BASEBALL | Page 5 CRICKET | Page 6 Dodgers draw Pakistan fi rst blood in should trust World Series youth, says Cubs’ rematch Malik
Monday, October 16, 2017 MOTORCYCLING Muharram 26, 1439 AH Dovizioso wins GULF TIMES Japan Grand Prix to cut Marquez lead SPORT Page 2 TENNIS Federer makes short work of Nadal to win Shanghai title ‘It’s been a tough week, five straight matches is always a test and a challenge for anybody’s body’
AFP in sets two and three and now these two Shanghai sets here today. “In a way not surpris- ing because I felt good all week... I was ready.” oger Federer said he “saved the Federer, fondly known as “Cow” in best for last” after he beat great China for his laid-back personality, rival Rafael Nadal for the fi fth started the better in grabbing the break time in succession to win the and then rattled through his own service ShanghaiR Masters yesterday. game for 2-0. The surprisingly one-sided 6-4, 6-3 Federer, a 19-time Grand Slam cham- victory over the world number one from pion, was in full fl ow under the Qizhong Spain brought a 94th title for the Swiss Tennis Center roof, which was closed legend, drawing him level with the great because of downpours in Shanghai. Ivan Lendl. Nadal, 31, fresh from winning the US Nadal, who admitted afterwards that Open and China Open, groaned while he had been defeated by the better man lashing many of his shots while Federer on the night, was ahead in their over- was all quiet effi ciency. all head-to-head record going into the Somewhere in the stadium somebody clash — 23 wins to Federer’s 14. rattled a cow bell and Federer responded But this time he was up against it al- by making it 4-2 with two booming aces most right away. in a row. Number two Federer put the Spaniard In contrast, Nadal — a 16-time Grand under the cosh in breaking him in the Roger Federer of Switzerland Slam winner who has never won the fi rst game, to roars of approval from the gestures after beating Rafael Nadal Shanghai Masters — was labouring majority inside the arena. of Spain in their final match at the through his service games. Another break to 36-year-old Federer Shanghai Masters tennis There were suggestions that Federer in the fi fth game of the second set put tournament yesterday. might not be quite as fresh as his young- him in reach of a second Shanghai Mas- er foe, having been pushed to three sets ters crown — and a sixth title in 2017. a day earlier in the second semi-fi nal Federer, who has been managing his against Juan Martin del Potro. schedule to wring the best out of his The timeless Federer rubbished that ageing body, said he had improved as the notion as he seared his way to a 5-3 fi rst- week went on and felt he hit peak form set lead. just when it mattered. Nadal sent down his fourth ace for “It’s been a tough week, fi ve straight 5-4, only for Federer to seal the set with matches is always a test and a challenge his seventh ace of the match. for anybody’s body, especially with the There was little between the great ri- pressure rising,” he said. vals in the early exchanges of the second “I felt I was playing well all week and set until the fi fth game. that settled my nerves because I was re- Nadal saved the fi rst break point but turning well from the match here against could not survive the second one, to put (Diego) Schwartzman (in his opener). Federer in touch of the title. “The serve only got better and I saved Nadal’s defeat sees Federer close the the best for last — I played some great gap at the top of the world rankings as matches, against (Juan Martin) del Potro the year approaches its climax.
FOOTBALL El Arabi’s 4-goal blitz powers Duhail past Ahli By Sports Reporter Doha Results
Al Duhail 6 (Yousef El Arabi 26, 54, 64, pen, ousef El Arabi played the dem- 68; Msakni 39, Nam Tae-hee 90+1) Al Ahli 1 olition man to perfection with ( Christian Nazarit 46) a four-goal blitz as Al Duhail Al Rayyan 4 (Hamdallah 2, Attia OG 26, Ythrashed Al Ahli 6-1 in the Tabata 71, Soria 79) Al Markhiya 1 (K. QNB Stars League yesterday. Karikari 80) The Moroccan striker, who along with Al Sadd 3 (Janpour 24, Bounedjah 62, al- Korean Nam Tae-hee was instrumental Haydos 86) Qatar SC 1 (Tayebi 60) in Lekhwiya winning their fi fth title last year, proved far too good for Al Ahli to contain, making a mockery of their de- cheer about. fence at regular intervals and scoring at Earlier, former champions Al Rayyan will. produced a slick performance to beat Al He opened the account for Al Du- Markhiya 4-1. hail in the 26th minute and added three Michael Laudrup’s boys picked up full more in the second half (54, 64-68) points through goals from Abderrazzaq while Yousef Msakni 39 and Nam Tae- Hamdellah (second minute), Mahmoud Morteza Janpour struck against Qatar hee 90+1) scored once each to complete Attiya (own goal, 26th), Rodrigo Tabata Sports Club. the formalities. (71st) and Sebastian Soria (79th). Christian Nazarit reduced the mar- Striker Kwame Karikari reduced the captain’s armband, tried to control gin for Al Ahli in the 46th minute but the defi cit for Al Markhiya in the 80th an aerial cross inside the Al Markhiya that was little consolation for them lan- minute. box. In the process, the ball got knocked guishing as they in the second-last spot With star striker Rodrigo Tabata, re- into the net by Attiya resulting in an own with just one point from four matches. cuperating from a surgery, on the bench goal. Duhail’s emphatic win took them to 12 at the start of the game, Al Rayyan, Tabata, who was brought in at the points from four matches and they now coming off a 3-5 loss to Al Duhail in the start of second half, underlined Al Rayy- lead Al Sadd on goal diff erence, while previous round, wasted little time in an’s domination by netting their third Umm Salal are third with 10. Rodrigo Tabata returned from injury to scoring the opening goal. Hamdellah’s goal in the 71st minute after a cross from Meanwhile, Al Sadd also maintained score for Al Rayyan. superbly-taken free-kick found the Hamdellah. their unbeaten run, easing past Qatar back of the net. Eight minutes later, Tabata spotted Sports Club 3-1. made it 2-0 with a thundering 35-yard Al Rayyan then added a bit of bite Soria in the Al Markhiya box and the tall Iranian pro Morteza Janpour put Al shot in the 62nd minute and al-Haydos into their attack, this time through Mo- striker clipped the ball into the top cor- Sadd ahead in the 24th minute with a made good of a Xavi pass in the 86th to hamed Ali, whose bullet was parried by ner to round off the Lions’ tally. fi ne header from close following a great put the result beyond doubt. goalkeeper Mohamed Khuroob. Al Markhiya’s consolation came in pass from Hassan al-Haydos on the left. Mohamed Tayebi’s 60th minute goal Al Rayyan doubled the lead in the the form of Karikari, who tapped the ball Yousef El Arabi (R) celebrating one of his four goals against Al Ahli yesterday. The prolifi c Baghdad Bounedjah then for Qatar SC gave them something to 26th minute when striker Soria, wearing into the Al Rayyan goal from close. Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 16, 2017 SPORT
MOTORCYCLING TENNIS Dovizioso wins Sharapova fi ghts to claim Japan thriller to fi rst title since cut Marquez lead doping ban Dovizioso made a blistering start from ninth on the grid as he joined Marquez in chasing down early leader Danilo Petrucci.
Maria Sharapova of Russia holds her trophy after beating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Tianjin Open yesterday. Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso of Italy (L) celebrates after finishing ahead of Honda rider AFP solved when she won four games in a Marc Marquez of Spain (R) during the Japanese Tianjin, China row to go 4-1 up. Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Sharapova’s coach Sven Groeneveld Tochigi prefecture, yesterday. urged her to use the body serve, and ive-time Grand Slam winner momentum immediately shifted as she Maria Sharapova was made to held the next game and then edged a fi ght by 102nd-ranked teenager nine-minute game seven to wrestle it Aryna Sabalenka at the Tian- back on serve. Fjin Open yesterday before winning her Sabalenka angrily slammed her rac- AFP daring lunges to recapture the lead, “Marc was behind me but I closed Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone and Alex fi rst title since her 15-month doping quet down as she double-faulted to be Motegi, Japan the triple world champion entering the door and made it very diffi cult for Rins with former champion Jorge ban. broken for a third time and with Shara- the penultimate lap in front. him to overtake me. Fighting Marc is Lorenzo’s Ducati sixth and Aleix Es- The former world number one, who pova serving at 6-5, the Belarusian But just when it looked as though always big tension,” he added. “But pargaro seventh on his Aprilia. returned to action in April, came from overcooked a forehand to hand over the ucati’s Andrea Dovizioso Marquez would hang on for his third this was important for the champi- French rookie Johann Zarco fin- behind in both sets and needed four set. stunned world champion successive victory, the Spaniard suf- onship. I know it will be very diffi cult ished back in eighth for Yamaha af- championship points in the tie-breaker The second set followed a similar Marc Marquez on the fi nal fered a last-lap wobble, allowing to win the title but we will try right to ter a dismal start from pole, while before beating the 19-year-old 7-5, 7-6 pattern and Sabalenka was 5-1 up be- lap to win a rain-soaked Dovizioso to pounce for the race- the end.” Maverick Vinales now trails Mar- (10/8). Sharapova clasped her hands to fore Sharapova reeled her in, breaking JapaneseD Grand Prix and blow the winning pass at turn 11. Marquez, chasing a fourth world quez by a daunting 41 points after her chest in delight as she absorbed the three times — and saving a set point MotoGP title race wide open yester- As Dovizioso fl ashed by to snatch title in fi ve years, paid tribute to the finishing ninth and realistically feeling of winning her 36th tour title along the way — before serving for the day. a breathtaking win, it triggered wild winner. looks out of it. and fi rst in more than two years since match at 6-5. The Italian pipped Marquez’s Hon- celebrations in the Ducati garage. “It was amazing today, I enjoyed Seven-time champion Valentino the 2015 Italian Open. But a double fault from the Russian da by 0.25 seconds in a classic dogfi ght “I knew I had a last chance at the the battle,” said the Spaniard. “The Rossi, who is continuing his return Sharapova, 30, was contesting the took it to a closely contested tie-break, at Motegi to record his fi fth victory back straight, turn 11, but he was two guys that are fi ghting for the from a double leg fracture, dumped seventh tournament of what has been where Sharapova held championship of the season, cutting the Spaniard’s pushing and the tyres were fi nished,” championship fi ghting until the last his Yamaha in the gravel on lap six, an injury-plagued and controversial points four times before fi nally sealing championship lead to 11 points with said Dovizioso. corner.” ending his race. comeback since testing positive for the it after two hours and fi ve minutes. three races left. “I did a perfect corner at turn 10 “I made a few mistakes — Motegi is banned substance meldonium in early Sharapova, whose ranking has Dovizioso made a blistering start and he made a mistake so I was able one of the circuits where I have strug- MotoGP Results (top 10) 2016. dropped to 86, has been playing on from ninth on the grid as he joined to catch him.” gled a lot for some years,” added Mar- 1. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) ...... 47:14.236 She exchanged 11 breaks of serve wildcards this season. Her return has Marquez in chasing down early leader Marquez still kept coming but quez, already looking ahead to next 2. Marc Marquez (Honda) ...... +0.249 with the Belarusian, who has yet to win proved divisive, with some rivals in- Danilo Petrucci. Dovizioso kept his cool to take the week’s race in Australia. 3. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) ...... +10.557 a WTA trophy, before fi nally clinching sisting she shouldn’t be back on tour The title rivals sped past Petrucci’s chequered fl ag, suggesting he could “I knew the Ducati was faster on 4. Andrea Iannone (Suzuki) ...... +18.845 it in the tie-breaker when the teenager at all. Ducati midway through the race be- take the title race down to the wire. the back straight, even in the braking 5. Alex Rins (Suzuki) ...... +22.982 put a forehand return long. She now heads to next week’s Krem- fore going wheel-to-wheel in a nail- point. At this circuit I knew he would 6. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) ...... +24.464 In a tight fi nal of high-decibel lin Cup in Moscow for the fi rst time biting game of cat and mouse as rain ‘BIG TENSION’ be very, very strong. But now we go 7. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) ...... +28.010 shrieking, Sabalenka was broken in the since 2007, after also being given a made track conditions treacherous. “I knew that in the last two corners to other tracks that I normally enjoy 8. Johann Zarco (Yamaha) ...... +29.475 opening game but any expectations wildcard to play in what is her home Twice Dovizioso roared past Mar- anything could happen,” said the Ital- more.” 9. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) ...... +36.575 that she would roll over quickly dis- tournament. quez — and twice Marquez produced ian. Petrucci fi nished third, ahead of 10. Loris Bas (Ducati) ...... +48.506
SPOTLIGHT MacIntyre wins QGL Golf Tournament Pavlyuchenkova beats Gavrilova in Hong Kong
Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (L) poses with the winner’s trophy after her victory over Australia’s Daria Gavrilova (R) in the Hong Kong Open final.
AFP hour) and heavy rain, had passed close Linz to the southern Chinese city earlier yesterday. Much of Hong Kong came to a near-standstill for most of the day, nastasia Pavlyuchenkova of delaying the singles fi nal which had Russia defeated Australia’s originally been scheduled for a 4.30pm Daria Gavrilova 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 start. (7/3) to win the WTA Hong Meanwhile, Czech Barbora Strycova KongA title yesterday. The weather-de- beat Magdalena Rybarikova in straight Don MacIntyre emerged victorious in the Golf Tournament organised by Qatar Golf Lovers at the Doha Golf Club over the weekend. Akbar Boghani was layed fi nal fi nally began at 9.18pm local sets in the fi nal at Linz yesterday to declared runner-up in the tournament in which 40 golfers participated. Jamie Davis won the ‘longest drive’ award while Prakash Iyer won the ‘closest to rope’ time after a near fi ve-hour delay. claim her second WTA Tour title. The prize. Aaron Lee won the ‘closest to pin’ and ‘longest putt’ awards. QGL hosted a gala awards function after the event. Typhoon Khanun, packing winds of 31-year-old eased to a 6-4, 6-1 victory 155 kilometres per hour (97 miles per in Austria against top seed Rybarikova. Gulf Times Monday, October 16, 2017 3 FOOTBALL
LA LIGA Atletico-Barcelona ‘spectacle’ overshadows political backdrop Suarez salvages a point for Barca to cancel out Niguez’s stunning first-half strike for Atletico
AFP Madrid
layers and coaches of both Atletico Ma- drid and Barcelona hailed the atmos- phere at Atletico’s Wanda Metropoli- tano on Saturday night as the thrills of Pa 1-1 draw drowned out fears the match would be overshadowed by political tension sweeping across Spain. Barca’s previous match was played behind closed doors as a protest to a violent police crackdown on an independence referendum in Catalonia, deemed illegal by the Spanish gov- ernment, on October 1. The Catalan giants’ visit to the Spanish capital was marked by a wash of Spanish fl ags and chants of “Viva Espana” (long live Spain), but fans at the 68,000 capacity were more enthralled by action on the fi eld. Luis Suarez salvaged a point for Barca nine minutes from time to cancel out Saul Niguez’s stunning fi rst-half strike for Atletico. “It was a great game, in a great atmosphere, in a great stadium and we take it as a good point despite the fact we wanted to win,” said Barca coach Er- nesto Valverde. “What we like is playing and enjoying our- selves in a spectacular atmosphere like today,” added Barca captain Andres Iniesta, who has called for dialogue between politicians on both sides of the independence debate. “We played very well against a great team and what counts is that football is a spectacle.” Atletico only moved into the Metropolitano last month, but the stadium, which will host next season’s Champions League fi nal, has quickly received rave reviews. “The stadium was marvellous,” said Atletico boss Diego Simeone. “It was a great night of football for everyone
POINTS TABLE (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points): Barcelona 8 7 1 0 24 3 22 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi runs with the ball as Atletico Madrid’s Juanfran chases him during the Spanish La Liga match at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on Saturday night. (Reuters) Real Madrid 8 5 2 1 15 7 17 Atletico Madrid 8 4 4 0 13 5 16 with two great teams.” wins. “More than for the journey, he was more points behind the leaders. Barca defender Ger- wastefully wide 19 minutes from time. Sevilla 8 5 1 2 9 4 16 Both Simeone and Valverde also agreed that worn out from the tension accumulated in the ard Pique, an outspoken supporter of Catalo- However, after another outstanding Oblak Valencia 7 4 3 0 15 7 15 Lionel Messi was the star of the show once games, but Leo always responds and we know nia’s right to self-determination, was loudly save to deny Suarez, Barca’s pressure was re- Real Betis 7 4 1 2 14 11 13 more, despite failing to add to his 17 goals this the respect he demands from the opposition,” jeered every time he touched the ball. However, warded when Sergi Roberto picked out an un- Real Sociedad 8 4 1 3 19 17 13 season for club and country. added Valverde. “When he gets the ball there is Antoine Griezmann was also driving Pique to marked Suarez at the back post and his down- Villarreal 8 4 1 3 11 10 13 Messi only arrived back in Barcelona late on always the sensation anything can happen.” distraction as he nutmegged the Spanish inter- ward header had too much power for Oblak. Leganes 7 3 2 2 5 3 11 Thursday after rescuing Argentina’s fl ounder- Real Madrid closed to within fi ve points of national to bear down on goal only to be denied And Suarez should have won the game two Athletic Bilbao 8 3 2 3 10 9 11 ing World Cup qualifying campaign with a stun- Barca with victory at Getafe earlier on Satur- by a stunning stop from Ter Stegen. minutes from time when he failed to connect Levante 8 2 4 2 8 10 10 ning hat-trick in the altitude of Quito, Ecuador day, but Valverde was still content with Barca’s The German stopper was helpless on 21 min- with Andre Gomes’s teasing cross. Espanyol 8 2 3 3 7 11 9 on Tuesday to ensure his presence at next year’s response to going behind. “We go away with utes when Saul cut inside onto his supposedly Celta Vigo 7 2 2 3 13 11 8 showpiece in Russia. a positive feeling. We have to value the point weaker right foot before unleashing a drive into RESULTS Getafe 8 2 3 3 10 9 8 “Evidently that journey didn’t tire him out against a great opponent, who went in front, the bottom corner from 20 yards. Eibar 0 Deportivo la Coruna 0 Deportivo Coruna 8 2 2 4 9 16 8 too much,” said a smiling Simeone. “Messi was and when Atletico go in front they manage that Barca went onto dominate possession, but Girona 1 (Stuani 40) Villarreal 2 (Bakambu 9, 20) Eibar 8 2 1 5 3 17 7 extraordinary. Every time the ball went through advantage well. had to wait until 10 minutes into the second half Played Saturday Girona 8 1 3 4 7 13 6 him there was danger.” “Their tight defensive lines near their area to force Oblak into a save when Suarez stung the Athletic Bilbao 1 (Vesga 43) Sevilla 0; Getafe 1 Las Palmas 7 2 0 5 5 13 6 Messi hit the post and saw a free-kick saved by made it diffi cult in the fi rst half. In the second, Slovenian’s palms from outside the box. (Molina 56) Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 39, Ronaldo Alaves 8 1 0 7 3 12 3 Jan Oblak with the last kick of the game as Val- we created chances with more clarity and that Seconds later a brilliant Messi sent a curling 85); Alaves 0 Real Sociedad 2 (Oyarzabal 77, Malaga 7 0 1 6 4 16 1 verde’s men had to settle for a point after open- push and spirit in the second half got us a point.” free-kick off the outside of the post and then Elustondo 81); Atletico Madrid 1 (Saul Niguez 21) ing their league campaign with seven straight Atletico move up to third but remain six fi red his best chance of the match uncharacter Barcelona 1 (Suarez 81); Espanyol 0 Levante 0
SERIE A BUNDESLIGA Wolfsburg Torino, Atalanta lose ground as Napoli pull clear earn draw at Leverkusen
DPA Berlin
olfsburg twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen in the WBundesliga yesterday. The result leaves both sides in the lower half of the table, with Leverkusen 12th on nine points, and Wolfs- burg 14th, a point behind. It was the fourth successive draw for Wolfsburg since Martin Schmidt took over as coach. Lars Bender put Leverkusen ahead in the 29th minute but Wolfsburg were level a minute before the break when Divock Origi rose high to head in a Paul Verhaegh cross. Lucas Alario made it 2-1 Napoli players celebrate after their win over Roma in the Serie A at Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday night. (Reuters) for the home side in the 61st POINTS TABLE minute but the Wolves respond- AFP 12th. Torino settled for a point at Cro- missed a late penalty as the Turin gi- six minutes from time — kept Roma ed eight minutes later through Milan tone with Lorenzo De Silvestri nodding ants lost at home for the fi rst time since hopes alive. But a second defeat at (plyd, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points): Jakub Blaszczykowski. in the equaliser two minutes into in- August 2015 — ending a run of 38 wins home against a big team after Inter Mi- Napoli 8 8 0 0 26 5 24 jury time. Torino are now eighth, with and three draws for the six-time con- lan gives Eusebio Di Francesco a lot to Juventus 8 6 1 1 21 7 19 RESULTS orino lost ground on the Serie Bologna moving just ahead with a 2-1 secutive Serie A winners. Napoli go fi ve think about before next week’s Cham- Lazio 8 6 1 1 21 10 19 Bayer Leverkusen 2 (L. Bender 29, A leaders yesterday after a 2-2 derby win over SPAL. points clear of the six-time reigning pions League trip to Chelsea. Inter Milan 7 6 1 0 14 3 19 Alario 61) Wolfsburg 2 (Origi 44, draw at Crotone as Atalanta Earlier French striker Cyril Thereau champions who are now equal on 19 Roma 7 5 0 2 14 5 15 Blaszczykowski 69) also slipped up with a 3-1 de- scored in either half to get Fiorentina points with Lazio and Inter Milan, who ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS: Sampdoria 7 4 2 1 11 9 14 Played Saturday Tfeat at Sampdoria. Despite qualifying back to winning ways with a 2-1 suc- were playing city rivals AC Milan late Fiorentina 2 (Thereau 28, 57) Udinese 1 Bologna 8 4 2 2 8 8 14 Bayern Munich 5 (Schuster 8-og, for the Europa League this season and cess over his former club Udinese. Bra- last night. Lorenzo Insigne scored early (Samir 72) Torino 8 3 4 1 14 13 13 Coman 42, Thiago 63, Lewand- earning a win over Everton and a draw zilian defender Samir pulled one back at Rome’s Olympic stadium as Napoli Crotone 2 (Rohden 25, Martella 64) Torino AC Milan 7 4 0 3 10 10 12 owski 75, Kimmich 90+3) Freiburg at Lyon, Atalanta are struggling in Se- on 72 minutes as Udinese fought back maintained their perfect start with an 2 (Falqué 53, De Silvestri 90+2) Chievo 8 3 3 2 9 9 12 0; Hoff enheim 2 (Huebner 52, rie A. Bryan Cristante opened with a in the second half. eighth win in as many games. Bologna 2 (Poli 30, Salamon 49-og) SPAL 1 Fiorentina 8 3 1 4 12 11 10 Uth 85) Augsburg 2 (Gregoritsch 21st minute goal in Genoa only for Gi- It was a third win of the season for Napoli were pushed hard by Roma (Antenucci 88) Atalanta 8 2 3 3 13 13 9 75, Vogt 89-og); Hertha Berlin 0 ampiero Gasperini’s side to concede Fiorentina who have suff ered four de- in the second half after Insigne struck Sampdoria 3 (Zapata 56, Caprari 59, Udinese 8 2 0 6 13 15 6 Schalke 2 (Goretzka 54-pen, Burg- three in a 12-minute second half spree feats in eight games and move to 11th on 20 minutes with the only goal of the Linetty 68) Atalanta 1 (Cristante 21) Cagliari 8 2 0 6 6 14 6 staller 78); Mainz 3 (Maxim 2, Bell for Sampdoria. Duvan Zapata got the two places ahead of Udinese. game, making the most of the misfor- Cagliari 2 (Pavoletti 48, João Pedro 79- Crotone 8 1 3 4 6 14 6 52, Latza 58) Hamburg 2 (Walace equaliser on 56 minutes with Gianluca Napoli pulled clear at the top of Se- tune of Roma skipper Daniele De Rossi pen) Genoa 3 (Galabinov 8, Taarabt 35, Genoa 8 1 2 5 8 13 5 9, Salihovic 90+2-pen); Hanover Caprari pulling the Genoa outfi t ahead rie A on Saturday by beating Roma to fi re in past Alisson for the 100th club Rigoni 75) SPAL 8 1 2 5 7 14 5 1 (Sane 36) Frankfurt 2 (Haller 10, three minutes later and Karol Linetty 1-0 with Ciro Immobile’s second-half goal of his career. Sassuolo 0 Chievo 0 Sassuolo 8 1 2 5 4 15 5 Rebic 89); Borussia Dortmund sealing victory on 65 minutes. brace for Lazio condemning cham- Two Edin Dzeko headers — the fi rst On Saturday: Juventus 1 (Costa 23) Lazio Verona 7 0 3 4 3 16 3 2 (Aubameyang 4, 64-pen) RB Sampdoria move up to sixth place pions Juventus to a fi rst home defeat, cleared by Pepe Reina after 70 minutes 2 (Immobile 47, 54-pen) Benevento 7 0 0 7 2 18 0 Leipzig 3 (Sabitzer 10, Poulsen 25, with the side from Bergamo now in 2-1, in over two years. Paulo Dybala and the second which fl ew over the bar Roma 0 Napoli 1 (Insigne 20) Augustin 49-pen) Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 16, 2017 FOOTBALL
PREMIER LEAGUE Australia unity call as dates set for Rooney rescues Everton, play-off
Sydney: Australian football chiefs called for unity as the dates were confirmed for their World Cup play-off Gabbiadini saves Saints against Honduras, with the team rattled by reports coach Ange Postecoglou Toff ees once again looked poor for long periods and remain without an away win since January could quit. A brace from veteran striker Tim Cahill in AFP a 2-1 win over Syria last week London POINTS TABLE moved the Socceroos a step closer to a place at the 2018 (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, Russia tournament. ayne Rooney came to Ron- points): They now need to negoti- ald Koeman’s rescue as the Man City 8 7 1 0 29 4 22 ate a home-and-away play- Everton striker’s last-gasp Man Utd 8 6 2 0 21 2 20 off against Honduras — the penalty salvaged a 1-1 draw Tottenham 8 5 2 1 15 5 17 fourth-placed team from Wat Brighton, while Manolo Gabbiadini’s Watford 8 4 3 1 13 13 15 the CONCACAF federation. brace gave Southampton a 2-2 draw Chelsea 8 4 1 3 13 8 13 Football Federation Australia against Newcastle yesterday. Arsenal 8 4 1 3 12 10 13 said yesterday FIFA had con- Everton boss Koeman was on the Burnley 8 3 4 1 8 6 13 firmed the first leg will be at brink of another damaging defeat after Liverpool 8 3 4 1 13 12 13 a yet-to-be-decided venue in Anthony Knockaert put Brighton ahead newcastle 8 3 2 3 9 8 11 Honduras on November 10, eight minutes from full-time at the Southampton 8 2 3 3 6 8 9 with the return tie in Sydney Amex Stadium. But Brighton captain West Brom 7 2 3 2 6 8 9 on November 15. Bruno was penalised for fouling Do- Huddersfield 8 2 3 3 5 9 9 Postecoglou has declined minic Calvert-Lewin in stoppage-time Swansea 8 2 2 4 5 8 8 to confirm or deny reports and Rooney stepped up to score the cru- Brighton 8 2 2 4 6 10 8 that he plans to step down cial equaliser. West Ham 8 2 2 4 8 14 8 after the critical Honduras “We are in a diffi cult situation but it’s Everton 8 2 2 4 5 13 8 showdown, overshadowing one thing to come out of this and show Stoke 8 2 2 4 9 18 8 preparations. FFA chief Dav- fi ght like we did today,” Koeman said. Leicester 7 1 2 4 9 12 5 id Gallop urged the country “At least we got one point, a point well Bournemouth 8 1 1 6 4 12 4 to get behind the team in deserved. We were mostly the better Crystal Palace 8 1 0 7 2 18 3 its most important match team. My whole football life is pressure, in years. “There hasn’t been if I don’t get pressure from outside I put the goalkeeper. Gabbiadini whipped a more important match pressure on myself.” the equaliser through the legs of Javier played in Australia since our While Koeman will be relieved to Manquillo and into the bottom corner in last Intercontinental play-off avoid a fi fth defeat in Everton’s last six the 49th minute. against Uruguay 12 years Premier League games, the Toff ees once Perez restored the Magpies’ lead two ago,” he said. again looked poor for long periods and minutes later, reacting fastest to For- Local media have said remain without an away win since Jan- ster saving his initial shot by squeezing Gallop was unaware of uary. The under-fi re Dutchman tried to in the rebound from the angle. With 15 Postecoglou’s intentions solve Everton’s goalscoring problems by minutes left, Newcastle’s Florian Leje- when reports broke about restoring Rooney to the attack, but until Newcastle United’s Isaac une needlessly fouled Shane Long and his potential departure last the penalty the former England captain Hayden celebrates with Gabbiadini drilled in the spot-kick. week, leaving him furious hardly had a sniff of goal. DeAndre Yedlin (left) after as he scrambled to find Koeman’s frustration looked like scoring against Southampton PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS out the facts. Reports said turning to despair when Jose Izquierdo’s yesterday. (Reuters) Brighton 1 (Knockaert 82) Everton 1 (Roon- Postecoglou had become drive rebounded into the path of Knock- ey 90-pen); Southampton 2 (Gabbiadini 49, increasingly restless, fed up aert, who smashed it past Jordan Pick- 75-pen) Newcastle 2 (Hayden 20, Perez 51) with criticism after a string ford to give the hosts the lead in the 82nd Played Saturday of mediocre results, and minute. But Bruno’s clumsy elbow into Burnley 1 (Wood 85) West Ham 1 (Antonio wanted to get back into club the neck of Calvert-Lewin in the penalty 19); Crystal Palace 2 (Azpilicueta 11-og, coaching overseas. area earned Everton a reprieve as Roon- Zaha 45) Chelsea 1 (Bakayoko 18); Liver- ey stepped up to roll in the spot-kick. pool 0 Manchester United 0; Manchester FIFA GRANTS EXTRA At St Mary’s, Southampton were City 7 (Jesus 17, 55, Sterling 19, D. Silva 27, DAY FOR NEW ZEALAND, heading for a third straight league defeat Fernandinho 60, Sane 62, B.Silva 79) Stoke PERU PLAY-OFF when Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez put 2 (Diouf 44, Walker 47-og); Swansea 2 (Ab- New Zealand and Peru’s Newcastle ahead in each half. But Gab- could also lose it,” Southampton man- because we could have won.” with the fi rst goal coming in the 20th raham 42, 48) Huddersfield 0; Tottenham intercontinental World Cup biadini hit back twice to celebrate his ager Mauricio Pellegrino said. “As a Pellegrino played under Benitez at minute. 1 (Eriksen 47) Bournemouth 0; Watford 2 play-off will begin in Wel- fi rst start in more than a month. manager I don’t like this sort of game.” both Valencia and Liverpool, then later Christian Atsu’s driven eff ort was (Deeney 71-pen, Cleverley 90+2) Arsenal 1 lington on November 11 with “It was a chaotic game. We conced- Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez added: joined the Spaniard’s coaching staff at blocked by Maya Yoshida, but with (Mertesacker 39) an extended four-day break ed a couple of soft goals. In the last 20 “I have to be happy because we have Anfi eld. There was nothing to separate Fraser Forster already diving to his left, Playing today: Leicester v West Brom before the return match in minutes we could win the game but we drawn, at the same time disappointed the old friends in a hard-fought clash, Hayden’s fi rst-time shot wrong-footed (1900 GMT) Lima, according to dates released yesterday. The two-legged play-off SPOTLIGHT has been extended by a day to take into account the huge distance between the two countries. The delayed second leg means Chelsea in a ‘diffi cult moment’, admits Conte the playoff between the Oceania champions and the AFP player in your team has an injury too like Victor and be positive.” fifth placed team from South London Moses. I hope to have him back very soon because Palace claimed their fi rst league goals of the sea- America will determine the this moment is very diffi cult for us. To lose three or son after losing their fi rst seven matches, with Ce- 32nd and final qualifier for four players, it’s a big problem for us. But, despite sar Azpilicueta’s own-goal setting them on their next year’s World Cup in ntonio Conte admits Chelsea are going this, we have to fi nd the will to fi ght. We want to way and Wilfried Zaha tying up the win on the Russia. through a “diffi cult moment” after the try and be competitive in all competitions, but it stroke of half-time after Tiemoue Bakayoko had With time diff erences Premier League champions crashed to won’t be easy.” equalised. taken into account, the two a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Crystal Pal- Questions have been raised about the depth of Roy Hodgson’s side remain at the foot of the legs will be played almost ace.A The loss left Conte’s side nine points adrift of Conte’s squad this season and the Italian added: “I table and while the Palace manager was relieved five days apart. The first leaders Manchester City and the pain was com- think the situation is very clear and everyone can to get off the mark, he rejected the suggestion the match will be played in the pounded by a hamstring injury to Victor Moses see that situation. I repeat: my job is to be focused club’s season had fi nally taken off . “In terms of the New Zealand capital Welling- that will rule the wing-back out of Wednesday’s on my work with my players, and to try and do our season starting, I don’t embrace that idea. I don’t ton with the return fixture Champions League meeting with Roma. best. Now, I repeat, for sure it’s not an easy mo- subscribe to it. A championship is 38 matches. in Lima. Moses joins Chelsea midfi elder N’Golo Kante ment for us. But I think that, in this moment, it’s Each is its own particular story,” he said. New Zealand, who have on the sidelines, but Blues boss Conte is hopeful important to fi nd a solution. Don’t look for excus- “Sometimes it’s a good story — we’d like to read never played Peru before, striker Alvaro Morata will be fi t to return after sit- es. Through work, fi nd a solution. You know I don’t that chapter again — but next Saturday is another have been to the World Cup ting out the visit to Palace with a hamstring prob- like to lose. Imagine when you lose two games in a story. Just because we won the game today, de- on two occasions, in 1982 lem. Chelsea have lost their last two league games row. For sure, my soul today is bad. servedly against a very good team, doesn’t mean and in 2010, while Peru have after the Palace setback followed a damaging de- diffi cult moment,” he said. “When you start a game “For sure, it will be very diffi cult for me to sleep. we’ll win against Newcastle or West Ham. Back to qualified for four finals but feat to Manchester City before the international without Morata and without Kante, it’s not simple. But I think we must have the same sensation, me square one. We need to realise what we did well to- not since 1982. break. “I think, in this moment, for us it’s a very Above all if, during the game, another important and my players, to change things in the next game day and then work on it.”
ROUND-UP Nigeria put Abraham snub behind them, seek new strikers igeria have moved on since Swansea ences and will one day move on from Manches- until June 2019, which he said in September he City striker Tammy Abraham opted to ter United to coach elsewhere, he told weekly would run down rather than renew. play for England even though they are French television show Telefoot in an interview shopping for strikers since qualifying aired yesterday. The former Porto, Chelsea, MOROCCO TO HOST CHAN Nfor next year’s World Cup in Russia. President Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach refused to be Morocco will replace Kenya as hosts of the 2018 of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju drawn directly when asked if he would soon be African Nations Championship (CHAN), or- Pinnick spoke of a “positive” meeting in Lon- working at Paris Saint-Germain however. ganisers announced yesterday. The emergency don with the young striker, whose father is Ni- “What I can tell you is that I’m a coach with committee of the African Football Confedera- gerian, and his agent to change his international concerns, with ambitions and desires to do tion (CAF) met Saturday in Lagos and unani- allegiance to Nigeria after he has represented new things,” the 54-year-old Portuguese said mously decided to give Morocco the green light England at age-grade levels. in slightly halting but fl uent French. “I’m sure ahead of Equatorial Guinea. However, just hours after that announce- that I will not end my career here (at Manches- A third candidate, Ethiopia, was not con- ment, Abraham himself put out a statement ter United),” he said. sidered because it did not provide a letter of saying he will consider a future with England “The other day my son decided to go and guarantee from its government. Original hosts instead. Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has watch a match in Paris rather than Manchester. Kenya fell behind with fi ve-venue preparations now said he is not bothered the England U-21 Why Paris? Because right now Paris has some- for the biennial 16-team tournament, which striker will not consider a future with Nigeria. thing special. There’s a magic about the place, runs from January 12-February 4, leading them Abraham has scored four goals in the Premier youth and quality. It’s fantastic.” to be stripped of the hosting rights last month. League this season for Swansea on his loan Paris Saint-Germain secured the services Morocco have not hosted a senior CAF com- deal from champions Chelsea. “Rohr is not of Brazil’s Neymar and new French wonderkid petition since the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations. losing sleep over Tammy Abraham’s decision Kylian Mbapppe this summer and boast a star- They were scheduled to stage the same event to play for England instead of Nigeria,” said allegiance to Nigeria after he has played for celona star’s wife Antonella Rocuzzo confi rmed studded line up. The Parisians experienced in 2015, but withdrew fearing visiting sup- Eagles spokesman Toyin Ibitoye. “Things might England in age-grade levels. He made his of- yesterday. “Family of 5 #Blessed,” Rocuzzo something of a hiccup last season, letting slip porters could bring the deadly Ebola virus into change in the future, but the man is not worried fi cial debut against Zambia earlier this month. posted on Instagram alongside a picture of a fi rst leg 4-0 lead to Barcelona in the quarter- the north African kingdom. Equatorial Guinea over Tammy’s decision and won’t be losing And in recent times, Victor Moses and William Messi and the couple’s two sons Thiago (four) fi nals of the Champions League and having to successfully replaced Morocco at short notice, sleep over him. The coach is focused on looking Troost-Ekong also changed their international and Matteo (two). Messi, 30, and Rocuzzo, watch Monaco romp to the French title. having co-hosted the Cup of Nations with for players who are ready to play for Nigeria out allegiances. 29, got married in their native city of Rosario, While many thought their Basque coach Unai Gabon three years earlier. CHAN is restricted to of their own volition. He said he is looking for Argentina, in July. Emery would be fi red the club kept faith in him, home-based footballers, giving them interna- players who are ready to give him 200 % when MESSI TO HAVE THIRD CHILD but his contract runs out in June. Mourinho, tional exposure otherwise largely denied be- they play for the national team.” Five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi MOURINHO HAILS MAGICAL PSG who once worked at Barcelona as coach Bobby cause most African national squads are packed Last month Chelsea’s Ola Aina, switched is to become a father for the third time, the Bar- Jose Mourinho will always seek new experi- Robson’s interpreter, has a contract with United with professionals playing in Europe. Gulf Times Monday, October 16, 2017 5 SPORT
MLB NHL Los Angeles Kings beat Sabres 4-2 Dodgers draw fi rst By Curtis Zupke levelled by former teammate Los Angeles Times Jordan Nolan in Nolan’s fi rst game against the Kings. No- lan received a standing ovation ith great pow- during a video tribute, and er comes great former Kings assistant coach comeback ability. and current Buff alo assistant The Los Ange- Davis Payne was also recog- blood in World Series Wles Kings’ power play was like nized. a slot machine that hadn’t paid Buff alo’s fi rst strike repre- off in weeks. It got good looks sented its fi rst goal at Staples in the fi rst three games of the Center since 2010. The Kings season but found itself 0-for- carried a string of four straight 16 going into Saturday. home shutouts against Buf- It came alive just in time. falo – all 2-0 scores – into Down by a goal, the Kings Saturday. But the Kings woke rematch against Cubs stormed back on the Buff alo up from another slow start and Sabres with man-advantage controlled play by the end of ‘He was exceptional in every way. He put us on his back today with his pitching’ goals by Dustin Brown, Tyler the second period. Alex Iafallo Toff oli and Drew Doughty for a did his part with an adrena- 4-2 win at Staples Center. line-fi lled game that spilled Doughty’s one-timed point into over-zealousness with a shot with two minutes re- second-period holding penalty maining was the game winner, and subsequent post-whistle with Brown in front of the net shot into Buff alo’s net that to disrupt the opposition. quickly drew a crowd of Sabres. “It sounds stupid, (but) Iafallo, from Eden, N.Y., were really happy with the way played against his hometown the power play was going,” team for the fi rst time and Doughty said. “We were get- admitted beforehand he was ting really good chances. We jazzed. He grew up a Buff alo just weren’t scoring. Tonight, fan and listed former Sabres we decided to stick to the same Chris Drury and Derek Roy things. We didn’t want to among his favourite players. change anything up. The puck “Right in the backyard, go just fi nally went in for us.” after school to the game, hop Brown scored his fourth goal over,” Iafallo said. on an in-close backhand swipe At the other end of the spec- of the puck in the second pe- trum was Cammalleri. He has riod to help tilt the game. Tof- seen scant playing time, es- foli’s pinpoint snap shot high pecially late in games, and lost on Buff alo goalie Robin Lehner his spot on the second power- more than seven minutes into play unit just three games into the third period gave the Kings the season. What do the Kings a 2-1 lead. need to see from him to get Cheers from the an- more ice time? nounced crowd of 18,230 fans “I think Cammy is a guy that dissipated two minutes later usually ends up around the when Buffalo’s Jack Eichel puck a lot, and I think he ends scored on a second-effort up winning a lot of puck bat- drive to the net. It could have tles, stick battles and creating been a different score earlier a lot of scoring chances with if not for a remarkable stick his hockey intelligence and save by Jonathan Quick on his tenacity,” Kings coach John Seth Griffith early in the sec- Stevens said. “That’s kind of Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (centre) celebrates with third baseman Justin Turner after defeating the Chicago Cubs in game one of the 2017 NLCS playoff series at ond period. what we’re looking for.” Dodger Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports “When he’s doing stuff like that, we can bear down on our RESULTS AFP and Chris Taylor. Puig homered 100 percent perfect,” Maddon starting pitcher Justin Verlander. The ball barely eluded Judge, scoring chances,” Toff oli said Penguins 4 Panthers 3 Los Angeles to lead off the bottom of the sev- said. “I could not disagree more Correa smacked a 3-ball, and a young fan in the fi rst row of of Quick. The day began with Maple Leafs 4 Canadiens 3 (OT) enth, sending the Dodger Sta- with the interpretation of that.” 2-strike fastball from Aroldis seats defl ected it into the stands. two notable lineup changes. Flyers 8 Capitals 2 dium crowd in to a frenzy. Taylor, who started the season Chapman into the right center- “I love that kid,” Hinch said, “I Defenseman Alec Martinez Lightning 2 Blues 1 asiel Puig homered and “He loves the big stage, and in the minor leagues, had put the fi eld gap to score Jose Altuve want to leave that kid tickets. was activated from injured Devils 3 Rangers 2 drove in another as the his only focus is helping us con- Dodgers up 3-2 in the sixth with from fi rst base. An offi cial review off ered no reserve and made his season Jets 2 Hurricanes 1 Los Angeles Dodgers tinue to win baseball games,” a homer off Cubs relief pitcher Altuve raced around the bas- grounds for overturning the debut, while veteran Michael Stars 3 Avalanche 1 rallied to beat the World Dodgers manager Dave Roberts Hector Rondon. es, scoring when Yankees right play, and even Yankees manager Cammalleri was scratched. Blue Jackets 5 Wild 4 (OT) SeriesY champion Chicago Cubs said of the mercurial Cuban. Albert Almora’s two-run fi elder Aaron Judge made his Joe Girardi acknowledged there Martinez’s debut took a Blackhawks 2 Predators 1 (OT) 5-2 to open their Major League “So right now he’s playing at a homer off Clayton Kershaw in relay throw toward the middle was no camera angle that con- rough start. He was left back to Bruins 6 Coyotes 2 baseball playoff series. high level, and not only the fans, the fourth inning had staked the of the infi eld and catcher Gary fi rmed fan interference. defend a two-on-one in which Flames 5 Canucks 2 The Dodgers, sent packing by but his teammates are feeding off Cubs to a 2-0 lead. Sanchez couldn’t grab the sub- The Yankees answered with Eichel fl oated a pass that Zem- Kings 4 Sabres 2 the Cubs in last year’s National of it.” The Dodgers responded in sequent throw to home. an even stranger play. With two gus Girgensons tapped into Islanders 3 Sharks 1 League Championship Series, Charlie Culberson followed the fi fth. After Cubs starter Jose outs in the fi fth, Verlander gave the net. Martinez was also Senators 6 Oilers 1 took a 1-0 lead in the best-of- with a double, and after Taylor Quintana gave up back-to-back Verlander ‘exceptional’ up back-to-back doubles to seven NLCS with game two set singled, raced home on a single walks to Logan Forsythe and Verlander worked nine in- Aaron Hicks and Todd Frazier. for Sunday at Dodger Stadium. from Justin Turner. Austin Barnes, Puig doubled to nings, allowing one run on Frazier’s caught in a fence Patriots rookie Langi involved in car accident The winner of the series will Culberson was ruled out at score one run and Culberson’s fi ve hits with one walk and 13 in left-centerfi eld and Hicks play either the Houston Astros home plate, but that call was fl y scored Barnes. strikeouts. scored on a ground-rule double. Foxborough, United States broadcaster ESPN reported. or the New York Yankees for the overturned on review, with ma- Kershaw lasted fi ve innings, He threw 124 pitches – 93 of But Verlander regrouped, and New England Patriots rookie On the off icial injury report, the major league crown. jor league offi cials saying Con- giving up four hits with four them for strikes – and held off the Yankees could make no more Harvey Langi and his wife were Patriots listed Langi as out for The Astros took a 2-0 lead in treras violated the home plate strikeouts. He retired the last the Yankees to give the Astros a inroads against him. involved in a three-vehicle ac- Sunday’s game at the New York the American League Champi- collision rule by illegally block- six batters he faced before the chance to rally. “It’s defi nitely one of the most cident Friday when they were Jets with a back injury. onship Series with a 2-1 win over ing his path to the plate. Dodgers went to their bullpen. “He was exceptional in every satisfying starts I’ve had in my rear-ended by another car, the “We are aware of the traff ic ac- the Yankees in Houston on Incensed Cubs manager Joe Kenley Jansen recorded the way,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch career,” Verlander said. NFL team announced Saturday. cident involving Harvey Langi Saturday. Maddon burst from the dug- last four outs for the save. said of Verlander. They Yankees will try to The chain-reaction accident and a passenger last night in The Dodgers received a pre- out to argue and was promptly In Houston, Carlos Correa fol- “He put us on his back today bounce back when they host sent five people to the hospital Foxborough,” the Patriots said game blow when a back injury to ejected. lowed a homer with a walk-off with his pitching.” game three on Monday. and involved serious injuries in a statement. “Our thoughts Corey Seager forced the All-Star Maddon said Wilson had no double for the Astros. In the fourth inning, Correa but there were no details re- are with Harvey, the Langi fam- shortstop off the NLCS roster. choice but to move toward the Correa’s ninth-inning eff ort turned a 99-mph (159.33Km/h) RESULTS garding the 25-year-old Langi’s ily and those who sustained But they managed fi ne with- baseline to catch the ball. ensured the Astros capitalized fastball from Luis Severino for a Astros 2 Yankees 1 injuries, American sports injuries in last night’s accident.” out him, with homers from Puig “His technique was absolutely on a stellar performance from home run to right. Dodgers 5 Cubs 2
NBA LeBron counts on revamped Cavaliers roster AFP you shouldn’t have signed here.” blend the talent into a team over an 82- Washington New Cavs guard Dwyane Wade, 35, was game campaign to peak for the playoff s. the 2006 NBA Most Valuable Player and “You’re a part of a team and you’re go- is an ex-Heat teammate and long-time ing to have to sacrifi ce something to be eBron James will have an over- James pal while new backcourt part- here,” Wade said. “This is all about win- hauled Cleveland Cavaliers sup- ner Derrick Rose, 29, was the 2011 MVP ning. It’s comforting. No matter what porting cast this season as he tries but has been nagged by knee injuries for everyone’s role is, when you’re on the to reach an eighth consecutive years. fl oor you fi gure it out. And we’ll be fi ne.” LNBA Finals and again dethrone Golden Wade averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 re- Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is confi - State as champion. bounds and 3.8 assists with Chicago last dent his revamped roster can mystify ri- Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player season. vals and become formidable off ensively. James won two titles in four seasons with “I think he brings another champi- “With the starting lineup, they all can the Miami Heat and begins his quest to onship DNA, championship pedigree,” push it out on the break if they rebound match the feat with Cleveland tomor- James said of Wade. “He brings another the basketball,” Lue said. “Guys who can row when the 2017-18 campaign opens playmaker who can get guys involved and make plays, good cutters, good slashers. against visiting Boston and ex-Cavs make plays and also just has a great bas- We also can space the fl oor. We have a lot teammate yrie Irving. ketball mind.” of weapons. We’ve just got to put them all The Cavs lost to Golden State in the Former Cavs guard Irving, who aver- together so they all play well together.” 2015 fi nals but took revenge by winning aged 25.2 points and 5.8 assists last sea- the 2016 crown, James fulfi lling his vow son, was traded to Boston in a deal that ‘Peanut butter and jelly’ to bring a title to Cleveland, only to watch brought over starting forward Jae Crow- James compared the versatility of the Golden State add Kevin Durant and roll der and guard Isaiah Thomas, who isn’t rebooted Cavaliers to his Heat squads. to the title last season with a 16-1 playoff expected to play before January due to an “We have the versatility and the ability mark. injured right hip. to fl y around with the athleticism that we Several clubs made roster changes de- Everyone must sacrifice have and the IQ we have as well,” he said. signed to challenge the Warriors, with the Shifting roles have meant Kevin Love “We can do a few diff erent things de- Cavs adding experience and talent at the taking a center spot rather than serving as fensively. When things break down, when risk of becoming an older team with in- a forward and two more returning stand- you have versatility and you have speed, it jury concerns. outs, Smith and forward Tristan Thomp- allows you to cover for mistakes.” But in the end, they remain powered son, have been relegated to reserves. Wade snubbed several other off ers to by “King” James, whose fi nals streak is “It’s not about who starts the game,” play again alongside James, saying they unlike anything seen in the NBA in half a said Thompson. “It’s about who is in the go together “like peanut butter and jelly.” century. “We all know who the big dog is, game in the fourth and who is fi nishing “I look forward to playing alongside my so everybody else has got to get in where it.” brother LeBron,” he said. they fi t in,” Cavs guard J.R. Smith said. “If The Cavs, who also added 36-year-old “We’ve already won two champion- you’re going to come in here with an ego, Spanish guard Jose Calderon, must now ships together and I hope we win a third.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 16, 2017 SPORT
SPOTLIGHT Pakistan should trust in youth, says Malik
FP and the way they took wickets ask the batters to take some re- Abu Dhabi in the middle overs during the sponsibility.” Champions trophy it helped us “The top six batters managed beat top teams and here too they 96 between them. One batter got akistan’s experienced bowled well and got us wickets 53 and you are not going to get batsman Shoaib Ma- we needed,” said Malik. too many,” said Pothas of Lahiru lik believes youngsters Fast-rising paceman Hasan Thirimanne who scored a half should be given the Ali – declared player of the century. Pchance to carry a winning mo- Champions trophy with 13 wick- The remaining matches will mentum into the second day- ets – fi nished with 3-36 while be played in Abu Dhabi (October night international against Sri left-armer Rumman Raees took 18) and Sharjah (October 20 and Lank in Abu Dhabi today. 3-49 to derail Sri Lanka. 23). Malik’s swashbuckling 61-ball Pakistan will retain the same The two teams will also play 81 and a return to form 103 by combination despite opener three Twenty20 internationals, Babar Malik lifted Pakistan to Ahmed Shehzad failing to score two in Abu Dhabi (October 26 292-6 in the fi rst one-day in Du- on Friday. and 27) while the last is sched- bai on Friday before they kept Sri Sri Lankan coach Nic Pothas uled for Lahore on October 29. Lanka to 209-8 for a 83-run win. is demanding his players snap a Sri Lankan players had shown The match was Pakistan’s fi rst losing streak of eight consecu- reservations over going to La- since winning the top eight na- tive games. hore for security fears and a fi nal tion Champions Trophy in Eng- “We have not been very good decision is expected later this land in June this year. in this format for a while now,” week. Malik said youngsters are de- said Pothas, a former South Af- Pakistan Cricket Board has veloping fast. rican wicket-keeper. “We have been endeavouring to bring in- “It’s important to give young- to fi nd answers and fi nd them ternational cricket back amidst sters consistent chances and by quick.” improved security in the coun- doing that we develop them and Pothas wants his batsmen to try. the team does well,” said Malik, deliver. Pakistan have been forced to declared man-of-the-match on “From a batting point of view, play its home games in United Friday. the currency of your batting is Arab Emirates since 2009 ter- Malik said Pakistan has a po- runs. If you don’t keep making rorists’ attacks on the Sri Lankan tent bowling attack. them, the shop is going to close team bus suspended interna- “We have good fast bowlers down at some point. We have to tional cricket in the country.
CRICKET HOCKEY India beat Pakistan to top Pool A in Asia Cup Smith hails Stokes’ IANS before unleashing a powerful Dhaka drive to make it 1-0. After that, Pakistan had to face a barrage of counter- ndia defeated arch-rivals attacks from India. But they Pakistan 3-1 to top Pool A didn’t succumb. Pakistan in Asia Cup at the Maulana earned their second penalty Bhashani National Hockey corner in the 20th minute but ability, criticises IStadium here yesterday. it still didn’t give them the Chinglensana Singh (17th equaliser. minute), Ramandeep Singh India then mounted further (43rd minute) and Harman- pressure on Pakistan but to no preet Singh (45th) scored for avail. At the beginning of the India. For Pakistan, Ali Shan third quarter, Pakistan’s Abu scored the reducer in the Mahmood and Muhammad fourth quarter. Rizwan Sr were yellow carded off -fi eld behaviour India will now move into for indisciplined defending. the second round of Super But India failed to make the ‘There’s no doubt Stokes is one of the best players around the world at the moment’ 4s where the top teams from most of their numerical ad- both the pool will play in vantage. Reuters round-robin format before Pakistan too launched a Sydney the knockouts. Pakistan, with couple of counter-attacks. In BEN STOKES four points, also advanced to one instance, India goalkeep- the second round. Earlier in er Akash Chikte had to rush ustralia captain Steve the day, Japan outclassed hosts ahead to deny Akbar Waqas. Smith says England’s Bangladesh to boost their tally Interestingly, Indian got Ben Stokes is “one of to four points. And it meant their second goal when Paki- the best players” in the that Pakistan knew that even stan were back playing with 11 worldA but he cannot condone if they lose against India, the players. A long pass from right the behaviour that led to the margin of defeat should not be midfi eld from Harmanpreet at all-rounder being arrested for nine in order to jeopardise their the Pakistan post was touched an altercation outside a Bristol chance of making it to the sec- by an unmarked and diving Ra- nightclub. ond round. manpreet in the 43rd minute. Stokes, 26, is England’s vice In their last two encounters, Two minutes later, India captain and one of their most Pakistan had conceded 13 goals doubled their advantage af- important players, but his par- combined against India. ter drag-fl icker Harmanpreet ticipation in next month’s Ashes But this time, Pakistan marked his fi fth goal of the series against Australia has been played competitive hockey tournament as he fi red to the thrown into doubt after he was from the very beginning. In left corner of the post to make released under investigation fol- the fi rst quarter, they did re- it 3-0. lowing the incident. ally show to India that they Ali reduced the goal dif- Smith would not be drawn, can cause trouble. They earned ference to two when he fi red however, on whether Stokes a penalty corner in the 14th home a rebound after a block should be banned from playing minute but the Indian defence from Chikte off Umar Bhutta’s in the series. “Whether he comes was up to the task. attempt at goal. or not, that’s out of our control,” India, who had not created However, India didn’t let Smith told ABC Grandstand in a proper goal-scoring chance Pakistan come back into the his fi rst public comments on in the fi rst quarter, got the lead match and pressurised them Stokes’ situation. in the 17th minute. Akash- with three penalty corners in “You always want to come up deep Singh stole a ball in the the late minutes. Harmanpreet against the best and test your left midfi eld and played it to & Co., however, failed in con- skills against the best. That’s a surging Chinglensana, who verting them and India won what Test cricket is all about. raced to the top of the circle the game 3-1. There’s no doubt Ben Stokes is one of the best players around the world at the moment with the skills he brings to the game.” Charlo KOs Lubin to retain crown The fi ve-Test series starts in Jermell Charlo claimed bragging rights in the 154-pound divi- Brisbane on November 23 and sion on Saturday with a stunning first-round knockout of chal- Smith said he hoped no Austral- lenger Erickson Lubin to retain his World Boxing Council title. ian players ever found them- Charlo floored Lubin with a powerful short right hand at 2:41 selves in the same situation as of the round to win the matchup of unbeaten fighters at the Stokes. Barclays Center arena in New York. “It was a right uppercut, “I certainly don’t condone couldn’t been right hook,” Charlo said. “He was dipping down that kind of behaviour,” he and he ran right into the shot.” added. “Hopefully it never hap- Charlo, 27, improved to 30-0 with 15 knockouts with the sec- pens to one of our boys. I don’t ond defence of his super welterweight title. condone that type of behaviour. The 22-year-old Lubin suff ered the first loss of his career, fall- Let’s hope we never cross paths ing to 18-1 with 13 KOs. The build up to the fight included some with that.” harsh words exchanged between both camps. Charlo said the hostility helped motivate him. “They said they was going to take my title,” said Charlo. “It is something I put my life on the Australia’s Warner gearing up for Ashes battle with England line for, something my kid loves. I have to defend it.” Lubin fell to the canvas and tried to get up but couldn’t. He Australia opener David Warner as quick as you can. I try and look media and at the time I thought it stayed down for about a minute before being helped to his has fired a salvo ahead of the Ashes in the opposition’s eyes and try was a great thing to come out and corner. “I am fine,” Lubin said. “He caught me with a blind shot against England, likening the series and work out ‘how can I dislike this speak what I said,” he added, in refer- and I didn’t see it coming. It happens. It is boxing.” to a “war” and saying the hosts player, how can I get on top of him?’ ence to his comments during the last Charlo said he wants to unify the 154-pound titles and if he has would work up some “hatred” for “You have to delve and dig deep into Ashes held in Australia, which the a choice he would like to fight International Boxing Federation their opponents to get in the right yourself to actually get some hatred hosts won 5-0. champ Jarrett Hurd who made his first title defence earlier frame of mind. about them to actually get up when “I have no regrets about that and Saturday with a 10th round stoppage of veteran Austin Trout. Warner also said he did not regret you’re out there. History is a big part I think that could have played a “Give me another title. Hurd just fought and he just won. I comments he made during the first in this and that is what carries us little bit of a role in the back of their want Hurd’s title. I want Hurd,” he said. Ashes test at the Gabba in 2013 onto the ground.” minds. The unbeaten Hurd kept his record of never fighting past the about England having “scared eyes”, The five-Test series starts in Brisbane “At the moment I’m not going to put 10th round going as the doctor stopped the fight in between adding that he fully expected more on Nov. 23 and Warner said the any vibes out there or get into a ver- the 10th and 11th rounds. Hurd finished southpaw Trout off words to be exchanged during the battle would begin in earnest on bal stoush... but come day one when with a series of stinging lefts late in the final round that had coming series. day one of the first encounter at the we walk out there, there will defi- the defenceless challenger staggering around the ring. “I “As soon as you step on that line it’s Gabba. nitely be some words exchanged. I always come on strong at the end of the fight,” Hurd said. war,” Warner said on ABC Grand- “Four years ago, during that first think the subtle approach these days Hurd improved to 21-0 while fellow American Trout, who has a stand. “You try and get into a battle test I made some statements in the is how it is and how it goes.” win over Miguel Cotto on his resume, drops to 30-4. Gulf Times Monday, October 16, 2017 7 SPORT
FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Aspire’s Tri-Series Doha to host Soccerex Asia tournament kicks off Forum in Dec
QNA Wales national team’s head of perform- Doha ance Dr Ryland Morgans, AFC’s former youth football season head of sports legal services, discipli- nary and governance James Kitching, oha is set to play host to Soc- Qatar Players Association head and ‘This competition contributes significantly to support development of players’ cerex Asia Forum on Decem- FIFA Appeals Committee member Sal- ber 4 and 5, bringing together man al-Ansari. By Sports Reporter a wide selection of sports ex- Soccerex chairman Tony Martin is perts,D chairman and directors of inter- set to give the opening speech of the Doha national clubs and sports institutions forum that is scheduled to discuss a as well as businessmen, economists number of issues such as clubs and nother exciting season of top and sports rights owners. rights holders, commerce and spon- quality youth football began It will be the second time for Doha to sorship, fi nance and regulation, broad- this month with the return of host the event after staging last year’s casting and new media, performance, the highly-regarded Aspire edition of the England-based forum. stadia and major events, and social re- AcademyA Tri-Series football tourna- Nearly 750 participants from 54 coun- sponsibility. ment. tries took part in the previous edition Over two days at Grand Hyatt Ho- The fi rst round of the season, which along with 32 exhibiting companies tel, participants will discuss many as- ran from October 8-12 at Aspire and 150 rights owners. pects of Asian football, including the Zone’s outdoor pitches, saw Aspire Over 750 participants and 40 exhibi- life cycle and evolution of tournament Academy’s U-17, U-13 and U-12 teams tors are expected in the next edition delivery, the economic management compete against Spanish club Celta de representing 84 countries and more of domestic leagues, ways to maxim- Vigo and Ecuadorian side CSD Inde- than 200 cities and government enti- ise the performance and effi ciency of pendiente del Valle. ties. Of all the participants, 63 percent players, and the wealth of football clubs Aspire Academy’s U-12 team put up are managers and executives. and the new world order, the grassroots a spirited performance against CSD Some leading fi gures have been al- of football in Asia, the governance of Independiente del Valle, with Abdal- ready confi rmed, including Facebook Asian football, and football’s ability to hmid Ahmed and Jamil Friakh both Sport Partnership lead Jerry Newman, create social change in Asia. scoring for the home side in a game that ended in a draw. Victory in the resulting penalty shoot-out meant GOLF that the team from Aspire Academy fi nished second overall in the series behind Celta de Vigo. “It is a privilege to play in this Perez eclipses Thomas competition which contributes sig- nifi cantly to all that we’re doing to support the development of our play- to win CIMB Classic ers. It’s not every day that you get the chance to play against teams from Eu- rope and Aspire Academy, and we’re Aspire Academy’s goalkeeper (left) blocks the ball from a Celta de Vigo forward (in blue) during their Aspire Academy Tri- very grateful to have this opportunity,” Series football tournament match at Aspire Zone. CSD Independiente technical coor- dinator Roberto Arroyo said after the tournament. The second round of the 2017-2018 season began yesterday, and will run till October 19. The round will involve U-17, U-13 and U-12 teams represent- ing the Malaysian national team and Ventforet Kofu FC from Japan. Last year, a total of 35 clubs and as- sociations participated in the tourna- ment, and more than 26 clubs are set to take part in this year’s competition. Teams that have participated in the Tri-Series previously include major football clubs such as Liverpool (Eng- land), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Ajax (Netherlands), Zenit St. Peters- burg (Russia), Nagoya Grampus Eight (Japan), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia) and Palmeiras (Brazil) as well as na- tional youth teams from Canada and Denmark. The selection criteria for overseas Pat Perez of the US celebrates his win on the last hole in the final round of the CIMB teams taking part in the Tri-Series Classic golf tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. (AFP) competition include a strong em- phasis on youth development pro- AFP this week... I putted unbelievable re- grammes, in addition to their standard Kuala Lumpur ally. I didn’t hit it that great.” of football and footballing style. Dur- In sweltering conditions, Perez, who ing their time in Qatar, representatives led since Friday’s second round, birdied from visiting clubs are also invited to at Perez fi red a three-under- three of the fi rst four holes on Sunday present their philosophy and manage- par 69 Sunday to win the to maintain his four-shot overnight ment approach when working with CIMB Classic in Malaysia by lead. junior players, which is of consider- four strokes, fi rmly eclipsing He seemed surprised by the turn in able benefi t both to coaches at Aspire Ptwo-time defending champion Justin fortunes so late in his career, describing Academy as well as those of the Qatar Thomas to claim just his third career himself as a “late bloomer”, but vowed National teams. Action from the match between Spain’s Celta de Vigo and Ecuador’s CSD Independiente del Valle (in dark blue and white). title. he would not change his lifestyle. Perez fi nished with an aggregate “I’m not going to change anything — score of 264 at par-72 TPC Kuala I’m still not going to work out. I’ll still BOTTOMLINE Lumpur, ahead of second-placed have a bad diet and I’m going to enjoy Keegan Bradley with Xander Schauf- myself,” he said. fele and Kang Sung-Hoon seven off the Thomas said he “ran out of gas” after pace in joint third. coming into the tournament off a su- Perez ended a seven-year trophy perb season. Ko stars in LPGA’s Korean showdown drought at last year’s OHL Classic and “I was defi nitely low on gas. It’s been now, in his 403rd start on tour, the a great but a long year,” he said. Reuters “There is another major event in the 41-year-old American becomes the “I really played well the last two Incheon, South Korea KLPGA that starts next week, so my CIMB’s oldest winner. days, which was nice to see. I just didn’t mind was more on that.” But there was disappointment for make enough putts and didn’t capital- Park, who could have supplanted Thomas, the PGA Championship title- ise on enough opportunities to have a o Jin-young held off the chal- Ryu So-yeon as world number one had holder and 2017 PGA Tour Player of the really good fi nish.” lenge of world number two she won the $2mn tournament, picked Year, who fi nished tied for 17th despite The 24-year-old American had a Park Sung-hyun and double up four strokes through 11 holes to a 67 in the fi nal round of his title de- breakthrough season in 2016-17, rack- major champion Chun In- storm into the lead as Ko started poor- fence. ing up fi ve wins including his maiden Kgee to capture the LPGA’s KEB Hana ly, dropping shots at the second and Perez, who shot rounds of 66, 65, 64 major victory. Bank Championship title and earn third. and 69, relished his latest victory, par- Other favourites at the CIMB also herself a golden ticket to the lucrative But Ko was fl awless the rest of the ticularly as he did not play for months fared poorly, with Japan’s Hideki Mat- US women’s tour. way and a stretch of three consecutive at the start of 2016 while recovering suyama fi nishing tied for fi fth and In- Two shots clear overnight, Ko shot a birdies from the seventh put her back from shoulder surgery. dia’s Anirban Lahiri tied for 10th. four-under-par 68 yesterday to fi nish in the driving seat, and while she held “I was so excited to come back after, Perez gets the $1.26mn prize purse on a combined 19-under, two strokes her nerve over the closing nine it was you know, being out for so long,” he and 500 FedEX Cup points for his win. ahead of Park and three clear of Chun, Park who faltered, three-putt bogeys said. The $7mn CIMB Classic is co-sanc- her two Korean playing partners in a on 14 and 16 sealing her fate. “I did not think I was going to win tioned by the PGA Tour and Asian Tour. dream fi nal grouping for tournament “Obviously Jin-young was out- organisers. standing today,” said a disappointed Ko currently plays on the domes- Park, who looks certain to win the tic Korean Tour but the quality of her LPGA Rookie of the Year award and Hatton wins Italian Open with birdie play over four days at SKY72 Golf leads the offi cial money standings. and Resort in Incheon, west of Seoul, Becoming world number one is on fi nal hole suggests the 22-year-old will have no still very much a possibility for the trouble adapting to life on the elite US 24-year-old, who left Korea to join the Reuters under par with leaders Ross Fisher LPGA Tour if she chooses to accept the US Tour at the end of last season and Milan and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who had place her victory brings. bagged her fi rst major at the US Wom- already completed their rounds. “This victory means so much to en’s Open in July. Instead, the 26-year-old English- me,” Ko told reporters. “I think that’s the type of goal you yrrell Hatton capped a final man calmly holed a birdie putt from “I was playing against exceptional continue to work hard to reach,” she round of 65 by sinking a su- around 15 feet to finish on 21 under players that rank much higher than me said. “There are events left, so I’ll just Tperb birdie putt on the last and add to the Alfred Dunhill Links on the global ranking. Ko Jin-young of South Korea poses with the trophy after winning the LPGA KEB give it my best shot.” hole to win the Italian Open and Championship he won at St Andrews “So I was able to watch and learn a Hana Bank Championship in Incheon yesterday. (AFP) Current world number one Ryu fi n- claim back-to-back European Tour the week before. Fisher and Aphib- lot today as well. ished with a two-under 70 to end tied titles yesterday. arnrat took second place while Matt “I was quite fl ustered after I made end to know.” “I haven’t really given it much for eighth on 10-under, alongside de- The tournament looked to be set Wallace, who began the day with a those two bogeys on the front nine. Ko said she would need some time thought because I hadn’t imagined I fending champion Carlota Ciganda for a three-way playoff as Hatton two-stroke lead, was fourth on 19 Today I really realized once again that to think about whether she will make would be given the opportunity,” she (72), Brooke Henderson (72) and Angel came to the final hole level on 20 under after a final round of 69. with golf you have to stick until the the switch to the United States. said. Yin (73).
Monday, October 16, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT
SPOTLIGHT In-form Nicholas wins individual time trial
By Sports Reporter Doha
n-form David Nicholas won the men’s ‘A’ category Individual Time Trial - the fi rst stage of Royal Air Maroc League - at the Losail Techni- Ical Zone. Nicholas clocked 27:25.2sec followed by Team Bottrill HSS Hire’s Jonathan Parker and Velostar’s Tom Whateley. This is Nicholas’ second victory this month. He had earlier won the Open class of the Al Kheesa XCO – the fi rst event of the fi ve-race Qatar Mountain Bike League – at Al Kheesa trail. As many as 117 cyclists took part in the 18.9km event, which was organised by the Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Fed- Winners of men’s ‘A’ category Individual Time Trial, the first stage of Royal Air Maroc eration (QCTF). One lap distance was League, at the Losail Technical Zone. on Friday. 9.45km, while every rider was supposed to fi nish two laps. PCCQ’s Ronald Balorio and Qatar na- was second followed by Jennifer Gibbons Jaco Anderson won the men’s ‘B’ ti- tional junior team’s Zaid Hamza claimed from AndyBrownProRacing. tle, with Pinoy Roadies Qatar’s Andrew silver and bronze medals respectively. Kathrine Gomez from of TriClub Tangonan and Mashel al-Naimi fi nishing In the women’s competition, Julie Doha topped category B, while Car- second and third respectively. Melville of AndyBrownProRacing won mel Lord of AndyBrownProRacing and Losail Team’s Saleh al-Muhannadi category A gold in a time of 32:24.5sec. Helena Corby were second and third took the honours in the third category. Isora Sosa Caballero of TriClub Doha respectively. Winners of the Individual Time Trial at the Losail Technical Zone.
CRICKET Qatar’s Youssef al-Bader wins silver
Qatar’s Youssef al-Bader won Ukrainian Massimo Trachenko the silver medal at the Turkey 15-12. Other Qatar fencers were International Junior Fencing Aspire Academy Students Ali Championship in Antalya. al-Sulaiti and Mohamed Me- Al-Bader had an outstanding shaal. The championship was campaign in the championship a learning experience for the De Kock and Amla before he lost to the top-seed fencers. (QNA) Veteran Qatari cyclist al-Hammadi to cycle 3,000kms in Japan
Qatari cyclist Abdullah al-Hammadi has a new chal- trump Mushfi qur lenge on his hand. Al-Hamma- di is up for a new and exciting experience as he endeavours South African openers put on an unbeaten to ride an estimated distance of 3,000kms in Japan, where 282-run stand to overhaul Bangladesh’s 278 the weather and change in landscapes between plains, for seven for ten-wicket victory valleys and hills will pose an century added challenge. Al-Hammadi hopes to go through the AFP length of Japan from south Kimberley, South Africa to north at 150kms a day. In what is expected to be a 21- day journey, he plans to ride uinton de Kock and Hashim for six days in a row before Amla shared a record partner- taking a break for a day. With ship as South Africa cruised to his Saudi fellow withdrawing a “ruthless” ten-wicket win in from the eff ort, al-Hammadi theQ fi rst one-day international against will be going for it on his own. Bangladesh at the Diamond Oval yester- There is a possibility that one day. of his teammates from Qatar De Kock (168 not out) and Amla (110 Cyclists Team will catch up not out) put on an unbeaten 282 to over- with him there in the final haul Bangladesh’s 278 for seven with 7.1 third of the trip. overs to spare. The South African openers overshad- owed the feat of Mushfi qur Rahim, whose 110 not out was the fi rst century by a SPOTLIGHT Bangladesh batsman against South Africa in any international match. Bangladesh’s total was their highest in one-day games against South Africa. Action is back at Mushfi qur’s innings came with a price. He appeared to suff er a hamstring injury and he watched the De Kock-Amla part- Losail circuit club nership from the players’ balcony, adding to injuries which kept two other key play- ers, Tamim Iqbal (thigh) and Mustafi zur Rahman (ankle) out of the match. “We have to keep fi ghting,” said Bang- ladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza about the injuries. “These things happen in cricket. You can’t blame anything.” Mashrafe said that although Bangla- desh had posted a good total, “we knew we had to take wickets. If you can stop the runs at both ends the pressure will bring wickets. But we couldn’t apply pressure.” South African captain Faf du Ples- sis praised what he described as another “dominating” performance. “As a team you want to be ruthless. Today was a very, very good example of that. When you’re bossing the game and you are 150 for no wicket it’s easy to throw wickets away, South Africa’s Hashim Amla (right) and Quinton de Kock walk back after the win in the first one-day international against Bangladesh but the guys are hungry to put in massive in Kimberley, South Africa, yesterday. (AFP) performances.” De Kock made his runs off 145 balls Shakib c Amla b Imran Tahir 29 with 21 fours and two sixes. Amla had less M. Rahim not out 110 By Sports Reporter Track Days are scheduled for of the strike, facing 112 balls and hitting Mahmudullah c Miller b Pretorius 26 Doha October 19-20. Thursday’s track eight fours. Their partnership was the S. Rahman c Paterson b Rabada 19 day will be held for cars at night, highest for any wicket for South Africa N. Hossain c Amla b Rabada 11 with the track open from 8pm- and the joint sixth highest in all one-day M. Saifuddin c Paterson b Rabada 16 osail Circuit Sports Club 11pm. On Friday, it is the turn of internationals. Extras (lb5, w10) 15 kicks off another exciting the bikes to hit the track from Mushfi qur’s fi fth one-day century Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) 278 season of international 2:30pm until 7pm. was greeted with rapturous applause by Fall of wickets: 1-43 (Das), 2-67 (Kayes), and national champi- October will see preparations hundreds of Bangladeshi supporters. He Lonships, and track and training for another exciting round of 3-126 (Shakib), 4-195 (Mahmudullah), made his runs off 116 balls with 11 fours 5-237 (Rahman), 6-253 (N. Hossain), 7-278 days. World Superbike Championship and two sixes. He shared successive part- (Saifuddin) In partnership with Qatar at Losail. For the fourth year in a nerships of 59 with Shakib Al Hasan, 69 Bowling: Rabada 10-1-43-4 (5w), Paterson Sports For All Federation and Qa- row, the circuit will host the fi nale with Mahmudullah and 42 with Sabbir 9-0-69-0, Imran Tahir 10-0-45-1, Pretorius tar Cyclists, Losail Circuit Sports of the WorldSBK from November Rahman for the third, fourth and fi fth 10-0-48-2 (1w), Phehlukwayo 10-0-60-0 Club has reopened the track for 2-4 under the fl oodlights. wickets. (4w), Duminy 1-0-8-0 Ladies Only training Days on The grandstand ticket is Shakib made a quiet return after rest- Tuesday and Training Days for QR100 for the three-day event ing during a two-match Test series in SOUTH AFRICA general public every Wednesday. with free access to the Paddock. which Bangladesh were heavily defeated. Q. de Kock not out 168 Both the training days will run Spectators can also win access to He made 29 and conceded 48 runs in H. Amla not out 110 from 5pm to 8:30pm and partici- the grid and the pit wall canopy eight overs. But he became only the fi fth Extras (w4) 4 pants can walk, run, cycle or even for WorldSBK races. player to complete the one-day inter- Total (0 wkts, 42.5 overs) 282 go rollerblading. Following its success last year, national ‘double’ of 5,000 runs and 200 Bowling: R. Hossain 6-0-37-0, Mortaza On Ladies Only Training Days, the 2017 Motul FIM Superbike wickets. 8.5-0-50-0, Ahmed 8-0-61-0 (1w), Shakib for the kids, there will be a group World Championship Prize Giv- Kagiso Rabada spearheaded South Af- 8-0-48-0 (2w), Saifuddin 5-0-46-0, N. Hos- ride with a trainer. Also, bike ing Show will be held at the Pad- rica’s bowling attack, taking four for 43. sain 5-0-29-0 (1w), Mahmudullah 2-0-11-0 rentals will be available from Qa- dock after the Podium Ceremony tar Cyclists from 5pm-7pm for of the WorldSBK Race 2 and the SCORECARD Bangladesh batsman Mushfiqur Rahim QR35 for the fi rst hour and QR40 fi rst 2,000 guests with grand- BANGLADESH celebrates his century during the first one for the second hour. stand ticket can share this im- I. Kayes c De Kock b Pretorius 31 day international against South Africa in For those looking to test their portant moment with the cham- L. Das c Du Plessis b Rabada 21 Kimberley, South Africa, yesterday. (AFP) bike or cars at the track, Open pionship winners.