SPORT Wednesday 11 October 2017
PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 Wozniacki blasts Cahill keeps Five-starFiv Perera shines past slumping Australia in World in Sri Lanka series Bouchard Cup hunt triumph FIA: Qatar’s Al Attiyah retains World title with Morocco win
Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah races to victory in Rally of Morocco yesterday.
Erfoud, Morocco to choose the most favourable reduced Loeb’s overall lead to The Peninsula starting position for the first of 2017 OILIBYA RALLY OF MOROCCO – FINAL POSITIONS 5min 02sec. Domzala, Ten the longer desert selective sec- 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 10hrs Brinke, a resurgent Chabot, and verdrive Racing’s tions between Fèz and Erfoud. 39min 34sec Munk were sixth, 11th, 15th and Nasser Saleh Al This was a hard Domzala was ninth, Van Merk- 2. Sébastien Loeb (FRA)/Daniel Elena (FRA) Peugeot 3008 DKR: 10hrs 47min 29sec 18th. Attiyah, the ace earned victory steijn 14th, Ten Brinke 16th, @7.55 Van Merksteijn dropped Qatari rally driver and a very Chabot 19th, Munk 22nd and He 3. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) Mini John Cooper Works Rally: 11hrs around 10 minutes in 22nd and yesterday, made Zhitao was 27th of the 43 09min 12sec @29.38 He Zhitao was 36th. Osure of a fourth FIA World Cup important one for finishers. Rain and flooding forced 4. Joan Roma (ESP)/Alex Haro (ESP) Mini All4 Racing: 11hrs 09min 19sec @29.45 for Cross-Country Rallies title Al Attiyah started fourth race officials to shorten the third in stunning fashion by clinch- me and the whole behind Carlos Sainz, Joan Roma 5. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) Mini Cooper Countryman: 11hrs Marathon stage to Erg Lihoudi ing his fourth outright victory team: Al Attiyah and Mikko Hirvonen for the 22min 59sec @43.25 and teams only tackled the sec- in a rain-affected OiLibya Rally long liaison and the opening 6. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 11hrs 36min 08sec ond 142.79km section of the day. of Morocco, the 10th and penul- selection section of 272.8km. @56.34 Al-Attiyah beat Loeb by 1min timate round of the FIA World Multiple WRC champion FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies – standings after round 10 16sec to trim the Cup for Cross-Country Rallies. Sébastien Loeb claimed the 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) 300pts Frenchman’s overall lead The Qatari, driving a Toy- quickest time and moved into 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL) 191pts to 3min 46sec. Domzala, Ten
ota Hilux prepared by the standings behind Al Attiyah and the lead with a time of 3hrs 3. Aron Domzala (POL) 114pts Brinke and Van Merksteijn held
Belgian team, won the series in Jakub Przygonski. 41min 52sec, as Al Attiyah eighth, 15th and 16th overall. 4. Khalid Al-Qassimi (ARE) 105pts 2008, 2015 and 2016 and gave The action got underway slipped to second position with He Zhitao and Munk were 27th Toyota a second successive with a 12km super special stage the third quickest time. and 28th, but Chabot’s earlier series win with his eighth vic- around 40km from Fèz on Domzala, Van Merksteijn, in time penalties, plummeting flooded wadi that claimed some time had moved him down to tory of a dominant 2017 Thursday (October 5). Ten Brinke and Munk held to 41st overall. of the leading riders and the 40th. campaign with French naviga- Al Attiyah continued his run eighth, 16th, 20th, 23rd overall. The second selective section NPO decided to stop the com- Two selective sections of tor Matthieu Baumel. of stunning form with a crush- He Zhitao completed the stage looped around Erfoud for petitive action at PC1, after 191.56km and 263.51km had While the Frenchman ing opening time of 8min 38sec, in 28th overall, but an accident 354.45km and included a pas- 150km. originally been planned for day claimed his third world title, the which enabled the Qatari to cost Chabot’s Toyota its rear sage through the notorious Erg Al Attiyah claimed the fast- four from Erg Lihoudi to Erfoud, duo had to fight hard to over- storm into a lead of 31 seconds wheels and the Frenchman Chebbi, but the route also est time after Sainz was but the day was shortened again come a fierce early challenge and gave him the opportunity incurred the customary 100hrs included an impassable and penalised and, therefore, to just 170m because of from multiple WRC champion flooding. Sébastien Loeb over a six-day Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah claimed the stage event where large chunks of the Al Attiyah (left) and win with a time of 1hr 46min competitive route were can- his French navigator 38sec and that enabled the celled because of flooding. Qatari to move 6min 42sec in Matthieu Baumel Al Attiyah’s winning mar- front of a struggling Loeb and gesture after victory gin was 7min 55sec and gave snatch the outright lead. Over- him an unassailable lead of in Morocco yesterday. drive team-mates Domzala, Ten 109 points in the FIA World Brinke, Munk and Zhitao held Cup with one event sixth, 11th, 25th and 26th over- remaining. all, but Chabot remained down “This was a hard earned in 38th place. victory and a very important Van Merksteijn suffered a one for me and the whole crash that broke the wishbone team,” said a delighted Al Atti- on his Toyota Hilux and the yah, who had already claimed Dutchman decided not to con- outright wins this season in tinue to the final day. Dubai, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Two short stages of 179.5 Spain, Hungary and Poland. and 8.65km were in the agenda Overdrive Racing managed for the final loop around Erfoud. seven Toyotas in Africa’s only Al-Attiyah beat Loeb by 26 sec- round of the series. Aron Dom- onds through the opener to zala teamed up with fellow move ever closer to victory and countryman Maciej Marton and he stayed clear of trouble over finished sixth overall, the result the short finale to claim the win lifting the talented young Pole with a final stage time of 5min into third in the FIA World Cup 58sec. 30 SPORT WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017
Venus heads Kyrgios sorry for Shanghai walk-off back to Sydney
Shanghai after 20 years AFP Sydney ustralian firebrand AFP Nick Kyrgios apolo- gised and said he had vergreen Venus Wil- been unwell after he liams will headline the stormed off court to ESydney International in loudA boos midway through his January to kick off her 2018 opening match at the Shanghai season, returning to the tour- Masters yesterday. nament after a 20-year The 22-year-old issued a absence. statement following his abrupt The American veteran, 37, exit after losing the first set 7/5 shows no signs of slowing on a tie break to the American down and enjoyed one of her Steve Johnson, having been best seasons this year, mak- docked a point for the second ing the final of Wimbledon match running because of his and the Australian Open and conduct. the semis at the US Open. The ATP Tour is investigat- “This was one of the ear- ing and Kyrgios, similarly hit liest tournaments I ever with a point penalty in losing the played and has always held a China Open final to Rafael Nadal special place in my heart,” on Sunday, said he was “gutted” Williams said of Sydney in a statement issued through the SHANGHAI MASTERS RESULTS organisers. Results from the Shanghai Masters Men’s “The last time I played in Singles matches yesterday the Sydney International I Round 2 was 18 years old, so a lot has 4-Marin Cilic (Croatia) bt Kyle Edmund (Brit- changed in this time.” ain) 6-3 7-6(5) Williams’ stellar year saw Richard Gasquet (France) bt Chung Hyeon her return to the world top (South Korea) 3-6 6-4 6-3 five for the first time since Steve Johnson of the US hits a return during the men’s singles against Nick Kyrgios of Australia at the Shanghai Masters tennis 16-Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) bt An- 2011, the year she was diag- drey Rublev (Russia) 6-3 6-4 tournament in Shanghai yesterday. nosed with strength-sapping Fabio Fognini (Italy) bt 15-Lucas Pouille Sjogren’s Syndrome. (France) 7-6(7) 6-3 to retire against Johnson. A enough to continue because I’ve Kyrgios and Johnson were Kyrgios complained, and added: She said she was still Albert Ramos (Spain) bt 7-Pablo Carreno member of Kyrgios’s coaching not eaten much the past 24 both comfortable on their serves “Sick of this place.” driven to succeed. (Spain) 7-5 7-5 team said in Shanghai -- where hours.” and they went into the tie break After Johnson wrapped up “I have been playing some Round 1 a year ago he was accused of He will make a decision on with signs Kyrgios was begin- the set Kyrgios had enough, really great tennis this year 10-Sam Querrey (US) bt Yuichi Sugita (Japan) “tanking” in defeat and conse- tosday as to whether he takes ning to lose his cool. shaking the hands of his oppo- and I feel I’m in a strong posi- 6-3 6-2 quently suspended -- that the part in his doubles match the He went 3-0 up in the tie nent and the umpire -- though tion, both physically and Viktor Troicki (Serbia) bt Denis Shapovalov world-ranked 21 had injured his same day with Frenchman Lucas break but as Johnson pegged him not looking him in the eye -- and mentally, in the lead up to (Canada) 6-7(3) 6-3 6-0 shoulder. Pouille. Kyrgios did look in dis- back he was irked by spectators packing his bag and leaving. Sydney,” she said. Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) bt Jordan Hours later Kyrgios, whose comfort with his shoulder early in the close-knit arena getting Another notable exit in “The Australian summer Thompson (Australia) 6-4 7-6(4) undoubted talent has often been on in the match against the up between points. Shanghai was the seventh seed is always a favourite of mine, Steve Johnson (US) bt 13-Nick Kyrgios (Aus- betrayed by his quickfire tem- unseeded Johnson. “What’s happening here?” he Pablo Carreno Busta, beaten by I really love the atmosphere tralia) 7-6(5) 0-0 (Kyrgios retired) Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany) bt Mischa per, made a statement on Twitter But he seemed untroubled by asked, before muttering: “Exactly fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos the crowds bring and I’m con- Zverev (Germany) 3-6 6-5 (M. Zverev retired) apologising and saying he was the injury when they entered the why I shouldn’t come here.” Vinolas. Also out was the Amer- fident in my preparation over 11-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) bt Adrian “gutted”. tie break, but as in the final in Kyrgios appeared to blame ican Jack Sock after the the next few months to put on Mannarino (France) 6-3 6-1 “I’ve been battling a stom- Beijing, his temper soon got the the umpire for failing to get the 14th-seed retired against Ukrain- a good show for the Austral- 12-John Isner (US) bt Dusan Lajovic (Serbia) ach bug for the past 24 hours and better of him, after he was spectators in line and his after- ian qualifier Alexandr ian fans.” 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(6) I tried to be ready but I was really angered by the unsettled crowd noon spiralled fast when he Dolgopolov. Fourth seed Marin Britain’s Johanna Konta Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) bt 14-Jack struggling on the court today, and the umpire. received a point penalty. Cilic was forced to fight, fending won the tournament this year, Sock (US) 4-6 6-1 2-1 (Sock retired) which I think was pretty evident He began yesterday’s match “What is he doing? Is this off Britain’s Kyle Edmund 6-3, overwhelming Poland’s Aljaz Bedene (Britain) bt Paolo Lorenzi (Italy) from the first point,” he wrote. on his best behaviour but normal?” Kyrgios asked some- 7-6 (7/5). World number one Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 6-1 6-4 “My shoulder started to hurt showed a first flash of irritation body in the official area of the Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and 6-2 in the final.
Ryan Harrison (US) bt Zhang Ze (China) 6-2 in the practice today, which towards the end of the set, blast- arena, where spectators and rising star Alexander Zverev -- The 2018 event, a warm- 6-3 didn’t help either, and once I lost ing a ball out of the court after players are in close proximity. the three top seeds -- enter the up for the Australian Open, the first set I was just not strong he disagreed with a call. “Poor officiating again,” fray today. runs from January 7-13.
Nadal savouring winning feeling Wozniacki blasts past slumping Bouchard after injury hell Hong Kong HONG KONG OPEN RESULTS AFP Collated results after yesterday’s matches at Shanghai the WTA Hong Kong Open (x denotes seed). AFP n-form Caroline Wozniacki Women’s singles started the defence of her 1st round orld number one WTA Hong Kong Open title Elina Svitolina (UKR x1) bt Zarina Diyas (KAZ) Rafael Nadal said in rampant style by blow- 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) Wyesterday he ing away Eugenie Bouchard Jennifer Brady (USA) bt Misa Eguchi (JPN) 6-3, savours each victory more I6-1, 6-1 yesterday. 6-0 than ever after returning to Wozniacki, seeded three and Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x3) bt Eugenie peak form this year follow- a recent winner of the Pan Bouchard (CAN) 6-1, 6-1 ing a succession of injuries. Pacific Open in Tokyo, domi- Daria Gavrilova (AUS x7) bt Miyu Kato (JPN) The 31-year-old Spaniard nated the first-round match as 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) won his sixth title of the year Bouchard was forced into a cas- Luksika Kumkhum (THA) bt Elena Vesnina on Sunday in Beijing, fresh cade of errors. (RUS x5) 6-3, 6-4 from lifting his third US Open Wozniacki never looked Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x4) bt Zhang title. Nadal’s resurgence after remotely in trouble against the Ling (HKG) 6-1, 6-2 injury is one of the tennis sto- former golden girl of tennis, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x6) bt Timea rylines of 2017 along with the breaking her serve almost at will, Babos (HUN) 6-4, 6-4 Jacqueline Cako (USA) bt Priscilla Hon (AUS) similar rejuvenation of old and cruising to victory in only 58 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) rival Roger Federer. minutes. Naomi Osaka (JPN) bt Alexa Guarachi (CHI) Speaking at the Shanghai “It was a great start,” Woz- 7-5, 6-4 Masters, where Federer is also niacki told reporters. Venus Williams (USA x2) bt Risa Ozaki (JPN) playing, Nadal said: “Of course “I feel like I played pretty 6-2, 6-2
it is a nice feeling (to win a well, tried to stay aggressive and Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark returns a shot against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland during tournament after injury). tried to make her feel pressured their women’s singles semi-final match at the WTA Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in this file picture. “But it is a feeling that I and it worked,” added the world already had a few times in my number six. career. Of course it is not the “She never gave me a chance in freefall and she languishes at Williams to shake off any rust in WTA Tour Finals in Singapore examination against Zarina positive thing, because it’s tonight,” said a crestfallen 78th having had just one run to her first outing since losing to for the first time since 2009. Dyas, eventually triumphing 6-4, better don’t have injuries. Bouchard. a quarter-final in 2017, on the Sloane Stephens in the US Open The second seed faces 7-6 in one hour and 43 minutes. “But at the same time the For the Canadian, once the Madrid clay in early May. semi-final a month ago. another Japanese opponent in The Ukrainian world number injuries, the only positive poster girl for the future of wom- Since a second-round exit at Williams punctuated the Naomi Osaka in the second four trailed 3-0 to the player thing about injury is when en’s tennis, it was another the French Open at the end of performance with some trade- round after she overcame Chil- from Kazakhstan before reeling you come back and when you chastening defeat as the May, she has won just two mark power winners and sent ean qualifier Alexa Guarachi 7-5, off five games in a row with a have success, you appreciate 23-year-old rides the crest of the matches on tour and it was easy down seven aces to overwhelm 6-4. Fourth seed Agnieszka Rad- succession of forehand winners it even much more.” biggest slump of her young to see why as she crumbled the world number 95. wanska of Poland swept past and closing out the first set 6-4. Nadal, a 16-time Grand career. again. “Four weeks goes by pretty local wildcard Zhang Ling 6-1, Sporting a heavily strapped Slam winner who has suf- It seems a world away from “I really don’t want to look fast and the first match is never 6-2 to set up a second-round left thigh, Svitolina twice failed fered with knee problems for Bouchard’s breakthrough sea- back at previous years,” said a perfect,” said Williams, who meeting with former US Open to serve out for the match in the several years, plays unseeded son of 2014 when her easy-going disappointed Bouchard. dropped her own serve twice. champion Sam Stosur. second set at 5-4 and 6-5 before American Jared Donaldson in personality and media friendly “I need to look forward and “It was a hard-fought match “I’ve known Sam for many securing the tiebreak. his opener in Shanghai. He appearances were lapped up try to get better than I am now.” despite the score and it was a years, although we didn’t play Fifth seed Elena Vesnina of said on the eve of the match after she made the Wimbledon Second seed Venus Williams great way to start.” for a while. I think it’s going to Russia suffered the only upset of that he has learnt to adapt his final and semi-finals at the Aus- raced through her opening Williams, 37 but seemingly be a really good match,” Rad- the first round when she was playing style as he reaches the tralian and French Opens while match 6-2, 6-2 against Japan’s ageless, has enjoyed a magnifi- wanska said. stunned 6-3, 6-4 by Thailand’s climax of one of the great ten- soaring to fourth in the world. Risa Ozaki in just 74 minutes. cent season, reaching two Grand Number one seed Elina Svi- world number 130 Luksika nis careers. Three years on, her career is It was an ideal way for Slam finals to qualify for the tolina came through a tough Kumkhum. WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 31 Serena targets Australian Open title
Melbourne Bumper prize AFP Serena Williams of the US poses with the Tournament director ustralian Open organ- Women’s singles trophy Tiley said all 100 top isers said they were after winning her final men and women had hopeful of a stunning match of the Australian confirmed they return by new mum Open in this January intended to play in Serena Williams in 2017 file picture. Melbourne. JanuaryA as they raised the win- Serena defeated her ners’ prize money to a bumper Organisers said they $3.1m yesterday. sister Venus 6-4, 6-4 Injured former world to surpass Steffi Graf’s have raised the number ones Novak Djokovic Open-era milestone of winners’ prize money and Andy Murray, along with Kei 22 major wins. to a bumper $3.1m for Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka, January event. are set to be back in action in time for the season’s opening Grand Slam in January. Rafa, being down 3-1 in the fifth, Williams won this year’s it was disbelief. Australian Open while pregnant, “I hope it’s going to be and she has spoken of her “out- another dream, magical run rageous” plans to play in where I can just enjoy the atmos- Melbourne in 2018 -- just four- phere and play for the people,” and-a-half months after giving he added of the 2018 event. birth to her baby girl. Tiley said it was shaping up Tournament director Craig as a fascinating men’s tourna- Tiley said all 100 top men and ment with Djokovic, Murray, women had confirmed they Wawrinka and Nishikori all intended to play in Melbourne -- returning, but with much lower which includes Williams, who is world rankings. currently ranked 24th. “I’m sure they are all inspired He added that the 36-year- by what Roger and Rafa achieved old’s mind was firmly fixed on here in January, and what they’ve the tournament, which coinci- gone on to achieve -- splitting dentally has the same initials as the Grand Slam titles between her daughter, Alexis Olympia. them this year,” he said. “Her baby’s initials are AO come January.” Tiley also told the able to bounce back so soon after the women’s decider. Federer glass of champagne with my Whoever wins next year will and she’s suggested she should Melbourne Age: “She wants to giving birth, and if she does, and Nadal ended up with two friends and family we say ‘this is walk away with Aus$4m, up also have her name on the 2017 come back in 2018 and defend whether she will be able to major titles each this year, while for the Australian Open, cheers’,” from Aus$3.7m last year. The trophy, so the AO is well and her title. Obviously, at training regain top form. the women had four different Federer said recently, according total tournament purse has risen truly top of mind for her at the now, there is several months to Roger Federer marked a champions -- Williams, Jelena to an Australian Open 10 percent to Aus$55m. moment,” he said at the event’s go. It will be up to her as far as stunning comeback from injury Ostapenko (French Open), Gar- statement. This year’s US Open winners official launch in Melbourne. where she is with her fitness.” by beating old rival Rafael Nadal bine Muguruza (Wimbledon), “We’re still joking about it, it walked away with $3.7m, while “If anyone can do it, she can Some former stars have to win his 18th Grand Slam in an and Sloane Stephens (US Open). was a crazy moment in my life... the French Open offered 2.1m and I’m certainly not counting wondered whether the 23-time epic five-set final this year, while “I still pinch myself. When we couldn’t believe it, all the euros and Wimbledon paid out her out of a return Grand Slam winner would be Serena beat her sister, Venus, in I’m home sometimes, having a five-setters. The rivalry with £2.2m.
Toulouse’s lock Mather to coach Florian Verhaeghe O’Shea names five new grabs the ball in newly launched a line out during the French Top 14 Barbarians rugby union match caps in Italy squad against Clermont women team Auvergne at Rome generally at all levels of Italian (Benetton Rugby), Federico the Ernest- London AFP rugby, is starting to have a real Ruzza (Benetton Rugby)Back- Wallon Stadium AFP impact on the quality and quan- row: Renato Giammarioli (Zebre in Toulouse on rish coach Conor O’Shea yes- tity of players at our disposition.” Rugby Club), Giovanni Licata Monday. he Barbarians yesterday terday called up five Turning to his team’s tough line- (Fiamme Oro), Maxime Mata announced the launch of Iuncapped players for Italy’s up of matches, O’Shea said: “We Mbanda (Zebre Rugby), Franc- Ta women’s team who 34-man squad for three Test have our feet on the ground and esco Minto (Benetton Rugby), will make their debut against matches in November. we know very well how tough Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/ Munster in Ireland next month. Captain and No 8 Sergio the upcoming games will be. FRA), Abraham Steyn (Benetton England World Cup winner Parisse and hooker Leonardo “But we’re also conscious of the Rugby) Giselle Mather will coach the Ghiraldini, absent during the fact that we’re making signifi- Scrum-halves: Edoardo famed invitational outfit in the summer tour, both make their cant progress towards our goal, Gori (Benetton Rugby), Tito first of a number of matches return to the squad for games which is to again become an Tebaldi (Benetton Rugby), Mar- planned for the 2017-18 season against Fiji, Argentina and South extremely competitive team at cello Violi (Zebre Rugby Club) against club, provincial and Africa on consecutive weekends international level.” Fly-halves: Carlo Canna international sides. between November 11-25. Squad (Zebre Rugby), Ian McKinley “We’re delighted to open The five new faces are full- Props: Dario Chistolini (Benetton Rugby) Centres: Tom- a new chapter in the Barbar- back Matteo Minozzi, (Zebre Rugby), Simone Ferrari maso Benvenuti (Benetton ian FC’s history with the Ireland-born fly-half Ian (Benetton Rugby), Andrea Rugby), Tommaso Boni (Zebre creation of our women’s team McKinley, New Zealand-born Lovotti (Zebre Rugby), Tiziano Rugby), Tommaso Castello this season,” said Barbarians centre Jayden Hayward, and Pasquali (Benetton Rugby), Fed- (Zebre Rugby Club), Jayden Hay- chairman John Spencer. backrowers Renato Giammar- erico Zani (Benetton Rugby) ward (Benetton Rugby) “Its formation is some- ioli and Giovanni Licata. Hookers: Luca Bigi (Benetton Wingers: Mattia Bellini thing we’ve been working “Despite numerous injuries, Rugby), Oliviero Fabiani (Zebre (Zebre Rugby), Angelo Esposito towards for a number of years there’s been much discussion Rugby), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Benetton Rugby), Leonardo and it is a reflection of the within the team management (Toulouse/FRA) Second-row: Sarto (Glasgow/SCO), Giovam- excellence of the global wom- over several positions,” said George Fabio Biagi (Zebre battista Venditti (Zebre Rugby) en’s game which was O’Shea. “The quality of the work Rugby), Dean Budd (Benetton Full-backs: Matteo Minozzi showcased so brilliantly at done by Benetton Rugby and Rugby), Marco Fuser (Benetton (Zebre Rugby Club), Edoardo this year’s Women’s Rugby Zebre Rugby, and more Rugby), Marco Lazzaroni Padovani (Toulon/FRA) World Cup in Ireland.” Australia plot downfall of New Zealand supremacy Melbourne Cup to the All Blacks for a 15th Coaches will meet in Syd- The Wallabies won the 1991 Australia’s rival coaches into the Reuters successive year with defeat in ney for a two-day forum starting and 1999 World Cups and same room had been a task. Dunedin in August. today and receive leadership reached the finals in 2003 and “Ben Whitaker’s done a ustralia’s top rugby brains Crowds have turned away training from the Sydney Uni- 2015, but have been second fid- really good job of bringing the will convene in Sydney from both Super Rugby and versity of Technology with input dle to the All Blacks for over a various constituents into one Athis week to plot the end Wallabies games, and the Aus- from the Australian Institute of decade and won only one of room and it’s been a process of of New Zealand’s global domi- tralian Rugby Union has Sport, the country’s peak sports their past 18 matches. developing trust,” Kafer said of nance and the Wallabies’ endured a storm of criticism academy, local media reported. Pundits have long lamented the ARU’s high performance restoration to the top of the over its axing of Perth-based “It is borne out of the fact Australia’s provincial parochi- boss. rankings. team Western Force. that we had no Super Rugby alism and argued the country The forum will bring in Since the Wallabies’ run to With that backdrop, Walla- wins against the Kiwis and 15 needs to emulate New Zealand, assistant coaches, analysts and the 2015 World Cup final, Aus- bies coach Michael Cheika years of Bledisloe Cup losses,” where the provinces and Super team managers to work out tralian rugby has been in a funk. (pictured) and former test cen- Kafer told Sydney’s Daily Tele- Rugby teams are more closely ways to lift performance. None of the country’s five tre Rod Kafer have championed graph newspaper. aligned with the national rugby “We’re trying to answer the Super Rugby sides were able to the formation of a National “People at some point have union in terms of player man- question of what does the player snag a win over New Zealand Coaching Panel to improve local got to say ‘maybe we need to do agement and talent of the future look like, and are opponents this season and the standards and retain the nation’s something a little bit differently’, development. we preparing for the player of Wallabies gave up the Bledisloe brightest rugby minds. and I reckon we’re at that point.” Kafer said getting the future,” Kafer added. 32 SPORT WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017 WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 33
Australia’s Tim Cahill heads a ball into Syria’s goal post for a decisive goal in the second half of the extra time during their 2018 World Cup football qualifying match McClean breaks Welsh hearts in Sydney yesterday. as Ireland reach play-offs
Cardiff elusive World Cup has AFP passed us by again.” Brought into the Wales Bale at crossroads he Republic of Ireland team in place of Sam Vokes, claimed a World Cup Hal Robson-Kanu went Tplay-off spot at Wales’ close early on with a header expense after James from a Joe Ledley corner, after Wales shock McClean’s crisp second-half before Aaron Ramsey saw a strike earned his side a 1-0 crisp drive tipped over by Cardiff victory in Cardiff on Mon- Ireland goalkeeper Darren AFP day night. Randolph. The West Bromwich Wales dominated pos- powerless spectator Italy’s Antonio Candreva scores their Albion winger’s goal moved session in the first half, as Wales’s World first goal against Albania during their Ireland above Wales into creating concern among the ACup dreams were 2018 World Cup Qualifier at Loro Borici second place in Group D green hordes inside the sta- crushed by the Republic of Stadium, Shkoder, Albania on Monday. below Serbia, meaning Mar- dium and obliging Ireland Ireland, Real Madrid star tin O’Neill’s men will be one to feed off scraps in the final Gareth Bale (pictured) has of the eight teams in the third. arrived at a crucial tipping European play-off draw on A chance fell to Jeff Hen- point in his career. Candreva October 17. drick when Cyrus Christie’s Sidelined by the latest “The performance of the long throw-in was not in a succession of calf inju- players was absolutely fan- cleared, but the Burnley ries, Bale could only watch ensures Italy tastic,” said Ireland manager man miscued, and Shane forlornly from the stands O’Neill. Duffy drilled a low shot at Cardiff City Stadium on “We had to withstand a across the face of the Welsh Monday as Ireland’s 1-0 lot of pressure, which you goal. win gave them a World seeded in would expect. But we had to Allen and Ramsey were Cup play-off berth at win tonight in Cardiff and setting the tempo for Wales Wales’s expense. we’ve done exactly that. with their neat footwork and Having turned 28 in play-offs “James scores a great incisive passing, only for the July, and with his fortunes tied to a country that last qualified for goal for us and then we have Stoke City midfielder to be the World Cup in 1958, Bale has missed out on his best chance of to withstand more pressure. forced off in the 37th minute playing at football’s biggest event. Shkodër, Albania Some great, great perform- after being caught in a sand- He was the undisputed figurehead of Wales’s successful qual- AFP ances all round. And so we wich between McClean and ifying campaign for Euro 2016 and then starred with three goals go to the play-offs.” David Meyler. as Chris Coleman’s side confounded every expectation by reach- ntonio Candreva lifted Italy to a 1-0 While Ireland remain on Jonny Williams came on ing the semi-finals in France. win over Albania in their final World course for a first World Cup and the loss of one of Wales’ But his injury woes have obliged other players to step up in ACup qualifying game on Monday finals appearance since key orchestrators enabled recent months, with 17-year-old Liverpool forward Ben Wood- that assures the Azzurri are top seeds for 2002, surprise Euro 2016 Ireland to gain a foothold for burn and Derby County’s Tom Lawrence among the unlikely November’s play-offs. semi-finalists Wales saw the first time. players to have answered the Welsh call. Gian Piero Ventura’s side were already their dream of a first Wales started the sec- The loss to Ireland leaves Bale and the other members of through to next month’s play-offs, but des- appearance at the tourna- ond half brightly and it took Wales’s “Golden Generation” contemplating the demotivating perately needed a win in Shkoder to be ment since 1958 turn to dust. a brilliant acrobatic save thought that Euro 2016 may have been as good as it will ever get guaranteed the status of top seeds in the Sydney placed team, currently Panama. Bereft of Real Madrid from Randolph to prevent for them. draw on October 17. AFP “I apologise on behalf on all my star Gareth Bale, and robbed Robson-Kanu putting them With three Champions League triumphs in the past four sea- “This was the objective we had set. I fellow players to the Syrian people,” of Joe Allen by a suspected in front with a header from sons, Bale is already arguably Britain’s most successful footballing think we took another small step forward, yria coach Ayman Al Hakim forward Firas Al Khatib told beIN concussion in the first half, Jonny Williams’s right-wing export, and yet he is under greater pressure at the Bernabeu than but we continue to control the game badly said Mahmoud Al Mawas’s Sports. Wales fell to their first defeat cross. ever before. Isco exploited an ankle injury sustained by Bale to and give the ball away too often,” said extra-time red card was the Cahill keeps Aussies “We were hoping to provide a in the group and their first But in the 57th minute move ahead of the Welshman in the pecking order last season Ventura. turning point as his war-torn smile and joy to Syrians everywhere. loss in a competitive home Ireland struck, Hendrick and 21-year-old Marco Asensio’s emergence as the new darling “I had faith when people said the sit- team’s fairytale World Cup Our disappointment is very big.” game in over four years. charging down Ashley Wil- of Spanish football has further complicated matters. uation was dramatic and I have faith now.” Sbid ended in the Asian play-offs Syria, who play their ‘home’ fix- The tense game at Car- liams’s clearance and Bale managed just 19 league appearances last season as Zin- After a tight first half, Inter Milan yesterday. tures in Malaysia to avoid the conflict diff City Stadium stands to crossing from the right, edine Zidane’s men streaked to the Spanish league title and has winger Candreva found the way through Al Hakim said the rank outsiders in their country, had defied the odds be Chris Coleman’s last as Harry Arter dummying and started only four times in the league in the current campaign. after 73 minutes at the Loro Borici would have survived until penalties to finish third in their final qualify- Wales manager in a com- McClean slamming a right- In a snapshot of his difficulties, he scored a sublime volley on Stadium. against the Socceroos if Al Mawas in World Cup hunt ing group behind Iran and South petitive fixture, the architect foot shot past a motionless his last outing as Madrid won 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund in the Atalanta midfielder Leonardo Spinaz- hadn’t been sent off for a second Korea. of last year’s Euro heroics Wayne Hennessey. Champions League, only to then succumb to the 11th calf injury zola packed a neat cross from the left for bookable offence early in the first Al Hakim said they missed their having pledged to stand It was the first time of his time in Spain. the 30-year-old who rifled into the top of extra period. chance by not beating Australia in last down after the current Wales had fallen behind in He became a firm favourite after his world-record move from the net from close range to mark his 50th Syria’s players were left incon- have never reached the World Cup, second goal was because we had 10 and that’s going to be continuing time, they were left with a mountain week’s first leg in Malacca, where World Cup cycle. the qualifying campaign. Tottenham Hotspur in 2013, his goals in the Copa del Rey and selection for the Azzurri. solable after Tim Cahill’s came within inches of a shock play- players,” he added. moving forward as well.” to climb when Al Mawas lunged at they had several chances but needed “We just came up a bit Coleman sent on Champions League finals helping him to engrave his name in “We wanted to prove ourselves after 109th-minute winner sealed it 2-1 on off victory. “We studied the Socceroos very Al Soma had opened the scoring Robbie Kruse and received his sec- a debatable late penalty to draw 1-1. short tonight,” Coleman said. 17-year-old Liverpool for- Madrid folklore in his very first campaign. the Macedonia game (1-1),” said the night and 3-2 on aggregate for “The players followed instructions well and I think if we had stayed at 11 for Syria in the sixth minute before ond yellow card. “Our true loss was that we failed “I can’t say right now ward Ben Woodburn and Bale has received public backing from Zidane and his team- Candreva. Australia, who now go into an inter- very, very well. But the Australian players and hadn’t had that red card Cahill headed Australia level seven Syria’s resistance finally cracked to win the previous match,” he said. about my future because I’m Vokes, but Ireland survived mates and is known to be a favourite of Madrid president “Victories can’t be taken for granted. continental play-off. goal happened because of the pres- and hit the (post) at the end (it would minutes later in an entertaining first when veteran Cahill nodded his sec- “The Australian team is experienced... not thinking about it. The heavy late pressure to Florentino Perez’s. We talked and realised that we had to get Omar Al Soma also thundered a sure of the Socceroos,” Al Hakim said. have been different). half. ond goal on 109 minutes to take we were without many important dressing room’s full of dev- extend their unbeaten But he continues to be linked with a return to England with back together and be solid going into the free kick against the post in the dying “The first goal was a small mis- “But I am very proud of my boys Syria kept the Asian champions Australia into a final play-off with players and this certainly had an astated players and staff. record against their Celtic Manchester United and having seen Wales’s fairytale three-year play-offs. seconds as the Qasioun Eagles, who take, not a major mistake, and the with what they have achieved so far, at bay in the second half but in extra the CONCACAF federation’s fourth- impact.” “The whole nation will cousins to eight games and journey come to an end, he now finds himself at a crossroads. “We need the spirit of sacrifice, humil- be mourning because that stay in the hunt for Russia. ity and that Italian character that represents us.” The four-time world champions fin- ished second in Group G behind Spain, who booked their ticket to Russia as group win- Prijovic comes off the bench to ners, with Italy through to the play-offs on November 9 and 14 as one of the eight best Iceland become smallest nation to reach WC finals second-placed teams. Reeling from last month’s defeat in score as Serbia book Russia ticket Madrid to Spain, Ventura had come under Reykjavic Iceland’s starting lineup included four Iceland’s players celebrate after winning the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifier against Kosovo in Reykjavik, Iceland on Monday. Iceland became the smallest country fire after Friday’s dire draw with Macedo- Reuters players based in England’s second tier, two ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after beating Kosovo 2-0 at home. Belgrade nia in Turin. from the English Premier League, one from AFP And his injury-depleted side were still celand became the smallest country ever Italy’s Serie A and one each from the top without stalwarts Andrea Belotti, Daniele to qualify for the World Cup when they flights of Denmark, Sweden, Scotland and leksandar Prijovic scored De Rossi, Andrea Barzagli, Marco Verratti Ibeat Kosovo 2-0 on Monday to book a Russia. after coming on as a second- and Lorenzo Pellegrini. place at their first finals in Russia next year An emphatic 3-0 win in Turkey on Fri- Ahalf substitute to steer Italy had a strong call for a penalty as winners of Group I. day had sent Iceland top of the group for Serbia to a 1-0 win over Georgia turned down in the first half with Ciro Gylfi Sigurdsson settled their nerves the final match, although they struggled to and secure a place at next year’s Immobile also going close to getting the with a superbly-taken goal five minutes impose themselves against the group’s bot- World Cup finals. opener on 21 minutes but Atalanta goal- before halftime as Iceland proved that their tom side. Prijovic struck the winner on keeper Etrit Berisha cleared. run to the 2016 European Championship Iceland had to wait half an hour for 74 minutes in Belgrade as Serbia Veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon saved quarter-finals, which included wins over their first real chance when Jon Bodvars- finished top of European qualify- early efforts from Napoli defender Elseid Austria and England, was no fluke. son’s far post header was easily saved by ing Group D, with the Republic of Hysaj and midfielder Eros Grezda. Sigurdsson also set up the second for Samir Ujkani. Ireland heading to the play-offs Italy were denied a penalty appeal Johann Gudmundsson midway through the Milot Rashica gave Iceland a fright with after a 1-0 victory over Wales in before the break when Eder’s cross for second half as Iceland completed the cam- a long-range shot which flew past Hannes Cardiff. Immobile hit Empoli defender Frederic paign by winning their final three games Halldorsson’s post but Iceland went ahead “I think we deserved this, Veseli’s hand, but the referee waved play without conceding a goal. with their next attack and their first shot although it turned out that the last on, and again when Insigne was brought It was a remarkable achievement for on target. step was the most difficult one, but down on the edge of the area. a country which has a population of about Sigurdsson collected the ball on the we succeeded,” coach Slavoljub Cristian Panucci’s Albania lost their 350,000. The previous smallest country edge of the area, wriggled his way past Muslin said. tempo midway through the second half to have reached the finals was Trinidad & Amir Rrahmani and fired beyond Ujkani Prijovic said the goal was the Serbia’s Aleksandar Prijovic scores their first goal against allowing Italy space, with Candreva find- Tobago, in 2006, with 1.3 million people. for his fourth goal of the qualifiers. most important in his career. Georgia during their 2018 World Cup Qualifier at Rajko Mitic ing the way through. Coached by part-time dentist Heimir Iceland were happy to sit on their lead “It was a dream since (my) Stadium in Belgrade, Serbia on Monday. Italy now have a month to regain con- Hallgrimsson, Iceland finished the group but struck again in the 68th minute when childhood to score an important fidence and some of their injured players, with 22 points from their 10 games. Sigurdsson again got past Rrahmani and goal for the state,” the 27-year- although top striker Belotti has already Until fireworks went off after the final laid the ball into the middle for Gudmunds- old forward said. Serbia had missed out on a But they seized their second been ruled out of the play-offs. whistle, Monday’s match on a wet Reykja- son to score from close range. After a poor first half, Serbia chance to wrap up qualification chance to end an eight-year “I hope to get some players back for vik night rarely felt like an historic Iceland’s seven wins in the group dominated in the second period, with a match to spare last week as absence from the finals of a major the play-offs, as otherwise there might be occasion, with the hosts grinding out a rou- included all five of their home matches where twice going close, including when Louis Schaub struck a minute from tournament, having last qualified a problem,” conceded Ventura. tine win against opponents who were more previous World Cup semi-finalists Croatia Nemanja Matic’s attempt was time to give Austria a 3-2 victory for the 2010 World Cup in South refined technically but lacked punch. and Turkey were among the victims. cleared off the goalline. in Vienna. Africa. 34 SPORT WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017 Astros and Dodgers advance in play-offs
New York Houston Astros players AFP celebrate after game four of the 2017 ALDS he Los Angeles Dodg- play-off baseball series ers and Houston Calgary Flames goalie Mike Smith (left) celebrates with against the Boston Red Astros punched their centre Sean Monahan (centre) after the game against the Sox at Fenway Park on tickets to the next Monday. Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim on Monday. round of the Major TLeague Baseball play-offs on Monday as the Dodgers swept Flames blank Ducks as Arizona and the Astros elimi- nated Boston in four games. The Astros rallied for a wild Avalanche rout Bruins 5-4 victory over the Red Sox in Boston on Monday to win the best-of-five American League New York NHL RESULTS division series three games to Reuters one. Calgary 2 Anaheim 0 “We felt like that we could ean Monahan and Mikael Winnipeg 5 Edmonton 2 win this series, but we knew it Backlund registered goals, Tampa Bay 4 Washington 3 was going to be tough,” said S and Mike Smith made 43 Toronto 4 Chicago 3 Astros manager AJ Hinch. “We saves as the Calgary Flames New Jersey 6 Buffalo 2 get out to a 2-0 (series) lead, and ended an NHL-record losing Colorado 4 Boston 0 then you come to Fenway and streak with a 2-0 victory over it’s just a different animal. But the Anaheim Ducks on St. Louis 3 NyYIslanders 2 our guys just stayed the course.” Monday. Astros infielder Alex Breg- in the National League. George the fifth inning and Xander his opposite-field homer made The Flames had dropped 25 man belted a game-tying home Springer and Jose Altuve drove Bogaerts smacked his first career it 2-0 in the fifth inning. consecutive games in Anaheim Avalanche own 11 wins and a run off Red Sox ace hurler Chris in one run each for the Astros. playoff homer, a solo blast in the “I have been trying to hit it -- with their last victory at tie since their last road loss to Sale -- pitching in relief -- to Andrew Benintendi hit a first, for the Red Sox. the other way so it felt good,” Honda Center coming on Jan. the Bruins. Nail Yakupov scored lead off the eighth inning and game-tying two-run homer in In Phoenix, rookie Cody said Bellinger. 19, 2004. Calgary logged its first his first two goals with his new Josh Reddick delivered a two- Bellinger homered and drove in “We got to keep going and road win of the season. team, and Sven Andrighetto and out run-batted-in single later in two runs, Yu Darvish pitched five stay sharp.” Smith posted his 34th J.T. Compher each scored their the inning off of Red Sox closing strong innings, and the Dodgers Elsewhere, the World Series career shutout and was espe- first of the season. Varlamov pitcher Craig Kimbrel that put swept their way into the National champion Chicago Cubs gained cially strong in the second and notched his 22nd career the Astros up 4-3. League Championship Series the upper hand in their NL divi- third periods, stopping a com- shutout. The Red Sox gave disheart- We felt like that with a 3-1 victory over the Dia- sion series with a 2-1 win over bined 34 Anaheim attempts. Vladimir Tarasenko and ened, rain-soaked fans at we could win this mondbacks in game three of the Washington Nationals. The Ducks lost their second Brayden Schenn scored in the Fenway Park a last glimmer of their series. The victory put the Cubs up consecutive home game and shootout for St. Louis, which hope in the bottom of the ninth series, but we Bellinger and Austin Barnes 2-1 in the best-of-five series with failed to convert on five power- survived a furious third-period when Rafael Devers led off the knew it was going homered off Diamondbacks a chance to close it out at Wrig- play attempts. Anaheim goalie comeback by New York to earn inning with a drive to deep left pitcher Zack Greinke while ley Field on Tuesday. John Gibson made 27 saves. a win. centre field. It bounced off the to be tough: Astros Japan’s Darvish gave up one run Anthony Rizzo put the Cubs Meanwhile, Semyon Var- Tarasenko scored twice in wall and gave Devers an inside- manager AJ Hinch and struck out seven in five-plus ahead in the eighth inning with lamov stopped all 29 shots he the second period for the Blues, the-park home run. innings. a run-scoring single to shallow faced in Colorado’s win over who killed all five penalties they But it wasn’t enough as the Bellinger, the likely NL centre field. Boston. incurred and are perfect Astros reached a league cham- Rookie of the Year, had 39 reg- Cubs closer Wade Davis Colorado hasn’t lost in Bos- through three games for the pionship series for the first time ular-season homers but was pitched a scoreless ninth to pre- ton since March 30, 1998. The second straight season. since 2005 -- when they were one-for-12 in the series before serve the win. NFL: Keenum leads 3 scoring drives as Vikings beat Bears
Chicago AP
ase Keenum gave the Vikings the lift they C needed, and that was just enough to spoil Mitchell Tru- bisky’s highly anticipated debut. Keenum led three second- half scoring drives after Sam Bradford’s troublesome left knee flared up again, and the Minnesota Vikings beat Trubisky and the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Monday night. Kai Forbath kicked a 26-yard field goal in the closing seconds after Harrison Smith intercepted Trubisky , and the Vikings (3-2) came away with the win after dropping two of three. “I didn’t know (if I would play),” Keenum said. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (left) is chased “That’s something I’ve tried not to think about. I tried to by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd in the approach the week like I was second half of their NFL game at Soldier Field in Chicago starting. I did the same thing I on Monday. did the previous four weeks. I did the same thing I’ve done Sidelined the previous three and went 17 of 21 for 140 yards every week I’ve been in the NFL. games because of swelling and and a touchdown. I’ve tried to prepare like I’ve soreness in his surgically Jerick McKinnon had a been the starter.” repaired left knee, Bradford 58-yard touchdown run. Ever- Called on after Mike Glen- aggravated the joint when he son Griffen contributed a non struggled in the first four was tackled in the first half. strip-sack against Trubisky that games, Trubisky played like he With limited mobility, he led to a field goal, and the belonged . The No. 2 overall pick completed just 5 of 11 passes for Vikings beat Chicago on the road was 12 of 25 for 128 yards with 36 yards and was sacked four for just the third time in 17 a touchdown. times — including a safety by games. The interception came after Leonard Floyd. Bradford was The Bears simplified their the Bears (1-4) took over on their listed as limited in practice dur- offense for Trubisky, with fewer 10 with 2:32 left in the game. ing the week, though coach Mike receivers and extra blockers at Smith picked off a pass intended Zimmer said there was “no times. But he still showed the for Zach Miller on the right side- doubt” he would play. mobility and arm strength that line at the 22. He wasn’t sure how much convinced general manager The Vikings got the ball at more time Bradford will miss. Ryan Pace to trade up a spot the 28, and Forbath booted the Keenum replaced him with with San Francisco to grab him winner with 16 seconds left. 25 seconds left in the first half on draft night. WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 35
T20 Global Five-star Perera shines in League postponed
Johannesburg Sri Lanka series triumph Reuters ricket South Afri- ca’s (CSA) troubled Dubai CT20 Global League AFP has been postponed to 2018 in an embarrassing ff-spinner Dilruwan climb-down for the Perera finished with organisation which five wickets to help launched the tournament Sri Lanka beat Paki- amid great fanfare in stan by 68 runs in London in June. Othe second Test in Dubai yester- Failure to secure a day and take the series 2-0. suitable broadcast pack- Perera had figures of 5-98 as age and a title sponsor Pakistan, chasing a tough 317 to meant CSA stood to lose win, were bowled out for 248 in about $25m, represent- the second hour of fifth and final ing roughly half of the day at Dubai stadium. organisation’s cash Asad Shafiq fought hard dur- reserves. ing his 112-run knock -- his 11th “We have not come Test hundred -- and together to this decision lightly,” with his skipper Sarfraz Ahmed acting CSA CEO Thabang (68) added 173 for the sixth Moroe said in a state- wicket. ment yesterday. But once their partnership “Having discussed it was broken Sri Lanka, having with all our stakehold- already won the first Test by 21 ers including the runs in Abu Dhabi, quickly closed franchise owners, we in on the victory. believe that the interest This is Pakistan’s first series of the league should be defeat at their adopted home of our first priority. We United Arab Emirates (UAE) in have re-assessed our seven years. They had won five strategy and believe of the previous nine, with four that postponing the first drawn. edition of the T20 Glo- Sri Lankan players celebrate after winning the second Test against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Ground in Dubai Pakistan were forced to play bal League to next year in the neutral venues of the UAE yesterday. will serve us well.” following the deadly terrorist A number of top attack on the Sri Lankan team in They previously suffered a “They put their heart and 253-minute knock had 10 off Perera and was reprived on international players had Lahore in 2009. 3-0 defeat against Australia, a soul in the practice sessions. boundaries but he again failed the same score when Dimuth been signed for the 2017 This is also Pakistan’s first series also played at neutral ven- “It was a tough series against to help Pakistan cross the line, Karunaratne dropped a low competition, including home defeat since losing to ues in Colombo and UAE in India but we learnt a lot from it. just like his 137 in the lost cause catch of the same bowler. England one-day captain South Africa 1-0 in 2007, a series 2002. Sri Lankan captain Dinesh The boys executed the game plan against Australia at Brisbane last Perera then completed his Eoin Morgan and former held on their grounds, and only Chandimal, whose team lost to really well in this series. We year. five-wicket haul when he England batsman Kevin the second whitewash in their India 3-0 in August, hailed “a knew when we came today that Pakistan had looked to the trapped Mohammad Amir -- Pietersen. history. team performance”. Dilruwan and Rangana (Herath) overnight partnership of Shafiq unable to bowl in the second The six-week tourna- would do the job.” and Ahmed to guide them to the innings with a shin injury -- leg ment, due to feature eight SCOREBOARD Pakistan skipper Ahmed was winning target after resuming at before for four, bringing Sri teams, was scheduled to left ruing a tough series. 198-5, needing another 119 for Lanka within three wickets of run from November. Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 482 Yasir Shah st Dickwella b Herath ...... 5 Pakistan (I innings): ...... 262 Wahab Riaz c Chandimal b Herath ...... 1 “It was a tough series for us. victory. victory. 3-December. 16. Sri Lanka (II innings): ...... 96 Mohammad Abbas (not out) ...... 3 We came close in both matches, Both Shafiq and Ahmed had Yasir Shah was cleaned up Former CSA CEO Pakistan (II innings): Extras: (LB1, NB5) ...... 6 but we haven’t played good lucky escapes but Perera finally by Herath while the victory was Haroon Lorgat left his job Shan Masood c Dickwella b Perera ...... 21 Total: (90.2 overs) ...... 248 cricket and that’s why we have broke the resistance when brought up when Herath had suddenly last month cit- Sami Aslam c Mendis b Gamage ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-36, 3-49, 4-52, 5-52, 6-225, lost the series,” said Ahmed. Ahmed was caught off a miscued number 10 Wahab Riaz caught ing a clash with the Azhar Ali c Silva b Pradeep ...... 17 7-230, 8-244, 9-244 Shafiq was the ninth man out sweep at deep fine leg by Nuwan gleefully by Chandimal for one. organisation’s board, Haris Sohail c Dickwella b Perera ...... 10 Bowling: Lakmal 14-4-35-1, Gamage 16-5-29-1 (nb3), when he edged paceman Pradeep. Sri Lanka had gained a deci- widely reported in South Asad Shafiq c Mendis b Lakmal ...... 112 Herath 22.2-3-57-2, Pradeep 11-3-21-1 (1nb), Perera Babar Azam c Silva b Perera ...... 0 26-1-98-5, Mendis 1-0-7-0 (1nb) Suranga Lakmal to slip where Ahmed hit five boundaries sive 220-run lead by scoring 482 African media to be
Sarfraz Ahmed c Pradeep b Perera ...... 68 Result: Sri Lanka win by 68 runs Kusal Mendis took a low diving during his 130-ball knock. in the first innings on the back of about his role in setting Mohammad Amir lbw b Perera ...... 4 Series: Sri Lanka win 2-0 catch to end all Pakistan’s hopes Shafiq brought up his hun- Karunaratne’s career best 196 and up the League. of an upset win. Shafiq’s dred with a paddled sweep single then bowled Pakistan out for 262. Australia’s Australia thrash India by 8 Khawaja Usman Khawaja reveals racial wickets to level T20I series
Guwahati Yuzvendra Chahal and Kul- abuse IANS deep Yadav -- failed to generate any purchase from the wicket Sydney n all-round Australia like their Aussie counterpart AFP thrashed India by eight Adam Zampa. Awickets in the second Henriques was the more ustralia batsman Usman Twenty20 International (T20I) destructive of the two, as the Khawaja has revealed he to square the three-match series right-hander brought up his sec- Awas racially abused so 1-1 at the Assam Cricket Associ- ond T20I half century by much growing up that he refused sporting contests. I didn’t experiences they had endured.” ation (ACA) Barsapara Stadium clobbering Kuldeep for two suc- to support the national side, and either.” At one point Khawaja was here yesterday. cessive maximums ending claimed “racism” once played a The abuse ultimately made the only Asian first-class player Chasing a paltry 119, Aus- India’s hopes. role in selections for the team. him stronger, but Khawaja said in Australia, something he tralia initially got a taste of their Earlier, Australia rode on the The 30-year-old, who immi- it was an intimidating environ- attributed to his strong-willed own medicine from India’s new comfortably caught by captain pace of Jason Behrendorff (pic- grated as a child, battled the ment to play the game he loved. family. ball pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli on both occasions. tured) (4/21) and leg-spinner odds to become Australia’s first He said he was brought up “It’s no surprise it has taken Bhuvneshwar Kumar to be All-rounder Moises Hen- Adam Zampa (2/19) to pack off Pakistan-born national player to be humble and polite “but Australia cricket so long for col- reduced to 13/2. riques (62 not out) and Travis India for a paltry 118. and is now established as one of when I watched the Aussie team, oured players to come through Skipper David Warner (2) Head (48 not out) then started Behrendorff used the over- the country’s leading Test I saw men who were hard- the system,” he said. was the first man to be dis- the repair work cautiously cast conditions well to send back batsmen. nosed, confident, almost “There is no doubt racism missed off a short-pitched ball before launching an all-out the duo of Rohit Sharma (8) and But it wasn’t an easy jour- brutish”. and politics played a large role from Bumrah before Bhuv- attack on the Indians to even- skipper Virat Kohli for a duck in ney, and Khawaja wrote on the “The same type of men who in selections in the past. neshwar struck with the wicket tually end up with a 109-run the very first over. playersvoice.com.au website would sledge me about my her- “I’ve heard a few stories of the in-form Aaron Finch (8), undefeated third wicket stand. Kohli found himself that he was vilified over his race itage growing up,” he added. from past Anglo-Saxon players cramped for room, forcing him from a young age, making him As he got older, he said Aus- where this seems to be the case. SCOREBOARD to play across the line but only resent Australian sporting teams. tralia also grew up and “I started It would just be the times that India Bowling: Behrendorff 4-0-21-4, Coulter-Nile 4-0-23-1 resulted in a caught and bowled “Getting sledged by opposi- to understand that the minority they lived in.” R Sharma lbw b Behrendorff ...... 8 (w2), Tye 4-0-30-1 (nb1), Zampa 4-0-19-2 (w1), Stoinis dismissal for Behrendorff. tion players and their parents of Australians who did treat me Khawaja said Australian S Dhawan c Warner b Behrendorff ...... 2 4-0-20-1 (w1) The third over witnessed the was the norm. Some of them said this way were just that, a cricket and society has come a V Kohli c & b Behrendorff ...... 0 Australia (target 119) dismissal of Manish Pandey (6) it just quietly enough for only me minority”. long way and it is now easier for M Pandey c Paine b Behrendorff ...... 6 A Finch c Kohli b Kumar ...... 8 before opener Shikhar Dhawan K Jadhav b Zampa ...... 27 D Warner c Kohli b Bumrah ...... 2 to hear,” he wrote on the web- “By high school I was a die- cricketers from all backgrounds M.S Dhoni st Paine b Zampa ...... 13 M Henriques not out ...... 62 (2) was packed back in the next site, where sportspeople can air hard Australian team supporter. to come through the system. H Pandya c Christian (sub) b Stoinis ...... 25 T Head (not out) ...... 48 over by Behrendorff. their views. But, from a pathways perspec- But he is reluctant to take B Kumar c Henriques b Coulter-Nile ...... 1 Extras (W2) ...... 2 Reeling at 70/7 by the 13th “It still hurt, but I would tive, the damage had been done. any credit for opening doors. K Yadav c Paine b Tye ...... 16 Total (2 wkts) ...... 122 over, all-rounder Hardik Pandya never show it. Most of the time “Not to me, but to some of “Maybe it was inevitable J Bumrah run out (Paine) ...... 7 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-13 offered some resistance with a it was when I scored runs. the other immigrant kids who with the growing multicultural Y Chahal (not out) ...... 3 Did not bat: G Maxwell, M Stoinis, T Paine, N Coulter- 23-ball 25, but a brilliant low “It is for this reason why so potentially could have gone on community in Australia. Maybe Extras (LB5, NB1, W4) ...... 10 Nile, A Tye, A Zampa, J Behrendorff catch by Dan Christian at the long Total (all out; 20 overs) ...... 118 Bowling: Kumar 3-0-9-1 (w1), Bumrah 3-0-25-1,
many of my friends, most of to play for Australia. it was a few friendly faces at the Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-8, 3-16, 4-27, 5-60, 6-67, 7-70, Pandya 2-0-13-0, Yadav 4-0-46-0, Chahal 3.3-0-29-0 off boundary off Marcus Stoinis whom were born outside Aus- They chose not to pursue a highest level. We will never 8-103, 9-115, 10-118 Result: Australia beat India by 8 wickets spoilt India’s last chance to accel- tralia, didn’t support Australia in dream because of the negative know,” he said. erate the scoring rate. 36 SPORT WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017 Aguero back in training QSL Cup: Al Sadd, Al Rayyan after car crash clash in second round today London AFP Chinthana Wasala Al Sadd’s Baghdad ergio Aguero gave Manchester City The Peninsula Bounedjah (left) and Al a welcome boost yesterday as the Rayyan’s Gonzalo Viera Argentina striker returned to train- he second round of the action-packed QSL Cup S in action during a QSL ing following his recent car crash. comes to a close when local heavyweights Al match in this file photo. Aguero sustained a broken rib when Sadd and Al Rayyan meet on a neutral turf today a taxi he was passenger in crashed on its afternoon. way to Amsterdam airport last month. The crunch tie which will take place at the The accident sparked fears Aguero TAl Khor Stadium, kicks off at 5.35pm as Al Rayyan eye could be out of action for up to two their second successive win of the tournament. months. Al Sadd, after suffering a shock defeat in the hands But just 11 days later he took part in of Al Markhiya in Round one, will be targetting their first light training at the club’s Eastlands com- win in the tournament in today’s Group B fixture. plex as he joined in training with the City The game was originally scheduled for Monday, but players not away on international duty. had to be postponed twice, first to tomorrow and was Aguero, 29, is just one goal short of then moved up by one day. Eric Brook’s all-time club record of 177 QNB Stars League Management had earlier taken a goals. decision to push the game to tomorrow, in view of Al City midfielder Fabian Delph also Sadd’s friendly against Turkish side Trabzonspor, which took part in Tuesday’s session having the Qatari side lost 1-2, on Sunday. The second was due recovered from a minor knock sustained to a request made by Al Rayyan. against Chelsea which forced him to pull Al Sadd will be keen to start their account in the com- out of the England squad. petition, following last week’s 0-2 loss while Al Rayyan will look to build on their 2-0 victory over Al Ahli in their opener. Al Markhiya, having won their Group B opener and a two-all draw against Al Arabi on Monday, are at the top Mane out of the points table, followed by Al Rayyan who collected full points against Al Ahli. At the end of the second round, Al Kharaitiyat and Al Gharafa are at teh top of the points table in Group A, hav- for up to ing collected full points in both of their respective matches. Group A also include newly formed Al Duhail, Qatar six weeks SC, Al Khor and Al Sailiya.
London AFP Klopp perfect for Liverpool, says former CEO iverpool forward Sadio Mane could be out of action for up to six weeks Lafter picking up a hamstring injury on international duty, the club said London guided to the 2013 Cham- League rivals Manchester yesterday. Reuters pions League final, Klopp is United, who visit Anfield on A statement on the club’s website said yet to win a major trophy Saturday, earn far more he was substituted just before the end of uergen Klopp (pictured) at the Anfield club but revenue than the Mersey- Senegal’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win is the perfect manager to Purslow said he was under side club, adding that Klopp over the Cape Verde Islands on Jhelp Liverpool fulfil their no pressure from the would need time to repeat Saturday. ambitions on the pitch hierarchy. his Bundesliga success in “It has now been confirmed that he despite not being able to “He’s two years into this England. picked up an injury during that fixture match the spending power job that looked to be per- “There are revenue dif- that could keep him out of action for up of the Premier League’s fect for Juergen Klopp,” ferences between to six weeks,” the statement said. richest sides, former chief Purslow told Sky Sports. Manchester United and Liv- Mane’s absence is a huge blow for executive Christian Purslow “There are great simi- erpool. Liverpool’s are still Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after the for- has said. larities between what he superb but they are a frac- ward scored three goals in four Premier The German’s success achieved at Dortmund, tion of Manchester United,” League appearances this season. over seven years at Borus- what he was expected to he added. The injury is especially badly timed sia Dortmund, where he achieve -- which was to Liverpool, seventh on 12 for Klopp with Liverpool’s bitter rivals challenged the dominance compete with an absolute points, have struggled to Manchester United visiting Anfield on of Bayern Munich, behemoth in Bayern convert their goal-scoring Saturday. prompted Liverpool’s Munich, while spending less opportunities this season Liverpool are already seven points American owners Fenway money, both on wages and but will be fired up for Sat- behind United in the Premier League and Sports Group to hire him to in the transfer market. urday’s fixture against a can’t afford to drop points against Jose spearhead their project. “That is the job descrip- free-scoring United side, Mourinho’s in-form United. Twice a Bundesliga tion at Liverpool.” who have won six of seven Sane’s value to Liverpool has been champion with Borussia Purslow said Liver- and drawn just once this immense since his move from Southamp- Dortmund, who he also pool’s bitter Premier campaign. ton in 2016, but he has struggled to stay fit.
QCA Under-19 Schools Championship begins Chinese Taipei’s Amateur boxing chief suspended
Lausanne AFP
u Ching-Ko, the Taiwanese chief of amateur boxing’s governing Wbody AIBA, has been temporar- ily suspended in an ongoing power struggle involving accusations of finan- cial mismanagement. AIBA’s disciplinary commission made the move on Monday, but revealed the news yesterday in a statement. “Wu was found to be in violation of a number of the boxing association’s stat- utes and disciplinary codes,” the commission said in a statement. “President Wu has made important commercial agreements and taken key decisions without the EC’s (executive committee) approval. He has signed and taken on several loans,” it said, adding there were no feasible plans for reim- bursement. Wu, who won a recent court battle against AIBA’s executive commit- Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) officials and school cricketers pose for a photograph during the opening ceremony of the QCA organised Under- tee, said he planned to appeal. 19 Schools Championship in Doha yesterday. His rivals say he has racked up debts worth 15m Swiss francs ($15m).