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Sunday, September 27, 2020 FOOTBALL Safar 10, 1442 AH Chelsea stage superb GULF TIMES fi ghtback to earn West Brom draw SPORT Page 3 FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Al Sadd, Persepolis braced for tough test in last 16 tie Qatar’s most successful side in the Champions League boast the strongest attack in the competition with 14 goals so far

AFC Doha

he 2020 AFC Champi- ons League Round of 16 continues today with the fi rst fi xture of the dayT pitting Iran’s Persepolis FC against Al Sadd SC at Education City Stadium. Al Sadd cruised to the 2020 AFC Champions League Round of 16 with a game to spare, and after losing to Al Ain on Match- day Six, they fi nished second in Group C behind Al Nassr with nine points. The Qatari side boast the strongest attack in the competition with 14 goals to their name so far. Qatar’s most successful side in the AFC Champions League, Al Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez and (below) Persepolis coach Yahya Sadd have appeared in the com- Golmohammadi. petition on 13 occasions, reach- ing the knockout stage six times prior to 2020, winning the title in 2011 and reaching the semi-fi nals in 2018 and 2019. “Persepolis defeated us in the semi-fi nal two years ago, so the players are aware of how diffi cult an opponent they are,” said Al Sadd head coach Xavi, who was club captain in that 2018 match- up. “Our style is straightforward; we like to keep possession and (From left) Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah, Santi Cazorla, Akram Afif and Hassan al-Haydos celebrate a goal during their AFC Champions League impose our rhythm on the match. group stage campaign. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Persepolis have a level of inten- sity and enthusiasm I have never in their history, their most recent ter beating UAE Pro League side the today’s encounter. be a tough game for both sides.” seen. In this competition, every eff ort taking them all the way Sharjah 4-0, while Al Taawoun’s “All teams in the AFC Cham- In the 2018 semi-fi nals, Perse- ball and every moment is impor- to the fi nal of the 2018 edition, late win against Al Duhail meant pions League are strong and we polis took home a valuable 1-0 tant. We have to fi ght for every which they lost to Kashima Ant- Persepolis’ result took them to know Al Sadd have some really win from Jassim Bin Hamad Sta- Bounedjah’s goal for Al Sadd, hold a marginal historical advan- ball, win the second ball every lers of Japan. the top of the group. good players especially in attack, dium courtesy of a late Ali Al- sending Persepolis into their tage with three wins to Al Sadd’s time and continue to work hard This time around, Persepolis “We face a diffi cult encounter but we have intelligent analysts ipour penalty, and were able to fi rst-ever fi nal. two victories, while the 1-1 draw until the fi nal whistle.” needed a win on Matchday Six against a strong and organised Al who will do well to analyse the hold to a 1-1 draw at Azadi Sta- Today’s match will be the sev- in the 2018 semi-fi nal was the Persepolis have made it to the to confi rm passage from Group Sadd team,” said Persepolis cap- opponents and the coaching staff dium three weeks later as Siamak enth encounter between Perse- only such result between the two knockout stage for the sixth time C, and they delivered in style af- tain Seyed Jalal Hosseini ahead of will help us prepare well. It will Nemati cancelled out Baghdad polis and Al Sadd. The Iranians sides.

FOCUS Pakhtakor rally against Esteghlal to seal last eight spot

AFC Two minutes before the end of ball to keep his side in front. Doha the half, Pakhtakor found their Pakhtakor controlled posses- equaliser. Sardor Sobirkhodjaev sion for long stretches of the sec- set up Alijonov to cross from ond half and had multiple half- akhtakor came from be- deep at the far post where Ceran chances; most notably Jaloliddin hind to defeat Estegh- was fi rst to the ball, guiding his Masharipov’s low shot from the lal FC 2-1 in the 2020 diving header past Hosseini to edge of the box at the hour mark AFC Champions League draw Pakhtakor level. and the winger’s curled eff ort PRound of 16 at Al Janoub Sta- In the absence of Covid-19 from a free-kick that crept ago- dium yesterday, a result which stricken coach Shota Arveladze, nisingly wide off Hosseini’s goal sent the Uzbekistan side to the it was down to his Dutch assist- with 15 minutes to go. quarter-fi nals for the fi rst time ant Pieter Huistra to deliver the With just nine minutes to go, since 2009. halftime talk, and his words set Esteghlal had their last big chance A physically intense opening up Pakhtakor for a red hot start to equalise as Ghaedi set up Dia- half of an hour saw little in the to the second half as they added bate with a cute pass inside the way of scoring chances despite their second within a minute of box and the Malian forward beat Pakhtakor’s clear dominance. the restart. his marker and had the goal at his The Group B leaders had their A swift and progressive ex- mercy, but somehow fl uff ed his best chance of the fi rst 30 min- change of passes in the opposi- lines and sent the ball wide. utes when Dragan Ceran tested tion half allowed Sobirkhodjaev Pakhtakor join Al Ahli Saudi the goalkeeper from long range to fi nd Erin Deriyok with plenty FC in the last eight as the Round but Seyed Hossein Hosseini was of space down the right and the of 16 continues with two games alert and made the save. Swiss striker drilled a half-vol- today. Al Sadd SC face Persepo- With 32 minutes gone, Es- leyed eff ort from the edge of the lis FC at Education City at 16:40 teghlal’s Mehdi Ghaedi looked box into the bottom corner to local time followed by the stage’s to make his way into the penalty give Pakhtakor the lead for the last fi xture — an all-Saudi clash box but was brought down just fi rst time in the game. between Al Nassr and Al Taa- outside the area by Khojiakbar Esteghlal looked to respond woun on the same venue at 20:45. Alijonov. and by the 54th minute, they had Ali Karimi stepped up to take a major goal scoring chance when the resulting free-kick and beau- Ghaedi cut inside from the left Pakhtakor’s Dragan Ceran tifully curled it into the back of and whipped a cross into the six (right) in action during the AFC the net, leaving goalkeeper El- yard box for Diabate who poked it Chaampions League Round of 16 dorbek Suyunov rooted to the goalward, but Suyunov was well tie against Esteghlal yesterday. spot. positioned and clutched into the PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Gulf Times 2 Sunday, September 27, 2020 SPORT

FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Al Ahli edge Shabab Al Ahli on penalties to reach quarters The two teams were locked at 1-1 after regulation and extra time before Al Ahli won 4-3 on penalties

AFC Doha Familiar rivals Al Nassr, Al Taawoun set l Ahli Saudi FC ad- for Round of 16 match-up vanced to the 2020 AFC Champions League AFC quarter-fi nals after Doha beatingA Shabab Al Ahli Dubai FC 4-3 on penalties after the 120 minutes of their Round of 16 l Nassr and Al Taawoun clash ended in a 1-1 draw at Al lock horns in an all-Saudi Janoub Stadium yesterday. Aclash in the fourth 2020 The two sides had met at the AFC Champions League Round same round in 2017 when Al Ahli of 16 match in Education City emerged 4-2 winners on aggre- Stadium today. gate to reach the quarter-fi nals, Al Nassr reached the Round of before exiting at the hands of 16 after topping Group D with 11 Persepolis FC. points. Moroccan striker Abder- Al Ahli came racing out of the azzak Hamdallah contributed blocks and within fi ve minutes five goals to their campaign they thought they had already progress, scoring in each of taken the lead. Marko Marin’s their first four games before be- Al Taawoun head coach Patrice Carteron and Al Nassr head coach Rui whipped cross from the corner ing rested with qualification all Vitoria (right). was met by Omar Al Soma’s pow- but secured. erful header which beat goal- The Riyadh-based side have I don’t think there will be more players physically to play 120 keeper Majed Nasser but can- reached the knockout stage pressure on us. We just need minutes and we will also prac- noned off the crossbar. Salman three times, this being the to stay focused on winning the tice penalties,” said Al Taawoun al-Muwashar slotted home the second time in a row. The first match.” head coach Patrice Carteron, rebound but was fl agged off side. time they reached the knockout On the other hand, Al Taa- who faces the team he coached Despite suff ering an early blow stage was in 2011, when they lost woun needed a dramatic late for a brief spell in 2017. with the injury of midfi elder Ma- 4-1 on aggregate to Iran’s Zoba- goal from Australian striker “I cannot say I know a lot about jed Hassan, who was replaced han in the Round of 16, while in Mitchell Duke against Al Duhail Al Nassr, plenty of things have by youngster Mohamed Jumaa, Al Ahli Saudi’s Omar al-Soma (centre) celebrates after scoring a goal with his teammates during the AFC 2019 they went on to reach the on Matchday Six to secure changed since I coached them. Shabab Al Ahli gradually grew Champions League Round of 16 tie against Shabab Ali Ahli Dubai at Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: quarter-finals before exiting at qualification from Group C as But we know they are a huge into the match, getting their fi rst Noushad Thekkayil the hands of Al Sadd. the second placed side behind team and in my opinion they are sight of goal in the 26th minute “We know Al Taawoun very Persepolis FC, having had their favourites for the title after Al when Azizjon Ganiev moved in have worked magic as Al Ahli re- gifting Al Ahli a three-vs-two tempt was tipped over the cross- well and they know us too, the chances significantly dented in Hilal’s exit.” space down the right and drove turned into the second half with situation on the break. Al-Soma bar by goalkeeper al-Owais. winners will be the team that the preceding match when they The two sides have never met an eff ort that was parried away by renewed confi dence and within supplied al-Muwashar on the Goalkeeper Nasser rescued show more intelligence on the got beaten 6-0 by Sharjah. in continental competition goalkeeper Mohamed al-Owais. eight minutes of the restart, they left and the winger set up Marin his side at the death, with Motaz pitch, because small decisions This will be the Buraidah-based before, but the past 10 domestic Ganiev tested the Al Ahli goal- had won a penalty after Ganiev to shoot from the edge of the area Hawsawi setting up Hussain al- can make the diff erence,” said Al side’s first ever knockout stage matches heavily favour Al Nassr keeper again a minute later with brought al-Muwashar down but narrowly missed the target. Moqahwi inside the box, the lat- Nassr head coach Rui Vitoria. appearance in the AFC Cham- who have won seven; including a an eff ort from outside the box, inches inside the box. Al-Soma Eduardo nearly made amends ter had the goal at his mercy and “In a one-legged knockout pions League, in what is only 4-1 win just over a month ago in but once more al-Owais was up stepped up and fi red from the in the fi nal moments of the sec- struck on the half-volley with his game, you cannot attack all the their second participation in the the Saudi Pro League which saw to the task and made the save. spot into the top corner to equal- ond half, fi nding space inside the left, but the Shabab Al Ahli cap- time or defend all the time. Both competition after a group stage Hamdallah bag a hat-trick, while It was third time lucky for the ise for the Saudi side. box and striking a nodded pass tain produced a fi ne save to send teams will have a chance and exit in the 2017 edition. Al Taawoun have won the other Uzbek midfi elder in the 29th Al-Muwashar and al-Soma on the volley, but his attempt the game into penalties. will want to take their chances “We have to be ready for all three matches, the most recent minute as he collected Jumaa’s combined again at the hour went agonisingly close, ending Hussein Abdulghani converted to progress to the next round. possibilities; We will prepare the of which was in February 2019. pass 30 yards from goal and lined mark, with the former dribbling up just wide. from the spot and Khalil hit the a third powerful drive that was past two players before feeding With caution taking over the crossbar for Shabab Al Ahli for defl ected off young defender Al Soma at the edge of the box. proceedings from both sides, the Saudis to take the lead. Left- Defender Hawsawi confi dently to send Al Ahli into the next Al Ahli reach the quarter-fi nal Abdulbaset al-Hindi and left al- The Syrian forward unleashed a veteran Ahmed Khalil, who had backs stepped up next and both extended Al Ahli’s lead and sub- round, but the Syrian interna- for the fi fth time in their history Owais helpless to rescue, nes- powerful left-footed drive that replaced Pedro Conde in the 76th Lucas Lima and Youssef Jaber stitute Saeed Ahmed kept his tional’s attempted Panenka hit and the fi rst since 2017, while tling into the back of the net to passed inches wide off the post. minute, had Shabab Al Ahli’s found the net. Abdulrahman composure to keep Shabab Al the crossbar, handing the Emi- Shabab Al Ahli crashed from the hand Shabab Al Ahli the lead. Former Al Hilal forward Car- only major chance of extra time Ghareeb scored for Al Ahli and Ahli’s hopes alive. ratis a lifeline that Abdullah al- Round of 16 for the second time Coach Vladan Milojevic’s los Eduardo put his side in trou- as he rifl ed a long range free-kick Ganiev kept the margin at one With the score at 4-3, it was Naqbi failed to take, sending his after 2017, which also came at the words at the break seemed to ble with a misplaced back pass, in the 96th minute, but his at- goal with three spot kicks taken. down to talisman al-Soma shot high. hands of the same opponent.

BOXING RUGBY Pacquiao wants McGregor Racing strike late to dump holders fi ght next year: statement Saracens out of Champions Cup

AFP Reuters as he did in Saracens’ thrilling Manila, Philippines Paris, France quarter-fi nal win over Leinster, gave his team a six-point lead with three penalty kicks, but hilippine boxing icon acing 92’s Juan Imhoff Saracens lost Brad Barritt to a Manny Pacquiao capped a fl owing break head injury just after the hour. wants to fi ght Irish to score the only try The captain’s departure mixed martial arts star in the dying minutes proved a bitter blow for Sara- PConor McGregor in the ring next asR they came from behind to cens, who had already lost half year, an aide said in a statement beat holders Saracens 19-15 in the team that took them to the yesterday. their European Champions Cup title last season. “For the sake of all the Fili- semi-fi nal at the Paris La De- Substitute Maxime Machen- pino Covid-19 victims, Senator fense Arena yesterday. aud had pulled Racing back to Manny Pacquiao will be fi ghting The win sent Racing, run- within three points with a pen- UFC superstar Conor McGregor ners-up in 2016 and 2018, into alty as Saracens were forced next year,” Pacquiao’s special as- the showpiece match at the ex- to reshuffl e their pack before a sistant Jayke Joson said, adding pense of the three time champi- moment of brilliance from Finn negotiations are ongoing. ons where they will face Exeter Russell sparked the game’s deci- The fi ght could be staged in the Chiefs, who beat four-times sive moment. Middle East after the coronavirus winners Toulouse 28-12 to reach Racing’s Juan Imhoff runs to score a try during the European Rugby Russell found Virimi Vakatawa pandemic abates, the aide said, their fi rst fi nal. Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens at the U Arena in with a delicate chip over the Sa- adding Pacquiao would donate a “In many ways it’s the end of Nanterre, Paris, yesterday. (AFP) racens midfi eld and the New Zea- portion of his prize earnings to an era,” said Saracens director of land-born centre powered into Filipino Covid-19 victims. rugby Mark McCall, whose side fi rst-half penalties to send Rac- Saracens made a bright start space before offl oading back to Pacquiao’s promoter Sean Gib- will be relegated to the second- ing into the break with a 9-6 to the second period, dominat- the Racing fl yhalf, who released bons earlier told AFP in Los An- tier at the end of the season for lead but Saracens turned up ing the scrum and putting Rac- Imhoff to cross with three min- geles that the eight-division world breaching salary cap rules and the heat after the restart via the ing under pressure with their utes left on the clock. Machen- champion was mulling a possible will not compete in Europe next boot of Alex Goode, who ended kicking game. aud made no mistake with the comeback fi ght with McGregor, year. the match with fi ve successful Goode, fi lling in at fl yhalf for conversion, shredding Saracens’ though the two camps were a Teddy Iribaren scored three penalty kicks of his own. the suspended Owen Farrell dreams of European glory. “long way” from agreement. Earlier Friday, McGregor, 32, said on Twitter he was “box- ing Manny Pacquiao next in the Wallabies back on full pay aft er deal reached with union Middle East”. “It will be a true honour to Reuters their Bledisloe Cup tests with and RUPA said in a joint state- financial pressure from the have faced two of the greatest Sydney, Australia the All Blacks next month. ment yesterday. coronavirus outbreak bit. boxers of the modern era,” Mc- RA was forced to enact pay “We are obviously not alone in It also is yet to secure a new Gregor added. cuts earlier this year due to the financial challenges that broadcasting agreement while Pacquiao, 41, has not fought he Wallabies marked financial uncertainty created we are facing but our playing long-standing sponsor Qantas since claiming the WBA welter- ing debut, McGregor had shown to box at the highest level. their first day in isolation by the coronavirus pandemic, group have stood up and ac- said they would walk away at weight crown with a stunning that he was capable of challeng- He had turned pro in his teens Tin New Zealand with with players accepting a 60 knowledged their role to play the end of the year as part of a victory over Keith Thurman in ing “the best boxers in the world”, 25 years ago and owns a 62-7-2 news that they would return to percent pay cut in April. in securing the game’s future wider review of their sporting Las Vegas in July last year. Gibbons said. win-loss-draw record with 39 full pay for the rest of the year They had their salaries rein- in Australia,” RA interim Chief sponsorships. The Wallabies A bout against McGregor, who “Our lawyers are fi nalising all knockouts. according to an agreement stated to 70 percent in July and Executive Rob Clarke said. play the All Blacks in Wellington faced welterweight king Floyd the confi dential details, but both “His main focus right now is between Rugby Australia (RA) would return to 100 percent “We are now all extremely on October 11 and Auckland on Mayweather in a money-spin- fi ghters are getting ready for this to help here and there, providing and the Rugby Players Union on October 1 ahead of their excited about the upcoming October 18 before both teams ning 2017 fi ght, would guarantee one epic last boxing fi ght,” Joson relief, shelter, money and food, Association (RUPA). international programme, which test season.” head back across the Tasman Pacquiao another lucrative pay- said. among other necessities,” Joson Dave Rennie’s team arrived also includes the southern hemi- RA needed to secure an Sea for the southern hemi- day as he nears the end of an il- Pacquiao has successfully said. in New Zealand on Friday and sphere’s Rugby Championship. A$14.2mn ($9.98mn)lifeline sphere’s Rugby Championship lustrious boxing career. combined a political career in The virus has infected 301,000 were immediately placed in Super Rugby players’ salaries in funding from World Rugby that also involves world champi- Despite his technical knockout the Philippines, where he is an people in the Philippines and isolation for 14 days ahead of would remain at 70 percent, RA earlier this year as the initial ons South Africa and Argentina. loss to Mayweather in his box- elected senator, while continuing killed more than 5,000. Gulf Times Sunday, September 27, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

EPL FOCUS Immobile on target as Lazio, Atalanta Chelsea stage superb win Serie A openers

AFP erini’s Atalanta proved they had Rome lost none of their attacking style from last season with the most goals scored in the Italian top iro Immobile picked up fl ight including 7-0 against Tori- fi ghtback to earn where he left off as Lazio no last January in Turin. “We are got their season off the stronger than last year,” warned mark with a 2-0 win at Gasperini. “You learn a lot from CCagliari yesterday while Atalan- playing in Europe, and despite ta kicked off their campaign with the diffi culties we have suff ered, a 4-2 comeback against Torino. we haven’t given up. Italy forward Immobile – top “This year some valuable play- Serie A scorer last season with ers have arrived and if we are West Brom draw 36 goals – grabbed Lazio’s sec- lucky enough to recover (Josip) ond goal in the last quarter of an Ilicic we will be even stronger. hour in Sardinia. Lazio return to “It will be a season during MANCHESTER UNITED SNATCH 100TH-MINUTE WIN AT BRIGHTON Champions League football this which I will be able to rotate more season after fi nishing fourth in players, last year I had a smaller Serie A just behind Atalanta. squad available.” AFP Both Lazio and Atalanta’s Andrea Belotti had put the West Bromwich, United Kingdom scheduled season opener last week hosts on the scoresheet fi rst, was pushed backed because of the connecting with a Tomas Rincon Bergamo side’s Champions League pass to rifl e in after 11 minutes, ree-spending Chelsea last eight appearance in Portugal. the fi rst of a double for the Torino came from 3-0 down The two teams will go head-to- captain. But Atalanta hit back to salvage a 3-3 draw at head in Rome next Wednesday. two minutes later with Argentin- newly-promoted West “Today we have shown that we are ian Papu Gomez rifl ing in from FBrom, while Manchester United still that tight group that can do long range for his 100th career were rescued by Bruno Fern- well,” said Immobile. goal on his 200th Serie A appear- andes’s 100th-minute penalty, “Players have arrived who ance for Atalanta, leaving Salva- awarded after the full-time will give us a lift on the pitch tore Sirigu with no chance in the whistle, to beat Brighton 3-2 and in the changing room, but Torino goal. Gomez then set up yesterday. the group is the same and there Luis Muriel for the second after But it is Everton who are set- is no lack of motivation.” Lazio 21 minutes, with Hans Hateboer ting the early pace in the Pre- had Adam Marusic to thank for grabbing a third after 42 minutes. mier League as they secured a their two goals. After setting up Belotti’s header rekindled hopes third straight win in controver- Manuel Lazzari for the opener going into the break but Atalanta sial circumstances, 2-1 at Crys- after four minutes, the Mon- dominated on returning, Mu- tal Palace. tenegrin again broke down the riel setting up Marten De Roon Chelsea manager Frank left fl ank to serve up the pass for on 55 minutes to hand new Torino Lampard handed the captain’s Immobile after 74 minutes. coach Marco Giampaolo his sec- armband to Thiago Silva on his In Turin, Gian Piero Gasp- ond defeat in as many games. Premier League debut, but the Brazilian had a nightmare fi rst 45 minutes as the Blues’ de- OOREDOO CUP fensive defi ciencies were eas- ily exposed. Callum Robison pounced on errors from Marcos Alonso and Silva to fi re twice Al Khor register 5-1 beyond Willy Caballero, who replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Chelsea goal. Kyle Bartley win over Al Sailiya then made it 3-0 to the Baggies, who had lost their opening two By Sports Reporter of the new season, while Al Khor games back in the top fl ight. Doha are undergoing a transition in Chelsea have spent a reported terms of technical staff and play- £220 million ($280 million) to ers, especially overseas profes- try and close the gap to Liver- l Khor recorded a con- sionals. pool and Manchester City in vincing 5-1 win over the title race and even a spirited Al Sailiya in round one GHARAFA 2 UMM SALAL 0 second-half fi ghtback could not of the 2020-21 season Al Gharafa defeated Umm hide the embarrassment of his OoredooA Cup at the Al Gharafa Salal 2-0 in Round 1 (Group B) side’s defending for Lampard, Stadium yesterday. of the 2020-21 season Ooredoo who have taken just four points Al Sailiya took the lead Cup at the Al Gharafa Stadium from their fi rst three games. through George Kossi in the 14th on Friday. Mason Mount got the come- minute, but Al Khor staged a Saeed El Hajj (35th minute) back started to a swerving long- brilliant fi ghtback to score fi ve and Ahmed Al Janahi (85th range eff ort. Substitute Callum goals, through Khaled Radwan minute) scored the goals. Hudson-Odoi then swept home (30th minute), Mohammed El Al Gharafa dominated the 20 minutes from time after a Sayed (37th minute), Helal Mo- proceedings and created more neat one-two with Kai Havertz. hammed (57th minute), Said opportunities, while Umm And Tammy Abraham se- Brahimi (73rd minute) and Jas- Salal’s attackers failed to fi nd a cured a point in stoppage time sim Al Muraikhi (90+4). breakthrough. when he rolled in the rebound The game started off with an It was also a battle of con- after Sam Johnstone had parried off ensive performance by both trasts as Al Gharafa enjoy stabil- Mount’s initial eff ort. sides and Al Sailiya managed ity of late mainly in terms of the United bounced back from to surge ahead off a corner kick level of their foreign professional their 3-1 home defeat to Palace taken by Ghanem Al Qahtani players. last weekend, but had a lot of Chelsea’s English striker Tammy Abraham (right) celebrates with teammate Callum Hudson-Odoi (centre) after scoring their third goal and Kossi headed the ball past Al On the contrary, Umm Salal fortune on their side after being during the English Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns Stadium in West Bromwich, central England, Khor goalkeeper Baba Djibril. are undergoing major changes outplayed by Brighton. yesterday. (AFP) Al Khor were not to be play- as far as their players are con- The Seagulls hit the wood- ing the second fi ddle to their ri- cerned as some players have left work fi ve times and thought one. Maybe one point we de- later when Lewis Dunk’s own players. It’s a sore one. Everton half-time. After consulting the vals and The Knights raised their and some are being recruited as they had earned a point them- served, we didn’t deserve more,” goal brought United level before sit top of the embryonic table as pitchside monitor, Kevin Friend game by several notches, result- the 2020-21 season QNB Stars selves fi ve minutes into stop- admitted United boss Ole Gun- the visitors scored a stunning they won the battle of two sides pointed to the spot for handball ing in them scoring fi ve goals to League has taken a break after page time when Solly March nar Solskjaer. second through Marcus Rash- who started the day with a per- by Joel Ward after he was struck secure all three points and leav- three weeks of action. headed home at the back post. After Leandro Trossard hit ford early in the second-half. fect record thanks to a contro- on the arm by Lucas Digne’s ing their opponents hapless. Umm Salal were keen to make However, there just enough both posts with shots from out- March hit the post before versial penalty on their own. header and Richarlison con- Al Sadd, Al Duhail, Al Wakrah optimum use of their avail- time for United to mount an- side the box, while Adam Web- Trossard’s unfortunate hat- James Rodriguez again starred verted the spot-kick. and Qatar SC are the other teams able resources, so the majority of other attack and Neal Maupay ster’s looping header came back trick was complete when he for Carlo Ancelotti’s men and “I have despair about a rule in Group A. players in their starting XI were raised his arm to block Harry off the crossbar, Brighton fi nally smashed off the bar. And even played his part in Everton’s that I believe is ruining the The match between Al Sadd below the age of 23. Maguire’s header. got their reward when Fern- once they did level, Brighton opener, converted by Dominic game of football,” said Palace and Al Duhail, scheduled for Al Gharafa too tried out many Referee Chris Kavanagh ini- andes clipped Tariq Lamptey were denied a point in a cha- Calvert-Lewin for already his boss Roy Hodgson. 26th September, was deferred to Under-23 players, as a string of tially blew for full-time, but inside the box and Maupay otic fi nale. “Sometimes life fi fth Premier League goal of the a later date due to their partici- youngsters have been doing well then awarded a penalty after cheekily chipped his penalty isn’t fair and it feels like that at season. Palace quickly respond- RESULTS pation in the 2020 AFC Champi- with the side for quite some time consulting the pitchside moni- down the middle of the goal. the moment,” said Potter. “The ed through Cheikhou Kouyate, Brighton ...... 2 Manchester Utd ...... 3 ons League. now. Al Rayyan, Al Kharaitiyat, tor and Fernandes confi dently Graham Potter’s men undid performance level was amaz- but the game was decided by a Crystal Palace ...1 Everton ...... 2 It may be noted that Al Sailiya Al Arabi and Al Ahli are the other converted. “We got away with their good work three minutes ing from us, I’m so proud of the VAR review fi ve minutes before West Brom...... 3 Chelsea ...... 3 had reinforced their squad ahead teams in Group B.

BUNDESLIGA Haaland draws a blank as Dortmund crash at Augsburg AFP sparked a 5-3 fi ght-back win. How- “We almost completely dominat- Augustinsson after a tackle just before Berlin ever, the Norwegian hot-shot drew ed the game, we started well, but we the break, which the referee missed. a blank on his return to Augsburg’s weren’t precise enough and were too “I didn’t notice it at the time,” said WWK-Arena with just one clear shot hasty in our play. “Augsburg defended Augustinsson after watching a post- orussia Dortmund crashed on goal as centre-back Felix Uduokhai well, we need to be more patient and match replay, “but it has nothing to do to a 2-0 defeat at Augsburg powered home a header for the hosts play more down the fl anks.” with football or fair play”. yesterday as Norway striker from a free-kick on 40 minutes. Schalke coach David Wagner is on Earlier RB Leipzig were held to a Erling Braut Haaland failed to Augsburg’s former Schalke play- the verge of being dismissed with his 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen as Emil rescueB the visitors on his return to Ba- maker Daniel Caligiuri added to Dort- side now 18 games without a win after Forsberg’s superb opening goal for the varia, where he wrote Bundesliga his- mund’s misery by holding off Thomas slumping to a 3-0 defeat at home by Champions League semi-fi nalists was tory in January. Meunier to fi re home the hosts’ second Werder Bremen, whose striker Niclas cancelled out by a long-range eff ort With defending champions Bayern on 54 minutes. Haaland was booked Fuellkrug claimed a hat-trick. from Leverkusen’s Kerem Demirbay. Munich at Hoff enheim on Sunday, last with a half an hour gone after some Schalke were hammered 8-0 by Leverkusen’s new signing Patrik season’s runners-up Dortmund blew pushing and shoving with Augsburg Bayern last weekend and Bremen prof- Schick, who spent last season on loan the chance to build on their impressive defender Jeff rey Gouweleeuw, who ited from some equally woeful defend- at Leipzig, curled in a superb shot from 3-0 win over Borussia Moencheng- was also shown a yellow card. ing. Fuellkrug tapped home his fi rst 16 metres out but his stunning strike ladbach last Saturday when Haaland Dortmund had three times as many goal on 22 minutes, was left unmarked was ruled off side with 23 minutes left. scored twice in an electric display on shots on goal and dominated with 80 to head home a free-kick on 37 min- Borussia Moenchengladbach had the opening weekend of the season. percent possession, which left their utes, then converted a penalty on the to settle for a point at home to Union The 20-year-old has netted 18 goals Swiss coach Lucian Favre to admit, hour before Mark Uth scored Schalke’s Berlin in their 1-1 draw. in 21 games this year for Dortmund “we are very disappointed, it’s hard to late consolation goal. There could also Marcus Thuram’s headed goal for and wrote himself into Bundesliga his- accept this defeat”. be consequences for Schalke centre- Gladbach on 56 minutes was cancelled tory in January when he became the “We have much to do,” admitted back Ozan Kabak who was sent off for out by an equaliser from Union de- fi rst player to score a hat-trick off the Favre, with one eye on Wednesday’s a second yellow card late on. fender Nico Schlotterbeck, 20, making Dortmund’s German midfielder Emre Can (left) and Augsburg’s German midfielder bench on his German league debut. German Super Cup match against Television cameras also caught his Bundesliga appearance for the Ber- Daniel Caligiuri vie for the ball during the Bundesliga match in Augsburg, southern Haaland’s three goals in 20 minutes Bayern in Munich. Kabak spitting at defender Ludwig lin-based club, with 11 minutes left. Germany, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, September 27, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS LIGUE 1 Neymar back Suarez can take but problems persist for PSG AFP defender Hiroki Sakai in that Atletico to a diff erent same recent encounter. Paris The French league will in- vestigate those claims, and t has been a troubled start claims Neymar used a homo- to the season for Paris phobic slur against Marseille’s Saint-Germain, over- Alvaro Gonzalez, who the Bra- shadowed by a raft of zilian says directed a racial slur Icoronavirus cases, suspen- at him. A decision in that case level, says Simeone sions and injuries, but the is expected next week. French champions can wel- In the meantime, PSG come back Neymar from a learned on Wednesday that ‘His arrival is an opportunity for us to keep growing as a club and to have new energy’ ban for this weekend’s Ligue 1 Angel Di Maria must serve a game at Reims. four-match ban for spitting at Reuters The world’s most expen- Gonzalez. Madrid sive player was handed a two- The Argentine can feature match suspension after his this weekend but will not then involvement in an unseemly be able to play another Ligue 1 tletico Madrid coach brawl at the end of PSG’s 1-0 game until early November, by Diego Simeone believes home defeat by Marseille re- which time PSG’s Champions Luis Suarez can lift the cently. Without him, his team- League campaign will be well club to new heights and mates bounced back from los- underway. saidA his new signing will be in the ing their opening two games of While Paris have been linked squad to face Granada today. the season and recorded suc- with a move for Chelsea mid- Suarez has joined Atletico af- cessive victories against Metz fi elder Tiemoue Bakayoko, ter being pushed out by Barce- (1-0) and Nice (3-0). Tuchel has lost left-back Juan lona, who allowed the 33-year- “We are suff ering a lot and Bernat to a serious knee injury old to leave for free, with only we are really tired,” said coach and concerns remain about the an extra 5 million euros due in Thomas Tuchel after that lat- form of Mauro Icardi. variables. “His arrival is an op- ter outing, and Neymar’s re- The Argentine striker did portunity for us to keep growing turn can only improve their enough on loan last season as a club and to have new energy prospects of keeping that win- from Inter Milan for PSG to as a team,” said Simeone. ning run going when they visit sign him permanently for an “We spoke before he went a Reims side who are winless in initial reported fee of 50 mil- to Barcelona at a time when Ligue 1 and were in Hungary on lion euros. the possibility came up that he Europa League duty. However, he played no part might join us. The last six years Yet while PSG have now re- in the Champions League he’s had have been incredibly covered the raft of players – semi-fi nal win over RB Leip- successful. including Neymar and Kylian zig or the fi nal against Bayern “His teammates want to make Mbappe – who tested posi- Munich, missed PSG’s fi rst two him settle in as quickly as pos- tive for Covid-19 following a league games this season due sible so his goals and game can holiday after their run to the to a positive Covid-19 test, and help us win.” Champions League fi nal, the has failed to fi nd the net in the Simeone said Suarez trained problems are not going away two outings since his return. with his new side on Friday for Tuchel. At least Mbappe looked live- and is in line to make his debut Neymar faces further dis- ly last weekend against Nice, against Granada at the Wanda ciplinary action having been winning and converting a pen- Metropolitano this weekend. accused by Marseille of ra- alty before making another “Yesterday he had a long day, cially abusing their Japanese goal for Di Maria. he fi nished training very well with the team,” said Simeone. “He seems to be so motivated and excited and of course he will be in the squad, available for the team. Tomorrow we will see if he starts or comes on in the second half.” Suarez has said he was drawn to the possibility of competing at the highest level with Atletico and proving he is still among the best strikers in the world. “I’m going to be honest, he was convinced from the fi rst moment that this was the place for him to keep being a force, to keep showing he is still a great striker and to be able to keep sustaining the years he had at PSG’s forward Neymar. (Reuters) Barcelona,” said Simeone. “I found in him what we need in this club, a dream and a desire QFA president meets Palestinian counterpart to be here. When people come here with that kind of motiva- President of Qatar Football kits to the Palestinian Football tion, things always go well for Association (QFA) HE Sheikh Association to help contain them.” Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed the spread of Covid-19 in Pal- al-Thani met his Palestinian estine. For his part, Al-Rajoub MORATA REPLACEMENT Atletico Madrid’s new player Luis Suarez during a training session at the Wanda Sports City in Madrid yesterday. (AFP) counterpart Major General expressed his appreciation for Suarez’s arrival means Atletico Jibril al-Rajoub, who is cur- QFA’s support, stressing that have secured an instant replace- great with his back to goal, his to think of a replacement for Al- port of the doctors, who also having 15 days away perhaps rently visiting the country. The the Palestinian Football As- ment for Alvaro Morata, who movement inside the box creates varo but when the possibility of tried to make sure I wasn’t too could have been good too. meeting dealt with issues of sociation is committed to en- moved to Juventus on loan. chances,” said Simeone. Suarez came up, the numbers far from what the team was do- “Then when they say you have joint interest and expanding hancing bilateral co-operation Suarez scored 21 goals last “When we knew Alvaro might spoke for themselves.” ing despite my absence, which I tested negative, you feel joy, en- co-operation between the in light of the big experience season for Barcelona while Mor- leave we decided the best way Simeone will be in the dug- also think might perhaps even be thusiasm, emotion, and incred- two sides. QFA also pledged of QFA to help develop the ata hit 16 for Atletico. to continue would be to look for out on Sunday, having recovered benefi cial,” said Simeone. ibly appreciative of that excite- to provide 100,000 medical game in Palestine. “We all know what Luis someone who scored even more following his positive test for “After so many years of work- ment you always feel for the start swabs and 3,000 Covid-19 (QNA) brings. He is a focal point, he’s goals last season. “It wasn’t easy coronavirus. “We had the sup- ing every day with the players, of the season.”

SPOTLIGHT Koeman says he has no doubts about Messi AFP worried about Messi, despite his his. “At fi rst it was like I was the Madrid captain’s latest show of frustra- bad guy in the movie,” said Koe- tion. “It is normal for a player man. “It’s not like that because to be a bit sad when a friend of from the fi rst day or after my call arcelona coach Ron- theirs leaves after the years that with Luis I showed respect for ald Koeman has said he they have had together, it is part the player and the person he is. has no concerns about of football,” said Koeman. “He trained to the maximum Lionel Messi ahead of from the fi rst day and I always theirB fi rst La Liga game of the told him it could be diffi cult for Barcelona play Villarreal season today, after the Argen- today at Camp Nou and him to play but if he stayed he tinian took another swipe at the Messi is expected to start, would be one of the squad and club over the departure of Luis having reintegrated with could work like the others. Suarez. the squad since claiming he “That’s what I told the club Koeman was also keen to point was denied a transfer this too but these are decisions made out it was not solely his decision summer by the club. Before signing the to let Suarez join Atletico Ma- contract the club was thinking drid, with the Dutchman insist- “But the most important about changing things and I have ing he is not the “bad guy in the thing for me is how he has been. tried to support those decisions. movie”. In training and in games, I think “But it was not only my deci- Messi criticised how Sua- Leo has been an example for eve- sion as a manager, they are deci- rez was pushed out as Barca try ryone, in his commitment to the sions of the club as well.” to reduce their wage bill, say- club and to the team. I have no Suarez follows Ivan Rakitic, ing “you deserved a goodbye for doubts about Leo in this regard.” Nelson Semedo and Arturo Vidal what you are” before adding: Suarez scored 198 goals for in leaving Barcelona this sum- “But at this point nothing sur- Barcelona to become their third mer but the club have struggled prises me anymore”. highest goalscorer in history but to aff ord replacements. Barcelona play Villarreal to- the 33-year-old was deemed ex- “The economic situation of day at Camp Nou and Messi is pendable after the team’s disas- the club is very complicated expected to start, having re- trous end to last season. and it could be that they can’t integrated with the squad since Koeman was reported to have bring in what I want,” said Koe- claiming he was denied a trans- held a direct and short telephone man. “I knew that and I accept it fer this summer. conversation with Suarez about and if I stay with these players, Koeman said in a press con- his future but Barca’s new coach I will work very hard to improve ference on Saturday he was not claims the decision was not only them.” Barcelona captain Lionel Messi (left) and coach Ronald Koeman. Gulf Times Sunday, September 27, 2020 5 SPORT

BASKETBALL MLB Marlins clip Yanks in 10, clinch playoff spot Celtics rally to beat man was sent back from second Reuters New York on a stolen base because plate umpire John Tumpane’s elbow interfered with catcher Chad inch runner Monte Har- Wallach’s throw. Tauchman rison scored on a sacri- eventually reached second on a fi ce fl y by Jesus Aguilar throwing error on a pickoff at- in the 10th inning and tempt. Heat, stay alive in Pthe Miami Marlins clinched a New York did little off Mar- playoff spot with a 4-3 victory lins starter Sandy Alcantara. over the New York Yankees on Alcantara allowed three runs Friday night at Yankee Stadium. (two earned) on six hits in 7 1/3 The Marlins (30-28) had a innings. He struck out a season- ‘We got back to playing magic number of one entering high nine hitters and issued two the 10th after the Philadelphia walks. Celtics basketball’ Phillies lost to the NBA playoff s Tampa Bay Rays earlier Friday. RESULTS Harrison was the Marlins 4-3 Yankees automatic runner at second and moved Rangers 5-4 Astros to third on a sacri- Reds 7-2 Twins fi ce bunt by Jon Berti Dodgers 9-5 Angels off Chad Green (3-3). Starling Marte hit a Brewers 3-0 Cardinals ground ball to short- Cardinals 9-1 Brewers stop Gleyber Torres Cubs 10-0 White Sox and Harrison then got caught in a rundown. Athletics 3-1 Mariners Catcher Kyle Hi- Blue Jays 10-5 Orioles gashioka’s throw hit D’Backs 4-0 Rockies him in the back, al- D’Backs 11-5 Rockies lowing Harrison to get to third and Marte to Braves 8-7 Red Sox second on the error. Rays 6-4 Phillies Harrison then scored Indians 4-3 Pirates on Aguilar’s fl y ball to the warning track in Giants 5-4 Padres right fi eld. Padres 6-5 Giants Aguilar made a slid- Royals 3-2 Tigers ing catch on a sacrifi ce bunt attempt by Hi- gashioka for the fi rst out of the Aaron Hicks hit a two-run 10th before the Yankees execut- double in the third but the Yan- ed a double steal. kees mustered just two more hits Brandon Kintzler then nailed the rest of the way off Alcantara, down his 12th save despite two who was at 89 pitches entering walks by getting DJ LeMahieu on the eighth. a double play to end the game. Marlins designated hitter Brad Boxberger (1-0) got a Garrett Cooper hit a three-run double play on Luke Voit in a homer fi ve batters into the game scoreless ninth before Kintzler’s off JA Happ. Happ issued con- escape act. The Yankees (32- secutive walks to Aguilar and 26) lost for the fi fth time in six Brian Anderson with two outs, games following a 10-game win- and Cooper blasted a fi rst-pitch ning streak. They tied the game fastball into the right-fi eld seats on an RBI double by Aaron Judge for his sixth homer. in the eighth off Yimi Garcia. Happ allowed three runs on Judge’s clutch hit occurred three hits in fi ve innings. He after pinch-runner Mike Tauch- struck out three and walked two.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (right) moves the ball against Miami Heat forward Kelly Olynyk during the first half in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoff s at AdventHealth Arena in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (USA TODAY Sports)

AFP ing in the balance, the Celtics The Celtics opened the sec- We got out of it, and just let the earned what they got,” Heat Miami exploded for 41 points in the ond half with a 20-5 scoring game come to us.” coach Erik Spoelstra said. third quarter to turn the tide in run. “We did not compete hard a game dominated early by Mi- Marcus Smart’s three-point- ‘LOCKED IN’ enough defensively and we he Boston Celtics roared ami. er tied it up at 60-60 and Bos- The Celtics will try to build on paid the price for that. But you back in the second half Under solid pressure from the ton took the lead for the fi rst their momentum against a Heat do have to credit Boston, they to beat the Miami Heat Heat defence, the Celtics had time in the contest, 62-60, on team determined to put them played with great force particu- 121-108 on Friday to made just one of their fi rst 12 Brown’s layup off a feed from away in game six today. larly off the dribble.” Tstay alive in the NBA playoff s. shots and connected on just fi ve Kemba Walker. The winners of the series take Spoelstra noted that the Jayson Tatum scored 31 of 20 from the fi eld in the fi rst They wouldn’t trail again. on either the Los Angeles Lakers Celtics scored just four points points and pulled down 10 re- quarter. Walker’s three-pointer with or Denver Nuggets for the NBA in the paint in the fi rst quarter bounds and Jaylen Brown added Boston trailed by as many as 4:26 left in the third gave Bos- title in the quarantine bubble in but added: “It was just a deluge 28 points as six Celtics players 12 in the opening period, which ton a 10-point lead and the Orlando, Florida. to the rim after that.” scored in double fi gures and ended with the Heat leading 26- Celtics took a nine-point edge The Lakers lead the Nuggets Boston scored 30 points in Boston cut the defi cit in the 18. into the fi nal frame, when they three games to one in the West- the paint in the second half and best-of-seven Eastern Confer- Miami again built the lead to continued to pour it on. ern Conference fi nals. had 13 fastbreak points to Mi- ence fi nals to three games to 12 in the second period and fi n- Tatum scored 17 in the third Boston’s German centre Dan- ami’s zero after the break. two. ished the fi rst half with a 58-51 and the Celtics out-rebounded iel Theis contributed a double- “We didn’t defend as well as Goran Dragic led the Heat lead. the Heat 16-5 in the quarter. double of 15 points and 13 re- we could in the fi rst half and with 23 points and Duncan Rob- But Boston were beginning to “We got back to playing Celt- bounds, Smart fi nished with that’s what got our off ence go- inson added 20 for Miami, who see some shots fall, and as they ics basketball,” Walker said. 12 points and Gordon Hayward ing in the second half,” Tatum are trying to reach the NBA fi - turned up the intensity on both “I felt like early in the game chipped in 10. said. nals for the fi rst time since 2014. ends of the fl oor after the inter- we were a little frustrated, bick- “Boston played great in that “We just locked in, we were Miami Marlins players celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees With their season hang- val Miami had no answer. ering at each other at the refs. second half, they deserved and all on the same page.” at Yankee Stadium to clinch a playoff berth. (USA TODAY Sports)

NHL Shattenkirk’s goal lift s Lightning to verge of title AFP Killorn had a goal and an as- played just three minutes of the passes for Tampa to go the full Los Angeles sist and Shattenkirk also added previous game before appear- length of the ice and for Point to an assist for the Lightning, who ing to reinjure himself. The Stars race in alone and outsmart Khu- scored late goals at both the end now have their work cut out for dobin with a forehand to back- evin Shattenkirk scored of the fi rst period and the second them as they try to win their hand move. Point tied it 2-2 just the game winner at period to keep the game close. second championship and fi rst over two minutes into the second 6:34 of overtime to lift Yanni Gourdi also scored and since 1999. with his second goal by batting the Tampa Bay Light- goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy They are the only team this the puck out of mid-air into the Kning to a 5-4 victory over the stopped 26 shots, including a postseason to win a best-of- net. Dallas forward Corey Perry Dallas Stars in game four of the couple of spectacular saves from seven series after trailing 2-1, restored the one goal lead, 3-2, Stanley Cup fi nals on Friday. point blank range, in the win. but now they are in a much by scoring into the open side The Lightning hold a 3-1 lead Game fi ve will be Saturday deeper hole than that against the during a scramble in the crease at in the series and are one win night in the NHL’s quarantine heavily-favoured Lightning. The 8:26. But the Lightning got an- away from their second NHL bubble in Edmonton, Alberta. Lightning fell behind early and other late period goal, this time championship to go with a 2004 Tampa coach Jon Cooper said didn’t take their fi rst lead in the from Gourde, to tie it 3-3 with 66 title. he was especially pleased with game until the third period. seconds left in the second. “We have been a real resilient the way Point and his linemates Dallas defenceman John Tampa’s Killorn and Stars’ group,” said Tampa forward Alex played. Klingberg opened the scoring Pavelski traded goals in the Killorn. “Every time we have had “I don’t know if they were 7:17 into the fi rst with an unas- third to tie it 4-4. Killorn took a a challenge, we have been able to playing against us if we would be sisted goal. Klingberg broke in on shot from a bad angle that went step up.” able to defend it,” Cooper said. the Tampa defence and his fi rst straight in, while Pavelski’s angle Shattenkirk’s goal came on Joe Pavelski scored two goals shot attempt was blocked but shot at 11:35 defl ected off Shat- the power play as he fi red a wrist for Stars, who fi nally got some the puck bounced back onto his tenkirk and into his own net. shot through the legs of Dallas much needed off ence from their stick and he made no mistake on That set the stage for Shat- defenceman Jamie Oleksiak that top line of Jamie Benn and Tyler his second chance. tenkirk’s winner which came off beat goalie Anton Khudobin on Seguin. Benn had an assist and American Pavelski made it a suspect tripping call by the of- the stick side. It was the third Seguin fi nished with two assists. 2-0 by fi nishing off a two-on- fi cials on Benn. Benn got tangled power play goal of the game for They are the fi rst points of the one rush with teammate Benn up with Tyler Johnson in the Tampa and the third of the play- series for both players. with 92 seconds left in the fi rst. centre of the rink and the much off s for Shattenkirk had to have The Lightning were missing Point cut the lead to one goal bigger Benn outmuscled John- felt somewhat vindicated after Steven Stamkos in game four with 33 seconds left by execut- son who fell to the ice. the Stars’ game-tying fourth goal after their injured captain made ing a nifty move at high speed. “Jamie breathes on him and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (left) celebrates with defenseman Victor Hedman bounced off him into his own net. his postseason debut in game The goal was scored in the blink the guy falls over,” Pavelski said after scoring game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the overtime period in game four of the Brayden Point had two goals, three and scored a goal. Stamkos of an eye as it took just two long of Johnson. 2020 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place in Edmonton. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, September 27, 2020 SPORT

FOCUS PREVIEW On-a-roll Kings XI face confi dent Gill and Morgan Rajasthan Royals

IANS packed back early, experienced Sharjah Robin Uthappa and David Miller too fell cheaply. If Jofra Archer hadn’t smoked four maximums he K L Rahul-led Kings off the fi nal over, RR would have star in Kolkata win XI Punjab (KXIP) began surely not crossed the 200-run their IPL campaign on mark. Ta losing note but they Looking at KXIP’s immaculacy bounced back in grand style by in bowling attack, the RR batters outshining Royal Challengers need to be very watchful. Bangalore (RCB) in their second On the bowling front, bar- outing. Today, they will be up ring Archer, no other RR bowler against a confi dent Rajasthan looked in good shape. Leggie over Hyderabad Royals (RR), who are now better Rahul Tewatia was amongst the equipped with the return of Jos wickets after bagging three from ‘He’s good kid, very hungry to learn and I would love to bat with him once again’ Buttler along with mentor Shane his quota but was expensive like Warne. Jaydev Unadkat, Shreyas Gopal In their last game, Rahul and Tom Curran. single-handedly blew the Vi- Looking at KXIP, who are rat Kohli-led RCB away with his beaming high on confi dence, the unbeaten 132. Later, the Punjab RR bowlers need to deliver all the bowlers also rose to the occasion goods on Sunday night. and bundled out RCB for a paltry On paper, RR seem to have an 109, setting up a massive 97-run edge against their opponents. win. Looking at their record against The KXIP team management KXIP, RR have won 10 of their 19 will hope its players to replicate games. However, looking at Pun- the show against RR. However, jab’s recent performances, the the only headache for KXIP will Steve Smith-led side would need be the silence of Glenn Max- to dish out something special for well and Nicholas Pooran in the a win. middle-order and the team man- agement would likely try to make Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, some minor changes here. Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Punjab’s bowling, led by Mo- Andrew Tye, Kartik Tyagi, Steven hamed Shami, meanwhile, looks Smith (captain), Ankit Rajpoot, in good rhythm. In the spin de- Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewa- partment, youngster Ravi Bish- tia, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank noi and Murugan Ashwin were Markande, Mahipal Lomror, also clinical as they scalped Oshane Thomas, Riyan Parag, three wickets each against RCB. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anuj Rawat, KXIP head coach Anil Kumble’s Akash Singh, David Miller, strategy of going with two leg- Manan Vohra, Shashank Singh, spinners clicked on Thursday. Varun Aaron, Tom Curran, Robin However, it remains to be seen Uthappa, Aniruddha Joshi, Jofra whether Punjab will continue Archer with the combination or opt for a change against Royals. Kings XI Punjab: Lokesh Rahul Leaving the past behind, KXIP (captain), Harpreet Brar, Ishan bowlers would certainly not take Porel, Mandeep Singh, James the Rajasthan batters lightly, es- Neesham, Tajinder Singh, Chris pecially looking at their decent Jordan, Karun Nair, Deepak show against CSK on Tuesday Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep night. Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Mujeeb Ur Though Sanju Samson and Rahman, Sarfaraz Khan, Sheldon skipper Steve Smith had an Cottrell, Mayank Agarwal, outstanding time with the bat Mohammed Shami, Darshan against CSK, the rest of the RR Nalkande, Nicholas Pooran, batters were unimpressive. Chris Gayle, Murugan Ashwin, While young Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jagadeesha Suchith, Krishnappa Shubman Gill of Kolkata Knight Riders raises his bat after reaching his fifty against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Abu Dhabi yesterday. PICTURE: Sportzpics for BCCI who opened against CSK, failed Gowtham, Hardus Viljoen, Sim- to provide a solid start after being ran Singh Agencies next man to get out as Rashid line with two overs to spare. quick runs, got out in the 18th Kolkata’s Australian pace- Abu Dhabi Khan got him out LBW soon af- Earlier, after electing to bat, over as Andre Russell gave their man Pat Cummins returned ter KKR crossed their fi fty. SRH posted 142/4 on the board on third wicket. impressive figures of 1-19 from With KKR needing a big the back of Manish Pandey’s 51. Saha then perished in the fi nal his four overs to help keep Schutt, Gardner guide Australia to hubman Gill (70 n.o.) partnership, Eoin Morgan then KKR kept the things tight over as KKR managed to restrict down Hyderabad to 142 for T20 win over New Zealand and Eoin Morgan (42 joined Gill in the middle. in the powerplay. While Jonny SRH to 142/4. four. n.o.) starred as Kolkata While the duo did not play Bairstow managed to survive an Morgan heaped praise on Cummins — the most expen- Brisbane: Australia’s Megan got away to a sluggish start Knight Riders (KKR) se- too many big shots, they kept a caught-behind appeal, cour- young Indian opener Gill. sive foreign player for the 2020 Schutt took two vital wickets in in the face of some tight Kiwi curedS two points following their the scorecard ticking, with Gill tesy DRS, on the fi fth ball of the Gill top-scored with 70 off 62 season with a $2.17mn fee — got the closing stages as the world bowling. seven-wicket win over Sunrisers cashing in on every scoring op- 4th over, he departed on the next deliveries and the left-handed Jonny Bairstow bowled for fi ve champions beat New Zealand Beth Mooney holed out to mid- Hyderabad (SRH) in the eighth portunity, and made sure that delivery after Pat Cummins dis- Morgan hit the winning bound- and kept down the lid on Hy- by 17 runs in yesterday’s open- on in the second over before match of the Dream11 Indian KKR did not lose any wicket. turbed the timber. ary in his 29-ball 42 as Kolkata derabad scoring with an econo- ing T20 clash in Brisbane. the dangerous Alicia Healy fell Premier League (IPL) 2020 in In the 13th over, the stylish Pandey then welcomed Shiv- recorded their fi rst victory in my rate of 4.75. With the visitors closing in on in the fifth for just six with the Abu Dhabi yesterday. right-handed batsman brought am Mavi into the attack, hitting two matches. “Patty Cummins, as he does, Australia’s total of 138, Schutt score at 25-2. Needing 143 runs to win, KKR up his fi fty with a four as KKR a six in his fi rst over. But KKR “I didn’t have to tell Gill a (bowled) Test match line and claimed the vital wickets of When Lanning was caught be- lost Sunil Narine in the second moved closer to 100. largely managed to keep SRH in great deal to be honest, beauti- length,” said Warner, who made Katey Martin and Suzie Bates in hind with the score on 46, the over as David Warner held on Two overs later, Gill and Mor- check as Varun Chakravarthy ful to watch,” Morgan, England’s 36. the 18th over to leave the Kiwis visitors were in control. to a catch off Khaleel Ahmed’s gan completed fi fty-run stand. got his fi rst IPL wicket as he got limited-overs captain, said of struggling at 105-5. But Gardner took the game bowling. Nitish Rana and Gill, Morgan then hit a six and a four David Warner out, caught and his 21-year-old batting part- Brief Scores They were unable to regain mo- away from New Zealand with though, scored at a brisk pace, off Bhuvneshwar Kumar and bowled. ner who was named man of the mentum and the hosts eased to some impressive hitting. taking on the SRH pacers. Rashid respectively. Wriddhiman Saha then joined match. Kolkata Knight Riders 145/3 a comfortable win in their first Devine opened New Zealand’s However, their 21-ball 37-run While Gill, then hit a six off Pandey in the middle and the “Good bat swing, very languid (Shubman Gill 70*, Eoin Morgan match since winning the World batting and powered her way partnership was broken as T Na- Abhishek Sharma, Morgan, who two added 62 runs together to style, magnifi cent to watch. He’s 42*; Rashid Khan 1/25) beat Sun- Cup in March. to 29 until given out stumped in tarajan dismissed Rana after the scored an unbeaten 42, closed push KKR past 120. However, good kid, very hungry to learn risers Hyderabad 142/4 (Manish The Australians reached their a controversial decision by the left-hander had scored a quick- out the game, hitting a six and a Pandey, soon after bringing up and I would love to bat with him Pandey 51, David Warner 36; Pat total with the loss of six wickets TV umpire. fi re 26. Dinesh Karthik was the four to help KKR cross the fi nish his fi fty and looking to add some once again.” Cummins 1/19) by 7 wickets thanks to a superb 61 from Bates and Martin looked to Ash Gardner, who smashed six have got the New Zealand boundaries and cleared the chase back on track until BOTTOMLINE fence three times in 41 balls. Schutt’s crucial double break. “I thought we fought really “We’ve got to stay in the con- nicely, initially with the bat,” test for longer periods of time,” Australian captain Meg Lanning Devine said. said. “They got 10-20 runs more “Ash Gardner’s innings was than they should have and excellent to get us to a competi- we bowled poorly and fielded CSK in muddle with misfi ring tive total. poorly at times. “We thought we were in the “Same with the bat. We stayed game because there was a little in contact with them but then bit in the pitch.” let it slip.” After New Zealand captain The teams play two more T20s spinners, says coach Fleming Sophie Devine won the toss and before a three-match ODI se- sent Australia in, the home side ries, all at Allan Border Field. AFP keep shunting the order all over the sixth IPL edition and Shar- Dubai the pace is not our style.” ma eased into the role to help Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, the team clinch its fi rst title. one of the most successful The 33-year-old Sharma led Russian athletics body given 5-month hennai Super Kings captains in the Indian Premier by example with his high-scor- extension for anti-doping plan have struggled to get League, says he learnt the art of ing role as opener with Mumbai their lineup right and making teammates feel impor- winning three more IPL titles in Paris: Athletics’ global govern- participation in the Games. the team’s misfi ring tant from Australian great Ricky 2015, 2017 and 2019. ing body said yesterday it had Russia has been suspended from spinnersC have added to their Ponting. It was last year that Mumbai given the Russian federation an track and field since November woes after two successive Indi- The India opener has led IPL trumped three-time IPL cham- additional five months to produce 2015 after the World Anti-Doping an Premier League losses, team side Mumbai Indians to a record pions Chennai Super Kings, led a comprehensive plan to fight Agency (WADA) found evidence coach Stephen Fleming said. four titles after being appointed by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in doping and be reinstated to the of widespread drug use. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team Ponting’s successor in the 2013 the fi nal to emerge as one the sport or face expulsion. In 2018, the Russian federation went down to Delhi Capitals in season of the Twenty20 tourna- most successful T20 franchises World Athletics had originally submitted falsified documents to Dubai on Friday after managing ment. across the cricketing world. given the Russian federation justify the whereabouts of world just 131 for seven while chasing a “I want to make sure the 10 Sharma, who has played 224 (RUSAF) until the end of this indoor high jump champion target of 176. he added. vidual score chart with 173 runs. guys who are playing and the one-day internationals, 32 month to come up with the plan Danil Lysenko after the breached Fleming said spin bowlers Chawla claimed two and gave Dhoni was criticised earlier other players on the bench, I Tests and 108 T20 matches for but it has now set a new deadline anti-doping rules, leading to the Piyush Chawla and Ravindra away 33 runs from his four overs this week coming down the or- should be talking to them and the national side, believes in of March 1, 2021. eventual departure of senior Jadeja had been unable to exploit against Delhi while Jadeja went der in the side’s unsuccessful make them feel important,” giving youngsters freedom to World Athletics said it was grant- off icials. slow pitches after winning the wicketless as he leaked 44 runs. chase against Delhi. Sharma, who has also captained perform. ing Russia more time because World Athletics fined Russia season opener against Mumbai. Jadeja and Chawla’s combined “We seek to be a little clearer India in the absence of regular “Those players will come “RUSAF currently does not have $5mn plus costs of $1.31mn, which “It’s an area of concern be- eight overs cost 95 runs in the of what we are doing and per- skipper Virat Kohli, told India out good or will be at their best the resources available to pro- the federation paid in August, cause it is such a strength for team’s previous loss to Steve haps what we are missing is a Today TV. when they are not under pres- duce a detailed and appropriate but the global body also made CSK,” Fleming told reporters in a Smith’s Rajasthan Royals. bigger contribution at the top,” “And that is something that I sure,” said Sharma. plan for reinstatement”. its reinstatement conditional on virtual chat. Chennai’s batting has also said Fleming. learned from Ricky Ponting.” “When there is not too much The new deadline is less than the federation, now under new “The style of play that we disappointed, though South “We are trying to fi nd com- Ponting, currently coach of talking going on about them in five months before the start of leadership, setting out a roadmap have developed over the last 12 African veteran Faf du Plessis binations where we get the best Delhi Capitals, stepped down as the squad. They get to know all the Tokyo Olympics, raising fresh showing it has “a culture of zero years is heavily based on spin,” leads the tournament’s indi- players in at the right time. To captain of Mumbai midway into these things.” doubts about Russian athletes’ tolerance for doping”. Gulf Times Sunday, September 27, 2020 7 SPORT

MOTORCYCLING Rossi to ride for Yamaha’s satellite team in 2021

AFP Barcelona

alentino Rossi has signed a one-year contract extension with Yamaha which will see him move to the manufactur- er’sV satellite team for the 2021 season, the MotoGP outfi t announced yester- day. “Yamaha Motor Co Ltd is pleased to announce that it has signed a one-year renewal agreement with Grand Prix Monster Energy Yamaha’s Italian racing legend Valentino Rossi,” Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi (also right) in said in a statement. action during the third MotoGP free “The nine-time World Champion practice in Montmelo, on the will be participating in the 2021 Mo- outskirts of Barcelona, yesterday. toGP World Championship as a fully supported Factory Yamaha rider for the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing in 2021 and to do it with the PETRONAS for the Yamaha-SRT team. Team.” Yamaha Sepang Racing Team,” Rossi Quartararo will take Rossi’s place at Considered one of the greatest mo- said in a statement. Yamaha’s factory team next season af- torcyclists of all time, the 41-year-old “In the fi rst half of the year I made my ter agreeing the move back in January, has won the MotoGP championship choice and I talked with Yamaha, who which had prompted questions about seven times, with four of those titles agreed with me. They told me even if Rossi’s future in the sport. coming with Yamaha. there was no place for me in the Factory At Yahama-SRT Rossi will ride The Italian holds records for MotoGP Team, the factory bike and the factory alongside compatriot Franco Morbidel- and 500cc wins (89) but he hasn’t won support were guaranteed.” li, one of the dozen or so racers he helps an elite class race for three years. Rossi currently rides for Yamaha’s to train for MotoGP at his ‘VR46 Acad- He dominated the sport in the fi rst factory team alongside Maverick Vinal- emy’, based near he Misano-Adriatico decade of the century but has been re- es but is currently ninth in the overall circuit which hosted last weekend’s placed as the sport’s number one rider standings, 26 points behind champi- Emilia-Romagna GP. by six-time MotoGP champion Marc onship leader and fellow Italian And- Another of his academy stars is his Marquez. Rossi fi nished last season in rea Dovizioso. Spaniard Vinales is one maternal half-brother Luca Marini, seventh place. point behind Dovizioso, level on 83 with who leads the second-tier Moto2 rank- “I am very happy to continue riding Frenchman Fabio Quartararo who rides ings heading into race day today.

FORMULA 1 SPOTLIGHT Morbidelli grabs maiden pole as Hamilton on pole Yamaha dominate in Russia, targets Schumacher mark ‘It’s nice being on pole but probably here is the worst place to be on pole...’

Reuters Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Italian rider Franco Morbidelli celebrates his Sochi first position after the MotoGP qualifying session of the Moto Grand Prix de Catalunya in Barcelona yesterday.

ormula One champi- Reuters chequered fl ag came out but was onship leader Lewis Barcelona unable to improve on his sec- Hamilton roared back ond-place fi nish. from qualifying drama Italian great Valentino Rossi, Fat the Russian Grand Prix yes- talian rider Franco Mor- who committed his future to terday to put his Mercedes on bidelli claimed his maiden Petronas Yamaha for the 2021 pole position for what could be MotoGP pole position at the season earlier on Saturday, fi n- a record-equalling 91st victory. ICatalunya Grand Prix yes- ished third on his factory Yama- Red Bull’s Max Verstappen terday as Yamaha bikes secured ha bike to seal a front-row posi- seized second place on the the entire front row for today’s tion for the fi rst time this season. starting grid for the race in So- race in Barcelona. “It’s a really great result to be chi, with Hamilton’s team mate Mercedes’ Lewis Petronas Yamaha rider Mor- in the front row, especially today and closest title rival Valt- Hamilton celebrates bidelli powered through the fi nal which is special because I signed teri Bottas having to settle for winning pole sector at Circuit de Catalunya a contract for next year,” nine- third. position in Sochi to deliver a scorching lap of one times world champion Rossi Hamilton, who has a yesterday. minute 38.798 seconds, edging said. 55-point lead over Bottas in the out team mate Fabio Quartararo. Championship leader Andrea championship, will equal Fer- “To beat Fabio in a hot lap is Dovizioso’s diffi cult run in qual- rari great Michael Schumach- always great which means you’re ifying sessions this season con- er’s all-time win record if he very, very fast,” said Morbidelli, tinued as the Ducati rider failed takes his seventh victory of the who is fi fth in the world champi- to qualify for Q2. He will start season today. onship standings. today’s race 17th on the grid. The pole was the 96th of the “I was feeling great with the The fi rst seven rounds of the six-times champion’s career bike and tomorrow we’ll try to Covid-hit season have pro- but he ended the session facing make a good race as well.” duced six diff erent winners, with a stewards’ enquiry for not re- Early pace-setter Quartararo Quartararo taking the opening turning to the track correctly at went for one fi nal attempt as the two races in Jerez, Spain. turn two during the fi rst phase of qualifying. The Briton also came within FEI suspends UAE from all international events a whisker of not making it into the top 10. London: The United Arab Emir- competitions was to avoid the “It was one of the worst ates (UAE) was suspended by application of the new endur- qualifying sessions, it was hor- who starts on soft tyres. world equestrian’s governing ance rules that were scheduled rible,” said Hamilton, waving Mick Schumacher boosts F1 prospects with Sochi win “I’m going to stay positive, body (FEI) yesterday for staging to take eff ect as of Jan 1, 2020. to the fi rst proper crowd of the try and fi gure out how I can two international endurance The UAE national federation season after a string of races Sochi: Mick Schumacher, the 21-year-old son of “We have worked hard as a team and improved, navigate my way through.” competitions as national events must also pay a percentage of behind closed doors due to seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, and this is now paying off .” Mexican Sergio Perez starts in an attempt to circumvent organising dues that would have Covid-19. improved his hopes of landing a seat in Formula The Swiss-based Alfa Romeo team is expected fourth for Racing Point with new rules. The ban will see the gone to the FEI had the events “You know, heart in your One next year when he won the Sochi Formula to give Schumacher a practice run in one of their Australian Daniel Ricciardo in UAE suspended across all FEI been staged as international mouth the whole way.” Two feature race from third on the grid yesterday. cars at next month’s Eifel Grand Prix at the Nur- fi fth place for Renault and Car- disciplines until the new year and competitions, FEI legal costs as The Briton was 15th and still His victory extended his lead in the F2 drivers’ burgring before confirming its 2021 line-up. los Sainz sixth for McLaren. endurance competitions through well as a financial sanction that without a lap time on the board title race ahead of British driver Callum Ilott and If he impresses he could be in the running for Neither Ferrari driver made March 31, 2021. will have a percentage of the when the second phase of the endorsed Schumacher junior’s position as a Antonio Giovinazzi’s seat. it into the top 10 with Charles The UAE has 21 days to appeal prize money go to the world session was halted after Sebas- contender to claim a seat with Alfa Romeo next The Italian’s future remains undecided and he Leclerc, last year’s pole sitter, the decision. governing body. tian Vettel crashed his Ferrari season. may have to compete not only with Schumacher qualifying 11th and Vettel 15th It marks the second time in five “It is extremely disheartening and spread debris across the “The race could not have gone better. The start but several other Ferrari academy proteges as and one place behind Williams’ years the UAE has been sanc- that we are tackling similar track. was good, the pit stop very fast, the balance of well as the experienced Mexican Sergio Perez George Russell. tioned by FEI. issues in 2020 and that we have The clock showed two min- the car, excellent,” said Schumacher, who also and German Nico Hulkenberg. “I lost the car in turn two. In 2015, the UAE was suspended had to revert to the suspension utes and 15 seconds to go. claimed a F2 win at Monza three weeks ago. Whoever is picked will be teammate to Kimi Then in turn four lost it again,” over endurance horse welfare of the National Federation,” said Hamilton had to use all his “We now have consistency, we’re getting po- Raikkonen. The 40-year-old 2007 champion is said Vettel, who was unhurt. issues. An independent investi- FEI president Ingmar De Vos in experience to stay calm in the diums and lots of points — that’s how you win reported to have agreed to re-sign for another “I was struggling, especially gation found that two national a statement. “However, the UAE garage and then complete a championships in the end. season by Swiss news outlet Blick yesterday. in the fi rst sector. I tried to take endurance events in January and National Federation’s clear intent quick lap and secure his place a little bit more risk.” February, the Sheikh Mohammed to avoid the application of the in the fi nal top-10 shootout Russia’s only representative Cup and The President’s Cup, far new Rules at the biggest events once the pit lane reopened. He proceeded to smash the the end with a 1:31.867 eff ort “I’m most likely to get on the grid, AlphaTauri’s Daniil exceeded the quota of foreign in their calendar was reflected in Job done, going fourth fast- track record with a blistering – still more than half a second dragged past tomorrow. Kvyat, starts 12th. riders permitted for national their actions around these two est after reaching the line with lap of one minute 31.304 sec- slower than Hamilton. Both the cars I’m racing Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikko- competitions and should been events and, as a community, we just over a second to spare and onds. “It’s nice being on pole but against are on the medium to- nen lines up last on the grid in held as international events. cannot allow individual NFs to being told to muscle his way Verstappen, who has retired probably here is the worst place morrow so that’s defi nitely go- what will be a record-equalling FEI determined the reason for re- apply the rules only as and when through, the pressure dis- from his last two races, pushed to be on pole, with the draggier ing to make it hard to win the 322nd start for the 2007 world classifying the events as national it suits them.” solved. Bottas off the front row right at cars this year,” said Hamilton. race,” added the champion, champion.

Sunday, September 27, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Paris all set for Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe By Sports Reporter be held at St. Cloud on October 2. The entry list for the 2,000m Doha There are 18 colts in the entry fi llies race includes Sheikh Mo- list of the boys’ races, including hamed’s Artemis and Min’ha, Al His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Shaqab Racing’s Ajaweed, Alma- he Covid-19 pandemic bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Abbes and jdah, Meethag, Ryme Al Cham has negatively impacted Sir Monlau, His Highness Sheikh and Um Taj, Sheail bin Khalifa al- sporting events world- Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Kuwari’s Lady Princess, winner wide. However, global Alsaher and Asiak, Al Shaqab of the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Thorse racing events associated Racing’s Alhafar, Emberator and Pouliches (Gr1 PA) last year, and with Qatar are still in place in Hazzam, and Abdullah bin Fahad Mohamed bin Fahad al-Attiyah’s more than one European country. al-Attiyah’s Munir Du Soleil. Miss Boum Al Maury. Following the Qatar Goodwood The young ladies’ race has nine Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 Festival in late July and early Au- entries, including Al Shaqab Rac- PA) will be run over 2,000m as gust this year, and the Arc Trials ing’s Alawsj, Alkedri and Jalela, well, but for four-year-old and at ParisLongchamp two weeks end will be on October 3-4 with and Ali bin Hamad al-Attiyah’s older horses. The entry list is ago, the time has come for the 17 races, including ten Group 1 My Belle Du Soleil. studded with world-class stars, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe races on the cards, featuring the As part of Qatar Racing and including Sheikh Abdullah’s weekend at in continuation of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Equestrian Club’s (QREC) vi- Tayf, Sheikh Mohamed’s Ebraz, Qatar’s sponsorship since 2008. and the Qatar Arabian World Cup sion to promote Qatar as a leader the Doha Triple Crown cham- The event will be staged with on the second day. in the pure Arabian breed, the pion who will return to defend precautionary and preventive However, two associated Ara- weekend involves other two races his title, and Al Shaqab Rac- measures to ensure the safety of bian races — he Qatar Arabian for Purebred Arabians at Paris- ing’s Khataab, Snan and Zalej Al everyone at ParisLonchamp, and Trophy des Poulains (Gr1 PA) for Longchamp —t he Qatar Arabian Cham. will be broadcast worldwide on a three-year-old colts and the Qa- Trophy des Juments (Gr1 PA) for Can Ebraz do a repeat of his larger scale this year. tar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches four-year-old fi llies on Saturday stunning victory from last year? The 2020 renewal of the Qatar (Gr1 PA) for three-year-old fi l- and Qatar Arabian World Cup ParisLongchamp will have the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe week- lies, both run over 2,000m — will (Gr1 PA) on Sunday. In this October 6, 2019, picture, Maxime Guyon (left) rides Ebraz to Qatar Arabian World Cup victory. answer on October 4.

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT QREC Renaissance Serena ‘not at 100 Stakes goes to Ventura Rebel

Agencies Eleven lined up in the Qatar Curragh, Ireland Racing and Equestrian Club- sponsored race and Ventura Rebel, who was wearing cheek- percent’ in hunt he Qatar Racing and pieces for the fi rst time, sat Equestrian Club Renais- handily on the near side, with sance Stakes, a Group the runners spread out across the 3 race over 1,200m for track. Tthree-year-olds and up, took They began racing early and place at the Curragh yesterday. Ventura Rebel, under Declan The race was won by the Brit- McDonogh, pulled into the lead ish raider Ventura Rebel, who is in the fi nal 100 metres. He held for Slam record trained by Richard Fahey. The of Forever In Dreams by half-a- three-year-old colt, who is by length to win this prestigious She has not gone beyond last 16 in Paris since her 2016 final defeat to Muguruza speedy sire Pastoral Pursuits and prize. Joint-favourite Sum- out of the Firebreak mare Final- merghand came in third. AFP Williams initially indicated ize, had previously fi nished third Ventura Rebel was a £28,000 Paris, France she would prefer to stay in pri- in the Group 1 Commonwealth yearling at the Tattersalls Ascot vate accommodation while Cup at Royal Ascot this summer. Yearling Sale, bought by Fred- competing at the French Open, This was his fi rst win at Group erico Barberini from Bearstone erena Williams admit- but organisers insisted that all level and his fi rst win as a 3-year- Stud. He was bred by Crossfi elds ted she was still feel- players stay in tournament ho- old having won twice at 2. Bloodstock. ing the lingering eff ects tels to reduce the risks from of an Achilles problem coronavirus. yesterdayS but said it would not “It’s defi nitely weird. This derail her protracted pursuit of has always been my home away a record-equalling 24th Grand from home. I always loved being Slam at the French Open. here. It has been really diff erent The American is a three-time for me staying at an apartment,” winner at Roland Garros but re- said Williams, who plays com- mains one major triumph short patriot Kristie Ahn in a repeat of of Margaret Court’s all-time mark their US Open fi rst-round en- after losing in the semi-fi nals of counter. the US Open earlier this month. “It was really important to do She has yet to play on clay this everything that I could to just season and withdrew from the create my own personal bubble, Italian Open in Rome last week just to stay in it, a travel bubble, due to a left Achilles tendon in- like everything that I can pos- jury sustained in New York. sibly do we kind of do. It works. “I didn’t play any tune-ups, It defi nitely beats staying at which is really rare. But this home.” whole year has been really rare,” The rescheduled tournament, said Williams. pushed back four months due Declan McDonogh (left) rides Ventura Rebel to victory in the Qatar “After New York I fl ew to In this September 7, 2020, picture, Serena Williams of the United States celebrates winning her US Open to the Covid-19 outbreak, will Racing and Equestrian Club Renaissance Stakes. (Curragh Racecourse) France and I’ve just been train- fourth round match against Maria Sakkari (not pictured) of Greece at the USTA Billie Jean King National begin in wet and blustery condi- ing at (coach Patrick Moura- Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. (AFP) tions with temperatures at 16C toglou’s) academy, mostly re- (60F) accompanied by winds of FOCUS habbing, trying to be ready. Williams turned 39 yesterday But yeah I don’t know when the 2017 Australian Open while up to 60kph. “I wouldn’t be playing if I and is appearing at Roland Gar- it’s going to stop for me. I just in the early stages of pregnancy. “I hate the cold. I’m from LA didn’t think I could perform,” ros for the 18th time. She made have fun. When I feel it’s over, Since giving birth to baby Olym- and I live in Florida. For half my she added. her tournament debut in 1998, it’s over,” Williams said. “But I pia, she has reached four fi nals in life I’ve never seen snow. Cold Svitolina battles past “I’m not at 100 percent phys- losing to eventual champion could have guaranteed and pret- nine attempts without being able weather and me do not mix. ically. But I don’t know any ath- Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the ty much bet my life that I would to land that elusive 24th major. That’s my Achilles heel,” joked lete that ever plays physically fourth round. not have been playing at 39.” She has not gone beyond the Williams. “But I’m dealing with Rybakina to claim when they’re feeling perfect. “I honestly never thought last 16 in Paris since her defeat it. I’m having a positive attitude That’s just something I think as I would be playing at my age. ‘HOME AWAY FROM HOME’ to Garbine Muguruza in the 2016 about it.” athletes we have to play with.” I mean, I don’t quite look 39. Her last Grand Slam title came at fi nal. Strasbourg title

Reuters tolina responded in the opening BOTTOMLINE Bengaluru, India game of the decider by saving four Rublev break points before racing away reaches third with the fi nal four games to seal orld number fi ve victory in just under two hours. US Open ball incident won’t change way I fi nal of 2020 Elina Svitolina “The (points saved) really gave in Hamburg held off a spirited me confi dence to come back in challenge from Ele- the match. It gave me hope and Wna Rybakina to lift the Strasbourg a better feel after a one-sided deal with emotions, says Djokovic Russia’s Andrey Rublev reached his third final this International title with a 6-4, second set,” Svitolina told a news Reuters Djokovic. year with a 6-4, 6-2 win 1-6, 6-2 win yesterday. conference. Paris, France “Tht’s something that is ob- over Norway’s Casper Second seed Svitolina, the “The conditions were not viously staying in my mind af- Ruud yesterday at Ham- 2010 French Open junior cham- easy but you have to adjust really ter what happened in New York. burg’s ATP tournament pion, will return to Roland Gar- quickly. It was important for me ovak Djokovic said It’s going to stay there for a long to set up a showdown ros next week on the back of her to come out and play my game. he will not let the ball time. Of course, I will make sure with Greece’s Stefanos fi fth claycourt triumph in as “I didn’t play in the US Open incident that caused I don’t make the same mistake Tsitsipas. The 22-year-old many fi nals. so it was important to play a his US Open disquali- twice.” Rublev, ranked 14th in In chilly conditions, the few matches here. Hopefully I Nfi cation aff ect the way he man- For the 33-year-old, who is Ukrainian fended off eight of the can recover quickly for my fi rst the world and fifth seed ages his emotions on court as he a follower of meditation, get- in Hamburg, earned his 10 break points faced in a hard- match in Paris on Monday.” makes his Grand Slam return at ting over what happened in New 24th match win this year fought encounter and made only Svitolina, chasing her maiden Roland Garros. York is an inner process. in just 85 minutes of his 23 unforced errors in comparison Grand Slam title, will meet Rus- The Serbian, disqualifi ed in “I try to keep my negative re- semi-final. Only world to Rybakina’s 34. sian Varvara Gracheva in the fi rst New York after accidentally actions on the court as few as number one Novak After losing the second set, Svi- round of the French Open. hitting a line judge with a ball, possible. But I guess it happens Djokovic, whose record bounced back by winning the life, that’s sport. These things York. I did not feel any kind of as well. I’m not going to be down is 31-1, has won more this title at the Italian Open, where can happen,” Djokovic, who is emotional disturbance or diffi - on myself because of that. I also season. Rublev, beaten in his temper got the better of him chasing an 18th Grand Slam culty to actually be able to play try to kind of accept it and for- last year’s final by Geor- as he smashed a racket in his singles title at the French Open, or still express my emotions in give myself for what happened gia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili, quarter-fi nal match. told a news conference yester- whatever way.” and move on,” he said. will today meet second- While he said he would be day. However, the world number “I really want to be my best seed Tsitsipas, who beat more careful and that the US in- “But I don’t think that this one said he would not soon for- version as a player, as a human Chile’s Cristian Garin 7-5, cident had left a scar, Djokovic will have any signifi cant nega- get what happened in New York being on the court, and win a 3-6, 6-4 in the other semi- added that he will not rein him- tive impact on how I feel on the and that will aff ect his behav- tennis match. Because of the final. Rublev started 2020 self in when it comes to showing tennis court. iour. care that I have for that, I some- by winning his first two his emotions on court. “I mean, I won the tourna- “Obviously I am going to be times express my emotions in tournaments in Doha and “Of course, it was a shock for ment in Rome just a week later extra careful of hitting a tennis a good way or maybe less good Adelaide. me and a lot of people. But that’s after what happened in New ball around the court,” added way.”