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Sunday, September 30, 2018 GOLF Moharram 20, 1440 AH Fleetwood, Molinari GULF TIMES keep Europe on track at Ryder Cup SPORT Page 4 ACBS ASIAN TOUR 10 RED CHAMPIONSHIP Pakistan’s Bilal shines in maiden international win 33-year-old beats Irishman Brendan O’Donoghue 6-1 in the inaugural Asian Tour 10 Red event

By Mikhil Bhat Doha

t seemed Pakistan’s Moham- ed Bilal could do no wrong on the green baize last evening. Bank shots? Check. Com- Ibination shots? Check. He even had a swagger while he walked around the table lining up his shots at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall for the 1st ACBS Asian Tour 10 Red Championship fi nal yesterday. And some passionate fan sup- port only added to the fl avour. Bilal reached his second tour- nament fi nal this week after winning the last frame of the thrilling semi-fi nal against Hong Kong teenager Cheung Ka Wai. The last-four stage match was a repeat of Tuesday’s Asian 6 Red semi-fi nal, which Bilal had won 6-4. In the money match yesterday, the 33-year-old gave his Irish opponent Brendan O’Donoghue no opportunity past the second Pakistan’s Mohamed Bilal kisses the winner’s trophy after winning the frame, notching his fi rst interna- 1st ACBS Asian Tour 10 Red Championship at the Qatar Biliards and tional tournament win 6-1 for a Snooker Federation Hall yesterday. USD 12,000 winner’s cheque and a glittering trophy. Tour. was just too good this afternoon. “When I played the Asian 6 However, having leveled the fi - “Maybe I could have beat him Red fi nal (earlier this week), I nal at 1-1 after the second frame, this morning,” O’Donoghue somehow could see getting into he had “no real answer”. laughed. my game then itself,” Bilal told Pakistan’s Mohamed Bilal (back, left), winner of the 1st ACBS Asian Tour 10 Red Championship, and Ireland’s Brendan O’Donoghue (back, right), “I lost a bad fi rst frame, 27-27, Both the players are looking Gulf Times yesterday. runner-up of the competition, pose with International Billiards and Snooker Federation president Mubarak al-Khayarin (right), Qatar Billiards and and missed a yellow, and then forward to the other two tourna- “That gave me confi dence for Snooker Federation president Mohammed Mubarak al-Ramzani (fifth from left) and other off icials yesterday. PICTURES: Ram Chand the rest…,” he said after the fi nal. ments — China and India — in this tournament. Reaching the “But he did play a good shot, fair the inaugural Asian tour. semis was another confi dence- against the Irish player (in the the balls were going. So all thanks Bilal had come close ear- O’Donoghue had lost only four enough. “That’s the plan,” O’Donoghue booster for me, winning it in the fi nal), I was ready to put every- to God, it all went the way I had lier this week in the Asian 6 Red frames in his campaign on the “Then I won the second frame, said. fi nal frame. It was a close game, thing I know into the game, and thought. Championship but had missed way to the fi nal. Yesterday morn- after being almost 40 down, and Bilal added, “God-willing I he (Cheung) gave me a tough play with focus. I tried and God “I have reached fi nals and out on his maiden international ing, the 35-year-old blanked In- I thought alright, I am back in the shall play the next two tourna- time. But I was confi dent of win- made me successful. semi-fi nals on many occasions title after losing out to Thailand’s dia’s 19-time world champion game. But he played really well ments in China and India too. I ning. “I was playing with a lot of before but this was my fi rst inter- Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon 3-7 Pankaj Advani 5-0 for a shot at after that, I had no real answer. want to go to India. There are nice “Knowing that I was up focus, and I could just see where national win.” in the fi nal. the fi rst leg of the inaugural Asian There was nothing I could do. He people there.”

FOOTBALL Perfect PSG brush aside Nice to equal Ligue 1 record

AFP Nice, France

aris Saint-Germain cruised to a 3-0 victory at Nice yesterday to equal the record of victories Pfrom the start of a French top divi- sion season. Neymar, who ended the game with a bloodied mouth, scored twice as PSG opened the season with eight straight wins, a feat that Nice coach had only been achieved once, by Patrick Vieira Lille in 1936. With 24 points, PSG, chasing a pletely missed his shot. The ball popped it into the goal. sixth French title in seven seasons, was retrieved by Moussa Diaby Nice fi nished the game with 10 are sure to end the weekend at least who rolled it to Neymar and the men. Wylan Cyprien, a fi rst-half eight points clear of their closest Brazilian curled his shot into the substitute, earned a second yellow challengers. net from 22 metres. for whacking Neymar in the face PSG have lost this season, in PSG wasted several chances with an elbow while leaping for a the Champions League, and with before half-time and in the 44th header. Cyprien went off , Neymar Red Star Belgrade visiting Parc des minute Mbappe set up Neymar, continued, holding a bandage to Princes on Wednesday, coach Tho- who netted from close range only his bleeding mouth. mas Tuchel left Marco Verratti and for VAR to show a marginal off side. In the dying seconds, Mbappe Edinson Cavani on the bench and Nice coach Patrick Vieira threw again burst clear and squared the also experimented again with a back on Mario Balotelli for the second ball to Neymar who tapped in his three. His team still dominated. half, but any hopes of a fi ghtback second. Nice goalkeeper Walter Beni- were quickly punctured. tez turned away early eff orts from A minute after the restart, Di Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe. Maria released Mbappe who raced forward Neymar (centre) is Then Angel di Maria hit a post. through the visiting defence and congratulated by teammate In the 22nd minute, Christopher evaded Benitez and one defender. Marquinhos and others after Nkunku surged down the right and When his shot struck another Nice scoring a goal during the match slid the ball to Mbappe, who com- player, the ball fell to Nkunku who against Nice yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Sunday, September 30, 2018 FOOTBALL

EPL SERIE A Ronaldo sets up all three goals as Super Sturridge Juve beat Napoli

Reuters Turin

ristiano Ronaldo was grabs point for involved in all three of his team’s goals as lead- ers Juventus came from Cbehind to beat 10-man Napoli 3-1 in a Serie A top-of-the-table clash on Saturday to maintain their perfect start to the season. Dries Mertens gave Napoli an Reds against Blues early lead before Ronaldo pro- vided a pinpoint cross for Mand- Sturridge’s late intervention means they move level on points with Man City at the zukic to head in the equaliser and then set up an easy second for the top of the table ahead of a huge clash between the two at Anfield next weekend Croat when his shot hit the post. Ronaldo’s goalbound header also provided the third Juve goal followed up to turn the rebound for Leonardo Bonucci after Na- into the net. poli had left back Mario Rui sent Mario Rui was sent off for a off for a petulant kick at Paulo second bookable off ence after Dybala. aiming a kick at Dybala and, al- Earlier, AS Roma upset the though it seemed a fair decision, form book with a 3-1 derby win the Napoli players were enraged over neighbours Lazio who had by the Argentine’s theatrical re- won their last fi ve games in all action. competitions. Napoli threatened an equal- Leaders Juventus, aiming for iser when Callejon got through an eighth title in a row, have 21 but his shot was blocked by points from seven games, six Wojciech Szczesny and Bonucci clear of last season’s runners-up wrapped up the game, tapping in Napoli. Ronaldo’s header at the far post Piotr Zielinski fi red against the following a corner in the 75th post after six minutes as Napoli minute. made a bright start and they were Ronaldo could have had a goal rewarded four minutes later. himself but fi red a shot into the Bonucci’s risky diagonal ball side-netting after getting clear out of defence was intercepted of the defence. by Allan who quickly found Jose Rome overcame their poor Callejon and the Spaniard laid start to the season by beating the ball off for Mertens to tap in. Lazio for the seventh time in Juventus needed a piece of Ro- their last nine meetings. naldo brilliance to get back into Lorenzo Pellegrini back- the game in the 26th minute. The heeled Roma ahead on the stroke Portuguese twisted and turned of halftime, shortly after replac- past Elseid Hysaj and then ing the injured Javier Pastore. dropped a perfect cross onto the But an awful mistake by Roma head of Mandzukic who powered defender Federico Fazio allowed a downward eff ort past David Lazio back into the match. The Ospina. Argentine was dispossessed as he Ospina then got down well to tried to dribble around Ciro Im- stop a Ronaldo free kick and did mobile, who ran on to fi re the ball even better to block the rebound wide of Patrick Olsen for his fi rst to prevent Juve getting a quick goal in a Rome derby. second. But Roma were back in front Four minutes after halftime, within four minutes when Ale- Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge (not pictured) scores past Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in London yesterday. Ronaldo collected the ball on ksandar Kolarov fi red the free Results and standings the edge of the area, fi red a shot kick through a huge hole in the AFP Chelsea are just two points back in counter-attack after going in front. West Ham Utd ...... 3 Manchester Utd...... 1 against the post and Mandzukic Lazio wall. London third and showed their own title Salah should have levelled against his Arsenal ...... 2 Watford...... 0 credentials by continuing an un- old club just after the half hour mark Everton ...... 3 Fulham ...... 0 when he outmuscled Marcos Alonso and beaten start under Maurizio Sarri Huddersfield Town0 Tottenham Hotspur .....2 ubstitute Daniel Sturridge’s sen- with an impressive defensive dis- rounded Kepa, but his goalbound eff ort Let’s not lie, my goal was better sational strike a minute from time play complemented by Hazard’s was cleared off the line by Antonio Rudi- Manchester City ...... 2 Brighton & Hove ...... 0 preserved Liverpool’s unbeaten class at the other end of the fi eld ger. Alb Newcastle Utd .0 Leicester City ...... 2 than Salah’s, says Ronaldo start to the Premier League season The world’s two most expensive goal- Wolverhampton ...... 2 Southampton ...... 0 Sas Jurgen Klopp’s men salvaged a 1-1 draw crowned the third best player in the world keepers were on show and both Kepa and Chelsea ...... 1 Liverpool ...... 1 Milan: Cristiano Ronaldo curling strike against Everton at Chelsea yesterday. for the past year by FIFA on Monday. Alisson showed why they cost a combined believes the overhead bicycle in the Premier League in For the second time in four days Eden But the dead eye for goal shown by the £140mn with big saves on the hour mark. P W D L F A Pts kick he scored for Real Madrid December. Hazard seemed set to haunt Liverpool as Egyptian last season to earn that acco- Firstly, the Spaniard got down quickly 1 Man City ...... 7 6 1 0 21 3 19 against his current club Ju- “I’m not disappointed, life is after deciding a League Cup tie between lade ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and to his right to turn Mane’s shot behind for ventus last season was better like that, sometimes you win 2 Liverpool ...... 7 6 1 0 15 3 19 the pair on Wednesday, the Belgian fi red Hazard was missing as Liverpool paid for a corner. Moments later a quick Chelsea than Mohamed Salah’s which and others lose, what interests Chelsea in front on 25 minutes. a wasteful start. free-kick caught Liverpool napping and 3 Chelsea ...... 7 5 2 0 15 5 17 won the FIFA goal of the year me is that in 15 years of career Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmi- Twice Salah wriggled into clear shoot- Alisson produced a brilliant block to deny 4 Tottenham ...... 7 5 0 2 14 7 15 award. I managed to maintain the no had eff orts cleared off the line and ing positions on his favoured left foot Hazard his second. 5 Arsenal ...... 7 5 0 2 14 9 15 “Salah deserved to win the same levels of performance,” Xherdan Shaqiri sliced wide a great on the edge of the box inside the fi rst 10 Salah paid for his profl igacy before the 6 Watford ...... 7 4 1 2 11 8 13 Puskas award, it was a good Ronaldo said. chance as Liverpool were headed for de- minutes, but his fi rst tame eff ort was eas- break when he was replaced by Shaqiri 24 7 Leicester City ...... 7 4 0 3 13 10 12 goal. But let’s be honest, let’s “Awards are awards... I already minutes from time. feat. ily saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga before he 8 Wolverhampton ...... 7 3 3 1 8 6 12 not lie to ourselves, my goal have a lot. I play to win and But Sturridge’s late intervention means blazed his second high and wide. But that decision from Klopp looked was the best,” Ronaldo told his not to win awards.” 9 Bournemouth ...... 6 3 1 2 10 11 10 they move level on points with Manches- Just as in midweek when Hazard came costly when the Swiss international sliced 142mn Instagram followers. Five days after the awards ter City at the top of the table ahead of a off the bench to win the game with a stun- wide from point-blank range with just 10 Man United ...... 7 3 1 3 10 12 10 The 33-year-old Portuguese ceremony in London — which huge clash between the two at Anfi eld ning individual run and fi nish, Liverpool Kepa to beat from Andy Robertson’s teas- 11 Everton ...... 7 2 3 2 11 11 9 star lost out to former Real he did not attend — five-time next weekend. were undone by a moment of magic from ing cross. 12 Crystal Palace ...... 6 2 1 3 4 6 7 Madrid teammate Luka Modric Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo Chelsea are just two points back in third Chelsea’s number 10. David Luiz then hacked clear Firmino’s 13 West Ham ...... 7 2 1 4 8 12 7 for the FIFA best player award hailed his former Real team- and showed their own title credentials by Hazard was picked out by a fi ne through header off the line as Liverpool seemed set 14 Brighton ...... 7 1 2 4 8 13 5 and to Liverpool’s Salah for mate, saying: “Congratulations continuing an unbeaten start under Mau- ball from Mateo Kovacic and forced onto to be held scoreless for the fi rst time since 15 Southampton ...... 7 1 2 4 6 11 5 the Puskas Award for the best to everyone, to Modric, best rizio Sarri with an impressive defensive his weaker left foot he still managed to they last visited Chelsea in May. goal. player of the year according 16 Fulham ...... 7 1 2 4 8 16 5 display complemented by Hazard’s class drill the ball low past Alisson Becker for However, Sturridge succeeded where Salah won the award for his to FIFA.” at the other end of the fi eld. his seventh goal of the season. Liverpool’s fi rst-choice front three had 17 Burnley ...... 6 1 1 4 7 10 4 Both sides were back to full strength Chelsea have dominated possession failed with a spectacular dipping eff ort 18 Newcastle United ...... 7 0 2 5 4 10 2 after Sarri and Klopp made eight changes since Sarri took charge, but the hosts from 25 yards against his old club to again 19 Cardiff ...... 6 0 2 4 3 14 2 for the League Cup between the pair. seemed happy to sit on their lead and not prove his worth in Klopp’s bid to end a 29- 20 Huddersfield Town .7 0 2 5 3 16 2 LA LIGA Salah was back for Liverpool after being expose themselves to Liverpool’s rapid year wait to win the title.

BOTTOMLINE Barca frustrated but not a one-man Kane double lift s Spurs spirits team, says Messi AFP to Leganes. “Anxious? No, the Barcelona season is very long, we feel an- gry after the last two results,” Messi told beIN Sports. ahead of Barcelona clash ionel Messi says Barce- “Today I think we created sit- AFP to host Barcelona in the Cham- misjudged the bounce of a Davin- Huddersfi eld are struggling lona are “angry” after uations to win and we couldn’t Huddersfield pions League at Wembley on son Sanchez clearance, allowing for goals, having scored just their draw at home to do it and we are aware that we Wednesday. Kane to race clear, but goalkeeper once at home in the league since Athletic Bilbao yester- have to become stronger defen- It will have done much to lift Jonas Lossl held his nerve and February 11, but were out of luck dayL but insists they do not de- sively and that we cannot score arry Kane rediscov- club spirits too, given the ham- blocked with his feet. at key times. pend on him to win. goals in every match.” ered his scoring touch string injury suff ered during the The home side, who could have Chris Loewe’s sweet, swerving Barca were held 1-1 by Bil- Barca coach Ernesto Valverde just in time to face week by midfi elder Dele Alli, who been behind even earlier than that 25-yard shot, which came between bao at the Camp Nou to make accepted after the game that Barcelona with two is expected to be out for around had Rose not headed just wide from Kane’s two fi rst-half goals, was it three games without a vic- leaving Messi out with Spurs in Hgoals for Tottenham in a routine four weeks, although Spurs have a Trippier cross, did not heed the pushed aside by the alert Paulo tory, with Messi left out of the mind had been a risk that had 2-0 Premier League victory at yet to put a timescale on his return. lesson and were soon behind. Gazzaniga in the Tottenham goal. starting line-up and brought on failed to pay off. bottom club Huddersfi eld. Christian Eriksen was absent Terence Kongolo managed to Right on half-time, Laurent De- early in the second half. It also left the team open to The England centre-forward too, with the abdominal injury he hold up Lucas’s run, injuring him- poitre met Erik Durm’s cross on the It was his shot that Munir accusations again of an over- has struggled for goals since sustained during last Saturday’s self in the process, but the Brazil- run with a volley that bounced out El Haddadi turned in for a late reliance on Messi. returning from the World Cup, 2-1 win at Brighton, although he ian got to his feet and fed Trippier off the underside of the bar. equaliser but Oscar de Marcos’ “We have a strong team and scoring just once, from a pen- is hopeful of facing Barcelona. to cross for Kane to head in. The second half rather pe- close-range finish before the we don’t depend on any one alty, in his previous six appear- was punished for tugging Danny In any case, Kane’s form, al- Kongolo was carried off on a tered out, with Lucas spurning interval was enough to secure player,” Messi said. ances for club and country. Rose’s shirt. lied to an impressive attacking stretcher, and his replacement, two opportunities to score the Bilbao a point. “This is Barcelona, we have However, he headed in Ki- The victory, Tottenham’s performance from Lucas Moura, Hadergjonaj, was soon experi- goal his performance merited, The result means Barce- enough players not to have to eran Trippier’s cross in the 25th third in eight days if the mid- ensured that the absentees were encing his own misfortune, as fi rst being denied by Lossl after lona head to Wembley to face depend on a player. What is minute to set Mauricio Pochet- week defeat of Watford on not missed too much. he was punished for a shirt tug wriggling into space, and then Tottenham on Wednesday on said, it hurts after these results tino’s side on their way, and then penalties in the League Cup is Huddersfi eld were warned of on Rose inside the area. Kane fi ring wide having won posses- the back of a difficult week, but we have to be calm and be added a penalty nine minutes included, suggests they are get- the danger in the opening 10 min- sent Lossl the wrong way with sion in midfi eld and charged for which also saw them draw at aware that this is a very long later, when Florent Hadergjonaj ting back to form as they prepare utes, when Christopher Schindler the resulting penalty. goal. home against Girona and lose season.” Gulf Times Sunday, September 30, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SLUMP SPOTLIGHT Mourinho’s woes Sterling stars as Man deepen aft er 3-1 City beat Hammer blow Brighton United have just 10 points after seven games — that meagre haul plus their negative goal difference means this is their poorest start since 1989-90

AFP and United went close to pull- London ing a goal back when Marouane Fellaini powered a header down- ward only to see Lukasz Fabian- anchester United ski pull off a fine stop. crashed to a 3-1 de- The United boss brought off feat at West Ham Pogba — to a chorus of jeers yesterday to record from the home fans — and Mar- Mtheir worst league start in 29 tial, with Fred and Juan Mata years, leaving Jose Mourinho sent on to perform a rescue act. desperately seeking answers to a Within seconds they had Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling (C) celebrates mounting crisis at the club. pulled a goal back, when Rash- with Sergio Aguero (L) and Silva after scoring against Brighton and United have just 10 points af- ford fl icked home a Luke Shaw Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester yesterday. ter seven Premier League games corner. — that meagre haul plus their But the sense of hope did not AFP Sterling, who endured a mixed negative goal diff erence means last long as Arnautovic held his Manchester World Cup playing for England, this is their poorest start since nerve to steer the ball past De had earned praise from his club 1989-90, when they had picked Gea after a through ball from manager on Friday, Guardiola up seven points at this stage of West Ham captain Mark Noble. aheem Sterling dem- claiming the forward is in bet- the season. All eyes at the London Sta- onstrated why manager ter form than he was in scoring United, who fi nished second dium were on Pogba after the Pep Guardiola believes 18 times in City’s title-winning last season behind Manchester French World Cup winner was he is playing the best campaign last season. City, already appear to be out of stripped of the vice-captaincy footballR of his Manchester City Guardiola described the the title race and problems on before a League Cup defeat to career as the defending cham- 23-year-old as “more mature” the pitch are compounded by a Championship side Derby. pions went top of the Premier and, following a slow start to the growing rift between the man- The following day Pogba was League, temporarily at least, fol- current season, the same can be ager and Paul Pogba. involved in a terse exchange with lowing a 2-0 win over Brighton said of Sane. West Ham made a mockery Mourinho on the training pitch, yesterday. Omitted from Germany’s of their appalling record against Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho on the touchline yesterday. further evidence that the rela- Sergio Aguero was also on tar- World Cup squad and criticised the 20-times English cham- tionship between the pair is at get with the 15th goal in his last in his homeland for his form and pions at the London Stadium, should have been fl agged off side Smalling and Lindelof in a back were rewarded on fi ve minutes, breaking point. 11 league appearances at City’s attitude recently, Sane started with an early strike from Felipe and the move that led to the Ar- three and the decision to play when Mark Noble slid in Pablo The win for West Ham is a fur- home Etihad Stadium. this season out of City’s regular Anderson and a Victor Lindelof nautovic goal included a foul on Anthony Martial instead of the Zabaleta down the right and the ther sign that Manuel Pellegrini’s The comfortable win means starting line-up. own goal shortly before half- Rashford. misfi ring Alexis Sanchez, who Argentine crossed for Anderson side have turned the corner after City have now dropped just four But recalled to start the pre- time leaving the disjointed visi- “We needed a good start and was not even in the squad. to fl ick the ball brilliantly past they started the season with four of the last 39 points available to vious two league games, against tors with a mountain to climb. we didn’t have that good start. “I wanted to play Martial,” David de Gea. straight defeats in the Premier them, setting up a fascinating Fulham and Cardiff , Sane had United pulled a goal back After the result on Tuesday (de- he said. “Something that you The visitors started see- League. Pellegrini said his side visit to Anfi eld next Sunday to been impressive in an attack that through substitute Marcus feat to Derby in the League Cup) are asking for a long, long, long ing more of the ball but still were deserving victors, despite face a Liverpool team currently scored eight times in those two Rashford in the second half but the team obviously needs posi- time to play Martial.... and at struggled to create meaning- Mourinho’s gripes over the of- regarded as the greatest threat to outings. Marko Arnautovic restored the tive things, positive feelings and the same time I feel that we need ful chances and were punished fi ciating, and said he was sur- City’s successful title defence. He played a series of eff ec- two-goal cushion for West Ham to start losing after fi ve minutes quality on the ball, on the build- just before half-time when an prised at the absence of Sanchez. Despite wasting the opportu- tive one-twos, with David Silva minutes later to end the visitors’ is not that positive start that you ing up from the back and Scott Andriy Yarmolenko shot looped “I was surprised there was not nity to win by a more comforta- in particular, as City put the hopes of a dramatic comeback. need.” McTominay has that quality into the net off Lindelof for an Alexis Sanchez,” Pellegrini said ble margin, City have now scored Brighton defence under pres- Mourinho blamed the offi - The United boss defended a with the ball.” own goal. of his fellow Chilean. “That for 21 times in seven league games — sure. cials for West Ham’s fi rst and tactical switch to bring in Scott United were off the pace from Mourinho threw on Rashford me was a relief because Alexis a rate that leaves them on target He also produced that fi rst on- third goals, saying the opener McTominay alongside Chris the fi rst whistle and West Ham shortly before the hour-mark makes a real diff erence.” to beat least season’s record haul target eff ort, after 26 minutes, of 106 goals. with a shot straight at keeper City did not create their fi rst Mat Ryan although, after City on-target shot until the 26th took the lead, there were more minute, yet scored the opener openings. Ex-United internationals lament a club at war and in a mess three minutes later. A rare mistake by Lewis Dunk, Brighton had played almost who won a tackle but left the ball, Reuters and Paul Scholes to deliver the place just looks unstable. “You can’t let a situation like The bare minimum is graft,” faultlessly until that point but, allowed Sterling a shot which London scathing assessments to BT “It feels like there something’s this continue,” said Ferdinand. Ferdinand said. against City’s array of attacking Ryan parried well before the Sport after watching the match massively wrong. Is it the end “Things leaking out in the press, Yet Scholes wondered if Mour- talent, near-perfection is not ‘keeper ended the half by punch- at the London Stadium. for some players or the man- little wars going on in the chang- inho could aff ord to alienate enough. ing away Fernandinho’s powerful anchester United As the inquests were ramped ager? Who’s going to get more ing room, players maybe on Pogba further. “The war he’s got A Brighton move broke down 30-yard shot. were painted by two up after another sub-par display out of this team? We don’t know. one side of the dressing room, now with Pogba, Pogba’s still his when Leroy Sane intercepted 10 After the restart, Sane headed distinguished old that leaves United’s Premier It just feels wrong.” Mourinho and his staff on the best player. Can he let Pogba yards inside the visitors’ half, down, but over, from Bernardo’s boys yesterday as a League title hopes already Former England and United other. It can’t be like that. If this go? I don’t know if he can,” said sparking a cavalry charge upfi eld inviting cross and Ryan saved M with Bernardo Silva and Aguero spectacularly, again, from David club at war who could be staring wanting, former midfielder captain Ferdinand added that it continues, it will be one of the the midfielder. at one of their worst-ever sea- Scholes said: “At this minute, I was diff icult to say whether the worst seasons in the history of Ferdinand said action was working a move back to the Ger- Silva after attempts from Sterling sons on the field after their 3-1 think this club seems to be in club were approaching the “end the club. needed quickly. “Any football man winger on the left. and Aguero had been blocked in capitulation at West Ham United. a bit of a mess. “It just seems a game”, in terms of either Mour- “There is definitely a lack of club needs stability from top Sane’s cross was as accurate quick succession. The tame defeat condemned war right throughout the club. If inho’s tenure or the future of quality. The players brought to bottom. Here there appears as it was selfl ess, the ball moved City fi nally received the re- United to their worst start in any it’s from Ed Woodward (the chief under-performing players, but in — I’d question if they’re good to be mini-wars going on in the across the face of an open goal for ward of a second goal in the 65th top-flight season for 29 years, executive) to Mourinho and said the club’s hierarchy now enough. But on top of that, you changing room, even above Sterling to slide in and convert minute when Aguero started a prompting both Rio Ferdinand then Mourinho to his players, had to make hard decisions. have to get the players playing. that.” his fourth goal of the season from move that summed up his team’s point-blank range. superiority.

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Arsenal ride their luck to make it seven in a row May backs joint UK-Ireland AFP Granit Xhaka tested Watford’s Foster World Cup bid in 2030 London with a stinging long-range drive that the keeper parried to safety. AFP But, after grabbing his hamstring fol- London rsenal extended their win- lowing a goal-kick, Arsenal captain Cech ning streak to seven matches as was forced to limp off in fi rst half stop- Craig Cathcart’s late own goal page-time. ritish Prime Minister Theresa May signalled her “full sup- Aand Mesut Ozil’s clinical strike Bernd Leno, a pre-season signing from port” Friday for a potential joint bid by the United King- clinched a hard-fought 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, came on to replace dom and Ireland to host the 2030 football World Cup. Watford yesterday. Cech for his fi rst appearance in the Pre- May’s comments serve up a formidable challenge to a Latin Unai Emery’s side were under the cosh mier League. B American plan that Argentina agreed with Paraguay and Uruguay in the second half at the Emirates Sta- The German did not take long to dis- in April. dium, but they kept Watford at bay and tinguish himself as he dived to keep out England’s fans have been riding a wave of patriotic jubilation since broke out to steal the points. Troy Deeney’s fl ick with a superb fi nger- their young team beat the odds to reach the semi-finals of the June- Cathcart put through his own net with tip save. July tournament played in Russia. just nine minutes left and Ozil wrapped Emery insisted this week that Aaron But the biggest event in the world’s most popular sport could be up the points two minutes later. Ramsey wouldn’t be distracted by reports expanded from 32 to 48 teams starting with the next edition in Arsenal have now won fi ve successive that his negotiations with Arsenal have Qatar in 2022. league games for the fi rst time in over a broken down. The change means that even countries with ample infrastructure year, with additional victories in the Eu- The 27-year-old is out of contract at may struggle to cope with the weight of pulling off the massively ropa League and League Cup making it a the end of the season and is believed to be followed competition on their own. The 2026 tournament was purple patch for new boss Emery. resigned to leaving Arsenal, with Man- awarded to a “United” bid the United States presented with Mexico Not for the fi rst time this season, Ar- Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette (L) and Arsenal’s German defender chester United and Chelsea interested in and Canada. The rights for the 2030 World Cup are still up for grabs senal, who climb to fi fth, could be con- Shkodran Mustafi (R) celebrate their second goal against Watford in London. signing him. — and the five Football Associations within the United Kingdom and sidered slightly lucky after delivering an- Emery’s prediction appeared wide of Ireland have been plotting a joint bid of their own. other inconsistent display. nents for the fi rst time since 1984. Lacazette should have opened the the mark as Ramsey was anonymous be- May said her support for 2030 stemmed in part from the adulation But Emery will take heart from the way But Javi Gracia’s side wasted an early scoring when he seized on Cathcart’s fore being substituted in the second half, England received for their performance in Russia. they are grinding out results while he chance to show that position was no fl uke cumbersome attempt to turn and raced a departure marked by a frustrated shake “Following the excitement of this summer’s World Cup, the English continues to rebuild the damage from the when Will Hughes volleyed wide from the clear on goal. of the head from the Wales midfi elder. FA are working together with the FAs of Scotland, Wales, Northern fi nal days of the Arsene Wenger era. edge of the area. But, with only Watford keeper Ben With Arsenal struggling to build a head Ireland and Ireland to explore whether there could be a joint bid to The only problem for Emery was an in- Emery was up against a former team- Foster to beat, Lacazette’s chip drifted of steam, Watford began to take control. host the 2030 World Cup,” May said. jury that forced off goalkeeper Petr Cech mate in Gracia, the pair played together at tamely wide. Leno had to race off his line to deny An- “The decision on whether to bid is, of course, for the Football As- in the fi rst half. Real Sociedad, and it was the Arsenal boss Cech bravely took a battering from Ab- dre Gray, while Roberto Pereyra was nar- sociations to make. But if they decide to go forward, they can count Watford went into a match against Ar- who would have the upper hand eventu- doulaye Doucoure, throwing himself into rowly off -target after dribbling through on this government’s full support.” senal higher in the table than their oppo- ally. a crowd to catch Jose Holebas’s cross. the Arsenal defence. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, September 30, 2018 SPORT

GOLF / RYDER CUP TENNIS Sabalenka crushes Kontaveit to clinch Fleetwood and Wuhan Open Molinari keep Europe on track ‘Those 4 1/2 points we’re going to need tomorrow, we’re going to have to fight hard’

AFP Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France

ommy Fleetwood and AFP linda Bencic won the 2015 Rogers Francesco Molinari Wuhan, China Cup in Toronto at the age of 18. propelled Europe into a commanding position ‘JUST TOO STRONG’ Twith a rare sweep of their four dominant Aryna Sabalenka, who was 111th in the pairs matches to give the hosts a Sabalenka thrashed world at this time last year, has 10-6 lead over the United States Anett Kontaveit 6-3, rocketed up the rankings since going into the fi nal day of the 6-3 yesterday to clinch and will now head to Beijing to Ryder Cup. theA Wuhan Open in China, the compete in the China Open, Ryder Cup rookie Fleetwood biggest tournament win of her hoping to continue her Wuhan and Molinari became the fi rst career. Open form. European couple to claim four The Belarusian cruised to her Kontaveit, whose impressive points from their opening four second WTA title, facing little run to the fi nal included a fi rst- matches, infl icting a pair of de- trouble from Estonia’s Kontaveit, round upset of world number feats on Tiger Woods in yester- who was unable to reproduce the nine and 2017 US Open cham- day’s fourballs and foursomes at sparkling tennis she played on pion Sloane Stephens, found Le Golf National. her way to the fi nal. Sabalenka’s power too much to They were just the second The 20th-ranked Sabalenka handle. pairing to go 4-0 in team match- had often been unplayable this “Her game was really ag- es since 1979, joining American week in Wuhan with her mix of gressive and I felt the pressure duo Larry Nelson and Lanny aggression, clever placement and straight away,” said the 27th- Wadkins who achieved the feat a scorching serve, and left Kon- ranked Kontaveit, who has said at The Greenbrier. taveit fl at-footed several times as her aim is to fi nish in the top 20 After a 4 and 3 win over Woods she raced to take the fi rst set. at the end of the year. and a misfi ring Patrick Reed in Kontaveit tried to fi ght back “She was just too strong to- the morning fourballs, Fleet- in the second set, matching day.” wood and Molinari thumped the Sabalenka game for game until The victory yesterday also 14-time major champion and 3-3 when her resistance was bro- means Sabalenka still has a slim Bryson DeChambeau 5 and 4 in ken and the Belarusian took three chance to qualify for the WTA the foursomes. games on the trot to win the title. Finals in Singapore next month. “We were really, really good “I try to be more calm on the Six out of eight spots at the this afternoon,” said Fleet- court, not be aggressive with annual tour fi nale are still up for wood. “We played really solid, every shot,” Sabalenka said after grabs. Only world number one we played really well. But yeah, her win. “I’ve started thinking Simona Halep and Wimbledon about the piece of history to- more on the court.” champion Angelique Kerber — gether, it’s very special.” The Minsk-born Sabalenka is who both failed to impress in British Open champion Mo- Europe’s Italian golfer Francesco Molinari reacts during his foursomes match on the second day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National projected to climb to a career- Wuhan — have secured their linari, winless in two previous Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France, yesterday. (AFP) best 16th after securing the Wu- places. Ryder Cup appearances — in han Open, a $2.7-million Premier Qualifi cation for the WTA Fi- 2010 and 2012, warned the job “That’s the frustrating thing Jordan Spieth and Justin Tho- 5 tournament which awards 900 nals is one of the main targets for is not yet fi nished for Thomas about match play. We can play mas have picked up half the McIlroy opens with Thomas, Tiger ranking points to the winner. many players at this stage of the Bjorn’s side ahead of today’s 12 well and nothing can happen.” Americans’ points in France, Last month, the 20-year- season, and nine of the world’s singles matches. beating Rory McIlroy and Ian gets Rahm in singles old grabbed her fi rst WTA title, top 10 played in the 2018 Wuhan “We came here to do a job, EIGHT IN A ROW Poulter 4 and 3 in the foursomes winning the Connecticut Open, Open as the frenzy for ranking and it wasn’t to go in the records Justin Rose and Henrik Sten- after triumphing in the morning Rory McIlroy will open for After McIlroy and Thomas which is one category below the points intensifi ed. books or anything like that, it’s son continued their success- fourballs. leaders Europe against Ameri- launch festivities at 12:05pm Premier 5 tournaments. Earlier, Elise Mertens of Bel- about the team, it’s about get- ful partnership with a tough 2 Their 2 and 1 victory over can Justin Thomas in today’s (1005 GMT), England’s Paul Her victory yesterday not only gium and Demi Schuurs of the ting to 14 1/2,” said the Italian. and 1 foursomes win over world Poulter and Jon Rahm in the 12 concluding singles matches Casey will meet three-time made her the youngest Wuhan Netherlands beat Czech pair “We’re getting closer, but number one Dustin Johnson fourballs halted a run of eight of the 42nd Ryder Cup as team major winner Brooks Koepka Open fi nalist and champion, but Andrea Hlavackova and Barbora those 4 1/2 points we’re going to and three-time major champion straight match wins for Europe, captains revealed their lineups with England’s Justin Rose also the youngest player to win a Strycova 6-3, 6-3 to take the need tomorrow, we’re going to Brooks Koepka. which equalled the record set yesterday night. next against reigning Players Premier 5 tournament since Be- doubles title. have to fi ght hard for them.” Johnson and Koepka pulled by the US team in 1967 in an era Among the more exciting Championship winner Webb No European player has to within one on the 15th, but before the inclusion of players attractions of the final day Simpson. scored fi ve points from fi ve in Stenson displayed nerves of from continental Europe. will be 14-time major winner Following Fleetwood will be Ryder Cup history, with US trio steel to sink vital putts at the The US will need to produce Tiger Woods facing Spain’s Jon English talisman Ian Poulter Gasparyan claims Tashkent title Arnold Palmer, Gardiner Dick- 16th and 17th — the latter seal- a monumental comeback, simi- Rahm in the fourth match of against world number one inson (both in 1969) and Nelson ing the win as Koepka’s ensuing lar to that of Brookline in 1999 the afternoon. Dustin Johnson, Dane Thor- Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan beat 17-year-old Anastasia Potapo- (1979) the only golfers to ac- eff ort rolled wide. where they rallied from 10-6 Italy’s Francesco Molinari and bjorn Olesen against Jordan va in the Tashkent Open final yesterday in the latest step towards complish it. The US grabbed a share of the down entering the last day to England’s Tommy Fleetwood Spieth and Spain’s Sergio reigniting a career stalled by injury. Woods has endured a miser- points in the afternoon session, win, if they are to retain the tro- will each attempt to complete Garcia against Rickie Fowler. The 24-year-old Gasparyan, ranked 299, prevailed 6-2, 6-1 in 62 able return to Ryder Cup play with two-time Masters winner phy. a perfect 5-for-5 win eff ort with Closing out the lineup will minutes to claim her second career WTA title. after a six-year absence, losing Bubba Watson and former US Meanwhile Garcia, who ear- a singles triumph, an unprec- be England’s Tyrrell Hatton Potapova, who is 132nd in the world, made a nervy start losing all three of his matches in France Open champion Webb Simpson lier teamed up with McIlroy to edented feat for Europeans. against reigning Masters her first two service games in the first set and the unforced er- to drop his record in pairs events leading from start to fi nish in a 3 beat Koepka and Tony Finau in Fleetwood follows Woods onto champion Patrick Reed, Swe- rors kept coming as the match progressed. to 9 and 19 with one draw. and 2 victory over Sergio Garcia the fourballs, became the sec- the course against US rookie den’s Henrik Stenson against The teenager was in tears on the sidelines at one point during a “Everything feels pretty good. and Alex Noren. ond highest points scorer in Ry- Tony Finau while Molinari, the two-time Masters champion contest that many had expected to be less one-sided after she Just pretty p***** off , the fact The Americans scrambled to der Cup history with 24.5, but reigning British Open cham- Bubba Watson and a pair of beat Gasparyan in their first ever meeting earlier this year. that I lost three matches, and halve the par-3 second despite the Spaniard will have to wait pion, will tee off in the ninth Ryder Cup rookies, Sweden’s Gasparyan, meanwhile, cried with joy as she celebrated her first didn’t feel like I played poorly,” twice fi nding the water, as Gar- until Sunday to have a chance match against five-time major Alex Noren and American Bry- WTA title since returning from a career-threatening knee injury said Woods, on the winning just cia and Noren also combined for to surpass record-holder Nick champion Phil Mickelson. son DeChambeau, in the finale. that had kept her out of competitive tennis for more than a year. once in seven Ryder Cups. a triple bogey. Faldo (25).

BOTTOMLINE SPOTLIGHT Nishioka halts Verdasco in Shenzhen semis ‘Very sorry’ Murray Reuters match, but Herbert was equal to best tennis after a slump that ends season Bengaluru the task. has seen his ranking drop to 123 The Frenchman saved the fi rst in the world. AFP match point with a volley under The last time the Australian Beijing nseeded Japanese pressure and shut out De Min- found himself in a position to Yoshihito Nishioka aur a second time with an over- fi ght for a tour-level title was stunned Spanish vet- head smash before sealing vic- in Acapulco in February 2016, ormer world number eran Fernando Ver- tory with his 42nd winner of the where he lost to Dominic Thiem. one Andy Murray has Udasco in the semi-fi nals of the contest. (Reporting by Simon “Fabio is playing ridiculous, brought his truncated Shenzhen Open yesterday, win- Jennings in Bengaluru; editing he has won three titles this year season to a premature ning a fi nal-set tiebreak to set by Clare Fallon) and he wants to win another end,F pulling out of the China up a meeting with Frenchman one,” Tomic said. Open in Beijing after suff ering world, previously said that Bei- Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the AUSTRALIA’S TOMIC TO FACE “He wants to make the (ATP an ankle injury during his quar- jing would be his fi nal event this fi nal. FOGNINI IN CHENGDU FINAL Finals) so for him this is an im- ter-fi nal defeat at the Shenzhen season and he is carefully man- Herbert saved two match Australian Bernard Tomic portant match, but I have got Open. aging his schedule following his points to upset seventh seed reached his fi rst ATP World Tour nothing to lose. We will see to- The 31-year-old Briton is bat- operation in order to get the most Alex de Minaur 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (8) fi nal in more than two years morrow.” tling to regain top form and fi tness out of his creaking body. in the other semi-fi nal. yesterday, beating Portugal’s Fognini, the world number following hip surgery in January “I am very sorry to have to Verdasco, who beat Britain’s Joao Sousa 6-4 6-4 in the semi- 13, is looking to become the fi rst and said that he was “very sorry” withdraw from the China Open,” Andy Murray in the previous fi nals of the Chengdu Open in Italian man to win four ATP to miss the China Open. Murray said in a statement yes- round, made a confi dent start China. tour-level titles in a season, af- The tournament — which be- terday. “I was sincerely looking against Nishioka, but the Japa- The 25-year-old will face top ter his victories in Sao Paulo, gins this weekend — has been hit forward to returning to Beijing, nese fought back to win 1-6, seed Fabio Fognini in today’s fi - Bastad and Los Cabos. by several high-profi le pull-outs where I won the championship 6-3, 7-6 (5) to reach the fi rst ATP nal, after the Italian beat Ameri- He fought back after losing a with Rafael Nadal not involved just two years ago. Tour fi nal of his career. can Taylor Fritz 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-3 fi rst set tie-break to Fritz to claim because of injury, Roger Federer “I injured my ankle in my Nishioka, who lost to Verdas- victory over the Spaniard in two ing a De Minaur fi ghtback in the in the other semi-fi nal. his 40th tour-level win of the sea- saving himself for Shanghai and match in Shenzhen last night and co at this year’s French Open, hours 20 minutes. second set. Tomic, who sent down 12 son in one hour 49 minutes. Serena Williams all absent. there is no way I can compete ef- roared back after tamely surren- Herbert is better known for The Australian clawed his aces and saved all three break “It’s my best year so far. I’m World number three Novak fectively next week.” dering the opening set and kept his skill as a doubles player, but back from 3-0 down in the fi - points he faced to beat Sousa in really happy that the fi rst time I Djokovic is also not involved de- Murray was beaten 6-4, 6-4 his wits about him in the tie- reached his second career ATP nal set to force the tiebreak and one hour 15 minutes, is fi nally visit Chengdu, I am in my fi rst spite being off ered a wildcard. on Friday in Shenzhen by Span- break to wrap up his fi rst career World Tour fi nal after surviv- even had two chances to win the returning to something like his fi nal,” Fognini said. Murray, ranked 311 in the ish veteran Fernando Verdasco. Gulf Times Sunday, September 30, 2018 5 SPORT

NFL Upstart Titans tackle quarterback Wentz, Eagles Reuters nator Mike Groh said. some third-down conversions New York “We haven’t had the same unit to seal the deal for us late in the Hawks Baldwin to play against Cardinals out there in the huddle each and game.” every day, so we’re excited about Mariota fi nished 12 of 18 for Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug call,” Baldwin told reporters. ranchise quarterback the guys you just mentioned 100 yards while also rushing Baldwin declared himself ready “There’s a lot of things that go Carson Wentz returned and their availability whenever seven times for 51 yards. to return for today’s game into it, obviously the precaution- last week to the Philadel- they’re cleared medically to get “He’s a stud,” left tackle Tay- against the Arizona Cardinals af- ary reasons of making sure that phia Eagles after a nine- back out there on the fi eld with lor Lewan said. “When Mar- ter missing consecutive games I’m healthy fully, so that I can go monthF layoff following ACL us. We know the kind of players cus comes in you, don’t think, due to a right knee injury. for the rest of the season, not surgery. they are and we know their tal- ‘Aw man, he’s hurt.’ You think, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll just this game. And I get that. More help could be on the way ents and the things they can do ‘Good. Marcus is in; our quar- made it off icial. “I’m excited to “But as a competitor and some- when the Eagles go on the road to for this off ense.” terback is here.’” tell you Doug Baldwin is going body that hasn’t missed games face the Tennessee Titans today Wentz had a successful return, Gabbert remains in the con- to play in this game,” Carroll that often, who had an 89-game at Nissan Stadium. going 25 of 37 for 255 yards, one cussion protocol and his status said Friday after practice. streak, I feel like I know my Wide receiver Alshon Jeff ery touchdown and one interception is not likely to be determined “He had a great week, he looked body pretty well, so I feel like I’m has been cleared for contact and against the Colts in rainy Phila- until closer to today’s game. The terrific. He’s just raring to go ready to go.” could make his season debut. delphia. The young Indianapolis Titans also agreed to terms with as much as anybody could, so It hasn’t been an easy time Jeff ery missed Thursday’s prac- defense put immense pressure quarterback Austin Davis as in- we’re really excited to have him for the 30-year-old Baldwin. tice with an illness, but running on Wentz and sacked him fi ve surance. back out there. He’s a big part of He also missed a month of back Jay Ajayi (back) was a full times. “It felt good to fi nally be Tennessee surprised many our club and he means a lot to training camp after an injury to participant. Running back Dar- out there,” Wentz said. “It was people with the three-point win us, so that’ll be great to see him his left knee. Just as that knee ren Sproles (hamstring) missed kind of a long time coming, ob- at Jacksonville and now will be out here.” got healthy, Baldwin hurt the the session. viously. A lot of excitement, a lot It was a bit surreal considering and didn’t return. aiming for a third straight victo- Baldwin sprained the medial right knee in the first half of the The Eagles improved to 2-1 of emotions.” quarterback Marcus Mariota had “It was cool for me to give ry, this time against the defend- collateral ligament in the season opener against the Broncos. after a hard-fought 20-16 win After a 27-20 season-opening an elbow injury and didn’t even Marcus the game ball in the ing Super Bowl champions. opener against the Denver Baldwin caught 29 touchdown over the Indianapolis Colts last loss at Miami, the Titans have start against the Jaguars. Mari- locker room,” Titans coach Mike “We have to play hard each Broncos. He practiced this week passes over the past three sea- Sunday. won two in a row, 20-17 over ota came off the bench and led Vrabel told reporters after the and every week whether we’re in hopes of being cleared by sons. He fell 9 yards shy of his “Well, we’re just trying to get the Houston Texans and 9-6 on the Titans to a huge road win. win. “He cares about this team allegedly the underdog or not,” team doctors. third straight 1,000-yard season a little bit better each and every the road against the Jacksonville In the fi rst quarter, Blaine immensely. You saw him come Vrabel told reporters. “This is a “Again, that’s going to be their last year. day,” Eagles off ensive co-ordi- Jaguars. Gabbert left with a concussion in and give us a spark and give us crazy league.”

MLB NBA Butler’s trade demand stuns Timberwolves’ Stanton-led Yankees Gibson and Rose

Reuters Jimmy just came out and said he New York didn’t want to play here. “I had so much going on I couldn’t even focus on what was wo key veteran players really going on with the team. I tie 21-year-old team on the Minnesota Tim- signed early and I left everything berwolves – Taj Gibson up to Thibs. (The trade demand) and Derrick Rose – ad- was just a surprise, not only Tmit they were caught off -guard to me, I think to everyone that by the trade demands of team- he wanted to leave. ... I didn’t mate Jimmy Butler. know what the situation is. I “At the end of the day, you’ve just didn’t know it was that bad. got to look at it from a play- Even being here, I didn’t know it home run record er’s standpoint and a business was that bad.” standpoint,” Gibson told ESPN Thibodeau addressed the dis- ‘The fact that it’s come from so many diff erent people, I think that has been the cool thing’ on Friday. traction after practice while not “He’s trying to do what he mentioning Butler by name. Reuters got to do but everybody’s call- “It’s the NBA, and that’s part New York ing him. It’s more of a (situation of everyone’s job is don’t allow where) I’ve got to go see him kind yourself to be distracted,” said of thing. But I worked out with Thibodeau, who also coached he New York Yankees’ power him all summer so when I said Butler in Chicago. “You got to prowess has tied the two decades what I meant, it was like a right be focused on what your job is. old major league record for the hook, I didn’t see it coming. I My job is to do what’s best for most home runs by a team in a didn’t know. the Timberwolves, and so that’s Tseason. “I thought – it looked like what we’re going to do. Every When Aaron Judge hit his 27th of the from everything things were go- day we look at how we can im- year and the Yankees’ fourth of the game ing good. But sometimes it’s a prove our team, how can we ac- in the eighth inning of their 11-6 win money aspect and fans and dif- quire talent? Once we acquire Friday night in Boston, it gave the Bronx ferent players got to understand talent, then we’re going to coach Bombers 264 homers for the season, that.” them as hard and as well as we matching the number hit by the Seattle Gibson and Rose each played can and then we have to get eve- Mariners in 1997. with Butler on the Chicago Bulls, ryone ready to compete. That’s The win also clinched the right to host with Gibson in particular close why it’s important for me and the American League wild-card game on with the 29-year-old star for- for everyone on the team not to Wednesday against Oakland, with the ward. “That’s my brother, man,” lose focus of what is important. winner advancing to face the Red Sox Gibson said. “I love Jimmy to So that’s how we’re dealing with in the Division Series next Friday in death. We don’t even talk about everything.” Boston. basketball.” With the outcome still in Led by Giancarlo Stanton’s 37 hom- The drama surrounding But- doubt as the season draws clos- ers, the Yankees have 12 players in double ler and the Timberwolves has er, Rose and Gibson still off ered digits, with six of those players having at certainly become a distraction, their support to Butler. least 23. Judge, Aaron Hicks, Miguel An- no matter how much coach Tom “He knows I’m there for him dujar and Didi Gregorius are all tied for Thibodeau tries to get his team no matter what. Right or wrong, second on the team with 27. focused on the upcoming sea- I’m on his side.” Gibson said. Hicks also hit his 27th on Friday night. son. Rose admitted as much on Added Rose, who is enter- “The fact that it’s come from so many Friday. ing his fi rst full season with the diff erent people, I think that has been “Now in the NBA, everybody Timberwolves and has dealt the cool thing,” manager Aaron Boone has a little bit of freedom to do with knee injuries after a pro- said. a little more of what they want,” ductive career with the Bulls, “If you would have told us we were he told ESPN. “I wish nothing but the best going to break that record at the begin- “And he’s expressing that he because you never know what ning of the year, you probably would have don’t want to be here and he someone’s going through. I’ve thought Giancarlo is hitting 50 or 60, want to go somewhere else. I been in the same position where Judge is hitting 50 or 60. mean Kawhi did it last year (with you’re just misunderstood so “Because of injuries and diff erent the San Antonio Spurs), didn’t you never know what someone’s things, that hasn’t been the case. We’ve he? Like he just didn’t play. going through.” gotten a lot of production from a lot of diff erent people who have had a big hand in that.” Judge called the milestone “exciting.” LeBron-less Cavs still team “We’ve got a lot of guys on this team to beat in East: Thompson with a lot of thump. They’ve been do- ing it all year, especially once we added Cleveland center Tristan Los Angeles Lakers Lue shot (Luke) Voit. What he’s been doing for us New York Yankees’ left fielder Giancarlo Stanton (right) celebrates with first baseman Luke Voit after hitting a home run during the Thompson insists the Cavaliers back: “We haven’t lost yet, have has been huge. Now that we’ve tied the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports are still the team to beat in we?” record, let’s go out there and break it,” the NBA Eastern Conference, Cleveland reached a fourth Judge said. next couple of days, we’ll hit a couple more.” two runs. Washington had 11 hits off the despite the departure of super- straight NBA Finals last season RESULTS Voit, acquired from the St. Louis Car- lefty but couldn’t do more damage. star LeBron James. “We’re still by downing the Celtics in game dinals in late July, hit his 14th homer of ROCKIES CLINCH POSTSEASON Yankees 11-6 Red Sox The Nationals loaded the bases in the four-time Eastern Conference seven of the East finals. the season and ninth this month on Fri- second inning, but Freeland got pitcher BERTH WITH 5-2 WIN Rockies 5-2 Nationals champions,” Thompson told Cleveland had swept the day. Also going deep was Gary Sanchez, David Dahl homered for the fi fth straight Joe Ross to ground into an inning-ending reporters at a Cavs practice Raptors in the conference semi- his 18th. game, Kyle Freeland worked six tough in- Dodgers 3-1 Giants double play. on Thursday. “Until you take finals when Boston beat the The 1997 Mariners were led by Ken nings and the Colorado Rockies clinched Brewers 6-5 Tigers Two singles and a walk loaded the bas- us down from that, teams ain’t 76ers in five games. Griff ey Jr.’s 56 home runs, and Jay Buhner a spot in the postseason with a 5-2 win Cubs 8-4 Cardinals es in the third, but Mark Reynolds struck got much to say. “Boston, Philly, The young 76ers squad featur- slugged 40. Paul Sorrento was third at 31, over the Washington Nationals in Denver out to end the threat. they ain’t got much to say. Bos- ing Ben Simmons and Joel followed by Edgar Martinez’s 28. on Friday night. Marlins 8-1 Mets The 11 hits allowed were a season high ton had home court in Game Embiid are only expected to be The Mariners won the American The Rockies (90-70) secured at least Braves 10-2 Phillies for Freeland, but he did set the club Seven and lost. Philly, they better this season. The Celtics League West that year with a 90-72 the second wild card with their eighth Astros 2-1 Orioles record for the lowest season ERA at 2.85. almost got swept. Toronto, we will be bolstered by the return record before losing to the Baltimore straight win while moving closer to their Charlie Blackmon hit his 28th home already know that story. Until of injured Gordon Hawyard and Orioles in the ALDS. fi rst-ever division title. Indians 14-6 Royals run with two outs in the third, but Turner someone takes us down, there’s Kyrie Irving. Friday’s blast was Judge’s fi rst home They still hold a one-game lead over Blue Jays 7-6 Rays gave the Nationals a 2-1 lead with a two- not much they can really say. Nevertheless, Thompson run since he spent seven weeks on the the Dodgers (89-71) in the National Twins 2-1 White Sox out triple in the fourth that scored two Not to me. “Even though LeB- said the current crop of Cavs disabled list with a fractured right wrist. League West after Los Angeles won at runs. ron’s gone, we still have a very players – including veterans Twins 12-4 White Sox Judge said he and his teammates real- San Francisco later Friday night. Carlos Gonzalez led off the fthfi with talented ballclub. We still see Kevin Love and JR Smith, are ised early on that their team could make Trea Turner had a two-run triple for Pirates 8-4 Reds a single off Ross (0-2), and Desmond hit ourselves as a playoff team.” determined to remain a factor home run history. Washington, which had its three-game Mariners 12-6 Rangers his 22nd homer to give the Rockies a 3-2 Thompson, 27, echoed com- in the East, saying James had “We talked about (the record) once we winning streak snapped. lead. Two pitches later, Iannetta went Angels 8-5 Athletics ments from Cavaliers coach “prepped us for this moment so started getting closer, especially early in Dahl tied the franchise record for home deep to make it a two-run lead. Tyronn Lue on Media day on when it’s time for guys to part the year, when we looked at our lineup runs in consecutive games on a night the Padres 3-2 D’backs Dahl increased the lead to 5-2 with a Monday. Asked to tip an East- ways we were prepared and we and what type of fi repower we had,” long ball lifted the off ense. to make a winner out of Freeland (17-7). leadoff homer in the sixth. ern Conference favourite now were mentally ready for that Judge said. Ian Desmond and Chris Iannetta hit Freeland was knocked around but was Wade Davis got the last three outs for that James has landed with the challenge.” “It’s great to tie it, and hopefully these back-to-back homers in the fi fth inning able to hold the Nationals (81-79) to just his 43rd save. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, September 30, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Bangladesh praised for fi ght in Asia Cup fi nal AFP could not rest until a leg-bye off desh’s batting hero and man-of- for us Congrats to Bangladesh Dhaka the fi nal ball of the innings com- the match Das as “next big thing as well for giving a tough fi ght,” pleted their chase for their sev- in Bangladesh” in a separate Kohli wrote on Twitter. enth Asia Cup title. article, saying that with each Former Test batsman VVS angladeshi media yes- A Daily Star headline read: stroke en route to his 121 off 117 Laxman also congratulated the terday lauded the na- “Tigers falling agonisingly balls, the 23-year-old batsman Rohit Sharma-led team on his tional cricket team’s short.” “showed his class”. Twitter page. spirited showing in the “Despite the batting implo- Das set up the foundation for “Congratulations India on be- AsiaB Cup fi nal after they went sion after their brightest start of a competitive score but a mid- coming #AsiaCup Champions. down to favourites India in a the tournament, it was a bowl- innings collapse saw Bangladesh Hats off to Bangladesh for their last-ball thriller in Dubai. ing eff ort that Bangladesh can slip from 120-0 to 151-5 before splendid fi ght and attitude, for Opener Liton Das slammed his be proud of as they seemed out being dismissed in 48.3. not giving up and playing out maiden one-day international of the game on numerous occa- Meanwhile India, who went of their skins... despite missing century in Bangladesh’s modest sions but clawed their way back into the tournament without Shakib (Al Hasan) and Tamim 222 but it was the bowlers who each time,” the country’s big- regular skipper Virat Kohli, rel- (Iqbal). Special mention to Kedar made India sweat in their nervy gest-selling English newspaper ished their title win that comes Jadhav for his grit and commit- chase of the 50-over contest. wrote. after a 1-4 Test loss in England. ment,” Laxman wrote. A 45-run sixth wicket stand Another English-language Kohli and former Indian Bangladesh will face Zimba- between Ravindra Jadeja and daily New Age headlined its re- cricketers also praised Bangla- bwe for three one-day interna- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and a gritty port “Brave Bangladesh fall just desh for their fi ghting instincts tionals and two Tests at home in 23-run unbeaten knock by Kedar short”, with an accompanying that made the Asia Cup fi nal an October and November. Jadhav, who was limping due a picture of Mahmudullah lying entertaining aff air. India host West Indies for hamstring injury, fi nally gave In- on the pitch after he failed to ac- “Great job by the guys to win three Twenty20 matches, fi ve dia a three-wicket win. complish a run out of Kumar. that tight game last night. @ ODIs and two Tests starting Bangladesh batsman Liton Das plays a shot during Asia Cup final against India at the Dubai International India, led by Rohit Sharma, The newspaper hailed Bangla- BCCI Seventh Asia Cup title October 4. Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Friday. (AFP)

RUGBY CRICKET Five-wicket Lyon tunes up for South Africa scrape Pakistan Tests

AFP skipper and Test regular Asad Dubai Shafi q for 14, but opener Abid Ali stood fi rm and at close was 83 not out. The burly 30-year- 23-12 victory over ce Australian spin- old hit only four boundaries in ner Nathan Lyon got his 254-ball stay as he pushed ready for a spin battle to build on consistent per- against Pakistan with formances for Lahore and gain aA fi ve-wicket haul on the open- a Test place. ing day of warm-up match in Lyon, who has 306 wickets Dubai yesterday. in 78 Tests, then removed Test The 30-year-old proved he players Iftikhar Ahmed (four) struggling Australia can lead a SPIN counter-attack and Usman Salahuddin (one) in next month’s two-match and future prospect Saad Ali Test series as he took 5-87 for 36 in a marathon 36-over Springboks led 20-12 at break as Australia kept scoreless in second-half against Pakistan ‘A’ in the four- spell in the oppressive 40 de- day practice game. gree heat. Starc, who will be AFP The fi rst Test is in Dubai leading the pace attack in the Port Elizabeth, South Africa from October 7 and the second absence of injured Josh Hazle- in Abu Dhabi from October 16. wood and Pat Cummins, had a Once the new-ball pair of good workout of 17 wicket-less outh Africa withstood Mitchell Starc and Michael overs to prove he has recovered fi erce second-half pres- Neser went wicket-less with from a stress fracture suff ered sure from struggling Pakistan ‘A’ 24-0, Lyon came on the tour to South Africa ear- Australia to win 23-12 into his own to remove Test lier this year. yesterdayS in a tense, scrappy hopefuls Shan Masood (14) and Rugby Championship fi fth- Sami Aslam (51) to put brakes BRIEF SCORES: round match in Port Elizabeth. on the batting. Pakistan ‘A’ 247 for 6 (Abid 83 Victory for the Springboks, Fellow left-arm spinner Jon not out, Aslam 51, Lyon 5-87, who led 20-12 at half-time, Holland removed Pakistan ‘A’ Holland 1-56) moved them within two points of leaders New Zealand. Australia suff ered a sixth loss Smith claims WBA super middleweight title in eight Tests this year, adding to the pressure on coach Michael Britain’s Callum Smith knocked lian, who stands 1.91 metres to Cheika amid reports that former out his compatriot George Groves’ 1.82m, towered over star George Gregan may join the Groves in Saudi Arabia on the the title defender as he de- staff . Friday, dethroning the more livered fast right-hand hooks, Both teams scored two tries experienced fighter to claim met with a quick left-handed and it was goal kicking that the World Boxing Association punch by Groves. proved the diff erence with the super middleweight title and But Smith caught Groves with Springboks converting all fi ve the coveted Muhammad Ali a left hook off the temple shots at goal and the Wallabies Trophy. nearly two minutes into the only one of four. Smith, 28, knocked out the seventh round, followed by a There was little to choose be- 30-year-old Groves – who has fast flurry as Groves stumbled tween the teams during an error- held the WBA super mid- into the ropes and hit the floor. strewn match in which Australia dleweight title for 16 months Referee Luis Pabon made a full exerted a lot of line-out pressure – in the seventh of 12 rounds, 10-count with Groves still on on South Africa. capping a winning streak in his his knees. A victorious Smith The Springboks needed just 25th bout, with 18 knockouts fell to his knees on the canvas, 23 seconds to take the lead as overall. Groves’ career record visibly moved, as his three Aphiwe Dyantyi intercepted a is now 28 wins out of 32 fights, brothers rushed into the ring skip pass from Kurtley Beale and with 20 knockouts. to congratulate him. scored a try that Handre Pollard Smith’s height worked to his “I waited so long. It just means converted. advantage at Friday night’s everything,” Smith said from Matt Toomua missed a long- bout in Jeddah: the Liverpud- the ring. range penalty for Australia in an electric atmosphere with spec- tators standing, singing and South African players celebrate after winning the Rugby Championship match against Australia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Eliza- dancing in the stands. beth, South Africa, yesterday. (AFP) South Africa responded to WADA ready to intervene over the support of a near-capacity ball-stealer David Pocock and his pass sent Genia clear to score. After 32 points in the fi rst half, South Africa were temporarily India cricket doping row crowd in the 45,000-seat sta- silenced the crowd by crossing Toomua succeeded with his the second half produced just reduced to 14 men on 65 min- dium by doubling their lead to 14 the tryline twice within three second conversion, leaving only three, a 46th-minute penalty by utes when French referee Jerome The World Anti-Doping holders or members of sport points on 22 minutes. minutes. two points between the teams 30 Pollard, who fi nished with a fi ve- Garces lost his patience after Agency has warned the organisations in India or Pollard evaded two would-be A perfectly weighted skip pass minutes into the opening half. from-fi ve goal-kicking record. a string of penalties and sin- International Cricket Council who are present in India,” tacklers to send fellow half-back from Will Genia allowed Reece South Africa fi nished the half Australia will wonder how binned Dyantyi. it will intervene if it does not WADA confirmed. “However Faf de Klerk over and the fl y-half Hodge to dot down in the corner, stronger and Pollard slotted they failed to score after the But the Springboks survived resolve a stand-off between the Indian NADA has not been converted from in front of the but Toomua could not convert. penalties either side of a missed break as they were camped in- the numerical setback to main- Indian cricket chiefs and the allowed by the BCCI to con- posts. The second Wallabies try shot at goal by Hodge to give the side the South African 22 for 10 tain an unbeaten record at the country’s drug-testing body. duct testing on athletes from Australia were encouraged by came in the other corner with home team a 20-12 half-time minutes only to be repeatedly Port Elizabeth stadium with fi ve A WADA spokesman con- the sport of cricket.” several turn-overs from master Marika Koroibete breaking and advantage. thwarted by brave defending. victories and a draw. firmed that the ICC had been WADA said that while national sent a letter in July urging it sports federations are not to settle the dispute between signatories to its code, FOCUS the Board of Control for international federations are Cricket in India (BCCI) and responsible for ensuring that the Indian National Anti- individual federations follow Doping Agency (NADA). its guidelines. Sanctions for Dhawan left out of India’s Test squad for WI series If the row was not resolved, being found in non-compli- the case would be referred to ance vary, but the ICC has AFP Mohamed Siraj were included in second in Hyderabad from October WADA’s Compliance Review warned that any suspension New Delhi the 15-man team that will be led by 12. The two teams will also play fi ve Committee, raising the pos- arising from the dispute could Virat Kohli, who was rested in the one-day international and three sibility that the ICC could hurt cricket’s dream of gaining recent Asia Cup 50-over tourna- Twenty20 matches after the Test be deemed non-compliant inclusion at the Olympics in pening batsman ment won by India. matches. by the global anti-doping 2028. ICC chief Dave Richard- Shikhar Dhawan has The national selectors decided The world’s top Test side will watchdog. The BCCI and son was quoted by the Times been dropped from In- to rest fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah then head to Australia for a full se- NADA are at odds over the of India this week as saying dia’s Test squad for the and Bhuvneshwar Kumar due to ries starting November. cricket body’s refusal to that the row was damaging to upcomingO West Indies series, the their “recent workload”, the Board allow the Indian anti-doping cricket’s Olympic aspirations. country’s cricket board announced of Control for cricket in India SQUAD: Virat Kohli (captain), KL agency to conduct drug “We are trying to help the yesterday. (BCCI) said in a statement. Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agar- tests on cricketers. BCCI sort out the issue with Dhawan had a forgettable Eng- “Both Ishant Sharma and Hardik wal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya “Pursuant to the World WADA and NADA,” Richardson land tour with the left-handed Pandya were not considered for Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Anti-Doping Code, the Indian was quoted as saying. opener managing just 162 runs in selection, as they are yet to recov- Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keep- National Anti-Doping Agency “We think cricket should be in eight innings as top-ranked India er from their injuries,” the BCCI er), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, (NADA) has testing author- the 2028 Olympics, but it’s not lost the Test series 1-4. added. Kuldeep Yadav, Mohamed Shami, ity over athletes who are going to happen unless we Uncapped batsman Mayank The fi rst Test will be held in Ra- Umesh Yadav, Mohamed Siraj, nationals, residents, license are a unified sport.” Agarwal and rookie fast bowler jkot starting October 4, with the Shardul Thakur. Gulf Times Sunday, September 30, 2018 7 SPORT

F1 FOCUS QREC and Qatar Bottas pips Hamilton to pole Airways partner for

Reuters minded him what happened last year so Sochi, Russia maybe we can turn that around this time,” co-operation in major the German told reporters. “It was impor- tant to get as close to them but it is true they inland’s Valtteri Bottas took pole have been very quick. It is a long race and the international events position for the Russian Grand Prix tyres will be important. We should’ve been a yesterday with Mercedes team- lot closer,” he added. “The car felt alright so mate and Formula One leader Lewis that makes me happy. If there is a gap we will HamiltonF having to settle for second place go for it.” on the starting grid. The second phase of qualifying had a Hamilton’s Ferrari title rival Sebastian strange feel to it, with fi ve cars – the two Vettel, 40 points behind the Briton with six Red Bulls, Renaults and Toro Rosso’s Pierre races remaining in the battle of four-times Gasly – doing no laps as a consequence of world champions, will start third at the grid penalties. Black Sea circuit today. “It feels good,” said Renault had no need to do anything, since Bottas. “Coming to this weekend I knew that the other three cars were all going to start at normally it’s been a pretty good track for me the back of the grid, and failure to qualify and again I managed to get some good laps in the top 10 gave them the benefi t of tyre in. The car just felt really strong.” choice. Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen will The pole, in a track record of one minute line up in fi fth place for Haas, behind Fer- 31.387 seconds, was only the second this rari’s Kimi Raikkonen, with Frenchman season for Bottas, who is 110 points behind Esteban Ocon – highly rated but looking in- Hamilton. It also came at the track where creasingly likely to be sitting out next season last year he celebrated his fi rst win. – sixth for Force India. “He’s driven brilliantly this weekend and “It’s strange being best of the rest,” com- QREC Chairman Issa bin Qatar Airways Group Chief he just did a better job,” said Hamilton, who mented Magnussen. “You don’t want to get Mohamed al-Mohannadi. Executive Akbar al-Baker. had been fastest in the fi rst two parts of the involved with the guys in front as that can session and looked set for a career 80th pole mess up your own race. Hopefully I will By Sports Reporter “We have had experiences until he went wide at turn seven. have a clean track.” Doha with Qatar Airways’ association “My last two laps of Q3 weren’t great – Sauber’s Ferrari-bound rookie Charles with QREC, including the Qatar you can’t always have it – but we’re still in Leclerc qualifi ed seventh. McLaren and Goodwood Festival in the UK, contention for tomorrow,” added the Brit- Williams fi lled the last four slots but that s part of the Qatar particularly during the last two on, who will be chasing his eighth win of the will change once Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo Racing and Eques- years. Such association has been campaign. “It’s a long way down to turn one and Max Verstappen, along with Toro Ros- trian Club’s (QREC) key to the success of the Festival, so we’ll still have a fi ght at least tomorrow.” so’s Gasly and Brendon Hartley, take their eff orts to enhance which saw phenomenal turn- Team boss Toto Wolff said Bottas “was penalties. That should at least give the relationsA with leading organi- out at one of the world’s most so pumped the adrenaline was coming out crowd some overtaking to look forward to sations in Qatar, QREC has beautiful racecourses and his- of his ears” but left open a question about and Verstappen something to make his 21st announced a new partnership toric homes for horseracing. The whether Mercedes would enforce team or- birthday more exciting. with Qatar Airways. UK media hailed the resounding ders in Hamilton’s favour come race day. Under this partnership, the success of the event this year and national carrier will be as- described it as one of the largest TABLES TURNED Pole position winner Mercedes’ Finnish sociated with the annual race race meetings in the world. This, Vettel, who had led an all-Ferrari front row driver Valtteri Bottas (left) and second meetings and events sponsored in turn, adds to the partnership in Russia last year with Bottas positioned British driver Lewis Hamilton by QREC overseas, including between QREC and Qatar Air- third, hoped today could see the tables gesture after the qualifying session for the the Qatar Goodwood Festival ways,” al-Mohannadi said. turned. “I just spoke to Valtteri and re- Russian Grand Prix in Sochi yesterday. (AFP) in the UK and the Qatar Prix de Qatar Airways Group Chief l’Arc de Triomphe in France. Executive Akbar al-Baker said, The list of events also in- “Qatar Airways has a long tra- UCI WORLD ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS cludes the Salon du Cheval dition of supporting events d’Eljadida in Morocco. which not only demonstrate The QREC will be the Plati- excellence in sport, but also num Sponsor of the 2018 edi- showcase our dedication to tion, which is to be held in sport as a means of bringing October. people together. “We are delighted with the “The Qatari affi nity for partnership with Qatar Air- horses has helped the airline to ways, one of the world’s top air- build upon its already consid- Van der Breggen lines,” said QREC chairman Issa erable equestrian credentials bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi. and forge strong cultural links “As a matter of fact, the on- with horse-loving communi- going co-operation between ties around the world. QREC and Qatar Airways in “We are delighted to work sponsoring horse race meet- in partnership with the QREC ings will provide the require- and to be associated as Offi cial ments of successful racing Airline Partner with major in- says world title ‘last events befi tting the reputation ternational equestrian events of Qatar’s equestrian sport. such as the Dublin Horse Qatar Airways plays a signifi - Show, Qatar Goodwood Festi- cant role in the shipping activ- val, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Tri- ities for the QREC-sponsored omphe and the Salon du Chev piece of the jigsaw’ events overseas. d’Eljadida.” SPOTLIGHT ‘Until the finish line I never believed it. World championships are so hard to win’

AFP Qatar Shell, QFA Innsbruck, Austria host Koora Time ewly-crowned world champion Anna van der Breggen says she coaches seminar can fi nally relax and Njust enjoy Cycling in her rainbow he Qatar Football As- Koora Time was developed jersey after pulverising the op- sociation (QFA), and by Qatar Shell in partnership position at Innsbruck yesterday Qatar Shell organised with the Qatar Football Associ- to achieve her goal of winning a two-day coaching ation. It is designed to improve the women’s road race. Tseminar at Aspire Zone this the health and well-being of The 28-year-old Dutch rider weekend in preparation for young people in Qatar through said she had based her whole the launch of the seventh sea- football. Koora Time is based season around the 156.2km son of Koora Time, an extra- on FC Barcelona Foundation’s world championships road curricular football programme FutbolNet methodology which race, and it showed as she beat targeted at boys and girls aged uses soccer and other sports- Australia’s Amanda Spratt into between 6 and 17, which con- related activities as tools for second by 3min 42sec as Italy’s tributes to the Social Develop- refl ection and agents of change Tatiana Guderzo took bronze al- ment pillar of the Qatar Na- to improve the life of children most another 2 minutes behind. tional Vision 2030. and young people. It provides “What happened is that Anna The seminar focused on fi ve children with an extra 72 hours van der Breggen happened,” teaching modules that encour- of extra-curricular physical Guderzo said after the race. “She age healthy living – ranging education per year. was unbeatable,” said the Italian, from how to hydrate prop- Since its launch in March who was competing at her 16th erly to maintaining an active 2013, with eight venues in to- world championships. lifestyle – through football. tal, the programme has grown Spratt was in a similar mood Over 130 local coaches from to be held at 30 venues across saying she hadn’t minded losing the QFA and Qatar Women’s Qatar. to the “deserved champion”. Sports Committee, including The programme has ben- “She was totally on another both Qatari men and women, efi ted over 20,000 children level,” said the silver medallist. attended the seminar and im- across Qatar, and last year’s Van der Breggen, the Olympic proved their knowledge-base season saw a reduction in Body and European champion from and teaching skills. Mass Index (BMI – a standard 2016, broke down in tears brief- This season, they will use measure of health based on ly on crossing the line to wild their newly refi ned exper- height and weight) of 93% of cheers with a large family con- tise to coach and measure participants. It also saw 1,500 tingent in the crowd. the programme’s impact on participants attend weekly and “Until the fi nish line I never Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands celebrates with gold medal on the podium after winning the women’s Elite Road Race UCI Road over 2,000 Koora Time par- of those, 50% were girls: prov- believed it,” she said. “World Cycling World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria, yesterday. (Reuters) ticipants, per week – over 500 ing football is not just a boy’s championships are so hard to more than 2017-18 – at par- game. win.” Breggen sustained her tempo be fresh for these world champi- ticipating schools across the In recognition of its posi- “I have been chasing this jer- to drop everyone except Spratt, onships,” she admitted. RESULTS country. In addition, from now tive impact on the health of sey all season and have raced less who slowed in the fi nal kilometre “Now I’m glad it’s fi nally over 1. Anna var der Breggen (NED) 4hrs 11mins 04sec until March, the Aspire Zone youth, Koora Time has been races and spent so much time to leave the Dutchwoman to go it and I can relax and just enjoy 2. Amanda Spratt (AUS) at 3mins 42sec\ will host exciting, fun, fully- the recipient of numerous training here I’ve started to get alone for almost two full, 23km- wearing this jersey. You get to 3. Tatiana Guderzo (ITA) 5:26 coached football sessions on awards including the 2014 & to know people,” she said. long laps of Innsbruck. wear it all year and that is what 4. Emilia Fahlin (SWE) 6:13 Fridays and Saturdays between 2016 ‘Sports Industry Award’ “They have put on a great “Me and Annemiek were rac- makes it so special.” 5. Malgorzata Jasinska (POL) 6:13 0800 and 1000, open to eve- for Best CSR Initiative, the world championships and I just ing as joint leaders but she fell “It was the one last thing 6. Karol-Ann Canuel (CAN) 6:17 ryone under 17 years of age in 2015 ‘CSR Award Qatar’ for love Innsbruck,” said van der heavily and was in pain,” ex- missing and it was my main 7. Annemiek van Vleuten (NED) 7:05 Qatar. Best CSR Impact Initiative, the Breggen, who fi nished second in plained Van der Breggen. goal.” 8. Amy Pieters (NED) same time Throughout, Koora Time 2014 ‘Dar Al Sharq Corporate the time trial to compatriot An- “So she led me in and then at The Italian veteran Guderzo 9. Lucinda Brand (NED) 7:17 coaches will be able to pro- Social Responsibility Award’ nemiek van Vleuten on Tuesday the hill I just went for it. described the race as horribly 10. Ruth Winder (USA) s.t., 11. Rasa Leleivyte (LTU) s.t. vide parents with advice and for the Best Sports Initiative, The winner made her move “I ate as much as I could, hard. 12. Katarzyna Niewadoma (POL) s.t. recommendations on healthy the 2014, 2016 & 2017 ‘AFC after the Australian team had drank as much as I could and “We suff er as much as the 13. Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) s.t. living, including hydration, Dream of Asia Award’ in the chased down an earlier attack to went as fast as I could all the way men,” she said. “Which is why 14. Sara Poidevin (CAN) s.t. healthy diet, healthy relation- area of social responsibility, get Spratt into the lead group. because you just never know.” I will continue to fi ght for equal 15. Anastasia Iakovenko (RUS) s.t. ships, an active lifestyle and and the 2017 ‘QFA Awards’ for – Glad it’s all over – Van der “But I had timed my season to status with them.” disease prevention. best CSR programme.

Sunday, September 30, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

RALLYING Qatar’s al-Attiyah aims to impress in Morocco

By Sports Reporter last round in Portugal later in the third of the Toyota Gazoo cars, Liang and Kou Hongtao round Fes, Morocco month, so the Baja Spain win- the Dutchman keen to put in off the truly international Toyota ner – who fi nished third in both some competitive times before team line-up in Morocco. Hungary and Poland during the the Dakar in January. Poland’s Overdrive Racing’s CEO Jean- verdrive Racing is summer – still has a mathemati- Aron Domzala holds eighth in Marc Fortin said: “Morocco is making its fi nal prepa- cal chance of winning his second the FIA World Cup standings af- one of the toughest events on the rations for the com- title. Overdrive Racing will also ter a mixed season that included calendar and equally an impor- pany’s second busi- oversee the running of a trio of fourth places in Spain and Qatar. tant test for the team before the estO week of the season after the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Af- He and fellow countryman Ma- Dakar. Vladimir is still chasing Dakar Rally by fi elding nine Toy- rica Toyotas featuring the team’s ciej Marton crew the fi fth car. success in the FIA World Cup, ota Hiluxes in the six-day Rally latest innovations and revisions. The experienced Dutchman but we have a real emphasis on of Morocco. The penultimate The entire team tested in the Erik van Loon returns to the fi ne tuning and testing and leav- round of the 2018 FIA World Moroccan deserts in the days hot seat for the fi rst time since ing nothing to chance before all Cup for Cross-Country Rallies building up to the event and Qa- fi nishing sixth in Spain with the focus turns to the fi nal prepa- starts with a Prologue stage on tar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah, Wouter Rosegaar. But Van Loon rations for Dakar.” (October 4, near Fes, and fi n- South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers also has a new co-driver for his A Prologue of 10km loops ishes on Tuesday, October 9 after and Dutchman Bernhard Ten Moroccan challenge. Harmen around the desert near Fes to de- fi ve desert selective sections and Brinke will be hoping for a suc- Scholtabers will co-drive the termine the opening stage run- 1,362 competitive kilometres in a cessful test and an impressive sixth of the Toyotas. Saudi Ara- ning order for the top 10 crews route of 2,051km. showing in the Moroccan event bia’s Yasir Seaidan returns to on October 4. The fi rst of the Russian G-Energy driver that acts as a vital pre-Dakar competitive FIA World Cup ac- desert selectives starts out of Fes Vladimir Vasilyev and naviga- Rally shakedown for the entire tion for the fi rst time since miss- on October 5th and is split into tor Konstantin Zhiltsov are still team. ing Rally Kazakhstan. two timed sections of 103km and chasing glory in the FIA World Al-Attiyah was unable to de- The Saudi was the revela- 91km before arriving in Erfoud Cup. Vasilyev, 49, arrives at the fend his FIA World Cup title on tion of the earlier rounds of the – an oasis town situated in the north-eastern Moroccan town this occasion. A couple of me- championship and fi nished third Drâa-Tafi lalet region of eastern of Fes trailing series leader Jakub chanical failures cost him dearly File photo Nasser al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel, in a Toyota Hilux, in action during a shakedown test in at the Dubai Baja and in Qatar Morocco. Przygonski by 71 points in the in Qatar and Kazakhstan after Astrakhan, Russia, on January 19, 2018. back in April. He will be part- The second, third and fourth Drivers’ Championship. he had won Baja Russia and the nered by Russian navigator Alex- selective sections of 329km, While the Pole is the strong decision to miss the Abu Dhabi at the non-championship Silk African has been working on the end by a good result for him and ei Kuzmich. Frenchman Ronan 289km and 342km loop around favourite to win the title for the Desert Challenge meant that his Way Rally in Russia. An injury development of the Toyota Hilux new French navigator Alexandre Chabot returns to the driving Erfoud on October 6, 7 and 8 and fi rst time, 60 points are at stake title bid was over long before to co-driver Robert Howie side- behind the scenes and the goal of Winocq in Morocco. seat in the eighth of the Toyotas action draws to a conclusion with for the winner in Morocco and he and French navigator Mat- lined De Villiers prematurely in continuing a string of Dakar po- Ten Brinke teams up with with co-driver Gilles Pillot and a fi fth section of 198km en route a further 30 are on off er at the thieu Baumel fi nished second Qatar, but the consistent South dium fi nishes will be boosted no Frenchman Xavier Panseri in the the all-Chinese crew of Yuxiang to the fi nish in Fes on October 9.

QNB STARS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Tabata goal helps I’m getting better, says Rayyan close gap Al Sadd star on leaders Al Sadd Akram Afi f Tiberkanine double as Al Sailiya beat Al Arabi 2-0 to go third in the standings

By Sports Reporter coach Jesualdo Ferreira said he Doha expected his side to score a “big number” of goals against Perse- polis on Tuesday. l Sadd star Akram Afi f “I am satisfi ed to see the team has warned Persepolis continue winning both in Asia his performance is only and domestically, and not waste Agetting better the fur- points. At Al Sadd, we have a ther the 2018 AFC Champions strong squad and I am reassured League progresses ahead of their by the team’s performances until semi-fi nal clash against the Te- now,” said the Portuguese. hran giants on Tuesday. “It is very important for us to Leading scorer Baghdad have a strong strike force, as we Bounedjah and Spanish super- have a crucial game coming up star Xavi may have hogged the in the AFC Champions League. headlines as Al Sadd reached the We should work towards scoring AFC Champions League semi- a big number of goals in the fi rst fi nals, but it is young Qatari tal- leg, so that it can be of benefi t in ent Akram Afi f who has been one the second leg in Tehran.” of the real success stories of the Ferreira also spoke about his Doha club’s continental cam- team’s win against Qatar Sports paign. Club this week in the QNB Stars By Sports Reporter match, Mohamed Alaeddin found Al Rayyan players celebrate their win over Al Shahania yesterday. At bottom, And according to the 21-year- League. Doha Tabata unmarked in the Al Shahania action from the Al-Sailiya vs Al Arabi match. old forward, who was recently “The temperature was very box, but latter was not allowed space named AFC Champions League high, but the Al Sadd players were to shoot by keeper Ahmad al-Amri who Toyota Player of the Week, the very impressive. In the fi rst 30 40th-minute strike by Rod- quickly punched the loopy ball away best is very much still to come. minutes, we had many chances, rigo Tabata spared Al Rayyan’s for a corner. In the 23rd minute, striker “I am very happy with my through which we scored three blushes as the Lions grabbed Daniel Goumou trapped a long loopy progress, which has been aided goals. After that, I asked the three points against Al Shaha- cross inside the Al Shahania box. Gou- by the coaching staff and my players to slow down the tempo Ania in the QNB Stars League yesterday. mou aimed for the goal, but good pres- teammates,” said Afi f, who netted of the game to endure through The victory briefl y lifted them to sure from Reza Najafi saw the striker in both legs of the quarter-fi nal the game. third in the standings but Al Sailiya shoot just over the crossbar. as Al Sadd defeated Tehran’s Es- “In the second half, we wasted later took that slot by defeating Al Arabi Tabata netted the only goal of the teghlal 5-3 on aggregate. a penalty and missed a number of 2-0. Al Rayyan consequently slipped match after latching on to a loose ball “My performance is improving chances. We tried not to exhaust to fourth.Al Rayyan, who were aiming following an indirect free-kick and from game to game and I always ourselves. Qatar SC put up a good to recover from a 5-0 thrashing at the slipped past an Al Shahania defender strive for the best. game and they could have scored hands of Al Sadd in the Qatar Clasico before unleashing a curling low shot “We are delighted to go two or three goals. The result is struggled to stamp their authority on from the edge of the box. through to the semi-fi nals, de- fair for us, as per our perform- the match against mid-table Al Shaha- The ball went through the legs of spite having a tough time against ance. And I also got what I want- nia, who have just seven points from as Younes Darwish and beat keeper al- Esteghlal. Seven of our players ed, which was to avoid injuries to many matches. Amri before crashing into the net with were away from the team during any player.” In fact it was Al Shahania who made a late dip. In the 76th minute, Luciano the pre-match preparations, due Finally, Ferreira also shared his early inroads with Argentinian striker swivelled inside the Al Rayyan box, fol- to international commitments. remarks on his gesture to go and Vazquez Luciano drilling a low ball from lowing a pass from teammate Mostafa “We could only come together greet Samuel Eto’o when the Qa- the edge of the Al Rayyan box as early as Jafri, but his low shot from close range just four days before the game. tar SC forward was substituted. the fourth minute. Although his shot was well grabbed by Barry. But we managed to deal with the “In my view, Eto’o is still a big was snapped up by goalkeeper Omar Meanwhile Rachid Tiberkanine game in the proper way and kept player and he was one of the best Barry, it well and truly signalled Al Sha- scored both goals as Al Sailiya account- hold of our advantage from the strikers in the world. I think the hania’s intent. ed for Al Arabi 2-0. The goals came in fi rst leg. clubs (here) have done well by By the 10th minute, Al Rayyan racked the 23rd and 88th minutes. “We are now focusing on prep- signing players like Xavi, Gabi up three consecutive corners, but failed With this win, Al Sailiya moved aration for the big game against and Eto’o because they are fully to produce a goal-threatening move as to third spot with 15 points from six Persepolis in the AFC Champions serious in their work and their the Al Shahania backline remained fi rm. matches while Al Arabi are sixth with League semi-fi nals,” he added. presence in Qatar will help the In the 13th minute of the fast-paced 12. Meanwhile, Al Sadd head local players to develop.”