SPORT

Sunday 27 August 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Lin Dan one step Brathwaite and Cavani shines away from seventh Hope defy Englandand as PSG win world final in second Test again Füchse Berlin, Barcelona set up blockbuster final

The Peninsula

efending champions Füchse Berlin kept their title hopes alive after foiling a gutsy display by hosts Al DSadd (30-23) in yesterday’s semi- final of the 2017 IHF Super Globe Championship at the Duhail Sports Complex in Doha. The boys from Berlin will now meet the Spanish giants FC Barcelona Lassa who made it to the final after a close 32-29 win against HC Vardar Skopje of Macedonia. Füchse Berlin were immedi- ately the dominant side against Al Sadd, taking a 3-0 advantage before the hosts found the goal for the first time. The strong start Action from the 2017 IHF Super Globe Championship was a sign of the match to follow, semi-final between Al Sadd and Füchse Berlin at which ended with Berlin secur- Duhail Sports Complex yesterday. The defending ing their third consecutive Super champions, Fuchse Berlin won 30-23. LEFT: Al Sadd’s Globe final ticket in a row. Berlin keeper Silvio Heine- Amine Guehis prepares to score against Germany’s vetter made it clear he would not Füchse Berlin in yesterday’s semi-final. be easy to beat with several impressive saves in the opening the last five minutes of the half, Sadd would need something in the opening eight minutes, while they pulled ahead to lead It took just over 10 minutes in minutes, but the Qatari team soon before two suspensions – for Hadi miraculous to overturn the before FC Barcelona pulled 9-3. Vardar coach Gonzalez the second half for Vardar to close began to look more threatening. Hazem Hamdoon and Mario momentum. ahead by two with a perfect out- changed his line-up, with Strahi- the gap to one, and from there it As the first quarter came to a Tomic – put Al Sadd at a numer- Al Sadd could not find the side shot from right back Dika nja Milic replacing Sterbik, and was a close contest. As the clock close, Al Sadd decreased the gap ical deficit. Berlin used the last change they needed. The Euro- Mem. At the 10-minute mark the his team’s next goal came soon passed the 50-minute mark the to one goal, before levelling in the minutes before the break to pull pean team continued to control distance remained at two in after courtesy of Igor Karacic. score stood level at 25-25 – but 17th at 7-7. ahead, and held a 16-13 lead the match through to the 60th favour of the record Champions Slowly Vardar reduced the as the last few minutes of the After his excellent perform- when the whistle sounded. minute, when they celebrated a League champions (4-2), and deficit, helped by a two-minute match began Barcelona regained ance early in the game, The hosts spent the second seven-goal victory and their third they increased the gap further suspension for Barcelona line the upper hand with Mem’s sixth Heinevetter started to have trou- half chasing the deficit, and were consecutive Super Globe final. off a goal from Raul Entrerrios player Alexis Borges late in the goal, which took them back to a ble stopping the Qatari side’s not helped by a penalty save from Earlier, the first semi-final in the 12th that triggered Vardar half. When Barcelona returned to two-goal advantage shots, while his team faced diffi- Berlin keeper Petr Stochl in the saw a slow start from the Euro- coach Raul Gonzalez to call a full strength the Champions Vardar could not recover culty against the strong 6-0 39th when the European team led pean title holders Barcelona that time-out. League champions had come from that score line so late in the defence at the other end. Follow- 20-16. Just inside the last 15 min- left them with a significant defi- The Spanish team allowed the within three goals at 11-14, where game, and the 2013 and 2014 ing the equaliser Al Sadd stayed utes Berlin remained clearly in cit to come back from. Champions League champions the score line stayed as the half- Super Globe champions were the with their opponents through to front at 23-18, and it appeared Al Only two goals were scored only one goal within 10 minutes, time buzzer sounded. team to celebrate at the buzzer. Messi makes amends for missed penalty in Subs help United keep perfect run London English Premier left by Bournemouth left-back AFP Charlie Daniels that crashed in Barcelona’s 2-0 win League - Results off the crossbar. ubstitutes Marcus Rashford Bournemouth 1 - 2 Man City David Silva teed up Gabriel Madrid too close to Barca ‘keeper and Marouane Fellaini Crystal Palace 0 - 2 Swansea Jesus to equalise eight minutes AFP Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Sscored as Manchester Huddersfield 0 - 0 Southampton later and after both sides had hit he bore down on goal. United continued their 100 per- Newcastle 3 - 0 West Ham the post, Sterling struck the ionel Messi scored Pique was involved at cent start to the Premier League Watford 0 - 0 Brighton winner. twice and saw a pen- the other end as Barca season by beating Leicester City Manchester United 2- 0 Leicester The five minutes of stoppage Lalty saved as were awarded a penalty 2-0 yesterday. time indicated by the fourth offi- Barcelona maintained their moments later when he Leicester threatened to frus- aside Lukaku’s 53rd-minute cial had already elapsed when perfect start to the season was hauled to the ground trate United when Kasper penalty after Danny Simpson Danilo crossed from the right in with a 2-0 win by Rodrigo Ely at a Messi Schmeichel saved a penalty by had been penalised for and Sterling beat Asmir Begovic at Alaves yesterday. free-kick. Romelu Lukaku early in the sec- handball. via a sizeable deflection off Without new signing Messi’s record from the ond half, but the hosts’ pressure United manager Jose Mour- Andrew Surman. Ousmane Dembele or the spot had improved greatly told in the last 20 minutes. inho turned to Rashford and Accompanied by his team- injured Luis Suarez, Messi since he briefly quit inter- Huddersfield Town’s 0-0 three minutes after coming on mates, Sterling tore off in ensured Barca didn’t lose national football after draw with Southampton meant the 19-year-old broke the dead- celebration and threw himself any early ground in the title blasting a spot-kick over as United went two points clear at lock in the 70th minute, into the arms of the City fans at race despite a tumultuous Argentina lost the Copa the summit, although West Bro- volleying in Henrikh Mkhitary- the front of the away section, start to the campaign off America Centenario final to mwich Albion will join them on an’s corner. only to then be dismissed by the field. Chile little over a year ago. nine points if they beat Stoke Fellaini added a second goal Dean. The five-time World However, Pacheco City today. eight minutes from time by After the game, a Bourne- Player of the Year missed sprung to his right impres- Earlier, Raheem Sterling nudging in a cross from fellow mouth steward complained to from the penalty spot for sively to turn Messi’s effort scored a dramatic 97th-minute substitute Jesse Lingard. police that he had been struck the 20th time in his career round the post. winner to earn Manchester City Manchester City manager by Sergio Aguero, who had come as pro- Visibly annoyed at him- a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola was left scratch- on as a substitute, during the duced a stunning save self, Messi responded with but was then sent off after ing his head after Sterling’s celebrations. midway through the first the opening goal 11 minutes receiving a second yellow card dismissal at Bournemouth. City were reportedly confi- half. after the break as his pow- for over-celebrating. Sterling celebrated his dent Aguero had no case to However, Messi wasn’t erful low drive struck In keeping with their open- deflected winning goal by answer. to be denied as his helpless Alaves defender ing 4-0 wins over West Ham throwing himself into the jubi- Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle deflected effort opened the Alexis to fly past Pacheco. United and Swansea City, United lantly celebrating away end and United got off the mark at the scoring shortly after half- Alexis was also at fault dominated the first half against was given his marching orders third attempt after goals from time before a when Barca doubled their Leicester at Old Trafford, with by referee Mike Dean. new signing , Ciaran Clark sweetly-struck volley advantage 11 minutes later Juan Mata seeing a goal ruled out Guardiola’s side fell behind and Aleksandar Mitrovic secured all three points. as his poor clearance was Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford for a narrow offside. in the 13th minute at the Vitality secured a 3-0 home win over Sobrino burst past the headed by substitute Paco celebrates after scoring against Schmeichel, son of United Stadium courtesy of a sensa- West Ham, who remain with- leaden-footed Gerard Alcacer into Messi’s path to Leicester City during their English goalkeeping great Peter, pushed tional strike from wide on the out a point. Pique on the half-hour smash home on his Premier League match yesterday. mark, but placed his shot favoured left foot. SPORT 27 AUGUST 2017 SUNDAY 21 Hamilton takes 68th pole to equal Schumacher’s record

S pa-Francorchamps, Belgium Belgian GP grid AFP 1ST ROW: Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes), Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc ewis Hamilton roared to a Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) Marquez rides during the second qualifying record-equalling 68th 2ND ROW: Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes), round at the British Grand Prix weekend at career pole position yester- Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, southern day, matching Michael 3RD ROW: Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull), England yesterday. Schumacher’s record in Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) Lqualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. 4TH ROW: Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault), The 32-year-old three-time Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) Marquez takes world champion will start Sunday’s race, the 200th of his career, from 5TH ROW: Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India), his sixth pole this year with Germa- Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) fourth pole in a ny’s championship leader Sebastian 6TH ROW: Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren), Vettel of Ferrari alongside him in Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) second. 7TH ROW: Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas), row at Silverstone Hamilton’s lap in 1min 42.553sec Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) was the all-time record fastest at the 8TH ROW: Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams), Silverstone spectacular Spa-Francorchamps cir- Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) Reuters cuit in the forests of the Belgian 9TH ROW: Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber), Ardennes, 0.242 seconds quicker onda’s MotoGP champion Marc Marquez Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) than Vettel. took his fourth pole position in a row in pole position following the qualifying session at the Spa-Francorchamps 10TH ROW: Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso), The 68th pole position for the qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Sil- Circuit ahead of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix yesterday. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) H Mercedes driver drew him level in verstone yesterday, with Yamaha rival Valentino the record books with seven-time Rossi alongside on the front row. champion Schumacher whose con- to be beaten and they want to say a I still do today. I am honoured to be with nine races remaining this Britain’s Cal Crutchlow, who was on pole last gratulations were conveyed to him special thanks.” there with him now on the pole posi- year. year and finished second, took the final front-row immediately afterwards by former Hamilton, who appeared to be tions, but he will still be one of the Hamilton’s Mercedes team- slot on the non-works LCR Honda. Ferrari and Mercedes technical visibly moved with emotion, said: greatest of all time.” mate Valtteri Bottas of qualified third Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales, the 2016 race win- director Ross Brawn. “First, a big shout to the fans here - Schumacher suffered severe ahead of Finnish compatriot Kimi ner on a Suzuki, starts fourth. Briton Brawn, who guided Schu- I can’t believe it. A big thank you to head injuries in a skiing accident at Raikkonen in the second Ferrari, Marquez leads Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso, macher to all seven of his titles with my team. the end of 2013 and has been in pro- Dutchman Max Vestappen and his who qualified sixth for Ducati, by 16 points in the Benetton (two) and Ferrari (five), “Ross was a big part of that. This longed private recuperation at his Red Bull team-mate Australian Dan- overall standings with Rossi fourth and 33 points hugged Hamilton on the track and is one of my favourite circuits so to family home in Switzerland since iel Ricciardo. behind the Spaniard. said he had a special message. put a lap together like that is like a then. German Nico Hulkenberg was Rossi’s time was a mere 0.084 slower than Mar- “I am here to deliver a special dream. Vettel, who Ferrari said Satur- seventh for Renault ahead of Mexi- quez, whose lap of one minute 59.941 seconds was a message from the Schumacher fam- “To hear that message which day has signed a three-year contract can Sergio Perez and his Force India record by a MotoGP rider at the circuit. ily who want to congratulate you on Ross just gave... a big thank you. extension, secured his front-row spot team-mate Frenchman Esteban Today’s race starts at 1430GMT, avoiding a equalling Michael’s record,” said “I pray for Michael and his fam- with a late and dramatic lap for Ocon and Briton Jolyon Palmer, who clash with the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix Brawn. ily all the time. Ferrari. was 10th for Renault after an engine at Spa-Francorchamps which gets under way at “He always said records are there “I have always admired him and He leads Hamilton by 14 points failure. 1200GMT. New Zealand beat Australia Lin Dan one step away 35-29 in Bledisloe Cup thriller from seventh world final

Dunedin the All Blacks were immedi- Glasgow “Men’s singles is very singles, Japan’s Nozomi AFP ately on attack and running AFP tough these days, it is a Okuhara had to fight back at the Wallabies line with a very hard route to the final. from one game down to eauden Barrett was two-man overlap when in Dan stayed on “I always feel nervous make it to the final day, New Zealand’s hero Israel Folau claimed a vital course for a record before big matches, but I defeating India’s Saina Bwith a converted try intercept and raced 80 Lsixth men’s singles am very happy that I have Nehwal 12-21, 21-17, less than two minutes from metres to score. title at the badminton had great support here. 21-10. full-time as the All Blacks Ten minutes later world championships with “I watched Viktor’s On Friday, the seventh beat the Wallabies 35-29 in Michael Hooper broke from a stunning semi-final vic- semi-final and he’s play- seed had knocked out the a cliff-hanger Test in Dune- a lineout against a non-exist- tory over top seed Son ing very well. Tomorrow reigning and Olympic din yesterday. ent defence and with Foley Wan-Ho in Glasgow is the last match and I will Champion, Carolina Marin. In a frantic five minutes adding the conversion the yesterday. be giving 1000 percent.” “I am very happy to the lead changed three times Wallabies were up 12-0. Lin, who last won the In his semi-final, have beaten another great before Barrett sealed the Play had hardly settled title in 2013, defeated Son Axelsen gained revenge opponent,” said deal and broke the hearts of down when the Wallabies 21-17, 21-14 to reach his over Chinese defending Okuhara. the Australian side that had crossed for the third time seventh world final. champion Chen Long. “When I was struggling been widely written off after Will Genia salvaged the In the gold-medal The last Danish win- in the first game I thought before the game. ball from a scrum heading decider the Chinese star ner was Peter Rasmussen back to last night’s match There were five tries backwards and sent Foley will face Denmark’s Viktor 20 years ago, with his title against Marin and that got apiece with the telling dif- away for the try. Axelsen. also coming in Glasgow. me playing much better. ference being Barrett It was not until the end Lin, 33, may have The only other Dane to Indonesia’s Moham- successfully converting all of the first quarter before the reached the latter stages of win the title was Flemming mad Ahsan and Rian five for the All Blacks while All Blacks registered their his career, but he out- Delfs at the inaugural 1977 Agung Saputro continued Bernard Foley landed only first points to Rieko Ioane smarted the 29-year-old championships. their giant killing act to two for Australia. and Aaron Smith narrowed world number one from Axelsen, the third seed, reach the final of the men’s The victory meant the All the gap with their second try South Korea. A run of five wasted little time in dis- doubles. Blacks claimed the Bledisloe from another dominant points in a row from 16-15 patching the Olympic The new partnership Cup, contested between the scrum on half-time. down helped seal the first champion. The score was knocked out Chinese top two sides, for a 15th consec- At the start of the second game and he pressed 21-9, 21-10 and the match seeds Li Junhui and Liu utive year and have a perfect half the All Blacks put the home his advantage mid- lasted a mere 39 minutes. Yuchen in the first round 2-0 start to the Rugby flashy plans aside and way through the second. Chen had won the title in and the semi-final 21-12, Championship with home resorted to old-fashioned “Everyone is talking 2014 and 2015 and added 21-15 victory ended the and away games against forward drives but while it about my age, but I have the Olympic gold medal hopes of Japan’s fourth South Africa and Argentina kept them on the right side proved I can still play at a in Rio last year. seeds Takeshi Kamura and still to come. of half way the Wallabies put high level,” he said. In the women’s Keigo Sonoda. Australia, humiliated up a formidable defence. 54-34 in the first Test a week It took 20 minutes before China’s Lin Dan returns against South Korea’s ago, made a flying start in the New Zealanders hit the Son Wan-Ho during their semi-final men’s singles Dunedin, scoring after just lead for the first time when New Zealand’s captain Kieran Read holds the match of the 2017 BWF World Championships at 26 seconds and they had they turned down a close- Emirates Arena in Glasgow on Friday. three tries and an unan- Bledisloe Cup after beating Australia under range shot at goal in favour swered 17 points on the their Rugby Championship Test, at Forsyth Barr of a scrum where Aaron board after 16 minutes. Stadium in Dunedin yesterday. Smith ran blind and put Bar- Working off a pack that rett over. had the Wallabies back-pedalling died last Sunday, the All Blacks had Will Genia responded for the at scrum time, the All Blacks were closed the gap to 17-14 at half-time Wallabies to lead 22-21 before Ben intent on playing a high-paced, but it took 20 minutes of the sec- Smith -- in his last game before tak- high-risk game but faced with a ond half before they hit the front ing a break for the rest of the year rushed defence it came with a high for the first time. -- restored the lead for the All error count, including 10 turnovers It was a bizarre start to the Test Blacks with 10 minutes in the first half. with the kick-off delayed 10 min- remaining. But once they settled down and utes because of problems In the countdown to the final made the passes stick they began re-adjusting the lights after they whistle, Kurtley Beale scored to put to make inroads. were dimmed during a pre-match Australia back in front before Bar- Playing to honour the memory tribute to Meads. rett scored the match winner for the of national icon Colin Meads, who When play did get under way All Blacks. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 27 AUGUST 2017

Dybala hat-trick West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite silences Genoa Brathwaite, Hope celebrates reaching his century on the second day of the second Test against Milan England at Headingley cricket AFP ground in Leeds, northern England, yesterday. rgentina forward Paulo defy England Dybala hit a hat-trick Aas Juventus recovered from two goals down after a Leeds SCOREBOARD average of under 20 apiece since dreadful start to win 4-2 at AFP making his debut in England’s Genoa in yesterday. England (I innings)...... 258 West Indies (I innings): preceding 3-1 home series win With confidence still fly- raigg Brathwaite and Shai K Brathwaite b Broad ...... 134 over South Africa. ing high after last season’s Hope both scored superb K Powell c Cook b Anderson ...... 5 Nevertheless, he was omit- shock 3-1 home win over the Khundreds as the West D Bishoo c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 1 ted at Headingley, with England champions, Genoa looked on Indies secured a first-innings K Hope c Root b Anderson ...... 3 recalling fit-again all-rounder their way to causing another lead against England on the sec- S Hope (batting) ...... 147 Chris Woakes. upset after breaching Gian- ond day of the second Test at R Chase c Cook b Stokes ...... 5 But Woakes too often bowled luigi Buffon’s goal twice in the J Blackwood (batting) ...... 21 Headingley yesterday. Extras (B-4, LB-7, W-2) ...... 13 short and at stumps he had fig- opening minutes. The West Indies were 329 for Total (for 5 wkts) ...... 329 ures of none for 58 in 13 overs. Seconds into the game the five at stumps, 71 runs ahead of Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-31, 3-35, 4-281, 5-296. After the West Indies Luigi Ferraris stadium England’s 258. Bowling: J Anderson 23-7-46-3; S Broad 20-2-73- resumed on 19 for one, Ander- erupted when Goran Pandev Opening batsman Brathwaite 1; C Woakes 13-2-58-0; B Stokes 22-8-60-1 (w-2); M son made short work of skipped past Alex Sandro,

(134) and Shai Hope, whose 147 Ali 20-3-69-0; T Westley 4-0-12-0. nightwatchman Devendra rolled the ball across the area not out was his maiden Test cen- Bishoo and Kyle Hope on his way and saw his effort deflect off tury, put on 246 for the fourth to brilliant lunch figures of three Miralem Pjanic’s knee and wicket. for 10 in 12 overs, having into the net. The Barbados duo’s partner- paceman Kemar Roach said he accounted for Kieran Powell on Memories of last season’s ship was all the more impressive wanted the batsmen to follow Friday. reverse must have come as they came together with the the bowlers’ lead. But Brathwaite and Shai flooding back for visiting West Indies in trouble at 35 for They did just that, with Hope were rewarded for their coach Massimiliano Allegri, three after James Anderson had Brathwaite and Shai Hope pro- watchfulness against Anderson especially when the hosts dismissed Kyle Hope, Shai’s viding fresh vindication of the when conditions eased as the sun doubled their lead six min- older brother, to move to within faith that West Indies coach Stu- broke through. utes later. five wickets of becoming the first art Law had insisted he retained Brathwaite, who resumed on on 72 when a whip off Ali flew also including 13 fours. For the second successive England bowler to take 500 in in a talented if raw side. 13 not out, successfully reviewed to short leg where Mark Stone- Shai Hope, 85 not out at tea, league game, Juve conceded Tests. Law had forecast daytime lbw decisions on 35 and 46, after man, back on his heels, could not went to 99 with a pulled four up a penalty following a decision It was easy then to foresee conditions would prove more to getting an inside edge to Stuart hold a tough catch. on one leg off Ben Stokes. by the video assistant referee another West Indies collapse, the tourists’ liking than some Broad and being outside off Root gave the last over The next delivery saw the (VAR) after defender Daniele given they had been skittled out ‘chilly’ evenings in Birmingham stump playing a shot to off-spin- before tea to Tom Westley, 23-year-old take a single off Rugani kicked the back of for just 168 and 137 during an and, on this evidence, it was hard ner Moeen Ali. rather than bowl his own occa- all-rounder Stokes that gave Andrej Galabinov’s heel. innings and 209-run defeat in to disagree with the former Aus- The very next ball after Ali’s sional off-spin. him a maiden century in his Although Galabinov the day/night series opener at tralia batsman. appeal was overturned, Having reached his fifty with 12th Test off 159 balls, includ- looked slightly offside, offi- Edgbaston, with England taking Brathwaite and Shai Hope’s Brathwaite drove him for six to a six, Brathwaite went to his ing 17 fours. cials consulted the VAR 19 wickets on last Saturday’s stand made England’s decision go to fifty. hundred with another when he England eventually broke technology to award the pen- third day to go 1-0 up with two to drop third seamer Toby After lunch, Shai Hope com- lofted Westley’s fifth ball high through with the new ball when alty, which Galabinov got up to play. Roland-Jones look all the more pleted his fifty when he drove over long-on. Brathwaite’s more than six-hour to convert. But having starred in a mark- curious. Woakes down the ground for his It was a stylish way for the innings ended when he was Juve, however, refused to edly improved bowling display Roland-Jones had taken 14 ninth four in 72 balls. 24-year-old to complete his sixth bowled by a Broad delivery that buckle. Pjanic made part to dismiss England on Friday, wickets in three Tests at an Shai Hope did give a chance hundred in 39 Tests off 189 balls, kept low. amends for his earlier mis- hap when he pulled back from the byline for Dybala to beat Genoa goalkeeper Mat- tia Perin at his near post before the quarter hour. The goal was enough to Captain Smith confirms Agar’s instil Juve confidence and Perin was tested by both Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain shortly after, while Galabinov Test return after four years nodded just wide from Darko Lazovic’s cross at the other end. Dhaka innings batting at number 11 four innings for Western Aus- think it’s going to be somewhat Perin, making his first AFP against England at tralia -- that he caught the eye similar to what we got in India. home appearance since rup- Nottingham. of the selectors again. Hopefully we can learn from turing his ACL last season, did ustralian captain Steven But since then the 23-year- He was picked for Austral- what we did there.” well to thwart Dybala twice Smith confirmed Ashton old has made only one further ia’s two-Test tour of Bangladesh Australia visited India in in succession after he latched AAgar (pictured) will play Test appearance, and has been ahead of left-arm spinner Steve February-March for four Test on to Pjanic’s pass, scram- his first Test in four years when hungry for a return to the long O’Keefe, whose 12-wicket haul matches and despite a 2-1 loss bling to deny Mario the two-Test series against Bang- format of the game. against India earlier this year Smith’s men were praised for Mandzukic on the follow-up, ladesh begins in Dhaka today. It was not until his impres- helped Australia win the first putting up a good show. said. Bangladesh captain Mush- too. Agar made a sensational sive form in the Sheffield Shield Test of that series. Smith led his side from the fiqur Rahim said his team has The VAR was used again, debut to Test cricket in 2013, this season -- he claimed 16 Agar will partner with off- front scoring three centuries to enough resources to win the this time to Juve’s advantage, scoring 98 runs in his maiden wickets and scored 115 runs in spinner Nathan Lyon on a become the highest run-getter series. when a penalty was awarded supposedly spin friendly wicket in the series with 499 runs at an “Cricket is all about winning for a Lazovic handball from at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla average of 71.28. the match,” said Rahim. a Cuadrado pass. Dybala National Stadium, where Aus- Smith said he was surprised “You all know that we have stepped up to convert and tralia will make their first Test by the recent comments of Bang- been very consistent in the last level four minutes into first- appearance against Bangladesh ladesh coach Chandika series as well as in the last two half stoppage time. in 11 years. Hathurusingha and all-rounder years in our home condition. I Juve completed their Australia have not toured Shakib Al Hasan, who both think everyone is talking about comeback just after the hour Bangladesh since 2006 and this expressed their hopes of winning winning the series because of thanks to a fine piece of skill series has been long in the the series 2-0. that belief,” he said. from Colombian forward making. “It’s pretty confident, isn’t The second Test will be held Cuadrado, who controlled Smith expressed his hope it it?” said Smith. in Chittagong from September Mandzukic’s lob before beat- would be an exciting series and “I think Bangladesh have 4-8. ing Perin with a left-footed give them a reality check after won only nine out of their 100 Australia squad for first Test: curler into the far top corner. their tour of India. games. So it’s a very confident Steve Smith (capt), David To their credit, Genoa dug “I think it’s going to be a prediction. Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman deep and Diego Laxalt was great series. It’s a great challenge “But obviously they are con- Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, unlucky when his strike for my group of players to see fident about their skill set at the Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, skimmed the bottom of the Australian cricket captain Steven Smith (right) and Bangladesh what we have learned from moment. Most teams play pretty Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, far post, Buffon then hurry- captain Mushfiqur Rahim hold the tournament trophy at the India,” Smith said in Dhaka. well at home. The comment sur- Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon ing to smother Raffaele Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, yesterday. “Looking at the wicket I prised me a little bit, yes,” he Palladino’s close-range effort. Qatar reach SA for ICC WCL Division 5 challenge

The Peninsula honours. Qatar have been against Italy on the following drafted in Group A, along with day. atar national cricket team Italy, Guernsey and Cayman On September 6, Qatari yesterday arrived in South Islands while Jersey, Vanuatu, cricketers will meet Guernsey QAfrica to take part in the Ghana and Germany will begin in their final group match. The ICC World Cricket League - their campaigns in Group B. second round matches will be Division 5 tournament. Qatar will play the tourna- played on the next day. The tournament will be ment opener against Cayman The final of the tournament Qatar national cricket team players and officials pose for a photograph upon their arrival in held from September 3 to 9 and Islands at the Sahara Main Oval will take place on September Benoni, South Africa, yesterday. will see eight nations vying for on September 3 and will play 9. SUNDAY 27 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 23

PSG forward Neymar McGregor reacts during the strikes late to Cavani shines as French L1 match against Saint-Etienne (ASSE) , at the Parc spare Celtic’s des Princes Stadium PSG win again in Paris on Friday. blushes Glasgow AFP Paris “This match has given us lots fabulous goal in that game, was AFP of information about how to one of those to come into the allum McGregor struck improve and to help Neymar home line-up. The Argentine late to rescue a point eymar for once played a adapt to the league and the dif- playmaker’s influence was lim- Cfor Celtic as the Hoops more restricted role as ferent opponents. ited by a Saint-Etienne side lost top spot in the Scottish NEdinson Cavani scored “He felt really good in the playing with a five-man defence, Premiership following a 1-1 twice and Thiago Motta once in first two matches. This was dif- but a controversial penalty deci- draw with St Johnstone Paris Saint-Germain’s comfort- ferent but it will help him sion allowed PSG to make the yesterday. able 3-0 home win over learn.” breakthrough 20 minutes in. St Johnstone grabbed a Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 on Saint-Etienne had travelled Attempting to connect with shock lead through Steven Friday. to the Parc des Princes with a a deflected Neymar pass, Cav- MacLean in the 40th minute The world’s most expensive perfect record and without hav- ani went down under the at Parkhead as he took player -- scorer of three goals in ing conceded a goal in their slightest of contact from Saidy advantage of an error from his first two games since his 222 opening three games, but while Janko as he entered the area. A Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gor- million-euro ($261 million) move they were well organised defen- spot-kick was given and the don. Celtic were rewarded for from Barcelona -- still had a con- sively they lacked quality at the Uruguayan converted his fourth their relentless pressure in the siderable influence, with his pass other end. goal in as many league games second half when McGregor preceding the foul on Cavani that Neymar was not the only this season. grabbed an equaliser 11 min- led to a first-half penalty scored sporting megastar to appear on Alphonse Areola then denied utes from time to extend the by the Uruguayan. the pitch at the Parc des Princes Jonathan Bamba at the other end Scottish champions’ unbeaten And it was following a Ney- as Steph Curry of the NBA’s to ensure PSG held the lead at domestic run to 53 games mar free-kick that Motta netted Golden State Warriors gave the half-time, before the second goal stretching back to May 2016. a rare goal after half-time to ceremonial kick-off before the arrived six minutes after the finish to a Thomas Meunier cross Having not featured in either Aberdeen top the table, make it two before Cavani com- match itself got under way. restart. to make it 3-0 as the clock ticked of his side’s last two games amid two points above Celtic and pleted the win at the death as Emery chose to rest Ney- Neymar whipped in a free- to the 90th minute. speculation about his future, St Johnstone, following a PSG maintained their perfect mar’s Brazil team-mates Dani kick and Marquinhos chested the Defending champions Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim thrilling 4-3 win over Partick start to the French season with Alves and Thiago Silva at kick- ball back into the path of Motta, Monaco are the only other team hinted on Friday that Kylian Thistle at Firhill that main- four wins from four outings. off while Marco Verratti was who finished for his first league in France’s top division still Mbappe could play a part in that tained their 100 percent start. “We have achieved our suspended following his red card goal since January last year. with a 100 percent record, game. “We were a bit slow in our objective of being top of the table in last Sunday’s Neymar-inspired Angel Di Maria then saw a although they face a difficult Still undefeated Lyon can game in the first half and I after this game,” said PSG coach 6-2 demolition of Toulouse. free-kick come back off the post test at home to Marseille today leapfrog Monaco into second think the travelling in mid- Unai Emery. Javier Pastore, who scored a before Cavani applied a classy evening. place with a win at Nantes. week had a real affect on us,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side were in Kazakhstan on Champions League duty on Tuesday. “The reaction we got after Bayern thankful to late half-time was amazing and I just felt it was a matter of time.” St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright was proud of Lewandowski double his players’ battling effort. “I thought it was a great performance. We came to try Berlin BUNDESLIGA RESULTS victory at Eintracht Frankfurt and press them and the goal AFP Yesterday’s Results with Daniel Didavi scoring their came from pressing them Werder Bremen 0 Bayern Munich 2 (Lewand- first-half winner. high up,” he said. ate goals in quick succes- owski 72, 75) Frankfurt’s Ghana mid- “We knew we were going sion by Robert Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Wolfsburg 1 (Didavi 22) fielder Kevin-Prince Boateng to be under pressure in the LLewandowski gave Bayer Leverkusen 2 (Wendell 33-pen, Bellarabi was denied a penalty after being second half but we defended defending Bundesliga champi- 49) Hoffenheim 2 (Kramaric 47, Uth 70) fouled in the area, with the video well and their goal was a wee ons Bayern Munich their second Augsburg 2 (Finnbogason 1, Cordova 89) Borus- assistant referee ruling he was bit fortuitous.” win in as many games this sea- sia Moenchengladbach 2 (Zakaria 8, Wendt 30) offside. After losing their Cham- It was a combination of son, 2-0 at Werder Bremen Stuttgart 1 (Badstuber 53) Mainz 0 pions League play-off at good pressing from the St John- yesterday. Today fixtures Liverpool on Wednesday, Hof- stone forwards and an error Bremen’s last win over RB Leipzig v Freiburg (1330), Hanover v Schalke fenheim fought back twice to from Gordon that led to a Bayern was in 2006, but the (1600) claim a 2-2 draw at Bayer bizarre opening goal for the hosts held their star-studded Played on Friday Leverkusen. A 4-2 defeat at visitors. Hoops defender

opponents until the 72nd Cologne 1 (Sorensen 90+7) Hamburg 3 (Hahn Anfield means Hoffenheim Anthony Ralston played the

28, Wood 34, Holtby 90+10) minute when Lewandowski will play in the Europa League ball back to Gordon under first struck. group stage this season. They pressure from Michael The Poland hot-shot auda- fell behind at Leverkusen O’Halloran and the goalkeep- ciously flicked Kingsley Coman’s for Lewandowski, who seized after Brazilian left-back Wen- er’s slack clearance only low cross into the net with his the chance for a third goal in two dell put the hosts ahead with reached Liam Craig at the edge heel before doubling the dam- league games. a penalty on 33 minutes at the of the area. The Saints mid- age by firing through the legs of Hamburg have also won BayArena. fielder cushioned it into the defender Robert Bauer and their opening two games after Hoffenheim equalised when path of MacLean, who took a Bayern Munich’s Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pav- a 3-1 victory at Cologne on striker Andrej Kramaric fired touch and curled into the bot- scoring during the German first division Bundesliga match lenka on 75 minutes. Friday. home just after the restart, but tom corner, much to the anger against Werder Bremen in Bremen, nothern Germany, Thomas Mueller’s decoy run Elsewhere, Wolfsburg the scores were level for two of the Celtic defence who felt yesterday. opened up the Bremen defence enjoyed a 1-0 minutes. the striker was offside. Records tumble in Europe’s transfer ‘madness’

Paris Brazilian playmaker Philippe who heads the French federa- the latest example of how foot- superstars, coupled with a huge big guns. Following a recent AFP Coutinho before the transfer tion of sport and leisure ball is ever more the domain of cash injection for all the top- move away from the club’s window slams shut within days. industries. “For years a handful a select group of rich, mostly flight clubs from a new TV deal, “Galactico” policy of big money PSG, determined to mount of clubs have shared out the best European-based clubs”. are inflating prices for players signings, Real Madrid have usmane Dembele’s a serious challenge for the players, without criticising the The sum paid for Neymar is across the board. instead continued to promote transfer to Barce- Champions League, are also system, and now they are fac- however “an exception”, Cail- Manchester United manager their policy of signing the best lona in a deal worth reportedly about to secure the ing a handful of new rivals and let argued. Jose Mourinho said in July: “Play- young and, by comparison to the up to 147m euros , signature of Monaco’s teenage a bidding war that they weren’t “He is one of the three best ers like Pogba, there are one or rest of Europe, cheap talent in making him the starlet Kylian Mbappe for prepared for.” players in the world and he is two big transfers per transfer Spain. Oworld’s second most expensive another stratospheric fee. In the space of August, only 25, while the others (Messi window. The other is where you Atletico Madrid’s ban on player after Neymar, is the lat- In England, Manchester records set last year have been and Cristiano Ronaldo) are in have 100 transfers and, for me, registering new players has cur- est dizzying move fuelled by TV City’s Emirati owners have swept away, with the £89 mil- their thirties.” that’s the dangerous area of the tailed their plans, but most money and Gulf-based club snapped up two of Mbappe’s lion deal that took Paul Pogba And in splashing out on market... because now we speak importantly for a club about to owners. French title-winning Monaco to Manchester United in 2016 Dembele and his 18-year-old about £30m, £40m or £50m in move to a new stadium, they The deal agreed on Friday teammates. more than doubled by PSG’s France international teammate such an easy way.” have maintained their best play- to bring 20-year-old French City paid £52m, a world swoop for Neymar that broke Mbappe, clubs are investing in Accountants Deloitte said ers with Antoine Griezmann, striker Dembele to the Spanish record fee for a defender, for up Barcelona’s “MSN” trio of the the future. Thursday that Premier League Saul Niguez and Koke signing giants from Borussia Dortmund full-back Benjamin Mendy and 25-year-old Brazilian, Luis Sua- “These are investments in clubs’ spending had set a new new contracts. was a direct consequence of another £43m for midfielder rez and Lionel Messi. future superstars who have a record for a single transfer win- Meanwhile, if PSG do land Neymar’s shock 222-million- Bernardo Silva. They also added Dembele’s move for a fee of high potential resale value. It dow after reaching £1.17 billion Mbappe, they will at some point euro move to Qatar-owned England international defender 105 million euros with add-ons mustn’t be forgotten that clubs -- and that was with a week of have to reckon with UEFA’s Paris Saint-Germain that oblit- Kyle Walker for £50m as part worth another 42m euros, fol- are commercial entities with business still to go. Financial Fair Play regulations, erated the world transfer record. of their summer spending spree. lowing Neymar’s Barca exit, investment strategies,” Caillet However, aside from the supposedly designed to prevent To further fill the gap left by PSG and City and their Gulf- comes as footballers’ union FIF- said. feverish activity at Barcelona in clubs spending more than they Neymar’s departure, Barcelona based owners “have shaken up Pro has blasted “transfer market In the Premier League, response to Neymar’s bitter earn. That could lead to the club are expected to make a final the established order”, said Vir- madness”. many managers are concerned departure, it has been a quiet reluctantly having to sell one of push to sign Liverpool’s gile Caillet, a marketing expert Neymar’s move, it said, “is that the spiralling costs for the summer for Spain’s two other its other stars.