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Friday, October 11, 2019 ATHLETICS Safar 12, 1441 AH Kipchoge ready GULF TIMES to break 2-hour marathon barrier SPORT Page 6

FOOTBALL

IT WAS BANGLADESH’S SECOND DEFEAT, HAVING LOST 1-0 TO AFGHANISTAN IN THEIR GROUP OPENER

Qatar’s (R) celebrates with Almoez Ali after scoring the team’s first goal against Bangladesh yesterday.

struggle to fi nd the second goal. the top of the box. Bangladesh’s Mohamed Ibrahim gave He doubled the lead in the 18th with a al-Sheeb his fi rst real test in the second header off Rhyan Grant. half with his eff ort in the 72nd minute, International debutant Harry Souttar but the custodian fi rmly handled the followed fi ve minutes later with his own ball. As the match seemed headed for nod into goal, but a potential fourth a 1-0 win, Afi f sidestepped three by Mathew Leckie seconds before the Bangladeshi players before sending the break was controversially ruled off side. ball to substitute Ahmed Alaaedin Ab- The visitors rallied in the second half delmotaal and as a melee ensued, Karim but notched an own goal after failing to Boudiaf slotted the ball home. defl ect Souttar in minute 59. Qatar will return home to prepare for Late substitutes Ajdin Hrustic and Oman on Tuesday, while Bangladesh Awer Mabil kept up the pressure but travel to face regional rivals India. could not capitalise on their attempts Meanwhile Jamie Maclaren scored a before Maclaren made his third in the hat-trick in Australia’s 5-0 thrashing closing moments. Karim Boudiaf (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring Qatar’s second goal against Bangladesh in Dhaka yesterday. of Nepal during Thursday’s World Cup In Tehran, Karim Ansarifard notched qualifi er in Canberra. up four goals, while Sardar Azmoun Agencies the standings on seven points, having minutes. tinued to dominate but a second goal The Socceroos missed several op- scored three as Iran breezed past min- Dhaka claimed a 6-0 win over Afghanistan on Felix Sanchez’s Qatar, however, was not forthcoming as the 2022 World portunities against their 161st-ranked nows Cambodia. Matchday One before playing to a goal- gradually settled in and began to dictate Cup hosts took a slender lead into the visitors but maintained a tight defence Mehd Taremi and Mohammad Mo- less draw against India. terms as they pushed Bangladesh deep break. and dominated possession through the hebi recorded a brace each, while Mor- goal in each half secured Qa- It was Bangladesh’s second defeat, into their own half. The West Asians continued to press match. “We created a lot of chances, taza Pouraliganji, Mohamed Kanani and tar a 2-0 win against Bangla- having lost 1-0 to Afghanistan in their Bangladesh were forced to play on the when the match resumed and Salem but we got a bit more ruthless when it Ahmad Nourallahi helped themselves desh in Group E of the Asian group opener. counter-attack and Qatar’s persistence al-Hajri came close in the 50th minute counts,” said Australia coach Graham with a goal each. Qualifi ers for the FIFA World Bangladesh came into the match paid off 28 minutes into the match with when he waltzed into the box but Bang- Arnold after his side’s biggest home win Striker Kim Shin-wook scored four in CupA Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup hopeful they could take on the reign- Yusuf Abdurisag breaking the deadlock ladesh defended in numbers to main- in three years. “Overall, I’m very happy.” South Korea’s 8-0 drubbing of Sri Lan- China 2023 at the Bangabandhu Sta- ing Asian champions Qatar, and Jamie after Almoez Ali, who received a long- tain the scoreline. Melbourne City’s Maclaren opened ka while Japan triumphed 6-0 against dium yesterday. Day’s side began brightly as they tested range pass in the box, fed the forward Akram Afi f replaced Abdurisag in the scoring in the sixth minute when Mongolia in Thursday’s other second The win takes Qatar to the top of goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb in the fi rst 10 for a fi nish from close range. Qatar con- 68th minute but Qatar continued to Chemjong lost his grip on a drive from round group matches.

TENNIS GYMNASTICS Osaka drops US citizenship to ‘How do I do that?’: Biles wins 16th world title

AFP She can break Scherbo’s mark in this represent Japan in Olympics Stuttgart weekend’s four apparatus fi nals. However, she was slightly bewildered by AFP “I think I will be able to put her worlds medal tally and amazed by her Tokyo more of my emotion into it by S gymnastics superstar Simone own displays in Stuttgart. playing for the pride of the coun- Biles admitted being bewildered “I feel like it’s not me and sometimes I try,” she said, according to the ar- by her own success after claiming wonder how I do it. I sometimes wish I ennis star Naomi Osaka ticle published in Japanese on the a record-extending 16th world could have an out-of-body experience to has decided to choose NHK website. Uchampionship gold medal and fi fth all- witness it,” she said, laughing. Japanese over American Osaka added she wants to aim around title on Thursday in Stuttgart. “I look back at videos and wonder how nationality with an eye on for the gold although she is also Biles, 22, earned the 22nd world medal I did that.” theT Tokyo 2020 Olympics, public worried as expectations will be of her career, backing up team gold with Biles led from the start, nailing her broadcaster NHK reported yes- high. The young tennis sensa- the USA on Tuesday, by producing a su- fi rst discipline with a superb vault which terday tion is a household name in Japan, perb display. scored 15.223 points. Osaka, who has a Japanese where her every move is followed “It’s an honour and it’s super exciting,” She followed that up with a solid display mother and a Haitian father, told feverishly by local media, particu- she said. on the uneven bars, where she posted the NHK she has completed an ad- larly when she is in the country of Chinese youngster Tang Xijing, 16, took third-highest score, to consolidate her ministrative step to obtain Japa- her mother’s birth. silver, while Angelina Melnikova of Russia lead. nese citizenship ahead of her She is the face of several lead- claimed bronze. Biles dominated the beam and sealed birthday next week. ing Japanese brands, including the Biles’ winning margin of 2.1 points was gold with the highest score of 14.400 in Japanese law stipulates that a carrier ANA, and “Naomi-chan” her biggest at a world championships and the fl oor exercise when she had only need- Japanese with more than one na- try to go to the Olympics to repre- — as she is aff ectionately known was identical to her winning gap in the ed 12.300 for the title. tionality must chose one before sent Japan,” the two-time Grand — was the main attraction at last same event at the 2016 Olympics. onships history to leave her just one short She said the hardest thing was “keeping turning 22 years old. Slam champion told the broad- month’s Pan Pacifi c Open in Osa- She extended her own record as the of male gymnast Vitaly Scherbo’s all-time up with the music” during her fl oor rou- “It gives me a special feeling to caster in an interview in Tokyo. ka, which she won. most decorated woman in world champi- record of 23 medals. tine. Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 11, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Youngsters’ chance to shine as Ooredoo Cup kicks off today Both Al Sadd and Al Wakrah will be eager to start off their campaign on a winning note

By Sports Reporter ing from a muscle injury while Ahmed Doha Bader Sayyar also missed training due to illness. Al Wakrah’s Spanish coach Marquez l Sadd and Al Wakrah will Lopez is sure to utilise all his resources open the Ooredoo Cup action in their bid to achieve victory. by facing off in a rstfi round, In another match today, Al Shaha- Group A match at the Al Ahli nia face Al Rayyan in another Group A StadiumA today. match at the Al Arabi Stadium. The Ooredoo Cup, formerly QSL Shahania would look to compensate Cup, provides younger players with for their lapses in the QNB Stars League, more playing time and exposure. The where they are at the rock bottom of tournament, which has a group-cum- the standings with just one point. Jose knockout format, off ers new opportu- Murcia’s men have yet to register a vic- nities for sponsors, partners and sup- tory. It is against this backdrop that porters to highlight their brands. they go into the Al Rayyan game. Both Sadd and Wakrah will be eager Diego Aguirre-coached Al Rayyan, to start off their campaign on a winning on the other hand, are high in confi - note. Al Sadd and Al Wakrah faced off dence after beating Al Sadd in the Qa- in Week 1 of this season’s QNB Stars tar Clasico last week. They are fourth League, with the former winning by a in the QNB Stars League table with 4-1 margin. Al Wakrah are the promot- 12 points. Both teams are expected to ed side in the league competition. give chances to younger players in the The match is expected to be fought absence of some seniors, who are do- keenly even though Al Sadd will miss ing international duty during the FIFA some players due to their international break. duties. Eight players (Saad al-Dosari, Meanwhile, Al Ahli will host Umm Hassan al-Haydos, Pedro Miguel, Sa- Salal in another Group A fi xtures. Al lem al-Hajri, , Akram Ahli and Umm Salal will look for a Afi f, Khoukhi Boualem, Abdelkarim positive result and thereby start their Hassan) are with the Qatar national campaign in style. Ahli will miss the team for their games against Bangla- services of Abdullah al-Ahrak and Ab- desh and Oman in the 2022 World Cup dulrahman Mohamed who are doing – 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifi ers. duty for the Qatar national team. Both Three others – , sides will also miss some players who Hussain Bahzad and – have are with the Qatar Olympic team. joined the Qatar Olympic team camp Al Ahli have in their ranks players for their preparations for the AFC U-23 such as Nabil El Zahr, Abel Mathias Championship in Thailand. Mean- and Majed Mohamed, while Umm Salal while, is away with boast of the likes of Yannick Sagbo, Adil the Algerian national team while Jung Rhaili and Murad Naji. Al Ahli are sixth Woo-young and Nam Tae-hee are with with nine points and Umm Salal ninth the South Korea national team. Ab- with fi ve points after six weeks of ac- dulaziz Al-Ansari is currently recover- tion in the QNB Stars League. Al Sadd players train yesterday on the eve of their Ooredoo Cup match against Al Wakrah.

ROUND-UP EURO QUALIFIERS Bulgarian FA says England Bale determined not England’s fl ourishing forwards players to let transfer talk must obey leave Southgate spoiled for choice walk-off rules aff ect performance Sofia, Bulgaria: England players who react to racist eal Madrid’s Gareth abuse by walking off the pitch Bale said anger over his should face punishment if treatment and media they breach a UEFA protocol, speculation about his Bulgarian football chief Boris- futureR at the Spanish club had lav Mihaylov said ahead of not distracted him from giv- next week’s Euro 2020 quali- ing his best on the pitch. The fier. England striker Tammy 30-year-old forward was in- Abraham indicated this week volved in a tense stand-off with that the players could act coach Zinedine Zidane in the as a group and leave the off -season, with the Frenchman pitch if subjected to abuse in stating he was keen for Bale to qualifiers against the Czech leave, although a reported move Republic today and Bulgaria to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning in Sofia on Monday. in July was scrapped. Bulgarian supporters Bale has since forced his made monkey chants at way back into Zidane’s plans visiting black players when and helped Real go to the top England last travelled to of the league — scoring two Sofia for a European qualifier goals and providing two assists in 2011, prompting UEFA to in six matches — but reports fine the Bulgarian Football continue to link the Welshman Union (BFU) 40,000 euros with a move away from Santiago ($44,072.00). In an off icial let- Bernabeu. ter to the European football “You play with a lot of emo- body, the BFU president tion, and anger comes into it, but pearances against Bordeaux yesterday expressed his “ex- I’m just trying to play football, last month and Galatasaray last England midfielder Raheem Sterling (left) and manager Gareth Southgate attend a press conference in Prague yesterday. (Reuters) treme disappointment” at the enjoy it as much as I can and week, but PSG coach Thomas England players’ comments give my best,” Bale told report- Tuchel then said he “needed AFP none of them are even the top-scoring for Southgate there are precious few op- ahead of the match and ers ahead of Wales’ Euro 2020 more treatment” before he Prague Englishman in the Premier League. portunities left to mould the right 23-man spoke of the “unjust brand- qualifi er in Slovakia last night. missed the win over Angers. Tammy Abraham’s electric start to life squad that despite their tender age will ing” of local fans. “Whenever I step onto the pitch back at Chelsea after a series of loan spells have great expectations placed on their He said ignoring UEFA’s I give 100% to help the team... FROM GOALKEEPER TO alfway through qualifying for has earned him an England recall with eight shoulders next summer. three-step protocol for rac- I love meeting up with Wales. I GOALTENDER, CECH MAKES Euro 2020, England’s place at goals in as many league games. However, England have fallen short at the semi-fi - ism, which can lead to the haven’t got anything to clear my SWITCH next year’s fi nals already appears Abraham faces the thankless task of try- nals of the World Cup and Nations League referee abandoning a match mind about.” Petr Cech is making the switch assured thanks to a prolifi c for- ing to usurp Kane to be England’s number over the past year. Now blessed with such if warnings to the crowd do from football to ice hockey after Hward line that has plundered 19 goals in nine. “For me, he’s the greatest striker in fi repower and home advantage for the ma- not stop the abuse, “should MBAPPE ‘NOT READY’ the former Chelsea and Arsenal just four qualifi ers. the world,” Abraham, 22, said. “When you jority of Euro 2020 should they go all the be punishable according to AFTER THIGH INJURY, goalkeeper signed for British The Three Lions will be confi dent of look at Harry Kane, if he gets a chance in way, the demands are higher. the UEFA disciplinary regula- LEAVES FRANCE SQUAD fourth-tier outfi t Guildford maintaining their 100% record in quali- the box, nine times out of 10, it’s a goal. So tions”. Kylian Mbappe has been ruled Phoenix. The 37-year-old fying when they visit the Czech Republic I’ll go there learn off him and hopefully be Mihaylov also wrote to out of France’s Euro 2020 former Czech international today and can even mathematically se- like him.” EURO 2020 QUALIFYING FIXTURES UEFA last month to express qualifi ers against Iceland and ended his playing career with cure qualifi cation by the time they travel The competition just to make South- (1845 GMT unless stated) indignation and disappoint- Turkey and “needs more time” Arsenal at the end of last season to Bulgaria four days later. At 26 and 24, gate’s squad next summer is just as fi erce ment over comments by to recover from a thigh injury, before rejoining Chelsea as a Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling are the in the areas out wide and just behind the Group A: At Podgorica: Montenegro v England manager Gareth coach Didier Deschamps said. technical and performance older heads of a thrilling forward line that striker. Callum Hudson-Odoi is not in- Bulgaria; At Prague: Czech Republic v Southgate about the prospect The 20-year-old Paris Saint- adviser in June. threatens to be the envy of Europe next volved for the trips to Prague and Sofi a England of racism at the Group A Germain forward has not started He said he would play for the summer. Kane and Sterling have each having only recently returned from a long- Group B: At Kharkiv, Ukraine: Ukraine v qualifier in Sofia. a game since August. Phoenix in his spare time. “I am scored six times in four qualifi ers so far. term Achilles injury, but the 18-year-old Lithuania; At Lisbon: Portugal v Luxem- In the latest letter, he France, who sit second in delighted to have the opportuni- But unlike many major tournaments that has impressed on his comeback for Chel- bourg said he felt the “fixation” on Group H, visit third-placed Ice- ty to play with the Phoenix to get ended in disappointment over the past two sea. In midfi eld, another promising prod- potential incidents during the land today before hosting group match experience,” Cech, who decades when England relied on one source uct of the Chelsea academy, Mason Mount Group H: At Istanbul, Turkey: Turkey v game in Sofia could increase leaders Turkey on Monday. “He will play as a goaltender, said in a of goals from the likes of Wayne Rooney has overtaken his international teammate Albania; At Reykjavik: Iceland v France; At tension and did not do justice left for the simple reason that he statement. and Michael Owen, Gareth Southgate has a Ross Barkley at club level to break into the Andorra la Vella: Andorra v Moldova to the Bulgarian fans, the wasn’t ready,” said Deschamps. Cech, who played the sport wealth of options to choose from. England senior squad. TOMORROW: general public and the BFU’s as a youngster before switch- The France boss added that Jadon Sancho, 19, scored his fi rst two James Maddison’s wait for a fi rst cap has Group D: At Tiblisi: Georgia v Rep. Ireland own eff orts. Mbappe “will need more time” ing to football, could make his international goals in the 5-3 victory over been prolonged by an illness that forced (1300); At Copenhagen: Denmark v Swit- UEFA ordered the partial and “wasn’t comfortable”. debut for the Surrey-based side Kosovo last month and has edged ahead of him to withdraw from the squad yesterday closure of Bulgaria’s Vasil zerland (1600) Mbappe has been replaced on Sunday when they take on Marcus Rashford as the prime candidate to morning. Levski stadium after racist be- in the squad by Borussia Swindon Wildcats 2. join Sterling and Kane in a front three. However, his time will come as one of Group F: At Torshavn: Faroe Islands v haviour by their supporters in Moenchengladbach striker Cech spent 11 years as a player Rashford has struggled for fi tness and the stars of Leicester’s early rise to chal- Romania (1600); At Oslo: Norway v Spain; Euro 2020 qualifiers with the Alassane Plea, who made his at Chelsea, winning 13 major form in a Manchester United side devoid lengers for a Champions League place in At Ta’ Qali, Malta: Malta v Sweden Czechs and Kosovo in June. only previous international trophies, including four Premier of creativity, but is still just 21 and has the Premier League this season. Group J: At Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina: England top the group with appearance in a friendly against League titles, the Champions plenty of time to make his case to start at Four more qualifi ers over the next two Bosnia & Herzegovina v Finland (1600); At 12 points and will qualify for Uruguay last November. World League and Europa League, the Euros. Between them Kane, Sterling months with little on the line just as the Vaduz: Liechtenstein v Armenia; At Rome: next year’s finals if they beat Cup-winner Mbappe initially before moving to London rivals Premier League season is getting up to and Rashford have 19 goals in the fi rst two Italy v Greece the second-placed Czechs. returned with substitute ap- Arsenal in 2015. months of the Premier League season, but speed may signal a lull for supporters. But Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 3 SPORT

FRIENDLY SPOTLIGHT Neymar becomes youngest to 100 Argentina coach Brazil caps in friendly draw

AFP of the box fl ashed wide. Is- Singapore maila Sarr and Mane both had hails ‘positives’ in chances to snatch the game for the Lions of Teranga. eymar became the Although he failed to get on youngest player to the scoresheet, it was still a big make 100 appear- day for the 27-year-old, who ances for Brazil yes- became one of seven Brazil- Nterday but the Paris Saint- ians to reach 100 caps. Germain forward had to settle He has scored 61 goals for Germany draw for a 1-1 draw as he failed to the Selecao, making him the score in a friendly with Sen- third highest scorer in the his- ‘I was impressed with the attitude, we didn’t give up when we went 2-0 down’ egal in Singapore. tory of his national team. Roberto Firmino opened the Neymar is one behind Ron- scoring for the Copa America aldo but needs 16 to catch Pele champions with a stunning who only played 92 matches. lob after a Coutinho lay-off in He has also provided 41 as- the eighth minute. sists. He won an Olympic gold As the half progressed, medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 the livelier Senegal became, but has experienced many driven on by their captain disappointments for his na- Cheikhou Kouyate. tional team, particularly at the Famara Diedhiou levelled World Cup. from the penalty spot just In 2014, in Brazil, a back before half-time after Sadio injury in the quarter-fi nals Mane was dragged down in against Colombia prevented the area. Neymar, who was him from being on the fi eld for not in the side that won the the 7-1 semi-fi nal thrashing Copa America in June, had a from Germany. relatively quiet game but went He scored twice during the close with a 67th minute free- tournament in Russia four kick. years later, but Brazil were He then teed up Richarli- dumped out at the quarter- son whose shot from the edge fi nal stage by Belgium.

Brazil’s Neymar (centre) fights for the ball with Senegal’s Salif Sane (right) and Cheikhou Kouyate (left) during their friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore yesterday. (AFP)

Argentina’s forward Lucas Alario (centre) celebrates scoring a goal during the friendly game against Germany at the Signal-Iduna Park in . (AFP) Pique attempted to buy Notts AFP a grip in the second half, were placed centre-back Niklas Stark, goals for Bayern Munich at Tot- goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Ste- County last summer: Reports Dortmund, Germany more patient and we take a lot of who pulled out before kick-off tenham, Gnabry put Germany gen four minutes later. positives for the future. with a stomach bug. ahead on 15 minutes. The visitors equalised when Barcelona defender Gerard Pique attempted to buy Notts “I was impressed with the at- Despite 13 withdrawals due The winger used his pace Alario set up Sevilla’s Lucas County last summer, according to reports in the English press. ionel Scaloni praised his titude, we didn’t give up when to either illness or injury, Ger- when Atletico Madrid’s Angel Ocampos, a second-half re- Pique’s Kosmos Global Holding Group, the company he co- battling Argentina side, we went 2-0 down.” many impressed early against an Correa lost possession to get in placement for Correa, to blast founded in 2017, reportedly held talks with County, who are the missing Lionel Messi, Germany head coach Joachim Argentina team missing Messi, behind the defence to stab the past ter Stegen fi ve minutes from world’s oldest professional football club. as they scored second- Loew admitted his side faded af- Sergio Aguero and Angel di ball past Argentina goalkeeper time. “That was 90 minutes split The approach was unsuccessful as County’s financial problems Lhalf goals to earn a 2-2 draw in a ter a bright start. Maria. With Messi suspended Augustin Marchesin. in two,” said Germany’s stand-in forced them to accept an off er from Danish brothers Alexander friendly against an experimental “We wanted to be in the game for comments made at the Copa When Rojo then lost the ball captain Joshua Kimmich. and Christoff er Reedtz at the end of July. Germany team Wednesday. right from the off , but unfortu- America, Juventus’ Paulo Dybala to Waldschmidt, Gnabry turned “In the fi rst half we stood up County sit seventh in the National League, the fifth tier of The Germans fl ew into a 2-0 nately we couldn’t hold on for 90 partnered Lautaro Martinez up provider, using his pace to to them, in the second we were English football, after suff ering two relegations in the last five lead with fi rst-half goals by minutes,” said Loew. front for Argentina. present Havertz with a simple chasing the game and leaked the years, the second ending their 157-year stay in the Football Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz in “We lost a few balls, a bit of tap-in on 22 minutes. goals. League. Pique launched Kosmos, a sports, media and entertain- Dortmund before Lucas Alario courage and got into trouble.” ALARIO’S IMPACT It should have been 3-0 when “That’s happened to us a few ment company, with Hiroshi Mikitani, the founder of Japanese turned the game when he came Loew handed out four de- The friendly was a repeat of the Brandt just failed to connect times now,” Kimmich admitted, e-commerce firm Rakuten, who are currently the main shirt on for Argentina with an hour buts in Dortmund. Freiburg de- 2014 World Cup fi nal, yet Ar- with a Niklas Suele header as knowing Germany must do bet- sponsor of Barcelona. gone. The Leverkusen striker fender Robin Koch and striker gentina’s Manchester United de- Germany looked like they would ter in Sunday’s Euro 2020 quali- Kosmos have already bought FC Andorra, who were promoted pulled a goal back, then set up Luca Waldschmidt started, then fender Marcos Rojo was the only run away with it. fi er at minnows Estonia. last season and are currently top of Segunda Division B’s Group Lucas Ocampos for a deserved Leverkusen forward Nadiem survivor when the Germans won However, the South Ameri- There was a minute’s silence 3. They play in the same league as Barcelona B. late equaliser. Amiri and Schalke midfi elder in Rio de Janeiro. Rojo partnered cans had the best of the second- before kick-off in memory of Pique has also made a significant impact in tennis, after Kos- “We matured during the Suat Serdar came on for second- Manchester City veteran Nicolas half, starting when Scaloni put the two people shot dead in the mos took over the Davis Cup last year. They have overseen a game,” said Argentina coach half debuts. Otamendi in an Argentina de- Alario on for Dybala on 62 min- east German city of Halle earlier controversial revamp of the 119-year-old event, which will hold Scaloni. “We made two or three Loew was forced into a hastily fence which crumbled early on. utes. Alario showed his strength Wednesday in an anti-Semitic its finals next month in Madrid. mistakes in the fi rst half, but got re-arranged defence as Koch re- A week after scoring four in the air to head past Barcelona attack.

FOCUS Iranian women attend fi rst soccer match in 40 years Reuters crowd. “We have an incredible feeling said he viewed the presence of women Tehran as the fi rst Iranian women entering the at the stadium as a positive step, ac- stadium,” said one fan, interviewed by cording to the offi cial IRNA news agen- local television. cy. “The government has a positive ranian women watched the coun- “Inshallah from now on all of our view of the presence of women in sta- try’s national soccer team for the friends will also be able to come. Be- diums,” Rabiei said. fi rst time in 40 years yesterday, cel- cause we had restrictions this is very “The infrastructure of Azadi stadium ebrating their long-awaited access appealing to us otherwise it’s not some- is ready for the presence of women. But Ito the national stadium. thing special,” she said. the cultural and mental infrastructure Iran, one of the traditional power- Another video interview, distributed must be ready,” he added houses of Asian football with a pas- on social media, showed a woman fan While campaigners have welcomed sionate fan-base, won their World Cup inside the stadium, on the brink of tears the access granted for yesterday’s game, qualifying match against Cambodia with an Iranian fl ag over her shoulders it is unclear if such scenes will become 14-0 but the one-sided game will be re- and painted on her face. the norm in Iran. membered much more for the scenes in “It was really a very big wish. Re- FIFA President Gianni Infantino has the stands. ally, thank you for letting us come. I’m urged Iranian authorities to open up Waving fl ags, blowing vuvuzela plas- shaking. Thank you,” she said. Selling stadiums to women for all games, not tic horns and displaying the team col- tickets for a women’s only section has just World Cup qualifi ers. The sport’s ours of red, green and white, over 3,000 been criticised by some campaigners global governing body sent offi cials to women watched from a special wom- who would prefer women to be able to Tehran to monitor access for women at en-only section in the Azadi Stadium. attend matches with their male fam- the match and said it will continue to Women have been banned from ily members. Campaigners also want press for their inclusion. watching men’s games in Iran since to see women given access to all games, “FIFA’s stance on the access of wom- shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolu- not just World Cup qualifi ers which en to the stadiums in Iran has been fi rm tion with only a few exceptions made come under the direct responsibility of and clear: women have to be allowed for small groups on rare occasions. FIFA. Iranian women are not currently into football stadiums in Iran. For all But under pressure from world soc- able to attend men’s games in their do- football matches,” FIFA had said in a cer’s governing body FIFA and women’s mestic club league. statement. rights campaigners, Iranian authorities “Further details on the next steps earmarked tickets for them to watch SPARSELY ATTENDED to be implemented to ensure the fu- yesterday’s game. The game was sparsely attended but ture access of women to the stadi- an extra area, next to the designated ums in Iran will follow once we have EMOTIONAL CROWD women’s section, was opened for what performed a thorough assessment of While Iran’s dominant performance appeared to be women who did not have yesterday’s match based on the input ensured little drama on the fi eld, there tickets for the arranged area. provided by the FIFA delegation that is Iranian women cheer during the World Cup Qatar 2022 Group ‘C’ qualification match between Iran and Cambodia at the was no shortage of emotion in the Government spokesman Ali Rabiei present in Tehran.” Azadi stadium in the capital Tehran yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 11, 2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Hooper, Coleman out of Australia team Italy out of WC as for Georgia match

Reuters reporters. Fukuroi City, Japan The cancellation of tomor- row’s Pool C match between England and France because of ustralia captain Michael Typhoon Hagibis means Aus- NZ match called Hooper and lock Adam tralia will play the English in the Coleman have been last eight if Wales beat Uruguay withdrawn from the in their fi nal Pool D match. squadA for their fi nal Pool D match against Georgia because of minor AUSTRALIA SQUAD: injuries, the team said yesterday. 15-Kurtley Beale, 14-Jordan Both players had been named Petaia, 13-James O’Connor, on the bench for today’s match 12-Samu Kerevi, 11-Marika Ko- off due to typhoon at Shizuoka Stadium and will be roibete, 10-Matt To’omua, 9-Nic replaced on the bench by second White, 8-Isi Naisarani, 7-David Italy could have qualified for the quarter-finals with a shock win over New Zealand row forward Rob Simmons, who Pocock (captain), 6-Jack Demp- is set to win his 100th cap, and sey, 5-Rory Arnold, 4-Izack Reuters Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who will Rodda, 3-Sekope Kepu, 2-Tolu Tokyo cover the back row in place of Latu, 1-Scott Sio Hooper. Replacements: “Both of them were deemed 16-Jordan Uelese, 17-James ugby World Cup or- to have a few niggles that they Slipper, 18-Taniela Tupou, ganisers were forced to didn’t want to push on for this 19-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20- call off matches for the one with now a confi rmed quar- Rob Simmons, 21-Will Genia, fi rst time in the tourna- ter-fi nal berth against England,” 22-Christian Lealiifano, 23-Dane ment’sR 32-year history yesterday team spokesman Chris Ford told Haylett-Petty. — eliminating Italy as a result — saying the risk from Typhoon Hagibis made hosting them an impossibility on safety grounds. With the huge storm set to potentially devastate parts of Japan, Italy’s game against New Zealand in Toyota and Eng- land’s match versus France in Yokohama tomorrow have been cancelled while Japan’s game against Scotland on Sunday is also in doubt. Italy could have qualifi ed for the quarter-fi nals with a shock win over double defending champions New Zealand and star player Sergio Parisse said the decision would have been diff erent if the All Blacks had been facing elimination. Host nation Japan would ad- vance to the quarter-fi nals for the fi rst time if their game in Yokohama is called off . The sport’s governing body and tournament offi cials told a news conference the decision had been taken due to the huge disruption expected from the typhoon, predicted to be one of the most violent to hit the region in recent years. “While making every possi- Australia’s players take part in the Captain’s Run training session at ble eff ort to put in place a con- the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa in Shizuoka, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) tingency plan that would enable all of tomorrow’s matches to be played, it would be grossly ir- responsible to leave teams, fans, Japan Rugby CEO Akira Shimazu (right) speaks to the media in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) All Blacks star Nonu joins volunteers and other tourna- to boost US league ment personnel exposed during “We always knew there would winning three pool games, be- fi nal game against Samoa to- have lost anyway, but we de- what is predicted to be a severe be risks but it’s rare for there to ing edged out on bonus points morrow knowing a bonus point served to be respected as a team.” Two-time Rugby World Cup appearances for the All Blacks typhoon,” said tournament di- be a typhoon of this size at this by Scotland. victory would ensure progress. Coach Conor O’Shea said the winner Ma’a Nonu of New and has played since 2003 in rector Alan Gilpin. stage of the year,” he said, add- A decision on whether that A win without a bonus point, players’ reaction to the news was Zealand has signed with the San Super Rugby for the Hurricanes, Super Typhoon Hagibis is ex- ing that he did not feel the in- match will be played is set to be or even a bonus point in de- “horrible.” “Their World Cup Diego Legion, Major League Blues and Highlanders with pected to bring torrential rain, tegrity of the tournament had made early on Sunday and the feat, would also send the Irish has ended on the training pitch, Rugby announced Wednesday, stints in France and Japan. high winds, storm surges and been compromised. “We have Scottish said it ex- through if Japan’s game is called when it should be on the playing giving the North American Landing the big-name star is high waves tomorrow. no regrets.” pected the game to go ahead. off . fi eld,” he said. league its biggest star. a big boost for MLR, which Other events are also being “Scottish Rugby fully expects Italy fi nished third behind New Zealand fi nish top of the The 37-year-old All Blacks began last year with seven hit. CANCELLED GAMES contingency plans to be put in New Zealand and South Africa group with South Africa going center, among Super Rugby’s clubs and grew to nine this year, Organisers of Sunday’s Japa- Tournament regulations state place to enable Scotland to con- after their match against the All through as runners-up. all-time try scorers, will join the most venues seating between nese Formula One Grand Prix, that cancelled games are ruled a test for a place in the quarter- Blacks was cancelled leaving an Yesterday’s decision marks 12-team North American league 5,000-6,000 as the circuit obviously mindful of the fact 0-0 draw, with two points going fi nals on the pitch and will be angry Parisse to question the the fi rst time a World Cup match ahead of its third season that tries to establish a foothold in that driver Jules Bianchi died to each team. fl exible to accommodate this,” tournament regulations. has been cancelled since the opens in February. the crowded American sports after a crash at Suzuka in 2014 That would be enough to en- the SRU said on Twitter. “If New Zealand needed four tournament started in 1987. “I’m really grateful to be joining scene. when the track was soaked by sure Japan reach the quarter- Coach Gregor Townsend add- or fi ve points against us it would The 1995 semi-fi nal between the and to The Legion reached the playoff s Typhoon Phanfone, are closely fi nals if their game falls victim to ed: “I hope everyone involved in not have been cancelled,” said hosts South Africa and France play in the MLR for the 2020 in both MLR seasons, losing monitoring the situation, while the typhoon, which might look the tournament wants the game the man who has been the back- was delayed by an hour due to season,” Nonu said. each time to the eventual a 2020 Olympics BMX cycling like some sort of sporting karma to be played and will do their ut- bone of Italian rugby for years. a waterlogged pitch, but fa- “I’m looking forward to the champion Seawolves, test event has been brought for- to their supporters. most for the game to be played. “It is ridiculous that there was mously went ahead after a team challenge of the new season 38-24 in the 2018 semi-finals ward. Four years ago Japan beat We have got to believe, and have no Plan B, because it isn’t news of cleaning ladies took to it with ahead with the team. My family and 26-23 in this year’s Gilpin defended the decision South Africa in the biggest up- faith in the organisers, even if it that typhoons hit Japan. “Sure, brooms. If bad weather strikes and I are excited about the championship match. to hold the tournament, the fi rst set in rugby history but then is behind closed doors or played everyone might think that Italy again in Japan, tournament rules move to San Diego.” “Ma’a is a huge addition for us,” to be hosted in Asia, at this time became the fi rst team to fail to at a diff erent venue.” v New Zealand being cancelled allow for knockout stage games Nonu scored 155 points in 103 said Legion coach Rob Hoadley. of year. reach the knockout round after Ireland are due to play their counts for nothing because we’d to be rescheduled.

BOTTOMLINE Townsend optimistic Japan showdown will go ahead Reuters Sunday night.” Fans frustrated as Hamamatsu, Japan Tournament regulations state that cancelled games are ruled a 0-0 draw, with two points typhoon disrupts going to each team, which would end Scot- matches cotland coach Gregor Townsend is land’s hopes of reaching the quarter-fi nals. Thousands of fans were left optimistic the weather will clear suf- Townsend’s side need to win the game, pref- disappointed yesterday as fi ciently after Typhoon Hagibis passes erably with a bonus point, to ensure they ad- an approaching typhoon Sthrough to ensure his side’s must-win vance. forced Rugby World Cup clash with Japan goes ahead in Yokohama on The host nation would qualify for the quar- organisers to cancel two Sunday. ter-fi nals for the fi rst time if their match in games, spoiling their trip to He said his understanding of the rules was Yokohama is called off . Japan. Supporters flew to that the day of the match could not be changed. Townsend said that early indications of the Japan in droves to watch But he had also been told “things can change” if typhoon were that it might not hit Yokohama England play France and a force majeure is declared under “exceptional until Sunday and that World Rugby had men- New Zealand against Italy circumstances”, and he did not know whether tioned the possibility of moving the match. tomorrow, only for the that could yet make Monday a possible date. Scottish media reported the team had been unprecedented cancellation Rugby World Cup organisers took the un- quietly hoping for a shift to Kobe if that was the prompted by Super Typhoon precedented step of cancelling the England- case. Hagibis. France clash in Yokohama and New Zealand- “Maybe yesterday, when it looked like the More games are under Italy game in Toyota City tomorrow because weather was going to be rougher on Sunday, threat as Hagibis, forecast of the expected destructive eff ects of the ty- there seemed to be discussion about looking at to be the biggest storm phoon. With the storm expected to have passed an alternative venue,” Townsend said. to hit Japan this year, through by Sunday, a decision on the Pool A “The way I read the rules was you can’t ploughs into the country clash between the tournament hosts and Scot- change days, but you could change venues — tomorrow, bringing high land would not be made until the morning of contingencies would be in place. wind, torrential rain and the the game. “We believe that the game hasn’t “I have since been told there is force majeure potential for widespread been cancelled because the weather will be bet- (rule), that things can change because of ex- destruction. Many fans also ter on Sunday and it looks like the game will ceptional circumstances,” he said. face disruption to organised be played,” Townsend told reporters in Hama- “If that means Monday because it takes a day tours, which revolve around matsu. for things (infrastructure) to be put back in or- the games, while hundreds “That’s what we have to put faith in, that der, then who knows. “But just now I think they of domestic flights have they have made that call with a lot of certainty are planning for it to go ahead on Sunday,” he already been cancelled. AFP Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend. (Reuters) and confi dence that the game will be played on said. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB NHL Sabres shoot past Canadiens in OT Cardinals swamp goal off a feed from Nate Reuters New York Thompson with 5:54 remain- ing in the fi rst before capping his two-goal performance arcus Johansson with 21 seconds left in the scored 1:30 into opening period. Nick Suzuki overtime to propel picked up an assist for his fi rst the host Buff alo career NHL point after setting Braves in 1st, book NL MSabres to a 5-4 victory over up Armia’s second goal with a the Montreal Canadiens on feed from behind the goal line. Wednesday. After captain Jack Eichel’s HART’S FIRST CAREER shot was blocked in front, de- SHUTOUT LIFTS FLYERS fenseman Colin Miller alertly PAST DEVILS sent a circle-to-circle feed Carter Hart picked up his fi rst to Johansson for a one-timer career shutout and defense- showdown with Nats past Keith Kinkaid to end the man Ivan Provorov backed game. Eichel collected two him up with a goal and an as- ‘You know what, it was electric. Probably the best moment of my career’ goals and two assists, and sist as the host Philadelphia rookie Victor Olofsson and Flyers fl ew past the New Jer- Jeff Skinner also tallied for the sey Devils 4-0 on Wednes- Sabres (3-0-1), who improved day night. Provorov now has to 8-for-15 with the man ad- 100 career points, two games vantage this season, going into his fourth season. Hart 2-for-5. made 25 saves as he got his Former Buff alo forward Joel fi rst shutout in his 32nd career Armia scored two goals and start. set up Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s Travis Konecny also add- tally in the third period for ed a goal and an assist while the Canadiens (1-0-2), who Kevin Hayes and Sean Coutu- have ventured past regulation rier had one goal apiece for the in all three of their games this Flyers, who won their second season. Montreal defenseman straight to open the season. Ben Chiarot scored from the It’s the fi rst time in eight sea- left circle against Carter Hut- sons that Philadelphia won its ton (23 saves) to forge a tie at fi rst two games. 4-4 with 6:06 remaining in Devils goaltender Cory the third period. Schneider stopped 30 of 34 Eichel erased Buff alo’s 2-1 shots but received no off en- defi cit with a pair of goals in sive support as the Devils have the second period. The former now lost twice in regulation Hobey Baker Award winner and once in a shootout to open wired a shot from the left cir- the season. cle that banked in off the right The Devils controlled the post at 4:46. Nearly 10 min- off ensive pace for much of the utes later, Eichel skated up the scoreless fi rst period and out- middle of the ice and wristed shot the Flyers, 10-6. a shot from above the circles The best scoring chance that handcuff ed Kinkaid (34 came with 1:50 left in the saves). Skinner’s backhand fi rst as the Devils’ Taylor Hall shot from in close extended skated down the left wing and the Sabres’ lead to 4-2 just 47 appeared to have a clean shot seconds into the third period on a crisp pass through the before Kotkaniemi converted crease. But Hart went sprawl- a fortunate bounce off the end ing to the ice and kept the boards 57 seconds later. game scoreless. Eichel’s one-touch, circle- Eight minutes into the sec- to-circle pass found Olofsson, ond period, the Flyers earned who unleashed a one-timer their second power play of from the right side that sailed the game. But this time they past Kinkaid to open the scor- converted for a 1-0 advantage ing at 5:04 of the fi rst period. at 9:52 when Provorov ripped The tally allowed Olofsson, a shot from the wing into the 24, to become the fourth upper corner of the net. The player to score each of his fi rst Devils had a two-man advan- six career goals on the power tage for 12 seconds with 6:27 play, joining Winnipeg’s Craig remaining in the second, but Norwich (1979-80), Hart- the Flyers killed off both pen- St. Louis Cardinals players celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Braves in game five of the 2019 NLDS playoff series at SunTrust Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports ford’s Sylvain Turgeon (1983- alties. Hayes nearly scored 84) and the New York Island- short-handed when it was 5 AFP Kendrick fouled off a pitch, then “We never gave up,” Kendrick said of a the most runs in any inning of a playoff ers’ Jeff Norton (1987-88 to on 4. Los Angeles smacked a 97 mph fastball over the wall in Nats team that started the season 19-31. game. “I don’t know that I’ve seen that 1989-90). Amazingly, New Jersey center fi eld. “The city had faith in us, the fans had faith many guys hit in the fi rst inning that quick Armia, who was selected by picked up another two-man “You know what, it was electric,” said in us. We believed in ourselves, everybody in my entire life,” said shellshocked Braves Buff alo with the 16th overall advantage with 2:31 left in the he St. Louis Cardinals exploded Kendrick, whose massive shot atoned for came through for us.” manager Brian Snitker. pick of the 2011 NHL Draft, second, this time for the full for 10 runs in the biggest fi rst in- three fi elding errors in the series. “Prob- All the drama came early in Atlan- “I don’t know. It wasn’t how we drew it converted a short-handed two minutes. ning in Major League ably the best moment of my career.” ta, where Braves starting pitcher Mike up, I know that. playoff history on Wednesday, The Dodgers had seized the early ini- Foltynewicz – who pitched seven score- “That thing just kept rolling and we routingT the Atlanta Braves 13-1 to book tiative with homers from Max Muncy less innings in a game-two victory – re- couldn’t stop it.” a National League Championship Series and Enrique Hernandez. The Nats pulled tired just one batter before he was pulled The Cardinals’ 13 total runs matched showdown with the Nation- a run back when Soto singled in a run in in the fi rst frame. their total in the fi rst four games of the als. the sixth. Tommy Edman, Dexter Fowler and best-of-fi ve NL Division Series. The Nationals advanced with a 7-3 Their late-game turnaround gave the Kolten Wong each had two-run doubles, The Braves endured their 10th straight extra-innings victory over the Dodgers in Nationals a 3-2 win in the best-of-fi ve Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty walked playoff series defeat while the Cardinals Los Angeles, where Howie Kendrick belt- National League Division Series and de- with the bases loaded to force in a run, and wrapped up a 3-2 series win to reach the ed a grand slam in the 10th to complete nied the Dodgers – winners of a whopping St. Louis scored their fi nal run of the fi rst NLCS for the fi rst time since 2014. Washington’s rally from an 0-3 defi cit. 106 regular-season games – in their bid to on a strikeout when Braves catcher Brian Kendrick’s blast off Dodgers relief reach the World Series for a third straight McCann couldn’t corral a pitch in the dirt. PLAYOFFS RESULTS pitcher Joe Kelly came after Los Ange- year. (all series are best of five games) les’ three-time Cy Young Award-winner They fell in MLB’s championship show- ‘RELENTLESS’ Division Series Clayton Kershaw – pitching in relief – case to the Houston Astros in 2017 and to St. Louis sent 14 batters to the plate be- National League gave up home runs to Anthony Rendon the Boston Red Sox last year. fore Braves relief pitcher Max Fried fi nally At Atlanta and Juan Soto on back-to-back pitches in Instead the Nationals – who rallied ended the inning.”It’s hard to score 10 St. Louis Cardinals 13-1 Atlanta Braves the eighth inning. from a 3-0 eighth-inning defi cit to beat runs in an inning without hitting a home (St. Louis win series 3-2) With the score tied at 3-3, Kelly walked the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL wild run,” mused Cardinals manager Mike At Los Angeles Adam Eaton to lead off the 10th and Ren- card game – will battle the Cardinals for a Shildt. “But just great at-bats, relentless.” Washington Nationals 7-3 Los Angeles Marcus Johansson (left) of the Buff alo Sabres celebrates his don doubled before Soto was intentionally World Series berth in the NL Champion- In was the most ever runs in the fi rst in- Dodgers (10 innings) overtime game winning goal with Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel walked. ship Series starting on Friday. ning of a post-season game and tied for (Washington win series 3-2). (right) at KeyBank Center in New York. (Getty Images/AFP)

NFL Eagles start three-game trip in Minnesota Reuters is off to a good start with his new team, ceptions for 1,021 yards and nine TDs in New York rushing for 248 yards and four touch- 2018. Last week, whispers about Diggs downs on 53 carries (4.7-yard average). being unhappy in Minnesota became to Howard played his fi rst three seasons with circulate, and he fueled the speculation by ess than two years ago, the Min- the Chicago Bears, meaning the Minne- saying, there is “truth to all rumors.” nesota Vikings and Philadelphia sota defense has seen the physical back However, Diggs said Wednesday, “I Eagles were battling in the NFC plenty of times before. never said I was unhappy or uncom- Championship Game. On Sunday, “He’s very physical, he’s got really good fortable with my role. I said I wanted to Lthe Vikings will host the Eagles as both feet,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. win - that’s where my frustrations were. teams look to continue to rebound from “He runs with his pads forward, so you That’s where it kind of got misconstrued slow starts to the season. make contact with him on second-and-8 last week. I never said anything about the The Eagles (3-2) are on a two-game and it ends up being (like) second-and-4. comments y’all were saying, I moreso kept winning streak, having defeated the Green So we’re going to have to do a great job it focused on: I want to win. When I don’t Bay Packers two weeks ago and the New tackling him, being in the right place and win – when we don’t win, rather – I’m York Jets last weekend. The Philadelphia getting extra hats on the ball. He’s a physi- frustrated.” defense held the Jets to 128 total yards. cal, physical runner.” The Sunday game will be the fi rst of The Vikings (3-2) are coming off of a 28- Despite their success on the fi eld re- three straight road games for Philadel- 10 shellacking of the New York Giants in cently, the Eagles have been dealing with phia. According to NBC Sports’ Peter New Jersey. Minnesota quarterback Kirk the injury bug. Among the players who King, the NFL scheduled the three road Cousins had an excellent game, complet- did not participate in practice Wednes- games because the league anticipated the ing 22 of 27 passes for 306 yards and two day were wide receiver DeSean Jackson Philadelphia Phillies making the baseball touchdowns. (abdomen), defensive tackle Tim Jernigan postseason. The teams met last October in Philadel- (foot), cornerback Avonte Maddox (con- “I was excited, get on the road, three phia, with Minnesota pulling out a 23-21 cussion and neck) and cornerback Ronald great hotels,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson victory. Cousins was 30 of 37 for 301 yards, Darby (hamstring). said Monday. “I mean, it is what it is, hon- with Stefon Diggs making 10 catches for The Vikings would love to see an in- estly. We don’t get a chance to make the 91 yards and Adam Thielen snagging sev- crease in production from Diggs, who has schedule. We know who our opponents en balls for 116 yards and a touchdown. 16 catches for 253 receiving yards and one are. We just don’t know when and where Eagles running back Jordan Howard touchdown after he fi nished with 101 re- we play them.” Players of Philadelphia Eagles in action during their NFL game. Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 11, 2019 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT F1 drivers back race organisers Kipchoge ready to make right to bust 2-hour call on typhoon marathon barrier Kipchoge already holds the men’s world record for the distance with a time of 2hr 01min

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton pictured in Suzuka, Japan, yesterday.

Reuters after rain from the approaching Suzuka Typhoon Phanfone drenched the track. “But in my previous expe- ormula One drivers at this rience... they’ve always been weekend’s Japanese Grand quite safe with the conditions. Prix said they trust race They’ve always asked what we Forganisers to make the thought about the track once right call regarding any changes to we’re in the car. So, yeah, happy. the event schedule, with Typhoon We’ll see,” added the 21-year-old Hagibis threatening to disrupt Monegasque. Formula One is no tomorrow’s qualifying session at stranger to dealing with inclem- Suzuka. ent weather in Japan. In 2004 Ty- The tropical storm, categorised phoon Ma-on forced qualifying to as a ‘super-typhoon’, is predicted be postponed to Sunday. Another to be one of the most violent to hit storm in 2010 at Suzuka and in the region in recent years and ex- 2015 at the US Grand Prix similarly pected to strike the Tokyo area this delayed qualifying by a day. weekend. All track running for the local The 5.8-km Suzuka track, lo- Formula Four support category cated about 300km south-west of has been cancelled for the week- Tokyo, is expected to feel the brunt end, allowing Formula One more of it tomorrow, jeopardising the fl exibility in planning its schedule fi nal practice session and quali- if needed. “There is a forecast, but fying, which decides the starting how many times have forecasts order for Sunday’s race. changed?” said Ferrari’s four-time The storm’s approach has al- champion Sebastian Vettel. ready forced the cancellation of “Currently it sits at a 100% so two rugby World Cup matches. it’s quite clear. F1 organisers yesterday held off “It would make sense if by to- on a decision about whether to morrow (Friday) at night, there is cancel tomorrow’s racing, saying more evidence to give a proposal, they were working to minimise or take an action for Saturday.” disruption to the weekend timeta- Five times world champion ble and keeping a close eye on the Lewis Hamilton, who leads Mer- advance of the storm, with safety cedes teammate Valtteri Bottas by the top priority. 73 points in the overall standings “I think it’s pretty clear if the with fi ve races left, said he was typhoon is going to come here sure organisers were prepared. there’s no way we can drive,” said “I think they do the utmost they Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, whose can. I’m sure they already have godfather Jules Bianchi suff ered procedures in place to move it ultimately fatal head injuries in (qualifying) to the Sunday morn- AFP in Italy, fi nishing in a time of 2hr a crash at the 2014 Japanese race ing.” Vienna 00min 25sec. He says he is mentally strong- er now and he is “confi dent” that enya’s Olympic and he can get it “the second time”. F1 boss Todt hopes ‘one day’ to attend world champion Eliud “My training has been the GP race with Schumacher Kipchoge said yester- same, my coach has been the day he was confi dent of same, my management, every- Formula One boss Jean Todt said Grand Prix on television with him. I Kbusting the mythical two-hour thing has been the same. Now yesterday he remains hopeful that hope one day we can go together barrier for the marathon this the thinking is diff erent,” he “one day” he will be able to attend to attend a Grand Prix.” Almost no weekend, an achievement he said. a Grand Prix race with stricken information has filtered through ranks with man’s fi rst landing on “I feel more prepared. I feel former world champion Michael about Schumacher’s condition the moon. more ready.” Schumacher. Schumacher, 50, has since the accident in the French The 34-year-old will make Kipchoge will begin his run not been seen in public since suf- Alps, but in the opinion of re- the attempt tomorrow in Vienna between 5:00am (0300 GMT) fering catastrophic head injuries nowned neurologists, the former in a huge park where the path has and 9:00am — the exact time in a high-speed skiing accident in driver, technically out of a coma, is been specially prepared to make will only be set today — amid December 2013. in a vegetative state. it as even as possible. Two years favourable weather conditions: “There is no news other than the “We must accompany him in this ago he tried, and failed narrowly, very low wind speed, tempera- fact that Michael is fighting every fight, support his wife Corinna at Monza, Italy. tures of 5 to 9 degrees Celsius day to improve the situation,” who is a fantastic woman, who Kipchoge already holds the (41-48 Fahrenheit), and no rain, Todt told Italian daily newspaper cares for him, and their children. men’s world record for the dis- Eliud Kipchoge (white vest), world record holder and Olympic champion, poses with his dream team of according to organisers. La Repubblica. Todt — president We must help them by respecting tance with a time of 2hr 01min pacemakers in Vienna yesterday. The founder of the main of the sport’s ruling body, the their wishes to the maximum,” 39sec, which he set in the fl at sponsors, Ineos, British billion- International Motoring Federation continued Todt. Berlin marathon on September ing set up and paced the Inter- “no human is limited”. completely fl at and straight aire Jim Ratcliff e, is taking a per- (FIA) — was Ferrari director when “Michael is a racing legend. I’m not 16, 2018. national Association of Athlet- “The course is extreme- course, according to an analysis sonal interest in the challenge Schumacher won five of his seven saying it’s wrong to want to have But now, on a surface partly ics Federations will not validate ly good. I’m happy with the by sports experts at Vienna Uni- because he himself competes in world titles, and remains a close news about him, but it’s up to the retarred and prepared with other the time as a world record. course,” he said, adding he was versity. Ironman triathlons. friend to the German driver and family to decide what they want features such as a banked corner “Vienna is (about) run- trying to “stay as calm as possi- In total, he will only have to The world marathon record his family. to say or not.” Todt also regretted that can save time and avoid in- ning and making history in this ble” for tomorrow. descend 26 metres in altitude has, for the past 16 years, been “It’s clear that we all have to help that Schumacher’s visit to the jury, he is aiming to set a new world, like the fi rst man to go The 42.195-kilometre down and climb 12 metres, the contested uniquely between him and hope that there will be, Georges Pompidou European mark. He will be aided by pace- to the moon,” Kipchoge told re- (26.219-miles) stretch has been experts said. athletes from Kenya and Ethio- let’s say, steady progress,” contin- Hospital in Paris for stem cell makers, who are taking turns to porters yesterday at a press con- prepared so that it should take Kipchoge attempted the feat pia. The two nations are also ued the 73-year-old Frenchman. therapy last month had been support him. ference in the Austrian capital, him just about 4.5 seconds more in May 2017 on the Monza Na- fi erce rivals for distance medals “I’ve been telling the truth, I watch revealed. Because of way the run is be- adding he wanted to show that than a computer-simulated tional Autodrome racing circuit on the track.

BOTTOMLINE Putin: Russia complying with WADA demands

AFP presented by this organisation are Russian sports minister Pavel Ganus later told German maga- tampered with. If Russia chal- Moscow being fully complied with,” Putin Kolobkov insisted addressed “all zine Der Spiegel that Russia could lenges an eventual suspension told a sports conference in the city requirements”. expect “tough punishment”. by WADA the case will go to the of Nizhny Novgorod. But Yuri Ganus, head of the “The changes to the data are so Swiss-based Court of Arbitration resident Vladimir Pu- “Our athletes are, above all, Russian Anti-Doping Agency RU- big and signifi cant that it can’t be for Sport, whose decision will be tin said yesterday that concerned with ensuring that any SADA, this week lashed out at the an accident,” he said. binding on sports bodies includ- Moscow was comply- shortcomings relating to anti- country’s sports authorities, ac- An anti-doping source who ing the International Olympic Ping with all of the World doping issues remain in the past cusing them of manipulating data wished to remain anonymous Committee. Anti-Doping Agency’s demands, and that Russian athletes can before handing it over to WADA. meanwhile told AFP that the RUSADA had been suspended as Russia faces another possible compete on an equal footing,” he “Russian sports authorities... WADA teams “have scientifi c and for nearly three years over revela- ban in the build-up to the Tokyo said. have shocked the whole world technical evidence that data has tions of wrongdoing including a Olympics. Russia’s Athletics Federation once again with manipulations,” been erased from the databases systematic conspiracy to switch Russia stands to be declared has been banned from interna- he wrote in an open letter pub- transmitted” by Moscow. tainted samples at the 2014 Sochi non-compliant by WADA if it tional competition since 2015 lished this week on the RUSADA Russia handed over thou- Winter Olympics. fails to explain why evidence of over a vast state-run doping con- site. sands of fi les from its Moscow During its suspension by some positive tests handed over spiracy, and the International As- “Sports authorities should anti-doping laboratory in Janu- WADA, Russia was allowed by the by a whistleblower does not show sociation of Athletics Federations think about measures to reduce ary, fulfi lling a key condition for International Olympic Commit- up in data provided by Moscow’s last month extended the ban. Last Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech at a sports the impact of the impending new its reinstatement by WADA last tee to take part in the 2016 Rio Ol- anti-doping laboratory in Janu- month, WADA gave Moscow a conference in the city of Nizhny Novgorod yesterday. wave of the crisis...but in fact September. WADA has previous- ympics, but Russian competitors ary. three-week deadline to respond everything is being done the other ly warned that it would take the at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter “We are actively co-operating to what it said were “inconsisten- when state-sponsored doping On Tuesday the agency said it way round and is clearly extend- “most stringent sanctions” if any Games had to take part under a with WADA. The requirements cies” in the data from 2011-2015, was prevalent. had received a response, which ing the crisis for our sport.” of the data was found to have been neutral fl ag. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 7 SPORT

CRICKET TENNIS Djokovic, Federer progress to Agarwal hits ton Shanghai quarters

Reuters the best serving matches I had Shanghai lately.” Djokovic, the defending champion, will next play Greek orld number one sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsi- as India dominate Novak Djokovic pas who beat Poland’s Hubert produced a majes- Hurkacz 7-5 3-6 7-6(5) in the tic display in a 7-5 only three-setter of the day. W6-3 victory over American John Twice champion Roger Fed- Isner yesterday to extend his erer was far from his best but did winning streak in Asia and reach enough to overcome David Gof- the Shanghai Masters quarter- fi n 7-6(7) 6-4. Federer commit- fi nals. ted 40 unforced errors but saved South Africa Djokovic, who arrived in fi ve set points in the opening set. Shanghai after winning the Japan “I never really felt like I had the ‘THERE WERE PERIODS WHERE I WAS GETTING BOUNDARIES VERY EASILY’ Open in Tokyo over the weekend upper hand over David today, I without losing a set, did not drop thought he did a really good job. serve in the 75-minute encoun- He was so much better than at ter and clinically took both of the US Open,” Federer said of his his break-point opportunities Belgian opponent who he beat against the big-serving Ameri- in straight sets in last month’s can. Grand Slam. Those breaks came in a com- “I think he was very clear in manding period where, at 5-5 his shot selection... He was su- in the opening set, the 16-times per fast on his feet today which Grand Slam champion swung made it really hard for me to get the momentum of the match his my freebies and winners off the way by winning fi ve games in a baseline because he was getting row. to all of them.” “It’s always a big challenge re- The Swiss second seed will be turning the serve of Isner,” Djok- up against German fi fth seed Al- ovic said of his 6-foot-10-inch exander Zverev, who dispatched opponent. “He’s got one of the Andrey Rublev 6-0 7-6(4) in biggest serves of all time. With 84 minutes. Third-seed Daniil that height, the serve is a huge Medvedev also advanced with a weapon and huge advantage. 7-6(7) 7-5 victory over Canadian “I managed to read his serve Vasek Pospisil while fourth- and fi nd a good position on the seed Dominic Thiem recorded return at the end of the fi rst set a straightforward 6-3 6-4 win and also (at the) beginning of the over Georgian Nikoloz Basilas- second... I thought it was one of hvili.

India’s Mayank Agarwal (left) celebrates after scoring a century on the first day of second Test against South Africa at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, India, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Scorecard said. ting boundaries very easily, there were Pune, India “Try and get big runs in the fi rst in- periods where they bowled very good line nings... (that) could help us in case we and lengths and were testing the bouncer INDIA 1st innings don’t want to bat again. It could really put as well,” said Agarwal, who is playing his ayank Agarwal hit his second M. Agarwal c du Plessis b Rabada 108 pressure on the South Africans.” sixth Test since making his debut last Novak Djokovic hits a return during his third round match against John century in successive match- R. Sharma c de Kock b Rabada 14 Kohli, leading the Test side for the 50th year. Isner at the Shanghai Masters in Shanghai, China, yesterday. (AFP) es on the opening day of the C. Pujara c du Plessis b Rabada 58 time, reached his half-century with a Rabada also claimed Sharma, who second Test against South boundary off fast bowler Vernon Philan- edged the ball into the gloves of wicket- MAfrica yesterday and said his side should V. Kohli not out 63 der. keeper Quinton de Kock for 14 in the 10th Fognini says Murray just like him aim for a 500-run fi rst innings. A. Rahane not out 18 But Agarwal took the lead role despite over. The opener, who made a double centu- Extras (lb6, nb6) 12 being hit on the helmet from a bouncer That was a disappointment for Shar- ‘because he complains’ ry in India’s opening Test win, scored 108 by debutant paceman Anrich Nortje. He ma, who hit twin centuries in his fi rst run Total after the hosts elected to bat. (3 wickets, 85.1 overs) 273 went on to hit Nortje for three glorious off as Test opener in Visakhapatnam where Fabio Fognini said yesterday one accused 12th-ranked India were 273-3 when bad light forced Fall of wickets: 1-25 (R. Sharma), 2-163 drives in one over before lunch. India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match that Andy Murray and himself Fognini of shouting while he an early end to play, with skipper Virat (Pujara), 3-198 (Agarwal) The right-handed batsman put on series. are alike because they both played a critical point. Kohli unbeaten on 63 and vice-captain Bowlers: Philander 17-5-37-0, Rabada 138 runs for the second wicket with Rabada struck again to get Pujara, like to complain, after their The 32-year-old Fognini Ajinkya Rahane on 18. 18.1-2-48-3 (nb4), Nortje 13-3-60-0, Ma- Cheteshwar Pujara, who made 58, to caught again by du Plessis, just before tea. match at the Shanghai Masters attempted to play down the Kohli and Rahane put on 75 runs for the haraj 29-8-89-0, Muthusamy 6-1-22-0 steady the innings after the fall of Rohit Pujara, who was dropped by Temba Ba- descended into acrimony. row. “What do I have to say? I fourth wicket to thwart South Africa’s (nb2), Elgar 2-0-11-0. Sharma early in the day. vuma before he scored, hit a six and nine Bad blood boiled on Tuesday have to say something?” Fognini determined bowlers who kept them under He was eventually caught in the slips fours. Rabada returned fi gures of 3-48 in when the Italian defeated replied, asked by AFP what he pressure as the gloom crept in. by South African captain Faf du Plessis — 18.1 overs. the Briton in three bitter sets, made of Murray’s accusations. Agarwal, 28, said he was thrilled with ning the toss, batting fi rst and with one one of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada’s three Victory for India in the series will see during which Murray told “I don’t have to defend myself. his performance. batsman short, it’s a good thing to make wickets for the day. them beat the record of 10 straight home Fognini to “shut up”. The past is the past, I have “The team is in a good position, win- runs... 450-500 would be nice,” Agarwal “There were periods where I was get- series wins they share with Australia. Afterwards, the former number known him since we are 14.

FOCUS Faisal fi res Qatar to 20-run win over Jersey By Sports Reporter runs for an unbroken fi fth wicket, which Doha cemented Qatar’s position once again. Rizlan’s 29 not out had a six and two fours, while Ibrahim had two sixes in his pener Faisal Javed Khan cracked 20-ball unbeaten 27. Ben Stevens picked a fi ery 61 off just 31 balls as Qatar two for 17. beat Jersey by 20 runs in the fi rst Jersey struggled in the chase due to fi ne of the three Twenty20 Interna- bowling by Nouman Sarwar and Gayan tionalO matches series on Wednesday night. Munaweera. At the Asian Town Cricket Stadium, Qa- They took four wickets, including top- tar, asked to set the target, went about the scorer Nick Greenwood, to maintain pres- business through their openers who reeled sure on the visitors. Mohammed Nadeem off 96 runs in just 8.3 overs to lay the base and captain Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry for their challenging 179 for four. shared two to contain the rivals. Jersey found the going tough and could Greenwood struck two sixes and four not mount a serious pursuit, losing wickets boundaries in his 25-ball 42. Stevens and regularly and then getting restricted at 159 Nick Ferraby were the next best contributors for six. with 26 and 24, respectively. Faisal Javed Khan and Kamran Khan Qatar Cricket Association President You- looked in punishing mood right from the suf Jeham al-Kuwari watched the entire beginning. Striking the ball with power match and presented the man of the match and precision, they placed the home team award to Faisal Javed Khan for his stirring in a commanding position as they carried knock. them close to three fi gures. Just four runs before the coveted mark, Faisal was dis- BRIEF SCORES: missed by skipper Dominic Blampied for Qatar: 179 for four (Kamran Khan 32 in 61. 21 balls, Faisal Javed Khan 61 in 31 balls, The fall of Faisal, who smashed a six and Mohamed Rizlan 29 not out in 27 balls, nine fours in his 31-ball blitz, triggered a Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim 27 not out in 20 balls, collapse and Qatar lost three more wickets Ben Stevens 2/17) for 21 runs. Next best was other surviving Jersey: 159 for six (Nick Ferraby 24 in 27 opener Kamran, who slammed a six and balls, Ben Stevens 26 in 23 balls, Nick Green- four boundaries to get 32 in 21 balls. wood 42 in 25 balls, Nouman Sarwar 2/29, Mohamed Rizlan and Zaheeruddeen Gayan Munaweera 2/31) Ibrahim halted the skid and mustered 62 Man of the match: Faisal Javed Khan (Qatar). Qatar team with QCA president Yousuf Jeham al-Kuwari and other off icials.

Friday, October 11, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Qatar all set to host World Beach Games from today ‘The nature of this event provides us with an opportunity to show the world what Qatar has to off er as a leisure destination’

By Sports Reporter Doha

he fi nishing touches have been made to the venues, and many of the 1,300 athletes have ar- rived for the inaugural ANOC TWorld Beach Games Qatar 2019, which gets underway today and will run until October 16. Almost 100 countries will be com- peting across four specially created venues that will host Olympic medal- lists, world champions and many of the leading names in each of the 13 con- tested sports. The action begins today with the fi rst matches in beach handball and beach soccer taking place at Al Gharrafa Beach Venue from 9am. Europe has the largest representa- tion with 35 countries fi elding athletes, while 21 countries from Asia and 19 from the Americas will also participate. Athletes from a total of 17 countries from Africa and fi ve from Oceania will also participate in the games. At the offi cial pre-event press con- ference today, held at the Qatar Olym- pic Committee, Local Organising Com- mittee Director General, Jassim Rashid FROM LEFT: DG Assistant of Suport Services Khaleel Ebrahim al-Jabir, Local Organising Committee Director General Jassim Rashid al-Buenain, ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg, DG Assistant of al-Buenain, said: “Qatar, as you know, operations Ali Ghanim al-Kuwari attend a press conference yesterday ahead of the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil has an impressive track record for host- ing world-class sporting events, be- committee to consider these games for cause of the vision and support of the what they are,” said Lindberg. Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh “It is not the Olympic Games, we Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. don’t want big or long ceremonies – we “The fi rst ANOC World Beach Games want the athletes to have fun. I am sure represents another landmark occasion the ceremony will be nice but not ex- for Qatar. The nature of this event pro- travagant, but I don’t know the details,” vides us with an opportunity to show she added. the world what Qatar has to off er as a The competition programme in- leading leisure destination. Our venues cludes a mix of beach, water and ac- have been carefully selected with this in tion sports with 3×3 , kitefoil mind, ranging from the stunning beach racing, open water swimming (5Km), front location of Kattara Beach, where aquathlon, karate individual kata, most of the action will be centred, to beach wrestling, beach tennis, beach the clear waters of Legtaifi ya Lagoon. soccer, beach handball, beach volley- “Whilst I am looking forward to ball, bouldering, skateboarding, water- watching some of the world’s best ath- ski jump and wakeboard all expecting letes in their sports competing for 350 world-class fi elds. medals, what particularly excites me General, Gunilla Lindberg, said: “We Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) is the prospect of seeing so many cul- would like to express our thanks to His has been named the offi cial partner of tures and nationalities coming together Highness the Amir, the State of Qa- the games while Katara Cultural Village for a celebration of fair play. Sport has tar and everyone at the Qatar Olympic and Aspire Zone Foundation are the of- the power to unite like nothing else, so Committee (QOC) for their warm hos- fi cial venue partners. The offi cial spon- I urge those travelling here this week pitality. In just three months they have sors are: Baladna, the largest dairy pro- to celebrate humanity in the best way achieved a huge amount and we have no ducer in Qatar; Mowasalat, a leading possible. There will be awe-inspiring doubt this will be a fantastic event. transportation company in Qatar; and highs, and heart-breaking lows, but at “We have athletes from nearly 100 Bornan, the prominent international the end of the day we will all join hands countries in Qatar guaranteeing that sports technology company. as one Olympic family. We have free ac- this will be a truly global celebration The offi cial suppliers include: cess for the fi rst World Beach Games. of beach, water and action sports. We Xtreme Marine, a major supplier of All spectators are more than welcome cannot wait for the Games to begin and boats and boats maintenance; Sports to attend and enjoy this experience,” watch some of the world’s best compete Corner, a top brand in sports apparel added al-Buenain. on this global stage for the fi rst time.” and equipment, and Al Rawda, the The opening ceremony is due to take The ANOC secretary-general has foremost Qatari water company. place at the 5,000-capacity Katara also promised a ‘nice’ opening cer- Following the Games, the ANOC Amphitheatre, close to the beach, to- emony for the inaugural World Beach General Assembly will take place on morrow at 7:30pm. ANOC Secretary Games. “We have asked the organising October 17 to 18. Qatar beach handball team will take on Croatia at 10:30am and Hungary at 8:30pm today at the Al Gharafa Beach venue.

QATAR 2019 MEDAL DRAWS FOCUS INSPIRATION FROM THE OCEAN Star studded fi eld at World Beach extravaganza Doha: The 350 medal winners at essence has been a priority. the ANOC World Beach Games “These games are symbiotic lympic medallists, global Others to watch are Nicolas Parlier Qatar 2019 will be awarded one of with nature, and our mission has champions and most of the SCHEDULE (France), a triple Kitefoil Racing world the most distinctive medal designs been to create the first multisport world’s top names in each of champion (2017-2019), and Daniela

ever. Shaped like an ocean pebble, event that leaves positive impacts the 13 contested sports com- Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Moroz (USA), a four-time world cham- pleteO a stellar fi eld that is expected to pionship’s gold medallist; Emmanuel the medals include engravings on local environments and local of marine life found all over the communities. These innovative dazzle at the inaugural Association of Lejeune (Belgium), the Aquathlon 2018 globe – dolphins, crabs, coral and medals symbolize both the suc- National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Champion; Beach Tennis No 1 various fish. cess of the elite athletes, and our World Beach Games Qatar 2019 from players Nikita Burmakin (Russia) and The medals were inspired by harmonious relationship with the October 12-16. Giulia Gasparri (Italy); Cory Teunissen beach sport’s beautiful connec- environment.” said ANOC Secre- The Local Organising Committee (AUS), a multi-medallist in Water Ski/ tion to nature, and capturing that tary General Gunilla Lindberg. (LOC) announced that among the 1,300 Wakeboard; and Martin Kolman (CZE) athletes from 97 countries who have the reigning world champion in Water qualifi ed to participate, are the 2012 Ol- Ski/Jump. ympic silver medallist in the 10km of the The 1st ANOC World Beach Games Open Water Swimming Haley Anderson Qatar 2019 is the latest in an impressive of the USA and Georgia’s Dato Marsa- list of prestigious multi-sport events gishvili, who won bronze in wrestling that have been held in Qatar, including (84kg) at the London Olympics. Be- the Asian Games in 2006 and Pan Arab sides Anderson, Open Water Swimming Games in 2011. will also feature 2019 world champions Fans will be able to watch live stream- Kristof Rasovszky (Hungary) and Ana ing of competitions on the offi cial web- Marcela Cunha (Brazil). Three sports site – www.awbgqatar.com – launched from the Tokyo Olympic Games pro- for the inaugural event. gramme will be contested in Doha: 3x3 The organisers, in collaboration with Basketball, Skateboarding, and Sport Bornan Sports Technology, has also Climbing. launched the offi cial Games app, AWBG The Bouldering’s line-up includes the 2019, designed to enhance fan experi- 2018 world champion Kai Harada (Japan) ence and keep them up-to-date on the the world’s No 3, Sean McColl (Canada), latest scores from the inaugural event. and this year’s World Championships The app, which can be downloaded on bronze medallist, Shauna Coxsey, from Google Play and the Apple Store, focuses Great Britain. Sport Climbing is about on providing fans with access to real- to make its Olympic debut in Tokyo, as time information, right at their fi nger- is Skateboarding which in Doha will fea- tips, wherever they are in the world. The ture the 2019 Worlds winner HeImana user-friendly and personalised app fea- Reynolds (USA) as well as Sky Brown, tures on-demand information regard- Great Britain’s 11-year-old wonder girl, World’s Best Female in 2018, will be in won the silver medal at this year’s World ing every aspect of the Games, includ- who won bronze three weeks ago at the spotlight in Beach Soccer, one of the Championships and punched their tick- ing, results, information about athletes, the World Skate Sao Paulo Park World most popular summer team sports. et for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. teams and NOCs, the event calendar, Championships. Another discipline which is set to The Latvian squad is led by Karlis Las- medal standings, and more. Mauricinho (Brazil), the 2017 World’s make its Olympic debut in Tokyo next manis the world’s No 2, Nauris Miezis The app is optimised for both iPhone Best Player and his successor, Llorenç year is 3x3 Basketball. Present at the and Agnis avars. The US team is cap- and Android smartphones, and gives Gómez, from Spain, along with Russia’s ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 tained by Dominique Jones, the fi fth fans instant access to the latest Qatar Athletes train at Katara ahead of the ANOC World Beach Games. Marina Fedorova, who was named the will be the mighty Latvian team who best ranked player in FIBA rankings. 2019 information and feature content.