Pakistan’s Bilal wins Asian Tour 10-Reds Snooker PAGE 19 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

Chelsea end Liverpool’s perfect start as United suffer blow in Premier League PAGE 15 GOLF RYDER CUP We’re proud to bring Qatar glory again: Younousse

RAAJIV TRIPATHI DOHA

CHERIF Younousse and Ahmed Tijan had a big repu- tation on the line when they reached Satun, Thailand for the Asian Beach Volleyball Cham- pionships. The Qatari duo, however, took up the challenge and de- cided to raise their bar so high that their challengers can’t trouble them. This was what they exactly did in Thailand and returned after completing a grand Asian golden double. The Qataris, who were ear- lier teamed up with different partners, began playing to- gether this year under Argen- tine mentor and former world champion Mariano Baracetti. Younousse and Tijan left an enduring impression on the FIVB Beach World Tour, having won two bronze med- als – one at the home event in Katara (4-Star) and other at the Vienna Major (5-Star). In the process, they also gained a high 7th FIVB world ranking (based on best eight re- sults of the season). After the podium ceremony in Satun, Younousse said he is proud to bring again glory to Qatar. “It was a memorable fin- ish for us. We’re proud to follow up the Asian Games gold medal with the Asian title. It is the first time that any Qatari team has won it. “We played well and tried to keep our level high. We had to do this as we built up a mas- sive reputation for Qatar on the Qatar’s beach volleyball players Cherif Younousse (No. 1) and Ahmed Tijan celebrate with other members of their team and support staff after their 2018 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship win in Satun, Thailand, on Friday. FIVB World Tour and we didn’t want to give any chance to any- It was a memorable finish for us. We’re ship. China’s Wu Penggen and hard and keep getting more FIVB 2018 MEN’S TEAM RANKINGS body to dent it,” he added. Xu Linyin and Kazakhstan’s experience and exposure. “So we had to play hard. proud to follow up the Asian Games gold Alexey Sidorenko and Alexandr The 2020 Olympic Games are RANK PLAYER PARTNER COUNTRY POINTS That was the only option for us. medal with the Asian title. It is the first Dyachenko secured the similar our biggest target and we just 1 ALEXANDER BROUWER ROBERT MEEUWSEN NETHERLANDS 7040 Other teams tried their tough- time that any Qatari team has won it. feat in 2010 and 2014. can’t relax any more,” You- 2 ALEKSANDRS SAMOILOVS JANIS SMEDINS LATVIA 6960 est to trouble us but we man- Younousse says that the nousse said. 3 ANDERS MOL CHRISTIAN SORUM NORWAY 6460 aged to overcome all the chal- Cherif Younousse new season has started and The Yangzhou 4-Star dou- 4 PIOTR KANTOR BARTOSZ LOSIAK POLAND 6060 lenges and won the title. It is there are two big events lined ble gender is scheduled in Chi- 5 MARTINS PLAVINS EDGARS TOCS LATVIA 5860 feeling nice to win two big titles up next month and followed by na from October 10 to 14 and 6 ADRIAN GAVIRA PABLO HERRERA SPAIN 5800 in a row,” Younousse said. the Doha tournament in March then Las Vegas is all set to host Talking about the develop- support are key to our partner- to rise like this.” 2019. its first-ever FIVB World Tour 7 CHERIF SAMBA AHMED TIJAN QATAR 5780 ment as the team, he said, “We ship. More importantly we love Younousse and Tijan are “Now we’ve three big event from October 17 to 21. 8 GRANT O’GORMAN BEN SAXTON CANADA 5060 have improved and progressed playing together and we love to the only third pair in Asia to events and we’ll concentrate The Qatar Volleyball Associ- 9 MICHAL BRYL GRZEGORZ FIJALEK POLAND 5000 a lot as a team. We’ve gelled fight for each other.” have won both the Asian Games on doing well in those tourna- ation will stage the Katara Beach 10 OLEG STOYANOVSKIY IGOR VELICHKO RUSSIA 4780 well….Communication and “We just hope to continue title and the Asian Champion- ments. We just want to work Cup from March 12 to 16. (Updated till September 24) QREC enters into partnership with Qatar Airways for international racing events

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK France. said, “We are delighted with courses and historic homes of nership between QREC and horses has helped the airline to DOHA The list of events includes the partnership with Qatar Air- horseracing. The UK media Qatar Airways and we look build upon its already consid- also the Salon du Cheval ways as one of the world’s top has hailed the resounding suc- forward to more collaboration erable equestrian credentials THE Qatar Racing & Eques- d’Eljadida in Morocco, of airlines. The ongoing coopera- cess of the event this year and with Qatar Airways in favour and forge strong cultural links trian Club (QREC) has entered which QREC will be the Plati- tion between QREC and Qatar described it as one of the larg- of Qatar and Qatar’s equestrian with horse-loving communities into a partnership with Qatar num Sponsor for the 2018 edi- Airways in sponsoring horse est race meetings in the world. sport in general,” he added. around the world. Airways for cooperation in tion in October. race meetings will provide for This, in turn, adds to the part- On his part, Qatar Airways “We are delighted to work major international events as Such mega events are of successful racing events befit- Group Chief Executive, Akbar in partnership with the QREC part of QREC plans to enhance paramount importance for ting the reputation of Qatar’s Going Places al Baker, said, “Qatar Airways and to be associated as the relations with leading organi- QREC to reflect the bright im- equestrian sport. Qatar Air- has a long tradition of support- Official Airline Partner with sations in Qatar and in line age of Qatar and to highlight ways also contributes with a The resounding success of ing events which not only dem- major international eques- with the strategy developed by the continued support for the significant role in the shipping Qatar Goodwood Festival in onstrate excellence in sport, trian events such as the Dublin QREC Board to guide QREC equestrian sport by the coun- activities for QREC-sponsored the UK this year has been but which also showcase our Horse Show, Qatar Goodwood activities, including interna- try’s wise leadership. events overseas. described as one of the dedication to sport as a means Festival, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de tional race meetings and QREC The partnership with Qatar “We have had experiences largest race meetings in of bringing people together. Triomphe and the Salon du events overseas. Airways, in these events, helps with Qatar Airways’ associa- the world! “The Qatari affinity for Chev al,” he added. Under the partnership, the QREC realise their objectives tion with QREC, including the By harnessing innova- national carrier Qatar Airways worldwide and capitalise on Qatar Goodwood Festival in tion and excellence and will be associated with the an- Qatar Airways’ reputation and the UK, particularly in the last driven by profession- nual race meetings and events standing as a partner of QREC two years. Such association alism and integrity, sponsored by QREC overseas, in sponsoring such events. has been key to the success of QREC hopes to bring including the Qatar Goodwood Speaking about the part- the Festival, which saw phe- the joy of racing Festival in the UK and the Qa- nership, QREC Chairman Issa nomenal turnout at one of the and breeding to the tar PrixP rix d deelAe ll’Arc Arc de TriompheTriomphep inn bin Mohammed al Mohannadidi world’swoworldorld s momostossttbet bebeautifuleaautifautiutifu ifullral rarace- accee- wider public. Dedicated Befitting QatarQ Airways has a long TheT ongoing cooperation traditiont of supporting bbetween QREC and Qatar eventse which not only AAirways in sponsoring demonstrated excellence in horseh race meetings will sport,s but which also providep for successful showcases our dedication to racingr events befitting the sports as a means of reputationr of Qatar’s bringingb people together. eequestrian sport. QatarQ Airways Group Chief QRECQ Chairman Issa bin Executive,E Akbar al Baker MohammedM al Mohannadi Sports Sunday, September 30, 2018 17

FORMULA ONE: RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX Bottas upstages Hamilton for pole Vettel is third Valtteri’s day! AFP The Finn, who has strug- SOCHI, RUSSIA gled to keep pace with the defending four-time VALTTERI Bottas upstaged his championship-leading champion for much of Mercedes team-mate Lewis the season, relished the Hamilton with a dazzling lap in confines of one of his Saturday’s qualifying session to favourite tracks as he seize pole position for the Rus- sian Grand Prix. clocked a record lap in The Finn, who has strug- one minute and 31.387 gled to keep pace with the de- seconds. fending four-time champion for much of the season, rel- Happy, yet ished the confines of one of his favourite tracks as he clocked a wary record lap in one minute and 31.387 seconds. “I’m really happy, but it’s only the first step this weekend. It’s a massively long run to Turn One from I’m really happy, but it’s the start,” says Bottas. only the first step this weekend. It’s a massively long run to with Brendon Hartley of Turn One from the start. Toro Rosso, retirement- bound two-time champion Valtteri Bottas Fernando Alonso and his McLaren team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne, who sandwiched His late fastest lap lifted Sirotkin in 18th, and last man him ahead of Hamilton, who Lance Stroll in the second aborted his final lap after run- Williams. ning wide at Turn Seven, and It meant that, not for the put a grin back on his face as first time, two of the sport’s big- the Mercedes pair delivered gest and most famous teams, another front row lockout. multi-champions Williams and It was his second pole this YOU, ME & HE! Pole winner Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas (centre) listens to second-placed Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (left) next to third-placed Ferrari’s Ger- McLaren, had lost both cars in year and the sixth of his career. man driver Sebastian Vettel after the qualifying session for the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom circuit on Saturday. (AFP) the opening session. “Alright guys, good job that,” Bottas and Hamilton con- said Bottas, as he controlled his ed Bottas of the start of last alties that will mean they start tinued to top the times early feelings after the session. year’s race when Bottas, from Mercedes weighing up team orders after Bottas pole Sunday’s race from the back of in Q2, both taking the more “I’m really happy, but it's third, passed both Ferraris to SOCHI: Mercedes have a tough call to make on Sunday after Valtteri Bottas took pole position at the the grid along with both Toro durable ‘ultra-soft’ tyres, as only the first step this week- take the lead and win. “I just Russian Grand Prix with championship-leading team mate Lewis Hamilton starting alongside. Rosso cars and Fernando Alon- did the two Ferraris, as part end. It’s a massively long run to spoke to him so maybe we can Mercedes cannot afford to gift Ferrari anything, and nor do they want the risk of their drivers colliding so’s McLaren. of a plan for Sunday’s race Turn One from the start.” turn that around this time,” and throwing hard-won gains up in the air. On a bright blue-skied day strategy. After their opening Bottas claimed his maiden added Vettel. In championship terms it would clearly be better for Hamilton to finish ahead of the Finn but the out- by the Black Sea, Bottas began runs, the ‘scarlet scuderia’ Formula One victory in Russia Vettel’s Sauber-bound Fer- come of qualifying, at a track where overtaking has proved tricky, means a helping hand may be needed. by setting the early pace ahead trailed by nearly half a sec- last year and showed a clear af- rari team-mate Kimi Raikko- Team boss Toto Wolff made clear he would have to manage the situation. of the Ferraris until Hamilton ond each. finity with the track as Sebas- nen wound up fourth ahead “We are not in a part of the season where I would particularly enjoy two Mercedes cars racing each emerged to establish his su- Hamilton switched to ‘hy- tian Vettel of Ferrari, who trails of Kevin Magnussen of Haas, other at the front,” he told reporters. “As much as I hate to say that as a race fan, but you need to calcu- premacy again, trimming his per-softs’ and was significant- Hamilton by 40 points in the job-hunting Frenchman Este- late a little bit more at that stage,” added the Austrian. lap record, set in the morn- ly quicker before he aborted title race, took third. ban Ocon of Force India and The problem is that Hamilton has said he does not want to be gifted anything while the Finn needs ing’s final practice session, to the lap, under instructions, to “I messed up in the last sec- Ferrari-bound Charles LecLerc to feel that he is more than just a ‘wingman’ at the service of his four-times champion team mate. 1:32.410. avoid being required to start tor,” said a downcast Vettel. of Sauber. Hamilton has won seven races already this year and Bottas, last year’s winner in Russia, none. To the dismay of home on those tyres. “It was at Turn 15 and I think Sergio Perez, in the second “Lewis wouldn’t want it (team orders in his favour) because he wants to give it a go on his own and fans in the crowd at the Sochi The session, as a result, there were one and half or two Force India, was eighth ahead Valtteri wouldn’t want it because he needs that win that he didn’t have this year,” said Wolff. Autodrom, Russia’s only repre- was relatively insipid as the tenths lost, but not enough. of Romain Grosjean in the sec- “So it’s a very tricky decision to make and we will be discussing that tomorrow morning with both of sentative, Serge Sirotkin, spun two Red Bull drivers, Pierre “It was important to get as ond Haas and Marcus Ericsson them and as always come to a solution with the buy-in of everybody.” heavily and brushed the barri- Gasly of Toro Rosso who faces close as possible and it should in the second Sauber. The Sochi circuit has a long run-in to the first corner and Hamilton, who had been fastest in practice ers in the closing minutes in his a penalty, Marcus Ericsson of have been closer, but not The two Red Bulls did not and the first two parts of qualifying, said there was all to play for. However both will need no reminding of Williams at Turn Nine. Sauber and Nico Hulkenberg enough to be a threat.” qualify for the top-10 shootout, the fact that Bottas seized last year’s victory after a lightning start from third place. (REUTERS) This wrecked his hopes of Renault were eliminated Vettel said he had remind- knowing they face engine pen- and left him exiting along without much of a fight.

RYDER CUP Fleetwood, Molinari keep Europe on track as Team US struggles

AFP SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, FRANCE

TOMMY Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari propelled Europe into a commanding position with a rare sweep of their four pairs matches to give the hosts a 10-6 lead over the United States going into the fi- nal day of the Ryder Cup. Ryder Cup rookie Fleet- wood and Molinari became the first European couple to claim four points from their opening four matches, inflicting a pair of defeats on Tiger Woods in Saturday’s fourballs and four- somes at Le Golf National. They were just the sec- ond pairing to go 4-0 in team matches since 1979, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus (right) with Anett Kontaveit of Estonia after winning the WTA Wuhan Open on Saturday. (AFP) joining American duo Larry Nelson and Lanny Wadkins who achieved the feat at The Wonderkid Sabalenka supreme in Wuhan Greenbrier. After a 4 and 3 win over AFP The Minsk-born Sabalen- Kontaveit, whose im- Woods and a misfiring WUHAN, CHINA ka is projected to climb to pressive run to the final in- Patrick Reed in the morn- a career-best 16th after se- cluded a first-round upset of ing fourballs, Fleetwood and Team Europe’s English golfer Tommy Fleetwood reacts during his A dominant Aryna Sabalenka curing the Wuhan Open, a world number nine and 2017 Molinari thumped the 14- foursomes match on the second day of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf thrashed Anett Kontaveit 6-3, $2.7-million Premier 5 tour- US Open champion Sloane time major champion and National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, near Paris on Saturday. (AFP) 6-3 on Saturday to clinch the On the rise nament which awards 900 Stephens, found Sabalenka's Bryson DeChambeau 5 and 4 Wuhan Open in China, the ranking points to the winner. power too much to handle. in the foursomes. those 4 1/2 points we’re going the right things, and this is not biggest tournament win of Belorussian Aryna Sabalenka, Last month, the 20-year- “Her game was really ag- “We were really, really to need tomorrow, we’re going over till you’ve got the points her career. who was 111th in the world at old grabbed her first WTA title, gressive and I felt the pressure good this afternoon,” said to have to fight hard for them.” on the board.” The Belarusian cruised to this time last year, has winning the Connecticut Open, straight away,” said the 27th- Fleetwood. “We played really No European player has As for Woods, he has en- her second WTA title, facing rocketed up the rankings since which is one category below the ranked Kontaveit, who has solid, we played really well. But scored five points from five in dured a miserable return to little trouble from Estonia's and will now head to Beijing to Premier 5 tournaments. said her aim is to finish in the yeah, about the piece of history Ryder Cup history, with US Ryder Cup play after a six-year Kontaveit, who was unable to compete in the China Open, Her victory on Saturday top 20 at the end of the year. together, it’s very special.” trio Arnold Palmer, Gardner absence, losing all three of his reproduce the sparkling ten- hoping to continue her Wuhan not only made her the young- She was just too strong today.” British Open champion Dickinson (both in 1969) and matches in France to drop his nis she played on her way to Open form. est Wuhan Open finalist and The victory on Saturday Molinari, winless in two pre- Nelson (1979) the only golfers record in pairs events to 9 and the final. champion, but also the young- also means Sabalenka still vious Ryder Cup appearances to accomplish it. 19 with one draw. The 20th-ranked Sabalen- est player to win a Premier 5 has a slim chance to qualify – in 2010 and 2012, warned Bjorn, a vice-captain on “Everything feels pretty ka had often been unplayable tournament since Belinda Ben- for the WTA Finals in Singa- the job is not yet finished for the European team for the good. Just pretty pissed off, this week in Wuhan with her until 3-3 when her resistance cic won the 2015 Rogers Cup in pore next month. Thomas Bjorn’s side ahead of ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012, the fact that I lost three match- mix of aggression, clever was broken and the Belaru- Toronto at the age of 18. Six out of eight spots at Sunday’s 12 singles matches. knows his team cannot af- es, and didn’t feel like I played placement and a scorching sian took three games on the Sabalenka, who was 111th the annual tour finale are “We came here to do a ford to relax despite owning a poorly,” said Woods, on the serve, and left Kontaveit flat- trot to win the title. in the world at this time last still up for grabs. Only world job, and it wasn’t to go in the healthy advantage. winning side just once in seven footed several times as she “I try to be more calm on year, has rocketed up the rank- number one Simona Halep records books or anything like “History will show me and Ryder Cups. raced to take the first set. the court, not be aggressive ings since and will now head to and Wimbledon champion that, it’s about the team, it’s everybody on that team that “That’s the frustrating Kontaveit tried to fight with every shot,” Sabalenka Beijing to compete in the Chi- Angelique Kerber – who both about getting to 14 1/2,” said this is not over,” said the Dane. thing about match play. We back in the second set, match- said after her win. “I've started na Open, hoping to continue failed to impress in Wuhan – the Italian. “You go full bore tomor- can play well and nothing ing Sabalenka game for game thinking more on the court.” her Wuhan Open form. have secured their places. “We’re getting closer, but row. Get out there and do all can happen.” 18 Sunday, September 30, 2018 Sports English Premier League PSG brush aside Nice to equal 82-year-old Ligue 1 record

Nice coach Patrick Viei- Neymar scores ra threw on Mario Balotelli for the second half, but any twice despite hopes of a fightback were quickly punctured. ending the A minute after the restart, Di Maria released Mbappe game with a who raced through the visit- ing defence and evaded Beni- bloodied mouth tez and one defender. When his shot struck another Nice AFP player, the ball fell to Nkunku NICE, FRANCE who popped it into the goal. Nice finished the game PARIS Saint-Germain cruised with 10 men. Wylan Cyprien, to a 3-0 victory at Nice on a first-half substitute, earned Saturday to equal the record a second yellow for whacking of victories from the start of Neymar in the face with an el- a French top division season. bow while leaping for a head- Neymar, who ended the er. Cyprien went off, Neymar game with a bloodied mouth, continued, holding a bandage scored twice as PSG opened to his bleeding mouth. the season with eight straight wins, a feat that had only been achieved once, by Lille in 1936. With 24 points, PSG, chasing a sixth French title in seven seasons, are sure to end New feat the weekend at least eight Liverpool’s striker Daniel Sturridge celebrates with teammates after scoring his goal during the English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday. (AFP) points clear of their closest PSG opened the season with challengers. eight straight wins, a feat that PSG have lost this season, had only been achieved once, in the Champions League, by Lille in 1936. With 24 and with Red Star Belgrade points, PSG, chasing a sixth City moves atop as Reds visiting Parc des Princes on French title in seven seasons. Wednesday, coach Thomas Tuchel left Marco Verratti and Edinson Cavani on the In the dying seconds, bench and also experimented Mbappe again burst clear and snatch draw at Chelsea again with a back three. His squared the ball to Neymar team still dominated who tapped in his second. Nice goalkeeper Walter Benitez turned away early ef- Monaco slump again Sturridge salvages point at Stamford Bridge to keep Liverpool unbeaten in the League forts from Adrien Rabiot and Monaco slumped to their sixth Kylian Mbappe. Then Angel defeat in all competitions this DPA when they had seven. di Maria hit a post. season when they lost 2-0 LONDON “I can have complaints with In the 22nd minute, at Saint Etienne, a worrying quality and mental approach," Christopher Nkunku surged setback just days before they CHAMPIONS Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho down the right and slid the face Borussia Dortmund in the City moved top of the Premier said. ball to Mbappe, who com- Champions League. League table on Saturday thanks “You have to try always and pletely missed his shot. Monaco, runners-up in to a 2-0 win over Brighton. that is my nature as a football The ball was retrieved by Ligue 1 to Paris Saint Ger- Raheem Sterling and Sergio professional.” Moussa Diaby who rolled it main last season, remain Aguero scored the goals for City Mourinho claimed luck to Neymar and the Brazilian third from bottom of the as they moved top on goal dif- and refereeing decisions went curled his shot into the net table with just one victory – ference from Liverpool, who lost against his side. from 22 metres. achieved on the opening day their 100 per cent record but “One goal is offside, the sec- PSG wasted several of the campaign – to their remained unbeaten with a 1-1 ond goal is [an] own goal and chances before half-time and name. draw at Chelsea. the third goal is [the] referee's in the 44th minute Mbappe Friday’s loss was Mona- Tottenham are fourth after mistake," said Mourinho, sug- set up Neymar, who netted co’s second defeat of the week a 2-0 win at bottom side Hud- gesting it should have been dis- from close range only for VAR after they went down 1-0 to dersfield but Manchester Unit- allowed for a foul on Rashford. to show a marginal offside. Angers on Tuesday. ed are only 10th after a 3-1 loss "But for the next game we have at West Ham, leaving them with to have a better start.” 10 points from seven games, West Ham were in front equalling their worst-ever start within five minutes through to a Premier League season. Felipe Anderson and the own It took City almost half goal from Lindelof came at the an hour to break the defence Liverpool’s midfielder Roberto Firmino (left) vies with Chelsea’s midfielder Eden Hazard during the English perfect time for the hosts. of Brighton but after Sterling Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday. (AFP) Marcus Rashford pulled one scored the opener, City domi- back with 20 minutes to go but nated and Aguero sealed the less encounter. "Today we played against a Arsenal are fifth after a 2-0 Mark Noble played Arnautovic win with the second goal in the It looked as if Chelsea very aggressive team, so physi- win over sixth-placed Watford through for the third soon after. second half. would earn a second win over cal and yes, I'm so happy, so while Leicester are just behind After losing their first four “After seven games, we are Liverpool in four days, having pleased," Pochettino said. in seventh thanks to a 2-0 win games of the season, West Ham as consistent as we were last sea- knocked them out of the League "The attitude and how we at Newcastle. are now up to 13th, just three son," City manager Pep Guardi- Cup in midweek, but Sturridge fought and approached the Felipe Anderson, a Victor points behind United. ola said. curled a brilliant left-foot strike game was fantastic." Lindelof own goal and a third “We've had good results and “We were solid and conced- of his own into the top corner from Marko Arnautovic helped confidence is high," West Ham ed just one shot on target against for the equaliser. Results West Ham beat Manchester captain Noble said. Cardiff, Oxford and Brighton." Chelsea stayed third, two United and climb away from the “You can see how we played, Arsenal 2 (Cathcart 81-og, Ozil 83) Watford 0 Liverpool are level on points points behind, while Totten- Everton 3 (Sigurdsson 56, 89, Tosun 66) Fulham 0 relegation zone. we didn't come here to stay in with City after snatching a point ham are two points further Huddersfield 0 Tottenham 2 (Kane 25, 34-pen) United had only 10 points at shape, we came here to win and at Chelsea thanks to a brilliant back in fourth after a 2-0 win at Manchester City 2 (Sterling 29, Aguero 65) the same stage in 2013/14 but you could see that from the first Daniel Sturridge strike late on. bottom side Huddersfield. Brighton 0 a better goal difference under minute.” Newcastle 0 Leicester 2 (Vardy 30-pen, Maguire 73) Eden Hazard put Chelsea Harry Kane scored twice, West Ham 3 (Anderson 5, Lindelof 43-og, Arnautovic manager David Moyes - who Everton beat Fulham in front in the first half with once from the penalty spot, as 74) Manchester United 1 (Rashford 71) was sacked before the end of the 3-0 while Wolves saw off Neymar Jr (centre) of Paris Saint Germain celebrates with teammates a fine left-foot finish and both Mauricio Pochettino's men con- Wolves 2 (Cavaleiro 79, Jonny 87) Southampton 0 campaign. They have not made Southampton 2-0 in the day's after scoring his goal during the French Ligue 1 match at the Allianz sides had chances in a breath- tinued their recent run of form. a poorer start since 1989/90, other matches. Riviera Stadium in Nice on Saturday. (EPA) Juve score 3-1 win over Tiberkanine’s brace ensures Sailiya beat Arabi Napoli, extend lead Al Rayyan edge Al Shahania 1-0 Results DPA Napoli's reaction by being dis- with Rodrigo Tabata’s strike Al Ahli 1 - 2 Al Duhail ROME missed on 58 minutes after a Qatar SC 1 - 5 Al Sadd second caution, but Napoli Al Gharafa 0 - 2 Al Kharitiyath JUVENTUS bounced back to still had a chance when Calle- IKOLI VICTOR deaf ear to their calls. Umm Salal 1 - 0 Al Khor beat 10-man Napoli 3-1 Sat- jon had a shot saved by Wo- DOHA If the opening goal was de- Al Rayyan 1 - 0 Al Shahaniya urday as Mario Mandzukic jciech Szczesny. batable, the second in the clos- Arabi 0 - 2 Al Sailiya struck twice off Cristiano Ro- Leonardo Bonucci secured AL Sailiya eased to a 2-0 victory ing minutes of the game was naldo to help the champions victory on 76 with a close-range over Al Arabi and moved up to sublime as he struck the ball TOP SCORERS to a six-point lead atop the flick off a Ronaldo header. third in the league standings delightfully into the top corner B. Bounedjah Sadd ...... 14 Italian Serie A. At Rome's Stadio Olimpico, with striker Rachid Tiberkani of Masoud Zarei’s post. Akram Afif Sadd ...... 8 Y. El-Arabi Al Duhail ...... 7 Y. Juve have a maximum 21 Roma beat Lazio 3-1 in an in- finding the net twice in Week In the early kick-off at the Sagbo Umm Salal ...... 6 points from seven games as tense city derby to move up af- 7 of the QNB Stars League at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Al Abdulqadir Ilyas Sailiya ...... 5 the second-place Neapolitans ter a dismal start to the season. the Grand Hamad Stadium on Rayyan rode on a 40th-minute Nam Tae-Hee Al Duhail ...... 5 stayed on 15. Lazio captain Ciro Immo- Saturday. goal by captain Rodrigo Tabata Mahmoud al Mawas Umm Salal ...... 4 R. The guests came close when bile missed three attempts Sami Trabelsi’s men are to beat Al Shahania 1-0 at the Tiberkanine Sailiya ...... 4 V. Piotr Zielinski hit the post and before the Giallorossi found now just a point behind lead- Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Weiss Gharafa ...... 4 were deadly on a stuttering the net on 45 minutes from ers Al Sadd and Al Duhail on Al Shahania’s Argentinian Rodrigo Tabata Rayyan ...... 3 clearance as Dries Mertens substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini, 16 points with both having a striker Vazquez Luciano drilled Rachid Tiberkanine of Al Sailiya celebrates with teammates after Mohamed Salah Arabi ...... 3 flicked off Jose Callejon on 10 who flicked in with his heel match in hand. a low ball from the edge of the scoring his goal during a QSL match at Al Arabi Stadium on Saturday. Abdelhadi Ameen Kharitiyath ...... 3 W. Sneijder Gharafa ...... 3 2 (HANSON K JOSEPH) minutes. after Martin Caceres' botched The Moroccan's first strike Al Rayyan box as early as the M. TaremiGharafa ...... 3 The inspired Ronaldo clearance. was controversial as the referee fourth minute, but his shot was fired two harmless shots be- Immobile dispossessed a allowed proceedings during quickly snapped up by keeper match, Mohammed Alaeddin goal, but good pressure from fore providing a clinical cross dithering Federico Fazio to an infringement just outside Omar Barry in what was the found Tabata unmarked in the Reza Najafi saw the striker shot legs of Younes Darwish and for Mandzukic on 26 and was level on 67 but Aleksandar the opponent's box. With the first serious attempt by the visi- Al Shahania box, but later was just over the crossbar. beat keeper Al Amri before crucial also on the second goal Kolarov drilled home a free- Al Arabi players talking with tors. not allowed space to shoot by Tabata netted the only goal crashing into the net with a late of the Croat. kick before Fazio made the referee on the rationale for By the 10th minute, Al keeper Ahmad Al Amri who of the match after latching on dip. David Ospina only man- amends to clinch victory with the free kick, Abdulqadir Ilyas Rayyan racked up three consec- quickly punched the loopy ball to a loose ball following an indi- In the 76th minute, Luciano aged to deflect the Portuguese's a header on 86. quickly teed the ball for Tiber- utive corners but failed to pro- away for a corner. rect free-kick and slipped past swiveled inside the Al Rayyan long shot onto the post and Roma are now on 11 kanine to slot the ball into the duce a goal-threatening move In the 23rd minute, striker an Al Shahania defender before box, following a pass from Mandzukic pounced to com- points from seven games, sit- net on 23 minutes. There were as the Al Shahania backline re- Daniel Goumou trapped a long unleashing a curling low shot team-mate Mostafa Jafri, but plete the comeback on 49. ting one point behind fourth- protests by the Dream Team mained firm. loopy cross inside the Al Shaha- from the edge of the box. his low shot from close range Mario Rui weakened the place Lazio. Players but the official turned a In the 13th minute of the nia box. Goumou aimed for the The ball went through the was well grabbed by Barry. Sports Sunday, September 30, 2018 19 Attiyah gets ready for pre-Dakar shakedown in Rally of Morocco

Overdrive enter 9 Saleh al Attiyah, South Africa’s will co-drive the sixth of the Giniel de Villiers and Dutch- Toyotas. Toyota Hiluxes in man Bernhard Ten Brinke Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Seaid- the rally will be hoping for a successful an returns to competitive FIA test and an impressive show- World Cup action for the first TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ing in the Moroccan event that time since missing Rally Kaza- DOHA acts as a vital pre-Dakar Rally khstan. The Saudi was the rev- shakedown for the entire team. elation of the earlier rounds of OVERDRIVE Racing is mak- Attiyah was unable to de- the championship and finished ing its final preparations for fend his FIA World Cup title third at the Dubai Baja and in the company’s second busiest on this occasion. A couple of Qatar back in April. He will be week of the season after the mechanical failures cost him partnered by Russian naviga- Dakar Rally by fielding nine dearly in Qatar and Kaza- tor Alexei Kuzmich. Toyota Hiluxes in the six-day khstan after he had won Baja Frenchman Ronan Chabot Rally of Morocco. Russia and the decision to miss returns to the driving seat in Winner Mohammad Bilal of Pakistan and runner-up Brendan O’Donoghue with officials and guests after the podium ceremony of the Asian Tour The penultimate round of the Abu Dhabi Desert Chal- the eighth of the Toyotas with 10Reds Snooker opening event in Doha on Saturday. the 2018 FIA World Cup for lenge meant that his title bid co-driver Gilles Pillot and Cross-Country Rallies starts was over long before he and the all-Chinese crew of Yux- with a Prologue stage on French navigator Matthieu iang Liang and Kou Hongtao Thursday afternoon (October Baumel finished second at the round off the truly interna- 4), near Fes, and finishes on non-championship Silk Way tional Toyota team line-up in Bilal walks away Tuesday, after five desert se- Rally in Russia. Morocco. lective sections and 1,362 com- An injury to co-driver Overdrive Racing’s CEO petitive kilometres in a route of Robert Howie sidelined De Jean-Marc Fortin said: “Mo- 2,051km. Villiers prematurely in Qatar, rocco is one of the toughest Russian G-Energy driver but the consistent South Afri- events on the calendar and with title in Asian Vladimir Vasilyev and navi- can has been working on the equally an important test for gator Konstantin Zhiltsov are development of the Toyota the team before the Dakar. still chasing glory in the FIA Hilux behind the scenes and Vladimir is still chasing suc- World Cup. Vasilyev, 49, ar- the goal of continuing a string cess in the FIA World Cup, rives at the north-eastern of Dakar podium finishes will but we have a real emphasis Moroccan town of Fes trailing be boosted no end by a good on fine tuning and testing and Tour 10Reds opener series leader Jakub Przygon- result for him and new French leaving nothing to chance be- ski by 71 points in the Drivers’ navigator Alexandre Winocq fore all the focus turns to the Championship. in Morocco. final preparations for Dakar.” 19-time world champion Advani upset by O’Donoghue in the semi-finals While the Pole is the strong Ten Brinke teams up with A Prologue of 10km loops favourite to win the title for Frenchman Xavier Panseri in around the desert near Fes to TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the first time, 60 points are at the third of the Toyota Gazoo determine the opening stage DOHA stake for the winner in Moroc- cars, the Dutchman keen to running order for the top 10 co and a further 30 are on offer put in some competitive times crews on October 4th. MOHAMMAD Bilal of Paki- at the last round in Portugal before the Dakar in January. The first of the desert se- stan became the proud winner later in the month, so the Baja Poland’s Aron Domzala lectives starts out of Fes on of the first event of the Asian Spain winner - who finished holds eighth in the FIA World October 5 and is split into two Tour 10Reds Snooker 2018. third in both Hungary and Po- Cup standings after a mixed timed sections of 103km and At the Qatar Billiards and land during the summer - still season that included fourth 91km before arriving in Erfoud Snooker Federation Hall on has a mathematical chance of places in Spain and Qatar. He – an oasis town situated in the Saturday, the Pakistani cueist winning his second title. and fellow countryman Maciej Drâa-Tafilalet region of east- outclassed Ireland’s Brendan Overdrive Racing will also Marton crew the fifth car. ern Morocco. O’Donoghue 6-1 (49-42, 36- oversee the running of a trio The experienced Dutch- The second, third and 48, 47-1, 67-1, 54-23, 55-0, 59- of Toyota Gazoo Racing South man Erik van Loon returns to fourth selective sections of 0), churning out five impres- Africa Toyotas featuring the the hot seat for the first time 329km, 289km and 342km sive plus 40 breaks during his team’s latest innovations and since finishing sixth in Spain loop around Erfoud on Octo- triumph, which fetched him revisions. The entire team with Wouter Rosegaar. But ber 6, 7 and 8 and action draws $12,000. tested in the Moroccan deserts Van Loon also has a new co- to a conclusion with a fifth sec- O’Donoghue, who earlier in the days building up to the driver for his Moroccan chal- tion of 198km en route to the knocked out Indian stalwart event and Qatar’s Nasser bin lenge. Harmen Scholtabers finish in Fes on October 9. Pankaj Advani, a 19-time Mohammad Bilal of Pakistan in action during the final of the first event of the Asian Tour 10Reds Snooker world champion, 5-0 in the Championship in Doha on Saturday. (Right) Bilal with the winner’s trophy and cheque. semi-finals, was rewarded with $6,000 for his runner-up fin- black in centre pocket and suc- From there he recovered once lost to Thailand’s Tanawat ish. Bilal advanced to the final ceeded to take 1-0 lead. again and snatched two more Tirapongpaiboon 7-3 and with a tight 5-4 triumph over Brendan countered him frames to lead 4-3. But Che- bagged the silver medal. Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka Wai. in second frame with a decent ung was relenting to give away He was also part of Pa- Bilal was required to bring break of 48 points to bring that easy and he won eighth kistan-2 team that won the his best right in the first frame himself back into the game. frame to set decider. bronze medal in the Asian after the Irish player had built Though that was the only In the last frame, Bilal held Team Snooker Championship. up a good lead but missed frame for Brendan as after his nerve better and restricted The gold in Asian Team Cham- a simple yellow for the col- that Bilal posted two breaks of Cheung to just one point to pionship was won by Paki- our clearance. For Bilal, yel- 46 and 42 in next two frames beat him 62-1 and win 5-4. stan-1 team comprising Babar low and green were perfectly to take 3-1 lead. On the other hand, Masih and Mohammad Asif. placed and he faced no prob- Bilal was in brilliant form O’Donoghue claimed the big- lem in potting that. and exhibiting quality potting gest victory of the champion- RESULTS Though brown was slightly to score almost from every- ship by defeating Advani 5-0. tricky, he still played fantastic where. Such efforts helped him Full marks to Brendan that he FINAL shot to take that brown and in frame wins and he scored played very sensible through- Mohammad Bilal (Pakistan) beat Brendan O’Donoghue (Ireland) 6-1 (49-42, 36-48, 47-1, maintained proper position two more breaks towards the out the match knowing the 67-1, 54-23, 55-0, 59-0) for blue followed by pink and end curtailing Brendan on strengths of Advani. black to tie the score. zero score to win the title 6-1. He constantly kept Advani SEMI-FINALS In black re-spot, Bilal Bilal faced a stiff compe- on the back seat and claimed Brendon O’Donoghue (Ireland) beat Pankaj Advani (India) 5-0 (48-1, 61-8, 48-37,71-41, 66-25) asked Brendan to break, which tition against Cheung in the frames after frame to knock he played standard safety shot. semi-finals. He started like a the tournament favourite out. Mohammad Bilal (Pakistan) beat Cheung Ka Wai Though Bilal wasn’t interested champion but after winning Bilal had earlier played the (Hong Kong) 5-4 (45-24, 60-20, 0-51, 37-50, in spending much time in safe- first two frames, he struggled final of Asian 6 red snooker 17-53, 51-15, 50-0, 28-57, 62-1) ty, he attempted to double the and went down to trail 2-3. championship in which he Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah of Qatar: Hoping to get good results in the Rally of Morocco.

ICC announces QFA, SHELL HOST TWO-DAY KOORA TIME WORKSHOP Dhawan left out updated version of DLS System, of India's squad Code of Conduct for Windies Tests IANS DUBAI AFP NEW DELHI Uncapped batsman THE International Cricket Mayank Agarwal and rook- Council (ICC) on Saturday re- OPENING batsman Shikhar ie fast bowler Mohammed leased the updated version of Dhawan has been dropped Siraj were included in the the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern from India's Test squad for the 15-man team that will be (DLS) System along with the upcoming West Indies series, led by Virat Kohli, who was new ICC Code of Conduct and the country's cricket board an- ICC Playing Conditions. nounced Saturday. rested in the recent Asia These will come into effect Dhawan had a forgettable Cup 50-over tournament from Sunday (September 30), England tour with the left- won by India when the first ODI between handed opener managing just South Africa and Zimbabwe 162 runs in eight innings as will be played in Kimberley, top-ranked India lost the Test The first Test will be held in according to an ICC statement. series 1-4. Rajkot starting October 4, with This is the third version but Uncapped batsman May- the second in Hyderabad from second update of the DLS Sys- ank Agarwal and rookie fast October 12. tem since its introduction into bowler Mohammed Siraj were The two teams will also play international cricket in 2014 included in the 15-man team five one-day international and and has been carried out fol- that will be led by Virat Kohli, three Twenty20 matches after lowing a detailed ball-by-ball who was rested in the recent the Test matches. The world's analysis of scoring patterns, Asia Cup 50-over tournament top Test side will then head to including in the Powerplays, in won by India. Australia for a full series start- all limited overs internation- The national selectors de- ing in November. als played during the previous cided to rest fast bowlers Jas- four years. In preparation for the start of season 7 of prit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar TEST SQUAD Meanwhile, there are some the Koora Time programme, the Qatar Foot- Kumar due to their "recent of the new offences and the ball Federation and Shell Qatar organised a workload", the Board of Control INDIA’S TEST SQUAD change in level of some exist- two-day training workshop for participating for Cricket in India (BCCI) said Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, ing offences in the ICC Code of trainers. The aim of the programme is to Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya encourage young men and women aged 6 in a statement. Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Conduct for Players and Player "Both Ishant Sharma and Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Support Personnel, which will to 17 years to follow healthy habits Hardik Pandya were not con- Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed also be introduced from Sunday. through exercise and football. sidered for selection, as they Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, These were approved by the ICC are yet to recover from their in- Shardul Thakur Board during the Dublin Annual juries," the BCCI added. Conference on July 2.