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CRICKET Monday, October 30 2017 Safar 10, 1439 AH Kohli lauds bowlers as India GULF TIMES win ODI series against N Zealand SPORT Page 2 FORMULA ONE Brit Hamilton wins fourth world title despite collision ‘It doesn’t feel real. It is not the kind of race I wanted, 40 seconds behind, but I never gave up’

CHAMPIONS DOWN THE YEARS DPA Mexico City Mexico City (DPA) — Formula One driv- Keke Rosberg, Finland 1 (1982) ers’ and constructors’ world Alan Jones, Australia 1 (1980) champions by number of titles. Jody Scheckter, South Africa 1 (1979) ritain’s Lewis Hamilton was Mario Andretti, United States 1 (1978) crowned Formula One world Drivers’ world champions James Hunt, Britain 1 (1976) champion yesterday after fi n- Michael Schumacher, Germany 7 Jochen Rindt, Austria 1 (1970) (1994,95,2000,01,02,03,04) Dennis Hulme, New Zealand 1 (1967) ishing ninth in a dramatic Juan Manuel Fangio, Argentina 5 BMexican Grand Prix. John Surtees, Britain 1 (1964) (1951,54,55,56,57) Phil Hill, United States 1 (1961) Alain Prost, France 4 (1985,86,89,93) The race was won by Red Bull’s Max Mike Hawthorn, Britain 1 (1958) Sebastian Vettel, Germany 4 (2010,11,12,13) Verstappen but Mercedes’ Hamilton Giuseppe Farina, Italy 1 (1950) clinched his fourth drivers’ champi- Lewis Hamilton, Britain 4 (2008,14,15,17) Ayrton Senna, Brazil 3 (1988,90,91) onship because fourth-placed Ferrari Constructors’ world champions Nelson Piquet, Brazil 3 (1981,83,87) driver Sebastian Vettel was not able to Ferrari 16 (1961,64,75,76,77,79,82,83,99,200 Niki Lauda, Austria 3 (1975,77,84) 0,01,02,03,04, win the race following collisions be- Jackie Stewart, Britain 3 (1969,71,73) 07,08) tween the three on the fi rst lap. Jack Brabham, Australia 3 (1959,60,66) Williams 9 (1980,81,86,87,92,93,94,96,97) “It doesn’t feel real. It is not the kind Fernando Alonso, Spain 2 (2005,06) McLaren 8 (1974,84,85,88,89,90,91,98) of race I wanted, 40 seconds behind, Mika Hakkinen, Finland 2 (1998,99) Lotus 7 (1963,65,68,70,72,73,78) but I never gave up. That is what is im- Emerson Fittipaldi, Brazil 2 (1972,74) Mercedes 4 (2014,15,16,17) portant and in my heart. I am grateful Jim Clark, Britain 2 (1963,65) Red Bull 4 (2010,11,12,13) Graham Hill, Britain 2 (1962,68) for today,” Hamilton said. Renault 2 (2005,06) Alberto Ascari, Italy 2 (1952,53) The opening lap of the race was high- Brabham 2 (1966,67) Nico Rosberg, Germany 1 (2016) ly eventful with polesitter Vettel bang- Cooper 2 (1959,60) Jenson Button, Britain 1 (2009) ing wheels with Verstappen before Vet- Brawn 1 (2009) Kimi Raikkonen, Finland 1 (2007) tel and Hamilton also touched. Debris Benetton 1 (1995) Jacques Villeneuve, Canada 1 (1997) Tyrrell 1 (1971) from the Ferrari fl ew onto the track and Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton Damon Hill, Britain 1 (1996) Matra 1 (1969) Hamilton suff ered a puncture. celebrates after winning his fourth Nigel Mansell, Britain 1 (1992) Vettel pitted for a new front wing Formula One world title despite finishing BRM 1 (1962) and Hamilton lengthily for a new rear the Mexican Grand Prix in ninth place. tyre and the pair rejoined the race with Hamilton last and Verstappen clear in Race winner Max Verstappen the lead. It was hard to say if any driver of Netherlands and Red Bull was at fault for the collisions and the celebrates on the podium at stewards decided not to investigate the Autodromo Hermanos what will go down as racing incidents. Rodriguez in Mexico City. “I hated the race but I am super hap- enough for the title as long as Vettel did the fi rst half of the campaign and had to join Vettel on four titles and go one py now. He (Hamilton) has achieved it not win. long suff ering Ferrari fans dreaming of better than his idol — Brazilian Ayrton and the team has won. This is most im- A virtual safety car after Brendon success. Senna. portant,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Hartley’s Toro Rosso had fl ames com- Hamilton won his fi rst world ti- Ferrari were meant to challenge Wolff to Britain’s Radio Five. “It was a ing out of the back and had to stop on tle with McLaren in 2008. There was Mercedes all the way to the fi nish this bizarre accident.” the side of the track helped Hamilton surprise in the F1 paddock when he season yet the Silver Arrows wrapped The wisdom of Hamilton attacking as it bunched up the pack and enforced switched to a previously struggling up the constructors’ championship on the fi rst lap, with the three cars all pit stops. Mercedes team in 2013 but the Briton last week in the United States and now next to each other at one point, could It was a third grand prix win for had the last laugh. The German team Hamilton has the drivers’ title with two be questioned when he only needed to 20-year-old Dutchman Verstappen have gone on to dominate the sport, races left to go. fi nish fi fth even if Vettel won. while Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas while McLaren are now also-rans. It all points to more Mercedes he- But the 32-year-old had made clear was second with Ferrari’s Kimi Raik- His title successes with Mercedes in gemony next season and with current before the race that he wanted to seal konen third. 2014 and 2015 were followed by a bitter team-mate Bottas less of a threat than the title in style with a victory. In the Hamilton’s triumph follows a re- battle with team-mate Nico Rosberg Rosberg, Hamilton will secretly have end the audacious driver made it up to markable comeback, including wins for last year’s championship. Rosberg his eye on Michael Schumacher’s record ninth place, after a late ding-dong with in fi ve of the last six races, after Ger- prevailed and then retired, leaving the seven world titles. He has already joined old rival Fernando Alonso, which was many’s Vettel led the championship for coast clear this season for Hamilton Ferrari rival Vettel on four.

CRICKET Pakistan mark Lanka return with T20 win AFP “This sends a big signal to the rest of Lahore the cricketing nations that Pakistan is LAHORE SCORECARD ready to host international cricket.” Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilan- Pakistan D. Shanaka c Wasim b Ashraf ...... 54 akistan marked the return of ag Sumathipala vowed his board will Fakhar Zaman b Munaweera ...... 31 P. de Silva b Amir ...... 21 Sri Lanka with a 3-0 Twen- not leave Pakistan in isolation. Umar Amin c Perera b Udana ...... 45 T. Perera c Shadab b Hasan...... 10 ty20 series whitewash yester- “We are happy and privileged to be Babar Azam not out ...... 34 S. Prasana c Ahmed b Amir ...... 16 day, as offi cials hoped it will here to support Pakistan cricket,” said Shoaib Malik c de Silva n Sanjaya ...... 51 S. Pathirana c Hafeez b Amir ...... 14 helpP reestablish the country’s reputa- Sumathipala. “It’s a wonderful crick- Faheem Ashraf not out ...... 13 I. Udana not out ...... 0 tion for hosting international cricket. eting nation. Pakistan has done so Extras: (lb2, nb2, w2) ...... 6 V. Sanjaya not out ...... 1 The third and fi nal Twenty20 match, much for world cricket and to sports Total: (for three wkts; 20 overs) ...... 180 Extras: (lb1, w2) ...... 3 which Pakistan comfortably won by 36 in general so we cannot leave them in Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Zaman), 2-91 Total: (for nine wkts; 20 overs) ...... 144 runs at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore, was isolation.” (Amin, 3-166 (Malik) Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Munaweera), 2-15 Sri Lanka’s fi rst since their team bus However, a rampaging Pakistan side Bowling: Sanjaya 4-0-41-1 (2nb), (Samarawickrama), 3-21 (Gunathilaka), was attacked near the same venue in did not show any mercy to their oppo- Munaweera 4-0-26-1, Udana 3-0-32-1, 4-57 (Udawatte), 5-96 (Shanaka), 6-106 March 2009. nents as they piled up 180-3 in their 20 Gunathilaka 2-0-16-0 (1w), Perera 4-0- (de Silva), 7-114 (Perera), 8-142 (Pathira- Those attacks, which left eight peo- overs. 28-0 (1w), de Silva 1-0-14-0, Shanaka na), 9-143 (Prasana) ple dead and seven Sri Lanka play- Shoaib Malik, the only player from 1-0-13-0 Bowling: Wasim 4-0-30-1, Amir 4-0-13- ers and their staff injured, suspended both the sides to have also featured in Sri Lanka 4 (1w), Hafeez 2-0-11-1, Ashraf 4-0-19-2, international cricket in Pakistan and the fateful 2009 Lahore Test, smashed D. Gunathilaka c and b Hafeez ...... 9 Shadab 2-0-31-0, Hasan 4-0-39-1 (1w) forced them to play at neutral venues a 24-ball 51 with fi ve boundaries and D. Munaweera b Amir ...... 1 Result: Pakistan won by 36 runs, take of United Arab Emirates (UAE). two sixes. S. Samarawickrama c Azam b Wasim 4 series 3-0 The fi rst two matches, which Pa- He added 75 for the third wicket M. Udawatte c Azam b Ashraf ...... 11 Toss: Sri Lanka, who chose to bowl kistan won by seven and two wickets Spectators hold placards during the Twenty20 international cricket match be- with Babar Azam (34 not out) in just respectively, were played in Abu Dhabi tween Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Lahore yesterday. 45 balls. Openers Umar Amin (37-ball before Sri Lanka fl ew to Lahore in a 24- 45 with a six and three boundaries) and but soon after the terrorists’ attacks, became one of Faheem Ashraf’s two hour fl y in, fl y out arrangement. Pakistan Super League and a three- Najam Sethi dubbed the match “his- Fakhar Zaman (27-ball 31 with three fi nished with a career best 4-13 as Sri wickets. The match was the fourth interna- match Twenty20 series with World toric”. fours) were the other contributors. Lanka managed 144-9 in 20 overs. This becomes Pakistan’s second 3-0 tional since the attack, with Zimba- XI comprising of players from seven “This is historic because it marks Pace bowler Mohamed Amir, play- Only Dasun Shanaka batted with ag- whitewash in a Twenty20 series, hav- bwe playing a fi ve-match limited over countries — both this year. the beginning of a new era of interna- ing his fi rst international match before gression during a 36-ball 54 with fi ve ing previously beaten the West Indies series in 2015 followed by the fi nal of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman tional cricket in Pakistan,” said Sethi. the home crowd after making his de- boundaries and three sixes before he in UAE last year. Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 30, 2017 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FEAT Kohli lauds Miller hits fastest T20 bowling eff ort century as aft er series win S Africa rout ‘It was a pretty close game. Credit to New Zealand, they Bangladesh fought hard in this series and forced us to play our best cricket’ SCORECARD South Africa H. Amla c Soumya Sarkar b Mohamed Saifuddin ...... 85 M. Mosehle b Shakib Al Hasan ...... 5 J. Duminy b Shakib Al Hasan ...... 4 A. de Villiers c Imrul Kayes b Mohamed Saifuddin ...... 20 D. Miller not out ...... 101 F. Behardien not out ...... 6 Extras (lb1, w2) ...... 3 Total (4 wkts, 20 overs) ...... 224 Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Mosehle), 2-37 (Du- miny), 3-78 (De Villiers), 4-157 (Amla) Bowling: Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-22-2, Taskin Ahmed 3-0-41-0 (1w), Mehedi Hasan 4-0-46- AFP 0, Rubel Hossain 4-0-51-0 (1w), Mohammad Potchefstroom, South Africa Saifuddin 4-0-53-2 Mahmudullah 1-0-10-0 Did not bat: A. Phehlukwayo, D. Pretorius, R. Frylinck, A. Phangiso, B. Hendricks avid Miller smashed the Bangladesh fastest century in Twen- Imrul Kayes run out (Miller) ...... 6 ty20 international cricket Soumya Sarkar c Hendricks b Phangiso 44 as South Africa outclassed Shakib Al Hasan b Duminy ...... 2 BangladeshD by 83 runs in the second Mushfiqur Rahim c Mosehle b Frylinck ...... 2 and fi nal Twenty20 international at Sabbir Rahman c Hendricks b Duminy ...... 5 Senwes Park yesterday. Mahmudullah st Mosehle b Phangiso ...... 24 Miller’s 35-ball hundred propelled Liton Das c Frylinck b Pretorius ...... 9 South Africa to 224 for four before Mohamed Saifuddin c Amla b Hendricks 23 Bangladesh were bowled out for 141, Mehedi Hasan c Mosehle b Phehlukwayo 13 completing a clean-sweep for South Taskin Ahmed run out (Phehlukwayo) ...... 4 Africa in two Tests, three one-day in- Rubel Hossain not out ...... 1 ternationals and two T20 internation- Extras (lb2, nb2, w4) ...... 8 Members of the Indian cricket team pose with their trophies after winning the third and final ODI against New Zealand at the Green Park Cricket Stadium in Kanpur. als. Total (18.3 overs) ...... 141 It was an extraordinary innings by Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Kayes), 2-29 (Shakib), AFP to New Zealand, they fought hard in runs I score. Very happy we could get runs. Miller. 3-32 (Rahim), 4-37 (Sabbir), 5-72 (Sarkar), Kanpur this series and forced us to play our another one in the bag,” said Kohli. Chahal soon spun into action to Dropped on nought, he admitted: 6-93 (Das), 7-98 (Mahmudullah), 8-130 best cricket,” Kohli said at the post- But it was the superb death bowling send Munro and Williamson trudging “I felt pretty scratchy to be honest. In (Hasan), 9-136 (Taskin) match presentation. show by Bumrah that stood out in the back to the pavilion as New Zealand the fi rst ten balls I could have been out Bowling: Hendricks 2.3-0-28-1 (1w), Duminy kipper Virat Kohli hailed In- “I decided that I let the bowler do big-scoring game. Leg-spinner Yuzv- stumbled in their chase. twice.” 4-0-23-2, Frylinck 2-0-9-1, Pretorius 3-0-27-1, dia’s death bowling after pace- what he wants to do, and that’s why I endra Chahal also chipped in with two It was then that the left-handed He had only scored 18 runs off 14 Phangiso 4-0-31-2 (1w), Phehlukwayo 3-0-21-1 man Jasprit Bumrah helped the was calm...glad the bowlers came out crucial wickets. Latham got down to the grind, form- balls, then came an assault which (2nb, 2w) hosts pull off a thrilling six-run on top,” Kohli, who led India to their Kiwi opener Colin Munro hit a ing crucial partnerships with Ross yielded 82 runs off 21 balls to get to his Result: South Africa won by 83 runs winS and clinch the one-day interna- seventh successive bilateral series tri- quickfi re 75 to give the visitors a blaz- Taylor and Henry Nicholls and take century. Series: South Africa won the two-match tional series 2-1 yesterday. umph, added. ing start despite losing his partner the attack to the opposition. “Once I hit one or two I decided to series 2-0 Bumrah claimed three wickets and Earlier sparkling centuries by Martin Guptill for 10 to Bumrah. Kumar bowled Nicholls for 37 and keep going,” he said. Toss: Bangladesh eff ected a crucial run out of danger- opening batsman Rohit Sharma and Munro put together a crucial 109- Bumrah soon took over to dash New The previous fastest T20 interna- man Tom Latham in the 48th over to Kohli, who made 113, steered India to run partnership for the second wicket Zealand’s hopes of winning their fi rst tional century was made off 45 balls make the visitors falter in their 338- 337-6 after being put in to bat. with skipper Kane Williamson, who series on Indian soil. by fellow South African Richard Levi Miller shared a 79-run fourth wicket run chase at Kanpur’s Green Park Sta- Sharma, who smashed 147 off 138 made 64, as the pair took the attack to New Zealand bowlers also made against New Zealand in Hamilton in partnership off 41 balls with Hashim dium. balls, and Kohli became the fi rst pair the opposition bowlers. their presence felt after the marathon 2011/12. Amla, who made 85 off 51 balls with 11 The Kiwis, who looked like favour- in ODIs to record four double-century The left-handed Munro, who stand between Sharma and Kohli end- Five of Miller’s nine sixes came off fours and a six. ites with 35 runs required from the stands between them after putting to- smashed 8 fours and 3 sixes in his ed in the 42nd over. Left-arm spinner the fi rst fi ve balls of the 19th over, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan last 24 balls, ended on 331-7 despite gether 230 runs for the second wicket. 62-ball knock, took a special liking to Mitchell Santner got Sharma’s prized bowled by promising all-rounder Mo- admitted it had been a poor tour for his Latham’s 52-ball 65. “The aim is always to help the team Indian pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar scalp. hamed Saifuddin, who had dismissed team. “It was a pretty close game. Credit win games, regardless of how many Kumar, whose fi rst fi ve overs cost 51 Paceman Tim Southee sent Kohli AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla and “Today was a refl ection of the series. packing but not after the in-form conceded only 22 runs in his fi rst three We need to learn a lot from this. We batsman, who became the quickest to overs. have been terrifi c for the last two years KANPUR SCORECARD get to 9,000 runs during his 106-ball Miller said he felt the rare feat of six at home but now it is time to get better knock, registered his 32nd ODI cen- sixes in an over was possible. overseas.” India 10-0-81-0 (w3), Milne 10-0-64-2 (w2), (Munro), 3-168 (Williamson), 4-247 (Taylor), tury. “I got to the fourth one and thought Bangladesh made a good start, re- R. Sharma c Southee b Santner ...... 147 Grandhomme 8-0-57-0, Santner 10-0-58-2, 5-306 (Nicholls), 6-312 (Latham), 7-326 Southee, fellow quick Adam Milne I might as well go for it. The fi fth one stricting South Africa to 37 for two in S. Dhawan c Williamson b Southee ...... 14 Munro 2-0-10-0 (w1) (Santner) and Santner took two wickets each. came out nicely.” the fi rst fi ve overs. V. Kohli c Williamson b Southee ...... 113 New Zealand (target 338) Did not bat: A. Milne, T. Boult “Some really good cricket played Saifuddin pushed the last ball of his Shakib opened the bowling and sent H. Pandya c Southee b Santner ...... 8 M. Guptill c Karthik b Bumrah ...... 10 Bowling: Kumar 10-0-92-1 (w7), Bumrah and great spirit. Credit to Virat and over wide of the off stump and Miller down all his four overs in one spell, 10-0-47-3 (w2), Pandya 5-0-47-0 (w2), M.S. Dhoni c Munro b Milne ...... 25 C. Munro b Chahal ...... 75 Patel 7-0-40-0 (w1), Jadhav 8-0-54-0 (w!), team, they were the better team, just. mistimed it for a single. taking two for 22. But his teammates K. Jadhav c Guptill b Milne ...... 18 K. Williamson c Dhoni b Chahal ...... 64 Chahal 10-0-47-2 (w1) Lots of promising signs for us,” said “Looking back I probably could have could not sustain the pressure in the D. Karthik not out ...... 4 R. Taylor c Jadhav b Bumrah ...... 39 Toss: New Zealand Williamson. hit six off six,” said Miller. face of Miller’s onslaught. Extras (lb1, w7) ...... 8 T. Latham run out (Dhoni/Bumrah) ...... 65 Result: India beat New Zealand by 6 runs “Tom Latham batted with such The left-hander’s innings could Bangladesh scored 17 runs off the Total (6 wickets; 50 overs) ...... 337 H. Nicholls b Kumar ...... 37 Series: India clinch the three-match series clarity in his mind, it was great to have ended off the second ball he faced fi rst over, bowled by Beuran Hen- Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Dhawan), 2-259 C. de Grandhomme not out ...... 8 2-1 watch. Also Henry Nicholls. Ross is as he gloved an attempted pull off Ru- dricks. But Imrul Kayes was run out in (Sharma), 3-273 (Pandya), 4-302 (Kohli), M. Santner c Dhawan b Bumrah...... 9 Umpires: Anil Chaudhary (IND), Michael not new but he’s playing nicely as bel Hossain. the second over and the tourists never 5-331 (Dhoni), 6-337 (Jadhav) T. Southee not out ...... 4 Gough (ENG) well. Bowlers stuck it out as well,” he Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mush- threatened again. Did not bat: B. Kumar, A. Patel, J. Bumrah, Extras (lb4, w16) ...... 20 TV Umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS) added. fi qur Rahim dived to his right and ap- Miller was only the fourth South Af- Y. Chahal Total (7 wickets, 50 overs) 331 Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) The action now shifts to the three peared to have caught the ball but lost rican to hit a century in 100 T20 inter- Bowling: Southee 10-0-66-2 (w1), Boult Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Guptill), 2-153 Twenty20 internationals starting No- control as he landed on the ground. nationals. vember 1 in New Delhi.

BULAWAYO TEST BOTTOMLINE Masakadza ton leads Root says England ready for Zimbabwe recovery AFP the last minute when allrounder Sean Bulawayo Williams withdrew because of illness, walked out to bat in challenging condi- tions. But he duly dug in for a 142-run sledging war in Australia amilton Masakadza’s fi fth stand for the fourth wicket with Ma- Test century helped Zim- sakadza, putting Zimbabwe back in AFP Root, who made it clear before de- Former Australia Test captains Ste- babwe recover from a hor- a match that they must win to earn a Perth parture that they must be prepared ve Waugh and Ian Chappell are among ror start to the second Test share of the series. for Stokes’s possible absence for the those who believe England can’t re- againstH the West Indies yesterday and “I actually had quite a bit of fun entire fi ve-Test series, said his team tain the Ashes without the infl uential end a rain-hit fi rst day on 169 for four. batting with Peter today, because he ngland are steeled for a sledg- were ready to deal with any heat that Stokes. Just 61 overs were possible as rain brought a lot of energy and he was very ing war in the Ashes series comes their way. The controversy surrounding him wiped out most of the fi nal session, but positive. I fed quite a bit off that,” said with suspended Ben Stokes “Potentially they might (sledge us has given Australia plenty of sledging that was still enough time for Masa- Masakadza. the expected focus of Austral- about Stokes),” Root told reporters. ammunition, according to their feisty kadza to register an unbeaten 101 and The opener was fortunate to survive ia’sE barbs, captain Joe Root said on “But Ashes cricket — there’s always opening batsman David Warner. drag Zimbabwe out of a hole. in the 11th over of the day, when he the team’s arrival in Perth yesterday. an edge of psychological banter. Warner has already voiced his de- The home side slumped to 14 for was caught at gully off Gabriel before Stokes, the vice-captain and star “Once you’ve played in a few, you sire to ramp up his trademark on-fi eld three after winning the toss and elect- replays revealed a no-ball. Masakadza all-rounder, is not among the touring sort of know what to expect and you aggression in the coming series. ing to bat fi rst, as fast bowlers Kemar was on 15 at the time. party. He remains under investigation know how it goes leading up to the “The history, the pride that is at Roach and Shannon Gabriel struck While Moor reached a patient half- after being arrested on suspicion of games. stake. As soon as you step on that line with the new ball. century moments after tea, he was then causing actual bodily harm following “I’m sure there will be plenty of it’s war,” Warner told the Australian In cloudy conditions it took Roach bowled by off spinner Roston Chase to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub banter fl ying around on and off the Broadcasting Corp this month, when just two overs to make the fi rst break- give the West Indies a welcome break- in September. fi eld. asked what the Ashes meant to him. through as he had Solomon Mire caught through. The England and Wales Cricket “That’s something you’ve got to “You try and get into a battle as behind, and Craig Ervine and Brendan Masakadza went to three fi gures Board has not yet ruled the 26-year- cherish and relish and be able to look quick as you can. I try and look in the Taylor soon followed when they were soon after, reaching his fi fth Test cen- old Stokes, who has a broken fi nger, back on at the end of your career and opposition’s eye and work out how bowled by Gabriel and Roach respec- tury more than 16 years after recording out of the series which starts with the say, ‘I gave it my best shot, and I en- can I dislike this player, how can I get tively. Those early setbacks meant that his fi rst one on debut against the same fi rst Test in Brisbane on November 23. joyed it’.” on top of him.” Peter Moor, who was only picked at opponents. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA Real lose in troubled Catalonia, fall eight points behind Barca Goals from Cristhian Stuani and Portu in four second-half minutes gave Girona a famous victory over Zidane’s men

AFP Girona, Spain

eal Madrid suff ered a backlash on the fi eld rather than from an expected hostile atmosphere amid political tur- moil in Catalonia as they slumped to a shockR 2-1 defeat at Girona yesterday. Goals from Cristhian Stuani and Portu in four second-half minutes cancelled out Isco’s opener for Madrid as Real fell eight points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after just 10 games. Madrid were making their fi rst appearance in the deeply divided region since a violence marred October 1 referendum plunged Spain into political crisis. As a reported one million people joined a rally in Barcelona in favour of Spanish unity yesterday, just over 100 kilometres away in the pro-independence heartland of Girona, the visitors were expected to receive a hostile reception. However, it was events on the fi eld that proved far more troublesome for Zinedine Zidane’s men as they lost more ground on rivals Barca in the Liga title race. “We know we can turn this around. We will have better days and our rivals will lose points over the course of the season,” insisted Zidane. “There is nothing more we can do, and we know that sooner or later things will turn. There is a long way to go and I am not worried.” Chants in favour of independence and ‘free- dom’ reverberated around the 13,500 capac- ity Montlivi in the 17th minute as is common at Girona and Barcelona home matches to mark the fall of Catalonia in the Spanish War of Suc- cession in 1714. However, with plenty of Madrid fans present, there were also plenty of Spanish fl ags on show. In their fi rst ever match against the European champions, Girona looked keen to make a mark from the outset and were desper- ately unlucky not to go in front when Pablo Ma- ff eo’s cross came back off the inside of the post

POINTS TABLE Girona’s Portu (second left) celebrates with teammates after scoring as Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos looks on during the La Liga match yesterday. (Reuters) (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, against, points) 12 minutes in. Seconds later, though, the ball was fl icked home by Portu and the goal was allowed matches as Barca reestablished their four-point ments later, but an under-par Barca had to with- Barcelona 10 9 1 0 28 3 28 in the Girona net as Madrid broke immediately to stand despite the striker appearing to be in an lead at the top of the table over Valencia, who stand plenty of Athletic pressure after the break. Valencia 10 7 3 0 27 11 24 upfi eld and Isco tapped home the rebound after off side position. “We can’t make excuses,” Ma- beat Alaves 2-1 earlier on Saturday. Raul Garcia’s header also hit the woodwork, Real Madrid 10 6 2 2 19 9 20 Bono parried Cristiano Ronaldo’s initial eff ort. drid midfi elder Casemiro said. “We have to keep Valverde left Bilbao in the summer and his while Ter Stegen produced another stunning Atletico Madrid 10 5 5 0 15 6 20 Girona continued to dominate the game and hit our heads because it is a diffi cult moment. We impact has been felt just as much in Bilbao as it stop from Aduriz fi ve minutes from time. But Sevilla 10 6 1 3 11 9 19 the woodwork again before half-time when Por- still have a chance but we need to play better and has in Barcelona — Athletic have now one just Barca held out to record a ninth clean sheet in Villarreal 10 5 2 3 16 11 17 tu’s fl icked header looped over Kiko Casilla and work harder. Madrid are always obliged to win.” one of their last 12 matches in all competitions. their last 13 games, and added a second deep Leganes 10 5 2 3 9 5 17 back off the inside of the post. “We played very Stuani had a huge chance to make the game The hosts started the brighter and only a stun- into stoppage time when Paulinho tapped home Real Betis 9 5 1 3 19 17 16 well and hit the post twice in the fi rst-half,” said safe when chipped the ball beyond Casilla and ning save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen prevented the rebound after Kepa Arrizabalaga had parried Real Sociedad 10 4 2 4 21 20 14 match winner Portu. “We knew that if we con- wide of the far post. Yet, rather than mount a late Aritz Aduriz from slotting Athletic in front on Suarez’s fi rst eff ort. Getafe 10 3 3 4 13 11 12 tinued to press them hard as a team then you get comeback as they did so often on route to a fi rst 19 minutes. Barca, and Messi in particular, grew Girona 10 3 3 4 11 15 12 your rewards in football.” La Liga and Champions League double for 59 into the game as the half wore on and the Argen- SPANISH LA LIGA RESULTS Celta Vigo 9 3 2 4 18 14 11 Real suff ered an injury blow days before they years last season, Madrid looked short of energy tine should have opened the scoring when he hit Getafe 2 (Angel Rodriguez 78, Jorge Molina 85-pen) Athletic Bilbao 10 3 2 5 10 12 11 travel to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Cham- and ideas in the fi nal half hour as Girona held out the woodwork for already the 10th time this sea- Real Sociedad 1 (Oyarzabal 5); Girona 2 (Stuani 54, Levante 9 2 5 2 9 11 11 pions League on Wednesday as Raphael Varane for a famous victory. son with the goal at his mercy from Luis Suarez’s Portu 58) Real Madrid 1 (Isco 12) Espanyol 9 2 4 3 8 12 10 was replaced by Nacho at half-time due to a On Saturday night, Barcelona recorded their pass. Messi was at the heart of another fl owing Played Saturday: Alaves 1 (Alexis 49) Valencia 2 D La Coruna 9 2 2 5 10 18 8 muscular problem. And the French internation- best ever start to a La Liga season as coach Er- team move to break the deadlock eight minutes (Zaza 34, Rodrigo 66-pen); Atletico Madrid 1 (Correa Eibar 9 2 1 6 3 20 7 al’s presence at the heart of the Madrid defence nesto Valverde enjoyed a successful return to before half-time. He exchanged one-twos with 61) Villarreal 1 (Bacca 81); Athletic Bilbao 0 Barcelo- Las Palmas 9 2 0 7 7 22 6 was badly missed as Stuani jinked past Nacho Athletic Bilbao thanks to goals from Lionel Messi Paulinho and Jordi Alba before sweeping home na 2 (Messi 37, Paulinho 90+2); Sevilla 2 (Ben Yedder Alaves 10 1 0 9 4 16 3 to fi re Girona deservedly level nine minutes into and Paulinho in a 2-0 win. the left-back’s low cross. 20, Sarabia 54) Leganes 1 (Szymanowski 48-pen) Malaga 9 0 1 8 4 20 1 the second-half. Just four minutes later, Girona Valverde has now overseen 12 wins and a draw Paulinho should have extended the visitors’ Playing today: Espanyol v Real Betis, Las Palmas v were in dreamland as Maff eo’s driven cross was from his fi rst 13 La Liga and Champions League advantage when he smacked the crossbar mo- Deportivo la Coruna (2000 GMT)

LIGUE 1 BUNDESLIGA Fekir goals help Lyon forget Lacazette Bremen boss under pressure

AFP aft er Augsburg thumping Paris AFP together — the performance was fi nished 1-1 after extra-time on Berlin embarrassing.” Wednesday, Bayern have drawn yon captain Nabil Fekir scored a fi ne Gregoritsch grabbed his sec- Dortmund in a repeat of last sea- fi rst-half brace to lift his side to third ond on 61 minutes with some son’s semi-fi nal. in Ligue 1 yesterday after a 2-0 defeat here were calls for Wer- clinical fi nishing after Rani Bayern face Dortmund away of rock-bottom Metz. The 24-year- der Bremen coach Alex- Khedira — brother of Germany on Saturday in a mouth-water- Lold France international Fekir has scored ander Nouri to be sacked star Sami — started a counter at- ing league clash after the Bavar- nine goals already this season, spearheading after yesterday’s 3-0 tack. With a perfectly-timed run ians knocked Borussia off the top the Lyon attack after the departure to Arse- Thome drubbing against Augsburg into the box perfect, Gregoritsch of the Bundesliga this weekend nal of prolifi c striker Alexandre Lacazette. left them winless in their fi rst ten fi red home to put the game be- with a 2-0 home win against It was a fourth straight win for a confi dent Bundesliga games. Bremen re- yond Werder. Leipzig when Dortmund crashed looking side who host Everton in the Europa main second from bottom with 4-2 at Hanover 96. League midweek before a trip to their bitter just fi ve points after Austria in- BUNDESLIGA RESULTS Dortmund, the German Cup regional rivals Saint-Etienne next weekend. ternational Michael Gregoritsch Werder Bremen 0 Augsburg 3 holders, beat Bayern 3-2 at Mu- Yesterday’s win leaves Lyon on 22 points netted twice for Augsburg at (Gregoritsch 40, 61, Finnbogason nich’s Allianz Arena in last sea- from 11 games, just three points behind de- Werder’s Weser Stadion amidst 45+2-pen) son’s semi-fi nals on their way fending champions Monaco and seven adrift cries of ‘Nouri out!’ after the fi - On Saturday: Bayer Leverkusen 2 to winning the title with a 2-1 of leaders Paris Saint-Germain. nal whistle. (Bailey 54, S. Bender 74) Cologne victory against Eintracht Frank- The series of wins is also promising for Bremen qualifi ed for the 1 (Guirassy 23); Hanover 96 4 furt in May’s fi nal. Bayern will under-fi re coach Bruno Genesio, on whom Champions League as recently as (Jonathas 20-pen, Bebou 40, 86, host Dortmund in the cup clash fans appeared to turn after a 2-0 loss to PSG 2010, but have struggled to stay Klaus 60) Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on either in September was followed by successive 3-3 in Germany’s top fl ight in recent 2 (Zagadou 27, Yarmolenko 52); December 19 or 20 in a repeat of draws. “It’s Everton next and the right result seasons. Nouri, 38, has been in Hertha Berlin 2 (Stark 17, Rekik the 2012, 2014 and 2016 fi nals. will see us qualify with two games to spare, charge since September 2016, 50) Hamburg 1 (Arp 73); Hoff en- Dortmund trounced Bayern 5-2 so we want to get a good start,” Genesio said but is in danger of becoming the heim 1 (Demirbay 25) Borussia in 2012 before the Bavarians of Thursday’s Europa League date. third Bundesliga coach sacked Moenchengladbach 3 (Hazard 61, gained revenge with a 2-0 victory Fekir scored two and made a third two this season. Andries Jonker was Ginter 79, Vestergaard 82); Schalke in 2014, also winning two years weeks ago as Lyon edged Monaco 3-2 at fi red by Wolfsburg in Septem- 04 1 (Bentaleb 41-pen) Wolfsburg later when the fi nal was decided home and his emergence this season brings ber before Carlo Ancelotti was 1 (Origi 90+3); Bayern Munich 2 by penalties after a goalless draw. fresh hope to a club who last won the French shown the door by league lead- (Rodriguez 19, Lewandowski 38) RB The draw has also thrown up league in 2008 after a decade of dominance. ers Bayern Munich, who beat RB Leipzig 0 four other all-Bundesliga clashes “He has been decisive every time he has Leipzig 2-0 at home on Saturday On Friday: Mainz 05 1 (Serdar 71) in the third round with Mainz played in terms of goals and assists,” Genesio Metz’s midfielder Geronimo Poblete (left) and Lyon’s midfielder Nabil Fekir vie for the ball to top the table under his succes- Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Bell 37-og) vs Stuttgart, Werder Bremen vs said of Fekir. “He has risen to his new role as during the French Ligue 1 match yesterday. (AFP) sor Jupp Heynckes. Freiburg. captain and is performing at an international In Bremen, attacking mid- BAYERN DRAW HOLDERS GERMAN CUP — THIRD-ROUND level.” while Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes went down Played Saturday: Bordeaux 0 Monaco 2 (Balde fi elder Gregoritsch headed the DORTMUND IN GERMAN CUP FIXTURES Metz meanwhile were the fi rst Ligue 1 club to a rare defeat. PSG, without the suspend- 57, Lemar 65); Caen 1 (Rodelin 30) Troyes 0; opening goal on 40 minutes, Bayern Munich have been hand- Mainz vs VfB Stuttgart, Nuremberg to fi re their coach as Philippe Hinschberger ed Neymar, had maintained their unbeaten Dijon 1 (Tavares 20) Nantes 0; Guingamp 1 then Iceland striker Alfred ed another tough German Cup vs VfL Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich vs made way for Frederic Hantz this week, start to the campaign by brushing aside Nice (Diallo 44) Amiens 1 (El Hajjam 22); Montpellier Finnbogason converted a penalty tie after being pitted against Borussia Dortmund, Heidenheim vs but the club appear doomed with just three 3-0 on Friday thanks to a brace from Edinson 0 Rennes 1 (Brandon 59); Strasbourg 2 (Lala as Augsburg went into the break Borussia Dortmund in the third- Eintracht Frankfurt, Werder Bremen points from 11 games so far. Cavani and a Dante own goal. 28-pen, Terrier 77) Angers 2 (Toko Ekambi 69, 2-0 up. “The goals before half- round draw yesterday. Having vs Freiburg, Borussia Moencheng- Monaco shrugged off the absence of lead- FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS Sunu 76) time took the wind out of our beaten fellow Bundesliga giants ladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen, Pad- ing scorer Radamel Falcao on Saturday as Lyon 2 (Fekir 6, 20) beat Metz 0; Toulouse 0 Played Friday: Paris Saint-Germain 3 (Cavani, 3, sails,” said Bremen defender Nik- RB Leipzig 5-4 away on penal- erborn vs Ingolstadt 04, Schalke vs they eased to a 2-0 victory away at Bordeaux drew with Saint-Etienne 0 31, Dante 52-og) Nice 0 las Moisander. “We have to stick ties when their second-round tie Cologne. Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 30, 2017 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE SERIE A High-scoring Leicester give Puel Napoli continue title push perfect start as boss AFP Olympico. Ciro Immobile gave Milan an inspirational performance again for Lazio — who claimed a sixth straight Serie A win — as he Brighton recovered from conceding an early goal to draw 1-1 with Southampton apoli reclaimed top scored after 13 minutes and set spot in Serie A yester- up three goals. day maintaining their “I’m happy with the three as- unbeaten record with a sists, as my teammates tell me I Nwin 3-1 at Sassuolo to retain their never pass the ball and only ever three-point cushion on Juven- want to score, so they can’t com- tus and Lazio. Ahead of hosting plain now,” said Immobile, who Manchester City in Champions has scored 14 goals in 11 matches. League midweek, Napoli re- Bastos opened after four minutes sponded to Juventus’s 2-0 win at for Lazio with Adam Marusic AC Milan on Saturday. also on target with the visitors Maurizio Sarri’s side have 31 leading 3-0 at the break. points from 11 games, although Moroccan Achraf Lazaar undefeated Inter Milan could pulled one back for Benevento close the gap to two points at Ve- in the second half — just their rona today. Napoli took advan- fourth goal of the season — but tage of Sassuolo’s Stefano Sensi Lazio added another two through hitting the crossbar for Allan to Marco Parolo and Nani, who open the scoring after 22 min- scored his fi rst goal since arriving utes. Diego Falcinelli equalised in Rome this summer. On Satur- for Sassuolo on 41 minutes but day, Gonzalo Higuain scored a Jose Callejon got Napoli ahead brace to bring his tally of Serie A again just before the break off a goals to 101 with a 2-0 win that curling corner kick. plunged AC Milan further into Dries Mertens completed crisis. the scoring after 54 minutes off Higuain opened after 23 min- a Raul Albiol assist as Napoli utes in front of a capacity 80,000 notched up a ninth win with at crowd at Milan’s San Siro and least three goals scored. Lazio grabbed a second on 63 minutes joined the leading group earlier for the six-time reigning cham- yesterday with a 5-1 win at Bene- pions. However, the future looks vento who slumped to an 11th de- increasingly bleak for Milan feat in as many games. “We had coach Vincenzo Montella whose everything to lose but we were side are eighth, 15 points behind able to make the match simple the leaders, and far below their with a good approach,” said Lazio objective of Champions League Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy (centre) scores past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the Premier League match in Leicester, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) coach Simone Inzaghi. football next season. Roma Their fi rst season in Serie A has took all three points at Bologna AFP minute following a surging run by Gray, Brighton levelled shortly after the break been a nightmare for Benevento thanks to an exquisite Stephan El London who picked up the ball deep in his own POINTS TABLE when Glenn Murray headed in a Pascal with the arrival of new coach Shaarawy volley to stay fi fth, just half, skipped past a couple of challenges Gross cross from the right at the back Roberto De Zerbi this week do- ahead of Sampdoria who beat and raced over the halfway line before re- (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, post. On Saturday, Manchester City won ing little to improve the fortunes Chievo 4-1, as Crotone shocked amie Vardy gave Claude Puel the leasing Riyad Mahrez on the right. against, points) their eighth consecutive Premier League of the club from outside Naples Fiorentina 2-1. perfect start to his Leicester City Mahrez crossed for Vardy to blast into Man City 10 9 1 0 35 6 28 match to maintain their fi ve-point lead with a witch on their crest. reign yesterday as the former Pre- the roof of the net, sending the King Pow- Man Utd 10 7 2 1 23 4 23 over rivals Manchester United. They match French outfi t Gre- ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS mier league champions returned er Stadium into raptures. The rampant Tottenham 10 6 2 2 19 7 20 Pep Guardiola’s free-scoring side beat noble who dug themselves into a Benevento 1 (Lazaar 55) Lazio 5 toJ their counter-attacking best, brush- hosts were 2-0 up 11 minutes later when West Bromwich Albion 3-2 away from similar hole early on — a run off Chelsea 10 6 1 3 18 10 19 (Bastos 4, Immobile 13, Marusic ing aside managerless Everton 2-0. In a Jonjoe Kenny sliced Gray’s eff ort from the Arsenal 10 6 1 3 19 13 19 home, after a late Anthony Martial goal 11 successive defeats to open the 25, Parolo 76, Nani 86); Napoli 3 throwback to their 2015-16 title-winning left into the far corner of his own net past Liverpool 10 4 4 2 17 16 16 was enough for United to edge third- 2009-10 campaign ultimately (Allan 22, Callejon 44, Mertens 54) season, Leicester caused problems for the the helpless Jordan Pickford. Watford 10 4 3 3 15 18 15 placed Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Old condemned them to relegation Sassuolo 1 (Falcinelli 41); Udinese visiting side from the start, breaking with It initially appeared to be an own goal Newcastle 9 4 2 3 10 8 14 Traff ord. Elsewhere, there were wins for from Ligue 1. No other European 2 (De Paul 45+1-pen, Barák 68) pace and purpose as Demarai Gray proved but was awarded to Gray following a re- Southampton 10 3 4 3 9 10 13 Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool as the ‘Big club in a major league have had a Atalanta 1 (Kurtic 29); Sampdoria 4 a real handful for the struggling Mersey- view. Everton’s caretaker boss David Burnley 9 3 4 2 8 9 13 Six’ began to fl ex their muscles. worse start to the season — apart (Linetty 20, Torreira 26, 85, Zapata side team on just his second league start Unsworth made a double change at half- Leicester 10 3 3 4 14 14 12 from Manchester United, rele- 44) Chievo 1 (Cacciatore 24); SPAL of the campaign. time, bringing on Oumar Niasse and Beni Brighton 10 3 3 4 10 11 12 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS gated after the 1930-1931 season 1 (Antenucci 56) Genoa 0; Crotone Despite a poor start to the season that Baningime for Aaron Lennon and Kevin Huddersfield 10 3 3 4 7 13 12 Brighton 1 (Murray 52) Southampton 1 (Davis after losing their fi rst 12 matches. 2 (Budimir 17, Trotta 18) Fiorentina 1 cost Craig Shakespeare his job, Leices- Mirallas but although his team were Stoke 10 3 2 5 11 20 11 7); Leicester 2 (Vardy 18, Gray 29) Everton 0 Inzaghi’s Lazio are riding high (Benassi 44) ter’s third win of the campaign lifts them brighter, Leicester kept them at arm’s West Brom 10 2 4 4 9 13 10 Played Saturday: Manchester United 1 despite the controversy which Played Saturday: Milan 0 Juventus to the relative safety of 11th in the table length, limiting clear-cut chances. West Ham 10 2 3 5 10 19 9 (Martial 81) Tottenham Hotspur 0; Arsenal 2 overshadowed the previous week 2 (Higuaín 23, 63); Roma 1 (El while Everton, who parted company with The away team enjoyed the bulk of Swansea 10 2 2 6 7 12 8 (Kolasinac 51, Ramsey 58) Swansea 1 (Clucas when their fans posted pho- Shaarawy 33) Bologna 0 Ronald Koeman earlier this week, are the possession as the game wore on and Everton 10 2 2 6 7 20 8 22); Liverpool 3 (Sturridge 50, Firmino 58, tos of Anne Frank in a jersey of Playing today: Verona v Inter Milan mired in the relegation zone. Leicester Unsworth brought on Gylfi Sigurdsson Bournemouth 10 2 1 7 6 14 7 Wijnaldum 75) Huddersfield 0; West Brom hated rivals Roma in the Stadio (1845) goalscorer Vardy said: "The gaff er's come for Wayne Rooney with just over a quarter Crystal Palace 10 1 1 8 4 21 4 2 (Rodriguez 13, Phillips 90+2) Manchester in this week. He said this week he didn't of an hour still to play, but it was Leicester City 3 (Sane 10, Fernandinho 15, Sterling 64); want to change too much – just tactical who were again the more threatening side Crystal Palace 2 (Milivojevic 50-pen, Zaha tweaks. We hit them on the counter for in the closing stages. both clubs in mid-table. Southampton 90+7) West Ham 2 (Hernandez 31, Ayew 43); the fi rst goal. We showed we are capable Earlier, Brighton and Hove Albion re- took the lead in the seventh minute when Watford 0 Stoke 1 (Fletcher 16); Bourne- of defending a lead. The main thing is we covered from conceding an early goal to Steven Davis pounced after a brilliant mouth 0 Chelsea 1 (Hazard 51) got three points." draw 1-1 with Southampton in a dull clash free-kick from James Ward-Prowse came Playing today: Burnley v Newcastle United The home side took the lead in the 18th of south-coast rivals, a result that leaves back off the woodwork. Newly-promoted (2000 GMT)

Klopp in dreamland over title claim, says Guardiola

West Bromwich, United Kingdom: Pep unrealistic? Definitely,” he said. “You City’s outright all-time top scorer. Guar- Guardiola believes it is totally unrealis- cannot win all of the time for five or six diola believes the high-level competition tic to believe Jurgen Klopp’s claim that months — that is unrealistic, that is not for places is keeping his players at the Manchester City will have the title won in football at the highest level.” top of their game. “You see the bench January despite their 3-2 victory at West City finished third, 15 points adrift and you see how many good players Bromwich Albion. But he is convinced his of champions Chelsea last season, but there are with Danilo, Sergio, Raheem team have learned from last season and Guardiola has seen improvements since (Sterling) Yaya (Toure) and (Eliaquim) can bridge the gap after the Spaniard’s that could make the diff erence. “It is Mangala,” he said. “They compete with side maintained their five-point lead at important when you don’t play at the each other — (Gabriel) Jesus has to play the top of the Premier League. highest level, you are still able to win,” he well because he knows Sergio is there.” No team has failed to win the title with said. “That is the big diff erence this sea- His West Brom counterpart Tony 28 points from their first 10 games after son, because last season when we were Pulis denied City have clinched the title City extended their club record run to not playing well, there was no chance to already. “They are certainly one of the 13 consecutive wins in all competitions gave the scoreline a flattering look with a win. Until now that hasn’t happened. Our main contenders but it’s a long season,” and eight in a row in the Premier League. second for the Baggies in time added on. mood is good. We believe we’re going he said. “There are lots of obstacles Leroy Sane and Fernandinho put City in Liverpool boss Klopp has suggested City to score goals and that we’re going to they have to overcome — they’ve got to front in the 10th and 15th minutes either can have the title wrapped up in January concede few. The way we played showed be fortunate with injuries and get the side of Jay Rodriguez’s equaliser. but City manager Guardiola shot that me a lot in our performance to remain bounce of the ball, so it is not in the bag Substitute Raheem Sterling extended talk down. there.” yet. Defeat extended West Brom’s run City’s advantage with his first touch just “Have you ever known a team win the Sergio Aguero was kept on the bench to just two wins in 19 Premier League after the hour mark before Matt Phillips title in January? Me neither. No. Totally and so denied the chance to become games. Napoli’s Dries Mertens (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Sassuolo during the Serie A match yesterday. (Reuters)

ROUND-UP Tottenham's Pochettino holds out Real hope for key man Kane ottenham Hotspur manager Mauri- Pochettino. “We will need to assess him and in charge. Under his tutelage Celtic became the PALESTINIANS SAY FIFA COWED BY Infantino had caved under pressure from Israeli cio Pochettino believes there’s still a then make a decision.” fi rst Scottish Premiership club to go unbeaten ISRAEL OVER DISPUTE Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The chance of leading scorer Harry Kane Pochettino’s side missed the chance to go through a 38-game league season, setting new The Palestinian football chief yesterday ac- FIFA chief tried to evade and stall,” Rajoub playing against holders Real Madrid in second in the Premier League ahead of United points, goals scored and games won records cused FIFA’s leadership of bowing to Israeli told reporters at FA headquarters in Al-Ram, Tthe Champions League on Wednesday. England but the Tottenham manager had no time for along the way. pressure to stay out of a dispute between Israel between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of striker Kane has scored 13 Premier League goals suggestions that Saturday’s reverse was all However, the modest manager insisted any and the Palestinians over play in the occupied Ramallah. “He received threats from Netan- this season and has hit fi ve in the European Cup down to being without Kane. praise for the achievements belonged to the West Bank. The world body’s ruling council yahu...” against Borussia Dortmund and Apoel Nicosia. players. “I think the players deserve all the declined on Friday to adopt any of three pos- Rajoub did not off er evidence to support Kane, however, missed Tottenham’s 1-0 RODGERS HAILS HIS HISTORY BHOYS credit they get for it,” said the 44-year-old sible actions recommended by an international his allegations. He did promise to submit defeat by Manchester United in the Premier Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed his Northern Irishman. “It’s equalling a 100-year commission which spent more than two years documents to accompany the Palestinian FA’s League on Saturday with a hamstring problem players’ “incredible achievement” as they record and to achieve that over the course of 62 looking at the long-running battle. pending complaint to the Court of Arbitration suff ered against Liverpool the previous week- equalled the club’s own 100-year-old British games is remarkable. Not only that but to have The Palestinian Football Association had for Sport, which is expected to give a ruling in end, with the injury also sidelining him from record of 62 domestic matches unbeaten. The won 55 of them and drawn seven is an absolute- demanded FIFA sanctions against six teams January. The Palestinian association says Israel Spurs’ midweek League Cup loss to West Ham. Bhoys matched the run set by Willie Maley’s ly incredible achievement by the players.” It’s so playing in the Israeli league which are based is in breach of FIFA statutes which state that a But with Pochettino’s side failing to score in Celtic side between 1915 and 1917 with a 1-1 diffi cult to achieve and the record has been in in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. FIFA member country’s teams cannot play matches Manchester, he’ll want his goal talisman back to draw at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday. place for 100 years.” president Gianni Infantino called the dispute on the territory of another association without face Spanish giants Real at Wembley. “We will It is just the latest piece of history for Rodg- Celtic’s previous record run ended on April “exceptionally complex” because of the politi- permission. Israel said FIFA should stay out see in the next few days if he can arrive to be at ers and his Celtic side after he led the Glasgow 21, 1917 after a 2-0 defeat by Kilmarnock and cal situation in the Middle East. of it as there are no recognised frontiers for a the right level to play against Real Madrid,” said giants to a number of records in his fi rst season they threatened to spoil the party again. Palestinian FA boss Jibril Rajoub said that Palestinian state. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL NHL Kings stay on top with 2-1 overtime Dodgers rip Astros 6-2 victory over Bruins

By Curtis Zupke Los Angeles Times

ut another 0.4 in the to level World Series annals of L.A. sports history. ‘It’s hard to put into words really right now. I needed a win and I was glad to keep This wasn’t as dra- Pmatic as Derek Fisher’s game- us in it long enough to where our bats came alive. It’s a big win for us’ winning shot for the Los An- geles Lakers in 2004, but for a few precious moments, the celebration felt like late spring. Joyous hops from the bench. Players mingled about as if a playoff series just ended. The 17,565 fans in TD Garden in disbelief. It was a win in October, not May, but when Tyler Toff oli Los Angeles Kings centre Tyler one-timed Anze Kopitar’s fa- Toff oli celebrates his game ceoff win with 0.4 seconds re- winning goal with defenseman maining in overtime to give the Drew Doughty. Kings a stunning 2-1 win Satur- PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports day against the Boston Bruins, it summed up the Kings’ season. win a playoff series or any- “I don’t think that’s going to thing, but it’s a big win. happen anytime soon again,” “This group I thought bat- Kopitar said. “I’ve never seen tled hard. We told them some- it in my hockey career to work times it might take to the last like that, or that fast.” second of a hockey game. I Kopitar lined up for a faceoff didn’t think it would be liter- against David Pastrnak with ally the last second.” 0.9 seconds on the clock and The line of Toff oli, Pearson drew it right to Toff oli for his and Adrian Kempe was strong second goal of the game with all night, and the top line of 0.4 seconds left, the same time Kopitar, Dustin Brown and that remained when Fisher Alex Iafallo was the Kings’ sank a winning shot in a 2004 best in the fi nal period. playoff game. Again, Jonathan Quick an- “I’ve never seen anything chored it. He stopped a two- like that,” Toff oli said. “First on-one, a break by Anders time I’ve done that.” Bjork and another quality shot Much like the Kings’ 9-1- in the fi nal three minutes of 1 start, all the pieces fell into overtime in a superb matchup place. Kings coach John Ste- against Boston’s Tuukka Rask. vens put right handers Toff oli and Pearson behind Kopitar to RESULTS ensure a quick shot from the Kings 2 Bruins 1 right side. The Bruins iced the Ducks 4 Lightning 1 puck and could not send out Devils 4 Coyotes 3 faceoff ace Patrice Bergeron. Capitals 5 Oilers 2 After offi cials confi rmed Canadiens 5 Rangers 4 the goal against the clock, the Blues 4 Blue Jackets 1 Kings took their celebration to Islanders 6 Predators 2 the dressing room with a 4-1 Wild 2 Penguins 1 record on their six-game trip. Avalanche 6 Blackhawks 3 “I don’t want to get carried Flyers 4 Maple Leafs 2 away,” Stevens said. Sharks 3 Sabres 2 “It’s a huge win. We didn’t Red Wings 3 Panthers 2 (SO)

Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros in game four of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on Saturday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Houston Texans owner meets with AFP when the winner will reach the Larsen’s perfect game in 1956. when Bellinger, who had eight than 70 home innings without players aft er ‘inmates’ comment Houston brink of a World Series crown “He pitched an incredible strikeouts in the World Series trailing. “He came up big. It was ahead of game six on Tuesday in game,” Roberts said. “Woody’s drought, doubled and scored on absolutely good to see him come A day after his “inmates running the prison” comment in refer- Los Angeles. command, his ‘compete’ was Logan Forsythe’s single. back with a couple of big dou- ence to ongoing player protests during the national anthem wo unlikely heroes, a “I like where we’re at,” Dodg- just off the charts. Woody set the “Sigh of relief,” Bellinger said. bles,” Roberts said. became public, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair met pitcher who lost his only ers manager Dave Roberts said. tone for us - just outstanding.” “I was just hoping that it faded “For him to really keep that with team players on Saturday and issued a second statement. prior playoff start and “There have been so many emo- into the wall, just so he didn’t calmness about him says a lot “I know they were upset,” McNair told the Houston Chronicle. a batter in an 0-for-13 tional swings and we’re dead Homer ends no-hit bid catch it. I just had a super sigh of about the makeup of the player.” “I wanted to answer their questions. I told them if I had it to do Tslump, rescued the World Series even right now. It’s a three-game But Houston’s George Spring- relief, that’s for sure.” Austin Barnes drove in anoth- over again, I wouldn’t use that expression.” title hopes of the Los Angeles series and we’ve got our ace go- er blasted a 3-ball, 1-strike of- Hinch then made the ill-fated er run with a sacrifi ce fl y and Joc ESPN The Magazine reported McNair had said last week, “We Dodgers on Saturday. ing tomorrow so I know in our fering over the left-fi eld wall in ninth-inning move of inserting Pederson followed with a three- can’t have the inmates running the prison,” after other owners Alex Wood baffl ed Houston clubhouse we feel good.” the sixth inning for a home run reliever Ken Giles, who had al- run homer. in an October 18 NFL meeting talked of business concerns sur- batters for 5 2/3 no-hit innings The Dodgers seek a seventh on the only hit Wood surren- lowed two runs in game two. He Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen rounding the anthem protests. and Cody Bellinger snapped his championship but their fi rst dered, giving the Astros a 1-0 gave up a single to Corey Seaver, surrendered a solo homer to Alex In his statement on Saturday, McNair said: “As I said yesterday, drought with two crucial doubles since 1988 while the Astros are lead and ending the Dodgers’ walked Justin Turner and allowed Bregman or Los Angeles would I was not referring to our players when I made a very regretful as the Dodgers downed Houston trying for the fi rst World Series deepest World Series no-hit bid. Bellinger another double to give have boasted the fi rst World Se- comment during the owners meetings last week. 6-2 to level Major League Base- title in their 55-year history. “Once I was heading into the the Dodgers the lead for good. ries one-hitter since 1967. “I was referring to the relationship between the league off ice ball’s best-of-seven fi nal 2-2. “It’s game fi ve of the World fi fth, I thought about it a little “It seems like right now for The Astros had been 7-0 at and team owners and how they have been making significant “It’s hard to put into words Series, so there won’t be any bit,” Wood said of his no-hit bid. some of these guys it’s one pitch home in the playoff s this year, strategic decisions aff ecting our league without adequate input really right now. I needed a win need to press any buttons or let “It has been a whirlwind of emo- and things unravel a little bit,” matching the best post-season from ownership over the past few years. and I was glad to keep us in it them know how big these outs tion for me. Kind of caught up to Hinch said. start in major league history. “I am truly sorry to the players for how this has impacted them long enough to where our bats are,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch me between innings there.” “That’s what happened to It was practically a must-win and the perception that it has created of me which could not be came alive,” Wood said. “It’s a said. “Every game feels like a Houston’s Charlie Morton Kenny in the ninth.” game for the Dodgers, since further from the truth. big win for us.” critical game.” surrendered only one hit while teams falling behind 3-1 in the “Our focus going forward, personally and as an organisation, will Clayton Kershaw, an 18-game Wood, a 26-year-old US left- striking out seven in facing the Bellinger comes up big Series have lost 84 percent of the be towards making meaningful progress regarding the winner, will face Astros ace Dal- hander, sparked talk of the fi rst minimum 15 batters over fi ve Bellinger’s run-scoring dou- time while those pulling level at social issues that mean so much to our players and our las Keuchel in a matchup of star World Series no-hitter since innings, but allowed the Dodg- ble ended Houston’s major- 2-2 have won 45 percent of the community.” left-handed pitchers Sunday, New York Yankees’ legend Dan ers level at 10-1 in the seventh league record playoff run of more time.

NBA Westbrook’s triple-double leads Thunder over Bulls AFP Friday’s defeat to the Minnesota remaining unbeaten team, led 70-57 Orleans. Los Angeles Timberwolves, followed by a worri- with less than fi ve minutes left in the Davis, who missed Thursday’s game some fl ight from Minneapolis to Chi- third quarter. But from there they against the Sacramento Kings with a cago that left their charter plane with were held to 7-of-34 shooting from knee injury, pulled down 14 rebounds ussell Westbrook completed frightening damage, didn’t appear to the fl oor, with no free throw attempts to go with his 30 points. his collection with a triple- aff ect the Thunder on court. in the fourth quarter. Jrue Holiday also had a season-high double on Saturday against They opened the game on a 15-3 “To me, we deserved to lose,” Riv- 29 points and seven assists, while the Chicago Bulls, the only scoring run, and led 50-31 at halftime. ers said, adding that even before the E’Twaun Moore matched his career- NBAR team that had denied the Okla- Westbrook had two steals as part of game got away from them he could high with 24 points. Kevin Love led homa City star the statistical feat. a solid defensive eff ort that forced 19 see the Clippers weren’t playing with the Cavaliers with 26 points and 11 Westbrook, the reigning NBA Most Bulls turnovers. the same spirit that brought them four rebounds. Cavs superstar LeBron Valuable Player, scored 12 points with “Honestly, my main thing com- wins to start the season. James added 18 points, fi ve rebounds 13 rebounds and 13 assists in Oklaho- ing into this year was fi nding ways to “We might be due for not playing and eight assists - and insisted there ma City’s 101-69 rout of the Bulls. impact the game defensively the way I well, for not executing well,” he said. was no cause for last season’s East- He’s the fi rst player to post a triple- know I can,” Westbrook said. “But not acting right, you’re not due ern Conference champions to panic as double - notching double digits in “For me, that’s part of my job ... to for that,” Rivers said. they fell to 3-3. three statistical categories -- against be that player who is able to do that on “To me, it’s inexcusable.” “We’re fi ne, we’re fi ne,” James said all 29 opposing teams in the NBA. a night in, night out basis.” The defeat dropped the Clippers of a Cavs team that has coped with in- Carmelo Anthony and Paul George, Lauri Markkanen scored 15 points to into second place in the Western Con- juries to Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose new arrivals in Oklahoma City this lead the Bulls, who were coming off a ference behind the Memphis Grizzlies, and Dwyane Wade. season, combined to drain nine three- 91-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks. who defeated the Houston Rockets “I’m an even-keel guy,” added pointers, Anthony scoring 21 points “We took a huge step in the wrong 103-89. James. and George 20. direction,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg Kiwi center Steven Adams and Ray- said of his rebuilding team. Pelicans shock Cavs RESULTS mond Felton scored 12 points apiece “We didn’t compete. Our body lan- DeMarcus Cousins notched a tri- Pelicans 123 Cavs 101 as part of a balanced Thunder attack, guage sucked. It’s very disappointing.” ple-double and Anthony Davis re- Trail Blazers 114 Suns 107 and Oklahoma City held the Bulls to Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc turned from injury to score 30 points Pistons 95 Clippers 87 an anaemic 28.2 percent shooting. Rivers was similarly disappointed as the Pelicans downed the Cleveland Jazz 96 Lakers 81 “(Defense) just set the tone,” West- after the Detroit Pistons handed his Cavaliers 123-101 in New Orleans. 76ers 112 Mavericks 110 brook said. “When we’re able to do team their fi rst defeat of the season, Cousins poured in 29 points with Celtics 96 Heat 90 Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (R) dribbles the ball against Chicago that, it puts us in position to do good 95-87. 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his fi rst Thunder 101 Bulls 69 Bulls guard Justin Holiday during their NBA game at the United Centre on Saturday. things.” The Clippers, who were the last triple-double since arriving in New Grizzlies 103 Rockets 89 PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 30, 2017 SPORT

BOXING RUGBY Tonga rout Joshua retains world Scotland; Ireland, Lebanon heavyweight titles score wins AFP Takam complained it was a premature stoppage, which was jeered by Joshua’s fans Sydney tar-studded Tonga AFP showed they could prove Cardiff , United Kingdom the wrecking ball of this year’s Rugby League WorldS Cup with a 50-4 demoli- nthony Joshua maintained his 100 per tion of Scotland, as Lebanon and cent knockout ratio by stopping a blood- Ireland posted victories yester- ied Carlos Takam in the tenth round on day. The Tongans, bolstered by Saturday night. The English boxer re- the inclusions of National Rugby tainedA his International Boxing Federation and League powerhouses Jason Tau- World Boxing Association world heavyweight malolo and Andrew Fifi ta, ran in titles with a devastating display of his punching nine tries with former Australia power to fi nish Cameroon’s France-based chal- Test centre Michael Jennings lenger at the Principality Stadium. nabbing a hat-trick. With Tau- Takam became Joshua’s 20th consecutive malolo leading the way Tonga knockout victim in a fourth defence of his IBF belt rushed on seven tries to lead and fi rst of his WBA title, but the challenger stub- 38-0 at half-time in Cairns. bornly resisted the champion after being cut by the It was more sedate after right eye in the fourth round. “It was a good fi ght the resumption with the Ton- until the ref stopped it. I have the upmost respect gans fumbling their way in a for Takam,” said Joshua, who injured his nose from 12-4 second half but they were a headbutt in the second round. “Imagine if it’s still far superior to the fourth- broke and I couldn’t breath and he started catching ranked Bravehearts. Next Sat- up in the middle rounds? It would have been a dis- urday’s showdown with Samoa aster, so I kept my cool. You have to control these in Hamilton will be critical in situations because, if I showed any signs of weak- determining how the fi nals lay- ness, the ref could have jumped in.” out looks for each team. “I re- Takam was also given a count in the fourth ally think Tonga are capable of round before being fi nished off by a barrage of getting there and on their day unanswered punches which prompted the referee they can cause an upset,” former Phil Edwards to stop it. Takam complained it was New South Wales State of Origin a premature stoppage, which was jeered by Josh- coach Laurie Daley said. ua’s fans, and the challenger was given warm ap- Mitchell Moses spearhead- plause afterwards. “I don’t think they should have ed Lebanon to their fi rst-ever stopped it,” said Takam. “I want the rematch if An- World Cup victory as they de- thony gives me it.” feated France 29-18 in Canberra. Takam, 36, had only accepted his fi rst world title The Parramatta Eels playmaker shot at less than two weeks’ notice and fought for was at the heart of Lebanon’s most of the fi ght with a gruesome cut which ob- attack as he scored a try, set up scured his vision. For Takam, it was a fourth career another two and landed a drop defeat after a points loss to Parker last year and goal. The victory puts Lebanon knockout loss to Russia’s Alexander Povetkin in in prime position to progress 2014. Takam, who boxed for Cameroon at the 2004 from Group A along with co- Olympics before relocating to Paris a year later, hosts Australia and England to was drafted in as a late replacement opponent at 12 Britain’s Anthony Joshua (right) lands a punch on Cameroon-born Carlos Takam during their world Heavyweight title fight in Cardiff on Saturday night. (AFP) the quarter-fi nals. days’ notice after Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev injured a Ireland pulled off the rstfi up- shoulder. Joshua made an especially cautious start, with two left hands that shook Takam, who was set of the tournament with the not landing any power punches in the opening inspected by the ringside doctor at the start of the JOSHUA PROMOTER WANTS FURY FIGHT Wolfhounds stunning Italy 36- round, as he took time to assess Takam, who fought ninth round. Takam was allowed to fi ght on but in 12 in Cairns. Having amassed out of a crouch and burst forward with punches. the tenth he was shook by a right to the head and as London: Anthony Joshua’s the most likely next opponents. guy who we’d love to see come just 14 points at the 2013 World Joshua landed a good left-right combination in Joshua unloaded more punches that landed fl ush, promoter Eddie Hearn said However, Hearn has not ruled into the sport. Whether that’ll Cup, the Irish matched that the second round, but did not have as much suc- referee Phil Edwards stopped the fi ght. yesterday he wants to see his out the prospect of a headline- happen or not is another issue." tally inside 20 minutes and then cess in the third. In the fourth, Takam suff ered On the undercard, Dillian Whyte unanimously fighter take on controversial grabbing bout with Fury, who Fury, whose licence was sus- kicked on in the second half af- a nasty cut by the right eye from a big right from out-pointed Finland’s Robert Helenius by scores former world heavyweight is still waiting for a final ruling pended by the British Boxing ter the Azzurri had threatened a Joshua which caused him problems instantly with of 119-109 twice and 118-110 to move into conten- champion Tyson Fury in an all- from UK Anti-Doping on a Board of Control (BBBofC) last comeback with tries either side his vision due to the blood. When the fi ght con- tion for a shot at the WBC world heavyweight ti- British showdown next year. suspended drugs ban after the October, has not fought since of the interval. tinued, Takam was caught by a left that sent him tle. Ireland’s Katie Taylor won a world title in her Joshua, 28, successfully hearing was adjourned in July. beating Wladimir Klitschko While NSW Origin fullback spinning and was given a count as his glove was seventh professional fi ght after unanimously out- defended his IBF and WBA “I think the Wilder fight is to win the IBF, WBA and WBO James Tedesco and Italy’s star- ruled to have touched down. Takam bravely fought pointing Anahi Sanchez for the vacant WBA light- heavyweight titles against Car- potentially one of the biggest titles in November 2015. Earlier studded forwards had their mo- back in the fi fth but Joshua teed off on him in the weight belt by three scores of 99-90. England’s los Takam in Cardiff on Saturday in world boxing and I think that this month, the 29-year-old ments, the Azzurri looked rud- sixth, landing heavy, unanswered blows. Kal Yafai also unanimously out-pointed Japan’s night and either WBO champion fight is realistically going to Fury said he would not reapply derless in attack for the majority Takam had some of his best moments of the fi ght Sho Ishida in a second defence of his WBA world Joseph Parker or WBC cham- happen in the summer of 2018,” to the BBBofC for the right to of the contest with their points in the seventh round as he repeatedly caught Josh- super-fl yweight title, winning by scores of 118- pion Deontay Wilder appear he said. “But Tyson Fury is a fight again. coming via an interception and a ua. Joshua tried to regain momentum in the eighth 110, 116-112 and 116-112. regathered bomb.

MOTO GP ROUND-UP Boks call up Gelant Dovizioso wins to extend title fi ght for Europe tour wAFP Sepang, Malaysia Ducati teammates Jorge Lorenzo AFP injury since the second of three (left) and Andrea Dovizioso in Johannesburg Test victories over France. action during the Malaysia MotoGP Flanker Jean-Luc du Preez in- ucati’s Andrea Dovizioso won a at the Sepang International Circuit jured his ankle in the Currie Cup dramatic and damp Malaysian in Sepang yesterday. (AFP) ncapped backs War- fi nal this weekend and an or- MotoGP grand prix yesterday to rick Gelant and Lukh- thopaedic specialist will deter- Dkeep his world title hopes afl oat anyo Am were in- mine whether he tours. Former after championship leader Marc Marquez cluded yesterday in a Springbok scrum-half Robert du of Spain fi nished fourth. “Yes, I am hap- 34-manU South Africa squad for Preez was hoping sons Daniel, py to keep my championship challenge a four-Test tour of Europe dur- Jean-Luc and Robert junior, the alive,” he said at the trackside. ing November and December. Western Province fl y-half, would The Italian adopted a cool strategy and The Springboks face Ireland in make the cut. worked hard to stay in the front pack as a Dublin on November 11, France downpour just before the start left stand- in Paris on November 18, Italy MCCALMAN IN WALLABIES ing water on much of the Sepang circuit. in Padova on November 25 and TOUR SQUAD, DEMPSEY, Dovizioso, who now has six wins this Wales in Cardiff on December 2. ARNOLD RULED OUT season, quickly defused speculation that Full-back Gelant and outside Experienced Ben McCalman was teammate Jorge Lorenzo had been under centre Am are among four se- a notable inclusion in a 32-man orders to let him through at turn 15 when lections yet to be capped — the Wallabies’ squad named yester- the Spaniard was in the lead. others being scrum-half Louis day for next month’s northern “He lost the front. I (also) lost the front Schreuder and number eight hemisphere tour following the many times,” the Italian said. Dovizioso Daniel du Preez. South Africa unavailability of fl anker Jack who started on the front row, crossed are short of “x-factor” backs and Dempsey. The Western Force the line in 44 minutes 51.497 seconds. Gelant has won rave reviews for No.8 reclaimed his place in the Lorenzo was 0.743 seconds slower while his ball-in-hand approach with Wallabies set-up despite playing Frenchman Johann Zarco was third at Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup. only twice this year because of a 45:01.236. Physically formidable Am was shoulder injury. Lorenzo said he pushed hard for victo- chosen for the start-of-season Coach Michael Cheika had ry but lost his grip in lap 15 when he tried Test series against France, but a to wait for a number of scans to break. Asked if there had been any team cult track in the dry and wet,” he said. motivated for the season-ending race in Ducati) 0.743, 3. Johann Zarco (FRA/Yamaha) cheekbone injury forced him to of injured players from Satur- instructions to let Dovizioso win, Loren- The Italian won in Malaysia last year Valencia.” 9.738, 4. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 17.763, withdraw. Sharks team-mates day’s match against the Barbar- zo told reporters: “Honestly, I did not see in similar wet conditions. But Dovizioso Marquez, who started from the third 5. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 29.144, 6. Danilo Schreuder and Daniel du Preez ians before confi rming his tour- anything. In the rain you cannot lose any admitted that Marquez would be com- row on a Honda, was under intense pres- Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 30.380, 7. Valentino made some Rugby Champion- ing squad for Tests next month concentration. I wanted to win the race petitive in Valencia, adding that it would sure to wrap up the championship battle Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 30.769, 8. Jack Miller ship squads without getting against Japan, Wales, England but was not prepared to do something not be a surprise if he wins the title there. in Malaysia. He quickly moved up to third (AUS/Honda) 35.238, 9. Maverick Vinales game time. and Scotland. crazy. I lost grip in the front in turn 15. I “What Marquez did this season is incred- in a fast-riding pack led by Zarco but (ESP/Yamaha) 38.053, 10. Pol Espargaro “This squad refl ects consist- The 49-Test McCalman thought I was going to crash. I did not ible,” he said. could not maintain his pace on the wet (SPA/KTM) 39.847 ency and continuity, while we grabbed his chance with his im- want to crash into Dovizioso.” Marquez, 24, can lose the champion- track. Dani Pedrosa, who started on pole, also rewarded players who have pressive 55-minute cameo in the It was the fi rst time this year that the ship if Dovizioso wins in Valencia and he fi nished fi fth for Honda ahead of Danilo Overall standings constantly shown good form Wallabies 31-28 win over the Ducati riders had achieved a 1-2 fi nish. himself fi nishes outside the top 11. Zarco Petrucci. Italian legend Valentino Rossi 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 282 points, 2. this season,” said coach Allister Barbarians, to ensure his place The 31-year-old Dovizioso, who has a rode a brilliant race and set an electric fi nished seventh on his Yamaha. The rid- Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 261, 3. Maver- Coetzee. Other players ruled out on the fl ight to Japan. Forwards slim mathematical chance of claiming pace to lead most of the way. He said he ers will meet in Valencia on November 12 ick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 226, 4. Valentino by injuries include skipper and Dempsey (hamstring), Jermaine the title at Valencia in two weeks, said the enjoyed riding fast at Sepang and was for the fi nal showdown, with Marquez Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 197, 5. Dani Pedrosa number eight Warren Whiteley, Ainsley (ankle) and Rory Arnold whole team worked perfectly. glad to secure a podium fi nish. leading Dovizioso by 21 points. (ESP/Honda) 185, 6. Johann Zarco (FRA/ winger Ruan Combrinck, prop (knee) were ruled out opening “We did everything perfect and it “It is okay Lorenzo and Dovizioso Yamaha) 154, 7. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Ducati) Frans Malherbe and fl anker Jaco the door for uncapped pair Matt wasn’t easy. So I am so happy about that, overtook me. They are much better rid- MOTO GP RESULTS 116, 8. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 121, 9. Kriel. Lock Eben Etzebeth con- Philip and Blake Enever follow- to show to everybody that with our work ers,” Zarco said. “I am happy with a third 1. Andrea Dovizioso(ITA/Ducati)44 minutes Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) 104, 10. Jonas tinues as captain with Whiteley ing their impressive form in the we can really be competitive in this diffi - position. We had a good day. I am highly 51.497 seconds, 2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA/ Folger (GER/Yamaha) 84. sidelined by a complicated groin National Rugby Championship. Gulf Times Monday, October 30, 2017 7 SPORT

QATAR MOUNTAIN BIKE LEAGUE BADMINTON Muller wins second leg of mountain bike league By Sports Reporter Team] – 44m01s India’s Srikanth Doha Age 23 to 34 – 3 Laps (15k) 1. Fawaz Alshammri [Qatar / Qatar Cyclist Team] – 36m22s avy Muller won the Open 2. Carlo Maniebo [Philippines / FIT-Q wins in Paris Category of the second leg Team] – 36m23s of the Qatar Mountain Bike 3. Mubarak Alajji [Qatar / Lusail Team] League at Al Khor on Friday – 36m40s fiD nishing ahead of the league leader Age 35 to 40 – 3 Laps (15k) Dave Nichols. 1. Allan Navarro [Philippines / Team The Carbon Wheels Racing rider SMCC APO Lakay] – 39m02s fi nished two minutes ahead of his 2. Dennis Dalupang [Philippines / Team teammate, with Kevin Hickey of Qatar El Padyakero] – 39m15s Chain Reaction in third. 3. Andrej Filip [Slovenia / Qatar Chain The Qatar Cycling & Triathlon Fed- Reaction] – 39m27s eration and United Filipino Mountain Age 41 & Above – 3 Laps (15k) Bikers Qatar organised the second leg 1. Alberto Soto Campos [Spain / TriClub of the league. Doha] – 36m52s In the under 23 years age catego- A newcomer in the league, Alberto and supported by Qatar Chain Reac- 2. Rogelio Jr. Fernandez [Philippines / ry, Ernie Daniel Francisco of team El Soto Campos from TriClub Doha topped tion and Qatar Cyclists. The third leg UFMBQ] – 37m24s Padyakero picked up a win. Francisco the 41 years and above age category, will be held in Duhail on December 8. 3. Jovedell Gonzales [Philippines / topped the race with a fi nal time of with Rogelio ‘Ibrahim’ Fernandez cross- Team El Padyakero] – 37m25s 00:39:18, fi nishing 4 minutes ahead of ing the fi nish line 32 seconds behind for RACE RESULT Ladies Category – 3 Laps (15k) Junior Qatar National Team duo Mo- his second place. Jovedell Gonzales of Open – 6 Laps (30k) 1. Tessa du Toit [South Africa / Solo] – hamed Abougabarah and Zaid Hamza. team El Padyakero was third. 1. Davy Muller [Belgium / Carbon 45m20s Qatari national Fawaz Alshammri of South African Tessa do Toit, won the Wheels Racing] – 1h7m0s 2. Maricar Estacio [Philippines / Team Qatar Cyclists won the 23-to-34 years ladies category, followed by Maricar 2. Dave Nichols [UK / Carbon Wheels Rasen Sports] – 1h05m15s category, edging out Carlo Maniebo of Estacio of Team Rasen Sports, who is Racing] – 1h9m19s 3. Jennifer Kaaoush [USA / Solo] – FIT-Q, with another Qatari national now the league leader for the category, 3. Kevin Hickey [UK / Carbon Wheels 1h09m16s Mubarak Allaji of Lusail Team in third. and Jennifer Kaouush. Racing] – 1h11m31s Beginners Category – 1 Lap (5k) For the 35-to-40 years category, Al- The Beginners category saw an Under 23 – 3 Laps (15k) 1. Hugo Hernandez Moya [Spain / lan Navarro of team SMCC APO lakay astonishing result with nine-year- 1. Ernie Daniel Francisco [Philippines / TriClub Doha] – 13m55s India’s Kidambi Srikanth poses with his trophies on the podium after winning the raced to back-to-back victories, with old Hugo Hernandez Moya of Spain, El Padyakero] – 39m18s 2. Fidel Palopalo [Philippines / Team El French Open Superseries badminton tournament in Paris yesterday. (AFP) Dennis Dalupang of Team El Padyake- dominating riders who are decades 2. Mohamed Abougabarah [Qatar Jr. Padyakero] – 14m11s ro in second place, while Qatar Cycling older than him. National Team] – 44m00s 3. Rico Luna [Philippines / Team IANS the women’s doubles title. Federation’s Andrej Filip fi nished 3rd. Race is sponsored by Rayyan Water, 3. Zaid Hamza [Qatar Jr. National BPMQ] – 14m16s Paris The Indonesians took 55 minutes to outclass the South Korean pair 21-17, 21-15. TENNIS / SWISS INDOORS tar Indian shuttler Kidambi In the fi rst game, the Indonesian Srikanth defeated Japan’s Kenta took a 3-0 lead in the early stages be- Nishimoto in straight games to fore the South Koreans fought back to win the men’s singles title at draw level at 7-7. theS French Open Superseries here yes- However, the Indonesians won three terday. consecutive points to regain the ad- Srikanth dominated from the start to vantage. They did not look back from carve out a 21-14, 21-13 win in 34 min- there, beating back a spirited fi ght from utes. the Koreans to take the fi rst game. Federer claims Sunday’s win helped the eighth The early stages of the second game seeded Indian to improve his head-to- saw a see-saw battle before the Indo- head statistics against the unseeded nesians took four consecutive points to Japanese to 2-0. gain the upper hand. Srikanth is the fi rst male shuttler The Koreans however, continued to from India to qualify for the French put up a spirited fi ght winning fi ve back Open fi nal. Sunday’s victory also made to back points to level the score at 13-13. him the fourth male player in the his- But it did not prove to be enough as eighth Basel title tory of the game to win four Superser- Polli and Rahayu claimed six consecu- ies singles titles in a calendar year. tive points to close out the game and Srikanth struggled in the early stag- the match. ‘Congratulations to Juan Martin. You’ve had a great run since the US Open’ es of the fi rst game with the Japanese The mixed doubles title went to the taking a 9-5 lead. The Indian made a Indonesian pair of Tontowi Ahmad and AFP next week, depending on his fi tness. strong comeback to force the lead at Liliyana Natsir who defeated China’s Basel, Switzerland The pair traded breaks in the open- 11-9. Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen 22-20, ing two games, with an epic fi rst set The Indian did not look back from 21-15 in 45 minutes. fi nally fi nding its way to a tie-break. there, going on to win the opening The Chinese pair took a 9-3 lead in ome favourite Roger Feder- Federer took a 3-0 lead but had no game. the fi rst game, before the Indonesians er claimed his eighth Swiss answer as del Potro won six straight Srikanth dominated the second clinched four consecutive points to Indoors title yesterday with points. game right from the start, opening up draw level. a 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3 fi nal de- The top seed saved two set points a 10-5 lead. With the momentum fi rmly behind Hfeat of Juan Martin del Potro. but went down on the third. He held on to the advantage to win them, the Indonesian pair survived a The 36-year-old fought back from a The world number two battled hard the game easily. see-saw battle to take the fi rst game. set down to win the 95th ATP title of in the second set, breaking in the fi nal Earlier, the Indonesian pair of Grey- The early stages of the second game his career, taking him clear above Ivan game to level the match as del Potro sia Polli and Apriyani Rahayu defeated saw a neck and neck fi ght before the Lendl into second on the all-time list returned long. South Korea’s Lee So Hee and Shin Se- Indonesians claimed six consecutive behind Jimmy Connors’ mark of 109. Federer broke for 3-1 in the decider ung Chan in straight games to clinch points to clinch the issue. It was Federer’s fi rst success against and fi ve games later put a forehand the Argentine in a Basel fi nal, after the winner into the corner to bring up South American beat him in both 2012 three match points. SPOTLIGHT and 2013. Del Potro saved the fi rst but returned Federer’s victory boosts his hopes long as Federer wrapped up victory after of taking the world number one spot two and a half hours of play. from Rafael Nadal, with the regular “Roger was there playing high-level Pouille eases past season ending next week at the Paris week like you have, it’s going to be dif- Federer lost only two sets during the tennis for two and a half hours,” said Masters, followed by the year-ending fi cult for me in the future to do that.” week as he improved his head-to-head del Potro. “He was better in key mo- ATP Finals in London. Del Potro will be playing for a fourth record to 17-6 over del Potro, with a ments and he won. Tsonga for Vienna win The 19-time Grand Slam champion successive week in Paris after coming third win in four matches against the “He returned well and broke me has now won a Tour-leading seven titles back earlier in the season from wrist former US Open champion in 2017. playing good tennis. I have little things Reuters event will be decided in the Paris Mas- this season after beating Nadal in the problems, as he looks to snatch a late “It’s unbelievable how well Roger is to improve and I can learn from this Vienna ters, the fi nal tournament of the regular Shanghai Masters fi nal a fortnight ago. place for the eight-man event in Lon- playing,” said del Potro. “I hope to be match. season, which starts on Monday. “Congratulations to Juan Martin,” don. in such shape when I’m his age. But I “Physically I was 100% today, I was Pouille, who has won titles in Buda- Federer said. “You’ve had a great run The 29-year-old reached the doubt I will be.” close to winning, my body did not af- ucas Pouille halted Jo-Wilfried pest and Stuttgart this year, stretched the since the US Open (when he beat Fe- Shanghai semi-fi nals and won in Federer now stands 49-4 overall fect me in the fi nal. I was running for Tsonga’s charge in the Vienna world number 15 right from the start with derer in the quarter-fi nals) and before. Stockholm earlier this month before this season. He will make a late deci- all three sets and I fought until the last Open yesterday, scoring a com- a barrage of aggressive baseline shots. “I wish that I was able to play every his run in Basel. sion whether to play the Paris Masters point.” fortable straight-sets victory After saving two break points, Tson- Lover his French compatriot to claim his ga’s only double fault of the match third title of the season. helped Pouille to take a 3-1 lead and the GOLF / WGC-HSBC CHAMPIONS World number 25 Pouille, who won 23-year-old tightened his grip on the 6-1 6-4, converted three out of seven contest to cruise to a one-set lead. break points and saved two on his serve A decisive break in the fi fth game of to prevail in an hour and 11 minutes at the second set gave Pouille, who fi red 17 the Wiener Stadthalle and dent Tson- winners in the match, the advantage at Rose wins thriller as Johnson implodes ga’s chances of qualifying for the ATP 3-2 and he did not look back. Finals in London next month. Pouille sealed the win after Tsonga’s AFP ies at 11, 13 and 14 to join Koepka and Tsonga is now 295 points behind backhand hit the net on match point Shanghai Stenson in hunting down Johnson. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta who holds and he became the fi rst player to win an Reigning US Open champion Koep- the fi nal qualifying spot. The two re- ATP title on grass, clay and hard court ka whittled Johnson’s once-healthy maining places for the season-ending this year. orld number one Dustin lead down to a wafer-thin one shot Johnson (centre) im- with a birdie at the par-fi ve 14th. ploded and Justin Rose Another birdie chance went begging stormed back from eight for Johnson at the 15th, but at least he Kerr captures 20th Armour opens up Wshots behind overnight to win the was able to smile about it. $9.75mn WGC-HSBC Champions But not for long as Rose made a sev- LPGA golf title with fi ve-stroke lead in by two strokes in a thrilling fi nale in enth birdie at the 16th to draw level in one-stroke victory Mississippi Shanghai yesterday. the lead. The Englishman Rose, who started Johnson’s horror day unravelled Cristie Kerr captured a 20th career the concluding day joint fourth, fi red further when he found the bunker LPGA title at the Sime Darby LPGA Ryan Armour fired a five-under-par a 67 to fi nish 14-under-par 274 and with his tee shot at the par-four 16th. Malaysia yesterday after a sensa- 67 to surge five strokes clear of the somehow emerge victorious from a nail- His pursuers sensed blood when he tional 35-foot birdie putt on the 18th field after the third round at the biting four-way fi ght that also included carded bogey and Rose and Stenson hole earned her a one-stroke victory Sanderson Farms Championships Henrik Stenson and Brooks Koepka. catapulted over him into the joint lead over Feng Shanshan, Danielle Kang in Mississippi on Saturday. Armour, A demoralised Johnson fi nished tied with two holes to play. and Jacqui Concolino. A slight rain who has never won on the PGA Tour, second with Stenson and Koepka. Rose made another birdie at the 17th delay at TPC Kuala Lumpur only had eight birdies in the round but “It’s been a long time since I’ve cooler temperatures, Johnson started putts. It was pretty simple.” and made his way to the fi nal hole one intensified the action afterwards and three consecutive bogies from the won, or at least it feels like that,” said with two bogeys to immediately give shot ahead of Stenson, with Johnson play was heading into a four-way fifth hole cost him a sparkling score Rose, 37, whose stunning fi ve under in the chasing pack hope on the par-72 ‘BEST TILL LAST’ having tumbled to third and Koepka playoff until the seasoned American as he ended the day at 15-under the back nine propelled him to victory. course. There was a moment of levity when a fourth. rolled in the massive putt. Kerr broke 201. Chesson Hadley is in second Rose has won every year since 2010, Johnson, who triumphed at the black swan invaded the course. But the Rose signed off with par at the 18th into a huge grin and pointed to the place on 10-under after a 68 with a including at the Olympics last year. Sheshan Golf Club in 2013, failed to heat was really on Johnson when he and then faced an anxious wait for the sky immediately after securing the logjam of five another stroke back at “This is my only win in 2017. Left it get his putter going all day and was carded another bogey at the par-three other three to fi nish. landmark achievement for a prize The Country Club of Jackson. Scott late this year, but it feels amazing.” meticulously pegged back by a com- 12th and Stenson made birdie. “It’s unbelievable. Obviously we all purse of $270,000. “That’s probably Strohmeyer (68), Beau Hossler (69) Johnson was chasing a sixth pres- bination of Rose, Stenson and Koepka. Johnson’s good friend Koepka and know the position DJ (Johnson) was in the longest putt I’ve ever made to Vaughn Taylor (71) Canadian Ben tigious World Golf Championship The 33-year-old, who hit a 77, said last year’s runner-up Stenson were and I think today was the kind of day win a golf tournament. I was so de- Silverman (69) and Ireland’s Seamus (WGC) title and looked to have put the wind made for tough conditions now a scarcely believable two shots that the leader probably didn’t want,” termined all day,” she said. “Things Power (71) are all on nine-under himself out of sight on Saturday but he did not use that as an excuse. behind. said Rose. were just not going my way. When 207. “It’s been going good,” Armour evening with a handsome six-shot “I didn’t make any putts. I felt like I With the skies becoming gloomier, “It was really tricky out there and I hit good shots, I’d get in some bad told reporters. Armour remained lead on fellow American Koepka, who rolled it good, just nothing was going Johnson was crawling to the fi nish obviously I played one of the best back spots. You know, that’s just the way accurate despite the wind and cooler was second overnight. in the hole,” he said. line. nines I’ve played in forever. it goes sometimes in golf, but I stuck conditions, hitting 12 of 14 fairways But on another blustery day, this “I felt fi ne all day, I just could never The Rio Olympic champion Rose, “To shoot 31 on the back to come it out.” and 13 of 18 greens in regulation. time accompanied by smog and get anything going and didn’t hole any playing in the group ahead, sank bird- through — saved my best till last.”

Monday, October 30, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR CLASSIC SQUASH Elias claims fi rst upset, sends Willstrop packing on day one Top seed and world number one Gregory Gaultier makes a winning start to Qatar Classic on his comeback

Indian qualifier Saurav Ghosal (left) beat England’s Daryl Selby 11-4, 11-8, 11-2 yesterday.

Gaultier could face two-time cham- pion Mohamed El Shorbagy, who also won his fi rst round match easily against English qualifi er Chris Simpson 3-0, in the semi-fi nals. England’s James Willstrop (foreground) plays a shot during their first round Qatar Classic match against Peru’s Diego Elias at “I like playing here. I come back Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma year-after-year and would love to get my name on the trophy again. This is By Yash Mudgal reversed the position on the court, sent fi ghting against Egypt’s Fares Des- where I won my fi rst ever World Series Doha Willstrop on a run and closed the gap souky. Dessouky beat the wild card en- title back in 2013 and I feel this year the (8-8 and 9-9) and won the game on his trant 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 in 111 minutes. event has raised the bar and I’m look- second chance. Both the players struck In the other upset of the day, Hong ing forward to hopefully having a good iego Elias has been on a roll off six winners each, but Willstrop also had Kong’s qualifi er Leo Au rallied to stun week,” El Shorbagy said. late. fi ve unforced errors. world No 16 from Australia, Ryan US Open champion and current The 20-year-old Peru- In the second, Willstrop seemed Cuskelly 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4. leader in the World Series standings, vian had defeated three-time very much in the game again, but a lit- For Cuskelly, it was a return to the Egypt’s Ali Farag, also marched into worldD champion Nick Matthew to reach tle drop in energy allowed the Peruvian venue that saw him achieve a long the second round defeating compatriot the NetSuite Open semi-fi nals before to take a healthy lead at 7-4 and later at awaited breakthrough into the top 20 Karim Ali Fathi 11-7, 11-5, 11-1. losing out to current World Champion 11-5. Willstrop came back blasting all in 2015, but it proved to be an unhappy Qualifi er Saurav Ghosal from India Karim Abdel Gawad in a hard fought guns, fi nding some amazing long drop hunting ground this time around as he also won his fi rst round match against fi ve-game battle. shots. However, Elias’ backhand length fell fl at against an inspired Au, who put England’s Daryl Selby 11-4, 11-8, 11-2. Elias seems to have carried that form was perfect and his court coverage was in a performance of note and one that to the Qatar Classic, being played at the stunning in the latter part of the game. could lay the foundation for his own RESULTS Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex “It’s always hard to play against such long awaited surge into the top 20. FIRST ROUND here, as he created the fi rst upset on the a big star I just tried to apply as much The opening game saw the two probing (1) Gregory Gaultier (Fra) bt Cesar opening day of the World Series event pressure as I could throughout the and testing, opening up all four corners of Salazar (Mex) 11-6, 11-2, 11-9 yesterday. Elias sent former champion match and maintained my concentra- the court through a series of patient ral- Qatar’s Abdulla al-Tamimi (left) in action against Egypt’s Fares Dessouky yesterday. Zahed Mohamed (Egy) bt Gregoire James Willstrop crashing out (3-0) 12- tion. The fi rst game was very crucial, I lies before Cuskelly took the initiative Marche (Fra) 11-6, 5-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-2 10, 11-5, 11-8 in 46 minutes. think, I was down 8-3, I was just run- and opened up a one game lead before Au think I had any pressure and I played NetSuite Open and US Open. (Q) Saurav Ghosal (Ind) bt Daryl The pulsating opening round clash ning too much for no reason… So just matched him in the second. well and that third game was key.” “It’s been tough recently with the Selby (Eng) 11-4, 11-8, 11-2 was expected to go the distance, but the tried and volleyed as much as I could,” The Australian looked certain to The tournament top-seed and world ankle injury so I came here happy to be Diego Elias (Per) bt (7)James Will- two-time world junior champion gave Elias said. restore his lead on the scoreboard in No.1 Gregory Gaultier defeated Mexi- back on court,” said Gaultier. strop (Eng) 12-10, 11-5, 11-8 no chance to the veteran Englishman “I am confi dent of my game as I the third only to see Au rally from 4-8 co’s Cesar Salazar 3-0 (11-6, 11-2, 11-9) “I haven’t played on a glass court [5] Ali Farag (Egy) [Q] Karim Ali after a close fi rst game. He easily won managed to beat six top 10 players this to snatch the game. It was a run that later in the evening yesterday. for long; it felt a bit weird to start, and Fathi (Egy) bt 11-7, 11-5, 11-1 the next two games with some fast and season. I feel good and today, I think I dented Cuskelly’s confi dence and in the The Frenchman, who is making his Cesar has been playing well and had (Q) Leo Au (Hkg) bt Ryan Cuskelly accurate squash. played well. I hope this would be a good fourth game it was one-way traffi c for comeback, took only 37 minutes to win some good wins recently. I’m pleased (Australia) 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 In the fi rst game, a huge rally at 3-2 tournament for me,” he said. Au as he out-hustled Cuskelly. his fi rst round match. This is his fi rst to come through. I just tried to fi nd my Fares Dessouky (Egy) bt [wc] Ab- gave Willstrop a four-point lead (7-3) Qatar’s Abdulla Mohamed al-Tami- “I had no expectations today,” said appearance of the 2017-18 season, after mark and not do anything too crazy. I dulla al-Tamimi (Qat) 11-7, 118, 11-5 and it looked like that the game had mi, hoping for a fl ying start to his cam- Au. “Ryan is a good player, he’s very suff ering with an ankle injury that saw need these kind of matches to help me (3) Mohamed Elshorbagy (Egy) bt been decided. But out of the blue, Elias paign before home crowd, went down solid and consistent. Today I don’t him forced to withdraw from both the get back to fi tness.” [Q] Chris Simpson (Eng) 11-7, 11-9, 11-5

TENNIS Wozniacki stands fi rm to claim WTA Finals title

Reuters The fi rst three games were dominat- venting Williams from grabbing any Singapore ed by the server until the Dane began to sort of foothold in the contest, the fl y- fi nd the corners of the court with her ing Dane raced into a 5-0 lead in 11 sec- powerful backhand, fashioning the fi rst ond-set minutes. aroline Wozniacki’s cruise to break of the match with back-to-back Needing to hold serve just to stay in the biggest win of her career winners off both anks.fl the contest, Williams found her rhythm turned into a desperate strug- Williams was trying to get to the net to prevent a dreaded ‘bagel’ and then gle before the Dane fi nally at every opportunity and came forward secured her fi rst break of the second set Csubdued Venus Williams 6-4 6-4 in to good eff ect in the next game, with a with some solid play against an oppo- the WTA Finals title showdown at an vicious cross-court backhand enabling nent who was showing the fi rst signs of enthralled Singapore Indoor Stadium her to break back immediately on her getting tight. yesterday. way to levelling the score at 3-3. Williams, meanwhile, now appeared The 27-year-old former world The American continued to be the relaxed and free, holding easily to heap number one entered the contest hav- aggressor but the Dane held on in the more pressure on the Dane before ing lost to the evergreen Williams seven face of some brutal hitting and some- stretching every muscle and sinew in times in as many matches but the re- how forged her second break of the her body to break once more in a thrill- silient Dane served and retrieved bril- set with some exquisite deep ground- ing ninth game to make it 5-4. liantly to emerge with a deserved vic- strokes to move within a game of taking The crowd wanted more but Wozni- tory after 88 minutes. the opener. acki was not prepared to comply with Wozniacki was fl awless for an hour their demands, breaking again to seal as she raced to a set and 5-0 lead but GIFTED SET victory on her second match point with Williams is renowned for an insatiable The American came roaring back once a backhand winner down the line and desire to win and the 37-year-old reeled more, however, leaving the Dane look- tossing her racket in the air as she cel- off four games in a row before her in- ing on as a helpless spectator at a bar- ebrated a stunning win. creasingly anxious opponent fi nally rage of winners that put the high-class “Yeah, you know, she played re- closed out the match. contest back on serve. ally well the whole match. You know, I “I felt like it was a little bit of an up- After working so hard to stay in played well parts of the match and tried hill battle, to be honest. I knew she was touch, Williams would have been deep- my best,” Williams, who won the event stepping it up, she had nothing to lose ly frustrated to gift her opponent the in 2008, said. at that point, and she really went for it. set when the Dane was handed the third Wozniacki’s triumph was her sec- Things were going in for her,” Wozni- break in a row as the wayward Ameri- ond of the season in eight finals af- Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark acki told reporters. can sent a string of forehands wide, ter she successfully defended her celebrates after beating Venus Williams “I just had to keep reminding myself long and into the net. Pan Pacific Open title in Tokyo last of the US to win the WTA Finals title in that I’m still up and I’m the one who is Wozniacki had seized the momen- month. The Dane will rise three plac- Singapore yesterday. (AFP) leading here, and I’m the one who can tum and with her variation, depth of es to world number three in today’s close out this match right now.” shot and complete lack of errors pre- rankings.