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Sunday, September 15, 2019 CRICKET Muharram 16, 1441 AH Denly shines with GULF TIMES 94 as England take control of fi nal Test SPORT Page 4

FOOTBALL Neymar scores stunning late winner on PSG return It was a remarkable goal and a reminder of why PSG paid a world record sum to sign the Brazilian

AFP name as the teams were read out before Paris kick-off . Certainly not much was going right on the fi eld for the 27-year-old or for eymar shrugged off a hostile his team, who had been held by Stras- reception from unhappy fans bourg twice in the league last season. as he marked his return to Neymar hit the post direct from a cor- action with Paris Saint-Ger- ner late on but ended up getting his re- Nmain for the fi rst time in four months venge — it was against Strasbourg that with a stunning injury-time winner he suff ered a broken foot in a French from an overhead kick to hand his side Cup tie back in January. a 1-0 victory against Strasbourg yes- As brilliant as the goal was, it was not terday. met with unanimous approval from the The Brazilian’s fi rst appearance supporters, but Neymar will clearly be since the transfer window closed missed when he sits out Wednesday’s without him getting his desired move Champions League opener against back to Barcelona looked set to be best Real Madrid due to suspension. remembered for the hostile reception PSG were still without the injured handed to him by PSG supporters. Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani But with the game in the second here, but Mauro Icardi appeared as a minute of added time and the French second-half substitute after arriving champions unable to break the dead- on loan from Inter Milan just before the lock, Abdou Diallo crossed from the transfer deadline. left and Neymar, with his back to goal, New goalkeeper Keylor Navas start- sent the ball arcing over his own head ed in goal following his arrival from and into the net off the post. Real and excelled himself with one save It was a remarkable goal and a re- from Ludovic Ajorque early on. minder of why PSG paid a world record Lamine Kone headed just over for 222mn euros ($264mn at the time) the visitors late in the fi rst half, and it to sign Neymar two years ago. It also was not until the latter stages that the moved them three points clear at the hosts began to apply concerted pres- top of the Ligue 1 table. sure. He had not played for his club since Neymar burst through on goal in the May and had been left on the sidelines 76th minute only to be denied by Matz in their fi rst four league games of the Sels, and Strasbourg’s Belgian goal- campaign because of the uncertainty Neymar (L) celebrates with keeper then produced a stunning save surrounding his future. teammates after scoring the to tip Ander Herrera’s defl ected eff ort However, having been resigned to a winner for PSG yesterday. around the post. third season in the French capital, he There was nothing Sels could do, was handed a start by coach Thomas however, when Neymar produced his Tuchel here, and loud jeers greeted his moment of magic at the death.

SPOTLIGHT Doha 2019 Organising Committee opens recreation facility for volunteer force

By Sports Reporter Doha

he organising commit- tee of the IAAF World Championships Doha 2019 yesterday opened a T‘Volunteers’ Entertainment Tent’ for the benefi t of thousands of volunteers who will be involved with the prestigious September 26-October 6 event. Director General of the event Dahlan al-Hamad, who is also the president of the Asian Ath- letics Association and a vice occasion to be associated with Olympic Committee President volunteers are raring to go and president of the IAAF, inaugurat- so many champions and glo- HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al- show the world what they are ca- ed the centre at a gala ceremony bal sporting icons and get to see Thani and Chairman of the Or- pable of. at Aspire Zone. them in action from close quar- ganising Committee for his help “Qatar will be the focus of Among those present were ters. and support. the world’s attention during the Director of Marketing and Com- Director General of the organising Committee Dahlan al-Hamad cuts a ribbon to open the ‘Volunteers “The thrill and excitement of In his speech on behalf of the World Championships and the munications Hamad al-Obaidly Entertainment Tent’ at Aspire Zone yesterday. Picture on right shows volunteers posing with off icials and being part and parcel of a such a volunteers, Ali Dari said he was volunteers are highly trained and and Kaltham al-Rumaihi, Deputy representatives of various departments. big event is an honour in itself,” very proud to be part of the vol- motivated to play their part,” she Director of Corporate Support. he added. unteering team. said. About 5,000 volunteers from The centre will have facilities partments in which top offi cials their success. Al-Hamad stressed that vol- “The entire world is waiting “They have great communi- more than 100 countries will be for diff erent games such as bas- and staff can take part in order to “You will play an important unteers are also great ambassa- for the IAAF World Champion- cation skills and I am sure they involved in the tournament, the ketball, football, beach volley- create an atmosphere of camara- part in the IAAF World Champi- dors for the country. ships to start and I, too, am ex- will excel in the roles assigned to most prestigious sporting event ball, badminton, besides a gym derie and solidarity. onships and I am confi dent you “Through your excellent work cited beyond words,” he said. them,” she added. to be held to date in Qatar. and an area dedicated to video In his address, Dahlan al- will live up to the expectations and contribution you will earn “I am sure my fellow volun- Sarah Belmahdi, the young- The volunteers will assist the games. Hamad said he was deeply hon- of the thousands of athletes, of- the respect of everybody. Try to teers will rise to the challenge est of the volunteers also said she thousands of athletes, media and The Organising Committee oured to inaugurate the facil- fi cials and media from all parts of do your best because you are also and earn the respect and admira- can’t wait for the event to start. offi cials attending the cham- will implement a daily physical ity, saying volunteering was an the globe,” said al-Hamad. ambassadors for the country.” tion of everyone. We promise to “I am proud to be a volunteer. pionships in carrying out their exercise regimen for all volun- essential element of any major “Although it will be hard work He praised them for their de- be the best ambassadors for the I love athletics and I am keen to duties and responsibilities effi - teers and will also conduct tour- sporting event and that volun- I am sure you will enjoy every votion to the cause of volun- country” he added. be part of this global event,” she ciently. naments between various de- teers play an important role in moment of it because it is a great teering and also thanked Qatar Kaltham al-Rumaihi said the said. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, September 15, 2019 FOOTBALL

EPL SPOTLIGHT Sterling not on same level as Man City stunned by Messi, Ronaldo: Guardiola

AFP Norwich as Liverpool Manchester, United Kingdom ep Guardiola would love Raheem Sterling to ‘I am so delighted for him. I know how reach the same level as Lionel Messi and Cris- tiano Ronaldo, but the Manchester City man- hard the academy works and Tammy ager is not sure if any player will be able to Pequal the feats of that legendary pair. has an enthusiasm to score goals’ Others have recently been comparing Sterling to the stretch lead two dominant players of the last decade. England manager Gareth Southgate suggested Ster- AFP ling could eventually be mentioned in the same breath London as Messi and Ronaldo when asked how far the City winger could go if he maintains his superb form. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has also anchester City suc- said that he sees Sterling as a potential future winner cumbed to a fi rst Pre- of the Ballon d’Or - an award Barcelona star Messi and mier League defeat Juventus forward Ronaldo have each won fi ve times. since January in stun- City manager Guardiola is thrilled at Sterling’s Mning fashion to newly-promoted progress during their three years working together, but Norwich 3-2 yesterday, as Liver- having also coached Messi at Barca, he knows the ex- pool opened up a fi ve-point lead ceptional standards required at that exalted level. at the top of the table by beating “Right now, Raheem is not in that level, but maybe Newcastle 3-1. in the future I wish. It would be a dream for him and for Tottenham and Chelsea bounced all of us,” Guardiola told reporters. “The consistency of back to form with comprehen- these two guys, they are legends, something unique in sive wins over Crystal Palace and world football. Wolves respectively, while Man- “If Raheem can target that level - wow. We will be chester United held out for a much- there to help him and of course he can do it. But right needed three points with a 1-0 vic- now, nobody, not in the club, or in all the clubs in the tory over Leicester. world can compare with these two guys and what they However, Liverpool were the big have done every single week for ten years. Nobody.” winners as the gaps left in City’s defence by the injured Aymeric STERLING IN ELECTRIC FORM Laporte were exposed at Carrow Sterling enjoyed his best goal-scoring season last year Road. Kenny McLean showed up as he netted 25 times to help City win the domestic tre- the champions problems with de- ble of Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. fending set-pieces with a tower- He has started the new season in electric form with ing header to open the scoring and eight goals in seven games for club and country. He scored in both Euro 2020 qualifi ers for England during RESULTS the international break. To understand what Sterling is up against, Ronaldo’s mark of 29 club goals last season Liverpool ...... 3 Newcastle United. . . 1 for Juventus is the lowest fi gure either he or Messi have Brighton & Hove . . . 1 Burnley ...... 1 recorded in the last decade. Manchester United 1 Leicester City...... 0 Sheffield United . . . . 0 Southampton ...... 1 As City prepare to resume their Premier League Tottenham Hotspur 4 Crystal Palace ...... 0 campaign, away to Norwich on Saturday, Guardiola has Wolverhampton . . . 2 Chelsea ...... 5 noticed how the 24-year-old is becoming much more Norwich City ...... 3 Manchester City . . .2 clinical in front of goal - as Sterling aims to improve on Standings P W D L F A Pts his best league tally of 18 from 2017-18. Liverpool 5 5 0 0 15 4 15 “Before Raheem made good actions and dribbles, but Manchester City 5 3 1 1 16 6 10 he didn’t fi nish too much. Now he is a player who can Tottenham Hotspur 5 2 2 1 11 6 8 win games for himself,” Guardiola said. Manchester United 5 2 2 1 8 4 8 “It is a case of practice, practice, practice - and men- Leicester City 5 2 2 1 6 4 8 tality. The guy who scores goals is because he arrives in Chelsea 5 2 2 1 11 11 8 Arsenal 4 2 1 1 6 6 7 front of goal. If you are not there, it’s impossible. Everton 4 2 1 1 4 4 7 “In the beginning, he didn’t get there. Now he is al- West Ham United 4 2 1 1 6 7 7 Norwich City’s Teemu Pukki celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal against Manchester City yesterday. (Reuters) ways there. I have the sense that he has the desire and Southampton 5 2 1 2 5 6 7 commitment to score goals and that’s why he scores Crystal Palace 5 2 1 2 3 6 7 up Pukki to prod home. City rallied “Second-half we scored only wants to progress.” for just a second win in 10 league more goals and has more assists.” Norwich City 5 2 0 3 9 12 6 matches. Burnley 5 1 2 2 6 7 5 late on, but Rodri’s fi rst goal for the one goal, but we played really good Abraham’s busy afternoon was Sheffield United 5 1 2 2 5 6 5 club two minutes from time was too football and I liked it a lot.” not over as he then turned into his Rashford shrugged off his recent Brighton & Hove 5 1 2 2 5 8 5 little, too late. own net and Patrick Cutrone cut miss from the spot in defeat to Pal- Bulgarian FA slams England Bournemouth 4 1 1 2 5 8 4 Liverpool also fell behind early RELIEF FOR LAMPARD Wolves’ defi cit to two before Mason ace to convert a penalty on eight Newcastle United 5 1 1 3 4 8 4 on to Newcastle as Jetro Willems Frank Lampard has endured a diffi - Mount rounded off the scoring for minutes after he had been brought boss Southgate over Aston Villa 4 1 0 3 4 6 3 brilliant fi nish saw the Reds trailing cult start on his return to Stamford Chelsea late on. down by Caglar Soyuncu. Wolverhampton 5 0 3 2 6 10 3 racism concerns Watford 4 0 1 3 2 8 1 at Anfi eld for the fi rst time since Bridge as manager, but he enjoyed Tottenham manager Mauricio United, Chelsea, Tottenham and March. Sadio Mane fi red into the his fi nest day so far in charge Chel- Pochettino said David Beckham Leicester are all now level on eight top corner to start the revival, but sea with his faith in youth again ful- asked to play for his side so im- points from fi ve games. Teemu Pukki then squared for Todd it was the introduction of Roberto ly vindicated in a 5-2 win at Wolves. pressed was the former England “We hung in there. It was the fi rst Cantwell to make it 2-0 inside 28 Firmino off the bench for the in- Fikayo Tomori, 21, fi red the visitors captain with Spurs fi rst-half dem- time this season where we have had minutes. City regained their com- jured Divock Origi that truly turned in front at Molineux with his fi rst olition of Palace in a 4-0 win. to defend for large periods,” said posure and got a foothold in the the tide in Liverpool’s favour. goal for the club before Tammy Ab- All four goals came before half- United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. game before half-time when Ser- The Brazilian’s through ball was raham took over to take his tally to time with Son Heung-min scor- “We have dominated the other gio Aguero headed home Bernardo spilled by Martin Dubravka to allow seven in his last three games with a ing twice either side of Patrick games but today we saw a team that Silva’s cross. Mane a simple task for his second hat-trick. van Aanholt’s own goal before Erik could defend in their own half. However, with Laporte out till just before half-time, and another “All three goals were so diff erent, Lamela rounded off the scoring. Brighton edged out Burnley 1-0 January at least with a serious knee brilliant Firmino fl ick teed up Salah it just shows what he can do,” said “I was talking to David Beckham at the Amex thanks to Neil Mau- injury, Pep Guardiola has problems to seal the points 18 minutes from Lampard. just now and he said, ‘I wish I could pay’s winner early in the second- to solve at the heart of his defence time. “I am so delighted for him. I still play football and play now for half. as John Stones and Nicolas Ota- “I started enjoying after 25 min- know how hard the academy works Tottenham because this stadium is Southampton were also 1-0 vic- mendi gifted Norwich a third at the utes, around about when we arrived and Tammy has an enthusiasm to amazing. I wish I could play here tors at Sheffi eld United courtesy start of the second-half. Emiliano fi nally in the game,” said Liverpool score goals. He has a fantastic ap- and play for you!’” Pochettino said. of a brilliant strike from Moussa Buendia robbed Otamendi and set manager Jurgen Klopp. proach to the game and how he United had to suff er far more Djenepo.

FOCUS England’s Raheem Sterling is substituted as manager Gareth Southgate looks on during Euro 2020 Qualifier Group A match against Bulgaria at the Wembley Stadium in London on September 7. (Reuters)

The president of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) Owen says father was driving force Borislav Mihaylov has expressed his indignation and disappointment over comments by England manager Gareth Southgate about the prospect of racism at next month’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia. Southgate, who plans to consult his players before and reveals son’s blindness the October 14 game, said he feared they could face AFP ‘CLINICALLY HE’S BLIND’ racial abuse in Bulgaria after an away fan allegedly London Owen, who won the Ballon D’Or after Liver- targeted winger Raheem Sterling when the teams pool won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League met at Wembley last Saturday. Cup in the 2000/01 campaign, admitted he The FA said an individual was ejected from the ormer European player of the year hated boxing but he did not want to deny his stadium for “discriminatory abuse” during England’s Michael Owen says he owes his suc- father. 4-0 win. cess to his father, who insisted he was “When my dad said, ‘You’re going boxing, But in a statement on its website on Friday, the BFU given steak for dinner as a child while because you need to toughen up’ do you think said such concerns were “groundless, inappropriate hisF four siblings made do with baked beans I liked getting punched in the face?,” said and unnecessary”. on toast. The 39-year-old former Liverpool Owen, who is now a successful thoroughbred In a letter sent to European soccer’s governing body and England striker told The Times he even racehorse breeder. UEFA and the FA, former Bulgaria goalkeeper Mihay- climbed into the boxing ring because his fa- “I went to boxing for three years. I bloody lov said: “We have not received any off icial informa- ther Terry said he needed to “toughen up”. hated it. I fought in front of 2,000 people in tion regarding discriminatory language used by a Despite this Owen, who won both his Anglesey and 2,000 people in Deeside. “It Bulgarian supporter at Wembley Stadium. bouts, tweeted on Wednesday on his father’s was the most scary thing in the world, know- “Even if this were the case, however, we believe that 70th birthday he was “the kindest man I ever ing I was going to fi ght. But I knew I was mak- generalisations and the creation of needless tension met”. ing dad proud.” by off icial members of the English team is absolutely “I was the only one allowed a steak on a Owen, who burst onto the international unacceptable and in contradiction with the spirit of Tuesday,” said Owen. scene when he scored a solo goal in the 1998 mutual respect and fair play, the core values of both “My dad said, ‘You’re all having beans on World Cup fi nals against Argentina, said his UEFA and the BFU.” toast, Michael’s got to have steak because we son James will never grace a football pitch. England top Group A with a maximum 12 points from need to build him up for when he’s going to be “My son’s got an eye condition,” says four games, while Bulgaria are bottom with two from a footballer.’ Owen, whose eldest daughter Gemma rep- five matches. “I did feel special, defi nitely. He was plant- resents Britain at equestrianism. I’ve never UEFA has ordered the BFU to partially close the ing the seed constantly.” said this. I don’t want a big headline. Clini- Vasil Levski national stadium for England’s visit after Owen says Terry, who was also a profes- cally, he’s blind. He’s got Stargardt disease, supporters were found guilty of racist behaviour in sional footballer with lower league clubs in- a degeneration of his retina. I used to go and matches earlier this year. cluding Chester with whom he reached the could come and watch me, even in a PE ses- there I’d still push through the pain barrier, watch him and bollock him about his posi- Bulgarian supporters made monkey chants at the League Cup semi-fi nals -struggled to adjust sion, a poxy cross-country training run, or because of my inner will to win, but, Jeez, tioning. visiting black players when England last travelled to to life after football so devoted as much of his playing rugby,” said Owen. my dad being there, I can’t have him see me “He can’t see the ball until it’s fi ve yards Sofia in 2011, prompting UEFA to fine the BFU 40,000 time as possible to his son. “My dad would be on the other side of the coming second. I’d prefer to die than my dad away. As much as every father wants their son euros ($44,292.00). “He got jobs that would be perfect so he bush watching me. Unbelievable. If he wasn’t to think I’m second best.” to play, it is almost a relief to me.” Gulf Times Sunday, September 15, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Injury-hit Juventus suff er in Fiorentina stalemate AFP missing injured captain Giorgio “I’m happy because I played Carlo Ancelotti’s side fought Milan Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio and an hour well. Good game today. back from three goals down Marko Pjaca. “We had few chances but Juve against Juventus only for Ka- They nevertheless held de- are a great team and it was very lidou Koulibaly to score a stop- aurizio Sarri’s fi rst spite pressure with former hot.” page time own goal to gift the game on the Juven- French international Franck Rib- Ribery and Federico Chiesa champions three points. tus bench ended ery impressive on his fi rst start caused Juventus goalkeeper Wo- Napoli bounced back as with a painful goal- for the hosts. “A team with less jciech Szczesny problems early. Mertens tucked home a fi nish Mless draw at Fiorentina as the character would have lost a game Ribery tested Szczesny after early in the fi rst half before com- Italian champions held on de- like this,” said Sarri. a Chiesa cross and then set up ing close to doubling his side’s spite losing three players to “It was a very complicated Dalbert who missed the chance lead fi ve minutes later when he injury. situation as we used all our sub- to head in before the break. crashed a shot off the bar from a Former Chelsea coach Sarri stitutions for injuries, and had Pjanic made way for Rod- tight angle. missed the opening two wins no fresh players to introduce at rigo Bentancur before the break Goalkeeper Alex Meret was with pneumonia, but was back key moments. with Ribery then doing well to alert to prevent an equaliser fi t just days before Juventus “We didn’t have a high level neutralise a Cristiano Ronaldo when he saved Emiliano Rigoni’s travel to Atletico Madrid in the match on a technical level. counter-attack. Juventus had a fi nish after the Argentine was Champions League. “We had fi ve players at the chance to break through in the sent clean through on goal. But the afternoon match un- Copa America and eight in the 74th minute when Sami Khedira But the result was put beyond der the sun in Florence proved infi rmiary, so we have half the raced down the right to serve doubt midway through the sec- costly for the reigning eight- squad at a more advanced fi tness Ronaldo, only for German Pez- ond half when substitute Fern- time Serie A champions with level than the rest. zella to intercept. ando Llorente, making his de- winger Douglas Costa limping “It was a diffi cult situation to A Ronaldo bicycle kick in the but, picked out Mertens inside off early, followed by midfi elder deal with.” 85th minute, went high over the box for the Belgian to fi nd the Miralem Pjanic and defender Ribery, 36, went off to a stand- the bar as Juventus settled for a net for his brace. Danilo. ing ovation from the crowd at the point. The result moves Napoli into Brazilian Costa, who turned Artemio Franchi Stadium after Later in the day, a Dries fourth place on six points, while 29 yesterday, pulled up with a an hour as his team earned their Mertens double helped Napoli Sampdoria remain rooted to the hamstring problem minutes into fi rst point this season. return to winning ways with a bottom of the table. the game, as Pjanic had a mus- “I hadn’t played a game like 2-0 victory over Sampdoria that Under new coach Eusebio Di cular issue just before the break this for almost three months,” continued the visitors’ miserable Francesco they have lost three with Danilo suff ering cramps in said former Bayern Munich start to the Serie A season. games out of three, conceding Juventus’ forward Cristiano Ronaldo performs an overhead kick during the Italian Serie A match against the heat. Sarri’s side are already player Ribery. Before the international break, nine goals and scoring just one. Fiorentina at the Artemio-Franchi stadium in Florence yesterday. (AFP)

LA LIGA BUNDESLIGA Leipzig frustrate Bayern to stay top as Real Madrid hang Dortmund outclass Leverkusen

AFP “Paco is a fantastic player, Berlin he is enormously important on for victory aft er for us,” said Dortmund for- ward Julian Brandt. n Emil Forsberg pen- Dortmund were denied by alty and a little help a brilliant double save from from VAR saw RB goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky Leipzig stay top of early on before Alcacer gave theA Bundesliga with a hard- them the lead just before the fought 1-1 draw at home to half-hour mark. Benzema brilliance Bayern Munich yesterday. Shaking off his marker and In the second of two top- beating the off side trap by a ‘The second half was more diff icult for us, but the overall feeling was positive’ of-the-table clashes yester- whisker, the in-form Spaniard day, Leipzig survived a fi rst met an Achraf Hakimi cross half onslaught to frustrate the on the volley to beat Hradecky champions and fuel hopes of from close range. a three-horse title race in the Leverkusen looked the German league this season. more dangerous side after the The draw leaves Bayern in break, but Dortmund were third, while Leipzig now sit more ruthless, and Marco a point above Borussia Dort- Reus turned in Jadon San- mund, who moved up to sec- cho’s cross to double the lead ond with a thumping 4-0 on 50 minutes. Sancho set up win over top four rivals Bayer Raphael Guerreiro for Dort- Leverkusen earlier in the day. mund’s third seven minutes It took Lewandowski just from time, before Reus added three minutes to grab the a fourth in injury time. opener as Bayern dominated Elsewhere, a fi rst-half win- the fi rst half in Leipzig. ner from Alassane Plea saw Yet despite having had three Borussia Moenchengladbach times as much possession and run out 1-0 winners against twice as many shots, Bayern Cologne in the Rhine derby. went in at half time with the Eintracht Frankfurt suf- scores level after Forsberg’s fered a shock 2-1 defeat to penalty on the stroke of half strugglers Augsburg ahead time. of their Europa League clash Bayern, who had them- with Arsenal next Thursday. selves had a penalty retracted Marco Richter and Florian by VAR ten minutes earlier, Niederlechner gave Augsburg were left stunned and allowed a smash-and-grab two-goal Leipzig back into the game af- lead just before half-time, and ter the break. Goncalo Paciencia’s second- Both Timo Werner and half strike was not enough to Nordi Mukiele had chances rescue Frankfurt. for Leipzig, and both goal- In Berlin, Werder Bremen keepers were forced to make did what Dortmund had failed fl ying saves in an enthralling to do two weeks earlier by second half. beating Union 2-1. Niklas Suele could have Bremen’s Davy Klaassen won it for Bayern in the dy- and Union’s Sebastian An- ing seconds, but his bobbling dersson converted early pen- header only grazed the post. alties in an even fi rst half, be- Dortmund were under fore Niclas Fuellkrug headed pressure after a shock defeat in the winner for Bremen. to minnows Union Berlin in Union’s capital city neigh- their last game, but goals from bours Hertha Berlin sit bot- Paco Alcacer, Marco Reus and tom of the table with just one Raphael Guerreiro secured a point after a dramatic 2-1 de- Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Levante in Madrid yesterday. (Reuters) much-needed three points for feat to Mainz. Lucien Favre’s side. A late goal from Hertha’s AFP Hazard also came off the bench for the produced a stunning one-handed stop to Levante who scored again. Substitute Me- Alcacer, who meets his Liverpool loanee Marko Grujic Madrid fi nal half-hour to make his fi rst La Liga keep out a Benzema shot midway through lero proved too strong for Carvajal at the former club Barcelona in the cancelled out a fi rst-half tap- appearance after a thigh injury had inter- the fi rst half. far post as he headed in a marvellous cross Champions League on Tues- in from Robin Quaison, be- rupted the start of his Real career follow- However, the hosts went ahead shortly by Jose Campana, yet Madrid held out. day, has now scored seven fore Jeremiah St Juste’s 89th arim Benzema scored twice ing his 100 million-euro ($110 million) after that when Dani Carvajal crossed goals in six games in all com- minute winner ended a three- yesterday in an outstanding move from Chelsea. from the right for Benzema to bullet home ATLETICO LEFT SHELLSHOCKED BY petitions this season. game losing run for the hosts. performance for Real Madrid The Belgian could now start when Real a header. RAMPANT SOCIEDAD against Levante, although his go to Paris Saint-Germain for their open- The Frenchman struck again in the 31st Roared on by a record crowd in their re- Kside were left hanging on for a 3-2 win ing Champions League game on Wednes- minute, with James Rodriguez pouncing vamped and completed stadium, Real on the day Eden Hazard made his La Liga day. when Sergio Postigo headed the ball down Sociedad ended La Liga leaders Atletico debut. Benzema’s goals came just six min- “I am happy for him,” said Zidane. “He into his path, and teeing up Benzema to Madrid’s 100% start to season with a de- utes apart in the fi rst half at a wet Santiago will do us good. He is not ready yet though score his fourth of the campaign. served 2-0 win yesterday. Bernabeu, before Casemiro put Real 3-0 - he has only trained four times with the “I have been hearing for ages after Former Real Madrid player Martin Ode- up. team. But when everyone is fi t, when we matches that Karim put in his best per- gaard put the Basque side ahead in the fi rst However Levante, who had won their have our rhythm, we will hurt teams.” formance,” said Zidane. “That’s enough game at the renovated Reale Arena with a previous two outings, made a fi ght of it in Gareth Bale will also be available to face of that! It means that he has been playing defl ected shot in the 58th minute which the second half as they pulled goals back PSG after suspension kept him out here, well for a while.” completed a sweeping end-to-end attack. through Borja Mayoral and Gonzalo Me- but Sergio Ramos will be unable to play Benzema was also involved in the Debutant Nacho Monreal doubled So- lero. because of a European ban. build-up to the third goal fi ve minutes ciedad’s advantage only three minutes “The second half was more diffi cult for Zidane was also without the injured before the interval, which concluded with later, pouncing on a fumble by Atletico us, but the overall feeling was positive,” Luka Modric here. However, as well as Vinicius Junior squaring for Casemiro to goalkeeper Jan Oblak who later had to said coach Zinedine Zidane, whose team Hazard, fellow summer signing Eder Mili- fi nish. Levante pulled one back in the 49th be substituted despite protests from the had drawn their previous two games. tao came off the bench in the second half minute as Carlos Clerc crossed from the Slovenian after taking a blow to the head. “We have got the three points and we and the former Porto defender could start left to the near post where Mayoral - on Atletico remain top of the standings were incredible in the fi rst half, the way in Paris. loan from Real - converted. with nine points from four games, al- Leipzig’s midfielder Emil Forsberg (left) celebrates after scoring we played, the goals, the commitment. Real would have won by a greater mar- Benzema then curled a shot against the though Sevilla could leapfrog them to the the 1-1 equaliser from the penalty spot with teammate Timo We just need to stay focused for the full gin here had it not been for some inspired post, while Vinicius had a goal disallowed summit if they win at Alaves today. Socie- Werner during their Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich in 90 minutes.” goalkeeping from Aitor Fernandez, who and Hazard tested Fernandez, but it was dad have seven points. Leipzig yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, September 15, 2019 CRICKET

TWENTY20 TRI-SERIES Zadran fi ft y sets up record victory for Afghanistan AFP “Being a captain for the fi rst from the wicket but Najib and Dhaka time in T20Is and winning, Nabi just took the game away thanks to Allah. Everyone con- from us,” he said. tributed, in batting, bowling and “The last two games we didn’t ajibullah Zadran hit a fi elding,” Rashid said after the really execute at the back end. blistering half-century match. But the guys are working really as Afghanistan beat “I think that’s the beauty of hard,” Masakadza added. Zimbabwe by 28 runs Afghanistan cricketers that they Nabi was the last man out in Afghanistan’s Najibullah Zadran in Nin their fi rst match of the tri- can adjust very quickly as per the the fi nal ball of the innings after action during the second match of nation Twenty20 International format,” said Rashid. making 38 off 18 balls with four the T20 tri-nations series against tournament in Dhaka yesterday. Debutant Rahmanullah Gur- sixes. Tendai Chatara and Sean Zimbabwe in Dhaka yesterday. (AFP) Zadran smashed an unbeaten baz made 43 off 24 balls and Williams claimed two wickets 69 off 30 balls, with fi ve fours shared 57 runs in the opening each for Zimbabwe. and six sixes guiding Afghani- stand with Hazratullah Zazai “I play a lot of cricket here stan to 197-5 before their bowl- (13) after Zimbabwe captain and love playing in Bangladesh. ers restricted Zimbabwe to 169- Hamilton Masakadza won the I love the shorter formats. The 7 to equal their own record of 11 toss and elected to bowl fi rst. wicket was a bit slow, so we tried consecutive wins in Twenty20 But Afghanistan’s innings got to go deeper and targeted the last internationals. real momentum once Mohamed three-four overs,” said Najibul- Regis Chakabva hit 42 off 22 Nabi joined Zadran to share 107 lah Zadran. balls not out for Zimbabwe but runs in just 40 balls in a fi fth- Zimbabwe lost their fi rst they came late as Afghanistan wicket stand. match in the tournament by bowlers made some early break- The duo hit sixes on seven three wickets to hosts Bangla- throughs to take the target be- consecutive balls between the desh on Friday. yond their reach. 17th and the 18th over to give Skipper Rashid Khan and Afghanistan an imposing total. BRIEF SCORES left-arm seamer Fareed Malik Zimbabwe captain Masakadza Afghanistan 197 for 5 (Zadran claimed 2-29 and 2-35 respec- lamented the partnership. 69*, Gurbaz 43, Nabi 38, Wil- tively, while Karim Janat and “A bit of a disappointing day. liams 2-16) beat Zimbabwe 169 Gulbadin Naib chipped in with Our spinners bowled really well for 7 (Chakabva 42*, Rashid 2-29, one wicket. in the middle, extracted turn Fareed 2-35) by 28 runs.

FOCUS India pip Bangladesh in thriller to win Under-19 Asia Cup

India colts came out with a apiece. Only three Bangla- brilliant bowling display to deshi batsmen could reach defeat Bangladesh by a mere the double-figure mark, with five runs in a low-scoring captain Akbar Ali top scoring thriller to win the U-19 Asia with 23. England in control Cup here yesterday. Earlier, opting to bat, only After a dismal batting Karan Lal (37) and captain performance saw them get Dhruv Jurel (33) could resist bowled out for a paltry 106 the carnage unleashed by the in 32.4 overs, the Boys in Bangladeshi bowlers. Apart Blue held their nerves and from the two, only Shash- bundled out Bangladesh for wat Rawat scored in double 101 to clinch the title at the R. figures as he contributed with as Australia wilt in Premadasa Stadium. a valuable 19. Ankolekar was Left-arm spinner Atharva adjudged Player of the Match Ankolekar was the star of the for his brilliant fifer while Opener Denly match as he picked up 5 wick- all-rounder Arjun Azad was ets for just 28 runs in his 8 adjudged Player of the Series. shines as England overs to keep the Bangladesh batsmen in check throughout BRIEF SCORES build big lead the course of their chase. India U-19: 106 all out in 32.4 fi ft h Ashes Test He was well supported by overs (Karan Lal 37, Dhruv AFP pacer Akash Singh (3/12) who Jurel 33; Shamim Hossain London didn’t allow the opponents to 3/8) vs Bangladesh U-19: 101 get off to a good start, while all out in 33 overs (Akbar Ali Vidyadhar Patil and Sushant 23, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury 21; ngland seized control on Mishra picked up one wicket Atharva Ankolekar 5/28). the third day of the fi fth Ashes Test yesterday, building a likely match- winningE lead of 382 as they look PREVIEW to square the series. With two full days of play to come and the weather in London set fair, the home side, on 313-8 No mercies as in their second innings, appear certain to pull level at 2-2 bar- ring a miraculous fi ghtback from dominant India take Australia. Nathan Lyon slowed Eng- land’s progress in the morning on South Africa session, taking the wickets of Rory Burns and captain Joe Root Agencies keeper. Kohli had himself trig- but those were rare early bright Dharamsala gered fresh rumours on Dhoni’s spots for the tourists on a pitch future on Thursday by tweeting that off ered little help. a photo of them which many on Opener Joe Denly and Ben ndia will be ruthless when social media interpreted as a Stokes, playing as a specialist they take on a new-look tribute to the senior player. But batsman, put on 127 for the third South Africa in their den, yesterday Kohli said he had up- wicket as a tiring Australia at- skipper Virat Kohli warned loaded the photo casually and tack ran out of steam in the Sep- Iyesterday as the two sides denied any hidden meaning. tember sunshine. squared up for the fi rst T20 in “I had nothing on my mind. I Off -spinner Lyon bowled Dharamsala. was sitting at home and I nor- Stokes after tea for 67 with a Fresh from a dominating mally put out a photograph and beautiful delivery that spun past show against the West Indies in it became a news item,” Kohli the left-hander’s forward de- the Caribbean, India are play- said. fensive shot while seamer Peter ing their fi rst home series after “There was nothing in far- Siddle had Denly caught at slip the World Cup in England ear- thest stretch of my imagination for a Test-best 94 shortly after- lier this year. while putting that picture out wards. “We want to win every game, on social media.” But the in-form Jos But- whether it’s home or away, any Asked if Dhoni, 38, would tler, who top-scored for Eng- format - we just want to go be considered for next year’s land with 70 in the fi rst innings, out there, play our best cricket World T20 in Australia, Kohli started fl uently as he and Jonny and win,” Kohli said at the pre- did not give a direct reply. Bairstow took the lead past 300. match news conference in the “As long as he is available and Bairstow was caught by Steve Himalayan city. continues to play, he is going to Smith in the slips off the bowling The South African side is be very valuable,” he said. of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh looking to regroup after a dis- South African batsman Dav- for 14 to give Australia a glimmer astrous World Cup where they id Miller said the revamped of hope. were knocked out in the league team under Quinton de Kock But they missed a big oppor- stage. The two teams will lock had quite a few new faces but tunity when, in the next over, horns in a three-Test series fol- they were up for the Indian they failed to review a not-out lowing three T20 internation- challenge. decision against Buttler after als. Kohli, 30, also had to take a “We’ve got a lot of energy an appeal for lbw, with replays barrage of questions on the fu- amongst the squad,” said Miller. showing Lyon’s ball would have ture of senior batsman Mahen- “There are actually a lot of hit the stumps. dra Singh Dhoni who has been guys who have played a lot of It was the second time that left out of the T20 squad. cricket, in the A side and do- Australia had proved over-cau- Young Rishabh Pant was mestically. So, all of us are re- tious. Denly should have been England’s Joe Denly in action during the third day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Kia Oval in London yesterday. (Reuters) picked instead with the selec- ally, really experienced in each out lbw earlier on 54 but Aus- tors looking to groom him as department and it’s just a great tralia skipper Tim Paine opted vals in the fi nal session, with ing too soon as India last year the team’s fi rst-choice wicket- stepping stone.” not to review. Smith pulling of a phenomenal made 345 batting fourth at the Scorecard Stokes, dropped on seven diving catch at second slip to Oval chasing 464. ENGALND 1st innings 294 EXTRAS (nb1, b7, lb11) 19 by Smith, started his innings remove Chris Woakes off the The tourists came into the AUSTRALIA 1st innings 225 slowly but accelerated, reaching bowling of Marsh. match hungry to wrap up their TOTAL (8 wkts, 91 overs) 313 ENGLAND 2nd innings (O/N 9-0) his fi fty off 89 balls with a huge And the next ball Buttler de- fi rst series victory in England FALL OF WICKETS: 1-54 (Burns), six off leg-spinner Marcus La- parted for 47, top-edging Siddle since 2001 after winning last R. Burns c Paine b Lyons 20 2-87 (Root), 3-214 (Stokes), 4-222 buschagne over wide long-on. to Labuschagne, who raced in week’s fourth Test to take a 2-1 J. Denly c Smith b Siddle 94 (Denly), 5-249 (Bairstow), 6-279 from behind square to take a fi ne lead but look as though they will The batsman is second only J. Root c Smith b Lyon 21 (Curran), 7-305 (Woakes), 8-305 to Smith in the combined run- catch just above the ground. come up short. (Buttler) B. Stokes b Lyon 67 scoring charts over the series, Jofra Archer and Jack Leach Earlier, Burns and Denly put BOWLERS: Cummins 19-4-55-1, albeit more than 300 runs adrift were the not out batsmen at the on 54 for the fi rst wicket - the J. Bairstow c Smith b Marsh 14 Hazlewood 19-5-57-0 (1nb), Lyon of the Australian’s total of 751. close of play. highest opening stand of the se- J. Buttler c Labuschagne b Siddle 47 22-4-65-3, Siddle 13-4-52-2, Marsh Denly looked increasingly World Cup winners England ries for either side. S. Curran c Paine b Cummins 17 11-1-40-2, Labuschagne 7-1-26-0 confi dent as his innings pro- are aiming to restore pride in Australian batsman Marcus Match position: England lead by C. Woakes c Smith b Marsh 6 gressed, fi nding the boundary the fi nal Test of the series even Harris did not take the fi eld on 382 runs with two regularly as the tourists’ spir- though Australia have already Saturday after dropping Denly J. Archer not out 3 2nd -innings wkts remaining after its drooped but fell agonisingly retained the Ashes urn. on Friday evening. India captain Virat Kohli addresses a press conference at the M. Leach not out 5 the Day 3. short of his fi rst Test century. Root has plenty of time to play He required stitches but is ex- Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala Wickets fell at regular inter- with but will be wary of declar- pected to bat. yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, September 15, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB Bichette hits walk-off homer in 12th as Jays beat Yankees Toronto left-hander Kay, making his second career major league start, allowed five runs, seven hits and one walk

Reuters Toronto MLB RESULTS St. Louis Cardinals 10 bt Milwau- o Bichette led off the bottom of kee Brewers 0; Chicago Cubs 17 bt the 12th inning on Friday night Pittsburgh Pirates 8; Atlanta Braves with a home run as the Toronto 5 bt Washington Nationals 0; San Blue Jays defeated the visiting Francisco Giants 1 bt Miami Marlins 0; NewB York Yankees 6-5. Bichette’s 11th Los Angeles Dodgers 9 bt New York homer of the season came against left- Mets 2; Toronto Blue Jays 6 bt New hander Tyler Lyons (1-2). York Yankees 5 (12 innings); Tampa Toronto’s Wilmer Font pitched (2- Bay Rays 11 bt Los Angeles Angels 4; 2) two perfect innings to earn the win. Oakland Athletics 14 bt Texas Rangers Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka al- 9; Houston Astros 4 bt Kansas City lowed four runs and eight hits with six Royals 1; Colorado Rockies 10 bt San strikeouts and now walks in fi ve in- Diego Padres 8; Cincinnati Reds 4 bt nings. Toronto left-hander Anthony Arizona Diamondbacks 3; Chicago Kay, making his second career major league start, allowed fi ve runs, seven White Sox 9 bt Seattle Mariners 7; Bal- hits and one walk while striking out two timore Orioles 6 bt Detroit Tigers 2. in 4 1/3 innings. Toronto’s Randal Gri- chuk hit his career-best 26th home run Biggio’s grounder to fi rst forced Bi- of the season with one out in the second chette at second, leaving runners at the inning to open the scoring. corners. Ottavino was called for a balk The Blue Jays (58-90) added two in to allow the tying run to score. the fourth. Rowdy Tellez singled with Toronto left-hander Tim Mayza one out and scored on Reese McGuire’s clutched his elbow in pain after walking two-out double. Didi Gregorius on a pitch that went be- McGuire scored on an infi eld hit by hind the batter in the 10th. Ryan Tepera Teoscar Hernandez, who continued to fi nished the inning. Combined with second on a throwing error by second wins Friday by Houston and the Los baseman Gleyber Torres. Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees now lead The Yankees (97-52) answered in the both clubs by only one game in the race next half-inning, taking the lead with for the best record in baseball. a fi ve-run fi fth. Brett Gardner led off with a double to center and scored on BEEDE, GIANTS POST 1-0 a double to right by Clint Frazier, who WIN OVER MARLINS continued to third on Grichuk’s throw- Tyler Beede made a second consecutive ing error. scoreless start, and Buster Posey drove Austin Romine hit an RBI single and in the game’s only run with a sixth-in- DJ LeMahieu followed with a single. ning single on Friday night as the host LeMahieu was forced at second on a San Francisco Giants opened a three- grounder to second by Torres for the game series against the Miami Marlins fi rst out of the inning. Romine then with a 1-0 victory. scored on Luke Voit’s fi elder’s choice Beede (5-9), Tyler Rogers and Shaun grounder to third, with Torres safe at Anderson combined on a four-hitter, second on a late throw by third base- helping the Giants (71-77) win for just man Vladimir Guerrero Jr. the second time in fi ve tries on their Jason Adam replaced Kay and his seven-game homestand. Sandy Al- wild pitch put runners on second and cantara (5-13) was the hard-luck loser Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette (right) reacts as he heads for homeplate on his solo walk off home run against the New York Yankees. (USA TODAY Sports) third. Gio Urshela then hit a two-run for the Marlins (51-96). single for a 5-3 Yankees lead. The Blue As an encore performance to the fi ve inning in a 1-0 game. However, Posey Pinch hitter Curtis Granderson ning-opening double to Stephen Vogt. coming off a shutout eff ort in a 9-0 win Jays answered with a run in the bottom shutout innings he threw Sept. 7 in a gunned down Sierra trying to steal, opened the ninth with a single, but An- A Kevin Pillar infi eld out advanced Vogt over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. of the fi fth when Bichette led off with 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodg- which helped Beede avoid a potential derson got Miguel Rojas to ground into to third, from where he jogged home on Brandon Belt collected three hits, in- a double and scored on Cavan Biggio’s ers, Beede worked 6 1/3 innings, al- jam after he walked the next batter, Ha- a double play and then struck out pinch Posey’s RBI single to left fi eld. cluding two doubles, and Vogt added a single. lowing just three hits. He walked one rold Ramirez. Rogers came on to get the hitter Austin Dean to wrap up his sec- Alcantara went on to complete sev- single and a double for the Giants, who Adam Ottavino allowed a single to and struck out fi ve. All three hits he last two outs of the seventh, then threw ond save. en innings, allowing just the one run out-hit the Marlins 9-4. Richard Urena and walked Bichette to allowed were singles, including one to a 1-2-3 eighth before handing off to An- Alcantara took a six-hit shutout into on nine hits. He struck out six and did In losing for a fi fth straight time, Mi- start the bottom of the seventh. Magneuris Sierra to open the seventh derson for the ninth. the sixth but then surrendered an in- not walk a batter. The 24-year-old was ami did not record an extra-base hit.

NHL NFL Leafs, Marner agree Niners’ Bosa practices, still uncertain for Bengals an Francisco 49ers rookie defen- to six-year deal sive end Nick Bosa returned to practice on Friday but remains Slisted as questionable for today’s game at Cincinnati. Bosa, who aggravated an ankle injury in a 31-17 season-opening win at Tampa Bay last Sunday, practised in a limited capacity after missing workouts the previous two days. “He looked good walking through everything,” coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. “So we’ll talk to him, see how he looked in individual (drills) and make a decision on Sunday morning.” Bosa, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, missed the entire preseason with a high-ankle sprain. He had three tackles, one sack and three QB hits dur- ing his NFL debut against the Bucca- neers. General manager John Lynch said Bosa aggravated his sprained right ankle on the fi rst play of Sunday’s game. Shanahan ruled out receivers Trent Taylor (foot) and Jalen Hurd (back), as well as running back Tevin Coleman (ankle), for today’s game. The coach said Reuters Brayden Point and the Calgary the hope is all three can return after the Toronto Flames’ Matthew Tkachuk. Week 4 bye. The players will be evaluated Marner’s negotiating team re- again next week. portedly discounted the deals of San Francisco 49ers' Nick Bosa aggravated an ankle injury in a 31-17 season-opening win at Tampa Bay last Sunday. estricted free agent other forwards around the league REDSKINS PLACE RB GUICE ON right winger Mitch while focusing on the contract INJURED RESERVE LIST ing 18 yards on 10 carries. opponents under 100 yards rushing per his ankle, sidelining him for the season. Marner fi nally ended a numbers Matthews, with a fi ve- Washington Redskins running back Der- Without Guice, Adrian Peterson is game (96.9). “I just found out about (Beckham’s Rrough negotiation battle year deal, received earlier this rius Guice was placed on injured reserve expected to be active and carry more comments), but there have been several and agreed to a six-year contract year. At one point in the nego- on Friday after undergoing surgery for a of the load. He was a healthy scratch at JETS DC WILLIAMS DISMISSES players that have already come out that extension with the Toronto Ma- tiations, with Toronto and the torn meniscus. The Redskins are hopeful Philadelphia last week, but Gruden and BECKHAM’S ACCUSATIONS have mentioned things about that,” the ple Leafs on Friday night. player not close to reaching an Guice can return after eight weeks. off ensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell Gregg Williams dismissed Odell Beck- 61-year-old Williams said Friday. The Leafs announced that the agreement, Leafs general man- Guice visited Dr. James Andrews said they were confi dent Peterson would ham Jr.’s accusation that he told his “We don’t do that. I’ve never done average annual value of the con- ager Kyle Dubas indicated that on Thursday for a second opinion on be ready to roll when the Redskins host players to injure the wide receiver during that anywhere I’ve been. We don’t do tract is $10,893,000 against the the club might not match an of- his knee, and the famed orthopaedist the Dallas Cowboys today. a preseason game when he was an assist- anything to hurt the team. That’s the No. salary cap. fer sheet if Marner signed with performed the operation, Redskins head “I think that’s the beauty of having ant with the Cleveland Browns. 1 primary thing. If you’re committing Marner, 22, ranks now third another team. coach Jay Gruden confi rmed. Adrian and our whole group of running Beckham told reporters on Thursday penalties, you’re doing those types of among the club’s highest-paid Marner played in 82 games for Gruden said the surgery was “minor.” backs that we have,” O’Connell said. “I that he needed to watch out for “cheap stuff . We just don’t do it.” players behind centers Auston the Maple Leafs last season, to- Guice tweeted, “Don’t feel bad for me!! think we talked about this last week, just shots” and “dirty hits” during Monday Williams then took aim at the media Matthews ($11,634,000) and talling a career-high and team- This what I signed up! It wear and tears the idea of we can run a lot of the same night’s game pitting his Browns against for providing the vehicle for Beckham. John Tavares ($11mn). Among leading 94 points (26 goals, 68 on your body over time! I’ve been doing runs with those guys because they are so the New York Jets because Williams “And you guys are cooperating, giving the league’s wingers, the cap hit assists). In 241 NHL regular- this 15 years!! Trust the process.. head up versatile. I think a lot has been made with “likes to teach” those tactics. him attention. Just don’t give him atten- ranks second behind New York season games during his three- chin up and grind” Adrian in the I (formation) or in the ‘dot’ Williams is the New York Jets defen- tion,” he said. “It just is what it is.” Rangers free agent acquisition year career, he has collected 224 Andrews has served as part of the or all that stuff , we just think about what sive co-ordinator. While playing for the The NFL suspended Williams for one Artemi Panarin ($11,642,857). points (67 goals, 157 assists), Redskins’ medical team and already was are the best schemes against that defense New York Giants, Beckham sustained an season for his role in the “Bountygate” Negotiations between the along with 17 points (fi ve goals, familiar with Guice from a torn ACL and how do we continue to fi nd ways to ankle injury in a 2017 preseason contest scandal in which the New Orleans Saints Leafs and Marner during the off - 12 assists) in 20 career Stanley in 2018 that ended the running back’s run those and (off ensive line coach) Bill against Williams’ Browns after being were found to have operated a bounty season were contentious, hold- Cup playoff games. rookie season. Guice, per NFL Network, (Callahan) does a great job with that.” undercut by cornerback Briean Boddy- system from 2009-11 whereby play- ing up the signings of a number Marner was drafted by the Ma- opted for a second opinion when his right Washington’s off ensive line strug- Calhoun, who drove his shoulder and ers were paid bonuses for hard hits and of restricted free agent forwards ple Leafs, his hometown team, in knee failed to improve this week. gled at Philadelphia, but the Eagles have helmet into the star receiver’s left leg. deliberately injuring players. Williams around the league that includ- the fi rst round (fourth overall) of The 22-year-old Guice left the Week 1 an exceptional front four and were one Beckham said he tried to return from was New Orleans’ defensive coordinator ed the Tampa Bay Lightning’s the 2015 NHL Draft. loss to the Philadelphia Eagles after gain- of seven defenses last season to hold that injury too soon and ultimately broke at the time. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, September 15, 2019 SPORT

BASKETBALL Calls for Bogut ban aft er Australia’s Spain’s Gasol on verge of crushing loss Beijing: Outspoken Andrew Bogut faces possible punishment from basketball’s governing body FIBA after Australia’s acrimonious exit from the World Cup semi- rare NBA-World Cup double finals in Beijing. Video footage showed Bogut — who was booed by ‘I just cherish every moment for what it is. I want to give the maximum for every occasion’ Chinese fans throughout the tournament — swearing AFP several times as he trudged Beijing off court after Friday’s defeat to Spain. Bogut, 34, who riled the pain’s Marc Gasol is one victory hosts with a tweet about away from a rare feat — winning Chinese champion swimmer the NBA crown and a Basket- Sun Yang in July, appeared ball World Cup in the same year. to suggest that FIBA and its OnlyS Lamar Odom, a double winner in referees had favoured the 2010 with the United States and the Los Spanish team. Spain won Angeles Lakers, has ever managed that, a thrilling semi-final 95-88 according to basketball’s governing after double overtime and body FIBA. Now the centre Gasol, who will play Argentina, winners played a key role in the Toronto Raptors’ over France, in today’s final. run to the NBA title, is on the verge of Australia and Bogut — if he joining him in the history books. The plays — will face the wrath 34-year-old proved his enduring qual- of much of the Beijing arena ity by saving Spain in Friday’s double when they take on France for overtime victory over Australia to set the bronze medal. up a World Cup fi nal against Argentina The footage of Bogut today in Beijing. swearing repeatedly and He had 33 points, six rebounds and making accusations of four assists after stepping up when his favouritism was widely country needed him most. Gasol, who featured in Chinese media. also lifted the world crown with Spain in Many reports called for FIBA 2006, said he was less interested in his to ban him. “There’s a lot of personal landmark and more motivated the guys in the locker room by what it means for his country. who gave their hearts and “I just cherish every moment for souls tonight,” said forward what it is,” the three-time NBA All-Star Nick Kay. “We definitely left it said. “I don’t try to double up. I want to all out on the court.” give the maximum for every occasion. It Australia will need to is two completely diff erent situations. recover quickly from the I’m going to give my best to win a World crushing disappointment as Cup for Spain.” they chase their first World Gasol admitted that playing match- Cup medal — albeit of the es every other day in China soon af- bronze variety — against ter a long NBA season was tough. “I France. “There’s still a chance knew that committing to the national to win our first medal and it’s team this summer would not be easy going to be great to see how physically because we were so lucky to the group responds to a little stretch our (NBA) season and get away bit of adversity,” said Kay with a championship,” he said. “But it’s “We have a lot of guys who completely worth it.” have been through this a lot. Few predicted a Spain-Argentina fi - We are going to come out nal. But quarter-fi nal defeats for reign- for this next game and fight ing two-time champions the United and do everything we can to States and title favourites Serbia left the make sure we come home door open for the remainder of the fi eld. with that medal.” Argentina were convincing 80-66 win- ners over France in their semi-fi nal with their 39-year-old talisman Luis Scola propelling them into the showdown with Spain. Scola fi nished with 28 points, 13 re- bounds and two assists, and was given Marc Gasol proved his enduring quality by saving Spain in Friday’s double overtime victory over Australia to set up a World Cup final against Argentina today. (Reuters) a huge ovation when he stepped off the court near the end. Argentine coach weeks in a row,” said Hernandez. “He US SLINK OUT OF WORLD CUP overall, their lowest position since the cans were still fancied to at least reach Sergio Hernandez said there was no se- made a basketball court and was there WITH LOWEST-EVER FINISH competition began in 1950. Gregg Pop- today’s fi nal in China. However, they cret ingredient to Scola’s success, even was a basketball trainer and a physical Outgoing champions the United States ovich’s team at least managed to avoid were dumped out in the quarter-fi nals as middle age approaches. trainer.” won their fi nal match yesterday at the a third defeat in a row, but it was an an- by France, then lost their subsequent “He works so hard,” said Hernandez, Argentina’s only previous World Cup Basketball World Cup — but it was still ti-climactic denouement to their title classifi cation match to Serbia, in what explaining how Scola had locked him- success came as hosts in the inaugural their worst fi nishing place in the tour- defence. Donovan Mitchell of the Utah was billed as the title game that never self away in his own training camp at edition in 1950. Also today, Australia, nament’s history. Team USA defeated Jazz had a double-double of 16 points was. The US have at least qualifi ed to the start of the summer. “He was in his who led for long periods against Spain, Poland 87-74 in a low-key “classifi ca- and 10 assists. This US roster is missing defend their Olympic title in Tokyo next house, in the middle of nowhere, for 14 play France for bronze. tion” game in Beijing to take seventh the NBA’s elite names, but the Ameri- summer.

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT England ‘spurred’ by 2015 World From cow-suit to All Blacks jersey: Frizell off to Japan Cup fl op, says captain Farrell Reuters sie Sunday” promotion urged 22-year-old Jacobson, who bat- Wellington fans to turn up in jump-suits, or tled concussion in 2018 and only AFP “onesies”, to the weekend clash. returned to rugby in March after Miyazaki, Japan Frizell, instead, will be back eight months out. “I’m gutted for oose forward Shannon in his All Blacks kit, pressing for him, (but) he’ll come back fi tter Frizell was surprised and a spot in the blockbuster opener and stronger. At the same time, ngland captain Owen Farrell said delighted to be sum- against South Africa in Yokoha- I’m grateful for the opportunity,” yesterday that memories of the moned to the All Blacks’ ma Sept. 21. The versatile Frizell said Frizell, who missed the All team’s horror World Cup four years LWorld Cup squad on Friday, hav- can play lock, number eight and Blacks’ fi nal World Cup warmup ago will be a driving force as they ing been wearing a cow-suit at blindside fl anker but his se- against Tonga and the previous seekE redemption in Japan. Farrell, part of a gym session only hours before lection ahead of experienced two tests against Australia. the Stuart Lancaster-coached England side the call from the team’s staff . number six and Tasman team Overlooked Squire opted out that became the fi rst host nation to fail to The Tonga-born 25-year-old mate Liam Squire was a surprise of the southern hemisphere’s reach the knockout stage, warned they were was overlooked in Steve Hansen’s for some New Zealand fans. Rugby Championship after an a diff erent animal this time, and the play- initial 31-man squad but fl ew off “I always hoped for a call like injury-blighted Super Rugby ers could not wait for the tournament to to Japan late on Friday to replace this, and I got it,” a thrilled Frizell season but wrote on social media start after settling at their base in Miyazaki, injured rookie Luke Jacobson, told reporters at Auckland air- last month that he was “100% southern Japan. who was ruled out of the tourna- port late on Friday. “I was sur- available” if injuries struck the “It’s obviously diff erent — it’s four years ment by a delayed onset of con- prised by it... I was getting ready All Blacks. ago,” said the Saracens fl yhalf. “A lot of work cussion. for bed and got a message, so Hansen said at the team’s base has been done since then but it will spur Capped fi ve times for New I called him straight away, the in Kashiwa, Japan, that it was still people on. What I can say is that we’re in a Zealand, Frizell was at the gym manager. I couldn’t go to sleep too early for Squire to be consid- very good place now. We’re continuing to earlier on Friday wearing a white until later. I called my mum ered. “It’s happened right at the build and we’re looking forward to this tour- cow-suit to promote Tasman’s straight away. I just said ‘I’m go- beginning of the tournament,” nament — the lads can’t wait to get going.” match against North Harbour ing to Japan today’ and she was he said of Jacobson’s injury. “So Prop Ellis Genge, who was not involved in the nation’s provincial rugby just screaming.” nothing has changed from that in the last World Cup, insisted this England competition. The “Wear Ya One- He replaces highly rated point of view for him.” team would not be paralysed by fear, reveal- England’s head coach Eddie Jones (left) and captain Owen Farrell attend a press ing that coach Eddie Jones wants his players conference in Miyazaki, Japan yesterday, ahead of the Rugby World Cup. (AFP) New Zealand’s players to try and play expansive rugby. pose for a photograph “He’s defi nitely told us to just be our- Nowell (appendix) are not expected to return England, among several title contend- after a welcome selves,” said Genge. “Obviously we didn’t to the side until the third or fourth game, but ers including treble-chasing New Zealand, ceremony at Zojoji have a great tournament last time, but he Jones looked relaxed at his fi rst offi cial press South Africa and northern hemisphere temple in Tokyo. (AFP) told us to express ourselves and keep playing conference in Japan. rivals Wales and Ireland, are staying at a the way we’ve been playing.” “Obviously we had a rigorous travel sun-kissed honeymoon resort in Miyazaki, England, who have completed the Grand schedule,” said the Australian, referring to where Jones used to subject the Japan team Slam and won another Six Nations title the transport chaos triggered by a typhoon to brutal training sessions that left many of since Jones took over after their shambolic that marooned England’s squad at Tokyo’s them seeing stars. 2015 World Cup campaign, arrive in Japan in Narita airport for fi ve hours after their long- “I can still see some of the sweat of the fi ne fettle after smashing title rivals Ireland haul fl ight earlier in the week. players on the ground,” smiled Jones, who 57-15 and thumping Italy 37-0 in their fi nal “But we’ve settled in well and got used created the blueprint for Japan’s astonishing two warm-up games. to the conditions. We’ve deliberately only 34-32 World Cup upset over South Africa They face Tonga in their opening match done light training up until now but we will among the palm trees and hibiscus of the in Sapporo on September 22, before further have a more vigorous workout this after- luxury retreat. Group C fi xtures against the United States, noon,” added Jones, who famously led Ja- “It’s nice to come back, it’s a great place Argentina and France as they look to emu- pan to three victories at the last World Cup. to train. The players can play golf, they went late the England side that won the World “There’s a good feeling in the camp. Now to the beach yesterday. It’s a place where you Cup in 2003. we can begin the serious preparation for the can prepare to win and that’s why we came Mako Vunipola (hamstring) and Jack World Cup.” here.” Gulf Times Sunday, September 15, 2019 7 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Chappell fi res rare 59 at The Greenbrier Alex and Pressel getting me competitive. AFP Washington “I haven’t accomplished the goal yet,” added the 2017 Texas Open winner. “There’s a long evin Chappell made a weekend to go and win the golf scintillating return to tournament, but it’s a step in the the US PGA Tour on right direction.” Friday, joining one of Chappell’s 11 birdies included come back from the golf’sK most exclusive clubs by a record-equalling nine in a row fi ring an 11-under-par 59 in the — matching the mark set by Mark second round of The Greenbrier. Calcavecchia at the 2009 Cana- Chappell, who had back sur- dian Open at Glen Abbey. gery 10 months ago and is play- He teed off on 10 on the par-70 ing his fi rst tour event since last Old White TPC in White Sulphur November, posted just the 11th Springs, West Virginia, and bird- sub-60 round on the US PGA ied holes 11 through one. dead in foursomes Tour. That included a 17-footer to He had a chance to join Jim Fu- get things going at the 11th and ‘Conditions were unbelievable but we did so well to get right into it’ ryk as the only players to card a a near 30-footer at 18 before he 58 on tour, but his 11-foot birdie recovered after fi nding the rough putt at the ninth, his last hole of off the tee at the fi rst — where he the day, curled left at the hole. drained a 13-footer. “All in all couldn’t be hap- After a birdie at the fi fth, he pier with where I’m at and more rolled in a 12-footer from the proud of myself to do what I did fringe at the seventh — his 16th today,” said Chappell, who fi n- hole of the day. ished the day on 10 under after At that point, Chappell said, “I 36 holes, three off the early club- told my caddie I wanted to shoot house lead. 57, just trying to keep the mind- “Ten months ago I was on the set, keep the foot on the gas. couch and couldn’t walk,” he “I hit a poor shot there into added, his voice breaking. “So eight. Last hole I had a great look many people had a lot to do with at 58, maybe under-read the putt getting me back out here and a little bit.”

Kevin Chappell plays his shot from the sixth tee during the second round of The Greenbrier on Friday. (AFP)

Woods blog sparks speculation he’ll play in Presidents Cup

Speculation swirled Friday that that way, and it remains superstar Tiger Woods will unclear if Woods will name choose himself to play in the himself to play when he makes Presidents Cup as captain of his four captain’s picks for the the US team thanks to an enig- team on November 4. USA’s Marina Alex tees off on the 10th during the second day of The Solheim Cup in Gleneagles, Scotland, yesterday. (AFP) matic sign-off on a blog post. Since winning his 15th major In the US captain’s blog posted title at the Masters in April AFP Europe now leads 6.5-5.5 — with an- win,” said Pressel, playing in her sixth Jessica and Nelly scalped Carlota Ciganda on the US PGA Tour website, Woods has made only six Gleneagles, United Kingdom other 16 points up for grabs the USA Solheim. and Bronte Law by an even more emphatic Woods says the eight US play- starts, missing two cuts needs 14 points to retain the Cup. “It was so tough but we just never gave 6 and 5. ers already selected are “fired and withdrawing from one Out in the fi rst foursomes, Pressel and up. “It set a new record for the biggest up” for the match play show- event. organ Pressel and Marina Alex were four down after six holes to “I missed a birdie putt at the sixth and Solheim foursomes victory. down between America and Woods revealed in late August Alex staged a magnifi cent Anne Van Dam and Anna Nordqvist and got really mad and I think that helped. The other two matches were comfort- the International team, which that he had undergone keyhole comeback as the USA des- seemingly heading for a thumping defeat. “We’re both really tough and condi- able European wins to give Captain Ca- will be held at Royal Melbourne surgery to repair cartilage perately clung on to hopes of But they then produced an extraordi- tions were horrible.” triona Matthew a fi llip on a day when in December. in his left knee, but he still Mretaining the Solheim Cup at a wild and nary run — and their opponents started Alex did not play as if she were appear- the weather — chilly with near gale force “As a captain, I couldn’t have expects to tee it up at the PGA windy Gleneagles yesterday. to collapse under the pressure of the on- ing in her fi rst Solheim Cup, one of six winds — played a huge part. asked for a more engaged and Tour’s inaugural Zozo champi- Europe went into the second day one slaught. Americans to be doing so. Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz excited group of guys,” Woods onship in Japan in October. point ahead — and the margin stayed the The deadly US duo won seven out of “So happy,” she said. maintained an unbeaten record with a says in a lengthy post which Woods has indicated through- same after a 2-2 share of the foursomes. nine holes from the seventh — including “Conditions were unbelievable but we 4 and 3 victory over Danielle Kang and he signed: US Team Captain out the year that he wouldn’t With big early leads, it was odds on four birdies in a row from the ninth — to did so well to get right into it.” The Ameri- Megan Khang, while Georgia Hall and Ce- (crossed out) Playing Captain. shy away from selecting him- that the home side — aiming to win for turn the match around and pulled off the can Korda sisters — stars of the fi rst day — line Boutier made it two wins out of two It’s not the first time one of self to play if he thinks he can the fi rst time since 2013 — would extend unlikeliest of 2 and 1 victories. again formed a potent partnership. by defeating Lizette Salas and Ally Mc- these blogs has been signed benefit the team. the advantage. “That’s right up there for a Solheim Winners by 6 and 4 in the fi rst series, Donald 3 and 2.

TENNIS Martic sets up fi nal with Pliskova at Zhengzhou Open Reuters made 13 unforced errors. Zhengzhou Pliskova will seek her fi rst title World’s top 10 commit to new in China today after fi nishing as ATP Cup in Australia runner-up in Zhuhai in 2015 and roatia’s Petra Martic Tianjin last year. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and to the Australian Open Grand and top seed Karolina Roger Federer are among the glo- Slam, off ers Aus$22mn ($15 Pliskova marched into DOI, HIBINO SET UP RARE bal top 10 who will play for their million) in prize money and a the fi nal of the inaugu- ALL-JAPANESE WTA FINAL countries at the new ATP Cup in maximum of 750 singles and 250 ralC Zhengzhou Open with com- Japan’s Misaki Doi upset Russian Australia in January, organisers doubles ATP rankings points. manding straight sets victories second seed Veronika Kuderme- said yesterday. It will see nations split into six yesterday. tova 6-4, 6-3 yes to set up a fi - Andy Murray, returning from hip groups, with eight teams emerg- Seventh seed Martic dis- nal with compatriot and doubles surgery, will also compete, with ing from the round-robin stage to patched Frenchwoman Kris- partner Nao Hibino at the Hana- his protected world ranking of compete in the knockout phase tina Mladenovic 6-0, 6-3 in 67 cupid Japan Women’s Open in two giving Britain entry to the until one team is left standing. minutes to reach her fi rst Pre- Hiroshima. tournament even though they are Sydney will host the finals, along mier showpiece, sealing victory It will be the fi rst all-Japanese outside of the 24-team qualifying with group games which will also with her third ace of the match. WTA Tour fi nal in 22 years after cut-out. be held in Brisbane and Perth. Mladenovic had a mounting er- Naoko Sawamatsu beat Yuka In total, 27 of the world’s top 30 The top 18 countries in the ATP ror count and six double faults Yoshida in Jakarta in 1997. Doi male tennis players have commit- Cup standings will all take part, while Martic, who faced only one and Hibino are also in today’s ted to the event. including the United States, break point, broke her unseeded doubles fi nal where they face “We’re delighted to see such a France, Spain, Japan, Germany opponent four times, helping her Russian Valeria Savinykh and star-studded player field lining and South Africa. win seven games in a row. American Christina McHale. Al- up,” said ATP president Chris Host Australia has been handed a Czech Pliskova dominated her though Kudermetova fi red down Kermode. wildcard, with the remaining five semi-fi nal as she beat Ajla Tom- nine aces, Doi kept up with the “Our belief was that week one in nations yet to be finalised. ljanovic 6-3, 6-2 in 68 minutes. powerful Russian, who is ranked the calendar, together with Tennis Each team will have up to five It was her third victory of the 59 places higher at world number Australia, would work best for players, with ties comprising two year over the Australian after 48, and broke three times in the player scheduling, and today’s singles matches and one doubles. wins in Brisbane and Rome. 82-minute contest. announcement is a confirmation The top two players in the World number two Plisko- Doi broke early in the second of that,” he added. world rankings for each country va won 93% of her fi rst serve set to take a 3-0 lead and al- Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic serves against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia during their semi-final “Having the top players compet- have qualified, with the remaining points, and broke four times en though Kudermetova broke back match at the Zhengzhou Open yesterday. (AFP) ing in this new global event is three decided by November 13. route to her fi fth fi nal of the sea- to make it 3-2, the Japanese re- critical, and the ATP Cup looks set The draw, which will determine son. Despite three consecutive claimed a break advantage before Buzarnescu 4-6, 6-0, 6-3. in the second with nine winners. after two hours and 10 minutes. to kick off the ATP Tour season in where the sport’s top stars start double faults in the second set, serving out for the match. Hibino, ranked 146 in the Buzarnescu struggled on serve Doi and Hibino have beaten each a big way in 2020.” their 2020 season, takes place her superior counter-punching In the day’s earlier semi-fi - world, was broken twice in the and faced 14 break points, with other twice in their careers and The innovative championship, at the Sydney Opera House was also on display as she hit nal, Hibino recovered from a set opening set to hand Buzarnescu the 24-year-old Hibino con- both are seeking their second from January 3-12 in the lead-up tomorrow. 28 winners, while Tomljanovic down to beat Romanian Mihaela the advantage but stormed back verting six to move into the fi nal career WTA singles title.

Sunday, September 15, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE MOTORCYCLINGMOTORCYCLING Vinales on pole in Misano, sparks Duhail face Rayyan between Rossi and Marquez

Reuters expand to 22 races after 2021 in ‘diffi cult’ match with a rotational system cater- Misano, San Marino ing for a potential fi ve rounds in Both teams are title contenders, so the encounter promises to be a thriller Spain and Portugal, according to amaha’s Maverick series boss Carmelo Ezpeleta. Vinales took pole posi- Spain already has four races tion for the San Marino — Barcelona’s Circuit de Cat- Grand Prix yesterday alunya, Jerez, Valencia and Mo- afterY a qualifying fl are-up be- torland Aragon — on a 19-round tween Honda’s championship calendar but Portugal’s Porti- leader Marc Marquez and Italian mao circuit is interested in join- great Valentino Rossi. ing them. Vinales lapped Misano’s Finland is set to join next year Marco Simoncelli circuit with and Indonesia the season after. a best lap of one minute 32.265 Ezpeleta, chief executive of seconds, ahead of fellow-Span- the commercial rights holders iard Pol Espargaro for KTM and Dorna, told the MotoGP.com Frenchman Fabio Quartararo on website that one region could the non-works Petronas Yama- not host a quarter of the races. ha. “We can do it another way, Marquez, the fi ve times Mo- like a tender and say who is pay- toGP champion who has a 78 ing more and do that, but we will point lead over Ducati’s Italian not do that. We will fi rst talk to Andrea Dovizioso in the stand- the people to see if they are in- ings after 12 of 19 rounds, will terested or not to continue with start fi fth with Yamaha’s Rossi this situation,” he added. seventh. “We think the best way to do it Dovizioso qualifi ed between is to make a rotation between the the two in sixth, with Petronas fi ve GPs in the Iberian Peninsula. Yamaha rider Franco Morbidel- Every circuit will have three rac- li fourth. Marquez and Rossi es in fi ve years but this is the case traded overtakes on their fi nal if anything stays as proposed.” laps, almost colliding, with both Ezpeleta said there was a lot of Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre (L) and his Al Duhail counterpart Rui Faria speak to the media ahead of the QNB Stars League match between their teams. ending up compromising their interest in hosting races, partic- eff orts. Both were subsequently ularly in important south Asian By Sports Reporter could fi nish only fourth last season, be- Both clubs, especially Al Rayyan as Our draw with Al Arabi in the last round summoned to the stewards. markets for the manufacturers. Doha hind Al Sailiya. was seen during their game against Al won’t have any impact on the perform- The pole was Vinales’ fi rst He said Italy would retain two Al Duhail have the services of star Gharafa a couple of weeks ago, have huge ance of players, although we deserved since the season-opener in Qa- races since it was home to two of players such as goalkeeper Amin Le- fan following and that adds spice to the to win that game. Now, our desire is to tar, while Espargaro’s front row the manufacturers. uch is at stake when Al Duhail comte, Bassam al-Rawi, Ahmed Yasser, contest. achieve victory,” said Faria. appearance was a surprise for a “Obviously the calendar can- face Al Rayyan today in the Luiz Martin, Muhanad Ali, Paulo Edmil- Al Duhail coach Faria admitted that His counterpart Aguirre also echoed rider only 11th in the champion- not be unlimited. In 1992 it was most high-profi le fi xture in son, Karim Boudiaf, Assim Madibo, Ali the match would be tough. the same sentiments. ship. 13 grands prix and now we are Week 3 of QNB Stars League. Afi f and Yousef Msakni. “This match against one of Qatar’s big “We’re going to play a very strong The Spaniard gained a tow 19 and next year it will be 20. MThe kick-off is at 19:05 at the Al Janoub The Al Rayyan star parade includes clubs, Al Rayyan, will be very diffi cult. game against a very strong team. I feel from Quartararo at the end be- Twenty is the maximum number Stadium. goalkeeper Fahd Younis, Mohamed They’ve made some special recruitments happy about the work done in the last fore missing out to Vinales in the of grands prix we agreed in the Both teams are strong title contenders, Alaaeldin, Franck Com, Yacine Brahimi, this season. I think we’ll be facing an or- two weeks. I expect the game to be excit- dying seconds. period to next year,” said the so the encounter promises to be a thriller. Rodrigo Tabata, Abdelaziz Hatem, Lee ganised team. We’re also a strong and big ing and beautiful as well,” said the Uru- Aprilia’s Italian Andrea Ian- Spaniard. Al Duhail and Al Rayyan would be aim- Jae-Ik, Mohamed Juma, Gabriel Merca- team, we’re always looking for victory,” guayan. none missed qualifying after “We discussed the situation ing to make the most out of the encoun- do, Dame Traore, Mohammed Badr Say- he told reporters at his pre-match press “Our team dropped some points, but injuring his shoulder in a fi nal and agreed a maximum number ter, having already dropped points. yar, Mowafaq Awad and Abdulrahman conference. “We’ve analysed the oppo- we’ve a chance to make up for it even practice crash. of races for the period between Al Duhail beat Qatar Sports Club 2-1 al-Harazi. nents, so that we’ve the right strategy though we’re facing tough competitors. Meanwhile, MotoGP could 2022 and 2026 will be 22 races.” in the fi rst round, but were then held to The tactical battle between coaches that’ll enable us to win. That’s our target I’m confi dent in the abilities of our play- a 1-1 draw by Al Arabi, whereas Al Rayyan Rui Faria (Al Duhail) and Diego Aguirre for this match. ers and my team can perform well and were locked in a 2-2 draw with Umm Salal (Al Rayyan) will be the sub-plot of the “Big teams have the advantage of hav- collect points. before being held goalless by Al Gharafa. game. ing many international players, but them “We aren’t concerned with something Al Duhail are keen to regain their lost Uruguayan Aguirre is back as Al Rayy- joining their national teams on FIFA that isn’t available now. It’s true that we glory, having fi nished as runners-up be- an coach, having managed them for two dates is normal. need another player, he may join us after hind Al Sadd in last season’s QNB Stars seasons starting in 2011. He had helped “If we put pressure on the players, it a week or more. This isn’t the time to talk League. So every point counts for The them to Amir Cup triumph in 2013. won’t always help. We want to score in all about it. Red Knights in the gruelling competi- Portuguese Faria, who replaced Tuni- games and deal well with many opportu- “We’ve to focus on the task on hand. tion. sian Nabil Maaloul as Al Duhail coach in nities that we create. What’s happening is that we’re work- On the other hand, Al Rayyan will be January this year, is trying hard to bring “We play all games with full serious- ing hard and the results will come,” said eager to be back among titles. The Lions the best of his players. ness, this match will be no exception. Aguirre.

SPOTLIGHT

Yamaha’s Spanish rider Maverick Vinales (R) celebrates next to Red Al Gharafa, Wakrah post wins Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Spanish rider Pol Espargaro after the qualifying session for the San Marino MotoGP Grand Prix at the By Sports Reporter impressive 2-0 victory against Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli yesterday. Doha Al Shahania. Mohamed Benyettou was the scorer of both goals for Al Wak- CYCLING l Gharafa handed Qa- rah, with the strikes coming in tar SC a 3-1 defeat in the 63rd and 80th minutes. Week 3 of the 2019-20 A lively fi rst half saw several QNB Stars League at good opportunities spurned as Roglic assured of Athe Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. both sides pushed for an early Othman al-Yahri led Al breakthrough. The fi rst major Gharafa’s charge with two eff ort came when Al Shanania’s overall Vuelta title goals (67th and 73rd minutes). Kesse Amangoua rose to meet a Ahmed Alaaeldin (40th minute) cross from Ramin Rezaeian, but AFP was The Cheetahs’ other scorer. his header went wide when he Alto de Gredos, Espagne Uzbek striker Sardor Rash- really should have hit the target. idov had put Qatar SC ahead by Shortly after, Reza Shanbeh scoring in the 37th minute, but whipped in a cross from the left lovenia’s Primoz Roglic Al Gharafa fought back, cheered which caused havoc among the assured victory in the on by their fans. defence and Rezaeian’s snap- Vuelta a Espana yester- Al Gharafa thus have seven shot was defl ected marginally day and needs only to points with an unbeaten record. wide. completeS the short ceremonial They had earlier beaten Al Sha- Al Wakrah then nearly caught run to Madrid today to lift his hania and drawn with Al Rayy- their hosts by surprise on a fi rst Grand Tour. an. blistering counter-attack, with The 29-year Jumbo Visma Qatar SC remained the only Khalid Muneer the architect. rider, a former ski-jump cham- side, along with Al Shahania, His weaving run and powerful, pion, leapt into the overall lead with a solid platform from which yet to collect a point in the 12- dipping shot was kept out by an in the individual time-trial last to take his victory, surrounding team tournament. impressive save from Ebrahim week, and maintained a healthy their leader with a strong team Al Gharafa dominated the Daryoush. advantage under constant pres- after he failed to close out the early exchanges, but Qatar SC After the break, Al Shahania sure over a string of tough Giro d’Italia in May. took the lead against the run nearly grabbed the fi rst goal of mountain stages. The victory emulates the of play when Rashidov took the match when a driving run Yesterday’s 20th stage was performance of Simon Yates in advantage of a fumble by Al and excellent shot from Aman- won by another Slovenian Tadej 2018, who had looked set to win Gharafa goalkeeper Qasim Bur- goua was again parried to safety Pogacar, who not only secured the Giro before wilting, and then han who left his charge to col- on a night when both goalkeep- the white jersey as best under- redeeming his reputation by lect the ball just outside the box. ers were on top form. 25’s rider, but climbed to third winning the Vuelta. Pat came Al Gharafa’s reply The breakthrough finally place in the overall standings World champion Alejandro as Ahmed Alaaeldin capitalised came midway through the with his third stage victory here. Valverde of Spain’s Movistar on a melee in the rival penalty second half, thanks to a neat Pogacar of the UAE Emirates team assured second place, but area. exchange of passes which split Team is the breakout star of the his teammate Nairo Quintana, Al Gharafa’s Ahmed Moham- the home defence. Omar Ali Vuelta, and deprived Colombia’s who started Saturday in third ed failed to connect a header in and Cristian Ceballos com- Miguel Angel Lopez, one of the dropped to fourth. front of the goal, while Rash- Al Gharafa’s Othman bined down the left before the great animators of this tour, of The 39-year-old Valverde was idov saw his long shot being al-Yahri is congratulated latter pulled the ball back to the white jersey. all smiles however at the fi nish collected by Burhan after the by a teammate after the oncoming Benyettou, who The youngster attacked from line. goalkeeper fumbled with his he scored against Qatar was on hand to drill the ball within an elite group of riders “You’d say I was the one who fi rst attempt as the fi rst half Sports Club yesterday. into the back of the net from with 30km to race and produced won the Vuelta,” the aff able Mo- drew to a close. 10 yards. a relentless show of power. vistar captain joked about the Both teams upped their game With the game drawing to a He and his compatriot Roglic mob of journalists mobbing him in the second half and Al Ghara- close, Benyettou dispossessed need only fi nish today’s run into on a chilly, bleak hilltop. fa had the last laugh, with Oth- fi ane Hanni and Ahmed Alaael- Before Othman’s goals, Han- ditch eff orts, with Rashidov at Saad Hussein near the halfway Madrid that is fully expected to “I’ll be honest after Pogacar man notching a double. din passed the ball on to him. ni had a good chance to score, the helm. He came close twice, line before surging into the box, fi nish in a mass bunch sprint, to left I couldn’t hear a thing in my He was spot-on for the fi rst His second, and Al Gharafa’s but for the alertness of Qatar SC but the scoreline remained the turning Mostafa Jalal inside out climb onto the podium in Ma- earphones up here and I thought time following a move initiated third, was a solo eff ort by Oth- goalkeeper Jassim al-Hail. same. and then rounding Daryoush to drid. I’d lost second place, so in fact by Koo Ja-Cheol, and after So- man. Qatar SC made some last- Earlier, Al Wakrah secured an make the points safe. Jumbo-Visma provided Roglic I’m pretty happy.”