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Home , Amalie Dideriksen, Amber Neben, Annemiek van Vleuten, Chloe Hosking, Ellen van Dijk, Firebrand (DC Comics)

TENNIS | Page 3 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 5 Djokovic Bravo fi rm stunned by aft er Samuels To Advertise here Agut, Murray departs in Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 cruises fi rst Test

Sunday, October 16, 2016 FOOTBALL Muharram 15, 1438 AH Man City and GULF TIMES Spurs stumble as Arsenal advance SPORT Page 7

UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016 Dane Dideriksen stuns Wild to clinch world title ‘I dreamed of a top ten... my teammates were amazing today, I had a small crash and they brought me back’

Denmark's (second right) sprints to win the women's elite road race at the 2016 UCI Road World Championships in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram

By Sports Reporter 2017) for instance, we can go there in a pion attacked one after Doha group of women who can really pull to- each other with mainly the Americans gether and that’s an exciting prospect.” neutralising their attempts. Before the riders even left When the Dutch tornado faded, Am- malie Dideriksen edged out Foundation, the Italians had to cope ber Neben took advantage. The fresh pre-race favourite Kirsten with a serious setback, because two- World Cham- Wild with a well-timed sprint time world champion and ace pion escaped from the bunch and to win the women’s road race couldn’t start due to quickly built a 50-second gap. Great Aworld title at the Pearl yesterday. illness. Once the fl ag was dropped for Britain, with defending champion Liz- In a tense and tactical 134.5km race, the offi cial start after a few kilometres zie Deignan and , in service of where all the big players traded moves, of neutral zone, Japanese Eri Yonamine sprinting ace , led most the 20-year-old double junior world attacked. She quickly built a 25-sec- of the chase with Dutch and German champion from took on the ond gap with the peloton watching help. Neben got caught with only one dominant Dutch team and grabbed the her go. At the back of the bunch Noura lap to go. She eventually fi nished 98th. rainbow stripes in a thrilling fi nish. Alameeri crashed at about the same The Dutch gathered to organise the “I dreamed of a top ten... my team- time Yonamine attacked and the Ku- sprint for . Great Britain mates were amazing today, I had a small waiti seemed to have broken her col- and Canada tried to set up their own crash and they brought me back. I’m larbone. Her sister and only team mate trains, but the Dutch would not have it just really happy,” says Dideriksen af- Nada waited for her to get back on the any other way. ter the race, who admitted her win ‘is a bike, but both riders quit the race just With , Olym- surprise for everybody’. after it had started. pic Champion Dideriksen overcame the disparity in suff ered a mechanical and three-fold world champion Mari- number of teammates compared to her problem on the way from Qatar Foun- anne Vos, Wild had the best lead-out rivals to beat Wild on her birthday, who dation to the Pearl, but she quickly one could ever dream of, but the Dutch looked bemused to see Dideriksen mo- returned to the peloton. Yonamine en- train had a stowaway wagon with Di- tor past her at the fi nish line. The race tered the seven laps and 15.2 kilometre deriksen behind them, and she ran seemed entirely in Wild’s grasp, but she of Pearl Qatar fi rst and had a 35-second away with the title in the end. struggled to pull away and was caught lead with seven laps to go at the fi rst The men’s race takes place on Sun- cold by Dideriksen’s blistering fi nish. passage of the fi nish line. With the Brit- day, with Mark Cavendish bidding for The 2013 and 2014 junior world ish and the Belgians up front, the pelo- a second world title following his 2011 champion Dideriksen sat in the From Left: The ’ silver medallist Kirsten Wild, champion Amalie Dideriksen of Denmark and Finland’s bronze ton got nearer to Yonamine and when triumph in . 33-year-old’s wheel and passed her medallist Lotta Lepisto celebrate on the podium. the gap was diminished to a mere twen- in the fi nal 50m to take the title. Di- ty seconds, Swiss Nicole Hanselmann RESULTS WOMEN’S ROAD deriksen only had two teammates – the front to force a change of pace in the “It would’ve been good if there were front. My teammates, although they’re decided to jump after the Japanese. She RACE (134.5KM) and Cecile Uttrup Ludwig peloton. more breakaways. But I’m not really not the strongest riders around, stuck caught up and the two of them stayed 1. Amalie Dideriksen (Denmark), 3:10:27” – in the small Danish team. Finland’s “I knew the Dutch girls were going disappointed,” she explained and added together. The national spirit was there ahead for more than a full lap. 2. Kirsten Wild (Netherlands) Lotta Lepisto came third and defend- to lead out Kirsten Wild, and I wanted that despite losing the gold medal, her for all to see,” said the Finn. Wild suff ered a crash at a roundabout, 3. Lotto Lepisto (Finland) ing champion Britain’s to be in that wheel so badly. It was a birthday party will defi nitely occur: Deignan sounded satisfi ed with her but she was brought back to the bunch 4. Lizzie Deignan (Great Britain) ended a tough year with a fourth- hard fi ght for that wheel with the other “It’s my birthday today and I’m going show and gave credit to the team. “I re- by teammate . With 5. () placed fi nish. girls,” the newly world champion said. to have a party tonight.” ally loved it, what a great team, they put the Dutch ladies extremely active in the 6. Roxanne Fournier () The strong Dutch team attempted to Wild, record winner in the Ladies The surprise bronze medal for Lepis- it all on the line,” said Deignan. front of the bunch, the two leaders were 7. Chloe Hosking (Australia) set the race alight with around 70km to , went full pace when Vos to was the fi rst ever senior podium “We worked well and going forward caught with about fi ve laps to go. Amy 8. Sheyla Gutierrez () go as the likes of Marianne Vos, Ellen gave way, but her sprint was just not place at the championships for - that’s something I feel very positive Pieters, , Annemiek van 9. Joelle Numainville (Canada) van Dijk and Chantal Blaak attacked off enough this time. land. “I knew I had to always stay in the about. Looking forward to Norway (in Vleuten and three-time world cham- 10. Jolien D’Hoore (Belgium), all same time Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 16, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT UCI World Championships set for exciting fi nale Cavendish will be aiming for a second world title, but should a stern challenge from reigning champion Sagan

By Sports Reporter The No. 1 contender, because of his exper- Doha tise at riding in Qatar, is Tom Boonen. The Belgian has won the Tour of Qatar four times and has been stating his desire to win a second he UCI Road World Championships in Doha for years. Doha 2016 will reach its climax today But it won’t come easy for ‘Tommeke’. afternoon with the 257.3 km men’s Great Britain’s Mark Cavendish, arguably the elite road race, that will kick-start best sprinter in the world who dominated the Tfrom Aspire Zone and fi nish at The Pearl- bunch fi nishes in the last Tour de France, is Qatar. The world’s best cyclists will face each also a serious . other in a fl at course where crosswinds prom- So is Andre Greipel, a cyclist who has been ise to be a key factor. After the start at Aspire, up there, winning in every major race, and the riders will head north to the towns of Lu- who will probably share his captaincy in the sail and Al Khor before completing seven laps German team with two other fast men: Marcel of the Pearl-Qatar’where the race fi nishes. Kittel and John Degenkolb. The riding profi le of the favourites depends Two countries are capable of presenting on which city is the host and what type of double threats if it comes down to a sprint. course it off ers. Sometimes it’s about climb- France has Arnaud Demare and Nacer Bou- ing. In other cases, punchy riders capable of hanni, whose rivalry has been one of the most sharp uphill eff orts are the main contenders. interesting topics in pro cycling over the last Two years ago in Ponferrada, Spain every- years. Italy will line up both Track Olympic thing was decided in a breath-taking descent. Champion Elia Viviani and national champion In Doha, the fl at terrain means that it will all Giacomo Nizzolo. Two young guns are the probably come down to a thrilling mass sprint main outsiders: Australia’s Caleb Ewan, also and presumably to echelons, which is one of known as “The Pocket Rocket”, and Colom- the most diffi cult and beautiful strategies in bia’s Fernando Gaviria. cycling. In the race, a late attack could also be suc- Peter Sagan is arguably the biggest star in cessful. If so, one will probably see Niki Terp- pro cycling. He has all the traits that distin- stra up front. The Dutch showed strong legs at guish a true champion, from the physical gifts the Eneco Tour, the main warm-up race before to the winning mind-set . His won the UCI Doha Worlds. Also, Belgium’s Greg Van Aver- Mark Cavendish Road World Championships sooner in Rich- maet, Olympic Champion in the Road Race, mond 2015 thanks to a savvy, powerful solo at- will probably be involved in the exciting move tack in the last few kilometres. The Slovakian targeting victory in the world’s supreme cy- rider will be aiming for victory in Doha, where cling race. he will have to take advantage of his tactical Being parallel to the coast, the initial 150 skills and his fast sprint to successfully defend kilometres of this road race are bound to ech- his rainbow jersey. elons. If the wind blows, the race will probably Those who stood on the podium with him in blow too – for good. Richmond, Australia’s Michael Matthews and After that, those who reach The Pearl at Lithuania’s Ram nas Navardauskas, will also the head of the race, will have seven laps in contend with the biggest target in mind. Every the 15-kilometre circuit to try and settle their sprinter knows Doha is a precious chance to tactics for an exciting sprint where the most Peter Sagan become a World Champion. Thus, all of them skilled, smartest and fastest rider with get are bidding strongly for victory in this race. away with a victory and a rainbow jersey.

FOCUS VOLLEYBALL Massive turnout for Ride of Champions Al Arabi beat

By Sports Reporter Vinokourov were the prominent names in Ride of Champions, I immediately agreed Doha attendance. to be a part of it. Several colleagues from Rayyan to Braillard was all praise for the Ride of the Dutch Embassy also joined me. It was Champions. “As you know, the French a great experience for all of us,” she said. he Ride of Champions, a mass love cycling. So I am really happy to have Sheikh Khalid was delighted with the cycling event for fans during the been a small part of this event. Cycling is overall successful event. “The UCI Road clinch third UCI Road World Championships a healthy pastime and we will try to help World Championships Doha 2016 is the Doha 2016, proved to be an un- popularise it more in Qatar,” he said. biggest cycling competition to be held in Tforgettable celebration of cycling. Belgian ambassador Payot was excited the Middle East. We wanted a mass event A record number of 950 riders, be- to support the Ride of Champions event. of equal proportions to commemorate Super Cup title longing to 72 diff erent nationalities and “I came to the Ride of Champions to per- the occasion. I am so happy that almost residing in 38 countries, took part in the sonally support the initiative. The large 1,000 riders responded to our call to ac- event yesterday morning. The Ride was turnout of participants proves that cy- tion. It speaks volumes about our cycling By Sports Reporter League. the biggest-ever turnout of local and in- cling is a very popular sport here. It was culture,” he said. Doha Juma Faraj, captain of Al Arabi, ternational cyclists for an event organ- a perfect way to showcase the sport in the Some enthusiasts, like Saudi Arabian said: “The match against Rayyan ised in Qatar. The riders passed through country and help it grow further in the Omar al-Inizi, cycled all the way from is never easy. We are capable of diff erent parts of The Pearl-Qatar before region,” he said. their home country to Doha to be a part olders Al Arabi Club playing a high-level game and ending in a looped course, the exact place French ambassador Chevalier rode a of the experience. Others, like Australian completed a hat-trick we did exactly that. This one is where the elite women and men’s races bicycle with a French fl ag proudly at- Andrew Balfe, fl ew in from Dubai to at- of the Super Cup titles very big title. We are now highly would fi nish. tached, and enjoyed every moment of his tend the event. Vinokourov, who caught with a 3-0 victory over motivated to play the remaining A number of VIPs took part in the Ride of Champions experience. people’s eyes by riding a golden colour bi- AlH Rayyan Club on Friday. events of the domestic season at event, including French Secretary of State “I took two rounds of the circuit and cycle, was also thrilled to be a part of the At their home court, Al Arabi, the same level.” for Sport Thierry Braillard, the French it was quite an exhilarating experience. action. “I arrived at 5am and less than two the runners-up in the Asia Clubs Al Arabi went 6-1 up in the ambassador to Qatar Eric Chevalier, Such events bring the sport closer to the hours later I was at the starting line of the Championship in Myanmar in opening set thanks to Jorge Gar- Belgian ambassador Christophe Payot, public. I am confi dent that cycling will Ride of Champions, along with almost August, posted a dominant 25-17, cia Gonzalez service and did not Dutch ambassador Dr Bahia Tahzib-Lie, continue to prosper in Qatar in the com- 1,000 riders. Physically, it was really hard 25-13, 25-19 triumph in one hour look back. UCI President Brian Cookson and UCI ing days,” he opined. for me. But I was pleased to see so much and 10 minutes. This was the Brazilian pro Leandro Vissotto Road World Championships Doha 2016 Dutch ambassador Dr Bahia Tahzib- enthusiasm for my sport in Qatar. It was third time in a row that Al Arabi drilled thrilling spikes, while Local Organising Committee Chairman Lie participated in the Ride of Champions a perfect event,” said the former Olympic have defeated the rivals to win Miguel Dalma also entertained Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani. along with several other embassy staff gold medallist. the Super Cup, a one-off match with power-packed blows. Among cyclists, Belgian legend Eddy UCI Road World Championships Local members. She said she enjoyed the day. While each rider got a Ride of Champi- event played between the QVA Moved deftly by setter Seifed- Merckx and Kazakhstan’s 2012 Organising Committee Chairman Sheikh “You know, cycling is part of the Dutch ons jersey, those who rode the full course League and Emir Cup winners of dine Elmajid, Gonzalez, Moham- gold medallist Alexandre Khalid bin Ali al-Thani enjoys his ride. DNA. So when I was fi rst invited to the at least once were also awarded medals. the previous season. med Ibrahim, Thiago de Oliveira Last year, Al Arabi had won and Ahmed Bassam controlled both the titles but the net play from the middle in earned the right to play the event turns to shatter Rayyan’s game as they were runners-up in the plan.

A record number of 950 riders, belonging to 72 diff erent nationalities and residing in 38 countries, took part in the Ride of Champions yesterday. Al Arabi players celebrate after winning the Super Cup on Friday. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 3 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Wozniacki reaches Hong Kong Open fi nal Djokovic stunned AFP cheering her on. Many in the Hong Kong stadium gave a standing ovation when Jankovic walked off the court. ormer world number In another hard fought match, one Caroline Wozniacki Australian player Daria Gavrilo- fought her way to the va, ranked 38 in the world, lost to Hong Kong Open fi nals France’s Mladenovic 7-5, 6-3. by Agut, Murray Fyesterday after beating defend- Gavrilova was visibly upset, ing champion Jelena Jankovic. and threw her racket onto the The currently 22nd-ranked ground in frustration during Wozniacki will face France’s contested games in the second Kristina Mladenovic, ranked 54, set, which was played in the heat today. of the afternoon sun. “I’m looking forward to it, it’s “I think it was a big fi ght out a new day tomorrow and I’m go- there,” Mladenovic, 23, told re- eases through ing to do my best,” Wozniacki, porters after the match. 26, told reporters. Many were shocked on Friday “She played really well to- when Gavrilova eliminated top ‘I just don’t understand, you know, the decisions that he has made’ day so I was really pleased with ranked Angelique Kerber of Ger- the way I managed to still win many. this match in two sets,” she said Kerber, who is leading the way of Jankovic.Serbian Jankovic, to the WTA fi nals in Singapore, ranked 37, had a strong start but said after her Friday defeat that Wozniacki quickly took the lead the game was not her best and in the middle of the fi rst set and that she was looking forward to won the match 6-3, 6-4. some rest. Jankovic, also a former world “I’ve been playing a lot of number one, fought hard af- matches this year, and I think I ter falling four games behind in need a few days off to get ready the second set, with the crowds for Singapore,” she said.

Wozniacki reacts after winning a point against Jelena Jankovic during their Hong Kong Open semi-fi nal yesterday. (Reuters) Bautista Agut of Spain reacts after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the Novak Djokovic smashes his racket after losing a point against Roberto Bautista Agut in their Shanghai Masters semifi nal in Shanghai yesterday. (Reuters) Shanghai Masters semi-final in Shanghai yesterday. (AFP) Nadal calls for slower balls to prevent injury AFP The defending champion and he had also targeted during the slammed his racquet into the But a forehand into the net Shanghai 12-time Grand Slam winner was match. deck. brought up a fourth match point Rafael Nadal believes the modern game is too fast, increasing the broken four times and repeat- “I just don’t understand, you Djokovic grabbed a towel and on his own serve, and this time risk of injuries at elite level, and advocates the use of balls which edly lost his temper as he went know, the decisions that he has cleaned up his racquet splinters Bautista grabbed the opportu- bounce less to slow things down. The 30-year-old Spaniard, who has ndy Murray blasted his down 6-4, 6-4, much to the made,” Djokovic grumbled. as the second set got underway, nity as he arrowed a pass down won 14 Grand Slam titles in his career, has been blighted by injury way into the Shanghai dismay of his army of Chinese “When you go to change your but tempers frayed again at 1-1 the line. and believes the game should be slowed down to extend players’ Masters fi nal yester- fans. racquet, I went to change my over a serve he felt was long. Later, Murray was broken in careers at the top level. day but holder Novak The world number one has (ripped) shirt and then he gives “Are you seeing anything to- the very fi rst game in a warn- “Today, we play with much more strength. Almost any player can hit DjokovicA angrily smashed his been nosediving since he won me a warning. Well, he was the day? Are you seeing anything?” ing that he wouldn’t have it all a winning point from any position,” the current world number 5 told racquet and ripped his shirt his fi rst French Open title in star of the show. That’s what he fumed the Serb, gesticulating at his own way against Simon, Saturday’s edition of German magazine Der Spiegel. as he crashed out to Roberto June, losing early at Wimbledon wanted to be today.” Bernardes. despite his 14-2 record against Nadal says the fast pace of modern tennis often requires a violent Bautista. and the Olympics and com- Then Djokovic, angry at fail- the Frenchman. Murray became change of pace and direction which increases the risk of injury. Murray was made to work in plaining he had lost motivation. ‘Are you seeing anything?’ ing to secure a break point in irritated with line-calls and “The balls travel faster and when you want to return one, you may a rollercoaster fi rst set against And Djokovic, a three-time Nineteenth-ranked Bautista game fi ve, petulantly tore his spectators moving in the stands have to suddenly stop, while playing at a high tempo, or suddenly Gilles Simon featuring seven champion in Shanghai, lost his put away two brilliant fore- shirt at the neck and went to before he broke for the set by change direction,” he said. “It’s times like these that you can hurt breaks of serve, 37-shot rallies cool in a stormy appearance hands as he fought off break change it mid-game, receiving a sending a Simon lob straight yourself, it’s causing us injuries.” and bursts of irritable chat- at Shanghai’s Qi Zhong Ten- points in the ninth game, and he time violation warning. back over the Frenchman’s head. The former world number one has not reached a final since winning ter from the Scot. But he came nis Centre as his slump in form then pounced as Djokovic was They exchanged breaks be- Victory was a formality when the ATP tournament in Barcelona in April, his second title of the through 6-4, 6-3 to set up a fi nal continued. serving to stay in the fi rst set. fore Djokovic was broken again Murray went two breaks up in year. against Spain’s Bautista, who Djokovic admitted he “didn’t A sublime disguised lob set to be left staring at defeat — the second set, and he served it On Thursday, Nadal suggested he may call an early halt to his sea- extended top-ranked Djoko- feel good” mentally and he up break point and when Djoko- only to save three match points out after 103 minutes to set up son, and hit the practice courts to try to halt a slide in form after his vic’s miserable run of form with lashed out at Brazilian chair vic fi red wide to hand over the before getting it back on serve in an attempt at a third Shanghai first-round defeat at the Shanghai Masters. a thrilling win against the Serb. umpire Carlos Bernardes, who set, he snapped and repeatedly a tense game nine. title in today’s fi nal.

MOTORCYCLING Rossi takes pole for Japan Grand Prix

AFP “Before (the Saturday afternoon prac- never won in the premier race category. Motegi, Japan tice) we did a great job as a team, we The two-time world champion noted found a good balance. It will be impor- Yamaha have traditionally done well on tant to start from pole,” he said. the Honda circuit, known for its stop- ine-time world champion Val- “I am not at 100 %. I am quite sick and and-go layout with a lot of hard braking entino Rossi stormed to pole po- have diffi culty breathing,” Rossi said. and acceleration points. sition for today’s Grand Prix of “Race here is always very long and very “We are there. We are very close. We Japan after clocking the fastest demanding.” are very consistent with our lap time,” Ntime in qualifying, resuming his campaign His Yamaha teammate Lorenzo was Marquez said. “We are in the front row. to overtake championship leader Marc also content with his performance af- That was our main target.” Marquez. ter being launched from his bike in the The Yamaha man timed 1min morning. He was airlifted to a hospital Starting grid 43.954sec at the Twin Ring Motegi cir- to check for head trauma but was quickly 1st row cuit Saturday to grab his third pole of the declared fi t for the race. 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1min season, as he attempts to close a 52-point He was not able to stand up imme- 43.954sec, 2. Marc Marquez (ESP/Hon- gap against Honda’s Marquez, who will diately after the crash, with his left leg da) at 0.180sec, 3. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/ start from second on the grid after fi n- in particular pain. After the incident, Yamaha) 0.267 ishing 0.180sec behind the Italian, his helped by painkillers and adrenaline, 2nd row closest championship rival. Lorenzo said his bike started to feel bet- 4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 0.340, Defending world champion Jorge ter and his lap times began to improve. 5. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/LCR Honda) Lorenzo overcame a spectacular crash “Honestly, I was scared,” Lorenzo said 0.448, 6. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Suzuki) earlier in the day and earned the third of the crash. “All of my body was hurting. 0.540 fastest lap in qualifying to claim a spot I am happy with the front row. We have 3rd row on the front row, clocking 0.267sec after a good potential to fi ght for a victory to- 7. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) 0.585, his Yamaha teammate. morrow,” Lorenzo said. 8. Hector Barbera (ESP/Ducati) 1.026, 9. The second row will be occupied by His crash came a day after a nasty fall Pol Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha Tech3) 1.278 Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, LCR Honda’s during Friday’s practice by Dani Pedrosa, 4th row Cal Crutchlow and Suzuki’s Aleix Espar- who broke his collarbone and fl ew back 10. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati Pramac) garo. Rossi said his team had struggled to to Spain for an operation. 1.828, 11. Scott Redding (GBR/Ducati fi nd the right balance for their machine, Marquez said he was gathering mo- Pramac) 1.873, 12. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/ Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Italian rider Valentino Rossi gestures at the parc ferme after getting the pole position during while he himself felt weak. mentum on the circuit where he has Aprilia) (Fastest Q1 time - 1:45.614). the qualifying sessio at the Japanese Grand Prix in the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, October 16, 2016 SPORT

GOLF MACAU OPEN Friends Lahiri and Noren out in front Chikka share lead AFP Macau

ndia’s Anirban Lahiri and his friend Chikkarangappa S. set up an intriguing fi nal day shootout after edging one shot ahead of the chasing pack in the third round of the Venetian at British Masters Macao Open yesterday. IThe pair carded matching two-under-par 69s at the Macau Golf and Country Club to jointly lead the $1.1 million Asian Tour ‘...it’s not that easy to hold leads. Anybody can come from behind and shoot eight-under’ tournament on 10-under-par 203. Thai trio Rattanon Wannasrichan (65), Pavit Tangkamolpra- sert (68), Sutijet Kooratanapisan (70), Spaniard Carlos Pigem (69) and India’s Rashid Khan (66) were clustered a stroke back ’s Alex Noren in action during the third while another Thai, Chapchai Nirat, battled to a 69 to lie two off round of the British Masters yesterday. (Reuters) the pace. ’s Ian Poulter fought to a level par 71, leaving himself fi ve shots back and with an outside chance for a win in his fi rst tournament after a four-month injury layoff . Lahiri, 29, is reigning Asian Tour number one while the 23-year-old Chikkarangappa, who turned pro in 2013, is bidding for a maiden Tour title. “It’ll be tough. Chikka is a fi erce competitor, I know it. It’ll be good to battle it out with him. But it’s not just me and him as there are so many guys in it,” Lahiri, who won in Macau in 2014, said on the Asian Tour website. “You can’t rule anyone out,” he added. Chikkarangappa said he was looking forward to Sunday. “It’ll be a dream to play with Anirban. It’s been a long time since we last played competitive golf together. We’ll have a blast,” he said.

Leading scores after third round 203-Anirban Lahiri (IND) 66-68-69, Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 69-65-69 204-Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 68-71-65, Rashid Khan (IND) 69-69-66, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 69-67-68, Carlos Pigem (ESP) 64-71-69, Sutijet Kooratanapison (THA) 68-66-70 205-Chapchai Nirat (THA) 65-71-69 206-Chan Shih-chang (TPE) 71-69-66, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 67- 69-70, Kalem Richardson (AUS) 67-67-72 207-Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 71-67-69, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 68-69- 70 208-Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 71-70-67, Alex Cejka (GER) 68-73-67, Javi Colomo (ESP) 70-68-70, Ian Poulter (ENG) 64-73-71

Chikkarangappa S. of India plays a shot during the third round of the Venetian Macau Open at the Macao Golf and Country AFP round in this £3mn ($3.6mn, great. I’ve three-putted those Four players – Sweden’s Peter a share of 15th place at eight un- Club yesterday. (AFP) Watford, England 3.3mn euros) event one shot off a lot of times, so sometimes Hanson (66), Austria’s Bernd der par. the lead after taking a double bo- you’ve got to get lucky. Weisberger (67), South Africa’s gey at his fi nal hole on Friday. “Looking at the leaderboard I Richard Sterne (67) and Eng- Leading third round scores Ogier a point away from fourth title weden’s Alex Noren put -based Noren made am leading by three so hopefully land’s Tommy Fleetwood (68) 197-Alex Noren (SWE) 67-65-65 himself in position to be- up for some errant driving with a the weather stays all right and – are just a shot further back on 200-Richard Bland 67-64-69 Salou, Spain: Frenchman Sebastien Ogier’s cruise to a fourth come the fi rst three-time laser-like showing on the greens. there’s not too much rain. 12-under par. 201-Peter Hanson (SWE) 70-65- successive world rally championship edged even closer when his European Tour winner The now six-time Tour winner “But I know from experience Meanwhile England’s Lee 66, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) Volkswagen teammate and title rival Andreas Mikkelsen crashed thisS season in birdieing his clos- had three birdies in his opening that it’s not that easy to hold Westwood, rejuvenated after Eu- 68-66-67, Richard Sterne (RSA) out of the Rally of Catalonia yesterday. Mikkelsen had been ing two holes for a three-shot 10 holes before also birdieing the leads. Anybody can come from rope’s Ryder Cup defeat by the 66-68-67, Tommy Fleetwood lying in third in the race when he smashed into a barrier on the lead on the third day of the Brit- 15th ahead of his superb fi nish. behind and shoot eight-under. United States, could not be dis- 66-67-68 12th speed stage and flipped his Polo R before coming to a stop ish Masters. “I struggled off the tee and You never know. I’m just trying counted in posting a 67 to share 202-Marcel Siem (GER) 69-68- against a tree. Noren holed a monster birdie seemed to be always landing my to work on the things I work on seventh place at 11-under par. 65, Lee Westwood 67-68-67 Thankfully the Norwegian and his co-pilot were unhurt, but putt on the last hole on The shots in the crowd, but I thought with my coach and with my cad- But crowd favourite Andrew 203-Graeme McDowell 68-68-67 won’t take part in the rest of yesterday’s racing meaning Grove course near Watford, to myself, ‘if I get it around, keep die and if I manage to pull it off , I ‘Beef’ Johnston had a disap- 204-Jorge Campillo (ESP) 71- Mikkelsen cannot now catch Ogier. For Ogier to be denied the north of London, as he complet- the putter good and there’s a do, but otherwise, you know, you pointing day after fi nishing the 66-67, Marc Warren 66-69-69, title, he would have to miss out on the points this weekend and ed a second straight six under chance for tomorrow (Sunday)’,” go on.” second round in joint second Alexander Levy (FRA) 70-66-68, the remaining two races of the season, whilst Belgian Thierry par 65 for a 16-under par tally. he said. England’s Richard Bland, in place. Tyrrell Hatton 68-66-70, Scott Neuville needs to win all the remaining races plus the power The 34-year-old, who became “On 18, it was an amazing his 396th Tour event, has not The Englishman, who got his Jamieson 68-65-71 stage at each rally. a father this year, captured July’s feeling because I thought it was given up hope of a maiden suc- start in golf at the nearby North 205-Pelle Edberg (SWE) 69- Mikkelsen’s retirement allowed Neuville to move up to third in Scottish Open and then late last a tough putt, and you can eas- cess in birdieing two of his clos- Middlesex club, had three bird- 69-67, Shane Lowry 68-70-67, the race, but he remains behind Ogier, who closed the gap on month won the European Mas- ily three-putt that and come off ing four holes in a score of 69 ies but also three bogeys, includ- Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 68-69-68, race leader Dani Sordo to just 5.2 seconds by winning the 10th, ters in Switzerland. with a sour taste in your mouth. that put him in second spot at ing a 12th hole double bogey, in Lee Slattery 67-70-68, Andrew 11th and 12th speed test. Noren started Saturday’s third “So to see that putt drop feels 13-under par. his score of 73 that left him with Johnston 67-65-73.

SAFEWAY OPEN Haas makes up ground as Piercy maintains lead

AFP 136 and the clubhouse lead. ward eff orts off the tee to post Los Angeles Piercy, who fi red a course- a second straight 69 for a six- record 62 on Thursday, was under total that had him tied for four-under through 10 holes 10th at the end of play. ill Haas defi ed diffi cult when play was halted, and atop Mickelson hit only six of 14 weather conditions to the leaderboard on 14-under fairways and pulled his drive thrust himself into con- par. out of bounds at the par-four tention on Friday at the Piercy’s day was highlighted 13th. USB PGA Tour Safeway Open, by a hole out for eagle at the par- “I certainly didn’t drive it the where Scott Piercy remained fi ve ninth hole. way I need to but that’s my game atop the leaderboard when dark- American Johnson Wagner — I’m not the most accurate guy, ness halted the rain-delayed was 12-under through 14 holes but I get an iron in my hand and second round. and England’s Paul Casey was I can make a birdie,” said Mick- Haas, playing in the marquee 11-under through 12 when play elson, who has made 11 birdies in group on Thursday and Friday was halted for the day. the fi rst two rounds. with Phil Mickelson and defend- Casey was three-under four “This is some of the best iron ing champion Emiliano Grillo, the day after fi ve birdies and two play that I’ve had,” Mickelson teed off early in the worst of the bogeys. said. wind and rain in Napa, Califor- World number 12 Casey — “Given the challenge that nia, north of San Francisco. who fi nished the 2015-16 season we’ve had judging distance be- They played just three holes with back-to-back runner-up cause the ball is going about before play was suspended. fi nishes and a fourth-place at 10 to 15 yards less than normal “If we had not gotten to stop, the US PGA Tour Champion- distance, then you’ve got a lit- it would have been very diffi cult ship — says he’s looking at the tle bit of wind, a little bit of rain for us,” Haas said. fi rst tournament of the US PGA and soft spongy greens, it’s been “Those three holes we started Tour’s 2016-17 season not so some of my best iron play.” with this morning were very dif- much as a fresh start, but as a The tournament at the Sil- fi cult. You couldn’t really even chance to fi nish out the calendar verado resort lost some of its see your ball, it was raining and year on a high note. luster when 14-time major windy.” He’s seeking his fi rst US PGA champion Tiger Woods pulled Bill Haas lines up a putt on the fi rst hole during the After a delay of more than two Tour title since 2009. out on Monday, after targeting second round of the Safeway Open at the North hours, Haas returned and com- While Haas climbed up the the tournament as his return Course of the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, pleted a two-under par 70 that leaderboard, playing partner from an injury absence of more California. (Getty Images/AFP) gave him an eight-under total of Mickelson survived some way- than a year. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 5 CRICKET

FOCUS Indian skipper Dhoni relying more on Kohli

AFP take over the mantle in the shorter drastically diff erent than what we Dharamsala formats as well. were used to,” the wicketkeeper- “I have already started using batsman said. him (Kohli) more. There is more “You only evolve with time and ndian one-day skipper Ma- interaction with him and that’s that’s what I am trying to do. I am hendra Singh Dhoni said yes- evident if you watch the game,” sharing my experience with the terday he has started relying Dhoni told reporters in Dharam- youngsters and putting more em- more on his younger team- sala on the eve of the fi rst ODI phasis on my fi tness.” Imate Virat Kohli, who is tipped against New Zealand. Kiwi batsman Luke Ronchi said to take over the captaincy in the Dhoni said he often chats with his side were banking on their re- shorter formats of the game. Kohli on team strategy. cent good form in the ODIs to come Firebrand Kohli, 27, was named “If I am not on the same page, back strongly against the hosts. skipper of the Indian Test side af- I will explain why I think this may “It’s a completely diff erent ball ter Dhoni quit the captaincy mid- not work. And let’s say if I go with game now, completely diff erent way through the Australia tour in my decision and if it doesn’t work cricket, a cricket which we have December 2014. then it gives me a fresh view...” been playing really well for a while Since then, Kohli has led India India, who blanked the Kiwis now,” he said at the pre-match to Test victories against , 3-0 in the Test series, will play fi ve press conference. “We are a good South Africa, West Indies, and one-dayers before taking on Eng- ODI team and if we can continue more recently New Zealand, to land in a fi ve-Test series in an ex- playing the way we have been propel the side to the number one ceptionally busy home season. playing for a while now, it’s going ranking in the longest format of Dhoni, whose Bollywood biopic to make for an interesting series.” the game. is enjoying a good run at the box The Kiwis have been bolstered Dhoni, 35, however seems to be offi ce, said he was still trying to by the return of Tim Southee, New Zealand captain Kane losing his Midas touch after lead- evolve as a player and was concen- whose 135 one-day wickets put Williamson bats at the nets ing India to victory in the 2011 trating on his fi tness. him at the top of the chart of New on the eve of the first ODI World Cup fi nal. “A lot of things have changed Zealand’s current players. against hosts India. (AFP) In fact, Dhoni’s last signifi cant since I made my debut in 2004. Corey Anderson, who has the ODI innings was an unbeaten 92 The way cricket is played has highest strike of any New Zealand against South Africa in October changed. The kind of players that player in ODI history, is also back 2015, leading to calls for Kohli to are coming in the Indian team are from an ankle injury. DAY/NIGHT TEST Bravo to shake a leg in Indian dance show est Indies cricketing ical icons, with a special shoutout star Dwayne Bravo to his big-hitting teammate Chris Wannounced plans to Gayle. The accompanying music Bravo, Samuels lead take his talents to the dance floor video featuring a shirtless Gayle by joining an Indian celebrity went viral, having clocked 932,573 dance competition, months after views on YouTube to date. making waves with his acclaimed Bravo, who quit Test cricket hip hop anthem ‘Champion’. last year, plies his trade in T20 “I am very excited to be a part leagues across the world, includ- of this show and to do something ing in the Indian Premier League diff erent. I just want to have fun and the Big Bash in Australia. Windies fi ghtback and enjoy,” Bravo, 33, told report- ers ahead of his first perform- ance in Jhalak Dikhla Ja, the Indian version of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. “These days, cricket and entertainment go together... Dancing is definitely harder than as Pak take charge cricket,” added Bravo, who was a part of the West Indies squad that played against Pakistan in a Patient Bravo (87), adventurous Samuels (76) help West Indies to 315-6, but Twenty20 series last month. The all-rounder might well take still trail Pakistan’s massive 579-3 by 264 runs with just four wickets in hand inspiration from former England bowler Darren Gough, who won the third series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. Darren Bravo was a Bravo launched the track picture of patience ‘Champion’ in Mumbai in March and concentration during the World Twenty20 com- during his 258-ball petition which his side went on knock of 87. (AFP) to win after beating England. The lyrics of the song mention various sporting heroes and polit-

BANGLADESH vs ENGLAND Broad hopes Cook will return to lead England in fi rst Test AFP remaining in contention. Chittagong Duckett made his case strong- er with a fl uent innings of 59 off 63 balls in the warm-up match ngland cricketer Stuart against Bangladesh Cricket Broad said yesterday the Board XI yesterday. team was hopeful cap- Hameed, however, was tain Alastair Cook would dismissed for 16. returnE to lead the side in time for Broad hailed both Duckett and the fi rst Test against Bangladesh Hameed. next week. “He’s a hugely impressive Cook arrived in Bangladesh player. I bowled to him in the early to acclimatise, but returned nets yesterday,” Broad said of home on October 11 for the birth Duckett, who also hit two crucial of his second child. half-centuries in England’s 2-1 An England and Wales win in the preceding one-day in- Cricket Board spokesman said ternational series. that Cook’s wife Alice Hunt “He scores in slightly diff er- was expected to give birth soon ent areas. He’s quite awkward but they were not sure when he to bowl to and he sticks to his would be back. game plan. He’s had such a bril- Joe Root led the England Test liant breakthrough year both in AFP wicket to play some attractive shots that man Sohail Khan as he missed an incom- doesn’t reverse. You have to bowl with the squad in their fi rst warm-up red-ball and white-ball cricket Dubai helped the visitors chip away at Pakistan’s ing delivery and was caught right infornt. wet ball with dew. match of the tour in the absence domestically and he’s been bril- massive fi rst-innings total. Samuels cracked 13 boundaries in his 139- “We are trying our best... bowling slow, of Cook, who is set to miss their liant in Bangladesh so far. So his Having announced his arrival at the ball stay. short-pitched. It’s shiny on both sides, fi nal two-day warm-up fi xture, confi dence is very high.” est Indies, replying to Paki- crease with consecutive fours off leg- Pakistan had looked for quick wick- the ball loses its shape with dew as well,” beginning today. But Broad said of Hameed that stan’s 579-3 declared, were spinner Yasir Shah, he continued to pep- ets after West Indies resumed at 69-1 added Riaz. Broad, who is expected to win he had “a really nice calm aura 315-6 at the close of play on per the off -side boundary with excellent and were rewarded with one when Shah his 100th Test cap in the fi rst Test about him when he’s practicing, the third day of the fi rst day- cuts and drives. bowled Brathwaite for 32 with a delivery Scoreboard on October 20, said he had spo- and certainly in the middle”. nightW Test in Dubai yesterday. Samuels hit 13 fours in all, the best of which turned slightly and beat the bat. ken to Cook, who promised to “He knows his gameplan for Pakistan (1st innings) ...... 579-3 decl. Shane Dowrich (27) and Jason Holder which was probably an exquisitely timed Pakistan’s big total was built around West Indies (1st innings, overnight 69-1) return in time. such a young guy, and has been (10) were at the crease at stumps with the on drive after skipping to the pitch of a ball opener Azhar Ali’s unbeaten 302 which is K Brathwaite lbw Shah ...... 32 “As far as we know he’s coming hugely impressive in the con- West Indies still trailing Pakistan’s fi rst from Mohamed Nawaz. the fourth triple century for his country. L Johnson lbw Shah ...... 15 back for the Test,” Broad told re- ditions so far,” he added of the innings total by 264 runs. After his departure, Bravo kept fi ght The remaining two Tests will be played D Bravo c Ali b Nawaz ...... 87 porters in Chittagong yesterday. 19-year-old Lancashire bats- West Indies still need 65 runs to avoid going with his 16th half-century, but his in Abu Dhabi (October 21-25) and Sharjah M Samuels lbw Sohail ...... 76 “I spoke to him today a little bit man. “We are not sure when the follow-on. Darren Bravo scored 87 fi ght ended in the fi nal half hour of play (October 30-November 3). J Blackwood c Ahmed b Riaz ...... 37 and he seems very confi dent he’ll Cooky comes back, and we are and Marlon Samuels made 76. For Paki- when he prodded debutant Mohamed Na- Pakistan left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz, R Chase c Azam b Riaz ...... 6 be coming back. not sure what the side will be for stan, Yasir Shah and Wahab Riaz took two waz to Azhar Ali at forward short leg. who took two wickets — of Blackwood and S Dowrich (batting) ...... 27 “Obviously family comes fi rst, Thursday, so it’s a great opportu- wickets apiece. The Dubai stadium pitch has not taken Chase — in successive overs with a barrage J Holder (batting) ...... 10 so if anything happens back there nity for everyone to impress.” Bravo followed up Samuels’ half-cen- much turn which Pakistan could have ex- of bouncers, said it was a diffi cult pitch. Extras (b9, lb8, nb7, w1) ...... 25 I’m sure he’ll stay with his wife Bangladesh and England will tury to keep Pakistan at bay for the better ploited as Bravo and Samuels were steady “The pitch plays diff erently. Under Total (6 wickets, 109 overs) ...... 315 and take care of things there. I’m play two Tests in the series with part of the day. Pakistan, who removed in the two-hour session. light, it skids on. Otherwise it was keep- Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Johnson), 2-69 sure he’ll be keen to be at the toss the fi rst beginning in Chittagong overnight batsman Kraig Brathwaite in the Samuels took a single off spinner Nawaz ing slow. We had a plan against these bats- (Brathwaite), 3-182 (Samuels), 4-259 (Black- here on Thursday morning.” on October 20. second over of the day, were left frustrated to reach his 24th Test fi fty and continued men, the way Blackwood was playing. wood), 5-266 (Chase), 6-300 (Bravo) England were seemingly still Before the fi rst Test, Eng- by the 118-run stand for the third wicket in an aggressive style with 13 boundaries. “With the new ball, we took our chanc- Bowling: Amir 19-4-48-0 (1nb), Sohail 16-2- undecided about Cook’s opening land will play another two-day between Samuels and Bravo. He looked set for his fi rst hundred since es. It is hard work on this surface. 56-1, Shah 36-14-97-2, Riaz 19.3-3-53-2 (5nb, partner, with Ben Duckett and warm-up match against the BCB Samuels made the most of a placid April last year but fell leg-before to pace- “With the pink ball, it gets softer and 1w), Nawaz 16-5-38-1 (1nb), Ali 2.3-1-6-0 teenager Haseeb Hameed both XI, which starts today. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, October 16, 2016 SPORT

BASEBALL Bolt sets last race in Jamaica for June amaica’s Olympic sprint magazine programme. The Racers champion Usain Bolt will run Grand Prix will be held on June 10. Jhis last race on home soil at The Jamaican, who drew down Indians down Blue June’s Racers Grand Prix before the curtain on his Olympic career retiring from competition two in August by securing a sweep of months later. The 30-year-old, the sprint titles for a third succes- who won the 100 metres at this sive Games, will resume training year’s Racers Grand Prix, has al- next month. Bolt has wild card ready said he plans to retire from entries for both the 100 and 200 the sport after the Aug. 5-13 world metres at the worlds but remains championships in London having undecided on whether he will Jays in series opener won nine Olympic gold medals. run one or both events, saying “The Racers Grand Prix will be only it will be his last competi- my last race in Jamaica people, tion. “Yes I am definitely going to The home win in Cleveland gives the Indians the upper hand in the best of it will be the last time I run in retire after the world champion- Jamaica,” Bolt told Television ships in London, that will be my seven series that will send the winner to Major League Baseball’s World Series Jamaica’s ‘Smile Jamaica’ morning last one,” said Bolt.

AFP Los Angeles

rancisco Lindor belted a two-run home run to power the Cleveland Indians to a 2-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in game one of theirF American League Championship Series. The home win in Cleveland gives the Indians the upper hand in the best-of- seven series that will send the winner to Major League Baseball’s World Series. Starting pitcher Corey Kluber threw 6 1/3 innings for the Indians and combined with two relievers on the seven-hit shut- Usain Bolt (right) with Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness out. Toronto’s Marco Estrada pitched a (centre) and fellow athlete Asafa Powell during a reception for the complete game surrendering six hits with athlete at Holness’ residence in Kingston on Friday. (Reuters) fi ve strikeouts and one walk. The walk put Jason Kipnis on base in the sixth. Estrada then delivered a 78 mph, RUGBY/ FOUR NATIONS 0-2 changeup to Lindor that the Indians’ All-Star shortstop belted over the wall in center fi eld. “Oh, man, it was unreal,” Lindor said, Roos too strong for adding that he was expecting Toronto center fi elder Kevin Pillar was going to make the catch. “As soon as it went out I Kiwis in warm-up put my hands out and said, ‘Thank God,’” Lindor added. “And I looked at the dugout Agencies May. The Kangaroos open their and everybody was going insane.” Perth Four Nations campaign against Kluber threw 100 pitches, 71 of them Scotland at Hull on October 28, strikes. He struck out six and walked two while the Kiwis tackle England at before departing with one out in the sev- ustralia’s Kangaroos Huddersfi eld on October 29. enth. By then he’d had to work his way out boosted their Four Na- of trouble several times. tions rugby league thump Leicester The Blue Jays put runners on base hopes with an impres- in Champions Cup opener in each of the fi rst three innings, only Asive 26-6 win over top-ranked for Kluber to hold them to 0-for-5 with New Zealand in Perth yesterday. : Glasgow launched their runners in scoring position through four Greg Inglis scored a double as the European Champions Cup cam- frames. Kangaroos ran in fi ve tries to one paign with a crushing 42-13 vic- “I think their whole lineup is danger- to down the Kiwis after leading tory over English Premiership ous,” Kluber said of the Blue Jays. “I made 8-6 at half-time. Test debutant side Leicester at Scotstoun yes- some mistakes early on, and they were winger Valentine Holmes also terday. Leonardo Sarto ran in a able to take advantage of them for base scored along with fullback Darius pair of tries with Fraser Brown, hits. But it’s really just trying to stick with Boyd and back-rower Boyd Cord- Henry Pyrgos and Mark Bennett that same approach. Get ahead of them ner with Johnathan Thurston also crossing the whitewash for and put them in defensive counts. landing three goals. The Kiwis, Glasgow as they claimed a bo- “So, yeah, there were some stressful in- who fi elded a powerful forward nus-point win in Pool 1. nings early on, but it wasn’t like the wheels pack and were favourites to win, Brendon O’Connor’s early try were spinning kind of thing. I was doing a could only score through back- had nudged the visiting Tigers, good job of getting ahead in the count, I just rower Kevin Proctor with Issac twice former European champi- didn’t make good pitches once I was there, Luke kicking the conversion. ons, ahead but the Warriors re- so it was just trying to fi x that issue.” Australia were on top early sponded with three tries in eight Kluber departed to chants of apprecia- to lead 8-0 after 15 minutes minutes to enter half-time with a tion from the crowd, Andrew Miller taking with Boyd crossing in the ninth 22-13 advantage. over with one out in the seventh. Closing minute. Inglis scored his fi rst try Intercept tries from Scotland pitcher Cody Allen pitched the ninth to six minutes later when he fi elded centre Bennett and Italy wing record the save. Cleveland Indians players Francisco a Holmes kick to give the Kanga- Sarto took the game away from Game two is in Cleveland, when the In- Lindor (left) and Rajai Davis celebrate roos an 8-0 lead. Leicester after the interval, with dians send Josh Tomlin to the mound and after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays. The Kiwis fought back adding 14 points the Blue Jays give the ball to JA Happ. The (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) and Proctor broke through with the boot on top of a boom- winner of the series will duel in the World Thurston’s tackle close to the line ing penalty. Series against either the Chicago Cubs or manager Terry Francona quipped at his Francona acknowledged that in his off a Shaun Johnson pass to trail With only the winners of each Los Angeles Dodgers, who open the Na- Drone injury to sideline press conference before game one of the long career he’d never before run across by two points. pool guaranteed to reach the tional League Championship Series today. Indians pitcher Bauer series. Francona said Bauer told him he a drone injury. The Australians pulled away knockout stages, Leicester must The Cubs, the best team in baseball was doing “routine maintenance” on the “You could have given me a lot of in the second half with Holmes rebound quickly ahead of next in the regular season, are vying to end a leveland pitcher Trevor Bauer will machine and cut his pinky fi nger. guesses, and I wouldn’t have probably going over in the 44th minute weekend’s clash at home to French World Series drought that stretches back miss his scheduled start in the sec- That means right-handed hurler Josh got this one,” he said, adding that he and Inglis scoring again after champions Racing 92. Irish side to 1908. But they’re not the only club out Cond game of the American League Tomlin will start game two in Cleveland didn’t think Bauer was behaving reck- chasing down a Cameron Smith Munster, winners of the competi- to end a signifi cant dry spell. Championship Series after cutting his and Bauer, who received several stitches to lessly in indulging his hobby as his team kick. Cordner fi nished off the tion in 2006 and 2008, complete a Cleveland haven’t won the World Series pitching hand on one of his drones. his right little fi nger, will start game three prepared to begin its best-of-seven bat- Kiwis with his try with two min- formidable group line-up. since 1948, the Dodgers since 1988. Of the “You know, it’s kind of self-explanatory in Toronto. “The challenge for the doctors tle with the Toronto Blue Jays for a World utes left. Holders Saracens begin the four teams still standing, Toronto won it — I think we’ve all, probably everybody in will be to make sure this thing, by the time Series berth. “He could have been It was Australia’s second win defence of their title with a heav- all most recently, taking back-to-back here probably at some point or another he pitches, has healed enough where it’s opening a box in the kitchen,” Francona over the Kiwis this year after yweight battle against three- World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. had a drone-related problem,” Indians not bleeding,” Francona said. added. “Things happen.” winning 16-0 in Newcastle in time champions Toulon in Pool 3.

HORSE RACING Almanzor rubber stamps Champion status in style

AFP den-trained winner making up for her London runners-up spot in the race last year. Jameka beats Godolphin’s Scottish in Caulfi eld Cup “I couldn’t believe her turn of foot. She picked up like she had rollerskates!” rench favourite Almanzor pro- AFP Jameka has an impressive record Irish stayer Sir Isaac Newton, trained disclosures of information. Moodie took gasped the 45-year-old Italian. duced a sublime performance over staying trips, winning the Victo- by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Colm over as chairman in May last year after O’Brien suff ered disappointment in under Christophe Soumillon ria Oaks as well as finishing second O’Donoghue, finished seventh. predecessor Robert Roulston’s sudden res- the opener, The Long Distance Cup, as to record his second succes- in the Australian Derby and fourth in ignation in the wake of an internal audit. his Arc de Triomphe third and Ascot siveF win over Arc de Triomphe heroine Gold Cup winner Order of St George ace favourite Jameka repelled a the Australasian Oaks. “Trainer Ciaron Australian turf boss steps Australian horse racing has been blighted Found and take the Champion Stakes at strong international challenge to Maher has done an exceptional job down pending integrity probe by a string of doping and corruption crises could not repeat his heroics at the same Ascot yesterday. Rwin the Aus$3.0mn (US$2.3mn) and he’s such a great trainer of (spring) that have tarnished the image of the multi- track as he did in June. Almanzor — trained by Jean-Claude Caulfield Cup yesterday and press her campaign horses,” Hall said. A top off icial in Australia’s premier billion dollar industry in recent years. Sev- Moore had thought it would be the Rouget — had beaten the outstanding claims for next month’s Melbourne Cup. It was Maher’s first win in one of the thoroughbred racing state of has eral leading trainers were handed lengthy perfect start to his day but his mount Found into second place in last month’s The locally-trained mare sprinted clear major lead-up races to the 3,200 metre stepped aside pending an integrity probe, suspensions last year after their horses only really woke up in the fi nal few hun- Irish Champion Stakes and despite her in the home straight to beat Godolphin (two-mile) Melbourne Cup at Fleming- rocking the industry in the leadup to the failed drug tests. The Melbourne Cup, the dred yards when it was far too late and since winning ’s most prestig- stayer Scottish by three lengths with ton on November 1. On the strength of A$6.2mn ($4.70mn) Melbourne Cup. Rac- world’s richest two-mile handicap, has not he fi nished fourth. ious race the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Exospheric another three-quarters of her victory, bookmakers have promoted ing Victoria (RV) said its chairman David been immune to the scandals, with contro- The honours went instead to the Dav- he had little trouble in dismissing her a length back in third. Well ridden by Jameka to equal favourite to win that Moodie had stood aside pending an inves- versial local jockey Damien Oliver permitted id Simcock-trained Sheikhzayed Road challenge yesterday. jockey Nick Hall, Jameka challenged race. Scottish is trained at Newmarket tigation by Racing Integrity Commissioner to ride in the 2012 race on Americain under Martin Harley backing up on his Found’s jockey Ryan Moore — who Scottish at the 200 metres before pull- by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Ker- Sal Perna. Local media reported Moodie despite a media storm over his complicity in win in the Doncaster Cup last time out. had had a largely frustrating Champions ing away for a clear-cut victory over the rin McEvoy, who rode the Godolphin was being investigated over allegations an illegal betting scandal. The 156th running The fi rst Group One of the after- race day — eased the Aidan O’Brien- 2,400 metres (1.5-mile) race. stable’s 2008 race winner All The Good. of impropriety relating to inappropriate of the Melbourne Cup is on Nov 1. noon the Champions Sprint Stakes trained star when he realised the game saw memories of the legendary Fran- was up, leaving Soumillon to coast home kel revived as his jockey Tom Queally and cast a glance to the sky before puff - is 1 1/4 (2000m)) but I’m sure he would Irish Champion Stakes, stamped her arrears — delighted O’Brien. “Some performance. She’s had a hard drove home Tin Man — emulating his ing out his cheeks in celebration. stay, he is a very strong horse,” added class all over the Queen Elizabeth II “I can’t tell you how happy I am,” year and Aidan’s just freshened her up. half-brother Deacon Blues — for trainer “He is an amazing horse, everything the 35-year-old Belgian, who won the Stakes, passing Ribchester and then said the 46-year-old Irishman, who It’s some achievement to see off the James Fanshawe. For Queally it was you do with him is easy,” said Soumil- 2011 renewal on Cirrus des Aigles. holding on as he came again to record has won the Irish trainers champion- colts,” said Moore. the end of a Group One drought that lon. “I would never have thought that Earlier, Moore had at last buried his her seventh Group One victory. ship and is to be crowned British cham- The fi rst of O’Brien’s star trio of fi llies stretched back to Frankel’s tearjerking would be the case at the beginning of hoodoo on Champions Day in riding Minding — who sealed the debate as pion trainer for the fi rst time since to take to the track, Seventh Heaven, had victorious farewell in the Champion the season but he has just got smarter his fi rst ever winner at the showpiece to who is the best miler not only of all 2008. “An incredible fi lly. They have to a hellish passage in the Fillies and Mares Stakes in 2012. “When you’ve been and smarter.” event on another extraordinary fi lly of ages but of fi lly and colt Guineas win- be very special to do those things.” and was never in contention to win. Vic- through a bit of a drought it means a lot “He has never been tried over 1 1/2 O’Brien’s. ners with Irish and English 2000 Guin- For Moore, the victory was extra tory instead went to Frankie Dettori on more. My family will get a buzz out of miles (24,000 metres — the Champion Minding, who fi nished third in the eas victors Awtaad and Galileo Gold in special coming against the colts as well. the impressive Journey, the John Gos- this,” said the 32-year-old Irishman. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 7 FOOTBALL

EPL REACTION Ranieri demands improvement from Man City and sloppy Leicester Spurs stumble as Arsenal advance

‘We did absolutely everything - Everton created just one chance which was a goal. Leicester City’s Italian manager Claudio Ranieri. The players have all the qualities to score penalties but we miss a lot’ AFP nate against his former team. London “We miss him, but we have to AFP play better. We must concentrate London more,” Ranieri said. laudio Ranieri admit- “It is better that this happens ted Leicester had only now, so we can react, than at the anchester City twice missed themselves to blame end of the season.” penalties in a 1-1 draw with for the latest setback in After a week in which Chelsea Everton yesterday as 10- Ctheir lacklustre defence of the manager Antonio Conte endured man Arsenal went level with Premier League title. speculation he would be sacked Mthem on points at the top of the Premier Ranieri’s side slumped to a 3-0 after bookmakers suspended bet- League table after seeing off Swansea 3-2. defeat at Chelsea yesterday and ting on his dismissal, the Italian Arsenal leapfrogged Tottenham Hot- are languishing 10 points behind was delighted by his side’s most spur into second place after their arch leaders City just fi ve vibrant display of his brief reign. north London rivals also dropped points months after becoming Eng- “It was a good game. From the in a 1-1 draw away to West Bromwich Al- lish football’s most unexpected start I asked them to play well with bion. champions. intensity and to try to do what we Following fouls by Phil Jagielka, Ever- Retaining the title was always are doing in training,” he said. ton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg likely to be a bridge too far for “I am very happy because I had saved penalties from Kevin de Bruyne Leicester, but the depth of their a good reply. This is the best game and Sergio Aguero — his second spot- struggles — they have won only for us. I saw good commitment. kick failure this week after he was off tar- twice in eight matches — is still When you work hard it is impor- get in Argentina’s World Cup qualifying a surprise. tant to have a good performance. defeat by Paraguay. Foxes boss Ranieri had no “In the week we tried a lot to Romelu Lukaku then fi red the visitors doubts his players were the au- fi nd a solution that gave us more ahead in the 64th minute at Eastlands thors of their own misfortune compactness. For this team and before substitute Aguero’s miss. and he called on them to cut out squad this system is the right fi t. But City, who’ve now gone three games the careless mistakes and show “The coach must understand without a win in all competitions, equal- better focus. and fi nd the right suit. We are ised in the 72nd minute when Nolito “We made mistakes. When you like a tailor.” headed in Silva’s cross as former Barce- concede a goal from a corner again Meanwhile, Eden Hazard re- lona team-mates turned managers Pep it is clear. You come to Chelsea vealed he held two fi ngers aloft Guardiola (City) and Ronald Koeman and your attention must be at the on each hand after scoring his (Everton) had to settle for a point apiece. maximum,” Ranieri said. goal in a tribute to Chelsea team- “We did absolutely everything - Ever- “If we scored the goal when we mate Willian, who missed the ton create just one chance which was a create a chance we can re-open match to fl y home to Brazil after goal,” said Guardiola. the match. But our approach to the death of his mother. “The players have all the qualities to the match was not good. Maybe Willian, who wears the shirt score penalties but we miss a lot. Hopefully we were a little nervous. number 22, lost his mother to we will score more of them in future.” “We tried to react and the sec- cancer this week. At the Emirates, Theo Walcott scored ond half was much better.” “My celebration was for twice as Arsenal defeated Swansea for a It was especially galling for Willy. He lost his mother and sixth straight win in all competitions. Ranieri to see Chelsea midfi elder we are thinking about him. We Walcott struck in the 27th minute af- N’Golo Kante, so infl uential in hope he can come back strong- ter Jordi Amat failed to clear Hector Bel- Leicester’s title triumph, domi- er,” Hazard said. lerin’s headed cross. Arsenal’s English Theo Walcott celebrates after scoring their second goal against Swansea City yesterday. The England international doubled the Gunners’ lead seven minutes later fol- preserved Spurs’ unbeaten league record. Results Elsewhere, Bournemouth thrashed SERIE A lowing Hull’s failure to clear a corner. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochet- Hull 6-1 as Mike Phelan’s fi rst game in Swansea, in former United States tino said: “We missed the opportunity to Chelsea 3 (Costa 7, Hazard 33, Moses full-time charge of the Tigers ended in an manager Bob Bradley’s fi rst game in achieve three points but in the same way 80) Leicester 0 a thumping defeat. charge, saw Gylfi Sigurdsson equalise in it was a diffi cult game.” Arsenal 3 (Walcott 26, 33, Ozil 57) Charlie Daniels put Bournemouth 1-0 Dzeko joy as Roma his 100th appearance for the Welsh club Liverpool will go level with the top Swansea 2 (Sigurdsson 38, Baston 66) up as early as the fi fth minute. with a 38th-minute curling shot two if they beat bitter rivals Manchester Bournemouth 6 (Daniels 5, Cook 41, Hull’s Ryan Moses equalised in the But Mesut Ozil marked his 28th birth- United today. Stanislas 45-pen, 65, Wilson 83, Gos- 34th minute but from then on it was one- oust Napoli to day by restoring Arsenal’s two-goal ad- Chelsea hammered champions Leices- ling 88) Hull 1 (Mason 34) way traffi c as Steve Cook and Junior Sta- vantage with a 57th minute-volley. ter City 3-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Manchester City 1 (Nolito 72) Everton nislas, from the penalty spot, made it 3-1 Swansea substitute Borja Baston goals from Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and 1 (Lukaku 64) before the break. become ‘anti-Juve’ pulled a goal back and Arsenal had to play Victor Moses. Stoke 2 (Allen 8, 45+1) Sunderland 0 Stanislas made it 4-1 before Callum the fi nal 20 minutes a man down after Defeat meant the Foxes had won just West Brom 1 (Chadli 82) Tottenham 1 Wilson and Dan Gosling both scored late AFP Granit Xhaka received a straight red card two of their eight league games this (Alli 89) on. Milan for a challenge on Modou Barrow. season and manager Claudio Ranieri, Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 1 (Lanzini Phelan, widely praised for his work as “We could never capitalise on the two- a former Chelsea boss, said: “Our ap- 19) caretaker Hull boss after Steve Bruce left goal cushion but at least we got the three proach to the match was not good.” in pre-season, was scathing about his din Dzeko was cel- points,” said Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal The result gave Antonio Conte, Rani- side’s display. ebrating hitting his fi rst manager. eri’s fellow Italian, a much-needed win “This is the best game for us.” “I feel very embarrassed,” he said. league brace on the road Tottenham dominated possession at after speculation he was about to be Stoke won in the league for the fi rst “We’ve got to grow up...What we’ve done as Roma stunned Napoli The Hawthorns only for former Spurs sacked as Chelsea manager. time this season as Wales international today is not good enough.” 3-1E in the ‘Derby del Sole’ to re- star Nacer Chadli put the Baggies ahead “From the start I asked them to play Joe Allen made it four goals in his last London rivals Crystal Palace and launch their Serie A title hopes eight minutes from time. well with intensity and to try to do what three games by scoring twice in a 2-0 win struggling West Ham are in action in Sat- yesterday. But Dele Alli’s 89th-minute equaliser we are doing in training,” said Conte. at home to basement club Sunderland. urday’s late kick-off . “It’s not easy to win at Na- poli and to score three goals here, we did very well,” Dzeko told LA LIGA Sky Sport. “Scoring two goals is great, it’s my fi rst brace away from home.” Bosnia international Dzeko faced huge criticism last season AS Roma’s Edin Dzeko (R) cel- when he struggled to score eight ebrates with his teammate Radja Carrasco treble keeps Atletico top goals in 31 appearances for the Nainggolan after scoring. Giallorossi. AFP before he was replaced by Paco Results But with seven goals in as many struggling Udinese in Turin later Madrid Alcacer at half-time to keep games, the former Manchester yesterday. him fresh for the visit of City on Leganes 2 (Timor 66, Szyman- City marksman is now provision- “Conceding against a side Wednesday. owski 68) Sevilla 3 (Vazquez ally top of the Serie A scoring like Roma that has phenomenal ionel Messi took just Messi was next to be intro- 24, Nasri 57, Sarabia 84) charts as Roma provisionally re- counter-attacking players was three minutes to score on duced from the bench and took Barcelona 4 (Rafinha 21, 36, placed Napoli as the biggest threat a game-changer for us,” Napoli his return from injury as just three touches to fi nd the net Suarez 43, Messi 58) Depor- to Juve’s hopes of a record sixth coach Maurizio Sarri said. Barcelona thrashed De- when he fl icked another tivo la Coruna 0 consecutive scudetto. “It was a great game that could Lportivo la Coruna 4-0, but they assist over the helpless Lux. Playing as a lone striker and have fi nished diff erently for us. Atletico Madrid 7 (Carrasco were upstaged by Yannick Car- Deportivo’s day was rounded 34, 45, 61, Gaitan 63, 81, Cor- receiving regular service from It’s a tough period, we’ve lost our rasco’s hat-trick in a 7-1 rout off by a red card for Laure 25 rea 85, Tiago 87) Granada 1 attacking midfi elder Mohamed last two games.” for leaders Atletico Madrid over minutes from time when for el- (Cuenca 18) Salah, Dzeko broke the deadlock Roma sit two points off the Granada yesterday. bowing Neymar in the face. two minutes before half-time pace, and although coach Lu- Barca were already 3-0 up when he swept Salah’s delivery ciano Spalletti was buoyed by his thanks to Luis Suarez and a dou- EMPHATIC RESPONSE fourth and then fi red in his sec- past ‘keeper Pepe Reina follow- side’s “tactically strong” display ble from Rafi nha when Messi Granada travelled to the Vicente ond nine minutes from time at ing Kalidou Koulibaly’s blunder against a side he described on was introduced after nearly a Calderon without a win this sea- Ochoa’s near post. at the byline. Friday as “the best in Serie A”, he month out with a groin problem son, but threatened a huge shock And Carrasco teed up two Dzeko completed his brace, says Juventus will only be caught just before the hour mark and Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco celebrates after scoring. when Isaac Cuenca’s sensational more for Correa and Tia- his fi rst outside of Roma’s Sta- if they slip. wasted no time in scoring his volley from outside the area saw go in the fi nal fi ve minutes as dio Olimpico, when he held off “To win in this manner against ninth goal of the season. “We have Leo back and it took power for German Lux. Atletico concede for just the Atletico made light of a depend- Elseid Hysaj at a free kick to head Napoli underlines the quality we However, Barca still trail him no time to be back in top Rafi nha bundled home a sec- third time this season. ence on Griezmann for goals so past Reina from the edge of the have throughout the team,” said Atletico by two points after form.” ond 15 minutes later after Lux Carrasco turned the game far this season. box on 54 minutes. Spalletti. Carrasco’s treble and Nicolas Barca have traditionally had saved Gerard Pique’s initial around before half-time thanks Sevilla host Atletico next Although Koulibaly made “We’ll see if it’s enough to Gaitan’s fi rst two goals for the struggled on weekends follow- eff ort. in part to some poor goalkeeping weekend in a top of the table amends for his earlier mistake keep pace with Juventus, or club inspired a storming fi ght- ing international breaks and fell Suarez moved level with An- from Guillermo Ochoa. clash after ending a 17-month by reducing arrears with a pow- whether they’ll keep on going as back by Diego Simeone’s men to a shock 2-1 defeat at home to toine Griezmann as La Liga’s top However, the Mexican was wait for an away league win at erful header three minutes later, they’re doing. But we did what after falling behind early on. Alaves on their return to action scorer with six this season when faultless as Carrasco completed Leganes. Salah’s 86th minute strike sealed we had to do.” Sevilla are second after their in September. he brilliantly turned away from his fi rst career hat-trick with a Franco Vazquez’s opener and the points for the visitors. first away win in La Liga in However, they had to wait just the Deportivo defence when re- thumping fi nish from Antoine a second from the impressive It was Napoli’s fi rst home Results 23 games, triumphing 3-2 at 21 minutes to open the scoring ceiving Neymar’s through ball Griezmann’s fi ne cut-back on just before the hour defeat since May 2015 and left Leganes. “It was a complete when Rafi nha exchanged a one- before slotting home the third. the hour mark. mark put Jorge Sampaoli’s men them at risk of dropping to seven Napoli 1 Roma 3 performance,” said Barca boss two with Suarez before drilling The Uruguayan then smacked Gaitan had only been on the well on course to end that bar- points behind leaders Juventus Pescara 1 Sampdoria 1 Luis Enrique. a low shot that had too much the post himself on the volley pitch a minute before he added a ren run. if the champions account for

Sunday, October 16, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR STARS LEAGUE BUNDESLIGA Ten-man Frankfurt extend Bayern’s Laudrup’s Rayyan winless run held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man Sailiya

Sailiya opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a thunderous 30-yard volley from Bayern’s Thomas Mueller reacts after the match yesterday. Grigore, before Rayyan equalised through Koh Myong-jin early in the second half AFP fi elder took advantage of a lucky Berlin bounce to get behind the Bay- By Sports Reporter ern defence and slot home on 43 Doha minutes. ayern Munich coach It was Frankfurt’s fi rst goal Carlo Ancelotti has against Bayern since 2011. en-man Al Sailiya held on for slammed Bundesliga Kimmich put Bayern ahead their fi rst points of the sea- leaders Bayern Munich’s when he got on the end of Hum- son against QSL champions Al B‘bad attitude’ after yesterday’s mels’ pass and netted on 62 min- Rayyan, in what was the Lions’ 2-2 draw at ten-man Eintracht utes for his sixth goal in his last Tfi rst match under new coach Michael Frankfurt leaves them without a seven games for his club. Laudrup. Al Sailiya opened the scoring win in three games. To add insult to injury, Eintra- in the 5th minute with a thunderous 30- After last month’s 1-0 Cham- cht were reduced to ten men for yard volley from Romanian international pions League defeat at Atletico the last 25 minutes when Huszti Dragos Grigore, before the champions Madrid and their 1-1 league draw was shown a red card for a sec- scored an equaliser through Koh Myong- with Cologne before the interna- ond bookable off ence. jin early in the second half. tional break, this was neither the But Frankfurt hit back and The tie stared at a frantic pace, with Al performance nor the result coach when US international Chandler Sailiya taking the initiative in the early Ancelotti wanted. swung in a shot, Fabian chested exchanges and took the lead early in “We didn’t play well and the ball into the empty net. stunning fashion. showed a bad attitude,” fumed Bayern are two points clear Rayyan half cleared an early Sailiya the Bayern boss. of second-placed Cologne, who corner, Dragos Grigore won the 50/50 “We were asleep for the fi rst are enjoying their best start to ball and subsequently smashed the ball 45 minutes, which is too much in the season since the Bundesliga out from some distance. The ball fl ew any game. started in 1963. past a fl ailing Saud Al Hajiri before crash- “I have to change that, I want French striker Anthony Mod- ing against the post and ending up in the to see my team (play). I’ll have to este scored both goals in the back of the net, a moment of real quality think about changes.” fi rst-half including a converted from the Romanian international. Despite the draw, Bayern penalty in a 2-1 win at Ingolstadt, Al Rayyan looked shell shocked, and maintain a two-point lead in the for whom Lukas Hinterseer net- the home side continued to press their Bundesliga ahead of Wednes- ted a late penalty. advantage. Bahrain international Faouzi day’s key Champions League The result saw Ingolstadt drop Aaish exhibited plenty of confi dence with game at home to PSV Eindhoven. to the bottom of the table, re- a long distance strike from long range. Bayern’s Arjen Robben and placing Hamburg, who picked Laudrup’s side eventually found their Frankfurt’s Szabolcs Huszti both up a point in a goalless draw at feet and created three quick-fi re chances. scored fi rst-half goals. Borussia Moenchengladbach. The pick of which was a Rodrigo Tabata After Germany international Gladbach, at Celtic in the on the 22nd minute, which sailed just Joshua Kimmich put Bayern Champions League on Wednes- wide of Gregory Gomis in the Sailiya goal. ahead, Frankfurt had Huszti sent day, missed two penalties as Lars Al Rayyan started to impose them- off , but Mexico midfi elder Marco Stindl fi red his spot-kick off the selves in the tie, and could have grabbed Fabian scored their crucial sec- crossbar after Andre Hahn had an equaliser had Sebastian Soria’s tower- ond equaliser 12 minutes from his fi rst-half eff ort saved. ing header not gone inches wide. Al Saili- time. Unbeaten Hoff enheim are fifth ya where holding on towards the end of Action during the QSL match between Sailiya and Rayyan yesterday. PICS: Noushad Thekkayil Ancelotti started with striker after their 2-1 win at Freiburg, the fi rst half, yet they should of gone into Robert Lewandowski on the thanks to goals from Sandro the fi rst half leading by two goals. Mid- Al Gharafa edge past Muaither Results Kharaitiyat found their way back into bench in Frankfurt as it emerged Wagner and a Andrej Kramaric fi elder Sayaf al-Korbi was put through by Former (QSL) cham- the tie in the second half and were con- winger Franck Ribery is out for penalty. Faouzi Aaish but the youngster smashed pions Al Gharafa yesterday were tested Al Ahli 1 – 1 Al Wakrah stantly threatening the Arabi defence. the next three weeks with a fresh the ball over the bar. by newcomers Muaither before the home Al Kharitiyat 1 – 2 Al Arabi Jaralla al-Marri poked it from close range injury. Results The second half saw the introduc- side won 2-1 win in a round-three clash. Al Muaither 1 – 2 Al Gharafa towards the end of the match but Al Arabi Robben cut back inside and tion of Abdurahman al-Harazi with the Hosts Al Gharafa were held to a goal- Al Sailiya 1 – 1 Al Rayyan held out for the fi nal minutes to register a fi red a superb shot at a tight an- Borussia Moenchengladbach former Al Sailiya man making an early less draw up until the 70th minute before crucial win. gle past Frankfurt’s Finland goal- 0 Hamburg 0 impact for his new side. Rayyan found Slovakian international Vlaidmir Weiss keeper Lukas Hradecky with just Cologne 2 (Modeste 28, 39- their equaliser just three minutes after scored a penalty followed by a slick goal Caixinas side their fi rst win of the season, Ahli and Wakrah share the points 10 minutes gone. pen) Ingolstadt 1 (Hintersser the restart, a Rodrigo Tabata corner fell by Mohamed Razzaq in the 84th minute whilst Muaither fell to their third straight Al Ahli and Al Wakrah played out a 1-1 Bayern lived dangerously, de- 90) to Koh Myong-jin who tapped in from at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium. Mahmoud defeat in the league. draw yesterday evening, a result which spite dominating possession. Augsburg 1 (Baier 77) Schalke close range. of Muaither reduced the defi cit in saw Al Wakrah pick up their fi rst points With 15 minutes gone, Frank- 1 (Bentaleb 65) Laudrup’s men pushed hard for a win- injury time however it proved too late for Arabi edge Kharaitiyat for key victory of the season. furt’s Timothy Chandler hit Hoff enheim 2 (Wagner 34, ner and the tie swung in the favour of the the newly promoted side. Goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Ahmed Al Wakrah took the lead through a the inside post, then Alexander Kramaric 81-pen) Freiburg 1 champions on the 78th minute when Al In the 68th minute, Al Gharafa ace Khalfan powered Al Arabi to a convincing Mouhcine Moutouali penalty in the 68th Meier’s bullet-header was saved (Niederlechner 78) Sailiya where reduced to ten men. Weiss was booked by the referee for a 2-1 win against Al Kharaitiyat, for their minute. Ahli found their way back into by Bayern’s Germany goalkeeper Eintracht Frankfurt 2 (Huszti Faouzi Aaish was shown a straight red reckless tackled but two minutes later, second win of this QSL season. the tie just two minutes later though D.R Manuel Neuer. 43, Fabian 78) Bayern Munich card for a nasty clash with keeper Saud the 26-year-old Slovakian winger con- Al Kharaitiyat’s Jaralla al-Marri re- Congo striker Firmin Mubele. Huszti put Frankfurt level just 2 (Robben 10, Kimmich 62) al-Hajiri. The QSL champions tried to verted a penalty in the 70th minute as duced the defi cit three minutes from In the second half, Al Ahli began to before the break when the mid- push home their advantage but the Al the former QSL champions grabbed a 1-0 time, but it proved too late for Amir Os- dominate the ball but it was the visitors Sailiya defence remained resolute. Al lead. Gharafa began to assert themselves im’s side who fell to their second defeat who took the lead against the run of play. Rayan could have grabbed a last-gasp and in the 80th minute, Weiss nearly of the season. Moutouali was bundled down in the box REQUEST winner, however Koh Myong-jin’s eff ort scored again - this time with a curling Bristling with confi dence, Al Arabi’s and the referee pointed to the penalty fl ew just over the bar. free-kick that was saved by Muaither’s captain Khouki helped the Dream Team spot. The Morrocan midfi elder confi - The result means that Al Sailiya have agile goalkeeper Zaidan. draw fi rst blood with a well-taken header dently smashed the penalty to give the now grabbed their fi rst point of the sea- Al Gharafa’s Mohamed Razzaq doubled that sailed past Al Kharaitiyat goalkeeper Blue Waves an unlikely lead. Mourning Thailand son, whilst for the QSL champions Al the lead in the 84th minute but never- Ahmed Soufi ane on the 5th minute. However it didn’t last long, with the Bri- Rayyan they have fallen to their second say-die Mauither pulled one back with Attacker Ahmed Khalfan then doubled gadeers equalising in spectacular fashion consecutive league draw. Zatara’s late goal. The result gives Pedro Arabi’s lead on the 31st minute. just two minutes later through Mubele. asks to move World

LIGUE 1 Cup qualifi er

Reuters Australia’s FA said it was wait- Bangkok ing for advice from FIFA and the AFC. “Football Federation Australia In-form Cavani gift s PSG win he Football Associa- is currently awaiting offi cial tion of Thailand (FAT) notifi cation from FIFA and the AFP livery from out on the left wing next weekend’s ‘Le Classique’. is seeking to move the Asian Football Confederation on Paris nestled in the far corner after On Friday, Nice extended their home World Cup quali- the status of the... qualifi er,” an evading both Cavani and Nancy unbeaten start under Lucien Fa- Tfi er against Australia on Nov. 15 FFA spokesperson said in a state- goalkeeper Guy-Roland Ndy As- vre with a 2-0 victory at home to out of the country amid mourn- ment. ruguay striker Edinson sembe. 10-man Lyon. ing for the death of King Bhumi- Thailand have lost all four of Cavani scored again as Nancy captain Michael Chre- Goals in either half from Paul bol Adulyadej. their qualifi ers and are bottom Paris Saint-Germain tien was at fault for PSG’s sec- Baysse and Jean Michael Seri A number of domestic sport of Asia’s Group B, which is led by overcame a determined ond just fi ve minutes later when ensured Nice continued their competitions, including soccer Saudi Arabia on 10 points. Udisplay from strugglers he attempted to nod a long clear- impressive early season charge, and golf tournaments, have been Australia, held to a 1-1 draw by Nancy to win 2-1 yesterday and ance from Alphonse Areola back despite Mario Balotelli having a cancelled or postponed out of re- Japan in Melbourne on Tuesday, move into second place. to his own keeper. penalty saved late on. spect for the long-reigning mon- are second in the group on eight Lucas’ free-kick gave the reign- The centre-back failed to spot Lyon slumped to a fourth de- arch who died on Thursday at the points. ing champions a 13th-minute lead a lurking Cavani, though, and feat in nine matches after they age of 88 in a Bangkok hospital. The top two teams qualify for at the Stade Marcel-Picot with the Uruguayan raced onto the were forced to play a man down The FAT said it had consulted the 2018 fi nals in Russia directly, Cavani contributing his league- loose ball and lifted a tidy lob for over an hour with Nabil Fekir with soccer’s world governing with the third-placed teams go- leading ninth goal shortly after on over Assembe to continue his dismissed for an ugly stamp on body FIFA and written to Aus- ing into a playoff . the artifi cial surface. rich vein of goalscoring form. Baysse. tralia and the Asian Football As Thais begin a year of Former France international With Basel making the trip to Martin Braithwaite scored Confederation (AFC) to ask if the mourning for their king, parties midfi elder Alou Diarra pulled the French capital for Wednes- twice as Toulouse roared back match could be re-located. and celebrations will be toned a goal back on his Nancy debut day’s Champions League en- from a goal down to stun Mo- “Changing the time for the down, with the government ask- early in the second half as the counter, PSG were reluctant to naco 3-1, far from ideal prepara- match isn’t an option, so the ing for people to “refrain from 35-year-old appeared for his take any unnecessary risks and tion for Leonardo Jardim’s men match must defi nitely be on,” festivities” for 30 days. eighth club in the French top Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan forward celebrates found their advantage halved ahead of Tuesday’s trip to CSKA FAT spokesman Patit Supapong After an executive meeting on fl ight. after scoring a goal against Nancy (ASNL) yesterday. on 55 minutes when Diarra con- Moscow. told Reuters yesterday. Friday, FAT cancelled all matches PSG climbed above Monaco nected with Benoit Pedretti’s set Valere Germain headed Mo- “We have discussed two op- in its competitions for the rest of on goal diff erence but Unai Em- were really motivated against “Right now it’s clear that Nice piece. naco ahead with just three min- tions with FIFA. First, we’re the year, awarding the titles to ery’s side still trail league leaders us. We played as a unit, and the are very strong, but we’ll keep But Nancy, who have scored utes gone in Toulouse, but the hoping for an agreement with the league leaders and relegating Nice by four points ahead of next match required a lot of defensive making our way and we’ll see.” just four goals in nine games, home side hit back through Os- Australia to let us play an away teams in the drop zones. Sunday’s showdown with arch eff ort to close it out. We didn’t Brazilian Lucas nudged the rarely looked like threatening car Trejo midway through the match fi rst. Second, we might The decision gave Muang- rivals . do everything well but we were visitors ahead with his fi fth goal again and PSG will now turn second half before Braithwaite have to fi nd a neutral venue to thong United its fourth crown in “(Nancy) needed to win and good in defence,” said Emery. of the season as his whipped de- their focus to Europe ahead of completed the turnaround. play if the fi rst option fails.” the top-fl ight Thai League.