FOOTBALL| Page 2 CCRICKET|RICKET Page 7 Mourinho Teenager rocked as Hameed gets To Advertise here Man United England call for Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 get beaten Bangladesh

Saturday, September 17, 2016 RUGBY Dhul-Hijja 15, 1437 AH ‘Confi dent’ All GULF TIMES Blacks want fast start against Springboks SPORT Page 6

FOOTBALL Al Sadd off to a cracking start in Qatar Stars League Baghdad Bounedjah twice on target for Al Sadd as the 13-time champions thrash Al Kharaitiyat 4-0

Sports Reporter In an earlier match, goals either side Doha of half time and some last minute hero- ics from goalkeeper Baba Malick helped Umm Salal beat Al Khor 2-1 at Qatar aghdad Bounedjah scored once Sports Club. in each half as Al Sadd thrashed The match started with an early pen- Al Kharaitiyat 4-0 in their alty appeal from Umm Salal after Helal opening match of the new Qatar Mohammad looked to be tripped in in StarsB League season last night. the box by Khor defender Wellington Al Sadd, the 13-times champions, Souza. The referee, however, was quick whose thunder has been stolen by Le- to wave for a goalkick which drew early khwiya of late, scored three of their goals protests from The Falcons’ bench and in the second half, leaving minnows Al Head Coach, Bülent Uygun. Kharaitiyat chasing shadows at the Jas- Possession was neatly balanced for sim bin Hamad Stadium the majority of the fi rst half but neither Al Sadd controlled the game from side looked able to produce the quality kick off , largely thanks to their talisman required to penetrate the opposing de- and captain Xavi Hernandez who took fence. That was until Umm Salal mid- a leading role in midfi eld from the fi rst fi elder Ismael Mahmoud made a darting whistle. run down the left wing and drilled an The Barcelona and Spain legend excellent cross which caused Al Khor’s helped Al Sadd break the deadlock after captain, Mostafa Jalal Jafri, to raise an 25 minutes when he delivered a arm and gift Umm Salal a penalty with pin-point pass to fi nd Algerian un- 28 minutes gone. Yannick Sagbo was der-23 international Bounedjah, who quick to step up and send the keeper the controlled the ball on his chest before wrong way to take a 1-0 lead. Al Khor driving it into the back of the net. could have been 2-0 down not long af- Al Kharatiyat went into half-time ter Sagbo scored from the spot after trailing 1-0 but came out strong in the new summer signing, Alef, on loan from opening minutes of the second half, Braga, missed an open goal from fi ve having a goal disallowed after just two yards out after his header went over the minutes when striker Jeremy Bokila was crossbar. deemed off side after poking home from Al Khor nearly went into half time lev- six yards out. el but had a goal disallowed on the 42nd Al Sadd continued to dominate the minute after a clear infringement on game and on the 62nd minute. New Umm Salal’s goalkeeper, Baba Malick. summer signing Jugurtha Hamroun de- The fi rst half ended 1-0 to Umm Salal. livered a through ball to Qatar’s national Al Khor came out strong in the second team captain, Hasan al-Haydoos, who Al Sadd’s Mohamed Kasola heads the ball to safety during his team’s QSL match against Al Kharaitiyat yesterday. Pictures: Jayan Orma and Othman Iraqi half, pressing well and keeping posses- calmly took it around Al Kharatiyat goal- sion. The Knights soon got a well-de- keeper Ahmed Sofyan to make it 2-0. served equaliser after Mouhcine Iajour Just a minute later, Al Sadd nearly poked home a fl ick from a corner after made it three but Sofyan made a fi nger- Umm Salal’s Baba Malick failed to deal tip save after another pin-point with the set piece. from Xavi which found the head of Ibra- Hopes of a point for each team didn’t him Majed. last long, however, as The Falcons scored Al Sadd made sure of all three points an excellent counter-attacking goal after a fi ne solo goal from Ali Asad which which saw Helal Mohammad control saw him drive an 18 yard shot into the a long 25 yard ball from midfi eld before roof of the net on the 77th minute mark. whipping in a lightening cross to Ismail Al Kharatiyat made a late fi nal push, Mahmoud who found himself unmarked with Domingos forcing a fi ne save from on the back post. Al Sadd’s Sadd Abdullah. They also had Al Khor continued to press for an another goal disallowed on the 84th equalisier and two late chances fell to minute, again for being caught off side. Al Khor attacker Mason, who put one Al Sadd rounded off a compelling per- chance wide in front of an open goal formance after debutant Hossam Kamal from six yards out and also drew a last set-up Bounedjah in the 92nd minute gasp save from Umm Salal’s Babba Mal- for his second goal to round off a fi ne Umm Salal players congratulate Yannick Sagbo on his goal against Al Khor. At right, Al Sadd star Xavi gets ick with the fi nal kick of the game, giving opening day win for the Qatari giants. into the thick of the action. all three points for Umm Salal.

BOTTOMLINEFOCUS No hard feelings over City dumping — Hart

AFP profi le divorce from City. Asked if any welcome messages from his op- He said he did not watch the Man- Turin Guardiola had been honest with him, posite number at city rivals Juventus, chester derby last weekend, won by Hart said: “He was open with me.” legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on, City, because “I was training. I’m pret- He added: “Football’s football... and Hart said he wants to make the most ty limited to what I can watch in my orino and England goalkeeper it resulted in me looking for a new club of an experience “few English players” hotel room”. Joe Hart said yesterday he has and, as I said, I’m very happy to be get the chance to have. And, amid concerns his England no hard feelings towards Pep where I am at the moment. “I was looking for an experience out- place could now be at risk, Hart in- Guardiola despite being un- “I absolutely love to play football side of English football,” added Hart. sisted his focus was only on improving ceremoniouslyT forced out at Manches- and it looked like my options were lim- “Every day at City I trained with players his game. ter City and replaced by Claudio Bravo ited (at City). It was an easy decision from all over the world who’ve managed “Goalkeeping in football is ever- from Barcelona. for me. to make the move to England. So for me evolving. I’m very open-minded to Hart, who joined City as a teenager “I’m very thankful for the oppor- it was an amazing opportunity to experi- improve and learn every day,” said in 2006, signed for the unfashionable tunity and I’m proud and happy to be ence a new style of football. Hart. Serie A club on a season-long loan deal here. I’m looking forward to hopefully “I feel confi dent I can come over “I play football because I love foot- designed to make sure he is “playing having a good season.” here to learn the language and embrace ball. Playing regular football is the regular football again”. Expected to return to the Etihad the culture. most important thing for me. I love Hart began his Serie A career with a stadium at the end of the current cam- “To get the opportunity to try a new playing for my country... but it’s an 2-1 defeat away at Atalanta last week- paign, Hart has fully embraced the league, which a lot of English play- ambition of mine to play fi rst-team end — he was at fault for one of the Italian culture. ers don’t get the chance to do, was too football. goals — a far cry from the razzmatazz He started his press conference at good an opportunity to turn down.” “My options at City were limited so of the world-famous Premier League. to Iceland that sent England crashing out “It was fairly obvious to everyone,” Torino’s Stadio Olimpico by speaking a Although happy to talk about Tori- I’m very grateful to be here. I’m only But the 29-year-old shot-stopper, who of Euro 2016, said he felt no bitterness to- Hart told media when asked about the few words of Italian. no, Hart was more coy when asked on loan here and, technically, I’m sup- suff ered huge criticism for the 2-1 defeat wards new City boss Guardiola. circumstances surrounding his high- And although he has yet to receive about City. posed to go back to City. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, September 17, 2016 FOOTBALL

QATAR STARS LEAGUE New UEFA chief says Zinedine Zidane’s sons Theo Champions League and Elyaz, can play for their mustn’t become elite respective youth teams until the appeal decision is made. Newly appointed UEFA “The Court of Arbitration for president Aleksander Ceferin Sport has granted the precau- warned yesterday the Cham- tionary measures that Real pions League should not be- Madrid appealed for following Title hopefuls come an exclusive club for the the sanction issued by FIFA,” wealthiest, saying one of his said a statement issued by priorities would be to examine Real Madrid yesterday. the current system. The CAS, sport’s highest “The Champions League can- tribunal, has never overturned not continue in this direction a transfer ban from soccer’s because that would lead us ruling body FIFA on the sign- towards an exclusive club,” ing of minors. Rayyan, Lekhwiya said Ceferin. FIFA has not disclosed the “The biggest problem (with names of the 39 players origi- those changes) was the fact nally investigated but Real that nobody was informed director general Jose Angel about it, we only found out Sanchez said they included about it at the very end,” Zidane’s four sons. Ceferin said. Theo, 14, and Elyaz, 11, repre- “One of the first things I’ll do sent Real’s youth teams while begin campaign at my arrival there (UEFA), Enzo, 21, and Luca, 18, play for will be to thoroughly examine the club’s reserve side Castilla the system and to meet with in Spanish football’s third tier. ‘We start the league against a newly-promoted team with many new players. We the presidents of the biggest FIFA has reduced the number clubs and see what shall we of players investigated to know about the calibre of their coach and we respect them a lot’ do in the future.” eight, leaving out Enzo and UEFA recently decided for the Luca among others and period 2018-2021 that the four Morocco international Achraf top-ranked leagues — Spain, Hakimi who had been prohib- England, Germany and Italy ited from playing for Castilla. — will have four automatic Earlier this month Real and places in the lucrative Champi- Atletico Madrid lost their ons League. appeals against transfer Many European nations have bans imposed for breaching already urged Ceferin to take rules on signing non-Spanish a stand on those changes. under-18 players. Referring to the wide support Real are still banned from reg- he was given, Ceferin said one istering new signings in any of the first reforms he would age group until January 2018. carry out until UEFA’s April assembly would be restricting In-demand Simeone the number of mandates a man shortens Atletico can remain president or board contract member in the organisation. “As soon as we set a limit to Highly rated coach Diego those mandates, and we will Simeone said yesterday he do it, that will be the first step has shortened his contract towards transparency. That with Atletico Madrid by two will prevent anybody from years until June 2018, a move staying for 15, 20 or 25 years likely to stir fresh speculation at the same position which about his future. has led in the past to events as The 46-year-old Argentine, those we have seen recently.” who took Atletico to the Span- ish league title in 2014 and Imagination and lies, the Champions League final says Infantino of UEFA last season, has been linked election link to many of Europe’s top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, FIFA president Gianni Infanti- Arsenal and Inter Milan. no has dismissed as “imagina- In charge of Atletico since tion and lies” any suggestion 2011, he had hinted at his that he lobbied in favour of possible departure after (L-R) Al Rayyan coach Jorge Fossati, Al Shahania coach Fathi Jabbal, Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi and Muaither coach Phillip Birol. Aleksander Ceferin who was the Champions League final elected head of European defeat to Real Madrid, saying By Sports Reporter teams in the region. Many of their play- Fixtures Djamel Belmadi, the head coach of Le- soccer’s governing body UEFA he needed time to consider Doha ers play in the national team and there khwiya is looking forward to a tough season this week. his options. is nothing strange in the fact that Le- Al Rayyan vs Al Shahania 6pm ahead, “Four teams will be relegated this Ceferin, little-known outside Simeone signed a contract khwiya can beat Rayyan. It was our first Venue: Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad season which means that the league will be his native Slovenia until with Atletico in March 2015 eigning QSL champions Al game and we had some mistakes but we Stadium (Al Sadd Stadium) very tough. There will no small games and three months ago, swept to a that originally tied him to the Rayyan take on newly promoted have learned from them.” Lekhwiya vs Muaither 8:10pm big games all the matches will be diffi cult resounding win on Wednes- club until June 2020. Al Shahania in the fi rst match Shahania is one of the two sides to be Venue: Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa and we will prepare ourselves.” day, picking up 42 of the 55 “It is true, we have talked of the QSL for both teams. The promoted to the QSL this season from the Stadium (Lekhwiya Stadium) “Muaither is a good team coming from votes cast by UEFA’s member and we have taken the best matchR will be played at the Al Sadd sta- Qatar Gas League. Their main objective the second division. They have signed associations. decision for the club and the dium today. this season will be to avoid relegation to new players and we as Lekhwiya we will The other 13 went to his only team,” he told a news confer- Al Rayyan will be looking to bounce the Qatar Gas League. bal is relying on the fighting spirit of use our tools and our experience to face rival, experienced Dutch ad- ence when asked about media back after their Sheikh Jassim Cup de- Fathi Jabbal, head coach of Shaha- his team, “We know four teams will be such teams,” added the Algerian head ministrator Michael van Praag. reports that the club had feat to Lekhwiya. The Lions will be ready nia, is excited about the start of the relegated. So we have to fight to stay in coach at pre-match press conference. “Mr Ceferin has said it as well, agreed to reduce his contract to defend their title against minnows Al QSL, “We are excited for the start of the the league and we will fight for the first Muaither return to the QSL for a second this is imagination and lies by two years. Shahania. league. We prepared very well and un- ten spots.” stint after winning the Qatar Gas League. and I think the result speaks “We have taken this decision Jorge Fossati, the head coach of Rayy- fortunately the first match is against Al Phillip Birol, head coach of Muaither, wants for itself,” former UEFA gen- in conjunction with the club’s an, is not underestimating his newly- Rayyan. It’s a team we respect a lot but LEKHWIYA VS MUAITHER his team to give Lekhwiya a tough time, “We eral secretary Infantino told directors and it doesn’t alter promoted opponents, “We start the we are focused on our team. We will not Lekhwiya take on newly promoted are ready to begin the league against a big fa- reporters. the possibility of renewing league against a newly-promoted team be easily beaten.” Muaither in the fi rst match of the QSL vorite for the QSL. We want to give a tough “It’s an insult to the intelli- terms again once the new ar- with many new players. We know about “There are no excuses in football, season for both teams. This match, which time to them and if they are better than us we gence of the 55 associations rangement ends.” the calibre of their coach and we respect only hard work. I have full confidence will be held at the Lekhwiya stadium, is will see on the day.” who go and vote...convinced them a lot. We need to be ready to face a in our players. We have a good group of the second match of today. “It will be a big achievement if we stay in by a programme.” Ballon d’Or returns tough opponent and we need to be ready players who they want to do something Lekhwiya who are fresh off a win the league and we know that all the teams In July, world soccer’s ruling home to France to display our best football.” positive in the league,” added the Tuni- against Rayyan in the Sheikh Jassim Cup that come from the second league have a body FIFA denied a report Fossati believes his team has learned sian tactician. will be looking to continue their winning huge diffi culty to stay up. Last year only in the Dutch newspaper De The Ballon d’Or deal between their lesson from their defeat to Le- This season will see four teams drop start of the football season with a victory two clubs got relegated but this year is four Volkskrant that Infantino was France football and FIFA has khwiya, “Lekhwiya is one of the best down to the Qatar Gas League and Jab- against Muaither. so it will be a very tough season for us.” interfering in UEFA’s election. ended, the French publication However, the allegations have and football’s governing body continued to gather mo- announced yesterday. EUROPA LEAGUE mentum and a report by the The coveted award will from Norwegian website Josimar now on return to its original last week, which made similar home after France Football’s claims, led to a brief spat be- agreement with FIFA finished. tween the two candidates. The next recipient will be Van Praag said in a tweet that determined by a vote of he was “shocked” to read journalists – players (national Mourinho rocked on return as the story and that UEFA was team captains) and managers back to its old way of doing will no longer have a say. business. “The contractual agreement Ceferin, elected president of between FIFA and France Slovenia’s football federa- Football expired in January. Feyenoord down Man United tion in 2011, replied that his We told France Football in early rival was trying to pollute the August that the contract would AFP Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Key Results campaign. not be renewed,” the game’s Rotterdam team had swept to the top of the Infantino said Wednesday’s governing body declared. Dutch league with fi ve succes- Feyenoord (NED) 1 (Vilhena voters were looking for a fresh and Barcelona star sive victories and they started 79) Man United (ENG) 0 approach from the replace- Lionel Messi won the award ose Mourinho’s reluc- brightly as Steven Berghuis and ment for Michel Platini who for a record fifth time in 2015. tant return to the Europa Vilhena brought de Gea into ac- Zorya Luhansk (UKR) 1 had governed UEFA since FIFA plans to continue its an- League ended in embar- tion with long-range eff orts. (Grechyshkin 52) Fenerbahce 2007 until he was banned nual best player award to male rassment as Tonny Vilhe- Careless with their passing (TUR) 1 (Kjaer 90+5) by FIFA in October for eth- and female players. naJ fi red Feyenoord to a 1-0 win and lacking a cutting edge up ics violations. “It was a very FIFA and France Football over Manchester United in their front, United -- also reluctant- Viktoria Plzen (CZE) 1 (Bakos convincing success,” explained teamed up in 2010 since when Group A opener on Thursday. ly in the Europa League group 11) Roma (ITA) 1 (Perotti 4-pen) Infantino. “He has some very only two players have been For a man with a keen eye on stages for the fi rst time -- were good ideas, he is a new face for nominated for the title known his position in the football hier- unconvincing for long periods. Inter Milan (ITA) 0 Hapoel many but he is a very compe- as the FIFA Ballon d’Or – Messi archy, competing in the Europa Even so, they still carved out Be’er Sheva (ISR) 2 (Miguel tent person, head of a national and Cristiano Ronaldo. League for the fi rst time in 13 the best chance of the fi rst half Vitor 54, Buzaglo 69) association. I think the associa- The first Ballon d’Or was won years was an unappetising pros- when Matteo Darmian’s cross tions who voted have sent a by Stanley Matthews, at the pect for Mourinho and his play- picked out Anthony Martial, Southampton (ENG) 3 (Austin clear message they wanted time with Blackpool, who beat ers seemed equally uninspired who should have done better 5-pen, 27, Rodriguez 90+2) somebody new.” Alfredo Di Stefano for the as a much-changed United line- than fi re wide from the edge of Sparta Prague (CZE) 0 inaugural title in 1956. up succumbed to Vilhena’s late Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reacts during his the penalty area. CAS lift s Real ban on Up to 1994 only European strike at De Kuip. team’s match against Feyenoord. Not for the fi rst time since his signing foreign minors players were eligible. It was United’s second con- world-record move to United, Ashley Young came on. on appeal The first non-European to win secutive defeat after Satur- season. Obviously some played Twice a Champions League France midfi elder Pogba was But United were no more en- it was the following year, AC day’s painful loss to bitter rivals better than others,” Mourinho winner with Porto and Inter Mi- a subdued fi gure and he shot ergised and they paid for their Real Madrid have won a small Milan’s Liberian star George Manchester City in the Pre- said. “I don’t want to personal- lan, Mourinho is usually launch- tamely over early in the second lethargic display in the 79th victory in their dispute with Weah. From 2007 it honoured mier League and Mourinho will ise it. I cannot judge them only ing his latest bid for Europe’s top half. minute. FIFA over the illegal signing of the world’s best player, with hope his decision to make eight on one game. prize at this time of year. With teenage striker Marcus Exposed down the right under-age foreigners after the FIFA under former president changes against Feyenoord is re- “We were pushing and Fey- With Wayne Rooney rested and Rashford hauled off after fail- fl ank by a Nicolai Jorgensen’s Court of Arbitration for Sport Sepp Blatter entering into a warded with victory when they enoord capitalised because it is only David de Gea, Paul Pogba and ing to make the most of his fi rst run that beat the off side trap, (CAS) temporarily lifted its ban deal with France Football in return to domestic action at exactly at that moment where Eric Bailly retained from the side start of the season, Mourinho United’s defenders were noti- on appeal. 2010 to merge the Ballon d’Or Watford tomorrow. we lose the game. We were dou- beaten by City, it was little sur- used all three of his substitutes cable by their absence when the The decision means eight with FIFA’s best world player “Some of the players were ble unlucky because it’s a clear prise to see United deliver a dis- in the 63rd minute as Zlatan Ib- unmarked Vilhena swept home players, including French coach honour. playing their fi rst minutes of the off side.” jointed performance. rahimovic, Memphis Depay and from just inside the penalty area. Gulf Times Saturday, September 17, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

EPL PREVIEW SPANISH PREMIER LEAGUE Liga newcomers Leganes plot fresh Manchester City Barcelona upset

AFP Madrid

adrid minnows look to press home Leganes get their re- ward for an unlikely promotion to La Liga Mwhen the might of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar grace the 11,000-capac- ity Estadio Butarque today. Leganes have made a fi ne start early advantage to their fi rst season in the Span- ish top-fl ight, winning at Celta File picture of Barcelona forward Vigo on the opening weekend Luis Suarez (L) and Neymar (R). ‘I think they’re an outstanding team. When I watch them play, I enjoy it, and it’s rare and holding Champions League fi nalists Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 Neymar hopes to break the in- for me to say that when I watch an opponent play. They’ve been very impressive’ draw at the Butarque. credible 131-goal record they set However, Leganes face an even last year. “To play with Messi is AFP tougher task in stopping a ram- very easy,” the Brazilian said on London pant “MSN” of Messi, Suarez Thursday. and Neymar fresh from scoring “We understand each other six of Barca’s seven goals in a very well, as does Suarez. We al- he Premier League season is only Champions League rout of Celtic ways try to help each other to en- four games old, but ahead of to- in midweek on their fi rst start of sure everything works out well.” day’s home game with Bourne- the season together. mouth, Pep Guardiola’s Manches- Barca were in no mood for RECORD-CHASING REAL terT City already appear the team to beat. complacency on Tuesday after a Barca’s defeat to Alaves means Last weekend’s impressive 2-1 derby shock 2-1 home defeat to another they are playing catch-up to Real win at Manchester United left City with newly promoted side, Alaves, Madrid after just three games. the only 100 percent record in the divi- ended their perfect start to the Madrid have made a perfect sion and they followed it up with a classy La Liga season last weekend. start to the campaign and can set a 4-0 Champions League victory over Leganes defender Pablo Insua club record of 16 La Liga wins with Borussia Moenchengladbach. says the Alaves result gives the victory at Espanyol tomorrow. The Gladbach game was held back 24 hosts hope. “We have to do eve- The European champions hours due to a ferocious rainstorm on rything right and have luck,” In- needed a sensational late fi ghtback Tuesday, but Ilkay Gundogan, who made sua told Marca. to start their Champions League his debut in Wednesday’s rearranged fi x- “We saw how Alaves did it and defence with a win on Wednesday ture, does not believe it will have an ad- it is clear it can be done, but the as Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro verse eff ect. circumstances are not the same.” Morata scored in the fi nal minutes “We are all professional enough to Barca boss Luis Enrique start- to turn around a 1-0 defi cit against handle such situations and we are all ed Messi and Suarez on the bench Sporting Lisbon. used to playing Wednesday-Saturday,” for Alaves’s visit to the Camp “My dream is to be a success the Germany midfi elder said in a video Nou after their duties in South here,” said Morata, who rejoined interview posted on the City website. American World Cup qualifying. the club in June after a two-year “It maybe makes a small diff erence, Enrique won’t make the same spell at Juventus. but we are professionals and we always mistake twice, but could rotate “A goal like that, at home, in try to do our best. It shouldn’t aff ect us in defence and midfi eld ahead of the Champions League, was a on Saturday when we are on the fi eld. Wednesday’s blockbuster La Liga dream since I was a kid.” “We always want to win and want to clash with Atletico. play our best football so we’re all looking Messi scored a hat-trick whilst FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) forward to Saturday.” Neymar bagged four assists and Leganes v Barcelona (1200), Sergio Aguero was City’s match-win- goal against Celtic as the “MSN” Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijon ner against Gladbach with a hat-trick took their combined early season (1515), Eibar v Sevilla (1730), Las — his second in the Champions League tally to 13. Palmas v Malaga (1945) this season — but he is suspended for Bournemouth’s visit. Kelechi Iheanacho, a goal-scoring re- IN SUPPORT placement for Aguero against Gladbach, is expected to take the Argentine’s place at the tip of the attack. David Silva is due to miss out after sit- Soccer helps young ting out the Gladbach game with an un- File picture of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola waving to the crowd after his team’s recent Champions League tie. specifi ed minor injury. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth registered United captain Wayne Rooney and Fixtures “We’ll have a meeting about Burnley refugees take a shot their fi rst win of the campaign last week- full-backs Antonio Valencia and Luke now and we’ve got to get our heads end by edging West Bromwich Albion 1-0. Shaw were left out of the mid-week trip Today switched on to them. We’ll have no prob- Guardiola lost only four home league to the Netherlands with a view to tomor- (1400 GMT unless otherwise stated): lem focusing on that. at new life in USA games in his three seasons at Bayern Mu- row’s game at Vicarage Road. Everton v Middlesbrough (1630 GMT), “We know that’s our bread and but- nich and while Howe is plotting how to Defending champions Leicester City Hull City v Arsenal, Leicester City v ter. We need to concentrate on our league outwit him, he freely admits how much should have a spring in their step again Burnley, Manchester City v Bourne- form and get some wins there and that’s he admires the Catalan’s work. when they welcome Burnley to the King mouth, West Bromwich Albion v West where it matters.” “I think they’re an outstanding team,” Power Stadium today. Ham United Tottenham Hotspur will not approach said the Bournemouth manager. Claudio Ranieri’s men crashed 4-1 at tomorrow’s visit of winless Sunderland “When I watch them play, I enjoy it, Liverpool last weekend — the second Tomorrow in quite such a sunny mood after their and it’s rare for me to say that when I defeat of their title defence — but made (1315 GMT unless otherwise stated): Champions League opener at Wembley watch an opponent play. They’ve been a memorable Champions League bow in Crystal Palace v Stoke City, South- saw them beaten 2-1 by Monaco. very impressive.” mid-week by winning 3-0 at Belgian side ampton v Swansea City, Tottenham But Arsenal, who visit Hull City on to- United will hope to bounce back from their Club Brugge. “This has gone now. It’s Hotspur v Sunderland (1530 GMT), day, will draw encouragement from hav- derby defeat and Europa League loss at Fey- been nice to enjoy it, but it’s gone now,” Watford v Manchester United (1100 ing rescued a 1-1 draw from their mid- enoord when they travel to Watford in one of said Marc Albrighton, who opened the GMT) week trip to Paris Saint-Germain despite four games taking place tomorrow. scoring in Bruges. being outplayed for much of the game.

BUNDESLIGA Participants play at a recent indoor practice with Soccer Without Borders, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Reuters SWB, based in Cambridge, Baltimore Massachusetts, serves refugee youth from 40 diff erent coun- tries, including four of the fi ve Deadly Bayern Munich train n a muggy day in late countries with the most refu- July, dozens of student gee arrivals in the United States: refugees ran relent- Iraq, Somalia, Bhutan and the lessly after a soccer Democratic Republic of Congo. ball,O stopping only to help up a President Barack Obama will their sights on Bavarian derby fellow player who had slipped. host a summit on the global AFP The 21-year-old, who can play Fixtures The focus was on the univer- refugee crisis on Sept. 20 at the Berlin either midfi eld or defence, has sal sport that has helped unite United Nations General Assem- scored his fi rst goals for Germa- (1330 GMT unless stated) these young people – mostly bly in New York. ny, in the Bundesliga and in the Today high schoolers – from around the One aim is to fi nd ways to in- ayern Munich turn their Champions League, where he Bayern Munich v Ingolstadt world. Heman Rai, a 21-year-old crease refugees’ self-reliance and focus from their fi ve- got a brace, in just 10 days. Borussia Dortmund v Darm- Bhutanese refugee, came to Bal- inclusion through opportunities star Champions League “People always said to me that stadt timore in 2008 not speaking any for education and legal work. opener to domestic duty as soon as I get the fi rst one, the Hamburg v Leipzig English but found soccer helped Young refugees can face a andB their bid to keep their per- rest will follow,” said Kimmich. him settle. number of diffi culties in adapt- Hoff enheim v Wolfsburg fect start to the season in a derby “When you score you gain in Frankfurt v Bayer Leverkusen “It’s easy,” Rai told Reuters ing to a new country, especially home to Ingolstadt today. confi dence, more so because be- Borussia Moenchengladbach on Vanguard Collegiate Middle in education. The reigning Bundesliga fore I wasn’t really a scorer.” v Werder Bremen (1630) School campus in Baltimore, Mar- In addition to soccer, the SWB champions hammered Russian Ancelotti’s decision to give yland after a recent scrimmage. programme off ers afterschool side Rostov 5-0 in Munich in the youngster a start paid off Tomorrow His neon green shirt read: classes in English, art and sci- their Group D opener to contin- and he praised Kimmich as a key Augsburg v Mainz “PLAYING FOR CHANGE.” “You ence. ue Carlo Ancelotti’s impressive member of the team. Hertha Berlin v Schalke 04 don’t have to know English or you “All of the families that our start to life in Germany with fi ve “Joshua can fi ll every posi- (1530) don’t have to know the other per- kids are coming from have made wins from fi ve matches, 20 goals tion, he’s very focused and he’s son’s language. You just play.” so many sacrifi ces to have their scored and none conceded. in great shape. It’s good for the Rai is one of 100 refugees in kids achieve a better life,” Tho- Fellow Bavarian outfi t Ingol- whole team,” said the Italian. days. Baltimore trying to fi nd their mas said, emphasising that edu- stadt are 16th after two games, Teammate Thomas Mueller, The gifted 20-year-old footing through Soccer Without cation is hugely important to the with one point, and rank outsid- who also scored against Ros- Coman injured an ankle when Borders (SWB), a nonprofi t that families. “We, in turn, defi nitely ers to spring an upset. tov, added: “I’ll have to stay hot kicked by teammate Javi Mar- serves refugee youth in both the prioritise supporting the aca- Coach Markus Kauczinski in- on his heels until Saturday and tinez three weeks ago. United States and overseas. demic success of our kids.” sists his side won’t be overawed make sure he keeps his feet on Hertha Berlin — also on a “Our mission is to use soccer Beyond academics, pro- in the Allianz Arena, where they the ground. maximum six points — host as a vehicle for positive change,” gramme participants say they will be without French defender Bayern Munich’s Thiago, Arturo Vidal, Xabi Alonso, and Juan Bernat “If we manage that, he’s going Schalke 04 looking to keep in said Casey Thomas, director of value the friendships formed on Romain Bregerie, who has been (L-R), wearing traditional attire, attend a photocall for a sponsor. to continue to play an important touch with the champions be- SWB’s Baltimore chapter. the fi eld. hit by a calf injury. role for us in our forthcoming fore their trip to their rivals. The soccer fi eld is one of the “It’s a good programme to help “We have nothing to lose,” he The match is the fi rst of two ter two rounds. matches.” Schalke have lost both of their few places where youth who have refugees and give them more,” said. “We know that everything at home for Bayern, who could Rising Bayern star Joshua French international striker matches and want to show that experienced such transitions “im- said Johne Teweldebirhan, an has to be perfect on Saturday to be alone on top of the table by Kimmich will be looking to con- Kingsley Coman is set to make their courageous display against mediately feel confi dent, counted, 18-year-old Eritrean refugee bring something back. But we’re the end of September — after In- tinue his incredible run, hav- his return for Bayern with Ar- Bayern last week, where they fell and like they can express them- born in Sudan. “To teach them not going to hide and we’re going golstadt they host Hertha Berlin, ing scored four goals in three jen Robben and Jerome Boateng to two late goals, is a sign of a selves and contribute,” the organi- how to respect each other and to remain true to our style of play.” the only other unbeaten team af- matches. expected to be fi t in the coming fi ghting spirit. sation said on its website. love each other.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, September 17, 2016 SPORT

ICE HOCKEY Return of World Cup puts Olympics in spotlight

Reuters lure of tapping into the Asian market Toronto Factbox and Canada winning in 2004. Czech Republic, Team North America of four and will play a three-game round- will hang over future negotiations It was rebooted this year as the and Team Europe. robin format. The top two finishers in with the IOC but for this year’s World The Sept 17-Oct 1 tournament is NHL seeks a potential alternative to Team Europe will comprise a Group A and Group B advance to the Cup the NHL is catering to its estab- ith the return this week of a joint eff ort of the National Hockey having its players compete in the pan-European roster of players who semi-finals, where the first-place team lished fan base. the World Cup of Hock- League and NHL Players’ Association, Olympics, given concerns over travel were born outside the Czech Republic, from each Group will face an elimina- Hosts Canada, captained by Sidney ey, the National Hockey in co-operation with the International spending, insurance and having to Finland, Russia and Sweden. tion game against the second-place Crosby and coached by Mike Babcock WLeague could be set to wave Ice Hockey Federation. shut down its regular season for nearly Team North America will feature team from the other Group. The winners who led the hockey-mad country to goodbye to the Winter Olympics and end The World Cup, which is the suc- three weeks. the top hockey players from Canada advance to a best-of-three final series. gold at the Vancouver and Sochi Olym- a tumultuous relationship that for a dec- cessor to the Canada Cup that ran from The eight teams competing in and the United States who will be All games will be played at the Air pics, will once again be positioned as ade seemed on the brink of divorce. 1976 to 1991, occurred twice before, the World Cup are Canada, the United under the age of 23 as of Oct 1. Canada Centre in Toronto, home of the the hot favourites. After a 12-year hiatus, the NHL and with the United States winning in 1996 States, Russia, Sweden, Finland, the Teams are divided into two Groups NHL’s Maple Leafs. Russia, captained by Alex Ovechkin, NHL Players Association have rebooted have dipped slightly when it comes the World Cup along with plans to make to international play but they possess the showcase an every-four-year event, Republic, Sweden and Finland. lowed to participate in the Olympics, tionship with the Winter Games. With the NHL increasingly unhappy some of the best off ensive weapons in positioning it to become the league’s Gimmicks aside, the World Cup has the Canada Cup, staged irregularly fi ve “With respect to 2018 (the Winter at shutting down operations mid- the tournament while the United States prime global property while lessening hockey fans giddy with anticipation times between 1976 and 1991, Olympics in Pyeongchang), we’ll see season to allow players to participate will rely on goaltending where they have the need for the spotlight the Olympics with the best-of-the-best set to face represented the only opportunity how this event goes and make those de- in the Olympics, the IOC further antag- three of the world’s best in Jonathan can provide. off against each other for the fi rst time for fans to watch the sport’s elite go up cisions at the appropriate time,” NHL onised owners by announcing this year Quick, Cory Schneider and Ben Bishop. The eight-team tournament, which outside the Olympics since 2004. against each other. deputy commissioner Bill Daley said that it would no longer cover travel Sweden, silver medallists in Sochi, will be staged in Toronto and begins The World Cup and the Canada Cup In an eff ort to add some global ca- during a television interview. insurance costs. will lean heavily on the goaltending of tonight, has both excited and annoyed from which it morphed have had a rich chet, the Canada Cup was rebranded A successful World Cup will certain- While the NHL believes it is putting Henrik Lundqvist but will also have one hockey purists with a quirky format but sporadic history with ice hockey the World Cup and staged twice — in ly give the NHL leverage with the In- more into its Olympic investment than of the best defenses of any team playing that includes a Team North America, of greats Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, 1996 and 2004. ternational Olympic Committee (IOC), it is getting in return, the World Cup is in front of him. under 23-year-old players from Canada Mario Lemieux and the former Soviet Whether the latest incarnation of which has indicated it is no longer will- a money maker for both the league and Finland, runners-up at the world and the United States and Team Europe, Union’s ‘Big Red Machine’ all adding to the World Cup can build on tradition ing to make concessions to the league NHLPA. championships earlier this year, have a comprising skaters from outside the their illustrious resumes. and generate Olympic-type interest in order to have the best players in With the next two Winter Games to solid mix of experience and youth that four hockey powers of Russia, Czech Long before NHL players were al- will factor into the NHL’s future rela- Pyeongchang. be held in South Korea and China, the should put them in the title hunt.

BASEBALL Padres GM suspended for 30 days following probe

The Sports Xchange team’s use only. Los Angeles Having two such files al- legedly enabled the Padres to hide players’ injury and Cubs lose to Brewers ajor League Base- health information from ball suspended possible trade partners. MSan Diego Padres’ According to Olney’s re- executive vice-president port, the trainers were told and general manager AJ before the season began Preller for 30 days without that the separate files pro- pay following its review of vided a way for the Padres left-hander Drew Pomer- to improve their position for 4-5, but still emerge anz’s trade to the Boston possible trades. Red Sox in July. Boston acquired Pomer- The punishment comes anz from the Padres on July on the heels of a report by 14, giving up 18-year-old ESPN’s Buster Posey, who pitcher Anderson Espinoza reported that the Padres hid in return. medical information regard- Pomeranz, 27, was select- ing their players from the ed for the National League NL division champs league’s data base. All-Star team this year, and Major League Baseball he went 8-7 with a 2.47 ERA issued the following state- in 17 starts for the Padres be- ‘It would have been wonderful to do so for the fans but that’s part of the uncon- ment: “MLB’s Department fore being traded. In 11 starts of Investigations conducted for the Red Sox, Pomeranz is trollable nature of our game. We had a really good way about us today. We just the thorough review, which 2-5 with a 4.60 ERA. included interviews with Olney reported, accord- made a couple of mistakes that we normally don’t make. That’s going to happen’ relevant individuals from ing to sources, that the Red both clubs. The findings Sox claim that it was not were submitted to Commis- until after the trade was AFP sioner Robert D Manfred. As made that they learned of Chicago Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher a result of this matter, Major the preventive measures Tyler Thornburg (left) celebrates League Baseball announced the Padres had taken with with catcher Martin Maldonado today that AJ Preller, Pomeranz. he Chicago Cubs became the fi rst after defeating the Chicago Cubs. Executive Vice-President Padres spokesperson team this season to clinch a Major (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports) and General Manager of Shana Wilson provided League Baseball division title even the Padres, has received a this response to Olney’s though they lost 5-4 to the Milwau- 30-day suspension without story: “At this point, it is an Tkee Brewers on Thursday night. pay. MLB considers the mat- ongoing review, and we will Because of the loss, the Cubs needed some ter closed and will have no refrain from comment until help to capture their fi rst NL Central crown further comment.” the process has concluded since the 2008 season. And they got it later According to ESPN’s and we receive formal that night from the San Francisco Giants report, San Diego off icials notification of the outcome who dusted off the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 in told their athletic trainers to from MLB. San Francisco. keep separate files on the “That said, there was no The Cubs did not stick around the sta- medical information of their direction or intent on our dium and instead will celebrate after playing players — one for Major part to mislead other clubs the second game of their four-game series League Baseball and the with respect to a player’s today. “It would have been wonderful to do public, and the other for the medical information.” so for the fans (Thursday), but that’s part of the uncontrollable nature of our game,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “We had a BOXING really good way about us today. We just made a couple of mistakes that we normally don’t make. That’s going to happen.” Brewers pinch hitter Scooter Gennett Alvarez hopes to broke a tie in the seventh inning as he dou- bled home Domingo Santana and Martin Maldonado with one out for go-ahead runs dethrone Britain’s and a 5-3 lead. Milwaukee starter Jimmy Nelson threw six innings of three-run ball to get the vic- unbeaten Smith tory, the fi rst of his career in 12 appearances against Chicago. Reliever Tyler Thornburg AFP drawn and 13 knockouts, faced the top of the Cubs’ order and got the Los Angeles fi ghts outside of Britain for fi nal four outs for his 10th save. the fi rst time. The 28-year- old Merseysider has won 18 aul ‘Canelo’ Alva- fi ghts in a row over six years, Elsewhere... drove in four runs to lead Toronto past Los Garcia pinch ran and stole second and scored came with two outs. Nine of the Pirates’ 13 rez will try to regain winning eight in a row inside Giants 6, Cardinals 2 Angeles. Josh Donaldson returned to the Blue on Sanchez’s single to right center off Bryan hits went for extra bases. Two of the home a share of the world the distance over the past Johnny Cueto pitched a fi ve-hitter and Jays’ starting lineup as the designated hitter Shaw (2-5). Sanchez entered the game runs were off the bat of Andrew McCutchen, super welterweight three years. helped his own cause with a go-ahead sacri- after missing the past three games because just.173. White Sox closer David Robertson and Jordy Mercer’s three-run blast in the crownS he last held three “Just because Smith isn’t fi ce fl y in the fourth inning, leading the San of a jammed right hip. The 2015 American (5-3) struck out Coco Crisp with two men in seventh inning broke open what had been a years ago by dethroning very well known in the US Francisco Giants to a 6-2 victory over the St. League Most Valuable Player went 3-for-3, scoring position to preserve a tied game in the one-run Pittsburgh lead before the Pirates Britain’s undefeated Liam doesn’t diminish how tough Louis Cardinals in the opener of a four-game hit two doubles, walked twice and scored top of the ninth. Starter James Shields allowed made it a laugher in the ninth. ‘Beefy’ Smith tonight. he is as an opponent. We ex- series. Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer, twice. JA Happ earned his 13th victory in 14 one run on three hits and three walks in six in- The fi ght will be staged pect him to be very powerful Buster Posey had four hits and Denard Span, decisions. Happ (19-4) conceded two runs nings. Shields was 0-5 with a 10.75 ERA while Rays 7, Orioles 6 at the home stadium of and we are training for that,” demoted to eighth in the batting order, laced (one earned) and just three hits in six-plus winless in his previous eight starts. Evan Longoria homered and had fi ve RBIs the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, Alvarez said. a key two-run single, helping the Giants innings, walked three and struck out three. to lead Tampa Bay past Baltimore in the se- where Filipino star Manny Alvarez spent two and move two games ahead of the Cardinals in the Twins 5, Tigers 1 ries opener. The Orioles entered the day one Pacquiao fought twice for a half years as the World National League wild-card race. Cueto (16-5) Athletics 14, Royals 5 Brian Dozier’s two-run single capped a four- game behind the Boston Red Sox for fi rst world titles in 2010. Boxing Council super wel- became the NL’s fourth 16-game winner with Joey Wendle had a career-best four-hit game run second inning and Hector Santiago sty- place in the American League East. The Rays, Alvarez, a 26-year-old terweight champion before his league-leading fi fth complete game. and scored three runs, while Daniel Mengden mied Detroit for 5 2/3 innings to help the who are looking to play spoiler, won their Mexican, is 47-1-1 with 33 losing to Mayweather. He pitched seven scoreless innings as Oakland Twins gain a split of their four-game series. third straight game. Steven Souza Jr. went knockouts, having won fi ve beat Miguel Cotto for the Red Sox 7, Yankees 5 crushed Kansas City to complete a four-game Detroit elected to pitch to Minnesota’s hottest 3-for-4 with an RBI and Logan Forsythe also fi ghts in a row since suff ering WBC middleweight crown Hanley Ramirez hit a monstrous two-out, sweep. The A’s 16-hit attack included three- hitter with two outs and runners on second had a pair of hits with an RBI for Tampa Bay, his lone loss by a 12-round last November by unani- three-run homer to center fi eld to cap a wild run homers by Marcus Semien in the eighth and third. Dozier took the second of two fl at which won for the fi rst time in seven games majority decision to Floyd mous decision but dropped fi ve-run, ninth-inning rally that gave Boston and Ryon Healy in the third, and a two-run breaking balls thrown by Mike Pelfrey (4-10) at Camden Yards this season. Mayweather in 2013. Alvarez the title to step back down a victory over New York. Ramirez connected blast by Stephen Vogt, who matched his ca- and stroked it into left fi eld to drive in two runs most recently knocked out in weight class to face Smith. off Dellin Betances, who had just surren- reer high with fi ve RBIs — the third time he and lift his season’s RBI count to 98. Santiago Diamondbacks 7, Dodgers 3 Britain’s Amir Khan in the Alvarez is looking at dered run-scoring singles to David Ortiz and has accomplished that. Five A’s had multi-hit (12-8) shut out the Tigers on four hits through Mitch Haniger’s three-run homer capped sixth round last May. a likely 2017 major bout Mookie Betts. With Boston down 5-1, David games, led by Wendle’s four singles. Mengden fi ve innings before James McCann’s two-out a fi ve-run sixth inning and Kyle Jensen also “I’ve been wanting a big against Kazakhstan’s un- Ortiz hit a solo shot off Adam Warren in the (2-7) gave up three hits, walked none and RBI double in the sixth provided Detroit’s run. homered as Arizona beat Los Angeles to open fi ght with one of the big- beaten Gennady Golovkin, eighth for the 537th home run of his career. struck out six, picking up his fi rst victory since a four-game series. Brandon Drury added an gest names and I jumped at the undisputed middle- He snapped a tie with Yankees great Mickey June 27. He threw 88 pitches, 61 for strikes. Pirates 15, Phillies 2 RBI single and Archie Bradley threw six-plus the chance to fi ght Canelo,” weight champion, provided Mantle for 17th place on the all-time hom- Pittsburgh crushed fi ve home runs and put solid innings for the Diamondbacks, who Smith said. “This is a chance he gets past Smith. er list. Ortiz was also in the middle of the White Sox 2, Indians 1 up an eight-run rally in the ninth inning as have won four consecutive home games for to make a big name for my- Smith will be defending ninth-inning rally, collecting his 114th RBI. Carlos Sanchez drove in the winning run on a it picked up a win over Philadelphia, salvag- the fi rst time since July 9-20, 2014. Bradley self in America because the for the third time the crown one-out single in the ninth inning to give Chi- ing a split in a four-game series. Pittsburgh’s (7-9) allowed three runs on nine hits, walked biggest name in boxing with he won by stopping Ameri- Blue Jays 7, Angels 2 cago a victory over Cleveland. Omar Narvaez fi rst seven runs all came from homers. The two and struck out seven to earn his third the biggest draw is Canelo.” can John Thompson in the Russell Martin hit a three-run home run and singled to begin the bottom of the ninth. Leury Pirates’ eight runs in the ninth inning all win in his last four starts. Smith, 23-0 with one seventh round last October. Gulf Times Saturday, September 17, 2016 5 SPORT

PARALYMPICS Russian prez Putin says leaked WADA documents raise ‘lots of questions’ AFP reports detailing the cheating Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and called on Russia to help Fencers: The lethal stop the hacking of its com- puter systems. The Kremlin resident Vladimir Putin reacted promptly by saying said yesterday that it was ready to help while PWorld Anti-Doping denying Russian involvement Agency documents leaked in the hack. in a hack blamed on Russian Meanwhile, International cyberspies had raised “lots Olympic Committee (IOC) wheelchair ‘warriors’ of questions” about medical president Thomas Bach has exemptions that allow athletes asked Russian authorities for to take banned substances. help to stop the hackers. The Combatants must remain seated in wheelchairs attached to the floor, largely immobilising “We do not support what IOC supports the eff orts of the the hackers do, but what they World Anti-Doping Agency to their lower bodies, whether the athletes’ legs are paralysed or not. Free from the waist up, did cannot but be of interest stop the activities of a Russian to the international com- hacking group, he said. the fencers then engage in furious duels, lunging, parrying and leaning back to escape munity, and most of all to the Documents released online sports community,” Putin said by the hacking group list nor- at a regional leaders summit in mally forbidden substances Central Asian Kyrgyzstan, Rus- which the athletes are using Sun Gang of China and Yannick Ifebe of sian news agencies reported. under medical exemptions. France compete in the 2016 Rio Paralympics “It raises lots of questions.” Bach will, meanwhile, not wheelchair fencing men’s Epee team gold WADA said in a statement be attending tomorrow’s clos- medal match on Thursday. (Reuters) earlier this week that the ing ceremony of the Paral- Russian cyber-espionage ympics, an IOC spokesman group Tsar Team (APT28), also confirmed. known as Fancy Bears, had Bach cancelled his planned broken into its Anti-Doping trip to the opening ceremony Administration and Manage- and has not visited the Games ment System (ADAMS). in Rio de Janeiro at all. The hacking group released Bach is a guest in New York information from the files of at the weekend for a United US Olympic gymnast Simone Nations summit on migration Biles and tennis stars Serena and refugees. He will take part and Venus Williams, among in the UN General Assembly others. debate and meet UN Secretary Putin slammed the fact that General Ban Ki-moon, the IOC “healthy athletes” had been al- spokesman said. lowed to take forbidden medi- Bach had planned to attend cation while Russia’s Paralym- the opening ceremony of the pians had been excluded from Paralympics at the Maracana the Rio Paralympics “under Stadium but instead decided suspicion of having taken to attend the funeral of former some kind of drugs”. West German President Walter Russia is still smart- Scheel in Berlin. ing after its track and field Brazilian police wish to athletes were banned from speak to Bach in a black the Olympics and its entire market Olympic ticket scandal, Paralympics team turfed out though he is not the subject of of their Games over evidence an investigation. IOC member of state-sponsored doping. Patrick Hickey has been WADA called the hack charged in Brazil in relation to “retaliation” after it released alleged illegal ticket sales.

1960 but only recently arrived in AFP If a modern weapon almost are worn like fl owing skirts. Medals Table Rio de Janeiro took his life, the ancient sword The white clothing dates from Brazil — by “pure chance.” helped him win it back. “When the days of aristocrats in du- And it wasn’t easy to learn the (after Thursday’s events) you put on that mask, you be- els, Mainville says. “They made skills needed to wield his weap- Country ...... G ....S ..... B .....T he Paralympic wheel- come a warrior,” he said. rules where the fi rst one to bleed ons of choice, the epee and foil. chair fencers enter the Combatants must remain loses. Then people tried to cheat “You’re working at very close China ...... 84 ...66 ... 41 ....191 arena to the strains of the seated in wheelchairs attached by wearing dark clothes, so they range, so you have to attack Great Britain .... 49 ...28 ...31 ....108 TJames Bond theme tune, to the fl oor, largely immobiliz- said from now on everyone must quickly and get out of the way Ukraine ...... 35....27 ... 30 ...92 but even 007 probably couldn’t ing their lower bodies, whether wear white.” quickly,” he says. “There’s a lot of United States ...30 ...33 ... 26 ...89 duel while stuck in a chair. the athletes’ legs are paralysed Like Mainville, Brazilian training. You have to repeat things Australia ...... 14 ....24 ... 22 ....60 Many skilful athletes are over- or not. swordsman Fabio Luiz Damas- 10,000 times to do them well.” Germany ...... 12 ....19 .... 10 ....41 coming a lot of disabilities at the Free from the waist up, the ceno, 33, was paralysed from the Damasceno points out an im- Brazil...... 10 ....25 ... 18 ....53 Rio Games. However, fencers fencers engage in furious duels, waist down in a shooting. He de- portant complication that on- Netherlands ..... 10 ....15 .... 22 ....47 have a unique edge. lunging, parrying and leaning scribed the incident as occurring lookers might not even notice. “It’s one of the only combat back to escape. The clink and “in a street fi ght.” Although all the competitors are New Zealand ....9 ...... 5 ...... 4 ...... 18 sports you can do in a wheel- scraping of steel blade against And he’s not the only other all strapped into their chairs and Italy ...... 8 ...... 13 .... 10 ....31 chair,” 43-year-old Pierre Main- blade fi lls the air, interrupted by shooting victim turned fencer in divided into one of three groups Qatar ...... 0 .....1 ...... 0...... 1 ville, who reached the quarter- occasional cries of victory or dis- Rio. Damasceno’s teammate Jo- of disability, the variations in fi nals with the sabre, said on appointment. “It’s like chess,” vane Guissone was shot during a physical condition, and therefore an old fashioned sword fi ght. Thursday. Mainville says. “Only very fast.” robbery in 2004 and lost control mobility, can still be huge. “With fencing, your goal is to The Canadian took up wheel- The fi ghters resemble some- of his legs. Damasceno has legs but they touch the opponent — and touch chair fencing 15 years ago after a thing between aliens, ninjas and He took up wheelchair fencing won’t respond, while a double- fi rst,” Damasceno says. policeman bent on killing an ex- Medieval knights. They wear four years later and won gold in amputee opponent may retain Or as Greece’s Panagiotis girlfriend fi red repeatedly into the dark masked helmets and white the 2012 London Paralympics. use of his thighs, giving him an Triantafyllou, 30 — who ended car carrying her and three others, suits wired to register an oppo- Damasceno says he discovered extra bit of agility and strength in up winning silver in the sabre including Mainville. He was hit nent’s hit. Blankets closing off wheelchair fencing — a sport that his upper body. on Thursday — said: “It helps to US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles’ medical files are among six times and left a paraplegic. the area from the waist to the feet has been in the Paralympics since Ultimately, the contest is just have long arms and be smart.” those released by the Russian hacking group Fancy Bears.

OPINION Wiggins & Froome leaks raise familiar questions The documents leaked by Fancy Bears, which appear to show therapeutic use exemptions for Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins, do little more than open a window and let in a chink of light without the benefit of context, writes William Fotheringham

or a hacker website publishing ment on Thursday. “In nine years as a British Cycling and International Cy- supported by TUEs, underlining the to treat an allergic reaction, and calls little context available within which leaked documents Fancy Bears professional, I’ve twice required a TUE cling Union approved and like all Team surreal nature of the American’s pre- it “probably the most potent drug out this data can be examined. We don’t is one of the better names. It’s a for exacerbated asthma, the last time GB athletes he follows WADA regula- dicament. Cortisone abuse has a long there”, adding: “With the right pre- know how exceptional Wiggins and Fhappy combination of the friv- was in 2014.” tions to the letter. The leak of these history in cycling yet here was a rider scription it could be used legally.” Froome are in having TUEs, compared olous (just fancy that!) and the threat- His fellow Tour de France winner records is an attempt to undermine the being penalised because he couldn’t Triamcinolone was, famously, the to the rest of their peers. We don’t ening (help, a bear!) with resonances of Wiggins had not come under the TUE credibility of WADA and that’s some- use it for a legitimate reason. substance that Lance Armstrong used know precisely what TUEs their rivals a newly launched sweet, plus an ironic spotlight before. The website contains thing for them to deal with.” Thus the conundrum. Any doctor before the 1999 Tour de France and have or had, we don’t know how big undertone of Russian-ness. In terms documents that – although they have The essential paradox over corticos- or medical website will make it clear that was found in his urine at the race. an issue TUE use is across cycling, let of its impact on cycling, however, it yet to be confi rmed as genuine – ap- teroids – and other TUE medicines – is that corticoids such as prednisolone Vaughters’ testimony from the United alone the extent to which TUEs may does not leave that bitter a taste in the pear to show that he used a salbutamol common currency in cycling. It was and triamcinolone are essentially “go- States Anti-Doping Agency report or may not be abused for performance mouth. Rather, it raises some familiar inhaler through 2008 and 2009, mov- shown in most stark relief in the 2001 to” drugs in the medical world for in- makes it clear that Armstrong used cor- enhancing reasons. We can only spec- questions. ing to one-off injections of triamci- Tour de France when Jonathan Vaugh- fl ammation of many kinds once more tisone to boost performance; cortisone ulate, which is far from healthy. What the website’s leaked therapeu- nolone acetate in 2011, 2012 and 2013, ters suff ered an allergic reaction to a benign treatments have been worked is mentioned in the Cycling Independ- One initial step would be for all TUEs tic use exemption (TUE) documents to treat what is described on the form bee sting which caused his face to swell through. However, they can also be ent Reform Commission report as well. to be declared openly once they are for Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wig- as a “life long allergy to pollen nasal up so that he could not see to ride his performance-enhancing depending on The problem with leaked or hacked registered, even if that involves ath- gins shows is not massively surpris- congestion/rhinorrhoea, known aller- bike. The American needed a corticos- the quantity used and the way an indi- information such as Fancy Bears’ out- letes losing medical confi dentiality – a ing. That Froome had permission to gy to grass pollen, sneezing throat ir- teroid injection but this was not per- vidual reacts to them – and diff erent put is that it doesn’t do much more sacrifi ce that could be worth the tak- use prednisolone for the 2013 and 2014 ritation, wheezing leading to dysnop- mitted at the time under the regula- doctors and diff erent anti-doping ex- than open a window and let in a chink ing given that the current situation fa- Tours de Romandie confi rms his previ- noea eye watering runny nose”. tions of the governing UCI – his Crédit perts have disparate views on just how of light without the benefi t of context. vours no one. At least then it would be ous statements about having had “two The documents include what appear Agricole team opted to follow the rules, big a boost they give. Cortisone is the Such was the problem with Froome’s possible to establish patterns through TUEs in his career”, one of which was to be detailed statements about Wig- so he was unable to continue. Since anti-doping grey area par excellence: leaked TUE in 2014, so too the epi- teams, nationalities, disciplines within leaked in June 2014, the other revealed gins’s treatment and the development then, “fast-track” TUEs are available, legitimate medicine, commonly pre- sode of Froome’s power output fi g- sports, and particular doctors, and to in an interview this year. of the allergy. A statement on Wig- for precisely this sort of eventuality. scribed, which boosts performance, ures in 2015, put out there via a video hold athletes and those around them to “I’ve openly discussed my TUEs gins’s behalf was similar to that issued On the same day as the Vaughters but how much? that – allegedly – used data that had account where suspicion is perceived. with the media and have no issues by Froome, saying: “There’s nothing episode, it was revealed that half of In his autobiography, ‘Racing in the been hacked, although other sources Arguably so much information might with the leak, which only confi rms my new here. Everyone knows Brad suff ers the riders tested earlier in that Tour – Dark’, David Millar describes having claimed it had been leaked. muddy the waters, but at present they statements,” Froome said in a state- from asthma, his medical treatment is eight out of 16 – were using cortisone an intramuscular cortisone injection Likewise with Fancy Bears: there is are far from clear. (The Guardian) Gulf Times 6 Saturday, September 17, 2016 RUGBY

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Pumas target Cooper-Foley in ‘Confi dent’ All Wallabies ambush

AFP Perth

Blacks want big rgentina plan to tar- get playmakers Ber- nard Foley and as they gear up Afor an ambush win over the Wal- labies in their Rugby Champion- ship Test in Perth today. Head coach start against Boks risked fi elding both fl y-halves as the Wallabies broke a run of six Test defeats against South Africa ‘We don’t really want to be focusing too much on them but if we can get a start in terms of our in Brisbane last week and the physicality and a bit of intensity in our own play then the scoreboard does funny things to teams’ pair hold the key to Australia’s attack against the Pumas. Winger Lucas Gonzalez Amo- AFP rosino said Argentina, who al- Christchurch ready have the Springboks scalp The All Blacks stepped it up in in this year’s southern hemi- the fi nal stages to run away 57-22 sphere tournament, are look- winners, scoring eight tries to ew Zealand captain Kieran ing to keep Cooper and Foley in one. Read has hammered home check this weekend. “Rugby is a mixture, if you’ve the message he does not want “I think this is the idea, start got really good attack and no Na repeat of last week’s start playing the match and don’t defence you can’t play and then against Argentina when they play South give easy points to Australia, you’ve got really good defence Africa in Christchurch today. put pressure on the key players, and no attack you can’t play,” he The All Blacks are confi dent they can Quade Cooper, Foley,” Amorosi- said. take the Springboks in the fourth-round no told reporters yesterday. “You need to have a mix to Rugby Championship match and pos- “They have two 10s (fl y- have a good match.” sibly wrap up the title if Australia beat halves) in their team and they Pumas defence coach Pablo Argentina in the other match. play with really good skills so I Bouza said the Wallabies, with However, Read said they do not want think the idea is to put pressure three new backs this year, were a another slow start after slipping behind on (those) players. diffi cult team for which to devise Argentina three times in the fi rst 50 min- “Maybe make them feel not a game plan. utes of their last match before eventually so comfortable and after that we “I don’t know if they have so taking command to pull off a convincing take the opportunity to carry the many as New Zealand but they 57-22 victory. ball as soon as possible.” have the skill and the pattern of He said they need a strong opening It is the fi rst time the two na- attack is very good,” he said. against a Springbok side looking to atone tions have met since the Walla- “Every match they improve for consecutive losses against Argentina bies won 29-15 in a semi-fi nal at something, they bring some- and Australia. last year’s World Cup in London. thing new so it is very diffi cult “We don’t really want to be focusing Amorosino said the Pumas for us to study what they’re do- too much on them but if we can get a start had to ensure their defensive ing. in terms of our physicality and a bit of in- game was spot on to contain the “They have some diff erent tensity in our own play then the score- Australians. players — is a great, board does funny things to teams,” Read “We need to put pressure on now they are playing with two said Friday as the All Blacks wrapped up Australia to put up a really good number 10s, their number nine training. defence, so after two or three (scrum-half Will) Genia is play- “If we can get a lead obviously that phases we receive the ball again ing really well in the champion- helps, but we know it will take a big eff ort and we can start playing,” he ship. against the Boks tomorrow night.” said. “It’s a very tough team for de- The All Blacks are rated overwhelm- But Amorosino said while de- fence.” ing favourites to extend their winning fence was a priority, the Pumas The Pumas have only won streak, which currently stands at 14, with would not abandon the running once in 12 Tests in Australia, but the misfi ring Springboks under attack for rugby that had them trailing the that was back in 1983. They have their woeful return of one win from three All Blacks by just two points af- had three narrow defeats in the matches. ter 50 minutes in New Zealand Rugby Championship away to Former South Africa coach Nick Mal- last weekend. the Wallabies. lett has branded then a “B division” out- fi t, saying they were shown up last week by “a poor Australian side, lacking con- All Blacks captain Kieran Read CAPTAIN SPEAK fi dence”. But Read did not accept the criticism, what the opposition is going to throw at gled and been subject to intense criticism off a couple of losses, they will be doing believing the Springboks would fi nd an us.” from fans and media, particularly after everything they can to turn up so it’s a big extra gear to face the All Blacks. The South Africans are in a transitional they looked muddled in their 23-17 loss test for us.” South Africa “This Springboks team will be pretty phase under new coach Allister Coetzee to the Wallabies in Brisbane, a week after All Blacks coach Hansen added he felt eager to prove some people wrong,” he with several players out injured while they lost 26-24 to the Pumas in Salta. his side would need to be on their game said, adding the All Blacks remained con- only fi ve of the team starting today faced Read was dismissive of the criticism, from the opening whistle because it was building but not fi dent. the All Blacks in the World Cup semi- knowing that while the All Blacks have only a matter of time before Coetzee’s “I don’t think I’ve ever not had that fi nal last year. fashioned an almost 80% success rate in plans would bed in. feeling in an All Blacks jersey. We go out Steve Hansen’s side won that game 20- their 544 test matches since 1903, they “When you come to mould your there yet: Strauss every game, some games are a lot harder 18 before they clinched their third World have only a 59.89% winning rate against team, sometimes it takes a little while and tougher than others, but you always Cup title a week later and since then both the Springboks, who would lift for the to get them to where you need them to Reuters have confi dence in your own ability as a teams have lost several veterans as they clash on Saturday. be because you are changing the style,” Wellington group. look towards the 2019 tournament in Ja- “We know how tough the Springboks Hansen said. “Tomorrow is no diff erent, but in say- pan. team is,” Read said. “They will get it right one of these days ing that it doesn’t mean we don’t respect Coetzee’s team, however, have strug- “Even a wounded team that has come soon and, when they do, look out.” outh Africa captain Adriaan Strauss had no excuses for his side’s BOTTOMLINE Spoor run of form this season as they face their tough- est challenge so far against the All Blacks in the Rugby Champi- onship today. The Springboks have strug- gled under new coach Al- Wallabies hope Timani can be lister Coetzee, losing to Ireland in June, while they needed a 17-point burst in the fi nal 10 minutes to overcome Argentina 30-23 in their opening match of a smash hit on debut the southern hemisphere com- Reuters “(Sitaleki’s) very happy. He specialist openside fl ankers, in petition. Melbourne wasn’t happy that I didn’t get the back row since the World They have since lost 26-24 to Zealand, a streak of 43 matches, selection in June. He’s always Cup but has enjoyed less mile- the Pumas in Salta and then were and are on a 14-match unbeaten helped me through playing rug- age from the ploy in the Rugby poor in losing 23-17 to an equally run since last year. opeti Timani, the by.” Championship. out of sorts Wallabies side last Local media have suggested youngest brother of Lopeti Timani, who weighs “I would love to play number week in Brisbane. the buildup to the test has failed three Tonga-born in- about 124 kilograms, is called eight but when I moved to the Strauss’s team now face an All to capture the imagination of the Lternationals, was a bat- ‘Pet’ by his teammates in an Rebels they’ve got a lot of back- Blacks side who have taken their New Zealand public, no doubt a tering ram on fi elds abbreviation of his name but rowers,” said Timani. game to a new level since win- symptom of the diff erences in this year and the 25-year-old described as ‘scary’ by his Mel- “I told the coach, ‘I don’t ning last year’s World Cup, ham- current form of the two teams. forward will hope to be a smash bourne Rebels coach Tony Mc- mind if you put me in the second mering the Wallabies twice and Recent history has also fa- hit off the bench in his Wallabies Gahan and a ‘hit-man’ by local row or front row, at least I’m on then running away from a bellig- voured the world champions. Test debut against Argentina. rugby media. the fi eld playing football. erent Pumas side in the fi nal 30 Despite the closeness of several Yesterday, the back-rower- McGahan joked that his “But you can read the game minutes last week. of the games, the All Blacks have turned-lock was confi rmed in Rebels team mates had tried to better from the back of the “There is defi nitely progress won eight of the last 10 clashes the match-day 23 for today’s cut off the 6ft-4in forward’s scrum.” (but) there’s still a lot of hard between the sides. clash at Perth Oval, following ‘rat’s tail’ that trails down the Not yet the cleanest user of the work that lies ahead,” Strauss Coetzee, however, said he felt in the footsteps of his hulking back of his neck but no one could ball, Timani still has a number of told reporters in Christchurch the rugby world would still take brother Sitaleki who earned 18 work up the courage to approach rough edges to his game and may yesterday. “We are not the team notice today, given the long his- caps as a lock between 2011-13. him with a pair of scissors. not be expected to dazzle with we want to be... and we know we tory between the traditional ri- The oldest of the three broth- “I can tell you no one wants his skill against the Pumas. are not there yet. vals. ers, 32-year-old lock Sione, has to get in front of him at training “I’ve known Pet for a while, he “The criticism and questions “Whenever South Africa have been capped seven times for Ton- and line up in his grid,” McGa- was in the academy at the (New from outside are fair and part of played New Zealand in the past, ga, the island nation which has han told local media. “He rattles South Wales) Waratahs when I the game, but we know where we its always been a big battle. The produced plenty of rugby talent teeth most weeks.” was there and the Timanis are are heading.” world stops and looks at a match but struggled to retain it from the Cheika said he had been big units, you realise that pretty The Springboks were present- like this,” he said. sport’s more powerful nations. “knocking lumps” out of Wal- quick,” said Wallabies back- ed with their jerseys yesterday by “We are looking forward to it Tonga, currently coached by labies at training and will be rower Dean Mumm. 2007 World Cup winning captain because tradition and history tell former Wallaby Toutai Kefu, straining at the leash at Perth “I think I’ve noticed from John Smit, with the symbolism you that it is going to be a physi- also hoped to keep Lopeti after Oval. Starting as a back-rower, that time to now how much he’s poignant. cal battle and skill sets will be losing Sitaleki to Australian rug- Timani has been re-fashioned grown as a player. Smit was the captain of the tested. by fi ve years ago and may well into a lock at the Rebels but is “I can’t wait to see what he last Springboks side to beat the “We playing against the have had their man had Cheika seen as a possible solution to can do, he’s a terrifi c player. All Blacks in New Zealand — a world’s number one team and it’s not swooped during the ongoing cited when I got selected as was “They’re very proud of me but the Wallabies’ lack of specialist He’s going to hit hard, he’s go- 32-29 victory in Hamilton on going to be a great test of where Rugby Championship. my family back in Tonga,” Lopeti they’re kind of nervous too be- number eights. ing to carry hard. It doesn’t Sept. 12, 2009. we are as a team and how much “I’ve been waiting for this for Timani told reporters in Perth cause it’s another big step in my Cheika has employed Michael have to be more complicated Since that loss the All Blacks progress we have made up until a very long time. I was very ex- yesterday. career. Hooper and , two than that.” have not been beaten in New now.” Gulf Times Saturday, September 17, 2016 7 SPORT

FORMULA 1 / NEW ZEALAND’S TOUR OF INDIA Williamson, Rosberg fastest as Latham propel three-way battle visitors to 324 for 7 vs Mumbai

IANS Williamson’s scalp. New Delhi While Latham’s 55 came off 97 deliv- looms in Singapore eries, including 10 fours and a six, Wil- liamson consumed just 56 balls with six iding on half centuries from hits to the fence and two over it. German edges out Raikkonen, Verstappen; Hamilton seventh fastest skipper Kane Williamson After getting to his half century, (50 ) and opener Tom Latham also retired making way for Latham (55), New Zealand de- veteran Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls claredR their fi rst innings at 324 for 7 as to get some match practice. most of the other batsmen got decent Taylor looked his usual self hitting a starts on the opening day of the three- 57-ball 41 with fi ve fours and two sixes day practice game against Ranji Trophy before being dismissed by left-arm champions Mumbai here yesterday. spinner Vijay Gohil. Nicholls also got a In reply, Mumbai reached 29 for 1 start with a 49-ball 29 before off -spin- after batting for 13 overs when stumps ner Siddhesh Lad sent him back. were drawn for the day. Stumper Bradley Watling (21), New Zealand’s main headache was Michael Santner (45), Mark Craig (33 again the form of swashbuckling open- not out) and Ish Sohi (29) then gained ing batsman Martin Guptill, whose some valuable batting practice in the poor run with the willow continued af- middle as the visitors declared their in- ter the visitors were sent in to bat on a nings at 324/7 and allowed their bowl- grassy Ferozeshah Kotla . ers to test the conditions towards the The 29-year-old seemed to be in a fag end of the day. hurry after scoring a brisk 19-ball 15 Mumbai used as many as nine bowl- with a four and a six before giving a ers with Sandhu emerging the most simple catch to stumper Aditya Tare off successful with two while pacer Balwinder Sandhu. Vishal Dabholkar, Gohil and Lad Guptill’s departure brought in Wil- chipped in with one wicket apiece. liamson and Latham together as the In reply, Mumbai got off to a poor right-left combo stitched a 85-run start losing opener Jay Bista for a duck stand for the second wicket, with both before Kaustubh Pawar (5 not out) and reaching their respective half centuries Armaan Jaff er (24 not out) saw the day before Sandhu separated them with off to reach 29 for 1 at stumps.

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg poses for photos with his team to mark his 200th Grand Prix before the first practice session in Singapore yesterday. (Reuters)

Reuters was unable to fully tap into its supe- stappen and Ricciardo achieved a halt towards the end of his installation Singapore rior power on the slow, tight circuit in Red Bull one-two as the 18-year- lap, bringing out the virtual safety car. downtown Singapore. old Dutchman lapped in one minute “Yes, it’s stopped,” the Briton la- Rosberg has won the last two races 45.823 seconds to head his teammate mented over the team radio. “I’m not ico Rosberg clocked the fast- to close the gap on championship- by 0.049 seconds. Vettel was next going to make it back to the pits.” est time of the day in the leading teammate Lewis Hamilton to fastest, 0.464 off the pace. All the other cars returned to the second free practice session two points and the Briton cut a frus- Hamilton fi nished 0.603 seconds pits as the Briton was pushed a few for the Singapore Grand Prix trated fi gure yesterday, fi nishing sev- behind Verstappen but fi fth-placed hundred metres to his garage by mar- Nyesterday in a race that appears to be enth in the second session after suf- Rosberg had his session ended prema- shals and crew members. shaping up as a three-way battle be- fering a hydraulics issue. turely when he damaged his front wing After a mid-session lull when all the tween Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari. Mercedes have won 13 of 14 races this after crashing late in the 90-minute cars returned to the pits to hand back The German, who will start his 200th season but the race pace during yester- session. their fi rst set of tyres, Rosberg soon Formula One grand prix tomorrow, day’s long runs would suggest a repeat The Mercedes duo set their fastest had the track to himself and imme- lapped the 23-turn Marina Bay Street of last year’s result when Ferrari’s Se- times on the more durable soft com- diately took almost a second off Ver- Circuit in one minute 44.152 seconds to bastian Vettel led home Red Bull’s Dan- pound tyres, however, with the top stappen’s early pace-setting time. edge out Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and iel Ricciardo is entirely possible. three all going quicker on ultrasofts. The Red Bulls then went out on new Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Australia’s Ricciardo was fourth The session started in the twilight as sets of ultrasofts to dominate the re- The top three fi nishers were sepa- fastest yesterday, ahead of Vettel and the cars went out for their fi rst stints mainder of the session, with Vettel rated by just 0.380 seconds on the Nico Hulkenberg in a Force India. at the end of a sweltering day but also going quicker than Mercedes on timesheets as Rosberg’s Mercedes In the fi rst session of the day, Ver- McLaren’s Jenson Button ground to a his fi nal stint.

BOTTOMLINE

Tom Latham of New Zealand bats during a three-day tour game against Mumbai Teenager Hameed gets in New Delhi yesterday. (AFP)

England call for Bangladesh Morgan set to lead England in India ODIs AFP ner Zafar Ansari. and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sent a Nottingham, United Kingdom The pair’s selection alongside fact-fi nding delegation to Bangladesh Moeen Ali and Adi Rashid, means led by Reg Dickason, their security of- AFP England revival in 50-over cricket England will have a quartet of slow fi cer. Nottingham, United Kingdom following their embarrassing first- eenage opener Haseeb bowlers to chose from on pitches ex- Dickason said it was safe to tour but round exit at last year’s World Cup. Hameed was included in pected to aid spinners. that was not enough to persuade Hales “Eoin has done exceptionally well as the England Test squad an- “Zafar has great potential both with and England one-day captain Eoin ngland selection chief James captain,” national selector Whitaker nounced yesterday for the bat and ball and Gareth’s experience as Morgan to travel to Bangladesh. Whitaker expects Eoin Morgan told reporters at Trent Bridge after Ttour of Bangladesh. one of the country’s best slow bowlers Eto lead the one-day side in announcing the squads for the Bang- The uncapped 19-year-old Lanca- and his ability to be eff ective in sub- TEST SQUAD: Alastair Cook (capt), India even though he has opted out ladesh tour. shire star was selected after a success- continent conditions will be benefi cial Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Zafar of the upcoming tour of Bangladesh “Over the last couple of years he’s ful season for the Red Rose county and this winter,” said Whitaker. Ansari, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Gary Bal- on security grounds. established a really good leadership following the decision of current Eng- Alastair Cook, England’s Test cap- lance, Gareth Batty, , Jos Morgan, England’s one-day interna- base. He’s down a marvellous job. land opener to rule himself tain, is set to travel to Bangladesh a Buttler (wkt), , Steven Finn, tional captain, and Alex Hales, who “It’s slightly disappointing that he’s out of the tour on security grounds. week ahead of the Test party to work Haseeb Hameed, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, opened in both Test and limited turned this opportunity down, but we “Haseeb Hameed, for someone so on his skills before returning home for Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood overs cricket this season, informed expect him to be captain in India.” young, has had an impressive season the birth of his second child. the selectors before yesterday’s Whitaker, a former England bats- in the County Championship with The left-handed opener will miss ONE-DAY SQUAD: Jos Buttler (capt, squad announcement they would man, added: “At the same time, we’ll Lancashire,” said England national se- the two two-day warm-up matches, wkt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake not be touring Bangladesh. review as we do after every series. lector James Whitaker. scheduled to start on October 14 and Ball, , Liam Dawson, Ben Former Ireland batsman Morgan And all I’ll say is, I expect him to be “He has been a consistent per- October 16, before returning to Bang- Duckett, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, has won plaudits for overseeing an captain in India.” former and his four centuries, against ladesh to lead the team in the fi rst Test Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, some of the best bowling attacks in in Chittagong commencing on Thurs- David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark the country are testament to his out- day, October 20. Wood standing temperament and attitude.” This season saw England beat Sri Yorkshire batsman Joe Root, an added: “Throughout the campaign, he Lanka in all formats but they drew a ITINERARY England mainstay in all three inter- has scored heavily for Northampton- four-Test series with Pakistan 2-2 be- Oct 07: 1ST ODI D/N, Sher-e-Bangla national formats, will be rested for the shire in fi rst-class cricket including fore winning the one-dayers and los- National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka three one-day internationals, which two double hundreds. ing a lone Twenty20 Oct 09: 2ND ODI D/N, Sher-e-Bangla begin on October 7, before joining the “His 220 not out for the England The Bangladesh tour — which be- National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka Test squad. Lions in a 50-over game against Sri gins on September 30 and will in- Oct 12: 3RD ODI D/N, Zohur Ahmed Ben Duckett, another uncapped Lanka A earlier this summer was very clude two Tests and three ODIs — had Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong batsman, has also been included fol- special.” been called into question after an at- Oct 20-24: 1ST TEST, Zohur Ahmed lowing a prolifi c season. Meanwhile Surrey captain Gareth tack on a cafe in Dhaka in July which Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong Batty, whose last Test match came in saw 20 hostages killed, including 18 Oct 28-Nov 01: 2ND TEST, Sher-e- ‘SPECIAL DUCKETT’ 2005, has been recalled at the age of foreigners. Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Former England batsman Whitaker 38, together with fellow Surrey spin- Following the attack, the England Dhaka

Saturday, September 17, 2016 GULF TIMES TENNIS

TENNIS FOCUS Ferrer, Lopez Argentina’s Del give Spain 2-0 lead over India

AFP in the fi fth game to go 3-2 up in Potro beats Murray New Delhi the fi rst set, setting the pace against an opponent who played his heart out in front of a raucous pain took a command- home crowd. ing 2-0 lead over India The 34-year-old Lopez kept in the Davis Cup World the momentum going in the sec- Group playoff despite ond set with his excellent range theS last-minute pullout of star of shots, seemingly unfazed by in Davis Cup epic player Rafael Nadal in New Delhi the hot and humid conditions. yesterday. The 21-year-old Ramanathan, Feliciano Lopez, who took placed 203rd in the ATP rank- In the Rio final rematch, world number two goes down in a five-setter court in place of Nadal in the fi rst ings, broke Lopez in the eighth match, and David Ferrer claimed game of the third set to pull one contrasting victories in their re- back and get the home fans be- spective singles matches. hind him. The left-handed Lopez served But Lopez soon gained ground past Ramkumar Ramanathan and showcased his superiority in 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 while the the fi nal set of the match. 13th-ranked Ferrer outplayed Ferrer came out all guns blaz- Saketh Myneni 6-1, 6-2, 6-1. ing in the second match of the Nadal’s absence proved to be day to take the fi rst set in just an anti-climax for the packed 21 minutes and unsettle India’s crowd at Delhi’s RK Khanna Myneni, who is ranked 137th. Tennis Stadium, but Lopez and The 2013 French Open fi nalist Ferrer made up for it with some was broken just once in the sixth quality tennis. game of the second set to stamp Although the Indian organ- his class on the match. isers reported that Nadal was Ferrer, who stunned Myneni down with a stomach bug, his with his speed and baseline play, Spanish teammates insisted that kept up the pace through the a wrist niggle made the 14-time course of the match to wrap up Grand Slam winner sit out. things in just one hour and 28 “Rafa is OK. Nothing with his minutes. stomach. He had some problems Spain will stay in the premier with the wrist and hopefully he World Group next year if they will play in the weekend,” Lopez win one further match in the told reporters. best-of-fi ve rubber at Delhi’s RK In the fi rst match, Lopez broke Khanna Tennis Stadium.

Feliciano Lopez of Spain hits a return against India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan during their match in New Delhi yesterday. (AFP)

Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro returns to Britain’s Andy Murray (below) during the Davis Cup World Group semi-final singles match in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. (AFP) No Nishikori, no problem as Japan AFP just one more victory from either today’s The second was far better from Mur- seize control Glasgow doubles or the two remaining singles ray and the Scot made the breakthrough tomorrow to eliminate the holders and at the perfect moment as he fi nally broke Japan grabbed the initiative in their Davis Cup World Group secure a fourth fi nal spot in the past 10 Del Potro’s serve to take it 7-5. playoff against Ukraine yesterday as Taro Daniel and Yoshihito uan Martin Del Potro shocked years. A moment of controversy turned the Nishioka put the home side on the brink of victory. With world world number two Andy Murray Murray and Del Potro are the headline third set on its head. Murray, waiting on number five Kei Nishikori rested for the opening day’s singles in fi ve sets to get Argentina off to acts of the tie but faced each other on day a let call that never came, stopped playing following his exertions over the summer, Daniel set the tone by a winning start in their Davis Cup one due to the Argentine’s lowly ranking to allow Del Potro to seal the point that beating an ailing Sergiy Stakhovsky 7-6, 7-6, 6-1 in sweltering WorldJ Group semi-fi nal against holders following his recovery from three wrist moved him 5-3 ahead. Fired up by this conditions in Osaka. Nishioka then upset Illya Marchenko 6-4, Great Britain. operations. sense of injustice, the world number two 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 to leave Japan needing to win Saturday’s doubles The 27-year-old, playing his fi rst Davis Three-time major winner Murray, produced some sublime tennis to win the to retain their World Group status next year. Nishioka was the Cup singles rubber in four years, sealed roared on by a passionate home crowd, next three games before taking the set on underdog against Marchenko, who came into the rubber ranked victory 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 in just was playing his fi rst match since suff er- a tie break. a career-high 50th in the world. But as the floodlights came on, over fi ve hours following an epic battle on ing the disappointment of a quarter-fi nal Murray looked uncomfortable as he the power seemed to drain from the Ukrainian, who paid tribute the hard-court of the Emirates Arena in defeat to Kei Nishikori in the US Open. moved about the court in the fourth set to his conqueror. Glasgow. At periods in the fi rst set the Olympic and an early break of serve allowed Del The resurgent Del Potro had to produce gold medallist looked tired and fl at as he Potro to power to victory. some of his best tennis to defeat the Scot, produced a number of uncharacteristic The Argentine showed little signs of Gasquet triumphs for France who missed his paternal grandfather’s unforced errors. fatigue in the fi fth set as he broke the Late call-up Richard Gasquet put France on their way in their funeral to play the rubber, and gain some The crucial moment came in the sev- Murray serve in the seventh match before Davis Cup World Group semi-final against Croatia yesterday, revenge for his Olympic fi nal defeat in Rio enth game as Del Potro broke the Murray serving a remarkable 135mph ace to win beating rising star Borna Coric 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-1. Gasquet, 30, was de Janeiro last month. serve to move ahead for the fi rst time. The the match. drafted in after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils pulled out A win for compatriot Guido Pella, who Argentine then produced a clinical dis- Murray will have little time to recover with knee injuries and the world number 17 made the most of the faces Kyle Edmund in the second singles play to seal the fi rst set 6-4 in just under and is expected to partner big brother opportunity against the 19-year-old Coric on Zadar’s indoor hard rubber, would leave Argentina needing an hour. Jamie in the doubles today. courts. The Frenchman initially missed out because of his own struggle with back and chest injuries over the summer, and even lost in the first round of the US Open to Britain’s Kyle Edmund. SPOTLIGHT In yesterday’s second singles rubber in-form Frenchman Lucas Pouille, ranked 18, was scheduled to play 11th-ranked Marin Cilic. Aussies lead with commanding Kyrgios, Tomic wins New Zealand lead Pakistan 2-0 New Zealand raced to a 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie against Pakistan after dominating the opening singles AFP “Everyone expects me to go out there rubbers. Veteran Jose Statham, playing a record 25th Davis Sydney and towel the guy but it’s never as easy as Cup tie, downed Mohamed Abid 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 to give the Kiwis a that,” Kyrgios said. “I thought he played perfect start. Tournament debutant Finn Tearney was even more some great tennis today.” emphatic, crushing Samir Iftikar 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 to leave Pakistan ick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic Tomic won a fi rst-set tiebreaker and on the brink in the best-of-five tie. The winner will remain in Asia/ claimed straight set victories raced to a two sets to love lead before his Oceania Group I, with the loser relegated to Group II. Pakistan to give Australia a command- game dropped off . He regrouped to take the are without their number one player Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, who ing 2-0 lead over Slovakia after match in three sets in just under two hours. pulled out because he was still angry about the last time the two Nthe opening day singles in the Davis Cup He improved his impressive Davis Cup teams met in Myanmar in 2013. That tie was off icially a “home” World Group playoff in Sydney yesterday. singles record to 17-4. fixture for Pakistan — which has not hosted Davis Cup matches The 15th-ranked Kyrgios shrugged off Tomic was at the centre of a foul- since 2005 due to security concerns. But the grass court was recent hip problems to whip through An- mouthed controversy at the US Open last deemed unplayable and the match referee awarded the tie to drej Martin 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 while the 21st- month when he became embroiled in a New Zealand, even though Pakistan were winning at the time. ranked Tomic completed a 7-6 (5), 6-4, lewd exchange with a heckler on the way 6-4 win over Jozef Kovalik. to his fi rst-round exit to Damir Dzumhur Australia will stay in the premier World of Bosnia. Local favourite Nara crashes out of Group next year if they win one further Australia, who lost to the United States Japan Open match in the best-of-fi ve rubber at Syd- Australia’s Nick in this year’s fi rst round, are looking to ney’s Olympic Tennis centre. Kyrgios in action maintain their three-year stay in the Local favourite Kurumi Nara squandered a one-set lead as “A perfect start. We know it’s not over against Slovakia’s World Group. she was bundled out of the Japan Women’s Open by Slova- quite yet but the boys did really well to- Andrej Martin in Slovakia, who have come to Aus- kia’s Jana Cepelova yesterday. The world number 81 was the day,” Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt Sydney yesterday. tralia without their two leading stars — last Japanese player standing in Tokyo but frittered away told reporters. (AFP) 31-ranked Martin Klizan and 102-ranked a solid start in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 quarter-final defeat. In other “They were big favourites coming into Lukas Lacko — are up against ending a matches, China’s sixth seed Zhang Shuai thrashed American both singles but you can’t take anything Kyrgios was expected to have little match against Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko 10-year absence from the World Group. Varvara Lepchenko 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, while Czech Katerina Sini- for granted in Davis Cup. trouble with the world No.127 Martin and with a hip injury. The Slovaks, captained by Olympic akova overpowered another American, Alison Riske, 6-2, 6-4. “There’s a lot more pressure on as well cruised to victory in 1hr 40min to take his But the temperamental 21-year-old gold medallist Miloslav Mecir, have lost However, seventh seed Christina McHale salvaged some pride and sometimes it’s tougher when you are Davis Cup singles record to 4-3. star showed little inconvenience to put all fi ve of their World Group playoff s since for the United States with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win over Switzerland’s a lot more fancied chance to go out there It came just over a week after he was away Martin despite plugging up a nose losing to Chile in the World Group fi rst Viktorija Golubic to reach the semi-finals. and get the job done.” forced to quit his third-round US Open bleed early in the fi nal set. round in 2006.