FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 4 CRICKET | Page 6 Conte’s Inter CSK have on a ‘mission’ edge in spin to kill off Juve department, domination MI in batting

Saturday, September 19, 2020 Safar 2, 1442 AH CYCLING Roglic retains Tour de GULF TIMES lead, Andersen wins stage 19 SPORT Page 7 FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Bounedjah scores brace as ‘It was a big performance from us. Everything was perfect — Al Sadd rout Al Ain attack, defence, set-pieces’

Agencies

aghdad Bounedjah scored twice and provid- ed the assist for another goal as former champi- Bons Al Sadd of turned on the pace and style to thrash Al Ain 4-0 in Group D of the Asian Champions League yesterday. ’s Al Sadd had featured in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Al Ain when the teams clashed on Tues- day, a result that had disappoint- ed the Barcelona and Spain great who called upon his team to show more purpose in their remaining matches. Yesterday they responded in emphatic fashion in the reverse fi xture with a scintillating dis- play that sent inaugural Champi- Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah and (below) celebrate after ons League winners crashing out scoring a goal yesterday. of the tournament with just one point to show after four games.. Bounedjah put 2011 winners Al Sadd ahead in the 26th minute with a crisp shot after receiving a perfect pass from 2019 AFC Play- er of the Year Akram Afi f. Al Sadd consolidated in the 56th minute, this time Afi f slid- ing in to meet a cross from Bounedjah as the Al Ain defence was found wanting. Kodjo Laba almost pulled one back for Al Ain with a great solo eff ort but his powerful shot was defl ected away by Al Sadd goal- Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah (left) scores during the AFC Champions League Group D match against Al Ain at keeper Saad al-Sheeb. yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Bounedjah, the top scorer in the 2018 tournament with 13 Xavi was beaming after his day; they were focused on our or- next game.” example for all of us, the players goals, recorded his second goal in side’s victory. ganisation and game model.” “Our fi rst goal is to qualify for and the technical staff .” the 70th minute when he grabbed Speaking at the post-match The Spaniard added: “We cre- the next round. If we play like we Bounedjah was also pleased a pass from the hard-working press conference, Xavi said: “We ated more chances compared to did today, we can qualify.”As for with his and the team’s perform- and hammered the are very happy with this win. We the last game, and we were more ’s goal, the coach ance. ball past Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid played a great game. It was a big eff ective.” said: “I’m the happiest person for “We came into the game with Eissa. performance from us. Everything “We are in a good position in Tabata. Yesterday, I told the play- a lot of focus and controlled the got the 4-0 win.” “Whether I score doesn’t mat- Brazilian veteran Rodrigo Taba- was perfect – attack, defence, the group now. This is an im- ers that he’s an example for them. game completely,” said the Alge- He added: “The next game ter to me, all that I try to do is ta, who came in as a substitute in set-pieces. We also had luck as portant win, but we need to keep He’s almost 40, but it’s not an ac- rian. against Al Nassr will be tougher to help the team. What matters the 73rd minute, put the match to they had some chances, but this going. I’m very happy, especially cident that he scored. He is spe- “We wasted a few chances in and we must prepare well for it.” to me is the team, and I promise bed with a fi ne shot to the roof of is football.” for the players, we now need to cial, he has a big heart and eve- the fi rst half, but in the second Bounedjah said his main job is everyone that I will give all I can the net in the 86th minute. “Everyone did a good job to- recover well and focus on the rybody loves him. He is a big, big half, we increased our focus and to help the team’s cause. in every game.”

SPOTLIGHT Al Duhail stunned 4-2 in Group C thriller AFC Ali was set up at the penalty spot The action was far from over Doha by a cross from Dudu, but the as Al Duhail restored parity again Qatari International watched al- in the 70th minute. Defender Hosani produce a top drawer save Ahmed Yasser sent a cross-fi eld six-goal thriller at Edu- to deny him. pass that was nodded on by Mo- cation City Stadium Dudu had a golden chance to hamed Muntari into the path of saw Sharjah FC defeat score in the 33rd minute after Ali and Al Duhail captain caught Al Duhail SC 4-2 on being sent through on goal by an everyone off guard, controlling AMatchday Four of the 2020 AFC Ali Afi f defence-splitting pass, and launching a half-volleyed Champions League Group C yes- but the Brazilian could not apply eff ort from an angle that hit the terday. the fi nish past Al Hosani who did upright on its way in to make it Al Duhail needed just 12 min- well to catch the eff ort. 2-2. utes to open the scoring after Al- The second half started with Five minutes later, Sharjah moez Ali outmuscled his marker, Sharjah taking the game to their were awarded a penalty after Mo- controlling a long ball and setting opponents and Bawazir came hamed Musa appended Welliton up Abdullah Al Ahrak who cut in- close to doubling his tally on the inside the box. Coronado stepped side from the right fl ank and un- night but his 52nd minute drive up and just like in the reverse fi x- leashed a powerful drive from all crept just wide off the post. ture, converted from the spot. of 25 yards that nestled into the The match took an important Head coach Abdulaziz Al An- roof of Adel al-Hosani’s net. turn at the hour mark when Mo- bari’s men cemented their victory Five minutes later, Khalid Ba- roccan defender in added time as former Kashima wazir equalised for Sharjah on his received a straight red card for an Antlers and Al Ain winger Caio fi rst start for the club. The mid- elbow on Sharjah Igor exchanged passes with Coronado fi elder received a pass on the edge Coronado. following a corner and drilled an of the opposition penalty box and Straight from the resulting eff ort from a tight angle that beat rifl ed a thunderous eff ort that free-kick, Coronado beat the the goalkeeper to make it 4-2 at fl ew straight through the hands goalkeeper with a curled eff ort, the fi nal whistle. of goalkeeper Khalifa Abou- but the ball bounced off the up- The result means Sharjah get bacar as he attempted to catch it, right and fell to midfi elder Ma- their fi rst win in the AFC Cham- bringing the scores level. jed Surour whose diving header pions League since 2004, moving Before the midway point of the found the back of the net to es- up to four points, keeping them opening half, Al Duhail nearly tablish a Sharjah lead for the fi rst in the competition, while Al Du- restored their lead when Almoez time in the tie. hail freeze at six points. Al Duhail’s (centre) in action during the match against Sharjah yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Gulf Times 2 Saturday, September 19, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS QFA president participates in 70th FIFA Congress

QNA council since the last meeting on Covid-19 on football and how Doha June 25. to respond to the challenges The meeting also included dis- the game faces as well as open cussion of the congress agenda discussions on a range of top- E the President of the with the FIFA Annual Report ics including youth competi- Qatar Football Asso- 2019, the revised budget for tions, schedule of international ciation (QFA) Sheikh 2019-2022, the detailed budget matches and the development of Hamad bin Khalifa bin for 2021, proposed amendments women’s football. HAhmed al-Thani, participated in to the statute, and the regula- The 70th FIFA Congress is the the 70th FIFA Congress which tions governing the application fi rst conference to be held re- was conducted via video confer- of the statute of Congress in ad- motely. It was originally sched- encing. dition to the ratifi cation of the uled to be held in Addis Ababa, The QFA president was joined minutes of the 69th Congress. Ethiopia, in June, but was post- by Hani Ballan, member of the In addition, the FIFA Council poned due to the coronavirus QFA Executive Committee, and approved the regulations for the pandemic. General Secretary of QFA Man- FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup soor al-Ansari. Russia 2021 and updated regula- HE the President of the Qatar The FIFA Council met to iden- tions on arbitration among FIFA Football Association (QFA) Sheikh tify a wide range of issues related member associations. Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed to measures that would help Gianni Infantino, the FIFA al-Thani (centre), participated in football adapt to the global coro- president, also addressed the the 70th FIFA Congress via video navirus situation. presidents of the member asso- conferencing, along with QFA Yesterday, FIFA approved, ciations. Executive Committee member in accordance with the normal The summits included ex- Hani Ballan and General Secretary practice, decisions taken by the changes on the consequences of Mansoor al-Ansari (left).

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Persepolis edge Taawoun

Iraqi Bashar Resan scores from the to stay on track penalty spot in the second half for a 1-0 win Madu, Hamdallah score in Al Nassr win over Sepahan

AFC Doha

oals from Abdullah Madu and Abderrazak Hamdal- Glah sealed the points for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr FC in a 2-0 win against Sepahan FC on Matchday Four of Group D of the 2020 AFC Champions League yesterday. In the match between the two sides on Tuesday too, Al Nassr managed a comfortable 2-0 win courtesy a brace by Hamdallah Al Nassr’s Sultan al-Ghannam (right) and Sepahan’s Giorgi Gvelesiani either side of half time. vie for the ball during the AFC Champions League Group D match at Yesterday, the first real threat Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil came from Sepahan. When Aus- tralian keeper Brad Jones was passes attempted to break down back of his heel but Jones was called into action early on to the compact Sepahan defence perfectly placed to deal with it. deal with a howitzer from range inside the area, the end of which Hamdallah doubled the lead five by Rasool Navidkia, the former came when Hamdallah tapped minutes from the end of the first parried away. the ball to Abdullah Madu, who half, when Sultan Al Ghannam Close to the 20 minute mark, So- chipped the ball from close range controlled Pity Martinez’s chip roosh Rafiei left three defenders which keeper Payam Niazmand into the area before playing it in his wake as he dribbled into was unable to reach. through to the Moroccan who the penalty area closer to the Instantly after, Sepahan almost made no mistake, firing it low right side of the pitch, before drew level when Daniel Esmaeil- into Niazmand’s goal. approaching Jones’ goal and at- far broke loose on the flank The result leaves Al Nassr at the Persepolis’ Bashar Resan (left) scored the only goal of the AFC Champions League Group C match against Al Taawoun at Education City Stadium tempting a chip that settled on to fire a low cross into the net helm of Group D with 10 points, yesterday. (Twitter/TheAFCCL) the top of the net. — the cross was met by striker seven points ahead of third The Riyadh-based side opened Sajjad Shahbazzadeh who placed Sepahan. Al Sadd are in AFC group up, meaning that regardless winger Abdulmajeed al-Swat Al Kasir received Ehsan Pahla- the scoring after a string of attempted to flick it in with the second place with 8 points. Doha of the result, both Al Taawoun and was forced off the pitch by an van’s pass on the left fl ank, cut Persepolis would remain in con- injury, being replaced by Rabeaa inside and bent an eff ort that rat- tention going into Matchday Five, Sefi ani. tled goalkeeper Cassio’s upright With just three minutes gone marker and drilled an eff ort that ond, with a superior head-to- ran’s Persepolis FC repeated but a win for either side at Edu- Al Taawoun’s only sight of goal before going wide. after the restart, Iraqi midfi elder needed a combination of the head record keeping them above their 1-0 win over Saudi cation City Stadium would send for the 90 minutes was a tame The Iranians started the sec- Bashar Resan stepped up and goalkeeper’s fi ngertips and the Al Duhail, while Sharjah remain Arabia’s Al Taawoun FC on them top of Group C. Cedric Amissi eff ort that was ond half with a bang, piling the converted from the spot, to hand post to stop it. bottom despite their victory ear- Matchday Four of the 2020 A cagey start to the game had calmly collected by goalkeeper pressure on their opponents and Persepolis the lead. The result means Persepolis lier yesterday. IAFC Champions League Group C play mostly centred in the middle Hamed Lak. forcing a mistake from Brazilian Resan could have doubled his topple Al Taawoun off the top of But with just three points yesterday. of the park amid physical battles Persepolis came closest to defender Iago Santos who fouled tally in the 70th minute when he the group, taking the top spot for separating fi rst from fourth, the Sharjah’s 4-2 win over Al Du- that saw Al Taawoun receiving opening the scoring in the last Al Kasir inside the box, prompt- got the ball outside Al Taawoun’s the fi rst time. last two matchdays will see fi erce hail earlier yesterday opened the a blow in the 25th minute after minute of the fi rst half when Isa ing the referee to point to the spot. penalty area, dribbled past his The Saudi side drop to sec- competition in Group C.

SPOTLIGHT Desire, despite adversity, behind historic Al Shorta win: coach

AFC you prepare, you can get the re- started on Thursday, one of six the fi nal matchday will seal the Doha sults you need,” said Shahd. changes Al Ahli head coach Vla- Group A top spot for them. “Logically it is very diffi cult dan Milojevic made to his line up for a team like us to be without from the previous game. ead coach Abdulghani a competitive match for so long The left-back’s appearance set Shahd remained and come and compete at this a new record for the oldest player grounded even after his level, but this is in our nature as ever to feature in an AFC Cham- Al Shorta side earned Iraqis blossom under adversity. pions League match, at 43 years Htheir fi rst-ever AFC Champions The players had the desire. 240 days. Abdulghani made his League win at the 14th time of “We are playing a game every Al Ahli debut in September 1995. asking, defeating Al Ahli Saudi three days while Esteghlal had a “Having already qualifi ed to FC 2-1 on Matchday Four of the lot of rest, so it is good that we the Round of 16, this game gave 2020 AFC Champions League on can go into the last game needing us an opportunity to see what Thursday. just a draw and we can approach those players are all capable of,” Al Shorta took the lead inside that game diff erently.” said former Red Star Belgrade the opening quarter of an hour Fayyad, 23, added: “We faced coach Milojevic. through a Saad Natiq header, great diffi culties recently as we “When you have a player like and Mohamed al-Majhad’s sec- didn’t play any match in the past Hussein Abdulghani who has ond half leveler for Al Ahli was six months, but there was great played in three FIFA World Cups, quickly cancelled out with Mazin determination from the players younger players at the club will Fayyad winning it for Al Shorta in and technical staff to win tonight. always be learning from him what the 65th minute. “The win was very impor- it means to be a professional. The win represents the fi rst tant for us because it boosts “Hussein gives his all whether time Al Shorta have won a match our chances of advancing to the he plays in defence or midfi eld, in the AFC Champions League, knockout stage. whatever the coach tells him, he having previously competed in “We will forget about this gives his best.” the 2004 and 2005 editions, fi n- victory. We have a fi nal match A goalless draw for Al Shorta ishing bottom of their group on against Esteghlal and we must against Esteghlal tomorrow will both occasions. prepare very well in order to score be enough to send them to the “I don’t believe in history hav- another win which will put us in Round of 16 for the fi rst time in ing an impact. Football is more the Round of 16.” their history, while Al Ahli will sit about science now, and the better Veteran Hussein Abdulghani out Matchday Five, but a win on Mazin Fayyad (left) scored the winner for Al Shorta against Al Ahli Saudi FC in the 65th minute on Thursday. (Twitter/TheAFCCL) Gulf Times Saturday, September 19, 2020 3 FOOTBALLSPORT

SPOTLIGHT EPL Liverpool sign Solskjaer unhappy Bayern’s Alcantara AFP London

hiago Alcantara vowed to emulate his Bayern Munich success at Liv- erpool after the Spain with England over midfiT elder joined the Premier League champions for a reported fee of £20 million ($26 million) yesterday. The Spanish international agreed a “long-term contract” with Liverpool after deciding to end his seven-year stay with Greenwood call-up Bayern. The 29-year-old moves to Anfi eld after helping Bayern like to have a very close relation- win the Bundesliga, the German ship with the club and I think ‘We have to understand he’s an 18-year-old kid who needs managing’ Cup and Champions League last I will feel this with this club as season. well. “I will give my heart on the AFP “I think it’s an amazing feel- fi eld to my teammates, the club London ing. I was waiting for this mo- and also to the fans.” ment for a long time and I am Thiago was Bayern’s stand- very happy to be here,” Thiago out performer in their Champi- le Gunnar Solskjaer told Liverpool’s website. ons League fi nal win over Paris revealed he asked It is believed Thiago has Saint-Germain and is widely re- England not to pick penned a four-year deal with the garded as one of the most intel- Mason Greenwood Reds, who had been tracking him ligent passers in the world. beforeO the Manchester United for several months and could Klopp was delighted to com- forward was withdrawn from pay Bayern another £5 million plete a major coup for his club the squad after breaching coro- in add-on bonuses. He will wear after criticism in some quarters navirus protocols. the number six shirt at Anfi eld for Liverpool’s cautious ap- Greenwood and Manchester and becomes Liverpool’s second proach in the transfer market City’s Phil Foden were forced signing since the end of last sea- since the end of last season. to fl y home from Iceland ear- son after Greece left-back Kos- “It’s very exceptional because lier this month after they were tas Tsimikas. in our situation, a lot of peo- caught mixing with local wom- Thiago joined Bayern from ple around us talk constantly en in the England hotel. Barcelona as Pep Guardiola’s - ‘What are you doing?” Klopp The pair had just made their fi rst signing in 2013 but with a said. England debuts in the Nations year left on his contract he had “Then preparing something League victory over Iceland stalled over signing an extension like this, working on all diff er- when video footage emerged of and decided to try a new chal- ent things you have to work in a their breach of the bio-secure lenge. He enjoyed a trophy-fi lled transfer like this - with thinking bubble which had been set up to stay in Germany, winning seven about a player like him already avoid contact with the virus. Bundesliga titles, four Ger- is a joy, to be honest, because it England boss Gareth South- man Cups, the Club World Cup gives us obviously some options. gate admitted he couldn’t un- and the Champions League last “I know all the people at Bay- derstand their behaviour and month in Lisbon. ern wanted to keep him desper- axed them from the subsequent Now Thiago believes he can ately, that’s normal and under- match in Denmark. enjoy similar success with Jur- standable because he played an But United manager Solsk- gen Klopp’s side. important role, in the last season jaer defended Greenwood and “When the years are passing, as well. He just was ready for a said he warned England that the you are trying to win as much as new challenge and he decided for 18-year-old needed a rest be- Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) with forward Mason Greenwood. you can and when you win, you us. It is about the club, it’s about fore the start of the new season. want to win more,” Thiago said. the team, that he wanted to join “Yeah, of course I speak to one - he’s called up, and two - this group,” Solskjaer said. which nullifi es the convic- The deal is still not complete- “I think this club describes us. That’s really cool.” Mason and I’ve spoken to Ma- he’s right there in the press. “This is where he feels at tion, but the defender still lost ly dead according to reports, but what I am as well. I want to Klopp could soon have an- son,” Solskjaer said. “Of course, “We’ve done whatever we can home. He’s not comfortable, we his place in the England squad Solskjaer would only confi rm achieve all of the goals, win as other new player to parade with what we speak about and dis- to protect him and I will keep on challenge him, we’ve got people for the Iceland and Denmark that United are still looking to many trophies as possible. Liverpool reportedly close to se- cuss will be between the two of helping him. I know that when looking after him. matches. strengthen after signing just “It also has this kind of fam- curing a deal for Wolves winger us. he comes back into the daily “We have to understand he’s Confi dent Maguire can fo- Ajax midfi elder Donny van de ily feeling that I need because we Diogo Jota. “The kid had a fantastic sea- routine of the club and what we an 18-year-old kid who needs cus on football despite the off - Beek so far. son. He’s just come through. do to him, he’ll be fi ne.” managing.” fi eld distraction, Solskjaer said: “You know I can’t say any- You come to the end of the sea- Greenwood has been train- “The process will keep on go- thing about other clubs’ players son and we’ve had less than two ing with United after passing ‘STRONG CHARACTER’ ing. Knowing Harry, he’s a very out of respect to them. I can’t FIFA boss Infantino concerned at weeks off and he’s called up to coronavirus tests and Solskjaer Earlier in the close-season, strong character so hopefully he speculate. But we understand the national team. confi rmed the striker is in con- United captain Harry Maguire can put that apart. that to get even further; one delays to World Cup qualifi ers “I have to be honest enough tention to feature in United’s was handed a suspended “Naturally, as a human being - we need to develop what we to say I tried my best to give him Premier League opener against 21-month sentence by a Greek it will be in the back of his mind have, two - we’re also looking to The successive postponements in a normal way,” Infantino told a rest over the summer. That Crystal Palace on Saturday. court after being found guilty what’s happened this summer, strengthen the team, of course to 2022 World Cup quali- reporters following the FIFA the club asked specifi cally and “Yeah, he’s part of the group. of assaulting a police offi cer, and apart from that you’ve just we are,” Solskjaer said. fiers caused by the Covid-19 Congress. pointed out that he should have With the testing and Covid pro- resisting arrest and attempted got to see how it develops.” “I’ve been in dialogue with pandemic are becoming a “We are in the hands of the had a rest. tocols, he trained by himself for bribery during an incident on United have spent most of the the club. Of course, we’re al- real problem and a shorten- health authorities.” “He needs it mentally and a little while. We had some tests the island of Mykonos. close-season in an unsuccessful ways discussing and hopefully ing of the format could be a Infantino said that soccer’s physically after that season he done and as soon as possible he Maguire denied the off ences attempt to sign Borussia Dort- let’s see if we can bring anyone possibility in some cases, FIFA world governing body had had. First thing that happens is: was with us. He’s a big part of and has launched an appeal mund forward Jadon Sancho. in.” president Gianni Infantino said opened a extra window for in- yesterday. ternational matches in January The South American quali- 2022 and would look at finding ‘Be more forthright’, Man Utd great Neville tells players fiers, due to start in March, will room for more, something not get underway until next which could upset European Footballers should be allowed to months. Manchester City forward SportsPro conference. “We often don’t like that.” Neville, a two- of entrepreneurial streak he month, while the start of the clubs who would have to re- speak their minds rather than be- Raheem Sterling has been vocal accuse them of lacking what time Champions League winner, hopes to see in younger players. CONCACAF tournament, which lease their players. ing forced to act as PR machines, on racism, Danny Rose on bat- we did, that it is not like the old has forged a successful career “They should have independent should have been this month, An alternative could be to says Manchester United and tling depression and Manchester days, then they get criticised for as a TV summariser and juggles thinking,” he told the conference has been put back until March. play three matches instead of England great Gary Neville. United’s Marcus Rashford cam- it when they express opinions. a number of business interests. run by SportsPro, a international Meanwhile, six match days two during an international The 45-year-old, a member of paigned to provide meals for un- “We have got to be really careful He has a stake in League Two media company for the sports have been postponed in the window, or stage qualifiers in a Alex Ferguson’s famed “Class der-privileged children. “We need with young players - you can Salford City alongside former industry. “They should attend marathon Asian qualifying single venue instead of home of ‘92” at Old Traff ord, believes players to be more forthright in micro-manage them too much teammates including Ryan Giggs their contract meetings and PR competition. or away. He added that the players should take “ownership interviews and more accepting sometimes. “You see Twitter and David Beckham, co-owns meetings, they should develop “I am concerned and it’s obvi- November/December slot for of themselves”. Several high- that in those interviews they feeds that clearly are not being two hotels with Giggs and set their talents for when they reach ously a real problem, especially the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at profile footballers have spoken display leadership characteris- developed by them (the players) up University Academy 92 with 35 and their teams around them if the pandemic doesn’t stop or least gave FIFA some breathing out on social issues in recent tics,” Neville said at this week’s but by their PR machine and I his ex-teammates. It is this type leave them. (AFP) let up, or we don’t start playing space.

FOCUS ‘Aubameyang deal shows Arsenal are European giants’ AFP that Arsenal would keep hold of their star London forward.“Financially we were in a position Harrison, who was oldest living that it was diffi cult to get what we wanted to get,” he said. “I think Auba had his doubts as FA Cup winner, dies at 97 ikel Arteta said Pierre-Emerick well at the time. Former Derby County winger Reg Harrison, who was the Aubameyang’s decision to sign “Things evolved in a natural way. I had a oldest living winner of the FA Cup, has died at the age of a new deal at Arsenal showed the feeling that the club wanted to move forward, 97, the Championship club announced yesterday. Premier League club were on the I had a feeling that Auba wanted to stay here Harrison lifted the FA Cup as a 22-year-old when Derby Msame level as European giants such as Barce- and we were just trying to glide those things beat Charlton Athletic 4-1 after extra time at Wembley in lona. together and that sometimes takes time but 1946 for their only FA Cup triumph. The Gabon forward, 31, committed his if the outcome is what we both wanted then The right winger shone in local football with Derby future to Arsenal this week after months of we’re happy.” Corinthians before signing amateur forms for County in speculation that he would leave for a club in Aubameyang had been linked with a move 1941. the Champions League. to Barcelona but Arteta said the deal showed During World War Two he served in the Army as a train- The deal is reported to be worth Arsenal were as big a name as the Spanish gi- ing off icer based in England, while also making guest £250,000-per-week ($324,000), with ants. appearances for Sheff ield United, Notts County, Charlton bonuses that could take it beyond the “I think the big reason Auba is staying is Athletic and Hartlepool United. £350,000-per-week contract of the club’s because we have an incredible football team, In 1944, he turned professional and two years later he highest earner, Mesut Ozil. an incredible club,” said Arteta, who started walked out of Wembley as an FA Cup winner with Derby. Arsenal boss Arteta, speaking at his pre- his career in the Barcelona youth system. “The condolences of everyone at Derby County Football match press conference yesterday, said he “We have some fantastic people working Club go out to the family and friends of Reg Harrison at was delighted the transfer saga was over. here and because he feels as well how much this diff icult time,” the Midlands club said on their web- “It was a big boost because I think every- love he’s got from the fans.” site https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2020/09/reg-harrison- body was hoping for Auba to stay but it was Arteta, whose side host West Ham today, rip. “Rest in peace, Reg. We will miss you.” creating some uncertainty around the place said the club were looking to bring in a new He made a total of 281 appearances for the Rams and and obviously it’s great as well to be able to goalkeeper to compete with Bernd Leno after scored 59 goals in 11 years at the club between 1944 and fi nish those sort of speculations, move on the departure of Emiliano Martinez to Aston 1955. and fi nd some more stability,” he said. Villa. Harrison also had spells at Boston United and Long “It was worrying me because it’s so hard to Cup holders in 2018 and has scored 72 goals that again consistently in the next few years,” Iceland international Runar Alex Runars- Eaton United, where he served as player-manager. fi nd replacement strikers of that calibre, so in 111 appearances. Arteta said. son is believed to be close to joining. After retiring, he set up community centres for the city I’m really pleased,” he added. “The way he trains, the way he behaves The manager admitted that when he “We’ve been looking in the market and I council and in 2018 was awarded the Freedom of the The Spaniard said it was a “joy” to work himself and the way he performs is exactly joined the club last December he was not as think we will be shortly in a position to an- City. with Aubameyang, who signed for the FA what I want from him so I want him to do positive as he had been in the past few weeks nounce our new signing,” said Arteta. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, September 19, 2020 FOOTBALL

SERIE A SPOTLIGHT Sancho back for more at Dortmund Conte’s Inter on a despite United charm off ensive

AFP The decision is fi nal,” sports Berlin director Michael Zorc made ‘mission’ to kill off clear. However, much can happen adon Sancho is set to before the transfer window show what Manches- closes in England and Germa- ter United have so far ny on October 5. missed out on when he Dortmund must be careful spearheadsJ Borussia Dort- that Sancho does not copy the mund’s challenge as the new tactic used by Ousmane Dem- Juve domination Bundesliga season starts this bele and Pierre-Emerick Au- weekend. bameyang, who went on strike Dortmund have spent the to force transfers to Barcelona ‘I’m not going backwards. I don’t want another year like that’ summer rebuffi ng interest in 2017 and Arsenal in 2018 re- from United and have insisted spectively. AFP again and again they will not Sancho demonstrated why Rome sell the England winger. Dortmund stubbornly want After the 20-year-old net- to keep him when he netted ted a penalty in the 5-0 Ger- an early penalty in Monday’s ntonio Conte begins man Cup win at Duisburg on thrashing of Duisburg before his second season as Monday, Sebastian Kehl, head new teenage signing Jude Bell- coach with of Dortmund’s player depart- ingham, another Englishman, a mission to stop his ment, repeated the club line scored on his debut. formerA club Juventus winning a that “Jadon Sancho will play He cost 26 million euros 10th consecutive title. for Dortmund this season”. ($30 million) from English Conte led Juve to the fi rst Sancho is likely to partner second-tier side Birmingham three of their current run of nine Norwegian goal-scoring phe- City in July and, aged 17 years, straight league crowns start- nomenon Erling Braut Haa- 77 days, became the youngest ing in 2012 before moving on to land, another 20-year-old, at player to score in the German coach Italy and Chelsea, taking home against fellow Champi- Cup. over Inter in May last year. ons League qualifi ers Borussia “Look away, Manchester The 51-year-old’s turbu- Moenchengladbach on Sat- United” was one headline in lent fi rst season with Inter was urday at the start of the new the British press after eye- played out against a backdrop league season. catching displays by both of the coronavirus pandemic In an eff ort to protect their Sancho and Bellingham, who which caused havoc in north- prize asset, Dortmund have the Old Traff ord club report- ern Italy before spreading across slapped a price tag of 120 mil- edly also wanted to sign. Europe. lion euros ($144 million) on Dortmund have a youthful The fi ery Italian looked poised Sancho, who managed career- look this season. to leave after a dramatic outburst best fi gures of 17 goals and 16 Bellingham looked impres- following Inter’s Europa League assists last season in the Bun- sive alongside Axel Witsel in fi nal loss to Sevilla, despite fi n- desliga as Dortmund fi nished central midfi eld at Duisburg ishing just one point behind Juve second to Bayern Munich. behind fellow 17-year-old in the league. Giovanni Reyna in the at- “I’m not going backwards. ‘WE PLAN WITH JADON’ tacking midfi eld role. Reinier, I don’t want another year like British media spent the sum- an 18-year-old Brazilian, re- that,” he said, blasting lack of mer heavily linking Sancho to placed Sancho to make his de- support from team manage- United, reporting they were but at the start of his two-year ment. dangling weekly wages of loan from Real Madrid. Clear the air talks persuaded £250,000 on a fi ve-year deal Sancho’s partnership with him the club’s Chinese owners and that the player had already Haaland, who scored 16 goals shared his burning ambitions to agreed terms to move to Old in 19 games since joining in lift a fi rst Serie A title since 2010, Traff ord. January, is crucial if Dort- the year of their historic treble Since securing Champions mund are to stop Bayern Mu- under Jose Mourinho. League qualifi cation in July, nich winning a ninth straight “I have never seen someone United have been eager to sign Bundesliga title. who works so hard, with such Sancho, who is high on the “You can see when he scores intensity, like Conte, this char- wish list of manager Ole Gun- goals and dribbles past players acteristic also unites us,” said nar Solskjaer. it looks so easy,” Haaland said Inter president Steven Zhang. Dortmund set a deadline of of Sancho in June. “Refl ection was necessary, I August 10 for United to meet “I played against him when found our coach serene, con- Inter Milan coach . their asking price. I was 16 or 17 years old and he structive, far from the moods we When that passed, the Ger- was exactly the same – drib- were told by the media. Fixtures man club pointed to Sancho’s bling past players. “Inter have a mission, a plan, 1,000 fans allowed in Italian stadiums from Sunday: minister contract, which he extended “When I played against him, strategies aimed naturally to- (all times GMT) last year until 2023, including then he was the best player I wards victory... I really believe Up to 1,000 fans will be allowed at open-air sports to respect “rules laid down for spacing, masks, seat an undisclosed pay rise. played against, and now that I that the path taken is the right events in Italy, sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora reservations,” the minister said. Today “We plan with Jadon. Jadon get to play with him, it’s fan- one.” said yesterday, on the eve of the return of Serie A He said the decision would be off icially confirmed Fiorentina v Torino (1600), will play for BVB next season. tastic.” As Serie A returns behind football. The change will come tomorrow, meaning “in the next few hours” and called it “a first step, but Hellas Verona v Roma (1845) closed doors this weekend, both today’s opening Serie A games (Fiorentina v Torino a significant step towards a return to normality in Tomorrow Inter and Atalanta have been Verona v Roma) will be behind closed doors but sport, which we hope for soon.” Parma v Napoli (1030), Genoa given a one-week delay because nine-time reigning Serie A champions Juventus The organisers of the Masters 1000 in Rome, v Crotone (1300), Sassuolo of their European exertions last could kick off their season against Sampdoria where Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal is returning v Cagliari (1600), Juventus v month. tomorrow in Turin with fans. to competition after more than six months, had de- Sampdoria (1845) Inter’s fi rst match will be Spadafora only mentioned tennis, with the WTA nounced a “huge injustice” to have to play behind Monday against Fiorentina on September and ATP Italian Open running in Rome until Mon- closed doors, while the French Open, which begins AC Milan v Bologna (1845) 26, followed by a trip to newly- day. “From the semi-finals and finals, 1,000 specta- in less than ten days, will be able to welcome spec- Playing September 30 promoted Benevento in their tors can be present at all sports competitions tators. Football clubs had also been demanding Benevento v Inter Milan, rescheduled opening day fi xture which take place outdoors and which scrupulously an end to the financially crippling lockdown and a Udinese v Spezia (both 1600), four days later. respect sanitary rules,” the minister said. Organis- gradual reopening of stadiums after more than six Lazio v Atalanta ’s Ata- ers who want to partially reopen stadiums will have months. lanta meanwhile start at Torino a few hours before Inter begin “European football is where their season and then travel to Juve’s rivals hopes of a chang- Conte, meanwhile, will be riving from Fenerbahce to sup- a club as storied as this one be- Lazio in their postponed fi rst ing of the guard. There have counting on the attacking duo port the Italy forward. longs, we want to get back there,” round match. also been changes in Juve squad of and Lautaro Atalanta’s Slovenin striker said Milan coach , Juventus kick off their cam- with veterans Blaise Matuidi, Martinez who so eff ectively the Josip Ilicic has returned to train- whose side have not won the paign at home against Sampdo- Miralem Pjanic and Gonzalo Hi- powered Inter attack last season. ing after missing last season’s ‘Scudetto’ since 2011. ria tomorrow, the team against guain making way for promising The other two Italian repre- Champions League knockout Milan are counting on Zlatan which they claimed their 36th youngsters Arthur, Dejan Kulu- sentatives in the Champions stage in Lisbon due to personal Ibrahimovic again providing the title in July. sevski and Weston McKennie. League, Lazio and Atalanta, have problems. spark with the 39-year-old hav- Coaching novice , A new centre forward is ex- opted for continuity. Roma have changed owner- ing signed for another season. a former Italy and Juventus star, pected with Barcelona’s Uru- European Golden Shoe winner ship with US businessman Dan The veteran should provide took over from guayan striker Luis Suarez re- Ciro Immobile renewed his con- Friedkin now in charge of the guidance for a squad which in- In this file photo taken on May 26, 2020, Bayern Munich’s Polish who lasted just one season on the ported to be set to arrive if he tract with Lazio until 2025 after capital side, who along with AC cludes youngsters like recently- forward (left) and Dortmund’s English Bianconeri’s bench. obtains an Italian passport, and banging in 36 goals last season, Milan are gunning for a return to arrived Italy midfi elder Sandro midfielder Jadon Sancho vie for the ball during their Bundesliga The upheaval could give possibly Roma’s Edin Dzeko. with Kosovo’s Vedat Muriqi ar- the Champions League. Tonali, 20. match in Dortmund. (AFP)

FOCUS Striker Higuain signs for Beckham’s Inter Miami aft er Juventus exit AFP million euros (today $106.5 million) experience I acquired in Europe and Miami from Napoli in 2016, but after two to help the team grow.” solid seasons fell out of favour and Anything would help the Miami, spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan who are bottom of the overall table onzalo Higuain has signed fi rst at AC Milan and then Chelsea with two wins and two drawn in 11 with David Beckham’s Major before rejoining Juve last summer. matches. They have managed only League Soccer outfi t Inter New Juve coach Andrea Pirlo has nine goals and their 0-5 start was the Miami, the club announced said that Higuain, who played in worst for any fi rst-year MLS club. Gyesterday, a day after he departed Se- three World Cups for Argentina and Higuain’s Inter Miami debut is rie A champion Juventus. scored 31 goals in 75 international ap- expected on September 23 when the The 32-year-old forward joins pearances, was not part of the club’s New York Red Bulls visit South Flor- former Juve teammate Blaise Matuidi plans. ida. on the Florida squad and will play in He leaves having helped Juve to win “We are pleased to close a deal with the same league as his older brother three Serie A titles, including their Gonzalo and add an experienced and Federico, a rival at D.C. United, after most recent triumph last season. successful goalscorer, who has ex- Juve revealed on Thursday that his “I want to thank Inter Miami for celled in the world’s best teams and contract had been terminated. the eff ort it has made to sign me,” leagues,” Inter Miami sporting direc- “Individually, my goal is to dem- added Higuain. “I think it will be a tor Paul McDonough said. onstrate that I can contribute and beautiful experience in my life. “Our goal is to not only bring elite continue playing great football here,” “It’s what I was looking for – a new players to Inter Miami, but also good Argentine Higuain said. “I hope I can experience, a new league and a beau- people that share our ambition and achieve that because I have all the tiful city. I’m really happy to be here aspiration of making history in North tools necessary to succeed.” and that it’s offi cial. American futbol, and we’re confi dent Higuain moved to Juventus for 90 “My goal is to try to transmit all the we have found that in Gonzalo.” Gulf Times Saturday, September 19, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Lightning sink Isles in OT to reach Heat burn Celtics Stanley Cup fi nals

AFP Tampa reached the fi nal de- Edmonton spite missing their top player Steven Stamkos and playing without playoff scoring leader nthony Cirelli scored Brayden Point for good portions again for 2-0 lead at 13:18 of overtime as of the series. the Tampa Bay Light- Point was hurt in game two Aning advanced to their and missed all of game three and ‘WE CAME HERE TO THESE PLAYOFFS TRYING TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP’ fi rst Stanley Cup fi nals in fi ve fi ve. years with a 2-1 win over the He returned on Thursday and New York Islanders on Thursday. played 25 minutes and had four Canadian Cirelli scored the shots on goal. biggest goal of his career with a The Islanders were coming two-foot shot from in front of off a desperation double over- the goal that bounced off the far time win in game fi ve, but they post then hit the goalie’s skate couldn’t repeat that success in and trickled over the goal line. the extra session in game six. “To be playing for the Stanley Just like in game fi ve, New Cup is every kid’s dream,” said York had to start the overtime Cirelli of Toronto. “We are ready killing a four minute high stick- to go. It is going to be exciting ing penalty, but Varlamov made times.” sure their season didn’t end Victor Hedman also scored there. Toews scored on a wrap and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped around at 4:15 of the fi rst period 26 shots for the Lightning, who to get the Islanders on the board won the Eastern Conference fi - fi rst. nal series four games to two. Toews drove past the net and “They are such a great team. skirted the back of the cage then It was a hard-fought battle and neatly tucked the puck in the far I am very happy we came out on corner of the skate of Vasilev- top. This is such a hard league to skiy, who slid across too late. go far in and we are super excited Swedish defenceman Hedman about going back to the fi nals,” tied it up 1-1 two minutes later said the towering Swedish de- with a blast from in front of a re- fenceman. bound. The Lighting will play the fi rst Hedman timed his drive to the Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo game of the Stanley Cup fi nals net perfectly so he could take (13) drives to the basket as Boston on Saturday against the Dallas advantage of a poor rebound by Celtics center Daniel Theis (27) Stars, who eliminated the Vegas Varlamov that bounced right on defends during the fourth quarter in Golden Knights in fi ve games in Hedman’s stick. game two of the Eastern Conference the Western Conference fi nals. Hedman has become one of Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoff s at Semyon Varlamov made 46 the Lightning’s top scorers in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex saves and Devon Toews scored a postseason. in Florida on Thursday. PICTURE: goal for the Islanders, who were With Point playing hurt and Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports trying to stave off elimination Stamkos watching from the for the second straight game in pressbox, Hedman has been tell- the NHL’s quarantine bubble in ing himself he needs to be more Edmonton. aggressive with the puck. The Lightning are in the NHL “We are missing one of the championship for the fi rst time best shooters in the game (Stam- since 2015 when they lost to the kos) so we have to pick up the Chicago Blackhawks. slack. Good players shoot the They won it all in 2004. puck,” he said. AFP Report: Giannis to receive second straight NBA MVP award and 20 Celtics turnovers led to 26 Miami Miami points. Giannis Antetokounmpo has won his “They out-played us,” Walker said of second consecutive NBA Most Valuable the Heat’s third-quarter surge. “It’s real- he Miami Heat turned it up in Player award, ESPN reported yesterday. ly unacceptable on our behalf. We didn’t the second half, rallying again The Milwaukee Bucks forward off icially continue to do the things that we did to for a 106-101 victory over the is vying with Los Angeles Lakers star Le- get us that lead. TBoston Celtics and a 2-0 lead in Bron James and Houston Rockets guard I think we got kind of comfortable and the NBA Eastern Conference fi nals. James Harden for the honor. those guys took advantage of it. Trailing by 17 in the second quarter and Antetokounmpo, 25, averaged 29.5 “They played hard — a lot harder than down 60-47 at halftime, Miami thrashed points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists in us. We fought our way back, but just too the Celtics 37-17 in the third quarter and 63 regular-season games in 2019-20. many mistakes.” held on for the victory. His numbers in nine playoff games were The Heat will try to take a stranglehold Bam Adebayo scored 15 of his 21 points remarkably similar: 26.7 points, 13.8 on the best-of-seven series in game three in the Heat’s blistering third quarter. rebounds and 5.7 assists. on Saturday in the NBA’s quarantine The Celtics, who let a big lead slip in Antetokounmpo also was named the bubble in Orlando. a 117-114 game one overtime defeat on Defensive Player of the Year for the The Celtics will go into that one know- Tuesday, regained the lead in the fourth 2019-20 season. ing that no NBA team has rallied from an quarter and were up 94-89 with 4:25 left James, a four-time MVP, averaging 25.3 0-3 defi cit to win a series and that might to play. points, 10.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds for have contributed to tension in the locker But the Heat chipped away with a hook the Lakers. room after the defeat. shot from Adebayo and a steal and dunk The only players with more MVP awards “Guys were emotional after a hard by Jimmy Butler. are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with six and consecutive NBA scoring title by averag- game, hard loss,” Celtics coach Brad Ste- Goran Dragic followed up two free Bill Russell and Michael Jordan with five ing 34.3 points per game. vens said of the shouting that could be throws with a three-pointer over Boston each. He also had 7.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds heard from Boston’s locker room post- big man Daniel Theis that put the Heat Harden, the 2017-18 MVP, won his third in 2019-20. game. ahead 100-95 with 1:42 remaining and Walker wouldn’t be drawn on reports Miami powered to the fi nish line. that Marcus Smart let fl y before storm- “We came here to these playoff s trying ing out. to win a championship,” Adebayo said. “We like to make it hard for ourselves,” it’s not all about you,” Heat coach Erik “It was nothing,” Walker insisted, “We keep stacking these wins and hope- Butler said of the Miami “comeback Spoelstra said. “Boston had a lot to say adding when pressed, “We’ll be fi ne.” fully we get to that point. kids.” about how that fi rst half was going. Tatum said what happens in the lock- “Right now, 2-0, we’ve got to keep In fact, the Heat got off to a brisk start That was them putting us on our er room among teammates should stay stacking those ‘W’s.” making fi ve of their fi rst six three-point heels.” there, and the Celtics will focus on fi nd- Dragic fi nished with 25 points, and attempts. Kemba Walker broke out of his scor- ing a way to win game three. Duncan Robinson added 18, all on three- After a close fi rst quarter the Celtics ing slump with 23 points for the Celtics. “Two times now we’ve had double pointers. surged ahead in the second period, only Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum scored 21 digit leads and let go of the ropes,” Tatum Adebayo added 10 rebounds and four for the Heat to make the needed adjust- apiece. said. “We’ve got to fi gure out why that Brayden Point (left) of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with assists, Jimmy Butler had 14 points, four ments at halftime. But Brown missed a three-pointer that keeps happening and just be prepared to Ryan McDonagh (27) after scoring against the New York Islanders rebounds, three assists and four steals. “You get to the conference fi nals, would have tied it with 15 seconds to play win the next one.” on Sunday.

NFL BASEBALL Mayfi eld shines in Cleveland Browns win Yankees sweep BlueJays

Agencies 1-yard line. Cleveland Cleveland took four cracks behind record homer haul at reaching the end zone with Chubb coming up a half-yard Agencies and Brewers (2006). 21) to run their winning streak to aker Mayfi eld passed shot on fourth down. New York New York held a 3-2 lead when a season-high eight games. for two touchdowns The Bengals took possession, Gardner began the outburst by The Yankees are closing in and Nick Chubb and and on their fi fth play, Burrow lining a fastball from Chase An- on the Minnesota Twins for the BKareem Hunt each lost the football when Garrett rett Gardner, DJ LeMa- derson (0-2) 412 feet over the fourth seed in the American accumulated two scores as the knocked it out of his grasp and hieu, and Luke Voit center fi eld fence for a 5-2 lead. League. host Cleveland Browns re- Cleveland Browns Joe Jackson recovered the ball homered in a span of LeMahieu followed by lining Masahiro Tanaka (3-2) al- corded a 35-30 victory over the quarterback Baker Mayfield at the 1. Two plays later, Chubb three pitches with one a sinker 349 feet down the right lowed three runs on seven hits Cincinnati Bengals on Thurs- ran for a touchdown. outB in the fourth inning when fi eld line and Voit capped the in seven innings. He struck out (6) runs for a first down during day night. the first quarter against the Cincinnati’s Giovani Bernard the New York Yankees became inning with a 398-foot drive to fi ve and walked none. Lourdes Mayfi eld completed 16 of 23 Cincinnati Bengals on appeared to scored on a 4-yard the seventh team in baseball his- right-center fi eld for his major Gurriel Jr. homered twice and passes for 219 yards and one Thursday. PICTURE: Ken run with 1:52 remaining in the tory to homer fi ve times in an in- league-leading 20th homer. had four hits for Toronto. Bo Bi- interception with the touch- Blaze-USA TODAY Sports third, but a review found he was ning during a 10-7 victory over Giancarlo Stanton, who col- chette added an RBI single and a downs going to Odell Beckham a foot short. the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday lected four hits in his second two-run bases-loaded single off Jr. and Hunt. The Bengals instead went night. game back from a strained left Aroldis Chapman in the ninth Chubb ran for 124 yards on front of approximately 6,000 added a 9-yard scoring pass backwards and settled for Bul- The Yankees hit 19 hom- hamstring, hit the fourth homer after Jonathan Holder allowed an 22 carries, Hunt rushed for 86 fans, the maximum approved to Tyler Boyd with 43 seconds lock’s 27-yard fi eld with 20 ers in the series, a major league of the inning by hitting a 418- RBI single to Danny Jansen and a yards and a score on 10 carries, by Ohio Gov. left before the Browns recov- seconds left to trail by 12. record over a three-game span, foot drive to right-center fi eld. bases-loaded walk to Cavan Big- and Myles Garrett had a key Mike DeWine for Cleveland’s ered the onside kick and ran Mayfi eld passed for 167 yards and became the fi rst team to hit Gleyber Torres capped the gio. Chapman ended the game by strip-sack for the Browns (1-1). two September home games out the clock. Cleveland, which and two touchdowns in the fi rst fi ve homers in an inning since historic inning with a drive to striking out Teoscar Hernandez Rookie Joe Burrow was 37 amid the coronavirus pan- fi nished with a 435-353 edge in half as the Browns led 21-13 the Washington Nationals did it left fi eld that knocked out An- and converted his third save. of 61 for 316 yards and three demic. Burrow tossed a 4-yard total yards, took a 28-13 lead on at the break. Burrow had 169 against the Milwaukee Brewers derson. Julian Merryweather was To- touchdowns for Cincinnati (0- scoring pass to Mike Thomas to Chubb’s 1-yard run with 5:45 yards and one score in the half. on July 27, 2017. Gary Sanchez added New ronto’s opener and allowed two 2). Randy Bullock kicked three move Cincinnati within 28-23 left in the third quarter as part Bullock kicked a 38-yard The other teams in MLB his- York’s sixth homer of the night runs in the fi rst. fi eld goals after missing a last- with 5:55 left. The Browns an- of a couple frenzied sequences. fi eld goal to cap Cincinnati’s tory with fi ve homers in the in the seventh and it marked the Anderson replaced Merry- second attempt Sunday that swered with a six-play, 75-yard Chubb initially appeared to opening drive before Chubb same inning are the New York fi rst time any team hit at least six weather in the second and al- would have tied a game against drive capped by Hunt’s 1-yard score on a 23-yard run, but of- responded with an 11-yard Giants (1939), Philadelphia Phil- homers in three straight games. lowed an RBI double to Gary the Los Angeles Chargers. run to restore a 12-point ad- fi cials reviewed the play and touchdown run on Cleveland’s lies (1949), San Francisco Giants New York’s historic power Sanchez in the fourth before The contest was played in vantage with 3:55 left. Burrow ruled he was down inside the fi rst possession. (1961), Minnesota Twins (1966) display enabled the Yankees (29- New York’s homer display. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, September 19, 2020 SPORT

CRICKET FOCUS ‘Important for player replacing Duplantis Malinga to not be under pressure’ vaults into

IANS whenever we found ourselves make it very clear for the play- pect going out there,” he added. Abu Dhabi in diffi cult circumstances, Ma- ers what their roles are and linga was the one to bail us out what we expect from them.” from there,” said Rohit. The 32-year-old also said history umbai Indians cap- With 170 wickets in 122 that communication is going to tain Rohit Sharma matches, Malinga is the leading be the key for players to adapt has admitted that wicket taker in the IPL. to playing in the United Arab the defending “His experience will be Emirates (UAE) where Mumbai Mchampions will miss veteran missed. We have got guys like Indians will begin their title and gives Sri Lankan fast bowler La- Nathan Coulter-Nile, James defence against Chennai Su- sith Malinga in the upcoming Pattinson, Dhawal Kulkarni, per Kings in the tournament edition of the Indian Premier Mohsin Khan; these are the opener. League (IPL) which begins to- names that we are looking at to “It’s important for people day. Mumbai Indians had ear- replace Malinga. But obviously who have played here to share athletics a lier said that Malinga wants to what he has done for Mumbai is that information with the guys be with his family back home not comparable,” said Rohit. who have not played. Commu- in Sri Lanka and thus won’t “We just have to leave some- nication is going to be the key play this year for the four-time one like him aside and look for here so that we don’t leave any- champions. a replacement. It’s important thing behind,” said Rohit. new star “It’s hard for anyone to that the guy taking his position “Mentally, it’s about just go- fi ll his (Malinga) boots we all in the playing XI comes without ing out there, understand what AFP I wanted to clear everything up know that. What he has done any pressure. the pitch is doing and based on Rome and be the best outdoors.” for Mumbai Indians and for Sri “They just need to come, that we need to plan our game. Born and raised in Louisiana, Lanka is remarkable. He has settle in the team and start do- We have played a couple of Duplantis is a photogenic new been a match winner for Mum- ing what the team is expecting practice matches and we un- rmand Duplantis has star in a sport searching for star bai. I have said it many times, them to. Here in Mumbai we derstood what we need to ex- pole-vaulted into his- quality since the retirement of tory aged just 20, Jamaican sprint legend Usain Aeclipsing the outdoor Bolt in 2017. IPL/ PREVIEW world record of Sergey Bubka His exuberant celebrations that has stood since 1994 to give and looks straight out of a teen- track and fi eld a fresh-faced new age romantic fi lm mean he fi ts star. the bill. The ease with which Duplan- Coached by his American fa- tis sailed over the bar set at 6.15 ther Greg, a former pole vaulter, metres in the warm Rome air on Duplantis is a product of a track Thursday suggests there will be and fi eld-crazy family which had more records to come. their own vaulting apparatus in CSK have edge in The American-born Swede the garden. known as “Mondo” was already His older brother Andreas the overall world record holder, vaulted for Sweden at various breaking the mark in indoor age-group championships, while meetings on consecutive week- another sibling Antoine dropped ends in February, the second, in pole vault in favour of baseball. Glasgow, raised it to 6.18m. Armand spent summers with But the favourable conditions his Swedish grandparents, keep- spin department, indoors, without wind, mean ing the link with his former hep- that for purists the outdoor tathlete mother’s home country. record is the mark that really He started pole vaulting, counts. which requires the speed and The coronavirus pandemic strength of sprinter and the fl ex- disrupted his early season but at ibility of a gymnast, when he was meetings in Monaco, Stockholm, four years old. Lausanne and Brussels, Duplan- He announced his talent to Mumbai in batting tis cleared six metres, showing a the world when he cleared 5.90m new record was within reach. aged just 17 at the Texas Relays in “I think I’m still up in the Austin in 2017. Both the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai side and Rohit Sharma-captained clouds right now,” he said af- He turned professional last ter his history-making jump in year after one season on a schol- Mumbai Indians are surely going to miss the crowd support this time around Rome. “It’s surreal, it’s surreal, arship at Louisiana State Univer- it’s a super-crazy feeling when sity. IANS ment, either Lungi Ngidi or Josh open the innings with Quinton everything lines up like that and After his world record spree, Abu Dhabi Hazlewood could make the cut. de Kock. you do a really good perform- Duplantis recognises he needs CSK is expected to rely on The duo had accumulated a ance.” to take the gold medal at the re- South African Imran Tahir while massive 565 runs from 15 games Ukrainian Bubka broke the arranged Tokyo Olympics next wo of the most success- Mitchell Santner of New Zea- together last year. world record on 17 occasions in year. ful teams in the Indian land so far spin is concerned. While Rohit gathered 405, the the 1980s and 1990s, famously He was pipped to a fi rst sen- Premier League (IPL) Harbhajan and Ravindra South African stumper amassed edging the mark up by one centi- ior world title by American Sam Thistory — Mumbai In- Jadeja could have formed a le- a massive 529 runs and if the metre on no fewer than nine oc- Kendricks in Doha last year. dians (MI) and Chennai Super thal spin attack. However, with duo repeat the show, the Chen- casions between 1988 and 1994 “If you want to be remembered Kings (CSK) — will be up against Harbhajan missing, Tahir’s ex- nai bowlers would experience so he could collect a bonus each as the best ever, you have to get it each other in the opening match perience will become priceless. a tough time in their campaign time. right when the moment is right of the 13th edition of the tourna- In such a situation, du Ples- opener. The other opening op- Duplantis said he had wanted and when you really need to,” he ment here today. sis could to miss the tournament tions, possibly in an emergency, to erase any doubt that he was said. Despite the high-octane clash opener, as the South African are former Australia all-rounder the best vaulter in history both “So when it comes time for featuring the two top teams that could fi nd a berth in the XI if Shane Watson and Ambati Ray- indoors and out. the Olympics, World Champi- have a huge fan following, this Dhoni opts to go with leg-spin- udu. “There was kind of this confu- onships, even the next European match as well as the others will ner Piyush Chawla. In the middle-order, Mumbai sion between the indoor and out- Championships, I will go there be played in empty stadiums due The middle-order batting will enjoys many options with the door record, it’s kind of merged. I and get it done and try to be on to Covid-19 pandemic. once again rely on Bravo and the likes of experienced Ishan Kis- already had the world record but top of the podium.” Both the Mahendra Singh skipper Dhoni himself as both of han, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Dhoni-led Chennai side and Ro- them are capable of rotating the Pandya and his brother Krunal. hit Sharma captained Mumbai strike, accelerating the run-rate, Sherfane Rutherford and Sau- Indians are surely going to miss and even changing the outcome rabh Tiwary are the other op- the crowd support this time of the game. tions for Mumbai. around. In the pace department, Shar- Looking at the pitches in the CSK recently suff ered two dul Thakur and Deepak Chahar UAE and their expected behav- major jolts as Suresh Raina and will lead the charge. If situation iour, low and slow that will help Harbhajan Singh opted out of demands, Chahar can be handy spinners more, CSK hold an the tournament citing personal with the bat. edge over Mumbai as they have reasons. It will be seen on the match Bravo in their ranks, who has the It will be interesting to see day how the Chennai team ability to utilise such conditions how a charismatic leader like management utilises Ngidi and while Watson’s experience could Dhoni, known for calmly han- File photo of Chennai Super Kings cricket captain Mahendra Singh Hazlewood. also come handy. dling all types of tense situa- Dhoni. On the other hand, three- Also, with Jadeja, Santner, tions, overcomes their absence. time champions Mumbai Indi- and Piyush in their side, Chen- However, who replaces Rai- asked to bat at No. 3.CSK have agement will have to look at. ans have strengthened their bat- nai have more spin options than na will be known only when the option of opening with Faf A maximum of four foreign- ting after signing swashbuckling their opponents. matches begin. du Plessis and Watson. ers can be part of a playing XI, Aussie batter Chris Lynn. Overall, the two sides have Sweden’s Armand Duplantis celebrates in free fall just after he With Ruturaj Gaikwad also But juggling the foreign play- and Watson and Dwayne Bravo Mumbai could pose a major met 30 times in the history of cleared 6.15m to set a new outdoor men’s pole vault world record being ruled out of the campaign ers and including them in the XI could be among the automatic threat to their opponents as Ro- the IPL, with Mumbai winning during the IAAF Diamond League competition on Thursday at the opener, Kedhar Jadhav may be is also something the team man- starters. In the bowling depart- hit has confi rmed that he would 18 matches and CSK the rest. Olympic stadium in Rome.

RUGBY Virus poses ‘signifi cant’ threat to existence of Irish rugby, warns CEO

AFP sumed but Leinster’s European June 2020, to borrowings of just “The adjective ‘unprecedented’ of protecting our national men, Smith’s doctors about the impact that late Australian Rules legend Dublin Champions Cup quarter-fi nal over 10mn euros, backed by union has been overused over the past women’s and provincial teams, of his medical condition and abil- Graham “Polly” Farmer suff ered against defending champions Sa- assets, is very serious and is being six months but our experience to ensuring that we preserve the ity to return to work in the fu- from chronic traumatic encepha- racens on Saturday will be played kept under constant review,” said date and history will show that if amateur club game and support ture,” it said. lopathy (CTE) after his brain was rish rugby chief Philip in front of a handful of fans in Browne. anything, the description of the the jobs of our 500 employees to “We were satisfi ed that Mr studied posthumously. Browne warned yesterday Dublin. “If these projections were to 2019/20 season as being unprec- the extent that we can.” Smith met the relevant defi nition CTE has been found in the that the fi nancial fallout from Browne spelt out the scale of materialise, the very existence of edented is signifi cantly under- Q A former Australian Rules of TPD in the insurance policy.” brains of American football, soc- the coronavirus pandemic the problem to the Irish parlia- professional rugby on the island stated,” he added. star has won a landmark concus- Smith, 51, was knocked out cer and rugby league players but I Farmer was the fi rst from Aus- posed a “signifi cant threat” to the ment’s Covid-19 response com- would be under signifi cant threat Ireland are due to play their re- sion payout from his insurance multiple times during his Aus- existence of professional rugby in mittee. in 2021.” arranged Six Nations fi xture with company over brain injuries suf- tralian Football League career tralia’s most popular sport. the country. He said Irish Rugby’s net losses Browne, who has been in his Italy on October 24 before travel- fered during his 11-year career, with Melbourne clubs between The AFL, which had no imme- The game in Ireland has blos- in 2020 were forecast to top 30mn post since 1998, said losses in the ling to France for the fi nal round which could set a precedent for 1987 and 1998 and told broad- diate comment on Smith’s case, somed in the professional era. euros ($36mn), and the situation period to the end of July were 10 of matches. future claims. caster ABC: “I’m just happy that has previously been criticised as The national team has won two would deteriorate “at an alarm- times those initially predicted in They then host Wales and MLC Life said in a statement it’s fi nally been recognised.” playing down the danger faced by Six Nations Grand Slam crowns ing rate” if spectators were not January, before the virus struck. Georgia in the Autumn Nations yesterday that Shaun Smith met “I just hope that the AFL lis- its players. and three out of the four prov- allowed to return to stadiums in “Until we can admit spectators Cup. their criteria to be classifi ed as ten, because it’s people’s health at But it has since improved its inces have been champions of meaningful numbers. in meaningful numbers into our “Pre-Covid our fi nancial situ- “totally and permanently disa- risk,” he added. practices with guidelines now Europe. “The current projected po- stadia, and return to some level ation was looking quite positive,” bled (TPD)” and was therefore Concerns have been rising in stating that any player suspected Rugby was also thriving off the sition to the end of June 2021, approaching self-sustainability, said Browne. eligible for Aus$1.4 million (US$1 recent years about the potential of having a concussion in a game pitch under Browne’s stewardship showing a negative cash swing of the whole rugby infrastructure “Now we are facing an unprec- million) in support. health eff ects of repeated head must be medically assessed as until the coronavirus hit. almost 40mn euros from a cash built over the last 150 years is un- edented cashfl ow crisis, as we try “In reaching our decision, we knocks in contact sports. soon as possible and not allowed Competitive rugby has re- surplus of some 28mn euros in der threat,” he said. to work towards the objectives considered the opinions of Mr Earlier this year, it was revealed to continue playing. Gulf Times Saturday, September 19, 2020 7 SPORT

CYCLING MOTORSPORT Toyota hold key to Le Mans without Roglic retains Tour Alonso, 250,000 fans

AFP were the main benefi ciaries. Le Mans, France Asked if he saw this as a re- venge mission for his number 8 Toyota Lopez told the event’s of- ernando Alonso and fi cial website: “Yes. I don’t know lead, Andersen 250,000 diehard fans if it’s a question of revenge, of haven’t made it to this course everyone wants to win weekend’s Le Mans 24 this race and we came so close, ‘I have proved myself HourF race which Toyota are hot especially last year. favourites to win for a third con- “But there are people who in the greatest race in secutive year. tried 20 times and never man- The 2020 edition of the mot- aged to win it. That gives you an the world’ orsport classic will be played out idea of the challenge that is the wins stage 19 in the shadow of Covid-19, with 24 Hours of Le Mans. the famous La Sarthe circuit’s “No matter who your adver- AFP cavernous grandstands eerily saries or teammates are, it’s al- Champagnole, France empty. Organisers ACO had ini- ways diffi cult and it makes you tially hoped to allow in a portion respect the race. Naturally this of the quarter of a million petrol- year I hope we succeed because rimoz Roglic kept his heads making the annual sleep- we deserve to win.” lead in the Tour de deprived pilgrimage. The Japanese manufacturer France yesterday with But maintaining social dis- with its two entries makes up just two stages remain- tancing protocol around the en- two fi fths of the grid for the main Ping as Denmark’s Soren Kragh tire 13 kilometre track was prov- LMP1 category. Andersen burst clear to victory ing too problematic, resulting in Hoping for an upset in their on stage 19. the total crowd ban for the event last Le Mans are Swiss team Re- Sam Bennett inched further uprooted by the pandemic from bellions’ two cars with Ayrton ahead in the struggle for the its usual June slot for the fi rst Senna’s nephew Bruno one of green jersey by beating rival Pe- time since 1968. their drivers with the Bykolles ter Sagan, who failed in two bids Two-time Formula One world team’s Enso the fi fth entry. to shake off the Irishman. champion Alonso helped Toyota LNT’s Ginetta was set to race but Sunweb rider Andersen also win in 2018 and 2019, but he for- has pulled out. won the stage at Lyon last week goes a chance to land the treble Today’s start time has been in similar style, striking from to focus instead on his F1 return moved forward from 1600 lo- 3km out, this time he attacked next year with Renault, compet- cal time (1400GMT) to 1430, to with 16km to go. ing as Alpine in 2021. account for the shorter days in “I have proved myself in the Alonso’s seat in the team com- September. There are four lower greatest race in the world,” said prising Sebastien Buemi and Ka- category Le Mans races with 59 Andersen. zuki Nakajima has been taken cars set to compete, including “This is a result of all the by Brendon Hartley. The New two all women teams. work we have done at Sun- Zealander won the 2017 Le Mans The fi rst, in LMP2, features web over the past two or three for Porsche. Sharing the wheel of Colombian Tatiana Calderon, years,” he said. Toyota’s second car are Michael German Sophia Florsch and Be- In the race for overall Tour de Conway, Kamui Koyabashi and itske Visser of the Netherlands. France victory Jumbo’s domi- Jose Maria Lopez. They lead the The other splitting the driving nant leader Roglic retained a endurance championship stand- of a Ferrari 488 in the LM GTE 57 second advantage over his ings by 12 points from the other AM division consists of Italian Slovenian compatriot Tadej Toyota with Le Mans the penul- Manuela Gostner, Dane Michelle Pogacar. timate event of the season. Gatting and Switzerland’s Rahel That duo face a much-await- They came agonisingly close Frey. The race is being staged ed individual time trial today, to winning last year, a puncture under strict coronavirus health which features a Category 1 an hour from the fi nish hard to protocol, and also possibly under mountain where the 21-year- accept, even if their teammates forecast stormy weather. old Pogacar has vowed to topple Roglic. The younger man did just that recently in the Slovenian Team Jumbo-Visma rider Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium, after Stage 19 of WEC refl ects Covid challenges in national time-trials. the Tour de France yesterday. (Reuters) provisional 2021 calendar “So far so good. Better even because I kept my energy for the made a bid for glory from 20km The World Endurance Champi- FIA Endurance Commission, big day,” Roglic said. out, but Bennett was able to onship (WEC), which includes said the compact calendar “I know how I’ll handle keep up. the 24 Hours of Le Mans, would be more cost-eff ective tomorrow. I’m feeling okay As an escape group formed, published a slimmed-down while still off ering global health-wise and I’m quite ex- the peloton slowed to a snail’s provisional 2021 calendar of six exposure. Le Mans, whose 88th cited about it.” pace as many of the lesser rid- races yesterday reflecting the edition has been postponed Jumbo’s assistant manager ers realised their contribution continuing challenges posed to this weekend behind closed Merijn Zeeman will not be there to this Tour was essentially over by the Covid-19 pandemic. doors due to the pandemic, is for Roglic. Zeeman was thrown due to the nature of the fi nal two The races will all be held in the pencilled in for June 12-13 next off the Tour on Thursday for stages. same calendar year, unlike the year. The six races will be held threats and insults to the con- At the front, Andersen kept current season which started in the Americas, Asia, Middle trol team checking Roglic’s bike. working and fi nished 53 seconds at Britain’s Silverstone circuit in East and Europe. “We are not happy with that, clear. Bennett again outsprinted September 2019 and is due to The 1,000 Miles of Sebring It’s not good for us. Sagan, fi nishing eighth, one end in Bahrain in November. opens the season in Florida on “I wasn’t there when all this place ahead of the Slovak. “We listened to our manufactur- March 19, followed by the Six happened, but it’s not nice as he Today’s 36km time-tri- ers, teams and partners and Hours of Spa in Belgium on May cannot be here anymore,” Roglic al gives Roglic’s rivals a last responded with a calendar fea- 1 and then Le Mans. said. chance to grab the yellow jer- turing fewer events than in the Italy’s Monza is a new addition After three days going up and sey. past to allow them all time to on July 18 with the Six Hours of down Alpine mountains, stage The Tour de France then cul- deal with the current economic Fuji in Japan on September 26 19 had been described as an easy minates with the traditional pa- crisis,” said WEC chief executive and Six Hours of Bahrain on No- day for the overall contenders, rade ride into Paris which looks Gerard Neveu. vember 20. Organisers said the and so it proved. Team Sunweb rider Soren Kragh Andersen of Denmark celebrates after winning Stage 19 yesterday. like being a triumphal progress “We will revise this upwards calendar was subject to further This was not the case for De- (Reuters) for Roglic. again in the future, as and when change “according to the evolu- ceuninck-Quick Step sprinter But, with two sprints on the the health situation and the tion of the pandemic”. Bennett however, who fended By the time the peloton minute ahead on a solo break At the head of the main pack, stage, Sagan could still snatch economy allows us to do so – The top category next year will off the seven-time green jersey reached the Jura vineyards of rolling through what guides de- Bennett won the dash for the the points jersey from Ben- hopefully from 2022 onwards.” change from LMP1 to Hypercar. Sagan in their close-run contest Chateau-Chalon for climb at scribe as one of France’s pretti- intermediary sprint points tak- nett in the furious fi nal charge Richard Mille, president of the (Reuters) for the remaining sprint points. halfway, Remi Cavagna was a est villages. ing 11, to Sagan’s seven. Sagan around the Champs Elysees.

GOLF Westwood confi dent aft er staying away over virus concerns AFP view on it. European Tour Andalucia Mas- New York “I don’t really criticise any- ters two weeks ago after a 67 in body that takes an opinion op- the last round at Valderrama, a posite to mine. It’s just that you round that has given him confi - ritain’s Lee West- shouldn’t be at a golf tourna- dence this week. wood, who skipped last ment if you don’t feel like it’s “I’ve built on that and fed off month’s PGA Champi- right. confi dence again from that,” said onship over coronavirus “I’m not saying it isn’t right Westwood. concerns,B is confi dently chasing for certain people, but just for “In the practice rounds, I hit his long-sought fi rst major title me it wasn’t right... It felt too it well. I hit a lot of fairways. I’m after an opening 67 Thursday at early coming out – not even out driving the ball well. I felt like, the US Open. of it. We’re going into second if I did that, then there’s a low The 47-year-old Englishman, waves here and there. Felt too score out there for me.” who could become the second- early to start travelling 10 hours Westwood made fi ve bird- oldest major winner in golf his- on an airplane. So that was the ies and two bogeys on Thursday tory, was two strokes off the pace view and the route I took.” with a focus on fairways and being set by Justin Thomas after Westwood changed his mind, putting. 18 holes at Winged Foot. however, after talking to other “I don’t consider myself long Westwood has 12 top-fi ve players and hearing about the by any means out here,” West- fi nishes at major champion- precautions in place. wood said. “You get it in the fair- ships without a victory, three of “Just feedback from other way regularly around here, you his near-misses coming at US people that have been at tourna- can score well. Opens, but he still squandered ments and telling me what’s go- “As the golf course fi rms out a chance to play in a major last ing on at tournaments and stuff and a little bit of wind picks up, month at the PGA in San Fran- like that,” Westwood said. “I felt which is likely, and pin positions cisco, reluctant to risk catch- comfortable coming here.” obviously get tougher, it won’t ing the deadly virus despite two He played that way as well, yield as many low scores. Today months of safeguarded US PGA sinking a 12-foot birdie putt at was the day to get off to a decent Tour events. the ninth hole, his last of the start and get some credit.” “It’s just a strange world that round, to join Rory McIlroy and we’re living in right now, and Louis Oosthuizen in a share of people have diff erent opinions fi fth. The only major winner Lee Westwood of England plays on things, don’t they?” West- older than Westwood will be on his shot from the 12th tee during wood said Thursday. Sunday is Julius Boros, who was the first round of the 120th US “They evaluate things and see 48 when he won the 1968 PGA Open Championship at Winged things in diff erent ways. You’ve Championship. Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, got to respect the individual’s Westwood shared 10th at the New York. (Getty Images/AFP)

Saturday, September 19, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

GOLF / US OPEN COMMENT Thomas grabs lead, Mickelson falters US Open success Reuters out today and just took what was did not fi nish off the round like I points way for Tokyo Mamaroneck, New York given to me a little more relaxed needed to.” and played really nicely.” Also far from contention were PGA Tour Player of the Year Games: wheelchair orld number three ‘DISAPPOINTING DAY’ Dustin Johnson (73), holder Justin Thomas fi red Mickelson, who suff ered one of Gary Woodland (74) and reign- his lowest opening his record six US Open runner- ing PGA Championship winner tennis champion score in a major and up fi nishes at Winged Foot in Collin Morikawa (76). Wheld a one-shot lead after the 2006 and entered this week The US Open was originally fi rst round of the US Open on seeking the fi nal piece of the ca- scheduled for mid-June but Thursday, while Phil Mickelson reer Grand Slam, birdied his fi rst was postponed because of the and Tiger Woods were among two holes before struggling to a Covid-19 pandemic and is being a slew of big-name players well nine-over-par 79. played in September for the fi rst off the pace. “Yeah. I don’t know what to time since 1913 and is the fi rst of Thomas, who has one top-10 say. It’s a disappointing day,” six majors that will be held over fi nish in fi ve US Open starts and said Mickelson, who also carded the next 10 months. missed the cut last year at Pebble nine bogeys and a double-bogey. Beach, drained a 24-foot birdie Justin Thomas of the US plays a shot during the first round of the US “It’s a spectacular golf course, LEADING ROUND I SCORES putt at the 18th for a fi ve-under- Open in Mamaroneck, New York, United States, on Thursday. (AFP) great design, awesome setup, 65 — Justin Thomas (USA) par 65 at a Winged Foot layout and I thought it was a good op- 66 — Patrick Reed (USA), that has yet to bare its teeth. putts on Winged Foot’s wildly un- since becoming a father on Aug. portunity to score low today. I Matthew Wolff (USA), Thomas That left Thomas one shot dulating and speedy greens. 31, was among a group of three just played terrible.” Pieters (BEL) clear of Belgian Thomas Pieters, “There are a couple things golfers two shots off the lead Woods (73) made a bogey at 17 67 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), American Matthew Wolff and here and there that defi nitely and the Northern Irishman later and ended his round with a dou- Lee Westwood (ENG), Rory Thomas’ Ryder Cup teammate could have been better, but I credited a new approach for his ble-bogey as his approach rolled McIlroy (NIR) Patrick Reed, who aced the par- made sure all of my misses were solid start. off the front of the green be- 68 — Joaquin Niemann (CHI), Ra- three seventh. in the right spot, and that’s what “First round of a major you’re fore he chunked a chip shot and fael Cabrera Bello (ESP), Harris “It’s one of the best rounds I’ve you have to do at a US Open.” always anxious to play well, and missed a breaking bogey save. English (USA), Xander Schauf- played in a while tee to green,” Four-times major champion maybe I’ve overthought it at “It was a bit of ebb and fl ow to fele (USA), Jason Kokrak (USA), said Thomas, who needed only 28 Rory McIlroy, in his fi rst start times,” said McIlroy. “I just went the round today,” said Woods. “I Brendon Todd (USA)

TENNIS

Shingo Kunieda of Japan in action at the US Open in New York City, United States, last week. (AFP)

AFP The 2020 Games were post- Tokyo, Japan poned in a historic decision Djokovic wins battle earlier this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, with a he successful staging of potentially scaled-down version the US Open Grand Slam set to be held from July 23, 2021. proves that next year’s Top offi cials have spoken Olympics and Paral- openly about the possibility of Tympics can be held safely de- cancelling the Games altogether, spite the coronavirus pandemic, as the pandemic continues to of Serbs, Nadal too wheelchair tennis champion rage. But Kunieda said he took Shingo Kunieda said yesterday. heart from his experiences in The 24-time Grand Slam sin- New York. gles champion, widely consid- “If measures are taken fi rmly, ered the best player wheelchair international competitions can tennis has seen, said the US be held safely. I think the US Open’s ability to stave off the Open is a good example,” which reaches quarters virus was a hopeful sign for next Tokyo organisers should learn, he year’s postponed Games. told an online news conference. Although France’s Benoit Paire “If measures are taken fi rmly, World No. 1 beats Krajinovic; Nadal downs Lajovic Top seeds Halep, Pliskova into tested positive after entering the athletes can take part in compe- last eight in Rome Grand Slam’s bio-secure ‘bub- titions comfortably. This is very AFP ble’, there were no clusters of important,” Kunieda added. Rome, Italy AFP skipping the US tour because cases and the tournament went Kunieda briefed Tokyo 2020 Rome, Italy of coronavirus fears. off smoothly behind closed doors organisers about the US Open’s Her last win was in Prague a in New York. frequent virus tests and strict orld number one month ago. “The US Open... ended safely isolation measures at hotels and Novak Djokovic imona Halep and World number four Pliskova without making a cluster happen. the venue. won a battle with defending women’s dominated 65th-ranked Anna I think this showed a step toward” He urged the Tokyo offi cials to fellow Serb Filip Schampion Karolina Blinkova 6-4, 6-3 in their third holding the Olympic and Paral- adopt stringent measures against WKrajinovic to advance to the ympic Games in Tokyo, Kunieda the virus, which he described as Pliskova both eased into the round match. quarter-fi nals of the Italian quarter-finals of the Italian The second-seed Czech, who told reporters via videolink. “the most important key” to the Open yesterday. Open yesterday. defended her Brisbane title in The world number one and Games’ success. The 33-year-old came Top seed Halep rallied from January, got off to a stumbling three-time Paralympics gold Earlier this month, Japanese through 7-6 (7), 6-3 to reach 3-0 down in the first set to start with two double faults medallist, who captured his sev- offi cials and Tokyo 2020 organis- the last eight on clay at the Foro see off Ukraine’s Dayana Yas- in the opening game allowing enth US Open men’s singles title ers began talks on the mammoth Italico in Rome for the 14th con- tremska in a 7-5, 6-4 victory Blinkova to break. on Sunday, held an online meet- task of how to hold the Olym- secutive year. that took one hour and 28 But the 22-year-old Russian ing with Tokyo 2020 organisers pics safely while the coronavirus But it was a battle against minutes. was unable to build on her to discuss anti-virus measures. pandemic continues to rage. 29th-ranked Krajinovic who had “Big picture, I think it was a advantage against the former won their only previous meeting great match and gives me world number one, who next on clay in Belgrade a decade ago. confidence that even in these meets 11th seed Elise Mertens Djokovic double faulted on conditions with a big hitter after she got past Danta European Tour to allow 650 the fi rst of his three set points in that I could win in two sets,” Kovinic 6-4, 6-4. the fi rst-set tiebreak but a quick said Halep. Ninth seed Garbine Muguruza spectators per day at Scottish Open break in the second put him The two-time Rome finalist advanced to her sixth quarter- through in a tournament he has next meets Yulia Putintseva, final this year with a straight- A limited number of fans will be allowed to attend the Scottish won four times. who battled back from 6-4, 5-2 sets win over last year’s Rome Open at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian next month, the “Never easy, I think, emo- down to see off fellow Kazakh finalist Johanna Konta. European Tour said yesterday. The European Tour gave the green tionally to play against someone Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic (not Elena Rybakina, the 10th seed, Both players hit 15 winners light to the trial with 650 spectators per day for the Rolex Series that is one of my best friends for pictured) at the Italian Open in Rome yesterday. (AFP) 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2. each but Briton Konta paid tournament, which has been rescheduled from its usual July date many years,” said Djokovic, run- “I expect a tough battle but for 22 unforced errors to the to October 1-4. There have been no fans in attendance at any of ner-up last year to Rafael Nadal. the world number one on Mon- than no people, I mean, for sure, I feel fit,” said former French Spaniard’s 13. the European or US PGA Tour events since professional golf re- The top seed is warming for day, will face German qualifi er because we all miss the fans, and Open champion Halep, a Muguruza prevailed 6-4, 6-1 sumed in June after the Covid-19 shutdown, with strict bio-secure the French Open in 10 days time, Dominik Koepfer for a place in part of our professional careers runner-up in Rome in 2017 against seventh-seeded Konta protocols enforced at each of the tournament venues. “Players, a tournament the 17-time Grand the semi-fi nals. in sport is playing in front of and 2018. to reach the last eight in Rome caddies, media and essential staff will remain within the tourna- Slam winner claimed in 2016. Koepfer became the fi rst them and for them, as well. “I feel good with my body. I’m for the third time. ment or ‘inner’ bubble and be subject to the European Tour’s The four-time champion has qualifi er to reach the Rome “So I’m really glad that that’s ready to face her and tomor- The former French Open stringent testing and health protocols. Spectators will remain in a won 28 of his 29 matches this quarter-fi nals in 11 years, end- going to happen.” row, hopefully, I will play winner will next face US Open second ‘outer’ bubble to maintain distance from those within the year — winning the Australian ing the impressive run of Italian Later in the evening, Nadal better than today.” finalist Victoria Azarenka who tournament bubble,” the European Tour said in a statement. Open, Dubai and Cincinnati be- Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-0. swept aside Serb Dusan Lajovic Halep is warming up on clay advanced after Russian Daria fore being disqualifi ed from the If he reaches tomorrow’s to reach the quarter-fi nals as he for the French Open, a tourna- Kasatkina retired injured in US Open. semis Djokovic could play on warms up for the fi nal Grand Slam ment she won in 2018, after their first set tiebreak. Spectators to be allowed to watch Djokovic is aiming to break a front of spectators with the Ital- of the season at Roland Garros. Italian Open, Serie A, F1 tie with fellow 35-time Masters ian government allowing 1,000 The nine-time Rome win- 1000 champion Nadal by lifting people to be present for the fi nal ner came through 6-1, 6-3 ing 4-0 in the second set to the ego Schwartzman, who dropped Up to 1,000 spectators will be allowed to watch each of the final his 36th crown this week. two days of competition. against the 25th-ranked Lajo- Spaniard. a set before recovering to see off two days of the Italian Open tennis tournament as Italy begins The Serbian, who tied Pete “I hope that that’s true,” he vic, who had valiantly but vainly World number two Nadal next Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, to open up stadiums to fans, sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora Sampras’ mark of 286 weeks as said. “1,000 people is better launched a fi ghtback after trail- meets Argentine eighth seed Di- 6-2, 6-4. said yesterday. Professional sports events in Italy have been played without fans since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, although some supporters have been allowed into pre-season UPDATE soccer friendlies. “At last, starting from the semi-finals and finals of the (Italian Open), a thousand spectators will be able to attend all the sports competitions that will be held in the open air and which scrupulously respect the rules on spacing, masks and seat Osaka withdraws from French Open with injury reservations”, Spadafora told reporters. He added that it was “a first, but significant step towards returning, hopefully soon, to Reuters coronavirus pandemic. one Ashleigh Barty of Australia normality in sport”. Later, the government of the Emilia Romagna Paris, France The hamstring issue had said she would not be defending region said that upto 1,000 fans could also watch certain sports prompted Osaka to withdraw her title due to Covid-19 con- events in its jurisdiction. These include the Parma-Napoli and from the fi nal of the Western & cerns. Sassuolo-Cagliari Serie A matches tomorrow and the Emilia Ro- apan’s Naomi Osaka has Southern Open in the run-up to On the men’s side, Roger Fe- magna Formula One Grand Prix at Imola on November 1. withdrawn from the up- the US Open but it did not ap- derer will not compete as he coming French Open with pear to hamper her at Flushing continues to recover from knee a hamstring injury, she Meadows. surgery. WTA event in Austria eyes new dates saidJ on Thursday. Osaka made headlines in New Osaka’s absence would im- in November-December The 22-year-old had her left York as much for her perform- prove Serena Williams’s chances hamstring taped when she bat- ances on court as for her com- of winning a record-tying 24th The WTA Tour’s event in Austria will not go ahead as scheduled tled back against Victoria Aza- mitment to social justice causes. Grand Slam title if the American next month due to the Covid-19 pandemic but organisers say they renka in the US Open fi nal in For each of her US Open chooses to play. The 38-year- hope to find a new window in November or December. The Upper New York on Saturday to win her matches she wore a diff erent old has pulled out of the Italian Austria Ladies Linz, scheduled for October 12-18, and the Hana third Grand Slam title. mask that carried the name of a Open with an Achilles issue. Bank Korea Open in Seoul are waiting for new dates according “Unfortunately, I won’t be Black American, aiming to high- The French Tennis Federation to the provisional calendar for the rest of 2020. “We would like able to play the French Open this light racial injustice in the Unit- (FFT) said on Thursday it would to inform you that the Upper Austria Ladies Linz will not take year,” the world number three ed States to a wider audience. allow 5,000 spectators per day place on the planned date ... due to the pandemic,” tournament wrote on social media in a mes- The withdrawal of Osaka, who following a recent spike in Cov- director Sandra Reichel said on the tournament website. The Tour sage she also posted in Japanese. ments came too close to each The French Open will be held has never advanced past the id-19 cases in the country. It had on Thursday announced the cancellation of the Kremlin Cup in “My hamstring is still sore so other for me this time. from September 27-October 11 third round at Roland Garros, previously said the claycourt Moscow, scheduled for October 26-November 1, due to rising I won’t have time to prepare for “I wish the organizers and after being moved from its usual comes as another blow to the major would permit a maximum Covid-19 infection rate in the Russian capital. the clay — these two tourna- players all the best.” late May-June slot due to the tournament after world number of 11,500 fans per day.