SPORT Sunday 17 September 2017

PAGE | 27 PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32 F1: Stunning Vettelel Kohli declares Al Attiyah eyes grabs Singapore all-out spin war more glory after Grand Prix pole against Aussies success in Iran Salah helps Markhiya stun Al Sadd

Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Sailiyah rally Yesterday’s results ubstitute Mohammed Al Markhiya 2 -1 Al Sadd Salah yesterday lifted Al Arabi 1 - 3 Al Sailiyah for opening win the gloom in the Al Al Khor 2 -4 Al Rayyan Markhiya camp with two late strikes as the The Peninsula Snewcomers to the QNB Stars League (QSL) edged former Al Markhiya’s Mohammed double by Wagner Ribeiro and a late strike champions Al Sadd in dramatic Salah (second left) celebrates by Uzbek forward Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov fashion. with team-mates after Ayesterday helped Al Sailiyah fight back from Playing at Al Arabi Stadium scoring his second goal against a goal’s deficit for a 3-1 win over hosts Al Arabi. and against stiff opponents, Al Al Sadd at Al Arabi Stadium Showing good early season form Ribeiro scored Markhiya - coached by Yousef yesterday. twice (33 and 49) while Abdukholiqov struck in the Adam - showed great spirit to Substitute Salah’s double 75th minute at Al Arab Stadium. For hosts Al Arabi, produce the goals through Salah secured the newly promoted the long goal came from Khalfan Ibrahim (23). for the season’s first upset win. Al Markhiya a 2-1 win over After a slow start at Al Arabi Stadium, home In another clash yesterday, favourites Al Sadd. midfielder Ahmed Fateh got booked for a reckless Al Rayyan beat Al Khor 4-2 to BELOW: Al Arabi’s Diego body blow on Abdullah Mohammed in the 6th open their new season with a minute. Referee Saoud Ali was quick to slap the Jardel Koester (left) heads the commanding performance. Also yellow card on Fateh for the needless tackle. ball during their QSL match yesterday, Al Sailiyah crushed In the 23rd minute, feared striker Ibrahim Al Arabi 3-1 at the latter’s home against Al Sailiyah opened the scoring for his ‘former’ and present turf. at Al Arabi Stadium employers Al Arabi. Barca legend Xavi inspired yesterday. Ibrahim, who moved to Al Arabi from Al Sadd with a first-half strike at Al Arabi Pictures: Kamutty VP/The Peninsula in the summer, slipped past three defenders includ- Stadium where Salah scored ing Magdi Aballah and Dragos Grigore before twice (82 and 85) within a space unleashing smart shot past goalkeeper Aziz. of two minutes to help Al the ball with his air-borne Ten minutes into the second Ibrahim, a former Qatar national team striker, Markhiya script a big win. attempted header. half, Al Markhiya’s Ghanaian celebrated his goal with his teammates and cheer- Al Sadd, sporting black jer- Despite being denied for 19 attacker Kwame Karikari ing Al Arabi fans as the home side went 1-0 up in seys for the away clash, minutes of the round one clash, slipped past his marker and took spectacular fashion. maintained ball possession for Al Sadd opened their scoring in aim at the Al Sadd goal but goal- In the 33rd minute, Al Sailiyah produced the the first 10-odd minutes of the the 20th when Xavi produced a keeper blocked the fast-paced equaliser through Ribeiro who hoodwinked his clash but newcomers Al near-perfect free-kick that shot. marker before sending the Al Arabi goalkeeper the Markhiya remained composed sailed above the Al Markhiya In the 78th minute, Al wrong way for his side’s first goal. with their defense not allowing wall near their own box. Markhiya sub Mahmoud Attiyah Early into the second half, Al Sailiyah grabbed the any fatal breach at the The ball - that got grazed by attempted a solo effort but his lead once again through Yugoslav midfielder Ribeiro. backline. the head Al Makrkhiya defender clumsy-looking shot sailed past Rebeiro, formerly of El Jaish, converted a direct However, In the 12th minute, Talal Ali - curled in before beat- the Al Sadd goalpost without free-kick with ease as Al Sailiyah took the lead in Al Sadd nearly scored their first ing the dive of keeper Younis. causing any alarm. the 49th minute. goal of the new season when an At the half-hour mark, Al In the 82nd minute, substi- Ten minutes later veteran left-back Nadir Bel- unmarked Hassan Al Haydos Markhiya’s Ali Mujabel was tute Salah fired a shot between hadj - formerly of Al Sadd - fired a slick shot just produced a deft snap-header booked by the referee for a the legs of Al Sadd goalkeeper inches above the turf but the left-footed drive - but the deflection from close reckless tackle on Al Sadd’s Al Dosari as the men in white executed from the edge of the box - was punched range was punched away by Al Miguel. celebrated the equaliser against away by Al Sailiyah goalkeeper Aziz. Markhiya goalkeeper Fahad In the 35th minute, Gambian their dominant opponents. Soon after the hour-mark, a feisty Ribeiro was Younis. international Tijan Jaiteh of Al Two minutes later, Salah - booked by the referee for elbowing an Al Arabi Two minutes later Al Sadd Markhiya went solo with a long- after receiving a curling cross striker while the home side prepared for a skipper Xavi curled in a well- range shot but his powerful from striker Karikari - deflected free-kick. taken long-range free-kick but attempt was smartly blocked by the ball into the net from close To wrap up their commanding show, substi- defender Pedro Miguel - who Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al range for the second time in the tute Abdulkholikov fired one home from close range was positioned inside the Al Dosari who dove to his left to match to script his team’s sen- as Al Sailiyah celebrated their third goal in the 75th Markhiya box - failed to deflect deflect the ball away. sational win. minute. QFA President meets FIFA boss in Zurich Paulinho nets late

The President of winner for Barca the Qatar Football Federation (QFA) Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Madrid Al Thani yesterday AFP met with FIFA chief Paulinho scored his first Gianni Infantino. Barcelona goal six minutes fromom The meeting took place time as the Catalan giants cameme at FIFA headquarters in from a goal down to win 2-1 att Zurich. Getafe yesterday and open upp a The two officials seven-point lead over Real discussed matters of Madrid. mutual interest besides Barca were dealt a doublee exchanging notes on blow before half-time as recordord signinsigningg OOuOusmanesmanne Qatar’s readiness to Dembele limped off with a hamstringamstring ininjuryjuury bbeforeeforre GaGakuku host the 2022 FIFA Shibasaki’s sensational volleyy pputut GGetafeetafe inin ffront.roontn . World Cup. Yet, rather than building onon tthehee mmomentumomentuum ofo ffourouur The QFA President straight wins, Barca looked sluggishluuggish aass GeGetafetafe eenjoyednjjoyed thanked the FIFA the better of the early stages. President for the Roberto’s headed clearancencee ffellell ininvitinglynviv tinggly ffororo meeting. Shibasaki to thunder an unstoppableopo pable ddidippingppping vovolleyolley beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen.ene . This was the second And it was the substitute DenisDenis SuarSuarezez wwhoho meeting between the inspired Barca’s revival as he ccollectedollected RRoberto’sooberto’ss ccut-uut- two since Infantino’s back from the right wing beforeore bbendingendinng tththehe baballllll hhighiggh visit to Doha on past Guaita into the top corner.er. May 19 when Qatar The hosts were hit with aasuc sucksuckererr ppunchunu chc wwhenheh n inaugurated its first Paulinho burst onto Messi’s throughough ballballl andandn smashedsmashhedd World Cup venue the across the despairing Guaita iintonto ththee faffarr ccocorner.rner. Khalifa International Stadium. Barcelona’s Brazillian midfielder Paulinho celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match against Getafe CF in Getafe yesterday. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2017 Man City hit Watford for six to go top

London ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE AFP English Premier League results yesterday (kick- offs 1400 GMT unless stated): anchester City Crystal Palace 0 Southampton 1 (Davis 6) stormed to the top Huddersfield 1 (Depoitre 46) Leicester 1 (Vardy of the Premier 50-pen) League as Sergio Liverpool 1 (Salah 30) Burnley 1 (Arfield 27) Aguero’s hat-trick Newcastle 2 (Atsu 19, Lascelles 68) Stoke 1 Minspired a 6-0 demolition of (Shaqiri 57) Watford, while Philippe Coutin- Watford 0 Manchester City 6 (Aguero 27, 31, 81, ho’s return couldn’t lift Liverpool Jesus 38, Otamendi 63, Sterling 89-pen) in a 1-1 draw against Burnley West Brom 0 West Ham 0 yesterday. Tottenham v Swansea With previous leaders Man- Played on Friday chester United not in action until Bournemouth 2 (Surman 67, Defoe 73) Brighton Sunday’s clash with Everton, City 1 (March 55) had a chance to move three Playing today points clear of their title rivals. Chelsea vs Arsenal (1230 GMT), Manchester

Aguero ensured they did just United vs Everton (1500 GMT) that as the Argentine forward maintained his mastery of Wat- ford at Vicarage Road. Pep Guardiola’s side took the Huddersfield ahead in the 47th lead in the 27th minute when minute, only for England striker Aguero headed in from Kevin de Vardy to equalise with a spot- Bruyne’s free-kick for his sev- kick three minutes later enth goal in five games against following Chris Lowe’s foul on the Hornets. Andy King. Aguero wasn’t finished Jamaal Lascelles was New- inflicting pain on Marco Silva’s castle United’s hero again as he men and he struck again four clinched a 2-1 win over Stoke minutes later, tapping in after City at St James’ Park. Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Rafael Benitez’s side took the Gomes couldn’t hold David Sil- lead when Christian Atsu vol- va’s cross-shot. Having notched leyed home for his first Premier his fifth goal of the season, League goal in the 19th minute. Aguero turned provider in the Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero (second right) scores the team’s first goal during the English Premier League match Xherdan Shaqiri equalised 38th minute, slipping in Gabriel against Watford at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London, yesterday. for Stoke with an impressive Jesus for a nonchalant finish. strike, curling home after a pen- It was City’s 12th goal of a etrating run in the 57th minute. memorable week that also But Newcastle captain Las- included a 5-0 thrashing of Liv- Champions League. The way we season with a back injury before with the result but pleased Boer. But Hodgson couldn’t celles, who also bagged the erpool and a 4-0 win at played as a team, we are so coming on in Wednesday’s 2-2 with the performance,” Klopp inspire an immediate upturn in winner at Swansea City last Feyenoord. happy,” Guardiola said. Champions League draw against said. Palace’s fortunes, with Davis’s weekend, earned the hosts’ third Nicolas Otamendi added to “I was lucky to manage Bar- Sevilla. “It’s our fault. We were dom- goal condemning the Eagles to a successive victory with a header that tally when he headed in the celona with many outstanding But despite his return, Jur- inant but only scored one goal.” piece of unwanted history. Pal- from Matt Ritchie’s 68th minute fourth from Silva’s cross in the performances but this week has gen Klopp’s team were rocked Roy Hodgson was unable to ace sit bottom of the table after corner. West Bromwich Albion 63rd minute before Aguero com- been a lot of goals. We have when Scott Arfield put Burnley stop Crystal Palace hitting a his- becoming the first English top- midfielder Gareth Barry pleted his 10th City treble with found our game.” in front in the 27th minute. toric low as Steven Davis sealed tier team to lose their opening equalled the Premier League nine minutes left. At Anfield, with Sadio Mane Liverpool drew level three Southampton’s 1-0 win at Sel- five fixtures without scoring a appearance record in a 0-0 There was still time for suspended, Coutinho made his minutes later through Mohamed hurst Park. single goal. Jamie Vardy rescued draw against West Ham at the Raheem Sterling to win and con- first Liverpool start since his Salah’s cool finish from Emre Former England boss Hodg- Leicester City as his penalty Hawthorns. vert an 89th-minute penalty to failed attempt to force a move to Can’s pass, but the Reds couldn’t son was taking charge of Palace secured a 1-1 draw at Hudders- Barry, 36, is now level with cap City’s swaggering display. Barcelona. find a winner with Coutinho sub- for the first time following his field Town. Ryan Giggs’ mark of 632 games, “It was so good. Especially Brazil forward Coutinho stituted in the closing stages. appointment on Tuesday as suc- Laurent Depoitre, on his full having made his top-flight debut after an away game in the missed the first five games of the “I’m not happy, I’m angry cessor to the sacked Frank de Premier League debut, put in 1998. Falcao double Conte eyes gets Monaco revenge over back on track Arsenal London Paris AFP AFP ntonio Conte has chal- adamel Falcao grabbed lenged Chelsea to a brace as French Aavenge last season’s FA Rchampions Monaco Cup final heartache when bounced back from last they face title rivals Arsenal week’s thrashing by Nice with today. a 3-0 win over Strasbourg at Conte’s team were denied the Stade Louis II yesterday. a memorable Premier League The hosts started slowly, and FA Cup double after the but took the lead on the champions crashed to a 2-1 stroke of half-time through defeat against Arsenal at Rony Lopes’ first goal for the Wembley in May. club. With Alexis Sanchez scor- Falcao made the points ing a controversial opener for safe early in the second Arsenal and Chelsea’s Victor period, before completing his Moses sent off for diving, it double in the 67th minute. was a bitter conclusion to an The three points move otherwise perfect first season Monaco level on points with in charge for Conte. early Ligue 1 leaders Paris The Gunners also handed Saint-Germain, who host Conte the most chastening Lyon on Sunday. defeat of his reign earlier that Monaco were looking to season with a 3-0 victory in respond after seeing their the league, as well as defeat- record 16-match winning run ing Chelsea in the Community People arrive at the new Wanda Metropolitano Stadium before the Spanish League football match between Club Atletico de in the league ended by a 4-0 Shield at the start of this term. thumping at Nice last week. Madrid vs Malaga CF in Madrid, yesterday. Any meeting with London Coach Leonardo Jardim rivals Arsenal is a big moment gave Montenegrin forward in Chelsea’s season, but those Stevan Jovetic and winger painful losses mean the lat- Rachid Ghezzal their full Celtic bounce back to winning ways est derby at Stamford Bridge debuts after close-season carries extra significance for moves from Inter Milan and Conte and company. Lyon respectively, in the only Glasgow Celtic into a 13th minute lead. Scottish champions open a gap shape of the team and I thought “I remember very well two changes from the side AFP French forward Moussa at the top of the table following as the game went on we got bet- that game. We were that claimed a 1-1 draw at RB Dembele then marked his return Aberdeen’s 1-1 draw with Kil- ter and better.” Ross County unlucky, if you remember Leipzig in their Champions eltic showed no signs of a from a two month injury lay-off marnock. Hoops manager manager Jim McIntyre cut a the first goal it was very League opener on European hangover as with a superb curling strike to Brendan Rodgers thought it was despondent figure after the strange,” Conte said of the Wednesday. Cthey moved two points make it 2-0 just before the the perfect response following game. “We lost a couple of goals Cup final. But newly-promoted clear at the top of the Scottish break. James Forrest tapped in their European from distance which was very “I was sure this goal Strasbourg more than held Premiership with a 4-0 thrash- a third just seven minutes into disappointment. frustrating and we never kept would be disallowed, instead their own for the first half an ing of Ross County yesterday. the second half before adding his “I think the players deserve the ball well enough,” McIntyre we started 1-0 down. hour, and almost took the Australian international Tom second in the 74th minute to a huge amount of credit,” Rodg- said. “We tried to change the lead when Ivorian midfielder Rogic, one of five changes from extend Celtic’s unbeaten run to ers said. “The bottom line is we won’t game, then a red card, with Jean-Eudes Aholou headed the 5-0 humbling by Paris Saint- 55 domestic matches. “They were excellent in be judged for what we do against 10 men we equalised, but over from only three yards Germain in their Champions The victory, Celtic’s fifth training and we tried something Celtic but I expect us to play bet- then we conceded another out. League opener in midweek, fired from six games, sees the different today in terms of the ter than that.” goal.” SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 27 Stunning Vettel grabs Singapore pole

Singapore AFP Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel waves after errari’s Sebastian Vet- securing pole position in the qualifying session of tel came from nowhere the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore, to seize pole position at yesterday. the Singapore Grand SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX Prix yesterday, creat- Fing a golden opportunity to Starting grid for today’s Formula One Singapore Grand reclaim the world championship Prix after qualifying yesterday: lead from Lewis Hamilton. 1st row Vettel, who had struggled in Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) practice, timed a record 1min Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) 2nd row 39.491sec at the floodlit Marina Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) Bay street circuit ahead of Red Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) Bull’s Max Verstappen and Dan- 3rd row iel Ricciardo. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen will Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) start fourth with Hamilton, who 4th row leads Vettel by just three points Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) in the standings, fifth ahead of Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda)

his Mercedes team-mate Valt- 5th row teri Bottas. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren-Honda) Verstappen, 19, had looked Carlos Sainz (ESP/Toro Rosso-Renault) set to become the first teenager 6th row on pole but Vettel stormed Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) through with two blistering laps Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) in the final session to clinch it by 7th row three-tenths of a second. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Renault) “Yesterday was difficult, this Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) afternoon was difficult but 8th row tonight the car just came alive,” Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) said Vettel, who looked stunned Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) by his own performance. 9th row Qualifying has often been Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes) crucial in Singapore, where Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) seven of the nine races so far 10th row have been won by the driver who Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber-Ferrari) started from pole. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) Vettel was 11th in Friday’s second free practice session, and he took a chunk out of one of the circuit’s walls in the final pre- qualifying run-out yesterday. at Vettel’s pace but he warned Qualifying got off to a slow “The oil seems everywhere Williams driver Felipe into the top 10 shoot-out, and the He was just 12th in Q1, the that today’s notoriously long, hot start after a fire in a Porsche Car- in the final sector,” complained Massa slid into the barriers, Dutch teenager soon gunned to opening section of qualifying, and physical race was “a mara- rera Cup race left oil on the track Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat, as the puncturing a rear tyre, and he 1:39.814 -- before being eclipsed before improving to fourth in Q2. thon not a sprint”. “We knew at Turn 20, making conditions early times were far slower than was one of the five to drop out by Vettel’s 1:39.669. But he is now in a great today would be tough but I didn’t treacherous. those seen in practice. in Q1 as Verstappen and Ric- Verstappen made a hash of position to claim his fifth win anticipate Ferrari would be as ciardo led the way. his final lap and Vettel lowered in Singapore, while Hamilton strong as they were. I thought The Ferraris set a quick pace his time to 1:39.491, afterwards will be up against it when he Red Bull would be as quick as Yesterday was difficult, this at the start of Q2 as first Raikko- whooping and shouting to his starts from the third row of the they were,” he said. nen and then Vettel went top, team-mates in Italian as he cel- grid. “We remain hopeful. I got afternoon was difficult but before Verstappen returned to ebrated pole. “I knew we had it in us. It was everything I could out of the car. tonight the car just the head of the table with a time “It was a shame we couldn’t a bit of a struggle to get there but I gave it everything and more. I of 1:40.379. put it on pole. The final lap wasn’t now I’m just happy,” Vettel said. threw the sink at it and squeezed came alive: Vettel Verstappen and Ricciardo led great but it was pretty close,” said Hamilton was also surprised every bit of it.” the Ferrari pair and Hamilton Verstappen.

FOOTBALL RESULTS Scottish Premiership results yesterday: Lewandowski scores Aberdeen 1 (May 10) Kilmarnock 1 (Jones 48) Celtic 4 (Rogic 13, Dembele 42, Forrest 52, 74) Ross County 0 Dundee 3 (Leitch- Smith 9, 65, Moussa 78-pen) St Johnstone twice in Bayern romp 2 (Craig 75-pen, 84-pen) Hamilton 1 (Bing- ham 33) Hearts 2 (Callachan 3, Lafferty 23- pen) Hibernian 2 (Stokes 21-pen, 57) Moth- Berlin BUNDESLIGA RESULTS at Werder Bremen. erwell 2 (Moult 64, 74) AFP However, all three scored German league results yesterday: Played on Friday against Mainz at Munich’s Alli- Bayern Munich 4 (Mueller 11, Robben 23, Partick 2 (Spittal 50, Erskine 60) Rangers 2 obert Lewandowski net- Lewandowski 50, 77) Mainz 0 anz Arena yesterday. (Morelos 19, Dorrans 77) ted twice on his 100th Werder Bremen 1 (Sane 20) Schalke 2 (Veljkovic Mueller opened the scoring RBundesliga appearance 22-og, Goretzka 83) after just 11 minutes when he for Bayern Munich who brushed Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Jovic 79) Augsburg 2 (Max drilled home Robben’s pass on La Liga results yesterday (all times GMT) off their internal strife with a 21, Caiuby 77) Bayern’s first attack. Levante 1 (Bardhi 41) Valencia 1 (Rodrigo 31) 4-0 hammering of Mainz VfB Stuttgart 1 (Akolo 42) Wolfsburg 0 The flying Dutch winger Getafe 1 (Shibasaki 39) Barcelona 2 (Denis yesterday. Playing today added a second on 23 minutes Suarez 62, Paulinho 84) Lewandowski has now net- Hoffenheim vs Hertha Berlin (1130), Bayer when Joshua Kimmich’s pass put ted 82 goals for Munich amidst Leverkusen vs Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund vs him in behind the defence and Playing today reports he wants to join Real Cologne (1600) he drilled his shot home. Alaves v Villarreal (1000), Girona v Sevilla Madrid next season, but Bayern Played on Friday Lewandowski then doubled (1415), Las Palmas v Athletic Bilbao (1630),

chairman Uli Hoeness laughed Hanover 2 (Harnik 50, Bebou 82) Hamburg 0 the damage with two superb Real Sociedad v Real Madrid (1845) off the claim by Spanish news- goals. Tomorrow paper AS. Kimmich released Mueller Espanyol vs Celta Vigo (1900) “It’s not April 1,” the Bayern Tuesday’s lacklustre 3-0 win at on the right wing, who put in a Played on Friday boss told broadcaster Sport1. home to 10-man Anderlecht in superb cross for the Poland Eibar 1 (Gálvez 53) Leganes 0 The rout left Bayern second the Champions League. striker to convert on 50 minutes. in Germany’s top flight, a point Arjen Robben had slammed Lewandowski grabbed his sec- behind Hanover 96, who Bayern’s performance against ond and Bayern’s fourth goal Italian Serie A results yesterday: claimed the lead after four the Belgians, while Lewand- when he headed across Mainz’s Crotone 0 Inter Milan 2 games with a 2-0 win over owski had added to the unrest former Germany goalkeeper (Skriniar 82, Perisic 90+3) Hamburg on Friday. by criticising the club’s spend- Rene Adler. Franck Ribery Playing today This was a much improved ing policy. started on Bayern’s bench hav- Bayern Munich Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates (at 1300GMT unless stated) performance from Bayern com- That came after Thomas ing thrown his shirt away in Sassuolo vs Juventus (1030), AC Milan vs pared to last Saturday’s 2-0 Mueller had complained about disgust after being substituted after scoring a goal during the Bundesliga match against Mainz defeat at Hoffenheim and being benched for the 2-0 win late against Anderlecht. 05 in Munich, southern Germany, yesterday. Udinese, Napoli vs Benevento, Torino vs Sampdoria, SPAL vs Cagliari, Chievo vs Ata- lanta (1600), Genoa vs Lazio (1845)

French Ligue 1 results yesterday (kick-offs GMT): Inter leave it late to stay top in Serie A Monaco 3 (Lopes 44, Falcao 51, 67) Strasbourg 0 Milan suffered in the heat of Calabria circumstances shows we can in a defeat that effectively ended Rohden just after the break. AFP but late strikes from Milan Skrin- adapt. the Milan club’s bid for European The final ten minutes proved Playing today iar and Ivan Perisic put them top “It was very hot in Calabria, football this season. fatal with first defender Skrin- Amiens vs Marseille (1300), Angers vs Metz, nter Milan left it late before ahead of champions Juventus the pitch was very dry and But despite the pressure the iar scoring on 82 minutes after Rennes vs Nice (both 1500), Paris Saint- sealing a fourth consecutive and Napoli -- also looking for slowed down the pace of the ball, Serie A strugglers held on for 80 a free kick which the Crotone Germain vs Lyon (1900)

Iwin in as many games to sit their fourth wins -- who play while the wind also created minutes largely thanks to the defence failed to clear, and then Played on Friday

top of Serie A with a 2-0 victory today. problems in the first half.” efforts of goalkeeper Samir in-form Croatian striker Peri- Toulouse 0 Bordeaux 1 (Malcom 69) at Crotone yesterday. “It wasn’t easy,” said Spal- Crotone shocked Inter 2-1 at Handanovic who saved from sic three minutes into time Luciano Spalletti’s side letti. “Winning in these the Stadio Ezio Scida last April Aleksandar Tonev and Marcus added on. 28 SPORT SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2017

Newly elected International Olympic Committee (IOC) members (from left) Sheikh Khalid Muhammad Al Zubair of Oman, Baklai Temengil of Palau, Luis Mejia Oviedo of Dominican Republic, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul of Thailand, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach of Germany, Kristin Kloster Aasen of Norway, Neven Ivan Ilic Alvarez of Chile, Ingmar De Vos of Belgium and Jean-Christophe Rolland of France pose during the 131st IOC session in Lima on Friday. Olympic rowing champion Rolland was elected on Friday in Lima as IOC member where he joined the two Frenchmen Guy Drut and Tony Estanguet. Sochi dope test failures to be heard in October

Lima Reuters Weightlifting must first batch of athletes sus- pected of having been Apart of a Russian doping reform or risk 2024 ring at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games may soon be charged by the International Olympic Com- mittee (IOC), the head of the Olympic Games spot investigation said on Friday. IOC member Denis Oswald Lima said evidence gathered so far Reuters will be combined with results of tests to determine whether urine eightlifting will have to pass several hurdles to prove and blood sample bottles had it is doping-free or it risks losing its established been tampered with, to replace WOlympic spot for the Paris 2024 Games, the Inter- positive samples with clean national Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday. samples. The IOC had said in July that the International Weight- “We feel we have found a lifting Federation (IWF) needed to provide a satisfactory report number of elements to charge a by December on how it plans to tackle the problem of dop- certain number of athletes,” ing in the sport. Oswald told IOC members at the It will now be monitored by the IOC and the World Anti- body’s session meeting in Lima. Doping Agency past December, until both organisations are International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (left) shakes hands with “In a few days we will have satisfied that changes have been made, the Olympic organ- the results of the first batch of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Italian Filippo Grandi after a press isation said. 50 bottles (determining whether conference on the launching of the Olympic Refugee Foundation in close collaboration with “If weightlifting stays compliant with the WADA code or not they had been tampered the UNHCR during the 131st IOC session in Lima on Friday. then we proceed with this formula for Paris 2024. If it is with) and then we can declared non-compliant this will be a totally different situ- proceed.” as an ‘aider and abettor of the Committee chief Alexander for non-compliance in 2015 fol- ation,” IOC President Thomas Bach said at the body’s session Swiss Oswald, who did not doping activities’, revealed a Zhukov told reporters in Lima lowing the doping scandals, was meeting in Lima. say how many athletes could be scheme for covering up Russian he was confident Russian ath- working towards reinstatement “This is the idea behind this formula concerning weight- involved, said the first hearings competitors’ positive drug sam- letes would be competing in and that could happen as soon lifting, that the decision to include them (for Paris) is subject would start in October. He added ples at the 2014 Winter Pyeongchang. His country’s as November. “We are currently to the compliance with the WADA code.” that his commission could only Olympics. track and field athletes had working through an agreed Around half of the 106 positive tests that emerged from ban athletes from the Olympics This triggered a number of been banned from the Rio de roadmap,” Reedie said. “There re-tests conducted by the IOC in the past two years of sam- and not impose other investigations, including Janeiro Games last year over has been much progress and it ples from the 2008 and 2012 Games in Beijing and London, sanctions. Oswald’s on behalf of the IOC, the doping scandals. Six skiers is really important that we try to came from weightlifters. “We can only disqualify ath- to determine whether Russia had who have been banned from get RUSADA compliant and The sport, along with athletics, represented more than letes. We have been working manipulated their athletes’ sam- competing following the WADA deliver a proper, robust anti- 80 percent of the positive cases from those re-tests, IOC mem- closely with winter sports fed- ples at those Olympics three report, will be the first to be doping test programme.” ber Denis Oswald said on Friday. erations and they will be ready years ago. dealt with by Oswald, with the “The WADA board meeting He said 75 medals had been stripped from athletes across as soon as we have made our The participation of Russian skiing season starting soon. The in Seoul in November could rec- many sports from those two Games after re-testing 1,100 decision to go on with their own athletes at next February’s next batch of athletes will be ommend that RUSADA becomes samples in total. procedure.” Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Russians who are due to take compliant,” he said, criticising a In one case, the top eight weightlifters in a competition Grigory Rodchenkov, the depends on the results of the part in Pyeongchang qualifiers, group of the world’s leading tested positive, Oswald said, without providing further details. former head of Moscow’s dis- Oswald report, which he said Oswald said. national anti-doping organisa- “We have made it very clear,” IOC Vice President John credited anti-doping laboratory, would be completed before the WADA chief Craig Reedie tions (NADOs) who this week Coates said. “We will continue to monitor this. This will not identified in a 2015 World Anti- end of the year. said Russia’s anti-doping agency called for Russia to be excluded just be an IOC Executive Board monitoring.” Doping Agency (WADA) report Russian Olympic (RUSADA), which was suspended from Pyeongchang. Golovkin and Alvarez make weight for blockbuster fight

Las Vegas climbing onto the scales in his seemed more like Alvarez was AFP blue shorts and registering the champ. the same 160 pounds for a Alvarez drew louder cheers bout that has all the ingredi- from the pro-Mexican crowd, anelo Alvarez and Gen- ents to produce a fight of the stepped on the scale last and nady Golovkin stepped on year. made Golovkin wait several Cthe scales at the MGM “I am very happy for all the minutes on stage before mak- Grand Garden Arena then came love and support of these fans,” ing his initial appearance, which face-to-face for the cameras on Alvarez told the crowd. was preceded by a video tribute Friday, one day before they “I am going to give them 100 on the jumbotron screen. meet in one of the most antici- percent. I trained hard and I am The fighters, who once pated fights in years. disciplined. sparred together at Golovkin’s Three-belt Champion “I take all this responsibility gym in Big Bear, California, then Golovkin wore black shorts seriously and I am going to give posed amicably during their and smiled as he stepped on them a great fight.” staredown in front of a crowd the scale first weighing the Kazakhstan’s Golovkin is of 9,400. 160-pound (72.5 kg) middle- putting his World Boxing Coun- That has been consistent weight limit for world title fight cil, World Boxing Association with the buildup to the sold-out Boxer Cesar Valenzuela takes a selfie during his official weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena against Alvarez at the T-Mobile and International Boxing Fed- fight, which has lacked the vit- in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday. Valenzuela will meet Vergil Ortiz in a super lightweight bout Arena. eration, belts on the line but to riolic trash talk typical of world at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas today. Alvarez was up next, the uninitiated it might have title fights. SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 29 Ruthless All Blacks in record 57-0 win over Springboks

Auckland RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP AT A GLANCE out and drove through holes close to the AFP ruck. But their dominance was hindered Yesterday’s matches by a succession of handling errors and a he All Blacks produced their best In Auckland chance to put points on the board via a display of the year to trounce New Zealand 57 South Africa 0 penalty by the usually reliable Elton South Africa by a record 57-0 In Canberra Jantjies fell short. to take a firm grip on the Rugby Australia 45 Argentina 20 Instead, it was the All Blacks who Championship in Auckland Other results scored first from a Beauden Barrett pen- Tyesterday. Round 1 alty, the first of eight successful shots at The eight-try victory eclipsed the pre- Australia 34 New Zealand 54, South Africa 37 Ar- goal as the fly-half rediscovered the kick- vious best 57-15 victory in Durban last gentina 15 ing radar that abandoned him last week year. Round 2 against Argentina. It was only the fifth time in the 94-Test New Zealand 35 Australia 29, Argentina 23 South Then came the tries as the All Blacks history between the fierce rivals that the Africa 41 responded with lineout steals and scrum Springboks have been kept scoreless. Round 3 penalties of their own. With the backline standing slightly New Zealand 39 Argentina 22, Australia 23 South Aaron Smith took a quick penalty on deeper than they have in recent weeks, halfway and chipped the ball towards the Africa 23 the All Blacks eliminated many of the han- corner with Ioane winning the race for Fixtures dling errors that had been plaguing them. the ball. It was a performance that showed Sept 30 Milner-Skudder’s first try came from when the All Blacks click there is a huge South Africa v Australia, Argentina v New Zealand his intercept in New Zealand territory and

gulf between the first and third ranked Oct 7 he finished off the move after some classy

South Africa v New Zealand, Argentina v Australia sides two years out from the next World interplay with Beauden Barrett to beat the Cup. cover defence. The Springboks opened with a typi- As the All Blacks dug further into their cally physical start in which they bossed the second half. The win kept the All Blacks bag of tricks, hooker Dane Coles leaped the All Blacks for the first quarter hour, unbeaten after four rounds of the Rugby high to tap a Beauden Barrett cross kick until in the space of four minutes the New Championship and lifted them eight points into the arms of replacement flanker Scott Zealanders turned the game with back- clear of South Africa with only away Barrett who scored the third try. to-back tries by Rieko Ioane and Nehe matches against Argentina and the Spring- Coles was on hand again to play the Milner Skudder. boks remaining. link man between Ioane and Retallick. With forwards running like backs, the Despite the lop-sided scoreline, the The Springboks started the second half All Blacks added further tries by Scott Bar- opening stanza belonged to South Africa strongly but once the initial drive wore off rett and Brodie Retallick in the countdown when Eben Etzebeth, Jean-Luc de Preez the All Blacks returned to their try-scor- to half-time to turn with a 31-0 lead. and Uzair Cassiem led a muscular ing ways, bringing up the record with New Zealand’s Kieran Read poses with the Freedom Cup after defeating Milner-Skudder, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, approach.They won penalties off the first Taylor’s try from a lineout drive on South Africa at Albany Stadium in Auckland, yesterday. Lima Sopoaga and Codie Taylor scored in two scrums, stole the All Blacks’ first line full-time. Golf: ‘ Lucky’ ace vaults Day into share of BMW clubhouse lead

BMW SCORES New York Rickie something just landing on the -16 Marc Leishman (Aus) 62 64 Reuters Fowler green,” he said. “(I’m) Very -13 Jason Day (Australia) 64 65 pleased with how the last two Rickie Fowler (US) 65 64 “lucky” hole-in-one days went. I can’t get too far vaulted former world ahead of myself. Last time I was -10 Patrick Cantlay (US) 67 65 number one Jason Day here I was five shots better -9 Francesco Molinari (Italy) 68 65 A into a share of the second- (after 36 holes). I’ve got to Stewart Cink (US) 67 66 round clubhouse lead with somehow try to catch up to my -8 Brendan Steele (US) 68 66 American Rickie Fowler at the number. That’s the main goal.” Cameron Smith (Aus)) 66 68 BMW Championship outside Fowler also finished with a Gary Woodland (US) 67 67 Chicago on Friday. rush, picking up five strokes in Hudson Swafford (US) 68 66 Day’s tee shot at the 188- the final six holes for a 64 and Jamie Lovemark (US) 64 70 yard par-three 17th landed just joining Day at 13-under 129, -7 Justin Rose (Britain) 67 68 in front of the green, took a while first round leader Marc Matt Kuchar (US) 67 68 couple of bounces and trickled Leishman was still on the Charley Hoffman (US) 64 71 into the hole, much to the Aus- course. Mackenzie Hughes (Can) 67 68 tralian’s surprise. The top three players in the -6 Paul Casey (Britain) 69 67 “We were trying to land it FedExCup standings, Ameri- Sergio Garcia (Spain) 68 68 182 (yards) and I kind of pushed cans Jordan Spieth, Justin Kevin Chappell (US) 69 67 it. It was a lucky hole-in-one, Thomas and Dustin Johnson, I guess,” Day told Golf Chan- so everything’s come in also had late tee times. Daniel Berger (US) 68 68 nel after carding a bunches.” One of those eagles The BMW Championship is Robert Streb (US) 67 69 six-under-par 65 at Conway was a chip-in from 30 feet from the third of four playoff events Cabrera-Bello (Spain) 65 71 Farms in Lake Forest, where beyond the green at the par- on the PGA Tour. James Hahn (US) 68 68 he won in 2015. five 14th. If the hole-in-one was The top points earner after -5 Jon Rahm (Spain) 69 68 “It’s been, I think, 10 years lucky, the eagle was inch-per- next week’s Tour Champion- Jason Day of Australia lines up a putt on the fifth green during

Pat Perez (US) 70 67 since last time I had a hole-in- fect execution. ship will receive a $10m bonus

the second round of the BMW Championship at Conway Farms Tony Finau (US) 65 72 one. I’ve had two eagles and a “It’s very quick down there awarded to the season-long hole-in-one this week already, so I just wanted to get FedExCup champion. Golf Club on September 15, 2017 in Lake Forest, Illinois on Friday. Froome targets second double at Worlds Bergen road race world champion Michal The week-long world champion- confident. AFP Kwiatkowski and Commonwealth ships begin on Sunday with the men’s “The plan is to go for the win. It’s a Games champion Geraint Thomas. and women’s team time-trials. very strong line-up and, fresh off the hris Froome (pictured) will spear- Froome’s insatiable appetite for suc- The men’s race is a 42.5km race Vuelta win, the guys are going to be head the Sky team at the World cess was evident on the final stage of around Bergen. really motivated,” said Lancaster. CChampionships in Norway as the the Vuelta less than a week ago as, Sky will have their work cut out to “The course is very rolling and Tour de France champion aims for a already assured of securing the overall beat the two teams that have dominated there’s a climb that finishes with around second double of his stunning 2017 winner’s red jersey, he sprinted to an this event since it was re-introduced 10 or 12 kilometres to go.” season. 11th-placed finish to add the green amongst professional teams rather than Froome will face stiff competition The 32-year-old is already enjoy- points jersey to his haul and deny Ital- national federations in 2012 following in the individual time-trial, not least ing the greatest year of his career having ian sprinter Matteo Trentin. an 18-year hiatus: Quick-Step and BMC. from German Martin and his Sky team- claimed a Tour de France and Vuelta a Now the four-time Tour de France Belgian reigning champions Quick- mate Kiryienka, although the lumpy Espana double for the first time. winner wants to add a world title, or Step have won it three times with terrain does not favour either. And now he will aim to add to that two, to his growing list of accolades. Americans BMC triumphing twice. Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, the a pair of time-trial victories in Bergen Froome has twice won bronze in the However, Quick Step have lost four- Olympic silver-medallist behind Swiss as he competes for Great Britain on Olympic time-trial event while he was time individual time-trial champion Fabian Cancellara last year and win- Wednesday in the individual time-trial, part of the Sky team that also finished Tony Martin since their victory in Doha ner of the Giro d’Italia in May, should just three days after representing Sky third in the team time-trial in Tuscany 12 months ago and Sky’s sporting direc- challenge for the title alongside Aus- in the team time-trial alongside former in 2013. tor Brett Lancaster is feeling tralian Rohan Dennis. 30 SPORT SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2017 Du Plessis hails Pakistan progress

Lahore week with complete different World XI coach Andy AFP emotions and feelings, I’m very Flower agreed Pakistan was happy with our time here, we’ve making progress towards reviv- outh African skipper Faf du really enjoyed it as a team,” he ing international cricket. Plessis (pictured) yester- told an end-of-tour press “This is the step taken in the Sday admitted he was conference. right direction. This is one step nervous ahead of the World XI Pakistan celebrated the forward, it’s been very success- tour of Pakistan but praised the return of international cricket ful and very well received here hosts for ensuring a safe series with a thumping 33-run win at in Pakistan, here in Lahore,” which he said would help its Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on said the ex-England coach, who revival of international cricket. Friday to clinch the series 2-1. assembled a World XI with Apart from five limited- Hosting the short series is a players from seven countries. overs games against minnows major step towards convincing “The coverage of the three Zimbabwe in 2015, Pakistan international teams to return, games around the world has had not hosted top-level inter- with Sri Lanka already due to gone down very well. The secu- national cricket since militants play a Twenty20 match in rity operations has made attacked the bus of the visiting Lahore on October 29. here,” he said. “What I can say players safe and secure, so first Sri Lankan team in March 2009, Du Plessis said he was is the fact that we’ve been in step has been taken so there killing eight people and wound- deeply impressed by his time Lahore here now and we did will be more steps along the ing seven players and staff. in Lahore but was not sure he feel safe,” he said. way,” said Flower. “When I first thought of could convince South Africa to “If you do out all those “I’ve never been part of a coming, obviously there was lit- tour just yet. things that were in place (for game where there’s been so tle bit of nervousness within “I can just relate my expe- this series) then definitely much emotions and apprecia- Pakistani spectators cheer as they watch the third and final myself,” said du Plessis, who led riences over here, but they will another step, another step, tiveness from the crowd when the World XI for the Twenty20 have to be a complete different another step, to hopefully they are cheering you as if you Twenty20 International match between the World XI and Pakistan three match series. set of things put in place for (bring) cricket back into are playing at your own home at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on Friday. Pakistan won “Now going through this South Africa to come and tour Pakistan.” crowd,” he said. the series 2-1.

Bangladesh JP Duminy captain eyes Kohli declares retires from ‘landmark’ SA Test and first series all-out spin war class cricket Dhaka Johannesburg AFP Reuters angladesh captain against Aussies outh Africa all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahim said- JP Duminy has decided Byesterday his team Sto quit Test cricket but were looking for a “land- will continue to feature in the mark” series against South shorter formats of the game, Africa when they play two the 33-year-old said Test matches there later this yesterday. month. Duminy was dropped A 15-man Bangladesh from the Proteas squad after squad left Dhaka yesterday the first Test at Lord’s in a for the series, which will start four-match series against with the first Test at Potchef- England in July and has since stroom on September 28. not featured in the longest “Some people may think format. we don’t have any chance In 46 Tests, Duminy against South Africa. But I scored 2,103 runs at an aver- don’t agree with them,” age of 32.85. He also picked Mushfiqur told reporters prior up 42 wickets with his to their departure. off-spin. “We don’t have a very “After long and careful good record in South Africa. deliberation, I have decided And very few of our players to retire from first-class and played in South Africa. It is a Test match cricket with kind of place where every- immediate effect,” Duminy, body struggles. Maybe we who opted out of the opening also have to struggle,” he said. Chennai many as we can,” he added. round of domestic first-class “Personally I think if you AFP Smith, who is coming out of fixtures in South Africa, said don’t believe in yourself, you a tough Test series against Bang- in a statement. won’t get any success. Firstly, ndia skipper Virat Kohli ladesh that ended 1-1, is “It is an experience that we have to believe that it is declared an all-out spin It is a great advantage to have two wrist prepared for another spin chal- cannot be replaced and one I possible for us to beat South war against Australia, say- spinners in your team, especially when lenge on the subcontinent’s will always cherish. Test Africa. We did not have this ing the quality of his pitches. cricket has always been the belief even three years ago,” bowlers gives him confi- both are so different to each other and The star batsman said top- pinnacle and I’ve been fortu- he added. Idence for the one-day series both can pick up wickets: Kohli order runs would be key in what nate enough to experience Bangladesh lost all four starting today. he expected would be a high- some memorable highlights Tests in South Africa by an Left-arm wrist spinner Kul- scoring affair. with the Proteas and also in innings margin during their deep Yadav and leg-spinner “Spin has always played a first-class matches with the previous two visits in 2002 Yuzvendra Chahal add variety pretty big part in ODIs particu- WSB Cape Cobras.” and 2008, but Mushfiqur said to the Indian attack that saw larly in these conditions. I’d say Duminy made his Test they were now in much bet- pacemen Mohammed Shami and it’ll play a reasonable part debut with an unbeaten half- ter shape. Umesh Yadav return for the five- win in Dharamsala this year. middle overs,” Kohli said throughout this series too,” he century at Perth against “So we have now got the match series. The 22-year-old Kuldeep is yesterday. said. Australia in 2008 to help confidence. Hopefully this While Australia captain likely to pair up with Chahal at “It is important to keep pick- “We saw that the last time South Africa hunt down a tar- series will be a kind of land- Steve Smith is already focusing the MA Chidambaram Stadium ing wickets and have we came here in 2013 it was a get of 414, the second-highest mark for us. And we are ready on Kuldeep in the first game, with left-arm spinner Axar Patel breakthroughs throughout. run-fest where 350 was around successful run-chase in Test to take that challenge. Kohli hinted at unleashing two nursing a sprained ankle. Those two guys have provided par. If the wickets are the same, cricket. “If we can play well the wrist spinners in Chennai. “It is a great advantage to that to us and they are very con- you need someone in the top “In the years ahead, my two Tests overseas that will Kuldeep made an instant have two wrist spinners in your fident coming into this series. four to make a really big score.” focus will be placed on attain- be a kind of message,” he impression against Australia, team, especially when both are “They are in a zone where Smith, without revealing too ing limited-overs cricket said. taking four wickets in his Test so different to each other and they don’t mind getting hit as much about his team, said that success for South Africa and The team, he said, had debut in India’s series-clinching both can pick up wickets in the long as they pick up 3-4 wickets despite losing opener Aaron the WSB Cape Cobras...” he improved since their two Test which I think is a very good Finch to injury, they would con- added. matches in New Zealand in space to be in and it’s something tinue with Travis Head at South Africa’s next Test January. that gives me as a captain lot of number four. assignment is a two-match “Our record in New Zea- confidence,” he added. While Australia will also home series against Bangla- land was also not good, but Australia called in local left- play three Twenty20 matches desh from September 28. we played better cricket this arm wrist spinner KK Jiyas, who in India before moving on to time. We lost both Tests but played for Delhi in the Indian the Ashes series against Eng- played much better cricket Premier League, to help prepare land, Smith said the team had than the past.” for Kuldeep’s guile during net the 2019 World Cup firmly in In the weeks after their practice in Chennai. mind. loss to New Zealand, Bangla- “They’re different (left-arm “We had a chat about it the desh beat Sri Lanka and wrist spinners) so it’s good to be other day. We have about 30 Australia in two Test matches able to get someone who bowls ODI games before the WC. For away and at home a bit of that,” Smith told report- us it is about trying to find the respectively. ers earlier. right group of players to fill all The second Test will be “He (Kuldeep) is a good slots,” he said. held at Mangaung Oval, Blo- young talent and can be difficult “Hopefully this group here emfontein on October 6-10. to pick at times. He’s someone can go a long way into filling Bangladesh will also play three who you have to watch really those spots and play some really Australian cricketer Steven Smith (left) during a training one-day internationals and closely. Hopefully we can put good cricket in the next five here session ahead of the India-Australia cricket series in Chennai two Twenty20s in their month- him under pressure early in his and the one-dayers to the World JP Duminy long tour to the African nation. on Thursday. spell and try and take him for as Cup,” he added. SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 31 Royals end Indians winning streak

Cleveland career high for the second-year AP right-hander. Athletics 4, Phillies 0 he Cleveland Indians Daniel Mengden pitched a can return to clinching two-hitter for Oakland, and Matt their division and Olson and Matt Joyce each hit a play-off preparations. two-run homer. Mengden (1-1) Their historic winning struck out seven and walked Tstreak is, well, history. none in his first career shutout Cleveland’s AL-record run in his 18th start. J.P Crawford had was stopped at 22 straight games both hits off Mengden. by Friday night’s 4-3 loss to the Phillies starter Mark Leiter Kansas City Royals, who became Jr. (3-6) allowed four runs and the first team to conquer the seven hits in six innings. defending league champions Mengden also got his first since August 23. BASEBALL RESULTS career hit, a single off Crawford’s Jason Vargas (16-10) pitched Kansas City Royals Arizona 3 San Francisco 2 glove in the shortstop hole before into the sixth and Brandon Moss starting pitcher LA Angels 7 Texas 6 Joyce connected in the second. homered off Trevor Bauer (16- Jason Vargas Colorado 6 San Diego 1 Tigers 3, White Sox 2 9) as the Royals ended baseball’s throws a pitch Houston 5 Seattle 2 Mikie Mahtook hit a game- longest win streak in 101 years. ending RBI single with two outs during the first Toronto 4 Minnesota 3 With one last chance in the in the ninth inning, helping inning of the MLB Milwaukee 10 Miami 2 ninth, the Indians put the tying game against the Detroit stop a six-game skid. run on base before Mike Minor Atlanta 3 NY Mets 2 Former Tigers reliever Al Cleveland Indians at Cincinnati 4 Pittsburgh 2 struck out the side for his first Progressive Field in Alburquerque (0-2) walked pro save, fanning Francisco Lin- Boston 13 Tampa Bay 6 Jeimer Candelario with one out Cleveland on Friday. dor on a pitch in the dirt for the Detroit 3 Chicago White Sox 2 in the ninth, and Aaron Bummer final out. Kansas City 4 Cleveland 3 walked Tyler Collins with two Dodgers 7, Nationals 0 NY Yankees 8 Baltimore 2 outs. White Sox manager Rick Alex Wood struck out eight LA Dodgers 7 Washington 0 Renteria brought in Juan Minaya, in six innings, Corey Seager hit a Oakland 4 Philadelphia 0 who uncorked a wild pitch to three-run homer during a five- Chicago Cubs 8 St. Louis 2 move the runners to second and run second and the Dodgers won third. on the road in Washington. Mahtook then hit a 3-2 pitch Wood (15-3) allowed three up the middle for his first career hits and walked one. Los Ange- game-ending hit. les has won three in a row after Shane Greene (4-3) got four losing 11 consecutive games and outs for the win. 16 of 17. games back of Los Angeles in the Chicago pitcher John Lackey Luis Severino (13-6) allowed — and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. Braves 3, Mets 2 The teams entered the highly chase for home-field advantage and catcher Willson Contreras three hits in eight innings. He Reds 4, Pirates 2 Sean Newcomb struck out anticipated three-game series in the play-offs. were thrown out for yelling at made one big mistake, Weling- Zack Cozart hit two of eight in 5 1/3 innings, and the having clinched playoff berths Cubs 8, Cardinals 2 plate umpire Jordan Baker in the ton Castillo’s opposite-field, Cincinnati’s four solo home runs, Braves handed the Mets their and owning the top two records Kris Bryant had three hits, fifth. Carl Edwards Jr. (4-4) two-run homer to right that put powering the last-place Reds to fifth straight loss. in the National League. The including his 27th homer, and the pitched a perfect sixth for the the Orioles ahead 2-1 in the sec- the victory. Newcomb (3-8) gave up two Dodgers lowered their magic Cubs opened a big weekend win. ond. Severino is 8-2 with a 2.09 Joey Votto and Scott Sche- runs and six hits. Arodys Vizcaino number to clinch the NL West to series with their fourth consec- Tommy Pham homered for ERA in 12 starts since the All-Star bler also connected, sending the pitched the ninth for his 11th save six. utive win. St. Louis. Carlos Martinez (11-11) break. Pirates to their third straight loss in 13 opportunities. Justin Turner and Yasiel Puig Bryant went deep in the was charged with seven runs and Gregorius hit a sacrifice fly and eighth in the last nine games. Rafael Montero (5-10) homered in the Dodgers’ first fourth and singled twice in Chi- six hits in 5 1/3 innings. in the first, homered against Homer Bailey (5-8) allowed became the fourth straight Mets Washington appearance since cago’s seven-run sixth. Yankees 8, Orioles 2 Miguel Castro for a 4-2 lead in one run in 5 2/3 innings for his starter pitcher to fail to com- winning Game 5 of the NL Divi- The NL Central-leading Cubs Didi Gregorius hit a tiebreak- the fifth and added another sac- first win in six starts since Aug. plete five innings. He was lifted sion Series last October. stayed three games ahead of Mil- ing two-run homer and drove in rifice fly in a three-run seventh. 11. Raisel Iglesias got five outs for with two outs in the fifth after Edwin Jackson (5-6) lasted waukee and increased their four runs, leading the Yankees Baltimore lost for the eighth time his 27th save. throwing 108 pitches and just 2 1/3 innings. The NL East advantage over St. Louis to four to their fifth win in six games in in nine games. Gabriel Ynoa (1-2) Chad Kuhl (7-11) gave up all allowing three runs and seven champion Nationals fell six games. New York. allowed three runs — two earned four home runs, a single-game hits. NHL players grudgingly Raiders hand lineman accept Olympic absence Penn $21m extension Alameda, California Penn’s extension gives the AP Raiders the highest-paid offen- New York sive line in the NFL. Right guard AP he Oakland Raiders signed Gabe Jackson signed a $56m, Washington Capitals offensive lineman Donald five-year extension this past off- fter being outspoken left wing Alex TPenn to a $21m, two-year season, while centre Rodney about going to the 2018 Ovechkin shoots to extension, ensuring the Pro Bowl Hudson ($44.5m over five years) AWinter Olympics no score a goal against left tackle will remain with the and left guard Kelechi Osemele matter the consequences, even the Arizona Coyotes team through the 2019 season. ($58.5m, five years) are also in Alex Ovechkin has given up during their NHL game Penn, 34, had missed much the midst of lucrative deals. and turned his attention to the at Verizon Centre, in of training camp and preseason Oakland’s line is also consid- Beijing Games in 2022. this February 2016 while holding out in search of a ered one of the best. The Raiders The Washington Capitals’ file photo. Ovechkin new contract. He is making gave up league-low 18 sacks in Russian superstar acknowl- has given up hopes of $5.8m in base salary this season 2016 and were sixth in rushing. edged the door is closed on 2018 Winter Olympics but had been looking for a deal Getting back with that group, him and other NHL players that would put him in the top 10 Penn said, was more important in South Korea. playing in South Korea in Feb- of offensive linemen. than his new contract. That and ruary, the result of the league’s The new deal, announced on some respect. decision to skip the Olympics Friday, puts Penn in the top 15 “When you do something and for the first time since 1994. and kicks in after this season. you feel like you do something With the International Ice “It’s good, now I can focus on very, very well and you look at Hockey Federation not allow- football,” Penn said. other people — and I’m not going ing any player with an NHL “I can just enjoy my team- to down nobody or nothing — but contract to participate, mates, enjoy everything, enjoy you look at other people and Ovechkin has begrudgingly the process and just focus on they’re not doing as well as you acknowledged that his Olym- football because there was a lot and they’re getting compensated pic hopes are on hold. of doubt. I didn’t want to hit free a lot more than you, that was “It is still my dream to win wasn’t aware of any official Bettman said for months that to miss too many of those agency again. That’s one thing I more of what it was,” Penn said. an Olympic gold medal for my assurances but added: “We team owners were not inter- opportunities, especially when tried to make sure.” “It’s like I’ve been doing this for country,” Ovechkin said in a would not permit any player ested in putting the season on it’s at the caliber of the Olym- Penn said his contract ena- so long and so many years. I’m statement . under contract with an NHL hold for three weeks to let pics,” Kane said. bles him to live out his childhood not trying to be selfish, but when “I hope things will change team to participate in their players leave for the “It would’ve been fun to go dream of retiring with the Raid- is it going to be my turn? and all of us will have a chance Pyeongchang without them Olympics. The reluctance was to South Korea and to play in ers, a dream that didn’t look so “They kept their word and to go again in 2022.” first obtaining the necessary not new, but it was still a sur- the Olympics. Obviously it’s promising even a week ago. did everything possible. It’s just Five months after the NHL permissions.” prise in April when the league not going to happen.” According to Penn, he went a relief. Now let’s get onto the announced it wouldn’t be Those permissions aren’t announced that it would not It’s an especially tough into last week’s game against Jets.” going, most players have coming, and players aren’t allow its players to blow for Russian players, Tennessee wondering if he would In addition to Penn’s exten- moved from anger to accept- happy about the opportunity participate. many of whom were on the get a new contract. sion, the Raiders announced that ance. There is still being taken away from them. Chicago Blackhawks Sochi team that did not win a “I had serious doubts,” Penn first-round draft pick Gareon disappointment and frustra- “It’s disappointing,” said winger Patrick Kane won a sil- medal on home ice. said. “I definitely had serious Conley has been medically tion, though Ovechkin made Edmonton Oilers captain Con- ver medal with the United Evgeni Malkin recently doubts. I thought maybe we were cleared and is expected to play it clear where things stand: nor McDavid, who would’ve States in 2010 and also played told Sovietsky Sport that he going to wait until the offseason Sunday in Oakland’s home “Now the IIHF and NHL been a lock to play for Canada in Sochi in 2014 and expects hoped the Pittsburgh Pen- or wait until later on in the year, opener. say my country is not allowed if healthy. “I’ve never got that to be cheering that team along guins would let him go to the see how I was going to come into “We all worked together to to ask anybody in the NHL to chance. I would love to be able this time. Olympics, adding of the the season and play maybe. But get me back and just wanted to play and there is nothing to to play in Olympics. I’ve heard “You always relish the NHL’s decision: “There’s they stared communicating. I’m make sure I was good when I talk about anymore.” that they’re real fun.” opportunity to play for your nothing good about this at happy to get it done.” came back,” Conley said. An IIHF spokesman said he NHL Commissioner Gary country, and you don’t want all.” 32 SPORT SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2017 Al Attiyah eyes more glory after impressive win in Iran

The Peninsula championship - to nail their title Al Attiyah - a two-time did well in our Ford Fiesta R5 win in a Ford Fiesta R5. Dakar Rally champion - hopes to emerge victorious,” he said atar’s star rally driver “I thank God for this hon- to have another shot next year, in a statement. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, our. I dedicate this win to the saying he still has the energy Al Attiyah said: “I was a Qwho clinched his 13th FIA Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin and desire to compete at the top little edgy at the start but such Middle East Championship Hamad Al Thani and the coun- level. fears quickly faded as we crown on Friday, is in no mood try’s sports fans. To raise the He also thanked his spon- adapted well to the challenge to slow down. Qatari flag after the win feels sors ‘for their wholehearted of retaining our lead.” The 46-year-old, who also great,” Al Attiyah said. support’ in helping him com- Abdul Mannai, President has an Olympics bronze medal “My success is my country’s pete at the top events around of QMMF, said: “I congratu- to his name, is eyeing another success,” he added. the world. Al Attiyah also late Nasser Al Attiyah for shot at the region’s top title next “To lift the crown for the applauded QMMF - the coun- winning the Middle East year. 13th time will go down in the try’s motor sport body - for championship for the 13th On Friday, Al Attiyah and history books. Despite difficul- ‘contributing to the success’. time. This is no surprise for a co-driver Matthieu Baumel ties during the race, we Al Attiyah said Shiraz Rally Qatari champion who has stormed to wins in all stages of managed to win the title. It was was a tough assignment. done so well over the years. the Shiraz Rally - the fifth and a fighting win,” Al Attiyah said “It was a strong competi- We are sure there’s more to Qatari rally driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (right) and his French final round of this year’s in a statement yesterday. tion with some solid drivers. We come in the future.” navigator Matthieu Baumel pose for a photograph after winning the Shiraz International Rally in south-central Iran, on Friday. QOC, ORF join hands for refugee relief

The Peninsula activities that will assist refugees in their social development and he International Olympic integration through sport. Committee (IOC) “The IOC has a long-time Tannounced the launch of commitment to refugees around the Olympic Refugee Foundation the world. Today we are taking at its session in Lima on Friday, another major step forward by with the Qatar Olympic Commit- creating the Olympic Refuge tee (QOC) confirmed as a Foundation. It was paramount for founding donating partner. The the IOC to continue to find solu- Foundation is aimed at pursuing tions to help refugees around the the work undertaken throughout globe,” said IOC President Tho- the Olympic Movement over mas Bach. “Working closely with recent years to support refugees the UNHCR, the Olympic Refuge around the world and is a further Foundation will create safe places major initiative that has emerged where young people can not only from the strong and long-stand- play sport but also develop skills ing partnership between the IOC to help them reconstruct their and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). lives. I would like to thank our Speaking about the QOC’s founding donating partners, the donation, President of the QOC, Qatar Olympic Committee and H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al the Government of Lichtenstein, Thani, said: “The Qatar Olympic for supporting the IOC and Committee has made a donation UNHCR in this project.” to the Olympic Refuge Founda- The IOC and UNHCR first tion to support the International began their cooperation in 1994. Olympic Committee and the UN The collaboration has since seen Refugee Agency in the valuable the implementation of sports work that they are doing to projects in more than 45 coun- improve the lives of young refu- tries, which has allowed for the gees around the world through provision of basic sports equip- the power of sport. President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani making a donation to the Olympic ment, the rehabilitation of sports “The Qatar Olympic Com- Refugee Foundation, accepted by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach during the launch of the grounds and the organisation of mittee shares the belief that Foundation in Lima, Peru on Friday. regular recreational activities. having a safe space to be able The Olympic Refuge Founda- to practice and play sport is a tion had received pledges of basic human right, and we are on the lives of young people Olympic Team at the Olympic refugees, a displaced migrant sustainable way within these safe financial support from the Qatar committed to promoting sport globally.” Games Rio 2016. The team acted population and internally dis- environments. Olympic Committee even prior as a tool for peace and inclu- In a pledge to raise awareness as a symbol of hope and peace placed people. Working in close The Olympic Refuge Founda- to its launch, as well as from the sion in society. Sport spreads of the magnitude of the refugee for refugees across the globe. collaboration with the UNHCR tion will enter into strategic Government of Lichtenstein. The solidarity and hope, promotes crisis - the UNHCR estimates that They inspired the world with the and with the relevant partners partnerships with other founda- Foundation will fund projects a healthy lifestyle and brings more than 65 million people have strength of their human spirit. and local authorities on the tions, international organisations across the world through the gen- communities together - and we been forced from their homes by The aim of the Olympic Ref- ground, the Foundation will and non-governmental organi- erous donations from Olympic hope that our contribution to war, famine and other man-made uge Foundation is to create safe, develop sporting activities and sations, in order to share Movement partners, governmen- the Olympic Refuge Founda- and natural disasters - the IOC basic and accessible sports facil- social development projects that experiences and build a collec- tal institutions and private tion will have a positive impact created the first Refugee ities in areas where there are can be implemented in a tive approach to foster impactful donations.

DAVIS CUP RESULTS Australia, France on brink of Davis Cup final SEMI-FINALS Paris Nick Kyrgios can wrap up the Davis Cup title since 2001, hav- of the line judge who made the At Lille (clay court, outdoor) AFP tie for Australia on Sunday when ing lost three finals since with the call. France 2 - Serbia 1 he takes on fellow national most recent a defeat by Roger Yesterday’s action was rained Nicolas Mahut/Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Nenad Zimonjic/Filip ustralia edged closer to a number one David Goffin in the Federer’s Switzerland in 2014. off with Japan 2-0 ahead after Fri- Krajinovic (SRB) 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) first Davis Cup final in 14 first of the reverse singles. “Nico and Pierre-Hugues had day’s opening singles. Friday Ayears yesterday when Jor- Kyrgios defeated Steve Dar- a mini-test at the end. It was In Astana, Kazakhstan are 2-1 Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt Lucas Pouille (FRA) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5) dan Thompson and John Peers cis 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-2 on probably too easy and they up on 2016 champions Argentina Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) bt Laslo Djere (SRB) 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-3 swept past Arthur De Greef and Friday, while Goffin saw off John wanted to give me an ulcer. But while 2014 winners Switzerland Ruben Bemelmans 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 Millman 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-3, 7-5. they did very well. They had a trail Belarus 2-1 in Biel. for a 2-1 lead in their semi-final In Lille, Mahut and Herbert good match,” said Noah. Max Mirnyi, 40, celebrated his At Brussels (clay court, indoor) against Belgium. needed less than two hours to see In the play-offs, where the 55th tie for Belarus over a 24-year Belgium 1 - Australia 2 Australia, the 28-time cham- off Serbia’s 41-year-old playing winning teams will compete in the career by teaming with Andrei Jordan Thompson/John Peers (AUS) bt Arthur De Greef/Ruben Bemel- pions, look likely to face nine-time captain Zimonjic and World Group in 2018, Japan’s tie Vasilevski in a 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4), mans (BEL) 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 winners France who are 2-1 up on Krajinovic. with Brazil in Osaka was over- 7-6 (7/3) win over Adrian Bodmer Friday Serbia thanks to Nicolas Mahut That Yannick Noah’s hosts shadowed by a racism row. and Luca Margaroli. David Goffin (BEL) bt John Millman (AUS) 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 and Pierre-Hugues Herbert clinch- have yet to book their place in the Brazil’s Guilherme Clezar was Boris Becker, recently- Nick Kyrgios (AUS) bt Steve Darcis (BEL) 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-2 ing a 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) win over final is down to Dusan Lajovic’s fined $1,500 by the International installed as Germany’s head of Nenad Zimonjic and Filip shock 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5) Tennis Federation (ITF) for mak- tennis, saw his team edge 2-1 Krajinovic. win in Friday’s opening rubber ing what appeared to be a slit-eyed ahead of Portugal in Lisbon. WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS Lleyton Hewitt’s Australia last against Lucas Pouille, although gesture. The Czech Republic lead the Kazakhstan 2 - Argentina 1 won the Davis Cup in 2003 when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had levelled The 24-year-old journeyman Netherlands 2-1 in The Hague Colombia 1 - Croatia 1 they beat Spain in the final. the tie by beating debutant Laslo issued an apology but denied any while Hungary have a similar Switzerland 1 - Belarus 2 “We had a job to do today and Djere 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-3. racist intent following the incident advantage over Russia at Netherlands 1 - Czech Republic 2 we came out and did it from start Mahut and Herbert, the 2015 during his defeat by Yuichi Sugita Budapest. Portugal 1 - Germany 2 to finish. Playing with Thommo US Open and 2016 Wimbledon on Friday. The other World Group ties -- Japan 2 - Brazil 0 and in front of this crowd and per- champions, came back from 5-2 After successfully challenging Colombia v Croatia in Bogota and Hungary 2 - Russia 1 form the way we did is just down in the third set to wrap up a line call in the third-set tiebreak, Canada at home to India in incredible,” said Peers after Sat- the win. an exasperated Clezar stretched Edmonton - were level at 1-1 Canada 1 - India 1 urday’s win in Brussels. France are bidding for a first his eyes in an apparent criticism ahead of yesterday’s doubles.