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Tuesday, September 29, 2020 TENNIS Safar 12, 1442 AH Nadal and Serena GULF TIMES win Roland Garros openers SPORT Page 2 FOCUS Lusail SC’s goal is to invest in sports, players: al-Mudahka Lusail SC, launched in 2014, is the first commercial club in Qatar

(From left) Lusail Sports Club off icial spokesman Abdulhadi al-Sahli, club President Nawaf al-Mudahka, team captain Khaled Nawaf and Cosette Solutions’ CEO Omar Shamiyeh address a press conference yesterday.

By Sports Reporter Doha

he Lusail Sports Club Lusail SC President Nawaf al-Mudahka (left) and Cosette Solutions CEO Omar Shamiyeh yesterday. yesterday unveiled the new club and acad- investing in sports and players, all nationalities,” al-Mudahka extend and continue in the fu- emy logos and also an- refi ning them and introducing said. ture and help develop the game nouncedT details of its strategic them to the big clubs and even- On his experience with Lusail among youngsters. and commercial partnerships in tually the Qatari national teams Sports Club, team captain Na- “Lusail Sports Club is the fi rst the coming period during a press so that the players could compete waf said: “Playing in the side has club in Qatar that was set up as conference held at the at the internationally. been a good experience. Me and commercial entity. This is an op- Grand Hyatt Hotel. The President said that the my players have benefi ted a lot portunity for Cosette Solutions The press conference was at- goal of the club is to attract from it. In order to teach young- to be the fi rst marketing com- tended by the club’s President all residents in Qatar without sters all about football skills, I pany to sponsor a sports club and Nawaf al-Mudahka, Executive screening as the club continues encourage them to be part of a to be part of a club that is keen to Director Mohamed Saeed al- to work on its ‘Vision 2026’. competitive and sporting at- develop the game among young- Misnad, team captain Khaled “We have established the Lu- mosphere like the one seen at sters,” he added. Nawaf, the club’s offi cial spokes- sail Football Academy in the the academy.” “One of our most important man Abdulhadi al-Sahli and club Doha Golf Club to support the Omar Shamiyeh, CEO of Co- goals is to develop community sponsors Cosette Solutions’ CEO Executive Director Mohamed Saeed al-Misnad. youngsters falling in the age sette Solutions, the sponsors of sports and to help develop Qa- Omar Shamiyeh. groups of 4 to 16 years old. The Lusail Sports Club, said: “We tari players in all sports fi elds. Addressing the gathering, al- “The club was launched from the club members participated training period is divided into are proud of our sponsorship of We sponsored world champion Mudahka stated the Lusail Sports an idea to educate and train Qa- in the Ramadan tournaments and Al-Mudahka also said that Lu- three stages. Each stage consists Lusail Sports Club and the Lu- Mutaz Barshim, and we seek to Club is the fi rst commercial club tari youth of Aspire graduates amateur competitions,” al-Mu- sail Sports Club, as a commercial of a period of three months and sail Football Academy. We hope help develop future stars also,” in Qatar and was launched in 2014. and amateurs. At the beginning dahka said. club, is primarily concerned with the door is open to residents of that this joint co-operation will Shamiyeh said.

FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Pakhtakor face Persepolis in quarters, Al Nassr play Al Ahli

AFC esting game. We look forward to target is to be champions of Asia, I think we are similar teams. Eve- Doha this type of games. so if we want to be champions, we rything is possible in this game. “Al Ahli may have played extra cannot worry about which team We believe in ourselves and we time in the Round of 16, but they we will face next. will be ready for this game. We l Nassr will face Al Ahli had one extra day of rest com- “Pakhtakor have been a re- played two teams from IR Iran Saudi FC in an all-Saudi pared to us, and one day more in ally good team, so we know we already in this competition, so Arabia tie while Perse- this type of competition will be will have a tough game against we are getting used to it. Ira- polis FC of Iran and Pa- very important, but we are ready them, but on the other hand it nian teams are always strong, we Akhtakor of Uzbekistan will square and we have players who want will be a tough game for them. know that. It will be an exciting off in the 2020 AFC Champions to play and are prepared for the This is football, but we are confi - and strong game.” League (West) quarter-fi nals fol- game.” dent that we will take to the pitch None of the four West Zone lowing the draw in Doha yester- Al Ahli Saudi, who fi nished with only the aim of winning the quarter-fi nalists have won the day. top of Group A, advanced to the match.” AFC Champions League before, Both the quarter-fi nals will be quarter-fi nals after defeating Pakhtakor, in the quarter-fi - with Al Ahli Saudi and Persepo- played at the Jassim Bin Hamad UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 4-3 nals for the fi rst time since 2009, lis fi nishing runners-up in 2012 Stadium tomorrow, with Satur- on penalties, with the Round of defeated Iran’s Esteghlal FC 2-1, and 2018 respectively. Al Ahli day’s semi-fi nal also to be played 16 match having ended 1-1 after with the Uzbekistan side having Saudi were also runners-up in at the same venue. The two quar- extra-time on Saturday. advanced to the Round of 16 as the 1985-86 season of the Asian ter-fi nals and semi-fi nal will be “I did not have a preference Group B winners. Club Championship. one-legged aff airs. prior to the draw as all teams “All three teams would have Pakhtakor were semi-fi nalists Abderrazak Hamdallah’s sixth are very strong, but it is inter- been diffi cult opponents,” said in 2003 and 2004 while Al Nassr, goal of the campaign saw Group esting because we face a fellow Pakhtakor assistant coach Pieter runners-up in the 1995 Asian D winners Al Nassr of Saudi Ara- Saudi club,” said Al Ahli Saudi Huistra. “Persepolis are a great Club Championship, will be ap- bia edge domestic rivals Al Taa- head coach Vladan Milojevic. “Al team and we know them quite pearing in their second succes- woun 1-0 in their Round of 16 tie Nassr are a good team. A good well because we faced them last sive AFC Champions League on Sunday. club that of course we respect, The draw for the quarter-finals in the AFC Champions League West were held yesterday. year in the group stage and they quarter-fi nals. “It will be a diffi cult game; we but we are not afraid. are champions of Iran, so we have know that because we played “We came here to give our all, “The Round of 16 is behind us Persepolis — who fi nished top their last 16 tie. to be ready and have to be in good QUARTER-FINAL SCHEDULE against Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro so we will fi ght, play and we will now, and we focus on Al Nassr. I of Group C — sealed their quar- “Coming to the draw ceremony shape but we are confi dent. We September 30 (Jassim Bin Hamad League and we know their quali- see what happens. My philoso- have to concentrate on the state ter-fi nal berth in dramatic fash- we knew it wasn’t going to make played some good games already Stadium) ties,” said Al Nassr head coach phy is to prepare for any oppo- of my players because we had a ion on Sunday with Isa al-Kasir a big diff erence for us, because here and we are looking forward 4:40pm: Al Nassr (KSA) vs Al Ahli Rui Vitoria. “We are ready for the nent in the same way. We treat lot of injuries, but I believe in my scoring an 88th minute winner here there are four strong teams,” to Wednesday to play again. Saudi FC (KSA) game. Both teams want to win, this game the same way we would team and club. I always want to for the Iran Pro League champi- said Persepolis team manager “They had four clean sheets 8:45pm: Persepolis FC (IRN) vs and I think it will be a very inter- any other. enjoy the game fi rst.” ons against Qatar’s Al Sadd SC in Mohamed Ali Peyrovani. “Our and we had three clean sheets, so Pakhtakor (UZB) Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, September 29, 2020 TENNIS

FRENCH OPEN ‘The biggest diff erence was Nadal and Serena win confidence. I need to play with more confidence, Roland Garros openers like I’m Serena’

AFP Paris, France

afael Nadal began his pursuit of a record-tying 20th men’s Grand Slam title with a straight-sets victoryR at the French Open while Serena Williams made a slow but successful start in her latest bid to equal Margaret Court’s all- time mark. Nadal, 34, needs one more Slam to match Roger Federer’s record but has described the defence of his Roland Garros crown as the “most difficult ever” given the cold and damp conditions of a tournament de- layed four months by the coro- navirus pandemic. The second seed defeated Egor Gerasimov, the world number 83 from Belarus, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to launch his assault on a 13th French Open title, 15 years after his debut triumph. “I’m really happy to be back at Chatrier. Thanks to the specta- tors for being here,” Nadal said in front of a smattering of the 1,000 fans permitted daily at Roland Garros. “Hopefully it’ll be back to nor- Serena Williams of the US celebrates a point during her French Open mal next year and I’ll play in front first round match against Kristie Ahn (not pictured) of the US at Roland of the beautiful crowd.” Garros in Paris, France, yesterday. (Reuters) The Spaniard is appearing for Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a forehand return against Belarus’ Egor Gerasimov (not pictured) during their French Open first round match at the the fi rst time in Paris without a Philippe Chatrier court at Roland Garros in Paris, France, yesterday. (AFP) playing like that. And I love the second meeting at a major this clay title to his credit and skipped clay and I started playing like it, month. the recent US hardcourt swing opening the court and moving Eighth seed Gael Monfi ls lost over Covid-19 concerns. Results and sliding.” 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to Alexander He smacked 32 winners to Williams, seeded sixth here, Bublik, likely extending the wait just 20 unforced errors to down MEN (Round I) Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) bt 14-Fabio Fognini Davis (USA) 7-6 (5), 6-2; Sara Errani (ITA) bt has not gone beyond the last 16 in for a fi rst French men’s major Gerasimov, one of 31 men entered Jiri Vesely (CZE) bt Liam Broady (GBR) 6-2, (ITA) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-0; Pedro Martinez Monica Puig (PUR) 6-2, 6-1; 5-Kiki Bertens Paris since her defeat to Garbine champion since Yannick Noah in into his fi rst French Open main 5-7, 6-3, 6-2; Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) bt Emilio (ESP) bt Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) 7-5, 6-4, 6-0; (NED) bt Katarina Zavatska (UKR) 2-6, 6-2, Muguruza in the 2016 fi nal. Her 1983. draw. Gomez (ECU) 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3; Mackenzie McDonald (USA) bt Steven Diez 6-0; 3-Elina Svitolina (UKR) bt Varvara last major came at the 2017 Aus- Play yesterday was initially “I don’t want to make any Lorenzo Giustino (ITA) bt Corentin Moutet (CAN) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4; 2-Rafael Nadal (ESP) Gracheva (RUS) 7-6 (2), 6-4; Renata Zarazua tralian Open while pregnant. delayed by more persistent rain. mistakes. It’s a diff erent Roland (FRA) 0-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3), 2-6, 18-16; Hugo bt Egor Gerasimov (BLR) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 (MEX) bt Elsa Jacquemot (FRA) 6-1, 6-2; Ts- Italian journeyman Lorenzo Twice Wimbledon champion Garros this year and the weather Gaston (FRA) bt Maxime Janvier (FRA) vetana Pironkova (BUL) bt Andrea Petkovic Giustino carved out his own place Petra Kvitova defeated Oceane conditions are very challenging, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-3; Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) WOMEN (Round I) (GER) 6-3, 6-3; 6-Serena Williams (USA) bt in the headlines Monday when Dodin 6-3, 7-5 in the only match but we are here to try our best,” bt 19-Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 7-5, 6-3, Bernarda Pera (USA) bt Cici Bellis (USA) 7-6 Kristie Ahn (USA) 7-6 (7/2), 6-0; 11-Garbine he outlasted France’s Coren- to start on time under the new added Nadal, who faces Macken- 6-3; 28-Casper Ruud (NOR) bt Yuichi Sugita (3), 6-1; 25-Amanda Anisimova (USA) bt Ta- Muguruza (ESP x11) bt Tamara Zidansek tin Moutet 0-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3), roof on Court Philippe Chatrier. zie McDonald in round two. (JPN) 6-1, 6-3, 6-1; Tommy Paul (USA) bt mara Korpatsch (GER) 6-2, 6-0; Hsieh Su-Wei (SLO) 7-5, 4-6, 8-6; Christina McHale (USA) bt 2-6, 18-16 in the second longest Kiki Bertens overhauled 112th- Williams is chasing an elusive James Duckworth (AUS) 6-2, 6-3, 6-2; Jack (TPE) bt Barbara Haas (AUT) 6-3, 7-6 (1); Iga 22-Karolina Muchova (CZE) 6-2, 6-4; 7-Petra match in French Open history at ranked Ukrainian Katarina Za- 24th Grand Slam title to draw Sock (USA) bt Reilly Opelka (USA) 6-4, 6-4, Swiatek (POL) bt 15-Marketa Vondrousova Kvitova (CZE) bt Oceane Dodin (FRA) 6-3, six hours and fi ve minutes. vatska 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 once con- level with Margaret Court’s all- 6-3; 3-Dominic Thiem (AUT) bt Marin Cilic (CZE) 6-1, 6-2; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5; Jasmine Paolini (ITA) bt Aliona Bolsova The match, held over from ditions improved while Elina time haul, but clay is her least (CRO) 6-4, 6-3, 6-3; Pierre-Hugues Herbert (RUS) bt 28-Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-1, (ESP) 6-4, 6-3; Zhang Shuai (CHN) bt 12-Madi- Sunday, fell 28 minutes short of Svitolina scrapped past Varvara successful surface. (FRA) bt Michael Mmoh (USA) 6-3, 6-2, 6-3; 2-6, 6-1; Katerina Siniakova (CZE) bt Lauren son Keys (USA) 6-3, 7-6 (2) Roland Garros’ record marathon Gracheva 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. An error-prone beginning tie between Fabrice Santoro and Garbine Muguruza, the 2016 from the American star left world Arnaud Clement in 2004. champion, edged past Tama- number 102 Kristie Ahn serving Open for the 18th time, dropped But the sixth seed forced a tie- ‘PLAY LIKE SERENA’ “The biggest diff erence was US Open winner Dominic ra Zidansek 7-5, 4-6, 8-6 but for the fi rst set before the three- serve twice as Ahn moved 5-4 break that she sealed with an ace “She played very well in the fi rst just confi dence. I just need to Thiem, the runner-up to Nadal last year’s runner-up Marketa time Roland Garros champion ahead in the opener in a rematch after a 74-minute slog before set, it wasn’t easy for me and she play with more confi dence, like in Paris the past two years, de- Vondrousova was bundled out prevailed 7-6 (2), 6-0. of their fi rst-round encounter at charging to an ultimately com- hit a lot of winners,” said Wil- I’m Serena. feated former Slam champion 6-1, 6-2 by Polish teenager Iga Williams, playing at the French Flushing Meadows. fortable victory. liams. “So that was it. I just started Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in their Swiatek.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Thiem admits tough fi ght Kvitova very glad to see ahead to replace ‘Big Three’ spectators at Roland Garros AFP Paris, France Reuters from its normal May-June slot Paris, France because of the novel coronavi- rus pandemic, initially planned S Open champion Do- for 11,000 fans per day. minic Thiem admitted wo days after Victoria That was cut to 5,000 and on yesterday that he faces Azarenka questioned Thursday it was reduced further a stiff challenge to keep the presence of fans at to 1,000 by the French govern- Utennis high up in the public con- the French Open, Czech ment. sciousness once Roger Federer, PetraT Kvitova said she was German Alexander Zverev, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic very glad she could play in front the losing fi nalist to Dominic call it quits. of spectators at Roland Garros. Thiem at Flushing Meadows, Thiem, 27, captured his maid- The claycourt Grand Slam in praised the organisers of both en Slam title in New York with a Paris is allowing 1,000 fans each the French and the US Opens. breathtaking fi ve-set win over day despite rising Covid-19 in- “Here maybe is a little bit dif- Alexander Zverev earlier this fection rates in France while the ferent,” Zverev said on Sunday. month, the fi rst major fi nal in six recent US Open Grand Slam in “Here the hotel, there are other years not to feature at least one of New York was played in front of guests staying. But still I think the ‘Big Three’. empty stands. Roland Garros is doing every- However, US broadcaster are missing is the huge success. with the Spaniard only having “I think we are very glad and thing they can to make it as well ESPN said that ratings for that “I guess that there are less view- lost twice in 95 appearances at very pleased, honestly, that we roof of Court Philippe Chatrier. fi nal in New York, said she was run as possible. championship match were down ers or less interest if Roger, Rafa, the tournament since his title- are here and we can play here, “I really miss them, so it’s re- surprised with the decision of “Here the plus side is that we 48 percent. Both Federer and and Novak are not there much. It’s winning debut in 2005. even with few spectators,” Kvi- ally nice that they could come. French Open organisers and a do have spectators, a little bit. Nadal opted not to play the US normal, because as I said, they are “For me, Rafa is the huge fa- tova said yesterday after her I know it’s not full, but it’s still bit nervous about it. Not obviously the full crowd. Open while Djokovic was dis- global superstars, and I hope we vourite here,” said Thiem. “Ob- opening win over Frenchwoman better than nothing, for sure.” The French Open, pushed But we do still have spectators, qualifi ed in the last 16. are on the way there.” viously there’s a lot of diff erent Oceane Dodin under the closed Azarenka, who reached the back to start in late September which is quite nice.” “I think it’s normal, because Federer, 39, who is sitting out things going on this year with way Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, they the rest of 2020 to rehab knee less crowd, with the tournament are like global superstars, and surgery, is the record Slam ti- going on three or four months lat- we are not yet,” said Thiem after tle holder with 20 triumphs, er. It’s cold conditions. Australia tennis chief says competing during quarantine a ‘possibility’ reaching the second round of Ro- followed by Nadal with 19 and “But with his name and with AFP But in a letter to players, CEO “We will continue to keep Monday as case numbers fell land Garros with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 Djokovic, currently the world his past here at the tournament, Sydney, Australia Craig Tiley said Tennis Australia you updated on any changes, to single digits for the first time win over Croatia’s Marin Cilic, number one, with 17. he’s still the huge favourite.” was working with the govern- including the possibility of be- since mid-June. who was celebrating his 32nd Thiem has fi nished runner-up Next up for Thiem is American ment to ensure all players ing able to compete during the Tiley’s letter was revealed by birthday yesterday. to 12-time French Open winner qualifi er Jack Sock, a former top ennis players arriving for would be able to train during two-week period,” he added. Slovak player Lukas Lacko, who “I guess we have to build it up Nadal, 34, at the last two Roland 10 player who is now ranked 310. tournaments in Australia the isolation period. Quarantine hubs for players tweeted it adding that the Open like they did. I think there is a Garros fi nals. Sock reached the fourth round Tmay be able to compete Australia usually stages a will be established across “a “will be fun I guess”. chance to do it, but it comes au- Djokovic, meanwhile, is the in Paris in 2015 where he even during their mandatory two- number of tennis tournaments number” of Australian cities from Tennis Australia said in a state- tomatically with a lot of success. 2016 champion. The 33-year-old took a set off Nadal before losing week coronavirus quarantine, in January, culminating in the early December, Tiley added. ment to AFP that it was involved That’s our challenge to do. and is bidding to become the fi rst in four sets. the country’s tennis chief has Australian Open which is the Melbourne, which is due to host in “productive discussions” “But I think that we are not man in the modern era to win all “I heard he’s pretty good on said. first Grand Slam of the year. the Australian Open from Janu- about quarantine for players. going to have a problem, because four Slams twice. clay. I heard he played all right Australia’s strict virus border “We are working with the ary 18-31, has been in lockdown “There are many productive for me, like the new generation, Thiem is 27 so has time on his a few weeks ago in New York. I controls require international government to ensure that all since early July to curb a second- discussions taking place with or also my generation, they are side when it comes to further think he’s being called the new arrivals to spend 14 days in ho- players will be able to train and wave coronavirus outbreak. government on the logistics super-good characters, interest- Grand Slam potential. king of clay after Nadal. He loves tel quarantine, with most non- prepare for events during this Some restrictions, including an around player arrival and quar- ing characters, a lot of star po- However, he is seeded to meet it here,” said Sock, making light citizens shut out altogether. quarantine period,” Tiley wrote. overnight curfew, were eased antine,” the statement said. tential there. The only thing we Nadal in the semi-fi nals this year of the challenge ahead. Gulf Times Tuesday, September 29, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Qatar in pot 4 for Gold Cup draw Job not done yet federation (AFC) to appear in a By Sports Reporter Miami Gold Cup tournament. The draw will be broadcast live and hosted by Emmy award winning TUDN oncacaf will conduct the sportscaster Lindsay Casinelli draw for the 2021 Gold and Fox Sports Lead Soccer Ana- Cup today in which 16 lyst and United States Men’s Na- teams are taking part. tional Team legend Alexi Lalas. for Persepolis, says CAsian champions Qatar will be A number of the national team in the fourth pot with the win- head coaches will participate ning three teams from the pre- virtually in the evening’s event. liminary qualifi ers which will be Concacaf Gold Cup Group played the week before the fi nals Stage Draw start in July 2021. Pots (based on August 2020 Qatar are the seventh guest Concacaf Ranking) nation to compete in a Gold Cup Pot 1 (pre-seeded teams): Golmohammadi and the fi rst since 2005, joining Mexico (Group A), USA (Group the ranks of Brazil (1996, 1998, B), Costa Rica (Group C) and 2003), Colombia (2000, 2003, Honduras (Group D) ‘We are very happy for this match. It was diff icult but players proved their merit’ 2005), Peru (2000), Ecuador Pot 2: Jamaica, Canada, Panama (2002), South Africa (2005) and and El Salvador AFC South Korea (2000, 2002). Pot 3: Martinique, Curacao, Doha Along with South Korea, Qatar Suriname and Grenada will become the second nation Pot 4: Three Prelims Winners from the Asian Football Con- and Qatar (Group D) slamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC made it three AFC Champions League FOCUS quarter-fi nal appearances Iin four years after overcoming Al Sadd SC 1-0 in the Round of 16 on Sunday. Fixture congestion Persepolis weathered ex- tended spells of possession by Al Sadd and looked to hit their will force Spurs to opponents on the counter, and after striker Ali Alkasir hit the woodwork twice in the second sacrifi ce League half, the number 72 fi nally got his goal, heading in Omid Al- ishah’s cross just two minutes Cup, says Mourinho from time to win it for the Iran Pro League winners. Reuters worry for Mourinho was losing Having reached the semi- London South Korean forward Son He- fi nals in 2017, bowing out to Al ung-min to a hamstring injury at Hilal SFC, then going all the halftime. way to the fi nal the following ottenham Hotspur man- “I think Sonny was just the year before losing to Kashima ager Jose Mourinho be- fi rst,” Mourinho added. “More Antlers, Persepolis are deter- lieves their packed fi x- will come. Son was the fi rst, but mined to make 2020 their year ture schedule will force more will come.” and have now moved a step Tthem to prioritise the more lu- When it was suggested that closer to the fi nal. crative Europa League over the Spurs should still have a chance “We are very happy for this League Cup in a bid to avoid fur- against Chelsea, who had to match. It was diffi cult but the ther injuries in the squad. come back from three goals down players proved their merit,” Spurs host Chelsea today in to salvage a point against West said head coach Yahya Golmo- the League Cup fourth round, Bromwich Albion on Saturday, hammadi, who had represented two days before Maccabi Haifa’s Mourinho replied: “You’re jok- Persepolis as a player for seven visit to north London for a Eu- ing or you’re serious?” years in two spells. ropa League playoff match. “Chelsea played Saturday, “We had a diffi cult start. Mourinho said the English they have Sunday and Monday When we came to Qatar we Football League “made the deci- (off ) then they play Tuesday were bottom of the group, but sion” for him and he had no op- and then they play again on the we qualifi ed as top of the group tion but to rotate the squad for weekend. after three very important wins. the London derby. “So their fantastic squad, if But the job is not done yet; we “I would like to fi ght for the the manager decides not to ro- have two very important and Carabao (League) Cup but I tate, he can perfectly play with diffi cult stages coming up that Persepolis FC coach Yahya Golmohammadi don’t think I can,” Mourinho told the players that he wants. we need to win to go to the fi nal. reporters. “As you know and forgetting “I would like to congratulate “We have a game on Thursday the past Thursday, we played on and thank my players because I Tougher test awaits Al Nassr in quarter-fi nals, cautions Asiri that gives us not as much money the Sunday, now we play on the know they played with all their as the Champions League but Tuesday, we play on the Thurs- heart and they had a sense of Abdulfattah Asiri was thankful that Al Nassr brace themselves for tough opponents For Al Taawoun forward Mohamad al-Sahla- the group phase of the Europa day, we play on the Sunday honour and wanting to make advanced to the 2020 AFC Champions in the quarter-finals with fellow Saudi Pro wi, the Round of 16 defeat was a bittersweet League gives us a certain amount again.” Persepolis fans proud. I would League quarter-finals despite not being at League side Al Ahli Saudi FC, Islamic Re- experience as it was the first time he was that for a club like us is very im- Spurs avoided a similar fi xture also like to congratulate Persep- their best against fellow Saudi Pro League public of Iran’s Persepolis FC and Pakhtakor playing against an Al Nassr side with whom portant.” pattern last week when Leyton olis fans who sent us their posi- side Al Taawoun FC in their Round of 16 tie of Uzbekistan the other teams to have he had won three Saudi Pro League titles. Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw Orient were forced to forfeit tive energy and support from on Sunday. Al Nassr made the quarter-finals advanced from the Round of 16. “This was the first time that I played against against Newcastle United on their third round tie after many distance.” thanks to a goal from Moroccan top scorer “We are ready for any team but at the same Al Nassr whom I have great memories with,” Sunday after a controversial of their players tested positive Al Sadd’s elimination at the Abderrazak Hamdallah who notched the time, we should not underestimate any side said al-Sahlawi. “I really enjoyed the match handball decision but a bigger for Covid-19. Round of 16 stage means they only goal of the night at the Education City at this stage of the competition,” said Asiri. and tried my best to score against them have exited the competition at Stadium with 15 minutes left on the clock. “We have an important match ahead of us since I’m a professional player.” the knockout stages fi ve times “The most important thing is that we won and after that, we can think of the semi- “Either Al Nassr or Al Taawoun could have since 2013 without lifting the the match,” said Asiri. “We didn’t have our finals.” won at the end,” said the 33-year-old for- trophy, a record only matched usual performance and the match was re- The AFC Champions League, said Asiri, is an ward. “We gave our best today although we by Al Ahli Saudi FC’s six unsuc- ally diff icult as we faced good opponents.” extremely tough competition as seen by the had already achieved our target of reaching cessful attempts in the same Victory meant Al Nassr have made it to exit of some pre-tournament favourites. this stage. Had we played against a team period, although the Saudis re- back-to-back AFC Champions League “Some teams who were favourites are other than Al Nassr, we could have won. I main in contention for the 2020 quarter-finals but Asiri said the Saudi Pro already out of the competition which means want to thank the players for all that they edition. League side still have much to do. that the matches are not easy and we must have off ered in the beautiful journey that Under the guidance of head The 26-year-old forward said Al Nassr must give our best in order to achieve our target.” we had in the competition.” (AFC) coach Xavi, Al Sadd were knocked out at the semi-fi nals last year, losing to Al Hilal 6-5 good moment for us to qualify,” committed a mistake at the end, with time to win a competi- Persepolis are joined by Al on aggregate, and the Spanish said Xavi. and we are out.” tion like the AFC Champions Nassr FC, Pakhtakor FC and Al coach lamented the lack of win- “We had more possession, “We needed more luck, but League. Ahli Saudi FC in the quarter- ning mentality and important more shots and more opportu- we also needed more spirit, The way to instil these val- fi nals of the 2020 AFC Cham- club values for their inability to nities. We were the better team more winning mentality, and ues is to look for revenge next pions League. None of the reclaim the continental crown throughout the match. I told the more ambition. These are all year and always seek winning four sides have ever won the they won in 2011. players that in this competition, club values which are important the next one when you lose, this AFC Champions League nor “I feel very sad because both you make one mistake and you in this type of competition. We is how you instil values at the its predecessor the Asian Club Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho checks his watch during me and the players felt it was a are out. We did so well but we have to build these club values club.” Championship. their EPL match against Newcastle United in London. (Reuters)

COMMENT EPL ‘Chelsea need time to gel’ Aston Villa beat Fulham 3-0 Reuters AFP work. “Football doesn’t work that you throw London London things together and everything is amazing because otherwise we wouldn’t have had managers who have shown that work brings ston Villa moved into the Premier rank Lampard says he is struggling to success.” League top four after they strolled to a fi nd the time to work with his new- After Saturday’s home Premier League 3-0 win at Fulham thanks to goals from look Chelsea team on the training match against Crystal Palace, Chelsea are not Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane and pitch as the fi xtures come thick and in action again until October 17, with players TyroneA Mings in a lopsided contest yetserday. fast.F Tammy Abraham’s last-gasp strike res- jetting off to represent their countries. Lam- The result left Villa, who narrowly avoided cued a 3-3 draw against West Bromwich Al- pard said he hoped they would not be over- relegation from the top fl ight last season, fourth bion on Saturday after the London side had worked by international managers and would on a maximum six points from two games while trailed 3-0. “come back safely”. promoted Fulham are bottom with no points af- The result means Chelsea have taken just The Chelsea boss made a point of defend- ter a third successive defeat. four points from their fi rst three Premier Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard ing goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose fu- Villa will be pleased with their clinical fi nish- League matches after an opening win against (right) speaks to goalkeeper Willy Caballero ture at Chelsea is in doubt after the signing of ing but it was more shambolic defending from Brighton and a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. after their Premier League match against Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes. Fulham, who have conceded 10 goals in their Lampard, who has spent heavily during the West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns Lampard played down suggestions that opening three matches, which made the visitors’ summer transfer window, blamed “very clear Stadium in West Bromwich. (AFP) the error-prone Spaniard may have played job easier at Craven Cottage. Grealish fi red Villa Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish in action during their individual mistakes” for his team’s problems his last game for the club.“It’s been a diffi cult ahead in the fourth minute when he took a simple EPL match against Fulham in London yesterday. at the Hawthorns. But he said it was diffi cult against Tottenham. “Part of the reason we time for Kepa,” he said. “I think that’s well- pass from John McGinn into his stride and drilled (Reuters) to put in enough work on the training ground, had a successful year last year was the work documented but I know it and he knows it. a low shot past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from with two matches a week and a looming in- we put in on the training ground.” “We should certainly not jump to that con- a tight angle. Hourihane doubled their lead in the as a contest in the 48th minute when Villa’s Eng- ternational break. “When you have new players in you re- clusion and also, which I feel quite strongly 15th after a lightning quick move down the left land centre back Tyrone Mings ghosted into the “I keep saying it and I’m not pleading or ally want to work like that,” he added. “We about in the last week, (we) understand that fl ank as McGinn racked up another assist when penalty area and turned in a predictable cross making excuses – it’s just a fact,” Lampard haven’t had the chance. So not just at the Kepa is a young man and a lot of the spotlight he teed up the Ireland midfi elder to sidefoot the from the left with Fulham’s defenders positioned said ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup clash back, the whole way we’re playing, it needs on him has become slightly unfair.” ball into the bottom corner. The match was over like statues. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, September 29, 2020 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Ronaldo double rescues a point for Juventus AFP pre-season, so we have to do these tests Milan during these matches. “Nevertheless, it is a point gained.” Roma coach Paulo Fonseca added: “We ristiano Ronaldo scored twice had a good match, but I’m not satisfi ed to salvage a point for 10-man Ju- with the result.” ventus in a 2-2 draw at Roma as Hirving Lozano scored twice as Napoli Napoli hammered Genoa 6-0 in swept past coronavirus-hit Genoa while SerieC A on Sunday. AC Milan continued their winning run Champions Juventus were trailing without Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a 2-0 2-1 and a man down after an hour at the Juventus’ forward Cristiano Ronaldo victory against promoted Crotone. Stadio Olimpico after a Jordan Veretout (centre) reacts with teammates Danilo “The result is a bit misleading, if we brace for the hosts and Adrien Rabiot’s (left) and Douglas Costa after scoring hadn’t scored the second goal quickly in sending off . But a towering Ronaldo the equaliser during the Serie A match the second half, I would probably have header grabbed the equaliser in the 69th against Roma in Rome. (AFP) changed the set-up,” said coach Gennaro minute to avoid handing new Juventus Gattuso. “In the fi rst half, we suff ered a coach Andrea Pirlo a fi rst defeat. by the hosts with Veretout opening from bit, even with a lot of opportunities, we “Going behind complicated things but the spot in the 31st minute after a Rabiot almost conceded a goal. We lacked a little we got an important point,” said Ronaldo. handball. The French midfi elder added a balance, we still have to improve.” “We’re at the start of the season, with second shortly before the break just after Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen got a new coach. But the team are working Ronaldo had equalised for the fi rst time. his fi rst start for Napoli, having come well, I’m confi dent for the future. Another handball, this time Lorenzo off the bench to lift the southerners past “Pirlo? It’s still early days, but we’re Pellegrini’s, resulted in Juventus being Parma in their opener last week. working with a smile, that’s important.” awarded a penalty allowing Ronaldo to Club-record signing Osimhen again Edin Dzeko was back in the Roma slot in. The Portuguese got his second impressed against a Genoa side playing front line after his move to Juventus fell with 20 minutes to go when his head met without fi rst-choice goalkeeper Mattia through, the Bosnian having missed last a Danilo cross seven minutes after Rabiot Perin, who tested positive for coronavi- week’s trip to Verona which ended in a was sent off for a second yellow card. rus. Mexican forward Lozano fi red Napoli forfeit defeat for the capital side for fi eld- “Ronaldo gives us a lot, not just for ahead in the 10th minute in the Stadio ing an unregistered player. the goals, in the end when we were down San Paolo. Instead new Juventus signing Alvaro a man he ran a lot,” said Pirlo. “We have After the break it was one-way traffi c Morata got his fi rst start after his move taken a step back but we are a team under with Piotr Zielinski latching onto a clever from Atletico Madrid earlier this week. construction. “Unfortunately, we didn’t Osimhen back-heel fl ick for the second But the champions were pushed hard have time to test game solutions in the just seconds after the restart.

LIGUE 1 LA LIGA Messi scores in fi rst game since Icardi brace gives transfer dispute as Barca win

AFP encourage him to stay, not to Madrid mention the talented Fati, who PSG 2-0 win at Reims on this evidence can be a huge asset for his captain’s hopes of ionel Messi scored in winning back the title. ‘His arrival is an opportunity for us to keep growing as a club and to have new energy’ his fi rst game since “Ansu is a young player trying to leave Barce- who has to seek consistency in AFP lona as Ronald Koeman his game and in his perform- Lbegan his tenure as coach by ances,” said Koeman. “He has Paris overseeing a 4-0 Liga demoli- shown that he has a great fu- tion of Villarreal on Sunday. ture at Barca and I am very auro Icardi broke a Messi converted from the happy with him.” long scoring drought spot 10 minutes before half- Fati became Spain’s young- by netting both goals time and then the Argentine’s est ever international scorer in Paris Saint-Ger- cross forced Pau Torres into an earlier this month and the Mmain’s comfortable 2-0 Ligue 1 own-goal, after an early dou- teenager, deployed on the left win at Reims on Sunday night. ble from the 17-year-old Ansu of Barcelona’s attacking trio, Earlier, Monaco hung on des- Fati had already put Barca in made an explosive start to the perately to beat Strasbourg 3-2 charge. season for his club. after having two players sent It meant Barcelona’s past, He fi red Jordi Alba’s pull- off and Lille moved into second present and future were all back into the top corner and place a more straightforward 2-0 among the goals on the same then drove a second inside the win over Nantes. afternoon as Luis Suarez, post after Philippe Coutinho PSG, who opened the league whose departure was con- was allowed to carry the ball season with two losses, won 2-0 fi rmed on Thursday, marked forward and spread it wide. for a third straight league game his Atletico Madrid debut by Fati then won the penalty, and are now seventh, four points scoring twice in a 6-1 win over his feet too quick for Mario behind leaders Rennes. Granada. Gaspar, and Messi slid in his “It’s important for a striker In a farewell message to his fi rst goal of the season before to score goals,” said Icardi after best friend and former neigh- his cross, aimed for Sergio making the scoresheet for the bour last week, Messi took an- Busquets, was poked into Vil- fi rst time since February. other swipe at the Barca board larreal’s net by Pau. “Today we lacked the effi cien- by saying he was not surprised Messi might have been cy to kill the match earlier, but by the clumsy way Suarez’s watching a few hours earlier we are happy with the result.” exit had been handled. as Suarez scored twice and set For the fi rst time since the His complaints raised up another in a sensational French Cup fi nal on July 24, PSG doubts about his state of mind 20-minute debut for Atletico. started their all their ‘Fantastic heading into the season and at Suarez laid on a goal two Four’, of Kylian Mbappe, Ney- the end of a traumatic summer minutes after coming on as mar, Angel di Maria and Icardi. in which Barcelona’s greatest a substitute, his sumptuous The quartet have been kept ever player admitted he was pass fi nished off by Marcos apart by positive Covid-19 tests, being forced to stay against Llorente, before scoring him- an injury to Mbappe, a sus- his will. Koeman insisted on self with a powerful header at pension to Neymar and coach Saturday that Messi had been the back post. Thomas Tuchel’s decision to “leading by example” in train- He then added another in drop Icardi to the bench for the ing and his confi dence was re- injury-time, following up his Champions League semi-fi nal paid at Camp Nou, where the own shot to make it six for a and fi nal. Even so PSG exercised striker, and club-captain, de- rampant Atletico at the Wanda their option to turn Icardi’s loan livered an excellent display. Metropolitano. from Inter Milan into a perma- “It is always important to “Sometimes it is important nent deal and the Argentine took win games, you gain confi - to have a change as a player,” over the number nine shirt from dence,” said Koeman. “This said Suarez. the departed Edinson Cavani. result helps us to improve and “I’ve come to a club that has Icardi stayed cool after nine be clear about what we want.” given me a spectacular wel- minutes when Mbappe’s pass Messi’s anger over Suarez come, it shows in the atmos- was a little behind him, defying Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Mauro Icardi (left) celebrates with teammate Kylian Mbappe after scoring a goal during the Liague 1 shows he is still at odds with phere, you get a good impres- his long dry spell by controlling match against Reims at the Auguste Delaune Stadium in Reims, eastern France. (AFP) Barcelona’s president Josep sion from the beginning, and the ball neatly with his heel and Maria Bartomeu and his long- you can see that on the pitch.” then driving a low shot inside tapped the ball in. Monaco coach after the break before Ben Yed- Seeking to stay in touch with less draw at Bordeaux despite term future remains uncertain, Diego Costa said with a the far post. PSG dominated but Niko Kovac described his side der struck again on 47 minutes. Rennes, who beat Saint Etienne hitting the woodwork three but on the pitch, he delivered. smile: “It’s great. One of us failed to convert their chances. as “heroic” as they resisted a But the Monaco sendings-off 3-0 away on Saturday, Lille went times. Victories and goals could bites, the other one hits.” Reims, who went to extra time comeback from battling Stras- put Strasbourg on the front foot. ahead through a Nicolas Pallois The southern side have seven on Thursday as they were elimi- bourg despite the dismissals of Disasi was dismissed for own goal before Turkish inter- points from fi ve games. Lyon nated from the Europa League Aurelien Tchouameni and Axel bringing down Ludovic Ajorque, national Burak Yilmaz wrapped continued their poor start to the on penalties by Hungarians Fe- Disasi at the Stade Louis II. who scored from the penalty up the three points with an 87th season with a 1-1 draw at newly- hervar, almost levelled when Wissam Ben Yedder put Mo- spot to make it 3-2, setting up a minute spot kick. promoted Lorient that extended substitute Boulaye Dia hit the naco ahead with a ninth-minute breathless last 20 minutes. Montpellier wasted the their winless run to four games. post in the 61st minute. strike before Ruben Aguilar “My players were heroic,” Ko- chance to go second when they Lens, who came up with Lo- But seconds later Icardi struck made it 2-0 late in fi rst-half vac said. “When we were down drew 2-2 at Dijon. rient, maintained their positive to seal the points. After a neat stoppage time. to nine and the young players Patrick Vieira’s Nice side start to life in the top fl ight with move, Mbappe rolled a pass to Mehdi Chahiri pulled Stras- came on they showed a lot of showed they are struggling for a 1-1 draw at Nimes that keeps the unmarked forward, who bourg back into contention just character.” form as they were held to a goal- them at the top end of the table.

Serie A faces 500mn euro revenue shortfall, league boss says Italy’s top flight soccer league has lost spectators at Serie A football matches to ment to consider gradually increasing the In an eff ort to cushion the impact of the more than 500 million euros ($583 million) fill a quarter of stadium capacity. cap on football fans at matches. pandemic on debt-laden clubs, Serie A in revenues due to the novel coronavirus “As of now, Serie A is experiencing a Matchday revenues account for around is considering selling a minority stake in pandemic, the head of Italy’s Serie A said shortfall of more than 500 million euros”, 11% of Serie A clubs’ 2.5 billion euro ag- a newly created company handling the yesterday, warning the industry was in Serie A Chief Executive Luigi De Siervo gregated yearly revenues, whose bulk is League’s broadcasting rights for 10 sea- dire straits. told Italian state broadcaster Rai, blaming made up by broadcasting right sales. sons. Two rival private equity consortia led To contain Covid-19 contagion, Italy’s a lack of matchday revenue and a drop in But this source of income is also shrinking by CVC Capital Partners and Bain Capital government has rejected a proposal to sponsorship deals. because broadcasters around the world are vying for a 10% stake. allow more spectators at sporting events, “The whole system is on the verge of col- respond to lower advertising revenues by De Siervo said Serie A clubs would meet at including lifting the current limit of 1,000 lapse,” he added, calling on the govern- cutting spending on media right deals. the latest by Oct. 10 to review the bids. Villarreal’s Manuel Trigueros and Vicente Iborra (right) challenge Barcelona’s Lionel Messi during the La Liga match in Barcelona. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, September 29, 2020 5 SPORT

BASKETBALL MLB Cardinals defy odds to book their spot in Heat scorch Celtics expanded playoff s

AFP expectations out the window Los Angeles not knowing what to expect af- ter taking those couple weeks off and all those doubleheaders and arrison Bader blast- so many new guys,” Cardinals to reach NBA Finals ed a home run as the fi rst baseman Paul Goldschmidt St. Louis Cardinals said. clinched a playoff spot The Brewers earned their third Hwith a 5-2 win over the Milwau- straight playoff berth. kee Brewers, who also punched The Giants’ loss meant they their ticket to the postseason fi nished with the same record party on Sunday. as the Brewers, but they lost out Bader scored twice clash with Lakers and hit a triple for the Cards, who will face RESULTS the San Diego Padres ‘I couldn’t let my teammates down like I did in the game before’ Cardinals 5-2 Brewers in a best-of-three Na- tional League wild- Rangers 8-4 Astros card series, beginning Padres 5-4 Giants tomorrow. Dodgers 5-0 Angels With the Philadel- phia Phillies and San Nationals 15-5 Mets Francisco Giants also Marlins 5-0 Yankees losing their fi nal regu- Red Sox 9-1 Braves lar season games, the Brewers snuck into the Orioles 7-5 Blue Jays number eight seed spot Reds 5-3 Twins in the NL, setting the Cubs 10-8 White Sox fi eld for MLB’s 16-team D’Backs 11-3 Rockies 2020 expanded play- off s in the pandemic- Indians 8-6 Pirates shortened season. The Rays 5-0 Phillies Brewers made the play- A’s 6-2 Mariners off s despite fi nishing with a 29-31 record. Royals 3-1 Tigers Milwaukee and the American League’s Houston Astros are the fi rst on a tiebreaker due to an poorer teams ever to make the playoff s intradivision record. “It’s fi tting with a losing record. The Brewers for 2020 and everything we went have the unenviable task of fac- through,” Brewers left fi elder ing the top-seeded Los Angeles Christian Yelich said. “This Dodgers in a best of three which year’s a unique one.” starts tomorrow. The Brewers A half dozen Los Angeles haven’t had a winning record at pitchers threw a three-hit shut- any point this season. “There’s out to power the Dodgers to a 5-0 no reason to apologize for getting win over the Los Angeles Angels into the playoff s,” said Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. manager Craig Counsell. A.J. Pollock homered twice to The 2020 season was limited propel the Dodgers, who fi nished to 60 games for each team be- with the best record in Ameri- cause of the coronavirus pan- can baseball at 43-17. The Angels demic which also caused 45 fi nished with a 26-34 record and game postponements. missed the playoff s for the sixth This will be a postseason like consecutive year. The team then never before in American base- sacked general manager Billy Eppler. ball. Besides having two teams The New York Yankees lost six Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo holds up the Eastern Conference Championship trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics in game six of the Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoff s with losing records, the games of their last eight regular-season at AdventHealth Arena in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (USA TODAY Sports) will be played without fans in games, which included series neutral site ballparks after the losses to Toronto and Miami, AFP by six with 9:18 remaining. Herro contributed two bas- up 56-55 - their fi rst lead since 96-90 - but the Heat wouldn’t fi rst round. The World Series will but they still staggered into the Miami Midway through the fourth kets in a 9-0 scoring run that the fi rst quarter. Both teams go away. be played at the Texas Rangers’ wild-card round. quarter Adebayo was fouled on put the Heat up by 10 with 3:31 were clicking off ensively and “Bam made sure that we won new state-of-the art ballpark in New York’s leadoff hitter DJ a layup and made the free throw to play and Adebayo’s pass set they traded baskets and the lead the game tonight,” Butler said. Arlington, near Dallas. LeMahieu won the AL batting he Miami Heat poured put the Heat up 101-100 and Butler up for a layup that made to the break with Miami leading Celtics coach Brad Stevens The Cardinals fi nished with title on Sunday, fi nishing with a it on in the fourth quar- they wouldn’t trail again. it 116-102 with 2:40 remaining. 62-60 at halftime. said the 23-year-old Adebayo’s a 30-28 record. St. Louis com- league best.364 batting average. ter to beat the Bos- It was a vindication for the Fittingly, it was Adebayo Two days after the Celt- determination and the Heat’s pleted the regular season with Washington Nationals out- ton Celtics 125-113 on player who blamed himself for who capped the scoring when ics seized control of game fi ve physicality were simply too 23 games in 18 days as it made fi elder Juan Soto became the TSunday and book a NBA Finals the team’s failure to clinch the he jammed in a reverse two- with a 41-point third quarter, it much at the end. up a number of postponements NL’s youngest batting champi- showdown with the Los Angeles series at their fi rst opportunity hander. stayed close in the third. “They’re strong, they’re caused by a Covid-19 outbreak on, as the Nats fi nished the sea- Lakers. in game fi ve. “I couldn’t let my Jaylen Brown led the Celtics The Heat led by as many as physical, they’re tough and among the players on the team. son with a 15-5 win over the New The Heat, NBA champions in teammates down like I did in with 26 points, Jayson Tatum eight in a quarter that featured (Adebayo) in particular domi- “You had to throw some of the York Mets. 2006, 2012 and 2013, reached the game before,” Adebayo said. had 24 along with a career-high two lead changes. nated that fourth quarter,” Ste- the championship series for the “I just went out there and tried 11 assists, and Marcus Smart Brown was fouled on a layup vens said. “Even the plays he sixth time in club history with a to execute and make plays and I and Kemba Walker both scored and converted the free throw to didn’t score his presence was so four games to two victory over did that tonight.” 20 points for Boston. pull the Celtics within 86-4-84 impactful.” the Celtics in the best-of-seven Jimmy Butler added 22 points But it’s the fi fth-seeded Heat with one minute remaining. Spoelstra said he hoped his Eastern Conference fi nals in the and eight assists and rookie headed to the fi nals, the low- Smart powered to the rim players would take a night to NBA’s quarantine bubble in Or- Tyler Herro scored 11 of his 19 est seeded team to reach the for a dunk that tied it at 86-86 savour their achievement in lando, Florida. points in the fourth quarter for championship series since the but Dragic’s reverse layup put winning the conference before When the fi nals start on to- the Heat. eighth-seeded New York Knicks Miami up 88-86 heading into turning their attention to the morrow they’ll be up against Duncan Robinson and Andre lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth. The Celtics started challenge of the Lakers. a Lakers team led by LeBron Iguodala scored 15 points apiece 1999. The Heat had emerged strong in the fi nal period, de- “I feel like we’ve still yet to James - who reached the title and Goran Dragic added 13 for from a close fi rst quarter with a spite a scare when Brown land- play our absolute best basket- series four times with Miami Miami. 33-27 lead. ed from a dunk hard on his left ball,” Butler said. and won two titles before de- “This group, more than any- Tatum missed his fi rst seven leg and came up limping. “But we’re on the way. We re- parting as a free agent in 2014. thing, they just love to com- shots but warmed up with 12 He stayed in the game, and it alize what we have to do going Bam Adebayo scored 32 pete,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra points in the second quarter. wasn’t long before he stripped forward. We have to be near- points and pulled down 14 re- said as the Eastern Conference His driving layup with 1:56 Herro of the ball and raced for perfect to beat the Lakers. We Texas Rangers relief pitcher Rafael Montero throws during the ninth bounds for the Heat, who trailed trophy was presented. left in the fi rst half put Boston a layup that put the Celtics up are capable of it.” inning against the Houston Astros. (USA TODAY Sports)

NFL Burkhead and Michel power Patriots past Raiders Reuters Brady throws 3 TD passes as Bucs beat Broncos New York RESULTS Tom Brady completed 25 of 38 passes with one touchdown and an intercep- for 297 yards and three touchdowns, tion before being replaced by Brett Chicago 30-26 Atlanta ex Burkhead scored a career- Mike Evans caught two TD passes, Rypien in the fourth quarter. Rypien Buff alo 35-32 Rams high three touchdowns and and the visiting Tampa Bay Bucca- went 8-for-9 for 53 yards and an inter- Cleveland 34-20 Washington Sony Michel rushed for 117 neers beat the Denver Broncos 28-10 ception. Tim Patrick had four recep- yards on nine carries to lead on Sunday. Chris Godwin had five tions for 43 yards and a touchdown Tennessee 31-30 Minnesota theR New England Patriots to a 36- New England 36-20 Las Vegas receptions for 64 yards and a score, for Denver (0-3). The Broncos held the 20 victory over the visiting Las Ve- Scotty Miller had three catches for ball for 4:19 on the opening drive but San Francisco 36-9 Giants gas Raiders on Sunday afternoon in a game-high 83 yards and Ronald stalled near midfield. Sam Martin’s Cincinnati 23-23 Philadelphia Foxborough, Mass. Jones II rushed for 53 yards for punt was blocked by Pat O’Connor, Burkhead rushed for two touch- Tampa Bay (2-1). Buccaneers tight end who scooped the loose ball and took Pittsburgh 28-21 Houston downs and also caught a scoring pass Rob Gronkowski was targeted seven it to the Denver 10. On third-and-10, Indianapolis 36-7 Jets for New England (2-1). He totalled 98 times and finished with six catches Brady connected with Godwin, who Carolina 21-16 Chargers scrimmage yards - 49 on six carries for 48 yards. Broncos quarterback stretched the ball over the goal line to and 49 on seven receptions - as the Jeff Driskel was 17-for-30 for 176 yards give Tampa Bay a 7-0 lead. (Reuters) Tampa Bay 28-10 Denver Patriots rushed for a season-best 250 Detroit 26-23 Arizona yards, marking their second time over Seattle 38-31 Dallas 200 already this season. The Patriots led by three at half- 25-yard fi eld goal with 11:22 left in Cam Newton completed 17 of 28 time and increased their lead to 20- the contest. But New England put the Green Bay 37-20 New Orleans passes for 162 yards, one touchdown 10 on Burkhead’s 5-yard scoring run game away with two touchdowns in and one interception, while Nick Folk with 6:41 left in the third quarter. The 21 seconds, beginning when Burkhead behind leader Ken Stabler (150). New added three fi eld goals as the Patri- touchdown was set up by Michel’s 38- scored on a 2-yard run with 5:17 left. England led 13-10 at the break. ots defeated the Raiders for the sixth yard scamper to the Raiders’ 25-yard On the next play from scrimmage, Burkhead caught a screen pass from straight time. line. starting from the Las Vegas 6, Carr Newton and his stellar running and Derek Carr was 24-of-32 passing for On the next possession, Michel ran was sacked by Shilique Calhoun and leap into the end zone resulted in an 11- 261 yards and two touchdowns for Las off left tackle and broke into the sec- Deatrich Wise Jr. and fumbled the ball yard touchdown to cap a 12-play, 86- Vegas (2-1). Hunter Renfrow and Fos- ondary and galloped a career-long 48 in the end zone. Wise recovered for the yard drive and give the Patriots a 13-3 ter Moreau caught touchdowns and yards to the Las Vegas 13. touchdown to make it 36-13. advantage with 34 seconds left. Josh Jacobs totaled 83 yards (71 rush- That set up Folk’s 32-yard fi eld to Carr later threw a 13-yard scoring The Raiders answered by moving 75 ing, 12 receiving) for the Raiders. New make it 23-10 with 1:28 remaining in pass to Renfrow to move into second yards on four plays, with Carr hitting New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (right) celebrates with running England had a 406-375 edge in total the third quarter. The Raiders moved place on the franchise list with 149 ca- Moreau on a 1-yard scoring pass with back Sony Michel after scoring a touch down during the second half of their NFL off ence. within 10 points on Daniel Carlson’s reer touchdown passes. He stands one six seconds to play. game against Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, September 29, 2020 SPORT

RUGBY Springboks face hurdles in Championship participation ‘We desperately want to play, it will be terrible to go a year without the Springboks playing’

Agencies Cape Town New Zealand PM says All Blacks orld champions won’t have quarantine leave pass South Africa are “desperate” to play Win the Rugby Cham- pionship this year, but there re- main a number of hurdles before they will commit to the compe- tition, according to director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. The Southern Hemisphere competition will be staged in Australia from Nov 7 to Dec 12, but the defending champion Springboks face being woefully under-prepared, which Erasmus believes could make participa- tion dangerous for the players. “We desperately want to play, it will be terrible to go a year without the Springboks playing,” Erasmus said in a virtual news conference yesterday. “But we have had one of the toughest lockdowns in the world and our players were indoors for months. “In other countries players could train or at least go to the park to exercise, we did not have Reuters ment organisers backflipped end of the year in an interview that. Auckland on an agreement that the All with state broadcaster TVNZ. “So if you look at the science, The World Cup-winning South African rugby team. Blacks would finish a week Plans for a travel ‘bubble’ we have to get fi ve or six matches earlier. between Australia and New into the players for their own Erasmus confi rmed that from a make his mark on the Wallabies’ British and Irish Lions on their ew Zealand Prime NZR said they were working Zealand have been discussed welfare and to make it safe for team management point of view, lineout. triumphant 2013 tour of Aus- Minister Jacinda on solutions to the All Blacks’ for months, but they were dis- them, and we are working out they would want to confi rm par- “I’m implementing a new sys- tralia, has little time to get things Ardern has poured dilemma but Ardern offered rupted after a resurgence of how to do that. Players probably ticipation by Oct 10 at the latest. tem that lads have to get up to right for the season opener Ncold water on the no government help yesterday. Covid-19 in Melbourne, Aus- need 500 minutes (of game-time) “We want to go, we know we speed with and the expectation against the All Blacks in Welling- All Blacks’ hopes of avoiding “There are others who won’t tralia, followed by an outbreak to be safe.” have to go (from a fi nancial point going into this week is there will ton on Oct 11. Christmas in quarantine af- want to be stuck in quarantine in Auckland. South Africa’s domestic com- of view), we are just working out be a bit of pressure there to start It will be Australia’s fi rst Test ter the Rugby Championship, over Christmas, but that’s just Australia’s New Zealander petition will only start on Oct. 10 how we make it possible to go,” he executing and get things right,” since their quarter-fi nal exit saying the team would be “un- the reality of our process,” Ar- coach Dave Rennie expressed with players having been largely added. Parling told reporters during a from the Rugby World Cup in Ja- comfortable” with being given dern told New Zealand radio sympathy for the All Blacks on inactive since March. Meanwhile, Australia’s newly video call on Monday. pan last year. special treatment. station Newstalk ZB. Sunday. Erasmus reveals the Boks are appointed forwards coach Geoff “We’ve only been together for Parling will also need to do The All Blacks will need to “I don’t think (the All “I know there is talk of a also facing resistance from Eng- Parling has torn up the Wallabies’ four days of actual training so far, without hooker Tolu Latu and quarantine for 14 days when Blacks) would feel that com- bubble opening up between lish clubs over the release of lineout playbook to implement so it’s just about getting our ba- the World Cup second row of they return to New Zealand fortable with us creating a New South Wales and New players in time for the start of the his own system after noting low sics and principles right. Rory Arnold and Izack Rodda, as part of Covid-19 protocols different regime for them, Zealand,” he said. Rugby Championship. standards with the set piece dur- “I’d appreciate during the (Su- who underpinned a solid lineout following their final match because it exists for the same “If that comes in before “We would want to arrive in ing the Super Rugby AU champi- per Rugby AU) season, probably in Japan. of the Rugby Championship reason.” Christmas happens then it will Australia at the same time, as you onship. some of the standards were low. The overseas-based trio were on Dec 12 against Australia in Ardern held out some hope be a non-issue and they will have to quarantine for two weeks, Former England and British “But on the fl ip side you could not included in Rennie’s squad Sydney. that travel restrictions be- be able to go straight home to which is why you need to take Lions lock Parling, who joined probably say that some of the de- for the opening two Bledisloe New Zealand Rugby (NZR) tween Australia and New Zea- their families and that’s what a massive squad because if you Dave Rennie’s staff less than two fensive work was excellent, so it Cup tests against New Zealand have complained that tourna- land might be lifted before the we want.” get injuries, you can’t just bring weeks ago, said he had been given works both ways.” but could return for the Rugby someone new in,” he said. licence by the New Zealander to Parling, who played for the Championship.

GOLF Saudi set OLYMPICS for women’s golf events New start date Riyadh: Saudi Arabia will host professional golf tourna- Late birdie lift s ments for women for the fi rst for torch relay time ever in November at the Royal Greens Golf & Country AFP struction in areas devastated Club in Jeddah. Tokyo by the 2011 disaster. The Saudi Ladies Interna- “In the wake of the Cov- Swaff ord to victory tional will be the fi rst Ladies Eu- id-19 pandemic, it will addi- ropean Tour (LET) event to take he Tokyo 2020 torch tionally symbolise the light at place in the country and will run relay, which was put the end of the dark tunnel; a from Nov 12-15, with a purse of on hold when the Ol- beacon of hope for the world $1mn, the third-highest paying ympics were delayed in the run-up to the Tokyo event after the British and Scot- Tover the coronavirus, will 2020 Games, themselves a tish Open. start next March from Japan’s symbol of the resilience, the It was originally scheduled for Fukushima region, organisers unity and the solidarity of hu- March but postponed due to the said yesterday. mankind,” organisers said in a Covid-19 pandemic. The Olympic fl ame had al- statement. It is set to attract more than ready arrived in Japan from The route and the schedule Hudson Swaff ord poses with his 100 participants, including Greece and the relay was days for the relay will remain the wife Katherine and the trophy Wales’ Amy Boulden, who won from beginning earlier this same “in principle,” though after winning the Corales her maiden LET event at this year when organisers and Ol- the statement noted that the Puntacana Resort & Club month’s Swiss Open. ympic offi cials took the his- route and celebration venues Championship in Punta Cana, It will be followed by the Nov toric decision to postpone the “may be reviewed in light of Dominican Republic. 17-19 Saudi Ladies Team Inter- Games by 12 months. the Covid-19 situation.” national, in which professionals The fl ame is currently on The postponement of the will team up with amateurs and display in Tokyo. Games has caused major lo- compete for a purse of $500,000. The relay will now start on gistical problems and extra The events will be Saudi Ara- March 25, 2021, beginning in expense for organisers. bia’s third and fourth profes- the Fukushima region hit by As a result, organisers have sional tournaments in the past nuclear disaster after the 2011 been forced to identify a raft two years, having staged the earthquake and tsunami. of cost-cutting measures, that Saudi International men’s event The relay, which will see the will include smaller vehicle in 2019 and 2020. fl ame travel to all 47 prefec- convoys for the torch relay and “We are extremely excited to tures of Japan, is being organ- a simpler launch event. be part of history in bringing the ised under the slogan “Hope The postponed Games are fi rst-ever professional women’s Lights Our Way” and was scheduled to open in Tokyo on AFP “Words can’t really describe it. Last two the 14th, but with McCumber in the club- golf event to Saudi Arabia and intended to highlight recon- July 23, 2021. Miami years have been tough. Not family-wise, house on 17-under Hughes dropped a shot we are thankful to their commit- though. at the fi nal hole. ment to deliver not one but two “Me and my wife had our fi rst son, life’s Swaff ord, meanwhile, got his nose in tournaments, in what has been a udson Swaff ord followed a big great and golf was really hard, and to do this, front with a birdie at the par-three 17th, fi r- diffi cult year for golf,” LET CEO birdie at the 17th with a clutch it’s fun. ing a perfect six-iron off the tee and drain- Alexandra Armas chief said. par putt to win the US PGA Tour’s “This is why I get up and grind,” he said ing the birdie putt. Women’s rights are a conten- HCorales Puntacana Champion- before turning for an embrace with his wife, “I actually hit two good shots on 16 and tious issue in Saudi Arabia, one ship in the Dominican Republic. Katherine. really didn’t hit a great putt and I was kind of the world’s most gender-seg- Swaff ord, who has battled injury since Swaff ord held the 36-hole lead but start- of bummed out,” Swaff ord said. regated nations. his fi rst tour title at La Quinta, California, in ed the fi nal round two shots behind leader “I was like, man, you’ve got to step up and Democracy advocacy group 2017, saw a big lead evaporate but held on to Adam Long. just hit a good fl ighted six-iron. I’ve done it Freedom House has rated it as card a three-under par 69 and victory with He charged to the top of the leaderboard a hundred thousand times, love hitting that one of the worst in the world for an 18-under total of 270. with three birdies and an eagle in his fi rst golf shot. Man, it was a good one and an restricting freedom, political He fi nished one stroke in front of Tyler eight holes, reaching 20-under and seizing even better putt.” rights and civil liberties. McCumber, who had six birdies in his six- a four-shot lead. It was a tense fi nish at 18, where his ap- “We are always looking to under par 66 at the windswept Corales It wouldn’t be a runaway, however, as a proach left him on the front portion of the grow the game in new markets Puntacana resort. double-bogey at the 13th and a bogey at 17 green with a ridge to clear to reach the pin. and add to our schedule and we Canadian Mackenzie Hughes had four dropped him back, with Hughes and Mc- His fi rst putt was on line but left him are confi dent that the Saudi La- birdies and an eagle in a two-under par 70, Cumber applying pressure. a testing par attempt that he confi dently dies International and the Saudi but his fourth bogey of the day at the 18th Hughes was 17-under for the tournament rolled in. Ladies Team International will saw him settle for solo third on 272. after a birdie bomb at the eighth. “The fi rst putt I thought I hit pretty hard, be a fantastic experience for our “Man, it’s amazing,” Swaff ord said. He answered a bogey at 13 with a birdie a but it started bouncing,” he said. players,” Armas added. Gulf Times Tuesday, September 29, 2020 7 CRICKET

IPL SPOTLIGHT Flintoff mulls over seeking help for Kishan’s 99 in vain ongoing bulimia battle

AFP Flintoff says being teased he London was overweight in the nascent stages of his international career sparked his descent into bulimia. ngland cricket great An- “I became known as a fat as RCB beat Mumbai drew Flintoff is debating cricketer,” said Flintoff . “That whether to seek profes- was horrible. That was when I sional help over his long started doing it. That was when ‘We were not in the game when battleE with bulimia he said in a I started being sick after meals. BBC documentary aired yester- “Then things started happen- we started with the bat. Great day. ing for me as a player.” The 42-year-old former all- Perhaps the apex of his Eng- innings by Ishan to get us back’ rounder fi rst revealed he was land career was his pivotal role in super over suff ering from the eating dis- in the regaining on home soil of order in 2014, admitting it had the Ashes after an 18-year hiatus aff ected him through his playing in 2005. career. However, his exploits on the The 79-times capped Flintoff pitch did not mirror a happy time has gone on to enjoy a successful off it as he says he would make career in television since retir- hinmself sick. ing from all forms of cricket aged “Everyone was happy with just 32. me,” he said. “My weight was He says in ‘Freddie Flintoff : coming down. It was like: ‘I’m Living With Bulimia’ he may bossing this.’ need professional help for the “It just carried on and I was fi rst time — he also wonders doing it all the time.” whether the eating disorder Flintoff says the moment he contributed to his relatively early saw the light about battling retirement. bulimia and confronting other “I don’t want to be a statis- parts of his life came after an tic,” he said. “I don’t want it to incident which attracted nega- be read that something has hap- tive headlines in the 2007 World pened to me.” Cup. Experts estimate that at least He was stripped of the vice- 1.5mn people in the United King- captaincy after he tried to put dom — of which 25 % are male to sea in a pedalo — labelled the — have an eating disorder like ‘Fredalo’ incident — following a bulimia. party.

Ishan Kishan of Mumbai Indians batting during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Royal Challengers Bangalore yesterday. (BCCI)

AFP ships including a 62-run third- Dubai In-form Delhi eye hat-trick of wins as they play SRH wicket stand with young opener Devdutt Padikkal, who scored England bowler Andrew Flintoff receives the ball on the fourth day of The Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals (DC), high on ment, the South African pace duo Kagiso Rabada 54 - his second IPL fi fty. the first Ashes Test match in Cardiff , Wales, on July 11, 2009. (AFP) shan Kishan’s 99 went in confidence after two wins on the trot, will be up and Anrich Nortje have looked sharp so far. Australian limited-overs vain for holders Mumbai against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the only team The DC team management will just hope Nortje to skipper Aaron Finch gave Ban- Indians after Royals Chal- without a point, in the 11th match of the IPL today. be a bit economical like his compatriot. In the ab- galore a brisk start with his 35- DEVELOPMENT lengers Bangalore (RCB) While DC will aim for a hat-trick of wins, the David sence of ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who ball 52 and a opening stand of 81 Iprevailed in a dramatic super with Padikkal. Warner-captained SRH would aim to register is recovering from an injury, Axar Patel and Amit over in the second tied match of their first win of the season, having lost two of Mishra have performed decently well and they Kohli, who fell to the spin of this IPL season yesterday. their previous outings against Royal Challengers are once again likely to share the spin workload. Deepak Chahar for three off Bangladesh calls off Kishan, 22, smashed nine six- Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Ashwin suff ered an injury in their game against 11 balls, said his side’s fi elding es in his 58-ball blitz and put on In their first game against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Punjab and his inclusion in the playing XI remains should improve in the upcom- a key 119-run fi fth-wicket stand which went into the Super Over, Marcus Stoinis doubtful. On the other hand, SRH will have to ing games. Sri Lanka series over with Kieron Pollard, who hit 60 and Kagiso Rabada ensured a win for DC before address their batting woes as barring skipper “Fielding is something we not out, as Mumbai equalled they comprehensively defeated a star-studded Warner, Jonny Bairstow, and Manish Pandey, the have to keep working on,” Kohli Bangalore’s score of 201 in Du- Chennai Super Kings in the next match. other have failed to perform. The 2016 champions said of the couple of dropped virus restrictions bai. Virat Kohli’s Bangalore then In batting, the DC top-order comprising Shikhar need an explosive batter like Stoinis, Keiron Pol- catches and fi elding lapses from kept down Mumbai to seven in Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw will look to lay the lard and Andre Russell in the middle-order and in his side that ended at the bot- AFP in the island nation. the super over, a score they sur- foundation of a big total. While Shaw looks in a move to strengthen it, the SRH team manage- tom of the eight-table last year. Dhaka “It is impossible to play in- passed with the skipper hitting good nick with the willow, Dhawan is dish out ment might include Kane Williamson, replacing “If we’d taken out chances ternational matches under their the winning boundary on the something special. Rishabh Pant and Iyer have Afghanistan off -spinner Mohamed Nabi. In their again it wouldn’t have been tough coronavirus isolation fi nal ball from Mumbai quick also been in fine form. While the duo rescued DC bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will so close. As I said, these little angladesh yesterday policy. We will tour Sri Lanka at Jasprit Bumrah. after a top-order collapse against KXIP, they also once again lead the pace attack. However, the things we’re not capitalising on, called off the forthcom- a later date when there will be But the left-handed Kis- chipped in with valuable contributions against 30-year-old hasn’t been close to his best so far. He we need to work on.” ing Test series in Sri no restrictions,” BCB spokesman han and Pollard, who hit fi ves CSK. Also, Aussie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has cannot be judged on the basis of just two games, Lanka because of coro- Jalal Yunus told AFP. sixes in his 24-ball stay, nearly BRIEF SCORES Bnavirus restrictions imposed by “We respect their coronavi- proved his worth both with the bat and the ball but the pacer needs to find his rhythm as soon as pulled it off after the 15th over and is expected to come up with late fireworks possible. He would need support from Sandeep Royal Challengers Banga- the hosts they say make prepar- rus policy but, honestly speak- of Mumbai’s chase when they with Shimron Hetmyer. In the bowling depart- Sharma and Khaleel Ahmed. (IANS) lore 201 for 3 (De Villiers 55*, ing impossible. ing, international matches needed 90 to win off the last vefi Padikkal 54, Boult 2-34) tied The Bangladesh Cricket Board cannot be held in these circum- overs. “It was a great game, We with Mumbai Indians 201 for 5 took the decision after Sri Lanka stances.” were not in the game at all when edition of the Indian Premier They held their nerves although end after hitting an unbeaten (Kishan 99, Pollard 60*, Udana refused to ease stringent quar- The three Tests in October- we started with the bat. Great League. “With Polly (Pollard) we put pressure.” 55 in Bangalore’s 201 for three 2-45) antine measures — which in- November were meant to mark innings by Ishan to get us back,” being there, anything can hap- AB de Villiers watched his while batting fi rst. Super over Royal Challengers cluded players being confi ned to the return to international Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma pen, and Ishan can hit it. We had team’s second win in three The former South African Bangalore 11 for 0 beat Mumbai their rooms for 14 days, with no cricket by both nations after a said after the loss in the 13th the belief that we could do it. games from the non-strikers captain put on key partner- Indians 7 for 1. training allowed, after arriving months-long lockdown.

BOTTOMLINE Don’t compare Samson with Dhoni: Gambhir, Sreesanth ANS “What an absolutely incredible would have won World Cups,” I think Sanju Samson is probably Sharjah win for Rajasthan Royals! I’ve said Sreesanth while replying to one of the most exciting players known Sanju Samson for a dec- the Congress MP. I have seen for a long time. I am ade and told him when he was “I am sure he will still keep surprised that he is not playing hile all the limelight 14 that he would one day be the playing well and it’s not just all forms of cricket for India,” was taken away by next MS Dhoni. Well, that day these two innings...He is gonna Warne had said in an Instagram Rahul Tewatia dur- is here. After his two amazing break a lot of records too and win live session done by the Royals ing Rajasthan Roy- innings in this IPL, you know a many more world cups for our before Sunday’s game. Wals’ historic win over Kings XI world-class player has arrived.” country. So please don’t com- “He is that good. He is an ab- Punjab, it was the incredible in- However, Gautam Gambhir pare him to anyone...he is an solute champion, he has got all nings from Sanju Samson which and S Sreesanth don’t want the amazing Malayali from our Gods the shots, quality and class. So, laid the platform for the Steve 25-year-old to be compared with own country. His best is yet to hopefully he has a consistent Smith-led side during their the former India captain. come,” he added. year and helps Rajasthan Royals chase at the Sharjah Cricket Sta- “Sanju Samson doesn’t need The right-handed batsman lift the IPL trophy and I hope to dium. to be next anyone. He will be had scored 74 runs off just 32 see in him Indian colours in all Samson scored 85 runs as ‘the’ Sanju Samson of Indian deliveries in Royals’ fi rst match three forms of cricket,” he had Royals chased down the target cricket,” tweeted Gambhir re- of IPL 2020 which his side won added. Samson has so far repre- of 224 — highest ever in history plying to Tharoor. against Chennai Super Kings by sented India in just four T20Is in of the Indian Premier League — “He is not next Dhoni, he is 16 runs. which he has made 35 runs. with four wickets in hand and Sanju Samson the one and only. Rajasthan Royals brand am- three balls to spare. His 42-ball He should have been playing bassador Shane Warne had knock was studded with four 4s from 2015 regularly in all for- praised Samson and said it was and seven 6s. mats. Please don’t compare him, shocking to see that a talent like Sanju Samson slammed a Taking note of Samson’s in- if he had given right opportuni- Samson is not a part of Team In- match-winning 85 off 42 balls nings on Sunday, Congress MP ties then, he would have been dia across all formats. for Rajasthan Royals against Shashi Tharoor said on Twitter: playing like this for India and “I have said for a long time and Kings XI Punjab. (BCCI)

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

EQUESTRIAN Horses from QF’s Al Shaqab hit the auction block

By Sports Reporter “At Al Shaqab, we used to or- Doha ganise our own auctions on an- nual basis, and such events have always been successful and high- s with most sectors, the ly attractive for the local owners equine industry sec- and audience.” tor has been signifi - The horses participating in cantly aff ected by the this auction varied between Covid-19A pandemic, with many categories of mares and foals. events such as horse racing com- Lina Al Shaqab came to the top petitions being cancelled during of the bidding with a value of the lockdown. QR105,000, which was the high- But for equestrian lovers in est price fetched at the event, Qatar, the coronavirus crisis has followed by Ghoroub Al Shaqab, not stopped them from taking who was sold for QR95,000. advantage of the opportunity to “Buyers are more often inter- own some of the best pure-bred ested in female horses, because Arabian horses in the world – they can use them for compe- including those bred by Qatar tition purposes as well as for Foundation’s centre of equine breeding,” said al-Jehani. excellence, Al Shaqab. “The prices that we have wit- This was refl ected by the turnout nessed during this auction are for a major horse auction held this considered as good prices in light month in Doha, where local own- Organised by Al Rayyan government guidelines to limit The event took place at Qa- the challenges caused by the pan- calibre became more intense. of the challenging period that the ers and horse lovers came together Farm, the auction was the first the spread of the virus, such as tar Equestrian Federation Indoor demic, the event proved a great “The event organised by Al horse industry is experiencing, to demonstrate their commitment local event of its kind for Al bidders being asked to observe Arena, and showcased a group success, and as soon as one of the Rayyan Farm included horses with less events and activities due to promoting the legacy of Arabian Shaqab-bred horses since the physical distancing measures of the most prestigious Arabian horses entered the arena, it caught that belong to the Al Shaqab to current situation. This proves horses and equestrian sports in beginning of the pandemic, and and wear face masks, in order to horses on the market, including the attention of horse lovers and breed,” said Khalid al-Jehani, the status of our Arabian horses Qatar, and their passion for acquir- was organised under strict pre- ensure the safety of all attend- the progenies sired by the legen- local owners, as the competition to head of horse training and show and the great love and appreciation ing the fi nest Arabian horses. ventive measures in line with ees. dary Marwan Al Shaqab. Despite own Arabian horses of the highest events at Al Shaqab. people have for this breed.”

FORMULA 1 COMMENT Brawn’s advice to Hamilton: Lick your Stewards acted wounds and learn

Reuters London, United Kingdom

ewis Hamilton and Mer- fairly against cedes should lick their wounds and learn from the mistakes made in LSunday’s Russian Grand Prix, Formula One’s managing direc- tor for motorsport Ross Brawn said yesterday. Six-times world champion Hamilton, says FIA Hamilton collected two fi ve-sec- ond penalties in Sochi for prac- Brit was hit with two five-second penalties for pre-race misdemeanours on Sunday tising starts in the wrong place, punishments that put on hold his AFP ond one, we thought ‘they’re not bid for a record-equalling 91st Sochi, Russia going to like that’, but we didn’t win. teri Bottas, were fi ned 25,000 think it was dangerous,” Shovlin The Briton, who fi nished third euros ($29,137) by stewards for said. after starting on pole position, clearing Hamilton to practise his ace director Michael “When we saw the car posi- accused stewards of trying to starts where he did. Masi has hit back at tion, it wasn’t a complete sur- stop him but Brawn, a former Hamilton was initially given Lewis Hamilton’s claim prise that they didn’t like it and, Mercedes team boss, saw a com- two penalty points, which would that Formula One’s rul- no doubt, there may have been bination of bad luck and mis- have left him perilously close to a ersR are trying to stop him win- teams who fl agged it up — as takes. race ban, but the stewards over- ning races — and said Sunday’s much as whether the FIA or the “Personally, I would go away, turned that after accepting the Russian Grand Prix stewards stewards spotted it themselves.” lick my wounds and think about team’s responsibility. acted fairly by penalising him. how I could prevent such inci- The Briton, who is still four Hamilton, who led from pole ‘DOOR ALWAYS OPEN’ dences again in the future,” he points away from a ban, said he position, was hit with two fi ve- Hamilton fi nished a furious said in a column on the formula1. would have to be ‘squeaky clean’ second penalties for pre-race third behind Mercedes team- com website. in future. misdemeanours that wrecked mate Valtteri Bottas and Red “That’s what I know the team “I guess we’ll go through the his bid for a record-equalling Bull’s Max Verstappen, his lead will be doing. I know many of rule book and pick out areas 91st Grand Prix win. in the drivers’ title race trimmed the people, from my time at the where they can create rules, areas Masi, who took over as the from 55 to 44 points by the Finn. team, and they will recognise where penalties have never been top offi cial at races representing Masi ruled out any bias they have made some mistakes. given before,” he said. the International Motoring Fed- against Hamilton and said his “Bad luck and mistakes hap- “We’ve gone through seasons eration (FIA) in the aftermath of door “is always open”, a phrase pen, it’s how you respond that before without penalties so I just Charlie Whiting’s sudden death he used after a similar spat at matters. It’s easy to think the have to make sure I give them no in Melbourne last year, fl atly the Italian Grand Prix at Monza world is against you, but there reason, not even a sniff to be able rejected Hamilton’s post-race where the Briton received an- is nearly always something you to do something.” comments. other penalty that prevented could have done diff erently and Team boss Toto Wolff said “I think from an FIA perspec- him winning. you can learn from.” Mercedes would just have to tive we are there as a sport- “From my perspective, it’s Mercedes, who won with Valt- “take it on the chin and move on”. ing regulator to administer the very simple that if Lewis wants regulations,” the Australian said to raise something — as I have late Sunday. “We have the stew- said to him before and said to all SPOTLIGHT ards as an independent judiciary of the drivers numerous times to adjudicate those. — the door is always open,” said “There was an infringement Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton prepares for the Russian GP race at the Sochi Autodrom on Sunday. (Reuters) Masi. and it doesn’t matter if it was “I’m more than happy to dis- Covid-19 positives Lewis Hamilton or any one of ing all of the key elements into The sanctions, widely seen as Wolff and described it as “far- cuss anything.” the other 19 drivers — if a breach account.” too severe, eff ectively ended his fetched” but the team’s track Hamilton was also given two has occurred they will consider Hamilton was penalised for hopes of winning in Sochi and engineering director Andy penalty points on his racing li- show protocols are it on its merits. performing irregular pre-race levelling with Michael Schu- Shovlin admitted he was not cense, but this was cancelled after “Further to that, I would say practice starts in the pit lane exit macher’s record of 91 Grand Prix surprised a review. Instead, Mercedes were they adjudicate it equitably and road and for inconsistent speed victories. “We didn’t see the fi rst one fi ned 25,000 euros ($29,000) for working, says F1 fairly in the circumstances, tak- on the reconnaissance lap. Mercedes team chief Toto (start) and when we saw the sec- each infringement. Reuters The sport has conducted London, United Kingdom 47,000 tests since the July open- er in Austria. Lusail Stadium All those tested must return n increased number of a negative result before granted takes shape positive Covid-19 re- access to the paddock and there sults in the run up to is no interaction between fans The 80,000-seat Lusail last Sunday’s Russian and drivers. FormulaA One Grand Prix shows The Russian Grand Prix was Stadium is taking shape in timely fashion. Situated in the that safety protocols are working the fi rst race of the year with a heart of the futuristic Lusail well, the sport said yesterday. substantial number of spectators City, the FIFA World Cup Qatar Seven people were positive attending. 2022’s biggest tournament from 3,256 tests between Sep- The fi rst eight rounds were venue will be transformed tember 18-24 on the drivers, held behind closed doors due to into a community space after teams and personnel. There had the pandemic, with some 2,880 the extravaganza, including been only nine from the nine a day then allowed into the Tus- schools, shops, cafés, sporting previous rounds. can Grand Prix at Italy’s Mugello facilities and health clinics. “Formula One and the FIA circuit. PICTURE: Jayan Orma safety protocols are working very The paddock remains closed to eff ectively including testing, all but essential staff and teams, tracing and other safety meas- who are operating in bubbles to ures to ensure social distancing,” limit the risk of infection and said a Formula One spokesman. have travelled to races directly on “We have always said that charter fl ights. there will be positive cases and Racing Point’s Sergio Perez we have shown that when they is the only driver to have tested occur we can deal with the situa- positive so far, with the Mexican tion safely without disruption to missing two races in August. He an event.” fi nished fourth in Sochi on Sun- Six of the latest positives were day. understood to be ancillary staff , Russia has the world’s fourth including contracted cleaners, and highest number of infections, the other a British television pre- with the number rising steadily senter who did not travel to Russia. in recent weeks.