CRICKET | Page 2 SSPOTLIGHTPOTLIGHT | Page 7 Ahmed A new era To Advertise here elated as for Formula 1 Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 Pak end tour aft er $8bn on a high takeover

Friday, September 9, 2016 FOOTBALL Dhul Hijja 7, 1437 AH Guardiola and GULF TIMES Mourinho resume hostilities in derby SPORT Page 3

ATHLETICS CRICKET Barshim set to Two-tier Test plan scuttled rock at favourite aft er backlash venue Brussels Barshim has fond memories of the Belgian capital as it was here, two years ago, that he cleared 2.43m to move up to second on the high jump all-time list

IAAF Barshim has now jumped Brussels File picture of ace Qatari 2.40m nine times – only world high-jumper Mutaz Barshim record holder Javier Sotomayor has jumped that he traditional pre-meeting high more oft en than the Qatari press conference at the IAAF -– and he feels number 10 could Diamond League fi nal in be on its way today Brussels brought together the twoT highest profi le protagonists in the changes in the air pressure make it men’s high jump and women’s 100m very painful, I might have surgery at yesterday the end of the season and this is defi - Qatar’s Rio Olympics silver med- nitely my last competition of the year. allist Mutaz Essa Barshim has fond “I went to Lausanne but then I re- memories of the Belgian capital as alised that there were still four men in it was here, two years ago, that he contention for the Diamond Race so I cleared 2.43m to move up to second on stopped my antibiotics and I’ve come the high jump all-time list. here. BCCI President Anurag Thakur “In 2013, it was like living my dream. “The only good thing is that I’ve My coach wasn’t surprised, he said, lost weight, I’ve lost two or three kilos AFP “How could the ICC have proposed two or three jumps before, ‘you can and I’m now down to 76kg,” he added New Delhi such a system in the fi rst place? This jump 2.43 and if, there are good con- with a modicum of gallows humour, should have been shot down at the ditions, you can get the world record.’ not that Bondarenko had much spare outset,” he said. “When I jumped 2.43, he was like fl esh on him anyway. ontroversial plans to create Thakur said India would have stood ‘see I told you!’ It was an amazing Elaine Thompson, who ran in Brus- a two-tier Test system have to gain from playing more matches feeling. I couldn’t sleep that night; it sels last year when she fi nished third been scrapped by cricket’s against teams such as England and was a moment of greatness. I have to over the 200m, and – unlike Barshim Cworld governing body after Australia which attract big TV audi- say the stadium that night was amaz- and Bondarenko during their epic the powerful Indian board led a back- ences and decent crowds. ing. Everyone was cheering and there 2104 seasons – is just getting used to lash, senior offi cials said yesterday. “But countries such as Zimbabwe, was a great atmosphere. being the star of the show rather than The proposal for a de facto premier West Indies and Bangladesh would “The conditions were there for the in the chorus line after her feat of win- league featuring the top seven sides have suff ered huge losses and we didn’t world record, and I think I could have ning the 100m and 200m double in had been welcomed by players and was want that,” he added. jumped the world record that night, if Rio. one of the main agenda items at an In- In a statement issued on Wednesday, I hadn’t been so happy with my jump “It’s hard to be the champion but ternational Cricket Council meeting in ICC chief executive David Richardson at 2.43. Once you’ve done something I’m staying focused. There is now a Dubai which ended Wednesday. gave few details of the discussions in like that, a wave of satisfaction fl ows pressure that wasn’t there before, I While the ICC said “signifi cant Dubai but did refer to long-standing over you, and I was feeling like ‘I’m haven’t been back to Jamaica since progress” was made in discussions on plans for a Test championship play-off done’. the Olympics and just came to my Eu- “the future shape of all international by the end of the decade. “Since then I have had a lot of prob- ropean base in Italy. We felt that the cricket”, both the Indian and Bangla- “Encouragingly there is an appe- lems, my body isn’t so strong and I’ve journeys would be too long and we still deshi boards confi rmed the two-divi- tite from the 10 full members for more had problems with my knee, my ankle had some races to do. sion proposal had been ditched. and my back. I have had to reduce my “It wouldn’t have been a distraction “The offi cials at the meeting shot The proposal for a de facto training, I have had to cut everything going back to Jamaica and I think there down the two-tier proposal,” Anurag premier league featuring the down just to recover, I’ve been jump- are going to be some things planned Thakur, president of the Board of Con- top seven sides had been ing off four steps and I am still jump- when I get there so I’m looking for- trol for Cricket in India (BCCI), told welcomed by players and was ing off four. ward to celebrating with family and AFP. “The BCCI could have benefi ted one of the main agenda items “At least now I am now a more ex- friends. fi nancially from the two-tier system at an International Cricket perienced high jumper from two years Tonight, she has the target of Shel- but morally we wanted to stand with Council meeting in Dubai ago, I’m more mature, more educated ly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s 100m meeting the countries which would have been which ended Wednesday and I know more about what to do at record of 10.72, set in 2013. badly aff ected.” what time. If she beats it, it will be with mixed His Bangladeshi counterpart Naz- context around all three formats of “But I think I just need time to feel feelings. “She’s my soul mother, mul Hassan confi rmed the plan had the game and we have consensus on a again like I did in Brussels two years she taught me so much,” refl ected been taken off the table. range of areas,” said Richardson. ago. Barshim has now jumped 2.40m tion, but I think that’s a height that before Rio I started to suff er sinus Thompson, thinking about the Ja- “It’s good news for us,” said Hassan, “This includes the details of ODI and nine times – only world record holder could do it.” problems and I started to take anti- maican sprint icon who she beat to whose board had been fi ercely critical T20 structures and principles around Javier Sotomayor has jumped that In contrast to the ebullient Barshim, biotics. In Rio, I felt bad, it was a long gold over the shorter distance in Rio. of the plan which would have eff ec- Test cricket schedules, which include high more often than the Qatari – and his great rival Bogdan Bonderenko cut competition and by 2.38 I was starting “However, I’m looking for a fast time, tively deprived Bangladesh of the op- the concept of a Test Champion play- he feels number 10 could be on its way a more sanguine fi gure when he pre- to feel very tired and dizzy in the head. it’s my last 100 of the season (and portunity to play major Test teams. off every two years, and the opportu- today. “2.40 at the fi rst attempt could sented himself at the press confer- “I’m getting a lot of pain,” He add- Thompson’s unbeaten over 11 races “India and Sri Lanka were also with nity for more nations to be involved.” win the Diamond Race he added. It’s ence. ed, pointing to just below his left eye. at the distance in 2016) but I’m still us, so we were more or less confi dent The Federation of International very close with four men in conten- “As some people know, one week “It’s especially bad when I fl y and the health and in good shape.” that it would not be approved. We are Cricketers’ Associations (FICA), which delighted to know that ICC has now represents players around the world, informed us of this offi cially,” he told said it would be “disappointing” if the BOTTOMLINE AFP. Under the proposed revamp, two-tier proposal had been “shelved designed to boost waning interest in so early in this process”. Tests, the seven highest-ranked teams A recent FICA survey found 72% of would have formed a top division. players supported the idea of a divi- The other three lowest-ranked sides sional system, which would include the Qatari offi cial disputes FIFA accusation — currently the West Indies, Bang- possibility of promotion and relega- ladesh and Zimbabwe — would have tion, as a way of adding more meaning AFP Although FIFA has not said what al-Mohannadi, he is also a candidate than ever of the value I have to off er joined a second division also including to each match. Doha was the subject of the inquiry, it is not for upcoming elections to FIFA’s rul- after a long and successful career in the likes of Afghanistan and Ireland. AB de Villiers, South Africa’s Test connected with the 2022 World Cup, ing council after being passed as eli- football administration,” he said. Although England, Australia and captain, was quoted in the survey as senior Qatari offi cial facing which Qatar will host. gible to stand by football’s governing He has the backing of the QFA, New Zealand were in favour, Thakur saying players had already upped their a possible two-and-a-half- However al-Mohannadi has dis- body. which previously took aim at FIFA, made his organisation’s opposition game in anticipation of a split. year ban following a recent puted FIFA’s claim in his fi rst state- The vote, for the two Asian spots on saying the commission’s fi ndings public last month, eff ectively render- “We have already raised our inten- AFIFA investigation said he ment since the commission’s recom- the council, will take place later this were published before al-Mohannadi ing it dead in the water. sity and urgency just knowing that a hopes a “full and fair” review of his mendation. month. had viewed the report. India, the game’s fi nancial power- Test league might happen,” he said. case will exonerate him. “I am confi dent that a full and fair Al-Mohannadi added that he was FIFA has also recommended that house, has a history of ensuring its “There is nothing like the pressure and The ban against Saoud al-Mohan- review of the matter will confi rm that “disappointed” with the commis- the Qatari be fi ned 20,000 Swiss stance prevails on key debates within adrenaline that comes with knowing nadi was recommended in August by I have co-operated extensively and sion’s recommendation, and would francs ($20,400, 18,600 euros). the global body. you need to win matches.” FIFA’s ethics commission which said candidly... with the Ethics Committee continue to run for election. The recommendation by the eth- India’s Thakur, whose predecessor Test series are currently played in that the Qatar Football Association to the best of my ability,” he said in a “The experience of this campaign, ics commission’s investigators will be Shashank Manohar is head of the ICC, isolation, giving them little wider im- (QFA) vice-president had refused to statement posted on the QFA website. along with the endorsements I have decided by FIFA’s adjudicatory cham- said the plan should never have got off portance apart from their eff ect on the co-operate with an inquiry. Adding to the intrigue surrounding received, leaves me more convinced ber. the ground. competing countries’ rankings. Gulf Times 2 Friday, September 9, 2016 SPORT

CRICKET Ahmed elated as Pakistan end England tour on a high Pakistan inflicted a crushing nine-wicket win over England at Old Traff ord in Ahmed’s first match in charge of the T20 side

AFP “This is how to play modern-day Pakistan’s conduct, as well as Manchester cricket.” their cricket, helped restore their Riaz had been plagued by no-ball reputation in English cricket problems as Pakistan came from be- circles following the spot-fi xing ew Twenty20 captain Sarfraz hind to draw a four-Test series with controversy that blighted their Ahmed was delighted to end England 2-2 — a result that took them last visit six years ago the England tour on a “high top of the Test standings — before los- note” Wednesday erasing ing the one-dayers 4-1. gan blamed a rapid change in condi- Nmemories of the damaging spot-fi xing But there was no over-stepping in tions for a crushing loss. controversy of their last visit six years Manchester. England managed just one boundary ago. “The credit goes to the bowling in their last 10 overs, whereas Sharjeel Pakistan infl icted a crushing nine- coach (Azhar Mahmood), he really and Latif struck 14 fours and a six in the wicket win over England at Old Traf- helped me, he was very strict with me fi rst fi ve overs of Pakistan’s reply. ford on Wednesday in Ahmed’s fi rst about the no-balls,” said Riaz. But Morgan said evening dew had match in charge of the Twenty20 side “Because I was resting the last two made the new ball come on to the bat and the fi nal match of their tour. games, he really worked hard with me,” nicely at the start of Pakistan’s chase, Fresh from Sunday’s four-wicket the 31-year-old man-of-the-match even though there was a gap of just 10 victory in Cardiff , where Ahmed made added. minutes between innings. 90 as Pakistan avoided a one-day se- Pakistan confounded a succession of “I think conditions changed quite ries whitewash, the tourists held Eng- England batsmen with their changes dramatically throughout the game,” he land to 135 for seven in their 20 overs. of pace, none more so than Riaz, who said. Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim re- broke the 90mph barrier in Manches- “With the benefi t of hindsight, I moved both England openers before ter. “When I was running in, I had a probably would have bowled fi rst and fast bowler Wahab Riaz took a Twen- plan within myself that if I have to bowl chased in the evening — given how ty20-best three for 18. fast, it has to be very fast and if I have to much dew there was about.” Openers Sharjeel Khan (59) and bowl slow. it has to be very slow,” said But England coach Trevor Bayliss Khalid Latif (59 not out) then shared Riaz. was scathing after a disappointing end a blistering century stand as Pakistan “You have to have a lot of varieties in to his team’s season. won with 31 balls to spare. this T20 game. I think I was successful “The way we were going allowed “Credit to our bowlers... and then in that and getting wickets.” Pakistan to get on top. We didn’t show Khalid and Sharjeel played really well,” Pakistan’s conduct, as well as their urgency with our running,” he said. Ahmed told reporters. cricket, helped restore their reputation “We played like pretty boys at one “After we won the match in Cardiff , in English cricket circles following the stage,” the Australian added. the morale was very high when we ar- spot-fi xing controversy that blighted “We want to win every game. You rived here. their last visit six years ago. can coach all you want but it’s got to “But I told the players that when we “The whole tour was very good, our come from within. are playing T20 cricket we want some Test cricket was very good. We wanted “The ceiling is still very high. We’re energy and we want some good fi elding to fi nish on a high note and we did,” still looking at how well we can play. on the ground. The players did that,” he Pakistan’s cricket players celebrate after winning the T20 match against England at The Emirates Old Traff ord in said Ahmed. We’re looking at how we can become a added. Manchester on Wednesday. Beaten England captain Eoin Mor- bit more consistent.”

RUGBY Wallabies look to Pumas’ further development stop the rot against on show against All Blacks Boks in Brisbane Reuters largely kept faith with a side that Reuters FACTBOX That maturity was evident in their Sydney was hammered 29-9 in Wellington Wellington recent clashes against South Af- two weeks ago. When: Sept. 10, 7:35 pm local (0735 dero, 10-Nicolas Sanchez, 9-Martin rica, where they were pipped by the Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has GMT) Landajo, 8-Facundo Isa, 7-Javier Or- Springboks 30-23 in Nelspruit on beleaguered Australia resisted the calls of a host of media rgentina, emboldened by Where: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton tega Desio, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Matias Aug. 20 before they beat Allister Co- side will be desperate for pundits and former players to bring victory over the Springboks (Capacity 25,000) Alemanno, 4-Guido Petti, 3-Ramiro etzee’s side 26-24 in Salta the follow- a season-transforming an end to the back row combination and improved by the expe- Referee: Craig Joubert (South Herrera, 2-Agustin Creevy, 1-Nahuel ing week. Avictory over South Africa of David Pocock and Michael Hooper Arience of Super Rugby, are Africa) Tetaz Chaparro Those results were a continua- tomorrow similar to the one they which produced such dividends last daring to dream that a fi rst test vic- Assistants: Angus Gardner (Aus- Replacements: 16-Julian Montoya, tion of the side’s development since snatched at the death in last year’s year. tory over New Zealand might just be tralia), Marius Mitrea (Italy) 17-Lucas Noguera, 18-Enrique Pieretto, 2012, where they have consistently Rugby Championship clash against Instead, Cheika has decided to ditch within their grasp this weekend. TMO: George Ayoub (Australia) 19-Marcos Kremer, 20-Leonardo Sena- pushed Australia and South Africa the Springboks. blindside flanker Scott Fardy and The Pumas have just one draw to NEW ZEALAND tore, 21-Tomas Cubelli, 22-Santiago and achieved victories against both. Twelve months ago at the same bring lineout jumper Dean Mumm show for their eff orts in 22 attempts World ranking: 1 Gonzalez Iglesias, 23-Ramiro Moyano The All Blacks have also found Lang Park in Brisbane, Tevita Kurid- into the back row to bolster a set to beat the All Blacks and the world Coach: Steve Hansen OVERALL RECORD them diffi cult to put away, which was rani’s last gasp try gave Australia a piece that faltered badly against the champions have certainly not showed Captain: Kieran Read Played: 22 never more evident during last year’s victory they barely deserved and set All Blacks. any signs of slowing down this season Team: 15-Ben Smith, 14-Israel Dagg, New Zealand wins: 21 World Cup pool game when it took 65 the Wallabies on a run of nine wins His other gamble, the Quade Coop- as they have extended their unbeaten 13-Malakai Fekitoa, 12-Ryan Crotty, Draws: 1 minutes to break the Pumas down and from 10 matches that took them to er-Bernard Foley axis at flyhalf and run to 13 matches. 11-Julian Savea, 10-Beauden Bar- IN HAMILTON clinch a 26-16 victory. the World Cup final. inside centre, also remains intact There can be no doubt that Argen- rett, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Kieran Read, 2013 New Zealand 28-13 Argentina “They have been a formidable foe They have not tasted victory since, and the playmakers will be hoping tina have improved greatly since they 7-Sam Cane, 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Sam 2004 New Zealand 41-7 Argentina for a long time,” All Blacks coach Ste- however, racking up six successive for an awful lot more ball to play entered the Rugby Championship in Whitelock, 4-Brodie Retallick, 3-Owen 1997 New Zealand 62-10 Argentina ve Hansen told reporters in Hamilton losses from the Twickenham final with than they had in Wellington. 2012, though, and that improvement Franks, 2-Dane Coles, 1-Joe Moody. LAST FIVE MEETINGS yesterday. “The last time we played defeat through the 3-0 June series re- Foley will go head-to-head with Juan should be on display when they take Replacements: 16-Codie Taylor, 2015* New Zealand 26-16 Argentina them at the World Cup that was a real verse at the hands of England to two de Jongh, who Coetzee has brought on New Zealand in Hamilton today. 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Charlie Faumui- (London) battle, wasn’t it?” more losses to the All Blacks at the into the Springboks centres along “We know that we will play against na, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Ardie Savea, 2015 New Zealand 39-18 Argentina Hansen expected a similar slog up start of the Rugby Championship. with Jesse Kriel to replace Damian the best team in the world, but we are 21-TJ Perenara, 22-Aaron Cruden, (Christchurch) front on Saturday for his side, who Another defeat tomorrow would de Allende and Lionel Mapoe. also aware of the conditions we have 23-Anton Lienert-Brown 2014 New Zealand 34-13 Argentina have hammered the Wallabies twice match their worst run in the profes- De Jongh and Francois Hougaard, and if we prepare the party to perfec- ARGENTINA (La Plata) to open the championship, though sional era, the seven matches with- who comes in on the left wing for tion we can get a good result,” lock World ranking: 7 2014 New Zealand 28-9 Argentina the Pumas’ willingness to incorporate out a win that led to the departure of the injured Ruan Combrinck, both Matias Alemanno said yesterday. Coach: Daniel Hourcade (Napier) fast-paced Super Rugby tactics would Eddie Jones in 2005. won sevens bronze medals in Rio Although the Argentines entered Captain: Agustin Creevy 2013 New Zealand 33-15 Argentina add another dimension. South Africa are also in need of a de Janeiro last month but Coetzee the Rugby Championship four years Team: 15-Joaquin Tuculet, 14-Matias (La Plata) “They’ve always been very combat- morale boost in Brisbane, however, is banking more on an Olympian ago, they did not have a Super Rugby Moroni, 13-Matias Orlando, 12-Juan * indicates Rugby World Cup ive up front but I’ve always thought as they arrived in Queensland on the eff ort from his forwards to secure side until this year when the Jaguares Martin Hernandez, 11-Santiago Cor- match they’ve had really talented backs and back of only a second ever test loss the victory. joined the expanded 18-team compe- probably haven’t used them as much to Argentina in their last champion- “It’s going to be a massive scrum- tition. as that talent warrants,” Hansen add- ship outing in Salta. ming contest. Set piece will be cru- While the side disappointed given Those experiences had fi ltered the diff erent styles in diff erent coun- ed. While Springboks coach Allister cial,” he told reporters in Brisbane their international-laden playing through to the national side’s per- tries and gave us awareness of another “They seem to want to use the ball, Coetzee has overhauled his backline yesterday. roster, there were indications they formances, number eight Facundo Isa pace of play and helped develop con- they’re good on the off -load and their and packed his bench with extra “You’ve got to come up with a spe- would be more competitive once they said. fi dence,” the loose forward said. forwards off -load in the tackle as well muscle in anticipation of a fierce cial performance in Australia if you got used to the rigours of the tourna- “(It) gave us experience which was “The team matured a lot, and that so they’re very diffi cult to contain be- set-piece battle, Australia have want to beat the Wallabies.” ment. important to many of us to confront inspires us to beat New Zealand.” cause of that.”

BOTTOMLINE Hougaard on a wing and a prayer for S. Africa

Reuters won an Olympic bronze medal in rugby Union on Wednesday. youngest player to reach the milestone at the Australia versus New Zealand Johannesburg sevens last month, for the injured Ruan “He is very competitive and his de- of 50 tests for South Africa at 24 years, matches, we realise the physical in- Combrinck was enforced and means fensive work is solid because he con- nine months and 12 days, beating the tensity of the forward exchanges, and veteran Bryan Habana switches from tests very hard on the ground and is a previous mark of fl yhalf Pat Lambie by that’s why we feel that a fresh tight fi ve rancois Hougaard has been left wing to the right. good fi nisher,” he added. three months. can sustain the physical intensity.” selected on the wing as one of De Jongh, another who played at the “Juan’s ability to organise at 12 and Coetzee has opted for six forwards Loose-head prop Tendai Mtawarira three changes in a revamped Rio Olympics, and Kriel replaced Dam- his calmness in that role will help to on the bench, including locks Franco will play his 81st test, becoming the South African backline for their ian de Allende and Lionel Mapoe. guide Elton (Jantjies) in his fl yhalf du- Mostert and Pieter-Steph de Toit, as most capped prop in Bok history after RugbyF Championship Test against “Francois covers two positions for ties.” In the only change in the forward well as prop Trevor Nyakane, who has twice World Cup winner Os du Randt. Australia in Brisbane tomorrow. us, on the wing and scrumhalf and pack, tight-head prop Lourens Adri- recovered from an ankle injury. South Africa won their opening Still smarting from the 26-24 loss to tre pairing of Juan de Jongh and Jesse apart from that he has other good at- aanse will earn his fi rst start for the “Our bench has made a real impact Rugby Championship match at home Argentina in Salta last time out, coach Kriel. tributes,” Coetzee said in a news re- Springboks in place of Vincent Koch. in each match we’ve played this sea- to Argentina 30-23 before their loss in Allister Coetzee has named a new cen- The inclusion of Hougaard, who lease from the South African Rugby Lock Eben Etzebeth will become the son,” the coach said. “After looking Salta. Gulf Times Friday, September 9, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Guardiola, Mourinho resume hostilities in derby duel Mourinho, 53, and Guardiola, 45, have both shown a capacity for ruthlessness in their early days in Manchester MOURINHO VS GUARDIOLA: FIVE OF THE BEST With Manchester United manager Jose A brutal encounter was decided in Mourinho and Manchester City boss the first period of extra-time when Real Pep Guardiola set for the 17th instal- forward Cristiano Ronaldo converted ment of their bitter rivalry in tomor- Angel di Maria’s cross. row’s derby at Old Traff ord, AFP Sport Di Maria was sent off in the closing looks back at five classic encounters moments, but Real held on for what between the old rivals: Mourinho labelled “a fantastic triumph,” while Guardiola grumbled the linesman INTER MILAN 3 BARCELONA 1, “must have great eyesight” after a CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI- Pedro strike was ruled out for off side. FINAL FIRST LEG, APRIL 2010 REAL MADRID 0 BARCELONA 2, Responding in bullish fashion after Inter CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FI- were brushed aside by Guardiola’s Bar- NAL FIRST LEG, APRIL 2011 celona in the Champions League group With the animosity between the stages, Mourinho insisted he would rel- managers at fever pitch, their spiteful ish a semi-final rematch. Mourinho got clash for a place in the final of Europe’s his wish in an acrimonious clash that lit elite club competition poured more the fuse on the pair’s rivalry. fuel on the fire. The sparring started in Pedro gave Barca the lead, but Inter the build-up when Mourinho ridiculed roared back with goals from Wesley Guardiola’s comments about that off - Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito. Even side goal in the Spanish Cup — “A man in the afterglow of such a famous re- who criticises good decisions. This is sult, Mourinho couldn’t resist taunting completely new to me,” he said. Guardiola over several rejected Barca Guardiola was incensed, ranting: penalty appeals, referencing Chelsea’s “He’s been winning off the pitch all controversial Champions League semi- season. In the press room he is ‘el p*** final against the Spaniards: “A year ago jefe’ (the f*****g boss) and the one who Chelsea were crying and Barca were knows more than everyone else”. laughing with the referee”. But it was Guardiola was had the last And Mourinho’s provocation of laugh. Barca’s fired up players gave Guardiola was only just beginning as their boss a standing ovation when he he embarked on a jubilant sprint across returned to the hotel and made Mour- the Nou Camp pitch after a 1-0 second inho pay by eff ectively booking their leg loss narrowly secured 10-man place in the final with two late goals It is three years since Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho (right) last shared a touchline and tomorrow’s Manchester derby clash at Old Traff ord marks the Inter’s place in the final.”It is the most from Messi after Real defender Pepe resumption of a duel that could determine the outcome of the Premier League title race. (AFP) beautiful defeat of my life,” he gloated. was sent off . Mourinho, banished to the stands AFP thinking: ‘Oh no, not him again.’” when Inter Milan knocked defending their rivalry. “In the Premier League, BARCELONA 5 REAL MADRID 0, for protesting, had a typically sour Manchester Though renowned for their dif- champions Barca out of the Champi- if I focus on him and Manchester LA LIGA, NOVEMBER 2010 verdict.”One day, I would like Josep ferent demeanours, the pragmatic ons League. City, and he on me and Manchester Joining Real put Mourinho in direct Guardiola to win this competition prop- Mourinho, 53, and the idealistic Guar- In an iconic image, Mourinho raced United, someone else is going to win confrontation with Guardiola and the erly,” he moaned. anchester United man- diola, 45, have both shown a capacity across the Camp Nou pitch in cel- the league,” Mourinho said. Guardiola simmering feud boiled over after Barca ager Jose Mourinho and for ruthlessness in their early days in ebration, his right hand provocatively said managers like Mourinho pushed inflicted one of the most chastening BARCELONA 3 REAL MADRID 2, his Manchester City ad- Manchester. Mourinho has sidelined raised in the air. him to “reach another level”. defeats of his career. SPANISH SUPER CUP SECOND versary Pep Guardiola re- experienced German midfi elder Bas- Mourinho’s appointment by Real But the gloves will come off when Mourinho’s first El Clasico quickly LEG, AUGUST 2011 Mkindle a rivalry 20 years in the making tian Schweinsteiger, while Guardio- Madrid that year brought him into the referee’s whistle sounds at Old turned sour as Xavi and Pedro put Real The cold war between Mourinho and in this weekend’s hotly anticipated la’s benching of Joe Hart forced the regular confrontation with Guardiola. Traff ord on Saturday, if not in the in control. Real were reduced to target- Guardiola showed no signs of thawing Manchester derby. Friends who be- popular goalkeeper to leave City for Mourinho’s fi rst Clasico ended in pair’s pre-match press conferences ing Messi with a series of increasingly and their relationship hit a new low came foes, Mourinho and Guardiola Torino. Both men have also delivered a humiliating 5-0 defeat and during the day before. The presence of the cynical fouls that became the hallmark following yet another ugly encounter. represent opposite ends of football’s impressive initial results, leaving their a sequence of four encounters in two swaggering Zlatan Ibrahimovic in of Mourinho’s meetings with Guardio- With the scores level at 2-2 from the ideological spectrum and their on- clubs neck-and-neck on nine points weeks later that season, the rivalry United’s forward line only adds spice la’s men, but the Barca forward wasn’t first leg, Andres Iniesta bagged Barca’s going grudge match has shaped the — along with Chelsea — after the fi rst between the men turned ugly. to the blend. intimidated and set up David Villa for opener only for Ronaldo to equalise five game’s recent history. three games of the season. In the build-up to their Champi- Ibrahimovic, who has scored four the third and fourth goals. minutes later. It is three years since they last It is two decades since their paths ons League semi-fi nal, Mourinho’s goals in four games for United since Jeff ran sealed Mourinho’s humilia- Messi restored Barca’s lead, then Ka- shared a touchline and tomorrow’s fi rst crossed at Barcelona in the mid- acerbic comments prompted an an- joining from Paris Saint-Germain, tion before Real’s Sergio Ramos was rim Benzema equalised eight minutes clash at Old Traff ord marks the re- 1990s, when Guardiola was captain gry, foul-mouthed response from the has played for both men and has very sent off , leaving Guardiola to take a jab from time, sparking a frantic finale in sumption of a duel that could de- and Mourinho worked as an assistant usually placid Guardiola. That year’s diff erent opinions about each of them. at Mourinho’s tactics as he said: “I’m which Messi volleyed the winner before termine the outcome of the Premier to Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal. Spanish Super Cup witnessed a new Ibrahimovic played under Mourinho proud the whole world has seen how Real’s Marcelo was sent off for a reck- League title race. “He (Guardiola) left The pair became close, but they found low in the relationship between the for only one season at Inter, winning we play football.” less tackle on Cesc Fabregas. Barcelona for a number of reasons,” themselves in opposition at Camp clubs as Mourinho poked Guardiola’s the 2008-09 Italian title, but de- The ensuing brawl saw Real’s Mesut former Liverpool defender Jamie Car- Nou in 2008 when Barcelona went in assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye dur- scribed him as someone “I was basi- BARCELONA 0 REAL MADRID 1, Ozil and Barca’s David Villa shown red ragher wrote in the Daily Mail when search of a successor to Frank Rijkaard ing a touchline shoving match. cally willing to die for”. COPA DEL REY FINAL, APRIL 2011 cards, while Mourinho poked Barca Mourinho was appointed by United as manager. They last met in 2013 when Guar- He branded Guardiola, who side- Meeting for the first time with silver- assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye. in May. “But one of them, I’m sure, is Despite Mourinho’s stellar achieve- diola’s Bayern Munich edged Mour- lined him at Barcelona the following ware at stake, Mourinho secured the Barca defender Gerard Pique had seen the continual baiting to which he was ments with Porto and Chelsea, he was inho’s Chelsea on penalties in the season, a “spineless coward”. maiden trophy of his Real reign at Guar- enough. “Someone has to take action. subjected by Mourinho in the media. overlooked in favour of the inexpe- UEFA Super Cup. Ahead of the cur- Manchester is about to fi nd out diola’s expense and ended the club’s Mourinho is destroying Spanish foot- It is inevitable, at some point, that rienced Guardiola. The Portuguese rent campaign, both managers were at whether the city is big enough for both 18-year wait to win the Spanish Cup. ball,” he fumed. theme will return. Guardiola must be exacted sweet revenge two years later pains to play down the signifi cance of of them.

LIGUE 1 FOCUS Klopp warns Sakho Emery looking for PSG to bounce back over Reds return AFP Jordan Veretout could start for the fi rst Paris Paris Saint-Germain time since returning to French football AFP coach Unai Emery. from Aston Villa. London “PSG are not properly settled yet, with aris Saint-Germain coach Unai a new coach and a new philosophy. They Emery has admitted he didn’t have had players who have been travel- iverpool boss Jurgen want defender David Luiz to ling (on international duty) and there may Klopp has warned Ma- Pleave the club as the French be some absentees,” said Galtier. “As the madou Sakho he will champions prepare to host Saint-Etienne season goes on they will improve. I am have a diffi cult task to in Ligue 1 today. daring to hope that they will do so after regainL his place after a troubled The Brazil centre-back was surpris- we play them.” few months. France centre-back ingly sold back to former club Chelsea for Elsewhere this weekend Lyon host Bor- Sakho missed the fi nal weeks of a reported £32 million ($42.7 million, 38 deaux tomorrow hoping August’s player Liverpool’s season and then Euro million euros) on transfer deadline day, of the month Alexandre Lacazette, who 2016 after being given a provi- two years after he had moved in the op- has six goals to his name already, will be sional 30-day suspension for a fi t,” Klopp said yesterday. posite direction. fi t after a minor injury kept him out of the failed drugs test in April. “I spoke to him before the His farewell appearance in a Paris shirt France squad. That ban was not extended window closed because that is saw him give away a penalty before being However, Mathieu Valbuena and Nabil but Sakho’s problems weren’t the moment to make decisions substituted in the second half of the 3-1 Fekir will be missing for the game at the over as he was sent home from and that is what I did. Not only defeat to Monaco just before the inter- Parc OL. Monaco, France’s other Cham- Liverpool’s pre-season tour of with Mama but with all the play- national break. With compatriots Mar- pions League representatives, are at Lille the United States due to his poor ers I told them all what I thought quinhos and Thiago Silva expected to on Saturday while Nice host Marseille in attitude. Klopp told Sakho to would be best and now the squad usurp him in the pecking order once they a Mediterranean derby on Sunday. go out on loan to show he was is like it is. It is not a problem. He returned to contention, Luiz was likely to The game at the Allianz Riviera could prepared to work to win back doesn’t have to gain my trust.” lose his place in the team, but Emery did see Mario Balotelli make his Nice debut his place, but the 26-year-old Sakho had impressed Klopp not anticipate losing such an experienced after the wayward Italian striker joined turned down moves to Stoke, before his diffi cult end to last player altogether. progress compared to the well-oiled ma- fall through. on a free from Liverpool on transfer dead- West Bromwich Albion and season, but with Dejan Lovren, “I told him that I didn’t want him to go chine of Laurent Blanc and Zlatan Ibra- “Who is the best player when it comes line day. Besiktas before the August 31 Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan and that he was important. But if he is not himovic last season that did not lose a to applying pressure and winning the ball transfer deadline. now ahead of him in the de- happy and he thinks it’s better to leave, I league match until the end of February. back? It’s Matuidi. FIXTURES While Klopp insists he still fensive pecking order it will be respect that,” Emery told RMC radio this However, a victory against Saint- It was important that he stayed with Today (1845 GMT): Paris Saint-Germain v trusts Sakho, the defender’s at- tough to get back in the team. week. Luiz was back at the PSG train- Etienne would set the capital club up us. And he told me that he was happy to Saint-Etienne tempt to rehabilitate his repu- “I am not silly enough to for- ing ground to say his goodbyes this week nicely before the home clash with Arse- stay here,” Emery said. PSG have won Tomorrow: Lyon v Bordeaux (1500 GMT), tation may take some time. “He get good performances but in the as his now former teammates prepared nal in their Champions League Group A their last nine meetings with Christophe Angers v Dijon, Bastia v Toulouse, Guingamp couldn’t play football for a long end we will see what happens,” for the visit of Les Verts to the Parc des opener next Tuesday. One man hoping to Galtier’s Saint-Etienne, who drew 0-0 at v Montpellier, Lille v Monaco, Lorient v time. It makes sense after a long Klopp said. “Now it is about Princes. start for the fi rst time this season will be home to Toulouse in their last outing. Nancy (all 1800 GMT) break you think about how you making Mama fi t — what he isn’t The defeat to Monaco has placed Span- midfi elder Blaise Matuidi after the former Saint-Etienne, who go to German Bun- Sunday: Nantes v Metz (1300 GMT), Rennes can get match time and that is after this long time with suspen- ish coach Emery under increased scrutiny Saint-Etienne player saw a proposed desliga side Mainz in the Europa League v Caen (1500 GMT), Nice v Marseille (1845 diffi cult here because the other sion and injury — and we will see with PSG currently very much a work in transfer to Italian champions Juventus next week, travel with a full squad and GMT) players are fi t and hopefully stay what happens.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, September 9, 2016 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA FOCUS Alcacer Bayern set to unleash new happy with role at Barca kid Sanches on Schalke AFP Bayern head to Gelsenkirchen fresh from starting the season in ominous fashion a fortnight ago Barcelona panish international AFP striker Paco Alcacer rec- Berlin ognised he will have to make the most of rela- tivelyS few opportunities to make ortuguese wonderkid Renato Sanches is in his mark at Barcelona as back- line to make his Bayern Munich debut as up to a fearsome front three of the Bundesliga champions go to Schalke Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and 04 today evening. Bayern head to Gelsen- Neymar. Pkirchen fresh from starting the season in ominous Alcacer was presented at the fashion a fortnight ago by thrashing hapless Wer- Camp Nou yesterday after com- der Bremen 6-0 at the Allianz Arena. pleting a 30mn euro ($33mn) Now they will look to maintain their excellent move from Valencia on the pe- recent record at the Veltins Arena, where Bayern nultimate day of the transfer have not lost since December 2010. And as Germa- window. “I have come to the ny warms to the cosy man management of Italian best club in the world, the club coach Carlo Ancelotti, fans will also get their fi rst that plays the best football. To view this weekend of 19-year-old prodigy Sanch- be here with Suarez, Messi, Ney- es, who has now recovered from a thigh injury ini- mar, I am going to learn a lot tially suff ered at Euro 2016. from them,” said Alcacer, who “He’s a phenomenon and he’s 100% fi t,” Ance- signed a fi ve-year deal with a lotti confi rmed of the former Benfi ca man, who 100mn euro buyout clause. helped Portugal win the European Championship, “The role (I have) is for the beating hosts France in the fi nal. Bayern’s stunning coach to decide. The season is start to the campaign has raised the prospect of long and there are lots of games a repeat of the 2012-13 season, when they led the and all the players that are here way from start to fi nish under Jupp Heynckes. are going to do their bit. I came But Ancelotti, whose side face Rostov of Russia here to improve as a player, I in their Champions League opener next midweek, have to take the opportunities I warned the Bundesliga champions would need all have.” their players over a busy season. “The upcoming Alcacer’s signing ended a long weeks are going to be tough. We play seven match- wait for Barca to replace Pedro es in 20 days. It would be important to start with a Rodriguez, who left for Chelsea victory,” he said. last August, as a fourth forward “I just focus on tomorrow’s game. Right af- option behind the star South ter that I’ll start thinking about the Champions American trio. However, sport- League match,” said Ancelotti, who will appreciate ing director Robert Fernandez an extra day’s rest ahead of hosting last season’s insisted Alcacer can make an Russian league runners-up. impact. “You have three for- While Sanches is set to play, Arjen Robben, wards of an unrepeatable level, Kingsley Coman and Jerome Boateng are all out Bayern Munich fans will get but Paco is going to help us a lot. injured for Bayern. But as if it were not enough their first view this weekend of There are a lot of matches during for Schalke to be facing Polish targetman Rob- 19-year-old Portuguese prodigy the season.” ert Lewandowski, who bagged a hat-trick against Renato Sanches, who has now Alcacer is likely to make his Werder, his fellow forward Thomas Mueller set up recovered from a thigh injury. debut tomorrow when Alaves three goals in that game and netted twice in Ger- visit the Camp Nou and could many’s 3-0 win over Norway in their opening 2018 even do so from the start with World Cup qualifi er last Sunday. Messi struggling with a groin Schalke, who fi nished fi fth in Germany last sea- strain and Neymar and Suarez son, have been rebuilding over the summer under recently returned from World new coach Markus Weinzierl, but lost their opener Cup qualifi ers in South America. 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt. Borussia Dortmund Meanwhile, director of sport- also won their opener and this week travel to pro- ing institutional relations Al- moted RB Leipzig to take on the sole Bundesliga bert Soler, confi rmed Barca are team from the former East Germany. looking into their legal options The signs are the goal race between Bayern’s against Brazilian club Santos Lewandowski and Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Germany’s matches last week, should all feature at ympic team in Rio. Wolfsburg won 2-0 away at FIXTURES over the transfer of Gabriel Bar- Aubameyang that lit up last season is set to go the weekend. Augsburg in their opener and expect to hand a de- (all times GMT) bosa to Inter Milan. again this term too. The Gabonese star scored “I’m ready to play,” said Goetze, who rejoined but to German international striker Mario Gomez, Today: Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich (1830) Barca had a fi rst refusal op- twice to Lewandowski’s three in the opening round over the summer after a disappointing spell at who joined in the summer after winning the Turk- Tomorrow: Bayer Leverkusen v Hamburg, Wolfsburg tion on Barbosa, who starred and lost out 30 to 25 in the Bundesliga last season. Bayern. “But it’s up to the boss to decide that,” said ish championship with Besiktas and ending the v Cologne, Ingolstadt v Hertha Berlin, Darmstadt v alongside Neymar as Brazil won Top players Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan and Goetze, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 season top scorer there. Eintracht Frankfurt, Freiburg v Moenchengladbach (all Olympic gold last month, due to Henrikh Mkhitaryan all left Dortmund in the close World Cup fi nal. Borussia Moenchengladbach, who visit Man- 1330), RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund (1630) the complicated series of agree- season but Andre Schuerrle, Shinji Kagawa and Meanwhile, Wolfsburg travel to Cologne, whose chester City in their Champions League opener Sunday: Werder Bremen v Augsburg (1330), Mainz v ments that brought Neymar to the returning Mario Goetze, who played in both of goalkeeper Timo Horn shone for the German Ol- next midweek, must fi rst go to promoted Freiburg. Hoff enheim (1530) Catalonia in 2013.

European leagues ROUND-UP slam hasty Champions League reforms Lippi set for historic deal with Guangzhou AFP rector for the 2006 World Cup organis- Amsterdam: The European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) Milan ing committee chaired by Beckenbauer. slammed as “unacceptable” planned reforms of the Champions Last week Swiss federal prosecutors League and threatened Thursday to programme matches at the announced they had opened criminal same time as UEFA competitions. taly’s Marcello Lippi could return to proceedings against Beckenbauer, 70, The continental leagues’ governing body also called for a Chinese top fl ight side Guangzhou along with three other members of the renegotiation of a previous memorandum of understanding with Evergrande on a three-year, 60mn 2006 World Cup organising committee UEFA’s incoming president, demanding greater say in major deci- euro ($67.6mn) deal which would — Horst Rudolf Schmidt, Theo Zwan- Imake him the world’s highest-paid ziger and Niersbach. The quartet are be- sions it says impacts even the smallest football clubs. European governing body UEFA has decided for the period coach, reports said yesterday. ing investigated over allegations of fraud, 2018-2021 that the four top-ranked leagues — Spain, England, Ger- Former Italy and Juventus coach Lippi criminal mismanagement, money laun- many and Italy — will have four automatic places in the lucrative steered the Chinese giants to three con- dering and misappropriation. Champions League. secutive Super League titles in 2012 and “A major change in European football has been announced 2014. According to Corriere dello Sport, FIFA CONFIRM TRANSFER BAN without the support and consensus of the organisers of domestic he will sign a three-year contract with ON REAL, ATLETICO MADRID league football in Europe,” the EPFL said in a statement after a Guangzhou worth 20mn euros net per FIFA yesterday dismissed appeals by Real two-day meeting in Amsterdam to discuss the outcome of last season — a salary that, if confi rmed, Madrid and Atletico Madrid against a month’s reform. would put Pep Guardiola’s world-beat- ban on registering new players in the next “This decision will have a detrimental impact on domestic com- ing 17.7mn euro (£15mn) annual salary at two transfer windows for irregularities in petitions and will lead to an exponential growth in the financial Manchester City in the shade. the signing of foreign players under 18. and sporting gap between the biggest clubs in Europe and all the Having become the fi rst coach in his- Real and Atletico, last season’s Cham- others,” it said. tory to win both the UEFA Champions According to a report, pions League fi nalists, were also fi ned Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, EPFL chair- League, with Juventus in 1996, and AFC Marcello Lippi will sign a 360,000 ($358,000) and 900,000 Swiss man Lars-Christer Olsson told journalists: “Our main criticism is Champions League, with Guangzhou in three-year contract with Francs respectively. that the process has been very bad and it’s not up to any decent 2013, the dapper 68-year-old remains Guangzhou worth 20mn However, the Spanish giants still have governance principles. There has been no proper consultation at one of the world’s most sought-after euros net per season. a fi nal right of appeal to the Court of Ar- all before these decisions were made,” he said. coaches. bitration for Sport (CAS). Olsson, a former UEFA chief executive, said the EPFL firmly Lippi admitted recently he almost “The FIFA Appeal Committee has believed clubs should be allowed to qualify through sporting merit returned to AC Milan last January to the start of the season. lowing an investigation into the award- decided to reject the appeals lodged by in domestic leagues and then be allowed to play at European level. replace Sinisa Mihajlovic at the club’s But the 32-year-old has now accepted ing of the 2006 World Cup to Germany, Spanish clubs Atletico de Madrid and “What is happening now is if you are only taking four teams from request, only for the club to backpedal an off er to join Premier League side Pal- world football’s governing body said yes- Real Madrid and to confi rm in their en- the four bigger leagues, you are cementing the system,” making when the Rossoneri’s results started to ace until the end of the current cam- terday. tirety the decisions rendered by the FIFA it almost impossible for any teams in other countries to earn a improve. Mihajlovic has since been re- paign. Flamini, who has also had spells In a fi nal report submitted by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee in the respective Champions League spot. placed by ex-Fiorentina handler Vin- at Marseille and AC Milan, made 246 ap- investigatory chamber, the body called cases relating to the protection of mi- The association called on UEFA’s new president who will be cenzo Montella. pearances over two spells at Arsenal. for Sandrock to perform “social work nors,” FIFA said in a statement. elected next Wednesday in Athens “to reconsider the reform”. Earlier this week, Lippi — who quit He won the FA Cup three times with to be determined by the adjudicatory Both clubs were sanctioned in January, Olsson said the EPFL’s main aim now is to get representation on Guangzhou because he wanted to ‘be the Gunners and also played in their chamber” and to be fi ned for violations but by appealing had temporarily held UEFA’s executive committee, to have a “proper position for those closer to Italy’ — said he is considering 2006 Champions League fi nal defeat of FIFA’s code of ethics. off the ban during the transfer window who are representing the most important part in European profes- a return to China. “Yes, it’s true — I am against Barcelona. Having been beaten However, Sandrock may request a which closed last month. They will now sional football”. considering returning,” he said. “I en- by Bournemouth in the race to sign Arse- hearing before a fi nal decision is made not be able to register any new players in Slovenian federation president Aleksander Ceferin, one of the joyed my time in China... it was an excit- nal midfi elder Jack Wilshere on a season- by the adjudicatory chamber, the ethics either of the next two windows, in Janu- two candidates, told French daily L’Equipe, “If I’m elected I cannot ing challenge.” long loan, Pardew turned his attention to committee said in a statement. An in- ary 2017 and July-August 2017. change it,” although he added: “For small clubs, like Slovenian free agent Flamini once the transfer win- vestigation was launched in March tar- European champions Real responded ones, it’s not a good thing.” FORMER ARSENAL STAR dow closed. geting six people — including German by saying they will now go to the CAS Olsson told journalists that he has spoken to Dutchman Michael FLAMINI JOINS PALACE football legend Franz Beckenbauer and in an attempt to have the decision over- van Praag, the other candidate, who told Olsson if he was elected Crystal Palace signed former Arsenal FIFA PROPOSE FINE IN 2006 former German FA president Wolfgang turned “as quickly as possible”. “he will look into the processes and procedures”. midfi elder Mathieu Flamini on a free WORLD CUP BID PROBE Niersbach — over their roles in the bid- “The club regrets the decision on the Bernard Caiazzo, president of France’s Premiere Ligue union transfer yesterday. Flamini was released FIFA’s ethics committee has recom- ding that awarded the 2006 World Cup ground that it is profoundly unfair and that represents the country’s professional clubs, described the by Arsenal when his contract expired at mended former German FA secretary to Germany. contrary to the most elementary princi- change as “sad for French football”. the end of last term and the French star general Helmut Sandrock be fi ned 50,000 Sandrock, who resigned from his post ples of penal law,” read a statement post- was unable to fi nd a new club in time for Swiss francs (45,800euros, $51,700) fol- last February, served as tournament di- ed on their website. Gulf Times Friday, September 9, 2016 5 SPORT

MLB NHL Hurricanes sign goalie Cosart exits with injury Leighton

By Chip Alexander The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) in Padres loss to Red Sox oaltender Michael Leighton is return- ing to the Carolina ‘I wish I could take it back, but I can’t and I’ll move forward and try and get ready to hopefully make next start’ Hurricanes, signing a Gone-year, two-way contract on Wednesday. By Dennis Lin Leighton, 35, played parts of The San Diego Union-Tribune San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jarred Cosart pitches three seasons with the Canes against the Boston Red Sox during the fi rst inning at from 2007 to 2009 and had an Petco Park. PICTURE: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports 8-12-2 record with a 3.20 goals- he Padres’ trend of against average in 29 games. painfully short starts Leighton is coming off an out- took on a literal mean- standing season for the Rockford ing in Wednesday’s IceHogs, the Chicago Black- T7-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. hawks American Hockey League Right-hander Jarred Cosart affi liate. He had a 28-8-8 record, walked off the fi eld and out of 2.44 GAA and .918 save percent- the game under his own power, age. but gingerly and at least a few “Michael is a veteran player innings before he would’ve who gives our organisation reli- liked. He was later diagnosed able depth in goal,” Hurricanes with a two-part injury – a general manager Ron Francis strained right hamstring and a said in a statement. strained right groin – suff ered “He is a true professional who in an attempt to cover fi rst base. also will serve as a valuable men- Reacting to a soft grounder tor for the young goaltenders in in the top of the fourth, Cosart our system.” rushed off the mound as first Leighton became the AHL’s baseman Wil Myers moved to all-time shutouts leader, break- fi eld the ball. With Boston’s ing Hockey Hall of Famer Johnny Jackie Bradley Jr. jetting down Bower’s AHL record with his the line, Myers attempted an 46th career AHL shutout against underhand fl ip in Cosart’s di- Lake Erie on March 5. rection. The relay arrived a bit He became the 13th goaltender high. Cosart leapt to retrieve it, in AHL history to earn 200 wins extending his right leg behind in a 5-2 win at Iowa on Novem- him as he came back down. ber 13 and helped the Central Cosart landed awkwardly, Division win the 2016 AHL All- his right foot narrowly missing Star Challenge, his fourth career the fi rst-base bag. He began to AHL All-Star appearance. limp. He attempted to walk it off . Leighton received the AHL’s Soon, however, he was popped 2015-16 President’s Award for on the infi eld dirt, being tended his outstanding accomplish- to by team trainer Mark Rogow. ments during the season. He After a little while, Cosart played in one game for the stood and walked slowly to- Blackhawks in 2015-16. ward the mound, hoping to Leighton played in 14 of the throw a few warmup pitches. Philadelphia Flyers’ 23 playoff He stopped short of the mound, games in 2010 and had an 8-3 still in visible discomfort. Pa- postseason record. The Flyers dres manager Andy Green sig- fell in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup nalled to the bullpen. Cosart Final to Chicago. made his exit. A 15-year pro, Leighton made “It’s unfortunate, because his NHL debut with Chicago on I felt like I only really didn’t January 8, 2003. execute two pitches tonight,” Cosart said. he faced. As disheartening as that kind Wednesday brought another runs over 1 2/3 innings. After RESULTS “It’s pretty cool to go out The next singled, too, scoring of performance was, it has not instance; in the second, Cosart two scoreless frames for Kevin NY Mets 6 Cincinnati 3 there and face those guys. It’s a run and breaking a 2-2 tie. Af- been uncommon this season. missed with a fi rst-pitch fast- Quackenbush, Padres right- Tampa Bay 7 Baltimore 6 a playoff team, and I was hold- ter a double-steal, Dustin Pedroia The Padres, in reset mode at ball. Travis Shaw hammered a hander Jake Smith, recalled Chicago Whire Sox 7 Detroit 4 ing my own against one of the laced a two-run double. the big-league level, long ago two-run homer 425 feet to right. earlier in the day, made his Oakland 4 LA Angels 1 best pitchers in baseball (David A night earlier, another Pa- lost their entire Opening-Day That erased a 1-0 lead for big-league debut in the eighth. Washington 5 Atlanta 4 Price) and just fi nally getting in dres starter departed all too rotation due to either trade or the Padres, who received con- Hanley Ramirez welcomed him (11 innings) a good rhythm. And then just a early. Paul Clemens threw three injury. The current bunch con- secutive two-out hits from My- with a solo home run. Brock Pittsburgh 4 St. Louis 3 bump in the road. scoreless innings before his ve- sists of a rookie and fi ve pitch- ers and Yangervis Solarte in the Holt homered off Leonel Cam- NY Yankees 2 Toronto 0 “I wish I could take it back, locity dipped in the fourth. ers who were discarded by their fi rst. Cosart led off the bottom pos in the top of the ninth. Celeveland 6 Houston 5 but I can’t and I’ll move forward The Red Sox smacked back- former teams. of the third with a single and The Padres, who fell to 57-82, Miamai 6 Philadelphia 0 and try and get ready to hope- to-back home runs off the With the exception of Luis scored on a sacrifi ce fl y by My- do not appear to have a replace- Milwaukee 2 Chicago Cubs 1 fully make my next start. If not, right-hander. He returned to Perdomo, the aforementioned ers, but the pitcher’s next on- ment for Cosart on their 40- Minnestoa 6 Kansas City 5 we’ll see.” the mound for the fi fth but was rookie, Cosart has more upside fi eld adventure ended with him man roster. In that sense, they Colorado 6 San Francisco 5 For the Padres, the game con- pulled before he could record than the rest. But 26-year-old, crumbling to the ground. are fortunate the season is near- Boston 7 San Diego 2 tinued to unravel. Carlos Vil- another out. Afterward, Clem- once a well-regarded pros- Cosart went 3 1/3 innings and ly complete; expanded Septem- LA Dodgers 3 Arizona 1 lanueva, who replaced Cosart, ens attributed his fourth-inning pect, has dealt with blisters allowed three runs, two earned. bers rosters have allowed for Seattle 8 Texas 3 allowed a single to the fi rst batter drop-off to a mental stumble. and inconsistency this season. Villanueva was tagged with two deeper bullpens.

NFL Eagles relying on two rookies in most vital roles

By Bob Brookover and used the fi rst overall pick on a solid running game and a great The Philadelphia Inquirer Matt Staff ord. They went 2-14. defence. Flacco would prob- Since then, three other teams ably be the fi rst to tell you that – the 2011 Carolina Panthers, the Ravens’ run to the AFC title t is not all that unusual for the 2012 Miami Dolphins and the game in his rookie year had a lot a rookie quarterback to 2013 Buff alo Bills – have tried the more to do with the defence and start on opening day. Four rookie coach-rookie quarterback the running game than his right of them, in fact, will do so combination out of the start- arm even though he had a re- Iin Week 1 this season, including ing gate. The three teams went a spectable rookie season. the Eagles’ Carson Wentz when combined 12-29 and all failed to And if Sanchez said anything he goes against the Cleveland make the playoff s. It did, how- diff erent about the 2009 Jets, Browns at Lincoln Financial ever, prove to be a springboard he’d be lying. The Falcons did Field. season for Cam Newton, Ron not have a great defence during It is also pretty typical for Rivera, and the Panthers who Ryan’s outstanding rookie sea- some fi rst-year coaches to roam went 15-1 and reached the Super son, but they did support him NFL sidelines every year. Four of Bowl last season. with the league’s second-best them, including the Eagles’ Doug None of the above situations rushing attack. Pederson, will do so Sunday. are similar to the Eagles’ plan Great defence and a strong Rare indeed is a team willing with Wentz and Pederson be- running game also allowed Ben to open an NFL season with a cause a week ago at this time Roethlisberger to thrive in his rookie coach and a rookie quar- that plan was to start Brad- rookie season with Pittsburgh. terback, the surprising combi- ford at quarterback and let the Do the Eagles have that? Ea- nation sprung upon the Eagles rookie from North Dakota State gles safety Malcolm Jenkins un- on Saturday when general man- learn by observing. Now, it has derstands that the pressure was ager Howie Roseman traded all changed and Pederson and turned up on the defence when Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Wentz swear they are ready for it. the keys to the off ence were Vikings. The Eagles will be the “Interacting with Coach Ped- handed to Wentz. only team to open this season erson has been awesome,” Wentz “We feel like there is a little with two rookies in the two most said. “He really just instils confi - more on our plate,” he said. “The scrutinized positions in every dence in me, just knowing he has small things matter just a little NFL organisation. so much experience. Everything more. We can’t have penalties Only seven other teams in this has been so positive this week that extend drives, fi eld position century have opened the season that it doesn’t feel crazy. Obvi- matters, third downs are crucial with a rookie coach and quar- ously we’ve had a little more for us to get off the eld.fi We’ve terback. It happens more now rookie quarterbacks with rookie Audubon High School in South head coach and used the third cate that success with some guys communication, but the lines of harped on takeaways, but now than it did in the 20th century or coaches had success. There was Jersey and the University of overall pick on Matt Ryan from who also now have some Phila- communication have really been those takeaways need to turn even the fi rst part of this century a lot of local fl avour to that suc- Delaware. Harbaugh and Flacco Penn Charter and Boston Col- delphia connections. The Jets solid ever since I got here. into scores. We need to be as when there was more of a dues- cess, too. helped the Ravens reach the AFC lege. Like the Ravens, the Falcons hired Rex Ryan as their coach “They’re pushing me. ... devastating as we can on defence must-be-paid mentality. Before the 2008 season, the championship game that season went 11-5 in the regular season and used the fi fth overall pick They’re just challenging me to to give our team the best oppor- In fact, all seven occurrences Baltimore Ravens hired away and have been synonymous with before losing a fi rst-round play- on Mark Sanchez. They went be the best I can be ... and it all tunity to win.” have taken place since 2008 and John Harbaugh from the Eagles winning ever since. off game. 9-7 and advanced to the AFC has been really positive.” Nothing would be more help- it is probably no coincidence and used the 18th overall draft That same year, the Atlanta A year later, the New York Jets championship game. The Lions, Two ingredients that always ful for a rookie quarterback and a that the fi rst two teams to pair pick on Joe Flacco, a product of Falcons named Mike Smith their and Detroit Lions tried to dupli- meanwhile, hired Jim Schwartz benefi t a rookie quarterback are rookie coach. Gulf Times 6 Friday, September 9, 2016 SPORT

UCI 2016 ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

It is now just one month until the UCI 2016 Road World Championships in Doha get underway and the capital city is ready for its big moment in the spotlight. To mark the occasion a function was organised in the presence of the Qatar Cycling Fed- eration (QCF) president Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Thani at the Aspire Zone yesterday. The riders from all over the globe will be competing for one of the twelve rainbow jerseys that will be awarded between October 9 and 16 to distinguish the world champions of diff erent cycling categories. PICTURES: Jayaram

CYCLING PARALYMPICS Rio opens Games for ‘superhumans’ Nielsen wins 18th AFP chairs, others were pushed, Rio de Janeiro while others limped. Even a sudden downpour ac- companied by thunder could not io de Janeiro opened dampen the cheers greeting the the Paralympic Games severely disabled torch bearers on Wednesday with who closed the show by carrying samba, parading wheel- the Olympic fl ame to light the stage, Quintana chairs,R giant balloons — and loud cauldron. booing of Brazil’s president — at a sold-out Maracana stadium. Olympics chief no show The extraordinary sight of US However, controversy hung Paralympian Aaron “Wheelz” over the no-show by Interna- Fotheringham jumping in his tional Olympic Committee Pres- wheelchair from a 55-foot ident Thomas Bach — the fi rst (17-meter) ramp got the crowd on absence of an IOC chief since the keeps Vuelta lead its feet. Then the joyous rhythms 1984 Summer Games. Bach is of samba singers and a carni- due at a mourning ceremony in valesque reproduction of a Rio Berlin for the late West German ‘We normally try for the GC guys, but today I gave it a go and it’s amazing’ beach scene got them dancing. president Walter Scheel. A sultry dance between an in- However, there have been dustrial robot and Amy Purdy, suggestions that the no-show a US Paralympian and model had more to do with divisions wearing running blades, pro- over the Paralympic committee’s vided another eye-catching outright ban on Russian ath- moment. Brazil’s tensions also letes after allegations of a state- fl ared with thousands in the sanctioned doping programme crowd chanting “Out with Te- and the IOC’s softer line, which mer!” as newly sworn-in Presi- allowed some Russians to com- dent Michel Temer appeared at pete. the ceremony just days after tak- Globo and other Brazilian me- ing over from his bitter rival, the dia outlets also printed reports impeached Dilma Rousseff . that Bach is wanted for ques- Temer’s hurried declaration tioning by local police investi- of “I declare the Games open” gating an illegal ticket-selling was met with a roar of boos, and ring allegedly involving a senior booing also forced Brazilian Ol- Irish Olympic offi cial. ympics boss Carlos Nuzman to “Whether there’s anything pause his speech after mention- else — I don’t know if there’s ing “thanks to the federal, state anything else,” International and municipal governments.” Paralympic Committee Presi- Coming right after a vibrant dent Philip Craven said of Bach’s but sometimes tricky Olympics, decision. the Paralympics present one Russian para-athletes, who more challenge for Rio in a peri- fi nished second behind China in od of deep recession and politi- the London 2012 medals table, cal instability. were barred last month follow- But “Brazilians never give up,” ing a World Anti-Doping Agency Nuzman said, telling the ath- report that alleged a vast state- letes: “You are superhumans.” sponsored doping programme. Blind, missing limbs, or par- Separately, UK Athletics will tially paralysed, more than 4,300 review classifi cations after the of the world’s toughest and most Games, according to BBC News, competitive disabled paraded following concerns that athletes ahead of 11 days of contests. were being mismatched to create Some pushed their own wheel- an unfair advantage.

Sanction for Belarussian who waved Russian fl ag

The International Paralympic ally a Paralympic heavyweight. Committee said yesterday it It finished second in the medal has stripped the accreditation table at the 2012 Paralympics in of a Belarussian who waved London, behind China. a Russian flag at the Opening Russian President Vladimir ceremony, calling it a “political Putin has condemned the ban Orica Bikeexchange’s cyclist Magnus Cort Nielsen (R) celebrates winning the 18th stage of the 71st edition of ‘La Vuelta’ Tour of Spain yesterday. (AFP) statement” after Russia’s dop- as “outside the law, morality, ing ban. humanity.” AFP A fi ve-man breakaway en- Jempy Drucker (LUX/BMC) s.t., The IPC said it would also speak In Russia, where the ban for Madrid joyed a lead of six minutes, but Bauer’s fi repower enough to take stage 4. Daniele Bennati (ITA/TIN) s.t., to the Belarussian Paralympic state-sponsored sports doping were also kept in check by the 5. Jonas Van Genechten (BEL/ Committee to remind it that po- has been fiercely contested, peloton and reeled in with 11km New Zealand rider Jack Bauer pushed on from a breakaway to win IAM) s.t., 6. Kiel Reijnen (USA/ litical displays are not allowed there was high praise for Fo- enmark’s Magnus remaining to set up a sprint fi n- yesterday’s 194.5km fifth stage of the Tour of Britain. TRE) s.t., 7. Michael Schwarz- at the Olympic or Paralympic mochkin. “A hero has appeared Cort Nielsen claimed ish. Nielsen timed his run to the The 31-year-old Cannondale cyclist -fifth in the 2013 edition of the mann (GER/BOA) s,t, 8. Gianni Games. The man in question today amongst us,” Russian stage 18 of the Vuelta a line perfectly to pick up Orica- Tour of Britain - was part of a quintet who led the peloton a merry Meersman (BEL/ETI) s.t., 9. Kris- was not an athlete but a friend Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Espana in a sprint fi n- BikeExchange’s third win of the dance for 169km in the stage that started in Aberdare, Wales. tian Sbaragli (ITA/DDT) s.t., 10. of the Belarussian commit- Maria Zakharova told Interfax ishD yesterday as Nairo Quintana race after Britain’s Simon Yates Lorrenzo Manzin (FRA/FDJ) s.t. However, he still had enough in his legs to outsprint France’s Amael tee president who had been news agency. maintained his lead over Chris and Belgian Jens Keukeleire took Moinard and Erick Rowsell of Great Britain – two of the quintet hav- accredited to take part in the “(He) showed solidarity with Froome. stages six and 12 respectively. ing fallen away during the stage – with the fast closing peloton led Selected others ceremony, said the IPC. people who were disgracefully Nielsen took his fi rst Grand “It’s a really big dream come home by Caleb Ewan. Bauer famously collapsed in tears during the 28. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) IPC spokesman Craig Spence treated in an inhumane way in Tour stage win from Germany’s true for me,” said Nielsen. 2014 Tour de France on stage 15 where he was caught and beaten 0:00, 29. Esteban Chaves (COL/ said the Belarussian commit- not being allowed to compete Nikias Arndt and stage 16 win- Orica have enjoyed a fi ne tour by Alexander Kristoff just 50m from the line after a 222km breaka- ORI) 0:00, 32. Christopher tee’s president has been vocally at the Paralympics,” Zakharova ner Jean-Pierre Drucker in 4hrs with leader Esteban Chaves way. Belgium’s Julien Vermote, winner of Monday’s second stage, Froome (GBR/SKY) 0:00 critical of the decision to bar added. 54min 31secs for the 200.6km 20 seconds off Froome in third maintained his six-second advantage in the overall standings ahead Overall all Russian athletes from the Russia’s Paralympic Committee ride from Requena to Gandia. overall and Yates fi fth in the of Briton Stephen Cummings. 1. Nairo Quintana (COL/Mo- Paralympics over evidence of a head Vladimir Lukin enthused: Quintana fi nished along- general classifi cation. Today’s stage could shake up the overall standings, though, as it vistar) 74hr 30min 03sec, 2. state-run doping program. “During this diff icult period, he re- side Froome in the same time “We normally try for the GC finishes with a climb to Haytor on Dartmoor. Christopher Froome (GBR/SKY) The unidentified Belarussian membered us... It’s great that the to maintain his 3min 37sec lead guys, but today I gave it a go and at 3:37. 3. Esteban Chaves (COL/ man marched into Rio de Belarusians thought about the with just three stages remaining it’s amazing,” added Nielsen. ORI) 3:57, 4. Alberto Contador Janeiro’s Maracana stadium at closest country to them, about ahead of Friday’s crucial 37km “It’s my fi rst Grand Tour ever, de France and the Vuelta in the traditional parade around the (ESP/TIN) 4:02, 5. Simon Yates the back of the Belarus delega- Russia. We won’t forget this.” time-trial from Xabia to Calp. three wins and two guys up in same year since 1978. centre of Madrid for the race’s (GBR/ORI) 6:03, 6. Andrew tion during Wednesday night’s In Belarus, the Foreign Ministry After another gruelling the GC. It’s a nice team to be on The Brit is expected to claw fi nal stage. Talansky (USA/CAN) 7:34, 7. Opening ceremony, brandish- also commended Fomochkin. mountain climb to the end of at the moment.” back signifi cant time on the Co- Samuel Sanchez (ESP/BMC) ing Russia’s white, blue and red In response, Russia has organ- Wednesday’s 17th stage, the Froome has just two stages lombian in the time trial setting Results from the 18th stage 8:12, 8. Davide Formolo (ITA/ flag. Russia, Belarus’s neighbour ised its own games for its disa- long but mostly fl at road to to overturn Quintana’s com- up a showdown on the special 1. Magnus Nielsen (DEN/ORI) CAN) 8:13, 9. Michele Scarponi and most important political bled athletes, complete with a Gandia off ered a chance for the manding lead if he is to become category climb to Alto Aitana 4hr 54min 31sec, 2. Nikias Arndt (ITA/AST) 8:28, 10. David De la and trade partner, is tradition- glitzy Opening ceremony. sprinters to shine. the fi rst man to win the Tour on Saturday before Sunday’s (GER/GIA) at same time, 3. Cruz (ESP/ETI) 8:52. Gulf Times Friday, September 9, 2016 7 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Teams off ered New era for F1 as chance to invest in F1 aft er takeover

Reuters “We’re all partners in the business Liberty agrees London — simply, Formula One and the teams should basically grow the business go- ing forward.” ormula One teams will be given A spokesman for former world the chance to invest in the sport champions McLaren, one of those who after Liberty Media’s takeover would have the resources to buy into but the smaller ones are hop- the sport, said the company was “con- ingF the new owners will also help them fi dent that it will be a positive step for $8bn takeover become more competitive on the track. Formula One”. “The philosophy of American sports Fernley said the idea of teams be- franchises is to try and keep it as equal coming stakeholders was something The takeover is set to be completed next year, subject to approval by as possible and as competitive as pos- Force India had proposed to CVC two sible,” Force India deputy principal Bob years ago, with little response. regulators, Liberty Media’s shareholders and F1’s governing body, the FIA Fernley told Reuters yesterday. “We gave them the detailed plan of “So I’m hopeful that, as an Ameri- how that could work, but CVC weren’t can company with good knowledge of interested from their point of view,” he sports franchises, that will be one of said. “But the devil’s in the detail so their key objectives — to create as level until we see what they (Liberty) are ac- a playing fi eld as possible.” tually off ering, it’s diffi cult to be able to US cable TV mogul John Malone’s comment.” Liberty Media announced on Wednes- Privately-owned Force India, and day that it had acquired an initial 18.7 Swiss-based Sauber, have had fi nan- % stake in Formula One from control- cial problems and fi led a complaint last ling shareholder CVC Capital Partners. year asking EU authorities to investi- The company hopes to complete a gate the sport’s governance and distri- deal for the remainder by the fi rst quar- bution of revenues. ter of 2017. That is continuing, with the EU re- A joint statement by CVC and Lib- cently issuing requests for further in- erty Media said teams would be “given formation. the opportunity to participate in the Top teams Mercedes, Ferrari, investment in Formula One” with de- McLaren, Williams and Red Bull cur- tails to be agreed in due course. rently receive special payments in rec- New Formula One chairman Chase ognition of past performance, in addi- Carey said some had already expressed tion to prize money. an interest in investing. Figures published by Britain’s Aut- “The teams have done very well; pay- osport magazine showed Ferrari’s share ments to the teams have increased sig- of the revenues in 2013 came to an esti- nifi cantly. We think there’s real growth mated $166mn, including a $32mn bo- in the business and we think everyone nus and $62mn special payout. should benefi t from that growth,” he Force India were paid $59mn, Sauber added in a later conference call. $52mn. John Malone’s (right) Liberty Media agreed a takeover of the sport, and Bernie Ecclestone will stay as the chief executive. (Reuters)

AFP franchise attracting hundreds of mil- races often criticised as predictable. $100mn to German authorities to end Washington lions of fans each season from all a high-profi le bribery trial in 2014. around the world,” Carey, 62, said. ‘NEVER A DULL MOMENT’ “Bernie has been a wonderful CEO “I see great opportunity to help Ecclestone, a former motorcycle for us over the last 10 years,” Macken- ormula One entered a new Formula One continue to develop and dealer and racing driver, has been the zie said in a statement. era on Wednesday as US bil- prosper for the benefi t of the sport, fl amboyant fi gure at the centre of For- “There have been many successes lionaire John Malone’s Lib- fans, teams and investors alike.” mula One since the 1970s, crafting it and the occasional challenge but there erty Media agreed a takeover The takeover is set to be completed into one of the world’s most glamor- has never been a dull moment and we thatF values the motorsport at $8bn next year, subject to approval by regu- ous and best known sports. have had a lot of fun. The combined and raises questions over the role of lators, Liberty Media’s shareholders After months of talks with the sellers, skills of Chase and Bernie mean that its colourful, long-time mastermind, and F1’s governing body, the Fed- Liberty agreed to retain the canny and the successes should continue and we Bernie Ecclestone. eration International de l’Automobile combative 85-year-old, who insisted his wish them well.” In a deal that ends years of specu- (FIA). role would remain unchanged despite The purchase also adds a new gem lation over F1’s future, Liberty said it It gives Liberty control of a global the arrival of Carey as chairman. to the growing collection of savvy, had struck an agreement to buy out and highly profi table sport which in- “I will stay on as F1 chief executive,’ low-key tycoon Malone, who Forbes Formula One’s parent company from cludes 21 races this year stretching Ecclestone told the Autosport website. estimates has a fortune of $7.1bn. CVC Capital, and had already acquired from Melbourne and Shanghai to So- “I will continue to do all the things I The broader Liberty group runs a a minority stake of 18.7 %. chi, Mexico City and fi nishing in Abu have previously done, such as negoti- wide range of media-centric busi- Liberty Media group will pay a total Dhabi. ate with the circuits, television com- nesses, including Time Warner cable equity price of $4.4 bn in cash, newly Formula One rakes in billions from panies and people like that. television, concert promoter Live Na- issued shares, and exchangeable debt advertisers and broadcasting rights “The good news is we will have tion, the Atlanta Braves Major League to complete the deal, which gives For- for what is one of the world’s most- someone on board in Chase, and he Baseball team, and a stake in Formula mula One an enterprise value of $8bn. viewed competitions. will hopefully be able to push F1 into E, the all-electric version of Formula Liberty said it would keep Eccle- It also earns millions from Formula new territories with social media. I One which launched in 2012. stone, who built Formula One into One-branded merchandise. F1’s fu- have never found a way to make money “We are excited to become part of a global operation over nearly four ture under CVC has long been in ques- from that.” Formula One,” Liberty Media presi- decades, as chief executive, but also tion and a mooted share fl otation in Ecclestone himself is valued by dent and chief executive Greg Maff ei named 21st Century Fox vice chair- Singapore was shelved in 2012. Forbes magazine at $4.2bn, making said. “We think our long-term per- man Chase Carey as the company’s Despite the big profi ts, some F1 him one of the richest 400 people in spective and expertise with media and new chairman. teams are plagued by fi nancial prob- the world. sports assets will allow us to be good “I greatly admire Formula One as a lems and the sport faces challenges to CVC co-chairman Donald Macken- stewards of Formula One and benefi t unique global sports entertainment its fanbase and TV viewership, with its zie praised Ecclestone, who forked out fans, teams and our shareholders.”

BOTTOMLINE TIU investigates irregular betting on Djokovic favourite as pretenders US Open match The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) is looking into a first-round match at the US Open line-up at US Open semi-fi nals after irregular betting patterns were de- tected but the USTA said on Wednesday it was confident nothing nefarious had AFP sets in the quarter-fi nals of the US taken place. New York Open in 2014. The alert came after Swiss 15th seed “We just played in Toronto. He’s Timea Bacsinszky’s 6-1 6-1 victory over been playing good tennis,” said Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko on August 30. ovak Djokovic heads into Nishikori who has a double target this It is the second allegation of match-fixing the US Open semi-fi nals as weekend. to surface at a grand slam this year. At the overwhelming favourite He can become Asia’s fi rst Grand the Australian Open, a global bookmaker to go on and lift a third title Slam men’s singles champion while suspended betting on a mixed doubles Nin New York, but Kei Nishikori, Stan the title would net him a windfall of match after unusually large amounts Wawrinka and Gael Monfi ls are poten- $3.5mn. were bet on it. tial road blocks. Nishikori will be happy not to be “We are aware of the alert and at this World number one Djokovic takes a facing del Potro who has a 4-0 lead in point it is a matter for the Tennis Integrity 12-0 career lead over Monfi ls into their their rivalry and has never conceded a Unit,” United States Tennis Association semi-fi nal on Friday while Nishikori set to the Japanese. spokesperson Chris Widmaier told Reu- looks to build on his shock fi ve-set win Wawrinka has had a roller-coaster ters. “We certainly have full confidence in over Andy Murray against Wawrinka. run to the semi-fi nals. the TIU to follow up properly and quickly regarding this matter. Swiss third seed Wawrinka, playing In his fi rst fi ve rounds he did not face “That being said, all betting alerts need to be properly investigated. in his third semi-fi nal in four years, an opponent inside the top 45 while he “But in this situation we are fairly confident that nothing nefarious has hap- ended Juan Martin del Potro’s magi- had to save a match point to beat Brit- pened here but the TIU will undergo its normal process to ensure that there is cal run in the early hours of Thursday ain’s Dan Evans in the third round. no suspicious activity here.” morning with a four-set win. “It’s going to be interesting for sure The TIU said in a statement the Bacsinszky and Diatchenko match is the only World number one Djokovic, chas- fi nals at the Toronto Masters where he spent just 4 hours and 34 minutes on against Kei,” said Wawrinka, the late alert it has received from the year’s final grand slam which wraps up on the ing a third major of the season and 13th lost to Djokovic again. court; Monfi ls has been out there four bloomer of the men’s tour who only weekend with the women’s final on Saturday and men’s on Sunday. overall, remains wary of the dangers Monfi ls is on an impressive 19-2 run minutes short of 12 hours. reached his fi rst quarter-fi nal of a “As with all cases, the TIU will assess, make a judgment and take appropriate posed by 30-year-old Monfi ls who is in since Wimbledon but admits he’s the Slam at the 23rd attempt in the 2010 action on the alert information received and obtained for the first round sin- only his second semi-fi nal at the Slams. underdog against Djokovic, the 2011 NISHIKORI RETURNS TO SEMIS US Open. gles match between Vitalia Diatchenko and Timea Bacsinszky,” said the TIU. “Gael’s one of the few players that and 2015 champion playing in a 10th Nishikori reached the semi-fi nal — “I saw him play against Murray. He Widmaier said the USTA had been made aware of suspicious betting patterns I will defi nitely pay a ticket to watch,” successive semi-fi nal in New York. his fi rst at any Slam since he fi nished was playing really well. It’s going to be surrounding the match. said Djokovic. “He’s better player than me, defi - runner-up in New York in 2014 — with tough match, for sure. We will see also The TIU has memos of understanding with betting houses around the world. If “He seems more focused at this nitely,” said Monfi ls who has yet to an impressive 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 how I’m going to feel physically. But, an anomaly appears in betting patterns they inform the TIU who investigate. time of his career and I am defi nitely drop a set but hasn’t faced a seeded triumph over world number two and yeah, I’m ready for a match against The TIU cautioned that “an alert on its own is not evidence of match-fixing”. expecting a tough battle.” player. 2012 champion Murray. Kei.” “As with all cases, the TIU will assess, make a judgment and take appropri- Tenth-seeded Monfi ls has lost twice Djokovic should be the fresher hav- It was just his second win in nine With second seed Murray, fourth ate action on the alert information received and obtained for the first round to Djokovic in New York — in fi ve sets ing completed just two full matches in matches with the Briton but he is hap- seeded Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic, singles match between Vitalia Diatchenko and Timea Bacsinszky played at the in the fi rst round in 2005 and a straight fi ve rounds. py chasing down defi cits. the fi fth seed, all out of the picture, US Open on 30th August,” the TIU said in a statement on Wednesday. sets defeat in the 2010 quarter-fi nals. He was handed a walkover into Against Wawrinka, he trails 3-2 but Djokovic is viewed as the most likely The TIU noted there can be other reasons for unusual betting including “incor- But he is enjoying one of the best round three and was then the benefi - won their last meeting in the Toronto to win the title on Sunday. rect odds-setting, well-informed betting, player fitness, fatigue and form as spells of his career, winning the title ciary of two injury-hit retirements. semi-fi nals this summer. “I’d say Novak would be the favour- well as playing conditions and personal circumstances”. in Washington and making the semi- All of which means the Serb has He also beat the 31-year-old in fi ve ite,” said Murray.

Friday, September 9, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

HANDBALL Berlin claim second straight Super Globe title Defending champions retain title with a 29-28 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the final

efending champions Fuchse Berlin retained their title defeating EHF Champions League side Paris Saint-Ger- mainD (PSG) 29-28 in the IHF Super Globe fi nal at the Duhail Sports Hall yesterday. Berlin started stronger with two goals scored in the opening minutes – by Petar Nenadic and Fabian Wiede – be- fore Mikkel Hansen added the fi rst for the French champions in the fi fth (2-1). The current World Handball Player of the Year also scored his team’s second, levelling the game in the sixth at 2:2. The score stood equal at 3-3 as Drago Vukovic was sent off for two minutes in the ninth – a dangerous moment for the Foxes, who must have known the nu- merical defi cit would prove to have an impact facing a squad like PSG. During the suspension Nikola Karabatic took PSG in front 4-3 before Luka Stepancic increased the lead to 5-3. After 10 minutes of play, when the score stayed the, same Berlin coach Erlingur Richardsson requested his fi rst time-out, and his team were next on the board courtesy of a ground shot from Wiede (4-5, 11th). Berlin right wing Hans Lindberg was injured in the next defence and had to return to the bench, and after his exit, PSG pulled in front to 8-5 midway through the half. Qatar Handball Federation president Ahmad al-Shaabi and International Handball Federation president Dr Hassan Moustafa present the winners’ cheque to Fuchse Berlin yesterday. PICTURES: Anas Khalid At the 20-minute mark PSG held a comfortable four-goal advantage, but Paris kept the ‘Foxes’ at bay as they er sounded as the score board showed spot by a solitary goal as Esperance from that point they could not pull fur- maintained a steady two to three-goal a one-goal advantage for Berlin, who Sportive de Tunis won 28-27. ther ahead and the 2015 champions distance (26-23, 50th), but Berlin crept celebrated their second straight Super The match was expected to be a close slowly closed the defi cit with a goal from closer, with left wing Bjarki Elisson Globe title. contest, but Lekhwiya started much Steff en Fath taking the score to 11-13 in taking the German side within one at stronger taking a 6:2 lead by the 10th the 28th. PSG coach Zvonimir Sedarusic, 25-26 in the 53rd. KIELCE BEAT SADD TO SECURE minute when ES Tunis coach Denis who had started the game with Gorazd An outstanding ground shot from THIRD Lathoud called his fi rst time-out. Af- Skof between the posts, brought in the Nenadic kept the distance there as the The VELUX EHF Champions League ter that his team came into the game, more-experienced Thierry Omeyer last fi ve minutes began (27-26 for PSG), champions Vive Tauron Kielce defeat with a 5:0 run levelling the match by into the goal, and he saved the fi rst shot and it was the left back who scored the Al Sadd by a decisive 11 goals to fi nish the 15-minute mark when Nidhal Amri against him, keeping the score the same crucial equaliser at 27-27 in the 57th. It third at their debut IHF Super Globe. scored his second goal (7-7). Lekhwiya, as the half-time whistle sounded. took two more minutes for the decid- Kielce had little trouble defeating however, had a one-goal advantage at In the second period PSG were fi rst ing goal to fi nd the back of the net, and hosts Al Sadd 36-25, though it took 20 half-time. on the board with a goal from left wing it came from Berlin’s Steff an Fath. Af- minutes for them to begin to create the With Tunis leading 28-26, two ES Uwe Gensheimer opening a four-goal ter his goal the Foxes stopped two PSG diff erence. After that however, Kielce Tunis suspensions within seconds of lead at 16-12, and the situation quickly attacks in a row before Nenadic scored streaked ahead to lead by eight goals each other, for Oussama Boughanmi became worse for Berlin as the French the last goal of the game. at half-time, and fi nish with an 11-goal and Hamdi Aissa, enabled Lekhwiya side pulled in front to 19-13 by the 37th PSG lost their fi nal opportunity to advantage that secured third place at to close the gap to one with less than 15 before Edouard Kempf received a two- level the score, and Berlin moved into their debut Super Globe. seconds remaining, but it was too late. minute suspension. That was a turning attack with less than 30 seconds left. Brazilian team Handebol Taubate point that initiated a comeback from Goalkeeper Skof made a great save on LEKHWIYA GO DOWN IN fi nished seventh beating Sydney Uni- Berlin, who slowly closed the gap to 16- the fi nal shot, but even as he ran for the A THRILLER versity Handball Club 35-23 in their 7/8 22 and then 19-23 in the 44th. rebound it was too late – the fi nal buzz- Qatar’s Lekhwiya lost out on the fi fth placement match. (IHF) PSG players are dejected after the loss.

US OPEN FOCUS Williams fi ghts off Nishikori stuns Murray, Halep to reach semis Reuters faces Wawrinka in semi-fi nal New York AFP New York imona Halep did something no one else was able to do against Serena Williams at the US ei Nishikori stunned Andy Murray to Open on Wednesday but still reach the US Open semi-fi nals, holding his couldS not stop the world number one nerve in a gripping fi nal set to move two from advancing to the semi-fi nals of wins away from becoming the fi rst Asian the year’s fi nal grand slam. Kman to capture a Grand Slam singles title. The scrappy fi fth seeded Romanian Japanese star Nishikori clinched a dramatic 1-6, managed to take the fi rst break points 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 comeback triumph in a shade un- from Williams during the Flushing der four hours against the Wimbledon and Olympics Meadows fortnight and the only set winner and 2012 US Open champion. surrendered by the top seed but at the In today’s semi-fi nal, the 26-year-old will take on end of the day the result was the same, Swiss third seed Stan Wawrinka who defeated tear- the 34-year-old American walking off ful Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 champion, 7-6 court with a 6-2 4-6 6-3 win. (5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The victory also kept Williams on Wawrinka, who had to save a match point in his course for a record seventh US Open third round clash with Dan Evans, will be playing in crown which would be her 23rd grand a third US Open semi-fi nal in four years. slam title moving her past Steffi Graf The other semi-fi nal today will see defend- for the most in the Open Era and one ing champion Novak Djokovic take on 10th seeded shy of the great Margaret Court at the Frenchman Gael Monfi ls. top of the all-time list with 24. “It was one of my toughest matches mentally and “I knew I could play better and I kind physically. Juan Martin’s an incredible player,” said of feel like I lost my rhythm in the sec- Wawrinka. ond set,” said Williams, who will next In a match which featured 17 breaks of serve, dent. “Defi nitely I would say to 4-1 I didn’t play a the fi rst set against Wawrinka. face 10th seeded Czech Karolina Plisk- ments when I had chances but I think Nishikori prevailed for only his second win in nine good game after I got out of the change of ends, and The Swiss broke back in the seventh game and al- ova, a 6-2 6-2 winner over Croatian the level was pretty high,” said Halep, matches against world number two Murray. then he held pretty comfortably the next game,” said though Del Potro, whose career was almost derailed teenager Ana Konjuh, for a place in the 2014 French Open runner-up. “I’m His win came just three weeks after losing to Mur- Murray. by a series of wrist injuries, saved two set points in Saturday’s fi nal. OK with the way that I was fi ghting till ray in the Olympic semi-fi nals. “But after that, I don’t think so. There was a lot the tiebreaker, a rare forehand error gave up the set. “I knew if I wanted to win this I had the end. It’s something normal now for “It was a really diffi cult match. I didn’t start well. of time.” The Argentine’s bruising recent schedule had seen to step it up in the third set. me. I felt it was really quick and I was missing too much,” Nishikori broke for 1-0 in the deciding set and him claim an Olympic silver medal last month and “I didn’t take some opportunities “I think this was the best match that said Nishikori after reaching only his second Slam backed it up for 2-0 before Murray stopped a seven- he used that experience to claim the only break for a that I had. I really had some chances I ever had against her. semi-fi nal after his runner-up spot in New York in game losing streak to hold. 4-3 lead in the second set. there and I didn’t take them, and I let “I felt that I’m very close and I have 2014. Murray, with his focus suddenly rebooted, broke But the Swiss was looking the fresher as the clock that get the better of me.” chances to win.” “In the fourth and fi fth sets I think I played some back for 2-2. But back came Nishikori, stunning his ticked towards and then past 1 a.m. He took the third What had appeared to be a straight Williams has been in lethal form but of the best tennis.” rival to break again for 3-2 before holding for 4-2 set 6-3, hitting twice as many muscular winners. sets stroll into the last four for Wil- after a second set lapse against Halep Murray looked to be in control at two sets to one as both men thrilled with a series of big hits, subtle Del Potro was a spent force and gave up a dou- liams turned into a tense battle when she will want to tighten up parts of her ahead and carving out a break point in the third game touches and exhausting athleticism. ble break in the fourth set on his way to defeat but Halep dug in during a wildly entertain- game. of the fourth when a loud gong-like sound burst Nishikori surrendered the advantage yet again, leaving him at least with the compensation of being ing second set packed with pulsating While Williams’ serve has been on from the malfunctioning public address system in giving up a 40-0 lead in the eighth game and miss- back in the top 65 after being ranked as low as 1,045 rallies and brilliant shots that saw the target, blasting 18 aces past Halep, Arthur Ashe stadium. ing an easy volley. in February. Romanian fend off all 12 break points she only managed to convert four of a The Briton was soon 5-4 up but Nishikori, show- He was in tears on the eve of the fi nal game before she faced. whopping 20 break chances. GONG SHOW ing nerves of steel, held and broke again before tak- the two men embraced at the net. But Williams, playing in her 46th “I wasn’t very happy about that but I Umpire Marija Cicak ordered the point to be re- ing victory when Murray blinked fi rst in the 12th “I can lose the match but I will never forget this. grand slam quarter-fi nal, would not be tried not to let that get me down, I tried played much to the irritation of the Briton who lost game, burying a backhand in the net. It’s bigger than winning any match,” said del Potro shaken and took the only break to go up to stay positive,” said Williams, about his composure and the next fi ve games as an acro- Del Potro, the world number 142 and bidding to of the ovation he received. 3-1 in the decider and then serve out for her inability to put the Romanian away batic Nishikori levelled the tie. become the lowest ranked man to reach a Grand “I’m so proud to get that from the crowd because the win. in the second set when she had 12 break Murray refused to blame his defeat on the inci- Slam semi-fi nal in 16 years, was out to a 4-1 lead in I’ve been doing a big eff ort to play tennis again.” “I could play better in those mo- chances. “I’m glad I got tested.”