NNFLFL | Page 5 CYCLING | Page 7 Rookie Clyde Almeida stays uses his in pink at running magic Giro, Tratnik to beat Bills claims stage

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 FOOTBALL Rabia I 4, 1442 AH Mueller’s Bayern GULF TIMES form fuels calls for Germany recall SPORT Page 3 FOOTBALL Duhail, Sadd square off in intriguing QSL clash today ‘I will take on a new challenge with one of the biggest Qatari teams. I have started on a good note’

By Sports Reporter Doha

t’s quite a rare instance that Al Duhail and Al Sadd go head-to-head today with both the teams not among Ithe leaders of the QNB Stars League. It’s still early days in the tournament, but the Qatari gi- ants have seldom looked at their best in recent times. After three matches in the league, Duhail have won two and lost one and are fi fth in the table, while Sadd have fared slightly better, occupying third position with seven points from three matches. A victory for both the teams in today’s match, post- poned from Week 3 due to their commitment in the AFC Cham- pions League, would at best put them in second place as Al Ahli, with four wins out of four sit pretty at the top. But the face-off between the two formidable opponents has always evoked keen inter- est among all stakeholders for more reasons than one. Reigning champions Duhail are coming off Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez and his Al Duhail counterpart Sabri Lamouchi (right) address the media ahead of their QNB Stars League clash. a 2-1 victory over Qatar SC, as they warm up to new coach Sabri runner-up Al Rayyan on Sun- cern would be Duhail’s poor the path of the title because we two weeks. They also bowed out more tension that in other games. must be ambitious. We want to Lamouchi, who replaced Walid day before again running into record against Sadd recently. In only played three matches. I will of the AFC Champions League in But we are ready and are in a good win this competition. We have to Regragui. arch-rivals Sadd in the Amir Cup last six matches, the Red Knights choose the best squad for this the last 16 before going on to lift moment, even though we lost get these three important points The Frenchman took over the semi-fi nal on October 31. have only won once and lost four match. I want my players to give the 2019-20 season Ooredoo Cup two points against Al Khor in the against Duhail, who are our di- reins last week for his second “I am happy to return to work times. “We will face one of the their best as there are crucial title by beating Al Arabi 4-0 in last game,” the former Barcelona rect rivals,” he added. stint at the club and undoubt- in the QNB Stars League and in teams competing for the title matches ahead, starting from to- the fi nal. midfi eld great said. Xavi confi rmed that both edly he faces a stiff er challenge Qatar. I will take on a new chal- and we are looking forward to a morrow,” he said. Xavi said his side was ready to “I think we are training well. Akram Afi f and Abdelkarim this time. After having been lenge with one of the biggest strong match and achieve a good On the other hand, Al Sadd face Duhail, but expected a com- We have the capacity to defeat Hassan are fi t for the game, but knocked out of the AFC Cham- Qatari teams. I have started on a result,” he said. go into the game following their plicated encounter against the Al-Duhail, and of course, they goalkeeper Saad al-Dosari will pions League at the group phase good note with an important vic- “The match between Al Sadd goalless draw with Al Khor. reigning champions. “Of course, have the capacity to defeat Sadd. miss out. The Spaniard said itself, Duhail have diffi cult fi x- tory against Qatar SC,” said Lam- and Al Duhail is always strong. Xavi Hernandez’s men beat Al it is always complicated to play It will be diffi cult for both sides. he will take a call on Baghdad tures ahead. After today’s match ouchi yesterday. Al Sadd have great potential and Kharaitiyat and Al Sailiya by an against Duhail. It will be very We have to do our best, give our Bounedjah’s availability after against Sadd, they face last year’s The Frenchman’s main con- this match does not determine identical 5-1 margin in the fi rst diffi cult because the players feel 100% and be aggressive. We yesterday’s training session.

FOOTBALL / UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Qatar Racing’s Kingsholm back in Morata double gives Juve win over Kiev winners’ enclosure at Wolverhampton Reuters range eff orts by De Ketelaere off Kyiv, Ukraine the line. Sebastian Driussi missed a gilt-edged opportunity to uventus made a winning equalise when he blazed a shot start in the Champions over the bar from 10 metres League as they defeated before the home side levelled Dynamo Kiev 2-0 thanks thanks to a freakish own goal by toJ a pair of classic poacher’s visiting goalkeeper Ethan Hor- goals from Alvaro Morata in vath in the 74th minute. their Group G opener yesterday. Former Liverpool defender Juve coach Andrea Pirlo en- Dejan Lovren hit the post with joyed his fi rst win as a manager a screamer from 30 metres for in Europe’s elite club competi- Zenit and the ball cannoned off tion, which he won twice with the keeper’s back into the net. AC Milan during his playing Horvath kept out an Artem days as a midfi elder. Dzyuba sitter and palmed away Cieren Fallon (right) rides Kingsholm to victory in the With Cristiano Ronaldo ruled Wendel’s long-range eff ort in wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk Handicap at Wolverhampton in out following a positive test for the closing stages before 19- the United Kingdom on Monday. (Debbie Burt) Covid-19, Dejan Kulusevski was year old forward De Ketelaere twinned with Morata up front silenced the home fans in the Agencies with D. Howden and David and Federico Chiesa created Gazprom Arena deep into stop- Wolverhampton, UK Redvers, racing manager to HE some early chances for the visi- Juventus’ Alvaro Morata (left) celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League Group G match page time. Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah bin tors. against FC Dynamo Kiev at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, yesterday. (AFP) Midfi elder Ruud Vormer beat Khalifa al-Thani’s Qatar Racing However, Juve suff ered an the off side trap and squared the ingsholm notched his Limited. Taking on his elders on early setback when defender front of his marker to head home Juventus winger Chiesa. “We CLUB BRUGGE STUN ball to De Ketelaere who capped second victory in the Monday, under Cieren Fallon, Giorgio Chiellini had to be sub- from close range in the 84th wanted this victory badly be- WASTEFUL ZENIT a fi ne individual performance Kwolverhampton-race- second jockey to Qatar Racing, stituted in the 19th minute with minute. cause it’s important to have a In Group F, Club Brugge made a with a simple tap-in past the course.co.uk Handicap, a five- they travelled in behind the what appeared to be a hamstring The Covid-19-limited crowd great start in the UEFA Champi- perfect start to their campaign home team’s stranded goalkeep- furlong race three-year-olds leaders on this turning track. injury, forcing Pirlo to reshuffl e roared on the hosts but Kiev ons League. after a stoppage time goal by er Mikhail Kerzhakov. rated 0-80, at Wolverhampton The duo hit the front with two his defence before Morata came struggled to create decent “The expectations are always Charles De Ketelaere gave them on Monday evening. The three- furlongs still to run and had to to the rescue. chances on their return to the high at Juve, but we try to win a 2-1 win at Zenit St Petersburg. RESULTS year-old bay gelding, trained battle hard to hold off the com- A clever backheel by Aaron Champions League after a four- every time we take the pitch,” he After a drab fi rst half, Em- Zenit Saint-Petersburg (RUS) by James Fanshawe, had his petition. Kingsholm was even- Ramsey set up Kulusevski and year absence as Juve comfort- added. manuel Bonaventure fi red the 1 (Horvath 74-og) Club Brugge first win over the same course tually able to land the spoils by although the Swedish winger’s ably closed out the win. Juventus host Barcelona in visitors ahead in the 63rd minute (BEL) 2 (Bonaventure 63, De and distance in August. a neck in front of Mutabaahy, shot was saved, Morata was on “The goal early in the second their next group game on Oct. when he swept in a rebound Ketelaere 90+3) Kingsholm is owned by Qatar with Dream House in third by hand to fi re home the rebound half helped us because we had 28, while Dynamo Kiev travel to from two metres after Yaroslav Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 0 Juven- Racing Limited in partnership three quarters of a length. and the Spaniard then stole in more space afterwards,” said Hungarian side Ferencvaros. Rakitskyy twice cleared close- tus (ITA) 2 (Morata 46,84) Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, October 21, 2020 FOOTBALL

TOP OF THE LINE SC outlines Qatar 2022 Sustainability Strategy during virtual summit

atar’s eff orts to host a ment plans set out in our Nation- also deliver a fully carbon neutral emissions from travelling while the tournament] as early as the sustainable FIFA World al Vision for 2030. Our vision for event.” ensuring a friendly and inclusive bid phase back in 2010 and our Cup in 2022 were dis- our country is to have harmony Moderated by Nihal Moham- experience for everyone attend- programmes are now bearing cussed during the 2020 between economic growth, social ed al-Saleh, Qatar Foundation’s ing the event. We are proud of the fruit. We have detailed legacy GreenQ Sports Alliance Virtual development and environmental Project Manager for Sustainable positive collaboration with the plans for each new building we Summit. protections. The environmental Cities, the discussion also featured SC so far and of our joint com- construct, including our sta- Engineer Bodour al-Meer, the section of the Qatar 2022 Sus- FIFA’s Head of Sustainability & mitment and work to delivering diums. Perhaps even more im- Supreme Committee for Delivery tainability Strategy is perfectly Environment, Federico Addiechi, a more sustainable FIFA World portant are the social legacy & Legacy’s (SC) Sustainability & aligned with our national goals. who spoke about the collaboration Cup in 2022.” programmes we are delivering. Environment Senior Manager, “Our fi ve strategic environ- between world football’s govern- When asked about what makes These programmes will improve provided insight into Qatar’s mental focus areas are green ing body and the SC. Qatar 2022 a unique sustainabili- our society and include sustain- sustainability projects during building, carbon neutrality, air “Qatar 2022 is going to be the ty story, al-Meer emphasised the ability awareness capacity build- the summit’s keynote session pollution, water management fi rst in so many dimensions. It’s benefi ts it will provide the coun- ing for youth through Generation – a fi reside chat titled ‘Looking and waste minimisation,” con- the most compact of any FIFA try from a legacy standpoint once Amazing, our football for de- Ahead to the Next Decade of Re- tinued Al Meer. World Cup since the fi rst one in the tournament concludes. velopment initiative. I think the generative Sporting Events’. “Two highlights of these are 1930 in Uruguay, with every- “As a Qatari national, making legacy [strategy] for a host nation Al-Meer said: “Qatar is a small that all our stadiums are certi- thing basically happening in one sure the FIFA World Cup leaves for mega events is going to be- and rapidly developing country. fi ed using the GSAS [Global Sus- city,” said Addiechi. “In itself, a legacy for my country is very come even more important in the Hosting the World Cup has ac- tainability Assessment System] that compact nature is going to important,” al-Meer said. “We future as a result of Qatar 2022.” Engineer Bodour al-Meer, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & celerated our national develop- green building scheme. We will help us in our eff orts to reduce started to plan for the legacy [of (Qatar2022.qa) Legacy’s (SC) Sustainability & Environment Senior Manager,

FOCUS QFA, AFF conclude workshop on recovering from Covid-19

QNA Octagon; Alexander Scotcher, Doha Director of Global Partnerships and Head of International Of- fice AS Roma; and Luis Manuel Man Utd, Liverpool ouncing back from Cov- Andre Elias, Superintendent to id-19, safely returning the Portuguese Security Police Bto play and rebuilding and member of the Interna- revenues, the first workshop in tional Expert Group Network the Digital Learning Series of of the International Centre for QFA and Asean Football Fed- Sport Security (ICSS). eration concluded its first day The presentations and of presentations and group discussions helped highlight in talks to join new discussions under the title ‘Re- examples of creative ways to balancing the books: address- develop alternative revenue ing the revenue shortfall’. streams as a contingency solu- Participants in the workshop tion in the aftermath of the had an opportunity to analyse pandemic and also as future the impact of the unprecedent- risk management tools. ed decline in revenues in 2020 In that context, participants due to the Covid-19 pandemic; also reflected on the evolv- Euro league: report and potential ways to come ing behavior of the fans as a out from the ongoing crisis. consequence of the lockdown, Moderated by Karthi Gnan- as well as the already ongoing European Leagues group has voiced its “strong opposition” to any such plan asegaram, Presenter, BBC, the evolution in consumer behav- programme featured Aykan ior triggered by new channels Reuters Azzar, Managing Director and new products in the sports London, United Kingdom APAC, Middle East & Africa and greater media industry.

anchester United and Liverpool are in COMMENT talks with Europe’s elite clubs to join a Mnew FIFA-backed competition that would reshape the sport’s Pay-per-view TV is global soccer landscape, Sky News reported yesterday. Manchester United declined pricing fans out of to comment on the report and Liverpool did not immediately respond to a request for com- football, says Bilic ment. Citing unnamed “football in- dustry” sources, Sky said more than 12 teams from Europe’s top fi ve leagues — in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain — are in negotiations to become the founding members of the new competition, dubbed the European Premier League, with a provisional start date in 2022. The report added the fi nan- ciers are looking to raise a $6 bn This September 19, 2020, picture shows a general view inside Manchester United’s Old Traff ord stadium ahead of the Premier League match funding package to kick start the against Crystal Palace in Manchester, England. (Reuters) new tournament. Sky said that FIFA, football’s up every now and then and, for league has been regularly fl oated tic leagues including England’s there would be no Super League world governing body, is work- which, institutional structures over the last 20 years, with UEFA Premier League, Germany’s as long as he was president of ing on a new format, which is and regulatory frameworks are coming out strongly against it. Bundesliga and Spain’s La Liga, UEFA and Andrea Agnelli was expected to feature 18 teams well in place at national, Euro- In December, 2018, German voiced its “strong opposition” to the head of the European Club playing fi xtures during the pean and global level.” magazine Der Spiegel, citing any such plan. Association. regular European season before European governing body leaked documents, said that UEFA is currently working “It’s not a promise, it’s a fact,” a knockout phase. Sky added UEFA, who run the Champions it had discovered plans driven with the European Club Asso- he added. that neither FIFA nor UEFA had League, did not immediately re- by Real Madrid in conjunction ciation (ECA), whose members The news follows the leak- commented on the story. spond to a request for comment, with other top European clubs, include Europe’s biggest clubs, ing of ‘Project Big Picture’, a A FIFA spokesperson told Re- but their president Aleksander for the creation of a breakaway to redesign the Champions proposal backed by Manchester uters in an emailed statement: Ceferin has long expressed league. League from 2024 onwards, al- United and Liverpool, for radi- “FIFA does not wish to comment his opposition to the idea of a Following that report, the though no concrete plans have cal change of English football and participate in any specula- breakaway European league. European Leagues group (EL), emerged. that was rejected by a meeting of tion about topics which come The idea of a European super which represents 25 domes- In February, 2019, Ceferin said Premier League clubs last week.

LOSS Schalke investigate alleged racist West Brom head coach Slaven Bilic gestures on the touchline during abuse of Dortmund youngster the EPL match against Burnley at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich, England, on Monday. (AFP) Bruno Martini, ‘one of France’s AFP always be proud,” Moukoko Berlin, Germany posted on his Instagram story AFP raised £20,000 ($26,000) by alongside the ‘Black Lives Mat- London, United Kingdom choosing to give to charity rather greatest’, dies aged 58 ter’ hashtag. than watching their team play undesliga side Schalke Dortmund striker Erling Braut Manchester United on pay-per- AFP with integrity, honesty and said yesterday they are Haaland, Bayern Munich est Brom manager view TV, according to a fans’ Montpellier, France passion.” Binvestigating alleged centre-back Jerome Boateng Slaven Bilic fears group. While his only club trophy death threats and racist abuse and Chelsea defender Antonio fans could be priced Other groups are encourag- was the 1994 French Cup with aimed at Borussia Dortmund’s Ruediger all supported Mou- out of football after ing fans to boycott pay-per-view runo Martini, who Auxerre he set a record for the Wbeing forced to spend extra on and give to charity instead, while 15-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko koko on social media. became “one of longest run without conced- during an Under-19 match. Schalke sporting director pay-per-view matches. a petition has been started calling France’s greatest goal- ing a goal: 892 minutes in the “Schalke 04 has evaluated the Jochen Schneider contacted Premier League games in Oc- for the charges to be scrapped. keepers” only after a 1986-7 season. audio and video material of Dortmund to apologise to tober that have not been ear- Premier League chief execu- failedB exam blocked the path After hanging up his boots marked for regular coverage can tive Richard Masters said last the match and is now working Moukoko. to his chosen career as a sports he was France goalkeeping intensively on identifying the German FA vice-president only be watched live via Sky week that the pricing of the instructor, has died at the age coach, helping Les Bleus to the persons responsible,” the club Guenter Distelrath, who is re- Sports or BT Sport for a fee of matches was “defensible” and of 58, his last club Montpellier Euro 2000 title and to the fi nal said in a statement. sponsible for anti-discrimination £14.95 ($19). that the broadcasters were ul- announced yesterday. of the 2006 World Cup. Cameroon-born Moukoko measures, wants to see action Fans already pay regular sub- timately responsible for setting Martini, who spent much of He played chess and loved scored a hat-trick to seal a 3-2 taken against the culprits. scriptions to broadcasters and the price. his playing days with Auxerre, classical literature and music. away win over Dortmund’s Moukoko has sent scoring for season tickets to watch their The chief executive of BT’s con- suff ered a heart attack as he re- He made 31 appearances for “Mozart, Wagner, Bach but, arch rivals in the youth game records tumbling in German team in person, something the sumer division, Marc Allera, said turned to his car after a training France including Euro ‘92 and a above all, Handel,” he once in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. youth football and could claim coronavirus pandemic prevents the suggested price came from the session at Montpellier. cameo on the bench at Euro ‘96. said. In a clip from the German FA’s another landmark if he makes them from doing. Premier League, and that BT was His career started as a While major international His last role was coaching at livestream of the game, fans his Bundesliga debut after he “Football is not polo or golf,” “pretty much just covering our 19-year-old with Auxerre, not honours alluded him he was Montpellier. could be heard screaming al- turns 16 next month. said Bilic. “It’s not my money, it’s costs to put these games on”. far from where he was born a member of the France U-20 “We weep for one of our leged threats and racist abuse He has already trained with their (the fans’) money. Football Allera said the intention of the and grew up. Apart from two team that took the 1988 world own,” the club said. at Moukoko. Dortmund’s senior squad. should not be free, but aff ordable. move was to “get some money seasons on loan at Nancy, he title with Laurent Blanc and If he had succeeded in pass- As each of the 300 tickets for Moukoko could also become Football is the sport for masses, a moving into the clubs and the remained at Auxerre for 14 Eric Cantona. ing his high school diploma he the game were personalised the youngest player in Cham- working-class sport, and it should leagues that are struggling”. seasons before fi nishing his “How sad, what a great could have become a sports due to coronavirus measures, pions League history in late be aff ordable to everybody.” It is understood Premier career at Montpellier. man,” said former player and instructor and may have Schalke hope to find the culprits. November as Dortmund say Supporters’ groups have been League clubs are yet to reach a “He was a true legend,” Aux- manager Luis Fernandez who slipped through the grasp of “I am proud to have been born they will add his name to their vocal in their opposition to the decision on how to split revenue erre said of the keeper they rat- now works in sports radio. Guy Roux, Auxerre’s iconic with this skin colour and I’ll ‘B’ list for matches. pay-per-view model. generated from the pay-per- ed with the country’s best. “Football has lost someone manager. Newcastle supporters have view matches. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 21, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Approaching 80, Pele gives thanks for his lucid mental state Reuters I am well received, doors are al- Paulista state championships and Pele quickly denied his son’s Sao Paulo, Brazil ways open to me. I hope that six Brazilian league titles. claims and, although the novel when I get to heaven God wel- He remains the only player to coronavirus pandemic aff ected comes me the same way that eve- win the World Cup three times the world barely a month later, he n the eve of his 80th ryone welcomes me today thanks and famously scored more than was upbeat in a short video sent birthday, Brazilian to our beloved football.” 1,000 professional goals. to the media to mark his 80th. football great Pele told For most of his career on the Wherever he goes, Pele is still “Everything that we get in life his fans he was happy world stage with Brazil and in feted as ‘The King’, a title given to is because God thinks you de- andO healthy, and pleased to be club football at Santos and the him by playwright Nelson Rod- serve it,” he said. “If I did some- reaching the landmark with his New York Cosmos, as well as for rigues when he was just 17. thing that made people unhap- lucid mental state. years afterwards, the man born However, his landmark birth- py... that’s life, forgive me.” Pele has been shielding at Edson Arantes de Nascimento day comes at the end of a diffi cult This year marked the 50th an- home in Brazil for most of the was widely considered the great- period. niversary of Pele’s third World Covid-19 pandemic but in a jo- est footballer of all time. His son Edinho served jail time Cup triumph, won in Mexico in vial recorded message ahead of First Diego Maradona and then for drug traffi cking and money 1970 with what many pundits his landmark birthday on Friday fellow Argentine Lionel Messi laundering although he always rate as the greatest football team he looked ahead not back. came along to challenge that he- denied the charges. of all time. “Now that I am 80, I need gemony but the Brazil striker’s Pele has been hospitalised to thank God for giving me the trophy cabinet is as big as his ri- several times in recent years and Silvio Cesar Martins plays football health to get this far, and lucidly, vals. walks with diffi culty due to an near a mural depicting Brazilian although not always intelligent- With Santos, he won the Copa ailing hip. The upshot, Edinho soccer legend Pele kissing the ly,” he said with a laugh. Libertadores and Interconti- said in February, was that his fa- face of the comic superhero “Wherever I go the world over nental Cup twice, along with 10 ther suff ered from depression. Batman in Sao Paulo. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT COMMENT Guardiola takes blame for Euro fl op Mueller’s Bayern as Man City launch new campaign

AFP form fuels calls for London, United Kingdom ep Guardiola admitted yesterday that he still feels responsible for the manner of Manchester PCity’s Champions league exit last season, saying they have to Germany recall “close these gaps” as they chase European glory. ‘If I was national coach, Mueller as well as Boateng would be in the national side’ City, who host Porto in their opening group match today, have AFP never gone beyond the semi- Berlin, Germany fi nals of the competition despite all their domestic success in re- cent years. homas Mueller can fur- Memories of the quarter-fi nal ther fuel appeals for him loss to Lyon in August remain to be recalled by Germa- fresh for Guardiola, who won the ny when Bayern Munich competition for the second time Tlaunch their Champions League as Barcelona boss in 2011 but has start at zero again.” defence at home to Atletico Ma- failed to lift the trophy since. The former Barcelona and drid today behind closed doors. “It was a tough moment,” said Bayern Munich coach said to- Having managed a record 21 the Catalan. “I felt so responsible day’s fi xture had added signifi - assists in the Bundesliga last for how the club felt, the players. cance because it was at home. season, Mueller has continued I was not able to drive the club “The reality to win the home his sparkling form by scoring and I feel responsible. games is so important for quali- fi ve goals and creating four more “But watching the games we fi cation,” he said. “We’re still so far in 2020-21. have to accept the reality that a little bit away from where we The 31-year-old netted twice we were not good enough. We want to be.” in a 4-1 win at Arminia Bielefeld did not play bad, we played some City were without Kevin De last Saturday when Robert real good moments but we some- Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Aymeric Lewandowski also grabbed two times made mistakes and in this Laporte and Benjamin Mendy for goals for Bayern. competition you cannot do it.” Saturday’s 1-0 win against Arse- His latest eye-catching club Guardiola said City were not nal, but Guardiola said the situa- performance has prompted far away from cracking the secret tion was slowly improving. fresh hopes of a Germany recall of European success. “Oleksandr Zinchenko is back for Mueller, who was dropped by “I always had the feeling we and other players are back,” he Joachim Loew from the national were close,” he said. “The gaps said. “Ilkay Gundogan, Bernar- set-up in 2019 alongside Jerome were little but you have to close do Silva and Joao Cancelo are in Boateng and Mats Hummels. these gaps. We have to solve it. good condition. We expect Ben- Now Bastian Schweinsteiger “It’s the past. Now is a new jamin Mendy back soon so the has joined fellow former Bay- opportunity and we are going to team will grow.” ern and Germany players Didi Hamann and Lothar Matthaeus in calling for Mueller to be rein- MOTIVATION stated. “If I was national coach, Mu- eller as well as Boateng would be in the national side,” Schwein- Bayern Munich’s German forward Thomas Mueller celebrates scoring a goal during the Bundesliga match against DSC Arminia Bielefeld at Liverpool must stay steiger, 36, told Monday’s edi- the SchuecoArena in Bielefeld, Germany, on Saturday. (AFP) tion of German magazine Kicker. Schweinsteiger helped win their Champions League de- the fi rst Bundesliga weekend, and a red card for Bayern’s TODAY’S CHAMPIONS in trophy hunt for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil fence behind closed doors. Bayern’s relentless schedule has Corentin Tolisso. alongside Mueller, who knows he LEAGUE FIXTURES continued apace. They can ill-aff ord a repeat still has plenty to off er Germany Salzburg vs Lokomotiv KIMMICH RETURN Today’s game will be their against Atletico. Van Dijk: Henderson after 100 internationals and 38 Moskva The Bavarians have a perfect third in six days, while further Others have also noted Bay- goals for ‘die Mannschaft’. Real Madrid vs Shakhtar record at home against Diego Champions League fi xtures ern’s lapses in concentration at AFP “Everyone can see that I am Donetsk Simeone’s side, having twice against Salzburg and Lokomo- the back, which has seen Neuer London, United Kingdom in good form. Let’s just see what Bayern Munchen vs beaten them in Munich in 2016. tiv Moscow mean Bayern have let in fi ve goals in four league happens,” Mueller told broad- Atlético Madrid Yet Atletico knocked Bayern midweek and weekend games in games so far. caster ZDF on Saturday, yet Manchester City vs Porto out of the semi-fi nals in 2015/16 each of the next three weeks. Matthaeus has accused the iverpool captain Jordan Loew has so far showed no signs Olympiakos Piraeus vs and the German side remain wary The physical strain and the champions of being “passive” Henderson says the loss of reversing his decision. Olympique Marseille of their Spanish opponents. need to rotate has led to a few and “vulnerable” at the back of Virgil van Dijk is a Last month, Mueller became Internazionale vs Goalkeeper Manuel Neu- early-season hiccups. this season. “big blow” but he wants the most successful German er warned that Atletico are a Bayern suff ered a shock Joshua Kimmich should bring Lthe Premier League champions Borussia M’gladbach footballer of all time — surpassing Ajax vs Liverpool “strong team” who were “un- 4-1 defeat to Hoff enheim last more stability to Bayern’s mid- to use his absence as an added Schweinsteiger’s record of 26 ti- Midtjylland vs Atalanta comfortable” to play against. month, and needed a late Robert fi eld, with the Germany mid- incentive to stay in the trophy tles — when Bayern won the Ger- “The good thing is that the Lewandowski penalty to seak a fi elder expected to return after he hunt. man Super Cup as he lifted a tro- game is on Wednesday, so we 4-3 win over Hertha Berlin be- missed last weekend’s game to be Defensive talisman Van Dijk phy for the 27th time in his career. who have conceded just one goal have an extra day to prepare,” fore the international break. with his wife, who is expecting requires surgery after suff er- After an early season plagued in four games so far this season. said the Bayern captain. On Saturday, Flick criticised the couple’s second child. ing knee ligament damage dur- by tired legs and defensive wob- Bayern, who won their fi rst After having less than a his team for a poor second half “Joshua is very important for ing Saturday’s Merseyside derby bles, Bayern will need Mueller’s ever European Cup against month between last season’s performance, after individual us against Atletico. I hope he can with Everton. creativity against an Atletico side Atletico back in 1974, will begin Champions League fi nal and errors led to a goal for Bielefeld play,” Flick told Sky. Manager Jurgen Klopp is re- luctant to put a timescale on the Dutchman’s return but admits he Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnarby faces a lengthy absence after being clattered by Everton goalkeeper tests positive for coronavirus Jordan Pickford in the 2-2 draw. Henderson is confi dent Liver- AFP giants said in a brief state- the club’s training session pool can cope in Van Dijk’s ab- as we can for him”. Berlin, Germany ment. yesterday morning. sence, even though he has been a “That’s down to us as players He will miss today’s Cham- The former Arsenal winger pivotal player since he joined the to make sure that when he is back pions League group game has started all four of Bay- club in 2018. and he is fi t that we’re still fi ght- uropean champions against Atletico Madrid ern’s Bundesliga games this “It’s a tough one. It’s a big ing to be successful and fi ghting Bayern Munich yester- when Bayern begin the season and scored a hat- blow for us,” Henderson told the for trophies,” said Henderson. Eday announced their defence of their European trick in their 8-0 demolition club website. “For him personal- “You’ve got to use times like first case of the coronavirus title behind closed doors at of Schalke in the opening ly, obviously. But for us as a team, this to be stronger and to be even as Germany winger Serge the Allianz Arena. game last month. a massive blow. more together than we already Gnabry tested positive for However, Bayern did not He is the second member of “I’m just gutted for him. It’s are. And use it as a positive in Covid-19. say whether Gnabry’s the Germany squad to test a diffi cult moment, but that’s some way.” The 25-year-old is “doing positive test would have positive for the virus after when you need to be there for Liverpool face their fi rst chal- well” and is in quarantine any other impact the home Manchester City midfielder each other.” lenge without Van Dijk in today’s at home, the German game after he took part in Ilkay Gundogan. The skipper said it was up to Champions League group match the team to “win as many games away at Dutch side Ajax. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, October 21, 2020 SPORT

ARABI GO TOP OF QATAR HANDBALL LEAGUE

Al Arabi registered a comfortable 38-28 win over Al Shamal to go top of the Qatar Handball League at the Al Duhail Indoor Arena yesterday. Arabi now have 18 points, two more than Wakrah. Shamal are in sixth place with 12 points. PICTURES: Ram Chand In another match, Al Ahli edged past Al Rayyan 31-29.

FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT Japan will take steps Every defeat is still to guard against Tokyo Olympics cyberattacks a scar on my heart, Reuters been observed in our operations,” Tokyo spokesman Masa Takaya said. Olympic sponsor Panasonic Corp said in a statement it was apan said yesterday it strengthening its global moni- would take countermeas- toring eff orts, adding: “We did ures to ensure next year’s not detect any evidence of an says Wenger Tokyo Olympics are not attack.” A representative for fel- derailedJ by cyberattacks after low sponsor Toyota Motor Corp Britain and the United States ac- declined to comment. cused Russia of orchestrating ef- A string of hacking attempts Former Arsenal manager reflects on his 22 years in charge of the club, how hurt forts to disrupt the Games. have been conducted against Olympics organisers reported international sporting organisa- he was by malicious rumours when he first arrived no signifi cant impact on their tions which Western offi cials and operations for the 2020 Games, cybersecurity experts say were By Donald McRae which were postponed until next orchestrated by Russia since its The Guardian year due to the Covid-19 pan- doping scandal erupted fi ve years demic. Britain and the United ago. Moscow has repeatedly de- Arsene Wenger States on Monday condemned nied the allegations. rsene Wenger still believes he managed Arsenal what they said were a series of Russia was banned from the could milk a cow but, as he says for 22 years. malicious cyberattacks orches- world’s top sporting events for with a smile: “I haven’t tried for trated by Russian military intel- four years in December over a long time. I might have lost the ligence, including attempts to widespread doping off ences, in- techniqueA a little bit.” disrupt the Tokyo Olympics and cluding the Tokyo Games. An In- Wenger is one of the most humane and Paralympics. ternational Olympic Committee original thinkers in football and so it is Kremlin spokesman Dmitry (IOC) spokesman said cyberse- not surprising that, moving beyond his Peskov denied the allegations, curity was one of their priorities. “obsession”, we should spend 100 min- attributing them to “Russopho- “The IOC and the Organis- utes talking about much more than the bia”. He told reporters: “Russia ing Committees of the Olympic game that consumes him. has never carried out any hacking Games have identifi ed cyber se- Whether describing how he learned to activities against the Olympics.” curity as a priority area and invest milk cows as a boy in the Alsace village Japanese chief cabinet sec- a lot to off er the Olympic Games of Duttlenheim in France, or reliving his retary Katsunobu Kato said Ja- the best cyber security environ- fi rst memory as a fi ve-year-old watching pan would make every eff ort to ment possible,” the spokesman his local football team while clutching a protect the Games from possi- said in an email. “Given the na- prayer book, Wenger stresses his life has ble hacking attempts. “We can- ture of the topic, we do not di- been built on the pillars of hard work and not turn a blind eye to malicious vulge those measures.” faith. “It’s amazing that you make your cyberattacks that threaten de- The UK is the fi rst government life with the values from childhood. I mocracy,” Kato told a news con- to confi rm details of the breadth think all the champions I have met have ference, adding that Japan was of a previously reported Russian been the same. They had the root of their gathering and analysing infor- attempt to disrupt the 2018 win- motivations in childhood.” mation and in close contact with ter Olympics and Paralympics Having recently lost both his sister Britain and the United States. in Pyeongchang, South Korea. It and brother in the space of six months, “The Olympics are a major inter- declared with what it described Wenger admits that writing his absorb- national event that attract atten- as 95% confi dence that the dis- ing autobiography became more sombre. tion, and cybersecurity measures ruption of both the winter and “Maybe because you feel guilty as well,” are extremely important.” summer Olympics was carried he says at his home outside London. British offi cials said on Mon- out remotely by the GRU unit Wenger, who managed Arsenal for 22 day the hackers from Russia’s 74455. In Pyeongchang, accord- years, shrugs ruefully. “When you have a GRU military intelligence agen- ing to the UK, the GRU’s cyber- passion you are selfi sh because the people cy had also conducted “cyber unit attempted to disguise itself who suff er the most are those around you. reconnaissance” operations as North Korean and Chinese Unconsciously you always give an excuse against Tokyo Games organisers. hackers when it targeted the because you think: ‘I will see them in one They declined to give specifi c opening ceremony of the 2018 month.’ When you move out [of football], details about the latest attacks or winter Games, crashing the web- you think it’s a bit frightening how selfi sh say whether they were successful site so spectators could not print and one-directional you were.” focus on that.’ I was 47 years old and I “where I learnt patience, endurance and felt a sense of injustice because we did but said they had targeted Games out tickets and crashing the Wi- Twenty-four years ago, in October knew who I was and what I wanted in rigour”. “I had problems in coping with not deserve to lose this game,” Wenger organisers, logistics suppliers Fi in the stadium. 1996, Wenger’s immersion in Arsenal life so it didn’t depress me too much. I defeat. I did throw up sometimes and it says. “Rooney got a soft penalty and, in and sponsors. The key targets also included began as he became the club’s unknown had been in Monaco for seven years and took me time to recover from a defeat. the fi rst 20 minutes, Ljungberg was clear The organising committee broadcasters, a ski resort, Ol- new manager. He was only the fourth in Japan two years before I arrived here. I wondered if I am made for this job be- through and Rio Ferdinand should have said in a statement they had al- ympic offi cials, service provid- foreign manager to have worked in the I knew that, in diff erent countries, you cause when you suff er so much physically been sent off . With VAR today he would ready made extensive cyber- ers and sponsors of the games in English top fl ight – and the fi rst three had sometimes face adversity.” you will not survive. But I had always a have gone. What was bad is we climbed security preparations and that 2018, meaning the objects of the been unsuccessful. Of course Wenger, Did it shake his aff ection for England? quick recovery. I am an optimist, basi- Everest and fell to earth again. Now you there had been little disruption attacks were not just in Korea. who went on to win three Premier League “No. I love England, because it’s a coun- cally. I thought: ‘Let’s go to the next one.’” tell the players we have to climb up again. to its platforms. “While we have The GRU also deployed data-de- titles and seven FA Cups, had a seismic try of passion, emotion, of sport and mu- Was he ever physically sick after an Ar- That’s diffi cult.” constantly monitored various letion malware against the win- infl uence on English football. But it is of- sic, and it’s brave. But this is also a coun- senal defeat? “I was more mentally sick. I Wenger was haunted most by the types of cyberattack on the dig- ter Games IT systems and tar- ten forgotten how he suff ered soon after try where you have media competition made 1,235 games for Arsenal and didn’t Champions League – and especially the ital platforms owned by Tokyo geted devices across South Korea his arrival. and sometimes it’s out of control.” miss one. I can’t remember when I stayed 2006 fi nal when, reduced early on to 10 2020, no signifi cant impact has using VPNFilter malware. He writes that “the pure hostility, lies, For Wenger the nadir occurred when in bed to miss training in 22 years. But, men, they led 1-0 until the 79th minute vile allegations … started with a radio Annie’s 12-year-old son was hounded by after defeat, you never sleep. You have when they conceded two late goals to host, a Spurs supporter, so I have been tabloid reporters. “That was not very fair, an internal fi lm that goes through your Barcelona. “We had beaten Real Madrid told. I had apparently been spotted in no,” he says quietly. mind. It’s a sense of anger, humiliation, with Ronaldo, Figo, Zidane and Raúl and disreputable locations, in preposterous He held an impromptu press confer- hate. The next day you have to put that we did not concede a goal in the whole situations.” ence outside Highbury and the way he into perspective but every defeat is still a knockout stage. We beat Juventus who The baseless rumours intensifi ed. spoke was so convincing that the lies scar on my heart.” had Vieira, Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet. It Wenger was living alone in a London suddenly stopped. “But it left something In 2003-04, when his Invincibles did was hugely frustrating. We twice had hotel as Annie, his future wife, had yet in crowds that were vicious,” he recalls. not lose a league match the whole sea- chances to score the second goal and if to join him. He recalls that, over break- Years later vitriolic supporters still re- son, he had “no fear of anything. Just go we’d played with 11 against 11, we would fast, people looked at him suspiciously or sorted to chants calling him a paedophile. to a game and play – and you will win. I defi nitely have won the European Cup.” turned away. “It was intolerable. I won- Wenger “knitted myself a soul in red wanted to play the perfect season. Usual- More happily, he has not forgotten the dered whether the world had gone mad, and white” as he showed an unbreakable ly when you win the Premiership, two or sweetest victories. “With a young team how such lies could be written without loyalty to Arsenal. But, as happens so of- three games later you suff er a loss. I told we won against Madrid with a fantastic any evidence or truth, just to smear a ten with great managers, he lingers over the players: ‘You can become immortal if goal from Thierry Henry, and when we man. I was very angry.” the defeats. As a young manager at Nancy, you continue to focus.’ That’s what hap- won in Milan they were European cham- Wenger sounds sanguine now. “I was Wenger was stricken by a loss just before pened.” pions. Their crowd stood up and applaud- quite surprised by the violence of these the Christmas break. He was so desolate The inevitable end to the record un- ed us. Those are moments where you play allegations because I didn’t know where – “like a zombie” – he spent Christmas beaten run came in the fateful 50th the game like you want it to be played – as they came from and why. But then I and the next three weeks alone. match, in a controversial defeat against when we won 5-1 at Inter [in 2003]. But thought: ‘Why am I doing this job? Let’s He believes “that dark place” was Manchester United at Old Traff ord. “You you remember the defeats more.” The Olympic Rings is pictured in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, October 21, 2020 5 SPORT

NFL FOCUS NFL reports 19 positive cases, Rookie sensation up four from previous week

Reuters New York

he number of positive Clyde uses his running Covid-19 cases in the NFL increased slightly from the previous week, Taccording to numbers released yesterday by the league and the NFL Players Association. Testing for Oct. 11-17 resulted in 19 new cases, up from 15 the magic to beat Bills previous week. There were eight positives among players and 11 confi rmed positives among other personnel, per the report. Clyde carried the ball 26 times for his second career 100-yard-plus game in front of a crowd of 14,000 There now have been 60 cases in three weeks after 42 in the fi rst AFP six. On this latest report, 38,880 Los Angeles tests were administered to a total of 7,799 players and team per- sonnel. The breakdown: 15,167 ookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire tests were administered to 2,459 rushed for 161 yards, and players; 23,713 tests were admin- Patrick Mahomes threw for istered to 5,340 personnel. Since two touchdowns as the Kan- monitoring began Aug. 1, more sasR City Chiefs bounced back from their than 450,000 tests were admin- fi rst loss of the season with a 26-17 vic- istered to players and personnel tory over the Buff alo Bills on Monday. through Oct. 17. Edwards-Helaire carried the ball 26 times for his second career 100-yard- DOLPHINS TO TURN plus game in front of a limited crowd TO TAGOVAILOA of 14,000 at Bills Stadium in New York Miami Dolphins rookie quar- because of the coronavirus pandemic. terback Tua Tagovailoa will be “When you have days like this, things the team’s starter when it plays just seem to part like the Red Sea,’’ said its next game, ESPN reported. Edwards-Helaire, of Baton Rouge, Lou- Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall isiana. Mahomes completed 21 of 26 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, re- passes for 225 yards in his fi rst career placed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick start against the Bills, and safety Dan- and completed both of his pass iel Sorensen helped seal the win with attempts for nine yards during a late interception for the Chiefs, who the latter stages of the Dolphins’ improved to 5-1 on the season. 24-0 victory over the New York Playing in a steady rain on Monday, Jets on Sunday. the Chiefs were eager to get rid of the The Dolphins (3-3) return sour taste in their mouths after a disap- from their bye week to host the pointing 40-32 defeat to the Las Vegas Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 1.The Raiders in week fi ve. Heading into week Dolphins repeatedly have said six, the Chiefs knew they had to make that they were not going to rush some adjustments in their passing game the development of Tagovailoa, because of injuries. Then, the Bills poor 22, who had been listed as the run coverage made their decisions a lot team’s No. 2 quarterback for easier. “Once we saw how deep their each game this season. linebackers and safeties and corners Tagovailoa is coming off sur- were playing, we knew that we had the gery for a hip injury he sustained run game,” Mahomes said. “So we really while playing for Alabama last just stayed with it, and if teams are go- season. ing to play us like this, you’re going to Tagovailoa left the storied see us run the football, and we have the Crimson Tide program as No. 1 guys that can do it.’’ in school history in completion With receiver Sammy Watkins sit- Kansas City Chiefs' Clyde Edwards-Helaire (left) runs past Buff alo Bills' AJ Klein during the NFL game at the Bills Stadium in New York. (USA TODAY Sports) percentage (69.3%), touchdown ting out due to a hamstring injury, De- passes in a season (43 in 2018) marcus Robinson saw an increase in Bills were making a last ditch eff ort to NFL season. Allen also led the Bills in turnovers in a crushing 42-16 loss to the game, Kyler Murray and Christian Kirk and career passing touchdowns his workload, leading all receivers with come from behind. He then picked off a rushing on Monday with 42 yards on Tennessee Titans in their most recent connected on an 80-yard touchdown (87). fi ve catches for 69 yards. Trusty target stray Josh Allen toss and ran it back four eight carries. “I was not good enough. I game. The teams traded the lead three pass and run as the Arizona Cardinals He threw for 7,442 yards in his Travis Kelce made fi ve catches for 65 yards, which ended Buff alo’s fi nal drive got to do a better job, it’s plain and sim- times in the fi rst half before the Chiefs clobbered the Dallas Cowboys 38-10. 32 games with Alabama. Fitz- yards, and Byron Pringle got 46 yards of the game. ple,” Allen said. “This team can’t aff ord seized a 13-10 lead at halftime. Despite the loss, which dropped them patrick, 37, has completed 138 of of off ence out of two grabs in the fi rst Allen completed 14 of 27 passes for to have me play poorly.” The Chiefs-Bills game was originally to 2-4 on the season, the hapless Cow- 197 passes for 1,535 yards with 10 game between the two AFC clubs since 122 yards and two scores for the Bills, The Bills fi nished with just 84 yards scheduled for last Thursday but was boys are still in fi rst place in the NFC touchdowns and seven intercep- 2017. Sorensen made a clutch defen- who like the Chiefs were trying to rushing while losing their second moved due to a coronavirus-related East Division, where all four teams have tions this season, which is his sive play with 71 seconds to go as the bounce back from their fi rst loss of the straight game. Buff alo committed three league scheduling change. In the late losing records. 16th in the NFL.

MLB NHL ROUND-UP The Yankees need to bring back DJ LeMahieu Canadiens sign top By Kristie Ackert New York Daily News draft pick Guhle he Montreal Canadiens points (12 goals, 21 assists) and J LeMahieu is a no-brainer. agreed to a three-year, 37 penalty minutes in 59 games Arguably the Yankees MVP the entry-level contract during the 2019-20 season. last two seasons, they should do with top draft pick “Adam has been an excel- anything they can to make sure TKaiden Guhle. Under terms of lent young player for us and we theD versatile infi elder and batting cham- the deal, the contract has an av- are happy to have him continue pion is back in pinstripes in 2021. That erage annual value of $925,000 his progress for another year in includes making him a qualifying off er. at the NHL level and includes Vancouver,” general manager Jim The other two options, James Paxton performance bonuses of up to Benning said. “We look forward and Masahiro Tanaka, are closer calls. $420,000 each season. to his intensity and compete The Yankees’ decision on them will not The contract runs through level continuing to be a great be as clear cut and actually will be telling 2022-23. The AHL value is source of energy for our team.” about the organization’s fi nancial inten- $80,000 per season. The Cana- In 120 career games with tions heading into next season. diens selected Guhle with the Vancouver, Gaudette has 45 With the World Series beginning on No. 16 overall pick in the 2020 points (17 goals, 28 assists) and Tuesday night and the Yankees yet again NHL Draft earlier this month. 55 PIM. The Canucks selected home watching, it’s time for GM Brian The 18-year-old defenseman the Massachusetts native in Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner to scored 40 points (11 goals, 29 the fi fth round of the 2015 NHL fi gure out how they plan to end an 11-year assists) with the Prince Albert Entry Draft. World Series drought. Qualifying off ers Raiders of the WHL in the 2019- this year are reportedly $18.9mn for the 20 season. AVALANCHE PICK 2021 season. Teams have until fi ve days FORWARD JOST, after the conclusion of the World Series MCCOSHEN JOINS WILD GOALIE MISKA to make qualifying off ers to pending free IN TWO-WAY DEAL The Colorado Avalanche re- agents who were with them the entire The Minnesota Wild signed signed forward Tyson Jost and 2020 season and who have never had a defenseman Ian McCoshen to a goaltender Hunter Miska, with qualifying off er made to them before in one-year, two-way contract, the Jost getting a one-year deal their career. club announced Monday. Mc- and Miska inked to a two-year Players have 10 days to decide whether what is described as a huge fi nancial hit a discount of four years at $80mn), they list with a strained forearm fl exor. After Coshen, 25, played last season extension. “Heading into the to accept or decline the off ers and can in 2020 and not sure that they can recoup will at least get some compensation in the suff ering a setback in his rehab, Paxton with Springfi eld and Rockford in off season we made it a priority have contact with other teams during some of their costs in 2021, how comfort- draft. was on the fi eld doing his rehab during the American Hockey League. to sign our restricted free agents that period. In past off seasons, teams able would they be adding three $18.9 With Tanaka, the Yankees have to won- the playoff s with Aaron Boone saying that A second-round pick (31st in Andre (Burakovsky), Valeri used the qualifying off ers generously. It million contracts? der if they could get him back for less than the lefthander could have been available overall) by Florida in 2013, he (Nichushkin), Ryan (Graves) and guaranteed a team that lost a free agent For LeMahieu, who is arguably the best $18.9 million. Tanaka was 3-3 with a 3.56 if the Yankees advanced to the World Se- spent parts of three seasons now Tyson,” Colorado gen- compensation in terms of a draft pick. As position player free agent on the market, ERA over 10 starts this season. One rival ries. with the Panthers and registered eral manager Joe Sakic said in a the price on the qualifying off er contracts it’s a no-brainer because $18.9mn would American League executive thinks they With the fuzzy fi nancial picture head- seven points (four goals, three statement. “Tyson is a strong went up, however, teams became more be a bargain. As two rival executives told can, saying he would be comfortable of- ing into 2021 and Paxton’s inconsistent assists) in 60 career NHL games. two-way player who has NHL discriminating. the News earlier this month, he is likely fering the 31-year old right-hander, who history of streaks of brilliance (late 2019), The two-way contract calls for experience at a young age and With the fi nancial losses of 2020 due to to be an exception to the rule this winter. until this postseason was considered the struggles (early 2019) and injuries, there $700,000 with the Wild, and/or continues to grow his game. the coronavirus pandemic closing ball- “I think he gets paid without the ‘Covid Yankees’ best in big games, $12 to $14mn is no telling where the free agent market $125,000 with the Iowa Wild in “Hunter provides depth parks to fans, the qualifying off ers could tax,’ only a handful will,” one AL exec said. per year on a two-year deal. would be for him this winter. the AHL. The 6-3, 210-pounder and upside at the goaltending be even more discriminating this year. “Very complete player, defensive versa- “The two postseason starts didn’t show A qualifying off er could be a chance from Anaheim, Calif., played at position and we look forward to Even if teams are able to open their gates tility and one of the best right-handed me much in terms of decline,” the execu- for Paxton to rebuild his market value for Boston College for three seasons. having him under contract for next season, at least parts of their fan hitters in the game.” tive said, “he’s still competitive and he’s next winter and the Yankees could land a two more years as he continues bases have been hit hard by the pandem- LeMahieu is looking at a contract already learned to adapt. He’d be a solid solid starter at a reduced rate. It is also a CANUCKS RE-SIGN to develop.” ic, making it diffi cult to expect a nancial fi around $20mn next season _ somewhere. rotation option for them as their younger risk if Paxton misses signifi cant time in GAUDETTE TO Jost, 22, collected 23 points (8 rebound in 2021. He would almost certainly decline the of- pitchers develop.” 2021 with injuries. ONE-YEAR DEAL goals, 15 assists) in 67 games for Steinbrenner admitted last week that fer with other teams willing to off er more. Paxton is a little harder to get a feel for The Yankees have to think about how The Vancouver Canucks re- the Avalanche this past season, the Yankees lost more money in the coro- The Yankees then would guarantee that if from the outside. The 31-year old had they want to spend their resources this signed forward Adam Gaud- equaling his career best in assists navirus pandemic-shortened MLB sea- they cannot work out a longer-term deal back surgery in February and then spent winter and that begins with qualifying ette to a one-year, $950,000 set during the 2018-19 cam- son than any other team. So after taking with LeMahieu (perhaps he’d give them the fi nal month and a half on the injured off ers in the next two weeks. contract. Gaudette, 24, posted 33 paign. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, October 21, 2020 SPORT

ATHLETICS RUGBY Ireland can claim Six Nations World champion title: Stockdale Naser cleared of doping charges

The ruling is a further blow for the whereabouts rules in the anti-doping fight AFP is keen to end a try drought that Dublin has seen him try-less in his past seven Tests. The Ulster star is his own acob Stockdale insists harshest critic but has closed his Ireland can win the Six social media accounts after re- Nations as they prepare ceiving horrifi c abuse online. to return to action, even “For me personally, I’m never thoughJ England are fi rm favour- going to deal well with disap- ites to claim the title. pointment,” said Stockdale, who Andy Farrell’s side are fourth has scored 16 tries in his 28 Tests. in the table, four points behind “That’s part of having a com- England and France, but those petitive nature. It’s always going two teams have just one game to be a disappointment when you remaining in the championship, haven’t played well. which was put on hold by coro- “For myself personally, it’s navirus earlier this year. about being able to block out that Ireland host pointless Italy this outside and internalise how I’m Saturday in an empty Lansdowne feeling about the game and hav- Road but face a far tougher task ing two or three guys’ opinions in Paris a week later against fel- that I really trust and leaning on low title-chasers France. them for that is massive for me.” Ireland can gain a maximum Stockdale said the Ireland 10 points from their two remain- coaching staff kept in touch dur- ing games but England are heavy ing lockdown as much to check favourites, with only a match up on players’ mental health as to against Italy to come. give them playing tips. “For us, as a team, realistically He kept himself busy restoring we’ve got a Six Nations to fi nish a 1966 Mustang car he bought on and we’re never going to not aim eBay, phoning round for a mental for silverware,” said Stockdale, health charity and getting en- who scored seven tries in 2018 gaged. as Ireland romped to the Six Na- He said Ireland’s players were tions Grand Slam. battle-hardened after appearing “Realistically, for us, I think for their provincial sides. it’s entirely achievable to get 10 “It has defi nitely made the points out of the next two games transition a bit more seamless, and pick up a trophy at the end but from a coaching point of of it. view and a cultural point of view, “I think that’s a realistic goal the team and management have for us, something we’ll defi nitely done really well to make sure aspire to.” we’re connecting really well and Stockdale is also eyeing glory that we’re talking things through in the Autumn Nations Cup, an and understanding each other eight-team tournament that again. replaces the usual tours by the “You kind of forget how the southern hemisphere giants. lads around you want to play, On a personal level, the wing certain nuances of the game.”

This file photo taken on October 3, 2019 shows Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser winning the 400m final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha.

Reuters which included three missed ary of this year after sleeping and knocked for fi ve minutes on missing three tests so he could Women’s World Cup: NZ top seeds for 2021 draw London tests between March 2019 and through the morning deadline to a store room. He did not realise run in the 2019 World Cham- January this year. update her location. that the apartment block inter- pionships, where he won 100m Reuters third in 2017, Australia and But the Disciplinary Tribunal The tribunal rejected Naser’s com did not work or that, for and 100m relay golds, but was Wellington the United States are the sec- he doping charges ruled that one of those, on April assertion that this should not that reason, the outside door had in June provisionally suspended ond tier. brought against Bah- 12, 2019, “cannot be confi rmed” count as a missed test. been left unlocked. again. Wales, who were the sev- rain’s 400 metre world as a missed test by the athlete, For the earlier test, last April, In the last fi ve minutes of the At the same world champion- ew Zealand, Eng- enth team to qualify auto- Tchampion Salwa Eid meaning Naser had not missed the tribunal ruled that even designated hour, the tester is ships in Doha, Naser, who im- land and Canada matically based on their 2017 Naser have been dismissed, the three tests within 12 months though Naser’s ADAMS infor- allowed to phone, but Naser’s proved by a second a season from were confirmed as finish, South Africa and the Athletics Integrity Unit an- which is required to prove an mation gave the wrong address, number on ADAMS was wrong. 2016-19, stunned athletics when Nthe top three seeds top-ranked European quali- nounced yesterday. anti-doping violation. the inspector should have done Naser, meanwhile, was where she powered to the third-fastest for the women’s 2021 Rugby fier make up the third tier of The 22-year-old Naser was The tribunal reported prob- better once he had worked out she said she would be, asleep in 400m in history to take the title. World Cup after the game’s seeds. Oceania winners Fiji, a provisionally suspended in June lems with the online wherea- the correct building. her fl at. Because Martinez never Her time of 48.14 seconds has governing body opted to use team from Asia and the team and charged with failing to meet bouts system ‘ADAMS’ for both “What happened next would managed to reach her door, she only been bettered by East Ger- rankings from the start of that wins the final qualifying ‘whereabouts’ criteria in cir- sides. have been comical were the con- did not, the tribunal ruled, miss man Marita Koch and former the year with southern hemi- tournament are in tier four. cumstances the World Athlet- It said that Naser had never sequences not so serious,” said the test. Czech runner Jarmila Kratoch- sphere teams unable to play World Rugby said in a ics Disciplinary Tribunal said managed to log on to ADAMS let the ruling. The Naser ruling is a further vilova in the 1980s. due to Covid-19 curbs. statement the seedings were “would have been comical were alone submit her whereabouts The inspector, Enrique Mar- blow for the whereabouts rules The AIU is the independent The draw for the tourna- based on rankings as of Jan. 1, the consequences not so seri- information. The Bahrain ath- tinez, turned up at 6:00am and in the anti-doping fi ght. anti-doping watchdog for track ment will be conducted in 2020 as restrictions imposed ous”. letics federation had delegated was reluctant to wake anyone The problems have been high- and fi eld, set up in 2017. Auckland on Nov 20. The to halt the spread of the novel The AIU charged the Nige- the task to one of its offi cials, other than Naser. lighted by the long-running saga It has the right to appeal the event, to run from Sept 18- coronavirus meant none of rian-born runner with four al- who failed to update Naser’s He fi rst mistook a parking of US sprinter Christian Cole- verdict to the Court of Arbitra- Oct 16 next year, will take the southern hemisphere leged ‘whereabouts’ failures whereabouts for a test in Janu- place number for a door number man who appealed one ban for tion for Sport. place in New Zealand, the teams were able to play this first time it has been hosted in year. the southern hemisphere. “We are in unusual and SPOTLIGHT Champions New Zealand, unique times with the ongo- 2017 runners-up England and ing global Covid-19 pandem- Canada occupy the top tier of ic,” World Rugby Chairman Daly misses England curtain-raiser against Barbarians seeds. France, who finished Bill Beaumont said.

Reuters and Wales before a fi nal match FOCUS London at home to determine their fi nal position in the competition.

lliot Daly has been England squad: Savea and Laulala omitted from England’s Forwards: Tom Curry (Sale), 32-man squad for Sun- Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), day’s match against the Tom Dunn (Bath), Charlie Ewels to join NZ squad EBarbarians due to a leg injury, (Bath), Ellis Genge (Leicester), with Joe Marler also unavailable Jamie George (Saracens) for the autumn curtain-raiser. Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted aft er becoming dads After the non-cap fi xture, Hill (Worcester), Maro Itoje England travel to face Italy in the (Saracens, Alex Moon (North- AFP Prop Joe Moody will travel fi nal round of the coronavirus- ampton), Beno Obano (Bath), Wellington with the squad on Sunday but interrupted Six Nations on Oc- David Ribbans (Northampton), is still undergoing concus- tober 31, when they will be play- Will Stuart (Bath), Sam Underhill sion tests after a head knock in ing for the title. (Bath), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), he New Zealand All the second Bledisloe Cup Test “Elliot has had a bump on his Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Mark Blacks gave expectant against Australia in Auckland leg for a good period of time. It Wilson (Newcastle) fathers Ardie Savea and last Sunday. hasn’t really worried him and Backs: Ali Crossdale (Saracens), Nepo Laulala permis- Foster added Otago prop he’s been able to train,” England Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), sionT yesterday to delay their George Bower and Wellington coach Eddie Jones said of the Owen Farrell (Saracens), George departure to Australia for the fl anker Du’Plessis Kirifi as cover. full-back. The coach has indicated he four or fi ve weeks. fi ve-game ban while Piers Fran- Ford (Leicester), Piers Francis Rugby Championship. Centres Ngani Laumape and “We’ll do all the various tests will select a strong side against “We’re conscious of the fact cis returns after recovering from (Northampton), George Furbank Coach Ian Foster named a Peter Umaga-Jensen have over- and he’ll see a consultant and the Barbarians, using it as a we’ve got the Six Nations game coronavirus. (Northampton), Willi Heinz 38-man squad for the truncated come injury to make the squad, then we’ll have a pretty good warm-up for the trip to Rome, afterwards, so we’re looking Exeter, Wasps and Bristol (Gloucester), Jonathan Joseph tournament, which will not fea- as has lock Mitchell Dunshea. idea of where he’s at,” he added. knowing that a number of play- at this as a two-week selec- players are all missing due to (Bath), Ollie Lawrence (Worces- ture the world champions South New Zealand open the tour- Jones said Harlequins prop ers, including his infl uential tion, getting players ready for potential Premiership fi nal com- ter), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Africa this year. nament against hosts Australia Marler, who will join up with Saracens contingent, have not Italy and also being right to play mitments. Jonny May (Gloucester), Alex Flanker Savea and prop Laula- on October 31 in Sydney, in a the squad for “reconditioning”, played since October 4. against the Barbarians.” After the completion of the Six Mitchell (Northampton), Ollie la were both granted paternity match that will also serve as the is two or three weeks away from “It’s a lot diff erent this year,” Captain Owen Farrell is in the Nations, England will play four Thorley (Gloucester), Anthony leave and are expected to travel third of four Bledisloe Cup Tests being available for selection due he said. “We’ve got a number of squad although he is short of matches in the Autumn Nations Watson (Bath), Ben Youngs to Australia after their off spring in a coronavirus-aff ected inter- to a knee problem. players who haven’t played for match practice after serving a Cup, taking on Georgia, Ireland (Leicester) arrive “in the next week or two”. national season. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 21, 2020 7 SPORT

CYCLING SPOTLIGHT GOLF Gaviria Johnson pulls out Almeida in out of of Zozo tourney AFP Giro aft er Los Angeles

positive orld No. 1 Dus- tin Johnson has pulled out of Covid-19 Wthis week’s ZoZo pink, Tratnik Championship in Los Angeles, the second straight event he test has withdrawn from after test- ing positive for the new coro- AFP navirus. Udine, Italy The 36-year-old Johnson is recovering after experienc- ing some Covid-19 symptoms claims stage olombian sprinter Fern- but is still not well enough to Randpark Golf Club, which ando Gaviria has tested resume playing competitive boasts two international- ‘I attacked so far from the finish and the last climb was very hard’ positive for Covid-19 golf, his agent David Winkle standard courses in suburban at the Giro d’Italia and said. Johannesburg, will host the hasC withdrawn from the race, his “While he is feeling much Joburg Open from November AFP San Daniele del Friuli, Italy UAE Emirates team announced better, he is still a bit low on en- 19-22. yesterday. ergy and feels it would be best There were no Joburg Open “Gaviria went straight into to wait and resume his sched- tournaments in 2018 or 2019 as ortugal’s Joao Almeida isolation after the test result. ule in Houston,” Winkle told the city hosted the South Afri- ensured he will wear the He feels fi ne and is completely Golfweek. American Johnson can Open instead. pink jersey for a 14th asymptomatic,” reported his also withdrew from last week’s Covid-19 forced the cancel- consecutive day after team. CJ Cup tournament in Las Ve- lation this year of the Nedbank defendingP his overall race lead Gaviria was tested for corona- gas. If he continues to get bet- Golf Challenge — popularly yesterday on the Giro d’Italia’s virus along with the rest of the ter, his next event will be the known as the African major — 16th stage won by Slovenian Jan peloton on Monday’s second rest Houston Open at Memorial that was scheduled for north- Tratnik. day. Park Golf Course on November western resort Sun City. Tratnik, a 30-year-old Bahrain UAE Emirates were keen to 5-8. “We are extremely pleased to McLaren rider, crossed the line stress that his was the only posi- Because of the coronavirus welcome back the Joburg Open seven seconds ahead of Austral- tive case amongst the team. pandemic, the ZoZo Champi- to our schedule,” said Sunshine ian Ben O’Connor, after the run “All the other riders and staff onship was moved to the Sher- Tour commissioner Thomas from Udine on the border with members returned negative tests wood Country Club near Los Abt. Slovenia. and will have other tests today.” Angeles after making its debut “(It) is a momentous mo- Almeida fi nished nearly 13 Gaviria has tested positive be- in Japan last year. Tiger Woods ment for South African pro- minutes off the pace among the fore, in February’s UAE Tour. is the defending champion. fessional golf as we also peloton of favourites but gained Cycling’s governing body the The PGA Tour’s next event welcome back international a valuable two seconds on Dutch UCI revealed another positive is the Bermuda Championship competition to our fairways rival Wilco Kelderman. test from Monday’s batch of 492, from October 29-November 1. after a lengthy break.” Eu- The race fi nishes in Milan on an AG2R La Mondiale employee. Johnson took over No. 1 in the ropean Tour chief executive October 25. Gaviria pulled out before world in August with a victory Keith Pelley said: “I am de- “Sometimes the best defence is Tuesday’s 16th stage placed at the Northern Trust tourna- lighted to see the Joburg Open to attack,” said the Deceuninck- 126th out of 138 in the general ment. The 2016 US Open win- back on our schedule. Quick-Step rider. classifi cation, almost three and ner fi nished tied for second at “We have a wonderful re- “In the end I was feeling good a half hours behind leader Joao the 2020 PGA Championship lationship with the Sunshine and I attacked, gaining a few sec- Almeida. in August at San Francisco. Tour stretching back many onds.” Monday’s two positives was years and this co-sanctioned Almeida bared his teeth in the down on the fi rst round of test- JOBURG OPEN tournament is another example fi nal kilometre push for the line ing, when the virus was detected International golf returns to of that.” at San Daniele del Friuli in north- in riders Steven Kruijswijk and South Africa in November af- Previous Joburg Open cham- eastern Italy, leaving Team Sun- Australian Michael Matthews ter a nine-month coronavirus- pions include South African web’s Kelderman second overall along with six team personnel. induced suspension with the Charl Schwartzel, once ranked at 17sec. The day after the fi rst tests reintroduction of the Joburg sixth in the world and the win- Kelderman’s Australian team- two teams quit the race — Kru- Open, it was announced yes- ner of the 2011 Masters. mate Jai Hindley, third overall, ijswijk’s Jumbo-Visma outfi t and terday. A South African golf offi cial is nearly three minutes adrift, Michelton-Scott whose leader The event, last staged in 2017 told AFP that details of at least having fi nished fi rst among the Simon Yates stopped after devel- and won by Indian Shubhankar two other European Tour/Sun- pursuing group which including oping minor symptoms. Sharma, is co-sanctioned by shine Tour tournaments this two-time race winner Vincenzo This year’s rescheduled Giro the European Tour and Sun- season were expected to be an- Nibali of Italy. It was a fi rst Giro fi nishes in Milan on Sunday. shine Tour. nounced soon. stage win for Tratnik, who out- witted his fi nal breakaway rival O’Connor in the race for the line. TENNIS The 28-rider breakaway had formed in the fi rst hour, but with- out any of the challengers for overall victory. Nadal to play Paris Masters Tratnik and Italian Manuele Boaro broke clear 60km from the fi nish, with the Slovenian shak- AFP ing off the Astana Pro Team rider Paris with 40km to go, building up a comfortable 40-second lead on the pursuing group. afael Nadal announced yesterday that O’Connor fought back on the he will compete in the Paris Masters fi nal climb of three up Monte di next month, despite previously saying Ragogna, with 13km to go, with Slovenia’s Jan Tratnik celebrates as Rhe might not play again this season. Tratnik letting the Australian lead he crosses the finish line to win the The 34-year-old won a record-extending 13th in the fi nal kilometre before pull- 16th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2020 French Open title earlier this month with a one- ing clear for the line. cycling race yesterday. sided fi nal victory over world number one Novak “I attacked so far from the fi n- Djokovic at Roland Garros. ish and the last climb was very “It’s indoor season time... this picture was hard,” said Tratnik. earlier today practising at @rnadalacademy,” he “I didn’t think I could do it, but posted on Twitter alongside a photo of him train- in the end, it was a perfect day. We ing. are close to the Slovenian border “And yes... getting ready for #ParisBercy.” so today my brother and my girl- The Paris Masters is scheduled to run from friend were here. November 2-8. “500 metres from the fi nish batch of 492 during Monday’s rest they added. Gaviria, who also teams quit the race — Kruijswijk’s Any health rules to be implemented for the I saw my girlfriend and I found day. The second was an AG2R La tested positive for the virus in Jumbo-Visma outfi t and Michel- event due to the coronavirus are yet to be an- some extra energy that allowed Mondiale team employee. February, had been 126th out of ton-Scott whose leader Simon nounced. me to win”. It was his ninth career “Gaviria went straight into iso- 138 overall. Yates had stopped after develop- After moving level with Roger Federer on a win and second WorldTour vic- lation after the test result. He feels Monday’s total of two positives ing minor symptoms. men’s record 20 Grand Slam titles, Nadal said: tory after the prologue of the Tour fi ne and is completely asympto- was down on the fi rst round of Wednesday’s 17th stage hits the “I don’t know what I’m going to do after Roland de Romandie last year. matic,” his UAE Emirates team testing, when the virus was de- Dolomites with 203km from Bas- Garros. There were two positive tests announced. tected in riders Steven Kruijswijk sano del Grappa to the Madonna “I can’t tell you if I’m going to play again or not for coronavirus before the stage. “All the other riders and staff and Michael Matthews along with di Campiglio ski resort, with three in the next two months.” Colombian sprinter Fernando members returned negative tests six team personnel. climbs including a fi nal one over Nadal has never won the Paris Masters in his He pulled out before a scheduled semi-fi nal Gaviria tested positive among a and will have other tests today,” The day after the fi rst tests, two 12.5km. career. against Denis Shapovalov at Bercy in 2019.

BOTTOMLINE Roglic takes Vuelta a Espana opening stage

AFP Froome had lost touch before the last late meltdown on the Tour de France The reorganised cycling schedule Arrate, Spain ascent. cost him relinquish the yellow jersey. meant that on Tuesday two major tours “I got a bit caught out coming into “I’m very happy — the team again raced on the same day. Roglic’s victory the penultimate climb, I started pretty showed that they are all really strong,” completed another good day for Slove- efending champion Primoz far back and got stuck behind a crash at said the former ski-jumper who is es- nia as compatriot Jan Tratnik had earlier Roglic won stage one of the the bottom,” said Froome, a four time corted by three of the same Jumbo-Vis- won the 16th stage of the Giro d’Italia. Vuelta a Espana yesterday Tour de France winner who suff ered a ma teammates as on the Tour de France The Vuelta set off almost two months while former winner Chris horrifi c crash 18-months ago. in all rounder Tom Dumoulin, American late from Irun instead of from the Neth- FroomeD rolled in 11 minutes behind the “I’m really happy to be here, I’m re- climber Sepp Kuss and Kiwi climber erlands as originally planned, with few peloton. ally, really happy to be racing a Grand George Bennett. fans in attendance for a 173km rolling Roglic, the runner up in the Tour de Tour again after two years of not doing “They worked perfectly the whole run through the Basque Country. France, outsprinted an elite group that any Grand Tours and just going to take day. Then I was able to win, so top — it’s The original route had been Dutch had survived the steep fi nal 5km climb the race day by day and try and do as a beautiful start. I’ll try to enjoy it day fl at, but instead the 18-stage Vuelta to Alto de Arrate. much for the team as I can,” the British by day,” said Roglic of the mountainous started with a bang on this rolling ter- Meanwhile, Froome, in his fi nal race rider said. race that winds up in Madrid two weeks rain with Frenchman Thibaut Pinot and for Ineos, was abandoned by the team Roglic produced his trademark late on Sunday. Dutch former Giro champion Dumoulin as they set the pace up most of the fi - kick in the fi nal 500m to open a gap of Kuss has the blue polka dots jersey as losing time already. nal climb for their race leader Richard just a few seconds for a comfortable win best climber after the man from Colo- The race passed some of the region’s Carapaz, who was second. that puts him in the race leader’s red rado crested the summit of the Arrate prettiest spots with Roglic’s Jumbo Irishman Dan Martin of Israel Start- jersey. climb fi rst. Spaniard Enric Mas of the leading the peloton as it fl ew past the Team Jumbo rider Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic celebrates winning the 1st stage of the Up Nation, the team Froome will join Roglic arrived as defending cham- Movistar team has the best under-25’s sweeping horse-shoe bay at San Sebas- 2020 La Vuelta cycling tour of Spain, a 173km race from Irun to Arrate yesterday. next season, fi nished third. pion but with a point to prove after his white jersey 11 sec back from Roglic. tian. Wednesday, October 21, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

BASKETBALL Stover leads Al Wakrah to maiden Qatar Cup title Stover scored four times from the three-point mark and nailed seven out of seven free throws

By Sports Reporter Doha

icholas Stover scored a match-high 28 points to power Al Wakrah to their fi rst Qatar Cup titleN with a convincing 83-74 victory over Al Arabi at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall yesterday. Stover scored four times from the three-point mark and nailed seven out of seven free throws in a match that saw Al Wakrah lead for 35 minutes at the Al Gharafa Sports Club. Julius V. Coles with 19 and Abdelrehman Abdelhal- eem with 15 also excelled for the winners, while Sammy Monroe saw his 24-point eff ort go in vain for Al Arabi. Al Wakrah led 27-15 after the fi rst quarter and held on to a 45-37 advantage at the half-way stage to keep the pressure on their rivals. But Al Arabi bounced back into contention by scoring 19 points in the third quarter while restricting Al Wakrah to just 13, raising visions of an upset. That was not to be, however, as Al Wakrah came up with a dominating 25-point eff ort in the fi nal 10 minutes to seal the outcome of the match. Al Wakrah players and off icials celebrate after their Qatar Cup triumph at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed Al Wakrah’s Abdelrehman Abdelhaleem scored 15 points yesterday.

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT Dhawan century in vain as Cricket in bio-bubbles can aff ect ‘mental health’: Morgan Punjab down Delhi in IPL AFP Dubai AFP Dubai ngland’s white-ball captain Eoin Morgan said players should have the freedom to hikhar Dhawan yesterday became withdraw from tours if the bio-secure bub- the fi rst batsman in the Indian Pre- bles are aff ecting their “mental health”. mier League to hit two successive EWest Indies toured England in June, a month centuries but his Delhi Capitals lost ahead of their three-Test series to restart cricket byS fi ve wickets to Kings XI Punjab. after the coronavirus pandemic halted most major The left-hand opener smashed an un- sporting events across the globe. Players have since beaten 106 off 61 deliveries to guide Delhi to been confi ned to bio-secure environments on tours 164 for fi ve, a total that proved insuffi cient and during tournaments, including at the ongoing as Punjab won with one over to spare in Du- Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates. bai. The KL Rahul-led side moved up to fi fth “We managed to fulfi l all of our international fi x- in the eight-team table as Nicholas Pooran tures for the summer,” Morgan, who is also leading scored 53 and Chris Gayle hit 29 off 13 balls. the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, told various But Dhawan, who hit his fi rst IPL ton of media. “But to keep that level of bubble for 10 of the the season in a match-winning knock on 12 months that we normally travel, I think is unten- Sunday, was named man of the match for his able. You can drill a player both mentally and physi- 57-ball hundred. “The boys have been play- cally. And it can cause extreme burnout, which no- ing well in other games. Today I had to take body wants to see.” the responsibility on myself,” said Dhawan. England hosted West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland “It is good that I am scoring consistently so and Australia this summer with all matches played you carry it into the next games. We are going in Manchester and Southampton. The players’ to have a discussion and see where we can travel was restricted from the on-site hotels to the improve. Of course, it is going to be a learn- grounds and Morgan feels that more similar tours ing. This is not going to put us down. Just will only increase the stress levels. take our lessons, and come back stronger.” “We’ve spoken about this as a team and we’ve ac- Dhawan used the sweep and the slog cepted that guys will come in and out of the bubble sweep to great eff ect as he hit 14 fours and as they feel it is aff ecting their mental health,” said three sixes, but the rest of the Delhi batting Morgan. “I don’t think people should look down on failed to fi re, with skipper Shreyas Iyer (14) it and they shouldn’t feel like people aren’t doing and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant their job or not committing to their country. (14) as the next best. Delhi Capitals’ Shikhar Dhawan celebrates after scoring a century against Kings XI Punjab “That’s a reactive way of dealing with things and Punjab lost early wickets, including Rahul in the Indian Premier in Dubai yesterday. (Sportzpics for BCCI) we want to be at the forefront of making it accept- for 15 and Gayle, bowled by Ravichandran able for people to say ‘I need to spend time with my rounder Mitchell Marsh in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Ashwin, but Pooran kept the chase on track check. Shami gave away just 13 runs from his bowler, and an international, and he is get- family now and I’m taking this tour off ’ just because IPL squad last month. in his 28-ball knock. Delhi quick bowler fi nal two overs and got two wickets of Mar- ting better and better every game.” of the extraordinary circumstances.” “And if you look at scheduling, it doesn’t get any Kagiso Rabada sent back Pooran and then cus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer. England are scheduled to tour South Africa for easier. It’s literally going from bubble to bubble. Glenn Maxwell, for 32, to put Punjab in a “Shami obviously is coming in with con- BRIEF SCORES limited-overs matches next month, with tours of Some places are accepting families and some aren’t. spot, but Deepak Hooda, on 15, and Jimmy fi dence from the last game,” Rahul said of his Sri Lanka and India to follow early next year. West So it makes it harder to be away from your family Neesham, on 10, took the team home. paceman who defended fi ve runs in a super Delhi Capitals 164 for 5 in 20 overs (Dha- Indies Test captain Jason Holder also believes going and your loved ones.” Earlier, Punjab paceman Mohammed over to help his team beat Mumbai Indians wan 106 not out*, Shami 2-28) lost to Kings from one bubble to another has been “demanding”. Holder played for Trinidad in the Caribbean Pre- Shami returned fi gures of 2-28 from his in the Sunday match that witnessed IPL’s XI Punjab 167 for 5 in 19 overs (Pooran 53, “It’s been demanding. It has been challenging,” mier League before being called to the UAE for In- four overs to keep Delhi’s scoring rate under fi rst double super over. “He is our senior Maxwell 32, Rabada 2-27) by five wickets said Holder, who replaced injured Australia all- dia’s cash-rich Twenty20 tournament.

ROUND-UP Zimbabwe squad arrives in Pakistan, without Indian coach Rajput imbabwe’s cricket squad ar- following New Delhi’s decision to strip attacked in Lahore in 2009. land in late November and early De- Andre Russell have been selected as rived in Pakistan yesterday – Indian-administered Kashmir of its Zimbabwe were the fi rst team to end cember before moving on to Adelaide the Colombo Kings’ overseas marquee minus their Indian coach, who partial autonomy. Pakistan’s fi ve-year isolation by tour- for the fi rst of four Tests. players for next month’s inaugural had been advised to stay away In Rajput’s absence, bowling coach ing in 2015. South Africa is also slated The Indian and many of the Aus- Lanka Premier League. Zfrom the rival South Asian nation. Douglas Hondo will supervise Zim- to tour Pakistan in January, while tralian players will be coming from Led by Australian Dav Whatmore, The 20-man Zimbabwe team is babwe for the tour, with allrounder England seem likely to come for the the United Arab Emirates, where the who coached Sri Lanka to World Cup competing in a series of one-day Chamu Chibhabha at the helm. The fi rst time since 2005 for a three-match Indian Premier League (IPL) concludes glory in 1996, Colombo also picked up internationals and Twenty20s, the fi rst schedule will see three one-day inter- Twenty20 series, also in January. on Nov. 10, but CA have not yet had former Lanka captain Angelo Math- of which is slated for October 30 in nationals in Rawalpindi on October their plans agreed by Queensland’s ews in an online draft. The fi ve-team Rawalpindi after the players complete a 30, November 1 and 3, while three AUSTRALIA STILL NEGOTIATING health department. CA said they held Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka mandatory virus quarantine period. Twenty20 internationals are set for INDIA’S ARRIVAL FOR TEST SERIES a “productive” meeting with Queens- will take place from Nov. 21-Dec. 13 in Pakistan had granted Zimbabwe Lahore on November 7, 8 and 10. Only a few weeks before the players are land Health on Monday and were Kandy and Hambantota. West Indies coach Lalchand Rajput a visa, but he Rajput played two Tests and four due to start arriving, Cricket Australia confi dent of hosting “a full schedule of players Chris Gayle (Kandy Tusk- did not travel as per his government’s one-day internationals in a short ca- are still negotiating with Queensland matches” against India. ers) and Carlos Brathwaite (Dambulla advice. “Zimbabwe head coach Rajput reer before turing to coaching. health offi cials over the quarantining of Hawks), South African David Miller will miss the Pakistan tour after Indian He was appointed Zimbabwe coach the India team ahead of their block- DU PLESSIS AND RUSSELL (Dambulla) and Pakistanis Shahid embassy in Harare wrote to us asking read. India and Pakistan have been in August 2018. The limited-over se- buster Test series. JOIN COLOMBO KINGS IN Afridi (Galle Gladiators) and Shoaib that Rajput, who is an Indian national, bitter rivals since independence from ries will further the revival of interna- The India squad is scheduled to LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE Malik (Jaff na Stallions) are among the be exempted from visiting Pakistan,” Britain in 1947, with relations taking tional cricket in Pakistan, suspended quarantine in Brisbane and play six Former South Africa captain Faf du other top foreign players who have a Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) statement a fresh turn for the worse last year after the Sri Lankan team bus was short-form internationals in Queens- Plessis and West Indies all-rounder signed up for the tournament.