FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 GOLF | Page 6 Lacked Woods in quest intensity for 83rd win at in Man Utd happy hunting match: Tuchel ground

Thursday, October 22, 2020 FORMULA 1 Rabia I 5, 1442 AH Hamilton can GULF TIMES overtake Schu at Portugal GP SPORT Page 7 UK minister, al-Thawadi tour Education City Stadium FOOTBALL / UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real stunned by Shakhtar Donetsk in Madrid

Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary-General Hassan al-Thawadi (right) with the UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa James Cleverly during a tour of Education City Stadium yesterday. Cleverly spoke of Qatar and the UK’s deep partnership, including the involvement of British firms in stadium construction for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

FOOTBALL / QNB STARS LEAGUE

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Manor Solomon (right) celebrates scoring their Nam double as third goal with Tete during the UEFA Champions League Group B match against Real Madrid at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP chances to impress. Madrid, Spain Shakhtar’s three-goal fl urry before half-time began with Viktor Korniyenko beating Mili- Sadd sink Duhail eal Madrid made an tao too easily and as Marcelo was embarrassing start in pulled across to cover, he left Al Sadd took their points tally to 10 to be placed second in the table the Champions League Tete free behind him to fi nish yesterday by losing 3-2 Korniyenko’s poked pass. Rat home to a depleted Shakhtar Luka Jovic should have equal- By Sports Reporter Doha Donetsk, their second consecu- ised with a free header but in- tive defeat ahead of the Clasico stead Shakhtar scored again, against Barcelona on Saturday. Tete’s rasping eff ort from range outh Korean star Nam Shakhtar were without 10 palmed out by Thibaut Courtois Tae-hee scored once in fi rst-team players and nine and prodded in for an own-goal each half to power Al members of staff due to corona- by Varane has he tried to stop Sadd to a 3-1 win over virus infections but recorded a Dentinho reaching the rebound. AlS Duhail in their QNB Stars remarkable win at the Alfredo di Madrid looked shell-shocked League match yesterday. Stefano stadium, after scoring but it got worse. Tete raced in be- The match was postponed three times in 13 fi rst-half min- hind and this time a brilliant back- from week three of the competi- utes. heel allowed Solomon to take a tion due to the team’s involve- Strikes from Tete and Manor touch and fi re in number three. ment in the Asian Champions Solomon, either side of a Rap- Benzema replaced Rodrygo League which was held in Doha hael Varane own-goal, gave the at half-time but it was Modric over a three-week period in Ukrainian champions a shock who kick-started the comeback September-October. lead at the interval and while attempt, shifting right past two Nam struck in the 22nd and Luka Modric and Vinicius Jun- Shakhtar defenders before un- 70th minutes, with Guilherme ior pulled goals back, Madrid fell leashing a superb shot into the Torres scoring the second goal short. top-right corner. for Xavi’s team seven minutes Fede Valverde thought he had Tete then missed a sitter for from half-time. grabbed an equaliser in injury 4-1 and Vinicius capitalised. The Eduardo Rodriguez (Dudu) time but his defl ected shot was Brazilian came on as a substitute, reduced the margin for Al Duhail ruled out after VAR showed Vini- stole the ball back and found the four minutes from close. cius was off side. net, seemingly all in one move- Al Sadd took their points tally A huge upset puts Madrid on ment. to 10 to be placed second in the the back foot in Group B, espe- Madrid had 31 minutes to res- table, while holders Al Duhail, cially as Shakhtar were in theory cue a point but their momen- playing their fi rst league match their weakest opponent, the oth- tum stalled. Benzema’s fi nish under French coach Sabri Lam- ers being Inter Milan and Borus- was blocked by Valerii Bondar ouchi, stayed on six. sia Moenchengladbach. and Shakhtar thought they had As expected, the heavyweight But it also cranks up the pres- a fourth but it was ruled out for clash between the two power- sure, on the Real team ahead of off side. houses in Qatar football was not the Clasico in La Liga on Satur- Valverde celebrated an equal- devoid of drama. day, and on their coach Zinedine iser in injury time when his de- Al Sadd missed injured striker Zidane, who had just overseen fl ected shot from the edge of the Baghdad Bounedjah, but re- a dreadful display in last week- area crept in but there was a fi nal gained the services of forward end’s loss to Cadiz. twist in the tale as VAR showed Akram Afi f, who was on national Al Sadd’s Nam Tae-hee (second from left) celebrates his goal with teammates during the QNB Stars League match against Al Duhail yesterday. Zidane paid the price for ro- the off side Vinicius was ob- duty along with some other tating his starting line-up for structing the goalkeeper’s view. players. eian’s free-kick hit the defensive by captain Hassan al-Haydous. Al Duhail were now more Al Duhail had a goal disal- that game and shuffl ed his team Al Sadd showed more purpose wall. For Al Duhail, Dudu made two in the game than they were in lowed in the 77th minute as again, presumably with the up- RESULTS in their attack and whenever Nam gave Al Sadd the lead attempts at the goal during the the first half even as Al Sadd referee Salman Falahi, after coming clash at the Camp Nou Group A: Salzburg (AUT) 2 they launched raids, Al Duhail with a powerful shot that dipped fi rst half and captain Almoez Ali goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham consulting the VAR, ruled that in mind. (Szoboszlai 45, Junuzovic 50) crowded their defence. inside the goal after hitting the sent the ball wide of the target. continued to make impressive Ismail ‘handled’ the ball before Toni Kroos and Karim Ben- Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) 2 (Eder Al Sadd’s Santi Cazorla’s free- crossbar, giving no chance to al- Al Duhail took the fi eld in the saves. scoring following a free-kick zema both started on the bench 19, Lisakovich 75) kick was blocked by goalkeeper Bakri despite his eff ort to get his second half with Ismail Mo- Nam consolidated for Al Sadd taken by Ramin. and had to come on in the second Group B: Real Madrid (ESP) 2 Mohamed al-Bakri and Akram hit hand on to the ball. hamed replacing Mehdi Benatia. with an angular shot past Ramin Dudu fi nally found the target half while Eder Militao, in for the (Modric 54, Vinícius Júnior 59) his shot against the right upright. Guilherme doubled the lead Both teams then made a spate of after Akram set him up by head- with a left-footed shot, but it injured Sergio Ramos, Rodrygo Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 3 (Tete At the other end, Ramin Reza- by heading in a free-kick taken substitutions. ing down a long cross. was too late for Al Duhail. and Marco Asensio were given 29, Varane 33-og, Solomon 42) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, October 22, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS First edition of QFF e-Sports Tournament concludes

The first edition of Qatar Football Family (QFF) e-Sports Tournament, jointly organised by the Qatar Football Associa- tion (QFA), Qatar Stars League (QSL) and Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), concluded at the Mall of Qatar, ‘Failed’ Arsenal with the participation of approximately 260 e-sports fans in Qatar only on PlayStation 4. The semi-finals, third/fourth- place match and final were played in the evening on Tuesday at the Mall of Qatar. The matches were broadcast live on the Oasis Stage Giant Screen at Mall of Qatar, in addition to the tournament account via Twitch, a social media platform that specialises in electronic games. Mohamed al-Yafei won the championships inaugural edition. The first four finishers were over Ozil: Arteta crowned at the end of final. Valuable prizes were awarded for the first 100 places, presented by the sponsors and partners Ozil has not played a single minute for Arteta’s side since March 7 of the tournament. AFP China’s treatment of the Uighur Former Socceroos great Kewell tests London, United Kingdom population in Xinjiang. The World Cup winner also positive for Covid-19 refused to take a 12.5% pay cut ikel Arteta admit- in line with the rest of the Ar- Former Australia international Harry Kewell, who is in charge of ted he has failed to senal squad when the economic England Football League Two side Oldham Athletic, has tested get the best out of crisis caused by coronavirus hit positive for the novel coronavirus and entered self isolation, the Mesut Ozil after the in April. club said. The 42-year-old Socceroos great, who played for Leeds MGerman expressed his anger at However, Arteta insisted that United and Liverpool in the Premier League, felt unwell at the being left out the Gunners’ Pr- his decision was purely a foot- weekend and was tested, which came back positive for Covid-19 meier League squad. ball one. on Tuesday. He missed Oldham’s 1-1 draw with Carlisle United on The 32-year-old is the high- “My conscience is very calm Tuesday and the club said he would also miss their game against est-paid player in Arsenal’s because I have been really fair Port Vale on Saturday and Southend on October 27 as he spends history on a reported £350,000 with him. My level of commu- at least the next 10 days in isolation. Kewell’s later playing career ($450,000) a week, but has also nication with him has been re- was blighted with injury after several stellar seasons with Leeds, been omitted from the Arsenal’s ally high and we know what to although he still played until 2014 with stints in Turkey, Australia Europa League squad, casting expect with each other,” added and Qatar. He joined Oldham in August. doubt he will ever play for the Arteta. club again. “Obviously a player of that di- Ozil has not played a single mension, with the career he has Super league report shows minute for Arteta’s side since had, everything that happens billionaire owners out of control: March 7 and is out of contract at around him has a big impact. the end of the season. “It has been the case for the fans group “My job is to get the best out last eight years, it is nothing new of every player, to contribute to that is just happening now. A lot The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) said a report that the team performance. Here I Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Mesut Ozil (right). of things have happened over Europe’s top teams are in talks to become founding members of feel at the moment, today, that I these eight years.” a new competition shows “billionaire owners are out of control” have failed,” Arteta said at a pre- not been able to do it because tract in 2018, I pledged my loyal- anything in my mindset — I will Earlier this month, Ozil of- and proves football cannot regulate itself. A Sky News report match press conference ahead I have to make the decision to ty and allegiance to the club that continue to train as best as I can fered to pay the salary of Arse- said more than 12 teams from the top five leagues — in England, of today’s Europa League trip to leave him out of the squad.” I love, Arsenal, and it saddens and wherever possible use my nal’s popular mascot Gunner- France, Germany, Italy and Spain — are in negotiations over what Rapid Vienna. Earlier on Wednesday, Ozil me that this has not been recip- voice against inhumanity and saurus after Jerry Quy, who has has been dubbed the ‘European Premier League’, with a provi- “I want the best possible expressed his frustration at be- rocated,” said Ozil in a statement for justice.” played the role of the dinosaur sional start date in 2022. “The latest reports of plots... to create a Mesut for the team. In some mo- ing sidelined and suggested he posted on social media. Last December Arsenal dis- since 1993, was let go by the club European Super League, expose the myth that billionaire owners ments I was able to get close to had not been treated fairly. “I can promise you that this tanced themselves from com- with stadiums empty during the care about the English football pyramid, or indeed anything that, and at the moment I have “Upon signing my new con- hard decision won’t change ments Ozil made criticising Covid-19 crisis. other than their own greed,” the FSA said in a statement. “This has to be the last nail in the coff in of the idea that football can be relied upon to regulate itself. These billionaire owners are out of FOCUS control. Decisive action is now needed to protect the game we Chelsea clean sheet against love,” the group added. Sevilla a big deal, says Lampard UEFA abandons attempt to hold Reuters “It’s a positive result. I un- Man Utd ‘frustrated’ by shutout London, United Kingdom derstood the need to get a under-19 fi nals result in the first game of the group,” Lampard told of fans as revenues decline UEFA has given up on holding its under-19 championships in helsea’s defence reporters. Northern Ireland and cancelled the tournament, which had has come under “They’re a really good AFP The Red Devils’ wage bill fell mid through this period of ad- already been postponed several times. The governing body of Cintense scrutiny this team, it was an interesting London, United Kingdom nearly £50 mn because player versity, while exploring options European football issued a statement, dated Tuesday evening, season but manager Frank game and I’m happy with wages fell after the club failed for making the English game which said that the decision was “due to the current unresolved Lampard was smiling the 0-0; it was a big deal to to qualify for the Champions stronger and more sustainable epidemiological situation in Europe and resulting travelling after a goalless stalemate get a clean sheet.” anchester United League and because high earn- in the long-term,” added Wood- diff iculties.” The under-19 Euros were originally scheduled for against Sevilla in their Chelsea suff ered a scare posted a £23 mn ($30 ers such as Alexis Sanchez and ward. Northern Ireland at the end of July 2020, with a final on August Champions League opener before kickoff when mn) loss for the fi - Romelu Lukaku were offl oaded. “This requires strategic vision 1, but were postponed first to November and then to March next on Tuesday. Thiago Silva appeared to nancial year to June United’s strong commercial and leadership from all stake- year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tournament was also a M30 as revenues fell due to the revenue, which grew to £279 mn, holders, and we look forward to It was the first 0-0 draw have injured himself in the qualifier for the under-20 World Cup, scheduled for Indonesia for Chelsea since Lampard warm-up but the former coronavirus pandemic and a lack helped the club avoid the huge helping drive forward that proc- starting on May 20, 2021. UEFA announced that it had selected took charge before last Paris St Germain defender of Champions League football. losses posted by European gi- ess in a timely manner.” its five top-ranked under-19 teams, France, England, Italy, the season and while the had a near-perfect game. Income crashed by £118 mn ants Juventus and Barcelona, who Woodward and the club’s Netherlands and Portugal, as its entrants. Spain, who won the game will not stay long in “He was very good today. to £509 mn as the 2019-20 sea- combined to lose 187 mn euros for American owners, the Glazer last under-19 Euros in 2019, miss out. the memory it was satisfy- He brought quality and son was halted for three months the 12 months prior to June 30. family, faced fi erce criticism ing all the same for the experience and aff ected and then resumed behind closed However, United’s debt soared from fans for a lack of signings club’s former midfielder others around him and doors. to £474 mn. during the transfer window after Ireland replace New Zealand for and record goalscorer. that was a big part of us Matchday revenue fell by £21 United and Liverpool were a dreadful start to the season. England football friendly Europa League win- getting a clean sheet,” mn, but is likely to fall much behind plans for a sweeping re- Woodward also dismissed re- ners Sevilla are a canny Lampard said. more over the next year with no form of English football that ports that the club were part of Ireland will play England in a football friendly at Wembley on team full of experienced Before Tuesday’s game return of spectators to stadiums would have given the biggest a plot to form a breakaway Euro- November 12 replacing New Zealand who pulled out due to wor- performers in Europe Lampard had been in in England in sight. clubs more power in return for a pean Super League, saying they ries over Covid-19, the Football Association (FA) said yesterday. but they were restricted charge for 62 games and “Our top priority is to get fans sharing more broadcast revenues were focused on offi cial talks England last played Ireland in a 0-0 draw in Dublin in 2015 while to six shots on goal, the in that time Chelsea had back into the stadium safely and with clubs lower down the foot- with UEFA over the future of the their last meeting at Wembley finished 1-1 in 2013. “England men same amount Chelsea kept only 15 clean sheets, as soon as possible,” said Unit- ball pyramid. Champions League. are to face Republic of Ireland next month after New Zealand managed. conceding 99 goals. ed’s executive vice-chairman Ed That plan was swiftly rejected A report from Sky Sports on withdrew from the originally scheduled fixture at Wembley After the frenetic nature of “I spoke to the players Woodward. by other Premier League clubs Tuesday said United, Liverpool Stadium,” read the FA statement. “In keeping with current guide- the 3-3 draw with South- about game manage- Broadcasting income was and a new report emerged on and other top European clubs lines, this game is scheduled to be played behind closed doors, ampton on Saturday in the ment,” Lampard said. down by £101 mn, because Unit- Tuesday of plans for a European were working on a project to cre- although the FA has committed to working with the Government Premier League, vastly- “Sevilla are a top team ed played in the far less lucra- Premier League to boost the ate a breakaway European league. to get supporters back in stadiums as soon as possible,” read the experienced defender and the concentration and tive Europa League and because revenues of the continent’s top “I saw the reports on that and statement. New Zealand pulled out last week because the were Thiago Silva and keeper focus you need to get a of £14 mn worth of rebates to clubs. candidly don’t know where that not sure they would be able to “assemble a squad” with “the Edouard Mendy were result was big. We made a broadcasters because the Pre- “We are also committed to story came from, there isn’t real- shifting nature of travel restrictions and commercial flight avail- calming influences. lot of good decisions.” mier League was not completed playing a constructive role in ly anything for us to say,” Wood- ability under Covid”. as scheduled. helping the wider football pyra- ward said on a call with investors. Rule-makers want to trial permanent SPOTLIGHT substitutions for concussion cases Soccer’s rule-making body IFAB has recommended trialling the use of additional permanent substitutions in cases of suspected concussion, it said yesterday. However, IFAB did not make any mention of temporary substitutions which the global players’ High kicks: The Pakistani football union FIFPRO had argued would be more appropriate to dealing with concussion cases. IFAB said in a statement that its concus- sion working-group had recommended starting trials from Janu- ary 2021 in “any competition that is interested in taking part”. It added that “a clear and uniform approach is needed, which can star training girls in the mountains operate eff ectively at all levels of the game”. “The group agreed that applying an “if in doubt, take them out” philosophy would Thomson Reuters Foundation But it has not been easy — escape disapproval from the be the best solution to safeguard the health of football play- Karachi, Pakistan when the community discov- community. ers,” it said. At present, referees must stop the match in cases of ered Ali’s own football career, Her own family supported her suspected concussion to allow the examination of the injured some were deeply hostile, and dream of becoming a footballer, player who can only return to the game with permission from unning a football club she received messages threaten- she said, calling her father a the team doctor. for girls from poor ing to kill her if she continued. “feminist” who “believed in me families in a remote, “It was seen inappropriate when even I did not believe in mountainous area of culturally because I would wear me”. High-fl ying Villa’s feet fi rmly on the PakistanR is hard enough at the shorts, thereby baring my skin,” Society as a whole is less sup- ground, says Smith best of times, let alone during a she said. portive, said Ali, who wants to pandemic. The situation eased last year see more state backing for sport Aston Villa have exceeded expectations with their perfect start But footballer Karishma Ali when she was selected for Forbes in a country whose prime min- to the Premier League campaign thanks to their defensive has not let the coronavirus stop magazine’s 30 Under 30 Asia list ister, Imran Khan, is a former excellence but they cannot aff ord to get complacent, manager her pursuing her dream of help- of rising stars, alongside ten- cricket star. Dean Smith said yesterday. After barely escaping relegation last ing girls in her impoverished na- nis champion Naomi Osaka and She dreams of one day playing season, Villa are second in the standings with four wins from tive Chitral region, high in the K-Pop band Blackpink, and the for a national team, but that will four. Smith’s side are a point behind league leaders Everton, with Hindu Kush mountains, to have In this July 7, 2020, picture, young women play football in Karimabad, community began to recognise have to wait — Pakistan does not a game in hand, and also have the best defensive record in the a better future. Pakistan. (Thomson Reuters Foundation/Karishma Ali) her achievements. currently have a women’s foot- league. Villa have conceded only two goals which came in a 7-2 The 23-year-old, who has rep- Next month, 30 of the girls ball team. thrashing of champions Liverpool and they also kept a clean resented her country at interna- Thomson Reuters Foundation by and 16, and now has nearly 150 will have a week of training from “I struggle every day myself,” sheet against fourth-placed Leicester City on Sunday. “We have tional football tournaments, said phone from Islamabad, where members who ski, and play vol- professional coaches in Islama- said Ali. “I work very hard at had a very good start, to come through (Liverpool and Leices- the pandemic had only made her she has just completed a degree leyball and cricket as well as bad — something Ali said would my end, but am not sure if the ter) with maximum points certainly exceeded expectations,” more determined to give girls the in business and management. football. be a “giant educational step” as country’s sports management is Smith told reporters ahead of tomorrow’s league match against opportunities often reserved for “Many had to help with Ali’s own passion for football most have never left their com- putting in the same eff ort.” Leeds United. “Defensively we have been really sound, which is boys in Pakistan. household chores, which cer- began when she watched the munities. If she has learned one lesson important in terms of our progression. It’s a team eff ort. Our feet “Unlike boys, who could go tainly was not much fun.” 2006 FIFA World Cup with her She has also raised funds for from her sporting career, how- are firmly on the ground. We’re only four games into a 38-game out and play, girls remained Ali started her high-altitude father, aged just nine. a van to take them to the fi eld ever, it is this: “Fight no matter season and there is a long way to go, so we have to concentrate cooped up, specially since even sports club two years ago with “I just knew this is the game where they train — a two-hour what, get up after a fall and be a on the next game. Complacency is a killer.” schools were closed,” Ali told the 60 girls aged between eight for me,” she said. walk from where they live — to leader,” she said. Gulf Times Thursday, October 22, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Fourth edition of Qatargas U-23 Lacked intensity League set to kick off in Man Utd match: PSG coach Tuchel Loss to the English club was PSG’s first group stage home defeat in 25 years

Reuters Paris, France Khaled Mubarak al-Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communications at Qatar Football Association.

aris Saint-Germain’s By Sports Reporter Communications at QFA, said: formidable attacking Doha “The Qatar Football Association trio normally strike fear and Qatargas have been linked into opponents, but by a strong relationship that has inP Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat he Qatar Football As- spanned many years, and this to Manchester United in their sociation (QFA) has an- tournament is one of the fruits Champions League opener there nounced the launch of of this unique partnership. The was no collective response when the fourth edition of the Qatargas U-23 League has been the forwards misfi red. TQatargas U-23 League for the the recipient of a great spon- Neymar, Angel Di Maria and 2020 – 2021 season. The tourna- sorship, which shows the depth Kylian Mbappe were disap- ment has been organised over the of the relationship between the pointing and the French cham- past few years as a result of the Qatar Football Association and pions lacked aggressiveness and fruitful and exemplary partner- Qatargas, a regular partner of the intelligence elsewhere to make ship between Qatargas and the various tournaments organised up for their stars’ under-par QFA, which has witnessed the by the QFA.” performances. implementation of many suc- He further explained: “This “There was no intensity, no cessful activities and projects. season will be the last of the Qa- aggressiveness, no pressing, no The 2020 – 2021 Qatargas U-23 targas U-23 League competition, counter pressing. It was weird, League is all set to kick off today, after the Executive Committee I don’t know why,” lamented with 12 clubs from the fi rst divi- of the Qatar Football Associa- coach Thomas Tuchel, whose sion participating in this year’s tion decided to hold the 2020-21 team looked subdued through- edition: Al Ahli, Al Sadd, Al season as the fi nal edition and to out in a fi rst group stage home Rayyan, Al Duhail, Al Arabi, Al organise the reserve league in its defeat in 25 years. Gharafa, Qatar SC, Umm Salal, Al place, starting from 2021-2020.” Tuchel replaced Idrissa Gueye Khor, Al Sailiya, Al Wakra, and Al Ali Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Public by forward Moise Kean at half- Kharaitiyat. The matches will be Relations Manager at Qatargas, time when PSG trailed 1-0 fol- shown on Al-Kass TV, the offi cial said: “Qatargas is honoured to be lowing Bruno Fernandes’ pen- broadcaster of the competition. part of the premier U-23 league alty, but the decision left a hole Al Duhail come into this year’s through our corporate sponsor- in midfi eld rather than adding competition as the title holder ship. The support we off er the creativity to the front line. for all the previous three edi- league is our way to leverage a Tuchel said Gueye was in- tions, ever since the tournament popular sport to bring people to- jured — the third midfi elder was held under its new name. gether, encourage a healthy and to be ruled out with a physical Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (right) vies for the ball with Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe during the UEFA Champions League The crowning of the third edi- competitive spirit among our problem after Marco Verratti Group H match at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, on Tuesday. (AFP) tion, in the 2019-2020 season, nation’s youth, and help fulfi l the and Leandro Paredes — but he came after the QFA decided to ambition of our National Vision waited until the 77th to send according to coach United Ole United next take on RB Leip- end the Qatargas U-23 League 2030. We wish all the participat- another midfi elder Rafi nha onto Results Gunnar Solskjaer. zig, who lead the group after competition due to the Covid-19 ing sport clubs an exciting sea- the fi eld. United’s previous trip to Par- beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0. pandemic. Taking into account son and a thrilling tournament.” “It was not a tactical prob- Group E 27-pen, Fati 42, Coutinho is in 2019 ended with Marcus “We know we need 10 points only the games played up to that Today, Umm Salal will play lem. There was a problem with Chelsea (ENG) 0 Sevilla 52, Pedri 82, Dembele 89) Rashford scoring an injury-time to get through so next week’s point, the existing points table against Al Wakrah at Al Sailiya the intensity and the attitude,” (ESP) 0 Ferencvaros (HUN) 1 (Kharatin penalty that secured qualifi ca- game is very important. There was adopted to decide the fi nal Stadium, while Al Sadd will face Tuchel said. Rennes (FRA) 1 (Guirassy 70-pen) tion for the quarter-fi nals on are so many games,” Solskjaer ranking, with Al Khor and Al off with Al Duhail at the Grand Less than two months after 86-pen) Krasnodar (RUS) 1 away goals, while Tuesday’s 2-1 said. Arabi fi nishing second and third Hamad Stadium, and fi nally, Qa- reaching the Champions League (Ramirez 59) Group H win was just a stepping stone in United also showed steel in respectively. tar SC will play against Al Rayyan fi nal, PSG looked ordinary at Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) Group H. defence, with Axel Tuanzebe On the occasion of the launch at Al Khor Stadium. best. Tuchel had no explanation Group F 1 (Martial 55-og) Manchester “It’s a diff erent feeling from making light work of Kylian of the fourth edition of the com- During the fi rst phase of the as Neymar failed to score in four Lazio (ITA) 3 (Immbile 6, United (ENG) 2 (Fernandes the last time we won here, it’s at Mbappe and Neymar in his fi rst petition, Khaled Mubarak al-Ku- Qatargas League, 66 matches consecutive games in the com- Hitz 23-og, Akpa Akpro 76) B 23-pen, Rashford 87) the start of the group stage but game in 10 months for the Pre- wari, Director of Marketing and will be played over 11 rounds. petition for the fi rst time since Dortmund (GER) 1 (Haaland 71) RB Leipzig (GER) 2 (Ange- we’ve beaten a fantastic team,” mier League side. 2013. lino 16, 20) Istanbul Basaksehir said Solskjaer after Rashford “He has been unbelievable “I don’t know. We had a lot Group G (TUR) 0 again netted the winner, three today,” keeper David De Gea REACTION of problems during the fi rst Barcelona (ESP) 5 (Messi minutes from fulltime. said. “He played against two half especially. We had a good “Last time it was a knock- of the best players in the world preparation, with good games out and it was euphoric, this is in Neymar and Mbappe so he and good training sessions,” said Princes. sic and there it was very quiet.” sterile without the fans but it’s did really, really well. I am re- Mourinho rubbishes Tuchel. “The atmosphere in the still excellent and we deserved ally happy for him. He has been Tuchel, whose contract ex- dressing room before the match LESS EUPHORIA FOR to win.” in difficult moments with the pires at the end of the season, was a little bit too quiet,” he said. SOLSKJAER The game was played in an injuries but now he has shown ‘Spursy’ tag despite said he had a bad feeling before “I had a weird feeling. Usually The victory, however, was not empty stadium amid the Cov- today that he is capable of kickoff at an empty Parc des there’s a lot of music, loud mu- as euphoric as the previous one, id-19 crisis. playing in big games.” West Ham collapse FOCUS Koeman frustrated by Pique red card in big Barca win

Reuters BARCELONA INITIATE NEW Barcelona, Spain ROUND OF PAY CUTS Barcelona have formally be- gun the process to introduce a arcelona coach Ronald wage cut on players and staff , Koeman lamented a red the La Liga club said yesterday, card for Gerard Pique the latest move to mitigate the in their 5-1 Champions crippling eff ect of the Covid-19 Reuters Mourinho said Tottenham’s im- LeagueB victory over Ferenc- pandemic on its fi nances. plosion against West Ham was an London, United Kingdom varos on Tuesday that will keep Barca announced a record loss anomaly in an otherwise impres- the experienced defender out of of 97 mn euros ($114.89 mn) ear- sive campaign. next week’s trip to Juventus. lier this month and a 14% fall in ottenham Hotspur man- “I believe nobody plays better Pique was sent off by Swiss revenue from the previous year, ager Jose Mourinho than us with the ball and we’re a referee Sandro Scharer with 20 but said it was braced for far big- dismissed yesterday very exciting team to watch. That’s minutes to go after a blatant ger reductions this season. suggestions that his the DNA we want to have,” he said. pull-back in the box on the jer- The club imposed a temporary Tside’s late collapse against West Spurs also let in a last-ditch sey of Ferencvaros striker Tok- pay cut of 70% earlier this year Ham United at the weekend was equaliser against Newcastle last mac Nguen after he had been lasting the duration of the na- another example of the club’s so- month, but that was due to a well beaten for pace. tional state of alarm, which be- called “Spursy” habit of capitu- penalty for a harsh handball. Koeman felt that, with the gan in March and ended in June. lating when success is near. Mourinho confi rmed Danny spot kick awarded, a yellow card “The impact of the pandemic Spurs missed a chance to move Rose was no longer part of his would have been a more suitable this year is much stronger than up to third in the Premier League fi rst-team plans after the Eng- punishment. in the previous one, in which table on Sunday when they threw land full back was left out of Tot- “The penalty and the red card is the incidence was limited to the away a 3-0 lead, with West Ham tenham’s Premier League squad very bad for us but we are getting last quarter. The current season midfi elder Manuel Lanzini’s goal on Tuesday. used to playing with one less,” a will be aff ected in its entirety, so denying them victory with the “Danny wanted very, very rueful Koeman told reporters. “It the negative impact will multi- last kick of the game. much to leave in the January happened at Celta Vigo (on Octo- ply exponentially,” said Barca’s “The past is not important for window last season. Why? Be- ber 1) and again today. statement. me... We just need to defend bet- cause he wanted to play and play “It’s too harsh a punishment. If “The club anticipates a drop ter from set pieces,” the Portu- and play,” Mourinho said. it’s foul, it’s a penalty and a yellow in revenue of more than 30% guese coach said ahead of today’s “With Danny, the players and card. I don’t understand why the and is therefore compelled to Europa League clash against agents make the market. If the referee produced the red card. But fi nd immediate solutions that Austria’s LASK Linz. agent didn’t fi nd a solution for we have to accept it.” will help reduce spending.” “I believe that winning 3-0 in Danny to move then it’s a ques- Lionel Messi became the fi rst Barcelona’s Gerard Pique (centre) argues with Swiss referee Sandro Schaerer after receiving a red card Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter minute 80, we can play 50 more tion you have to ask him.” player to score in 16 consecu- during the UEFA Champions League match against Ferencvarosi in Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday. (AFP) Stegen, defenders Clement Len- matches and it’s not going to Spurs will be without defend- tive Champions League sea- glet, Gerard Pique and midfi eld- happen again so I don’t want to ers Eric Dier and Japhet Tan- sons, while Ansu Fati, Philippe “Overall I’m happy. At times “That’s best for a coach. If going home happy.” er Frenkie de Jong have already be sticking on this and no stories ganga as they begin their Europa Coutinho, 17-year-old Pedri we played very good football, there were any doubts about Barca face Juventus in Turin agreed to the temporary pay cut, about ‘Spursy’ and this kind of League campaign in Group J. and Ousmane Dembele were on but sometimes we also slowed Barca’s goalscorers, we have in their next Champions League which has been incorporated thing,” he said, in reference to the Mourinho declined to give target in what was, in the end, a down too much,” Koeman said, shown tonight that we have clash on Oct. 28 but before that into new contracts for the four mocking tag often used by media any hints about his lineup, other commanding performance from adding that he was pleased the good people, with the great Leo have ‘El Clasico’ against Real players which were announced and fans in England. than saying defender Davinson the Catalan side. goals had been shared around. who has given two assists. We’re Madrid on Saturday. on Tuesday. Speaking at a news conference, Sanchez would start. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, October 22, 2020 SPORT

WAKRAH WREST BACK TOP SPOT

Al Wakrah overcame Al Sadd 30-26 to regain the top spot in the Qatar Handball League at the Al Duhail Indoor Arena yesterday. The defending champions have 19 points from seven matches, with Al Arabi second with 18 points. Sadd with 11 points remain in eighth place. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Al Gharafa and Al Duhail played out a nail-biting tie, with the match ending 28-28.

NBA ATHLETICS Miller-Uibo cries Clippers offi cially foul as Naser is again spared suspension

AFP Paris reach agreement he women’s 400m Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo yesterday criticised TWorld Athletics after the dop- ing suspension of her rival Salwa Eid Naser was overturned. The with Tyronn Lue 22-year-old Naser was provi- sionally suspended in June and charged with failing to meet Lue most recently served as an assistant coach last season under Doc Rivers ‘whereabouts’ criteria, but the decision was overturned on By Andrew Greif Tuesday by World Athletics Dis- Los Angeles Times ciplinary Tribunal. It said the circumstances sur- rounding one missed test “would s Tyronn Lue continues to reach have been comical were the con- out to potential candidates to sequences not so serious”. Naser, join his staff , the Los Angeles who runs for Bahrain, beat Ba- Clippers fi nalised their new hamian Miller-Uibo in the 2019 Acoach’s fi ve-year contract and offi cially World Championships in Doha announced his hiring on Tuesday. by running the third fastest time which included three missed Lue, who coached Cleveland to the in the history of the event. Mill- tests between March 2019 and 2016 NBA championship after a midsea- er-Uibo had to settle for her sec- January this year. son promotion and most recently served ond world championship silver. But the Disciplinary Tribunal as an assistant coach last season under In a post on Instagram, Miller- ruled that one of those, on April Doc Rivers, also interviewed for open- Uibo demanded to know why 12, 2019, “cannot be confi rmed” ings in Houston and New Orleans before Naser had been allowed to run. as a missed test by the athlete, agreeing in principle on Oct 15 to become The world championships meaning Naser had not missed the 26th head coach in Clippers history. were in September and October three tests within 12 months The 43-year-old Lue was one of the 2019. Between January and April which is required to prove an fi rst candidates interviewed by the Clip- of that year, according to World anti-doping violation. pers during a three-week coaching search Athletics, Naser had failed three The tribunal reported prob- in which offi cials spoke with nearly 10 times to fulfi l her whereabouts lems with the online wherea- candidates, including Denver Nuggets obligations, although the last of bouts system ‘ADAMS’ for both assistant Wes Unseld Jr, former Houston those failures was on Tuesday sides. Rockets coach and current ABC analyst deemed not her fault by the tri- It said that Naser had never Jeff Van Gundy, Clippers assistant Sam bunal. managed to log on to ADAMS let Cassell and former Los Angeles Lakers “Why was no action taken,” alone submit her whereabouts and Cavaliers coach Mike Brown. asked Miller-Uibo. “Why was information. The Bahrain athlet- “We found that the best choice for our the athlete not provisionally sus- ics federation had delegated the team was already in our building,” said pended until one year and two task to one of its offi cials, who Lawrence Frank, the team’s president of months later? I cry foul play and failed to update Naser’s wherea- basketball operations, in the team’s hiring believe there is a deeper expla- bouts for a test in January of this announcement. Lue will be introduced nation of how World Athletics... year after sleeping through the Wednesday morning for the fi rst time The Los Angeles Clippers announced that Tyronn Lue has been promoted from assistant to head coach. allowed this to carry on. “We morning deadline to update her since the hiring. need to ensure that in athletics, location. He is one of eight active coaches to have where we want to go. He is a champion- him after the Cavaliers fi red Lue follow- team’s fi rst season after acquiring All- we the athletes are not compet- The tribunal rejected Naser’s won an NBA championship on the side- ship head coach with an extraordinary ing an 0-6 start to the 2018-19 season. Star forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul ing against any administrators assertion that this should not line and has been called a bright tactician feel for the game and the people who play Billups is an NBA champion point George. whose only goal is for athletes count as a missed test. known for his quick in-game adjust- it,” Frank said. guard who worked as a Clippers tel- “The pieces we need are in place – to run faster, jump further and For the earlier test, last April, ments. The Clippers, hungry for a cham- Lue and the team are still deciding who evision analyst last season and is one of committed ownership, smart manage- throw further at any cost.” the tribunal ruled that even pionship after falling fl at in the postsea- will fi ll his coaching staff , a process that Lue’s closest friends. Billups had drawn ment, and elite talent, on and off the Later she added a comment though Naser’s ADAMS infor- son’s second round despite holding a 3-1 is expected to continue into next week. interest from the Indiana Pacers for its court, in the NBA’s best market,” Lue saying she believed that the mation gave the wrong address, series lead, called his title experience a Larry Drew and Chauncey Billups are head coaching job. said in a release. “My familiarity with the World Anti-Doping Agency the inspector should have done strong factor in his elevation from assist- expected to eventually join the team and Lue inherits a team that is expected organization, particularly Mr. Ballmer would appeal the tribunal’s ver- better once he had worked out ant to head coach following owner Steve serve as two of his three front-row assist- by rival executives to remain a strong and Lawrence, confi rmed this is where I dict to the Court for Arbitration the correct building. Ballmer’s decision not to bring back Riv- ants, people with knowledge of the situa- contender for the Western Conference want to be. We have work to do to become in Sport. “What happened next would ers in late September. tion told the Los Angeles Times last week. championship in 2021 but lacked the on- champions, but we have the motivation, The AIU charged the Nigeri- have been comical were the con- Frank said the team expects Lue to Drew is a former head coach who worked court precision and chemistry to fulfi l the tools, and the support to get there. an-born runner Naser with four sequences not so serious,” said “drive us to new heights.” “Ty has been under Lue in Cleveland and succeeded their championship aspirations in the I’m excited to get started.” alleged ‘whereabouts’ failures the ruling.

SPOTLIGHT Tokyo urges Olympics fans to ‘pack less, wait less’ following security tests

Reuters organisers also tested the use of ‘ther- when full Covid-19 protocols are de- Tokyo mometer strips’. cided. The strips, which were pasted onto “Pack less, wait less. We don’t want the wrists of volunteers being used in to delay the excitement, so please come okyo Olympics organisers the trial, contain heat-sensitive liquid with very little luggage,” urged Tokyo wrapped up three days of tests crystals and can immediately detect 2020 Security Director Tsuyoshi Iwas- yesterday, trialling a number of if the wearer has a fever. Another key hita. “For the testing of security meas- security and Covid-19 coun- element of the fi eld test was check- ures, probably this is the last one,” he Ttermeasures and asking supporters and ing how smoothly spectators can pass added. “As for Covid-19, when we fi - offi cials to pack less to wait less when through the inspection area while other nalise the measures, we want to check entering venues during the Games. measures, such as social distancing in these processes. To do so, we will set up During the tests at Tokyo Big Sight, a queues, are being enforced. further types of testing occasions.” convention centre that will host media Volunteers presented security per- Tokyo organisers have yet to con- during the postponed Games next year, sonnel with more than 40 diff erent clude whether fans will be allowed into organisers assessed various technolo- scenarios, including forgetting to wear venues during the Olympics, which run gies to monitor body temperatures of a mask and trying to bring an aerosol from July 23-Aug 8 next year. spectators. As seen at other sporting can through security, to test their read- International Olympic Committee events during the global pandemic, iness for the Games. President Thomas Bach has said or- thermology cameras and non-contact Organisers were happy with the test- ganisers expect to welcome spectators Security off icers conduct a screening test, including Covid-19 countermeasures, for next year’s Tokyo Olympic and infrared thermometers were used but ing but said more trials will be needed from around the world at the Games. Paralympic Games in Tokyo. yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Thursday, October 22, 2020 5 SPORT

MLB Kershaw and Dodgers dominate Rays in opener Kershaw was rock solid as the Dodgers seized the initiative in Major League Baseball’s best-of-seven championship showcase

AFP inning and reached second on a wild Arlington, United States pitch. Kershaw gave up a homer to Kevin Kiermaier in the top of the fi fth. The Dodgers responded in the bottom layton Kershaw pitched a post- of the fi fth, when Betts made Glasnow season gem and Mookie Betts pay for a leadoff walk, stealing two bas- backed him up with a scintil- es and scoring as Max Muncy reached lating off ensive eff ort as the fi rst base on a fi elder’s choice and Betts LosC Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa beat the throw to home. Bay Rays 8-3 in game one of the 116th “Stolen bases are a thing for me,” World Series. said Betts, who helped the Boston Red Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Sox beat the Dodgers in the 2018 World Award-winner and future Hall of Series and was traded to Los Angeles Famer whose lackluster post-season prior to this season. “That’s how I cre- record puts him under the microscope ate runs and create havoc on the base- this time of year, was rock-solid as the paths. “Once I get on the basepaths I’m Dodgers seized the initiative in Ma- just trying to get home.” jor League Baseball’s best-of-seven After Will Smith singled to drive in a championship showcase, being played run, Rays manager Kevin Cash pulled this pandemic-disrupted year at the Glasnow for Ryan Yarbrough, who neutral site of Globe Life Field in Ar- surrendered run-scoring singles to lington, Texas. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez The 32-year-old lefthander surren- that pushed the Dodgers’ lead to 6-1 dered two hits – including one home through fi ve. run – with eight strikeouts and one Glasnow departed having given up walk in six innings. three hits and six runs and a particu- Betts boosted the Dodgers’ bid for larly damaging six walks. “Not discour- their fi rst World Series title since 1988 aging,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. with a solo home run and a World Se- “Disappointing, yeah (but) we bounce ries record-equalling two stolen bases right back like we’ve done multiple in one inning. times this year and look to fi nd a way to Cody Bellinger, whose solo homer win a game tomorrow.” was crucial to the Dodgers’ 4-3 series- Kershaw retired three straight in clinching win over Atlanta in the Na- the top of the sixth, and Betts greeted tional League Championship Series, Rays relief pitcher Josh Fleming with came through again with a two-run a leadoff homer in the bottom of the homer off Rays starter Tyler Glasnow. frame. “Mookie’s pretty special,” “It’s awesome, it’s great to get this Kershaw said. “He does things on the series going with a win,” said Kershaw, baseball field that not many people who endured World Series disappoint- can do, and he does it consistently, ment with the Dodgers in 2017 and which I think separates him from oth- 2018. “It’s always important to get that Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw delivers a er guys.” fi rst game in a series, and just for me pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during game one of The Dodgers piled it on with run- personally, it’s awesome, to pitch well the 2020 World Series. (USA TODAY Sports) scoring doubles from Justin Turner and and get a win in a World Series.” Muncy. The Rays pulled back two runs Kershaw gave up a leadoff single to that moved Diaz to second, but Kershaw batters retired. “I was fortunate to get out Glasnow surrendered just one hit pitch fastball from Glasnow and send- in the seventh on singles from Mike Yandi Diaz to open the game and needed struck out Hunter Renfroe and induced of the fi rst inning without any runs,” Ker- through three innings, but Bellinger ing it 378 feet over the right centrefi eld Brosseau and Kiermaier, but the Rays 20 pitches to get out of the fi rst inning. a ground out from Manuel Margo to end shaw said. “Then after that I locked it in a broke through with one out in the wall for a home run that also scored rally stalled when Mike Zunino hit into That included a walk to Randy Arozarena the danger, launching a run of 13 straight little better.” fourth, seizing upon a 98 mph fi rst- Max Muncy – who walked to open the a double play.

NFL SPOTLIGHT Dolphins’ Tua’s parents determined Betts does it all for Dodgers in to be there for his fi rst start World Series game one win By Safid Deen Now, the Tagovailoas will get a Sun Sentinel chance to see their son make his fi rst NFL start when the Dolphins return from their bye in Week 7. s the Miami Dolphins The Dolphins will play a 10- celebrated their shutout game stretch to end the season, victory over the New looking to improve on their 3-3 York Jets in the locker record and second-place stand- roomA Sunday, rookie quarter- ing in the AFC East with a poten- back Tua Tagovailoa walked by tial run toward a playoff berth. himself back onto the Hard Rock Galu Tagovailoa says he is Stadium fi eld to share a moment grateful to Dolphins coach Brian with the two most important Flores for how he has handled the people in his life. fi rst few months of Tagovailoa’s Tagovailoa walked to the 15- career and to Fitzpatrick for his yard line, near where the fi rst mentorship. drive of his NFL career ended, “As a dad, you always want to to sit down, lean back on his left see your kids playing, you know elbow and hold his iPhone in his what I’m saying? You want to right hand for a FaceTime call see them on the fi eld. You want with his parents, Galu and Diane, to see them doing good things. to soak it all in. You want to see them learning. “I think the most important It’s always good to learn from the thing that came out of my con- side mentally. But you don’t get versation with my parents was any better learning than being on just that they were happy to see that fi eld and understanding how Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts celebrates after his single in the eighth inning against me out there and playing again, things are,” Galu Tagovailoa said. the Tampa Bay Rays during game one of the World Series in Arlington, Texas. (USA TODAY Sports) especially with what happened “At the same time, I want to last year prior to the injury and give thanks to coach Brian Flores AFP to post a home run, two stolen bases and two runs whatnot,” Tagovailoa said after and that organization. And we’re Arlington, United States scored in a single game. “I like winning,” Betts his fi rst game since suff ering his also witnessing the good things said when asked if scoring or driving in runs gave gruesome hip injury last Novem- Fitz is doing. Tua talks a lot about him more satisfaction. “Whichever one is needed ber while playing for Alabama. Fitz and his relationship with os Angeles outfi elder Mookie Betts put that day, I like doing that. You can’t do just one, Typically, the Tagovailoas Fitz. As much as he wants to play, himself in rarefi ed company with a stan- you have to do both.” don’t miss any of their oldest he respects the fact that Fitz is dout performance in the Dodgers’ game- Betts, who joined the Dodgers prior to this sea- son’s games. They’ve attended doing a good job.” one victory over Tampa Bay in the 116th son after helping the Boston Red Sox beat them three games this season, but were When Tagovailoa does take the LWorld Series on Tuesday. Betts sparked the Dodg- in the 2018 World Series, has deliberately honed Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. (USA TODAY Sports) not in South Florida for the game fi eld for his fi rst NFL start against ers’ four-run fi fth inning with a walk and two sto- every aspect of his game. He made spectacular that eventually became his NFL three contemplated whether they Ryan Fitzpatrick. the Rams on Nov. 1, he will be len bases, joining legendary Babe Ruth as the only catches in games six and seven of the National debut. Maybe, that was a good should travel from Alabama to “We didn’t know he was go- just as excited and ready for the players in World Series history to record such an League Championship Series as the Dodgers ral- thing for Tagovailoa, who made South Florida for the Jets game. ing to play,” Galu Tagovailoa said. opportunity as he was for Sun- inning. lied from a 3-1 series defi cit to beat the Braves and light of the situation with his Tagovailoa’s parents were ini- “He didn’t know.” day’s debut. And Tagovailoa will After walking to lead off the inning, Betts stole give themselves a third shot in four years at their parents during their call. tially going to fl y, but the former The Tagovailoas were in a not miss the opportunity to con- second base. After Corey Seager walked, Betts fi rst World Series title since 1988. “(Tua) just wanted to let me Alabama standout did not want meeting Sunday night, when tinue making his family proud in reached third on a double steal, giving the Dodgers “It’s so fun to watch,” Dodgers outfi elder Cody know he was good and let his them to risk their health during Tagovailoa’s agent Chris Cabott the process. “I think the biggest runners on second and third with one out. Betts Bellinger said. “He does all the little things right. mom know. And his mom was the Covid-19 pandemic. texted Diane to let her know Tua thing that really stands out to took an aggressive stance off the bag at third, and You can really learn from that.” just crying, just telling him we Then, the plan was for them to was entering the Jets game. me is just being able to make my when teammate Max Muncy hit a ground ball to “I told myself I just wanted to be consistent,” should’ve been there,” Galu drive from Alabama, like they did “She was excited. She was like, parents proud,” Tua Tagovailoa fi rst, Rays fi rst baseman Yandy Diaz couldn’t get Betts said of his approach to the game. “Watch- Tagovailoa told the South Flor- for Dolphins’ games against Buf- ‘My son is in. My son is in.’ I was said. “So whether that’s Tua as a the ball to the plate in time to prevent him from ing the greats, they are all just really consistent. ida Sun Sentinel. “He was like, falo, in Jacksonville and against like are you serious?” Galu Tago- football player, Tua as a person, scoring on a head-fi rst slide. “They hit home runs constantly, they drive in ‘Yeah, I know, but I think if you Seattle. They were going to bring vailoa said. Tua as a son, I think that’s what Betts said the base-stealing was a way to create runs constantly, they walk constantly and they guys were here, I wouldn’t have his beloved dogs, Dallas and Star, Then, he asked his wife how brings me the most joy is seeing “havoc” on the base paths. “That’s just another make good plays consistently. It is not just one played.’” to spend time with him, too. But much time was on the clock. how happy my parents get and element that Mookie brings,” Dodgers manager and then a long period of time before another one. The Tagovailoa family may no the idea of having his parents Tagovailoa trotted onto the fi eld then seeing how happy my family Dave Roberts said. “He does a lot of studying to “You have to be good at all aspects of game all the longer miss any more Dolphins drive with both pets to and from with 2:27 remaining to a loud gets, as well, with who I am and be able to create stress.” time and not take plays off .” home games after Tagovailoa was Alabama just for a weekend, ovation from an announced then also what I do.” Betts added a leadoff homer in the bottom Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who took the named Miami’s starting quar- seemed like an arduous task. crowd of 10,772 allowed inside As for Tagovailoa’s family, of the sixth — his fi rst hit of the night — joining game-one win, said Betts was “pretty special.” terback Tuesday for their Week There was also another issue, the stadium with respect to Cov- they are already making arrange- Chase Utley as the only players with a homer and But Betts, who in July agreed to a contract ex- 8 game against the Los Angeles based on the fi rst fi ve games of id-19 precautions. ments to be in attendance for his two stolen bases in a World Series game. Utley tension worth a reported $365 mn over 12 years, Rams on Nov. 1. the Dolphins season before Tago- “I was excited, but not with fi rst start. “The entire family is also did it against the Rays — for the Philadelphia says he has more work to do. “I did a good job, but Tagovailoa had gone back and vailoa’s debut, where he was kept two minutes,” Galu Tagovailoa planning,” Galu Tagovailoa said. Phillies in game one of the 2008 World Series. my main responsibility is to win a World Series,” forth with his parents as the on the sidelines behind starter said lightheartedly. “Everyone wants to see Tua play.” Betts is the only player in World Series history Betts said. “That’s all I’m trying to do.” Gulf Times 6 Thursday, October 22, 2020 SPORT

RUGBY Townsend glad to have Russell back in Scotland squad for Georgia match

AFP going for a late night party ahead “Finn’s integrated well, he took game you play there is going to ner in the Scotland side. London of Scotland’s tournament opener part in the session on Monday be errors, and especially when The Exeter men are set to join with Ireland. and trained yesterday. In train- you’re a 10 – and I should know the Scotland squad ahead of next Russell later gave a newspaper ing you see his skill level and it’s that. week’s delayed Six Nations fi nale regor Townsend be- interview in which he detailed probably moved on a couple of “We don’t want to take away against Wales in Llanelli. lieves Scotland are set the breakdown of his relationship notches since last time he was in from any of our players the abil- Recently qualifi ed Edinburgh to welcome back an with Townsend. the group.” ity to seize opportunities and wing Duhan Van Der Merwe improved Finn Russell, The pair appear to have re- Russell was a member of the make those decisions that they makes his Test debut, while Glas- Gwith the fl y-half’s year-long Test solved their diff erences and Rus- Racing side narrowly beaten by believe are right. gow hooker Fraser Brown will exile about to end. sell will be among the replace- Exeter in last weekend’s Euro- “But it’s great to see players captain the side for the fi rst time Russell is set to make his fi rst ments against Georgia, with pean Champions Cup fi nal. having the courage to go for what after being named skipper in Scotland appearance since last Adam Hastings named as the That match saw the positives they believe is right and with Hogg’s absence. year’s World Cup after being starting fl y-half by Townsend and negatives of Russell’s at- someone like Finn with his ex- Scotland were third, with two named on the bench for Friday’s yesterday. tacking game as he helped set up perience and skill set, those de- wins from four games, when the match against Georgia at Mur- “We want him to bring his two tries for Simon Zebo but also cisions will be the right ones far Six Nations was halted by Cov- rayfi eld. strengths, get back integrated threw an intercepted pass that more often than they’re not.” id-19. The Racing 92 stand-off did into the group,” said Townsend led to a try for Exeter’s Henry With Exeter playing Wasps in “We use the word improve- not feature during this year’s Six after naming his side. “It’s been Slade. this Saturday’s English Premier- ment a lot so we’re not going to be Nations before it was halted by a year since he’s played for Scot- “I’ve chatted about his game at ship fi nal, there is no place for the changing things. We feel the game the coronavirus outbreak after land and a year since he’s worked the weekend,” said former Scot- victorious European trio of Stuart we’re putting together was a solid he breached team discipline by with these players and coaches. land playmaker Townsend. “Any Hogg, Jonny Gray and Sam Skin- foundation,” said Townsend. Scotland’s Finn Russell.

GOLF Wallabies might consider Woods in quest for ‘taking a knee’: Haylett-Petty 83rd win at happy

Rugby players Filipo Daugunu (L), Dane Haylett-Petty (C) and Harry Wilson pose for pictures in the Wallabies Indigenous jersey at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Sydney hunting ground yesterday. Reuters “I can’t speak for everyone Sydney but it would be a great show The former world number one has not played since missing the cut at the US Open of support. I think that would be a discussion to have as AFP ustralia fullback a group and we’d definitely Los Angeles Dane Haylett-Petty consider it.” says the Wallabies The Wallabies will wear the Aplayers would con- jersey, which was designed sider joining other athletes by indigenous Sydney artist iger Woods launch- around the world by “taking a Dennis Golding, in their Rugby es his latest bid for a knee” before a Test match. Championship Tests against record-breaking 83rd The protest against racial in- New Zealand next week and PGA Tour victory today justice was popularised by NFL Argentina in December. Twhen he emerges from a fi ve- quarterback Colin Kaepernick “We’ve got a very diverse week layoff to defend his title at in 2016 and became a common group,” Haylett-Petty said of the relocated Zozo Champion- sight at stadiums following the the Australia squad. ship in California. death of George Floyd, a Black “That’s a strength of ours, A year ago, Woods bagged the man who died in police custody being able to represent all 82nd tour title of his career with in Minneapolis in May. Speaking Australians, especially first victory at the same tourna- at the launch of a new Wallabies nation peoples by wearing ment in Japan, fi nally tying Sam shirt with a design that pays this shirt.” There are no indig- Snead’s all-time mark to cap a tribute to the 14 indigenous enous players in the current 2019 which also included a 15th Australians who have played Wallabies squad after utility major title at the Masters. Test rugby, Haylett-Petty said back Kurtley Beale departed But in the 12 months since the squad had not yet discussed for France in June. “We need that milestone 82nd victory, the matter. more Kurtley Beales and Woods’ hopes of moving clear “I think sport has a lot of op- hopefully by wearing this of Snead have stalled, with the portunity to join conversations jersey it will inspire more coronavirus pandemic and nig- and have a say and a lot of indigenous kids to aspire to gling injuries drastically lim- sports have done that,” he told wear the Wallabies shirt in iting his tournament appear- reporters. future,” said Haylett-Petty. ances. The 44-year-old former world number one has not played since missing the cut at SPOTLIGHT the US Open in New York just over a month ago, his challenge unravelling with a seven-over- par second-round 77. Keenan, Connors Yet the opportunity of de- fending his title at this week’s Zozo Championship at Sher- handed Ireland Six wood Country Club, just out- side Los Angeles, was too good to pass up. Nations debuts The picturesque course nes- tled at the foot of the Santa AFP centres where competition is Monica Mountains used to stage Dublin fi erce – he had not had to think the limited-fi eld World Chal- twice about selecting his half- lenge event hosted by Woods backs. from 2000 to 2013. During that alongside Matthew Wolff and returns after a third place fi n- Tommy Fleetwood, Phil Mick- good to be back in Southern ugo Keenan and Will “They’re generals of the game spell, Woods won the event fi ve Xander Schauff ele. ish last year. While big-hitting elson, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose California where I grew up,” Connors will make and they’ve got the author- times and fi nished outside the Although world number one US Open champion Bryson De- and Jordan Spieth. Morikawa said. their Ireland debuts in ity to play the way we want to,” top two on just two occasions. Dustin Johnson withdrew on Chambeau is skipping the event For the Los Angeles-raised “Every time we’re able to play the Six Nations match he said. Ireland still entertain While this week’s event will Monday as he continues his re- as he plots an assault on next Morikawa, this week’s event a tournament in California it al- Hwith Italy at Lansdowne Road on hopes of the title – a bonus feature a full 78-player fi eld, covery from Covid-19, Woods month’s rescheduled Masters at sees him return to a venue ways means a little more to me. Saturday. point win over Italy would put clearly Woods will feel at home will need to get the better of a Augusta, 2020 PGA Champion- where he once watched Woods “I came out here when I was Keenan, 24, will start on the them a point ahead of England on the 7,098-yard layout which star-studded fi eld if he is to bag ship winner Collin Morikawa is play as a spectator. really young to watch Tiger’s wing while Leinster team-mate and France going into the fi nal was once used as a fi lming loca- title No.83. in the fi eld. The 23-year-old said Tues- event, but I couldn’t tell you Connors, who is the same age, round of matches. tion for television shows such as World number two Jon Rahm Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama — day he had once waited in vain anything about that day other gets the nod at fl anker ahead of The Irish take on France in “M.A.S.H” and “The Dukes of will make his debut in the tour- last year’s runner-up at Chiba for Woods in the hope of secur- than I remember waiting un- the more experienced Josh van Paris in their fi nal match on Sat- Hazzard”. nament while two-time Fed- — will also take part along with ing his autograph. derneath one of the balconies der Flier. urday week, with England away Woods will tee off today ExCup champion Rory McIlroy Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, “It’s good to be back in LA, for signatures, never got one.” “We do defi nitely think they to Italy in Rome. are ready,” said Ireland coach The Six Nations was brought Andy Farrell after naming his to a halt in March when the BOTTOMLINE side yesterday. Connors was in coronavirus pandemic took the squad to face Italy in Febru- hold. ary before the game was called Ireland’s game in Dublin will off . be held behind closed doors due No roars will leave players in dark at Masters: Tiger “Will is champing at the bit. to pandemic health protocols. He has been involved before and On Monday, Ireland became Reuters “There’s no other place like it,” said April date to Nov. 12-15 will mean warm his one and only warmup event prior to has had seven months to think the fi rst EU country to return to Los Angeles Woods as he prepared to defend his title spring breezes replaced by chilly north Augusta, where he will chase a 16th major about it. lockdown. at the ZOZO Championships, moved to winds. With no fans there will be silence title. “We think Will adds a little bit Farrell said he and the team Thousand Oaks, California from Japan where there was buzz. Coming off a disappointing US Open of mobility to our back-row and were aware of their responsibil- rom the weather to a lack of bus- due to Covid-19. “It echoes there, it trav- It all adds up to a very unfamiliar build- last month where he failed to make the obviously defence is a big part of ity to lift the country’s spirits tling crowds, much will be diff er- els. up to 2020’s fi nal major, which is usually cut at Winged Foot Golf Club, Woods will the game. The former England rugby ent about a Masters forced from “When you know the pairings, you the year’s fi rst. fi nd himself in more friendly surround- “Hugo is an exciting player league great – who replaced Joe FApril to November by the Cov- know where certain players would be at “No, you can’t,” said Woods when ings at Sherwood Country Club, a layout and capable of adding variety.” Schmidt as head coach follow- id-19 pandemic, but for Tiger Woods the that particular time and you can fi gure asked if it is possible replicate his prepa- where he has posted fi ve wins. New Zealand-born scrum- ing last year’s World Cup – said most unsettling thing will be the absence out who’s doing what, and the roars for rations. “It’s not normally this time of “My game’s defi nitely better than it half Jamison Gibson-Park is also the team’s performance was the of that familiar Augusta National sound- certain people are louder than others, and year. was at the US Open,” said Woods, add- likely to make his fi rst appear- key. track. then you hear eagle roars and hole-outs “The fact that the Masters will be held ing he might consider playing the Hou- ance after being named on the “Of course, we all know what With no phones allowed on course and on 16, or whatever it may be. in November, it’s unprecedented, never ston Open the week before the Masters. bench. kind of time it is,” said the only a few manually operated scoreboards “It’s unlike any other place in the been done before. “I feel a little bit more prepared, a little Farrell, though, has stuck 45-year-old Englishman. to provide updates, it is the roars echo- world.” “I can’t simulate the normal ramp-up bit better and hopefully that translates with the tried and tested half- “We can all talk about the re- ing through the Georgia pines that have A trip to Augusta National off ers sen- that I normally have, and I don’t think into playing the golf course. “Some of the back partnership of Conor Mur- sponsibilities that we have. delivered the news at Augusta National sory overload from the sweet fragrance anyone else can either.” redesign that they’ve done here and the ray at scrum-half and captain “We are desperate to help during Masters week. With no fans al- of the azaleas to the taste of a Masters pi- Before defending his Masters ti- redo has made this golf course certainly Johnny Sexton at fl y-half. lighten the mood but we can’t lowed on site golfers will be operating in mento cheese sandwich. tle Woods will fi rst focus on his ZOZO more member-friendly and I think that Farrell said unlike other po- put any more pressure on our the dark. But the move from its traditional early Championship defence, which might be the scores will be awfully low this week.” sitions – the back row and the shoulders. Gulf Times Thursday, October 22, 2020 7 SPORT

FORMULA 1 SPOTLIGHT CYCLING Canada’s O’Connor wins Stroll Giro stage, Almeida Hamilton can cleared holds pink jersey

AFP NTT Pro Cycling team, at- of virus Madonna di Campiglio, Italy tacked on the fi nal climb of the 203km run through a snowy backdrop from Bassano del ustralian rider Ben Grappa. overtake Schu O’Connor won the The 24-year-old, who fi n- Giro d’Italia’s 17th ished second on Tuesday, stage yesterday in the crossed the line alone, 31 sec- skiA resort of Madonna di Cam- onds ahead of Austrian Her- piglio in the northern Italian mann Pernsteiner of Bahrain- Dolomites, a day before the fi - McLaren with Belgian Thomas nal big climb of this year’s race De Gendt third a minute be- towards the Stelvio Pass. hind the leader. at Portugal GP Portugal’s Joao Almeida of “Yesterday’s second place Deceuninck Quick-Step fi n- left me feeling pretty bitter,” The six-times world champion equalled Ferrari great Schumacher’s ished in 15th position, fi ve said O’Connor, who had fi n- minutes behind O’Connor, to ished behind Pernsteiner’s record 91 GP victories in the previous race at the Nuerburgring maintain his hold on the over- Slovenian teammate Jan Trat- all leader’s pink jersey. nik. To win in Milan on Sunday, “Today I was able to bounce Almeida must resist one of the back and get this success, it’s Reuters highest peaks in Europe at an a dream to get a victory in a Lisbon altitude of 2,758metres, with Grand Tour.” a freezing descent and fi nal A breakaway of 19 riders ascent to the lakes of Cancano. led the way in a stage which anadian Formula One “Today it was a hard day, a included four climbs with the driver Lance Stroll said lot of climbing but I had the remaining group going into the yesterday he tested pos- perfect team with me,” said fi nal 12.5km climb with a lead itive for Covid-19 after 22-year-old Almeida. of six minutes. theC Oct 11 Eifel Grand Prix but “That’s one more day in the O’Connor pulled clear with was now clear and ready to race Maglia Rosa. Team Sunweb 8.8km to go ahead of a trio of in Portugal this coming weekend. tried to attack but I was feeling pursuers including De Gendt, The 21-year-old missed the good. Tomorrow it’s another Pernsteiner and Ilnur Zakarin. race at the Nuerburgring after day, I look forward to it.” Pernsteiner tried vainly to feeling unwell and was replaced Almeida holds a 17-second catch up with the Australian at short notice by Germany’s overall lead on Dutch rider but lost time on the climb to- Nico Hulkenberg at the Racing Wilco Kelderman whose Team wards Madonna di Campiglio. Point team. Sunweb teammate Jai Hindley O’Connor had won a moun- The Silverstone-based outfi t, of Australia is third at nearly tain stage on the Tour des Al- owned by Stroll’s father Law- three minutes. pes in 2018, but it was his fi rst rence and third in the construc- O’Connor, riding for the stage win on a Grand Tour. tors’ standings, said at the time that he had felt unwell since the Russian Grand Prix on Sept 27 but had tested negative. Stroll is the second Formula One driver to contract the new coronavirus, the other being his Mexican team mate Sergio Perez who missed two races in August. “I just want to let everyone know that I recently tested posi- tive for Covid-19 after the Eifel GP weekend,” said Stroll on his social media accounts. “I am feeling 100% and have since tested negative.” Stroll said he had woken up on the Saturday morning at the Nuerburgring with an upset stomach. “I followed the FIA protocol and self-isolated in my mo- Lewis Hamilton is torhome and did not re-enter poised to make history the paddock,” he explained. in Portugal on Sunday. “I wasn’t fit to race so I flew home early Sunday morning. As I was still feeling under the Reuters twice in 11 races so far this season a novelty for Formula One, some ited to 27,500 spectators per day weather I took a Covid test on Lisbon while Hamilton has won seven current drivers have raced or due to a rise in Covid-19 cases in Sunday evening. times and Finnish team mate tested there on their way to the the country. “The next day the results Valtteri Bottas, now 69 points top. The race, at the Algarve Inter- came back positive, so I stayed ewis Hamilton and his behind in the standings with six Hamilton tested in the Algarve national Circuit near the south- at home self-isolating for the Mercedes team can make races to go, twice. with McLaren in 2009 while Bot- ern city of Portimao, will be the next 10 days. Luckily, my symp- Formula One history on Mercedes have scored 40 tas raced there in Formula Three, fi rst grand prix held in Portugal toms were pretty mild.” LSunday as Portugal re- points or more in six of the races, as did Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. since 1996. Stroll said he was tested again turns for the fi rst time in 24 years with three one-two fi nishes, but “The circuit is probably new “Since the total capacity (of last Monday and his results Team NTT Australia rider Ben O’Connor celebrates as he crosses on a calendar reshaped by the on all those occasions Red Bull to a lot of the guys with a few of the circuit) is around 90,000 were negative. the finish line of the 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2020 cycling Covid-19 pandemic. managed to take at least 15. them having experience there in seats, and given the current epi- “I feel in great shape and I race, a 203km route between Bassano del Grappa - Madonna di The six-times world champion Bottas retired with a power junior levels,” said Lando Norris, demiological situation, the au- can’t wait to be back with the Campiglio, yesterday. equalled Ferrari great Michael unit failure at the Nuerburgring, who did a two-day test there in thorized capacity for this specifi c team and to race in Portugal,” he Schumacher’s record 91 grand a major blow to his slim title 2017 in a 2011 McLaren. event is 27,500 seats,” a govern- added. prix victories in the previous race hopes, but Mercedes are on top “Not sure if it will give me a ment statement said. Formula One teams are op- Soler claims Vuelta second stage at the Nuerburgring and now has of the problem. little bit of an edge on the driv- It added that this would be erating in ‘bubbles within bub- his fi rst opportunity to go one “We have identifi ed a failed ers who are new to the track, but “distributed by separated stands, bles’, isolated from each other Lekunberri, Espagne: Marc group of general classifica- better. electrical component in the con- we’ll have to wait and see,” added with a variable occupancy ca- and separated into groups in- Soler won the second stage of tion contenders with 13km to Mercedes meanwhile have trol electronics as the cause of the McLaren driver. pacity and divided into sectors of ternally to limit the risk of con- the Vuelta a Espana yesterday go.Jumbo-Visma rider Roglic, their fi rst chance to seal an un- the problem and the evidence The race will have spectators, about 800 people”. tagion. as reigning champion Primoz who let the Tour de France precedented seventh successive suggests that swift action in re- but limited to 27,500 a day under There would be seating only, Nobody is allowed into the Roglic kept the red jersey for slip on the penultimate stage, constructors’ title, although they tiring the car prevented mechan- local regulations to combat the with safe spacing and no move- paddock without producing a overall leader. led the group who came may have to wait another week- ical damage to his power unit,” spread of the new coronavirus. ment between sectors or stands. negative test result, and team Spaniard Soler finished ahead in 19 seconds behind Soler end for the inevitable to be con- said team boss Toto Wolff . Racing Point’s Lance Stroll, The director of the circuit said members are tested at five day of Roglic and Dan Martin at and increased his lead in the fi rmed. The champions will need Hamilton has gone well at cir- the second F1 driver to contract in August around 28,000 tickets intervals. the end of the 151.6km ride overall standings to nine to score 40 points more than cuits new to the calendar in the Covid-19 after his Mexican team had already been sold but warned Champions Mercedes, who from Pamplona to Lekunberri seconds, with Israel Start- closest rivals Red Bull for that to past and has won twice this year mate Sergio Perez, should be that fans would not be allowed in have Lewis Hamilton heading to earn his first stage win on a Up Nation’s Martin moving happen at Portimao’s undulating at tracks that would not have fi t to race after missing the last if the pandemic worsened. for a seventh world champi- grand tour. in second ahead of Richard Algarve International Circuit, featured but for the pandemic — round and testing negative on Portugal’s coronavirus cases onship, reported two positive Movistar rider Soler, 26, took Carapaz. Today’s 166.1km third which is hosting a grand prix for Italy’s Mugello and Germany’s Monday. Meanwhile, organisers passed 100,000 on Monday, days cases at the Nuerburgring with the stage after attacking stage will take place between the fi rst time. Nuerburgring. said Sunday’s Portuguese For- after tough new measures to con- six replacements flown in from towards the end of a demand- Lodosa and the Laguna Negra Red Bull have drawn a blank While the Portuguese track is mula One Grand Prix will be lim- tain the disease came into force. England. ing stage and leaving a select in Vinuesa.

TENNIS Federer pain-free, on track for Australian Open

Zurich: Roger Federer is While he has made significant practising pain-free after un- progress in his recovery he Djokovic pulls out of Paris Masters with no points to win dergoing two knee surgeries says he is still not at the point this year and says he expects where he can train as normal. Reuters Asked if he was content to allow world to return to the circuit at the “Not yet, more than two hours Belgrade number two Nadal to catch up with him Australian Open in January. with the racket are not possible in the Masters race, Djokovic said: “It’s The 39-year-old Swiss reached at the moment,” said Federer, not my priority. My immediate task is to the semi-finals at Melbourne who is currently ranked fourth ovak Djokovic has decided not collect as many points as I can in a bid Park at the start of the year but in the world and saw Rafa to enter the Paris Masters be- to put as much distance between myself missed the rest of the season Nadal equal his Grand Slam cause he has no points to win at and the chasing pack ahead of next sea- after undergoing a second haul with a 13th French Open Nthe Nov 2-8 event as he bids to son. arthroscopic procedure on his title this month. retain the world number one spot come “I want to go down in history as the right knee. “But I’ve been working on end of season, the 33-year-old Serb said. world number one with the most weeks “I’m on the right track,” the my stamina and strength “I won’t play in Paris as I can’t add to at the top of the ATP Tour and I will do 20 times Grand Slam singles absolutely without pain for a my points tally but I will go to Vienna and all I can to make it happen. champion told German- while. There will be no further London,” Djokovic told yesterday’s edi- “Whether Nadal plays in Paris or not language magazine Schweizer operations.” tion of Belgade daily Sportski Zurnal. changes nothing because it’s all in my Illustrierte. Federer is often asked about “I can win up to 500 points in Vienna hands.” Djokovic, who claimed his 17th “I’m gradually coming back but his retirement plans but the as I didn’t play there last year and there major honour when he won this year’s I’m going to take my time and Swiss said he would keep play- are also a lot of points available in Lon- Australian Open, was confident upcom- don’t want to put any pressure ing as long as he was enjoying don.” Djokovic clinched a record 36th ing Serbian talents would follow in his on myself. I will only take part it. “I have been thinking about ATP Masters crown when he won the footsteps one day. in a tournament when I am ideas for about five years,” he Italian Open title in Rome last month, record haul of 20 Grand Slam titles when Djokovic, who won the Paris Masters “The last 10 or 15 years have been fruit- 100% fit. added. surpassing Rafael Nadal who confirmed he blew Djokovic away in the French last year, will not lose any points over ful and the success has yielded players “At the moment, it looks like I “But as long as I am having fun he would enter the Paris Masters after Open final, has not entered the Oct 26- skipping the event because the ATP like Laslo Djere, Miomir Kecmanovic and can make my comeback at the and it’s right for all of us, I’ll winning his 13th French Open title on Nov 1 tournament in Vienna but is ex- Tour’s revised ranking system due to the Hamad Medjedovic. It’s great to see our Australian Open in January.” keep going.” Oct 11. pected to take part in the ATP Finals in Covid-19 pandemic allows players to re- youngsters winning tournaments,” he Nadal, who equalled Roger Federer’s London, Nov 15-22. tain points from last year. said. Thursday, October 22, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Guillambert, Shakour land Wathnan Cup glory Guillambert was astride the colt for the five-year-old’s second win this year, and the duo won by a little less than three lengths

By Sports Reporter Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained Doha Wadhah was another Thoroughbred to win a handicap, the fi lly’s fi rst victory in a year. Luca Maniezzi, riding in the halifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s colours of Saif Rashid Saif al-Khayarin, Shakour was the fi rst win- gave the four-year-old a fantastic ride ner of the season for trainer in the six-furlong Local Thoroughbred Zuhair Mohsen and jockey Handicap sprint as they won by a little KJP Guillambert when they landed the more than four lengths. Wathnan Cup at the Qatar Racing Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Joudy too won and Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Park the Purebred Arabian Handicap by a yesterday. The 1800m Thoroughred similar margin with Alberto Sanna in Handicap for horses rated 70-90 was the saddle for the fi lly’s fi rst career win. the feature on dirt yesterday. Georges Mikhalides’ ward topped the Guillambert was astride the colt for six-furlong sprint, her ninth start. the fi ve-year-old’s second victory this year, and the duo won by a little less RESULTS than three lengths when they beat Ib- Race 1: PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN rahim al-Malki-trained Ernest Aldrich, PLATE (4 YEAR OLDS ONLY) helmed by Soufi ane Saadi, at the post. Alberto Sanna and his partner Georges 1. Abahat (Ronan Thomas), 2. Bakie Mikhalides-trained Star Of War had to (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Al Addaaj (Alberto settle for third. Sanna), 4. Wardan Al Hashm (Rashid In the penultimate race yesterday, Al Ali al-Marri). Won by: ½, ¾, 1 ¼. Time: Shaqab Racing’s Maiuf was the second 2:03.62. Owner Umm Qarn. Trainer: winner on the day saddled by Qatar- Alban de Mieulle. based Frenchman Alban de Mieulle. Race 2: THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN De Mieulle had a maiden winner in PLATE (Class 6) Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Racing manager Mohamed Khalid al-Khalifa (second from right) with the winners of Wathnan Cup after Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s the opening event of the eight-race Shakour won the 1800m feature on dirt at Al Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim card when Umm Qarn colt Abahat won 1. Gold Fleece (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 2. under Ronan Thomas. Tafaahum (JP Guillambert), 3. Deco Boy (Rashid Ali al-Marri), 4. Anees (Ali Later in the evening, in the Purebred (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Forneus (Adnan Khalid al-Mosallam). Won by: 4 ¼, ½, Arabian Handicap for horses rated 105 Hawa). Won by: 3, ¼, 3 ¾. Time: 1:50.34. ½. Time: 1:19.55. Owner: Al Wasmiyah and below, Thomas was once again Owner: Nasser Saeed al-Eida. Trainer: Farm. Trainer: Georges Mikhalides. astride the winner, with the TM Fred Jassim Mohamed Ghazali Race 6: LOCAL THOROUGHBRED Texas colt holding off a threatening Race 3: PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP (80 & below) challenge from rivals Baker De Saularie, MAIDEN PLATE ridden by Alberto Sanna, and Winne 1. Wadhah (Luca Maniezzi), 2. Attaf Taouy, with Carlos Henrique in the 1. Muthhil (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 2. (JP Guillambert), 3. Majhool Al Zaeem saddle, by half-a-length. Razad (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Umm Bab (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 4. Rosasa Qatari riders put together a good set (Ronan Thomas), 4. Deemah (Soufiane (Alberto Sanna). Won by: 4 ¼, ¾, No. of results with Rashid Ali al-Marri and Saadi). Won by: 1 ½, 7 ½, 2 ¾. Time: Time: 1:13.47. Owner: Saif Rashid Saif Saleh Salem al-Marri picking up three 2:00.05. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al-Khayarin. Trainer: Mohamed Khaled victories between themselves yester- al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Elahmed. day. The former rode his second winner Ghazali. Race 7: PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDI- of the season when he guided Abdullah Race 4: THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP CAP (105 & below) Mohamed al-Kuwari and Sons’ Shell- (Class 5) (75 & below) (QATARI brook to the gelding’s second straight 1. Maiuf (Ronan Thomas), 2. Baker De RIDERS ONLY) victory in as many weeks. Saularie (Alberto Sanna), 3. Winne Jassim Mohamed Ghazali-trained 1: Shellbrook (Rashid Ali al-Marri), Taouy (Carlos Henrique), 4. Latam four-year-old, who won a maiden last 2. Leafy Moss (Abdulla Mubarak al- (Faleh Bughanaim). Won by: ½, ¾, 6 ¼. week under Saleh Salem al-Marri, won Maadeed), 3. Third World (Saleh Salem Time: 2:13.00. Owner: Al Shaqab Rac- the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses al-Marri), 4. Golden Parade (Abdulaziz ing. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. rated 75 and below handsomely with Jaber Dharman). Won by: 4 ½, 3 ½, 2 ¾. Race 8: WATHNAN CUP (THOROUGH- four-and-a-half lengths to spare yes- Time: 1:11.41. Owner: Abdullah Moham- BRED HANDICAP (CLASS 3) 70 – 90) terday. ed al-Kuwari & Sons. Trainer: Jassim 1. Shakour (JP Guillambert), 2. Ernest Earlier in the day, Saleh Salem al- Mohamed Ghazali. Marri rode two maiden winners, both Aldrich (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Star Of War Race 5: PUREBRED ARABIAN from Ghazali’s yard — Nasser Saeed (Alberto Sanna), 4. Braemar (Meteb HANDICAP al-Eida’s Gold Fleece and Khalifa bin Ali al-Marri). Won by: 2 ¾, 3 ¾, 2. Time: Sheail al-Kuwari’s Qatar-bred Muth- 1. Joudy (Alberto Sanna), 2. Faadi 1:54.58. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al- hil. (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Forgehill Chiraz Kuwari. Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen. JP Guillambert rides Shakour to Wathnan Cup victory at Al Rayyan Park yesterday.

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT Siraj’s fi ery spell leads Bangalore’s Al-Kuwari elected as vice president of Asian Volleyball Confederation eight-wicket rout of Kolkata in IPL QNA global body’s next General As- Doha sembly. AFP In yesterday’s meeting, Oman, Dubai Kuwait and Bahrain were also he president of the Qa- elected members of the Execu- tar Volleyball Associa- tive Offi ce of the Asian Volleyball aceman Mohamed Siraj returned tion (QVA) Ali Ghanim Confederation. impressive bowling fi gures of three al-Kuwari was elected as Al-Kuwari said his unanimous for eight to help Royal Challengers Tvice president of the Asian Vol- election came as a result of the Bangalore thrash Kolkata Knight leyball Confederation, after his West Asian Federations confi - PRiders by eight wickets in the Indian Pre- unanimous election as President dence in Qatar Volleyball Associ- mier League yesterday. of the West Asian Federation, ation and in its ability to develop Siraj bowled two successive maiden overs during the meeting held yester- the game in the region. — the fi rst ever in the IPL — of his four to day via video call. Al-Kuwari pointed out the keep Kolkata down to this season’s lowest Al-Kuwari has also obtained support of HE President of score of 84 for eight in Abu Dhabi. Skipper membership in the Executive Of- the Qatar Olympic Commit- Virat Kohli, who made 18, and Gurkeerat fi ce of the International Volley- tee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al- Singh, 21 not out, took Bangalore home in ball Federation and will represent Thani for Qatar’s achievement in 13.3 overs as the side went level on 14 points the West Asian Federation in the sports. Ali Ghanim al-Kuwari with table toppers Delhi Capitals. Siraj, who was brought in as the only change in the XI, rewarded the team with FOCUS two successive wickets of Rahul Tripathi and Nitish Rana in his fi rst over. “Last year Siraj had a tough year and a lot of peo- ple went hard at him,” Kohli said of the Second round of Hathab to be 26-year-old quick who has played just three T20 matches and one ODI for India since 2017. “This year he has worked hard and was held at QEF this weekend bowling well in the nets. He has seen the re- Tomorrow (Oct 23) sults now but we want him to keep following By Sports Reporter the second round as well. the process.” Doha The second round of the annu- Small Tour: (Table A Special His South African pace partner Chris al 12-round equestrian series will Two Phases 100/110cm): 3pm Morris sent back Shubman Gill and Siraj got see dressage action on the second onwards England’s Tom Banton caught behind for 10 he Qatar Equestrian day, held separately from regular Medium Tour: (Ind & teams): as Kolkata slipped to 14 for four. “I had been Tour – Longines Hathab Hathab competition days. practising in the nets with the new ball and will resume this week- The mandatory veterinary (Table A, One round against the with my outswing it gave me confi dence to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj (right) celebrates with captain end with the second checks for participating horses clock with jump off 120/130cm): fi nally get the new ball,” said man-of-the- Tround action to be held at the will be done today. 5.30pm onwards Virat Kohli after dismissing Kolkata Knight Riders’s Tom Banton (not in picture) during the match Siraj. “I wanted to give a magical Indian Premier League in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (Sportzpics for BCCI) Qatar Equestrian Federation’s For the health and safety rea- Open Class: Top Score Competi- performance for RCB after they backed me Indoor Arena tomorrow and on sons, and in line with national tion 115/120cm: 3pm onwards so much. And Morris has been a big help for also for four. Lockie Ferguson made an un- Padikkal was run out for 25 and Finch made Saturday. The new season of the Covid-19 precautionary meas- Big Tour: Table A, One round our bowling unit.” beaten 19 as Kolkata survived their 20 overs, 16 before falling to Ferguson. Hathab is supported by The So- ures, the Qatar Equestrian Tour against the clock with jump off Skipper Eoin Morgan walked in to put which at one point looked unlikely, after cial & Sport Contribution Fund. Season 4 is being held behind 130/140cm): 5.30pm onwards up some fi ght against an inspired bowling electing to bat fi rst. “Being four or fi ve down BRIEF SCORES Mohamed Saeed Haidan had closed doors. Saturday (Oct 24) as the left-hand batsman scored 30 off 34 as early as we were is disappointing,” said Kolkata Knight Riders 84 for 8 in 20 made a dream start to his cam- However, fans of the tour can deliveries. He got out to off -spinner Wash- Morgan. “RCB bowled well, but we should paign in the opening round, follow the thrilling action live on overs (Morgan 30, Siraj 3-8, Chahal 2-15) Dressage: Medium (Level 1): ington Sundar. Yuzvendra Chahal made an have countered that better. And with that held couple of weeks back, as Al Kass TV. lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore 85 2pm impression with his leg-spin to send back dew, we probably should have bowled fi rst.” he claimed the Medium and Big for 2 in 13.3 overs (Padikkal 25, Gurkeerat Dressage: Prelim (Level 2): former captain Dinesh Karthik trapped leg In reply, Bangalore openers Devdutt Tour honours. Haidan will hope HATHAB ROUND 2 SCHEDULE before wicket for four and got Pat Cummins Padikkal and Aaron Finch put on 46 runs. 21*, Ferguson 1-17) by eight wickets to continue his good form into 3.30pm