RRUGBYUGBY | Page 4 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 6 Naholo at the Skipper Kohli double as All falls short of Blacks blitz ton as India sinks Australia fi ght back

Sunday, August 19, 2018 FOOTBALL Dhul-Hijja 8, 1439 AH Chelsea hit back GULF TIMES as Alonso sinks Arsenal SPORT Page 7 FOCUS Al-Tamimi leads Team Qatar at spectacular opening ceremony

By Our Correspondent You can follow the progress of Committee President HE Sheikh pact on the development of sport energy, paving the way for an ex- are confi dent of their abilities to Jakarta, Indonesia Team Qatar’s athletes and show Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, sec- in Qatar. It has also shifted the hilarating 15 days of competition achieve greatness. Thanks to the your support on the Team Qatar retary-general Jassim al-Buenain eyes of the world toward Qatar as that will follow.” Organising Committee of the social media channels with the and other QOC offi cials. a global sporting hub. We are so Al-Buenain said, “The open- Asian Games Jakarta 2018. We he 2018 Asian Games hashtag #IamQatar. Speaking afterwards, HE proud of the legacy it has brought ing ceremony has gathered the wish all the athletes all the best have offi cially opened Team Qatar will be represent- Sheikh Joaan said, “We were so to our next generations of ath- best Asian champions from dif- in their upcoming competitions.” with a spectacular open- ed by more than 200 athletes, proud and happy to see the Qatari letes in our country. We thank ferent cultures and background Team Qatar’s chef de mission ing ceremony and pro- including 29 females, who will delegation marching amongst the Organising Committee on the in one place to celebrate sport Ishaq al-Hashmi added: “We digiousT young squash player, compete across 30 events and the other Asian countries partic- success of the ceremony which in unity and peace. This proves are proud of our athletes who Abdulla al-Tamimi, led out the disciplines in 20 diff erent sports. ipating at the opening ceremony shows the readiness of Indonesia the prominent status of Asia in marched today at the opening team. The team stood out in their The team includes a strong mix of the Asian Games 2018. This is to stage successful games. the world of sport. Jakarta has ceremony in Jakarta. Our athletes uniquely designed Adidas kit of youth and experienced ath- an important multi-sport event “Indonesia showed the world spread a message of peace and have prepared extensively for worn for the fi rst-time. letes with ages ranging from 17 to in the journey of our athletes to- that they are ready to host an friendship to the continent and the Games. We are happy to be Over 11,000 athletes from 45 40 and Olympic medallists com- wards greatness and success. The incredible edition of the Games the world, and Qatar’s participa- part of such an important sport- nations will compete across 40 peting alongside Asian Games’ Opening Ceremony has brought with a mesmerising show fea- tion in the games with more than ing event and we look forward sports in Jakarta and Palembang debutants. back memories of the unforget- turing international and local 200 athletes proves its strong to achieve our best at the Asian in one of the world’s biggest The Opening Ceremony was table Opening Ceremony of Doha artists. The atmosphere at the and advanced level in sport. We Games in the next two weeks in sporting events. attended by Qatar Olympic 2006, which has had a great im- ceremony was vibrant and full of are proud of our athletes and we Indonesia.”

SPOTLIGHT Asiad comes to life 222 Qatar athletes will participate in the 18th edition of the Games, which are being held in Indonesia for the second time

By Anil John Jakarta

he opening ceremony of any major sporting event is meant to project the best image of the host nation.T And Indonesia, one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse countries on the planet, had plenty to off er as the 18th Asian Games offi cially spurted to life last night with a dazzling medley of music, dance, light and colour at the capital’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Even at the risk of sounding clichéd, it won’t be an exaggera- tion to say that all roads in the capital yesterday led to the iconic Southeast Asian sporting venue. It was the main stadium for the 1962 edition of the Games in Ja- karta, and after undergoing sev- eral renovations down the years, was bestowed the honour of be- ing witness to history being made once again. Jakarta often gets a lot of nega- tive press for its pollution and notorious traffi c jams but the authorities have ensured that the Games are not hampered in any way with some strikingly in- novative — and controversial — measures. Team Qatar’s athletes takes part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. (AFP) For example, a huge section of the heavily polluted Senitong riv- politics – at least until the next deluding himself. er – dubbed the ‘kali’ river after round of recriminations takes With a massive squad of nearly its black colour – has been cov- things back to square one. For- 850 athletes, it would be a shock ered by nylon sheets to prevent give the pessimism here, but that to the global sporting order if ei- its foul smell from spreading into is what history tells us. This is ther Japan or South Korea were to the air, and much to the alarm of after all the 11th time they have topple China in Indonesia. human rights activists, about 77 marched together at a sports Japan, who have been over- known criminals were shot dead event! shadowed by South Korea at re- in a clean-up drive leading up to Qatar Olympic Commit- cent Asian Games, would be keen the Games. Some relatively petty tee (QOC) President HE Sheikh to reverse the trend this time as criminals were shot in the leg so Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani led the they gear up to host the next Ol- that they don’t get ideas about cheers for his country’s contin- ympics in 2020. causing trouble during the event. gent during the ceremony which “I am looking forward to our As far as traffi c is concerned, saw squash star Abdulla al- athletes challenging China at an odd-even number formula has Tamimi carry the national fl ag. the Asian Games,” the Japan del- been implemented to curb con- “It was an honour to be chosen egation head Yasuhiro Yamashita gestion, and schools have been as the fl ag-bearer of the nation’s said at a press conference yester- closed for the entire duration of squad at such a big event. It’s an day. the event. Glimpses of the opening ceremony yesterday. experience I will never forget,” he President Widodo later de- Enthusiastic spectators, how- said later. clared open the 18th Asian ever, didn’t take any risk as they their faces was more than evi- giving her company. later pictured in the stands sway- to tourists”. In 2013, he was nom- Qatar are represented by 222 Games and 1992 Barcelona Ol- headed to the 78,000-capac- dent as they smiled broadly, with Widodo’s act, although not ing to the music being belted out inated as the global mayor of the sportsmen and women – the ympics badminton gold medallist ity stadium a few hours ahead many recording the event on as funny as the Queen’s, saw the during the show. month by the City Mayors Foun- most prominent among them Susi Susanti lit the Games fl ame. of schedule. Tickets for the cer- their smart phones. Indonesians respond with hearty Widodo, who rose to the high- dation, based in London. being shooter Nasser Saleh al- Fireworks exploded over the Ja- emony were lapped up early and Indonesia’s large contingent cheers. The media present at est offi ce in the country from Meanwhile, the Palestine del- Attiyah, 400m hurdler Abder- karta sky signalling the end of the there were reports of scalpers obviously got the loudest cheers. the Main Press Centre let out a humble beginnings, has been egation was also greeted with rehman Samba and of course, $55mn opening ceremony and selling them at a hefty premium. Earlier, a video of the country’s collective whoop of approval. acclaimed as a reformer and was loud cheers, the athletes having al-Tamimi. the start of the two-week conti- Those lucky to be inside the president, Joko Widodo, doing The Japanese seemed the most already popular as the hands-on made it to the Games despite the They will be hoping to better nental sporting extravaganza. stadium witnessed the start of stunts on a motorcycle on the amused. mayor of Jakarta before becom- hardship they have been endur- their haul of 10 gold medals at the The razzle-dazzle of the open- the biggest party the country is streets of Jakarta was shown. “Jokowi is a totally fun guy. ing the president. ing under the stifl ing Israeli oc- Incheon Asian Games in 2014, ing ceremony may soon fade out throwing in its history, as ath- It evoked memories of the 2012 Everybody likes him,” Indonesian In 2012, he was ranked third cupation. with the athletics squad expected of memory, but the records to be letes from 45 countries in their London Olympics opening cer- online journalist Manggala Mo- in the world among mayors for The warring Koreas marched to grab most of the honours. set over the next two weeks, the resplendent national colours emony where the Queen para- hamed remarked, referring to the “transforming a crime-ridden under a blue and white unifi ca- But as far as the top accolades hits and misses, the tears of joy, proudly took part in the tradi- chuted down from a helicopter president by his informal name. city into a regional centre for art tion fl ag, once again exemplify- at the Games are concerned, any- or even of despair, most certainly tional march-past. The joy on with “James Bond” Daniel Craig The 57-year-old president was and culture and an attractive city ing the power of sport to trump one looking past China would be won’t. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, August 19, 2018 ASIAN GAMES

Sights from the 2018 Asian Games

Qatar Olympic Committee second vice-president Dr Thani al-Kuwari, secretary-general Jassim al-Buenain and other off icials honour the Qatar volleyball team after they arrived in Jakarta, having won the AVC Cup for Men in Chinese Taipei.

Qatar football team practises ahead of the 18th Asian Games yesterday.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo (second from right) and Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah (second from left ) attend the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta yesterday. (AFP) Qatar bowling team arrive in Jakarta for the 18th Asian Games.

Indian contingent takes part in the parade at the Asian Games opening ceremony yesterday. (Reuters) Pakistan’s delegation takes part in the parade at Asian Games opening ceremony yesterday. (AFP)

The Philippines’ delegation parades during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games yesterday. (AFP) Nepal’s delegation parades during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, August 19, 2018 3 ASIAN GAMES

FOCUS Kuwait welcomed back to Asian Games with OCA warning AFP map they have agreed with the Jakarta IOC to lead to fresh, clean, trans- OCA upholds China, Kazakhstan parent and democratic elections Asian Games weightlift ing ban based on each sport’s statutes uwait was warned by approved by their respective in- The Olympic Council of Asia Lausanne on Friday to keep the Olympic Council of ternational bodies.” (OCA) confirmed yesterday monitoring the nine countries Asia (OCA) yesterday to World sports bodies led by the there would be no last-minute before making any changes to stop its “world record” IOC and FIFA suspended Kuwait Asian Games reprieve for their banned status. Kof government interference in in October 2015 for a second time banned weightlifting power- “We follow the rules of the sport or face being exiled for a since 2010 for political interfer- house China. International Weightlifting Fed- third time. ence in sport. Both China, who won seven eration,” OCA director general The International Olympic The IOC said that in reinstat- golds in the 2014 Asian Games, Husain al-Musallam told AFP Committee (IOC) this week pro- ing Kuwait provisionally that it and Kazakhstan, who took one after the meeting in Jakarta. visionally lifted its ban on Ku- “acknowledged the progress” gold, are among nine nations “They (the IWF) had their meet- wait, allowing the Gulf state’s and the “positive discussions currently serving 12-month ing and they did not send us athletes to march under their with the Government of Kuwait”. International Weightlifting Fed- anything to say we can allow own fl ag at yesterday’s Asian Al-Musallam said Kuwait did eration (IWF) suspensions for China or Kazakhstan athletes Games opening ceremony in Ja- not have much time to prove it multiple doping violations. to take part,” al-Musallam said. karta. was trying to meet IOC require- Rumours had circulated in “They were (on the website) But the IOC said that despite ments. Jakarta that China could be because we were waiting, we its “gesture of goodwill” the rea- “We are going to review the reinstated by the International were putting everything on sons for its original suspension situation with the IOC on Oc- Weightlifting Federation after standby so if the decision was remained valid. tober 3 and 4 to see if any of the the country’s banned athletes taken we can put them there “This is a world record for gov- Kuwaiti delegation takes part in the 2018 Asian Games opening ceremony yesterday. (Reuters) agreement has been implement- appeared on the off icial Games within five minutes. ernment interference in the Ol- ed on the ground, or if there is website two days ago. “We were ready to allow them ympic movement, no country is after an executive board meeting “We are very happy for the Ku- “We hope this will not hap- nothing,” said al-Musallam. “We But the IWF agreed at an to compete but the decision like this,” OCA director general discussed the matter in Jakarta wait National Olympic Commit- pen in the future and the Kuwait really hope this thing will be fi n- executive board meeting in was with the IWF.” Husain al-Musallam told AFP yesterday. tee and for the athletes,” he said. government will respect the road ished.”

SWIMMING FOOTBALL Sweet sixteen for Asia’s Olympic North Korea’s women AFP training before the last Asian Jakarta Games to off er “valuable in- struction on how to win the gold medal”. They went on to win the t is a scoreline so audacious tournament. even Kim Jong-il would have The following year he hugged blushed. returning members of the victo- champions vie for North Korea’s women’s rious East Asian Cup campaign Ifootball team thrashed Tajikistan at Pyongyang airport, praising 16-0 at the Asian Games on their “guerrilla-style” tactics Friday, a merciless demolition and “indefatigable mental prow- which saw three players score ess”, according to state news hat-tricks. agency KCNA. Unlike their former leader’s But things have not always legendary fi rst-ever round of been so straightforward for the gold in Jakarta pool golf — in which he claimed to hit North’s female footballers. 11 holes-in-one — the football- They were banned from the ers’ achievement is recorded in 2015 Women’s World Cup after Rio stars Sun, Schooling, Balandin and Hagino will all look to leave a mark at the Asiad the offi cial record books of Asia’s fi ve players failed drugs tests at regional Olympics. the previous edition in 2011. Reuters North Korea’s women, whose The team doctor at the time Jakarta win equalled the tournament blamed the test results on a record, have long been elite-level “Chinese remedy” made from international performers. musk deer glands to treat players hina’s medal machine Pyongyang has invested in who had been struck by light- Sun Yang heads a hand- sporting success in recent times, ning. ful of reigning Olympic opening an elite football acad- International sanctions im- champions, and host of emy for young boys and girls fi ve posed on North Korea over its aspirantC Tokyo 2020 gold med- years ago in the capital, as well as nuclear weapons programme allists, looking to make a state- a top-class ski resort. continue to hamper fi nancing for ment in the Asian Games pool But the women’s success has the country’s footballing ambi- over the next week. far outstripped their male coun- tions, such as sending stars to top While the Asiad does not of- terparts, including three Asian European clubs. ten provide world class compe- Games gold medals, three Asian And the team will miss out on tition in the big Olympic sports Cups and the last under-17 and next year’s World Cup in France — Kosuke Kitajima in 2002 was under-20 World Cups. after being narrowly edged out the last swimmer to post a world Current leader Kim Jong-un in early qualifying by neighbours record time at the Games — it appears to have taken particu- South Korea — a country with can provide valuable experience lar interest in women’s football, which the North remains techni- for aspiring champions. reportedly visiting the team in cally at war. Sun, Singapore’s Joseph Schooling, Dmitriy Balandin of Kazakhstan and Japan’s Ko- suke Hagino all won one or more eSports’ 2022 medal status on hold golds in the Incheon pool four years ago and followed up with The inclusion of eSports as the local organising committee. Olympic titles in Rio in 2016. an off icial medal sport for the OCA director general Husain al- Japanese breaststroke spe- 2022 Asian Games cannot Musallam said eSports, whose cialist Rie Kaneto, Asia’s other China’s Sun Yang attends a training session at the Aquatics Center ahead of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta yesterday. (AFP) yet be confirmed, an Olympic competitions are currently Olympic swimming champion Council of Asia (OCA) off icial organised by a diverse range of in Brazil, retired earlier this year his programme. MEDAL HAUL be the fi rst of the Olympic title champion in Jakarta, Xu Jiayu, said yesterday. A meeting of entities, needs a single interna- but the other four will all com- The 23-year-old has shed The 21-year-old Japanese con- holders to get the chance to add is also targeting fi ve golds and the OCA executive commit- tional federation before it can pete in Jakarta. four kilogrammes in weight and fi rmed his status as the form to his medal haul in Sunday’s gets his campaign underway on tee in Jakarta approved a be included as a medal sport. China and Japan are the un- is likely to be in better shape for swimmer in the 200m breast- 200m freestyle fi nal. Sunday, his 23rd birthday, in the programme of around 40 “eSports is not finally decided questioned continental swim- his 100m butterfl y title defence stroke by taking the Pan Pacifi c The 26-year-old nabbed event in which he struck gold sports for the 2022 Asiad to be off icially in the pro- ming superpowers and shared than he was when he was beaten title earlier this month in an three golds in Incheon four years in Budapest last year, the 100 in Hangzhou, China, where gramme,” he said. “There 34 of the 38 swimming gold by India’s Virdhawal Khade at event for which he also holds the ago on his return to competition backstroke. eSports had been expected to needs to be one international medals at the last Asian Games the Singapore championships world record. after a doping ban and has even As with all the top swimmers, make its full debut. federation. Now there are so with Schooling and Balandin ac- earlier this year. His compatriot Hagino will higher expectations for Jakarta. Jakarta is merely a staging post Instead the OCA ratified all 33 many international federa- counting for the other four. Balandin, who like Schooling be looking to repeat his 200m- Slated to race in the 200, 400, on the Olympic road from Rio to Olympic sports from Tokyo tions for eSports. They have Schooling, who skipped the is the fi rst athlete from his na- 400m medley double from four 800 and 1,500 freestyle events Tokyo for Xu. 2020 — with the possibility of to get together to decide one Commonwealth Games ear- tion to win Olympic gold in any years ago but will face stiff com- as well as the 4x200m freestyle “The Asian Games is a kind adding up to six disciplines governing body. To be ‘off icial’ lier this year, will have a heavy sport, swept the breaststroke petition from compatriot Daiya relay, Sun could become the fi fth of mid-term exam for us,” he from Paris 2024 — plus one in the programme and not schedule as the mainstay of the titles in Incheon but will face a Seto and China’s Wang Shun. swimmer to win fi ve gold medals told Chinese media. “Our fi nal sport nominated by each of the ‘demonstration’ it has to be Singapore relay team and having strong challenge in Jakarta from Sun, one of two world cham- in one Asian Games. goal is the 2020 Tokyo Olympic OCA’s five regions, and two by one international sport.” added the 50 metres freestyle to rising talent Ippei Watanabe. pion swimmers in Jakarta, will The other reigning world Games.”

BOTTOMLINE Sorry, mum and dad — Indian shooting star bans parents from foreign trips

AFP seas trips as she tries to carve out a She is proud of her achievement the world number nine taking on Palembang, Indonesia slice of freedom. but, yes, the unfairness does grates fourth-ranked Ji Xiaojing of China. “They make limits for me, like, when she sees older members of Life on the road takes its toll too. ‘Eat that, eat this, don’t go there, her team. Bhaker says she has spent fewer eenage shooter Manu do this, don’t do this, don’t use “They’re seniors. They’re free. than 10 days at her home in Hary- Bhaker said she’s told her your phone, don’t do this now, They can do anything they want,” ana state since February and knows parents not to accompany go to bed,’” she tells AFP before she says wistfully of her team- her studies have suff ered in spite of her to tournaments abroad a training session in Palembang, mates. “They can use their phones some tuition on the road. Tas she struggles to adapt to life as which is co-hosting the Asian any time.” She also admits she feels lonely one of India’s best known sports- Games along with Jakarta. sometimes. women. “It’s a bit too much.” ‘YOUR FRIEND CIRCLE “Your friends are like, ‘No, we The 16-year-old has brought Bhaker’s day kicks off at 5am DECREASES’ can’t have fun with her. She’s a home World Cup and Common- with yoga and meditation, and Bhaker swept to fame at the be- Commonwealth gold medallist — wealth Games gold medals this ends with a jog and bootcamp- ginning of this year by becoming we must respect her,’” she says. year in a sudden rise to fame, and style workout. the youngest Indian to win a gold “Your friend circle decreases.” is one of the favourites at the Asian But perhaps most punishing of medal at the World Cup, a feat she Her coach Jaspal Rana agrees the Games in Indonesia. all, she and the other ‘juniors’ on achieved the individual 10m air cycle of competitions and training But she is fi nding that success the Indian team are only allowed pistol and the mixed team event. camps is tough for youngsters who comes at a price, with a tough one hour with their phones each She then climbed back on the often crave normality. training schedule and a restrictive day. podium once again at Australia’s But they need to decide what lifestyle that means less time with In spite of her age, Bhaker is Gold Coast in April, setting a they want out of life, he says. friends and a one-hour daily time competing at senior level for the Commonwealth Games record of “People come and go. But there limit for using her mobile phone. 25m sports pistol and both the in- 240.9 points for the 10m air pistol. are few people who become real Bhaker said she had resorted to dividual and mixed team 10m air The Asian Games promises champions, real heroes — so you India’s Manu Bhaker (left) listens to her coach Jaspal Rana during a practice session for the mixed banning her parents from her over- pistol. to be the toughest fi eld yet with need to work for that.” team 10m air pistol in Palembang, Indonesia, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, August 19, 2018 SPORT

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT South Africa rally Naholo at the double in second half to beat Argentina AFP far-from-full 52,000-seat Kings as All Blacks blitz Durban Park stadium after Faf de Klerk set him up. Nicolas Sanchez created and scored the fi rst Ar- outh Africa scored a bo- gentine try on 15 minutes when nus-point 34-21 Rugby his up-and-under kick was not Championship victory cleared and he regained posses- over Argentina yesterday sion to go over between the posts. sinks hosts Australia withS six tries compensating for A Sanchez conversion gave the woeful goal-kicking by Handre South Americans a two-point Pollard. Wingers Aphiwe Dyantyi lead they stretched to nine when ‘It was a tough test match, credit to the Wallabies for what they came up with’ and Makazole Mapimpi bagged the fl y-half also added the extra two tries each in Durban as the points to a try by Pablo Matera. Springboks dominated the sec- When Springboks skipper Siya ond half having trailed by nine Kolisi was dispossessed near the points earlier. halfway line, the visitors moved Fly-half Pollard missed fi ve the ball quickly down the left of seven shots at goal, which wing and Matera scored. could have proven costly against South Africa, who had plenty stronger opposition than the Pu- of ball and spent a lot of time mas. New Argentina coach Mario inside the Argentine half, got Ledesma watched his team run back into the match on 32 min- out of gas after leading 14-10 at utes through a touch of magic half-time as they suff ered a 23rd from Willie le Roux. A perfectly loss in 29 Tests since the 2015 weighted cross kick from the Rugby World Cup. veteran full-back found Dyantyi But the South Americans im- who powered over, but Pollard pressed suffi ciently in patches once more failed to convert. to suggest they could be tougher Pollard was having an off -day opponents when the teams clash with his goal-kicking and also again next Saturday in Mendoza. fl uff ed a penalty attempt just be- South Africa lie second on fore the break, leaving Argentina points diff erence behind title- with a 14-10 half-time advan- holders New Zealand, who beat tage. The tide turned dramati- Australia 38-13 in Sydney ear- cally in the second half with tries lier yesterday. The home side from Dyantyi and Mapimpi (two) established a foothold in Argen- lifting South Africa to a 27-14 tine territory from the kick-off lead despite Pollard struggling and constant pressure paid off from the kicking tee. A Matias on eight minutes when centre Moroni try converted by Sanchez Lukhanyo Am scored his fi rst cut the gap to six points before Test try. De Klerk scored and Pollard con- Am used his strength to hold verted from in front of the posts off two Pumas and dot down at a to complete the scoring.

New Zealand’s Waisake Naholo (right) in action during the Bledisloe Cup Rugby Championship against Australia in Sydney yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP But he praised his team’s response fi tness for Auckland after he limped off in Aaron Smith for the fi rst try of the match. Sydney when they ran rampant with a fi ve-try the 65th minute. However, fl y-half Beauden Barrett blitz after the break. All Black centre Ryan Crotty was missed the conversion and the Austral- “It was a bloody tough test match, knocked cold in a clash of heads with ians went into the break up 6-5. inger Waisake Naholo scored credit to the Wallabies for what they came teammate Jack Goodhue and wing Rieko Barrett made no mistake adding the a double as New Zealand re- up with,” he said. Australia’s makeshift Ioane is expected to miss the Auckland extras when Jack Goodhue scored the All covered from a slow start to pack struggled at the set piece, turning match with a strained hamstring. Blacks second just after the restart, giv- overrun Australia 38-13 yes- over the ball at the lineout and conceding As expected, Australia unleashed their ing them the lead for the fi rst time at 12- Wterday and extend the Wallabies’ Bledis- penalties at scrum-time. potent backline early, desperate to put 6. New Zealand then ran away with the loe Cup jinx in Sydney. The world cham- The result was all-too familiar for Wal- on a show for the crowd of 66,000 Syd- match after Haylett-Petty dropped the pions scored six tries to one in the fi rst labies coach Michael Cheika, who said his neysiders. Naholo was fortunate not to ball in front of Barrett, who soccered it Test, which also doubles as the Rugby side needed to stick to their game plan in be sinbinned for a lifting tackle on Israel forward for a try then added the conver- Championship opener, for their third win the face of another All Blacks onslaught. Folau and the New Zealanders committed sion. at ANZ Stadium in as many years. “When it goes against us like that we uncharacteristic handling errors under Lock Brodie Retallick gave the All Australia’s hopes of claiming the Bl- need to keep going... we defended excel- pressure from Australia’s rushed defence. Blacks a fourth after a Barrett run put edisloe for the fi rst time since 2002 now lently in the fi rst half and we needed to They held on to prevent the Wallabies his team on the attack, with the hulking rest on winning the second Test of the keep doing that,” he said. crossing the line in the fi rst half, restrict- winger using a dummy pass to fool the three-match series next week at Eden Australia missed 40 tackles to New ing them to penalties for Reece Hodge Australian defence before crashing over Park, where they have not tasted vic- Zealand’s 11 and only hit the mark in fi ve and Bernard Foley. The All Blacks did the line. tory since 1986. All Blacks captain Kieran of their 12 lineouts, gifting the All Blacks not seriously threaten until the half hour Jack Maddocks scored a consolation Read admitted the Wallabies dominated possession. “It’s really disappointing to mark, when winger Dane Haylett-Petty try for Australia after making his interna- the fi rst half, with his team trailing 6-0 get down the other end and throw the ball denied Naholo with a try-saving tackle tional debut from the bench but Naholo South Africa’s Malcolm Marx (left) is tackled by Argentina’s Nicolas until Aaron Smith’s opening try in the away,” captain Michael Hooper said. on the line. Naholo then turned creator responded with two tries in two minutes Sanchez during the Rugby Championship match at the Kings Park 39th minute. The Wallabies are sweating on Folau’s when his smartly taken inside pass set up to complete the All Blacks’ late surge. Stadium in Durban, South Africa, yesterday. (Reuters)

Botha eases Namibia TENNIS to sixth successive Federer strikes down Wawrinka to reach semis Rugby World Cup AFP “I’ve played fi ve fi nals here,” Djokovic Cincinnati said. “But I do wish to win the title. I’m Windhoek, Namibia: Veteran here to enjoy a sport that I love, I’ve got fullback Chrysander Botha Namibia were the plenty of motivation. I’m in a good posi- scored two tries as Namibia overwhelming favourites orld number two Roger Fe- tion, so I’ll take it step by step.” sealed a sixth successive quali- to win given their prowess derer posted his second win Djokovic had to come from behind in fication for the Rugby World on attack and the ability of the day, amid a light- the fi rst and third sets, and helped seal the Cup with a 53-28 victory over of their forwards. ning fear interruption, to victory with a break for 5-3 in the third. Wreach the semi-fi nals of the ATP-WTA “Milos is one of the best servers in the Kenya at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium yesterday. They led 22-7 at halftime in Cincinnati Masters on Friday. The seven- game,” Djokovic said. “Just a few points The Southern African side, the pool decider, with their oth- time champion beat fellow Swiss Stan decided the winner. It’s tough to play coached by former Wales inter- er scores coming from flyhalf Wawrinka 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-2. against someone serving so big.” national Phil Davies, will play in Cliven Loubser, centre Darryl The match was interrupted for 21 min- Cilic put out Spanish 13th seed Pablo Pool B at the global finals in Ja- de la Harpe, hooker Louis van utes with players being sent off court and Carreno Busta 7-6 (9/7), 6-4. “I haven’t pan next year alongside world der Westhuizen, lock Mahepisa crowds told to seek shelter as a storm cell played any matches on the centre court. champions New Zealand, South Tjeriko and a penalty try. passed near the site. But after the pause, I feel and I heard that it’s completely dif- Africa and Italy, with the winner Sevens stalwart Willy Am- the pair came back out, with Federer fi - ferent. It’s much faster,” Cilic said. of the Repechage competition baka scored two tries for Kenya nally securing the fi rst break of the match “Defi nitely Novak is playing really well. to complete the group. having made his test debut on his seventh chance to take a 4-2 lead His level was defi nitely high and he’s in The clash in Windhoek was a earlier this month against Tuni- over his longtime rival. defi nitely really good form. We played straight shootout for top spot sia, with lock Malcolm Onsando Federer closed out victory two games tough match in Queen’s, but that’s grass in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup and scrumhalf Mohammed later and will face David Goffi n after the and defi nitely diff erent. So I have to get and automatic World Cup quali- Omollo also crossing the line. Belgian beat Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 ready and give it a full shot.” fication. Namibia eased to a full Namibia have now appeared (7/5), 7-6 (7/4). Federer began his day by Women’s top seed Simona Halep re- haul of 25 points and top spot, at every World Cup since their beating Leo Mayer 6-1, 7-6 (8/6). “It’s covered from 1-4 down in the opening set with Kenya losing for the first first in 1999, though their 19 quite unusual to stop for lightning,” Fe- Roger Federer of Switzerland whips a forehand en route to his win over compatriot to defeat Lesia Tsurenko 6-4, 6-1. It was time in the competition. previous matches at the finals derer said after beating Wawrinka for the Stan Wawrinka in Mason, Ohio, on Friday. (AFP) the second fi ghtback of the day for Halep, Namibia were overwhelming have all ended in defeat with 23rd time in 26 meetings. “I didn’t know who came from a break down in each set favourites to win given their more than 1,000 points con- if it meant the end of the night or that we Elsewhere, former world number one events that he has never won. The Serb to overhaul Australian 16th seed Ash- prowess on attack and the ceded. Kenya will now enter would come back. I got my energy back Novak Djokovic also won his second tenth seed followed up a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 leigh Barty 7-5, 6-4 several hours earlier ability of their forwards to get the Repechage phase to be for the third set, a momentum shift was match of the day to set up a semi-fi nal third-round defeat of holder Grigor Dim- in the third round. Petra Kvitova reached front-foot ball all through the staged in Marseille in Novem- good for me. It was also good that I was clash with Marin Cilic. Djokovic, a fi ve- itrov earlier in the day of a rainy week by the fi nal four after win over Belgian Elise competition in which they aver- ber along with Canada, Hong serving fi rst. I played a cleaner third set. I time fi nalist here who has never broken beating Milos Raonic 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. It was Mertens 7-5, 5-7, 6-3. She will face Kiki aged 70 points per game. Kong and Germany. was clear with my game plan. It was good through, is aiming to lift the trophy at the ninth win without a loss for Djokovic Bertens after she defeated Ukrainian fi fth to win two matches today.” the only one of the Masters 1000 series in the series with the Canadian. seed Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-3. Gulf Times Sunday, August 19, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA Curry hopes to fi nish career with Warriors Reuters Oakland. “This is home. This is passed him for the top spot on the Harding retired from the WNBA New York where I want to be, for obvious rea- Hornets’ all-time points list last sea- last year after spending nine seasons sons.” son. in the league. After Akron, Ohio, native LeB- Stephen Curry grew up in Char- She previously served as an as- espite once suggesting the ron James returned to Cleveland lotte and played in college at David- sistant coach for the Toronto Rap- possibility of playing in his 2014, Curry said he had, “always son, located in a northern suburb. He tors summer league team in 2014 hometown Charlotte some- had thoughts about playing at home, expressed interest in joining a group and spent last season in an NBA day, Golden State Warriors what it would be like.” to purchase his hometown NFL team, programme designed to help former guardD Stephen Curry intends to He added that he was happy in the the Carolina Panthers, before David players prepare for a career in team play his entire career with the War- Bay Area, but said, “obviously if that Tepper bought the team. management positions. riors. opportunity comes along, it’s a dif- Harding says she has her eyes on a Asked on The Bill Simmons Pod- ferent discussion.” FORMER WNBA STAR HARDING front offi ce role in the future. cast about possibly joining the Char- Curry had since indicated he will JOINS SIXERS AS SCOUT “I would love to be in the front of- lotte Hornets – for whom his father, remain with the Warriors long-term, Former Duke star and 2007 No. 1 fi ce and really understand how to put Dell Curry, starred in the 80s and 90s including saying in 2016, “It’s hard to overall WNBA pick Lindsey Harding a team together,” said Harding. “I still – near the end of his career, Curry see myself anywhere else.” has joined the Philadelphia 76ers as a love being on the fl oor and having the sounded like he’s closed the door on Golden State has reached four full-time scout, the team announced opportunity to coach. But I really just the idea. consecutive NBA Finals, winning Friday. wanted to get my foot in the door.” “I love the Bay Area, man,” Curry three, including each of the last two. Harding, 34, joins Jenny Boucek Philadelphia coach and interim said. “The only reason I go home now Curry has made fi ve consecutive as the second former WNBA player general manager Brett Brown lauded is if my sister’s getting married or to All-Star teams, winning the league’s to work as an NBA scout full-time. the addition. go play the Hornets for that one game, MVP award in 2014-15 and ‘15-16. Boucek is now an assistant coach “Having graduated from the NBA’s so I haven’t really been back much. I The 30-year-old is under contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Basketball Operations Associates haven’t put my mind there.” through the 2020-21 season, and he “I think when you have this goal Program last season, Lindsey is ap- Curry was then asked if he intends is set to make about $166.5 million in mind, your gender shouldn’t even plying the same grit and basketball to end his career with the Warriors, over the next four years. matter,” Harding said, per ESPN. IQ she used as a player in her move with whom he’s spent nine seasons Dell Curry played 10 of his 16 NBA “It should be about if you can do it, to the front offi ce,” said Brown. “We since they took him seventh overall seasons with the Hornets, and he still if you’re good, you’re experienced, look forward to the work Lindsey will in 2009. ranks fi rst in franchise history with if you know what you’re doing and do to help grow our programme and “For sure I do,” Curry said from 701 games played. Kemba Walker what you’re talking about.” further solidify a culture of winning.

GOLF MLB Olson’s 10th-inning blast sends Athletics Snedeker, Tour’s past Houston Astros

Reuters RESULTS Oakland Athletics 4-3 Astros Cardinals 5-2 Brewers att Olson homered Cubs 1-0 Pirates newest ‘Mr 59’, off left-hander Tony Sipp leading off the Yankees 7-5 Blue Jays bottom of the 10th Nationals 8-2 Marlins Minning Friday night, complet- Indians 2-1 Orioles ing a comeback that delivered the Oakland Athletics a 4-3 win Red Sox 7-3 Rays over the Houston Astros in the Dodgers 11-1 Mariners opener of a three-game series Rockies 11-5 Braves leads by 2 strokes between the top two teams in the D’backs 9-4 Padres American League West in Oak- ‘Now I’m better equipped for the next time I shoot 59 and play the next day’ land, Calif. Reds 2-1 Giants Nick Martini lashed a game- Phillies 4-2 Mets Reuters tying RBI double in the ninth to Rangers 6-4 Angels Greensboro, North Carolina force extra innings for the A’s (73-49), who moved within one White Sox 9-3 Royals game of the fi rst-place Astros Twins 5-4 Tigers randt Snedeker fol- (74-48). Olson belted Sipp’s lowed up his fi rst- sixth pitch well over the fence an RBI single by Reddick that round 59 at the Wyn- in right fi eld for his 23rd home scored Marwin Gonzalez, who dham Championship run of the season and Oakland’s had walked. withB a three-under-par 67 on eighth walk-off win of the year. Alex Bregman and Maldonado Friday, good for a two-stroke It’s Olson second career homer had earlier home runs off A’s lead over fellow American D.A. off Sipp in six at-bats. starter Edwin Jackson, giving the Points. “I kind of know what he likes Astros a 2-0 lead. The homers After posting the Tour’s 10th to do to me,” Olson said. “I were Bregman’s 23rd and Mal- sub-60 round on Thursday, wasn’t expecting a 3-2 slider donado’s fi rst since joining the Snedeker’s 14-under 126 total is right there but I was able to keep Astros and sixth overall. the lowest halfway score of the my hands back on it.” The A’s got even in the fi fth season on the PGA Tour. A’s closer Blake Treinen (6-2), thanks in large part to an error Snedeker started the sec- who worked the top of the 10th by Correa that loaded the bases ond round slowly but found his in a tie game, was credited with with no outs. Jonathan Lucroy groove on the back nine, coax- the win after a three-strikeout then grounded into a double ing in a 30-foot eagle putt at eff ort. Sipp (2-1) took the loss. play, plating the fi rst run, be- the par-fi ve 15th, and then hol- Down 3-2 going to the bot- fore Chapman’s two-out single ing one from slightly longer for tom of the ninth, the A’s rallied tied the game. Neither starting birdie at the next at Sedgefi eld off Astros closer Hector Rondon pitcher got a decision. Astros Country Club in Greensboro, to tie the game on a one-out right-hander Charlie Morton, North Carolina. double to the fence by Martini who stood two outs away from a “I knew it was going to be that scored pinch runner Ra- 13th win before Martini’s ninth- tough, battling the emotion of mon Laureano, who had origi- inning hit, worked fi ve innings, everybody pulling hard for you, nally been called out on a relay allowing four hits and two runs wanting to see you do it again,” from right fi elder Josh Reddick (one earned). He walked two and Snedeker said. to shortstop Carlos Correa to struck out four. “I didn’t really drive it well, catcher Martin Maldonado. Jackson also was pulled after didn’t do anything particularly But the A’s challenged the call fi ve innings, having given up two well on the front nine. Pulled and got it reversed upon review. runs on fi ve hits. He walked two myself together on the back Rondon then stranded the and struck out two. Olson and nine, made some good swings, potential game-winning run Lowrie had two hits apiece for made a few putts.” in scoring position by getting the A’s, who were opening a six- Snedeker did not even try to Matt Chapman to pop out and, game homestand. The loss was block out thoughts of the previ- after intentionally walking Jed the Astros’ fi rst of the season in ous day. Brandt Snedeker watches his tee shot on the Lowrie, inducing Khris Davis Oakland after six earlier wins. “You hear people telling you sixteenth hole during the second round of to fl y out. The Astros had taken Houston retained a 9-5 lead in every two seconds ‘Mr. 59’ or the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefi eld a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning on the season series. how cool it was to watch it. Country Club. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports “Phone is still blowing up this morning, guys in the lock- er room are still talking to me Celek ‘leaning’ toward retiring; wouldn’t about it so yes, totally on your take $10mn from Cowboys mind. You can’t ignore it, you can’t try to forget about it. Longtime Philadelphia Eagles wearing a diff erent team’s jer- Hardest thing is trying to get “If I have a great weekend, tight end Brent Celek said sey was especially strong, when back into a rhythm. Park has share of clubhouse lead at rain-hit Indy Championship then it will be great,” he said. Friday he is more likely to retire he was asked about staying in “Took a little while to do that. “If I don’t have a great week- than play a 12th NFl season, the NFC East and joining the Now I’m better equipped for the Park Sung-hyun took advantage putting day. ness. Salas, who shot a 62 on end, it will still be great because adding that he wouldn’t play for tight-end needy Cowboys. next time I shoot 59 and play the of an early tee time to shoot She posted three birdies on the Thursday, had another solid day I’ll get to rest.” the rival Dallas Cowboys even if “Hell no,” he said. “Do you think next day.” her best round of 2018 on front nine and six on the back of ball striking. they made him a monster off er. I would play for the Cowboys? Points, who had made just Friday and grab a share of the to shoot the low round of the “I had to change my mentality Leading second-round scores “I think I’m leaning more toward Philly is my home. If they one cut since January, struck clubhouse lead during the LPGA day. “I’m going to do really well,” a little bit. I had to forget about 126 - Brandt Snedeker 59-67 retirement,” Celek said in a off ered me 10 million, I still form with a new set of irons, Tour’s Indy Championship. said Park. “I feel really good the 62 in a way and just go 128 - D.A. Points 64-64 radio appearance on 97.5 The wouldn’t go.” After the surpris- carding 64 to jump into second The South Korean fired a nine- about my game, especially my back to what I was doing. And 129 - C.T. Pan (TPE) 65-64 Fanatic. “I’ve had a few off ers, ing retirement of Jason Witten place on 12-under. under 63 on Friday to finish in a short game, since my practice. so yeah, a lot of positives,” she 131 - David Hearn (CAN) 64-67, but none of them are worth to join ESPN’s Monday Night The 41-year-old, who has tie with Lizette Salas at 13-under “And it’s just about the weather said. Danielle Kang and Nasa Peter Malnati 66-65, Keith leaving a city that I have been Football broadcast team, the three career victories in 324 131 as they completed their sec- now, so hopefully, the weather’s Hataoka sit two back of Park Mitchell 65-66, Sergio Garcia in for 11 years where I won the Cowboys have just one tight end events, said he is playing with ond rounds before heavy rains good.” and Salas at 11-under par. (ESP) 66-65, Harris English 66- Super Bowl in my final year. on the roster who has played two herniated discs in his back. caused a four-hour delay. Play on Friday was first sus- Once the second round is 65, Brett Stegmaier 64-67 It wouldn’t feel right to put more than one NFL season. “My thumb, index fi nger and The second round will resume pended and the players were complete, the 36-hole cut will 132 - Jonathan Byrd 64-68, Nick another uniform on.” Geoff Swaim, who turns 25 next middle fi nger go numb 10 or 15 early Saturday at the Brickyard told to leave the course on the be made. Defending champion Taylor (CAN) 65-67, Aaron Bad- Celek, 33, was released by the month, is entering his fourth times a day,” he said. Crossing Golf Course in Indiana- second day of heavy rains at the Lexi Thompson has 10 holes to deley (AUS) 65-67, Trey Mull- Eagles in March after 11 seasons year. The Eagles, meanwhile, “I’ve been talking with lots of polis, Indiana. event. Play resumed four hours complete, but currently sits well inax 67-65, Doug Ghim 68-64 with the team, which drafted don’t have an obvious reason doctors trying to make a game Park said her superb perform- later but ultimately play had to inside the cut line at six-under 133 - Abraham Ancer (MEX) 64- him in the fifth round in 2007. to bring Celek back. They took plan.” ance was anchored by a strong be suspended because of dark- par. 69, Brian Gay 70-63, Jim Furyk Before his release, multiple Dallas Goedert, who has seven C.T. Pan of Taiwan matched 65-68, Scott Brown 68-65, Hen- reports said Celek planned to catches for 123 yards and a the 64 by Points to move into rik Stenson (SWE) 68-65, Ryan continue his career, but Friday touchdown through preseason third place on 11-under. The top 125 on the season- Garcia, ranked 131st, kept alive The Spaniard did not sound Moore 63-70, Brice Garnett suggested he likely won’t keep games, in the second round of The cut in the fi nal regular long points list advance to the his playoff hopes by shooting a overly fussed as to whether 65-68, John Oda 63-70, Ryan playing unless the Eagles bring April’s draft and signed veteran event of the season fell at three- four-event FedExCup playoff s 65 that left him equal fourth on he qualifi ed for next week or Blaum 67-66, Ryan Armour 65- him back. Celek’s aversion to Richard Rodgers in free agency. under 137. that start next week. Sergio nine-under. not. 68, Denny McCarthy 66-67. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, August 19, 2018 SPORT

CRICKET ATHLETICS Coleman and Miller-Uibo sparkle Skipper Kohli falls in Birmingham

AFP “The main thing for me was Birmingham just to have a great curve race and once I put myself into the race off the curve I used my hristian Coleman and 400 strength to power home,” short of century a striking-looking said Miller-Uibo. Shaunae Miller-Ui- “It was a really competitive bo put a dampener race and everybody brought onC Britain’s European sprint their A-game,” added the champions Zharnel Hughes 24-year-old. and Dina Asher-Smith’s re- ‘I AM A LITTLE BIT ANGRY’ turn to home soil in the Dia- Fred Kerley won the men’s mond League meeting at Bir- 400m in a modest 45.54sec as India fi ght back mingham yesterday. as the young American came Despite overcast skies and through to edge another of India were 307 for six at stumps on Day One after they were put in to bat first a strong wind world indoor Britain’s European champi- 60 metres champion Cole- ons, Matt Hudson-Smith. AFP man and Bahamian Miller- Kerley and Hudson-Smith Nottingham, United Kingdom Uibo - whose dyed purple hair had to run down triple jump brightened up the surround- great Christian Taylor, turn- ings - produced eye-catching ing his hand to the one-lap ndia captain Virat Kohli fell performances in the men’s race, who had set the early three runs short of a hun- 100m and women’s 200m pace before fi nishing fourth. dred but had the satisfaction respectively. “I was a bit ring rusty,” said of leading an India batting While potentially more Kerley. “I didn’t push too hard Irevival on the fi rst day of the medals await Asher-Smith because this is my fi rst race third Test against England at and Hughes, Britain’s 2012 in two months,” added the Trent Bridge yesterday. Olympic long jump champion 23-year-old. At stumps India were 307 for Greg Rutherford made his fi - Hudson-Smith, whose six after losing the toss. nal Diamond League appear- thoughts about retirement A day of fl uctuating fortunes ance but there was to be last year dissolved once he ended when James Anderson, no blazing farewell as the moved to the United States England’s all-time leading Test injury-plagued star fi nished and joined Lyles’ coach Lance wicket-taker, struck with the last. Brauman, said changing his new ball to have Hardik Pan- Coleman looked set for an tactics from the European fi - dya (18) caught by Jos Buttler at easy victory but both Hugh- nal when he blasted out of the second slip. That meant Ander- es’s compatriot Reece Pres- blocks but tied up towards the son, who prior to this match had cod, who won European 100m fi nish had nearly worked. 60 Test wickets at Trent Bridge silver behind him in Berlin, “My coach will be happy at just 18.95, had become only the and the fastest man in the with how that race was exe- second bowler after Sri Lanka’s world this year Noah Lyles ate cuted because I was a lot more Muttiah Muralitharan to take 100 into his lead with Prescod giv- patient than at the Europeans Test wickets against India. en the same time as the win- when I went off like a rocket,” Earlier India, sent into bat at ner of 9.94sec. said Hudson-Smith. 2-0 down in a fi ve-match series “It was a sigh of relief be- Two-time Olympic triple on a ground renowned for aiding cause you never know what jump champion Taylor de- swing, were in trouble at 82 for to expect when you come ployed Hudson-Smith’s tac- three come lunch. Chris Woakes back from injury and I got my tics from Berlin. took all those wickets en route to rhythm back and I came out “It is a new challenge, I fi gures of three for 75 in 20 overs. with the win in a good time,” watched Matt at the Europe- But a fourth-wicket partner- said Coleman. ans. He went out hard as did ship of 159 between Kohli (97) “It’s been a test for me to I today but I also died hard!” and vice-captain Ajinkya Ra- continually prove myself but said a grinning Taylor. hane (81), that spanned more I’ll use this as a learning ex- Spain’s 2016 Olympic 110m than 40 overs, revived India. perience,” added the 22-year- hurdles silver medallist Or- Unfortunately for India, nei- old American. lando Ortega ran a season’s ther batsman reached three fi g- Asher-Smith gave a better best 13.08sec - the second ures with Kohli - who made a bril- account of herself than Euro- fastest time this year - beat- liant fi rst Test century in England pean 100m champion Hugh- ing both Commonwealth in the series opener at Edgbaston es - who admitted to being champion Ronald Levy and - dismissed when he edged an tired after fi nishing fi fth be- the newly-crowned European intended drive off an Adil Rashid hind Coleman - as the 100m, king Pascal Martinot-Lagarde leg-break to Ben Stokes at slip. 200m, and 4x100m relay Eu- of France. Much of the pre-match atten- ropean champion in Berlin “I’m much happier with tion had been focused on Stokes, India’s Virat Kohli in action during fi rst fi nished second behind Olym- the time, but I am a little an- recalled just days after his ac- day of the third Test against England at pic 400m champion Miller- gry because if I ran like this at quittal on Tuesday by a court on Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England, Uibo, who timed a meet record the European Championships an aff ray charge that stemmed yesterday. (Reuters) of 22.15sec, with world 200m I would have won gold,” said from a fi ght outside a Bristol champion Dafne Schippers of 27-year-old Ortega, who had nightclub in September last year. the Netherlands in third. to settle for bronze in Berlin. But until his catch to dismiss Kohli, it had been a frustrating hampered him at Lord’s as he Rahane eventually fell when he day for Stokes, whose 15 wicket- and Rahane treated an engrossed edged Stuart Broad, bowling Scorecard less overs cost 54 runs.India were crowd to a traditional top-order on his Nottinghamshire home INDIA 1st innings well-placed at 60 for none when Test partnership. It was a fi tting ground, and Alastair Cook at S. Dhawan c Buttler b Woakes 35 Woakes took two wickets for one way for India to honour former fi rst slip held a brilliant left- KL Rahul lbw b Woakes 23 run in nine balls to remove both captain Ajit Wadekar, whose handed catch off a chance that openers, with Shikhar Dhawan death aged 77 was announced really belonged to motionless C. Pujara c Rashid b Woakes 14 (35) caught at second slip before on Wednesday, as were the black wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow. V. Kohli c Stokes b Rashid 97 KL Rahul (23) was lbw. armbands they wore in memory Rashid, having not been required A. Rahane c Cook b Broad 81 And on the stroke of lunch, of the fi rst India skipper to enjoy to bat or bowl at Lord’s, then had Pujara hooked Woakes, man-of- a Test series victory in England, Kohli, to the star batsman’s evi- H. Pandya c Buttler b Anderson 18 the-match after scoring a maiden back in 1971. After tea, Rahane dent fury, taken by Stokes to end R. Pant not out 22 Test century in England’s innings had moved on to 57 when An- a 152-ball innings including 12 Extras (b12, lb4, w1) 17 and 159-run win in the second derson just failed to hold what fours. But debutant Rishabh Pant Total (6 wkts, 87 overs, 391 mins) 307 Test at Lord’s last week after re- would have been a spectacular (22 not out), was undaunted, the placing Stokes, straight to Rashid catch at backward point follow- left-handed batsman scoring his Fall of wickets: 1-60 (Dhawan), 2-65 (Rahul), 3-82 (Pujara), 4-241 at long leg. But Kohli, who had ing a fl ashing edge off Woakes. fi rst Test runs in style when, to (Rahane), 5-279 (Kohli) urged India “to stand up” was as Kohli was in superb touch, a just his second ball, the 20-year- Bowling: Anderson 22-8-52-1; Broad 21-6-64-1; Stokes 15-1-54-0 First-placed Christian Coleman of the US and second-placed good as his word, while showing gentle push off Woakes speed- old left-hander went down the (1w); Woakes 20-2-75-3; Rashid 9-0-46-1 Reece Prescod of Britain pose after the men’s 100m race in no sign of the back trouble that ing down the ground for four. pitch to drive Rashid for six. Birmingham yesterday. (Reuters)

CYCLING Sagan, Viviani head fi eld for Hamburg’s Cyclassics AFP the Vuelta. Sagan was a non- Berlin fi nisher at the European Cham- Muehlberger wins sixth stage of BinckBank Tour pionships road race, feeling the eff ects of a crash on the Tour de Gregor Muehlberger won the orld champion Pe- France, and the predominantly sixth and penultimate stage of ter Sagan and Ol- fl at course in Hamburg boosts the BinckBank Tour yesterday ympic omnium his chances. in Sittard-Geleen in the gold medallist Elia “I’m looking forward to the Netherlands. WViviani lead the fi eld for the one- Cyclassics and it’s profi le - the Slovenian Matej Mohoric day Cyclassics road race today Hamburg course should suit (Bahrain-Merida) kept the in Hamburg. me,” said Slovakia’s Sagan, who overall lead, 30 seconds ahead The race over 216.4 kilometres leads German team Bora-hans- of Australian Michael Matthews will see top sprinters do bat- grohe. Arnaud Demare of France, (Sunweb). tle in a warm-up for the Vuelta who took the title in 2012, fi n- It was Muehlberger’s first stage a Espana, which starts next ished second to Viviani in Ham- victory in a World Tour event. Saturday. burg last year and is among the The 24-year-old Austrian, who The 2017 Cyclassics win- favourites. rides for the Bora team, stole a ner Viviani will want to bounce A rising star to watch is Pascal march on Belgian Tim Wellens back from fi nishing only 20th Ackermann, 24, who will wear (Lotto Soudal) and Czech last Sunday in the road race at the national jersey after his vic- Zdenek Stybar (Quick-Step) by the European Championships in tory in the German champion- attacking with a kilometre still Glasgow on a hillier course. ships in early July. to go. Germans Andre Greipel and “It’s a great honour, I’m very “It was not planned in advance,” John Degenkolb, both Tour de excited,” Ackermann told AFP he said. “The circumstances of France stage winners, will be subsidiary SID. Today’s race in the race allowed me to try my battling to ensure Sagan and Hamburg starts a big week for luck, and it worked.” Viviani do not steal the lime- German cycling. light. Tour de France winner Geraint Austrian cyclist Gregor Muhlberger Like Viviani, who took om- Thomas has star billing for the of Bora-Hansgrohe celebrates after nium gold at the Rio de Janeiro Tour of Germany, which starts in winning the sixth stage of the Olympics, Sagan will be hoping Koblenz on Thursday for the fi rst Binkcbank Tour yesterday. (AFP) to rediscover his form ahead of time after a ten-year hiatus. Gulf Times Sunday, August 19, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 Mbappe plays starring role on return to PSG side

AFP a host of big names, including Edinson Buff on to set up Nicolas Benezet for Paris Cavani, the Uruguayan still not deemed the goal, but he was adjudged to have fi t to return after a calf injury suff ered at fouled Dagba just before heading in. the World Cup. Mbappe started on the With Mbappe on the fi eld, it was ylian Mbappe marked his fi rst bench at the Stade du Roudourou along Neymar who levelled the scores with appearance for Paris Saint- with two fellow French World Cup win- a 53rd-minute penalty he himself had Germain since winning the ners, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and won. That was the Brazilian’s second World Cup by coming off the centre-back Presnel Kimpembe. goal in as many games, but Mbappe’s Kbench to score a late brace that gave the Instead, Tuchel again put faith performances at the World Cup hinted French champions a 3-1 victory at Gu- in youth, just as he had done in last that he could steal more of the limelight ingamp yesterday. week’s 3-0 win over Caen. Timothy from the world’s most expensive player Nolan Roux had given the home side Weah, the 18-year-old son of the great this season. the lead in the Brittany sunshine, and George Weah, was rewarded for his In his fi rst game since scoring in only a combination of Gianluigi Buff on goal-scoring exploits off the bench in France’s 4-2 fi nal win over Croatia last and VAR prevented Thomas Tuchel’s that game with a start here. However, month, Mbappe put PSG in front with side from being further behind at half- he was hauled off at the interval after eight minutes left after being set up time. But Mbappe came on for the sec- a dreadful fi rst-half performance from by Angel Di Maria. And he made sure ond half and Neymar equalised from his side. Buff on kept his team on level of the points at the death with a de- the penalty spot soon after, before the terms when he tipped a Roux eff ort lightful dink over Guingamp’s Swedish 19-year-old France starlet added two onto the bar early on, but the veteran goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson, with goals in the closing 10 minutes to secure Italian goalkeeper could not prevent his Neymar this time providing the assist. the points. team from falling behind 20 minutes in. That goal even drew applause from the It is now two wins from two in Ligue The goal came when Antoine Guingamp fans, mindful of the young- 1 this season for PSG under new coach Bernede’s pass put his fellow teenager ster’s role in France’s glorious cam- Thomas Tuchel, after they swept aside Colin Dagba in trouble — the full-back paign in Russia. Monaco 4-0 to win the campaign- got caught in two minds and Marcus On Friday, Promoted Reims shocked opening Champions Trophy in China. Coco intervened to play in Roux for his Lyon 1-0 for a second successive vic- “I have very big objectives, so there is fi rst goal for the club. tory. The only goal of the game came no time to loaf around,” Mbappe said. Paris were then grateful to the Video from Argentine striker Pablo Chavarria “I brought something to the team but Assistant Referee for confi rming on- after 32 minutes. That was enough for the whole side wanted to do better after fi eld offi cial Clement Turpin’s decision the three points after Reims had opened a timid start to the match.” to disallow a second Guingamp goal their campaign last weekend with a 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (left) celebrates with teammates Angel Di Maria and Moussa Diaby (right) after The capital side were again without in the 25th minute. Coco went round win over Patrick Vieira’s Nice. scoring against Guingamp in the the French Ligue 1 at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp yesterday. (AFP)

PREMIER LEAGUE Bielsa’s Leeds win fourth straight match London: Marcelo Bielsa be- came the first Leeds manager Chelsea hit back as to win his first four games as the Championship promotion contenders beat Rotherham 2-0 yesterday. Bielsa has masterminded three consecu- tive second tier victories and a League Cup first round success at the start of his first Alonso sinks Arsenal season in charge. The former Argentina and Chile coach’s 100% start has helped Leeds climb to second Kane finally scores a goal in August as in the Championship table. Luke Ayling’s header broke Tottenham Hotspurs beat Fulham 3-1 the deadlock early in the second half of the Yorkshire AFP he admires the Italian’s commitment derby and Kemar Roofe struck London an attacking style and hopes to feature his third of the season in the even more prominently soon. 72nd minute at Elland Road. “He is the kind of manager who wants Ayling’s first Leeds goal was helsea recovered from the the ball, to control the ball. I can’t say a awarded with the aid of goal- shock of blowing a two-goal wrong thing about that,” he said. I want line technology after referee lead against Arsenal as Marcos to play and have the ball at my feet. We Robert Jones had initially Alonso’s late strike sealed a 3-2 have players who can do something given a goal kick. win,C while Harry Kane ended his Au- magic. “He is a great manager, like we Middlesbrough are top of gust hoodoo in Tottenham’s 3-1 victory had before.” the table after a 2-0 win at over Fulham yesterday. Maurizio Sarri’s Bournemouth also have maximum Bristol City. First-half goals side raced into a 2-0 lead in the Lon- points from their opening two games from Martin Braithwaite and don derby before Arsenal drew level in as Eddie Howe’s men came from be- Britt Assombalonga secured a thrilling fi rst half at Stamford Bridge. hind to win 2-1 at West Ham. Everton’s a third straight league win Pedro swept home with a cool fi nish in £50-million signing Richarlison con- for Tony Pulis’s side. West the ninth minute after woeful Arsenal tinued to quieten queries of his price tag Bromwich Albion climbed to defending and Alvaro Morata crashed in with the winner as Southampton were third after thrashing Steve the second 11 minutes later. defeated 2-1 at Goodison Park, while McClaren’s QPR 7-1 at the Although Arsenal were rocky at the Leicester saw off Wolves 2-0 despite a Hawthorns. back, they were dangerous going for- red card for Jamie Vardy. Joel Lynch cancelled out ward and Henrikh Mkhitaryan got one After becoming the fi rst Premier Matt Phillips’ West Brom back with a low strike after 37th minute. League side since the introduction of opener before the break. Alex Iwobi nabbed Arsenal’s equaliser the summer transfer window to fail to But Kieran Gibbs and Jay with a clinical eff ort in the 44th minute. sign a player, Spurs were dealt another Rodriguez’s penalty put the But Chelsea bounced back from that blow off the fi eld in midweek with the Baggies in control. Dwight blow, dominating the second half be- news their new 62,000-capacity sta- Gale added a fourth and fore Spanish defender Alonso fi nished dium won’t be ready until at least Oc- Rodriguez then converted off substitute Eden Hazard’s pass in tober. his second penalty after Matt the 81st minute. Chelsea’s second suc- Mauricio Pochettino’s men will Ingram’s foul on Gayle. Phillips cessive win under new boss Sarri lifted therefore host another two home fi x- grabbed his second before Hal them to the top of the Premier League tures against Cardiff and Liverpool at Robson-Kanu completed the with a 100% record, while Arsenal re- Wembley. Lucas Moura curled home his rout in stoppage time. main without a point under their new fi rst Premier League goal to give Spurs Aston Villa remain fourth manager Unai Emery after back-to- the lead, but Aleksandar Mitrovic de- after they were held 1-1 at 10- back losses. servedly headed Fulham level early in man Ipswich. Jonathan Kodjia Hazard later told his boss Maurizio the second half. headed Villa into a first-half Sarri he is desperate to return to the Tottenham may still be suff ering a lead after Ipswich had hit the starting line-up. Hazard has started on World Cup hangover with the majority Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (right) vies for the ball with Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin during the English Premier League football crossbar through Gwion Ed- the bench for Chelsea’s opening two of their stars enjoying barely a week of match at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. (AFP) wards’ shot. Trevor Chalobah games of the Premier League season pre-season training after their eff orts ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS equalised, but Ipswich were after the Belgium playmaker only re- in Russia. But it was two of England’s der to Bournemouth. but despite much hype and expectation reduced to 10 men before the turned to training earlier this month World Cup heroes who produced the Marko Arnautovic’s penalty gave the after a summer of heavy investment, Cardiff 0 Newcastle 0; Chelsea 3 (Pedro interval when midfielder Tayo following the World Cup. But Hazard goods as Kieran Trippier curled home a hosts a half-time lead. Two goals in six they remain winless after losing 2-0 at 9, Morata 20, Alonso 81) Arsenal 2 (Mkhi- Edun received his second yel- is pining for a place in the team from wonderful free-kick before Kane fi nally minutes turned the game on its head, 10-man Leicester. A spectacular own taryan 37, Iwobi 41); Everton 2 (Walcott low card. the start and he believes his impact as ended his wait to score in the opening though, as Callum Wilson and Steve goal from Matt Doherty and a defl ected 15, Richarlison 31) Southampton 1 (Ings Frank Lampard’s Derby a substitute against Huddersfi eld and month of the season at the 15th attempt Cook made it two wins from two for the James Maddison strike put the Foxes 54); Leicester 2 (Doherty 29-og, Mad- slipped to their second suc- now Arsenal underlines his case. in the Premier League. “We dominated Cherries. Everton’s revolution under in command. However, victory came dison 45) Wolves 0; Tottenham 3 (Moura cessive defeat, losing 2-1 at “It is better to be on the pitch than the fi rst 30 minutes and created a lot of Marco Silva gained more momentum at at a cost for Leicester as England in- 43, Trippier 74, Kane 77) Fulham 1 (Mitro- Millwall. Former Chelsea star watching on the bench, but the boys chances, but in the Premier League if Goodison with Richarlison scoring his ternational Vardy was shown a straight vic 52); West Ham 1 (Arnautovic 33-pen) Lampard watched as Millwall when they are playing they did well so I you drop your level it can let in the other third goal in two games. A well-worked red card 20 minutes from time for a Bournemouth 2 (Wilson 60, Cook 66) stormed into a 2-0 first-half am just happy for the win,” Hazard said. team,” Pochettino said. free-kick freed up Theo Walcott to open late lunge on Doherty and now faces a Today: Brighton v Manchester United lead with goals by Lee Gre- Linked with Real Madrid throughout In contrast to Spurs, West Ham the scoring before the Brazilian headed three-game ban. (1500 GMT), Burnley v Watford (1230 gory and Shaun Williams. the close-season, Hazard has been told splurged nearly £100mn in the transfer home a Walcott cross to double Ever- Cardiff and Newcastle both regis- GMT), Manchester City v Huddersfield Derby responded through he is not for sale. market to back new manager Manuel ton’s advantage. tered their fi rst point of the season in a (1230 GMT) David Nugent, but the Rams Pellegrini but still have no points to Wolves shared the points in a four- drab 0-0 draw in the Welsh capital in a Asked about Sarri’s impact in his fi rst Tomorrow: Crystal Palace v Liverpool couldn’t snatch an equaliser. weeks at Stamford Bridge, Hazard said show for it after a second-half surren- goal thriller with Everton last weekend, missed opportunity for both sides.

Celtic sink Partick Deadline looms as Lopetegui focused on Bolt lands Down Under for Klopp willing to let ‘Pogba should have been aft er Euro woes Nigeria face football ban Getafe, not transfer targets ‘real’ soccer mission fringe players leave captain from the off ’

Celtic got back on track after a diff icult Nigeria have less than 48 hours to sort Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui bat- Olympic sprint champion and aspiring Jurgen Klopp admits he is willing to French star Paul Pogba should have week as Brendan Rodgers’ side clinched out the running of their football federa- ted away talk about the club’s possible footballer Usain Bolt touched down in allow some of Liverpool’s fringe players been Manchester United captain from a 3-1 win against Partick Thistle in the tion if they want to avoid the possibility transfer targets ahead of his side’s first Sydney yesterday, declaring himself to leave before the end of the August. the moment he arrived in 2016 and that last 16 of the Scottish League Cup yes- of being banned by FIFA from inter- La Liga game of the season against ready to prove to the world that his Reds boss Klopp splashed out £160mn might have prompted more consist- terday. Rodgers’ men lost 1-0 at Hearts national football, including exclusion Getafe today, insisting he is happy with Australian football adventure is “real”. on Naby Keita, Fabinho, Alisson Becker ency, former United midfield star Paul in the Scottish Premiership last Sunday from next month’s African Nations Cup the squad he has. “Right now we’re The eight-times Olympic gold medallist and Xherdan Shaqiri before the Premier Scholes said. The 25-year-old World Cup before crashing out of the Champions qualifiers. FIFA issued the country with focusing on getting the best out of the will train with Central Coast Mariners League transfer window closed last winner – who scored a superb goal in League qualifiers after a 3-2 aggregate a final warning due to alleged state squad we have which is a squad we for the first time on Tuesday after being week. Liverpool are open to off -loading the 4-2 win over Croatia in the final in defeat against AEK Athens. interference in the running of the Nige- love, we have a lot of talent and we’re granted an open-ended trial with the players likely to be squeezed out of the July – captained The Red Devils in their Leigh Griff iths’ goal after 17 minutes rian Football Federation (NFF). FIFA’s going to work with it,” Lopetegui said. struggling A-League club. match-day squad on a regular basis. opening 2-1 win over Leicester City last gave the Scottish champions the lead recognised leadership were kicked out Madrid have yet to sign a replacement Bolt was greeted by a few dozen fans Estonia defender Ragnar Klavan is ex- Friday. Scholes agreed Pogba has not on their return to domestic action at of the NFF and a rival faction has taken for all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo and a huge media pack. “This is real, I’ve pected to join Cagliari, while Simon Mig- performed at the level expected of him Firhill. Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo equal- control. FIFA do not accept third party after selling him to Juventus for 105mn said it since my last season of track and nolet, Lazar Markovic, Sheyi Ojo, Marko often enough – United manager Jose ised with 18 minuted left, but Moussa interference and said the NFF must be euros. Their only new arrivals so far field I want to play football, I know what Grujic and Dominic Solanke might all Mourinho dropped him for the Cham- Dembele and Tom Rogic netted to get led by its elected president, voted in have been right back Alvaro Odrio- I’m capable of, I know what I can do, so attract interest. English teams can’t buy pions League Last 16 clash with Sevilla the treble winners back to winning 2014. If that does not happen, FIFA said zola, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and I’m thankful to the Mariners for giving players until January, but they can still last season – and said the captaincy ways. it would suspend Nigeria. 18-year-old Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr. me this opportunity,” Bolt said. sell to European clubs till month end, could be the answer.

Sunday, August 19, 2018 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Duhail, Rayyan set for thrilling tie; Sadd host Gharafa

By Sports Reporter Sadd defeated Al Arabi 10-1, while Al Doha Gharafa beat Al Sailiya 2-1 Al Sadd are the side with most Qatar League titles (13) and Al Gharafa, who efending champions Al Du- managed to fi nish fourth last season, do hail take on Al Rayyan in the not lag behind when it comes to history, QNB Stars League today at tradition and performance. the Khalifa International Sta- Al Sadd are in great form and top the diumD with revenge on their mind. Du- QNB Stars League table ahead of Al Du- hail had lost to Al Rayyan on penalties hail on goal diff erence. They both have in the season-opening Sheikh Jassim six points, but The Wolves enjoy a goal Cup, and they will look to set the record diff erence of +15 compared to The Red straight. Al Duhail have six points, but Knights’ +9. The Cheetahs thus made are currently second in the standings up for their loss to Qatar SC in the fi rst behind Al Sadd, who host Al Gharafa round and are placed seventh in the today, on goal diff erence. Rayyan stand table. Al Sadd famously boast players in third spot with four points. such as Xavi Hernandez, Gabi, Bagh- Duhail would not want to drop points dad Bounedjah, Akram Afi f, Hassan al- at any stage if they are to retain the title, Haydous and Ali Asad. while Al Rayyan have already lost two Bounedjah is the 2018-19 QNB Stars points following their 1-1 draw with League’s top scorer with 10 goals. The Umm Salal in Week 2. Algerian ace netted a hat-trick in their The Red Knights will miss injured 6-0 win over Al Kharaitiyat and fol- players Karim Boudiaf and Ismail Mo- lowed it up with a seven-goal eff ort hammed, who are recovering from against Al Arabi. surgery. However, they have the likes Al Gharafa have the likes of Wesley of Moroccan striker Yousef El Arabi, Al Duhail’s new coach Nabil Maaloul (left) and his Al Rayyan counterpart Rodolfo Arruabarrena speak at a press conference yesterday. Sneijder, a FIFA World Cup runner-up the league’s top scorer in the last two with the Netherlands as well as UEFA seasons, South Korean attacking mid- Iran’s Persepolis next week,” he said. Beating them will boost our morale, es- dulrahman al-Harazi, Daniel Goumou, hail in the Sheikh Jassim Cup,” said Ar- Champions League winner with Inter fi elder Nam Tae-Hee, new recruit Ed- “And we certainly will not fi nd any pecially since they had beaten us in the Gonzalo Vieira and South Korean Koh ruabarrena. Milan, Mehdi Taremi, Vladimir Weiss, milson, Lucas Mendes, wily forward team better than Rayyan to give us a Sheikh Jassim Cup,” said Maaloul. Myong-jin. Al Rayyan coach Rodolfo “I am happy with the team at my dis- Diego Amado and Ahmed Alaaeldin. Almoez Ali and young Bassam al-Rawi. real test and we want to continue our Al Rayyan are without their Moroc- Arruabarrena was hoping his team can posal, but I am not 100 per cent happy. Duhail’s new coach Nabil Maaloul good run. At the same time, we will put can spearhead Abderrazaq Hamdallah beat Duhail again. Anyhow, at the end of the season, you said his team will be going all out for a up our best despite the absence of some through injury. New recruit, Argen- “We are up against strong title con- will see Al Rayyan fi ght for many titles. TODAY’S FIXTURES victory. “This is an important encoun- key players due to injuries,” the Tuni- tinian striker Jonathan Menendez, is tenders. Naturally, the game will be We do not want to drop points unnec- Al Sadd vs Al Gharafa at 5:25pm ter for us. We will try to continue in the sian added. a doubtful starter as he awaits his pa- tough. We are correcting the mistakes essarily,” the Argentine added. at Al Sadd Stadium; Al Duhail vs same pattern and the team is ready for “We have young players who are able pers from former club Independiente. we committed during our drawn en- Meanwhile, Al Sadd and Al Gharafa Al Rayyan at 7:25pm at Khalifa a big game before our AFC Champions to compensate for the seniors’ absence. However, they have Rodrigo Tabata, counter against Umm Salal. I wish we will be extend to their winning run. International Stadium League quarter-fi nal fi rst leg against Al Rayyan are always title contenders. Sebastian Soria, Khalfan Ibrahim, Ab- win this time too, having beaten Al Du- Both teams are coming off victories. Al

SERIE A SPOTLIGHT Abdrabo’s strike helps Ronaldo makes Arabi beat Kharaitiyat By Sports Reporter In the fi rst match of the day, Al against Al Kharaitiyat, had more Doha Khor played out a 1-1 draw with possession in the fi rst half and Al Shahania. After Ahmed Yasin tried hard for an equaliser. They scored for Al Khor in the 10th did come close to doing that debut as Juve hit udhir Abdrabo’s minute, Al Shahania’s substitute only for Younes hitting his shot goal earned Al Ara- player Sultan al-Kuwari equal- straight to goalkeeper Baba Dji- bi a much-needed ised in the 67th. bril from very close. 1-0 win over on Al Al Khor, badly in need of a vic- Argentinian striker Luciano MKharaitiyat in the QNB Stars tory after losing their fi rst two Vasquez then had his free-kick League match at Al Sadd stadi- matches, controlled the pro- saved by Djibril. Al Shahania um yesterday. Arabi were under ceedings early on and duly went showed more alacrity in the back at Chievo pressure to deliver after they suf- ahead through a brilliant eff ort second half and were rewarded fered a humiliating 1-10 thrash- by Yasin. The Iraqi professional, through Sultan, who volleyed ing from Al Sadd last week. who joined Al Khor this season, home a loose ball after being set Substitute Bernardeschi scores the winner two minutes into injury time And Abdrabo’s strike in the took the ball from a distance after up by Kesse Jean. Al Khor had 15th minute saved them from playing a one-two with striker a golden opportunity to go for- dropping points against strug- Diogo Farias, then beat last de- ward a second time, but an un- glers Kharaitiyat as Al Arabi fender Younes Yaghoob and the marked Farias cracked his shot coach Luka Bonacic heaved a sigh outstretched hand of goalkeeper against the horizontal in the of relief. It was Kharaitiyat third Khalifa al-Dossari. 82nd minute. Al Shahania ended loss in succession as they sit bot- Al Shahania, who had scored the match with 56 per cent pos- tom of the table. their fi rst three points last week session and a well-earned point.

Al Arabi’s Mudhir Abdrabo (third right) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Al Kharaitiyat in the QNB Stars League at Al Sadd stadium yesterday.

GERMAN CUP Bayern leave it late to beat minnows, Frankfurt crash out Reuters one of the bigger stadiums in liga clubs VfL Wolfsburg, Hof- Berlin nearby Hamburg and the bigger fenheim, Werder Bremen and revenues from more tickets say- Bayer Leverkusen advanced. Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Chievo Verona’s Nenad Tomovic go for a header during the Serie A match yesterday. (Reuters) ing such historic ties should be Borussia Dortmund are in ac- erman champions Bay- played on home turf, battled hard tion against Greuther Fuerth DPA “It is important to play with the heart, Sandro three minutes into stoppage time. ern Munich needed in front of the 7,500 crowd. tomorrow while last season’s Rome despite the champions we have. It can hap- It was a low-key start for the Ronaldo in more than 80 minutes They even had as chance for a league runners-up Schalke 04 pen that you lose pace, we know it is hard to Verona’s Stadio Bentegodi yesterday on a to break the dead- sensational lead late in the fi rst beat regional club Schweinfurt be focused early in the season.” day of national mourning for the victims Glock against regional club Dro- half but unmarked Florian Nagel, 2-0 on Friday. uventus opened their quest for an Khedira slammed home in the third off a of the Morandi bridge tragedy in the north- chtersen/Assel and win 1-0 in the who snuck into the box, saw his eighth straight Serie A title with a Giorgio Chiellini header and the Bianconeri western port city. The emotional impact of German Cup fi rst round yester- close-range eff ort blocked by SELECTED GERMAN CUP last-gasp 3-2 at Chievo yesterday, came close from Juan Cuadrado and twice the disaster has led to the postponement of day as holders Eintracht Frank- Manuel Neuer. FIRST-ROUND RESULTS producing a lukewarm season start with Ronaldo before Stepinski was free to Serie A games involving local teams Samp- furt crashed out against ama- They started running out of SV Linx 1 (Rubio 21-pen) Nurem- despiteJ the debut of new signing Cristiano nod past his Polish compatriot Wojciech doria and Genoa who had been due to open teurs Ulm. steam in the second half and Thi- berg 2 (Ishak 15, 88); Elversberg Ronaldo. Szczesny. their campaigns against Fiorentina and AC Bayern, who won the German ago Alcantara rattled the cross- 0 Wolfsburg 1 (Ginczek 76); A Joao Cancelo foul on Giaccherini al- Milan. A minute’s silence will be held before bar with a 20-metre shot. Sami Khedira scored an early opener Super Cup against Frankfurt last Wormatia Worms 1 (Mimbala 44) as Juve took control in Verona, only to be lowed the home winger to put the hosts each match with the players taking to the Sunday, looked far from ready But just as Bayern got go- Werder Bremen 6 (Osako 9, Kainz stunned by Mariusz Stepinski’s header on 38 ahead, which triggered the Bianconeri’s pitch wearing black armbands. for the Bundesliga season start- ing their own fans interrupted 21, Bargfrede 31, M. Kruse 41-pen, minutes and fall behind when their former fi erce reaction with missed chances from Lazio and Napoli were playing in a late ing next week, failing to create the game for several minutes by M. Eggestein 45+1, J. Eggestein winger Emanuele Giaccherini converted a substitutes Bernardeschi and Mario Mand- match in Rome last night. Napoli turn back chances against the regional club throwing paper rolls onto the 79); Drochtersen/Assel 0 Bayern penalty on 56. On own goal from Mattia Bani zukic and the in-form Ronaldo. to their quest for a fi rst title since the days of despite almost complete posses- pitch. Lewandowski, however, put Juve level again at 2-2. Leonardo Bonucci, who is back after a Argentine star Diego Maradona in 1987 and sion. settled their nerves with his win- Munich 1 (Lewandowski 81); Kai- Ronaldo forced two tough saves from vet- lacklustre season at AC Milan, pounced 1990 after pushing Juventus to the line last The Bavarians fi elded a full- ner to send them through as new serslautern 1 (Spalvis 33) Hoff en- eran Stefano Sorrentino before substitute on a corner kick and forced Bani’s unlucky season. strength team but had to wait coach Niko Kovac breathed a sigh heim 6 (Joelinton 6, 22, 53, Schulz Federico Bernardeschi turned in a low cross defl ection on 77 before video review disal- After claiming a record 91 points for a until Robert Lewandowski’s of relief. 13, Kaderabek 51, Brenet 63); in stoppage time. “Beside the goal, I am lowed a Mandzukic goal for a Ronaldo foul league runner-up, Maurizio Sarri exited the close-range tap-in after 82 min- Kovac’s former club Frankfurt Pforzheim 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1 happy because we got three points here in on Sorrentino, who left the pitch with a head club for Chelsea with Italian Carlo Ancelotti utes to claim victory. fared worse without him, suff er- (Alario 26); Ulm 2 (Kienle 48, Lux Verona, with this heat,” said Bernardeschi, injury before Bernardeschi’s winner. The making his return to Serie A for the fi rst time Their opponents, who had ing a 2-1 loss to Ulm to exit the 75) Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Pacien- who came on on 56 minutes. winger connected with a low feed by Alex in nearly a decade. refused to move the fi xture to competition but fellow Bundes- cia 90)