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Friday, October 13, 2017 FOOTBALL Muharram 23, 1439 AH Mourinho’s GULF TIMES United set for biggest test yet SPORT Page 3 TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Nadal, Federer on Stokes dropped collision course by sponsor

AFP ‘I played a very good match, I don’t know how many mistakes I made, but very few’ London

AFP Shanghai ngland cricketer Ben Stokes has lost his spon- sorship contract with afael Nadal and Roger Federer sportswear giant New breezed into the quarter-fi nals BalanceE following his arrest out- of the Shanghai Masters on side a nightclub which also left Thursday and Juan Martin del his Ashes series in doubt. PotroR defeated racquet-smashing Alex- Stokes, who was arrested on ander Zverev. suspicion of causing actual bod- World number one Nadal blew away ily harm, also issued an apology Fabio Fognini in 63 minutes and plays after video emerged of him mim- sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov as he pur- icking the disabled son of British sues one of the few tournaments to have celebrity Katie Price. eluded him. American fi rm New Balance Timeless rival Federer was even faster, said it “does not condone” be- dismissing Ukrainian qualifi er Alexandr haviour by Stokes, who is also Dolgopolov 6-4, 6-2 in 61 minutes. believed to be the subject of a The 31-year-old Spaniard Nadal, fresh damning video showing a man off the back of triumphs at the US Open throwing multiple punches out- and China Open, anticipates a tough en- side the Bristol nightspot. counter against the Bulgarian Dimitrov. “New Balance does not con- “I played a very good match, I don’t done behaviour by our global captain will play the Ashes series know how many mistakes I made, but athletes that does not match our in Australia but he will not travel very few,” said the 16-time Grand Slam brand culture and values, and with the other players on October winner and top seed in Shanghai. therefore we have ended our rela- 28, the ECB has said. “I have a tough match against Grigor tionship with Ben Stokes, eff ec- Separately, the embattled and know I will have to play my best... but tive October 11, 2017,” the compa- Stokes posted an apology on I am playing well.” ny said, in a statement which was Twitter after his mocking imper- Nadal, enjoying a late-career fl ourish, widely reported by British media. sonation of a TV appearance by defeated good friend Dimitrov on his way The talismanic all-rounder’s 15-year-old Harvey Price, who to winning the China Open on Sunday, career has been plunged into suff ers from a genetic disorder, his sixth title of the season. turmoil following his arrest last drew strong condemnation. And he underlined his status as the month, which prompted his sus- “I should never have done this man to beat in Shanghai as he battered pension until further notice by and I am so sorry,” Stokes wrote. the Italian Fognini 6-3, 6-1. the England and Wales Cricket “It was absolutely not my inten- Dimitrov, chasing a spot at the season- Board. tion to off end Harvey, Katie or ending ATP Finals in London, beat Amer- No fi nal decision has been anybody else... I do hope I can ican Sam Querrey 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to set up taken on whether the Test vice- put this right.” a Chinese reunion with Nadal. Federer, the Swiss world number two, plays either of the Frenchmen Gilles Si- CRICKET mon or Richard Gasquet in the last eight on Friday. A mouthwatering Nadal-Federer fi nal on Sunday awaits if the celebrated pair Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine in Shanghai yesterday. Ireland to make continue at the current rate. Gutsy Del Potro recovered from a set jury, went toe to toe in the second set and A fan at least came away with a de- tournament.” down to win 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 against the tie break was just as tight until Del molished racquet for a souvenir after the Del Potro, pushed to the brink of retire- Test debut v rising star Zverev and will next play Potro grabbed the crucial mini-break. young German handed it to a spectator. ment by four wrist surgeries that saw his Viktor Troicki or John Isner. And then came the turning point — and “I don’t understand how I can lose a ranking slip as low as 1,045 at one point in The talented 20-year-old Zverev was a fl ash of anger from third seed Zverev — match where I get broken one time in his career, said Zverev would learn. Pakistan in 2018 going after his sixth title of a break- as he yielded the crucial service break to three sets and not managed to get any “I saw his frustration, for sure... But I through season and was comfortable in go 3-2 down in the third set. chances on his serve,” said Zverev, who think he’s still very young and he needs to AFP news for Irish cricket. It’s going the fi rst set against Argentine Del Potro, “Right now I’m very pissed off , as you is tipped to one day make world number keep learning, as he’s doing now,” said the Dublin to be a bit special and it’s always the 2009 US Open champion and 16th can probably tell,” said Zverev afterwards, one. Argentine, 23 in the world. great to be a part of history. seed. having smashed the racquet on the court, “I’m a bit p****ed off because I feel “He has everything to be in the top “There’s a special affi nity be- The German prodigy and the 29-year- then trodden on it, and brutalised it fur- like I played well and that’s the upsetting positions in the future, but these things reland will play their fi rst tween ourselves and Pakistan old, whose career has been beset by in- ther as he stomped back to his chair. part of it — I could have done great in this happen.” ever Test match against Pa- going back to the 2007 World kistan on home soil next Cup and they’ve been regular May, the country’s cricket tourists here over the past dec- Ichiefs announced yesterday. ade. BOTTOMLINE Afghanistan and Ireland be- “Test cricket is the pinnacle of came full members of the Inter- our sport and I know how much national Cricket Council (ICC) this game will mean to not only ICC urges higher pay to stop women leaving game in June, taking the number of the players but all involved with countries who play the fi ve-day Irish cricket. It’ll be another step format of the game from 10 to 12. on what has been an incredible AFP “They (Australia) are certainly set- diff erence how players are paid in various endar, the second edition of the world Since then Cricket Ireland has journey for our sport in a rela- New Delhi ting the bar very high and this is a corners of the globe,” she added. championships started this week with a been looking for the right oppo- tively short passage of time.” key issue for lots of countries. It is Tony Irish, chief executive of the in- one-day series between West Indies and nent for the historic fi rst match. The exact date and venue for amazing that international women ternational players’ association, also told Sri Lanka. “We are excited to welcome the match — agreed during an top ICC offi cial has urged cricket can earn that sort of money,” The Guardian that the women’s game is at The world championships will act as Pakistan to Ireland for our inau- ICC meeting in Auckland, New bodies around the world to fol- risk from match-fi xers, who often prey on qualifi ers for the 2021 World Cup in New gural Test match next year,” said Zealand, this week — have yet to low Australia’s lead and dramat- to be follow-up from the cricket hierarchy players on low pay. Zealand, while the women’s Twenty20 Cricket Ireland chief executive be confi rmed. ically raise wages for women’s to acknowledge what is a growth area for “They (Australia) are certainly setting World Cup will take place in West Indies in Warren Deutrom. Cricket has been played in Aplayers to stop them dropping out of the the sport. the bar very high and this is a key issue November next year. “It has been our wish to make Ireland for nearly 200 years sport. Connor said higher pay was a key area for lots of countries. It is amazing that in- Connor said the fi rst world champi- our Test debut in front of our but it was not until 1969 that Clare Connor, the former England cap- for women’s cricket as it moves main- ternational women can earn that sort of onships from 2014-2016 deserve “great own fans within 12 months of they made the rest of the world tain who now heads the International stream and generates increasing commer- money,” Connor said. credit for a signifi cant rise in performance becoming a Test nation, and game take true notice when they Cricket Council’s women’s committee, cial opportunities. “(India) have got a team that has cap- standards that was on show in the wom- against a big team, so I’m de- bowled out the West Indies for told AFP that other countries must match Cricket Australia’s new pay deal en- tured the imagination and they have obvi- en’s World Cup”. lighted.” Pakistan are currently just 25 at Sion Mills in a televised Australia’s eight-fold increase in wages. sured a windfall for its women players, ously got huge number of girls that could She added that ICC meetings in Auck- seventh in the Test rankings but match. Ireland have since es- “We are all going to think very seriously whose total payments have increased from be attracted to the game as a result,” she land this week would “look at the strategy were top of the pile as recently as tablished themselves during the of how well our players are remunerated,” $7.5 mn to $55.2 mn. added. India captain Mithali Raj, who be- for the women’s game to grow it and to last year. course of several World Cups, she said in a phone interview. India’s cricket board, the world’s rich- came the top run-scorer in the women’s ensure that we have got more competitive “There is a lot of work to do recording one-day international “Because if we don’t look after them est, has also promised a salary increase for one-day game at the World Cup, is hoping teams than just the strong top eight”. from now to ensure that it will wins over Pakistan, the West In- they will go and choose other sports or women players, but no details have been the Board of Control for Cricket in India Surveys by the ICC have highlighted the be an occasion to remember but dies and England. other professions and that will be a trage- announced. will make good on its pledge for higher pay. growing popularity of the game and in- we, and I’m sure our players Afghanistan and Ireland joined dy.” The women’s World Cup this year won “Obviously the men get in signifi cant “Recently there was news that the BCCI creased media coverage. and fans, can’t wait to rise to it,” an exclusive club that also in- by England was hailed as a breakthrough commercial revenues to the game,” Con- is looking into it and we are hoping that it “I think the right ambition is that it Deutrom added. cludes Australia, England, South for the women’s game, with full stadiums nor said. would be positive,” the 34-year-old bats- should be as easy or as accessible for a girl Irish captain William Porter- Africa, New Zealand, the West and high TV ratings around the globe. “We are just starting out on our jour- woman said. to pick up a cricket bat as it is for a boy to fi eld welcomed confi rmation of Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lan- But many top players have said there has ney, hence there is a lot of discrepancy or In what is now a packed women’s cal- pick up a cricket bat,” said Connor. the match, saying: “It’s fantastic ka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 13, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS Tearful Wozniacki and top seed Svitolina pull out injured in Hong Kong

AFP get ready for today,” she told the crowd. “I will probably do some scans now on Wednesday by Japanese teen sensa- Hong Kong “But unfortunately I hurt my elbow to see how it is, because you know I tion Naomi Osaka. during practice and there’s just no way have Singapore,” admitted Svitolina. And she was swiftly followed by I could perform my best out here to- “It’s a tough decision because I really fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of efending champion Caro- day. wanted to play here.” Poland, beaten in three sets by the line Wozniacki and world “Unfortunately I have to withdraw The tournament, which has just resurgent former US Open champion number four Elina Svitolina from the tournament,” she added two seeds left standing at the last- Sam Stosur. both withdrew from the Hong choking back tears. eight stage, was rocked even before it In the little action that did take place KongD Open with injuries Thursday, Top seed Svitolina earlier withdrew started by the pullouts of three other on court Thursday, China’s eighth seed leaving the WTA event devastated af- from her last-16 match against Nicole big names. Zhang Shuai was ousted by American ter a spate of pre-tournament pullouts Gibbs citing a right groin strain sus- US Open champion Sloane Stephens Jennifer Brady 6-3, 6-4 who will face and early big name exits. tained during a mammoth, 3hr 21min cried off with an injury after losing Gibbs in an all-American quarter-fi nal. A tearful third seed Wozniacki ap- quarter-fi nal defeat in Beijing last in the fi rst round in both Wuhan and It left Wang Qiang as the sole Chi- peared on centre court just after her week to the eventual champion there, Beijing, her only appearances since her nese representative in the draw after second-round match against Lizette Caroline Garcia. Flushing Meadows triumph. she breezed past Thailand’s Luksika Cabrera had been due to start to an- “I picked up the injury a little bit in British world number 10 Johanna Kumkhum 6-4, 6-4. nounce she had injured her elbow in Beijing,” she said. “It’s the groin. All Konta also cancelled her trip because Wang will face Australia’s Stosur in practice. the time when I go for wide shots or of a foot problem, while France’s 13th- Friday for a place in the semi-fi nals and “I want to apologise to everyone stretch I feel it. ranked Kristina Mladenovic opted out Cabrera, the world number 155, has an who came out today to watch this Ukraine’s Svitolina and Denmark’s with a knee injury. all-Australian last-eight match against match,” said an emotional Wozniacki, Wozniacki both have one eye on this Of the star players that did show up Daria Gavrilova, the seventh seed. who won the title on the same court 12 month’s lucrative WTA Finals in Sin- Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark throws balls to fans as she walks on the court at Victoria Park, number two seed Ve- The only other seed remaining, months ago. gapore where the top eight will battle shortly after withdrawing from her second round women’s singles match against nus Williams was sent packing in her number six Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, “I did everything I could possibly to it out for a massive $7mn prize fund. Lizette Cabrera of Australia at the WTA tennis tournament in Hong Kong. second-round match in straight sets will play Osaka.

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT Sharapova storms into Pakistan hope Tianjin quarter-fi nals Reuters Tianjin

aria Sharapova over- powered Poland’s Magda Linette to enter the quar- for change in Mter-fi nals of the Tianjin Open yesterday and is targeting a fi rst title since returning from a 15-month doping ban. The former world number one pre- vailed 7-5, 6-3 and will make her fi rst quarter-fi nals appearance since Stutt- gart in April, where she lost to Kristina fortunes in ODIs Mladenovic in the next round. Sharapova, who was beaten by Si- mona Halep in the third round of the Pace spearhead Mohamed Amir was ruled out of the series with a shin China Open last week, took a 4-3 lead The fi ve-times grand slam champion in the fi rst set before Linette hit back. broke back twice and held on to set up a injury sustained in the second Test in Dubai But Sharapova broke her rival in the clash with Swiss qualifi er Stefanie Vo- 12th game to take a 1-0 lead. gele who beat Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3. AFP 10 attempts since they were forced to Ranked 15 places below world Meanwhile, defending champion Dubai play at a neutral venue amidst security number 71 Linette because of her ab- Peng Shuai beat compatriot Wang Xiyu fears sparked after 2009 terrorists’ sence from the tour, the 30-year-old 6-2, 6-2 while Sara Errani got past Bra- attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Russian appeared in control in the next zilian Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 4-6, akistan are counting on a Lahore. set despite conceding an early break. 6-3. change in format and players But their one-day record in UAE to overcome a resurgent Sri has been abysmal, having lost nine Lanka in the fi ve-match one- of the 12 series since 2009, only win- PREVIEW dayP series starting in Dubai today. ning twice against Sri Lanka and once Pakistan were upset 2-0 in the pre- against the West Indies. ceding Test series but they are hoping Sri Lanka have come from wretched to change their fortunes and carry the one-day form, having lost 16 of their India aim to clinch T20I limited over form which helped them last 21 games, winning four with one win the eight-nation Champions Tro- no result. That included a 5-0 white- phy held in England in June this year. wash against South Africa and India series against Australia They only have skipper Sarfraz and fi rst-ever series defeat against Ahmed, batsmen Haris Sohail and minnows Zimbabwe. IANS dya. Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav Babar Azam and fast bowler Hasan That defeat against India last month Hyderabad will add depth to the Indian batting Ali from the Test series, while experi- put pressure on skipper Upul Tha- line-up. enced allrounder Mohammad Hafeez ranga. “We lacked consistency. We On the bowling front, skipper Virat and opener Ahmed Shahzad amongst didn’t bat, bowl or fi eld well. We were fter receiving an eight- Kohli might also fancy playing veteran the 11 who joined the squad. outplayed by India. I am disappointed wicket thrashing in the sec- pacer Ashish Nehra, who will retire Ahmed feels the pressure of los- with our batting eff ort,” said Tharanga ond Twenty20 International from international cricket on Novem- ing his fi rst Test series but promised a whose team failed to reach 250 in any A(T20I), India will aim for a ber 1 in a T20I against New Zealand in better performance in the limited over of the matches. better show when they take on Austral- Delhi. matches. The remaining matches are in Abu ia in their third and fi nal cricket match The Indian bowling will be spear- “Obviously, when you have a fi rst Dhabi (16 and 18 October) and Sharjah at the Rajiv Gandhi International Sta- headed by pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Test series as captain, and you lose it, (October 20 and 23). Three Twenty20 dium here today. Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Wrist-spinners pressure will be there,” said Ahmed matches will follow the ODIs, two in Left-arm speedster Jason Behren- Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav who played a match winning 61 not Abu Dhabi (October 26 and 27) and the dorff had wiped away India’s top-four will look to providing the brakes on the out against Sri Lanka in the Champi- last in Lahore (October 29). in Guwahati as the hosts were bundled Australian batting in the middle overs. ons Trophy group match. out for 118 in the second match of the On the other hand, the visitors will “But we will try and get out of that. Teams (from): T20I series. Leg-spinner Adam Zam- hope for a better show from their mid- Our one-day team is balanced and our Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), pa, too, had foxed the Indians with his dle order, including the likes of Glenn record is very good. We will have some Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Mo- guile and variety. Maxwell and Travis Head, who have senior players returning and I hope hamed Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib India will hope that the batting fail- failed to click as a unit so far. we’ll play better cricket.” Malik, Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, ure was a one-off incident and their All-rounders Moises Henriques and Pakistan also have a young crop of Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Usman batsmen will come out all guns blazing Dan Christian will be asked to deliver fast emerging players in opener Fa- Shinwari, Ruman Raees, Junaid Khan, in the decisive tie. -- both with the ball and bat. Hen- khar Zaman — who hit a century in Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq Australia had lost the One-Day In- riques and Christian have played a lot the Champions Trophy fi nal against Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga (capt), ternational (ODI) series 1-4 and today’s of Indian Premier League (IPL) match- India — leg-spinner Shadab Khan, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan match presents a great opportunity for es at this venue. Visiting skipper David allrounders Imad Wasim and Faheem Dickwella,Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal them to take a trophy back home. They Warner captains the Sunrisers Hydera- Ashraf, and pacers Rumman Raees, Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara will be full of confi dence after the win bad – the city-based IPL franchise – Junaid Khan and Usman Shinwari. Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge in the second T20I. and knows the venue inside out. This Spearhead Mohamed Amir was Prasanna, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga India skipper Virat Kohli will seek to will be crucial in terms of being pre- ruled out of the series with a shin in- Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, continue his winning run in terms of pared for the crucial tie. jury sustained in the second Test in Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, series wins. Warner will pin his hopes on pacers Dubai. Jeff rey Vandersay The hosts will heavily rely on their Patrick Cummins, Behrendorff , Kane Pakistan’s loss in the Test series was Umpires: Sundaram Ravi (IND) and hard-hitting batsmen Shikhar Dha- Richardson and Nathan Coulter-Nile their fi rst in United Arab Emirates in Injured...Mohamed Amir Ahsan Raza (PAK) wan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ma- to keep the Indian batsmen under con- hendra Singh Dhoni and Hardik Pan- trol.

BOTTOMLINE England can’t win Ashes Nehra to quit international cricket, IPL without Stokes — Waugh Sydney: Test great Steve Waugh says England can’t win the Ashes without AFP ger than getting to retire in front of Ben Stokes and the bad boy allrounder would have been dumped immediately New Delhi your home fans where I played my fi rst if he was Australian. Ranji Trophy game 20 years ago,” he England vice-captain Stokes was arrested last month in Britain on suspicion added. of causing actual bodily harm and suspended from internationals until further ndian fast bowler Ashish Nehra India will host New Zealand for notice following an apparent fight outside a nightclub. announcement his retirement three one-day internationals and He was included in their Ashes squad but the England and Wales Cricket Board from international cricket and three T20 matches starting October last week said he would not travel with the rest of the players when they leave Ithe Indian Premier League yes- 22. The left-arm quick has collected on October 28.No final decision on his involvement has been made. terday after an injury-plagued career. 157 ODI wickets plus 44 Test and 34 Former Australian captain Waugh, at the helm in 57 Tests for 41 victories, said Nehra, 38, who is part of India’s T20 scalps during his 18-year career, England will not be the same threat without Stokes. Twenty20 squad in the ongoing series since making his debut in the fi ve-day “If he doesn’t come, I don’t think they can win the Ashes,” Waugh told Sky against Australia, will bow out after format in 1999. Sports Radio late Tuesday. the fi rst T20 against New Zealand on The Delhi native was a vital part of While Stokes is yet to be charged, he remains under investigation, and Waugh November 1 at his home ground in India’s 2003 World Cup campaign in hit out at England’s failure to immediately drop him from the Ashes squad. New Delhi. South Africa, where the team ended “I think if it was anyone in the Australian side, they wouldn’t be picked. You Nehra, who has suff ered a series of up as runners-up to Australia. can’t do that these days in public. It just didn’t look good and it’s a bad image injury problems and last played for He is best remembered for his fi g- for the game,” he said. India in February, said he wanted to ures of 6-23 against England at Dur- “I think they (England selectors) are pretty keen for him to play in Australia... go out on top and in front of his home why not,” he told reporters in Hydera- “I have spoken to the team man- ban during the 50-over tournament. he’s probably their best player, so it would be a real shame if he’s not out here.” fans. “It is always good to retire when bad ahead of the third T20 against agement as well as the chairman of Nehra was also a part of the 2011 World “Without Ben Stokes, we’ll win,” said Waugh. people are asking why, rather than Australia today. selection committee. It can’t get big- Cup-winning squad. Gulf Times Friday, October 13, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT QFA, Oman Football Association sign co-operation deal By Sports Reporter Secretary and Executive Direc- OFA General Secretary Said Doha tor of the OFA. The purpose of bin Othman al-Balushi ex- this agreement is for both asso- pressed his happiness of sign- ciations to invest in the brotherly ing the co-operation agreement he Qatar Football As- and bilateral relations between between the two associations, sociation (QFA) signed the two countries and further and thanked the QFA President a co-operation agree- explore areas of interest between and QFA offi cials for their warm ment with its Omani them. It also intends to focus on welcome and hospitality. Tcounterpart yesterday in QFA’s exchanging expertise and expe- He commented: “This agree- headquarters located in Al Bidda riences in various areas. ment will undoubtedly have the Tower. The agreement was QFA General Secretary Man- greatest impact in strengthen- signed for the development of soor al-Ansari said: “Signing ing the relations between us football in both countries and this co-operation agreement (OFA) and the QFA, especially as acts as a milestone aimed at fa- with OFA is part of the fruitful it aims to enhance co-operation cilitating the growth of football co-operation between the QFA between the two associations in Qatar and Oman. and OFA which has existed for across all levels and fi elds. The agreement, which fo- many years. It also intends to “The agreement will focus cuses on areas of co-operation explore co-operation in various on transfer of knowledge at the between the two parties, was sports fi elds and build on the technical and administrative signed by Sheikh Hamad bin strong relationship between the level of both associations and a Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, two associations. I hope that the special attention will be given to president of the QFA and Sheikh agreement will impact Omani the exchange of expertise on the Salim al-Wahaibi, President of and Qatari football positively.” use of technical experts, coaches the Oman Football Association He added: “A joint working and referees. (OFA). group will be set up to study in The establishment of training The signing ceremony was details the agreement terms in camps and benefi ting from the attended by Saoud al-Mohan- order to activate it. A plan of ac- exceptional expertise of Aspire nadi, Vice President of the QFA, tion will be in place, which will Academy and Aspetar will also Mansoor al-Ansari, General include a comprehensive report be an aspect of the agreement. Secretary of the QFA, Mohsen that highlights the most impor- Lastly, a close co-operation will bin Hamad al-Masrouri, Vice tant achievements, schedule of be in place between the nation- President of the OFA, and Said activities and events organised al teams, clubs and age group Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani (right) with president of the Oman Football Association bin Othman al-Balushi, General by both associations.” teams.” Sheikh Salim al-Wahaibi during the co-operation agreement signing ceremony in Doha yesterday.

EPL FOCUS Ozil, Sanchez could leave in January, Mourinho’s United says Wenger

AFP can be turned around.” London Wilshere in ‘best form’ Ozil could feature at Wat- rsenal manager Ar- ford, having returned to train- set for biggest test yet sene Wenger con- ing following a knee injury. ceded yesterday he But Sanchez is due to be as- ‘I think Jose will try to make sure the pressure is on Liverpool, but the pressure is on everyone’ may have no option sessed after playing in Chile’s butA to sell star players Alexis 3-0 loss to Brazil on Wednes- Reuters Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in the day, which ended their hopes Manchester January transfer window. of qualifying for the World The pair are both out of Cup. contract at the end of the sea- “I will have to speak to him,” ose Mourinho’s unbeat- son and are yet to agree new Wenger said. “Yesterday af- en Manchester United deals. ternoon I watched the whole face the biggest test yet As things stand, they will Brazil against Chile game to of their title credentials be able to leave the Emirates see how diffi cult the game was. whenJ they visit Liverpool at An- Stadium for free, meaning “I must say he got some fi eld tomorrow – a fi xture that January will be Arsenal’s last special treatment – it was a always has a little extra spice. opportunity to cash in on their very physical game and men- United are second in the Pre- two most high-profi le players. tally I will have to assess the mier League, level on 19 points “It is possible,” Wenger told situation when he comes back with neighbours Manchester a press conference ahead of tomorrow.” City, but so far Mourinho’s side his side’s trip to Watford on Centre-back Shkodran have yet to face any of last sea- Saturday. “Once you’re in our Mustafi also endured a miser- son’s top fi ve. Six wins from their kind of situation, we have en- able international break, the opening seven games, with 21 visaged every solution, yes.” Germany international suff er- goals scored and only two con- Asked if Arsenal had set a ing a thigh injury against Az- ceded, have raised expectations deadline for contract nego- erbaijan that will sideline him at Old Traff ord, but the coming tiations with the pair to con- for four to six weeks. weeks should give a stronger in- clude, Wenger replied: “No. But his absence will soon be dication of just how ready United Not at the moment.” off set by the return of Laurent are for a real push for the title. Chile forward Sanchez, 28, Koscielny, who is closing on a Spurs visit Old Traff ord on joined Arsenal from Barce- comeback from an Achilles in- October 28 and then a week later lona in July 2014, a year after jury. “Koscielny has a defi nite United travel to Stamford Bridge 28-year-old Germany play- fi nal test tomorrow,” Wenger to take on defending champi- maker Ozil’s arrival from Real said. ons Chelsea, Mourinho’s former Madrid. The signings electri- “At the moment, he’s not club. The North West derby has fi ed Arsenal’s fan base, but for available. He trained on his always had an extra edge and all their quality, the duo have own and the fi rst signs are even though the lack of local thus far been unable to end positive, so we decided to give players for both clubs could take the club’s 14-year wait for the him a test tomorrow.” away some of the needle from Premier League title. Striker Danny Welbeck is the game, the passion from the Sanchez has been linked back in contention after a stands continues to create a spe- with a number of major clubs, groin injury, while left-back cial atmosphere. among them Manchester City Sead Kolasinac faces a late fi t- “Anfi eld away is the ultimate and Paris Saint-Germain. ness test on a hip complaint. test, mentally and physically Ozil, meanwhile, is reported Jack Wilshere is yet to play with the intensity,” former Unit- to have attracted interest from a minute of Premier League ed captain Gary Neville told Sky Manchester United, who are football and has lost his place Sports. “There’s obviously less managed by his former Real in the England squad, but home grown talent but the at- Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. Wenger believes the midfi eld- mosphere will be brilliant and it Earlier this week, Ozil’s er is on course to go to next is a game which you dare not lose agent, Erkut Sogut, indicated year’s World Cup in Russia. as a player.” talks with Arsenal were pro- “I believe that Jack at the Particular focus will be on gressing positively. moment is in the best form United’s 75 million pounds ($98 “That’s my understanding, I’ve seen him in for a long million) Belgian striker Romelu he can be just as eff ective against them seven points behind the pool striker and manager Kenny think it was a couple of double yes,” said Wenger. time,” Wenger said. Lukaku, who has been in prolifi c better opponents. While Lukaku Manchester clubs. The excit- Dalglish expects Mourinho to deckers he put there,” said Dal- “I always said the fact that “If he keeps going like he’s form, scoring in 12 of his last 13 – and United – will want to prove ing attacking talent in the team, protect his defence with a cau- glish. “I think United will come we didn’t fi nd an agreement going at the moment, he will games for club and country. that they are the real deal, Liv- despite the loss to injury of Sadio tious approach, similar to how and set up quite defensively... last year doesn’t mean the go to the World Cup, I’m sure. The powerful forward joined erpool badly need to kick-start Mane who is out for six weeks they played in last season’s 1-1 “I think Jose will try to make player will necessarily leave. I don’t see Jack being fully fi t United from Everton during the their campaign after a shaky with a hamstring injury, should draw on Merseyside. “Last year, sure the pressure is on Liverpool, Both players look happy here and not going to the World close-season and has been an beginning. Juergen Klopp’s side test the United defence that has when United came to Liverpool, but the pressure is on everyone and overall I hope the situation Cup.” instant success - but there are have taken just fi ve points from had a relatively comfortable Jose Mourinho parked the bus. when it comes to a game like still some who question whether their last four games, leaving campaign so far. Former Liver- But it wasn’t just the one bus, I that.” Five memorable Liverpool vs Manchester United clashes Liverpool 3 United 3 - Jan 1994 scoring an 89th-minute equaliser. United, tune to score two own goals. Carragher di- Edwin van der Sar failed to hold Suarez’s English football’s powerbase had shifted who eventually prevailed in a tight title verted in a Ryan Giggs cross to put United free kick. Javier Hernandez scored a late firmly in United’s favour by the time the race with Arsenal, were cruising after an ahead before Andy Cole headed in David consolation eff ort for United. two sides met at Anfield in January with hour thanks to Dwight Yorke’s header and Beckham’s free kick. Sami Hyypia pulled Alex Ferguson’s side entering their pomp a Dennis Irwin penalty. Liverpool got a life- a goal back for Liverpool but Carragher Liverpool 4 United 4 - Aug 1953 and Liverpool about to part company with line when referee David Elleray awarded bundled in another own goal to restore Still the highest-scoring post-war match manager Graeme Souness. Things looked them a 69th-minute penalty converted United’s two-goal lead. Patrik Berger gave between the old rivals with United’s bleak for the hosts when United raced into by Jamie Redknapp, shortly before Irwin Liverpool renewed belief but United held equaliser arriving in controversial fashion a 3-0 lead inside 24 minutes with Steve was sent off for a second booking when on despite having Cole sent off . when Tommy Taylor bundled the ball and Bruce, Ryan Giggs and Dennis Irwin all he kicked the ball away. Ince pounced for Liverpool keeper Charlie Ashcroft into the scoring, but two goals before halftime by the equaliser after the ball ran loose in Liverpool 3 United 1 - March 2011 back of the net. Jack Rowley gave United Nigel Clough brought Liverpool back into the area from Karl-Heinz Riedle’s chance, Dutchman Dirk Kuyt became the first the lead but goals by Louis Bimpson and the match. A stunning comeback was com- sparking wild celebrations in the Kop. Liverpool player to score a hat-trick in Bill Jones put the hosts ahead by halftime. pleted when burly defender Neil Ruddock the fixture for 21 years as the hosts put a Roger Byrne made it 2-2 before Bimpson rose at the far post to power a header past Liverpool 2 United 3 - Sept 1999 dent in United’s title charge. The newly- struck twice in quick succession to com- Peter Schmeichel with 11 minutes to go. Another match in which United took a signed Luis Suarez was inspirational for plete his hat-trick. Eddie Lewis reduced two-goal lead only to be pegged back, Liverpool, setting up Kuyt’s opener after the arrears before Taylor’s controversial Liverpool 2 United 2 - May 1999 although this time they did take three a superb dribble then delivering a cross equaliser seven minutes from time Another fightback by Liverpool was points from a game in which Liverpool from which Kuyt added his second. Kuyt sparked outrage from Liverpool’s fans in capped by Paul Ince, formerly of United, defender Jamie Carragher had the misfor- completed his hat-trick when keeper the Kop. Alexis Sanchez (right) with Mesut Ozil Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 13, 2017 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Bayern have no more excuses, says Mueller AFP ga, Champions League and Ger- been 100 percent successful. stressed only a late decision Ingolstadt, Germany man Cup titles. “In the last two matches of the would be made. According to the German Bundesliga, we led 2-0 twice and The weekend opens Fri- press, the Bayern stars were crit- we drew both matches 2-2. day with newly-promoted VfB ayern Munich have “no ical of Ancelotti’s soft training Each time there were indi- Stuttgart hosting bottom club more excuses”, interim methods, but Mueller said the vidual faults, perhaps due to dif- Cologne, who are refusing to let captain Thomas Mueller team have enjoyed the sessions fi culties in concentration, but a poor start with just one point told AFP after veteran under Heynckes. “So far we’ve we now have to be more rigorous dent their confi dence. GermanB coach Jupp Heynckes trained very well,” he said. “We collectively.” “We have guys on the team took over as manager of the Bun- had two intensive sessions and Dortmund kept a record fi ve that are always willing to give it desliga champions. we had a lot of fun.” consecutive clean sheets to open everything they have,” midfi eld- Heynckes, 72, came out of Bayern are currently second in the league campaign and have 19 er Konstantin Rausch told the retirement to take charge of the the Bundesliga, but already fi ve points with a goal diff erence of team website. squad – his fourth stint with points behind leaders Borus- 19 – also club records. “We are just missing that bit Bayern – when Carlo Ancelotti sia Dortmund after just seven “We have yet to play against of luck to swing a game in our di- was sacked after a stinging 3-0 matches. the biggest teams,” Bosz told rection. Over time we are hoping defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in The defeat in Paris also the club homepage. “But we’ve to gain everything back.” the Champions League. brought into question the team’s played Hertha, and Gladbach. Werder Bremen, 17th and the “A change of coach always ability to play at the highest They’re both ambitious sides.” only other side without a win, releases energy, and I think we, European level. Asked about Dortmund were, however, host Borussia Moenchengla- the players, must now give a lot the changes needed following defeated in both Champions dbach late Sunday after Bayer of ourselves. There are no more Ancelotti’s dismissal, Muel- League games so far and face Leverkusen meet Wolfsburg. excuses,” said Mueller, at the In- ler laughed, saying: “What to another member of the elite Tomorrow’s other matches golstadt headquarters of Audi, a change? The results!” competition in Leipzig in- see third-place Hoff enheim major sponsor of the club. Mueller is the current captain the Saturday late game. Ralph take on Augsburg and Hanover, “The sacred fi re is still there of Bayern in the absence of in- Hasenhuettl’s side are now up in fi fth, look to maintain their with Jupp Heynckes, he has giv- jured goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, to fourth having initially strug- strong start at home to Eintracht en off a lot of energy since Mon- but the German international gled for the consistency which Frankfurt. day with his team of coaches,” was not in Ancelotti’s starting brought them a sensational Midtable Hertha Berlin and the striker added. eleven as he struggled to fi nd a runners-up spot in their maiden Schalke will both target the Eu- Heynckes has reunited the role in the Italian’s system. top-fl ight season. ropean spots during their capital coaching team which in 2013 Explaining the team’s poor They could be further boosted clash while Mainz and SV Ham- helped steer Bayern to win the start by their standards, he said: by Timo Werner returning from burg hope to move away from the only ever treble of the Bundesli- “There are things that have not a neck injury though Rangnick relegation fi ght. Thomas Mueller is the current captain of Bayern in the absence of injured goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

LIGUE 1 SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Rangers manager calls on defenders Falcao-less Monaco to improve

AFP matches. Glasgow A fall-out with striker Kenny Miller after another derby-day defeat to fi erce rivals Celtic led angers manager Pedro to the veteran being banished bid to put pressure on Caixinha has chal- to the club’s under-20s squad. lenged his defenders A 4-1 win over Hamilton in to get back to basics their last run-out eased the asR they return to action at St pressure on Caixinha, who this Johnstone on Friday following week publicly welcomed Miller the international break. back into the fold following The third-placed Glasgow ‘clear the air’ talks. giants have had no problem But Tommy Wright, whose Paris Saint-Germain putting the ball in the net this St Johnstone side could leap- season, with the Gers second in frog Rangers into third with a ‘He deserves to play in a World Cup, he is a great player of a very high quality’ the scoring charts on 17 goals. win on Friday, has little sym- However, the Ibrox side’s pathy for the Portuguese boss AFP cause has been hindered by and said that kind of pressure Paris their defence’s record of just is part and parcel of managing one clean sheet in their eight the Glasgow giants. Scottish Premiership matches “The size and stature of rench champions Mo- to date. Rangers means they are always naco will make the tricky The Gers take on St John- under scrutiny, in every game,” trip to Lyon today with- stone hoping to move to within Wright said. out red-hot striker Rad- three points of league leaders “Nothing has changed down amelF Falcao, as they look to keep Celtic, who host Dundee on the years in that respect. Any- up the pressure on Ligue 1 lead- Saturday, if they can claim vic- one employed by Rangers just ers Paris Saint-Germain. tory at McDiarmid Park. has to deal with it. Leonardo Jardim’s side And Caixinha says he has “They are such a big club so dropped two points with a 1-1 spent the international break they are always under constant home draw against Montpellier working on trying to plug the media attention. Every little before the international break to gaps in his team’s leaky de- thing is highlighted but there’s slip three points adrift of PSG at fence. nothing new about that. It goes the top of the table. “We have been more fo- with the job.” Colombian Falcao has been in cused on the details this week Elsewhere, champions Celt- stunning form so far this sea- because we made the analy- ic will look to get back to win- son, scoring 12 goals in just eight sis that we cannot concede so ning ways following their 2-2 league outings, but his midweek many goals in the way we are draw with Hibernian before eff orts in helping his country conceding them,” the Portu- the break when they take on qualify for next year’s World Cup guese manager said. Dundee at Parkhead. have ruled him out of today’s “We need to get back to the The Hoops ran out 4-0 game. basics, especially in defending. winners in their League Cup “He played last night, then “I think we are much more quarter-fi nal clash last month there are the diff erent trips (to solid as a team if we defend but Neil McCann’s side are get back to Monaco),” Jardim better and if (we) concede less unbeaten in their past three said on Wednesday. goals, because the diff erence in league matches and will head “To try to play against Lyon the goals we have scored is al- to Glasgow hoping to take in- could kill him. He will not play. most nothing to the teams that spiration from Hibs’ perform- In fact, his physical condition are leading the league. ance at Celtic Park. doesn’t allow him to play two “We need to keep going as matches in 48 hours.” we were in attack but we want Fixtures Falcao will play in the World to improve our defending, so (1400 GMT unless stated) Cup fi nals for the fi rst time in that’s the point we’ve been Today Russia, after setting up James working on.” St Johnstone v Rangers (1845) Rodriguez’s goal as Colombia Caixinha, 46, has come un- Tomorrow booked their place with a 1-1 der close scrutiny this season Celtic v Dundee draw in Peru. following his side’s indiff erent Hamilton v Motherwell “He deserves to play in a World start to the campaign which Hibernian v Aberdeen Cup, he is a great player of a very has seen the Ibrox side drop 10 Partick Thistle v Kilmarnock high quality,” added Jardim. points in their opening eight Ross County v Hearts “I congratulated him for the qualifi cation, but my manage- ment of Falcao won’t change. I’ll Silva trains with Leicester as club do everything I can to keep him at his best.” mulls transfer appeal Despite Falcao’s early goal, Adrien Silva is now training with Leicester City while the Premier Monaco were far from their best League club consider going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in their last league match against over his transfer saga. The Foxes’ appeal to FIFA to secure the Montpellier and will have to registration of the Portuguese midfielder was last week rejected bounce back with Argentinian by world Football’s governing body. Guido Carrillo likely to start up Leicester and the Football Association had asked FIFA to ratify front. Lyon have started to strug- Red-hot Monaco striker Radamel Falcao to miss today’s game against Lyon. the transfer after the paperwork for Silva’s £22 million ($29 mil- gle in recent weeks after a bright lion, 24 million euros) deadline-day move from Sporting Lisbon start to the season and are win- tomorrow with key forwards Uruguay sealed second in South is likely to miss the matches at fourth straight win against new- was submitted just 14 seconds late. That request was denied less in their last three matches, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson American qualifying, behind Dijon and Anderlecht after suf- ly-promoted Strasbourg. and the 28-year-old will now not be registered to play for Craig including back-to-back 3-3 Cavani boosted after helping Brazil, by beating Bolivia 4-2. fering a thigh muscle injury Shakespeare’s team until January. However, Silva is now being draws against Angers and Dijon. their countries qualify for the Unai Emery’s side may have while on Brazil duty. Fixtures (all times GMT) properly integrated into the group. Bruno Genesio’s men will be World Cup in midweek. half an eye on Wednesday’s Under-fi re Lille coach Marcelo Today “I can thankfully report he is training with us,” said Leicester without centre-back Marce- World-record signing Neymar Champions League game against Bielsa sees his team host Troyes Lyon v Monaco (1845) boss Shakespeare, whose side resume their Premier League lo, after the Brazilian’s bizarre failed to score in Brazil’s fi nal Anderlecht in Brussels, but as they continue their search Tomorrow campaign at home to West Brom on Monday. “Obviously we are sending off against Angers, two World Cup qualifi ers, so he should have more than enough for a fi rst win since the opening Dijon v Paris Saint-Germain disappointed with the decision by FIFA and the other processes when he was given a straight red will be desperate to terrorise a to continue their unbeaten start weekend, after their last match (1500), Caen v Angers, Guin- are in the hands of the club. “But he is training with us and I card for accidentally knocking a Dijon defence which has already to the season in all competitions. at Amiens was abandoned when gamp v Rennes, Lille v Troyes, speak to him on a regular basis during training to make sure he’s yellow card out of the referee’s shipped 17 goals in Ligue 1 this The capital-city club are a stadium barrier collapsed, in- Saint-Etienne v Metz, Toulouse v fully focused on what his requirements are. hand. term. brimming with confi dence after juring 29 people. Amiens (all 1800) “Ultimately, he’s a Footballer and he wants to play Football and train Mbappe came off the bench a stunning start to the campaign, On Sunday, Claudio Ranieri’s Sunday and he’s had to miss out not only on club Football but international PSG brimming with as France confi rmed their place which they continued by thrash- Nantes defend a seven-game Bordeaux v Nantes (1300), Football and we’ve tried to keep his spirits up.” Shakespeare said confidence in Russia with a 2-1 win over ing Bordeaux 6-2 a fortnight ago. unbeaten run at Bordeaux, while Montpellier v Nice (1500), Stras- his aim was to integrate Silva as quickly as possible. PSG pay a visit to lowly Dijon Belarus, while Cavani scored as But centre-back Thiago Silva third-placed Marseille bid for a bourg v Marseille (1900) Gulf Times Friday, October 13, 2017 5 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA Strachan steps down as Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has stepped down as Scotland manager following the team’s failure to qualify for next year’s World Cup, the Scottish Football Association Barca set for intimidating announced yesterday. The SFA said Strachan and his assistant Mark McGhee would leave “with immediate eff ect” to give his successor maximum time to prepare for the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign. reception at Atletico Scotland missed out on a place in the play-off s for the ‘It’s a diff icult situation and those in charge need to resolve it... No-one can be comfortable with this situation’ World Cup after drawing 2-2 away to Slovenia in their final group game last Sunday. “I share the profound disap- pointment at missing out on the play-off s, especially hav- ing worked so hard to fight our way back into conten- tion,” Strachan said in an SFA press release. “The players should receive immense credit for that re- silience in coming back from a diff icult start and I would like to thank each and every player who has come in to represent their country. “Together we have shared some really magical mo- ments and those memories will live with me for ever.” Former Scotland and Man- chester United midfielder Strachan, 60, was appointed in January 2013 after Craig Levein was sacked following a poor start to World Cup qualifying. Scotland missed out on a place at the 2014 World Cup and despite an improved showing in qualifying for Euro 2016, they came up short again. Strachan’s position come un- der heavy scrutiny after they made a poor start to qualify- ing for the 2018 World Cup, but they rallied and finished the campaign unbeaten in their last six matches. Scotland captain Scott Brown expressed disappoint- ment about Strachan’s exit and suggested the players had hoped he would stay on. “Sad sad sad day,” the Celtic midfielder wrote on Instagram. “We all had faith in Gordon and believed in Barcelona players in action during a training session ahead of their La Liga match against Atletico Madrid. making the Euros. 14 points out of 18 in 2017 momentum Agencies reached a situation whereby the Liga leaders sit fi ve points Juanfran believes his side, cur- part of the squad.” Gaku Shibasaki and Jeff erson was on our side.” Barcelona people are at each other’s throats ahead of nearest challengers Se- rently fourth, need to work hard Atletico have a clean bill of Montero out of action, but are Scotland last participated in because they carry diff erent villa following seven consecutive to shackle not only Messi but his health besides a muscle prob- hoping to score an unlikely result a major tournament at the fl ags,” he said in an interview wins. They will face their tough- team-mates too. lem for Sime Vrsaljko which will against the champions. 1998 World Cup. arcelona’s 100 percent with Catalunya Radio. est opponents since the season “Barcelona have a great team likely rule him out. “I think they’re a complete The SFA announced Stra- start to the Liga season “It’s a diffi cult situation and began in Atletico, who are fourth and great players,” said Juanfran. Diego Simeone’s men beat side, but we are playing at home chan’s departure after a will be severely tested at those in charge need to resolve in the standings, six points off “Messi makes the diff erence, both Malaga and Sevilla in La and we will give everything on board meeting at Glasgow’s Atletico Madrid tomor- it... No-one can be comfortable Barca but also unbeaten. (Andres) Iniesta has found his Liga at their new ground but the pitch to take something pos- Hampden Park. rowB in an atmosphere certain to with this situation, you can’t ig- Barca forwards Suarez and Li- game again, (Sergio) Busquets suff ered Champions League de- itive,” Getafe defender Vitorino “On behalf of the board I be intensifi ed by political fer- nore what’s been going on.” onel Messi could be feeling the and Jordi Alba are very good. feat by Chelsea at home, and are Antunes said. would like to thank Gordon vour. The political tension has strain of long journeys back from “To win we have to give our all looking to earn their fi rst huge “They’re the best team in for his excellent service It will be the fi rst time Barca capped a diffi cult start to the South America after fi ring Uru- to counteract all the quality they victory at the Metropolitano. the world, they have few weak- to the national team,” said have visited the capital since a campaign for Barca off the pitch. guay and Argentina respectively have. They key is not to let them Earlier tomorrow injury- nesses. We’ll try to play our own SFA chief executive Stewart disputed referendum on inde- Barca’s board, heavily criti- to the 2018 World Cup. get comfortable. hit Real Madrid travel south to game, it has to be complete. Regan. pendence in Catalonia which has cised for their lack of transfer Messi scored a hat-trick on “Even then they can still do face city rivals Getafe. Zinedine I’m not going to say what their “I know how disappointed he stoked tensions with the Spanish activity in the close-season af- Tuesday to help Argentina qual- you damage. Barcelona is not Zidane’s side will be without weaknesses are, because then was that we couldn’t secure government. As the Catalan re- ter selling Brazil striker Neymar, ify for the World Cup with a 3-1 just Messi, we have to be on top Gareth Bale, Mateo Kovacic, they’ll work on them.” a play-off place, but to come gion’s most famous export, Er- faced a campaign to force a mo- win over Ecuador and the Cata- of everyone.” Dani Carvajal and goalkeeper Meanwhile second placed Se- so close was a tribute to nesto Valverde’s Barca side can tion of no confi dence in them, lans will look to their playmaker Iniesta is racing against the Keylor Navas, who suff ered an villa face a tricky test at Athletic the belief he instilled in his expect an even more intimidat- which ultimately failed. to maintain or extend their fi ve- clock as he battles a hamstring adductor problem while with Bilbao tomorrow, while Valen- squad. ing welcome from the Atletico They have also suff ered with point advantage at the top of the problem, while Barcelona will Costa Rica during the interna- cia, third, play Real Betis in An- “After almost five years the fans than usual. injuries and lost record signing table. be without long-term absentees tional break. dalusia on Sunday. board felt it was time for a Barcelona captain Andres Ini- Ousmane Dembele to injury for Messi has scored more goals Rafi nha Alcantara and Ousmane Madrid, fi fth, have endured a The weekend’s other fi xtures new direction to prepare for esta said he had been aff ected by four months and had to make do against Atletico than any other Dembele. “In these two days we shaky start to the league season, are Espanyol v Levante, Alaves v the UEFA Euro 2020 qualify- the uneasy atmosphere in the without striker Luis Suarez at opponent with the exception of will see how everything is,” said while Getafe are sitting comfort- Real Sociedad, Eibar v Deportivo ing campaign and also the country and has called for a po- the start of the campaign. Sevilla, netting 27 times in 34 Iniesta, who missed Spain’s fi nal ably in seventh place. La Coruna, Girona v Villarreal, forthcoming UEFA Nations litical solution. On the pitch, however, things encounters against the Rojiblan- World Cup qualifi ers. “I’m con- The Madrid minnows have ab- Malaga v Leganes and Las Pal- League. “No-one likes that we’ve could not have gone better as cos. However Atletico defender fi dent in being fi t and able to be sences too, with Dani Pacheco, mas v Celta Vigo.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ghana knock India ‘Relieved’ India seal Asian Cup return out of U-17 WC AFP Coach Stephen Constantine said Bangalore the team would now target fi nishing fi rst in their group by gaining at least with 4-0 thrashing a draw in their next game against My- aptain Sunil Chhetri expressed anmar. “If not the best, this Indian AFP joy and relief after India sealed team is surely one of the best Indian New Delhi their place at the 2019 Asian teams in history and the credit goes to Cup, underlining football’s all,” said the Englishman, according risingC fortunes in the country. to the Asian Football Confederation orward Eric Ayiah scored twice as Ghana crushed India India, better known for their suc- website. 4-0 to knock the hosts out of the Under-17 FIFA World cessful cricket team, beat Macau 4-1 “Starting from the players to the Cup in New Delhi yesterday. in Bengaluru on Wednesday to guar- supporting staff , it’s the result of eve- Ayiah scored a goal in each half – in the 43rd and 52nd antee their spot at the tournament in ryone’s dedication and hard work.” Fminute – to lead the two-time champions into the last-16 stage of the United Arab Emirates following Midfi elder Rowllin Borges opened the 24-nation event. four straight wins in Group A. the scoring in the 28th minute but In- After Aiyah’s dominating show, strikers Richard Danso and The early qualifi cation, with two dia were rocked when Nicholas Mario Emmanuel Toku piled on the agony for the hosts with goals in the games to go in the fi nal round, comes de Almeida Torrao equalised for min- 86th and the 87th minute. as India host the Under-17 World Cup nows Macau nine minutes later. Ghana enjoyed 60 percent possession in the game as inexperi- and follows the increasing success of But Chhetri scored in the 70th enced India, playing their fi rst-ever FIFA World Cup in any divi- the Indian Super League competition. minute before Lam Ka-seng’s own sion, could hardly breach their defence. India, ranked 107th, have only played goal and Jeje Lalpekhlua’s injury It was India’s third straight defeat in the fi rst round. They lost to the Asian Cup three times, in 1964, strike sealed the win. the United States 3-0 and went down against Colombia 2-1. 1984 and 2011, and striker Chhetri said India have remained unbeaten In another game, Colombia, who had lost their opener to Gha- he was still haunted by their failure to since losing back-to-back World Cup na, beat the USA 3-1 in Mumbai and booked their last-16 spot by qualify for the last edition in 2015. qualifi ers in March 2016, winning 11 fi nishing second in their pool. “I was there when we missed out of their last 12 games. In Group B action, Mali beat New Zealand 3-1 at Delhi’s Jawaha- in 2015 and that still hurts me,” said Oman and Palestine also qualifi ed rlal Nehru Stadium to move into the second round. Chhetri, 33, who scored India’s sec- for 2019 on Wednesday, joining the Meanwhile heavyweights Brazil, Paraguay, France and England ond goal. hosts UAE, Australia, China, Japan, have already booked their pre-quarter-fi nals berth from their re- “This is the tournament we play South Korea, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Ara- spective pools. for. We get to rub our shoulders bia, Syria, Qatar, Thailand and Uz- Underdogs Iran also made it to the knockout stage earlier this against the best in Asia which we bekistan. week after thrashing Germany 4-0 to stage the biggest upset of don’t get many times,” he added. Nine more spots are still up for the tournament so far. Chhetri also tweeted: “Earned our grabs in what will be the fi rst 24-team The top two teams from each group will book their berth in the right to battle against Asia’s best... edition of the Asian Cup, which pre- India captain Sunil Chhetri (right) celebrates his team’s 4-1 victory in the 2019 Asian Cup qualifying last-16 while four other teams, who are ranked third in their pool, Happy, proud, relieved and more.” viously featured 16 countries. match against Macau with his teammates at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. (AFP) could also sneak into the next round. Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 13, 2017 SPORT

NBA NHL Devils ease past Cavs’ LeBron out Maple Leafs

Reuters scored, and Nathan MacKinnon New Jersey and Gabriel Landeskog had two assists apiece for Colorado. The Avalanche swept the iles Wood and Pavel home-and-home series with for pre-season, in Zacha netted twice, the Bruins. Brad Marchand, Tim Brian Gibbons Schaller and Torey Krug scored scored while killing for Boston. Moff a two-man disadvantage, and Tuukka Rask, who was pulled the New Jersey Devils defeated after the second period, stopped the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 in 22-of-26 shots. Backup Anton a battle of previously unbeaten Khudobin was a perfect 9-for-9 doubt for opener teams at the National Hockey in the third period. League on Wednesday. Goaltender Cory Schneider FLAMES 4, KINGS 3 (OT) James has not missed a season-opener in 14 NBA campaigns made 47 saves for the Devils. Sean Monahan netted the winner Blake Coleman added a goal for at 1:02 of overtime, and Matthew AFP the Devils, and Will Butcher and Tkachuk scored two goals as Cal- Washington Adam Henrique had two assists gary defeated Los Angeles. Cleveland Cavaliers ace LeBron apiece. James van Riemsdyk, Do- The Flames swept their two- James awoke with a sore left ankle minic Moore and Auston Mat- game California road trip and our-time NBA Most Valuable after scoring 17 points in his first thews scored for Toronto, and won for the fourth time in their Player LeBron James will not play pre-season appearance, a 108-94 Maple Leafs goalie Frederik An- past six games against the Kings. in Cleveland’s last pre-season loss to Chicago. (AFP) dersen stopped 25 shots. Calgary’s Mike Smith stopped game and is questionable for 42 shots and improved his career Tuesday’sF season opener against Bos- record to 16-8-1 against Los An- PENGUINS 3, CAPITALS 2 ton, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said on Patric Hornqvist notched a goal geles. Wednesday. James awoke with a sore left and an assist in his fi rst game of Michael Frolik added a goal for ankle after scoring 17 points in his fi rst the season, Matt Murray stopped the Flames. The Kings got two pre-season appearance, a 108-94 loss to 20 shots, and Pittsburgh defeat- goals and an assist from Dustin Chicago, and Lue declared he would not ed Washington. Kris Letang and Brown plus a goal and an assist practice yesterday or play today in the ex- Conor Sheary also scored for the from Anze Kopitar. Jonathan hibition against Orlando. Penguins, who converted 3-of-6 Quick stopped 33 shots. The 32-year-old playmaker, who led power-play chances. the Cavs to their fi rst NBA crown in 2016, Hornqvist returned after DUCKS 3, ISLANDERS 2 missed most pre-season workouts and missing the fi rst three games of Anaheim failed to score on four three pre-season contests with a left an- the season following a proce- power-plays, making the Ducks kle sprain suff ered on September 27. Lue dure on his right hand in the off - 0-for-15 on the season, but got said: “(James is) pretty mad, pretty pissed season. The Capitals’ Christian goals from three diff erent players off . But I mean, it is what it is.” Djoos, making his NHL debut, and 39 saves from John Gibson to James has not missed a season-opener had a goal and assisted on Alex snap a two-game losing streak. in 14 NBA campaigns, but Lue hesitated Ovechkin’s eighth goal of the The Islanders failed to score on when asked about his availability against season. Braden Holtby made 33 fi ve power-plays and are 0-and- Boston next week. “(James) got treatment saves for Washington. 15 to open the season. all day today, so I’m not sure if we should They lost despite fi nishing be concerned or not,” Lue said. “But it’s AVALANCHE 6, BRUINS 3 with a 41-30 edge in shots. An- pretty sore today so we’ll just see what Sven Andrighetto had two goals, drew Cogliano, Rickard Rakell happens.” Matt Duchene and Nail Yakupov and Patrick Eaves scored for the JR Smith will start for James today with had a goal and an assist each, Ducks, who took the lead for Jose Calderon moving into the lineup, Lue and Colorado held off Boston’s good at 2-1 in the second period. said. James said after the pre-season loss third-period rally. Semyon Var- Brock Nelson had two goals for to Chicago that the game was a test to see lamov stopped 20 shots, Tyson New York, and Islanders goalie how his ankle was recovering from the in- Jost and Alexander Kerfoot also Jaroslav Halak made 27 saves. jury. “I’m pushing through it right now,” James said. “I just wanted to try and test my foot, test my ankle to see how I would come out. I defi nitely wanted to test it knowing that at least if I tested it tonight I have a week until the regular season started if I don’t play in the game on Friday.” James averaged 26.4 points and career highs of 8.6 rebounds and 8.7 assists last season as the Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals, losing to Golden State. It was the seventh consecutive trip to the fi nals and eighth overall for James. The Cavaliers had hoped to have James play alongside newcomers Derrick Wade, Dwyane Wade and Jae Crowder with Kevin Love shifted from forward to centre Timberwolves, the NBA club said on bringing this team to the post-season.” traded to Minnesota in a deal for Kevin in what fi gures to be a formidable lineup Wednesday, tying down the 22-year-old Wiggins scored a career-high 23.6 Love, has averaged 20.4 points, 4.1 re- should they be able to work cohesively. forward through the 2022/23 campaign. points, grabbed 4.0 rebounds, tossed out bounds and 2.1 assists in 245 career NBA “It’s a challenge when you’ve got a new The deal, reportedly for the maximum 2.3 assists in 82 games last season, sink- games. team and you want to incorporate stuff ,” $148mn (12.neuros) and starting next year, ing a career-best 103 3-pointers on a Only LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Lue said. “Do we wish we had a little more adds security for the club after a stellar career-high 35.6 % shooting from beyond Carmelo Anthony scored more points time with him in the pre-season? Yes. But campaign for the 2014 top pick in the NBA the arc. “Andrew is one of the best young before their 22nd birthday than Wiggins. we have to make do with what we have.” Draft on a team that fi nished 31-51. players in the NBA and he has the talent “He is just scratching the surface of the “I’m very excited to continue my career and work ethic to get even better and be player he will become,” T-Wolves coach WIGGINS INKS CONTRACT with the Timberwolves,” Wiggins said. a foundation for our franchise for many and president of basketball operations EXTENSION WITH TIMBERWOLVES “We’ve had some good times over the last years,” Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor Tom Thibodeau said. “Andrew is among Andrew Wiggins has signed a fi ve-year three seasons, but the best is yet to come. said. Wiggins, the 2015 NBA Rookie of the the elite young talents in our league and New Jersey Devils Will Butcher (right) controls the puck during the contract extension with the Minnesota I look forward to doing right by them and Year after being drafted by Cleveland and the sky is the limit for him.” NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. (USA TODAY Sports)

SIX-TIME CHAMP COTTO BOOKS MLB DECEMBER FAREWELL FIGHT New York: Puerto Rico’s to be given the opportunity to Yankees eliminate Indians, Nationals stay alive Miguel Cotto, a six-time world fight a legend,” Ali said. “My champion over four diff erent time is now.” AFP just one of those situations where you try weight divisions, will fight for Cotto’s only loss at the Gar- Chicago and break the game down, keep it simple the final time on December 2 den came to American Austin and just know going in, whatever I have in in New York against hometown Trout in 2012. His other defeats the tank, I’m giving it everything I have.” foe Sadam Ali, promoters an- came at the hands of Mexico’s idi Gregorius smacked two At Cleveland, Gregorius launched the nounced on Wednesday. Margarito, American Floyd May- home runs and the New York Yankees to the early lead, but the Indians Cotto, 41-5 with 33 knockouts, weather and Filipino legend Yankees advanced in the Ma- answered in the fourth as Austin Jackson will defend his World Boxing Or- Manny Pacquiao. jor League Baseball playoff s on singled, advanced on a Jay Bruce sin- WednesdayD by defeating Cleveland 5-2 gle and scored on a Roberto Perez single. ganization light middleweight crown at Madison Square FRAMPTON CUTS while Washington kept its title hopes Giovanny Urshela singled in Bruce to pull Garden against Ali, a 2008 US SPARRING OVER FEARS alive facing elimination as well. Cleveland within 3-2 and the Yankees re- Olympian based in Brooklyn Northern Irish boxer Carl After losing the fi rst two games, the moved winning pitcher C.C. who is 25-1 with 14 knockouts. Frampton says he has cut his Yankees rallied to defeat the Indians 3-2 Sabathia for reliever David Robertson, It will be the 10th fight at the sparring regime by more than in the best-of-fi ve American League Di- who halted the threat by inducing an in- famed Manhattan arena for half to reduce his chances of vision Series. Gregorius smacked a solo ning-ending double play. Cotto, who has owned world developing brain damage. The homer in the fi rst inning and a two-run Gardner smacked a two-run single to titles at super lightweight, wel- 30-year-old former two-weight homer in the third to give the Yankees a right fi eld on the 12th pitch he saw in the terweight, light middleweight world champion faces Mexico’s 3-0 lead. ninth inning to add insurance runs for and middleweight. Horacio Garcia in Belfast on And after the Indians trimmed the mar- the Yankees and closing reliever Aroldis “I’m very excited to be back November 18. He usually has gin to a single run, Brett Gardner added a Chapman got the fi nal six outs for New in the ring for my final fight at 220 sparring sessions in the two-run single in the ninth inning to pro- York to earn the save. At Chicago, Taylor’s The Garden. I’ve worked really build-up to his fights, but has duce the fi nal margin. “Didi is the one that fi rst career playoff homer was the rstfi hard my entire career to be trimmed that number to 100 to set the tone,” said Gardner. “Didi had two playoff grand slam in Nationals history. at this level,” Cotto said. “I’m avoid “problems” in retirement. big homers for us. Huge win.” “Just looking for a good pitch to hit, some- fully concentrated on getting “I’ve got two kids and a missus. The victory lifted New York into the thing out over (the plate),” Taylor said. together with (trainer) Freddie I don’t want problems after best-of-seven American League Champi- “Just trying to put the bat on the ball and Roach so we can work hard and boxing. You need to be careful,” onship Series against the Houston Astros make something happen.” have a great victory.” Frampton said. that opens today in Texas. Houston went Washington took a 1-0 lead in the third Cotto has defeated a host of “Most boxers do maybe 100 5-2 during the regular season against the inning when Trea Turner doubled to left stars since his 2001 pro debut, or 120 for a 12-round fight and Yankees. In the National League, Wash- fi eld, took third on a wild pitch and scored including Zab Judah, Paulie I was doing 220. It was a lot. ington’s Michael Taylor smashed a grand on a fi elding error by Cubs shortstop Ad- Malignaggi, Shane Mosley, You’re just taking punishment slam in the eighth inning to power the dison Russell off a ball hit by Ryan Zim- Antonio Margarito and Ricardo every day, getting hit all the Nationals over the defending World Series merman. Mayorga. After losing to time. That’s something we’re champion Chicago Cubs 5-0, leveling the But in the eighth, Daniel Murphy sin- Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez going to cut back on. I’ll train best-of-fi ve National League Division Se- New York Yankees players celebrate after winning the game five of the playoff gled while Anthony Rendon and Matt Wi- in November 2015, Cotto was hard, but the sparring will ries at 2-2. baseball series against the Cleveland Indians. (USA TODAY Sports) eters walked, setting the stage for Taylor’s idle for 21 months before an be cut in half.” Frampton last The victory set up a winner-take-all homer over the right-centerfi eld wall. undisputed decision victory fought in January when he lost fi fth game at Washington, with the victor Stephen Strasburg, who had been the fo- Strasburg struck out 12 and surrendered Taylor paid tribute to Strasburg’s ef- in August at Los Angeles over his WBA featherweight title to advancing to the National League Cham- cus of a pre-game drama about whether only three hits with two walks over seven fort after originally planning to sit out due Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai to Leo Santa Cruz in Las Vegas. He pionship Series against the Los Angeles he would take the mound for the big- shutout innings. to illness and let Tanner Roark make the win the WBO crown he will was previously a world cham- Dodgers. That best-of-seven showdown gest game of his career, collected his fi rst He kept the Cubs hitless for the fi rst 5 start. “To come out after being sick like defend against Ali. “I’m thrilled pion at super-bantamweight. begins Saturday in California. playoff triumph despite battling fever and 2/3 innings. “I’m surprised I was able to that and put together a game like that, it’s Nationals right-handed pitcher chills a day earlier. hang in there,” Strasburg said. “I think it’s amazing,” Taylor said. “He’s the real deal.” Gulf Times Friday, October 13, 2017 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT First leg of Hathab equestrian series from today

By Sports Reporter Doha

he fi rst leg of the Hathab Equestrian Tour series will be held today and to- morrow at the Al Shaqab arena. The vet check for horses was held yesterday, fol- Tlowed by a technical meeting for the riders. To- day, the action will begin at 2pm, and tomorrow at 9 in the morning and at 2 in the afternoon. A brainchild of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, the 12-leg series is open for Qa- tari nationals and also to residents of Qatar. The event is being conducted jointly by Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab. Results of the competition will be used in the selection process of riders to represent Qatar in future international competitions. Each leg will carry points, with only top seven results to be counted, and an overall will be declared at the end of series. Around 150 riders, from as young as six, will be in action and has free admission for specta- The vet check for horses was held yesterday, followed by a technical meeting for the riders ahead tors. The events will be held in both show jump- of the first leg of the Hathab Equestrian Tour series, which will be held today and tomorrow at the ing and dressage and will consist of fi ve cat- Al Shaqab arena. egories: Future Riders Program (6-12 years old), Children (12-14 years old); Junior (Small Tour among Qatari youths, while also encouraging Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena, 14-18 years old), Young Rider (Medium Tour 16- or Qatar Equestrian Federation premises. Seven rules and regulations will be followed and all the involvement of private stables and individ- will be spread across seven months with the 21 years old) and Senior (Big Tour- over 21-year- events will be held at Al Shaqab and fi ve at QEF’s competitions will be shown live on Al Kass ual horse owners to grow awareness of horse- fi nal leg to be conducted next April. A total of old). There will be a total of 12 competitions in Outdoor Arena. channel. ‘Hathab’, which means ‘Canter’ in Ara- manship as part of Qatar’s history and tradition. QR1mn in prize money will be on off er for the the series which will be held either at Al Shaqab The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) bic aims to improve the standard of horse riding The series, to be held either at Al Shaqab or competitors.

GOLF RUGBY Etzebeth to lead Eight-birdie Smith Springboks on European tour upstages quality fi eld ben Etzebeth will cap- tain the Springboks in their upcoming autumn World No 4 and two-time defending champ Justin Thomas posts a two-under 70 Einternationals in the ongoing absence of injured No 8 Warren Whiteley, the South Reuters African Rugby Union said. Etze- Kuala Lumpur Cameron Smith of Australia lines beth, 25, initially took over the up a putt on the 14th green during captaincy in June when Whiteley the first round of the 2017 CIMB sustained a groin injury ahead of ustralian Cameron Smith Classic golf tournament in Kuala the fi nal Test of a three-match blitzed the TPC Kuala Lumpur Lumpur yesterday. (AFP) home series against France. with a fl awless eight-under- The two-time world cham- par 64 to take a one-stroke lead pions start their tour of Europe overA a top-quality fi eld after the opening against Ireland on November 11 round of the $7mn CIMB Classic yester- before trips to France and Italy day. Smith, who won his fi rst PGA title ahead of their concluding match at the Zurich Classic team event in May, against Wales on December 2. picked up fi ve shots on the way out and South Africa will also be three more over the last fi ve holes to stand without experienced back-rower a shot clear of Thai Poom Saksansin and Duane Vermeulen, who is recov- Americans Xander Schauff ele and Keegan ering from groin surgery, as well Bradley. World number four Justin Tho- as prop Frans Malherbe (neck), rell agreed a fi ve-year contract mas, who has won the tournament for fl anker Jaco Kriel and wing Ruan extension with the club. the last two years with a combined score Combrinck (both shoulder). Saracens also announced new of 49-under, left himself with some work Prop Coenie Oosthuizen is contracts for England interna- to do in his quest for a “three-peat” after in line to return though after tional lock Nick Isiekwe and posting a two-under 70. breaking his arm in the 23-23 fl y-half Max Malins, whose deals Hideki Matsuyama, who passed up Rugby Championship draw in will run until 2020. the chance to defend his Japan Open ti- Australia on September 9. The tle to play in Malaysia this week, is a spot Springbok squad for the end of NOWELL FACES UP TO TWO above Thomas in the world rankings and year tour will be announced on MONTHS OUT INJURED matched his score on Thursday after mix- October 29. Winger Jack Nowell could miss ing four birdies with two bogeys. Schauf- England’s autumn internation- fele, who edged Thomas by a stroke to win LIONS HOOKER JAMIE als in November after sustaining the Tour Championship in Atlanta last GEORGE SIGNS NEW DEAL multiple fractures around his month, never looked back after opening British and Irish Lions Test cheek and eye socket during with a birdie and then chipping-in from hooker Jamie George has signed the Exeter Chiefs’ Premiership off the green for another at his third hole. a long-term contract extension win over Newcastle Falcons last The 23-year-old Californian, PGA with English Premiership leaders Saturday. Tour rookie of the year for 2017, picked Saracens, the club announced. Nowell, who has 23 England up another fi ve shots over the remaining Saracens, the reigning European caps, will undergo surgery to 15 holes and suggested his error-free 65 champions, said the England in- ascertain the extent of and treat had been as much the result of avoiding 23rd but the 24-year-old cannot be writ- stumbled on the back nine and fi nished 68 — Michael Kim (USA), Kim Wee (KOR), ternational’s deal will keep him his injury, and Exeter’s rugby the lush tropical rough as anything. “It ten off after erasing a four-shot defi cit in tied for eighth after a 67. Hudson Swaff ord (USA), Thomas Pieters at Allianz Park until 2021. director Rob Baxter said the was boring, which I guess is a good thing the fi nal round to retain his title last year. (BEL), Chez Reavie (USA) George, 26, made his fi rst- 24-year-old could be out for six out here,” he said. “I hit a lot of fairways, Kevin Na nailed a 45-foot putt for a LEADING SCORES 69 — Jim Herman (USA), Ian Poulter (ENG), team debut for the club in 2009. to eight weeks. kind of made an easy day out of it. I tried birdie at the 15th and then holed an iron 64 — Cameron Smith (AUS) David Lipsky (USA), Jonas Blixt (SWE) He has won 17 England caps and England will play three tests to copy everything (Justin) did as I fi gured for an eagle at the 16th but bogeyed the 65 — Poom Saksansin (THA), Xander Schauf- 70 — C.T. started all three Tests for the Li- at Twickenham in November, he’s a good guy to imitate out here.” last to drop to a share of fi fth with fellow fele (USA), Keegan Bradley (USA) Pan (TPE), Jazz Janewattananond (THA), ons in New Zealand in June and starting with Argentina on Nov. PGA Championship title-holder Tho- Americans Gary Woodland and Pat Perez 66 — Kevin Na (USA), Gary Woodland (USA), Nick Taylor (CAN), Ben Crane (USA), Morgan July. George has won back-to- 11, and followed by matches mas also picked up shots in two of his after carding a 66. Pat Perez (USA) Hoff mann (USA), Jamie Lovemark (USA), back European Champions Cups against Australia and Samoa. fi rst three holes but his round never re- Davis Love III also threatened the grip 67 — Brendan Steele (USA), Anirban Lahiri Scott Brown (USA), Justin Thomas (USA), and three Premiership titles with Eddie Jones’ side have already ally got going despite the birdie-friendly of the twenty somethings at the top of (IND), Phachara Khongwatmai (THA), Davis Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Danny Chia (MAS), Saracens and his new deal comes lost number eight Billy Vunipola conditions. Two bogeys on his back nine the leaderboard with fi ve straight bird- Love III (USA), Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP), Kang Patrick Rodgers (USA), Luke List (USA), just weeks after his England and and centre Manu Tuilagi to seri- left him six shots off the pace in a share of ies from the second but the 53-year-old Sung-Hoon (KOR) Hideki Matsuyama (JPN), Kelly Kraft (USA) Lions colleague Owen Far- ous knee injuries.

LPGA Toro Rosso keep Formula one guessing World No 2 Park shares ahead of next week’s US Grand Prix London: The Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso Gasly may now miss US Grand Prix Should Gasly’s absence be confirmed, Toro Formula One team could be facing yet an- because it clashes with the decisive Rosso’s options appear limited given the other driver change amid uncertainty about round of the Japanese Super shortage of available drivers with the nec- three-way lead in Incheon Pierre Gasly’s availability for next week’s US Formula series at Suzuka, where he essary super licence. AFP with seven birdies against one bogey. Grand Prix. The young Frenchman made can win the title Former Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Seoul Thompson opened with a four-birdie 69 for a his debut in Malaysia and competed in last Buemi, who has won the Formula E electric share of 13th, while Ryu, the front-runner for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix alongside The Frenchman is half a point behind title since he last competed in Formula season’s Player of the Year award, scored a three- Spaniard Carlos Sainz, with Russian Daniil Toyota-powered Hiroaki Ishiura in a battle One in 2011, might be one option. Le Mans orld number two Park Sung-Hyun birdie 72 to lie 40th. Kvyat dropped for those races. of Japanese brands. winner Brendon Hartley also has enough fi red six birdies to share the LPGA KEB LPGA veteran Cristie Kerr, who just four days ago Sainz is racing for Renault next season The rookie, who is set to return for the points to qualify for a super licence, with Hana Bank Championship fi rst-round won the Lacoste Ladies Open de France for her fi rst and that switch has now been brought last three rounds of the season after Austin, the motorsport.com website saying the lead with her fellow South Korean Kim victory on the Ladies European Tour, scored 67 to forward, with both teams announcing at has said he would rather stay with Toro New Zealander had become the leading WMin-Sun and Australia’s Minjee Lee yesterday. lie one shot off the lead. Suzuka that he would be driving for the Rosso and the team indicated that would be contender. Park, playing in a mouth-watering grouping that French outfit from Austin onwards. That has the case when he arrived. Hartley, 27, is a former Red Bull reserve featured the game’s top three players, carded six- LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES opened up the door for the under-perform- However, Red Bull motorsport consultant driver who also tested for Toro Rosso in under-par 66 to grab the joint overnight lead in 66 — Kim Min-Sun (KOR), Minjee Lee (AUS), Park Sung- ing Kvyat to return but Gasly may now miss Helmut Marko suggested last weekend that 2009 but has never raced in Formula One Incheon. “I feel great having fi nished the fi rst round Hyun (KOR) Texas because the US Grand Prix clashes the Japanese race might be given priority, a and has not been in an F1 car since 2012, pretty well,” said Park, 24, after her round with top- 67 — Marina Alex (USA), Chella Choi (KOR), Cristie Kerr with the decisive round of the Japanese view that has since been firmed up accord- before the new generation of turbo hybrid ranked Ryu So-Yeon and world number three Lexi (USA), Park Min-Ji (KOR), Lizette Salas (USA) Super Formula series at Suzuka. ing to media reports. engines. The 27-year-old won at Le Mans Thompson at the SKY72 Golf & Resort. 68 — Angel Yin (USA), Kim Ji-Hyun (KOR), Ko Jin-Young Gasly can win that title for Team Mugen A Toro Rosso spokeswoman was unable with Porsche this year and is competing “I hope that this momentum will last until the (KOR), Lydia Ko (NZL) who are powered by Honda, Toro Rosso’s to clarify the situation yesterday and did in the World Endurance Championship, a end,” she said. Kim went on a streak of fi ve birdies 69 — Bae Seon-Woo (KOR), Mo Martin (USA), Lexi engine partners next year. not know who would be driving in Austin. sportscar title he won in 2015. in a row to close out her front nine, before fi nishing Thompson (USA)

Friday, October 13, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT QNB Stars League resumes tomorrow with three fi xtures Gharafa and Al Khor will both be looking for full points to improve their position in the league table

By Sports Reporter Doha

fter international break, the QNB Stars League will resume tomorrow with three matches to be played. The fi rst day of round four fi xtures will see Al GharafaA taking on Al Khor, followed by Umm Salal facing Al Arabi and Al Sailiya meeting Al Kharaitiyat. Gharafa and Al Khor will both be looking for full points to improve their position in the league table. Gharafa are now ninth with only two points from two draws and one defeat, while Al Khor are sixth with four points from a victory, draw and defeat each. Gharafa are yet to settle into their stride as the players seek better co- ordination among themselves. Gharafa coach Jean Fernandez said yesterday that his team was all focused on getting into winning ways. “The team wasn’t set in the beginning and couldn’t start the league campaign well. Ahead of this match, we are concentrating only on scoring a win as we must be collecting maximum number of points. Initially, we tried many combinations and we were closer to victory too. However, luck wasn’t on our side and we lagged behind when it mattered the most,” said Fernandez. “We’ve many new players and a new-look team capable of going for victories. The QSL Cup matches during the break gave us chances Al Gharafa’s head coach Jean Fernandez (left) and Al Sailiya’s manager Sami Trabelsi speak during a press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Othman Iraqi to test youngsters as they needed to play more matches. We’re eagerly looking forward to play between both sides will be tough and exciting. formances,” Jaber said, adding they didn’t feel Al Ahli Stadium. They are fourth with six points Meanwhile, Al Kharaitiyat so far have just a against Al Khor, where I spent two seasons,” the Salal’s Egyptian coach Mahmoud Jaber was pressure to stay in the top-four position. from two victories and one loss. They had regis- point from their drawn encounter with Al Khor. Frenchman added. optimistic that his team would get full three Al Arabi coach Qais Yaakoubi said nothing tered a big win over Al Markhiya in the previous So they will naturally be eager to gain fi rst vic- In the second match, in form teams Salal points against Al Arabi. “We’ve had a wonderful less than three points would satisfy them. “The round. Coach Sami Trabelsi said: “Even though tory in the league this season. and Arabi lock horns. Salal are among the top start to the season and we’re keen on continuing victory over Qatar SC in the previous round has we’re in a good position three rounds into the Kharaitiyat coach Ahmad al-Ajlani said the four teams in the league table with seven points that way. Against a team like Arabi who have a done a world of good for us, be it players, tech- league campaign, our team is still improving af- players were training hard with an aim of revers- from two wins and one draw. They are having good reputation and some outstanding players, nical staff and team management. We felt very ter every outing. We hope to maintain the mo- ing the trend of negative results. “It’s still the a terrifi c run so far having put up some strong we must give off our best in order to register a good and it has really boosted our confi dence. mentum. At the same time, I keep telling my beginning of the season. We had started the new performances, which left them only two points victory,” he said. We won’t be satisfi ed without maximum points players not to be complacent and to stay focused campaign with almost the same team we had at adrift of table toppers Al Duhail and Al Sadd af- “Our target is high this time too and we will from this match,” said Yaakoubi. “We hope to on winning matches.” the end of last season. After the fi rst two defeats, ter the fi rst three rounds. take it game by game. Syria’s Mahmoud al-Ma- continue from where we left off . Our players “We know Al Kharaitiyat are at the moment we could put up a strong performance against Al On the other hand, Arabi are also on a high was played two tough games against Australia in took some time to settle into their stride. We’re struggling to fi nd their footing with a string of Khor and we were closer to victory before set- following their victory over Qatar SC in the pre- the World Cup qualifi ers and I’ll have to talk to still in the process of building a strong side. We bad results. However, we won’t take them light- tling for a draw,” he said. vious round. That win came after two defeats. him and see if he’s ready to play. We’ve equally- hope to achieve it soon,” the Tunisian added. ly. In Ahmad al-Ajlani, they’ve one of the best “In football, we’ve to wait for some time to They are still languishing at the eight position good two players in each position and a strong Meanwhile, Sailiya will be keen to extend coaches from the Arab region and we should be get good results. This is not the time to press the in standings with three points. Hence the match bench, and I’m happy with my players’ per- their good run when they face Kharaitiyat at the wary of our opponents,” added the Tunisian. panic button,” added the Tunisian.

QATAR ROUND-UP FOCUS Shanan enters Kuwait ITF Duhail’s Msakni named Player of tournament quarter-fi nals the Month, Salal’s Jaber best coach atar’s Essa Shanan entered the quarter- By Sports Reporter fi nals of the 11th Ku- Doha wait ITF Junior tour- nament.Q Shanan beat Oman’s Younis al-Rawahi 6-1, 6-2 in the l Duhail’s Tunisian second round. Shanan also made midfi elder Youssef it to doubles quarters. He teamed Msakni won the QNB up with Jalal Sadek of Lebanon to Stars League Player of defeat Zaid Ahmed of Saudi Ara- theA Month award for September bia and al-Rawahi of Oman 6-3, in accordance with the offi cial 7-5 in the second round. statistics and fi gures issued by Other than Shanan, two other Statis Company. Qatari players Rayyan al-Jufairi Msakni brought out some and Mubarka al-Naemi are tak- prominent displays in the league ing part in the championship. during the month. Duhail de- Ibrahim al-Khelaifi , deputy yesterday. Santos and Younousse teams on November 9 and 14, feated Qatar SC 3-2 in Round 1, Ahli, 2-0. Umm Salal collected head of National Teams Com- eased past Austria’s Florian during QNB Star League break then Al Arabi 2-0 and Al Rayyan seven points from three games. mittee at the Qatar Tennis, Schnetzer and Daniel Mullner after the seventh round. 5-3 in the previous round before They scored fi ve goals and con- Squash and Badminton Federa- 2-0 (21-15, 21-14). These friendly games come in the competition took a break for ceded only one. The number tion said that Qatar will partici- Qatar second team of Julio the light of Qatar national foot- international commitments. of goal-scoring opportunities pate in Kazakhstan International Donascimento and Ahmed Tijan ball squad’s preparations for the Msakni contributed a great reached 12 in all games. The Championship in November. also made it to the last 16 after upcoming 23rd edition of Gulf deal to all three victories of his team displayed a commendable they after beating Japanese duo Football Cup will take place in team as Al Duhail are on top of show during September. QATAR TEAMS IN LAST 16 OF Shimizu Pulse and Tsuchiya 2-0 Doha by the end of the year. the table, ahead of Al Sadd on Mahmoud Jaber hopes to lead FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL (19/21, 16/21) On other hand, Qatar Olympic goal diff erence. Msakni scored Youssef Msakni and Mahmoud Jaber (right) pose with trophies. the team to more achievements QINZHOU OPEN football team will play a match two goals and had as many as- in the league. The Egyptian Second seeds Pereira Jeff erson QATAR FOOTBALL TEAM TO during the QNB Star League sists in the three games. He Meanwhile, Umm Salal’s two wins and drew one match took over the side last season, Santos and Cherif Younousse of PLAY FRIENDLY GAMES IN break in preparation for the played a total of 295.6 minutes Mahmoud Jaber was adjudged in September. They defeated Al replacing Turk Bulent Uygun. Qatar entered the last 16 of the NOVEMBER AFC Asian U-23 Championship and was very eff ective in help- the QNB Stars League’s Best Kharaitiyat 3-1, followed by a Before this season began, the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Qatar’s football team will play scheduled to be held in China ing the team win. He is the team Coach for the month of Sep- goalless tie against Al Gharafa team management renewed his Tour Qinzhou Open in China friendly games against European next January. captain as well. tember. Umm Salal grabbed and another victory in over Al contract for another season.

ATHLETICS IAAF president Coe calls for track and fi eld revolution AFP the same crowds or worldwide interest, representing cities — or the NFL, where looked at one event and spent a lot of time Rabat, Morocco particularly as Bolt hung up his spikes after teams pick players through a draft system. talking about one event... but we haven’t London. The Jamaican sprinter has been a “I think we’ve just got to allow some re- brought it together.” shining light in recent years for a sport in ally open discussion about what our sport He said although it was important to orld athletics chief Sebastian danger of losing its appeal because of the looks like. And yes, maybe it’s cities, maybe “have the purist argument” and keep the Coe has said he wants a radi- Russian doping scandal, lengthy cham- it’s franchises, maybe it’s auctions like the sport’s multi-disciplined “philosophy”, cal review of track and fi eld to pionships and over-complex formats for IPL, maybe it’s the pick.” it can be moved away from its traditional ensure it survives as a specta- spectators. “We are in the entertainment Coe, who won Olympic gold medals in arenas. “I think we need to think across Wtor sport. With the sport’s biggest star Us- business and we have to look at it in that the 1,500 metres in Moscow in 1980 and the landscape,” he said. “What about pop- ain Bolt retired, IAAF president Coe said he way,” Coe said at a meeting of African ath- Los Angeles in 1984, said tinkering with up tracks? What about having a 300 metre was considering anything from franchised letics federations in the Moroccan capital individual track and fi eld events would not track that you put in the middle of the pitch teams bidding for athletes to pop-up tracks Rabat. He laid out plans for a “strategic re- be enough to bring about the fundamental at (Chelsea’s stadium) Stamford Bridge or in in streets and football stadiums to attract view” to show “what our sport will look like change that is needed. He said his associa- a football ground in Australia? new fans. for the next 30 or 40 years”. tion was already working with diff erent for- “Does it have to be a 200 metre track “Nothing’s off the table now. Let our im- Voted president of the International As- mats, such as holding events in the moun- indoors? Street athletics, taking athletics agination run wild,” the two-time Olympic sociation of Athletics Federations in 2015, tains, trail-running and even parkour — or to where the people are. I want there to be gold medallist said in an exclusive interview Coe led London’s successful bid to host street-running — where participants leap a ferment of thinking now, because this is as he warned the candid discussions will the 2012 Olympics. The former middle- from buildings and scale walls. where I think we can actually raise our as- be “uncomfortable” for purists. Following distance runner said track and fi eld bosses “I think there is a need for probably a pirations and our ambitions. I think we have the success of the World Championships could draw inspiration from cricket’s Indian two-year deep, deep dive because the risk to have very open and candid discussions in London this year, there are fears the next Premier League (IPL) — in which players are in the past is that we have looked at diff er- and sometimes they are going to be uncom- edition — in Qatar in 2019 — will not draw auctioned and divided among franchises ent elements in isolation,” he said. “We’ve fortable.”