SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 17

There are always things that Red Bull’s TODAY’S ACTION can be improved which we will Max Verstappen look at now and this race is 95 after finishing second at AUSTRALIA VS FIJI (POOL D) 07:45am Qatar time percent about qualifying and the second practice of FRANCE VS ARGENTINA (POOL C) 10:15am Singapore Grand Prix I’m feeling positive so far. NEW ZEALAND VS SOUTH AFRICA (POOL B) 12:45pm Asia’s first kicks off

AFP Prince Akishino officially declared The global rugby showpiece will competition as the world’s number TOKYO the tournament open, with World also serve as a tasty amuse-bouche one side, but they often flatter to Rugby chief Bill Beaumont saying: for Japan as it prepares to host the deceive when it comes to the World The first Rugby World Cup hosted in “This is the moment we’ve all been Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Cup and have never ventured Asia opened yesterday in a packed waiting for... We can all be very proud Japan served up the biggest beyond the quarter-finals. Tokyo stadium, as the game seeks to tonight. You have made history.” shock in World Cup history in 2015 England, coached by Eddie Jones tap into a new fanbase beyond its The tournament promises to be when they beat the mighty -- who led Japan to that famous win traditional heartlands in Europe and one of the most open in history, with Springboks 34-32 in a match over the Springboks -- will also the southern hemisphere. at least five or six teams seen capable dubbed the “miracle of Brighton” fancy their chances but they have A sea of fans decked out in the red of lifting the trophy in Yokohama on that has even inspired a movie. been drawn in a tough Pool C and white jerseys of the host team November 2. This time, however, no one is alongside bitter Six Nations rivals cheered on performers at the opening Organisers hope stars of the game taking the Brave Blossoms lightly France and the ever-dangerous ceremony, a sound and light show such as All Black Beauden Barrett, Ire- and they will do well to achieve Argentina. fused with traditional Japanese cul- land’s Johnny Sexton or South Africa’s their goal of reaching their first ever The other group sees Australia tural references and rugby history. Siya Kolisi will spark enthusiasm for quarter-final by getting out of a pool and Wales as the top teams and Children representing the 20 the game in Japan and Asia more dominated by Ireland and Scotland. either one could trouble the competing teams belted out the broadly. The All Blacks remain the team business end of the competition. World Rugby anthem “World in The early signs are good, with to beat and their crunch encounter But the gap between the tradi- Union” before former All Black officials saying the tournament should with South Africa on Saturday will tional haves and have-nots of World skipper Richie McCaw brought in the be close to a complete sell-out and a go a long way to determining the Rugby has shrunk and more upsets glittering Webb Ellis Cup that New staggering 15,000 fans turning out on outcome of Pool B -- and maybe the are expected -- with Fiji in par- New Zealand’s world cup-winning former Zealand hope to win for an unprec- a public holiday just to watch Wales next home of the Webb Ellis Cup. ticular considered a dangerous dark Richie McCaw holds the Webb Ellis Cup edented third straight edition. train. Ireland come into the horse. during the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, yesterday.

Fijians get Matsushima hat-trick fires hosts serious about Wallabies Japan to opening win over Russia encounter

AFP before Pieter Labuschagne REUTERS TOKYO ripped the ball from his opposite SAPPORO, JAPAN number and raced clear to score scored a Japan’s third try. Lots of loud, raucous laughter sizzling hat-trick as hosts Japan A Kushnarev penalty closed boomed around the Sapporo recovered from a torrid start to the deficit to 20-10 on the hour- Dome yesterday - Fiji were in beat Russia 30-10 in their Rugby mark but Tamura kicked a three- town and they were there to World Cup opener yesterday. pointer before Matsushima com- have some fun. Japan’s prolific winger pleted a superb hat-trick with a Warming up for their final became the first player to score mazy run that left a trail of training session before their three tries in a World Cup Russian defenders for dead. Pool D clash against Australia opening game after a brilliant Japan were once destroyed today, a semi-organised hybrid solo effort with just over 10 145-17 by New Zealand at the game of touch rugby and rugby minutes left in Tokyo. World Cup but they are a dif- league broke out. The Brave Blossoms looked ferent proposition these days and The rare dropped ball to have caught stage fright in have become a regular fixture resulted in more laughter and their the Pool A clash and found among rugby’s top 10-ranked some jovial pushing and themselves behind after just five teams since winning three games shoving until the vagaries of minutes before Matsushima at the 2015 World Cup under assistant coach Tabai Matson’s came to the rescue by scoring Eddie Jones. whistle signalled a change of three of Japan’s four tries. The home side, who pro- possession. “Straight from the kick off duced one of sport’s great upsets There was more laughter, they put us under extreme Japan’s Kotaro Matsushima dives to score a try with a jaw-dropping 34-32 but fewer dropped balls. pressure with their gameplan, during their Rugby World Cup Pool A match against defeat of South Africa in their Attention was turning to they really tested us today,” said Russia at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, yesterday. opening game four years ago, their job today, to upset the Japan captain . never looked like relinquishing Wallabies and push on and “I think with the nerves out control after Matsushima settled become the first Pacific-Island of the way, we can start looking kick had almost led to a score when Nikita Vavilin broke clear, Sucking the Russian their nerves. nation to make the quarter- forward to (their next game before William Tupou spilled a only for Vladimir Ostroushko to defenders in on the left, Japan Japan, who earned a bonus finals since they reached the against) Ireland.” high catch, allowing Kirill Golos- wastefully kick the ball away. switched back the other way and point for scoring four tries, face last eight at the 2007 tour- Japan strode out to booming nitskiy the simplest of tries. A chip-through from Yury Ryoto Nakamura found Matsu- Ireland -- the world’s top-ranked nament in France. taiko drums greeted by a deaf- Tupou made amends in the Kushnarev triggered further panic shima out wide to give the home side -- in Shizuoka next weekend “If we can win tomorrow ening roar from a packed crowd 11th minute with a deft reverse as Golosnitskiy again threatened. side the lead. while the Bears try to lick their then that does make the job of 45,000 but it was Russia’s pass for Matsushima to dive into But with the Russians wilting Leading 12-7 at the half, wounds before taking on Samoa easier, but it’s not the end of “Bears” who began the sharper. the corner. as half-time approached, Japan Tamura extended Japan’s after a quick, four-day the day either,” Fiji coach John ’s charged-down Russia came back again caught their opponents cold. advantage with an early penalty turnaround. McKee told reporters yesterday when asked about his stated goal of reaching the knockout phase. All Blacks, Boks meet in first round blockbuster “All of our focus for our players now is on their per- formance tomorrow and their AFP New Zealand two years ago. Read, the 122-Test veteran who game against Australia.” YOKOHAMA Rassie Erasmus came in as featured in both the 2011 and While Fiji have not beaten coach and instigated an 2015 World Cup finals. Australia since 1954, they have New Zealand captain Kieran approach that hinges on kicking The All Blacks have reacted risen to number nine in the Read said today’s highly antici- for territory and then regaining by dropping prop centurion world under McKee and are pated clash with South Africa is the ball through forward power. Owen Franks and relegating Ben being tipped by pundits as the one of the biggest matches of It has resulted in a margin Smith to the bench, while Rieko most likely tier-two nation to his career as the All Blacks of no more than two points in Ioane, once a first-choice wing, cause upsets at the launch their bid for a record the next four matches against cannot even make the matchday tournament. third consecutive world crown. the reigning world champions, 23. They also have a settled The Pool B match-up at setting up what could be a Instead, coach Steve Hansen and balanced squad that Yokohama features two of the classic at the 70,000-capacity has gone for the youthful exu- includes 25 European-based most successful sides in rugby International Yokohama berance of wings George Bridge New Zealand’s professionals. history, and two of the sport’s Stadium. and Sevu Reece, while devising prop Angus That creates competition, greatest rivals, in a tournament The All Blacks, meanwhile, a twin playmaker role for Ta’avao (left) and which can only help the where no team has lost a pool have tweaked their roster but Beauden Barrett at fullback with wing Rieko Ioane players’ mentality, added match and gone on to lift the remain comfortable with an Richie Mo’unga wearing 10. take part in a McKee. trophy. emphasis on striking out wide, They are all capable under training session The Fijian team has The pre-match exchanges and the contrast in styles may the high ball as well as being in Koto, Tokyo strengthened their set piece focused on whether referees do well see the outcome decided noted counter-attackers, with yesterday, ahead and produced a consistent or do not have a bias towards by one error from either side. Bridge and Reece the try-scoring of today’s 2019 run of results against tier- the All Blacks, but the match “South Africa in our opening weapons for the two nations yet captain Rugby World Cup reality centres on the rapid game of the tournament is going champion Canterbury Crusaders, Dominiko Waqaniburotu Pool B match improvement of the Springboks to be one of the bigger games while Barrett is a two-time world admitted it was at times dif- against South since they were caned 57-0 by you play over your career,” said player of the year. ficult to rein in their natural Africa. exuberance. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2019 Masakadza leads to Qatar register thrilling victory over Malaysia maiden win over Afghanistan THE PENINSULA unbeaten 44 while Patel KUALA LUMPUR remained unconquered on 37 AFP “Fantastic feeling to finish off when the winning runs were CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH like that. I always knew the boys Mohammed Rizlan and made. had a performance in them,” Dharmang Patel guided Qatar Qatar chasing 154 for a win Hamilton Masakadza struck a Masakadza said after the match. to a fighting three- win were in deep trouble at one blazing half-century in his “It is good to get a send-off over Malaysia in the CWC Chal- stage and were fighting with farewell match to lead like this. It was fantastic to be lenge League Group A match in their backs to the wall. Half of Zimbabwe to a seven-wicket win with the boys today.” The win, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Qatar’s side were back in the over Afghanistan in their last Zimbabwe’s first in the tour- The two put on 60 runs for pavillon with only 33 on the match of the tri-series nament after three successive the unbroken eight wicket part- scoreboard. in Chittagong yesterday. losses, also ended Afghanistan’s nership to script Qatar’s second The sixth wicket fell at 50 Captain Masakadza hit 71 off record 12-match winning streak win of the tournament. and the seventh at 98 and from 42 balls with four fours and five in T20Is. In the first match, Qatar had there on Rizlan and Ptel too over sixes as Zimbabwe reached a Afghanistan will face Bang- Zimbabwe captain defeated Singapore by 19 runs. to guide to the finishing line. target of 156 with three balls to ladesh in the final on September Hamilton Masakadza Rizlan, who walked away Earlier, Malaysia first spare after Chris Mpofu’s career- 24. plays a shot during with the man-of-the-match scored 153 for the loss of seven best 4-30 helped the side restrict The 36-year-old Masakadza, the fifth Twenty20 award top scored with an . Afghanistan to 155-8 at the Zahur who has brought an end to his international match Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. 18-year international career, was of a tri-nation cricket series against SCOREBOARD Afghanistan at Zahur Afghanistan 1-0-13-0, Madziva 1-0-6-0, Mutombodzi 3-0-18-2 Ahmed Chowdhury Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Willaims ...... 61 Zimbabwe Stadium in Chattogram H Zazai c Mutumbami b Mutombodzi ...... 31 c Najibullah b Mujeeb ...... 19 yesterday. lbw Mpofu ...... 16 Hamilton Masakadza c Nabi b Dawlat ...... 71 Najibullah Zadran c Madziva b Mutombodzi . 5 c b Mujeeb .....39 c Jarvis b Mpofu ...... 4 Sean Williams () ...... 21 c Ndlovu b K Jarvis ...... 10 Tinotenda Mutombodzi (not out) ...... 1 involved in partnerships of 40 32 balls and Sean Williams Fazal Niazai c Burl b Mpofu ...... 12 Extras (W5) ...... 5 and 70 with Brendan Taylor and remained unbeaten on 21 as Rashid Khan (not out) ...... 9 Total (3 wkts) ...... 156 Regis Chakabva to set up Zim- Zimbabwe completed their first c Ndlovu b Mpofu ...... 0 Did not bat: Ryan Burl, , babwe’s run chase. ever Twenty20 win over Afghan- (not out) ...... 0 Neville Madziva, Kyle Jarvis, Ainsley Ndlovu, Chris Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur istan in nine attempts. Extras (B4, NB3) ...... 7 Mpofu Rahman (2-28) dismissed Taylor Earlier, Rahmanullah Total (8 wkts) ...... 155 Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-110, 3-139 for 19 to give Afghanistan their Gurbaz made 61 off 47 balls to Fall of wickets: 1-83, 2-107, 3-116, 4-121, 5-124, : Mujeeb 4-0-38-2, Dawlat 3.3-0-27-1 first breakthrough before Dawlat help Afghanistan to a decent 6-140, 7-154, 8-155 (w1), Naib 3-0-19-0, Nabi 4-0-40-0 (w2), Rashid Qatar’s Mohammed Rizlan, receiving his Man-of-the-Match award Zadran ended Masakadza’s score after skipper Rashid Khan Bowling: Ndlovu 4-0-23-0, Jarvis 3-0-27-1 (nb2), 4-0-29-0 (w1), Niazai 1-0-13-0 (w1) during the CWC Challenge League Group A match against Malaysia Williams 4-0-34-1 (nb1), Mpofu 4-0-30-4, Burl Result: Zimbabwe won by seven wickets aggressive innings. won the toss and elected to bat But Chakabva made 39 off first. in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

England need Australia hopeful of touring Pakistan in 2022 to look at

AFP Pakistan on Thursday after the tour,” he said. “Things are of terror attacks. Asked if he the issue and said his trip had balance SYDNEY first trip by a high-level Aus- heading in the right direction. could realistically see Australia triggered plans for similar tralian cricket delegation in In saying that we were travelling touring Pakistan during his visits by the chief executives between Tests Cricket Australia is hoping to more than a decade. in armoured cars and escorted tenure, Roberts said: “I really of England and Ireland over tour Pakistan in 2022, but chief The team has not played by police and felt very safe over hope we do for the sake of world the next month. and ODIs: Giles executive Kevin Roberts said there since 1998, on government there. But certainly that level of cricket and Australia’s important “It’s really good that the security remains a concern and advice, but is next scheduled to security is still required at this relationship with Pakistan. cricket world is opening its AFP he would never jeopardise the tour in early 2022 and Roberts point.” “As I said to Pakistan, we hearts and minds to the role of LONDON safety of players. told Melbourne’s SEN radio he Roberts said “we would love share their desire for interna- Pakistan and looking proac- Most international teams wanted to see for himself the sit- to see international cricket tional cricket to return to their tively at what it will take to Director of cricket Ashley Giles have refused to visit the South uation on the ground. return to Pakistan”, but cau- country. return international cricket to says England need to address Asian nation since the Sri “The purpose was really to tioned that “we would never put “We have got the next Pakistan,” he said. the balance between the Lankan team’s bus was attacked understand the landscape, look our people in jeopardy”. couple of years to hopefully plan “Certainly, there’s parts of red-ball and white-ball teams by gunmen during a Test in at the plans they have in place His comments came as Sri for a tour in 2022 but we have the country that are very unsafe, after the side’s World Cup Lahore in March 2009, leaving around security and then start Lanka’s cricket board this week just got to set that out carefully, but there’s other parts where I triumph. six players injured. Six expressing our expectations for said they would press ahead bit by bit, rather than rushing think a number of nations will Trevor Bayliss ended four policemen and two civilians the safety of our players and our with an upcoming six-match into it.” contemplate playing again in years in charge as head coach were killed. support staff well over two years tour of Pakistan despite fears Roberts is in touch with future when Pakistan are this month and while he led the Roberts returned from away from when we’re due to that players could be the targets other cricketing nations over ready.” team to a maiden World Cup 50-over win, the Test team has lacked consistency. Joe Root’s men fought back Giles considers to draw 2-2 in the Ashes series Dhoni must quit international game on Sunday but the urn remains in the hands of Australia after interim coach for their 4-0 home win during the 2017-18 series. England’s tour to before he’s pushed, says Gavaskar “We need to address the balance between red and REUTERS white-ball cricket,” Giles told India’s MS Dhoni in action New Zealand MUMBAI the Press Association. at Cardiff Wales Stadium, in “When we appoint a new AFP The time has come for India’s long- Cardiff, Britain in this May 28, head coach, it’s a good chance LONDON serving wicketkeeper-batsman 2019 file picture. for those guys to sit down even Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bow out of with me and even the selectors Ashley Giles said yesterday that England international cricket - and he should go and map out what the future could appoint an interim head coach for before he’s pushed, batting great Sunil looks like and the sort of cricket their tour of New Zealand. Gavaskar said. we want to play as a Test team.” Trevor Bayliss stepped down as Former captain Dhoni has been the Jofra Archer’s performances England coach after the Ashes series subject of intense speculation among for England in the World Cup against Australia earlier this month. fans, ex-players and pundits over when and Ashes have earned the Replacing the Australian won’t be easy he will retire from international cricket paceman Test and white-ball after his impressive reign brought England since India’s semi-final exit from the central contracts for the first their first 50-over World Cup triumph in World Cup. time. He is one of 10 players to July. England will play two Tests and five The veteran of 350 one-dayers, who receive a Test deal for the in New Zealand, which start quit playing Tests at the end of 2014, has 2019-20 season, as is opener on November 1 with the Test series ending not provided any hint of what his plans Rory Burns, who cemented his in early December. are. spot at the top of the order with “When we go to the shortlist and inter- However he made himself una- some battling performances in views, it depends on their circumstances vailable for India’s tour of the West Indies the Ashes. Spin duo Moeen Ali and there will be different circumstances and instead opted to spend 15 days with and Adil Rashid have lost their with all these coaches, so if we have to go India’s territorial army, a reservist force central Test contracts but are interim, we will,” ECB director of cricket that draws on civilians who can do short in a list of 12, also including Joe Giles told reporters yesterday. stints to assist the military. Denly, to be handed white-ball “I’m not going to talk about who that Dhoni was also a notable omission deals. will be now. Hopefully we won’t have to, from India’s Twenty20 squad for the “The way the central con- but that bit is less important than getting ongoing three-match series against South tracts are lined up, with 10 Test the right man for the next four years.” Africa. contracts and 12 white-ball, England have not advertised the “Nobody knows what’s in MSD’s cricket-mad country. At his prime Dhoni on numerous occasions. “His value to the does not mean white-ball is position, with Giles instead gathering mind. Only he can clarify what he thinks was widely considered the best “finisher” side is always going to be fantastic. It’s more important,” Giles said. interest before a final shortlist is drawn up. his future with Indian cricket is,” former in the game but his electrifying ability to not just the runs he will score or the “But there is more room for “There’s some strong candidates out India captain and opening batsman put bowlers to the sword to the end of catches and the stumpings he will effect,” manoeuvre in red-ball con- there. You’ll know them, I’m not going to Gavaskar told India Today. innings has waned of late, while he has said Gavaskar, who once held the record tracts and places up for grabs, go through the list and who is favourite “But he’s now 38, by the time the next also struggled to make solid starts. for most test runs and centuries in the so good opportunities for and whatever,” he said. T20 World Cup comes he will be over 39 Dhoni’s glovework, however, still longest format of the game. people and a chance for them “There’s some internal, some English years old. I think India should be looking remains top class. “His overall presence is so calming to take them.” Jason Roy, who and some very good overseas. I’m looking ahead.” The next 50-over World Cup is still on the field, it’s fantastic for the captain played a key part in the World forward to it and it’s a big appointment.” Dhoni captained India to the World four years away but the World Twenty20 because the captain gets the benefit of Cup triumph in July, before Giles was England’s limited-overs head Twenty20 crown in 2007, and the will be held in 2020 and Dhoni enjoys his views. So that’s a huge plus. flopping during the Ashes, has coach between November 2012 and April 50-over World Cup title at home four unwavering support from India captain “But I think the time has come. Eve- been awarded a white-ball deal 2014. years later, and enjoys cult status in the Virat Kohli who has publicly backed him rybody has a shelf life,” he added. but not a red-ball contract. SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 19 I was the right person to reshape athletics: Coe RUETERS “In some ways it was a bit again by the IAAF Council on half-full - they are moving in the return). “The biggest piece of the LONDON overwhelming but that comes Monday but, with the World right direction. Yes, you have the jigsaw still to go through the with the territory. I threw my hat Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) still issue with banned coaches still system though is the analysis of Sebastian Coe will be re-elected in the ring and I believe that I ploughing through the monu- operating and it’s quite hard the data. The volume is I threw my hat in the unopposed as IAAF President on was the right person to help mentale ta ppile e oof atathlete ete sasample p e sometimesso et es to control co t o that t at in a enormousenormo - I’m told that it is a Wednesday and has talked to shape the future of the sport. data finally provided by the Rus-Rus- landmasslandmass thatthat mountainousmountai exercise. A lot of ring and I believe that Reuters in an extensive interview “We had the integrity unit up sians and routinely producingproducing big,big, butbut we thethe informationinfo isn’t clear-cut I was the right person about the challenges and and running within two years historic positivepositive tests, a return do have to but that Russia provided it is a to help shape the achievements of his tenure and and it was one of the centre- stillstill seems some way in tthehe bebe tougtoughh bigbig tictickk and we have recouped what is in his “in-tray” for the pieces of the reforms. But I’m not distance.distance. abouaboutt it thethe legallega fees. But the question future of the sport: next four years. naive enough to think that just More thathann 70 RusRussiansian athath-- aass part of rreinstatementeinst will be on the Coe Achievements since taking having those structures in place letesletes were cclearedleared to quaqualifylify forfor ooff tthehe adviceadvice fromfr the task force. office in 2015 Coe was elected is enough. You need people to thethe world championships in ccriteriariteria “I wwanta the criteria to be met technicality that ruled one of the on a manifesto promising radical buy in culturally to those chal- Doha,Doha, bubutt those there will ((forfor a and I wantw them back in as a missed tests had to be backdated change to the sport he graced as lenges and it’s always ongoing. compete as neutrals unless the reinstatedreinstate federation, but only to outside the window and he a double Olympic champion but “In four years’ time I would IAAF Council goes against onon the bbasis that there is no will now race in Doha. Coe spent much of his time initially like to be talking about the the odds and votvoteses imperillingimp of clean accepted that it was “not a good trying to repair the reputational progress we hope to make about toto reinstate the athletes.”ath look” for the sport. damage of the regime that pre- sponsorships, formats, a consol- federation next Christian Coleman Coe: “We have to be very ceded him and dealing with the idated calendar and getting more week.week. casecas protective of the reputation of Russian doping crisis. money into the pockets of Coe:C oe: The American sprinter, the athletes and I’m pleased that Coe: “The first four years athletes.” “Let’s start thethe fastest man in the world it’s shown that the rules needed were about ‘securing the house’ Russia with the thisthi year, missed three revising. But I’m not going to turn -ensuring we had the founda- The Russian Athletics Feder- glassg lass dopingdo tests within 12 my guns on WADA or the United tions in place - we could not have ation has been banned by the months.m States Anti-Doping Agency moved on to anything until we IAAF since 2015 after revelations He escaped what (which was forced to drop its tighten our governance struc- of massive, widespread doping. shouldsh have been an case). I think both those organi- tures and become more The question of its possible auautomatic ban via a sations are doing a really good transparent. readmittance will be discussed “whereabouts“w rule” job.”

UEFA Europa League Results from the opening round of Laver Cup: Europe Spurs aim to hold group stage matches in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday: Group A and Team World APOEL Nicosia (CYP) 3 (Pavlovic 54, 58, De Vincenti 56-pen) off Leicester charge Dudelange (LUX) 4 (Sinani 36, share the spoils 83, Bernier 51, Stolz 72) AFP Tottenham Hotspur’s English Qarabag (AZE) 0 Sevilla (ESP) LEICESTER REUTERS second set to tie the game at one striker Harry Kane leaves 3 (Hernandez 62, Munir 78, GENEVA set apiece. The young Canadian the pitch at the end of the Torres 85) Tottenham’s ambitions after led 9-7 in the tiebreak before Champions League Group B Group B reaching the club’s first Cham- Dominic Thiem and Jack Sock squandering his match points as match against Olympiakos Copenhagen (DEN) 1 (Santos 50) pions League final and moving won their singles matches as Thiem clawed his way back to at the Georgios Karaiskakis Lugano (SUI) 0 into a stunning new stadium Team Europe and Team World win the contest on his second Stadium in Athens on Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 1 (Buyalskiy were to kick on and challenge Wednesday. shared the spoils in the day match point. Liverpool and Manchester City 84) Malmo (SWE) 0 session on the first day of the In the second singles match, for major honours this season. Group C Laver Cup in Geneva yesterday. American Sock prevailed in However, Mauricio Basel (SUI) 5 (Bua 9, 40, Zuffi Team Europe struck first as straight sets over Italian Fabio Pochettino admits his side need 53, Vilhena 55-og, Okafor 79) Austrian Thiem beat Canada’s Fognini, winning 6-1, 7-6(3) in to make major improvements Krasnodar (RUS) 0 Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 5-7, 13-11, 89 minutes. and learn from their mistakes Getafe (ESP) Getafe 1 (Angel 18) saving three match points in the Fognini failed to convert any just to maintain their status as Trabzonspor (TUR) 0 super tiebreak -- a race to 10 of his six break points in the Champions League regulars. Group D points when the match goes into match as Sock won five games “We need to improve and I LASK Linz (AUT) 1 (Holland 45+3) a third set. in a row to take the opening set. think all the players in the squad Rosenborg (NOR) 0 “It’s a really special thing Roger Federer and Rafa feel the same that we need to PSV Eindhoven (NED) 3 (Malen with the tiebreak in the third,” Nadal, with a total of 39 Grand improve if we are to be a con- 20, Coates 25-og, Baumgartl Thiem said. Slams between them, gave tender for big things,” said 48) Sporting Lisbon (POR) 2 “It creates lots of close Fognini plenty of advice during Pochettino on Thursday. (Fernandes 39-pen, Mendes 82) moments and match points on breaks in play as the second set Spurs travel to Leicester on Group E either side. It’s also a little bit of went with serve until the Saturday already seven points CFR Cluj (ROM) 2 (Deac 41-pen, luck at the end.” tiebreak. off Premier League leaders Liv- Omrani 75) Lazio (ITA) 1 (Bastos Thiem, ranked fifth in the Sock came away victorious erpool having won just two of 25) world, needed only one break after Fognini double-faulted at their opening six games to the Rennes (FRA) 1 (Niang 38-pen) of serve to take the opening set, 3-5 before the Italian made a season. Celtic (SCO) 1 (Christie 59-pen) but the 20-year-old Shapovalov backhand error to give Team After blowing a 2-0 lead to Group F fought back to break twice in the World their first point. draw 2-2 away to Olympiakos get around it, improve and get during his time in charge. He Standard Liege 2 (Hanin 66-og, in their Champions League better.” Pochettino questioned successfully guided the club Mpoku 90+1) Vitoria Guimaraes opener on Wednesday, Harry his players’ attitude for not through nearly two years at a (POR) 0 Kane bemoaned the lack of matching the standards of a 4-0 temporary home at Wembley, Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) 0 Arsenal maturity from a squad that win against Crystal Palace last while maintaining Spurs in the (ENG) 3 (Willock 38, Saka 85, should have been hardened by weekend on their visit to Greece Premier League’s top four, and Aubameyang 88) the progress made during in midweek. make progress in Europe on a Group G Pochettino’s five years in “It’s not about tactics, it’s not shoestring budget compared to Rangers (SCO) 1 (Ojo 24) charge. about quality players, it’s about the Champions League elite. Feyenoord (NED) 0 “We’re not young any more, the quality of preparing yourself But a return of just 19 points Porto (POR) 2 (Soares 8, 29) we’re not inexperienced,” said to be ready to fight,” said from Tottenham’s last 17 Premier Young Boys (SUI) 1 (Nsame 15-pen) the England captain. “We’ve Pochettino. League games shows how their Group H played in big games for club and “At this type of level you progress has stalled. Espanyol (ESP) 1 (Vargas 60) country. need to match the opponent in Instead of looking up to chal- Ferencvaros (HUN) 1 (Javi Lopez “I can see why the manager terms of intensity, aggression, in lenge Liverpool or City, Spurs 10-og) is frustrated because he’s been excitement and motivation and immediate priority is to make Ludogorets (BUL) 5 (Wanderson here for six years now and we’re then is going to appear your sure their place in the top six 48, Lukoki 50, Keseru 52, 68, still making similar mistakes to quality when you are connected does not come under threat from 73-pen) CSKA Moscow (RUS) 1 the ones we were in his first year. with the game.” Pochettino has a chasing pack, including their (Diveev 11) “We’ve got to find a way to often surpassed expectations hosts this week. Group I Team Europe’s Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev during their Wolfsburg (GER) 3 (Arnold doubles match against Team World’s Jack Sock and Denis Shapovalov 20, Mehmedi 24, Brekalo 67) in the Laver Cup at the Palexpo, in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. Olexandriya (UKR) 1 (Banada 66) Sevilla await weakened Real Gent (BEL) 3 (David 2, 43, Perrin 64-og) Saint-Etienne (FRA) 2 (Khazri 38, Kaminski 75-og) Kerber through to Pan Madrid at La Liga summit Group J Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER) 0 Wolfsberg (AUT) 4 (Weissman AFP sacked by Spain on the eve of Pacific Open semis 13, Leitgeb 31, 68, Ritzmaier 41) MADRID last year’s World Cup for Fixtures (all times AP Roma (ITA) 4 (Caicara 42-og, accepting a job at Real, the coach GMT) OSAKA Both Barcelona and Real Madrid will have extra motivation to Dzeko 58, Zaniolo 71, Kluivert travel to Andalusia this weekend prove himself after flopping in Today 90+3) Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR) 0 Fourth-seeded Angelique Kerber advanced to the semi-finals of in search of precious Liga points the Madrid hot-seat. Villarreal vs Valladolid Group K the Toray Pan Pacific Open yesterday after Madison Keys retired after stuttering form in Europe His current charges are on (1100), Levante vs Eibar Wolverhampton Wanderers (ENG) injured in the deciding set. and in their domestic campaigns ten points from four matches, (1400), Atletico Madrid vs 0 Braga (POR) 1 (Horta 71) Kerber led 6-4, 4-6, 2-1 when the fifth-seeded Keys retired. as table-toppers Sevilla await but Real can climb above them Celta Vigo (1630), Granada Slovan Bratislava (SVK) 4 (Sporar “It was a really good match in the first two sets, and this is never Zinedine Zidane’s injury- Sunday with an away win. vs Barcelona (1900) 14, 58, Ljubicic 90+3, Rharsalla the way that you want to win,” Kerber said. stricken outfit. “Being top means nothing,” Tomorrow 90+4) Besiktas (TUR) 2 (Ljajic “I hope Madison will recover really soon so she is ready for the Real, thrashed in the Cham- Lopetegui said last week. “But it Getafe vs Mallorca (1000), 29-pen, Bozhikov 45+1-og) next tournaments.” Keys recorded 39 winners against 33 unforced pions League by PSG midweek, does tell us the team is doing Espanyol vs Real Sociedad Group L errors while Kerber had 18 winners and 13 unforced errors. face a daunting challenge to things well.” (1200), Valencia vs Leganes Manchester United (ENG) 1 Kerber next faces the winner of the match between Anastasia regroup at Sevilla, while Bar- Sevilla did well again in the (1400), Athletic Bilbao v (Greenwood 73) Astana (KAZ) 0 Pavlyuchenkova and Misaki Doi. Pavlyuchenkova was leading 2-0 celona go to an unlikely Europa League on Thursday Alaves (1630), Sevilla vs Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 (Natcho in the first set before rain stopped play for the day. mountain stronghold to face coming back from a marathon Real Madrid (1900) 42-pen, 61) AZ Alkmaar (NED) 2 At the Korea Open in Seoul, fourth-seeded Magda Linette of plucky Granada. trip to Baku with a 3-0 win at (Stengs 13, Boadu 67) Poland cruised into the semi-finals with an emphatic 6-2, 6-3 victory Led by Julen Lopetegui, Qarabag. over Kirsten Flipkens. SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2019 20

PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19

Dhoni must quit I was the right internationals person to reshape before he’s pushed, athletics: IAAF says Gavaskar President Coe Swedish Olympian Holm named ambassador for Doha Worlds

IAAF men’s high jump in Doha, where DOHA Mutaz Barshim will defend his title. “Of course I’m looking forward Sweden’s 2004 Olympic high jump to the high jump competitions for champion Stefan Holm has been both men and women,” said Holm. named an ambassador for the IAAF between 1999 and 2007, earning “And as a Swede I’m really I am, of course, World Athletics Championships Doha silver in 2003. looking forward to seeing Daniel honoured to be an IAAF 2019. “It’s the biggest, and best, ath- Ståhl and Armand Duplantis go for ambassodor during the With one week to go to the IAAF’s letics competition in the world and gold. And, last but not least, I also Stefan premiere showcase event, set for it’s great to be a part of it and the have a feeling that the men’s 400m World Championships. Holm in September 27 to October 6, Holm is sport that I love.” hurdles can bring something extra It’s the biggest, action looking forward to following all the Holm also won four world indoor this time around.” during action at Doha’s state-of-the-art titles during his career before retiring Holm joins long jump world record- and best, athletics the IAAF Khalifa Stadium. from top-level competition in 2008. holder Mike Powell, multiple world and competition in the Athens “I am, of course, honoured to be He is still heavily involved in the Olympic decathlon champion Ashton world and it’s great to Grand Prix an IAAF ambassodor during the sport and is coach to some of Swe- Eaton and 2016 world indoor pen- in this July World Championships,” said Holm, den’s leading athletes. tathlon champion Brianne Theisen- be a part of it and the 13, 2008 who competed at five consecutive He – and many of the home sup- Eaton as an ambassador for the cham- sport that I love: Holm file photo. editions of the World Championships porters – will have a keen eye on the pionships’ 17th edition. Afif, Bounedjah seal 2-1 win for Al Sadd

THE PENINSULA first-time shot left the goalkeeper DOHA with no chance. Following their equaliser, The Al Sadd came through a tight match Wolves were in the ascendency and to continue their march towards the got their bonus after being awarded QNB Stars League (QSL) title a penalty when Adil Rhaili brought defence, thanks to a 2-1 victory over down Bounedjah in the penalty Umm Salal in round 4 at the Al RESULTS area. The Al Sadd front man got Janoub Stadium yesterday. Al Arabi 2-1 Al Shahania back on his feet to coolly convert The home side struck through Al Gharafa 3 - 1 Al Ahli and put his side in front. Akram Afif in the 19th minute and Al Sadd 2 - 1 Umm Salal In a reverse of their first goal, Baghdad Bounedjah in the 34th Al Sailiya 1 - 0 Qatar SC Umm Salal came close to a second minute (penalty). Umm Salal’s when Sagbo became the supplier TODAY'S FIXTURES Yannick Sagbo was on the from the byline, only to see Al scoresheet with a ninth-minute Al Rayyan vs Al Khor Mawas’ shot well saved by Saad Al strike. At Al Janoub Stadium - 16:50 Dossari. A goalless second half saw The match started in rapid Al Wakrah vs Al Duhail both teams continue to attack, with fashion as Umm Salal were able to At Al Sadd Stadium - 19:00 neither side looking to concede the make their possession count with match. an early breakthrough. Mahmoud Al Haydous nearly secured a Al Mawas dispossessed Salem Al the crossbar. Al Sadd were not to be third with a shot powered just wide, Hajri as he was trying to shepherd denied for long though and were but all in all, the third goal was not the ball out of play, before laying off back in the game, thanks to a won- needed as Al Sadd completed a the ball to Sagbo from the byline, derful piece of play by Hassan Al well-fought win. and the big Ivorian was on hand to Haydous. Elsewhere, at Al Sadd Stadium, score the game’s first goal. His exquisite chipped through Al Sailiya pulled off a 1-0 win over He nearly doubled the lead ball over the defence, reminiscent Qatar SC, yesterday. Al Sadd's Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah in action during the QNB Stars League round 4 moments later with a half volley, of his coach Xavi Hernandez, was Serigne Mbodji netted the all- match against Umm Salal at the Al Janoub Stadium, yesterday. PICTURE: TWITTER / @ALSADDSC but his effort flew marginally over met by the run of Akram whose important goal in the 89th minute. Champion Hamilton sets pace MotoGP: Marquez fastest in Singapore GP practice despite Yamaha challenge

REUTERS AFP SINGAPORE ALCAÑIZ, SPAIN

Formula One champion Lewis Three Yamahas outpaced Marc Marquez in Hamilton lapped fastest on the opening the second practice session for the Aragon day of practice for the Singapore Grand GP yesterday but the Spaniard’s time from Prix yesterday with Mercedes team- the morning session remained the quickest. mate and closest rival Valtteri Bottas Maverick Vinales, Valentino Rossi and hitting the wall. Fabio Quartararo were the fastest in the Hamilton edged Red Bull’s Max afternoon but none of the trio were able to Verstappen, who had led the opening approach Marquez’s earlier time of 1min session, in the floodlit night-time 46.689sec. practice with a best time of one minute, “Today we started very well and actually 38.773 seconds. The 21-year-old we ended quite well too,” said Marquez. Dutchman was 0.186 seconds slower. Vinales set the best afternoon time in Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, a four- 1:48.014, 0.057sec ahead of factory Yamaha time winner in Singapore and chasing teammate Valentino Rossi, with Quartararo, his first win for more than a year, was who rides for a Yamaha satellite team, third on the timesheets after some dif- 0.103sec slower. Sparks fly as Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the ficulties with traffic. If the forecast rain arrives on Saturday second practice session for the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the “It’s been a good day. It’s so hot out morning for the third practice session, it there,” said Hamilton. Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, yesterday. could make it more difficult for the others Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc “It’s always a shock to the system to stop five-time top-class world champion Marquez takes selfies with fans at the when you get in the car here because the Briton faced a challenge from Ver- Tomorrow’s race in Singapore is Marquez taking pole position. it’s very bumpy, it’s a long, long lap and stappen, a two times winner this year, the closest the British-born Thai rookie Apart from Marquez, who escaped a Motorland racetrack in Alcaniz, ahead of it’s like a sauna in the car. but remained the man to beat. has to a home race. crash unscathed, all the other riders the 2019 Aragon MotoGP. “I felt much better in the car today Bottas, whose crash in opening Charles Leclerc, winner for Ferrari improved their times in the afternoon, with than I have for a while so I hope that practice prompted a brief halt to pro- in Belgium and Italy, was only sixth. fellow Spaniard Pol Espargaro putting his had the eighth-best combined time in the stays over the weekend.” ceedings, enjoyed a trouble free run The Monegasque had to use a new KTM in fifth. first two practice sessions. The riders with Hamilton, who has a 63-point lead under the floodlights and ended both gearbox after an issue sidelined him “In the afternoon we worked a lot with the 10 fastest times in the first three free over Bottas with seven races left, has sessions fourth. in the opening session. Carlos Sainz used tyres and unfortunately had a small practice sessions participate directly in won four times in Singapore including Alexander Albon, in only his third was seventh for McLaren ahead of crash but we learned a lot from it,” added today’s qualifying session (Q2), which deter- the last two years and is chasing an race for Red Bull after switching from Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg. The Span- Honda rider Marquez. mines the order of the top 12 places on the unprecedented fifth success in the city sister team Toro Rosso, stayed fifth iard’s team mate Lando Norris was Marquez leads Andrea Dovizioso of starting grid. The other drivers must partic- state. despite running off the track into the ninth while Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly Ducati by 93 points in the riders’ standings ipate in a preliminary qualifying session (Q1) Yesterday’s timesheets indicated barriers and breaking his front wing. rounded out the top 10. with six races left to run. The Italian only and the best two times are drafted for Q2.