Nasser al Attiyah seals record 14th MERC title in Kuwait SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2018 PAGE 19

Real Madrid grab vital home win with QNB STARS LEAGUE PAGE 18 late goals against AL DUHAIL VS AL ARABI Biles seals show with a six! American collects a gold and bronze on the final day ’s Artur Dalaloyan makes his and Middle East’s to become the first woman in 30 years to win a medal first World Gymnastics Championships memorable in every event of a world championships finishing with five medals

VINAY NAYUDU DOHA

IN what provided for the perfect golden glow, ensured that she fin- ished her sizzling show at the 48th FIG World Championships Doha 2018 in style emerging as the queen with a total of four golds, a silver and a bronze at a packed Aspire Dome on Sat- urday evening. The record-setting trend continued on the tenth and fi- nal day of the first World Gym- nastics in the Middle East. of China The 21-year-old Biles went competes in the balance on to become the first woman beam event at the 2018 in 30 years, and first American Doha Worlds on ever, to win a medal in every Saturday. The teenager event as she claimed gold on won gold. the floor exercise, and prior to that fetched a bronze on the . Biles, who earlier won gold medals in All-Around, team competition and events besides a silver in un- even bars and bronze in bal- ance beam, is now tied with Russian ’s all-time high of 20 World Championships medals.

RESULTS

Women’s Balance Beam Gold: Liu Ting Ting (CHN) 14.533 Silver: Anne-Marie Padurariu (CAN) 14.100 Bronze: Simone Biles (US) 13.600 Women’s Exercise Gold: Simone Biles (USA) - 14.933 Silver: (USA) - 13.933 Bronze: (JPN) - 13.86 Men’s Vault Gold: Se Gwang Ri (PRK) 14.933 Silver: Artur Dayaloyan (RUS) 14,883 Bronze: Kenzo Shirai (JPN) 14.675 Men’s Parallel Bars Gold: Zou Jingyuan (CHN) 16.433 Silver: Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) 15.591 Bronze: Artur Dalaloyan (RUS) 15.366 Men’s Horizontal Bar Gold winner Epke Zonderland of Gold: Epke Zonderland (NED) 15.100 the Netherlands after his men’s Silver: Kohei Uchimura (JPN) 14.800 Bronze: Sam Mikulak (USA) 14.533 Simone Biles of the United States of America listens to her national Russia’s Artur Dalaloyan from Russia competes on the parallel bars final at the Aspire Dome on Saturday. horizontal bar routine anthem after the floor exercise final on Saturday.(KARIM JAAFAR/AFP) The 22-year-old ended his first World Championships with five medals.(AFP) on Saturday.

No woman had won a medal in every event since Daniela of at the 1988 Olympics; and since the erstwhile ’s Yelena Shushunova did so in 1987 at the Worlds in Rotter- dam, The Netherlands. With the big six (med- als) from Doha Worlds 2018, Biles now also has the record for most overall world titles, by a man or woman, with a total of 14. “I am definitely very hap- py, especially to win a medal in every event. No matter what colour the medal, I’m really proud of myself. It feels really rewarding because I’ve put a lot of hard work and dedication into this sport, so I couldn’t be happier. “I’m really proud of my performances here. I wish some of them would have been Japan’s Kohei Uchumura, who won the silver, is upside down during THE SHOW MOVES ON: Ali al Hitmi, the Executive Director of the Organising Committee of Doha Worlds 2018 & President, Gymnastics better but I’m really proud of his routine on the horizontal bar at the Aspire Dome on Saturday. Federation waves the FIG flag before handing it to FIG President Morinari Watanabe, who handed it to the Mayor of the City of Stuttgart the outcome.” (Germany) Dr. Martin Schairer as hosts of the 2019 World Gymnastics Championships. Later, the only 4 feet 8 ping out of bounds. challenged by two teenagers, inches high athlete – who is Brilliant with her splits Biles chose to play safe in the as I used to be on beam. So I bronze. the men’s high bar, Dalaloyan Possibly the most thrilling a bundle of energy – wrote on and somersaults, Biles who error-strewn beam competi- think it’s a step forward and “It was my first champi- was the last in action in the competition of the week was her instagram “Although I still was the third last of the eight tion and finished third best hopefully from here on out it onship and I got two golds, event and the championships left until last with high bar spe- placed 1st and MADE HIS- gymnasts to go on show with a score of 13.600. can only improve. It was re- two silver and a bronze. I am and seemed to have found his cialist Epke Zonderland taking TORY I’m not entirely pleased scored 14.933 points, much China’s Liu Tingting ally easy to turn around and go very satisfied and pleased with rhythm, but just as the crowd gold for the Netherlands. with my performance. I’m still clear of the last best set by (14.533) and Canada’s Ana Pa- into floor with an open mind.” my performance,” said the got behind his swings, his Injured Japanese idol, Ko- trying to find my confidence. Japan’s 21-year-old Mai Mu- durariu (14.100) got the gold In the last three of men’s Russian later through a hands slipped and he suffered hei Uchimara took silver in his But I won’t give up.” rakami who scored 13.866 – in and silver medals. events, there were more translator. a fall. A return to the routine only individual event of the Indeed, champions rarely the end good enough for the Explaining the safety first medals for the male star of Daloloyan went on to win meant that two points were al- week, his 20th world champi- give up. Biles took her final bronze. approach, Biles later explained the week – Artur Dalaloyan. a bronze in the men’s parallel ready deducted and it was all onship medal. gold of the championships Biles’ compatriot, the saying, “To be completely hon- The 22-year-old Russian was bars behind gold winner Zou over for him. And there was finally a with a floor routine which 17-year-old Morgan was next est, I’m really just happy that forced to settle for a silver by Jingyuan of China and Oleg Dalaloyan ended up with medal — bronze — for Amer- saw her marked a clear point and returned a total of 13.933 I stayed on the beam because North Korea’s 33-year-old Ri Verniaiev of . five medals: two golds, two ica’s luckless Sam Mikulak, ahead of the competition, de- to claim the silver. going into these World Cham- Se-gwang in a close contest. A possible sixth for the silver and a bronze in his first who had finished fourth in spite penalty points for step- An hour and a half earlier, pionships I wasn’t as confident Kenzo Shirai of Japan took Russian couldn’t happen as in world championships. three events this week. Sports Sunday, November 4, 2018 17 ‘With a successful Doha Worlds, Qatar is stepping it up for 2022 World Cup’

German Ambassador says Qatar’s hosting capabilities admirable VINAY NAYUDU DOHA

WITH the successful host- ing of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2018 in Doha, Qatar has not only showcased its capabilities as a sports capital but is also head- ing towards the FIFA 2022 World Cup in the best possible way, feels HE Hans-Udo Mu- zel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Qatar. HE Muzel was speaking on the sidelines of a reception held for Germany’s gymnastics The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany HE Hans-Udo Muzel (2nd right) with Hamad al Nuaimi of Qatar Olympic Committee – pre- team along with the President sent on behalf of Doha Gymnastics Worlds’ Executive Chairman & Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ali al Hitmi; President of the German of the German Gymnastics Gymnastics Federation Dr. Alfons Holzl (left): the Mayor of the City of Stuttgart Dr. Martin Schairer (right); and German gymnast , Federation Dr. Alfons Holzl, who won a broze medal in the individual women’s event of the 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018, at and the Mayor of the City of a reception held for the German national gymnastics team on Saturday. Stuttgart Dr. Martin Schairer, on Saturday. “They have an excellent making the final) was already This all is getting international as a great opportunity to see Germany’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Hans-Udo Muzel and his wife Stuttgart is the host city for infrastructure. Our gymnasts, on alongside the gymnastics focus on this part of the world fantastic work la sport plus to Lilian Muzel-Kiviet with German gymnast Elisabeth Seitz, who won a the 49th Artistic Gymnastics athletes and officials from worlds. Then, you have the in a very positive way.” see Qatar on the way to 2022 broze medal in the individual women’s uneven bars event at the Doha World Championships 2019. Germany – one of the biggest Longines Global Champi- Muzel, however, hoped World Cup,” he said. 2018 Gymnastics World Championships. Commending the Qatar gymnastics federation world- ons Tour showjumping event for more sports tourists to As for German sports fans, Gymnastics Federation and wide – were absolutely amazed coming up. It’s a huge event visit Qatar. Muzel said the 2022 World takes about half an hour to get tries like Russia or Brazil. Qatar Olympic Committee and astonished to see the or- too, imagine the logistics of “As a German Ambas- Cup would be an ideal scenar- to Berlin, half an hour to the “What would also make on the first gymnastics world ganisation, facilities and train- bringing in lots of horses in- sador, I would like to call io for a lot of them to be here. airport and similar time for a Qatar different when it comes championships of the Middle ing venues at the magnificent ternationally into Doha. upon Qatar, the Qatar Tour- “German sports tourists check-in. to the football world cup is East, Muzel said, “We were Aspire Dome. They also have the annual ism Authority, Qatar sports are very keen to be here for the “The flight to Doha is that you can watch two match- not surprised that Qatar of- “Qatar is indeed stepping tennis championships the federations to get together 2022 World Cup. What makes about about five-and-a-half es in a day! Or for that matter, fered to host the gymnastics it up towards 2022 with all Qatar Open in December and with countries like Germany, Qatar a suitable destination hours, and in the next 30 min- you can just fly in and out for world championships because these world events and it is January. , UK and so on in view for Germans is that we have utes I am in my hotel room a match. I think it’s a great it is gearing up for FIFA 2022 admirable. As we can see, the “In 2019, it gets even big- of next year’s athletics cham- direct flight connects from and I can go to the sports fa- new formula and I guess every World Cup. We also know that Qatar Classic squash event ger with the Athletics World pionships to try and attract Frankfurt, Berlin and Mu- cilities. I don’t have to travel, football fan is looking to be in Qatar is quite capable. (where we had a German Championships in October. more sports tourists using this nich. For me, for example, it like one had to in huge coun- Qatar in 2022,” he added. Djoko masters First Test: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Federer in Paris Williams, Masakadza rule even day thriller Visitors score SCOREBOARD ZIMBABWE 1ST INNINGS 236-5 on the H. Masakadza lbw b Jayed ...... 52 B. Chari b Taijul ...... 13 B. Taylor c Nazamul b Taijul ...... 6 opening day S. Williams c Mehidy b Mahmudullah ...... 88 S. Raza b Nazmul ...... 19 AFP Peter Moor not out ...... 37 SYLHET (BANGLADESH) R. Chakabva not out ...... 20 Extras: (lb1) ...... 1 TOTAL: (For five ; 91 overs) ...... 236 SEAN Williams and skip- Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Chari), 2-47 (Taylor), 3-85 per Hamilton Masakadza (Masakadza) 4-129 (Raza), 5-201 (Williams). : Jayed 18-3-61-1, Taijul 27-3-86-2, Ariful slammed a fifty each as Zim- 4-1-7-0, Mehidy 21-6-37-0, Nazmul 19-5-42-1, babwe made 236-5 on the Mahmudullah 2-0-2-1. opening day of the first Test Toss: Zimbabwe. against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Saturday. who tried to play with a cross Williams topscored with bat but failed to connect the 88 off 179 balls after Ma- ball, with a flatter that sakadza hit 52 in his 105 ball kept low. knock to lay the initial foun- The spinner then had dation for Zimbabwe at the Brendan Taylor caught by Sylhet International Nazmul Hossain at forward Stadium, which was hosting short leg. Jayed dismissed its maiden Test. Masakadza in the first over Bangladesh made some of second session, hitting the regular breakthroughs, mostly Zimbabwe Hamilton Masakadza (left) shakes hand with teammate Sean Williams after scoring a batsman plumb on his back by their spinners, but lacked half century on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Saturday.(AFP) foot a leg before out. Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning against Roger Federer in the the penetrating power to com- Debutant left-arm spin- Rolex Paris Masters semi-final on Saturday. 9 pletely unsettle the visiting side Test . Couple of the He was being accompa- Bangladesh had reviewed a leg ner Nazmul Islam bowled playing their first Test in 2018. balls were turning and bounc- nied by Regis Chakabva on 20 before appeal. Sikandar Raza for 19 for his AFP historic 100th title, although Williams received some ing and couple of them were at stumps. The field umpire had maiden wicket to give Bang- PARIS the Wimbledon and US Open support from Peter Moor as keeping quite low and skid- The opening session be- turned down the appeal but ladesh their second success in champion was pushed all the the duo shared 72 runs for the ding through with the arm," longed to Masakadza, who replay indicated that the ball the session. NOVAK Djokovic defeated way by his 37-year-old rival. fifth wicket after the Bangla- Williams said. won the toss and opted to bat, had hit the stumps after pitch- Bangladesh left out Roger Federer in a thrilling desh spinners looked to have “After a few days, maybe and Bangladesh left-arm spin- ing outside off. Mustafizur Rahman, Moham- semi-final at the Paris Masters Pliskova out of Fed Cup slowly gained control. day three or four you're going ner Taijul Islam, with the lat- Bangladesh had earlier mad Mithun, Shafiul Islam, on Saturday to extend his win- final with torn calf Skipper Mahmudullah de- to start to see a little more turn ter claiming two wickets before reviewed a leg before appeal Khaled Ahmed and handed a ning run to 22 matches ahead Prague: World number nied Williams his second Test and up and down bounce.” finishing the day with 2-36. against Brian Chari - Test debut to all-rounder Ariful of his return to world number eight Karolina Pliskova has century when he forced the left- Moor – who was reprieved Masakadza led the early ner Taijul in vain, as the replay and left-arm spinner Nazmul. one next week. pulled out of the Fed Cup final hander to give a catch at slip on nine by the TV umpire after charge with two sixes off Taijul showed that the ball took a Brandon Mavuta and Wel- The Serb outlasted Federer against the United States over to Mehidy Hasan after hitting being initially given leg before and four fours but could have feather touch on the bat before lington Masakadza are also in just over three hours to pre- a torn calf muscle, the Czech nine fours in his patient knock. wicket off fast bowler Abu Jayed been dismissed by debutant hitting the pad. making their Test debut for vail 7-6 (8/6), 5-7, 7-6 (7/3). Republic team spokesman “I think it's a very good – survived the day with 37 runs. medium pacer Arfiul Haque if Taijul soon bowled Chari, Zimbabwe. He will meet Russia’s Ka- said on Saturday. ren Khachanov in Sunday’s The team physiotherapist final as he looks to pull level “has diagnosed a torn calf and with Rafael Nadal on 33 career renewed chronic problems with Masters titles. the wrist,” spokesman Karel Djokovic, who will replace Tejkal said in a statement. Langer vows to put smile back into Australian cricket an injury-plagued Nadal at the He added the 26-year-old top of the rankings on Mon- Pliskova had picked up the AFP sword on Thursday. competitive but I do suspect day, now leads Federer 25-22 injury at the recent WTA Fi- PERTH Langer, Lehmann's re- this series will be a little bit overall and has not lost to the nals in Singapore, and that she placement, has pledged to more toned down, especially Swiss since 2015. would be replaced by world AUSTRALIA coach Justin change the win-at-all-costs from the Australian side,” he “Novak is obviously on a doubles number one Barbora Langer vowed Saturday to culture and said he hoped the said on Saturday. roll. You can feel it. At the end Krejcikova on the team. put a smile back into cricket first game of the summer at “Not necessarily from a it came down to a few things The Czechs have also called as South African skipper Faf home would be a step in win- body language point of view, here and there,” said Federer, up seventh-ranked Petra Kvi- Du Plessis said he expects the ning back fans. but maybe from a verbal point who returned to play in Paris tova, 33rd-ranked Barbora sledging to be toned down in “It’s sad, isn't it. Every- of view.” this week for the first time in Strycova and 31st-ranked Ka- their One-day series. one seems to be at each other. Despite Australia being three years. terina Siniakova, Krejcikova’s The two sides meet in There's lots of criticism," he without Smith and Warner “But overall I'm happy doubles partner and fellow Perth on Sunday for the first said of the atmosphere sur- and their poor one-day form, with my game. It's better than doubles world number one. time since the Test series in rounding Australian cricket. Du Plessis said his team won't last week in Basel. There I Pliskova said she was “ter- South Africa this year boiled “What we can do is we can be taking the home side lightly. won the tournament and here ribly sorry” to miss the final. over with Australian players prepare well, we can play good “Whenever you get a I played in the semis and it “Already in Singapore I had attempting to alter the ball cricket, and be entertaining and chance to play against Aus- needed somebody of Novak’s days when even walking hurt with sandpaper. put on a good show so Austral- tralia it feels like you're play- calibre to beat me. and I felt terrible, but I didn’t The cheating saw Steve ians can start smiling a bit. ing against a very good cricket “So that’s all right. And I’m think it was important,” she Smith, David Warner and "One thing sport can do Australia coach Justin Langer. team,” he said. looking forward to a rest now said in a tweet. “Our team is so Cameron Bancroft banned, and the Australian cricket can “When you look at what and a good preparation for strong that the girls will replace while David Lehmann quit do is put smiles on faces rather nationals and are desperate Du Plessis said he expected they've got in their squad at London (ATP Finals).” me,” she added as the Czechs are as coach. Cricket Australia than everyone throwing stones to get off on the right foot in less verbal banter on Sunday the moment on paper there Djokovic will go in search looking to improve their 2-10 chief executive James Suther- at each other.” Perth, with two more one-day- than in the past. are some fantastic names of a fifth Paris trophy after head-to-head Fed Cup score land has since left and chair- Australia have lost 16 of ers and a Twenty20 against “An Australia-South Africa there with the ball and with denying Federer a shot at a against the defending champs. man David Peever fell on his their past 18 one-day inter- the Proteas to follow. series is always going to be the bat.” 18 Sunday, November 4, 2018 Sports ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Real Madrid grab Gray lifts pained Leicester, vital win with late goals against Liverpool held by Arsenal Valladolid Leicester beat Cardiff after emotional tributes to late owner Vichai; Lacazette’s goal earns Arsenal draw The win lifts Real provisionally from AFP LONDON ninth place up to sixth REUTERS few good results we'll get the LEICESTER paid an emo- MADRID fans believing in us again." tional tribute to Vichai Sri- Gareth Bale was given vaddhanaprabha as the REAL Madrid ended their long particularly rough treatment grief-stricken club won 1-0 at wait for a victory by from the home fans when he Cardiff following their owner's beating Real Valladolid 2-0 on was substituted and not even tragic death, while Alexandre Saturday with two late goals in usual favourite Marco Asensio Lacazette's late equaliser gave interim coach Santiago Solari's escaped the howls of unhappy Arsenal a 1-1 draw against new first home game in charge of supporters when he made way Premier League leaders Liver- the struggling European cham- for Vinicius, who had barely pool on Saturday. pions. played under Solari's prede- Thai billionaire Vichai was Brazilian teenager Vinicius cessor Julen Lopetegui. among five people killed when Jr. gave the new coach and an Vinicius had excited fans in his helicopter crashed outside impatient Bernabeu crowd a lift the Copa del Rey against Melil- Leicester's King Power Sta- in the 83rd minute by cutting in la in midweek and his flair and dium following last Saturday's from the left and firing a shot match against West Ham. which was heavily deflected Self belief The horrific accident trig- into the net off Valladolid's Kike gered a week of mourning Olivas and awarded as an own “When things don’t go your in Leicester and around the goal to the defender. way you have to keep calm world of football. Real had been fortunate not and keep sacrificing and we With Vichai's funeral un- to go behind on two occasions kept believing, even though we derway on Saturday in Bang- in the second half when Ruben were up against a team who kok, Leicester headed to Car- Alcaraz and Toni Villa ham- have been playing very well diff for a match that served as mered the crossbar, but the a chance to honour their late home side sealed a first win in and it was a difficult occasion owner and begin the healing six league games when captain because of the run we’ve process. Sergio Ramos netted an 88th- been in and changing coach,” While results have been minute penalty. Sergio Ramos said. rendered irrelevant by the The win lifted Real provi- crash, it was fitting that Leices- sionally from ninth place up ter took the points in their first to sixth in the standings on 17 bursts of pace injected some match since Vichai's death, points, four behind leaders Bar- verve into Solari's side which thanks to Demarai Gray's sec- celona who play at Rayo Valle- led to them finally breaking the ond-half winner at the Cardiff cano later on Saturday. deadlock, even though the goal City Stadium. Still reeling from their hu- owed a lot to Olivas' unfortu- Leicester goalkeeper miliating 5-1 defeat at Barca nate attempt to block the shot. Kasper Schmeichel felt the last week, Real made an im- The goal was harsh on Val- tragedy more than most as he pressive start against a Val- ladolid and sucked the life out witnessed the immediate af- Leicester City’s Demarai Gray (centre) reveals his under shirt which reads “For Vichai” as he celebrates his goal with teammates during their ladolid side unbeaten in their of the visitors, whose defender termath of the crash moments Premier League match against Cardiff City at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. (AFP) last six outings but their early Nacho gave away a clumsy after the helicopter went chances soon dried up and penalty by falling into Benze- down. At Dean Court, Marcus they were loudly booed off at ma and Ramos coolly convert- "I feel proud. It's been a Rashford's close-range finish halftime. ed from the spot, transforming really tough week for every- in stoppage-time helped Man- "When things don't go your the earlier boos into relieved one. The way everyone at the chester United hit back to win way you have to keep calm celebrations. club handles themselves is a 2-1 after a dismal opening pe- and keep sacrificing and we "We needed to win, and testament to the family Vichai riod. kept believing, even though we you don't get out of tough mo- built," Schmeichel said. Callum Wilson's 11th-min- were up against a team who ments like the one we are in "That took a lot. It has been ute opener for Bournemouth have been playing very well by winning easily," Solari said an emotional day. I'm glad we was cancelled out by Anthony and it was a difficult occasion of the scrappy nature of the got three points for him. Martial's 35th-minute effort because of the run we've been victory. "I would like to win "I can't imagine what his as United survived a series in and changing coach," Ra- every game 7-0 with three bi- family are going through. of missed chances from the mos said. cycle kick goals but football is We did it for him and his hosts. "We have to lift ourselves more complicated than that. family." It was United's third vic- up, we understand the fans You have moments of beauty Leicester's players had tory in their last four league frustrations and why they are when everything goes well and worn white t-shirts bearing games, but boss Jose Mour- booing. We have to change delicate times when you have to Vichai's image and the words inho was furious with his that, and after we scored the be organised, serious and show "The Boss" on the front of side's latest sloppy start. fans were lifted again. With a competitive spirit." them during the pre-match "I said at half-time I was warm-up. the luckiest manager in the On the back an inscription Premier League in a half when read "Khun Vichai You Will Be the score should be like 6-2," Forever In Our Hearts". Mourinho said. A minute's silence was "We were defensively aw- impeccably observed, with a ful. The first half was a disas- wreath laid on the pitch and ter. The second half was much images of Vichai shown on better." the scoreboards behind either Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette (right) vies with Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker during their Premier Newcastle earned their goal. League match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday. (AFP) first league win this season Leicester's players and as Ayoze Perez's 66th-minute staff linked arms on the cen- It earned Gray a booking Arsenal and title-chasing Liv- in the 61st minute. header sealed a 1-0 success tre circle to pay tribute dur- from referee Lee Probert in a erpool would have hogged the But fourth placed Arsenal against Watford at St James' ing a poignant silence that left move that followed the letter spotlight which instead shone extended their unbeaten run Park. Schmeichel in tears. of the law, but showed little on Leicester. in all competitions to 14 games After 10 matches with- Claude Puel's team, play- common sense given the cir- The Emirates Stadium as French striker Lacazette out a victory, Rafael Benitez's ing with poise and desire de- cumstances. clash proved a classic encoun- smashed home from a tight side finally broke their duck spite their traumatic week, Leicester's players hud- ter as Arsenal showed they are angle in the 82nd minute. to climb out of the relegation finally had a cathartic moment dled together in celebration at capable of going toe to toe with Liverpool, unbeaten in zone. in the 55th minute. full-time, with many of them the top four after years of un- their 11 league games this sea- Richarlison's brace in- A superb cross from Ben due to fly to Thailand to join derachievement. son, move one point above spired Everton's 3-1 win over Chilwell was finished off by Vichai's funeral immediately Unai Emery's side fell be- Manchester City, who would Brighton . Gray, who celebrated by lifting after the game. hind to James Milner's clini- reclaim top spot if they avoid West Ham ended a three- his shirt to reveal a message On any other weekend, the cal finish after Bernd Leno defeat against Southampton match winless league run with Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos celebrates during their Spanish league that read "For Vichai". showdown between revitalised pushed out Sadio Mane's cross on Sunday. a 4-2 victory against Burnley. match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Saturday. (AFP) Kashima take 2-0 lead in Asian CL final Dortmund win again, Bayern held by Freiburg

Brazilian duo Leo Silva and Serginho strike second-half goals against Persepolis of Iran DPA ended Bayer Leverkusen's re- BERLIN vival with a 4-1 victory there, REUTERS Beiranvand little chance in and Augsburg drew 2-2 with KASHIMA, JAPAN the 58th minute and the first- BORUSSIA Dortmund pre- Nuremberg. leg result was put beyond any vailed 1-0 at Wolfsburg on Bayern had won 16 of their BRAZILIAN duo Leo Silva doubt in the 70th minute when Saturday and opened up a 18 previous unbeaten home and Serginho scored to ensure Serginho's shot beat Iran's four-point lead over Bayern games against Freiburg, in- Kashima Antlers take a two- World Cup goalkeeper after Munich ahead of their topper cluding all eight in their new goal advantage into the second the Persepolis defence failed to next week because the cham- arena, but they struggled from leg of the Asian Champions clear. The Iranian side's hopes pions had to swallow a late 1-1 the outset in the first Bundesli- League final next week follow- were hit further by Siamak equalizer against Freiburg. ga club match for Joshua Kim- ing their 2-0 victory over Iran's Nemati's sending off in injury The results mean that mich as holding midfielder in Persepolis on Saturday. time for a second bookable of- Dortmund will remain top into place of injured Thiago Alcan- Antlers, who are looking fence, meaning the midfielder the next international break, tara. to win the continental title for will miss the return at the regardless of the outcome of Bayern finally seemed on the first time, took the lead two Azadi Stadium next Saturday, the November 10 league sum- course to victory with 10 min- minutes before the hour mark when the teams will face off in mit. utes left from Gnabry's low when Leo Silva picked the ball Tehran in front of an expected Dortmund won from shot into the near right corner up on the edge of the area be- crowd of more than 80,000 Marco Reus' first-half header but Hoeler then sneaked in- fore firing a low left-foot shot fans. while Bayern saw Serge Gna- between Jerome Boateng and into the bottom corner of Al- "This is a good result for bry 's 80th-minute strike can- Niklas Suele to grab a surprise ireza Beiranvand's goal. the Kashima team, 2-0 is a big celled out by Lucas Hoeler in equalizer and spoil the day for Twelve minutes later, result," said Persepolis coach the 89th as a run of four wins the hosts. Serginho scored his fifth goal in Kashima Antlers’ Leo Silva (left) celebrates his goal with teammate Yuma Suzuki during their AFC Champi- Branko Ivankovic. ended with another below-par "You could see we didn't five Asian Champions League ons League first leg match against Persepolis in Kashima, Japan, on Saturday.(AFP) "But we showed what we performance. shine in the last weeks. There games since joining Kashima can do. I expect and we hope Unbeaten Dortmund top are phases when we play well in the summer from Santos "Looking at the second half, and we want to concentrate on Kashima struggled for flu- that we will be better than to- the table with 24 points, and but we don't do it all the time. when he latched on to Kento it was the ideal performance the next game, not only in the ency in the opening 20 minutes day. We will try to do our best. Munich take 20 into next Sat- We must ask ourselves why we Misao's through ball to beat from my team," said Kashima Asian Champions League but but the eight-time Japanese It won't be easy. If it was 1-0 or urday's trip to Dortmund. allow these matches to turn," Beiranvand and leave Persepo- coach Go Oiwa. we also have a domestic league champions asserted them- 0-0 it would be the same be- Elsewhere, ailing Schalke captain and goalkeeper Ma- lis facing a tough challenge in "But this is only the first game as well so we just want to selves as the game wore on. cause Kashima play the same got an important 3-1 victory nuel Neuer told Sky TV. "We the second leg. half of a game of 180 minutes keep going." Leo Silva's opener gave way away from home." against Hanover, Hoffenheim must be cooler." Sports Sunday, November 4, 2018 19 Record-breaking Attiyah seals 14th MERC title at Kuwait Rally nacchini. The success also marked Kuwait International Rally positions after SS13 Thefiri and Kahy an astonishing 15th regional title in 16 seasons for Ken Skidmore’s Au- 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Ford Fiesta R5 celebrate MERC 2 totek Motorsport operation, which 1hr 58min 24.8sec and MERC 3 titles also guided the late Misfer al Marri 2. Meshari al Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser al Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X to the title in 2010. 2hrs 10min 43.8sec “This a fantastic result for me 3. Nasser Khalifa al Attiyah (QAT)/Nicola Arena (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and the whole team after another 2hrs 26min 28.3sec ARIFJAN (KUWAIT) excellent season,” said Attiyah. “To 4. Vojtech Stajf (CZE)/Ladislav Kucera (CZE) Skoda Fabia R5 break the long-standing record is RECORD-BREAKING Nasser Saleh very satisfying. There have been 2hrs 29min 30.7sec al Attiyah confirmed a 14th FIA many memories along the way and 5. Khaled Juma (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Middle East Rally Championship many battles with some great driv- 2hrs 40min 21.3sec (MERC) title with a dominant vic- ers. Now we can look to the future 6. Abdullah al Rawahi (OMN)/Ata al Hmoud (JOR) Subaru Impreza tory in the 25th Kuwait International and pushing ahead with more re- 2hrs 49min 39.7sec Rally at Kuwait Motor Town on Sat- cords of our own.” 7. Henry Kahy (LBN)/Musa Djiyerian (JOR) Škoda Fabia urday. Kuwaiti driver Meshari al The- 2hrs 57min 43.4sec The Qatari’s seventh win in Ku- firi and Nasser al Kuwari began the 8. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX wait and his 69th career MERC win day in second overall and the local 3hrs 00min 03.5sec (68 rally wins) secured the record- star drove at a measured pace to 9. Shadi Shaban (JOR)/Tarek Al-Taher (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX breaking 14th regional title by the confirm his fourth MERC 2/Group margin of 12min 19.2sec. N title in the regional series. Victory 3hrs 07min 22.6sec Attiyah now has the record for in his home event continues to elude the number of MERC titles to him- the Mitsubishi driver, however. His enth overall. jtech Stajf’s missed out on the re- self after FIA official Jerôme Roussel father Ahmed al Thefiri remains the Nasser Khalifa al Attiyah hadn’t gional title, but the Czech has en- examined the archives recently and only Kuwaiti national ever to win taken part in an MERC event since joyed an impressive debut season confirmed that the 1989 regional se- the event – at the wheel of a Datsun Qatar’s NAsser Saleh al Attiyah with his French co-driver matthieu Baumel the 2007 Dubai International Rally, in the regional series and pushed al ries had been cancelled because only Violet before the MERC was formed celebrate their victory at the Kuwait International Rally on Saturday. but the former QMMF President and Attiyah hard on some stages. He has three rallies had taken place and back in 1981. FIA Vice-President acclimatised to already secured the runner-up spot Dubai driver Mohammed Ben Su- Lebanon’s Henry Kahy and Jor- the tricky conditions with aplomb. in the championship and rewarded layem had actually won 13th official danian navigator Musa Djiyerian Despite missing out on points his mechanics’ hard work on Friday championship titles. celebrated the driver’s first MERC for finishing the opening leg with a solid fourth-placed finish in Attiyah’s French co-driver Mat- 3 title success in a two-wheel drive because of a differential is- his Skoda Fabia R5. thieu Baumel secured his third re- Škoda Fabia, although the category sue, he and Italian nav- The Kuwaiti pairing of Jassim gional title and his 17th MERC event win secured a second successive igator Nicola Arena Al-Muqahwi and Tamer Al-Mutairi win to move ahead of John Spiller series triumph for his navigator – bounced back to were not eligible for the FIA event, and into third in the regional Hall of Musa had co-driven fellow Jorda- round off the but they pedalled their Mitsubishi to Fame behind Ronan Morgan, Chris nian Asem Aref to the title in 2017. podium the National category win and would Patterson and Giovanni Ber- The duo reached the finish in sev- positions. have been fourth overall in the inter- Vo- national.

Wasiak, Melville win thrilling Lusail XC race Haroon, Soria score as TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK third respectively. DOHA The Filipino community was also the strongest in the Al Rayyan beat QSC 2-0 THE second race of the Women Weekend Warrior cat- 2018/2019 Qatar MTB League egory where sisters Alessandra was held at the Lusail Sport Cir- and Katrian Agcaoili won first cuit motocross route on Friday. and second place in front of The recent heavy rains flooded their team mate Veronica In- many parts of the 5 km race serto (all El Padyakero). route, which was previously also In the Men and Women a venue for the Qatar’s Cross- open, Australian Julie Melville Country Rally super stage. (Rasen Sports) took the lead The organizers (UFMBQ of the race until she suffered a and Qatar Cycling Federation) puncture half way. She had to had to make several last minute change the wheel and fell back reroutes and even build a tem- to fourth place. The Aussie porary bridge to cross the water slowly gained back the lead to channel. Still, in some parts of win by more than two minutes the course, the water was una- ahead of Filipinos April Frange voidable and the riders had to (APO bikers Qatar) and Olga tackle crossing the puddles, Robes (Ten-O-Mile). muddy patches and streams of In the Men’s race, Polish water which made for an inter- rider Szymon Wasiak (UCI esting race. coaches) had a fast start and at Beginners and Kids under the front until he crashed on a 16 years kicked off the race with technical section of the course. one lap each. The beginner’s He was caught up with British Al Rayyan players celebrate scoring against Qatar Sports Club during their QNB Stars League match at the race was won by Filipino rider Tom Whateley (Velostar). Both Suheim bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. Veejay Juelar (Team Pogi + riders rode together for the last Ganda). The U-16 race was won few laps. A close sprint decided TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK lead when Soria evaded the game, put the ball to safety. by Indonesian Aditya Prasetyo. the winner with Wasiak taking DOHA offside trap and beat Al Hail Soon, at the other end, In the U-23 race, Qatar Na- the honours. Lebanese Marc after Koh Myong-Jin fed Ahmed Yasin headed the ball tional Team rider Bilal al Saadi Mourad (Rasen Sports) claimed AL Rayyan blanked Qatar SC him with a defence-splitting against the left upright. took the honours, followed the third position. 2-0 in Week 11 of the QNB through pass. Yasin came close for a sec- by his team mate Mohamed in front of Filipino rider Justo all Filipino. The prizes were presented Stars League at the Qatar SC Koh was at it again in the ond time in the 26th minute, Abougabarah and Filipino Jumel (BPMQ). 50+ race podium was also by Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Stadium on Saturday. 65th minute, but this time, but his shot from close range Johndale Galang (BPMQ). The U-50 race was won by all-Filipino which was won by Federation’s Secretary General Musa Haroon (16th min- Lucca and then Soria failed to punched out by Al Ahli goal- The U-40 race was domi- Revelito Pasion (SMCC Apo Ronnie Saclin (SMCC Apo La- Jamal Al Kuwari. ute) and Sebastian Soria connect his cross. keeper Ivanildo Rodrigues. nated by Qatari nationals Mar- Lakay), second was Renante kay), Franklin Rubin (BPMQ) The third event of the Qatar (58th) scored the goals. As the first half drew to a wan al Jalham and Mubarak al Siatan (El Padyakero) and third and Joel Marmolejo (El Mountain Bike League will be Al Rayyan now have 21 AL Ahli score comfortable close, Al Ahli grabbed the lead Alajji (both team Rasen Sports) Nelson Mabag (Colorumboys) Padyakero) came second and held at Al Khor later this month. points. Qatar SC remained on win over Al Khor through Abdelrahman who hit 11. In the late game, Al Ahli home a rebound from Al Bakri Al Rayyan, who last week defeated Al Khor 2-0 in Week who first blocked Mouhcine occupied the second position 11 of the QNB Stars League at Moutaouli’s shot. QREC Arabian Show Horse Auction in standings, thus stayed on the Al Khor Stadium on Satur- In the second half, The course for the title as the first day. Brigadiers’ introduced experi- leg came to a close. Goals from Abdelrahman enced striker Meshaal Abdul- The Lions had advantage Mohammed in the 44th min- lah. in ball possession in the first ute and substitute Ali Fery- After Al Bakri thwarted half, but The Kings made it doon in added time sealed Mohammed Muntari in the slightly in their favour (51 per three points for the Briga- 68th minute, Al Khor’s Brazil- cent) as the match ended de- diers. ian professional Wagner Fer- spite the defeat. Al Ahli raised their points reira had a couple of chances Haroon took Al Rayyan to 18, while Al Khor face rel- towards the end. However, he ahead by heading in a Rodrigo egation threat. could not capitalise on both of Tabata corner. Al Khor dominated the them. With Cameroonian great proceedings in the first half Substitute Ferydoon, who Samuel Eto’o and bright even though it was Al Ahli came in for Muntari right at young prospect Ahmed Moein who succeeded in scoring, the end of regular time slotted out of action, Qatar SC found against the run of play. in to make it two. it tough to make inroads. The host team forced sev- Sunday’s matches will Yet, they created chanc- en corners too as against the see defending champions es as Syrian striker Osama visitors’ one. and league leaders Al Duhail Omari hit wide of the mark Omid Ibrahimi, Al Ahli’s host Al Arabi at the Abdul- and Mohammed Jabri shot hero in their big win over Al lah bin Khalifa Stadium in over the crossbar. Ali Jasemi Sadd in the previous round, Duhail, while Al Sailiya will too got an opportunity before unleashed a powerful free- visit bottom of the table side the teams went into the break. kick and Al Khor’s Moham- Al Kharaitiyat at the Al Khor The Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) held an auction for Arabian Show Horses at Al Shaqab Equestrian Centre on Saturday. Al Rayyan doubled the med Al Bakri, who had a good Stadium.