TTENNISENNIS | Page 2 CRICKET | Page 3 France’s Garcia Pakistan’s overpowers Azhar keeps Barty to clinch Sri Lanka at Wuhan title bay in fi rst Test

Sunday, October 1, 2017 FOOTBALL Muharram 11, 1439 AH United rout Palace, GULF TIMES De Bruyne rocket sinks Chelsea SPORT Page 7 QNB STARS LEAGUE Arabi secure season’s fi rst win In-form Umm Salal beat Al Ahli 2-0

QNA Brazilian midfi elder Diego Jardel Doha opened the scoring for Al Arabi in the ninth minute before Syrian forward Mardik Mardikian doubled their lead l Arabi have managed their fi rst two minutes from the break. Youssef al- win of the season thanks to a 2-1 Kubaisi pulled one back for Qatar SC in defeat of Qatar SC in the third the 63rd minute, but they couldn’t fi nd week of the QNB Stars League the net again. Aat Grand Hamad Stadium yesterday. Gameweek 3 had kicked off on Thurs- The win comes on the back of two de- day with a 5-2 win for Al Sailiya over Al feats for Al Arabi, having lost 1-3 to Al Markhiya. On Friday, Al Duhail beat Al Sailiya and 0-2 to Al Duhail. It should Rayyan 5-3, Al Sadd defeated Al Ghara- also be a catalyst for the team that boasts fa 2-1, while Al Kharaitiyat and Al Ahli of the widest fanbase in Qatar to get back shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. to winning ways. Al Arabi will next take on Umm Salal, The team have not really been chal- who beat Al Ahli 2-0 in the second match lenging for titles in the past few years of the day yesterday. Yannick Sagbo and are led this season by Tunisia’s Kais put Umm Salal on the board in the 23rd Yaakoubi, who should be relieved with minute, before Mahir Yousef doubled the the win. lead in extra time. On the other hand, Qatar SC remain Umm Salal are in third spot with seven on three points, courtesy their 1-0 win points behind the unbeaten Al Duhail over Al Markhiya in the second week of and Al Sadd, who have nine points each. Al Arabi’s Diego Jardel (left) celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal with the season. They had lost their opening Qatar SC face Al Sadd in their next teammate Khalfan Ibrahim against Qatar SC during their QNB Stars League match at Umm Salal players celebrate a goal during their QNB Stars League match match to Al Duhail 2-3. match. Grand Hamad Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil against Al Ahli yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 1, 2017 SPORT

FORMULA ONE Hamilton seizes Malaysian pole, Vettel to start last

Reuters lost power,” Ferrari’s Vettel, who threat in Malaysia and a typical I’m very grateful.” Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) Sepang, Malaysia had an engine change before tropical downpour could also aid Daniel Ricciardo, who led Ver- 2nd row qualifying after running into Vettel in his recovery. stappen in a one-two for Red Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) problems at the end of yester- The four-times champion’s Bull in Malaysia last year, will Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) ewis Hamilton of Mer- day’s fi nal practice session, told qualifying setback left the way start fourth. He will share the 3rd row cedes pulled out the stops reporters. Vettel trails Hamilton clear for Hamilton to take the second row of the grid with the Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) to seize pole position for by 28 points in the overall stand- 70th pole position of his career Dutchman who engaged in a bit Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) the Malaysian Grand Prix ings heading into Sunday’s race. which makes the 32-year-old, of fun banter with Raikkonen af- 4th row Lin an inspiring display of speed, The German crashed out of who surpassed Michael Schu- ter qualifying. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/ even as a power unit problems pole position on the opening lap macher’s record haul of pole posi- “I don’t want to be sand- McLaren) left title rival Sebastian Vettel of the last race in Singapore, with tions with his 69th at Monza, the wiched,” said Verstappen, pin- Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) stranded in the garage. Hamilton capitalising from fi fth fi rst driver to reach the landmark. cered by the Ferraris in the open- 5th row The championship leader to win. The gap between the pair It was also his ninth of the ing-lap Singapore crash. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) scorched the 5.5-kilometre long is the biggest it has been all year season and fi fth in Malaysia. “I don’t want to be hit,” re- Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) Sepang track in one minute 30.076 and if Hamilton triumphs on But, even with Vettel out of sponded Raikkonen. 6th row seconds, the fastest lap ever set at Sunday, with Vettel lower than contention it did not come easy, Frenchman Pierre Gasly, Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) the track, to beat Kimi Raikkonen second, the Briton will not need with Mercedes having struggled drafted in as a last-minute re- Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) and birthday boy Max Verstappen to win another race to clinch his all weekend to extract pace from placement for under-perform- 7th row in a hard-fought session. fourth title. their car. Hamilton’s team mate ing Russian Daniil Kvyat at Toro Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) Vettel, however, failed to set The Malaysian Grand Prix has Bottas was only fi fth. Rosso, will make his Formula Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) a time and will start dead last never been won from lower than “Those laps, particularly the One debut from 15th on the grid. 8th row in yet another blow to his title eighth on the grid. But retired fi rst Q3 lap, was very well put The 21-year-old lost out to Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) hopes, after a power unit issue champion Nico Rosberg recov- together, very nice lap, I don’t Renault-bound team mate Car- Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) on his fi rst fl ier in the opening ered to third last year after a spin really know where it came from los Sainz by less than two-tenths 9th row phase of qualifying forced him to at the start dropped him to the to be honest,” Hamilton, whose of a second. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (centre) celebrates taking limp back to the pits. back of the fi eld. fi rst fl ying lap in the fi nal part of Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) pole position next to second fastest Ferrari’s Finland driver Kimi “I went out, everything was qualifying remained his fastest, Starting Grid 10th row Raikkonen (right) and third fastest Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max fi ne and then during the fl ying RAIN THREAT said. 1st row Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) Verstappen after the qualifying session of the Malaysia GP in Sepang lap in turn fi ve very abruptly I Rain is also an ever-present “It’s a surprise to be up here. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) yesterday. (AFP)

TENNIS FOCUS Ferrari’s Vettel smiling through the pain Garcia overpowers of qualifying last

Reuters and Mercedes struggling to Sepang, Malaysia extract speed from their chal- lenger. Instead, Hamilton, who re- ebastian Vettel still had tired from a commanding lead Barty to clinch a smile on his face after in Malaysia last year, goes into qualifying for the Ma- Sunday’s race poised to make laysian Grand Prix yes- another huge stride toward his terday,S as the German put on a fourth title. brave face despite the pain of The gap between the cham- the latest setback to strike his pionship contenders is already championship challenge. the biggest it has been in an The Ferrari driver, trails otherwise hard-fought season Wuhan Open title Mercedes rival Lewis Hamil- between the pair. ton by 28 points in the stand- The Briton will not need to ‘A title is the best thing you can have in tennis, that’s why you fight all year long’ ings, will start Sunday’s race win another race this year if he dead last after power unit triumphs on Sunday with Vet- AFP end.” problems prevented him from tel lower than second or if he Wuhan, China Barty, who was also playing in setting a time. outscores the German by more her fi rst ever Premier 5 level fi - Hamilton, meanwhile, will than seven points. nal, said it had been “a hell of a begin on pole. “It’s very bit- The Malaysian race has nev- aroline Garcia overpow- week, probably the best week of ter but then it’s motor racing,” er been won from lower than ered Australia’s Ash- my tennis career”. said the four-times champion, eighth on the grid. leigh Barty 6-7 (3/7), “My fi rst serve deserted me a who ran into trouble in Satur- Still, retired champion Nico 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 to claim bit but I put myself in a position day’s fi nal practice session and Rosberg fi nished third last herC fi rst Wuhan Open title yes- where I was only a few points had his engine changed before year after dropping to the back terday in a thrilling see-saw fi nal away from the fi nal,” said Barty, qualifying. of the fi eld with a spin on the in the Chinese city. ranked 37 in the world. “It’s been a diffi cult day but opening lap and Vettel is op- Ranked 20 in the world, Gar- “Disappointing to not come the guys were phenomenal fi x- timistic he can minimise the cia battled her way through two away with it in the end but ing the car, changing the en- damage. tight sets against Barty before sometimes it crumbles that gine in just two hours.” “I think we have a very quick breezing the third to claim the way,” she added. Vettel’s title hopes have car this weekend so we should be biggest title of her career in two Barty, who began the year been dealt a setback for the able to make up a lot of ground,” hours and 43 minutes. ranked outside the top 300, second race in a row. said the record four-times Ma- “It was such a fi ght all the trounced French Open winner In Singapore he crashed out laysia winner, who consoled his week and especially today,” Jelena Ostapenko in the semis, on the opening lap after hav- heartbroken mechanics after the French player said after the seeing off the last seed at a ing started from pole, leaving getting out of his car. match. “A title is the best thing shock-prone Wuhan. the way clear for Hamilton to “We saved a lot of tyres, you can have in tennis, that’s The 21-year-old had already win from fi fth. we can choose the strategy so why you fi ght all year long. I’m triumphed over former world He seemed set to claw back there’s lots of positives,” he over the moon for sure.” number one Karolina Pliskova, at least some of the points he said. “We need to extract the Garcia stormed her way into Agnieszka Radwanska, seeded lost in Singapore this week- maximum knowing the race an early lead in the fi rst set but a nine, and Johanna Konta, the end, with Ferrari displaying here, the conditions and so on resilient Barty twice came from fi fth seed in a dream run in the potentially race-winning pace could be anything.” a break down to force a tiebreak Chinese city. that she went on to dominate. Those victories came in her The Aussie served for the fi rst full season back after a match twice in the second, break from tennis and a success- while her opponent also had two ful stint with the Brisbane Heat chances to nab the set before it cricket team. was forced into another tiebreak. Garcia also toppled her fair The third set was simpler for share of seeds in the early rounds Garcia, who fell to her knees in – including Dominika Cibulk- celebration after Barty fi red a re- ova, seeded seven, and number turn into the net. 12 seed Angelique Kerber – be- “For me it was already such a fore trouncing Greece’s Maria battle from the fi rst game, it was Sakkari in the semis. already very long,” Garcia said. It was the fi rst professional “In the beginning of the sec- meeting between the pair after ond set I was a little bit down, 23-year-old Garcia beat Barty Caroline Garcia of France celebrates as she holds her trophy after beating Ashleigh Barty of Australia in Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel gets ready during the final practice I couldn’t get my focus again. I on her way to the 2011 US Open the Wuhan Open final yesterday. (AFP) session at Sepang yesterday. (Reuters) just kept going, fi ght until the Girls’ fi nal.

SPOTLIGHT Sharapova takes revenge on Sevastova in Beijing

AFP donium. but feels she is getting stronger in both for 4-4, before falling 6-5 down on her Beijing She was far from her best, making respects. own serve when her drop shot went a series of unforced errors, but Shara- “When I saw the draw (Sevastova astray, only to strike back immediately pova dug in and saved match point again), I was like, ‘Of course,’” added to force a tie break. aria Sharapova got her re- during an attritional encounter lasting Sharapova with a grin. “Come on!” the former China Open venge over Latvian 16th more than three hours in the Chinese Sharapova, who controversially re- champion shouted as she wrapped up seed Anastasija Sevastova capital. turned to tennis in April, said she was the fi rst-set tie break. with a gutsy 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, Sharapova, who has also been wres- feeling “fresh” and is eager to fi nish Sharapova looked set to race M7-6 (9/7) victory in the China Open tling with injury, will take on Ameri- the season on a high. through the second set to book her fi rst round yesterday. can qualifi er Jennifer Brady or fellow “Winning is very special and when place in round two. It was the fi ve-time Grand Slam Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the you lose it’s tough and you have to go But her serve was suspect all match winner’s fi rst appearance since she next round. on and build and work on things that and the Latvian refused to submit. was beaten by Sevastova at the US “I didn’t give in, which I think is a didn’t work out for you,” she said. Sevastova broke Sharapova once Open in early September and gets her really good sign considering it’s been a Asked how far she was from getting more as the match clock hit the two- stop-start return from a doping ban few weeks since I played and she was back to her peak, Sharapova declined hour mark to level the encounter at back on track. someone that I lost to in my previous to say: “It’s not really the way I think.” one-set each, before Sharapova fi nally Sharapova, once number one but match,” said a relieved Sharapova. Sevastova broke the Russian – who saw off her resilient opponent in an now ranked a lowly 104 in the world, is The 30-year-old said that “physi- had the majority of the crowd behind epic decider. a wildcard in Beijing as she works her cally and emotionally” she did not her – in the seventh game of the fi rst Earlier, the second seed Simona way back slowly from a 15-month ban have it in her when she faced Sevas- set to seize the early initiative. Halep battled past the American Ali- Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates after winning her match against Anastasija for taking the banned substance mel- tova in New York in the fourth round, Sharapova immediately broke back son Riske in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Sevastova of Latvia at the China Open in Beijing yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, October 1, 2017 3 CRICKET

SA VS BANGLADESH, FIRST TEST, DAY THREE South Africa on top against battling Bangladesh

AFP fi rst time in nine Test innings in South Af- runs. Both batsmen survived close leg Tamim Iqbal c De Kock b Potchefstroom, South Africa rica, where they have lost all four previous before wicket decisions against reverse- Phehlukwayo ...... 39 matches by an innings. swinging deliveries from Rabada. Mahmudullah b Morkel ...... 66 The tourists batted with positive in- But 17 runs came off Rabada’s fthfi Sabbir Rahman b Olivier ...... 30 ominul Haque led a fi ghting tent on a slow pitch, although much of over of the day, including two successive Mehidy Hasan c Elgar b Rabada ...... 8 Bangladesh performance on the good work was undone when they lost boundaries by Mominul, and South Afri- Taskin Ahmed run out ...... 1 the third day of the fi rst Test their last fi ve wickets for 28 runs, four of ca’s change bowlers were unable to main- Shafiul Islam c Amla b Maharaj ...... 2 against South Africa at Sen- them after the second new ball had been tain the pressure. Mustafizur Rahman not out ...... 10 Mwes Park yesterday but said mistakes had taken. It was hard work for the bowlers. The only wicket of the morning fell Extras (b1, lb9, nb1) ...... 11 cost the tourists the chance to be more South African left-arm spinner Keshav to new cap Andile Phehlukwayo when Total (89.1 overs)...... 320 competitive. Maharaj, who took three for 92, said: “The Tamim, on 39, glanced an off -target de- Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Kayes), 2-36 (Das), Mominul and Mahmudullah hit half- pitch hasn’t deteriorated as much as peo- livery down the leg side and wicketkeeper 3-103 (Rahim), 4-158 (Tamim), 5-227 (Mo- centuries to enable Bangladesh to avoid ple expected.” Quinton de Kock fl ung himself to his right minul), 6-292 (Sabbir), 7-304 (Mahmudul- the follow-on but their total of 320 was Maharaj said that with no assistance to take a good catch. lah), 8-305 (Taskin), 9-308 (Hasan) still 176 short of South Africa’s fi rst in- from the pitch, South Africa had to go Mominul was well caught at short leg Bowling: Morkel 19-7-51-2, Rabada 24- nings total of 496 for three declared. back to basics after taking only one wicket by Aiden Markram off Maharaj soon af- 5-84-2 (1nb), Maharaj 27.1-8-92-3, Olivier South Africa stretched their lead to during a frustrating morning. ter lunch after a 150-ball innings which 11-1-52-1, Phehlukwayo 6-2-18-1, Markram 230 by making 54 for two before bad light “We spoke at lunch about building a included 12 fours. Mahmudullah, strong 2-0-13-0. stopped play. few dot balls and forcing the Bangladesh on the drive, found another useful ally in “A lot of batsmen got in but then made boys to make mistakes. It was a simple Sabbir Rahman (30) before both batsmen South Africa second innings little mistakes so they would get out when plan but it worked.” were dismissed in quick succession. A. Markram c Liton Das ...... b set,” said Mominul. Mominul said Bangladesh hoped to play Mustafizur Rahman ...... 15 “We want to make sure we don’t do that themselves back into the contest. Scoreboard D. Elgar lbw b Shafiul Islam ...... 18 next time. On this type of batting track, “We want to get South Africa all out, South Africa first innings H. Amla not out ...... 17 making 300 should not make us happy, we not wait for them to set us a target. The 496-3 declared T. Bavuma not out ...... 3 should be getting 400 or 500.” pitch is getting good, it’s better now than Bangladesh first innings Extras (nb1) ...... 1 Mominul’s 77 was the highest score by it was for the fi rst two days.” (overnight 127-3) Total (2 wkts, 15.5 overs) ...... 54 a Bangladesh batsman in Tests against The diminutive Mominul and fellow Liton Das c Amla b Morkel ...... 25 Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Elgar), 2-38 South Africa. left-hander Tamim Iqbal saw off some Imrul Kayes c Markram b Rabada ...... 7 (Markram) His innings, Mahmudullah’s 66 and hostile bowling by Morne Morkel and Ka- Mominul Haque c Markram b Maharaj 77 Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 4-1-15-0, Shafiul four successive half-century partnerships giso Rabada at the start of the day, with Mushfiqur Rahim c Markram Islam 5-1-18-1, Mustafizur Rahman 4-1-7-1, Bangladesh batsman Mominul Haque plays a shot during the third enabled Bangladesh to top 300 for the the fi rst nine overs producing only seven b Maharaj ...... 44 Taskin Ahmed 2.5-0-14-0 (1nb) day of the first Test against South Africa in Potchefstroom. (AFP)

PAKISTAN VS SRI LANKA, FIRST TEST, DAY THREE OPINION England can win Ashes without Azhar keeps Lanka at Stokes, says Ali

AFP the third ODI against the West Southampton, United Kingdom Indies. “I feel when you get in it feels like it’s a good place to oeen Ali says Eng- bat. The ball doesn’t obviously bay, joins Pakistan’s land can still win swing as much. Hopefully I the Ashes on ene- can come in, whatever number my turf even if tal- I come in I can express myself Mismanic allrounder Ben Stokes and change the way I play. I’m is not in the party that travels going to have to change a cou- to Australia. ple of things.” Stokes was arrested ear- lier this week on suspicion of Batting doubts 5,000 Test runs club causing actual bodily harm England may have enjoyed and suspended from inter- Test series wins over South Af- Azhar scored an unbeaten 74 as Pakistan reached 266 for 4 at the stumps nationals until further notice rica (3-1) and West Indies (2-1) following an apparent fi ght in the past few months but they AFP outside a nightclub. ended their home Test cam- Abu Dhabi The Test vice-captain was paign pretty much where they included in the Ashes squad started it – with doubts over a despite reportedly injuring his number of positions at the top zhar Ali once more res- hand in the incident that led to of the batting order. cued Pakistan’s bat- his arrest but there are doubts There were Ashes recalls ting with a fi ghting half around whether he will be on this week for middle-order century on the third the plane to Australia. batsmen James Vince and dayA of the fi rst Test against Sri The 26-year-old Durham Gary Ballance despite the Lanka in Abu Dhabi yesterday. all-rounder was released pair’s struggles during their The one-drop batsman was without charge but remains previous Test stints. unbeaten on 74 but saw Babar under investigation. The absence of Stokes could Azam fell for 28 in the last over Ali, speaking after England mean a move up the order for of the day as Pakistan fi nished wrapped up their summer the elegant Ali, who usually on 266-4 on a Sheikh Zayed Sta- schedule with a nine-wicket bats at number eight in Tests dium pitch which has started to win against a poor West In- but he said he would be com- assist spinners. dies side in Southampton on fortable with that. Pakistan still trail the Sri Friday, acknowledged Stokes’s “Number eight is some- Lankan fi rst innings total of 419 importance but said they where I’m kind of used to at by 153 runs with six wickets in- could win without him. the moment but if I’m told to tact. Pakistan had pinned their “We all know how good a bat seven I feel I’m capable of hopes on Ali in the post Younis Cricketer he is, what he can doing well and hopefully can Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq era bring to the table and he’s one show that I can go out there who retired in May this year af- of the main players that we and play against their bowl- ter shouldering team’s batting have, so it would be great to ers, play well against them,” for nearly seven years. have him out there but let’s see he said. A cautious Ali made sure Pa- what happens,” he said. “I can’t wait,” he added. kistan do not concede a big lead “If he’s not there then we’re “Genuinely I can’t wait. I’m in the fi rst innings, having hit going to have to play well very, very excited. It’s some- only one boundary in his 26th without him so I defi nitely feel thing that when you’re a Test half century. that we can still win.” young county player you’re al- In all Ali has so far hit three Ali, named man of the series ways thinking you’d love to be boundaries during his 297 min- against the West Indies, said on that sort of tour. utes of batting. He added 79 he was looking forward to the “I never, ever thought I’d be for the third wicket with Asad challenge of retaining the Ash- on a tour like this so to be going Shafi q who made 39 to take es. England won the series when I’m very, very fortunate and I the fi ght to Sri Lankan three- it was last held at home in 2015 know that hopefully we’ll go pronged spin attack. but have lost two of the past out there and perform and win Veteran left-arm spinner three series in Australia 5-0. the Ashes.” Herath was the most successful “The wickets are actually England are due to travel to bowler with 2-47. really good out there,” said the Australia on October 28, with When on 32, Ali also com- 30-year-old off -spinner, who the fi rst of fi ve Tests against pleted 5,000 Test runs in his 61st hit England’s second-fastest their arch-rivals set to start in Test. He became the eighth Pa- ODI hundred off just 53 balls in Brisbane on November 23. kistan batsmen behind Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad Stokes’ alleged victim a former soldier (8832) Inzamam-ul-Haq (8829), Mohamed Yousuf (7530), Salim The man allegedly punched by England cricket team vice- Malik (5768), Misbah (5222) and captain Ben Stokes is a former British Army soldier who served Zaheer Abbas (5062) to reach the in Afghanistan, the Daily Telegraph revealed. milestone. Stokes is being investigated over accusations of causing actual But it was the opening pair of bodily harm following an incident outside a night club in the Shan Masood and Sami Aslam early hours of Monday morning in the southwest city of Bristol. who set the platform for a big The 26-year-old - who was suspended by England along with total by putting together a solid teammate Alex Hales on Thursday, a day after video footage of 114-run opening stand after they the incident was published by the Sun newspaper - is accused of resumed at 64 without loss. punching Ryan Hale, also 26. Stokes’s place on the tour of Aus- Sri Lanka, however, hit back tralia hangs in the balance and the all-rounder’s absence would by removing both openers in deal a serious blow to the tourists’ hopes of retaining the Ashes. the space of two runs. Aslam, Hale’s mother - with whom he lives- told the Daily Telegraph her recalled after being dropped Pakistani batsman Azhar Ali plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella looks on during the third day of the first Test at son is not an ‘aggressive type’ adding that the former soldier “is from the West Indies tour on Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (AFP) not OK and it is not something that happens on a daily basis”. disciplinary grounds earlier this The ramifications for Stokes’s fellow England players and their year, was trapped leg-before by Shafi q survived confi dent ap- wicketkeeper Niroshan Dick- Pakistan Ist innings Total: (for four wkts; 112.4 social activities have seen Test captain Joe Root and leading off -break bowler Dilruwan Per- peals. Ali wisely reviewed a leg- wella’s thigh to slip where Lahiru (overnight 64-0) overs) 266 pace bowler Stuart Broad cancel going on the Amsterdam stag era. He hit four boundaries in his before decision off Perera, but Thirimanne took the catch. Shan Masood b Herath ...... 59 Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Aslam), party of one-day team wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. seventh Test half century. the ball hit his bat before the pad. Sami Aslam lbw b Perera ...... 51 2-116 (Masood), 3-195 (Shafiq), Their decision came after former England captain and now Two runs later Masood at- Shafi q was given not out on a Scoreboard Azhar Ali not out ...... 74 4-266 (Azam) director of cricket Andrew Strauss cautioned players over their tempted a sweep shot off the review when he was stumped off Sri Lanka 1st innings ...... 419 Asad Shafiq c Thirimanne b Bowling: Lakmal 15-3-30-0 (1nb), behaviour off the pitch. “Strauss read them the riot act and said wily Herath but missed the ball Herath on one.It was Herath who (D. Chandimal 155 not out, D. Herath ...... 39 Pradeep 16.4-1-44-1, Perera 27- any misdemeanours just would not be tolerated so Root and and was bowled round his legs. fi nally dislodged Shafi q when Karunaratne 93, N. Dickwella Babar Azam c Dickwella b Pra- 7-58-1, Sundakan 26-6-68-0, Broad have sensibly decided to stay away,” a source close to the Pakistan had luck on their side a sharp turner caught an edge 83; Abbas 3-75, Yasir Shah deep ...... 28 Herath 25-6-47-2, Karunaratne England team told the Daily Telegraph. with the reviews as both Ali and off Shafi q’s bat, defl ected from 3-120) Extras: (b4, lb9, nb2) ...... 15 3-1-6-0. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, October 1, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY FOCUS US on brink of All Blacks keep Presidents Cup win

Reuters The US have won nine of 11 Presi- Jersey City, New Jersey dents Cups, including the last six from the International team, comprised of players from the rest of the world ex- ruthless United States cept Europe. showed a shattered Interna- “It doesn’t look like we are trying but title aft er Boks, tional team no mercy winning we are trying very hard,” said dejected three of the four foursomes International captain Nick Price. matchesA yesterday to sit on the brink of “The guys obviously are a little down a seventh straight Presidents Cup title. but like I said yesterday, there’s still a The US began the day with a com- long way to go but it’s tough. manding 8-2 lead, their biggest ever “The momentum has swung against after two days of Presidents Cup com- us. petition, and stretched it to an almost “Yesterday, and then again today, Wallabies draw insurmountable 11 1/2 — 2 1/2 advan- losing the fi rst two matches (it) would tage after the morning matches. have been great if we could have posted Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed a point with one of the fi rst two match- ‘We are not happy with a draw... it looked like we took on a really good team’ set the tone with a 4&3 win over the es, but you know, we’ve just got to keep Australian duo of Jason Day and Marc plugging along. AFP Leishman in the fi rst match. “We’re not going to lay down.” Bloemfontein, South Africa Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar Needing to mount an early charge to pushed the reeling Internationals into battle back into contention, the Inter- a deeper hole with a 4&3 decision over national team instead got the day off to ew Zealand retained the Canada’s Adam Hadwin and Australian a foreboding start when Leishman sent Rugby Championship after Adam Scott. his opening tee shot into the water in South Africa and Australia Phil Mickelson and Kevin Kisner the alternate shot event handing Spieth drew 27-27 in Bloemfontein turned the screws even tighter with a and Reed a 1-up lead. Nyesterday. 2&1 win over Venezuela’s Jhonattan Mickelson, meanwhile, becomes The deadlock left the All Blacks Vegas and Argentine Emiliano Grillo. the all-time leader in Presidents Cup with an unassailable six-point lead in Only South Africans Louis Oosthui- matches won with 25, surpassing Tiger the standings ahead of their penulti- zen and Branden Grace prevented a US Woods. mate match away to Argentina later sweep when they halved their match “Team USA is playing really well and yesterday. with Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas. they have all year,” said Stricker. “They Elton Jantjies had a last-minute The US would clinch the trophy a came into this event riding a lot of mo- chance to win the match for the day early with a sweep of the afternoon mentum, a lot of confi dence, and they Springboks, but pulled a diffi cult pen- four-balls, which would turn Sunday’s really get excited to play these team alty from just outside the 22. 12 singles matches into dead rubbers. events and it’s showing.” It was the second successive draw between the teams after they fi nished 23-23 in Perth this month. South Africans in the 30,000 crowd, including world 400-metre record- holder and Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk, were hoping for a drastic improvement after a 57-0 drubbing at the hands of the All Blacks in Auck- land this month. But a draw was fair refl ection of a close encounter in which neither team gained a distinct advantage in any phase. Australia led 13-10 at half-time and their backs always threatened while the South Africa’s Malcolm Marx (right) is challenged by Australia’s Michael Hooper during the Rugby Championship match at South African scrum functioned well. the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, yesterday. (Reuters) Springboks skipper Eben Etzebeth said: “This last two weeks has been “I mean, we got down in their half South Africa levelled on 19 minutes defence. tough, the guys bounced back tonight. quite a bit and could not get points in when Jantjies converted a try by Ruan The second half started with a try “We are not happy with a draw — a the second half — a little bit disap- Dreyer, who shrugged off a tackle to fest as Jan Serfontein and Courtnall win would have been better. But, yeah, pointing. barge over between the posts. Skosan scored for the Springboks and it looked like we took on a really good “It is hard to play here (at altitude), Foley and Jantjies exchanged penal- Marika Koroibete for the Wallabies. team.” but there are no excuses.” ties before the Wallaby fl y-half slotted All the tries were converted by Phil Mickelson and Kevin Kisner of the US Team celebrate after they defeated “I think we must just hold on to the South Africa had much more of the another to earn his team a three-point Jantjies and Foley to leave South Africa Emiliano Grillo and Jhonattan Vegas of the International Team in the foursome ball, then hopefully score (more) tries. ball in the early stages only to fall be- half-time advantage. 24-20 up on 51 minutes. matches of the Presidents Cup in Jersey City, New Jersey, yesterday. (AFP) “We are really looking forward to hind after 11 minutes to an Australian Tempers fl ared just before the break Rugby League convert Koroibete that one,” he said with a smile when try plotted on the training ground. when Folau high-tackled Dillyn Leyds, scored his second try in his fi rst start asked about tackling the All Blacks in A dummy run by Tevita Kuridrani then pulled his hair, triggering a mini- and Foley added the extra points to LPGA Cape Town next Saturday. and an inside pass from Bernard Foley brawl in which Etzebeth was involved. nudge the visitors into a three-point Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper created a clear path to the tryline for New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeff e lead entering the fi nal quarter. said: “(You) cannot split us this year, Israel Folau. settled for warning the rival captains. Jantjies brought the teams level two draws, you know. I am sure both Foley converted from in front of It was a disappointing opening half with a penalty 10 minutes from time, Henderson closes on teams are extremely frustrated. Great the posts to raise his Test tally to 501 for the Springboks, who had more but could not grab victory in the fi nal game here in Bloemfontein tonight, points — only the fourth Wallaby to ball, but many attacks were lateral and minute, leaving New Zealand to cel- right down to the wire. Great for fans. achieve the feat. predictable against a well-organised ebrate a fi fth title in six attempts. Mozo in NZ Open

AFP strengthening wind on Saturday with GOLF Wellington American Brittany Lincicome and Nicole Broch Larsen from Denmark fi r- ing the day’s best rounds of 66. pain’s Belen Mozo saw her lead Lincicome moved up to be in a tie for slashed to one stroke in a wind- third with China’s Jing Yan, four shots Karlsson in control at British Masters swept third round of the New off the lead, with Larsen a further three Zealand Women’s Open yes- shots back in eighth. terdayS as Canadian Brooke Henderson New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the former AFP chipped her way into contention ahead world number one, carded a third- Newcastle, United Kingdom of an approaching storm. round 70 to move up one place for a As many players struggled in the share of 11th on 208. stiff ening breeze, overnight leader Meanwhile, forecast stormy weather ormer European number one Mozo had two bogeys in her 71 to be has forced the tournament organisers Robert Karlsson has a chance 15-under 201 going into the fi nal round to move the tee times earlier than fi rst to end his seven-year winless while Henderson had fi ve birdies in her scheduled and use a two-tee start. drought after taking a one- faultless 67 to be on 202. “The advice from (forecasters) is that shotF lead into the fi nal round of the “My chipping was awesome. It saved we will face some challenging conditions British Masters yesterday. me a couple of times and got me close and we believe it is prudent to get play The 48-year-old capped his round to make a couple of tap-in birdies so completed as early as possible,” tourna- of a 67 with a ninth-hole eagle to move that was the key today. I was hitting it ment director Michael Goldstein said. “If to 12 under par in cold and rainy con- well and judging the wind pretty well,” the forecasted weather results in delays, ditions in Newcastle. she said. then we will have time available to get the Sweden’s Karlsson has not won Not everyone was put off by the tournament completed on Sunday.” since capturing the 2010 season-end- ing DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. “I didn’t hit the ball very good, so I put myself in a lot of trouble but Lithuania’s Sorokin wins Greek I managed to keep it together very ultra-marathon nicely and I’m very proud of the way I scored in the end,” Karlsson said. AFP of Mount Parthenion in the dead of English trio Ian Poulter (68), Tyrrell Sparti, Greece the night. Hatton (71) and Graeme Storm (67), The 35th edition of the race started along with Scotland’s Richie Ramsay at the Acropolis in Athens on Friday (65) and Ireland’s Paul Dunne (65), all ithuanian Aleksandr Sorokin with 369 runners from 50 countries, share second place at 11 under par. celebrated his 36th birthday and ended in the southern Greek Poulter also ignited hopes of his fi rst Lin style yesterday by storming town of Sparta. win in nearly fi ve years as the world to a maiden victory in the historical British RAF Wing Commander John number 55 strives to climb back inside 246km Spartathlon race. Foden had the idea for the creation the top 50 after slipping outside the Sorokin clocked 22hr 07min 22sec of the Spartathlon in 1982 when he top 200 earlier this season. in the ultra race, Czech Radek ran the course in 36 hours. “I’ve come here this week to do a Brunner taking second in 22:48.39 A year later the first Spartathlon was number of things. One is to get back in while home hope Nikolaos Sideridis organised with the participation of the top 50 and two is to win this golf rounded out the podium (22:58.01). 45 runners from 12 countries. tournament,” he said. Sweden’s Robert Karlsson in action during the third round of the British Masters in Newcastle yesterday. (Reuters) The first woman across the finish “I’m now in position going into line, and sixth overall, was Patrycia TOP 10 FINISHERS Sunday. I realistically have to feel I’m However, looming large over the fi - and you start to think about things Hatton (GBR) 63-65-71, Paul Dunne Bereznowska of Poland in 24:47.07, 1. Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) 22:07:22 in with a shout. Just one back at the nal day is world number six Rory McIl- and it would be nice to get a win,” said (IRL) 66-68-65, Richie Ramsay (GBR) while Hungary’s Zsuzsanna Maraz 2. Radek Brunner (CZE) 22:48.39 minute. roy, who is looking to win for a fi rst McIlroy, who chipped in for a birdie on 67-67-65 finished 10th (25:42.33). 3. Nikolaos Sideridis (GRE) 22:58.01 “I need to play better tomorrow time this season and keep alive a run of the fi fth hole and carded three more 200 — Rory McIlroy (GBR) 67-69-64, The Spartathlon race traces the 4. Yoshihiko Ishikawa (JPN) 23:20.06 than I did today, that’s for sure. I’m having won at least one event a season birdies in a front nine of 31. Shane Lowry (IRL) 68-66-66, Chris classical route of Pheidippides, an 5. Sebastian Bialobrzeski (POL) going to go to the range just now and since 2009. “The last couple of tournaments, Hanson (GBR) 64-67-69, George Co- Athenian messenger sent to Sparta 24:29.29 work on it for maybe an hour, get rid of McIlroy’s 64 for a fi ve-way share of I’ve been off pretty early on the week- etzee (RSA) 63-72-65, David Lingmerth in 490 BC to seek help against the 6. Patrycia Bereznowska (POL) the frustration. seventh place at 10 under par leaves ends and had 50 people following me, (SWE) 68-70-62 Persians in the Battle of Marathon. 24:47.07* “Come out tomorrow feeling some- him only two from the front. where there’s thousands out there.” 201 — Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN) 67-67- It remains one of the world’s tough- 7. Lukasz Sagan (POL) 24:50.19 what refreshed, and hopefully I can be The eff ort was McIlroy’s lowest 67, Chris Wood (GBR) 67-68-66, Lee est races, run over rough tracks, 8. Nicolas Cointepas (FRA) 24:55.56 aggressive to those targets out there European Tour round since a second- LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES Westwood (GBR) 66-65-70, Matthew crossing vineyards and olive groves, 9. Takayoshi Shigemi (JPN) 25:37.06 tomorrow. Hopefully I can hold a tro- round 64 on day two at the 2015 Dubai 198 — Robert Karlsson (SWE) 66-65-67 Fitzpatrick (GBR) 66-69-66 steep hillsides and, most challenging 10. Zsuzsanna Maraz (HUN) 25:42.33* phy and get back in the top 50. That Desert Classic. 199 — Ian Poulter (GBR) 66-65-68, 202 — Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 66- of all, the 1,200m ascent and descent * ladies would be lovely.” “You get yourself into contention Graeme Storm (GBR) 65-67-67, Tyrrell 70-66, Marc Warren (GBR) 70-67-65 Gulf Times Sunday, October 1, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL Boston Red Sox fail to clinch AL East aft er loss to Astros The Houston Astros recorded their second 100-win season in franchise history at the Fenway Park

Reuters 3 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits Boston and string out six batters. ROYALS 2, DIAMONDBACKS 1 he Houston Astros kept Boston’s Whit Merrifi eld hit a go-ahead home run and champagne on ice and also kept their Ian Kennedy ended a franchise-record home own hopes for home-fi eld advantage winless streak in Kansas City’s victory over Ari- throughout the American League play- zona. Merrifi eld homered in the third inning for Toff s alive with a 3-2 decision over the Red Sox in the decisive run. the Major League Baseball on Friday. Kennedy (5-13), who was 0-9 with a 6.13 ERA Houston’s second straight win over the Red in 18 home starts since an Aug. 20, 2016, vic- Sox kept Boston’s magic number for clinching tory over Minnesota, threw 86 pitches in fi ve the American League East at one, with the New innings. York Yankees winning earlier in the day to stay alive. Still, one Boston win or one New York loss RANGERS 5, ATHLETICS 3 and the Red Sox have their second straight AL Left-hander Martin Perez carried a shutout into East title. the seventh inning as Texas snapped its longest Alex Bregman had an RBI single and two-run losing streak of the season by beating Oakland homer among his three hits and Charlie Morton Athletics. Texas had lost seven straight games, (14-7) and four relievers combined on a four- but this win assured the Rangers of a better hitter in Houston’s fi fth straight win. The Astros record than the A’s, who will fi nish last in the recorded their second 100-win season in fran- American League West for the third consecutive chise history. year. Perez (13-12) allowed just two hits over the YANKEES 4, BLUE JAYS 0 fi rst six innings and had a 5-0 lead to work with Masahiro Tanaka struck out a career-high 15 before the A’s came to life late. hitters in seven dominant innings as New York blanked Toronto. Tanaka delivered the best start MARLINS 6, BRAVES 5 of his four-year tenure with the Yankees, who In a tale of two halves, visiting Atlanta scored stayed alive in the American League East race. early while Miami answered late for a comeback The Yankees, who will at the least host the victory. The Braves tallied four times in the fi rst Minnesota Twins in the wild-card game, are inning and added another in the second for a 5-0 two games behind Boston with two to play. Tan- lead. But the Marlins answered with two runs in aka (13-12) joined Washington’s Stephen Stras- the sixth and four more in the seventh inning. burg as the second pitcher to notch 15 strikeouts in an outing this season. PHILLIES 6, METS 2 Behind three home runs, Philadelphia beat New INDIANS 10, WHITE SOX 1 York on the same day it announced that manag- Jose Ramirez had three hits, including his 54th er Pete Mackanin will not be retained following and 55th doubles of the season, and Trevor Bau- the 2017 season. Mackanin, like his Mets coun- er pitched six strong innings as Cleveland rout- terpart Terry Collins, will fi nish out the season ed Chicago. Bauer (17-9) gave up one run on four as manager and could possibly have won his fi - hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. nal game in a Phillies uniform on Friday. Chicago starter Mike Pelfrey (3-12) gave up all 10 of Cleveland’s runs in 2 2/3 innings, although GIANTS 8, PADRES 0 three of the runs were unearned. Cleveland won Buster Posey drove in three runs with three its 101st game of the season, the second most in doubles and right-hander Chris Stratton com- franchise history. bined with three relievers on an eight-hit shut- out, lifting San Francisco over San Diego in the ROCKIES 9, DODGERS 1 opener of a three-game series. Colorado moved closer to reaching the post- Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (left) hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox during the Major Brandon Crawford also collected three hits season for the fi rst time since 2009 after wal- League Baseball at the Fenway Park in Boston on Friday night. (USA TODAY Sports) and three RBIs for the Giants (63-97), who, with loping Los Angeles. The victory reduced the the win, were assured of not losing 100 games Rockies’ magic number to one as they closed in Vogt was 2-for-4 for the Brewers, delivering CUBS 5, REDS 4 League East with a win over Baltimore. The this season. on the post-season for the fourth time in their their fi rst three runs. The third, a ground-out to Ian Happ slugged his 24th home run, a three- Rays have been eliminated from playoff conten- 25 seasons of play. second base in the sixth, scored Travis Shaw for run shot in the eighth inning that helped Chi- tion and assured of a losing record, but they now ANGELS 6, MARINERS 5 Chad Bettis (2-4) made one of the best starts a 3-1 lead. cago to a come-from-behind victory over know they will fi nish ahead of the Orioles and Luis Valbuena’s two-out, two-run pinch-hit this season for the Rockies since coming back Cincinnati. Happ’s homer came on a 1-1 pitch Toronto Blue Jays. Third place represents their double capped a four-run eighth inning to help from testicular cancer and returning to the rota- NATIONALS 6, PIRATES 1 off right-handed reliever Michael Lorenzen as highest fi nish in the division since 2013. Los Angeles rally past Seattle at Angels Stadium. tion on Aug. 14, giving up four hits and one run, Stephen Strasburg allowed just two hits and the National League Central champion Cubs The Mariners got home runs from Nelson and retiring the fi nal 14 batters he faced. no runs in 7 2/3 innings and Ryan Zimmerman won their third straight and fi fth in six games. TWINS 6, TIGERS 3 Cruz, Kyle Seager and Mike Zunino to power went 4-for-4 with two homers and four RBIs as Lorenzen (8-4) took the loss after working two- Eduardo Escobar had three hits and was a tri- their way to a three-run lead before things BREWERS 5, CARDINALS 3 Washington walloped Pittsburgh. thirds of an inning as the Reds (67-93) dropped ple shy of the cycle, Brian Dozier reached base unravelled in the eighth inning against their Chase Anderson worked into the eighth inning Zimmerman had doubles in his fi rst two at- their ninth in 10 games. four times and Minnesota came from behind to bullpen. and Stephen Vogt knocked in three runs as Mil- bats, then hit a two-run homer off AJ Schugel beat Detroit. Dozier and Escobar homered back- Mike Trout led off the inning with the second waukee beat St Louis. Anderson (12-4) gave up in the sixth to give the Nationals a 4-0 lead. He RAYS 7, ORIOLES 0 to-back in the second inning to put Minnesota of his two homers in the game, Albert Pujols only three hits and a run in seven-plus innings, then had a solo homer in the eighth off Dan Run- As consolation prizes go, Tampa Bay earned ahead after Detroit scored three runs in the fi rst doubled and later scored on CJ Cron’s two-out walking one and fanning fi ve. zler to make it 5-0. one by locking up third place in the American off Twins starter Kyle Gibson. Gibson lasted just single to make put the game in reach.

NBA Wade excited to be reunited with bosom buddy James

AFP alive. Just being on that big stage, being In July 2016, the Thunder were rocked involved with the league and my expec- Cleveland in those moments.” by the surprise departure of the all-star tation is our players will continue to Wade owns career averages of 23.3 Kevin Durant. Soon after, Westbrook stand for the anthem.” points, 5.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in agreed to a contract extension through Last season, NFL quarterback Colin leveland introduced Dwyane 14 seasons with Miami and Chicago. 2018-19 season, with the fi nal season Kaepernick began kneeling during the Wade on Friday, and he says he The overhauled roster in Cleveland now being a player option. Westbrook, the national anthem as a way of protest- can’t wait to be reunited with includes Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas, number four overall pick in the 2008 ing racial injustice and police brutality LeBron James because, like Jae Crowder, Jose Calderon and Wade. draft, beat out runner-up Harden to in the United States. Previously only a hamC and eggs and peaches and cream, win MVP honours. Westbrook has ca- handful of players had been taking a the duo are a matching pair. “We’re THUNDER’S WESTBROOK reer averages of 22.7 points, 7.9 assists knee during the anthem, but last Sun- just... it’s like peanut butter and jelly, SIGNS $205MN DEAL and 6.2 rebounds. day — two days after President Donald man,” Wade said of his warm friendship Reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook Trump’s infl ammatory comments di- with James.”We just go together.” hit the jackpot for the second time in LEAGUE SAYS PLAYERS MUST rected at players — nearly 200 chose to The 35-year-old Wade went to four less than 18 months by signing a fi ve- STAND FOR NATIONAL ANTHEM make their point, including the Pitts- NBA fi nals and won two championships year, $205mn contract with the Okla- The National Basketball Associa- burgh Steelers American football team, in four years together with the Miami homa City Thunder. The deal begins tion sent a memo late Friday to all 30 all of whom remained in the locker Heat before James left to join his home- with the 2018-19 season, and puts the teams instructing players to stand for room except for one player. town Cavaliers. 28-year-old Westbrook under contract the US national anthem, and warning “Every time we walk by each other with the Thunder through the 2022-23 teams there won’t be any exceptions. SCHROEDER CHARGED WITH in the locker room and everywhere, we NBA season. The memo, from deputy commissioner BATTERY AFTER INCIDENT just look at each other and shake our Westbrook posted a picture of him- Mark Tatum, said the league has the German basketball star Dennis head because it just don’t seem real,” self on his Instagram page, wearing discretion to discipline players who vi- Schroeder of the Atlanta Hawks was ar- Wade told reporters on Friday. “It’s like, an orange “OKC” jersey with his arms olate a rule already on the books stating rested on Friday in connection with an ‘How did this happen? How did we get raised and wrote: “WHY NOT??”WHY that they must stand for the anthem, altercation in a suburb of the Georgia here?’ We just start laughing every time NOT??. The 28-year-old Westbrook is broadcaster ESPN reported. city, DeKalb County authorities said. we walk by each other.” coming off a historic season in which he The memo tells teams that “the The 24-year-old, who is entering his Wade has reached a buyout agree- averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and league offi ce will determine how to deal fi fth NBA season, and three other peo- ment this week with the Chicago Bulls, 10.4 assists and set an NBA record with with any possible instance in which a ple were arrested in the incident about 2 reportedly leaving $8mn on the ta- 42 triple-doubles. player, coach, or trainer does not stand am in Brookhaven, outside Atlanta. ble before signing with the Cavaliers He broke the mark of Oscar Robert- for the anthem.” It adds that individual Schroeder faces a misdemean- for the veteran’s minimum of $2.3mn. son (1962) and joined the Hall of Famer teams “do not have the discretion to our charge of battery. US sports news Wade, who grew up on Chicago’s south as the only players to average a triple- waive” the rule. broadcaster ESPN reported that side, averaged 18.3 points and 3.8 as- double over an entire season. The six- In the memo, Tatum suggests that Schroeder was released after posting sists in 60 games for the Bulls last sea- time all-star won his second scoring teams make an eff ort in their first home bail. Hawks executives said the team son. It was his lowest point totals since crown and scored 40 or more points on game to address the current political was “aware of an incident involving his 2003 rookie season. 18 occasions. climate by having players and coaches Dennis Schroeder” early on Friday. “I’ve been lucky enough in this Despite his individual success, the give a pregame address to their fans. “We are gathering information as it league to be in a lot of big games, a lot of Thunder fi nished sixth in the Western Tatum’s memo comes 24 hours af- pertains to the situation, and out of re- big moments,” Wade said. Conference standings and were elimi- ter commissioner Adam Silver said at spect for the legal process, we will have “Been in fi ve fi nals and my whole nated in the fi rst round of the playoff s the league’s board of governors meet- no further comment at this time,” the life I’ve been in some big moments, so by James Harden’s Houston Rockets ing in New York that he expects players team said in a statement. The Hawks that’s what makes me alive. You come four games to one. The Thunder tried to stand for the national anthem. “We open their pre-season schedule today into a basketball season and you just to address that in the off season by ac- have a rule that requires our players to at the Miami Heat. Atlanta begins the plan to play, I don’t like that feeling. quiring forwards Carmelo Anthony and stand for the anthem,” Silver said.”It regular season on the road on October Cleveland Cavaliers GM Koby Altman (left) introduces their new guard Dwyane Those are things that make me feel Paul George in trades. has been our rule as long as I have been 18 against the Dallas Mavericks. Wade after a practice session in Cleveland on Friday. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, October 1, 2017 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 BUNDESLIGA Dortmund win Neymar sparkles as at Augsburg to go top of the table PSG thrash Bordeaux AFP Hazard netted a 94th-minute Berlin penalty winner, awarded by the VAR, in Borussia Moencheng- ladbach’s 2-1 home victory over PSG pull three points clear of defending champions Monaco at the top ierre-Emerick Aubam- Hanover 96. Austria interna- eyang’s miserable week tional Martin Harnik equal- continued as he missed ised for Hanover after Mathias a penalty but Borussia Ginter, a member of Germany’s PDortmund still ground out a 2-1 2014 World Cup-winning squad, win at Augsburg yesterday to ex- stabbed the hosts ahead in the tend their Bundesliga lead. second-half. Star striker Aubameyang fol- Hanover, who suff ered their lowed on from his poor perform- fi rst defeat this season, stay ance in Tuesday’s 3-1 Champions fourth while Moenchenglad- League defeat at home to Real bach climb to sixth. Frenchman Madrid by fi ring a weak penalty Sebastien Haller scored 10-man straight at Augsburg goalkeeper Eintracht Frankfurt’s dramatic Marwin Hitz 10 minutes from 93rd-minute winner to seal a 2-1 time. Despite last season’s Bun- victory at home to VfB Stuttgart. desliga top-scorer squandering Frankfurt had French defender the chance to kill off the game, Simon Falette sent off for bring- Dortmund held on as goals from ing down striker Simon Terodde Andriy Yarmolenko and Japan’s when he was through on goal after Shinji Kagawa either side of 65 minutes. Just four minutes ear- Caiuby’s equaliser sent Borussia lier, Terodde had equalised with a fi ve points clear at the top. header after Ante Rebic had given It was a controversial penalty the hosts a fi rst-half lead. awarded by the video assistant Japan international Yoshinori referee (VAR) after referee Marco Muto earned Mainz a 1-1 draw Korb missed a foul by Koo Ja- at Wolfsburg. Josuha Guilavogui Cheol, South Korea’s ex-captain, had scored for Wolves, who had on Lukasz Piszczek. That came France’s Paul-Georges Ntep sent after the VAR had earlier failed to off deep into injury time. The award Augsburg a penalty when north German derby ended in a Dortmund’s Sokratis clearly goalless draw as hosts Hamburg, tugged at the shirt of Brazil mid- who were founded 130 years ago, fi elder Caiuby. held arch rivals Werder Bremen Dortmund had taken the lead on their anniversary celebra- after just four minutes through tions. winger Yarmolenko before Caiuby headed an equaliser. Ka- BUNDESLIGA RESULTS gawa scored what proved to be Borussia Moenchengladbach 2 the winner on 23 minutes with (Ginter 67, Hazard 90+4-pen) Hano- a dream goal when he fl oated a ver96 1 (Harnik 71) shot over Hitz following good Eintracht Frankfurt 2 (Rebic 42, Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar goes work from Gabon’s Aubameyang Haller 90+3) VfB Stuttgart 1 (Ter- down under a challenge from Bordeaux and Yarmolenko. odde 61) player during the Ligue 1 match at Parc The result left Dortmund Augsburg 1 (Caiuby 11) Borus- des Princes in Paris yesterday. (Reuters) fi ve points clear of Hoff enheim, sia Dortmund 2 (Yarmolenko 4, who are at Freiburg today, and Kagawa 23) six ahead of defending cham- VfL Wolfsburg 1 (Guilavogui 55) pions Bayern Munich, who play Mainz 1 (Muto 74) Hertha Berlin. Former full-back Hamburg 0 Werder Bremen 0 AFP for the visit of third-place Bordeaux, who the defence by the German. Willy Sagnol will lead Bayern Playing today: Freiburg v Hoff en- Paris arrived in the capital trailing PSG by just POINTS TABLE Bordeaux substitute Alexandre Mendy after Carlo Ancelotti was sacked heim (1130), Hertha Berlin v Bayern four points after seven matches. smacked the outside of the post on 69 in the wake of Wednesday’s 3-0 Munich, Cologne v RB Leipzig The hosts brushed aside fi ve-time Eu- (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points) minutes while a shot from Neymar whis- defeat at Paris Saint Germain in (1600) eymar scored twice, including ropean champions Bayern Munich 3-0 in PSG 8 7 1 0 27 5 22 tled just wide after a clever exchange with the Champions League. On Friday: Schalke 04 1 (Goretzka a fi rst-half penalty, and created midweek and the gap in class yesterday Monaco 8 6 1 1 22 9 19 Draxler. Brazilian Malcom, who extended Elsewhere, Belgium’s Thorgan 34) Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Bailey 61) another goal as Paris Saint- was evident from the start against Jocelyn Nantes 8 5 1 2 6 5 16 his contract with Bordeaux until 2021 this Germain hammered previously Gourvennec’s team. Caen 8 5 0 3 7 4 15 week, netted a consolation in the fi nal Nunbeaten Bordeaux 6-2 in Ligue 1 yes- With Monaco dropping points in Fri- minute after Jonathan Cafu was fouled in Bordeaux 8 4 3 1 15 13 15 terday. The Brazilian curled in a brilliant day’s 1-1 draw at home to Montpellier, St-Étienne 7 4 2 1 9 6 14 the area by Meunier. 30-yard free-kick after just fi ve minutes PSG immediately signalled their intent as Marseille 7 4 1 2 11 10 13 On Friday, champions Monaco were at the Parc des Princes before sliding in three quick-fi re goals left Bordeaux seek- Lyon 7 3 3 1 14 11 12 held to a 1-1 draw by Montpellier as Edinson Cavani to double the lead seven ing to limit the damage. Neymar struck Nice 7 3 1 3 10 8 10 Souleymane Camara struck an injury- minutes later. early as his magnifi cent free-kick fl ashed Guingamp 8 3 1 4 9 12 10 time equaliser. After a slow start, Mo- Thomas Meunier’s excellent side-foot- beyond a helpless Benoit Costil, with the Montpellier 8 2 3 3 5 6 9 naco struck fi rst in the 38th minute as ed fi nish made it 3-0 to PSG on 21 min- Brazilian then playing in Cavani to poke Angers 7 1 5 1 9 8 8 hot Radamel Falcao slid in to score, but utes, but Bordeaux hit back on the half in his eighth league goal of the season on Troyes 7 2 2 3 5 6 8 Camara stunned the home crowd. hour as Younousse Sankhare applied the 12 minutes. Toulouse 8 2 2 4 9 15 8 fi nal touch to a slick team move. PSG were PSG were further in front when Yuri Rennes 8 1 3 4 11 13 6 FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS then awarded a penalty, the fi rst since a Berchiche’s cross from the left skipped Amiens 7 2 0 5 4 10 6 Paris SG 6 (Neymar 5, 40-pen, Cavani 12, row between Neymar and Cavani over past Mbappe but Meunier ran onto it and Dijon 8 1 3 4 10 17 6 Meunier 21, Draxler 45, Mbappe 58) Bor- spot-kick duties overshadowed a 2-0 win the Belgian international steered past Lille 7 1 2 4 4 11 5 deaux 2 (Sankhare 31, Malcom 90-pen); Dijon against Lyon a fortnight ago, with Neymar Costil. Bordeaux replied on 31 minutes Strasbourg 8 1 2 5 6 14 5 1 (Kwon 78) Strasbourg 1 (Terrier 90+2); this time stepping up to convert. after Theo Pellenard demonstrated re- Metz 8 1 0 7 3 14 3 Guingamp 1 (Thuram 1) Toulouse 1 (Somalia Julian Draxler volleyed in a superb fi fth markable composure to thread in Nicolas 40); Nantes 1 (Sala 3) Metz 0; Rennes 0 Caen before half-time and Kylian Mbappe de Preville who squared for Sankhare to away the spot-kick for his sixth league 1 (Bensebaini 35-og); Amiens v Lille - match added another on 58 minutes, while Mal- tap into an empty net. goal. Draxler made it fi ve in style on the abandoned due to crowd safety incident com scored a late penalty for Bordeaux, as But a senseless handball from Otavio stroke of half-time when he fi red in from Playing Today: Troyes v Saint-Etienne PSG pulled three points clear of defend- gifted PSG a penalty and Neymar, rather Mbappe’s fl oated cross, and the French (1300), Angers v Lyon (1500), Nice v Mar- ing champions Monaco at the top. than Cavani whose eff ort in the Lyon teenager notched a goal of his own on 58 seille (1900). On Friday: Monaco 1 (Falcao Augsburg’s Daniel Opare (left) catches Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic Unai Emery rested captain Thiago Silva win on September 17 was saved, tucked minutes after he was released in behind 38) Montpellier 1 (Camara 90+2) with a high boot during the Bundesliga match yesterday. (AFP)

ROUND-UP 18 hurt, three seriously in French stadium barrier collapse Playing today: Napoli v Cagliari (1030), Benevento two qualifi ers remaining. Chris Coleman’s side ighteen Lille fans were hurt, including v Inter Milan, Lazio v Sassuolo, Torino v Verona, travel to Georgia on October 6 before hosting three seriously, in Amiens yesterday Chievo v Fiorentina, SPAL v Crotone (1300), AC Ireland in Cardiff three days later. when a stadium barrier collapsed in the Milan v Roma (1600), Atalanta v Juventus (1845) “We will see tomorrow if he is with us, then away section as supporters celebrated he will go with his national team, if he has to go aE goal in a Ligue 1 match. The fi xture between with his national team,” added Zidane. “I don’t MAN CITY MANAGER GUARDIOLA Amiens and Lille was interrupted in the 16th REVEALS SPAIN AMBITION think there is a problem between Madrid and minute, and later abandoned, after a fence Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has his national team. It depends on his state of fi t- separating fans from the pitch crumbled under revealed he wants to coach Spain in the future. ness, we will see day-by-day.” their weight as they celebrated a goal by Fode Former Spain midfi elder Guardiola is in his Ballo-Toure. Several supporters tumbled around second season with City after successful spells CHINA FA BANS VILLAS-BOAS 1.5 metres on to the side of the pitch and were at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. FOR EIGHT GAMES OVER REF ‘INSULT’ crushed by fellow fans before emergency serv- The 46-year-old failed to win a trophy in his China’s Football Association has slapped an ices rushed to the scene. Both teams were sent to fi rst year in England, but City have emerged as eight-game touchline ban on Shanghai SIPG the changing rooms as the drama unfolded. early pace setters in the Premier League title coach Andre Villas-Boas for lobbing an “insult” race this season. While Guardiola has no plans at a referee, eff ectively ending his Super League SAMPDORIA’S UNBEATEN RUN ENDS to leave City any time soon, he admitted he is season. The association said on its website that WITH 4-0 LOSS AT UDINESE keen to test his skills at international level. Villas-Boas was fi ned 40,000 yuan ($6,000) Udinese routed 10-man Sampdoria 4-0 yester- Asked whether he would like to take charge of as well as barred from the touchline for four day to improve their lowly standing and end the a national team, Guardiola told BBC’s Football Chinese Super League games and four other guests’ unbeaten record in the Italian Serie A. Focus: “Yes, Spain I think. I would like to be a “offi cial games” hosted by the FA. Rodrigo de Paul converted from the spot for the manager in a World Cup, and the European Cup The ban comes as Shanghai SIPG are four Udine hosts in the 27th minute after goalkeeper (European Championships), I would like to feel points behind league leaders Guangzhou Christian Puggioni fouled Maxi Lopez, who got that.” After a chastening fi rst season at City, Evergrande with just four games to go in the a brace converting a second penalty on 66 and Guardiola spent big on new signings before the championship. scoring off De Paul’s feed on 85. new campaign. The early results are promising, The FA said the Portuguese manager “in- Substitute Seko Fofana was fouled and con- but he knows he must deliver silverware soon sulted” and made “insulting gestures” at the verted the ensuing penalty in stoppage time. to keep City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners happy. referee during the 78th minute of Shanghai Samp midfi elder Edgar Barreto was dismissed “I am so happy to be here,” he added. “It really Lille supporters react as the stadium barrier falls down while they were celebrating Ibrahim SIPG’s 1-0 victory over Beijing Guoan on Sep- in the 40th with a second booking. The Genoa depends on the success we have. Big clubs like Amadou's goal during the French L1 match against Amiens at Licorne stadium in Amiens. (AFP) tember 22. Villas-Boas was already banned for side are eighth on 11 points; Udinese sit now City, if you don’t win, you don’t stay.” two games by the FA earlier this season over a 13th on six points from seven games. Eight Cup qualifi ers for Wales next week. Bale limped important but, as always, we don’t like to take social media post. games, including the top-billing AC Milan NEW BALE INJURY A off with a calf strain after scoring and provid- risks when a player has a small issue,” Madrid On Tuesday, the Asian Football Confedera- versus Roma, complete the round today. CONCERN FOR WALES ing an assist for Cristiano Ronaldo as Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane said. Wales are battling tion fi ned him $14,000 for making “off ensive” ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS Gareth Bale looks set to miss Real Madrid’s La beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the Champions for a playoff place as they lie second in Euro- comments during the AFC Champions League Udinese 4 (De Paul 27-pen, Maxi Lopez 66-pen, 85, Liga clash with Espanyol today, sparking fears League on Wednesday. pean World Cup qualifying Group D, but just quarter-fi nals, which his team won, though he Fofana 90+5-pen) Sampdoria 0 he could also miss out on two crucial World “We will see tomorrow. It is a strain, nothing a point ahead of the Republic of Ireland with escaped a ban. Gulf Times Sunday, October 1, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE De Bruyne rocket sinks Chelsea, United rout Palace Kane’s masterclass ensures Tottenham cruised to their biggest win of the season in a 4-0 demolition of Huddersfield

AFP London

anchester City underlined their ti- Chelsea’s Willian (left) and Manchester City’s tle credentials as Kevin De Bruyne’s Kevin De Bruyne tumble after a duel during the thunderbolt sealed an impressive English Premier League match between 1-0 win at Chelsea, while Manches- at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. (AFP) Mter United remain hot on their heels after a 4-0 rout of Crystal Palace yesterday. Having lost the Premier League leadership to United earlier in the day, City moved back above their bitter rivals on goal diff erence thanks to De Bruyne’s second half blast. Pep Guardiola’s side celebrated a fi fth successive league win, and eighth in a row in all competitions, strengthen- ing their belief they can dethrone champions Chelsea. Chelsea’s fi rst defeat since an opening week- end loss to Burnley leaves them six points be- hind City in fourth place. Despite the absence of Sergio Aguero after the Argentine striker broke a rib in a car crash on Thursday, City dominated and almost took a fi rst half lead when Thibaut Courtois pushed out Fernandinho’s header. Chelsea suff ered a blow when Spain striker Alvaro Morata limped off in the 35th minute and, struggling to get a foothold for long pe- riods, they fi nally cracked in the 67th minute. Taking Gabriel Jesus’s pass in stride, De Bruyne advanced unchecked to the edge of the penalty area and smashed a fi erce strike past Courtois for his fi rst league goal this season. With Romelu Lukaku scoring his seventh goal in his last six appearances, United main- tained their own blistering form. Jose Mourin- ho’s men have now won six successive matches in all competitions. Bottom of the table Palace arrived at Old Traff ord as the fi rst English top- fl ight team to lose their fi rst six games without scoring a single goal. It took just three minutes for United to breach Palace’s leaky defence when Juan Mata marked

POINTS TABLE (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points): Manchester City 7 6 1 0 22 2 19 Manchester Utd 7 6 1 0 21 2 19 Tottenham 7 4 2 1 14 5 14 Chelsea 7 4 1 2 12 6 13 Watford 7 3 3 1 11 12 12 his 200th Premier League appearance with his ons League. The players’ mentality allowed me the leaders. Tottenham have won six of their last ton. Richarlison’s late leveller earned Watford Liverpool 6 3 2 1 12 11 11 fi rst goal of the season, the Spanish winger fi n- to do that. The momentum is good and the play- seven matches in all competitions and Pochetti- a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion. Bourne- Arsenal 6 3 1 2 9 8 10 ishing emphatically from Marcus Rashford’s ers are happy and confi dent.” no said: “Harry Kane is in an amazing moment. mouth remain second bottom after being held to Burnley 6 2 3 1 6 5 9 cross. Mourinho’s men struck again in the 35th Harry Kane’s masterclass ensured Totten- He is scoring goals, his energy is fantastic.” a 0-0 draw by Leicester at Dean Court. Newcastle 6 3 0 3 6 5 9 minute as Ashley Young whipped a cross to the ham cruised to their biggest win of the season Diafra Sakho eased the pressure on West Ham West Brom 7 2 3 2 6 8 9 far post, where Marouane Fellaini stabbed home in a 4-0 demolition of Huddersfi eld. Kane hit boss Slaven Bilic as his last-gasp strike clinched ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS Huddersfield 7 2 3 2 5 7 9 for his third goal of the season. Fellaini wasn’t a hat-trick when Tottenham beat APOEL Ni- a 1-0 win over Swansea at the London Stadium. Chelsea 0 Manchester City 1 (De Bruyne 67); Southampton 7 2 2 3 5 7 8 fi nished yet and the Belgian midfi elder headed cosia in the Champions League in midweek and Amid rumours that sacked Bayern Munich boss Huddersfield 0 Tottenham 4 (Kane 9, 23, Davies 16, Stoke 7 2 2 3 7 11 8 United’s third from a Rashford free-kick in the the England striker demolished Huddersfi eld Carlo Ancelotti is a target for the Hammers, Sa- Sissoko 90+1); Manchester United 4 (Mata 3, Fellaini Brighton 6 2 1 3 5 7 7 49th minute. to take his tally to 11 goals in his last six appear- kho netted in the 90th minute to give Bilic’s side 35, 49, Lukaku 86) Crystal Palace 0; Bournemouth 0 West Ham 7 2 1 4 7 13 7 In the 86th minute, Lukaku capped United’s ances. He opened the scoring with a clinical just their second league success this season and Leicester 0; Stoke 2 (Diouf 40, Crouch 85) Everton 6 2 1 3 4 11 7 fourth 4-0 league win this term when the Bel- strike in the ninth minute and Ben Davies added lift them out of the relegation zone. Southampton 1 (Yoshida 75); West Brom 2 (Rondon Leicester 7 1 2 4 9 12 5 gium striker scored his 11th goal in 10 games Tottenham’s second seven minutes later at the Peter Crouch’s 85th minute goal gave Stoke a 18, Evans 21) Watford 2 (Doucoure 37, Richarlison Swansea 7 1 2 4 3 8 5 since his close-season move from Everton. John Smith’s Stadium. Kane’s superb curling 2-1 home win over his former club Southamp- 90+5); West Ham 1 (Sakho 90) Swansea 0 Bournemouth 7 1 1 5 4 11 4 “Three points and a good performance. We eff ort in the 23rd minute made it three before ton. Mame Biram Diouf put Stoke ahead, while Playing today: Arsenal v Brighton (1100 GMT), Crystal Palace 7 0 0 7 0 17 0 started strong and fi nished strong,” Mourinho Moussa Sissoko added a 90th-minute fourth as Saido Berahino missed a penalty for the hosts Newcastle v Liverpool (1430), Everton v Burnley said. “We rotated after playing in the Champi- Mauricio Pochettino’s side kept in touch with before Maya Yoshida equalised for Southamp- (1315)

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Sevilla pile misery on Malaga Forgotten star Wilshere

AFP this week in backing Catalonia’s Madrid right to self-determination in the midst of Spanish govern- fi ghts for Arsenal future ment crackdowns on what it evilla moved up to sec- sees as an illegal vote that vio- AFP ond in La Liga as sec- lates Spain’s constitution. London ond-half goals from Ever “What we hope for tomorrow, Banega and Luis Muriel apart from winning the game ensuredS a routine 2-0 Andalu- which is important for us and ack Wilshere has vowed to force his way sian derby victory over winless Barca fans, is that there is calm,” back into Arsene Wenger’s plans after the Ar- Malaga yesterday. A sixth de- Valverde said yesterday. senal midfi elder stepped up his return from feat in seven games pushes Ma- Among a number of meas- exile. Wilshere has endured a miserable spell laga boss and legendary former ures being taken to impede the asJ he slipped down the pecking order with Arsenal Real Madrid player Michel ever referendum, 14 regional gov- and England before fi nding himself sent on loan to closer to becoming already the ernment offi cials were detained Bournemouth last season. fourth managerial change of the last week. In response, Barca re- It was a substantial fall from grace for a player La Liga season. leased a strongly-worded state- once hailed as “the future of English football” by The hosts did, though, have ment condemning the arrests. Barcelona legend Xavi after breaking into the Arse- to wait until 22 minutes from Chants in support of inde- nal team as a teenager. Dogged by fi tness problems, time to open the scoring from pendence are common at the inconsistent form and concerns about his off -fi eld the penalty spot and with some Camp Nou in the 17th minute antics, Wilshere has become Arsenal’s forgotten fortune when Roberto Rosales of each match to mark the fall man and is fi ghting for his future at the club, with was harshly adjudged to have of Catalonia in the Spanish War his contract due to expire at the end of the season. brought down Joaquin Correa of Succession in 1714. “Despite While many Arsenal fans have consigned inside the box. the impression on the outside Wilshere to the scrap-heap, Gunners boss Wenger Banega coolly dispatched the that there is a lot of noise, peo- remains intrigued to see if the 25-year-old can re- could get game time from the bench when Brighton spot-kick and just two minutes ple are calmer than it seems, at discover his best form. Wilshere gave a tantalising visit the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal striker Alex- later Muriel showed great pace least that is how I see it,” added glimpse of his ability in Arsenal’s 4-2 victory at andre Lacazette has scored in each of his opening to burst clear from the halfway Valverde, who himself is not BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday three home league appearances and hopes to be- line into the Malaga box before Catalan. and he hopes that leads to a role in today’s Premier come the fi rst Gunners player to net in his fi rst four fi ring inside Roberto’s near post. League clash against Brighton and Hove Albion. since Jackie Henderson in 1958. Victory moves Sevilla to within SPANISH LA LIGA RESULTS Asked if he felt he had been written off too soon, Wenger’s side have won fi ve of their last six two points of leaders Barcelo- Deportivo la Coruna 2 (Perez 66, Wilshere said: “Yeah, but that is football. Football matches in all competitions, but have no margin for na, who host Las Palmas today. Andone 87) Getafe 1 (Ndiaye 54); is a game where people forget. Everyone says ‘you error as they try to keep in touch with early pace- However, Atletico Madrid can Sevilla 2 (Banega 68-pen, Muriel are never fi t’ but last season I was fi t for the whole setters Manchester City and Manchester United. retake second spot with a win Malaga’s Miguel Torres (left) vies for the ball with Sevilla’s Luis 70) Malaga 0; Levante 0 Alaves 2 season. Brighton boss Chris Hughton was in charge of New- late last night at Leganes. Muriel during the La Liga match in Sevilla yesterday. (AFP) (El Haddadi 33, Medran 81) “I defi nitely feel I am back. People say it’s a long castle United the last time Arsenal lost at home to a Earlier, former West Brom- Playing today: Real Sociedad v road but I feel good. I felt good coming back to Ar- newly-promoted team seven years ago. wich Albion manager Pepe Mel’s from Arsenal before Florin An- side host Las Palmas today amid Real Betis (1000), Barcelona v Las senal and into training and Arsene Wenger has been But Hughton’s hopes of emulating that shock job at Deportivo la Coruna was done grabbed the winner three heightened political tension in Palmas (1415), Valencia v Athletic good. He has been speaking to me. You are always success have been hit by a suspension for Brighton saved by a second-half fi ght- minutes from time. Catalonia as pro-secessionist Bilbao, Villarreal v Eibar (both playing for your future but I am happy to be back, to striker Tomer Hemed, who begins a three-match back to beat Getafe 2-1. Amath groups forge ahead with a refer- 1630), Real Madrid v Espanyol feel part of the squad. It has been a while since I felt ban after being found guilty of violent conduct Ndiaye put the visitors in front VALVERDE CALLS FOR CALM endum on independence for the (1845) a proper Arsenal player but I am back, playing these against Newcastle. Brighton have only beaten Ar- at La Riazor, but Lucas Perez AMID REFERENDUM CHAOS north-eastern region of Spain. Played Friday: Celta Vigo 3 (Sisto types of games.” senal twice in 16 attempts, with their last victory levelled with his fi rst goal since Barcelona coach Ernesto Val- Outspoken central defender 8, Gomez 16, Wass 76) Girona 3 Wilshere has made only two starts this season coming in 1982, and they have never won at the returning to the club on loan verde has called for calm as his Gerard Pique joined the club (Portu 10, Stuani 14, Juanpe 86) and is yet to appear in the Premier League, but he Gunners.

Sunday, October 1, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

Qatar’s Sheikh Ali selected as best horse rider in Asia Qatar U19 win Four-Nations tournament

Asian Equestrian Federation has named Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani as the best rider in Asia in recognition of his considerable eff orts in the sport and the outstanding performances he has shown in the Asian competitions. The selection was done during the federation’s meeting in Paris, which was chaired by Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah. Two riders in each Equestrian event, including dressage, eventing and show jumping based on the results, levels and standards, were selected. Sheikh Ali has some impressive results Qatar players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Four-Nations Tournament final against Croatia at in the Global Champions Tour, the World Cup and the Rio Olympic Games. Aspire Zone yesterday. Qatar won 1-0. PICTURE: Othman Iraqi

HORSE RACING / QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE SPOTLIGHT Barshim among Vazirabad fi nally wins Aspire4Sport speakers at Qatar Prix du Cadran Stamford Bridge Muneera wins Gr1 Arabian race on Day 1 of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend By Sports Reporter my and Commerce, Qatar Foot- Doha ball Association (QFA), the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Qa- tar Airways, the Qatar Financial eading fi gures from sport, Centre (QFC), the QNB Stars business and technology League and International Centre will gather at Stamford for Sport Security (ICSS). Bridge, London, on Oc- During the fourth edition Ltober 6 and 7, 2017 for a two- of the Aspire Academy Glo- day event designed to shape the bal Summit, to be held over two future of the sports industry, days, more than 160 representa- enhance the fan experience and tives from 80 clubs – which form spread best practice in athlete part of the Aspire in the World development. Fellows community – includ- The unique event brings to- ing Manchester United, Arsenal, gether unparalleled networking Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris and business opportunities for Saint-Germain, AC Milan and the sports business industry. It Juventus, will take part, making will review the latest coaching it one of the largest gatherings of techniques and methodologies its kind anywhere in the world. practiced by leading proponents Club representatives will of the game, helping improve gather to discuss and exchange sports performance globally and views on modern training meth- supporting the strategy for de- odologies, using a dynamic and veloping the Qatar 2022 national engaging approach comprising team. roundtable discussions, work- Vazibarad, with Christophe Soumillon astride, is led in to the winner’s enclosure after Mohamed al-Nujaifi (second from right) receives the owner’s trophy after Muneera And it will explore the innova- shops, master classes, open de- the Qatar Prix Du Cadran (Group 1) in Chantilly, France, yesterday. won the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments in Chantilly yesterday. tions and technologies shaping bates and Star Chats with leg- sports infrastructure and major ends of the game. Agencies tournaments in the future in- These will be delivered by some Chantilly cluding the 2022 FIFA World Cup of the biggest names in football Qatar. such as Sacchi, Hodgson, retired The Aspire4Sport Congress Portuguese footballer and coach azirabad is the top French stayer, and Exhibition is organised by Paulo Sousa, former Newcastle and the Qatar Prix du Cadran Aspire Academy, a leading sports coach Keegan, and Swansea City (Group 1) was one of the few of institution that looks to identify assistant coach Makelele, as well the biggest French races missing and nurture Qatar’s most prom- as Aspire Academy graduate, Vfrom his record. ising young athletes. This year’s and Qatar’s high jumping world Yesterday, he rectifi ed that winning the event marks the eighth edition, champion Barshim. 2017 edition of the race in style. The win which is hosted in sporting capi- Topics that will be discussed was fi ve-year-old’s third Group 1 victory. tals throughout the world on an during the summit’s workshops The race was led by Mille et Mille, win- annual basis. include Talent Identifi cation – ner of the 2015 edition of the race, whilst Previous editions have been Nature vs. Nurture, Strength the eventual winner travelled towards the held in Amsterdam, Berlin and Methodology – Why, When and rear of the fi eld. Paris. How? and From Youth to Senior Once 450m from the line, Christophe Attendees at the 2017 edi- – How to Manage the Leap. Soumillon pulled out Vazirabad, owned tion of the event include Crystal This year, Aspire Academy will by Aga Khan, and he went into lead with Palace FC manager Roy Hodg- hold the ‘2nd Aspire-Tech Con- ease and won by just under a length, with son, Italy’s Arrigo Sacchi, one ference’, a one-day conference Mille et Mille second. of the most infl uential manag- that will be held on the fi rst day Czech runner, Trip to Rhodos, ran well ers in the history of football, and of Aspire4Sport. to fi nish third seven lengths back. world high jump champion Mu- Supported by Microsoft, CIS- “He won, but I don’t think that we saw taz Barshim. They will be joined CO, IBM, Philips and Honeywell, Vazirabad at his best today. He was per- by footballing legends Claude topics in this year’s conference haps moving a little less well than usual,” Makelele, Kevin Keegan and will focus on innovation and best trainer Alain de Royer Dupré said. Christophe Soumillon (centre) rides Muneera to victory in the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments ahead of Jamaheer (right) Paulo Sousa. practices in disruptive technolo- “He will run in the Prix Royal Oak, at and Al Shaqab Racing’s Almaa (left) in Chantilly yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim The conference comprises gies and creating modern, digital a racecourse that he loves, Saint-Cloud. three events, including the As- and interactive stadium experi- I won’t write off the Ascot Gold Cup just she was fi rst past the post. the way to the line to win ahead of Czech pire4Sport Congress and Exhi- ences for fans. yet, but he is a horse that will last, and Jean-Claude Rouget’s Taareef too re- runner Subway Dancer, and Britain’s bition, Aspire Tech and Aspire Some of the key participants so we won’t run him if the weather is too tained the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein Salouen. Garlingari followed in the foot- Academy Global Summit on at this year’s event include Saud hot, or the track too quick.” (Group 2). Royal Julius led the race at a steps of Cirrus des Aigles, also trained Football Performance and Sci- Abdullah al-Attiyah, executive In the opening race of the Qatar Prix decent pace. The eventual winner was by Barande-Barbe, who won this race in ence. director of Economic Policies de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend —Qatar held up towards the rear, but began his 2010, 2012 and 2013. Organised for the eighth time, and Research at the Ministry of Prix Chaudenay (Group 2) — Pascal Bary- attack two furlongs out. After passing “I bred him, I own him, and I train him, the Aspire4Sport is a two-day Economy and Commerce in Qa- trained Ice Breeze emerged as the win- Hathal, he pulled clear and then won by so it is three times as exciting. I have al- exclusive event and network- tar, Ghanim Ali al-Kuwari, ex- ner. Ice Breeze had never run over 3000m just over a length in front of a fast-fi nish- ready won this race three times with Cir- ing session that off ers European ecutive director of Competition coming into yesterday’s race. However, ing Buthela. Noor Al Hawa was third by a rus des Aigles. It is wonderful to win it and Qatari sports industry pro- Venues at the Supreme Com- the trip proved no problem for him, and little under a length. with another horse this year,” Barande- fessionals the chance to engage mittee for Delivery & Legacy, it was in the fi nal strides that this tough “Taareef didn’t have the attitude that Barbe said after the win. with key decision makers that are Ibrahim M Jaidah, CEO of Arab colt came to snatch victory from Call To he showed the other day. He has done A new addition to the card was the Har- shaping the landscape of Gulf re- Engineering Bureau (AEB) and Mind, while Darbuzan, the favourite, had nothing today. He didn’t even sweat a as de Bouquetot – Critérium de la Vente gion’s sports business industry, chief architect of the recently- to settle for third place. drop. He could run again this year, as he d’Octobre Arqana, a race for two-year- paving the way for future part- unveiled Al Thumama Stadium, Trainer Damien de Watrigant came up started running quite late on in the sea- old colts and fi llies, who were bought at nerships. one of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a full house in the Qatar Total Ara- distance. Here at Chantilly, it’s a testing son. There are not that many options the Arqana October Yearling Sale. This year’s exhibition will see Qatar venues, Michael J Hersh- bian Trophy des Juments (four-year-old track and that made the diff erence. We outside of Hong Kong, which is a diffi - The prize money of this race which is higher level of participation from man, CEO of the International fi llies) with both his runners, Muneera have fi nished fi rst and second, it’s hard cult race, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes exceptionally high for a Class 1 (€271,260) Qatari stakeholders than in pre- Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), and Jamaheer, topping the Group 1 Ara- to imagine any better,” De Watrigant said. (Group 1) which is in three weeks, or the attracted 18 runners, and Dice Roll, in the vious years. Dina Tamimi, Director of Smart bian race. The Juliet Rose gave her all to retain Breeders Cup,” Rouget said. colours of Giacomo Algranti was the clear Some of this year’s event part- Cities, Mega Events and Verticals “As I said previously, I think that the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Group 2), Corine Barande-Barbe-trained Garlin- winner. He is trained by Fabrice Chap- ners include the Supreme Com- at Honeywell, as well as William Muneera is better than Jamaheer on soft and when Kitesurf and Listen In attacked gari showed immense courage to win the pet, and was bought as a yearling for mittee for Delivery & Legacy Kopp, Managing Architect at ground. Muneera is a fi lly that stays the while she led, she kept digging deeper till Qatar Prix Dollar (Group 2), battling all €130,000. (SC), Qatar’s Ministry of Econo- Cisco.