yet anoth- total. could be crowned world number decider a day later.

GOLF No security concerns for Stenson ahead of HK Open Reuters Tour as part of the staging last weekend, travels to South Hong Kong of this event and whenever Africa for the Nedbank Golf there’s the go-ahead to play Challenge before taking his a golf tournament I’m there place at the Tour’s end of sea- ormer British Open ready to play. son DP World Tour Champi- champion Henrik “It’s never been a concern of onship in Dubai. Stenson says he has no mine.” “When you have got 78 of concerns about secu- The protests began in June the top players in the world, rityF ahead of this month’s Hong over a now-shelved contro- it’s never a bad week if you’re Kong Open as the tournament versial extradition bill which fi nishing 20th even if we al- looks set to go ahead despite kickstarted a series of dem- ways aim to fi nish higher,” he ongoing civil unrest in the Chi- onstrations that have turned said. nese-ruled city. increasingly violent. “We want higher and we Numerous sporting events The Hong Kong Open ten- have the capacity for a lot bet- have been cancelled in the ter- nis event, which is part of the ter than that. I feel it was a ritory as a result of anti-gov- WTA Tour and was due to be decent start on a four or fi ve ernment demonstrations over held in October, was called off week tour here and I’ve had a the last several months but the while the Hong Kong Open few days to practice before Sun Swede says the European Tour championships were City, which is my next tourna- event at Fanling should be safe also cancelled. ment, and then the Dubai fi nal for players and spectators. But the territory’s premier and then we come to Hong “I’ve never had any real golf competition, now in its Kong. concerns travelling anywhere 61st year, will go ahead as “We’ve got to work hard and in the world to play golf,” said planned. The Nov 28 to Dec do the right things and we’ll Stenson, who headlines a fi eld 1 tournament fi lls the open- get the return eventually. that also includes former Mas- ing slot of the 2020 European “You never know when ters champion Patrick Reed. Tour’s Race to Dubai. that’s going to happen. It “We have a Tour and they Prior to appearing in Hong would be good if Hong Kong always put the safety of players Kong Stenson, who fi n- could be that week where we Henrik Stenson. (Twitter) and fans fi rst. It’s something ished 20th at the WGC HSBC get rewarded for that hard that I leave for the European Champions event in Shanghai work.” Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, November 6, 2019 SPORT

RUGBY SPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHT Next WADA president calls on Saracens hit with sponsors to join doping fi ght

Reuters on anti-doping around the world, Katowice, Poland including by national anti-doping heavy sanctions agencies, does not exceed $260mn. In comparison, broadcasters pay he World Anti-doping billions of dollars to secure rights Agency (WADA) wants of major sports such as the soccer commercial sponsors to World Cup and the Olympics. Ol- contribute fi nancially to the ympic sponsors will pay the Inter- fiT ght against doping in sport as part national Olympic Committee more of their corporate responsibility, the than 1bn dollars for the 2017-2020 over salary cap next WADA president said yester- quadrennium to be associated with day. the Games while broadcasters will Saracens have dominated domestic and European rugby in the past decade Witold Banka, Poland’s Tour- pay about $5bn for Games rights for ism and Sports Minister who will the same period. Banka said WADA take over the WADA leadership had to fi nd new streams of revenue if from Craig Reedie on Jan 1, said the it was to continue its fi ght to root out organisation urgently needed to in- cheats. WADA has been struggling crease revenues and being a sponsor with a vast Russian doping scandal of sports events came with a respon- for more than four years in a proc- sibility. “I am not the Christopher ess that has required considerable Columbus of anti-doping policy. It funds. is not a new idea to engage big spon- “We cannot keep raising con- sors as part of their corporate social tributions. We need to fi nd some responsibility,” Banka told an inter- alternative solutions how we can in- national anti-doping conference. crease the budget for anti-doping,” “That will be one of the biggest said the 35-year-old Banka, a former tasks: to convince the big compa- European junior 400m champion. nies to join the Olympic anti-doping “We have to convince the biggest solidarity fund,” he added. WADA partners that if you are a sponsor has a budget of about $35mn an- of sport you have to be a sponsor of nually while the overall spending clean sport.”

In this file photo taken on May 14, 2019 Witold Banka speaks to the press in Montreal, during a World Anti-Doping Agency special meeting. (AFP)

File photo of Saracens players celebrating winning the last season’s Premiership final. (Reuters)

AFP judge, adjudicated that Saracens gin the fourth round of matches amazing group of players, staff , It is believed the investigation Hurdler Nelson ends retirement London had contravened the salary cap on -26 points. partners and fans. surrounded Wray’s involvement which is set at £7mn a year. Newcastle Falcons fi nished “We will appeal all the fi nd- in companies such as VunProp to chase Olympic gold Premiership Rugby has not bottom last season with 31. ings.” Ltd (Mako and ), American hurdler Dawn return became serious after her nglish and European disclosed how much money “The Salary Cap Regulations Wray and Saracens will have Faz Investments Ltd (Farrell) Harper Nelson is coming out daughter’s birth and she went champions Saracens Saracens were found to have stipulate that a points deduction a very narrow remit in terms of and MN Property Solutions Ltd of retirement to chase more back to the track in May. have been docked 35 breached the cap by, but under may be imposed in the current their appeal to an arbitration (Itoje). A separate statement Olympic gold, the 35-year-old “I didn’t want Harper to feel like points and fi ned over the salary cap regulations it must season (2019-20) only,” read the body. Saracens have dominated from the club defended the use has said. her birth symbolised mom’s E£5mn ($6.5mn) for breaching the exceed £650,000, which is the statement. domestic and to a certain extent of co-investment arrangements Harper Nelson, who gave birth dream dying,” said Harper Premiership Rugby salary cap amount which triggers the maxi- “The sanction has no bearing European rugby in the past dec- with players, and stated that to a daughter in April, said on Nelson, who won her first world over several seasons, Premier- mum 35-point penalty on any other domestic or Euro- ade winning the Premiership fi ve “PRL precedent already exists Monday she was training for the championship medal, a bronze, ship Rugby announced yester- “The decision of the Inde- pean competition.” times and the European trophy whereby co-investments have 2020 Tokyo Games and hoped in 2011. day. pendent Panel is that Saracens on three occasions. not been deemed part of salary in to win a third Olympic 100m “So I spoke with my family and I Saracens — who provided nine Rugby Club failed to disclose ‘PIONEERING INNOVATIVE Their squad reads like a who’s the regulations”. hurdles medal. spoke with my husband, and my of the squad includ- payments to players in each of APPROACH’ who of English rugby with Far- The club admitted some ad- “I know I still have the talent husband was like, ‘We are doing ing captain that the seasons 2016-17, 2017-18 and Saracens chairman Nigel Wray, rell, and Jamie George ministrative errors had been and can do it,” Harper Nelson, it if you want to do it.’” reached last Saturday’s Rugby 2018-19,” read a statement from who has been the driving force of to name but three whilst they made that led to some transac- the 2008 Olympic champion Discussions are under way for World Cup fi nal — had been sub- Premiership Rugby. the club since 1995 the advent of also have other World Cup stars tions not being disclosed to Pre- and 2012 silver medallist, told longtime mentor Bob Kersee ject to a nine-month investiga- “In addition, the Club is found the professional, said in an emo- in Wales’s Liam Williams and miership Rugby but remained Reuters by telephone. to direct her training again with tion. to have exceeded the ceiling for tional statement they would be Scotland’s Duncan Taylor. unapologetic over its approach She retired from the sport in her husband, Alonzo Nelson, The club immediately an- payments to senior players in launching an appeal. The club posted an operating to looking after their players. 2018 to start a family but said her assisting in East St. Louis. nounced they would fi le an ap- each of the three seasons. The “For over 25 years, I have put loss of £3.89mn in their accounts “Saracens is proud of its pio- Olympic dream never really died. She hopes to start the comeback peal against the sanctions. Panel therefore upheld all of the my heart and soul into the game for the year ending June 30, 201 neering, innovative approach to During her pregnancy she with several indoor meets. “I’ve Following a fi ve-day hearing charges.” Saracens who topped I love,” he said in the statement and yesterday’s judgment, if up- player welfare, developing their continued to work out, telling tasted gold, silver and bronze in September and October, an the Premiership table last season published on their website. held, will bring huge pressure on talents and supporting their en- friends she just wanted to feel and gold tastes the best,” she independent three-man panel, with 78 points — before going on “This is absolutely devastating the club to be able to retain some trepreneurial spirit for life be- good, but talk of making a said of her medal haul. Reuters headed by a distinguished former to beat Exeter in the fi nal will be- for everyone associated with this of those stars. yond rugby.”

TOKYO 2020 star treads coachless path to Olympic glory AFP match intervals and chaperoning him as one of the world’s best despite his ul- Taipei at charity events. timate loss to , who eventu- She says her main job is to “maintain ally snared Olympic gold at Rio. his health and character” in a training Chou hopes to match Chen’s feat hou Tien-chen is taking the regimen that includes pilates and belly next year in Tokyo but says he faces an unusual step of gearing up for dancing sessions. uphill battle. the 2020 Olympics without But Kao said she also has a duty to “There are still a lot of things I need a coach, with his longtime keep Chou grounded in the wake of his to learn, to improve,” he says. “I can’t physioC and confi dante shepherding him recent winning form. stay at where I am now.” towards Tokyo gold. “I will pour cold water on him and The soft-spoken and boyish tell him it’s just one victory, it’s over ‘I WAS PROUD’ 29-year-old, known for pointing to and you need to calm down,” she says. Chou credits his current streak to a self- heaven to thank God at the end of a “But when there are setbacks I will awareness that he lacked when he was match, parted ways with his trainer tell him it’s okay — embrace your younger — something that changed af- early this year. dreams and persist — to try to lift him ter a health scare in 2013 during a bout Since then the world number two up emotionally.” of appendicitis. has been on a hot streak, winning the Competing in professional badmin- He dismissed his stomach pains as men’s singles at July’s Indonesia Open ton without a personal coach is almost an anxiety attack and fl ew to India for a to claim his fi rst title in a Super 1000 unheard of among top players from the tournament before he was rushed back level event. sport’s traditional Asian powerhouses. to Taiwan for surgery. He was told it “I do a lot of homework a coach does Chou still has access to the Taiwan- nearly developed into a life-threatening before a game and spend more time ese coaching team, and regularly con- peritonitis. analysing opponents and what I should sults experts including a retired physics “I was a relatively proud person and do under what circumstances,” he told professor on improving his form. didn’t pay attention to the informa- AFP at a recent practice session in Tai- But his decision to take tactical mat- tion other people tried to give me... but pei. ters into his own hands, with Kao’s I’ve come to realise that I can gain more Cheering him on from the sidelines support, has earned him a series of when I am humble,” he says. has been physiotherapist Victoria Kao, wins on this year’s tour. The sudden death of Korean Olympic who has shouldered some of the tra- He triumphed at the Thailand Open medallist Chung Jae-sung last year also ditional roles of a coach by acting as two weeks after his victory and prompted a bout of soul-searching. Chou’s mentor, cheerleader and chief took a record third title at the Taipei Off the court he has devoted himself critic. Open in September in front of raptur- to charity including work with special ous home crowd. needs children and teaching badminton ‘EMBRACE YOUR DREAMS’ It was in Taipei four years ago that to kids in remote parts of Taiwan. Kao accompanies her charge on and off Chou saw off Chinese great in “Life is short so I want to do more the court, handing him drinks during the semi-fi nal and established himself things, to contribute more,” he said. This picture taken on August 30, 2019 shows Chou Tien-chen checking his racquet during an interview with AFP in Taipei. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 6, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Hawks ace Collins banned 25 games Suns scorch 76ers for doping AFP Collins said in a statement. Los Angeles, United States “I have always been incredibly careful about what I put in my body, but I took a supplement, tlanta Hawks ace John which unbeknownst to me, had to topple NBA’s Collins has been sus- been contaminated with an ille- pended for 25 games af- gal component,” added Collins, ter testing positive for a who has averaged 17 points and growthA hormone, the NBA said 8.8 rebounds per game this sea- Tuesday. son. The 22-year-old power for- Collins’ suspension comes just ward was hit with a suspension weeks after Phoenix Suns centre after growth hormone releasing Deandre Ayton was banned for last unbeaten club peptide 2 (GHRP-2) was found 25 games for testing positive for in his system, the league said in a a diuretic. statement. In August, Brooklyn Nets vet- Booker, 23, becomes the eighth-youngest player in history to crack 6,000 points The suspension is eff ective eran Wilson Chandler was hit with immediately, meaning Collins a 25-game suspension for testing AFP will miss Atlanta’s clash with the positive for Ipamorelin, another New York, United States San Antonio Spurs later Tuesday. form of growth hormone. “I understand the impact this The NBA, like most other matter has on what we are trying major professional US sports hoenix’s Devin Booker to achieve together this season, leagues, is not a signatory to the scored 40 points to lead and I am incredibly frustrated World Anti-Doping Code, in- the Suns over visiting and disappointed in myself for stead running its own anti-dop- Philadelphia 114-109 on putting all us in this position,” ing programme. PMonday, delivering the fi rst loss of the season to the NBA’s last unbeaten team. Spanish guard Ricky Rubio added 21 points and 10 assists for the Suns while Phoenix poured in 23 points off 20 Phila- delphia turnovers. Booker, who turned 23 last week, became the eighth- youngest player in NBA history to crack the 6,000 career points mark. The fi fth-season guard was greeted by chants of “M-V- P” for Most Valuable Player as he walked off the court. The Suns, who haven’t made the playoff s since 2010, im- NFL proved to 5-2 while the 76ers slid to 5-1. It took Phoenix 29 games last season to reach a fi fth vic- tory. Miami rusher Walton “You can play with anybody in the freaking league,” Suns coach Monty Williams told his team gets four-game after the game. “Great job guys.” Al Horford led the 76ers with 32 points while Tobias Har- substance abuse ban ris added 24 points and 10 re- bounds. AFP The Sixers played without New York, United States Cameroon star big man Joel Embiid, who was serving the second game of a two-game ban iami Dolphins run- after a brawl with Minnesota’s ning back Mark Karl-Anthony Towns, also sus- Walton was sus- pended for two games. pended four games Greek star Giannis Antetok- Mby the NFL on Monday for vio- ounmpo scored 34 points and lating the league’s substance grabbed 15 rebounds to power abuse policy. Milwaukee over host Minnesota The 22-year-old hometown 134-106 after a 49-minute delay high school and college standout at the start to fi x a faulty basket. was disciplined for multiple in- Khris Middleton added 26 cidents before he joined the Dol- points and Eric Bledsoe 22 for phins last May as a free agent af- the Bucks (5-2) while Andrew ter being released by Cincinnati. Cincinnati (0-8) has won fewer Wiggins led Minnesota (4-2) for “We have been in communi- games this season. 25 points. cation with the NFL regarding Walton was dropped by Houston’s James Harden and Devin Booker (centre) of the Phoenix Suns lays up a shot past Al Horford (left) of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of the NBA Mark’s suspension,” Dolphins Cincinnati after his third ar- Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving had big game at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, on Monday. (AFP) coach Brian Flores said in a rest within a year, one of them nights in wins. statement. for marijuana possession. The One night after an embar- lifted the Nets over the Pelicans, HURTING WARRIORS WIN Russell — all major players in “The conduct of our players others were misdemeanour bat- rassing 29-point loss at Miami, RESULTS who were led by Brandon In- Rookie forward Eric Paschall their fi fth consecutive Western is very important and Mark has tery after grabbing a neighbour’s the Houston Rockets bounced Washington 115-99 Detroit gram’s career-high 40 points on scored 36 points and grabbed 13 Conference title run last season. done everything we have asked cell phone and a misdemeanour back to beat host Memphis 107- 17-of-24 shooting. rebounds on his 23rd birthday to Bradley Beal scored a team- of him both on and off the fi eld weapons charge for unlawful 100 behind NBA scoring leader Brooklyn 135-125 New Orleans Caris LeVert added 23 points, lead injury-hit Golden State over high 22 points and Japan’s Rui since signing with the Dolphins. fi rearms possession. Harden’s 44 points on 12-of-28 Houston 107-100 Memphis Joe Harris scored 19 and Jar- Portland 127-118 for the Warriors’ Hachimura contributed 12 We look forward to having him Walton can attend meetings shooting and 10 rebounds in a Phoenix 114-109 Philadelphia rett Allen had 18 points and 10 fi rst win at their new $1 bn home points, four rebounds, three as- back at the conclusion of his sus- and work in the team facility but game where Russell Westbrook rebounds for the Nets, who im- arena in San Francisco. sists and a steal as the Washing- pension.” cannot attend games or prac- was benched for a rest. Milwaukee 134-106 Minnesota proved to 3-4 ahead of a fi ve- “Great birthday gift,” Paschall ton Wizards beat visiting Detroit Walton has started the past tices. It was Harden’s 80th career Golden State 127-118 Portland game road trip. said. “We did a hell of a job with 115-99. four games for Miami and carried He will miss games at Indi- game with 40 or more points. “It was very important,” Irv- the group of guys we have. We Troy Brown and Thomas Bry- 53 times for 201 yards. anapolis and Cleveland and Mi- Irving scored 39 points on 13- “This is my playground out ing said of the win. “Especially didn’t back down. This is spe- ant each added 14 points for the The Dolphins beat the New ami home games against Buff alo of-21 shooting and added nine here,” Irving said. “I just love to the way we’ve been playing. cial. We did a great job.” Wizards while Luke Kennard led York Jets 26-18 on Sunday for and Philadelphia and be eligible assists to lead the Brooklyn Nets be playing basketball and play- We’ve got to continue to get The Warriors are without Detroit with 24 and Pistons cen- their fi rst victory of the season to return ahead of a December 8 over visiting New Orleans 135- ing aggressive.” better. Just be patient, we’ll get Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, tre Andre Drummond grabbed after dropping their fi rst seven rematch against the Jets in New 125. A 14-6 run to end the game there.” Draymond Green and D’Angelo 24 rebounds. games of the campaign. Only York.

NHL Senators score fi ve straight goals, blow past Rangers of last season. Reuters RESULTS New York, United States Goalie Anders Nilsson record- ed 32 saves for the win. Boston 6-4 Pittsburgh Kaapo Kakko gave the Rang- ean-Gabriel Pageau ers a brief lead in the fi rst period Ottawa 6-2 NY Rangers scored two of Ottawa’s and Artemi Panarin scored late Nashville 6-1 Detroit fi ve straight goals on Mon- in the second. Goalie Alexandar Arizona 3-1 Edmonton day night as the Senators Georgiev made 24 saves for New (OT) cruisedJ to a 6-2 win over the host York, which was whistled for 11 New York Rangers. penalties. The Senators, who entered on Kakko opened the scoring scored from point-blank range. Monday with an NHL-low seven 8:47 into the first, when he took Pageau did it all on the Sena- points on the season, have alter- a pass from Adam Fox and back- tors’ fourth goal. After blocking nated losses and wins over their handed a shot into the corner of Pavel Buchnevich’s shot with his last six games. The Rangers had the net. pad, Pageau picked up the loose their two-game winning streak Pageau tied the game a little puck and beat Georgiev on the snapped. more than six minutes later by breakaway with 8:17 left. Pageau opened the fl urry at putting back a wraparound shot Tkachuk completed the surge 14:56 of the fi rst period for the by Anthony Duclair. Ottawa took with 5:04 remaining. Georgiev Senators, who then went ahead the lead on a 5-on-3 goal with initially turned back Tkachuk’s for good on Tyler Ennis’ goal 3:35 1:29 left, when Ennis corralled shot in the crease, but the puck later. Ottawa overwhelmed New the rebound of a Thomas Chabot bounced off Tkachuk’s skate and York with goals by Ron Hainsey, shot, went to one knee and fi red a the left winger put the rebound Pageau and Brady Tkachuk in the shot past Georgiev. home. fi rst 15 minutes of the second. The Senators extended the lead Panarin ended the Senators’ Jean-Gabriel Pageau of the Ottawa Vladislav Namestnikov added a to 3-1 just 4:12 into the second run by scoring on the power play Senators celebrates his second period goal in the third period as Ottawa period, one second after another with 2:26 left in the second, but goal against the New York Rangers at scored six goals in a game for the power play expired, when Tka- Namestnikov added another Madison Square Garden in New York fi rst time since a 6-2 win over the chuk spun and fi red a behind- power-play goal 5:35 into the City, United States, on Monday. (AFP) Toronto Maple Leafs on March 16 the-back pass to Hainsey, who third. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, November 6, 2019 SPORT

CELEBRATIONS Trump hosts World Series champs Nationals at White House AFP Ceremonial White House vis- the end of the day, it has more to to happen,” Trump said. Washington, United States its by sports title-winning teams do with the divisive rhetoric and First baseman Ryan Zimmer- have become controversial under the enabling of conspiracy theo- man, the only player who has Trump, who was loudly booed at ries and widening the divide in been with the franchise since S President Donald Nationals Park when he attend- this country,” Doolittle told The it came to Washington in 2005 Trump welcomed the ed Game 5 of the World Series Washington Post. from Montreal, presented the Washington Nationals against the Houston Astros and “At the end of the day, as much 45th president with a Nation- to the White House on serenaded with chants of “Lock as I wanted to be there with my als jersey with his name and the UMonday, saying their improb- him up!” teammates and share that ex- number 45 on the back. able World Series title — and Several teams have declined to perience with my teammates, I “This is an incredible honour,” impeachment — was all anybody make White House visits or have can’t do it,” Doolittle said. “I just Zimmerman said. “And we’d also wanted to talk about in the na- not been invited, including the can’t do it.” like to thank you for keeping eve- tion’s capital. NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the Trump congratulated the Na- ryone here safe in our country, “America fell in love with Nats NFL Super Bowl champion Phil- tionals on becoming the fi rst and continuing to make America baseball,” Trump told a crowd of adelphia Eagles and the US wom- Major League Baseball team in the greatest country to live in the players and hundreds of red-clad en’s World Cup-winning team. Washington to win the World Se- world.” Nationals fans gathered under Most of the Nationals title- ries in nearly 100 years. Trump did not mention Ren- sunny skies on the South Lawn of winning squad attended Mon- He said they had “captured the don or Doolittle or any of the the White House. day’s event with the notable ex- hearts of baseball fans” across other half-a-dozen absent play- “They just fell in love with Nats ceptions of star third baseman the country and “reminded us ers during his remarks recount- baseball,” Trump said after the Anthony Rendon, reliever Sean why baseball is truly America’s ing the team’s exploits. Marine Corps Band played a rendi- Doolittle and a handful of others. pastime.” The Nationals rallied to defeat tion of the team’s theme song, the There was no immediate ex- Trump called several players Houston 6-2 on Wednesday to children’s ditty Baby Shark. planation for Rendon’s absence up to the podium to say a few win the World Series crown by “That’s all they wanted to talk but Doolittle had announced words and hugged catcher Kurt four games to three. about,” the president said. “That ahead of time that he would boy- Suzuki when he made his brief After a horrible 19-31 start to and impeachment. cott the ceremony. remarks wearing a red “Make the season, at one point odds- Washington Nationals player Kurt Suzuki (centre) points at his ‘Make America Great Again’ baseball cap as “I like Nats baseball much “There’s a lot of things, poli- America Great Again” hat. makers gave them a .01 percent US President Donald Trump (second from left) and others look on during a ceremony to welcome the 2019 more,” he said. cies that I disagree with, but at “I didn’t know that was going chance to win the title. World Series Champions at the White House in Washington, DC, United States, on Monday. (AFP)

NFL FOCUS Nats stars Scherzer, Rendon among MLB Cowboys beat award fi nalists

AFP performance was not a consid- New York, United States eration in the media balloting. The MVPs will be named No- vember 14 with Yelich seeking a ashington ace pitch- repeat in the NL after batting.329 Giants to stay atop er Max Scherzer with 44 home runs, 30 stolen and third baseman bases and 97 runs batted in (RBI) Anthony Rendon, for the Brewers. Wwho helped the Nationals win Rendon led MLB with 126 RBI, their fi rst World Series, were batting.319 with a league-best 44 among the 2019 Major League doubles. He and Houston third Baseball award fi nalists named baseman Alex Bregman each drove on Monday. in eight runs in the World Series, in divisional fi ght Scherzer could capture his which the Nationals won the fi rst fourth career Cy Young Award as title for Washington in 95 years by best pitcher, joining South Kore- taking the best-of-seven series in It was the sixth consecutive victory by Dallas in the rivalry against the Giants an Ryu Hyun-Jin of the Los An- seven games. geles Dodgers and Jacob deGrom Bregman is a fi nalist for the of the New York Mets as fi nalists American League MVP award in the National League. along with Los Angeles Angels A fourth Cy Young Award outfi elder Mike Trout and Oak- would put Scherzer in elite MLB land shortstop Marcus Semien. company with former Atlanta AL Cy Young Award fi nalists ace Greg Maddux, who won four included Houston pitchers Ger- in a row in the 1990s, and retired rit Cole and Justin Verlander and 1970s and 1980s Philadelphia ace Tampa Bay’s Charlie Morton. Steve Carlton. Rookie of the Year fi nalists The only pitchers with more included Houston’s Yordan Al- career Cy Young awards are Rog- varez, Tampa Bay’s Brandon er Clemens with a record seven Lowe and Baltimore pitcher John and Randy Johnson, who cap- Means in the AL and Mets fi rst tured fi ve. baseman Pete Alonso, Atlanta Rendon, meanwhile, was Pitcher Mike Soroka and San Di- among the NL Most Valuable ego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr Player fi nalists along with Mil- in the NL. waukee’s Christian Yelich and Manager of the Year fi nalists in Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers. the NL were Milwaukee’s Craig MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Counsell, Atlanta’s Brian Snitker Year and Manager of the Year and Mike Shildt of St. Louis. award winners will be announced AL managerial fi nalists were next week by the Baseball Writ- Minnesota’s Rocco Baldelli, ers’ Association of America. Tampa Bay’s Kevin Cash and Voting took place after the end Aaron Boone of the New York of the regular season, so playoff Yankees.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (centre) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter of the MLB game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on Monday. (Below) Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. (USA TODAY Sports)

AFP that’s what we did in the fourth 52 seconds remaining in the sec- New York, United States quarter.” ond quarter to pull the Cowboys Prescott completed 22-of-35 within 12-10. passes for 257 yards with only On the next possession, Cow- Yankees decline to make qualifying ak Prescott threw three one interception while Ezekiel boys defender Xavier Woods touchdown passes as Elliott carried 23 times for 139 intercepted New York’s Daniel off er to Gregorius the Dallas Cowboys yards for the Cowboys. Jones to set up Maher’s 52-yard Reuters draft-pick compensation he sign beat the New York Gi- Prescott tossed a 15-yard fi eld goal that lifted Dallas ahead New York, United States with a new team. antsD 37-18 on Monday to remain touchdown pass to Michael 13-12 at half-time. This season’s qualifying off er is an NFL division leader. Gallup, who made an acrobatic A black cat running across the worth $17.8mn. The Cowboys improved to 5-3 move along the sideline to reach fi eld delayed the game with 5:32 he deadline for teams to Since the system went into ef- to stay ahead of Philadelphia (5- the end zone, as the Cowboys remaining in the second quarter, extend qualifying off ers to fect in 2012, only six of 80 play- 4) atop the NFC East division stretched their lead to 23-15 ear- eluding police for several min- Ttheir eligible free agents ers have accepted the off er. with the Giants a distant third ly in the fourth quarter. utes before running out a tunnel passed Monday, and 10 of the Gregorius will be eligible to be at 2-7. After the ensuing kickoff , behind an end zone. 33 eligible players received the a free agent, and the Yankees It was the sixth consecutive New York’s Saquon Barkley Shortly after that distur- off ers, per MLB.com. will receive no compensation victory by Dallas in the rivalry rambled 65 yards on the long- bance, the Giants seized a 12-3 But the biggest news was that should he sign elsewhere. against the Giants, although the est pass reception of his career lead on a 25-yard Rosas fi eld New York Yankees shortstop But with Gleyber Torres and DJ Cowboys led only 13-12 at half- to set up Aldrick Rosas’s fourth goal. Didi Gregorius didn’t receive LeMahieu capable of man- time. fi eld goal, a 29-yarder, to trim Cowboys defender Jourdan to set up a 28-yard fi eld goal by Jones fl ipped a one-yard an off er. ning the middle infield and “It just shows the character of the Giants’ defi cit to fi ve points Lewis scored the fi nal touch- Brett Maher to give Dallas a 16- touchdown pass to Cody Lat- A player who receives a qualify- Gregorius, 29, missing half of the team to be able to overcome with 11:50 remaining. down on a 63-yard fumble re- 12 lead late in the third quarter. imer early in the second quar- ing off er has 10 days to decide last season as he recovered adversity,” Prescott said. “An- Prescott answered with a 45- covery return with six seconds Rosas answered for the Giants ter to give the Giants a 9-3 lead whether to accept the one-year from Tommy John surgery, the other slow start but we got the yard touchdown pass to Amari remaining. with a 26-yard fi eld goal to pull but Rosas missed the conversion tender. If he accepts, he plays Yankees may have considered run game going and that opened Cooper, who caught the ball at Giants quarterback Daniel New York within 16-15 before kick. next season at the value of the taking a chance on Gregorius up the passing game. the 25-yard line and contin- Jones lost his NFL-high eighth Prescott’s fourth-quarter heroics. The teams traded fi eld goals off er. If he declines, he becomes accepting the off er and the “We had no doubt we were ued his crossing pattern all the fumble of the season to set up Prescott had fl ipped a short in the fi rst quarter, Rosas con- a free agent, but the team he team paying him $17.8mn next going to fi nish this game off . We way into the end zone as Dallas the score. pass to Blake Jarwin, who raced necting from 21 yards and Maher played for last season receives season too risky. went out and executed plays and surged ahead 30-18. Jones lost his seventh fumble 42 yards for a touchdown with equalising from 35 yards. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 6, 2019 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Asia Cup triumph has created positive impact, says Sanchez The 4th ASIA Congress is bringing together the leading international and regional sports performance practitioners

he 4th Association of Sports Institutes in Asia (ASIA) con- gress got off to fi ne start at the Aspire Academy yesterday, Twith Qatar national football coach Fe- lix Sanchez holding the fort with his wisdom. Sanchez said Qatar’s victory in Asian Cup in January this year has hugely impacted the development of sports in the country. “Qatar and Aspire Academy’s strat- egy in choosing to be patient in build- ing and developing a team rather than go for immediate results has proved to be worthwhile. This pathway has made other sports in the country seek to em- ulate this approach,” said Sanchez dur- ing a discussion. During the same session, Dr Alberto Mendez-Villanueva, who is the head of Fitness at Qatar Football Associa- tion and works closely with Sanchez, sought to correct the misunderstand- ing in some quarters about challenges presented by training during Muslim holy month of Ramadan. “Contrary to the notion out there Qatar’s football coach Felix amongst some that there can’t be train- Sanchez (right) and Dr. Alberto The 4th ASIA Congress was off icially opened by Ali Salem Afifa, Deputy Director ing during Ramadan, we in Qatar have Mendez-Villanueva, head of Fitness General of Aspire Academy. come to appreciate and understand that at Qatar Football Association, speak is not the case. What we do is to adjust during the 4th Association of Sports ciding and determine when the youth opened with a captivating presenta- the training times to when it’s best to Institutes in Asia congress at the are ready to transition to senior com- tion by Dr Duncan Simpson, the head train just as intense as any other period Aspire Academy yesterday. petition. of mental conditioning at IMG Acad- but in consideration of the fasting time “The vision for Hong Kong Sports emy. The developmental academy has period observed by players,” Mendez- Institute is to create a suitable environ- an enrolment of about 1,200 students Villanueva said. ment and support to train and develop across multi sports starting from age “So, for instance we have full train- athletes. That’s what we do and see our 8-18. IMG Academy is quite like Aspire ing at night with the players applying his gratitude and delight to be in Qatar The Congress also heard from As- Japan Sports Council, Singapore Sports role as coming alongside the profes- Academy and Dr Simpson was keen to themselves like at any other time, so at the world renowned Aspire Acad- pire Academy graduate and Qatar’s No Institute, Hong Kong Sports Institute sionals working with the athletes to en- emphasize that each institution will from this perspective you can see how emy. “On behalf of the Association 1 Squash player Abdulla al-Tamimi and and Aspire Academy then made a pres- sure the transition is smooth and brings have to craft what works for its goals time of Ramadan has often been mis- of Sports Institutes in Asia, l want to his coach former and World No 1 Geoff entation on the topic of transitioning the best desired goals for the athletes,” and objectives just as IMG has found understood or should l say misrepre- thank the people of Qatar and Aspire Hunt. “What stands out for me in my of athletes from youth to senior from said Dr Lee. through an ongoing process over the sented,” he added. Academy for hosting us at this fabu- journey in my sport so far is how the senior. “Singapore is a small nation of As for the Japanese approach, Dr 42 years since it was founded. “At IMG The event was offi cially opened lous institution. We are aware of the realisation that through the national about 3.5mn people and we decided to Takahiro Waku said: “The journey we looked at Multidisciplinary versus by Aspire Academy Deputy Direc- role Aspire Academy has been playing sport development programs the coun- prioritise the sports to develop and play to preparing the athletes from youth Interdisciplinary approach and settled tor General and Chairman of the 4th in Qatar’s rise as a sporting giant in the try has started in several places – in and we feel this optimises the resources to senior in Japan is constantly be- for Interdisciplinary because with this ASIA Congress, Ali Salem Afi fa. In his world and we are most pleased to hold my case it was at Aspire Academy and and energies and is more likely to bring ing monitored and institutes of high approach there is more collaboration welcoming speech to the participants, our 4th Congress here,” he said. where l working with coach Geoff Hunt us the goals we are aiming for,” said Dr performance are leading the way in which is crucial for any high-perform- Afi fa encouraged the congress to con- Waku and his deputy Toh Boon Yi l came to realise the opportunities to Su Chun Wei of the Singapore Sports research and documenting some of ance environment, said Dr Simpson tinue sharing the development of a went on to inaugurate the two new apply myself fully to be the best l could Institute. the fi ndings from which the Japanese Today on Day 2 of the ASIA Congress, high-performance environment for as- members of ASIA, namely Chengdu be in my sport,” al-Tamimi, who is cur- According to Dr Daniel Lee from Sports Council then formulates policy the topic of Implementation of Sports piring athletes on the continent of Asia. Sports University from China and rently 46 in the World, said. Hong Kong Sports Institute, Hong in line with approaches found to work Technology research and innovation The President of ASIA, Dr Takahiro Cambodia’s National Institute of Phys- The founding members of the Asso- Kong has 500 full time athletes and re- better for our athletes”. into performance programmes and a Waku in his opening address expressed ical Education and Sport. ciation of Sports Institutes in Asia – the lies on the coaches and trainers in de- Meanwhile the afternoon session series of presentations will be made.

BADMINTON FOCUS Marin and Sindhu crash Qatar Airways off ers members chance to win 1mn Qmiles at ‘Privilege Club Golf Day’ out of atar Airways’ frequent EC Golf is yet further evidence fl yer programme (FFP) of Qatar Airways’ dedication Privilege Club has in- to providing our Privilege Club Chinese Taipei qualifier vited its members and members with new and exciting theirQ families to join the Qatar ways to collect Qmiles in recog- Pai Yu-po shocked world champion P V Sindhu of India. Airways Privilege Club Golf Day nition of their commitment to at Education City Golf Club on our award-winning airline.” Saturday, November 9. Registration for the tourna- The exclusive event which is ment closes today. Privilege Club open to Privilege Club members, members can register at http:// off ers players the chance to win www.qatarairways.golfgenius. one million Qmiles points for a com/, or by downloading the Golf hole-in-one, along with a host Genius smartphone applica- of other amazing prizes. Qatar tion and entering the GGID code Airways Chief Commercial Of- QVYTEY into the required fi eld. fi cer, Simon Talling-Smith, said: The event, which will follow “We are thrilled to welcome our an Individual Stableford format, Privilege Club members to this starts from QR400 for entry ac- exclusive event at the state- cording to Privilege Club tier of-the-art Education City Golf level, and includes offi cial com- Club. We are looking forward to petition merchandise, locker the tournament to be able to re- facilities and post-golf lunch. ward our loyal members with the In addition to the one million incredible prize of one million Qmiles for a hole-in-one, other Qmiles for every hole-in-one prizes will include a variety of scored during the tournament, further Qmiles rewards, Gautier and designed by world-re- ing the game of golf. The USGA- including 100,000 Qmiles for Furniture vouchers and three raf- nowned Spanish golfer Jose standard facility includes a one fi rst prize, 30,000 Qmiles for the fl e prizes for a one-night stay in Maria Olazábal, Education City of a kind learning and practice second place and 20,000 Qmiles a Deluxe category room at the Golf Club is a landmark project facility housed in the Centre of lympic champion ’s bid French Open semi-fi nalist Anthony Ginting for the third prize. Mandarin Oriental Doha. for Qatar off ering a revolutionary Excellence along with a Track- for a second straight title in China came fell in rather tame fashion to Hong Kong China’s “The recent partnership with Comprising of 33 golf holes and holistic approach to grow- Man driving range. to an early end as she retired in the fi rst Angus, 21-18, 21-9. Ginting’s familiar round of the China Open yesterday rival and defending champion got againstO Tai Tzu Ying. through his opening challenge in lesser time than SQUASH Marin – who beat Tai at an another China he might have anticipated as his opponent Liew Open fi nal in Changzhou in September just eight Daren retired after the fi rst game complaining months after a serious injury – complained of fe- of fever. Denmark’s seventh seed and 2017 world ver and throat infection following her retirement champion made it through with a Gawad arrives for World Championship from the match while trailing 21-16, 13-1. 21-15, 21-19 win over Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama. World champion Pusarla V Sindhu was another Others to progress in men’s singles included orld No 4 and 2016 World Champion Ka- high-profi le casualty. The Indian lost her way at Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen and Rasmus Gemke at rim Abdel Gawad is the latest to touch the end of a see-saw battle against Chinese Tai- the expense of Khosit Phetpradab and HS Pran- down to Doha for the 2019-20 PSA Men’s pei’s Pai Yu Po, who claimed one of the biggest noy respectively. World Championship. victims of her career. Sindhu did well to bounce The closest match of the day featured local WThe 28-year-old Egyptian arrived in Doha three days back from 3-11 in the decider to lead 18-15, but her pair He Ji Ting and Tan Qiang against Russia’s after claiming victory at the season-ending World Tour opponent was equal to the occasion and claimed Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov. In a tense Finals in Cairo, where he got the better of World No 1 six of the last seven points to win the match in ending, He and Tan overcame four match points , winning 3-0 (11-6, 11-8,11-8) in front of the 74th minutes. to clinch their second round spot with a 22-20, Pyramids at the Egyptian Squash Open PSA Platinum In other close women’s singles contests, Indo- 13-21, 27-25 victory. event, in what proved to be a repeat of the men’s 2016 nesia’s held off USA’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi have not Al Ahram Open fi nal. 22-20, 19-21, 21-17, while Korea’s cleared the fi rst round in their last four tourna- Gawad, the third Egyptian to win the World Cham- Kim Ga Eun recovered from a fi rst game pasting ments after reaching the fi nal of the BWF World pionship after and , will be to get past Scotland’s 5-21, 21-12, Championships in August. Their run of poor hoping to claim his second World title in Doha after 21-17. French Open champion An Se Young com- form continued, as they crashed out of their fi fth enjoying a splendid season which saw him reaching fortably made the second round, beating Sayaka straight fi rst round match; the Japanese falling the semi-fi nals of the Grasshopper Cup, DPD Open Takahashi 21-17, 21-16. There was a straightfor- to home duo Han Cheng Kai and Zhou Hao Dong and the British and victory in Cairo. The $335,000 total ward passage for Japan’s 2017 world champion 19-21, 21-16, 21-16. The tournament continues prize purse tournament is featuring a total of 64 play- , the fourth seed who beat Chi- tomorrow with the remainder of the fi rst-round ers from 24 countries, including the 56 highest ranked na’s Chen Xiaoxin 21-16, 21-6. clashes. (bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com) 2016 World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad at the Hamad International Airport. players and eight wild card entrants.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 GULF TIMES CRICKET

REPORT THROWING IT AWAY England collapse to Sublime Smith steers give New Zealand T20 series lead

AFP pointing to the lack of experience Nelson, New Zealand in his squad. “We were in control for the Australia to breezy whole chase until we were three dramatic England col- or four down, probably that’s a lapse which saw fi ve lack of experience. The the guys wickets fall for only 10 need to get more games into runs allowed New Zea- them at this level.” landA to snatch a 14-run victory in Ferguson and Tickner both their Twenty20 international in fi nished with two for 25 while Nelson yesterday. spinner Santner and Ish Sodhi win over Pakistan It also put New Zealand 2-1 took a wicket apiece. ahead in the series with two “It could have gone either Top-ranked Pakistan set a competitive 150 for six before Smith hit his fourth T20 50 games to play. way at the halfway mark. But England were on track to over- we knew if we could keep tak- AFP haul New Zealand’s 180 when ing wickets it would be touch for Canberra, Australia they reached 139 for two in the them,” New Zealand captain Tim 15th over, with captain Eoin Mor- Southee said. gan in full fl ight as he cracked A sound middle-order part- aster batsman Steve sixes off consecutive Mitchell nership by Colin de Grandhom- Smith stroked a Santner deliveries. me and Ross Taylor laid the basis faultless unbeat- But with England needing 42 off for New Zealand after Martin en 80 as Australia the remaining 31 deliveries Sant- Guptill had given them a fl ying Medged Pakistan by seven wickets ner turned the match when he had start with 33 off 17 deliveries. in Canberra to go 1-0 up in their Morgan caught by Colin Munro off Man-of-the-match de Grand- three-match Twenty20 series. the fi nal ball of the over. homme smacked 55 off 35 while Top-ranked Pakistan set a Dawid Malan (55) and James Taylor produced a more sedate 27 competitive 150 for six off their Vince (49) had laid a solid foun- from 24 in a 66-run stand after 20 overs, with skipper Babar dation for England at the top of New Zealand were three down in Azam hitting his second consec- the innings. the eighth over. utive half-century and Iftikhar But Morgan’s dismissal started It was a better performance by Ahmed clubbing a quickfi re 62. a collapse which saw Munro run England in the fi eld with a much- But their bowling attack out Sam Billings for one in the improved catching eff ort which was no match for Smith, who following over before Blair Tick- accounted for four of the seven brought up his fourth 50 in the ner removed Vince. wickets. But the bowling disci- short format off 36 balls, with In the space of two deliveries pline dropped as New Zealand six fours and one big six, as Aus- Lockie Ferguson bowled Lewis benefi ted from eight wides and tralia reached 151 for three with Gregory without scoring and had two no balls. nine balls to spare. Sam Curran caught for two leaving It put them 1-0 up after the Tom Curran and Saqib Mahmood BRIEF SCORES: New Zealand opening match in on to struggle through to the end. 180 for 7 (De Grandhomme 55) Sunday was abandoned due to “That’s one that got away,” beat England 166 for 7 (Malan rain. The fi nal game is in Perth England captain Morgan said, 55, Vince 49) by 14 runs on Friday. “Very pleasing. I thought we were pretty good all day,” said skipper Aaron Finch. “To get wickets consistently was key. Everyone is playing their roles really well, and we’ve got guys like Steve, who does what he does best.” Australia is on a hot T20 streak, having not been beaten in their last seven matches. “Credit goes to Smith,” said to 86 for two off the fi rst 10 overs up before Azam and Mohamed Azam. “He took the game away before his partner fell lbw to Rizwan began to push the score- with a magnifi cent innings. We Wasim for 21. board along — until Ashton Agar are very disappointed. We didn’t It left Smith and Ashton dismissed Rizwan and then Asif bat well in the powerplay.” Turner with 45 runs to win off Ali in quick succession. David Warner had been in 42 balls, which they managed Azam fi nally found support fantastic touch after scoring comfortably. from Ahmed before the captain 219 without losing his wicket Earlier, Azam, the world’s top was run out for 50 — his 12th in in four previous innings, and he T20 batsman, again anchored the short format — after some ominously smashed 16 off Imad the Pakistan innings with a 38- fantastic fi elding by Warner. Wasim’s opening over. ball 50 as teammates fell around Ahmed ensured it was a com- However, the explosive open- him until he found support from petitive score, smashing 22 off er was clean bowled by Moham- Ahmed, who notched a maiden, the penultimate over from Rich- ed Amir for 20, missing a drive, and entertaining, half-century. ardson. and when Finch fell for 17 to After Pakistan won the toss veteran seamer Mohamed Irfan, and opted to bat, opener Fakhar BRIEF SCORES: Pakistan 150 Pakistan’s hopes were up. Zaman, desperately in need for 6 (Ahmed 52 not out, Azam But with Smith at the wicket, of runs, was left fl oundering 50) lost to Australia 151 for 3 it was never going to be easy and against Pat Cummins and was (Smith 80 not out) by seven the experienced campaigner out for two, driving to Warner at wickets picked the gaps and found the mid-off . boundary ropes with impecca- Haris Sohail came to the Steve Smith (also above) of bley timed shots, while grabbing crease but only lasted nine balls, Australia plays a shot during quick singles. gone for six. the second Twenty20 against With Ben McDermott at the It took the wind out of Paki- Pakistan in Canberra, Australia, other end, he pushed the score stan’s sails, and the runs dried yesterday. (AFP) New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson (centre) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Lewis Gregory (not pictured) BOTTOMLINE during the Twenty20 match in Nelson, New Zealand, yesterday. (AFP)

IPL to introduce dedicated Reborn Rohit making the most no-ball umpire AFP umpire. Mumbai, India Kohli also had a heated exchange with English umpire Nigel Llong — who later report- of fresh Test opportunity ndia’s cricket board is plan- edly kicked a door following Reuters batsman with three 200-plus “When you are batting on a ning to have dedicated off i- their encounter — after the of- New Delhi, India scores in one-dayers and hundred, the opposition knows Icials for observing no-balls ficial called out Umesh Yadav smashed a record fi ve centuries you are a set batsman. They at next year’s lucrative Indian for a no-ball. at this year’s World Cup even are on the back foot, thinking, Premier League Twenty20 Replays had suggested the nce touted as the though India fell at the semi- ‘Okay, we need to be safe with tournament to cut down on bowler’s back foot was behind ‘next big thing’, Rohit fi nal stage. this guy, and try and attack the umpiring howlers. the line. Sharma’s Test out- “Red ball does a lot more than other guy’. This year’s edition of the cash- In another ugly umpire-player ings have been cur- the white ball,” explained the “That is where you can cash rich league witnessed several confrontation, Chennai Super tailedO by injury, inconsistency gifted shot-maker, who was in. Once you’re set, there’s no run-ins between players and Kings skipper and former In- and India’s quality lineup, so named brand ambassador for way the bowler can get you out, off icials with the standard of dian captain Mahendra Singh now that he has another chance Trusox, a sports apparel brand unless it’s a peach of a delivery.” umpiring questioned. Dhoni stormed the pitch to to fulfi l his potential he has no making a foray into the Indian Winning Man of the Series “We will have another umpire confront umpire Ulhas Gandhe intention of taking his foot off market. against South Africa was special for only checking no-balls,” a over a no-ball decision. the pedal. “So you have to keep telling but Rohit knows he must score senior off icial told reporters It is understood having an With an ageing Sachin yourself that you have to focus away from home to erase any on Tuesday after a meeting in additional off icial for no-balls Tendulkar beginning to fade in more, and be more disciplined lingering doubts about his Test Mumbai. could be trialled at a domestic India’s cricketing fi rmament, in shot-making. credentials. “Many times you will see it’s a tournament before it is intro- fellow Mumbaikar Rohit hit two “In one day cricket, once you “Hundred percent, we all no-ball only when a batsman duced in the IPL. centuries in his fi rst two Tests get past that powerplay overs know that. But for me, cricket is gets out and regularly there A new concept of “power in 2013 to send expectations the fi eld is spread. You can just cricket, whether it’s in India or may be many more. We want play” — allowing a player in soaring. take singles and rotate strike outside,” he said. to use the technology. the squad who is not necessar- But the middle order aspirant and then odd boundaries here “If you don’t perform in In- “There will be an umpire, who ily in the XI to come in at the then faltered and his chances and there will come. dia, how can you perform out- will be focused on no-balls fall of a wicket or to replace a at Test level over the next fi ve “But Test cricket is not like side? Home or away, it doesn’t only and he will not be third or bowler at any point — was also years dwindled, even as his that. There are a lot of catching really matter. Performance is fourth umpire.” discussed at the meeting. white-ball reputation soared. positions, so you have to be very what matters to me.” India captain Virat Kohli The auctions for the 13th edi- Rohit was handed the op- disciplined.” Rohit will confront a new questioned the umpiring in the tion of the glitzy extravaganza portunity to revive his Test challenge in a two-match series star-studded league after his will be held in Kolkata on career in last month’s home DADDY HUNDREDS against Bangladesh which Royal Challengers Bangalore December 19. series against South Africa and a mile. play Test cricket and focus on Rohit’s 27 ODI centuries include includes a day-night Test in were denied a win when Mum- The IPL, which was hit by a the 32-year-old grabbed it with “It was a great series but as what are the good things that I 10 ‘Daddy hundreds’ of 140 or Kolkata from Nov. 22. bai Indians paceman Lasith spot-fixing scandal in 2013, both hands. long as I’m playing, there will be did in this series and take that more. “I’ve played only one Malinga overstepped on the has emerged as the world’s Playing his fi rst Test series as no time for me to relax,” he told forward.” “I totally believe that when pink-ball game in the Duleep final delivery. wealthiest league in the sport, an opener, Rohit smashed three Reuters in an interview. Rohit’s red-ball struggles you get to a hundred, you’ve Trophy... We need a lot of more The blatant no-ball was spot- with the tournament repli- 100-plus knocks, including a “I don’t want to look back have been in stark contrast to done such hard work to get experience with that ball, but ted on the giant screen at the cated by other nations such as double hundred, in four innings now. I just want to focus on his white-ball prowess. there, so why let it go? Get an- it’s a great time for us to play a stadium but not by the on-field Australia. to fi nish as the leading scorer by doing well every time I go and The right-hander is the only other 50 or another hundred. day-night Test.”