TTENNISENNIS | Page 3 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 7 Del Potro draws Real suff er on Mascherano shock defeat ‘passion’ to seal as Man United Finals spot stutter again

Thursday, October 4, 2018 CRICKET Moharram 24, 1440 AH Six-wicket Tahir, GULF TIMES Steyn’s 60 lead South Africa to victory SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL / UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Neymar turns on style with hat-trick in PSG stroll Cavani, Di Maria, Mbappe also score in 6-1 win over Red Star Belgrade as PSG bounces back from a loss at Liverpool

Agencies something to celebrate as Marin, Paris/Moscow the former German international winger whose career lost its way after a move to Chelsea, blasted eymar continued his into the roof of the net for a con- return to top form with solation goal in the 74th minute. a hat-trick in a sublime But Neymar had the last word, display to lead Paris curling another free-kick high Saint-GermainN to a 6-1 rout of into the net to complete his hat- Red Star Belgrade in the Champi- trick nine minutes from time, ons League yesterday. taking him into double fi gures for The world’s most expensive the season. player admitted on the eve of PSG coach Thomas Tuchel this game that he still did not feel then immediately substituted his back to 100 percent after the foot star player, who walked off to a injury which required surgery standing ovation. and saw him miss the last three months of last season. LOKOMOTIV DERAILED But he tore a hapless Red Star Schalke 04 midfi elder Weston apart with two goals in the space McKennie scored with a header of two fi rst-half minutes at the two minutes from time to give Parc des Princes, the fi rst a de- the Bundesliga side a 1-0 win at lightful curling free-kick, before Lokomotiv Moscow in a rain- completing his hat-trick from soaked match yesterday. another stunning free-kick late Schalke’s fi rst victory in Group on. D, in a disappointing game littered Edinson Cavani, Angel di Mar- with misplaced passes, left them ia and Kylian Mbappe also scored with four points from two games as PSG bounced back from a 3-2 while the Russian champions have defeat at Liverpool two weeks yet to get off the mark. Porto (one ago to register their fi rst points in point) were hosting Galatasaray Group C. (three) later yesterday. They have a double-header to Lokomotiv, whose 71-year-old come next against Napoli, and coach Yuri Semin is in his fourth the Italian side will surely off er stint at the club, edged the fi rst a sterner test than Red Star, the half and Dmitiri Barinov had 1991 European Cup winners who their best chance with a low shot had been unbeaten in 34 games from the edge of the area which before arriving at the Parc des was turned away by Ralf Faehr- Princes and being utterly out- mann. classed. That proved to be Lokomotiv’s The Serbians grabbed a conso- only shot on target. lation goal through Marko Marin Schalke, who have lost fi ve in the second half, but they could of their opening six Bundes- not cope with the home side’s liga matches, improved after front four, a quartet who cost PSG the break and carved out several almost 530mn euros ($610mn) in openings. transfer fees alone. One neat move down the left Such was the imbalance be- Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (centre) celebrates his third goal during their UEFA Champions’ League match against Red Star Belgrade at the Parc des Princes ended with Breel Embolo slip- tween the teams that PSG were stadium in Paris yesterday. (AFP) ping the ball to Mark Uth whose never likely to be troubled despite shot went straight at goalkeeper playing this game with one end ty of attention from opponents scored again two minutes later The former Barcelona forward before half-time. minute. Guilherme. Uth also fl ashed a low of the Parc des Princes closed, a before he won the free-kick as Neymar found Mbappe before may not yet be back to the same PSG had already scored twice Neymar produced some more shot centimetres wide of the post punishment following incidents which led to the opening goal in meeting the return pass with a level as before his injury, but he more by that point, with Cavani magic in the build-up to PSG’s in the 85th minute. in the defeat against Real Madrid the 20th minute, the Brazilian lovely cushioned fi nish. certainly looks in the mood again, fi nding the net on 37 minutes fi fth goal 20 minutes from the They fi nally broke through in back in March. getting up to curl a fi ne strike That was Neymar’s ninth goal with his performance here also with the aid of a defl ection after end, fi nding Juan Bernat, who the 88th minute when 20-year- past Canadian goalkeeper Milan in nine games this season be- notable for a brilliant nutmeg on some brilliant footwork and Di squared for Mbappe to get his old American McKennie out- FREE-KICK DOUBLE Borjan from 25 yards. tween Ligue 1 and Champions Milos Degenek that created an- Maria guiding a Thomas Meu- name on the scoresheet. jumped three defenders at a cor- Neymar had already drawn plen- The French league leaders League. other shooting opportunity just nier cross past Borjan in the 41st Red Star supporters were given ner to head in.

HORSE RACING Countdown for Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe begins

By Sports Reporter phe race meeting at the newly- their champion, Clincher, at the Doha renovated Longchamp, after the 2400m feature on Sunday. last two editions were hosted in Japanese media has provided Chantilly. intensive coverage of the Arc efore the world richest Dozens of thousands of race- every year and this year’s renewal turf race — Qatar Prix goers and millions of TV viewers of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Tri- de l’Arc de Triomphe worldwide are expected to enjoy omphe is expected to be no dif- (Group 1) — gets un- this global event, a very special ferent, especially as they have Bderway at a newly-renovated renewal of the Arc. not yet landed the coveted title Longchamp on Sunday, many as- despite entering many favourites sociated events, under the part- JAPAN’S MAIN GOAL and tough runners in the previ- nership between Qatar Racing Winning the Qatar Prix de l’Arc ous editions. and Equestrian Club (QREC), and de Triomphe has been a goal for Even as Clincher went around France-Galop, will commence Japanese horse racing commu- at the training centre in Chantilly today in Paris. es for Purebred Arabians while nity for long. yesterday, he had a large media The Purebred Arabian Sales the world’s premier global event This year’s edition will be the delegation waiting. organised by Arqana will open for Arabians, the Qatar Arabian 17th time since 1969 that a horse At a press conference held later Trainer Hiroshi the programme today. The sale World Cup (Group 1 PA), will be from Japan will take yet another in the day, dozens of Japanese Miyamoto and will be for horses in training, run just before the Qatar Prix de shot to win the greatest race in media representatives posed jockey Yutaka broodmares, foals, yearlings, l’Arc de Triomphe race at Long- the world. their questions Clincher’s jockey Take oversee two-year-olds, stallions and en- champ, in demonstration of Qa- This sporting challenge is Yutaka Take, who expressed his Japanese horse durance horses. tar’s commitment to promoting cherished in Japan, a nation with hope to win the long-awaited Clincher’s Twenty four hours later, meet- pure Arabians as part of Qatar’s a huge love for horseracing. A title for his countrymen. Clinch- training session ing at Saint-Cloud will kick- heritage. large contingent of fans from the er’s trainer Hiroshi Miyamoto in Chantilly start racing action. Saturday will be the fi rst day of Land of the Rising Sun is expect- was also present along with other yesterday. Saint-Cloud will also host rac- the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triom- ed at Longchamp to cheer home Chantilly-based trainers. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, October 4, 2018 CRICKET

SECOND ODI Six-wicket Tahir, Steyn’s 60 lead SA to victory AFP of a 75-run eighth wicket stand with Scorecard Bloemfontein, South Africa Andile Phehlukwayo (28). Steyn hit eight fours and a six in an SOUTH AFRICA ZIMBABWE 85-ball innings. His previous best one- D. Elgar c Taylor b Chatara 4S. Mire lbw b Steyn 2 ale Steyn made a triumphant day international score was 35 against return to one-day interna- India in Jaipur in 2009/10. A. Markram c Taylor b Tiripano 35 H. Masakadza lbw b Ngidi 27 tional cricket, starring with Steyn struck with his seventh ball R. Hendricks b Jarvis 1C. Ervine c Phehlukwayo b Steyn 3 when he trapped Solomon Mire leg bat and ball as South Africa H. Klaasen c Mire b Chatara 1B. Taylor lbw b Imran Tahir 10 beatD Zimbabwe by 120 runs in the sec- before wicket and followed up by dis- ond one-day international at the Man- missing Craig Ervine, who endured K. Zondo st Taylor b Mavuta 21 S. Williams st Klaasen b Imran Tahir 9 gaung Oval yesterday. a torrid time against the veteran fast C. Jonker b Mavuta 25 P. Moor lbw b Imran Tahir 5 Playing in his fi rst ODI in two years, bowler before being caught at short J. Duminy lbw b Jarvis 5E. Chigumbura c Hendricks b Phehluk- Steyn top-scored with a career-best 60 midwicket. wayo 0 in a South African total of 198, then took “I had a nice breeze behind me and A. Phehlukwayo c Taylor b Chatara 28 the fi rst two wickets as Zimbabwe were there was pace in the wicket. The wick- D. Steyn b Tiripano 60 D. Tiripano not out 12 bowled out for 78, giving South Africa et was a little up and down. If you run Imran Tahir lbw b Williams 1B. Mavuta b Imran Tahir 0 a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match in on a wicket like that things will hap- K. Jarvis b Imran Tahir 1 series. pen,” he said. L. Ngidi not out 4 Leg-spinner Imran Tahir took six for Tahir ripped through the Zimbabwe Extras (lb2, nb1, w10) 13 T. Chatara c Steyn b Imran Tahir 3 24, including a hat-trick, as Zimbabwe batting when the fast bowlers were Total (47.3 overs) 198 Extras (lb2, w4) 6 collapsed. rested, trapping Brendan Taylor leg Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Elgar), 2-9 Total (24 overs) 78 Steyn’s batting rescued South Af- before in his fi rst over, then dismissing (Hendricks), 3-26 (Klaasen), 4-49 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Mire), 2-26 (Er- rica from a precarious 101 for seven South Africa’s Imran Tahir celebrates South Africa’s Dale Steyn celebrates Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura and (Markram), 5-85 (Jonker), 6-92 vine), 3-43 (Taylor), 4-43 (Masakadza), but it was his fast bowling that prob- after taking the wicket of Zimbabwe’s his half century during the second ODI Peter Moor with successive deliveries (Zondo), 7-101 (Duminy), 8-176 (Pheh- 5-58 (Williams), 6-59 (Chigumbura), ably impressed coach Ottis Gibson the Kyle Jarvis during the second ODI in against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein before wrapping up the innings. lukwayo), 9-177 (Tahir) 7-59 (Moor), 8-59 (Mavuta), 9-64 most. Bloemfontein yesterday. (AFP) yesterday. (AFP) “The pitch wasn’t ideal,” said South (Jarvis), 10-78 (Chatara) He bowled with plenty of pace and his African captain JP Duminy. Bowling: Jarvis 10-2-26-2 (1w), Ch- fi gures of two for 19 in six overs scarcely Steyn said a stint with English county cricket-fi t,” he said. “The way Dale applied himself was atara 9-1-42-3 (2w), Tiripano 8.3-1-37-2, Bowling: Steyn 6-0-19-2, Ngidi 7-1- refl ected the problems he caused for the Hampshire had enabled him to start the “The wicket was quite tough but it exceptional and to see him bowling as Mavuta 10-0-48-2 (1nb, 5w), Williams 26-1, Phehlukwayo 5-1-7-1, Imran Tahir Zimbabwe batsmen on a pitch of un- South African season in good form. was nice that the opening bowlers had quickly as he has is a really good sign for 10-0-43-1 (1w) 6-0-24-6 (2w) even bounce. “I’ve been playing cricket and I feel bowled out quite a lot of overs,” he said us.”

PREVIEW TEST SERIES Langer confi rms Finch, Head debuts India tries teenage against Pakistan

Reuters the issue for him. “It’s going to Dubai be an instinct call. We’ve got to weigh up what he’s done in the past. He’s obviously a very opener to fi x top order hite-ball spe- good young player. We’ve got cialist batsman to work out whether he’s spent Aaron Finch and enough time out in the middle Shaw to join Rahul at top of the order as Agarwal, Vihari and Siraj miss out South Australia to be ready for a test match.” Wcaptain Travis Head will make Renshaw’s possible ab- AFP “We will like to take this se- their Test debuts in the series- sence could pave the way for New Delhi ries as a benchmark we want opener against Pakistan in Du- South Africa-born Marnus to set and keep repeating those bai on Sunday, Australia coach Labuschagne, who came in at things,” Kohli said. Justin Langer has confi rmed. number six against Pakistan A kipper Virat Kohli said “As a side, you want to see Both players scored half- and scored an unbeaten 39 in yesterday India are look- three or four tests so that you centuries in Australia’s drawn Australia’s only innings. The ing to ‘cement’ the team’s have ample time to test your tour match against a Pakistan 24-year-old, who can also bowl misfi ring top order as skills and test out the areas that A side, convincing Langer to part-time legspin, was a sur- teenageS opener Prithvi Shaw was you need to improve on. award them their fi rst caps in prise inclusion in the 15-man named in the fi nal 12 for the fi rst “But having said that, we have the fi ve-day format. squad but played a key role in Test against the West Indies. to utilise the time that we have “There was never any Queensland’s Sheffi eld Shield The world’s number one Test and make the most of these two doubt over those two for me, I triumph earlier this year. side suff ered from inconsistent test matches that we have in thought they were certainties “We’ve seen in the history top order during their overseas front of us... try and solidify the to play,” Langer said of his fi rst of Australian cricket a lot of tours of South Africa and England, areas we need to going ahead as a Test side as Australia coach af- people take their opportunities losing 1-2 and 1-4 respectively. test side.” ter the former opener took over through injury,” Langer said. The two-match West Indies se- from Darren Lehmann in May. “I thought Marnus fi elded ries starting in Rajkot today gives REJUVENATED Despite the pair making cer- brilliantly but was really good India an opportunity to work on Kohli, who was criticised for tain of selection, doubts re- with the bat (against Pakistan their problem areas ahead of the sitting out the Asia Cup won by main in other areas of captain A), bowled a few overs. He’s all-important tour of Australia the Rohit Sharma-led India in Tim Paine’s team, with opener certainly put a strong case for- starting next month. the UAE, said rest in between Matt Renshaw picking up a ward for selection as well.” “I think the top order get- long tours will be key for keep- head injury after being struck Australia are likely to opt for ting cemented with these two ing players fi t ahead of the World by the ball during the tour a second paceman to support Test matches, that’s what we are Cup in 2019. game that ended on Tuesday. left-armer Mitchell Starc and looking at,” Kohli told reporters. “I am feeling rejuvenated “I think Matthew Renshaw uncapped Queensland quick “These guys are new, so they again. It was mental and physical will be physically fi ne – the Michael Neser may get the nod will take a bit of time to get into both because of the intensity of one thing he’s got is he hasn’t over workhorse Peter Siddle, it. But they defi nitely have the the two tours, both South Africa played much cricket,” Langer with Langer impressed by his skill set,” he said. and England,” said Kohli. told reporters in Dubai. spells against Pakistan A. “He “They should look at it as an “I defi nitely needed the break “He went on the Australia A has a red-hot dip every time he opportunity and not think of because my back went once in trip, he got a hamstring strain... plays, he’s a good fi elder, he’s pressure, because they’re very South Africa then it went again he hasn’t spent much time in brilliant around the team,” Lang- young, and it’s a great chance for (in) England. Looking at the the middle. That’s going to be er said of 28-year-old Neser. them to cement their place and World Cup I think these things play for a long time.” are very important to consider, The 18-year-old Shaw, who to give players ample rest and was chosen ahead of uncapped opportunity to train well and Cricket Australia boss Sutherland Mayank Agarwal and one-Test old come back stronger.” replaced by insider Roberts Hanuma Vihari from the 15-man India player Prithvi Shaw looks on during a training session ahead of the first Test against West Indies at squad, is expected to open the the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium in Rajkot yesterday. (AFP) INDIA TEAM: Virat Kohli (cap- Cricket Australia (CA) yes- after coming under sustained batting alongside Lokesh Rahul. tain), Lokesh Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, terday named insider Kevin pressure. His replacement Shaw has accumulated 1418 Left-handed opener Shikhar “We know as a team and eve- tions in the lower order are more Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Roberts – who spearheaded Roberts is a former opening runs in 14 fi rst-class games in- Dhawan managed just 162 runs ryone on the outside also knows crucial,” said Kohli. “Because Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wicket- an ill-fated attempt to slash batsman for New South Wales cluding seven centuries and in eight innings in seaming Eng- the areas we need to improve on, whatever happens in the mid- keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, players’ pay last year – to lead who moved into business made a strong showing for Delhi lish conditions and was subse- and defi nitely if you look at sides dle is connected to either the top Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, the troubled organisation when his cricketing career Daredevils in the Indian Premier quently dropped ahead of the that win Test matches contribu- order or what the lower order Mohammed Shami, Umesh in the wake of the ball-tam- failed to take off . He worked League Twenty20 tournament. West Indies series. tions at the top and contribu- does.” Yadav, Shardul Thakur. pering scandal. Roberts was for a range of sporting com- appointed chief executive panies including adidas, 2XU off icer and on October 25 and Canterbury before joining FOCUS will formally replace James Cricket Australia in 2012, first Sutherland, who announced as a board director, then as in June he was stepping down part of the executive manage- after 17 years at the helm. ment team. Roberts was ICC warns England, Sri Lanka players of match-fi xing Roberts takes over with CA lead negotiator for Cricket still under fire over the cheat- Australia in last year’s pay AFP player allegedly discussing pos- President, Prime Minister and ing scandal and divisions dispute, when the organisa- Colombo sibilities of altering the pitch at Sports Minister,” Marshall said. Strauss steps down as ECB director of cricket between players and admin- tion was accused of using Galle where England will play Sri Lankan players and um- istrators still raw from the hardball negotiating tactics in their fi rst Test against the hosts pires have been accused of Andrew Strauss announced ment of a permanent succes- pay dispute. “The game and a bid to cap its remuneration ricket’s world govern- from November 6. match-fi xing in the past. yesterday that he is standing sor takes place. “Taking time Cricket Australia have faced costs. The brinksmanship saw ing body said yester- England will play fi ve one-day Jayananda Warnaweera, a down as England’s director of out this summer to support some diff icult times recently, top players left off contract for day players would be internationals, three Tests and a former curator at Galle, was sus- cricket following a period of my wife and kids, as Ruth goes but we will bounce back,” the a month and resulted in the briefed about the risk one-off T20 between October 10 pended by the ICC for refusing compassionate leave. through treatment for cancer, 46-year-old said. Sutherland cancellation of an Australia ofC approaches from “corrupt- and November 27. to cooperate with a corruption Strauss’s wife Ruth was diag- has given me the chance to won plaudits during his long A tour to South Africa before ers” during England’s upcoming Galle groundsman Tharanga inquiry. His three-year ban ends nosed with cancer during fully consider what’s right for tenure for negotiating a Cricket Australia eventually tour of Sri Lanka amid fears of Indika and professional crick- in January. the Ashes in December 2017 England and what’s needed at lucrative new television rights backed down. match-fi xing. eter Tharindu Mendis allegedly No big-name Sri Lankan and he took a break from his home,” said the 41-year-old. deal and popularising the Big The dispute cemented a view The International Cricket speculated about fi xing the pitch player has ever been convicted of position earlier this year after “The role in cricket requires Bash League, day-night Tests within the game that Roberts Council’s anti-corruption chief to ensure a result in under four corruption but several stars have she began a new course of total focus and commitment and women’s cricket. But he is the favoured protege of Alex Marshall said Sri Lanka was days in the Test against England. alleged match-fi xing and spot- treatment. The former Test to deliver the best results, yet faced a career-ending crisis in Cricket Australia chairman the subject of corruption inquir- Both men have been suspend- fi xing. captain, who had been in the right now I need far more flex- March when former captain David Peever, a polarising fig- ies but the England tour itself ed by Sri Lanka Cricket, pending Sports Minister Faiszer Mus- post for three-and-a-half years, ibility than could ever be pos- Steve Smith, his deputy David ure with a reputation for union was not under question. the outcome of an ICC investi- thapha promised tougher laws has told the England and sible in my position in order to Warner and batsman Cam- busting in his former life as a “However, I will take the op- gation. A third man, provincial and a special police unit to deal Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that support my family. eron Bancroft attempted to mining executive. The promo- portunity to brief both the teams coach Jeevantha Kulathunga, with match-fi xing after the he will not be returning to his “Next year is potentially the alter the ball in the third Test tion of an internal candidate over the coming days to ensure was also suspended. Al Jazeera documentary made role. He will take on a “flexible” most important the game has in South Africa. They were to replace Sutherland will also they remain alert to the risks Marshall said ICC investiga- sweeping allegations of corrup- position with the governing had in this country, with the all sent home in disgrace and raise questions about Cricket from would be corrupters,” Mar- tors were currently in Sri Lanka, tion. body. Andy Flower, who has World Cup on home soil and handed lengthy bans, with Australia’s commitment to shall said in a statement. but declined to elaborate. He said existing laws were been standing in since May, a home Ashes series, and we then-coach Darren Lehmann changing the organisation’s TV news channel Al Jazeera “I can confi rm that we have, inadequate to deal with match- will continue to hold the reins have an incredible opportunity resigning and Sutherland culture in the wake of the ball- broadcast a documentary in May at their request, provided a de- fi xing and other forms of cheat- until December while recruit- to do something special.” eventually choosing to walk tampering aff air. showing a groundsman and a tailed briefi ng to the Sri Lankan ing. Gulf Times Thursday, October 4, 2018 3 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT We are motivated to showcase Qatar, its people through artistic gymnastics: Dr Thani al-Kuwari

By Sports Reporter his full support. The work being ground what we live is progress, Championship 2015, the World Doha done is to ensure top-most level prosperity and civilization. Boxing Championship 2015, the The tournament is receiving of success and to show the real Paralympic World Champion- a great international media picture of the country’s distinc- Are there any requirements ships 2015 and the upcoming attention. Would you be r Thani bin Abdul- tive organisational abilities in from the International Gym- tournaments such as the 2019 expecting a large number of rahman al-Kuwari, hosting major sporting events. nastics Federation (FIG) on World Athletics Champion- journalists to cover the event second vice-president the regulatory process? ships, the 2022 FIFA World Cup from abroad? of the Qatar Olym- Doha Worlds will see a record We are committed to the spe- and the 2023 World Swimming We welcome media profes- picD Committee (QOC) and participation of over 700 cifi c requirements of FIG. The Championships. This refl ects sionals from all over the world vice chairman of the Organis- gymnasts for the fi rst time. Organising Committee has been Qatar’s position as a world leader to cover this tournament. The ing Committee for the World Does this put pressure on you sprucing up all the facilities. The and the confi dence we have in Organising Committee has Artistic Gymnastics Champion- as organisers? state-of-the-art venue – Aspire the various sports federations provided special areas for the ships Doha 2018, is confi dent of The preparations are going on Dome – is ready at its best. There worldwide. media. Initial fi gures indicate Qatar showcasing a unique and at a hectic pace and with the aim will also be four training halls that we will receive more than unprecedented hosting of the of hosting a distinctive version for participants and a warm-up What will be achieved by 300 journalists from around the fi rst gymnastics world champi- of the championships. We are lounge. We thank all offi cials hosting this edition of the world, so we are keen to have a onships in the Middle East. well ahead of time. These are from various bodies, who are world gymnastics? well-equipped media centre. With hectic preparations unprecedented numbers that cooperating to achieve success. The fi rst World Artistic Gym- under way for the champion- world gymnastics hasn’t seen There is also great co-operation nastics Championships in the Lot of visitors are also ex- ships, which will be staged at the before. Qatar has organised ma- with the international federa- Middle East is big. Aspire’s pres- pected for world gymnastics Aspire Dome from October 25 to jor world championships like the tion, and there has only been ence is also an opportunity for in Doha. There has been a big November 3, Dr al-Kuwari spoke World Cup 2015 which achieved praise. FIG’s confi dence in Qatar the promising Qatari cadres to demand for tickets overseas. about the Organising Commit- unprecedented organisational only increases our responsibility. benefi t from the presence of this Would you be expecting a tee’s eff orts. successes and we are looking huge number of participants. large audience? Excerpts: forward to continuing in the Qatar has a long history of The main element of Qatar Vi- The Organising Committee same vein. hosting major sports events. sion 2030 is inclusion of Qatari has kept the public in mind and Are the preparations for Doha Does this make your mission cadres. We are keen to take focused heavily on providing fa- 2018 well in place ahead of What message does the Or- easy? advantage of this opportunity by cilities. We expect a large audience the opening day? ganising Committee seek to Over the past few years, Qatar introducing new young players to attend and as such the capacity First of all, we would like to send to the world? has been privileged to be at the in the organisational work to at the stadium has been enhanced thank HE Sheikh Joaan bin Ha- The Organising Committee is are intensifying our eff orts to be Qatar is living development and forefront of sport with its world- create promising cadres for the to accommodate some 6,000 mad al-Thani, Chairman of the putting in great eff orts to be ab- ready to receive delegations, and progress at all levels, and that class facilities, its high-quality future. Besides infrastructure, spectators. Tickets have been Qatar Olympic Committee and solutely ready at all levels. There we will ensure all the comfort what some seek to promote is regulatory services and the the investment in the human booked in advance and all eff orts the Organising Committee of are only a few days remaining to all participants from all over unfounded and that those who aspiration of its sporting devel- element is very important for us, are being made for them to enjoy a the championship, for providing before the championships, so we the world. We will show that will come to Qatar will see on the opment. The World Gymnastics for the legacy. great sporting spectacle.

TENNIS FOCUS Nishikori squashes Del Potro draws on Paire to reach Tokyo Mascherano ‘passion’ quarter-fi nals to seal Finals spot ‘We have to learn about his lifestyle, the passion that he puts in every game’

Agencies Beijing

uan Martin del Potro says he hopes to emulate the “passion” of notoriously feisty fellow Argentine JavierJ Mascherano after sealing his spot at the ATP Finals yes- terday. The towering Del Potro, en- joying one of the best seasons of his injury-blighted career, AFP “It was important to stay with dismissed Russia’s stubborn Tokyo him and dig in. I’m in the quar- Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-6(4) in ter-fi nals now and hopefully I Beijing to surge into the quarter- can kick on from here.” fi nals of the China Open. ocal hero Kei Nishikori Signifi cantly, victory means put down a marker in DIFFERENT ANIMAL that Del Potro has qualifi ed for his quest for a third Ja- Kyrgios appeared a little dis- the season-ending ATP Finals pan Open title as he out- tracted at times but the contro- for the fi rst time since 2013, Lgunned France’s Benoit Paire versial Aussie became a diff er- joining Rafael Nadal, Roger Fed- yesterday to reach the last eight. ent animal after Nishioka, who erer and Novak Djokovic in Lon- The third seed, who lifted the won his fi rst ATP tour title at last don in November. trophy in 2012 and 2014, com- week’s Shenzhen Open, forced a It underlines the 30-year- pleted a 6-3, 7-5 victory despite tiebreak in the second set. old’s return to the men’s elite af- late resistance from Paire to Roused into action, Kyrgios ter years of wrist problems that avenge a semi-fi nal defeat in- unleashed a string of monstrous threatened to destroy his career. fl icted by the hulking Frenchman shots to steam through the Mascherano, an aggressive in Tokyo three years ago. breaker. former Barcelona defender who Meanwhile, former champion The 23-year-old, who has has close to 150 caps for Argen- Nick Kyrgios fl ickered into life complained that playing the late tina, was in the Beijing arena to for just long enough to dispatch season tour in Asia makes him see his countryman and friend Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5, feel depressed and lonely, fi red in action. 7-6 (3) in the fi rst round. 20 aces and sealed victory with “We have a good relationship Nishikori tore out of the a fl amboyant backhand overhead and we admire him, of course,” blocks, winning the fi rst fi ve after 73 minutes to book a place Del Potro said of the 34-year- games before Paire fi nally got on in the last 16. old, who now plays his football the scoreboard. Kyrgios has been fi ned for in China. Paire tugged at his beard in de- “tanking” matches in Shanghai “He played a lot for our coun- Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in action against Karen Khachanov (not pictured) of Russia during their second round China Open match spair after Nishikori snaffl ed the the past two years but captured try, he played in the best teams at National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, yesterday. (Reuters) opening set but raced to a 3-0 one of his four career titles at the in the world. lead in the second set before the 2016 Japan Open. “Of course, we have some- a major shock. Sloane Stephens 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 Japanese number one rattled off He faces eighth seed Richard thing to learn about his lifestyle, Dimitrov totted up nine dou- and reach the quarter-fi nals fi ve straight games. Gasquet for a place in the quar- the passion that he puts in every ble faults in a three-set defeat to yesterday. An increasingly prickly ter-fi nals. game. We try to do the same in Serbian qualifi er Dusan Lajovic. An error-prone Cibulkova Paire pulled off an outrageous Meanwhile, Wimbledon fi - tennis.” Lajovic meets Britain’s fi fth allowed American Stephens to between-the-legs volley and nalist Kevin Anderson survived The world number four, los- seed Kyle Edmund in the quar- race into a one set lead before subsequently levelled with a a scare against Australian Mat- ing fi nalist at the US Open last ter-fi nals. clawing her way back. Having backhand rocket, letting out a thew Ebden, the second seed month, talked excitedly about In the women’s draw, number dragged the match into a de- guttural roar as Nishikori shook coming through 4-6, 7-6 (1) to the prestigious ATP Finals, say- two seed Caroline Wozniacki cider, Cibulkova found her range his head in disbelief. reach the last 16. The South Afri- ing he anticipates “amazing rounded off a polished display to close out victory in under two But the world number 12 al- can plays American Frances Tia- moments”. with an ace in a 7-5, 6-3 victory hours. most took Paire’s head off to foe in the last 16. “Of course, it’s a very special over Petra Martic of Croatia. Cibulkova’s fi rst win over break again for 6-5, further ir- Elsewhere, three-time Tokyo tournament for us. I will be ex- The Dane faces Estonia’s An- Stephens in three years, follow- ritating the Frenchman, who fi nalist Milos Raonic, the tour- cited to do well in London,” said ett Kontaveit in the last 16. ing defeats in Acapulco and at fl irted with a penalty point after nament’s sixth seed, overpow- Del Potro. Seventh seed Karolina Plisko- last year’s US Open, earned her kicking his racquet into his chair. ered Japanese qualifi er Yosuke Something of a gentle giant va of the Czech Republic set up a last eight clash with Anastasija Nishikori, who won the last Watanuki 6-3, 7-6 (2) to reach and a popular fi gure in the locker a meeting against China’s top Sevastova. of his 11 career titles in Mem- the quarter-fi nals. room, Del Potro faces Filip Kra- player Wang Qiang. The Latvian advanced with phis two years ago, closed out the Russian Daniil Medvedev jinovic of Serbia in the last eight a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory match with a ferocious cross- awaits the Canadian after beat- on Beijing’s outside hard courts. STEPHENS FALLS TO over Croatia’s Donna Vekic. court forehand that Paire bat- ing Slovakia’s Martin Klizan 6-4, The Argentine will not be INSPIRED CIBULKOVA Local hope Zhang Shuai beat tered wide. 6-3, while Australia’s Alex De joined in the quarter-fi nals by Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova Hungary’s Timea Babos 6-1, 6-2 “I had a few dangerous mo- Minaur beat France’s Gilles Si- Bulgaria’s third seed Grigor rallied from a set down to de- and faces Wimbledon champion Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in action against Sloane Stephens ments but I stuck to my game,” mon 6-7 (1), 7-6 (5), 6-2 in fi rst- Dimitrov, who was on the end of feat former US Open champion Angelique Kerber next. (not pictured) of the US yesterday. (Reuters) said Nishikori. round action. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, October 4, 2018 SPORT

FOCUS Qatar Airways is global airline partner for Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center

By Sports Reporter class indoor venue and is ranked globally. This new partnership sponsoring some of the biggest Doha in the top-fi ve nationally in gross will provide Qatar Airways with teams around the world. In ad- revenue and attendance by Bill- maximum exposure to the rest of dition to its existing partnership board and Venues Today. In addi- the world, echoing our belief in with the German football club atar Airways an- tion to being home to the Brook- bringing people together. We are giants Bayern Munich, for which nounced its fi rst major lyn Nets, Barclays Center hosts proud to be able to bring spec- it is a Platinum Partner, Qatar partnership with an a wealth of concerts and enter- tators from around the world to Airways also recently revealed NBA team or venue, tainment and, in the past, has New York, and we look forward multi-year sponsorship agree- becomingQ the Offi cial Global Air- featured performances by inter- to celebrating together at Bar- ments as Offi cial Jersey Sponsor line Partner of the Brooklyn Nets nationally-renowned artists and clays Center.” with Italian football club Roma and the team’s home, Barclays legends including Barbra Stre- BSE Global CEO Brett Yormark and Argentinian football club Center, in Brooklyn, New York. isand, The Rolling Stones, Paul added: “We are thrilled to be the Boca Juniors. The multi-year agreement McCartney, Beyoncé, Rihanna, fi rst NBA team and venue to wel- In May 2017, Qatar Airways will provide Qatar Airways with Madonna and Bruce Springsteen, come Qatar Airways as an Offi cial had also announced a ground- a big exposure in the US, while as well as family-friendly events Partner. It has been an ongoing breaking sponsorship deal with strengthening the airline’s global such as Disney on Ice and Sesame priority of the Brooklyn Nets and FIFA, which saw the award-win- sponsorship portfolio and unit- Street Live. Barclays Center to expand our ning airline become the Offi cial ing people from around the world Qatar Airways Group Chief reach globally, and Qatar Airways Partner and Offi cial Airline of at a renowned entertainment Executive Akbar al-Baker said, helps us bring brand awareness to FIFA until 2022. venue. As part of the agreement, “Qatar Airways is delighted to a dynamic new audience.” The partnership, one of the Barclays Center’s Courtside Club sign this exciting sponsorship Qatar Airways’ codeshare biggest sporting sponsorships in will become the Qatar Airways agreement with the Brooklyn partner, JetBlue, continues as the the world, will give Qatar Air- Club, and the airline will also Nets and Barclays Center, a ma- Offi cial Domestic Airline Partner ways extensive marketing and receive branding on all courtside jor NBA franchise and a world- of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays branding rights at the 2022 World seats. renowned venue which hosts Center. Cup Qatar, with an expected au- Located in the heart of Brook- some of the most thrilling sport- Qatar Airways holds an ex- dience reach of more than two lyn, Barclays Center is a world- ing and entertainment events tensive global sports portfolio, billion people.

CRICKET Qatar’s al-Tamimi rises to 24th in world ranking

By Sports Reporter Doha

spire Academy graduate and Qatar’s number 1 Warriors claim Asquash player Abdulla al-Tamimi has climbed the PSA World Ranking to 24th spot as per the latest world ranking at the end of September 2018. The 24-year-old Aspire graduate moved four places up from the last ranking released in August. T20 Division A This is al-Tamimi’s highest ever PSA World Ranking, becom- ing the highest ranked squash Warriors beat Galfar Al Misnad for player from the Gulf region. Al-Tamimi’s progress in the PSA the title; Selex and Hadico lift World Ranking comes on the his rise in the world rankings after winning the Australian back of solid performances and and said that he will do his best Open title. Division B and C trophies pleasing results from recent to reach a higher position dur- Al-Tamimi is one of most promi- crown international squash tourna- ing the new season. nent Aspire graduates and one ments including the recent Al-Tamimi began his squash of the talents that the academy By Sports Reporter JP Morgan China Open in career in 2011 and broke into has developed to make the Doha Shanghai. the world’s top 70 in November nation proud at international Al-Tamimi was delighted with 2014 and entered the top 40 tournaments.

mraz and Adnan mixed ag- gression and patience to lead Warriors Club to the RUGBY Division A title in a thrill- Iing fi nish in the QCA Twenty20 Cricket Tournament here. The Qatar Cricket Associa- tion hosted this tournament to DRFC to host top SL clubs provide competitive edge to teams of all divisions and con- By Sports Reporter “We acknowledge the signifi - has not been named, Tremayne, tinue the growth of the sport in Doha cance of these fi xtures, and cred- said, “We are looking forward to the country. it the management of the LRFC welcoming the two Sri Lankan With Praveeth and Umar bag- and DRFC, as well as the sponsor teams. The matches will test our ging two wickets each, Galfar Al he Doha Rugby Foot- – James Barker Used Cars – for players, and help us gauge our Misnad were kept in check by ball Club (DRFC) and recognizing Sri Lanka’s stature level of effi ciency over the 80 Warriors Club, allowing them the Lions Rugby Foot- as a powerful rugby nation.” minutes. Ideally, we want to build to make 142 for eight. Then Im- ball Club (LRFC), along Speaking about the collabora- on the new season’s momentum raz and Adnan produced a solid Twith the Embassy of Sri Lanka in tion, DRFC’s Director of Rugby by winning both friendlies.” batting display to help the team Qatar, are set to welcome two of Brook Tremayne said, “With the CH & FC who were edged out complete the chase in 17.3 overs. Warriors Club players pose with the trophy after winning the QCA Twenty20 Cricket Tournament. Sri Lanka’s top rugby clubs this current blockade imposed on of the top three in last year’s na- Imraz blasted 58 not out in 51 month. Qatar, it’s very diffi cult to provide tional premier league will also be balls, including four boundaries in contributed 34 with two sixes knock had three sixes and two Umar 2 for 25) lost to Warriors The historical games, which competitive rugby opportunities looking for a positive start, de- and two sixes, while Adnan’s and four boundaries. boundaries. Avtar was the pick Club 143 for two in 17.3 overs will serve as preseason prepa- to our players. These matches spite missing three of their top run-a-ball 43 had seven shots to Ashraf then guided the chase of the Gladiators bowlers with (Imraz 58 not out (51b, 4x5, ration for DRFC’s 1st XV, will demonstrate our commitment to players who are out on national the fence and a six. with a 39-ball cameo. He rifl ed three for 26. 6x2), Adnan 43 (43b, 4x7, 6x1); provide supporters with the op- exploring new partnerships that rugby duty. Earlier, Rizlan and Faisal car- three sixes and eight bounda- Gladiators Club were re- Nouman 1 for 19) by eight wick- portunity to enjoy high-quality are sustainable for our club and, However, captain Yousitha Ra- ried Galfar Al Misnad to a fi ght- ries to collect 76. Shahid missed stricted by Jagroop and Suhail, ets. Man of the match: Imraz rugby competition. The fi rst in- in turn, Qatar rugby.” japakse saw it as an opportunity ing total. Rizlan smashed three out on a half-century, getting a who took fi ve wickets between (Warriors Club) ternational club friendly will be LRFC president Nimo Amit for their replacements. “Having sixes in his 21-ball 35. Faisal took 30-ball 47 with seven fours. Asif them. Jagroop netted three for Division B: Qatar Super Kings held on Friday at the Doha Rugby added: “The Sri Lankan rugby our big names out of the squad 22 deliveries to reach 22, which Umer added the momentum 25 and Suhail grabbed two for 181 for six in 20 overs (Tony Football Centre against Colombo community is one of the biggest drives the team to excel with contained four boundaries and a with 31 not out, including half 35. Archer 71 (33b, 4x4, 6x7)) lost Football Club, fourth-placed in Doha and it only makes sense more intensity. It gives the other six. Gayan added 26 off 15 balls a dozen fours. Benin and Faiz Avtar shone with the bat as to Selex 186 for six in 17.5 overs team in the last year’s Sri Lankan to open dialogue with Sri Lankan boys a chance to shine and con- with a six and two fours. shared four wickets. well, hitting 42 in 23 balls with (Asif Ashraf 76 (39b, 4x8, 6x3), league, while the second match clubs. We will be undertaking solidate their positions. We have Imraz was declared the Man Hadico held off Gladiators three sixes and as many fours. Shahid 47 (30b, 4x7); Benin 2 for is scheduled for Friday, Octo- various initiatives over the next a lot of faith in the depth of our of the Match. Club to claim the Division C ti- Emad hit 26 as his 19-ball in- 34, Faiz 2 for 32) by four wickets. ber 19, against Sri Lanka Navy 12 months with these teams to players.” In Division B, the fi nal was tle with a close six-run triumph, nings contained four bounda- Man of the match: Asif Ashraf Rugby Sport Club, last season’s bring more competition to Doha. The former Sri Lankan nation- a high-scoring aff air as Asif despite Avtar’s splendid all- ries. Avtar was rewarded with (Selex) runners-up. Indeed, both Colombo and the al captain added, “We have been Ashraf excelled to power Selex round display. the man of the match award for Division C: Hadico 159 for seven Sri Lankan ambassador ASP Navy are foundation clubs and given a very unique opportunity past Qatar Super Kings by four Hadico made a challenging his fi ne performance. in 20 overs (Ateer 39 (36b, 4x3), Liyanage expressed his excite- are amongst the top-rated clubs to play against Qatar’s top level wickets with 13 balls remaining. 159 for seven as Ateer and Mu- Murad 37 (15b, 4x2, 6x3); Avtar 3 ment about DRFC hosting the back home, and we look forward team and we will not let it go to Batting fi rst, Qatar Super rad turned out to be best scor- BRIEF SCORES for 26) beat Gladiators Club 153 two Sri Lankan teams over the to hosting them.” waste. Every game is a premier- Kings piled up an impressive- ers. Ateer was a bit slow as he Division A: Galfar Al Misnad for 8 (Avtar 42 (23b, 4x3, 6x3), coming weeks. “The embassy, Meanwhile, the Doha rugby ship match. We are committed looking 181 for six as Tony Arch- got 39 off 36 balls with three 142 for eight in 20 overs (Rizlan Emad 26 (19b, 4x4, 6x1); Jagroop together with its partners, wel- team will be aiming to win both to getting on with the job and in- er laid the foundation with a fi ne fours. In contrast, Murad was in 35 (21b, 4x1, 6x3), Faisal 30 3 for 25, Suhail 2 for 35) by 6 comes both the visiting teams. matches ahead of Qatar’s do- tend to beat Doha’s fi nest on their 71. He faced 33 balls, fi red seven an attacking mode and he just (22b, 4x4, 6x1), Gayan 26 (15b, runs. Man of the match: Avtar We are delighted to have them mestic XV’s club rugby compe- home soil, hopefully in front of a sixes and four boundaries. Ben- took 17 balls to compile 37. His 4x2, 6x1); Praveeth 2 for 29, (Gladiators Club) play in Qatar,” he said. tition. Though the fi nal squad big Sri Lankan crowd.”

BOTTOMLINE Aspetar conference discusses management of sports medicine emergencies

By Sports Reporter with the latest developments ed by a distinguished group of and spine injuries. The confer- Doha in sports medicine emergency Aspetar experts, including 17 ence also addresses the issues Dr Rachid Bouras, NSMP services on the field and imple- lecturers from different disci- of fracture, torsion, disloca- director at Aspetar, ment the appropriate manage- plines, to cover all issues related tion, wound care and control of speaking at the event. spetar, Qatar’s or- ment and evaluation approach- to the management and treat- haemorrhagic injuries as well as thopaedic and sports es,” he added. ment of medical emergencies discussing diseases associated medicine hospital, in Dr Rachid Bouras, director of in the sports fields during the with increasing temperature. collaboration with the NSMP, Aspetar said, “ This con- game. National Sports Medicine NationalA Sports Medicine Pro- ference contributes to ensuring They also reviewed several Programme, launched by As- gramme (NSMP), held a confer- that sports medical practition- medical emergency cases that petar in 2009, is a pioneering ence entitled “Aspetar Clubs & ers in the clubs and federations may occur during the play rang- and unique initiative in Qatar at Federations Conference – Emer- have a high level of medical ed- ing from life-threatening situa- developing the quality of sports gencies on the fi eld” yesterday. ucation to improve their skills tions to injuries that may have a medicine for all Qatari clubs Dr Abdulaziz Jaham al-Ku- and thus provide best medical serious impact on the athlete’s and federations. wari, acting chief executive practices and provide excellent future career and health in gen- Over the past year, the Na- officer, Aspetar said,” Aspetar services to athletes in Qatar eral. tional Sports Medicine Pro- always supports professional and to participants in all sport- Among the topics discussed gramme has provided medical athletes in Qatar by provid- ing events held in the country were those related to sports care for all sporting events held ing unique on and off the field by implementing specific pro- fields injuries and their man- in the country, which exceeded sports medicine services during tocols for the management of agement, such as cardiopul- 83 sports events, with an aver- all kinds of sports events”. sports medicine emergencies monary resuscitation during age of 11,000 working hours, “Through this conference on the field”. play, head injuries and brain and supervised by 370 doctors Aspetar seeks to stay updated The conference was attend- concussion, as well as neck and specialists. Gulf Times Thursday, October 4, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA LeBron gets ovation in Staples Center debut AFP ronment, and once again cautioned since his arrival. Los Angeles that the new-look Lakers squad would “It’s just where I want to play ball at, take time to gel. where I’m most comfortable, where I “We’ve got a new group. We’re not at feel most at home, and I feel at home eBron James received a raptur- the level that a lot of the teams are in here,” Durant told ESPN. ous reception in his home de- terms of cohesiveness and chemistry,” “I feel like I belong here. I feel like but for the Los Angeles Lakers James said following morning practice. I mix with this team, I mesh with this on Tuesday but was unable to “Every day is another opportunity team well. With that being said, I really Lprevent his new team from slipping for us to get better.” don’t know what’s going to happen this to a second pre-season defeat to the summer. Denver Nuggets. DURANT ‘AT HOME’ WITH WARRIORS, “But I really, really feel like a part James, who joined the Lakers in July BUT UNDECIDED ON FUTURE of this team. We got two banners up from the Cleveland Cavaliers on a four- Kevin Durant feels at home with the there, my picture’s around here some- year deal, was given a rousing standing Golden State Warriors but admits he where so I feel like I’m a part of this ovation by the Staples Center crowd as has made no decision regarding his fu- thing - but at the end of the day, we’re he arrived on court. ture when he enters free agency next staying in the moment.” The 33-year-old delighted the year. Durant’s immediate focus is on help- crowd with some silky touches during The 30-year-old two-time NBA Fi- ing the Warriors extend their dynasty. 15 fi rst-half minutes. nals MVP told ESPN on Tuesday that The club has won three NBA cham- He fi nished with 13 points, three as- while he was settled in California, he pionships in the past four seasons, and sists, three rebounds, two steals and was keeping his options open for 2019. will start as favourites to win a fourth four turnovers during 15 minutes on Durant will be one of the highest- when the new season gets under way court in the fi rst half before sitting out profi le players to become a free agent later this month. all of the second half. next year, and is almost certain to at- “We’re trying to embrace every sin- The game ended in a 113-111 win for tract interest from rival clubs. gle moment,” Durant said. “I’m not Denver, who had also beaten the Lakers Durant, who joined the Warriors saying we’re going to win a champion- in San Diego on Sunday in James’ fi rst from the Oklahoma City Thunder in ship at all, but we’re just focused on game with his new club. 2016, emphasised that he was enjoy- having a good practice today, having a Earlier Tuesday, James told reporters ing life with the reigning NBA champi- good practice tomorrow and then we’ll Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) and forward Kyle Kuzma celebrate on the court in the first-half of the game he was still adjusting to his new envi- ons, who have won back-to-back titles see what happens at the end.” against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

MLB GOLF Koepka dismisses talk of rift with ‘best Rockies advance as friend’ Johnson

Reuters been a news story that isn’t true London that’s gone out.” Koepka said the camaraderie within the US team during the Cubs ousted in thriller merican Brooks Koepka Ryder Cup was fi ne and took aim dismissed reports that at the media. ‘Paul’s roots here run deep and his commitment to the organisation and the players is special’ he fought with team- “The problem is you guys mate Dustin Johnson (the media) try to fi nd a reason followingA the United States’ why we lost and the simple rea- dismal Ryder Cup loss to Eu- son is we just didn’t play good rope last weekend, saying that enough,” Koepka said. Johnson was still one of his best “We didn’t make the putts, friends. hit the fairways, especially me. I The Telegraph newspaper re- lost two matches and halved an- ported that Koepka and Johnson other one. If I won those, if Tiger – nicknamed the Bash Brothers Woods wins his; Dustin lost one for their big hitting – clashed af- with me and then I think lost in ter they were invited to Europe’s the singles. team room on Sunday following “If we play how we’re sup- the 10.5-17.5 defeat at Le golf posed to play we win, it’s simple National in France. as, but there’s nothing wrong The report said Johnson’s with our team. Our team was partner Paulina Gretzky had great, (captain) Jim (Furyk) was fuelled rumours of the rift when great.” she deleted images of Koepka Koepka had earlier said he from her Instagram account. was heartbroken to learn that French newspaper l’Equipe re- a tee shot of his which struck a ported on Tuesday that the two spectator in France had report- men had argued on their fl ight to edly left the woman blind in one Europe ahead of the event. eye. fought. People like to make a “This Dustin thing I don’t story and run with it. It’s not the get. There was no fi ght, no ar- fi rst time there’s been a news sto- gument,” Koepka told reporters ry that isn’t true that’s gone out.” ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links And he played down rumours Championship in Scotland yes- of disharmony within the US terday. camp. “He’s one of my best friends; “As far as camaraderie, it was I love the kid to death. We talked fi ne, it was perfect,” Koepka on the phone Monday and yes- said. “The problem is you guys terday so you tell me how we (the media) try to fi nd a reason fought. People like to make a why we lost and the simple rea- story and run with it. son is we just didn’t play good “It’s not the fi rst time there’s enough.”

Interim boss sole candidate for AIBA Boxing presidency Interim leader Gafur Rakhimov at the AIBA Congress in Moscow has been named as the sole in November, where the new candidate for the International president is also due to be Boxing Association (AIBA) presi- elected. dency, setting the troubled body An internal power struggle saw on a potential collision course Wu ousted and Rakhimov – who with Olympics organisers. vigorously denies US govern- The Uzbek businessman was ment allegations of links to the only candidate listed by the organised crime – installed as amateur Boxing body’s election interim president earlier this commission as eligible for the year. AIBA’s executive com- post, according to a document mittee also voted to suspend Colorado Rockies players Tony Wolters (left) and Scott Oberg celebrate after defeating the Chicago Cubs in the 2018 National League wild card playoff game at Wrigley Field seen by AFP. Franco Falcinelli from the in Chicago. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports The International Olympic Com- committee, his role as president mittee said it was “extremely of the AFP the wild card game after blow- bases loaded jam. Wolters then stepped up to a part of this club for many years worried” when Rakhimov was European Boxing Confederation Chicago ing leads in their respective di- Ottavino extricated him- bludgeon a ground ball through to come.” nominated as interim president and all other Boxing-related visional races, before losing tie- self however when he got Cubs the gap into right fi eld to bring According to the release, in February, and has threatened activities over “off ending breaker games on Monday. slugger Jason Heyward out Story home for the winning run. “Molitor has been off ered a po- to axe Boxing from the Games conduct”, the statement said. ony Wolters drove in The early exchanges of the swinging to preserve the Rock- Reliever Scott Oberg then sition to stay with the organi- due to concerns over its govern- “The executive committee felt the winning run as the contest were dominated by a ies’ slender lead. closed it out for the Rockies as zation in a baseball operations ance. Rakhimov’s critics claim that there was a need to once Colorado Rockies won classic pitcher’s battle between But with the tension mount- Chicago’s season ended in bitter capacity and will consider the he has links to organised crime. and for all to draw a line in the an extra-innings thrill- Cubs starter Jon Lester and ing, the Cubs hauled them- disappointment. off er.” The AIBA, which suff ered a ma- sand and put the bad behaviour Ter to send the Chicago Cubs Rockies counterpart Kyle Free- selves back into the contest in Molitor was named Ameri- jor judging scandal at the 2016 of the past behind us,” said crashing out of the postseason land. A slow start from Lester the eighth inning. TWINS FIRE MANAGER can League manager of the year Rio Olympics, is expected to be AIBA executive director Tom with a 2-1 defeat in the Na- saw Charlie Blackmon walked Terrance Gore was the hero MOLITOR just last season, and was fi red discussed by the IOC’s execu- Virgets. tional League wildcard game on at the top of the fi rst which was for the Cubs, making a crucial Paul Molitor was fi red as man- with two years remaining on his tive committee when it begins “AIBA and Olympic Boxing Tuesday. followed with DJ Le Mahieu’s steal to put himself in scoring ager of the Minnesota Twins on contract. He posted a 305-343 a two-day meeting in Buenos have over the past year been Wolters blasted an RBI sin- double on a line drive to left position at second before Javier Tuesday, though he has an off er record in four seasons as skip- Aires on Wednesday. facing major challenges due gle in the 13th inning at Wrig- centre fi eld. Baez lashed a double to left cen- to remain with the club in the per in Minnesota. In a separate statement, the to the gross negligence and ley Field to ensure the Rockies’ Blackmon then crossed home tre fi eld for the tying run. front offi ce. The Twins fi nished in second AIBA said it had slapped life financial mismanagement of advance to a divisional series plate after Nolan Arenado’s sac- Yet the Cubs were unable to “I would like to thank Paul place in the American League bans on its Taiwanese former the previous leadership, and against the Milwaukee Brew- rifi ce fl y put the Rockies ahead. build on the momentum in the for his tremendous dedication Central with a record of 78-84 president CK Wu and ex-exec- the evidence presented to the ers on Thursday as the Cubs’ Thereafter Lester and Free- ninth after getting a man on to the Minnesota Twins over this season. The Twins were utive director Ho Kim of South executive committee was over- hopes of a second World Series land would dominate both line- base when Wilson Contreras his last four years as manager of 85-77 last season and lost to Korea. Wu was banned after a whelming.” in three years came to an abrupt ups with superb performances was walked, sending it into ex- this club,” Twins executive vice the New York Yankees in the AL report by “forensic investiga- IOC president Thomas Bach end. from the mound. With Freeland tra innings. president, chief baseball offi cer wild-card game. tors” K2 Intelligence docu- said in February that he was Wolters’ winning run was the withdrawn after six innings and With both teams burning Derek Falvey said in a release. Molitor was a Hall of Fame mented “gross negligence and “extremely worried about the fi nal act of a gripping battle that two outs of the seventh inning, through their pitching resourc- “Paul’s roots here run deep player during 21 seasons with financial mismanagement of governance of the AIBA” and ended just after midnight local the Rockies survived a scare at es, the deadlock was broken and his commitment to the or- the Milwaukee Brewers, Min- AIBA aff airs and finances”, AIBA that the IOC retained the “right time as the Wrigley Field crowd the bottom of the seventh when in the 13th when Trevor Story ganisation, his staff , and the nesota Twins and Toronto Blue said. The ban will need to be to exclude Boxing from Tokyo were left in stunned silence. a catcher’s interference call left reached third after Gerardo players is special. I have every Jays. He had 3,319 career hits ratified by member federations 2020”. Both teams had ended up in reliever Adam Ottavino facing a Parra’s line drive. hope and desire that he remains and was a seven-time All-Star. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, October 4, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Aston Villa sack manager Steve Bruce

Aston Villa yesterday sacked manager Steve Bruce with the club languishing 12th in the Championship after just three wins in 11 games. Bruce had come under increasing pressure after Villa’s Arsenal out to maintain poor start to the season and had a cabbage hurled at him during Tues- day’s 3-3 home draw with Preston. The 57-year-old, who has won promotion to the Premier League twice with two diff erent clubs — Birmingham and Hull — replaced Roberto Di Matteo at Villa winning run on long Park in October 2016. “Aston Villa can confirm that manager Steve Bruce and his assistants Colin Calderwood, Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Gary Walsh are leaving their posts." club said. Europa League trip Rugani breaks rib, Khedira aggravates thigh injury

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani An eighth successive win in all competitions would represent Arsenal’s best run since 2015 has a broken rib while midfielder Sami Khedira aggravated a thigh injury dur- ing the team’s Champions League win over Young Boys. Juventus beat the Swiss champions 3-0 to move top of Group C after two games and extend their winning run this season to nine games in all competitions. Rugari, 24, who has been linked to a possible move to Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea, broke a rib during a league game against Frosi- none a week ago. The Italy international will not be available for Juventus’s next match against Udinese on Saturday.

Police dispute Mourinho claim for United late show

Police said they were not to blame for Manchester United’s late arrival for their Champions League match against Va- lencia following criticism from manager Jose Mourinho as UEFA opened discipli- nary proceedings against the club. The United team arrived late at Old Traff ord, forcing kick-off to be delayed by five minutes to 8:05pm. Mourinho said United were refused an escort by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), which led to their journey from their hotel tak- ing 45 minutes longer than usual. But police said they are no longer obliged to provide that service for every match and that the club were aware of the change in policy.

Campbell to join England U-21 staff in diversity drive

Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell is to work in the England Under-21’s coaching setup as part of the Football Association’s drive to increase op- portunities for black, Asian, minority ethnic (BAME) coaches in all levels of the national team. Campbell, who has Arsenal’s (from left) Eddie Nketiah, Lucas Torreira, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal train ahead of their Europa League match against Qarabag in Baku, Azerbaijan, yesterday. (Reuters) criticised the lack of top-level manage- ment openings for himself and other given the long-standing political ten- nian separatists seized the territory in group-stage opener. The Hoops are (CZE); Bordeaux (FRA) v FC Copenha- BAME coaches, will work with Eng- AFP gen (DEN) Paris sions between Azerbaijan and his na- a war that claimed some 30,000 lives traditionally poor on their travels in land U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd in tive Armenia. in the early 1990s. A ceasefi re was Europe — excluding qualifying rounds Group D: Anderlecht (BEL) v Dinamo November, the FA said. “I’ve accepted Those issues meant Mkhitaryan did agreed in 1994 but the two countries they have won just twice away from Zagreb (CRO); Fenerbahce (TUR) v to go with England Under-21s with Aidy nai Emery’s Arsenal are look- not travel with Borussia Dortmund to remain locked in a bitter dispute with home this decade. That means they Spartak Trnava (SVK) Boothroyd,” the 44-year-old former ing to keep up their winning a Europa League game in Azerbaijan in frequent exchanges of fi re. are likely to fi nd life tough against England international said. “It’s for the Group E: Qarabag (AZE) v Arsenal run when they make their October 2015, with the German club However, Qarabag coach Gurban Austrian champions Salzburg, who friendlies against Germany at home and (ENG); Vorskla Poltava (UKR) v Sporting longest ever journey for a citing “safety concerns” at the time. Gurbanov claimed Mkhitaryan was reached the semi-fi nals last season. Italy away, which is great.” Ucompetitive game to face Qarabag in Armenian citizens are currently merely avoiding a hostile environment Rangers, meanwhile, face Austrian (POR) Azerbaijan in the Europa League today. banned from travelling to Azerbaijan by not travelling. “Until now a lot of opposition too. Steven Gerrard’s side, Group F: AC Milan (ITA) v Olympiakos The Gunners have recovered from due to the Nagorny Karabakh con- Armenian sportsmen came to Az- who held Villarreal away from home (GRE); Betis (ESP) v Dudelange (LUX) Court rejects false testimony losing the opening two games under fl ict, although special exceptions have erbaijan but it is the choice of Arsenal two weeks ago, host Rapid Vienna, Group G: Rangers (SCO) v Rapid Vienna charge against Modric their new Spanish coach and Satur- been made in the past for professional that they didn't send (him),” Gurbanov with the visitors to Ibrox having just (AUT); Spartak Moscow (RUS) v Villar- day’s 2-0 win over Watford in the Pre- athletes. However, Arsenal confi rmed said on the eve of the game. “Arsenal appointed a new coach. Dietmar Kue- real (ESP) A Croatian court has rejected a charge mier League was their seventh victory they did not apply for the visa Mkhi- may be afraid that in front of 60,000 hbauer, a former Rapid player, replaces against Croatia international and Real on the bounce. taryan would have needed to enter the Azerbaijani fans, Mkhitaryan has some Goran Djuricin, who was sacked at the Group H: Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) v Madrid midfielder Luka Modric of giving An eighth successive win in all com- country. “My work is football. I re- pressure and that is why they didn't weekend. Other fi xtures to look out for Lazio (ITA); Apollon Limassol (CYP) v false testimony in a criminal trial, the petitions would represent Arsenal’s spect each person, I respect each peo- send Mkhitaryan.” include AC Milan’s home meeting with Marseille (FRA) court said. Zagreb municipal criminal best run since the spring of 2015, and it ple, I respect each culture, I respect Premier League rivals Chelsea host Olympiakos and former winners Se- Group I: Sarpsborg (NOR) v Genk (BEL); court said the court rejected the charge, would leave them in a strong position each country. But I don't know each Hungarian champions Vidi, who villa’s trip to Russia to face Krasnodar. Malmo (SWE) v Besiktas (TUR) made by the Croatia state attorney in to qualify from Group E after they be- situation in every country," said Arse- dropped into this competition after March, but gave no explanation for its Group J: Standard Liege (BEL) v gan their European campaign by beat- nal manager Unai Emery. “For me, he losing to AEK Athens in the Champi- EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES ruling. The state attorney’s off ice can Akhisar (TUR); Krasnodar (RUS) v ing Vorskla of Ukraine 4-2. cannot play tomorrow.” ons League play-off s. Maurizio Sarri’s Group A: FC Zurich (SUI) v Ludogorets appeal against the decision. Modric tes- Emery is likely to rest leading play- The issue could have more seri- team won their Group L opener, beat- Sevilla (ESP) (BUL); Bayer Leverkusen (GER) v AEK tified last year at the trial of a tax off icial ers for the 4,000km trip to the Olym- ous ramifi cations for Arsenal should ing PAOK in Greece with a solitary Group K: Astana (KAZ) v Rennes (FRA) and three former senior off icials from Larnaca (CYP) pic Stadium in Baku, which will host the Gunners reach the fi nal of the Willian goal. (1450 GMT); Jablonec (CZE) v Dynamo the soccer club Dinamo Zagreb, includ- the fi nal next May. Goalkeeper Petr competition, which will be staged in Scottish champions Celtic have had Group B: RB Salzburg (AUT) v Celtic Kiev (UKR) ing its former chief executive Zdravko Cech is out for up to a month with a Azerbaijani capital Baku. Azerbaijan a poor start to the season, although (SCO); Rosenborg (NOR) v RB Leipzig Group L: Chelsea (ENG) v Vidi (HUN); Mamic, about the dates of signing the hamstring injury, while playmaker and Armenia have feuded over the Brendan Rodgers’ team did beat (GER) BATE (BLR) v PAOK (GRE) annexes to his professional contracts Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not play Nagorny Karabakh region since Arme- Rosenborg 1-0 in their Europa League Group C: Zenit (RUS) v Slavia Prague which regulated transfer fees.

FOCUS Pogba says ‘not allowed’ to talk aft er Man United stalemate AFP ing crisis at the club. Valencia insisted idea).I think everybody is behind the Manchester, United Kingdom he is “fully supportive” of Mourinho manager.” Manchester United’s Paul Pogba after appearing to back calls for the gestures during the Champions under-fi re manager to leave. WE DON’T HAVE TECHNICAL League Group stage match against aul Pogba said he was not al- The 33-year-old ‘liked’ an Instagram QUALITY, SAYS MOURINHO Valencia on Tuesday. (Reuters) lowed to talk after Manchester post from a fan account which said that Meanwhile, Mourinho risked causing United failed to arrest their “recently Mourinho has made watch- another rift with his United stars as he recent slump with a drab 0-0 ing us a punishment” and “it’s time for slammed his defence’s lack of “tech- ChampionsP League draw against Va- Mourinho to go”. nical quality”. United rarely looked lencia. Jose Mourinho’s United have But he attempted to explain and like scoring against their out-of-form made their worst start to a league cam- apologise yesterday. “Yesterday, I liked opponents and were booed off at full- paign in 29 years after an embarrassing a post on Instagram without reading time. 3-1 loss at West Ham and are already the text that accompanied the pic- Now he has taken a swipe at his back out of the League Cup. ture,” the right-back wrote on Twitter. four, which against Valencia featured Tuesday’s stalemate at Old Traff ord “These are not my views and I apolo- Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Eric was their fourth consecutive match gise for this. I am fully supportive of Bailly and Luke Shaw. “We don’t have without a win. Many players avoided the manager and my teammates. Eve- the technical quality to build from the the post-match mixed zone interview rything will calm down when we get back,” Mourinho said. area after the game to avoid awkward some wins,” the Ecuadoran added.”We “The players tried. They raised the questions. Pogba was among those to are 100 per cent behind the manager.” level of their intensity in spite of the go through but told reporters “I’ve been The players attempted to show a fact we don’t have many with that in- told I’m not allowed (to talk).” united front before kick-off by break- tensity. We had probably a couple of the The French World Cup winner, who ing with tradition and taking part in a biggest chances to win it but I have ac- was last week told he would not captain pre-match huddle. “Everyone is going cepted the result as a fair result.” the side again, appeared to get under in the same direction to try to improve Mourinho admitted United had fo- Mourinho’s skin after their recent draw and to do better,” Fellaini said of the on- cused on stopping Valencia causing with Wolves by saying United should pitch huddle. them problems, even though they were attack. We knew we wouldn’t create 20 four chances we would score and win We have Newcastle (this weekend) attack more. “I think we wanted to show that we at home, because his team are so badly chances,” he said. the game. It is a not a bad result. Not before the league stops, then we have Captain Antonio Valencia and mid- are together. I think we showed im- lacking confi dence at present. “We “Our attacking players aren’t in their a good result, but not bad. We have Chelsea and Juventus in three days. It fi elder Marouane Fellaini have both provement and we have to keep going,” tried to do something we did well which best moments of confi dence and indi- two matches against Juventus to make will be good for the team if we can beat backed the manager despite the grow- he added.”Everybody (was behind the was to stop a fast team on the counter vidual level. We thought with three or points. It is a very diffi cult group, yes. Newcastle.” Gulf Times Thursday, October 4, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real suff er shock defeat as Man United stutter again Bayern held by Ajax, while Man City beat Hoff enheim 2-1 and Juventus win comfortably thanks to Dybala’s hat-trick

AFP Ishak Belfodil had put Hoff enheim Paris ahead after just 44 seconds, but Sergio Aguero equalised in the eighth minute before Silva’s late winner. “This com- hampions League holders Real petition isn’t always a red carpet. Man- Madrid slumped to a rare de- chester City is a fantastic club, but we feat in the competition as they don’t have a history of having to fi ght went down 1-0 away to CSKA and we fought for absolutely everything MoscowC on Tuesday night, while Jose here,” said Guardiola. “This is one of Mourinho’s Manchester United mis- the happiest days I have had at this club fi red again in a 0-0 draw with Valencia. as it will help us going forward.” While Bayern Munich were also held City next face Shakhtar Donetsk, by Ajax, it was a happier evening for who squandered a two-goal lead to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as draw 2-2 with Lyon in France, in a game they beat Hoff enheim 2-1, and Juventus played behind closed doors. Junior were also comfortable winners thanks Moraes scored twice for Shakhtar, but to Paulo Dybala’s hat-trick. Lyon fought back to draw with goals Real were not expected to struggle in from Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois. Group G as they look to continue their It was a good result for Lyon, whose recent dominance of the Champions fans were missing as a punishment for League, but Julen Lopetegui’s side went trouble at a game against CSKA last behind inside two minutes in Moscow season, and they now top the group. following a mistake by Toni Kroos. Meanwhile, Bayern could not hang The German’s drilled backpass on to the early lead given to them turned into a gift for Nikola Vlasic, and against Ajax when Mats Hummels the winger on loan from Everton fi red headed in Arjen Robben’s cross. Young past Keylor Navas to put CSKA ahead. full-back Noussair Mazraoui equalised Casemiro hit the post in the fi rst half to give the Dutch side a 1-1 draw. Those — one of three attempts that found the sides are level atop Group E ahead of woodwork for the visitors — but Real Benfi ca, who won 3-2 in a thriller at were weakened by the absences of Ga- AEK Athens with Alfa Semedo scoring reth Bale and Sergio Ramos, while Luka the deciding goal. Modric started on the bench. CSKA held on, despite having goal- RESULTS keeper Igor Akinfeev sent off in injury Group E: At Athens: AEK Athens (GRE) time, and they move above Real to the 2 (Klonaridis 53, 63) Benfica (POR) 3 top of Group G. “I am sure we will soon (Seferovic 6, Grimaldo 15, Alfa Semedo be scoring again and winning again,” said Lopetegui, whose team have not 74); At Munich, Germany: Bayern Munich found the net in three matches. (GER) 1 (Hummels 4) Ajax (NED) 1 (Maz- It was only Madrid’s third loss in raoui 22) the Champions League group stage Group F: At Sinsheim, Germany: Hof- this decade, but Real will neverthe- fenheim (GER) 1 (Belfodil 1) Manchester less expect to bounce back next against City (ENG) 2 (Aguero 8, David Silva 87); Czech champions Viktoria Plzen, who At Lyon, France: Lyon (FRA) 2 (Dembele were crushed 5-0 by Roma. Edin Dzeko 70, Dubois 72) Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 scored a hat-trick for the Italian side, (Junior Moraes 44, 55) with Cengiz Under and Justin Kluivert Group G: At Rome: Roma (ITA) 5 (Dzeko also netting. CSKA Moscow’s Croatian midfielder Nikola Vlasic (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Group G At Old Traff ord, the pressure con- match at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on Tuesday night. (AFP) 3, 40, 90+2, Cengiz Under 64, Kluivert tinued to build on Mourinho as United 73) Viktoria Plzen (CZE) 0; At Moscow: produced another insipid attacking defeat at West Ham United — failed to Mourinho’s side are second in Group serving a one-game ban. “We were come from behind to beat Hoff enheim CSKA Moscow (RUS) 1 (Vlasic 2) Real display in th eir goalless stalemate with pay off . “Our attacking players aren’t in H, two points behind Juventus. Juve without Cristiano, and at times it is in Germany in Group F. David Silva Madrid (ESP) 0 Valencia. They are now four games their best moments of confi dence and eased to victory against 10-man Young easier with him in the side, but we have scored three minutes from time to get Group H: At Turin, Italy: Juventus (ITA) without a win, and Mourinho’s deci- individual level,” moaned Mourinho. Boys in Turin, with Dybala scoring a to be a great team both with and with- the Premier League champions back on 3 (Dybala 5, 33, 69) Young Boys (SUI) 0; sion to recall Alexis Sanchez — after “We thought with three or four chances hat-trick to take centre stage in the ab- out him,” said Dybala. track after they started their campaign At Manchester, England: Manchester dropping the Chilean for the weekend we would score and win the game.” sence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was Guardiola saw Manchester City with a 2-1 home defeat against Lyon. United (ENG) 0 Valencia (ESP) 0

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ronaldo denies sexual Mixed feelings for Ajax coach assault accusation, calls aft er surprise draw at Bayern Reuters rape ‘abominable crime’ Munich

AFP jax Amsterdam coach Las Vegas Erik ten Hag left Ger- many with mixed feel- ings after Tuesday’s ristiano Ronaldo yes- unexpectedA 1-1 draw for his terday denied accusa- youthful team at Bayern Munich tions by a former Ameri- in the Champions League. can model that he raped Ajax fell behind early to a herC in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009 Mats Hummels header but then and said his conscience is clear. equalised through Moroccan “I fi rmly deny the accusations fullback Noussair Mazraoui to being issued against me,” the move to four points from their Portuguese superstar tweeted in two Group E games and with Portuguese and English. real hopes of advancing to the “Rape is an abominable crime knockout phase. that goes against everything that Ten Hag, however, was disap- I am and believe in,” said the pointed at his side not being able 33-year-old Juventus forward. to become the fi rst Dutch side to “Keen as I may be to clear my win at Bayern after they had the name I refuse to feed the media better of the chances. “On the spectacle created by people seek- one hand, I’m really satisfi ed ing to promote themselves at my ported by the German magazine jor depression.” Under pressure but on the other, this was a game expense,” Ronaldo said. Der Spiegel. Lawyers for Ronaldo from Ronaldo’s “fi xers,” Mayorga we could and should have won,” “My clear conscious (sic) will have reportedly threatened to sue settled the case “in exchange for ten Hag, a former reserve team thereby allow me to await with the magazine over the story. In a payment of $375,000 and non- coach at Bayern, told reporters tranquillity the results of any the suit, Mayorga said she met disclosure of the sexual assault,” after the stalemate against the and all investigations,” he added Ronaldo, who was then 24 years the lawsuit said. misfi ring German champions. on his Twitter feed @Cristiano, old, on the evening of June 12, It claimed the agreement “We laid down a really good which has nearly 75mn followers. 2009 at the Rain Nightclub in should be voided because she achievement, right from the Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (right) vies for the ball with Ajax’s Moroccan Kathryn Mayorga, 34, of Las the Palms Hotel and Casino in was “incompetent and lacked the start of the game. We have a defender Noussair Mazraoui (centre) and Danish defender Rasmus Nissen during the UEFA Champions Vegas, accused Ronaldo, in a 32- Las Vegas. It said she accepted mental capacity to participate good team but we need to ma- League Group E match in Munich on Tuesday night. (AFP) page complaint fi led last month an invitation to join Ronaldo and in negotiations and settlement ture a bit more, but we were full with a district court in Nevada, others in his penthouse suite to of her claims due to the injuries of enthusiasm and willingness.” is capable of. We have quality which saw us to wins in the fi rst many bad passes, we wanted of raping her on June 13, 2009. “enjoy the view of the Las Vegas suff ered during the initial sexual Bayern struggled to build on players, who together can reach seven games of the season.” too much, too fast in the build- Las Vegas police this week said strip.” assault.” their advantage and their recent great heights.” The draw means the usually up and so lose the ball and then they were reopening a case fi led “When Cristiano Ronaldo The unidentifi ed “fi xers” were slump continued as they battled Bayern Munich coach Niko consistent and dominant Ger- confi dence.” on that date but did not identify completed the sexual assault of named as co-defendants. In to keep a vibrant Ajax at bay. Kovacs said his team must keep man champions have gone three Bayern began their Champi- the victim or the alleged perpe- the plaintiff , he allowed her to an interview with Der Spiegel, “Bayern really struggled with it simple if they are to regain games without a win after being ons League Group E campaign trator by name. leave the bedroom stating he was Mayorga said she was inspired the fact that we were constantly their dominant early season held by Augsburg and beaten by with a 2-0 away win over Ben- Mayorga’s lawyers were to hold sorry, he was usually a gentle- to come forward in part by the chasing the ball,” ten Hag added. form. Hertha Berlin in the Bundes- fi ca and share top spot with a news conference in Las Vegas man,” it said. The lawsuit said #MeToo movement that has ex- “And where we could, we try “We must go back to the ba- liga. “It’s not what we imagined, Ajax on four points, but their last night to discuss the case. Mayorga reported the alleged as- posed the sexual abuse of women to play good football. But it’s a sics, get stuck into the duels, that’s not what I personally im- immediate concern is fi nding Mayorga alleges in the lawsuit sault to police the same day and by powerful men. real pity we didn’t make it 2-1, play fewer bad passes and let the agined, and this was certainly form when they host Borussia that she was pressured into sign- was examined at a local hospital. Ronaldo is a fi ve-time winner the team functioned super. This ball fl ow,” the Croat demanded, not a good match for us,” Kovac Moenchengladbach in the Bun- ing a nondisclosure agreement to It said the assault left her with of FIFA’s men’s player of the year sort of game gives the young- pointing to Ajax as an example told reporters as he criticised desliga on Saturday. keep the alleged rape secret and “severe emotional and bodily in- award. The Portuguese striker, a sters more self-confi dence. to follow. the performance. Bayern are second in the is seeking no less than $200,000 juries including but not limited married father of four, left Real Now they just have to convert “Our opponent showed us “We played negatively, our standings, one point behind in penalties and damages. to anal contusions, posttrau- Madrid this year to join Juventus their chances. But this was a how to do it. Now we have to opponent was fi rst to every leaders Borussia Dortmund af- The complaint was fi rst re- matic stress disorder and ma- for 100mn euros. confi rmation of what this team look to display our face again, second ball, we just played too ter six matches.

Thursday, October 4, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QNB STARS LEAGUE Gharafa, Arabi eye return to We can turn things winning ways By Sports Reporter Doha

l Gharafa and Al Ara- bi will be looking to be back to winning around: Sadd’s Ismail ways when they clash againstA each other in Week 8 of the QNB Stars League tomor- ‘We now look forward to going to Tehran and getting a good result there’ row. Al Gharafa had lost to Al Kharaitiyat 0-2, while Al Arabi By Sports Reporter suff ered a defeat at the hands of Doha Al Sailiya exactly by the same margin. Al Gharafa are seventh in the standings with seven amid Ismail insists that Al points from two wins and a draw, Sadd are capable of bouncing whereas Al Arabi are sixth with back from the 1-0 defeat to 12 points from four victories. Al Persepolis in the fi rst leg of the Arabi will be keen to storm back HAFC Champions League semi-fi nals on into the top four. Tuesday night. Looking to make a fi rst As for Al Gharafa, they are fi nal appearance since their title win in coming off three successive de- 2011, hosts Al Sadd started brightly at feats and are eager to make a Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and domi- turnaround in their fortunes. nated the majority of the game but Al Gharafa have scored 12 goals spurned a number of chances to break conceding 14, whereas Al Arabi the deadlock. netted 11 and conceded 14. Those missed opportunities came Al Gharafa are sorely miss- back to haunt the Qatari side when the ing the services of star Dutch Iranian champions clinched a late win attacking midfi elder Wesley with an 86th-minute penalty from Ali Sneijder, who is nursing a mus- Alipour after the forward had been up- cle strain. But they have in their ended by goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb. ranks Vladimir Weiss and Mehdi “We controlled the match right up Taremi. Mailson de Farias and to the penalty,” said Ismail, who was Mohammed El Neel will lead Al declared man of the match after an im- Arabi’s challenge. pressive display. Meanwhile, tomorrow’s an- “We felt some of their players were other clash between Qatar SC exhausted and so we tried to push for- and Al Kharaitiyat is sure to ward to get the win but unfortunately, evoke keen interest for many we ended up losing. We now look for- reasons. Qatar SC are on four ward to going to Tehran and getting a points from one victory and a good result there. We are used to seeing draw, while Al Kharaitiyat are Iranian sides play an open game against 11th with three points. us but Persepolis were playing in a de- Qatar SC were beaten 5-1 by fensive manner.” A Sadd in the previous round. Al Sadd had defeated Persepolis 3-1 In contrast, Al Kharaitiyat reg- on home soil in the group stage be- istered their fi rst win, against Al fore eventually fi nishing as Group C Gharafa 2-0, to collect their fi rst runners-up following a 1-0 loss in Te- points. Striker Abdulhadi Amin hran as both sides progressed. The 2011 scored both their goals. Qatar SC champions are now left with the task of have only their upset win over Al becoming the fi rst side to defeat Branko Gharafa in the opening week and Ivankovic’s side at Azadi Stadium in the draw with Al Khor to show for current campaign when the second leg Al Sadd’s Hamid Ismail (left) was impressive against Persepolis in the AFC Champions League first leg semi-final on Tuesday. their eff orts. So both teams are takes place in three weeks’ time. eyeing their second victory. “I think they may play a more open important is that we fully believe in our nical game from either side. We are only from Al Sadd. However, they managed Mohamed Ansari were out with sus- Qatar SC have scored eight game in front of their fans in the sec- chances.” thinking about getting a win in Tehran. to score against the run of play after pensions and Hossein Mahini missing goals, but conceded 16, while Al ond leg and that could turn out to be Meanwhile, Al Sadd head coach Jesu- It will be a really tough match, playing being awarded a late penalty that was through injury. “It’s diffi cult to come Kharaitiyat netted six and con- good for us; we could use that to our ad- aldo Ferreira refuted suggestions that there in front of almost 100,000 fans. duly dispatched by Alipour. “It was a here and play Al Sadd, especially when ceded 15 goals. They both are at vantage and score the goals that we are his side’s formation was the reason for Persepolis will have the advantage with very diffi cult game. Al Sadd had more we are suff ering from injuries and sus- the bottom of the table, so they looking for,” added Ismail. the defeat. “We played with the same today’s win but we are confi dent in our of the possession but they didn’t have pensions,” added Ivankovic. are sure to go all out in order to “Of course, we did not play as well as formation against Al Rayyan in the ability to return with a good result and much luck in our box,” said Ivankovic. “But we believed in ourselves, that we stay away from the danger zone. we wanted in this game but we now have league, with three central midfi elders, reach the fi nal.” “Our team fought well and showed their were able to get a good result and now Qatar SC had replaced coach a huge desire to perform at a higher level and got a good result,” said the Portu- Meanwhile, Persepolis assistant strength. The result gives us a good we’re going home with the best possible Abdulla Mubarak with Yousef in Tehran and come back with a win. We guese. “I put Hamza Sanhaji in as an coach Zlatko Ivankovic was full of chance to secure a spot in the fi nal in result. We always believed in the play- al-Noobi, while Al Kharaitiyat have a good period of preparation lying extra striker in place of full-back Hamid praise for his team’s eff orts. The visi- Tehran.” ers who stepped up today to the line-up. brought in Moroccan Abdulaziz ahead of us and, hopefully, Al Sadd will Ismaeil to try and score but we couldn’t. tors were on the back foot for most of Making the trip to Doha is even We trusted them and they returned our El Amri with Tunisian Nassif al- be in a better situation by then. What is We did our best. It wasn’t a good tech- the game, happy to absorb the pressure tougher when Kamal Kamyabinia and trust with their performance.” Bayawi.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Korean FA president praises Qatar’s Losail Circuit Sports Club all 2022 stadium cooling technology set for another exciting season By Sports Reporter Doha

orean Football Association Presi- dent Chung Mong-gyu believes the 2022 FIFA World Cup will make a positive diff erence to the long- Kterm development of football due to Qatar’s use of cutting-edge technology. The FIFA Council member said the sta- dium cooling technology that Qatar is pio- neering will have a positive, long-lasting and far reaching eff ect not just in the Arab world, but across the Asian continent. “I believe that technology will be an im- For the fifth year in a row, the Losail circuit will host the finale of the WorldSBK from October 25 to 27. portant element. I am aware that the ad- vanced open air stadium cooling technol- By Sports Reporter other exciting round of World Federation. ogy at Khalifa International Stadium has Doha Superbike Championship A unique initiative to the new received praise from many quarters. A lot of (WorldSBK) at the Losail Inter- season is the creation of the leagues in Asia now have the backing of top national Circuit. For the fi fth Qatar Motorsports Academy corporate houses of those countries – South osail Circuit Sports Club year in a row, the circuit will host (QMA). The aim of the QMA is to Korea, China, Japan, and recently India. (LCSC) is all geared up the fi nale of the WorldSBK from train children from 8 to 16 years Qatar’s cooling system might be something Korean Football Association president Chung Mong-gyu. for another busy season. October 25 to 27 with evening old to improve their riding skills these leagues could consider using after In the next few months, races scheduled on Friday and in a safe environment and look 2022 because a lot of matches are scheduled said that had it not been for the backing of football infrastructure, a legacy of the co- LLCSC will play host to rac- Saturday. for talented riders who could fea- during summer months,” Mong-gyu said. the fans the team would have struggled to hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, been ing championships, track days, Grandstand tickets start from ture in professional fi elds. Mong-gyu has been a vocal supporter of qualify from the group. put to use by South Korea. “Most of the training activities to go along 40QR only and all tickets pro- QMA has training facilities in- Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup, which he “Stadiums were full for all the matches 2002 venues were handed over to K League with karting sessions at the Lo- vides free access to the paddock side the LCSC and the training felt will play a major role in economic trans- and nearly seven million fans fl ocked to the clubs and some of them have staged other sail International Circuit. with fans having the possibil- will take place twice a week and formation in the region. He cited the ex- 20,000-odd giant screens set up across the marquee sporting events such as the 2014 Losail International Circuit ity getting an access to the Grid it is open for Qatari and non-Qa- ample of South Korea, which profi ted from country to watch our semi-fi nal against Asian Games in Incheon and the 2017 FIFA has emerged as a popular desti- and to the Pit Wall Canopy for tari boys and girls. Dorna will be hosting the 2002 World Cup. Germany. I hope that we will witness simi- U20 World Cup Korea. nation for the public to exercise WorldSBK races. All ticket hold- involved in the project with the “The FIFA World Cup is coming back lar passion in Qatar for the region’s fi rst ever “The Jeonju World Cup Stadium, of in an outdoor facility and in a ers will get an opportunity to be program called ‘Road to MotoGP’ to Asia after 20 long years – this is good FIFA World Cup,” he said. course, will occupy a special place in Qa- safe environment. The training present at the Paddock Show to as well as the Aspire Academy. enough reason to support 2022 FIFA World The Korean Football Association presi- tari hearts following Al Sadd’s coronation days are held on Tuesday’s for hear from the participating rid- Khalid al-Remaihi, LCSC Cup Qatar. I am aware that in addition to dent predicted that the Asian football will as Asian champions there in 2011. The 2002 ladies only and on Wednesday ers and take photos and auto- Vice-President and General football development Qatar, like South Ko- have further improved by 2022 after their FIFA World Cup also created the opportu- the circuit is open for general graphs from them. For families Manager said he is looking for- rea in 2002, there are broader objectives of impressive show in the 2018 World Cup nity for a generation of our footballers, who public. The track is open both and kids, there will be a fan area ward the start of a new season. economic transformation within the host- in Russia. “In Russia, South Korea created came up through the domestic system, to days from 5pm to 8:30pm and in the Paddock with merchandise “Our overall objective is to pro- ing plans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. My history by becoming the fi rst Asian team to improve their skills by getting exposure in participants can bring their own tents, kids activities, pedal karts, mote motorsport. We know that best wishes to the Government and people defeat a reigning world champion – and Ja- top European leagues. Players like Park Ji- bicycle or rent one at the track. food court and much more. Tick- it is important to create an envi- of Qatar in their endeavours. If the vision of pan almost made it to the quarter-fi nal. Iran sung, Lee Young-pyo made a mark for their Fans can also run, walk or even ets can be purchased at www. ronment for racing enthusiasts to the Government is backed up by the partici- showed their high performance in a very European clubs. Subsequently, Lee Chung- go rollerblading. For the fans of lcsc.qa and during the event at practice motorsport safely. Apart pation of the public, Qatar will also achieve tough group. yong, Koo Ja-cheol, Ki Sung-yueong and adrenaline and racing, there will the ticket booths at the LIC. from racing championships and what South Korea did,” said Mong-gyu, who “Asian countries can also be optimistic Son Heung-min have followed in their foot- be a track day for cars on the Meanwhile, the Qatar Super- community activities that we are is also one of the Asian Football Confedera- from a historical perspective while prepar- steps,” he said. October 11 and for the bikes, the stock 600 and Qatar Touring organising, we are very excited tion’s (AFC) fi ve Vice Presidents. ing for Qatar 2022. In 2002, when the World Mong-gyu was optimistic of South Ko- track day will be on the October Car Championship will start at with the launch of the Qatar Mo- Mong-gyu stressed on the importance of Cup was hosted by Asia for the fi rst time, rea’s potential to emulate their 2002 per- 12. Both track days will be held at the end of November with two torsports Academy. We know the home support for a successful organisation and in 2010, when Africa hosted, teams formance in 2022. “We have a good chance night. Public also enjoy the kart- days of offi cial practice. The rst fi importance of focus on the young of the event, and said it will be a key factor from the home confederations shone. South to do well in Qatar. Leading our attack in ing track, that will resume again round is scheduled for Decem- generations and we believe that for Qatar’s success as a host. “During the Korea reached the semi-fi nal in 2002 and Qatar will be Son Heung-min. By 2022, I feel on the 4th October from 5pm to ber 7. The season will comprise by creating this academy, we will 2002 World Cup, the world admired the Ghana featured in the quarter-fi nal in South he would have scaled such heights on the 10pm and it will take place on of fi ve rounds and both cham- be able to provide diff erent pro- passion with which the people of South Ko- Africa,” he noted. European club scene which have even been Thursdays and Fridays. pionships will have the support grams depending on the skills of rea supported the national team. It is always Mong-gyu also shed light on how the beyond legends of our continent.” October will end up with an- of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle each child,” al-Remaihi said.