SPORT Saturday 22 September 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Liverpool eye Smith, Warner to history against mentor team-mates Southampton on club return Qatar Clasico: Ferreira vows ‘great encounter’

THE PENINSULA Both teams are looking plplayersayers are overworked,overworked, alsoalso injuries.injuries. “T“Thishis season staystay there.there. TheThe “I dodo not havehave anythinganyt to duduee to iinternationalnternational coc om - is thethe bestbest forfor me to win in order to take leadersleaders at worryworry aboutabout bbeforeefore ttheh game, DOHA: Sparks are bound to fly mitments, of late. withwith AAll SaSadddd forfor the lead in the standings thisthis stagestage but I know we’re also ggoing to as Al Sadd host Al Rayyan in the We are manymany reasons, and the game will be needneed not faceface one ofof tthehe bbestest tteamse in highly-anticipated Qatar Clasico carefulcareful ababoutout includingincluding the open: Jesualdo Ferreira finishfinish thethe Asia. We know their ststrengths today, with both top teams fieldingfielding thethe tournament andand weaknesses,weaknesses, butbut we will chasing a top spot in QNB Stars team in good harmonyharmony inin the same primarily focus on oourur ability. League standings. shapeshape fforor tthehe bebetweentween We respect Al Sadd, but position.position. “Our“Our nnewew BBrazilianr Al Rayyan, captained by QatarQ atar thethe playersplayers in we will play the game ststrikerriker LucaLuc is a Rodrigo Rabata have 11 points ClasicoC l asico additionaddition to tthehe in our style. We hope doubtdoubtfulful starter. from five matches, and if they withoutwithout new plplayersayers who to succeed: Rodolfo So is iinjured will beat Xavi-led Al Sadd they moremoo rer joined us. We have been dedefenderfe Arruabarrena will secure top position at least winningwinning at thethe domesticdomestic GonzaloGonzalo Vieira,” for a week. Al Sadd and Al Duhail llevelevel anandd aalsolso in tthehe AFC saidsaid RRodolfo. have 10 points each from four ChampionsChampions LeaLeague.gue. The match will kick off at matches apiece due to their AFC “Hassan Al Haydous has the Al Sadd Stadium at Champions League beenbeen injuredinjured since tthehe bbeginningeginning 5:55pm. quarter-finals. ofof the season and we playedplayed a Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Fer- lot of games without him. The reira said the match will produce most important tthinghing now is tthehe AlA Sadd, but we will play ththee a lot of fireworks. balance in the team desdespitepite the game in our style. We hopepe “It is going to be a great absencesabsences andand tthathat is wwhathat we are to succeed. encounter and I urge all our fans trying to achieve,” said “I also hope the gamee to be at the stadium to cheer us Ferreira.Ferreira. will be played in a goodd on. Both teams are looking to Al Rayyan coach Rodolfo atmosphere, true to thee win in order to take the lead in ArruabarrenaArruabarrena alsoalso promisedpromised sporit of Qatar Clasico, andd the standings and the game will A-gameA-game ffromrom hhisis ranranks.ks. fans will enjoy the actionn be open,” he said ahead of the “We are going to play an when both teams will fightt it crunch tie. importantimportant game. We will face out on the field. “I hope none of our players one of the best teams in the QQNBNB “We are at the top ooff Rodrigo Rabata gets injured due to the fatigue Stars League,League, wwhichhich is a stronstrongg standings now, which meansns that they suffered of late. Our competitioncompetition in AAsia.sia. We resrespectpect we have to win the games to Al Duhail shift focus Al Sailiya down Al Ahli; to QSL after Asian Umm Salal earn victory CL heartbreak THE PENINSULA Al Duhail vs Al Gharafa FAWAD HUSSAIN Kick-off: 8:05pm THE PENINSULA Al Sailiya players celebrate a goal against Al Ahli during their DOHA: Al Duhail are hoping for QSL match at Hamad Bin Khalifa a successful return to the QNB Maaloul said mistakes cost DOHA: Al Sailiya showed nerves Stadium, yesterday. Stars League (QSL) following his team dearly in the loss of steel as they came from behind PICTURE BY: SYED OMAR their loss in the AFC Champions against Persepolis. twice to secure an impressive 4-2 League quarter-finals earlier “Against Persepolis, we put victory over Al Ahli in an this week. our spearhead Yousef El Arabi absorbing battle at the QNB Stars Al Duhail, seeking to defend on the bench because we had a League (QSL), yesterday. their QSL title, will take on Al plan in place and that suc- The match at the Hamad Bin Gharafa today at their home ceeded in the first half when we Khalifa Stadium yesterday saw turf, eyeing victory after their pushed Almoez Ali against the all the goals being scored in the loss to Iran’s Persepolis in the Iranian team’s defence. second half after a goalless first quarter-finals. “Our plan surprised the half. “It is a tough game, espe- rivals, but individual mistakes The victory took Al Sailiya’s cially psychologically, after our in the second half deprived us points tally to 12 points, along AFC Champions League exit in of success. I have a strong squad with Al Arabi who also have 12 the quarter-final stage. We are at my disposal and it will come points from 6 matches. trying to boost the morale of the good,” said Maaloul. Al Sailiya got their goals from players because, despite the Meanwhile, Al Gharafa Majdi Siddiq (68th minute), defeat, we were closer to the coach Christian Gourcuff said Abdulqadir Adam (82nd), next round,” said Al Duhail his team will have to give it’s Abdulkareem Al Ali (87th) and coach Nabil Maaloul. best to achieve the desirable Rachid Tiberkanine (92nd), “Now we are in the QSL and results against champions Al while, Meshaal Abdulla scored Al Sailiya looked for early goals. from both the sides, the first half we are still missing Luis Martin Duhail. both Al Ahli’s goals ( 54th and Al Ahli were equally impressive, ended with a goal being scored. due to his injury. But we have a “We did not deserve to lose 74th minutes) in the match. and did not deserve to lose the Al Sailiya came closest to strong pool of young players to Umm Salal in the last round It was a tight contest right match by this margin. breaking the deadlock deep into who can satisfy our fans by in terms of performance. I have from the start as both Al Ahli and Despite repeated attacks the first half, with Abdulkareem helping win the league cham- tried my best to prepare the firing narrowly wide from pionship,” said the coach. team in a better way. We had distance. YESTERDAY’S RESULTS “The most important thing better avoid the mistakes we The match was completely we are thinking about now is committed against Umm Salal,” different in the second half with Al Sailiya bt Al Ahli 4-2 the result of the game against he said. Meshaal breaking the deadlock Umm Salal bt Al Kharaitiyat Al Gharafa although we have to “We will sorely miss the nine minutes into the second be at our best. We talked a lot services of Dutch star Wesley half. However, Majdi made it 1-1 2-1 to the players in order to help Schneider, who will need for Al Sailiya on a stunning free- them get out of the psycho- around a month to recover from kick that bent around the wall saved until injury time when logical blow,” he said. a muscle injury,” said Gourcuff. and into the far corner. Abdulqadir fed Tiberkanine on It did not take long for Al Ahli the edge of the area, with the to get their noses in front again Moroccan teeing the ball up on with, Mohsine Moutaouli sending his right foot before striking a another through ball in to beautiful volley to seal all three Meshaal who dispatched his points. Umm Salal's second of the evening. In other match at Al Khor Tilal Ali Ali (left) The real turning point came Stadium, Umm Salal edged out in action against in the 82nd minute when Al Al Kharaitiyat 2-1 to claim full Al Kharaitiyat’s Sailiya were awarded a penalty, points. Umm Salal have now Muhammed Raza despite the protests from the vis- secured 10 points from six during their QSL iting side, which Abdulqadir matches while Al Kharaitiyat are Al Duhail coach Nabil Maaloul (right) during a pre-match match, yesterday. stepped up to bring the scores yet to open their account after level. losing all their six matches in the press conference in Doha. The moment of the night was league so far. SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 17 Osaka muscles into Tokyo semis AFP “My serve will be there when I’m in danger. That’s how I saved TOKYO: Japan’s Naomi Osaka a lot of break points at the US exuded a major champion’s aura Open and I’m not trying to do yesterday as she dispatched anything different.” Barbora Strycova 6-3, 6-4 to Earlier, fourth seed Karolina reach the Pan Pacific Open semi- Pliskova saved two match points finals, despite being nowhere before the former women’s top- near her best. ranked player ended American The third seed, who stunned qualifier Alison Riske’s run with Serena Williams to capture the a 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4) victory. US Open title earlier this month, The Czech, who smashed a failed to hit the same heights she racquet in disgust after squan- did on that historic night in New dering multiple chances at 5-5 York. in the deciding set, completed a But she still had too much “lucky win” with a sliced firepower for Strycova in Tokyo, backhand that Riske wafted into advancing to face Italy’s Camila the net after two hours, 40 Giorgi in the last four. minutes. Eighth seed Strycova had “It was an important win for little answer to her opponent’s me,” said Pliskova after reaching venomous hitting and the world her first Tokyo semi-final. number seven bagged the first “I’m just happy to be able to set with a sledgehammer fight back -- she was a little bit forehand that almost tore the better than me, but you need a racquet from the Czech’s hand. bit of luck in tennis.” Pliskova Naomi Osaka of Japan hits a return against Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic during their women’s singles quarter-final tennis match The 20-year-old Osaka, con- faces Croatia’s Donna Vekic in at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, yesterday. testing her first tournament since the last four after she upset becoming Japan’s first Grand second seed Caroline Garcia 6-3, Slam singles winner, never bruising serve into the body to “It definitely is on my mind,” (Giorgi) before but I know she’s Victoria Azarenka 5-3 when the 6-4. Garcia blew an early break looked back against a player 12 extend her current winning added Japan’s latest sporting a very difficult player to play Belarusian retired with stomach to allow Vekic to take the years her senior, with another streak to nine matches. celebrity, who has a Japanese against.” Giorgi, who knocked pains. opening set and the French- forehand rocket bringing up a “It would mean a lot to win mother, a Haitian father and was out top seed and defending “I’m looking forward to it,” woman suffered a carbon-copy first match point. this tournament,” said Osaka, raised in the United States. champion Caroline Wozniacki shrugged Osaka, backing herself letdown in the second, the Strycova saved that one but who reached the Tokyo final in “But tomorrow is going to be on Thursday, was leading former to fix the gremlins that plagued Croatian ending her misery with moments later, Osaka fired a 2016. a hard match. I’ve never played world number one her serve against Strycova. a backhand winner. Halep feels Slam triumph justifies No.1 ranking REUTERS gathering of reporters in a phone failures in as many title matches focused and do my best.” Osaka interview yesterday, the before she rallied past American became Japan’s first ever Grand LONDON: Simona Halep 26-year-old also earmarked US Sloane Stephens in Paris to Slam champion with her (pictured) believes this year’s Open champion Naomi Osaka prevail 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 on her impressive win over Serena Wil- French Open victory has helped as a huge prospect for the future favourite clay surface in June. liams in a US Open final marred justify her position as the after the Japanese player made The mental and physical by accusations of sexism women’s world number one, her major breakthrough in New exertion of that triumph seemed towards the umpire by the with the Romanian saying she York. to take a toll on the base-liner American after she was warned was now playing pressure-free “My dream was to become midway through the season but three times for various tennis and motivated to add number one and I managed that Halep believes her form in North infringements. more Grand Slam titles to her last year and then my goal was America indicated she was close Halep steered clear of com- resume. to win a Grand Slam because to playing her best tennis. menting directly about the Speaking to a small some consider that a sign of “It wasn’t a huge disaster second set incidents but felt that being a true number after I won the French Open. I women and men were generally one,” Halep, who has won in Canada and reached the treated equally by officials on the topped the rankings final in Cincinnati in consecutive tennis court. for 46 weeks in total, weeks,” she said. “I don’t really see a dif- explained. “That meant a lot to me and ference between men’s and “So my moti- gave me confidence to believe women’s tennis,” Halep added. vation was to win a my level is still there, but in the “I don’t really want to major after I reached Grand Slams... at Wimbledon I comment on this (the US Open the top of the was really tired and emotional, final) but everyone gets the same rankings and now I and grass is always difficult for thing. I have been fined for feel relaxed after me. smashing my racket. The achieving both. I am “I did have a match point in umpires respect the rules and I still motivated to win the third round (loss to Hsieh don’t really have much to add as every match and Su-wei) and Kaia Kanepi just it feels the same for me.” now the pressure played really well at the US Open Despite being just 20-year- feels off, I can just and I just couldn’t put it together old, Osaka managed to stay calm feel the pleasure of to win the match or make it enough to complete a 6-2 6-4 playing.” Halep closer,” she added of her first victory over the 23-times Grand knows all too well round loss in New York. Slam champion, a performance Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic hits a return against Alison the pain of losing a “I feel my form is really good that Halep believed made the Riske of the US during their women’s singles quarter-final match at Grand Slam final now but you never know, we’ll Japanese player a big threat on after suffering three see... I am just trying to stay the circuit. the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, yesterday. Woods seizes share of early lead at Tour Championship

AFP “Overall, I felt in control today. I had a lot of control over my shots. ATLANTA: Tiger Woods (pictured) “The only hard part was getting Fisher cards first 59 in delivered easily the loudest roar in my speed on the greens early. I ending his round with an eagle three missed every putt, blew it through to share the lead on day one of the the hole. I had five, six feet coming European Tour history season-ending Tour Championship back, and once I figured out the pace in Atlanta. of these things, it was all good.” AFP Woods found the green with his Woods had begun his round with future star as a teenage amateur, is ranked second shot into the par-five 18th a bogey but soon regrouped with down at 287 in the world and had missed and then brilliantly holed a just over birdies at the fifth and sixth holes on VILAMOURA, PORTUGAL: Unheralded 11 cuts in his 22 previous events this season. 25 foot putt in a round of a five- a course where he claimed the FedEx Englishman Oliver Fisher fired the first He also had to battle to save his tour under par 65 to tie fellow American Cup championship trophy in 2007 round of 59 in the European Tour’s 46-year card at the same tournament two years Rickie Fowler in Thursday’s and 2009. history on a remarkable second day of the ago, but scaled heights that thousands of heatwave conditions on the East He then birdied the 12th and Portugal Masters yesterday. players had failed to reach before with his Lake course. downhill 14th holes ahead of the The 30-year-old tapped in for par efforts yesterday. It is the second straight event in eagle on 18 in a round that included on the final hole to complete an aston- “Two years ago I was on the same succession Woods has shared the just 28 putts. ishing 12-under-par round featuring green just trying to keep my card, so I was first-round lead after he and Rory “I played really well today and missed it all on the correct sides. 10 birdies and an eagle, after his long keeping that in the back of my mind and McIlroy were tied at the top with 62s though it wasn’t exactly the start I Even the fairways I missed, all were birdie putt for a 58 grazed the edge of trying to remember that it could be worse,” on day one of the BMW Champi- was looking for in taking the bogey on the correct sides. the hole. he added. onship in Philadelphia. at one, I made two good putts there “The shots I missed were on the “It feels great, I started great and I kept Fisher’s round gave him the clubhouse “To finish with an eagle was nice at five and six and got to under par, greens, all had beautiful angles. All it going,” Fisher said. lead on 12-under for the tournament as he as I hammered that drive up the left and then from there I hit it pretty in all, I had a lot of control today.” “Just pleased I two-putted from 40 feet looks for only a second European Tour title, side, and it was nice to see it not in good and made a few putts,” said Fowler capped his round with back- on the final green.” with the majority of players still on the the rough before hitting five wood Woods. to-back birdies at five and six and Fisher, who was regarded as a possible course. to the green,” said Woods. “But more than anything, I while he dropped a shot on seven. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2018

EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS

Results from the first round of group Liverpool eye history games in the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League on Thursday:

Group A Ludogorets (BUL) 2 (Keseru 8, Marce- against Southampton linho 31) Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 3 AFP (Havertz 38, 69, Kiese Thelin 63) got from playing games,” said AEK Larnaca (CYP) 0 FC Zurich (SUI) 1 Henderson. (Kololli 61-pen) LIVERPOOL: Liverpool look to “You can see that in the per- maintain their impressive start formances, they are winning Group B to the new season in a poten- games. So it’s normal for me that Sergio Aguero Celtic (SCO) 1 (Griffiths 87) Rosenborg tially historic meeting against I’m not playing, I can accept it. (NOR) 0 Southampton, with Jurgen “Obviously, it’s a lot easier Klopp’s players benefitting from when you’ve had longer in pre- RB Leipzig (GER) 2 (Laimer 70, Aguero their relatively quiet summer of season and more games to play Poulsen 82) RB Salzburg (AUT) 3 (Da- international football. before the season starts then of bour 20, Haidara 22, Gulbrandsen 89) Only four clubs in Premier course it is a lot easier to get in extends League history - Newcastle in your rhythm straight away, your Group C 1994, Manchester City two fitness levels will be higher. Slavia Prague (CZE) 1 (Zmrhal 35) City stay seasons ago and the Chelsea “When you are coming back Bordeaux (FRA) 0 sides of 2005 and 2009 - have from a World Cup when you FC Copenhagen (DEN) 1 (Sotiriou 63) opened a campaign with six con- have had time off, you come AFP Zenit Saint Petersburg (RUS) 1 (Mak secutive victories. back in and you have still got to 44) Now, Reds boss Klopp can get back up to speed straight LONDON: Manchester City’s add his current Liverpool side to away. Group D record goalscorer Sergio that list with a victory over “I’ve used this period to try Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 4 (Sunjic 16, Aguero extended his stay with Southampton at Anfield today. and refresh my body, refresh my Hajrovic 27, 57, Olmo 60) Fenerbahce the Premier League cham- A win would also mark the mind because last season was (TUR) 1 (Neustadter 47) pions yesterday, signing a first time since 1990-91 that Liv- long. one-year contract extension. erpool have opened the league “Especially with the World Spartak Trnava (SVK) 1 (Oravec 79) The 30-year-old season with seven consecutive Cup, it was enjoyable and ended Anderlecht (BEL) 0 Argentina international -- victories. with the disappointment but it who broke the record last Liverpool’s impressive start was a long season and this is Group E season and whose tally stands to the season, which has also going to be another long season Arsenal (ENG) 4 (Aubameyang 32, 56, at 204 -- put pen to paper on included the thrilling midweek hopefully with a lot of games so Welbeck 48, Ozil 74) Vorskla Poltava a deal that will see him home Champions League victory I’m using this period to be as (UKR) 2 (Chesnakov 77, Sharpar 90+4) through to the end of the 2021 over Paris Saint-Germain, can ready as possible.” Sporting (POR) 2 (Rafinha 54, Cabral season. be traced to a number of factors. Klopp’s policy has also been 88) Qarabag (AZE) 0 “I am happy for this addi- But the fact that a only small aided by a busy summer transfer tional year,” said Aguero in a number of Klopp’s key players window in which he has added Group F club statement. made it through to the latter depth to his squad in key Olympiakos (GRE) 0 Betis (ESP) 0 “My idea was being here stages of the Russia World Cup positions. Dudelange (LUX) 0 AC Milan (ITA) 1 for 10 years. I’ve been here is, possibly, one of the main In the win over PSG, the Liv- (Higuain 59) for seven years, it’s going to reasons for such a strong erpool manager was able to start be 10 when the contract opening to the season. Daniel Sturridge ahead of Group G expires. Just five Liverpool players Roberto Firmino and bring new “This was the main were involved in the quarter- Liverpool’s Fabinho (left) with manager Jurgen Klopp react at the signing Xherdan Shaqiri off the Rapid Vienna (AUT) 2 (Timofeev 50- reason I signed. I’m very finals of the World Cup, behind final whistle of their UEFA Champions League match against PSG bench, to replace Mohamed og, Murg 68) Spartak Moscow (RUS) 0 happy because they have Chelsea, Tottenham and the two at Anfield in Liverpool, last Tuesday. Salah, with the game in the Villarreal (ESP) 2 (Bacca 1, Gerard 69) treated me very well since the Manchester clubs with reigning balance at 2-2. Rangers (SCO) 2 (Arfield 67, Lafferty first day I got here.” champions City having had 11 of managed those players who did Now, Liverpool fans 76) Txiki Begiristain, Man- their stars reach the last eight. play an extended role in Russia dreaming of a first league title in Group H chester City’s director of Tottenham, whom Liverpool extremely well.Club captain 29 years, will hope the players Lazio (ITA) 2 (Luis Alberto 14, Immo- football, said Aguero -- who beat impressively 2-1 in London Jordan Henderson, who reached who were involved deep into the bile 84-pen) Apollon Limassol (CYP) 1 has been left out at times by last week, had nine of their key the semi-finals with England, World Cup - including Croatian A win would also (Zelaya 87) manager Pep Guardiola in the personnel reach that stage of the has started just one league game defender Dejan Lovren who is Marseille (FRA) 1 (Ocampos 3) Eintrac- last two years for Brazilian mark the first time World Cup, while Klopp has seen but played a crucial role against currently injured - will soon be ht Frankfurt (GER) 2 (Torro 52, Jovic Gabriel Jesus -- retained his since 1990-91 that the likes of Andy Robertson, PSG in midweek and explained back to peak form. 89) status as one of the club’s Virgil Van Dijk, James Milner and the logic behind Klopp’s man- Firmino, who came off the Group I most pivotal players. Liverpool have Georginio Wijnaldum make agement style. bench to net the winner against “We are delighted that opened the league major contributions for his side “The lads have worked so PSG despite suffering with an Genk (BEL) 2 (Trossard 37, Samatta 71) Sergio is extending his stay at season with seven having missed out on Russia hard in pre-season and I can see eye injury sustained against Tot- Malmo (SWE) 0 Besiktas (TUR) 3 (Babel 51, Santiago Manchester City,” said consecutive victories. completely. the benefits already in how fit tenham, is likely to be fit to start Begiristain. Klopp also appears to have they are, the rhythm they have against Southampton. Roco 69, Lens 82) Sarpsborg (NOR) 1 (Zachariassen 90+4)

Group J Akhisar (TUR) 0 Krasnodar (RUS) 1 Miami looms over Camp Nou as Barca host Girona (Claesson 26) Sevilla (ESP) 5 (Banega 8, 74-pen, LA LIGA FIXTURES AFP Vazquez 41, Ben Yedder 49, 70) Stand- Barca and Girona do battle switched to Miami, even if opponents are struggling too, ard Liege (BEL) 1 (Djenepo 39) All times in GMT in Spain various parties still need to give 14th, with only two goals in four MADRID: Barcelona are the Girona took the lead at the the plan the green light. games. Today Group K only team left with a perfect Camp Nou last season but by the Neighbours in need of a Real Madrid set for Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves (1100) Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 2 (Tsyhankov 11, record in La Liga but their finish, Luis Suarez had a hat- boost Espanyol clash Celta Vigo vs Real Valladolid (1415) match against Girona today is trick and Barcelona had scored Mestalla was rocking for Even their first points Garmash 45+2) Astana (KAZ) 2 (Anicic Eibar vs Leganes (1415) not all about the points. six. Valencia’s Champions League dropped at Athletic Bilbao last 21, Murtazayev 90+5) Getafe vs Atletico Madrid (1630) Real Madrid and Atletico It would be a brave person return on Wednesday and so weekend have done little to Rennes (FRA) 2 (Sarr 31, Ben Arfa Real Madrid vs Espanyol (1845) Madrid are already playing to bet against another home was the team’s defence as puncture the enthusiasm at Real 90+1-pen) Jablonec (CZE) 1 (Travnik Tomorrow catch-up on the Catalans while win tomorrow but hanging in 10-man Juventus, without the Madrid, who have made a 54) Levante vs Sevilla (1000) Villarreal host rivals Valencia the air too will be the very real sent off Cristiano Ronaldo, still stronger start to life after Group L Villarreal vs Valencia (1415) at the Estadio de la Ceramica. possibility this match is not cruised to a comfortable win. Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane Vidi (HUN) 0 BATE (BLR) 2 (Tuominen

Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao (1800) Take a look at things to returned. A frenzied grudge match than many expected. 27, Filipenko 85)

Barcelona vs Girona (1845) watch out for in the Spanish top The reverse fixture in away to Villarreal could be the Espanyol are the visitors PAOK (GRE) 0 Chelsea (ENG) 1 (Willian flight this weekend. Girona in January is set to be antidote, particularly as their today in the match. 7) Joshua promises to find a way against Povetkin

AFP champion Wladimir Klitschko tons of pressure,” Joshua told a last year. Wembley news conference. LONDON: Anthony Joshua has But he will be under par- “That’s the reality. admitted to feeling under “tons ticular pressure to deliver this I know I have a lot of “You’re calm and collected of pressure” ahead of his latest time around. Many boxing fans but underneath it all it’s the world heavyweight title defence had hoped this weekend would fire in my belly; that’s reality. We both know what we against Russia’s Alexander see Joshua up against World just as important as are in for. It’s the same with Povetkin at London’s Wembley Boxing Council heavyweight skills: Anthony Joshua every fight. Stadium today. champion Deontay Wilder. “What more can I do than Joshua, the 2012 Olympic Negotiations with the Amer- give my best? I’ll go out there and champion, will be fighting in ican’s camp have proved November, as he continues his find a way to win.” front of his home London crowd fruitless, although whether that’s comeback to the ring is a Joshua added: “I know I have as he looks to extend his the fault of Joshua’s promoter reminder that Joshua is not the a lot of fire in my belly; that’s just unbeaten professional record to Eddie Hearn, Wilder’s man- ‘only show in town’, either as important as skills. 22 consecutive wins when he agement or some combination domestically or internationally. “Skills and technique apart, puts his International Boxing of both - the often protracted Joshua’s last fight saw the we both have a big heart and can Federation, World Boxing Asso- nature of talks before a ‘mega 28-year-old taken the distance dig deep. We both showed that ciation and World Boxing Organ- fight’ actually takes place makes for the first time in his profes- against Klitschko (who beat Pov- isation titles on the line. it difficult to say. sional career, but he secured a etkin on points). The fight sees Joshua That Britain’s Tyson Fury, unanimous decision over New “The one who’s toughest will returning to the scene of himself a former world heavy- Zealand’s Joseph Parker in come out victorious.” Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin go head to head during arguably his greatest triumph, an weight champion, is set to meet Cardiff in March. A crowd of some 80,000 is their weigh-in in London, yesterday. 11th-round stoppage of former Wilder in Las Vegas in “There’s loads of pressure; expected at Wembley. SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 19

SCOREBOARD Afghanistan Pakistan Jadeja, Rohit lead India’s Mohammad Shahzad c Sarfraz b Nawaz ....20 Fakhar Zaman lbw b Mujeeb ...... 0 Ihsanullah Janat c and b Nawaz ...... 10 Imam-ul-Haq run out ...... 80 Rahmat Shah c and b Nawaz ...... 36 Babar Zaman st Shahzad b Rashid ...... 66 Hashmatullah Shahidi not out ...... 97 Haris Sohail c Ihsanullah b Mujeeb ...... 13 Asghar Afghan b Shaheen ...... 67 Shoaib Malik (not out) ...... 51 Mohammad Nabi c Hasan b Shaheen ...... 7 Sarfraz Ahmed b Naib ...... 8 rout of Bangladesh Najibullah Zadran b Hasan ...... 5 Asif Ali c Alam b Rashid ...... 7 Gulbadin Naib (not out) ...... 10 Mohammad Nawaz b Rashid ...... 10 AFP Extras: (LB2, NB2, W1) ...... 5 Hasan Ali (not out) ...... 6 Total: (for six wkts) ...... 257 Extras: (B2, LB2, W13) ...... 17 DUBAI: Spinner Ravindra Jadeja Did not bat: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Total: (for 7 wkts) ...... 258 took four wickets and skipper Alam Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-154, 3-158, 4-194, Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-31, 3-94, 4-188, 5-216, 6-226, 7-242 Rohit Sharma smashed a 5-200, 6-212 Bowling: Mujeeb 10-2-33-2 (3w) Alam 9.3- successive half century to help Bowling: Shinwari 10-1-58-0 (1nb), Shaheen 1-64-0 (4w) Naib 10-0-61-1 (3w), Nabi 10- India rout Bangladesh by seven 10-0-38-2, Nawaz 10-1-57-3, Malik 4-0-21-0, 0-50-0 (1w), Rashid 10-0-46-3 (2w) wickets in Asia Cup match in Sohail 6-0-30-0, Hasan 10-0-51-1 (1nb, 1w) Result: Pakistan win by three wickets Dubai yesterday. Jadeja finished with four for 29 to wreck Bangladesh to 173 all out in 49.1 overs at Dubai stadium. Pakistan secure 3-wicket Sharma then launched another assault on the bowlers during his victory over Afghanistan 104-ball unbeaten knock which AFP was studded with three sixes and the Super Four clash. Shahidi five boundaries as India chased finished with a brilliantly- down the target in 36.2 overs. ABU DHABI: Pakistan beat paced 118-ball 97 not out, Sharma put on 61 for the Afghanistan by three wickets and added 94 for the fourth opening stand with Shikhar in a nerve-racking last over wicket with his skipper Dhawan (47-ball 40 with a six and finish in the Super Four Asghar Afghan, who smashed four boundaries) before easing match of the Asia Cup in Abu five sixes and two fours in his towards the target with another Dhabi yesterday. 56-ball 67. 64-run stand for the third with Indian captain Rohit Sharma plays a shot during the one day international (ODI) Asia Cup match against Shoaib Malik smashed But it was Shahidi who Mahendra Singh Dhoni who made Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, yesterday. unbeaten 51 off 43 with the held one end against Paki- 33. help of one six and three stan’s bowling in an innings It was another comfortable eased through their big match on Wednesday. The arch rivals Bangladesh, who were bowled fours to save Pakistan from which featured seven bound- victory for the title holders who against Pakistan by eight wickets meet again in the Super Four out for a mere 119 against Afghan- defeat. aries after left-arm spinner match in Dubai tomorrow. istan on Thursday, were once Afghanistan scored 257-6 Mohammad Nawaz (3-57) SCOREBOARD Jadeja, playing his first again off to a disastrous start in their 50 overs which had put the brakes on one-day international for over a during which they lost half the side Pakistan chased down in Afghanistan’s early progress. Bangladesh Bowling: Kumar 10-1-32-3(1w) Bumrah 9.1-1-37-3, Chahal Liton Das c Jadhav b Kumar ...... 7 10-0-40-0, Jadeja 10-0-29-4 (1nb), Yadav 10-0-34-0 year, was at his best after India for just 65 runs. 49.3 overs for the loss of Shahidi had added 63 for Nazmul Hossain c Dhawan b Bumrah ...... 7 India: sent Bangladesh into bat on a flat Mushfiqur Rahman, who seven wickets at Abu Dhabi the third wicket with Rahmat Shakib Al Hasan c Dhawan b Jadeja ...... 17 R. Sharma (not out) ...... 83 pitch. scored a brilliant hundred against stadium. Hashmatullah Shah who scored a measured Mushfiqur Rahim c Chahal b Jadeja ...... 21 S. Dhawan lbw b Shakib ...... 40 He only came into the squad Sri Lanka, managed 21 while star Shahidi missed out on a 36. The total is an Mohammad Mithun lbw b Jadeja ...... 9 A. Rayudu c Rahim b Rubel...... 13 as a replacement for all-rounder batsman Shakib Al Hasan failed maiden hundred by a mere improvement by Afghanistan Mahmudullah Riyad lbw b Kumar ...... 25 M. Dhoni c Mithun b Mortaza ...... 33 Hardik Pandya who was ruled out yet again with 17. three runs but still steered after scoring 249 and 255 in Mosaddek Hossain c Dhoni b Jadeja ...... 12 D. Karthik (not out) ...... 1 of the tournament with a back It could have been worse Afghanistan to a challenging their previous two wins Mashrafe Mortaza c Bumrah b Kumar ...... 26 Extras: (LB1, NB2, W1) ...... 4 injury. had Mehidy not put on a fighting 257-6. Shahidi hit three con- against Sri Lanka and Mehidy Hasan c Dhawan b Bumrah ...... 42 Total: (for three wkts) ...... 174 Pacemen Bhuvneshwar 66-run partnership for the secutive boundaries in the Bangladesh. Mustafizur Rahman c Dhawan b Bumrah ...... 3 Did not bat: K. Jadhav, R. Jadeja, B. Kumar, K. Yadav, Kumar (3-32) and Jasprit Bumrah eighth wicket with Mashrafe final over off Usman Pakistani fielders Rubel Hossain (not out) ...... 1 Y. Chahal, J. Bumrah (3-37) were also ruthless as Bang- Mortaza who made 26 with two Shinwari, but failed to get to dropped four catches -- Extras: (B1, NB1, W1) ...... 3 Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-106, 3-170 ladeshi batting couldn’t get going sixes. three figures off the last three off debutant paceman Total: (all out) ...... 173 Bowling: Mortaza 5-0-30-1 (1nb, 1w), Mehidy 10-0- Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-16, 3-42, 4-60, 5-65, 6-101, 38-0, Rahman 7-0-40-0 (1w), Shakib 9.2-0-44-1, Ru- with tail-ender Mehidy Hasan top- Top two teams from the Super delivery after Afghanistan Shaheen Shah Afridi who fin- 7-101, 8-167, 9-169 bel 5-0-21-1 scoring with a 50-ball 42 with two Four will play the final in Dubai won the toss and batted in ished with 2-38. sixes and two boundaries. on September 28. England give Burns chance to fill Cook’s shoes in Sri Lanka

AFP this season, scoring 1,319 Cham- at the start of this season. “But player in the squad. The 24-year- pionship runs at an average of over when it comes to selecting a old Stone, who was named in Eng- NOTTINGHAM: Uncapped Surrey 69. “I think Rory Burns has touring party we felt Keaton was land’s squad for the first time batsman Rory Burns is set to impressed everyone with the con- in our best squad to beat Sri earlier this week for the preceding replace Alastair Cook at the top of sistency of his run scoring. Lanka.” one-day series, has taken 37 England’s order after being named “Not just this year when he’s The 32-year-old Denly wickets at just 12 apiece for War- in a 16-man squad yesterday for scored 1300 runs and led Surrey returned to the England set-up wickshire in the County Champi- the upcoming three-Test tour of to the title -- which are both sig- for the first time since 2010, onship this season. Sri Lanka. nificant achievements -- but over when he earned nine one-day He adds a measure of extra Left-handed opener Cook, five years he has consistently international caps and played pace to an attack set to be headed England’s all-time leading run- scored over a thousand runs (a five Twenty20s. up again by James Anderson and scorer, retired from international season),” said Smith. His leg-spin bowling could Stuart Broad. duty after bringing down the He was speaking to reporters also prove useful in Sri Lanka, But Smith insisted Stone had curtain on his illustrious 12-year at Trent Bridge yesterday after where pitches often provide plenty not been selected to fill a perceived Test career with a farewell century overseeing a selection meeting of turn. need for a genuine fast bowler. against India at the Oval this at Nottinghamshire’s “I played with Joe Denly when And he stressed he had been month. headquarters. he was a very young man, you in contact with Warwickshire That left England with an Fellow opener Keaton Jen- could see he was a fantastic coach Ashley Giles, who had opening batsman vacancy. nings was retained despite strug- natural athlete, a brilliant mover, warned England to treat Stone They have now turned to gling against Pakistan and India talented batter, bowled leg-spin, “like a Ferrari”. Burns, who captained Surrey to the this season -- he scored 192 runs everything came very easily to “Obviously Olly Stone is a very County Championship title this in six Tests at a meagre average of him,” said former Kent captain exciting talent and he has been season, with Kent top-order 19.20. Smith. troubled by injuries, there’s no batsman Joe Denly and Warwick- “Like every opening batsman “What’s happened to Joe is he’s secret there,” said Smith. shire paceman Olly Stone the other this summer Keaton Jennings evolved into this really calm, “We want to catch him when Pakistan’s batsman Imam ul-Haq leaves the pitch after being two uncapped players in the found opening the batting difficult. measured performer but that he’s at his best, when he’s in form, dismissed during the One-day international (ODI) Asia Cup squad. There’s no secret about that,” said touch of class is still there.” - ‘ bowling fast, bowling accurately, Burns has been the leading Smith, a former England batsman, Warwickshire paceman Olly with skill, but also manage his match against Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in run-scorer in the English top flight who took over as selection chief Stone was the third uncapped workload. Abu Dhabi, yesterday.

Smith, Warner to mentor team-mates on club return

REUTERS captain of the national side. them learn,” Smith said in a in the team”. The presence of will be the first on home soil a great experience for all young They were allowed to play video published by the Aus- Smith and Warner has already since the scandal erupted. players involved,” Steve Waugh SYDNEY: Banned Australian in overseas Twenty20 compe- tralian Cricketers’ Association. raised the profile of grade Warner played in the NT told the Australian Associated duo Steve Smith and David titions and domestic lower level “If I can pass on any infor- cricket matches to unprece- Strike League in Darwin back Press. Warner will look to share their club cricket but remain ineli- mation to these young guys dented levels and record crowds in July along with Cameron Ban- “It’s a huge opportunity and wealth of experience with gible to appear in first-class coming through and help them are expected at the grounds. croft, who is serving a nine- it’s going to fast-track their budding cricketers when they games until next March. turn into better players, I’ll do Another enticing showdown month suspension for his learning so much. make their highly anticipated Smith is due to appear for that. is expected on Nov. 10, when involvement in the scandal. “I don’t know Steve that return to club cricket in Sydney his Sutherland club against “We want to see Australian Sutherland and Randwick- Warner’s opponents will include well personally but watching today. Mosman on Saturday at Glenn cricket strong and it starts at this Petersham face each other. former test team mate Josh from the sidelines, you know The batsmen were sus- McGrath Oval, while Warner level. The more older heads Smith, who will turn out Hazlewood. Former Australia he’s not going to sell himself pended for a year for their part will be part of the Randwick- there are around to come and alongside Shane Watson for captain Steve Waugh will watch short in terms of preparation, in a ball-tampering scandal Petersham side to face St George help out, the better.” In the same Sutherland, has played his son Austin play with Smith commitment, dedication and during a test in South Africa at Coogee. video, Warner said he was Twenty20 cricket in Canada and for Sutherland. passion. That will all be there, earlier this year and also “Hopefully I can teach some excited about guiding “some of the Caribbean during his ban “I don’t want to comment no matter where he’s removed as captain and vice- of the young guys the game, help the younger guys and older guys and Saturday’s 50-over match particularly on Austin but it’ll be playing.”