Tabata Impresses Sadd Coach Xavi with His Contribution ‘We Created More Chances Today, but What Was More Important Is That We Converted Those Chances’

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Sunday, September 20, 2020 CYCLING Safar 3, 1442 AH Pogacar poised GULF TIMES to win title aft er shock turnaround SPORT Page 7 FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Tabata impresses Sadd coach Xavi with his contribution ‘We created more chances today, but what was more important is that we converted those chances’

By Sports Reporter Doha

eteran Rodrigo Taba- ta played only about 20 minutes for Al Sadd during their VAFC Champions League match against Al Ain on Friday, but his contribution to the team’s cause left everyone singing his praises. Al Sadd coach Xavi was par- ticularly pleased how the midfi eld tactician of Brazilian and Japanese heritage made an instant impact on the game after coming in as a substitute in the 73rd minute. Tabata, who is two months shy of his 40th birthday, showed his class with some deft touches before putting the match to bed managed to play a big game. We the loss is 4-0, the margin of the with an 86th minute goal that succeeded in correcting the mis- loss does not matter because we gave Al Sadd a 4-0 victory and a takes from the fi rst match and we wanted all the game’s points. Al spot in the last 16 of the conti- got three important points for Sadd deserved their win and re- nent’s premier tournament. the team’s campaign.” gardless of any reasons we can- Earlier a brace from Algeria The Qatari international not debate the fact that it is a international striker Baghdad added: “The next match will be well-deserved win. They are a Bounedjah and a full-stretch tougher, and we must continue to great team with a good squad of tap-in by Akram Afi f had given work and be focused, and strive players who score in every game.” Al Sadd a comfortable three-goal for victories, in order to continue “Regardless of the result, I cushion that had completely de- our progress in the tournament can say I am proud of how my moraliszed Al Ain. as required.” team played. Having not played a At 39 years 10 months, Tabata Rodrigo Tabata (right), who is two months shy of his 40th birthday, scored Al Sadd’s fourth goal in the 86th minute in the 4-0 win over Al Ain in Meanwhile, Al Ain manager match in six months, my players became the second oldest scorer in the AFC Champions League on Friday. (Right) Al Sadd coach Xavi. (Twitter/TheAFCCL and Noushad Thekkayil) Pedro Emanuel on the other hand proved their ability. We will play the history of the AFC Champions conceded defeat and believed the the next match with pride and we League behind Jeonbuk Hyundai chances and in general, I am hap- today. He is a great example to ond half we showed a better level best in the next stage.” Qatar Stars League side deserved will try to get the points.” Motors’ Lee Dong-gook. py with how the players are im- everyone in the team.” and succeeded in winning 4-0.” Al Sadd defender Khoukhi the win. Matchday Five sees Al Sadd “We are happy because of the proving with each game played. Afi f also expressed his delight He added: “The team played in Boualem described the 4-0 vic- “In my opinion, we played well come up against Al Nassr with way we played, everyone from Luck was also on our side today. after Al Sadd’s 4-0 victory over a balanced formation that made tory as a well-deserved result. and had a few chances to score the top spot in Group D up for defence to attack played excep- We deserved the win as much as Al Ain. things easy and gave us a de- Speaking after the game, but as things go in tournaments grabs for both sides, while Al Ain tionally well,” said Xavi. we did the last time out. In his comments after the served victory.” Khoukhi said: “This win gave us a like these, whoever scores fi rst is come up against Sepahan FC, “We created more chances to- “I am happy with what Tabata match, Afi f said: “The match was Akram also stressed that great boost for our morale before most likely to win,” said Emanuel. who are clinging on the slightest day, but what was more impor- has done. He has done well in diffi cult in the fi rst half. We went the competition is still ongo- the next matches.” “I cannot talk about the result, of chances left for progressing to tant is that we converted those training and deserved to score ahead with a goal, but in the sec- ing, and said: “We hope for the “We performed well, and we there is not much to say when the Round of 16.

FOOTBALL / ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Qatar maintain 55th spot Man Utd stunned by Palace, Leeds win thriller in world AFP Beek came off the bench and the was sent to the stands after London, United Kingdom former Ajax midfi elder reduced storming onto the pitch for a fu- rankings the defi cit with a debut goal in rious rant at referee Mike Dean. the 80th minute. Matheus Pereira equalised Qatar have maintained anchester United But Zaha, who endured a dif- for Albion after the interval, but their 55th spot in the suff ered a miserable fi cult spell at United before re- Michael Keane restored Ever- latest FIFA rankings. Al start to their Premier joining Palace, showed why the ton’s lead and Calvert-Lewin Annabi have a tally of League campaign Eagles are so keen to keep him sealed the points with his second 1396 points compared to Mas Wilfried Zaha fi red Crystal amid speculation over his future and third goals. 1413 points for Cameroon Palace to a shock 3-1 win at Old as the Ivory Coast winger lashed After a summer spending who are ranked 54. Traff ord, while Leeds beat Ful- home in the 85th minute. spree, Ancelotti is under pres- Finland are slotted at ham 4-3 to earn their fi rst top- For the fi rst time in six years, sure to deliver a big improvement 56th place with 1390 fl ight victory since 2004 yester- United were beaten in their on last season’s 12th place fi nish points. day. opening league game. and the early signs are promis- After a more than six- On the second weekend of It was a chastening start to ing. month hiatus due to the the new campaign, United were the season for United, who have Having beaten Tottenham in Covid-19 pandemic, inter- playing for the fi rst time after come under fi re from fans frus- their opening game last week- national matches have being given an extra week of rest trated at their relatively modest end, Everton have started a Pre- finally re-commenced due to their involvement in the transfer outlay compared to their mier League season with consec- with the UEFA Nations latter stages of last season’s Eu- title rivals. utive victories for the fi rst time League games across ropa League. since 2012-13. Europe at the beginning But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s FREE-SCORING LEEDS “Of course today Dominic was of September, which had lethargic side were well below At Elland Road, promoted Leeds the top scorer but also Richarli- an immediate impact on their best and Palace took full were involved in another eye- son did really well, the combina- the world rankings. advantage thanks to Andros catching encounter in their fi rst tion in front was good,” Ancelotti But there has been no Townsend’s seventh minute top-fl ight home match for 16 said. change among the lead- strike and Zaha’s 74th minute years. “They are supported by James, ing quartet – Belgium, penalty against his former club. After losing 4-3 at champions Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (left) shoots to score their third goal during the English Premier League who is doing really well. I’m sat- France, Brazil and Eng- There was a hint of controver- Liverpool on the opening week- match against Crystal Palace at Old Traff ord in Manchester, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) isfi ed in front, we have to do bet- land remain the top four sy about Zaha’s goal as VAR ruled end, Helda Costa fi red Marcelo ter at the back.” in that order. Victor Lindelof had handled Bielsa’s free-scoring side ahead Bamford steered a right-footed Leeds’ opening games have seen and James Rodriguez put Ever- Portugal have moved into Jordan Ayew’s shot even though in the fi fth minute. fi nish into the bottom corner. 14 goals, which is the most for a ton ahead with his fi rst Premier RESULTS the top five thanks to vic- the ball was hit with force at him Fulham striker Aleksandar Leeds struck again six minutes top-fl ight side’s fi rst two matches League goal before Albion im- Everton 5 (Calvert-Lewin 31, tories over Croatia (8th, from close quarters. Mitrovic equalised from the pen- later with a superb strike from since Wolves in 1962-63. ploded. 62, 66, James 45, Keane 54) West down two) and Sweden David De Gea saved Ayew’s alty spot in the 35th minute after Costa. At Goodison Park, Dominic Kieran Gibbs was dismissed Brom 2 (Diangana 10, Pereira 47) (18th, down one). spot-kick, but VAR intervened a foul on Joe Bryan. Fulham pulled one back in Calvert-Lewin hit a hat-trick in for pushing James in the face in Leeds 4 (Costa 5, 57, Klich In Asia, Qatar are ranked again to order a retake as Unit- Bryan was penalised himself the 62nd minute through Bobby Everton’s 5-2 win over 10-man fi rst half stoppage-time, a rash 41-pen, Bamford 50) Fulham 3 fifth. Japan, ranked 28th ed’s keeper had strayed off his for his shove on Patrick Bam- Decordova-Reid and Mitrovic’s West Bromwich Albion. reaction that prompted him to (Mitrovic 35-pen, 67, Decordova- in the world, are the top line and this time Zaha converted ford and Mateusz Klich restored towering header four minutes Carlo Ancelotti’s side fell be- issue a post-match apology tak- Reid 62) team in Asia, while Iran from the spot. Leeds’ advantage with a 40th later set up a tense fi nale, but the hind to Grady Diangana’s early ing “full responsibility” for his Manchester United 1 (Van are second, South Korea United’s only major close- minute spot-kick. promoted Cottagers fell to a sec- goal. mistake. de Beek 80) Crystal Palace 3 third and Australia fourth. season signing Donny van de In the 51st minute, Patrick ond successive defeat. But Calvert-Lewin equalised Then Albion boss Slaven Bilic (Townsend 7, Zaha 74-pen, 85) Gulf Times 2 Sunday, September 20, 2020 FOOTBALL

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Al Shorta eye Lucescu calls for history in decisive Esteghlal clash AFC in the Matchday Three fi xture Doha against Al Ahli, but coach Shahd will be without the services of Hilal intensity in talismanic midfi elder Mohamed ead coach Abdulghani Qassim who suff ered an injury in Shahd has his eyes set the previous match. on writing history for “Mhawi is one of the options Iraqi football as his Al available to us again, but we fo- ShortaH side take on Esteghlal in cus on playing as a team, rather a do-or-die Group A clash, with on individual players. As for the winners earning a place in the Qassim, he is a talented player Shahr Khodro tie 2020 AFC Champions League who off ers us a lot of individual Round of 16. solutions, missing him is a blow Al Hilal, reigning champions, are a win away from reaching the next round A win for the Baghdad-based to our team, but I have faith in all side or a score draw with more players in my squad,” Shahd said. AFC win could vastly improve our than a goal will be enough to seal Esteghlal return to action for Doha chances of progression,” said progress to the knock-out stage; their fi rst game after the restart, Zaragoza. a feat no Iraqi team in the history and the two-time Asian Club “Each game has its own cir- of the AFC Champions League Championship winners need l Hilal head coach cumstances. Yes, I was not has achieved. four points from their next two Razvan Lucescu chal- present in the fi rst two group Al Shorta beat Saudi Arabia’s games to reach the knock-out lenged his players to stage games, but I know the Al Ahli in their Matchday Four stages for the third time in four maintain their intensi- weather was bad in the fi rst fi xture to move up to second, years. tyA ahead of their Matchday Five game against Pakhtakor, and Al but having drawn Esteghlal 1-1 “Al Shorta are a very good and encounter against Shahr Khodro Hilal’s players’ brilliance decid- at home in their opening match, powerful team; we played against FC who sit bottom of the 2020 ed the second game. Pakhtakor losing to the Iranians on Sun- them in Iraq and it was 1-1,” said AFC Champions League Group are a good team and are diffi cult day will leave them bottom of head coach Majid Namjoo-Mot- B. to face, they have a good squad the group, as will a goalless draw lagh. Iran’s Shahr Khodro have and a good manager.” should Esteghlal manage to beat “The Al Shorta team we play been eliminated early on in Pakhtakor head coach Shota Al Ahli in the fi nal match of the against tomorrow are even bet- their maiden appearance in the Arveladze is aware his team face group. ter than in the fi rst game; they competition after suff ering four a diff erent Shabab Al Ahli side “This match is a crossroads are already more experienced in consecutive defeats, while Al to the one they defeated on the for both teams. I had previously the competition now and have Hilal, the reigning continental opening matchday of the com- said this match is the decider and momentum on their side, but we champions, are just a win away petition seven months ago. we simply have to win it to avoid prepared well and we are ready from joining domestic rivals Al “This game will be vital, but waiting for the last game,” said a to take them on and move to the Ahli and Al Nassr in the round in a larger context the fi nal two defi ant Shahd. next stage.” of 16. matches are always important. I “We can make history and be- “We will miss Siavash Yazdani Al Hilal coach Razvan Lu- will work on moulding the phys- come the fi rst Iraqi team to reach who is injured, but all other play- cescu’s biggest challenge will ical and tactical aspects of my the Round of 16 and this is the ers are in a good condition. We be selection, although AFC have team,” said Arveladze. objective for all of us. The group are going in with all our power approved the registration of “We played against Shabab permutations are a bit compli- because we want to make the two goalkeepers in response to Al Ahli in the fi rst match of the cated; we know that if we draw, millions of our fans in Iran and a crisis that has seen the squad group and it was raining in Uz- Al Ahli will have the top spot abroad happy. If we get a 0-0 severely trimmed due to sev- bekistan. The fi rst half saw some secured and might fi eld a weak- draw, we can still qualify, but our eral players testing positive for good performances but there was ened team against Esteghlal on objective is to win both games Covid-19. Abdullah al-Bishi and a downpour in the second half, so Matchday Six, so we want to stay and qualify as top of the group.” Ahmad al-Jubaya have come in performances were aff ected. away from these permutations Al Wahda’s withdrawal from to replace Mohamed al-Wakid “Shabab Al Ahli have changed and focus on winning the next Group A after failing to travel to and Nawaf al-Ghamdi. a lot since our last match – some game.” Qatar meant Al Ahli were able to “We have to keep going with players have left and others have Al Shorta welcome back Iraqi seal qualifi cation on Matchday the same intensity, we have a come in such as Eduardo, who international right-back Alaa Three, leaving Al Shorta and Es- huge shot at qualifi cation, but Al Hilal coach Razvan Lucescu. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil has not played much in the two Mhawi from suspension. The teghlal to battle for the remain- the job is not done yet, and we previous games and was in a 24-year-old had been sent off ing Round-of-16 ticket. also want to top our group,” said challenge ahead will play.” pions League campaign so we by only one point — Pakhtakor diff erent position than what we Lucescu. While Al Hilal have it all to are gaining a lot of experience sit second with seven points saw with Al Hilal. I believe it will “The changes we have made play for today, their opponents which will help us in the Iran Pro after four games while Shabab be an exciting match though ab- UPDATE to our line-up have forced us to are eyeing more long-term ben- League next season,” said Shahr Al Ahli’s late resurgence took solutely crucial for us.” play in a way diff erent from the efi ts as they hope their fi rst ex- Khodro assistant coach Mo- their tally to six points from four one we are used to. We like to perience of continental football hamed Navazi. matches. TODAY’S FIXTURES control possession and attack will help them when they return Shabab Al Ahli lost to Pakhta- Group A at Khalifa International Neymar to lead to create as many chances, but home at the end of the group SHABAB AL AHLI, kor 2-1 in their opening game Stadium in the last game we were forced stage. PAKHTAKOR IN A MUST-WIN of the campaign but have since 9pm: Esteghlal (IRN) vs Al to sit back and hit on the break “Luck was not on our side in CLASH undergone a managerial change Shorta (IRQ) Brazil in World Cup when we got the ball. the previous two games. We are In the second Group B match of with Spaniard Gerard Zaragoza “The current predicament we now focusing on working for the day, Shabab Al Ahli and Pa- replacing Argentine Rodolfo Ar- Group B at Al Janoub Stadium are facing will not allow us to the future, and we must do our khtakor have it all to play for with ruabarrena. 6pm: Shahr Khodro (IRN) vs Al qualifying rest the players that have given best against Al Hilal. We have the two sides in direct competi- “We will go into this game as if Hilal (KSA) a great deal of eff ort in the past a lot of young players, and this tion for a Round-of-16 ticket. it were a fi nal because a loss here 9pm: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) vs two games, whoever is up for the was our fi rst ever AFC Cham- The two sides are separated will mean elimination, while a Pakhtakor (UZB)

FOCUS Bale seals return to Tottenham Reuters pions League winners’ medals in London, United Kingdom his fi rst season with Los Blancos. Liverpool sign Bale was also part of two La Liga title-winning sides. Portugal winger areth Bale completed a But he divided opinion among Jota from loan move from Span- the Madrid club’s fanbase and Wolves ish champions Real local media who criticised his PSG’s Brazilian forward Neymar (centre) attends the Ligue 1 match Madrid back to his perceived lack of commitment Liverpool have completed against Metz in Paris, France, on Wednesday. (AFP) Gformer club Tottenham Hotspur and injury record, although a the signing of Portugal yesterday as the Wales forward spectacular overhead goal in forward Diogo Jota from AFP mate Thiago Silva, who signed ended an increasingly fractious the 2018 Champions League fi - Wolverhampton Wanderers Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with Chelsea last month, also got seven-year stay at the Bernabeu. nal earned him praise even from on a long-term contract, the the call from Tite, even though The 31-year-old had fl own critics. Premier League champions the center-back will be 37 by the to London on Spurs chairman said yesterday. razil coach Tite kept time of the World Cup in Qatar. Daniel Levy’s private jet on Fri- WORST SEASON British media reported that faith with a troubled But Tite dropped regular day along with Real’s Spanish Bale scored 105 goals in 251 ap- Liverpool agreed a deal Neymar on Friday, squad members including Man- left back Sergio Reguilon to put pearances for Madrid but his re- worth about 41mn pounds choosing him to lead the chester City goalkeeper Ederson. the fi nishing touches to their lationship with French manager SelecaoB as they launch their 2022 He also held off calling up ($52.95mn) for Jota, whose moves on a seismic day for the Zinedine Zidane had become versatility and work rate World Cup qualifying campaign injured captain Dani Alves, 37, Premier League club. fractious and last season he was should fit in well with man- next month. naming 19-year-old Gabriel Bale has joined Spurs on a marginalised. ager Juergen Klopp’s hard- Young Lyon midfi elder Bruno Menino of Palmeiras instead. season-long loan deal and al- He endured his worst season pressing style of play. Guimaraes comes into the squad Brazil were eliminated in the though the fi nancial details of at Real in 2019-20, scoring only “It’s just a really exciting mo- and could make his international quarter-fi nals by Belgium in the the move were not disclosed, three goals in all competitions, ment for me and my family,” debut while Real Madrid striker 2018 World Cup. British media reported that Tot- and barely featured in their run Jota told Liverpool’s website. Rodrygo also returns. tenham will pay around 20mn to the Liga title. “All of my path since I was a The fi ve-time world champi- SQUAD pounds ($25.83mn) in wages and His growing rift with Zi- kid and now, to join a club ons play Bolivia in Sao Paulo on Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool/ loan fees. Gareth Bale poses for a photo with a fan as he leaves London Luton dane reached a low point when like Liverpool — the world October 9, then travel to Lima ENG), Santos (Athletico Para- “It’s such a special club to me. Airport on Friday to complete his return to Tottenham. (Reuters) he chose not to travel with the champions — is just unbe- to face Peru four days later. The naense), Weverton (Palmeiras) It’s where I made my name,” said squad for a Champions League lievable. I just want to get matches were originally sched- Defenders: Danilo (Juventus/ Bale. “Incredible to be back and nent after the 23-year-old knapp, fi rst as an attacking left clash against Manchester City started.” uled for March, but were post- ITA), Gabriel Menino (Palmei- now I hope I can get some match signed a fi ve-year contract for back then further forward. last season. The 23-year-old Jota was poned because of the coronavi- ras), Alex Telles (FC Porto/POR), fi tness and get underway and re- a fee reported to be 30mn euros He announced himself on the A move to Tottenham off ers left out of Wolves’ League rus pandemic. Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid/ESP), ally help the team and hopefully ($35.51mn) by British media. world stage with a sensational him the chance to start afresh Cup defeat by Stoke City on The return to international Thiago Silva (Chelsea/ENG), Mar- win trophies.” It is seven years since Cardiff - hat-trick away to Inter Milan in and work with manager Jose Thursday and was an unused play could be a welcome break quinhos (Paris Saint-Germain/ Spurs said in a statement that born Bale left Tottenham to join the Champions League in 2010. Mourinho who once tried to sign substitute in their 2-0 league for Neymar, who has had a tu- FRA), Felipe (Atletico Madrid/ Bale, who injured his knee play- Real Madrid for a then world In his fi nal season at Tot- him while in charge at Madrid. win over Sheff ield United last multuous time since losing with ESP), Rodrigo Caio (Flamengo) ing for Wales this month, is like- record fee of 100mn euros after tenham he scored 21 Premier Mourinho will hope that Bale, weekend. the Champions League fi nal with Midfielders: Casemiro (Real ly be match-fi t after the October a spectacular rise. League goals in 33 games, many together with the attack-mind- Initially arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Madrid/ESP), Fabinho (Liver- international break. He will wear of them spectacular. ed Reguilon, will help re-ignite Atletico Madrid in 2017, Jota First he had to quarantine af- pool/ENG), Bruno Guimaraes the No 9 shirt. BALE BLOSSOMS In 2013 he was voted Premier Spurs, who fi nished sixth last sea- has scored 16 goals and pro- ter testing positive for coronavi- (Lyon/FRA), Douglas Luiz (Aston Tottenham fans, some of Signed from Southampton as League Player of the Season af- son and started the new Premier vided six assists for Wolves in rus and then, when he returned Villa/ENG), Philippe Coutinho whom greeted Bale on Friday a promising left back in 2007, ter some mesmerising displays League campaign with a dismal the Premier League over the to action, was banned for two (Barcelona/ESP), Everton Ribeiro as he was driven into the club’s Bale went on to score 56 goals for his club. 1-0 home defeat by Everton. last three seasons. matches Wednesday for his role (Flamengo) swish training ground in north in 203 appearances, helping After his dream move to Real The pair join Tottenham’s He is Liverpool’s third signing in a brawl at the end of PSG’s 1-0 Forwards: Gabriel Jesus (Man- London, were made to wait Spurs qualify for the Champions Madrid, then managed by Carlo other new arrivals, Denmark of the close season following loss to Marseille. chester City/ENG), Rodrygo (Real for the offi cial announcement League for the fi rst time. Ancelotti, he became part of an midfi elder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg the arrivals of Spain mid- The French league is investi- Madrid/ESP), Neymar (Paris but will be delighted that their Yet Bale initially struggled to all-star cast, including Cris- from Southampton, Ireland right fielder Thiago Alcantara from gating the star striker’s claim that Saint-Germain/FRA), Everton former hero has rejoined the make an impact at Tottenham tiano Ronaldo and former Spurs back Matt Doherty from Wolver- Bayern Munich and Greece Spanish defender Alvaro Gonzal- (Benfica/POR), Roberto Firmino club. until eventually blossoming un- team mate Luka Modric. hampton Wanderers and former left back Kostas Tsimikas. ez taunted him with racist insults. (Liverpool/ENG), Richarlison Reguilon’s move is perma- der former manager Harry Red- He won the fi rst of four Cham- England goalkeeper Joe Hart. Neymar’s former PSG team- (Everton/ENG) Gulf Times Sunday, September 20, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Bayern Munich won’t break bank to keep Alaba, warns Kahn

Bayern Munich board member Oliver Kahn has warned that the European champions will not agree a new contract with David Alaba at any price as the defender is stalling over signing a contract extension having been linked to Manchester City. Dortmund young With a year left on his current deal, the 28-year-old Austrian international is reportedly insisting on a huge pay rise with the European champions. “You have to look at the situation, we no longer live in the same football world as it was before the coronavirus. It’s completely diff erent,” Kahn told broadcaster ZDF. “We are well advised to keep calm,” Kahn added after hon- orary president Uli Hoeness branded Alaba’s agent Pini Zahavi a ‘money-greedy piranha’ last weekend. Alaba is said to want guns sparkle in a pay rise to 25mn euros ($29mn) per year to out-earn Bayern stars Manuel Neuer and Robert Lewandowski. Carlisle become fi rst EFL club to welcome back fans Carlisle United became the first English club to welcome back win over Gladbach fans for a league match yesterday as they took on Southend United in a League Two clash at their Brunton Park stadium. Up to 1,000 fans were permitted for the lunchtime kickoff , with Hertha Berlin’s new-signing Cordoba scores on his debut in a 4-1 away romp at Bremen Carlisle one of eight clubs to take part in a government pilot scheme to allow fans back into stadiums. Fans have not been Agencies allowed in the English Football League (EFL) or Premier League Berlin, Germany since the resumption of action in June following a three-month shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Two Champion- ship (second tier) games were allowing 1,000 fans yesterday orussia Dortmund for- with Norwich City hosting Preston North End and Middles- ward Erling Haaland brough taking on Bournemouth. Blackpool, Charlton Athletic, scored twice and teen- Hull City and Shrewsbury Town took the chance to be part of ager Giovanni Reyna the pilot scheme in League One, along with Forest Green Rov- addedB another as they cruised ers in League Two. past Borussia Moenchenglad- bach 3-0 in their season opener yesterday. Leicester in talks with Roma for The 20-year-old Haaland Under, says Rodgers scored a 54th minute penalty, awarded for a foul on Reyna, Leicester City are hoping to complete a move for AS Roma and bagged another with a sen- winger Cengiz Under to add a new dimension to their attack, sationally quick counter-attack manager Brendan Rodgers has said. Under has scored 17 goals and a Jadon Sancho assist as and provided 12 assists in 88 games across all competitions for Dortmund utilised their fear- Roma after his arrival from Istanbul Basaksehir in 2017. “He’s a some youthful attacking weap- very, very good player. There have been negotiations with the ons. club and we’re hopeful there,” Rodgers told reporters ahead Reyna opened the scoring, af- of today’s Premier League clash against Burnley. “We need a ter combining perfectly with his diff erent kind of attacking player to help out at the top end. fellow 17-year-old Jude Belling- Having watched him, he’s clearly a talented player. It’s clear we ham in the 35th minute. His fi rst have pace and power, but I feel we need more football in there. league goal made him Reyna the We need someone who can beat someone in a one-v-one, we second youngest American to need someone who can break down defences who are organ- score in the league after Chris- ised, when it’s tight. That’s the profile we’re looking at.” tian Pulisic. The hosts, playing in front of a crowd limited to 9,300 fans in Neville hoping to lead Britain at their 80,000-capacity stadium rescheduled Olympics due to Covid-19 restrictions, also hit the crossbar with a San- England Women’s head coach Phil Neville says he hopes to cho header. lead the British team at the Tokyo Olympics next year and expects the Football Association (FA) to decide shortly as HERTHA BERLIN FLOOR to whether he will be handed the reins. Neville, who guided BREMEN England to the Women’s World Cup semi-finals last year, will After holders Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland celebrates scoring their second goal during the Bundesliga match against Borussia Moenchengladbach leave his role with the team at the end of his contract in July kicked-off the new Bundesliga at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany, yesterday. (Reuters) 2021. Netherlands Women’s manager Sarina Wiegman will suc- season with a record 8-0 thrash- ceed him from September next year. Neville, 43, was set to take ing of Schalke on Friday, Hertha “The whistles were justifi ed reply after our German Cup de- smashed home the winning goal RESULTS charge of Britain in the Olympics before its postponement to Berlin’s new-signing Jhon Cor- if you are behind at home at half feat,” said Hertha coach Bruno in added time after Cologne had Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Silva 62) 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and no announcement has doba scored on his debut in a 4-1 time. That’s the fans’ right. We Labbadia, referring to their launched a late fi ght back. Arminia Bielefeld 1 (Soukou 51) been made as yet on who will lead the team in Tokyo. “The Ol- away romp at Werder Bremen all know we are in a very delicate 5-4 cup loss at second division In the capital, playmaker Union Berlin 1 (Buelter 75) ympics is still a massive ambition of mine,” Neville told British yesterday as the ambitious capi- position,” Bremen coach Florian Braunschweig last weekend. Michael Gregoritsch and winger Augsburg 3 (Vargas 41, Gre- media. “The FA know that and they have been brilliant in their tal city club threw down an early Kohfeldt said. “We will get plenty of joy from Andre Hahn scored late goals as goritsch 82, Hahn 89) communication with me in terms of the time frames of when marker. Colombia striker Cordoba, watching Jhon Cordoba.” Augsburg beat hosts Union Ber- Cologne 2 (Andersson 22, they’re going to make the decision.” In front of 8,500 in Bremen, signed from Cologne in mid- Cologne’s plans to welcome lin in front of 4,600 fans. Drexler 86) Hoff enheim 3 (Kra- Hertha defender Peter Pekarik week, came on to start the move back fans were scuppered by the Newly-promoted Arminia maric 4, 45+3-pen, 90+2) and Belgian-born winger Dodi which Brazil Under-23 forward local health offi cials before their Bielefeld earned a point with a Werder Bremen 1 (Selke 69) Suarez unlikely to join Juve because Lukebakio scored quick-fi re Matheus Cunha fi nished as Her- 3-2 defeat to Hoff enheim. 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt Hertha Berlin 4 (Pekarik 42, Luke- of passport delay: Pirlo goals at the end of the fi rst half tha went 3-0 up with an hour In front of empty terraces on their return to the top fl ight in bakio 45+2, Cunha 63, Cordoba to leave Werder 2-0 down at the gone. in Cologne, Andrej Kramaric front of 6,500. 90) break and the hosts were whis- Davie Selke scored Bremen’s scored a hat-trick for Hoff en- Stuttgart, who also came up, Stuttgart 2 (Kalajdzic 71, tled off the pitch by their own second-half consolation goal heim. gave Freiburg a scare with late Wamangituka 81) Freiburg 3 (Pe- fans. before Cordoba capped his debut The Croatia striker put the goals by Sasa Kalajdzic and Si- tersen 8, Sallai 26, Grifo 48) Bremen only just avoided rel- by tucking home Hertha’s fourth visitors ahead after three min- las Wamangituka as they fought Borussia Dortmund 3 (Reyna egation last season and their de- goal on 90 minutes. utes following a mix up in de- back in a 3-2 defeat in front of 35, Haaland 54-pen, 78) Borussia fensive woes continue. “We wanted to give the right fence, netted a penalty and 8,000. Moenchengladbach 0

Emery off the mark for Villarreal with win over Eibar Reuters home to humble opposition when grabbed a third goal in added time Madrid, Spain Kike Garcia put Eibar ahead five when he somehow fired over the minutes into the second half. bar on the rebound with the goal Emery sprung a double substitu- gaping and his side had to defend nai Emery earned his first tion shortly afterwards and the deep in the final minutes to see out win as Villarreal coach after changes paid dividends as Gerard the victory. (Reporting by Richard Uhis side came from behind Moreno levelled in the 63rd minute Martin Editing by Ian Chadband) to beat Eibar 2-1 at home yesterday and then played in Paco Alcacer, in La Liga. who rounded the goalkeeper to tap RESULTS After being held to a disappointing into the net from a tight angle in Villarreal 2 (Gerard 63, Paco draw with promoted Huesca last the 71st. Alcacer 71) Eibar 1 (Kike 50) week, Villarreal again fell behind at Pervis Estupinan should have Getafe 1 (Mata 54) Osasuna 0

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP SERIE A Andrea Pirlo said yesterday that Barcelona striker Luis Suarez’s move to Juventus was unlikely to go ahead because of delays in the Uruguayan’s bid to get an Italian passport. “Suarez? It is diff icult given the time factor, it is complicated for Celtic back on top aft er Fiorentina snatch late him to be the Juve centre forward,” Pirlo told a press confer- ence before Juventus open their campaign against Sampdoria today. Former Liverpool forward Suarez, 33, arrived in Italy on nervy win over Livingston win in Serie A opener Thursday to pass his Italian language test required to receive a passport, according to media reports. Juve cannot recruit AFP Ryan Christie continued his Elsewhere, Scotland inter- Reuters him because they have already reached their quota for non-EU Glasgow, Scotland free-scoring form with a national Lawrence Shankland Florence, Italy players. And bureaucratic delays mean he may not receive close range fi nish form Greg scored his fi rst goal back in the it before the transfer window in Italy shuts on October 5. Ju- Taylor’s cross. top-fl ight for Dundee United ventus are looking for a replacement for Argentinian Gonzalo eltic moved to the Lennon left out star striker as they beat St Mirren 2-1. iorentina grabbed a late Higuain who has left for David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami top of the Scottish Odsonne Edouard ahead of Kilmarnock were also 2-1 goal through Gaetano after being told by Pirlo his time in Turin was up. Premiership for the Thursday’s Europa League victors over Hamilton de- Castrovilli to beat visiting fi rst time since the trip to Latvia to face Riga. spite Eamonn Brophy’s fi rst- Torino 1-0 in the opening openingC weekend of the sea- But Albian Ajeti is already half red card thanks to goals matchF of the new Serie A season Rio to allow football fans from son after coming from behind proving an able deputy to from Greg Kiltie and Nicke yesterday. October 4 to beat bottom-of-the-table the French under-21 inter- Kabamba. As the season kicked off with- Livingston 3-2 yesterday. national as he fi red home his Ross County won 1-0 at St out spectators due to the Covid-19 Rio de Janeiro on Friday authorised football fans to return Neil Lennon’s men have fourth goal in fi ve league ap- Johnstone. pandemic, Castrovilli tapped the uame in the fi rst half, blocking a to stadiums from October 4, after a six-month hiatus for the made a habit of slow starts pearances since arriving from ball home in the 78th minute at the header on the line before denying coronavirus pandemic, which continues to batter Brazil. “Rio this season and were given West Ham last month seven RESULTS far post to hand Torino’s new coach him again with an even better save. city hall announces the return of fans to stadiums,” the city a wake up call on 16 minutes minutes into the second-half. St. Johnstone 0 Ross Marco Giampaolo a losing debut. Fiore’s Cristiano Biraghi had a said in a statement. “They will be required to wear protective when Kristoff er Ajer was pe- Celtic, though, were made to County 1 (Vigurs 42) Fiorentina gave midfi elder Gi- goal disallowed at the start of the masks and undergo temperature checks at the entrance. Ticket nalised for handball and Jason sweat for the fi nal 12 minutes Celtic 3 (McGregor 20, acomo Bonaventura his debut fol- season half before the home side, sales will be online to avoid crowds.” The decision still needs a Holt converted from the spot. when Julien Serrano’s brilliant Christie 23, Ajeti 52) Livingston lowing his move from AC Milan who fi nished 10th last season, fi - green light from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Rio However, the Scottish long-range strike cut Livie’s 2 (Holt 16-pen, Serrano 78) and Karol Linetty started for Tori- nally broke through thanks to Cas- authorities had initially announced in June they would allow champions responded imme- defi cit back to a single goal. Dundee United 2 no after his move from Sampdoria trovilli from a chance created by fans back into stadiums from July 10, but quickly backtracked diately with two goals in three The hosts held out to record (Shankland 33, Sporle 52) St. as both teams looked to improve Federico Chiesa. as the pandemic surged. Mayor Marcelo Crivella said the city minutes. a fi fth straight league win and Mirren 1 (Connolly 64) on indiff erent performances last Andrea Belotti had the ball in the would allow up to 20,000 fans at the first match, to be played Callum McGregor’s de- move above Rangers on goal Kilmarnock 2 (Kiltie 10, season. net for Torino deep into stoppage at the legendary Maracana stadium between Flamengo and fl ected strike brought up his diff erence, who travel to third- Kabamba 57) Hamilton Aca- Torino goalkeeper Salvatore time with an acrobatic eff ort but it Athletico Paranaense. 50th goal for the club before placed Hibs on Sunday. demical 1 (Odofin 18) Sirigu twice foiled Christian Ko- was disallowed for off side. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, September 20, 2020 CRICKET

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Qatar Cricket Association’s new Chennai Super Kings website launched

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar Cricket Asso- trump Mumbai as ciation (QCA) has launched its new website with an aim toQ keep followers of the game updated with a number of new features. The new website (www. qatarcricketassociation.org), IPL gets underway which is also mobile respon- Qatar Cricket Association sive and has been designed chief Yousef Jeham al–Kuwari. with a user-friendly interface, Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis hit brilliant half-centuries for the winners will capture the corporate 59 countries. These are great information and most im- achievements considering portantly the cricket and the that the Qatar team is ahead of player’s information. many other countries, which There will be dedicated ar- have been playing the game eas for player profi les of all for a longer period of time. We national team players. All the want the new website to be a information on past and fu- gateway to the information on ture tournaments, statics, Qatari cricket fraternity and and achievements will also be its achievements.” available on the website. The new website is powered Speaking on the occasion by Q-tickets, Qatar’s leading of the launch, the president ticketing solution company. of the QCA Yousef Jeham QCA is a member of Qatar al-Kuwari, said: “the unveil- Olympic Committee (QOC) ing of the new website is an and has been an International important step in develop- Cricket Council (ICC) mem- ment of the cricket in Qatar. ber since 1999. The national It is a matter of pride that teams have been participated Qatar men’s team is ranked in all regional and divisional 22nd out of 85 countries in the tournaments of the Interna- world in the T20 format and tional Cricket Council and the women are ranked 44th out of Asian Cricket Council.

New Zealand’s McMillan pulls out from Bangladesh coaching role

Former New Zealand cricket- pointed McMillan in August er Craig McMillan yesterday for the tour after former pulled out as Bangladesh’s South African batsman Neil batting consultant for their McKenzie stepped down series in Sri Lanka starting from the post because of the in October because of a be- coronavirus crisis. McMillan, reavement, the Bangladesh 44, was scheduled to join Cricket Board said. Bangladesh’s pre-tour train- “Craig has communicated to ing camp in Sri Lanka, the us that his father has passed national board had said. away recently and therefore The three-Test series, expect- it would not be possible for ed to start in mid-October, him to take up the batting will mark both countries’ re- consultant’s position of the turn to international cricket National Team for the up- after pandemic lockdowns. coming tour at this moment McMillan scored more than of grief,” BCB Chief Executive 8,000 international runs for Off icer Nizam Uddin Chowd- New Zealand in 55 Tests, 197 hury said in a statement. one-day internationals and “We fully understand his eight Twenty20 internation- situation. Our sympathies als before retiring in 2007. Chennai Super Kings’ Ambati Rayudu in action during the Indian Premier League opener against Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (IPL) are with Craig and his family He later became New Zea- during this diff icult time,” land’s batting and fielding Agencies in the contest which took place ly well, it’s crucial in this tourna- he said. Bangladesh had ap- coach from 2014-2019. Abu Dhabi without spectators in the stands ment to get that balance right,” as a safety measure. Spilled Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma ‘KKR may push Russell up the batting’ catches and misfi eldings indicat- said. he Indian Premier ed that the players, most of them This year’s matches will be Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) the match-ups are right, we League’s (IPL) delayed featuring in competitive cricket held in bio-secure bubbles in may consider pushing Andre can get Andre come in up season got off to a low- for the fi rst time in months, were Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in Russell up the batting order the order. But that will be key start yesterday with not at their sharpest. front of empty stands but organ- strategically in some match- a horses for courses type Tthree-time winners Chennai Put in to bat, Mumbai could isers are hoping to allow some es, head coach Brendon of approach. The good Super Kings beating defending not capitalise on the strong start fans to attend during the later McCullum said yesterday. thing is we have a lot of champions Mumbai Indians by they got from Quinton de Kock stages of the tournament, which The former New Zealand resources to choose from,” fi ve wickets in the fi rst match of (33) and skipper Rohit Sharma will end on November 10. captain said he is happy with he said. McCullum said the the eight-team tournament in (12) who fell in successive overs. “Normally we also train in the flexibility the squad has addition of England’s World Abu Dhabi. Du Plessis took two spectacu- summer. We were really eager. got. Cup-winning captain Eoin Chennai, having restricted lar catches near the rope to send The surface was good. It was do- “The thing we want to pride Morgan gives them a strong Mumbai to 162-9, romped home back Saurabh Tiwary (42) and ing a bit with the new ball, but ourselves is being a really middle order this season. with four deliveries to spare with Hardik Pandya (14) in the same once the dew came in, it got eas- smart team and utilising “We wanted to provide some Ambati Rayudu (71) and Faf du Ravindra Jadeja over to peg back ier. We practised in Chennai and resources based on the resource around Russell’s Plessis (58 not out) spearheading Mumbai. Dubai. That really helped,” man match-ups. Andre Russell six-hitting ability. We also their chase. Fellow South African Lungi Chennai Super Kings’ Lungi Ngidi celebrates after taking a Mumbai of-the-match Rayudu said. hit 54 sixes [52], I think, last wanted to find some more The world’s richest Twenty20 Ngidi claimed three wickets, Indians wicket yesterday. (IPL) year,” said McCullum in a leadership around skipper league was originally scheduled including that of the dangerous BRIEF SCORES: Mumbai Indi- pre-season press confer- Dinesh Karthik and Morgan to be played in India from March Kieron Pollard (18), as Mumbai ers early but Rayudu kept their and Raydu did. That’s something ans 162/9 (Saurabh Tiwary 42, ence. obviously won the World 29 but was rescheduled in the managed only 41 runs in the last chase on track with his calculat- we failed to do. But credit to CSK Quinton de Kock 33; Lungi Ngidi “His game is suited to last 10 Cup with England and he has United Arab Emirates following six overs, losing six wickets in ed aggression, while Du Plessis bowlers, they kept us guessing 3/38) lost to Chennai Super overs of a T20 game where been the standout leader in the Covid-19 pandemic. the process. stayed put till victory was sealed. all the time. Something for us to Kings 166/5 (Ambati Rayudu 71, he can really control. But World Cup. He was a guy we The usual carnival-like at- Chennai, led by Mahendra “Batsmen didn’t carry on learn. Still early days, but credit Faf du Plessis 58*; Trent Boult there may be times when were desperate to get.” mosphere, however, was missing Singh Dhoni, lost both open- once they got in like Du Plessis to CSK. We all want to start real- 1/23) by five wickets.

FOCUS Pressure off players at closed-door IPL: Ponting AFP “The less noise and every- in India. All eight IPL teams have New Delhi thing there probably creates less been under strict bio-security Maxwell to be eligible for selection pressure,” he said. bubbles and rules laid down by “Playing in front of an empty the Board of Control for Cricket for Kings XI’s opening game ustralian cricket great stadium will be diff erent... but in India (BCCI). Kings XI Punjab yesterday con- Punjab’s season opener against Ricky Ponting yester- once we start I think it is going to The International Cricket firmed that Australia all-rounder Delhi Capitals on September day said there would be be about our group creating their Council had ordered a temporary Glenn Maxwell will be available 20,” it added. less pressure on play- own atmosphere and own energy ban on using saliva for shining for selection for their opening Maxwell was in great form in ersA in the virus-hit Indian Pre- on the ground and not expecting the ball in their eff orts to restart game of the 13th edition of the the recently concluded T20I mier League with matches being the crowds actually in the sta- the game amid the pandemic in Indian Premier League (IPL) and ODI series against England. played in empty stadiums. dium to lift us up and anything June. against Delhi Capitals. On their He was was the Player of the The Twenty20 tournament like that.” Ponting said players were off icial website, Kings XI Punjab Series in the ODI series which began yesterday evening in the However Delhi skipper Shre- looking for clarity on the issue. informed that Maxwell arrived Australia won 2-1. With Max- United Arab Emirates, with yas Iyer said the team would be “For instance, is sweat al- in the UAE on Thursday follow- well’s arrival in the UAE, Kings holders Mumbai Indians playing missing the roar of their fans in lowed? We will be briefed to- ing Australia’s England tour. XI’s 25-member squad for IPL 13 the Chennai Super Kings in the the stadiums. day and once the play starts we “He would now be required is now complete, with the likes opener in Abu Dhabi. Ponting, “Fans obviously when they are would be aware what we can or to complete only a three-day of Mujeeb ur Rahman, Nicholas coach of IPL side Delhi Capi- in the stands they give us that can’t do,” he said. quarantine period in the team Pooran and Sheldon Cottrell tals who kick off their campaign boost and the adrenaline sub- “But generally looking at a hotel instead of the normal arriving earlier in the week. against Kings XI Punjab today, sequently. So we obviously we T20 game compared to a Test five, as per regulations, as he With the full squad having ar- believes his team will bring their would be missing them out there match, there is lot less attention arrived into the country from rived in the UAE and no injuries own energy to the fi eld. in the stadium,” said Iyer. normally paid to the ball in a T20 an already bio-secure bubble in being reported yet, Anil Kumble “The fact that there is no “The cheer, the roar and the game than to maintain a ball in a England,” Kings XI said. and the rest of the Kings XI Pun- crowds on the ground, I actu- support that we used to get Test match. “With his quarantine period jab management will have a full ally think that probably puts less would be missing.” “So I don’t think it’s a big deal, scheduled to be complete on roster of 25 players to choose pressure on the players,” Ponting The IPL, originally scheduled but as I said it does become habit Saturday, Maxwell would be eli- from for their season opener said in a virtual pre-season press to start in March, was shifted out and one thing the players have to gible for selection for Kings XI today. (IANS) conference from Dubai. due to rising coronavirus cases be conscious of.” Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting. Gulf Times Sunday, September 20, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS LeBron questions MVP voting aft er Lakers dominate second-place fi nish

Reuters tically. Sometimes... I mean, you New York don’t know. You don’t know. But you know, Giannis had a hell of a season; I can defi nitely say that.” eBron James said his James last won the MVP fol- Nuggets in Western most recent second- lowing the 2012-13 season with place fi nish in the NBA’s the Miami Heat. Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo, who also Lvoting left him both angry and won Defensive Player of the questioning the judgment of the Year, joins legendary Kareem ‘It took a quarter for us voters. Abdul-Jabbar and James as the The Los Angeles Lakers star only two players to win multiple to kind of figure it out’ fi nished with 16 of a possible 101 MVP awards by age 25. He and fi nals opener fi rst-place votes, leaving him Abdul-Jabbar are only the Bucks 209 points behind Milwaukee to win the award at least twice. AFP Bucks forward Giannis Antetok- Abdul-Jabbar was named MVP Miami ounmpo, who earned the award three times in the early 1970s in for the second straight season. Milwaukee before he moved on The winner was announced on to the Los Angeles Lakers. nthony Davis scored Friday. Antetokounmpo received Antetokounmpo is the third 37 points and pulled the other 85 fi rst-place votes, player to be named MVP and the down 10 rebounds as which seems to be the sticking top defensive player in the same the Los Angeles Lakers point for James. season, joining Hall of Famers Adominated the Denver Nuggets “It pissed me off , because out Michael Jordan (1987-88, Chi- 126-114 on Friday in game one of 101 votes, I got 16 fi rst-place cago Bulls) and Hakeem Olaju- of the NBA Western Conference votes,” James said. “That’s what won (1993-94, Rockets). fi nals. pissed me off more than any- Voting for the award was LeBron James added 15 points thing. based on regular-season play with 12 assists and six rebounds “You know, not saying that through March 11, the night the for the Lakers, who shot out of the winner wasn’t deserving of season was halted due to the the gate after dropping their the MVP. But that pissed me off . coronavirus pandemic. opener in each of their previous And I fi nished second a lot in my Through March 11, Antetok- two playoff series in the NBA’s career, either from a champion- ounmpo averaged 29.6 points, coronavirus quarantine bubble ship, and now four times as an 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists in in Orlando, Florida. MVP.” 57 games. James, 35, was averag- After a close fi rst quarter James, who also has won ing 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and ended with the Nuggets up by four MVPs, suggested the vot- a league-best 10.6 assists at the two, the Lakers seized control in ing panel might not be well-in- time, and his Lakers had the top the second quarter, out-scoring formed. record in the Western Confer- Denver 34-21 to take a 70-59 “I don’t know how much we ence. lead into halftime. are really watching the game,” In all, Antetokounmpo gar- Lakers reserve Alex Caruso James said of the panel in com- nered 962 points while James converted a three-point play ments made after the Lakers’ received 753. Houston Rockets to spark a 17-1 scoring run, the 126-114 win over the Denver star James Harden, who won in Nuggets going without a basket Nuggets in Game 1 of the West- 2017-18, fi nished third with 367 for more than fi ve minutes to ern Conference fi nals on Friday points. start the second quarter. night. Dallas Mavericks guard Luka “It took a quarter for us to “I’m not going to sit up here Doncic (200 points) and Los kind of fi gure it out,” James said. and talk about what the crite- Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi “I’m not saying we fully fi gured ria should be or what it is. It’s Leonard (168) rounded out the them out because it’s too early changed over the years since I’ve top fi ve in the balloting. in the series to say that. gotten into the league. Some- Golden State Warriors guard “But we started to get a better times it’s the best player on the Stephen Curry (2014-15, 2015- feel, just started to get in a bet- best team. Sometimes it’s the 16) was the most recent player to ter rhythm defensively and we guy with the best season statis- win back-to-back MVP awards. started to get some stops in that second quarter and we were able to build that lead up going into halftime.” Well aware that the Nuggets had proved their resilience with some big second-half come- backs against the Los Angeles Clippers in the previous round, the Lakers kept the pressure on after the break. Denver Nuggets forward Mason Plumlee and Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (right) reach for the ball during the fourth quarter Denver trimmed the defi cit to in game one of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoff s at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, nine points midway through the Florida. (USA TODAY Sports) third quarter. But their eff orts were ham- an opening period punctuated of that seven turnovers, again The Lakers, back in the con- the NBA fi nals was more impor- pered with star Nikola Jokic, by Murray’s three-pointer as fuelling their break.” ference fi nals for the fi rst time tant than his runner-up fi nish Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap time expired. “Our off ence was Murray said the Nuggets since 2010 - when they won their to Milwaukee’s Giannis An- all in early foul trouble, and that able to score the ball but there aren’t surprised to see foul calls most recent NBA title -remained tetokounmpo in voting for the was the closest they would get was little defence.” to go the Lakers’ way. well aware that they had plenty Most Valuable Player award. in the second half. Jokic and But Malone said the Nuggets “We know how it’s going to of work to do against a Nuggets James did admit to being Murray both scored 21 points to would have to fi gure out how to be,” he said. “We know we’re the team that erased 1-3 defi cits in “pissed off ” at receiving just 16 pace the Nuggets. Michael Por- get stops without fouling, not- younger team. We’re just going each of their previous two series. fi rst-place votes to Antetok- ter added 14 off the bench. ing that in the Lakers’ massive to play through it. We’re going “We haven’t done anything ounmpo’s 85 from the group of But Denver coach Mike second quarter they shot just to fi nd a way and we’re not go- special,” Davis said. “We basi- sports writers and broadcast- Malone said the Nuggets did not 42.9 percent from the fl oor but ing to go away so easy.” cally took care of home court. ers who voted. That might be a do enough on defence. went to the free-throw line 24 Davis had 33 points by the We have three more to go.” good thing for the Lakers. “Even in that fi rst quarter times. “Twenty-four times in end of the third quarter, his The best-of-seven series “It defi nitely sparks him and, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game we didn’t guard anybody,” said one quarter, and we were called hook shot with 36.4 seconds continues with game two on like, he got a chip on his shoul- one of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoff s at Malone, whose team shot better for 16 personal fouls in that left in the third pushing the Sunday, and James said having der like he’s got something to the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. than 63 percent from the fi eld in quarter,” Malone said. “On top Lakers’ lead to 23 points. a chance to battle for a place in prove,” Davis said. (AFP)

MLB Pujols homers twice, passes Mays in Angels’ win Reuters home run off reliever Demarcus Evans, third without the benefi t of a base hit. Los Angeles RESULTS who was making his major league debut, Trent Grisham led off with a walk, and an to make it 4-2. He needs 34 home runs to out later, Machado also worked a base on Angels 6-2 Rangers tie Alex Rodriguez for fourth on the all- balls. lbert Pujols hit two homers and Athletics 6-0 Giants time list. Anthony Rendon added a two- A double steal put runners at second moved into sole possession of run double in the eighth to stretch the lead and third, and a wild pitch by Seattle Reds 7-1 White Sox fi fth place on the major league to 6-2. left-hander Yusei Kikuchi made it 1-0. career home run list, leading the Rays 2-1 Orioles San Diego scored four times in the fourth. ALos Angeles Angels to a 6-2 win against Tommy Pham led off with a single to cent- Phillies 7-0 Blue Jays MACHADO GOES DEEP TWICE AS the Texas Rangers in the opener of a four- Phillies 8-7 Blue Jays PADRES TOP MARINERS er and advanced to second on a wild pitch. game series on Friday night in Anaheim, Manny Machado hit two home runs and After a walk to Jake Cronenworth, Jurick- California. Cubs 1-0 Twins Chris Paddack pitched six scoreless in- son Profar reached on an infi eld single to Pujols hit a line drive over the left fi eld Nationals 5-0 Marlins nings of one-hit ball as the San Diego load the bases. fence in the fi fth inning for the 661st home Marlins 14-3 Nationals Padres defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-1 Grisham grounded into a forceout to run of his career, moving him past Willie Friday night. score the fi rst run of the inning. An out Mays on the all-time list. The 40-year- Yankees 6-5 Red Sox The Mariners were considered the later, Machado lined a 2-2 pitch over the old designated hitter lifted another solo Padres 6-1 Mariners home team in San Diego, since the three- wall in left-centre fi eld to make it 5-0. shot to left in the seventh for Los Angeles Brewers 9-5 Royals game weekend series between the teams Machado added a solo shot off right- (22-30). was moved to Southern California be- hander Walker Lockett in the ninth, his Angels starter Jaime Barria threw six Indians 1-0 Tigers cause of hazardous air quality in the Puget team-leading 16th homer of the season. shutout innings before exiting after 6 1/3 Cardinals 6-5 Pirates Sound region due to wildfi res in the Pa- Kikuchi (2-4) struggled with his con- innings, having allowed two runs and six Cardinals 7-2 Pirates cifi c Northwest. trol, allowing fi ve runs on four hits with hits and no walks while matching his ca- The Padres (33-19) won for the ninth six walks and three strikeouts in four in- Dodgers 15-6 Rockies reer high with eight strikeouts. time in the past 11 games and moved to the nings. He also threw three wild pitches. Barria (1-0) was 0-7 since his last ma- Braves 15-2 Mets verge of clinching a National League play- Jesse Winker’s three-run homer high- jor league win on July 24, 2019, against the D’Backs 6-3 Astros off berth. The Mariners (22-29) took their lighted a fi ve-run third inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Anderson Tejeda fourth straight loss. surging Cincinnati extended its season- had two hits and Willie Calhoun drove in Angeles’ Andrelton Simmons and David Paddack (4-4), who hadn’t pitched high winning streak to six games with a both runs for the Rangers (18-33). Fletcher had back-to-back singles with since leaving a September 10 start against win over visiting Chicago. Texas reliever Wes Benjamin (1-1) went one out in the sixth to put runners on the San Francisco Giants after two innings Tucker Barnhart and Joey Votto also three innings, allowing two runs and six the corners. Jared Walsh then hit a soft due to a sprained right ankle, walked two homered in the third, and Nick Castel- hits, striking out four and walking two. grounder to Isiah Kiner-Falefa at third. and struck out three. lanos delivered a solo shot in the fi rst for Taylor Ward’s run-scoring single in the He elected to try for the double play, in- The only hit Paddack allowed was rook- Cincinnati. second inning gave the Angels a 1-0 lead. stead of throwing home, and the Rang- ie Evan White’s infi eld single leading off Sitting .500 for the fi rst time since Au- Ward went 2-for-4 to improve to 14-for- ers couldn’t turn it, allowing Simmons to the third. White, who had two of Seattle’s gust 3, the Reds have worked themselves 26 in his past nine games. score for a 3-0 lead. three hits, broke up the shutout bid with a into postseason position. Pujols clubbed his fi fth homer of the The Rangers made it 3-2 in the seventh solo homer off right-hander Pierce John- Cincinnati’s Tyler Mahle (2-2) allowed a Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols hits a home run season in the fi fth off Benjamin to stretch on a one-out, two-run single by Calhoun son in the eighth. run, four hits, struck out eight and walked against the Texas Rangers during their MLB game at the Angel in the lead to 2-0 and surpass Mays.Los that chased Barria. Pujols hit his second The Padres opened the scoring in the one over 5 2/3 innings. Anaheim, California. (USA TODAY Network) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, September 20, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Sport’s role in preventing violent extremism discussed at meeting QNA States and international organisa- more important than ever to support to international co-operation and New York tions representatives, policymakers, sports and physical activities, as sport multi-sectoral partnerships within and sports personalities committed should be included in the recovery the framework of the United Nations to the fi ght against violent extrem- plans after the (Covid-19) pandemic agenda, in order to promote the use ithin the framework of ism. and within the national strategies for of sport as an eff ective tool to address the United Nations Glo- The event was followed by a tech- sustainable development, because it the main causes of violent extrem- bal Program on the Se- nical level International Expert Group is an essential factor in mitigating the ism, and as a soft force that has the curity of Major Sporting Meeting where representatives from impact of the pandemic on health and ability to inculcate the values of tol- WEvents, and Promotion of Sport and governments, international and re- people and has an important impact erance and coexistence, and create its Values as a tool to prevent violent gional organisations, sport bodies, in the restoration of normal life ac- opportunities for targeted and most extremism, the United Nations Of- academia and CSOs shared experi- tivities. vulnerable communities. fi ce of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) ences and discussed actionable good The President of the International For his part, Deputy Permanent organised a High-Level Meeting on practices of sports-based interven- Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and Representative of the People’s the Prevention of Violent Extremism tions aimed at preventing and coun- founder of “Save the Dream” pro- Republic of China to the United through Sports, in partnership with tering violent extremism that can gramme, Mohamed bin Hanzab, said Nations ambassador Geng Shuang, the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UN- inspire the inclusion and further ac- that sport positively aff ects the lives commended the United Nations AOC), the UN Interregional Crime knowledgment of sports within na- of millions of people every day, and Counter-Terrorism Offi ce for or- and Justice Research Institute (UNIC- tional and regional action (PCVE) ac- major sporting events and sports ganising the high-level meeting to RI), and the International Centre for tion plans. in general contain unique tools that discuss important issues to promote Sport Security (ICSS). On this occasion, HE the Permanent stimulate positive change. sport and its values as a tool for pre- The event preceded the launch of Representative of Qatar to the United He added that he is confi dent that vention and combating violent ex- a series of initiatives which include, Nations, aAmbassador Sheikha Alya following this high-level meeting, tremism. inter alia, the development of a guide Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, said that and with further work, participants He pointed out that sport is a bea- for policymakers, a training hand- the State of Qatar is proud to host the will all be able to come up with con- con for social development and hu- book, a global campaign and a grant- 2022 World Cup for the fi rst time in sistent mechanisms that will be man progress, and there is no doubt awarding mechanism for local civil the Middle East and the Arab world, eff ectively used in sport-related that it is of great importance to pro- society organisations (CSOs) working adding that Qatar consider the World policymaking to combat violent ex- mote sports values that lead to peace, on sports-based prevention of violent Cup as an opportunity for Qatar and tremism. tolerance and respect, which main- extremism (PVE). the region to stimulate social devel- He added that this will be an im- tain gender equality, stability, under- The virtual high-level meeting opment and build a better future for portant step, and participants must standing, and eradicate the causes of featured discussions between senior next generations. continue to work together and terrorism and extremist ideologies United Nations Offi cials, Member Her Excellency added that it is maintain the pace of commitment from their roots.

INTERVIEW FOCUS Black gymnast says career derailed Twenty years aft er by racism in Brazil

AFP Sao Paulo

razilian gymnast his Olympic splash, Angelo Assump- cao still wonders how far he could Bhave gone if not for the deci- sion he says derailed his ca- reer: speaking out against the racism he was subjected to by his white teammates. Eric the Eel looks back Could he have made the Olympics? Won a medal? At 24 years old, he may never get ‘During my training in Sydney I never swam all the way to the end. Honestly, I couldn’t swim’ the chance to fi nd out. “Some people think racism AFP doesn’t exist. I wonder where gized. But Assumpcao says it Malabo, Equatorial Guinea my career would be without was not an isolated incident. it,” he told AFP in an inter- He was regularly mocked view. for his skin colour, hair and wenty years ago, Eric Assumpcao’s career was as Afro-Brazilian heritage, he Moussambani became a short as it was promising. says. global star after swim- A muscular dynamo with He pinpoints his decision ming a 100-metre free- an exuberant afro, he grew up to speak out against such be- Tstyle alone in the Olympic pool in on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, haviour as the moment his Sydney so slowly that it appeared Brazil’s economic capital, career started to unravel. he might sink. where he developed a love for He was not selected for the Moussambani was the fi rst gymnastics that soon landed 2016 Olympics, held in Bra- swimmer from Equatorial Guin- him at the revered Pinheiros zil’s second city, Rio de Janei- ea, a Central African nation with Sporting Club. Located in the ro. Hypolito and Nory were, a population at the time of less upscale neighbourhood from taking home medals - silver than one million, to compete in which it takes its name, Pin- and bronze, respectively, in the Olympics. heiros is a veritable institu- the fl oor competition. “At the end of the race, I felt tion in Brazilian sport. Assumpcao says he sank grateful above all because at least Founded in 1899 - just 10 into depression because of I had been able to represent my years after Brazil became the the discrimination he faced. country, because I had managed last country in the Ameri- At fi rst, he kept his com- to fi nish those 100 metres, which cas to abolish slavery - it has plaints behind closed doors, I had never done before,” he told trained some of the country’s going to Pinheiros directors AFP in Equatorial Guinea’s capi- best athletes, including 12 in private because he feared tal Malabo ahead of the 20th an- Olympic medallists. reprisals, he said. niversary yesterday. Assumpcao came of age When he felt the club failed Moussambani did not race in its elite training academy, to listen, he went public against the top swimmers, but a lone black boy learning about the “structural racism” was instead put in a heat for backfl ips and dismounts sur- he says prevails there. benefi ciaries of an Olympic pro- rounded by white gymnasts. gramme designed to encourage TRAINING AT HOME sport development. ‘NEW SENSATION’ In November 2019, Pinheiros In the 100 metres the two other He got his big break in 2015, rescinded his contract, say- competitors, from Tajikistan and when he took the place of in- ing he was under-perform- Niger, were disqualifi ed for false jured teammate Arthur Nory ing. Assumpcao says it was starts, leaving Moussambani to on the vault at the Gymnas- punishment for condemn- swim alone. tics World Cup stage event in ing racism in the gymnastics He started well enough but his hometown, Sao Paulo. world. in the second lap, his freestyle Assumpcao won gold, “You pay a very heavy slowed to a crawl. The 17,000 upsetting Brazil’s leading price when you’re a victim of crowd in the aquatic centre in the gymnast at the time, veteran racism in Brazil, or anywhere Olympic Park roared him home in Diego Hypolito, who won in the world,” he said. 1min 52.72sec. bronze. “But the oppressors pay a The same day, Dutch swimmer Globo Sports, part of Bra- much cheaper price. Look at Pieter van den Hoogenband, who zil’s biggest media house, Arthur Nory. He got to go on would win the gold, set a world proclaimed Assumpcao “the with his life.” record of 47.84sec in his semi- new sensation” of Brazilian Last year, Pinheiros car- fi nal. gymnastics. ried out an internal review Yet Moussambani had made Eric Moussambani standing next to a 12m long small swimming pool, very similar to the small one he used to train in 20 years ago while preparing Days later, though, his cel- that confi rmed incidents of a splash. The global media, fans for the Olympics, at the CHN Flat-Hotel in Malabo on September 12, 2020. (AFP) ebration was cut short. “racial abuse” and “harass- and sponsors embraced ‘Eric the Nory put a video on social ment” at the club, according Eel’. Committee at the time, Fernando recorded the slowest ever time in him. ‘You are going to be disqual- swimming federation of Equato- media in which he and two to a report by Globo Sports. Moussambani had only recent- Minko, wanted to see how we the event, which entered the Ol- ifi ed, your outfi t is not regulation, rial Guinea, my life has changed other young white gymnasts However, in a statement ly learned to swim and had never swam, so I dived into the pool and ympic programme in 1988. The it looks like you’re going to the completely. I work to ensure that cracked racist jokes with a to AFP, the club denied rac- seen a 50-metre pool before ar- started to move my feet. He told facilities in Sydney were an eye beach.’ So he gave me a swimming our country has good swimmers, visibly uncomfortable As- ism in the decision to cut ties riving in Sydney. us we were going to the Olympics opener. “When they showed me costume and goggles.” teaching them the fundamentals sumpcao. “When your cell with Assumpcao. “When I was young, I played in Australia. the Olympic pool, I had never of swimming. phone’s working, the screen His bitter experiences basketball,” he said. “I broke my “It was two or three months seen one so big, I thought ‘seri- ‘OLYMPIC SPIRIT’ “They, at least, have the op- is white. When it breaks, rushed back recently when arm, and I had a panicky fear of away from the opening! There ously, I can’t,” Moussambani said. Kitted out, Moussambani took portunity to see and train in Ol- what color is it?” a snickering another Brazilian, Neymar, playing again. I became inter- wasn’t even a coach. I asked a “During my training in Syd- the plunge. “Of course there was ympic swimming pools. I divide Nory asks in the video. accused a defender of us- ested in swimming. When I was man from the hotel to come and ney I never swam all the way to some mockery, but in the inter- my life between my work in an oil “Black!” comes the an- ing racist insults against him about 19, 20 years old, I started to coach me. He said OK but from the end,” he said. “Honestly, I views I had afterwards, people company and the swimming fed- swer. during Paris Saint-Germain’s learn with a fi sherman because I 5:00am to 6:00am in the morn- couldn’t swim.” explained to me that I was not eration. “The plastic bags at the 1-0 loss to Marseille Sunday. couldn’t swim.” ing because the pool was for the “There were South African and prepared, not trained like the oth- “I’m a diff erent Eric than 20 supermarket are white. What “That just goes to show guests. American swimmers, I took the ers, but that I had represented the years ago. I have a wife and four colour are garbage bags?” that you can be the best ath- ‘I COULDN’T SWIM’ “I didn’t know what the Olym- opportunity to watch how they strength of the Olympic spirit.” children,” he said. “I’m not rich The video went viral on- lete in the world, rich and fa- When he heard the country’s pics were all about,” he said. “I moved their feet, their technique, That swim transformed Mous- but I earn my living.” line, triggering outrage in mous, but they still judge you swimming federation was look- didn’t even know where Australia I asked them questions.” sambani’s life. “I did a lot of ad- He said that he tells the young Brazil, a country of 212 mil- by the colour of your skin,” ing for swimmers he went along. was.” He also lacked equipment until vertising in Japan and Australia. I swimmers the lesson he took lion people where 54 percent said Assumpcao. “I was the only boy, there was a Paula Barila Bolopa was Equa- the day of his fi rst race. travelled,” he said. from his lonely swim in Sydney. of the population is black or Today, the gymnast trains girl too, in the end there were only torial Guinea’s other entrant in “A coach from South Africa It also made him a symbol for “I ask them to have a lot of mixed race. by himself at home, getting two of us.” Sydney. She was also out of her saw me wearing Bermuda shorts swimming in Equatorial Guinea, courage, because I believe that, The Brazilian Gymnastics by with the help of donations The trials were held there and depth. Swimming her heat in the I’d bought at a second-hand shop where there are now two Olym- in life, when you have goals, Federation suspended the from friends and family and then. women’s 50m three days after and a towel and asked me: ‘Where pic-size pools. you have to persevere to achieve three white gymnasts for a hoping to get the chance to “The president of the Olympic Moussambani’s 100 metres, she are you going?’ ‘Swimming,’ I told “I am a national coach in the them.” month. They later apolo- compete again. Gulf Times Sunday, September 20, 2020 7 SPORT

TOUR DE FRANCE GOLF Tougher things to deal with than Pogacar poised Open, says Watson

Reuters Open to be with his family. Mamaroneck, NY But with no way to get into the area he decided, after talking to his wife Angie, to stay in Mamar- ubba Watson had his oneck. to win title aft er plane ready to go then, “When it hit on Wednesday, despite a double-bogey the fi rst text I sent my wife is I Bon his fi nal hole, shot should I come home, again, golf one of just three sub-par rounds is golf and life is more important at the US Open on Friday, ensur- than that,” said Watson. ing he will be going nowhere this “And so that’s really where I’m weekend. A self-described head at.”If boss lady says come home, case, a double-bogey at 18 that I’m going home.” shock turnaround turned a great round at the fa- Watson said his family was mously tough Winged Foot Golf safe and the house equipped to Pogacar will lead the peloton into Paris today wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey Club into a good one might have ride out the storm allowed him left Watson fuming. to try and focus on winning a US But the twice Masters champi- Open. on shrugged off the lapse saying While the 41-year-old has there were bigger problems in the two Green Jackets he has found world, like a hurricane that had very little success at the US been bearing down on his Florida Open his best result a tie for home, signing for one-under 69 fifth in 2007 but in 13 appear- to sit just fi ve back of the leader ances overall has missed the cut Patrick Reed. eight times. “There’s other things — “Right now I’m trying to stay there’s other bigger things out focused on a very diffi cult golf there,” said Watson. “This year course instead of the very dif- has been a crazy year for every- fi cult situation at home,” said body in the world. Watson, who has already talked “And now, my hometown, the to the PGA Tour about how they destruction of the hurricane, might help communities hurt by there’s so many bigger things out the storm. there right now.” “When I get back, we’ll assess As Hurricane Sally slammed how we can help, how we can into his hometown of Bagdad, help as the Watson family, how Florida earlier in the week Watson I can help a community that’s said he considered leaving the US helped me so much.”

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar wearing the best young’s white jersey crosses the finish line at the end of the 20th stage of the 107th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a time trial of 36km between Lure and La Planche des Belles Filles, yesterday.

AFP which took 12 seconds, after the 30km Ronchamp, France rolling section to tackle the 6km eight % climb at top speed. The 30-year-old Roglic only decided adej Pogacar all but clinched the to change bikes once he began to crumble Tour de France yesterday after fast, but it became painfully clear he was his Slovenian compatriot Primoz in for a horrible fi nale. Bubba Watson of the United States plays his shot from the sixth tee TRoglic let a 57 seconds lead slip in Dressed in yellow for the fi rst time af- during the second round of the 120th US Open Championship on a tricky individual time-trial, the last day ter covering the 36km in 55mins 55sec Friday. of real racing. Pogacar said he could hardly think let The 21-year-old Pogacar will lead the alone answer questions. peloton into Paris today wearing the The defeat comes as a bombshell for overall leader’s yellow jersey and, barring the Dutch Jumbo team, but the rookie’s Mickelson disappointed as disaster, will climb onto the top step of performance will go down as one of the the podium. all-time-great turnarounds. Grand Slam bid falls short Staggeringly, the youngster will also All the more so as Roglic has previ- pull on the polka dot jersey as best climb- ously produced outstanding time-trial er on the Tour, and also the white jersey as performances at the 2019 Giro d’Italia best under-25s rider. through the Tuscany vineyards and later “My dream was just to take part,” said that year on his way to Vuelta a Espana Pogacar on his fi rst Tour de France. victory on the stage 10 time-trial at Pau. “I could hear nothing on the fi nal climb Meanwhile, the fi nal stage of the Tour and I went for it with everything,” he said. of Luxembourg was marred by a crash Often unlucky Australia’s Richie Porte Team Jumbo rider Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic wearing the overall leader’s yellow caused by a truck parked on the course climbed to third overall here to make the jersey (down) rests after crossing the finish line at the end of the 20th stage of the yesterday, the latest incident in a race in Tour de France podium for the fi rst time, 107th edition of the Tour de France cycling race yesterday. which riders protested about safety. while Spain’s Mikel Landa and Enric Mas Television footage showed several rid- rounded out the top fi ve with strong fi n- Here in the time-trial Pogacar pul- climb means even as loser he remains the ers on the deck after the peloton was ishes too. verised the fi eld with his stage-winning big story. forced to slow down 67km from the end. Ireland’s Sam Bennett looks set to win performance, and his team hugged and Pogacar also is set to become the Yevgeniy Gidich of Astana was forced the best sprinter’s green jersey, but must kissed him as they realised the 2020 Tour youngest postwar champion as a genera- to abandon the race after suff ering cuts negotiate the eight lap dash that ends the was theirs. tional shift takes hold of cycling with a and bruises, while other riders involved Tour de France along the Champs Elysees Roglic had led the Tour since stage nine string of young stage winners. included Bahrain McLaren duo Fred in Paris today. and his dramatic meltdown on the fi nal The UAE rider Pogacar changed bikes, Wright and Santiago Buitrago.

MOTORCYCLING

Viñales bags pole position as Bagnaia penalised Reuters outbreak led to a change in the Mamaroneck, NY exemption categories. Reuters worked hard with the race conditions Mickelson, who last month won Rome and I hope it pays off .” his debut on the PGA Tour’s Bagnaia will now start fi fth after the hil Mickelson’s over-50 circuit, said he had Italian touched the green while com- hopes of completing struggled under pressure at the amaha’s Maverick Viñales ing out of the fi nal corner, forcing of- the career Grand Slam testing Winged Foot course, took pole position for today’s fi cials to cancel his fi nal lap. of golf’s four majors where he suff ered an infamous Emilia Romagna Grand Prix The Italian, who was among a mayP have been dashed forever final-hole collapse in the 2006 Yafter a dramatic fi nal qualify- number of riders who crashed in prac- as the six-times runner-up US Open. ing session yesterday in which Pramac tice earlier amid colder temperatures, walked away from the US Open “I’ve been playing very well at Racing’s pace-setter Francesco Bag- had set a blistering time of 1:30.973. on Friday with one of the worst home, and I get out here where naia was penalised for exceeding track Ducati’s championship leader An- 36-hole scores of his major the penalty for a mis-hit is se- limits. drea Dovizioso could only manage career. Mickelson shot a four- vere, and I find myself getting Viñales, whose all-time Misano lap 10th following a disappointing eff ort over-par 74 in tough second- a little tight and a little steery, record set before last week’s San Ma- in qualifying. Bradley Smith (Aprilia round scoring conditions at a and playing some of my worst rino race was then erased by Bagnaia Racing Team Gresini) and Takaaki Na- windy Winged Foot that left him golf,” said Mickelson. in the third free practice, blazed the kagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) both at 13 over on the week and well “And that’s something I’ve got circuit during the fi nal qualifying ses- crashed at turn 15 ahead of qualifying outside the cut line of the only to work on and fix. When I go sion to set another new mark of one but the pair walked away unhurt. major tournament he has never back home, I don’t have the minute, 31.077 seconds. Nakagami hit the tarmac again at won. stress and I seem to play just The 25-year-old Spaniard — who the same part of the track later and es- “It’s a terrific place to play golf fine, but I’ve got to be able to had claimed pole last weekend — went caped injury again. and I’m appreciative of the bring it out here under these 0.076 seconds quicker than Pramac Petronas Yamaha’s Franco Mor- opportunity to have been able conditions.” Racing’s Jack Miller, while Petronas bidelli won last weekend’s San Marino compete here and I’m disap- Mickelson now plans to take a Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo (1:31.222) race, while Dovizioso was seventh to pointed I didn’t play better,” few weeks off and was unsure completed the front row. leapfrog Quartararo and take the lead said Mickelson. if another US Open chance “I feel quite good... we made an im- in the world championship with 76 The 50-year-old Mickelson awaits. provement from last weekend which points. was in danger of missing this “I don’t know,” Mickelson said makes me much more calmer, much The fi rst six rounds of the Covid- year’s US when asked if he had given more ready for tomorrow,” Viñales 19-hit 2020 season have produced fi ve Open given his place in the thought to whether this was his said. “We’re going to try our best... diff erent winners, with Quartararo world rankings but made it last crack at a US Monster Energy Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales (R) celebrates qualifying in pole position with the team did a good job... at the very claiming the opening two races in Je- into the field as the COVID-19 Open title. teammate Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi yesterday. last exit we found something good. I rez.

Sunday, September 20, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS GOLF Djokovic battles Reed grabs halfway into Italian semis lead, Tiger ‘That’s just me, and of course I’m not perfect. I’m doing my best’ misses cut Halep, Muguruza Reuters The world number nine fi n- Mamaroneck, NY ished his round with a mon- strous eagle at the par-fi ve set up last-4 clash ninth hole where, after a 380- ormer Masters cham- yard drive, he stuff ed a pitching pion Patrick Reed put wedge to six feet. his sterling short game “Confi dence is at an all-time Fon display to grab the high right now, driving it well, US Open halfway lead on Friday iron play is fantastic, wedging while Tiger Woods fi nished well is getting better each and every outside the cut in windy condi- day, and I’m putting it like I tions that humbled many of the know I can,” said DeChambeau, game’s top golfers. whose best major fi nish was Reed only hit fi ve fairways on a share of fourth place at this a tough scoring day at Winged year’s PGA Championship. Foot but made a slew of stunning Thomas (73), Spain’s Rafa Ca- recoveries and needed only 25 brera Bello (70) and Harris Eng- putts en route to an even-par 70 lish (70) were all two shots off that left him at four under on the the pace heading into the week- week and one shot clear of Bry- end of a tournament that was son DeChambeau (68). originally scheduled for mid- “I feel like the game is where June but postponed because of it needs to be. I feel good,” said the Covid-19 pandemic. world number 10 Reed. “I just Masters champion Woods (77) need to tighten a few things up missed the cut for the eighth here or there, but the short game time in his last 15 majors after a is sharp, and when I play around round during which he made fi ve a place like this, that’s what you bogeys and two double-bogeys need.” over a miserable 11-hole run. Reed, who started the day one “Physically it was frustrating shot back of overnight leader that I didn’t drive the ball as well Justin Thomas, grabbed the out- as I needed to,” said Woods. right lead with a birdie on his “Iron play was pretty much fi nal hole, the par-fi ve ninth, the way it has been. It’s been Romania’s Simona Halep in action during her quarter-final where his shot from a greenside good, and I fi nally putted well. match against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva yesterday. bunker settled fi ve feet from the But on this golf course it’s im- cup. perative that you hit fairways, Rome: Top seed Simona goals now,” she said. Unlike the fi rst round when 21 and I did not do that.” Halep and Spaniard Garbine “I love Rome, I love Italy, players fi nished under par in soft Phil Mickelson’s latest bid to Muguruza set up a semi-fi - and every time I have a chance conditions, Winged Foot proved complete the career Grand Slam nal clash in the Italian Open I come on holiday here, so I a much sterner test on Friday as of golf’s four majors fell apart as yesterday, a battle of former feel really good when I play DeChambeau, Bubba Watson the six-times runner-up carded French Open champions be- here in Italy.” Putintseva, (69) and Hideki Matsuyama a 74 and missed the cut after fore Roland Garros. ranked 30, had reached the (69) were the only players from a posting one of the worst 36-hole Halep — the 2018 French quarter-fi nals of the US 144-player fi eld to break par. scores of his major career. Open winner — reached the Open, which Halep skipped DeChambeau, who has turned Among the others to miss the Serbia’s Novak Djokovic pretends cheering the crowd in an empty central court, after winning his Rome semi-fi nals for the fi fth because of coronavirus con- heads this year with his new cut were defending champion quarter-final against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in Rome yesterday. time after Kazakh rival Yulia cerns. physique and prodigious length Gary Woodland, PGA Cham- Putintseva retired injured And the Romanian said she off the tee, went out in the pionship winner Collin Mori- morning wave and muscled his AFP “That’s how I guess I release position to play a third set,” said while trailing during their was pleased with her return kawa, and top-20 players Tyrell way around a scorecard-shred- Rome sometimes my anger. And it’s Djokovic. match yesterday. on clay with her three wins in Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, defi nitely not the best message “I was a set and a break up and The world number two Rome this week extending her ding Winged Foot course like few Matthew Fitzpatrick and Justin out there, especially for the everything was looking great. I was leading 6-2, 2-0 in the streak this season to 12 con- others can. Rose. op men’s seed Novak young tennis players looking at just wasn’t managing to make quarter-fi nal clash on clay in secutive victories. Djokovic let his frustra- me.” that fi nal shot, that fi nal step to Rome when Putintseva sig- She won the Dubai title in tions spill over, breaking “I don’t encourage that, defi - win in straights.” nalled that she was retiring February, before the corona- his racket during a tough nitely. But, look, we’re all peo- The 33-year-old next plays after 45 minutes with a lower virus lockdown, coming back T6-3, 4-6, 6-3 quarter-fi nal vic- ple. We all do our best. Norway’s Casper Ruud who also back injury. to claim victory in Prague last tory over qualifi er Dominik There were times and periods needed to fi ght to get past Italian Murguruza, winner in Ro- month. “It was really good Koepfer in the Italian Open yes- when I don’t do that, and there fourth seed Matteo Berrettini land Garros in 2016, dropped that I didn’t miss much,” she terday. are sometimes periods when I 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5). a set before ending the run said of yesterday’s match The world number one need- do. “It’s unpredictable really in “Clay is defi nitely Casper’s of US Open fi nalist Victoria played in front of empty ed more than two hours to see off life what can happen. I am work- preferred surface,” said Djoko- Azarenka 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. stands at Foro Italico. the 97th-ranked German, before ing on my mental and emotional vic of his fi rst meeting with the “It’s a big challenge,” said Meanwhile, two-time win- advancing to the semi-fi nals in health as much as I’m working 34th-ranked Norwegian. Halep of meeting Murguruza, ner Elina Svitolina fell to a the last warm-up tournament on my physical health. “This is where he feels most who like the Romanian is also straight sets defeat to Czech on clay before the French Open. “It’s always been part of my, I comfortable. It’s semi-fi nals a Wimbledon champion. Marketa Vondrousova. Two weeks after his US Open guess, training and recovery, as and it is anybody’s game. I’ll do “Muguruza, she feels really Vondrousova, last year’s default for accidently hitting a well, developing strong charac- some homework and be ready good on clay court and here, French Open fi nalist and the line judge with a ball, the Serb ter and understanding myself on for that one.” as well.” Muguruza leads Ha- 12th seed in Rome, brushed struggled to contain his emo- diff erent levels, the holistic ap- Ruud — son of former tennis lep 5-2 in previous meetings aside her fourth-seeded ri- tions, throwing his racket after a proach to life. player Christian Ruud — be- but both the Romanian’s wins val 6-3, 6-0 as she warms lost service game, with shouts of “That’s just me, and of course comes the fi rst Norwegian to were on clay. Ninth seed Mu- up for Roland Garros in just anger resounding in the silence I’m not perfect. I’m doing my reach the last four of a Masters guruza has reached the semi- over a week. The Czech hit of the empty Central Court of best.” tournament. fi nals in Rome three times, 25 winners to Svitolina’s nine Foro Italico. Djokovic was broken four Ruud, 21, was relishing “a but the Spaniard has never thoughout the match, with “Well, let me tell you that it’s times before advancing to his great opportunity for me to play advanced to the fi nals. the former champion accu- not the fi rst nor the last racquet 11th semi-fi nal in Rome, where against one of the big three”. Halep has twice fi nished mulating 26 unforced errors. that I’ll break in my career. I he reached the fi nal nine times Berrettini’s elimination ended runner-up in Rome in 2017 Svitolina won the Rome ti- have done it before,” he warned. and won four titles. home hopes in the tournament and 2018, and “really wants to tle in 2017 and 2018, beating “I’ll probably do it again. I “Credit to (Dominik) for which will be open to 1,000 win” the tournament. Romanian Simona Halep, the Patrick Reed of the United States plays his shot from the sixth tee don’t want to do it, but when it fi ghting back, but I have myself spectators from today’s semi- “It’s one of the biggest top seed this year, both times. during the second round of the 120th US Open Championship at comes, it happens. to blame for putting myself in a fi nals. Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.

SPOTLIGHT Tanak crashes out of Turkey Rally as Tiger ready for rest before beginning defence of Masters title Neuville takes charge Marmaris, Turkey: Ott Tanak crashed AFP I don’t give myself that op- lenge event for many years. out of the Turkey Rally yesterday to New York portunity over the weekend, it With 82 career US PGA ti- severely dent his world championship doesn’t feel good.” tles, Woods has matched the title defence and leave the way open for What’s next for Woods is all-time tour record for all- Belgian driver Thierry Neuville to take iger Woods departed some rest and recovery time. time victories won by Sam the race lead. Tanak’s Hyundai suff ered a Winged Foot disap- “Well, probably I’m not go- Snead and both Zozo and the steering problem when careering off the pointed and frustrated ing to be swinging a club for a Masters off er chances to claim road at full throttle towards the end of Tafter missing the cut little bit,” Woods said. “Take a the record before the US star the third stage. Both the Estonian and his Friday at the 120th US Open, little break. And then refocus celebrates his 45th birthday in co-driver escaped uninjured. but already looking forward to and get back after it. December. Tanak, who had breathed fresh life into defending his Masters title in The next time Woods tees “There’s still one more ma- his title bid when winning his home rally November. off in a major it will be in No- jor to go, and my title defence in Estonia, was placed seventh after The 15-time major winner vember when he has his long- at Sherwood,” Woods said. Friday’s opening stages. fi red a seven-over par 77 on delayed opportunity to defend “We have a couple big, big That left Sebastien Ogier in pole position Friday at the famed Mamaron- last year’s Masters title. things ahead of us.” to claim his seventh WRC crown. eck, New York, layout to fi nish Woods captured the green Woods did not talk about The Toyota driver heads the champion- on 10-over 150, four strokes jacket in April 2019 but be- how his surgically repaired ship standings, and for a while was in beyond the cut line. cause of the coronavirus pan- back held up through the chal- control in Turkey, the third last leg of this “It’s frustrating that I’m not demic has had to wait until lenge posed by the US Open coronavirus-shortened season, from going to be here for the week- November 12-15 to return to course, but was unhappy with Neuville and Elfyn Evans, his Toyota end,” Woods said. “It feels Augusta National. how he hit the ball off the tees. teammate and main title rival. like the way the golf course is Woods, ranked 21st, last “Physically it was frustrat- The Frenchman dominated the morning changing, anybody who makes won a title at the 2019 Zozo ing that I didn’t drive the ball to lead Neuville by 1.6 seconds after the the cut has the opportunity to Championship in Japan last as well as I needed to,” Woods first three stages. But the Belgian then win this championship. October. said. took advantage of the gearbox problems “I didn’t get myself that op- Due to the coronavirus pan- “Iron play was pretty much encountered by Ogier in SS6 and closed portunity. It’s never easy to not demic, he will defend that ti- the way it has been. It has been the day with a lead of 33.2 seconds over be playing for the champion- tle next month at Sherwood good, and I fi nally putted well. Ogier and nine-time champion Sebastien ship on the weekend. Country Club in California, “But on this golf course it’s Loeb who had topped the timesheets “The whole goal of entering the same course where he imperative that you hit fair- after Friday’s two stages. an event is to win, and when hosted the World Golf Chal- ways, and I did not do that.”