SPORT Monday 13 November 2017

PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 PAGE | 36 Mighty Federer NBA: Warriors Marquez joins greats back in the groove force their way with fourth MotoGP at Tour Finals past Sixers world title beIN set to QSL Cup: Al Rayyan edge past broadcast top cricket Umm Salal to storm into semis action The Peninsula The Peninsula Al Sadd in the 76th minute with a spectacular direct free-kick. Min- ricket is set to ootball giants Al Rayyan utes later Al Arabi managed their reach its biggest yesterday overcame fifth goal through Hamid Ismail Cever audience in Umm Salal 1-0 after a (81) off a penalty kick. the Middle East and battling contest to Al Markhiya draw with Al North Africa (MENA) fol- enter the semi-finals of Ahli 0-0 lowing a deal signed FQSL Cup at Al Arabi Stadium. Experienced Al Ahli yester- today by Cricket Aus- It was Al Rayyan’s fourth day were held to a goalless draw tralia and broadcaster consecutive win in the coveted by newcomers Al Markhiya in beIN media group. tournament after Abderrazzaq their round 4 clash of the QSL This is the first time Hamedallah struck the only goal Cup at Al Wakrah Stadium. cricket will be show- of the match in the 80th minute. yesterday’s draw was the cased on beIN sports and In the 10th minute, star second for Al Markhiya in Group signals the entry of the striker Rodrigo Tabata attempted C. For Al Ahli, it was their second beIN media group into a bicycle shot but Umm Salal draw as well. broadcasting cricket for goalkeeper Basel Zaidan tipped After a goalless draw in the the first time. the ball over the crossbar. In the first half when both teams failed The deal is the big- 13th minute, Umm Salal’s Rami to construct meaningful moves, gest ever cricket board Fayez launched a fierce left- Al Makrkhiya nearly pulled off a rights deal for the footed shot but the ball was goal in the 60th minute. Striker region and will bring stopped by Al Rayyan goalkeeper Abdulqadir Ilyas of Al Markhiya, the best of Australian Mubarak Al Khater. lurking inside the Al Ahli box, and international In the 21st minute, Adil failed to convert a relatively easy cricket to a growing Rehali of Umm Salal was booked close-range opportunity. MENA audience over with a yellow for a reckless After the game petered out the next six years. tackle on Tabata near his own to a goallesl draw, Al Makrkhiya beIN has won the box. Six minutes later, veteran dominated the stat-sheet, man- right to show the Al Rayyan forward Sebastian aging 7 corners against just three upcoming Magellan Soria sneaked into the Umm Al Rayyan players celebrate a goal against Umm Salal suring their QSL Cup match at Al Arabi by Al Ahli. Al Markhiya were Ashes Test Series, with Salal box but his clip from close Stadium yesterday. marginally better in ball posses- coverage starting range narrowly missed the far sion, tilting the scale at 51 November 23. goalpost. percent. beIN will screen pre- Eight minutes later, Umm midfield. Two minutes later, giants Al Sadd produced the converted an indirect corner kick mium cricket clashes Salal’s Mahir Yusuf Issa fired a Rehaili picked up his second yel- equalizer through Hamroun into their second goal as Tarek QSL CUP including South Africa’s bullet from outside the Al Rayayn low of the match and was Jugurtha with an easy shot past Hamed Abdelmagid produced a 2018 tour of Australia, box but goalkeeper Al Khater ordered off the pitch. Al Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud deft left-footed drive that sailed Yesterday’s results India’s 2018-19 tour of was alert to block the shot stand- Al Arabi 5 beat Al Sadd 4 Zarayi. above the head of Al Sadd goal- Al Rayyan beat Umm Salal 1-0 Australia, and both the ing on the goalline. Goal-hungry Al Arabi yester- In the 14th minute, Al Sadd keeper Jehad Hudib. Al Arabi 5 beat Al Sadd 4 KFC Big Bash League and Soon after resumption of day won a nine-goal thriller took the lead for the first time in Al Sadd surged into lead one Rebel Women’s Big Bash play, Umm Salal’s Mubarak Al against Al Sadd, ending their the match after a neat 1-2 more time as Hatem Kamal fired Al Markhiya draw with Al Ahli 0-0 League – Australia’s Beraik got booked for a rough round 4 clash 5-4 at Hamad Bin between Yasser Abubaakar Essa one in the 29th minute after an Today’s fixtures men’s and women’s tackle on Mohsine Moutouali of Khalifa Stadium. and Rami Suhail Ali. Essa spot- indirect free-kick. But four min- Al Gharafa vs Al Kharaitiyat at Al domestic T20 cricket Al Rayyan. After 65 minutes of The fans barely settled into ted Ali in the Al Arabi box and a utes later, Al Arabi equalized leagues. play, Al Rayyan enjoyed 59 per- their seats at Hamad Bin Khal- neat ball towards the national through Yusuf Ahmed who Ahli Stadium, 16:05 All games will be cent of ball possession against ifa Stadium when Al Arabi found U-19 team player proved to be a flicked one from outside the Al Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya at available in HD via sub- 41 by Umm Salal. the net in the second minute of master stroke as latter easily Sadd box after picking up a lose Al Wakrah Stadium, 18:15 scription channels and In the 80th minute, the match with a quick-footed deflected the ball into the net ball. Qatar SC vs Al Khor at online and with the

Hamedallah just about managed drive by Yousef Ahmed past Al despite being marked by Abdul- Mohammed Atif gave Al Arabi recent launch of the beIN

Al Shamal Stadium, 18:15 to flick one from close range fol- Sadd goalkeeper. lah Alawi. the lead with a neat goal in the 71st media group’s 4K chan- lowing a long ball from the Three minutes later, Doha Three minutes later, Al Arabi minute. Hamroun equalised for nel, cricket fans in MENA can look forward to watching selected games from their favourite sport in Ultra HD over the Al Rayyan topple Al Ahli Advani wins World Billiards coming years. The six-year deal will cover all international tests, one day and T20 Championship title in Doha cricket matches for the men’s and women’s Aus- tralian national team in The Peninsula its home country. beIN will broadcast cricket in ce Indian cueist Pankaj more than 24 countries, Advani yesterday including the United Aclinched his 17th world Arab Emirates, Saudi title after he thrashed his arch- Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, rival Mike Russell of England in Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, the IBSF World Billiards Cham- Iran, Iraq, Egypt and pionship in Doha yesterday. Morocco. Advani beat Russell 6-2 Commenting on the (0-155, 150-128, 92-151, 151-0, award, Yousef Al 151-6, 151-0, 150-58, 150-21) to Indian cueist Obaidly, Deputy CEO, defend the 150-up format title Pankaj Advani beIN media group, said: he had won in Bengaluru last clinched his “It is important that year. The Indian did not have an we deliver on our 17th world ideal start to the best-of-11 sum- promise to broadcast title in Doha mit clash as Russell drew first the very best global blood with a well-crafted break yesterday. sports and events, and of 155. this is yet another sig- Advani drew parity in the nificant milestone on Action from Qatar Men’s Basketball League game next frame but still seemed to titles in any sport by an Indian, Indian Rupesh Shah in the sem- this journey.” between Al Rayyan and Al Ahli at Al Gharafa Stadium be looking for his best to arrive. increased his total by one more ifinals 5-2, while Russell got the “We are delighted yesterday. Al Rayyan won 97-81. Sherwood Brown (30 The Englishman bounced back as he dominated the remain- better of Singapore’s Peter Gil- that Cricket Australia has points), Phillip Rowers (26) and Mohammed Abdul Aziz with breaks of 84 and 67 to win der of the final. He clinically christ 5-1. chosen to partner with what was going to be the last constructed lethal breaks of Advani will be eyeing a beIN and we will guar- (17) were the top three scorers for Al Rayyan. Nemanja frame to his name in the final. 151, 151, 151, 145 and 110 to ‘Grand Double’ as the lengthier antee cricket fans across Besovic (26 points) and Nenad Zivčević (24) were Al From the fourth frame, the completely dismantle his long- format (long-up) of the IBSF the region access to high Ahli’s best players. Indian was a transformed standing rival. World Billiards Championship quality cricket coverage,” player. Advani, the winner of Earlier in the tournament, 2017 commences today at the he added. a maximum number of world Advani had overcome fellow same venue here. 30 SPORT MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2017

Jake Ball is available for Coach Bayliss feels England’s Ashes opener

Townsville batting collapses not helping AFP ngland seamer Jake Ball is expected to be fit and Eavailable for the first Melbourne the Test series comes around, Ashes Test against Australia Reuters the intensity of that competi- later this month, coach Trevor tion, hopefully that really kicks Bayliss said yesterday. ngland coach Trevor our batters into gear.” Nottinghamshire’s Ball Bayliss is concerned Former captain Alastair sprained his ankle while by his batsmen’s ten- Cook’s lean tour has continued bowling in last week’s tour dency to collapse and with scores of 15 and 32 in game against a Cricket Aus- says starts will need Adelaide after a duck in Perth tralia XI in Adelaide and is E to be converted into centuries in the first warm-up match. unlikely to play in Wednes- if the touring side are to win “I don’t have too many con- day’s next tour game in the Ashes series against cerns about Cooky at the top of Townsville. Australia. the order. It’s probably fair to Bayliss said he does not England’s batsmen are yet say he always looks a bit rusty. expect Ball will be out of to score a hundred in their first He’d be the first to admit that,” action for long and believes two warm-up games since the 54-year-old said. the quick could be in the run- arriving in Australia but cruised “He would like to be scor- ning for the Ashes series to a 192-run win over a weak ing a few more runs, but he’s opener in Brisbane starting Cricket Australia XI in a tour played almost 150 Tests, I’m November 23. match in Adelaide. sure he’s been through this “There could be a possi- Yet in a worrying sign for before. He’s hitting plenty in bility he would be right for the England, the match also wit- the middle of the bat in the next game but we will prob- nessed the Ashes holders lose nets.” ably let him go there and four wickets for three runs and Bayliss was encouraged by make sure he is right for seven wickets for 47 during the the form showed by England’s selection for the first Test,” second innings. bowlers in the four-day game Bayliss told reporters in “Sixties aren’t enough,” and said he expected paceman Townsville. Bayliss said yesterday. “We Jake Ball, who suffered an “At least he will be avail- need 160s. “Batting collapses ankle ligament strain during able for the first Test. Whether have been a concern for us for the Adelaide match, to be avail- we pick him or not, we have a little while. We have games able for selection in the got to make that decision like that, where we lose wick- opening test. once we get closer. ets like that, and it is a “He should be fine in seven “He should be right in that concern. to 10 days,” Bayliss said. 7-10 day time frame, he’s “The batsmen realise they Bayliss said he encouraged fairly confident.” have got to do better and they by the improvement shown by England rolled the CA XI are working hard to do that.” the bowlers in Adelaide. for 75 to wrap up an emphatic England’s batsmen will While he seems bemused 192-run victory in the four- have another opportunity to get by the apparent epidemic of day warm-up game in some big runs under their belt injuries to bowling options - he Adelaide on Saturday. in the final warm-up match admitted that Mark Wood, Tom “I thought we got our against a Cricket Australia XI Helm and Liam Plunkett might lengths a lot better in this in Townsville, in far northern all have been selected ahead of game,” Bayliss said. “In Perth Queensland state, from George Garton as cover in (against a Western Australian Wednesday before the first Test Townsville - he was optimistic is possible he could be fit for XI) we bowled a lot of half in Brisbane’s Gabba from Nov. about Jake Ball’s recovery and the game in Townsville but we Daniel Fallins of volleys and a lot of long hops. 23. impressed by Craig Overton. will probably rest him there Cricket Australia XI “In this match we got the “By all accounts the wicket “We got our lengths a lot and make sure that he is right loses his balance length a lot better and put in Townsville is a pretty good better here,” Bayliss said. “In for selection for that first Test. pressure on the opposition. after being hit on the one. It’s quite flat,” Australian Perth, we bowled a lot of half- He should be fine in seven to We will certainly have to do helmet by a delivery Bayliss said. “Hopefully that volleys and a lot of long-hops. 10 days. that during the Test series.” will help our batters make In this match we got the lengths “Why did we call-up from England’s James Anderson, Stuart some big scores. Not just spend better and put pressure on the George Garton? Because he’s Craig Overton. Broad and Chris Woakes time in the middle, but make opposition. This is the first time fit. Wood and Helm were our RIGHT: England’s appear to be England’s front- 100s. That’s definitely what we I’ve seen Craig up close over a first two choices. They are fast bowler Overton line pace attack heading into will need throughout this test long period of overs. He’s not coming out with the Lions but wears a poppy for the series but Ball and Craig series. necessarily quick but he bowls aren’t quite up to game speed. Remembrance Day in Overton are pressing their “It would be great if we a heavy ball and good lengths. They have only been bowling Adelaide. claims. could have some hundreds, And he’s consistent with that. in the nets for a week or two so Overton boosted his Test that’s for sure. Obviously once “Jake is fairly confident. It we were a bit concerned about prospects by taking three for 15 in the CA XI second innings. “It’s the first time I have seen him up close over a number of overs,” Bayliss said. Warner to Renshaw: Avoid newspapers ! “He is not necessarily quick but he bowls a heavy ball and good lengths. He is Melbourne plenty of scrutiny from local media in the trio of Test bowlers, Mitchell Starc, Josh paceman Ryan Harris. “I think it is (vul- consistent with that length, Reuters leadup to the Gabba Test starting Novem- Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, who were nerable), especially with no Ben Stokes,” which you need at the top ber 23. superb in defeating Western Australia in Harris, who coached the home side, said level.” ustralia vice captain David Warner Warner will be on the opposite side the previous round. about the tourists’ batting. All-rounder Moeen Ali, has urged his under-pressure when Renshaw pads up against New Renshaw enjoyed a fine home sum- England’s bowlers performed well in who missed the Adelaide A opening partner Matt Renshaw to South Wales at Brisbane’s Adelaide Bor- mer against South Africa and Pakistan, the four-day game but former captain match because of a side avoid reading newspapers this week and der field from tomorrow but wished the but since stroking 60 against India in Ben- Alastair Cook’s lean tour continued with injury, is expected to return score some runs in the Sheffield Shield opener well. galuru in March, he has not scored a scores of 15 and 32. for Wednesday’s four-day ahead of the opening test of the Ashes. “I want him to score runs this week. half-century in nine test innings. “I think (Cook) looked a bit rusty, I game against CA XI in The 21-year-old Renshaw has aver- He’s been under a bit of pressure this “I want him to do well. I am a mate of guess,” added Harris. Townsville. aged 36.64 from his 10 Tests in a positive week, there’s been a bit of talk in the his and wish him success,” Warner said. “I’m sure he’ll look forward to another Bayliss also played down start to his international career but has media,” Warner told local media “He’s got to keep playing well. hit next week. But we all know what he doubts over former skipper had a tough Shield campaign for Queens- yesterday. “When I see that at the other end it can do. Alistair Cook’s form. land, failing to surpass 20 runs in his four “You have to keep putting the num- brings a spark to my eye because you “You don’t score over 10,000 runs and “I’m sure he would have innings. bers on the board. know your partner is on as well.” not be any good.” preferred to have scored a Neither coach Darren Lehmann nor “As a youngster I would be steering Halfway across the country, England’s England play their final warmup few, but a guy with that expe- any of Australia’s other selectors have clear of newspapers this week.” crushing 192-run win over a weak Cricket match against a Cricket Australia XI in rience has been through queried the youngster’s spot in the Test Renshaw’s task has been made eas- Australia XI in the tour match in Adelaide Townsville, in far northern Queensland periods (like that) before,” he side but his poor run of form has attracted ier, with New South Wales resting their came with a warning from former test state, from Wednesday. said.

Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi Karachi in line to stage PSL final (second left) is seen with franchise Karachi President and final of the league is held in has been direly needed for some Agencies Pakistan - the second season time now,” Sethi said. former Test captain final was held at the Gaddafi There has been talk that the and batting star arachi is in line to host the Stadium in Lahore in March this stadium may not be ready in Zaheer Abbas during Pakistan Super League year. time, though Sethi felt reason- a club ceremony. K(PSL) final next year in “We have made a commit- ably confident. “As we speak, the Retired batting star what would be the city’s high- ment to try our best to have it in National Logistics Cell (a gov- Younis Khan (right) est-profile game in nearly a Karachi,” Sethi said. If that ernment body involved in the and Mohammed decade. sounds a little less than a firm renovation) is working over- Akram, both linked PCB chairman Najam Sethi commitment, it is mostly time,” Sethi said. with Zalmi, are also revealed at the league’s draft in because the National Stadium “I talked to the [official] in seen. Lahore, that they have “made a in Karachi, one of Pakistan’s charge and he has promised me commitment” to hold it in Kara- oldest and most established ven- that he will get Karachi stadium chi. If it does happen, it would ues, is currently undergoing ready to host the final in March,” be the second year in a row the extensive renovation work that the PCB chairman said. MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 31 World Cup play-off: Five-star Spain thrash Ireland hold Denmark to first-leg stalemate

Copenhagen Group D last month, bringing Costa Rica in friendly AFP in Bristol City midfielder Cal- lum O’Dowda to replace the he Republic of Ireland and suspended David Meyler. MALAGA DRUBBING midfielder, who is from Denmark played out a The hosts started strongly Malaga and spent two impres- Tdrab 0-0 draw in the first and could have taken the lead David Silva scored twice while Andres sive seasons playing at La leg of their World Cup play-off in the 11th minute when Ran- Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Alvaro Morata Rosaleda before moving to in Copenhagen on Saturday. dolph saved Danish left-back also netted in a one-sided display from Madrid, was given a standing The closest either side came Jens Larsen’s volley, before the 2010 world champions ovation as he left the pitch. to a goal was when Pione Sisto quickly getting back to his feet Lopetegui opted to rest fired wide in the first half for to hold onto Andreas Cornelius’ The only negative for Spain was the Manchester United goalkeeper the hosts, while Yussuf Poulsen follow-up effort. David de Gea, instead hand- saw a 90th-minute header Sloppy defending from Ire- sight of local hero Isco being asked to be ing a first team debut to saved by Darren Randolph. land skipper Ciaran Clark gave substituted after being hit with a tough Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Both sides will be satisfied the ball straight to Christian

tackle from Costa Rica defender Kendall Kepa Arrizabalaga, but other- with the result, as Martin Eriksen and West Ham United Waston wise played a familiar-looking O’Neill’s Irish now know vic- keeper Randolph could only team to the side that swept to tory in Dublin on Tuesday palm the midfielder’s effort the top of their World Cup would secure a first World Cup back into the middle, but Sisto Málaga qualifying group. appearance since 2002, but an fired the rebound wide with the AFP Silva, Isco and Iniesta away goal for the Danes could goal gaping. combined to stunning effect prove decisive after this clean But the visitors grew into pain’s stunning form throughout the game, with the sheet. the game as the first half wore under coach Julen Manchester City midfielder “A draw has always got to on and Cyrus Christie was Lopetegui continued laying on the pass for his be seen as a positive result. denied by the onrushing Kasper as David Silva scored former Valencia teammate Although we could have done Schmeichel after bursting into twice in a 5-0 friendly Alba to thrash past Costa Rica’s with scoring an away goal,” Ire- the area with an enterprising Sthrashing of Costa Rica in stand-in goalkeeper Danny land midfielder Harry Arter told run from full-back. Malaga on Saturday. Carvajal in the sixth minute. Sky Sports. Ireland continued to sit Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba Carvajal was deputising “It (the World Cup) feels a bit deep and frustrate Denmark, and Alvaro Morata also netted for the injured Real Madrid closer than it did before the who finished second to Poland in a one-sided display from goalkeeper Keylor Navas and game. If before the campaign, in Group E, after the break. the 2010 world champions. had a torrid night. we’d have been offered a one- Hareide threw on former The only negative for He spilled a Silva shot into off game against Denmark to Arsenal man Bendtner with less Spain was the sight of local the path of Morata for Spain’s qualify for the World Cup, we’d than 20 minutes to go as the hero Isco being asked to be second midway through the have bitten off your hands for it.” home side went in search of a substituted after being hit with first half. Silva’s tidy finish from Denmark coach Age lead to take to Lansdowne a tough tackle from Costa Rica a narrow angle made it 3-0 Hareide left striker Nicklas Road. defender Kendall Waston, who early in the second half, before Bendtner on the bench in The Danes had a late rally, was immediately hauled off shots from distance by Iniesta favour of Feyenoord’s Nicolai with RB Leipzig forward Spain’s midfielder David Silva (right) celebrates with after being booked for the and Silva again sealed the rout. Jorgensen. Poulsen drawing a save from challenge. Spain next travel to World defender Alvaro Odriozola after scoring during their Irish manager O’Neill made Randolph after climbing above The Real Madrid Cup hosts Russia tomorrow. international friendly against Costa Rica at La Rosaleda just one change from the team the away defence to power a Stadium in Malaga on Saturday. that beat Wales 1-0 to snatch header towards goal, but Ire- second place in qualifying land held on. Neymar not immune to criticism: Mbappe

Paris “hurt” by the issue, before add- world-record 222-million-euro as susceptible to criticism as AFP inging that he wwawass “reallyreally ($264m) transfer in August.Augu anyone else. happy”happy” in Mbappe, Neymar and CavCavania “It just simply proves that ylian Mbappe insisted his ParisP aris have linked upup to he’s human like everyone else. Paris Saint-Germain ffol-ol- devastatingdevastatin He’s like us, he has two arms, Kteam-mate Neymar (pic- lolow-w- effecteffect thisth two legs, a heart, so he can be tured) is “human like everyone iingng season, withw affected by the criticism he is else” after the Brazilian was his the triotr subjected to,” Mbappe told reduced to tears on Friday by the combincombiningi French television channel TF1 controversy that has followed to score 24 yesterday. him since his arrival from goalsg oal “From the outside he gives Barcelona. through PSPSG’sG off a certain image, he doesn’t A tearful Neymar pleaded first 12 lealeagueg appear to be affected... But when with the media to stop the “false matches.matche you’re on the inside, he opens stories” about his alleged frosty ButB himself up to you, he shows he’s relations with PSG coach Unai MbappeMbap a normal person. Emery and fellow striker Edin- con-con “He’s incredibly strong on son Cavani following Brazil’s 3-1 cedceded the pitch that you think he’s just Denmark’s Peter Ankersen (foreground) in action with international friendly win over NNey-e y as strong off it, but away from it Japan in Lille. marma he remains a normal guy,” he Republic of Ireland’s James during their World Cup play- The 25-year-old said he was was jujust added. off in Copenhagen on Saturday. England call Morocco, Tunisia take different paths to Cup up 3 more Johannesburg calling me. It’s a huge honour,” Belgian coach Marc Wilmots youngsters AFP said the Frenchman. tried to revive the lacklustre Ivo- “He wanted to talk to us to rians by introducing Ghislain London orth African nations pay tribute to everyone. Tonight Ivory Coast’s Konan at half-time and Maxwel Reuters Morocco and Tunisia took we are proud of the Moroccan Cornet and veteran Salomon Wilfried Zaha contrasting routes on Sat- shirt, proud that the Moroccan Kalou during the second half. N (left) vies with ngland coach urday as they qualified for the flag returns to the World Cup. But Morocco comfortably Gareth Southgate 2018 World Cup in Russia. This is the fifth qualification so Morocco’s contained the hosts in a match Ehas called up three Morocco scored twice within Morocco is not a small (football) Nabil Dirar that threatened to boil over at more youngsters for the five minutes through Nabil Dirar country.” during their times with Dirar and Crystal Pal- team’s home friendly and Medhi Benatia during the Tunisia could not break FIFA World ace flyer Wilfried Zaha wrestling against Brazil opening half to triumph 2-0 in down neighbours Libya in Rades Cup 2018 each other to the ground. tomorrow. the Ivory Coast and win Group on the outskirts of Tunis and had Group C Tunisia dominated posses- Southgate, who gave C. to settle for a 0-0 draw that was qualifying sion at the Stade Olympique, but five players their inter- The “Atlas Lions” are going just enough to see them first over match in unpredictable Libya defended national first-team back to the tournament for the the finishing line. Abidjan on resolutely, creating an increas- debuts against Germany first time since 1998 after finish- With second-place Demo- Saturday. ingly tense atmosphere. on Friday, has added ing with 12 points, having not cratic Republic of Congo netting Had Tunisia lost, they would goalkeeper Angus Gunn, conceded a goal during the six- twice in stoppage time to defeat have ceded top place to DR defender Lewis Cook and match group campaign. Guinea 3-1 in Kinshasa, only one Ivory Coast had the first Renard. The first blow came Congo, who finished strongly to striker Dominic Solanke Ivory Coast, who never looked point separated the top two. chance at a packed 35,000-seat when an intended cross from overcome Guinea 3-1 at the to the squad for Wem- like recovering from the first-half Unbeaten Tunisia collected Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny Dirar went over an Ivorian Stade des Martyrs. bley encounter. blows, came second with eight 14 points to book a first World but veteran Gervinho blazed defender and a Moroccan Guinean Ousmane Sidibe con- All three were in points followed by Gabon with six Cup appearance since 2006, DR over with only the goalkeeper to attacker and slipped past goal- ceded an own-goal after 61 action on Friday for Eng- and Mali with four. Congo had 13, Libya four and beat from inside the box. keeper Sylvain Gbohouo into the minutes and Keita Junior levelled land’s under-21 side in Morocco coach Herve Guinea three. It was to prove a costly miss far corner. just three minutes after coming Ukraine -- and the latter Renard revealed after the match Senegal sealed a place in for the home side, who had to Rattled Ivory Coast fell fur- off the bench. Jonathan Bolingi put two featured in the under- that Moroccan King Mohammed Russia on Friday by winning 2-0 win after beginning the match ther behind as they failed to cut the Congolese Lions ahead again 20s’ World Cup-winning VI had called to congratulate the in South Africa and the other two one point behind a Moroccan off a corner and Juventus two minutes into additional time campaign earlier this year. team. African qualifiers, Nigeria and team coached by former Ivorian defender Benatia struck a first- and Neeskens Kebano added a “I thank His Majesty for Egypt, secured slots last month. handler, Frenchman Herve time shot into the net. third goal almost immediately. 32 SPORT MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2017 MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 33

The US team celebrates after Coco Mighty Federer back in the groove at Tour Finals Vandeweghe (foreground) defeated Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their Fed Cup final in Minsk, Belarus yesterday. London Goffin on Monday, however the Spaniard AFP Switzerland’s Roger Federer returns to Jack admits he is still struggling with the knee prob- Sock of the US during their men’s singles lem that forced him to pull out of the recent oger Federer made a strong start to his tennis match on Day One of the ATP World Paris Masters. Nadal gets World No.1 trophy bid to cap his golden year with a seventh Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 While Nadal fretted over his fitness, Fed- RATP Tour Finals title as the Swiss star Arena in London, yesterday. erer was back in the groove against Sock, who defeated Jack Sock 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) yesterday. had grabbed the last Tour Finals berth by win- Four months after winning Wimbledon for ning his first Masters title in Paris earlier this Spain’s Rafael a record eighth time just a few miles across month. Even the 25-year-old, yet to make it Nadal poses London, Federer is back in the English capital past the last 16 at any Grand Slam, was caught with his ATP aiming to cap a remarkably successful spell by off guard by his climb to a career-high ninth World Tour No. 1 lifting the silverware at the O2 Arena. in the rankings. trophy which he When Federer missed last year’s Tour He was forced to cancel a scheduled round received during Finals through injury, it seemed possible he of golf at Augusta as he instead prepared to the opening would never recapture his former glories. face Federer. day of the ATP He came into 2017 having missed half of A relaxing stroll around that famous course last season due to fitness problems and was might have seem preferable to facing Federer, World Tour without a Grand Slam title since 2012. who hadn’t lost a set in their three previous Finals at the O2 But the 36-year-old has enjoyed a stun- meetings and quickly took charge with a break Arena in London ning renaissance, winning the Australian Open in the first game. yesterday. and Wimbledon among seven titles -- more That was all the advantage Federer needed than other male player over the last 11 months. as the 19-time Grand Slam champion swept Federer hasn’t triumphed at the season- through the first set with 10 winners and four ending Tour Finals since 2011. aces. But after seeing off Sock in his group Federer didn’t have it so easy as Sock found Fed Cup final: Sasnovich opener, the world number two has now won some rhythm in the second set, but the Swiss his last 11 matches. held his nerve to take it in a tie-break. That dominant streak has already earned Fans hoping for some young blood to chal- him titles in Shanghai and Basel, and he hopes lenge Federer and Nadal will get a glimpse of to maintain that hot streak all the way to the a potential future star when Germany’s Alex- Tour Finals crown next weekend. Having won the French and US Opens this since 2013, making the 31-year-old the oldest ander Zverev makes his tournament debut wins to force decider With defending champion Andy Murray, year, Nadal has matched Federer’s unexpect- man to earn that honour. But Nadal’s hopes of against Croatia’s Marin Cilic later on Sunday. Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka all absent edly dominant run as the old rivals hoovered finally winning the Tour Finals for the first time Zverev is the youngest Tour Finals quali- from the Tour Finals due to injury, Federer and up all four of this year’s Grand Slam crowns. could be hampered by injury. fier since Juan Martin del Potro in 2008, the Minsk Rafael Nadal are the unquestioned headline Nadal is already guaranteed to finish as the Nadal, twice a Tour Finals runner-up, is towering 6ft 6in 20-year-old having under- AFP acts. year-end world number one for the first time due to open his campaign against David lined his emergence with five titles this year. Aliaksandra liaksandra Sasnovich battled back from a set down to force the Sasnovich of deciding fifth rubber in yesterday’s Fed Cup final with a victory Belarus reacts Aover Sloane Stephens of USA to draw Belarus level at 2-2. after defeating Earlier yesterday CoCo Vandeweghe put USA 2-1 up beating the Sloane Stephens Federer and Nadal Belarus teenager Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (7/5), 6-1. of the US Sasnovich, 87th in the world, prevailed 4-5, 6-1, 8-6 in two hours yesterday. six minutes to chalk up her second win over Stephens, who has lost every match since winning the US Open title in September, in as many urge caution over meetings. Cool Chung stuns Rublev “It was one of the most tense matches in my life,” Sasnovich said. “I gave everything I have for the win, the god of tennis was on my side today. The support of the crowd helped me to stay concentrated rule changes throughout the game. It was a fantastic match.” Both players produced a catalogue of unforced errors in the open- ing set but the 24-year-old Stephens broke her rival’s serve to lead 1-0 London changes have been made in all after 42 minutes. But in the second Stephens, ranked 13th in the world, AFP of its history.” suddenly ran out of gas allowing Sasnovich to break twice to level at The Spaniard used the exam- one set all after one hour 10 minutes on court. to claim Next Gen trophy oger Federer and Rafael ple of net height, which has In the deciding set the rivals traded breaks twice before Sasnov- Nadal said they welcome stayed the same despite taller ich, 23, produced the deciding break in the 13th game minutes before Rinnovation in tennis but players in the modern era. Milan she took the set and the match. Chung revealed that his mind train- Hyeon Chung from warned the game’s administra- But the 16-time Grand Slam AFP In yesterday’s early match Sabalenka and Vandeweghe both played ing had helped him in Milan, just days South Korea celebrates tors not to tamper too much with champion, who looks likely to with confidence from the start on the hard-court at the packed Minsk after he had suffered a first-round exit the current format. play in London despite an injury his victory in the final of Chizhovka 8,000-seat arena, holding their serves until the 11th game outh Korea’s Hyeon Chung kept in Paris to Rafael Nadal. A series of rule changes and scare, said he was happy with Next Generation in Milan when Vandeweghe broke. his cool to upset top-seeded After losing the first “The coach says all the time, first innovations were trialled at the how things are. But Sabalenka broke back immediately under the watchful gaze Russian Andrey Rublev and set, and down one try to stay calm and in control, to have on Saturday. Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, “If you asked me ‘do you of Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko to force a tiebreak, which claim his first title at the Next a chance to play better and better.” featuring the world’s top 21-and- want changes?’ I will say ‘no’,” the 25-year-old American won to take a one-set lead after 50 min- Gen ATP finals in Milan on break in the second, I It was Chung’s third victory over under singles players. he said. utes on court. SSaturday. was really nervous, Rublev. He beat the Russian earlier in They are aimed at creating a “I am number one in the In the second Sabalenka, who is 78th in the world, suddenly lost The bespectacled 21-year-old ral- really angry, but I tried the week and also at Winston-Salem high-tempo, TV-friendly prod- world, I have achieved a lot of her nerve allowing Vandeweghe to break twice for a commanding 5-0 lied from a set down to see off Rublev, on the ATP Tour in August. uct geared towards attracting things but if the game needs lead minutes before she took the set and the match sealing her victory the world number 37 who reached the to have a poker face. The Russian said he had let his emo- new and younger fans. something to be more attractive with an accurate backhand. US Open quarter-finals this year, 3-4 I’m trying to create an tions take control. Rule changes include a for the fans, that’s the way that “I knew if I just kept giving myself opportunities and getting my (5/7), 4-3 (7/2), 4-2, 4-2 in just under “I was playing much better than shorter format with first-to-four- the game will move forward.” nose in front in her service games, I’d keep getting opportunities and two hours. image of being really him. I was dictating the match, and then games sets (tie-break at 3-3), a “It’s not my job,” he added. she’d eventually break down,” Vandeweghe said. Chung, ranked 54, sealed victory on strong mentally and I just because I let my emotion out and shorter warm-up, a 25-second “The people who run the sport “She did what she’s supposed to do and did what I expected her to his third match point after Rublev had everything changed, because Chung, shot clock used between points, have to look around and take the do - just swing and pray for it to go in and she did. So you just got to saved two at 3-1 down in the fourth set starting playing better he was always there,” said Rublev. no line judges, player coaching right decisions to make our sport recover and keep fighting. of the final at the season-ending, eight- and better: Hyeon “He was always focused. He was and no doubles lines on the even more interesting than it is “And then it showed in the second set, she withered when I kept player tournament. always in the match. court. today. I’m happy with how it is the pressure on her, and then I just closed it out.” “After losing the first set, and down Chung “No matter if something goes Federer, in London for the but maybe in the future you need On the opening day Vandeweghe put USA into the lead with a 6-4, one break in the second, I was really wrong, he was still fighting. And me, ATP Finals, said he had enjoyed to do something.” 6-4 win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich, while Sabalenka beat Stephens nervous, really angry, but I tried to have from a little thing, I just lose my control watching the matches on TV but 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to pull the scores level at 1-1. a poker face,” said Chung. and that’s it. I just lost because of my urged caution. “I’m trying to create an image of head. “We need to think, take seri- being really strong mentally and I start- “Mentally he’s really strong.” ously all these rule changes if ing playing better and better,” he said. him deal with the pressure of tennis -- The sixth-seeded Chung won all ever you’re going to do it because Poutchek honoured with Award of Excellence The former student of the Nick Bol- received $390,000 dollars (335,000 three matches in group play, including once you do it you don’t want to lettieri Tennis Academy in Florida euros) but no world ranking points for a straight-sets win over Rublev, and bounce back and forth with -- who turned to a mental coach to help winning the under-21 tournament. defeated Russian Daniil Medvedev in changing something and then Tatiana Poutchek competed in 45 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas ties for Belarus. the semi-finals. you don’t like it later on,” said Poutchek She was a key competitor for the nation every year between 1997 and The momentum swung his way in the Swiss world number two. (centre) 2011, compiling a record of 28-7 in doubles and 9-8 in singles. She has the third set as Rublev’s frustration “I don’t see that much wrong receiving competed in more ties representing Belarus than any other player and broke through at his inability to wear with our Tour right now that it the award holds the record for most total wins for Belarus and most doubles wins. down Chung. needs that much fixing, espe- yesterday. She was also a member of the Belarusian Olympic team in 2008. He becomes the first South Korean cially the shorter sets. I know it The award was presented on court ahead of the second day of play to lift an ATP World Tour singles tro- can be somewhat intriguing but at the 2017 Final at Minsk’s Chizhovka Arena by ITF President David phy since Lee Hyung-Taik won in 2003 at the same time the longer sets Haggerty and 2010 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee and at Sydney. allow you to stretch a lead, it’s Australian tennis star Mark Woodforde, who represented the Hall of Medvedev took third place after more comfortable at times. Fame. Croatia’s Borna Coric pulled out injured “You can try different things. As a competitor on the WTA Tour, Poutchek was one of Belarus’ from a play-off. You can work on stuff, whereas most accomplished players. She attained a career high singles rank- The ATP used the inaugural tour- if every point counts so much... ing of world No. 55 and a doubles ranking of world No. 25, winning 8 nament to test a number of innovations there’s no room for anything any doubles titles. with the promising young players of the more. There are positives and Poutchek has stayed highly engaged in Belarusian tennis since season competing in the round-robin negatives to it but I don’t want to ending her playing career. She served as captain of the Belarus Fed format with the first to four games in see anything change on the Tour Cup team from 2012-15, leading the team to win 10 out of 14 ties in each set winning -- a tie-break is used that much to be honest.” that time, a run which propelled the team into World Group compe- when the scores reach 3-3. Top-ranked Nadal, bidding Minsk tition. Poutchek is currently the head of women’s tennis for the Belarus Changes also included no line to win the ATP Finals for the first Agencies Tennis Federation. judges with all calls made using Hawk- time, said it was good to try new “I am extremely honoured to have represented my country in Fed Eye Live, no lets, sudden-death points things. Spain’s World No.1 Rafael elarusian tennis star Tatiana Poutchek yesterday was pre- Cup, first as a player and then as captain,” Poutchek said. “To there- at deuce and a shot clock to ensure a “There are a couple of things sented with the Fed Cup Award of Excellence by the fore win this award means so much to me, particularly when the world Hyeon Chung from South Korea and Andrey Rublev (right) from Russia 25-second rule between points to keep that I like and a couple of things Nadal during practice ahead International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International is taking notice of Belarus tennis. We have a great opportunity to grow pose after the final of Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan on Saturday. play ticking along briskly. I don’t like but nothing is perfect. of the ATP World Tour Finals Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) at the 2017 Fed Cup Final in this amazing sport in our country and I will continue to help do that We are in a sport where we have at The O2 Arena in London BMinsk. however I can.” a big tradition -- not many on Saturday. 34 SPORT MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2017 MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 35

NFL: Hurricanes extend winning streak to 14 games

Miami Gardens AP

iami is getting cham- NBA RESULTS pionship rings when this season is over. Denver 125 Orlando 107 M Maybe, just maybe, the Phoenix 118 Minnesota 110 biggest kind. Cleveland 111 Dallas 104 The Hurricanes sent two Milwaukee 98 LA Lakers 90 San Antonio 133 Chicago 94 very clear messages to the Golden State 135 Philadelphia 114 College Football Playoff com- NY Knicks 118 Sacramento 91 mittee Saturday night — that Houston 111 Memphis 96 they’re worthy of being a

Washington 113 Atlanta 94 national title contender and New Orleans 111 LA Clippers 103 that Notre Dame is not. Travis Homer ran for 146 yards, Deejay Dallas had a pair of touchdown runs and No. 7 Miami dominated No. 3 Notre Dame 41-8 to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 14 games. “I never would have pre- dicted what happened,” Miami coach Mark Richt said of the rout. “But it happened.” Golden State Warriors forward David Malik Rosier threw for a West (3) passes the basketball against touchdown and ran for Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones another for the Hurricanes (1) and forward Nemanja Bjelica (8) during (9-0, No. 7 CFP), who forced the second quarter at Oracle Arena on four turnovers for the fourth Saturday. consecutive week and handed the Irish their sec- ond-worst loss in the history of the Miami-Notre Dame series. Only the 58-7 Miami romp in 1985 was more decisive. “We didn’t see this com- ing,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. “Obviously, we felt we were prepared to play at a high level. We did not.” Warriors force their way past Sixers And it came on the day that Miami clinched its first trip to the Atlantic Coast Los Angeles Wednesday’s game against Min- Outgunned now looking forward to the next in as many days. Dennis Schro- Conference championship AFP nesota with a sore left thigh. couple of weeks when they face der, who was superb against game. The Hurricanes J.J. Redick finished with 17 Philadelphia found teams like Toronto and Miami Washington in the playoffs, wrapped up the Coastal he Golden State War- points, French guard Timothe itself hopelessly that are higher in the missed all eight of his field goal Division title about an hour riors delivered a Luwawu-Cabarrot came off the outgunned in second standings. attempts in the first half Satur- before kickoff when Virgin- message on Saturday bench to score 15 and forward half against Warriors, “Not to take credit away day and finished with seven ia’s loss to Louisville went that the defending Dario Saric added 14 for the who extended their from the (Los Angeles) Lakers points on two-of-16 shooting. final, giving Miami a berth league champs are 76ers. winning streak and the Hawks, but they’re not “It wasn’t my night,” said against Clemson in the ACC Tback on form with a dominating The 76ers have now lost nine to six games. the best offensive teams. Once Schroder. title matchup on December 135-114 victory over the Phila- straight against Golden State. we get to those good teams, then John Wall skipped the team’s 2 at Charlotte. delphia 76ers. They had a chance to take a we’ll be able to measure what morning practice due to illness, “It’s a tremendous win,” Philadelphia had won five of lead at the end of the second on the scoresheet again. Else- we have,” Morris said. but dressed for the game and linebacker Shaquille Quarter- its last six, but found itself hope- quarter, but Kevon Looney where, Bradley Beal and Markieff Washington shot 53.8 per- scored 10 points in the first half man said. “It’s a tremendous lessly outgunned in the second blocked Ben Simmons under- Morris combined for 37 points cent from the floor and led by as as Washington led 49-42. moment.” half against the Warriors, who neath the rim. Looney got the as the Washington Wizards many as 25 points in the first In Houston, James Harden Alize Mack caught a extended their winning streak to ball which led to a three-pointer defeated the Atlanta Hawks meeting with Atlanta since win- scored 38 points as the Houston 14-yard pass from Brandon six games. from Thompson to put Golden 113-94. ning last season’s first-round Rockets beat the Memphis Griz- Wimbush for the lone touch- All six wins have been by 17 State up 65-64 at the half. Beal tallied 19 points and playoff series. zlies 111-96. down for Notre Dame (8-2, or more points, the longest such The Warriors had a scare in Morris 18 as the Wizards Washington’s defence kept Harden made 11 of 25 shots, No. 3 CFP), which hadn’t streak in franchise history. the first 24 minutes when they improved to 7-5 on the NBA the Hawks’ at bay. Atlanta shot including six three-pointers. Eric played a road game against Forward Kevin Durant lost Curry for a few minutes after season. 41 percent from the field and had Gordon also hit six three-point- the Hurricanes since 1989. returned from a one game Simmons’ knee banged into Cur- Kelly Oubre also had 18 24 turnovers, resulting in 39 ers and added 26 points for the “We are back,” former absence to lead all scorers with ry’s right thigh. points for the Wizards, who won points for the Wizards. Rockets. Florida governor and Miami 29 points. Klay Thompson had Curry headed to the locker back-to-back games for the first Taurean Prince scored 19 Reserve Tyreke Evans led the fan Jeb Bush tweeted during 23 and Stephen Curry 22 for the room after a few seconds but time since opening the season points and Marco Belinelli 15 for Grizzlies with 22 points. Marc the game. Warriors, who shot 58.5 percent was only gone a brief time. Once 3-0. the Hawks, who dropped their Gasol added 15 while Mike The swagger sure seems from the field. Durant sat out back, he wasted no time getting Morris said he is third game in a row and second Conley was held to 12 points. like it’s back. Ottawa top Colorado to sweep Sweden games

Stockholm NHL RESULTS made 32 saves for his second Connor McDavid and Jesse AP San Jose 5 Vancouver 0 straight shutout, leading Minne- Puljujarvi scored for the Oilers, Winnipeg 4 Arizona 1 sota to the victory. who lost to the Rangers for the ike Hoffman scored two NY Islanders 5 St Louis 2 Zucker has scored Minneso- fourth consecutive time. Cam goals to help the Ottawa Nashville 5 Pittsburgh 4 ta’s last six goals, extending his Talbot made 30 saves. MSenators beat the Colo- Toronto 4 Boston 1 team record when he banked in In Nashville, Filip Forsberg rado Avalanche 4-3 on Saturday Montreal 2 Buffalo 1 a rebound off Brian Elliott 1:06 scored the shootout winner to for a sweep of their two regular- Columbus 2 Detroit 1 into the third period. lift Nashville past Pittsburgh in season games in Sweden. New Jersey 2 Florida 1 Dubnyk kept Minnesota in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Mark Stone and Johnny Minnesota 1 Philadelphia 0 the game with several strong Final. The Predators won for the Oduya also scored for Ottawa, Chicago 4 Carolina 3 saves through two scoreless fourth straight game and handed

which trailed 3-2 after two peri- Ottawa 4 Colorado 3 periods and then withstood Phil- Pittsburgh its fourth loss in five

ods. Defenseman Erik Karlsson adelphia’s late charge with an games. NY Rangers 4 Edmonton 2 had two assists, giving the cap- extra skater as the Wild finished Kyle Turris had a goal and tain 17 points in 11 games this a 2-2 trip. an assist in his Predators debut, season. Bernier finished with 36 saves. Elliott stopped 26 shots, and after arriving from Ottawa in a Oduya, a Stockholm native, The two games in Stockholm the Flyers were blanked for the three-way trade earlier in the drove a slap shot by Jonathan were part of the 2017 NHL Glo- fourth time this season. week. Forsberg and Kevin Fiala Bernier at 7:01 of the third, tying bal Series. It was the fifth time In New York, Rick Nash scored for the Predators in the it at 3 and delighting the crowd the NHL has played regular-sea- scored twice, leading New York shootout, with Sidney Crosby of more than 13,000. Hoffman son games in Europe, but the to its season-high sixth straight scoring Pittsburgh’s lone shoot- got the game-winning goal on a first since 2011. win. Pavel Buchnevich also out goal. one-timer on a power play with The Senators beat the Ava- scored for the Rangers, and PK Subban, Craig Smith and 6:37 left. lanche 4-3 in overtime in the Michael Grabner added an Calle Jarnkrok also scored in Alexander Kerfoot and Sven opener on Friday. empty-netter with 1.4 seconds regulation for Nashville. Bryan Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (29) skates the puck Andrighetto each had a goal and In Philadelphia, Jason remaining. Henrik Lundqvist Rust, Phil Kessel, Jake Guentzel an assist for the Avalanche, who Zucker scored his sixth goal in made 26 saves, and Mats Zuc- and Brian Dumoulin countered against Arizona Coyotes right wing Christian Fischer (36) during have dropped three in a row. three games and Devan Dubnyk carello picked up two assists. for Pittsburgh. the third period at Gila River Arena on Saturday. 36 SPORT MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2017

VALENCIA GRAND PRIX RESULTS Results from the Valencia motorcycling Grand Prix yesterday: MotoGP 1. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 46min 08.125sec, 2. Johann Zarco (FRA/ Yamaha Tech3) at 0.337, 3. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 10.861, 4. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 13.567, 5. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 13.817, 6. Marquez joins greats with Andrea Iannone (ITA/Suzuki) 14.516, 7. Jack Miller (AUS/Honda) 17.087, 8. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) 17.230, 9. Michele Pirro (ITA/Ducati) 25.942, 10. Tito Rabat (ESP/Honda) 27.020 Overall standings 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 298 points, 2. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/ Ducati) 261, 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 230, 4. Dani Pedrosa fourth MotoGP world title (ESP/Honda) 210, 5. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 208, 6. Johann Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) 174, 7. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Ducati) 137, 8. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 124, 9. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) 112, 10. Jonas Folger (GER/Yamaha Tech3) 84 Moto2 1. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) 43min 15.843sec, 2. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/ Kalex) at 2.154, 3. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 4.181, 4. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Kalex) 11.181, 5. Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 12.146, 6. Hafizh Syahrin (MAL/Kalex) 14.595, 7. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) 18.446, 8. Fabio Quartararo (ITA/Kalex) 22.188, 9. Simone Corsi (ITA/Speed Up) 23.592, 10. Dominique Aegerter (SWI/Suter) 23.751 Moto3 1. Jorge Martin (ESP/Honda) 40min 02.193sec, 2. Joan Mir (ESP/Honda) at 3.760, 3. Marcos Ramirez (ESP/KTM) 3.877, 4. Romano Fenati (ITA/ Honda) 3.953, 5. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) 3.999, 6. Juan Francisco

Guevara (ESP/KTM) 4.940, 7. Dennis Foggia (ITA/KTM) 4.735, 8. John

McPhee (GBR/Honda) 5.071, 9. Aron Canet (ESP/Honda) 5.218, 10. Ka- zuki Masaki (JPN/Honda) 6.462

Cheste, Spain as they paid the price for push- AFP ing at the limit for the whole race. “We were over the limit the panish ace Marc Mar- During the race I whole race so we both made quez clinched a fourth mistakes,” said Dovizioso. MotoGP world title yes- was trying to be “I want to say thank you to terday to join an elite calm and control the whole team, all the sponsors club of riders after fin- the situation, but because we had a great Sishing third at a tense season.” season-ending Valencia Grand then I thought now However, he admitted see- Prix. it is time to push ing Marquez fly off the track Honda’s Marquez held a precipitated his own mistake as commanding 21-point lead in the because I felt he pushed even harder. championship from Ducati rival really good: “It’s a standard thing for Andrea Dovizioso, and was guar- Marquez Marc. I didn’t have the speed to anteed the title with a top-11 attack the rider in front of me so finish or if Dovizioso failed to win when I saw that I thought ‘ok, the race. this is good’ but I tried even Dovizioso’s fate was sealed harder and I was already push- when the early season pace-set- ing 100 percent until that time.” ter crashed out five laps from the Up front Pedrosa and Zarco end as Marquez ultimately won breath, surviving but dropping were left to battle it out for the the championship by 37 points. down to fifth. race win in a pulsating final few Marquez’s Honda teammate “During the race I was trying laps. Ultimately, though, the Dani Pedrosa won the race from to be calm and control the situ- Spaniard came out on top on France’s Johann Zarco in ation, but then I thought now it home soil to deny Zarco his first second. From left: Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s French rider Johann Zarco, Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish is time to push because I felt MotoGP win and round off a per- At just 24, a highly mature rider Dani Pedrosa and Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrate on the really good,” said a buoyant Mar- fect day for the Honda pair. Marquez is the youngest ever podium of the MotoGP race of the Valencia Grand Prix at Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste, quez, who defied 27 crashes “At the end I could see the rider to win four premier class near Valencia yesterday. Marquez sealed his sixth world championship and fourth in the premier during the course of the season race was there and I had to go world titles after just five seasons MotoGP category with third place at the Valencia Grand Prix. Marquez’s Honda teammate to win the title. (for it),” said Pedrosa. in MotoGP -- adding to two other Pedrosa won the race ahead of Zarco in second. “In turn one I lost concentra- “Johann was very strong all world championships at lower tion on the break point, I broke the race and it was very difficult levels. too late and you know (it was) because he was going into the He drew level with British the top level. Only three men -- more often than Marquez. However, he couldn’t resist Marquez-style until the end.” corner very fast. trio Mike Hailwood, Geoff Duke Giacomo Agostini (eight), Starting from pole, Marquez an attack on the Frenchman to Yet, Ducati’s hopes of usurp- “At the end I tried a few dif- and John Surtees, and American Valentino Rossi (seven) and Mick waved Zarco through on the try and win the championship in ing Marquez were quickly ferent times, but I made mistakes Eddie Lawson as one of just five Doohan (five) -- have won the fourth lap to rule out any chance style with eight laps to go and ran undone as Jorge Lorenzo and and finally into turn one I could riders to triumph four times at premier category championship of an untimely early crash. wide as his team held their then Dovizioso both crashed out make it stick.”

BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX Starting grid from the Formula One Brazil- ian Grand Prix at Autodromo Jose Carlos Bottas on Brazil pole as Pace. 1. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Mercedes 2. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 3. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 4. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Red Bull - TAG Hamilton crashes out Heuer 5. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India - Mercedes 6. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren Sao Paulo fourth title in Mexico two weeks “It’s very unusual from me 7. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Renault AFP ago, lost control and hit the bar- but it shows we are all human 8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Renault riers on his first flying lap after and things happen.” 9. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes altteri Bottas secured the only two minutes. Hamilton’s crash and Bot- 10. Esteban Ocon (France) Force India - Mercedes third pole position of his He was unhurt and is tas’s pole completed a 11. Romain Grosjean (France) Haas - Ferrari Vcareer on Saturday after expected to start the race from roller-coaster on Saturday for 12. Stoffel Vandoorne (Belgium) McLaren his Mercedes team-mate Lewis the back of the grid. the world champion Mercedes 13. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) Haas - Ferrari Hamilton had crashed in the “I’m okay. It happened really team after it was revealed some 14. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull - TAG opening minutes of an incident- quickly. I tend to just look at it of their staff had been robbed at Heuer filled qualifying session for the as challenges are what makes gunpoint late Friday as they left 15. Pascal Wehrlein (Germany) Sauber - Ferrari Brazilian Grand Prix. life interesting and overcoming the Interlagos circuit. 16. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber - Ferrari The Finn clocked a best lap them makes life meaningful,” Bottas said he felt a respon- 17. Lance Stroll (Canada) Williams-Mercedes time of one minute and 8.322 Hamilton told Sky Sports. sibility to the team after Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas (right) and Ferrari’s 18. Brendon Hartley (New Zealand) Toro Rosso - seconds in the final seconds to “I just need to take what- Hamilton’s shock early exit. Renault outpace his nearest rival four- ever bubble of negativity “It feels good,” said Bottas, German driver Sebastian Vettel chat after taking the first and

19. Pierre Gasly (France) Toro Rosso - Renault time champion Sebastian Vettel comes from that experience who also took pole at the second place at the starting grid for the Brazilian Formula One

20. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes of Ferrari by 0.038 seconds. and move forwards and try and Azerbaijan and Austrian Grands Grand Prix in the qualifying session at the Interlagos Circuit in Hamilton, who clinched his grow from it. Prix earlier this season. Sao Paulo, Brazil on Saturday.