Barshim and Al Dana Win Top QOC Athlete Awards QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani Awarded Medals to the Winners in Various Categories

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Monday, November 19, 2018 GOLF Rabia I 11, 1440 AH Molinari takes GULF TIMES Race to Dubai title, Willett wins finale SPORT Page 6 ACCOLADES Barshim and Al Dana win top QOC athlete awards QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani awarded medals to the winners in various categories

QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, QOC first vice-president HE Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Thani, QOC second vice-president HE Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, and QOC Secretary-General HE Jassim al-Buenain pose with the winners at the ceremony to mark Sport Excellence Day at the Aspire Dome yesterday.

By Sports Reporter Doha List of Awardees

ATHLETES Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah orld champion Qatar Bowling Team high-jumper Mutaz Male Athlete of the Year Award: Mutaz Essa Barshim Essa Barshim and ADMINISTRATION ace shooter Al Dana (Qatar Athletics Federation — WSaad al-Mubarak won the pres- High Jump) Distinguished Governmental tigious male and female athlete of Female Athlete of the Year Institution in Supporting the year award at a gala ceremony Award: Al Dana Saad al-Mubar- Olympic Movement in Qatar: held at Aspire Dome yesterday to ak (Qatar Shooting and Archery Ministry of Education and mark the Qatar Olympic Com- Federation) Higher Education mittee’s Sport Excellence Day. Male Para-Athlete of the Year Distinguished Organisation Hundreds of Qatar’s athletes, Mutaz Essa Barshim. Al Dana Saad al-Mubarak. Award: Abdulrahman Ab- in Supporting Sport and coaches, stakeholders and Aspire dulqader Abdulrahman Organising Social Sport Pro- student were present to celebrate celebrating their success and en- be here in the coming years and Female Para-Athlete of the grammes Award: Aspire Zone the successes of Team Qatar over couraging them to keep up the win more awards” Foundation the past year and encourage them hard work.” Rania al-Naji, who won the Year Award: Sara Hamdi to continue to keep their country During the celebrations, Promising Female Athlete of the Masoud Coach of the Year Award: proud. awards were presented to ath- Year, said: “This award means a Sport Excellence Award: Ibrahim Al Said Hassouna HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad letes and administrators in dif- lot to me and is a motivation in Abdulrahman Samba (Qatar (Qatar Weightlifting and Fencing al-Thani, President of the Qatar ferent categories. the start of my sporting career Athletics Federation) Federation) Olympic Committee, awarded Barshim opened the 2018 to continue to improve. At the Promising Male Athlete of the Male Administrator of the medals to the winners in various Diamond League season with a same time, it a motivation to girls Year Award: Abdelaziz Moham- Year Award: Mohamed categories and thanked them for world leading jump of 2.40m on to work hard and take up more med and Owab Barow (Qatar al-Dosari (Qatar Paralympic As- bringing glory to the country. his way to victory in Doha in May. sports thanks to the support we Athletics Federation) sociation) “Development of athletes to Barshim, who recently got mar- receive from all entities.” Female Administrator of the reach the highest level is a top ried, couldn’t attend the ceremo- “It’s a great feeling because Promising Female Athlete of the Year Award: Rania Raed Year Award: Qatar Shooting priority of the Qatar Olympic QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani speaks at the ny. His father collected the award this is the ﬁ rst award I receive and and Archery Federation Committee as it is a part of the Sport Excellence Day ceremony at the Aspire Dome yesterday. on his behalf. is a great motivation for me in the al-Naji (Qatar Women’s Sport QOC strategy which is aligned Female Athlete of the Year Al future,” al-Naji added. Committee – Athletics) Referee of the Year Award: to support Qatar National Vision their full potential. believe in the power of sport to Dana Saad al-Mubarak has ex- Administrative awards were Jockey of the Year Award: Ahmed Abdulrahman al-Jaida 2030. Team Qatar had a success- “Doha in the coming years unite, inspire, empower and edu- celled in various shooting compe- presented to the Ministry of Ed- Faleh Bughanaim (Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation) ful year across many sports as will continue to host interna- cate people of all ages and abilities. titions in Asia, inspiring many as- ucation and Higher Education Golden Federation Award: medals were won, records were tionally recognised world-class Our athletes represent everything piring sportswomen. Ace hurdler for its continuous support to the Qatar Athletics Federation Camel Trainer of the Year broken. The athletes continued sport events such as IAAF World that Qatar stands for; hard work, Abderrahman Samba, who domi- Olympic movement in Qatar and Award: Jaber Salem Jaber to perform and bring home many Athletics Championships Doha dedication and loyalty. We are ex- nated the Diamond League and Aspire Zone for supporting sport Men’s Team of the Year Faran Award: Qatar Handball Team glorious titles,” said HE Sheikh 2019, 2022 FIFA World Cup Qa- tremely proud of them on and off won the Asian Games title, won and organising social sport pro- Camel Owner of the Year Joaan. tar, World Championships 2023 the podium. They are an inspira- the ‘Sport Excellence’ award. grammes, which play a critical Women’s Team of the Year Award: Nasser Abdulla al- “Thank you for your commit- and IJF Masters 2020, 2023 FINA tion to the young generation and a Samba said: “I’m extremely role in developing athletes from Award: Table Tennis Team (Qa- Mesnad ment and dedication to building World Championships,” HE source of pride for all of us. happy to win this award. This a young age. tar Women’s Sport Committee) Horse Owner of the Year the sporting culture of Qatar. To- Sheikh Joaan added. “We believe that hard work gives me extra motivation to give Mohamed al-Dosari who was Award: day we are here to celebrate some Showing his support to the ath- deserves recognition, and our even more in the coming years. presented with the Male Admin- SPORT ACHIEVEMENT Khalifa bin Sheail al- of the successes. It is also impor- letes and administrator, HE Sec- athletes work tirelessly to rep- I’d like to thank the Qatar Olym- istrator of the Year stated: “The AWARDS Kuwari tant to recognise the commit- retary-General of Qatar Olympic resent Qatar at the highest level pic Committee family under the award is an incentive for all the Qatari Horse Trainer of the Team Qatar Channel Swim ment and skills of the incredibly Committee HE Jassim al-Buenain and raise the maroon ﬂ ag around leadership of HE Sheikh Joaan winning athletes, administrators Year Award: Hadi Nasser al- talented coaches who support said: “Qatar is a nation passion- the world. Sport Excellence Day bin Hamad al-Thani for this great and federations to continue to Qatar Parachuting Team Ramzani our Team Qatar athletes to reach ate about sport and we strongly is our way of thanking them, occasion. I hope I will continue to excel.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, November 19, 2018 SPORTS EXCELLENCE DAY AWARDS

Sport Excellence Award Male Athlete of the Year Award Male Administrator of the Year Award ABDERRAHMAN SAMBA MUTAZ ESSA BARSHIM MOHAMED AL-DOSARI (Qatar Athletics Federation) (Qatar Athletics Federation - High Jump) (Qatar Paralympic Association)

* Barshim’s father received the award on his behalf.

Golden Federation Award 2018 ASIAN GAMES QATAR ATHLETICS FEDERATION AND ASIAN PARA GAMES MEDALLISTS

Distinguished Governmental Institution in Supporting Olympic Movement Sport Achievement Award Sport Achievement Award MINISTRY OF EDUCATION QATAR BOWLING TEAM TEAM QATAR CHANNEL SWIM AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Men’s Team of the Year Award Camel Owner of the Year Award Horse Owner of the Year Award QATAR INDOOR HANDBALL TEAM NASSER ABDULLA AL-MESNAD KHALIFA BIN SHEAIL AL-KUWARI

Qatari Horse Trainer of the Year Award Jockey of the Year Award Camel Trainer of the Year Award HADI NASSER AL-RAMZANI FALEH BUGHANAIM JABER SALEM JABER FARAN Gulf Times Monday, November 19, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Confi dent Qatar take on Iceland in friendly today

By Sports Reporter Doha

oming off a stunning victory over Switzerland, Felix Sanchez’s Qatar side will be looking to carry the winning momentumC when they take on Iceland in the international friendly today at the Kehrwegstadion Stadium in Eupen, Belguim. The 96th-ranked Qatar upset eighth-ranked Switzerland 1-0 in a friendly last Wednesday as Akram Afi f’s late goal gave the 2022 World Cup host a surprising victory. The Swiss had gone into the game as massive favourites after putting six goals past Panama and Iceland this year, as well as scoring fi ve against Hungary in 2017. But Qatar proved equal to Switzer- land, which boasted players like Liv- erpool star Xherdan Shaqiri, Newcas- tle United defender Fabian Schar and Arsenal midfi elder Granit Xhaka. It was Qatar’s fourth victory out of fi ve friendly games they have played in the Qatar players train yesterday at the Kehrwegstadion Stadium in Eupen, Belguim, on the eve of their international friendly against Iceland. last two months, with their only loss this season is a 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan are very proud of our players today and in Tashkent last month. they’re going to give us more hope to Today, Qatar will be looking for an- prepare the Asian Cup.” other big scalp against the 36th-ranked “When you’re coaching a team like Iceland. Sanchez will once again test Qatar and you’re facing a top team like his players against formidable opposi- we faced on Wednesday we need to do tion in a bid to form a powerful side in more things that we are not used to do the build-up to the 2019 Asian Cup set but that’s the way to compete because to take place next January in the United at the moment Switzerland is No. 8 in Arab Emirates. the world, we’re No. 96. This for a rea- In the Asian Cup, Qatar will be play- son,” Sanchez said. ing against Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Iceland made a splash in their fi rst North Korea in Group E. Qatar will also foray into international football tour- play in next year’s Copa America in naments in Euro 2016. They also made Brazil as one of the invited guests. their fi rst World Cup appearance last After the Swiss game, Sanchez was summer, but failed to progress beyond hopeful his players will gain confi dence the challenging Group D, which saw from beating a higher ranked team. them pitted against Croatia, Argentina “We hope this game gives our players and Nigeria. the confi dence that we can play against The have been knocked out of the top teams and to keep working hard,” inaugural UEFA Nations League after Sanchez said. “I’m sure in Qatar people they lost to Belgium on Thursday. Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (right) and striker Akram Afif address a press conference in Eupen, Belguim yesterday.

NATIONS LEAGUE FOCUS Qatar defender England beat Croatia Hassan nominated for AFC award By Sports Reporter to reach Nations Doha atar national team defender Abdulkraim Hassan has been nominated for the prestig- iousQ 2018 AFC Player of the Year award. The awards ceremony will League semi-fi nals be held on November 28 in Mus- cat, Oman, AFC said earlier this month. The last Qatari player to Captain Kane scores the winner with five minutes left at Wembley win the award was striker Kha- lfan Ibrahim, who bagged the AFP prestigious Asian trophy in 2006. Wembley, United Kingdom Hassan, an integral part of Qatar football plans, has been tar are playing two friendlies seen in top form and fi tness in this week. He featured in Qatar’s arry Kane fi red England into the the last few years. He has rarely 1-0 win over Switzerland last Nations League semi-fi nals as missed a Qatar international Wednesday. Gareth Southgate’s side scored home or away. The 25-year-old, Hassan is expected to play a twice in the last 12 minutes to who plays for QNB Stars League key role in Qatar’s 2019 Asian Hseal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia giants Al Sadd, was the captain Cup campaign to be held in the yesterday. England were on the brink of the national side that fi nished UAE. The awards ceremony – to of relegation to the second tier of the fourth in the AFC U-23 Champi- be hosted by Oman Football As- competition after Andrej Kramaric gave onship held in Qatar. sociation (OFA) will be held at Croatia the lead against the run of play in He is currently with the na- the Oman Convention and Exhi- the second half at Wembley. tional side in Europe where Qa- bition Centre. But Southgate’s vibrant young side pulled off a stirring escape act in the closing stages to gain a measure of revenge for BOTTOMLINE their World Cup semi-fi nal defeat against Croatia earlier this year. Jesse Lingard came off the bench to poach England’s equaliser and captain Former champions Kane was on hand to turn in the winner with fi ve minutes left. England’s fi ghtback took them to the Zambia eliminated top of Group A4, above Spain and relegated Croatia, and they can look forward to playing in the last four in June next from Cup of Nations year. It was a cathartic moment for Eng- land, who have made a habit of suff ering AFP Vandenbroeck has won one painful defeats against Croatia, with this Johannesburg match, drawn one and lost two in year’s World Cup woe following the 2007 the Cup of Nations since his fi rst loss that cost them a place at Euro 2008. appointment as a national team More importantly, the performance ormer champions Zam- head coach. He assisted compa- provided further tangible proof that England’s Harry Kane scores against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League group match at Wembley Stadium in London. (Reuters) bia were eliminated from triot and Cameroon coach Hugo Southgate is building a team capable of the 2019 Africa Cup of Broos when the central African challenging for the major prizes after The depth in the squad since the summer only Lovre Kalinic to beat, Sterling let Kramaric was allowed time and space Nations qualifying com- country surprisingly won the years of under-achievement. England’s has grown with the young players. Who- Croatia off the hook as he directed a hesi- to turn in the area and the Hoff enheim petitionF after a 1-0 away loss to 2017 Cup of Nations in Gabon. appearance in the semi-fi nals of the Na- ever comes in during this competition tant shot straight at the keeper. forward took full advantage, clipping Mozambique in Group K yester- Zambia were shock winners of tions League, which are set to be held in have all delivered. We knew if we had to England kept probing intelligently, a shot that defl ected off Eric Dier and day. Albania-based Reginaldo the 2012 Cup of Nations in Libre- Portugal next June, off ers another chance accelerate, we had game-changers on the with the speed of Sterling and Marcus looped over Pickford’s despairing dive. Faife kept Mozambican hopes ville, edging the Ivory Coast on to reach their fi rst major fi nal since 1966. bench. In the last fi ve minutes we were Rashford providing their main threat. Southgate responded by sending on alive of a top-two fi nish and a penalties after a goalless fi nal. In “I’m very proud fi rst and foremost,” mature enough to see things through.” Delph’s pass sparked a frantic sequence, Lingard and the change reaped an in- place at the fi nals in Cameroon another early match, Ghana de- Southgate said. “I thought we dictated a Following the 3-2 Nations League win forcing Kalinic to dash out of his area to stant reward as England equalised in the by scoring the only goal after 63 feated Ethiopia 2-0 in Group F in lot of the game and had good chances in over Spain in Seville last month, this head away from Sterling. 78th minute. Joe Gomez’s long throw was minutes in Maputo. Addis Ababa with recalled Jordan the fi rst half. Then we let quite a soft goal tournament has been a serious statement When Kalinic’s clearance fell to Kane, fl icked on by John Stones and Kane prod- Guinea-Bissau and Namibia Ayew scoring twice during the in and it’s a real test of resilience and pa- of intent from Southgate’s team and they the England captain’s eff ort was headed ded past Kalinic, leaving Lingard with the have eight points each after a fi rst half. tience. We rode our luck with their coun- will go into 2019 with great expectations. off the line by Tin Jedvaj. simple task of tapping in from virtually on 0-0 draw in Windhoek on Sat- Sudan ended a four-match ter-attacks with one cleared off the line. From start to fi nish, England were the The rebound fell to Kane, but Kalinic, the goal-line. England’s deserved winner urday, Mozambique seven and losing run in Group A with a I’m proud of how we’ve done all year. I’ve dominant force, although they were for- by now back in his goal, used his legs to arrived in the 85th minute. Ben Chilwell Zambia four with one matchday surprise 3-1 away victory over not heard Wembley like that for a long tunate to escape when Ante Rebic shot foil the Tottenham striker with a last- curled over a teasing low free-kick and to come next March. Defeat was already-qualifi ed Madagascar in time.” over after Jordan Pickford fumbled Fa- ditch save. It was more of the same at the Kane timed his run to perfection, guiding a huge blow for Belgian-born Antananarivo. A stoppage-time “It felt as if we could open them up bian Delph’s backpass. start of the second half, but once again his shot past Kalinic from close-range. Zambia coach Sven Vandenbr- goal salvaged a 2-2 Group H draw and make good chances,” Southgate ex- Kane slipped a perfectly-weighted pass England couldn’t fi nd the killer touch. Kane’s fi rst goal in eight games for oeck, who was hired when local for the Central African Repub- plained. “The players are starting to be- through to Raheem Sterling and the Man- That profl igacy looked as though it England sparked a wild celebration from Wedson Nyirenda resigned after lic in Rwanda while Niger came lieve in the system. We have some players chester City winger’s blistering pace sent would prove fatal when Croatia snatched Southgate, who leapt into the air as he the opening round to join a South from behind to win 2-1 away to so comfortable building from the back. him clear of the Croatia defence. With the lead after 56 minutes. punched the air on the touchline. African club. Swaziland in Group J. Gulf Times 4 Monday, November 19, 2018 FOOTBALL

NATIONS LEAGUE FOCUS Arsenal say club Germany out to dent never pursued super league breakaway

By Amy Lawrence had a working team that par- The Guardian ticipated – I was at Barcelona at that time, Ivan Gazidis [then of Dutch dreams aft er Arsenal] was there too. It was a rsenal’s hierarchy say conversation we didn’t hide from they are not about to anybody, not even from the ECA abandon the Premier smaller clubs. League in search of a “We knew that could be an op- EuropeanA Super League breaka- tion and we explored that option. way. Although they were part of We looked into that in two ways: ‘slap in face’ year the group that had discussions a way of exploring the real possi- about the prospect, the Premier bility and also how it would help League remains the priority. us to negotiate with UEFA under “Arsenal aren’t or never have the new terms because every cy- The Netherlands need just a point to qualify for the semi-finals been interested in playing in any cle we will negotiate. At the end competition that weakens the of the day the outcome was the Premier League,” the managing best possible because we got into director, Vinai Venkatesham, a new deal with UEFA within the said. “The Premier League is system that protected the do- the world’s leading league in the mestic leagues.” leading sport; we don’t want to Sanllehi rejected reports that do anything to damage it. I see there was a genuine proposal these articles that Arsenal want recently that Arsenal signed to break away – we never want to up for. “The way it was explained do any of that. But we also have to may seem we were doing secret recognise we have to be in these things but there is nothing se- conversations or we wouldn’t be cret,” he said. responsible. We have to be in the “There is one document that conversations – it doesn’t nec- has been presented in an arti- essarily mean we support them.” cle that has Arsenal’s name; it Venkatesham’s colleague Raul also has Barcelona’s name. But Sanllehi, the director of football there’s no signature and I can who joined from Barcelona, em- assure you in Arsenal and Barce- phasised that Arsenal wanted to lona we have not seen the docu- position themselves in the high- ment. It’s a draft, probably draft- est echelons of the game and ed by some proposal discussed therefore feel compelled to be with one of those clubs in that part of any debate, but he sug- list that I don’t know about. It’s gested that the manoeuvring be- a real document – I cannot deny tween the top clubs that make up that – but I can assure I’ve not the European Club Association seen that document.” (ECA) is as much to do with pos- He is doubtful a European Su- turing to push for the best possi- per League is around the corner: ble deals with UEFA as any clear “Not in the short term because push to form a Super League. we have an agreement with Uefa “As it is responsible for top Eu- right now – but I don’t know ropean clubs the ECA had to look what the future will bring be- to all the options for the future,” cause the future writes itself. I he said. “One of them, of course, don’t envision, not in the short could have been the possibility term or medium term, radical of a European Super League. We change.”

Ronaldo still very much part of Netherlands’ players train in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, yesterday on the eve of the UEFA Nations League match against the Netherlands. (AFP) Portugal team, insists coach

AFP — head coach Joachim Loew needs a mor- Russia 3-0 in Leipzig last Thursday. Goals “At the World Cup, our game lacked Milan: Portugal coach Fernan- from Manchester United. Gelsenkirchen, Germany al-boosting win as he rebuilds his team in by Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Niklas momentum and the killer instinct, we do Santos insisted that super- “There are no questions the wake of their World Cup disaster. Suele saw off the Russians in a friendly, played too wide and we must focus more star Cristiano Ronaldo remains to ask. Ronaldo is part of this “We have a point to prove and will do but Loew is likely to name a more experi- on attacking the opponents goal,” said a key part of his national team team, just read the post he ermany want to end their ‘slap everything to win this match,” said Loew enced side against the Dutch. Loew. “We are on the right path, but we despite being left out of his Na- wrote today,” said Santos, in the face’ year by beating the yesterday. “It’s a shame for us that we can Toni Kroos and Mats Hummels, both must continue to improve.” tions League squad, after the referring to the message the Netherlands in Gelsenkirchen no longer turn the situation in the group, 2014 World Cup winners, are expected to The Netherlands meanwhile are resur- European champions became Juventus player sent to wish today and preventing the Dutch now we have to learn the right lessons and come into the midfi eld and defence re- gent after failing to qualify for the fi nals the first team to advance to the his teammates good luck via Gfrom reaching the Nations League knock- make the most of a disappointing year. spectively. Chief playmaker Marco Reus of both Euro 2016 and this year’s World semi-finals of the competition. Twitter. out phase. The Netherlands need just a “We want to sign off with another must shake off a bruised foot to make the Cup, but Koeman is taking nothing for The five-time Ballon d’Or Portugal booked their point to qualify for the semi-fi nals af- strong performances to prove we are on starting line-up while Thomas Mueller is granted despite his side hammering Ger- winner spent much of last ticket to the semi-finals next ter their 2-0 win over France on Friday, the right track. We have been one of the likely to come off the bench for his 100th many in Amsterdam last month. month vehemently denying June after holding Italy to a which sent Germany down to League B. most consistent teams over the last 10 appearance for Germany. “I think the game against Germany allegations of rape and was 0-0 draw at the San Siro on But relegated Germany could dash years — this year was a real slap in the Loew says he wants to see Germany will be more diffi cult than France,” said dropped by Santos for the Saturday. They progressed top Dutch hopes of topping Group A1 with face, which was disappointing, but now take their chances against Ronald Koe- Koeman. “The French like to play deep, Nations League internationals of Group A3 with one match a win in their fi nal game of 2018, which it goes on.” man’s revitalised Dutch, who infl icted a Germany will attack and we have to be amid accusations by former to play, dashing Italy’s hopes would hand fi rst place and a semi-fi nal Germany are rebuilding after a woeful fi rst defeat on France since their World ready for that. “It’s not realistic to say we model Kathryn Mayorga that in the process. “The qualifica- berth to France. After losing 3-0 away to World Cup when they crashed out after Cup triumph with Georginio Wijnaldum are favourites, in the fi rst round Germany Ronaldo raped her in 2009, just tion confirms the quality of our the Dutch last month — one of a record six the group stages in Russia. A youthful and Memphis Depay scoring in Rotter- were better for part of the game. We have before he joined Real Madrid football,” said Santos. defeats the Germans have suff ered in 2018 team, with an average age of just 24, beat dam. a good balance, we are on a good way.”

BOTTOMLINE SPOTLIGHT beIN dedicates full day of Portugal hold off Italy to reach semis AFP special programmes to mark Milan countdown for 2022 World Cup uropean champions Portugal became the fi rst team to qualify for the s the four-year countdown for 2022 FIFA beIN Media Group Sports Advisor Jonathan White- Nations League semi-fi nals on Sat- World Cup Qatar kicks off on November head said: “As the offi cial broadcaster, beIN Media urday night after holding Italy to a 21st, beIN is dedicating a full day in hon- Group’s prime focus is providing millions of viewers 0-0E draw at the San Siro. The Portuguese — our of one of the biggest sporting events with outstanding, top quality and dynamic cover- despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo — inA the world on several of its channels, live from age of the greatest football tournament in the world. progressed with one match to play, and are the host nation. From special programmes and in- As an organisation with a strong and very proud sure to fi nish top of Group A3, with Italy’s terviews to reports, beIN will broadcast the cap- footprint in the Middle East, beIN Media Group is hopes in the tournament over. tivating history and experiences of the World Cup tremendously excited that the FIFA World Cup will Poland had already been relegated to throughout the years through its unrivalled com- be coming to the Arab region for the fi rst time”. League B. Roberto Mancini’s Italians needed mentary, expertise, and exclusive footage of some “We are also enormously confi dent in Qatar’s a win to keep their hopes of advancing to of the most iconic moments in football. ability to deliver an exceptional World Cup experi- the fi nal four next June alive, but despite Having been the offi cial broadcaster of the FIFA ence, and recent major events in the country have pushing Portugal for over an hour in front World Cup since 2010, and also the offi cial broad- been terrifi c successes: the 2006 Asian Games, the of 73,000 spectators at the San Siro, could caster of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, several beIN 2015 World Men’s Handball Championship and next not fi nd a way through. Instead, they earned Portugal’s players celebrate after their draw against Italy on Saturday night in Milan star presenters and guests will report live from sev- year the World Championships in Athletics. In ad- a goalless draw which echoed the stalemate ensured their place in Nations League semi-finals. (AFP) eral locations around Qatar, including the revamped dition to combining vibrant Qatari culture and hos- against Sweden a year ago that ended their and ultra-modern Khalifa International Stadium, pitality with innovative fan and player experiences, hopes of reaching the World Cup in Russia. as we can’t play in their half for 90 minutes. Portuguese defence cleared. “I think we’re giving viewers a glimpse into what to expect in just a the compact nature of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar “It’s really satisfying to reach the fi nal phase Even if we’re disappointed at not winning I on the right path, as we controlled it for 70 few short years. Viewers can tune into beIN’s Eng- will off er millions of fans a unique and distinct ex- of this competition,” said coach Fernando think we have everything and little by little minutes with a lot of great play and chances, lish and Arabic channels, as well as beIN’s dedicated perience, and build a lasting legacy in Qatar and the Santos. “But it was a very diffi cult match, we’re going to also put the attack into place,” but we must make more of our scoring op- 4K channel, to catch historic World Cup matches. entire Mena region,” he added. above all the fi rst half when I have to admit added Mancini after Italy maintained their portunities,” said defender Chiellini, who is beIN’s offi cial social media accounts will surprise beIN is the offi cial broadcaster for the 2022 FIFA we had a lot of diffi culties.” record of never having been beaten at the the Azzurri’s top scorer with eight goals. It- followers with additional exclusive content and live World Cup Qatar and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal host Poland tomorrow in Gui- San Siro. aly play a friendly against the United States interviews from Qatar. having started its journey as the offi cial broadcaster maraes, in a match that has no signifi cance Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini celebrated in Genk tomorrow. Commenting on 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, of the FIFA tournament since 2010. for either side. But Santos insisted: “The fi - his 100th Italy cap, exactly 14 years to the nal match against Poland will be important day since his debut against Finland. In- UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE RESULTS because it will be in front of our supporters, signe forced a save from Rui Patricio after League A: Group 3: At Milan, Italy: Italy 0 who are always with us. We have to have a fi ve minutes fi ring in from a distance with Portugal 0 great match and to win.” the Portuguese goalkeeper clearing into the Santos’ side had beaten Italy 1-0 in Lisbon path of Immobile. League B: Group 2: At Eskisehir, Turkey: Tur- and withstood early pressure from the hosts But the Lazio forward sent the rebound key 0 Sweden 1 (Granqvist 71-pen) with Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile over the crossbar, with Alessandro Florenzi League C: Group 1: At Shkoder, Albania: Al- both going close in the fi rst half. Portugal also sending an eff ort wide from an angle. bania 0 Scotland 4 (Fraser 14, Fletcher 45+2, threatened after the break as William Car- Former AC Milan defender Leonardo Bo- Forrest 55, 67); Group 4: At Belgrade: Serbia 2 valho was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma nucci, whistled by the crowd every time he (Ljajic 30, Mitrovic 32) Montenegro 1 (Mugosa and substitute Joao Mario fi red over the bar. touched the ball after moving back to Ju- 70); At Ploiesti, Romania “I think we played an excellent match but ventus this season, headed onto the side- Romania 3 (Puscas 7, Keseru 47, Stanciu 65) we didn’t manage to score which is an im- netting from a free-kick. portant detail,” said Mancini. “We dominat- Federico Chiesa came close on 53 minutes Lithuania 0 ed Portugal and then had a drop in tempo af- after a cross from Cristiano Biraghi follow- League D: Group 3: At Baku: Azerbaijan 2 beIN star presenters and guests will report live from several locations including the Khalifa stadium. ter 70 minutes, which is only to be expected, ing good work from Marco Verratti but the (Nattestad 18-og, Madatov 28) Faroe Islands 0 Gulf Times Monday, November 19, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NFL Broncos back from bye, visit quietly 76ers beat Hornets contending Chargers

Reuters There is a sense that the New York Broncos might be closer to getting on a roll than their 3-6 record would suggest. They fter being set adrift took a tough 19-17 defeat to the despite Walker’s 60, for nearly a month, Houston Texans last weekend, the Los Angeles while also enduing a pair of re- Chargers fi nally recent three-point defeats to the Aturn home this weekend to the Chiefs and Rams. In between, NFL’s smallest venue. they thrashed the Arizona Car- Five weeks, four games, two dinals 45-10. countries and the franchise’s “It’s those one or two plays best nine-game start since a game that we usually make Mavs shock Warriors 2006 has brought unity, as that we haven’t been making,” the Chargers enter Sunday’s defensive end Derek Wolfe ‘The eff ort was great. We got incredible energy from the bench. Our guys competed game against the Denver Bron- said. “We’re losing a ton of cos on a six-game winning close games. That shows you the whole way through. It’s a first step to kind of getting our groove back’ streak. Their 7-2 record is just that we’re a lot better team a notch below a trio of one-loss than we were last year. It’s just AFP NFL teams in the Kansas City one of those things where the Los Angeles Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and ball doesn’t roll our way some- New Orleans Saints. times. We’re losing by two or “When you’re travelling like three points, dumb penalties, hiladelphia’s Jimmy Butler deliv- that, you have to build a bond dumb mistakes and just things ered the overtime dagger as the with your teammates,” Charg- that we need to get cleaned up. 76ers withstood 60 points from ers running back Melvin Gor- Us leaders need to step it up.” Kemba Walker in a 122-119 NBA don said. “It’s just dope, man, Injured Broncos players on Pvictory over the Charlotte Hornets on because I’m enjoying winning. off ense that should return Saturday. I’m not gonna lie to you. The Sunday include running back Another nail-biter saw the two-time plane rides back from the pre- Royce Freeman (ankle) and defending champion Golden State War- vious years, guys were quieter, wide receiver DaeSean Ham- riors drop a 112-109 decision to the Mav- they were in their own world. ilton (knee). Expected rein- ericks in Dallas. Flying home, I was soaking forcements for the defense in- Slovenian rookie Luka Doncic scored 24 it all in, looking at everybody clude cornerback Bradley Roby points, including the jump shot that put laughing.” (knee) and safety Darian Stew- Dallas ahead for good with 1:10 remaining. After games at Cleveland, art (neck). All four avoided the The Warriors, missing injured starters London (against the Tennessee questionable tag. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green – Titans) and Seattle, last week- However, left guard Max and still smarting from the dust-up be- end’s 55-minute fl ight home Garcia is out for the season tween Green and teammate Kevin Durant from Oakland was an easy one. with a torn ACL sustained in earlier this week – led by eight in the sec- The game, not so much. The practice. He will join guard ond half before Dallas rallied to beat the Chargers did just enough, fi ght- Ronald Leary and center Matt Warriors for just the second time in their ing off low energy to pull out a Paradis on injured reserve. last 19 meetings. 20-6 victory against the Raiders. Chargers defensive end Joey The champions have now lost four of The Broncos, meanwhile, Bosa is getting closer to a re- their last six, and have lost two in a row for have been trending in the op- turn from a foot injury and the fi rst time this season. posite direction. Denver has is questionable after getting Durant scored 32 points, but only three lost two consecutive games three limited practices in this in the fourth quarter. Klay Thompson and six of its last seven, but will week. Tight end Antonio Gates added 22 for Golden State, but the Warri- be coming off a rejuvenating (knee) is questionable, while ors had multiple shots in the fi nal minute bye week that helped them to cornerback Trevor Williams to tie or take the lead and came up empty. recover from some key injuries. (knee) is out. Far from pushing the panic button, coach Steve Kerr said he was pleased to see the Warriors play well enough to win – even if they came up short. “What we did tonight was fantastic,” he said. “The eff ort was great. We got incredible energy from the bench. Our guys competed the whole way through. It’s a fi rst step to kind of getting our groove back.” In Charlotte, Walker’s career night ended in disappointment as Butler, ac- quired this week in a blockbuster trade with Minnesota, blocked a Walker shot to keep it tied at 119-119 with 15.7 seconds left in overtime then drained a 27-foot jump shot with three-tenths of a second Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic shoots between Golden State Warriors guard Damion Lee and center Damian Jones during remaining to secure the win. the first quarter of their NBA game at the American Airlines Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports “As much as I wanted the shot to go in to win the game, I also wanted it to go in Nikola Vucevic scored 24 of his 36 A day after he scored 43 in a comeback because I didn’t want Kemba to give me points in the second half and grabbed 13 RESULTS victory over the New York Knicks, Davis 70,” Butler quipped. “I wanted it to stop rebounds for Orlando, who led by as many got 40 points with eight rebounds and at 60.” as 21 points. Dallas 112- 109 Golden State eight assists. Walker, the fi rst player in Hornets his- Three days after a 44-point perform- Utah 98-86 Boston He connected on 10 of 20 shots from the tory to score 60 points in a game, con- ance that saw him move into the top-fi ve Oklahoma City 110-100 Phoenix fi eld and made 20 of his 21 free throw at- nected on 21 of 34 shots from the fi eld and on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, James tempts. Toronto 122-83 Chicago made all 12 of his free throw attempts. He was limited 22 points on eight-of-19 Julius Randle added 21 points off the also pulled down seven rebounds, handed shooting. Houston 132-112 Sacramento bench and Nikola Mirotic added a dou- out four assists and came up with four He added seven assists and four re- Philadelphia 122-119 Charlotte ble-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds steals. bounds, but was on the bench in the Indiana 97-89 Atlanta as the Pelicans notched their fi fth win in “I’m still proud of – that’s an unbeliev- fourth quarter, when the Lakers never got six games. Orlando 130-117 LA Lakers able thing to do,” a frustrated Walker said. the defi cit below double digits. Eastern Conference leaders Toronto “I’m just mad that we lost. It would have “After the fi rst quarter we were pretty LA Clippers 127-119 Brooklyn bounced back from their Friday night loss been even better with a win.” bad defensively,” James said, adding that New Orleans 125-115 Denver to Boston with an emphatic 122-83 victory the young Lakers team had plenty of work over the Chicago Bulls. LAKERS LOSE to do before they could begin to think of playoff s just yet.” The Celtics, meanwhile, couldn’t build LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers the post-season. A second straight 40-point night from on their come-from-behind win over the saw their promising four-game winning “Right now we’re going to try and get Anthony Davis propelled the New Orleans Raptors, falling 98-86 to a Utah Jazz team streak come to an end with a listless 130- better and better each month. I think Pelicans to a 125-115 victory over the Den- led by the game-high 28 points of Dono- 117 loss to the Orlando Magic in Florida. we’ve done that - we can’t think about the ver Nuggets. van Mitchell. Chargers running back Melvin Gordon.

NHL Lindholm’s late scores lead Flames past Oilers Reuters Lindholm stayed on task and chipped the Jarnkrok did all the work himself on his Calgary rebound into the goal at the 9:10 mark of RESULTS go-ahead goal, collecting a Kings turno- the fi nal frame give the hosts the lead. ver at the Predators blue line, working his Lindholm iced it with an empty-netter, Detroit 3-2 New Jersey way down ice and beating Kings goalie lias Lindholm scored twice in his team’s league-best 32nd third-period Tampa Bay 6-5 Philadelphia Calvin Petersen on the glove side to the the third period, and David Rit- goal of the season. Lindholm, whose ca- upper left corner of the goal. The three tich made 24 saves as the Calgary reer high for goals in a season is 17, has 11 Buff alo 3-2 Minnesota goals gave Jarnkrok six on the season. Flames completed yet another in 20 games this campaign. It was another Montreal 3-2 Vancouver Nate Thompson, Anze Kopitar and comebackE with a 4-2 win over the visiting disappointing loss for the Oilers, who Alex Iafallo each scored second-period Ottawa 6-4 Pittsburgh Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. have one win in their last six outings. goals for the Kings, who were coming off a Had it not been for Rittich stopping Alex Chiasson opened the scoring with NY Rangers 4-2 Florida shootout victory at Chicago on Friday, but three breakaways while his team trailed, to a shorthanded goal 2:29 into the fi rst peri- Columbus 4-1 Carolina have now lost four of their last fi ve games. the delight of the home crowd, the Flames od. Chiasson, who played with the Flames Boston 2-1 Arizona Petersen made 38 saves in his third career would have had no hopes of winning, but in 2016-17, chipped the puck around Mark game and second career start. Nashville 5-3 Los Angeles they rewarded their goalie for his eff orts. Giordano at the Edmonton blue line to The teams combined for fi ve goals in a With the Oilers up 2-0, Derek Ryan put create an odd-man rush, drove to the cage Calgary 4-2 Edmonton span of 6 minutes 57 seconds in the sec- Calgary on the board with a power-play and tucked a shot past Rittich. San Jose 4-0 St. Louis ond period. The Kings scored three goals goal at 16:23 of the second period. On his Oilers star Connor McDavid doubled in the second period after scoring three team’s fi fth man-advantage of the game, the Edmonton lead with a power-play period to earn a 5-3 victory Saturday over total goals in regulation of their last four the puck came to Ryan during the scram- goal at 3:49 of the second period. Right the visiting Los Angeles Kings. The Pred- games. Kyle Turris gave the Predators ble, and he sniped a backhand shot for his after Calgary’s James Neal was denied on ators, who lead the Western Conference, a 1-0 lead at 3:18 of the second period, fi rst goal in 15 games. a golden chance at the other end, Leon trailed in the third period to the last-place delivering on the power play with a slap Sean Monahan followed it up by ty- Draisaitl made the pass on a two-on-one Kings, who were on the second night of shot from the top of the left circle. It was ing the game at 2:40 of the third period. rush that McDavid buried with a one- their fi rst back-to-back games of the his fourth goal of the season. The Kings Travis Hamonic’s shot was stopped, but timer. Koskinen made 33 saves in the loss. season. Jarnkrok took over late, scoring a answered quickly with a pair of goals 19 Monahan was on the spot for a juicy re- power play goal at 5:44 of the fi nal period seconds apart. Thompson scored his fi rst bound that he easily buried to make it a Jarnkrok’s hat trick lifts before delivering a short-handed goal at goal of the season at 5:55 of the second pe- 2-2 tilt. Lindholm then tallied twice to Predators over Kings the 11:54 mark to give Nashville the lead riod just as a Kings power play had ended. complete the comeback. Oilers goalie Calle Jarnkrok delivered his fi rst career for good. Nick Bonino added an empty- Kopitar followed at the 6:14 mark when he Edmonton Oilers defenseman Kevin Gravel and Calgary Flames center Mikko Koskinen stopped Lindholm’s de- hat trick and Ryan Ellis had two assists as net goal with less than a minute remain- scored his fi fth goal on a feed from Dustin Elias Lindholm (right) battle for the puck during the third period of their fl ection of Noah Hanifi n’s point shot, but the Nashville Predators rallied in the third ing, his second of the season. Brown. NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, November 19, 2018 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Mexican Ancer claims Australian Molinari takes Open by fi ve strokes

Reuters Sydney

Race to Dubai title, nheralded Mexican Ab- raham Ancer ignited his round with a remark- able chip-in before win- ningU the Australian Open by fi ve strokes yesterday to join a host of golfi ng greats in lifting the Stone- haven Cup. Willett wins fi nale The world number 96, whose only previous win as a profes- sional came on the Web.com ‘Now I’m going to have time to sit down and relax and really think back about the last few months’ tour in 2015, started the day with a fi ve-shot cushion and a fi nal- Reuters round three-under-par 69 proved Dubai more than enough for victory on Abraham Ancer of Mexico. 16-under 272. Australians Dimitrios Papada- sharing fi fth, including Japanese rancesco Molinari tos and Jake McLeod made things amateur Keita Nakajima who clinched the Race to Du- interesting for the galleries at The started the day in second place bai title after Tommy Lakes Golf Club with a glut of and rounded out an impressive Fleetwood failed to win birdies but Ancer’s overnight lead week with a 72. theF season-ending DP World always looked like being too large a American drawcards Keegan Tour Championship, where Eng- defi cit to overcome. Bradley and Matt Kuchar both land’s Danny Willett earned his “I’m really on cloud nine at the shot fi nal round 75s to fi nish well fi rst title in 2-1/2 years yesterday. moment,” Ancer told reporters. off the pace in a share of 17th and Molinari has enjoyed a re- “I’d never been to Australia before 23rd respectively. markable season, winning his this week and I think I’m really Texas-born Ancer had his game maiden major championship starting to love this country. face on for much of the day but at the British Open along with “I didn’t want to think about my even he could not resist a huge his fi rst Rolex Series title at the lead, I just wanted to carry out my grin when he chipped in at the BMW PGA Championship. plan. I had the lead at a couple of fourth. Englishman Fleetwood, who PGA events last year and it didn’t ICHIHARA TRIUMPHS needed to win at the Jumeirah work out. I learned a lot from that Kodai Ichihara made an up- Golf Estates to overtake Mo- and it all worked out today.” and-down birdie from 100 yards linari on the European Tour’s Papadatos (67) fi nished second at the fi nal hole to win the Dunlop money list, fi nished with a fi nal- on 11-under with McLeod (66) in Phoenix by one stroke as an out- round four-under-par 68 to end third a shot further back with both of-sorts Brooks Koepka fi nished 10-under overall, eight shots be- earning the right to play with An- 12th in Miyazaki yesterday. hind eventual winner Willett. cer at next year’s British Open in World number 425 Ichihara rat- “It’s incredible,” Molinari said. Northern Ireland. tled home with an eight-under- “Now I’m going to have time Local Marcus Fraser fi nished par 63, fi nishing in style by almost to sit down and relax and re- with a 70 for fourth on nine-un- holing his third shot at the par- ally think back about the last few der with a group of fi ve players fi ve 18th. months. “This morning on the fi rst tee the announcement is the winner of The Open Championship, Howell hangs onto lead at Race to Dubai leader, it doesn’t sound real at the moment. PGA Tour’s RSM Classic “It’s more than I ever dreamed of achieving. I’ve seen guys that I Washington: Charles Howell tion and played the back nine think are better players than me kept his bid to end an 11-year on Saturday in five-under with not winning Majors and not win- PGA Tour title drought on track three birdies and an eagle at ning Order of Merits or Race to Saturday, firing a two-under par the par-five 15th. Dubais. To achieve those things 68 for a one-stroke third-round Champ, the big-hitting 23-year- in one single season is just in- lead in the RSM Classic. old who won his first title at the credible.” Howell started the day with a Sanderson Farms Champion- Molinari was also part of Team three-shot cushion, and pushed ship last month, seized his Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over the lead to five with two early share of second place with a the US at Le Golf National in birdies. birdie at 18, where he stuck his September, becoming the fi rst But two back-nine bogeys on second shot less than three feet European to win fi ve points out the par-70 Seaside course in from the pin. of fi ve. Year end honours: Francesco Molinari of Italy. Sea Island, Georgia, left him little Four of those points were compatriot Matt Wallace. breathing room. Thompson in command won in a pairing with team mate Willett missed fi ve of his fi rst His 16-under par total of 196 put Lexi Thompson fired a four-un- Fleetwood. seven cuts this season but a tied- him one clear of veteran Jason der par 68 on Saturday to take “It’s tough in a way because it eighth fi nish at the Italian Open Gore and rising rookie Cameron a commanding three-shot lead would have been probably easier sparked his campaign to life, be- Champ, who both carded four- over Nelly Korda in the LPGA’s in a way to play against anyone fore he claimed his sixth Europe- under par 66s. season-ending Tour Champion- else but him (Fleetwood),” Moli- an Tour title on the Earth Course. Webb Simpson carded a 63 to ship in Naples, Florida. nari added. “You never quite know when share fourth along with Ryan Thompson made four of her “I know how talented he is and a win is around the corner and Blaum, who signed for a 65. five birdies on the back nine I really thought at some point he with all the things that have hap- Howell is a two-time winner at Tiburon Golf Club to put was going to win it and put me in pened, I was never quite sure if it on the PGA Tour, but his most herself in position for a first win a tough spot. was going to happen again,” he recent trip to the winner’s circle of 2018. “He’s obviously a great guy said. came at Riviera in 2007. “Golf is all about momentum,” and a super talented player and “To happen here at the end of Since then he has notched 53 said Thompson, who can ex- I’m sure being younger than me, year, we’ve battled long and hard top-10s and six second-place punge the memory of a missed he’s going to win a few more Race through this season to come out finishes. two-footer that cost her victory to Dubais.” at the end, regardless of what It has been even longer since here last year. Willett produced a late birdie happened today, a better person 44-year-old Gore claimed his “I just tried to keep the same spree to return to the winners’ and a better athlete. It’s a special lone PGA title, in 2005. Since attitude as I did the last two circle for the fi rst time since his Danny Willett of England. place.” Rookie of the Year: then he has seen his career days,” said Thompson, adding memorable US Masters triumph Meanwhile, India’s Shub- Shubhankar Sharma of India. disrupted by back trouble, but that having her brother, Curtis, in 2016. the back nine with two bogeys in sured he signed for a fi nal round hankar Sharma was confi rmed he is making the most this on her bag had kept things The 31-year-old looked to have three holes. 68, fi nishing two shots ahead of as the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie that included two European Tour week of a sponsor’s exemp- relaxed. missed his chance when he began Yet birdies at 14, 15 and 17 en- playing partner Patrick Reed and of the Year, after a debut season titles.

RUGBY Ireland topple NZ to lay down WC marker Reuters world and we had to play the most immediately after the visi- Boks edge past Scotland Dublin best game of this squad’s tenure. tors gave away their sixth penalty The boys showed up everywhere, in just over 20 minutes. tackles that shouldn’t have been It almost paid off with number Edinburgh: Flyhalf Handre scrapped past France over the reland laid down a massive made, plays that shouldn’t have 8 CJ Stander fi rst held up over the Pollard scored 18 points to previous two weekends. Scot- marker ahead of next year’s been made,” man-of-the-match line and when Ireland bulldozed provide the platform for a land, meanwhile, lost for the World Cup by beating hold- Peter O’Mahony said in a pitch- through the resulting scrum, narrow 26-20 win for South second time in three weeks Iers New Zealand for just side interview. fullback Rob Kearney should Africa over hosts Scotland in after losing to Wales in Cardiff . the second time with a compel- “It’s a big piece of history for have touched down but instead their test at Murrayfield on South Africa were first to score ling 16-9 victory in a clash of the us and one we wanted to tick off knocked on Sexton’s opportunis- Saturday. in the sixth minute through world’s top two teams on Satur- in Ireland.” tic chip over the top. The two countries traded two centre Kriel after Pollard had day. The game began with the same Barrett quickly levelled the tries each in a magnificent, cut through the home defence Just two years after claiming an ferocious physicality as the sides’ scoring again, this time with an open first half before Pollard’s with a darting run to set up All Black scalp for the fi rst time last meeting two years ago when eff ortless drop goal from dis- boot edged the Springboks the chance. in a famous day in Chicago, the the world champions gained re- tance, but Ireland continued to to victory in a contrastingly Huw Jones’ enterprising champions of the northern hem- venge for Chicago with a bruising put the pressure on with 22-year- tense and bruising second attacking play then set up isphere dominated the best the win in Dublin. old lock James Ryan once more period where only three more Scotland’s first reply after 19 south has to off er with the 12th The hosts came out on top from hugely impressive all over the penalties were added. minutes with a clever switch and most important try of winger the off , fi rst stubbornly keep- park. Pete Horne and Hamish pass putting Pete Horne over Jacob Stockdale’s young, 14-test ing their opponents out at their Rattled, New Zealand’s pen- Watson went over for Scotland at the end of sweeping move career proving decisive. own end led by a near-possessed alty count inched towards double while Jesse Kriel and Pollard halfway up the field. The win, Ireland’s 17th in their O’Mahony before going through fi gures as another Sexton penalty were South Africa’s try scorers, But within two minutes Scot- last 18 Tests, was also their fi rst the phases at the other to hand gave Ireland a 9-6 halftime lead, a with Pollard adding two con- land paid the price for over- over the All Blacks at home and Johnny Sexton an easy opening poor return for their dominance. versions and three penalties. adventurous play with ball in set expectations to feverish levels penalty. They were nearly made to pay Greg Laidlaw kicked 10 points hand in their own 22 as they at an electric Aviva Stadium for a It was telling that Beauden early in the second period when for Scotland. were snagged and Springbok team that has never before gone Barrett opted successfully for the Kieran Read charged down a risky It was another close call for captain Siya Kolisi forced a beyond a World Cup quarter- posts rather than the corner with Stockdale chip-kick but failed South Africa, who lost to turnover that set Pollard away fi nal. Ireland’s Luke McGrath (L) celebrates with Keith Earls on the final his fi rst opportunity in range, an to gather with the try line at his England by a point and then for a try to make it 14-7. “They’re the best team in whistle at the Aviva stadium in Dublin on Saturday. option Sexton turned down al- mercy. Gulf Times Monday, November 19, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS MOTORCYCLING Dovizioso wins thrilling MotoGP Zverev stuns Djoko season fi nale

Reuters place in the championship Valencia ahead of Yamaha teammate and pole-sitter Maverick Vinales, who was one of sever- talian Andrea Dovizioso al riders to crash out as condi- to win ATP Finals mastered wet conditions tions took a turn for the worse. in a dramatic two-part Marc Marquez, who ‘I really cannot describe it. It’s the biggest title I have ever won’ race to win the MotoGP wrapped up his fi fth world ti- Iseason fi nale at the Valencia tle with three races to spare in Grand Prix yesterday. Japan last month, went down The Ducati rider twice with 21 laps to go after start- passed Suzuki’s Alex Rins, the ing fi fth. long-time leader, before and The red fl ags were out on after a 40-minute red-fl ag lap 15, and the race order was stoppage to record his fourth rolled back to lap 13. victory of the season. Spaniard Rins held the A crash for seven-times lead off the line but Dovizio- champion Valentino Rossi so passed him on the main with fi ve laps to go handed Pol straight on the next lap, before Espargaro and KTM their fi rst pulling away to take the cheq- podium in the premier class. uered fl ag with a healthy ad- Rossi still secured third vantage of 2.75 seconds.

Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso celebrates winning the MotoGP season finale at the Valencia Grand Prix yesterday. (Reuters)

BADMINTON/ HONG KONG OPEN Okuhara downs Intanon in fi nal

Germany’s Alexander Zverev celebrates with the trophy after winning the ATP Tour Finals defeating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in London yesterday. (Reuters) AFP before next month’s World Hong Kong Tour fi nals in China. Intanon AFP court, the fi rst set went with sure on their opponents’ serve had won four of their previ- London serve until the ninth game, Kumkhum outclasses Lisicki to win title until Bryan and Sock buckled ous fi ve match-ups and the when Djokovic dumped a fore- in the seventh game. The fi fth apan’s Nozomi Okuhara respect between the players hand into the net to concede the Thailand’s Luksika Kumkhum to keep up with Kumkhum’s seeds broke back immediately to said her triumph over was palpable, with Okuhara lexander Zverev em- break. powered past former Wimble- searing groundstokes. It took level at 4-4 but remained vulner- a determined Ratch- sharing a long embrace in her phatically announced Roared on by the crowd, Zver- don finalist Sabine Lisicki 6-1 6-3 Kumkhum just 21 minutes to able on their own serve and suc- anok Intanon in yester- opponent’s court at the end of his arrival at the top ev hit three aces on his way to cumbed again in the 11th game, day’sJ Hong Kong Open fi nal play. “I feel like my perform- to clinch the Taipei Open title wrap up the opening set before of the men’s game by sealing the fi rst set. yesterday. converting another break point squandering opportunities of is a massive confi dence boost ance at the moment is quite beatingA Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 Djokovic, renowned as one of their own in the following game ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. good,” Intanon told reporters. Second seed Kumkhum, who to claim her second WTA 125k to win his fi rst ATP Finals title the greatest returners the game had not dropped a set in the series title of the season. to lose the fi rst set 7-5. Both players were hungry “It was a tough game for me. yesterday. has seen, had been even more previous rounds, maintained Kumkhum, who won her maid- The American pair, who lost for the win, drawing level 13 It’s not easy to beat her but I The 21-year-old German, impressive on serve in London, that clinical record against the en career title at Mumbai Open 6-2, 6-2 to their eighth-seeded times in the second game be- tried my best. She is a strong making his second appearance winning all 36 games heading German wildcard. earlier this month, is enjoying opponents in the group stage at fore the sixth-ranked Okuhara woman, she always plays long at the end-of-season show- to the fi nal and facing just two Lisicki was on the back foot the best spell of her career, the ATP season fi nale, raced out beat the Thai, a former world rallies and I tried to hold her piece, brushed aside six-time break points. early in the contest as she having reached a highest-ever of blocks in the second set, taking champion, 21-19, 24-22 in 64 and fi ght to the end.” champion Roger Federer in the He beat Zverev 6-4, 6-1 in dropped her serve three times ranking of world number 80 at it in 24 minutes with two breaks minutes. “This match is very In the women’s doubles, semi-fi nals and repeated the feat their round-robin match on in the opening set, struggling the start of November. of serve to force a match tie- important for me,” she said af- top-ranked Yuki Fukushima against the world number one. Wednesday but it was a diff erent break.Bryan and Sock carved out terwards. and Sayaka Hirota beat Korean “I really cannot describe it. It’s story in front of a packed and vo- a 9-5 lead but could not fi nish the Okuhara went on to say that challengers Lee So-hee and the biggest title I have ever won,” ciferous crowd in London. vic got back on level terms but BRYAN AND SOCK WIN ATP match, squandering fi ve champi- she would spend the next year Shin Seung-chan 21-18, 21-17. said Zverev. Still on a high after sealing the the German broke again to lead FINALS DOUBLES TITLE onship points and saving one for working to secure her place at Lee and Shin both fell on the The Serbian top seed came fi rst set, the third seed broke an 2-1 as the Serb’s error count Mike Bryan and Jack Sock won the French before they sealed the next year’s Olympics along- court to save a long second- into the match seeking to equal out-of-sorts Djokovic immedi- climbed. the ATP Finals doubles title in set 13-11. Sock, who appeared in side world number two Akane game rally to level at 15-all Federer’s record of six ATP Fi- ately at the start of the second He broke Djokovic for the thrilling fashion, coming from the ATP Finals singles last year, Yamaguchi, who Intanon beat before conceding the next fi ve nals wins but was immediately set to leave the top seed with a third time in the second set in a set down to beat French pair teamed up with Mike Bryan after in three games in the quarter-fi - points. The Japanese duo are aware he had a fi ght on his hands mountain to climb. the ninth game, producing a Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Bryan’s twin brother, Bob, suf- nals. “I and Akane will get a gold now 2-0 against Lee and Shin at London’s O2 Arena. Showing nerves for the fi rst stunning backhand down the Nicolas Mahut 5-7, 6-1, 13-11. fered a hip injury in May and won medal,” she said. “Of course.” after their two-game victory With both players going toe- time, he double-faulted twice in line at full stretch to win the In an entertaining match both the doubles titles at Wimbledon Yesterday was Okuhara’s in the Asian Games quarter- to-toe from the back of the his next service game as Djoko- championship. teams exerted consistent pres- and the US Open. last game of the tournament fi nals.

SPOTLIGHT Dominant Ogier rules world rally for sixth year AFP Toyota (368 pts) won the construc- GAVE EVERYTHING damage our car and had to retire.” Coff s Harbour, Australia tors championship ahead of Hyundai The rain that had been forecast for (341), M-Sport Ford (324), and Cit- the region fi nally arrived early Sun- RESULTS roen (237). day, leaving the forest roads treach- 1. Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN/Toyota ominant Frenchman Se- Ogier admitted he drove some of erously slippery, as overnight leader Yaris) 2hr 59m 52.0sec, 2. Hayden bastien Ogier clinched his the stages Sunday “like my grandma Tanak found to his cost, sliding into Paddon (NZL/Hyundai) at 32.5sec, sixth world rally title yes- would do”, knowing any mistakes the trees on stage two of the day. 3. Mads Ostberg (NOR/Citroen) terday in a gripping fi nal could be costly at a race won by Finn- He lost 12 seconds with teammate 52.2, 4. Esapekka Lappi (FIN/Toyota raceD of the year at Australia, denying ish Toyota driver Jari-Matti Latvala, Latvala taking the overall lead in a Yaris) 1min 02.3sec, 5. Sebastien Belgian Thierry Neuville and Esto- 32.5secs ahead of New Zealand’s race that the Estonian had to not only Ogier (FRA/Ford Fiesta) 2:30.8, 6. nia’s Ott Tanak maiden crowns. Hayden Paddon in a Hyundai. win but also claim bonus points in the Elfyn Evans (GBR/Ford Fiesta) 3:05.1, In one of the closest seasons of re- “It’s been an incredible season, so event-closing stage to have any hope 7. Craig Breen (IRE/Citroen) 8:59.0, cent times, the M-Sport Ford driver tough, and this is so emotional,” said of eclipsing Ogier. 8. Pedro Heller (CHI/Ford Fiesta) came to Coff s Harbour with a three- the Frenchman, who fi nished fi fth in The measured Frenchman was 22:28.5 point cushion over Hyundai’s Neu- Australia. taking no risks, unlike Neuville who ville and 23 in front of Toyota ace “I am so proud of what I have touched a bank while pushing hard Power Stage Tanak. achieved and so proud of our team. and then had exhaust trouble in 1. Ogier 5 pts, 2. Lappi 4, 3. Ostberg 3, All he needed to do was stay ahead We’ve had an amazing journey to- morning action. 4. Evans 2, 5. Latvala 1 of the Belgian and in touch with Tan- gether.” Despite this he managed to chip ak over the three days of frantic driv- He has now won six titles in a row away at the lead, but it was ultimately Final 2018 world championship ing along dusty and slippery roads. to move within three of the greatest futile. standings The experienced campaigner and driver ever, fellow Frenchman Se- The Belgian needed to haul back 1. Sebastien Ogier (FRA/Ford) 219 pts, his co-driver Julien Ingrassia did just bastien Loeb, who claimed nine on 39 seconds over the fi nal three stages 2. Thierry Neuville (BEL/Hyundai) that, getting an early edge when Neu- the trot between 2004-2012. It was but he stopped on the third-last stage 201, 3. Ott Tanak (EST/Toyota) 181, 4. ville lost 40 seconds on day one after his last race for Ford ahead of a switch with damage to his car, and when Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN/Toyota) 128. 5. blowing a tyre. next year to Citroen on a two-year Tanak failed to fi nish the penultimate Esapekka Lappi (FIN/Toyota) 126, 6. When Neuville swiped a bank and deal. stage, Ogier was champion. Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR/Hyundai) ripped a wheel from his car and Tanak He was part of the Citroen team “We’ve been giving everything and 84, 7. Elfyn Evans (GBR/Ford) 80, 8. clipped a tree, forcing their retire- between 2008-11 before decamp- took some risks to try to get the title,” Hayden Paddon (NZL/Hyundai) 73 ments as they took risks in a desper- ing to Volkswagen between 2013-16 said Neuville. ate bid to make up time on Sunday when he won four world titles, and “We had nothing to lose anymore. Final 2018 constructors standings afternoon, the title was his before the then M-Sport Ford where he won his In SS22, the conditions were really 1. Toyota 368 pts, 2. Hyundai 341, 3. Ford driver Sebastien Ogier of France speeds through a creek on the first day of the World rally fi nished. fi fth and sixth. bad. We went wide, clipped a tree, M-Sport Ford 324, 4. Citroen 237. Rally Championship (WRC) Rally Australia near Coff s Harbour on November 16. (AFP)

Monday, November 19, 2018 GULF TIMES CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT England’s Root pleased aft er leading by example in Pallekele

Reuters and backed it up myself.” spitting, keeping low, but he’s Pallekele, Sri Lanka England’s series win in Sri done phenomenally well, and Lanka was their fi rst in Asia makes it look a lot easier than it since their victory in India six is which is fantastic to have as ngland captain Joe Root years ago. England needed three a wicketkeeper. “His runs have was particularly pleased wickets on the fi nal day in Palle- been fantastic as well. His de- that he practised what he kele with the hosts also in with a meanour out in the middle is one preached after his sublime chance for a series-levelling win of someone who has played a lot centuryE set up the team’s series- as they required 75 and had the more than he has. He has a great clinching victory in the second dangerous Niroshan Dickwella attitude towards learning and Test against Sri Lanka yester- still at the crease. improving himself.” day. Root’s 124 in the second in- “We were pretty confi dent,” nings came at a crucial juncture Root said.”We knew we’d be able CURRAN IN DOUBT FOR for England who had conceded a to create three chances on that COLOMBO TEST fi rst-innings lead of 46 and were surface, but we also recognised Sam Curran could be a doubt for then reduced to 109 for four. that when partnerships devel- the third Test in Colombo next Having implored his team to oped it became quite diffi cult. week, after coach Trevor Bayliss play bold and courageous cricket “We tried to stay as calm as pos- warned that he could risk aggra- in Sri Lanka, where England had sible, trust all the plans we had, vating a side strain he sustained not won a series since 2001, the and follow through on that, and during the Pallekele Test. Curran, 27-year-old then showed how to thankfully it paid off .” who made a vital half-century in do it on a turning track. A nim- The England captain also had England’s fi rst innings, bowled ble-footed Root often danced special words of praise for wick- just four overs in the match and down the wicket and used both etkeeper Ben Foakes, who re- none at all in the second innings the traditional and reverse sweep placed injured Jonny Bairstow after appearing to hurt himself shots to negate the Sri Lankan behind the stumps for the vic- while batting. “We’ll have to wait spinners, hitting 10 fours and two tories in Galle and Pallekele. The and see,” said Bayliss. “I don’t sixes in his knock. 25-year-old was not only im- think it’s a bad one, we just don’t “I’m really pleased to back up pressive with glovework but also want to risk making it worse.” everything I’ve spoken about made crucial contributions with Asked if there was a tempta- and the way that I did it,” Root, the bat, hitting a maiden hundred tion to retain Curran as a bats- who was adjudged man-of-the- on debut and following it up with man only, Bayliss hinted that that match for his 15th Test hundred, an unbeaten 65 in the second in- was an unlikely route to take. said after his team won the Test nings of the second Test. “Playing as a batsman brings by 57 runs. “It’s nice to make a big “Foakes has made it look a lot extra pressure,” he said. “We’ve contribution but the thing that easier than it should look, both got players down the bottom who sits well with me is the manner in keepers have,” said Root. “Both can bat, but it is their second skill which I did it. I asked the guys to stood back and up, with the ball which sometimes makes it just a play a certain way, and I went out not carrying at times. It’s been little bit easier.”

FIRST TEST SECOND TEST Spinners help England end Hasan, Yasir 17-year wait in Sri Lanka Reuters SCOREBOARD Pallekele, Sri Lanka ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS 290 pin duo Moeen Ali and Jack Leach com- SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS 336 bined to end England’s 17-year wait for a ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS 346 Test series victory in Sri Lanka after bowl- put Pakistan ing the tourists to a 57-run victory in the SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS secondS Test yesterday. Moeen struck twice in Niroshan Dickwella c Stokes b Moeen Ali 35 three deliveries and Leach completed his maiden Akhila Dananjaya not out 8 fi ve-wicket haul as the tourists took a little over 30 minutes on the fi nal morning to seal victory Suranga Lakmal b Moeen Ali 0 and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three- M. Pushpakumara c and b Leach 1 Test series. Extras (b5, lb4) 9 Sri Lanka resumed on 226 for seven, need- on victory path ing 75 to keep the series alive after their opening Total (all out; 74 overs) 243 loss in Galle, but were all out for 243 as England Fall of Wickets 14-1 (K. Silva), 16-2 (de Silva), completed their fi rst away series win in tests since 26-3 (Mendis), 103-4 (Karunaratne), 176-5 (R. Pakistan, needing 176 to win, were 37 for no loss at stumps on day three beating South Africa at the beginning of 2016. Silva), 221-6 (Mathews), 226-7 (D. Perera), The England side led by Nasser Hussain were 240-8 (Dickwella), 240-9 (Lakmal) AFP the last to register a series victory in Sri Lanka Bowling: Anderson 5-2-12-0, Leach 28-2-83-5, Abu Dhabi in 2001 and Joe Root’s men arrived in the coun- Moeen Ali 19-2-72-4, Adil Rashid 17-1-52-1, Root try winless in their last 13 Tests away from home. 5-0-15-0 Their last series victory in Asia was in India six ast bowler Hasan Ali and years ago and not many would have bet on Eng- Result: England win by 57 runs and take 2-0 leg-spinner Yasir Shah land to win with a match to spare against Sri Lan- lead in three-match series took fi ve wickets apiece ka, who defeated South Africa 2-0 at home in July. to set Pakistan on the For the fi rst time in a Test match, spinners utes while picking up singles to advance towards pathF to victory on the third day claimed 38 wickets with Leach and Moeen shar- their target but Moeen broke their resistance by of the fi rst Test against New Zea- ing 14 between them on a turning track at Palle- dismissing Dickwella, who was caught at slip by land in Abu Dhabi yesterday. kele. Sri Lanka’s stand-in captain Lakmal was the Stokes for 35. Hasan collected his maiden only quick to pick up a wicket while the other was The off -spinner then sent back Lakmal for a fi ve-wicket haul with 5-45 while a run out. It was also the fi rst time since 1973 in duck two deliveries later before Malinda Pushpa- Yasir fi nished with 5-110 — the Karachi that no seamer took a wicket in a Test for kumara spooned a catch straight back to left-arm 14th time he has taken fi ve wick- England. spinner Leach. Sri Lanka batted well in both in- ets in a Test innings — as New When play resumed yesterday, Sri Lanka’s nings but Sam Curran’s counter-attacking 64 in Zealand collapsed from 220-4 to hopes of squaring the series rested entirely on the fi rst innings and Root’s century under pres- 249 all out soon after tea. That wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who was un- sure in the second made the diff erence for Eng- left Pakistan needing 176 to win. beaten on 27 overnight. The hosts managed to land. The third and fi nal Test of the series will By close they were 37 without keep the England spinners at bay for 15 min- start on Friday in Colombo. loss with Imam-ul-Haq on 25 not out and Mohammad Hafeez unbeaten on eight. Pakistan needed another 139 to win with all ten Leg-spinner Yasir Shah finished wickets in hand and two days to with 5-110 — the 14th time he play. Yet New Zealand can take has taken five wickers in heart from the fact that Pakistan a Test innings. (AFP) lost a Test here against Sri Lanka by 21 runs after being set 136 to win last year. BJ Watling and Henry Nicholls defi ed Pakistan after lunch as New Zealand added 67 in the second session without losing a wicket. Yasir broke the fi fth-wicket stand at 112 after tea to start a burst of four wickets in 15 balls. After Pakistan took the new ball at 201-4, Yasir had Nicholls caught beautifully by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed for 55. Ni- cholls hit three boundaries in his England’s Jack Leach (left) celebrates with teammate Jos Buttler after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s 171-ball knock. In his next over, Malinda Pushpakumara during the second test in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. (Reuters) Yasir trapped Colin de Grand- homme leg-before for three. An over later, Yasir ended Watling’s FOCUS 145-ball, 59-run, defi ance leg- his eff ort. “It’s pleasing to record when there was a partnership we ond Test is in Dubai (November before. He then bowled Neil your fi rst fi ve-wicket haul,” said knew we needed just one wicket 24-28) and the third in Abu Dhabi Wagner for nought. Hasan. “I kept it simple and even to run through them.” The sec- (December 3-7). Hasan then wrapped up the in- Oman fi nish with perfect record nings by bowling Ish Sodhi for 18 BRIEF SCORES and had Trent Boult caught off a SCOREBOARD By ICC over Uganda sealed top spot. miscued drive for nought to im- Denmark secured a fi rst win at Kenya 216 all out, 49 overs (Irfan NEW ZEALAND 1ST INNINGS 153 Neil Wagner b Yasir Shah 0 Sohail 7-1-12-0, Bilal Asif 14-3-43-0, Muscat prove on his previous best fi gures the fi fth time of asking thanks Karim 64, Alex Obanda 59; Saif Mohamed Hafeez 3-1-4-0 of 4-51 against England at Lord’s PAKISTAN 1ST INNINGS 227 Ajaz Patel not out 6 to a brilliant partnership be- Ahmad 4-37, Jonas Henriksen in May this year. NEW ZEALAND 2ND INNINGS T Boult c Hafeez b Hasan Ali 0 man ensured it would tween Hamid Shah (105 not out) 3-46) lost to Denmark 218-1, 45.3 In the morning, New Zealand (OVERNIGHT 56/1) Extras (4b 0lb 1nb 1w) 6 PAKISTAN 2ND INNINGS fi nish with a 100 per and Freddie Klokker (80 not overs (Hamid Shah 105 not out, seemed in danger of losing the cent record in the ICC out), which inspired its nine- J Raval c Sarfraz b Hasan Ali 46 Total (100.4 overs) 249 all out Imam ul-Haq not out 25 Freddie Klokker 80 not out; Lucas Test before the end of the day as World Cricket League wicket triumph over Kenya. Oluoch 1-29) three quick wickets fell for just Kane Williamson b Yasir Shah 37 Fall of Wickets : 1-0 Latham, 2-86 Mohammad Hafeez not out 8 DivisionO 3 by recording a big win Singapore and USA will do Uganda 59 all out, 28.3 overs 22 runs with Hasan taking two in Ross Taylor lbw Hasan Ali 19 Williamson, 3-105 Taylor, 4-108 Extras (4b) 4 over Uganda, while Denmark battle for the second promo- (Deusdedit Muhumuza 18 not out; the same over. Raval, 5-220 Nicholls, 6-224 de Total (for no loss in 8 overs) 37 ended its campaign on a high on tion place when they face off H Nicholls c Sarfraz b Shah 55 Fayyaz Butt 5-22, Bilal Khan 4-12) But, on 15, Watling survived a Grandhomme, 7-227 Watling, 8-227 the penultimate day of action. in the fi nal game today – with BJ Watling lbw Yasir Shah 59 Wagner, 9-249 Sodhi, 10-249 Boult Bowling: Trent Boult 3-0 -6-0, lost to Oman 63-0, 17.2 overs (Jat- leg-before decision on review af- Hosts Oman had already se- the USA in the driving seat as it Colin de Grandhomme 3-0-15- inder Singh 36 not out, Twinkal ter umpire Bruce Oxenford raised C de Grandhomme lbw Shah 3 Bowling: Mohammad Abbas cured promotion back to Divi- currently has two more points 0, Ajaz Patel 1-1-0-0, Ish Sodhi Bhandari 22 not out; Henry his fi nger off Bilal Asif. Ish Sodhi b Hasan Ali 18 22-10-31-0; Hasan Ali 17.4-3-45- 1-0-2-0 sion 2 at the fi rst time of asking and a much-superior net run- Hasan said he was pleased with 5, Yasir Shah 37-6-110-5, Haris but a simple ten-wicket victory rate than its opponents. Ssenyondo 0-11)