NHL| Page 5 GOLF | Page 7 Red Wings Man of the suff er fi rst hour Thomas loss of season, eyes win 4-2 to Stars in Malaysia

Thursday, October 12, 2017 FOOTBALL Muharram 22, 1438 AH Portugal, France GULF TIMES clinch Russia spots but Dutch bow out SPORT Page 3 The Messi-ah AFP Messi, who will turn 31 during next year’s But it was not long before Messi stamped his Zealand, but trailed on goal diff erence. Chile Argentina Montevideo World Cup, now has one, perhaps final, authority on the game, hauling his team back coach Juan Antonio Pizzi announced his chance to emulate his idol Diego Maradona into the contest with a composed opening resignation following the exit. by lifting the World Cup. goal. “I take full responsibility,” Pizzi told reporters. book Russia ionel Messi fired Argentina into the Relieved Argentina manager Jorge Sam- The equaliser came in the 12th minute when “We gave everything but it was not enough. I World Cup with a brilliant hat-trick on paoli — the third coach appointed during Messi darted forward and quickly released will not continue.” berth aft er Tuesday as South American champi- the qualifying campaign — could not avoid Angel Di Maria down the left. Peru meanwhile kept alive their hopes of Lons Chile suff ered a shock elimination. expressing his gratitude to Messi following The Paris Saint-Germain attacker duly qualifying for the World Cup for the first Messi single-handedly resurrected Argen- Tuesday’s win. returned the favour as Messi raced into the time since 1982 with a fighting 1-1 draw with Barcelona tina’s hopes in a 3-1 win over Ecuador in Quito “Messi doesn’t owe a World Cup to Argen- penalty area to poke home a low finish past Colombia in Lima. that drew a line under a chaotic campaign tina — football owes a World Cup to Messi,” Maximo Banguera. Colombia took the lead through James that had left the two-time champions in Sampaoli said. Eight minutes later Messi fired Argentina into Rodriguez in the 56th minute before veteran superstar’s danger of failing to qualify. “He’s the best player in history. This is a team the lead with another virtuoso strike, lashing striker Paolo Guerrero equalised in the 74th The Barcelona superstar scored twice inside victory. They played a brilliant match.” into the top corner. minute. The result saw Colombia qualify the opening 20 minutes to give Argentina Messi later told reporters the prospect of not Messi then completed his hat-trick with a alongside Uruguay, 4-2 winners over Bolivia hat-trick the lead after Ecuador had stunned the visi- qualifying had weighed heavily on the squad. sublime chip in the 62nd minute to make it in Montevideo. tors with an opening goal after from Romario “It would have been crazy for Argentina, for 3-1. Uruguay, who finished the standings in against Ibarra after 38 seconds. all of us,” he said. “Obviously there was that But while Argentina celebrated, it was a second place, were jolted by a Gaston Silva Messi then completed his hat-trick — the fear, but today we knew how to play.” miserable night for Sampaoli’s former team own goal which gave Bolivia the lead on 24 44th of his dazzling career — with a sublime The striker said he expects Argentina to Chile. minutes. Ecuador chip in the second half to seal the victory. improve now the pressure of qualifying has The Chileans — winners of the Copa America Martin Caceres and Edinson The Argentinian superstar can now look for- liften. in 2015 and 2016 — were soundly beaten Cavani scored twice just before ward to his fourth appearance at the World “I think there is going to be a very big 3-0 by Brazil in Sao Paulo to see themselves half-time to give Uruguay the lead Cup at next year’s finals in Russia, where he change. I think the team will grow much bet- eliminated on goal diff erence. before two goals from Luis Suarez will attempt once more to lead his country to ter now,” he added. Barcelona’s Paulinho opened the scoring be- put the hosts 4-1 up. an elusive major title. Argentina had started the day outside the fore Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus bagged Bolivia re- duced the Since his country’s defeat to Germany in automatic qualifying positions, needing to a brace to secure a win already-qualified deficit when Uruguay’s the 2014 World Cup final, Messi has twice secure their first win in Quito since 2001 to Brazil which relegated Chile to sixth place in Diego Godin scored the suff ered agony at major tournaments with be certain of claiming at least a playoff place. the standings. second own Argentina, losing the finals of both the 2015 It looked as if Argentina’s worst fears were The Chileans finished level on goal of the Copa America and the 2016 Copa America set to become a reality after Ibarra’s points with Peru, who secured night. Centenario. opening goal in the first minute. a two-leg playoff against New

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a gainst Ecuador on Tuesday. Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a gainst Ecuador on Tuesday. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, October 12, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT ‘Thank God for Messi’ says relieved Argentina AFP again to give Argentina the lead. whelming performances by the nation- Buenos Aires “2-1 was not enough. We couldn’t al side. Only a win would do in Quito, be calm,” said Lautaro Gonzalez, 35, where Argentina hadn’t won since celebrating after being put through 2001. The nation held its breath. No- nation exploded with re- an emotional wringer by his national body here, or anywhere else, wanted to lief on Tuesday night as Li- team. Beside him a disbelieving Maxi- contemplate the unthinkable but very onel Messi single-handedly miliano Lacasa proclaimed himself a real prospect of Argentina losing. dragged his Argentina team devotee of “Saint Messi. Thank God we That would mean next year’s World intoA next year’s World Cup fi nals with a have him.” Cup in Russia would go ahead without spellbinding hat-trick in the thin air of Pride in the shirt was restored when Messi, arguably the world’s greatest Quito against Ecuador. Messi completed his hat-trick in the player. “It’s complicated, I want the “Messi is E.T. He’s from another second half. It was time for Argentin- team to be at the World Cup in Russia, planet. He’s not from this world,” Mar- ians at home to believe again. Pablo but only a miracle can save them. I’m co Mouras, a 28-year-old Brazilian said Ramos, 34, could hardly take it in. The going to pray for them,” said Maria Cor- in a crowded Buenos Aires bar as Ar- team is still a misfi ring mess going to doba, a 64-year-old optician. gentinians around him went wild, beer the World Cup, he said, “so it’s all suf- Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and pizza spilling onto the fl oor. fering.” and now Argentina will bask in the fact Messi gave the world a masterclass Even music yielded to Messi when that the “Messiah” will lead them to of what it would be missing if he didn’t Irish rockers U2 delayed their con- the World Cup fi nals. Team coach Jorge go to Russia 2018, a distinct possibility cert by almost two hours to allow fans Sampaoli said he had told his players: when Argentina went a goal down in- in the La Plata stadium near Buenos “Messi doesn’t owe the World Cup to side the fi rst minute of a match they had Aires time to watch the match on gi- Argentina, football owes the World Cup to win. A graveyard silence descended ant screens. When they fi nally came on to Messi. Messi is the best player in his- on bars, restaurants and homes when stage, they kicked off a giant party. tory and I’m really excited to be able to Ecuador’s Romario Ibarra struck in the With seemingly everyone crowded be in a group, close to him.” fi rst minute of the game, casting a pall around every available TV set, the The main concerns of most Argen- of gloom across Argentina as he scored. streets of Buenos Aires were so empty tinians is the economy and the loss of It was proof for the doomsayers that it seemed like a curfew. People wore the purchasing power, but the torments of this team was a lost cause. Argentinians Argentine shirt in the build-up, but not the national team has relegated even had suff ered too much during a lacklus- many. The Argentine public had grown that into the background. The nation tre qualifi cation series and this was the tired of believing in vain. yearns for a return to the glory days of last straw. But Messi burst through the A win seemed a little too fanciful to Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi leaves Ecuador defenders in their wake as he scores during the 2018 World Cup qualifier 1978 and 1986 when Argentina won the gloom to equalize and then soon scored most, exasperated by a series of under- football match in Quito, Ecuador, on Tuesday night. (AFP) World Cup. Over to you, Mr Messi.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER Chile’s paradox: CAS decision may have cost them the World Cup US knocked out of WC Buenos Aires: The South the standings and in the play- American qualifiers for Russia off s. Peru would have been 2018 left Chile not only out of eliminated. the World Cup, but also with a Meanwhile, Juan Antonio bitter feeling, after their own Pizzi has confirmed he will successful complaint before stand down as Chile coach, sports authorities dramatically just hours after his team were aft er Trinidad defeat backfired. beaten 3-0 by Brazil to miss out Chile complained to FIFA on qualification for the 2018 and the Court of Arbitration for World Cup Finals, local news Panama book their place at World Cup for the first time with a win over Costa Rica Sport over the improper use reports said. by Bolivia of a Paraguay-born Pizzi’s contract was due to AFP defender, Nelson Cabrera, in expire at the conclusion of Couva, Trinidad and Tobago the qualifier the two teams had the qualifiers and after Chile drawn 1-1 on September 6. finished sixth in the 10-team FIFA agreed that Cabrera was group, outside the places for he United States failed to qualify ineligible to play for Bolivia and Russia, he said there was no for the World Cup for the fi rst granted Chile the additional reason to discuss a new deal. time since 1986 on Tuesday two points, and CAS upheld “I am ruling myself out of con- night, crashing to a shock 2-1 de- FIFA’s decision. However, tinuing,” Pizzi said in comments Tfeat against already-eliminated Trinidad Bolivia had also fielded Cabrera reported by Chilean media and and Tobago. In a result that will be viewed in their 2-0 win over Peru five confirmed by veteran midfield- as a catastrophe for football in the United days earlier. CAS therefore er Gary Medel. States, Trinidad took all three points via granted Peru three extra points. Pizzi, 49, led Chile to victory an Omar Gonzalez own goal and a superb By the end of the quali- at the 2016 Centenary Copa strike from Alvin Jones. fiers late Tuesday, Peru and America but his aging team US star Christian Pulisic pulled a goal Chile were tied on 26 points. have struggled in the closing back in the second half, but the increas- However, Peru had a better stages of the qualifiers, winning ingly desperate Americans were unable to goal diff erence and will get to just two of their last six games. fi nd another to rescue their hopes. Their play New Zealand next month Several of the team’s biggest exit was confi rmed by results in Tues- for a spot in Russia 2018, while names — including Claudio day’s other CONCACAF qualifi ers, where Chile will be missing the World Bravo, Arturo Vidal and Medel Panama booked their place at the World Cup altogether. Without the — are already in their 30s and Cup for the fi rst time with a 2-1 win over complaint that Chile initiated, Tuesday’s defeat in Sao Paulo Costa Rica in Panama City. they would have ended on 24 appears to have signaled the Honduras then snatched fourth place points, 1 point ahead of Peru, end of the most successful in the table with a 3-2 win over Mexico, and therefore in fifth place in team in the country’s history. who had already qualifi ed. The Hondurans will now face Australia in a two-legged playoff next month for a place in the fi nals. But the shock of the night was without a doubt the US failure at the fi nal hurdle. Shellshocked US coach Bruce Arena said his team had “failed.” “Clearly we are very disappointed. We had everything there for us today. No ex- A late goal from Roman Torres punched Panama’s ticket to their first World Cup finals with a 2-1 win over Costa Rica. (AFP) cuses for us not getting a second goal and coming away with at least a point,” Arena high and over the stranded Tim Howard Grant Wahl, the football writer for Arena warned against snap decisions. “To said. “It’s a blemish for us. We should not to put Trinidad and Tobago up 1-0. It got Sports Illustrated, described the loss make any kind of crazy changes would be be staying at home for this World Cup and worse just after the half-hour mark when as the “most surreal and embarrassing foolish,” the veteran coach warned. I take responsibility. It never mattered Alvin Jones produced a goal out of noth- night in US football history”, accusing the Gulati also sought to damp down calls to us the scores of the other games. We ing to double the home side’s lead. squad of complacency. “This was a team for a wide-ranging post-mortem. “You failed on the day. No excuses. We failed Gathering the ball on the right fl ank, with players acting like they thought they don’t make wholesale changes on a ball today. We should have walked off this roughly 35 yards from goal, Jones let fl y had already qualifi ed for the World Cup, being two inches wide or two inches in. fi eld with at least a point.” with a ferocious shot which fl ew past and it showed,” Wahl wrote. We’ll look at everything,” he said. Arena’s side had needed only a draw Howard to make it 2-0. Pulisic then gave The exit is likely to draw scrutiny to at the Ato Boldon Stadium to secure the US hope with a defl ected shot soon Arena’s position as well as that of Sunil RESULTS at least a playoff spot. After thrashing after half-time to make it 2-1. Gulati, the head of the United States Soc- At Couva, Trinidad & Tobago: Trinidad & Panama 4-0 last Friday, the Americans As the changing scores in the other cer Federation. Gulati had rolled the dice Tobago 2 (Gonzalez 17-og, Jones 37) United had arrived in the Caribbean confi dent games began to fi lter through to the by sacking Jurgen Klinsmann early in the States 1 (Pulisic 47) of securing the result needed to extend American ranks, the US became increas- qualifying campaign following defeats At Panama City: Panama 2 (Torres 52, 88) a proud record of qualifying for every ingly desperate. But despite the despera- to Mexico and Costa Rica, replacing him Costa Rica 1 (Venegas 36) World Cup since 1990. Yet it started to go tion, Trinidad and Tobago held fi rm for a with Arena. At San Pedro Sula, Honduras: Honduras 3 Chile players are dejected after they missed out on a World Cup wrong for Arena’s men after 17 minutes famous win that is likely to trigger a pro- However, Tuesday’s failure makes it (Elis 34, Ochoa 53-og, Quioto 60) Mexico 2 place after losing to Brazil in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (AFP) when Gonzalez’s sliced clearance looped longed inquest in US soccer. likely that serious questions will be asked. (Peralta 17, Vela 37)

FOCUS Brazil almost ready for crack at sixth World Cup: Coach Tite

Reuters of the Copa America and were sixth in the is competition for places in the 23-man Under Tite's (centre) guidance, Sao Paulo 10-team South American qualifi ers. squad for next year’s World Cup in Rus- Brazil won 10 and drew two Under his guidance, they have won 10 sia. Tite said Marcelo, Filipe Luis and Alex of their qualifiers. (AFP) and drawn two of their qualifi ers since Sandro are all in the frame for the two left- hree years ago Brazil were ham- then and fi nished the campaign a remark- back spots. Gil, Jemerson and Rodrigo Caio mered 7-1 by Germany in the able 10 points clear of second-placed Uru- are vying to back up regular defensive picks semi-fi nals of their home World guay. Brazil are producing great football Marquinhos, Miranda and Thiago Silva. Cup but after their latest win again, with a solid back four, some steel There is also debate over who will be Tcoach Tite said they were back to play- in midfi eld and a deadly front line. “The third-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson ing like Brazil again and almost ready for a football this team are playing has made me and Ederson. Douglas Costa, Diego Tardelli crack at claiming a record sixth World Cup. happy,” Tite said. “It’s won back what I be- and Taison are all hoping to win a place in “I would like to give more players a lieve football is, linking eff ectiveness with attack, while in midfi eld Tite must decide chance but I can’t, there’s not enough beauty and winning games, and showing whether to take Gremio’s young midfi eld- time,” he said after his side, who eas- that these things aren’t confl ictive.” ers Luan and Artur or opt for the experi- ily topped the South American qualifying “I don’t have the capacity to see what ence of Giuliano, Lucas Lima or Diego. group, beat Chile 3-0. The former Cor- will happen in the future. I don’t know As part of their World Cup build-up, inthians coach has transformed the team where the limits lie but against every dif- Brazil face England at Wembley on Nov, 10 since taking over in June last year when fi culty and every rival the team has shown and Japan in Lille four days later. They will Brazil were still suff ering from a World itself.” also take on Germany in Berlin on March Cup hangover, had just been knocked out Brazil have a settled fi rst 11 but there 27 next year. Gulf Times Thursday, October 12, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Portugal, France clinch World Cup spots, Dutch bow out The Dutch bowed to the inevitable as they failed to achieve the unlikely 7-0 scoreline over Sweden

AFP Paris QUALIFIED TEAMS The following 22 teams have qualified alongside ristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Anto- the directly entered hosts Russia for the 2018 ine Griezmann’s France booked spots at World Cup, with nine places still up for grabs. the 2018 World Cup fi nals on Tuesday Hosts (1): Russia night while the Netherlands crashed Asia (4 from 4.5): Iran, South Korea, Japan, out.C Portugal beat Switzerland 2-0 in Lisbon Saudi Arabia thanks to a Johan Djourou own goal and an An- Africa (2 from 5): Nigeria, Egypt dre Silva strike. The other groups will be won by Tunisia/DR France needed goals from Griezmann and Congo, Morocco/Ivory Coast and Senegal/Burki- Olivier Giroud in a hard-fought 2-1 win over no Faso/Cape Verde/South Africa Belarus at the Stade de France. After a stutter- North, Central America and Caribbean (3 from ing campaign, France’s achievement in beating 3.5): Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama Bulgaria and Belarus in their fi nal two qualifi ers South America (4 from 4.5): Brazil, Uruguay, means they avoid the playoff s having had to go Argentina, Colombia through that route for the last two fi nals. Europe (9 from 13): France, Portugal, Germany, “We have had a diffi cult route and tonight Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, Iceland wasn’t easy either but we’ve achieved our aim,” coach Didier Deschamps said. “We are happy, IN PLAY-OFFS even if qualifying is logical given the quality of Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Croatia, Sweden, the players I have.” Northern Ireland, Greece, Ireland will be drawn Giroud said he was delighted to have avoided into four play-off s on October 17, ties to be the tension of the playoff s. “We’re all relieved played November 9-11 and 12-14 Intercontinental tonight to have ended the campaign with auto- play-off s on November 6/14: Honduras v Aus- matic qualifi cation,” the Arsenal forward said. tralia New Zealand v Peru “We chased this game and it wasn’t easy be- cause they were strong and effi cient in attack until the fi nal whistle and we had to roll up our sleeves.” Italy, Switzerland The Dutch, World Cup fi nalists in South Af- rica in 2010 and semi-fi nalists four years later, among 8 European bowed to the inevitable as they failed to achieve the unlikely 7-0 scoreline over Sweden they France’s players join in celebration with fans after they beat Belarus to confirm their World Cup spot in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on Tuesday. (AFP) play-off teams needed to salvage a wretched qualifying eff ort. Arjen Robben scored twice in a 2-0 win over Gibraltar. In Paris, Deschamps paired Atletico Paris: Four-time World Cup winners Italy the Swedes in Amsterdam and said afterwards Madrid striker Griezmann with Giroud’s aerial and Switzerland, who won nine of their 10 he was retiring from international football. “I threat, and Griezmann eased nerves in the 27th qualifiers for Russia 2018, will be among will always remember the 2010 World Cup and minute as he opened the scoring with a confi - the four seeded teams for the play-off s in 2014. Those are my best memories. During dent low fi nish from Blaise Matuidi’s deft pass. November. Croatia and Denmark will also those two competitions we formed a real team,” Six minutes later, Griezmann intercepted a be seeded for the October 17 draw, which the 33-year-old Robben said. weak pass out of the Belarus defence and fed Gi- takes place a day after the latest FIFA rank- In Lisbon, Portugal navigated a potentially roud, who shrugged off two defenders to bundle ings are set to be released. fraught fi nal fi xture with Switzerland, who be- in his 28th international goal. Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland come one of the eight European nations who But the French defence was caught napping, cannot face each other as both countries must fi ght through the playoff s for a spot in allowing Belarus to reduce the gap when the will be unseeded, joining Sweden and Russia. The others are Italy, Denmark, Croatia, lively Anton Saroka swept past Hugo Lloris a Greece — who secured a play-off place with Sweden, Northern Ireland, Greece and the Re- minute before half-time. a 4-0 win over Gibraltar on Tuesday — in the public of Ireland. Saroka gave France another jolt when he shot same pot. Slovakia, who finished second The Swiss can consider themselves unlucky just wide in the 64th minute, but he was nar- behind England in Group F, were the team after winning all nine previous qualifi ers but rowly off side. Deschamps brought on Paris to miss out as the worst runner-up of the must now overcome a two-legged play-off in Saint-Germain starlet Kylian Mbappe in the nine groups once points against the bottom November to earn a fourth straight World Cup second half to inject pace and fresh ideas, but side in each section were deducted. appearance. Ronaldo, who was injured for the with the seconds ticking down to the fi nal whis- opening qualifying defeat in Basel, returned tle, it was Saroka again who slid a shot just wide to the Portuguese line-up after coming off the from close range. zerland 0; At Budapest: Hungary 1 (Bode 81) Faroe bench to notch the opening goal in a lacklustre Islands 0; At Riga: Latvia 4 (Ikaunieks 11, Sabala 19, 2-0 win in Andorra on Saturday. WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFYING 59, Tarasovs 63) Andorra 0 The crowd at the Estadio da Luz erupted when RESULTS IN THE EUROPEAN ZONE Djourou inadvertently bundled in a dangerous GROUP A GROUP H cross from Eliseu four minutes before the break Portugal’s forward Andre Silva (right) celebrates after scoring against Switzerland during the FIFA At Paris: France 2 (Griezmann 27, Giroud 33) Belarus At Brussels: Belgium 4 (Eden Hazard 12, 63-pen, under heavy pressure from Joao Mario. Man- World Cup 2018 Group B qualifier in Lisbon on Tuesday night. (AFP) 1 (Saroka 44); At Amsterdam: Netherlands 2 (Rob- T. Hazard 52, Lukaku 78) bt Cyprus 0; At Piraeus, chester City midfi elder Bernardo Silva then ex- ben 16-pen, 40) Sweden 0; At Luxembourg: Luxem- Greece: Greece 4 (Torosidis 32, Mitroglou 61, 63, changed passes with former Monaco teammate the far post. “We’ve never pretended to be the coach Fernando Santos said. bourg 1 (Thill 3) Bulgaria 1 (Chochev 68) Gianniotas 78) bt Gibraltar 0; At Tallinn: Estonia Joao Moutinho, threading through the return best in the world, but we’re capable of going Greece locked up second place behind Bel- GROUP B 1 (Antonov 75) lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 pass for an unmarked Andre Silva to poke in at head to head against any opponents,” Portugal gium in Group H courtesy of a 4-0 stroll against At Lisbon: Portugal 2 (Djourou 41-og, Silva 57) Swit- (Hajrovic 48, 84)

ROUND-UP FOCUS Robben retires from Netherlands duty Aussie coach refuses etherlands captain Arjen Rob- garia in Sofi a on Saturday. to deny quit reports ben signalled the end of his “There was a bit of tiredness and international career on Tuesday fragility because a lot was at stake,” AFP night after his country failed to Deschamps said. “This is a young team Sydney Nreach the 2018 World Cup fi nals despite that has many qualities but is young all a 2-0 win over Sweden. The Bayern the same and we were facing an opponent Munich star signed off by scoring both which never gave up and played with ustralia coach Ange goals in Amsterdam as the Dutch fell well intensity and speed.” Postecoglou failed to short of the unlikely 7-0 win they needed Deschamps said he fully recognised confi rm or deny reports to make the play-off s after a desperately that France had made life diffi cult for he’s about to quit yes- disappointing qualifying campaign. themselves with baffl ing results like a terday,A raising speculation he’ll The 33-year-old Robben scored 37 goalless draw with Luxembourg. “We walk away even if they qualify times in 96 appearances for the Neth- didn’t control the matches,” he admitted. for the World Cup. Football Fed- erlands and helped them reach the 2010 “I’m not deaf and blind, I can see that.” eration Australia chief executive World Cup fi nal where they lost 1-0 to With 18-year-old striker Kylian David Gallop also hinted at pos- Spain after extra-time. The Dutch also Mbappe the pick of the crop of an excit- sible changes when he said the progressed to the last four at the 2014 ing young squad, Deschamps has a lot Socceroos needed to “lock in our fi nals before losing to Argentina on of material to work with. “We can make set-up” after next month’s play- penalties. progress in every area,” he said, pointing off with Honduras. “Fourteen years, it’s beautiful, mag- a fi nger at his leaky defence. Gallop said he had discussed nifi cent even,” said Robben, who made the matter with Postecoglou af- his international debut against Portugal BALE URGES COLEMAN TO ter media reports said the coach in April 2003. “I will always remember STAY ON AS WALES MANAGER would quit regardless of whether the 2010 World Cup and 2014. Those are Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has Australia qualify for Russia 2018. players can get the job done,” Gal- my best memories. During those two called for Wales manager Chris Cole- The Asian champions, who lop said, referring to the play-off . competitions we formed a real team.” man to continue in his role despite their have reached the last three World “Beyond that, should we failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup Cups, needed extra time in Syd- qualify, there is a period of some CHILE’S VIDAL RETIRES fi nals in Russia. Ireland beat Wales 1-0 in ney on Tuesday to beat Syria 3-2 months until the World Cup FROM NATIONAL TEAM Arjen Robben scored 37 times in 96 appearances for the Netherlands and helped them their fi nal World Cup qualifi er in Cardiff on aggregate and reach the fi nal, and we agreed that we will need Arturo Vidal says he is retiring from reach the 2010 World Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra-time. (AFP) on Monday to grab the fi nal European two-legged play-off with Hon- to lock in our set-up as soon as international football with his “soul playoff spot and end Wales’ hopes of duras. “I am aware of reports possible to maximise our prepa- crushed” after Chile failed to qualify for Vidal with Alexis Sanchez of Arse- MY FRAGILE TEAM WILL qualifying for the World Cup fi nals today suggesting that I will step ration time,” he added. the 2018 World Cup fi nals. Vidal missed nal was part of the golden generation IMPROVE, SAYS DESCHAMPS for the fi rst time since 1958. Coleman down as head coach of the Soc- The former Brisbane Roar Chile’s fi nal shot at qualifi cation on of Chile players that claimed the Copa France coach Didier Deschamps said on became Wales manager in 2012, after ceroos next month,” Postecoglou coach took over the Socceroos Tuesday through suspension, the South America in 2015 and 2016. Chile, who Tuesday he was excited by the challenge the death of former coach Gary Speed, said in a FFA statement. “My sole after Holger Osieck’s sacking in American champions losing 3-0 to Brazil were beaten by Brazil in the round of 16 at of moulding his young team into a true and led the team to the semi-fi nals of focus is on preparing the team for 2013, and signed a fi ve-year con- to miss out on the tournament in Russia both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, were force after they qualifi ed for next year’s the 2016 European Championships, and our fi nal two qualifying matches. tract that is due to expire after next year on goal diff erence. soundly beaten again by Brazil in Sao World Cup. The French were made to Bale believes the 47-year-old was still I will not let anything compro- next year’s World Cup. Vidal, 30, announced his intention Paulo on Tuesday. work hard by a lively Belarus team before the best person for the role. “Of course mise the team’s journey on get- Under Postecoglou, Australia to step down from the national team on The Chileans fi nished level on points clinching a 2-1 win at the Stade de France we want him to stay,” Bale said. “What he ting to a fourth consecutive FIFA exited the 2014 World Cup at the Twitter. “Thank you lads, for everything, with Peru, who secured a two-legged and avoiding the perilous playoff route has done for the team and Welsh football World Cup.” group stage but then lifted the for all these years together... for teaching playoff against New Zealand, but trailed for the second-placed European teams. has been amazing... We don’t want to Gallop also said he wanted to Asian Cup the following year, me and for showing a country that with on goal diff erence to be placed out of the After a bright start at the Stade de keep on looking back at the Euros, but for keep the focus on the play-off their fi rst major trophy. The eff ort and work anything is possible running in sixth in the fi nal South Ameri- France underlined by goals from Antoine everyone it was incredible to be a part of games in November, whose dates former Brisbane Roar and Young in life,” the Bayern Munich midfi elder can qualifying table. Chile’s Argentinean Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, Les Bleus that and we all want that again. It won’t are yet to be confi rmed by world Socceroos coach gave few signs wrote in Spanish. He said his “soul was manager Juan Antonio Pizzi also an- appeared to tire in the second half as the be easy but Chris is the man who can body FIFA, rather than Postec- that his departure may be im- crushed” but at the same time spoke of nounced his retirement from the team exertions of two matches in four days keep us focused and positive and show us oglou’s future. “We have every minent after Wednesday’s tense his “pride at players and staff ”. after Tuesday’s disappointment. showed following a 1-0 win against Bul- how to get the results we need.” confi dence that Ange and the victory over Syria in Sydney. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, October 12, 2017 FOOTBALL

QSL CUP SPOTLIGHT Al Duhail train Hamdallah brace as ahead of Ahli game l Duhail were back Tabata, who is out of action in training yesterday for six weeks, is expected to be ahead of their QNB fi t only by mid-November. His Stars League Round 4 absence is sure to make a big im- homeA match against Al Ahli on pact on Al Rayyan’s results, but Rayyan ease past Sadd Sunday. Algerian coach Djamel the team’s Danish coach Michael Belmadi supervised the training Laudrup has many other attack- session, which was missed by ing options. Both teams fielded second string players and that clearly reflected in the quality of play Qatar internationals, who were on national duty. UMM SALAL, ARABI KEEN TO By Sports Reporter Mohamed Muntari and Nasser EXTEND WINNING STREAK Doha Khalfan, who both had long in- The QNB Stars League Round 4 jury lay-off s, trained yesterday. match between Umm Salal and League leaders Al Duhail are Al Arabi looks to be a tough one bderrazak Hamdallah targeting their fourth victory in a because both sides will be keen scored a brace and pro- row, having so far defeated Qatar to extend their winning streak in vided the assist for an- SC, Al Arabi and Al Rayyan. the competition. Umm Salal had other goal as Al Rayyan blanked Al Ahli and Al Arabi got thrashedA Al Sadd 5-1 in the QSL the better of Qatar SC in Round GREGOR, ABDELKARIM Cup at the Al Khor Stadium yes- BACK IN AL SAILIYA CAMP 3. The match, which will kick terday. Both teams fi elded most- Dragos Gregor of Romania and off at the Al Gharafa Stadium ly second string players and that Abdelkarim Ali of Qatar were at 7:40pm this Saturday, is ex- clearly refl ected in the quality of back in Al Sailiya camp on Tues- pected to be full of excitement. play with many guilty of some day after doing their national Umm Salal are now third on shoddy football. duties. Both players attended the seven points with victories over Al Sadd particularly were all team training session ahead of Al Kharaitiyat and Al Ahli, and at sea and barely coped as Al their QNB Stars League Round 4 draw versus Al Gharafa. They Rayyan kept piling on the pres- match against Al Kharaitiyat at have scored fi ve goals and con- sure right from the outset. By the Al Ahli Stadium on Saturday. ceded only one. the time the match was 20 min- The players trained under the Arabi are eighth with three utes old, Al Sadd were two goals watchful eyes of Tunisian coach points from one victory, against down, both coming off the boot Sami Trabelsi and technical staff Qatar SC in Round 3, while they of Hamdallah. In the 11th minute as Al Sailiya look set to sustain lost to Al Sailiya and Al Duhail. he showed great anticipation to the momentum following their They have three goals to their rise above the defence and nod good start to the league cam- credit and six against. However, the ball in after a well-directed paign, which placed them fourth they are showing signs of im- free-kick taken from a few yard in the standings with six points. provement after every game, as outside the box on the left fl ank. was evident from their 1-1 draw The Moroccan was on target TABATA STARTS with Salal and 2-2 draw against again in the 19th minute, his PHYSIOTHERAPY SESSIONS Al Markhiya in the QSL Cup powerful free-kick from 25 yards Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo recently. Both teams know each taking a defl ection from Ghas- Tabata started his physiotherapy other well and coaches are also san and entering the net. Al Sadd treatment on Tuesday follow- sure to know the strengths and continued to chase shadows and ing a back surgery he had at the weaknesses of the rivals. Umm suff ered another setback when Hamad General Hospital. He Salal’s Egyptian coach Mah- Sebastian Soria found the net suff ered the injury after clashing moud Jaber has already faced off with a powerful drive from in- with Al Duhail’s Ismail Mo- with Al Arabi’s Tunisian trainer side the box after receiving a hamed during their QNB Stars Qais Yaqoubi when he was at the pass from Hamdallah. League Round 3 match. helm of Al Wakrah last season. Al Rayyan carried a three-goal cushion into the second ses- sion but didn’t step off the ac- celerator as they continued to dominate. In the 58th minute Mohsinne Moutali made good from the penalty spot to make it 4-0 and six minutes later Ab- dulrahman al-Harazi also helped himself to a goal, also from a penalty, to put the issue beyond doubt. Al Sadd however had the consolation of avoiding a com- plete blanking, with the third penalty of the match put away Abderrazak Hamdallah (right) was in fine form as he scored two goals in Al Rayyan's thumping 5-1 victory over Al Sadd in the easily by Meshaal al-Shammari. QSL Cup at the Al Khor Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Anas al-samaraee Al Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi supervises team's training session.

QFA chief meets Philippine counterpart ROUND-UP Figo becomes UEFA adviser ormer world player of the year Luis Figo has joined UEFA as a foot- ball adviser, European football’s governing body said yesterday. The 44-year-oldF former Portugal star will work with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and UEFA’s Football Divison “across a variety of matters including technical as- pects of the game, laws of the game and the overall attractiveness of the sport”. Figo was FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001, a year after winning the Ballon d’Or. “I have learned so much from football that I am now really looking forward to giving something back,” Figo said. He won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002 and added four Spanish La Liga titles — two each with Real and Barcelona — as well as four Italian Serie A crowns with Inter Milan. Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani met with He was also part of the Portugal team Philippine Football Federation President Mariano Araneta (left), who is also a member of the FIFA that lost to Greece in the Euro 2004 fi nal Council, at QFA’s Al Bidda Tower headquarters yesterday. on home soil. He fi nished his international Araneta was in Doha to watch Philippine’s Asian Cup 2019 qualifier match against Yemen at career with 32 goals in 127 appearances, a euros, and bringing in Ousmane Dembele FIFA HITS PAKISTAN WITH Al Wakrah Club’s Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. record at the time until it was broken by from Borussia Dortmund for 105mn euros. BAN OVER ‘INTERFERENCE’ Cristiano Ronaldo. “Luis Figo was a fan- But Dembele has endured a nightmare FIFA announced yesterday it has suspended tastic player who was exemplary in the way start to life at the Camp Nou. The France the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for he conducted himself both on and off the international suff ered a hamstring injury “third-party interference”, in a rare move FOCUS pitch,” said Ceferin. on his full La Liga debut ruling him out by the sport’s governing body to issue a until January at the earliest. Grau also said blanket ban targeting a country. BARCA PROMISE TO TRY AGAIN Barcelona must remain in Spain’s La Liga, The suspension centres on an internal FOR LIVERPOOL’S COUTINHO following the signing by Catalan leaders of a feud at the PFF. This led a court to appoint Four Euro 2020 spots up for Barcelona are planning a fresh assault on declaration of independence. “The budgets an administrator to run its aff airs in viola- Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho in the Janu- are based on participation in La Liga. I tion of FIFA requirements that such a body ary transfer window, the Catalan club’s think that La Liga and Barca must continue be managed independently. grabs in Nations League CEO Oscar Grau promised yesterday. Barca together,” Grau said. “The PFF representative and club teams were thwarted in their attempt to prise are no longer entitled to take part in inter- AFP the 10 groups of the subsequent, GROUPINGS Coutinho away from Anfi eld during the REAL KEEPER NAVAS national competitions until the suspension Paris traditional qualifi ers. League A: Germany, Portugal, summer with Liverpool placing a reported SUFFERS GROIN INJURY is lifted,” FIFA said in a statement. The top division is 12 teams Belgium, Spain, France, England, 200mn euros ($238mn) asking price on the Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas suf- Senior PFF offi cial Colonel Ahmed Yar strong and will be split into four Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, midfi elder. fered a groin injury while on international Lodhi said he had long anticipated the ban our Euro 2020 places will groups of three, with the win- Croatia, Netherlands — one Euro Despite the player trying to engineer a duty with Costa Rica, the La Liga club following the government’s intervention in be on off er during UEFA’s ners playing the Nations League 2020 place on off er move, Liverpool turned down his late trans- announced. The European champions con- the federation’s aff airs. “We are FIFA’s rec- new Nations League fi nals in June 2019 to decide an League B: Austria, Wales, Russia, fer request during the close season window. fi rmed that Navas had a “swollen adductor ognised body but the government interfered tournament, which starts overall winner. The top-four Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic But Grau made clear the Spanish giants muscle in his right groin” in a statement on in our aff airs and did not let us work,” Lodhi nextF year, after European foot- ranked teams from each Nations had not given up the chase. “We are ready their website, but did not say how long the said. “This situation was unacceptable for of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, ball’s governing body announced league that fail to qualify for the Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech to sign Coutinho, or any other player (dur- 30-year-old would be out of action. FIFA and they have now decided to impose the schedule yesterday. The Euros in the traditional route will Republic, Turkey — one Euro 2020 ing the winter transfer window),” he told He joins a long Real injury list featuring a ban on Pakistan membership, which is four-division format means that enter play-off s in March 2020 to place on off er a press conference. “We have the money,” the likes of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, very unfortunate.” one of Europe’s 16 lowest-ranked decide the last four places for the League C: Hungary, Romania, Grau said, confi rming the club’s announce- Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo, and could miss In 2015, FIFA suspended Indonesia over teams is guaranteed to qualify for fi rst fi nals to be held across the Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, ment in July of record income of 708mn both Saturday’s La Liga trip to Getafe and government meddling in the country’s the Euros. UEFA fi rst approved continent. The top three leagues Albania, Norway, Montenegro, euros ($812.8mn) for 2016/2017 with an Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash football association. It lifted the suspen- the tournament in 2014, and has will see four teams relegated, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, after-tax profi t of 18mn euros. against Tottenham Hotspur at the Santiago sion the following year. The ban on Pakistan decided to split the 55 countries meaning that it could be an ad- Estonia, Lithuania — one Euro 2020 Grau added: “The most important thing Bernabeu. Back-up keeper Kiko Casilla is comes as neighbour and arch-rival India into four so-called ‘leagues’, vantage for teams to be demoted place on off er is the demands from the management, likely to start at the weekend, with coach hosts the U17 World Cup. Pakistan boasted based on its co-effi cient rank- to a weaker division before the League D: Azerbaijan, Macedonia, and we will do everything possible to meet Zinedine Zidane’s son Luca set to take a top place in Asian football until the early ings. The event changes Euro- second edition, with possible Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, them. We want to have the most competi- his place on the bench. Navas returned to 1970s, but a lack of government support pean Championship qualifying, 2022 World Cup places at stake. Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kaza- tive team possible.” Madrid on Monday before Costa Rica’s fi nal and poor infrastructure helped push them with one team from each Nations League A includes the likes of khstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Barca experienced a tumultuous time World Cup qualifi er against Panama, having as low as 200th currently in the FIFA League division to reach Euro world champs Germany, reign- Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, during the summer transfer market, losing played in the 1-1 draw with Honduras in football rankings. The game is growing in 2020, with the other 20 places ing European winners Portugal, Gibraltar — one Euro 2020 place Coutinho’s compatriot Neymar to Paris which his country booked their place for popularity once more, however, even in a going to the top two sides from France and England. on off er Saint-Germain for a world record 222mn next year’s fi nals in Russia. country obsessed with cricket. Gulf Times Thursday, October 12, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL SPOTLIGHT Blackhawks beat Canadiens 3-1 Detroit Red Wings as Crawford makes 41 saves

By Chris Hine the game. The Hawks scored Chicago Tribune on their next shift 19 seconds fall to Dallas Stars later when Brandon Saad mus- cled the puck into the off en- ‘I didn’t think we had enough guys at that ultra, ultra-competitive level’ t the 2016 NHL en- sive zone and made it to the try draft, the Black- net, where Jonathan Toews hit hawks traded the him with a feed to set up Saad’s rights of restricted fi fth goal of the young season. freeA agent Andrew Shaw to Those goals were needed for the Canadiens for a pair of the Hawks allowed a goal 1:19 second-round picks. With the in to Tomas Plekanec in their fi rst of those picks, the Hawks third consecutive period of selected Alex DeBrincat, an sluggish hockey dating back to undersized but prolifi c winger Monday’s overtime loss to the in the Ontario Hockey League. Maple Leafs. Sixteen months later, De- In response to loss, coach Brincat took the ice for the Joel Quenneville made a Hawks across from Shaw and change along the blue line for the Canadiens at the Bell Cen- the fi rst time this season, in- tre - and proceeded to score serting veteran Cody Franson his fi rst NHL goal. into the lineup. The surprise DeBrincat jolted the Hawks was who Quenneville took out out of a sluggish start and – Connor Murphy, the prize of added an assists as he spurred the Niklas Hjalmarsson trade them to a 3-1 victory Tuesday with the Coyotes. over the Canadiens for their Murphy is signed with for third victory in four games. the next fi ve seasons at a cap The Hawks also rode the hot hit of $3.85 million, but fell glove of Corey Crawford, who out of Quenneville’s favor continued his strong play in for the night because of how his hometown of Montreal well Jan Rutta (two goals) had with 41 saves. played entering the night. All DeBrincat could not crack are right-handed defensemen, the goal column despite the so Quenneville wasn’t going Hawks scoring 18 goals in their to remove a left-handed blue fi rst three games of the sea- liner like Michal Kempny or son, but on Tuesday he and Gustav Forsling to make room linemate Patrick Sharp were for Franson - and Quenneville hunting that goal early, and won’t scratch the right-hand- they eventually bagged it. ed Brent Seabrook - so Mur- Sharp and DeBrincat missed phy was the odd man out. on a couple developing chanc- Franson and DeBrincat es until they struck late in the teamed up on the Hawks’ third fi rst period with the Hawks goal, which came on a second- ceding a lot of ice to the Ca- period power play. Franson nadiens. Sharp shuffl ed a pass started the sequence with a to his left and DeBrincat, in smooth pass to DeBrincat, perfect shooting position, who one-touched the puck to rocketed a shot past vaunted Artem Anisimov camped out Canadiens goaltender Carey near the net. Anisimov shoved Price to net his fi rst NHL goal the puck in for his fi rst goal of 17 minutes, 53 seconds into the season at 10:44. Dallas Stars players celebrate after winning against the Detroit Red Wings at American Airlines Centre in Dallas, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP)

By Helene St James into Las Vegas to take on the of the second period when he Dylan Larkin assisted. Green their third game in 1967. Tomas Detroit Free Press Golden Knights on Friday. tapped in a shot from the bottom picked up his sixth assist of the Nosek, Deryk Engelland and The Stars had all the off en- of the left circle during a power season. Oscar Lindberg also scored for sive-zone time the fi rst 5 min- play. Zetterberg slowed down to “I didn’t think we had enough the Golden Knights and Tobias etr Mrazek made his utes of the game as the Wings make the pass, fed by Mike Green. guys at that ultra, ultra-compet- Rieder and Kevin Connauton had season debut as the De- were unable to break the puck Green had just drawn a penal- itive level,” Detroit Red Wings the Coyotes goals. troit Red Wings began out, or establish any kind of ty when Seguin unwisely shoved coach Jeff Blashill said. Filip Forsberg scored on the their fi rst major road grind time. It took a shift from Green into the boards. It was a “Our competitive level can’t power play at 19:24 of the third testP of the season. The Wings Henrik Zetterberg’s line to fi - good confi dence booster for Ab- be fi ne, it’s got to be outstand- period, capping a rally from a started off a stretch of three nally broach Ben Bishop. But delkader, who needs a bounce- ing. And then I also think we two-goal, third-period defi cit as games in four nights by taking Mrazek continued to see most back season after reaching just didn’t have enough skating Nashville stunned Philadelphia. on the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at of the work, and the Stars took seven goals last season. well enough, so we didn’t have Scott Hartnell tied it on a six- American Airlines Center. a 1-0 lead at 9:15 when John Mrazek had faced 20 shots at enough pressure on them. When on-three power play at 18:43 af- It was not pretty. Klingberg fi red a puck through the game’s midpoint and 27 after we pressured them, we were able ter Philadelphia took two minors The Wings started poorly, let traffi c that hit the right post then 40 minutes, eight of them during to create turnovers.” on the same sequence and the Mrazek get shelled in the fi rst hit Mrazek and went in. power plays. Elsewhere, James Neal con- Predators pulled their goalie. half, generated very little off en- Anthony Mantha was stopped The Wings had nine shots in tinued his hot start with a pair After the goal, Flyers coach sive zone time and lost defense- on a breakaway and Martin Frk the second period; the best one of goals and Marc-Andre Fleury Dave Hakstol challenged for off - man Danny DeKeyser to injury denied a one-timer on a power was courtesy of Frk, whose slap picked up his third win in net side and lost, giving the Preda- before showing signs of life in play, but otherwise the Wings shot knocked Bishop on his back. with 31 saves to lead the Vegas tors another power play for delay the third period. The last 2 min- did not have quality chances. The Wings did better on faceoff s, Golden Knights to a 5-2 victory of game under a new rule. utes were very exciting, as the The Wings fell behind, 2-0, improving their winning per- over the Arizona Coyotes in the Wings pulled their goalie for the when Tyler Sequin turned his centage to 41. team’s fi rst home game at T-Mo- RESULTS extra attacker. Still it all added shot on net into a goal, hammer- The Wings fi nally skated in bile Arena. The Golden Knights Golden Knights5 Coyotes ...... 2 up to the Wings’ fi rst loss of the ing a one-timer off the crossbar the third period, and tested (3-0-0) became the fi rst NHL Predators ...... 6 Flyers ...... 5 season, 4-2. with 31 seconds to spare. The Bishop with regularity. The re- expansion team to win its fi rst Blackhawks ...... 3 Canadiens ...... 1 The Stars added an empty- Wings were outshot, 11-6, won ward was Mantha scoring with three games. Stars ...... 4 Red Wings ...... 2 net goal with 2 seconds left in just 23 percent of faceoff s, and 4:49 to play in regulation, when The California Seals and Los Blue Jackets ...... 2 Hurricanes 1 (OT) regulation. They next head out blocked eight shots. he used his size to play down low Angeles Kings started their Blues ...... 3 Rangers ...... 1 Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford (left) celebrates his to Arizona for a game Thursday Justin Abdelkader earned his and control the puck. It was his franchises with two wins be- Senators ...... 3 Canucks ...... 2 team’s win over with Montreal Canadiens with teammates Patrick against the Coyotes, then head fi rst goal of the season at 3:50 second goal of the season, and fore they tied each other in (shootout) Sharp (centre) and Jan Rutta in Montreal. (Getty Images/AFP)

FOCUS NFL wants players to stand during national anthem Reuters ers, have continued through the season, diffi culties in pushing healthcare and tax Washington with some players taking a knee when the overhauls through the US Congress. anthem is played and others standing arm- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, speaking on in-arm in solidarity. KRLD-FM in Dallas on Tuesday, reiterated FL team owners will consider re- Current policy calls for players to stand his stance that if any of his players chose quiring football players to stand for the anthem and face the fl ag, but no to demonstrate during the anthem, they for the US national anthem af- player has been disciplined for a protest, would not play. ter President Donald Trump on Lockhart said. “If you do not honor and stand for the NTuesday suggested using tax laws to penal- “We need to move past this controversy, fl ag in the way that a lot of our fans feel that ise the league for players who kneel in pro- and we want to do that together with our you should... if that’s not the case, then you test of racial injustice. players,” NFL Commissioner Roger Good- won’t play,” said Jones. Trump, a Republican, escalated his feud ell wrote in a memo to team owners. The “That’s nothing new as far as that being with the National Football League in a White House supported the idea of asking my wish or the way I want the Cowboys. As Twitter post asking if the league should players to stand, said spokeswoman Sarah far as whether or not I will basically insti- get tax breaks while some athletes kneel in Sanders. tute or do what I said I would just say.... I protest when the “Star-Spangled Banner” “We are glad to see the NFL taking posi- would ask anybody to look at my record is played at the start of each game. tive steps in that direction,” she said at a relative to what I say I’m going to do.” “Why is the NFL getting massive tax news briefi ng. Vice President Mike Pence walked out of breaks while at the same time disrespecting Asked to explain Trump’s comment on a NFL game on Sunday after some players our Anthem, Flag and Country? Change tax the NFL and taxes, Sanders said, “The fed- knelt, an action some critics called a pub- law!” Trump wrote on Twitter. eral tax law doesn’t apply here, but certain- licity stunt. The world’s top-grossing sports league ly we know that they receive tax subsidies Trump won the presidency with less gave up its tax-free status two years ago. Its on a variety of diff erent levels.” support from black voters than any other owners are preparing to address the anthem The NFL Players Association, when president in at least four decades. issue at their fall meeting in New York Oc- asked for a reaction to possible changes to Trump has squared off against the NFL tober 17-18, NFL chief spokesman Joe Lock- anthem rules, said in an email “we do not before, having owned a team in the upstart hart told reporters on a conference call on have a response at this time.” United States Football League in the 1980s. Tuesday. Trump last month called on NFL team That league folded in 1985 after an antitrust “Everyone at this point is frustrated by owners to fi re players who kneel during the lawsuit against the NFL failed. the situation,” Lockhart said. “The com- anthem to protest police violence against Trump has refused to disclose his own missioner and the owners do want the black Americans. tax history, departing from a practice of US players to stand. We think it is an important Critics contend Trump is fanning the presidents going back more than 40 years. part of the game.” controversy to distract from issues includ- Trump has said nobody cares about his tax The protests, in a league where African- ing devastation in Puerto Rico after Hurri- returns, but critics say they could show Los Angeles Rams players during the national anthem before the game against Seattle Seahawks at the Los Angeles Americans make up the majority of play- cane Maria, tensions with North Korea and confl icts of interest. Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Thursday, October 12, 2017 SPORT

NBA Embiid plans to help his native Cameroon

By Keith Pompey heavily invested in him in Wednes- “I talk about fi nding the common will turn into an Eastern Confer- The Philadelphia Inquirer day’s preseason game against the ground. We have found the common. ence title contender in a couple of Brooklyn Nets at the Nassau Coli- Again, I fully anticipate and hope we seasons. seum. Embiid is listed as probable are paying the entirety of the con- “Joel is a special basketball player, for the matchup after missing the tract.” but he’s a special human being; he’s or Joel Embiid, all the mon- fi rst three preseason games while re- Embiid never envisioned even- a special person,” said Colangelo, ey he agreed to in his con- habilitating from surgery to repair a tually receiving a max-extension who began contract discussions with tract is not just about get- torn meniscus in his left knee. when he arrived in America back in Embiid’s representation on July 1. ting rich. The 76ers center But Sixers fans can mainly thank 2011. Back then, Embiid was around “You see just the way the team hasF something else that’s always on Embiid’s loyalty to his late brother 100 pounds lighter than his current responds to him, the way the fans his mind. It’s his native country of for remaining a basketball player. He weight of 285 pounds. respond to him. He’s one of these Cameroon, which can use his help. wanted to make Arthur proud. He He was a high school junior at types that don’t come along often. “Over there, there’s a lot of pover- also wanted to make his family proud. Montverde Academy (Fla.), playing “Again, we are talking about both ty,” Embiid said Tuesday, one day af- These days, his mother, Christine, on the junior varsity team. In actu- what he does on the court, but what ter signing a fi ve-year, $148 million has to be beaming. Embiid signed his ality, he has played in only three of he also does off the court. He means a contract extension. “A lot of people extension on her birthday. He thinks his six seasons in which he’s been lot to what this organisation has gone don’t have a lot of stuff .” “that was the best birthday gift ever.” involved with organized basketball. through.” So the 23-year-old is elated that Embiid received the maximum As a Sixer, Embiid played in only Embiid expects to mean a lot to he’ll have money to go toward his salary based on the designated rook- 31 games last season before the team the organisation for a long time. His foundation, run by his parents back ie scale. He could earn $178 million announced on March 1 that he would goal is to remain a Sixer his entire home, that helps people in need. if he meets the super-max criteria, need season-ending knee surgery. career. His goal is to play his entire The Cameroonians and his fam- which includes making an all-NBA His last game was January 27. career for one team like Kobe Bryant ily are the main reasons Embiid didn’t team or being named league MVP. He missed the previous two sea- did for the Los Angeles Lakers from walk away from basketball after his The deal, however, is heavily sal- sons because of two surgeries to re- 1996-97 through 2015-16. younger brother, Arthur, was killed in ary-cap protected should Embiid pair the navicular bone in his right He has a love aff air with Sixers an accident on October 14, 2014 back miss signifi cant playing time be- foot. fans that’s hard to explain. He wants home. cause of injuries. Even if only 50 per- He also had a stress fracture in his to continue rewarding them for their “I feel like I need to do a lot of cent of his contract is guaranteed, back that kept him out of the Big 12 support. stuff over there,” he said of using the big man will still walk away with and NCAA tournaments during his “I don’t think without them I get his money gained from the lucrative $74 million. lone season at Kansas in 2013-14. this extension,” Embiid said. “They contract. “I would term it shared risk,” Six- However, he is the unquestioned did a lot for me. Even though, I don’t He is expected to give fans in Long ers president Bryan Colangelo, de- leader of the Sixers. He’s also the think they know that, they pushed Island a glimpse of why the Sixers are clining to disclose the protections. main piece in what the team hopes me a lot.”

MLB FOCUS Call for athletes to be fi tted with Bellinger gives microchips in fi ght against drug cheats

AFP across the world but he said London he was not speaking on behalf Dodgers a lift with of the WOA but in a personal capacity. Doping has cast a thletes should be fi tted dark shadow over the sport in with microchips in the recent years, with the Russian same way dogs are to athletics team banned from the help stamp out doping 2016 Rio Olympics following inA the sport, says the head of an an investigation into a state- organisation representing more sponsored doping programme. his bat and glove than 100,000 Olympians. Re-testing of old samples World Olympians Asso- using new methods by the ‘I was pressing a little bit, trying to do too much with every pitch’ ciation (WOA) chief executive International Olympic Com- Mike Miller told a conference in mittee has found more than Pedro Moura London that technology would 100 athletes used banned sub- Los Angeles Times soon allow an implant to detect stances at the 2008 and 2012 performance-enhancing drugs. Olympics. And at least 30 per- “We chip our dogs,” he told a cent of those who competed at t 11:20pm Monday, two seminar on integrity and duty the 2011 IAAF World Cham- hours after his home of care in sport, according to pionships admitted to having run announced his be- Britain’s Daily Telegraph news- used banned substances dur- lated arrival as a factor paper yesterday. ing their careers, according to inA the National League division “We’re prepared to do that a report recently made public. series, Cody Bellinger took ref- and it doesn’t seem to harm Nicole Sapstead, the UK uge in a corner of Chase Field’s them. So why aren’t we pre- Anti-Doping chief executive, visiting clubhouse. pared to chip ourselves?” speaking at the same event on He had conducted televi- “We need to keep in front Tuesday, welcomed technol- sion interviews, greeted family of the cheats,” he added. “I ogy that could help in the fi ght friends who drove over from his believe that, in order to stop against doping but was wary. suburban hometown of Chan- doping, we need to chip our “Can we ever be sure that dler, Ariz., and sprayed cham- athletes where the latest tech- this type of thing could never pagne on his teammates. Now, nology is there.” be tampered with or even ac- for a few seconds, he stayed “Some people say it’s an in- curately monitor all substances silent, glancing around the cel- vasion of privacy. It’s a club and methods on the prohibited ebratory, cork-sprinkled room. and people don’t have to join list?” she said, according to the “Hey,” he shouted, a thought the club if they don’t want to Telegraph. “There is a balance occurring to him. “I didn’t get follow the rules,” added Miller. to be struck between a right to goggles.” Miller’s organisation rep- privacy versus demonstrating Standing nearby, teammate resents 100,000 Olympians that you are clean.” Tony Cingrani pointed out their location. Bellinger grabbed a pair and re-entered the fray. Nationals game postponed by rain He is not Clayton Kershaw, forever insistent that eye pro- Torrential rain forced Major League Baseball to postpone Tues- tection is unnecessary in club- day’s NLDS Game 4 between the Chicago Cubs and the Washing- house celebrations. He is still a ton Nationals by 24 hours, the league confirmed on Tuesday. 22-year-old kid, experiencing The Cubs had been looking to lock up the best-of-five series with many things for the fi rst time victory after taking a 2-1 lead over the Nationals at Wrigley Field and prone to occasional over- on Monday. sights. But steady rain over Chicago delayed the start of Game 4 and The fi rst two games of the with no let-up, league off icials pushed back the game. Dodgers’ NLDS series sweep The Cubs will stick with scheduled starter Jake Arrieta for Game over the Arizona Diamondbacks 4 regardless, instead of Game 1 starter Kyle Hendricks, manager represented a continuous string Joe Maddon said Tuesday afternoon. of gaff es. Bellinger struck out Nationals manager Dusty Baker is also staying with his sched- six times in 10 unseemly plate uled starter Tanner Roark, instead of Game 1 starter Stephen appearances. He chased pretty Strasburg - who would be on regular rest - in a rather stunning much everything thrown in his move. But apparently Strasburg is under the weather and didn’t general direction. Los Angeles Dodgers Cody Bellinger in action during their game three of the 2017 NLDS playoff series against Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase get his usual prep work in. In the fi rst inning of Game 3 Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Strasburg was phenomenal in Game 1 for the Nationals, flirting Monday, and again in the third, with a no-hitter until the sixth inning, and giving up just three he batted with runners on the Roberts predicted. “If he re- reasoned, was the postseason. it were pretty darn good too,” pressed by Bellinger’s aggressive hits, two unearned runs and striking out 10 over seven innings. corners. In the fi rst, he tapped mains free swinging, it’s going to “It’s his fi rst playoff s, and he’s Turner said. double-play manoeuvre, when Should the Nationals force a Game 5, Strasburg will pitch with a a grounder on a 1-and-0 fast- be a tougher night for him.” probably trying really hard to do Bellinger drew a walk in the he immediately tried for two. squad of arms in relief, including Game 3 starter Max Scherzer. ball for an RBI. In the third, he Roberts was right, but his some big things,” Justin Turner seventh. In the ninth, he singled, “Having the wits to go to sec- Despite the delay, any fifth game in the series would still take popped up the fi rst pitch from news conference observations said. “Obviously, he wants to be nearly supplying another run. ond instead of trying to let the place today. The winner of the series will face the Los Angeles Arizona starter Zack Greinke. provided no aid to Bellinger. A successful, like he was all season. Along with his breakout on pitcher beat the runner to fi rst,” Dodgers in California on Saturday in the opening game of the As Yasiel Puig walked to load 20-second pep talk by the bat For him to just settle in, calm off ense, he provided three fi ne Turner said, “he’s just a smart National League Championship Series. the bases, Dodgers manager rack did, as Bellinger explained down, that’s going to be huge go- plays on defense, most memo- player, and he learns on the fl y.” Dave Roberts approached Bell- between swigs of cheap beer. ing into the next series. For him rably toppling into the Dodgers’ Because he was not identifi ed inger in the dugout. “I was pressing a little bit, to take that swing, hopefully it dugout to secure an inning-end- as a major factor in the Dodg- “Listen, you picked us up all trying to do too much with every calms him down a little bit.” ing foul popup. ers’ September swoon, it went year,” Bellinger said Roberts told pitch,” he said. “The fi rst two The count was 3-and-1 with In the next inning, he sharply mostly unnoticed, but Bellinger him. “We’ll get you right here. games, they were throwing away, two out in the fi fth. Greinke started a double play to assist fi nished the last month with a Next at-bat, don’t try to do too pitching to my aggressiveness. I left a changeup higher than he reliever Cingrani, then snared 10-day stretch of silence. much. Take the pressure off was running for too much. intended, over the outer edge a hard grounder by Ketel Marte He didn’t homer, he struck yourself.” “It’s hard to hit like that.” of the plate. With his violent and tossed to the pitcher cover- out a lot and he felt uncomfort- That is notably similar to Rob- During the regular season, swing, the left-handed-hitting ing fi rst. able. That carried over into the erts’ recent public comments. Bellinger was mostly immune to Bellinger pushed it out to the op- “Some of the plays he’s made division series, he said, but in the Before the game, he noted that typical youthful slumps. posite fi eld. The solo blast gave over at fi rst base this whole se- aftermath, he was hopeful that Greinke would take advantage of He clubbed 39 home runs – the Dodgers a 2-0 lead on their ries have been incredible,” Turn- Monday meant he had rediscov- Bellinger’s aggressiveness if the a National League record for a way to a 3-1 win, and Bellinger er said. ered success. rookie allowed him to expand the rookie – and his lowest on-base- became the youngest player in He noted Bellinger’s leap into “It was far away from me in Chicago Cubs grounds crew roll out the tarp before game strike zone. plus-slugging percentage during team history to homer during a the Dodgers’ dugout and the the past two weeks of the season, four of the 2017 NLDS playoff baseball series against the “If Cody is disciplined on the any one month was .835. playoff game. hard-hit balls swept up near leading up to now,” Bellinger Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field. (USA TODAY Sports) edges, it will be a good night,” The diff erence, the Dodgers “The at-bats he took after fi rst. However, he was most im- said. “But we’re getting there.” Gulf Times Thursday, October 12, 2017 7 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Qatar Touch, HSTRC to host touch rugby Thomas hopes for rumble on Oct 13

By Sports Reporter porters, families and friends Doha to witness an exciting day of competitive touch rugby.” The HSTRC was established atar Touch and the in 2012 and has won several CIMB Classic hat-trick Hurricane Storm major titles. Its most recent Touch Rugby Club success was in last February, ‘It’s going to be a little bit diff erent this year, just in terms of everything that’s happened (HSTRC) will host when they won the National theQ open men’s touch divi- Sports Day Beach Challenge and kind of the lack of preparation I’ll probably get as opposed to years prior’ sion tournament - Hurricane held at Katara. Touch Rumble 2017 - on Oc- The one-day event is very tober 13 at the Iranian School, popular amongst the Qatar Abu Hamour. Twelve teams players and this year has at- representing companies, clubs tracted major sponsorship and schools will take part in from reputable Qatari and in- the event ternational companies such Speaking on the occasion, as; Bloomsbury Holiday Re- HSTRC president Hans Tho- sort (Platinum Sponsor), Well masz said, “Touch is booming On Restaurant (Gold Spon- in Qatar and its popularity is sor), Blue Lake Insurance Bro- growing rapidly. Full credit to kers (Silver Sponsors), Al-Safa Qatar Touch for their ongoing Polyclinic, Puncha’s Rent a support. We are expecting to Car, Total Sports, McDonald’s welcome a huge infl ux of sup- and Nice Drinking Water.

Qatar futsal team to play friendlies Qatar futsal team will play two friendlies against Malaysia at Al Wakrah Hall on Friday and Sunday. The friendlies are part of the Qatar’s preparations for the Asian Cup. The Asian Cup will start in November in Bangkok. The Qatari team will hold a training camp in Thailand before the Asian qualifiers, which is set to start on November 12. Qatar, Jordan and Lebanon are in the same group for the Asian qualifiers. The Qatari squad has been training daily at the Qatar SC Hall to prepare for the continental entitlement. Iran won the title last year defeating Uzbekistan 2-1 in the final. New water polo season from October 19 Qatar Swimming Association announced the start of the new water polo season 2017-18 on October 19. A meeting was held yesterday under the chairmanship of Khalid Abdullah, member of the association’s board of directors and head of the water polo committee, to discuss the upcoming tournaments for the new sports season. The new season includes two champion- ships, the Qatar Cup and the Qatar Shield. Qatar Water Polo Shield will be played on a one-round league system, while the Qatar Cup will be played on the knock-out basis. The number of participating clubs and the rules and conditions for the championships will be announced later by the Qatar Swimming Association.

BASKETBALL

Reuters United States in their dominant Twenty-fi ve-year-old Mat- 19th-ranked Rafa Cabrera Bello said Lahri Kuala Lumpur Presidents Cup win. suyama, another sparkling of Spain, Europe’s Ryder Cup “I certainly have a lot of good Repeating his 2016-17 hero- young talent, was runner-up stalwart Ian Poulter, 2011 Mas- memories as I won there be- Salam Technology ics will be a stiff challenge but behind Thomas in Malaysia last ters Tournament winner Charl fore (2015 Malaysian Open on nly weeks after cap- the co-sanctioned CIMB Classic year in a breakout season boast- Schwartzel, this season’s THE the Asian/European Tour). I ping his brilliant could off er the perfect platform ing three wins and two top-fi ve PLAYERS Championship win- feel right at home at TPC Kuala beat Ashghal season with the $10 for another productive season fi nishes at the majors. ner Si Woo Kim of South Korea Lumpur and the CIMB Classic million bonus as Fed- for the world number four. Like most of his International and South African star Branden feels like a good event for me and By Sports Reporter equalise the score with only ExCupO champion, Justin Tho- That is, of course, if fatigue team mates, he had a forgettable Grace, who wrote golfi ng history I get a lot of fantastic support. two minutes remaining in the Doha mas heads back to his happy can be kept at bay. Presidents Cup, however, and at the British Open by becoming It’ll be a lovely homecoming and match. Salam Technology hunting ground at the CIMB Thomas has barely had time was unwell upon returning to the fi rst man to shoot a 62 in a hopefully I’ll be able to go the took the lead through Roldan Classic, seeking a ‘threepeat’ of to pause for breath after a fre- Japan. major in July. distance this time. alam Technology came Dela Rosa’s conversion with titles in Malaysia. netic fi nish to the campaign and “I just took the week off . To- The CIMB Classic is also “I’ve played so many tourna- back from behind to nine seconds left in the game Much has changed for will take a proper break only af- day’s round was really the fi rst sanctioned by the Asian Tour ments there, from the days of register a win over and later escaped with a 64- 24-year-old Thomas since his ter playing next week’s CJ Cup, time I’ve picked up a club since and Professional Golf Associa- the Malaysian Open to CIMB Ashghal in the Inter 63 win. Roldan Dela Rosa led last trip to TPC Kuala Lumpur, South Korea’s fi rst PGA Tour- the Presidents Cup, but hope- tion of Malaysia (PGAM). The Classic. I don’t think there’s a CompanyS Division game of Salam Technology with 15 when he was still an unproven, sanctioned event. fully I can fi nd my game quickly premier Malaysian tournament hole where I’ve not made birdie the Pinoy Basketball of Qa- points while Ralph Coronel if highly regarded, talent coming “It’s going to be a little bit and somehow make it interest- is also the fi rst of three PGA on that course. You can draw tar’s (PIBAQ) 24th Conference paced Ashghal with 19 mark- off his rookie season. diff erent this year, just in terms ing on Sunday,” he said at TPC TOUR events in Asia during the on that. I know how to navigate recently. ers. A three-stroke win to defend of everything that’s happened Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. month of October. the course. You know where you Technology saw Ashghal In the women’s division, his championship underlined and kind of the lack of prepara- Apart from Thomas, eight With one victory and a tied can be aggressive and cautious leading comfortably by 20 Boom Generals proved just his pedigree, however, and was tion I’ll probably get as opposed other major winners are in the third at TPC Kuala Lumpur, In- on. I’ve played in every weath- points in the fi rst-half as both too much for the Balleros to the springboard for a stellar to years prior,” Thomas said last restricted fi eld of 78 at the $7 dia’s golf star Anirban Lahiri is er condition and played when Carlo Querijero and Ralph handle as Boom Generals cap- campaign featuring fi ve wins, week. million tournament, includ- also itching to return to the Clas- rough is high or low, greens are Coronel getting their grooves italised on their rivals’ lack of a maiden major title and last Thomas will also be up against ing Americans Keegan Bradley, sic for the sixth time. soft or hard. It’ll make it easy for at the off ensive end. It was a ball handlers. Boom Generals month’s FedExCup triumph. a quality fi eld at the PGA Tour’s Stewart Cink and Jason Dufner, “I’m super excited obviously. me to process my strategy. diff erent story though in the employed the full court press Once known as “Jordan Spi- second event in the 2017-18 cal- and a trio of South Africans in There was that disappointment “That’s the advantage the PGA second-half, as Salam Tech- right from the world go and eth’s friend”, the Louisville, endar, including Japan’s world Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen and last year on Sunday (where he led Tour pros have on the US cours- nology felt the urgency and forced turnovers. Kentucky-born golfer returns to number three Hideki Mat- Charl Schwartzel. into the last round and fi nished es. So this is an event which I feel they crawled back from the It was the fi ne shooting of Southeast Asia as the PGA Tour’s suyama, who he pipped for Other leading names heading T3) but there were a lot of posi- I have an advantage compared to huge defi cit through team- Tara Mitic and the leadership player of the year and in the wake the circuit’s player of the year to Kuala Lumpur include world tives too, like holding my fi rst the other events that I play in the work and determination as of Pamela Barrozo which ena- of an impressive debut for the award. No. 15 Paul Casey of England, 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour,” US,” he said. they were trailing by just fi ve bled them to lead comfortably points at the end of the third the game. In the end, Boom quarter. Generals won with a huge SPOTLIGHT Ashghal regrouped and margin 77-12 with Pamela brought back lead to 12 points, Barrozo leading the way with but that Salam’s managed to 21 points. SC-organised Qatar Community Football League returns hirty-six teams consist- by more than 500 children, and ing of over 1,200 players 3000 fans, which is testament from over 75 diff erent to the role played by the QCFL as nationalities, will com- one of the future torch-bearers Tpete for honours in the Qatar of Qatar’s rich football culture.” Community Football League Nasser al-Khater, the SC’s (QCFL) this season – a league Assistant Secretary General for founded and sponsored by the Tournament Aff airs, said the Supreme Committee for Deliv- league complements the social ery & Legacy (SC). vision enshrined within Qatar’s The league runs from October successful bid to host the 2022 1 to 30 April and consists of three FIFA World Cup. divisions. Aspire Foundation has “In our bid, we spoke about again partnered with the SC to harnessing the passion for grass- host matches three times a week roots football in Qatar through at the world famous Aspire Park. competitive community-based SC projects account for 12 tournaments,” said Al-Khater. teams this season, up from eight “The SC’s involvement in the in 2016-17. Eight of these teams QCFL is yet another example of represent communities who our commitment towards im- signed a memorandum of under- plementing our bid promises. standing with the SC’s Commu- The league was launched to good news for Qatari football. varying levels of football capabil- We are also involved in other nity Engagement Division. create a bond among Qatar’s resi- “The expansion of the league is ities. It’s an illustration of Qatar’s tournaments, such as the Work- Generation Amazing, the SC’s dent communities and capitalise an indication of its success during passion for the beautiful game.” ers’ Cup and annual Ramadan fl agship CSR initiative, and the on the country’s passion for foot- its inaugural season,” said Mo- Mosawy added: “The league matches, and all our initiatives annual Workers’ Cup, the hugely ball. Tournament organiser Zaid sawy. “Social inclusivity and har- also promotes the virtues of a have proven to be popular SC-sponsored compe- Mosawy, who works in the Sec- mony are the core values which healthy lifestyle in a fun-fi lled, extremely successful for a va- tition for construction workers, retary General’s offi ce at the SC, the league promotes. We have competitive environment. Last riety of reasons.” have each provided two teams. said the league’s expansion was players aged from 16 to 45, with year’s fi nals day was attended sc.qa Action from Boom Generals-Balleros match.

Thursday, October 12, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT India reassures Aussies aft er rock Nadal, Federer thrown at team bus

AFP players taking part in the Un- New Delhi der-17 FIFA World Cup. “Personal security of visiting athletes & teams is extremely ndia’s sports minister yes- important for us,” he tweeted. ease into third terday sought to reassure “Guwahati stone-throwing Australian cricketers about incident NOT refl ective of our their safety after a rock security measures. Aus team & Ishattered a window on the bus FIFA are content w/those. India taking them to their hotel fol- remains a graceful host.” lowing a series-levelling win in Two people have been arrest- the second Twenty20 interna- ed as police investigations into tional. the incident continue, the Press round in Shanghai The incident in the northeast- Trust of India reported. ern Indian city of Guwahati was Cricket Australia’s news site the second in two months, after cricket.com.au said no one was Nadal extended his winning streak to 13 with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Jared Donaldson Cricket Australia said in Sep- hurt when the window was bro- tember that the team’s bus win- ken by a rock roughly the size of dow was broken by a “small rock a cricket ball, but the Australian or stone” in Bangladesh after a players were “understandably Test match. shaken up”. “Pretty scary having a rock A CA spokesman told AFP thrown through the team bus they were “satisfi ed with the window on the way back to the levels of security provided”. hotel!!,” batsman Aaron Finch Top Indian spinner Ravichan- tweeted after the eight-wicket dran Ashwin said guests should win against India. be treated with respect and The photo he posted on Twit- urged restraint from his coun- ter showed a shattered window trymen. pane with a large hole. “The stone thrown at the Indian Sports Minister Ra- Aussie team bus shows us in bad jyavardhan Rathore, an Olym- light, let’s all act more responsi- pic silver medallist in shooting, bly. A vast majority of us are ca- said there were tight security pable of that,” he wrote on Twit- arrangements in place for the ter. The fi nal T20 game will be Australian team as well as for the played in Hyderabad tomorrow.

FOCUS Changes to Tests must be in line with new structure, says FICA chief

Reuters ances in recent years, throw- London ing the door open to a number of means to engage fans, in- cluding the introduction of ny changes to Test day-night Tests. cricket must be in South Africa announced line with in with plans to play Zimbabwe in the the sport’s new glo- first four-day test starting on Abal structure, the head of the Boxing Day in Port Elizabeth, international cricket players as part of their home sum- Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return during his 2nd round match against Jared Donaldson of the US at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament yesterday. union (FICA) Tony Irish has mer calendar for the 2017-18 said. season. Reuters there remains work to do.” The International Cricket Cricket South Africa (CSA) Shanghai Fognini fi ned for sexist outburst He last fi nished the year as world Council (ICC) will meet in are awaiting approval for the number one in 2013. Auckland this week, where four-day, day/night fixture, Paris: Italian Fabio Fognini was fined to ban me from the next Australian Federer shows no sign of giving up announcements on separate which would also be their afael Nadal and Roger Federer $96,000 (81,000 euros) and hit with a Open, I will accept the decision, because the chase but had to battle hard against league structures for Tests first home ‘pink ball’ Test. resumed their battle for the suspended ban from two Grand Slams actions have consequences, and I need Schwartzman — letting slip a break in the and 50-over cricket are ex- However, Irish was con- year-end number one rank- on Wednesday for having insulted an to pay for what I did,” Fognini told Italian fi rst set to get dragged into a tiebreak. pected to be made. cerned that countries trialing ing with imperious victories to umpire at the US Open. Sky Sports TV a month ago. The 36-year-old Swiss always had an Irish, the chief executive four-day tests on a random reachR the third round of the Shanghai extra shot in his locker though and, hav- of the Federation of Interna- basis may lead to confusion Fognini was kicked out of the US Open “I am aware of the severity of my mis- Masters yesterday. and fined $24,000 at the time for launch- take, I take full responsibility for it.” ing taken the opener, broke serve straight tional Cricketers’ Associa- and uncertainty around the Top seed Nadal extended his win- ing a sexist tirade at Swedish female away in the second set to move towards tions urged stakeholders of format. ning streak to 13 matches with a 6-2, 6-1 umpire Louise Engzell after a first round victory. He fi nished off the contest with the game not to look at ad hoc “If the ICC for example is demolition of American Jared Donaldson defeat to Italian compatriot Stefano his 14th ace, setting up a third round clash solutions to Test cricket. coming up with a new league in the Qi Zhong Stadium before world Travaglia at the end of August. against Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov. “Any proposed change structure for test cricket then number two Federer, to the delight of his The world No.28 has been warned that “It was a good win, very happy with my needs to fit into whatever how does playing four-day sizeable Chinese fan club, got the bet- if he re-off ends between now and the fi rst match,” Federer said. “I knew he was the new overall global struc- tests fit into that and what ter of Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman end of 2019, he will be banned from two dangerous. I could have closed the fi rst ture is going to be,” he said in are the advantages and dis- 7-6(4), 6-4. Grand Slams, one of which will be the US set out earlier but I started the second set quotes published by the Tel- advantages of four days, as Nadal, who leads Federer by 2,370 Open. very well.” egraph newspaper. opposed to five days, in that points going into the home straight of a However, if he keeps out of trouble his Spaniard Nadal, who like Federer has “If one looks at the concept structure,” he added. season in which the two old rivals have fine will be halved. won the Shanghai title once, will face in isolation... then it’s pretty “If there are not significant shared out the game’s biggest prizes, “Mr Fognini accepts and will not appeal Italy’s Fabio Fognini next. obvious that traditionalists, advantages in making the was unstoppable against Donaldson and this decision and he has expressed re- Eighth seed David Goffi n’s hopes of which includes many players structure and schedule better needed only 54 minutes to prevail. morse for his admitted misconduct,” said qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals who consider Test cricket as then why change? “It was a very quick match in all as- the Grand Slam Board in a statement. suff ered a blow when he lost 7-6(4), 6-3 the pinnacle of the game, are “If there are significant pects,” Nadal, bidding to end a year on top Shortly after being kicked out of the US to Gilles Simon, while sixth seed Grigor not going to be in favour of a advantages then these need for the fourth time in his career, said. Open, Fognini, 30, appeared contrite and Dimitrov had to save match points on the change to four days.” to be understood before de- “If the year-end ranking happens, it said already he would accept whatever way to beating Ryan Harrison 3-6, 6-3 Test matches have wit- cisions are simply made to will be, I think, a very important achieve- punishment the Grand Slam Board 7-6(6). nessed a decline in attend- change the format.” ment for me. decided to impose. Seventh seed Pablo Carreno Busta also “With so many years of diff erence I “Should (the Grand Slam Board) decide went out, losing 7-5, 7-5 to fellow Span- think it’s something very diffi cult. But iard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. PUNISHMENT HONG KONG OPEN Kyrgios fi ned for Venus eclipsed by Japan’s rising star Naomi Osaka storming off court

AFP Kyrgios’s time at the Shang- AFP Osaka, who made headlines when she Sharapova triumphs in Tianjin opener Shanghai hai Masters is over after he also Hong Kong knocked Angelique Kerber out of the US pulled out of his scheduled dou- Open in the fi rst round last month, con- Tianjin: Maria Sharapova made an — plays unseeded Magda Linette of bles match with Frenchman Lu- tinued in the same vein at the start of the impressive start to the Tianjin Open Poland next. emperamental Aus- cas Pouille yesterday. enus Williams suff ered a shock second set and raced into a 5-0 lead. yesterday by beating Romania’s Irina- The 30-year-old Sharapova, who tralian Nick Kyrgios He apologised after walking exit in the second round of the “I felt like I played off ensively and hit Camelia Begu in straight sets. returned to tennis in April after serving was fi ned $10,000 and off court on Tuesday, having WTA Hong Kong Open yester- really deep hard balls but she had the luck Seeded ninth, Begu loomed as a tricky a suspension for taking the banned Tlost another $21,085 lost the fi rst-set tie break to the day, comprehensively beaten today and could return those balls even first-round opponent for Sharapova, substance meldonium, has yet to win a in prize money yesterday after American Steve Johnson. V7-5, 6-2 by teenager Naomi Osaka. harder and deeper,” said Williams. storming off midway through his In a statement posted on but the former world number one from tournament since then. Japan’s top-ranked player reeled off Williams briefl y rallied to 5-2, but after Russia swept to a 6-4, 6-2 victory. The five-times Grand Slam winner fi rst-round match at the Shang- Twitter a few hours later he said eight consecutive games at one stage to a pep talk from Osaka’s coach, the Japa- However, two-time Wimbledon cham- exited the China Open last week in the hai Masters. that he had a “stomach bug” and power into the quarter-fi nals. nese refocused and closed out the match pion Petra Kvitova suff ered a shock third round at the hands of Romania’s World number one Rafael had hurt his shoulder. The tweet It all seemed to be going to plan for on her serve at the second time of asking defeat, going out to local hope Zhu Lin Simona Halep, the newly crowned Nadal meanwhile raced into the later appeared to have been de- second seed Williams when she broke the after an hour and 24 minutes. in three sets. world number one. third round in just 54 minutes leted. It was a nasty case of deja 19-year-old Osaka in the fi fth game of the “Venus is someone I’ve respected and Currently ranked 86th after returning But Sharapova had no such trouble as he attempts to win one of the vu for the world number 21 — a opening set. admired,” said Osaka, who was not born from a 15-month doping ban, Shara- against Begu, seeing off the 57th- rare tournaments that has elud- year ago he argued with specta- But then the American’s fi rst serve de- when Williams reached her fi rst Grand pova — granted a wildcard in Tianjin ranked Romanian in 82 minutes. ed him. But it was the 22-year- tors and was accused of giving serted her when serving for the set at 5-4. Slam fi nal at the 1997 US Open. old Kyrgios who was again in the away points in a defeat at the Two double faults and a series of fi erce “I’ve grown up watching her. Even spotlight following what was same Shanghai event. ground strokes from Osaka which unerr- though she someone I admire, it’s just just his latest controversy on The talented but fi ery Kyrgios ingly kissed the lines enabled the world another opponent at the end of the day so rivalry at Victoria Park after setting a a great serve I knew I had to take my Tuesday. was consequently fi ned and sus- number 64 to break twice and take the I tried to focus hard.” record for the longest-ever women’s sin- chances on her second serve.” The ATP said it had fi ned Kyr- pended. set 7-5. “She played well,” a disappointed Earlier, the seventh seed Daria Gavrilo- gles match last month, with a three hours Rogers had come out on top 7-6, 4-6, gios for unsportsmanlike con- His immediate future in ten- 37-year-old Williams told reporters. va battled into the quarter-fi nals with a and 33 minute epic at the US Open. 7-6 in their marathon New York encoun- duct and he will not collect his nis is again under threat follow- “You know, I made a few errors at 5-4 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 win over American Shelby “I was really motivated,” said world ter but on this occasion Gavrilova raced to prize money because he failed to ing Tuesday’s incident, when and after that she played pretty fl awless. Rogers. number 22 Gavrilova after avenging her victory in the fi rst set 6-1 in just 26 min- get signed off for a medical after he hastily exited the court with I can only give her credit.” Rogers and Gavrilova renewed their Flushing Meadows defeat. “She has such utes. retiring from his match. jeers and boos ringing in his ears.