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Wednesday, September 19, 2018 FOOTBALL Moharram 9, 1440 AH Focus on Ronaldo GULF TIMES as Juventus hope to get money’s worth SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL/CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PUNISHMENT Juve forward Costa given four-match Messi hat-trick ban for spitting

AFP isolated incident,” said Allegri at Milan the pre-match press conference in Spain. “He lost it for a moment which fi res Barcelona to uventus forward Douglas can happen and he asked for for- Costa has been banned giveness. for four matches for spit- “He will serve four games and ting in the face of Sassuolo we will not appeal. wingerJ Federico Di Francesco in “It was a very unpleasant ges- last weekend’s Serie A game in ture, which surprised everyone, Turin, the Italian FA announced a very out of character gesture,” yesterday. continued Allegri. victory over PSV Costa was sent off after being “Tomorrow (Wednesday), I’ll caught by VAR aiming an elbow decide if he’s going to be on the and headbutt before spitting in bench or if he’s in the team. I’m Dembele’s goal was worthy of deciding any match but this was Messi’s night the face of Di Francesco, the son sorry because it was not the kind of Roma coach Eusebio Di Franc- of behaviour to show children, esco, as the champions won 2-1 but he’s the most disappointed AFP Inter strike two late goals Barcelona thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s with his attitude.” to sink Tottenham fi rst goals for the club. Di Francesco had earlier rub- Milan: Inter Milan struck twice late Juventus coach Massimiliano bished claims that he provoked ionel Messi pictures the Champi- on to secure a stunning 2-1 victory Allegri said the club would not be the Brazilian with racist insults. ons League ending with him hoist- over a crestfallen Tottenham Hot- appealing the ban. Costa posted an apology to ing the trophy and it began with spur in their Group B opener at the The 28-year-old was nev- his teammates and fans on his him scoring a hat-trick yesterday San Siro yesterday. ertheless selected in the squad Instagram account on Sunday, Las Barcelona put four goals past PSV Eind- for today’s Champions League although he replied to one com- Mauro Icardi’s superb volley hoven. levelled the scores in the 86th opener against Valencia. ment by saying that people did An early kick-off at Camp Nou meant minute and Matias Vecino headed a “Douglas Costa surprised us, not know what Di Francesco had that before most of the tournament’s teams stoppage-time winner to give Inter but he will prove that it was an said to him. had even named their line-ups, Messi was a victory that for most of the night up and running, his sumptuous free-kick looked unlikely. from the edge of the area nestling in the top Spurs had taken the lead in the ASIA SPOTLIGHT corner, exactly where it was intended. 53rd minute with Christian Eriksen’s Messi would have his second and third deflected eff ort off Inter’s Miranda before the end, but the game was up by and looked comfortable as the full- then thanks to a superb strike from the ex- time whistle approached. No go Pato as sorry cellent Ousmane Dembele. The match was turned on its head Only when Barca were three ahead was though in dramatic fashion as Samuel Umtiti sent off for a second yellow Tottenham suff ered a third straight Tianjin thrashed in card, and with 10 men, Messi completed loss in all competitions. his hat-trick for a 4-0 win. Dembele’s goal was worthy of deciding had raced away on the break but Gaston Champions League any match but this was Messi’s night. Af- Pereiro blasted over and Steven Bergwijn’s ter a miserable World Cup trying to retrieve curling eff ort whistled wide of the post. the irretrievable Argentina, Barcelona’s It was an open game, with Coutinho AFP Yasushi Endo delivered a cor- now-captain proved his quality again to missing a header and then teeing up Messi Macau ner and another Brazilian, the any doubters that are left. to sidefoot high. The Argentinian soon lesser-known Serginho, darted Four goals already in La Liga, seven over- made amends, his eighth free-kick scored in at the near post to head home all, neither age nor Cristiano Ronaldo’s in 2018. He has never scored more in a year. razil star Alexandre Pato unchallenged. departure from Spain appear to have taken The contest bristled at the start of the endured a humiliat- That eff ectively sealed the tie the edge off . But even if Messi remains as second half. Suarez earned Messi a second ing evening as Tianjin for Kashima, who are toiling in good as ever, his team will need others to free-kick within range but this one fl oated Quanjian were smashed the J-League and had failed to step up. Philippe Coutinho was impressive over. Suarez’s delightful chip beat Zoet but 5-0B on aggregate by Japan’s reach the last four of Asia’s top here and, after a diffi cult debut campaign, not the crossbar. Kashima Antlers in the Asian club competition in seven previ- Dembele is fi nding his rhythm. PSV were still in it and could have equal- Champions League quarter-fi - ous attempts. The 21-year-old’s driving run earned ised when Hirving Lozano’s fi nish was nals yesterday. The 29-year-old Pato went Messi his free-kick while a sizzling shot blocked, crucially, by Gerard Pique. Kashima, 2-0 winners at home close once more midway through brought the goal his bustling display de- Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his third goal Then three goals arrived in 15 min- in the fi rst leg, cruised through the fi rst half when his smart vol- served. against PSV Eindhoven at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona yesterday. utes. First Dembele, after leaving two PSV against the Chinese Super ley from outside the box was Perhaps more importantly, this victory midfi elders for dead with a dragback, un- League side to reach the semi- cleared off the line. was a clean slate for Barcelona. ning their third in a row. “It is a thorn in our Nick Viergever was one of them, for Ajax leashed into the bottom corner. Messi then fi nals for the fi rst time. But just like for the fi rst goal, It was exactly 23 weeks ago that Roma side,” Luis Suarez said. “It’s time to win the in 2014, but it was his rash challenge on latched onto a lob from Ivan Rakitic to slot Former AC Milan forward Pato Kashima went up the other end pulled off one of the greatest comebacks Champions League,” said Messi. Dembele in the 31st minute that conceded home before Umtiti was sent off for a cyni- had a clear sight of goal on three almost immediately, Hiroki Abe ever seen in this competition and sent the PSV’s coach Mark van Bommel knows the free-kick a yard outside the penalty cal block on Lozano. minutes, but he volleyed straight sweeping into the bottom corner. club into a depth of disappointment that, what it feels like to walk out at the Camp area. Messi sized it up and sent it spinning It made no diff erence. Suarez set up at visiting goalkeeper Kwoun The visitors saved the best for in truth, not even winning the double could Nou — he had a successful, albeit short, away from the hand of Jeroen Zoet and into Messi’s third, a brilliant fl ick allowing his Sun-tae and Champions League last, Shoma Doi lashing into the alleviate. Instead, Madrid rubbed salt into spell playing for Barca — but few of his the top corner. captain the last word, after he had also had debutants Tianjin were made to top corner for 3-0 on the night, the wound by making it look easy and win- players did. PSV could have been ahead. Twice they the fi rst. pay 10 minutes later. 5-0 overall.

BOTTOMLINE Ferreira breathes easy aft er Al Sadd qualify

By Sports Reporter Esteghlal defender Rouzbeh Chesh- “Esteghlal showed that they are have enough experience to deal with Doha mi was dismissed for a second book- a strong team but we showed our the tough matches that are coming up, able off ence almost immediately after strength as well by reaching the semi- both at home and in Asia.” Tabrizi’s goal to halt their momentum, fi nals.” Meanwhile, Persepolis midfi elder l Sadd coach Jesualdo Fer- but it took a last-minute penalty from With the quarter-fi nal behind them, Bashar Resan credited winning men- reira heaved a sigh of relief Baghdad Bounedjah to calm the Qa- Al Sadd will now look ahead to facing tality for his side’s 3-1 win over Al Du- on Monday night after a 2-2 taris’ nerves and confi rm their qualifi - another Iranian side in the semi-fi nal hail in the second leg of the quarter- draw at home with Estegh- cation to the semi-fi nals. after Persepolis booked their spot fol- fi nals on Monday. lalA in the second leg of the 2018 AFC “The game in Tehran was easier than lowing a sensational comeback win The Iranian side came from 2-0 Champions League quarter-fi nals sent this one,” said Ferreira. “Esteghlal came over Al Duhail. down on aggregate to record a 3-2 vic- his team to the last four of the compe- at us at full strength and they played “There’s no doubt the game against tory, with goals from Jalal Hosseini, and tition. with the aim of making up for the two- Persepolis will be tough,” admitted Fer- Godwin Mensha either side of a Sultan The 2011 winners advanced to the goal defi cit from the fi rst leg. “They reira. Al Brake own goal helping them turn next stage on the back of a 5-3 aggre- almost scored a third goal in the latter “We played them earlier (in the the tie around at Azadi Stadium. gate win, having defeated the Iranian stages of the game. We feared that the group stage), but this time it will be “In the fi rst half, we made a mistake team 3-1 in the fi rst leg in Tehran. game would go on to extra-time and completely diff erent. We saw how they in defending a set-piece and conceded, Akram Afi f extended that advantage penalties but we were able to maintain overturned the result against Al Duhail. so that put a lot of pressure on us”, said for Al Sadd by opening the scoring at the scoreline and then scored a late goal We need to be at our best when we play the Iraqi international. Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. How- to go through to the semi-fi nal. them, and that match is going to be like “But we are winners; Persepolis is a ever, Esteghlal threatened to derail the “It is true that we got a lot of chances a fi nal. team with a winner mentality, and we hosts’ party after Rouhollah Bagheri to score but we weren’t able to benefi t “Now, we need to focus on our game channelled that out in the second half. and Morteza Tabrizi struck either side from them. When you play against a against Al Rayyan in the league and We were all determined to get back of half-time to put them within a goal team with 10 men, it doesn’t always then we will be able to properly think into it, worked really hard and took the of tying the aggregate score. mean that they are weak. about the semi-fi nal. I’m sure that we chances that came our way.” Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 19, 2018 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QNB STARS LEAGUE Focus on Ronaldo Stage set for Sadd vs as Juventus hope to Al Rayyan ‘Clasico’ By Sports Reporter more than Al Sadd and Al Doha Duhail. Al Duhail will host Al get money’s worth Gharafa in another thriller. Al Duhail’s Week 5 game resh from their AFC against Al Sailiya was also Ronaldo is a predator, a throw-back number nine, that limits his exertions to the Champions League rescheduled due to their AFC exploits, Al Sadd will Champions League quarter- penalty box, with the caveat he can still run fast, jump high and shoot with both feet Fresume QNB Stars fi nal second leg against Iran’s League duties with the sea- Persepolis, which they lost. son’s fi rst ‘Qatar Clasico’ Al Duhail also have 10 against Al Rayyan on Satur- points, the same as Al Sadd, day. The match will be played but are third having scored at 5.55pm at Al Sadd Stadium. lesser number of goals. Jesualdo Ferreira’s boys de- The Red Knights have the feated Iran’s Esteghlal with a home advantage. However, Al 5-3 aggregate on Monday to Gharafa will look to be back set up a two-legged semi-fi nal on the winning path after suf- clash with Persepolis in Octo- fering defeat at the hands of ber, with the winners advanc- Umm Salal in Week 5. ing to the fi nal against an East Umm Salal will be eager to Asian side. break into the top four when Al Rayyan are on top of they face Al Kharaitiyat. the standings with 11 points, Umm Salal have the same while Al Sadd are a close sec- number of points (seven) as Al ond with 10 in the QNB Stars Gharafa, but are placed sev- League standings. enth on goal diff erence. Al Sadd had been topping The Thunders are the only the QNB Stars League stand- team yet to earn a point and ings right from the begin- who lost all their matches. ning of this season. But they Sixth-placed Al Sailiya are slipped to second after Week up against Al Ahli, who col- 5 action that saw their game lected valuable three points against Al Khor being re- against Al Kharaitiyat in the scheduled due to their AFC previous round. Champions League commit- Qatar SC take on Al Khor in ment. another interesting clash. Rayyan had surged to the Qatar SC have only one vic- top of the table with 11 points tory (against Al Gharafa in after their victory over Al Ara- Week 1) to their credit and are bi last week. They will be keen 10th with three points, while on sustaining the momentum Al Khor have not registered a and staying there even though win. Al Shahania meet Al Ara- they have played one match bi in other action. Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo kicks the ball during a training session in Turin, on the eve of his team’s Champions League group stage match against Valencia.

AFP summer the only way to win the Champi- he started again, risking his reputation for Europe where Juventus’ investment will be Valencia ons League before Ronaldo retires is to somewhere new. judged. have Ronaldo on your team. There is risk too for Juventus, who have The club’s pursuit of a fi rst Champions They begin that assault today, when the shelled out the fi rst three-fi gure sum ever League success since 1996 has become an o player owns as many Cham- 33-year-old will kick a ball competitively paid for a player in their thirties, and one obsession and Ronaldo is supposed to be pions League titles as Cristiano in Spain for the fi rst time since his dizzy- that represents a very diff erent model to the last piece in the puzzle. Ronaldo but a sixth with Juven- ing 100 million-euro move from Madrid. the free-fl owing forward that used to ter- Real Madrid may claim to be more of a tus would surely be his best of Valencia are the obstacle at the Mestal- rorise defences left, right and centre. team without him but so, perhaps, were Nthe lot. la, where he scored twice, both penalties, The Ronaldo who Real Madrid decided Juve and it was only enough to reach two Ronaldo played the lead role in all of for his former team last term. could be sold is a predator, a throw-back fi nals in four years, and lose them both. those fi ve previous triumphs, from his Many were shocked when Ronaldo drew number nine, that limits his exertions to There is also perhaps a psychological towering header for Manchester United a line under his time in the Spanish capi- the penalty box, with the caveat he can edge to be gained. against Chelsea in 2008 to the tie-clinch- tal, with most believing his complaints to still run fast, jump high and shoot with Madrid made a habit of prevailing last ing, 97th-minute penalty against Juventus be the latest round of posturing aimed at both feet. season without dominating games, own- last season in the quarters. those higher at the club. They were, but His fi rst Juve goal against Sassuolo on ing the decisive moments rather than In between, there were the 17 goals he this time he meant it. Sunday was a tap-in from a yard out, his matches as a whole. A player like Ronaldo scored in every game but one en route to Lionel Messi told Catalunya Radio ear- second a driven left-footed shot into the can quickly spread a winning mentality. the trophy in 2014, the title-winning pen- lier this month: “I was surprised, I didn’t corner. After three games without fi nding Messi is in no doubt about the direc- alty against Atletico Madrid in 2016 and imagine him leaving Madrid or that he the net, even Ronaldo had been feeling the tion of credit. “Real Madrid are one of the the hat-trick against the same opposition, would go to Juve.” pressure. best teams in the world and they have a this time in the last four, a year later. He There is merit and romance in Messi “I was a little tense with all the talk after great squad but it’s obvious the departure would also score twice against Juventus in sticking with his boyhood Barcelona but my move from Real Madrid and not scor- of Ronaldo makes them less strong while the fi nal. even he must fi nd it hard not to admire Ro- ing,” he said afterwards. “I’m happy, I’m Juve have become a clear favourite for the It was to become the benefi ciaries, rath- naldo’s gumption. working hard and my teammates are really Champions League,” he said. Al Sadd’s Spanish star Xavi in action during the AFC Champions er than victims, of these match-winning More trophies and records would inevi- helping me to adapt to this league.” “They already had a good team and now League quarter-final against Esteghlal at the Jassim Bin Hamad moments, that Juve seemingly decided last tably have followed at Madrid but instead The real pressure, however, will come in they have Cristiano Ronaldo.” Stadium in Doha on Monday.

BOTTOMLINE Mourinho wants no excuses on plastic pitch

AFP tennis player and I’m pretty sure the big man is certain balance in the team, especially in the Bern, Switzerland not happy on certain surfaces, he has a favourite competitive attitude,” the manager said. surface but he has to play. We’ll have to do it.” “We are creating a lot of chances, we also fi nd United may have been European champions a way to protect ourselves in some specifi c situ- ose Mourinho says Manchester United three times, but they come into this season’s ations, we managed to get the six points after must not be left making excuses when continental campaign determined to make two defeats which was very important, so I am they begin their Champions League cam- amends for a feeble exit from last season’s happy.” paign today on a synthetic surface against Champions League, when they were beaten by With a home game against Valencia next, YoungJ Boys in Bern. Sevilla in the last 16. United need a positive start in Group H, but The Old Traff ord club have been drawn in a Mourinho does not need to be reminded of Young Boys are unbeaten this season and will tricky group along with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ju- the potential pitfalls of a visit to Switzerland, come into the match full of confi dence. ventus and Valencia, which makes starting out however. Of his side’s European prospects, Mourinho with a positive result at the Stade de Suisse all Young Boys are Champions League group added: “A team to win the Champions league the more important. stage debutants, but their compatriots Basel needs to have fantastic quality in every part of But the Swiss champions’ artifi cial pitch will have taken numerous English scalps in the com- the team and needs to go over certain matches. take some getting used to, and was the reason petition this decade. “I think it’s very premature to talk about why United left Antonio Valencia behind. They beat United at home in the group stage our chances when we have not played the fi rst “We decided not to bring Valencia because his last season, having also defeated Mourinho’s match.” knee is not a knee that needs an artifi cial pitch at Chelsea in 2013. Basel also dumped Alex Fer- Young Boys won their fi rst Swiss title last sea- all,” Mourinho told reporters in the Swiss capital guson’s United out in the group stage back in son since 1986 and fi nally made it through the on Tuesday. 2011-12. qualifying rounds to reach the group stage at “I don’t want to use that before the match as Last season’s reverse did not prevent the their sixth attempt. a possible excuse for a not very good perform- Reds from progressing to the knockout rounds, Gerardo Seoane’s team are now hoping to ance,” he added of the surface, while insisting though. make the most of home advantage after elimi- that he has already made his feelings on it clear Mourinho said: “Yes I lost in Switzerland both nating Dinamo Zagreb in the play-off s, al- to UEFA. matches but I won the group phase — a defeat though he brushed off suggestions the visitors With a reference to Switzerland’s greatest tomorrow and I win the group, I sign immedi- might struggle on the pitch. sportsman, 20-times Grand Slam winner Roger ately.” It has been a troubled start to the season, “These players have the quality to play on this Federer, Mourinho urged his team to just get on but United come into this game on the back of surface, they have speed and great technique, so with it. successive Premier League wins over Burnley it won’t be a problem for the great players they “We are in Switzerland, they have the best Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during training yesterday. and Watford. “We are improving, we found a have.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 19, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Schalke accused of ‘selling future’ aft er Bale poised for three players leave

AFP tom in the German league table Berlin after losing to mid-table sides Wolfsburg, Hertha Berlin and chalke, who return to Borussia Moenchengladbach, the Champions League where they were beaten 2-1 on part two at Real on Tuesday after a four- Saturday. year hiatus, have been They reached the Champions Saccused of “selling their future” League’s semi-fi nals in 2011, for allowing three rising stars to bowing out after defeat to Man- leave. chester United, but will be lucky The Royal Blues, who fi n- to get out of Group D this sea- ished second in the German son, which includes Lokomotiv league last season, host Porto Moscow and Galatasaray. without Zidane in Gelsenkirchen in their Group Tedesco says the Champions D opener, but are struggling af- League off ers a fresh start as Madrid begin the defence of their Champions League crown at home to Roma today ter losing their fi rst three Bun- Schalke make their return since desliga games.Despite fi nish- losing to Real Madrid in the last and the talk now is of a team more balanced, more united even, without Ronaldo ing second to Bayern Munich 16 of 2014/15. last season, Schalke are already “Obviously recent results are struggling this term leaving playing on our minds, but the head coach Domenico Tedesco Champions League is a fresh under pressure after 15 months start for us and we have earned in charge. the right to play these games,” Ex-Germany midfi elder Stef- said Tedesco. fen Freund has criticised Te- However, Freund, who retired desco’s boss, Schalke’s sports in 2004 after spells with Tot- director Christian Heidel, after tenham Hotspur and Borussia Leon Goretzka joined Bayern Dortmund, says the problems and Max Meyer, both 23, left for are in both attack and defence. Crystal Palace on free transfers “Schalke have problems scor- last season. ing goals, they need twenty On top of that, centre-back goal shots to score. You have to Thilo Kehrer, 21, was sold to compare it with last season — Paris Saint-Germain last month because then they only needed for a reported fee of 37mn euros eight shots,” said Freund, who ($42.3mn). spent two seasons at Schalke in “The departures play a big the early 90s. role. Perhaps one notices now “They also concede two goals that Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka per game. Last season they still and Thilo Kehrer were the future had the second best defence of Schalke and they sold it,” said behind Bayern. What is quite Freund, a Euro ‘96 winner with amazing is that they also let in Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema Germany, told broadcaster RTL. goals from standard set piece and Gareth Bale (back) with Schalke are second from bot- plays.” teammates during a training session yesterday. EPL Murray penalty earns Brighton draw

Reuters left back Gaetan Bong. London But the visitors came roaring back as Duff y gave them hope with a close-range 67th-minute righton & Hove Albion’s header after Anthony Knock- Glenn Murray converted aert’s cross from the right and a 90th-minute penalty they nearly equalised in the 89th to snatch a 2-2 draw at when McCarthy kept out a Juer- Bsouth-coast rivals Southampton gen Locadia eff ort from fi ve me- after they fought back from two tres. goals down in a pulsating Pre- Brighton hit the outside of the mier League clash on Monday. post through substitute Alireza AFP That scenario never looked more likely pions League had seen, Zidane had just The front page of Madrid daily, AS, on The result left Southampton Jahanbakhsh’s clever eff ort and Madrid than on May 26. Bale was left out of the led the club to a third European success Friday read: “Five years of Bale”, with the in 13th place, one spot above then won a corner from which Champions League fi nal team to face in a row. He was seen as the future. numbers: “13 titles, 193 matches, 91 goals, Brighton who also have fi ve James Ward-Prowse bundled Liverpool, came off the bench to score Instead, within a week of beating Liv- 60 assists, 19 injuries, 393 days out.” points from as many games af- Duff y over leaving Murray to f the summer had gone diff erently, with an astonishing bicycle kick, and erpool, Zidane resigned. He sent texts to Madrid begin the defence of their ter their late pressure paid divi- score from the spot to delight the Gareth Bale might have been on a then declared during the celebrations he a select group of senior players but the Champions League crown at home to dends. visiting fans. plane to Switzerland on Monday to would be considering his future. fi rst Bale heard of the Frenchman’s de- Roma today and the talk now is of a team Murray, who blasted his spot- “We’re disappointed with play for Manchester United against “I need to be playing week-in, week- parture was via an offi cial message from more balanced, more united even, with- kick past goalkeeper Alex McCa- the award of the penalty,” said IYoung Boys. out,” Bale said. the club. out Ronaldo. rthy as the Seagulls scored their Southampton manager Mark He could have been readying himself for There were times last season, most The meeting with Perez was shelved The wisdom of selling though will not fi rst away goals of the season, Hughes. “Shane Duff y is a big lad a Champions League debut at the Allianz notably after he was hauled off at half- until a new coach was appointed and, six be judged on wins over Getafe, Girona acknowledged they were fortu- and he’s gone down easily under Arena for Bayern Munich against Ajax. time against Paris Saint-Germain, when weeks later, Cristiano Ronaldo had de- and Leganes but Madrid’s performances nate to avoid defeat. an innocuous challenge. They Or even, as Tottenham fans might have Bale and Zinedine Zidane were not on parted too. in the big games, the ones Ronaldo used “After the way we performed will look for anything they can hoped, back at his old club and back to speaking terms. By then Bale’s mind was made up to to settle, and now Bale has the chance to in the fi rst half we got away with get and the referee has bought the San Siro, the scene of that spellbind- Strong form and a consistent run of stay. Ronaldo and Bale were too diff erent rise to. one,” the striker told Sky Sports. that.” There was still time for ing breakthrough performance in 2010. games towards the end of the campaign ever to be close but their relationship was “When someone like Cristiano leaves “We were very poor and were late drama as Southampton Spurs never had the fi nancial clout, saw relations thaw but the snub in Kyiv never anything but respectful. there is always going to be a spotlight on under par. The second half was a came close to snatching a win- nor Bale any inclination, to engineer a was a fi nal kick in the teeth. Even af- When Zidane left, Bale stayed silent. who is going to replace him,” Wales coach diff erent game. We put them un- ner but visiting goalkeeper Matt return to London. ter the fi nal whistle, when the cameras When Ronaldo left, Bale posted a gush- Ryan Giggs said earlier this month. der pressure and got our reward Ryan kept out a fi erce Ryan Ber- He was never much fussed about Bay- swarmed around the game’s star player, ing farewell message on Twitter. “But Gareth has shown his qualities in at the end.” trand free kick. ern or United either, despite depositing Zidane kept his distance. “It has been a pleasure to play along- big games and that he can handle any- Southampton’s Denmark “It’s the second game we’ve the word “honoured” in Bild, when asked Bale wanted talks with the president, side you,” he wrote. thing that is thrown at him.” midfi elder Pierre-Emile Hojb- come back from 2-0 down,” said about being linked with the German Florentino Perez, before the World Cup But while the Portugese was there, it The fi rst stage of Bale’s Real Madrid jerg gave them a 35th-minute relived Brighton manager Chris champions, and despite United mak- but there was never any prospect of Perez would always be Ronaldo’s Real Madrid, career, with Ronaldo, was a huge success, lead with a scorching shot from Hughton, referring to his side’s ing it clear to Bale’s representatives they acting against Zidane. not least because Ronaldo delivered con- dampened by injury. The second stage, 30 metres after they missed two 2-2 home draw with Fulham on should be notifi ed if and when he decided While Bale had proved his worth by sistency while Bale was too often cur- without Ronaldo, starts against Roma good chances in a one-sided fi rst Sept. 1. to leave. scoring one of the fi nest goals the Cham- tailed by injury. today. half. The writing seemed to be on “You have to look at the char- the wall for Brighton after Danny acter but also some of the frail- Ings made it 2-0 for the home ties that put us in that position in BOTTOMLINE side with a penalty in the 65th, the fi rst place, credit to the lads having had his heels clipped by they responded well.” Silvas step into De Bruyne breach as Angulo hat-trick helps Man City’s European quest starts over get Maradona off to AFP start. I don’t forget that behaviour in front ally well and that helped me a lot.” Manchester of his teammates. He’s an example.” Fast forward to last month and Mateo winning start in Mexico After a performance hailed as a “mas- was in attendance at the Etihad as his dad terpiece” by Guardiola in City’s Commu- scored a sumptuous free-kick in a 6-1 Culiacan, Mexico: A hat-trick in April, surprised the football ep Guardiola isn’t an easy man nity Shield win over Chelsea last month, rout of Huddersfi eld. from Vinicio Angulo helped get world when he signed with the to please, so the Manchester the Catalan claimed his starting line-up “It was very special”, said Silva. “The Diego Maradona’s managerial Pacific coast team earlier this City manager’s assertion that “right now, is Bernardo and 10 players best moment of my life.” career in Mexico off to the per- month. it is “impossible” to be happier more.” Another goal followed against Ful- fect start on Monday as his new The former Boca Juniors and Pwith Bernardo Silva is a testament to the Alongside him as City’s latest quest to ham on Saturday, his 50th in the Premier club Dorados beat Tapachula Napoli striker has been feted Portuguese midfi elder’s breakthrough in win the Champions League for the fi rst League. As City celebrate a decade un- 4-1 in Culiacan. in Culiacan, a sweltering city his second season at the Premier League time begins at home to Lyon today will be der the ownership of Sheikh Mansour, Ecuadorean striker Vinicio notorious for its drug cartels, champions. the elder Silva. few signings have had as big an impact Angulo struck in the 59th and and fans there hope he will help City’s record-breaking campaign last The Spaniard has been liberated to en- as Silva’s eight years ago in transforming 61st minutes and although take the side back into Mexico’s season owed much to the class of Kevin joy his football once more after a harrow- City’s fortunes. Argentine Sebastian Ibars got first division. de Bruyne. But in the Belgian’s absence heem Sterling limited his starts. ing fi ve months in the latter part of last A decade in, City chairman Khaldoon a goal back for the visitors two Monday’s victory was the Dora- due to a long-term knee injury, the A year on, De Bruyne’s injury has of- season as he jetted between Manchester Al Mubarak warned as City’s revenue minutes later, Angulo convert- dos first league win this season wealth of options on off er to Guardiola fered him the chance to play regularly and his homeland to visit his pre-mature broke the £500mn barrier last week “our ed a penalty with a quarter of and lifts them into 10th place in is paying off through both Bernardo and as the creative hub of the City midfi eld born son. journey is not complete and we have an hour remaining to put them the 15-team second tier. namesake David Silva. and Guardiola was uncharacteristically Born in December, Mateo Silva was fi - more targets to fulfi l”. 3-1 up. The delighted 57-year old joined Both players had very diff erent strug- gushing after Saturday’s 3-0 win over nally released from hospital in May. In a decorated career, Silva has won Alonso Escoboza added a players and fans doing the gles despite City’s success last season. Fulham. “It was really tough,” Silva told the three Premier League titles, two Euro- fourth for the home side in the Viking thunderclap on the field Bernardo played his part in eliminat- “It is almost impossible to be more BBC. “It was so diffi cult with him be- pean championships and a World Cup. 85th minute to cap a perfect after the game. ing City from the Champions League pleased as a manager with him,” said ing in hospital for so long, you can’t stop But the Champions League has eluded night for the Argentine coach “This was what we needed after with Monaco in Guardiola’s fi rst season Guardiola. “He is skinny, small, but he is thinking about it. his and City’s clutches. on his return to the sidelines. not being able to win,” Angulo in Manchester, but had to be patient af- wow!. “Besides he was in Spain, meaning I The fi rst step towards justifying their Maradona, who is taking charge told ESPN. “Maradona’s arrival ter making a £43mn ($56mn) move to the “He deserves to play all the minutes he had to travel a lot and I could hardly train status as favourites for the competition of his first club since leaving helped our mood, the boys felt Premier League as the outstanding form plays. I don’t forget the behaviour he had “I didn’t sleep much, I wasn’t eating and completing Silva’s set of honours Gulf league side Al-Fujairah SC more free.” of De Bruyne, Silva, Leroy Sane and Ra- last season when he played a lot but didn’t well. But, luckily, the team was doing re- begins today. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, September 19, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Forget the Crucible, China builds new ‘home for snooker’ AFP SA, told AFP. “The riverside is all being names. Shanghai redesigned with a snooker theme and Mark Selby, the world number one will be renamed Snooker Bay,” added and a three-time world champion, has Ferguson, a former top-level player. witnessed up close how the sport has sleepy corner of central China Yushan offi cials have visited Shef- grown in the country. nestled among mountains fi eld and studied its famous Crucible “My fi rst time in China was in 2002, and forests is making a bold Theatre, which hosts the annual world coming to Shanghai to play in a tour- attempt to rival England’s championships and is to snooker what nament, and it (the event) was nowhere SheffiA eld as the home of world snooker. Wembley is to football or Wimbledon near as big as it is now,” the Englishman Yushan County, which bills itself as to tennis. said after battling back to defeat home the “fi rst billiard sports capital” world- Why Yushan? The region’s blue- player Zhou Yuelong. wide, is indicative of China’s hopes stone slate is used for snooker tables “I think that’s down to Ding Junhui. to play a major role in the growth of by Beijing-based Xing Pai Star, which We owe him a lot, he’s obviously a fan- snooker. produces elite-level tables and is the tastic player and one of the greats of Yushan, meaning “Jade Mountain”, developer for the snooker city project, the game now. lies in the rugged province of Jiangxi which was unveiled last year. “Winning that fi rst tournament in and has a population of about 500,000 Speaking at the Shanghai Masters, 2005 when he was 18 sort of put China - small by Chinese standards. one of the biggest events on the snook- on the map - that was probably the best But it has outsized ambitions and er calendar, Ferguson said Yushan of- thing that could happen to snooker.” is building a 4,000-seat arena tailor- fi cials and the WPBSA are supporting Fast-forward to today, and Ferguson made for cue sports. There will also be the initiative. believes that snooker can call itself a a billiard sports academy, museum and That could give Yushan a greater national sport in China. athletes’ village. chance of success than other communi- A specialist snooker academy The project will cost two billion yuan ties in China, where grand development opened in Beijing in 2013, and in 2016, ($290 million), the China Daily says, plans often do not materialise. 210 million Chinese tuned in to see and could be completed in as little as Ding lose the world championships fi - two years. SNOOKER LOOPY nal to Selby. Yushan already hosts the World For any sport making inroads into the “Certainly in terms of scale of par- Open, an international tournament potentially lucrative China market, a ticipation, television audiences and with a nearly $1 million prize fund - stand-out home star is a must - and just general popularity, something one of six events on Chinese soil on this snooker found it when Ding Junhui practised from school level all the way year’s World Snooker calendar. won the China Open in 2005 as a teen- to professional level,” he said. “They’ve said, ‘Look, wow, we love age amateur. “The growth has been continuous this, we want to make Yushan a home There are now nine Chinese players year on year (since their fi rst tourna- for snooker,” Jason Ferguson, chairman in the world top 50, with Ding ranked ment nearly 20 years ago). China’s Ding Junhui during his second-round match against Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen in the 2018 Shanghai Masters on of snooker’s governing body the WPB- sixth and one of the sport’s biggest “It’s been an exciting journey for us.” September 11, 2018, in Shanghai. (AFP)

GOLF BOXING Calzaghe’s coach and father Enzo dies Tiger’s Ryder Cup United Kingdom. AFP London Joe won world titles at two weights, retiring as the un- disputed super-middleweight nzo Calzaghe, who world champion having held the coached his son Joe to WBO version for almost 11 years. two boxing world titles He was also The Ring world light return to cap amazing at diff erent weights and heavyweight world champion, anE undefeated 46-bout career beating two legends in Bernard despite never boxing himself, Hopkins and then defending it has died aged 69. against Roy Jones Jr. The Sardinian-born trainer Calzaghe’s choice of England also coached Gavin Rees and and indeed settling ultimately in Enzo Maccarinelli to the WBA Wales came about when he was comeback season light welterweight and WBO backpacking round Europe after cruiserweight titles respectively. doing his national service in Italy ‘I tried everything else because fusion is the last-ditch eff ort and nothing beyond that. However, it will be the re- and scratching a living busking markable association with his he alighted in the south coast So didn’t know what my playing career would be like. This is all uncharted territory’ own son, ‘The Pride of Wales’, for city of Southampton. He heard which he will forever be remem- the train announcer say there bered. was a train leaving for Cardiff . “The family are devastated to “Sod going home, let’s try have to announce the death of Cardiff ,” he said. our beloved Enzo,” the Calzaghes Fulsome tributes poured in for said in a statement. Calzaghe - who won the prestig- “Enzo led an incredible life ious BBC’s coach of the year and both inside and outside of the Ring magazine coach of the year boxing gym and his loss is a dev- in 2007 - including from former astating one for the entire Calza- cruiserweight world champion ghe family.” Tony Bellew. Enzo Calzaghe began his “What a man! My thoughts training career in very modest are with @RealJoeCalzaghe and surroundings. his family right now, Your Dad His fi rst training facili- was a master coach who cre- ties were in a shed in the south ated a style that you both made Wales town of Newbridge, but it unbeatable. Salute the legen- evolved into one of the fi nest de- dary Enzo. #RIPEnzoCalzaghe,” velopers of boxing talent in the tweeted Bellew.

Joe Calzaghe trains with his father Enzo Calzaghe (left) during an open workout session at Kingsway Boxing Gym in New York City on November 3, 2008. Enzo has died aged 69. (Getty Images/AFP)

Tiger Woods plays a shot on the first hole during the second round of The Northern Trust at the Ridgewood Championship Course in Ridgewood, New Jersey, on August 24. (AFP)

AFP ging problems. the start of the year and to have for granted, that’s for sure.” tournaments this year. I think if French swimmer Leveaux comes Washington Woods has hit drives long- accomplished a goal like that. Woods went into spinal fu- I keep giving myself opportuni- er than his youthful days, led To be a player is just beyond sion fearing his chronic back ties, I’ll get the job done. out of retirement chasing gold the British Open in the fi nal special.” pain might linger for life. “I feel my next wins are com- laying in the Ryder Cup round in July, fi nished second “I had resigned (myself) to it ing soon. How soon, I don’t Five years after quitting the lenges, my goal is the Olympic will be the culmination in last month’s PGA Cham- ‘ONE OF MY BEST YEARS’ because I had lived in a pretty know, but I’m putting myself in pool, Amaury Leveaux, world gold medal in Tokyo, I’m coming of an amazing come- pionship and fi red a 62 earlier Woods still hasn’t won a major diffi cult situation for a while. I tournaments now so I’m not that record holder and Olympic med- back because I love swimming. back season for Tiger this month, his lowest US PGA since the 2008 US Open and just wanted the pain to go away,” far away from getting it done.” allist, is returning to swimming I do not feel I have reached the PWoods, one the 14-time major opening round since the 1999 hasn’t won any event in more Woods said. “It was painful sit- Woods, whose fi rst major ti- aiming at the 2020 Olympics in end,” said Leveaux, adding that champion feared might never Byron Nelson Classic. than fi ve years, but has redis- ting, laying, moving, anything. tle came at the 1997 Masters, Tokyo. The 32-year-old French- he did “not need to work” to get happen after back surgery. And the former world covered the joy of playing af- It was just constant pain in my has seen huge support from man still holds the short-course in shape. The 42-year-old American number one achieved his goal of ter fears it might never happen back and down my leg. “Any- crowds at events, his amaz- world record for the 100m Since retiring at the age of 28 in has shown fl ashes of the form securing a Ryder Cup captain’s again. “It’s about enjoying be- thing beyond that was going to ing shotmaking at an older age freestyle which he set at the 2013, the 2.02-metre tall swim- that made him golf’s dominant pick from Jim Furyk, who pulled ing back,” Woods said. “Enjoy- be a plus considering where I sparking roars and cheers rival- European championships in mer has published his autobiog- player in younger days in his him from a planned assistant ing being able to play golf again. was coming from, and so to get ing those of his youth. 2008, when he also broke world raphy, ‘Sex, Drugs and Swim- fi rst campaign after spinal fu- captain’s role after seeing the Competing at this level. All of to where I’m at, I never thought “People are more apprecia- records in the 50m free and ming’, which drew a vitriolic sion surgery, a last-gasp opera- quality of his game. these things at the beginning of that was going to happen.” tive,” Woods said. “They know 50m butterfly. portrait of the swimming world tion to try and extend his legen- “Deep down, I wanted to the year were all unknowns. It that I’m at the tail end of my ca- He won a gold and two silvers and took digs at some members dary career. make the team. I really wanted has been one of my best years as NEXT WINS ‘COMING SOON’ reer and I don’t know how many as part of French Olympic relay of the French team. He also “It was a last-ditch eff ort,” to play on it,” Woods said. “I a whole. Now Woods, who had 79 ca- more years I have left. I’m cer- teams and has one individual appeared in French reality TV Woods said. “I tried everything had not started playing golf re- “To have a winless year, but reer PGA titles, hasn’t given up tainly not like I was when I was medal, a silver, in his favour- shows. else because fusion is the last- ally yet, but still, it was a goal at to go through what I’ve gone his quest to reach the record 22 - 42, it’s a diff erent ballgame.” ite event, the 50m free, from He told Le Parisian newspaper ditch eff ort and nothing beyond the end of the season to make through - I didn’t know if I was 18 major wins of Jack Nicklaus And, Woods says, people can Beijing in 2008. The sprint is the that he is negotiating a sponsor- that. So didn’t know what my this team. ever going to play again, I was or Sam Snead’s all-time PGA relate more to fi ghting back pain event he is targeting. ship deal to cover his costs, playing career would be like. “As the year progressed, I just hoping to be able to play mark of 82. “In order to get to than superb golf heroics. “I still have something to do in that he planned to train in Los This is all uncharted territory.” gained some traction and was with my kids and golf with my Jack’s record, I have to pass “Everyone has got aches and the 50m,” he said. “My goal is to Angeles, starting next month, So far, Woods’ performances somehow able to get some high buddies at home - this has been Snead’s record. Just simple pains,” he said. And whether win Olympic gold in Tokyo.” and that he will have a chef, a are steadily improving and the fi nishes and lo and behold, I’m a blessing. “It has been so spe- math,” Woods said. “And I want you’ve had kids or not, you get “I’m made for that, I know it, I cameraman and a film editor medical charts are showing no a part of this team. It’s incred- cial to have this opportunity to make that happen. I’m close. to your 40s, you’re feeling it, feel it,” he said. “I like the chal- with him. back issues after years of nag- ible, it really is, to look back at again. I’m certainly not taking it I have been close to winning and I’m not the only one.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 19, 2018 5 SPORT

MLB BASKETBALL Lithuania, Greece, Germany lead fi rst Yelich collects 2nd six to book World Cup tickets

DPA “We qualifi ed for the World cycle of season in Cup after just eight games. Who Berlin would have thought, with the group opponents that we have, asketball powers that we would be qualifi ed al- Lithuania joined three ready. It’s a great achievement,” other European and said Germany coach Henrik two African nations in Rodl, who was part of Germany’s becomingB the fi rst six teams to bronze medal team in 2002. Brewers victory book their tickets for next sum- Greece, for their part, fought mer’s FIBA Basketball World Cup back from 17 points down in 2019 in this week’s latest window Georgia before Kostas Papan- Aaron Hill of D’backs was the last major-leaguer to have two cycles in a season of qualifi ers. ikolaou’s layup at the buzzer gave The fourth window of the Greece an 86-85 victory. qualifi cation campaign ran “It’s a very beautiful thing around the world from Thurs- what has happened, especially if day to Monday and saw the we think that four years earlier 2010 World Cup bronze medal- we had to get a wild card to play lists Lithuania; 2006 World Cup in the World Cup,” Papanikolaou runners-up Greece; 2006 World said. Cup bronze winners Germany; as The Czech Republic knocked well as the Czech Republic, Ni- off Bosnia and Herzegovina 85- geria and Tunisia secure spots for 80 to move to 7-1 in Group K and the 2019 World Cup, which will qualify for their fi rst World Cup take place from August 31-Sep- under the Czech fl ag. tember 15 in China next year. “It is big achievement for us,” Also already in the 32-team fi eld Czech star Tomas Satoransky is host China, who is also playing said. in the qualifi cation campaign. “We could not think about the Lithuania became the sixth World Cup for a long time. You team to confi rm their spot late can see happiness and joy now, Monday, after wasting a 14-point because we are in the World Cup lead with four minutes left in after 37 years. I still can’t be- regulation before managing to lieve it, but it’s one of my biggest hold off the Netherlands 95-93 achievements.” in a double-overtime thriller to The fi rst two teams to qualify remain undefeated in their quali- for China 2019 were from Africa, fying Group J. as Nigeria and Tunisia advanced “Over the course of the win- on Saturday as Africa’s windows dows, 20 diff erent players have feature three games in three played for the national team and days. Both teams are 9-0 thus far we would like to thank the guys in their respective groups. who aren’t here now. Those, “Everybody is excited because who put all the eff ort in Novem- nobody on this team has made it ber, February,” said Lithuania’s to the World Cup before,” Nigeria Mantas Kalneitis, who scored 21 captain Ike Diogu said. points to lead his team. “When this group comes to- “It’s unclear what the team gether, especially here in Ni- is going to look like in a couple geria, losing is not an option. We of months. The most important wanted to come here and send a thing is that we’re in China.” message. We feel we are one of While Lithuania moved to 8-0 the better teams in Africa. We in Group J, Germany and Greece just came here and tried to domi- are joint undefeated leaders in nate.” Group L — though both needed Basketball’s world govern- major comebacks and late hero- ing body FIBA reverted back to ics to remain undefeated. in-season windows starting for Germany came back from 23 the 2019 World Cup, meaning points down and got a layup in qualifying games in November the fi nal 0.4 seconds of regula- and February, when the basket- tion to tie the game before beat- ball season is in full swing. The ing Israel 112-98 in overtime other two windows are in June/ Sunday in Leipzig. July and September. Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich (right) hits a 2-run homer in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park in Milwaukee on Monday. (USA TODAY Sports)

Reuters al League West with a victory over visit- ing 105 RBIs. Bryant put the game out New York OTHER RESULTS ing Colorado. of reach with a two-run, opposite-fi eld Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched seven score- homer into the pool area in the eighth in- Jack’s going back to New Mariners 4-1 Astros less innings as the Dodgers and Rockies ning. Orleans: report hristian Yelich became the fi fth Mets 9-4 Phillies traded places in the NL West standings Hendricks (12-11) fell short of his third major-leaguer to hit for the cycle Rays 3-0 Rangers for a third consecutive day. The Dodg- career shutout when A.J. Pollock homer- Reuters New York Knicks last season, twice in the same season, leading ers moved into fi rst place Saturday, the ed to lead off the ninth inning. Hendricks averaging 7.5 and 5.6 assists Marlins 8-5 Nationals New York the Milwaukee Brewers to an 8-0 Rockies regained the lead Sunday and the gave up one run on three hits with eight in 25 minutes per game. victoryC over the visiting Cincinnati Reds Twins 6-1 Tigers Dodgers moved back on top after the fi rst strikeouts and one walk. He has a 1.76 The Georgia Tech product on Monday night. Giants 4-2 Padres game of this three-game series. ERA in 13 September starts the past three uard Jarrett Jack, by will be starting his 14th NBA Wade Miley (5-2) lowered his ERA to Rockies shortstop Trevor Story left in seasons. no means a stranger to season, having also played Pirates 7-6 Royals 2.08 with fi ve shutout innings for the the fourth inning after a swing-and-miss GNew Orleans, is going for Portland, Indiana, Toronto, Brewers, who remained 2 1/2 games be- Blue Jays 5-0 Orioles against Ryu. The Rockies announced af- CARDINALS 11, BRAVES 6 back for a third NBA stop Golden State, Cleveland and hind the fi rst-place Chicago Cubs in the ter the game that Story left because of Kolten Wong had three hits, including there, according to a report Brooklyn. National League Central. right elbow soreness and will be re-eval- one of the team’s four homers, to help St. from The Athletic on Monday. In 867 games, 399 as a starter, Yelich hit for the cycle on Aug. 29 others to have a pair of cycles in the same uated Tuesday. Louis earn a win at Atlanta. Jack, who played 115 games he has averaged 10.8 points during a 6-for-6 performance, also year were John Reilly (1883 Reds), Tip Wong had a single, a double, his ninth for the New Orleans Hornets and 4.6 assists in just under against the Reds. He singled in the first O’Neill (1887 St. Louis Brown Stockings) CUBS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 1 homer and three RBIs. Paul DeJong, Har- 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, 28 minutes per game. inning Monday, doubled in the third, and Babe Herman (1931 Brooklyn Robins) Javier Baez and Kris Bryant hit two-run rison Bader and Yadier Molina also hit then two games for the New Jack was taken in the first hit a two-run home run in the fifth and — but no one did it twice against the same homers, and Kyle Hendricks fi nished one homers for the Cardinals. Orleans Pelicans in 2016-17, round, 22nd overall, by lashed a two-run triple in the sixth, team in a season before Monday. out short of his fourth career complete Miles Mikolas (16-4) got the victory will sign a one-year contract, Denver in the 2005 draft, and completing the cycle in just four plate game as Chicago posted a victory over after allowing two runs on four hits in according to the report from he was traded to Portland the appearances. DODGERS 8, ROCKIES 2 Arizona in Phoenix. fi ve innings. He struck out six and won Shams Charania. draft rights to Linas Kleiza The last major-leaguer to have two Joc Pederson hit two home runs and Max Baez’s homer, capping a three-run his third straight decision. In three starts Jack played 62 games, and the draft rights to Ricky cycles in the same season was Aaron Hill Muncy added a homer as Los Angeles sixth inning for a 3-0 lead, was his 32nd in September, Mikolas is 3-0 with a 3.38 starting 56 of them, for the Sanchez. of the Diamondbacks in 2012. The only moved back into fi rst place in the Nation- of the season and gave him an NL-lead- ERA.

NFL Trubisky tosses two TDs in win over Seahawks

By Colleen Kane turnover on the Seahawks’ Trubisky underthrew a Khalil Mack strip sack and a Chicago Tribune (TNS) next drive, with Danny wide receiver Allen Robin- 10-yard punt by Seattle rook- Trevathan stripping Wilson son on the opening play of a ie Michael Dickson. and Leonard Floyd recovering Bears drive early in the sec- The Seahawks got on the he Seahawks were it. The Seahawks got the ball ond quarter, and cornerback scoreboard as the fi rst half driving against the back, and Wilson found Will Shaquill Griffi n intercepted expired with a 56-yard fi eld Bears for a poten- Dissly for a 2-yard touchdown the pass. But the Bears de- goal by veteran kicker Sebas- tial tying touchdown pass with 14 seconds to play. fense forced the Seahawks tian Janikowski. That marked Tmidway through the fourth But the Bears recovered the to go three-and-out on their the fi rst points the Bears de- quarter Monday night at Sol- onside kick to cement coach ensuing drive. It was Tru- fense had given up in the fi rst dier Field. Matt Nagy’s fi rst career NFL bisky’s fi rst interception of half this season. Prince Amukamara stepped victory. the season. Wilson found Tyler Lockett in and shut down their plans. Here’s how the game un- Griffi n intercepted Tru- for a 19-yard touchdown pass Amukamara’s intercep- folded. bisky again three minutes with about 10 minutes to play tion return for a touchdown After the Bears forced the later in the second quarter on in the game to pull the Sea- helped lift the Bears to a 24- Seahawks to punt on their a tipped pass, but the Bears hawks within 17-10. Wilson 17 victory over the Seahawks, opening possession, quarter- again forced the Seahawks’ dropped the pass just over and the Bears improved to 1-1 back Mitch Trubisky marched ensuing drive to stall. Bears defender Kyle Fuller to on the young season. the Bears 96 yards to score The Bears took a 10-0 lead Lockett, who was sprinting The Bears cornerback on their opening drive. Tru- with 1:07 left before halftime into the back right corner of stepped in front of Russell bisky’s 3-yard shovel pass to when Cody Parkey connected the end zone. Wilson’s pass intended for Trey Burton gave the tight on a 25-yard fi eld goal. Par- On the drive preceding running back Rashaad Penny end his fi rst touchdown in a key’s kick capped a 12-play, Bears drive, Trubisky pushed and returned it 49 yards for Bears uniform. The drive in- 44-yard drive. But it was a bit the Bears’ lead to 17-3 early a touchdown to put the Bears cluded a 17-yard scramble by of a missed opportunity after in the fourth quarter when he up by two touchdowns. Trubisky and an 18-yard pass the Bears took over posses- found Anthony Miller for a Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (left) rushes the ball against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Barkevious Mingo The Bears also forced a to Jordan Howard. sion near midfi eld following 10-yard touchdown pass. (centre) during the first quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago on Monday. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, September 19, 2018 SPORT

FORMULA 1 COMMENT Mercedes are WADA in ‘last chance over-delivering, saloon’ over Russia: Tygart

AFP Los Angeles says Hamilton he World Anti-Dop- ing Agency (WADA) will be delivering a Briton won in Singapore on Sunday to go 40 points clear of Ferrari’s Vettel Thammer blow to the morale of clean athletes if it Reuters lifts sanctions against Rus- London sia this week, US drugs czar Travis Tygart warned Mon- day. ercedes are over-de- In a telephone interview livering in the For- with AFP, United States Anti- mula One title bat- Doping chief executive Tyg- tle and going from art said WADA was entering Mstrength to strength, according the “last chance saloon” as it to championship leader Lewis prepares to decide on Russia’s Hamilton. fate at a meeting in the Sey- The Briton won convincingly chelles on Thursday. in Singapore on Sunday, his WADA stunned the sports seventh victory of the season, world last week after an- to go 40 points clear of Ferrari’s nouncing that the body’s Sebastian Vettel with six races compliance review committee promised and entered a ‘nu- remaining and a fi fth title beck- had recommended lifting it’s anced agreement.’ oning. three-year suspension of the “It’s really laughable.” Vettel had gone into the week- Russian Anti-Doping Agency end as clear favourite but Ham- (RUSADA). ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’ ilton seized pole position with a The recommendation, Tygart said there was no evi- monumental qualifying lap that which paves the way for Rus- dence that Russia had fully stunned even his teammates. He sia’s readmission into inter- acknowledged the extent and then controlled the fl oodlit race. national sport if approved, scale of the doping scandal “The car’s true pace is 100 came after the committee said uncovered in the WADA in- and we are putting out 102,” the it had reviewed a letter from vestigation by Canadian law- Mercedes website quoted the the Russia Ministry of Sport yer Richard McLaren in 2015, Briton, who headed to Thailand which “suffi ciently acknowl- which detailed a vast, govern- after the race for some promo- edged” failures in the doping ment-supported doping con- tional work before a few days off , scandal uncovered in 2015. spiracy. as saying. WADA said Russia had also “We all know that admit- “Our understanding of the vowed to provide full access to ting the problem is the fi rst car, how to utilise the tools that data and samples from its drug- step in curing the problem,” we have — we’re far more com- tainted Moscow laboratory, the Tygart said. “Athletes deserve fortable at our job right now,” he second of two key demands re- an apology. Not some vague added. quired for reinstatement. letter that means nothing at The jet-setting champion an- Speaking to AFP on Monday, the same time that they (Rus- swered those who feared his life- Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates with teammates after winning the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday. (AFP) however, Tygart criticized the sia) are publicly denying eve- style — with fashion shows and apparent softening of WADA’s rything and saying they never trips to America — would aff ect better. We just need to keep do- “I don’t look at it and think about them. All we can do is be that he would do all he could to position, voicing fears the rein- did any of this. his bid for a fi fth title by showing ing that,” said Hamilton. that we lucked in. We honestly the best we can be that week- achieve that. statement of Russia could have “It’s a joke. And it’s another that it was all positive. The 33-year-old said there don’t waste any time wondering end and hopefully that is good “I just said to Toto: ‘Don’t for a corrosive eff ect on the morale slap in the face to clean ath- “People have asked me if I was no chance of anyone at Mer- what they are doing or how they enough. If it’s not then we will a second ever believe or let creep of athletes committed to com- letes around the world.” need to change my approach. I cedes getting ‘cocky or overly are feeling or if they are feeling keep working.” into your mind that I don’t want peting cleanly. Tygart also laughed off any think we’ve got a great approach confi dent’ after stretching the pressure, if they are happy or Hamilton said he still felt a to win this championship more suggestion that Russia could as a team. We have outper- gap to Ferrari in both champion- unhappy,” he said. need to win every race and had than anything. That’s my prior- ‘A HORRIBLE POSITION’ be trusted to undertake re- formed often a car that’s slightly ships. “There is nothing we can do assured team boss Toto Wolff ity.’,” he declared. “I think they’re entering their forms. last chance saloon,” Tygart “’We promise to play by the said of WADA. “They have an rules this time?’ Fool me once, opportunity to right the ship, shame on you, fool me twice, Insurer Allianz to sign up as Olympic Games sponsor for 2021-2028 but athletes are frustrated. shame on me. Come on. This “In the words of athletes out is trust, but verify. So far all Reuters The insurer, who will become were not released but media re- there, they want Russia back at we’ve got is ‘Trust us, we want Berlin the IOC’s 14th top sponsor, will ports said the IOC was seeking any cost. And even at the cost of to be back in the sporting already have marketing rights around $50 mn per year. the credibility of the system and world,” he said. in China, France and Spain from “I am thrilled that we are join- the weakening of WADA in the Nevertheless, Tygart ex- erman insurer Allianz 2019 onwards. ing a global community of ath- eyes of the world. pressed hope that Thursday’s yesterday agreed to The IOC said Allianz would letes and people enthusiastic “That’s a horrible position WADA executive commit- Gbecome a global Olympic work to provide “innovative about sport and team work — in to be in if you’re an athlete. tee decision on Russia was sponsor for a four-Games period and integrated insurance solu- addition to our existing strong Because it’s tough enough to not necessarily a foregone between 2021-2028 in the latest tions to support the Olympic partnership with the Interna- live by the anti-doping rules. conclusion, noting the resig- addition to the International movement, including the tional Paralympic Committee You want to compete clean and nation on Saturday of com- Olympic Committee’s (IOC) top organising committees of the (IPC),” Allianz CEO Oliver Baete you’re willing to do it. But that’s pliance committee member tier sponsorship programme. Olympic Games, with the ambi- said in the statement. as long as you believe those that Beckie Scott, an Olympic gold Allianz, eager to access the well as the Winter Games in 2022 Thomas Bach in a statement. tion of providing those insur- Long-time Olympic sponsor are enforcing the rules against medallist who remains chair- Games’ young global audience in Beijing and in 2026. “We are delighted to be working ance solutions to the National Coca-Cola, Intel and Panasonic others have your back. woman of WADA’s athletes and wider sports community, will “This new partnership dem- together in the long term with Al- Olympic Committees around are also among the 14 IOC part- committee. see its logo used at the Summer onstrates the global appeal lianz to support sport around the the world and their Olympic ners. Visa, another long-time It’s tough enough to “I’m not sure they’re there Olympics in Paris in 2024 and and strength of the Olympic world. Allianz has built a global teams and athletes.” sponsor, recently extended its live by the anti-doping yet. Beckie Scott resigned Los Angeles four years later, as movement,” said IOC President business founded on trust.” Financial details of the deal contract with the IOC to 2032. rules. You want to from the compliance review compete clean and committee. She’s been a vo- ‘ cal, principled advocate of a you’re willing to do it. But that’s as long as you fair approach on this issue. NHL believe those that are I don’t think it’s a done deal enforcing the rules that the executive committee have your back will reinstate,” he said. “We’ll see ultimately how — Travis Tygart, the vote goes. If it goes that United States Anti-Doping way, it’s a terrible day for clean chief executive athletes, but it’s not time for Anthony Duclair hits re-set clean athletes to throw in the “The moment you think towel. That’s who we care they’re willing to turn a blind most about. eye — whether it’s a large “These organisations that country like Russia, or indi- have fl awed governance sys- button, tries to make Jackets vidual athletes — that then tems, hopefully they will puts a lot of pressure on you to eventually have a day of reck- By Adam Jardy tiss Kivlenieks in goal for the Blue Jackets nitely coming in motivated and I want similarly throw in the towel, oning and change. But trying The Columbus Dispatch (TNS) after Kivlenieks stopped all seven shots RESULTS to get back to my old ways like I did my and cheat. to combine that with encour- he faced in the fi rst period. rookie season.” “And so that’s the climate aging athletes is a diffi cult The lead doubled when Nathan Beau- Nashville 5-0 Florida A native of Montreal, Duclair said he we now face, where athletes thing to do. pair of adjectives have been used lieu scored during a 4-on-3 advantage Buff alo 4-1 Columbus chose the Blue Jackets because he felt it are put in a position where “Our hope is that athletes in relation to summer signee at 6:31, and Savard’s goal eight seconds Nashville 5-3 Florida would be a good fi t and that Tortorella they don’t have confi dence in don’t lose all hope and throw Anthony Duclair since the Blue later made it a 2-1 Buff alo lead until Kyle would help get the best out of him. Tor- the global watchdog to protect in the towel. I think it will be Jackets got this preseason un- Criscuolo beat Thiessen at 13:15 to make NY Rangers 4-3 New Jersey torella has made a promise to Duclair: He them and they are seriously an unfortunate outcome.” derway.A First, it was coach John Tortore- it 3-1. Philadelphia 3-1 NY Islanders is watching him every single day this pre- asking themselves ‘Is doing Tygart said Olympic broad- lla, who at media described his potential Playing with obviously heavy legs in Montreal 3-1 New Jersey season in the hopes of helping him shake it the right way really impor- casters and sponsors could as “unlimited,” provided he can fi gure a a game Tortorella said earlier in the day off the inconsistencies that have made tant?’” ultimately bring pressure to few things out. would be diffi cult to evaluate given this Winnipeg 2-1 Minnesota him bounce around the league. Tygart said WADA’s re- bear to strengthen global an- Then, a few days into camp, it was Du- stage of the preseason, the Blue Jackets Edmonton 7-4 Calgary “It’s not a threat, (it’s) because I’ve lease of correspondence on ti-doping eff orts. clair himself who described the situation fi nished with a 37-20 advantage in shots heard so many good things about what he Saturday, intended to provide “At some point, broadcast- that led to his signing with his fourth on goal but struggled to solve goaltender can be,” Tortorella said. “I need to watch. transparency over its dealings ers and the sponsors are go- NHL team in fi ve years as “a bit embar- Linus Ullmark. close a season in which he was occasion- Why is this his fourth team? I need to ask with Russian authorities, had ing to see a failed system and rassing”. That’s where both sides entered Duclair has played 213 NHL games ally a healthy scratch. that question.” merely shown the agency had are going to demand more,” he Monday night’s exhibition opener against since breaking into the league at age 19 He signed a one-year contract as an Now Duclair’s hope is that the Blue “tried to pull a fast one.” said. “Is that moment now? I the Buff alo Sabres, with Duclair on the with the New York Rangers in the 2014-15 unrestricted free agent for the league Jackets aren’t just another speed bump in “They got caught with don’t know. They’ve been aw- top line in his fi rst public steps toward season. minimum – $650,000 – to join the Blue his career. their hand in the cookie jar,” fully silent. realising the hopes of growing into a key He blossomed the following season Jackets after the Blackhawks opted not to “Obviously coming from Montreal you he said. “They were forced to “At the end of the day, the role for the Jackets. with Arizona, scoring 20 goals and add- bring him back. don’t follow the Blue Jackets too much, make their announcement on Olympic fl ame is not going He started at right wing and assisted ing 24 assists but slumped the following “Obviously, being a free agent at 22 and then this is my (fi fth) year in the Saturday to release the ad- to burn nearly as bright if we on David Savard’s goal in the second pe- year and was traded to Chicago during the years old is a bit embarrassing to me,” he league, you take notice that the Blue Jack- ditional documents. But the don’t have an independent, riod as the lone off ensive bright spot in a 2017-18 season. said. “I didn’t take it too well. I looked ets are a hard-working team. They work documents now plainly reveal global watchdog to ensure in- 4-1 loss to the Sabres. Buff alo did most of Since his 44-point outburst, Duclair myself in the mirror and said something their butts off in every game. I think that’s what everyone prior to that tegrity for health and safety of its damage in the second, scoring only 22 has 16 goals and 22 assists. He ended last has got to change. I had a conversation what I need to do in my career. I think it’s suspected — that they com- athletes.” seconds in as Brad Thiessen relieved Ma- season with a 14-game scoreless streak to with Torts when I signed, and I’m defi - a perfect place for me to do that.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 19, 2018 7 SPORT

CRICKET Stokes, Hales charged with bringing game into disrepute AFP act or omission at any time series following his acquittal. former fi rst-class cricketer Tim Colombo which may be prejudicial to the The incident outside the night- O’Gorman, will take place be- interests of cricket or which club saw England eventually de- tween England’s two winter may bring the ECB, the game of cide against playing him in the tours. England will play three en Stokes and Alex cricket or any cricketer or group 2017/18 Ashes, which they lost Tests, fi ve one-day internation- Hales have been charged of cricketers into disrepute.” 4-0 after he had been removed als and a Twenty20 match in Sri with bringing the game Stokes denied a charge of af- from the position of Test vice- Lanka in October and November. into disrepute by the fray and was cleared following captain. They are also scheduled to EnglandB and Wales cricket Board a seven-day trial last month. Stokes returned to interna- play three Tests, fi ve ODIs and following a late-night street His teammate, Hales, was with tional duty during the post- three T20 matches in the West brawl last year. Stokes during the altercation but Ashes tour of New Zealand. Big- Indies from January until March. The independent cricket Dis- was not charged. hitting batsman Hales, 29, last Born in Christchurch, New cipline Commission (CDC) was All-rounder Stokes, whose played for England in the third Zealand, Stokes came to England tasked with leading an internal co-defendant Ryan Ali was Twenty20 match against India in in 2003 after his father Ged was investigation into the incident also found not guilty, had been early July. The disciplinary panel appointed coach of the Work- outside a nightclub in Bristol, charged following the fi ght hearing will be held in London ington rugby league side. southwest England, which took hours after England played the on December 5 and December 7. Stokes has played 46 Tests place in September 2017. West Indies in a one-day inter- The CDC has a wide range of since making his debut against Each player has been charged national in Bristol. penalties open to it including Australia in 2013. He has also with two counts of breaching Stokes, 27, missed the second issuing a caution, reprimand, a played 70 ODIs and made 22 T20 ECB directive 3.3, which states: Test against India last month fi ne or suspension. appearances. Hales, now a lim- “No participant may conduct because of his trial but was re- The hearing, which will be ited-overs specialist, has played themself in a manner or do any called for the third match of the held in private and chaired by 65 ODIs and 56 T20 matches. England’s Ben Stokes (left) and Alex Hales. (AFP)

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Jordanian players complete their Australian cricket rehab at Aspetar

By Sports Reporter fantastic staff that have helped Doha me to get back to full fi tness. The combination of the facili- ties and staff makes it an ideal wo players of Al Jazeera place for me and for every ath- needs Smith back, Club and Jordan na- lete looking for treatment”. tional team have com- Meanwhile his fellow Jor- pleted their ten-day danian national teammate, Trehabilitation to recover from al-Rawabdeh said: “Aspetar is a groin injury at Qatar’s world a reference for us, It has been famous orthopaedic and sports an amazing experience for me medicine hospital, Aspetar. (at Aspetar). In terms of the fa- The players, Zaid Jaber and cilities and its experts, it is the says Steve Waugh Noor al-Rawabdeh hope to be best treatment centre I have ready for a match against Air ever been to anywhere in the ‘You can’t lose someone of his quality overnight and expect to replace it’ Force Club from Iraq during world. Hopefully will be fi t for the AFC Cup title journey. The the Final of AFC cup”. AFP winners of the Inter-Zone fi nal The Jordanian internation- Sydney will play on the AFC Cup title al footballer has established on October 27. himself as one of the top young Commenting on his treat- midfi elders in the Jordanian ustralian cricket needs ment in Aspetar, Jaber, said: League, he is seeking to return disgraced ex-captain “I suff ered from a groin injury, to action very soon to help his Steve Smith and he is that’s why I’m at Aspetar for club secure the Asian cup. likely to be welcomed treatment, I need around six Speaking about Qatar as a backA with open arms, former weeks to be fi t, I came to Doha host for the 2022 FIFA World skipper Steve Waugh forecast 10 days ago where Aspetar spe- Cup Zaid Jaber said: “:We are yesterday, although it might be cialists outlined a fl exible re- proud to have an Arab country tougher for David Warner. habilitation programme. I will host the FIFA World Cup for the The pair are serving one-year follow the programme after my fi rst time. suspensions from internation- return to Jordan to be ready for “I am sure Qatar will show- al and state cricket over their the upcoming games. I hope I case the region for all its posi- part in the ball-tampering will be ready for AFC Cup chal- tives. They started preparing scandal against South Africa in lenge with Aljazeera club”. for the tournament years ago March, while opener Cameron In an interview held in Asp- and I expect will be ready for Bancroft was banned for nine etar, Jaber spoke about choos- the event early, as they’re work- months. ing Aspetar as a preferred place ing to fi nish all projects two “We need him back in Aus- for treatment, saying: “Luckily years ahead. it’ll make every tralian cricket,” Waugh told I didn’t get a lot of injuries be- Arab proud…it’s amazing.” Fox Sports Australia of 29-year- fore, I have had an experience Noor al-Rawabdeh and Zaid old Smith, who has played 64 with Muaither, Qatar Stars Jaber are expected to be a part Tests. League club, I knew Aspetar of Jordan’s squad for the 2019 “You can’t lose someone of his and their professionalism es- Asian Cup, taking place in UAE quality overnight and expect to pecially when we talk about on January 2019. Jordan is in replace it and he’s still only rela- athlete screening. Group B alongside Australia, tively young.” He added:” Aspetar also has Syria and Palestine. All three players accepted re- sponsibility for the scandal that rocked the sport, with Smith’s tearful apology on his arrival back in Australia tugging at the heartstrings. Waugh said fans “still adore him”. “The Australian public, they are forgiving,” he said. “He (Smith) made a mistake and he’s paid a heavy price for it. “But if he gets back out there and plays with the same en- thusiasm and passion, he loves playing cricket, he loves scoring Smith was banned for a year for his part in a ball-tampering scandal during a Test in South Africa. runs, he wants to get back play- Jordan’s Zaid Jaber and Noor al-Rawabdeh at Aspetar during their ing for Australia, I think Austral- rehabilitation programme. ians will move past what hap- pened before. Australia’s Handscomb hurting aft er Test axing “They obviously remember it, TENNIS but they’re big enough to realise Test discard Peter Hands- understands why he has been you can make a mistake and grow comb says he is hurting after dropped. from that and be stronger.” being axed from Australia’s “It’s the same old – you’ve got Warner, a dynamic batsman squad to play Pakistan next make runs to be playing for Anger management: but a divisive fi gure in the game, month, but has heeded the Australia and I haven’t been may fi nd it harder to earn ac- message that he must score putting numbers on the board ceptance again. more runs. that’s needed to represent this ruffl ed Azarenka He was charged by Cricket The middle-order batsmen country,” he said. Australia with developing the was sacrificed after form Australia has selected five plot to use sandpaper to alter the deserted him, with selectors debutants for the two-Test posts Tokyo win ball and telling Bancroft to carry opting instead for uncapped series in the United Arab it out. pair Travis Head and Marnus Emirates, with Michael Neser, AFP cross-court backhand after an Despite this, Waugh said he Labuschagne. Since making Brendan Doggett and Aaron Tokyo hour and 52 minutes. “It was hoped Warner would also get a his Test debut against South Finch joining Labuschagne defi nitely a little tougher than second chance. Africa in late 2016, Hands- and Head. it should have been,” said Aza- “I hope so, you have to give comb has averaged a credit- Veteran fast bowler Peter ormer world number renka. “I had so many opportu- guys an opportunity to redeem able 43.63. But the 27-year-old Siddle, 33, was also recalled one Victoria Azarenka nities to close the match earlier themselves. They’ve apologised paid the price for being dis- after a near two-year hiatus, fought the gremlins to but she’s a great fi ghter,” added and paid a heavy price,” he said, missed in single figures nine a decision that stunned ex- beat Japan’s Kurumi the former Australian Open but warned it would not be easy NaraF 6-4, 7-5 and reach the champion, who blew a kiss to times from his last 11 innings Australian quick Stuart Clark for any of them to bounce back across all formats. “It’s obvi- who said Victoria’s Chris Trem- last 16 of the Pan Pacifi c Open Leo and promised to bring him to the top. ously tough, getting dropped ain should have got the nod yesterday. The Belarusian, who to Tokyo next year. “But a win “It’s going to be a challenge at any stage hurts,” he told instead. “I spat my cornflakes has tumbled down the rankings is a win so I’m happy.” for all of them to come back, it’s cricket.com.au yesterday. out when I read it,” he told following a messy custody bat- Croatia’s Donna Vekic took not going to be as easy as people “I was backing myself to score reporters. tle over baby Leo, ironed out advantage of a litany of er- think,” he said. runs in the subcontinent. I “I’ve read we have gone with the glitches just in time with rors from American Sloane “You’re out for 12 months, had a tough tour (this month) character over ability and all Nara threatening to force a de- Stephens, the tournament’s the game does move on, you lose with Australia A in India, but I this stuff . Well, what’s wrong ciding set in Tokyo. fi fth seed, to topple last year’s that aura of invincibility a little know I can do it and I’ve done with Tremain’s character? He Currently ranked 63rd and US Open champion 6-4, 6-4. bit, you become a bit more frag- it before both in India and seems fine to me.” The first contesting as a wildcard, Aza- Johanna Konta showed ile, a bit of self-doubt creeps in. Bangladesh.” Test is in Dubai from October renka smashed her racquet on glimpses of the form that made “So it’s going to be a real chal- Despite his self-belief, the 7 with the second in Abu the court in fury at her wasteful- her a top-fi ve player last year lenge for all three of those guys to sometime wicket-keeper Dhabi from October 16. ness before converting her fourth by crushing Canada’s Gabriela come back strong.” match point with a thumping Dabrowski 6-2, 6-0.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

ASIA CUP India avoid Hong Kong upset aft er Dhawan’s ton

AFP SCOREBOARD Doha INDIA Babar Hayat c Dhoni b Chahal 18 ndia survived a scare against R. Sharma c Nizakat b Ehsan ...23 C. Carter c Dhoni b Ahmed ...... 3 Hong Kong after Shikhar S. Dhawan c Afzal b Shah ...... 127 K. Shah c Dhawan b Chahal ...... 17 Dhawan’s hundred as they A. Rayudu c McKechnie b Nawaz Ehsan Khan c and b Ahmed ....22 battled to a 26-run win over ...... 60 Aizaz Khan lbw b Chahal ...... 0 Ithe minnows in the Asia Cup K. Karthik c Hayat b Shah ...... 33 S. McKechnie st Dhoni b Yadav 7 yesterday. M. Dhoni c McKechnie b Ehsan 0 Tanvir Afzal not out ...... 12 Chasing a big 286-run target, K. Jadhav not out ...... 28 Ehsan Nawaz not out ...... 2 Hong Kong gave their illustrious B. Kumar c Rath b Shah ...... 9 Extras (lb4, nb3, w6) ...... 13 opponents a run for their money S. Thakur c Carter b Aizaz ...... 0 Total (for 8 wkts; 50 overs) 259 with an opening stand of 174 K. Yadav not out ...... 0 Fall of wicktets: 1-174 (Rath), runs before collapsing to 259-8 Extras (lb2, nb1, w2) ...... 5 2-175 (Nizakat), 3-191 (Carter), in 50 overs. Total (for 7 wkts; 50 overs) 285 4-199 (Hayat), 5-227 (Shah), 6-227 India were lifted to 285-7 by a Fall of wickets: 1-45 (Sharma), (Aizaz), 7-240 (McKechnie), punishing 127 by Dhawan - his 2-161 (Rayudu), 3-240 (Dhawan), 8-256 (Ehsan) 14th one-day international hun- 4-242 (Dhoni), 5-248 (Karthik), Bowling: Kumar 9-0-50-0 (1w), dred - and an attractive 60 by 6-277 (Kumar), 7-282 (Thakur) Ahmed 10-0-48-3 (1w), Thakur the recalled Ambati Rayudu at Bowling: Afzal 4-0-34-0, Nawaz 4-0-41-0 (3nb, 1w), Chahal 10- Dubai Stadium. 8-0-50-1 (1nb, 1w), Aizaz 8-0-41-1 0-46-3, Yadav 10-2-42-2 (1w), The Group A match was ex- (1w), Ehsan 10-0-65-2, Nadeem Jadhav 7-0-28-0. pected to be a one-sided aff air, 10-0-39-0, Nizakat 1-0-15-0, Shah Result: India win by 26 runs but Nizakat Khan scored a bril- 9-0-39-3 Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) liant 115-ball 92 with 12 fours and Anisur Rahman (BAN) and a six, with skipper Anshu- Hong Kong TV umpire: Shaun George man Rath adding 73 to make In- Nizakat Khan lbw b Ahmed .....92 (RSA) dia sweat for victory. Their stand A. Rath c Sharma b Yadav ...... 73 Match referee: A Pycroft (ZIM) is the best for any wicket by Hong Kong in an ODI, bettering the 170-run stand for the fourth much lower than India’s 374-4 in the middle during key times. wicket by the same pair against in the only previous match be- Credit to the India bowlers for Scotland at Mongkok in 2016. tween the two teams in Karachi sticking with their plans. But both fell in successive in the 2008 Asia Cup. “Going into the tournament we overs to give India a sigh of re- “I was working hard as always, had no pressure, and we wanted lief ahead of their high-profi le and was being patient knowing to play with a smile on our faces. match against Pakistan on that runs were going to come. I It would’ve been nice if we rolled Wednesday, also in Dubai. wasn’t taking extra risk today, over the best team in the world, Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Cha- was playing on the merit of the but I’m super proud of the boys. hal (3-46) and debutant pace- Bangladesh and Afghanistan overs after Hong Kong won the to capitalise on an inexperienced sixes during his 120-ball knock. ball. And they were bowling in Nizakat’s innings at the top was man Khalil Ahmed (3-48) were have qualifi ed for the Super Four toss and opted to fi eld fi rst. bowling attack by falling on 23. But once Dhawan and Rayudu right areas. The pitch was a bit great. He batted at No 4 in the the pick of Indian bowlers. stage from Group B, while Paki- India, resting KL Rahul, Jas- But Dhawan ensured he used fell, India lost their way with slow too,” Dhawan, the Man of qualifi ers, but he’s delivered as It could have been the second stan and India joined them from prit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya the game as good practice ahead Mahendra Singh Dhoni falling the Match, said. the opener. And against the best upset in successive days after Group A. The top two teams in anticipation of an easy game, of the “match of the tourna- without scoring. Hong Kong captain Anshuman white-ball side in the world, we fi ve-time champions Sri Lanka from the Super Four will play the were helped to the total by an ment” against arch rivals Paki- It was left to Dinesh Karthik Rath said, “We are proud, but it’s showed the kind of cricket we can were sent packing out of the September 28 fi nal in Dubai. innings-building 116-run stand stan, as he punished the Hong (33) and Kedar Jadhav (28 not bittersweet.” play. Our bowlers stuck out in the tournament by Afghanistan with Dhawan and the recalled Ray- between Dhawan and Rayudu Kong bowlers at will. out) to ensure India got beyond “We should’ve probably won heat, and we pulled India to un- a 91-run win in Abu Dhabi. udu steered India to 285-7 in 50 after skipper Rohit Sharma failed Dhawan hit 15 fours and two the 280-mark. The total was it, but lost few too many wickets der 300,” he said.

PREVIEW ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Traditional reception being planned to India, Pakistan set welcome delegations he Local Organising ganising Committee is putting Committee of the Qatar its best foot forward and aims Gymnastics Federation to deliver a historic Qatar ver- for the forthcoming sion that will witness record T48th Artistic Gymnastics World unprecedented participation in for blockbuster Championships Doha 2018 is the number of nations and ath- meticulously planning vari- letes. We are ready to present ous aspects of the fi rst event to the best picture as hosts,” he be held in the Middle East with stressed. great care and in detail. With regards to the accredi- Mohamed Abdullah al- tation cards for various servic- Maraghi, Director of Institu- es, al-Maraghi pointed out that tional Support of the Organis- the distribution of cards will be Asia Cup battle ing Committee informed that done in an accurate manner. among other things a tradition- “There will be a large number ‘Their batting is very strong so I can say that it will be a good match’ al reception for all delegations of volunteers and staff at the and athletes of 83 countries is distribution site to facilitate the AFP being planned for October 24. process. The registration (for Abu Dhabi The world championships to volunteers) was opened well in be staged at the Aspire Dome advance and will be closed on will be held from October 25 to the 27th of this month. We are ival captains Sarfraz November 3. also cooperating with the se- Ahmed and Rohit Shar- “A reception for delegations curity committee with regards ma played down the participating on October 24 to this. The cards will be issued hype surrounding to- with representatives from each after obtaining the approvals,” day’sR much-awaited India-Paki- country at the ceremony is be- he said. stan clash in Dubai, insisting that ing planned, said al-Maraghi. Al-Maraghi thanked the the Asia Cup is much more than a Providing details, he said, Higher Organising Commit- contest between the arch-rivals. “The ceremony will have a tra- tee for its support and of all the But despite their claims, mil- ditional welcome symbolising sub-committees in ensuring lions of fans across the border Qatar’s heritage, custom and that the work is done in the best and elsewhere in the world will tradition. There will also be a possible way. be watching the Group A clash, closing ceremony for the cham- “The Organising Committee with a sold out 25,000-crowd pionship and we are working includes Qatari cadres at the expected at Dubai Stadium. continuously for the prepara- highest level. They have great The game is the fi rst between tions to be complete as far as experience through working in the sub-continent rivals since possible. previous international sporting Pakistan thumped India by 180 “We will also be providing all events. Our common goal is to runs in the fi nal of the Champi- support to the sub-committees, achieve success. We are work- ons Trophy at The Oval in June including the two commit- ing on a given timeline and will last year. tees formed for the registration do everything in terms of insti- The two teams are facing cards and the reception. We will tutional support. We hope the each other for the fi rst time in also facilitate access to delega- championship will be staged in the United Arab Emirates since tions participating through vi- the best possible way and high- 2006, the last of their regular sas. light Qatar’s global position in matches which were also held in “In order to prepare in the organising top sports events,” Sharjah between 1984-2000. best possible manner, the Or- he said. Sarfraz, who led Pakistan in that memorable Champions Indian team captain Rohit Sharma (left) talks with Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed during an Asia Cup press conference in Dubai. (AFP) Trophy triumph, denied that his team will have a psychological a good team even without Kohli. extreme hot conditions in the advantage. “They have good players who SQUADS UAE, with the temperature scal- “We will not take that Cham- have done well for India. So I ing to over 40 degrees Celsius pions Trophy win in our minds,” don’t think it will make much PAKISTAN: Sarfraz Ahmed Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Dinesh and expected to rise further in said Sarfraz on Monday, a day diff erence to India. Their batting (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam- Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep the coming days. Sharma said his after his team thumped qualifi ers is very strong so I can say that it ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar side will get a chance to assess Hong Kong in their fi rst match of will be a good match.” Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the conditions in their match the tournament. “That was a dif- Sarfraz has told his players just Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mo- Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, against Hong Kong. ferent atmosphere (in London) to enjoy the occasion. hamed Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Khaleel Ahmed “Once we fi nish the fi rst game and conditions. It was a year ago “My message to the players Hasan Ali, Mohamed Amir, Jun- Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA) we will look at Pakistan, what so that’s history so we will enter is not to bother about the result aid Khan, Usman Khan Shinwari, and Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI) their strengths and weaknesses the ground with a new strategy and do (their) best and when you Shaheen Shah Afridi TV Umpire: Gregory Brathwaite are. Looking at the pitch, I think and passion.” do that you get a positive result in INDIA: Rohit Sharma (captain), (WIS) we have the perfect combination India’s regular captain and all matches because there are fi ve Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Match referee: David Boon and the guys to do the job. world-class batsman Virat Kohli other teams as well,” he said. Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, (AUS). “A few players have come from has been rested for the competi- Five-time Asia Cup champi- England so it’s going to be a chal- tion to help his aching back after ons Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and top two to reach the September Pakistan, but it’s not about one lenge for them. a gruelling tour of England. Afghanistan are in Group B. 28 fi nal. India and Pakistan will team as well. “For the rest of us, we have But Sarfraz refused to accept India have won the event — also face off again in the Super “There are other teams also been here for the last four days Kohli’s absence will make much which started in 1984 — six Four on September 23. eyeing the title,” said Sharma, so I can probably say we are very diff erence. times, while Pakistan have been India skipper Sharma said his who has the rare record of scor- much used to the conditions. “No doubt he (Kohli) is their champions twice. Two teams team will be looking beyond Pa- ing three one-day international “It’s game time, so we have to Mohamed Abdullah al-Maraghi, Director of Institutional Support, captain and a world-class bats- from each group will qualify for kistan. double hundreds. focus on the game rather than the Organising Committee, 48th Artistic Gymnastics World man but I think they (India) have the Super Four stage, with the “It’s always exciting to play All six teams have to endure conditions.” Championships Doha 2018.