SPORT

Wednesday 25 October 2017

PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 34 Al Duhail Ronaldo eyes Fit-againF Woods eye sixth ‘lucky seventh’ good for golf, successive win FIFA trophy says Johnson Confident Qatar brace for noisy crowds, tough teams at AFC U-23 Rizwan Rehmat have minimal preparation and The Peninsula the players will remain with their clubs and we will look to atar coach Felix focus on our Australian-based Xanchez yesterday players. The preparation won’t said he will be pre- be lengthy but we have the paring his players for added bonus that our players Qnoisy crowds and should be playing (in the league) testing competition when the and be in good condition.” national squad lands in China Naif A Alqadi, team manager for the AFC Asian U-23 Cup of Saudi Arabia, said: “Any team early next year. who arrives to the Finals of Qatar yesterday were drawn Asia’s Under-23 competition in Group A with hosts China, will be a hard team and it will feisty opponents Uzbekistan and be difficult to play against any neighbouring Oman at the team at this stage. Like any 16-team tournament that will international team, we will use be held from Jan 8-27. our FIFA (match) days and we At the draw ceremony held have a camp in November to yesterday, the organisers con- find our best team.” firmed that Changzhou, AFC Competitions Executive Kunshan, Jiangyin and Director Shin Man Gil, who con- Changshu - all located in Jiangsu ducted the draw, said: “From Province - will host the tourna- our hosting experience with the ment’s 32 matches. Chinese Football Association, we “We know that playing have no doubt that the 2018 AFC against China is going to be a U23U23 Champion-Champion- good experience because we sshiphip will raise expect a good stadium, full of thethe bar.”bar.” people and we know China have a good team,” Sanchez said yesterday. Following the draw cere- mony held at Changzhou, comecome to this level, theythey must be very,very, very consistent - and of course,course, there’s a lot of opportu-opportu- Changzhou will act as nitiesnities if theythey can do well at this the tournament’s tournament,tournament, and I believe it will bebe a steppinsteppingg stone for Malay-Malay- headquarters, and siansian players to play Changzhou Olympic abroad.”abroad.” Sports Centre will host In a mouth-watering nine matches, including GROUP A GROUP B GROUP C GROUP D the tournament opener China South Korea between China PR and Japan Iraq Oman on January 8, and Qatar North Korea Jordan Australia the final on January 27. Uzbekistan Thailand Saudi Arabia Syria Oman Palestine Malaysia Vietnam The AFC U23 clash,clash, Korea Championship is second RRepublicepublic hhaveave bbeeneen only to the AFC Asian Qatar’s Spanish coach Sanchez China, who are the hosts, throughout the qualification, drawndrawn to playplay AustraliaAustralia in Cup among Asia’s men’s said the opponents in Group A will play Oman in Changzhou and I believe we need to keep a Group D clashclash to bebe national team won’t be easy to tackle. on January 8, followed by going in the same direction.” plplayedayed in Kushan.Kushan. SyriaSyria competitions, with the “They have a good squad, matches against Qatar and Malaysia, another team that andand ViVietnametnam aarere the otheotherr 2018 edition the first the same as Uzbekistan, who are Uzbekistan. has qualified for the finals for teams in Group D.D. time it will be held in one of the top teams, and Oman. The ceremony, held at the the first time, will be competing Luke Casserly,Casserly, head the world’s most We expect a very high level of Traders Fudu Hotel’s Zuan Shi against Iraq, Jordan and Saudi ccoachoach of AustraliaAustralia,, said: populous country. contest and we are going to try Tin Ballroom, separated the 16 Arabia in Group C. ““We’veWe’ve oobviouslybviously ggotot a to perform well,” Sanchez said. qualified teams into four groups Ong Kim Swee, Malaysia longlong historyhistory againstagainst Korea “We’re going to start (our for next January’s flagship Asian head coach, said: “For us, its our Republic,Republic, andand recentrecentlyly Qatar reached the finals preparations) in the middle of youth competition. first time to qualify and I think wwe’vee’ve hhadad two very of the AFC Asian U-23 December – in Qatar there is no Husam Jibril Mahmoud Al to be in that group with the three intenseintense matchesmatches withwith ourour Cup by clinching a league then, so its easier for us. Rjoob, representing first-time Middle East countries is an senior team against SSyria,yria, qualifying event played We will play some friendlies and qualifiers Palestine, said: “There advantage for them – Iraq, Jor- soso it’s interestininterestingg and yyouou in Doha in July. In the a few days before we will come was no easy team to be drawn dan and Saudi Arabia. I think it’s alwaysalways knowknow whenwhen you here to adapt. I’m looking for- against, therefore we were a good experience for us.” comecome to a toutournamentrnament three matches, Qatar ward to starting the expecting a tough group. I’m Kim Swee added: “I believe llikeike thisthis thatthat therethere areare drew 1-1 against Syria competition,” he added. looking forward to competing that if we prepare well, we have jjustust no easy games inin following wins over In the draw, reigning cham- with the best and I believe we an equal chance among the four AAsia,sia, so we’re reallyreally India (1-0) and pions Japan were drawn along are running on the right track.” teams. The tournament will lookinglooking forwardforward to it.”it.” Turkmenistan (2-0). with first-time qualifiers Pales- Al Rjoob added: “We need have a different kind of inten- CasserlyCasserly added:added: Qatar’s coach Felix tine in Group B which also has to work hard. Our players have sity, and (our players) must “(The“(The Australian lealeaguegue Sanchez Thailand and DPR Korea. shown good performances understand that when they season)season) meansmeans we willwill Qatar’s Al Jassim to officiate Russia increases Cup budget Moscow preparations for the sponsors named as “legal AFP tournament will rise by entities” in the decree. at 2017 FIFA Club World Cup 5.4 percent -- from 643.5 Russia already QNA ussia has increased billion rubles to 678 bil- increased the World Cup the budget for the lion rubles. budget in May by 4.7 bil- he international football governing body (FIFA) has chosen Qatari R2018 World Cup Russia’s federal lion rubles after slashing international referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim (pictured) to offici- by 34.5 billion rubles budget will allocate 390 it by 30 billion rubles in Tate at the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held from ($600m), according to a billion rubles, while 91.9 June 2015 in the wake of December 6 to 16. decree published on the billion rubles will come the economic crisis. Al Jassim will be the only Arab referee to participate in the World government’s official site from the regional The competition will Cup, where he will be part of the refereeing team responsible for video Tuesday. budget. be played in 12 stadiums technology with six other international referees. The decree says that The rest will come in 11 cities from June 14 the overall cost for the from companies and to July 15 next year. 30 SPORT WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017

GERMAN CUP German Cup second-round fixtures -Bayern clash Playing Today (all times 1845 unless stat- ed) Osnabrueck v Nuremberg, Hertha v Co- logne, VfL Wolfsburg v Hanover 96, Kaiserslau- tern v VfB (1830), Regensburg v Hei- promises lots of ‘fireworks’ denheim, Werder Bremen v Hoffenheim, Freiburg v Dynamo Dresden, RB Leipzig v Bay- ern Munich (1845) Berlin world-class players” even without their AFP injured stars. “We’ll need a perfect day, but we believe in ourselves and want to arcel Sabitzer expects fire- show again that we are good for a sur- works when RB Leipzig prise,” he added. host Bayern Munich in the Mueller tore a hamstring in Saturday’s German Cup yesterday, the win at and Spain’s Thiago Ala- first of two games in four cantara is set to step into the attacking Mdays between the midfield role. heavyweights. Hummels, who will be replaced by Hosts Leipzig hope to capitalise on Niklas Suele if he fails to be fit, is relish- Bayern’s injury list with stars Manuel ing the back-to-back showdowns against Neuer, Thomas Mueller and Franck Rib- Leipzig. ery sidelined. “They have an incredible amount of defender Mats Hummels, quality and play a very intensive game who injured his ankle at the weekend, with very intensive counter-pressing,” said faces a race against time to be fit for both Hummels. the second-round cup clash at Leipzig’s “You have to be very awake and think Arena and the league match four very, very fast. days later in Munich. “That is the most important thing - that The Bundesliga clash on Saturday is you are switched on from the first second also a mouth-watering prospect with just to the fact that the opponent can make a point separating third-placed Leipzig your life hard.” and Bayern, who are second. Bayern beat Leipzig twice in the Bun- Leipzig’s home cup match against desliga last season, romping to a 3-0 Bayern is the plum tie of the second round, victory in Munich last December, with which includes holders Borussia Dort- three goals in the opening 45 minutes, mund at third-division Magdeburg on before winning 5-4 away last May. Tuesday. The double-header against Leipzig “We’re in the flow. The fans can look begins a run of four tough games for Bay- forward to some fireworks,” said Leip- ern in a fortnight. zig’s Sabitzer, the match-winner in They have a Champions League match Leipzig defender Bernardo (left) and Stuttgart defender Andreas Beck vie for the ball Saturday’s 1-0 league victory against at Celtic next Tuesday followed by the during the Bundesliga football match in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on Saturday. Stuttgart. league game at current Bundesliga lead- Leipzig’s CEO Oliver Mintzlaff was ers Borussia on November 4. more reserved, insisting Bayern “are in a “These are exactly the kind of games class of their own with a top squad full of we love,” added Hummels. ‘Magnificent’ Unsworth keen to make Everton job his own Kane would

London team good luck in the future.” “We went into the Watford cost 250m, AFP Unsworth -- capped once by game off the back of two defeats England -- could be in charge for and you kind of feel the weight. avid Unsworth (pictured) several matches leading up to the It’s all about character and we says Perez is keen to prove himself international break in a fortnight. showed that. Dworthy of becoming full- Everton have “All of a sudden, when you Madrid time manager of Premier League matches with Leicester City and get a few back-to-back wins AFP side Everton after being in-form Watford to come with a you’ll see how everything lifts appointed caretaker boss follow- trip to French side Lyon in the and we’ll get back to expressing t would take a world ing the sacking of Ronald Europa League -- the English ourselves as we normally do.” record 250m euro fee to Koeman. side are bottom of their table -- Batshuayi, who headed Iland the on-fire Harry The 44-year-old will be in in between. home 20 minutes from time and Kane from Tottenham Hot- the dugout for today’s intimidat- Meanwhile, Gary Cahill added his second in the dying spur according to Real Madrid ing trip to champions Chelsea in believes Chelsea need to add a moments against Watford, has president Florentino Perez. the last 16 of the League Cup. couple more wins to the 4-2 vic- previously struggled to impress The English striker’s 13 Unsworth is a firm favourite tory over Watford at the manager Antonio Conte. goals in 12 games this season with the fans having served the weekend if they are to relax and The 24-year-old, who has has sparked rumours he club with distinction as a player, start producing the sort of foot- now scored seven goals in all could be the latest star to making 350 appearances dur- ball that won them the Premier competitions this season, is fight- swap Spurs for Spain follow- ing two spells at Goodison Park. League title last year. ing for the lone striker’s position ing in the footsteps of Luka He gained kudos as a coach The champions came into with record signing Alvaro Mor- Modric and Gareth Bale. by guiding the Under-23 side to Saturday’s match reeling after ata and Cahill said the Belgian However, having had his the Premier League 2 title last losses to league leaders Man- forward had responded fingers burned in paying a season. after Roberto Martinez was spending £140m on players in chester City and Crystal Palace perfectly. then world record 100 mil- “I’m a very proud man sat fired), who wouldn’t want this the summer -- reached its nadir but two second-half goals from “I’m sure he has things to lion euros for Bale in 2013, here preparing to lead Everton job? with a 5-2 spanking at home to substitute Michy Batshuayi saw improve but as a player that’s Perez is wary of trying to out tomorrow,” he told the media “The chairman has given me Arsenal on Sunday leaving them them come from behind to beat exactly how you respond,” he negotiate with Tottenham at his eve of match press an opportunity to hopefully get mired in the bottom three. the high-flying Hornets. said. chairman Daniel Levy. conference. a run of games where hopefully Koeman for his part thanked After moving to fourth in the “He’s come on and changed “I think he is a magnifi- “It doesn’t matter how many performance levels go up. the board for allowing him to table with 16 points from nine the game for us. He scored two cent player and, moreover, he games I have, I’ll give it every- “From that, performances take charge of a “great club”. games, Chelsea visit Bourne- goals and arguably won us the is young with many years thing I’ve got. will dictate any future for me as “I would like to place on mouth this weekend before game. ahead of him to progress,” “I spent the afternoon with Everton manager. I want to man- record my thanks to the players hosting Manchester United on “I’m very pleased for him Perez told Spanish radio sta- the chairman yesterday and we age and this is an amazing club and staff for all their work and Nov. 5. and I’m sure the manager and tion Cadena Cope after spoke everything Everton. to be manager of. I make no commitment during my 16 “We move onto the next one all the coaches are pleased for attending FIFA’s annual “I’ll repeat myself from last secret of it.” months as Everton manager,” and try to build a bit of momen- him. When you have a sticky awards. And Perez believes time I sat here 18 months ago (he Koeman was sacked on Koeman wrote on Twitter. tum that way,” England defender patch, to come on and do that is Levy’s reputation for delay- took charge of their final league Monday after a disastrous start “Naturally I am disappointed Cahill told the club’s website the best way to respond, ing moves until late in the game of the 2015/16 campaign to the season -- despite the club at this moment but I wish the (www.chelseafc.com). fantastic.” transfer window to get the best possible deal means he would want more than the 222m euros Paris Saint-Ger- main paid to snatch Neymar from Barcelona in August. Aberdeen set to give Celtic biggest test “No, (I haven’t asked the price) because if I ask, he will tell me 250m,” Perez added. Glasgow claimed a rare domestic clean again, not just defend them,” the And the Dons boss feels he we had last season. “I firmly “We ended up having a AFP sweep last season. 24-year-old said. has a squad capable of compet- believe we’re capable of beating good friendship and he (Levy) The Hoops took a step closer “We want to go out there ing with Celtic this season. them.” always says to me when we eltic midfielder Callum to defending the first part of the playing fast, aggressive football “Being unable to take any- While Celtic continue to go win the European Cup: McGregor says the Hoops treble last Saturday as they and that’s what you need to do thing from our games against from strength to strength domes- ‘Thanks for winning the Euro- Care targetting back-to- booked their place in next to win trophies.” Celtic last season is not some- tically, their Glasgow rivals pean Cup with my players’”. back trebles as they prepare for month’s League Cup final follow- Celtic defeated Aberdeen in thing that sits well with us but Rangers are in turmoil once Madrid’s feat in retaining their toughest domestic chal- ing a 4-2 win over Hibernian. their four league clashes last sea- it’s a new team with new play- again. The Gers, who trail the the Champions League was lenge of the season. And McGregor, who has son while also seeing off the ers and a new season,” McInnes league leaders by six points, rewarded on Monday as Cris- The Glasgow giants will scored five times for Celtic this Dons in the League Cup and said. missed out on a place in the tiano Ronaldo won FIFA’s make the trip to Pittodrie to take season, insists the Parkhead club Scottish Cup finals. “We find ourselves at the top League Cup final after a 2-0 “The Best” player for the sec- on Aberdeen today with only are determined to create history However, this season Aber- of the table again with them but defeat by Motherwell in their ond straight year, whilst goal difference separating the by becoming the first side in deen remain the only other Celtic are still the team to beat. semi-final clash on Sunday. Zinedine Zidane picked up sides at the top of the Scottish Scotland to win consecutive unbeaten side in the Premier- “All managers would say that The loss has piled the pres- the best coach award and four Premiership. trebles. ship -- form which has seen every time you come up against sure on manager Pedro Caixinha other Real players - Marcelo, Brendan Rodgers’ side, who “We spoke about it at the manager Derek McInnes linked Celtic it’s the biggest challenge with the under-fire Portuguese Sergio Ramos, and are unbeaten in 60 matches start of the season and the mes- with the vacant Scotland job. -- but we don’t want a similar questioning the mentality of his Modric - joined Ronaldo in against Scottish opposition, sage was we want to win them record against them this year as players. the team of the year. WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 31 Al Duhail eye sixth successive win

The Peninsula

NB Stars League (QSL) leaders Al Duhail will be looking to register their sixth successive win whent hey take on Victory over Al Sadd ranks high Al Gharafa in Round 6 match on Saturday. Al Duhail are on a high following their big-margin Qvictory over fourth-placed Umm Salal, while Al Gharafa, sixth in the table with five points, will look to compensate for their surprise loss to Al Kharaitiyat in the previous round. on striker Hamdallah’s mind Things will not be easy for The Cheetahs. They have to fire on all cylinders if they are to stop a marauding Al Duhail on their tracks. Frenchman Jean Fernandez’s wards should also hope luck is on their side when they take on Algerian Djamel Belmadi- Armstrong Vas coached The Red Knights. The Peninsula Al Duhail have been in superb form with an all-win record. They are ahead of 13-time league champions Al Sadd on better l Rayyan are seeking to goal difference as both are on 15 points. extend their winning Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi, who is enjoying the form Astreak to three matches of his life, leads Al Duhail’s charge, ably supported by South Korean in the QNB Stars League (QSL) professional Nam Tae-Hee, Luis Martin and Karim Boudiaf. Going by defeating Al Sadd in the by the current form, El Arabi is all set to surpass his last season’s ‘Qatar Clasico’ on Friday, says top-scorer record of 24 goals. His current tally stands at 10 goals Moroccan striker Abderrazak after five rounds. Hamdallah. Qatar international forward Ali Afif and Tunisian Youssef Msa- “It’s like any other game, Al Sadd captain Xavi kni are also capable of putting up winning performances. Then, but needs extra work and Hernandez (left) they have reliable concentration. The most fights for the ball Khalifa Abubacar to important thing for us will possession against guard the goal. All be to gain three points,” Al Rayyan’s player these factors con- Hamdallah said in an inter- during their ‘Qatari tributed to Al view with QSL Online. Clasico’ in this file Duhail’s excellent The clash between the picture. run this time as well. two teams always evoke a Thus, Al Gharafa keen interest among all face a tough task. stakeholders. Both sides They have paid have stand-out players in all be the first time he will be headaches to the Al Rayyan the season progresses. dearly for their departments to make the involved in a ‘Qatar camp, Hamdallah said: “Al Meanwhile, as part of prep- inconsistent per- game really electrifying on Clasico’. Sadd are a strong opponent arations for the ‘Qatar Clasico’, formances so far this the pitch. “This is my first Clasico. with reputed names, but I’m the Qatar Stars League Man- season. Fernandez “It’ll be tough for both I look mainly at my team not particularly worried agement (QSLM) held a would hope his play- sides. We’re seeking to earning three points.” about anyone. co-ordination meeting at its ers gel well as a team extend our winning run to Hamdallah expressed The Moroccan striker is headquarters in Al Bidda Tower sooner rather than three matches in a row, hav- confidence that Al Rayyan aiming to stay injury free yesterday. later. Their first vic- ing beaten Al Markhiya and has the right arsenal of strik- and win titles with his new QSLM’s Acting Executive tory came against Al Al Sailiya in the previous ers capable of penetrating club. Director of Marketing and Khor in the fourth rounds,” he added. the Al Sadd defence. “The competition is very Communications Hassan Al round after two Al Rayyan haven’t won “Our frontline is strong. difficult this season. I just Kuwari, Competitions Depart- draws and another against Al Sadd in the league That we could score hope to stay free of injuries. ment Director Ahmed Al Adsani defeat. for a while and The Lions are against all teams so far in Al Rayyan are a big name, so and representatives from the Slovak Vladimir eager to break the jinx. this season’s league is we expect to win titles this Stadium Security Department Weiss, Portuguese “Each match is different proof of it.” season as well.” as well as Al Sadd and Al Diogo Amado and and I believe Al Rayyan can Asked as to whether any “There’s good harmony Rayyan clubs were among Action from QSL Round 5 match Chilean Luis Jimenez win this game,” he said. particular Al Sadd player is among the players. I’m sure those who attended the between Al Duhail and Umm Salal mainly carry Al For Hamdallah this will going to give some it’ll be further developed as meeting. Gharafa’s hopes. on Saturday. Teen stars shine in U-17 FA’s lofty ambitions at risk: Sports Minister

World Cup shop window London -- be used as a bargaining tool if the AFP FA did not get their house in order. Kolkata “Absolutely,” she said . AFP ritish Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said Clarke was ‘wrong’ to Crouch warned English football’s think the FA were immune from inter- hey may not yet be household Bgoverning body the Football ference by government and that if such names, but the Under-17 World Association (FA) their desire to bid for a scandal as the Sampson one was to TCup semi-finals otoday could put top events could be curtailed if they re-occur their funding would be up Lassana N’Diaye, Rhian Brewster, Abel don’t “get themselves in order”. for debate. Ruiz and Gabriel Brazao well on the way Crouch, a qualified FA coach, told “If that (the mishandling of the to football riches. the Daily Telegraph FA chairman Greg Sampson affair) had happened next The quartet will be the star attrac- Clarke was “wrong” to believe the gov- year then there would be that oppor- tions for the many hovering scouts in ernment lacked the powers to run the tunity for us to sit there and reflect on India when England, attempting to reach rule over the FA as the imminent whether or not there was a funding the final for the first time, take on Bra- implementation of the Government’s consequence for that,” said the zil, and Spain play Mali. Code for Sports Governance will give 42-year-old, who has been in her job Mali striker N’Diaye, the tourna- her the powers to do just that. since 2015. ment’s joint leading scorer with five Her remarks come in the wake of However, devoted Tottenham fan goals, could be the prize catch. what was seen as a disastrous per- Crouch stopped short of demanding A product of the street game in his formance by both Clarke and FA Chief Clarke and Glenn resigned -- seven of home country, N’Diaye was only drafted Executive Martin Glenn at a British the 11 member Parliamentary com- into the national squad ahead of the parliamentary hearing last week. mittee had suggested they consider qualifying tournament in August. They were responding to criticisms their positions. Coach Jonas Komla spotted the teen- of their handling of racism allegations “While I completely understand ager at a league match and told him to made by Eniola Aluko and Drew what people are saying, I don’t think join the national team. Spence against now former national it is for a minister to turn around and “The first time I went, he told me I women’s team boss Mark Sampson. say that somebody should go in a gov- was too small. I was really angry, but I Mali forward Lassana Ndiaye (centre) vies for the ball with Ghana defender A report into the allegations erning body,” she said. knew that could happen because noth- Abdul Yusif during the FIFA U-17 World Cup quarter-final match at Indira released just prior to the hearing con- Meanwhile, Malaysia and North ing is easy in football,” N’Diaye told FIFA. Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. tradicted a flawed FA internal review Korea will play their delayed Asian Cup com. and an earlier enquiry concluding that qualifiers in Thailand next month, “A few months later, he called me three million euros on his contract and action, in this case at Liverpool. Sampson did make remarks “discrim- football officials said yesterday, after back to say that, in the end, I could come Barcelona reportedly want to increase The young attacker has been the inatory on grounds of race” the matches were postponed over a along and train with them as I’d grown that after the World Cup is over. focus of England’s bid since Borussia -- ‘ill-judged attempts at humour’ -- diplomatic row and nuclear a little. Brazil are normally known for pro- Dortmund called back teen star Jadon but was not a racist. tensions. “I was very happy. And now I feel ducing goalscorers, but their campaign Sancho after the group stages. “The FA have got to get themselves The Asian Football Confederation comfortable in this team. I feel that I for a fourth U17 world title has relied Brewster made it to the substitutes’ in order,” said Crouch. said it had chosen Thailand as the neu- have responsibilities, and my team- heavily on goalkeeper Brazao and his bench for Liverpool in April and coach “That does mean a change in cul- tral venue for the games on November mates have faith in me to score goals.” spectacular saves in India. He has not Juergen Klopp has hailed him as “won- ture within the Football Association. 10 and 13, at a stadium which is yet to Mali are the African champions let in a goal from open play at the derfully skilled”. “And I would expect them to reflect be confirmed. while European title-holders Spain will tournament. By putting a goal past Brazao, on that and to make it very clear that The first leg was originally sched- be counting on centre forward and cap- The Cruzeiro stopper has been Brewster would send the perfect mes- the Eni Aluko case-Sampson affair will uled for March 28 in Pyongyang, but tain Ruiz to show his class. hailed by Brazil U17 coach Carlos Ama- sage to Klopp. But he is not counting on not happen again.” it was postponed twice after the mur- The Barcelona academy product deu as well as opposition tacticians like anything. Crouch was unequivocal when der of the North Korean leader’s already has four goals in the tournament Spain’s Santiago Denia, who said Bra- “You don’t really get many oppor- asked would the withdrawal of Gov- half-brother in Malaysia in February -- including one in the quarter-final win zao could play at the “top professional tunities to play at the international level ernment guarantees which is required sent tensions soaring. over Iran -- and has been linked to Arse- clubs in the world”. and you have to make the most of it. And for bids for major events -- such as the The game was finally due to go nal and other Premier League sides, as Brewster, who scored a hat-trick in it will be the same at the club level too. Women’s 2021 European Champion- ahead earlier this month in Pyongyang well as Juventus. the 4-1 quarter-final win over the United I have to make the most of my chances,” ships and are rumoured to be eyeing but was delayed again after Kuala Ruiz already has a buyout clause of States, is another pressing for first-team he said. the 2023 Champions League final Lumpur banned travel to North Korea. 32 SPORT WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 33 Ronaldo eyes ‘lucky seventh’ FIFA trophy

LondonLondon iincludingncl two in a 4-1 Champions Spanish giants providing five players player of the year award last year fol- “I mention Leo and Neymar, great Real’s superb campaign was rec- Award for the best goal of 2017 go to achievement in winning their first AFAFPP LeagueLeague final win over Juventus in Car- in the FIFPro lowing the end of a six-year mergermergger to be here. Real Madrid supporters, my ognised in a FIFPro team that featured Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud. major female ffootball title, the 2017 diff on JuJunene 33.. tteameam ooff ththee betweenbetween ththee FIFAFIFA hhonouronour anandd France France team-mates, my coach, they all sup-sup- Ronaldo and club-mates Toni Kroos, TheThe France strstrikeriker receivereceivedd ththee Women’sWomen’s EurEuropeano Championship, ristiano RonaldoRonaldo hashas setset hishis RonaldoRonaldo saw off competition from year.year. Football’s Ballon D’Or.D’Or. port me all yearyear.. LukaLuka Modric, Marcelo and Sergio award named in honour of HungaHungaryry was recognisedrecognised with Women’s Coach sights on a ‘lucky‘luccky seventhseventh’’ longstandinglongstanding Barcelona rival Lionel Ron-Ron - TheThe 32-year-old previously won “We are in England for the first Ramos.Ramos. great Ferenc Puskas for a spectacularspectacular ofof the Year andan Player of the Year piecepiece of FIFA silverware MessiMessi and Paris Saint-Germain’s NeNey-y- aldoaldo wwonon thethe FIFA World PlaPlayeryer of the Year time and I win consecutive awards,”awards,” The XI also included FIFA’s ggoal-oal- ‘scorpion-kick’ againstagainst Cr Crystalystal Pala Palacece awardsawards for SariSarinan Wiegman and Lieke aafterfter collecticollectingng his fifth mar,mar, the world’s most exexpensivepensive the inau- award,award, the pprecursorrecursor toto thethe BestBest FIFAFIFA he added. “This is a great moment for kkeepereeper of the year, Gianluigi Buffon. in January. Martens resperespectively.c MMen’sen’s PlaPlayeryer of the YeYearar player.player. gguralural award,award, in 20082008.. me.me. I hhaveave ffansans aallll ooverver tthehe w world.”orld.” ACAC MilMilan’san’s LLeonardoeonardo BBonuccionucci a andnd TheThe Frenchman’s flicked volleyvolley SuSupporterspporters of Celtic won the Fan Caward on Monday.Monday. But,But, typical of a footballer who BeBestst He hhasas nnowow wwonon tthehe llastast tw twoo FI FIFAFA ZidaneZidane wwonon ooutut a aheadhead o off Ch Chelsea’selsea’s PSG’sPSG’s Dani Alves were in the defencedefence,, withwith hhisis llefteft fofootot tthathat wewentnt iinn ofofff ththee Award for the way they marked the Ronaldo’sRonaldo’s Real MadMadridriid sideside,, whwhoo has enjoyed huge success at both FIFFIFAA men’s trophies as well as three of the Antonio Conte and Juventus’s Massi- with Barcelona playmaker Andres Ini-Ini- crossbar won ahead of goals from Ven-Ven- 50th50th anniversaanniversaryr of the Glasgow club’s won both La LigaLiga and tthehee Champions Champions ManchesterManchester United and RealReal,, RonRon-- men’s last four Ballon D’Or awards.awards. miliano AllegriAllegri to be crowned men’s esta in a side also featuringfeaturing Messi Messi and and ezuela’s DeynaDeyna Castellanos, 18, anandd European Cup ttriumph. League last season, dominateddominated ththee aldoaldo was not satisfiedsatisfied.. “Thanks a lot for voting for me,” said coach of the year after becoming the Neymar.Neymar. SSouthouth African goalkeeper OscarinOscarinee TheThe Fair PlPlaya award went to Fran- 22017017 BBestest FIFA ffootballootball awawardsards aatt a “I“I want seven. Five is ggoodood but Ronaldo after receivinreceivingg his tro- firstfirst mmanan to ooverseeversee a successsuccessfulful Juventus and ItalyItaly shot-stopper Masuluke.Masuluke. cis Kone for saving the life of star-studded ceremonyin inn London London on on sevenseven is my lucky number so seven phy from Argentina great defence of the European Cup in the Buffon topped a three-strong short-short- Meanwhile ggoalkeeperoalkeeper MartinMa Berkovec, who Monday.Monday. wouldwould be great.great.”” DiegoDiego Maradona and Champions League era. list for the goalkeeper award ahead of tournament nnearlyearly suffsuffocatedo as a result of The PortuguesePortuguese aceace hhasas scored scored 44 44 RealReal bbossoss ZineZinedinedine Z Zidaneidane to tookok Brazil’sBrazil’s RonRonaldoaldo at at th thee “I’d like to thank all of the playersplayers Real’sReal’s KeKeylorylor Navas and BaBayernyern hostshosts ththee swallowingswallowin his tongue during a goalsgoals in just 48 games fforor club anandd thethe ccorrespondingorresponding manager LondonLondon Palla-Palla- for making this possible,” said Zidane. Munich’s Manuel Neuer.Neuer. Nether- CzechCzech league match in ccountryountry so far this cacalendarleendar yyear,ear, of thethe yyearear award, with the diumdium ttheatre.heatre. “This is a ververyy specialspecial prize.prize.”” MondayMonday also saw the Puskas lands’lands’ February.Februar

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FromFrom left: Real Madris and Spain defender Sergio RamosRamos,, Juventus Juventus and and Italy Italy goalkeeper goalkeeper Gianluigi Gianluigi Buffon Buffon,, Paris ParisSaint-Germain Saint-Germain and Brazilandrazil B forward forward Neymar Neymar,, Cristiano Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo and andReal Real Madrid Madrid coach Zinedine ZidaneZidane,, membersmembers ofof thethe teamteam winningwinning thethe FIFAFIFA FIFProFIFPro World11World11 awardaward 20172017,, during during The The Best Best FIFA FIFA Football Football Awards Awards ceremony ceremony in in London London on on Monday Monday.. 34 SPORT WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017

Fit-again Woods Venus survives marathon good for golf, says Johnson as Pliskova races into semis Shanghai AFP

orld number one Dustin John- son hopes to see fellow Singapore WAmerican Tiger Woods (pic- Reuters tured) get back to his brilliant best, saying a fit-again Woods would be good for golf. enus Williams produced a vintage display The 41-year-old Woods gave a tan- full of guts and determination to grind out talising glimpse of a possible long-awaited a 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-5 victory over Jelena Ostap- return from injury on Monday when he enko at the WTA Finals yesterday to set posted on Twitter a video of himself hit- up a White Group decider for a semi-finals ting a “Stinger” shot with a long iron. berthV against Garbine Muguruza. Former number one Woods used the Williams and Ostapenko had both lost their open- Stinger shot to great advantage during ing ties on Sunday so were desperate for a victory to his heyday more than a decade ago. keep their future fate in the eight-woman event in But the 14-times major champion has their own hands and neither appeared willing to budge long been plagued by back trouble and in a titanic three hour and 13-minute slugfest. has only recently been approved to In the end, the 37-year-old Williams emerged from resume full golf activities after yet more a bruising encounter that featured 20 breaks of serve surgery. with a triumph built on her calmness at the key Woods has not won a major since the moments and ruthlessness when offered a chance to 2008 US Open, attack her opponent’s weak second serve. but Johnson “Sometimes you need some luck. I don’t know if said Tuesday: I had any tonight as I had to work for every point,” “Obviously he’s Williams said in a courtside interview. still very, very “It’s not easy when you lose the first match. Both popular: with- of us were in the same situation and you have to fight, out Tiger the what else can you do, to live another day.” game wouldn’t If the first encounter of the day was a marathon, be where it is the second was a sprint as Czech third seed Karolina today.” Pliskova swatted aside Spaniard Muguruza 6-2 6-2 Speaking in in just 62 minutes to advance to the last four as pool Shanghai ahead winner with two victories from as many ties. of the WGC- The opening match started with Ostapenko try- HSBC ing to force the pace with the high-risk strategy that Champions, carried her to glory, while Williams was Johnson added: content to pick up free points as her opponent sprayed “I’d like to see a plethora of attempted winners wide or long. him come back The Latvian edged ahead in the opener, however, and playing and even served for the set at 5-3 but the veteran really well, it’s American dug deep and reeled off six consecutive good for us, it’s good for everybody, it’s games to steal the first set and then move ahead in good for the game. the second. “He draws a lot of fans, a lot of peo- The 20-year-old battled back as the pair traded ple watch him and it’s good for us that two breaks apiece before Williams brought up a her more people watch us play the game,” first match point in the 10th game that she failed to said Johnson, 33, whose raw talent has convert when she dumped a forehand into the net as seen comparisons between him and Ostapenko continued to go for her shots. Woods. The pair’s inability to hold serve spilled over into Henrik Stenson, another leading con- the tiebreak and Williams handed Ostapenko three tender this week in Shanghai, also refused set points with a wild forehand and the Latvian lev- to write the ailing Woods off but said the elled the contest on the first of them when the American must be patient. American netted a backhand. “It’s a long journey to make a come- Four more breaks of serve followed in the decider back but if anyone can do it -- and if until Ostapenko rallied from 0-40 to hold in the ninth there’s anyone you can’t count out -- it game and the Latvian saved three more break points would be him,” said the Swede, who won in the 11th before finally running out of lives when she The Open last year. sent a backhand wide. “It would be good fun to see him end Williams could smell blood and a booming ace his career in good style on the golf course brought up three more match points and the Ameri- in the years to come.” can sealed victory on the second of them with a There has been continuing specula- crosscourt backhand winner. tion about Woods’ future in golf and he Pliskova was impressive in her straight sets win has also battled personal problems, the over Williams to open the tournament and she was latest being when he pleaded guilty to equally imperious against Wimbledon champion Venus Williams of the United States celebrates after driving under the influence in August. Muguruza as she broke twice to race though the first Woods recently said he was uncer- defeating Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia during the WTA set in just 26 minutes. tain if he would ever return to competitive Finals tournament in Singapore yesterday. golf, but the Twitter video was proof that he is making progress in his latest come- back bid.

New Zealand cricketer Martin Guptill (left) looks on as captain Kane Williamson plays Bishoo spins West Indies to a ball during a training session ahead of the 2nd ODI match against India at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium victory over Zimbabwe in Pune yesterday.

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 159 in reply to West Indies’ first innings world-record chase of 434 to win. They AFP of 219. “We had a really good opportu- made a bright start, with Masakadza nity there to go and put some runs on the and Solomon Mire putting on 99 for egspinner Devendra Bishoo proved board and put them under pressure, but the first wicket at a brisk rate, before Zimbabwe’s nemesis once more as we had too many soft dismissals on day both openers fell in quick Lhe spun the West Indies to a 117-run two,” said Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cre- succession. victory in the first Test at Queens Sports mer, whose Club yesterday. legspin claimed SCOREBOARD Bishoo followed up his 5 for 79 in the eight wickets in first innings with figures of 4 for 105 in the match. West Indies (I innings): ...... 219 Zimbabwe (II innings): the second, as Zimbabwe were bowled “We Zimbabwe (I innings): ...... 159 H Masakadza c S Hope b Brathwaite ...... 57 West Indies (II innings): S Mire b Roach ...... 47 out for 316 to lose the match inside four couldn’t quite K Brathwaite lbw b Sikandar Raza ...... 86 C Ervine lbw b Bishoo ...... 18 days. work out how to K Powell b Cremer ...... 17 B Taylor run out ...... 73 While Zimbabwe were once again score against K Hope lbw b Jarvis ...... 43 S Williams st Dowrich b Bishoo ...... 6 guilty of some soft dismissals, which their bowlers on S Hope lbw b Jarvis ...... 44 Sikandar Raza c Chase b Bishoo ...... 30 included two calamitous run-outs, Bishoo this wicket.” R Chase b Williams ...... 95 M Waller run out ...... 11 played a key role in slicing through the Once the J Blackwood st Chakabva b Williams...... 3 R Chakabva c and b Chase ...... 1 S Dowrich c Masakadza b Williams ...... 12 G Cremer c and b Bishoo ...... 9 Zimbabwean middle order. West Indies had J Holder c Mpofu b Cremer ...... 24 K Jarvis(not out) ...... 23 “After seeing how Zimbabwe bowled scored 373 in D Bishoo c Williams b Cremer ...... 44 C Mpofu c Powell b Chase ...... 33 on the first day, I knew I would have a their second K Roach b Cremer ...... 0 Extras (5B, 1LB, 2NB) ...... 8 big role to play in the match,” said innings, which S Gabriel (not out) ...... 0 Total (all out) ...... 316 Bishoo. was wrapped up Extras (3B, 2LB) ...... 5 Fall of wickets: 1-99, 2-109, 3-141, 4-155, 5-219, After putting up more of a fight with when Roston Total (all out) ...... 373 6-246, 7-249, 8-253, 9-263, 10-316. the bat in their second innings, when Chase fell for 95 Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-107, 3-174, 4-211, 5-224, Bowling: Roach 13-3-34-1, Gabriel 10-2-50-0 (2nb), 6-244, 7-277, 8-369, 9-369, 10-373. Holder 12-4-30-0, Bishoo 32-8-105-4, Chase 13.4-2- Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza on the fourth Bowling: Jarvis 24-1-66-2, Mpofu 10-3-30-0, Wil- 61-2, Brathwaite 10-1-30-1.

scored half-centuries, Zimbabwe were morning, Zim- liams 35-8-91-3, Cremer 34-5-114-4, Sikandar Raza Result: West Indies won by 117 runs left to rue their performance on the sec- babwe’s 19-4-53-1, Mire 2-0-5-0, Waller 2-0-9-0. Series: West Indies lead two-match series 1-0 ond day when they were bowled out for challenge was a WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 35 Aldridge, Murray power Spurs to win

San Antonio Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray San Antonio NBA RESULTS the game. The two got tan- (right) shoots the ball AP gled battling for position over Toronto Raptors Phoenix 117 Sacramento 115 under the rim when Ibaka point guard Kyle Lowry he Spurs are with- Washington 109 Denver 104 threw an elbow into during the first half of out their two main Golden State 133 Dallas 103 Aldridge’s midsection. their NBA game in San leaders from last Aldridge would push Ibaka Antonio on Monday. season, but they San Antonio 101 Toronto 97 before the two were are not lacking in Memphis 98 Houston 90 separated.

Tdirection. Milwaukee 103 Charlotte 94 Murray showed his grow-

Resurgent forward Miami 104 Atlanta 93 ing comfort with a leadership LaMarcus Aldridge and sec- Philadelphia 97 Detroit 86 role by taking Aldridge aside. ond-year player Dejounte “I just told him, ‘You’re on Murray continue to lead the another level, don’t worry way as San Antonio remained veterans, but Murray is about that, keep playing your unbeaten by fighting past attempting to step into the game,’ “ Murray said. Toronto. void in just his second “He’s having a hell of a Aldridge had 20 points season. year and he’s having fun. I and Murray had 16 points and “I just want to win,” Mur- told him, ‘Don’t worry about 14 rebounds and the Spurs ray said. that. Let’s move on, let’s win held on to beat the Raptors “I got that winning in my this game.’ 101-97 on Monday night. inside and in my DNA. I just Aldridge responded min- “Just an overall good win do anything to win. If I don’t utes later by drawing a sixth against a really well-coached, score a point, I’m going to go foul on Ibaka. Aldridge disciplined team that has a lot rebound. If I don’t rebound, shouted in celebration and of expectations,” San Anto- I’m going to try facilitate or glared at a fallen Ibaka after nio coach Gregg Popovich I’m going to try to play driving to the basket and said. defence. That’s the thing that scoring on a layup to give San “It’s good for our confi- you’ve got to have.” Antonio a 97-87 lead. dence since we’re trying to San Antonio needed that “It just kind of woke me put some things together.” grit from the 21-year-old up a little bit,” Aldridge said. The Spurs are missing point guard in slugging “It got the team awakened. leading scorer Kawhi Leon- through a physical game. Guys just kind of picked it ard and Tony Parker, who are Both teams were assessed up.” both rehabilitating from 20-plus fouls and Aldridge The Spurs were able to quadriceps injury. San Anto- and Serge Ibaka received overcome a season-high 20 nio has struggled to find an technical fouls after an alter- turnovers. They were aver- offensive flow without their cation with 3:36 remaining in aging 11 turnovers in their first two games, but had four in the opening four minutes. Toronto took advantage, keeping the game close I just want to win. I got that winning despite being outrebounded in my inside and in my DNA. I just do 55-33 as it played without injured center Jonas anything to win: Dejounte Murray Valanciunas. DeRozan had 28 points and Ibaka had 13 before foul- ing out as the Raptors lost their first game of the season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Dodgers and Astros brace for forward Patrick Marleau (right) celebrates a goal against scorching start to World Series the Los Angeles Kings in Toronto on Los Angeles fit to play as the National League Reuters champions prepared to face the Monday. Houston Astros in the opening aseball’s ‘Fall Classic’ will game of the World Series. begin in decidedly sum- The 23-year-old shortstop Bmer-like conditions in Los missed the entirety of the Dodg- Angeles when temperatures are ers NLCS victory over the forecasted to set a new high for Cubs after failing to a World Series game. recover from a lower back strain. Temperatures are expected But Seager has been to reach as high as 101 F (33.3 C) included on the roster for the during Game One of the series Dodgers best-of-seven series between the hometown Dodg- with the Astros, and is confident ers and Houston Astros as warm he is fully recovered to start in Santa Ana winds sweep into the game one on Tuesday at Dodger Maple Leafs edge out area. Stadium. The Dodgers’ Game One “I’m feeling good,” Seager starter Clayton Kershaw, how- told reporters. “All the boxes are Los Angeles Kings 3-2 ever, said players on both sides checked and hopefully I’m ready were well prepared for the heat. to go. Looking forward to “They’re from Houston. I’m tomorrow.” Toronto goaltender interference erased from Texas,” the Dallas native Seager is regarded as one of Agencies a possible Toronto score, the told reporters. the Dodgers’ key offensive Maple Leafs took a 3-1 lead on “It’s going to be hot for eve- weapons having belted 22 home atrick Marleau scored Marleau’s fourth goal of the sea- rybody. We’re all used to it. It runs during the regular season what proved to be the son at 2:54 of the third period. will be fine.” and 159 hits. Pdeciding goal in the third Lewis’ short-handed goal at 12:19 The lefthander added he saw However the Dodgers period as the Toronto Maple to cut the lead to one. no need to tweak his approach Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager takes ground shrugged off his absence to rout Leafs defeated the Los Angeles Martin Jones stopped 33 to the Astros lineup just because balls during workouts one day prior to game one of the Chicago 4-1 in the NLCS, wrap- Kings 3-2 on Monday night. shots as San Jose defeated New of the conditions, with warm air World Series against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium ping up the series with an 11-1 It was the first loss of the York at Madison Square causing a baseball to fly farther, on Monday. Seager has declared himself fit for the opener. thrashing at Wrigley Field last season for the Kings in regula- Garden. generating more home runs and Thursday. tion time. Logan Couture scored his extra base hits. Seager admitted he had Matt Martin and Tyler fourth goal in two games, and That, however, could be off- Series set in 2001 when 94 like to sweat. I like to get that found it hard being a spectator Bozak also scored for Toronto Tim Heed scored his first NHL set by the wind from the degree temperatures greeted the perspiration and make sure I back in Los Angeles as his team- (7-2-0) and Mitch Marner goal for the Sharks. Joonas Don- northeast, which blows in from New York Yankees and the Ari- have a firm grip on the ball,” he mates celebrated -- but was added two assists. Frederik skoi and Melker Karlsson added the outfield at Dodgers Stadium zona Diamondbacks for Game said. moved by the face that several Andersen made 36 stops for the goals for San Jose, which has and by the time the game starts One in Phoenix. “And, I mean, it’s the World Dodgers players chanted his Maple Leafs. won two of three on a five- at 0000 GMT), the sun would As bad as it is likely to get, Series, so if it’s a little bit hotter name in the locker room after Adrian Kempe and Trevor game road trip. have mostly set anyway, Ker- the heat is not enough to sway than usual, that’s fine with me.” the win. Lewis scored for the Kings (6-1- Henrik Lundqvist made 20 shaw said. Astros starter Dallas Keuchel to “There’s no place I’d rather “That was awesome,” Seager 1). Lewis added an assist and saves for the Rangers, who have If forecasters are correct shave his beard, he said. be.” said. “It’s really hard watching goaltender Jonathan Quick lost six of seven. Mika Zibane- today’s game will eclipse the “It’s going to be hotter than Meanwhile, Dodgers star your team celebrate and not being made 31 saves. jad scored New York’s lone goal previous record for a World normal but at the same time, I Corey Seager declared himself there, not being a part of it.” Just 22 seconds after in the third period. 36 SPORT WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017

Pyeongchang F1: Toro Rosso drop Kvyat and Games torch lit in ancient give Hartley another chance Olympia Ancient Olympia Reuters Mexico City Reuters he torch for the Pyeongchang 2018 win- oro Rosso have Tter Olympics was lit in dropped Russian ancient Olympia yesterday Daniil Kvyat for Sun- using the backup flame from day’s Mexican Grand the dress rehearsal due to Prix and handed Bren- rainy weather, kicking off the Tdon Hartley a second chance countdown for the first win- after the New Zealander made a ter Games in Asia outside strong debut in Texas at the Japan. weekend. The run-up to the Febru- Frenchman Pierre Gasly will ary 9 to 25 Olympics has return to the line-up after miss- been overshadowed by the ing the US Grand Prix to compete escalating crisis on the in the final round of the Japanese Korean peninsula triggered Super Formula championship by North Korea’s nuclear and that was ultimately washed out ballistic missile tests but by bad weather. organisers said the Games Hartley, who finished 13th at would be safe. the Circuit of the Americas, The traditional ceremony, impressed with his calm introduced for the first time Brendon Hartley (left) of and New Zealand during the United States Grand Prix at Circuit approach to stepping in at the ahead of the 1936 Berlin last moment and made no major of The Americas on Sunday in Austin, Texas. RIGHT: Daniil Kvyat of Scuderia Toro Rosso during the race. Olympics, did not benefit this mistakes in the race. time from the Greek sun. “Scuderia Toro Rosso’s 2017 Mexican Grand Prix will be Brendon Hartley,” the team said having been promoted and endurance team. Kvyat, mean- Light rain and clouds driver lineup for the upcoming formed by ... Pierre Gasly and in a statement. dropped from the former cham- while, has accumulated only five forced the high priestess, Gasly competed for the Red pions. However, Hartley is 27 points from 15 races this season, played by actress Katerina Bull-owned team in Malaysia and was dropped from the Red finishing 10th in Austin, and was Lechou, to deploy Monday’s and Japan alongside Spaniard Bull programme entirely after completely eclipsed by Sainz in backup flame instead of the Carlos Sainz, who has now testing with Toro Rosso in 2009. the early part of the year. reflector used to light the moved to Renault. It is the third His return to the fold is He was dropped from the flame with the sun’s rays. It is the third time that Kvyat has been time that Kvyat has been unprecedented for a team that Red Bull senior team four races “Our dream of hosting the dropped by Red Bull and it remains to be dropped by Red Bull and it has cast many drivers aside over into the 2016 season to make Olympic winter Games has seen whether he returns, with the remains to be seen whether he the years, but he has won the Le way for Max Verstappen, a now become a reality. Korea returns, with the 23-year-old Mans 24 Hours and world endur- Dutch teenage prodigy who is is only the second Asian 23-year-old Russian seemingly no longer Russian seemingly no longer in ance championship in the now 20 and a two times race nation to have the honour of in the company’s long-term plans. the company’s long-term plans. intervening years. winner. hosting the winter Games,” Toro Rosso serves as a feeder The New Zealander, his Toro Rosso are still evaluat- Games chief Lee Hee-beom team to the main Red Bull Rac- country’s first Formula One ing their options for 2018, with said. ing outfit, bringing on young driver in 33 years, also has a rep- Gasly looking sure to be one of “We want the interna- drivers, and Kvyat was always utation as a very quick driver the drivers and Hartley clearly tional community to operating on borrowed time from his time with the Porsche in the frame. understand that we are com- mitted to hosting a safe and secure Olympic winter Games.” The ceremony inside the stadium, site of the ancient Del Potro looking to bolster late Finals bid Olympics, was also attended by South Korean Prime Min- ister Lee Nak-yeon, International Olympic Com- Argentina’s Juan Martin mittee President Thomas Basel Sousa today. “I just want to keep Del Potro returns the Bach and the President of AFP winning events,” Del Potro said. ball to Spain’s Fernando Greece, Prokopis “I’m not thinking of London, Verdasco during the Pavlopoulos. uan Martin del Potro is look- it was not one of my goals this semi-final match of the “The Olympic Games are ing to build on his recent year. I know I’m getting closer, ATP Stockholm Open in sacred and universal,” Bach Jmomentum at the Swiss I’m just fighting to win all my said. Stockholm last Friday. Indoors this week, as the injury- matches. “They stand above and plagued Argentine bids to snatch “My goal is to play a good beyond all the differences a place for next month’s ATP tournament here,” he said of the that divide us. In our fragile Finals in London. Swiss event where he lifted titles world that seems to be drift- The former US Open cham- in 2012 and 2013, beating Fed- ing apart, the Olympic Games pion said yesterday that the left erer in both finals. “I will see have the power to unite wrist on which he fell hard a how far I can move (in the humanity in all its fortnight ago in a Shanghai points race to London).” diversity.” semi-final loss to Del Potro is 470 points Former Manchester is not giving him problems. behind Pablo Carreno Busta, United midfielder Park Ji- The 29-year-old is seeded who currently holds the eighth sung, among the most fourth at the St Jakobshalle, and final spot for London, with successful and decorated ath- where home favourite and top 500 points available to the Basel letes from his country, was seed Roger Federer is bidding champion. the first South Korean to run for an eighth title. “My goal for the year is to with the torch, picking up the Del Potro showed that his play healthy, I think I’m doing flame from Greece’s Nordic fitness problems are behind him well,” Del Potro said. skier Apostolos Aggelis, the by beating Grigor Dimitrov to “I’ve been playing without first torch-bearer, just outside win his second straight Stock- pain in the wrist ever since the ancient stadium. holm Open title at the Shanghai. Playing without pain “We will make sure to weekend. is the most important thing for show the world how we have He will start his Basel cam- me. I’ve also been improving my grown up, how we can organ- paign against Portugal’s Joao backhand.” ise this sports event,” Park told reporters after his short run. Rugby League: Australia favourites to lift World Cup

Sydney of the 28 matches played by 14 match and are the only other Queensland and Melbourne all the matches is going to be for the likes of eight-cap Kangaroo Reuters teams in 13 cities across Aus- nation with a realistic hope of Storm team-mates, halfback a treat.” Robbie Farah captaining a Leb- tralia, New Zealand and Papua upsetting the co-hosts. Cooper Cronk and fullback Billy Given the heavy concentra- anon team also featuring he 15th edition of the New Guinea. The English were the only Slater, makes up a “big three” tion of top quality rugby league Parramatta Eels five eighth Rugby League World Cup The strength of New Zea- team to score any tries against looking to wrap up an NRL, State talent in Australia and New Zea- Mitchell Moses, future Kanga- Tgets under way in Mel- land, who stunned the hosts to the Australians four years ago of Origin and World Cup treble. land combined with the lack of roo James Tedesco turning out bourne on Friday with Australia win the World Cup the last time when the Kangaroos won all of “The World Cup is huge for elite competitions in almost all for Italy and Jarryd Hayne join- unbackable favourites to lift the it was held Down Under in their matches and destroyed the our game, we don’t have fond of the other nations, the inter- ing the Fiji side. trophy and organisers banking 2008, usually adds the only Kiwis 34-2 in the final. memories of the last World Cup national federation has loosened England, who have a strong on tweaked eligibility rules to shred of competitive respecta- Mal Meninga’s squad, while in Australia in 2008 so we want the eligibility rules. halves combination in Gareth increase the competitiveness of bility to the tournament. not quite of the quality of the to turn that around,” Smith said With the aim of ensuring as Widdop and Luke Gale, are the tournament. England, who contributed 2013 vintage, is again replete last week. much top quality talent as pos- mentored by wily former Kan- The Kangaroos are a pro- to three World Cup triumphs for with the cream of the National “It’s a celebration of our sible will be on show, players garoos coach Wayne Bennett, hibitive 5-1 on with the Great Britain in the early days Rugby League (NRL). Unflappa- game and I think everyone who with dual eligibility but not who was taking the long view bookmakers to claim their 11th of the tournament, provide Aus- ble hooker Cameron Smith gets involved with this tourna- picked by one country can turn of the campaign ahead of Fri- title on December 2 in the last tralia’s opponents in the opening captains the side and with his ment and comes out and sees out for the other. The result is day’s opener against Australia.