SPORT Tuesday 23 October 2018 PAGE | 28 PAGE | 29 Raikkonen happy SL spin ace to prove ‘some Herath to retire people’ wrong after Galle Test Al Sadd look to turn the tide at Azadi Stadium, eye ACL final

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Al Sadd will be playing for everything at the Azadi Stadium when and they take on Persepolis in the second we leg of the 2018 AFC Champions gave every- League’s (ACL) West Asia semi-final in thing we had, just Tehran today. as Persepolis. We just were not lucky. The visitors will be looking to I hope that we will be better than we overturn the 1-0 first leg lead their were in the first leg and that fortune opponents enjoy when they take on will favour us. But we also need to con- the Iranian club. sider the fact that Al Sadd and Perspe- Persepolis become the first team polis are among the best four teams in to defeat Al Sadd at Jassim bin Hamad Asia, so the refereeing should be at a Stadium in the 2018 edition of the good level and better than in the first League after weathering an avalanche leg.” Ferreira asked his players to of Qatari attacks for 85 minutes and Al Sadd’s coach Jesualdo Ferreira (left) and forward Hamza Sanhaji maintain their focus ahead of the key then hitting on the counter, forcing addressing media during a pre-match press conference on the eve of their game. goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb to concede AFC Champions League clash against Iran’s Persepolis in Tehran today. “What I ask from the players and a penalty in the first leg of the semi- BOTTOM: Officials hold Persepolis and Al Sadd team jerseys. what we need now is focus. We know final match in Doha. that the match will be really tough for us After successfully negotiating a and for the opponent. It is well known tricky two legged tie in the quarter- that Iranian football is developing well finals against previously unbeaten Al and the evidence for that is the last World Duhail, Persepolis found themselves Cup, which saw players from Persepolis up against another Qatari side in the take part. They have more experience semi-finals. This time, it was their than the Al Sadd players,” he added. group stage opponents, Al Sadd. Ferreira promised that his players With Al Duhail and Jeonbuk will display a fighting spirit in the Hyundai Motors out of the tournament encounter. – Al Sadd is now the most prolific in “You will see our team fight on the attack and they will rely on the supe- pitch to get the win, I just need you to riority to put the rival defence to test. trust them and you will see all the There is no denying that Al Sadd’s players as warriors,” adding that they main force up front has been Algerian will play an attacking game. international Baghdad Bounedjah, the “We will play offensive football in tournament’s top scorer at present with order to win, and that’s the only way. 12 goals. When the players feel the pressure to However, he has had a capable win, they will give everything they supporting cast behind him and none have. Everyone must now that we are more so than 21-year-old starlet Akram preparing the players well and giving Afif. With Xavi pulling the string in of star names and a front two of them instructions but when the game Afif proved he is one for the big behind the clinical Bounedjah and Mensha and Ali Alipour will pose a starts, we have to wait and see what Al Sadd occasion with goals in both legs of the lively Afif, it will not be a surprise if the headache to any opponents. will happen because the ball is at the coach quarters but contributes in more ways Wolves create enough chances to score Coach Jesualdo Ferreira meanwhile players’ feet,” Ferreira said. Jesualdo than just finding the back of the net, a few. has claimed that his side will fight hard Curiously, the two teams have Ferreira and he should give the Persepolis Nonetheless, Persepolis are an for a win and a spot in the final. already faced off this season having defence plenty of headaches. equally capable team despite the lack “In the first match, we weren’t bad been drawn together in Group C. AFC U-19: Godinho delighted with Qatar’s heroics Chelsea coach THE PENINSULA Ianni charged with JAKARTA: Qatar’s assistant coach Lino Godinho was delighted by the way the West improper conduct Asians dug deep to claim a AFP dramatic 6-5 win against Indo- But the FA, English foot- nesia in their second AFC U-19 ball’s governing body, has Championship Group A fixture. LONDON: Chelsea assistant decided to take action. On what proved to be a sen- coach Marco Ianni has been “Chelsea coach Marco Ianni sational night at Jakarta’s Gelora charged with improper conduct has been charged following the Bung Karno Stadium, Qatar in a touchline flare-up with game against Manchester made the most of several Indo- Jose Mourinho that led the United on Saturday,” said an nesian defensive lapses to take Football Association to remind FA statement. a 4-1 lead into the half-time the Manchester United “It is alleged that his break and then extend their manager of his responsibilities. behaviour in the 96th minute advantage with two more goals Tensions escalated in front constituted improper conduct. after the break. Qatar’s Hashim Ali (left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring against hosts Indonesia their of the Stamford Bridge tunnel Mourinho, speaking ahead Sunday’s win also earned Al AFC U-19 Championship match against hosts Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in after Ross Barkley’s equaliser of United’s Champions League Annabi three points to put the deep into stoppage time saw match against Juventus on Jakarta yesterday. Qatari youngsters back in con- Chelsea secure a 2-2 draw on Tuesday, played down the tention for a place in the last Saturday. fracas by saying he did not eight. which enabled us to score six players, they made so many first period proved crucial,” he Former Chelsea manager want it to damage Italian coach “After losing our first match goals and gain a valuable mistakes but then made an said. Mourinho was angered by the Ianni’s career. to the UAE, we went into the victory,” he said. unbelievable effort to come back Indonesia will face the way Ianni, an assistant to Mourinho does not face game against Indonesia wanting In contrast, Indonesia head the way they did,” Sjafri said. United Arab Emirates in their current Blues boss Maurizio further FA action relating to the to score more and we absolutely coach Indra Sjafri was quick to “I believe the problem was final group stage game Sarri, celebrated in front of the incident but is preparing to achieved that,” Godinho said. admit that calamitous first half that we wanted to score early tomorrow, with Sjafri acknowl- United bench. answer a separate charge of “When we were leading 6-1, defending cost his side the on and, as a result, left spaces edging that improvements will Portuguese coach using abusive, insulting or we really did expect a reaction match. which Qatar were able to have to be made if they are to Mourinho leapt from his seat improper language following from Indonesia and the fact that Despite a subsequent Indo- exploit. stand any chance of beating the and had to be restrained by United’s 3-2 win over New- we held on to get the win really nesian revival which saw them “Of course, the early goals table-topping Emiratis and security staff as a melee castle, relating to remarks he does show that we have a come within a whisker of taking definitely cost us. We are cul- progress to the next stage. ensued. allegedly made in resilient and mentally tough a point, Sjafri was more than pable of making individual errors Qatar will conclude their Both Ianni and Sarri have Portuguese. team, one that plays as one until aware of the damage that had that allowed Qatar to score and group stage campaign today since apologised to Mourinho, He has until Wednesday to the very end. been done in the opening 45 although we changed things when they play Chinese Taipei with the United manager respond and Mourinho could “What was important was the minutes. around in the second half, the at the Pakansari Stadium in saying he now considers the face a touchline ban if the excellent collective effort, one “I really want to thank the four goals we conceded in the Bogor. matter closed. charge is upheld. 28 SPORT TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after beating the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee on Saturday. Record 33-shot period powers Lightning past Blackhawks

AGENCIES

CHICAGO: The Tampa Bay Lightning set a modern NHL record with 33 shots in the second period as they cruised to a 6-3 win over the host Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday evening. Brayden Point had one goal and two assists to lead the Lightning, while Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman each finished with a goal and an assist. Yanni Gourde, Anthony Cirelli and Ryan Callahan also scored for Tampa Bay, which has five wins in its first seven games. Tampa Bay’s 33-shot period marked the most since the NHL started counting shots on goal Dodgers seek first World Series as an official statistic in the 1955-56 campaign. Both the 2017-18 Montreal Canadiens and the 2018-19 Dallas Stars shared the previous modern record with crown since ‘88 against Red Sox 30 shots in a period. Alexandre Fortin, David Kampf and Nick Schmaltz scored AFP Boston will try to cap a team- for Chicago, which was outshot record 108-win season with 55-36 in the game. BOSTON: A classic showdown between two a championship trophy and Tampa Bay opened the of Major League Baseball’s oldest clubs opens scoring 3:21 into the first period. capture a fourth in 15 seasons  Kucherov skated behind Black- Today when the Boston Red Sox and Los  !" Angeles Dodgers meet to open the 114th and ninth overall starting hawks defenseman Brent Sea- World Series. today at historic Fenway Park.   brook and lifted a backhand shot Boston will try to cap a team-record   past Ward for his second goal of 108-win season with a championship trophy The Dodgers chase their the season and the 149th of his and capture a fourth in 15 seasons and ninth first crown in 30 years and  career. Chicago evened the score at overall starting today at historic Fenway seventh overall after losing to            1 on a breakaway goal by Fortin Park. !" “It’s huge to be able to continue the trend Houston in last year’s World with 8:20 left in the first period.  of winning,” Boston outfielder Jackie Bradley Series, one win shy of a title.  Jan Rutta zipped a long pass to  Jr, said. “You want to be part of something  lead Fortin, who buried a  %  forehand shot for his first career great. Obviously we want to win it all. And  4 43  goal. we’ve got to win four more.” manager Dave Roberts said. “Two storied % 46  %  &  The 21-year-old rookie The Dodgers chase their first crown in franchises going head-to-head. It’s going to & 5  * 4 30 years and seventh overall after losing to be a great series.”  4  thought he had his first goal one  4! 4= Houston in last year’s World Series, one win The Red Sox, who had a $240m payroll, $ ) " 42  night earlier, but a late scoring 6 !   3  change rendered him with an shy of a title. are unbeaten on the road in the playoffs,  $   ' 4" $ 2 '& assist instead. “We’ve got a tough series against the Red going 5-0 and outscoring foes 40-13.  Sox coming up,” said Dodgers outfielder Boston boasts the two top batters in the  The Lightning scored three 24  # ' Cody Bellinger. major leagues in Mookie Betts, who averaged    goals during a wild second Red Sox star left-hander Chris Sale will .346 with 32 home runs and 82 runs batted 44 period in which they had a 33-6   pitch the opener despite being hospitalised in, and J.D. Martinez, who averaged .330 with  advantage in shots on goal. (  a week ago with a stomach ailment. Sale 43 homers and 130 runs batted in.  Cirelli started the flurry when went 12-4 with a 2.11 earned-run average The Red Sox had their best major league     he punched in a loose puck near 26 + this season. season since 2001 and are a perfect 7-0   the net at 4:22. 45 Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw, when scoring first in post-season games.   !  A power-play goal by hoping to shatter a history of underper- Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado,      Gourde increased Tampa Bay’s forming in big games, is expected to pitch obtained in a July trade with Baltimore, has      "# lead to 3-1 with 7:53 remaining the opener despite throwing Saturday’s last a history with Boston fans after injuring 4 , &- &- 23 , 42 .  6 in the period. Less than two inning in a playoff win at Milwaukee. Dustin Pedroia in a slide that led to an minutes later, Point turned to his 2 '" (% )" 44 46 %%" -%" 6 It’s baseball’s first version of the Boston- exchange of batters hit by pitchers on both backhand to flip a shot past LA rivalry made famous in NBA Lakers- teams. Controversial slides against Mil- 6 - .. 5 4! 0 . / 6 Ward for his fifth goal in seven Celtics 1980s title showdowns and it comes waukee made him a villain again this month. !  %* %" %" " 4 ,) ()., ,))" 2 contests. in Fenway Park, the oldest venue in the “They are always going to boo the best,” Hedman made it 5-1 when .  / " 4 1  2 major leagues dating to 1912, half a century Machado said after getting jeers from he scored on a wrist shot midway before Dodger Stadium. Brewers fans. "%!)"(!" 43 -/0" 2 through the third period. The Dodgers, whose history dates to the Dodgers manager Roberts was traded 3 .  4" ' .7 7 2 Chicago scored twice in the 1880s and includes a move from Brooklyn as a player from Los Angeles to the Red Sox final five minutes. Kampf knocked " "+!, " 45   )%" 2 to California 60 years ago, and Red Sox, in in 2004, when he helped the club win its in a one-timer with 4:43 to go, their 118th campaign, met in the 1916 World first World Series title since 1918. 5 %.. 0 ! 2= . 8 97: 2 and Schmaltz followed suit with Series, which Boston won thanks in part to Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who could 4= , ! +" 6 24 "%!)"%!)" 4 3:48 remaining. Callahan capped the scoring 13 scoreless innings pitched by legend Babe become only the fifth rookie manager to win 44 .. 1 6 22 ; %<- 4 Ruth in a 2-1 Red Sox victory. a World Series, played with the Dodgers and with an empty-net goal with 2:05 “I think it’s great for baseball,” Dodgers later helped Boston to the 2007 Series title.  #$% &  '   26 "%"" 4 left. LeBron-less Cavs fall to Atlanta Hawks in home opener AP Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (right) NBA RESULTS made him so difficult to defend moves to the basket against Cleveland Cleveland 111 Atlanta 133 in college. CLEVELAND: Trae Young had It’s a whole new ballgame in Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton during their LA Clippers 115 Houston 112 35 points with 11 assists - the Cleveland without James, who NBA match played at Quicken Loans Arena Denver 100 Golden State 98 best line for an NBA rookie in carried the Cavs to four straight in Cleveland, OH, USA on Sunday. Oklahoma City 120 Sacramento 131 eight years - and Kent Bazemore NBA Finals and a title in 2016 scored 23 as the Atlanta Hawks before leaving as a free agent - rolled to an easy 133-111 win on season as they adjust to life after for the second time - in July for Sunday over the Cleveland LeBron. Los Angeles. Cavaliers, who lost their home But Cleveland’s issues appear The Cavs are starting over, opener and fell to 0-3 in their to be far deeper than no longer but believe they can still be com- first season without LeBron having the game’s best player. petitive in the Eastern James. The Cavs aren’t playing profes- Conference. The No. 5 overall pick in this sional level defense and have Their pinning most of those year’s draft, Young shook off a given up 116, 131 and 133 points hopes on Love, who signed a slow start and showed why the in their first three games. four-year, $120m contract Hawks believe he’s a future The Hawks led 92-86 after extension this summer. But he superstar. Young is the first three and then put it away by doesn’t have much help and it rookie to reach at least 35 points making seven 3-pointers in the could be a while before Sexton and 10 assists since Steph Curry first seven minutes of the final is ready to contribute. He came in 2010. period. Atlanta made 10 3s in the off the bench and scored four Young made six of Atlanta’s final period. points in 28 minutes. 22 3-pointers while overshad- While wearing neon green Quicken Loans Arena was owing Cleveland rookie guard sneakers, Young showed plenty only half-filled for the opening Collin Sexton. Young missed four of flash in his game. tip as an unusual Sunday of his first five shots but finished He made 6 of 7 shots and evening starting time, combined 13 of 23 from the field. He scored 18 points in the second with a weak opponent, con- struggled in his first two games, quarter, helping the Hawks erase tributed to little energy inside making just 12 of 32. a 15-point lead and go up 64-60 the building. Kevin Love scored 16 and at halftime. Young also knocked Cleveland’s theme this added 17 rebounds for the Cavs, down three 3-pointers in the season is “Be The Fight.” The who could be in for a very long quarter, displaying the range that Cavs barely showed any. TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 29 Australia, England reject fixing as probe launched

AFP were similarly involved in five Lord’s, South Africa versus Aus- it may make seriously and will Australia and the ECB. “Cricket our team have not identified any matches over the same period, tralia in Cape Town, and several investigate fully.” Australia takes a zero-tolerance issues of corruption by any SYDNEY: Australia and England Pakistan players in three and games during England’s series The ICC also launched a approach against anyone trying current or former player,” said yesterday rejected fresh allega- players from other, unidentified, against Pakistan in the United probe after the original Al to compromise the integrity of Sutherland. tions about corruption in cricket teams in one match. Arab Emirates. Jazeera documentary and in the game, and to suggest any- The ECB was also adamant by television news channel Al “In some cases, both teams The International Cricket August Marshall said “we have thing otherwise is unsubstan- that the claims lacked Jazeera, which claimed there appear to have delivered a fix,” Council said it had launched an been able to discount a number tiated and incorrect,” CA chief credibility. had been 26 spot-fixing inci- it said, pointing to purported investigation and would work of claims made in the pro- executive James Sutherland said “Whilst the limited infor- dents in 15 international recordings of a match-fixer with professional independent gramme and continue to pursue yesterday. mation we have been given by matches. calling in the fixes to a notorious betting analysts. other aspects”. “We have full confidence in Al Jazeera is poorly prepared In a follow-up documentary Indian bookmaker linked to “The ICC is committed to That documentary alleged our players in also protecting and lacks clarity and corrobo- to one aired earlier this year, the organised crime. working to uphold integrity in corruption among Australia and the game.” Prior to the latest ration, it has been properly Qatari-based broadcaster It alleged that the suspected cricket,” said the head of the England players in games in broadcast, CA’s Integrity Unit assessed,” it said in a statement. reported on Sunday that a small fixes were usually carried out governing body’s anti-cor- 2016 and 2017. conducted a review of the “Analysis of this by the ECB group of England players by batsmen who agreed to ruption unit Alex Marshall. Those claims were dis- claims, which it said came from integrity team has cast no doubt allegedly cheated in seven underperform. “As you would expect we will missed by both countries, with a “known criminal source”. on the integrity or behaviour of games between 2011 and 2012. Among the matches cited again take the contents of the the latest documentary sparking “From the limited infor- any England player, current or It claimed Australian players were England against India at programme and any allegations a similar response from Cricket mation provided by Al Jazeera, former.”

Jamshed’s SL spin ace Herath to 10-year ban upheld retire after Galle Test AFP LAHORE: A Pakistani cricket tribunal yesterday upheld a In this file photo REUTERS 10-year ban on former Australia taken on July 23, Herath had said he was con- opener Nasir Jamshed over 2018 Sri Lankan templating retirement in his role in various fixing cricketer Rangana COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s November. He retired from scandals that rocked the romp to Herath shows Rangana Herath, the most one-day and twenty20 inter- Pakistan Super League (PSL). the ball as he successful left-arm spinner in nationals in 2016. The 28-year-old -- one of win over celebrates taking Test history, will retire after “Maybe my final series will six players banned for mul- six wickets after the series opener against be the England series later in tiple charges of spot fixing -- victory in the England in Galle next month, the year,” he told the BBC. was sanctioned by an anti- UAE second Test against local media reported “There comes a time for corruption tribunal in August South Africa at yesterday. every cricketer, when they for his role in the scandal, The 40-year-old, who has have to stop playing. I think which tainted the T20 tour- AFP the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) been managing knee injuries that time has come for me.” nament in only its second year. Cricket Stadium in for several years, will bring Herath has taken 430 “The independent adju- ABU DHABI: D’Arcy Short Colombo. down the curtain on his glo- wickets in 92 Tests and is 10th dicator has found the ban was (pictured, above) smacked rious career at the same venue on the list of most successful ‘perfectly justified’ and shall an unbeaten half-century as where he made his debut 19 bowlers in the five-day format. continue to remain in force,” Australia cruised to a seven- years ago. He has 34 five-wicket the Pakistan Cricket Board wicket victory over United Sri Lanka’s The Island hauls and has taken 10 wickets (PCB) said in a statement. Arab Emirates in a lone newspaper reported that or more on nine occasions. Jamshed was first banned Twenty20 international in Herath had made a request to For most of his career he for 12 months by the same tri- Abu Dhabi yesterday. the country’s cricket board was overshadowed by Sri bunal last December for Short struck eight (SLC) to allow him to quit in Lankan spin great Muttiah failing to cooperate with the boundaries as he finished 68 Galle. Muralitharan, who took 800 investigation. not out off 53 balls to help “Herath had made a tests wickets before retiring The cricketer has been Australia chase down a request to retire after the first from the format in 2010 - also enmeshed in controversy modest 118-run target in 16.1 Test in Galle. It is entirely up at Galle. since allegations broke he had overs after UAE were to him and we will respect his Herath has been the effectively been a “lynchpin restricted to 117-6. decision,” the daily quoted an leader of Sri Lanka’s spin who approached and solicited Short overcame the loss unnamed board official as attack since the retirement of other players” in spot-fixing of skipper Aaron Finch (one) saying. Ahead of Sri Lanka’s Muralitharan but has struggled in PSL matches played in the and Chris Lynn (20) as Aus- two-match Test series against in recent years with the per- United Arab Emirates. tralia tuned up for their three- South Africa at home in July, sistent knee injuries. Jamshed was also match T20 series against arrested by the National Pakistan starting in Abu Crime Agency in England on Dhabi today. spot-fixing charges but was The other two matches later released on bail in Feb- will be played in Dubai on ruary last year. Friday and Sunday. SL seeks Indian help to tackle match-fixing Jamshed has played two Nathan Coulter-Nile and Tests, 48 one-day interna- Billy Stanlake finished with tionals and 18 T20s for AFP identical bowling figures of “I made the request, and in 2000 but the pair were suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket Pakistan until 2015. two for 20 as UAE lost wickets Prime Minister Modi immedi- cleared of any wrongdoing. pending an ICC investigation. A at regular intervals before COLOMBO: India has offered to ately put me in touch with the Sri Lanka promised to third man, provincial coach Shaiman Anwar top-scored assist Sri Lanka with its inquiry CBI,” said Ranatunga, who also establish a special police unit to Jeevantha Kulatunga, was also with 41 and Mohammad into match-fixing in cricket and skippered Sri Lanka during their investigate match-fixing after a suspended. Naveed made 27 not out. drafting laws to combat cheating World Cup victory in 1996. documentary aired in May Sanath Jayasuriya, a in the game, a Sri Lankan cabinet “We don’t have the expertise alleged massive global cor- member of the 1996 World Cup The independent Brief Scores minister said yesterday. or the laws to deal with this ruption in cricket. winning squad, is under inves- adjudicator has UAE 117-6 in 20 overs Sri Lanka’s Petroleum Min- problem in a proper manner. Galle groundsman Tharanga tigation by the International (Shaiman Anwar 41, ister Arjuna Ranatunga said India promised to help us in Indika and professional cricketer Cricket Council’s anti-corruption found the ban was Mohammad Naveed 27; N. India’s Central Bureau of Inves- drafting legislation too,” the Tharindu Mendis allegedly spec- unit, along with several others. ‘perfectly justified’ Coulter-Nile 2-20, B. Stanlake tigation (CBI) could provide minister said.. ulated about fixing the pitch to Jayasuriya has been charged and shall continue 2-20) v Australia 119-3 in 16.1 technical expertise in probing The CBI named Ranatunga ensure a result in under four for not cooperating with a to remain in force: overs (D. Short 68 not out, C. widespread allegations of cor- and his deputy Aravinda de Silva days in the Test against England. match-fixing probe and con- Lynn 20; Amir Hayat 2-26) ruption in cricket. in a match-fixing investigation Both men have been cealing information. PCB statement

LATEST WTA RANKINGS LATEST ATP RANKINGS 1. Simona Halep (ROU) 6921 pts 1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7660 pts 2. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5375 (+1) Stephens downs Osaka in Singapore 2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 7445 3. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 5086 AFP 3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6260 (-1) opener with 46 unforced errors grew frustrated as Stephens drew 4. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5760 4. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 4740 and was broken three times in a first blood. 5. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5025 5. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4255 (+2) SINGAPORE: A confident Sloane third set meltdown. Osaka lifted her intensity in 6. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4185 6. Sloane Stephens (USA) 3943 (+2) Stephens (pictured) stormed to “I competed really well and the second set and rediscovered 7. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3825 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 3850 (-1) victory with a commanding third I knew I had to play good tennis the form that has propelled her 8. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 3730 8. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 3840 (-3) set performance against Japanese to beat her,” Stephens, the fifth to a career-high world ranking of 9. John Isner (USA) 3380 (+1) 9. Kiki Bertens (NED) 3710 (+1) sensation Naomi Osaka as the seed, said after the match. four. 10. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3335 (-1) upsets continued at the WTA “I just stayed tough and took The 21-year-old was unable 10. Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 3315 (+4) 11. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2910 Finals in Singapore. my opportunities.” to close out the set on serve, 11. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3185 In an unpredictable It was a much-anticipated blowing a forehand drive volley 12. David Goffin (BEL) 2855 12. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3145 (+3) encounter, the American showdown between the past two and dropping her racquet in 13. Borna Coric (CRO) 2415 13. Elise Mertens (BEL) 3065 (+3) overcame a second set stutter to US Open champions, who were disgust. But she redeemed herself 14. Kyle Edmund (GBR) 2330 (+1) 14. Julia Goerges (GER) 2995 (-5) dominate the decider and making their WTA Finals debuts. by breaking straight back to level 15. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2315 (-1) 15. Serena Williams (USA) 2976 (+2) triumph 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours Since her stunning upset of the match. 16. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 2155 16. Madison Keys (USA) 2817 (+3) and 25 minutes. Serena Williams at Flushing serve and few winners being It was only the sixth time this 17. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 1880 17. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 2725 Before yesterday, Osaka had Meadows, Osaka’s popularity has struck before Stephens made her year Osaka has played in a three- 18. Jack Sock (USA) 1850 (-4) won 14 of her previous 16 matches surged and she had the crowd on move -- aggressively rattling set match but the unforced errors 19. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1845 18. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 2600 (-6) to be the in-form player coming her side at the Singapore Indoor Osaka with deep groundstrokes, returned in a one-sided final set. (+7) 19. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 2420 (+1) into the season-finale. Stadium. pinpointing the lines. Stephens won the pair’s only 20. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 1842

20. Anett Kontaveit (EST) 2375 (+1) But the third seed was wildly It was a sluggish start with A subdued Osaka could not previous match two years ago in (+1)

inconsistent in the Red Group both players struggling to hold unleash her powerful game and Acapulco. 30 SPORT TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2018 FIG officials impressed with facilities at Aspire Dome

THE PENINSULA The Organising Committee will be unveiling the specially DOHA: A delegation of International designed medals for Doha Worlds Gymnastics Federation (FIG) officials on the sidelines of a reception for visited the Aspire Dome yesterday to have the participating delegations. a first-hand experience of the arrange- ments made by the Organising Committee for the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World The medals have been Championships Doha 2018 to be held at the Aspire Dome from October 25 to designed in Arabic and include Morgan Hurd November 3. Islamic inscriptions reflecting the The FIG officials were accompanied culture of Qatar. by Executive Manager of the Organising Committee & President of Qatar Gym- nastics Federation, Ali Al Hitmi. tournament to a new level. “We are sure Doha Worlds The delegation was impressed by the the Organising Committee will present arrangements made including training an excellent event to the world and we new reality halls, warm-up areas and the main com- wish them all success.” petition hall. Over 600 athletes from about 78 for defending Meanwhile, the Organising Committee countries have arrived in Doha to partic- signed an agreement with TaiShan of ipate in the first world gymnastics cham- China who have installed the equipment pionships to be held in the Middle East. champ Hurd for the event. Competitions will be in 14 disciplines THE PENINSULA The signing ceremony was held at the (eight for men and six for women) which Torch hotel between Ali Al Hitmi and Gang Ali Al Hitmi, Executive Manager of the Organising Committee & President Qatar will be held at the Aspire Dome. Cui, Chairman, TaiShan. Gymnastics Federation, and Gang Cui, Chairman, TaiShan during the signing ceremony. The championships form the first DOHA: So much has changed Al Hitmi said the organisers are happy qualification basis for the Tokyo 2020 for US gymnast Morgan Hurd with TaiShan’s cooperation (one of the the employees of the Chinese company gymnasts from China, Chinese, Taipei and Olympics. since she won the world all- accredited companies of FIG) and their for their efforts in completing the instal- Brazil already here to train and accli- The Organising Committee will be around title last year that she installation works at the venue. TaiShan lation of the equipment according to the matise, all training halls were adequately unveiling the specially designed medals considers the 48th FIG Artistic are known to provide high level services schedule specified and in accordance with equipped.” for Doha Worlds on the sidelines of a Gymnastics World Champi- for top events with their gymnastics FIG requirements,” said Al Hitmi. On his part, Gang Cui said, “We are reception for the participating delegations. onships as an entirely new equipment. On the installation of the equipment, proud to be associated with the world The medals have been designed in Arabic reality. “We appreciate the efforts made by he explained, “An integrated team was championships through the Qatar Gym- and include Islamic inscriptions reflecting “I have different expecta- TaiShan and extend our greetings to all provided to check the devices. With many nastics Federation who will bring this the culture of Qatar. tions for myself because I’m a different person and a dif- ferent gymnast than I was a THINGS TO KNOW year ago,” said the 17-year- old in a recent media con- Middle East ‘Aspires’ to make history ference call. The sport of Gymnastics will extend its reach Ukraine’s Verniaiev eyes top Hurd’s updated per- into a new era in 2018. The excitement of the spective should help her cope World Championships will unfold for the first with two game-changing time in Western Asia, after a century of compe- dynamics that were not part titions in Europe, North America, Australia, and show at FIG Worlds in Doha of the programme at last East Asia. The city of Doha and its world-class year’s Worlds in Montreal, Canada. They are the team Aspire Dome have become a familiar spot for THE PENINSULA competition and the presence major Artistic Gymnastics competitions in the Oleg Verniaiev of Hurd’s team-mate, three- 21st century. The Doha World Cup has been looks to shine at DOHA: Ukraine’s Oleg time world all-around held annually since 2008, attracting many of Aspire Dome. the top stars, and the Aspire Dome also played Verniaiev is one of the veterans champion Simone Biles. competing at the 48th FIG Biles is making her return host to the Gymnastics competition at the Artistic Gymnastics World to international competition 2006 Asian Games. Championships that will begin here after her quadruple gold First Olympic qualification here at the Aspire Dome on medal-winning performance More than 500 gymnasts from 76 nations will Thursday, but he is approaching at the 2016 Rio Olympic compete for eight sets of medals for men and the event with the glee and Games. six for women in Doha. In addition to medals, wonder of a newcomer. Hurd is eager to compete three Olympic spots each for men and women The 25-year-old, who to her full potential, are at stake in the team competition in Doha, placed second all-around and regardless of these aspects where the medal-winning nations in the Team first on parallel bars at the 2016 that were not part of her 2017 Final will earn automatic team berths for Tokyo Rio Olympic Games, is delighted conquest. 2020. Other nations will have additional to be in the Qatari capital fol- “It’s a completely dif- chances to qualify at competitions in 2019 and lowing a post-Olympic letdown ferent energy because you’re 2020 (click here for more on the 2020 Olympic and two surgeries in January. competing not only for qualification process and refer to the applica- “After the Rio Olympics I yourself but for five other ble rules.) lost a little of my motivation and girls,” she said. interest,” Verniaiev told www. “It’s going to be so much The return of the team competition - which worldgymdoha18.com after more exciting. I just want to was not held at the 2017 World Champion- podium training. focus on doing my absolute ships in Montreal (CAN) - will see a renewal of “But several months after best.” rivalries from Rio 2016, leading to an even my surgery, coming here, I feel Meanwhile, Canadian- more thrilling showdown in the finals. like a child.” to pass it on to the other guys its presence is precedent- to me. Seeing them out here born Irish gymnast Meaghan All-star lineup Verniaiev said he is opti- and help them as much as I setting. Jamaica has not entered competing and achieving their Smith is motivated to do well Doha’s impressive roster includes more than mistic for a good performance can,” Beckford told www. the team competition at the dreams is fantastic.” in Doha. world and Olympic champions eager to mine in Doha, despite his limited worldgymdoha18.com after Worlds before. Beckford was Smith’s journey to the more medals. The reigning Olympic All-around preparation time and some lin- Sunday’s podium training for among five Jamaican male gym- Worlds in Numbers 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics champions, Biles and Kohei Uchimura (JPN), gering shoulder pain. the 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics nasts who competed at the 2017 World Championships began will be seeking to regain their world titles from His best Worlds finishes World Championships. edition in Montreal, Canada, three years ago when she the 2017 world champions, Morgan Hurd (USA) include gold on parallel bars in “I think that having where no team competition pondered her lineage and her and Xiao Ruoteng (CHN), respectively. The 2014, silver on parallel bars in someone like me in the team took place. competitive future. competition for the individual apparatus med- 2015 and 2017, and fourth place relieves a little pressure.” For all his Jamaican pride, 1296 “My gymnastics career in als will be even more intense. Superstars Aliia all-around in 2014 and 2015. Beckford, a native of though, Beckford has not aban- Canada was kind of over,” “It’s like I am coming to the England whose father is doned his British roots. He looks National Federation Smith told www. Mustafina (RUS), Max Whitlock (GBR), Sanne Worlds for the first time,” said Jamaican, credits his team- forward to competing with -- members from 78 worldgymdoha18.com after Wevers (NED), Kenzo Shirai (JPN) and Oleg the Ukrainian. “I’m not so ready, mates’ sense of purpose and not against -- British gymnasts countries will attend the Saturday’s training session at Verniaiev (UKR), Mai Murakami (JPN), Epke but I’m so happy to be here.” enthusiasm for the Caribbean Max Whitlock and Brinn Bevan. 48th Artistic World Aspire Dome. Zonderland (NED), Ri Se Gwang (PRK), and Zou Meanwhile, since Reiss island’s recent improvements. The trio still train together, Championships, including “I was at the senior level, Jingyuan (CHN) are only some of the world and Beckford switched his gym- “We’re always working under the same coach, at South 509 gymnasts, 170 judges but I wasn’t at the top, so I Olympic champions going for more gold in nastics allegiance from Great together and trying to move Essex Gymnastics Club in and 70 heads of knew I wouldn’t be going to Doha. Britain to Jamaica three years forward,” he said. “With every England. delegations. There are international events, and I The lineup also includes seven-time Olympian ago, he has embraced his step we make for gymnastics in “Constantly doing build-ups 265 male and 244 female wanted that opportunity. I’m Oksana Chusovitina (UZB), who continues to driving role in helping the sport Jamaica, we’re making history for competitions and training gymnasts. also proud to be Irish, so we awe audiences at age 43 as she charges to- establish itself on the interna- along the way. It’s an absolutely with them is absolutely fan- thought, ‘Hey, I can compete ward an unprecedented eighth Olympic tional scene. fantastic journey we’re on, and tastic,” Beckford said. for Ireland.’” Games. “With all the knowledge and there is so much more to come.” “I was with the other boys Smith, whose maternal History in the making experience I’ve gained over the Regardless of how the in the British squad for so many 800 grandmother is Irish, con- The big names will be battling more than each years, I feel it’s a part of my job Jamaican team performs here, years that they are like brothers tacted a club that welcomed Volunteers will be on her to become a member. She other in Doha, where they will go up against hand at the Worlds. 38 of made her international debut the latest generation of Gymnastics talent them will assist the media for Ireland at this summer’s hungry for their chance in the spotlight and to in various positions. There European Championships in perhaps make history of their own. Several were 2.300 applications Glasgow, Scotland. young medal contenders are eyeing record re- by residents of Doha for The chance to extend her sults for their nations. Rhys McClenaghan (IRL) this event. career on behalf of Ireland dethroned world and Olympic Pommel Horse gave the 20-year-old a fresh champion Max Whitlock at this year’s Com- incentive to work towards her monwealth Games and European Champion- potential. ships and is riding incredible momentum to “Now, I have a goal. I Doha, where he could become the first Irish 48 have things to look forward gymnast in history to win a World Champion- to like the World Champion- Full teams for the men ships medal. Asian Games Vault champion Yeo ships,” she said. and 44 for women are Seojeong, the 16-year-old daughter of world “I know they are on my entered into the and Olympic vault medallist Yeo Hong-chul, calendar, so when I’m in the competition. Among them gym, I think, ‘OK, how can I be could follow in her famous father’s foosteps are 25 Olympic and World better, how can I improve for onto the World podium, as the first female

A view of Aspire Dome which will host the 48th FIG Artistic champions. this competition?’ And, I love

gymnast from the Republic of Korea to do so. Gymnastics World Championships starting on Thursday. the sport. I didn’t want to give it up. I wanted to keep going.” TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 31 WorldSBK: Stage set for Qatar finale THE PENINSULA season closer, Losail Interna- Jonathan Rea in action in this file picture of last tional Circuit is used to seeing year’s race at Losail International Circuit. DOHA: The title might be some stunning battles on track, decided but it’s not all over going and is the perfect setting. With into the final round its fast corners and overtaking Full throttle and straight into hotspots, the 5.6k circuit is set to Doha as the Motul FIM Superbike set the world alight as six points World Championship prepares stand between the duo and the for its final round of the 2018 crown. season under the floodlights at As part of the WorldSBK Losail International Circuit. event program, all the fans can The world champion has enjoy and get closer to the been decided before the Qatar riders and teams in the Paddock leg, but there’s plenty more to Show activities organized by play for with Jonathan Rea WorldSBK that will be (Kawasaki Racing Team scheduled during the weekend WorldSBK) looking to break even as well as the prize giving cer- more records, and the small emony to crown the champions matter of the runner-up to be on Saturday at 9pm. decided. Preparing to battle in Gaze up at the giant screens the desert around the 5.3km mounted throughout the grand- circuit, the floodlit track will stand and paddock area and take guide our riders towards the end in the live race commentary to of what has been a sensational make sure you don’t miss a single season. update on the leaderboard. For 2018 WorldSBK Also, this year, all spectators champion Jonathan Rea it’s no will have the chance to win the ordinary weekend, and he is on possibility to access the Grid and a winning streak like no other. the Pit Wall Canopy for all Taking his 10th win in a row last WorldSBK races simply by pur- time out in Argentina, he is now chasing their ticket, then filling looking to take the most wins in podium tally of seven out of the out all the stops to end 2018 with WorldSBK – his best being fourth to the top. Determined to end his in a ballot which can be found at one season (17), which is a record last eight, he’ll continue to be one a bang. Holding a 24 point lead overall in 2016. Currently sitting strong season on a high, he will the LCSC official merchandising that has stood since 1991. to beat. over third position Michael van 24 points behind Davies, the hope it not just his birthday he is tent at the Paddock Show. On top of this, he is hoping Gunning for the runner-up der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official runner-up spot is possible but it celebrating on Saturday. Grandstand tickets cost to beat his own record of 556 spot in the championship chase, WorldSBK Team), will be a big task for the One of the most highly antic- QR100 for the 3 days with free points scored in one season; on Chaz Davies (Aruba.itRacing- Davies will be hoping to Dutchman. Yet to stand on the ipated battles of the year, the FIM Paddock entry (children 11 years- 16 wins and 520 points it all Ducati) will be preparing for his repeat his performance from podium at Losail in the Supersport World Championship old and under are free) and this seems very possible for the 31 final race weekend with the Pan- 2016 in Doha as he dominated WorldSBK class, he took a fourth is set to go down to the wire in year there is also the possibility year old. Securing the win – and igale R twin, ahead of the intro- under the floodlights. position finish here last season Qatar, as the title fight comes to buy one day ticket only. then the double – for the first duction of the V4 machine next But one man who will be out as he equalled his best result over down to just two riders: Sandro On-line tickets can be pur- time in Qatar last season, it’s season. to stop Davies is Michael van der the line. But with a lights to flag Cortese (Kallio Racing) and Jules chased at www.lcsc.qa and hard to look past Rea and his A landmark event for Ducati, Mark, as he is already on for win here in WorldSSP, he has the Cluzel (NRT). during the event at the ticket ZX-10RR for the victory. With the British rider will want to pull securing his best ever finish in pace and experience to take him Hosting the traditional booths of the circuit. Mosaad top draw at PSA Garcia delights in QSF NO.1 ENTRY LIST Valderrama treble QSF No.1 – Entry List AFP tourney in Doha 1) Omar Mosaad (EGY) three-shot lead over Lee Westwood 2) Raphael Kandra (GER) after seven holes of his round. 3) Daryl Selby (ENG) SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN: Sergio But while former world number THE PENINSULA 4) Cameron Pilley (AUS) Garcia said it was a “dream come one Westwood fell away, Irishman 5) Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) true” to win a third Valderrama Lowry stormed out of the pack with DOHA: Egypt’s former World No.3 Omar 6) Borja Golan (ESP) Masters title yesterday, as the three birdies in a row to get to nine- Mosaad will headline a top-class draw at 7) Greg Lobban (SCO) Spaniard continued his strong end to under for the tournament and only the QSF No.1 between November 10-14 8) Chris Simpson (ENG) an otherwise difficult year. one stroke off the lead. when the PSA World Tour Bronze tour- 9) Eain Yow Ng (MAS) The 38-year-old has been revi- A double-bogey on the par-three 10) George Parker (ENG) nament takes place in Doha. talised since being named as a 15th ended his challenge, though, and 11) Mohamed Reda (EGY) Mosaad will be joined by some big wildcard pick for Europe’s trium- Garcia made two birdies in the final 12) Peter Creed (WAL) names in men’s squash, including Ger- phant Ryder Cup team, posting his five holes to secure a 15th European 13) Olli Tuominen (FIN) many’s World No.19 Raphael Kandra, 14) Joshua Masters (ENG) first top-10 finish since July in Por- Tour title and seventh on home soil England’s former World No.9 Daryl Selby 15) Richie Fallows (ENG) tugal before winning three matches in Spain. and Australia’s World No.23 Cameron 16) Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) against the United States in Paris. “I knew the guys would attack, Pilley. 17) Ivan Yuen (MAS) He was at his very best during the they would be going after me,” Garcia Home interest comes in the form of 18) Chris Hanson (USA) weather-hit tournament in Andalusia, said. “Obviously Shane was playing Qatar’s No.1 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi – 19) Tayyab Aslam (PAK) holding off a Shane Lowry charge well, he got close to me, then unfor- who clinched his biggest ever PSA title at 20) Auguste Dussourd (FRA) with a two-under 69 in the third and tunately he doubled 15.” Finland’s the Malaysian Open earlier this year - and 21) Christopher Binnie (JAM) final round to win by four shots on Mikko Korhonen finished third on the World No.24 will be looking to 22) Bernat Jaume (ESP) 12-under-par overall. six-under, one stroke ahead of Eng-

perform strongly in front of his home Wildcard) Hamad Al-Amri (QAT) “To be able to win three times lishman Ashley Chesters. crowd. Wildcard) Rashid Al-Harib (QAT) here in Valderrama is a dream come Home player Gonzalo Fernandez- Meanwhile, the two wildcard spots true,” said Garcia, who has won the Castano finished in a tie for fifth with are taken up by World No.284 Hamad event the last three times it has been Westwood and Maximilian Kieffer to Al-Amri and World No.414 Rashid Al- played, after victories in 2011 and keep his European Tour card for next Harib – who are both rising talents in 2017. season. Qatari squash. “It’s so difficult, this golf course Richie Ramsay and David Horsey They will face tough competition from is so challenging. For me to be able were among the others to hang onto Qatar’s No.1 Abdullah the likes of Spain’s former World No.5 to shoot three rounds under par with their playing rights for 2019. Al Tamimi in action in Borja Golan, Scotland’s World No.34 Greg the positions we played all week, all Four-time European Tour winner Lobban, England’s World No.39 Chris this file picture. the rain we had... I’m very proud of Matteo Manassero of Italy was one of Simpson and Malaysia’s World No.42 Eain that.” The former Masters champion those to lose his card, though, after Yow Ng. went into yesterday’s restart with a missing the cut at the weekend. Ligue 1: PSG’s title bid galloping at a brisk pace AP ahead of Napoli after nine rounds. few days off following the interna- League runner-up Liverpool last In England, Liverpool and tional break. The Brazil forward, who month. PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s bid for defending champion Manchester City reportedly went to Portugal during his The loss at five-time European another league title is already a are level pegging - with Chelsea and club-allocated break, wasn’t even Cup winner Liverpool (which is five procession after just 10 games. The Tottenham only two points astern. If missed as PSG routed Amiens 5-0 at times more than PSG) was punctuated defending champion has won them PSG wins at Marseille next Sunday, home on Saturday. by sloppy errors. None more so than all, averaging nearly four goals per the club will equal Tottenham’s run That match resembled a training for Liverpool’s last-gasp winner, game in addition to boasting Ligue 1’s of 11 straight opening wins during the session at times. which came about after PSG’S teen tightest defense. 1960-61 campaign. It certainly looks like a case of deja star Kylian Mbappe needlessly lost Contrasting the storylines of the In Spain, Barcelona sits ahead of vu for PSG with fourth domestic treble possession. English Premier League, Spain’s La city rival Espanyol and Alaves by one in five seasons seeming a formality. In the past two seasons, PSG has Liga, Italy’s Serie A and Germany’s point. Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are In all competitions so far, PSG has failed to even make the quarterfinals Bundesliga, PSG is a tearaway leader two points back. netted 49 goals in 13 games. The past of Europe’s elite competition and it with no apparent domestic rival. And The numbers keep stacking up for five alone have yielded a jaw- has not reached the semifinals since this after finishing a whopping 13 coach Thomas Tuchel’s PSG side, dropping tally of 23 scored, against cash-rich Qatari investors QSI took points clear of second-place Monaco meanwhile. just two conceded. charge in June, 2011. last season. If PSG maintains its current But behind this veneer of com- The spotlight will be firmly on PSG PSG forward Moussa Diaby (centre) celebrates Lille is in second place so far this scoring ratio of 3.7 per game, it will fortable domestic triumph PSG - with - and on Tuchel - when it hosts Napoli with team-mates Kylian Mbappé (right) and campaign but is already eight points net an astonishing 141 over 38 matches its lofty European ambitions - will in the Champions League at Parc des behind - which is easily the highest and 33 more than last season. rightly be judged on how it fares Princes on Wednesday. defender Kevin Rimane (left) as he celebrates margin of the five major leagues. Italy PSG’s comfort zone is currently so against teams of equal stature in the Anything less than a win will put scoring his team’s fifth goal during the French has the next biggest gap, with high Tuchel could afford to give star Champions League. PSG’s only defeat PSG’s domestic dominance sharply L1 match at the Parc des Princes stadium in defending champion Juventus four striker Neymar the rare luxury of a of the season was 3-2 at Champions into perspective. Paris on Saturday. TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 27 I made the request, and Prime Minister Modi im- mediately put me in touch with the CBI. We don’t 6.00PM 12.00PM have the expertise or the laws to deal with this Arjuna Ranatunga FOOTBALL CRICKET problem in a proper manner. India promised to Former Sri Lanka Al Sadd vs Persepolis Sri Lanka vs England AFC Champions League help us in drafting legislation too. cricket captain ACTION 5th ODI, (D/N) in Colombo TODAY’S Raikkonen happy to prove You can’t win them all, says ‘some people’ wrong patient Hamilton REUTERS AFP still. Maybe I’m ok to be around a few years more. AUSTIN: Kimi Raikkonen insists he has The laconic racer added that his young AUSTIN: Lewis Hamilton shrugged off having no plans for a special celebration after children were unlikely to be too excited. his Formula One title celebrations put on hold on he “proved some people wrong” “They’ve been asking for a while, but Sunday and said it did not matter when or where by winning Sunday’s United they’re more interested in the Pirelli cap he won his fifth championship as long as it came States Grand Prix. than probably a win itself,” he said. in the end. “I know that we can buy it also, but I The Briton would have wrapped up matters know it’s not fair play to bring them if I at the US Grand Prix had he beaten Sebastian had to buy it... Vettel by eight points but fell short, finishing third “The kids probably fell asleep during with the Ferrari driver fourth. the race, but the wife probably looked at He will now have to wait until Mexico next it. I’m more than happy for all of us. It’s weekend for another shot at becoming only the nice.” third driver to win five titles or more. As a near-deadpan Raikkonen smiled, Mercedes did not help his cause with a Hamilton, who failed to outscore fourth- strategy that left him having to pit twice, against The placed Sebastian Vettel by eight points, rivals stopping only once, but Hamilton also Finn, the tally needed to seal the world title, admitted he had played it safe with so much at whose conceded that Mercedes near-metro- stake. victory for a nomic consistency had let him down with The finishing positions still made the ultimate resurgent Ferrari prevented Lewis a poor choice of tyres and strategy. goal a foregone conclusion with the Mercedes Hamilton from clinching his fifth He also pointed out that it was difficult driver needing only to finish seventh in Mexico drivers’ title in Texas, is leaving the to pass second placed Max Verstappen even if Vettel -- who cannot afford to drop Italian team at the end of the and the victorious Raikkonen to deliver another point -- wins. season and, at the age of 39, had his sixth win in seven visits to Texas. “Honestly I was trying to win the race but you been written off in some quarters. Hamilton made several efforts to pass look at the two guys next to me, they’re not But he never lost self-belief and Verstappen in the closing laps, but was fighting for a championship so I had to be very, made the most of his chance at the unable to find a way past him. very careful how I navigated around them,” said Circuit of the Americas with a faultless “I gave him way too much space just Hamilton, appearing at the podium news con- drive and flawless strategy as his rivals to be sure that I didn’t get clipped, for ference with Ferrari’s race winner Kimi Raik- floundered around him. example, and didn’t get taken out,” he said, konenkonen andand Red Bull’s MaxMax It was his first win in more than five adding that he feared the Dutchman may Verstappen.Verstappen. years and 113 races dating back to the 2013 understeer into him or defend his position “Championships“Championships Australian Grand Prix - and his first win with more aggression. are not won by for Ferrari since 2009. fighting and He returns to Sauber, 2018 FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS makingmaking sillysilly where he started his career mistakes,”mistakes,” in 2001, on a two-year con- Rank/Driver (Team) Points Wins Podiums addedadded tthehe Briton, tract next season. 1: L. Hamilton (Mercedes) 346 9 15 who had started “I’m happy for that,” he 2: S. Vettel (Ferrari) 276 5 10 on polepole position said. “It was a great day to 3: K. Räikkönen (Ferrari) 221 1 10 aandnd arrivedarrived in prove some people wrong 4: V. Bottas (Mercedes) 217 0 8 AustinAustin oonn thethe backback and have a good race, but 5: M. Verstappen (Red Bull) 191 1 8 ofof fourfour wins in a it doesn’t really change 6: D. Ricciardo (Red Bull) 146 2 2 rowrow andand sixsix out of Race winner Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Ferrari celebrates anything for me. 7: N. Hülkenberg (Renault) 61 0 0 thethe lastlast seven. on the podium during the presentation ceremony of the US “It’s just a number. Life 8: S. Pérez (Racing Point) 57 0 1 Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, goes on.... 9: K. Magnussen (Haas) 53 0 0 United States on Sunday. “I might be getting 10: F. Alonso (McLaren) 50 0 0 Lewis Hamilton older, but it’s not too bad Real Madrid hungry for win as Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford

AP Three-time defending another slip despite a confidence- champion Real Madrid is boosting 5-0 win over Burnley on +  08 2=4"A45 BERLIN: Three-time defending in crisis after four defeats Saturday. champion Real Madrid is in crisis after Group leader Lyon visits Hof-  )%& 6>  26 $ %%  % four defeats in five games as it returns in five games. fenheim with forward Memphis Depay  *   %(%!" &* + to the Champions League today. hitting form again at the right time. ' . &'( +. 1 2 6 ! The question hanging over San- All eyes will be on GROUP G 7 &(' .0  % 2 ! tiago Bernabeu Stadium before With most of the attention on Real Cristiano Ronaldo when ?/ )(* 644 %3 A4 6 Viktoria Plzen’s visit is whether club Madrid, CSKA Moscow will hope to @ +,'  4,%" A! = president Florentino Perez has already he returns to Old Trafford build on its win over the defending had enough of Madrid coach Julen looking to score for the champions by beating Roma away on  * + Lopetegui. third straight match Tuesday. -. -.' 4=4 % 4 ! The former Spain coach, who took against his former club. It won’t be an easy task. Since  .7 ()&  %  = 6 over after Zinedine Zidane’s surprise defeating Madrid, CSKA has lost to )@@ &(' +. , 0,  = 2 resignation, is on shaky ground after Lokomotiv Moscow and crashed out 7 /' .0 33%, A4 4 three straight defeats. Lopetegui’s Manchester City, beaten of the Russian Cup on penalties to a team lost 1-0 at CSKA Moscow in the 2-1 at home by Lyon in struggling second-tier team. It beat  * Champions League before two hum- its first group game, will Russian Premier League relegation   (+ +. 4 4 ! bling defeats to modest Spanish league be wary of another slip candidate Anzhi Makhachkala 2-0 on $-. *; 01( .0  2 6 teams Alaves and Levante. Friday. 2 6 despite a confidence-  23 244  ) Lopetegui said after Saturday’s 2-1 GROUP H ' '- )5% A 4 home loss to Levante that his main boosting 5-0 win over All eyes will be on Cristiano concern is “picking up his boys.” Burnley on Saturday. Ronaldo when he returns to Old  * ) Even a win over Plzen may not Trafford looking to score for the third  . ()& 2 6%" save Lopetegui with Madrid facing an straight match against his former club 981.8 23  %7( 6 ! Bayern Munich is targeting always demanding visit to Barcelona’s - this time for Juventus. &80 7 -2 +.  )% A2 4 Camp Nou on Sunday. another win at AEK Athens Ronaldo has played against Man- $ (+ .0 /%!" A = Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said after finally ending a four- chester United twice since leaving for he hopes a win over Plzen will help game winless streak Real Madrid in 2009. Both goals came " %% )(5 the team start to click. in the last-16 stage in the 2012-13 Madrid is unbeaten in 26 group competition.  %  > 9   games at home while Plzen - already More than five years on and   92 '  bottom of Group G - has lost all three where the home side will hope to build Ronaldo is still a goal-scoring phe- , 3 999!9 ! European games it has played in Spain on its fine performance from its 1-1 nomenon. On Saturday, he scored 4 !-N! !  $   without scoring. draw in Munich. against Genoa in Serie A to become   9  59  9  ( N Here is a look at the four Cham- GROUP F the first player to net 400 goals across  08> A. 0     pions League groups today: Shakhtar Donetsk ended Man- Europe’s top five leagues. % )( 4 -' 5 424 3 "; GROUP E chester City’s unbeaten start to the Juventus midfielder Emre Can will 4 0  Bayern Munich is targeting another season with a 2-1 win when they met miss the game after being diagnosed "" !  4= "< ! win at AEK Athens after finally ending in the Champions League last year. with a thyroid nodule that could also  ) ' ! 6 3 a four-game winless streak at This time round, Shakhtar welcomes require surgery. 981.8>  % ") = +74 -' 42 Wolfsburg on Saturday. City on an 11-game unbeaten run of Young Boys hosts goal-shy -  % The Greek champion is looking for its own, though most of that was Valencia in the other group game. ,6,%0 5 . 4 0  ! %" %!)", its first points after losing both of its against relatively weak opposition. Valencia hasn’t managed to score %5 8 ' opening games to Ajax and Benfica. City, beaten 2-1 at home by Lyon more than one goal in a match since .."% Ajax hosts Benfica in Amsterdam, in its first group game, will be wary of Sept. 2. "7 *& %  !" '