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Friday, September 28, 2018 GOLF Moharram 18, 1440 AH Woods partners GULF TIMES Reed on return, Bjorn trusts rookies SPORT Page 3 IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DOHA 2019

(Back row, from left) Qatar University professor Dr Saud Abdulghani, American four-time Olympian Aretha Thurmond, Team Qatar athlete Mariam Farid, Doha 2019 vice-president and director general and IAAF vice-president Dahlan al-Hamad and Qatar’s star 400m hurdler Abderrahman Samba pose with kids at a ceremony to mark the one-year countdown to the 2019 IAAF World Championships at Khalifa International Stadium yesterday. Qatar plays it cool, ready to host world’s best next year With Khalifa Great opportunity to break Kids enjoy the cool air from Khalifa International stereotypes, says Qatar’s Farid stadium’s Stadium’s cooling system during the ceremony to mark the one-year countdown for the IAAF By Sports Reporter “First of all I am really proud that cooling system World Championships Doha 2019 yesterday. Doha it is happening here in Qatar,” Farid said at a press conference in action, marking the one-year count- ariam Farid was just down to the event yesterday. Qatar declares 16 when she made a “It’s a great opportunity to Mpassionate speech show everyone that the women readiness for in French, her third language, in Qatar, Arab women, can during the final presentation as compete at a very high level in 2019 Worlds part of the bid to host the 2019 sport,” she said at the state- World Athletics Championships. of-the-art Khalifa International Every woman who Farid had spoken about the Stadium, which also put on By Anil John participates in the fi rst Sports Editor impact that she felt hosting the display its cooling systems that IAAF World Athletics world’s third largest sport- had controlled the temperature ‘ Championship hosted ing event would have on the in the venue to a comfortable hen someone turns in the Middle East can perception and development of 24-26 degrees Celsius. the heat on you, inspire change and women’s sport across the Mid- “We train a lot to make simply play it cool. encourage more girls to dle East. That was in 2014. everyone proud, to make our With exactly 365 participate in sport or In November that year in Mona- country proud. I was part of Wdays to go for the IAAF World consider a career co, Doha won the right to host the bid team four years ago, Athletics Championships in trackside in branding, the World Championships, and and I am proud to be here now Doha, Qatar poured cold water, “Our stance marketing or more a year from now, track and field with a year to go,” the multiple nay blew cold air, on those in- is clear when it comes to sports — Sheikha Asma al-Thani, stars from across the world will national record-holder said. sanely obsessed with the coun- “Today is a very important day and politics. We have always said Director of Marketing and descend on the Qatari capital. “This is a great opportunity try’s hot climate by showcasing cavernous stadium, the dif- in our readiness preparations. that the IAAF World Champion- Communications for Doha 2019 It would be the first time that to break stereotypes about its state-of-the-art cooling sys- ference was strikingly obvious. Ready to be gracious hosts. Ready ships are for the entire Mena re- the world championships are Arab women in sports, women tem installed at the Khalifa Inter- With hundreds of large vents in- to connect the world of athletics. gion,” he said. hosted in the Middle East, and wearing hijab in sports. We can national Stadium yesterday. stalled in all tiers of the stadium Ready to inspire a new generation He added that Qatar’s ambi- did not attend the press confer- the Qatari sprinter is proud to compete in sport at the highest Western media reports about blasting out cool air, the tem- and ready to welcome athletes tions are based on its capabilities ence but sent his good wishes. have been part of that eff ort. level possible.” sporting events in Qatar are rare- perature was a very pleasant 24- and fans from all corners of the and its vision, which is not pos- “Qatar has been hosting offi - ly complete without a mention of 26 degrees. It was as if you were world,” he said. sible without “bold thinking”. cial IAAF events for over 21 years the high temperatures of the re- miraculously transported to dif- “Qatar is a young and ambi- “To have such an ambition re- and in the organising committee fi rst time, and is the creation of a to participate in sport at any level gion with many brazenly suspi- ferent clime altogether. tious nation. We hope that seeing quires innovative, creative and we have a trusted partner who is local, all-female branding team. or consider a career trackside in cious of the tremendous progress The organising committee had is believing and as you can see to- bold thinking. That is why this committed to delivering a World It aims to capture the attention branding, marketing or more. the country has made over the spent the last four days playing day we are ready to deliver upon stadium has cooling technology Athletics Championship which of young people so that they are Real change will only be possible years. Qatar hosting the IAAF host to an IAAF delegation be- our promises, from our stadium and why we want our young ath- makes a real diff erence to the motivated to choose athletics. by ensuring as many young girls World Championships? How is sides team leaders and coaches to our airport, our infrastruc- letes and our local community to world of athletics,” he said. Commenting on the opportu- are in the stadium as boys to wit- that even possible? It’s an Arab from 30 nations who were in ture to accommodation and our experience it live for themselves. “The fact that this is our fi rst nity for women, Sheikha Asma ness the performances of world country. It’s too hot. There are no Qatar to get a feel of the prepara- world-famous hospitality. Eve- That’s why we will introduce a championship in the Middle East al-Thani, Director of Marketing champion athletes through their entertainment options for fans. tions and the facilities available rything is in place including a midnight marathon. All these is hugely exciting. It means we and Communications for IAAF own eyes. And as an organising Blah, blah, blah… for the athletes. growing excitement and energy developments take imagination can and should do things diff er- World Athletics Champion- committee we will be doing all we Hopefully, these prejudiced “Seeing is believing,” Dahlan amongst the local community. but stem from a single goal of en- ently and provide an opportunity ships Doha 2019, said: “Looking can to make that happen.” rants will be silenced once and al-Hamad, Vice President and “In hosting the fi rst ever IAAF hancing athletics worldwide.” to reconsider what is possible in around, it is easy to see that a lot Organisers also unveiled a for all after the media were given Director General of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Dahlan said that next year’s terms of new formats to appeal has been built. But at the same ticketing programme off ering a fi rst-hand experience of the ef- World Athletics Championships in the Middle East, we have a Asian Athletics Championships to spectators in the stadium or time a lot of barriers and per- fans a wide array of options, in- fi cacy of the cooling system and a Local Organising Committee and shared vision and commitment in April will be a test event for the viewers around the world. ceptions of Arab women in sport cluding majlis-style seatings, feel of other preparations at the Vice President of the IAAF, told in partnering with the IAAF, to World Championships in Sep- “We are encouraged by what need changing. Defi nite progress fi nish line seats and discount- Khalifa International Stadium journalists at a press conference grow participation of this won- tember-October. we have seen over this last week has been made with new role ed tickets for group bookings. where next year’s athletics gala to mark 365 days to the event. derful sport across Qatar, the re- “The stadium is now fully and look forward to working with models emerging all the time, but Tickets will be available for pur- will be held from September 27 to He was not just talking about gion and the world.” functional. It will be used for the athletes, member federations these invisible barriers still exist. chase from November, starting October 6. the cooling system, but of the Dahlan also emphasised Qatar’s 2019 Asian Athletic Champion- and partners to deliver an out- “Every woman who partici- at QR60. A seat near the fi nish Yesterday’s event started at overall preparations as well, say- consistent stance that it doesn’t ships in April which will be the standing World Athletics Cham- pates in the fi rst IAAF World line will cost QR300. Fans can 3pm when it was around a humid ing all systems were already in believe in mixing politics with offi cial test event for the IAAF pionships one year from now.” Athletics Championship hosted register for tickets on https:// 37 degrees Celsius in Doha, but place to host track and fi eld’s sports when asked whether the World Championships.” The logo for the champion- in the Middle East can inspire iaafworldathleticschamps.com/ as soon as you walked into the premier event. Gulf crisis would impact the event. IAAF President Sebastian Coe ships was also revealed for the change and encourage more girls doha2019/tickets Gulf Times 2 Friday, September 28, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT EAGER USA Teams’ chief Samba can’t wait impressed with to compete at Doha Doha facilities worlds ‘FOR US IN THE US, HEAT IS NOTHING NEW, IT IS NOT FOR US TO BE AFRAID OF’ By Anil John moment for all Team Qatar ath- Doha letes.” Samba recently clocked the second-fastest time ever (46.98 atar’s champion hur- seconds) in the Paris Diamond dler Abderrahman League meet. In the process, he Samba says he can broke the legendary Edwin Mo- hardly wait to compete ses’ meet record of 47.66 and got inQ front of his home fans at next agonisingly close to shattering year’s IAAF World Champion- the world mark of 46.78 set by ships in Doha. Kevin Young’s at the 1992 Olym- Samba, who dominated the pic Games in Barcelona. 400m hurdles during the Dia- “Obviously the time of 46.98 mond League season this year seconds I achieved in Paris was and also won two gold medals the high-point of my season,” for Qatar at the Asian Games in said Samba. Jakarta, was speaking at a press Although he was a bit disap- conference to mark the one-year pointed this was not an Olympic countdown to the event at the or World Championships year, Khalifa International Stadium. Samba hoped he can make up for “My heart is already racing, it next year in Doha. and the adrenaline is pumping “I certainly hope the next sea- just by standing on the track. To son will be even better,” he said. compete in a stadium of this sig- “My coach and I think we can go nifi cance in front of my family even faster. We are getting bet- and nation will be amongst the ter.” greatest moments of my career,” Samba added that Qatar is in Samba said. for an exciting next few years The 23-year-old added he with he and high-jumper Mutaz was keen to show the world Qa- Barshim chasing world records. tar’s traditional hospitality and “It’s great that we are in that warmth when athletes gather in position. Mutaz and I certainly Doha next September. hope to beat the world record in “I’m also excited to show my our fi elds one day. Hopefully, it fellow athletes from all corners will be next year in Doha.” of the world what we can off er in He said he and his coach- not only world-class hospitality ing team have not fi nalised his and facilities, but also the tal- schedule for next year. ent we have coming through the “Nothing is decided. We are ranks. In turn the world’s best still working on it.” will help myself and Team Qatar He said he had no special plans athletes inspire the next genera- for the long off season. “Just en- Dahlan al-Hamad, Vice President and Director General of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Local Organising Committee and Vice President of the IAAF, walks with tion to take to the track for the joy my vacastions and sleep a Aretha Thurmond, Managing Director of International & Championship Teams at USA Track & Field (USATF). fi rst time. it will be a defi ning lot,” he said.

By Mikhil Bhat “For us in the US, heat is nothing new, which they know we will. And of course checked on the road course. I think the Doha it is not for us to be afraid of,” said Thur- they have fantastic accommodations Corniche is gorgeous, it is a great pave- mond, whose best fi nish in Qatar was a here. I think the athletes are more con- ment. I know our athletes will be excited second place in the 2004 edition of the cerned about the little things, than the to run on such a nice course, fl at course; retha Thurmond has “snuck” Athletic Super Grand Prix. big things,” the 42-year-old said. it should be a fast course, they always ap- into Doha a couple of times in “Believe it or not, in Athens 2004 we “We have had several athletes over preciate.” the past. got two marathon medals and it was a the years who have come here, and have Even as Thurmond gave her vote of “In my competitive days, I very hot Olympic Games. It was close to loved the meet as well,” she said, refer- confi dence amidst questions about Awas here at the Doha Diamond League a 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees). So ring to Doha Diamond League. “I mean moving the event to a September-Oc- competition,” the former Team USA dis- it is just about the preparation and edu- again the hospitality here, the treatment tober slot as compared to the more tra- cus thrower said at the press conference cation. It is making sure that the athletes our athletes get here, make it a very un- ditional August slot, Dahlan al-Hamad, to mark the one-year countdown for the are ready to perform whatever the condi- forgettable place.” vice-president and director general of Doha 2019 World Athletics Champion- tions are, wherever the championships Asked about her experience at the the LOC, and vice-president of the In- ships yesterday. are going.” Doha meet when she used compete, she ternational Association of the Athletics “Very impressed with how the city has Thurmond said the idea behind her said, “I used to train in Auburn, Ala- Federations (IAAF), too was confi dent. grown.” visit was to collect as much information bama, which is warm, humid. (I am) The “When you are an organiser, you will Just as the Qatari capital has under- as possible to enable athletes and coach- girl from the South. So when I came here, always have others who have a diff erent gone a transformation, so has Thur- es to prepare for the World Champion- it was fi ne.” opinion,” al-Hamad said yesterday. mond’s role in the sport. ships. The 2019 edition of the World Cham- “But you have to be reasonable and From the times when she twice topped The state-of-the-art Khalifa Inter- pionships will have many fi rsts, includ- be open to them when you are answer- the Pan American Games, Thurmond national Stadium was being controlled ing night marathons and a technologi- ing these questions. The reason we had has since moved behind the scenes to be- down to 24-26 degrees Celsius for the cally advanced climate-controlled venue this press conference in the stadium is to come Managing Director of Internation- media to experience and see for them- in Khalifa International Stadium. prove to the people about what is going al & Championship Teams at USA Track selves even as the temperature outside “I think the IAAF and LOC (Local Or- on.” & Field (USATF). was higher. ganising Committee) have put in a lot “The media plays a big role in this, and Thurmond was in Qatar for a Team “Our athletes just want us to come and of plans in place to obviously make sure that’s why we wanted you to feel it. We Leader site visit ahead of next year’s gather as much information as possible that the athletes are safe and make sure are not going to give you textual infor- championship, which will run from Sep- and bring it back to them. Our athletes they can perform under optimal condi- mation, but would rather have you feel tember 27 to October 6 next year at Do- are down to the little details. What’s the tions,” Thurmond said. it. We are ready to answer anything. Our ha’s Khalifa International Stadium, and stadium going to be like? What’s the sur- “To me it’s exciting. For them to take objective is to make this edition a suc- despite all the cacophony around weath- face like? What are the training venues? the marathon and put it in optimal con- cessful and an exceptional one. And to er conditions, scheduling, etc. only has Where are we going to stay? Are you go- ditions and do something you need leave a legacy for Qatar and athletics (at positives to point out. ing to have nice accommodations for us, and do a midnight marathon; we have large).” Abderrahman Samba of Qatar.

BOTTOMLINE Qatar’s Tijan-Cherif in fi nal of Asian Beach Volleyball Championships

Agencies result,” said Cherif, who has been China the title fi ve times in suc- Satun, Thailand partnering Ahmed for one year. cession. With the scintillating win, “We prepared well before the Ahmed and Cherif set up the fi nal game as we knew Thailand are a econd seeds Ahmed Ti- showdown with Iranians Salemi very good team with high experi- jan and Cherif Younousse B.-A.Vakili, who thrashed Kaza- ence. They played very well in at- from Qatar entered the khs Bogatu-Yakovlev in a com- tack, so we tried to focus on our men’s fi nal of the SMM fortable contest 21-13, 21-15 in reception,” Chen said after the AsianS Senior Beach Volleyball the other semi-fi nal clash. match. Championships after a convinc- “They are a very good team, Wang/Xue will next take on ing 21-15, 21-14 win over Kaza- but we will try not to think Wang Xin Xin/Xia Xinyi in the khstan’s Alexey Sidorenko amd about the result. We just want to all-Chinese semi-fi nal aff air. Alexandr Dyachenko here yes- maintain our level and the way Xia Xinyi has already won Asian terday. we played today when we go up Games gold medal for two times The Qataris, who captured the against them in the fi nal. We will in a row including the 2014 edi- gold medal at the Asian Games try our best to beat them,” he tion in Incheon, Korea with part- recently, beat Iranians Rahman added. ner Ma Yuanyuan. Raoufi and Abdolhamed Mirzaali In the women’s competition, Also advancing to the semi- 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) in the quarter- hopes of the host country en- fi nals were second seeds Clancy- fi nals. The superb duo continued tirely shattered when top seeds Artacho Del Solar from Australia their remarkable unbeaten run to Varapatsorn Radarong/Khanit- following a comprehensive 2-0 storm past the Kazakhs without tha Hongpak could not live up (13-21, 13-21) win over Mizoe- much trouble in the afternoon’s to home crowd’s expectation as Hashimoto of Japan. Next up for semi-fi nal match. they crashed out in the quarter- the Aussies are Miki Ishii-Megu- “Today was a very good game fi nals. The Thai pairing fell vic- mi Murakami, silver medallists at for us. It is also a great pleasure tims to Chinese Wang Fan/Chen the Asian Games in Palembang. for us to come here again and play Xue 2-0 (12-21, 27-29). Wang Fan The Japanese pairing defeated in the fi nal. We just tried to hang claimed gold medal at the Pale- Mashkova-Tsimbalova from Ka- in there and keep our level high as mbang Asian Games, but there, zakhstan 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) in the we can. I am very happy with the she partnered Xia Xinyi to hand round of last eight teams. Gulf Times Friday, September 28, 2018 3 GOLF

SPOTLIGHT Johnson back in fi ancee’s photo album, maybe heart too AFP champion Johnson prepares for Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France his fourth Ryder Cup appear- Stenson confi dent of coping ance. “We’ve got a very strong with elbow niggle S Ryder Cup star Dus- team,” Johnson said of a lineup European stalwart Henrik Sten- Rose. He suggested, however, tin Johnson used his with 11 of the world’s 17 top- son is confident his elbow can that he could take on a lighter photography skills to ranked players. withstand the rigours of this load this time. “How much we work his way back into “I feel like it’s going to be fairly weekend’s Ryder Cup despite play and so forth, we’ve got a Ufi ancee Paulina Gretzky’s photo close coming into Sunday and admitting he is not completely very strong and deep team,” collection, and maybe her heart, coming down to the last few recovered from injury. he said. “I think there’s a pos- after she dumped all traces of matches. They’re going to fi ght The 42-year-old Swede, one of sibility of playing potentially a him from her Instagram account. hard just like we are. It’s going to captain Thomas Bjorn’s picks, bit less than previous matches, Now, the 34-year-old Ameri- be a great week for golf.” has played a lighter schedule but we’ll see. It’s still early can, who overtook England’s Johnson has won three US this year to protect his elbow doors, and we’ll see what the Justin Rose to reclaim golf’s PGA events this year and taken and has not posted a top-10 pairings are going to be like.” world number one ranking, will at least one title in each of his finish since the US Open. After being part of the team attempt to work his shotmaking fi rst 11 US tour seasons, a streak “It’s been dragging on a bit, that fell 4-0 behind after the magic for trophy-holders United bettered only by Jack Nicklaus but for the most part I’ve been opening fourballs at Hazeltine, States against Europe as the Ry- and US teammate Tiger Woods. fit enough to play competitive a deficit that proved fatal to der Cup begins today at France’s Woods snapped a fi ve-year golf,” he told reporters. their chances, Stenson said Le Golf National. win drought last weekend to cap “It’s been probably more a today’s opening matches were Asked if he felt he had infl ict- Team USA’s Dustin Johnson. (Reuters) a comeback season from spi- hindrance in the gym and not vital. ed a psychological blow by de- nal fusion surgery and claim his being able to do certain things “Both teams wants to get off to throning his rival from the rank- rity website reports of a breakup. Earlier this month, after Johnson. It was only confi rmed 80th career PGA victory, two shy and having to watch that a bit. a quick start and kind of get a ing summit, Johnson replied: They were hand-in-hand at the Gretzky’s Instagram adjust- Gretzky was in France when she of Sam Snead’s all-time record. “We hope that it’s going to grip on things early,” he said. “Sure. I guess it depends on how Palace of Versailles for a special ment, Johnson tweeted his only was in an Instagram post with That’s just the sort of tar- be completely gone there in “We had a poor opening ses- you look at it. For me? Yeah, I like dinner and Johnson was with statement so far on the situation. the Eiff el Tower in the back- get Johnson was hoping Woods a while, and yeah, we’re just sion in Hazeltine, to say the being one.” most players in taking photos of “Every relationship goes through ground by Jena Sims, girlfriend would become. managing it, and it doesn’t re- least, but then we kind of bat- Model Gretzky, the 29-year- their partners outside the palace. its ups and downs,” he wrote. of US teammate and three-time “I’m glad to see it. I want to ally aff ect my golfing capabili- tled back from there on. old daughter of Canadian ice “I’ve enjoyed the events we’ve “But most importantly, we love major winner Brooks Koepka. beat him at his best and I feel like ties at this point.” “So it doesn’t necessarily hockey legend Wayne Gretzky had,” Johnson said. each other very much and are Johnson and Gretzky were right now, he’s starting to get Stenson has been a key compo- mean that it’s done and over and mother of two children with “Last night was a really nice committed to being a family.” engaged in August 2013 after back to where he’s very good,” nent in Europe’s last two Ryder with just because you have a Johnson, was seen in public event at the Palace to get togeth- Gretzky responded eight days seven months of dating and have Johnson said. Cup teams, playing a maximum good opening session, but it with him at a Ryder Cup func- er with both teams. Had a really later by posting a video clip two sons, 3-year-old Tatum and “To see him get back there af- five matches during the defeat certainly sets the tone, and in tion Wednesday night for the nice dinner. So that was a lot of with her in bed listening to the 1-year-old River. ter quite a while off I think is very at Hazeltine in 2016 and four in any sport, you don’t want to let fi rst time since she erased him fun.” Asked how many photos he song I’d Be Jealous Too by Dus- impressive. 2014 – almost exclusively play- the opposition get a good start from her Instagram account ear- took, Johnson replied: “No com- tin Lynch. It went viral, its jeal- BEAT TIGER AT HIS BEST? “I’m glad he’s on my team this ing alongside England’s Justin and get a grip early on.” lier this month, sparking celeb- ment.” ousy lyrics seen as a message to On the course, 2016 US Open week, too.”

RYDER CUP FOCUS Casey savouring return aft er Woods partners Reed 10-year absence

Reuters Paris

nglishman Paul Casey has been wait- on return, Bjorn trusts ing a decade to return to Europe’s Ryder Cup team and is determined to savour everything during his week at Le Golf ‘I think it’s a very good National.E The 41-year-old featured on winning teams opportunity to kind of in 2004 and 2006 but was on the losing side in Valhalla in 2008. He was surprisingly omitted get a great star’ by captain Colin Montgomerie in 2010 at Celtic Europe’s rookies Manor and missed out again in 2012 and 2014 after struggles with form while two years ago he ruled himself out because he was not part of the European Tour. “It’s very special. I think I’ve got more of an appreciation this time around. I’ve taken notes this week and tried to really pay attention to how special this is,” Casey told reporters on the even of the match against a powerful American team. “Ryder Cups in the past have gone so quickly, I just want to make sure I remember this. You know, at 41, I don’t know how many opportuni- ties I’m going to get to play another European- based Ryder Cup. I don’t want this to be my last. “But plain and simple, at 41, it’s got a chance that it is. So I just want to make sure that I pay attention to it and enjoy it, deliver points and play my heart out.” Casey’s last taste of a home Ryder Cup was at the K Club in Ireland in 2006 when he famously won a foursomes match alongside David Howell with a hole-in-one. He said in the 12 years since the event has grown in scale. “The passion is still as intense. It’s just grand- er. It’s just bigger. It’s just been amped up,” Ca- sey said. While Casey admits an American team fea- turing nine major winners, including a resurgent Tiger Woods, looks better on paper, he thinks home crowd advantage can be crucial as Europe attempt to reclaim the trophy. “The noise will be a good thing. As a team, we’re ready to embrace it and we know that the vast majority of that noise is for us, which is a massive advantage,” he said. Casey is one of three players aged 40 and over in the team, alongside Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter while the likes of Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia are grizzled Ryder Cup veterans. US golfer Tiger Woods waves as he receives a standing ovation from teammates during the opening ceremony of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, south-west Europe also boost fi ve rookies, although Casey of Paris, yesterday. (AFP) played down any suggestion that could be a dis- advantage. “I feel our rookies don’t behave and AFP Spanish heroes in the Ryder Cup, af- look like rookies,” world number 21 Casey said. Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France SCHEDULE ter the feats of Seve Ballesteros, Jose “They are already incredibly accomplished.” Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia in While Casey is thankful to be getting another TODAY 8:40 a.m.: Paul Casey/Tyrrell Hatton TOMORROW the past. Ryder Cup chance and is enjoying the grandeur iger Woods will partner Fourballs (best ball) (Europe) v Jordan Spieth/Justin From 8:10 a.m.: Four fourball “We’re going to fi gure out a way that goes along with the event, he says it will feel Patrick Reed on his Ryder 8:10 a.m. (0610 GMT): Justin Rose/ Thomas (USA) matches to win the match,” Rose told Sky hollow if Europe lose. Cup return for the United Jon Rahm (Europe) v Brooks 8:55 a.m.: Francesco Molinari/Tom- From 1:50 p.m.: Four foursomes Sports. Despite a relatively poor Ry- “I think it’s fairly black and white. It’s why States todayy, facing Eu- Koepka/Tony Finau (USA) my Fleetwood (Europe) v Patrick matches der Cup record, with just two wins we’re here, is to win,” he said. “It’s all about the Trope’s Francesco Molinari and Tom- from 11 matches, Fowler is bull- result at the end of the day. That’s all that mat- 8:25 a.m.: Rory McIlroy/Thorbjorn Reed/Tiger Woods (USA) my Fleetwood in the fourballs. Olesen (Europe) v Dustin Johnson/ From 1:50 p.m.: Four foursomes SUNDAY ish about his chances with Johnson ters.” American Jim Furyk has opted for Rickie Fowler (USA) (alternate shot) matches From 12:05 p.m.: 12 singles matches. against four-time major champion three-time major champion Brooks McIlroy and Olesen. Koepka and Tony Finau to kick off since 2012 in the fourth match to hit couldn’t pick a better player (Mo- their strongest-ever outfi ts, with “I feel like (I’m) getting matched proceedings in the opening match at the Albatros course at 0655 GMT. linari) to play with,” he told Sky Rose and Rahm looking like a poten- up against Rory in a lot of the team 0610 GMT in France - a mouthwa- The 42-year-old will renew his Sports. “It’s a massive match, of tially formidable pairing. matches, I’ve played against him tering encounter against Justin Rose rivalry with Molinari, after the two course everyone is talking about Koepka, who has won three times plenty,” said the 29-year-old, who is and Jon Rahm. faced off in the singles at both the Tiger’s return, but we’ve just got to in his last six appearances at major playing in his fourth Ryder Cup. European skipper Thomas Bjorn 2010 and 2012 events, before the focus on our game.” tournaments, could have to shoul- “I’m confi dent in my partner selected just one of his four wild- Italian won the British Open in July The US are bidding to win the der the responsibility of hitting his going head-to-head with those card picks, Paul Casey, for the fi rst while playing alongside Woods, who trophy on European soil for the fi rst team’s fi rst tee shot in front of an in- guys... It’s going to be a hard-fought session, with the 41-year-old taking had led with eight holes to go. time since 1993, and have been bu- timidating 6,900-capacity grand- match.” on Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas Woods will have ‘Captain Amer- oyed by the form of Woods, who stand. Good friends Spieth and Thomas alongside his fellow Englishman ica’ Reed for company, and the claimed his fi rst title in over fi ve “I think it’s a very good opportu- will be strong favourites against Tyrrell Hatton. Rory McIlroy will Masters champion lived up to his years at the Tour Championship last nity to kind of get a great start,” he Casey and Hatton. “Doesn’t mat- take Danish rookie Thorbjorn Olesen moniker by responding to jeers at weekend. said. “You know, you want to do it ter who you’re playing. We have to under his wing in the second match yesterday’s opening ceremony at Le against their two best players, and play good Golf,” said Thomas.Both of the day against world number one Golf National by cupping his ear. ROSE, RAHM LEAD WAY that’s kind of how we’d love to do it.” captains have named four pairings Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler. But world number 12 Fleetwood FOR EUROPE World number two Rose won the that have been previously untested But 14-time major champion said he won’t be daunted by the duo Although the Americans have as- $10 million FedEx Cup prize last in Ryder Cups, with Bjorn notably Woods will draw much of the atten- on his Ryder Cup debut. sembled a side featuring nine major Sunday, while Rahm will be hop- choosing to blood four of his fi ve Team Europe’s Paul Casey during Ryder Cup tion as he plays his fi rst Ryder Cup “In my fi rst Ryder Cup match, I champions, Europe also have one of ing to continue a proud tradition of rookies at the fi rst opportunity. press conference yesterday. (Reuetrs) Gulf Times 4 Friday, September 28, 2018 SPORT

MOTORSPORT Hamilton says he feels stronger than ever Reuetrs a lot of things, largely invisible current level of performance, that ent tyre this weekend. We’ll be Sochi to anyone outside the team, had was because he had started the faced with diff erent challenges, I made the diff erence compared season still exploring the car’s would assume.” to last season; improved rela- complexities and how to get more Speaking separately to report- ewis Hamilton dismissed tionships and communication, out of it than even the team imag- ers, Vettel felt he could still close talk of having one hand health and time management. ined possible. The Russian Grand the gap. “Last year it was a sur- on his fi fth Formula One “Healthier, happier and Prix was held in April last year, prise to be so competitive here, championship yesterday stronger than ever,” Hamilton with Hamilton fi nishing fourth, this year we expect to be compet- Lbut warned rival Sebastian Vettel said of himself. Mercedes have but the schedule change means itive,” said the German. “I think that he felt stronger than ever and yet to be beaten in four Rus- Mercedes come to Sochi with the we need to not get distracted by in a better position than last year. sian Grands Prix, with Hamilton car and driver much more in tune. the results but focus on the job The Mercedes driver, 40 winning two of them, but Vettel “I really do believe this week- we need to do. points clear of Ferrari’s German started on pole position last year end we will be in a better posi- “I think we have a fair chance. with six races remaining, sound- in a race won by Valtteri Bottas. tion than we were last year,” said We have races in the past that we ed relaxed as he faced reporters Hamilton arrives this time on Hamilton. “Our understanding should have won and didn’t and at the Russian Grand Prix. “I the back of four triumphs in fi ve is far greater of the tyre than it others we won that we shouldn’t don’t think you ever have one races. Another victory on Sunday was last year when we arrived have. So you never know what’s hand on it,” he smiled. “You ei- would be his eighth of the cam- here. “It’s still a challenge to going to happen.” ther have both hands on it or you paign and leave him in a position get right. We will take our un- don’t. There’s still a long way to to take the title without having derstanding of last year with a Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton ahead go and a lot of points available.” to win again. The Briton said if it pinch of salt because the car is of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi The Briton said, however, that had taken time to work up to his diff erent and we’ve got a diff er- yesterday. (Reuters)

CRICKET TENNIS Wang demolishes Sarfraz loses sleep Olympic champ Puig AFP Wuhan, China

ising star Wang Qiang demolished Olympic champion aft er Pakistan’s abject Monica Puig 6-3, 6-1 atR the Wuhan Open in China yesterday, cruising into the semi-fi nals to the delight of the home crowd. The impressive victory was the 14th on the trot on home soil for Wang, who has said she Asia Cup showing wants to follow the footsteps of BARTY ON! China’s two-time Grand Slam Earlier, Australia’s Ashleigh ‘I should’ve performed as a captain but I didn’t and we lost because of that’ winner Li Na. Barty had to dig deep to over- With the fans fi rmly behind come Anastasia Pavlyuchenk- AFP her, Wang made a breathless ova, beating the Russian 6-2, Dubai start to the match, winning 5-7, 6-4 to secure her semi- four games in a row and putting fi nal berth. her Puerto Rican challenger on In-form Barty is currently isappointed Pakistan the back foot. Puig, who came ranked 17th in the world, and a captain Sarfraz Ahmed into the quarters with an up- strong fi nish in Wuhan – where has revealed he lost set win over world number two the winner will get 900 points sleep for six days during Caroline Wozniacki, switched – could help her inch up the hisD team’s fl op at the Asia Cup. gears and tried a more aggres- rankings before the end of the Pakistan lost their must-win sive approach, but was unable season. Barty started strongly game against Bangladesh by 37 to faze the local favourite. against the 39th-ranked Pav- runs in Abu Dhabi on Wednes- Wang was even more domi- lyuchenkova, taking the fi rst day, meaning they failed to qual- nant in the second set and set 6-2, but the Russian did not ify for today’s fi nal in Dubai. wrapped up the match in just appear in a mood to give in too Bangladesh will face defend- over an hour, having already easily and made an aggressive ing champions India in the fi nal. made history by becoming the recovery to take the second. Pakistan lost both their games fi rst Chinese player to reach the But the Aussie, who has against arch rivals India – by quarter-fi nals of the Wuhan been impressive in her run to eight and nine wickets – while Open, a WTA Premier 5 tour- the fi nal four at Wuhan, then narrowly beating Afghanistan nament. regained her grip on the close by three wickets. Sarfraz said Wang’s impressive run at encounter. the pressure of captaincy and Wuhan includes a shock vic- Barty pulled off one of the not scoring runs led to some dis- tory in the second round over upsets of the tournament on turbed nights. “Look, the pres- world number seven Karolina Wednesday when she knocked sures of captaincy are always Pliskova. She will take on Anett out Wimbledon champion and there,” said Sarfraz. “Pakistani Kontaveit – who knocked out world number three Angelique captains, whoever they are, al- Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4 – Kerber in straight sets. ways have pressure. in the fi rst semi-fi nal today. The 22-year-old Barty said “Obviously when you aren’t The 26-year-old Tian- she is looking to sustain that performing and the team is los- jin native won her fi rst WTA momentum to end 2018 on “the ing then there is more pressure. Tour 250 title at the Jiangxi best note possible, whether The truth is that if I say I haven’t Open in July, and clinched the that is results-based or feel- slept for the last six nights no- Guangzhou Open last week. ings-based”. body will believe me, but... this She also grabbed headlines She will face Aryna Sabalen- is part of life and it will go on.” at the French Open with her ka – who downed Dominika Sarfraz, who was appointed straight-sets demolition of Ve- Cibulkova 7-5, 6-3 – in the sec- captain for all three formats last nus Williams. ond semi-fi nal. year, urged the authorities not to take any hasty decisions. “I will say again we don’t need to press SHENZHEN OPEN the panic button. We need to back the players who have been Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (left) talks with Junaid Khan during their Asia Cup match against Bangladesh at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in doing well in the recent past,” Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. (AFP) said Sarfraz, who managed just Murray eyes return 68 runs in four matches. “My performance isn’t good Pakistan drop struggling Amir from Australia Tests so the team lost. The team lost to glory with win because of me. I should’ve per- Pakistan yesterday left out struggling leg-spinner Shadab Khan and 33-year-old 7 while the second is in Abu Dhabi from formed as a captain but I didn’t pace spearhead Mohamed Amir from the off -spinner Bilal Asif, who has yet to play a October 16. Both teams will also play three AFP we play in,” said Murray, win- and we lost because of that.” 17-member squad for the two-match Test Test match but played three one-day inter- Twenty20 internationals, the squads for Shenzhen ner of the fi rst Shenzhen Open series against Australia starting in United nationals in 2015. which will be announced later. in 2014. TIME TO FIX MISTAKES Arab Emirates next month. Shadab has eight wickets in four Tests. Left-arm paceman Riaz returns to the squad “Usually it’s quite humid, Sarfaz, who has been playing all The 26-year-old fast bowler, who returned Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said the after playing the last of his 26 Tests in Oc- here were fl ashes of the and the courts are a little bit three formats since the World from a five-year ban for match-fixing in team was selected keeping in mind the con- tober last year. The squad also has another glory days for Britain’s faster than what we usually Cup 2015, said it was up to the January 2016, had a wicketless Asia Cup in ditions in the UAE, where Pakistan had been fast-rising left-arm paceman Hamza who has former world number play on the tour,” he added. selectors to decide whether he which he was dropped for two matches. forced to play its home matches since 2009. yet to play for Pakistan. Sarfraz Ahmed will one Andy Murray yes- “I feel like I’m able to control should be rested.“This is not my Tterday as he dumped top seed the ball very well here.” Pakistan crashed out of the Asia Cup after “The team has been selected keeping in lead the side against Australia. job, this is the job of the selection losing to Bangladesh, who meet India in the mind the conditions of the UAE. Amir has SQUAD: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar David Goffi n of Belgium out of With the top seed gone, the committee and the PCB. Let them final in Dubai today. been dropped on lack of form and Wahab Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar the ATP Shenzhen Open 6-3, tournament now opens up en- decide. I gave you an answer, it is Pakistan will heavily rely on its ace leg- Riaz and Mir Hamza comes in the side. Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman 6-4 in round-of-16 action. ticingly for Murray as Greek not my job. My job is to play, I will spinner Yasir Shah who played a key role in “We have three spinners Yasir, Shadab and Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal The 31-year-old dug deep second seed Stefanos Tsitsi- play. I will keep playing.” the 2-0 win over Australia in UAE in 2014, Asif who are in the squad keeping in view Asif, Mohamed Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab when it mattered – like the pas was also bundled out in Sarfraz said with next year’s when he took 12 wickets. the UAE wickets,” said Inzamam. Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohamed Murray of old – brushing off 70 the round of 16 by Frenchman World Cup still eight months away, Besides Yasir the squad has 19-year-old The first Test starts in Dubai from October Rizwan. percent of break points faced Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 6-3, there was time to correct mistakes. and fi ring down 15 aces against 7-6 (7-4). Fellow British play- “World Cup is far (away) and we a player ranked 11th in the er Cameron Norrie also sent have to play so many series,” said Australia name two Test vice-captains for fi rst time world. “I felt like in terms of the Croatian third-seed Borna Co- Sarfraz. Before that Pakistan play way I hit the ball, it was the best ric packing 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) at 20 one-day internationals against Australia have for the first time named “Our vision is to create great cricketers vice-captains was in part to avoid naming I’ve played, and I think I knew the same stage. New Zealand, South Africa, Aus- two Test cricket vice-captains - all-rounder and great people, and we are extremely a single person being seen as a likely suc- that I was going to have to hit There were few visible tralia and England. Mitchell Marsh and fast bowler Josh fortunate to have such terrific young men,” cessor to Paine, who took over from Smith the ball very well if I wanted to signs of the hip trouble that “We have to look at the vari- Hazlewood - as they look to move on from Hohns said. following the scandal when sandpaper was win,” Murray said afterwards. has plagued Murray since he ous mistakes we committed. Our a major cheating scandal. The pair were Marsh, aged 26, will act as sole vice-captain used to alter the condition of the ball. Goffi n kept the pressure on climbed to the pinnacle of the middle order comes on the new chosen to back up captain Tim Paine via an behind Paine during the two-Test series “It was not a process designed to find the throughout, breaking Murray game at the end of 2016, only ball and that is why it struggled. unprecedented vote by team members and against Pakistan in Dubai beginning on next Australian Test captain, but to find two twice to claw his way back into to see his career stall – and his We should not lose early wickets a final decision made by a panel that includ- October 7 because Hazlewood, aged 27, is vice-captains who will support and help a thrilling second set before ranking plummet to the 311, so we should work on that. ed coach Justin Langer and selector Trevor sidelined by injury. drive the team’s goals and objectives,” he the British player’s trademark where it now languishes. “It is alarming that we lost Hohns, Cricket Australia said. “We believe It will be Australia’s first Test tour since the said. determination prevailed. Surgery in April was sup- confi dence during the Asia Cup. the new leadership model will best support ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town which Since the South Africa debacle, Cricket Three times the 27-year- posed to arrest the decline but If you talk about the Champions the captain,” Hohns said of the decision to led to one-year suspensions being imposed Australia has launched a number of internal old Goffi n threatened to break Murray’s form has been up and trophy of the last year then we have more than one Test vice-captain for the on captain Steve Smith and his deputy, reviews aimed at creating a more respectful with the score at 5-4, and three down since. He is ending his lost the fi rst match to India bad- first time. David Warner, who was also banned from culture and moving away from the win-at- times Murray found a win to season with this tournament ly, but then we lifted the trophy,” “It is a successful model used across various ever holding another leadership position. all-costs mentality blamed for the explosive fi ght back before sealing the in the southern Chinese me- said Sarfraz of Pakistan’s win in sporting codes around the world. Hohns indicated the decision to name ball-tampering row. set, and the match, with an tropolis, before moving on to England last year. ace. “I love the conditions that the capital Beijing next week. Gulf Times Friday, September 28, 2018 5 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Durant says NBA voters have ‘pure hate’ for him Reuters scares everybody.” 19 season. The NBA and Turner to give fans the chance to buy New York Golden State has won three Broadcasting are making the the game in other quarters or for of the past four NBA champion- fourth quarter of games available specifi ed blocks of time. ships, with Durant winning the at the start of the season, which “We imagine a situation where evin Durant has won last two Finals MVP trophies. begins Oct. 16. The game will a fan has dinner at 8 o’clock and an NBA most valuable Durant, who turns 30 on Satur- be available for purchase once only has 30 minutes and can player award, but he day, also was voted NBA Rookie the third quarter ends for $1.99, choose to buy a half-hour of a said his days of regu- of the Year following the 2007-08 which is the fi rst step in a multi- game,” Silver said. Klar-season awards likely are over. season. The NBA’s regular-season pronged approach to what com- The price of a full game “You know they’re not gonna award winners are chosen by the missioner Adam Silver terms through Turner, NBA.com or give me anything,” Durant said votes of approximately 100 mem- “micro-transactions.” the NBA app is $6.99. Additional Wednesday during an interview bers of the media. The league’s “Instead of waiting to watch packages are available for fans with the San Francisco radio sta- players association began voting highlights after a game, fans will who want to follow a single team tion 95.7 The Game. Durant said for its own awards in 2015. be able to enjoy a portion of a or purchase a monthly pass. his decision to leave Oklahoma “You know, accolades, that game in real-time,” Silver said in The Premium option with City and join the Golden State stuff is kind of long gone for me a statement yesterday. “It’s a big continuous in-arena coverage Warriors before the 2016-17 sea- unless it’s like Finals or some- moment, but it’s also a small fi rst during breaks for all out-of-mar- son has caused award voters to thing like that where it’s prob- step. There are limitations in the ket games ($249.99); traditional both overlook and dislike him. ably pretty even,” Durant said. technology right now, but we’re NBA League Pass, providing ac- “Even if it’s on the fence, I “But regular-season awards, I working as quickly as possible so cess to live out-of-market games have to be clear-cut better than mean I’m never gonna get a look that, at some point in the near and an expansive archive of everybody for me to even get a when it comes to that, especially future, fans can choose to buy classic game content ($199.99); look,” Durant said during the playing here for the Warriors.” any part of any game.” NBA Team Pass ($119.99); Single interview. “I mean, it’s just pure NBA Digital is also developing Game ($6.99); and Virtual Real- hate for me obviously, and no NBA TO SELL GAMES BY an option to enable fans to pur- ity ($49.99) packages. Monthly- appreciation for my real skill for QUARTER chase 10 minutes of real-time based subscriptions start at Pre- the game. But I get it. I under- NBA fans can buy any part of game access. Details regarding mium ($39.99 per month), NBA stand where we’re (the Warriors) out-of-market games as part the future launch of that off ering League Pass ($28.99 per month) coming from. I understand what of the league’s pay-per-view will be announced at a later date. and NBA Team Pass ($17.99 per we have here in this building that League Pass package in 2018- The league eventually intends month).

RUGBY SELECTION Williams returns as All Blacks make seven South Africa seek changes for Pumas

Reuters Buenos Aires

onny Bill Williams to back up shock will play his fi rst Rugby Championship test of the year and prop Angus Ta’avaoS looks set to make his debut off the bench after Steve Hansen named a much-changed All Blacks team for this week- end’s Test against Argentina win over All Blacks yesterday. The All Blacks coach made moving out to take the number 13 ‘We don’t want to be a team that beats New Zealand one week and then plays mediocre rugby’ seven changes to the matchday shirt, while TJ Perenara starts at squad that lost to at home to scrumhalf, Waisake Naholo gets Reuters Springboks two weeks ago for a run on the wing and Ben Smith Port Elizabeth, South Africa the match against the Pumas at moves to fullback. New Zealand Velez Sarsfeld, where New Zea- have not lost two matches in a land could wrap up a third suc- row since 2011 and Hansen said surprise away win over cessive title. Lock Sam White- his team would be well prepared New Zealand has pro- lock will lead the side in place of for a confi dent Pumas side com- vided a timely injec- rested captain Kieran Read, while ing off a fi rst win over the Walla- tion of enthusiasm his brother Luke stands in for the bies in Australia for 35 years. intoA South African rugby when number eight in the back row. “We’ve picked what we be- it seemed the Springboks were Ofa Tuungafasi starts in place lieve is the best team for this continuing the poor form that of Owen Franks at tighthead particular test match,” he said. has beset them since fi nishing prop with uncapped Ta’avao, “Argentina are a very good third at the last World Cup. who came into the squad ear- side who have shown they can The shock 36-34 victory lier in the championship as in- win both away and at home. against the world champion All jury cover for Joe Moody, named They’re full of confi dence and Blacks two weeks ago came after among the replacements. self-belief which will make them disappointing Rugby Champi- Shannon Frizell will win his a very dangerous beast.” onship results in Argentina and fourth cap at blindside fl anker Australia, catapulting the Boks in place of Liam Squire, who Team: 15-Ben Smith, 14-Waisake into contention in the southern has been ruled out for the rest of Naholo, 13-Ryan Crotty, 12-Sonny hemisphere competition. But if the championship with a hand Bill Williams, 11-Rieko Ioane, the Wellington win is to have any injury. Damian McKenzie re- 10-Beauden Barrett, 9-TJ Per- impact, they will have to beat turned to New Zealand after a enara, 8-Luke Whitelock, 7-Sam the Wallabies in Port Elizabeth family bereavement forcing one Cane, 6-Shannon Frizell, 5-Scott tomorrow to set up a potential change to a backline that will in- Barrett, 4-Sam Whitelock (cap- decider for this year’s crown in clude Williams for only the sec- tain), 3-Ofa Tuungafasi, 2-Codie a return against the All Blacks in ond time this year. Twice World Taylor, 1-Karl Tu’inukuafe. Pretoria on October 6. Cup winner Williams injured his Replacements: 16-Nathan The arrival of new coach Rass- shoulder in the third test against Harris, 17-Tim Perry, 18-Angus ie Erasmus, and a 2-1 series win France in June after missing the Ta’avao, 19-Patrick Tuipulotu, over England in June, suggested fi rst two with a knee problem. 20-Ardie Savea, 21-Aaron Smith, positive changes for the Boks af- The 33-year-old slots back in 22-Richie Mo’unga, 23-Anton ter two miserable years in which at inside centre with Ryan Crotty Lienert-Brown. they plummeted down the world rankings, losing to Italy and suf- fering a record 57-0 loss in New South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus. FOCUS Zealand along the way. But the new-found optimism quickly drained after Argentina Skipper Hooper returns as Australia change four beat them 32-19 in Mendoza last Gatland keen to end month and the Boks made some Skipper Michael Hooper returns as strug- horror mistakes to go down 23- gling Australia made four changes for a 18 to the Wallabies in Brisbane. Rugby Championship fifth-round clash Wales tenure on a high However, after beating the All with South Africa in Port Elizabeth Blacks, the fervour is back and tomorrow. Reuters ing loved my period in Wales. It’s sellout crowds await the home The flanker was a late injury-related with- London time to move on and I want to team tomorrow at the Nelson drawal from the Wallabies team beaten leave these shores with my head Mandela Bay Stadium and next 23-19 at home by Argentina two weeks ago held high.” weekend against New Zealand - their third loss in four Championship Tests arren Gatland Gatland believes that New at Loftus Versfeld.But there are this season. wants to end his Zealand will be favourites in Ja- still questions about South Af- Hooper takes over the captaincy and 12-year stint with pan, but that the rest of teams rica’s consistency, as scrumhalf loose forward roles of David Pocock, who Wales on a high will do everything they can to Faf de Klerk admitted. Wnote and believes they have a ensure a tight contest. switches to number eight in place of injured “We don’t want to be a team Pete Samu. shot at winning the World Cup “I think it will be an open that beats New Zealand one In another back-row change, Ned Hanigan next year. World Cup,” he added. “The week and then plays mediocre comes in on the other flank for Lukhan Tui, The New Zealander, the Prin- All Blacks are a level ahead but rugby the next,” he said. It means who did not travel after an ugly spat with a cipality’s longest-serving coach, there is not much between the having to put away the euphoria supporter after the Gold Coast beating by won the Six Nations in 2008 and other teams and we have more of a rare win over the All Blacks the Pumas. 2012 and guided the country to strength in depth than we did in and concentrating on beating Tui requested a break from international the World Cup semi-fi nals in 2015,” Gatland said. Australia, who are under pres- Rugby following the recent death of his 2011. Wales reached the quarter-fi - sures of their own. stepfather and the altercation with a specta- He will step down after the nals of the last World Cup, where The Wallabies’ loss at home to tor, who pushed a sister of the Wallaby after World Cup in Japan next year, they were beaten by South Af- Argentina last time out was also the Test. Australia beat South Africa 23-18 in Brisbane Australia (15-1) passing on the reigns to compa- rica, while New Zealand are the a surprise and added to growing Lock Adam Coleman replaces Rory Arnold this month, but lie last in the Champion- Dane Haylett-Petty; Israel Folau, Reece triot and current Scarlets coach defending champions. criticism of coach Michael Chei- and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou will make ship standings with only five points from a Hodge, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete; Wayne Pivac. Gatland’s team have risen ka, one year out from the World his run-on debut with Allan Alaalatoa drop- possible 20. Kurtley Beale, Will Genia; David Pocock, “The last thing I want is for four places in the world rankings Cup in Japan. Australia are bot- ping to the bench. Scott Sio is set to win his Trophy-holders and world champions New Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan; Izack Wales to have a poor Six Nations since the start of the year and tom of the Rugby Championship 50th cap on the opposite side of the front Zealand have 16 points, South Africa 10 and Rodda, Adam Coleman; Taniela Tupou, and World Cup because we have are currently third, behind New standings, sitting on fi ve points row for the Test at Nelson Mandela Bay Argentina eight with two rounds to go in the Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio put in a huge amount of work in Zealand and Ireland and ahead of behind Kiwis (16), South Africa Stadium in the coastal city. southern hemisphere tournament. Replacements: Folau Faingaa, Sekope the last 12 years,” Gatland told England. (10) and Argentina (8) and have Coach Michael Cheika kept faith with fly-half Tradition is against the Wallabies this week- Kepu, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Rob Wales Online. Wales face Scotland in Cardiff won only two of their last nine Kurtley Beale and scrum-half Will Genia end as they have drawn one and lost four Simmons, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Jack “I’m bricking myself about on Nov. 3 in their next test before games. But they will be hoping to amid media calls for playmaker Bernard of five Championship matches in the Maddocks the next year because I want it taking on Australia, Tonga and catch their hosts in over-confi - Foley to start instead of being on the bench. republic. Coach: Michael Cheika (AUS). to be a good one. I am focused South Africa in end of year in- dent mood and earn a win. on doing the best job I can hav- ternationals. Gulf Times 6 Friday, September 28, 2018 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 Ronaldo gets one-game, free to face Man United

Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to face his old club Manchester United in the Champions League next month after UEFA handed the Juventus forward a one-game ban yesterday. The Portu- Record-setting PSG guese superstar was sent off in the first half of Juve’s 2-0 win away to Valencia last week after a clash with Jeison Murillo. He risked a potentially lengthy suspen- sion, but instead the 33-year-old will only sit out his team’s game at home to Swiss champions Young Boys next make it seven in a row week. Juve then play Jose Mourinho’s United at Old Traff ord on Tuesday, Octo- ber 23, before hosting the English club The champions can claim another slice of history tomorrow where a win over Nice will allow in Turin on November 7 in Group H. PSG to equal Lille’s all-time record of eight wins at the start of a season set back in 1936-1937 VAR to be used in next season’s Champions League AFP Paris UEFA has confirmed the use of video assistant referees (VARs) in the Champi- ons League from next season and plans aris Saint-Germain set a new to use them at Euro 2020, European club record on Wednesday football’s ruling body said. UEFA’s night when a 4-1 victory over executive committee agreed that the Reims gave them a seventh VAR system would be used in the final Pwin from seven games this season and qualifying round, the group stage and an eight-point lead in Ligue 1. With a the knockout stages of next season’s perfect 21 points, new coach Thomas Champions League. Tuchel surpassed the previous best UEFA said in a statement that it plans start of 19 points by predecessor Unai to subsequently use VARs at the Euro Emery last season. 2020 tournament and in the Europa The champions can now claim an- League, from the group stage onwards, other slice of history tomorrow where in the 2020-21 season. a victory over Nice will allow PSG to equal Lille’s all-time record of eight wins at the start of a season set back Southgate set for new in 1936-1937. Missing the injured Las- £3mn England contract sana Diarra and suspended Kylian Mbappe, PSG surprisingly fell behind England manager Gareth Southgate is to Reims after just two minutes on set to sign an improved contract that Wednesday when Xavier Chavalerin will pay him around £3mn over the next stunned the Parc des Princes. four years, according to reports. South- But Edinson Cavani levelled after gate led England to the World Cup semi- fi ve minutes and then won the 24th- finals in Russia earlier this year, but he minute penalty which was converted was coy about his long-term plans when by Neymar. Uruguay striker Cavani hit asked at the start of this season. the third before half-time to take his It was claimed Southgate might have season’s goal tally to fi ve, the same as been unsettled by the amount of scru- Neymar. tiny the England boss receives, leading Thomas Meunier tucked away the to suggestions he might walk away fourth in the 55th minute after being when his present deal expired. But now set up by young striker Moussa Diaby the 48-year-old, who was already under much to the delight of watching US contract until Euro 2020, seems certain basketball legend Michael Jordan in to remain in charge through to the 2022 town for this week’s Ryder Cup. “We World Cup in Qatar. are very happy to be the team to set the record,” said Tuchel. “It was a big ob- jective tonight, a great motivation for Busquets extends Barca us to win and write this team into the contract until 2023 club’s record books.” Moussa Dembele scored his fi rst two Barcelona’s influential midfielder goals for Lyon in two minutes in Dijon Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrate after winning against Reims in the Ligue 1 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Wednesday night. (AFP) Sergio Busquets has extended his con- to set his team on course for an 3-0 tract until 2023, the Spanish champions victory that lifted them into second Dijon’s Enzo Loiodice followed in seconds. Montpellier fell behind at utes. The home team replied twice just ferocious shot to secure a 3-2 win. announced yesterday. in Ligue 1. The 22-year-old striker, the fi nal minute. Lyon are on 13 points Caen to a goal by Saif-Eddine Khaoui before half time. After Florian Thau- Busquets’ deal had initially been until who joined from Celtic on August 31, from seven games, eight behind PSG. after 10 minutes. vin was sent fl ying in the 41st minute, FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS 2021, and under the new contract, his scored the opener after 17 minutes Lille, who started the evening in Andy Delort and Damien Le Tallec Dimitri Payet coolly converted the Amiens 2 (Gnahore 51, Gouano 66) buyout clause has been increased from with a fi rst-time chip over the goal- second, lost 1-0 at Bordeaux. Francois replied and put the visitors ahead and, penalty. Then Morgan Sanson curled Rennes 1 (Grenier 81); Bordeaux 1 200 to 500mn euros ($234-584mn), the keeper and two minutes later added a Kamano put the home team ahead af- briefl y, second in the league. a shot inside the post to put Marseille (Kamano 8) Lille 0 Caen 2 (Khaoui 10, La Liga champions said. second, acrobatically putting home a ter just seven minutes. Lille played the But Yacine Bammou levelled after ahead on the stroke of half time. Bammou 64) Montpellier 2 (Delort 38, The contract extension for the 30-year- rebound. last few minutes with 10 men after 64 minutes. Seven minutes from time, After Jordan Amavi received a Le Tallec 51) 2 Dijon 0 Lyon 3 (Dembele old, 2010 world champion and Euro Martin Terrier headed a third in the Adama Soumaoro received a second Montpellier’s Vitorino Hilton was sent straight red in the 52nd minute the 17, 19, Terrier 35); Marseille 3 (Payet 2012 winner, follows similar deals for 35th minute. On a night when six early yellow card. off for a wild sliding tackle. Caen cre- 10 men of Marseille held out until the 41-pen, Sanson 45, Germain 90+1) Stras- their Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, matches produced six red cards, Lyon The other two teams who could ated dangerous chances, but Montpel- 89th minute when Nuno Da Costa bourg (Lala 27, Da Costa 89) 2 Nimes who has signed on until 2021, Sergi played the last 34 minutes with 10 men have climbed to second, Marseille and lier held on to draw 2-2. levelled for the visitors. Marseille re- 0 Guingamp 0 Paris Saint-Germain 4 Roberto (2022), goalkeeper Marc-Andre after Lucas Tousart received a second Montpellier played games that fol- In Marseille, Kenny Lala broke away sponded with one last attack, and (Cavani 5, 44, Neymar 24-pen, Meunier ter Stegen (2022) and Samuel Umtiti yellow card. lowed similar patterns until the dying and put Strasboug ahead after 27 min- Valerie Germain met a low cross with a 55) Reims 1 (Chavalerin 2) (2023).

BUNDESLIGA SPOTLIGHT Seven-up Dortmund keep Juventus extend Serie A streak, heat on Bayern Munich Roma back to winning ways

AFP Milan Juventus’ Paulo Dybala celebrates after scoring against Bologna. (AFP) aulo Dybala and Blaise Matuidi scored early as Juventus extended their perfect start to their Se- rieP A title defence to six games on Wednesday night with a 2-0 win over Bologna, as Roma ended their losing streak with a 4-0 suc- cess over promoted Frosinone. The reigning champions have a maximum 18 points, three ahead of Napoli who beat Parma 3-0, with the top two set to go head- to-head in Turin tomorrow. Lazio are third, a further three points adrift, after their fourth win on the trot 2-1 against Udi- nese ahead of this weekend’s Ro- man derby against Roma. Roma, meanwhile, eased the pressure best player of the year award this their promising start with Franc- bench for his Serie A debut, to Nuernberg’s Enrico Valentini (right) and Dortmund’s Manuel Akanji vie for the ball. (AFP) on under-fi re coach Eusebio Di week — fi red just wide fi ve min- esco Acerbi and Joaquin Correa set up Aleksandar Kolarov for the Francesco achieving their fi rst utes from the whistle when he scoring in the space of fi ve min- fourth three minutes from time. AFP few minutes later, and Manuel Akanji picked up three points since their season- picked up Dybala’s through ball. utes just after the hour mark. Roma are tenth with eight points, Berlin his fi rst ever Bundesliga goal before substitutes Ja- opener against Torino over a In was the fi rst of three games Bram Nuytinck pulled one back with Frosinone second from bot- don Sancho and Julian Weigl completed the rout. month ago. “This is a new be- in Turin within the space of a in Udine with an overhead kick tom having conceded 16 goals Borussia Moenchengladbach are among those ginning for us, a new season has week for Juventus, who after Na- ten minutes from time. this season. eenager Achraf Hakimi scored on debut chasing Dortmund after they battled to a 3-1 win started,” said Di Francesco. poli at the weekend, host Swiss Simone Inzaghi’s side, who Inter Milan moved towards the as Borussia Dortmund waltzed to a 7-0 over Eintracht Frankfurt to go fourth. Gladbach In Turin, Dybala got a rare club Young Boys in the Champi- lost their opening two games to top of the table with a 2-1 win win over Nuremberg on Wednesday night forced several saves from Kevin Trapp in the fi rst start up front alongside superstar ons League next week, after win- Juventus and Napoli, can head over Fiorentina on Tuesday, with to keep the heat on Bundesliga leaders half before Alassane Plea fi nally broke through Cristiano Ronaldo and lashed ning their opener against Valen- confi dently into the Roman der- AC Milan playing at Empoli late TBayern Munich. Real Madrid loanee Hakimi, 19, in the 56th minute. Thorgan Hazard doubled the home his fi rst goal of the season cia. by against Roma. last night. scored Dortmund’s third goal as Lucien Favre’s lead ten minutes later, and though Ante Rebic’s after 12 minutes. The Argentine Carlo Ancelotti rotated his In the Stadio Olimpico, Turk- side obliterated Nuremberg to move to within two goal gave Frankfurt a fl icker of hope, it was extin- had initially teed up Matuidi but squad completely with nine ish winger Cengiz Under set the ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS points of Bayern in second place. guished by Nico Elvedi’s 85th minute header. Lukasz Skorupski cleared the changes ahead of the weekend tone after just two minutes for Jacob Bruun Larsen’s stylish fi nish gave Dort- Frenchman’s eff ort before Dybala game in Turin and hosting Liv- Roma with a sensational run Udinese 1 (Nuytinck 80) Lazio 2 (Acerbi 61, Correa 66); Cagliari 0 mund the lead early on, the Danish striker latch- BUNDESLIGA RESULTS acrobatically turned the ball in erpool in the Champions League. from his own half to lash into the ing onto Christian Pulisic’s through ball and loft- himself. And it paid off with a third goal from a distance. Sampdoria 0; Genoa 2 (Piatek 42, ing the ball over Fabian Bredlow in the Nuremberg Dusseldorf 1 (Hennings 90+4-pen) Leverkusen Five minutes later World Cup straight league win with Lorenzo Javier Pastore’s back heel Pandev 54) Chievo 0; Juventus goal. Marco Reus doubled the lead on 32 minutes, 2 (Volland 50, 60); Borussia Dortmund 7 (Bruun winner Matuidi got his chance to Insigne opening after four min- fl ick gave Di Francesco’s side a 2 (Dybala 11, Matuidi 16) Bologna as his long range eff ort was defl ected past a help- Larsen 9, Reus 32, 58, Hakimi 49, Akanji 74, Sancho add a second following a Ronaldo utes in Naples with a second-half second just before the half hour 0; Napoli 3 (Insigne 4, Milik 47, less Bredlow. Hakimi’s moment came just after 85, Weigl 88) Nuremberg 0; RB Leipzig 2 (Orban cross, with the Portuguese for- brace from Polish forward Arka- mark with Under then setting 84) Parma 0; Roma 4 (Under half-time, as he rounded off a Dortmund counter 45+1, Augustin 80) VfB Stuttgart 0; M’gladbach 3 ward having a shot cleared off the diusz Milik keeping the pressure up Stephan El Shaarawy for the 2, Pastore 28, El Shaarawy 35, attack by blasting the ball into the bottom corner (Plea 56, T. Hazard 65, Elvedi 85) Eintracht Frank- near post by Skorupski. Ronaldo on Juventus. third minutes later. Kolarov 87) Frosinone 0; Atalanta from the edge of the box. Reus added another a furt 1 (Rebic 73); Mainz 05 0 VfL Wolfsburg 0 — who missed out on the FIFA’s Lazio, meanwhile, continued Luca Pellegrini came off the 0 Torino 0 Gulf Times Friday, September 28, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Germany beat Barca and Madrid Turkey for right to host Euro 2024 AFP bic comments for being photo- Nyon, Switzerland graphed with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the World endure surprise Cup. ermany yesterday won German foreign minister the race to host the 2024 Heiko Maas said the 2024 tour- European Champion- nament “will be an opportunity ship as UEFA backed to show what we stand for in Ga bid seen as safer than a rival Germany: openness to the world proposal from Turkey. Politics, and tolerance, freedom and re- national unity and respect for spect. “Together, we have to La Liga defeats human rights in Turkey emerged make the European Champion- as key themes in the campaign to ship a tournament for all Euro- host Europe’s premier interna- peans,” he added in a statement. Atletico, who had cruised to win over Huesca on Tuesday, were the biggest gainers tional football event. Germany’s head coach Joachim In the end the result was not Loew called the win “exception- close, with Germany winning al.” “You could feel the tension,” the vote among UEFA’s executive he added. “We will do everything committee members by a mar- now to deliver an awesome Euro- gin of 12-4 with one abstention. pean championship.” UEFA considered that the Ger- The polarising Turkish presi- man bid already had everything dent had desperately wanted in place to host a successful event to deliver a fi rst major sporting — from stadiums to infrastruc- event to his football-mad na- ture and hotels. tion. His government has spent “We will do our utmost to live heavily on football infrastructure up to our expectations,” Ger- including gleaming new stadi- man Football Association (DFB) ums and pitched itself as “a land president Reinhard Grindel said bridging continents.” after the winner was announced Ultimately, it proved to be not at UEFA’s lakeside Swiss head- enough and Erdogan’s increas- quarters. ingly authoritarian reputation Germany hosted the World likely did not help his cause. Cup in 2006, but has never Rights groups have decried the staged the Euro as a unifi ed unprecedented crackdown and country: West Germany hosted thousands of arrests that fol- the competition in 1988. Yester- lowed a failed 2016 coup. UEFA’s day’s win also off ers a boost to evaluation report noted that “the German football after a disas- lack of action plan in the area of trous 2018 World Cup, when the human rights is a matter of con- country failed to qualify for the cern.” last 16 — after winning the tour- By extraordinary coincidence, nament in 2014. the Turkish leader arrived in European football’s govern- Germany yesterday for a three- ing body has also said it wants day state visit, including talks to make as much money as pos- with Chancellor Angela Merkel. sible from the 2024 tournament The Euro 2024 result — aside and Germany was considered from likely making interesting the better fi nancial bet. But Ger- banter between the two leaders many did not just pitch itself — may well be a bitter personal as a steady hand that can host a defeat for Erdogan, who has lucrative tournament without a sought to build a reputation as a hitch — it has also voiced hope man who can deliver. that a tournament on its soil Turkish Sports Minister Mu- could build societal unity. harrem Kasapoglu called the After the World Cup debacle, UEFA vote “saddening” in com- German football was engulfed ments carried live on state tel- Leganes’ Oscar Rodriguez (second left) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against Barcelona in the La Liga on Wednesday night. (AFP) in an ugly ordeal by Arsenal star evision. “It would have been a Mesut Ozil’s retirement from in- winning situation to be able to AFP at the Santiago Bernabeu. Sevilla can be a “Of course the coach is responsible, a against Sevilla. ternational football. Ozil, born hold this event in this geography, Madrid formidable opponent on their own patch losing coach always feels responsible,” Twice Jesus Navas sped away on the in Germany to Turkish parents, on these lands (in Turkey),” he but few expected Leganes to infl ict what Valverde said. “But obviously it is easy counter-attack, and twice he found An- accused the DFB of racism after added. “But our country has lost was only Barcelona’s second league de- now to talk about the rotations — in the dre Silva, the fi rst time with a deliberate he was targeted with xenopho- nothing.” arcelona conceded twice in 68 feat in 17 months. “We are in a very diffi - end, matches are analysed on results — cut-back, the second when his shot was seconds and Real Madrid were cult moment that was unexpected,” Barca but you can’t win the league with only palmed out for a rebound. Wissam Ben three down at half-time as La coach Ernesto Valverde said. eleven players.” Yedder added a third six minutes before Liga’s two title favourites were Gerard Pique committed the decisive Barcelona face Athletic Bilbao tomor- the interval, volleying in from close range eachB stunned by surprise defeats on error, his fl uff ed clearance allowing Os- row and then Tottenham at Wembley in after the Madrid defence had pushed out. Wednesday night. Barca’s 2-1 loss to rel- car Rodriguez to score Leganes’ second the Champions League four days later “We had a bad fi rst half,” Madrid coach egation fi ghters Leganes was the greater goal in two incredible minutes at Esta- but one point from two of La Liga’s lesser Julen Lopetegui said. “Especially a bad shock but Madrid’s beating was more dio Municipal de Butarque. Nabil El Zhar opponents is a concern. So is the form of start, when they scored two goals and set emphatic, blown away 3-0 by Sevilla had nodded in an equaliser moments be- Pique, who was also at fault against Giro- the tone for the game. We have to pick after a torrid 39 minutes at the Ramon fore and by the end Philippe Coutinho’s na and will almost certainly start against ourselves up, we have another important Sanchez Pizjuan. sumptuous early volley was reduced to Spurs, with Umtiti suspended. game in three days so we congratulate For both, it was their fi rst defeat of the little more than a footnote. “You have to judge the whole team, not Sevilla and recognise we have not played season and for both, defensive fragility After drawing at home to Girona on individuals,” Sergio Busquets said. “There how we wanted.” was the key factor, which will be a major Sunday, albeit with 10 men, Valverde’s are no excuses. We have to concede fewer concern with the second round of Cham- selection also came under scrutiny, af- goals and be more solid. Today the league SPANISH LA LIGA RESULTS ter he opted to rotate for the second time isn’t lost but we might miss these three pions League games to come next week. Athletic Bilbao 0 Villarreal 3 (Fornals 65, By the end, Atletico Madrid, who had in three days. Against Girona, it was points at the end of the season.” Funes Mori 80, Toko Ekambi 89); Leganes cruised to victory over Huesca on Tues- Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Um- Real Madrid, who were just kicking off 2 (El Zhar 52, Oscar 53) Barcelona 1 day and play Real tomorrow, were the titi on the bench and just as they all had as Leganes closed out, could have pulled (Coutinho 12); Valencia 1 (Batshuayi 25) biggest winners. to be called upon in the second half at the three points clear at the top but instead Head of Germany’s bid Philipp Lahm (left) and former international After a stuttering start, Diego Sime- Camp Nou, so were Luis Suarez and Jordi were three down at half-time for the fi rst Celta Vigo 1 (Aspas 82) ; Sevilla 3 (Silva 17, player Celia Sasic pose with the UEFA trophy after Germany were one’s side will jump above Real with a win Alba this time. time in a league game since 2003, also 21, Yedder 39) Real Madrid 0 elected to host the Euro 2024 tournament. (AFP)

LEAGUE CUP Hazard caps Chelsea fi ghtback, Spurs survive shoot-out

AFP Ross Barkley’s powerful header. In their fi rst meeting with Brent- London That goal needed VAR to confi rm ford since 1947, Danny Welbeck head- there were no Chelsea players off side, ed Arsenal into the lead after just fi ve but there was no doubt about the visi- minutes at the Emirates Stadium and den Hazard’s majestic solo tors’ 85th minute winner. Taking pos- the forward struck again in the 37th strike capped a thrilling Chel- session on the right edge of the Liv- minute. sea fi ghtback in their 2-1 win erpool area, Hazard embarked on a Alan Judge got one back for Brent- at Liverpool, while Tottenham superb, twisting run that ended with a ford with a defl ected free-kick in the survivedE a penalty shoot-out to beat blistering shot past Mignolet. 58th minute. But Alexandre Lacazette’s Watford in the League Cup third round Temporarily homeless Tottenham ig- 90th minute goal ensured Unai Emery’s on Wednesday night. nored their unfamiliar surroundings to side held on for their sixth successive Arsenal advanced to the last 16 with see off Watford after a 2-2 draw at Sta- win in all competitions. a 3-1 win over Championship side dium MK. Mauricio Pochettino’s side At the London Stadium, West Ham Brentford, while West Ham demolished have been playing their home games at gave Macclesfi eld, who currently sit fourth-tier Macclesfi eld in an 8-0 rout Wembley while their delayed new arena bottom of the entire Football League, that ranked as their biggest victory for is built, but because the national Sta- a lesson in ruthless fi nishing. Michail 35 years. But it was the drama at Anfi eld dium was not ready after the Anthony Antonio, Robert Snodgrass with a that stole the spotlight as Chelsea be- Joshua boxing match on Saturday, they brace, Lucas Perez, Ryan Fredericks, came the fi rst team to stop Liverpool were forced to borrow Milton Keynes Angelo Ogbonna and Grady Diangana, winning this season. Dons’ ground. who also struck twice, were all on the Jurgen Klopp’s side had won seven Tottenham fell behind when Nige- scoresheet. Nottingham Forest eased consecutive matches in all competi- rian forward Isaac Success struck 40 through with a 3-2 win over fellow sec- tions and the Premier League leaders seconds after half-time. Christian Ka- ond tier side Stoke at the City Ground. were on course for number eight when basele’s foul on Alli in the 82nd minute Daniel Sturridge’s brilliant eff ort put led to the Watford substitute’s dis- THIRD ROUND LEAGUE CUP RESULTS missal and a penalty for Tottenham. them ahead in the second half. Arsenal 3 (Welbeck 5, 37, Lacazette 90) But Emerson Palmieri bagged Chel- England star Dele Alli picked himself Brentford 1 (Judge 58); Liverpool 1 (Stur- sea’s late equaliser before Belgium star up to score the spot-kick before Erik ridge 58) Chelsea 2 (Emerson 79, Hazard Hazard danced through the Liver- Lamela put Tottenham ahead four min- pool defence to notch the winner with utes later. 85); Nottingham Forest 3 (Osborn 19, fi ve minutes left. It was an impressive Etienne Capoue equalised in the Murphy 40, Lolley 50) Stoke 2 (Afobe 60, comeback from Maurizio Sarri’s men, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard scores in the League Cup third round match against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday. (Reuters) 89th minute, but Tottenham goalkeep- Berahino 83); Tottenham 2 (Alli 82-pen, giving them valuable momentum ahead er Paulo Gazzaniga saved two penal- Lamela 86) Watford 2 (Success 46, Ca- of tomorrow’s more signifi cant Pre- two points behind Liverpool after an Naby Keita’s shot was pushed out by goal of the season. ties in the shoot-out. Then Alli, named poue 89) Tottenham won 4-2 on penal- mier League clash between the teams at unbeaten start to the season. Willy Caballero and Sturridge threw Chelsea equalised in the 79th minute captain on his return to the club where ties; West Ham 8 (Antonio 29, Snodgrass Stamford Bridge. Sturridge gave Liverpool the lead in himself into an audacious scissor kick as Italy defender Emerson tapped in he started his career, fi ttingly scored 32, 60, Perez 39, Fredericks 51, Ogbonna Chelsea are currently in third place, spectacular fashion after 58 minutes. that fl ashed into the net for his third after Simon Mignolet could only parry the decider. 54, Diangana 67, 82) Macclesfield 0

Friday, September 28, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE Sadd cruise to victory, El Arabi brace in Duhail’s win By Sports Reporter Doha

l Duhail and Al Sadd registered contrasting victories in the QNB Stars League yesterday. WhileA Sadd eased past Qatar SC 5-1, the defending champions Duhail survived a late scare be- fore securing full points against Al Ahli 2-1. Duhail and Sadd both are on 16 points but the latter oc- cupy top of the table on better goal diff erence. Ahli are in ninth spot with six points while Qatar SC are one below with four points. After Yousef El Arabi scored a brace in the space of six minutes, Duhail seemed to be cruising to victory. But substitute Mohsin al-Yazeedi reduced the margin for Al Ahli in the 88th minute to give some anxious moments to Duhail. But the defending champions held on to see out an important win. Moroccan striker El Arabi, the Al Sadd captain Xavi (left) vies for the ball with Qatar SC’s Ahmed Doozandeh yesterday. Al Duhail’s Yousef El Arabi celebrates after scoring against Al Ahli. top scorer in the last two seasons, took his tally to seven goals. Al with ample support from Nam Ahli got the fi rst real chance in second goal came when El Arabi Soon Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naim goal-scoring spree as they Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o in Ahli matched their formidable Tae-Hee and Paolo Edmilson in the 19th minute. Majed Moham- produced a placing shot off a blocked Ali Afi f’s shot. Ahli’s goal slammed fi ve past Qatar SC. Ha- the 40th minute. In the second rivals ball for ball initially, but the midfi eld. med connected a Nigel de Jong cross from the right by Edmilson. came off the boots of Mohsin, mid Ismaeil opened the fl ood- half, Eto’o’s former Barca team- gradually faded out. While Duhail missed Murad free-kick, but shot over the bar. Nam missed the target twice who capitalised on a defensive gates in the 13th minute, before mate and midfi eld maestro Xavi Ali Ferydoon spearheaded Naji, who was red-carded dur- El Arabi opened the scoring on before the teams went into the lapse. He had come in for Ma- Baghdad Bounedjah made it 2-0 made it 4-1 for Sadd with a 58th their attack, but he could not do ing their victory over Al Gharafa the half-hour mark by evading break. Al Ahli almost reduced the jed in the second half. Nam then in the 20th minute. minute strike. Substitute Ahmed much as he was tightly marked. in Week 6, Al Ahli were without the off side trap and headed home margin in the 70th minute except cracked a shot against the right Nine minutes later Akram Afi f Sayyar, who came in for Xavi, At the other end, El Arabi and Barro Siddiqi and Meshaal Ab- after Bassam al-Rawi lobbed in for a goalline save by Sultan al- upright in stoppage time. added another one before Qa- added his name into scoresheet Almoez Ali led Duhail’s attacks, dulla who both were unwell. Al the ball from long distance. Their Breik off a shot from Ferydoon. Later, Sadd continued their tar SC pulled back through their by scoring in the injury time.

CRICKET PREVIEW Gharafa, Kharaitiyat Bangladesh look to shock face off in must-win tie By Sports Reporter India in Asia Cup fi nal Doha t will be battle between two struggling teams in the QNB Without injured Tamim and Shakib, the Tigers will pin their hopes on younger players Stars League today as Al Gharafa host Al Kharaiti- Iyat, while in another match AFP Dubai Umm Salal take on Al Khor at Al Gharafa Stadium. While Gharafa are coming off angladesh captain Mashrafe two successive losses, against Mortaza called on his players Umm Salal and Al Duhail, to ignore the absence of veteran Kharaitiyat have not tasted suc- stars Tamim Iqbal and Shakib cess so far this season, let alone AlB Hasan when they face defending collect a point. Al Kharaitiyat champions India in today’s Asia Cup had lost to Umm Salal last week. fi nal. Bangladesh upset Pakistan by 37 Gharafa have only seven runs in the last Super Four match in Abu points from six games and will Dhabi to book a place in the fi nal for just be keen to collect more points at the second time. this stage if they are to nurture Without their established opener hopes of fi nishing among the top Tamim (fractured wrist) — injured after four, like they did last season. the fi rst game — and world class all- Gharafa’s coach Christian rounder Shakib (fractured fi nger), the Gourcuff said his team must Tigers will pin their hopes on younger bounce back strongly against players to shock the six-time champi- Kharaitiyat. “We have to fi ght ons. “It will be tough without Tamim India’s opening batsman Shikhar more against Al Kharaitiyat than and Shakib,” admitted Mortaza yester- Dhawan speaks during a press we did in the last match. Every day. “The good thing is that the boys conference in Dubai yesterday. (AFP) game is diffi cult. We have only have fought very hard so I hope they seven points from six games. We fi ght till the last ball and give us a win side,” said Dhawan of Bangladesh. are staying all focused for this which will inspire the whole nation.” “Hats off to them, the way they played match. Overall, we have provided With their powerful batting line and won against Pakistan. When you good quality in all games so far. up, led by skipper Rohit Sharma and Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 37 runs on Wednesday to qualify for the Asia Cup final. (AFP) play all-round cricket, the results will We paid the price for committing Shikhar Dhawan, India start as favour- follow.” some silly mistakes against Umm ites. They thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan ites so we have to be mentally strong Jadeja grabbed four wickets while pace- said Mashrafe. Dhawan admitted, however, that Salal. We have to improve in de- in two matches to get closer to another and fi ght till the last ball.” men Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvnesha- Bangladesh will look to their former many fans had been expecting an India- fence,” Gourcuff said title. Bangladesh have beaten India in war Kumar took three wickets apiece to captain Mushfi qur Rahim to lift their Pakistan fi nal. “Everyone thought it will “You play a bad game and you Sharma has notched a hundred and only fi ve of 34 one-day internationals bundle Bangladesh out for a paltry 173. batting, like he did in the win against Sri be an India-Pakistan fi nal, but Bangla- cannot expect to win it. We want two half centuries while Dhawan has but one of them came in the 2012 Asia Sharma, with 83 not out, anchored In- Lanka with a battling 144 and against desh won a great match, we can’t take to prove our quality in the next two hundreds in the tournament, a fac- Cup on their way to the fi nal when they dia’s easy win, but Mashrafe hoped to- Pakistan when he hit 99. Left-arm them lightly just because Pakistan is match. We can win every game. tor Mashrafe feels makes them favour- lost to Pakistan by two runs. India beat day will see a diff erent outcome. paceman Mustafi zur Rahman is in good a bigger team. Bangladesh are playing It has been our policy to give ites. “India are far better team (than Bangladesh in the fi rst Super Four game “It’s just a match, if you have a great wicket-taking form, claiming 4-43 better cricket, there’s a diff erence be- opportunities to young players us),” said Mashrafe. by seven wickets in Dubai in the current day anything can happen. The boys are against Pakistan. tween team on paper and on the fi eld, and help them come through “They are coming here as the favour- edition. Left-arm spinner Ravindra in good shape so it could be our day,” “We know they’re a competitive that’s how I see it.” the ranks. You can expect to see them in action in the coming games as well,” he added BADMINTON Al Kharaitiyat are badly in need of some points in order to stay away from the danger zone. Kharaitiyat coach El Amri said Saina in quarters his team must avoid mistakes against Gharafa today. “After I took over, the team is of Korea Open facing up to the challenges in the last three rounds even though Agencies we do not have a single point to Seoul show for our eff orts. Individual mistakes and missed opportuni- ties did us in. We are trying our aintaing her winning spree, Indian shuttler Saina best to avoid them. We still have Nehwal entered the quarter-fi nals of the Korea Open a lot of games left. Our players 2018 in Seoul yesterday. The former World No. 1 shut- have to stay motivated,” he said. tler registered straight set victories over South Korean Meanwhile, it will be a tight MGa Eun Kim in the 37-minute women’s singles aff air. game between Umm Salal and Al Saina won both games 21-18 to earn a comfortable victory. Khor in the 8pm kick-off . Salal Saina, 28, is the lone Indian challenge left in the tournament as are on a hat-trick of victories, Sameer Verma and Vaishnavi Reddy Jakka bowed out. Saina will but Al Khor can prove a tricky cross swords with 2017 world champion and third seed Japanese side, as they have done on many Nozomi Okuhara. Top seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan stayed occasions. Umm Salal have 10 stubborn in the face of a diffi cult challenge from China’s Chen Xi- points and Al Khor two. aoxin to emerge triumphant, 24-26, 21-19, 21-17. Sixth seed Bei- The match will also be noted wen Zhang of USA also had her back to the wall against another for the French school of coach- young Chinese, Cai Yanyan, who refused to buckle despite trailing ing as Laurent Banide’s Umm in the second and third games. Zhang shook off her pursuer 15-21, Salal will be facing the challenge 22-20, 23-21 and let out a long sigh of relief. Zhang takes on Scot- from Al Khor, who are under new land’s Kirsty Gilmour, who beat Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon for coach Bernard Casoni. the fi rst time in four matches, 21-18, 21-17. Al Khor recruited Casoni last In the men’s singles, top seed Viktor Axelsen he went down week after they had sacked Tu- to China’s Zhao Junpeng in straight games. Zhao faces last year’s nisian Adel Sellimi following a runner-up Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, who wasn’t troubled by series of negative results and Hong Kong’s Hu Yun 21-12 21-14. put Under-23 coach Omar Najhi The other quarter-fi nal in the top half will see Korean qualifi er in charge. This is Casoni’s fi rst Heo Kwang Hee against Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto. stint in Qatar football.