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Monday, November 23, 2020 GOLF Rabia II 8, 1442 AH Hansen bags maiden GULF TIMES European Tour win at Joburg Open SPORT Page 7 QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Sadd rout Arabi as Duhail crash to 3-0 Gharafa defeat Al Rayyan beat Al Kharaitiyat 2-0 for their third win in six matches

Muad Hassan (left) of Al Gharafa in action during the QNB Stars League match against Al Duhail at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. (Twitter/QSL)

Al Sadd’s Abdelkarim Hassan (right) celebrates his goal with teammates Hassan al-Haydos (second from right) and Baghdad Bounedjah during the QNB Stars League match against Al Arabi yesterday. (Twitter/AlSaddSC)

By Sports Reporter Al Sadd’s fi fth win in six Duhail markers, he ran a little who ran for almost one third of Doha matches – they also have a draw wide and then fi red a shot that the entire pitch with Sultan al- – took them to 16 points, one sailed above the Al Duhail cross- Brake giving chase. ahead of over Al Ahli, who had bar in what was the fi rst real at- Karim Boudiaf, Mohamed l Sadd overtook Al Ahli beaten Umm Salal on Saturday. tempt at goal. Emad and Muntari also jumped in to go top of the QNB Earlier a brace by Muad Hassan A couple of minutes later, Al to stop Muad who, after reaching Stars League with a 4-1 (41st and 59th minutes) and late Gharafa’s Sofi ane Hanni got a inside the box, produced a left- win over Al Arabi, while strike by Ahmed Alaaeldin (87th) chance to aim at the goal from footed drive to score to the left Adefending champions Al Duhail helped Al Gharafa post their fourth inside the box, but the Algerian of the keeper. It was celebration suff ered a morale-shattering 3-0 win to be on 12 points and occupy midfi elder had little pace on his time for Al Gharafa as Qatar na- rout by Al Gharafa in week six ac- the third place in the table. shot to worry goalkeeper Mo- tional team coach Felix Sanchez tion of Qatar’s premier tourna- Al Duhail remained on nine hammed al-Bakri. watched from the stands. ment yesterday. points from six matches with After a few hits and misses, Al Muad was at it again as he Algerian Baghdad Bounedjah three victories, two defeats and Duhail’s Eduardo Rodrigues fi red beat Boudiaf with pace by grab- and Spaniard Santi Cazorla put one draw. a bullet from the edge of the box, bing a long cross first. After Al Sadd in front in the fi rst half Al Gharafa dominated the but young Al Gharafa keeper Salah running a couple of yards with before Abdelkarim Hassan and match from the word go and Hassan produced a dive to defl ect the ball, Muad fired from the Al Rayyan’s Yohan Boli (centre), Abdulaziz Hatem (second from right) and Abdurahman al-Harazi (right) Rodrigo Tabata completed the could have gone ahead in the fi rst the ball away in the 17th minute. edge of the box to score his celebrate a goal during the QNB Stars League match against Al Kharaitiyat yesterday. (Twitter/QSL) formalities in the second session. 15 minutes itself. Seven minutes later, Al Du- team’s second goal with a right- Al Arabi’s Icelandic star Aaron In the sixth minute, Alaaeldin, hail’s Mohamed Muntari curled foot drive that stayed low on its The third match of the day saw Hatem struck in the 44th outcome in Al Rayyan’s favour. Gunnarson scored a consolation stationed close to the edge of the in a free-kick that was once again way into the net. Al Rayyan pip Al Kharaitiyat 2-0 minute off an assist from Argen- Al Rayyan’s third win in six goal for the ‘Dream Team’ at the Al Duhail box, received a long spiritedly saved by young Salah. Ahmed Alaaeldin tapped one with goals in either half from Ab- tinian defender Gabriel Mercado matches sees them occupy fourth Grand Hamad Stadium, their cross from the half-line. Despite Al Gharafa opened the scor- in deep into the game from close dulaziz Hatem and Yohan Boli at while Boli scored from the penalty spot in the standings with 10 home ground. being chased by a couple of Al ing with a great solo run by Muad range to round off the tally. Al Khor Stadium. spot in the 70th minute to seal the points.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Shanghai SIPG impress in win over Jeonbuk

AFC Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors which ing on midfi eld duo Oscar and the half-volley, but watched his Doha was saved by the goalkeeper. Aaron Mooy. The latter looked to attempt ricochet off the outside The fi rst goal of the evening make an immediate impact after of the post. arrived in the 11th minute and it receiving Chen Binbin’s pass in- With just eight minutes left on hanghai SIPG made it two was Shanghai SIPG who broke side the box and fi ring towards the clock, Oscar broke free from wins from two at 2020 the deadlock after a long kick goal only to be denied by the fi st a counter attack and as he made AFC Champions League from goalkeeper Chen Wei made of goalkeeper Song Bum-keun 50 his way his way towards goal, matches after defeating its way over the Jeonbuk defend- seconds after the restart. left Hong with no option but to JeonbukS Hyundai Motors 2-1 in ers fi nding Lyu Wenjun clear on At the other end of the pitch, bring him down inside the box, Group H yesterday. goal. The forward kept his com- Jeonbuk responded instantly prompting the referee to point to Vitor Perreira’s men had posure to control and apply an with a double chance as Hong the spot. opened their campaign with a accurate fi nish into the bottom Jeong-ho’s long pass found Gus- Substitute Hulk stepped up similar result at the expense of corner. tavo who advanced into the box and smashed from the penalty Sydney FC on Thursday, while Brazilian striker Gustavo and attempted to fi nish but Chen box to hand Shanghai SIPG a sec- their Korean opponents had al- marked his AFC Champions made the save before Ku Ja-ry- ond consecutive 2-1 win. ready played twice before the League debut with a goal to re- ung followed through with a shot The result means Shanghai stoppage, losing to Yokohama F. store parity in the 24th minute. from a tight angle that was again SIPG move level with Yokohama Marinos and drawing 2-2 against A good passing exchange down saved by the Shanghai SIPG goal- F. Marinos with six points from Sydney FC in March. the right fl ank was followed by a keeper. two games, with goal diff erence A bright start from both sides defence-splitting diagonal ball Shanghai SIPG thought they giving the Japanese side the top at Khalifa International Stadium from Kim Bo-kyung and Gustavo had taken the lead again in the spot in Group H. Jeonbuk Hy- saw end-to-end action and sev- beat his marker to stab the ball 56th minute when a string of undai Motors meanwhile fi nd eral half chances created inside home and make it 1-1. quick passes around the box saw themselves level with Sydney FC the opening 10 minutes, most Shanghai SIPG made a double Yang Shiyuan cross for Mooy with a point each at the foot of Lyu Wenjun (second from right) of Shanghai SIPG celebrates his goal during the AFC Champions League notably Gustavo’s header for substitution at half-time, bring- who chested it down and hit on the group. Group H match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Gulf Times 2 Monday, November 23, 2020 FOOTBALL

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Qatar known for hosting major Cannavaro fumes sports events, says Abbassi QNA March due to the Covid-19 pan- nology. Three training sites have Doha demic. also been used (training complexes Abbassi added, “We’re hon- at Qatar University, Al Oqla and oured towards contributing to Al Ersal) and they are equipped hmed Khellil Abbassi, the continuation of football to serve the same purpose during Director of Team Serv- competition by hosting the AFC the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. as Bluewings ices Depart ment in the Champions League for Asia’s That allows the players to train at Local Organizing Com- East Zone clubs as well as the modern facilities complying with mitteeA of 2020 AFC Champions tournament’s fi nal, which will be the standards of world governing League’s East Zone tournament, played at the Al Janoub Stadium, body FIFA, so all participants have said the choice of the State of Qa- one of the venues for 2022 FIFA the opportunity to get familiarised tar to organise competitions re- World Cup in Qatar, on 19th of with the many features of the 2022 sulted from the great confi dence December. World Cup. hold Evergrande the Asian Football Confederation “This tournament is being Regarding the timing of the (AFC) has in its organisational held in exceptional and unprece- start of the matches, he said, abilities. He added that Qatar is dented circumstances due to the “The timing of the matches in ‘We didn’t control the ball, we didn’t create chances’ known for hosting major sports outbreak of Covid-19, as com- the tournament is similar to events, as everyone knows that it petitions are held in accordance the date of the 2022 World Cup By Anil John has the best stadiums and sports with strict health protocol and matches, which will be held after Doha facilities in Asia and the region. precautionary measures with the two years. The time diff erence In a statement yesterday, Ab- aim of preserving the health and for the continent’s East Zone has bassi said that all requirements safety of everyone.” also been taken into account, so uangzhou Evergrande for the tournament were met in He pointed out that all re- it does not aff ect the clubs, reit- and Suwon Samsung co-operation with the Local Or- quirements of the participating erating the fact that our stadiums Bluewings scrapped ganizing Committee (LOC) and teams were met and their needs are ready to host any match at their way to a goalless AFC. It added that the Qatar were well taken care of, through any time of the year.” Gdraw in their Asian Champions Football Association (QFA) gave complete co-ordination with the In his concluding remarks, League clash between two former the approval to host AFC Cham- clubs and in co-operation with Abbassi highlighted that host- champions here yesterday. pions League matches for the the LOC and AFC. ing such tournaments contrib- Guangzhou, coached by Ital- East Zone in order to complete With regard to the stadiums utes towards the continuation ian defending great Fabio Can- the continental championship as that host matches and training of development process on the navaro, had been brimming per schedule set for the resump- facilities, Abbassi confi rmed that path of success, leading up to the with confi dence ahead of their tion of competitions after the the competitions are being held at most important event – the FIFA fi rst match in the competition suspension of football activity in venues that have the cooling tech- World Cup Qatar 2022. despite being dethroned as Chi- nese Super League champions by fi rst-time winners Jiangsu Suning earlier this month. At his press conference in Doha on Saturday, Canna- varo had talked about how Arsenal’s Pepe sent off in Leeds Guangzhou’s standing as two- time continental winners in the past 10 years made them “one of draw, Calvert-Lewin fi res Everton the best teams in Asia” and thus deservedly can count them- AFP selves as one of the favourites London, United Kingdom for the title this year. But after the opening draw in Group E, Cannavaro seemed rsenal held on for a 0-0 highly perturbed while speaking draw at Leeds after to the media. Guangzhou Evergrande’s Mei Fang (right) in action during the AFC Champions League match against Nicolas Pepe was sent “Of course I am not happy, Suwon Samsung Bluewings at Khalifa International Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil off for head-butting not about the result, but about EzgjanA Alioski, while Dominic the performance because this had lost their opening game to shot narrowly missed the mark. ation and thwarted Park Sang- Calvert-Lewin scored after just is not our style,” fumed Canna- Japan’s Vissel Kobe nine months It took Guangzhou some time hyeok’s eff ort from the left of 42 seconds as Everton won 3-2 at varo, who was FIFA Player of the ago, were quick to adapt to the to warm up to the occasion but the box. Fulham yesterday. Year as well as the Ballon d’Or conditions at the Khalifa Inter- even half- chances were hard to Late in the match, substitute Pepe’s mindless second-half winner in 2006. national Stadium where cool come by as the Suwon defence Luo Guofu almost broke the dismissal left Mikel Arteta’s side “We didn’t control the ball, blasts of air from the state-of held fi rm. deadlock but much to his agony in trouble at Elland Road and we didn’t create chances and we the-art air-conditioning system They made their fi rst real his brilliant curling shot from they had to ride their luck to es- didn’t try to score. kept the players comfortable. foray at the 30-minute mark more than 25 yards just about cape with a point. “I know after the defeat to The Koreans in fact had the when the Brazil-born Ricardo missed the mark. Leeds hit the woodwork three Jiangsu in the league fi nal, my better of the exchanges and Goulart, now known as Gao Suwon coach Park Kun-ha times in the closing stages, but players have not been in a clear more shots at the goal, besides Late after becoming a natural- seemed pleased with the result. couldn’t infl ict a second succes- state of mind, but this is the enjoying 56 percent possession. ized Chinese citizen, unleashed “I think today’s match was sive defeat on Arsenal, whose Asian Champions league and it With the match 15 minutes a half-volley from a long pass, very diffi cult as we had expect- problems mounted when Bukayo is completely diff erent. old, Suwon, back-to-back but was foiled by the defence. ed. We knew our opponents had Saka limped off with a late injury. “You play against strong champions in 2001 and 2002 Suwon had a great chance im- a very strong attack, so we pre- Arsenal have won only one of teams and if you don’t give 110 when the tournament was mediately after the break with pared our defence to cope with their last fi ve Premier League percent in every game, you can- known as the Asian Club Cham- a well-coordinated move but them,” he said. “I think we did games and sit in 11th place, while Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin (second from right) celebrates his not win.” pionship, had their fi rst chance Guangzhou goalkeeper Liu Di- well today, and it was a shame Leeds are 14th after their third goal during the Premier League match against Fulham at Craven South Korea’s Suwon, who at goal but Kim Tae-hwan’s low anzuo was fully alert to the situ- we couldn’t score a goal.” consecutive match without a Cottage in London, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) win. At the end of a week in which fore Raphinha’s stoppage-time this season goes on after they Arteta had to deal with a training shot came back off a post to Ar- were beaten 1-0 by West Ham at ground row between Dani Cebal- senal’s relief. Bramall Lane. los and David Luiz, the Arsenal At Craven Cottage, Calvert- Chris Wilder’s side have lost manager will be relieved his team Lewin maintained his fi ne form eight of their fi rst nine league showed some fi ghting spirit to to put Carlo Ancelotti’s side games, making them only the Rampant Rangers move 11 points keep Leeds at bay. ahead inside a minute. third club to take one point or Pepe had an early sight of goal Bobby Decordova-Reid equal- fewer over that period in the Pre- when the Ivory Coast winger ised for Fulham, but England mier League era. twisted past Luke Ayling for a striker Calvert-Lewin netted Sebastien Haller broke the clear with Aberdeen victory cross-shot that came back off again and Abdoulaye Doucoure deadlock in the 56th minute with the bar. got Everton’s third before half- his fi rst goal since September. AFP Patrick Bamford tested Bernd time. When Pablo Fornals’ blocked , Scotland Leno with a powerful volley — Fulham’s Ivan Cavaleiro sent eff ort ricocheted to Haller just one of 13 shots Leeds had as they a second-half penalty over the outside the area, the Ivory Coast dominated the fi rst half without bar and, although Ruben Loftus- striker unleashed a fi erce shot that angers moved 11 points making the breakthrough. Cheek reduced the defi cit, Ever- fl ashed into the roof of the net. clear at the top of the Arsenal captain Pierre-Em- ton held on to win for the fi rst Declan Rice headed against Scottish Premiership erick Aubameyang had been time in fi ve league games. the bar as West Ham looked for with a 4-0 demolition given a rare chance in the central After a three-game losing a second, but Oli McBurnie was ofR under-strength Aberdeen striker’s role, but he was largely streak dented their bid to fi nish inches away from equalising yesterday. anonymous and has scored just in the top four, Everton are up to when he crashed a left-footed ’s men remain twice in his last nine games. sixth place. strike off the woodwork. unbeaten in 21 games this sea- The Gunners were reduced to “The most important part of The last game of the day is at son and took full advantage of 10 men in the 51st minute when the game was to be back to win- Anfi eld, where Leicester would Celtic’s latest slip up in drop- Pepe, frustrated by a previous ning,” Ancelotti said. replace Tottenham on top of the ping two points against Hiber- clash with the Leeds player mo- “We lost energy in the second table if they can beat champions nian on Saturday. ments earlier, thrust his head half, the players were tired. I Liverpool, who will climb to sec- First-half goals from Ryan into Alioski’s face, sending him changed to put more fresh legs on ond with a victory. Kent and put the tumbling to the turf. the pitch but we had to defend. In hosts in command at Ibrox be- Referee Anthony Taylor went the end it went well.” RESULTS fore Scott Arfi eld’s defl ected to check the pitchside monitor Fulham remain one place Fulham 2 (Decordova-Reid third and con- and showed Pepe a straight red. above the relegation zone after 15, Loftus-Cheek 70) Everton 3 verted his ninth penalty of the Leeds substitute Rodrigo hit their third defeat in four games. (Calvert-Lewin 1, 29, Doucoure season. the bar with a curling eff ort from 35) “We played some incredible the edge of the area. HALLER ENDS DROUGHT Sheff ield United 0 West Ham stuff again. Some of our move- Bamford also struck the wood- Bottom of the table Sheffi eld 1 (Haller 56) ment in the fi nal third was ex- work with a glancing header be- United’s wait for their fi rst win Leeds 0 Arsenal 0 ceptional. We are showing that relentlessness and really ex- ecuting when we get in the right Rangers’ Kemar Roofe (centre) celebrates his goal during the Scottish Premiership match against places,” said Gerrard. Aberdeen at Ibrox in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. (Reuters) Twice-taken Fernandes penalty gives Man United “We were strong from start to fi nish and I managed to make “There is a lot of football to Scotland Under-21 team-mates minutes of the second-half scrappy win over West Brom fi ve changes and look after peo- be played, a lot of challenges, Connor McLennan and Lewis when his shot hit off Shay Lo- Reuters keeper had come off his line. monitor. ple who have been doing a lot of a lot of big hurdles to get over. Ferguson into self-isolation. gan and deceived Lewis after Manchester, United Kingdom The Portuguese midfielder “Instead of us being one up, we travel. As far as I’m concerned, But I won’t deny I’m happy. I’d Kent opened the fl oodgates the midfi elder had been set up made no mistake with the are 1-0 down and it is hard to I’m extremely happy.” much rather be where we are of on 15 minutes when the former by Kent. second attempt. come back. We showed after Celtic have two games in hand course.” Liverpool winger nutmegged Tavernier netted his 13th goal twice-taken penalty Winless West Brom’s frustra- that we didn’t stop believing or but Rangers are off to their best Aberdeen had only lost once Funso Ojo and fi red a 30-yard of the season after Considine from Bruno Fernandes tion was doubled by the fact playing. I’m very disappointed league start in 53 years and are in in the league since going down shot which spun off Tommie had been penalised for a pull on A gave an unimpressive that the penalty, awarded for with the result and the deci- pole position to stop their Glas- to Rangers in a disappointing Hoban’s face and the post before Leon Balogun at a corner. Manchester United a 1-0 win a handball by Darnell Furlong, sions from the referee,” said gow rivals achieving a record opening-day performance, but hitting the net. At the other end, Rangers over West Bromwich Albion came eight minutes after they West Brom manager Slaven 10th consecutive Scottish title. Derek McInnes’s squad was Roofe doubled the lead in the registered a 13th clean sheet in on Saturday, their first home had a penalty award overturned Bilic. “I look at the league table decimated without eight first- 29th minute when he latched 15 league games this season as victory of the Premier League after review. The win moved United above every time we play,” added Ger- team players. on to ’s deli- Gerrard’s side already boast a season. Coote pointed to the spot after local rivals Manchester City into rard, who never won a league ti- Niall McGinn, Marley Wat- cate ball over the top of Andy plus 38 goal diff erence. Fernandes’s first eff ort was he ruled Fernandes made ninth place, on 13 points, seven tle during his decorated playing kins, Dylan McGeouch, Scott Considine and ran through Greg saved by West Brom keeper shin-to-shin contact with Conor behind leaders Tottenham career at Liverpool. “I’m not go- Wright and were Leigh’s challenge before hitting RESULTS Sam Johnstone but referee Gallagher in the box but the Hotspur. ing to deny that, but I’ve never injured before on-loan Rang- a shot in off Lewis. Rangers 4 (Kent 15, Roofe David Coote ordered the kick referee reversed his decision West Brom stayed third bottom known a manager to get carried ers midfi elder Ross McCrorie’s Arfi eld scored from his sec- 29, Arfield 49, Tavernier 53-pen) be re-taken after ruling the after being sent to the pitchside with three points. away in November. positive coronavirus test forced ond chance in the opening four Aberdeen 0 Gulf Times Monday, November 23, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Mateta hat-trick Carrasco strike ends helps Mainz break duck

Agencies after Mueller spilled a long- , Germany range eff ort from Robin Quaison. He completed his hat-trick a few minutes later, beating the Atletico’s 10-year rench striker Jean- off side trap yet again to slot the Philippe Mateta fi red ball inside the far post from close Bundesliga strugglers range. Mainz to their fi rst win Nils Petersen pulled a goal Fof the season yesterday, scoring back for Freiburg on 64 minutes, three fi rst-half goals to inspire tapping in from close range after his side to a 3-1 victory away to Robin Zentner palmed away a wait to beat Barca Freiburg. low shot from Roland Sallai. The 23-year-old notched up While Mainz breathe a sigh of his second hat-trick of the sea- relief, defeat heaps pressure on ‘It was our fault, it’s not good and we can’t let something like that happen again’ son to take his tally to ten goals in Freiburg, who have not won since all competitions as Mainz hauled the opening day and now sit just Reuters themselves out of the bottom one place ahead of Mainz in 14th. Madrid, Spain two for the fi rst time since the opening weekend. IMPRESSIVE UNION BEAT Having picked up just a sin- COLOGNE tletico Madrid pulled gle point from their fi rst seven Union Berlin’s Max Kruse scored off their fi rst La Liga games, Mainz put their early- a second-half winner as they win over Barcelona in season woes behind them with a snatched a 2-1 victory at Cologne more than a decade as clinical fi rst half performance. yesterday to stretch their club YannickA Carrasco capitalised Mateta opened the scoring record unbeaten run to seven on a blunder from Barca keeper after just 61 seconds, breaking Bundesliga matches and climb to Marc-Andre ter Stegen to secure Freiburg’s high line to pick up a fi fth place. a 1-0 victory at an empty Wanda Leandro Barreiro through ball Taiwo Awoniyi had put the Metropolitano on Saturday. and stroke it past former team- in-form visitors, unbeaten on Belgian winger Carrasco mate Florian Mueller in the the road this season, ahead in broke the deadlock at the end Freiburg goal. the 27th minute before Ellyes of the fi rst half, pulling off a The goal set the tone for a fi rst Skhiri pulled Cologne level with classy backheel to knock the ball half in which Mainz landed blow a close-range eff ort. through the legs of Ter Stegen after blow on the counter-attack and keep his composure in front and Freiburg struggled to keep RESULTS of goal after the German had tabs on Mateta. Freiburg 1 (Petersen 63) charged out of his area. The Frenchman doubled the Mainz 3 (Mateta 2, 34, 40) Lionel Messi had won the fi x- lead just after the half-hour Cologne 1 (Skhiri 36) Union ture last season with a late solo mark, pouncing on the rebound Berlin 2 (Awoniyi 27, Kruse 72) goal but the Barca captain had a match to forget this time, cre- ating very little danger and ap- Moukoko, 16, makes history as pearing hesitant in front of goal. Bundesliga’s youngest player Barca’s former Atletico for- ward Antoine Griezmann AFP missed the target in each half Berlin, Germany while defender Clement Lenglet had their best chance when, un- marked, he could only send his t 16 years and one day, header straight into the arms of Borussia Dortmund keeper Jan Oblak. Astriker Youssoufa Mou- The win moved Atletico up Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco (right) scores a goal past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen during the La Liga match at the koko became the youngest to second in the standings, level Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday. (AFP) player in Bundesliga history on 20 points with leaders Real on Saturday when he made his Sociedad, while Barca are down Hector Herrera and Lucas Tor- German league debut in the 5-2 in 10th place with 11 points af- Barca pain deepens as Pique, Sergi Roberto set for long layoff s reira were also unavailable but romp at Hertha Berlin. ahead of him.” ter a third defeat in eight league they well deserved their victory. Moukoko’s late cameo off the Moukoko made his Bundesliga games under Ronald Koeman. Reuters ond half in tears, had sprained ers add to previous injuries Marcos Llorente nearly gave bench at Berlin’s Olympic Sta- debut after dazzling in German “A team like Barca cannot af- Barcelona, Spain the internal lateral ligament in to Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Atletico an early lead when his dium broke the previous record youth football with a mind- ford to concede a goal like that,” his right knee as well as sus- Araujo and leave coach Ronald shot crashed off the bar, while set by Nuri Sahin, who was 16 blowing 47 goals in 25 matches said the Dutchman. taining a partial injury to the Koeman with only three de- it took a brilliant save from Ter years, 335 days when he made for Dortmund U19s. “It was our fault, it’s not good arcelona were facing an anterior crucial ligament. fenders (Clement Lenglet, Jordi Stegen to keep out a vicious dis- his league debut for Dortmund He could also become the and we can’t let something like injury crisis as well as a The statement did not state Alba and Sergino Dest) avail- tance strike from Saul Niguez. in 2005. youngest player in Champions that happen again.” Bresults crisis yesterday how long Pique would be out able for Tuesday’s Champions While Barca had their chances Moukoko came on after 85 League history if he features in The Catalans’ pain was com- after defenders Gerard Pique for but reports in the Spanish League trip to Dynamo Kiev. to level, Atletico comfortably minutes to replace Erling Braut the home game against Brugge pounded by the sight of defend- and Sergi Roberto were ruled media estimated he would be Barca will also be without saw out the victory and coach Haaland, who scored four on Tuesday. er Gerard Pique limping off the out for significant periods out for between three and five forward Ansu Fati for the next Diego Simeone punched the air second-half goals in a stunning He could beat the record held pitch in tears after a challenge following injuries sustained in months. four months after he under- when the whistle came to sig- display. by Nigeria’s Celestine Baba- from Angel Correa. Saturday’s 1-0 La Liga defeat by Right back Sergi Roberto, went knee surgery earlier this nal his fi rst league victory over “He’s only just turned 16, that yaro, who was 16 years, 87 days A club medical report eased Atletico Madrid. meanwhile, ruptured a muscle month, while midfielder Sergio Barca since he took charge of is amazing,” Haaland said of when he played for Anderlecht initial fears that Pique had torn A Barca medical report said in his thigh and would be out Busquets is out with a knee Atletico in 2011. Moukoko. “He has a big career in 1994-95. knee ligaments and said he had veteran centre back Pique, who for two months, added Barca. problem but is due back by the “It was our turn to win today strained them, meaning he will limped off the pitch in the sec- The loss of the two defend- end of the month. but it won’t change our objec- be out for about six weeks. tives,” said the coach. Barca’s players had come out “We knew exactly how we LIGUE 1 for the game wearing T-shirts in ly underwent knee surgery and eran of the fi xture. deprived of a reunion with his needed to play and that we tribute to their teenage striking they were also missing midfi eld Atletico were without joint- former side after testing positive would have to work as hard in sensation Ansu Fati who recent- anchor Sergio Busquets, a vet- top scorer Luis Suarez, who was for Covid-19, while midfi elders attack as in defence.” Lyon move second, SERIE A Montpellier win Lukaku helps Inter fi ght back against Torino

AFP Milan, Italy Ronaldo double lift s Juventus over Cagliari

Reuters Four minutes later the 35-year- assuolo took top spot in Turin old forward brilliantly struck at Serie A yesterday with a the far post to double his side’s 2-0 win over Hellas Ve- advantage, taking him to eight rona, as Romelu Lukaku ristiano Ronaldo’s league goals for the season, scoredS twice to help Inter Milan first-half double gave from just four starts. fi ght back from two goals down CJuventus a 2-0 win over Ragnar Klavan thought he to beat Torino. Cagliari at Juventus Stadium had got Cagliari back into the Sassuolo have 18 points from on Saturday. After a relatively game in the second half but his Lyon’s Tino Kadewere (right) celebrates a goal during the Ligue 1 eight games, one point more quiet international break for header was ruled out for off side match against Angers SCO yesterday. (AFP) than AC Milan, who travel to Ronaldo, with one goal in in the build-up. Ronaldo turned Napoli later on Sunday. three games for Portugal, he provider on two occasions as AFP could leapfrog the pair and Lyon Roma move third, level on scored in the 38th minute in Juventus looked to score again Paris, France and move two points behind PSG if points with AC Milan, after Turin, finding the net for the but poor finishing meant the they beat Lorient later on Sunday. Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored fifth successive league match. hosts failed to add to their tally. Montpellier, the 2012 champi- twice in a 3-0 win over Parma. imbabwe striker Tino ons, led 2-0 through early goals Antonio Conte’s Inter had Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates a goal during the Serie A Kadewere scored a late from Pedro Mendes and Andy been trailing 2-0 after 62 min- match against Torino at San Siro in Milan, Italy, yesterday. (Reuters) had a nightmare start as coach Riccardo Improta scored his winner as Lyon beat An- Delort, but Strasbourg hit back utes before battling back to win of struggling Fiorentina with a fi rst Serie A goal for Beneven- gers 1-0 to move second with a brace of penalties from 4-2 at the San Siro, where they crossbar, before the Chilean set PRANDELLI’S NIGHTMARE 1-0 home defeat by promoted to on 52 minutes, slotting in a Zin Ligue 1, just four points behind Kenny Lala and Habib Diallo. host Real Madrid in the Cham- up his fellow former Manchester START Benevento. Gabriele Moncini cross after a leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Former Wigan Athletic striker pions League in three days’ time. United forward for the equaliser In Verona, Sassuolo continued Former Italy coach Prandelli Cristiano Biraghi defensive er- Montpellier beat Strasbourg Delort restored the hosts’ ad- “We are not a great team yet three minutes later. their impressive run thanks to returned to the ‘Viola’ a decade ror. 4-3 in a dramatic match earlier in vantage, and although Ludovic because we’re struggling like Lukaku pulled Inter ahead goals in either half from Jeremie after leaving for the Azzurri job Fiorentina, without a win in the day and sit joint-third with Ajorque levelled on the stroke of this,” said Lukaku who has scored from the penalty spot six min- Boga and Domenico Berardi. in 2010, after Giuseppe Iachini three games, slip to 15th in the Monaco, behind Lyon on goal half-time, Gaetan Laborde had seven league goals this season. utes from time and then provid- The side from Emilia Ro- was sacked, but the team fell Serie A table, just behind Ben- diff erence. the fi nal say midway through the “In the fi rst hour we played ed the cross for substitute Lau- magna are unbeaten this season to their fourth defeat in eight evento, who move into 14th after Defending champions PSG second period. badly, we were in diffi culty. Then taro Martinez to score the fourth and are the top scorers with 20 games. ending their four-match losing blew a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 Sixth-placed Marseille are we woke up and won, that’s the on 90 minutes. goals in eight games. To add to Prandelli’s woes, streak. at Monaco on Friday and hand only six points off the pace with most important thing.” “I have to congratulate the Roma meanwhile stretched French midfi elder Franck Ribery the chasing pack the chance to two games in hand. Torino captain Andrea Belotti lads,” said Conte. “The 2-0 their unbeaten run in all compe- went off injured just before half- RESULTS close the gap. pulled up with a muscular prob- would have killed anyone, but titions to 10 matches, cement- time with Italian international Inter 4 (Sanchez 64, Lukaku Lyon, semi-fi nalists in last RESULTS lem in the warm-up with Si- we proved once again that we ing victory with three fi rst-half Giacomo Bonaventura pulling 67, 84-pen, Martinez 90) Torino 2 season’s Champions League, Nantes 1 (Kolo 29) Metz 1 mone Zaza taking his place and have something important in goals. up during the warm-up. (Zaza 45+2, Ansaldi 62-pen) took advantage, but needed (Leya 45+4-pen) scoring the opener just before terms of character.” Borja Mayoral got his fi rst “What worries me most is the Hellas Verona 0 Sassuolo 2 an 80th-minute winner from Dijon 0 Lens 1 (Kalimuendo 23) the break. Inter got back to winning ways Serie A goal just before the fragility,” said Prandelli. (Boga 42, Berardi 75) Kadewere. Montpellier 4 (Mendes Cristian Ansaldi added a sec- after two consecutive draws and half-hour mark, with Mkhi- “At the fi rst diffi culty the Roma 3 (Mayoral 28, Mkhi- The 24-year-old, a close- 8, Delort 13, 31, Laborde 68) ond for the visitors from the are fi fth in the table. taryan adding two more before team lost tactically, technically taryan 32, 40) Parma 0 season arrival from second-tier Strasbourg 3 (Lala 22-pen, Diallo penalty spot after an hour. Torino drop into the relega- the break to bring his tally to fi ve and personality. Sampdoria 1 (Thorsby 7) outfi t Le Havre, has scored four 26-pen, Ajorque 45) Inter reacted in the 64th tion zone after their fi fth defeat goals in two games after scoring “Perhaps the team suc- Bologna 2 (Regini 44-og, Orsolini Ligue 1 goals this term. Reims 0 Nimes 1 (Ripart minute, with Alexis Sanchez bun- of the season, also losing Si- a hat-trick last time out against cumbed to their fears and nega- 52) Montpellier have an identical 62-pen) dling the ball in after Lukaku’s mone Verdi to injury in the fi rst Genoa. tive thoughts when Franck came Fiorentina 0 Benevento 1 record and goal diff erence to Mo- Angers 0 Lyon 1 (Kadewere initial eff ort was tipped onto the half. In Tuscany, Cesare Prandelli off .” (Improta 52) naco, although fi fth-placed Lille 80) Gulf Times 4 Monday, November 23, 2020

OPINION SPOTLIGHT Tendulkar’s 98 against Pak in 2003 Kohli’s absence WC one of his best, will create a big says Inzamam hole: Ian Chappell Kohli will be returning to India after the first Test against Australia

IANS Smith and David Warner. Adelaide “India without Virat Kohli will be like Australia without Smith and Warner. It’s not just irat Kohli’s absence the runs he makes, but the way for the fi nal three Test he lifts the psyche of the whole of the upcoming Bor- group,” Lawson wrote in his Vder-Gavaskar Trophy column for the Sydney Morning will “create a big hole” in the Herald. Indian batting order, believes With 7,240 runs at an av- former Australia captain Ian erage of 53.62, Kohli is the Sachin Tendulkar hits a cover drive against Pakistan in the 2003 Chappell. highest run scorer in the In- World Cup in Centurion, South Africa. Kohli will be returning to India dian squad for the Tests and is after the fi rst Test against Aus- ranked in the ICC rankings for IANS Inzamam also said Pakistan tralia - a day-night fi xture cur- the longest format of the game New Delhi were confi dent about winning rently slated to be played at the behind Smith. that game after scoring 273 as Adelaide Oval from December India had won the previous they had a very good bowling 17 - to be with his wife Anushka Test series they played in Aus- nzamam-ul-Haq believes line-up consisting of Wasim Sharma for the delivery of their tralia with the hosts missing Sachin Tendulkar’s 98-run Akram, Waqar Younis and fi rst child. However, he will be Smith and Warner and still reel- knock against Pakistan in Akhtar. part of the limited-overs leg of ing from the aftermath of the Ithe 2003 World Cup was “Our bowling line-up con- the tour - three ODIs and three 2018 ball tampering scandal. one of the “best innings” played sisted of , Waqar T20Is - beginning November 27. Since the duo came back, by the former Indian batsman Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar and “India also face a selection di- however, Australia have experi- during his stellar career. the conditions were favouring lemma when skipper Virat Kohli enced a reversal in fortune cul- In the group-stage match the fast bowlers. The match was departs for home for the birth minating in them pipping India played on March 1, 2003 at Cen- being played at Centurion in of his fi rst child following the at the top of the ICC Test Cham- turion in South Africa, the Pa- South Africa. So we felt that we opening Test. This creates both pionship earlier this month. kistan team failed to defend a had put up a pretty good score,” a big hole in the Indian batting Lawson said that Australia’s target of 274. India rode on Ten- said Inzamam. order and an opportunity for biggest strength now compared dulkar’s 98 to chase down the Earlier, Akhtar had said one of their talented young play- to what they had before the target with more than four overs that the 2003 World Cup loss ers to make a name for himself,” 2018/19 Test series against India to spare. against India was the “most ESPNcricinfo quoted Chappell is that they have options. “I have seen Sachin play a lot disappointing match” of his as saying. “Australia have risen on the but the way he batted in that entire career. “What was already shaping up back of drawing away with Eng- match; I have never seen him “The most disappointing as an exciting tussle now has the land and then beating a well- play like that before. The way he match for me in my entire career added stimulus of crucial selec- below-strength New Zealand played against our fast bowlers was the 2003 World Cup match tion decisions. The result could and thumping a classic Pakistan in those conditions was superb. I against India at Centurion. We well come down to who is the at home last summer. And as think he scored 98 before getting had failed to defend a target of bravest set of selectors,” he added. the international season looms, out to Shoaib Akhtar,” Inzamam 274 despite having a very good Australia all-rounder Mar- No.1 Test nation Australia fi nds told India off spinner Ravichan- bowling line-up,” Akhtar had cus Stoinis, however, believes itself in an unusual situation: dran Ashwin on his YouTube earlier said. missing the last three Tests will there are options for batting show ‘DRS with Ash’. In his stellar career that not take motivation away from spots,” said Lawson. “I feel that innings of Sachin spanned over two decades, Kohli. “Indian cricketers will be ex- was one of his best. He broke Tendulkar scored 100 centu- “Don’t worry about Virat. He pecting the unexpected. They all the pressure that existed. He ries across Tests and ODIs - a is up for every single game he will be a handful, given they are played a top-quality innings record that still stands. In 463 is playing. Maybe, there will be defending the Border-Gavaskar against genuine quality fast bowl- ODIs, Tendulkar scored 18,426 extra motivation. I am sure he Trophy, won on Australian soil ers like ours. The way he hit those runs, including 49 tons, and in will be ready to go. As I said he for the fi rst time two years ago, boundaries, the pressure got re- Tests, he tallied 15,921, includ- is getting home for the birth of and their group leased on the batsmen who came ing 51 centuries. In his lone T20I his child which is the right deci- motivated,” Stoinis said on Sat- Meanwhile, former fast dia without Kohli will be akin continues to grow in stature,” he after him. If someone were to ask appearance which came against sion, so I am sure he will be extra urday. bowler Geoff Lawson said In- to Australia without Steve said. Sachin, he too would absolutely South Africa in 2006, he scored love that innings of his,” he added. 10 runs.

Virat absolutely not what you see on cricket fi eld, says Aussie Zampa Pakistan opener Zaman out of NZ tour with fever Karachi: Pakistan’s dashing lease ahead of team’s depar- IANS cricket field,” Zampa is quoted as saying read. “It’s a really good restaurant.” opener Fakhar Zaman was ture early Monday morning Sydney by the Sydney Morning Herald. “He al- “It was the first day I arrived [and] he ruled out of the forthcoming (3:00am Pakistan time). ways brings his intensity to training and WhatsApped me,” said Zampa. “I didn’t tour of New Zealand just a It added: “Zaman was isolat- the game; he loves competition, he hates have his number. He made it as if we’ve few hours before the team’s ed in the team hotel in Lahore ndian captain Virat Kohli maybe losing as much as anyone. He probably known each other forever.” departure after failing to as soon as his condition was competitive and even aggressive with shows it more than anyone.” Zampa has had considerable success recover from fever. detected; the PCB medical his opponents on the fi eld but he is a “Once he’s off the park, he’s the most against Kohli in limited overs cricket, The 30-year-old left-hander panel is in touch with him.” diff erent person altogether off it, said chilled guy. He’s watching YouTube clips dismissing the Indian captain seven tested negative for Covid-19 “Zaman’s Covid-19 test report IAustralian spinner Adam Zampa. on the bus, he’ll laugh out loud. There times but he points out the fact that he along with 34 other players was received on Saturday After years of facing Kohli as an op- was a cricket clip recently from cricket. has also conceded a lot of runs. and 20 members of the squad which came out negative ponent, Zampa got to see what it is com.au, there was a funny run out, he “I’ve got him out seven times, but they’re but suffered fever, forcing but today he picked up fever. like sharing a dressing room with the was laughing about it for three weeks’ at a good click; the economy is well and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) We are constantly monitor- 32-year-old right-hand batsman in the straight. He loves holding onto jokes like truly over six runs per over as well. It’ll to withdraw him. ing his condition and remain 2020 (IPL), that.” be interesting now we’re closer,” he said. “The decision to withdraw Za- hopeful of his quick recovery; where Zampa played under the Indian’s Zampa said that Kohli had messaged The pair will face each other again when man from the tour was made however he is not fit to travel captaincy with the Royal Challengers him on WhatsApp in his first day with India’s tour of Australia begins later this keeping the health of the rest with the squad,” team doc- Bangalore. RCB. “Zamps, here’s the $15 off voucher month with a three-match ODI and T20I of the squad members as a tor Sohail Salim said in the “He’s absolutely not what you see on the at a vegan restaurant from Deliveroo,” it series. top priority,” said a PCB re- release.

BOTTOMLINE to lead in LPL IANS Jaff na Stallions. The T20 tournament, bo Kings in the opening match. which will comprise of 23 matches, will “We are excited to announce that see double headers being played on each has joined #TuskerNa- day till the semi-fi nals which will be tion!” Tuskers said in another tweet. ormer Pakistan all-rounder played on December 13 and 14. The fi nal and Liam Plunkett, who Shahid Afridi will lead Galle will be played on December 16. All the were slated to play for Tuskers, had Gladiators in the inaugural matches will be played at the Mahinda pulled out of the event. Fedition of the Lanka Premier Rajapaksa International Cricket Sta- Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik, who was League beginning on Thursday. Domes- dium, Hambantota. also slated to play for the franchise in tic talent will serve “The match will start at 7.30pm after the LPL, tested positive for Covid-19. as his deputy. the opening ceremony which is sched- “Unfortunately Shoaib Malik, our “Galle Gladiators name superstar uled to be held from 3.30pm onwards. own Tusker has tested positive Shahid Afridi as captain, Bhanuka Ra- Matches to be played on November 27 for Covid-19. We hope he has a speedy japaksa as vice-captain,” the franchise and December 4 will start at 8:00pm,” recovery and is back in time for the confi rmed on their offi cial Twitter han- the Cricket had earlier said in LPL,” the franchise informed on Friday. dle. an offi cial statement. , Galle Gladiators, Afridi - who played 27 Tests, 398 ODIs will be facing Kandy Dambulla Hawks, Colombo Kings and and 99 T20Is for Pakistan - recently Tuskers in the tournament opener. Jaff na Stallions are the fi ve teams par- featured in the Meanwhile, South Africa’s ticipating in the tournament. (PSL) play-off s played in Karachi. He will be joining the Kandy Tuskers squad. The T20 tournament, which will picked up three and scored 12 “We are also thrilled to announce that comprise of 23 matches, will see dou- runs in two matches for Multan Sultans. one of the greatest bowlers of all time ble headers being played on each day Sudeep Tyagi, , Munaf Pa- Dale Steyn will join the Kandy Tuskers till the semi-fi nals which will be played tel and Manpreet Gony are the Indians squad!” the franchise said on their of- on December 13 and 14. The fi nal will be participating in the league. fi cial Twitter handle. played on December 16. All the matches Apart from Gladiators, the other four Earlier, Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa teams in the league are Kandy Tuskers, joined the squad for the tournament International Cricket Stadium, Ham- Dambulla Hawks, Colombo Kings and where Tuskers are slated to face Colom- bantota. Gulf Times Monday, November 23, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Saints quarterback Brees has 11 broken Gordon Hayward ribs, says report

AFP us Street that was ruled roughing Los Angeles the passer. Doctors also think he might have sustained some of his injuries in an earlier game but heads to Hornets rew Brees’ rib and lung continued to play. injuries have turned The Saints offi cially placed out to be more serious Brees on their injured list on Fri- than fi rst thought after day. He was originally expected Dit was revealed that the New Or- to miss three games but the lat- leans Saints star has 11 fractured est medical update could see him ribs, US media reported. stay out longer. That number is up from the Brees, 40, is the NFL’s all- in $120mn deal original diagnosis of fi ve bro- time leader in passing yards ken ribs for quarterback Brees, and touchdown passes. But the He became a free agent when he declined a $34.2mn player option with the Celtics who also has a collapsed lung, Saints went 5-0 without their US sports broadcaster ESPN re- star signal-caller last season as ported. Additional tests showed he recovered from a torn liga- Brees has eight broken ribs on the ment in his throwing hand. left side and three on the right. The Saints, who top the NFC Brees exited last week’s win South Division at 7-2, host the against the San Francisco 49ers Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Tay- at halftime with what the Saints som Hill will get the starting nod called a rib injury, suff ered in a at quarterback ahead of Jameis second-quarter sack by Kentavi- Winston.

In this file photo Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints looks to pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 8. In this file photo taken on September 18, 2020 Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics plays against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Shiff rin shines to fi nish second on return Finals. Levi, Finland: US ski star Mikae- seconds ahead of Shiff rin overall la Shiff rin shrugged off a near and secure her 15th World Cup AFP He missed the rest of that diana before the Hornets appar- VanVleet played a crucial role Last season Anthony, after 10-month absence which she victory. Los Angeles season, and after a spotty ently swooped in. in the Raptors’ run to a champi- seeing his scoring average dip in described as “sad and stressful” “After everything that has hap- 2018-19 campaign he averaged Meanwhile, journeyman point onship in 2019. each of his previous three sea- to finish second behind Petra pened it is really cool to just ski 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and guard Rajon Rondo is joining the The Portland Trail Blazers sons, put up 15.4 points over 58 Vlhova in the World Cup slalom a race and get a podium,” said oveted NBA free agent 4.1 assists in 52 games of the Atlanta Hawks on a reported have agreed to re-sign 10-time games (all starts) while recording at the Finnish resort of Levi Shiff rin who admitted that the Gordon Hayward is pandemic-disrupted 2019-20 two-year, $15mn deal. All-Star forward Carmelo An- his best shooting marks (43.0% yesterday. 10 months since her father Jeff headed to the Char- campaign. The 34-year-old Rondo is en- thony to a one-year contract for on all fi eld-goal attempts, 38.5% “It’s been 300 days since she died had been a dark period. Clotte Hornets on a deal Hayward was sidelined again tering his 15th NBA season and next season, multiple outlets re- on 3-point tries) since his All- was last in the start gate, and “It’s been busy and sad and reported by ESPN to be worth in the playoff s in the NBA’s this will be his sixth team. He ported. Star campaigns with his home- she didn’t miss a beat,” the stressful and not a lot of training. $120mn over four years. quarantine bubble in Orlando, spent the last two with the Los Anthony, the NBA’s second- town New York Knicks. US Ski and Snowboard Team So it’s been really hard to imag- Hayward’s agents Priority spraining his right ankle in the Angeles Lakers. leading active scorer (26,446 In his previous 17 seasons, An- tweeted. The three-time overall ine being here again and racing Sports added confi rmation of the opening game of Boston’s fi rst- Rondo thanked the Lakers, his career points) behind only close thony has averaged 23.6 points World Cup winner was all set and being on the podium,” she move on their Twitter feed with round series against Philadel- teammates and the fans on In- friend LeBron James, will return in his 1,122-game career. The for a fourth consecutive overall said. a post saying “Congrats to @ phia. stagram earlier Saturday. to Portland for a league-mini- former No 3 overall draft pick in World Cup title when she ended “I almost didn’t dare to imagine gordonhayward on agreeing to He returned during the East- “To the fans...thank you for mum deal, sources told ESPN. 2003 has played for the Denver last season abruptly after the it. I didn’t want to be disappoint- terms with @hornets!” ern Conference fi nals, in which welcoming me with open arms The Blazers and Anthony have Nuggets, Knicks, Oklahoma City sudden death of her father. ed about that.. it seems so stupid Hayward became a free agent the Celtics fell in six games to the from Day 1 and showing me love. been a seamless match since Thunder, Rockets and Blazers. A bad back then forced the about not being on the podium Thursday when he declined a Miami Heat. Being apart of #LakeShow was agreeing to a non-guaranteed Four of his All-Star appearances 25-year-old to skip the season- when other really bad things can $34.2mn player option with the The NBA’s free agency negoti- something special and I’m proud one-year, $2.16mn contract last came in Denver and six were with opener in Soelden. happen and are happening. Boston Celtics for the upcoming ating period began on Friday, but we brought it back to you!” November. The veteran forward, New York, where he also won a Shiff rin was just 15 hundredths “So I have been trying to keep season. deals can’t be fi nalized until the Also, the Toronto Raptors are who played in just 10 games the scoring title by averaging 28.7 of a second behind Slovakia’a my priorities straight, a pretty He had inked a four-year, signing period starts today. poised to sign guard Fred VanV- previous year in 2018-19 before points in the 2012-13 season. Vlhova in the first run. interesting 300 days.” $127.8mn contract with the Celt- Both the New York Knicks and leet to a four-year, $85mn deal, being released by the Houston Portland has been active al- Vlhova, who capitalised on Shif- Shiff rin said that over the past ics in 2017, but his tenure in Boston Indiana Pacers had been report- Canadian media reported. Rockets, rejuvenated his career ready since the start of free frin’s absence earlier in the year months she had wanted to was shadowed by injury, starting ed to be in the running to land The deal represents a huge as the third scoring option on the agency Friday, trading for centre by claiming the discipline’s crys- “figure out” whether she wanted with a grisly foot and ankle injury Hayward, with the 30-year-old payday for VanVleet, who en- high-octane Trail Blazers behind Enes Kanter and forward Robert tal globe, was quickest again to carry on skiing and “move suff ered minutes into his regular- forward reported by some to tered the league as an undrafted guards Damian Lillard and C J Covington and also re-signing in the second run to finish 0.18 forward” with life. season debut with the club. favour a return to his native In- free agent in 2016. McCollum. guard Rodney Hood.

FEATURE Wales’ Botham at ease with famous name AFP include former England captain Will London Carling, World Cup-winning England centre Will Greenwood and current Wales prop Tomas Francis. ales rugby debutant James But Botham, who joined Botham remembers viv- straight from school as an 18-year-old idly the moment he be- after making 500-mile round rips for came aware the man he training sessions, insisted he’d never Wonce thought of just as his grandfa- had doubts about where his allegiance ther was also one of England’s greatest lay. cricketers. “Everyone gives me grief about it — “I knew of it, but it wasn’t really saying ‘your grandad couldn’t be more until I got told by my gran (Kath Both- English if he tried!’ but I was born am),” recalled the 22-year-old Cardiff down here and since I was a kid I had Blues fl anker. the Welsh fl ag painted in my room on “We were all playing cricket in the the wall,” he said. garden and he’s got a cigar in one hand, “I always wanted to play for Wales which he put in his mouth, a drink in and that’s why I’ve stuck to it and done the other with a cricket bat! the long journey from Sedbergh down “I did ask the question to my grand- to Wales to hopefully get myself in. It’s mother ‘was he any good at cricket?’. paid off .” She said ‘he was alright at some point!’. Botham, who said the main piece of “Growing up in school playing Wales’ James Botham in action advice he’d received from his grandfa- cricket myself I realised it a bit more, as against Georgia on Saturday. ther, was to “enjoy yourself” only got people would try and get into me when Inset: James’ grandfather Ian Botham. called into the Wales squad on Mon- I came out to bat. day after playing just 13 professional “That all just goes over my head re- games. ally, it doesn’t really bother me,” added But with Wales having lost their last Botham. six Tests, he was catapulted straight “Alright” is something of an un- into the starting XV by coach Wayne derstatement. Ian Botham played 102 Pivac. Tests for England from 1977-1992. “I didn’t have a clue, but was called One of the fi nest all-round crick- on Sunday night to say I was in camp,” eters of his generation, he so trans- as captain, it became known as “Both- for Wales owes much to the rugby ca- Liam was playing for Cardiff when northeast England, saw James edu- said Botham. “Then they announced formed the 1981 series against Austral- am’s Ashes”. reer of Liam Botham, Ian’s son and James was born in the Welsh capital. cated at Sedbergh School in Cumbria, the team for the players and my name ia in England’s favour after resigning That his grandson is about to play James’ father. But his father’s move to Newcastle, a noted rugby nursery whose ‘old boys’ was on there.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, November 23, 2020 RUGBY

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Pivac points to positives as England Charging Vakatawa loom in

Reuters the fi rst time and play reason- London ably well. “There were some powers France to good performances. It was far from perfect but it was a step ales coach Wayne in the right direction.” Pivac pointed to The victory was secured at the positives as the set-pieces, especially the his overhauled scrum, where Wales’ suprem- Wside laboured to an 18-0 Au- acy that had been lacking tumn Nations Cup victory in recent weeks was impres- win over Scotland over Georgia that snapped a sive. six-game losing streak ahead “The set-piece hasn’t re- of a crunch clash with England ally functioned that well in the ‘It was a bit of an arm-wrestle, we never got ahead on the scoreboard’ in Llanelli next Saturday. last two games. It’s been a real Wales would need a mas- problem for us, but it worked sive bonus-point win to stand and on a drier day I think we a chance of fi nishing top of would have been a lot more Group A, but foremost in Pi- dangerous.” vac’s mind will be a victory of Pivac will revert to what he any sort after a period in which sees as his best XV for the visit his position has come under of England, though there will heavy scrutiny. be some concern over the fi t- He made 13 changes for the ness of key fl ank Justin Tipu- visit of Georgia to a wet Parc y ric, who has previously had Scarlets, and was able to hand concussion issues and had debuts to fl anker James Both- to leave the fi eld after being am, grandson of former Eng- caught by a swinging Georgian land cricketer Ian, scrumhalf arm. Kieran Hardy, centre Johnny “England is obviously a Williams and teenage fl yhalf totally diff erent proposition Ioan Lloyd. and we’ll put a side out that “In the areas we expected we think can get a job done,” Georgia to come at us we went the New Zealand-born coach very well, the set-piece, the added. scrum and the driven line- Number eight Taulupe Fa- out,” Pivac told reporters. letau is set to return from in- “It wasn’t the best con- jury, but doubts remain over ditions to move the ball in loose forward , who though we tried at times. will be assessed during the We’ve seen some players for week.

REACTION Defl ated Wallabies mauled by coach, players and media

Reuters “(But) we can’t be going day Sydney in day out, week in week out saying ‘look guys we have spo- ken about this’. ustralia scrumhalf “We need to start owning it.” Nic White has indi- White said the team ex- cated that enough is pected a “tough two weeks” enough as far as his of training under Rennie’s team’sA performances are con- coaches ahead of their fi nal cerned and they need to stop clash of the season, against the talking about learning how to Pumas in Sydney on Decem- win Test matches and actually ber 5 where they could still be France’s centre Virimi Vakatawa runs to score the opening try during the Pool B Autumn Nations Cup international match against Scotland at in Edinburgh. (AFP) do it. in with a chance to clinch the The Wallabies escaped with Tri-Nations. Reuters injured and Adam on the bustling Hamish Watson ency and naivete, exemplifi ed after Scotland ended their Grand a 15-15 draw in their Tri-Na- The side, however, were Edinburgh Hastings, kicked fl awlessly to for momentum and knocking by the Mohamed Haouas red Slam dreams earlier this year at tions clash against Argentina also reminded on Sunday they ensure the sides went in 12-12 at on time and again when they did card that ruined their last match the same ground. in Newcastle on Saturday de- could have already had one the break despite France show- threaten to break. against Scotland, this French The Scots meanwhile were spite dominating territory and hand on the trophy and could rance centre Virimi ing more attacking verve and Their coach Gregor Townsend team are growing more street- left to rue the end of a fi ve-game possession and holding a nine- have given the under-pressure Vakatawa muscled over edging the forward contest. said his players were downcast wise. winning streak and ponder how point lead with less than 20 sport some confi dence head- the line to break open an Thomas Ramos was equally after a physical, back-and-forth Jalibert’s drop goal to nudge they can bring more options in minutes to go. ing into 2021. absorbing clash which accurate from the spot for the encounter in which they mostly them temporarily ahead in the attack after failing to threaten Coach Dave Rennie was “Win that match and Dave sawF his side beat Scotland 22-15 visitors with four penalties, played catch-up. fi rst half after an exchange of the French line. scathing afterwards, blaming Rennie would have fi nished at Murrayfi eld yesterday and top while fl y-half Matthieu Jalibert “It was a bit of an arm-wres- penalties showed this more They will have to wait to show his side’s lack of clinical abil- his fi rst season as coach with a Group B of the Nations Cup. added a smartly taken drop goal tle, we never got ahead on the mature approach and had their any improvement, however, af- ity to fi nish off the Pumas, who major piece of silverware,” the The hosts struggled all game for the French side. scoreboard, a lot of times we coach nodding in appreciation. ter their game against Fiji was seemed content to allow the Sydney Morning Herald’s Sam to contain the Fiji-born French- It was an engaging contest came back,” he said. The victory marks further im- cancelled following an outbreak Wallabies to play all the rugby Phillips wrote. man, who scored the game’s that slowly but decisively swung An outrageous early back-of- pressive progress for a team that of Covid-19 in their opponents’ and feed off mistakes. “The Tri Nations trophy only try just after halftime France’s way in the last quarter the-hand offl oad from the lively is becoming one of the world’s camp. “That game was there for us sitting pretty in Rugby Aus- as he tracked a sniping break as their more powerful forward Rattez did not come off but was best, blending the thrilling at- France lead the group with to close out,” a dejected White tralia’s Moore Park head- from and burst replacements wrested control. characteristic of the confi dence tacking talent of young half- nine points ahead of Scotland told reporters. “We’re pretty quarters and 2021 would have through Scotland’s fl ailing de- While Scotland mounted a coursing through the young backs like with on six and Italy with fi ve and can disappointed that we didn’t. started with levels of opti- fenders. snarling defence throughout, French side these days. an increasingly dominant pack. guarantee a spot in the fi nal if “Moments like these we mism not seen in Australian The home side’s Duncan Weir, they off ered little bite in attack, Often stereotyped for mixing It also marks a moment of re- they beat the Italians at the Sta- need to learn (from). We can’t rugby circles for many years, if once again deputising for the over-reliant as is often the case fl air with maddening inconsist- venge for Fabien Galthie’s side, de de France next Saturday. make these mistakes again. not decades.”

FOCUS England’s ever-improving May shows his class

Reuters Ben Cohen and Will Greenwood though ing to end up in Row K. Now he’s a se- London still well adrift of the 49 scored by Rory rious fi nisher,” Jones said. May played Underwood. Asked to evaluate the wing- down his contribution on a day when er’s contribution, coach Eddie Jones was England’s all-round defensive eff ort was et-heeled winger Jonny May eff usive. outstanding. moved joint second on the all- “He’s right up there - if you consider I love scoring tries, but they come or time England tryscorers’ list on he’s 30 and he’s still improving every as- go and every week I have to make sure I Saturday, bagging two, including pect of his game,” the Australian said. defend well, my basics have to be bril- oneJ sensational 90-metre eff ort, as Eng- “He’s such a dedicated trainer and liant and that is what I need to work at,” land beat Ireland 18-7 in the Nations Cup is obsessed about getting better. He’s a he said. at Twickenham. great role model for all the players in all “The fi rst one was with a penalty ad- May had gone fi ve games since his teams.” vantage and you have a shot to nothing. I last score against France in February but May was certainly far from the fi n- had exactly the same against Georgia and he ended that dry spell after 17 minutes ished article when he arrived on the in- I didn’t get it and was annoyed with my- when he jumped high in the corner to ternational scene in 2013. He went seven self. I practised this week and ended up catch an Owen Farrell kick and put Eng- games before bagging his fi rst try against getting it this time. “The other one was land ahead. New Zealand in 2014 and was more noted just a turnover and everything happened He soon got his second, a try that dis- for his sideways movement than the in- really quickly - just instinct - I don’t played not only his scorching pace but cisive lines he now fi nds. have enough time to think about it when also his game intelligence. Ireland over- Determined to crack the highest level it is like that off quick turnover ball. threw a lineout inside the England 22 and of the sport, he set up personalised sprint “There are just so many feelings and the backs moved the ball across to May training and worked on his aerial game to emotions when you score a try for your 10 metres in front of the home tryline. the point where he is now England’s best country but you have to quickly get back He zipped past Chris Farrell, kicked player under the high ball. to the job and see the game out.” ahead and turned on the after-burners He scored a brilliant hat-trick in the As for his chances of overhauling Un- to reach the ball fi rst, maintaining his 2019 Six Nations win over France and derwood, he added: “You don’t start composure to kick it further over the line marked a career high with two tries in rugby to achieve those sort of things, where he leapt on it before jumping into the World Cup quarter-fi nal victory over those are the things that you refl ect on the arms of the celebrating England re- Australia later that year. when you are done playing. So it’s just placements. “I remember watching him in the 2015 head down and keep working hard and England’s wing Jonny May (left) kicks ahead to score the second try during the Autumn Nations Cup match against That took May to 31 tries, alongside World Cup and at one stage he was go- see where I can take my game.” Ireland at Twickenham in London. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, November 23, 2020 7 GOLF

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Kim uses late birdie run to open up Hansen bags maiden fi ve-shot LPGA lead AFP Leading scores Miami (Par-70, USA unless noted) im Sei-young used 196-Kim Sei-young (KOR) European Tour win a late birdie run to 67-65-64 shoot a sizzling 64 201-Ally McDonald 67-66-68 and open up a fi ve- 202-Stephanie Meadow (NIR) strokeK lead over Ally McDon- 69-65-68 ald at the LPGA Tour’s Pelican 203-Lydia Ko (NZL) 70-67-66 Women’s Championship on 204-Austin Ernst 71-68-65, Saturday. Brooke Henderson (CAN) South Korea’s Kim caught 68-70-66, Minjee Lee (AUS) at Joburg Open fi re on the back nine, making 68-69-67 birdie on four straight holes 205-Elizabeth Szokol 69- from the 14th through the 66-70 ‘It’s quite emotional. This is what we work for, you know? The family watching back home’ 17th to reach 14-under 196 at 207-Hur Mi-jung (KOR) 70- the Pelican Golf Club in Flor- 69-68 ida. 208-Mel Reid (ENG) 73-70-65, AFP American McDonald had a Angela Stanford 70-68-70, Johannesburg roller-coaster round of 68 that Jennifer Song 68-70-70, Ash- included a hole-in-one on the leigh Buhai (RSA) 66-72-70, par three 12th and a double Lindsey Weaver 69-68-71. ane Joachim B. Hansen recov- bogey on No. 8 to get to nine- ered from trailing South African under for the tournament. Wilco Nienaber by three strokes “She made a hole-in- her own on the back nine, but with nine holes remaining to win one. I got a little bit pres- then dropped a shot with a theD Joburg Open yesterday and end a 10- sure, but I just tried to focus bogey on 16. year wait for his maiden European Tour on my game,” said Kim, who She took advantage of a fa- title. responded with her birdie vorable wind to get the ace on Rock-solid Hansen did not drop a shot binge. 12. in the fi nal round and parred the fi nal two Second ranked Kim and Mc- “It was playing like 115 holes at Randpark golf Club in suburban Donald are both breakthrough front, 127 hole, and there was Johannesburg while Nienaber bogeyed winners in their last starts. a little bit of downwind,” Mc- both, giving the Dane a two-shot victory. Kim is making her fi rst start Donald said. Hansen fi red a four-under-par fi nal since winning the Women’s “So, I thought a 115 shot, round of 67 for a 265 total while Nienaber, PGA Championship a month just playing the front edge, who won rave reviews since Thursday for and half ago for her fi rst major would be enough to pitch it his remarkable long drives, fi nished with a crown. a few yards on and let it re- 70 and a 267 total. McDonald captured her fi rst lease. South African Shaun Norris carded a 66 tour title late last month at “Honestly, this is kind of for 268 and third place in the fi rst of three the Drive On Championship how my strategy works, was tournaments on the South African swing in Georgia in the Tour’s most everything told me to look a of the European Tour. recent tournament. couple paces right of it, so I Hansen battled to hold back the tears Kim came into the third did. That’s kind of my strat- after his triumph, saying it was “a struggle round with a one-shot lead egy, because I wasn’t looking keeping up with the long-hitting Wilco”, over McDonald then used at the hole, but then it went the birdie run to leave the in.” Leading scores aft er fi nal American behind in the fi rst Northern Ireland’s Steph- year tournament which was anie Meadow was third at (RSA unless noted) originally scheduled for May. eight-under after a 68. Kiwi 265-Joachim B. Hansen (DEN) 66-68-64- “I just trying to keep push- Lydia Ko (66) was seven under. 67 ing myself until the last hole,” Canadian Brooke Henderson 267-Wilco Nienaber 63-67-67-70 Kim said. “That is way to (66), Aussie Minjee Lee (67) 268-Shaun Norris 63-70-69-66 make more birdies.” and American Austin Ernst 271-Aaron Cockerill (CAN) 64-68-71-68, McDonald started a run of (65) were six-under. Brandon Stone 70-68-64-69, Steve Surry (ENG) 67-71-66-67 272-Jacques Blaauw 66-63-73-70, Richard Bland (ENG) 67-67-68-70, Bryce Easton 69-69-67-67, Lars van Meijel (NED) 70-69- 67-66 who struck a 439-yard (401.5-metre) tee shot during the opening round. “I am very emotional after winning my fi rst European Tour competition, but this is why we play every week all over the world and endure good times and bad. “Putting played a key part in my vic- tory. I holed just about every one inside Denmark’s Joachim Hansen with trophy after winning the Joburg Open at the Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg yesterday. six feet this week, and a few further from the pin. The fi rst to congratulate the Dane was holes from the fourth while Hansen could a loose tee shot by Nienaber at the par- “It was also important that I did not try his caddie Andrew Drummond, who ar- manage only one, giving the 20-year-old three 17th landed millimetres from water to emulate the incredible length of Wilco rived in Johannesburg after a 20-day South African a three-shot advantage by and he needed a chip and two putts to fall off the tee, but stick to my own game plan coronavirus quarantine in Italy. the turn. Hansen overcame some stray one shot behind. instead.” Then, there was a surprise for Hansen tee shots to birdie 10, 12 and 14 and draw The South African bunkered his drive at Success for Hansen came after a topsy- as he stepped off the 18th green to by level with four holes remaining in a tour- 18, was short with his second, failed to get turvy October for him in which he missed greeted by his wife Elizabeth and young nament last staged in 2017 and won by his chip close to the pin and two-putted the cut at the Scottish Open, then im- son and daughter in a video link-up. Indian Shubhankar Sharma, who failed to while Hansen parred to emulate fellow Kim Sei-young of Korea lines up a putt on the 13th hole during proved dramatically to share seventh at One stroke ahead entering the fi nal make the cut this week. Dane Anders Hansen, the 2009 Joburg round three of the Pelican Women’s Championship at Pelican the BMW Championship a week later. round, Nienaber birdied three straight Both contenders parred 15 and 16 before Open winner. Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)

RSM CLASSIC Streb stretches lead as Zach Johnson lurks AFP Leading third-round scores Washington (USA unless noted) 195-Robert Streb 65-63-67 obert Streb stayed steady at Sea Is- 198-Zach Johnson 66-67-65, Bronson Burgoon land on Saturday, stretching his lead 68-63-67 in the US PGA Tour RSM Classic to 199-Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 66-68-65 three strokes over two-time major 200-Kevin Kisner 68-66-66, Kyle Stanley 67-65- Rwinner Zach Johnson and Bronson Burgoon. 68, Camilo Villegas (COL) 64-66-70 Streb had three birdies without a bogey in 201-Andrew Landry 68-68-65, Matthew Ne- a 67 on the par-70 Seaside Course, where he Smith 72-63-66, Patton Kizzire 65-66-70 won his only prior tour title back in 2014. 202-Cameron Tringale 67-68-67, Keegan Brad- “It wasn’t the greatest start,” said the ley 67-68-67, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 66-68-68 33-year-old, who started the day with a two- 203-John Huh 69-68-66, Rory Sabbatini (SVK) shot lead but saw Colombia’s Camilo Ville- 65-72-66, Matt Kuchar 70-66-67, Corey Conners gas briefly pull level before Streb notched his (CAN) 67-70-66, Jason Day 69-67-67 first birdie of the day at the eighth – where he stuck his approach shot within three feet of the pin. round with a birdie at the last. Birdies at the 10th and 15th saw Streb fin- “For the most part the whole week has ish 54 holes on 17-under 195. been pretty solid with the flat stick,” Johnson Sea Island resident Johnson, chasing a 13th said. “That was a gift on 18, but when you see tour title but a first since he won the British putts go in, it just gives you a bit more free- Open in 2015, had six birdies and a bogey in dom to be aggressive.” his 65 for 198, where he was joined by fellow He was also pleased with the rest of his American Burgoon – who had six birdies and game. “I’m in control of my golf ball,” he three bogeys in his 67. said. “Off the tee was really good with the ex- Streb, who rallied on the final day to win ception of maybe one tee shot, and I’m giving here before, said that with the lead he’ll just myself opportunities, a lot of looks.” be “trying to keep doing what I’m doing.” Although it’s been awhile since he made “I don’t think the wind’s supposed to blow his way to the winner’s circle, Johnson was quite as hard tomorrow, so probably got to looking forward to the chance to end his make a few birdies,” he added. “(I’m) guess- drought on Sunday. “I feel like I know what ing a few guys will go low.” I’m doing,” he said. “I’ve been in this posi- Johnson built momentum heading into tion before. I’ve excelled in this position. Sunday with three birdies in his last five Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo was alone in holes. fourth after a 65 highlighted by his eagle at The 2007 Masters winner rolled in some the par-five 15th, where he reached the green formidable putts, starting with a 45-footer in two and rolled in his 25-foot putt. Villegas, for birdie at the first. He drained a 20-footer meanwhile, headed a group on 12-under after Robert Streb of the United States plays his second shot on the 15th hole during the third round of The RSM Classic at the Seaside Course at Sea Island at 14, and sank a 32-foot bomb to cap his an even-par 70. Golf Club in St Simons Island, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)

Monday, November 23, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

MOTORCYCLING Oliveira claims ‘extra special’ victory in MotoGP fi nale ‘It’s unreal. You dream about these kinds of races and to finally be able to do it is incredible’

AFP Results and standings Portimao, Portugal MotoGP iguel Oliveira said it 1. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM-Tech3) 41min 48.163sec, 2. Jack Miller was “extra special” (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) at 3.193sec, 3. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha/ to win his home Mo- SRT) 3.298, 4. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 12.626, 5. Takaaki Nakagami toGP race in Portugal (JPN/Honda-LCR) 13.318, 6. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 15.578, Myesterday for a dream fi nish to 7. Stefan Bradl (GER/Honda) 15.738, 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) the season. 16.034, 9. Alex Marquez (ESP/Honda) 18.325, 10. Johann Zarco (FRA/ Jack Miller’s second place in Ducati) 18.596 the Algarve ensured that Ducati Standings after 14 of 14 races sealed the constructors’ title. 1. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 171 points - champion, 2. Franco Morbidelli Oliveira followed up his maid- (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 158, 3. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 139, 4. Andrea en victory in Styria in August by Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 135, 5. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 135, 6. Mav- taking the title under bright blue erick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 132, 7. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) skies at Portimao in what was his 132, 8. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamha-SRT) 127, 9. Miguel Oliveira fi rst race in the premier class in (POR/KTM-Tech3) 125, 10. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Honda-LCR) 116. his home country. “It’s unreal,” said Oliveira af- terwards. while ensured Ducati claimed satellite team in 2021. The vet- “You dream about these kinds the constructors’ title for the fi rst eran Italian described his two of races and to fi nally be able to do time since 2007 at the expense spells with Yamaha as “divided it is incredible. I have no words to of Suzuki, whose hopes were into two parts - almost like a describe it, just my thanks to all dashed after a disappointing good movie”. the people and the crowd watch- weekend for Mir. The 41-year-old won four of ing at home that couldn’t be here Mir started the race in 20th his seven elite class titles with today. To them I say thank you and had to retire due to electronic Yamaha after three with Honda. and to my team as well. problems but the Spaniard will However, his two-year spell “It’s a great day and a huge ac- not worry too much, having al- with Ducati in 2011 and 2012 was complishment for me. It’s extra ready become the fi rst Suzuki ill-starred. special because my family didn’t rider to be crowned champion “After two bad years with an- get to see my fi rst win live but since 2000. other factory, when I was already they are here today so it’s an in- Rins took third place over- getting old by MotoGP standards, credible day for me, very emo- all and Vinales fourth, meaning I was desperate,” said Rossi. tional. I’m just glad to fi nish the Spain boasted three of the cham- “I will never forget the mo- season on such a high.” pionship’s top four. Frenchman ment when Yamaha told me I The KTM Tech 3 rider’s tri- Quartararo, who won the fi rst would have a chance to come umph means there was no two races of the season, ended up back here. record-breaking 10th race win- eighth. “I’ll always be thankful for that ner, with Fabio Quartararo, Brad Portimao was hosting the moment, because maybe I could Binder, Andrea Dovizioso, Franco country’s fi rst race in the cham- also have stopped riding at that Morbidelli, Maverick Vinales, pionship since 2012, with Olivei- time if I wasn’t able to come back Danilo Petrucci, Alex Rins and ra already posting a record time here.” already-crowned champion Joan in qualifying on Saturday. Britain’s Cal Crutchlow was Mir making it nine victors at the He started in pole position and also bidding farewell to his full- end of a highly unpredictable led all the way through to com- time MotoGP career. He enjoyed World Championship. plete a fairytale victory, the only a bright start but faded, dropping Morbidelli came out on top of shame being that there were no back to 13th. a six-way battle for the runners- fans in the Algarve to see it. Australian Remy Gardner se- up spot, despite being pipped to Oliveira still celebrated by car- cured his fi rst Moto2 victory second place on the last lap by rying a Portuguese fl ag around in Portimao with Italian Enea Australian Miller. his lap of honour. Bastianini crowned 2020 world Italian Morbidelli fi nishes in Former champion Valentino champion. the overall standings 13 points Rossi, meanwhile, continued a Spaniard Raul Fernandez won behind Mir, who had confi rmed disappointing end to the season the Moto3 race with compatriot his fi rst world title in Valencia for Yamaha by fi nishing 12th, in Albert Arenas taking the title af- last weekend. what was Rossi’s fi nal appear- ter he fi nished 12th in a thrilling Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Miguel Oliveira celebrates winning the Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal, Miller’s strong fi nish mean- ance before he switches to the fi nale to the season. yesterday. (Reuters) SWIMMING Koolhof and Mektic end debut season Dressel and Peaty smash own with ATP Finals doubles crown Wesley Koolhof and Nikola returns. The pair, who joined the final into a match tie-break. Mektic beat Jurgen Melzer and forces in January, continued In the decider, Mektic took the Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-2, that trend in the opening game initiative. He connected on 3-6, 10-5 to claim the ATP Finals of Sunday’s final as Mektic multiple returns and played world records at ISL fi nals doubles trophy at the end of ripped a forehand return with composure at the net to their first season together in winner down the line to break reach 9-5. Reuters London yesterday. serve. On the pair’s first champion- London, United Kingdom It was a case of third time lucky Koolhof and Mektic fired low ship point, Melzer struck a for the Dutch-Croatian fifth returns at 3-1 to earn a double- double fault to end the match. seeds, who lost their first two break advantage and clinched Croatia’s Mektic said the title orld and Olympic finals, in Marseille and at the US the set with a love service hold. was a “dream come true”. champions Caeleb Open, earlier in the year. One Austrian-French seventh seeds “It’s our first title together, not Dressel and Adam of the key features of Koolhof Melzer and Roger-Vasselin bad for a first one,” he said. “It’s Peaty smashed their and Mektic’s campaign at the earned the only break of the been a great tournament for Wown short course world records O2 Arena was the consistent second set in the fourth game, us and amazing way to finish on the fi nal day of the Interna- success they had with their which proved enough to take the year.” tional Swimming League (ISL) season in Budapest yesterday. American Dressel, who last Monday became the fi rst man to swim the 100m Individual Medley in under 50 seconds, sliced a further six tenths off his record of 49.88 with a new best of 49.28. The 24-year-old, racing for the winning Cali Condors team, has now gone nearly a second faster than anyone else in his- tory with the previous best be- fore him being Russian Vladimir Morozov who set a then-record 50.26 in 2018. London Roar’s Peaty touched the wall with a time of 55.41 in the 100m breast- stroke, beating the record 55.49 the 25-year-old Briton set in the same pool a week ago. Energy Standard’s Belarusian Ilya Shymanovich fi nished sec- ond, his time equalling Peaty’s previous record. “It feels like every race is a world championship or an Ol- Saturday in the 100m butterfl y LA Current and London Roar the chance to team up and race ympic fi nal, it’s incredible,” said and 50m freestyle. reaching the fi nals. The Con- again. Athletes remained in pro- London Roar general manager Dutch swimmer Kira Tous- dors also had Olympic women’s tective ‘bubbles’ with regular Rob Woodhouse. “Seeing all saint, Peaty’s London Roar team 100m breaststroke champion tests for the new coronavirus. these world records is just amaz- mate, set a women’s 50m back- Lilly King set a US record in the There were no positive results ing.” stroke world record of 25.60 on distance with a time of 1:02.50. registered at the event. Dressel, a double Olympic Nov 14. With the Tokyo Olympics “It’s been such a fun time, this gold medallist in 2016 and win- Teams, with many of the postponed until 2021, and other whole bubble,” said Dressel. ner of seven world champion- world’s top swimmers, have been competitions cancelled around “This is the most fun I’ve ever ship golds in Budapest in 2017 racing behind closed doors in the world due to the Covid-19 had swimming in my life. To Netherlands’ Wesley Koolhof (left) and Croatia’s Nikola Mektic pose with the trophy after winning and a further six in Gwangju in Budapest since October 16 with pandemic, the ISL gave more have that for six weeks is truly the ATP World Tour Finals doubles title at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) 2019, set two world records on Energy Standard, Cali Condors, than 300 swimmers a focus and special.”