SPORT Wednesday 8 November 2017

PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 Starc takes China on right EcclestoneE sceptical two hat-tricks track , says about the impact of in one game Coach Lippi any F1 budget Russia-bound Iceland will aim to qualify for 2022 World Cup in Qatar: Bergsson

Armstrong Vas number of registered players.” The Peninsula Youth development is the key he said. celand which capped its “They start at an early age incredible 2018 World Cup of six years old where they get Iqualifying campaign by good coaching, education and securing a berth in Russia aim good facilities. We try to work to maintain the same level of with the limited number of play- consistency and make it to the ers that we have given the small finals in Qatar. population and then those play- “Iceland can hopefully par- ers and kids have got the ticipate and qualify for the 2022 ambition to want to better World Cup in Qatar,” said Gudni themselves and play profession- Bergsson, President of the Foot- ally abroad in Europe. We have ball Association of Iceland. 70 players playing in Europe Commenting on the infra- professionally, so all that gives structure improvements of us the possibility of having a Qatar and preparations for the good national team.” 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, the When asked about the pos- President of the Football Asso- sibility of exchanging experience ciation of Iceland said: “We had between the Iceland FA and a very interesting and good QFA, and the possibility of sign- presentation in the Supreme ing an MoU in the future he said: Committee for Delivery & Leg- “I think within the football acy Pavilion where I got a very world, and seeing that Iceland good insight into the thinking The President of the Qatar Football and Qatar both have a small and philosophy behind Qatar’s Association (QFA), Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa population, we should be bid and behind the preparations bin Ahmed Al Thani hands over a memento exchanging our knowledge and for the 2022 FIFA World Cup experiences and try to help each to President of of Qatar. other to strengthen the game of Iceland, Gudni Bergsson in Doha yesterday. “It’s interesting to witness football.” how Qatar is trying to make sure “We are happy to share our that this significant tournament of the Qatar Football Associa- Ahmed Abbassi, Iceland FA both Presidents stressed on the the island nation of about experience and knowledge with will benefit the country and the tion (QFA), Sheikh Hamad bin Board Members Rikhardur importance of building on the 330,000 people. Qatar. From what I see and what region, not just during the World Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani Dadason and Magnus Gylfasson relationship between the two When asked about how a I hear, Qatar is working really Cup but after the World Cup as yesterday at the QFA’s head- attended the meeting. associations and developing small nation such as Iceland well with their limited pool of well. It was positive experience quarters in Al Bidda Tower. During the meeting they dis- them further in the future. Ice- qualified for the upcoming players, they have got a good and a very informative presen- QFA Vice President Saoud cussed the bilateral relations land FA President also praised World Cup, shown a tremen- academy (Aspire Academy), the tation so I now know a lot about Al Mohannadi, QFA General Sec- concerning football in the two the role played by the QFA Pres- dous performance during the league is strong and the national the 2022 World Cup.” retary Mansoor Al Ansari, countries. They also discussed ident which directly impacts Euro 2016, and managed to team is developing, which The Football Association of Executive Director of the QFA matters of mutual interest and football in a positive way. show the world that Iceland has means we can certainly learn Iceland President is in Doha as President office Ali Dawood, the importance of developing Iceland became the small- a great football team, he said: from each other. We will discuss Iceland and Qatar national QFA Executive Director of Strat- them in the coming period in est nation ever to qualify for the “It all started with our devel- it further in the future and I can teams are set to play a friendly egy and Institutional Qatar and Iceland and ways to World Cup by securing an auto- opment of players at the see certain key areas we can match on November 14 at Development Mushtaq Al Waeli, enhance the cooperation matic berth by defeating Kosovo grassroots level. We have got a cooperate in and exchanges 7:30pm in Al Duhail Stadium. QFA Director of Operations of between the two associations. 2-0 in Reykjavik to win Group lot of clubs in Iceland, a good going ahead between the two Bergsson met the President National Teams Department At the end of the meeting, I and kick-start celebrations in participation, and a healthy associations.” QSL Cup: Al Rayyan trounce Al Markhiya; Umm Salal win

The Peninsula

roup B leaders Al Rayyan trounced Al Markhiya 5-2 to Gmaintain their winning streak in the QSL Cup while Umm Salal edged Al Sadd 2-1 and Al Ahli rallied from two goals down to defeat Al Arabi in the other Group B matches played yesterday. At Gharafa Stadium Al Rayyan scored at will to trounce Markhiya 5-2. Abdelrrazzaq Hamedallah scored a hat-trick for The Lions scoring in the 32, 39 and in the 92nd minute. Pauro Babou opened the scoring in the eight minutefor Al Rayyan and Rod- rigo Tabata added the fourth one in the 80th minute. Saleh Badr (4) and Luwrance Awua- ley (70) found the net for Al Markhiya. Al Rayyan are on top in Group B with nine points. Earlier, they defeated Al Ahli and Al Sadd. Al Markhiya remained on four points, the same as Umm Salal, and Al Ahli while Al Sadd are yet to open their account. At Khor stadium, Umm Salal defeated Al Sadd 2-1 while at Al Wak- rah Stadium, Al Ahli rallied to get full points against Al Arabi. Today’s Group A fixtures are Al Sailiya vs Al Khor (Al Gharafa Stadium, 16:05), Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Duhail (Al Shamal Stadium, 18:15) and Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC (Al Wakrah Stadium, 18:15). Action from the QSL Cup match of Group B between leaders Al Rayyan and Al Markhiya at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan won 5-2. Right: Al Kharaitiyat are leading the stand- ings in Group A. Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata (right) celebrates a goal with a team-mate. 30 SPORT WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2017 T10 League promises power-packed action

Dubai matches will be spread over a luxury yacht berthed at the aspects of watching the barrage excitement building already and was a large element of fun in the IANS 90 minutes (45 minutes each Dubai Marina on Sunday. As of runs which would accrue or we will see full houses not just quick version, the games would side). many as 60 players were cho- the happily reckless fall of wick- out of curiosity but because the be played competitively and ome December 21, the The T10 cricket league has sen by the 5 teams taking part ets.” Mulk, chairman of the T10 lure of the big names is also professionally. iconic Sharjah stadium in attracted scores of famous mar- in these proceedings, with the Cricket League, told this corre- there. This is instant cricket and “The desire to be the first Cthe United Arab Emirates quee names including Eoin 6th team Sri Lanka Cricket hav- spondent here. the fans will have a great time,” winners of a T10 tournament will reverberate to the thwack Morgan, Virender Sehwag, Mis- ing already been announced a Sharjah’s cricket stadium is Khan said. would be a historical achieve- of leather on willow. But with a bah-ul-Haq and day prior. a popular place for one dayers. “The demographic dictated ment and will motivate the difference. Inzamam-ul-Haq. Brian Lara “The idea was really to bring According to the General Man- a concentration on players in players to doing their best on the Thanks to the initiative from will coach the Kerala Kings led cricket into the same time realm ager of the Sharjah Cricket the Emirates and nations that field,” he said. the UAE-based business tycoon by Morgan. Final of the league as most other sports and ninety Stadium, Mazhar Khan, the new are represented in the region,” President of the League Sal- and sports lover Shaji Ul Mulk, matches will be played on minutes or so is the norm. The dimension to the short-form Mulk said. man Iqbalk, compared T10 to the venue will host the first ever December 24. idea was kicked around and no cricket has the potential to He underscored the fact that the F1 motor races saying he 10 overs cricket league. The draft for players to the one could deny there was a cer- become a runaway hit. the rules were according to the was confident the format would The ten-over per team five teams took place on board tain excitement to the visual “We are seeing the ICC mandate and though there be here to stay.

Aussie pacers England call up Curran for Ashes better than 2013-14 Ashes London County Championship last season, when then limited-overs coach Ash- AFP while averaging a useful 27.44 with ley Giles declared him trio, says Harris the bat. His selection has seen Curran “un-selectable”. urrey seamer was chosen ahead of two more experienced England coach Trevor Bayliss told Adelaide added to England’s Ashes pace bowlers in and reporters in Adelaide yesterday: “He IANS squad yesterday after Steven Mark Wood. (Finn) had an injection a couple of days Finn was ruled out of the tour Finn only made the current tour ago which they thought would help.” ormer Australia quick of Australia with a knee when he was added to the squad in But the ECB statement confirming Ryan Harris, who was Sinjury. place of the suspended Stokes, whose Finn was out of the tour said he would Fone of the architects of Finn, himself a late replacement involvement remains in the balance “return to the UK in the next 48 hours England’s 0-5 whitewash in for the absent Ben Stokes, has been as the ECB conduct an internal disci- where he will meet a knee specialist the 2013-14 Ashes, feels the diagnosed with a torn cartilage in his plinary inquiry and await the outcome to ascertain whether he will have an current fast bowling trio of left knee and will head back to Eng- of a police probe into his involvement operation”. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazle- land for a possible operation. in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub wood and Pat Cummins is Curran, 22, was next in line and on September 25. Finn ruled out more potent. the England and Wales Cricket Board Yesterday’s announcement ended Harris, who claimed 22 has announced he will fly to Australia another miserable tour of Australia for Finn, himself a late wickets and formed a formi- on Wednesday. Finn, who suffered his injury when, replacement for the absent England’s Tom Curran dable combination with A son of the late Zimbabwe all- after batting in the nets in Perth ahead Ben Stokes, has been bowling during the final left-armer Mitchell Johnson rounder Kevin Curran, Tom has played of the first warm-up match, he hit him- diagnosed with a torn ODI match against the West and Peter Siddle during the a single one-day international and self while batting in the nets. cartilage in his left knee Indies at the Ageas Bowl 2013-14 edition, believes it will three Twenty20 internationals but is The Middlesex quick was dropped and will head back to in Southampton, southern be the pace attacks of both yet to make his Test debut. midway through England’s victorious England for a possible England in this September sides that will decide the He took 24 wickets at 34.66 for Ashes campaign of 2010/11 and left the operation. 29, 2017 file picture. course of the series, starting in Surrey in the First Division of the previous 2013/14 trip under a cloud Brisbane from November 23. “Hazlewood’s probably doing the job that I did (four years ago) and he’s quicker than me, and he gets more bounce,” Harris said at the Starc takes two hat-tricks in one game Adelaide Oval. “And you’ve got Starc who can definitely do a John- Sydney and Moody again off the final son role, and you’ve got AFP two deliveries of his 15th Cummins so you’ve probably over. Jono Wells then edged got an extra bit of pace. Cum- trike bowler Mitchell Starc on the first ball of his mins on his day he’s fast as Starc became the first next over to Australia and well. Sman to take two hat- NSW captain Steve Smith at “Obviously we did a good tricks in the same first-class first slip to end the match. job last time, but the key is game in Australia yesterday Starc finished with the going to be working as a as he hit ominous form ahead match figures of seven for 97 team, as a bowling unit. That’s of the Ashes Test series in NSW’s 171-run victory. what we did well last time against England. He also took a career- and obviously got the results,” The left-arm paceman best 8-73 for NSW against the 38-year-old added. became only the eighth South Australia under lights While the first Test will player in first-class cricket at Adelaide Oval and looks in be played at the Gabba in history -- and the first in 39 ominous touch ahead of the Brisbane, the second match years -- to achieve the feat Test series. will be a day-night affair at as he spearheaded New Australia take on England Adelaide from December South Wales to victory over in the first of five Ashes Test 2-6. Western Australia in the matches in Brisbane, starting The third Test will be Sheffield Shield. on November 23. played at the WACA Ground Having removed Jason Australian leg-spinner in Perth from December 14-18 Behrendorff, David Moody Jimmy Matthews remains the while the fourth match will Australia’s cricketer Mitchell Starc (centre) celebrates with team-mates after he dismissed Sri and Simon Mackin in WA’s only player to take two hat- be played on Boxing Day in Lanka’s during the second day of their opening Test at the Pallekele International first innings to complete his tricks in a Test match after Melbourne followed by the Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, in this July 2016 file picture. first career hat-trick, Starc he did it against South Africa final Test in Sydney from Jan- then got both Behrendorff in in 1912. uary 4-8. India clinch rain-hit thriller to win T20 series

Thiruvananthapuram SCOREBOARD balls before Boult took a catch Reuters in the deep off Ish Sodhi (2-23) India’s captain Virat India New Zealand to send back the India Kohli celebrates R Sharma c Santner b Southee ...... 8 M Guptill b Kumar ...... 1 ndia pipped New Zealand by captain. India’s win. six runs in a rain-truncated S Dhawan c Santner b Southee ...... 8 C Munro c Sharma b Bumrah ...... 7 Manish Pandey topscored Twenty20 thriller to win the V Kohli c Boult b Sodhi ...... 13 K Williamson run out ...... 8 for India with 17 before fall- I S Iyer c Guptill by Sodhi ...... 6 G Phillips c Shikhar b Kuldeep ...... 11 three-match series 2-1 in Thiru- M Pandey c de Grandhomme b Boult ...... 17 C de Grandhomme not out ...... 17 ing to a spectacular piece of vananthapuram yesterday. H Pandya (not out) ...... 14 H Nicholls c Iyer b Bumrah ...... 2 fielding by Santner. Put into bat after steady M Dhoni (not out) ...... 0 T Bruce run out ...... 4 Pandey had hit Boult rain had reduced the third and Extras (LB 2, W1) ...... 3 M Santner (not out) ...... 3 towards long-on where a final match to an eight-over Total (8 overs - five wickets) ...... 67 Extras (B4, LB1, W3) ...... 8 sprinting Santner dived to take shootout, hosts India posted Did not bat: B Kumar, J Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Y Total (8 overs - 6 wickets) ...... 61 the catch but realising 67-5 at the Greenfield Inter- Chahal Did not bat: T Boult, T Southee, I Sodhi momentum was taking him

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-15, 3-30, 4-48, 5-62 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-8, 3-28, 4-28, 5-39, 6-48

national Stadium. Bowling: Boult 2-0-13-1, Santner 2-0-16-0, Southee Bowling: Kumar 2-0-18-1, Bumrah 2-0-9-2, Chahal across the rope, the fielder New Zealand wobbled 2-0-13-2, Sodhi 2-0-23-2 2-0-8-0, Kuldeep Yadav 1-0-10-1, Pandya 1-0-11-0 threw the ball to Colin de early in their chase of a mod- Grandhomme who was nearby est target and eventually to complete the dismissal. managed 61-6 in a contest only seven runs in the first two over, dismissing openers Like their opponents, New which stood out for disci- overs as Trent Boult and Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Zealand too lost openers Mar- plined bowling and some Mitchell Santner bowled with Sharma off successive deliv- tin Guptill and exemplary catching from both tremendous discipline. eries with Santner taking both cheaply and never really got sides. Tim Southee wrecked the the catches. going. Wickets kept tumbling Earlier, India managed Indian top order in his first Virat Kohli made 13 off six at regular intervals. WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 31 World Cup Moyes appointment a leap of will be Koscielny faith by West Ham owners swansong

London Paris Reuters What you need to know AFP

avid Moyes begins his new about aurent Koscielny will job as West Ham United retire from the France manager intent on reviv- London Lteam after the 2018 ing his floundering career AFP World Cup, making way for by resuscitating a club a new generation of players, Dmired in relegation trouble. avid Moyes was appointed manager of Premier the Arsenal centre-back said Many observers view the 54-year- League strugglers West Ham on Tuesday follow- yesterday. old former Everton manager as Ding the sacking of Slaven Bilic. Here are few things “I’m starting to get a bit fortunate to get another chance to about the former Everton and Manchester United boss. old at 32. With Sam (Umtiti prove himself after being sacked from of Barcelona) and the oth- his past three jobs at Manchester EVERTON REIGN ers in their twenties and on United, and Sunder- Moyes is third on the list of the longest Premier the lookout, the time has land, who were relegated from the League managerial reigns behind only Arsene Wenger come,” Koscielny told a last season after los- at Arsenal and former Manchester United boss Alex press conference at the ing 26 of his 38 games in charge. Ferguson. Moyes joined the club from Pres- French team headquarters. It was his demeanour and his ton in 2002 and his 11 years at the club made him the “It’s an important deci- record that was held against him and longest-serving manager there since in sion. I have done my bit for Moyes appeared to get his excuses in the 1960s and 70s. He failed to win any silverware but France, but I have six early by predicting Sunderland faced the club consistently punched above its weight despite months left to make the a difficult season after their second financial limitations. most of it and to make sure game. I leave with good memo- But the Black Cats’ current plight THE ‘CHOSEN ONE’ ries,” he said. -- they are bottom of the second-tier Moyes was handed the daunting task of replacing In defence, France coach Championship -- suggests their prob- Ferguson at in 2013 after two decades of Didier Deschamps can usu- lems are more structural and West trophy-laden success but his reign quickly soured. Moyes ally count on Real Madrid’s Ham’s owners have looked beyond took charge of a group of players who had won the Raphael Varane, 24, and the that unhappy spell in charge to 2012-13 Premier League title by 11 points but he was 23-year-old Umtiti, who appoint a highly experienced coach sacked just 10 months into a six-year contract and the made his debut at Euro 2016, who knows he may not get another club limped to a seventh-placed finish in the league. while Paris Saint-Germain’s chance if West Ham fail to stay up. Presnel Kimpembe, 22, leads British newspapers reported that THE ROONEY FACTOR a host of other youthful con- Moyes’ case has been pushed by West Moyes launched on his path to tenders for places in the Ham’s director of player recruitment, New West Ham United manager David Moyes becoming England’s all-time record goalscorer, giving back line. Tony Henry, who worked with the him his debut at Everton in 2002 at the age of just 16. “There are five or six of Scot at Everton where he forged his Moyes sold the teenager to Manchester United two us oldies hanging on, who reputation as a manager capable legacy of leaving Upton Park for the to the Premier League at the week- years later and they later fell out when the striker was have different tastes in enough in his 11 years in charge to at the start of last end when he first became linked with sued by Moyes for allegations in an autobiography. music to the young ones, attract Manchester United when Alex season, a move that many supporters the West Ham post. They settled out of court and Rooney subsequently we’re not exactly old our- Ferguson retired in 2013. blame for their present troubles. Asked if he might be managing apologised. selves,” added the 49-times A banner declaring Moyes “The While Bilic lost one of his 17 games again after the forthcoming interna- capped Koscielny. Chosen One” did him no favours dur- in charge at the old ground, West Ham tional break, he added: “I really don’t MANAGERIAL WOES France face Wales in ing an insipid season in charge at Old have been beaten 11 times in 24 know. I hope so.” Moyes built up a formidable reputation during his Paris on Friday and travel to Trafford and his subsequent spell at matches in their new home. Now he has his chance with a team long spell in charge of Everton but he looked a haunted Cologne to play world Real Sociedad also ended in disap- West Ham striker Andy Carroll who have underperformed, with many man towards the end of his short tenure at Old Traf- champions Germany on pointment, with the Spanish Liga club criticised fans for leaving early on Sat- observers questioning the wisdom of ford. Since then his reputation has taken further hits November 14 as part of their flirting with relegation. urday and Moyes will face a major job their close season transfer dealings as with a short and unsuccessful spell in Spain with Real build up to next year’s finals Now he faces a similar fight at galvanising the club’s traditionally they paid top prices for ageing play- Sociedad and then and an ill-starred stint with Sun- in Russia. West Ham, with little in Saturday’s 4-1 raucous support if they are to avoid ers, the £24m ($31.48m) paid to Stoke derland, who were relegated last season on his watch. home defeat by - Slaven their first releagation since 2011. City for 28-year-old Marko Arnautovic Bilic’s final game in charge - to offer Like Crystal Palace, who earlier being a prime example. KEEPING THE FAITH Keita hit with immediate hope of a revival. this term turned to another seasoned No more transfer dealings can be Moyes is a committed Christian but his beliefs once Everton’s 3-2 comeback win over manager in 70-year-old Roy Hodg- done until the window opens in Jan- caused friction back in his playing days, at Cambridge Watford on Sunday dropped West Ham son, the Hammers believe Moyes has uary so Moyes must work with what United. “The three of them (Moyes and two team- €415,000 fine into 18th place, with nine points from the Premier League nous to turn their he has until then. Both manager and mates) sat in the changing room with a little black book, 11 games. fortunes around. team need to learn how to win again, discussing their faith, when they should have been get- Berlin But the malaise goes deeper than The Scot, who has also been touted which makes his appointment an ting psyched up for a relegation scrap,” recalled a far AFP results, with the Hammers appearing as a possible manager of his national intriguing leap of faith by the from impressed former team-mate, Roy McDonough. an unhappy club struggling with the team, signalled his intention to return owners. iverpool-bound Naby Keita has reportedly Lbeen hit with a €415,000 ($480,009) fine for Oxlade-Chamberlain to keep pushing for regular starts allegedly using a forged driv- ing licence. The Guinea international London Saturday’s 4-1 win at West Ham can, that’s natural. The only thing I Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade- and RB Leipzig fell Reuters United. can do when I get the chance is try Chamberlain celebrates offside with police after The England international also to impress and help the team to win, after scoring their third twice attempting to gain a iverpool midfielder Alex scored his first league goal for Liv- with goals and creating chances. goal during the English German driving permit by Oxlade-Chamberlain will erpool at the London Stadium, “I’m going to keep trying to do Premier League match using fake Guinean keep pushing for a regular earning praise from manager Juer- that and keep pushing for starting documents. L against West Ham starting spot at the Premier League gen Klopp. places, just as everyone else will. The 22-year-old, who United on Saturday. club, the 24-year-old has said. “It takes time to settle in and learn That’s the best thing – competition will join Liverpool for the Oxlade-Chamberlain, who a new formation and style of play,” for places.” 2018/19 season, has lodged started his first game for Liverpool Oxlade-Chamberlain told the club’s Liverpool are fifth in the league, an appeal against the pen- in their League Cup defeat by website. (www.liverpoolfc.com) 12 points behind leaders Manches- alty and should the matter Leicester City in September, made “I’ve had to be patient; I’d have ter City, and host 13th-placed now go to court, the case is his first league start during liked to have played as much as I Southampton on November 18. likely to be heard next year.

Chelsea’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois watches a late freekick go over during their English Premier League football match against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London Chelsea can overhaul ‘unstoppable’ on Sunday. Manchester City again, says Courtois

London and were eight points ahead points behind City at one injuries, play a bit worse and Reuters of Chelsea after the opening stage and then we went on a lose some games. We have six games before Antonio winning run. I hope we can to be there and keep winning anchester City look Conte’s team went on a do the same,” Courtois told our games.” to be in an “unstop- 13-game winning run to the club’s website. (www. Chelsea manager Anto- Mpable” run of form climb to first place seal the chelseafc.com) nio Conte also dismissed but Chelsea goalkeeper league trophy. “We have to hope now media reports linking him to Thibaut Courtois says there This season, Pep Guar- they drop points. At the AC Milan after Sunday’s win is plenty of time for the Lon- diola’s team have a moment they are a bit over Manchester United at don club to reel the leaders nine-point advantage over unstoppable, they are play- Stamford Bridge. in and retain their Premier Chelsea but Courtois said ing very well and scoring Chelsea return to league League title. City might lose steam as the goals. action after the international City took the early lead season goes on. “But the season is very break with a trip to West in the title race last season “Last year we were eight long, they could have Bromwich Albion on Nov. 18. 32 SPORT WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2017 WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 33 Coutinho has only ‘remote chance’ Aussies ready for hostile Honduras England suffer blow ahead of facing Japan crowd in crucial World Cup play-off of Germany, Brazil games Paris enough to play against Japan,” IANS Lasmar told reporters on London Tottenham’s Dele Alli, Harry -- England’s training base -- later Germany, with the FA announc- Monday. AFP Kane and have in the week after missing Liver- ing “a further squad update will iverpool midfielder Philippe “If he does, he will probably already withdrawn from the ini- pool’s win against West Ham with be issued in due course” but Chel- Coutinho has only a remote come off the bench to play a few aheem Sterling, Fabian tial squad, with England receiving a thigh problem. sea defender Gary Cahill was set Lchance of playing for Bra- minutes at the end. It’s only a Delph and Jordan three further setbacks yesterday. City winger Sterling is out to train yesterday. zil in their international friendly remote chance. Our focus is to Henderson are the lat- “Manchester City duo Raheem with a back complaint and Delph England, who play Brazil on against Japan tomorrow, accord- have him back for the second est withdrawals from Sterling and Fabian Delph have -- looking for his first England cap November 14, are already miss- ing to team doctor Rodrigo match (against England),” he England’s injury-hit returned to their club after being since November 2015 -- injured ing Adam Lallana, Danny Lasmar. added. Rsquad for friendlies against World ruled out of England’s forthcom- his calf towards the end of Sun- Welbeck, Nathaniel Chalobah, Coutinho has missed Liver- Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Ger- Cup holders Germany and five- ing fixtures,” a statement from the day’s win against Arsenal. Tom Heaton and Ross Barkley. pool’s past two English Premier main forward Neymar trained time winners Brazil, the FA said Football Association read. Alli, Kane and Winks have Southgate had plumped for a League matches with an adduc- freely after recovering from a yesterday. “Liverpool’s Jordan Hender- already pulled out with injury bold squad for the last matches of tor injury but partly trained with thigh problem that kept him out Gareth Southgate’s men kick son will also miss out on the issues of their own, with South- 2017, with Tammy Abraham, Brazil’s squad here on Monday, of his club’s 5-0 thrashing of off their World Cup preparations back-to-back games against Ger- gate bringing in Michael Keane Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Joe reports Xinhua news agency. Angers in Ligue 1 on Saturday. with back-to-back Wembley many and Brazil at Wembley and Jake Livermore. Gomez called up for the first time Though he is in doubt for Fri- The friendlies will be Brazil’s matches against the international Stadium through injury.” More faces will likely be as Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade- day’s match in Lille, the first fixtures since they com- heavyweight teams over the com- Henderson had been due to drafted in by the England boss Chamberlain and Chris Smalling 25-year-old is likely to be ready pleted their 2018 World Cup ing week. arrive at St George’s Park ahead of Friday’s friendly against were overlooked. for Brazil’s clash against England qualifying campaign last month at London’s by finishing top of the South four days later. American zone’s CONMEBOL “He probably won’t be fit group. Abraham has no regrets about Nigeria snub Australian players train ahead of their World Cup play-off against Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on Monday. San Pedro Sula, Honduras out in the CONCACAF-Asia says Australia will benefit from AFP playoff. having already passed their Burton-on-Trent Burton-on-Trent, central Eng- “Most of the boys have playoff test against the AFP land on Monday. ziz Behich says played in big hostile environ- Syrians. Honduras aim to go for “That is where my main Australia will be ments,” the defender said. “The boys were full of ew England call-up focus is and I am 100 percent ready to cope with “We’ve done that with the confidence going into those of AS Tammy Abraham says he focused here to try and get into an intimidating national team during the qual- game and coming out of them Roma celebrates after never considered play- that team. atmosphere here ifiers in some parts of Asia,” he it’s a big boost going into these the kill in home game N scoring against ACF ing for Nigeria at international “I was pretty set on England onA Friday when the Socceroos told Football Federation Aus- Honduras games,” Behich level despite repeated overtures really and playing in the Premier face Honduras in the first leg tralia’s television channel on said. Fiorentina during Italian Reuters match in Florence, on Sunday. from the Nigerian Football League meant it would be nice of their crucial World Cup Monday. Fellow squad member “It’s home and away so we arrival in San Pedro Sula on Federation. to play in the England team as playoff. “It’s going to be nothing Craig Goodwin, who plays for have to take advantage of the Monday. Abraham’s father is Nigerian well.” Australia will take on new for us, and in some ways, Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam, onduran players arrived home leg,” he added. “We have to be convincing The Miranchuk siblings, Anton (left) and Alexei celebrate during a match against Russian and a childhood friend of Nige- Abraham is on loan at Honduras in the it’s exciting -- it’s all part of also thinks Australia will home for the World Cup “We’re motivated and I am here, and build up a good Greece coach domestic team Ural in this file photo.Picture courtesy: Lokomotiv Moscow rian federation president Amaju Swansea City from Chelsea and 40,000-capacity Olimpico football and we’re just going to derive a competitive edge Hplayoff against Australia sure we’ll be going to the World advantage to take that big step Pinnick, who claimed in Sep- has scored five goals in his first Metropolitano Stadium in San go out on the park, we know from having successfully nav- this week stressing the impor- Cup.” towards the World Cup.” tember that Abraham had 14 appearances for the Welsh Pedro Sula, a town once what job we have to do and igated the Syria challenge. tance of a first-leg victory, with Those sentiments were ech- Honduras face the Soc- decided to play for the west club. regarded as the deadliest city what the end prize is -- quali- “It’s a little bit of an striker Anthony Lozano saying oed by , the Houston ceroos in Friday night’s first leg, angered by Confusion alert as i dentical African country. Asked about Nigeria’s inter- in Honduras because of vio- fying for the World Cup. advantage,” Goodwin said. they must “kill off” the Aussies Dynamos forward who will then both countries take the long But Abraham, an England est, he said: “It was flattering, lence linked to the drug trade. “It’s not going to be easy, “It’s not the way we wanted before the long trip to Sydney miss the first game through flight down under for the return Under-21 international, denied but for me my main focus was The Central Americans are but we’re full of confidence.” to go through to the World for the return leg. suspension. match next Wednesday. Manolas’ the claim and having been called here. It was nice to know that I aiming to qualify for the World Behich started in the away Cup. But playing against Syria “You have to give your all in “We are really up for it, and The Central American side twins play for Russia up for England’s forthcoming was doing something right and Cup for a third straight tourna- leg of Australia’s Asia zone over the two legs was a good these games, you have to kill we’re arriving at a time when qualified by finishing fourth in friendlies against Germany and going in the right direction.” ment, and have often benefited playoff against Syria in the pre- test and they’re a good team. them off if you can,” Lozano, we’re playing well for our the CONCACAF region, while play-off ban Brazil, the striker is not enter- England play world cham- from ferocious home support vious round, and eventually “But we have a good squad who scored for the Barcelona B clubs,” Elis, who has been a key Australia squeezed through after Moscow gave her sons their active and uncompromising taining second thoughts. pions Germany at Wembley on at the venue in the past. won 3-2 on aggregate by the and good quality in the team. team in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with performer in the Dynamos beating Syria. AFP nature. “I see myself as being a Friday and tackle Brazil at the Behich, however, says Aus- Socceroos after a tense return It’s going to be tough but I Cultural Leonesa, told Hondu- march to the Nirth America’s They must play for a single Athens The brothers started out training with the long-term England player,” same venue on November 14 as tralia will be ready for anything leg in Sydney. think we have the squad to get ran newspaper La Prensa. MLS playoffs, told reporters on place in the World Cup. AFP pponents of Russia’s national side can be Olympus club of their native town of Slavyansk- Abraham, 20, told reporters at they launch their preparations the Honduras crowd can dish The 26-year-old to the World Cup.” forgiven for confusion as they face two on-Kuban in their home region. England’s St George’s Park for next year’s World Cup in reece coach Michael Skibbe Oidentical players: twin brothers Anton and After a couple of years, Spartak Moscow training base in Russia. blasted FIFA’s decision to ban Alexei Miranchuk. invited the boys to join their football academy. GRoma defender Kostas Mano- The 22-year-old Miranchuk siblings They came to Moscow with their mother, a las from tomorrow’s World Cup appeared together in the national squad for the trained teacher who got a job at their school’s play-off first leg away to Croatia for first time last month after manager Stanislav boarding house. “intentionally seeking a yellow Cherchesov rewarded their solid performances “It was non-negotiable that our mum came Inter captain Icardi out of Argentina squad card”. for Russian league leaders Lokomotiv with us,” Anton said. “What FIFA did was not right. Moscow. “She’s the head of our family -- she has China on right track , FIFA sometimes takes some ‘spe- “We gave the new players a chance to show always been with us, she has watched and sup- Milan weekend and will train separately is evidence of severe bruising Mauro cial’ decisions. And this is their worth in matches with teams that have ported us the whole time,” Alexei added. AFP for four or five days. with associated inflammation on Icardi “special’,” Skibbe told reporters on already qualified for the 2018 World Cup finals,” “Things might have gone differently with- says Coach Lippi But he will not travel to Rus- the front of his right knee. Monday. Cherchesov told journalists after friendlies with out her keeping an eye on us.” nter Milan captain Mauro sia for Saturday’s friendly “He’ll have physiotherapy and FIFA’s disciplinary committee South Korea and Iran. After the Miranchuk brothers turned 16, Icardi will miss Argentina’s against the 2018 World Cup separate work for four to five on Friday handed Manolas a one- “(Mario) Fernandes, (Konstantin) Rausch and Spartak released them for not being physically Iupcoming international hosts and a game on Tuesday days, before returning to Luciano match suspension after he was the Miranchuk twins looked impressive with strong enough, forcing them to join Lokomotiv’s Shanghai players aass he attempts to decrease the friendlies because of a knee against Nigeria. Spalletti’s squad.” adjudged to have deliberately got their club sides this season and we needed to academy. AFP average age ooff tthehe squasquad.d. injury, his Serie A club confirmed “ this morning Icardi had been on form for himself booked for time wasting in test them in the national squad. Their natural talent soon shone through and The Chinese government, under yesterday. underwent tests,” the club said in scoring 11 goals in 12 Greece’s 2-1 win in Cyprus last “That helped us to finalise the pool of the they became integral members of Lokomotiv’s hina coach Marcello Lippi (pic- football ffanan PresiPresidentdent XiXi JiJinping,nping, h hasas The 24-year-old picked up a statement. “There is no tear for games as his side are third in Serie month. candidates into our World Cup squad.” youth squad, winning three consecutive Rus- tured) said the much-maligned made itt a priority to improve the the injury against Torino at the the Nerazzurri striker, but there A two points off leaders Napoli. That yellow card triggered a ban The country’s football chief Vitaly Mutko sian titles. Cnational side are “on the right nationall team, who have long been which Manolas served in Greece’s hailed the brothers from the southern Krasn- Alexei then made his debut in the Russian track” as they prepare to take on Ser- consideredred aann emembarrassmentbarrassment at final group game -- a 4-0 victory odar region as part of a new generation of Premier League in 2013 but Anton was made to bia and Colombia in a pair of testing home. over Gibraltar -- but the 26-year- dedicated players, a much welcome boost after wait before getting his chance. home friendlies. Lippii cacalledlled onon CChinesehinese f ansfans to to give give old will now also miss the trip to a dreadful Euro 2016 campaign. Anton was sent on loan to Estonian high- Lippi failed to steer China into just Martino joins race for US soccer top job Zagreb. Players such as the Miranchuks are “highly the teamm their fulfulll backing for flyers Levadia Tallinn for the 2016 campaign, a second World Cup in their history but the Serbiaia ggameame andand “I do not know how that was motivated” and “have a completely different atti- during which he scored 15 goals in 33 matches. results have improved since he took again whwhenen ttheyhey “We need a change, not just of direction but defined by delivering success at international decided. We were ahead of Cyprus tude to football”, Mutko stressed. “It’s a That form abroad earned him a brief cameo over in October 2016, propelling them hostt AFP of vision and ambition. It’s time to put soccer level, saying he would resign if the men’s team 2-1 and in the last few minutes generation of professionals.” alongside his brother for Lokomotiv at the end up to 57 in the FIFA rankings, their Colombiaa back at the center of the United States Soccer failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup or failed every team around the world lets The twins meanwhile said their invitation of the last season, before thrusting him into a highest spot since 2004. next Tues-es- ormer Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Kyle Federation.” to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 some players get a yellow card for to the national side had done wonders for their regular role this term. China take on Serbia on Friday in day in Martino on Monday joined the crowded Soccer in the United States was left reeling competition. delaying,” Skibbe said. confidence. But the separation was hard, Anton Guangzhou and Lippi, who master- Chongqing.ng. Ffield vying for the Presidency of the United last month after a humiliating loss to Trinidad Nomination for next February’s USSF elec- “So Manolas got a yellow card “It was incredibly motivating for us when admitted. minded his native Italy to World Cup Bothh ooppo-ppo- States Soccer Federation in the wake of the and Tobago in their final 2018 World Cup qual- tion must be confirmed by December. and did not play against Gibraltar. we got the call up to the national squad,” Anton “We’ve been together since we were born. I glory in 2006, said: “After I took over nents willill be at the World country’s 2018 World Cup debacle. ifying game saw them fail to reach next year’s So far USSF president Gulati has not said if And now FIFA has decided four Miranchuk, who made his senior Russia debut feel a constant spiritual connection with my the team it has improved a lot. Cup in RRussiaussia next year and Martino, best known in the US as an ana- finals in Russia. he plans to run again for what would be a fourth weeks later to punish him for some- in October’s 4-2 win over South Korea. brother and I feel I miss him after just a couple “The team has performed well, Lippi said:d: “This“This year’syear’s (Chinese)(Chinese) lyst for NBC television, said he had decided to Next year’s tournament will mark the first four-year term. thing that all players do.” “I just couldn’t put my feelings into words.” of days apart. especially in the last six games in the league mmatchesatches areare aallll over over now now challenge for the USSF presidency after the time since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico that Last week, USSF vice-president Carlos Cor- Even without Manolas in the “Of course it’s a great responsibility,” his “But I don’t regret my secondment to Esto- World Cup qualifiers. so fans inn thethe countrycountry cancan shiftshift theirtheir result of “many conversations” in recent weeks. the United States have failed to feature. deiro announced he planned to run, joining starting line-up and despite some brother Alexei, who earned the first of his 12 nia. It was very useful to get regular match “Although we failed to nail third focus to thethe nationalnational teamteam andand sup-sup- The 36-year-old will take a break from his Martino said the World Cup collapse was former international Eric Wynalda and Bos- injuries, Skibbe said his team will international caps in 2015, added. practice and experience. It helped me a lot to place in the group in order to fight for port the teamteam.. work with NBC, which he described as his a symptom of a wider malaise across US ton-based attorney Steve Gans in the field. be ready for the encounter with “When you join the national squad, it’s a new win a place in Lokomotiv’s line-up when I came the World Cup (via playoffs), the team “I believeelieve the upcoming matches “dream job” in an effort to mount a successful soccer. Unlike many of his rivals, Gans, who has Croatia. experience, new feelings and new opportuni- back.” is on the right track and there is room will be amazingmazing anandd I I ca callll f foror you you a allll to to bid to replace current incumbent Sunil Gulati. “When a nation of more than 300 million four decades of involvement in US soccer as a “We will be ready, we have been ties. It’s cool.” His brother Alexei naturally agreed. to grow.” come too the stadium to support our “US Soccer is at the lowest point of its mod- fails to qualify for the World Cup, it’s not player, attorney and advisor, had announced working for the last two years to go The players’ mother Yelena Miranchuk said “For me it was really hard to play and to The decorated Italian coach said he national team,team, fightfight togethertogether withwith themthem ern existence, with failing to qualify for the 2018 because of a few bad bounces on a less-than- his challenge before the US World Cup exit. to Russia. Croatia has a good team the family traces its origins back to the Cossacks, progress without my brother,” he added. “But wants to gradually draft in younger and be oourur strongest support.” World Cup merely a symptom of bigger issues,” perfect pitch; it’s because of systemic failures Others in the field include Mike Winograd, but we will do our best with the independent horsemen forces who guarded now I feel that this parting was for the best. Martino said in a statement on his campaign across all levels of the game,” he said. former international and Paul players we have to qualify,” he said. Tsarist Russia’s borders. “Now everything has got back to normal and website. Martino said his presidency would be Lapointe. She told Russian television she believes this I feel we’re both ready to go up to the next level.” 34 SPORT WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2017 NHL: Washington Irving stars as Celtics Capitals, Maple Leafs record close victories

shoot down Hawks New York goal of the third period with Agencies 8:33 left to snap a tie as New York beat Columbus. The Rang- ohn Carlson scored with 46 ers, down 2-0 early in the Celtics guard Kyrie seconds left in overtime as second period, rallied for their Irving (right) is guarded J the Washington Capitals ral- fourth consecutive victory. by Atlanta Hawks guard lied from a two-goal deficit to Michael Grabner scored Malcolm Delaney during defeat the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 twice, including an empty-net- the second half of their on Monday night. ter with 48.8 seconds remaining, NBA game at Philips Evgeny Kuznetsov fed T.J. and Kevin Shattenkirk and Chris Arena on Monday. Oshie in the slot but fanned on Kreider also scored for the Rang- the shot. The puck sailed over ers, who received 22 saves from to Carlson, who beat goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Artemi Pan- Scott Edgewood for his first goal arin, Josh Anderson and Oliver of the season. Earlier in the Bjorkstrand had the Blue Jack- game, Carlson had an assist. ets’ goals. Sergei Bobrovsky Alex Ovechkin scored his made 21 saves. 12th goal of the season for Bruins 5, Wild 3 Washington, and Davante Tuukka Rask stopped a Smith-Pelly added a goal. third-period penalty shot that Braden Holtby made 24 saves turned out to be the difference, as the Capitals won their third and five Boston players scored consecutive game. goals in a win over Minnesota. The Coyotes, looking for After Mikael Granlund cut their first back-to-back wins of Boston’s lead to 4-2 with a goal the season, took a 2-0 lead 1:33 into the third, Granlund early in the first period on goals was tripped by Torey Krug by rookie Clayton Keller and while heading for a short- Christian Fischer. handed breakaway with 13:05 Maple Leafs 4, Golden left. Granlund, whose goal was Knights 3 (SO) his first of the season, moved in Mitch Marner scored the on Rask on the penalty shot, but only goal of a shootout as the goalie turned the shot aside Toronto defeated Vegas. with his right pad. Nazem Kadri scored two Red Wings 3, Canucks 2 goals in regulation and James Tomas Tatar scored with van Riemsdyk had the other for 1:14 left, and Detroit defeated Atlanta shot 22 of 24 from the line. the Maple Leafs. Frederik Vancouver. AP NBA “I just feel that’s East Coast Andersen made 25 saves in the Tatar took a pass from Jus- basketball. If we want to be a Toronto goal. James Neal, Reilly tin Abdelkader and beat yrie Irving scored Boston vs Hawks great team we’ve got to play Smith and Deryk Engelland goaltender Jacob Markstrom on 35 points, Jayson Kyrie Irving scored 35 points, Jayson Tatum added 21 and the different ways,” Durant said. scored for the Golden Knights. the glove side for his 200th Tatum added 21 Boston Celtics held off the Atlanta Hawks 110-107 on Mon- “It’s a good test for us.” Maxime Lagace stopped 22 NHL point. Darren Helm and and the Boston day night for their ninth straight victory. James Johnson scored 21 shots for Vegas. Martin Frk also scored for Celtics held off the points off the bench and Goran Rangers 5, Blue Jackets 3 Detroit, which is 4-1-0 in their KAtlanta Hawks 110-107 on Warriors vs Heat Dragic contributed 19 points Pavel Buchnevich scored last five games after a six-game Monday night for their ninth Kevin Durant had 21 points and eight rebounds to help the for Miami a night after the Rangers’ third power-play losing streak. straight victory. Warriors overcome their shooting woes and beat the Miami squeaking out a 104-101 road Irving’s 3 from the right win against the Clippers. wing put the Celtics up 104- Heat 97-80 in a rare low-scoring outing on Monday. Thompson missed his first 103 — the game’s 25th lead four 3-point tries before con- change — with 1:37 remain- necting late in the first half as ing, and Boston led the rest of champs. Kevin Durant had 21 The Warriors had scored Golden State took a 50-37 lead the way. points and eight rebounds to 100 points in every regular- into intermission. Curry was 1 Dennis Schroder had 23 help the Warriors overcome season game since their for 9 in the first half and points for the rebuilding their shooting woes and beat second-to-last matchup last Durant 3 for 8 — and they Hawks, who dropped to 2-9 a the Miami Heat 97-80 in a rare season, a 105-99 defeat to went a combined 0 for 7 from night after a surprising two- low-scoring outing on Mon- Utah as the regulars rested or deep — before Golden State point win at Cleveland. day night. played limited minutes ahead got going a bit after halftime. Boston improved to 9-2, “It’s a good feeling to of the playoffs. Golden State Curry was hit with a tech- best in the NBA, and has its know if we focus on taking is 3-11 over the past three sea- nical at the 3:20 mark of the longest winning streak in care of the basketball and sons when held below 100 first quarter for an elbow to seven years. playing solid defense and points. Tyler Johnson while the Al Horford had 15 points, focus in on that end really “I thought it was our best Golden State star drove to the 10 rebounds and nine assists hopefully regardless of how defensive effort of the year,” basket. in his best game against the our offense is we’re going to Kerr said. “It was a grind-it- Both teams were cold Hawks. Horford spent his first be in good position to win out game and I thought we did shooting in the early going — nine seasons in Atlanta before games,” Stephen Curry said. a good job of staying with it. Golden State 29.2 percent in the leaving as a free agent ahead “Tonight was kind of a testa- We held them to 80 points. first quarter to 38.1 by Miami, of last season and had totals ment to that.” That’s kind of a playoff style which committed seven of its of 20 points and 17 rebounds Draymond Green scored win where you have to grind 23 turnovers in the period. in three games against the 18 points with a season-high it out, nothing’s easy.” Hurricane Irma rescue Hawks. four 3s to go with nine Curry added 16 points and dogs Jordan and Wilson were Meanwhile, the Golden rebounds as the defending Klay Thompson 13. The War- on hand and introduced pre- State Warriors had to get NBA champions won for the riors shot just 36.8 percent and game, two of 60 pooches defensive and grind out a win seventh time in their last eight 11 for 32 from deep. Durant saved in a joint effort by the — and coach Steve Kerr games, including three straight added six assists and three Heat and Warriors in conjunc- Washington Capitals defenceman John Carlson (right) appreciated that kind of push in lopsided fashion on their blocks, making all 10 of his tion with the Peninsula for the defending NBA recent road trip. free throws as the Warriors Humane Society. celebrates with team-mate right wing TJ Oshie after scoring the game-winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes in overtime at Capital One Arena on Monday. Stafford leads Detroit as Green Bay suffer another loss

Los Angeles never able to get on top of the Detroit and put Detroit out of sight with just over AFP defense. eight minutes remaining. Stafford, who made 26 of 33 A further Prater field goal improved atthew Stafford threw for two attempts for 361 yards, hit Jones with a Detroit’s cushion to 20 points at 30-10 touchdowns as the Detroit Lions 25-yard pass to put Detroit ahead in the before Green Bay grabbed a consola- Detroit Lions Msent the Green Bay Packers slid- first quarter before running back Ameer tion score through a Jamaal Williams quarterback ing to a third straight defeat with a 30-17 Abdullah went over from four yards out touchdown. Matthew win in their NFC North divisional match- to give the Lions a 14-0 lead. Meanwhile, The Tampa Bay Bucca- Stafford up on Monday. Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby neers are playing it safe by shutting celebrates Stafford connected with wide reduced the arrears with a 35-yard field down franchise quarterback Jameis after throwing receiver Marvin Jones in the first and goal to make it 14-3 at half-time. Winston “for a couple weeks” to rest his a touchdown fourth quarters as Detroit improved to But two Matt Prater field goals put injured throwing shoulder, coach Dirk 4-4, pulling level with Green Bay (4-4). Detroit 20-3 ahead early in the fourth Koetter said on Monday. pass in the The Packers have been winless ever quarter to subdue the home fans at Koetter made the announcement fourth quarter since quarterback Aaron Rodgers suf- Green Bay’s Lambeau Field. after doctors examined the results of an against the fered a season-ending broken Hundley briefly raised hopes of a MRI on Winston’s right shoulder. Green Bay collarbone against Minnesota last recovery when he crossed with a one- Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Packers at month. yard touchdown run to cut Detroit’s lead Evans received a one-game suspension Lambeau Field Rodgers’ understudy Brett Hundley to 20-10. Stafford, however, had other by the NFL for his blindside hit on New on Monday. threw for 245 yards and ran for one ideas, picking out Jones for his second Orleans Saints rookie cornerback Mars- touchdown but the Packers’ offense was touchdown of the night, to make it 27-10 hon Lattimore. WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 35 Force India to take risks with 4th place secured

London Force India’s driver Sergio Perez Reuters drives during a practice session orce India are prepared at the Austrian Grand Prix in to let Sergio Perez and Spielberg, in this July 10, 2017 Esteban Ocon race more file photo. freely in the last two races of the season now Fthat the team are sure of fourth place in the Formula One cham- Veteran Rossi keen pionship, co-owner Vijay Mallya indicated yesterday. Mexican Perez and his young to keep racing French team-mate were reined in by the Silverstone-based team Milan after their on-track clashes cost AFP Force India points and possible podium places earlier in the year. talian motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi (pic- Force India are now 99 points tured above) said yesterday he will make a clear of fifth-placed Williams, and Idecision on his future next year but was keen 165 behind third-placed Red Bull, to keep racing beyond 40. with a maximum 86 remaining to “I will decide on my future over the next sea- be won. “With fourth place secure, son,” the Yamaha rider, who turns 39 in February, we have the freedom to take a new told Sky Sport Italia. approach into the remaining races “If I find out after a few races that I’m com- -- perhaps by trying some differ- formances at the very least.” petitive, I’d like to keep going longer.” ent things or different Friday Mercedes-powered Force The nine-time world champion suffered a drivers in the car to see what we India, who finished fourth overall double tibia and fibula fracture in early Septem- can learn for next year,” said last year with 173 points, are ber but returned to competition after just three Mallya in a team preview for this enjoying their best season yet in With fourth place secure, we have the weeks fuelled by new energy and motivation. weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix. terms of points scored with 175 “I’m preparing in a focused and organised “We can also be more aggres- from 18 races so far. freedom to take a new approach into the manner for the final weekend race in Valencia,” sive with strategies and take more Perez finished fourth at a wet remaining races -- perhaps by trying some he insisted ahead of the Spanish race he won in risks,” added the tycoon, who is con- Interlagos last season, while Ocon 2003 and 2004. testing an extradition request from -- then with now-defunct Manor different things or different Friday drivers Rossi is out of this season’s title fight as he sits India on fraud charges and has not in his debut season -- was 12th. in the car to see what we can learn for fourth ahead of Sunday’s Valencia MotoGP where left Britain since March last year. Force India have been running next year: Co-owner Vijay Mallya Spaniard Marc Marquez can clinch a fourth title “We’re still hungry for strong Mexican reserve driver Alfonso Celis in five seasons. “It’s an important moment for me, results and want to end the sea- Jr in some of their Friday morning I’m arriving in quite good form at the last event son on a high note. The race in free practice sessions. Mallya did not in Valencia. My leg has improved and I feel fit.” Brazil this week is an opportunity name any others who might get slots to continue our run of strong per- in Brazil or Abu Dhabi. Ecclestone sceptical about the impact of any F1 budget cap

London International Automobile Fed- “Most of the people down the at general ideas rather thann contractcontract renewal time,time, butbut “The world is Reuters eration (FIA) are due to present field, if there was a budget cap, detailed figures. EcclestoneEcclestone said Mar-Mar- changing an awful cost control proposals to teams. probably wouldn’t do any better It comes after Ferrari chair-r- chionnechionne was a ververyy lot. So thingsthings that ormer supremo Bernie While there has been talk of than they are doing now,” he said man Sergio Marchionne lastst differentdifferent charactercharacter youyou would say Ecclestone (pictured) the sport heading towards a before heading to Brazil for this week warned that his team couldld toto former head would never Fbelieves any attempt to high-stakes showdown over the weekend’s penultimate race of walk away after 2020, when cur-r- LLucauca didi happen,happen, make Formula One more com- future distribution of revenues, the season. rent contracts expire, if theyey Montezemolo. may hap- petitive by imposing a budget cap the sport’s Strategy Group meet- “Whatever cap you put on disagreed with the direction thehe “The“The ddif-if- ppen,”en,” he is doomed to fail because the big ing in Geneva is not expected to Mercedes and Ferrari and Red sport was taking. ferenceference iiss tthathat said.said. teams will still find a way to stay discuss that thorny subject. Bull, it doesn’t make any differ- “If we change the sandbox toto SergioSergio wasn’twasn’t on top. A possible budget cap has ence. They’ll do a much better the point where it becomes ann thethe guy in con- The 87-year-old Briton, who been mooted, however, despite job and will find ways of spend- unrecognisable sandbox, I don’tn’t troltrol before,” he moved aside in January when Formula One struggling in the ing the money,” he added. want to play anymore,” he toldd said.said. US-based Liberty Media took past to find a way of policing “If we’re talking about real- financial analysts. “If hehe decidesdecides control, also warned on Monday such a measure when manufac- ity, then it ain’t going to Marchionne promised to gogo tthat’shat’s whwhatat hhe’se’s that a threat by Ferrari to walk turer teams are part of much happen.” into meeting “with the best ofof ggoingoing to do, that’s away after 2020 should be taken bigger business entities. Liberty is keen to make For- intentions”, however. whatwhat he’llhe’ll ddo.o. seriously. Ecclestone was sceptical mula One sustainable for all Ferrari have threatened to Liberty and the governing about the outcome. teams and the meeting will look quit before, usually aroundd

Kenya’s Jemima Sumgong Chinese team kicked out after in action at Women’s Marathon during the rider attacks Swiss rivals Rio 2016 Olympic in this file Shanghai and violence” and alleged that in photo. AFP addition to Wang, Keyi Look team staff were also involved. Chinese rider with the local “CCA will make a further deci- Keyi Look team faces severe sion after more investigations on Apunishment after attacking this incident,” it said in a Kenyan star Sumgong members of the Swiss national statement. team at the Tour of Hainan in Danilo Hondo, the Swiss team extraordinary scenes. manager and allegedly one of gets 4-year drugs ban Race organisers on the south- Wang’s targets, denied their car ern Chinese island said that Wang had struck the Chinese rider. Nairobi the International Associa- Xin and his team would never be “We never bumped into him, AFP tion of Athletics Federations allowed back following the vio- you can see that from the race (IAAF) in her native Kenya. lent incident that saw police step video,” he told Eurosport. enya’s Olympic mar- Erythropoietin is a nat- in and Keyi Look expelled from the “He simply hit the back wheel This photo taken on November 4, 2017 shows cyclists athon champion ural hormone that event. of another rider and went down. KJemima Sumgong stimulates red cell produc- Video footage posted online competing during the 2017 Ring of Hainan international road He was obviously embarrassed has been suspended for four tion. For a runner, injecting shows a rider, purported to be cycling race in Lingshui in China’s southern Hainan province. and took out his frustration on us. years for doping, Athletics an artificially produced ver- Wang, beating one staff member A Chinese rider with the local Keyi Look team faces severe “We tried to approach him Kenya said yesterday. sion increases oxygen of the Swiss team to the ground punishment after attacking members of the Swiss national after the race, in fact we waited 45 “Sumgong will serve the absorption which allows and kicking him in the head, team at the Tour of Hainan in extraordinary scenes. minutes after the finish for him to four-year ban as from (April them to run harder and before attacking a second one. cross to apologise for any misun- 3) when she was provision- faster without tiring. The rider then retrieves a tyre The Chinese Cycling Associa- It was sparked when the Swiss derstandings and to show him and ally suspended,” Athletics Sumgong, who also pump from a support car, with the tion (CCA) is weighing further team car “had physical contact” his team that we respect them and Kenya said in a statement. tested positive for a banned seeming intent to use it as a punishment following the incident with Wang, causing him to fall, the meant no harm. The 32-year-old tested substance in 2012, starred at weapon. at the end of stage seven on Fri- CCA said. “But both he and his team positive for the banned the London Marathon in Police and bystanders rush in day, a 166.5 kilometre ride The CCA said it had “a zero- approached us with anger and blood booster EPO in an 2016, defying the odds to win to intervene, as dozens of people between the cities of Sanya and tolerance attitude towards everything escalated from there,” out-of-competition test by despite suffering a fall. look on in shock. Wuzhishan. uncivilised behaviour he said. 36 SPORT WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2017 Lexus LC 500 clinches Park becomes first top two positions in penultimate round

The Peninsula weather tyres. Due to the wet rookie to top rankings track, the officials opted for a iving it the upper hand in controlled, three-lap start led the 2017 Autobacs Super by the safety car. Traffic and GGT Championship, Lexus 30-degree temperatures even- landed a stunning pole-to-win tually erased the wet tire victory, the fifth of the season, advantage, but by the ninth in the penultimate round of the round, the three cars on slicks Park Sung-hyun of South Korea Super GT500 series recently at were way down the order, hav- during the fourth round of LPGA KEB the Chang International Circuit ing set lap times approximately in Thailand. 20 seconds slower than those Hana Bank Championship in Incheon, Driven by Ryo Hirakawa on wets. South Korea, in this file photo taken and Nick Cassidy, the #37 By the time the last cars on September 16,2016. KeePer TOM’S LC 500 finished returned to the race after the first, followed by the #6 first round of pit stops, the #37 WAKO’s 4CR LC 500 in second KeePer TOM’S LC 500 had place. resumed its lead – a feat it The Lexus team KeePer repeated in the second stop for TOM’S now leads the Team the driver change from Nick Ranking of the series with 87 Cassidy to Ryo Hirakawa. points, while Hirakawa and By this time, considerable Cassidy lead the Driver Rank- gaps had opened between all ing with 69 points. the competitors, leaving no car The latest achievement the to challenge the insurmounta- team sealed in the only round ble #37 Lexus for the lead. of the season to have hosted Smaller gaps in the middle overseas gave the team and its order delivered further excite- drivers significant points ment as the remaining five advantages in the champion- Lexus LC 500 teams also ship titles. pushed hard to achieve. Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief With just two laps to go, an Beijing Busan in 2002, said his dream Representative, Middle East and engine issue for the #12 com- AFP was to hear the Indian North Africa Representative petitor car in third place national anthem playing in Office, Toyota Motor Corpora- improved the ratio of LC 500s outh Korean sensa- Tokyo in 2020. tion, said: “We congratulate the in the upper order. tion Park Sung-Hyun I’ve accomplished my goal a lot faster “For me personally, if I Lexus teams on their victory in By the time the chequered became the first than I’d planned, and it does put could at the end of my career the penultimate round of the flag fell, not only had the #37 LPGA Tour rookie to say I am an Olympian that will season and for bringing the KeePer TOM’S car secured its be crowned world some pressure on my shoulders. But I mean a lot to me,” said Kapur championship title ever closer second victory of the season, Snumber one yesterday after a after he won the Panasonic within our reach.” but five of the top six places am also determined to keep trying season in which she also won Open India by three shots last “This race demonstrated were held by Lexus LC 500 her first major. harder and harder: Park Sung-Hyun weekend. the skill and determination of models. The 24-year-old, who An Olympic victory for our drivers and the engineer- The KeePer TOM’S team, knocked countrywoman Ryu Kapur, now 35, would be a ing excellence of our cars as therefore, goes into the final So-Yeon off the top spot, is the major success for India, which they had to swiftly adapt to round as the championship fourth South Korean world despite its billion-plus popu- changing weather,” he added. leader, six points ahead of fel- number one since the rank- lation has only ever won one The unpredictable weather low Lexus team #6 WAKO’s 4CR ings were introduced in 2006, carried through to the LPGA same year. Park had originally individual gold medal at the made it difficult for the teams in second place. This position- joining Shin Ji-Yai, Park In- Tour this year with two wins declared she wanted to Games. to judge which tyre compound ing is also mirrored in the Bee and Ryu. to date including a first major become number one within He will have to be among to use. As the rain stopped just drivers’ championship, where “I was very surprised and at the US Women’s Open, nine three years of moving full- India’s top two ranked play- ahead of the start, only three of Cassidy and Hirakawa are six amazed by what I’ve top-10 finishes and top-20 fin- time to the LPGA Tour. ers to earn a spot in Tokyo. At the 15 teams among the top- points ahead of #6 WAKO’s 4CR achieved,” Park told LPGA. ishes at three other majors. “I’ve accomplished my last year’s Rio Olympics, level GT500 class opted for drivers, Kazuya Oshima and com in Hainan Island, where Not only that, the super- goal a lot faster than I’d where golf returned to the slicks while others went for wet Andrea Caldarelli. she will play in this week’s consistent Park has never planned, and it does put some Games for the first time since Blue Bay LPGA tournament. missed a cut in her 29 career pressure on my shoulders,” 1904, Anirban Lahiri and SSP “This is all too sudden for LPGA Tour starts. Park said. Chawrasia represented India. me, and it hasn’t hit me yet,” She had romped away “But I am also determined Several leading players, Park added. “I think this is an with the LPGA’s Rookie of the to keep trying harder and including Rory McIlroy, Jor- honour for my whole family.” Year honours long before this harder. I think I was able to dan Spieth, Dustin Johnson Park reaches number one season ended and with two get this far this fast because I and Jason Day, skipped Rio, exactly a year after she held a tournaments to go, she is continued to push myself with some citing fears about press conference in Korea to ranked second in the Player without settling for less.” the Zika virus and others com- announce she would take up of the Year standings. Meanwhile, fresh from lift- plaining about a packed membership on the LPGA Only Ryu, who is sitting ing an Asian Tour trophy at his playing schedule. Tour, after a season in which out this week, is ahead of Park home club in New Delhi, Kapur said: “They just think she won seven times on the who is seeking to become just Indian golfer Shiv Kapur set it’s another tournament, golf Korean LPGA Tour, contended the second player in history his sights much higher: win- doesn’t belong in Olympics and in three major championships after Nancy Lopez in 1978 to ning gold at the Tokyo we have majors and that’s what and had risen to world number earn both rookie and player Olympics. Kapur, who won important. But I think that Lexus LC 500 Chang leads during the penultimate round 10. Her incredible form of the season honours in the Asian Games gold for India in mindset will change over time.” of the Super GT500 series held at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand recently. All Blacks fight for bus seats and food as depth shows

Paris down the theory that it was an base... you’ve got a lot of quality AFP French national integral part of a longer-term players here. In some ways it’s a rugby union team strategy with an eye on the 2019 little bit like us where you’ve he All Blacks have been left scrumhalf Antoine Rugby World Cup. been forced to give a number of scrapping for food and the Dupont kicks “The answer is no, but yes a newer, younger players more Tbest seats on the team bus the ball as he little bit,” Foster said. gametime in bigger games and as the old heads of the world “You’re always thinking of sometimes that can be a bless- practises during a champion outfit are forced to trying to take a helicopter view, ing in disguise. training session in accommodate a raft of young looking at the bigger picture and “There’ll be people out guns. Marcoussis, near assessing things, but you don’t there wearing the blue jersey Assistant coach Ian Foster Paris, yesterday, stay long in that state. wanting to put their best foot predicted a “demanding” week ahead of the “The art of it is to focus on forward. ahead for the New Zealand back- upcoming test the here and now... because “They’re a team that is evolv- room staff with an enlarged against between that’s what Test match rugby is ing,” he said, calling France the squad of 43 players. New Zealand. about. “If we don’t (do that), we “highest off-loading team in the A host of more experienced don’t get what we want. world”. players were rested for the open- “This game against France is “If we let them do that with ing autumn victory over the all that matters.” their enthusiasm and younger Barbarians, but they are now Turning to France, whom players, we’re going to be in back for France and rubbing New Zealand take on at the Stade trouble.” Foster added: “From shoulders with a crop of out- de France on Saturday, Foster what we’ve seen, it’s actually standing up-and-coming talent expressed his wariness at Les exciting times for France because that underlines New Zealand’s Bleus’ long injury list. if that can get some of these strength in depth. “Talk about injuries and dis- younger boys through, like Dam- “In some ways it’s more ruptions can galvanise a team,” ien Penaud and the midfield, if complex, in some ways it’s eas- said the former Waikato fly-half. they get an opportunity, it’s going ier,” Foster said of the squad. “You have the ability to run injuries or illnesses.” bit of food and every seat they “We’re all under pressure for to be massive for the depth of “You’ve got a fully fit squad players against a full 15-on-15 Foster added: “There are can get!” results. French rugby going forward and to train against, you’ve got plenty scenario, which you sometimes scraps to see who sits where on While lauding the inclusion “When I look at the French our job is make those lessons of energy. don’t have on tour what with the bus, they’re fighting for every of younger players, Foster played situation, I see a massive player quite hard.”