FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 17 Rafael Nadal says I had some mistakes of course FOOTBALL after a hard-fought but I am super happy the way I European Championship Fourth Ashes Test: Day win in the US Open accepted the challenge. Qualifying, Group C: 3 at Old Trafford in

quarter-final. ACTION Manchester

Germany vs Netherlands TODAY’S Lyles eyes double diamond boost ahead of Worlds

AFP The meet record of 19.26sec of 10.72 set in 2013 and comes BRUSSELS was set in 2011 by Jamaican to Belgium having already Yohan Blake. It remains the claimed wins in the blue riband US sensation Two years ago, I was fastest time ever run over the event in Lausanne and London will look to bag a second 200m after ’s world this season. trophy when watching the others record of 19.19sec set in the But the Jamaican will face he competes in the 200m in the win diamonds and 2009 world pressure from Britain’s Brussels final today. this year I am trying championships. European champion Dina The 22-year-old went to last American Walter Dix ran Asher-Smith, with the likes of week’s first final in Zurich and to come away with 19.53sec behind Blake in 2011 Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou, pipped American team-mate two Diamond race and Bolt himself has clocked a Nigerian Blessing Okagbare, and current world champion wins. It is going to be 19.57sec at the stadium, where Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers to win the 100m. something: Lyles there have been an impressive and American Aleia Hobbs all A shot at a second discipline 23 sub-20sec performances in capable of pushing for the victory offers Lyles a perfect the 200m. podium. chance to notch up a psycho- Lyles will go into the 200m The field for the 200m also Olympic champion Ryan logical booster ahead of the Sep- as favourite, having clocked features world and European Crouser, former world cham- tember 27-October 6 World 19.50sec in Lausanne last champion Ramil Guliyev of pions Tom Walsh and Joe Championships in Doha. month, a time that made him the Turkey, as well as Canada’s Michael Norman (left) and Noah Lyles of the US pose for a photo Kovacs, and Diamond Race “Two years ago I was fourth fastest of all time over the and Ecuador’s with the Diamond League trophy during a press conference in leader Darlan Romani ensure a watching the others win dia- half-lap race. Alex Quinonez. Brussels, yesterday. high-quality opening event to monds and this year I am trying The good news for the Women sprinters will also the final event in the Diamond to come away with two American is that the track at be out in force, competing for champion Shelly-Ann Fraser- woman in the world this year, League season, with every ath- Diamond race wins. It is going Brussels’ King Baudouin glory in the 100m. Pryce, now 32 and a mother to with a 10.73sec. The Jamaican letes’ eyes on the bigger goal to be something,” Lyles said. stadium is a rapid one. Former world and Olympic a two-year-old son, is the fastest also holds the meeting record awaiting in the Qatari capital.

Leclerc reminds Italian GP: Leclerc empowered Montezemolo of the young Lauda for Ferrari’s Monza home race AFP REUTERS MONZA Monza to MONZA Charles Leclerc will be propelled Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc host Italian Former Ferrari president Luca by an upgraded Ferrari power di Montezemolo says the Italian unit and his own raw emotions, GP until ‘at team’s latest race winner this weekend when he bids to least 2024’ Charles Leclerc reminds him of claim a second career victory at For Leclerc and his the Niki Lauda of the 1970s. the Italian Grand Prix. team-mate four-time The 21-year-old Mon- The 21-year-old Mon- champion German AFP egasque took his first Formula egasque’s maiden Formula One MONZA One victory in Belgium last triumph was shrouded in tragedy Sebastian Vettel, the weekend, also becoming Fer- at last weekend’s Belgian Grand race in the old royal rari’s youngest ever winner, and Prix following the death of his park at Monza offers The Italian Grand Prix will has impressed with his calm close friend Anthoine Hubert. another opportunity be held at Monza until “at under pressure and speed. For Leclerc and his team- to show their cars’ least 2024”, Formula One Speaking to reporters at an mate four-time champion announced on Wednesday event in Milan on Wednesday German Sebastian Vettel, the race superior power and in the lead-up to this year’s evening to mark Ferrari’s 90th in the old royal park at Monza straight-line speed race at the storied track. anniversary, Montezemolo said offers another opportunity to against champions “Monza’s fabled Temple Leclerc was quick even last year show their cars’ superior power Mercedes. of Speed has hosted more in his debut season with and straight-line speed against Formula 1 World Champi- uncompetitive Sauber. champions Mercedes. onship Grands Prix than any “With Ferrari of course it’s “It’s time for our home Grand other venue. And now, the different. He makes very few Prix and there can be no better Italian Grand Prix is set to mistakes. Like Niki at the way to come to Monza than as the twice, Binotto knows his team fans is always an extra boost and Italian triumph. Hamilton remain at the historic track beginning, he was only con- winner of the last round in Spa- must deliver a near-flawless further motivation to do well. admitted however that Ferrari for at least another five scious why he made the Francorchamps,” said Binotto, performance again to resist the Apart from anything else, there have every chance of snapping seasons,” F1 said. mistake (and how) not to repeat ahead of this weekend’s race. overall excellence and race pace is no podium quite like Monza that run. F1 has held a GP in Italy it,” said Montezemolo. “It’s a great thank you to our of Mercedes’ defending five- and we think there is no better “Monza is going to be a happy since the championship “I think he is a very intel- fans who have given us so much time champion Lewis crowd than the Italian one.” weekend for Ferrari, most likely, began in 1950, and the race ligent driver, very quick. Not support during what has been a Hamilton. Last year’s race ended with because it is all straights and they has been run at Monza every only on one lap but also in the far from easy season so far. “We saw in Belgium that, in the ‘tifosi’ booing loudly when the are so fast,” he said. year bar 1980, when it was race. I think he can maybe be “Monza is a track where we order to win, we must do every- triumphant Hamilton stood atop “We’ve got to make drastic held at Imola. the best representative of a new run at very high average speeds, thing to perfection and our aim the podium, having won after improvements to our straight The 2019 event takes generation of drivers. It’s very featuring long straights and heavy is to do exactly that in Monza too,” Ferrari had locked out the front speed, somehow. I don’t know if place on Sunday following important for Formula One.” braking, running a low down- he said. row of the grid following Kimi it’s possible, but if anyone can do Ferrari’s win in Belgium, with Austrian Lauda, who died force package - and, this “There will be no room for Raikkonen’s all-time fastest qual- it, it’s our team.” Charles Leclerc winning his in May at the age of 70, won his weekend, we plan to introduce error. Our home race is always ifying lap. Going into the 90th Italian first Grand Prix on a sombre first two titles with Ferrari in our third (upgraded) power unit.” important, but that is especially The Briton’s brilliant victory Grand Prix, Hamilton has the occasion at Spa-Francor- 1975 -- at the age of 26 -- and After a season so far in which true this time as we are cele- drew him level with Ferrari luxury of a 65-point lead over his champs following the death then in 1977 after an astonishing Ferrari have won only once in 13 brating 90 years of Scuderia legend Michael Schumacher’s re-signed Mercedes team-mate of his friend and F2 driver 1976 comeback from a fiery outings, with Mercedes tri- Ferrari. record five Monza victories and Valtteri Bottas in the drivers’ Anthoine Hubert. near-fatal crash. umphing 10 times and Red Bull “Racing in front of our home was Mercedes fifth successive championship.

Action during game between Venezuela and China on Wednesday. Asia, Africa out of World Cup at first hurdle AFP SHANGHAI agonising 67-64 loss to Puerto Rico. nominally Asian in the FIBA our team we have some guys who Nigeria thrashed South Korea rankings are concerned, have have learned to play the game in 108-66 at the same time, but the also reached the second round different places all over the world. It is the largest basketball World fate of Africa’s highest-ranked team and they could be joined by New “So you don’t get the same con- Cup ever but there will be no teams already been sealed after losing Zealand. tinuity all the time in how the game from Asia or Africa in the second both their opening games. Paolo Povia, coach of the Ivory is learned.” round of the sport’s global show- The last time there was no team Coast, said there were “a lot of Basketball is hugely popular in piece. from Asia or Africa in the second factors” why African sides had the Philippines but the national Hosts China with their 1.4 billion round was in 1998, when the cham- failed to make their mark in China. team -- the joint-shortest at the population crashed out of con- pionship had only 16 teams. “There’s definitely a difference competition -- have lost all three tention on Wednesday with a 72-59 Now it has a record 32 but it is in experience and knowledge of the of their matches. defeat to Venezuela. almost exclusively teams from the game,” said Povia after his team lost Ousted teams such as the Phil- That came hours after Tunisia Americas, led by reigning cham- 80-63 to Poland on Wednesday, ippines need to rally themselves, surrendered a spot in the next pions the United States, and Europe their third defeat in three games. because they now face a low-key round, and a guaranteed place at who will compete for the medals. “The development of the game “classification” round with Olympic the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with an Outside of those only Australia, (in Africa) is a little inconsistent. In qualifying in play. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

Rafael Nadal of PATHS TO US OPEN MEN’S Spain serves against SEMI-FINALS Diego Schwartzman of Argentina in a DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS X5) VS quarter-final match GRIGOR DIMITROV (BUL) of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament MEDVEDEV at USTA Billie Jean 1st rd: bt Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) King National 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 Tennis Center on 2nd rd: bt Hugo Dellien (BOL) 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 Wednesday. 3rd rd: by Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 4th rd: Dominik Koepfer (GER) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) QF: bt Stan Wawrinka (SUI x23) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

DIMITROV 1st rd: bt Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-1, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-3 2nd rd: bt Borna Coric (CRO x12) walkover 3rd rd: bt Kamil Majchrzak (POL) 7-5, 7-6 (10/8), 6-2 4th rd: bt Alex de Minaur (AUS) 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 QF: bt Roger Federer (SUI x3) 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

MATTEO BERRETTINI (ITA X24) V RAFAEL NADAL (ESP X2)

BERRETTINI 1st rd: bt Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-4, 6-3, Nadal reaches semis to remain 2-6, 6-2 2nd rd: bt Jordan Thompson (AUS) 7-5, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-1 3rd rd: bt Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 6-4, 6-4, on course for 4th US Open title 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/2) 4th rd: bt Andrey Rublev (RUS) 6-1, 6-4, AFP World No. 2 Spanish 7-6 (8/6) NEW YORK star beats spirited Matteo Berrettini of QF: bt Gael Monfils (FRA x13) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, Italy celebrates after 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) Rafael Nadal will play Italy’s Argentinian Diego winning his Men’s Matteo Berrettini in the US Schwartzman 6-4, Singles quarter-final NADAL Open semi-finals after the 7-5, 6-2 to move into match against Gael 1st rd: bt John Millman (AUS) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 18-time Grand Slam champion his 33rd Grand Slam Monfils of France, on 2nd rd: bt Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) walkover defeated Argentine 20th seed Wednesday. 3rd rd: bt Chung Hyeon (KOR) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 7-5, semi-final where he 4th rd: bt Marin Cilic (CRO x22) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. will face Italy’s Matteo 6-1, 6-2 Second seed Nadal -- a Berrettini. QF: bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG x20) 6-4, winner at Flushing Meadows in 7-5, 6-2 2010, 2013 and 2017 -- beat a spirited Schwartzman for the Berrettini, seeded eighth time in as many meetings 24th, beat French PATHS TO US OPEN WOMEN’S in a nearly three-hour match 13th seed Gael Monfils SEMI-FINALS that finished early Thursday in a marathon five- morning. ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR X5) V SERENA Schwartzman put up firm setter 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, WILLIAMS (USA X8) resistance against Nadal and 3-6, 7-6 (5) in just twice fought back from double- under four hours to SVITOLINA break deficits in the first two reach his first Grand 1st rd: bt Whitney Osuigwe (USA) 6-1, 7-5 sets, but the Spaniard found 2nd rd: bt Venus Williams (USA) 6-4, 6-4 another gear at crucial Slam semi-final. 3rd rd: bt Dayana Yastremska (UKR x32) moments to secure an eighth 6-2, 6-0 semi-final berth in New York. 4th rd: bt Madison Keys (USA x10) 7-5, 6-4 “Straight sets but big chal- Nadal is the only former QF: bt Johanna Konta (GBR x16) 6-4, 6-4 lenges especially after the first major champion left in the two sets, having 4-0 and 5-1 men’s field following the elim- WILLIAMS and losing both breaks in a ination of Roger Federer and 1st rd: bt Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-1, 6-1 row, but I know how good he Novak Djokovic, leaving him 2nd rd: bt Caty McNally (USA) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 is when he’s confident,” Nadal as the clear frontrunner in his He matched Corrado Baraz- Monfils in a thriller at Arthur “Right now I don’t 3rd rd: bt Karolina Muchova (CZE) 6-3, 6-2 said. pursuit of a 19th major title. zutti’s run to the last four in 1977 Ashe Stadium. remember any points, just the 4th rd: bt Petra Martic (CRO x22) 6-3, 6-4 “I’m so happy how I Schwartzman, who stands after outlasting 13th-seeded “I was lucky I had match match point. I remember also QF: bt Wang Qiang (CHN x18) 6-1, 6-0 accepted the situation and a mere 5ft 7in (1.70m), was Frenchman Gael Monfils 3-6, points and he didn’t have it -- my double fault I must be challenge and kept going, point bidding to become the shortest 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) in three it’s better when you have them. honest,” Berrettini said. BELINDA BENCIC (SUI X13) V BIANCA after point. Here I am in the Grand Slam semi-finalist since hours and 57 minutes. I’m really proud of myself, I was Defeat for Monfils prolonged ANDREESCU (CAN X15) semi-finals. I’m super happy, 5-foot-6 Harold Solomon at The 23-year-old Berrettini always focusing on the next France’s lengthy wait for a first it means everything.” Roland Garros in 1980. joined Barazzutti, 1976 Roland point.” men’s Grand Slam title since BENCIC Nadal, who was forced to “He’s like a lion in the Garros champion Adriano A nervous Berrettini Yannick Noah won the French retire during last year’s semi- middle of the jungle. He’s a Panatta and Marco Cecchinato doubled-faulted on his first Open in 1983. 1st rd: bt Mandy Minella (LUX) 6-3, 6-2 final against Juan Martin del fighter,” Schwartzman said of as just the fourth Italian to match point at 5-3 before a res- “I know how to bounce 2nd rd: bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 Potro, played down concerns Nadal. advance to a men’s Grand Slam olute Monfils fought off two back, I’ve had some tough ones 3rd rd: bt Anett Kontaveit (EST x21) walkover, over his left forearm as he “He knows how to play the semi-final in singles. more on his serve to send the here before,” said Monfils, who illness received treatment early in the important moments every “What a great fight. I think it deciding set into a tie-break. was beaten by Roger Federer in 4th rd: bt Naomi Osaka (JPN x1) 7-5, 6-4 third set. single time. I played eight was one of the best matches I Monfils coughed up a costly the 2014 quarter-finals after QF: bt Donna Vekic (CRO x23) 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 “Physically I am fine. Today times, and every important maybe ever saw -- I was playing pair of double faults in the holding two match points. was a very heavy day, big moment he played better than but I also saw. I’m really happy breaker -- and 17 in total -- as “It was tough, I was just ANDREESCU humidity out there. I’m this me.” I don’t know what to say,” Ber- Berrettini surged 5-2 ahead, the competing as much as I could 1st rd: bt Katie Volynets (USA) 6-2, 6-4 kind of player who sweats a Berrettini, the 24th seed, rettini said. The first-time Slam Frenchman rescuing a fourth but there was a big lack of serve 2nd rd: bt Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 6-3, 7-5 little, but sometimes under became the first Italian man to quarter-finalist blew a 5-2 lead match point before a booming today. I’m going to take the pos- 3rd rd: bt Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x19) 6-4, 6-4 these conditions it’s tough,” he reach the US Open semi-finals in the final set and four match serve from the Italian clinched itive from these two weeks,” he 4th rd: bt Taylor Townsend (USA) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 said. in 42 years. points before finally seeing off a memorable win. added. QF: bt Elise Mertens (BEL x25) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 Tokyo organisers to test artificial snow to ‘cool’ Olympics

AFP TOKYO for the Tokyo 2020 organisers on the offensive over concerns that said. holding the Games during summer “We haven’t decided definitively months when Tokyo regularly Tokyo 2020 Olympic chiefs have that we will use this system next reaches 35 degrees centigrade with already rolled out everything from year for the Olympics, but we want 80 percent humidity will be unsafe. misting stations to flowerbeds to to test it to see how effective it is,” They have already tested beat the heat at next year’s games, she said. measures including misting stations, and now they want to let it snow. “We’re open to trying all poten- air-conditioned cooling tents and Organisers confirmed yesterday tially useful ideas,” she added, when even rows of potted flowers along that they plan to test the use of arti- asked about possible criticism of the the routes of queues -- thought to ficial snow at a canoe event later environmental side-effects of the psychologically cool spectators. this month as they look for novel method. At a sailing event last month, ways to keep spectators and ath- Public broadcaster NHK said the athletes were given permission to letes cool during Tokyo’s notori- test would use small snow-making loosen their life jackets because of ously steamy summer months. machines to produce about a tonne the heat, while a French competitor “Artificial snow will be sprayed of snow per day, and that officials was treated for heatstroke during a A man cools off at a mist station installed over spectator seating,” some of from the organising committee triathlon event in August. at Shiokaze Park during the beach which may be in direct sunlight, would attend in spectator stands to The last time Japan hosted the volleyball test event for the Tokyo during a canoeing event on Sep- judge the technique’s Summer Olympics, in 1964, the 2020 Olympic Games in this file photo. tember 13 that will serve as a test effectiveness. competition was held in October to for the Olympics, a spokeswoman Olympic organisers have been avoid the hot summer conditions. FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 19 Smith’s double ton gives Aussies control

REUTERS SCOREBOARD MANCHESTER Australia 1st Innings Bowling: Broad 25-2-97-3; Archer 27-3-97-0 Australia’s Steve Smith celebrates his M. Harris lbw b Broad 1 ...... 3 (1nb); Stokes 10.5-0-66-0 (2nb); Leach 26.1-3- double century, yesterday. Steve Smith’s domination of D. Warner c Bairstow b Broad ...... 0 83-2 (1nb); Overton 28-3-85-2 (3w); Denly bowling. England’s bowling attack in the M. Labuschagne b Overton ...... 67 3-1-8-0; Root 6-0-39-1 Stokes, Ashes series reached new S. Smith c Denly b Root ...... 211 England 1st Innings who kept heights yesterday as his magnif- T. Head lbw b Broad ...... 19 RJ Burns 15 England in the icent 211 led Australia to 497-8 M. Wade c Root b Leach ...... 16 JL Denly c Wade b Cummins 4 series with his T. Paine c Bairstow b Overton ...... 58 C Overton not out 3 declared on the second day of P. Cummins c Stokes b Leach ...... 4 Extras (nb 1) 1 unbeaten 135 the fourth Test at Old Trafford. M. Starc not out ...... 54 Total (1wkts 10 Overs, RR: 2.3) ...... 23 in the run chase at England lost opener Joe N. Lyon not out ...... 26 Yet to bat: JE Root (c), JJ Roy, BA Stokes, JM Headingley, returned to Denly for four, brilliantly caught Extras (b8, lb14, w3, nb4) ...... 29 Bairstow †, JC Buttler, JC Archer, SCJ Broad, MJ the field having had treatment by Matthew Wade short leg Total (8 wkts dec, 126 overs) ...... 497 Leach for soreness in his right shoulder after he fended off a rising Did not bat: J Hazlewood Fall of : 1-10 (Joe Denly, 6.5 ov) but did not bowl. Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Warner), 2-28 (Harris), Bowling: MA Starc 2-2-0-0; JR Hazlewood delivery from Pat Cummins to 3-144 (Labuschagne), 4-183 (Head), 5-224 4-1-3-0; Cummins 3-0-10-1; NM Lyon 1-0-10-0 But his brief absence did leave them struggling on 23-1 (Wade), 6-369 (Paine), 7-387 (Cummins), Match situation: England trail by 474 runs have an indirect impact on the at the close. 8-438 (Smith) with 9 wickets remaining in the innings game as Stokes’s replacement But a day in which Australia in the field, Sam Curran, surely smelt again the chance dropped Paine when he was on to make sure of retaining the spinner Jack Leach. Unfortu- mockery of the idea that the 49. Ashes was all about Smith. nately for the hosts, their joy hosts had gained momentum Curran spilled a chance at It takes nothing away from turned to despair when video from their remarkable mid-on after Paine had lofted a the appreciation of the 30-year- officials deemed Leach had comeback victory at Headingley drive off Archer and the same old’s fine demonstration of the delivered a no-ball. in the last Test. batsman was dropped in the art of Test batting to note that As the top-ranked Test Smith missed that drama first over after lunch by Jason as well as his impeccable timing batsman in the world was due to concussion but his scores Roy at second slip off Stuart STEVE SMITH’S LAST 9 TESTS and shot selection he also making his way towards the in this series speak for them- Broad. enjoyed good fortune. pavilion, the video reviewers selves -- 144, 142, 92 and 211 None of England’s seamers 239 v s England Perth 14 Dec 2017 Having made his third spotted that Leach’s front foot at an average of 147.25. nor Leach were able to seriously 76 vs England Melbourne 26 Dec 2017 century of the series, Smith was was not behind the crease when England did indeed come trouble Smith and in the end, 102* vs England Melbourne 26 Dec 2017 on 118 when he was caught by he let go of the ball, handing into this match in buoyant mood with the third double century 83 vs England Sydney 4 Jan 2018 Ben Stokes at slip off left-arm the Australian his second but minute by minute, over by of his Test career -- the previous 56 vs S. Africa Durban 1 Mar 2018 reprieve of the day. over and run by run, Smith two also came against England 38 vs S. Africa Durban 1 Mar 2018 England lose Joe Denly Smith had a lucky escape in drained away their self-belief. -- in the bag, he fell to the occa- 25 vs S. Africa Port Elizabeth 9 Mar 2018 for four, brilliantly the second over of the day The sixth- part- sional spin of Joe Root. 11 vs S. Africa Port Elizabeth 9 Mar 2018 caught by Matthew when Jofra Archer dropped a nership with captain Tim Paine As Smith headed back to 05 vs S. Africa Cape Town 22 Mar 2018 Wade short leg after caught and bowled chance after (58) added 145 and put Aus- the pavilion, there were still a 07 vs S. Africa Cape Town 22 Mar 2018 he fended off a rising his full toss was driven straight tralia firmly in control. smattering of now tiresome 144 vs England Birmingham 1 Aug 2019 back at him. England’s misery in the boos from England fans, 142 vs England Birmingham 1 Aug 2019 delivery from Pat Those were the “if only” afternoon session was com- recalling his 12-month ban for 92 vs England Lord’s 14 Aug 2019 Cummins to leave them moments for England but the pounded when all-rounder his role in a ball-tampering 211 vs England Manchester 5 Sep 2019 struggling on 23-1 at bigger picture was that Smith Stokes went off with an injury, affair, but most at Old Trafford stumps on second day. has succeeded in making a unable to finish his over of stood in appreciation. Shah steers Afghans with historic ton

AFP SCOREBOARD first Test victory against Ireland with his left-arm spin and became Afghanistan first innings early this year with Shah scoring the fastest Bangladeshi bowler to I. Zadran c Mahmudullah b Taijul ...... 21 two fifties in the game including a reach 100 Test wickets. Batsman Rahmat Shah yesterday I. Janat b Taijul ...... 9 98 in the first innings. Taijul, who finished the day became the first Afghanistan R. Shah c Soumya b Nayeem ...... 102 The top-order batsman with 2-73, also became the third cricketer to score a Test century, H. Shahidi c Soumya b Mahmudullah ...... 14 extended his prolific run of form as Bangladeshi bowler after all- helping the minnows start strongly A. Afghan not out ...... 88 he reached his hundred with a rounder Shakib Al Hasan and against Bangladesh on the opening M. Nabi b Nayeem ...... 0 boundary off Hasan, raising his bat Mohammad Rafique to achieve day of the one-off match. A. Zazai not out ...... 35 to a standing ovation from the such a feat in the longer format in Extras (lb1, nb1) ...... 2 Shah made 102 and put on a Total (5 wickets, 96 overs) ...... 271 crowd and the dressing room. his 25th match. crucial 120-run fourth-wicket stand To bat: R. Khan, Y. Ahmadzai, Q. Ahmad, Z. Khan His celebration though was Off-spinner Mahmudullah with Asghar Afghan, batting on 88, Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Ihsanullah), 2-48 (Ibrahim), 3- shortlived as Hasan got the chipped in when he forced Hash- to counter the Bangladesh spin 77 (Hashmatullah), 4-197 (Rahmat), 5-197 (Nabi) batsman, who hit 10 fours and two matullah Shahidi to give a catch to attack at the Zahur Ahmed Chow- Bowling: Taijul 31-4-73-2(nb1), Shakib 17-1-50-0, sixes in his 187-ball knock, out on Soumya Sarkar at slip for 14 in his dhury Stadium in Chittagong. Mehidy 22-4-59-0, Nayeem 13-0-43-2, Mahmudul- the next ball. first over. lah 4-0-9-1, Soumya 4-0-26-0, Mominul 4-0-9-0, Batsman Rahmat Afghanistan were 271 for five Hasan struck again with his off Bangladesh fielded an all-spin at stumps with Afghan and Afsar Mosaddek 1-0-1-0 spin three balls later in the same attack without picking a single pace Shah becomes the Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, , Mo- Zazai, on 35, putting together a over, rattling the stumps of bowler while Afghanistan handed first Afghanistan minul Haque, , Shakib Al Hasan 74-run partnership in the final (capt), Mahmudullah, Liton Das, , Mohammad Nabi for nought as a Test debut to Ibrahim, Qais cricketer to score a session of play. Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan. Afghanistan slipped to 197 for five. Ahmed and Zahir Khan. Test century. But it was Shah and Afghan who Toss: Afghanistan Afghan, who survived a Afghanistan skipper Rashid ensured that Afghanistan fought reprieve on 42 by TV umpire after became the youngest ever Test their way back in to the contest elected to bat first in just their third being given leg before out off captain at the age of 20 years 350 after being in trouble at 77 for three five-day game. The war-torn nation Mehidy Hasan, struck three fours days with the toss, overtaking the at lunch. had a bruising introduction to Test and two sixes so far in his second record of Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan cricket after India outplayed them Test fifty. Taibu, who made his debut as Test Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah raises his bat to celebrate took two wickets each to hurt inside two days in 2018. In the first session Taijul bowled captain just eight days older than his century against Bangladesh in Chittagong, yesterday. Afghanistan after the tourists Afghanistan registered their opener Ihsanullah Janat for nine Rashid in 2004. Basketball World Cup: Czech Republic stun Turkey to secure last-16 berth Australia win Olympic berth as US crush Japan REUTERS The tournament’s top from Oceania, having stormed Czech side taking part in their BEIJING two teams from the into the last 16 while New first World Cup as an inde- Americas and Europe as Zealand dropped into the pendent nation. Australia continued their well as one each from 17-32nd place play-offs after A valiant solo effort by Tur- impressive form in the basketball Asia, Oceania and Africa their defeat by Greece. key’s Cleveland Cavaliers guard World Cup with an 87-82 win The Greeks won an enter- Cedi Osman, the game’s top over Lithuania and secured a qualify automatically taining dogfight for a spot in the scorer with 24 points, was can- berth in the 2020 Olympic for the 2020 Olympics. second group stage, featuring celled out by a balanced Czech Games while holders United four pools of four teams, after roster. States cruised to a 98-45 rout of their defence after the break and Giannis Antetokounmpo, last Brazil, one of the tourna- Japan yesterday. nosed ahead 73-70 before the season’s most valuable player in ment’s surprise packages, ended The Czech Republic stunned Boomers forced the final twist, the NBA, racked up 24 points and the preliminary group stage on Turkey 91-76 to secure a last-16 with San Antonio Spurs play- 10 rebounds. a high with an 84-73 win over berth in the 32-nation tour- maker Patty Mills nailing a Having clawed victory from Montenegro and France also nament in China and Greece crunch three-pointer with 32.9 the jaws of defeat in a 93-92 made it three wins out of three joined them after overcoming a seconds left. overtime win against Turkey, the with a 90-56 defeat of the strong challenge from New Mills finished on a game-high United States hit top gear from Dominican Republic. Zealand in a 103-97 victory over 23 points and Phoenix Suns the start and never looked back Jaylen Brown of the US in action against Japan, yesterday. The top two teams from each the Tall Blacks. centre Aron Baynes capped an after racing into a 13-0 lead of the four pools in the second Having brushed aside effervescent performance with against Japan. group stage will advance to the Canada and Senegal in their 21 points and 13 rebounds as It was an expected cat and scoring digits led by Jaylen pool by the Czech Republic after knockout rounds. The tourna- opening two games, Australia Australia lived up to the billing mouse game as the lead grew Brown with 20 points. they blew away the Turks. ment’s top two teams from the took a 52-37 lead against the of the tournament’s dark horses. steadily and the defending Kemba Walker added 15 and Looking flat after the exer- Americas and Europe as well as more fancied Lithuanians late in They booked a berth in next champions, chasing their third Harrison Barnes chipped in with tions of their heart-breaking one each from Asia, Oceania and the first half. year’s Olympics in Japan as the successive and sixth overall title, 14 for the Americans, who were defeat by the US, Turkey trailed Africa qualify automatically for The Baltic nation shored up World Cup’s best-placed nation had five players in double joined in the last 16 from their throughout against an inspired the 2020 Olympics. FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2019 20

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Al Annabi launch AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 6-0 win over Afghans Almoez hat-trick seals big win for Qatar

THE PENINSULA DOHA Qatari forward Almoez Ali (left) scores the opening goal against Afghanistan during the second round Group E qualification football match for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup and 2023 Almoez Ali scored a brilliant Asian Cup at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, yesterday. hat-trick as 2019 AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar crushed Afghanistan 6-0 to launch their qualifying campaign in an emphatic manner in Doha, yesterday. At a floodlit Al Sadd Stadium in front of a full house, Almoez scored in 4th, 10th and 51 minutes to inspire the Felix Sanchez-coached side in the second round of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 joint qualifying tie. Captain Hassan Al Haydos (13), Abdelkarim Hassan (34) and Boualem Khoukhi (67) scored the rest of the goals in the one-sided Group E clash. With a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup already secured as hosts, Qatar needed just four minutes to get off the mark. Debutant, 20-year-old Yusuf Abdurisag delivered an accurate cross to AFC Asian Cup 2019 Play-of-the-Tournament Almoez Ali who beat the Afghan goalkeeper Ovays Azizi with a magnificent close-range header. Akram Afif led a swift attacking move from the left, 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP ASIA with his left from an angle to and after some intricate passing make it 5-0. involving Assem Madibo and QUALIFIERS/ AFC ASIAN CUP Ali returned the favour in Mongolia clinch maiden victory as Hassan Al Haydos, Afif supplied CHINA 2023 QUALIFIERS the 67th minute. The forward Ali inside the box and the striker moved into space behind the coolly slotted home his 22nd Afghan left-back and pulled one Malaysia fight back to take points international goal in the 10th Qatar 6-0 Afghanistan back for Khoukhi to sweep minute. Guam 0-1 Maldives home Qatar’s sixth and round REUTERS Ghana-born midfielder 5-2 in Group A while the Maldives It took just two more Philippines 2-5 Syria off the scoring. TAIPEI Mohamadou Sumareh levelled also picked up three points with minutes for the third goal to With the result, Qatar top shortly before the break with his a 1-0 win away against Guam. Chinese Taipei 1-2 Jordan arrive and Afif was again the the group with three points, the Mongolia notched up a surprise first involvement after coming In Group C, Hong Kong were architect, this time squaring for Kuwait 2-0 Nepal goal difference puts them ahead 1-0 win over Myanmar while off the bench, only for Beto to held to a 1-1 draw in Cambodia Al Haydos after dribbling down Cambodia 1-1 Hong Kong of Oman. Malaysia twice came from behind restore Indonesia’s lead two and in Group E Oman secured a the left. The skipper was left Bahrain 1-1 Iraq Al Annabi welcome India to to defeat Indonesia 3-2 in minutes later with a fine strike 2-1 win over India. with a simple tap-in to make it Doha on Tuesday while Afghan- stoppage time 3-2 as the second from outside the area. Mongolia are joined in pole Singapore 2-2 Yemen 3-0. istan’s next game takes place in round of Asia’s qualifying Syafiq Ahmad restored parity position in Group F by Tajikistan, With 34 minutes gone, it Palestine 2-0 Uzbekistan Tajikistan where they play hosts campaign for the Qatar 2022 midway through the half with a who beat Central Asian neigh- was the turn of the 2019 AFC India 1-2 Oman to Bangladesh. World Cup finals kicked off deft header and the game looked bours Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in Dushanbe Player of the Year Abdelkarim Mongolia 1-0 Myanmar Yesterday’s win fired Qatar yesterday. to be heading for a draw until courtesy of a goal from Alisher Hassan to add his name to the to the top of the group which Aramaa Dulguun scored a Sumareh hit the roof of the net Dzhalilov. Tajikistan 1-0 Kyrgyzstan scoresheet. The left-back also includes Oman, Bangladesh well-taken strike to earn Mongolia from six yards out seven minutes Palestine pulled off an upset romped down the wing on the Thailand 0-0 Vietnam and India. a victory in their first-ever into stoppage time. with a 2-0 win over heavily counter, receiving Afif’s through Indonesia 2-3 Malaysia Oman, who came from a appearance in this stage of World Jordan took all three points fancied Uzbekistan in Group D, pass and firing a thunderous North Korea 2-0 Lebanon goal down to beat India 2-1 yes- Cup qualifying. from their Group B encounter while Singapore drew 2-2 with drive into the top corner to send terday, are currently placed But the most dramatic action away against Chinese Taipei, Yemen. Sri Lanka Turkmenistan the hosts into the dressing 0-2 second in the Group. came in Jakarta’s Gelora Bung with Baha Faisal and Ahmed North Korea made a winning rooms with a four-goal Sunil Chhetri had given Karno Stadium where Indonesia Samir giving Vital Bourkelmans’ start in Group H with former Asian advantage. his hat-trick. Substitute India a first half lead but the took an early lead against bitter side a two-goal lead at halftime Player of the Year Jong Il Gwan Home team continued to Bassam Al Rawi fed the ball to young Rabia Alawi Al Mandhar regional rivals Malaysia when before Wen Chih-hao claimed a scoring both goals in a 2-0 win dominate in the second half Boualem Khoukhi who back- turned out to be the hero as he Beto slipped the ball under goal- late consolation. over Lebanon as Turkmenistan and within just five minutes of heeled it for the 2019 AFC scored twice to give Oman the keeper Farizal Marlias 12 Syria came from a goal picked up a 2-0 victory over Sri the restart Ali had completed Asian Cup top scorer who fired three points. minutes into the game. behind to thrash the Philippines Lanka in Colombo. Doha Festival City joins IAAF Worlds celebrations ANOC launches new website Hazim Murad (left), Assistant General Manager of Doha for World Beach Games Festival City, and Abdulhadi Al Marri, Head of Sponsorships THE PENINSULA (@AWBG2019) accounts have also been at Qatar Olympic Committee, DOHA created to maximise connectivity with ath- pose for a photograph with the letes, fans, NOCs and International official mascot of IAAF Doha Association of National Olympic Committees Federations. 2019 World Championships, (ANOC) yesterday launched the new ANOC Commenting on the launch, ANOC Sec- Falah, during a press conference World Beach Games website which will serve retary Gunilla Lindberg said: “We are with regard to the Mini Athletics as the central hub of all news, information delighted to launch the ANOC World Beach Championship, at Doha Festival and results for the inaugural multi-sport Games website which will be the go-to City yesterday. The Mini World event in Doha. resource for NOCs, athletes, fans and eve- Athletics Championship Doha The user-friendly website (www.awb- ryone who wants to learn more about the 2019 will take place at Centre gqatar.com) includes every information Games and be kept informed on the latest Court on the first floor at Doha related to the Games. results and updates. As we aim to ensure the Festival City until October 3 from During the Games, fans wanting to watch website is as comprehensive and informative 2pm to 10pm every Sunday the competitions live will be able to do so as possible, we will be constantly updating it to Wednesday, and until 11pm through the website’s live stream and will be with new information. Our social media plat- every Thursday to Saturday. able to find all competition results on the new forms will allow us to interact directly with PICTURE: BAHER AMIN/THE PENINSULA digital platform. our NOCs, their athletes and beach sports fans New Instagram (awbg2019) and Twitter around the world.”