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Friday, August 31, 2018 Dhul-Hijja 20, 1439 AH England’s Curran GULF TIMES leads rally against India in 4th Test SPORT Page 6 FOCUS Samba, Haroun power Qatar to 4x400 relay gold ‘I have no words to express how happy I am to help Qatar win the gold today. It feels amazing’

Sheikh Ali bags silver in individual jumping

By Our Correspondent designed by ’s Werner Jakarta Deeg. Alkhorafi and his horse Cheril produced a neat round, clearing all the hurdles to atar’s Sheikh Ali bin record the lowest faults at just Khalid al-Thani bagged 1.06 points. Sheikh Ali and Si- Qthe silver medal in rocco combined for 2.02 points. the individual showjumping Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami from event at the Saudi Arabia and his horse Ted yesterday. The ace rider, who recorded a fault score of 5.00, will celebrate his 37th birthday after toppling a pole in the final tomorrow, gave himself an round. Al-Duhami, who was lead- early present at the Jakarta ing going into the final round, International Equestrian Park. incurred a penalty of 4 points, Going into yesterday’s final which meant he dropped to round, Sheikh Ali was in second bronze medal position. position but was also firmly Other Qatari riders had a in contention for gold medal. disappointing outing in the Despite some magnificent individual event — Basem performance with his nine- (Argelith Squid) finished tied year-old stallion Sirocco in the 38th, al-Attiyah (Clinton) was two-round finals, Sheikh Ali had 40th and al-Suwaidi (Cantaro to settle for silver. 32) was 45th. “Our goal was the gold The judges in the individual medal but Alhamdulilah we got the team event. He was also the jumping final round were Khalil bronze in team event and silver flag bearer for Qatar in Rio. Ibrahim Murad Hassan (United in individual. We hope we do This was Qatar’s second medal Arab Emirates), Gerald Kuh better in our upcoming compe- in the equestrian competition (Hong Kong, ), Karim titions because Qatar deserves at the 18th Asian Games, after Badaro (Lebanon), Sergey gold,” Sheikh Ali said. they had won bronze in the Buikevich (Kazakhstan) and Sheikh Ali has made a habit of team event on Tuesday. Qatar’s Kazuya Hirayama (). producing impressive perform- team consisted of Sheikh Ali, A staggering 68 competitors ances in the big events. He had Hamad al-Attiyah, Basem Mo- from 19 nations participated in Qatar Athletics Federation president Dr Thani al-Kuwari, secretary-general Mohamed al-Fadala, star high-jumper Mutaz Barshim and other finished in sixth spot in the hamed and Salman al-Suwaidi. the Jumping class. The number off icials pose with men’s 4x400m relay gold-winning quartet — , Mohamed Abbas, Abdalelah Haroun and Mohamed individual jumping event at the Ali Alkhorafi won Kuwait’s of nations has more than dou- Mohamed — at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. 2016 Rio Olympics, while he led third gold of the Asiad with bled from the last Asian Games Qatar to ninth-place finish in a sublime ride in the course in Incheon. By Anil John Jakarta

ou can’t keep Abder- rahman Samba and Ab- dalelah Haroun out of Qatar’s scheme of things asY far as athletics is concerned. The current stars and potential future legends teamed up to help the country bag their fi fth gold medal at the Asian Games as the track and fi eld competitions con- cluded yesterday in the Indone- sian capital.

Qatar’s 4x400m relay winning quartet — Mohamed Mohamed, Abderrahman Samba, Abdalelah Haroun and Mohamed Abbas — celebrate after posting the new Asian record to win gold. (Reuters)

and Shunji Karube at the Bang- Haroun, who won the 400m maican team at the Rio Olympics kok Asian Games in 1998. India fl at in Jakarta, added that they in 2016 teamed up again to sound took the silver in 3:01.85 while were always confi dent of winning notice ahead of the Olym- Japan were third in 3.01.94. the gold in the relay. pics in 2020 in a time of 38.16 “I have no words to express “Everything depended on a seconds. how happy I am to help Qatar win great start, and when Abderrah- Indonesian spectators brought the gold today. It feels amazing to man gave us that it was only a the roof down as the hosts held Samba ran a blistering fi rst leg fi rst win an individual gold and matter of not making any mis- on to second place ahead of Chi- Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani during the equestrian jumping final round yesterday. in the 4x400m relay and Haroun then a team gold. I couldn’t have takes. That we did and the rest is na in 38.77. put in a solid fi nal lap as Qatar expected more at my fi rst Asian history,” said Haroun. “We came here hoping to win Indonesia win a medal. I hope got a new house built paid for by ry that there’s nobody coming smashed the Asian Games record Games,” Samba said. Qatar raised their medal tally the gold medal and we are happy to do even better for my beloved the government after he won the through after me in Kazakhstan to power home in 3:00.56 min- Samba, who had won the to 12, fi ve of which are gold, four that we achieved it,” said Japan country,” he added. junior title in Finland. – nobody who can match my re- utes at the Gelora Bung Karno 400m hurdles gold earlier, said are silver and three bronze. star Ryota Yamagata. He admitted he was a bit nerv- Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan sults in the future.” Stadium. Mohamed Abbas and he would take a call later on Earlier, Japan took the 4x100 “Now we have the Olympics in ous during the 100m fi nal a few lived up to expectations in the India won two more gold med- Mohamed Mohamed were also whether to also run the 400m fl at metres relay gold and Bahrain’s mind and we are confi dent too,” days ago where he fi nished sev- triple jump, her 14.26m eff ort als to take their athletics tally to clinical in the middle, capitalis- on a serious basis. Edidiong Odiong added the he added. enth. proving good enough for her seven – vastly improving on the ing on the pace set by Samba and “I’ll be surely helping out the 4x100m title to her 100m and Indonesian teen Lalu Zohri, “I was mentally down to see third consecutive Asian Games two they won in Incheon. then ensuring a smooth baton team in the relays but there are a 200m victories, only to miss out who has become a national icon some big names during the gold. Jinson Johnson won the exchange before Haroun took lot of things to be considered be- on an unprecedented fourth win after winning the world junior sprint. But today was diff erent Rypakova, 33, the London Ol- 1,500m, while India’s women charge to romp home in style. fore I take up the 400 seriously,” in the 4x400m. 100m title recently, thanked the because it was a team event.” ympics champion 2012, said she easily beat favourites Bahrain to Qatar’s time beat the mark of said Samba, who has run a couple Three of the four sprinters who fans for the support he received. Zohri, who used to live in a was confi dent of continuing for a claim the 4x400m relay. 3:01.70 set by Japan’s Jun Osaka- of 400m fl at races in the build- helped Japan to a sensational sil- “I feel very proud that I could bamboo shack on the earth- few more years. Bahrain and China both won 12 da, Kenji Tataba, Masayoshi Kan up towards the Asian Games. ver behind the Usain Bolt-led Ja- live up to expectations and help quake hit Lombok Island, has “It’s my job. I have a little wor- gold in athletics at the Games. Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 31, 2018 ASIAN GAMES

VOLLEYBALL SPOTLIGHT Qatar to face Chinese Taipei for bronze OCA hopes to see

By Our Correspondent blocks. Kuwait in Olympic Jakarta Iran will face Korea in the ti- tle clash, while Qatar will take on Chinese Taipei in a bid to add ran, chasing dreams of win- bronze to their medals haul. fold for 2020 ning a back-to-back Asian Fired-up Korea won a thrill- Games title, advanced to the ing semi-fi nal contest against Reuters due to a controversial sports law. fi nal with a 3-0 (25-23, 25- Chinese Taipei 3-2 (20-25, 25- Jakarta Al-Musallam, a close ally of I19, 25-18) win over a formidable 20, 25-16, 20-25, 15-12) to reach OCA President and FIFA Council Qatar in men’s volleyball at the their 10th fi nal showdown at the member Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad Asian Games yesterday. Asian Games. lympic Council of Asia al-Ahmed al-Sabah, another Qatar, who captured their The Koreans have captured (OCA) director general Kuwaiti, said the country’s gov- maiden AVC Cup in Chinese gold thrice — 1978 in Thailand, Husain al-Musallam ernment was focused on getting Taipei early this month, had 2002 on home soil in and has told Reuters he the ban lifted in time for the To- played a tough fi ve-set match 2006 in Doha, Qatar. In 2002 in hopesO his native Kuwait will im- kyo Games. against Japan in the quarter- particular, the Koreans brushed plement a roadmap proposed by “For me, as a Kuwaiti, I am fi nals coming into yesterday’s off Iran in straight sets to cel- the International Olympic Com- very proud that the team partici- game. ebrate their second Asian Games mittee that will see it return to pated under the fl ag at the Asian Iran, which had four players title at home. the Olympic fold ahead of the Games and the athletes per- including Milad Ebadipour and In the women’s team event 2020 Tokyo Games. formed well in short notice,” the Saeid Marou who competed in today, the do-or-die semi-fi nals Kuwait’s national Olympic 58-year-old said. the previous Games in Incheon, see Asian champions Japan set committee has been banned “We need to work together in did well throughout the match. up a big match against world since 2015 after the government Kuwait, respect the minimum Seyedmohammad Mousavi- No.1 and Rio Games champions was accused of interference with requirements and principles of eraghi and Amir Ghafour de- China, while Thailand renew ri- a new sports law. As a result, the Olympic movement. fended brilliantly at the net, valry with reigning champions Kuwaiti athletes had to compete “I hope we will work together while the latter uncorked a bar- Korea. under the Olympic fl ag at the to hold elections according to the rage of fi erce attacks to help the Action from the men’s volleyball semi-final between Qatar (in maroon) and Iran (in white) during the 2018 Vietnam will face Indonesia 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and roadmap proposed by the IOC Iranians take the close fi rst set Asian Games in Jakarta yesterday. and the Philippines will meet they have had no access to IOC and this will be helpful for eve- 25-23. Kazakhstan in the 5th-8th play- funds. rybody.” Iranians then managed to they won comfortably 25-19 25- with 13 points, while Ghafour 31 attempts. Seyedmohammad off s, with Chinese Taipei being Earlier this month, the IOC keep Qatar at arm’s length in 18. scored a match-high 18 points Mousavieraghi added 10 points pitted against India in the 9th- provisionally lifted the ban ASIA’S PROBLEMS the second and third sets, which Mubarak Hammad led Qatar for Iran including 16 kills from including a team-leading 3 10th playoff . shortly before the start of the Al-Musallam, who worked as Asian Games “as a gesture an airline pilot for 36 years, said of goodwill to recognise the government interference re- FOCUS progress accomplished”, allow- mained a big problem for the Ol- ing the country to compete under ympic movement in Asia. its own fl ag in Jakarta. “From time to time a new Al-Musallam said in an inter- elected government immediately view on Wednesday that several sees sport as a very attractive other countries had faced the fi eld and jumps on it. This will same problem, the diff erence never end,” he said. was Kuwait has been grappling The OCA has also had to deal with the issue for the last three with a diplomatic crisis in West Handball gold decades. Asia after Saudi Arabia, the Unit- “This issue is not only in Ku- ed Arab Emirates, Bahrain and wait but has happened in many Egypt closed land, air and sea other countries in the world. We links with Qatar in June last year, have had the same issue before accusing it of funding terrorism. in India, Pakistan and Korea,” he Qatar has vehemently denied the said. “All issues were solved af- allegations and the blockading ter a year or two and things have countries have not been able to beckons as Qatar moved forward. produce any proof to substanti- “Kuwait is special because ate their charges. this issue is not for the fi rst time Al-Musallam was confi dent but since 1986. The government the Olympic movement would be changes law and then imposes on strong enough to survive the cri- the sports movement. sis surrounding Qatar, which will “Changing a law is good, you host the World Cup in 2022. can change the law as you want “The (Asian) Games have run take on Bahrain but to implement or enforce a during World War II, the Korean wrong article of the law to re- war and all nations have partici- ‘Our aim is to win the gold and remain champions of Asian Games handball’ place the Olympic charter is pated,” he said. against the rules.” “The political problems dur- By Anil John Kuwait was also suspended in ing the India-Pakistan-Bang- Jakarta 2010 over a similar dispute but ladesh war, the Afghanistan reinstated before the 2012 Lon- problems, Vietnam war, Iraq war don Olympics. The country has — the Games have run. Despite he one thing about this Qatar handball team had more than 15 national sports all these challenges the Olympic that stood out throughout their Asian Games bodies suspended over the years, movement in Asia is united and campaign so far is that they never got rattled, no including its football federation, working well.” matter how intense the pressure. TIn six matches in the Indonesian capital so far, they have given the opposition little breathing space, out- classing all comers in every department of the game. Occasionally, they did get caught up in a defensive rut, but it didn’t take them much to break out of such spells and reinforce their writ on the match. Over the past four years, coach Valero Rivera has in- fused the players with a kind of ruthlessness that has literally turned them into creatures of habit — the habit of winning that is. It’s this quality that will come to their rescue — if at all a crisis situation arises — when the defending champi- ons take on Bahrain in what could be a tricky fi nal today, the penultimate day of competitions at the Games. In Incheon four years ago, the story was similar, ex- cept that it was who were in the fi nal, and Bahrain had ended up with the bronze. A few months later, in January 2015, Qatar had fi n- ished second to in the Handball World Champi- In this August 14, 2018, picture, Kuwaiti delegation takes part in the onship hosted in Doha. It announced their arrival on the Asian Games opening ceremony in Jakarta. (Reuters) global scene in a big way. Spaniard Rivera has taken the game to an entirely new level as far as public consciousness about the sport is concerned. Once the poor, under-funded cousin of Unifi ed Korea assured of medal football, it is now suddenly cool to be playing handball. And even following handball. in women’s basketball Retaining their title today would elevate the prestige of the sport further in the eyes of fans in Qatar. A vic- The unified Korean women’s ing to see the two teams play tory would also give them an enhanced sense of pride basketball team defeated together as one.” and self-respect. After all, the region is not what it used Taiwan 89-66 yesterday to Cho Yeong-been from Seoul to be a little more than a year ago where even victories, reach the final at the Asian said watching a unified outfit although a matter of celebration, were supposed to be Games as players from both felt “very diff erent” from see- coated with a layer of politeness and chivalry. A spirit of sides of the divided peninsula ing the South Korean team, fraternity superseded everything and one-upmanship got onto the scoresheet to the noting fans from diff erent or audacity were considered contrary to it. cheers of joint supporters. areas contributed songs from Sadly, that is not the case anymore. The senseless North Korean Ro Suk-yong diff erent regions. diplomatic and economic blockade of Qatar has led to scored 17 points and her Lee Joo-young, a Korean a situation where even the prospect of a healthy sport- eff ort was matched by South based in Jakarta, said she ing rivalry can take on a tinge of incivility, if not outright Korean team mates Lim Yung- does not usually watch sports, nastiness. hui and Park Hye-jin. but came to cheer on the uni- The Qatari players are of course wary of it, although Ro admitted that in defence fied team. they are pretty certain that if something ‘unsporting’ she had struggled at times “I want to support the One happens, they won’t be the ones to trigger it. due to her relatively small Korea team. They have played “For us it’s a game, a very important game. It’s our stature, but was backed up by as a unified team,” she said. policy that we don’t involve politics with sports. We are the 6-foot-5 US-based team- The Koreas marched together here only to focus on our game and our aim is to win the mate Park Ji-su. under a common flag at the gold and remain champions of Asian Games handball,” “It was diff icult when I was opening ceremony and they Qatar Abdulrazzaq Murad said. trying to defend because I am have also fielded joint teams “There’s no question we are motivated. When you very short, so when I cannot in rowing and canoeing, win- are playing for your country’s pride, you give your eve- defend Park Ji-su did it,” said ing a gold and two bronzes rything for the national cause,” he added. Others in the Ro, who is one of three North so far. squad also voiced similar opinions. Korean players in the team. A unified Korean ice hockey Qatar would be looking to their prolifi c quintet of Anis “Although I am feeling a bit team also competed at this Zouaoui, Rafael Capote, Moustafa Heiba, Ahmed Mada- tired, I think what’s important year’s Winter Olympics in di and Bertrand Roine to deliver the goods one last time is we will be playing together Pyeongchang. in Jakarta. in the final. We’ll do our best.” Korea expert Andray Abra- Bahrain, meanwhile, would be equally pumped up. The Koreans will face China hamian said that the good Over the past few years, they have beaten convincingly in tomorrow’s final and will run by the basketball team by Qatar in three consecutive Asian Handball Champi- be followed by dozens of sup- would be welcomed by both onships – in 2014, 2016 and in January this year. porters wearing T-shirts with countries “especially since It goes without saying that they would be desper- the unified Korean flag. sports and culture are the ate to break Qatar’s stranglehold on Asian handball and Fan Angela Won, 26, a South main avenues for cooperation that their best chance is today. Another defeat in a fi nal Korean living in the United between the two Koreas at would be too diffi cult to digest. Over the past four years, coach Valero Rivera (left) has infused the players with a kind of ruthlessness that has liter- States, said: “It was just amaz- the moment.” The match will be played at 2pm Qatar Time. ally turned them into creatures of habit — the habit of winning that is. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 3 ASIAN GAMES

ROUND-UP SPOTLIGHT ‘This is Indonesia’: race-walker India’s women and collapses aft er 50km of heat, smog

AFP China’s Wang Qin took silver, Jakarta and Joo Hyun-myeong of South Johnson clinch Korea bronze.

ndonesia’s Hendro said it ‘#WEBREATHETHESAMEAIR’ was a “miracle” to even fi n- “It was just so hot. The walkers ish the 50km race walk in Ja- in front went fast at the begin- karta’s brutal pollution, heat ning but I paced myself as I knew Iand humidity yesterday after he they would slow,” said Katsuki. “I was carried from the fi nish line was prepared. I made cuts in my 4x400, 1500m gold on a stretcher. vest to help the air fl ow.” Hendro collapsed after The winning time was the Chitra Palakeezh, Seema Punia bag bronze in women’s 1500m and discus throw pounding the Indonesian capi- slowest since the 1990 Asian tal’s smoggy streets for more Games in Beijing. Three racers IANS than four-and-a-half hours in did not fi nish. Jakarta 31 Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) heat to Hendro’s eff orts drew the fi nish last, in the Asian Games’ biggest cheers from the home slowest 50km (31 miles) walk for crowd, applauding his brave ef- ndia’s Jinson Johnson made nearly three decades. fort as he persevered long after up for losing out on the men’s The air quality index in central any medal chance had vanished, 800m gold with a win in the Jakarta hit 163 yesterday morn- to fi nish in 4:32:20. 1500m event at the 2018 Asian ing. A reading of more than 150 is As well as fi nding it hard to IGames yesterday, even as India’s considered a health threat to the breathe, he was battling an old women locked the 4x400m relay general population. ligament injury in his right knee. gold to take the country’s golden After being doused in ice water “It was so painful,” he said. haul to 13. by medics Hendro, 28, who like “I was thinking — I must fi nish. Johnson had fi nished behind win- many Indonesians goes by one This is my fi rst time in the 50km. ner and compatriot Manjit Singh name, was carried to the medi- I didn’t want to make my coach in the 800m but made up for it by cal centre shouting incoherently disappointed. clocking 3 minutes and 44.72 sec- with pain. “I’m so proud of the fans... onds in the 1500m to take the yel- “The race was so diffi cult — they came here to support me.” low metal. Iran’s Amir Moradi took the hot weather, humidity, and But Hendro also called for fu- silver with his season best timing of not just the humidity but the ture races to be shifted away from 3:45.62, while Bahrain’s Mohamed pollution,” he said after recover- hazy Jakarta to elsewhere in In- Tiouali settled for bronze with a ing. “Racing here is not easy. This donesia’s Java island. time of 3:45.88. is Indonesia.” “There are no trees here, all The Indian quartet of Hima Das, “This is a miracle for me I can buildings,” he said. “In the low Raju Poovamma, Saritaben Lax- fi nish. This is a miracle,” he added. altitude, pollution and humid- manbhai Gayakwad and Vismaya Hayato Katsuki of Japan took ity, it is diffi cult for all Asians,” Koroth registered a time of 3 minutes gold with 4:03:30 — 23 minutes he said. and 28.72 seconds to fi nish at the top slower than the last Asian Games Two athletes were disqualifi ed of the podium. — with a well-judged race, after for illegal steps, while China’s Bahrain got silver with 3:30.61 making holes in his vest to im- Wang Riu retired. while the quartet from Vietnam prove ventilation. Jakarta’s air pollution came clocked their season’s best time of Fellow Japanese Satoshi Maruo under fi re earlier in the Games 3:33.23 to bag the bronze medal. set the pace for much of the way when activists unfurled a giant India’s Chitra Unnikrishnan Pala- but fell back in the fi nal 10km, banner showing a person wear- keezh bagged bronze in the women’s Gold medallists team India pose during the medal ceremony for women’s 4x400m relay at the GBK Main Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, ending 10 minutes behind the ing a gas mask and the message 1500 metre competition, with the yesterday. (Reuters) winner and out of the medals. “#WeBreatheTheSameAir”. 23-year-old clocking 4 minutes and 12.56 seconds. Bahrain secured the top two places as Kalkidan Befkadu and Tigist Belay clinched gold and silver respectively. Seema Punia had to settle for the bronze medal in the women’s discus throw event, registering a throw of 62.26 metres to ensure a place on the podium. China clinched the top two posi- tions with Chen Yang (65.12m) and Feng Bin (64.25m) getting gold and silver respectively.

INDIA LOSE TO MALAYSIA IN HOCKEY SEMIS India’s men’s hockey team failed to reach the fi nal as they lost to Malay- sia in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. The match ended in a 2-2 stale- mate in regulation time, before India lost 6-7 in the penalty shoot-out. Tomorrow, India will take on Paki- stan, who lost to Japan 0-1 in the other semi-fi nal, in the bronze medal tie. It was youngsters Harmanpreet Singh (33rd minute) and Varun Kumar (40th) who had scored in regulation time for India while Faizal Saari (39th) and Rahim Mohamed Razie (59th) equalised for Malaysia and took the match into the shootout. India’s Jinson Johnson (right) in action during the men’s 1500m final in Jakarta yesterday. (Reuters) Hayato Katsuki of Japan celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men’s 50km walk during the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, BOTTOMLINE yesterday. (Reuters)

Medals tally (top 20) The trouble with pencak silat: G S B T G S B T 1. China 112 76 53 241 11. Kazakhstan 11 11 38 60 2. Japan 59 49 66 174 12. Thailand 9 14 36 59 3. South Korea 39 46 56 141 13. Malaysia 5 11 9 25 rivals spar over martial art 4. Indonesia 30 23 37 90 14. Qatar 5 4 3 12 5. Iran 19 19 20 58 15. Vietnam 4 15 16 35 laysia and Vietnam in the 90-95kg fi nal AFP 6. Uzbekistan 15 19 19 53 16. Hong Kong 4 13 17 34 Jakarta cheered loudly for the Vietnamese. Erick Thohir, head of Games organis- 7. Chinese Taipei 14 17 24 55 17. Philippines 4 1 13 18 ing committee Inasgoc, said the sport had fi st-sized hole in the wall, an stirred tensions among neighbours. 8. India 13 21 25 59 18. UAE 3 6 4 13 illegal kick in the back, a cry of “Especially regarding pencak silat 9. North Korea 12 9 12 33 19. Singapore 3 4 10 17 biased judging — as debuts go, there are complaints from the countries 10. Bahrain 12 6 7 25 20. Mongolia 3 4 9 16 martial art pencak silat’s fi rst which lost,” he told AFP. “Funny when AsianA Games appearance was a little Indonesia achieved so well, we get com- rocky. plaints.” The ancient Indonesian sport — which Indonesia and Malaysia have long seen allegedly originates from when a woman tensions in their relationship. Disputes copied the techniques of a tiger to fi ght have erupted over everything from the Hong Kong’s Sarah Lee in off a group of pestering men — has ended ownership of islands and the alleged poor up riling athletes and fans, and stirred treatment of Indonesian migrant workers record form at Asian Games old tensions among South East Asian na- in Malaysia, to the origins of traditional tions. dances and songs. AFP she sailed past India’s Aleena Controversy began when Malaysia’s At the opening ceremony, Malaysian Jakarta Reji in the quater-finals. Mohamed Robial Sobri took aim at Sin- athletes were booed as they paraded The morning session also gapore’s Sheik Ferdous Sheik Alauddin, through the stadium. witnessed an Asian record powering a hard kick into his back as he Neither is it the fi rst time the two coun- Hong Kong’s Sarah Lee Wai- in the women’s 3,000m indi- lay on the ground. tries have been at loggerheads over pencak sze blazed to a tournament- vidual pursuit qualification That was followed by a protest from silat. At the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in record 10.583 seconds as she with South Korea’s Lee Ju-mi Mohamed al-Juff eri Jamari — also a Ma- Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia accused Malaysia set out to defend her women’s setting the track on fire with a laysian, as well as the 2016 world cham- of cheating in the men’s doubles by infl at- sprint title at the Asian Games timing of 3:33.048. pion — when he withdrew seconds before Vietnam’s Tran Thi Them (right) competes against Indonesia’s Wewey Wita during the ing the score of the home athletes. yesterday. Korea’s Lee will take on Wang the end of his fi nal against Indonesia’s pencak silat women’s class 50kg to 55kg final in Jakarta on Wednesday. (AFP) That accusation came after Malaysian The 31-year-old former Hong of China for the gold, Komang Harik Adi Putra, accusing judges Games organisers mistakenly printed Olympic bronze medallist, while Ayustina Delia Priatna of bias. Although its debut was an undeniable was a force for good at the Asiad. Indonesia’s fl ag upside-down in a com- who claimed keirin gold on of Indonesia and Taiwan’s “I’m mad because the jury didn’t give success for hosts Indonesia’s medal tally Videos of the incidents were shared memorative magazine, prompting pro- Tuesday, set the new mark in Huang Ting-ying will face off the point fairly,” al-Juff eri said, shortly — they bagged 14 of the 16 golds in Jakarta widely on social media, and Indonesian tests in Indonesia and revenge hacking the qualifying round before for bronze. after punching a hole in a nearby wall. — it is less clear whether the martial art spectators watching a clash between Ma- attacks. Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 31, 2018 TENNIS

FOCUS Murray fi nds positive signs in 2nd round exit AFP Murray struggled for months straight sets, Murray heading for New York with his injury before having a cold shower while Verdasco surgery this year, and he admit- tried an ice bath. ted that he’s wondered whether Murray returned to Arthur ndy Murray’s Grand he would be able to return to the Ashe Stadium fuming at the um- Slam return ended game’s summit. pire, saying he’d seen Verdasco with a second-round “You just don’t know,” the chatting with his coach – for- exit at the US Open 31-year-old said. bidden during heat breaks – and onA Wednesday, but the former “When I got the injury, I was given the nearby supervisor world number one found reason ranked number one in the world. what for. for optimism in a four-set loss to Twelve months later, things “I went and told the su- Fernando Verdasco. completely changed. pervisor. I said, What are you The Scot, playing his fi rst “If things keep going smooth- guys doing?” Murray said. “I Grand Slam since Wimbledon ly, physically I continue to im- mean, there’s clear rules here of last year and just his fi fth prove, I believe that I will get and you’re allowing this to take tournament since hip surgery in back to competing for the biggest place. I don’t get it. June, gave himself a mixed re- competitions because there’s no “This is one of the biggest port card. reason why I couldn’t.” events in the world. If you have “I think some of the tennis I In the meantime, Murray is in rules like that, you need to stick played today was some of the the unfamiliar position of enter- with them because one player best I’ve played since I had the ing events not knowing what to getting to speak to the coach and surgery or since I came back,” expect. the other not is not fair.” Murray said. His return to the US Open af- Murray was quick to say he “There were also periods in ter a year’s absence, along with didn’t think Verdasco purposely the match, especially in the fi rst that of Novak Djokovic, marked broke any rule. He thought since set, where I really didn’t play a reunion of the game’s “Big the extreme heat policy put particularly well. Four” of Murray, Djokovic, Roger in place by the US Open is not “I hit a lot of mistakes when Federer and Rafael Nadal. standard procedure on the ATP I was up in that set. I feel like I But Murray candidly admitted Tour, the Spaniard may not have should have won the fi rst set and coming in he had no real expec- been aware of the rule. didn’t.” tation of winning, and he was In fact, Verdasco said, he knew With both players clearly feel- pleased to fi nd himself stand- he wasn’t allowed to talk to his ing the eff ects of searing heat, ing up to the physical rigours of coach – and he didn’t. Murray was pleased to have the best-of-fi ve set matches in ex- “I didn’t speak anything to stamina to push Verdasco at the treme heat conditions. any member of my team,” Ver- end, forcing fi ve break points in dasco said after beating Murray the fi nal game before the Span- DIFFICULT BALANCE in four sets. iard fi nally closed it out on his “I think I did quite well in that He added that while he was in third match point. respect,” Murray said. “To sort approach led to too many mis- fensively. on points. It wasn’t the most that US Open offi cials weren’t the ice bath he spoke to Marcos “At the end when my back of still be doing as well as I was takes. “It’s something that is going comfortable I’ve felt on a tennis enforcing their extreme heat Baghdatis and his coach – but was against the wall, I came up at the end of the match, con- “It’s diffi cult sometimes to get to take a bit of time getting used court. I got through it and fought rules eff ectively, but Fernando when he saw his own coach, Na- with some good tennis to make sidering the lack of practice and the balance when you haven’t to again. right to the end.” Verdasco said he could just chill cho Truyol, in the area he was it close and interesting – and matches that I’ve had, was posi- played as much matches, haven’t “Like I say, it’s still quite early out. careful not to say “one word” to almost got myself back into it,” tive.” practised as much as you would in this process for me,” Murray MURRAY MISTAKEN IN Murray and Verdasco availed him. said Murray, who still said that Irked at dropping a fi rst set in like. It’s diffi cult to always make said. “I did all right. I chased HEAT-RULE RANT: VERDASCO themselves of the policy allow- “I know exactly the rule and I overall “there were too many ups which he had a set point at 5-4, the right decisions when you’re balls down right to the end of Andy Murray was plenty ing players a 10-minute heat don’t want to be the one break- and downs for my liking.” Murray said a more aggressive on the court, playing more of- the match. I wasn’t giving up steamed Wednesday at the idea break in matches pushed beyond ing it,” Verdasco said.

US OPEN SPOTLIGHT Muguruza stunned by qualifi er Muchova Kvitova outlasts ond set, evening up the contest Reuters New York after she opened a 3-0 lead on the back of some brave shot- making. “It’s the fi rst match for zech qualifi er Karo- me on such a big stadium so I lina Muchova stunned was feeling nervous. Somehow I two-times Grand Slam got used to it, I don’t know how,” champion Garbine the 22-year-old said in a court- Wang in 2nd round CMuguruza at the US Open on side interview. Wednesday, dumping the Span- “I don’t even know. I was Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber beats Larsson to reach third round iard out in the second round with surviving but I think the (fans) a three-set victory. helped me a lot.” AFP last year in her defense of a Muchova, who came into the After she settled, Muchova New York 2016 US Open title that pushed match against the 12th seed with displayed an adept ability to mix her to number one in the world. a world ranking of 202, was un- up her play, slogging it out from Thanks to her comprehen- derstandably nervous from the the baseline before picking the ard-hitting Czech sive victory over US great Ser- outset but grew into the contest right moments to charge the net. Petra Kvitova ad- ena Williams in the Wimbledon and eventually prevailed 3-6 6-4 Muguruza, a traditional base- vanced to the third fi nal she returned to the Big 6-4 in two hours and 27 minutes. liner, tried to change her tactics round of the US Open Apple back in the top fi ve in Muguruza, a former world to regain the initiative but Mu- Hyesterday, defeating China’s the world, aiming to join Ser- number one who has triumphed chova kept her at bay with a se- Yafan Wang 7-5 6-3 to keep her ena and her sister Venus as the at Wimbledon and the French lection of passing shots and lobs dream of winning a third Grand only women in the last 20 years Open, showed plenty of her every time the Spaniard ven- Slam title alive. to win both Wimbledon and the Grand Slam pedigree by racing tured forward. The fi fth seed converted US Open in the same season. into a 5-0 lead as she appeared Overall, Muchova hit eight fi ve of seven break points and Kerber was cruising with a on course for a routine victory. aces and 41 winners as she rallied fi red down four aces to send 5-2 lead in the second set when The Spaniard closed out the from a break down in the decid- 24-year-old Wang packing in Larsson, seeking a fi rst win opener in 37 minutes and few of ing set to seal victory and claim a match that lasted just under over a top-fi ve player, found those watching the match unfold the biggest win of her career as two hours on a hot and humid her range. Larsson won the next would have predicted what was the clock ticked past 1:00 a.m. day at Flushing Meadows. fi ve games – fending off two to follow. Muchova, playing in at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. The match looked like it match points against her own the main draw of a Grand Slam Next up for the Czech is a would be a one-sided aff air serve – to take the second set. for the fi rst time, quickly turned third-round meeting with Aus- when the twice Wimbledon It was a dogfi ght the rest of the tables at the start of the sec- tralian 18th seed Ashleigh Barty. champion raced to a 4-1 lead the way in a third set that fea- in the fi rst set but Wang came tured fi ve breaks of serve. roaring back to level the set at Kerber secured the last one 5-5. Kvitova would not be de- for a 5-4 lead and after fall- nied, however, unleashing her ing behind 0-30 roared back powerful forehand and elevat- to take the game on her third ing her play to capture the fi - match point, letting out a cry nal two games of the set before of mingled triumph and relief cruising to victory. when Larsson sent a ground- Next up for the Czech is stroke long. a third-round meeting with “I think we both really played 20-year-old number 26 seed on a really high level from the Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. fi rst point,” Kerber said. “At Kvitova won their only pre- the end it was just one or two vious meeting in three sets on points that decided the match.” the hardcourts at the Miami Kerber will take on Domini- Open this year. ka Cibulkova for a spot in the Reigning Wimbledon cham- round of 16 after the Slovakian pion Angelique Kerber kept her beat Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei bid for a second title on track, 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4. outlasting ’s Johanna Larsson 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. Petra Kvitova celebrates a point Germany’s Kerber was against Yafan Wang during their knocked out in the fi rst round round 2 match yesterday. (AFP)

Serena v Venus: It’s episode 30 Serena and Venus Williams will walk the the same thing for her. Australian Open final, where Serena record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. slippery line between sisterly aff ection “When she beats me, she always roots was already pregnant with daughter It’s not just heightened emotions that and athletic aggression for the 30th time for me as well. I think that’s just the hard- Olympia. make facing Venus so hard, Serena said. today, fighting for a place in the US Open est part.” Venus won the most recent meeting, It’s also the challenge of facing a player last 16. The possible all-Williams encounter had a third-round clash at Indian Wells in intimately acquainted with every aspect The superstar sisters’ third-round clash fans buzzing as soon as the draw was March, but Serena has since gained of her game. is their earliest Grand Slam meeting in announced, but Venus could barely steam in her post-pregnancy comeback, “You have to almost become a diff erent 20 years – since Venus beat her younger bring herself to discuss it after securing reaching the final at Wimbledon. player,” Serena said. sister in the second round of the 1998 her passage with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Seeded 17th – nine spots above her world The very factors that make the match- Australian Open in their first career Camila Giorgi. ranking – Serena is trying to avoid her up so daunting for the sisters are what meeting. Venus’s seven Grand Slam titles include a first year since 2011 without a major title. make it so fascinating for fans. “I never root against her, no matter victory over Serena in the 2001 US Open If she can pull it off – and the signs im- “I’m sure they will hate it, both of them what,” Serena said. final. But Serena has gone on to beat her proved with the first-round exit of world hate this,” former world number one “So I think that’s the toughest part for in seven of eight major finals since as she number one Simona Halep atop her Victoria Azarenka said. me. When you always want someone to built a 17-12 record over her elder sister. quarter of the draw – Serena will match “But I think it’s going to be beautiful for Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic celebrates after defeating win, to have to beat them ... I know it’s That included a triumph in the 2017 Australian Margaret Court’s all-time tennis.” Garbine Muguruza of in the US Open third round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 5 SPORT

CYCLING Bouhanni secures sprint victory on a dramatic day Reuters RESULTS Madrid STAGE 22:26:15 1. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, 2. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Team renchman Nacer Bouhanni Solutions Credits 3:58:35 Sky 0:00:41 put a tumultuous start to the 2. Danny van Poppel (Ned) LottoNL- 3. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) day behind him to claim a Jumbo Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:48 dramatic victory in a reduced 3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Quick-Step Floors 4. Simon Yates (GBr) Mitchelton- bunchF sprint on stage six of the Vuel- 4. Simone Consonni (Ita) UAE Team Scott 0:00:51 ta a Espana as countryman Rudy Mo- Emirates 5.Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar lard retained the overall race leader’s 5. Matteo Trentin (Ita) Mitchelton- Team 0:00:53 red jersey. Scott 6. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida The French duo had been given 6. Ivan Garcia (Spa) Bahrain-Merida 0:01:11 time penalties before the start of 7. Omar Fraile (Spa) Astana Pro 8. 7. Tony Gallopin (Fra) AG2R La yesterday’s stage for taking feeds Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Mondiale 0:01:14 during the fi nal 20km of the previous Pro Team 8. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar day’s ride – something that is not 9. P Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe 9. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) LottoNL- permitted for safety reasons unless 10. Michael Mørkøv (Den) Quick- Jumbo 0:01:18 otherwise agreed by the race offi - Step Floors 10. Enric Mas (Spa) Quick-Step cials. Cofi dis sprinter Bouhanni was GENERAL CLASSIFICATION Floors 0:01:23. docked 30 seconds for what his team 1. Rudy Molard (Fra) Groupama-FDJ said was a feeding off ence. He put the disappointment behind him, however, to hold off no change in the overall standings, ter hitting bollards placed in the mid- strong challenges from Danny van with Emanuel Buchmann 48 seconds dle of the road after a tight, unsighted Poppel and Elia Viviani in the closing down in third, Simon Yates 51 adrift corner with 25km to ride. metres of the 155.7km stage to San in fourth and Alejandro Valverde 53 There were further unsavoury Javier. seconds back in fi fth. scenes when a number of riders col- Likewise, Molard of Groupama- It was bad news for Molard’s team lided with barriers that had blown FDJ saw his lead in the general classi- mate and general classifi cation hope across the road just after the fi nish fi cation over Michal Kwiatkowsi cut Thibaut Pinot, who got separated line. to 41 seconds following a 20-second from the peloton in the wind-aff ected Today’s stage is likely to be less punishment. fi nal 20km and fi nished 1:44 down on dramatic, with an up and down Both riders, along with the ma- the main group. course taking in two third category jority of the favourites, fi nished in Trek-Segafredo’s Fabio Felline and climbs over 185.7km between Puerto Cofidis’ French cyclist Nacer Bouhanni exults as he wins the sixth stage of the 73rd edition of ‘La Vuelta’, a 155,7 km route from the front group meaning there was Sunweb’s Mike Teunissen crashed af- Lumbreras and Pozo Alcon. Huercal-Overa to San Javier Mar Menor, yesterday. (AFP)

F1 GOLF Tiger sees contending as next step to Vettel riding the regaining top form

AFP this point last year that wasn’t Norton, United States the case, didn’t know. But now I know that I sort of have a bright future.” iger Woods says the Woods could learn some- red wave at Monza secret to recapturing thing more about his im- the dominating form mediate future on Tuesday, ‘It really depends which colour, which engine you have in the back’ that made him a 14- when US Ryder Cup captain Ttime major champion in an Jim Furyk announces three Reuters era of younger rivals is to keep of his four picks to fi ll out the Monza, Italy putting himself in contention. player roster for the American The 42-year-old Ameri- squad that defends the trophy can tees off in today’s open- against Europe next month in ebastian Vettel believes ing round of the US PGA Dell France. Ferrari can hand Formula Technologies Championship, Woods, already set to visit One champions Mercedes the second event of the tour’s France as an assistant cap- a taste of their own medi- season-ending playoff s, seek- tain, is expected to be awarded cineS and give the Italian fans a ing his fi rst victory in more one of the coveted spots with home win to savour on Sunday. than fi ve years. Woods, whose US left-hander Phil Mick- Mercedes have won for four 79 career PGA titles are three elson and 24-year-old Bry- years in a row at Monza, with Lewis shy of Sam Snead’s all-time son DeChambeau, last week’s Hamilton on pole position every record, has not competed at winner in New Jersey in the time, but that dominance has fad- TPC Boston since 2013, where playoff opener, among those ed this season with Ferrari on the his best fi nish was a runner- thought to be on Furyk’s short pace and picking up momentum. up eff ort behind Phil Mickel- list as well. After a commanding perform- son in 2007. ance in Belgium last weekend, the Asked what he needed to TIGER LIKES DECHAMBEAU German’s fi fth victory in 13 races, do to reclaim the intimidating PAIRING Vettel arrives with the local ‘tifosi’ aura he once owned against Having praised DeChambeau dreaming of Ferrari’s fi rst win at a new generation of rivals, when both were in the hunt Monza since 2010. Woods said he has to put him- to qualify on points, Woods Now 17 points behind Hamil- self in the title hunt as he did said Thursday he would en- ton but closing in, Vettel has had in fi nishing second to Brooks joy playing alongside him in to dampen unrealistic hopes in Koepka at the PGA Champi- France. the past but this time the four onship earlier this month. “I don’t remember the fi rst times champion is revelling in “The thing is for me is to time I met him, but we’ve the mood – if still taking nothing just keep getting there in the played a number of practice for granted. “I fi nd it quite nice mix and keep getting there on rounds this year and talked to that we get put in this position,” that back nine late on a Sun- him at the Ryder Cup back in Vettel told reporters yesterday day with a chance to win,” ‘16 at Hazeltine,” said Woods when asked about Mercedes’ Woods said. said. ‘power defi cit’ to Ferrari. “It’s just a matter of giving “He and I playing together “I think people forget that for myself a lot of opportunities would be fantastic. He is com- the last fi ve years Mercedes has and in order to win you have petitive. He’s fi ery. He has got been absolutely dominant, es- to be there. I’ve been there all the things you would want pecially in terms of power unit,” enough this year and clearly when you play a team match.” he added. learned a lot from it.” They have very diff erent “Obviously it’s nice for them In 15 events this season, approaches to Golf, Woods to put us in that position (ahead Woods has also shared second going by feel and DeCham- on power) because it means they at the Valspar Championship beau looking deeply at statis- believe they’re not the strongest Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel (left) and his Finnish teammate Kimi Raikkonen address a press conference in Monza yesterday. (AFP) and fi fth at Bay Hill in March tics and numbers. anymore. So it’s good to be up and briefl y led on Sunday at “We think about the game there with them and be a match.” the British Open before shar- completely diff erently,” Vettel knows how it feels to Mercedes struggling to cope with losing, says Ferrari boss ing sixth. Woods said. “I’m very much win at Monza – the ‘Pista Mag- It’s not a bad comeback a feel oriented guy and he’s ica’ – and be cheered all the way, Champions Mercedes are His comments came in reference race, but this is racing - we are standards of performance. season for a star who under- very much a numbers guy. But as he was when he took his fi rst struggling to cope with being to Hamilton’s suggestion that used to it... “No, we have no extra pressure,” went spinal fusion surgery last for some reason we get along F1 victory for Italy-based Toro outperformed and beaten on the Ferrari’s cars had “tricky” parts to “And we are still a young team said Vettel. year and wondered if he might great and we work. I under- Rosso in 2008. track, according to Ferrari team assist their performance-setting so I don’t guarantee anything for “We know our car the best and ever play again. stand what he’s saying. And He also knows about the boos, chief Maurizio Arrivabene. speed. The Briton explained that the rest of the season. I just know we know at what parts of the “This has been one of my that’s been fun.” the crowd voicing their disap- Speaking ahead of this week- he was not suggesting that there that everyone wants this...” track and at what point in the best years, considering that Woods will play the open- proval when he triumphed in end’s emotionally-charged Italian was anything illegal or irregular Vettel’s victory cut Hamilton’s year it is strong... I didn’t know what I was go- ing two rounds amongside 2011 and 2013 for the enemy Red Grand Prix on his team’s home being used by Ferrari. lead in the title race to 17 points – “We know we have a good car ing to do,” Woods. said. “I just Australian Marc Leishman, Bull. circuit, Arrivabene stoked up the “I read many articles that talk a margin that could be over- now for more or less every track. didn’t have a clue. the sixth time this year they “It really depends which col- rivalry and tensions between the about our guys who work so well hauled in Sunday’s race if the We have a good package, but “And the fact that I’ve been will be out in the same group. our, which engine you have in two top teams. on the car, but then, in the team, German wins and the Briton fails we have to work and make it able to make it this far is very “We’ll run out of stuff the back,” said the German of his His Ferrari team showed their I remind everyone that we are to make any significant impact or work for us. We want to do our exciting to me. I have a bright to talk about pretty soon,” past experiences. comprehensive power and not ahead (in the championship), is forced to retire. thing and be able to fight for first future ahead of me because at Leishman tweeted. “The fi rst win was over- straight-line speed advantage that we are chasing and so we “It’s a recovery, yes, but we’re position and a podium finish on whelming in many regards. I when Sebastian Vettel stormed must keep our heads down.” still behind,” added Arrivabene. Sunday – that is what you want didn’t realise at the time that I to victory in last Sunday’s Bel- He added that Ferrari were “Now, we have to put it in our as a driver. TIGER WOODS was racing for an Italian team... gian Grand Prix, beating defend- ready to cope with the pressure heads that if you win a race, you “It is not healthy to over-think.” I thought they were happy just ing champion Lewis Hamilton of of expectation that comes with have not won the championship, Raikkonen said: “It is just the because it was me and it was a Mercedes into a distant second arriving at the Italian Grand Prix and that is our goal. We must put pressure we put on ourselves for good race. place by 11 seconds. with momentum on their side. pressure on Mercedes – they are what we want to achieve, but it is “But then three years after I “They are not used to this,” said “For us, it would be a dream and not accustomed to it.” very close. In certain conditions won again I won in a diff erent Arrivabene. a gift to give to all of Italy, but the The Italian team’s drivers said and on certain circuits, for one colour, they weren’t very happy. “We were silent. We took responsibility has always been they felt no additional pres- team or the other, the diff erences I was wondering what was going punches left and right and we there. sure because driving for Ferrari are very small – and the results. on because I hadn’t done any- got up...We are used to it and “This year, we have more pres- always brought a high level of We can do our best only and thing wrong, quite the opposite.” they are not.” sure, because we won the last expectation for success and high then see what happens.” Asked whether he felt Mer- cedes were feeling the heat for the fi rst time since the V6 turbo want to enjoy,” he said. ous by his absence yesterday The four-time world champi- Hamilton is set to arrive at the hybrid engines were introduced “I don’t know in which state of after being granted a waiver by on was granted his leave for the Autodromo Nazionale at Monza in 2014, Vettel shrugged. mind they (Mercedes) are.” Mercedes and Formula One for day for an “unavoidable personal late in the evening ahead of this “I feel Ferrari, and especially World championship leader his Italian Grand Prix media du- commitment” according to a weekend’s potentially-critical this weekend, and that’s what I Lewis Hamilton was conspicu- ties. Mercedes spokesman. race on Ferrari’s home soil. Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 31, 2018 SPORT

FOURTH TEST ASIA CUP Sabbir, Anamul Curran leads England axed from Bangladesh squad rally against India aft er AFP Dhaka

angladesh have dropped batsmen Sabbir Rah- man and Anamul Haque from their 15- manB squad for the Asia Cup in fresh top-order collapse the United Arab Emirates next month, a cricket offi cial said Impressive Curran took the home side to 246 with a spirited 78, India 19-0 yesterday. Middle-order Sabbir and AFP opener Anamul paid the price Southampton, for poor performances during Bangladesh’s win over the West Indies in a three-match one-day am Curran marked his England international series last month. return with a Test-best 78 as the Sabbir, who concluded a six- hosts fought back on the fi rst month ban from domestic crick- day of the fourth Test against et in June for assaulting a fan, IndiaS at Southampton yesterday. accumulated just 27 runs in the It was a familiar story when Curran, series while Anamul made 33. primarily a left-arm swing bowler and “Sabbir’s form is really bad, so playing just his fourth Test, came into it was diffi cult to keep him in the bat with England in dire straits at 86 for squad. His selection had nothing six. to do with his disciplinary prob- But thanks to the 20-year-old they lems,” Bangladesh Cricket Board fi nished on a far more respectable 246 (BCB)’s chief selector Minhajul all out, with India fast bowler Jasprit Abedin said. Bumrah taking an economical three “We dropped Anamul as he for 46 runs in his 20 overs. In- could not fulfi l our expectations dia had four overs to bat until the close in West Indies,” he added. but reached stumps on 19 without loss, All-rounder Ariful Haque and a defi cit of 227 runs. Shikhar Dhawan wicketkeeper-batsman Mo- was three and KL Rahul 11 not hamed Mithun were picked in- out. stead for the squad. Curran was unfortunate to miss the Ariful has played six Twen- third Test at Trent Bridge, a match ty20 internationals but is yet to India won by 203 runs to reduce Eng- make his debut in other formats. land’s lead in the fi ve-match series to Mithun is being recalled after 2-1, as he made way for returning all- playing the last of three ODIs rounder Ben Stokes. against Sri Lanka earlier this But Thursday saw him put on 81 for year. the seventh with the recalled “We need someone who can Moeen Ali (40) and Curran then added bat at six to seven (order). Mit- 63 for the ninth with Stuart Broad (17). hun is an option for this. Ariful Curran, a son of the late Zimbabwe is also playing well in domestic all-rounder Kevin Curran, was last cricket recently,” said Abedin. man out, bowled trying to heave spin- Vice-captain Shakib al Hasan ner Ravichandran Ashwin. will feature despite suggestions In all, he batted for over three hours, he would miss the tournament facing 136 balls including eight fours due to an injured fi nger. and a six. Bangladesh are in Pool B in Earlier, England captain Joe Root the Asia Cup alongside Sri Lanka opted to bat after winning the toss and and Afghanistan. The tourna- promptly saw his side slump to 36 for ment, which includes regional four. powerhouses like India, Pakistan It was the 32nd time in their last 63 and a qualifi er, will run from Test innings that England had been four September 15 to 28. wickets down with 100 or fewer runs on the scoreboard. India’s four quicks SQUAD: Mashrafe Mortaza all gained sharp and often extravagant (Capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim seam movement – which helped ex- Iqbal, Mohammedd Mithun, plain the large total of 23 byes conceded Liton Kumar, Mushfi qur Rahim, by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant. Ariful Haque, Ri- Bumrah struck with just his seventh yad, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul delivery when he had the Keaton Jen- Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Nazmul nings lbw for a duck, with the strug- England’s Sam Curran in action on the first day of the fourth Test against India at Ageas Bowl yesterday. (Reuters) Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafi - gling left-hander leaving a ball that cut zur Rahman and Abu Haider. back into him. but he was lbw to Shami. Root reprieved after a Bumrah review Scorecard Ali, fresh from making 219 for for lbw revealed a no-ball, then fell leg Worcestershire against Yorkshire, before to Ishant Sharma to leave Eng- ENGLAND 1st innings S. Broad lbw b Bumrah 17 (1nb); Shami 18-2-51-2; Ashwin 14.4-3- hooked Bumrah for six. 40-2 Kirsten replaces land 15 for two. A. Cook c Kohli b Pandya 17 J. Anderson not out 0 Curran and Ali were recalled after Vettori as RCB Jonny Bairstow had been promoted K. Jennings lbw b Bumrah 0Extras (b23, lb9, nb2) 34 Curran’s fellow 20-year-old Surrey to bat at number four despite a bro- INDIA 1st Innings rising star Ollie Pope, a batsman, was coach ken fi nger suff ered at Trent Bridge that J. Root lbw b Sharma 4Total (all out, 76.4 overs) 246 dropped and pace-bowling all-rounder means he is unfi t to keep wicket, with J. Bairstow c Pant b Bumrah 6Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Jennings), 2-15 S. Dhawan not out 3Chris Woakes ruled out with a thigh in- Indian Premier League (IPL) Jos Buttler set to deputise again behind B. Stokes lbw b Shami 23 (Root), 3-28 (Bairstow), 4-36 (Cook), KL Rahul not out 11 jury. franchise Royal Challengers the stumps as he did at Nottingham. 5-69 (Buttler), 6-86 (Stokes), 7-167 (Ali), Ali drove Ashwin for six before his Bangalore (RCB) on Thurs- J. Buttler c Kohli b Shami 21 Extras (b4, w1) 5 Bairstow, however was caught be- 8-177 (Rashid), 9-240 (Broad), 10-246 opposing off -spinner had him top- day announced former India Total (0 wkts, 4 overs) 19 hind off Bumrah for six. M. Ali c Bumrah b Ashwin 40 (Curran) edging a sweep well caught on the run coach Gary Kirsten as their All the while, Alastair Cook, Eng- S. Curran b Ashwin 78 Bowling: Bumrah 20-5-46-3 (1nb); Bowling: Anderson 2-1-3-0; Broad 2-0- by Bumrah. head coach and mentor for land’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, 12-0 (1w) Curran, man of the match for a fi ne all- the upcoming edition of the A. Rashid lbw b Sharma 6Sharma 16-6-26-2; Pandya 8-0-51-1 had watched the collapse from the oth- round display that included an innings of cash-rich league. er end. But the veteran opener, himself 63 in England’s 31-run win in the fi rst Gary, who guided India to looking to end of a run of low scores, fell by India captain Virat Kohli. Pant. But on Thursday he fell for 21, a second-innings partnership of 169 Test against India at Edgbaston, was un- the 2011 World Cup title, will for 17 when he carelessly played outside Buttler, as happened during his edging a loose drive off Mohammed with Buttler at Trent Bridge. He again daunted as he drove Pandya for four. He succeed former New Zea- off stump to Hardik Pandya and saw an maiden Test century at Trent Bridge, Shami to Kohli in the slip cordon. demonstrated good concentration then went to fi fty in style, hoisting Ash- land captain Daniel Vettori, edge well caught low down at third slip was dropped early in his innings by Stokes had made a battling 62 during while making 23 off 79 balls yesterday win for six over wide long-on. who had been associated with the franchise both as player and coach for the DIAMOND LEAGUE past eight editions. Gary, the former South Africa opener joined the RCB as batting coach in the 2018 edition of Vault sensation Duplantis facing winning conundrum the league, and brings to the team a wealth of experience AFP former pole vaulter) Greg, Duplantis “I’ve competed pretty well. But this having played close to 700 Brussels was a product of a track and fi eld-crazy meet is a little diff erent from them. At matches (ODI, Tests and family which had their own vaulting championships it’s about medals, but First Class) scoring close apparatus in the garden, though he in- the most important thing here is the to 40,000 runs across all wedish teenage pole vaulting sists he was no “lab rat”. trophy. It’s a bit ‘win or nothing’,” he formats. prodigy Armand Duplantis will “I started pole vaulting when I was said, predicting that Lavillenie’s meet Commenting on his appoint- go for the Diamond League tro- about four year,” Duplantis said. record of 5.96m set in 2013 could be ment, Gary said: “I had the phy at today’s Diamond League “A couple of years ago, I didn’t ex- under threat. privilege of coaching with meetS in Brussels knowing full well he pect to be competing at great events “It’s going to be very diffi cult to win the RCB team last season might not be able to pocket the $50,000 like this.” it. I think it’s going to take a big height under head coach Vettori prize money. The six-time Louisiana state cham- to win it. and thoroughly enjoyed the The 18-year-old, who soared to a pion, who spent summers with his “But I still feel like I’m in good shape. experience. I look forward to world junior record of 6.05 metres to Swedish grandparents in Sweden, ad- I was trying to peak at European cham- continuing the journey with win European gold in Berlin earlier this mitted his feats in Berlin, where he be- pionships, and I still feel good and think RCB and doing my best to month, has signed up on a scholarship came the youngest athlete to win a fi eld I can jump high. I don’t know what that help the franchise reach its with Louisiania State University in the event at the Euros, had not quite sunk is, you’ve just got to take what the day potential.” United States. A potential Diamond in. “I can’t get my head around it – throws at you.” “I want to thank the team League cash windfall could well jeop- maybe after this meet and the season’s China’s Lijao Gong won the opening management for consider- ardise that. over,” he said. women’s shot put trophy, throwing a ing me in a leadership posi- “I don’t think I can immediately ac- “Going from 5.93 to 6.05 in 20 min- best of 19.83 metres to win in a make- tion with the franchise and I cept the money if I were to win,” ac- utes, it’s hard, but as an athlete you live shift arena in Brussels’ iconic Grand look forward to a successful knowledged Duplantis, known by his for those special moments. Place. American Raven Saunders was few years,” he added. nickname “Mondo”. “It was a great night, for sure.” second with 19.64m, while Germany’s Moving on from RCB, Vettori “I’m still on scholarship in college holder Renaud Lavillenie. him... it would have been a diff erent re- Schwanitz threw 19.50m for third spot. said: “I am extremely grate- and my parents are getting together LAVILLENIE THE IDOL “I went to train with him for two sult in Berlin if I hadn’t done those two Today’s action in the King Badouin ful for the eight years I have with the coaches to work out the plan Come Friday, and Duplantis will fi nd weeks this summer before the weeks.” II stadium – featuring 12 Olympic, 28 spent with RCB, as a player ahead,” he said. himself in an incredibly strong 12-man Diamond League meet,” Duplantis said. Duplantis has racked up three po- world and 16 European champions and a coach and I wish the “I don’t know what I’m going to fi eld that includes seven vaulters who “He’s been my idol since he jumped dium placings in his Diamond League – will see American Ronnie Baker at- franchise all the best mov- study yet!” have gone over the mythical six-metre six metres for the fi rst time when I was outings so far this season, in Stock- tempting to better his personal best of ing forward.” Coached by his American father (and barrier, not least France’s world record nine. Being able to go training with holm, Paris and London. 9.87 seconds in the 100m. Gulf Times Friday, August 31, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Arsenal starlet Nelson set to join Hoff enheim on loan

Arsenal forward Reiss Nelson is set to be the latest England junior interna- tional to play in the Bundesliga with Hoff enheim on the verge of signing the 18-year-old on loan. Hoff enheim are set to pay the Gunners 500,000 euros to Gattuso’s Milan face sign the England U-19 winger, who can also play as an attacking midfielder, until May. “There are still some details left to finalise,” said Hoff enheim coach Julian Nagelsmann with the transfer window to close in Germany today. “He is similar to Serge Gnabry — versatile and brings pace,” Nagelsmann added, Roma test in San Siro comparing Nelson to Bayern Munich winger Gnabry, who spent 2017/18 on Ronaldo will look for his first goal as Juventus travel to promoted Parma tomorrow loan at Hoff enheim. Marseille sign Serbian AFP Milan winger Radonjic Gennaro Gattuso’s AC Milan’s suff ered a 3-2 defeat at Serie A runners-up Marseille yesterday confirmed the ennaro Gattuso’s AC Milan Napoli despite holding a two-goal signing of Serbian forward Nemanja will look to put last week- lead last weekend. (AFP) Radonjic, who arrives from Red Star end’s collapse against Napoli Belgrade on a five-year deal with the behind them when they host French league giants. No financial GRoma in their fi rst game of the season details of the move were given. The at the San Siro today. Roma are also 22-year-old winger scored 11 goals in desperate for a win to bury any doubts 46 matches, in all competitions, for Red about their title credentials after bat- Star last season as they won the Serbian tling back to draw 3-3 with Atalanta at league title. the Stadio Olimpico last Monday. “A player who is fast and technical, he Both sides are now in US hands — is a modern day winger who will have AC Milan owned by billionaire Paul a real impact thanks to his dribbling, Singer’s Elliot Management and Roma pace and ability to track back quickly,” controlled by American businessman Marseille said in a statement. James Pallotta — and need three points to keep pace with Juventus and Napoli, who boast six points apiece after two Kaka back in Italy to rounds. Milan — with a game in hand discuss AC Milan role after their opener against Genoa was postponed — suff ered a 3-2 defeat at Former AC Milan and Brazil star Kaka Serie A runners-up Napoli despite has returned to Italy amid reports he is holding a two-goal lead last weekend. set for a backroom role with the fallen It was a blow for Gattuso in his fi rst Serie A giants. The 2007 Ballon d’Or match against his former Milan coach, winner is reported to be looking at the Carlo Ancelotti, and he believes Roma possibility of joining the club’s board will provide another “tough” test. along with fellow AC Milan icons Leon- “We need to prepare well for Roma ardo and Paolo Maldini. because they are a very tough team,” Another ex-Milan teammate Gennaro said Gattuso. “We need to repeat the Gattuso has coached the seven-time Eu- many positive things we did at Napoli ropean champions since last season. “I because not every team goes to the San often talk with Leonardo, we are friends, Paolo and plays the way we did, with but the role that I will have at Milan courage. Of course, we need to correct we have not yet discussed,” Kaka told the things that didn’t work out.” journalists after his arrival in Italy. Roma, meanwhile, battled back from a nightmare fi rst half against Atalanta, with coach Eusebio Di Newcastle suff er early Francesco needing surgery after League Cup exit punching the wall in the dugout dur- ing the game and breaking a bone in his Newcastle’s miserable start to the sea- left hand. Passions should be running son suff ered another blow with a dra- high again in what is new-look Milan’s — who has 111 goals altogether in Se- a mark after being plagued by injuries from the region of Emilia-Romagna season, looking to keep their winning matic late 3-1 defeat to Championship fi rst home game of the season in front rie A — moved to Milan on-loan from last season. Cristiano Ronaldo will be have just one point from their opening momentum at Torino. side Nottingham Forest on Wednesday of an estimated 60,000 expectant fans Juventus but has yet to score for his looking for his fi rst goal as seven-time two games. to crash out of the League Cup at the at the San Siro. new club. Bosnian Dzeko — who has reigning champions Juventus travel Inter Milan travel to Bologna look- FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) second round. There was no such strife Former club legends Leonardo and 54 Italian league goals — got Roma’s to promoted Parma tomorrow. The ing for their fi rst win after an opening Today: AC Milan v Roma (1830) for Premier League high flyers Everton Paulo Maldini have joined Gattuso opening match winner against Torino. 33-year-old is skipping Portugal’s defeat to Sassuolo was followed by a and Watford, who continued their in the club setup with ex-Brazil star And Roma forward Patrik Schick next two internationals to focus on his draw against Torino. Inter midfi elder Tomorrow: Bologna v Inter Milan unbeaten starts to the campaign with Kaka arriving this week with a view has no doubt 30-year-old Higuain will new team after moving this summer Radja Nainggolan could play his fi rst (1600), Parma v Juventus (1830) victories over Rotherham and Reading to a role in the club. It will also be a be one of the danger men. “They’ve from Real Madrid. game after suff ering injury following On Sunday: Fiorentina v Udinese respectively to make round three. clash between two strike aces in Mi- bought Gonzalo Higuain — for me he Two-time UEFA Cup winners Par- his signing from Roma. (1600); Atalanta v Cagliari, Chievo v Millwall also reached round three after lan’s Gonzalo Higuain and Roma’s and Giacomo Bonaventura are their ma are back in the top fl ight after three Ancelotti’s Napoli head to Samp- Empoli, Lazio v Frosinone, Sampdoria twice coming from behind to beat Edin Dzeko — who both scored 16 best players,” said Czech interna- promotions following their demotion doria tomorrow, with surprise pack- v Napoli, Sassuolo v Genoa, Torino v Plymouth 3-2 thanks to Aiden O’Brien’s goals in Serie A last season. Higuain tional Schick, who also wants to make to Serie D after bankruptcy. The side age SPAL, who sbattled relegation last SPAL (all 1830) 89th minute winner.

SPOTLIGHT LIGUE 1 Southgate hails Shaw as United Vieira hoping for lift -off aft er awful start AFP Balotelli is staying, after a mooted move to star returns to England squad Paris Marseille fell through, and he is set to return here. “We know all about his qualities and AFP his faults. When you look at his stats from London atrick Vieira’s appointment as the last two years, we know he is capable of coach of Nice in the close season scoring lots of goals,” said Vieira. was hailed as a great coup for the Nabil Fekir will hope to make his fi rst start areth Southgate says Ligue 1 side, but the former France for Lyon since winning the World Cup with Luke Shaw’s new-found Pmidfi elder is already facing mounting pres- France, at the end of a busy week for his club. aggression and desire sure after just three games. Nice go into a Lyon have extended the contract of Brazilian convinced him to recall tough assignment away at Lyon today on the defender Marcelo until 2021 and have been Gthe Manchester United defender rebound following a 4-0 trouncing at home heavily linked with a move for Celtic striker for next month’s matches against to Dijon last weekend, which left the Cote Mouusa Dembele, a France under-21 inter- Spain and Switzerland. Injury- d’Azur club with just a single point to their national. His arrival would compensate for plagued Shaw has not played for name so far this season. Arsenal and France teammate Thierry Henry the loss of Mariano Diaz, who is set to return his country since 2017, but the The depressing performance against Di- reason to be cautious about accepting the to Real Madrid a year after moving in the left-back has returned at the ex- jon, which ended with widespread whistles Bordeaux job. While Henry will not be re- other direction. The closure of the trans- pense of Old Traff ord team-mate from home fans at the Allianz Riviera, came turning to Ligue 1 after rejecting that off er, fer window tonight casts a shadow over the Ashley Young in England’s fi rst after Nice had lost at home to newly-pro- Vieira is bullish about the task facing him. weekend in France, as Paris Saint-Germain squad since the World Cup. moted Reims on the opening weekend, fol- “You really get to see the character of your look to continue their perfect start away at The 23-year-old was sub- lowed by a 1-1 draw at Caen. Vieira was ap- players when times are tough. It’s a great newly-promoted Nimes. Monaco host Mar- jected to stinging criticism from pointed in July to succeed Lucien Favre after challenge. I believe in the players. We will seille in the standout fi xture on Sunday. Jose Mourinho last season as the his departure for Borussia Dortmund. Now turn things around, without any doubt,” he United manager questioned his 42, he returned to France with a burgeoning said after last week’s game. FIXTURES approach to training and com- reputation in management after two years in In Vieira’s defence, Nice lost two out- Today: Lyon v Nice (1845 GMT) mitment to the club. Shaw, who Manchester United’s Luke Shaw (left) scored the first goal of his MLS with New York City FC. standing players in the summer, with Ivo- could hardly walk for several professional career against Leicester this month. (AFP) While he still had everything to prove in rian midfi elder Jean-Michael Seri sold to Tomorrow: Nimes v Paris Saint-Germain months after suff ering a broken coaching, Nice were applauded for attract- Fulham and forward Alassane Plea leaving (1500 GMT), Angers v Lille, Dijon v Caen, leg while playing for United in days later. might be a bit too early for some.” ing a member of France’s 1998 World Cup- for Borussia Moenchengladbach. Guingamp v Toulouse, Reims v Montpellier, 2015, has enjoyed a strong start Southgate has also given Adam winning side, one of the fi nest midfi eld- Plea scored 16 league goals last season, Strasbourg v Nantes (all 1800 GMT) to the new campaign, scoring Lallana a recall after the Liver- ENGLAND SQUAD: ers of his generation. But early results have while Mario Balotelli netted 18, but the Ital- On Sunday: Saint-Etienne v Amiens (1300 the fi rst goal of his professional pool midfi elder was left out of Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford tempered that initial wave of enthusiasm, ian has missed the opening three games GMT), Rennes v Bordeaux (1500 GMT), Mo- career against Leicester this the World Cup squad following (Everton), Jack Butland (Stoke), and – who knows – could have given his old of this season due to suspension. At least naco v Marseille (1900 GMT) month. an injury-plagued campaign. Alex McCarthy (Southampton) England boss Southgate be- Midfi elder Ruben Loftus-Cheek lieves the former Southampton keeps his place after impressing Defenders: Trent Alexander- star is now a tougher and more in Russia in the summer, despite Arnold (Liverpool), Joe Gomez DESCHAMPS BACKS LLORIS, RECALLS ‘RETIRED’ RAMI driven player because of his tra- playing just 22 minutes for Chel- (Liverpool), Harry Maguire vails. “He has had a diffi cult pe- sea this season. (Leicester), Danny Rose (Totten- Paris: France coach Didier Deschamps gave Cup winner his full backing after naming a Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Atletico riod adapting to a new club, a “We’re on the back of a suc- ham), Luke Shaw (Manchester his firm backing to Tottenham goalkeeper largely unchanged squad from the one that Madrid/ESP), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint horrendous injury, but he has cessful tournament,” said South- United), John Stones (Manchester Hugo Lloris and recalled ‘retired’ defender triumphed 4-2 over Croatia in Moscow on Germain), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester had an extra edge to his game,” gate. “Not too much can have City), James Tarkowski (Burnley), Adil Rami as he named his first post-World July 8. “I’ve spoken with him, he realises his City/ENG), Benjamin Pavard (/GER), Southgate said. changed in that time because Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Kyle Cup squad ahead of two Nations League mistake and he’s sorry for it,” Deschamps Adil Rami (Marseille), Djibril Sidibe (Mona- “When it’s been going against we reached the semi-fi nal and Walker (Manchester City) matches. Barely six weeks after their said. A bigger surprise was Marseille de- co), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona/ESP), Raphael his team he has been one who has there have only been three league Midfielders: Dele Alli (Totten- triumphant World Cup campaign in Russia, fender Rami, who announced his interna- Varane (Real Madrid/ESP) shown aggression and a desire games. We had some mature France face Germany on September 6 and tional retirement on the night of France’s ham), Fabian Delph (Manchester Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea/ENG), not to lose. I’m really pleased for conversations with Jamie Vardy, the Netherlands three days later as part of World Cup victory. City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jor- Blaise Matuidi (Juventus/ITA), Steven N’Zonzi him that he looks like he’s play- Gary Cahill and Ashley Young the Nations League competition which has Despite being a substitute for most of dan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam (Roma/ITA), Paul Pogba (Man United/ENG), ing with confi dence.” in terms of the desire to look at Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard replaced the traditional friendlies. the tournament, Deschamps said he was Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich/GER) Southampton goalkeeper younger players. (Manchester United), Ruben If fans expected Deschamps to punish still counting on the 32-year-old defender. Alex McCarthy has also earned We had fi ve changes anyway Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) Lloris over a recent drink driving charge Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona/ a fi rst call-up with Joe Gomez and we felt that was enough. We — he was arrested last Friday morning in FRANCE’S 23-MAN SQUAD ESP), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud Forwards: Raheem Sterling and James Tarkowski returning also won’t stand still. Luke Shaw London before being released on bail and (Chelsea/ENG), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico (Manchester City), Harry Kane Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham/ENG), for the UEFA Nations League is still only 23, Joe Gomez is 21 so will face a magistrates’ court hearing on Madrid/ESP), Thomas Lemar (Atletico (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford Benoit Costil (Bordeaux), Alphonse Areola game at Wembley against Spain we have lowered the age again. September 11 — they will be disappointed. Madrid/ESP), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Florian (Manchester United), Danny (Paris Saint-Germain) on September 8 and friendly in We are aware of the excitement Deschamps gave the 31-year-old World Thauvin (Marseille) Leicester with Switzerland three around other young players but it Welbeck (Arsenal)

Friday, August 31, 2018 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW Ronaldo set for Old Traff ord return with Juventus Liverpool, PSG and Napoli thrown together in the pick of the groups

AFP Holders Madrid begin their bid to Monaco win a fourth consecutive Champions League crown in a kind-looking Group G, featuring Roma, CSKA Moscow and ristiano Ronaldo can look for- the Czech side Viktoria Plzen. In con- ward to a return to Old Traf- trast, Barcelona and Tottenham Hot- ford in the Champions League spur will play each other in a testing this season after his new team Group B along with Inter Milan and JuventusC came out in the same group as PSV Eindhoven, the 1988 European Manchester United in yesterday’s draw Cup winners. in Monaco. Ronaldo spent six years Inter are returning to the competi- at United, winning the Champions tion for the fi rst time in seven seasons. League in 2008, before moving to Real They were in the same group as Tot- Madrid in 2009. tenham in 2010/11, with the Italian side He will come up against his compa- memorably winning 4-3 at San Siro triot Jose Mourinho, under whom he despite Gareth Bale scoring a hat-trick. played during his time at Real, while The draw looks kind to Pep Guar- United midfi elder Paul Pogba can also diola’s Manchester City as they look to look forward to facing his old team. win the trophy for the fi rst time. They While those sides will be favourites to will face group-stage debutants Hof- progress to the last 16 from Group H, fenheim as well as Lyon and Shakhtar they will have to be wary of Valencia, Donetsk, coming up against the latter with the Spaniards returning to the for the second year running. group stage for the fi rst time in three The draw was also kind on German years. Swiss champions Young Boys, champions Bayern Munich, although group-stage debutants, look to be the they will meet two great European makeweights in the section. names in Benfi ca and Ajax. Yesterday’s draw ceremony at Mo- But it was less so for another German naco’s Grimaldi Forum, a stone’s throw club, with Borussia Dortmund coming Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser from the Mediterranean Sea, threw up up against Monaco and Atletico Madrid al-Khelaifi arrives at the Grimaldi several other fascinating groups, with in Group A, along with Club Brugge. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (left) presents David Beckham with the UEFA President’s Award on the sidelines of the Forum in Monaco for the Champions last season’s beaten fi nalists Liverpool Having won the Europa League last Champions League group stage draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco yesterday. (Reuters) League group stage draw. (Reuters) set to have their work cut out alongside year, three-time fi nalists Atletico are the Paris Saint-Germain of Neymar hoping to go all the way in this com- from elsewhere to compete, but this UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Napoli (ITA), Liverpool (ENG), Red Star Hoff enheim (GER) Belgrade (SRB) and Kylian Mbappe, as well as Napoli, petition, with the fi nal to be played at draw ensures there will be some vari- GROUP STAGE DRAW Group G: Real Madrid (ESP), Roma (ITA), in Group C. their own Wanda Metropolitano sta- ety on into the knockout rounds, not Group A: Atletico Madrid (ESP), Borussia Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS), CSKA Moscow (RUS), Viktoria Plzen Carlo Ancelotti, who became coach dium on June 1, 2019. least with Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto Dortmund (GER), Monaco (FRA), Club FC Porto (POR), Schalke 04 (GER), (CZE) Galatasaray (TUR) of Napoli in the close season, will re- Changes brought in for this season and Galatasaray joining Bundesliga side Brugge (BEL) Group H: Juventus (ITA), Manchester turn to the French capital, where he mean half of the clubs in the group Schalke in Group D. Group B: Barcelona (ESP), Tottenham Group E: Bayern Munich (GER), Benfica United (ENG), Valencia (ESP), Young led PSG to the title in 2013. That group stage were allocated to the top four The fi rst round of group games will (POR), Ajax (NED), AEK (GRE) Boys (SUI) is completed by a famous old name in sides in the four best-ranked leagues: be played on September 18 and 19, with Hotspur (ENG), PSV Eindhoven (NED), 1991 European Cup winners Red Star Spain, England, Germany and Italy. UEFA due to release the fi xtures later Inter (ITA) Group F: Manchester City (ENG), First round of matches on Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), Lyon (FRA), Belgrade. It is becoming ever harder for clubs today. Group C: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), September 18 and 19

QNB STARS LEAGUE FOCUS Sneijder relishing face-off with de Jong Modric named By Sports Reporter UEFA player of year Doha AFP Monaco fter a one weekend rest, the QNB Stars League will resume today. The Week Four action be- uka Modric of Real Ma- gins with Al Sailiya taking on Al drid and Croatia yester- Khor,A while Al Ahli will lock horns with Al day received the accolade Gharafa. Both matches will be played at of UEFA Player of the Year the Khalifa International Stadium. Lin Monaco after his Champions Al Gharafa’s star midfi elder Wesley League exploits. “My father al- Sneijder said the prospects of playing ways pushed me to fi ght for my against Al Ahli’s Nigel de Jong, who was dreams, I owe him a lot for every- his teammate at Ajax Amsterdam and the thing,” said Modric, whose silky Dutch national team, was special. midfi eld skills helped Real to a “Nigel de Jong and I are very good third straight European crown friends. But then, a game is a game. Of and then propelled Croatia to the course, we won’t kick each other! I am World Cup fi nal. playing for three points, he is also playing “It’s an incredible moment for three points. This is not the fi rst time for me, I feel really excited and that we are playing against each other. We proud of this great award,” said have faced off in Italy before. It’s always a the 32-year-old, who started special feeling playing against him,” Sne- out at Dinamo Zagreb and then ijder said yesterday. had four years with Tottenham Real Madrid’s midfielder Luka “We had a good result from the Al Sadd before Real prised him away six Modric poses with the UEFA game and we need three points from this years ago. player of the season award in match. We’re improving after every game. Modric, whose success sets Monaco yesterday. (AFP) I’m happy with the overall level and qual- him up as a favourite to win the ity of football in Qatar. I’ll keep giving my Ballon d’Or world player of the the award for best striker cho- 100 per cent,” he added. year accolade, saw off former sen by Champions League and Al Ahli will be keen to make up for their Real teammate Cristiano Ron- Europa League coaches from last 1-4 defeat to Umm Salal, while Al Gharafa Al Gharafa’s midfielder Wesley Sneijder (left) and coach Christian Gourcuff address a press conference yesterday. aldo and Liverpool’s Egyptian season and journalists. will gain strength from their creditable striker Mohamed Salah for the Danish international Pernille 1-1 draw with Al Sadd in the previous too. We were adversely aff ected by the ab- overall award. Harder, of German club Wolfs- round. Both teams are targeting a top- sence of Khalil Sharif and Mohamed Reza Real Madrid’s achievement in burg, won the UEFA women’s four fi nish, so they cannot aff ord to drop in the last match. They will return against winning the Champions League player of the year prize. points. That makes this clash the most Al Gharafa. We’re trying hard to correct for the third season running was Wolfsburg lost to dominant notable among all six fi xtures in Week 4. our mistakes. The QNB Stars League is further recognised as Modric French outfi t Lyon in the Cham- Al Gharafa’s Muad Hassan and Thamer only three games old and it’s still early to also won the UEFA award for the pions League fi nal in Kiev in Gamal attended the team training ses- assess. We play every game with diff erent best midfi elder of last season. May. There was also an award sions after recovering from their injuries. combinations as we haven’t got the serv- His clubmate Sergio Ramos was for David Beckham, the former Muad Yahia, who was nursing an ankle ices of all players together, due to injuries named best defender while Real Manchester United, Real Madrid injury, is also expected to be ready soon. and suspensions,” Macala noted. shot stopper Keylor Navas won and England star collecting the Tamim al-Muhaza and Ilyas Ahmed are In today’s early kick-off . Al Sailiya, the best goalkeeper prize. UEFA President’s Award for his also recuperating from injuries, the who stormed into the third position in the Ronaldo, who did not appear achievements in the game and former straining his thigh muscle and the QNB Stars League standings with a 2-0 at the ceremony, was awarded his work since retiring as a player. latter recovering from a surgery. win over Qatar SC for whom star recruit Al Gharafa coach Christian Gourcuff Samuel Eto’o made his debut, will be keen said he was only gunning for a victory to sustain the momentum. against Al Ahli. “The short break after Al Sailiya’s Tunisian coach Sami QATAR TO PLAY SEVERAL the last game against Al Sadd, where we Trabelsi is wary that the break will af- put up a good show, helped the players fect the rhythm of his players. He will be FRIENDLIES TO PREPARE recover. Our target is three points against hoping Moroccan striker Rachid Tiberka- Al Ahli,” said Gourcuff . nine will continue to lead the Peregrines’ FOR 2019 ASIAN CUP “We’re trying to give more opportu- charge. On the eve of the match, Trabelsi Al Ahli coach Milan Macala says it will be tough to beat Al Gharafa. nities to our young players. They must said it won’t be easy against Al Khor. Doha: Qatar football team will International Stadium in Doha. make their presence felt on the pitch. “It’ll be a diff erent game against Al 10-day break. “The break aff ects all the match-up promises to be exciting. play several friendly matches In October, Qatar will play We’re trying to strike a balance, so they Khor. They badly need three points. They clubs. If you play continuously, you get as preparation for the 2019 AFC against Ecuador on October get along well with the seniors,” he added. have a good striker. They weren’t bad in good rhythm. When there’re breaks in FIXTURES Asian Cup, which will be held 12 in Doha and Uzbekistan on Meanwhile, Al Ahli will be bolstered by the previous games, but their players between, it aff ects your momentum. in the UAE from January 5 to October 16 in Tashkent. the return of Khalil Sharif and Mohamed lacked concentration. We had a bad expe- We’ve played three games now after the Today: Al Sailiya vs Al Khor (17:10) and Al February 1. Qatar are in Group Qatar national team held a Reza from suspension and injury respec- rience with Al Khor last season, so we’re pre-season camp and we focused on the Ahli vs Al Gharafa (19:20) at the Khalifa E of the Asian Cup alongside preparatory camp in Aus- tively. Al Ahli coach Milan Macala con- keen to perform in a better way,” he said. fi tness of the players in those matches. International Stadium with Lebanon, North Korea, and tria ahead of the start of the ceded it would be tough against Gharafa. “I’m satisfi ed with our performance We also tried to work on some tactical as- Tomorrow: Al Rayyan vs Al Kharaitiyat Saudi Arabia. season, during which the team “We’re still at the beginning of the generally even though I didn’t get the pects,” he said. (17:10) and Al Arabi vs Umm Salal (19:20) at Qatar will play two friendly played two friendlies. The league and are working to equip the team players I wished for, notwithstanding Ra- Meanwhile, Al Khor, coached by Tu- the Al Sadd Stadium matches in September, against preparation programme for Qa- well in every game. We’ve a very tough chid Tiberkanine who joined us from Al nisian Adel Sellimi, are languishing at China on September 7 and tar includes several friendlies game this week against Al Gharafa,” he Kharaitiyat,” added Trabelsi. the 11th position in the table and are the On Sunday: Al Sadd vs Al Shahania (17:10) Palestine on September 11. Both and camps during the coming said. Having surged to third positon in the only team, along with bottom-placed Al and Qatar SC vs Al Duhail (19:20) at the matches will be held at Khalifa period. “We’ll miss some players in this game table, Trabelsi was not pleased with the Kharaitiyat, yet to register a win. So the Khalifa International Stadium