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Tuesday, November 10, 2020 CRICKET Rabia I 24, 1442 AH Champions Mumbai GULF TIMES out to shatter Delhi’s maiden IPL dream SPORT Page 7 OOREDOO CUP Khalfan brace leads Arabi to win over Kharaitiyat By Sports Reporter His left-footed drive smashed into the Doha net with keeper Mustafa Abdulkardeen in no position to stop the ball. Three minutes later, it was Khalfan l Arabi defeated Al Kharaiti- again, straddling into the Al Kharaiti- yat 2-1 in a Group B fi fth yat box, but the goalkeeper stopped his round match of the Ooredoo low powerful shot. Mensah unleashed Cup at the Al Arabi Stadium a powerful swinging shot from the Ayesterday. Fahad Khalfan scored two edge of Arabi box in the 69th minute, goals in the 45th and 52nd minute for but his shot bounced off the goalpost. Arabi, whereas Evans Mensah net- However, Menshah was not to be de- ted Kharaitiyat’s goal in stoppage time nied deep into the game as he found (90+4). the target with a spectacular free-kick It was Al Arabi’s third win from fi ve to reduce Kharaitiyat’s defi cit. matches. Coached by Heimir Hall- In another Group B match, Al Rayy- grimsson, The Dream Team fi nished an beat Umm Salal 2-1 with goals from their group matches with a tally of 11 Yohan Boli (58th minute) and Ali Fary- points, while Al Kharaitiyat remained doon (79th). Rayyan fi nished third on six points. In the 39th minute, Has- in the group with seven points, while san Kamal of Kharaitiyat nearly pulled ended up fi fth with four points. off a long-range stunner when his vol- Meanwhile, table-toppers Al Ghara- ley from outside the Arabi box went fa sailed past Al Ahli at the Al Khor sta- agonisingly close to the left of keeper dium. Gharafa’s goals were scored by Sataa al-Abbasi. Saeed Alhaj, Othman Alawi and Suf- Arabi opened the scoring with a ian Hanni. Gharafa fi nished the group slick goal. Khalfan, lurking inside the stages with 13 points, while Ahli re- Kharaitiyat box unmarked, latched on mained bottom of the table with one to a loopy cross from the edge of the point. box, lunged forward and tapped the Action from the Ooredoo Cup match between Al Rayyan and Umm Salal at the Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. ball into the net even as Oumar Sako DUHAIL FACE AL KHOR tried to kill the move near his own IN A MUST-WIN TIE would not guarantee them a quarter- ya 5-1, but they suff ered a 1-2 defeat SC are placed fi fth in the group with Sadd behind them by one point. goalmouth. Meanwhile, Al Duhail take on Al Khor fi nal spot as their goal diff erence of -6. at the hands of Al Wakrah in Round 2. with four points, one point less than The Blue Wave beat Al Khor 2-1 Overall, Kharaitiyat remained in in a must-win match today. The reign- For Al Khor, who are placed third with However, The Knights bounced back fourth-placed Al Sailiya. and Al Duhail 3-1, while they drew 1-1 control of the fi rst half, enjoying 65 per ing QNB Stars League champions are six pointsbehind Al Wakrah and Al with a 2-0 win over Qatar SC in Round The third match of the day will pit with Qatar SC and 2-2 with Al Sailiya cent of possession. Arabi doubled their bottom of Group A with just three Sadd, a draw should be enough to book 3, only to lose 0-1 to reigning champi- table-toppers Al Wakrah against sec- in the last round. Reigning champi- lead after Fahad Khalfan, who received points and were handed a 0-3 drubbing a place in the last eight. ons Al Sadd. ond-placed Al Sadd at the Qatar SC ons Al Sadd are on a high after beating a well-timed slip pass, launched a mis- by Al Sadd last week. Al Khor had started off their cam- In another match, Qatar SC will host stadium. Wakrah have eight points defending Duhail and a win today will sile from outside the Kharaitiyat box. Even a win today against Al Khor paign in grand style by beating Al Saili- Al Sailiya and hope to eke out a victory. with two victories and as many defeats, ensured them a top spot in the group.

CRICKET GOLF Garcia Dad-to-be Kohli to miss catches Covid-19, to miss three Tests vs Australia Masters Rahane to take over captaincy after first Test as Kohli gets ‘paternity leave’ from the Indian board Agencies New Delhi

ndia captain VIRAT KOHLI will return home from Australia after the opening Test in Adelaide Inext month to attend the birth of his child, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said yesterday. Kohli’s deputy Ajinkya Rahane will lead India in the fi nal three Tests of the tour which begins in AFP Sydney on Nov 27 with fi rst of the Augusta, United States six short-form internationals. At the Oct 26 selection com- mittee meeting, Kohli informed ergio Garcia, the 2017 the BCCI of his plans to return Masters champion, home after the day-night Test in withdrew from the 84th Adelaide from Dec 17, board sec- SMasters yesterday after retary Jay Shah said in a state- announcing he has tested posi- ment. “The BCCI has granted tive for Covid-19. Garcia, who paternity leave to the Indian took his only major title at Au- captain. He will return after the Rohit Sharma has been named in the revised Test squad after being gusta National three years ago by fi rst Test against Australia in controversially excluded from the initial tour party. defeating England’s Justin Rose Adelaide,” Shah said. in a playoff , tested positive on Kohli’s actress wife Anushka paternity leave was not thought Gill, K L Rahul (vice-captain & Sunday after missing the cut at Sharma is pregnant with their of. Cricketers nowadays play so -keeper), Shreyas Iyer, the US PGA Houston Open. fi rst child. Under Kohli, India much cricket that breaks, es- Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, “On Saturday night after registered their maiden Test se- pecially for such occasions, are Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra driving back from the Houston ries victory in Australia last year. needed. “I think this is a very Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Open, I started feeling a bit of a The BCCI announced sev- injured both his hamstrings in led to controversy and left the wanted to be with the spouse at positive move from the board,” Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, sore throat and a cough,” Garcia eral changes to the touring party the IPL and a call on his availa- BCCI red-faced, as the day the a crucial stage like this. “I can’t More said. Mohammed Shami, Navdeep tweeted. “The symptoms stayed after several players sustained bility will be taken later. Rishabh board president Sourav Gan- recall this happening before but Saini, Shardul Thakur, Sanju with me on Sunday morning so injuries in the ongoing Indian Pant is the other wicket-keeper guly said he was injured, Sharma there is nothing wrong in this. I REVISED INDIAN SQUADS Samson (wicket-keeper) I decided to get tested for Cov- (IPL). Opener in India’s Test squad. Sanju turned up for his Indian Premier think it depends on the player if T20Is: Virat Kohli (Captain), id-19 and so did my wife Angela. Rohit Sharma has been added to Samson has joined the one-day League franchise Mumbai Indi- he wants to play or not. I think Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agar- Tests: Virat Kohli (Captain), Thankfully she tested negative, the Test squad for the Border- team as an additional wicket- ans to play the last league match BCCI has done well to allow him wal, K L Rahul (vice-captain and Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agar- but I didn’t.” Gavaskar Trophy after initially keeper, while quick T Natarajan against Sunrisers Hyderabad. this break,” former BCCI vice- wicket-keeper), Shreyas Iyer, wal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, The 40-year-old Spaniard being left out of the touring par- replaced spinner Varun Chakra- Former administrators and president Niranjan Shah said. Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Ra- won his fi rst US PGA title since ty because of a hamstring nig- varthy, who sustained a shoul- selectors who IANS spoke to re- Former chief selector Kiran Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), hane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vi- the Masters last month at the gle. Quick Ishant Sharma, who der injury, in the Twenty20 side. garding this said that they had More said that Kohli was well Ravindra Jadeja, Washington hari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Sanderson Farms Championship was also omitted initially be- The BCCI also announced the never come across an instance within his rights to ask for a Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jas- Saha (wicket-keeper), Rishabh in Jackson, Mississippi. cause of a muscle tear, would be inclusion of Rohit Sharma in the where the player has taken pa- leave and the BCCI has done the prit Bumrah, Mohamed Shami, Pant (wicket-keeper), Jasprit “Our hearts and prayers go out added to the Test squad should Test side. He will, however, be ternity leave. They, however, right thing to agree to it. “Back Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, to Sergio and his family,” Augus- he recover in time. The Indian rested for the ODIs and T20 In- supported the move saying in our days, we used to play few- T Natarajan Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, ta National Golf Club chairman board confi rmed Test wicket- ternational series preceding the the onus lies on the player and er Tests and other internation- ODIs: Virat Kohli (Captain), Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Fred Ridley said. “We will miss keeper Wriddhiman Saha has Tests. Sharma’s exclusion had that it was natural that a player als, and there was no IPL. So, a Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman R Ashwin, Mohamed Siraj him greatly.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, November 10, 2020 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA FOCUS Teenager Fati out for four Soler’s treble of penalties months, say Barcelona

AFP Madrid helps Valencia sink Real arcelona expect Ansu Fati to be out for four months after the club confi rmed the 18-year- Zidane’s men are now fourth in the table, four points behind early leaders Real Sociedad Bold underwent surgery on his knee injury yesterday. Fati had AFP the operation after tearing the Madrid internal meniscus of his left knee during Barca’s 5-2 win over Real Betis on Saturday. eal Madrid were thrashed He will miss the majority of 4-1 at struggling Valencia on the rest of the season but could Sunday night as Carlos Soler return for the run-in and will scored a hat-trick of penalties hope to be fi t again in time to toR raise further doubts over ’s play for Spain in next summer’s reigning champions. European Championship. Bar- Madrid took the lead through Karim ca’s chances in La Liga and the Benzema but presented Valencia with Champions League have been four gifts at Mestalla, including three dealt a blow by Fati’s injury, spot-kicks and an own-goal scored by given the forward had emerged Raphael Varane, to fall to another sur- as one of Ronald Koeman’s most prise defeat. “There is no justifi cation, exciting players. no excuses,” said Zinedine Zidane. “It’s Fati has already scored fi ve a bad game and a bad day.” goals and provided two assists in This is the fi rst time Madrid have his 10 appearances this term. conceded four goals since letting in fi ve against Barcelona in October 2018 and VALVERDE SHIN INJURY puts the brakes on their recovery that ADDS TO REAL WOES had followed a rocky start to the season. Real Madrid midfi elder Fede After back-to-back losses to Cadiz and Valverde is expected to be out Shakhtar Donestsk last month, Zin- for around a month after the edine Zidane’s side appeared to have club confi rmed yesterday he has turned a corner with wins over Barca, sustained a shin injury. Valverde Huesca and Inter Milan. came off in the second half of Yet this result puts the pressure back Madrid’s 4-1 defeat by Valencia on ahead of the international break, on Sunday and will now not join with Madrid now fourth in the table, up with Uruguay for upcoming four points behind early leaders Real World Cup qualifi ers against Co- Sociedad. A disappointing night also lombia and Brazil. got worse when Benzema was forced off late on with what looked like a groin AOUAR PULLS OUT OF injury. “Everything happened to us,” Zi- FRANCE SQUAD WITH INJURY dane said. Lyon midfi elder Houssem Aouar Valencia, meanwhile, started the day has been ruled out of France’s in 17th after enduring a nightmare start upcoming internationals after to the campaign, on the back of a trans- sustaining an injury in the win fer window which saw them sell fi ve key over Saint-Etienne, coach Didier players and fail to replace any of them. Deschamps said yesterday. A stirring victory though pushes Javi Aouar was initially called up Gracia’s team up to ninth and may prove last week as a replacement for a turning point in their season. There Nabil Fekir but instead joins the was certainly an element of fortune in Valencia’s Carlos Soler (front) celebrates with teammate Uros Racic after scoring a goal against Real Madrid in the La Liga in Valencia on Sunday night. (AFP) World Cup winner on the side- Valencia’s goals, all of them unusual lines after hurting his thigh dur- and some of them bizarre. But Soler ference.” ing Soler a retake. He made no mistake in the area before Sergio Ramos tackled la Real back above Atletico Madrid, who ing Lyon’s 2-1 derby victory on did brilliantly to beat Thibaut Courtois The fi rst half turned on two decisions at the second attempt and then Valen- Musah and as the ball popped up, Ma- had briefl y taken fi rst place after beat- Sunday. three times, particularly having missed that went Valencia’s way but Madrid cia pulled in front when Varane skewed drid’s captain knocked it away with his ing Cadiz on Saturday. World champions France play his fi rst attempt, which was retaken af- could have few complaints. They took a cross towards his own-goal and got left hand. Atletico are three points behind but Finland in a friendly at the Sta- ter the Belgian came off his line. the lead when Benzema unleashed from tangled with Courtois while attempt- Soler stepped up for this third and have two games in hand. Granada, who de de France in Paris tomorrow Madrid were also without Casemiro the edge of the area but conceded a pen- ing to clear. The ball was shown to have fourth spot-kicks of the match and drop to fi fth, had only seven fi rst-team before two Nations League after the Brazilian tested positive for alty when Jose Luis Gaya’s cross struck crossed the line while Valencia were scored both to compound the defend- players available and fi nished with matches, away to Portugal on coronavirus but a heavy loss continues the arm of Lucas Vazquez. lucky to escape punishment for a tackle ing champions’ misery. Real Sociedad only four on the pitch, one fewer than November 14 and home against a worrying trend of defensive vulner- Chaos followed as Soler’s penalty was on Marcos Asensio by regained top spot after winning 2-0 La Liga’s minimum of fi ve, with the Sweden three days later. ability. Solidity was the key to them saved by Courtois and then his rebound in the build-up. against a depleted Granada, who could rest made up from the youth team. It Aouar made his international winning the title last season but they came back off the post to Yunus Musah, Madrid had work to do but Valencia face punishment for fi elding fewer than remains to be seen if La Liga take ac- debut in the 7-1 home friendly are now seven matches without a single who fi nished on the half-volley. Replays started the second half stronger, Lee the required number of fi rst-team play- tion, having already rejected Granada’s win over Ukraine in October, but clean sheet. “We have to be strong in showed Musah had entered the box Kang-In hitting the post before two ers. Nacho Monreal scored in the 22nd request for the game to be postponed. did not take part in the two fol- defence,” said Zidane. “If we have this, too early but Courtois was also off his more penalties were awarded. Marcelo minute and Mikel Oyarzabal converted Villarreal move up to second in the table lowing Nations League matches we have quality up front to make a dif- line, making his save illegal and hand- wrapped his foot around Maxi Gomez a penalty in the 27th at Anoeta to send after they won 3-1 against Getafe. against Portugal and Croatia.

SERIE A SPOTLIGHT Ibrahimovic grabs point for AC Milan Bayern star Kimmich out until AFP Milan January aft er knee surgery

AFP suff ered the injury in the fi rst half to be available again in January.” latan Ibrahimovic missed a penalty Dortmund, of Saturday’s 3-2 win at Borussia Bayern board member Hasan before scoring a late equaliser as Dortmund which sent them top Salihamidzic added: “We’re Serie A leaders AC Milan salvaged a of the Bundesliga. glad that Joshua will probably point in a 2-2 Serie A draw against ayern Munich midfi elder “Joshua Kimmich underwent be available again in a matter of ZHellas Verona on Sunday to let rivals Juven- Joshua Kimmich under- successful surgery on his right weeks. We’ll support him in his tus and Inter Milan off the hook after both went surgery on his right lateral meniscus on Sunday rehabilitation as best we can.” were held 1-1 in earlier games. knee on Sunday and will evening,” said Bayern in a state- The lay-off will sideline him “I’ll let Franck Kessie take the next one, beB out of action until January, the ment. for the fi nal three games of the that would be better,” said Ibrahimovic, who German champions announced. “The FC Bayern medical de- Champions League group stage has now missed four of the last six penalties The German international, 25, partment expect the midfi elder as well as six Bundesliga fi xtures. he has taken for AC Milan. Stefano Pioli’s side are top of Serie A with a two-point ad- vantage on second-placed Sassuolo, who were held to a goalless draw against Udinese Beckham’s Miami reach MLS playoff s in fi rst season on Friday. Champions Juventus drop to fi fth, four points behind the leaders after Lazio’s Miami: David Beckham’s Inter Chicago arrived on MLS’s “Deci- Columbus and Chicago fell to Felipe Caicedo scored fi ve minutes into in- Miami refused to be blown off sion Day” finale to the regular New York City FC to ensure jury time to cancel out Cristiano Ronaldo’s course in their pursuit of reach- season. Miami also sneaked through fi rst-half goal. ing the Major League Soccer This was just the seventh win despite Cincinnati pushing hard Inter Milan and Atalanta also shared the playoff s on Sunday, securing a from 23 in the regular season at the death for a draw which spoils in Bergamo after Aleksey Miranchuk famous victory while battling for Alonso’s side, who grabbed wouldn’t have been enough for scored on his fi rst Serie A start for the hosts tropical storm Eta. the last available play-off ticket the home team. to cancel out Lautaro Martinez’s header. Wild winds and rain made by finishing 10th in the Eastern With every MLS team in ac- Milan had the chance to pull four points conditions in South Florida Conference. Cincinnati, who are tion on Sunday, the Philadelphia clear at the top of the table in the fi nal match extremely diff icult, but a coached by Beckham’s former Union locked up the Supporters’ before the international break. combination of Diego Alonso’s Manchester United teammate Shield for the team with the But the leaders were two goals down in Ac Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (left) scores during the Italian Serie A match against side beating Cincinnati 2-1 and Jaap Stam, end up bottom for best regular-season record with the San Siro after Antonin Barak opened Hellas Verona at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Sunday night. (AFP) rivals Atlanta and Chicago drop- the second year in a row as Inter a 2-0 victory over New England. the scoring in the sixth minute and Milan ping points ensured a diff icult Miami moved on. Toronto FC, also in the running defender Davide Calabria bundled into his Henrikh Mkhitaryan hat-trick delivered a ventus for 93 minutes and 45 seconds, but inaugural campaign has now “We are very excited, it has for the Supporters’ Shield, own goal quarter of an hour later. Ibrahi- 3-1 win at Genoa. then we conceded a goal because we eased been boosted with a trip to the been a diff icult year but we have closed out the regular-season movic had a chance for the equaliser after Earlier Juventus once again demonstrated off ,” said defender Leonardo Bonucci who post-season, where fellow new- worked hard and today we got with a 2-1 defeat to New York 66 minutes, after Verona defender Giangi- how dependent they are on Portuguese star played his 400th game for Juventus. comers Nashville will welcome the reward,” said a delighted Red Bulls. acomo Magnani’s own goal had reduced the Ronaldo, letting three points slip after he Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio, embroiled in Miami on November 20th. Alonso, who dedicated the In the Western Conference defi cit for the hosts. limped off with an ankle injury with 15 min- coronavirus chaos with star striker Ciro Im- Goals from Mikey Ambrose triumph to the 2,703 fans who where all eight playoff teams But the 39-year-old embarrassingly fi red utes to go. “Ronaldo is a crucial player,” said mobile back in isolation after playing last — the first of his career — and cheered on their team while were already confirmed, Sport- over the crossbar before redeeming him- Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo. weekend, are ninth, six points off the lead- defender Leandro Gonzalez combating the elements. ing Kansas City clinched the self deep into injury time by heading in his The 35-year-old had scored his sixth goal ers. The Roman club are being investigated Pirez in the opening 45 minutes The MLS play-off s are all top seed with a 2-0 victory over eighth league goal this season. “With so in four games and had further chances for a by the Italian football federation for possible had put Beckham’s franchise in one leg knock-out games. The Real Salt Lake at a snowy Rio many matches you are not always 100%,” second, rattling the post before Pepe Reina Covid violations after UEFA blocked some control at the interval yet more chances of Inter Miami extend- Tinto Stadium in Utah. said the veteran Swedish striker. “It was im- tipped a free-kick over the bar. Caicedo, who players from Champions League games at drama was to follow after a bril- ing their season appeared slim Los Angeles FC’S Uruguayan portant not to lose. Thank goodness there is came on early in the second half, once again Club Brugge and Zenit after testing positive. liant strike for the visiting team before kick-off with Atlanta, star Diego Rossi won the Golden a break now, so I rest a little.” had the fi nal word. He picked up a Correa Both Inter and Atalanta missed the chance from Joe Gyau on 66 minutes. Chicago and Montreal also vy- Boot award as the top scorer in Milan avoided a fi rst league defeat after cross and swivelled to fi re in the equaliser as to close the gap on the leaders days after A late red card for Inter ing for two available slots. the pandemic disrupted season, their 24-match unbeaten run was ended Juventus drew for the fourth time in seven Champions League defeats to Real Madrid defender Andres Reyes ensured But although Thierry Henry’s with 14 goals from 19 appear- with a Europa League loss to Lille during the league games. and Liverpool respectively. a nervy finale. Some crazed Montreal triumphed over DC ances, two more than Colum- week. Napoli move third after a Victor Osi- Caicedo also scored in the midweek 1-1 “We’re lacking a bit of the killer instinct celebrations at the final whistle United and will play New Eng- bus’ Gyasi Zardes, Chicago’s mhen header sealed a 1-0 win over Bologna. Champions League draw at Zenit Saint- to take home games,” said coach Antonio began, however, once confirma- land in the next round, Atlanta Robert Beric and Seattle’s Raul Roma are equal on points with Napoli, Petersburg and the winner in last weekend’s Conte, whose side are seventh just behind tion of defeats for Atlanta and and Chicago Atlanta lost against Ruidiaz. both one point ahead of Juventus, after a 4-3 victory at Torino. “We played like Ju- Atalanta. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 10, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Robertson backs Arteta frustrated as Liverpool to cope with tough schedule Arsenal progress as row rumbles AFP skjaer was vocal on that issue af- ter his team had to play at Everton in the Premier League’s Saturday lunchtime slot just days after ndy Robertson says their Champions League defeat Liverpool are well- at Istanbul Basaksehir. placed to mount a Guardiola said his players were halted by Aston Villa Premier League title exhausted. “LeBron James won challengeA as they grapple with the NBA title and now he is on a gruelling fi xture schedule that holiday for one or two months,” A second consecutive home defeat for Arsenal sees them slip to 11th place provoked angry complaints from said the City boss. “Our guys had Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. eight days. It’s games, games, AFP Klopp’s side were forced to games, because TV decided to do London settle for a 1-1 draw against title it. This league likes to be diff er- rivals Manchester City on Sun- ent. I don’t understand how the day after Gabriel Jesus cancelled Premier League understand the ikel Arteta admitted Arsenal out Mohamed Salah’s penalty. situation.” were unrecognisable from Liverpool surrendered fi rst place Klopp added: “I understand the side that has made plenty to Leicester as a result and there the need of television 100%, but of progress in his fi rst year in was further frustration for Reds the Premier League needs to ful- Mcharge as Aston Villa stormed to a com- boss Klopp after England right- fi l the position of unity among prehensive 3-0 win at the Emirates on back Trent Alexander-Arnold the players as well. The 12:30 Sunday night. Bukayo Saka’s own goal was forced off with a calf injury. (kick-off ) is the killer.” and a double from took Vil- Klopp and City manager Guar- After the current international la up to sixth, just three points off the top diola are furious with Premier break, Premier League clubs will of the table with a game in hand. League chiefs and TV schedulers be back to their hectic schedules Arsenal had beaten Manchester Unit- for placing what they feel is an throughout the winter. Given the ed at Old Traff ord for the fi rst time in 14 unfair burden on players. Being diffi cult circumstances, Scotland years last weekend in what appeared to be able to bring on only three sub- international Robertson believes the latest sign the Gunners are heading in stitutes, while all the other top Liverpool should be content to the right direction under Arteta. But the European leagues and the Cham- sit in third place, just one point Spaniard suff ered the joint heaviest de- pions League now allow fi ve to be behind Leicester and fi ve ahead feat of his managerial career in a chasten- used, is a major bone of conten- of Guardiola’s 10th-placed team. ing evening for the hosts, who were sec- tion. Despite the late start to this “We are always hungry for ond best from start to fi nish. season due to the coronavirus- more but we have to be happy,” A second consecutive home defeat for lengthened 2019/20 campaign, Robertson told Liverpool’s web- Arsenal sees them slip to 11th, four points the Premier League’s top teams site. “I think when we started off their major target for the season of a lost a vote to introduce the fi ve- getting some injuries and lost a top-four fi nish. “We performed below sub rule, with fears from smaller couple of players with Covid-19 our standards and I have to say it’s the clubs that it largely benefi ts everyone expected the wheels fi rst time I’ve seen us play and we weren’t those with bigger squads. to fall off . But we’ve managed a team,” said Arteta. “It’s the only big league with to steady the ship a little bit and “We lost all the races, the duels and we only three subs,” said Klopp. “Big pick up some great results.” were sloppy on the ball. It is a frustration. surprise. It’s a lack of leadership. Robertson said the perform- It takes a lot to build momentum, to build If 14 teams do not agree that fi ve ance against City was one of Liv- a way of being, living and performing and subs should happen then at least erpool’s best for a while and set when something like that comes up it’s a let the top six sub fi ve times when them up well for the challenges hard one to take.” we play each other.” to come. “I hope we go and attack Villa thought they had taken the lead Having to play domestic this Christmas period because inside the fi rst minute when John McGinn matches early in the weekend it’s going to be hectic,” he said. rifl ed into the roof of the net from Jack after midweek European ties is “But we have dealt with it pret- Grealish’s pass. However, after a VAR re- another complaint. Manchester ty well in previous seasons and view lasting over four minutes, the goal Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring against Arsenal in the Premier League in London. (Reuters) United manager Ole Gunnar Sol- that’s what we need this season.” was ruled out for Ross Barkley in an off - side position standing in front of Arsenal They’re all blossoming really well but There was a further blow to the hosts at cross. Ceballos saved Arsenal moments goalkeeper Bernd Leno being ruled to be there’s more to come from them,” said the break as £45mn ($59mn) new signing later with a goal-line clearance when interfering with play. Smith. Barkley’s pass freed Matt Targett Thomas Partey had to be replaced by Ce- Grealish seemed set to get the goal his Villa had lost their last two matches down the left and his cross was turned ballos due to a thigh injury. Villa remained performance deserved. after a stunning start to the season that into his own net by Saka as he desperately the bigger threat in the second-half as A brilliant counter-attack then did give included a 7-2 thrashing of Liverpool a tried to stop Trezeguet from applying the Leno was forced into saves by Trezeguet the scoreline the refl ection Villa deserved month ago. But Dean Smith’s side did fi nal touch. Alexandre Lacazette wasted and Grealish. The visitors fi nally killed as Grealish drove forward before feeding not look like a team lacking confi dence as Arsenal’s best chance to get back into the the game off as a contest 18 minutes from Watkins to fi re past Leno. “You’ve seen Arsenal struggled to cope with the move- game when he wastefully headed over time when Watkins — who scored a hat- tonight and against Liverpool, we’re a ment of Grealish, Barkley and Watkins. Kieran Tierney’s cross just before half- trick in the famous win over Liverpool — great side and we can beat anyone,” said “We’re a threat with them in the team. time. headed home Barkley’s excellent volleyed Watkins.

ARSENAL FAN WATKINS SAYS ASTON VILLA ARE ON THE MARCH London: Ollie Watkins has warned Aston Villa’s Premier included a 7-2 win against champions Liverpool. always confident he would hit the ground running. He is League rivals they have much more in the locker after “I’m not sure my grandad or uncle Baz are going to a young man but he has scored a lot of goals.” the Arsenal fan scored twice in a 3-0 dismantling of the be too happy,” said Watkins, who joined Villa for a club- One of the key factors in Villa’s resurgence is the Gunners. The 24-year-old striker has adapted quickly record £28mn ($37mn). “They are Arsenal fans and I am understanding that has developed between playmaker to the top-flight after signing from Championship side an Arsenal fan myself — but I’m buzzing,” he said. “I am , Watkins and Ross Barkley, who is on loan Brentford in September, taking his tally to six goals in sure they will love it really. I think there is a lot more to from Chelsea. Smith, who guided Villa to the League seven league games. come from us.” Cup final last season, said his side’s performance at the Villa’s biggest win at Arsenal since 1928 on Sunday Watkins praised manager Smith for turning around Emirates ranked alongside the demolition of Liverpool. lifted them to sixth in the Premier League — just three Villa’s form — they only escaped relegation on the final “It’s up there with the Liverpool result, if not better,” points behind leaders Leicester with a game in hand. day of last season. Smith knows Watkins well, having said the lifelong Villa fan. It was an impressive return to form for Dean Smith’s signed him for Brentford from Exeter in 2017 when “We just looked so composed. We played with such side, who had lost successive games to Leeds and he was manager of the London club. “I had no doubts intensity with and without the ball. I thought we looked Southampton after a stunning start to the season that Ollie would score goals at this level,” said Smith. “I was dangerous whenever we went forward.” Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson. (Reuters)

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFYING FOCUS Olympiakos blast Mahrez-led set to extend 20-match unbeaten streak players for attending AFP moros before salvaging a little pride by other than an Ivorian victory. ‘coronavirus party’ Johannesburg forcing a draw in Kenya. KENYA VS AFP GABON VS GAMBIA It is mind boggling to glance at the Athens iyad Mahrez-captained Al- Forced to pre-qualify, the Gambia Group G standings with the Comoros, geria are expected to extend needed a penalty shootout to elimi- an island nation off the south east coast a 20-match unbeaten record nate football featherweights Djibouti, of , in fi rst place and star-stacked lympiakos yesterday when they host which makes their leadership of Group Egypt only third. The team are known slammed three of their thisR week as 2021 Africa Cup of Nations D all the more remarkable. The Scor- as Les Coelacantes after a rare fi sh and players who attended qualifying restarts after an 11-month pions have never appeared at a Cup of have never come close to qualifying for an overnight “corona- coronavirus-induced break. Nations, but an away win over Angola the fi nals since debuting 13 years ago virusO party” at the roof garden of The Desert Foxes have won 15 and and a home draw with the Democratic and suff ering home and away drubbings an Athens hotel while Greece is drawn fi ve competitive and friendly in- Republic of Congo under Belgian coach from Madagascar. under a strict lockdown due to a ternationals since they last lost, away Tom Saintfi et has Gambians excited. Formidable at home for some time, spike in Covid-19 cases. The club to Benin two years ago in the previous Playing Pierre-Emerick Aubam- they are no longer a pushover outside named Portuguese defender Ru- Cup of Nations qualifying competi- eyang-skippered Gabon away should Moroni and a shock win in Togo via a ben Semedo, Serbian midfi elder tion. Manchester City winger Mahrez prove the toughest test yet and Gambia Faiz Selemani goal helped create the Lazar Randelovic and Brazilian says much of the credit for the unbeaten will miss playmaker Hamza Barry, who two-point lead they hold over Kenya. midfi elder Bruno Felipe as those streak must go to coach Djamel Bel- is recovering from cruciate ligament who were among the 30 people madi, calling him “a magician who has surgery. ZAMBIA VS BOTSWANA at the party late on Sunday. breathed a soul into our national team”. While Zambia have slipped since stun- Olympiakos said they have Algeria have hammered former IVORY COAST VS MADAGASCAR ning Didier Drogba-inspired Ivory called on the players to apolo- champions Zambia and edged Bot- French coach Patrice Beaumelle has Coast in the 2012 Cup of Nations fi nal, gise and that they will be pun- swana in Group H, giving them a two- packed his Ivory Coast squad with Pre- no one in the country expected them to ished “with the maximum fi ne”. point lead over Zimbabwe, and it would mier League players as he tries to get the be bottom and pointless in Group H af- All three players as well as those be a shock if they did not collect three Ivory Coast back on the winning trail ter two rounds. at the party were fi ned 300 eu- more points in . It will be the fi rst after a shock away loss to Ethiopia late Losing away to Algeria was antici- ros each by police for not wear- competitive test for Zimbabwe coach last year. pated, but losing at home to Zimba- ing protective masks while the Zdravko Logarusic, a Croat whose con- He chose defenders Eric Bailly (Man- bwe was not, and Serb Milutin ‘Micho’ 24-year-old owner of the hotel tract with Sudan was not renewed after chester United), Willy Boly (Wolves) Sredojevic has been hired to urgently was arrested and fi ned 3,000 he guided them in the fi rst two quali- Algeria’s midfielder Riyad Mahrez says much of the credit for the unbeaten streak and Serge Aurier (Tottenham) and at- sort out the problems hampering the euros. fying rounds. Here is fi ve of the other must go to coach . (AFP) tackers Sebastien Haller (West Ham), Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets). Local media reported that matchday 3 fi xtures that start tomorrow Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal) and Wilfried “Playing Botswana will not be a walk 40 people were involved in the and continue through Saturday. only once in draws with modest Kenya cessful penalty earned Liverpool a draw Zaha (Crystal Palace). Madagascar de- in the park,” he warned. party, which included a DJ and and even lower ranked Comoros to lie at Manchester City on Sunday. fi ed the odds by reaching the 2019 Cup “They are a very good side that have young women guests, and that EGYPT VS TOGO third. The record seven-time African Togo have fared even worse than of Nations last-eight, and top Group K not conceded more than one goal in any many of the participants had Mohamed Salah-inspired Egypt have champions will hope for goals from the Egypt under veteran French coach after a 6-2 thrashing of Niger, but it is of fi ve matches under (Algerian coach) locked themselves in the toilets made a woeful start to Group G, scoring Liverpool sharpshooter, whose suc- , losing at home to the Co- hard to imagine any result in Abidjan .” to avoid being found. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, November 10, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT International table tennis back aft er 238 days AFP opportunity for top table tennis landing in China. coronavirus emerged late last year Shanghai players to rebuild their competi- The ITTF, the sport’s world has seen the number of local in- tive edge and win world-ranking governing body, said in September fections plummet since a nation- points as they look towards next that players would be banned from wide shutdown in February. op players said they were summer’s delayed Tokyo Olym- breathing on balls and there would China, the dominant force in ta- nervous and rusty, but pics. be no handshakes after matches. ble tennis, will also host the Men’s excited, as international “Even before the match we were Puerto Rico’s world number World Cup later this week, also in table tennis returned this joking that someone will miss 19 Adriana Diaz said that she felt Weihai, followed by the ITTF Fi- Tweek in China after an enforced their serve because everyone was “very lucky to be here and just en- nals in Zhengzhou on November eight-month break because of the so nervous,” said 24-year-old Lily joying the moment”. 19-22. coronavirus. Zhang of the United States, beaten “It is a little weird, having these Liu Guoliang, president of the The Women’s World Cup began in her opener by Ukraine’s Mar- nervous moments before the Chinese Table Tennis Association on Sunday behind closed doors in garyta Pesotska. match starts, and I will need to and a former world and Olympic the eastern coastal city of Weihai “Obviously it doesn’t feel great learn how to get used to it again,” champion, called it “a landmark with 21 players from across the that I lost, (but) on the bright said the 20-year-old. moment”. globe taking part over three days. side it’s just amazing that I get to “It was diffi cult not playing ta- “After many months without It will be followed by two other be here and to participate in this ble tennis for such a long time. international events for our ath- International Table Tennis Fed- tournament. It was sad that Tokyo was post- letes, fans and entire community, eration (ITTF) events in mainland “I think all of us has been out of poned. this is the moment that we return China. match practice this year, (there) “I just want to play better and to the global stage,” he said. The prestigious tournaments haven’t been any international looking forward to Tokyo 2021.” The Women’s World Cup was have taken on extra signifi cance competitions since March, so we originally scheduled to take place because the pandemic has badly are a little nervous, a little rusty.” ‘LANDMARK MOMENT’ in Thailand and the men’s in Ger- impacted all sport and China ap- Like many other sports that The Shanghai Formula One Grand many. pears to be making a rare exception have returned during the pan- Prix,and leading golf and tennis Sun Yingsha, China’s world after saying in July that it would demic, players, coaches and offi - tournaments were cancelled in number three, said it had been “a not host most international sports cials are being kept in a bio-secure China after the government’s an- diffi cult journey”. for the rest of the year. “bubble” to prevent infections. nouncement earlier this year. “I will cherish every match I This photo taken on November 8, 2020, shows Lily Zhang (in red) of the US competing with Margaryta The events are also a crucial They also had to quarantine after However, the country where the play,” she added. Pesotska of Ukraine at the ITTF Women’s World Cup table tennis competition in Weihai, China. (AFP)

RUGBY FOCUS Cash-strapped Rugby Australia Ireland vs Wales will signs Aus$100mn broadcast deal

AFP fi nalise negotiations on the Sydney future format of Super Rugby be clash of bruised and, potentially, make it more attractive to private equity in- ugby Australia an- vestors. nounced a broadcast rights deal with Nine ‘CASH AND CONTRA’ Entertainment Mon- RA said the package still dayR that the fi nancially strick- needed fi nal approval from its en body said would “reboot the partners in the southern hemi- egos, says Sexton game at every level”. sphere’s SANZAAR governing RA said the deal would de- body - , New Zea- liver benefi ts worth Aus$100 land and Argentina. ‘It was tough for a lot of guys who went into a big game and did not perform’ million (US$73 million) over Under the deal, Nine will three years from 2021, with the show rugby on its free-to-air AFP prospect of more funds if Nine television network and its Stan Dublin exercises a two-year extension streaming service, which has option. about two million subscribers. “This agreement ensures Most games - including the reland captain Johnny Sex- the future of our sport and this bulk of Super Rugby and home ton says Friday’s opening exciting new chapter enables Tests for the Wallabies and Autumn Nations Cup clash Rugby Australia to dynami- other SANZAAR nations - will with Wales will be between cally grow the game from the be behind a paywall on Stan. Itwo sides that are “hurting” af- grassroots up,” RA chairman However, one Super Rugby ter bruising defeats in their fi nal Hamish McLennan said. AU match and the compe- Six Nations encounters. The package values rugby’s tition’s fi nals series will be The 35-year-old fl y-half is set broadcast rights signifi cantly available free-to-air on Nine, to make a landmark 100th Test lower than the Aus$285 million potentially bringing in a large appearance - he has 93 caps for over fi ve years RA received un- new audience to a sport that Ireland and six for the British der a deal with Foxtel, Channel has suff ered dwindling viewer and Irish Lions. 10 and BSkyB that expired last numbers in recent years. Ireland’s 35-27 defeat in Paris year. But it will still come as a Nine said the package’s last month cost them a chance to relief to RA, which had been headline fi gure of Aus$100 win the Six Nations title. without a long-term broadcast million included both “cash However, they fi nished third partner after an ill-timed push and contra”, which is believed in the table whereas Wales, in to secure more television cash to include free advertising their fi rst Six Nations campaign coincided with the Covid-19 for the sport. It did not give a under Wayne Pivac, went from crisis throwing the sporting breakdown of how much cash 2019 Grand Slam winners to sec- calendar into turmoil. RA will receive. ond from bottom, winning just The poor handling of the The deal ends RA’s 25-year one of their fi ve matches. issue was cited as one of the association with Foxtel, the The Welsh took action on Sun- reasons former chief executive pay-TV operator majority- day, announcing that defence Raelene Castle quit in April. owned by Rupert Murdoch’s coach Byron Hayward would be RA was dealt a further fi nan- News Corp. that helped usher leaving immediately, just a year cial blow in September, when the game into the professional after replacing the highly suc- Qantas Airways scrapped a era. “We have enjoyed great cessful Shaun Edwards. long-running sponsorship deal highs over our 25-year part- “We can never make up for reportedly worth Aus$5.0 mil- nership and would not be in last Saturday (October 31) but lion ($3.6 million) annually. the position we are today with- we can try and win this competi- A broadcast deal will their support,” RA interim tion and next year’s Six Nations,” only help RA stabilise its fi - chief executive Rob Clarke Sexton said yesterday. nances, it will also allow it to said. “This year’s is one that got away. This week we are play- ing against a team who are a lot better than the last results have suggested. It will be two teams hurting a lot and it will be a re- ally tough game on Friday.” Sexton said Ireland would not underestimate the quality in the Welsh ranks. Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is set to make a landmark 100th Test appearance - he has 93 caps for Ireland and six for the British and Irish Lions. “You can have a lean run of re- sults but know you are not that thought Ireland could improve vacant by Rob Kearney’s retire- ly (50-17 Six Nations win last some average performances in far away, it is only a case of being upon. Fullback Jacob Stockdale ment from Test rugby. month) and playing for Ulster so the Six Nations like the fi rst-half unable to get it together at key was criticised following the “It was tough for a lot of guys I think he will retain his confi - against England at Twickenham. moments,” he said. French reverse for being out of who went into a big game and did dence and look forward to seeing “But under Joe Schmidt (Far- position on several occasions not perform,” said Sexton. him at his best against Wales.” rell’s predecessor) it took us a FRESH START and some handling errors. “He (Stockdale) is a great guy, Sexton said he wanted Ireland while to get consistency but we Sexton, who was appointed Sexton, said he had spoken he knows he made some mis- to fi nd consistency and take their know we can get there as we skipper by head coach Andy Far- with the 24-year-old Ulster takes on the day but those things chances. achieved the Grand Slam in 2018. rell after last year’s World Cup back, who has moved from the happen and we need him to be “We are a new team with new “This past Six Nations is a - joked “where do you start?” wing to try and batten down the himself. We have seen what he coaches and focusing on this start, not a drag over from the when asked which areas he fi rst-choice spot at fullback left can do at fullback against Ita- campaign,” he said. “We had previous campaign.”

All Blacks aim to go lower to avoid high tackle red cards

New Zealand aim to learn from lessons reporters on a conference call on Monday. “We did a lot of work to lower our height,” late completed their mandatory isolation from last year’s Rugby World Cup and “We do a lot of tackling practice in the Coles said. “We just have to make sure we period. work to lower their tackle technique week. We just have to lower our sights get under the ball.” They have played two matches against ahead of their Tri-Nations clash with Ar- and targets to not get those red cards After four successive matches against the what has been essentially an Australia ‘A’ gentina, hooker Dane Coles has said. again. “I suppose it’s one on the chin for Wallabies, Coles and centre Anton Lienert- side and Lienert-Brown said he suspected Prop Ofa Tuuangafasi became just the us.” Brown said they were looking forward the weeks of training together would fifth All Blacks player to be sent off in a Coles said at last year’s World Cup in to the diff erent challenge of facing the mean they would be well prepared to face test on Saturday when he was given a red , after an edict from governing body Pumas this week in Sydney. the All Blacks. card for a high tackle on Wallabies winger World Rugby for referees to be stricter Argentina have been in Australia for more “I have no doubt they will turn up ready to Tom Wright in the 24-22 loss to Australia on the high tackle to protect players, than a month, but only managed to get go,” he said. in Brisbane. teams worked on lowering their centre of their entire squad together last week after “They are looking sharp. We expect them Rugby Australia chief Rob Clarke (right) and Nine Entertainment “We just have to be better,” Coles told gravity. 13 European-based players who arrived to turn up like the Pumas do normally.” chief Hugh Marks pose for pictures at the Rugby Australia head off ice in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, November 10, 2020 5 SPORT

NFL Brees outduels Brady as Saints crush Buccaneers ‘I can’t say enough about our pass rush and our front four. Tonight was a great night. It was pretty special, exceptional’

AFP Los Angeles

rew Brees won the battle of the all-star quarterbacks, throwing four touchdowns as Tom Brady suff ered the worst lossD of his career in the New Orleans Saints 38-3 blowout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night in Florida. Brees threw touchdown passes to four diff erent receivers as the Saints easily won the showdown for fi rst place in the NFC South Division. “He had all his weapons on fi eld too. So I thought it would be one of those games,” said Brees of the mar- quee matchup. “We have been playing against each other for 22 years now so there is a lot of respect there.” Brees completed 26 of 32 passes for 222 yards and 12 diff erent receiv- ers caught passes on the night, while Brady threw three interceptions and had no touchdowns at Raymond James Stadium. Brees’s four touchdown passes al- lowed him to vault over Brady in their back-and-forth battle for the NFL’s all-time touchdown record. Brees now has 564 career touchdown passes while Brady sits at 561.

RESULTS Minnesota 34-20 Detroit Atlanta 34-27 Denver Houston 27-25 Jacksonville Giants 23-20 Washington Buff alo 44-34 Seattle Tennessee 24-17 Chicago Kansas City 33-31 Carolina Baltimore 24-10 Indianapolis Las Vegas 31-26 Chargers Miami 34-31 Arizona Pittsburgh 24-19 Dallas New Orleans 38-3 Tampa Bay

It was the most one-sided loss of a legendary career for Brady as the Saints scored three touchdowns before Brady New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first-half of their NFL game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, USA. (USA TODAY Sports) even registered a fi rst down. He com- pleted 22 of 38 passes and Tampa Bay In Buff alo, quarterback Josh Allen 6-2 in the NFC West. He also gave up 33-31 in Kansas City. Tight end Travis MVP Lamar Jackson rebounded from start by a quarterback since the mid- rushed the ball just fi ve times, the low- guided the off ence by throwing for two second-half fumbles while being Kelce, who is one of Mahomes’s fa- a sub-par game last week to gain 228 1960s. Elsewhere, it wasn’t pretty, but est total in league history. three touchdowns and Buff alo’s sturdy sacked as the Seahawks attempted to vourite targets, grabbed 10 passes for yards of total off ence as the Baltimore the Pittsburgh Steelers rallied from “I can’t say enough about our pass defence forced four turnovers as the rally from a 24-10 defi cit at the half at 159 yards for the AFC West-leading Ravens handed Indianapolis their fi rst a 13-point defi cit against the Dallas rush and our front four,” said Brees. Bills delivered the Seattle Seahawks Bills Stadium. Chiefs (8-1). loss at home this season with a 24-10 Cowboys to reach 8-0 for the fi rst time “Tonight was a great night. It was pret- their second defeat in three games with “We are capable of doing whatever Mahomes now has 101 touchdown win. Quarterback Jackson had a rush- in franchise history. ty special, exceptional.” a 44-34 win. we want to do. We have all of the pieces passes in 40 career games, surpassing ing touchdown and Gus Edwards ran Minkah Fitzpatrick knocked away Kicker Wil Lutz booted a 36-yard Allen fi nished with a whopping 415 here, and we just have to continue to do Dan Marino who was the previous fast- for another score as the Ravens im- a pass in the end zone as the Steelers fi eld goal late in the second quarter as passing yards and added a rushing things right on and off the field,” said est to 100 in 44 games. proved to 6-2 on the season. held on to beat the Cowboys 24-19 at New Orleans led 31-0 at the half. touchdown to outgun Seattle quarter- Bills team captain Dion Dawkins. Mahomes completed 30 of 45 pass- Jackson grabbed a slice of history as AT&T Stadium. “We can’t waste a win. We wanted back Russell Wilson in the clash be- Elsewhere, quarterback Patrick Ma- ing attempts and teamed up with he equalled the best 30-start mark of “I’m really proud of our football to spread the ball around,” said Brees. tween the division leaders. homes passed for four touchdowns and receiver Tyreek Hill for two fourth- the NFL’s Super Bowl era. team,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Eight “The off ence was able to possess the Wilson completed 28 of 41 passes 372 yards as the Super Bowl champion quarter touchdowns. Hill fi nished with He is 25-5 since becoming the and zero for the fi rst time in franchise ball, run the ball well, and throw the for 390 yards but he had two inter- Chiefs won their fourth consecutive nine grabs for 113 yards. Ravens’ starter, tying retired Dan Ma- history. We’re humbled and honoured ball well.” ceptions for the Seahawks, who fell to game by edging the Carolina Panthers In Indianapolis, reigning league rino of the Miami Dolphins for the best to be that group.”

LOSS NBA Maple Leafs great Billups fi nalising deal to join Clippers coaching staff By Dan Woike City of Milwaukee, Bucks’ Meeker dies at 97 Los Angeles Times Brown reach settlement AFP passing of Howie Meeker. Our Los Angeles deepest sympathies go out to his hauncey Billups, who won the Bucks guard Sterling Brown and the city family,” the club said in a state- 2004 NBA title with the Detroit of Milwaukee settled a lawsuit for unlaw- ment. Pistons and was named Finals ful arrest and excessive force stemming our time NHL Stanley Meeker also ran a series of most valuable player, is fi nalis- from an event involving police off icers Cup champion Howie successful youth hockey camps ingC a contract to join Los Angeles Clip- and Brown in 2018, according to a letter Meeker died on Sunday, near his home in Parksville, on pers coach Tyronn Lue’s staff . Veteran from the city attorney. four days after his 97th Vancouver Island. NBA coach Larry Drew also will have a Brown would receive $750,000, a public birthday,F the Toronto Maple The fi rst day of every Meeker spot on Lue’s bench. admission of guilt from the Milwaukee Leafs confi rmed. hockey camp featured the sound Billups has been one of the hottest PD and a vow that changes to standard Meeker won four champi- of a chain saw echoing through names whenever a job has come open operating procedures would be made onships with the Maple Leafs the halls of the rink as he loathed since he retired in 2014. Rumored to be within the department. before going on to a three dec- people using long hockey sticks, a top choice of Lue’s since he was an- The changes, per The Athletic, would ade career as a premier hockey arguing they limited a player’s nounced as Doc Rivers’ replacement, need to be made within 180 days of the broadcaster for Canadian televi- stickhandling skills. Billups had to decide whether this was settlement date. The city of Milwaukee sion. Meeker also liked to point out the best entry point into a post-playing must approve the proposed settlement. He was known for his catch he rarely hired NHL stars to work career. Tearman Spencer, Milwaukee’s city attor- phrases such as “Golly gee wil- his hockey schools, saying he He has been on teams’ radars for ney, requested approval of the settlement likers” and “Jiminy Crickets” preferred instructors who could coaching and front-offi ce positions, in a letter last week. In the filing presented while working on the Canadian teach basic skills over someone including a chance to run the Cleveland to the city’s Common Council, Spearman Broadcasting Corporation’s that played the game instinc- Cavaliers. The Clippers made sweeping changes Other cities reportedly under consid- wrote, “Because of the unpredictability of Hockey Night In Canada epi- tively at a high level. He spent last season as a colour com- to their coaching staff after a disap- eration include Tampa and Kansas City, a trial, and the City’s risk for exposure to sodes. Meeker was a three-time mentator on Clippers television broad- pointing performance in the NBA’s bub- Mo. compensatory and punitive damages, as CBC reported Meeker passed all-star forward who fi nished casts while also working as a commen- ble, with the team losing the fi nal three The Athletic reported that Raptors of- well as additional attorney fees and costs, away in hospital in Nanaimo, his career with 83 goals and 185 tator for ESPN. games to the Denver Nuggets in the sec- fi cials visited Nashville earlier this week we recommend the matter is settled for British Columbia. points in 346 NHL games with Billups and Lue are close friends and ond round despite having double-digit and toured Bridgestone Arena, where that amount.” “Howie Meeker connected the Maple Leafs from the mid- have been rumoured as a sort of package leads in each game. the Predators of the NHL play. Brown has played three seasons in the countless fans to hockey with his 1940s through the mid-1950s. deal since the summer. The arena also frequently hosts NBA, all with the Bucks. Brown filed a law- wisdom and infectious voice,” He helped Toronto win the The plan is for Billups, former Miami NASHVILLE IN THE RUNNING FOR Southeastern Conference basketball suit in September 2019 and was off ered NHL Commissioner Gary Bett- Stanley Cup in 1947, 1948, 1949 Heat assistant Dan Craig and former RAPTORS’ TEMPORARY HOME games and was scheduled to host the $400,000 but no admission of guilt or man said. “The National Hockey and 1951. Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson to Nashville has joined the list of cities that conference tournament when the pan- acceptance of liability for Brown’s arrest League celebrates his life and After coaching the Maple join Lue on his staff . could serve as a temporary home base demic forced the cancellation of the in 2018, when a Taser was used on Brown mourns his passing.” Leafs for the 1956-57 season he Drew has been an NBA coach, either for the Toronto Raptors, The Athletic re- NCAA season in March. receiving a citation for double parking at A spokesman for the Maple switched to broadcasting. head or assistant, for nearly 30 years, ported. The 2020-21 NBA season tentatively a Walgreens. Leafs confi rmed the death of He was inducted to the Hock- a career that will stretch into its fourth The Raptors are expected to start the is set to begin December 22. Brown was front and centre when the the oldest living former Toronto ey Hall of Fame in 1998, not for decade next season. season playing outside of Canada be- The Athletic said being a relatively Bucks decided to walk out of the August player, without giving a specifi c his skills as a player, but for his He was an assistant with the Los An- cause of travel restrictions amid the short fl ight from the other cities in the 26 game in the NBA bubble to protest cause of death. work in television. geles Lakers when Lue fi rst entered the coronavirus pandemic. The Toronto Blue Atlantic Division - Boston, Brooklyn, the police shooting of Jacob Blake in “The Maple Leafs organiza- In 2010, Meeker was named a league and an assistant in Cleveland with Jays played their home games in Buff alo, New York and Philadelphia - is impor- Kenosha, Wis. tion is deeply saddened by the Member of the Order of Canada. the Clippers’ new coach. NY. tant for the Raptors. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, November 10, 2020 GOLF

TOP OF THE LINE DeChambeau ready to bludgeon the course

Reuters 13th hole into the distant 14th grams) and started hitting the Augusta fairway, in order to have a bet- ball with a rarely matched fe- ter angle of attack for his sec- rocity. ond shot to the green. “You can watch (DeCham- ryson DeChambeau Such an unprecedented and beau) on TV but until you’re is poised to take his radical scenario would have standing next to him and ac- aggressive go-for- Augusta co-founder Bobby tually watch the violence that broke style to the Jones turning in his grave. he’s creating and how the golf MastersB at Augusta National DeChambeau has mapped ball leaves the club head, you next week and says golf fans out his plan of attack with his can’t believe it,” said twice US are in for a surprise watching usual meticulous attention to Open champion Andy North, him tackle the famous Geor- detail. now an ESPN analyst. gia course. “For the most part, it’s go- “It is absolutely astound- After bludgeoning Winged ing to be defi nitely trying to ing. It sure changes how you Foot and its long rough into hit as far out there as possi- can attack the golf course if submission en route to win- ble and give (myself) the best you can drive over every sin- ning the US Open by six chance to have a wedge into gle bunker and you can start strokes in September, De- the green... especially on the taking shortcuts and hit it Chambeau has fl agged his par fi ves,” he told Reuters. up over corners that no one’s intention to use a similar “I can reach all of them and ever done before.” gameplan in search of a Green I look at the golf course in a DeChambeau hardly dis- Jacket. completely diff erent way than puted North’s observation. He should be able to reach I used to.” “The clubs I’m using are the Augusta greens in two DeChambeau has a sur- substantially less than last shots at the par-fi ves, often prisingly average record at the year — substantially — and with a very short iron, eff ec- Masters, a tie for 21st in his fi - it’ll make it feel a little bit tively turning the par-72 lay- nal appearance as an amateur easier this year,” said the out into a par-68, no matter in 2016 his best result in three 27-year-old. Bryson DeChambeau is going to test what the card offi cially says. starts. “I don’t know how else to Augusta National with his powerplay. Rumours are swirling that But those performances say it without giving the full DeChambeau is even plan- were before he beefed up by deal away. I want it to be kind ning to smash his drive at the some 20 pounds (nine kilo- of a little bit of a surprise.”

HOUSTON OPEN SPOTLIGHT Johnson looks dangerous aft er Mexico’s Ortiz shaking off rust

Reuters Johnson is one of the most Augusta consistent players on Tour but has just one major title to his name — the 2016 US Open ustin Johnson is a — and some have argued he holds off Johnson dangerous threat hasn’t lived up to his potential. heading into this Winning the Masters would Dweek’s Masters after put all those doubts to rest. the world number one showed “I think it sets up well for impressive form since coming me,” Johnson said of the legen- back from Covid-19. dary course. The American came on “Obviously no matter how strong to fi nish tied for second much I like it or how great it for fi rst US PGA title place in Houston on Sunday, sets up for me, I’ve got to play coolly rolling in a birdie putt good golf if I want a chance to The tournament was the first to allow fans since the PGA Tour resumed in June on 15 to build momentum as he win.” guns for his fi rst Green Jacket. Johnson said he was fi nd- AFP Last week’s tournament was ing his game again having been Washington Johnson’s fi rst since testing forced to quarantine after con- positive for Covid-19 but the tracting Covid-19. 36-year-old said he felt well. “It wasn’t that bad as far as I exico’s Carlos Ortiz captured “My health is good. The didn’t get really sick,” he said. his fi rst US PGA Tour title state of my game is undeter- “I felt like I had a cold for a on Sunday, fi ring fi ve bird- mined,” he said last week. few days and then after that I ies in a fi ve-under par 67 for Johnson was dominant this didn’t — so I was pretty much Ma two-shot Houston Open victory over year, winning the Tour Cham- asymptomatic. top-ranked Dustin Johnson and Hideki pionship to claim his fi rst-ever “A little fatigue and things Matsuyama. FedExCup title in September like that, but I couldn’t really Ortiz padded his margin with the fi - and then fi nished tied for sixth fi gure out if that was because nal fl ourish of a birdie on 18 at Memorial at the US Open. I was stuck in a hotel room for Park Golf Course, a municipal layout in “It was a really good year. like 11 days not doing anything the Texas city hosting a PGA event for the It was especially good at the or it was Covid that made me fi rst time since 1963. end,” he added. feel that way.” “It was awesome fi nishing with this birdie putt on 18,” said Ortiz, who rolled in a 22-footer at the last for a 13-under par total of 267. The Guadalajara native played college golf at North Texas University in Dallas, and maintains a home in Texas. “This is like my second home,” he said. “There was a bunch of people cheering for me, Latinos and Texans. I’m thankful for all of them.” The tournament was the fi rst to allow fans since the PGA Tour resumed in June after a three-month coronavirus hiatus. A total of 2,000 spectators were allowed each day, with face mask requirements and social distancing precautions in place. The victory gives Ortiz a spot in next year’s Masters, although not in the fi nal major of the pandemic-reshuffl ed season that starts on Thursday at Augusta Na- tional. The week provided an encouraging tuneup for the Masters for Johnson, Ja- pan’s Matsuyama and others, including four-time major winner Brooks Koepka. World number one Johnson, winner of the Northern Trust and the Tour Cham- pionship who had a runner-up fi nish at the PGA Championship and a share of sixth at the US Open, missed two planned October starts after testing positive for coronavirus. Dustin Johnson of the United States. He had six birdies and a bogey in his closing 65 for an 11-under total of 269. Carlos Ortiz of Mexico poses He was joined by Matsuyama, who had with his wife, Haley, and the Masters changes cut policy in place since 1962 seven birdies without a bogey in his 63. trophy after winning the Matsuyama, a fi ve-time US tour win- Houston Open at Memorial Augusta: The US Masters postponed from April due to ner remains without a victory since 2017, Park Golf Course in Houston has ended an extension to the Covid-19 pandemic that when he won the Phoenix Open and the on Sunday. its cut policy, with Au- reshuffled the golf season. WGC Bridgestone Invitational. gusta National announcing A cut was first instituted at But he said his performance this week Monday the field will be the Masters in 1957 and for was a good sign going into Augusta. trimmed to only the low 50 five years it allowed only “My good fi nish over the weekend is and level after 36 holes. the low 40 and level into the going to really hopefully help me in the Since 1962, anyone in the third and fourth rounds. Masters this week coming up,” Mat- Johnson, 11-under after a 10-foot bird- like, lay it up to the greens and then ex- lievable. I read it perfectly and as soon as I top 50 and level and within In 1962, the amendment suyama said. ie at the 15th, couldn’t take advantage of pect to win so I had to fi nish strong.” hit it, I knew I had a good chance of mak- 10 strokes of the lead was was made to include anyone Johnson and Matsuyama kept the pres- the par-fi ve 16th and Ortiz pulled away. Ortiz’s fi ve birdies also included two ing it.” allowed into the weekend at within 10 strokes of the lead sure on Ortiz all afternoon, Matsuyama “I played great and it was challenging putts of more than 30 feet from off the American Talor Gooch matched Mat- Augusta National no matter and 52 players made the cut briefl y grabbing a share of the lead on at the end,” said the 29-year-old, who green — a 36-footer at the fourth and an- suyama’s 63 to fi nish alone in fourth where they ranked in the from a starting field of 109. 11-under when he rattled in a 16-foot fought back tears after the victory was se- other long bomb at the ninth. on 271, and Koepka, the former world overall scoring. That exemption stayed even birdie putt on the 17th. cured and he became the fi rst player born “That putt on four kick-started my number one heading into the Masters af- The move comes at the start in 2013 when the cut line But Ortiz moved a shot ahead with a in Mexico to win a US tour title since Vic- round,” he said. “It was in a tough posi- ter a season disrupted not only by corona- of official practice sessions was raised to the low 50 birdie at the par-fi ve 16th, eight feet from tor Regalado won twice in the 1970s. tion and I ended up making it, so it was virus but by injury, closed with his second for the 84th Masters, which and level advancing to the the pin and two-putted for a birdie that “I saw there’s a couple people playing awesome. straight 65 to share fi fth on 272 with Aus- begins Thursday after being weekend. put him 12 under. really good, too, so I knew I couldn’t just, “Then that putt on nine, it was unbe- trian Sepp Straka, who carded a 69. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 10, 2020 7 CRICKET

PREVIEW FOCUS Hamstring injury casts doubt over Champions Mumbai Saha’s Australia tour

Reuters Mumbai

ndia wicket-keeper Wrid- out to shatter Delhi’s dhiman Saha appears doubtful for next month’s Test series in Australia af- Iter sustaining a hamstring tear in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emir- ates. Saha was in excellent form maiden IPL dream with the bat in his last three IPL matches but the injury kept him out of the playoff s ‘This has been a rollercoaster. A lot of ups and downs. We have stuck together like a family’ where his team Sunrisers Hy- Australia tour have been jolted derabad lost to Delhi Capitals by a series of injuries to key AFP in Sunday’s virtual semi-fi nal. players, including opener Ro- Dubai Hyderabad captain David hit Sharma (hamstring) and Warner confi rmed Saha had paceman Ishant Shrma (mus- a torn hamstring when asked cle tear), sustained during the ohit Sharma’s Mumbai about his fi tness at the toss in IPL. Indians are aiming for a Abu Dhabi. The duo have been omitted record-extending fi fth Saha is considered techni- for the Australia tour but the title when they defend cally the best wicketkeeper Indian cricket board (BCCI) theirR Indian Premier League in India and Rishabh Pant, has said they would be con- crown today, but the Delhi Capi- the second stumper in India’s sidered if they regain fi tness in tals under skipper Shreyas Iyer squad for the four-Test series time. are threatening a changing of the Down Under, has been rather A Virat Kohli-led India team guard. inconsistent with the bat in will leave for Australia later The 13th IPL fi nal will be IPL. this month where they will played in an eerily empty Dubai Saha did not immediately also play six short-form inter- stadium because of the coro- reply to a message seeking de- nationals before the test series navirus pandemic, but more tails of his injury. begins with a day-night match than 200 million are expected India’s preparations for the in Adelaide from December 17. to watch on television in India alone. Delhi outplayed Sunris- ers Hyderabad on Sunday to SPOTLIGHT reach their fi rst fi nal, meaning a new name could be added to the trophy if the Ricky Ponting- coached Capitals beat Mumbai, Rashid set for T20 who lifted it in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Led by the 25-year-old Iyer, Delhi have been the surprise spell with Sussex package of 2020 – though their path to the fi nal has not been AFP smooth. London They started the season bril- liantly, winning seven of their fi rst nine games and briefl y bat- nglish county side tling Mumbai for top place in Sussex have re-signed the league before four straight the world’s number defeats. Three defeats have one Twenty20 bowler come against Sharma’s Mumbai RashidE Khan for next year’s – including the fi rst playoff last T20 Blast. Thursday. Mumbai-born Iyer The Afghanistan leg-spin- said Delhi, with Shikhar Dhawan ner played for the county in shining with the bat and the im- 2018 and 2019, but did not re- pressive pace of Kagiso Rabada, turn this year due to calendar had to hold their nerve to coun- clashes related to the corona- ter Mumbai’s big-match experi- virus pandemic. ence. Khan recently passed the “This has been a rollercoaster. 300-wicket mark in T20 A lot of ups and downs. We have cricket and has been playing age an economy rate of under stuck together like a family,” Iyer for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the six runs/over and pick 15 or said after his team’s 17-run win Indian Premier League. more . over Hyderabad in the fi nal play- “I am really happy to be Kolkata Knight Riders’ off match took them to the final. heading back to Sussex for the spinner Sunil Narine picked 22 “In the next game... we have 2021 Blast,” he said. wickets in 2013 and conceded to play freely and maintain our “Ever since my arrival on 5.46 runs an over whereas Dale temperament.” the south coast in 2018, it has Steyn conceded 5.66 in the Iyer’s inconsistent batting has felt like a home away from same season while picking 19 been a cause for concern, but home for me.” wickets. Dhawan has hit two centuries Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Shreevats Goswami (not in the picture) of Sunrisers Hyderabad during the qualifier 2 of the Dream 11 James Kirtley, newly ap- A year before that, in the while Australian Marcus Stoinis Indian Premier League (IPL). (Sportzpics for BCCI) pointed as Sussex’s T20 head 2012 season, Narine had taken and West Indian Shimron Het- coach, said he was delighted to 24 wickets and conceded just myer have contributed valuable ‘FRESH GAME’ right things on the fi eld I am sure India’s limited-overs teams. The pace duo of Jasprit Bum- seal the deal. 5.47 runs an over. power-play runs. But Sharma said beating Delhi we will have the fi fth one in the Sharma is not in the best of rah and Trent Boult, who moved “To secure the services of Among the others to do Rabada leads the IPL bowling three times this season will not bag.” form with the bat and missed from Delhi Capitals this year, Rashid next season is amaz- this were leg-spinner Rahul chart with 29 wickets, while fel- matter much on a new day in a Ponting was part of the Shar- a few games because of a ham- have shared 49 wickets in their ing. He would be on any team’s Sharma, who picked 16 wick- low South African Anrich Nortje closely contested IPL. ma-led Mumbai team which string injury which keeps him impressive run to the fi nal. wish list around the world, so ets at an economy rate of 5.46 has set the IPL record for the “You can take confi dence from won the fi rst of their four titles out of the one-day and Twen- But Boult, who struck twice for Sussex to have him playing and pacer Lasith Malinga who fastest at 156 kilometres the past but you can’t dwell on seven years ago. ty20 squad from India’s upcom- in his fi rst over of the opening next year is awesome,” he said. bagged 28 wickets at an econ- (97 miles) per hour. it,” he said yesterday, “because Sharma, 33, was appoint- ing tour of Australia. play-off , bowled just two overs The Afghanistan bowler omy rate of 5.95. Both did it in Stoinis, who took three wick- one guy having a good day can ed skipper midway through But his team remain favourites before going off the fi eld with a fi nished with 20 wickets and 2011. ets and scored 38 in Sunday’s take the game away from you. the 2013 season after Ponting against Delhi, with a strong bat- reported groin strain. had the season’s best economy Former India leg-spinner victory, said Delhi at their best “We need to keep focus, do stepped down due to poor form, ting line-up that includes rising Sharma said his left-arm rate (overall) at 5.37 runs per Anil Kumble, now the Kings XI should be able to beat Mumbai, little things well. Treat this as a but has since grown into his role star Ishan Kishan, South African paceman “pulled up pretty well over in the ongoing IPL. Punjab coach, took 21 wickets who he called a “great team”. fresh game, think they are a new as a leader – even being touted as wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock in the last two days, fi ngers In fact, Rashid is the fi rst at an economy rate of 5.86 in opponent. We keep doing the a rival to Virat Kohli as captain of and Suryakumar Yadav. crossed, hopefully he plays”. bowler since 2013 IPL to man- 2009.

BOTTOMLINE Bio-bubble not a sustainable lifestyle, Starc

Reuters well-being of players, staff and Pucovski strengthens case for call-up Sydney offi cials, how long can you stay in hubs for?” with another double ton India captain Virat Kohli said rolonged stay in bio- on Friday the mental toll that Opening batsman Will Pucov- of the Australian test side for secure bubbles is not a comes with spending long pe- ski continued to push his case two years but asked not to be “sustainable lifestyle” riods in bio-secure bubbles for inclusion in Australia’s test considered for selection last and is bound to take toll should be taken into account squad for their series against In- year as he dealt with mental Pon a cricketer’s body and mind, when determining the length of dia next month with his second health issues. Clarke, however, Australia quick Mitchell Starc future tours. successive double century in said with the experience around said yesterday. Several of Starc’s Australia first-class cricket. The 22-year- Pucovski with fellow opener Playing in bubbles has be- teammates would return from old right hander was dismissed David Warner, Marnus La- come the new normal since the IPL this month and enter anoth- for 202 on Monday as Victoria buschagne at number three and Covid-19 pandemic disrupted er bubble for their blockbuster scored 414 for four declared in Steve Smith at four, he should cricket in March and Starc joined home series against India. the first innings of their Sheff ield be well protected against India. a growing list of players ques- While they were unlikely to Shield match against Western “He has so much experience tioning the viability of these ar- be “too unhappy coming home Australia in Adelaide. Pucovski around him,” Clarke said. rangements. with bags of cash”, Starc had scored 255 not out in Victo- “He struggled in the past with “It’s not a sustainable life- no regrets having skipped ria’s previous Sheff ield Shield some mental issues that he has style,” Starc was quoted as the lucrative Twenty20 tourna- game against South Australia. had. He has a lot of support saying by a Cricket Australia ment. Former captain Michael Clarke, around him at the moment, he website after he signed for the “When you’re stuck in situ- who scored successive double feels like he is in a better place. Sydney Sixers to play the back- ations like that, month after centuries in a test series against “The fact that this series is in end of the Big Bash League. month, going from bubble to South Africa in 2012 said Australia is a great way to get “You’re living in a hotel room bubble... it can be quite tiresome Pucovski was now forcing the him into that test team as well. with zero outside contact. Some on the mind and body as well,” selectors’ hands. “He is playing in conditions he is guys haven’t seen families or said Starc. “You have got to pick him. Deci- accustomed to and used to.” their kids for a long time... “Not having that escape from sion has been made,” Clarke told The first test against India is “It’s tough going – we get to day-to-day cricket... is (diffi - Sky Sports radio on Monday. scheduled for December 17 in play cricket, (so) we can’t com- cult). That’s important for peo- Pucovski has been on the brink Adelaide. (AFP) plain too much – but in terms of ple’s well-being.” Tuesday, November 10, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR TEAM ARRIVES IN VIENNA FOR FRIENDLIES TENNIS Medvedev overtakes Federer in ATP rankings Andrey Rublev (RUS) 3919 9. Di- AFP which is played between the top ego Schwartzman (ARG) 3455 Paris eight men’s single players and 10. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 3075 doubles teams and will be held 11. Gael Monfils (FRA) 2860 12. in London from Nov 15-22. aniil Medvedev’s fi rst Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2830 “Nothing is quiet in fall — the title of the year in the 13. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2710 last weeks have been busy,” the Paris Masters moved 14. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2580 27-year-old said in a post on the Russian up to (+3) 15. David Goff in (BEL) 2555 his website. “After losing in the fourthD in the ATP rankings re- quarter-fi nal at my home tour- (-1) 16. Pablo Carreno (ESP) 2535 leased yesterday as the world’s (-1) 17. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2400 nament in Vienna I recovered top players move onto London. (-1) 18. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) from my foot injury. It took me Medvedev’s 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 2320 (+2) 19. Grigor Dimitrov two, three days to recover, then win against Alexander Zverev (BUL) 2260 (-1) 20. Karen I started my preparation for the on Sunday lifted him above Khachanov (RUS) 2245 (-1) fi nal in London at the O2-Are- 39-year-old Roger Federer who na.” has sat out most of the season Thiem went down narrowly following an operation. Novak RECOVERED THIEM to Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in Djokovic has already clinched STARTS PREPARATIONS the fi nal of last year’s tourna- the year-end number one rank- FOR ATP FINALS ment after defeating Alexander ing for the sixth time as he heads Austrian Dominic Thiem said Zverev in the semi-fi nals and into the ATP Masters starting at he has recovered from a foot Roger Federer and Novak Djok- London’s O2 Arena on Sunday. injury he suff ered during a ovic in the group stages. “On Milos Raonic made the big- tournament in Vienna and will Wednesday I am leaving for gest move of the week, rising travel to London this week to London with a ‘mini-team’. The three places to 14th after reach- take part in the season-ending fi nal goal of 2020, the memories ing the semi-fi nals in Paris. ATP Finals. of last year are nice!” he said. ATP rankings (change in US Open champion Thiem Last week, Thiem’s home brackets): 1. Novak Djoko- struggled with blisters during country reported record vic (SRB) 11830 pts 2. Rafael the Vienna Open last month number of infections from the Nadal (ESP) 9850 3. Dominic and his title defence at his home novel coronavirus. The capital Thiem (AUT) 9125 4. Daniil tournament ended when he lost Vienna witnessed a lone gun- Medvedev (RUS) 6970 (+1) 5. in the quarter-fi nals. man kill four people in a ram- The Qatar football team landed in Vienna, Austria, yesterday ahead of their international friendlies against Costa Rica and South Korea. Roger Federer (SUI) 6630 (-1) 6. The world number three sub- page last Monday. Thiem called The Asian Cup champions will take on Costa Rica on November 13 and four days later will face South Korea. Felix Sanchez’s men had a Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 5925 7. sequently pulled out of the Par- the attack “very, very sad” and week-long preparatory camp in Doha before they left for Vienna. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5525 8. is Masters to give himself time said his coach was close to the to recover for the ATP Finals, scene.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Nadal gearing up for Zverev ‘still smiling’ ATP Finals aft er ‘positive’ Paris outing

Reuters win. “I spent hours on court. Of despite off -court issues Paris course I wanted to win the tour- nament, but it’s always diffi cult,” Nadal said about his Paris Mas- ‘Everything’s great on the court and off the court. I’m going to be a father soon’ afael Nadal says the ters campaign. Paris Masters has been “But I had the right attitude AFP by Sharypova were “untrue”. “I’m a “positive tournament” during the whole event, I think, Paris enjoying my time on court. I have Germany’s Alexander for him despite Satur- fi ghting in every match. That said everything. They are not true, Z day’sR semi-fi nal defeat to Alex- gave me the chance to play four verev. (AFP) and there is nothing more I can say ander Zverev, and hopes it will matches that I think that will be lexander Zverev said he right now,” he said on Wednesday. help him in his bid for a maiden helpful for London. was “still smiling” at a Sharypova did not initially ATP Finals title this month. “ I need to adjust a couple of “great” time in his life name Zverev in her Instagram post The Spaniard world number things, but I am doing well on all after losing in the Paris about the alleged abuse, but later two went down 6-4 7-5 to Ger- the important things. So let’s see. MastersA fi nal to Daniil Medvedev confi rmed to Russian media that man fourth seed Zverev, once I have one week and a little bit on Sunday, following domestic as- she was referring to her fellow again failing to add the elusive ti- more to keep working, and I hope sault allegations from his ex-girl- 23-year-old. Sharypova claimed tle at the Bercy arena to his bur- be ready for it.” friend. The world number seven also that her head was hit against a geoning cabinet that is adorned The Spaniard, playing for the insisted last week in a social me- wall and that she was forced to fl ee by 20 Grand Slam singles tro- fi rst time since winning a record- dia post that claims made by Olga a hotel barefoot. Zverev appeared phies. extending 13th French Open title Sharypova that he tried to “stran- to try and play down his comments “I have been competitive, I across Paris at Roland Garros last gle” her while at last year’s US in his post-match press confer- have been there until the end month, was never at his best on Open were “unfounded” and made ence. “For a professional athlete against a player who is playing the indoor hard courts. him “very sad”. there are always going to be people great on a surface that he’s win- He claimed his 1,000th career He led by a set against Medvedev who try to wipe the smile off your ning a lot,” Nadal told reporters. win with a comeback victory in his bid for a fourth Masters title face,” he said. “So they can keep “So (it) has been a positive tour- over Feliciano Lopez in the sec- on Sunday, but fell to a 5-7, 6-4, trying. I’m still smiling.” nament for me. Of course, not ond round and also had to fi ght 6-1 defeat. “I know that right now The world number seven will happy about the loss, but that’s back from a set down to beat Pa- there are a lot of people who will be next be in action at the ATP Tour part of the game. I played against blo Carreno Busta in the quarter- trying to wipe a smile off my face, Finals in London, with the season- a great player, and I accept the fi nals. but I’m still smiling under this ending event he won in 2018 get- defeat. He played a little bit bet- Nadal has only won one of mask,” said Zverev. ting underway on November 15. ter than me.” his 86 ATP titles on indoor hard “Everything’s great on the court “We will see how it goes with Lon- Next up for the 34-year-old courts and that success came in and off the court. Everything is don,” Zverev added. will be the season ending ATP Madrid over 15 years ago. great in my life, I’m going to be a “I’m happy with my tennis. I Finals, which will be held at The “I need to fi nd a better feeling father soon... Those who are try- just need to maybe recover a little O2 in London without specta- with the backhand on this sur- ing (to wipe a smile off his face) can bit physically... I was tired (against tors from Nov 15-22. The Finals, face, because when I hit the ball keep trying but I’m still smiling, Medvedev). At the end of the sec- which is contested by the top sometimes I feel that I can miss you just can’t see under the mask.” ond set I was tired. I was dead. The eight men’s singles players and it,” he admitted. “To compete at Zverev said earlier this week for third set was always going to be doubles teams, is another tour- this highest level, sometimes it’s a second time that the accusations very diffi cult for me.” nament that Nadal has failed to a little bit tougher.”

AL ARABI, AL AHLI NOTCH VICTORIES IN QATAR VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE

Al Arabi beat Al Gharafa 3-0 (25-26, 25-17, 25-23) in their Qatar Volleyball League match at the Al Arabi Sports Club yesterday. RIGHT: In the second match of the day, Al Ahli defeated Al Khor 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-8).