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Friday, September 1, 2017 CRICKET Dhul-Hijja 10, 1438 AH Tons by Kohli and GULF TIMES Sharma set up Indian win over Sri Lanka SPORT Page 3 FOOTBALL From Monaco to PSG, the meteoric rise of Mbappe AFP taine and school in a nearby village. team. He made his Ligue 1 debut against Careful with nursing their young main in the League Cup fi nal where he Paris Even at this premature stage the pre- Caen aged just 16. A few weeks later, star, not yet legally an adult, back to full was subdued by Thiago Silva, Didier cocious Mbappe was courting interest Mbappe scored his fi rst goal and was health, Mbappe’s father grew impatient Deschamps selected Mbappe for his from Europe’s elite, but it was Monaco, rewarded with a fi rst professional con- with Monaco’s approach but Jardim France senior debut in March. ylian Mbappe, at just 18 in 2013, who convinced his family that tract through to 2019. turned a deaf ear to any unrest. Since then, and despite the eff orts years old, is destined for the principality was the best place to In the summer of 2016, after scoring Mbappe was made to wait, but he of many in the principality — includ- greatness after joining Paris continue his development. twice to help Monaco’s under-19s beat was eventually handed his chance in ing Prince Albert — to keep Mbappe at KSaint-Germain yesterday fol- It wasn’t easy initially as Mbappe Lens in the Coupe Gambardella fi nal, January and grew in infl uence with each Monaco, it became evidently clear his lowing a whirlwind fi rst full season at struggled to adapt to the demands of he was called up for France at the Eu- appearance as he provided vital contri- future lay elsewhere. Monaco. such a lifestyle, but he quickly changed, ropean Under-19 Championship. Les butions to Monaco’s title chase. The off er of a new contract and a six- The teen sensation arrives at PSG radically overhauling his behaviour to Bleuets dominated the tournament as Thrust into the spotlight, his fear- fold increase in salary as the face of a initially on loan with an option to buy allow his talent to shine. Mbappe struck fi ve goals in as many lessness and redoubtable skills helped new-look Monaco side a year out from in a deal reportedly worth up to 180mn In 2014, Real Madrid invited Mbappe games en route to the title. him shatter records set by a teenage the World Cup in Russia couldn’t con- euros ($214mn), catapulting him into to Madrid at the request of Zinedine Zi- Monaco rebuff ed advances from Eu- Henry on the Mediterranean coast two vince him to stay. second in the all-time most expensive dane, and the 15-year-old found him- rope’s top clubs, notably turning down decades earlier. After the likes of Premier League re- player list behind new teammate Ney- self pictured alongside the club’s Por- an off er of 40 mn euros from Manches- By the end of the season he was Mo- cruits Benjamin Mendy, Bernando Silva mar. tuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. ter City, who were tortured by Mbappe naco’s star attraction. Mbappe scored and Tiemoue Bakayoko, Mbappe is the Born and raised in the Paris suburb But Mbappe’s route to stardom was in last season’s Champions League. 26 goals in all competitions as the club latest protagonist in Monaco’s title- of Bondy, where his father Wilfried was As a supremely gifted youngster, a back in Monaco, where the blistering Monaco promised Mbappe regular ended a 17-year wait for the French title winning team to depart. a coach, Mbappe returns to the French glorious future for Mbappe was pre- speed and fl uid style of an attacker ac- playing time ahead of the 2016-17 cam- while reaching the semi-fi nals of the With the sale of Mbappe, Monaco capital after embarking on a path pre- dicted since his early years. customed to playing on the left wing paign, but a concussion suff ered on the Champions League. will have raked in over 350mn euros viously trodden by former French hero He played in his home town until he quickly seduced Leonardo Jardim. At opening weekend in a 2-2 draw with Despite a hatful of missed chances since pipping PSG to the champion- Thierry Henry, another graduate of was 14, splitting his time between the the advice of the club’s youth coaches, Guingamp forced him onto the side- in the last four against Juventus and a ship, but their depleted team is starting Monaco’s academy. national training centre at Clairefon- he integrated Mbappe into the fi rst lines. heavy defeat against Paris Saint-Ger- to resemble a fi eld of ruins.

TENNIS Sharapova battles on at US Open as Zverev crashes out

Sharapova, who won the 2006 event, played only one Open tune-up match after a SPOTLIGHT forearm injury but wore down Halep and Babos to prove she’s a threat for a deep run

AFP Muguruza could New York jump from ‘cursed’ ormer world number one Maria Sharapova battled back Wednes- day to reach the third round of the to fi rst at US Open US Open while rising star Alexan- derF Zverev crashed out. Sharapova, who downed second- AFP ranked Simona Halep in her fi rst Grand New York Slam match after a 15-month doping ban, defeated Hungary’s 59th-ranked Timea Babos 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe imbledon champi- Stadium. on Garbine Mu- “It wasn’t my best tennis,” Sharapova guruza has shaken said. “It was scrappy tennis but sometimes Woff her US Open those kind of matches are a lot of fun and “curse.” Now the Spanish third this was one of those days.” seed is taking aim at a third Grand The 30-year-old Russian, who next Slam title and world number one faces Russian-born US teen Sofi a Kenin, ranking. tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 The Venezuelan-born Australian Open, her most recent Grand 23-year-old, already the high- Slam appearance until this week. est ranked woman in her half of “Every day I have the chance I have to the draw, could make herself the forward rather than the ranking play at the US Open is a special day and woman to beat in the chase to because is the fi rst step, to win I’ll look forward to the next one,” 146th- lead the rankings by reaching the matches, getting far in tourna- ranked Sharapova said. last 16 today. ment, and we see after,” Mugu- Sharapova, whose fi ve Grand Slam titles “All I want is to win matches ruza said. include the 2006 US Open, played only one and the ranking sooner or later Muguruza is 3-1 against Ry- Open tuneup match after a forearm injury will come,” Muguruza said. barikova in tournament play, in- but wore down Halep and Babos to prove Muguruza won her fi rst Grand cluding a 6-1, 6-1, triumph in this she’s a threat for a deep run, with Latvian Slam title at last year’s French year’s Wimbledon semi-fi nals. 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova her top- Open, added to her major trophy She also swept their two hard- ranked potential semi-fi nal obstacle. haul in July on All England grass court meetings in 2013 at Indian Fourth seed Zverev, whose fi ve ATP titles and won the last prime US Open Wells and the fi rst round of the this year include a win over Roger Federer tuneup at Cincinnati to make Australian Open. in this month’s Montreal fi nal, fell to 61st- herself a solid favourite on the Muguruza admits just getting ranked Croatian Borna Coric 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 New York hardcourts. this far was a big hurdle to over- (7/1), 7-6 (7/4). Maria Sharapova of Russia in action against Timea Babos of Hungary in their second round match on Wednesday. Muguruza defeated China’s come. “I feel like a relief in a way,” The 20-year-old German had been the 92nd-ranked Duan Ying-Ying Muguruza said. “I’ve been always highest-ranked player in his half of an in- “It’s upsetting because the draw is pret- by beating Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-3, I’m so happy,” Muguruza said. “I just put 6-4, 6-0 Wednesday to reach stuck in this round. I didn’t know jury-hit Open draw. ty open in the bottom part,” Zverev said. 6-3, 6-3. Canadian 18-year-old qualifi er the heart on the court. I knew I had to be all the US Open’s third round for the really why. I’m happy that at least “I felt like I should have been the favorite Denis Shapovalov defeated French eighth the time fi ghting for the ball and in the end fi rst time in fi ve tries. I am one more round up. I still there. I just played a very, very bad match, seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 I won.” “I know I had like a curse and want to go as far as I can.” Pliskova escapes into so it’s unfortunate.” (7/3) to book a third-round date with Brit- Beating Slovakian Magdalena Rybariko- I broke it fi nally. I’m so happy,” The sky is the limit to fi ll the US Open last 32 Coric, who faces South African Kevin ain’s Kyle Edmund. va to reach the last 16 would put the third- Muguruza said. lofty footsteps held by her child- Anderson for a last-16 berth, was one “It’s a dream come true for me,” Shapo- seeded Spaniard atop a fi ght for world “I think about it before — ‘I’m hood idol Serena Williams when New York: World number one point from a fi fth set before winning fi ve valov said. Shapovalov became the young- number one that was trimmed to six wom- once again here, I have another the year began. Karolina Pliskova battled back from a in a row to force the deciding tie-breaker. est man in the third round of a Grand Slam en when Danish fi fth seed Caroline Woz- chance, let’s try to break this.’” Williams, a 23-time Grand set down to defeat American qualifier “I was just thinking to keep the points since Bernard Tomic at the 2011 Australian niacki lost to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova If Muguruza can defeat Slova- Slam champion, is about to have Nicole Gibbs 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach shorter,” Coric said. “And yeah, I was a lit- Open and at the US Open since American 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1. kian 31st seed Magdalena Ryba- a baby and has not played since the US Open last 32 yesterday. tle bit lucky.” Zverev’s ouster left US 10th Donald Young in 2007. Russian eighth seed Svetlana Kuznet- rikova to reach the fourth round, winning the Australian Open Pliskova, the runner-up in 2016, goes seed John Isner the top-ranked player in his Wimbledon champion Garbine Mugu- sova, the 2004 US Open champion, res- she will become the woman while pregnant. on to face either Chinese 27th seed draw quarter and Croatian fi fth seed Marin ruza reached the US Open third round for cued three match points in defeating to catch in the race for world Germany’s Angelique Kerber, Zhang Shuai or Risa Ozaki of Japan for Cilic the best in his half of the draw. the fi rst time by beating China’s 92nd- 67th-ranked Czech Marketa Vondrousova number one. the 2016 US Open winner who a place in the last 16. Wimbledon runner-up Cilic, the 2014 ranked Duan Ying-Ying 6-4, 6-0. 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) to stay in the hunt for “I try to focus on more win- also held the top spot this year, US Open winner, reached the third round “I had like a curse and I broke it fi nally. number one. ning matches here and try to go crashed out in the fi rst round. Gulf Times 2 Friday, September 1, 2017 TENNIS

UPBEAT SPOTLIGHT Missed opportunity haunts Zverev ‘No question that aft er US Open exit I’m feared again’, says Sharapova The 2006 champion needed a wild card to play in New York after her prolonged absence from the sport had left her with a world ranking of 146.

AFP Zverev said the major expecta- New York tions upon him with such a wide open fi eld, aided by injuries to Murray and other top stars, did lexander Zverev ap- not impact his play. peared to have the per- “I’ve been dealing with expec- fect draw for a deep run tations from a very young age,” at the US Open, but Zverev said. “I don’t think about nowA the 20-year-old German it. I just try to play every match star can only ponder what might the same way. Luckily for me have been. most of the time this year I was Fourth-seeded Zverev, the winning.” highest-ranked player in his half On the Grandstand court, of the draw after Britain’s sec- nicknamed the “Graveyard of ond-ranked Andy Murray with- Champions” after past upsets, drew Saturday, crashed out of Zverev made 58 unforced errors the year’s fi nal Grand Slam event with 22 aces and 43 winners. Wednesday, falling to Croatia’s “Physically I’m fi ne. I just 61st-ranked Borna Coric 3-6, played very, very bad in the sec- 7-5, 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/4). ond and third set,” Zverev said. “It’s upsetting. Today was “I should have won the third. I upsetting. The way I played was defi nitely should have won the upsetting. The tournament so far fourth. is upsetting for me,” Zverev said. “My level wasn’t high today, so “I was the highest-ranked that’s more the problem.” player in the bottom half of the Coric won the last fi ve points draw after Andy retired. Now I’m of the 12th game in the fi nal set out of the draw.” after Zverev was one point from Zverev reached the New York breaking to force a fi fth set. hardcourts off his best Grand “He played really well on the Slam result, a fourth-round run breakpoints. Maybe had a little at Wimbledon, and his fi ve ATP bit of luck on his side as well,” titles this year included back-to- Zverev said. “Caught the line, back US Open tuneup crowns at had a few let cords and stuff like Washington and Montreal, beat- this. Maria Sharapova of Russia in action against Timea Babos of Hungary in their second round match at the US Open on Wednesday. ing Roger Federer in the Cana- “Everything was just a little bit dian fi nal. against me.” AFP in terms of the level they play. That’s im- However, Coco Vandeweghe said the on Friday when she faces Russian-born “I know that I could have done Zverev was inconsolable when New York portant to me. I think from a respect lev- wild card should have gone to an Ameri- American Sofi a Kenin, the world 139. some big things here. I know that it came to having him ponder el, when you’re able to respect your rivals can player. Win or lose, 18-year-old Kenin will I could have done something the season-ending ATP Finals or and compatriots, that’s really important, “Wild cards are appointed by the be none the richer as her amateur status that I haven’t done before. But I other future events. aria Sharapova made the US and I feel that.” USTA. I can’t say I agree. I wish it was an means she cannot claim the $144,000 won’t. It’s just as simple as that,” “I just lost the second round Open last 32 Wednesday, in- “I’ve also had an amazing reaction American instead, selfi shly, because it is prize money at the risk of losing a place Zverev said. of a major where I shouldn’t have sisting she has instilled re- from fans since I’ve been back, and that’s a USA tournament,” she said. on her college squad. “It’s upsetting because the lost, so I’m not thinking about newed fear into her rivals and been very special. I felt it while I was Sharapova will look to reach the last 16 draw is pretty open in the bottom the rest of the year,” he said. Mrekindled the love from her fans. away. I felt it in a real presence since I’ve part. I felt like I should have been “For me, nothing changes. I The former world number one and been back. It’s a very special feeling.” the favorite there. I just played a still have to go back to work and fi ve-time major winner pulled off a 6-7 But the questions over the ban, im- Wozniacki slams ‘unacceptable’ Sharapova favouritism very, very bad match, so it’s un- then try to win this title maybe in (4/7), 6-4, 6-1 win over Timea Babos of posed when she tested positive for mel- fortunate.” the future years.” Hungary. donium at the Australian Open in 2016, New York: Caroline Wozniacki side of things, but someone who comes It was her second three-set match, still keep coming. slammed as “unacceptable and ques- back from a drugs sentence — per- having seen off world number two Simo- After her win over Babos, she was tionable” the US Open decision to give formance enhancing drugs — and all IRATE na Halep on Monday in what was her fi rst asked how many times she had been Maria Sharapova back-to-back matches of a sudden gets to play every single Grand Slam match since being hit with a drug-tested this year. on the showpiece Arthur Ashe Stadium match on Center Court, I think that’s a 15-month doping ban. “At the end of the year, the ITF usually in the Russian’s first Grand Slam ap- questionable thing to do. “I think with the way that I played produce those numbers,” she fi red back. pearance since serving a doping ban. “I think it doesn’t set a good example Dolgopolov hits Monday night, I don’t think there are any Sharapova’s return was still splitting Wozniacki was furious that she was and I think someone who has fought more questions,” said the 30-year-old fellow players on Wednesday even as her sent to play her second-round match their way back from injury and is five in when pushed on whether her spot in the marketing appeal was evident in playing on an outside court while five-time the world deserves to play on a bigger back at match-fi xing tournament was justifi ed. back-to-back matches on the showpiece major winner Sharapova was sched- court than Court 5. The 2006 champion, and guaranteed Arthur Ashe stadium. uled twice on the tournament’s biggest “Finally they moved us to Court 17, arena-fi ller, needed a wild card to play Fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, arena. which is a really nice court actually and questions in New York after her prolonged absence the 2004 champion, again lobbied for her “I think putting out a schedule where we had great atmosphere out there but from the sport had left her with a world compatriot. the fifth seed is playing on Court 5, fifth I think they should probably look into ranking of 146. “I’ve been always supportive to Maria. match on after 11 p.m. — I think that’s what they need to do in the future.” It was a decision widely criticized with For her it has been tough. She paid for her unacceptable,” said Wozniacki who, like Wozniacki, the 2009 and 2014 runner- many insisting she should work her way mistake,” said Kuznetsova. Sharapova, is a former world number up in New York, became the fourth back into the main draw and not be given “It’s great to have her back because one but who has never won a Grand top-10 woman to exit the US Open a helping hand. tennis misses her. Tournament direc- Slam title. on Wednesday night when she lost “I defi nitely feel the respect from the tors, people around, they love to watch “When you look on Center Court, I 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 to Russia’s Ekaterina athletes,” Sharapova insisted. her play. You can see after her fi rst match understand completely the business Makarova. “Certainly when I play against them, how the crowd welcomed her back.”

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Bond of brothers as Anderson thrives on family matters Reuters because it’s like a circus,” the New York 28-year-old said, before liken- ing media coverage to “fairy- AFP said Anderson. this year but Anderson insisted tales”. New York “It was really tough for him he would have been happy to lexandr Dolgopolov “I don’t want to even talk but we have a hit here. He has tackle the beanpole German reacted furiously when about it. I talked to the TIU, I a great eye for the game and al- again. he was questioned respect their work, I gave all the f Kevin Anderson reaches ways follows my progress. “I have had more success Aabout suspicious bet- information needed. the US Open last 16 today, “I value his opinion and in- against Borna but I would have ting patterns surrounding one “At the end of the day, what’s he’ll give a hat tip to his put.” liked to have had the opportu- of his matches during a fi ery US going to happen is I’m not in- Iyounger brother, whose Anderson, born in Johannes- nity to play Alexander again,” he Open news conference yester- volved in anything. That’s going dreams of also making it as a burg but a permanent resident said. day. to be what happens and these professional were shattered by of the United States, enjoyed “I could have looked to up my The Ukrainian world number guys are still going to write that. injury. his best Grand Slam perform- level but that opportunity will 64 suff ered a shock loss to Thi- For me, writing those things be- The 31-year-old South Afri- ance in New York in 2015 when have to wait.” ago Monteiro in the fi rst round fore there is an investigation is can won’t have to go too far to he reached the quarter-fi nals, Zverev, the highly regarded of the Winston-Salem Open silly.” celebrate with sibling Greg, who knocking out Andy Murray on trailblazer of the “Next Gen” warm-up tournament on Aug. Dolgopolov had been the pre- now works as a tennis academy the way. expected to succeed the likes 20. The Tennis Integrity Unit match favourite against Montie- director in nearby Connecticut. He has a 2-0 career record of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, (TIU) have confi rmed they are ro but several leading bookmak- “We grew up together and over world number 61 Coric, Novak Djokovic and Murray, has looking into the match after ers stopped taking bets after so spent thousands of hours prac- who made the third round by fl attered to deceive at the Slams. concerns were raised over bet- much money was placed on the tising,” Anderson told AFP on stunning fourth-seeded Ger- In 2017, his best run was to ting patterns but no formal in- Brazilian to win he started the Wednesday after making the man Alexander Zverev. the last 16 at Wimbledon after a vestigation has been launched. match as an odds-on chance. third round with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 Anderson, seeded at 28, would third round exit in Australia and Asked about the matter after The Ukrainian said he had no victory over Ernests Gulbis of Kevin Anderson of the US. have taken a 0-4 losing record fi rst round loss at Roland Garros. beating Jan-Lennard Struff in idea why such a spike in bet- Latvia. against Zverev into Friday’s third Yet, on the tour, the German the fi rst round of the year’s fi - ting had occurred before he lost Greg, younger by 18 months, hopes of going further. “We keep it pretty casual. He round had the young German has taken fi ve titles, including nal grand slam, Dolgopolov ex- 6-3, 6-3 to Montiero, who was played on the third-tier Futures However, he always hits with had aspirations to become a pro- prevailed against the 20-year- majors in Rome and Montreal, ploded. ranked 114th in the world and tour after college in the United his big brother when he comes fessional but a pretty big injury old Croatian. beating Djokovic and Federer re- “You want my honest answer? needed just 55 minutes to clinch States but injuries ended his the US Open. put him behind the curve ball,” Three of those losses came spectively in the fi nals. I don’t give a fuck to be honest the victory. Gulf Times Friday, September 1, 2017 3 CRICKET

INDIA’S TOUR OF SRI LANKA SPOTLIGHT The Oval evacuated Tons by Kohli aft er arrow attack AFP ground,” said the police statement. London “Offi cers are on scene. The ground is in the process of a controlled evacu- ation. There are no reported injuries.” olice evacuated The Oval The statement added: “At this early cricket ground in London yes- stage it is believed that the object came terday after a bizarre arrow at- from outside of the ground. and Sharma set tack halted play in the match “There have been no arrests. We re- Pbetween Surrey and Middlesex. tain an open mind as to motive. Enquir- The arrow, reported to have a metal ies continue.” tip, landed near the Surrey fi elder Ollie Pictures soon emerged on social media Pope and close to the pitch during the of Paul Baldwin, one of the match um- County Championship fi xture. pires, holding the pink-coloured bolt. The players alerted the umpires, who There have been several high-pro- promptly halted play, with fi elders and fi le terror incidents in Britain in re- up massive win batsmen running to the safety of the cent months, including one at London changing rooms before a crowd of more Bridge — just a couple of miles from than 1,000 spectators was advised to The Oval — on June 3 which killed eight 168-run loss is Sri Lanka’s biggest in terms of runs in ODIs on home soil take cover. members of the public and saw the No one was injured and, according to three attackers shot dead by police. AFP off just 76 balls with a boundary off a statement issued by the Metropolitan Scotland Yard, however, said of the Colombo Milinda Siriwardana to the square-leg Police, it is believed the arrow was fi red fi ring of an arrow into The Oval: “At fence as he toyed with the bowling at- from outside The Oval in Kennington, this stage, the incident is not being tack. south London. treated as terrorism-related.” ndia rode on blistering centuries Mathews put the brakes on the scor- “Police were made aware at 16:35hrs The umpires eventually decided the by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ing when he dismissed Hardik Pandya (1535 GMT) on Thursday, 31 August of First Division match, already into its to thrash Sri Lanka by 168 runs in (19) and Sharma off consecutive balls. reports that an arrow or crossbow bolt fourth and fi nal day, should be aban- the fourth one-day international Dhoni, who made 49 not out, be- had been loosed into The Oval cricket doned as a draw with neither side on top. Iyesterday for a 4-0 lead in the fi ve- came only the sixth Indian and the match series. second wicketkeeper-batsman after The batsmen shared 219 runs for the Kumar Sangakkara to play 300 ODIs. second wicket off just 168 balls to help He also shared 101 runs with Manish Bangladesh’s Tamim fi ned for poor conduct India post an imposing 375-5 after the Pandey (50 not out) after the visitors visitors elected to bat at the R. Prema- were reduced to 274-5. Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal was yesterday fined 15 percent of his match dasa stadium. Butter-fi ngered Sri Lanka dropped fee for engaging in a verbal duel with umpires and sending off Australian Sri Lanka barely put up a fi ght after easy catches and misfi elded often to batsman Matthew Wade during the first Test in Dhaka. Tamim scored 71 losing four early wickets for 68 runs, allow some easy runs to the Indians. and 78 as Bangladesh won their first-ever Test against Australia by 20 runs folding up for 207 in 42.4 overs. The fi fth and fi nal one-dayer will be on Wednesday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. According to the Angelo Mathews top-scored with played in Colombo on Sunday. International Cricket Council, Tamim was charged by match off icials after he 70 in what was Sri Lanka’s biggest objected to the regular changing of gloves by Australia’s batsmen and en- defeat in terms of runs in an ODI on SCORECARD gaged in a verbal exchange with the umpires Wednesday. Shortly afterwards, home soil. INDIA he approached wicketkeeper-batsman Wade and gestured towards him to “We spoke about not being compla- R. Sharma c Dickwella b Mathews 104 leave the field upon his dismissal by Shakib Al Hasan. Tamim, 28, admitted to cent at any stage,” said Kohli, named S. Dhawan c Pushpakumara b Fernando 4 the off ence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe, man-of-the-match. V. Kohli c Munaweera b Malinga 131 setting aside the need for a formal hearing into the matter, the ICC said in a “It was a clinical performance to- H. Pandya c de Silva b Mathews 19 statement. The prolific left-hander was also handed one demerit point for the day. We wanted to bat fi rst because we L. Rahul c de Silva b Dananjaya 7 two off ences. hadn’t batted fi rst in the three games. M. Pandey not out 50 The surface was amazing. It was a M.S. Dhoni not out 49 India’s Ashwin stars in Worcestershire win good toss to win.” Extras (b5, w6) 11 Debutant Shardul Thakur gave In- Total (for 5 wkts; 50 overs) 375 India off -spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was in the wickets for Worcestershire dia the fi rst breakthrough when he had Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Dhawan), yesterday as he marked his club debut with a thumping English County opener Niroshan Dickwella caught by 2-225 (Kohli), 3-262 (Pandya), 4-262 Championship victory at home to Gloucestershire. Ashwin took eight wickets Mahendra Singh Dhoni, playing his (Sharma), 5-274 (Rahul) in the match and five for 68 in the second innings during a 189-run win that 300th one-day-international. Bowling: Malinga 10-0-82-1, Fernando saw Midlands club Worcestershire regain second place in the Second Divi- The batsman was given not-out by 8-1-76-1, Mathews 6-2-24-2, Pushpaku- sion. Ashwin walked off to a standing ovation from the crowd at New Road, the on-fi eld umpire but India decided mara 9-0-65-0, Dananjaya 10-0-68-1, Worcester after Gloucestershire were dismissed for 211. Worcestershire’s sixth to review the decision and TV replays de Silva 2-0-19-0, Siriwardana 5-0-36-0 County Championship win of the season moved them 19 points clear of Sus- showed the ball had brushed the bat. sex, who have a game in hand, and set them up well for next week’s top-of- Sri Lanka could never really recover SRI LANKA the-table match with leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. from the early blow and failed to build N. Dickwella c Dhoni b Thakur 14 the partnerships which were needed to D. Munaweera c Dhoni b Bumrah 11 Pakistan’s Shadab joins Heat for Big Bash chase the imposing target. K. Mendis run out 1 The highlight of the game was the L. Thirimanne c Dhawan b Pandya 18 Pakistan’s dynamic teen leg-spinner Shadab Khan will play in Australia’s Twen- partnership between Kohli and Shar- A. Mathews c Thakur b Patel 70 ty20 Big Bash League with Brisbane Heat this year, the club said yesterday. ma. India captain Virat Kohli (right) raises his bat after reaching his century as M. Siriwardana c Dhoni b Pandya 39 Shadab, 18, has made impressive progress since his international debut for Kohli hit 17 fours and two sixes in his teammate Rohit Sharma looks on during the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka in H. de Silva run out 22 Pakistan last year, producing starring T20 turns in the Pakistan Super League enthralling 131-run knock that came Colombo yesterday. (Reuters) A. Dananjaya not out 11 and the Caribbean Premier League. He earned player of the match honours in off just 96 balls. M. Pushpakumara c Pandya b Bumrah 3 his first two T20 Internationals for Pakistan against the West Indies, claim- Sharma (104) hammered 11 fours is very unfortunate,” said Malinga. The islanders, ranked eighth to In- V. Fernando c and b Yadav 5 ing 3 for 7 and 4 for 14. “He is one of the most dynamic young spinners in and three sixes in an equally enter- “It’s not been easy.... Young players dia’s third, have copped criticism for L. Malinga b Yadav 0 the game and will fit nicely into the style of play that we want to employ this taining 88-ball innings, his second want to perform well, they’re all ex- going down to bottom-ranked Zimba- Extras (lb1, w12) 13 summer,” Heat coach and former New Zealand international Dan Vettori said. century in a row. cited but we haven’t been able to come bwe in an ODI series followed by a 3-0 Total (all out; 42.2 overs) 207 Vettori said Khan’s recruitment meant that the Heat would not contract West up with our best. Test whitewash against India on home Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Dickwella), 2-26 Indian wrist spinner Samuel Badree for the next campaign. The BBL season MALINGA TAKES 300TH WICKET “They need the experience. Hope- soil. (Mendis), 3-37 (Munaweera), 4-68 starts on December 20. Kohli was dismissed by Sri Lanka’s fully they will do their best over the Angry fans lobbed bottles and other (Thirimanne), 5-141 (Siriwardana), stand-in captain Lasith Malinga who next few months.” objects after Sri Lanka lost the third 6-177 (de Silva), 7-190 (Mathews), 8-196 completed 300 Test wickets, the 13th Sri Lanka have been struggling to game in Pallekele to India on Sunday. (Pushpakumara), 9-207 (Fernando), bowler overall and fourth Sri Lankan put up a decent fi ght in the series, with The Indians were off to a fl ying start 10-207 (Malinga). REACTION to achieve the feat. injuries to key players, selection woes yesterday, thanks to Kohli and Shar- Bowling: Thakur 7-0-26-1, Bumrah 7-0- “300th wicket is just a number. I’m and hostile fans compounding their ma. 32-2, Pandya 8-0-50-2, Kohli 2-0-12-0, happy (for this record) but we lost which misery. Kohli reached his 29th ODI century Yadav 8.4-1-31-2, Patel 10-0-55-1 Aussie ‘prima donnas’ BOTTOMLINE humbled: media

AFP Sydney

Victorious Bangladesh hail ustralia’s “overpaid pri- ma donna” cricketers were shamed by their humbling fi rst Test defeat to Bangladesh, AustralianA media said yesterday, while new-found aggression saluting the historic achievement. Lowly Bangladesh claimed their Reuters sion but at the same time they also re- fi rst-ever Test win over one-time pow- Dhaka alised how aggressive Bangladesh can er Australia and only their 10th in 101 be, not only while playing but also in Tests against all nations, beating Steve Australia’s David Warner. (AFP) our body language.” Smith’s men by 20 runs on the fourth angladesh captain Mushfi qur Mushfi qur claimed Australia’s pre- day in Dhaka on Wednesday. “The team that humiliated them on Rahim and all-rounder Shak- dicament was evident when Glenn Australia are currently ranked fourth a turning pitch are paid average salaries ib Al Hasan hailed the South Maxwell indulged in a bit of time- to Bangladesh’s ninth in the ICC Test of just Aus$26,136, or about Aus$500 a Asian team’s new-found ag- wasting to avoid facing an extra over rankings. week.” gression,B believing that beaten Aus- before lunch on Wednesday. The de- While applauding Bangladesh’s feat, The Australian’s cricket writer Pe- tralia will have far more respect for laying tactic had little eff ect as he Australia’s media focused on the huge fi - ter Lalor added: “Australia can’t win them in the second and fi nal Test at was dismissed immediately after the nancial disparity between the two sides. in Asia anymore. We play suboptimal Chittagong next week. break. “What happened in Dhaka was on cricket on the subcontinent. Our bats- As well as matching the skills of “A team like Australia, who always one hand wonderful for world cricket men have developed an almost fatal their opponents, Wednesday’s maiden try to dominate the opposition, were and on the other embarrassing for a dust allergy.” Test win over Steve Smith’s men bore not willing to play an extra over before pack of overpaid prima donnas,” the Former Australia Test captain Ian witness to a meaner streak among the break. That’s a big statement,” he Melbourne Herald-Sun thundered. Chappell said the defeat again confi rmed players keen to engage in verbal volleys said. “Australia, if you’re going to go how much the country’s batting was de- with the tourists at the Sher-e-Bangla The thrilling win triggered wild strike over their pay packets, you want pendent on Smith or David Warner. National Stadium. celebrations in the stands, where the to make sure you back it up in the fi eld “As soon as they were out the usual Shakib led the way by giving Nathan crowd included Prime Minister Sheikh of play. Losing to Bangladesh is hardly collapse (happened) and it was a terrifi c Lyon a send off while Tamim Iqbal and Hasina, and elsewhere in the capital. doing that.” win for Bangladesh,” he said. others were involved in brief alterca- Former captain Habibul Bashar Australia left for the Bangladesh Another former captain Michael tions with the Australians as Bang- hailed the role of Shakib and opener tour after resolving a long and acri- Clarke tweeted: “Congratulations ladesh staved off a late Pat Cummins Tamim, calling them role models for monious pay row, in which the players Bangladesh, didn’t think I would be assault to claim a thrilling 20-run vic- young cricketers in the country as walked away the winners with a fi ve- writing this tweet but you need to give tory. both players celebrated their 50th Test year agreement worth an estimated credit where credit is due.” “Australians are very good at it, appearances with strong perform- Aus$500 mn (US$396 mn). Looking ahead to the showpiece we are learning from them,” Shakib, ances. The Australian newspaper said Ashes series with England at home whose all-round brilliance with bat “These two players are a class apart Smith’s men were “humiliated” in an later this year, Fairfax Media’s Greg and ball earned him man of the match because of their ambition to be com- “inglorious outing” by players earning Baum said it was ironic that at the same honours, said afterwards. Bangladesh cricketers celebrate after winning the first Test against Australia at pared to the best players in the world,” far inferior salaries. time Australia were losing, England fell “After this Test match, they will the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. (AFP) Bashar told Daily Star newspaper. “The hapless 11 who became the fi rst to the West Indies in the 2nd Test at show a lot more respect.” “Their hunger for success is un- Australian team to lose a Test to Bangla- Headingley. Shakib’s pre-series suggestion that registered their fi rst Test victories over experiences count a lot. When we face matchable and they have developed a desh will be paid an average of Aus$1.36 “The least consequence was that Bangladesh could win both matches England and Sri Lanka in the last year. similar situations, we can handle them professional mindset which separates mn from Cricket Australia this fi nan- Australians forfeited the high moral bemused many but also indicated the “These wins will help us become better. the current generation of cricketers cial year, or about Aus$26,000 a week,” ground before they even had fully growing self-belief of a team who have confi dent,” Mushfi qur said. “These “They (Australia) showed aggres- from previous cricketers.” it said. staked it out,” he said. Gulf Times 4 Friday, September 1, 2017 SPORT

MLB NBA Celtics and Cavs LA Dodgers fall fi nalise blockbuster trade: reports

Agencies from the deal that had been an- New York nounced on Aug 22. The options in- again in Arizona cluded voiding the trade completely or renegotiating. he Boston Celtics agreed to The Cavaliers felt the Celtics were Dodgers join other 29 clubs this season by dropping four games in a row send the Cleveland Cavaliers not completely forthcoming about a 2020 second-round draft the length of rehabilitation facing By Andy McCullough pick via the Miami Heat to Thomas, who suff ered the hip injury Tcomplete the blockbuster trade that in March. Los Angeles Times (TNS) sent four-time All-Star guard Kyrie The Celtics claimed they provided Irving to the Celtics, multiple media the necessary information to the or the fi rst 149 days of the sea- outlets reported Wednesday. Cavs. son, a fi ve-month stretch of The Cavaliers sought addition- “There’s never been an indication baseball that featured 91 vic- al compensation for the deal that that I wouldn’t be back, and there’s tories accrued in a seemingly brought Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crow- never been an indication that this is endlessF string of walk-off s, comebacks der, Ante Zizic and an unprotected something messing up my career,” and trouncings, the Los Angeles Dodg- 2018 fi rst-round draft pick via the Thomas told ESPN on Tuesday. ers avoided the sort of losing streak that Brooklyn Nets to Cleveland because “Maybe I am not going to be back befalls all teams. of Thomas’ hip injury. as soon this season as everyone wants In the course of the 162-game sea- The Celtics resisted the Cavs’ at- me to be, but I’m going to be back, son, lineups go cold and defenders tempt to get another fi rst-round pick and I’m going to be the same player make mistakes. Starting pitchers get or a young star to compensate Cleve- again. rocked and relievers implode. Teams land for its reluctance to sign-off on “No doctor has told me anything lose four games in a row. Heading into Thomas’ injury, which Boston said it diff erent than that.” Wednesday, every team in the majors was transparent about. It remains unclear when Thomas but one had done so in 2017. Cleveland fi nally agreed to com- will return to action. By absorbing a 6-4 loss to the Arizo- plete the deal late Wednesday night The 2020 pick that Cleveland will na Diamondbacks, the Dodgers joined with the second-round pick. receive from Miami was sent to Boston the other 29 clubs this season by drop- Both teams risked walking away in the Zoran Dragic deal in July 2015. ping their fourth game in a row. The team has now lost back-to-back series for the fi rst time since April. For weeks, the chatter around the Dodgers (91- Burfi ct banned for 3 games over Chiefs hit 40) focused on history, on their pace to match the 116 victories produced by the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was hit with a three-game 2001 Seattle Mariners. The discussion suspension on Wednesday following his illegal hit on Kansas City Chiefs has now become more conventional: fullback Anthony Sherman earlier this month. Burfict, who has a long When will this losing streak end? history of dangerous play, initially faced a five-game ban following the On Wednesday, the Dodgers hoped incident on August 19, which saw him flatten Sherman with a shoulder Hyun-Jin Ryu could stymie the Dia- to the head and neck area. The incident occurred with Sherman running mondbacks. Instead Arizona pum- a cross-field route. Under new NFL guidelines, tight ends, running backs melled him for six runs in four innings. or wide receivers running a route are deemed to be “defenseless”. Jon Ryu surrendered three home runs. Runyan, NFL vice president of football operations, said Burfict had a The return of rookie All-Star Cody poor record of targeting defenseless players. “This is not your first off ense Bellinger was not enough to resuscitate with respect to illegal hits to defenseless players; to the contrary, this incident the off ense. Arizona starter Robbie Ray is consistent with your pattern of egregious safety-related violations...,” Run- quieted the Dodgers for 6 2/3 innings. yan said in a letter to Burfict informing him of his suspension. Burfict, who Curtis Granderson broke the silence in has received fines of around $1 mn throughout his career for disciplinary the seventh inning with a solo homer. Los Angeles Dodgers centre fielder Enrique Hernandez (top) turns a double play on Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder David off enses, denied hitting Sherman in the head, insisting the blow was The off ense mounted a three-run rally Peralta during the fifth inning of their MLB game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) legal. “We feel like this was a legal hit. I hit him in the shoulder,” Burfict in the eighth, but left the bases loaded told the Bengals off icial website. “I hit hard, so it may have looked like I against Diamondbacks reliever Archie tested his ankle by cutting around the scent ended at the waist of Diamond- mph fastball. The pitch hovered around hit him in the head, but it was the shoulder. I helped him up and he said Bradley. The early hole was too big to bases during his rehabilitation. He was backs utility infi elder Adam Rosales, Hermann’s belt, and he did not miss. he was good and I asked if he was good on the next series and he said, escape. chafi ng to rejoin the lineup. “It’s a lit- who drove the baseball to centre fi eld Ryu did not need to feel insulted. Ray ‘Yeah, that was a legal hit.’” In a vacuum, the results of these last tle boring, it really is, watching a few and connected with the batter’s eye, did not care. He followed Hermann’s four games look wretched. The off ense games in (a) row,” Bellinger said. just above the yellow-line demarcating homer with a single into centre fi eld. Doan calls time on NHL career went numb for two games against Mil- Bellinger came to the plate in the top a home run. The umpires conferred be- After two more singles, Ray strolled waukee at Dodger Stadium. Ryu and of the second inning. By then, his team fore allowing Rosales to trot home. home for his team’s sixth run, which Former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan called time on his 21-sea- Rich Hill got pounded at Chase Field. It already trailed by three runs. Arizona There was no discussion needed for proved a large enough cushion to en- son career on Wednesday, two months after being cut by the team. was not pretty. But it also provided per- blitzed Ryu in the fi rst. the next homer. Unable to fool out- sure the Dodgers’ fourth loss in a row. Doan, 40, had only played for the Coyotes during his career, a spell spective on this team’s torrid summer: In his fi rst six starts after the All-Star fi elder AJ Pollock with changeups, Ryu that spanned the franchise’s previous incarnation as the Winnipeg It took this long for the Dodgers to look break, Ryu compiled a 1.54 earned-run issued a walk. Up next was All-Star fi rst RESULTS Jets before they moved to Arizona in 1996 and became the Coyotes. so normal. average. The performance was admira- baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Ryu fi red LA Angels 10 Oakland 8 Doan was informed in June the Coyotes would not be re-signing him In the afternoon, the Dodgers acti- ble, as Ryu remained strong after pitch- an 89-mph down the middle. Gold- Arizona 6 LA Dodgers 4 as they attempt to build a more youthful roster. Veteran right winger vated their most prodigious slugger. ing in only one game in 2015 and 2016. schmidt unleashed a thunderous two- San Diego 5 San Francisco 0 Doan announced his decision to retire in a letter to fans published by Bellinger had sprained his ankle making It also refl ected the level of competi- run shot into the seats in left fi eld. Tampa Bay 5 Kansas City 3 the Arizona Republic. “I’m so grateful and thankful to the Winnipeg Jets a catch on the warning track in Detroit tion: Ryu threw seven scoreless innings From there, Ryu received a reprieve Minnesota 11 Chicago White Sox 1 for drafting me and giving me a chance to play my rookie season and on Aug 19. He felt capable of playing, against a collection of New York Mets until the third. A two-out walk to out- Chicago Cubs 17 Pittsburgh 3 when the team moved to the Valley in 1996, all I wanted to know was but the team worried about Bellinger also-rans, spun fi ve scoreless against a fi elder J.D. Martinez hurt Ryu’s cause. Texas 8 Houston 1 if the Coyotes would keep giving me a chance to play,” Doan wrote in aggravating the injury with the vio- tanking Detroit Tigers team, and lim- The next batter, second baseman Bran- NY Mets 2 Cincinnati 0 the letter. “I could not fathom at the time that I would end up playing lence of his swing, which requires fl ex- ited the pop-gun off ense of the Pitts- don Drury, unloaded on an elevated Boston 7 Toronto 1 in Arizona for the next 21 years, raise a family and call this place home. ibility in his ankle as he uppercuts the burgh Pirates to one run in six innings. changeup. At the wall in centre fi eld, Cleveland 9 NY Yankees 4 But that’s exactly what happened. And that’s why this has been one of baseball. Arizona presented a more formidable converted infi elder Chris Taylor rose Washington 4 Miami 0 the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I’m retiring from the NHL.” Bellinger tested the joint during a challenge. The Diamondbacks taxed to meet the baseball. He mistimed the Detroit 6 Colorado 2 Doan scored 27 points including six goals and 27 assists in 74 games rookie-level Arizona League game on Rich Hill for six runs in 3 2/3 innings on leap, leading to an RBI double. Baltimore 8 Seattle 7 last season, which also was his 13th as Coyotes captain. The Canadian Tuesday. He bashed a three-run homer, Tuesday. They treated Ryu with similar The fourth inning was Ryu’s last. Atlanta 5 Philadelphia 2 international is the Coyotes’ career leader in games played (1,540), shots added a sacrifi ce fl y and pronounced cruelty on Wednesday. Arizona did not make it easy on him. Milwaukee 6 St. Louis 5 (3,945), goals (402), assists (570), points (972), power-play goals (128) himself “100 percent” healthy on The fourth pitch Ryu threw was a A solo shot soared over his head after Cleveland 2 NY Yankees 1 and game-winning goals (69). Wednesday afternoon. He had already 70-mph curveball. The arc of its de- he fed catcher Chris Hermann a 90- Atlanta 9 Philadelphia 1

BOTTOMLINE Venezuela’s baseball talent pool shrinks as food crisis widens

Reuters game in a rundown neighbourhood in Caracas. his players stopped wanting to go home to their Caracas She wants Jesus, who has been playing ball since families on the weekends, Depablos said. age four, to enter an academy when he is 12 or 13. “I realised what was happening when we “A kilo of meat costs a week’s salary,” Tovar would weigh them on Monday and see that they oung baseball players from poor fami- said. “We work extra hours and we’ve had to in- lost two kilograms over the weekend,” he said. lies in Venezuela are not getting the vent ways of making more money. In my case, When a prospect signs with a team at age 16, nourishment needed to realise their I sell cakes with cheese and I run a lottery for he then goes to that team’s advanced training dream of playing professionally in the families in the neighbourhood so my son does centre in the Dominican Republic before getting UnitedY States, as acute food shortages close off not want for food.” a chance to play in the US minor leagues and one of the few remaining avenues out of poverty It has become a common story in Venezuela’s hopefully the big leagues. in the recession-hit country. low-income barrios which have been hardest hit “There are fewer players to choose from be- Venezuela is home to superstar players, in- by four years of deep recession in the socialist- cause there is less physical strength in the coun- cluding Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera run economy. try,” said Jose “Yoyo” Salas, an agent who heads and the Houston Astros’ diminutive but mighty Surveys conducted last October by Catholic the Puro Baseball Academy in Caracas, which is second baseman, Jose Altuve. non-profi t organisation Caritas in poor sectors currently home to nine young players. With a record 76 Venezuelan nationals play- of Venezuela’s four most populous states found Lack of food is also bad news for atypi- ing on Major League Baseball (MLB) teams at that 48 % of children younger than fi ve were cal players who have always had a harder time the start of this season, the country’s agent- malnourished. By April of this year, that fi gure getting recruited, and who now face nutrition operated baseball academies are expected to had risen to 56 percent. problems as well. keep steering high-performing prospects to big “Each day it’s harder. Every day food is more ex- The obvious case is Jose Altuve, the reigning league scouts. pensive,” said Maite Escalona, mother of Aiberth American League batting champion who has But the country’s food shortages are taking Tovar, a seven-year-old catcher who started play- become the inspirational face of the Houston a toll, as malnourished kids from low-income ing when he was three-and-half and says he wants Astros. Even well fed, he stopped growing at 5 families are denied entry to academies that have to join the St. Louis Cardinals someday. feet 6 inches (1.68 metres) tall. become the only way to guarantee the kind of “This is the only country in the world where From the city of Maracay, the base-stealing diet needed to build a world-class player. it’s sad when you get a raise, because you know dynamo grew up so poor he had to bum base- Agents and scouts say the live-in baseball it means that the cost of living has just gone up balls from the local minor league team so he schools are already drawing from a smaller pool In this August 24, 2017, picture, children play at a baseball tournament in Caracas. (Reuters) fi ve times as much,” Escalona said. could practice with his dad. of talent because children from poor families are At the other end of the spectrum is Detroit’s not strong enough by age 13 to compete for ad- duro blames a US-led “economic war” though are prepared for when and if they sign with a big ‘LESS PHYSICAL STRENGTH’ Miguel Cabrera, who at 6 feet 4 (1.93m), projects mission against their better-fed peers. critics say his policies are the cause of the eco- league team. Due to the stagnant economy and rampant the image of the classic slugger he is. “We are seeing a 35 percent decrease in daily nomic and social mess. crime, only four MLB teams — the Chicago “Everybody wants to sign Miguel Cabrera, but protein intake among players between the ages There are about 100 substantial, privately- SACRIFICES Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies and few people were willing to sign Jose Altuve. He of 10 to 15,” said Dr Arnaldo Machado, a Cara- owned baseball academies in Venezuela, which The divide between this kind of development Detroit Tigers — still operate training facilities was not on the A-list of prospects when he was cas-based medical advisor to the Detroit Tigers. is MLB’s second-most represented country af- and that of kids too weak to get into the acade- in Venezuela, down from 18 clubs in 2000. 15. He did not get special treatment, but he got “And the nutritional situation is much worse for ter the Dominican Republic and well ahead of mies is widening. And so is the pressure on par- “Ninety-fi ve percent of the kids at my academy his nutrition anyway because there was enough children six years old and younger.” longtime regional powerhouse, Cuba. ents to get their boys into strong enough shape come from families that can’t aff ord to give them food in the country,” said Johan Ocanto, head of Millions of Venezuelans have been struggling Kids fortunate enough to get into the schools by age 12 to be granted admission. three meals a day with protein,” said Kander Depa- the ABAR academy in Caracas, which houses 18 to eat properly in recent years amid triple-digit are fed six times a day, learn English, and take “Sometimes we don’t eat so that he can,” said blos, head of a baseball academy outside the city of young players. infl ation and acute shortages of staples, includ- classes in anatomy and physiology. They are Carolina Tovar as she watched her seven-year- Valencia. Fifteen children live at his facility. “If Altuve was a 15-year-old prospect now, he ing beef, milk and fl our. President Nicolas Ma- even tended to by psychologists to ensure they old son Jesus Cordoba playing in a local league The depth of the crisis dawned on him when wouldn’t have a chance,” Ocanto said. Gulf Times Friday, September 1, 2017 5 SPORT

CYCLING / VUELTA A ESPANA FORMULA 1 Hamilton hunting Froome loses records and title lead AFP ‘SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE’ Monza, Italy Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said he wants to retain Hamilton, but will wait until the championship is settled ewis Hamilton will aim to es- before any talks resume. tablish a new outright record “Our relationship is very good and for career pole positions and I think each of us appreciates what he ground aft er 12th leapfrog Sebastian Vettel to take has in the other one,” said Wolff . Lthe lead in this year’s world champion- “But this is not a topic we want to ship at the Italian Grand Prix. tackle now over the last remaining Poland’s Tomasz As four-time champion Vettel goes races of the season. It’s an intense last in search of his fi rst win on Ferrari’s third of the year and we’ll get that over Marczynski wins his home track in Sunday’s classic high- the line and then we’ll pick up a discus- speed charge, his nearest rival will be sion.” second stage of the race hunting a third victory in four years at The team is also expected to retain stage crash the Autodromo Nazionale. Valtteri Bottas who will have a major Hamilton has won the Italian race part to play in this weekend’s contest AFP three times overall and secured pole as he seeks to secure another podium Antequera, Spain each of the last three years, a record fi nish. that has encouraged him to believe he For Vettel, however, it is a key oppor- can secure another vital victory. tunity to retain the momentum in front hris Froome saw his Vuelta a He will attempt to extend that to four of the tifosi on a weekend when Ferrari Espana lead cut to 59 seconds and, after equalling Michael Schu- will celebrate the team’s 70th anniver- over Vincenzo Nibali after macher’s all-time record of 68 in Bel- sary. suff ering a mechanical prob- gium, deliver his 69th pole. “Monza is never a critical race for lemC and crashing towards the end of If he succeeds, and wins, the Briton us,” said Vettel. “But I think it is the yesterday’s 12th stage. will close the seven-point gap between nicest race — we have a lot of support Froome minimised the damage to him and the German and lead the title and the atmosphere is special. I am his chances of a fi rst Vuelta win by race for the fi rst time this year. looking forward to it.” fi ghting back to fi nish 20sec adrift of He currently has fi ve wins to Vettel’s Vettel claimed his maiden F1 win for the main group of general classifi ca- four, but knows, after last weekend’s Toro Rosso at Monza in tempestuous tion favourites, including Nibali. hard-fought victory, that nothing can rain in 2008 and won again with Red “It’s never nice to crash like that, be taken for granted. Bull in 2011 and 2013. Since moving to but I’m just grateful that I’m not in- “Ferrari have the better car and we Ferrari, he has had two podium fi nish- jured and everything is good to go to- have to do all we can to stay in front this es, but no win. morrow,” Froome told Spanish TV sta- time,” said Hamilton. Red Bull’s current drivers Daniel tion Teledeporte. Following Vettel’s decision to sign Ricciardo, fresh from his podium in Poland’s Tomasz Marczynski won a new three-deal with Ferrari, Ham- Belgium, and Max Verstappen, facing his second stage of the race as he took ilton appears poised to remain with penalties following his early retirement the 160.1km ride from Motril to An- Mercedes, but the team have made due to an engine failure, should also be tequera in a time of 3hr 56min 45sec clear ahead of Monza that they intend strong contenders. from Spanish duo Omar Fraile and Jose to delay contract talks until this year’s So, too, should be the two Force India Joaquin Rojas. championship is decided. drivers Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon Marczynski cashed in as an early Hamilton is committed to Mercedes despite their collisions and post-race 14-rider breakaway was allowed to until the end of next year, but has sug- row last weekend when the latter ac- fi ght out the stage win. gested he is ready to make a long-term cused his team-mate of risking their “It’s incredible, it’s my dream since commitment to the team. lives. I was a kid to win one stage on a big tour alone and today the dream be- came real,” said Marczynski. Back in the pack, Froome looked perfectly set to maintain his lead until disaster struck just over six kilometres from the fi nish. The four-time Tour de France champion was forced to change bike due to a mechanical problem and then hit the fl oor seconds later as he tried to Team Sky’s Chris Froome crosses the finish line of the 12th stage of Vuelta a Espana in Antequera, Spain, yesterday. (AFP) get back up to speed. Froome’s Sky teammates Mikel ner on the day as the three-time Vuelta the riders 198.4km from Coin to 10. David Arroyo (Caja Rural) +3:00” Nieve and Wout Poels helped him lim- winner gained 42sec on Froome after Tomares. it the damage, but he couldn’t bridge breaking away from the rest of the chas- OVERALL CLASSIFICATION the gap back to the Nibali group. ing group to move up to ninth overall. STAGE 12 RESULTS 1. Chris Froome (Sky) 49:22:53” “It’s never nice to lose time, but I However, Contador remains 3min 1. Tomasz Marczynski (Lotto) 3:56:45” 2. Vincenzo Nibali (Merida) +59” have a fantastic team around me. I had 13sec back on Froome overall. 2. Omar Fraile (Dimension Data) +52” 3. Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) +2:13” two teammates with me all the way to Nibali fi nished 22sec behind Conta- 3. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) 4. David De La Cruz (Quick-Step) +2:16” the end,” added Froome. “The Vuelta dor alongside the rest of the riders in 4. Pawel Poljanski (BORA) 5. Wilco Kelderman (Sunweb) +2:17” is not over yet and there are a lot of big the top 10 bar Froome. 5. Stef Clement (LottoNL-Jumbo) 6. Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) +2:18” days ahead. The race is not over until Colombia’s Esteban Chaves remains 6. Brendan Canty (Cannondale) +1:42” 7. Fabio Aru (Astana) +2:37” we reach Madrid. I just need to be at third overall, but is now just 2min 7. Anthony Perez (Cofidis) +2:50” 8. Michael Woods (Cannondale) +2:41” my best every day now.” 13sec down on Froome. 8. Jan Polanc (Emirates) 9. Alberto Contador (Trek) +3:13” Alberto Contador was the big win- Today’s largely fl at 13th stage takes 9. Andreas Schillinger (BORA) 10. Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) +3:51”

BOXING AIBA feud spills over into world champs ring

AFP from power, and seize control of the and specifi cally singled out former ex- ‘DODGY DEALINGS’ up a sport associated at the time with Lausanne organisation in what the current AIBA ecutive director Ho Kim of South Korea At Sunday’s opening ceremony Wu’s questionable practices. boss has compared to “a military coup”. for seeking “revenge” after his ousting rivals met with international federation “When Wu arrived it seemed as Their main gripe is that Wu has left over allegations of fi nancial wrongdo- members who according to a statement though things were going better. Under unches are fl ying in and out- the sport facing bankruptcy, placing ing. were “surprised and concerned” about Chowdry there were some very dodgy side the ring at the amateur the AIBA in peril. Wu insists he is “the legitimate pres- the AIBA’s plight. dealings and it was known that medals boxing world championships They claim the “AIBA is not in a po- ident” and said he had written to IOC Wu had a very diff erent take, claim- could be bought at that time,” confi ded in Germany this week as a bit- sition to repay” debts totalling 15mn chief Thomas Bach to explain the situ- ing “I received lots of support” from his an IOC member who wished to remain Pter power struggle rages for control of Swiss francs (13mn euros). ation, pinning Ho as a main plotter. talks with the federations. anonymous. the historic Olympic sport. “Wrong!” says Wu, who contests Bach was a noticeable absentee from The disputing parties are set to clash “It’s hard to understand the reasons In one corner in Hamburg is Wu that the AIBA’s fi nances are in fact the championships, all the more so again in the ring at an extraordinary for this current crisis. Has Wu been Ching-Kuo, the embattled Taiwanese “healthy” with “16mn Swiss francs in with the event being held in his native congress scheduled for November. careless or too ambitious over invest- president of ruling body the AIBA and the bank”. Germany. But here again it’s a case of warring ments? an infl uential member of the Interna- The rebels, led by Italian Franco Fal- The IOC explained that “the circum- press releases. Or is it revenge of ousted former of- tional Olympic Committee. cinelli and Pat Fiacco of Canada, at- stances which AIBA currently faces are The provisional executive board have fi cials?” he added. The opposite corner is crowded with tempted to force through an urgent not the right environment for a visit of announced the congress will take place Whatever the causes the AIBA feud the majority of the governing body’s management shake-up in the Swiss the IOC President to this year’s cham- on November 12 in Dubai, while Wu is an embarrassment for the IOC at a executive committee who have joined courts. AIBA president Wu Ching-Kuo. pionships”. says: “They’ve got no right to decide time when in the wake of the crippling forces to establish a temporary admin- A ruling this month rejected their re- Careful to avoid an accusation of where the congress will be held, it’s go- FIFA corruption scandal, it is pursu- istration. quest, saying the matter would have to no-confi dence in him at a meeting in taking sides in the internecine confl ict, ing to be in Lausanne.” ing widespread reform of international They are out to KO Wu, who has led wait for a proper hearing in September. Moscow in July. the IOC added: “Such a visit could be When Wu succeeded Pakistan’s An- federations, with none more enshrined the Lausanne-based AIBA since 2006. The legal action came after Wu’s ex- Wu claims he is being targeted be- interpreted by either side as a state- war Chowdry 11 years ago at the helm of in the Olympic family than amateur Wu’s opponents want to oust him ecutive committee passed a motion of cause of his attempt to reform the AIBA ment of support”. amateur boxing he set about cleaning boxing.

MotoGP to make Thai 58-year-old veteran of Thailand’s bear- pletely damaged in a cowardly arson into the barriers in a crash that led to be out for at east six months after Wallaby lock pit politics, who has pulled in rich con- attack over night,” Aqua Blue posted world champion Peter Sagan being dis- rupturing a cruciate ligament play- debut in October 2018 tacts to build first-class sports facilities on their Twitter account, alongside a qualified from the race, will be joined ing for his Premiership club Exeter Simmons signs for in his hometown of Buriram. In 2014 series of pictures of the damaged ve- by 2015 winner Edvald Boasson Hagen Chiefs, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Waratahs from Reds MotoGP will make its Thai debut in he unveiled the $58.9 mn Formula hicle. “No one was injured. Police have and Mark Renshaw. Africa-based Team yesterday. Campagnaro, 24, said he October next year it was confirmed One-certified circuit in the 30,000 arrested a suspect.” Aqua Blue were Dimension Data also won last year’s will undergo surgery once the swell- Australian international lock Rob Sim- yesterday, with the race to be hosted population town. The Thai junta has still to take their place in yesterday’s race with Steve Cummings and are ing subsides after sustaining mons has signed for the New South by the provincial city of Buriram for agreed to subsidise a chunk of the 12th stage from Motril to Antequera. gunning for a hat-trick on the eight- the injury to his left knee in a pre- Wales Waratahs from their fierce Super three years. The Sports Authority of cost of the rights to host the event. “Nothing is going to stop us starting stage race that concludes in Cardiff . season warm-up game in Cardiff Rugby rivals Queensland Reds for Thailand (SAT) off icially signed a deal The motorcycling extravaganza could today’s La Vuelta stage. Thank you for Cavendish is a 10-times stage winner tomorrow. “They are going to operate the next two seasons, the team said with MotoGP owners Dorna Sports to pour millions of dollars into Buriram, a all the support,” the team added on on the Tour of Britain. Team Sky have as soon as possible, once the swelling yesterday. Simmons, 28, who has played hold the race from 2018, according to huge sum for a province that was once Twitter. named a strong line-up for the race goes down,” he said. “As for getting for the Reds since 2009, was released by a statement released by the SAT. “Sign- among Thailand’s poorest. including Welshman Geraint Thomas — back to competition, that could be six Queensland at the end of the last Super ing this contract makes Thailand one Cavendish to return at who has also been out of action since months or more, possibly eight Rugby season and went on the market. of the 19 venues for MotoGP racing... Aqua Blue bus victim a crash in the Tour de France, where or nine,” he said. One of Italy’s bright- “I gave the decision to come to NSW a it is provisionally set for first weekend Tour of Britain he wore the yellow jersey for the first est talents, Campagnaro will miss the lot of careful consideration and decided of October next year,” the statement of Vuelta arson attack few days — as well as Olympic omnium country’s autumn internationals and the move was right,” said Simmons, who said. Winter testing will be held Febru- Mark Cavendish will return to action champion Elia Viviani. could sit out the 2018 Six played for the Wallabies in last week- ary 16-18, it added. The motorcycling Irish cycling team Aqua Blue Sport’s for the first time since a horrifying Nations tournament. His absence end’s 35-29 Bledisloe Cup loss to New equivalent of Formula One will be bus at the Vuelta a Espana was badly high-speed crash at the Tour de France Italy’s centre is more bad news for Italy’s coach Zealand. “Now I’m really looking forward staged in Buriram, a small Thai city in damaged by fire after an arson attack as part of a strong Team Dimension Conor O’Shea, the former Irish to the challenge of helping the Waratahs the poor rice farming northeast that early yesterday, the team confirmed. Data outfit at the Tour of Britain, which Campagnaro out for international who already this week to win another Super Rugby title.” Sim- has seen huge investment in sports A suspect has been arrested after the begins in Scotland on Sunday. The at least six months lost Benetton Treviso hooker Ornel mons has played 73 times for Australia and hotel facilities. Securing MotoGP is incident in the southern Spanish city of British rider, who broke his scapula on Gega to a potentially season-ending after making his Test rugby debut in a personal coup for Newin Chidchob, a Almeria. “Our team bus has been com- stage four in France when he ploughed Italy centre Michele Campagnaro will knee-injury. 2010 and has 114 Super Rugby caps. Gulf Times 6 Friday, September 1, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Swansea sign Oxlade-Chamberlain Bayern's Renato Sanches on loan joins Liverpool AFP menigge said. “He needs to play London continuously for a year, which he could not guarantee with us, given the quality in the squad.” England international thanks his Arsenal teammates and manager Arsene Wenger uro 2016 winner Ren- However, the Bayern boss ato Sanches has joined warned Sanches that he “has to AFP In a refl ective post on Twitter, he Swansea City on a sea- put his foot on the gas” while London Liverpool said midfielder Alex thanked his Arsenal teammates, manager son-long loan move on loan. Bayern have clearly not Arsene Wenger, back-room staff and the fromE Bayern Munich, the English give up on the midfi elder, even Oxlade-Chamberlain had signed a 'long-term contract', which is club’s fans. “After six years, three FA Cup Premier League club announced though he has shown none of the ngland international Alex Ox- thought to be a five-year deal. wins and countless incredible memories, yesterday. The 20-year-old Por- form which helped Portugal win lade-Chamberlain has joined Liv- the time has come for me to move on from tugal midfi elder will join his new the Euro 2016 title. erpool from Premier League rivals Arsenal,” Oxlade-Chamberlain wrote. teammates in south Wales upon The German club have refused Arsenal, his new club announced “I know my choice might come as a his return from international to sell him, which reportedly put yesterday.E Liverpool did not disclose the surprise to many, and the decision to duty, Swansea said. off interest from Juventus, Paris transfer fee, but they are believed to have leave was tough after being a part of the Swansea manager Paul Clem- Saint-Germain and Liverpool. paid £35mn ($45.1mn, 37.9mn euros) for club for so many years. But I feel that this ent worked with Sanches while “We are still convinced that he the midfi elder’s services. move is right for the next stage in my on- he had a six-month spell as an has the potential to become an Liverpool said the 24-year-old had going development.” assistant at Bayern last year be- important player for FC Bay- signed a “long-term contract”, which is Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said fore moving to the Liberty Stadi- ern in the future,” added Rum- thought to be a fi ve-year deal. “I’m de- he had been tracking Oxlade-Chamber- um. Sanches joined Bayern from menigge. lighted to have signed for Liverpool,” lain since he played for Arsenal against Benfi ca for £27.5mn ($35.4mn, “For this reason, it is fi rmly Oxlade-Chamberlain told the Liverpool Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund 29.9mn euros) last season after agreed that the player, without website after undergoing a medical at in September 2014. “I am really, really featuring in Portugal’s run to the a clause, will return to Bayern on England’s St George’s Park training base. happy we have got Alex signed,” said European Championship title July 1 2018.” “I’m not going to say too much today. Klopp, whose side beat Arsenal 4-0 on and went on to make 26 appear- Rummenigge added Sanches I’m here with England and we’ve got two Sunday. “Since the last game I have been ances for the German giants as showed tantalising glimpses of big games coming up, so I want to focus waiting and hoping we could make this they took the Bundesliga crown. what he was capable of during on them. But I can’t wait to get to Mel- transfer — and when I got the news he But he spent most of last sea- Bayern’s tour of China and Sin- wood (Liverpool’s training centre) and was ours, it was fantastic.” son on the bench and now Bay- gapore in July “when he went off you’ll hear fi rst from me on LFCTV.” Oxlade-Chamberlain becomes Liver- ern have warned Sanches he like a rocket” in their 3-2 pre- Oxlade-Chamberlain is believed to pool’s fi fth new signing after Naby Keita, needs to show his old form with season win over English champi- have turned down a new contract of- Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and south Wales side Swansea if he is ons Chelsea. fer from Arsenal and an approach from Dominic Solanke. Guinea midfi elder Kei- to have a future in Munich after However, Sanches has repeat- champions Chelsea, both of whom were ta agreed to move to Liverpool from RB completing a loan move worth a edly failed to emerge from the reported to have off ered him higher wages Leipzig in a reported club-record £48mn reported 8.5mn euros. shadow of Bayern’s star-studded than Liverpool. deal earlier this week, but will not join the “We are delighted that we midfi eld which boasts Arturo Vi- The former Southampton youngster, club until next year. have reached an agreement with dal, new-signing Corentin Tolis- nicknamed “The Ox”, has played at wing- Oxlade-Chamberlain has been capped Swansea City on a lending ba- so and Thiago Alcantara. back for Arsenal in recent months and 27 times by England, scoring six goals, sis,” said Bayern chairman Karl- The confi rmation of his arriv- was said to have been earmarked for a and is due to be involved in today’s 2018 Heinz Rummenigge. “It was our al, on the fi nal day of the summer similar role at Chelsea, but he would pre- Russia World Cup qualifi er against Malta goal for Renato to be regularly transfer window in Britain, adds fer to play in midfi eld. in Ta’Qali. used by a club in a very strong to Swansea’s midfi eld options league such as the Premier after they recently signed Sam League,” the former Germany in- Clucas from second-tier Hull ternational added. City. Swansea are currently 13th “We wanted Renato Sanches in the 20-team Premier League Juventus new-signing Hoewedes, still a Schalke fan to go to a club where he could after a win, a draw and a loss in play at a high level and have a their opening three games of the Turin: Germany’s World Cup winner and I have to admit I am still somewhat “travellers can be stopped from leaving, if coach who counts on him,” Rum- season. Benedikt Hoewedes describes his new speechless.” that is what you want”. club Juventus as one of the world’s best, Having been Schalke’s club skipper The German club could no longer guar- but he is still a Schalke fan at heart, since 2011, the 29-year-old was suddenly antee Hoewedes the first-team football he despite his hasty exit. The Italian cham- stripped of the captaincy by new coach needs to ensure he is part of Germany’s pions have signed Hoewedes on loan for Domenico Tedesco — who is just two squad for next year’s World Cup. 3.5mn euros ($4.2mn) with an option to years his senior — and left on the bench Joachim Loew, Germany’s head coach, buy Hoewedes outright for 13mn euros for the Royal Blues’ first two league welcomed Hoewedes’ move and the which will be automatically activated if he games this season. “The club has been a centre-back could face the Czech Repub- makes 25 appearances for his new club. part of my life as a fan, youth player and a lic in today’s World Cup 2018 qualifier in “This is a great day for me, Juventus professional, which I trusted uncondition- Prague with the Germans on the verge is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” ally,” explained Hoewedes. “That trust has of booking a berth. “I’m really pleased for enthused Hoewedes, who is expected to been tested on several occasions in the Beni. Juve have twice reached the Cham- replace Leonardo Bonucci, following his last few weeks. The captaincy was only a pions League final and they are always shock sale to AC Milan last month. How- part of that.” at the front in their league,” said Loew. ever, Hoewedes’ sharp exit from Schalke, Tedesco praised Hoewedes for his pro- “At Schalke, they have a coach who does the club he joined as a 12-year-old, has fessional attitude, but it is clear the pair not have him as part of his plans. He will clearly left a mark. kirchen-based club. “If someone had do not see eye-to-eye. “Those who want still be an option for us, we know what he “I go as a player, but I remain a fan,” asked me four weeks ago whether I’d be to travel should not be stopped,” said can do,” Loew said when asked if playing Hoewedes said after 16 years and 240 moving abroad in this transfer window, I’d Tedesco over Hoewedes departure, but abroad would harm Hoewedes’ chances Bundesliga appearances for the Gelsen- have said they were crazy. Now it’s reality the centre-back countered on Twitter that of making the World Cup squad.

ROUND-UP Wolfsburg snap up Reds striker Origi on loan erman league side Wolfsburg no time in signing Greek teenage defend- has signed Belgium interna- er Panagiotis Retsos from Olympiakos tional striker Divock Origi for a reported 17.5mn euros on a fi ve-year from Liverpool on a year-long contract. Bayern have warned Renato Sanchez he needs to show his old form Gloan transfer. The Premier League club with Swansea if he is to have a future in Munich after completing a confi rmed the clubs have reached a deal LEIPZIG SIGN KAMPL AS COVER FOR loan move worth a reported 8.5mn euros. after the 22-year-old made just one ap- LIVERPOOL-BOUND KEITA pearance for the Reds this season under Dutch defender Marvin Zeegelaar signed Jurgen Klopp. for Premier League side Watford from JOINT PROPOSAL Origi, who signed for the Reds from Sporting Lisbon and resolved a problem Lille in 2014 before spending a further for manager Marco Silva. The 27-year- year on loan with the French club, has old — who had been at Sporting Lisbon scored 21 goals in 77 appearances for for just a season — signed a four year Paraguay joins Liverpool. Origi will end up battling contract with the Hornets for an undis- Germany veteran striker Mario Gomez closed fee. to play up front in the Bundesliga for the Silva had been searching for a left- Argentina, Uruguay 2015 German Cup winners. back as Jose Holebas’ ill discipline caught up with him again when the 33-year-old IVORIAN RIGHT BACK AURIER Greek international was sent off in their 2030 World Cup bid JOINS TOTTENHAM FROM PSG League Cup loss to Bristol City last week. Tottenham Hotspur completed the sign- Silva’s fi rst target Kieran Gibbs opted to AFP part in the bid. Paraguayan gov- ing of Ivory Coast right back Serge Aurier leave Arsenal for West Brom instead but Asuncion ernment sources said the coun- from French club Paris St Germain, the the Portuguese handler returned to one tries were planning to propose Premier League side said yesterday. of his former clubs to secure Zeegelaar six venues for the tournament in The deal for the 24-year-old, reported — who has played in England before for araguay will join in the Argentina and three each in Uru- to be around 25mn euros ($30mn), had late this summer but have now signed Gabriel Paulista, Kieran Gibbs and Alex Blackpool albeit briefl y on loan — on the shared bid by its neigh- guay and Paraguay. been in doubt because a criminal convic- three defenders in a week with centre Oxlade-Chamberlain. fi nal day of the transfer window. bours Argentina and The presidents of each of the tion had delayed Aurier’s work permit back Davinson Sanchez arriving for a Uruguay to host the three football-mad countries are application. reported club record fee of 42mn pounds P2030 World Cup, the country’s former football executives. LEIPZIG SIGN KAMPL AS COVER CRYSTAL PALACE AGREE £26MN The attack-minded Aurier will be a from Ajax and Juan Foyth from Estudi- FOR LIVERPOOL-BOUND KEITA FEE FOR LIVERPOOL’S SAKHO president Horacio Cartes said South America last staged the natural replacement for England right antes. RB Leipzig announced yesterday the Crystal Palace were set to sign Mamadou yesterday. Uruguay and Argen- World Cup in Brazil in 2014. Any back Kyle Walker who Tottenham sold signing of Slovenia midfi elder Kevin Sakho last night after they agreed a fee tina had already said they will bid for 2030 is likely to face stiff to Manchester City for 50mn pounds ARSENAL'S LUCAS PEREZ LOANED Kampl as a possible replacement for of £26mn with Liverpool for the France offi cially launch their joint pro- competition from the Asia region, in July. “This is a huge and exciting op- BACK TO DEPORTIVO Guinea international Naby Keita who has defender. Palace saw a bid of an initial posal at a ceremony involving the where China is expected to be the portunity at a massive football club and I Spanish forward Lucas Perez returned to agreed to join Liverpool for the 2018-19 £22mn plus £3mn in add-ons rejected country’s two leaders in October. front-runner to stage the fi nals. am determined to prove myself,” Aurier, Deportivo la Coruna yesterday on a year- season. The 27-year-old Kampl switches earlier this week, with Liverpool hold- Uruguay hosted the inaugural The next World Cup takes place who was denied access to England last long loan deal from Arsenal, Deportivo from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee ing out for £30mn for the 27-year-old, World Cup in 1930 and is hoping in Russia, with Qatar staging year when PSG played Arsenal in the confi rmed. of 20mn euros ($23.7mn). who spent part of last season on loan at to win the rights to the tourna- the event in 2022. A joint United Champions League, said on the Totten- Perez, 28, joined the Gunners from His versatility as a defensive mid- Selhurst Park. ment along with its neighbours to States-Mexico-Canada bid is the ham website. Deportivo for a reported fee of £17mn fi elder or winger means Kampl could Palace were linked with moves for a mark the centenary of the event. favourite to win the 2026 tourna- Aurier began his career with French ($22mn) a year ago to the day. potentially fi ll the playmaker role Keita number of defenders on deadline day but “I can confi rm that the presi- ment, with only one other coun- club Lens before moving to Toulouse in Perez made just 21 appearances in his will vacate when he leaves for Anfi eld at Sakho was always their primary target. dents of Paraguay, Argentina and try, Morocco, so far expressing an 2012. He signed for PSG in 2014, initially solo season in England, scoring seven the end of the current season. Kampl has He is expected to sign a fi ve-year deal Uruguay have agreed to be (joint) interest. The Paraguayan capital on loan, before making the permanent goals and winning the FA Cup. However, made 67 appearances in Germany’s top and the former Paris Saint-Germain candidates for the 2030 World Asuncion was rocked by deadly move in 2015. He went on to play 81 times he remains a local hero in Galicia after fl ight for former clubs Borussia Dort- captain will have medical before com- Cup,” Cartes said on Twitter. riots against Cartes in April but for the Parisian club, winning two Ligue scoring 24 goals in 59 appearance for mund and Leverkusen since moving to pleting his move to Selhurst Park. Palace Separately the head of South calm was restored within days. 1 titles and three French Cups. Aurier has Deportivo between 2014 and 2016. the Bundesliga in 2015 from Leipzig’s were also closing in on the £9mn signing American football confed- The unrest forced Cartes to back been capped 40 times by Ivory Coast and Perez is just the latest player to leave sister club Red Bull Salzburg. of Everton’s Oumar Niasse as they at- eration, Alejandro Dominguez, down from eff orts to change the played at the 2014 World Cup fi nals. the Emirates in a frenzied end to the With the transfer window closing in tempt to provide backup to the striker tweeted that he was meeting constitution in order to seek re- Tottenham have left their recruitment transfer window for Arsenal following Germany yesterday, Leverkusen wasted Christian Benteke. with Cartes to plan Paraguay’s election next year. Gulf Times Friday, September 1, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS France ghosts fi re England striker Kane’s Perfect Germany out World Cup dreams London: Memories of the Germany and 2-2 draw with chasing England were given Spain underlined that they by France’s Kylian Mbappe and remain some distance from the Ousmane Dembele remain finished article. fresh in Harry Kane’s mind as In this camp, injuries have he contemplates his side’s path deprived Southgate of Spurs to secure WC ticket to the World Cup. England are left-back Danny Rose and on course to secure a ticket to Liverpool midfielder Adam Russia ahead of today’s quali- Lallana, while Wayne Rooney’s The Germans are taking nothing for granted in Prague against Czech Republic fier against Malta in Ta’Qali, but international career has come recent friendly games have laid to an end at his own behest. AFP bare the extent to which they But the squad is otherwise well Berlin trail behind the global elite. stocked, meaning Southgate In June, the brilliance of can use today’s game at Malta’s Mbappe and Dembele enabled National Stadium to hone de- oachim Loew’s Germany are fo- France to weather the mid- fensive partnerships and test cused on preserving their 100% game dismissal of Raphael attacking configurations. record, amid a fi erce fi ght for plac- Varane and beat England 3-2 As ever with England, the bi- es in the world champion’s ranks, at Stade de France, but rather cep around which the captain’s inJ a World Cup qualifi er against the Czech than being cowed, Kane was armband will be stretched is Republic today. The match is Germany’s inspired. “I don’t think it’s focusing attentions, with Kane fi rst international of a season which they daunting,” the Tottenham and Jordan Henderson among hope will culminate in their participation Hotspur striker told reporters those in contention to succeed in the World Cup fi nal in Moscow. at England’s St George’s Park Rooney as full-time skipper. Having won all six qualifi ers so far in headquarters this week. Victory against Malta, Group C, victory at Prague’s Eden Arena “At the end of the day, we ranked 190th in the world, will leave Germany on the verge of con- only lost 3-2. I know they were should be a formality and Kane fi rming their place at Russia 2018 before down to 10 men for the major- accepts that given England’s they host Norway in Stuttgart on Mon- ity of the second half. I don’t resources, they will not get day, when they could qualify if results think we’re that far away. We’re much credit for anything they elsewhere go their way. The Germans a little bit behind at the minute. achieve in qualifying. “It’s fair are taking nothing for granted in Prague. France are an extremely good enough. At the end of the day, “The Czechs are the strongest opponent team with a lot of good players we’ve not won anything for a in the group, they have their backs to the to choose from, but so are we. long time,” he said. wall and have good players in their squad. “The most important thing “We’ve had some good That says everything for the situation,” for us now is to qualify for teams in the past, but we’ve said head coach Loew. the World Cup and we can still won nothing. From our Loew confi rmed fi rst-choice stars Mats do that by winning the next point of view, we’re in a situ- Hummels, Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil will two games. If that’s done and ation where we’ve got to try start having sat out the Confederations dusted then we can really start and win something and that Cup win in July. Joshua Kimmich, Jonas preparing.” would be one of the biggest Hector and striker Timo Werner, who all England are two points clear achievements in English his- helped beat Chile in the fi nal in St Peters- at the top of UEFA Group F and tory. The teams that have gone burg, are set to keep their places. can take a giant step towards past have found it diff icult, Winger Serge Gnabry is out with an an- qualification by beating min- we’ve found it diff icult in recent kle injury, while Juventus midfi elder Sami nows Malta and then defeat- years, but we have to somehow Khedira is doubtful with a knee knock. ing closest rivals Slovakia at change that around and see Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre Wembley on Monday. Gareth what happens next summer.” ter Stegen will replace captain Manuel Southgate’s side would be Today’s match represents Neuer, who has only just returned after even closer to their objective the first half of a British fracturing his foot in April. But Loew has had it not been for a chaotic double-header for Malta, who warned his stars they must all earn their finish to their last group game play Scotland in Glasgow on place in his World Cup plans. against Scotland in June, when Monday. “This is a very diff icult “No one has a free pass for the World Kane’s stoppage-time equaliser match against England as they Cup, so everyone can improve their rescued a 2-2 draw. are the best team,” said Malta chances with good erformances and to Including the Hampden coach Pietro Ghedin. “But I know what I want to achieve,” said the stalemate, England have bank on the players’ pride to Germany boss, who makes no secret that won just one of their last five try and give everything they he wants to retain the title. “They should matches. In addition to the have as that is our only tool of ask themselves, ‘what do I have to do loss to France, a 1-0 defeat by trying to upset our opponents.” everyday to be better and in form?’ What happened in the past no long counts, eve- ryone has to give their all to be ready.” England’s Harry Centre-back Hummels acknowl- Kane. (AFP) edged that a World Cup winners medal from 2014 counts for nothing with Loew. “Everyone must prove themselves again, but that’s a good thing,” said the Bayern Germany coach Joachim Loew (left) and striker Thomas Muller during a training in Prague, Czech Republic, yesterday. (Reuters) Munich defender. “There are three or four talented youngsters waiting for their Thomas Mueller. Mueller will be look- one that people who come to the stadium At Oslo: Norway v Azerbaijan chance behind each position. That can ing to blow off his frustration at Bayern identify with. A striker always needs At Prague: Czech Republic v Germany only make us much stronger.” Munich, having been left on the bench by some support, but he is quite relaxed Group E: At Astana (1600 GMT): Kazakhstan Few German fans will need reminding Carlo Ancelotti until the fi nal 17 minutes when he is with us.” v Montenegro that the team’s last heavy defeat in quali- of Saturday’s 2-0 win at Werder Bremen. At Copenhagen: Denmark v Poland fi ers came 10 years ago in Prague when “Thomas Mueller is one of a kind, he is a WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFYING At Bucharest: Romania v Armenia Loew’s men were humbled 3-0. How- big name for us,” said team manager Ol- EUROPEAN FIXTURES Group F: At Trnava, Slovakia: Slovakia v ever, the Czech Republic were beaten by iver Bierhoff . (kick-off s 1845 GMT unless stated): Slovenia the same scoreline when the sides met in “It can happen that one doesn’t play, I Group C: At Serravalle, San Marino: San At Vilnius: Lithuania v Scotland Hamburg last October with two goals by just hope that Bayern realise he is some- Marino v Northern Ireland At Ta’Qali, Malta: Malta v England

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS United States look to fi nish job Spain out to reverse recent with Costa Rica qualifi er results against Italy Reuters AFP Madrid New York pain must overcome their nited States captain Michael Bra- recent struggles against dley has called on his teammates Italy when they host the to fi nish the job as they aim to take Azzurri in a crucial World a giant stride towards the 2018 CupS qualifi er in Madrid tomor- UWorld Cup with victory over Costa Rica to- row, a game where the victor will day. The Americans have gradually hauled take a giant step towards sealing themselves back into the CONCACAF qual- their place in next year’s tourna- ifying fray after a rocky start which included ment in Russia. a 4-0 drubbing by the Costa Ricans in San The two old rivals are locked Jose last November. on 16 points at the top of Group That humiliating defeat led to the dis- G with four games remaining, missal of former coach Jurgen Klinsmann winning every game so far aside and the return of veteran Bruce Arena short- from their 1-1 draw in Turin last ly afterwards. The US have been undefeated October, although Spain lead the Spain coach Julen Lopetegui. since the return of Arena, a run that in- group due to their superior goal cluded victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup diff erence. Victory at the Santia- fi er, ensuring a 1-1 draw despite long away from the team, there is in July as well as a battling 1-1 away draw go Bernabeu would put the 2010 long periods of Spain domina- tangible excitement about Real against Mexico in June. US captain Michael Bradley speaks at a press conference in New York City. (AFP) World Cup winners two further tion. History is on Spain’s side, Madrid winger Marco Asensio, Mexico, who face Panama today, lead the wins from guaranteeing top spot however, as they have never lost 21, who has made a fl ying start six-team round robin fi nal qualifi cation ta- put in this year is for the next four games, to and Jozy Altidore among six players who are in the group and an automatic a World Cup qualifi er on home to the season in scoring four sen- ble with 14 points from six games. Costa make sure we can fi nd the right ways in the a yellow card away from a suspension that place in Russia. soil, winning 46 and drawing sational goals in as many games Rica are second with 11 points while the US biggest moments when the lights come on would rule them out of next week’s trip to Defeat would likely see them nine of all their qualifi ers. and is set for his fi rst competitive occupy the third automatic qualifi cation brightest to make sure we get the job done.” face Honduras in San Pedro Sula. fi nish runners up, which means Julen Lopetegui is without top start for Spain. spot with eight points. While Arena has reinvigorated a national “Our back line has had some injuries over being placed in the November scorer Diego Costa against Italy “This is a huge game due to A win over Costa Rica at New Jersey’s Red team that had shown signs of stagnating in the past month that will hurt us a little bit, play-off s, with France and Por- and Tuesday’s trip to Liechten- quality, tradition and recent his- Bull Arena today would see the Americans the fi nal year of the Klinsmann era, Bradley but I think if everyone comes into camp tugal as potential opponents. stein as the Chelsea striker has tory. Spain-Italy has become a draw level on points with “Los Ticos”, and said the ultimate responsibility lay with the healthy, we have good options in our back Spain enjoyed an impressive not trained with his club since classic game in the last 10 years, potentially move four points clear of fourth- players. “We all understand that getting to a line and good depth,” Arena said. run of results against Italy be- last season and the coach took with all types of results and spe- placed Panama. It is a far cry from the mood World Cup is a pass or fail,” said Bradley. “In The US meanwhile will look to Borussia tween 2008 and 2014, including a surprise decision in recalling cial battles,” Spain midfi elder last November, when an opening loss against the end, it doesn’t matter who the coach is. Dortmund’s in-form attacking midfi elder penalty shoot-out wins in Euro 36-year-old David Villa. Villa is Andres Iniesta said. “This will Mexico was followed by the mauling against Nothing else matters. It’s our responsibility Christian Pulisic to supply the ammunition 2008 and the 2013 Confedera- Spain’s all-time top scorer with be even more special because Costa Rica to leave the US languishing at the as players, to step onto the fi eld and make for Altidore and Clint Dempsey in attack. tions Cup and a resounding 4-0 49 goals but he retired from in- of its timing and signifi cance. foot of the standings with zero points. sure we fi nd the right ways to do whatever Pulisic, still only 18, has emerged as an in- thrashing in the Euro 2012 fi - ternational football in 2014 and Like Italy, we want to qualify for Bradley has urged his team to mount one it takes to qualify. The group responded to creasingly infl uential fi gure since making nal, but have failed to win their has spent the last three years the World Cup automatically, fi nal push as they attempt to seal an eighth that in a real good way.” his debut as a substitute in 2016. last three meetings. Spain were playing for Major League Soccer we want to avoid the play-off s, consecutive World Cup appearance at next Arena meanwhile is without experienced “He has surprised me for sure, just in overpowered by Antonio Conte’s side New York City FC. where anything can happen.” year’s fi nals in Russia. “We’ve gotten this defenders DeAndre Yedlin and John Brooks, terms of how good a player he is, and ulti- tactics in their 2-0 defeat in the Vitolo, who scored Spain’s After facing Italy Spain trav- far, we’ve turned it around in the right way who are both injured. The Americans will mately how quickly he’s been able to fi nd the last 16 of Euro 2016, while a late goal against Italy in October is el to Liechtenstein, who they and we’ve got to make sure we fi nish the also need to tread a fi ne disciplinary line right ways to come into our team and make a Daniele de Rossi penalty denied injured. If there is uncertainty blitzed 8-0 in Lopetegui’s fi rst job,” Bradley said. “All the work that we’ve with Bradley, Geoff Cameron, Matt Besler real impact even at this level,” Bradley said. them victory in October’s quali- about how Villa may fare after so competitive game in charge.

Friday, September 1, 2017 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

TRANSFER SAGA Sanchez stays aft er Arsenal fail to land Lemar By David Hytner in London has pushed for the move, he looked to be with the £40mn-a-year revenue streams guns over the policy of not selling Sanchez The Guardian resigned to seeing out the fi nal year on his from the competition. Therefore, they were without making a new signing. In the Arsenal contract. never going to accept any off ers for him of past, they have caved in over want-away Sanchez, who was in Chile, where his £40mn-£50mn. key players that have one year to run on lexis Sanchez was set to stay at country faced Paraguay in an important They rejected City’s opening off er of their contracts. Arsenal received a €40mn Arsenal. The club were open, in World Cup qualifying tie last night, has £50mn on Tuesday but, by then, their deadline-day enquiry from Juventus for the end, to selling him to Man- been the subject of one of the transfer sa- stance had altered slightly. It became clear the right-back Hector Bellerin, which felt chester City, despite insistences gas of the window. He had long made it that there was a tipping point on Sanchez, like a bolt from the blue or an opportunistic toA the contrary throughout the summer, but plain that he would not sign a new deal at albeit an expensive one, and City were strike from the Italian champions. they have been fi rm on not doing so if they Arsenal, despite the club off ering him fresh duly encouraged. They were confi dent on Perhaps, they felt they could exploit the could not sign an attacking player. terms on around £300,000 a week; his con- Wednesday night that they would be able turbulence at Arsenal or they were aware Monaco’s Thomas Lemar was the one tract pays him £130,000 a week. to push through a deal on deadline day that Bellerin had wanted out earlier in the they wanted and, incredibly, they have In the game of brinkmanship, he hoped and they had a medical team on standby summer to his boyhood club, Barcelona, been prepared to meet Monaco’s €100mn that Arsenal would relent in the face of in Chile. Everything depended on Arsenal who had shown a keen interest in him. The (£92mn) asking price on deadline day. City, standing to lose such a valuable asset for making a marque attacking signing but off er was rejected out of hand. meanwhile, put in a second cash off er for nothing next summer. Instead, with Arsene time was their enemy. There had been fears Arsenal completed the season-long loans Sanchez, which was worth £55mn plus Wenger the public face of the policy, they at the club that getting such a complex deal of Lucas Perez and Joel Campbell to Depor- £5mn in add-ons. insisted they would rather keep him for one over the line so quickly would be impos- tivo La Coruna and Real Betis, respectively. But with Lemar in the France squad for fi nal year, even if it meant losing him as a sible. Earlier in the summer, Arsenal had Perez joined from Deportivo for £17mn last last night’s World Cup qualifi er against Bosman free agent. made three bids for Lemar – the biggest be- summer. Campbell had been against going Holland in Paris, Arsenal appeared to have Arsenal did the sums and they concluded ing worth €50mn. out on yet another loan but he was talked run out of time to conclude what would be that they had a better chance of returning Arsenal are in turmoil after the 4-0 hu- around. He has now had six loans since a complicated fi nancial package. And so, to the Champions League with Sanchez miliation at Liverpool last Sunday but, at joining Arsenal in 2011. His contract at the to the disappointment of Sanchez, who in the team and reacquainting themselves least, they appeared ready to stick to their club runs until 2019.

SPOTLIGHT Halilhodzic dodges bullet Saitama, Japan: Japan’s Japan into World Cup as beleaguered head coach Vahid Halilhodzic will live to fight another day after his side qualified for their sixth straight World Cup with a 2-0 home win over Australia. De- feat by the Asian Cup holders could have cost him his job, China, Syria stay alive but the firebrand Franco-Bos- nian dodged a bullet thanks to a dogged performance yes- terday that guaranteed Japan Goalless draw against Iran means South Korea’s hopes of qualifying were left hanging in the balance will finish top of their group. After the game, the 65-year- AFP fence despite being urged on by more than 63,000 old shocked journalists by Saitama, Japan screaming fans and the visitors being reduced to 10 revealing he had considered men seven minutes into the second half. Saeid Eza- stepping down for “personal tolahi was shown a straight red card after he reck- reasons” before Japanese apan beat Australia yesterday to qualify for lessly stamped on the head of Kim Min-Jae follow- off icials insisted that he would their sixth successive World Cup but South ing an aerial clash between the pair. continue. Halilhodzic has Korea missed a golden opportunity to join “We tried to turn the tide with substitutions and come under fire since Japan them in Russia when they could only draw score a goal, but we couldn’t do it,” lamented South began the final round of Asian againstJ 10-man Iran. The goalless draw in Seoul Korean coach Shin Tae-yong, who vowed to go all qualifiers with a shock 2-1 means South Korea’s hopes of qualifying from out for a win in Tashkent on Tuesday. “We play for home loss to the United Arab Group A for their ninth successive fi nals were left victories, and we will do the same for the match Emirates. hanging in the balance when a win would have against Uzbekistan,” Shin said. Wins over Thailand, Iraq booked their ticket to Russia. One goal would have been enough for South Ko- and Saudi Arabia subsequent- Meanwhile, Syria’s 3-1 victory over Qatar in Ma- rea because in Wuhan, Group A rivals Uzbekistan ly steadied the ship, although laysia gave a massive boost to the war-torn nation’s were suff ering a shock 1-0 defeat to China, who the manner of those victories dreams of qualifying from Group A as they moved kept their own slim World Cup hopes just about failed to convince critics of his into third place on goal diff erence. And China’s alive in a dramatic fi nale. Gao Lin was the hero for abrasive management style. shock 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in yesterday’s other China with a late penalty six minutes from time to The dreaded vote of confi- Group A match kept their own slim hopes alive. seal a nervy 1-0 win. dence from the Japan Football Now a defeat for the Koreans in their fi nal match Marcello Lippi’s men now head to Qatar on Association (JFA) in the run-up in Tashkent on Tuesday could see them fail to Tuesday seeking the win that, coupled with other to Australia game will have qualify for the fi nals for the fi rst time since 1982 results going their way, could yet see China reach a done little to ease his mind should Syria beat Iran in Tehran on the same night. playoff . In Melaka, Malaysia, Omar Kharbin struck but goals from Takuma Asano And in a wide-open battle for Asian qualifi cation, twice for Syria who resurrected their unlikely and Yosuke Ideguchi booked China could still take third place and a playoff spot dream of reaching the World Cup fi nals. The 3-1 Japan’s place in Russia next if they beat Qatar in Doha on Tuesday and other re- win over Qatar propelled Syria to third position in year. sults go their way. Group A and a potential playoff spot as they took Halilhodzic called for his There were no problems for Japan in Saitama, advantage of Uzbekistan’s slip-up. players to play like “Samurai however, as Takuma Asano, in the fi rst half, and a The result ended Qatar’s fl eeting hopes of quali- warriors” against Australia in brilliant Yosuke Ideguchi strike eight minutes from fying for Russia 2018 and means the Middle East Saitama after a frustrating run nation will host the 2022 edition without ever hav- of form over the past year. A ing managed to qualify for the World Cup fi nals. solid 1-1 draw in Melbourne STANDINGS last October proved Japan COLLATED RESULTS could grind out a result if (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points): GROUP A necessary and they showed Group A At Wuhan: China 1 (Gao Lin pen 84) Uzbekistan 0 more stomach for a fight yes- Iran (Q) 9 6 3 0 8 0 21 H-t: 0-0; At Seoul: South Korea 0 Iran 0. H-t: 0-0 Red terday, helped by the return of South Korea 9 4 2 3 11 10 14 card: Ezatolahi 52 (IRI); At Melaka, Malaysia: Syria 3 captain Makoto Hasebe from Syria 9 3 3 3 7 6 12 (Kharbin 7, 54, Al Maowas 90+5) Qatar 1 (Asadallah 35). injury. Uzbekistan 9 4 0 5 6 7 12 H-t: 1-1 Whether it allows Halilhod- China 9 2 3 4 6 9 9 GROUP B zic to continue all the way to Qatar 9 2 1 6 7 13 7 At Saitama: Japan 2 (Asano 41, Ideguchi 82) Australia the 2018 World Cup remains 0 H-t: 1-0. (Japan qualify for 2018 World Cup in Russia); to be seen, while a family cri- Group B At Bangkok: Thailand 1 (Ibrahim og 63) Iraq 2 (Meram sis hinted at yesterday could Japan (Q) 9 6 2 1 17 6 17 34, Abdulameer 85) H-t: 0-1 Red card: Puangchan 72 also prove a factor. Halilhod- Saudi Arabia 9 5 1 3 16 10 16 Japan’s Yosuke Ideguchi (left) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammate Yuto Nagatomo during the (THA); zic, who invites ridicule by Australia 9 4 4 1 14 10 16 World Cup 2018 qualifier against Australia in Saitama, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) announcing his teams from a UAE 9 4 1 4 10 12 13 ASIA ZONE QUALIFYING REMAINING FIXTURES lectern, steered Algeria to the Iraq 9 2 2 5 10 12 8 time were enough to see off Australia 2-0. The ful fans and for the people of Japan,” cried Japan’s (all kick-off times 1500 GMT unless stated): knockout stages of the 2014 Thailand 9 0 2 7 5 22 2 result dealt a major blow to Australia’s chances under-fi re coach Vahid Halilhodzic, whose team Tuesday, September 5: finals in Brazil but stepped of being one of the two automatic qualifi ers from have an unassailable 20 points from nine games in Group A down despite a personal plea Note: Group winners and runners-up qualify for Group B after their fi rst defeat in the fi nal round of Group B. At Tehran: Iran v Syria from the country’s president the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Asian qualifi ers. Ideguchi, meanwhile, appeared lost for words At Doha: Qatar v China to stay. His two and a half Third-placed teams will play each other over two The Socceroos will get a second bite at the cher- after a wonder strike that looks like sparing Halil- At Tashkent: Uzbekistan v South Korea years in charge of Japan legs with the winner to play off against the fourth- ry at home to Thailand on Tuesday when they will hodzic the sack — at least for now. “Luckily it hit Group B have often been turbulent, placed team from CONCACAF region for the final need to better Saudi Arabia’s result against Japan the target,” he said. “I’m just glad it helped us get At Melbourne: Australia v Thailand (1000 GMT) marked by run-ins with play- 2018 World Cup berth. in Jeddah on the same night in order to guarantee the win.” At Amman, Jordan: Iraq v UAE (1400 GMT) ers and JFA off icials that have second place in the group. “This is for the wonder- In Seoul, South Korea could not breach Iran’s de- At Jeddah: Saudi Arabia v Japan (1730 GMT) polarised opinion about his suitability for the job. A humiliating 0-0 World FOCUS Cup qualifying draw with Sin- gapore early in Halilhodzic’s tenure set the tone and senior players such as Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda have Syria stays in race rarely fired under him. Halilhodzic was given an AFP Syria made their intentions clear early assistant last year to help him Kuala Lumpur on and Kharbin gave his side the lead with communicate with disgrun- his seventh-minute strike, a swerving tled players after claims of a fi nish past the outstretched arms of Saad rift following that Emirates mar Kharbin struck twice as al-Sheeb after the Qatar defence failed to defeat last September, with war-torn Syria gave their 2018 close him down. Olympic coach Makoto Te- World Cup dreams a huge Ten minutes before half-time, Qatar guramori brought in to act as boost with a 3-1 win over Qa- levelled the scores through midfi elder a go-between. But Halilhodzic tarO in Melaka, Malaysia, yesterday. The Ali Asadallah, who netted from close did little to mend fences by result propelled Syria, forced to play all range after converting a cross from cap- issuing a bizarre instruction their home games in Malaysia because of tain Hassan al-Haydos. After the restart, to his players “not to smile” — the civil war back home, to third position Kharbin made it 2-1 when he ran on to a apparently wanting them to in Group A and a potential playoff spot. through ball from Mahmoud al-Maowas show contrition for the shock The Syrians took advantage of Uz- before fi nishing from a tight angle. result. Halilhodzic, who previ- bekistan’s slip-up as they lost 1-0 in Chi- Al-Maowas then completed the scor- ously worked in France where na to leapfrog the Uzbeks into the play- ing with a strike of his own after a quick a satirical puppet show teased off picture on goal diff erence. The result counter attack in added time after the him with a character named ended Qatar’s fl eeting hopes of qualify- 90 minutes. The win takes Syria to third “Coach Vahid”, has largely ing for Russia 2018 and means the Mid- place in Group A, two points behind sec- failed to live up to his own dle East nation will host the 2022 edition ond-placed South Korea, but the Syrians hype, despite billing himself as without ever having managed to qualify face a tough fi nal match at runaway group Qatar’s Ali Asadallah (second right) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Syria in the 2018 World Cup qualifier “Mr Fix-it” on his appointment. for the World Cup fi nals. winners Iran in Tehran on Tuesday. in Melaka, Malaysia, yesterday. Qatar lost 1-3. The result ended Qatar’s fleeting hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018.