SPORT Monday 22 October 2018 PAGE | 28 PAGE | 31 Rockets top Al Sadd confident Lakers as tempers of reaching flare late ACL final

Qatari players celebrate after winning their AFC U-19 Championship match against hosts Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta yesterday.

Umaru hat-trick propels

Qatar’s Abdulrasheed Umaru celebrates after to victory in 11-goal thriller scoring a hat-trick during yesterday’s THE PENINSULA match. Indonesia rallied magnificently late on Indonesian backline to double both his to score after Umaru’s initial shot had but were left to rue a fragile defensive side’s advantage on the night and his been repelled by Indonesian custodian JAKARTA: Abdulrasheed Umaru display which ultimately proved their tournament tally. Muhamad Riyandi. scored a hat-trick as a formi- undoing. With Indonesia rocked by the double Within the hour, Qatar made it six, setback, two became three the impressive Umaru notching a well- for Qatar on 24th deserved hat-trick after he sprinted into minute, this time the area and finished with aplomb past Abdulwahhab the sprawling Riyandi. finding the top corner To the delight of their fans, Indo- with a fierce drive that nesia struck again with 25 minutes The result saw Qatar took a slight deflection of remaining as substitute Todd Rivaldo go second in Group A behind the United opposing Nurhidayat Haji Haris. Ferre found the target with another Arab Emirates - who they lost to on To their credit, Indonesia refused to sublime set-piece from the left flank. Matchday One - and left them knowing buckle and they duly reduced the deficit Remarkably, the hosts scored again dable first half performance that a win against Chinese Taipei on just before the half hour mark when four minutes later through a Saddil laid the foundations for Qatar’s incredible Wednesday would give them every Muhammad Luthfi Kamal Baharsyah’s Ramdani free-kick to, albeit briefly, 6-5 win over a resilient hosts Indonesia chance of progressing. free-kick deceived Qatari goalkeeper conjure up images of Indra Sjafri’s young in their second match at the AFC U-19 Indonesia began brightly in a Salah Zakaria before looping into the net. charges staging the comeback of all Championship yesterday. cauldron of noise at the Gelora Bung Zakaria then saved well from Egy comebacks – something that appeared In addition to Ubaru’s brilliant treble Karno Stadium, but it was to be the vis- Maulana Vikri before, and as a frenetic all the more possible when Rivaldo Ferre (14’, 41’, 56’), (11’, 51’) and itors who went ahead as a defensive first period drew to a close, Umaru made dramatically scored his side’s fourth. Abdulwahhab (24’) lapse saw Hashim Ali prod the ball home amends for a horror miss moments With Qatar head coach Bruno Pin- were also on target for Qatar. from close range on 11th minute. earlier by turning neatly in the penalty heiro sent to the stands, the iconic Gelora Yesterday’s result also meant Al Clearly buoyed by their early break- area and ramming the ball into the roof Bung Karno was then shook to its rafters Annabi kept their hopes alive for a place through, Qatar continued to press and of the net from 12 yards. when Rivaldo Ferre incredibly grabbed in the competition’s quarter-finals. their persistence paid off once again just Qatar remained on the front foot his third to take a resurgent Indonesia Four goals within the opening 45 three minutes later as Umaru made the after the break and they grabbed a fifth to within one goal of Qatar with nine minutes set the tone on a night when most of yet more hesitancy in the on 51st minute when Hashim Ali pounced minutes remaining.

Hamilton made to wait as Raikkonen Marquez is world champion ends his 113-race victory drought

THE PENINSULA on to next week in Mexico as Ham- the next race,” the Briton said. ilton’s Championship lead does “After my first stop, 12 seconds AUSTIN: Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen increase by three points was way too far to catch up. I’m I feel really, won the United States GP to end nonetheless. not really quite sure how the really good. his 113-race victory drought as Vettel passed Bottas on final strategy ended up like that.” Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished lap to disappoint Hamilton. Vettel has to win the remaining I already third behind Max Verstappen and “Naturally I thought we would three races this season to have a imagined that it was made to wait to taste his fifth be able to do better but this is the chance of becoming Formula 1 will be (decided) here world title at yesterday’s United best we were able to do in the end,” world champion this year. States Grand Prix in Austin. Hamilton said after the race. Hamilton only needs a seventh but the important Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel fin- “We just have to keep place in Mexico to become thing is that when you ished fourth and the title race goes working and keep pushing for champion next week. have the first chance, you do it. It wasn't the best circuit to do it but I worked hard all weekend: Honda’s Marc Marquez

Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates on the podium after winning the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi Circuit in Motegi, Japan yesterday. The victory also Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen of Finlandin driving during the United States Formula secured his third straight MotoGP One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, United States yesterday. world title. Raikkonen won the race to end his 113-race victory drought. See also page: 27 28 SPORT MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2018 Doha Worlds: Aspire, LOC sign partnership agreement

THE PENINSULA services for the athletes and officials at Aspire at the press conference, said: “We the competition venue. We thank Aspire will do our best to stage a special event DOHA: Aspire Dome, the world’s largest and its facilities for their continuous that will represent Qatar in the best way indoor multi-purpose dome, will play support.” possible. Aspetar, the medical partner host to the 48th Artistic Gymnastics With more than 600 athletes from of the World Championship is also on World Championships that Doha is set 78 different nations participating, the site in Aspires Zone and will provide to stage this week from October 25 for venue has set up six training halls, a medical services. We would like to thank the first time in the Middle East. warm-up hall and the competition hall the organising committee who are The World Championship, which all under Aspire Dome. working around the clock to stage an serves as the first qualification event for In addition, the International Gym- exceptional and successful event and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, is the world’s nastics Federation requires a minimum wish everyone the best.” biggest gymnastics competition. of 6,000 Seats for the World Champi- Aspire Dome has the capacity to host At yesterday’s signing ceremony, Ali onships, as result 800 temporary seats 13 different sporting events simultane- Al Hitmi, Executive Manager of the Local have been added to reach that ously. As part of Aspire Zone, it previ- Organising Committee of Doha 2018 requirement. A fan zone area has also ously hosted the Asian Games in 2006, said: “We are very proud to sign this been set up allowing spectators to the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Champi- partnership agreement with Aspire Zone optimise their experience at the World onships, the 2011 Arab Games as well as Foundation (AZF) which has provided Championship. an annual event in the Artistic Gym- us with unlimited support. This rela- With days away from the Opening nastics World Cup series since 2009. tionship has ensured us that we are able Ceremony, preparations are in the final Qatar is the first Arab country to host to stage a world-class championship. stage to welcome gymnasts, officials and the Artistic Gymnastics World Champi- Ali Al Hitmi, Executive Manager of the Local Organising Committee of Doha 2018 The team at Aspire are providing us with spectators to Aspire Dome. onships. Only Japan and China have and Mohammed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Aspire during a press conference, yesterday. logistics support to ensure the best Mohammed Al Suwaidi, CEO of organised it in Asia.

Skinner Rockets top shines as Lakers as Sabres rout tempers LA Kings flare late REUTERS REUTERS

LOS ANGELES: Jeff Skinner earned LOS ANGELES: James Harden scored a hat-trick, and goaltender Linus 36 points and Chris Paul added 28 Ullmark made 19 saves as the visiting points with 10 assists as the visiting Buffalo Sabres cruised to a 5-1 victory Houston Rockets spoiled LeBron over the Los Angeles Kings on James’ home opener with the Los Saturday afternoon. Angeles Lakers by earning a high- Skinner scored his first goal at intensity 124-115 victory on Saturday 3:31 of the second period. He tallied night. again at 15:52 of the period before his Three players were ejected with final goal came on an empty net with 4:13 remaining after an on-court less than a minute to play in the third. altercation that started after the Jason Pominville and Zach Bog- Lakers’ Brandon Ingram committed osian scored the Sabres’ other goals. a hard foul on Harden. After the Jonathan Quick had 21 saves for Los whistle, Paul and the Lakers’ Rajon Angeles. Rondo threw punches at each other, Ullmark nearly earned his second with Ingram also joining the fray. shutout in two starts this season, after Paul, Rondo and Ingram all were he paved the way to a 3-0 victory at The Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a group photo after their win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee on Saturday. ejected. Arizona on Oct. 13. Drew Doughty The Rockets closed out their first scored on the power play for the victory and showed improved Kings at 12:16 of the third period. defense after giving up 131 points in Flyers 5, Devils 2 a season-opening defeat to the New Jakub Voracek scored the tie- Dodgers down Brewers Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. breaking goal on a breakaway with James scored 24 points on his 3:10 remaining and added two assists, new home floor, adding five rebounds lifting Philadelphia to victory over and five assists. James, who led the visiting New Jersey. Cleveland Cavaliers to four consec- Voracek’s goal gave the Flyers the to reach World Series utive NBA Finals appearances, signed win after the Devils’ Brian Boyle a four-year, $154m deal with the scored the tying goal early in the third Lakers in the offseason. on a New Jersey power play. Boyle AFP The Dodgers, seeking their first Major right-centerfield for a 2-1 James’ first home field goal with forged a 2-2 deadlock with a wrist League Baseball crown since 1988, will begin Dodgers lead. the Lakers came on a pull-up jumper shot over Brian Elliott’s right shoulder CHICAGO: Yasiel Puig and the 114th World Series tomorrow at Boston in Milwaukee’s Lorenzo with 10:02 remaining in the first while Kyle Palmieri set a screen. Cody Bellinger blasted the opener of the best-of-seven championship Cain hit a two-out double quarter. His first dunk came as he cut Elliott made 19 saves for the home runs and the Los final. in the fifth and Yelich fol- into the lane with 7:03 remaining in Flyers, who also received goals from Angeles Dodgers advanced lowed with a long fly ball the opening quarter. Travis Konecny, Nolan Patrick, to their second consecutive to left field but Dodgers’ The Lakers remain in search of Wayne Simmonds and Scott World Series by defeating outfielder Chris Taylor their first victory with James, losing Laughton. Keith Kinkaid had 16 saves the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 The Dodgers, who lost to Houston in made a leaping catch to 128-119 in their season opener at for the Devils. on Saturday. last year’s World Series, make their 20th deny the Brewers the tying Portland on Thursday. JaVale McGee Avalanche 3, Hurricanes 1 The Dodgers, seeking appearance in the final. They last won the title run and end the inning. had 16 points for the Lakers on Sat- Gabriel Landeskog continued his their first Major League 30 years ago, defeating Oakland in five games. “I knew it was in the urday, while Lonzo Ball added 14, scoring spree with two goals, and Baseball crown since 1988, gap,” Taylor said. “I was hitting four 3-pointers. Rondo had 13 goalie Philipp Grubauer made 42 will begin the 114th World just trying to run hard to points and 10 assists. saves as Colorado defeated Carolina Series tomorrow at Boston get to the spot. I had to Harden and Paul took charge at Raleigh, N.C. in the opener of the best- Left-handed Dodgers Park is the oldest major change my run a little bit from the outset for the Rockets. Landeskog, who was coming off of-seven championship starter Clayton Kershaw league stage, having as it tailed off. I’m just glad Harden had 23 points at halftime, a hat-trick on Thursday night at New final. entered in the ninth and opened in 1912, half a I caught it.” making eight free throws. Paul had Jersey, scored in each of the first two Bellinger smashed a retired the last three Mil- century before Dodger Buehler lasted 4 2/3 19 points in the first two quarters, periods. Nathan MacKinnon, who two-run homer in the waukee batters in order to Stadium. The second- innings, striking out seven making seven free throws. assisted on the first two goals, added second inning to give the send Los Angeles back to oldest venue, Chicago’s Brewers batters. Houston shot 18 free throws in a third-period goal with 3:09 to play. Dodgers the lead for good the World Series. Wrigley Field, hosted the Los Angeles struck the first half to the Lakers’ seven as Jets 5, Coyotes 3 and Puig belted a three-run “It doesn’t matter how World Series in 2016 when again in the sixth with the Rockets led 66-62 after two Adam Lowry scored his fourth homer in the sixth as vis- you get there,” Kershaw the Cubs won their first title singles by Max Muncy and quarters. Clint Capela finished with goal of the season, Josh Morrissey and iting Los Angeles won the said. “To get to go back since 1908. Justin Turner and a fielder’s 19 points and had 12 rebounds for the Tyler Myers each had a goal and an National League Champi- from last year, it’s unbe- It was a heartbreaking choice from Bellinger Rockets, while Gerald Green scored 13. assist and Winnipeg continued its home onship Series four games lievable. It’s a testament to finish for the Brewers, who setting up Puig’s three-run The Rockets led 109-108 at the dominance of Arizona with a win. to three. these guys. fell one game shy of homer, boosting the time of the on-court confrontation Mathieu Perreault and Blake The Dodgers, who lost “We’ll celebrate tonight making their second trip to Dodgers’ lead to 5-1. and put the game away afterward, Wheeler added goals, and Jacob to Houston in last year’s but we’ve still got more to the final. From there, it was a getting a key 3-pointer from PJ Trouba had three assists for the Jets, World Series, make their go. We don’t want to lose Milwaukee lost the host of Dodgers relief Tucker with 2:31 remaining for a who have won all 10 home games 20th appearance in the again.” 1982 World Series to the St. pitchers trying to silence 117-112 lead. Harden added a against Phoenix since relocating from final. They last won the title The Red Sox will try to Louis Cardinals in seven Brewers hitters, closer 3-pointer of his own with 1:12 Atlanta in 2011. The Coyotes left Win- 30 years ago, defeating conclude a team-record games. Kenley Jansen entering remaining to give Houston a 120-113 nipeg for Arizona in 1996. Oakland in five games. 108-win season with a Milwaukee’s Christian with two outs in the lead. Blues 4, Maple Leafs 1 championship and capture Yelich smacked a first- seventh inning and striking Robert Bortuzzo scored first in a their fourth title in 15 inning line drive solo out three in getting Los NBA RESULTS three-goal second period, and David seasons. Boston’s most homer to centrefield off Angeles into the ninth. Perron added two assists as visiting recent crowns came in right-handed Dodgers The Dodgers nearly Miami 112 Charlotte 113 St. Louis defeated Toronto. We’ll celebrate 2013, 2007 and 2004, starting pitcher Walker padded their lead in the LA Lakers 115 Houston 124 Dallas 140 Minnesota 136 Zach Sanford, Ryan O’Reilly and tonight but we’ve when the Red Sox took Buehler to open the ninth, loading the bases on Ivan Barbashev also scored goals for their first title since 1918. scoring. a Puig single, a Taylor New York 101 Boston 103 the Blues, who won for the second still got more to The World Series will But Los Angeles double and an intentional Philadelphia 116 Orlando 115 time in seven games this season. go. We don’t want feature two of the three answered in the second walk to Matt Kemp before Portland 121 San Antonio 108 Goaltender Jake Allen made 22 saves. to lose again: oldest ballparks in the inning when Manny Brandon Woodruff struck Denver 119 Phoenix 91

Morgan Rielly scored for the Clayton Kershaw major leagues, both classic Machado singled and Bell- out Enrique Hernandez and Chicago 116 Detroit 118

Maple Leafs, who have lost two in a venues. Boston’s Fenway inger smashed a homer to Muncy to end the threat. Indiana 132 Brooklyn 112 row. Toronto goaltender Frederik Washington 113 Toronto 117 Andersen stopped 21 shots. MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 29 Rodriguez edges CJ Cup winner Koepka to Moloney in a become new world No. 1 split decision AFP

MIAMI: Unbeaten Puerto Rican Emmanuel REUTERS and I don’t think this oone’sne’s going to WoodlandWoodland droppeddropped a shot at the Rodriguez retained his International Boxing sink in.” par-threepar-three 17th KoeKoepkapka was virtuallvirtuallyy Federation bantamweight world title on SEOUL: Brooks Koepka will become Woodland (63) gaveave Koepka a homehome and dry.dry. Saturday with a 12-round split decision over world number one for the first time run for his money, closingosing the ggapap “I“I just hunghung in there,” Koepka previously undefeated Australian Jason today after the American fended with six birdies on thehe ffrontront nine,nine, added.added. ““I’mI’m not somebosomebodydy that’s Moloney in Orlando, Florida. off a game against Gary Woodland but his charge falteredd with a bogeybogey goinggoingn to panic ifif thingsthings ggoo the Two judges scored the bout 115-113 for to earn a four-stroke victory at the on 17 and he finishedd alonalonee in Rodriguez, who improved to 19-0 with 12 PGA Tour’s CJ Cup in South Korea. second on 17-under. knockouts. A third judge gave it to Moloney Koepka posted a final round of Ryan Palmer lookedoked by the same score, but the Aussie fell to 17-1 64 at the Nine Bridges Golf Club on well out of contentiontion with 14 knockouts. Jeju island yesterday, finishing with heading into the finalfinal The bout was part of the bantamweight a flourish by eagling the last hole round but a course recordecord World Boxing Super Series, with the victory for a combined 21-under 267 at the 10-under 62, which includedncluded sending Rodriguez into a clash with Japan’s $9.5m tournament. seven straight birdiess to finish, Naoya Inoue. The 28-year-old, who won two gave him the clubhouseouse lead on In other world title action stateside on of this year’s four majors and was 15-under before Woodlandoodland andand Saturday, Demetrius Andrade won the named the U.S. tour’s Player of the Koepka came home. vacant World Boxing Organization middle- Year, will move up from third spot Palmer finished tiedd fforor third with weight crown with a punishing 12-round to replace Dustin Johnson as Spaniard Rafa Cabreraa Bello (6(65).5). wrongwrong unanimous decision over Walter Kauton- number one when the latest Koepka, whose winn came on his way,w ay, dokwa of Namibia in Boston. rankings are released. first start of the newew PPGAGA Tour prettypretty sure Kautondokwa was a late replacement Johnson and world number two season after he sskippedkipped the everybodyeverybody can tetellll for British southpaw Billy Joe Saunders, who Justin Rose were not playing this opening two events, showedshowed bbothoth that.”thatt.” tested positive for a banned stimulant in week. sides of his game on Sunday,Sunday, haham-m- TheThe victorvictoryy andand numnumberber oonenee August. Koepka said his rise to become mering out thunderousus ddrivesrives anandd rankingranking hhasas come at jujustst tthehe rrightight The WBO said Saunders voluntarily the top ranked player in men’s exhibiting deft touchh around the timetime for KoeKoepka,pka, who was ppartart vacated the title after the Massachusetts State golf was the stuff dreams are greens. ofof thethe U.S. team beaten handilhandilyy Athletic Commission declined to give him a made of. With Woodland trailingrailing by just byby EEuropeurope at the Ryder Cup laslastt license at an October hearing. “I look at where I started, my a shot, Koepka lookedd to be strug-strug- month.month. Andrade knocked down Kautondokwa first pro start was in Switzerland gling to make par onn 16 when he KoepkaKoepka was also leftleft ‘heart-‘heart- four times in the first four rounds en route and I don’t think I could have said found himself in tanglyly rouroughgh ffromrom broken’broken’ afterafter learninglearning that one ofof to the victory, improving to 26-0 with 16 six years later that I would be off the green. hishis teetee shots at ththee eeventvent in Paris knockouts. number one in the world,” he said. However, he producedproduced a hadhad struck a spectator and Brooks Koepka of the US reacts after Two judges scored the fight 120-104 for “The world number one is delightful chip that disappeared reportedlyreportedly leleftft her blinded in one winning putt on the 18th hole during the Andrade while the third saw it 119-105. something I dreamed of as a kid straight into the cup,p, andand wwhenhen eye.eyee. final round of the CJ Cup Golf Tournament Kautondokwa fell to 17-1 with 16 yesterday. knockouts. On the same card, Tevin Farmer retained his IBF super-featherweight world title with a spectacular fifth-round technical knockout of Northern Ireland’s James Tennyson. Southpaw Farmer dominated early, Kang claims LPGA Shanghai title dropping Tennyson with a left to the body in the fourth. REUTERS after a sluggish front nine One round later Farmer connected with and credited her caddie for a series of brutal body shots to put Tennyson SHANGHAI: American a remarkable turnaround on down again and the fight was waved off. Danielle Kang overcame her way to the finish. “Who’s the puncher, now?” crowed flailing nerves to fire a three- “After nine holes I had Farmer, who improved to 27-4 with one under-par 69 in the final a temper tantrum,” said drawn and six knockouts and immediately round and claim the inau- Kang. reiterated his call for shot at unbeaten World gural LPGA Shanghai title by “He told me to go off to Boxing Association title holder Gervonta two-strokes yesterday. the side and we did. Hit the Davis, who boasts a record of 20-0 with 19 Kang, who started the bag, do whatever you need knockouts. final day one shot off the to do to let your anger out Tennyson, in his first world title tilt, fell lead, failed to make any and start a new nine. That’s to 22-3 with 18 wins inside the distance. gains on the front nine and what I did. In Las Vegas, US middleweight Rob Brant dropped a shot at the par- Danielle Kang of the US “I’ve been through so dethroned WBA “regular” world champion five fourth hole. poses with her trophy much just mental struggle Ryota Murata of Japan with a lopsided unan- But the 26-year-old after winning the Shanghai that it’s just been emotionally imous decision. recovered with four birdies LPGA golf tournament in draining all year. I’m just Two judges gave the fight to Brant by after the turn to finish Shanghai yesterday. finally happy and just a score of 119-109 while the third saw it 13-under overall at a breezy working on my game 118-110 for the American, who improved and overcast Qizhong properly.” to 24-1 with 16 knockouts as he seized the Garden Golf Club, fending Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, title held by Murata -- which is one rung off a late charge by New birdies with a lone bogey, Thai Ariya Jutanugarn and title to the Women’s PGA who held a share of the lead lower the WBA’s “super” world middle- Zealand’s Lydia Ko, who finished tied for second at overnight co-leader Kim Sei- Championship crown she heading into the final round, weight title held by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez carded the day’s lowest 11-under in a group of seven young of South Korea. lifted last year. slipped to a tied-ninth finish of Mexico. score of 66. players which included Kang, ranked 29 in the She later admitted after signing for a one-over Murata fell to 14-2 with 11 wins inside Ko, who mixed seven American Brittany Altomare, world, added the Shanghai having a “temper tantrum” 73. the distance. Isner welcomes Flawless Svitolina eases past Wimbledon’s new Kvitova in Singapore

REUTERS tie-break rule Both players appeared nervous at the start of the match as they REUTERS SINGAPORE: Elina Svitolina tore struggled to find their timing on a up the form book to open play at court playing faster than ever, but LONDON: Tennis’s marathon man John Isner has welcomed the WTA Finals with a brilliant Svitolina settled the quickest after Wimbledon’s decision to introduce tie-breaks at 12-12 in the display of serving and retrieving to dropping her opening service game final set. register a 6-3 6-3 victory over Petra and never looked back. The American became something of a Wimbledon cult Kvitova at the Singapore Indoor Kvitova, meanwhile, relies on hero when beating France’s Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth Stadium yesterday. her booming forehand to put set in 2010 - a record-breaking duel lasting 11 hours five The 24-year-old Ukrainian pressure on her opponents but the minutes and spanning three days and in which the last set came into the White Group opener left-handed Czech racked up a alone (eight hours 11 minutes) would have broken the pre- at the eight-woman event on the plethora of unforced errors and vious longest-match record. back of seven straight defeats to the double faults to gift the opening set After his 2010 exploits Isner, 33, was involved in the big-hitting Czech, but Svitolina was to an increasingly-confident second-longest Wimbledon match in this year’s semi-finals able to capitalise on her opponent’s Svitolina. when he went down 26-24 in the fifth set to South Africa’s erratic play to record a stunning The Ukrainian continued to play Kevin Anderson - a battle lasting six hours and 36 minutes. triumph. an error-free brand of no-risk tennis That led to further calls to bring in sudden-death tie- “I had to stay focused and be to claim her fifth game in a row to breaks and Wimbledon’s organisers announced this week strong mentally. That was the key open the second set and once she that next year’s Championships would use them after 24 games as she strikes the ball pretty hard forged her fourth break of the match in deciding sets. and I had to react quickly and move in the sixth game, the writing was The world number 10 joked that the new ruling should my feet. I need a massage now,” on the wall for her opponent. be named after him. Svitolina said. Kvitova, who won five tourna- “The next match that gets to that, they should just say we Svitolina is making her second ments in 2018, made one final push will now play the Isner Rule. I don’t think they are going to appearance at the season-ending to get back into the contest but Svi- do that, but I think I’ve been a big driving force for it.” tournament, and appeared focused tolina held her nerve to close out Wimbledon has followed the US Open which has Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina celebrates after defeating Czech Republic’s and determined to make amends the match when the Czech, who employed tie-breaks at 6-6 in deciding sets, but by allowing Petra Kvitova during their women’s singles match at the WTA Finals for a lacklustre display a year ago committed a costly 29 unforced a set to reach 12-12 organisers say they are maintaining tra- tennis tournament in Singapore yesterday. when she crashed out of the tour- errors, sent a lunging backhand dition and allowing dramatic deciding sets to evolve. nament in the round robin phase. into the tramlines. 30 SPORT MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2018 Kohli, Sharma flatten West Indies with tons REUTERS West Indies bowler SCOREBOARD Oshane Thomas WEST INDIES GUWAHATI: Virat Kohli and (centre) gestures K. Powell c Dhawan b Ahmed ...... 51 Rohit Sharma both hit centuries as Indian batsmen C. Hemraj b Shami ...... 9 and combined in a stand of 246 S. Hope c Dhoni b Shami ...... 32 Virat Kohli (right) and M. Samuels lbw b Chahal ...... 0 to help India chase down a Rohit Sharma run S. Hetmyer c Pant b Jadeja ...... 106 difficult target against West between the R. Powell b Jadeja ...... 22 Indies for a convincing eight- during their first one J. Holder b Chahal ...... 38 A. Nurse lbw b Chahal ...... 2 victory in the opening day international in Guwahati D. Bishoo ...... 22 (ODI) match K. Roach not out ...... 26 yesterday. at Barsapara Cricket Extras (lb6, w8) ...... 14 Shimron Hetmyer struck his Stadium in Guwahati Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) ...... 322 third ODI hundred in just his 13th yesterday. Did not bat: O. Thomas match to help West Indies to Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Hemraj), 2-84 (K. 322-8 after India captain Kohli Powell), 3-86 (Samuels), 4-114 (S. Hope), 5-188 (R. Powell), 6-248 (Hetmyer), 7-252 had won the toss and put the (Nurse), 8-278 (Holder) touring side in to bat. Bowling: Shami 10-0-81-2 (w2), Yadav The target of 323 appeared 10-0-64-0 (w3), Ahmed 10-0-64-1 (w3), steep when India lost opener Chahal 10-0-41-3, Jadeja 10-0-66-2 Shikhar Dhawan in the second over of their innings but Kohli INDIA (target 323) R. Sharma not out ...... 152 and Rohit took the West Indies S. Dhawan b Thomas ...... 4 bowling to the cleaners with the V. Kohli st Hope b Bishoo ...... 140 hosts reaching the mark with 47 A. Rayudu not out ...... 22 deliveries to spare. Extras (lb2, nb3, w3) ...... 8 India had won both their Total (2 wickets, 42.1 overs) ...... 326 Did not bat: R. Pant, MS Dhoni, R. Jadeja, Y. recent test matches inside three Chahal, U. Yadav, M. Shami, K. Ahmed days against West Indies and the Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Dhawan), 2-256 touring side’s hopes of any (Kohli) change in fortune were dashed Bowling: Roach 7-0-52-0, Thomas 9-0-83- by the blistering partnership 1 (w2, nb1), Holder 8-0-45-0 (w1), Nurse 7-0-63-0, Bishoo 10-0-72-1 (nb2), Hemraj between Kohli and Rohit. 1.1-0-9-0 Kohli hit a masterful 140 off Result: India won by 8 wickets 107 deliveries for his 36th Series: India lead the five-match series 1-0 hundred in the 50-over format while Rohit remained unbeaten on a 117-ball 152 for his 20th ODI Devendra Bishoo got one to turn who boasts three double hun- Hetmyer, who had managed just his knock but brought up his Leg-spinner Yuzvendra ton. past Kohli’s bat with wicket- dreds in the format, grew in con- 50 runs from four innings during century with a six over extra cover Chahal was the most successful The Caribbean fast bowlers keeper Shai Hope completing a fidence as he spent time at the the tests, showed he was much off fast bowler Mohammed Shami. bowler for the hosts with 3-41 and spinners were treated with smart stumping. crease and cleared the boundary better suited to the 50-over Opening batsman Kieran in his 10 overs while Shami gave equal disdain by the 29-year-old Rohit took his time to settle rope with ease when he looked format, clobbering half a dozen Powell set the tone of the West away 81 runs for his two Kohli, who smashed 21 fours and down after his opening partner to attack, hitting 15 boundaries sixes and an identical number of Indies innings with a 39-ball 51, wickets. two sixes during his classy knock. Dhawan fell for four to debutant and eight sixes, the last of which fours during his 78-ball knock. while Shai Hope (32) and captain The second ODI will be India’s batting mainstay was fast bowler Oshane Thomas. brought up India’s victory. The left-handed batsman Jason Holder (38) also made played at Visakhapatnam on finally out when leg-spinner The right-handed batsman, Earlier, the 21-year-old favoured the leg side more during useful contributions. Wednesday.

SCOREBOARD Kayes century sets up BANGLADESH Abbas jumps to third Liton Das c Zhuwao b Chatara ...... 4 c Moor b Jarvis ...... 144 Fazle Mahmud c Taylor b Chatara ...... 0 spot in Test rankings easy win for Bangladesh Mushfiqur Rahim c Taylor b Mavuta ...... 15 c Taylor b Jarvis ...... 37 AFP Mahmudullah Riyad c Taylor b Jarvis ...... 0 AFP eight wickets fell for 169 runs. c Taylor b Jarvis ...... 1 But Mahmudullah removed M Saifuddin c Mavuta b Chatara ...... 50 DUBAI: Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Abbas rose DHAKA: Opener Imrul Kayes Jarvis for 37 before the pair could not out ...... 2 to number three in the Test bowling rankings yesterday struck his career best 144 off 140 pose any threat to Bangladesh. not out ...... 1 (b1, lb1, w14, nb1) ...... 17 following his 17 wickets in the series against Australia in balls to set up an easy 28-run win Williams remained unbeaten Extras Total (50 overs, eight wickets) .....271 the United Arab Emirates. for Bangladesh in the first one-day on 50 after facing 58 balls and Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Liton), 2-17 (Fazle), 3-66 The 28-year-old took 10 for 95 to help Pakistan to their international of a three-match hitting five boundaries. (Mushfiqur), 4-137 (Mithun), 5-137 (Mahmudullah), biggest Test win -- a 373-run hammering of Australia -- in series against Zimbabwe in Dhaka Kayes, who hit 13 fours and six 6-139 (Mehidy), 7-266 (Kayes), 8-267 (Saifuddin) the second Test in Abu Dhabi on Friday, giving them a 1-0 yesterday. sixes, earlier held one end firm after Did not bat: series win. He took seven wickets in the drawn first Test in Kayes shared a record 127-run the Zimbabwe pacers made some Bowling: Jarvis 9-1-37-4, Chatara 10-1-55-3 (w4, Dubai. nb1), Tiripano 10-0-60-0 (w3), Mavuta 8-0-48-1 stand with all-rounder Mohammad early breakthroughs to put the (w4), Raza 6-0-37-0, Williams 7-0-32-0 (w3) The new International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings see Saifuddin for the seventh wicket home side under pressure. ZIMBABWE Abbas shoot to third from 14th and he is now behind only as the hosts recovered from 139-6 Mohammad Mithun (37) helped H. Masakadza run out ...... 21 England’s James to post 271-8 after electing to bat Kayes put 71 runs for the fourth C. Zhuwao b Mustafizur ...... 35 ICC TEST BOWLING Anderson and South first at the Sher-e-Bangla National wicket before medium pacer Jarvis B. Taylor b Nazmul ...... 5 RANKINGS Africa’s Kagiso Rabada. Stadium. claimed three wickets in nine balls C. Ervine b Mehidy ...... 24 Abbas has taken 59 S. Raza b Nazmul ...... 7 Rank/Player (Country) Rating Saifuddin made 50 off 69 balls to leave the hosts in disarray. S. Williams not out ...... 50 1: James Anderson (ENG) 899 wickets in his 10 matches -- his maiden half-century in his Kayes and Saifuddin then P. Moor lbw b Mehidy ...... 26 and became the joint fourth ODI -- before Bangladeshi mixed their aggression with caution D. Tiripano run out ...... 2 2: Kagiso Rabada (SA) 882 second-fastest Pakistani bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to to amble past Mushfiqur Rahim and B. Mavuta c&b Mehidy ...... 20 3: Mohammad Abbas (PAK) 829 to take 50 wickets during 243-9 for their 11th successive win Naeem Islam’s seventh wicket K. Jarvis c Mushfiqur b Mahmudullah ...... 37 4: Vernon Philander (SA) 826 the second Test -- a mark over Zimbabwe. partnership record of 101 runs Tendai Chatara not out ...... 2 he shares with legendary Extras (b3, lb3, w7, nb1) ...... 14 5: Ravindra Jadeja (IND) 812 Spinners Mehidy Hasan (3-46) against New Zealand at Dunedin Total (nine wickets; 50 overs) ...... 243 paceman Waqar Younis 6: Trent Boult (NZ) 795 and Nazmul Islam (2-38) recorded in 2010. Kayes -- declared the man Fall of wickets: 1-48 (Zhuwao), 2-59 (Tay- and Shabbir Ahmed. their career best bowling figures as of the match -- brought up his lor), 3-63 (Masakadza), 4-88 (Raza), 5-100 7: Rangana Herath (SL) 791 Pakistan’s leg- Zimbabwe struggled to get their hundred off 118 balls but added 44 (Ervine), 6-145 (Moor), 7-148 (Tiripano), 8-169 8: Pat Cummins (AUS) 784 spinner Yasir Shah momentum back after Bangla- off the next 22 balls he faced. (Mavuta), 9-236 (Jarvis) was the fastest to desh’s batting onslaught. Jarvis ended Kaye’s onslaught Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-55-0 (w1, nb1), Me- 9: Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) 777 hidy 10-0-46-3, Mustafizur 8-1-29-1 (w3), reach 50 wickets, 10: Jason Holder (WI) 766 Sean Williams and Kyle Jarvis when he forced the left-hander to Nazmul 8-0-38-2 (w1), Saifuddin 7-1-29-0, Mohammed Abbas taking just nine Tests. offered late resistance with a give a catch to Peter Moor at extra Mahmudullah 4-0-24-1, Fazle 3-0-16-0 (w2) 67-run ninth wicket stand after cover in the penultimate over. Substitutes spark Everton’s late demolition of Crystal Palace REUTERS LEADING ENGLISH PREMIER Everton’s Cenk Tosun scores their second goal against LEAGUE SCORERS Crystal Palace during their Premier League match played LIVERPOOL: Two late goals by Everton substi- at the Goodison Park in Liverpool, Britain yesterday. tutes brought the Merseysiders a third 7: Hazard (Chelsea) successive win when they beat Crystal Palace 6: Aguero (Man City) 2-0 at Goodison Park in yesterday’s only 5: Kane (Tottenham), Mitrovic Premier League game. (Fulham), Murray (Brighton) Ademola Lookman set up the first one in 4: Arnautovic (West Ham), the 87th minute for another substitute, Dominic Aubameyang (Arsenal), King Calvert-Lewin to head in and the third (Bournemouth), Lacazette (Arsenal), replacement, Cenk Tosun, scored two minutes Lukaku (Man Utd), Mané (Liverpool), later. Pereyra (Watford), Richarlison Palace had missed a chance to take the lead (Everton), Salah (Liverpool), Schuerrle when Serbian international Luka Milivojevic’s (Fulham), Sigurdsson (Everton), penalty was saved by Everton and England Sterling (Man City) goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. 3: Fraser (Bournemouth), Gray Wilfried Zaha, passed fit after missing an (Watford), Ings (Southampton), Ivory Coast international in midweek, had won the penalty when he was clipped by Seamus Lamela (Tottenham), Lucas Coleman. (Tottenham), Maddison (Leicester), The miss meant Crystal Palace have scored Mahrez (Man City), Martial (Man only five goals in nine games, the second worst Utd), Pedro (Chelsea), Silva (Man record in the Premier League. City), Vardy (Leicester), Wilson Everton moved up three places to eighth, (Bournemouth), Zaha (Crystal Palace dropping to 15th. Palace) MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 31

Al Sadd confident of reaching ACL final

THE PENINSULA suggestions that the crowd would Hassan, Ahmed Sayyar, Ali Asad, DOHA: Former champions Al have a negative effect on the Al Hassan Al-Haydos, Jehad Sadd are confident of turning Sadd players in Tehran, saying: Mohammed, Hernandez, Gabi things around in the “This won’t go beyond the first few Fernandez, second leg of their AFC minutes of the game, we will adapt Team management: Champions League to the conditions quickly and deal Mohammed Ghanem Al-Ali (Head semi-final against with it.” of Football), Turki Nasser Al-Ali Persepolis this week. Meanwhile the Asian Football (General Manager), Mohammed In the first leg two Confederation (AFC) has Gholam (Sporting Director), Ahmed weeks ago, Al Sadd announced the list of referees who Al-Ansari (Media Officer), Abdullah conceded a late goal will take charge of the 2018 AFC Al-Breik (First Team Manager), to hand over the Champions League semi-final Mohammed Saeed (First Team advantage to Per- second leg matches. Official) spolis who host the The match between Al Sadd Coaching and Technical Staff: Qatari giants and Persepolis will be refereed by Jesualdo Ferreira (Head Coach), tomorrow at the Valentin Kovalenko of Uzbekistan. Nuno Miguel (Assistant Coach), Jose Azadi Stadium in He will be assisted by linesmen Pedro (Physical Fitness Coach), the return leg. Timur Gaynullin and Husniddin Pedro Antonio (Technical Analyst), Al Sadd Shodmonov. Ruslan Serazitdinov Eduardo Perez (Goalkeeping forward Hamza Al will be the fourth official while Aziz Coach), Mohammed Soltani (Team Sanhaji said his side will be up Asimov and Ilgiz Tantashev will be Doctor), Hussein Almanae, Akram against a tough task against Perse- the additional referees. Obaid (Physio), Admir, Ritchie polis but added that it was not Yun Moon Chun will be the (Masseur), Samir Shawky, Mina impossible to win. match commissioner while Fayez (Club Website), Abdulmalik He said: “The Al Sadd players Shankar Kamaleshwaran has been Waheed, Musa Puthan, Laris Miah are capable of overcoming the appointed as the referees observer. (Assistants) challenge and defeating Persepolis Saryan Singh will be the official in Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al- in front of their fans, by correcting charge of dope testing. Dosari will miss the game after the errors we made in the last The Al Sadd first team dele- picking up a second yellow card in game.” gation departed for the Iranian the first leg, resulting in an auto- He added: “Obviously, it will be capital of Tehran yesterday. matic one-game suspension. Mean- a tough task but it won’t be impos- In addition to team man- while, Yasir Abubakar will return sible. There won’t be any option for agement officials and technical to the squad after serving his sus- us but to play offensively so as to staff, the delegation consists of the pension in the last game. score goals, because we need to following 19 players: Yasir Abu- On Saturday evening, the team overturn the first leg defeat we suf- bakar, Musab Kheder, Baghdad held their final training session in fered at home. We have all the Bounedjah, Khoukhi Boualem, Doha at the club’s training facility, ingredients for success and our Salem Al-Hajri, , working on reaching full fitness. team has a lot of experience in con- , Jung Woo- The coaching staff focused on tinental competition.” young, Hamid Ismail, Hamza Al- selecting their preferred lineup and Al Sadd Hassan Al Haydos during a training session Al Sanhaji also refuted Sanhaji, Pedro Miguel, Abdelkarim strategy for the game. in Doha on Saturday evening.

Messi injury blow Unfortunately we conceded a goal in as Barcelona go top the last minute of AFP the game although substituted in the 26th minute. kick-off after president Josep “Emotionally, we know Maria Bartomeu had announced my players did very BARCELONA: Lionel Messi is when he is there, he gives us plans to change the club crest well throughout the expected to be out for three more confidence because he is had been shelved. 90 minutes against a weeks with a fractured right arm the best in the world,” Gerard They were soon celebrating strong team like Umm but his last contribution was to Pique said. a goal too as Coutinho bent a help send Barcelona back to the “But it does not have to sumptuous right-footed shot Salal. I am happy with top of La Liga on Saturday. affect us.” Philippe Coutinho had into the far corner with only two the result, especially Messi scored and then went opened the scoring and Luis minutes on the clock. since we were close to off injured as Barca beat Sevilla Suarez’s penalty, which he also Messi doubled the 4-2 at Camp Nou, in a six-goal earned, made sure of victory advantage, racing clear on the getting three points. thriller that never looked like before a three-goal flurry in the counter-attack before jinking We showed a strong ending in anything other than a final 11 minutes. inside and curling into the desire to win. This home win. Pablo Sarabia and Luis bottom corner with his left foot. draw - despite the Any joy at jumping above Muriel twice reduced the deficit It was his last significant in-form Sevilla, however, was to two for Sevilla, either side of involvement. late equaliser - does tarnished by Messi’s injury, a sweeping volley from Ivan Ousmane Dembele was not hurt our dreams which will now rule him out of Rakitic. Messi’s replacement but Suarez or hopes but we have next weekend’s Clasico against Even without Messi, Barca took on the mantle, too quick to to move on: Qatar SC Real Madrid. might be confident of seeing off his own heavy touch and A Barcelona club statement Madrid, whose slump had con- brought down by Sevilla goal- coach Sergio Batista read: “Tests carried out on Leo tinued on Saturday with a 2-1 keeper Tomas Vaclik. Suarez after 1-1 draw against Messi have confirmed that he loss at home to Levante. Bar- buried the penalty. Umm Salal has a fracture of the radial bone celona, meanwhile, seem to The game seemed up but in his right arm. He will be out have sparked a rival. Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to for approximately three weeks.” Since drawing at home to make a brilliant double save to It means Messi will also miss Athletic Bilbao last month to deny Sarabia and then Wissam the Champions League match make it three games without a Ben Yedder with his thigh. at home to Inter Milan on win, they have blown Tot- Sarabia gave Sevilla hope Wednesday, and probably the tenham away at Wembley, with 11 minutes left, his shot return trip to Italy on November taken a point away to Valencia deflecting off Clement Lenglet 6, as well as league games and now eased past Sevilla, who and in, but Rakitic took the against Real Madrid and Rayo came into the weekend top of steam out of any comeback with Vallecano in between. the table. a well-struck volley. Muriel Al Shahania stun Al Sailiya “It is clear it is a blow,” Barca Barca fans had chanted, added what proved only to be a coach Ernesto Valverde said. “don’t touch the badge” before consolation in injury time. THE PENINSULA “We know what he gives us and Al Abidi received his marching counter-attack with a clever we know what he does to the orders. It did not take long for passing move that Saad turned opposition. DOHA: Al Shahania secured a Al Shahania to capitalise on their home from close range. “We have to prepare our- fantastic 3-1 away victory over numerical advantage when Abdulqadir Adam thought selves, it is clear we are going to Al Sailiya in Week 9 of the QNB Younes responded quickest to he would got an immediate notice the loss of Messi but we Stars League at the Al Ahli a corner and struck his header equaliser. have players that can cover.” Stadium yesterday. past the motionless opposition However, Khalifa Al Dossari Messi fell to the ground fol- Goals from Younes goalkeeper. pulled off a wonderful save to lowing a tussle with Sevilla’s Darwish (20th minute), Saad With the away side on top, spare his team’s blushes. Franco Vazquez and, as his right Al Sowan (56th), and Claudio 10-man Al Sailiya got a break Only moments later came hand tried to cushion the Vazquez (60th) were enough just prior to half-time when the moment of the night as landing, his elbow appeared to for the visitors, while Rachid Tiberkanine got on the Vazquez ran in on goal and buckle. Tiberkanine (42nd) scored for scoresheet to bring the score audaciously lobbed the ball over Messi was helped off the Barcelona’s Lionel Messi after sustaining an injury the home side. level at the halfway mark. the onrushing keeper from the pitch by medical staff and, during their La Liga match against Sevilla at Camp Nou, Al Sailiya’s hopes of a In the second half, Al Sha- edge of the area. despite having his right arm straightforward encounter were hania did not have to wait long In the other match, Al Khor Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday. heavily strapped, he was finally dealt an early blow as Hamad as they caught Al Sailiya on the trounced Al Kharaitiyat 5-1 MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 27 Sometimes we don’t agree on the way to compete. But I recog- 10.00PM nise talent and excellence and FOOTBALL TENNIS Jorge Lorenzo, ATP Tour in Vienna and there’s no doubt about (his). Three-time MotoGP Arsenal vs Congratulations, you’ve been Leicester City Basel, WTA Finals World Champion ACTION the best again. TODAY’S Marquez romps to MotoGP title AFP before rejoining the party at his team garage he revealed after- MOTEGI, JAPAN: Honda’s Marc wards had left him nursing a sore Marquez stormed to a nail-biting shoulder. victory in Japan yesterday to “The shoulder just popped capture his third straight MotoGP out. Luckily with the adrenalin world championship as Ducati it doesn’t hurt, but I’ll need to be rival Andrea Dovizioso crashed careful not to overdo it on the out. dancefloor tonight!” The Spanish sensation has Fellow Honda rider Cal now won five championships in Crutchlow finished runner-up motorcycling’s premier class, after Dovizioso’s fall with Alex putting him level with Australian Rins (Suzuki) edging out Rossi legend Mick Doohan. (Yamaha) to round out the Marquez, still just 25, trails podium. only the Italian pair of Valentino Marquez has now won seven Rossi, who won the last of his world titles in total after also seven championships in 2009, winning the 125cc championship and Giacomo Agostini, whose in 2010 and the Moto2 crown in record eighth came in 1975, in 2012. the all-time list. Meanwhile, three-time world “I feel really, really good,” champion Jorge Lorenzo will whooped Marquez after miss next weekend’s Australian Dovizioso’s late spill confirmed race after sitting out the Japanese his eighth victory of the season. round with injury. “I already imagined that it Ducati said the Spaniard, will be (decided) here but the who fractured his wrist at the important thing is that when you previous race in Thailand, will have the first chance, you do it. aim to return at the penultimate “It wasn’t the best circuit to weekend in Malaysia at the start do it but I worked hard all of November. weekend,” added Marquez. Lorenzo paid tribute to Repsol Honda Team Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates in the pits of the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi Circuit “I was able to follow Andrea Marquez, who he will join at in Motegi, Tochigi prefecture, yesterday. and decided to attack before the Honda next year. last lap. I was pushing really “Sometimes we don’t agree hard, so he made a mistake -- third by the end of the first lap. wobble. That heart-in-mouth Dovizioso, who needed to Marquez was mobbed by his on the way to compete,” he I’m disappointed because he He flirted with disaster on lap 14, moment allowed Dovizioso to complete a pole to flag victory to team mechanics after crossing tweeted. deserves to be on the podium however, after overtaking retake the lead, but Marquez keep alive his fading champi- the line to seal his coronation “But I recognise talent and with us.” Dovizioso at turn nine before continued to swarm all over the onship hopes, crashed out on the with three races left. excellence and there’s no Marquez started from sixth running wide at the next corner Italian, finally slashing past him penultimate lap in a desperate “The big boss will enjoy this,” doubt about (his). Congratu- on the grid at Motegi but quickly and spitting up dirt and dust as with a daredevil move on lap 21 last push, ending this year’s title smiled Marquez after wrapping lations, you’ve been the best knifed through the field and was he battled to control a violent of 24. race. up the title at Honda’s home race, again.”

Qatar Racings’ Roaring Springboks recall Vermeulen for Lion roars to another win Europe tour AFP THE PENINSULA JOHANNESBURG: Japan-based No. 8 Duane Vermeulen has LONDON: Despite the soft been recalled by South Africa for Tests in England, France, ground and a shorter distance Scotland and Wales in November, the national rugby union than usual, Qatar Racing’s said yesterday. After starring in a 2-1 series victory over England Roaring Lion registered his last June, the former Toulon forward joined Kubota Spears and fourth consecutive Group 1 title was unavailable for the Rugby Championship. by winning the QIPCO British In his absence, the Springboks used Warren Whiteley, Champions Queen Elizabeth II Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Francois Louw during the six-round Cup at Ascot on Saturday. southern hemisphere championship. While Roaring Lion proved All three performed adequately, but lacked the massive he was the best in this eight- impact Vermeulen brings to a national team ranked fifth in furlong contest, he had already the world. been a winner over 10 furlongs Vermeulen was included among 20 players called up for in the Coral-Eclipse, the Judd- training in Stellenbosch near Cape Town this week with the monte International Stakes and touring squad to be finalised next weekend. the Irish Champion Stakes. No Europe-based players nor those involved in the Currie Gosden said: “Oisin said he Cup final between Western Province and the Sharks in Cape Roaring Lion on way to his Group 1 title by winning the QIPCO British hated the ground. That is no- Town this Saturday were included. Champions Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Ascot on Saturday. one’s fault, it is very deep. He Prop Trevor Nyakane and lock Lood de Jager were brought won on fast ground at Leopard- back after lengthy injuries, giving coach Rassie Erasmus more stown and he is probably a good class, as he did not panic.” him there. Having walked the happy on it, but he had the class options in a pack that has been generally impressive this season. ground, good to firm ground “He could have panicked at track, I reassured everyone it to do it. Full marks to the horse. “Duane will bring valuable experience to the group and it horse. He showed his class and the two and thrown everything was fine, but it is real deep, The horse and he (Murphy) have is good to welcome back a player of the calibre of Lood,” said I thought the jockey showed his at it, but he nursed him and got autumn ground. He was not grown in confidence together, Erasmus. South Africa, who have a five win/five loss record which is an important thing. It is since Erasmus replaced struggling Allister Coetzee this year, like a motor-racing driver with face England on November 3 at Twickenham. their car – when they get in tune They meet France on November 10 at the Stade de France with one and other,” he added. in Paris, Scotland on November 17 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh “It was very brave of the and Wales on November 24 at the Principality Stadium in owners to run because he is Cardiff. going to stud and if had got France’s Shannon beaten they would have done Izar (right) nothing but devalue their horse. gets tackled by It’s their sponsorship, so it is fan- Canada’s Julia tastic to win this race for them. Greenshields It is down to horse and jockey during their game and rather brave owners. I at the HSBC USA nearly got the wobbles watching Women’s Sevens it. He has never missed a dance tournament at and I think he will go to stud. I Infinity Park in think that was his swansong and Glendale, Colorado he will be greatly missed.” on Saturday. Oisin Murphy, who has ridden Roaring Lion in each of his eight starts this season, said: “He hated every second of it out Roaring Lion team members pose for a picture there, but his class got him during the presentation ceremony. through. He’s a fantastic horse and will be a fantastic stallion.”