FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 BBASEBALLASEBALL | Page 5 Swaggering Astros Spurs return crowned to European World Series big time champs

Friday, November 3, 2017 CRICKET Safar 14, 1439 AH Australia GULF TIMES skipper Smith out to re-open England’s ‘scars’ SPORT Page 6 SQUASH/QATAR CLASSIC Momen to take on El Shorbagy in fi nal

By Sports Reporter nothing is off the table. I’m in the Doha fi nal and I’ll give it my all and con- tinue to believe in myself.” Earlier in the day, two-time gypt’s Tarek Momen entered champion Mohamed El Shor- his maiden World Series fi - bagy defeated World No 1 Gregory nal to set up an all-Egyptian Gaultier of France 3-0 to enter the Qatar Classic title clash fi nal for a fourth consecutive year. againstE two-time champion Mo- El Shorbagy, who lost to Karim Ab- hamed El Shorbagy yesterday. del Gawad twelve months ago in the World No.7 Momen produced fi nal, and Gaultier were meeting for a stellar performance at the Kha- the 21st time in what is one of the lifa International Tennis and Squash fi ercest rivalries of the modern era Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and Qatar’s ambassador to Germany Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani with International Complex to defeat Germany’s giant but, after coming through a spell- Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in Prague yesterday. HE Sheikh Joaan attended various meetings of the ANOC General Assembly in the Czech capital. killer Simon Rosner 3-0 in the semi- binding opening game, it was the fi nal, their sixth meeting on the PSA 26-year-old from Alexandria who World Tour. prevailed to end the Frenchman’s SPOTLIGHT “I’m really happy, I can’t believe 30-match unbeaten run over a best- I’m in my fi rst World Series fi nal – of-fi ve games format. it’s amazing,” Momen said. El Shorbagy, who showed little Momen kept his nerve on the big tiredness after a brutal fi ve-game stage, coming out fi ring in the early clash with Ali Farag the day before, stages to pile the pressure on the attacked with intensity from the off German No 1, profi ting from a series to avenge his defeat to Gaultier at the of unforced errors to take the open- Tournament of Champions in New ing game and set up the foundations York in January. Barshim named for an 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 victory. “I’m really happy to be back in the Rosner, who defeated third seed fi nal here, it’s where I won my fi rst Marwan El Shorbag and World ever World Series and to be back in Champion Karim Abdel Gawad in my fourth consecutive fi nal is an the quarter-fi nal and second round, honour,” said El Shorbagy. respectively, was off colour yester- “He made a fool of me in that day. match in New York and I thought Momen, who had defeated com- about it all summer – it motivated best Asian athlete patriot Mohamed Abouelghar, Aus- me to get back to my best in the off tralia’s Cameron Pilley and Eng- season and I really wanted to go out land’s three-time world champion there today and beat him 3-0,” the Nick Matthew in the tournament, 26-year-old, who is aiming for his said he was spurred on by the sup- third title in Doha, said. portive crowd. “Without the way that he beat me “I think I had a physiological edge at the ToC that day, I wouldn’t be as – with the crowd supporting me and hungry as I am now. I had a bad sea- at ANOC Awards having been in a semi-fi nal before son by my standard last year but I – and I took advantage of it. Ear- feel like I’m better every tournament By Our Correspondent lier this season I wasn’t in the zone and every match this season so far Prague mentally but I knew I wasn’t far off and I’m really pleased to be compet- and fi nally it materialised this week,” ing for the title here once again,” the Momen said. 2013 and 2015 champion said. he accolades just keep pour- “I was on court and I didn’t think ing in for Mutaz Barshim. I would get this emotional,” the RESULTS (SEMI-FINALS) Barely a month after be- 29-year-old said with tears in his [3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Ting nominated for the IAAF’s eyes. [1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 3-0: 14-12, Athlete of the Year Award, the Qa- “I have been waiting for this mo- 11-9, 11-1 (55m) tar high jumper, who swept aside all ment for so long but I’m not done [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Simon competition this past season, was de- here so I don’t know why I’m crying Rösner (GER) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 clared the Best Male Athlete from Asia – it’s not over! (40m) at the annual ANOC (Association of Talking about the fi nal he said, FINAL National Olympic Committees) gala “I’ve had some huge matches [3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) v annual awards in Prague yesterday. against Mohamed before and I have [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) The two-time Olympic medallist won against him as well so I know and 2017 IAAF world champion ac- cepted the award from pole vault leg- end Sergey Bubka on the opening day of the ANOC general assembly, the largest meeting of the Olympic move- ment outside the Olympic Games. Mutaz Essa Barshim receiving his Best Male Athlete from Asia trophy from pole vault legend Sergey Bubka in Prague “First of all I am very happy to yesterday. At right, Barshim with his coach Stanislaw Szczyrba. be here and to win this award,” said Barshim. “I thank my family, espe- which took place this year, and submit and rarely looked like dislodging the ba is of the opinion that Barshim’s best cially my mother, and my team for a shortlist to the jury. bar with his elegant run-up and leap. is yet to come. keeping me going,” he added. Barshim The ANOC Jury comprised of repre- With the gold medal duly secured “The best age for a high jumper is also singled out his coach Stanislaw sentatives from each of the Continen- he went agonisingly close to clearing 28, 29, 30. So he is on his way to the Szczyrba, crediting him for his suc- tal Associations, the ANOC Athletes’ 2.40 but there was no disappointment top. He is physically and mentally cess as an athlete. Commission Chair, ASOIF President, and the 26-year-old can target a crack stronger now,” the coach had said last Qatar Olympic Committee Presi- AIOWF President and ANOC Secre- at the world record on home soil when month. dent HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al- tary-General. Doha hosts the next World Champi- Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to Germa- Barshim was unbeaten last season, onships in 2019. ANOC Awards list: ny and former QOC Secretary-General sweeping all Diamond League com- “My fi rst big world championships Asia Best Female Athlete: Song Yu, China (Judo) Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al- petitions before being crowned world gold and I was so determined to win Best Male Athlete: Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar Thani were present on the occasion. champion in London where he won it,” Barshim said then. “I was expect- (High Jump) The ANOC Awards were established the the global high jump title with a ing it tonight so I am glad I managed Africa by ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad al- leap of 2.35 metres. to fulfi l my target,” Barshim had said Best Female Athlete: Farida Osman, Egypt (Swimming) Fahad al-Sabah and held for the fi rst The 26-year-old, whose 2.43m best after his London success. Best Male Athlete: Chad Le Clos, South Africa time in Bangkok in 2014. is the second-highest in history after Later, he told Gulf Times, “It (Swimming) The winners of each award were se- Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s 2.45 set al- was very important (to go past that America lected by the ANOC Jury from a short- most a quarter of a century ago, has Sotomayor barrier). It will give me an Best Female Athlete: Yulimar Rojas, Venezuela list provided by each of the continental won silver and bronze at the last two extra push the next time I line up to (Triple Jump) Best Male Athlete: Trinidad and Tobago associations. Continental associations Olympics and silver in the 2013 World write more history. I want my name 4x400m relay team were asked to monitor athletes’ per- Championships. to be mentioned at the mere mention Europe formances across the international At the London World Champion- of high jump. And that will only hap- Best Female Athlete: Sarah Sjostrom, Swe- federations’ World Championships, ships, he blew away the opposition. He pen by quality jumps and by breaking den (Swimming) Best Male Athlete: Marcel Hirscher, Austria World Cups and Grand Prix events qualifi ed without a single failed jump records.” His coach Stanislaw Szczyr- (Alpine Skiing) Title clash: Tarek Momen (L) and Mohamed El Shorbagy. Gulf Times 2 Friday, November 3, 2017 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOCUS What’s going wrong at Chelsea? Spurs stun Real 3-1, sacked. “What’s gone wrong AFP London for Chelsea? One word: Matic,” Neville told BBC radio. “It’s as simple as that. The ntonio Conte’s Chel- minute they sold Nemanja sea turned the Pre- Matic was a mistake. mier League title race “When you had Matic sat into a procession in in front of you, alongside join City in quarters hisA fi rst season, but worry- (N’Golo) Kante, there was pro- ing cracks are appearing that tection. Whoever made that threaten to fatally undermine decision needs sacking. That ‘We don’t want to just compete with these teams – we want to beat them. the current campaign. is one of the poorest decisions The Stamford Bridge club I have ever seen in the Premier I’m happy to get two goals, but more importantly it was a win’ accrued 93 points – the sec- League.” ond-highest tally in the Pre- Conte has also been ham- mier League era – to fi nish pered by injuries to key play- seven points clear of nearest ers. Last season’s player of the challengers Tottenham Hotspur year Eden Hazard missed the and a whopping 15 ahead of fi rst few weeks of the season, Manchester City in 2016-2017. while Kante has not featured But this term they are nine for the club in October. Right points adrift of pacesetters wing-back Victor Moses, who Manchester City, with three impressed last season, has also defeats already – they only missed matches. suff ered fi ve losses in the whole of last season. European distractions Now the 2012 European Last season Chelsea had no champions are licking their European commitments after wounds after an embarrassing fi nishing a lowly 10th in the 3-0 Champions League pum- table in 2015-16, meaning they melling by Roma. could focus all their attention So what’s gone wrong? on the Premier League, with ample time to rest between Lack of signings matches. Spain striker Alvaro Morata Despite their damaging was Chelsea’s marquee sign- 3-0 defeat away to Roma on ing in the summer transfer Tuesday, they still look poised window, joining alongside to qualify from Group C, but midfi elders Tiemoue Bakayoko their continental exertions are and Danny Drinkwater and de- putting a strain on Conte’s thin fenders Antonio Rudiger and squad. Davide Zappacosta. “Roma proved to have more But moves for several tar- hunger, more desire, more gets failed to come off . Eng- will to fi ght and to beat us. land midfi elder Alex Ox- We lacked everything,” Conte lade-Chamberlain opted for complained after a Chelsea Liverpool and Spanish striker display scarred by some ca- Fernando Llorente elected to lamitous defending. move to London rivals Totten- “We must fi nd the hunger ham, while Ross Barkley stayed we showed all of last season at Everton. and sometimes this season. Perhaps most gallingly of all, But this season has been up striker Romelu Lukaku chose and down. We need to fi nd Manchester United over a re- consistency.” turn to his former club. Conte expressed his frustra- Unrest? tion at Chelsea’s failure to land Reports have emerged of some of his top transfer tar- players becoming unhappy gets, but made clear he had no with a tough training regime intention of walking out. and Conte has admitted his “I’m a coach, not a manager squad is struggling to cope – the best of my work is on the with the demands of defend- pitch,” he said. “Then, for sure, ing the Premier League title when you want to strengthen and competing in Europe. your squad, you have to give But in an angry outburst last your opinion to the club. week, he described reports of “They go to the market to try unrest at the club as “bullshit”. to help us. Sometimes it’s pos- The Italian denied his reign sible, sometimes it’s not.” has been undermined by play- ers texting his former assist- Matic mistake? ant Steve Holland to complain Chelsea have been widely of his training methods and criticised for allowing defen- rejected a story that he will Tottenham’s Dele Alli celebrates scoring his second goal against Real Madrid during their Champions League match in London. (Reuters) sive midfi elder Nemanja Matic not see out the remaining 20 to join former boss Jose Mour- months of his contract. AFP ter-attack on 65 minutes, before the bar. A Jorginho penalty re- to give them the lead. Can 64, Sturridge 90) Maribor inho at Manchester United. “Around us there (is) a lot of Paris Real reduced the defi cit late on stored parity again, but Sergio James Milner then saw his (SLO) 0 Despite a strong-looking bullshit. This is true. If I look as Ronaldo scored his sixth goal Aguero made it 3-2 and Raheem penalty tipped onto the post but At Seville, Spain midfi eld roster that includes at the past, I see it happened in the competition this season. Sterling completed the scoring. he set up Emre Can to double Sevilla (ESP) 2 (Lenglet 30, Bakayoko, Cesc Fabregas and the same with the other (Chel- rilliant Tottenham Hot- This was Real’s fi rst group- Aguero’s strike allowed him to Liverpool’s lead before substi- Banega 59) Spartak Moscow N’Golo Kante, Matic’s loss has sea) managers. A lot of bulls- spur took Real Madrid stage defeat in fi ve years and, become City’s all-time leading tute Daniel Sturridge completed (RUS) 1 (Ze Luis 78) been felt, particularly given that hit,” said Conte. apart in a 3-1 win over following a shock La Liga loss at scorer on 178 goals, passing the the scoring. Liverpool are a point Kante has missed a chunk of fi x- “They try to create problems the reigning champions Girona at the weekend, the pres- old mark of 177 set by Eric Brook clear of Sevilla, who beat Spartak Group F tures with a hamstring injury. between me, the club and the onB Wednesday as they clinched sure is building on coach Zined- in the 1930s. Moscow 2-1 in Spain, Clement At Naples, Italy Former England and Man- players. If someone is happy to their place in the Champions ine Zidane. “What he has achieved has Lenglet and Ever Banega with Napoli (ITA) 2 (Insigne 21, Jorgin- chester United defender Phil continue to write this, I answer League last 16 along with Man- Nevertheless, a win at APOEL made him a legend, he’s gone their goals before Ze Luis pulled ho 62-pen) Manchester City Neville, speaking after the very well in the past. I am an- chester City. later this month will do for the down in history, so I would tell one back. (ENG) 4 (Otamendi 34, Stones Roma defeat, said whoever de- swering very well about these Dele Alli starred with a brace 12-time champions to qualify af- him to enjoy,” said City coach Earlier, Besiktas missed a 48, Aguero 69, Sterling 90+2) cided to sell Matic should be diff erent issues.” for Tottenham with Christian ter the Cypriot side held Borus- Pep Guardiola of Aguero, the chance to secure their place in At Kharkiv, Ukraine Eriksen also scoring before Cris- sia Dortmund 1-1 in Germany. former son-in-law of Argentina the last 16 as they drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 3 tiano Ronaldo’s late consolation. Raphael Guerreiro gave Dort- and Napoli great Diego Marado- Monaco in Istanbul, Cenk To- (Ferreyra 15, Marlos 17, 68) Fey- The result ensured that mund a fi rst-half lead but they na. Shakhtar Donetsk need just a sun’s penalty cancelling out the enoord (NED) 1 (Jorgensen 13) Mauricio Pochettino’s side are are still looking for a win in Eu- draw in Naples in three weeks to opener from Rony Lopes. through from Group H with two rope this season after Mickael go through too after beating Fey- The Turkish champions would Group G games to spare, while Real will Pote levelled for APOEL on 51 enoord 3-1. have been through with a win At Istanbul, Turkey have to wait to join them. minutes. Nicolai Jorgensen headed the but will now hope for a draw at Besiktas 1 (Cenk Tosun 54-pen) “We don’t want to just com- Dutch champions into the lead home to second-placed Porto to Monaco 1 (Lopes 45+1) pete with these teams – we want Aguero breaks City record in Kharkiv only for Facundo Fer- qualify next time out. At Porto, Portugal to beat them. I’m happy to get Manchester City contin- reyra to equalise. Porto beat RB Leipzig 3-1 in Porto (POR) 3 (Herrera 13, two goals, but more importantly ued their sensational form as Marlos, the Brazil-born Portugal, with Hector Herrera, Pereira 61, Maxi Pereira 90+3) it was a win,” Alli told BT Sport. they saw off Napoli 4-2 in Italy Ukraine international, then Danilo Pereira and Maxi Perei- RB Leipzig (GER) 1 (Werner 48) Tottenham profi ted from an to make it four wins from four scored twice to secure the victo- ra scoring their goals as Timo offi ciating error to go in front in Group F and advance to the ry as Feyenoord are eliminated. Werner replied for the Germans. Group H on 27 minutes as Kieran Trip- knockout phase for the fi fth sea- Meanwhile Liverpool moved Monaco, semi-fi nalists last At Dortmund, Germany pier should have been fl agged son running. clear at the top of Group E with a season, are bottom and look un- Borussia Dortmund (GER) 1 off side before he crossed for Alli Lorenzo Insigne put the Se- comfortable 3-0 win over Mari- likely to make it through. (Guerreiro 29) APOEL Nicosia to score. Alli netted again on 56 rie A leaders in front, but Nico- bor at Anfi eld. There would be (CYP) 1 (Pote 51) minutes when his shot beat Kiko las Otamendi headed City level no repeat of their 7-0 romp in RESULTS At London Casilla with the aid of a defl ec- and his fellow centre-back John the reverse fi xture in Slovenia Group E Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) 3 (Alli AS Roma’s Aleksandar Kolarov vying for the ball with Chelsea’s tion off Sergio Ramos. Eriksen Stones then scored with a header as the Reds had to wait until the At Liverpool, England 27, 56, Eriksen 65) Real Madrid Cesar Azpilicueta as Antonio Conte reacts on the sideline during made it 3-0 at the end of a coun- that went in off the underside of 49th minute for Mohamed Salah Liverpool (ENG) 3 (Salah 49, (ESP) 1 (Ronaldo 80) their Champions League match in Rome on Tuesday. (Reuters) Swaggering Spurs return to European big time With their swashbuckling Mauricio Pochettino’s side are a chettino’s team. Dele Alli stole future Madrid star Gareth Bale customed to watching their who have won only one major English rivals racked up over 3-1 dismantling of defending force to be reckoned with. the show with two goals and terrorised reigning champions rivals fly the flag for England in trophy - the 2008 League Cup the past two and a bit seasons champions Real Madrid in “This is a great manager, with although Harry Kane, for once, Inter Milan over two games in Europe. But despite their lack of - since the turn of the century, have convinced Pochettino that the Champions League group great, young, ambitious play- failed to find the target, it was the group phase. continental pedigree, Kane be- but it is in tune with Pochet- his side can now compete for phase, Tottenham Hotspur ers,” former Arsenal striker Ian his perfectly weighted pass that Spurs then edged AC Milan in lieves the victory over Madrid - tino’s thinking. the biggest prizes in the sport. announced themselves as Wright told BBC Radio 5 Live. set up Christian Eriksen for the the last 16, before crashing 5-0 European champions in three of The former Argentina defender But he knows the plaudits and European heavyweights. “They’re not fly-by-night play- home side’s third goal. on aggregate to Madrid in the the past four seasons -- shows played down the importance of the glory nights will count for The most consistently impres- ers. They look like the real deal. The hosts’ opener showed quarter-finals. they can go all the way. the domestic cups last month nothing if Spurs cannot trans- sive team in England over the They hammered Real Madrid off their celebrated English “Definitely, why not? We’re and promptly saw a weakened form them into silverware. past two years, Spurs had the and it’s a team still with a lot core as 21-year-old midfielder ‘Got to believe’ not going to get too ahead of team bundled out of the League “We need to understand that misfortune of running into the more to give. Harry Winks’s raking pass was The only other time they have ourselves, but we’ve got to be- Cup by London rivals West we are at a level where we Leicester City miracle in 2015-16 “As an Arsenal man, it’s a fright- volleyed across goal by Kieran reached the latter stages oc- lieve,” said the England striker, Ham United. Tottenham have are playing fantastic against and a Chelsea juggernaut in ening prospect seeing their Trippier for Alli to bundle home. curred in the 1961-62 season, who trails Madrid’s Cristiano traditionally been seen as a cup the best teams and to get to 2016-17. progression.” In condemning Madrid to their when a team managed by the Ronaldo by one goal in the team and with eight FA Cups to the next level, we have to win This season they trail Manches- A performance built on asphyxi- heaviest group-stage loss in great Bill Nicholson reached scoring charts. “I think every- their name, they are the third things,” he said. ter City by eight points, but ating pressing and relentless nine years, Spurs called to mind the semi-finals before falling to one doubted us at the start of most successful team in the “Right now, we’re very proud. Wednesday’s stunning display attacking, Wednesday’s win the swaggering performances eventual champions Benfica. the group stage but for us, of tournament’s history behind But this means nothing if at the at Wembley let Europe know - - which took Spurs into the last of their last Champions League Over the intervening years, course you’ve got to believe.” Arsenal and Manchester United. end of the season we haven’t as England already knew - that 16 - showcased the best of Po- campaign of note. In 2010-11, Spurs fans have grown ac- It is a bold claim for a club The statement victories over won a trophy.” Gulf Times Friday, November 3, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW BUNDESLIGA Sparkling Bayern relish timing of Stuttering Real look Dortmund clash

Reuters “He has trained relatively Munich well and is not feeling any pain,” said Heynckes. “It looks now he can play from the start ayern Munich could against Dortmund.” for confi dence boost not have wished for a Things could not be more better time to travel diff erent for Dortmund, who to Bundesliga rivals squandered a fi ve-point lead BBorussia Dortmund with the over Bayern in a matter of champions fi ring on all cyl- weeks. inders and their opponents Six wins from their fi rst mired in poor form ahead of seven matches were then fol- today’s meeting. lowed by a sudden slump in against Las Palmas The Bavarians have won form and two losses and a all six of their matches under draw in their last three games. ‘We admit that we aren’t playing well but things change. I’m sure we won’t be like this for new coach Jupp Heynckes, Dortmund have managed who replaced Carlo Ancelotti only one victory in their last much longer, football allows you to be described as brilliant one day and awful the next’ last month, claiming top spot six games in all competitions in the league and opening up and a 1-1 home draw in the a three-point gap over Dort- Champions League against mund. APOEL Nicosia of Cyprus on Bayern also edged past RB Wednesday underlined their Leipzig in the German Cup last current struggles. week and have won their two “It is my job to give my Champions League matches players their confi dence back,” under Heynckes to nail down said Dortmund coach Peter a spot in the knockout stage Bosz. “The easiest way to do with two games to spare. it is by winning a game again. “We are going into this game Victory is the best medicine.” with a lot of self-confi dence,” Bosz will have his work cut said Bayern winger Arjen Rob- out if Dortmund continue to ben. “We are not the ones un- waste opportunities in front der pressure. We can only be of goal. They created close to a happy to be three points ahead dozen scoring chances against after lying fi ve points behind the Cypriots on Wednesday them. but were let down by poor fi n- “It can only get better for ishing. us.” “Maybe the timing of this Striker Robert Lewand- game is right,” Bosz said. owski, who missed their 2-1 “At the start of the season victory at Celtic on Tues- when we were winning points, day due to a minor thigh in- expectations were high. May- jury, could be back to face his be on Saturday fans will ex- former club, said Heynckes. pect a bit less.”

Bayern Munich’s German defender Jerome Boateng controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group B match against Celtic at Celtic Park in Glasgow. (AFP)

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen scores their third goal during the Champions League match in London. (Reuters) SPOTLIGHT Reuters The Canary Island club had ing striker Jonathan Viera to a They have never won the on Saturday, have won nine Barcelona Madrid on the ropes in their last hamstring injury. league after falling that far adrift and drawn one in La Liga this visit to the Bernabeu, a thrill- Their visit should be the per- of the pacesetters. season but also had a disap- ing 3-3 draw, but have endured a fect tonic for a Madrid side who Ronaldo said after the defeat to pointing week in the Champions Abraham among eal Madrid are in the torrid third campaign in the top have looked a shadow of the Tottenham that Real were miss- League. middle of their worst fl ight and are currently 18th in team that conquered all last sea- ing the experience of departed They were held to a goal- run of results under the standings with eight defeats son and which made such a con- players Pepe, James Rodriguez less draw at Olympiakos where uncapped trio in Zinedine Zidane but from their 10 games. vincing start to this campaign by and Alvaro Morata, although he they lost Sergi Roberto and An- haveR an ideal opportunity to rise The resignation of inexperi- outclassing Barcelona and Man- believes they will soon reverse dre Gomes for around a month from their slump when they host enced coach Manolo Marquez chester United in the Spanish their current drop in form. to injury, leaving them short in England squad relegation-fi ghting Las Palmas has not made things any easier and European Super Cups. “We admit that we aren’t midfi eld, with captain Andres in La Liga on Sunday. for the struggling team, who Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo playing well but things change. Iniesta also out. AFP wing-backs. I think it’s a Real endured successive de- have lost all four league games has managed only one goal in I’m sure we won’t be like this Valencia, who are also unbeat- London role he can perform – left or feats for the fi rst time since Zi- under successor Pako Ayester- the league this season, but per- for much longer, football allows en and four points behind Barca right – very well. He’s played dane took charge in January 2016 an, shipping 15 goals in the haps more worrying for Zidane is you to be described as brilliant in second spot, host Leganes, very well for Manchester when they were beaten by Tot- process. the team’s apparent lack of fi ght- one day and awful the next, while Deportivo La Coruna wel- wansea City striker United.” tenham Hotspur on Wednesday The team were booed off the ing spirit, which helped Madrid and we need to stay positive,” come Atletico Madrid, who are Tammy Abraham was Tottenham midfi elder Harry after a dismal defeat at Girona, pitch by a sparse crowd after come back so often in 2016-17. the Portuguese striker told re- looking to rebound after their one of three uncapped Winks kept his place in the but their problems pale in com- their 3-1 home defeat to Depor- Real are third in the Liga porters. woeful Champions League draw players named in a squad after impressing on his parison to those of their next op- tivo La Coruna last week and in standings and eight points be- Barcelona, who host fi fth- with Qarabag which left them on youthfulS England squad yes- debut in last month’s 1-0 win ponents. another setback have lost lead- hind leaders Barcelona. placed Sevilla at the Nou Camp the verge of elimination. terday for their forthcoming away to Lithuania in World friendly matches against Ger- Cup qualifying. many and Brazil. But there was no room for SELECTION Abraham, who is on loan at Manchester United centre- Swansea, received his fi rst call- back Chris Smalling, Arsenal up along with his Chelsea club- midfi elder Jack Wilshere or the mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Liverpool pair of Alex Oxlade- currently on loan at Crystal Chamberlain and Daniel Palace, and Liverpool defender Sturridge. ‘Eff ective’ Martial earns France recall Joe Gomez. “If I’m asking club manag- Squad AFP on November 10 and Germany played very well last season with ers to be brave and pick young Goalkeepers: Joe Hart Paris four days later. a lot of competition for his posi- players, I think I’ve got to do (West Ham United, on loan Tottenham Hotspur goal- tion,” said Deschamps. the same,” England manager from Manchester City), Jack keeper Hugo Lloris, Chelsea’s “He’s made a good start to the Gareth Southgate told jour- Butland (Stoke City), Jordan resh from netting the midfi eld enforcer N’Golo Kante, season with Sevilla.” nalists at a Wembley press Pickford (Everton) winner against Totten- Marseille forward Dimitri Payet conference. Abraham, 20, has Defenders: Ryan Bertrand ham Hotspur on Satur- and Monaco pair Djibril Sidibe Squad: scored fi ve goals in 13 games (Southampton), Danny Rose day, Manchester United and Thomas Lemar will all miss Goalkeepers: Alphonse for Swansea this season. (Tottenham Hotspur), Gary forwardF Anthony Martial was out due to injury. Areola (Paris SG), Benoit Costil Loftus-Cheek, 21, has Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jones rewarded yesterday with a call- Deschamps was already with- (Bordeaux), Steve Mandanda played seven games for Palace, (Manchester United), Harry up to Didier Deschamps’s France out Manchester United mid- (Marseille) while 20-year-old Gomez has Maguire (Leicester City), John squad. fi elder Paul Pogba, Manchester Defenders: Lucas Digne (Bar- become Liverpool manager Stones (Manchester City), Having scored six goals in all City full-back Benjamin Mendy celona/ESP), Christophe Jallet Jurgen Klopp’s fi rst-choice Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Kyle competitions this season despite and talented Barcelona forward (Nice), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris pick at right-back for Premier Walker (Manchester City), sharing left-wing duties at Old Ousmane Dembele. SG), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal/ League games. Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Traff ord with England’s Marcus “Hugo was injured yesterday ENG), Layvin Kurzawa (Paris Southgate’s side begin their Hotspur), Ashley Young (Man- Rashford, Martial earned his fi rst (Wednesday playing for Spurs SG), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart/ preparations for next year’s chester United) national selection in a year. against Real Madrid), he under- GER), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona/ World Cup against world Midfielders: Eric Dier (Totten- “He remains eff ective. He went exams this morning which ESP), Raphael Varane (Real champions Germany at Wem- ham Hotspur), Fabian Delph hasn’t been with us for the last confi rmed he has a groin tear, Madrid/ESP) bley on November 10 before (Manchester City), Ruben fi ve or six gatherings but An- meaning he will be out for two Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi facing off against Brazil at the Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace, thony was with us (before), he weeks,” said Deschamps of his (Juventus/ITA), Steven N’Zonzi same venue four days later. on loan from Chelsea), Jordan was at the Euros,” said coach De- captain Lloris. (Sevilla/ESP), Adrien Rabiot Manchester United aux- Henderson (Liverpool), schamps of the 21-year-old, who “Benjamin (Pavard) has been (Paris SG), Moussa Sissoko (Tot- iliary man Ashley Young has Raheem Sterling (Manchester has scored just once for France in playing very well for his club tenham/ENG), Corentin Tolisso earned a recall, over four years City), Harry Winks (Tottenham 15 caps. (Stuttgart) and for the French (Bayern Munich/GER) after his last cap, while Tot- Hotspur) “He had a diffi cult period but Manchester United’s Anthony Martial looks dejected after missing a under-21s. Fundamentally he’s Forwards: Kingsley Coman tenham Hotspur left-back Forwards: Marcus Rashford he’s come back well. I’ve seen penalty against Benfica during their Champions League match. a centre-back but he can play in (Bayern Munich/GER), Nabil Danny Rose makes his return (Manchester United), Jesse him perform when coming off other positions.” Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud (Ar- following a spell on the side- Lingard (Manchester United), the bench but I’m not going to both the Champions League and N’Zonzi and defender Benjamin Sevilla’s N’Zonzi, formerly of senal/ENG), Antoine Griezmann lines with a knee injury. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), pigeon-hole him as a substitute.” League Cup when starting the Pavard have been included for Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Alexandre Explaining the return of Harry Kane (Tottenham All four of Martial’s Premier game. the fi rst time. has been brought in as cover for Lacazette (Arsenal/ENG), Antho- 32-year-old Young, Southgate Hotspur), Tammy Abraham League goals for United this Lyon forward Nabil Fekir Deschamps is without a Kante. ny Martial (Manchester United/ said: “His performances war- (Swansea City/WAL, on loan season have come as a substi- was also recalled for the French number of established stars for “Steven is 28, he played for ENG), Kylian Mbappe (Paris SG), rant it. from Chelsea), Jamie Vardy tute, however he has scored in squad while midfi elder Steven France’s friendlies against Wales the under-21s a long time ago, he Florian Thauvin (Marseille). “We want to play with (Leicester City) Gulf Times 4 Friday, November 3, 2017 SPORT

NBA NFL Sponsor complains over Struggling Cavs anthem controversy AFP law enforcement. Los Angeles Trump has kept up his criticism of the NFL, calling on the body to intro- duce a rule forcing players to stand. leading sponsor of the Na- The league has refused to issue a hard tional Football League at- policy on the anthem, saying only that tacked commissioner Roger it would prefer players to stand. fall to Pacers Goodell on Wednesday for his Schnatter, a donor to Trump’s presi- handlingA of the national anthem con- dential campaign in 2016 and an out- troversy. spoken critic of his predecessor Barack 124-107 loss at home means Cleveland dropped their four straight game John Schnatter, the founder and Obama, said the anthem issue had di- chief executive of the Papa John’s pizza vided the country. AFP win and the seventh consecutive loss chain, told a conference call he believed “The controversy is polarising the Los Angeles for the Hawks (1-7). The 76ers reached the furore over protests during the an- customer, polarising the country,” 4-4, the fi rst time they have been them had hurt sales of his pizzas. Schnatter said. at.500 since November 11, 2013. “The NFL has hurt us,” said Schnat- “Good or bad, leadership starts at Cleveland Cavaliers lineup ter. “We are disappointed the NFL and the top and this is an example of poor struggling to come together Rubio, Gobert spark Utah its leadership did not resolve this.” leadership,” Schnatter said in prepared and sustain eff ort for a full Frenchman Rudy Gobert sank an The NFL has been embroiled in con- remarks clearly aimed at Goodell. Agame suff ered its fourth con- equalising dunk to force over-time troversy this season following a wide- “This should have been nipped in the secutive NBA loss on Wednesday, fall- and Spaniard Ricky Rubio scored sev- spread protest by players last month bud a year and a half ago. Like many ing 124-107 to visiting Indiana. en of his team-high 30 points in the during the national anthem following sponsors, we’re in touch with the NFL. Every Pacers starter scored in dou- last 75 seconds to lift the Jazz over vis- criticism by President Donald Trump. “Once the issue is resolved, we’re ble fi gures, with Thaddeus Young net- iting Portland 112-103. Trump triggered an outcry from optimistic the NFL’s best years are ting 26 points, Darren Collison adding Malik Monk scored 25 points, 18 in players, teams and league offi cials af- ahead.” 25 and Victor Oladipo pouring in 23 the fourth quarter, to power the Char- ter referring to any athlete who kneels Papa John’s president and chief op- as Cleveland (3-5) suff ered a fifth loss lotte Hornets over visiting Milwaukee during The Star-Spangled Banner to erating offi cer, Steve Ritchie, said the in six games, the past three by a com- 126-121. Khris Middleton scored a draw attention to racial injustice as a NFL deal was the main reason behind bined 58 points. career-high 43 points in a losing cause “son of a *****” who should be fi red. the company’s decline in sales. “The other games we just got our while Greek star Giannis Antetok- The protest movement was launched “We expect it to persist unless a so- butts kicked,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn ounmpo, the NBA’s leading scorer, by former San Francisco 49ers quar- lution is put in place,” Ritchie said. Lue said. “Tonight, I thought we did fought foul trouble and fi nished with terback Colin Kaepernick in 2016. Wall Street reacted negatively to some good things. We just couldn’t 14 points for the Bucks. Kaepernick refused to stand for the an- Papa John’s latest set of results, with sustain it. But the other games we just Evan Fournier had 22 points as vis- them in protest at a series of deaths of stock in the company plunging by fl at out got our butts kicked. So seeing iting Orlando held off Memphis 101- African-American men at the hands of nearly nine percent on Wednesday. improvement.” 99. Aaron Gordon, who had 19 points, The Pacers had lost nine meetings in made a 3-pointer with 51 seconds re- a row with the Cavs since March 2014 maining to put the Magic ahead to stay. SPOTLIGHT — four months before LeBron James T.J. Warren scored a career-high 40 returned from Miami to the Cavs. points on 16-of-22 shooting to lead “It’s just we have an opportunity to the Phoenix Suns to a 122-116 victory be very good and then you see some of at Washington while Jimmy Butler the lulls that we have and it’s just very scored 23 points and Andrew Wiggins Players union seeks diffi cult on our team right now,” James added 18 as Minnesota won 104-98 at said. New Orleans. “We’re just trying to fi gure it out Jamal Murray scored 24 points while on the fl y and unfortunately we don’t Nikola Jokic added 16 rebounds and 10 injunction allowing have time to practice a lot and do those assists to power Denver over visiting things.” Toronto 129-111. James led Cleveland with 33 points Miami’s Hassan Whiteside, back and 11 assists but committed a game- from an opening-night knee bruise, Elliott to play high eight turnovers, while Derrick had 13 points and 14 rebounds in the Rose added 19 points. Heat’s 97-91 home triumph over Chi- AFP “We can’t sustain eff ort for 48 cago. New York minutes,” James said. “They hit a few Blake Griffi n scored 20 points and bombs at the end and the game got out Austin Rivers added 19 to lead the Los of hand.” Angeles Clippers over visiting Dallas uspended Dallas Cowboys Cavs center Tristan Thompson 119-98. running back Ezekiel Elliott missed the second half with a left calf would be able to play Sunday strain. RESULTS against Kansas City if the NFL “Now Tristan went down again so LA Clippers 119 Dallas 98 PlayersS Association gets its way on a Thaddeus Young (right) of the Indiana Pacers gets a shot off next to Derrick we don’t know how long he’s going to Rose of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA game at Quicken Loans Arena in Denver 129 Toronto 111 legal appeal fi led Wednesday. be out,” James said. “Our team is kind Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday. (AFP) Utah 112 Portland 103 (OT) The players union fi led a motion on of depleted as well, both on and off the Houston 119 NY Knicks 97 behalf of Elliott with the US Second fl oor.” Ex-Cavs guard Kyrie Irving and consecutive points in the second Orlando 101 Memphis 99 Circuit Court of Appeals in New York With an average age of 30, the Cava- Jaylen Brown each scored 22 points to quarter on the way to a 119-97 victory Minnesota 104 New Orleans 98 seeking an emergency injunction pre- liers have the NBA’s oldest roster. power Boston over visiting Sacramen- at New York. Boston 113 Sacramento 86 venting the NFL from imposing a six- James is the NBA’s sixth player with to 113-86. The Celtics (6-2) won their Australia’s Ben Simmons had 19 Miami 97 Chicago 91 game ban on the star rusher. 400 regular-season games of at least sixth in a row while the Kings (1-7) lost points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to Charlotte 126 Milwaukee 121 The union also asked the court ex- 30 points, joining Michael Jordan, their sixth in a row. spark the Philadelphia 76ers over vis- Indiana 124 Cleveland 107 pedite its decision on issuing an ad- Wilt Chamberlain, Karl Malone, Kobe James Harden had 31 points and iting Atlanta 119-109. Philadelphia 119 Atlanta 109 ministrative stay and ruling by Friday Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. nine assists and Houston scored 16 It was the Sixers’ third consecutive Phoenix 122 Washington 116 on the matter so Elliott would be able to play Sunday when the Chiefs (6-2) visit Texas. It’s the latest legal move in a court Cavs’ LeBron calls training camp worst of his career fi ght that has seen Elliott play for the Cowboys (4-3) this season despite be- refusing to have (Elliott’s ex-girlfriend Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron when it comes to playing transition two of the last three NBA Finals, by ing handed a six-game ban August 11. Tiff any) Thompson and (NFL commis- James experienced the worst train- defense. adding experience and talent at the Elliott was found to have violated the sioner Roger) Goodell to testify.” ing camp of his stellar career due to And while the NBA’s regular season risk of becoming an older team with league’s personal-conduct policy relat- The six-game ban had been put on an ankle injury and is not surprised started a week earlier than normal injury concerns. ing to domestic-violence allegations by hold until Monday, when US District by his team’s lacklustre start to the and the pre-season was shortened to James suggested that his failure to a former girlfriend. But Elliott, 22, was Judge Katherine Polk Failla denied a re- NBA season, he said on Wednesday. accommodate the switch, James was be present on the court could help never charged with a crime by authorities quest for a preliminary injunction. James said the injury which kept not about to blame the calendar. explain why the team’s chemistry has who investigated the allegations. Failla stayed the decision for a day to him out of all but one of his team’s “I was kind of already behind the eight been slow to develop. The NFLPA argued in its appeal that aff ord Elliott and the union a chance to five pre-season games denied him ball, so it didn’t matter if it was a short- “Training camp has always been like Elliott will suff er irreparable harm consider appeal options. a chance to properly prepare a ened pre-season or not with the injury my favourite point in the season, it without an injunction, saying “courts A Texas federal judge issued a pre- revamped Cavs team many expected that I had personally,” he said. sounds weird, but to be able to get have consistently concluded that pro- liminary injunction in September but would roll into the NBA Finals in June “So I’m not sure. We know that back into it, get the team going, hav- fessional athletes suff er irreparable last month a federal appeals court sided for a fourth consecutive year. the season kind of started earlier. ing that camaraderie, getting back harm when threatened with a poten- with the NFL and lifted the injunction, “This was probably the worst training the things that I like to do and with Everybody was kind of a little bit off on the floor, getting that system back tially wrongful suspension.” although a US district court judge is- camp for me in my career because the summer that I had, I kind of had rhythm for a little bit. But we’re into in place,” James said. The NFLPA also pushed a claim that sued a temporary restraining order that of the injury,” the three-times NBA a setback.” now so it’s not much of an excuse.” “For me to be in and out and much a hearing before arbiter Harold Hend- allowed him to play the past two weeks. champion said ahead of Wednesday’s The most glaring issue with the Cavs, The Cavs made a number of off - more out that in and to be able to erson in August was unfair. If Elliott serves the six-game sus- home game against the Indiana Pac- who have dropped four consecu- season moves in a bid to topple the implement what I do, especially with “(Vacating the ban) is also appro- pension starting with this week, he ers. “I didn’t get an opportunity to do tive games, has been their struggles Golden State Warriors, who have won seven new guys, that kind of hurt.” priate because Henderson violated the would be ineligible until the Cowboys (collective bargaining agreement) by play at Oakland on December 17.

NHL Murray impresses in Penguins win over Oilers

Reuters Connor McDavid set up both goals. while John Gibson made 26 saves. New York DEVILS 2, CANUCKS 0 BLACKHAWKS 3, FLYERS 0 Cory Schneider stopped 37 shots Corey Crawford made 35 saves as att Murray capped for his fi rst shutout of the sea- Chicago blanked Philadelphia. a 35-save perform- son and New Jersey blanked Van- Artem Anisimo and Jonathan ance by stopping Ryan couver. Jimmy Hayes and Drew Toews scored 29 seconds apart in Nugent-Hopkins on a Staff ord scored as New Jersey re- the second period. Alex DeBrincat Mbreakaway with less than 20 sec- mained the NHL’s lone unbeaten added an empty-net goal. onds remaining as the Pittsburgh road team (5-0-0). Philadelphia’s Brian Elliott Penguins edged the Edmonton Jacob Markstrom made 24 stops made 32 saves. Oilers 3-2 on Wednesday. for the Canucks. Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin SHARKS 4, PREDATORS 1 scored a tiebreaking power-play MAPLE LEAFS 3, DUCKS 1 Martin Jones made 19 saves and goal in the third period. Patric Patrick Marleau scored his 100th four diff erent Sharks scored as San Hornqvist also scored on the pow- career game-winning goal at 1:09 Jose beat Nashville. Marc Edouard- er play, and Conor Sheary netted of the third period as Toronto beat Vlasic and Joe Pavelski scored sec- the other goal for the two-time de- Anaheim. ond period goals for the Sharks. fending Stanley Cup champions. Marleau scored his fifth goal Joe Thornton recorded his 1,400th Phil Kessel and Kris Letang had with the Maple Leafs and 513th career point and ranks 20th on the two assists apiece for the Penguins. of his career. Frederik Andersen NHL’s all-time list. Joonas Don- Nugent-Hopkins scored on made 28 saves against his former skoi and Mikkel Boedker added the the power play and Leon Draisaitl team. other San Jose tallies. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (left) of the Edmonton Oilers can’t get a shot past goaltender Matt Murray (right) of the Pittsburgh Penguins at Rogers scored the other Edmonton goal. Ondrej Kase scored for Anaheim Roman Josi scored for Nashville. Place in Edmonton, Canada, on Wednesday. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, November 3, 2017 5 BASEBALL

BASEBALL HOUSTON, WE NOW HAVE A WORLD SERIES TITLE Astros beat Dodgers 5-1 in Game Seven for their maiden franchise win; dedicate it to Houston

Reuters the win at Dodger Stadium. valuable player Springer got the Astros Astros a 2-0 lead before the Dodgers “My approach was to get something off ense failed to convert hits into runs. Los Angeles “I think this is the happiest moment off to an excellent start when he laced had even came up to bat. out over the plate, get something I The National League champions of my life in baseball,” Astros second a leadoff double to left fi eld corner and Darvish issued a leadoff walk to As- could drive,” Springer said of his two- were unable to capitalize on their many baseman Jose Altuve said on the fi eld later scored the game’s fi rst run on a tros catcher Brian McCann to start run shot. opportunities, stranding 10 baserun- he Houston Astros won the after the fi nal out. throwing error by Dodgers fi rst base- the second inning and scored on a soft ners. World Series on Wednesday on “We did this for them,” he said of the man Cody Bellinger. ground ball by pitcher Lance McCullers “My approach was to get The Dodgers scored their lone run in the back of a two-run home run fans in Houston, who are still recover- Alex Bregman scored on a ground Jr. to make it 3-0. something out over the plate, the sixth inning when pinch hitter An- by George Springer that busted ing from the deadly Hurricane Harvey ball hit by Altuve Springer stepped to the plate with get something I could drive,” dre Ethier hit a ground ball that found a Tthe game open and lifted the team to a in August. that gave one on and two out in the inning Springer said of his two-run hole on the right side to score Joc Ped- 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodg- “There has been a lot going on in the and blasted his fi fth home run shot. “And I just remember erson. ers in Game Seven. Houston the last year (and) they are the of the World Series for a swinging and hearing the “It hurts, it’s suppose to hurt but The Astros clinched the best-of- biggest reason why we are here.” 5-0 advantage, chasing sound of the bat, and I knew it there is nothing to regret when you seven series 4-3 for the fi rst franchise Astros manager AJ Hinch said the Darvish, who ended was a good sound” leave all out there,” Dodgers manager title in a 55-year existence, and did so team was proud of the part it played in an ignominious Dave Roberts told reporters. against a Dodgers team that had Major lifting the spirits of the city. World Series after “And I just remember swinging and “It was a long season and we stayed League Baseball’s best regular season “This team loves playing in Houston a similarly dis- hearing the sound of the bat, and I knew together, fought until the end and we record. and we’re going to love bringing this astrous start it was a good sound.” came up a little short but there is noth- The Astros jumped on Dodgers start- World Series trophy back to Hou- in Game Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw took ing for us to hang our heads about,” he ing pitcher Yu Darvish early, scoring all ston,” he said. Three. the mound in the third inning and said. “The Astros are a great team and fi ve runs in the fi rst two innings before The signs for the Dodgers were threw four scoreless innings to keep his you have to tip your hat because they riding a long string of relief pitchers to ominous early as World Series most team in the game but the Los Angeles earned it.” Past 10 champions Past 10 World Series MVPs

2017: Houston Astros 2017: George Springer (Houston Astros) 2016: Chicago Cubs 2016: Ben Zobrist (Chicago Cubs) 2015: Kansas City Royals 2015: Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals) 2014: San Francisco Giants 2014: Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco Giants) 2013: Boston Red Sox 2013: David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox) 2012: San Francisco Giants 2012: Pablo Sandoval (San Francisco Giants) 2011: St. Louis Cardinals 2011: David Freese (St. Louis Cardinals) 2010: San Francisco Giants 2010: Edgar Renteria (San Francisco Giants) 2009: New York Yankees 2009: Hideki Matsui (New York Yankees) 2008: Philadelphia Phillies 2008: Cole Hamels (Philadelphia Phillies)

Houston Astros players celebrate with the Commissioner’s Trophy after defeating Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports)

BOTTOMLINE Astros’ Correa proposes to girlfriend aft er World Deja Yu as Darvish suff ers new nightmare Series win AFP walking Brian McCann before conceding a Los Angeles double to Marwin Gonzalez. McCann then scored to put Houston 3-0 up before Springer stepped up to pile on u Darvish’s nightmare World Series the agony, blasting a two-run homer that came to a miserable end as the Japa- brought Gonzalez home and made it 5-0. nese pitcher fl uff ed his lines once At that point, Roberts had seen enough, Ymore to send the Los Angeles Dodg- pulling Darvish after less than two innings ers slumping to defeat against the Houston for the second straight game. Astros in their game-seven decider. Darvish, who moved to the Dodgers in Darvish — who had been yanked inside July in a blockbuster trade from the Texas two innings after a brutal pummelling in Rangers, said he had rediscovered his pas- game three — once again was hammered out sion for baseball in California. of the contest after an early onslaught. “Since I came to Major League Baseball, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled like last three years, I’ve been struggling Carlos Correa (right) proposes to his girlfriend (left) Darvish after 1 2/3 innings after he was once to re-fi nd my passion for the baseball,” during a live TV interview. (Twitter/MLB) again manhandled by the Astros batting Darvish said. “And then I came here and I line-up. found it again. Reuters All of Houston’s runs in Wednesday’s “I would like to come back in the World Los Angeles 5-1 victory at Dodger Stadium came from Series and I want to pitch better. From this Darvish’s disastrous spell on the mound. time’s outing, I just want to come back and “This pain is going to stay in me for a Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yu Darvish reacts from the dugout after Game Seven pitch better. It’s tough, but personally I ot content with winning his first World Series on while,” a downcast Darvish said through a loss to Houston Astros on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) want to come back to the Dodgers.” Wednesday, Houston Astros short stop Carlos translator. “I’ve just got to learn from it and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, mean- NCorrea dropped to one knee to propose to his just go from there.” asked questions about the aff air when he for an early double to get Houston off to a while, was at a loss to explain Darvish’s miser- girlfriend during a live television interview. Darvish’s series had been overshadowed appeared before reporters on Tuesday. confi dent start. able form in his two World Series appearances. Moments after the Astros won their first title at by the ugly controversy involving Astros However, the controversy had obscured Soon afterwards, Darvish was slow to “I know he wanted the baseball. I know Dodger Stadium by beating LA 5-1 in Game Seven, the slugger Yuli Gurriel, who mocked Darvish the mauling infl icted on Darvish in his brutal react on Alex Bregman’s single, ambling he was prepared. I just can’t explain the re- 23-year-old Puerto Rican said he was “ready to take with a racist slant-eyes gesture after bludg- manhandling by the Astros batters on Friday. to fi rst base. When Cody Bellinger’s awk- sults. I really can’t,” Roberts said. another big step” in his life. eoning him for a home run in game three. On Wednesday, the Japanese right-hand- ward throw went behind Darvish, Springer The Dodgers skipper also dismissed sug- “Daniella Rodriguez, will you make me the happiest Gurriel later escaped sanction for this er’s frailties were laid bare once again with rounded the bases to score. gestions that he could have opted for an- man in the world? Will you marry me?” he asked the World Series, with Major League Baseball another fragile performance that ultimately other starting pitcher. “Yu has been one of former Miss Texas, who covered her face with her electing to impose a fi ve-game suspension handed Houston a lead they would never ROBERTS STUMPED our top three starters all year or since we hands in shock and said, “Yes”. at the start of the 2018 campaign. surrender. Bregman would later score to put Houston acquired him. He had a bad one in Houston. Fans cheered as Correa slid the diamond ring onto her Darvish had sought to move on from the Leadoff Astros hitter George Springer 2-0 up after the fi rst inning. There’s always going to be second-guess- finger. controversy, clearly uncomfortable when was the fi rst to land a blow, hitting Darvish It got worse for Darvish in the second, ing. We felt good with Yu starting the game.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, November 3, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY All Blacks face Springboks in World Cup opener AFP get off to a bang, so why not play England’s hopes of knocking New Zealand remain the team Tokyo the two (big teams in the fi rst the mighty All Blacks off their to beat, however, and Hansen’s match)?” perch were complicated by a world champions look to have France, drawn in the so-called horror draw earlier this year. an easy run to the quarter-fi nals avourites New Zealand “Group of Death” alongside The Six Nations champions, after their blockbusting Pool B will begin their quest for England and Argentina, also who two years ago became the opener. a third successive Rugby open their campaign on Septem- fi rst World Cup hosts not to The All Blacks famously lost to World Cup title with a ber 21 with a key Pool C fi xture reach the knock-out stage, take South Africa in the 1995 fi nal but heavyweightF clash against South against the Pumas in Tokyo. on the United States in Kobe af- have won their last two World Africa at the 2019 tournament in Title contenders England ter tough-tackling Tonga. Cup meetings, including the Japan. take on Tonga in the northern 2015 semi-fi nal at Twickenham. The All Blacks are scheduled Japanese city of Sapporo – at the Devilishly tricky New Zealand will avoid Eng- to face their old southern hemi- venue where a David Beckham England then face huge back- land, France or Argentina in the sphere foes in Yokohama on Sep- penalty beat Argentina at the to-back games against 2015 quarter-fi nals, beginning on Oc- tember 21, a day after hosts Japan 2002 football World Cup – the World Cup semi-fi nalists Ar- tober 19, with two of the Group kick off the competition against following day. Two-time cham- gentina in Tokyo on October 5 C trio set to collide with the top European qualifi ers, likely to be pions Australia face a poten- and bitter rivals France in Yoko- two in Group D, widely expected Romania, organisers announced tially tricky opener against Fiji in hama a week later to complete a to be Australia and Wales. in Tokyo yesterday. Pool D, where rivals Wales open devilishly tricky bracket. “No matter where or when “We are really excited to meet against Georgia. England have a mixed World we’ve got to be ready for it,” Wal- New Zealand fi rst up,” said South “We kick off against Georgia Cup record against three-time labies coach Michael Cheika told Africa head coach Allister Co- before facing Australia, both of fi nalists France, their last meet- local media. etzee. “There is a great and proud whom we play this November in ing a quarter-fi nal defeat in 2011. “We don’t need to know now rivalry between the Springboks Cardiff ,” said Wales head coach They have won both of their what the colour of the grass is.” and All Blacks and this opening Warren Gatland. World Cup games so far against Hosts Japan face diffi cult group match is bound to be an- “We then have a good block Argentina, but the swashbuck- games against Ireland in Shi- other massive contest.” of time before facing Fiji in Oita. ling Pumas are capable of beat- zuoka and Scotland in Yoko- Speaking from Twickenham We have four cities to visit so ing anyone on their day. hama as the Brave Blossoms ahead of the All Blacks’ tomor- it is important we buy into the “Our aim is to win the World look to defy the odds and reach row’s clash with the Barbarians, culture of Japan and the tourna- Cup and support for the team the knockout phase for the fi rst New Zealand head coach Steve ment.” will be an important factor,” said time. Hansen said: “I half expected it.” Matches will be played at 12 England head coach Eddie Jones. Already 15 teams have quali- “It’s a good way to start the venues including Kamaishi in “We hope to see as many Eng- fi ed for the 2019 World Cup, tournament. It’s something to northeast Japan, which was rav- land fans as possible getting with a further fi ve to be deter- look forward to. aged by the 2011 tsunami and re- behind us in Japan as we try to mined via regional qualifi ers or World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont (left) and Japan’s rugby player Ayumu Goromaru attend Rugby “The tournament wants to sulting nuclear disaster. achieve our ultimate goal.” repechages. World Cup 2019 match schedule announcement in Tokyo yesterday. (Reuters)

ASHES CRICKET Chakabva, Cremer bat Zimbabwe to Smith out to re-open draw in second Test

Reuters they batted well too and a few Bulawayo, Zimbabwe decisions didn’t go our way, but that’s how it goes,” Holder said. imbabwe’s Regis “I’m really pleased in our England’s ‘scars’ Chakabva and captain team’s direction. We’re off to Graeme Cremer put train in Australia next before ‘First Test match is going to be really important, we need to set the tone again on an unbeaten eighth the New Zealand series. The Zwicket stand of 91 to secure a conditions there will be quite and hopefully get them on a similar path to what we did in 2013’ draw in the second and fi nal like England, so it’s important Test against West Indies at the to get acclimatised there and Queens Sports Club yesterday. give it our best shot.” The pair came together Zimbabwe all-rounder when Zimbabwe were teeter- Sikandar Raza was named man ing with a second innings lead of the match for his scores of of 88 and just three wickets 80 and 89, and bowling fi gures remaining. of fi ve for 99. West Indies, however, were West Indies leg-spinner De- unable to break the stand as vendra Bishoo claimed man of Chakabva fi nished not out on the series after taking 13 wick- 71 and Cremer unbeaten on 28. ets at an average of 26.15. Zimbabwe had reached 301 for seven when the match was SCOREBOARD declared a draw an hour after Zimbabwe first innings 326 tea, having posted 326 all out all out in their fi rst innings. West Indies first innings 448 West Indies, who claimed all out the series 1-0 after winning the Zimbabwe second innings fi rst test by 117 runs, amassed H. Masakadza b Roach ...... 5 448 in their only turn to bat. S. Mire lbw b Roach ...... 0 It is the fi rst test draw for C. Ervine b Bishoo ...... 22 Zimbabwe in 12 years and the B. Taylor lbw b Gabriel ...... 10 fi rst time they have avoided P. Moor c S. Hope b Gabriel 42 defeat in their last 10 matches. Sikandar Raza b Holder ...... 89 “It felt good that our team M. Waller c Blackwood b batted when their backs were Bishoo ...... 15 against the wall,” Cremer said R. Chakabva not out ...... 71 at the post-match presenta- G. Cremer not out ...... 28 tion. “There were a couple of Extras (10b, 8lb, 1nb) ...... 19 missed opportunities though. Total (7 wkts, 144 overs) 301 We dropped a few catches and Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Masakad- the wicket wasn’t doing as za), 2-8 (Mire), 3-23 (Taylor), much as we expected.” 4-46 (Ervine), 5-144 (Moor), Zimbabwe are next in ac- 6-172 (Waller), 7-210 (Sikandar tion in the inaugural four-day Raza). test against South Africa that Bowling: Gabriel 21-7-34-2, starts on Boxing Day. West In- Roach 22-10-37-2, Brathwaite dies skipper Jason Holder said 17-2-44-0, Holder 22-7-42-1, his side can gain momentum Bishoo 34-7-74-2, Chase 17-3-31- from the series ahead of their 0, Blackwood 10-4-21-0, Powell Australian captain Steve Smith (second right) takes a break with teammate Nathan Lyon (left), Josh Hazlewood (second left) and Mitchell Starc as they train with New South Wales tour of New Zealand. 1-1-0-0. team in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) “I’m slightly disappointed Result: Match drawn. at not being able to bowl them Series: West Indies won AFP tour, and hopefully we can get them England preparing for life without Stokes, says Bayliss out in the second innings, but two-match series 1-0. Sydney thinking the same way, open a few of those scars up as such, get them think- Ben Stokes’ participation in the Ashes would “Having to replace Ben and the combination ing ‘oh not this again’ and that kind of be an “absolute bonus” but England are that we come up with requires doing a bit of SPOTLIGHT kipper Steve Smith says Aus- thought process.” preparing contingency plans after writ- both (batting and bowling),” he said. tralia plan to reopen old Eng- He said he expected England coach ing off the all-rounder for the series, coach “Moeen Ali batting as low as eight for the lish Ashes scars starting with a Trevor Bayliss to ensure his team had Trevor Bayliss said. Vice-captain Stokes was last couple of years... that’s a waste. It’s a morale-shattering blow in the an attacking frame of mind, and ad- arrested in September after an incident on combination that we will get to as the team Pakistan move to top seriesS opener at the Gabba this month. mitted Australia’s middle order need- a night out in Bristol following a one-day in- develop. We have had problems at the top of Smith has indelible memories of the ed to be more productive to be ternational. He was released without charge, the order so having Mo at eight and (Chris) shattering eff ect of the opening Bris- successful. but remains under police investigation and is Woakes nine suited us. spot in T20 rankings bane Test from the last 2013-14 Ashes “We’ve had a lot of collapses in the suspended by England. “The way Stokes has been playing, he’s battle in Australia on the remainder of last couple of years,” he said. “I think England, who arrived without Stokes for the developing into a world-class number five. Agencies “India’s win today means that series. in our last 15 games we’ve had 14 col- series with Australia, had hoped the 26-year- Those three, in whatever combination, that’s Karachi Pakistan top the @MRFWorld- England were battered by the hos- lapses or something like that. old would join them later on in the tour but a pretty good five, six, seven with Woakes wide ICC T20I Team Rank- tility of paceman Mitchell Johnson, “We can’t aff ord to do that this Bayliss suggested the team was now gearing at number eight. I think that’s what we were ings for the fi rst time ever! backed up by Ryan Harris and Peter summer and (batting positions) six up for life without him. working towards anyway.” arfraz Ahmed’s men-in- Congratulations!,” the global Siddle and the resilience of Australia’s and seven are a place where we’ll need “If he turns up it’s an absolute bonus,” Bayliss England’s preparations were hit yesterday green have climbed up cricket body said. lower batting order. some rebuilding if those sorts of things told a news conference yesterday. “If he did with pace bowler Steven Finn (knee) and to the top slot in the ICC The defeat in New Delhi Smith said he wants those in the happen and it’s going to be a valuable happen to turn up, I’m sure he would slip Moeen (sore left side) sustaining injuries dur- T20I team rankings af- brought New Zealand down to England’s squad who played in that spot if guys there are getting runs for terS India’s 53-run win over New 121 — three points behind Pa- back in easily.” ing training. Both players will undergo scans series – captain Joe Root, Alastair us. Stokes faces an ECB disciplinary investiga- on Friday and could miss the two-day warm- Zealand in their fi rst T20 match kistan, who lead the rankings Cook, Jonny Bairstow, James Ander- “It’ll make a big diff erence, so let’s tion following the police probe and Bayliss up match against Western Australia in Perth in New Delhi on Wednesday. now with a rating of 124. This son, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn – to hope that is the case.” had “no clue” when he would next be avail- this weekend. England then face Cricket Aus- Pakistani supporters, how- is the fi rst time ever that Paki- relive the nightmare and for it to per- Smith, who has not scored an in- able for selection. tralia XI in Adelaide and Townsville before ever, would be pinning their stan has reached the top of the meate through to the rest of the team. ternational century since his prolifi c “It’s totally out of our hands. We have just the first test starts on Nov. 23 in Brisbane. hopes on India, who would T20I team rankings. “First Test match is going to be re- tour of India in March, said he was re- got on with preparing as best we can. I have need to win the three-match Since the appointment of ally important, we need to set the tone freshed and hopeful of returning to his (written Stokes off ).” series by at least a 2-1 margin Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of again and hopefully get them on a best form for the fi ve-Test clash with Stokes is a vital part of the team and key to to confi rm Pakistan’s top posi- the Pakistan side in the short- similar path to what we did in 2013,” he England. England’s hopes of avoiding a repeat of a tion in the ranking. est format, the green-shirts told the ESPNcricinfo website yester- He is the top-ranked Test batsman humiliating 5-0 whitewash on their last trip In a Twitter message, ICC have won 12 out of 14 T20Is, day ahead of the fi rst Test on Novem- ahead of Root and heads into the Ashes to Australia four years ago but Bayliss said congratulated Pakistan for which contributed the most in ber 23 in Brisbane. with a batting average of 59.66 from 56 England had the players to fill his shoes. claiming the No 1 spot in the Pakistan’s rise towards the top “A few players were out here for that Tests with 20 centuries. T20 Rankings. of ranking. Gulf Times Friday, November 3, 2017 7 SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE PREVIEW Belmadi’s Duhail Bounedjah and can’t aff ord further setbacks al-Haydous strikes By Sports Reporter negative results by Al Khor, cul- Doha minating in their loss to Umm Salal in the last round and shock defeat to newcomers Al Markhiya l Duhail coach Djamel in the previous week. They are Belmadi knows his side lying in the ninth position and can’t aff ord to drop their only win was against Al Ahli help Sadd to victory points for the second in Round 2. “Our ambition is to matchA in a row when they clash improve our results in the league. with Al Khor in the QNB Stars I’m currently focusing on mak- League today. Their 1-1 draw ing our professional and local Captain Meshaal Abdullah reduced the deficit for Al Ahli in the 90th minute against Al Gharafa last week players push hard, so they bring came as a shock to the team who the best out of them. Only when have been the dominating force they work in close co-ordination in Qatar for fi ve years as far as the with the supervision of the tech- league is concerned. nical staff will the team start pro- That setback, coupled with ducing good results,” he added. Al Sadd’s win against Al Ahli yesterday, saw them drop to the GHARAFA CONFIDENT second spot in the standings, and AFTER DUHAIL DRAW another defeat could leave the Al Gharafa are riding a wave of team vulnerable as the tourna- confi dence after holding cham- ment gathers pace each week. pions Duhail to a draw last week. “It’s important to achieve vic- “It’ll be a diff erent ballgame alto- tory against Al Khor particularly gether. Our joy knew no bounds since we dropped points for the after we held champions and fi rst time after being held 1-1 leaders Al Duhail to a 1-1 draw by Al Gharafa,” said Belmadi. last week,” Al Gharafa coach “It’s also important because the Jean Fernandez said ahead of his League is going into a break for team’s match against Markhiya two weeks due to international today. However, he also sounded commitments and we want to a word of caution. stay on top of the standings.” “Al Markhiya are coming after Belmadi was averse to writ- holding Al Kharaitiyat to a goal- ing off Al Khor’s chances in the less draw. Their team spirit is match despite their lowly ninth very high. They know fully well spot in the standings. that they’re newcomers, so they “Everyone is working hard to will look to punch above their get back on track by defeating Al weight. They’ve a new coach Khor. These three points are also (Yousef Adam), who is back at a must for us. Al Khor are a tough the helm, and he knows his play- team at home, so it won’t be easy. ers well.” The teams in the middle or bot- Markhiya coach Yousef Adam tom half can cause trouble for admitted it will be a tough out- those on top. We’ve seen many ing for his side. “Al Gharafa are a Al Sadd players celebrate the opening goal during their win over Al Ahli in the QNB Stars League yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil such instances. That demands good side. They didn’t deserve to us to go into this match with full be on six points after six matches. By Sports Reporter the ball towards the Algerian who curled it concentration,” he added. It’ll be a hard outing for us. They Doha past Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naim with a Meanwhile, Al Khor’s new had given Al Duhail a hard time in left-footed drive that hit the left side of the coach Omar Najhi was also in an the last round and we must play net. Al-Haydous was in action again and upbeat mood ahead of the match. a disciplined and focused game l Sadd produced a clinical dis- this time he himself found the net from “The atmosphere within the club throughout. I hope my players will play to beat hosts Al Ahli 2-1 in the edge of the box as Under-23 goalkeeper is positive, everyone is aware give a tough fi ght,” said Adam. their Round 7 clash of the QNB Naim failed to stop the ball. of the change in the technical Stars League last night. Algerian An error by an Al Ahli defender saw a staff . Football is a continuous FIXTURES BaghdadA Bounedjah struck as early as the long lob land neatly at Al Haydous’ feet. work and is based on continuity. Today: Al Rayyan vs Qatar SC at Al seventh minute for Al Sadd, who doubled The Qatar international forward quickly So every day is a new day to the Sadd stadium 5:15pm, Al Gharafa vs their lead through fellow-striker Hassan drilled in a low ball past goalkeeper Naim. team. Every coach has his phi- Al Markhiya at Al Gharafa stadium al-Haydous in the 18th minute. Barcelona legend and captain Xavi Her- losophy and there’re issues that 5:15pm; Al Khor vs Al Duhail at Al Captain Meshaal Abdullah reduced the nandez, who was rested for the game, need to be addressed,” said Omar. Khor stadium 7:25pm defi cit for Al Ahli in the 90th minute with warmly applauded the eff ort. Al Khor had parted ways with Tomorrow: Al Sailiya vs Umm a well-taken left-footed drive but it wasn’t Six minutes into the second half, Al Ahli coach Laurent Banide by mutual Salal at Al Ahli stadium 5:15pm; Al enough to save his team from going down. captain Meshaal Abdullah charged into the consent on Monday. Banide’s Kharaitiyat vs Al Arabi at Al Khor Al Ahli began on a positive note, with Al Sadd box, but misfi red with only goal- dismissal followed a series of Stadium 7:25pm some stout defending in the fi rst six min- keeper Saad al-Dossari to beat. Tireless utes. But they imploded to Al Sadd’s at- Abdullah, however, was not to be denied as tacking game, conceding two goals in the he scored late with a fi rst-time volley into next 12 minutes. the net from close. After last night’s win, For the fi rst goal, al-Haydous, running Al Sadd lead the table with 18 points, two in from the midfi eld, spotted Baghdad on more than Al Duhail, who play their sev- the left fl ank. Al-Haydous then clipped enth round game today against Al Khor. Al Sadd’s Hassan al-Haydous (right) vies for the ball with a Al Ahli player. Qatar Sports Club face tough ask against Rayyan

Doha: Qatar Sports Club will have to time, but I don’t have time. That puts the an overhaul within the squad. I take the so we’ve to be wary of them.” play out of their skins to earn any points team in a spot. One of our strikers hasn’t responsibility, but it’s time players pulled The Dane was all praise for his boys. against Al Rayyan who are high on confi- scored a single goal so far. Football is up their socks,” he said. “I’m pleased with my team’s perform- dence following their win over Al Sadd in now more about statistics. The players Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup was ance so far this season. We won five the Qatar Clasico last week. must deliver,” warned the Argentinian. not ready to dismiss Qatar SC off hand. of the six games and also won both “I must admit that all matches are dif- Qatar SC have been particularly under “It’s true that Qatar SC are at the bot- matches in the QSL Cup. We had 12 new ficult for us, as can be understood from par this season with just one win and five tom of the table, but from the competi- players in our squad this season, but we our standing in the league table. We’ve losses from six matches, and Calderon tion point of view, this is still an impor- straightaway settled into our stride. I’m only one victory to show for our eff orts. warned time was running out for them. tant game for us. We’ve to continue our happy that our games against Al Sadd In the last three games, we scored only “We had 13 new players in our side this good work and sustain the momentum and Al Duhail are over for the first phase. two goals and conceded 11! We’re really season. They need time to improve. I’m if we’re to give a shot at the title. I mean “We’ve a lot of aggressive players and struggling to strike a balance in our side,” still hopeful and will try to change the there’s no room for let-up,” said Laudrup. our Under-23 players, such as Ahmed admitted their coach Gabriel Calderon trend. I want our foreign recruits to help “Qatar SC are a good side. Though they al-Saadi and Sultan Al Kuwari, are doing “I was entrusted with the task of build- the local players. To have a big team, you lost badly in their last two matches, they extremely well. My only concern is that ing up a side capable of fighting in the must’ve a big mentality. were really good against Al Sadd and Al we’ve to improve our game without the first division, after we earned our promo- “Even after six games, we aren’t get- Duhail. They can put up a good fight and ball. Otherwise, we’re playing at a high tion from the second division. It takes ting the desired results, so we need to do will do everything possible to get points, level,” the Dane said. Al Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi gestures during a press conference in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Nasar K

TENNIS

Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro whips a forehand during Del Potro reaches Paris Masters last 8 his win over the Netherland’s Robin Haase at the Paris Reuters Del Potro. “It’s going to be a good battle out of the world’s top 10 for the fi rst The 21-year-old struck a staggering Masters yesterday. (AFP) Paris next round trying to qualify for London. time in more than a decade next week. 35 winners to just 12 unforced errors in Of course, I would love to reach London The 12-time Grand Slam champion has a dominant performance. Barty, seed- once again. It could be a fantastic mo- not played since Wimbledon in July af- ed ninth, posted her fi rst victory over rgentine Juan Martin del Potro ment for me. But it’s still a really hard ter ending his season early due to an el- Kerber after losing their only previous moved a step closer to quali- challenge to me.” bow injury. Juan Martin del Potro’s win meeting in Brisbane at the start of the fying for the season-ending World number one Rafael Nadal, over Robin Haase in the Paris Masters season. ATP Finals when he reached chasing his maiden title in Paris, was third round on Thursday ensured that “It was tough group for me because theA quarter-fi nals of the Paris Masters playing against Uruguay’s Pablo Cue- former world number one Djokovic will I hadn’t actually beaten either of those with a 7-5, 6-4 win against Robin Haase vas later last night. As the season winds be ranked lower than 10th for the fi rst girls,” Barty, who beat Russian Anasta- yesterday. The 13th seed converted all to a close, fatigue continued to take its time since March 2007. The 30-year- sia Pavlyuchenkova in her fi rst group his break points against the Dutchman, toll as fi fth seed Dominic Thiem and old is hoping to make his return at the match, said. who eliminated fourth seed Alexander sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov were both exhibition World Tennis Championship Sevastova, making her tournament Zverev in the previous round, to set up knocked out in the third round. Austri- at Abu Dhabi in December. debut, posted a perfect record in Ca- a meeting with John Isner. an Thiem lost 6-4 6-4 to Spain’s Fern- mellia Group with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Del Potro is hoping to keep up his ando Verdasco while Bulgarian Dim- BARTY, SEVASTOVA Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic. recent run, when he has contested two itrov fell 7-6(10) 5-7 7-6(3) to American STORM INTO ZHUHAI SEMIS The Latvian came back from 2-0 down fi nals and a semi-fi nal in his last three John Isner. Three weeks before France Ashleigh Barty and Anastasija Sev- in the opening set, winning 20 of the tournaments, as he bids to secure one of take on Belgium in the Davis Cup fi nal, astova booked their semi-fi nal spots next 24 points to take the fi rst set, and the two remaining spots for the season local favourite Julien Benneteau beat without dropping a set in the round- later claimed a break in the seventh fi nale in London. world number 10 David Goffi n 6-3 6-3 robin phase of the WTA Elite Trophy in game of the second set to earn the vic- The Argentine, playing in Bercy for to secure a place in the last eight. Zhuhai yesterday. Barty, the Australian tory. Later in the day, American CoCo the fi rst time since 2013, needs to reach who is the youngest player in the draw, Vandeweghe also progressed to the fi nal the semi-fi nals in Paris to book a ticket DJOKOVIC TO DROP OUT OF posted a 6-3, 6-4 win over former four with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Russian for the Nov. 12-19 ATP Finals. WORLD’S TOP 10 world number one Angelique Kerber to Elena Vesnina, who was struggling with “It’s extra motivation to me,” said Serbia’s Novak Djokovic will drop top the Rose Group with a 2-0 record. a back injury throughout the match.

Friday, November 3, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Sanna starts new season with double, rides Zman Awal to win In the Purebred Arabian Plate for three-year-olds, Arghad just about managed to hold on by narrowest of margins

Jockey Alberto Sanna receives his trophy from Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) vice-chief steward Abdullah Rashid al-Kubaisi after riding Zman Awal to victory in the Al Ghariya Cup yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

maisima lead a one-two for owners Umm Qarn Trainer: Abdulla Sultan Ahmed al-Jabir. and trainer De Mieulle in the Purebred Arabian Race 2: 1. Copleys Walk (Tomas Lukasek), 2. Primi- Plate event for three-year-old fi llies yesterday. torio (Marc Lerner), 3. Top Face (Alberto Sanna), 4. Jockey Alberto Sanna rides Zman Awal to victory in the Al Ghariya Cup ahead of Botanica, ridden by JP Guillambert, at the QREC yesterday. Hamel had held on to his ride at the back of Palmetto Dunes (Faleh Bughanaim). Won by: 1 ¾, the pack but went wide and surged ahead com- Shd, ¾. Time: 1:10.91. Owner: Al Thumama Racing. By Mikhil Bhat her last season. But having ridden both of them, furlongs having won twice over a mile in 2016. ing off the fi nal bend in the seven furlong race. Trainer: Mohamed Hussain. Doha I know she (Zman Awal) is the only fi lly who can Alban de Mieulle’s ward had largely stayed at Neck and neck with stablemate Mouhoobah, Race 3: 1. Semaisima (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 2. beat Bronze Maquette. Today she was in good the back of the pack and made his fi rst moves ridden by Stephan Ladjadj, Hamel unleashed Mouhoobah (Stephan Ladjadj), 3. Konouz (Pier Con- form,” said Sanna. The Hadi al-Ramzani sad- coming on to the home straight. Faced with Semaisima and she responded to go past the vertino), 4. Mustaqirah (JP Guillambert). Won by: fter a quiet 2016-2017 season, Mo- dled horse had beaten Bronze Maquette the last more traffi c, the fi ve-year-old went wide and post fi rst. Pierre Deymonaz-trained Konouz 1 1/2 , 3 1/4, 2 1/4. Time: 1:35.24 Owner: Umm Qarn. hamed bin Hamad Khalifa al-Attiyah’s time they went head-to-head too. then surged forward to go past Footprintinthe- made immense improvements from her last run Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. Zman Awal began the new season with Talking about the new season, Sanna said, sand, who has never fi nished outside the top (ninth) to fi nish third. Race 4: 1. Arghad (Alberto Sanna), 2. Prince Amer a bang, a victory in the Al Ghariya Cup, “Last year I won the big one here, the Emir’s four in the last two years for trainer Ahmed Mohamed Hussain-saddled Copleys Walk (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 3. Al Kabeer (Stephan theA feature race for Thoroughbred fi llies and Trophy. This year, let’s see. Every season you Kobeissi, in the fi nal few metres. bounced back from a disappointing end to the Ladjadj), 4. Saa’d (JP Guillambert). Won by: Ns, 10 mares at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club have to start from the scratch and the better you Injaaz Stud’s Istibdad stayed ahead of a fast last season to open his account on the fi rst day ½, 7 ¼. Time: 1:45.55. Owner: His Highness Sheikh (QREC) yesterday. do consistently, the better you feel.” approaching Meqdam Al Zaidy in the fi nal few of racing this time round. Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Julian Smart. Alberto Sanna had the six-year-old daughter Sanna, who picked up two wins yesterday, the metres of the race to give Champion Trainer Jas- The Al Thumama Racing gelding won the six Race 5: 1. Kasser (Marvin Suerland), 2. Qaa’ed (Faleh of Dubawi track the early leader Botanica before fi rst with Julian Smart’s Arghad, had an encour- sim Ghazali his fi rst victory of the season. furlong Thoroughbred Handicap event for hors- Bughanaim), 3. Rodin (Marc Lerner), 4. Diese (Jean moving through traffi c on the fi nal stretch and aging summer. “I got a license to race in Hong Ridden by Pier Convertino, the grey son of es rated 70-90 comfortably as Tomas Lukasek Baptiste Hamel). Won by: Nk, Hd, 1/2. Time: 1:46.38. eventually beating Mohamed Ghazali-trained Kong for two meetings, and I won both. So I AF Albahar moved past AJS Intifadah on the guided the fi ve-year-old to fi nish a little less Owner: Mohamed Ali Yousef al-Sheeb. Trainer: seven-year-old, helmed by JP Guillambert, by have come in here feeling good,” he said. home straight and then, as the post closed in, than two lengths ahead of Primitorio. Deborah Mohamed Ali Yousef al-Sheeb. a length. Hillside Dream, saddled by Champion In the mile-long Purebred Arabian Plate for did enough to hold off the challenge from Ibra- Mountain’s Palmetto Dunes was third under Race 6: 1. Istibdad (Pier Convertino), 2. Meqdam Al Trainer Jassim Ghazali, was third under Pier three-year-olds, Arghad just about managed to him al-Malki-saddled Meqdam Al Zaidy for his Faleh Bughanaim. Zaidy (Eduardo Pedroza), 3. AJS Intifadah (Alberto Convertino . “She was a good fi lly before. Then hold on by narrowest of margins for his maiden sixth career victory. Sanna had to settle for third In the fi rst race of the day, Marvin Suerland Sanna), 4. M.J Lattam (Faleh Bughanaim. Won by: last year, I really didn’t know what happened; victory. Sanna, riding in the colours of His High- on AJS Intifadah. rode fi lly Deen to victory in the Local Thorough- 1/2, 2, 1 3/4. Time: 1:31.23. Owner: Injaaz Stud. Trainer: she wasn’t so sound,” Sanna told Gulf Times af- ness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, had Marvin Suerland’s second win of the day was bred Maiden Plate event for three-year-olds. Jassim Ghazali. ter the win yesterday. “They also did not run her his ride Arghad in the lead early on, and stayed. aboard Mohamed Ali Yousef al-Sheeb’s Kasser, The Abdulla Sultan Ahmed al-Jabir-trained Race 7: 1. Marjan (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 2. Foot- much, just thrice if I am not wrong. She wasn’t Prince Amer, ridden by Jean Baptiste Hamel in who made a promising start to the season, just Deen had fi nished in the frame in her last three printinthesand (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Muraqabah up to the mark even today from what I could tell the colours of Patrice Nicolet, closed in threat- like he had done last season. starts but did well to win by a length to shed her (Pier Convertino), 4. Aseer (Tomas Lukasek). Won but she did well to win. She likes to fi nish strong. eningly in the fi nal furlong and neck and neck The six-year-old won one of the two mile long maiden status. by: ¾, 1 ¾, 2. Time: 1:12.46. Owner: Umm Qarn. And so I had to ride her accordingly, stay behind with the leader, but didn’t have enough in the races on the day, topping the Purebred Arabian Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. the leaders and then cover the distance.” tank to go past as the post went by. Handicap event for horses rated 90 & below. RESULTS Race 8: 1. Zman Awal (Alberto Sanna), 2. Botanica Al Thumama Racing’s Bronze Maquette, Hamel and his partner Marjan did well to ne- Yesterday, Kasser edged out Ahmed Kobeissi- Race 1: 1. Deen (Marvin Suerland), 2. Mister Lal (Edu- (JP Guillambert), 3. Hillside Dream (Pier Convertino), who was fancied after a strong season last time gotiate traffi c on the home straight to pick up a saddled Qaa’ed, while Osama al-Dhafa’s Rodin ardo Pedroza), 3. Khoud (Yousef al-Hajri), 4. Sharhan 4. Regality (Stephan Ladjadj). Won by: 1, 1 1/4, Nk. round, had to settle for sixth. fi ne victory in the Local Thoroughbreds event. completed the top three under Marc Lerner. Azzam (Faleh Bughanaim). Won by: 1, ¾, 5 ¼. Time: Time: 1:23.25. Owner: Mohamed bin Hamad Khalifa “I know Bronze Maquette very well; I won on The win was the Umm Qarn horse’s fi rst over six An amazing turn of foot saw debutante Se- 1:13.60. Owner: Ahmed Sultan Ahmed al-Jabir. al-Attiyah. Trainer: Hadi al-Ramzani.

WORLDSBK Record-chasing Rea fastest in practice at Losail By Sports Reporter Doha

s the WorldSBK action com- menced yesterday evening at the Qatar Round, the fi nal weekend of the 2017 season, itA was Jonathan Rea of Kawasaki Racing Team who led the way with a 1’57.666 lap. Under the fl oodlights at the spec- tacular Losail International Circuit in the Qatari desert Rea outpaced team- mate Tom Sykes and Chaz Davies of Aruba.it Racing - Ducati, also featured in the top three. Ahead of the fi nal races of the year today and tomorrow, the riders got a feel for the desert conditions in Free Practice 1 and they will all be pushing as hard as ever this weekend in order to end the year on a high. Qatari rider Saeed al-Sulati in action during practice for the FIM SuperSport World Rea was the sharpest performer in Championship at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. the opening practice on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR, lapping a hefty 0.689s mar- Fighting back from a tough weekend fuoglu fi nishes. gin ahead of his closest rival and team- in Portugal which saw Sykes forced to However, should Mahias only score mate Sykes. The Northern Irishman’s sit out of two races with a broken wrist, fi ve points and Sofuoglu win the race, hot lap came towards the end of the World champion Jonathan Rea of Kawasaki Racing Team negotiates a curve during practice at the Qatar Round of the he has been able to nurse his hand back Kawasaki’s Turkish rider would re- hour long practice session as many of WorldSBK at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. and secure two podium fi nishes, keep- tain his title due to his vastly superior the riders improved on their times. ing his runner up spot in the champi- number of race wins. Davies was 0.882s down on Rea in Lorenzo Savadori was seventh. Xavi the only track on the 2017 calendar the 2016. The Welsh rider will be hoping to onship battle within arm’s reach. He third place, whilst a lap time 1.013s off Fores (BARNI Racing Team), Marco Northern Irishman is yet to conquer. increase his win tally in 2017 following won’t go down without a fi ght today SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP the triple World Champion’s best eff ort Melandri (Ducati) and Jordi Torres But if his pace in last night’s practice is a diffi cult few rounds. and tomorrow. QATAR ROUND SCHEDULE put Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Offi cial (BMW Racing Team) completed the top anything to go by, then Rea will be hot Hunting down second position in TODAY WorldSBK Team) fourth. ten. While Rea clinched the title with favourite to win here too. He will also the championship, Davies’ mind will be ALL TO PLAY FOR IN 16:20-16:45 WorldSBK - FP3 This weekend at Losail circuit, Sykes two and half rounds to spare in France be chasing down the record of the most focused on taking the runner up posi- SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP 17:00-17:15 WorldSSP - FP3 and Davies will battle it out for the run- in the last week of September, the points scored in one season – currently tion as he will be locked in a battle with Unlike the main event, the supporting 18:30-18:45 WorldSBK - SP1 ners-up position in this year’s cham- 30-year-old still has an opportunity to held by American Colin Edwards, who Sykes. Having only fi nished outside the series is far from over and the 2017 ti- 18:55-19:10 WorldSBK - SP2 pionship behind title winner Rea and make more history in the next two days scored 552 points in 2002. top fi ve in one occasion out of six races tle will be decided in tomorrow’s fi nal 19:30-19:45 WorldSSP - SP1 both will be looking to gain any psy- in Qatar. Meanwhile, the second position is at Losail, he will be a tough man to beat round. With a maximum of 25 points 19:55-20:10 WorldSSP - SP2 chological advantage they can before The world champion is coming on still up for grabs in WorldSBK. Sitting on the Panigale. available, Lucas Mahias on his Yamaha 21:00 World SBK - Race 1 Superpole and Race 1 today. the back of a stunning performance in in joint second position in the world On the other side of the battle is goes into the race 20 points ahead of TOMORROW Michael van der Mark (Yamaha) and Southern Spain, where he clinched his championship standings is Ducati’s Sykes, who heads to a track which has reigning champion Kenan Sofuoglu. 17:00-17:15 WorldSSP - WUP Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) fi nished the fi rst every victory around the Jerez cir- Davies and Sykes of Kawasaki. welcomed some consistent results for Six points (for 10th place) will be suf- 17:30-17:45 WorldSBK - WUP session in fi fth and sixth places respec- cuit, which then became a double vic- Davies is the man to beat in Losail, the Brit, with fi ve podiums and seven fi cient for the Frenchman to secure the 19:30 WorldSSP - Race tively, while Laverty’s Aprilia teammate tory. Losail International Circuit is now having dominated the last two races in top fi ve fi nishes to his name. championship, regardless of where So- 21:00 WorldSBK - Race 2