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Monday, October 2, 2017 FORMULA 1 Muharram 12, 1439 AH Verstappen caps GULF TIMES birthday weekend with Malaysian win SPORT Page 6 HORSE RACING Sheikh Mohamed’s Gazwan wins Qatar Arabian World Cup Dettori rides Enable to victory in Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Agencies Chantilly

is Highness Sheikh Mo- hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Gazwan brought home the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 HPA) on his third attempt at the race in Chantilly yesterday. Second in 2015 and fourth last year, Julian Smart’s ward cantered not far from the lead and fought well at the end with Yazeed and Ebraz, before edging the other two for the win. “I have won this race three times, but each time with fi llies, so I was a bit wor- ried as I didn’t have a fi lly in the race this year. Gazwan is very, very good. He has improved. Gazwan is now six years old, but he still probably has another season in front of him. I am a bit disap- pointed with Ebraz, but these are tough races,” Smart said after the win. John Gosden-trained Enable was Maxime Guyon (right) rides Gazwan to victory in the Qatar Arabian World Cup. brilliant under Frankie Dettori when she won the 2017 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. On a simple turn of foot, Enable left behind the likes of Idaho and Order of St George, fi nishing two and a half lengths ahead of Andre Fabre-trained Cloth of Stars for her fi fth Group 1 vic- tory in a row. “What a marvellous three-year-old fi lly. She is very special. She was well positioned by Frankie in the race. Lis- ten, this is all about the fi lly and her owner and breeder, Prince Khalid Ab- dullah. It would be wrong to run her again this year,” Gosden said. Michael Stoute-trained Ulysses was third, ahead of Order of St George and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani (left) hoists the owner’s trophy as His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Shaqab Racing’s Brametot. al-Thani applauds after Gazwan won the Qatar Arabian World Cup in Chantilly, France, yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Charles Appleby-trained Wild Il- lusion picked up the fi rst win of the day in the Total Prix Marcel Boussac – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but it did not happen. At the same time, Yazeed showed Critérium des Pouliches (Group 1). a fantastic standard of performance although he has not Supplemented to participate in this grows continuously, says run for 9 months. I think he will have a good future.” fi rst Group 1 yesterday, she cantered on Sheikh Abdullah the outside, right behind Soustraction. Proud of fourth Qatar Arabian Entering the home straight in front, Wild His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, who Illusion surged forward, fi nishing ahead presented the trophies to the winners at Qatar Prix de World Cup title: Sheikh Mohamed of Polydream and Mission Impassible. l’Arc de Triomphe yesterday, described Gazwan’s win in Happily, the only fi lly entered in the the Qatar Arabian World Cup as a great victory for Qatar. “First of all, I dedicate this win to His Highness the Emir,” His Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère Grand “His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Al Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani said after Criterium, sponsored by Al Hazm, won Shahania Stud is well-known for their impressive results Gazwan won the Qatar Arabian World Cup. “Also to all the the Group 1 race. and excellent racing history. This prestigious win is well- people of Qatar and to Al Shahania team because they are Aidan O’Brien-trained fi lly attacked deserved,” he said. the owners of this victory. Winning the World Cup for the the fi rst horses in the last 200m and “Umm Qarn not winning a title, I do not consider it to be a fourth time in the history of Al Shahania makes us proud and, after a short battle, managed to stay disappointment. There is disappointment in horseracing, at the same time, gives us a huge responsibility as Al Shaha- ahead of Olmedo at the post, with Ma- but luck and conditions play a role. Tayf was a favourite, nia is actually on top of Arabian horse racing worldwide.” sar in third. “When we were here last year, we thought that we should enter some of the drangea locking the fi rst two places. Battaash imposed himself brilliantly The Canning Downs & Partner- fi llies in this race, so she’s always had this Both jockeys — James-Anthony Hef- in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp owned colt Aclaim claimed victory as an option. We’ve been very happy with fernan and Ryan Moore — asked their Longines (Gr1), defeating title holder in the Qatar Prix de la Forêt (Gr1). He her at home, and Ryan (Moore) gave her a fi llies to accelerate 300m out and even- Marsha and Profi table. Quick in front, travelled behind Al Shaqab Racing’s great ride,” O’Brien said. tually only a head separated Rhododen- Charles Hills-trained colt controlled Karar along the rails. Aclaim then came O’Brien and Coolmore picked up a dron and Hydrangea at the post. Lady the race from pillar to post, and showed up strong in the last metres, with David double in the Prix de l’Opéra Longines Frankel fi nished well, stepping up on an incredible turn of foot to leave his O’Meara-trained So Beloved a close Jockey Frankie Dettori kisses Enable after riding the filly to victory in the Qatar (Gr1), with Rhododendron and Hy- the third place of the podium. rivals behind, fl ying towards the post. second. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) in Chantilly yesterday. Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe cements Qatar’s role as global player in sport

By Sports Reporter partnerships in several fields. This participa- million euros in prize money, the race is for Doha tion signifies the establishment of the name horses aged four and over is run over a mile of Qatar on an international forum and and two furlongs (2000m) and is one of the in the current political conditions, sends highlights of this action-packed weekend atar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a a strong and clear message to the world where the prize money for the Qatar Prix result of several years of success- about the status of the State of Qatar and de l’Arc de Triomphe alone stands at five Qful Qatari and French partnerships, its pioneering role as an influential player million euros. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) in the world’s sports arena, in line with its Through its international partnerships, and chairman Issa al-Mohannadi has said. noble values in spreading peace and rap- contribution to the prize, QREC is firmly Al-Mohannadi is accompanied in Chantilly, prochement between people.” bolstering Qatar’s international image while France, by vice chairman Hamad bin Ab- The weekend boasted of a prestigious rac- also supporting the local culture and its dulrahman al-Attiyah and general manager ing programme with no fewer than 15 flat traditions. “Our involvement in the Qatar Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi. races, nine of which have Group 1 status, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a longstanding Celebrating a decade of partnership with highest category of horse races. jewel at the helm of our contribution in pro- France Galop, al-Mohannadi said, “The The weekend was also an opportunity to moting Qatar by way of sports and fruitful establishment of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de admire the Purebred Arabians in action, es- partnerships as we work to ensure Qatar’s Triomphe in France for several years is a pecially in the Qatar Arabian World Cup, the visibility on an international platform,” al- Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) chairman Issa al-Mohannadi (left) and general manager Nasser fruition of successful Qatari and French second leg of the Doha Triple Crown. With a Mohannadi said. Sherida al-Kaabi. (Right) QREC vice chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah. Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 2, 2017 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE SERIE A Napoli and Inter Liverpool's draw at keep pressure on Juventus Newcastle frustrates just before the break and missed AFP Milan a chance for an equaliser. Lazio confi rmed their push for Cham- pions League football with a 6-1 arek Hamsik moved hammering of Sassuolo to sit closer to Diego Ma- fourth. Ciro Immobile scored radona’s scoring his ninth goal of the campaign Klopp; Arsenal win record as Napoli from the spot with Luis Alberto Mstayed top of Serie A with a 3-0 and Marco Parolo both hitting win over Cagliari yesterday as braces either side of a Stefan de Inter Milan pulled ahead of Ju- Vrij header. Burnley pile the pressure on Everton manager Ronald Koeman with a 1-0 victory ventus with a 2-1 win at Ben- Edin Dzeko and Alessandro evento. The pressure was on Ju- Florenzi scored late for Roma, ventus, who travelled to Atalanta who are fi fth with a game in for a late night match, with the hand, in a 2-0 win over AC Milan champions looking to match Na- at the San Siro. Dzeko broke the poli’s unblemished seven wins in deadlock after 72 minutes with as many games. a defl ected shot, Florenzi add- Skipper Hamsik opened the ing the second fi ve minutes later scoring for Napoli after just four for a fourth straight win. A sec- minutes at the Stadio San Paolo ond straight defeat for Milan left with his fi rst goal of the season them sixth with the pressure now and 114th for the club, just one on coach Vincenzo Montella. short of Maradona’s all-time Torino, in seventh, were held record. Dries Mertens contribut- to a disappointing 2-2 draw by ed to the opener and then added a ten-man Verona despite be- second from the spot on 40 min- ing two goals up until the 89th utes before Kalidou Koulibaly minute. Torino striker Andrea sealed the perfect seventh vic- Belotti picked up a knee injury tory two minutes after the break. and despite being reduced to Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri ten late on when Bruno Zuculini conceded he was relieved after was sent off , the visitors netted coming through the early after- through Moise Kean before Gi- noon match in a week when they ampaolo Pazzini equalised from earned their fi rst Champions the spot in injury time. League points with a 3-1 win over Simy grabbed a 1-1 away draw Feyenoord. But despite a record for Crotone at fellow strugglers of 25 goals scored in seven games SPAL after Alberto Paloschi Sarri dismissed premature talk of opened for the hosts. Ten-man challenging for the title. Sampdoria fell to a fi rst defeat “Its been six years that I’ve of the season, a 4-0 rout at Udi- heard talk that we can bother Ju- nese, who scored three goals ventus but in the end they’re the from the spot on Saturday. ones who win,” said Sarri. “That means they are a level above eve- ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS ryone else.” Napoli 3 (Hamsik 4, Mertens For Cagliari it was a fi fth loss 40-pen, Koulibaly 47) Cagliari 0; in seven games as they stay 14th SPAL 1 (Paloschi 39) Crotone 1 (Simy with just six points. Marcelo 59); Torino 2 (Falque 31, Niang Brozovic scored a quick-fi re fi rst 44) Verona 2 (Kean 89, Pazzini Newcastle United’s Mato Joselu celebrates after scoring against Liverpool in the English Premier League at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England. (AFP) half brace as Inter moved provi- 90+2-pen); Chievo 2 (Castro 25, 46) sionally second on 19 points after Fiorentina 1 (Simeone 6); Benevento AFP ish manager Benitez said: “If you see the from the team, they showed today how a tight win at tailenders Bene- 1 (D’Alessandro 42) Inter 2 (Brozovic London points and see we are a promoted team POINTS TABLE we had to play.” Burnley boss Sean Dyche vento. Brozovic headed home an 19, 22); Lazio 6 (Alberto 45+1, 57, de then we are pleased but against Hudders- added: “I’ve spoken about the fl exibility Antonio Candreva cross after 19 Vrij 56, Parolo 64, 69, Immobile 81- fi eld and Brighton we could have done (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points) of the side. We can play when we need to, minutes with his second, a free pen) Sassuolo 1 (Berardi 27-pen) iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp something more. We have what we have. Man City 7 6 1 0 22 2 19 and be longer and stronger when we have kick, coming three minutes later. AC Milan 0 Roma 2 (Dzeko 72, was left feeling “disappointed We are happy with that.” Man Utd 7 6 1 0 21 2 19 to — but we can defend too.” Marco D’Alessandro got one back Florenzi 77) and frustrated” after a Newcastle Before kick-off , Newcastle fans un- Tottenham 7 4 2 1 14 5 14 Meanwhile Wenger said “humility” side under the guidance of former veiled a huge banner with a message in Chelsea 7 4 1 2 12 6 13 was the biggest lesson he had learnt as LReds boss Rafael Benitez held his side to a Spanish in support of Benitez that trans- Arsenal marked the 21st anniversary of his Arsenal 7 4 1 2 11 8 13 1-1 draw at St James’ Park yesterday. lated as: “We will follow you everywhere, Burnley 7 3 3 1 7 5 12 appointment with a 2-0 win at home to Victory would have seen Liverpool we’ll always support you. In spite of the Liverpool 7 3 3 1 13 12 12 Brighton. Nacho Monreal’s 16th-minute leapfrog champions Chelsea into fourth lies they tell us, we’ll never doubt you. We Watford 7 3 3 1 11 12 12 goal gave Arsenal the lead at the Emirates place. But instead Klopp’s men go into the are with you.” Newcastle 7 3 1 3 7 6 10 before Alex Iwobi’s second-half strike se- international break in seventh spot, be- The message was similar to a chant West Brom 7 2 3 2 6 8 9 cured all three points for the Gunners. hind unheralded northwest rivals Burnley fans of Valencia, one of Benitez’s former Huddersfield 7 2 3 2 5 7 9 Victory gave Arsenal their third win on goal diff erence. Liverpool took the lead clubs, used to sing in support of the man- Southampton 7 2 2 3 5 7 8 in six days, following Monday’s success through Philippe Coutinho’s stunning ager. The Newcastle boss, who remains a Stoke 7 2 2 3 7 11 8 against West Bromwich Albion and a Eu- 30-yard eff ort just before the half-hour popular fi gure with many Liverpool fol- Brighton 7 2 1 4 5 9 7 ropa League victory away to BATE Borisov mark only for Joselu to equalise for New- lowers too, said: “My relationship with West Ham 7 2 1 4 7 13 7 on Thursday. “For us it was a very testing castle minutes later with the Magpies Liverpool fans comes from years, here it Everton 7 2 1 4 4 12 7 week, we had two home games, one long only clear attempt on goal all game. is a fantastic relationship too and I am Leicester 7 1 2 4 9 12 5 away trip in the Europa League.” Wenger Klopp then saw Liverpool, repeatedly enjoying every minute.” Swansea 7 1 2 4 3 8 5 said. “We won the three games and that’s criticised for their defensive frailty this Yesterday’s other Premier League Bournemouth 7 1 1 5 4 11 4 very positive.” Asked what the one thing season, squander several chances to take matches saw Burnley pile the pressure on Crystal Palace 7 0 0 7 0 17 0 above all other that he had learnt from his all three points. “I am disappointed, frus- Everton manager Ronald Koeman with a time in north London, Wenger answered: trated, whatever you want,” Klopp said 1-0 win at Goodison Park while Arsenal “I would say humility.” . “They (Newcastle) got one chance and marked the 21st anniversary of Arsene Clarets left the big-spending Toff ees, scored. That doesn’t feel too fair... If you Wenger’s appointment as their manager who have won just twice in seven league ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS don’t help yourself no one else help you. with a 2-0 success at home to Brighton. matches so far this season, a mere two Arsenal 2 (Monreal 16, Iwobi 56) Brighton 0 It will be like this until we score.” Burnley’s Jeff Hendrick crowned an points above the relegation zone. Everton 0 Burnley 1 (Hendrick 21) This result left promoted Newcastle excellent team move in the 21st minute Nevertheless Dutch great Koeman said Newcastle 1 (Joselu 36) Liverpool 1 (Coutinho Marcelo Brozovic scored a brace in Inter Milan’s win over Benevento in an encouraging ninth place and Span- to score the only goal of the game as the afterwards: “I’m not unhappy what I saw 29) Calcio in Serie A yesterday. (AFP)

LIGUE 1 ROUND-UP Lyon, Angers draw in thrilling game France lose Koscielny for

AFP through his own net to draw An- Paris gers level on the half-hour mark, but goals from Mouctar Diakhaby fi nal two World Cup ties and former Manchester United arcelo was controver- winger Memphis Depay put the idier Deschamps has called up Marseille before being substituted in the 6-2 win over Ligue 1 sially sent off as Lyon’s away side in control at the break. central defender Adil Rami, who was rivals Bordeaux. Italy are second in Group G behind winless streak extend- After Marcelo’s bizarre dis- a successful last minute draft for Euro Spain and look set for the playoff s to qualify for the ed to fi ve matches after missal, Angers roared back with 2016, after Arsenal star Laurent Koscielny World Cup in Russia next year. Ventura also called Mletting a two-goal lead slip in a 3-3 goals from Karl Toko Ekambi and Dpulled out of two upcoming World Cup qualifi ers. up Chievo striker Roberto Inglese in case Torino’s draw at Angers yesterday. With Ismael Traore. Having drawn 1-1 In their fi nal two qualifi ers for Russia 2018, Andrea Belotti is unavailable after picking up a Bruno Genesio’s visitors leading with Atalanta in the Europa League France play in Bulgaria on October 7 and then host knee injury playing Serie A this weekend. 3-1 in the 50th minute, defender on Thursday, Lyon have failed to Belarus three days later, knowing six points would Marcelo was booked for a foul on win in all competitions since beat- qualify them for the fi nals. Koscielny has pulled MAHREZ, SLIMANI DROPPED the edge of the box. ing Guingamp on September 10 out complaining of chronic achilles pain, meaning BY ALGERIA AFTER WORLD CUP EXIT The Brazilian then accidentally and have dropped to seventh in the a second defensive withdrawal after Manchester Algeria have dropped African Footballer of the Year knocked the yellow card out of the table, nine points adrift of leaders City’s Benjamin Mendy’s injury. Riyad Mahrez and his Leicester City teammate referee’s hand with a dismissive Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester United midfi elder Paul Pogba and Islam Slimani from the squad for next weekend’s gesture, and earning a straight red World-record signing Neymar Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembala are also out with World Cup qualifi er against Cameroon. card just seconds after his booking. scored twice, including from a long-term injuries. The pair are major victims of a clear out of the Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas penalty, as PSG moved three points France top Group A with 18 points, one point squad announced yesterday after Algeria suff ered said that he hoped Marcelo’s sus- clear of champions Monaco at the ahead of Sweden, while the Netherlands are third home and away defeats against Zambia in their last pension would be rescinded. top by thrashing Bordeaux 6-2 on 13 ahead of Bulgaria (12), Belarus and Luxem- qualifi ers to end their hopes of reaching next year’s “I had the video, so I asked that on Saturday. Radamel Falcao had bourg (both 5). The Group winner goes to the fi nals fi nals in Russia. the referee watch it,” he said. “It’s scored his 12th goal of the cam- whilst the runners-up face a play off . Algeria reached the second round of the last not a question about trying to paign for Monaco on Friday, but World Cup in Brazil. Midfi elder Nabil Bentaleb was change this match, I was thinking that couldn’t prevent a 1-1 draw VERRATTI RULED OUT OF also dropped, while Carl defensive midfi elder Carl about the next match against Mo- with Montpellier. Claudio Rani- ITALY’S WORLD CUP QUALIFIER Medjani was not considered after announcing his naco and I wanted him to see the eri’s Nantes are now third in the Paris Saint-Germain midfi elder Marco Verratti retirement from international football. images to show that Marcelo does table after picking up a fourth win has been ruled out of Italy’s World Cup qualifi er Coach Lucas Alcaraz, who has been given the not make a gesture against him, it’s on the spin by beating Metz 1-0. against Macedonia in Turin next week, the Italian last two qualifi ers against Cameroon on Saturday simply a gesture of frustration.” football federation announced. and Nigeria next month, to save his job, has named Lyon, who also drew 3-3 at home FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS Coach Giampiero Ventura has called up Cagliari four new players, including French-born winger to Dijon in Ligue 1 last weekend, Troyes 2 (Pele 41, Khaoui 57) Saint- midfi elder Nicolo Barella in his place for the clash Mohamed Fares from Serie A club Verona. started quickly as former Real Ma- Etienne 1 (Hernani 53) on October 6 and a friendly against Albania three Algeria are bottom of Group B in African qualify- drid forward Mariano Diaz scored Angers 3 (Rafael 30-og, Ekambi 59, days later, the federation said without giving any ing on one point from four matches, behind Nigeria Lyon’s Lucas Tousart (left) vies for the ball with Angers’ Mehdi his sixth league goal of the sea- Traore 67) Lyon 3 (Diaz 5, Diakhaby explanation. (10), Zambia (seven) and Cameroon (three). Only Tahrat during the Ligue 1 match. (AFP) son in the fi fth minute. Rafael put 38, Depay 41) Verratti played 79 minutes for PSG on Saturday the group winners will advance to Russia. Gulf Times Monday, October 2, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA Barcelona win behind closed doors amid Catalonia clashes Barca president said the club made the decision to play behind closed doors as a protest against the violent clashes

AFP Barcelona

ionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona beat Las Palmas 3-0 in a match played behind closed doors after the Spanish league refused Barca’s plea to postpone Lthe game on the day of the highly-charged Cata- lonia referendum. At least 91 people were injured as Spanish riot police fi red rubber bullets and forced their way into activist-held polling stations over the in- dependence vote deemed illegal by the Spanish government yesterday. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the club made the decision to play behind closed doors as a protest against the violent clashes rather than security concerns. “FC Barcelona condemns the events which have taken place in many parts of Catalonia today in order to prevent its citizens exercis- ing their democratic right to free expression,” Barcelona said in a statement. “We have done it behind closed doors so that everyone can see our opposition at what is happening,” added Bartomeu. In a statement, La Liga insisted “there was no motive for the game to be abandoned”. Had Barca refused to play the game they could have faced a three-point deduction from La Liga on top of forfeiting the match against Las Pal- mas. “La Liga’s refusal to cancel the game and play it another day... would mean the loss of six points for the team,” said Bartomeu. Outspoken Barca defender Gerard Pique was in tears at the end of the match. “It was the worst professional experience I have had in my life,” he told reporters. A section of Barcelona fans’ groups had threatened a peaceful pitch invasion to show their disgust at events at the polling stations if the game was not suspended. “It was strange, I didn’t like it at all,” Barca midfi elder Sergio Busquets, a Catalan and World Cup winner with Spain, said. “We were aware of what had happened. I think the club evaluated the possibility (of not playing) but on a sporting level that penalised us a lot.” Indeed, despite the closure of the stadium, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores in front of empty stands after their La Liga match against Las Palmas was played behind closed doors at the Camp Nou in Barcelona. (Reuters) one fan did make it onto the pitch after Barca’s second goal before being quickly hauled off by united Spain. However, all the off -fi eld distrac- government fi gures in “the defence of the na- vote is democracy!” on his Twitter account. confused by a change of system to three at the stewards. Huge queues of fans waited outside tions seemed to aff ect the hosts in the first-half tion, to democracy, to freedom of speech, and to Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid’s poor week fol- back. And Simeone blamed his side’s eff ort the 99,000 capacity Camp Nou for hours until as Jonathan Calleri came closest to opening the self-determination”. lowing their Champions League defeat by Chel- against the English champions as well as a de- a fi nal decision was made less than 30 minutes scoring when he hit the post for Las Palmas. According to Spanish media reports, Barca sea continued as they lost more ground in the manding early season schedule that has seen before kick-off . A Barca spokesperson con- Busquets settled Barca early in the second- vice-president Carles Vilarrubi has resigned title race in a 0-0 draw at modest Madrid neigh- Atletico play just three of their nine games so far fi rmed that all fans who bought tickets would be half by heading home the opener from Messi’s over the club’s decision to play the game. Pique bours Leganes on Saturday night. this season at their new Wanda Metropolitano reimbursed. corner. Messi then took over himself as he posted a picture of him casting his vote early But for a brilliant second-half save from Jan stadium. The match itself was an understandably low calmly rounded Leandro Chichizola from Denis yesterday. “I have voted. Together we are un- Oblak to deny Nabil El Zhar, Leganes could even key aff air as Barca opened up a fi ve-point lead Suarez’s excellent pass to make it 2-0. And the stoppable defending democracy,” said Pique. have registered their fi rst ever win over Atletico LA LIGA RESULTS at the top of La Liga and moved 10 points clear fi ve-time World Player of the Year then smashed Legendary Barca midfi elder Xavi Hernandez, in the top fl ight. A third draw in seven games this Real Sociedad 4 (Willian Jose 13, Oyarzabal 26, Xabi of Real Madrid, who were hosting Espanyol in home Luis Suarez’s through ball for already his who currently plays for Qatari side Al Sadd, also season sees Atletico fall a point behind Sevilla, Prieto 57, Llorente 86) Real Betis 4 (Sanabria 6, a late match last night. Barca’s players entered 14th goal of the season. posted a video on social media describing the who moved up to second earlier with a 2-0 win Feddal 28, Joaquin 46, Sergio Leon 84); Barcelona the fi eld wearing a training top in the colours of Barca have long supported Catalonia’s right events as “shameful”. “It is unacceptable that over Malaga. 3 (Busquets 49, Messi 70, 77) Las Palmas 0; Villar- the Catalan Senyera fl ag over their traditional for a vote on independence, without throwing in a democratic country people cannot vote,” Atletico boss Diego Simeone made four real 3 (Cedric Bakambu 25, 52, 76pen) bt Eibar 0; blue and red home kit. their weight behind the yes or no camp. Last added Xavi. changes from the team that started against Valencia 3 (Simone Zaza 27, Daniel Parejo 34pen, Meanwhile, Las Palmas wore a small Span- week the club released a strongly-worded state- And former Barca captain Carles Puyol added Chelsea in an attempt to refresh his side. How- Rodrigo 66) bt Athletic Club 2 (Aritz Aduriz 59, Raul ish fl ag on their shirts as a show of support for a ment condemning arrests of regional Catalan his support for the referendum by posting “To ever, the visitors still looked leaden-footed and Garcia 76)

Tearful Pique haunted BUNDESLIGA by ‘worst experience’ Bayern surrender two-goal lead again Barcelona: Gerard Pique to rupture fractious relations broke down in tears describing between Catalonia and Madrid AFP Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Las even further. “For a moment Berlin POINTS TABLE Palmas in an empty stadium as I couldn’t believe it. I thought the “worst professional experi- they would try to block the (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points) ence” of his life on a chaotic vote but they would try to do ayern Munich again surrendered Dortmund 7 6 1 0 21 2 19 day in Catalonia. it in a peaceful manner,” he a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at Bayern 7 4 2 1 16 7 14 At least 92 people were added. Hertha Berlin yesterday in their Hoff enheim 7 4 2 1 13 8 14 injured as Spanish riot police “It wasn’t like that, but at fi rst match since Carlo Ancelot- RB Leipzig 7 4 1 2 12 8 13 ti’sB shock sacking, slipping to fi ve points fired rubber bullets and forced least the whole world has seen Hanover 96 7 3 3 1 7 4 12 their way into activist-held it. This decision has made behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. Augsburg 7 3 2 2 9 6 11 polling stations over an inde- things a lot worse. It is one of With Willy Sagnol in temporary charge M'gladbach 7 3 2 2 10 12 11 pendence referendum for the the worst decisions made by after Ancelotti’s dismissal on Thursday, E Frankfurt 7 3 1 3 6 6 10 north-eastern region of Spain this country in 40 or 50 years. Bayern went 2-0 up at Berlin’s Olympic Schalke 04 7 3 1 3 8 9 10 deemed illegal by the Spanish It has only served to separate Stadium with goals from Mats Hum- Hertha Berlin 7 2 3 2 8 8 9 government. Catalonia and Spain more and mels and Robert Lewandowski. But Ber- B Leverkusen 7 2 2 3 13 11 8 After Barcelona’s attempt to it will have consequences.” lin roared back with two goals inside fi ve VfL Wolfsburg 7 1 4 2 6 9 7 have their game abandoned Pique’s political stance has minutes from Ondrej Duda and Salomon Mainz 05 7 2 1 4 7 11 7 was dismissed by Spanish seen him targeted by Spain Kalou to share the spoils. VfB Stuttgart 7 2 1 4 4 9 7 league authorities, Barca fans when playing for the “That’s a bit annoying for us,” said Sag- Freiburg 7 1 4 2 5 11 7 decided to play behind closed national team, despite his role nol, whose team nonetheless moved up to Hamburg 7 2 1 4 4 11 7 doors in protest at the violent in winning the 2010 World Cup second. “We have to play with more con- W Bremen 7 0 4 3 3 7 4 scenes. “The board tried to and Euro 2012 with La Roja. centration and discipline. When we don’t Cologne 7 0 1 6 2 15 1 cancel the game but it wasn’t The 30-year-old has already concentrate, then we aren’t the strongest possible. They came down announced his decision to re- team in Germany any more,” admitted the when Turkey international defender to speak to the players and tire from international football Frenchman. Caglar Soyuncu headed home from a cor- we opted to play,” Pique told after the 2018 World Cup. Bayern threw away a two-goal lead ner. The match fi nished with two goals in reporters. However, he said he will for the second league game in a row after Hertha Berlin’s Salomon Kalou (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring the the dying stages as Freiburg sealed their “It was very diff icult to play step aside before then if his being held 2-2 at home to Wolfsburg ten equaliser against Bayern Munich during the Bundesliga match in Berlin. (AFP) fi rst win of the season when Pascal Sten- the game. It was the worst presence in the Spain camp days ago. Ancelotti was dismissed after zel scored on 87 minutes. professional experience I have is deemed a problem by the 15 months in the wake of Bayern’s 3-0 fender Niklas Stark. debut for Cologne after signing on Friday. Freiburg midfi elder Julian Schuster had in my life. We have had head coach Julien Lopetegui drubbing at Paris Saint-Germain in the However, Berlin responded with two Hoff enheim crashed to their fi rst Bun- turned the ball into his own net two min- seven years of demonstrations or the federation. Champions League. goals in fi ve minutes. Japan’s Genki desliga defeat of the season with a shock utes into added-on time but the hosts without violence and what “I think I can continue going Hoff enheim’s 30-year-old boss Julian Haraguchi beat Robben, Hummels and 3-2 loss at strugglers Freiburg. Hoff en- held on. The win lifted Freiburg out of the happened today has been seen with the national team be- Nagelsmann and ex-Dortmund coach Joshua Kimmich before playing in Duda heim dropped to third, but level with relegation zone, at the expense of Ham- around the world.” cause I truly believe there are Thomas Tuchel are amongst the favour- to fi re home on 51 minutes. With Bayern Bayern on 14 points. Dortmund ground burg, who were held to a goalless draw Pique has been an outspo- many people in Spain totally ites to take over permanently. Sagnol re- in disarray, Kalou scored from eight yards out a 2-1 win at Augsburg on Saturday, at home by Werder Bremen on Satur- ken supporter of Catalonia’s against the events that took sponded to Ancelotti’s sacking by start- out to equalise on 56 minutes. even though star striker Pierre-Emerick day, leaving both teams in the relegation right to self-determination in place today in Catalonia and ing forwards Thomas Mueller, Franck RB Leipzig went fourth, just a point Aubameyang squandered a second-half places. the face of the Spanish govern- that believe in democracy,” Ribery, Arjen Robben and Lewandowski. behind Bayern, with a 2-1 win at bottom penalty. ment’s crackdown on prepara- said Pique. The quartet had all criticised the club side Cologne thanks to goals by Lukas In Freiburg, the game against Hoff en- BUNDESLIGA RESULTS tions for the referendum. He “If not, I will not go. If any- in recent weeks, playing a role in under- Klostermann and Yussuf Poulsen. Japan heim got off to a bang with all three goals Freiburg 3 (Niederlechner 15, Soyuncu 18, posted a picture on his Twitter one in the federation thinks mining Ancelotti’s authority. striker Yuyu Osako scored a late consola- coming in four crazy minutes. Teenager Strenzel 87) Hoff enheim 2 (Hack 14, Schuster account as he voted before the I am a problem I don’t have Bayern made a bright start when Hum- tion goal for Cologne, who have one point Robin Hack scored just 14 minutes into 90+2-og) game yesterday. a problem in stepping aside mels headed Munich ahead on 10 min- from their fi rst seven games. his senior debut, but Freiburg responded Hertha Berlin 2 (Duda 51, Kalou 56) Bayern And he believes the shock- and retiring from international utes. The game burst into life early in the Veteran Peru striker Claudio Pizarro, immediately when striker Florian Nied- Munich 2 (Hummels 10, Lewandowski 49) ing scenes have only served football before 2018.” second-half as Lewandowski fi red home 38, the Bundesliga’s all-time top-scoring erlechner equalised a minute later. Cologne 1 (Osako 82) RB Leipzig 2 (Kloster- on 49 minutes after robbing Hertha de- foreign player with 191 goals, made his The hosts took the lead on 18 minutes mann 30, Poulsen 80) Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 2, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Rising Zverev seeks six of the best in Beijing

AFP time. “I’m still only 20 years survived a major scare on Satur- Beijing old, you can’t have it all, unfor- day in the fi rst round in a three- tunately, but it’s not going bad,” hour, three-set thriller with the he said. 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova. ising star Alexander Asked about the pressure that The Russian fi ve-time Grand Zverev said yesterday comes with his growing fame, he Slam winner, on the comeback that he is blocking out replied: “I’ve been dealing with trail after 15 months out for a the growing hype sur- expectations from a very young drug ban, saw off a match point roundingR his fast emergence, as age so I’ve learnt how to deal before squeezing through 7-6 he makes his tilt at China Open with them. (7/3), 5-7, 7-6 (9/7). glory this week. “But it gets more and more the In a strong fi eld, top seed and The 20-year-old German is higher you are ranked, but look, I world number one Garbine Mu- seeking his sixth title of a break- try not to listen too much to what guruza opens her China Open through season and with the old other people expect from me or against the Czech Barbora Stry- guard of Roger Federer, Novak think of me. cova. Djokovic and Andy Murray all “I do care about the people No player has been able to missing in Beijing, Zverev fan- that are close to me, my team and claim a monopoly on world cies his chances. my family, but everyone else I try number one and the latest in- The second seed starts his as- not to focus on too much. cumbent comes into the tourna- sault on the open-air hard courts “Of course it’s nice to hear ment with major doubts about in the Chinese capital against from great players what they her fi tness. Britain’s Kyle Edmund and could think I might become one day, The Spaniard wore heavy face seventh seed Tomas Ber- but this is still in the future and strapping on her left thigh as dych in the quarter-fi nals. it’s a work in progress.” she lost in the Wuhan Open The Australian Nick Kyrgios, Nadal, the 31-year-old Span- quarter-fi nals to Roland Garros who on his day can compete with iard who is enjoying a late-career champion Jelena Ostapenko on the best, is a potential semi-fi nal resurgence, is in action this week Thursday. opponent, with world number for the fi rst time since winning Muguruza, the Wimbledon one Rafael Nadal looming in the his third US Open in September. winner who surged to number fi nal if the Spaniard success- The top seed starts with a shot one last month, hinted on Sun- fully navigates his tricky side at revenge against Frenchman day that she was not fully fi t. of the draw. Zverev, the world Lucas Pouille, who knocked him “I’m trying to recover as best I number four, said his aim for out of last year’s US Open the can from the Wuhan Open,” said next season is to go further in the last time they met. the 23-year-old, during a down- Grand Slams - his best showing beat press conference that lasted is reaching the fourth round this Muguruza fitness worries just two-and-a-half minutes. year at Wimbledon. In the women’s draw, former “We already had a couple of Alexander Zverev of Germany hits a return against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina during their singles quarter-final at the ATP But he is prepared to bide his number one Maria Sharapova days, so hopefully I’m prepared.” Shenzhen Open tennis tournament in Shenzhen on September 29, 2017. (AFP)

GOLF TENNIS Konta thrashed in fi rst round Ireland’s Dunne of the crowd to fi ght back. The AFP Beijing 25-year-old Wang sprang a surprise in taking the second set on the tie break to level the he China Open match. claimed its fi rst high- But former number one profi le victims yes- Wozniacki, the 2010 China terday with Britain’s Open champion, regained her holds off McIlroy to TJohanna Konta and Svetlana poise to seal the deciding set Kuznetsova of Russia falling with ease. The 27-year-old to surprise defeats in the fi rst faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenk- round. The sixth seed Konta, ova of Russia in round two. who reached last year’s fi nal, Also through is reigning appeared woefully short of China Open champion Ag- confi dence in getting thrashed nieszka Radwanska, who de- by Romania’s unseeded Moni- feated the German qualifi er win British Masters ca Niculescu 6-1, 6-2. Carina Witthoeft 7-5, 6-3. Konta exited soon after ‘It feels great to finally win as I have been up there a few times this year’ Kuznetsova - the seventh seed Goff in tastes glory at on the Beijing outdoor hard Shenzhen Open AFP courts - was beaten by Lara It was seventh time lucky Newcastle, United Kingdom Arruabarrena, the Spanish for David Goffi n after the Bel- qualifi er stunning her better- gian beat Alexandr Dolgo- known opponent 6-7 (2/7), polov over three sets to win the reland’s Paul Dunne cel- 7-5, 6-1. Shenzhen Open on Sunday. ebrated a maiden European Konta’s humbling in just 64 The world number 12 Gof- Tour victory as he denied minutes was her fi fth loss on fi n tasted defeat in his last six a charging Rory McIlroy to the spin as her season disinte- fi nals, a bitter run stretching Icapture the British Masters title grates and threatens her place back to 2014. in Newcastle yesterday with a at the WTA Finals Singapore. But the 26-year-old made spectacular fi nal round of 61. The Briton, who racked up up for three years of disap- The 24-year-old Dunne laid 38 unforced errors, wore a pointment with a determined the platform for a closing 18- haunted look as she trudged display against the Ukrain- hole eff ort of nine-under-par off court. ian Dolgopolov to seal the title with three birdies and an eagle in “I was just like a wall there,” 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 in just over his fi rst six holes Sunday at the crowed Niculescu, the world- two hours in southern China. Close House course in northeast ranked 65 whose awkward He adds the Shenzhen tro- England. style Konta – ranked seven – phy to the two he won in 2014 That gave him a combined never got to grips with. in Metz, France and Kitzbue- tournament total of 20 under- “My slices were very low, hel in Austria. “This one is re- par and a win by three shots from my backhand was deep and ally special because you know McIlroy, with Sweden’s Robert high. This how I wanted to it’s always tough to come back Karlsson, who had led by a shot play and it was perfect today.” from injuries,” said Goffi n, heading to the fi nal day, posting Caroline Wozniacki had a who retired from the French a 66 for third place at 16-under fright against a local favourite Open and missed Wimbledon par. before she composed herself to with an ankle injury. Four-time major winner go through 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1. “I cannot be happier today.” McIlroy had moved to within The Dane, ranked six in the a shot of Dunne in shooting 63 world, made an early exit from yesterday for a total of 17-under. the Wuhan Open last week. But Dunne held his nerve bril- She appeared determined liantly and answered McIlroy’s to put that behind her in mak- challenge with birdies over his ing a lightning-fast start in closing two holes, including the Chinese capital, punish- sensationally chipping-in from ing China’s Wang Qiang in well off the green at the last. the fi rst set. But if the fi fth Dunne’s victory, his fi rst in 51 seed thought she was going tour events, helped make amends to have it easy, she was mis- David Goff in poses with the for his defeat in a play-off for the taken, as the 55th-ranked trophy after winning Shenzhen Hassan II Trophy in Morocco Wang harnessed the support Open yesterday. (AFP) earlier this year. The Irishman had also led the 2015 British Open going into the fi nal round. ‘Djokovic will benefi t from long break’ “It feels great to fi nally win as I have been up there a few times Novak Djokovic is recovering injury and we are bringing it this year but have never really Ireland’s Paul Dunne celebrates with the trophy after winning the British Masters yesterday. (Reuters) from a “significant” elbow under control,” Badio told Ar- got to put the foot down on Sun- injury and is keen to get gentine daily La Nacion, add- day,” said Dunne. pressure on Dunne with a fur- rything I wanted to do and it for a fi rst win of 2017 in what is 268 - Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN) back on the tour again, the ing that the Serb’s decision to “So, in waking up this morn- ther three birdies in a row from was just not good enough in set to be his last event of the 67 67 67 67, Tyrrell Hatton 63 12-times grand slam cham- take time off had helped. ing I said to myself I am going to the 12th along with birdies at 16 the end.” year. 65 71 69, Richie Ramsay 67 67 pion’s new physiotherapist “Time was required to im- try and win it rather than have and 17. The 28-year-old McIlroy, McIlroy will not want remind- 65 69 Ulises Badio has said. prove it. The decision he took someone else hand it to me and who secured his best fi nish since ing, however, that of his 22 pro- 269 - Nacho Evira (ESP) 70 67 66 A prolonged dip in form allowed us to have a time ta- thankfully I did it, and hopefully ‘Unbelievable for Paul’ capturing last year’s PGA Tour fessional victories worldwide, 66; Chris Hanson 64 67 69 69, before the injury earlier ble and not go back and forth I can do it again. “It was a good weekend and Championship, was full of praise none have taken place in Scot- Matthew Fitzpatrick 66 69 66 this year forced Djokovic about treatment. He has a lot “Also what happened in Mo- just nice to have a chance to win for Dunne. land, widely regarded as ‘the 68; Ian Poulter 66 65 68 70 to curtail his season after of eagerness to return,” Badio rocco was a help as I had a cou- a golf tournament as that was “It was unbelievable for Paul home of golf’. 270 - Stephen Gallacher 69 69 retiring against Czech Tomas added. Badio, a kinesiologist ple of shots lead late in my fi nal big thing and the more chances I to shoot a 61 to win his fi rst tour- 66 66, Lee Westwood 66 65 70 Berdych in the quarter-finals (concerning body movement) round then but Edoardo (Moli- have like that I seem to play bet- nament and was incredibly im- Final round leading scores 69; Marc Warren 70,67,65,68; at Wimbledon in July. and physiotherapist specialis- nari) fi nished birdie, eagle so I ter,” explained McIlroy. pressive, and I am very happy for 260 - Paul Dunne 66 68 65 61 Felipe Aguila (CHI) 67 71 65 67 The former number one, ing in acupuncture and was just waiting today for some- “I started okay today and a lit- him as he has worked hard on his 263 - Rory McIlroy 67 69 64 63 271 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) who retained Andre Agassi Chinese therapy, said he also one like McIlroy to have a hole- tle more slower than Saturday to game,” said McIlroy, who turned 264 - Robert Karlsson (SWE) 66 69 68 68 66, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) as his head coach, added looked forward to working in-one on the last or something be three-under through nine but pro in the British Masters a dec- 65 67 66 64 68 72 67, Mikko Korho- Argentine Badio and Italian with American Agassi. like that.” then Paul got off to a great start. ade ago. 266 - David Lingmerth (SWE) 68 nen (FIN) 64 73 67 67, Martin fitness coach Marco Panichi “I read his book, which I found McIlroy birdied three holes in “But I set myself a target on McIlroy now now heads north 70 62 66, Florian Fritsch (GER) Kaymer (GER) 66 71 66 68, Jose to his team and is expected to emotional. Now I’ve met him, succession over his opening nine the back nine to shoot four-un- to Scotland for the Alfred Dun- 66 68 69 63, Graeme Storm 65 Filipe Lima (POR) 71 67 65 68, return early next year. and he seems a captivating but after dropping a shot at 11 the der and fi nish 17-under to feel hill Links Championship, which 67 67 67 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 66 “Novak had a significant person.” World No 6 put began to put real like I have a chance, so I did eve- starts on Thursday, still looking 267 - Shane Lowry 68 66 66 67 70 66 69. Gulf Times Monday, October 2, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB GYMNASTICS ‘King Kohei’ aiming Red Sox secure for seventh heaven at world c’ships AFP up for grabs on Thursday where Uch- East crown with Montreal imura will attempt to defend his indi- vidual all-around title. Uchimura, who beat Ukraine’s Ver- apanese superstar Kohei Uch- niaiev by just 0.099 points to win all- imura is on the threshold of a around gold in Rio last year, admitted place in history as he eyes more he is fi nding it more challenging to gold medal glory at the World arrive at each championships in peak win over Astros ArtisticsJ Gymnastics Championships form as he gets older. which get under way here today. “When I participated at the World The reigning 2012 and 2016 Olym- Championships for the fi rst time, I was It’s the Boston’s ninth division title since divisional play began in 1969 pic all-around champion is chasing a 20 years old, and now I’m 28 now and at seventh straight world championship my seventh Worlds. So the question of gold in the category as he takes the fi rst age is a new element,” he said. steps on the long road to the 2020 To- “With age, one loses some mus- kyo Olympics. cle tone and also makes mistakes in The 28-year-old has already complicated routines. Maintaining amassed a staggering 19 medals at the strength and muscle tone requires a worlds since his fi rst appearance at the completely diff erent kind of prepara- championships in London in 2009, tion beforehand.” with 10 golds, fi ve silvers and four While Uchimura is preparing to de- bronze. fend his title, the women’s fi eld looks Two more gold medals in Montreal more open after the decision of reign- this week would see Uchimura draw ing Olympic and world champion Si- level with the legendary Vitaly Scher- mone Biles to take a sabbatical from the bo, the Belarussian who has 23 world sport. championship medals including 12 Biles, a four-time gold medallist at golds. the Olympics last year and winner of Uchimura, who once again will come 10 world championship golds, includ- up against Ukraine’s Rio 2016 all- ing the all-around title in 2013, 2014, around silver medallist Oleg Verniaiev, and 2015, has not trained at all this year said he has set himself a lofty target for but is looking at a competitive return in this week’s championships, which be- 2018. gin with qualifying today. With Biles absent, American medal “I have no particular objectives hopes in the women’s competition rest when it comes to results,” Uchimura with 17-year-old Ragan Smith. Anoth- said. “But as I’ve never had the feeling er challenger for the all-around title that my performances were perfect at could be Romania’s Larisa Iordache. the six World Championships I’ve done Elsewhere this week, the incredible in the past, my principal objective is to Uzbekistan veteran Oksana Chusovi- give perfect performances,” he said in tina, 42, will be among the competitors comments on the International Gym- in the women’s events — 26 years after nastics Federation (FIG) website. her fi rst appearance in a world champi- “If I manage that, the results should onships. follow. I want to do my best, particu- The women’s individual all-round Boston Red Sox players celebrate after clinching the larly to obtain medals on the events I title takes place on Friday with the American League East with a win over Houston Astros in qualify for.” men’s and women’s apparatus fi nals Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) decided on Saturday and Sunday. FEELING HIS AGE There is no team event at the world By Jason Mastrodonato cameras and giant coolers full of beer Andrew Benintendi singled home “I’m really happy for him,” said presi- Three days of qualifi cation rounds get championships in the year following an Boston Herald (TNS) and unopened champagne. Bogaerts before Mookie Betts also sin- dent of baseball operations Dave Dom- under way today, with the fi rst medals Olympics. Standing off to the side was princi- gled to knock McCullers out of the game browksi, who signed Price to a contract pal owner John Henry, who said he was in the fi fth. Benintendi and Betts ex- for $217mn before the 2016 season. “I hey fi nally won the East, but never worried, even as his club went ecuted a double steal off Tony Sipp and know it hasn’t been easy in many ways, there’s an even bigger chal- 1-4 entering the weekend and kept the both scored on an opposite-fi eld double because of the injury factor fi rst and Spurs’ Leonard to miss preseason with lenge waiting for them in the Yankees’ divisional-title hopes alive. from Mitch Moreland to make it 5-0. foremost, but I’m really happy for him West. “I thought that last road trip put us “Today was one of the best games to see what he did. He’s a great pitcher.” thigh injury TEscaping what could have been the in such great position,” Henry said. we’ve played all year - off ensively, Red Sox starters have an ERA over most dramatic Game 162 since they “We would really have to blow it, and defensively, pitching, timely hits and 5in their last 17 games, but their San Antonio Spurs All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard will miss the entire presea- coughed up the division in 2011, the Red I didn’t think we would.” clutch hits,” Bogaerts said. “Everyone bullpen is the silver lining. In that son due a right thigh injury, the team announced on Saturday. The Spurs said Sox took care of business yesterday af- Yesterday, the Red Sox off ense fi - did their part.” same span, Sox relievers have record- in a statement that Leonard’s timeline for returning to the court would be ternoon, knocking off the Houston As- nally showed up. With fi ve runs off McCullers, the ed nearly as many outs as the starters, determined at a later date as he “continues a rehabilitation program for right tros, 6-3, in a rainy game at Fenway to The Sox were shut down in the fi rst Red Sox built enough of a lead to make ranking fi fth in the bigs with a 2.54 thigh tendinopathy”. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich indicated the issue first clinch a second straight AL East title. two games of this regular-season- things easy for Drew Pomeranz and ERA over 741/3 innings. developed sometime last season. “We’re still rehabbing his thigh,” Popovich The win also locked the Red Sox into ending series by the back end of the the bullpen. Since coming back from his second said at Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage. “He’ll probably miss the begin- another matchup against the Astros in Houston rotation. All the Red Sox Pomeranz went six scoreless before trip to the DL, Price hasn’t allowed a ning of preseason or a good deal of preseason, and we’re not going to put a the AL Division Series with Game 1 on really needed was to face Lance Mc- MVP candidate Jose Altuve singled to run in 82/3 innings out of the bullpen, timetable (on a return). But he’s working at it, and we’ll get him back as soon Thursday at Minute Maid Park. Cullers Jr., who had a 7.71 ERA over his lead-off the seventh and reliever Carson striking out 13 while giving up just as we can.” The 26-year-old Leonard missed time during the 2017 playoff s “This is probably one of the most last seven games, a span in which op- Smith gave up three straight singles to three hits. because of an ankle injury suff ered in Game Five of the Western Conference emotional ones,” said Red Sox short- ponents had hit .331 with an .898 OPS put Houston on the board at 5-2. semi-finals against the Houston Rockets. He aggravated that sprain in Game stop Xander Bogaerts. “One hundred against him. Manager John Farrell summoned RESULTS One of the conference finals and sat out the rest of San Antonio’s 4-0 series and sixty-one games - that took a long McCullers, who has been on the David Price, who threw 24 pitches on Seattle 6 LA Angels 4 loss to the Golden State Warriors. time.” disabled list twice since the All-Star Friday and was supposed to be resting LA Dodgers 5 Colorado 3 It’s the Sox’ ninth division title since break with back problems, kept the yesterday, to clean up the mess. Texas 8 Oakland 4 divisional play began in 1969. Sox scoreless until the fourth inning, “Thankfully he came in today and, Kansas City 4 Arizona 3 Bears’ Trevathan suspended for two The result also fi nalised the fi rst- when a pair of walks, a wild pitch after he went through his throwing Chicago White Sox 2 Cleveland 1 games for illegal hit round playoff matchups that will fea- and Hanley Ramirez’ single put them program, he said, ‘Hey, if the situa- Detroit 3 Minnesota 2 ture the New York Yankees and Minne- ahead. Rookie Rafael Devers then tion presents, give me the ball,’ “ Far- Miami 10 Atlanta 2 Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan has been suspended by the NFL sota Twins in the AL wild card game on wiped away the falling rain and swat- rell said. NY Mets 7 Philadelphia 4 (11 inn) for two games without pay for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Pack- Tuesday and the top-seeded Cleveland ted an RBI double off the Green Mon- Price got two outs, walked pinch- Pittsburgh 4 Washington 1 ers’ wide receiver Davante Adams during Thursday’s game. The NFL said Indians facing the winner of that game ster to put the Sox up, 2-0. hitter Tyler White and then, after Far- Tampa Bay 4 Baltimore 3 Trevathan had been guilty of violating player safety for the tackle that oc- in the other best-of-fi ve ALDS. “We don’t panic,” said Ramirez. rell’s mound visit confused reliever St. Louis 7 Milwaukee 6 curred in the third quarter of the game that Green Bay won 35-14. Adams was In the locker room after the Red Sox “You can see it in our faces. We know Addison Reed, who started running Chicago Cubs 9 Cincinnati 0 taken to hospital after the tackle and released on Friday. “I regret the level I clinched, the players celebrated in the what kind of team we are. We are win- onto the fi eld out of the bullpen, Price San Diego 3 San Francisco 2 hit him at,” Trevathan told reporters after the game. “But you got to under- middle, surrounded by front-offi ce ners and mentally strong. We knew we stayed in the game to strike out George NY Yankees 2 Toronto 1 stand I had momentum, and I was just trying to make a play.” personnel, family, friends, journalists, could get it done.” Springer and end the frame. Boston 6 Houston 3

NFL Saints register shutout win over Dolphins at Wembley

Reuters with Julius Thomas, but Crawley London outmuscled him for the pick. Some NFL players kneel New Orleans’ drive failed when again despite Trump’s fresh Will Lutz missed wide right on a rew Brees passed for 268 41-yard fi eld goal. Lutz, though, call for protests to end yards and two touch- redeemed himself with a 43-yard downs to lead New Or- fi eld goal on the fi nal play of the Reuters leans to a shutout win fi rst half, giving New Orleans a London overD Miami at Wembley Stadium 3-0 lead. in London. The fi rst half featured 11 penal- Brees completed 29 of 41 passes ties, including seven against the ome National Football League players knelt and the Saints (2-2) shut down the Dolphins for 60 yards. again yesterday when the US national an- Dolphins (1-2), forcing six punts. New Orleans fi nally put a Sthem was played before a game in London, It was the Saints’ fi rst shutout touchdown drive together, start- defying US President Donald Trump’s renewed since 2012. ing the third quarter with an 11- call to end their protest over racial injustice. The Saints cornerback Ken Crawley play, 77-yard march that took Fox television network’s broadcast of the day’s also came up with an intercep- nearly six minutes. Michael Tho- first game, at Wembley Stadium, showed three tion. Crawley started in place of mas caught a 3-yard pass from members of the Miami Dolphins kneeling as US P.J. Williams, who was benched as Brees and powered his way into music star Darius Rucker performed The Star part of an unspecifi ed disciplinary the end zone, giving the Saints a Spangled Banner. All of the other uniformed action, according to Fox Sports. 10-0 lead. Dolphins players and their opponents, the New The Dolphins, who escaped a The Dolphins had the ball for Orleans Saints, were standing, many with their shutout on the last play of last just 3:51 in the third quarter. The right hands over their chests. week’s embarrassing loss at the Saints took advantage of a tired The three players who had knelt stood for the New York Jets, were not so for- Dolphins defense, mounting an- British anthem God Save the Queen, which tunate this time. Dolphins quar- other drive that resulted in a Lutz was also performed before the game. terback Jay Cutler was 20-of-28 fi eld goal, this one a 45-yarder Trump on Saturday renewed his sharp criti- passing for 164 yards and the one with 12:32 left in the fourth quar- cism of players who have refused to stand dur- interception. ter. ing the pre-game ceremony. “Very important Each team had the ball just once New Orleans capped the scor- that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, in the fi rst quarter. ing with another 11-play drive, for the playing of our National Anthem,” Miami’s drive ended when this one for 87 yards. Brees tossed Trump posted on Twitter. “Respect our Flag Cutler threw an interception in a 12-yard shovel pass to running New Orleans Saints players kneel prior to the playing of the United States national anthem as quarterback Drew Brees and our Country!” the end zone. He tried to connect back Alvin Kamara. (centre) looks on during the NFL International Series game against the Miami Dolphins in London. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 2, 2017 SPORT

NEW BEGINNINGS Triathlon, mountain, Criterium included in new cycling season

By Sports Reporter junior team of Qatar Cycling and Tria- Doha thlon Federation participated in the third category. Walberto De La Cruz took fi rst posi- he Qatar Cycling and Triath- tion and fi nished in 1:52:46. Zaid Hamza lon Federation (QCTF) have from Qatar national junior team was included triathlon (swimming, second and Mohamed Nabhan third. cycling and running), mountain “The Board of Directors of QCTF have Tand Criterium races in the new season, discussed the agenda of (2017-2018) which will offi cially be launched on Fri- sports season. Fans will get to see a day, October 13. number of cycling and triathlon events, A test event for the season, which will including road race and mountain bike run till May 9, 2018, and have 10 stages, events, in the new season. The federa- was held on Friday at Al Thakira Youth tion has paid much attention on triath- Center. The test event, which saw 115 lon events and is encouraged to see the cyclists take in a 61km two-lap race, rise in the number of new participants. had three categories for men and two for The federation also encourages and women. The next mountain bike race is support riders to participate in interna- scheduled for Friday at Al Kheesa. tional triathlon events,” QCTF general In the fi rst category, David Nicholas secretary Jamal al-Kuwari said. secured the top spot in time of 1 hour “We would like to thank Royal Air Ma- 35 minutes and 06 seconds. Qatari na- roc for sponsoring the cycling league. This tional team rider Ahmed ElBourdainy is a refl ection of the depth of partnership picked up silver, while Mohamed Farhan and cooperation between the federation al-Farizi fi nished third. and Royal Air Maroc, and the successes Lain Garnell from team Rasen Velos- achieved by the two sides, which were tar won the second category, fi nishing supported by the local and foreign press. in 1:46:56, while teammate David Jones The ongoing coverage will continue to won silver, ahead of Khalid Hammouda underline the successes of the federation from Qatar national junior team. and its offi cial partners and sponsors, in- David Nicholas (second from right) won the first category of the test event on Friday, ahead of Ahmed The largest number of cyclists and cluding Rayyan natural water.” ElBourdainy (right) and Mohamed Farhan al-Farizi (second from left).

FORMULA 1 FOCUS Curtains come down on Verstappen caps Doha Asian squash By Sports Reporter Champly of Iran fi nished third. Doha In boys’ under-13 years event, Khan Mohamed of Pakistan defeated Yousef Faraj of Qatar to take the top spot. he competitions of Doha Asian The Qatari players dominated the Junior Squash Tournament, boys under-11 years event as Mohamed birthday weekend organised by the Qatar Tennis, Awdah led the standings ahead of Jas- Squash and Badminton Fed- sim Talal al-Thani in the second place Teration (QTSBF) at the Khalifa Tennis and Khalid al-Hamadi in third. and Squash Complex concluded on QTSBF executive director Saad al- Saturday. Mohannadi said that the event will The tournament, which began on help develop the skills of the players as September 27, saw participation of Qa- they competed with those from other tar, Pakistan, Iraq and Iran. squash schools. with Malaysia win Abbas Zab of Pakistan claimed the The medal ceremony will be held fi rst place in boys’ under-19 category. today at the Glass Court of the Khalifa In the fi nal match, he defeated com- International Tennis and Squash Com- Hamilton now has 281 points to Vettel’s 247 with five races remaining patriot Mansour Zaman, while Alereza plex.

Reuters Sepang, Malaysia SPOTLIGHT

ed Bull’s Max Verstappen gave himself a perfect 20th Junior tennis tourney birthday present by winning the last Malaysian Grand PrixR yesterday, while Lewis Hamil- to begin today ton stretched his Formula One world championship lead to 34 points. By Sports Reporter Ghanim al-Khelaifi . Hamilton, who had started on pole Doha Khalid al-Khelaifi , head of the QTS- position, fi nished second for Mercedes BF National Teams Committee, said with his Ferrari title rival Sebastian that the tournament comes as part of Vettel limiting the damage by racing atar Tennis, Squash and Bad- the federation’s strategy to develop from last place on the grid to fourth. minton Federation (QTSBF) tennis in the State of Qatar. These tour- Verstappen’s Australian teammate Tennis Junior Tournament naments will help strengthen the com- Daniel Ricciardo, last year’s winner at will begin today at the Kha- petitiveness of the players. Sepang, fi nished third. lifaQ Tennis and Squash Complex. “The tournament will prepare our “Super, super job Max. Welcome to The event will bring together 80 players for the upcoming regional being a 20-year-old. Great start to a players including Rayan al-Jefairi, Ib- and international competitions,” al- new decade for you, well done,” team rahim al-Sulaiti, Rashed Nayef, Mo- Khelaifi said. boss Christian Horner said over the ra- hamed al-Sumaiti, Hassan al-Obaidli, The tournament will be held in one- dio after his driver took the chequered Amna Homoud, Maysa al-Thani, Hend round league format for singles event fl ag 12.7 seconds clear of Hamilton. al-Modaihki, Abdulaziz Zainal and and in knockout format for doubles. The victory was the second of Ver- stappen’s grand prix career, after a fi rst in Spain last year, and came a day after his birthday. Bok Cassiem ruled out of All Blacks Test It also snapped a streak of bad luck for the Dutchman that has seen him A rib injury has ruled South Africa number eight Uzair Cassiem out of a Rugby retire from seven of the 15 races so far Championship final-round Test against New Zealand in Cape Town Saturday, this season. Red Bull’s driver Max Verstappen (centre) poses for photographers outside the team garage after winning the Malaysian a team spokesman said. The forward was forced to retire during the first half He sealed it with a daring pass on Grand Prix in Sepang yesterday. (AFP) of a 27-27 draw with Australia in Bloemfontein this weekend — a result that Hamilton on the fourth of 56 laps and ensured the All Blacks retained the title. Jean-Luc du Preez replaced Cassiem, never looked back, moving sister Vic- sion after the fi nish when the Williams through the fi eld. Perez, nursing a virus, fi nished sixth. but his preferred position is flanker, and twin brother Daniel, a natural number toria and father Jos, a former Formula of Canadian Lance Stroll ran into the “I didn’t have any pace, that was the eight, could be called up by coach Allister Coetzee. Meanwhile, Australia One driver, to tears as he crossed the back of the Ferrari. PACE ISSUES FOR MERCEDES main issue. When I was trying harder, headed to Argentina for their final match while Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani fi nish line. The German’s car was badly dam- The pace Vettel displayed will worry I struggled more. We need to get our and Izaia Perese returned home having been released from the squad. “You know, especially after the sea- aged in the incident, limping along on Mercedes who were found wanting for stuff together,” Bottas lamented. son I’ve had, I think this victory came three wheels, with Vettel then hitch- the second weekend in a row. McLaren’s Stoff el Vandoorne at a very good time,” Verstappen told ing a ride back to the pits on compa- Hamilton now has 281 points to matched the best result of his career All Blacks’ Retallick loses unborn son reporters. triot Pascal Wehrlein’s Sauber. Stew- Vettel’s 247 with fi ve races remaining. with seventh place, ahead of Stroll and All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick will miss next weekend’s Test against the “So I was very happy when I crossed ards decided to take no further action. “They had the upper hand on us Brazil’s Felipe Massa for Williams. Springboks in South Africa following the death of his unborn son, coach Steve the line and together with my dad I got “I think he just didn’t look,” said today. I feel good, but we have some Esteban Ocon took the fi nal point Hansen said yesterday. Retallick was rested for the All Blacks’ 36-10 win over this far and of course I got the great Vettel, who could be hit with a fi ve- work to do with the car. We didn’t for Force India. Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday and was scheduled to join help from Red Bull. place grid penalty at the next race in have the pace this weekend. We have Yesterday’s race was Malaysia’s last. the team during the week. “Brodie and his wife Niki have lost their baby boy “It’s amazing, a very tough race but Japan if he has to change his gearbox to keep pushing,” Hamilton said. The event, which was fi rst hosted by the prematurely, which is incredibly sad news,” Hansen said in a statement. “We’re incredible to win,” he added. due to damage from the collision. Valtteri Bottas underlined Mer- Sepang Circuit in 1999, witnessed its feeling for them at this sad time and our thoughts are with them and their Vettel, whose team mate Kimi Raik- He nevertheless laid down a marker cedes’ struggles, fi nishing fi fth, 56 highest weekend turnout since 2013. families.” Retallick’s wife, Niki, had been pregnant with their second child, konen failed to start after qualifying of Ferrari’s speed by setting the fastest seconds behind Verstappen, while The next round will be held in Su- after the pair had a daughter last year. second, was involved in a bizarre colli- lap and a new lap record as he charged Force India’s Mexican driver, Sergio zuka, Japan on October 8.

RUGBY All Blacks mark title with crushing fi rst half against Pumas Reuters Captain Kieran Read scored two tries “We ended up with a half of rugby dered the initiative and put them on the Barrett then superbly laid on a try for All Black defending and had replace- Buenos Aires as his team led 29-3 at the interval but that we aren’t overly excited about,” back foot. Naholo with a neat backhand pass as ment prop Ramiro Herrera sinbinned earned one of two All Black yellow New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said. Flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who kicked the pair raced down the right wing. towards the end for repeatedly collaps- cards, the other going to Matt Todd, “But we’ve got some great lessons 11 points, orchestrated fast moves that The 2016 Player of the Year then re- ing the scrum. olders New Zealand celebrat- in a ragged second half for his team as out of it for a young group of players... scythed through the Pumas defence in vived a loose ball with a pass between However, they denied New Zealand ed their fi fth Rugby Champi- the Pumas recovered from their poor, losing your skipper was great for us be- a complete contrast to the teams’ pre- his legs to send Read over for his second any more points in a reversal of their onship in six years with four undisciplined fi rst half when they had cause we ended up needing someone to vious test in New Plymouth in which try before half an hour had been played. usual performances which tend to be tries in a devastating fi rst half lock Tomas Lavanini sin binned. lead the team. Argentina led at halftime before an All A changing room dressing down by better in the fi rst half until replacement toH beat Argentina 36-10 at Velez Sars- Wing Waisake Naholo and fullback “I’m very proud we came here and Blacks surge in the last half hour gave coach Daniel Hourcade saw the Pumas, fullback Havili darted through a gap at fi eld on Saturday. Damian McKenzie also scored fi rst played very well in the fi rst half and did them a 39-22 win. who have never beaten the All Blacks in the death. The All Blacks had retained their half tries as Argentina replied with a things right. It’s a diffi cult place to play.” Read opened his team’s try count af- 26 tests, come back out determined to Argentina were aided by a lacklustre crown earlier in the day when South try from 80-cap veteran Juan Manuel ter seven minutes when he crossed in the put on a better show for the full house second half by the world champions Africa were left without a chance of Leguizamon and kept the All Blacks PUMAS INDISCIPLINE corner at the end of a sweeping move- at the Jose Amalfi tani stadium. who could have had more tries but were catching them in their fi nal meeting out until debutant David Havili went Argentina’s errors and indiscipline ment, then McKenzie took a quick tap They might have had more than the let down by kicks ahead that were too next week after being held to a 27-27 over for his side’s fi fth after the fulltime from the fi rst minute when they failed free kick that caught the Pumas napping one try scored by Leguizamon in the long and a Naholo touch down disal- draw by Australia in Bloemfontein. hooter. to fi eld New Zealand’s kickoff surren- and dived over under the posts. 53rd minute but came up against stern lowed after a forward pass. Gulf Times Monday, October 2, 2017 7 CRICKET

PAKISTAN VS SRI LANKA, FIRST TEST, DAY FOUR Yasir Shah double leaves Sri Lanka in trouble

AFP SCOREBOARD Abu Dhabi Sri Lanka 1st innings 419 1-77-2 (6nb, Perera 37-10-92-1 (1nb), Sundakan 35-7- Pakistan Ist innings (overnight 266-4) 98-0 (1w), Herath 40-12-93-5, Karunaratne 3-1-6-0 akistan leg-spinner Ya- Shan Masood b Herath ...... 59 sir Shah grabbed the key Sami Aslam lbw b Perera ...... 51 Sri Lanka 2nd innings wicket of Dinesh Chan- Azhar Ali c Mendis b Herath ...... 85 D. Karunaratne c Masood b Shah ...... 10 dimal to leave Sri Lanka Asad Shafiq c Thirimanne b Herath ...... 39 K. Silva lbw b Sohail ...... 25 Pfi ghting to avoid defeat after the Babar Azam c Dickwella b Pradeep ...... 28 L. Thirimanne c Sarfraz b Shafiq ...... 7 fourth day of the fi rst Test in Abu Haris Sohail c Lakmal b Pradeep ...... 76 K. Mendis not out ...... 16 Dhabi yesterday. Sarfraz Ahmed b Lakmal ...... 18 D. Chandimal c Shafiq b Shah ...... 7 The prolifi c wicket-taker took Mohammad Amir lbw b Lakmal ...... 4 S. Lakmal not out ...... 2 2-25 as Sri Lanka struggled to Yasir Shah c Thirimanne b Herath ...... 8 Extras: (b1, nb1) ...... 2 69-4, needing a rearguard action Hasan Ali st Dickwella b Herath ...... 29 Total: (for four wkts; 40 overs) ...... 69 to save the Test. Pakistan will be Mohammad Abbas not out ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Karunaratne), 2-33 (Thir- expecting to push for victory in Extras: (b5, lb9, nb8, w2) ...... 24 imanne), 3-51 (Silva), 4-65 (Chandimal) the opening match of a two-Test Total: (all out, 162.3 overs) ...... 422 Bowling: Amir 7-2-14-0, Abbas 6-2-7-0 (1nb), Shah series on the fi fth and fi nal day. Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Aslam), 2-116 (Masood), 3-195 14-2-25-2, Hasan 4.2-0-8-0, Shafiq 3.4-0-7-1, Sohail It was tough to negotiate spin (Shafiq), 4-266 (Azam), 5-294 (Ali), 6-316 (Ahmed), 5-2-7-1 on a fourth-day Sheikh Zayed 7-326 (Amir), 8-340 (Shah), 9-390 (Hasan) Match situation: Sri Lanka lead Pakistan by 66 Stadium pitch, but despite a Bowling: Lakmal 22-5-42-2 (1nb, 1w), Pradeep 25.3- runs with six second-innings wickets remaining. 32nd Test fi ve-wicket haul for veteran Sri Lankan spinner Ran- gana Herath, Pakistan posted 422 take the lead, so I had to play a resolute Azhar Ali, luring him the ninth wicket with tail-ender to take a slender three-run lead. Sri Lanka’s Kaushal Silva in action during the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. (AFP) responsible knock which I did.” into an uppish drive which was Hasan Ali to lift Pakistan from Sri Lanka had made 419 in Earlier in the day, Pakistan brilliantly caught at short mid- 340-8. Sohail hit seven fours their fi rst innings. initially it looked as though Sri at slip, for seven. Sohail fol- spite a career-threatening knee too were struggling at 316-6 and wicket by a diving Mendis. and two sixes before holing out At the close, Kusal Mendis was Lanka would take a fi rst-innings lowed his responsible knock by injury which required surgery in were in danger of conceding a Azhar’s defi ant knock of 85 to paceman Nuwan Pradeep, batting on 16, with nightwatch- lead. Pakistan then hit back claiming Kaushal Silva’s wicket, 2015. “The last two years were healthy lead with Herath using lasted more than fi ve hours and who fi nished with 2-77. Hasan’s man Suranga Lakmal on two, af- in the second innings through whom he trapped leg before for tough for me as there was a lot of all his experience and guile. included four boundaries, but whirlwind 25-ball 29 featured ter a day of fl uctuating fortunes. Shah, who fi rst had opener Di- 25, while part-timer Asad Shafi q talk on my injury,” he said. “But The 39-year-old left-arm with his dismissal Pakistan’s three sixes and two fours. The Herath’s 5-93 in 40 overs were muth Karunaratne caught for 10 had Lahiru Thirimanne for sev- thankfully I am here and played spinner, who now has 394 wick- hopes of building a lead looked second and fi nal Test - a day- well foiled by a brilliant 76 by and then dismissed fi rst-innings en. The 28-year-old Sohail’s im- a responsible knock. I was under ets in 84 Tests, gave his team slim. But Sohail had other ideas night aff air - will be played in Test debutant Haris Sohail, as centurion Chandimal, caught pressive Test bow has come de- pressure because we needed to the much-needed wicket of a as he added an invaluable 50 for Dubai from October 6.

INDIA VS AUSTRALIA, FIFTH ODI SA VS BANGLADESH, FIRST TEST, DAY FOUR Injured Morkel strikes as rain halts Rohit’s 125 guides SA victory push

AFP handed captain, with the sec- Potchefstroom, South Africa ond delivery of his next over. But a television check showed the bowler had over- outh African fast stepped the bowling crease. A India to 7-wicket bowler Morne Morkel no-ball was called and Rahim took two wickets for no was reprieved. It was a world runs in the fi rst over of record 14th occasion on which Bangladesh’sS second innings Morkel had been denied a Test before an injury to the fast wicket because of a no-ball. bowler and a thunderstorm South Africa missed an- hit South Africa’s hopes of an other chance when captain Faf early win on the fourth day of du Plessis dropped Kayes at win over Australia the fi rst Test yesterday. second slip off Kagiso Rabada Bangladesh were reeling at when the batsman was on six. ‘Once I got my eye in, it was just about rotating and staying ahead of the run rate all the time’ 49 for three after being set to Kayes made 32 before he make 424 to win when a storm was caught behind off left- Reuters hit Senwes Park during the tea arm spinner Keshav Maharaj Nagpur break and no further play was in what proved to be the last possible. More showers are over of the day. Du Plessis (81) possible on the fi nal day to- and Temba Bavuma (71) set up pening batsman Rohit day and Morkel, who took two South Africa’s second innings Sharma smashed 125 for 19, is not expected to bowl declaration on 247 for six with to guide India to a con- again. a fourth wicket partnership of vincing seven-wicket He left the fi eld with a side 142 off 172 balls. winO against Australia in the fi fth strain after bowling two balls The innings was interrupted and fi nal one-day international in his sixth over. He is due to for 47 minutes by the fi rst of in Nagpur yesterday, for a 4-1 have scans on Monday to es- two thunderstorms. Part-time series victory. tablish the extent of the injury. left-arm spinner Mominul Chasing 243, the hosts cantered Morkel’s sensational start claimed a career-best three for to their target with over seven could have been even better. 27 as South Africa chased quick overs remaining as Australia’s He was denied a third wicket runs. He had taken only four listless bowling attack failed to because of a no-ball. Morkel, wickets in 23 previous Tests. pose any serious challenge. Aus- bowling around the wicket, By contrast, Mehidy Hasan, tralia lost the fi rst three ODIs of bowled Tamim Iqbal with his Bangladesh’s only front-line the series to concede an unassail- fourth ball, a superb delivery spinner, did not take a wicket able 3-0 lead but regained some which straightened off the and conceded 247 runs in 67 pride with a 21-run win in the pitch and hit the off stump. overs during the match - the fourth match at Bengaluru. Two balls later he won a leg third-highest number of runs They would have wanted to before wicket decision against conceded by a bowler without gain some momentum with an- another left-hander, Mominul taking a wicket in a Test match, other victory ahead of the three- Haque, who made top score a list headed by South Africa’s match Twenty20 series, starting of 77 in Bangladesh’s fi rst in- Imran Tahir, who leaked 260 on Saturday, but a clinical per- nings. runs against Australia in 2012. formance from India barely gave After consulting batting Clearly intent on setting them an opportunity. partner Imrul Kayes, Mominul up a declaration which would Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane, India players pose with the trophy after winning the fifth one-day international against Australia at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in did not seek a television review leave his team with plenty of who completed his third con- Nagpur yesterday. (AFP) of umpire Chris Gaff aney’s de- time to bowl out Bangladesh secutive half-century, gave India cision but replays showed the a second time, Du Plessis a rollicking start with an opening break the dangerous stand, who S. Smith lbw b Jadhav ...... 16 ball would have missed the leg showed aggressive intent from stand of 124 before the latter was had combined in a partnership P. Handscomb c Rahane b Patel . stump. the start of his innings. out for 61. It was Sharma’s 14th of 231 to set up Australia’s win in ...... 13 Switching to over the He reached easily the fastest hundred in the 50-over format the last encounter. T. Head b Patel ...... 42 wicket, Morkel uprooted the half-century of the match off and he brought it up with a mas- Australia were moving along M. Stoinis lbw b Bumrah ...... 46 middle stump of Mushfi qur 55 balls and went on to make 81 sive six over mid-wicket against nicely at 100-1 but then suff ered M. Wade c Rahane b Bumrah .20 Rahim, Bangladesh’s right- off 101 balls. paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile. a mini collapse, losing captain J. Faulkner run out ...... 12 The stylish right-handed Steve Smith, Warner and Peter P. Cummins not out ...... 2 SCOREBOARD batsman, who had scored 71 and Handscomb in quick succession N. Coulter-Nile b Bumrah ...... 0 65 in the last two matches, hit 11 to be reduced to 118-4. Extras (b1, lb2, w3) ...... 6 South Africa, first innings, 496-3 declared fours and fi ve sixes in his 109- India’s spinners pulled back Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 242 Bangladesh, first innings, 320 ball knock. Sharma and captain the scoring rate with left-arm Fall of wickets: 1-66 (Finch), South Africa, second innings (overnight 54-2) Virat Kohli (39) added 99 in their spinner Axar Patel the most dev- 2-100 (Smith), 3-112 (Warner), A. Markram c Liton Das b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 15 second wicket partnership to astating, fi nishing with three for 4-118 (Handscomb), 5-205 D. Elgar lbw b Shafiul Islam ...... 18 take India to the brink of victory 38. India pace duo Jasprit Bum- (Head), 6-210 (Stoinis), 7-237 H. Amla c Liton Das b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 28 before both were out caught in rah (2-51) and Bhuvneshwar Ku- (Wade), 8-242 (Faulkner), 9-242 T. Bavuma c Liton Das b Mominul Haque ...... 71 the deep in the same over to leg- mar also bowled accurately dur- (Coulter-Nile) F. du Plessis lbw b Mominul Haque ...... 81 spinner Adam Zampa. ing the closing overs to restrict Bowling: Kumar 8-0-40-1, Bum- Q. de Kock st Liton Das b Mominul Haque ...... 8 “Once I got my eye in, it was Australia, and made up for their rah 10-2-51-2, Pandya 2-0-14-1, A. Phehlukwayo not out ...... 6 just about rotating and stay- average opening spells. Yadav 10-1-48-0, Jadhav 10-0-48- K. Maharaj not out ...... 19 ing ahead of the run rate all the With the win and get back to the 1 (w2), Patel 10-0-38-3 (w1) Extras (nb1) ...... 1 time. I would love to have such a top of ODI world rankings table. Total (6 wkts declared, 56 overs) ...... 247 record against all the teams. I’ve India skipper Virat Kohli Sun- India (target 243) Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Elgar), 2-38 (Markram), 3-70 (Amla), 4-212 always loved playing against this day urged India to be ‘relentless’. A. Rahane lbw b Coulter-Nile ..61 (Du Plessis), 5-217 (Bavuma), 6-222 (De Kock) Australian team - they are very “It feels good. It was a really con- R. Sharma c Coulter-Nile b Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 11-1-69-0, Shafiul Islam 13-1-46-1, Mustafi- competitive, they never give vincing series win for us. Ticked Zampa ...... 125 zur Rahman 11-2-30-2, Taskin Ahmed 6-0-29-0 (1nb), Sabbir Rah- away anything easily,” rohit said all boxes... We had a chance to V. Kohli c Stoinis b Zampa ...... 39 man 5-0-25-0, Mahmudullah 4-0-21-0, Mominul Haque 6-0-27-3 after the match. retain the No. 1 spot and we end- K. Jadhav not out ...... 5 Earlier, Australia failed to ed up doing that,” Kohli said at M. Pandey not out ...... 11 Bangladesh, second innings build on a solid start from their the presentation. “The manage- Extras (lb1, w1) ...... 2 Tamim Iqbal b Morkel ...... 0 openers and fi nished on 242 for ment also plays a massive part in Total (3 wickets, 42.5 overs) .... Imrul Kayes c De Kock b Maharaj ...... 32 nine after winning the toss and motivating players after being ...... 243 Mominul Haque lbw b Morkel ...... 0 opting to bat. David Warner fol- 3-0 up in the series. But we want Fall of wickets: 1-124 (Rahane), Mushfiqur Rahim not out ...... 16 lowed up his match-winning to be relentless,” he added. 2-223 (Sharma), 3-227 (Kohli) Extras (nb1) ...... 1 knock of 124 in the last ODI Bowling: Cummins 7-1-29-0, Total (3 wkts, 15.3 overs) ...... 49 with a fi ne 53 and added 66 with Scoreboard Coulter-Nile 9-0-42-1, Stoinis Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-49. Aaron Finch in a brisk opening Australia 4-0-20-0, Faulkner 5.5-0-37-0 Bowling: Morkel 5.2-2-19-2 (1nb), Rabada 5-1-23-0, Olivier 2.4-0-5- stand. All-rounder Hardik Pan- D. Warner c Pandey b Patel .....53 (w1), Zampa 8-0-59-2, Head 6-0- India opener Rohit Sharma (left) celebrates his century with captain 0, Maharaj 2.3-0-2-1. dya dismissed Finch for 32 to A. Finch c Bumrah b Pandya ..32 38-0, Finch 3-0-17-0. Virat Kohli in Nagpur yesterday. (AFP)

Monday, October 2, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY Al-Attiyah looks to clinch World Cup title in Morocco Qatari ace driver is currently 81 points clear of his nearest championship rival Jakub Przygonski of Poland

By Sports Reporter obtaining experience over some diffi - Fez, Morocco cult terrain and demanding stages.” Organised by the Neveu-Pelletier Organisation (NPO), the competitive ersonnel at Overdrive Racing action on this ever-popular African have their hands full this week round of the series gets underway on when the Belgian car prepa- Thursday (October 5) with a super spe- rations company runs seven cial stage at 12.30hrs in Fèz. PToyota Hiluxes in the OiLibya Rally of The meat of the competition then Morocco, the 10th and penultimate takes place over fi ve selective sections round of the FIA World Cup for Cross- through the varied Moroccan deserts. Country Rallies. The event starts in Fez The route heads from Fez to Erfoud on on October 5 and fi nishes in Erfoud on October 6 and includes a competitive October 10. section of 460.39km in a day’s timeta- The team running under the man- ble of over 820km. agement of Jean-Marc Fortin has al- The second section moves on from ready won seven rounds of the series Erfoud to the Erg Chebbi with a stage of this season and Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al- 354.45km through the notorious dunes Attiyah and French navigator Matthieu that have made the area so popular with Baumel have won six of those rallies in a teams for pre-Dakar Rally testing. memorable season thus far. Competitive sections of 435.11km Al-Attiyah is currently 81 points and 142.79km are included in a gruel- clear of his nearest championship rival, ling agenda for day three and two fur- Jakub Przygonski, and nine points from ther specials of 191.56km and 263.51km his Moroccan adventure would be suf- are on the cards for the penultimate fi cient for the Qatari to retain his FIA day. The rally fi nishes in Erfoud after a World Cup title with a round to spare. further two timed sections of 179.5km Al-Attiyah and Baumel have won the and 8.65km on Tuesday, October 10. last three Moroccan rallies but face fi erce competition on this occasion. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah needs only nine points in Morocco to retain his FIA World Cup for Cross-Country While al-Attiyah concentrates on the FIA World Cup title with a round to spare. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah with his co-driver Matthieu Baumel (left) Rallies – standings after round 9 job in hand to secure the title, Over- 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT) 240pts drive Racing will run a further six Toy- Maciej Marton after running alongside low Frenchman Gilles Pillot and Ten while Munk and Poland’s Rafal Marton Fortin said: “It’s been a long and busy 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL) 159pts ota Hiluxes for Poland’s Aron Domzala, navigator Szymon Gospodarczyk to Brinke continues his working rela- crew the sixth team entry with addi- season but we are getting to the point 3. Khalid al-Qassimi (ARE) 105pts the Dutch duo of Peter van Merksteijn fi nish fi fth in last month’s ORLEN Baja tionship with the experienced Belgian tional support from Bewa and M-For where championships are won and lost 4. Aron Domzala (POL) 98pts and Bernhard Ten Brinke, Frenchman Poland. He holds fourth in the points’ navigator Stephane Prevot, with whom Sport. They will be hoping for a better and we begin to look ahead to the next 5. Yasir Saeidan (SAU) 96pts Ronan Chabot, Dane Jes Munk and standings and knows that a strong fi n- he fi nished on the podium in Poland in run after technical issues sidelined the Dakar. We have a strong line-up in Mo- 6. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT) 84pts Chinese driver He Zhitao. ish to the season would catapult him early September. Van Merksteijn and crew last time out. The all-Chinese rocco. Nasser and Matthieu will be hop- 7. Martin Prokop (CZE) 72pts Domzala, the winner of Russia’s into the top three behind al-Attiyah and Frenchman Pascal Maimon teamed crew of He Zhitao and Zhao Kai round ing to retain the FIA World Cup against 8. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE) 57pts Northern Forest round of the series Przygonski in the fi nal standings. up in Poland to fi nish eighth and they off the impressive seven-car line-up. strong competition and all our team will 9. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 45pts back in February, returns to action with Chabot returns to action with fel- continue to work together in Morocco, Overdrive Racing’s CEO Jean-Marc use the event as a useful test as well as 10. Leeroy Poulter (ZAF) 42pts

SPOTLIGHT Sanchez names Qatar squad for friendlies Doha: Qatar’s national football Mexico on October 8. Ahmed al-Emadi (Qatar SC) Sultan team coach Felix Sanchez has QATAR SQUAD al-Barik (Al Wakra) Khaled Munir chosen 34 players for next Hassan al-Haydos, Salem al-Hajri, and Tarek Salman (Atletico) Asim Qatari stars look for glory at Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, month’s friendlies against Madibo and Akram Afif (Belgium) Singapore, Curacao and Mexico. Ali Asad, Fahad Shanein, Meshaal Ahmed Yasser Mohammadi The three international friendly Issa and Musab Khader (Al Sadd) (Spain). games will be held at the Jassim Ismail Mohamed, Bassam Hisham Six other U-23 players will join Bin Hamad Stadium. The kick-off al-Rawi, Abdullah Abdul Salam al- the Qatar squad starting on Doha Swimming World Cup Ahraq, Karim Boudiyaf, Mohamed October 5. time has been set for 7:00pm They are: Abdulrah- for all friendlies. Ahmed Bakri, Moaz Ali (Al-Duhail), man Mohamed Fahmi, Salah Alawi he Qatar Swimming Association Qatar will first face Singapore Ahmad al-Saadi and Omar Bari al-Lahri (Al Duhail), Abdul Hameed (QSA) announced the line-up of its on October 5, and then take (Al Rayyan) Ahmed Alaa, Tamim al-Dari and Sultan Bakhit al-Kuwari swimmers to participate in the 5th on Curacao on October 10. It al-Muhaizah, Abdul Aziz Hatem, (Al Rayyan) Abdulaziz Khalid Saad round of FINA Swimming World was also revealed that the U-23 Mahdi Ali (Al Gharafa) Abdul Karim (Qatar SC) Jassim Ahmed al-Jalabi TCup (25m) to be staged at the Hamad Aquat- squad is scheduled to host Salem al-Ali (Al Sailiya) Omar (Al Wakra). ic Centre from October 4th and 5th. The event will bring together 153 swimmers. The Qatari squad includes; Hassan Mo- hamed al-Ebaidan, Mohamed Mahmoud, FOCUS Yossef Hesham Mohammad, Abdullah Mo- hammad Abu Ghazallah, Yaqoub Abdulaziz al-Khelaifi , Nasser Yasser Hassan, Abdul- raheem Abdulali Hussain, Feras Murad al- Josoor Institute conducts Saidi, Abdulrahman Hesham Mohamed, Musalam Abdullah, Abdulaziz Hassan al- Obaidli and Nada Mohammad Arakji. workshop for QFA delegates The Qatari swimmers participated in the previous legs of the events as Abdullah Abu osoor Institute recently Speaking on the QFA’s partici- studies where the national team’s Ghazallah took part in the fi rst leg in Mos- completed the delivery pation, Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, four core values were brought to cow (August 02-03). Abdulrahman Hesham of a bespoke workshop Director of Operations at the life. I am confi dent that the hard abd Abdulaziz al-Obaidli participated in the for delegates of the Qatar Qatar National Teams, said: “We work the delegates are doing now second leg in Berlin (August 06-07) while FootballJ Association (QFA) held are constantly striving to moti- will make a great impact in 2022”. Abdulaziz Hassan, Abdulrahman Hesham at the National Team’s offi ces at vate our players on the fi eld but Josoor Institute is a centre and Feras al-Saidi competed in the third Qatar’s Nada Mohammad Arakji and Yaqoub al-Khelaifi (below) will be in action at the FINA Aspire Academy. the only way to achieve success of excellence for the sports and leg in Eindhoven (August 11-12). Yaqoub al- Swimming World Cup (25m) at Hamad Aquatic Centre this Wednesday and Thursday. The two-day workshop ti- is if everyone on and off the field events industries, inspired and Khelaifi and Yousef Hesham took part in the tled ‘Leading the Qatar National lives and breathes the same vi- developed by the Supreme Com- fourth leg in Hong Kong (September 30-Oc- Teams towards Excellence’ took sion. This workshop was a great mittee for Delivery & Legacy tober 01). place on 14th and 15th September opportunity to re-align ourselves (SC). Since its inception in De- In a pre-event press release, Ibraheem and focused on the Qatar nation- towards our vision and encour- cember 2013, it has engaged with al-Rumaihi, Head of Swimming section at al teams four core values - hon- age us to always think outside over 2,600 delegates. The recent the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA), our, loyalty, respect and victory. the box. Qatar has a number of QFA workshop encouraged team said that the participation at the Swimming The workshop, which was led talented and competent football managers and administrators World Cup championship – Doha leg acts as by Neil Doncaster, Chief Ex- managers and administrators, all working closely alongside the a considerable opportunity for local swim- ecutive of the Scottish Profes- working towards establishing the Qatar National Team to enhance mers to interact with the world champions sional Football League provided fundamental pillars that will help team performance, improve the and to gain international experience. a number of interactive sessions. the QFA reach and exceed its ob- relationship between coaches “Our swimmers are ready for the world Delegates were given team- jectives. Workshops such as this and players and embed their core swimming event in Doha, they had already bonding exercises to spark their are a key part of that journey.” values amongst all team mem- shown impressive performances in the both creative thinking and problem Commenting on his partici- bers. 9th Asian Age Group Championship took solving skills. pation as a speaker, Doncaster Moving forward, Josoor Insti- place in Uzbekistan and the Asian Indoor With media interactions (lo- said: “It is always a pleasure to tute will be hosting a number of and Martial Arts Games held in Turkmeni- cal or international) being a core work with football profession- bespoke workshops that are tai- stan” said al-Rumaihi. part of the roles, delegates were als in Qatar. Although there may lor made to fi t an organisational “We have a great ambition to honour the also put under the spotlight and be many diff erences in the chal- needs. For those interested to country in the event, we are looking for provided with challenging sce- lenges we face every day, we are learn more, visit Josoor Insti- new records to prove the progress of Qatari narios, which they were then all working towards having ef- tute’s website www.josoorin- swimming movement,” added al-Rumaihi. asked to dissect and analyse, all fective teams. Within this work- stitute.qa or email delegate@ Among international stars, fans-fa- while being fi lmed. shop, we exchanged global case josoorinstitute.qa vourite Chad Le Clos, the most successful man in the competition’s history with 116 gold medals under his belt, will be looking also be seen in action during the event. Also which makes her the best swimmer in the to extend his medals streak in Doha. The joining the star-studded in men’s events competition’s history. The 28-year-old will 25-year-old, who won the 200m champi- will be Italy’s Gabriele Detti, who is expect- be looking to maintain her 200m and 400m onship in Budapest World Championships ed to excel in Doha after his golden run at Individual Medley dominance along with earlier this summer, won three gold med- this year’s World Championships. other events. als in the 2016 leg in Doha while in 2015 he The 23-year-old displayed a stunning Sjostrom, 24 will set alight the pool as she clinched four gold medals. performance in Budapest to clinch 800m will also be targeting maximum number of But, the South African superstar will not freestyle gold. medals. The Swedish double gold medallist be alone to spearhead the men’s competi- Radoslaw Kawecki of Poland – the former at the FINA World Championships 2017 in tions as his compatriot Cameron van der world champion will also be joining the top Budapest, she had also clinched the 100m Burgh – the gold medallist at FINA World names at the next week’s Worlds. butterfl y at Rio Games last year. Championships Winsdor 2016 (50m breast- Hungary’s ‘Iron Lady’ – Katinka Hosszu – Triple Olympic champion Ranomi Kro- stroke), Russia’s Vladimir Viktorovich Mo- will lead the star cast in women’s events, which mowidjojo of the Netherlands, Rio gold rozov – Winsdsor 2016 champion at 100m will also see Olympic champion and world medallist Rie Kaneto of Japan and Jamaica’s breaststroke are also set to compete in the champion Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden in action. star Alia Atkinson, the 2016 world champi- gala. Crowd-puller Hosszu has a staggering on are among the other stars to take part in Russian swimming ace Kirill Prigoda will number of 226 gold medals to her name the competition.