SPORT Tuesday 4 September 2018 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 Ronaldo remains Rafael Nadal cruises scoreless since into US Open joining Juventus quarter-finals QSL Cup: Al Gharafa to begin title defence against SC FAWAD HUSSAIN FROM LEFT: Al QSL CUP GROUPS THE PENINSULA Gharafa’s Wesley GROUP A Sneijder, Amro Al , Al Gharafa, , Al Arabi, Qatar SC, : Defending champions Abdullfattah Siraj Sanchez Al Gharafa face tough Qatar SC and Vladimir Weiss GROUP B test in their opening match as celebrate a goal Al Sadd, , Al Sailiya, Al names the during their 4-0 Khor, Al Ahli, Al Shahania Management (QSLM) yesterday win over Al Ahli released the schedule of QSL in the QNB Stars squad for Cup which will kick off from League on Friday. ROUND 1 FIXTURES September 7. GROUP A Al Gharafa won the 2017 September 7 friendlies QSL Cup after edging out Al 6:10pm: Al Duhail vs Al Kharaitiyat at THE PENINSULA Rayyan 3-2 in the final at Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium fol- 6:10pm: Umm Salal vs Al Arabi at lowing heroics from goalkeeper Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium DOHA: Head coach Felix Qassim Burhan, who famously 8:20pm: Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC at Sanchez (pictured above) stopped a second-half penalty Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium named the Qatar squad for kick by feared striker Rodrigo friendlies against China and Tabata to ensure title for ‘The GROUP B Palestine, The two interna- Cheetahs’. September 8 tional friendlies will be played All the 12 QNB Stars League 6:10pm: Al Sadd vs Al Shahania at on September 7 (China) and teams divided into two groups Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium 11 (Palestine) and both will battle out for the trophy. 6:10pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli at Thani matches will be held at This year’s edition will see a Bin Jassim Stadium Khalifa International Stadium change in format as the six- 8:20pm: Al Sailiya vs at Abdullah in Doha. team group stage will be fol- Bin Khalifa Stadium The national coach will lowed by quarter-finals instead use the friendlies to work on of four teams directly qualifying The opening day of the tour- square off with Al Kharaitiyat at The other Group B match in his players as Qatar prepares for the semi-finals like the last nament will see Round 1 clashes Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium Round 1 will be played between Al Gharafa won the 2017 for 2019 Asian Cup to be held season. in Group A while the Group B while Umm Salal will take on Al Al Sailiya and Al Khor. QSL Cup after edging out in the UAE in January next The Group A also include Al teams will be seen in action on Arabi in other match of the day. The quarter-finals of the Al Rayyan 3-2 in the final year. Duhail, Umm Salal and Al Arabi the following day. Top Group B sides Al Sadd tournament will be played on played at the Suheim Bin Sanchez named 25 and Al Kharaitiyat apart from Al Before the Group A clash and Al Rayyan will open their January 18 and January 19, 2019 Hamad Stadium, following players for the camp ahead Gharafa and Qatar SC. The between Al Gharafa and Qatar campaigns on September 8. while the semi-finals will be of the two friendlies. Group B comprises Al Sadd, Al SC at Suhaim Bin Hamad Al Sadd will meet Al Sha- held on January 25 and January heroics from goalkeeper In the 2019 Asian Cup, Rayyan, Al Sailiya, Al Khor, Al Stadium on September 7, pre- hania while Al Rayyan will take 26. The final of the tournament Qassim Burhan. Qatar will be playing against Ahli and Al Shahania. event favourites Al Duhail will on Al Ahli in their first match. will be played on February 22. , and North Korea in Group E.

QNB STARS LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 4 QATAR SQUAD Al Sadd, Al Duhail go neck and neck Meshal Barshm (goalkeeper), Pedro RANK TEAM MATCHES WINS LOSSES DRAWS PTS Miguel, Salem Al Hajri, , 1 Al Sadd 4 3 0 1 10 Abdul Karim Hassan, , THE PENINSULA Sunday while Al Duhail staged a bril- while Al Arabi are placed one spot 2 Al Duhail 4 3 0 1 10 , Hassan Al Haidos and liant fightback from two goals down below them, depending on the goal 3 Al Sailiya 4 3 1 0 9 (Al Sadd). Bassam Hisham Al Rawi, Sultan Al Brake, , DOHA: Al Sadd remained on top of to prevent a Qatar SC coup to a 3-2 difference. 4 Al Arabi 4 3 1 0 9 the points table ahead of Al Duhail on win. Sheikh Jassim Cup winners Al Abdullah Abdul Salam Al Ahraq, Abdul- 5 Al Rayyan 4 2 0 2 8 goal difference as both teams were tied Al Sadd’s Algerian striker Baghdad Rayyan are placed fifth with eight rahman Fahmi, Al Moez Ali (Al Duhail), on 10 points following their victories Bounedjah continued to be the QNB points after two draws and same 6 Al Gharafa 4 2 1 1 7 Yousuf Hassan (goalkeeper), Mahdi Ali, during the fourth round of the QNB Stars League’s top scorer with 11 goals, number of wins. 7 Umm Salal 4 1 2 1 4 Abdul Aziz Hatem and Ahmad Alaa, Stars League on Sunday. while team-mate Akram Afif Al Gharafa and Umm Salal are 8 Al Shahania 4 1 2 1 4 Hamad Al Obeidi and Abdul Karim A brilliant brace by Akram Afif increased his tally to six following his placed sixth and seventh respectively 9 Qatar SC 4 1 3 0 3 Salim Al Ali (Al Sailiya) Mohammed Alaa and goals from Algerian striker brace against Al Shahania. Boualem while Al Shahania and Qatar SC 10 Al Ahli 4 1 3 0 3 (Al Rayyan) Ahmed Fathi (Arab) Ahmed and Boualem Khoukhi was The Wolves’ other scorer. occupy the eighth and ninth positions 11 Al Khor 4 0 3 1 1 Moeen (Qatar) Mohammed Bakri (goal- keeper) (Al Khor). Khoukhi secured hosts Al Sadd a con- Al Sailiya, occupy the third spot in that order, followed by Al Ahli, Al 12 Al Kharaitiyat 4 0 4 0 0 vincing 4-0 win over Al Shahania on following a 2-1 victory over Al Khor Khor and Al Kharaitiyat. Coach: Felix Sanchez NBA stars blown away by facilities THE PENINSULA Los Aangeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (left) giving tips to a group of Aspire The visitors have not only Academy student-athletes during the NBA stars’ visit to Aspire Academy on Monday. been impressed by Aspire DOHA: Former basketball player Academy, they stressed that their and seven-time NBA All-Star overall stay in Qatar had been a Tracy McGrady, Golden State great time for them. Warriors shooting guard Klay “I think in order to have an Thompson and LA Lakers head understanding what Qatar is all coach Luke Walton visited about people have to come here, Aspire Academy in Doha because they are really doing yesterday. amazing things here. The people Besides the opportunity to are gracious and friendly and I find out more about the place in will definitely tell people back a guided tour, the three NBA home that this is a place worth stars used their visit to share visiting”, says Tracy McGrady. some experience with a group “This has been one of my best of Aspire Academy student-ath- trips ever.” letes on the basketball court. The NBA stars are spending “The combination sports and five days in Qatar at the invi- education here at Aspire is tation of the Supreme Committee something special. They are not for Delivery & Legacy (SC) to see only making great athletes, but how Qatar is preparing to host the educational component will the 2022 FIFA World Cup. From also shape them to become great Aspire Academy the NBA stars leaders and smart guys and so took a shot hop to Aspetar, they will have something to fall Rockets, New York Knicks and LA Lakers coach Walton, who philosophy. “The facilities for the about the sophisticated scouting Orthopaedic and Sports Med- back to just in case”, said the Detroit Pistons and who was had a successful playing career different sports are all nothing to and selection process and seeing icine Hospital, and were blown former shooting guard McGrady, inducted into the Naismith including two NBA championship none and it’s great to see so many all the opportunities they have away by the services and oper- who played for great teams such Memorial Basketball Hall of titles with his current club, was kids working and training here. here I wish I was a kid and could ations at the world renowned as Orlando Magic, Houston Fame as part of the Class of 2017. also impressed by the Academy’s I was impressed when I heard come here.” institute. TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 17 Ronaldo, Salah & Modric short-listed for FIFA Player of the Year award AFP title in five years in May before season for club and country. credentials as a potential winner joining Italian champions As well as his influential dis- of the award. Salah enjoyed a LONDON: was left Juventus in July. The 33-year-old plays in Real’s Champions League record-breaking first season with off the shortlist for the FIFA’s won the player of the year crown triumph, the Croatia midfielder Liverpool as his goals propelled men’s player of the yyearear awardaward inin 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 anandd was thet key man for his country Jurgen Klopp’s to the Champions yesterday as his old rivalval Cristiano 2017.2017. aass theythe reached their first World League final and set a host of indi- Ronaldo was named alalongsideongside JoiningJoining RonaRonaldoldo CupCup final,f finishing as runners-up vidual club landmarks. Luka Modric and Mohamedhamed onon tthehe sshortlisthortlist is hhisis toto FrFrance.a France’s World Cup-winning Salah. formerfoorme r RReal eal teateam-m- LiverpoolL and manager Didier Deschamps, Messi has dominatedated matematMdite MModric,odric, wwhoh o forwardforward SSalahalah hashas alsoalso ZlatkoZlatko DalicDalic andand ZinedineZinedine ZidZidaneane the award along with enjoyedenjoyed a superb impeccablei m p eccable werewere nominatednominated as thethe finalistsfinalists Ronaldo over the ppastast for FIFA’s coach of the yeyearar decade, but the Barcelonarcelona award.award. star has been omitteditted frfromom DeschampsDeschamps becamebecame jjustust the contenders list for thethe third man to win the the first time ssinceince World Cup as a player and 2006. coachcoach with victory over Dalic’sDalic’s CroatiaCroatia in RussiaRussia whilewhile ZidaneZidane ledled RealReal MadridMadrid to a thirdthird consecutive Cham-Cham- pionspions LeagueLeague win in MayMay beforebefore stesteppingpping down.down. TheThe bebestst After fea- turing in the top three for 11 straight years, Messi was overlookedd when the list was goalkeepergoalkeeper announced by football’sball’s prize is to bebe contestedcontested by Tot-Tot- world governingng bodybody tenhamtenham andand France’s HuHugogo Lloris,Lloris, yesterday. DenmarkDenmark anandd Leicester’s KasKasperper The 31-year-old Argentine Schmeichel and Belgium and Real Lionel Messi has not made was runner-up for thee prestigious goalkeepergoalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.Courtois. the cut for the FIFA Men’s prize in 2007 and 2008008 before TheThe 1010 nnomineesominees forfor thethe Player of the Year award winning it for the first of ffiveive times PuskasPuskas AwardAward ofof bbestest goagoall includeinclude in 2009. RealReal fforwardorward GarethGareth Bale’sBale’s for the first time in 11 years. Messi and Ronaldo,naldo, tthehe overheadoverhead kickkick in tthehe ChampionsChampions world’s two best players,ayers, havehave LeagueLeague final aagainstgainst Liverpool and The 31-year-old Argentine been engaged in a fascinatingcinating duel Ronaldo’s bicycle kick againstagainst for the sport’s top individualdividual anandd Juventus, scoredscored whilewhile hhee was stillstill was runner-up for the club honours for overr a dedecade.cade. withwith RReal.eal. prestigious prize in 2007 Between them, Messi anandd ThereThere waswas sosomeme consolationconsolation and 2008 before winning Ronaldo have won the CChampionshampions forfor Messi as hishis WorldWorld CupCup goalgoal League nine times aandnd have a againstagainst NiNigeriageria made the lislist.t. it for the first of five combined 14 domesticstic leagueleague Norway and Lyon’s AdaAda times in 2009. titles. Hegerberg,Hegerberg, DzseniDzseniferfer Marozsan Now Messi’s absencence fromfrom thethe ofof GermanyGermany anandd LLyon,yon, anandd ffive-ive- The award ceremony takes shortlist opens thee wayway forfor time winner MartMarta,a, of and Ronaldo, also a five-timeime winner OrlandoOrlando PriPride,de, were sshortlistedhortlisted place on September 24 of the award, to moveve ahead in Mohamed forfor the women’s pprize.rize. Salah in London. their personal battle. Luka TheThe award ceremoceremonyny takes Portugal forwardrd RonaldoRonaldo Modric placeplace on SeptemSeptemberber 24 at RoyaRoyall lifted a fourth Championsions LeLeagueague FestivalFestival HHallall in LLondon.ondon. Ronaldo remains Champions France face Germany REUTERS France coach Didier Des- A young France team beat World Cup 20 years after Les scoreless since champs said the injured Lloris Croatia 4-2 in a pulsating final Bleus lifted the trophy on home PARIS: France will return to the would be replaced on Thursday that suggested a changing of the soil in 1998. soccer pitch for the first time by Montpellier’s Benjamin guard in world football, with His team will still be “riding joining Juventus since being crowned World Cup Lecomte. Antoine Griezmann living up to the wave”, he said before cau- champions without their captain “Lloris is out for the next two his star billing and Kylian tioning that life moves on. AP and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris matches,” Deschamps told a Mbappe becoming the first “It’s what happens on the whenwhen thetheyy face a GermanyGermany team news conference without sasayingying teenagerteenager to score in a World Cup pitch that counts. TheyThey did what ROME: It’s been a frustrating lookinglooking to recover from their who his captaincaptain would bebe.. final since Brazilian Pele 60 they did. It was sublime. But now week for Cristiano Ronaldo. humiliatinghumiliating early years ago.ago. there’sthere’s a newnew adventureadventure wiwithth tthehe First, he was edged out by In Italian football there exitexit inin RuRussia.ssia. LesLes BleusBleus willwill faceface Germany Nations League andand tthenhen in former Real Madrid team-mate are different challenges. in thethe openinopeningg matcmatchh ooff UEFA’s MarchMarch withwith tthehe Euro 2020 quaqual-l- Luka Modric for UEFA’s player But he played a good NationsNations League,League, a new tour-tour- ifiers,”ifiers,” DeschampsDeschamps said.said. of the year award. game. It’s one of those nament designeddesigned mainmainlyly to Then he again failed to score rreplaceeplace friendly in Juventus’ 2-1 win at Parma - periods but I’m happy internationals.internationals. extending his goal-less start with what he’s doing. DeschampsDeschamps announceannouncedd with his new club to three The international break hishis 23-man ssquadquad lastlast matches. week, keeping faith in the “In Italian football there are will help him to become youthfulyouthful groupgroup that won different challenges,” Juventus sharper: Juventus coach France’s second coach Massimiliano Allegri said Massimiliano Allegri after Saturday’s match. “But he played a good game. It’s one of those periods but I’m happy different in Italy and I’m not with what he’s doing. The inter- saying that just because of the national break will help him to defenders we have here, but become sharper.” also the style of football. It’s On Thursday, Ronaldo was more tactical and even the the only nominee to skip the smaller teams are more UEFA awards ceremony in organised.” Monaco. Ronaldo scored 26 goals in “It’s true, Ronaldo was dis- 27 Spanish league appearances France’s Paul Pogba and Samuel Umtiti train with team-mates during the Russia 2018 World Cup in this file photo. appointed not to receive the last season. He also didn’t score best player award,” Allegri said. in his first three Liga matches a “He scored 15 goals in the year ago, though he did score Champions League and won the in other competitions for cup.” Madrid during that spell. Brazil’s Ronaldo buys majority stake in Valladolid Ronaldo left Madrid in the Still, the mere presence of offseason in a Serie A-record Ronaldo and the constant REUTERS €112m (then $132m) transfer, danger he creates have helped aim was to keep the team in the Spanish but he is still figuring out how Juventus win all three of its top flight. to score in a league known for opening matches. MADRID: Former Brazil striker Ronaldo “We want Real Valladolid to consol- its defensive qualities. Ronaldo’s 23 shots are the (pictured) has become the majority idate in the top flight and keep building “I think he’ll score at most most of any Juventus player and stakeholder in Spanish team Real hopes from there,” said Ronaldo. 25-26 goals this season, but cer- he has played all 270 minutes. Valladolid after buying 51 percent of the “It will not stop there because we tainly fewer than he’s accus- The five-time Ballon d’Or club from president Carlos Suarez. want to grow to where our hopes allow tomed to scoring in Spain,” said winner will be able to rest and The former Barcelona and Real us to.” Suarez will continue as club retired Juventus and Italy improve his physical condition Madrid forward paid around €30m president. defender Ciro Ferrara. during the international break, ($35m), according to Spanish media “The arrival of Ronaldo puts Val- “He won’t get more than 30 since he was not called up by reports. ladolid on the map and will allow the goals, in my view,” Ferrara told Portugal for the Nations Valladolid were promoted this season club to take a leap forward in quality. I Il Corriere di Torino. “It’s League. and the legendary Brazillian star said the welcome him to his home,” said Suarez. 18 SPORT TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2018

TOP 5 MOMENTS AT THE ASIAD Jakarta: With a glittering ceremony marking the end Record-breaking Cook to call time of the 2018 Asian Games, here are five top moments from the world’s second-largest multi-sports event:

- Falling standards - on England career after India series A flag blunder punctured Sun Yang’s joy at winning the 200m freestyle -- and prompted the Chinese AFP swimming star to demand a re-run of his victory months I have decided to surpassed mentor Graham Meanwhile, former ceremony. The triple Olympic champion was over- announce my retirement from Gooch’s previous England England captain Nasser joyed at winning his first gold of the Games, and all LONDON: Alastair Cook international cricket at the end record of 8,900 runs three Hussain described Cook -- was going swimmingly until the flags of China and (pictured) announced of this Test series against years ago. about to become a father for Japan came loose and crashed to the ground as Sun yesterday he would retire from India,” said Cook in an England Although it is a sad Gooch was also a prede- the third time -- as a “truly was belting out the national anthem from the podi- international cricket after the and Wales Cricket Board cessor of Cook’s as an Essex remarkable cricketer”. day, I can do so with um. After a delay, the ceremony began again, to tit- fifth Test against India, with statement. and England opener, as well Speaking to Sky Sports he England’s leading Test run- “Although it is a sad day, I a big smile on my as Test skipper. said: “To carry on this long... ters from the audience as three officials held up the scorer saying he had “nothing can do so with a big smile on face knowing I have “There are too many You’d think somewhere along flags, one self-consciously bending his knees as he left in the tank”. my face knowing I have given given everything and people to thank individually, the line you’d lose form or tried to adjust it to the correct height.

The 33-year-old Essex everything and there is nothing there is nothing left but a special mention must go fitness. Huge credit to the lad. left-hander has amassed left in the tank,” the four-time to Graham Gooch,” said Cook, He’s been England’s best - Stray cat strut - 12,254 runs at 44.88 including Ashes-winner added. in the tank: Alastair who is to continue playing for player.” Alec Stewart, another A humble cat stole the show on the opening day of 32 hundreds, while his run of “I have achieved more Cook Essex. former England skipper, paid the athletics competition when it made an unex- 158 consecutive Test appear- than I could have ever “As a seven-year-old I tribute to Cook’s robustness, pected appearance during the women’s 100m hur- ances is a world record. imagined and feel very privi- queued for his autograph telling BBC Radio: dles heats. The tortoise-and-white cat trotted non- But the former England leged to have played for such from playing in the garden as outside Essex County Cricket “That record of over chalantly down the track and onto the infield, as captain, who has played in 160 a long time alongside some of a child, and will never under- Club and years later was so 12,000 runs, if someone athletes and officials did a double take. Tests in total, has struggled for the greats of the English estimate how special it is to fortunate to have him men- breaks it they’re very, very It wasn’t the first animal intruder at a major sports runs recently and averages a game.” pull on an England shirt,” he toring me,” he said. good players, but it will take a event: a squirrel risked its life when it dashed in front meagre 18.62 from nine Tests Cook said it would be said. “Graham was my sounding long, long time to get there.” of a snowboarder at this year’s Winter Olympics, and this year. tough to walk away but that “So I know it is the right board, especially in the early ECB chairman Colin at Formula One’s 2011 Indian Grand Prix, a stray dog “After much thought and the timing was right. “I have time to give the next gener- years of my career, spending Graves hailed Cook’s “selfless deliberation over the last few loved cricket my whole life, ation of young cricketers their hour after hour throwing balls dedication”, saying he held up practice when it wandered onto the track. turn to entertain us and feel at me with his dog stick. He deserved to be remembered FACTBOX: ENGLAND OPENER ALASTAIR COOK the immense pride that comes made me realise you always as “one of England’s greatest - Two Koreas - *Born Dec. 25, 1984, in Gloucester, England. with representing your need to keep improving ever cricketerscricketers”. . A joint team of athletes from North and South Korea *The left-hander scored an unbeaten 104 on his Test debut against India at Nagpur in country.”y.” whwhateveratever you are trying to EnglandEngland have yetyet to reached an emotional women’s basketball final -- 2006, and made his one-day international debut against Sri Lanka in the same year. achieve.”achieve.” announce theirtheir squadsquad fforor tthehe before falling at the final hurdle in a tense match Gooch,Gooch, now thethe presidentpresident fifth Test at The Oval,Oval, which *Scored 766 runs in seven innings during the 2010-11 Ashes tour to help England to against China. Nevertheless, the Unified Korea team of England’sEngland’s ProfessionalProfessional starts on Friday,Friday, their first series win in Australia for 24 years. was a resounding success in Jakarta. The neighbours Cricketers’Cricketers’ Association, paidpaid butbut it wouldwould bbee *Scored 294 against India in 2011, his highest Test score to date, and was named as marched together at the opening ceremony and also tributetribute to CookCook bbyy saying: a mamajorjor sursur-- formed joint teams in canoeing, in which they the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test Cricketer of the Year. “Alastair“Alastair hashas beenbeen thethe priseprise ifif *Succeeded Andrew Strauss as ODI skipper in 2011 and as permanent clinched a gold and two bronze medals. The athletes rockrock of England’sEngland’s CCookook even learnt a thing or two about each other: one Test captain in 2012. Englandgland battingbatting forfor thethe lastlast wweree r e *Scored his 23rd century in 2012, against India, to break the record for most Test South Korean basketball player said she’d realised took ann unaunas-s- 1212 yearsyears since hehe omitted.omitted. that North Koreans aren’t “scary” after all. hundreds for England. Also became the youngest player to pass 7,000 Test runs and was sailablele 3-13-1 mademade hishis debut...debut... named as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year. lead inn ttheirheir HeHe is a ggenuineenuine *Led England to the final of the 2013 Champions Trophy, losing to India. He lost the five-matchmatch legendlegend ofof - Jokowi’s motorbike skit - one-day captaincy and a place in the 2015 World Cup squad after a poor run of form. series aagainstgainst EnglishE n glish The opening ceremony got off to a roaring start with *Captained England to a 3-0 home Ashes win in 2013, but a 5-0 whitewash Down India witwithh a cricket.”cricket.” a skit purportedly starring President Joko Widodo on Under led to criticism of his captaincy. 60-runn win in tthehe a motorbike doing stunts in Jakarta’s streets. With *Passed Graham Gooch’s 8,900-run tally during the 2015 series against New Zealand fourthh TTestest at the crowd whooping, he rode into Gelora Bung Karno to become England’s leading run scorer in Tests. Southamptonampton on stadium. The scene appeared to take inspiration from Sunday.y. *Led England to a surprise 3-2 Ashes win in 2015, and was named as captain of the the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olym- Butt CooCook,k, wwhoho ICC’s Test team of the year. pics when Queen Elizabeth II seemingly made a scored a centurycentury on *Ended 2015 as the year’s third-highest Test run scorer with 1,364 at dramatic entrance to the stadium by parachute along Test debutebut againstagainst with James Bond. an average of 54.56. India aatt NaNagpurgpur in *In May 2016, became the first English batsman and the 12th player from any country 2006, hhasas managemanagedd just - Son’s tears - to score 10,000 runs in Test matches. 109 runsns ffromrom hhisis seven *Stepped down as England Test captain in February 2017 after an embarrassing 4-0 After tears of anguish at the 2016 Rio Olympics inningsgs in thethe series at when South Korea were defeated by Honduras in the series loss in India at the end of 2016. 15.57.

*Led England in 59 Tests, more than any of his predecessors. He isis sixthsixth in thethe all-all- quarter-final, Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min *Cook is England’s most prolific Test batsman, with 12,254 runs in 160 Tests. time listist ofof lleadingeading Test sobbed with joy as his team was crowned 2018 Asi- run-scorers,core rs, havinghav aving ad champions. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride for Son as he played to secure a gold that would spare him a career-threatening stint of military service. But it all went to plan in the end, with a 2-1 Smith’s CPL win against Japan leaving Son beaming from ear to

Southampton victory: Root ear and poised to return to Spurs to see out his new stint ends with five-year deal. abdominal relishes best win as captain strain TOP 3 ATHLETES REUTERS Jakarta: From swim sensation Rikako Ikee to giant- REUTERS killer Anthony Ginting, take a look at athletes who LONDON: England’s Joe Root England’s Joe Root stood out at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia: said the 3-1 Test series victory celebrates an Indian MELBOURNE: Banned over top-ranked India was his wicket during fourth former Australia captain - Rikako Ikee - best win since taking over as day of the fourth Test in Steve Smith is cutting Teenage star Rikako Ikee scooped a Michael Phelps- captain last year and believes Southampton on Sunday. short his time with the esque six gold medals for Japan. The 18-year-old he is growing more Caribbean Premier won eight medals in all -- the most by any athlete at comfortable in the role. League’s (CPL) Barbados the Games -- and was declared the most valuable The hosts sealed a 60-run Tridents and heading player. victory in the fourth Test at home after suffering an But Japan’s new golden girl said that this is just the Southampton on Sunday to abdominal tear. beginning. “It gives me confidence knowing I can end India’s hopes of a Smith, serving a beat my Asian rivals, it’s a big step in the right direc- comeback in an enthralling 12-month ban from tion,” she said. “Now the plan is to become a world series. international cricket for The 27-year-old York- his part in the Cape Town champion.” shire batsman has been crit- ball-tampering scandal, icised by former players for missed the Tridents’ - Anthony Ginting - his soft-spoken nature, with defeat to the St Lucia Anthony Ginting stole Chinese shuttlers’ thunder to some suggesting he lacked the Stars and would play no give Indonesia some of its best moments of the composure to lead under further part in the Asian Games. pressure. But Root said the Twenty20 tournament, The 12th-ranked Ginting stunned Japanese world victory over India has given his team said. champion Kento Momota and reigning Olympic him confidence that his long- “He had a slight tear champion Chen Long of China before settling for term plans for the team were and he had to go back, so bronze in the men’s singles. Ginting’s teammate Jo- taking shape. things and I’ve got a real clear within a team, it makes it very with Curran in particular it’s a really unfortunate natan Christie won gold after taking down China’s “I feel like I’ve had quite vision of how I see us easy.” impressing on his recall to the situation,” Tridents Shi Yuqi in the opening round. a big input into what has been improving long-term,” Root Meanwhile, India skipper team by scoring 78 and 46. captain Robin Singh said. going on, felt in control of added. Virat Kohli said the England’s India’s Hardik Pandya, The injury is not - Lalu Muhammad Zohri - “We’ve got some guys “frustrating” lower order Rishabh Pant and Ravi- expected to prevent A sprinter who could barely afford shoes before who are very willing to buy batsmen proved the dif- chandran Ashwin managed Smith returning to into that, and are very real- ference as the hosts won the 48 runs from the same three domestic cricket later winning the 100m gold at the world junior champi- istic and understanding of fourth Test in Southampton spots, further highlighting the this month. Although onships in Finland is now Indonesia’s most popular where we currently are and by 60 runs for an unassailable batting woes of the tourists in banned from playing for athlete. Lalu Muhammad Zohri was already an inspi- I feel like I’ve had where we could really get to. 3-1 lead in the series. the series. his home state New ration to millions of national sports fans before he quite a big input into Asked if it was his best “It is quite handy to have “No team likes to see South Wales, Smith is made the cut for the 100m final in Jakarta. what has been going victory since taking over as guys who can strike the ball players getting runs lower scheduled to turn out for The 18-year-old placed seventh in the race but was on, felt in control of captain last February, Root well at six, seven and eight down but they have guys who his Sydney club side part of the silver-winning team in the 4x100m relay. told reporters: “Yes, I think it because you have nothing to are fearless and back their Sutherland on Sep- Hailing from an impoverished family, Zohri’s dilapi- things and I’ve got probably has been.” lose,” Kohli told reporters. skills,” Kohli added. tember 22. dated home was renovated on instructions from the a real clear vision “I hope it’s a big step in the “Once you get a part- “I would like to congrat- His ban ends in Indonesian president Joko Widodo after his achieve- of how I see us right direction and we can go nership going it can be frus- ulate Sam Curran, he has been March 2019 but he will ments at the under-20 stage. improving long-term: from strength to strength. trating for the opposition.” a nice find for England and he be suspended from lead- A rags-to-riches journey that inspired Indonesia to

When you have that under- England’s four batsmen in is doing really well for them.” ership roles for a further their best-ever finish iat Asian Games history: fourth Joe Root standing across the board and those three positions added The final Test of the series 12 months. place with 31 golds. there’s no selfish people close to 300 runs in the match starts at The Oval on Friday. TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 19 Nadal into US Open quarters AFP Coric, 21, saw his challenge undone by a right thigh injury NEW YORK: Defending which needed two visits by the champion Rafael Nadal on trainer as well as general unhap- Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during his men’s Sunday reached the US Open piness with the humidity of the singles fourth round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili quarter-finals for the eighth time Arther Ashe court. where he will face Dominic of Georgia on Day Seven of the 2018 US Open at the “To win in straight sets in Thiem, one of only three men to USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the every round is good for the body defeat him in 2018. Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New and physical condition,” said del World number one Nadal York City on Sunday. Potro. saw off a battling Nikoloz Basi- “But every round is a battle. lashvili, the first Georgian in a I just hope to keep my level high fourth round in New York, 6-3, against John in the next match.” 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4. Isner reached the quarter-finals “It’s a big victory for me,” for the first time in seven years said the 32-year-old Nadal, the and hailed the patriotic tour- champion in 2010, 2013 and nament atmosphere as a 2017. “jungle.” Isner, the 11th seed, is “He was hitting the ball very attempting to become the first strong and when I thought I was home winner since Andy in control of the points, he Roddick in 2003. always came back with strong “There were a lots of ups and shots.” It was world number 37 downs in the match. The atmos- Basilashvili’s strength, however, phere was like a jungle,” said which proved his undoing. Isner of the crowd on the new His 56 winners were erased Louis Armstrong Stadium by 59 unforced errors, three enjoying a raucous Labor Day times as many as Nadal. weekend. Elsewhere, Juan Martin del Isner, 33, who will become a Potro, the 2009 champion, beat father for the first time in two Borna Coric 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 to make weeks, said he will not fear del the last-eight for a third suc- quarter-finals for the first time French Open. “Thiem is a great last-eight comes despite horrible experiences,” said Potro even though he has lost to cessive year. with a 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) win over opponent, he has the big serve choosing to play European clay Thiem who turns 25 on Monday. the Argentine star seven times in The third seeded Argentine 2017 runner-up Kevin Anderson. and he had a big win today court events after Wimbledon “On clay, it’s one of the 11 meetings. will next face John Isner, the last The ninth-seeded Austrian’s against Kevin,” said Nadal who before then losing his only biggest challenges in sports to Their most recent clash saw American man standing, who three other appearances in the has made the last-eight of every summer hard court outing in beat this guy. I hope that it’s a del Potro triumph in straight sets defeated Milos Raonic 3-6, 6-3, last-eight of a Slam were all on Slam in the same year for the first Cincinnati to Stefanos little bit more comfortable on in the fourth round at Roland 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, taking his tour- Paris clay in 2016, 2017 and 2018. time since 2011. Thiem has unfin- Tsitsipas. hard court, but I’m not sure.” Garros this year. nament aces total past the Nadal leads their head-to- ished business at the US Open. He is the first Austrian in the Third-seeded del Potro made the “Why not me? Let’s keep 100-mark. head 7-3 with all of their matches Last year, he had two match last-eight at the US Open since last-eight for the sixth time going,” said Isner after firing 56 Thiem, who beat Nadal on coming on clay courts, including points against del Potro in the Thomas Muster in 1996. against Croatian 20th seed Coric winners past Raonic and 20 aces clay in Madrid in the run-up to in the final of Roland Garros in fourth round but fell in five sets. “Against Rafa, I’ve had three who was playing in his maiden taking his ace count to a tour- Paris, booked his place in the June when he captured an 11th Thiem’s progress to the very nice experiences and seven last 16 of a Slam. nament-leading 112. Vettel still prone to errors AP Last year, Hamilton publicly mistakes by Vettel, who crashed everyone in the team.” spoke about his rival’s apparent under no pressure while leading Vettel has not been helped MONZA, ITALY: Even after vulnerability under pressure as the rain-soaked German GP in by his Ferrari team making winning four Formula One titles, something he could exploit. That July and gifted victory and the errors, too, despite the team’s Sebastian Vettel is still prone to might work even better this championship lead to new-found speed. worrying errors. season, with the intensity Hamilton. In Hungary, Ferrari Vettel made some key mis- ramped up even further. Vettel and Hamilton are both botched the pit stops of Vettel takes last season, allowing rival “The heat is there and it is chasing a fifth F1 title to move and Raikkonen, while the Lewis Hamilton to win the title, unavoidable for all of us, for me level with Argentine great Juan decision not to invoke team and the Ferrari driver appears and him,” Hamilton said. “It is Manuel Fangio and go two orders in Monza was criticized to be throwing away his chances very difficult for people behind record-holder Michael as an “own-goal” by the this year, too. watching who are not naturally Schumacher. Italian media. Ferrari was quicker than in it to feel what we feel. The Ferrari has arguably had the Vettel was furious after Fer- Mercedes all weekend at the pressure is at its highest I can better car this season but Ham- rari’s rotation policy in quali- Italian Grand Prix, even ever remember. ilton and Mercedes still have the fying saw him miss out on pole Abraham Ancer of Mexico reacts on the 17th hole during round achieving a front row lockout in “That’s the pressure you put advantage in the drivers’ position after completing his three of the Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston on qualifying. That set the stage for on yourself, because you want standings. final lap in front of Raikkonen in Norton, Massachusetts on Sunday. what should have been Ferrari’s to succeed. That’s the pressure “The pressure is so high, all and giving his teammate a vital first victory at its home track of all your desires and all your I can do is really focus on trying tow. since 2010 and for Vettel to cut fears and also all the people who to deliver every single weekend, Vettel tried to pass Raik- further into Hamilton’s overall are depending on you, which is which obviously I’m trying to konen right at the start in Sun- Ancer upstages lead after winning the previous a lot of people.” do,” Hamilton said. day’s race but the move was race in Belgium. Vettel insisted he had not “I definitely feel I’m fended off by the Finn. However, an early mis- been at fault in the collision but extracting everything and more In contrast, Valtteri Bottas big names to judgment cost Vettel as he hit Hamilton pointed out that he out of the car, but these last sacrificed himself for the good Hamilton’s Mercedes and briefly and Ferrari driver Kimi Raik- races, considering we’ve defi- of the team again, waiting to lost control, dropping back to konen engaged in an identical nitely felt we’ve not had the come in for fresh tires so he 18th. Vettel eventually finished exchange later in the race with upper hand, we have been one could hold up Raikkonen and lead in Boston fourth but Hamilton won the both drivers exiting the chicane or two steps behind to then allow teammate Hamilton to REUTERS race and extended his advantage cleanly. finish ahead by one step, that’s close the gap after the British to 30 points. It was the latest in a series of an incredibly proud feeling for driver’s pit stop. MEXICO: Abraham Ancer upstaged the game’s big names to take a one-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton after the third round at the Dell Technologies Championship in Massa- chusetts on Sunday. The American-born Mexican birdied the first three holes en route to a six-under-par 65 at TPC Boston as he searches for his first PGA Tour victory. Ancer posted a 13-under 200 total while American DeChambeau vaulted into joint second place with a 63 that included a tap-in eagle at the par-five 18th. Englishman Hatton (69) joined DeChambeau on 12-under with a birdie at the last, where he almost holed his wedge approach shot at the end of an eventful day. Englishman Justin Rose (70) and Australian Cameron Smith (67) were two shots back on a crowded leaderboard. Ancer missed the cut at last week’s Northern Trust, but was not surprised by the turnaround. “There’s a very fine line from being right there fighting for the cut and fighting to win the tournament,” the world number 144 told NBC television. DeChambeau, the FedExCup points leader after winning the Northern Trust, gave himself a chance of going back-to-back. He was perhaps more excited at playing with Tiger Woods for the first time and outplaying his boyhood idol to the tune of five shots. “To play as well as I did, that’s something I’ll never forget,” DeChambeau said. “He’s been an inspiration for me.” Hatton, meanwhile, vaulted to the lead early but suffered a setback with a double-bogey at the par-four 12th, where his approach shot landed on a cart path and took a huge bounce into the woods. The ball was declared lost after a large search party could not locate it within the allowed five minutes. Rory McIlroy, Hatton’s European team mate for this month’s Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas (front) drives past Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel’s car after Vettel crashedh wit Ryder Cup, charged early but stalled over the closing holes for an Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton during the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale circuit in Monza on Sunday. ultimately disappointing 66 that left him four behind.