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Saturday, November 4, 2017 Safar 15, 1439 AH Rafa’s participation GULF TIMES in Tour finals in the balance SPORT Page 7 / CLASSIC El Shorbagy fi rst to clinch Qatar El Shorbagy beats Momen Classic thrice to win title

By Sports Reporter The 29-year-old showed his met- “When I saw the draw pre-event PSA World Tour titles – 14 of tle to take the second game, but he I knew it would be tough. I had to which have come at World Series was ultimately found short of El play the World No 9, the No 5, the level – as he dug in with dogged Shorbagy in the end as the former No 1 and the No 7 to win, but play- determination to come through ohamed El Shorbagy world No.1 prevailed over him 11- ing tough opponents is the chal- a crucial stage of the match and won the all-Egyptian 8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7. lenge that I live for. To be the best complete the win. Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation president Nasser al-Khelaifi (left) presents f4inal to clinch his “What made the diff erence to- you have to beat these players. “Today it didn’t matter how the winner’s trophy to (also below) after he won the third Qatar Classic day was my experience. I have “At the end of the day you want tired I was – it was about how Mtitle at the Khalifa International been in so many fi nals. But it was to challenge yourself against the much I wanted to win. I just killed squash title yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Tennis and Squash Complex yes- his fi rst. I knew the emotions he best. Backing it up mentally each myself on every shot and I’m so terday. was going through. I was trying day was not easy – but I’m really happy to have won,” the champion In the fi nal, which lasted 64 min- to contain him but at times he happy. Last season I didn’t play said. utes, the former world champion was like a train – I just couldn’t like a winner – this week I feel like After the match Momen said: overcame world No.7 Tarek Momen stop him. When he took the sec- I played at my best level and that “It’s been an incredible week for 3-1 to become fi rst player to win ond game it was a big blow for was my focus coming here.” me. I didn’t know what to expect the PSA World Series tournament me. He really pushed me and I After dropping the second game coming here and making my fi rst thrice after appearing in his sixth feel this is just the beginning for to Momen, El Shorbagy looked ever World Series tournament fi - consecutive fi nals in Qatar. him. If he can keep that momen- to be up against it in the third as nal was very special. Obviously “I’m extremely proud of how tum, he’ll be hard to stop,” said El Momen, utilising his speed and I’m disappointed to lose but think I performed this week,” said El Shorbagy, who showed his calibre agility, attacked in the mid-stages it was a good match.” Shorbagy. throughout the event as he swept to string together a series of pun- It was El Shorbagy who took the past World No 8 , ishing rallies and exhausted El RESULT opening game as Momen, com- World No 4 and World Shorbagy. [3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) peting on the biggest stage of his No 1 Gregory Gaultier to reach the But the Bristol-based player bt [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, career, showed signs of nerves. title-decider. showed just why he has won 28 10-12, 11-7, 11-7 (64m)

QNB STARS LEAGUE Msakni strikes twice as see off Al Khor

By Sports Reporter off the ball just outside the box. Doha Meanwhile, former champions Al Gharafa were held to a 1-1 draw by a fi ghting . oussef El Arabi and Nam Tae- Hosts Al Gharafa saw Vladimir hee had off days but that still Weiss score in the 10th minute, but Al couldn’t stop Al Duhail from Markhiya equalised through Kwame beating Al Khor in the QNB Karikari in the 64th. Both teams have StarsY League yesterday. only one win each thus far. Al Gharafa Their 4-2 win came didn’t come with have six points and Al Markhiya fi ve. the usual degree of comfort Al Duhail Al Gharafa launched the proceed- are accustomed to but that would suf- ings on a cautious note, but it did not fi ce for the moment as they reclaimed help them take the lead in the hard- their top position in the standings with fought clash. However, they opened the 19 points from seven matches. scoring through Slovakian midfi elder Youssef Msakni scored a brace and Weiss, who found the net in spectacu- Luiz Martin and Abdullah Abdulsalam lar fashion. also registered on the scoresheet for Al Weiss, surrounded by four Al Duhail, while Brazilian Madson scored Markhiya defenders, outpaced his a twice for Al Khor, including one from challengers and forced goalkeeper Mo- the penalty spot. hamed Khoroub to charge out of spot. A With their fi fth defeat in seven Al Duhail’s Nam Tae-hee (left) congratulates Youssef Msakni after the latter scored Al Rayyan’s Musa Haroun (second from right) celebrates his goal with teammates calm Weiss ran around the goalkeeper matches, Al Khor remain in 10th place a goal against Al Khor yesterday. PICTURE: Othman Iraqi during the match against Qatar SC yesterday. and clipped the ball into the net from and further setbacks would mean they close range. It was Weiss’ fourth goal of would be ending up fi ghting a relega- comte. In between, he saw Luiz Martin dominated Qatar SC for a 2-0 win at the spite enjoying more of the ball. game. Qatar SC just could not match the season. tion battle. answer his back pass with an on-the-run Al Sadd Stadium . After coming close on a few occa- the rivals’ might despite trying hard. Al Duhail, who were held by Al bullet shot from distance. Defender Musa Haroun (43rd sions, Al Rayyan had to wait till the Ibrahim Jamal, the most enterprising RESULTS (home teams first) Gharafa in the last round, meant busi- Al Duhail took their feet off the pedal minute) and playmaker Rodrigo Tabata 43rd minute to open the scoring. Tall among Qatar SC ranks, took another Al Rayyan 2 (Musa Haroun 43, Rod- ness straightaway and Msakni played in the second half, whereas Al Khor did (61st) scored the goals. defender Haroun placed the ball home shot from outside the box, but in vain. rigo Tabata 62) Qatar Sports Club 0 the captain’s role to perfection. all what they could thanks mainly to Al Rayyan thus took their points tally after Abderrazak Hamdallah set him up Al Rayyan doubled the lead after Al Gharafa 1 (Vladimir Weiss 40) Al He fi rst found the mark with a diagonal Madson’s brilliance. However, Abdul- to 18 with six wins from seven matches, with a header off a Gonzalo Viera cross Tabata curled his free-kick to the far Markhiya 1 (Kwame Karikari 64) shot from the left and then capitalised on salam’s goal sealed the issue in the Du- while Qatar SC stood at three at the from the left. corner of the net, leaving the opposing Al Khor 1 (Madson 68, pen; 87) Al a mistimed header by Al Khor’s Khalid hail’s favour. bottom. Al Rayyan reduced their pace on goalkeeper stranded. The free-kick was Duhail 4 ( Y. Msakni 30, 45+1; Luiz mar- Nawaf, aimed at goalkeeper Amine Le- Earlier, Al Rayyan, as expected, Al Rayyan created less chances de- resumption and played a composed awarded after Jasem Ali felled Tabata tin 34, Abdullah Abdulsalam 90+2) Gulf Times 2 Saturday, November 4, 2017 FOOTBALL

EPL Chelsea, United battle to stay in touch with City AFP hind leaders Manchester City and de- stand-out star at many Everton boss, including me, needs time feat against United at Stamford Bridge clubs. But it is a measure of the attack- with this set of players,” he said. tomorrow would leave them with an ing riches at Guardiola’s disposal that impossible-looking task. he has to share star billing with a host of Can Burnley gatecrash the party? helsea and Manchester United “We must fi nd the hunger we showed other quicksilver forwards. The Premier League has a familiar go head to head this weekend in all of last season, and sometimes this Aguero is some way down the goal- look after 10 matches with the “Big Six” a match neither club dare lose season,” said Conte. “But this season scoring charts, at 12th on the Premier in the top six spots. But lurking just out- as Manchester City entertain has been up and down. We need to fi nd League list, well behind Alan Shearer at side that gilded group are Burnley, level ArsenalC eyeing a chance to stretch their consistency.” the top on 260 goals. But it is his strike with Liverpool on 16 points. lead at the top of the Premier League. rate that catches the eye. The club’s away form has caught the Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten City are Will Mourinho attack Chelsea? The Argentine, who arrived at City eye, including an opening day victory smashing records with impunity and are Manchester United boss Jose Mour- from Atletico Madrid in 2011, aver- against Chelsea and an impressive draw already fi ve points clear of Jose Mourin- inho was lambasted for his cautious ages 0.69 goals per match, well ahead of against Tottenham at Wembley. ho’s United after nine wins in 10 games. tactics in a 0-0 bore draw at Anfi eld Shearer (0.59) and just ahead of Arsenal Sean Dyche, who takes his team to Elsewhere, Tottenham will look to last month, with critics saying he had legend Thierry Henry (0.68). Southampton on Saturday, is refusing to build on their impressive 3-1 win against missed a trick by failing to test Liver- “What he has achieved has made him get carried away. European champions Real Madrid in pool’s suspect defence. a legend. He’s gone down in history, so I “We are earning respect, a side that midweek and Liverpool will attempt Since then they have laboured to a would tell him to enjoy,” said Guardiola, feels like it can do what the Premier to stay on the coattails of the Premier couple of wins against Benfi ca in the whose side face Arsenal at the Etihad on League needs, but there’s still work to League pacesetters at West Ham. Champions League and beaten Spurs Sunday. be done,” he said. “It’s not a sprint, it’s a Here are fi ve things to look out for in 1-0 on home turf in the Premier League, marathon. We’ve made a good start but the EPL this weekend: as well as losing to Huddersfi eld. Can Everton stop the rot? there’s a long race to go.” Ex-Chelsea boss Mourinho, who held Managerless Everton, who host Wat- Can Chelsea rediscover their hunger? a fi nger to his lips and told the doubt- ford at home on Sunday, are in freefall Fixtures Chelsea turned last season’s Premier ers to calm down after his side beat and must fi nd a way to arrest their slide. (kick-off s 1500 GMT unless stated): League race into a procession but it’s Spurs last weekend, is unlikely to be The Merseyside club, who boast a Today been a diff erent story this time around, persuaded to depart from his pragmatic proud record of being ever-present in Huddersfield v West Brom, Newcastle v with three defeats already — they only game plan against Chelsea even though the English top-fl ight since 1954, fi nd Bournemouth, Southampton v Burnley, lost fi ve matches in the whole of last Conte’s men are coming into the match themselves in the relegation zone with Stoke v Leicester (1230), Swansea v season. Manager Antonio Conte criti- on the back of a poor defensive display only two Premier League wins. Brighton, West Ham v Liverpool (1730) cised his side after they crashed 3-0 in against Roma. Caretaker boss David Unsworth, Rome this week, saying they “lacked in charge since was Tomorrow everything”, though they are still likely How far can Aguero go? sacked, has pleaded for the new man- Chelsea v Man Utd (1630), Manchester to qualify for the Champions League Sergio Aguero, who this week became ager to be given time to turn things City v Arsenal (1415), Tottenham v Crys- knockout stages. Manchester City’s all-time record goal- around. tal Palace (1200), Everton v Watford Chelsea manager Antonio Conte reacts during the Champions League Chelsea are already nine points be- scorer with 178 strikes, would be the “Whoever gets the honour of being (1630) match against Roma in Rome. (Reuters)

EUROPA LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Salah can fi re Reds revival, says Klopp Arsenal through, career following his August AFP London arrival. “If he starts a Champi- ons League game, he is not urgen Klopp believes far from starting a Premier in-form winger League game, no?” Klopp said. Mohamed Salah holds “He was good, he off ered a the key to Liverpool lot, I loved his counter-press- Everton out, Evra in maintainingJ their recent re- ing situations. I’m not sure he vival at West Ham today did this a lot of times in his life After a spluttering start to already so it was really nice to the season, Klopp’s side have see.” eased the pressure on their Without a win in their last German coach with successive three league games, West Ham 3-0 wins over Huddersfi eld are only one point above the and Maribor. relegation zone as pressure karate kick red card The Reds head to east Lon- mounts on boss Slaven Bilic. don hoping to maintain that A League Cup win over Tot- ‘If you can’t win the game, don’t lose it. We’re not delighted with the point, but we’ll take it’ welcome upturn in their for- tenham earlier this month was tunes and Klopp knows Salah said to have saved Bilic from AFP will be crucial to his plans. the sack. Paris Since arriving from Roma But the Croatian’s job se- in the close-season, Salah has curity wasn’t helped when his already scored 10 times, in- side conceded a last-minute rsenal reached the Eu- cluding four in his last three equaliser against bottom of ropa League last 32 on appearances. the table Crystal Palace last Thursday as Everton The 25-year-old’s sky-high weekend. crashed out and Patrice confi dence was clear to see A heavy defeat against Liv- EvraA was red-carded for a karate on Wednesday when he broke erpool would leave Bilic’s fu- kick at one of his own Marseille Maribor’s resistance at An- ture in doubt again and Bilic fans — before the match had fi eld with a clever back-heeled acknowledged results need to even started. goal. improve quickly. Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal Salah has taken just 16 “I was frustrated and an- fought out a drab 0-0 draw with matches to reach double fi g- gry at losing the chance to get Red Star Belgrade at the Emir- ures in the goal charts — a points (against Palace). It was ates but the point was enough to strike-rate that puts him on a unbelievably important,” he make sure of qualifying for the par with Fernando Torres and said. knockout round with two games better than Luis Suarez at the “Now yes, of course I need to spare in Group H. start of their prolifi c Anfi eld something personally. I am in Jack Wilshere, overlooked by careers. a position I don’t want to be manager Gareth South- Deployed on the right wing, in. I have been there for a quite gate earlier in the day, had the the former Chelsea player has a time now. best chance but saw a second- benefi ted from being able to “Every win, even in the cup half eff ort cleared off the line. cut inside and Klopp is im- but especially in the league, it The result allowed the Gun- pressed with his progress. will take us and me out of that ners to stretch their unbeaten “He is a very off ensive mid- position and put us in a more home run in all competitions to fi elder, if not a striker,” Klopp comfortable position. 16 games. said. “Every game you don’t win “If you can’t win the game, “He likes these situations. puts you in a worse position. don’t lose it. We’re not delighted Teammates try to calm down Marseille’s defender Patrice Evra (left) as he tries to kick a supporter before the start of the UEFA Europa League He used his speed even in the We have to think about Liver- with the point, but we’ll take it,” match against Vitoria SC at the D. Afonso Henriques stadium in Guimaraes on Thursday. (AFP) small space (against Maribor), pool, as it being a very impor- said Wilshere. coming in behind.” tant game. Veteran Marseille defender RESULTS Liverpool’s growing in- “I do think I can turn it Evra was sent off after launch- jury list means Alex Oxlade- around, otherwise I wouldn’t ing a karate-style kick at one of Group A Group E Group I Chamberlain could make his be here.” his team’s own supporters before Slavia Prague (CZE) 0 Villarreal (ESP) 2 (Bacca Apollon Limassol (CYP) 1 (Zelaya 90+4) Ata- Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 1 (Hurtado 80) fi rst Premier League start for Adding to Bilic’s problems, the match against Vitoria Gui- 17, Deli 89-og) lanta (ITA) 1 (Ilicic 35-pen) Marseille (FRA) 0 the club. West Ham’s defensive op- maraes in Portugal. Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR) 0 Astana (KAZ) 1 Lyon (FRA) 3 (Traore 68, Aouar 76, Depay 88) Salzburg (AUT) 0 Konyaspor (TUR) 0 Oxlade-Chamberlain tions have been decimated by Former Manchester United (Twumasi 57) Everton (ENG) 0 Group J started against Maribor and injuries to Sam Byram, Jose star Evra, 36, was engaged in a Group B Group F Hertha Berlin (GER) 2 (Selke 16, 73) Zorya with Georginio Wijnaldum, Fonte and James Collins, while heated exchange with a group Young Boys (SUI) 0 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 1 FC Copenhagen (DEN) 3 (Luftner 42, Verbic Luhansk (UKR) 0 Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lal- right-back Pablo Zabaleta is of fans from an area reserved for (Buyalsky 70) 49, 90+2) Zlin (CZE) 0 Athletic Bilbao (ESP) 1 (Aduriz 70) Ostersund lana and Sadio Mane all side- suspended. around 500 Marseille supporters Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 (Tosic 39, Kana 66) Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) 1 (Farfan 26) Sheriff (SWE) 0 lined, the former Arsenal mid- Hammers winger Michail before aiming a head-high left- Skenderbeu (ALB) 0 Tiraspol (MDA) 2 (Badibanga 41, Brezovec 58) Group K fi elder could fi nally feature Antonio is also ruled out due footed kick at one of them. Group C Group G Vitesse Arnhem (NED) 0 Zulte Waregem (BEL) after a slow start to his Anfi eld to injury. “Pat has experience, and he Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR) 1 (Visca 90+3) Hof- FCSB (ROM) 1 (Coman 31) Hapoel Beer Sheva 2 (Baudry 3, Kaya 70) must not react, it’s obvious,” fenheim (GER) 1 (Grillitsch 47) (ISR) 1 (Sahar 37) Lazio (ITA) 1 (Le Marchand 90+2-og) Nice said Marseille coach Rudi Gar- Ludogorets (BUL) 1 (Marcelinho 68) Braga Viktoria Plzen (CZE) 4 (Krmencik 4, 19, Horava (FRA) 0 cia whose side lost 1-0 and had (POR) 1 (Fransergio 2) 45, Cermak 56) Lugano (SUI) 1 (Mariani 15) Boubacar Kamara sent off three Group D Group H Group L minutes from time. Rijeka (CRO) 1 (Pavicic 61) Austria Vienna Arsenal (ENG) 0 Red Star Belgrade (SRB) 0 Real Sociedad (ESP) 3 (Juanmi 31, De la Bella “Patrice is a more than just (AUT) 4 (Prokop 41, 62, Serbest 73, Monschein Cologne (GER) 5 (Zoller 16, Osako 54, 82, 69, Bautista 81) Vardar Skopje (MKD) 0 an experienced player. You can’t 83) Guirassy 63, Jojic 90) BATE Borisov (BLR) 2 Rosenborg (NOR) 1 (Bendtner 55-pen) Zenit respond to insults as bad as they AEK Athens (GRE) 0 AC Milan (ITA) 0 (Milunovic 31, Signevich 33) (RUS) 1 (Kokorin 90+3) are and as incredible as they might be because they come from one of our supporters. out after a 3-0 defeat in Lyon. hosts on 76 minutes. The former Cuco Martina to a worrying in- Vincenzo Montella following a “He must learn to keep his Languishing in the relega- Manchester United winger com- cident in the fi rst half as the Cu- 0-0 draw at AEK Athens. cool.” tion zone in the Premier League pleted the scoring himself late on racao international was stretch- The Italians hit the post on 57 The incident immediately and without a permanent man- after another ex-United player, ered off in a neck brace following minutes through Riccardo Mon- brought back memories of an- ager since the sacking of Ronald Morgan Schneiderlin, was sent an awkward fall. tolivo, while Turkey midfi elder other act of kung-fu kick mad- Koeman last week, Everton suc- off for a second booking. Despite suff ering a concus- Hakan Calhanoglu had a power- ness by a French footballer. cumbed to three second-half “We’re really disappointed with sion and needing hospital treat- ful drive turned away as Milan In January 1995, Eric Cantona, goals. Bertrand Traore rounded the result. For nearly 70 minutes, ment, Martina was later dis- remained two points clear of playing for Manchester United, Jordan Pickford to break the we were nearly perfect with our charged and travelled back to their Greek hosts in Group D. launched a fl ying kick at a Crys- deadlock on 68 minutes in the game plan and created a couple Merseyside.Seven-time Euro- Vitaliy Buyalskiy fi red Dyna- tal Palace supporter at Selhurst Group E clash. of opportunities and should have pean champions AC Milan, in mo Kiev into the knockout phase Park who had jeered him after he Memphis Depay then set up scored,” said Everton caretaker the midst of a poor run of form after the Ukrainian side secured had been sent off . 19-year-old Houssem Aouar to manager David Unsworth. in Serie A, failed to relieve much a 1-0 victory over Group B rivals Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah controls the ball during the UEFA Struggling Everton crashed steer in a slick second goal for the Everton also lost defender pressure on under-fi re manager Young Boys in . Champions League Group E match against NK Maribor. (AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, November 4, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Rodgers delivers warning to rivals Mourinho testifi es Academy base. AFP Glasgow “It’s always been the vision and the vision we are rolling out into the reality. The club eltic manager and the players are getting Brendan Rodgers says their rewards, but we have to he expects his side to keep developing. That’s the get even better as he key message.” in Madrid court over Cdelivered an ominous message Celtic could write them- to the rest of Scottish football. selves into the history books The champions earned once again by surpassing their plenty of plaudits for their own 100-year-old British performance against Ger- record of 62 domestic matches man giants Bayern Munich unbeaten if they avoid defeat on Tuesday which saw them away to St Johnstone today. narrowly defeated 2-1 by their The Bhoys matched the run tax fraud allegations Champions League Group B set by Willie Maley’s Celtic opponents. side between 1915 and 1917 ‘I left in 2013 with the conviction that my fiscal situation was perfectly legal’ Rodgers adamantly refused with a 1-1 draw at home to Kil- to compromise his principles marnock last weekend. by making Celtic more defen- Standing in their way of sive following heavy defeats to reaching that target is St John- Paris Saint-Germain and Bay- stone — the last side to defeat ern earlier in the campaign. them on domestic duty back in He was rewarded as his May 2016. side’s approach saw them The Perth side are on a poor come tantalisingly close to run having lost four of their earning a point at home to the last fi ve matches and having German champions. failed to score since their 2-1 The result ended the Scot- win over Hamilton on Sep- tish champions’ hopes of pro- tember 23. gressing to the last 16 of the But Saints manager Tommy competition, but they remain Wright, who will be missing a favourites to clinch a Europa number of key players for the League spot ahead of Belgian match because of injury, in- side Anderlecht. sists his players can end Celt- Although Rodgers de- ic’s unbeaten run because they clared himself happy at the have overturned the odds in progress his side have made games before. “We still go into since his arrival in May 2016, Saturday’s game thinking we the Northern Irishman — who can win,” Wright said. won a treble in his debut sea- “We have always been ca- son — says he expects his play- pable of throwing up surprise ers to keep on improving and results and Saturday is no dif- collecting titles. ferent.” “It’s very easy to be prag- Elsewhere, Rangers interim matic and sit in, but it gives manager Graeme Murty will you pride when you see play- look to build on last week’s ers play like that,” Rodgers said impressive win away to Hearts of his side’s showing against when his side host Partick Bayern. “And when they do Thistle today. play like that they are only go- ing to get better and gain more Fixtures confi dence from it. They can (1500GMT unless stated) then go on and see what they Today can achieve. St Johnstone v Celtic (1230), “The vision is simple. Win Hamilton v Aberdeen, Hiber- titles, as many as possible. nian v Dundee, Rangers v Cups, leagues. Play an at- Partick Thistle, Ross County v tacking and aggressive style Motherwell of football to win and with a Tomorrow number of players from the Hearts v Kilmarnock

Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho leaves the Court in Pozuelo de Alarcon, near Madrid, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP “Everything was settled. This During his court appearance, the former Real defenders Fabio In July, Ronaldo gave evidence Madrid is why I was here for just fi ve Mourinho only answered ques- Coentrao and Ricardo Carvalho, at the same Pozuelo de Alarcon minutes to say the same things tions from his lawyer and refused Colombian striker Radamel Fal- court in northwest Madrid as I am telling you. I have nothing to take questions from public cao, now with Monaco but for- Mourinho, accused of evading anchester United more to say.” prosecutors, a court spokesman merly at Atletico Madrid, and 14.7mn euros through off shore manager Jose Mour- His court appearance comes told AFP, adding that the Por- Paris Saint Germain’s Angel di companies between 2011 and inho was grilled just over 48 hours before he is set tuguese remains under offi cial Maria, who also spent four years 2014. by a judge in Spain to return to Stamford Bridge to investigation. at Real Madrid. A judge is yet to decide Myesterday over accusations of a face old side Chelsea tomorrow. Mourinho is just one of a A statement in June from whether Ronaldo’s case will pro- 3.3mn euro ($3.8mn) tax fraud The Portuguese coach, who number of super agent Jorge Mendes’s Gestifute agency ceed to trial. during his time in charge of Real wore a suit with no tie, is the lat- Mendes’s clients to be investi- claimed Mourinho had already Barcelona’s fi ve-time World Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Scott Brown shakes hands Madrid in 2011 and 2012. est high-profi le football fi gure to gated in Spain, including World settled his tax obligation in Player of the Year Lionel Messi after the game Champions League game against Bayern. (Reuters) After leaving the brief closed- be questioned over his tax aff airs Player of the Year Cristiano Ro- Spain. was sentenced to a 21-month door hearing, the 54-year-old in Spain. naldo. “Jose Mourinho, who lived in suspended jail sentence and told reporters he had paid every- Spanish prosecutors accuse Revelations from the whistle- Spain from June 2010 until May 2.09mn euro fi ne last year for tax Evra charged with violent conduct: UEFA thing he owed to the Spanish tax Mourinho, who coached Madrid blowing website Football Leaks 2013, paid more than 26mn eu- fraud related to his image rights. offi ce. between 2010 and 2013, of failing have lifted the veil on the prac- ros in taxes, with an average tax However, the jail term was lat- UEFA have charged Olympique Marseille defender Patrice “I left Spain in 2013 with the to declare income of 1.6mn euros tices supposedly used by Mendes rate over 41%, and accepted the er replaced by an extra 252,000 Evra with violent conduct after a scuff le between the player conviction that my fi scal situa- in 2011 and 1.7mn euros in 2012. to optimise often enormous regularisation proposals made euro fi ne. and a club supporter before a Europa League game at Vitoria tion was perfectly legal,” he said The basis for the case, as with earnings from image rights by by the Spanish tax authorities in Messi and his father Jorge Ho- Guimaraes in Portugal, European soccer’s governing body said outside the court in Pozuelo de a series of football stars based his clients. 2015 regarding the years of 2011 racio Messi were found guilty of yesterday. Alarcon, an upscale Madrid sub- in Spain, is how income from Media consortium European and 2012 and entered into a set- using companies in Belize, the Evra was sent off after he appeared to aim a kick at a fan at the urb where he used to live. Mourinho’s image rights was Investigative Collaborations tlement agreement regarding United Kingdom, Switzerland side of the pitch during the warm-up at the Afonso Henriques “Two years later I was told managed and declared. (EIC) has claimed that no less 2013. and Uruguay to avoid paying stadium. that an investigation had been Prosecutors believe by ced- than 185mn euros worth of in- “The Spanish Government taxes on 4.16 mn euros of Messi’s The 36-year-old will be banned for at least one match, with opened and that to regularise my ing his image rights to a series of come escaped the attention of in turn, through the Tax De- income earned from his image the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body to rule on the situation I had to pay a certain companies based in tax havens, tax authorities through the use partment, issued a certifi cate rights from 2007 to 2009. incident on November 10. amount. I did not debate it, did Mourinho committed fraud by of shell companies and off shore in which it attested that he had Barcelona defender Javier Marseille have also been charged by UEFA with a field invasion not appeal it, I paid and I signed not declaring the income those accounts. regularised his position and was Mascherano also agreed a one- by supporters, setting off of fireworks and “acts of damages” an agreement of compliance companies made from his image Other clients of Mendes to in compliance with all his tax year suspended sentence with during their 1-0 defeat in Portugal. with the state,” he added. rights. be investigated in Spain include obligations.” authorities for tax fraud last year.

BUNDESLIGA Bayern plot Dortmund woe as Lewandowski returns AFP out of six. They have overturned the beginning of the season, people Bosz is expected to make several Berlin Dortmund’s fi ve-point advantage were expecting a lot from us. On Sat- changes to the team which faced to claim top spot in the Bundesliga, urday, perhaps they will expect a little APOEL in midweek, with Marcel notched up league and cup victories less.” Schmelzer, Andriy Yarmolenko and obert Lewandowski is set over RB Leipzig, and secured quali- Expectations have certainly Gonzalo Castro set to return to the to return to action for Bay- fi cation to the knockout stages of the dropped dramatically in recent weeks. starting line-up. ern Munich this weekend as Champions League. Just three weeks ago, Dortmund were Jerome Boateng and Kingsley they look to score an impor- “We have taken a huge step in the being described as title favourites. Coman are expected to defy injury tantR victory over troubled title rivals last few weeks,” Bayern forward Arjen Lose on Saturday, and they will fi nd concerns and start for Bayern, while Borussia Dortmund. Robben told Bild. “Three weeks ago, themselves six points behind Bayern former Dortmund defender Mats The Polish star missed Tuesday’s I wouldn’t have believed you if you’d in the table. Hummels will also return to action, Champions League clash against told me where we are now. But we have The crisis has coincided with a goal having been rested in Glasgow in mid- Celtic with a back problem, but is ex- to keep our feet on the ground.” drought for Lewandowski’s opposite week. pected to be fi t to face his former club Dortmund, by contrast, have en- number Pierre-Emerick Aubam- Like Lewandowski, Hummels will at Signal Iduna Park today. dured a disastrous few weeks. Peter eyang. The Gabonese striker has failed be hoping that he can deal his old club Lewandowski’s return will boost Bosz’s side have won just one of their to score in his last fi ve appearances for a signifi cant blow in the Bundesliga a Bayern side who are already full of last six games, dropping to second Dortmund. The team’s biggest prob- title race with victory this weekend. confi dence after their revival in recent after defeats to both RB Leipzig and lem, though, remains the defence. Fixtures weeks. Hanover 96. Dortmund have conceded nine goals (all times 1430 GMT unless stated): Today’s fi xture is an opportunity to Consecutive draws against APOEL in their last three league games, lead- Today extend their lead in the title race and Nicosia have compounded their mis- ing to criticism of Bosz’s tactical ap- RB Leipzig v Hanover, Freiburg v heap more misery on a Dortmund side ery, destroying any hope of qualifi - proach in the German media. Schalke, Borussia Moenchengla- currently in crisis. Despite injuries cation from their Champions League The Dutch coach has repeatedly de- dbach v Mainz, Augsburg v Bayer to Lewandowski, Franck Ribery and group. Under-fi re coach Bosz, how- fended his attacking philosophy, and Leverkusen, Hamburg v Stuttgart, Thomas Mueller, Bayern have turned ever, has claimed that he sees Satur- this week insisted that he will stick to Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich things around since Carlo Ancelotti day’s fi xture against Bayern as an op- his guns against Bayern. (1730) was sacked at the end of September. portunity. “We will not try to park the bus in Tomorrow Under successor Jupp Heynckes, “Maybe this game is coming at ex- front of goal, that’s not the way we Cologne v Hoff enheim, Wolfsburg v the champions have won six games actly the right moment,” said Bosz. “At play,” said Bosz. Hertha Berlin (1700) Gulf Times 4 Saturday, November 4, 2017 FOOTBALL

FOCUS LIGUE 1 Smalling doesn’t pass muster for Southgate Full steam ahead

AFP Maguire who are even better. Liverpool pair of Alex Oxlade-Cham- London “Chris has got 30 caps, he plays for berlain and Daniel Sturridge. for Lyon in derby Manchester United, so I know what he Southgate said midfi elder Oxlade- can do. The other guys I want to see Chamberlain, who joined Liverpool anchester United de- and want to look at and that’s an im- from Arsenal in a £35mn ($45.7mn, fender Chris Smalling’s portant part of how we want to play, 39.2mn euros) transfer in August, international future is building from there. would not easily fi t into the 3-4-2-1 Min doubt after England “That’s probably the toughest call system he wants to adopt. manager Gareth Southgate said he had I’ve had to make because of the team “He suff ers slightly from the change been overlooked for the latest squad that Chris is playing for and the fact of system because of the way we want due to concerns about his passing. he’s playing and keeping clean sheets. to go,” Southgate told reporters at Southgate on Thursday included “We had the best defensive record Wembley on Thursday. uncapped Liverpool defender Joe in Europe in qualifying. But we’re no- “He becomes a possibility at wing- Gomez in an experimental 25-man where near the highest scorers and so back, but I think (Kieran) Trippier was squad for England’s friendlies against we’ve got to address that. Part of that is outstanding last night (in Tottenham and later this month. being able to build and create chances.” Hotspur’s 3-1 win over Real Madrid), Chelsea’s Gary Cahill, Manchester Southgate also handed out fi rst Kyle Walker excellent (in Manchester City’s John Stones, Harry Maguire of call-ups to Chelsea youngsters Ruben City’s 4-2 win at Napoli). Leicester City and Smalling’s United Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham, “If we play him as one of the play- teammate Phil Jones also made the cut who are on loan at Crystal Palace and ers just off the forwards, we’ve got at centre-back, but not Smalling, who Swansea City respectively. (Dele) Alli, we’ve got (Marcus) Rash- has been capped 31 times. the back correctly, Southgate replied: But there were some high-profi le ford, we’ve got (Raheem) Sterling. So Asked if he felt Smalling was in- “No, I think he can. We have play- absentees, among them Smalling, Ar- there’s real competition for places in capable of playing the ball out from ers like Stones and (Eric) Dier and senal midfi elder Jack Wilshere and the those areas of the pitch.

Lyon’s French midfielder and captain Nabil Fekir (L) has lifted his team with his SERIE A tremendous form.

AFP where Saint-Etienne will be attempting Paris to relaunch their push for Europe after winning just once in fi ve outings. “The derby is a very, very special yon head into tomorrow’s match. It’s the game that we most want Rhone-Alpes derby with fi erce to win for the fans,” Saint-Etienne coach rivals Saint-Etienne on a terrifi c Oscar Garcia said following last week- Ghoulam blow run of form sparked by the re- end’s 0-0 draw at Toulouse. “I hope turnL to prominence of captain and lead- we’ve saved the goals for this match.” ing scorer Nabil Fekir. Anderlecht coach Hein Vanhaeze- The 24-year-old has helped fi ll the brouck called PSG “quite simply the considerable hole left by the sale of pro- best team in Europe” at present after lifi c striker Alexandre Lacazette in the his team were destroyed 5-0 at the Parc summer and dragged Lyon out of an des Princes in the Champions League early-season rut. on Tuesday. Unai Emery’s side cruised as Napoli focus Fekir’s last-gasp free-kick earned into the last 16 of the competition after Lyon a 3-2 win over reigning champions recording a fourth straight group-stage Monaco on October 13 — halting a fi ve- win — a run that has seen them score an match winless streak — and Bruno Gen- impressive 17 goals without conceding. esio’s team haven’t looked back since. “If the fi nal were tomorrow I think His nine goals in 10 league matches they would win it,” the Belgian club’s trail only Radamel Falcao and Edinson coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck said of Cavani in and earned Fekir a re- PSG, who return to domestic action back on Serie A call from national team boss Didier Des- away to Angers on Saturday. champs for upcoming friendlies against Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco all but Wales and Germany. watched their Champions League hopes ‘He’s an important player for us and it’ll be diff icult for us to replace him’ “The derby is coming up and we know evaporate as Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at the most important thing is to win. Besiktas left them bottom of their sec- AFP nounced that their fans can again buy We’ll give it our all for our supporters,” tion with just two points. Milan Napoli’s French defender tickets for the south end at the Stadio said Fekir following Thursday’s 3-0 vic- “I have two distinct feelings. I’m sad Faouzi Ghoulam (in blue) Olympico where they posted photos tory over Everton in the Europa League. about the result but I’m very happy with could be out for months of Holocaust victim Anne Frank in a “We’ve did our job well. It’s a good the team’s attitude,” Jardim said after- eaders Napoli turn their focus after picking up a Roma jersey two weeks ago. win against a good Everton side... It wards. “We have to keep believing. It’s back to Serie A after a bruis- serious knee injury. Their own north end — in the stadi- would be good to seal our qualifi cation not fi nished...there’s still a small chance ing Champions League defeat um they share with Roma — had been before December but we’re going to try (of qualifying).” to Manchester City midweek closed following racist chants during a and get fi rst place.” Lin which defender Faouzi Ghoulam game against Sassuolo last month. Lyon, who are chasing a fourth Fixtures (all times 1900 GMT unless picked up a serious knee injury. In fi fth, Roma, boosted by their 3-0 straight league win, are seven points stated): Algerian international Ghoulam Champions League win over Chelsea, behind leaders and strong title favour- Today could be out for months after tear- travel to Fiorentina two places below ites Paris Saint-Germain, with second- „Angers v Paris Saint-Germain (1600) ing a cruciate ligament in his right them. place Monaco three points ahead. „Monaco v Guingamp knee during the 4-2 defeat which ef- Roma have the meanest defence in “All the players know the importance „ Montpellier v Amiens fectively ends Napoli’s elite European Serie A with just fi ve goals conceded, of the match, even those who have just „Nantes v Toulouse, Troyes v Alsace challenge. and Brazilian defender Juan Jesus said arrived. You have these matches in your Tomorrow Maurizio Sarri’s side — with 31 that confi dence was riding high after head from the start of the season,” said „Nice v Dijon (1400), points after 11 games — travel to mid- their Chelsea rout. Lyon coach Genesio. „Marseille v Caen table Chievo on Sunday looking to pull “It could even have been 5-0. We But Lyon have lost on their last three Metz v Lille (both 1600), Saint-Etienne further ahead of rivals Inter Milan, respect Chelsea, but both the match in trips to the Stade Geoff roy-Guichard, v Lyon who are just two points adrift and London (3-3) and Rome proved that we fresh after their absence from Euro- can beat anyone on our day.” pean football when they host northern Seven-time European champions Italian outfi t Torino, who are in ninth. AC Milan, in the midst of a poor run of But Ghoulam’s absence should form in Serie A and sitting eighth, will Dempsey double lifts Seattle cause headaches for Sarri who will be be looking for some relief at struggling forced to shuffl e around Elseid Hysaj Despite their predicament Ben- have won four out of four matches,” Sassuolo. A Clint Dempsey brace led the defending champion Seattle Sounders to victory and Christian Maggio, or bring in evento forward Pietro Iemmello re- said coach Simone Inzaghi with pride Under-fi re manager Vincenzo over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second leg of their Major League Soccer Portuguese Mario Rui, who has played mains optimistic of staying in the top as his side target a third Serie A title Montella’s diffi culties will not have (MLS) Western Conference semi-final on Thursday. little in the past year. fl ight. and fi rst since 2000. been helped by a 0-0 Europa League The 2-0 home win followed a goalless draw in Sunday’s first leg in Vancouver as “Right now (Ghoulam) he’s one of “It’s a tough moment for everyone, “The hardest is yet to come. We draw at AEK Athens despite the Ital- Seattle advanced to a conference final against either Portland or Houston. the best full-backs in Europe,” said the only way to react is to work and have to recover and regain energy for ians remaining two points clear of The Sounders dominated possession against a defensive-minded Vancouver, Sarri. “He’s an important player for never give up,” said Iemmello. Udinese on Sunday. We have to con- their Greek hosts in Group D. who sat back in the hope of nicking a goal on the break. us and it’ll be diffi cult for us to replace “Last year’s championship taught tinue to prove that we’re not a fl uke. American international Dempsey finally broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, him.” us that Crotone made a fi nal sprint “The lads have shown me that with Today (all times GMT) however, when he curled the ball home from the edge of the penalty area. Champions Juventus, three points and saved more than 30 points. This hard work and consistency, we can Bologna v Crotone (1500GMT), Genoa The 34-year-old former Fulham and Tottenham striker, who missed last year’s behind Napoli, can make up ground as year maybe we can do the same.” fi ght it out with anyone. v Sampdoria (1945) playoff s due to an irregular heartbeat, put the result beyond doubt when he vol- they host tailenders Benevento, who Lazio, joint third with Juventus, “We’ve been near the top of the ta- Tomorrow leyed home his second in the 88th minute for his 14th strike of the season. have lost all their 11 games. host Udinese after maintaining their ble for a couple of years now, so we’re Inter Milan v Torino (1230), Cagliari v The other conference second leg playoff games will be played on Sunday. Massimiliano Allegri’s side were 100 % Europa League record with a not a fl uke,” added Inzaghi whose side Verona, Chievo v Napoli, Fiorentina v Portland host Houston following a goalless draw in the first leg, while in the East, held 1-1 in Champions League by 1-0 win over Nice to move into the are the only team to beat Juventus this Roma, Juventus v Benevento, Lazio Toronto FC hold a 2-1 lead going into their home game against the New Red Sporting Lisbon, but are still in the last 32. season. v Udinese (all 1300), Atalanta v SPAL Bulls, and the Columbus Crew look to protect a 4-1 advantage at running for the last-16. “We are the only team in Europe to Meanwhile, the Roman club an- (1600), Sassuolo v AC Milan (1845) FC.

BOTTOMINE SPOTIGHT Wydad say ‘suicidal’ to shut Milan coach Montella feels like he is watching up shop against Al Ahly his own funeral

AFP former midfi elder said. South Africa on penalties after a Sala- ing squandered numerous chances in Reuters Despite spending more than Johannesburg “We must attack because there are heddine Saidi goal won the second leg Alexandria with Morocco-born Walid Milan 200mn euros ($232.94mn) on new fl aws in the Ahly defence, while not in Rabat. Azaro the chief culprit after scoring a signings in the close season, Milan giving our opponents space to catch us The Wydad defence and goalkeeper semi-fi nals hat-trick. have won only one of their last ydad Casablanca coach on the counter. Zouheir Laaroubi have been outstand- They were also deprived of a blatant C Milan coach Vincenzo seven games in all competitions Hussein Amotta said it “Wydad achieved a great result in ing at home in Africa, going 517 min- penalty during the second half when Montella said he felt like he would be “suicidal” to try Egypt by holding Ahly, one of the most utes without conceding before USM Azaro was fl oored in full sight of the was watching his own fu- face. “It gives you a new perspective and defend the 1-1 CAF experienced clubs in the continent. Alger of Algeria netted in the semi- generally unimpressive Ethiopian ref- Aneral after his side drew 0-0 on things. Having said that, I know ChampionsW League fi nal fi rst-leg draw “But this fi nal is far from decided. I fi nals. eree. Record eight-time champions with AEK Athens in the Europa League that the club have faith in me, so we when they meet Al Ahly again today. want my players to relax, attack when At the other end of the pitch, striker Ahly have a mixed away record in Af- for the second time in two weeks. will see. A goalless second leg at the Stade it is opportune and try very hard to Achraf Bencharki has regained form at rica this season, winning twice, draw- Despite spending more than 200mn “We know that our men can do Mohammed V would give the Moroc- score the fi rst goal,” said Amotta. the right time, scoring three goals in ing twice and losing twice. euros ($232.94mn) on new signings in more, they are young talents with cans victory over the Egyptians on the Wydad, making their third appear- his last two outings. The “ Red Devils” will be en- the close season, Milan have won only a great future lying ahead of them,” away-goal rule in the premier African ance in the fi nal having lost to Esper- His brace saw off USM in a 3-1 couraged, though, by a win and a draw one of their last seven games in all added Montella, who is in his second club competition title decider. ance of Tunisia six seasons ago, boast semi-fi nal second-leg triumph and from three previous visits to Wydad in competitions. season at the club. But Amotta believes “parking the a perfect Champions League home he levelled via a glancing header in the the competition. They have dropped to eighth in Serie “For those who came from foreign bus” is not an option as Wydad seek record this year of six victories. fi nal after Ahly had snatched a third- Coach Hossam El Badry remains A, though they still top their Europa leagues, it’s not easy to adapt to the to win the competition for the second Among their victims were Ahly in minute lead via Moamen Zakaria. hopeful of a second title under his League group after Thursday’s result. Italian style of football. time after their 1992 triumph over Al the group stage with goals from now- Bencharki had scored only twice in watch, having guided the club to 2012 Milan’s poor form means Montella “A few weeks ago we created more Hilal of Sudan. departed Congo Brazzaville striker 11 earlier Champions League matches glory in a previous spell at the helm. has to live with speculation about his chances, but allowed more in de- “Ahly boast one of the best attacks Fabrice Ondama and midfi elder Walid this season for a club with two CAF “We did not exploit our chances in future every time they fail to win. fence,” he added. “Now we don’t cre- in Africa so it would be suicidal to sit El Karty delivering a 2-0 win. titles to boast of having won the 2002 the fi rst leg and were denied an ob- “I’ve been watching my own funeral ate as much, but also barely allow back and defend against them, hoping They also eliminated defending African Cup Winners Cup. vious penalty,” said the 57-year-old for a while now,” said Montella while any chances for our opponents.” ($1 = to win on away goals,” the 48-year-old champions Mamelodi Sundowns of Ahly may be on the back foot hav- former Ahly defender. still managing to keep a smile on his 0.8586 euros) Gulf Times Saturday, November 4, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL GOLF/ROUND-UP Colsaerts moves four strokes clear Forte shines as in Turkey event Jets dominate the Buff alo Bills Forte’s touchdown was set up by a strip-sack by Jordan Jenkins and a recovery by Demario Davis to the Buff alo 5-yard line AFP World number six Jus- Belek, Turkey tin Rose, the highest-ranked player in the fi eld, was on 135 after carding a 68. icolas Colsaerts : American Paul has gone more than Peterson, winner of a Euro- fi ve years without a pean Tour title last year, shot tournament victory an eight-under to emerge as Nbut the big-hitting Belgian is the sole leader after day two threatening to turn this week’s of the Panasonic Open $7mn Turkish Airlines Open yesterday into a one-man show. The southpaw from Arizona The 34-year-old played al- carded an overall 11-under 133 most immaculate golf for the to remain one shot clear of In- second day running yesterday, dia’s Shiv Kapur, who hit 69, a second successive 64 helping at what he called a “spooky” him charge four strokes clear Delhi Golf Course. of the fi eld with a 14-under- “The DGC has a spooky feel par total of 128. about it. When you see the fog England’s Eddie Pepperell from one of the end hole, it returned a 66 to climb into is dark and it has a very cool second position on 132, one vibe about it,” said Peterson, ahead of Thailand’s Kiradech who won the Czech Masters in Aphibarnrat (67). 2016. It was Colsaerts, however, “I love that and it is great fun who stole the spotlight al- playing here.... It feels good to though he acknowledged that see my putts rolling in and be- he had to work a bit harder in ing able to hit some good shots his second round than he did especially the par-fi ves.” on Thursday. Peterson, 29, who partici- “Yesterday it was kind of pated in the Hero Indian Open eyes closed and everything three times until 2015, hit eight kind of falling in my lap,” he birdies to lift his game after a New York Jets running back told reporters at the Regnum modest opening day of three- Matt Forte (22) is tackled by Carya Golf and Spa Resort, under. Buff alo Bills free safety Jordan which overlooks the Mediter- In an Indian dominated Poyer (21) during the first half ranean. fi eld, Delhi golfer Shamim of their game on Thursday. “Today it was actually more Khan took third place, while PICTURE: Vincent Carchietta- satisfying to shoot the same 2014 winner SSP Chawra- USA TODAY Sports score but having to go and fi nd sia was tied fourth at the it a little bit more. I recovered $400,000 Asian Tour event. well every time I hit a bad shot Overnight leader Ajeetesh so I guess that was a key. Sandhu was cruising along “I wasn’t quite as good off nicely before making three bo- the tee, I thought, but I still geys and a double bogey in the played some great shots into 16th hole to end the round on the greens.” tied sixth. The Sports Xchange However, the Jets showed sur- fi rst time in nearly a month. the play, quarterback Josh Mc- pass on a slant route from Taylor. Colsaerts has won twice Eight Indians were in the New York prising signs of improvement in Forte’s touchdown was set up Cown tied his career high with his The Jets appeared to score a on the European Tour, at the top-10 list. A few golfers were two areas where they previously by a strip-sack by Jordan Jenkins 13th TD pass of the season. touchdown on the ensuing drive. 2011 Open and the 2012 not able to complete the course struggled — running the ball and and a recovery by Demario Davis Anderson, who blew past Bills McCown, rolling to his left, World Match Play Champi- due to fading light and will fi n- ou could almost hear rushing the passer. to the Buff alo 5-yard line. rookie corner Tre’Davious White, threw across his body to Aus- onship in Spain, and said he ish round two on Saturday. Al Pacino reciting the Running back Matt Forte (14 The Jets’ defense came into the has scored in three consecutive tin Seferian-Jenkins in the front would be taking nothing for Tokyo: Defending cham- line he made famous in carries, 77 yards) complained af- game with 11 sacks, tied for sec- games. For the fi fth straight game, corner of the end zone. But Forte granted over the weekend. pion Feng Shanshan birdied The Godfather Part III if ter Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta ond worst in the league with the the Jets took the lead fi rst. was blocking downfi eld before “If I’m capable of going fi ve of her last seven holes as Yhe were a Jets fan: “Just when I Falcons that the Jets got too pass- Titans, but New York kept Taylor McCown scrambled around the McCown released the ball and 14-under in two rounds then she recovered from a slow start thought I was out, they pull me happy. But the Jets eclipsed last skittish all game. The Jets sacked left side and lunged into the end was fl agged for off ensive pass in- somebody else, or a few other to share a seven-way tie for the back in.” week’s total of 43 rushing yards in the man they call “T-Mobile” zone to put the Jets up 7-0 with terference. Chandler Catanzaro, guys, are capable of doing the lead at the LPGA Classic Even the Jets couldn’t blow the fi rst quarter with 53, then fi n- because of his elusiveness seven 7:43 left in the fi rst quarter. who missed two kicks in the rain same,” he explained. “There yesterday. this one. ished with 194 on 41 carries. times, and Muhammad Wilker- The 38-year-old quarterback, on Sunday, hit from 45 yards to are a lot of great players play- China’s Feng, who is look- Losers of three straight in Forte scored his fi rst two touch- son, who didn’t practice for the who spiked the ball with all his put the Jets up 10-7. ing in this tournament. ing to become the fi rst player which they gave up 14-point downs of the season, the second third straight week, had arguably might, leads the Jets with three Buff alo, which had won four of “I’m just going to try to keep to defend an LPGA title in leads in the fi rst two and fourth- giving the Jets their largest lead of his best game of the season with rushing touchdowns this season. its last fi ve coming into the game, playing the way I’ve been play- 2017, has been a top-seven fi n- quarter advantages in the second the season to that point (31-7) and a sack, two QB hits and a pass de- The other two came on sneaks fell to 5-3, missing on a chance to ing the last two days. Probably isher in fi ve out of her last six two, the Jets put together a com- sending many fans to the exits as fl ection. from the 1-yard line. tie New England for fi rst place in not get ahead of myself and see starts. plete performance, dominating the rout was on. The Jets took a 17-7 lead on The Bills tied the score at 7 the division with the Patriots on a where that takes me.” After 11 holes, the world the Buff alo Bills 34-21 on Thurs- Buff alo quarterback Tyrod their fi rst drive of the second half, eight seconds into the second bye this week. Sharing fourth place on 134 number four was only one- day night at MetLife Stadium. Taylor threw for a touchdown and marching 74 yards in seven plays, quarter on the fi rst career touch- McCown completed 14 of 20 were English pair Matthew under at the tournament in New York (4-5) is still in last ran for one late to pique the few capped by Robby Anderson’s 25- down catch for rookie Zay Jones. passes for 140 yards and a touch- Southgate and Matthew Fitz- Ibaraki before she got into her place in the AFC East, so talk of a remaining fans’ interest, but the yard touchdown catch on a fade The second-round pick out of down. Taylor was 29 of 40 for 285 patrick, Ireland’s Shane Lowry stride to fi nish at six-under- playoff push would be premature. Jets closed it out and won for the route down the right sideline. On East Carolina caught a 10-yard yards and two scores. and Scot Stephen Gallacher. par 66.

NBA Thompson spurs Warriors past San Antonio AFP off s last year, that’s been four or fi ve bound and push and run the wings, Los Angeles straight games where that’s happened,” things will work in our favour.” Kerr said afterwards. LaMarcus Aldridge led the scoring “They have an edge on us with their for San Antonio with 24 points and 10 lay Thompson scored 27 size and strength and we weren’t ready rebounds while Kyle Anderson added points as the Golden State to battle early, and that’s why we fell 16 points. Warriors recovered from an behind. Once we started competing Spanish veteran Pau Gasol was the early mauling to score a 112- and running and pushing the ball, we only other Spurs player to reach dou- K92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs got into a good groove.” ble fi gures, with 11 points. The defeat on Thursday. The reigning NBA champions gradu- saw San Antonio fall to 10th with a 4-4 A stormy encounter between the two ally began chipping away at the defi cit record.Thursday’s defeat marked the Western Conference big guns saw War- and had closed the gap to 34-24 by the fi rst time since February 2015 that the riors coach Steve Kerr lose his cool on end of the fi rst quarter. Spurs have lost four games in a row. the sidelines before Spurs counterpart Thompson’s 27 points led the scoring “Whether you win or lose, it’s a game Gregg Popovich was ejected late in the for the Warriors, with three rebounds of mistakes,” Popovich said afterwards. game. and two assists. “We lost against the best team in Popovich was tossed in the fourth Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry also the world and there’s a lot of things we quarter after picking up a second tech- weighed in with 20-point hauls as the need to improve on.” nical foul following an altercation with Warriors improved to 6-3 and climbed In Thursday’s other game, Damian a member of the offi ciating crew. to third in the Western Conference. Lillard scored a three-pointer with less Courtside microphones picked up Durant scored 24 points with eight than a second left on the clock to give Popovich swearing at the referee before rebounds while Curry had 21 points. Portland a 113-110 victory over the Los he was given his marching orders. Draymond Green also cracked double Angeles Lakers at Moda Center. Kerr also risked ejection in the fi rst digits with 16 points. Lillard’s last-gasp bucket was part quarter, and needed to be held back “In the fi rst half, our intensity was of a 32-point haul and came just mo- by assistant Mike Brown after he was there, or focus was there, but we just ments after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope handed a technical foul. gave up too many off ensive rebounds had tied it up for Los Angeles with his The tirade by the Warriors coach and broken play open 3s — and they hit own three-pointer with 15.5 seconds came as the Spurs jumped out to a 28- a bunch of them,” Curry said. remaining. 12 fi rst quarter lead. “Against this team if we can get Brook Lopez led the Lakers scoring “We might as well start every game Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) stops, especially when they have their with 27 points while rookie Kyle Kuzma here down 20 — other than the play- during the first half of their game on Thursday. PICTURE: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports bigs out there and our playmakers re- came off the bench to add 22. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, November 4, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT RUGBY WORLD CUP Graham’s four tries in ’s big win Warning: Ferrari Tyson Frizell, Billy Slater, Valentine AFP Holmes. Skipper Cameron Smith, playing his record-breaking 36th consecutive Test ack-rower Wade Graham match, kicked six goals. scored four tries as Australia’s While the French were out-gunned Kangaroos totted up 10 tries and are still without a win at the tour- Bin a thumping 52-6 win over nament their Sydney-born fullback could quit F1 France in the Rugby League World Cup Mark Kheirallah provided a game high- in Canberra yesterday. light. The Kangaroos remained unbeaten Smith grubber kicked through for ‘It () has been part of our DNA since the day we were born’ in Pool A after downing England 18-4 Melbourne Storm teammate Billy Slat- last week and were far too strong for er only for Kheirallah to scoop up the Reuters over the commercial rights and oust- Les Tricolores after leading 20-6 at ball, elude Slater’s tackle and sprint 90 London ing the former supremo Bernie Eccle- half-time. metres to score a spectacular runaway stone. Graham became the fi rst Austral- try. Liberty want to level the playing ian forward to score four tries in a Test The Kangaroos will bid for their third errari could quit Formula One fi eld and rebalance revenues once the since Gorden Tallis against Papua New win in Pool A against the Brad Fittler- after 2020 if the sport’s new current agreement with teams expires Guinea in 2000. coached Lebanon in Sydney on No- owners take it in a direction at the end of 2020. Cameron Munster grabbed a try vember 11, while France tackle England Fcontrary to the Italian sport- Proposals for a new, cheaper and double with other tries to Josh Dugan, in Perth the following day. scar maker’s interests, chairman Ser- simpler engine were presented in Paris gio Marchionne said yesterday. on Tuesday and there is another meet- Marchionne told analysts on a con- ing of the sport’s Strategy Group next PREVIEW ference call that while he supported Tuesday to discuss other changes. cost-cutting, there were other strate- “Liberty has got a couple of good gic issues under discussion that could intentions in all of this, one of which force Ferrari to consider racing else- is to reduce the cost of execution for Wallaby Hodge’s where. the team, which I think is good,” said “It (Formula One) has been part of Marchionne. our DNA since the day we were born,” But he said Ferrari and Liberty ap- development put to the he said. peared to be “somewhat at odds in “But if we change the sandbox to the terms of the strategic development” point where it becomes an unrecog- after 2020. test against Japan nisable sandbox, I don’t want to play “I think you need to be absolutely anymore.” clear that unless we fi nd a set of cir- Reuters Asked how he would feel about be- cumstances, the results of which are Tokyo since then but I guess I have had to be ing the chief executive who led Ferrari benefi cial to the maintenance of the prepared,” Hodge said in Yokohama. away from Formula One, Marchionne brand in the marketplace and to the “Now it’s just about me stepping replied: strengthening of the unique position ustralia utility back Reece into the job and performing it as Nardy “Like a million bucks because I’ll be for Ferrari, Ferrari will not play,” he Hodge has barely put a foot would love me to do, if he wasn’t sick.” working on an alternative strategy to said. wrong since his debut 14 Hodge stepped into a diff erent job try and replace it. More rational one, Marchionne said, however, that he months ago but even the against the All Blacks in Brisbane last too.” would not pre-judge anything. confiA dent 23-year-old could scarcely month, taking the kicking duties from Ferrari are the only team to have “We’re walking into this meeting have imagined he would be named the Foley late in the game after the regular been in Formula One since the fi rst Ferrari Chairman next Tuesday with the best of inten- team’s starting fl yhalf against Japan fl yhalf missed a string of kicks. world championship season in 1950 Sergio Marchionne. tions, we’ll see where it takes us,” he today. Hodge would slot a penalty from and also the most successful and said. With the versatile Adam Ashley- a tight angle in the 63rd minute and glamorous, even if they have not won “I am attending those meetings on Cooper now plying his trade overseas, then a second with three minutes left, a championship since 2008. strategy because it’s important, be- Melbourne Rebels’ Hodge has become a 55-metre bomb that easily cleared the They have accumulated a record 228 of the sport’s success, and their cur- ties under founder Enzo Ferrari and cause it matters a lot to this business,” Australian rugby’s new “Mr. Fixit” and crossbar. race wins, 16 constructors’ champion- rent share of the revenues refl ects that are a huge source of national pride in added Marchionne. takes the number 10 jersey at Yoko- The last kick gave the Wallabies ships and 15 drivers’ titles. special status. . “The fi nancial implications of the hama in the absence of an ill Bernard breathing space on the way to a richly It has long been accepted in For- Ferrari, celebrating the company’s Formula One has been under new wrong choice for the moment going Foley. deserved 23-18 win over the world mula One that the Monaco Grand Prix 70th anniversary this year, fi rst made ownership since January, however, forward are pretty signifi cant to Fer- Coach Michael Cheika has declined champions. and Ferrari are the two central pillars sportscars to fund their racing activi- with US-based Liberty Media taking rari.” to bring Quade Cooper or another spe- Hodge had earlier given the Walla- cialist fl yhalf in his tour squad, instead bies a dream start, making an intercep- relying on 20-test Hodge and Kurtley tion and scampering 80 metres down INITIATIVE Beale to handle the playmaking duties fi eld to score the fi rst try after seven between them if called upon. minutes. Cheika probably never envisaged Fo- Cheika said Hodge had been tapped ley being struck down before the fi rst as Foley’s back-up since August and match, however, endangering the pre- had faith that he would acquit himself cious momentum the side has built in well in the fi rst test between the teams their unbeaten run of six matches. in 10 years. IAAF to introduce world Hodge has stepped up as fl yhalf for Japan coach Jamie Joseph was less the Rebels in Super Rugby on occasion convinced. but has never started in the position in “He’s a very good player but it’s a his two seasons with the Melbourne new position for him,” New Zealand- side. born Joseph said. rankings from next year Teamed up with second-choice “Obviously Cheik and the coaching scrumhalf Nick Phipps, who has re- team see he’s got great potential but a Reuters currently leading athletes often do The athletes’ position in the rank- placed the injured Will Genia, Hodge test match is a test match and we’ll be London not compete against each other, leav- ings will be determined by various faces a stiff test of composure against a putting pressure on him to see how he ing fans feeling short-changed and performance aspects along with the Japan side desperate to perform in front goes.” often confused. level of competition they are partici- of home fans two years out from host- Japan, hosting Australia for the fi rst thletics is to introduce a International Association of Ath- pating in. ing the 2019 World Cup. time, have never beaten the Wallabies world rankings system in letics Federations (IAAF) President The points system for each event “I think Nardy’s (Foley) played 80 and were humiliated 91-3 the last time 2018 as part of a widespread Seb Coe has made no secret of his along with other details related to the minutes in every game since then (Au- they met at the 2007 World Cup in eff ort to bring some sense frustration with many aspects of the rankings will be fi nalised in the fi rst gust), so I haven’t really had the chance France. andA shape to its currently nebulous ’s current format and quarter of 2018, meaning the new sys- calendar, and continue to move away is desperate to reform it. tem can be applied for qualifi cation from the sport’s scandal-hit past. When it comes to major champion- into the 2019 World Championships The introduction of the rankings ships, athletes are currently selected and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Legend Carter intends to play for two more years in partnership with All Athletics, an- by their national associations, if they The sport’s governing body will also Paris: All Black legend Dan Carter has “I haven’t decided my plans yet but all nounced yesterday, is part of a sweep- achieve a qualifi cation time or mark. establish a new department named vowed to carry on playing for another I know is I’m keen to play for a couple ing reform package that was voted in “The IAAF World Rankings will IAAF Heritage to use athletics’ his- two years but declined to comment on more years,” said the former Crusaders by the IAAF last December to change drive and shape the global competi- tory, drive understanding of the sport where his future lies. star, before adding: “Surely you have the way the sport’s governing body tion system including entry into the and promote it around the world. The 35-year-old two-time World Cup enough Kiwis playing in Bristol.” operates. World Championships and Olympic “The Rankings will bring much winner’s three-year contract at Racing Relegated from the English Premiership The rankings will be a point-based Games,” Coe said in a statement. needed clarity to what is today a con- 92 in France runs out at the end of the last season, Bristol currently top the system in which athletes collect “For the fi rst time in the sport’s fusing competition picture even for season, with the fly-half hinting he may Championship standings after seven points across diff erent levels of meet history, athletes, media and fans will those from within the sport, while return home to New Zealand. wins from seven games and are widly throughout the season to determine have a clear understanding of the hi- Heritage will be an important tool to But asked on Twitter by a fan whether tipped to gain promotion. qualifi cation for premier competi- IAAF President Sebastian Coe. erarchy of competitions... allowing help inform, inspire and engage inter- he would be moving to English side They are coached by former Crusaders tions such as the Olympics and World them to follow a logical season-long est through the extraordinarily story Bristol next season, Carter kept his player and New Zealand international Championships. tion of the rankings will bring some path to the pinnacle of Athletics’ top of Athletics,” IAAF CEO Olivier Gers cards fairly close to his chest. Pat Lam. It is also hoped that the introduc- focus to the Diamond League, where two competitions.” said.

NHL Miller’s OT goal helps Rangers beat Lightning

The Sports Xchange feed from Tom Wilson and came down shutout. Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux Kuraly, playing in his 19th regular- on his 41st birthday, and Minnesota against on Jan. 6, 2015. New York the left side. He fi red high from the left added an empty-net goal with six sec- season game, stuff ed a rebound past earned a win against Montreal. FLAMES 2, PENGUINS 1 (OT) circle and beat Islanders goalie Jaroslav onds left. Maxime Lagace at 9:53 of the third pe- Devan Dubnyk made 28 saves in Mark Giordano scored at 2:19 of Halak on the short side to snap a 3-3 riod to snap a 1-1 tie. goal for Minnesota. Nino Nieder- overtime to lead Calgary to a win over .T. Miller scored the winning tie. The Islanders trailed 3-2 after two BLUE JACKETS 7, PANTHERS 3 reiter, Tyler Ennis, Ryan Suter, Jared Pittsburgh. goal 1:19 into overtime as the periods, but Anders Lee tied it at the Josh Anderson and Oliver Bjork- SENATORS 3, RED WINGS 1 Spurgeon and Marcus Foligno also Giordano took a pass from Matthew New York Rangers picked up 7:00 mark when he got hit by a Thomas strand scored twice each to lead Co- Ottawa reverted to defensive form scored for the Wild, who recovered Tkachuk and wired a shot to the top their fi rst road win of the season, Hickey shot and fi red the loose puck lumbus to a win over Florida. in a victory over Detroit at Canadian from a listless home loss to the Win- corner past Pittsburgh goalie Tristan surprisingJ the Tampa Bay Lightning past goalie Braden Holtby for his sec- Anderson has fi ve goals this season, Tire Centre. nipeg Jets on Tuesday. Jarry, who was making just his second with a 2-1 victory. ond goal of the night to go along with and Bjorkstrand has four. The Jackets Mark Stone, Alex Burrows and Nate Brendan Gallagher scored twice for NHL start. Miller swept in front of the net and an assist. also got one goal and two assists from Thompson scored for the Senators, Montreal. Sean Monahan also scored for the beat goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who Boone Jenner. who were coming off an 8-3 loss to the Flames, while goalie Mike Smith fi n- made 33 saves. Miller scored his third FLYERS 2, BLUES 0 The Panthers lost their third Montreal Canadiens. AVALANCHE 5, HURRICANES 3 ished with 43 saves. goal of the season moments after in- Michal Neuvirth stopped 33 shots straight game despite one goal and two Semyon Varlamov had a career- tercepting a wraparound attempt by and made an early second-period goal assists by second-line center Vincent JETS 5, STARS 2 high 57 saves, Carl Soderberg and SABRES 5, COYOTES 4 Nikita Kucherov. by Brandon Manning stand up to give Trocheck. Special-teams success and a Mark Patrik Nemeth had a goal and an as- Kyle Okposo scored with one sec- New York had been 0-3-0 away from Philadelphia a shutout win over St Scheifele hat-trick led Winnipeg to a sist each, and Colorado beat Carolina. ond remaining in the fi rst period to home this season, while the Lightning Louis. BRUINS 2, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1 win over Dallas. Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel swing the momentum and start Buf- fell to 6-1-1 at home. The loss, which snapped a four- Sean Kuraly scored his fi rst regular- Scheifele scored a power-play goal Landeskog and Blake Comeau also falo on a run of fi ve consecutive goals, game winning streak for the Blues, season goal midway through the third in the fi rst period and added two goals had goals and Nathan MacKinnon had and the Sabres kept Arizona winless CAPITALS 4, ISLANDERS 3 was their fi rst at home in six games period, and Tuukka Rask stopped 28 in the third period. Patrik Laine and two assists for Colorado, which sur- at home. Lars Eller had two goals, including this season and their fi rst in regulation shots to lead Boston to a victory over Tyler Myers also scored for Winnipeg. vived a strong Carolina push in the Benoit Pouliot had two goals and the game-winner with 3:21 left, and in their last eight games. Vegas. Alexander Radulov and Mattias third period. an assist and linemate Ryan O’Reilly added an assist as Washington defeated Neuvirth withstood a strong start The loss was the third straight for Janmark scored for Dallas. The Hurricanes outshot the Ava- added two assists to support Robin New York. by the Blues, who outshot the Flyers the expansion team, which settled for lanche 22-7 in the last period but Var- Lehner, who stopped 25 shots despite Minutes after Washington killed off 10-1 in the fi rst 10 minutes of the game a 1-1-0 split with the Bruins in its fi rst WILD 6, CANADIENS 3 lamov stopped all of them to eclipse giving up three Arizona goals in the fi - a New York power-play, Eller took a and went on to post his 11th career season series. Matt Cullen had a goal and assist his previous high in saves of 54 done nal eight minutes. Gulf Times Saturday, November 4, 2017 7 SPORT

CRICKET PLAN OF ACTION India aim to clinch T20I series vs NZ Let’s ‘crack open’ IANS Their batting department seemed Rajkot sorted as apart from last match, their middle-order batsmen played bril- England batsmen, liantly. But in the coming match, Wil- fter a brilliant show in the liamson might include experienced fi rst match, India will aim to batsman Ross Taylor in the playing XI seal the three-match series to give more depth. Hazlewood tells when they take on New Zea- In the bowling department, spinners landA in the second Twenty20 Interna- Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner will have tional (T20I) at the Saurashtra Cricket to step up to the occasion along with fast Association Stadium here today. bowlers Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Coulter-Nile India, currently lead the series 1-0 Colin de Grandhomme, having failed to with a comprehensive victory in the create problems for the Indian batsmen fi rst match at the Feroz Shah Kotla in the fi rst match. Stadium in Delhi and in the upcoming match, India are also the favourites SQUADS because of their recent form and the India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar conditions. Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, The hosts will once again heav- Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh ily rely on openers Rohit Sharma and Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Shikhar Dhawan, who blasted half Pandya, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, centuries to set the tone with a 158- Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, run record opening stand and guide India’s Shikhar Dhawan (right) and Rohit Sharma scored half centuries in the first Jasprit Bumrah, Mohamed Siraj. the hosts post a massive 202 for 3. T20 to set up the victory against New Zealand on Wednesday. (AFP) New Zealand: Kane Williamson Apart from them, the strong bat- (c), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim ting line-up also includes the likes of expected to include wrist spinner Kul- fi rst match, will look for a better out- Southee, Ross Taylor, Trent Boult, Tom skipper Virat Kohli and middle-order deep Yadav in the playing XI because ing this time. Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin batsmen Hardik Pandya and Mahen- of the conditions. Skipper Kane Williamson had rued Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, dra Singh Dhoni. On the other hand, New Zealand, his team’s poor bowling eff ort for the Henry Nicholls, Adam Milne, Colin In the bowling department, Kohli is who were outplayed by the hosts in the loss to India. Munro, Glenn Phillips (wk).

TENNIS Australia captain Steve Smith (second from light), Nic Maddinson (left) and Josh Hazlewood (right) watch David Warner as they train in Sydney on Thursday. (AFP)

AFP Sydney Smith eager to Rafa’s participation improve body osh Hazlewood has urged fel- low quick Nathan Coulter-Nile language ahead to “crack open” England’s bats- of Ashes series men when he bowls against the visitorsJ in their opening tour match in Australia cricket captain Steve Perth this weekend. Smith believes he must improve his in Tour fi nals in the Former Test tearaway Mitchell John- body language on the field as he son may have knocked back the chance gears up for one of the biggest chal- to reacquaint himself with England’s lenges of his captaincy in the five- top order, but paceman Coulter-Nile Test Ashes series against England. will lead the WA XI bowling attack Former Australia skipper Steve It’s not about London... It’s important to against Joe Root’s team. Waugh said recently that, with Coulter-Nile was sidelined from television cameras fixed on him, the play tennis as long as possible’ Western Australia’s Sheffi eld Shield 28-year-old had to keep his emo- balance game against NSW in Sydney, and will tions in check. instead get a chance against the English “It’s something that I’ve been work- tourists in the two-dayer. ing on for a while,” Smith told a Johnson had been asked if he wanted news conference on Friday. “I prob- to open the bowling for the WA XI as ably don’t do myself any favours part of his Big Bash League preparation, with my hand gestures... I’ve tried a but declined, according to a newspaper few diff erent techniques.” report. The hosts won the series 5-0 the Hazlewood, who is expected to lead last time England visited Aus- the Australian new-ball attack with tralia four years ago, but lost 3-2 in Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the England in 2015, when Smith was Ashes series opener in Brisbane later vice-captain to Michael Clarke. this month, told Coulter-Nile to go af- “Ashes series are always big,” Smith ter the tourists’ batsmen. said. “This is my first Ashes series as “Maybe he can crack open a few guys captain and it’s going to be a good early and create a few scars in their top challenge.” order and middle order,” Hazlewood told reporters late Thursday. “It’s disappointing he’s not playing in “Obviously their plan is to jump the Shield game against us but he’s obvi- straight into it on the bounciest and ously had injuries in the past few years so quickest wicket and get used to condi- they’re easing him back into it.” tions that way.” The injury-jinxed Coulter-Nile Hazlewood said an Australian Test Spain’s Rafael Nadal addresses a press conference in Paris yesterday. (AFP) bowled 15 overs in the opening Shield pace attack comprising Starc and round last week in his fi rst fi rst-class Cummins would be a handful for Eng- Reuters cially here in Paris, which has been game in more than two years. land in the fi rst Test in Brisbane, where Paris the most important city in my career Coulter-Nile took three for 18 from the wicket traditionally rewards fast without a doubt,” the 10-time French USA’s celebrates winning a point against Argentina’s Juan Martin del six explosive overs for WA as Tasma- bowlers with bounce and movement Open champion, who struggled with Potro during their Paris Masters quarter-final yesterday. (AFP) nia were skittled for 63 in last week’s off the pitch. orld number one Rafael his knee in Tuesday’s third-round win Shield match in Perth. “They’re not going to fear me or (off - Nadal’s participation in against Pablo Cuevas, said. nals was unlikely. The American, last year’s runner- “That top order, it will be their fi rst spinner) Nathan (Lyon) but the other the season-ending Tour “It’s a tough situation but I tried my “I think I know that he is sceptical up, needs to win the tournament if he real hit-out in Australia and to have a two guys obviously put fear into the fi nals hung in the balance best. I did one treatment yesterday on his chances to play in London,” said is to clinch the last ticket for the sea- guy like Coults there to warm them up batsmen,” Hazlewood said. Wwhen the Spaniard pulled out of the night to try and play today.” Forget, who added that Nadal had ar- son-ending event at the O2 in London and to maybe create a few scars, would “That’s part of their game, bowling Paris Masters with injury yesterday. Nadal, who has never won the Paris rived in Paris in mediocre condition. from Nov. 12-19. be nice,” Hazlewood said. fast and bowling short on occasions.” Nadal told a news conference ahead Masters, did not know yet whether he “He just started to move around the Del Potro would have claimed it if of his quarter-fi nal match against Ser- would be fi t for London. court again when he got here,” he said. he had won. But ninth seed Isner was bian Filip Krajinovic that he was suf- “It’s not about London, it’s about the more consistent as he set up a meeting fering from a right knee problem. longer term,” he explained. “It’s impor- ISNER KEEPS TOUR FINALS HOPES with Serbian qualifi er Filip Krajinovic, Match in India halted as man drives on to pitch The 31-year-old said he would try tant to play tennis as long as possible.” ALIVE IN PARIS who advanced after Nadal withdrew Paris Masters tournament direc- John Isner pushed on towards a Tour injured. his best to be present at the eight-man (Twitter) event that takes places from Nov 12-19 tor Guy Forget acknowledged Nadal’s fi nals spot yesterday when he made The other quarter-fi nals feature at the O2 in London but his focus was withdrawal was a serious blow to an it through to the semi-fi nals of the France’s Julien Benneteau against on the long term. event often hit by late retirements at Paris Masters with a 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4 third seed Marin Cilic of Croatia and “I have to pull out. Of course it’s the end of the season, and said that the win against Argentine Juan Martin Del American Jack Sock against Spain’s a very tough decision for me, espe- Spaniard’s participation in the Tour fi - Potro. Fernando Verdasco.

TENNIS / WTA ELITE TROPHY

US Open winner Stephens retires at Zhuhai The third day’s action of the Ranji Trophy fourth round match between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh came to an unusual halt in the final session of play yesterday AFP Earlier Julia Goerges beat top seed after a man drove his car onto the field of play and into the pitch at the Palam Zhuhai, China Kristina Mladenovic to reach the A Ground in India’s national capital. The man, who identified himself as Girish semi-fi nals alongside American CoCo Sharma claimed he was lost and did not see any security personnel. His claims Vandeweghe, Australia’s Ashleigh though weren’t justified by his deliberate swerves to drive over the pitch twice, loane Stephens retired in her Barty and Anastasija Sevastova of completely ignoring attempts from players and umpires to stop him. The inci- match against Barbora Stry- Latvia. dent occurred at around 4.40pm, 20 minutes from close of play after the match cova at the WTA Elite Trophy Twenty-four-year-old Stephens, off icials took the half hour extension to make up for the over-rate. A number of yesterday, extending her win- whose fairytale win at Flushing Mead- international players like Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma and lessS streak since lifting the US Open ows saw her world ranking shoot up, Rishabh Pant were in the field when the incident took place. The match referee trophy in September. has been on a losing streak recently, deemed the pitch “playable” after examining potential damage. The American, part of the US team tumbling out of both the looking ahead to next weekend’s Fed and Wuhan Open before pulling out of Cup fi nal against , crashed out . Chanderpaul, 43, signs new Lancashire deal of the tournament in Zhuhai with a Her turbulent run meant she failed Former West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul has signed a new con- knee injury that sealed her defeat to to make the WTA Finals in Singapore, tract with Lancashire at the age of 43, the club said yesterday. The Guyanese Czechoslovakia’s Strycova 5-0. while she was left out of the semi- left-hander, struck 819 runs at an average of over 50 in last year’s County “My knee wasn’t doing what I fi nals line up in Zhuhai after a loss to Championship, including three centuries as Lancashire finished second in Di- wanted it to do,” she told journalists Latvian Anastasija Sevastova. vision One, the club’s highest position since the 2011 title triumph. “The Club after the match. In another match yesterday China’s is extremely ambitious and there is a group of hugely talented young cricket- “So, yeah, it’s like it’s better to just top player, , downed Elena ers in the squad. I’ve really enjoyed playing my part both on the field scoring stop now, because obviously I wasn’t Vesnina 6-2, 1-0 after the Russian was as many runs as possible, but also as a mentor to some of our younger moving too quickly out there. I just also forced to retire. players,” he said. “Hopefully I can continue to pass on some of my knowledge thought, yeah, better if I just stop.” But despite her win, the round robin and experience to them,” Chanderpaul told the club’s off icial website (www. She added that she hoped to be fi t format meant Peng, a wildcard entry, lccc.co.uk). Chanderpaul, who previously played with Durham, Warwickshire enough for the Fed Cup. could not go through to the semis. and Derbyshire, as well as enjoying an earlier spell with Lancashire in 2010, “Obviously I’ve got to get my knee The 25-year-old, the oldest player Sloane Stephens of the United States leaves the court after retiring from her retired from international cricket in 2016 with an average of 51.37. His total of in order fi rst. Hopefully I can do that in the tournament, lost to Vandeweghe match against Barbora Strycova of the at the WTA Elite Trophy in 11,867 Test runs is the seventh highest of all-time. before next weekend.” earlier in the week. Zhuhai, China, yesterday. (AFP)

Saturday, November 4, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

WORLD SUPERBIKE Unstoppable Rea races to his fi rst Losail victory After Race 1 victory last night, Rea needs another win tonight in Race 2 to smash a 15-year-old points tally record

By Sahan Bidappa again in the fi nal stages. Lowes’ teammate Doha Michael van der Mark also crashed out of the race, touching the rear of Sykes’ bike at Turn 7. he unstoppable Jonathan Rea ticked another box in his glit- LEADER MAHIAS ON POLE FOR tering career when he won the WORLDSSP SHOWDOWN Race 1 of the Qatar round of the In the Supersport class, Lucas Mahias TWorldSBK Championship last night. of GRT Yamaha put on a lightning lap The three-time World champion Rea, to clinch the pole position for tonight’s who had wrapped up the 2017 title in season-fi nale. The Frenchman has a France with two and half rounds to spare, 20-point lead going into the fi nal race of had never won at the Losail International the season and he strengthened his title Circuit before last night. And he brought aspirations by smashing the Losail Super- an end to that drought in spectacular style sport lap record last night. under fl oodlights on his Kawasaki ZX- His championship rival and defending 10RR. champion Kenan Sofuoglu of Kawasaki The Northern Irish rider is seeking to was fourth fastest, and it will need a huge better American Colin Edwards’ record eff ort from the Turkish rider to win the ti- points tally of 552 set in 2002. After the tle tonight. Sofuoglu was passed fi t prior Race 1 victory last night, Rea has 531 to third practice to race despite suff ering points, and another 25 points tonight in three fractures to his pelvis at Magny- Race 2 will smash the 15-year-old record. Cours in France just over a month ago. Rea was in a class of his own at Lo- France’s Jules Cluzel of Honda and Finn- sail, getting away brilliantly from pole to ish rider Niki Tuuli of Kallio Racing also dominate the penultimate race of season. qualifi ed on the front row, timing the sec- He completed the 17 laps in 33:41.021 sec- ond and third fastest time in Superpole 2. onds, 4.944secs ahead of second-placed Mahias set a new lap record of 2:00.738 Chaz Davies on Ducati. Davies’ teammate secs as the championship leader bids to Marco Melandri completed the podium. secure the world title in style tonight. The 30-year-old Rea, who also achieved Cluzel qualifi ed 0.546s behind his fellow Kawasaki’s maiden victory at Losail, has Frenchman, whilst Tuuli was delighted now chalked up 53 World Superbike victo- to grab third on the grid, with a lap which ries in his career – 38 with Kawasaki – and was 0.654s off the pole-setter. is only six wins behind the all-time record Sofuoglu is riding through the pain held by Carl Fogarty. He has also become the barrier during this fi nal weekend of the second most successful rider ever, moving season and is receiving medical check- ahead of Australian great Troy Bayliss, who ups after each session as he bids to pre- won 52 races during a chequered career. vent Mahias from taking his crown. So- Rea had made his intentions clear earlier fuoglo needs a top-two fi nish and hope as he had set a new Losail lap record in the Mahias misses the top 10 to win a sixth Superpole. In the race that followed, Rea world title. Kawasaki rider Jonathan Rea (also inset) goes around the Losail International Circuit during Race 1 of the Qatar round of World Superbike Championship yesterday. pushed his Kawasaki ZX-10RR to the limits Qatar’s Saeed al-Sulati was 18th fastest Rea won the race ahead of Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri. around the 5.380km track to snatch his 15th on his Kawasaki ZX-6R, while his QMMF win of the season. Racing compatriot Mashel al-Naimi was Davies did his best to chase Rea down 22nd. The duo will be hoping for a much but would eventually fi nish a lonely sec- better performance tonight in front of the ond despite his best eff orts – still a good local crowd. result in his bid to secure the runner-up spot in the championship. His teammate WSBK RACE 1 RESULTS (TOP 10) Melandri crossed the fi nish line a further 1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) 33:41.021 fi ve seconds behind him. 2. Chaz Davies (Ducati) +4.944 Eugene Laverty fi nished fourth ahead 3 Marco Melandri (Ducati) +10.405 of his Aprilia teammate Lorenzo Savadori, 4. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) +12.052 while Tom Sykes completed the top six on 5. Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia) +12.339 the second of the KRT machines. 6. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) +15.587 Yamaha’s Alex Lowes who was the clos- 7. Jordi Torres (BMW) +16.789 est challenger to Rea in the Superpole, 8. Sylvain Guintoli (Kawasaki) +17.869 coming in second, had a disappointing end 9. Leon Camier (MV Agusta) +18.494 to the night. With seven laps to go, Lowes, 10. Roman Ramos (Kawasaki) +22.660 who was involved in a feisty duel with Dav- TODAY’S SCHEDULE ies, crashed at the last corner with a po- 17:00-17:15 WorldSSP - WUP dium spot in his sights. Lowes picked up 17:30-17:45 WorldSBK - WUP his Yamaha YZF R1 to go in search of valu- 19:30 WorldSSP - Race able championship points but went down 21:00 WorldSBK - Race 2 World Supersport defending champion Kenan Sofuoglu in action yesterday. Qatar’s Saeed al-Sulati was 18th fastest in World Supersport qualifying.

QREC to organise season’s fi rst horse Qatar’s Adel Hussain receives his T2 rally world title auction today The Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club it comes at the very beginning of the (QREC) will organise the first horse season. Those good at purchasing will auction of the current season today at have the opportunity to benefit from the the indoor arena of the Qatar Equestrian lots exhibited in the sale to improve the Federation. With as many as 191 lots on quality of their stable and, consequently, off er, the auction will start at 3pm, and increase their chances of winning in the will see many horse owners and trainers, weekly race meetings at both the turf who are regular participants at the race and sand courses of Al Rayyan race- meetings run at QREC each season. This course. The large number of lots to be auction presents a good opportunity exhibited is a testament of the interest for potential purchasers, especially as of all owners and trainers.

GOLF Aft er 27 surgeries, Cayeux makes cut

Reuters had any goals for the fi rst year coming Knysna, South Africa back,” he said at Simola Golf and Country Estate on South Africa’s eastern coast. “It’s been a tough seven years, so, on imbabwean golfer Marc Cayeux my fi rst year back, I had no expectations. made the cut in a professional I just basically tried to get back into the Qatari rally driver Adel Hussain receives the 2016 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies T2 world title from Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation tournament for the fi rst time in swing of things and learn all over again, (QMMF) president Abdulrahman al-Mannai (left) and Losail Circuit Sports Club’s vice president Khalid al-Rehmaihi yesterday. Hussain had won the world seven years yesterday after having even though the mind knows what to title after an appeal over legality of his Saudi rival Yaser Saeidan’s car during the Rally of Morocco. The FIA granted Hussain’s appeal in February this year Z27 diff erent surgical operations following do, the body just doesn’t. It’s a physical and crowned him the world champion. an horrifi c car accident in 2010. challenge for me. Going through rounds Cayeux’s right leg was shattered and his is what’s required and mentally blocking left foot was almost dangling following a out the pain.” collision with a police truck in southern Before his accident, the 39-year-old SPOTLIGHT Zimbabwe. English-born Cayeux had won nine Sun- His injuries and the extensive surgery, shine Tour titles and qualifi ed for the Eu- which left one leg shorter than before, had ropean Tour. threatened to end a promising career, yet After the accident, however, he re- his comeback passed a major milestone quired extensive physical therapy just to Red Bull Car Park Drift returns to Qatar on southern Africa’s Sunshine Tour yes- be able to walk again. terday. “The biggest challenge for me is ex- By Sports Reporter the support and under the supervision The much-anticipated event will who will be performing his very own After missing the cut in his fi rst fi ve ecuting a shot I know I can play, but the Doha of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Fed- pit drifters in Qatar in a challenging nitro-pumped drills. tournaments back on the Tour this year pain stops me,” he said. eration (QMMF), and in partnership obstacle course, where only one can Red Bull Car Park Drift has at- following his lengthy absence, he shot a “I still see shots that I used to hit. Fac- with Vodafone Qatar, Losail Circuit be crowned the next King of Drift. tracted thousands of fans as a ma- one-under-par 71, following an open- ing the fact that I can’t quite hit them yet ed Bull’s thrilling drift com- Sports Club, and Saleh Al Hamad Al Skill, style and fl air will all count jor benchmark for motor sporting ing day 66, to advance to Saturday’s fi nal is a tough thing. But seven years ago, you petition Car Park Drift is Mana Co. – Nissan, the adrenaline- as the competitors’ contest for the events in Qatar. Maintaining a safe round of the 54-hole Origins of Golf Final. wouldn’t have said I would be on a golf returning to Qatar for more packed evening is expected to attract highest score. The event will be su- and secure environment is of utmost “It’s been amazing. To make the cut is course again, so I’m going to soak it all up rubber-burning action on thousands of spectators at the Dallah pervised by Red Bull Athlete and priority which has led it to a guaran- another box ticked, even though I never no matter what I shoot.” Friday,R November 10, 2017. Held with Parking on the Doha Corniche. drift extraordinaire Abdo Feghali, teed success over the years.