Ons Jabeur becomes first Arab woman to make last 16 page 15

SUNday, OCTOBER 4, 2020

Sheikh Joaan attends races at ParisLongchamp IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL

His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, attended the second day of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend at the ParisLongchamp racecourse in the French capital on Saturday. New victory for Qatar at Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari’s Lady Princess dazzles with impressive victory Tribune News Network Doha

Qatari-owned horses continued to dazzle at the Qa- tar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend with the Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari-owned Lady Princess’s impressive victory in the QREC-sponsored Gr1 P/A Qatar Arabian Trophie des Juments for four-year-old fillies over 2,000m at Paris- Longchamp on Saturday. Valia on way to winning Qatar of the Qatar Prix de Lady Princess’s win was l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp on Saturday. yet was another demonstra- tion of Qatar’s leadership in Purebred Arabian racing, es- pecially as it took place only 24 hours following two other Gr1 P/A victories landed by Al Shaqab Racing’s Alawsj in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches and Sheail bin Khal- ifa Al Kuwari’s Hadi De Car- rere in the Qatar Arabian Tro- phy des Poulains at St. Cloud. These victories further en- hance the standing of Purebred Arabian races sponsored by Qa- tar, reflect the success of QREC’s vision of promoting Purebred Arabian racing worldwide and foster Qatar’s pioneering image A leading filly of the 3-year-old generation Wonderful Tonight is guided in this discipline. The Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari-owned Lady Princess races to win the QREC-sponsored Gr1 P/A Qatar Arabian Trophie des Juments on the by jockey Tony Piccone to Qatar (Gr1) triumph at The first day of the Qa- second day of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend at ParisLongchamp racecourse on Saturday. ParisLongchamp on Saturday. tar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend saw a nice race card at lighted. “I am having an ex- All set for Sunday finale of the 3-year-old generation the colours of Al Asayl France ParisLongchamp and the very traordinary weekend! To have over the distance of 2,800 me- , had not been seen in com- second race of the afternoon four horses finish in the first Qatar’s victories over the last two days came just before the final day of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de ters. Wonderful Tonight came petition since an excellent saw Lady Princess emerge as an four places is incredible. Lady Triomphe weekend – Sunday (October 4). into the race having finished second place in the Queen impressive winner of the Qatar Princess has a huge heart. The finale will have a nine race card, including seven Gr1 contests, highlighting the standing of the fifth in the Prix Vermeille Elizabeth II Stakes (Group Arabian Trophy des Juments She hasn’t got a lot of flair but event as one of the most prominent racing occasions in Europe and the world. (Gr1) on Qatar Arc Trials day. 1), at Ascot in 2019. Despite (Group 1 PA) for owner Sheail she knows how to get the job The two main feature races of the star-studded card are the Gr1 P/A Qatar Arabian World Cup, She was partnered once the long absence, he was pre- Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari. done,” he said. the world’s P/A championship race, and the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the world’s again by jockey Tony Piccone sented in perfect condition by These colours were also “Christophe Soumillon, best race. and, having made a tremen- Chantilly-based trainer Fran- carried to success yesterday in her jockey, was super patient. The day will kick off at 3:15 pm (Qatar time) in the following order: dous effort to get to the front, cis-Henri Graffard. In the the Qatar Arabian Trophy des She is only small but she is 3:15pm: Gr1 Qatar Prix Jean Luc Lagardere (Grand Cirterium) – 2YOs – 1,400m despite his best efforts she home straight, the five-year- Poulains (Gr1 PA) by Hadi de much stronger than the oth- 3:50pm: Gr1 Qatar – Criterium des Pouliches – 2YO fillies – 1,600m hung to her left and almost old got the better of Ziegfeld Carrere (Nieshan). ers. She sat down in the stalls 4:25pm: Gr1 P/A Qatar Arabian World Cup – 4YO+ - 2,000m came across to the stands (New Approach), who was al- Lady Princess is trained and we didn’t get a great break. 5:05pm: Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – 3YO+ - 2,400m rail. Danger came from Pista ways close-up, ahead of Mot- by Thomas Fourcy, who also Despite this I didn’t want to 5:50pm: Gr1 Prix de l’Opera Longines – 3YO+ fillies and mares – 2,000m (American Pharoah), on the amarris (Le Havre), who on trained the first four home in force her early on, I knew be- 6:25pm: Gr1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines – 2YO+ - 1,000m inside rail, who was finishing his first effort over the mile, the Qatar Arabian Trophy des forehand that she is a lot fast- 6:55pm: Gr1 Qatar Prix de la Foret – 3YO+ - 1,400m strongly. Fifty metres from the took third place. Juments (Group 1 PA). er than the rest of the field.I 7:25pm: Qatar Grand Handicap des Flyers – Class 1 – 3YO+ - 1,400m line there was very little bew- Francis-Henri Graffard In second was Um Taj would have liked to have held 7:55 pm: Qatar Prix du Centenaire – Class 2 handicap – 3YO+ - 1,400m. teen the two fillies, who were was ecstatic with his per- (Al Mamun Monlau), third her up in last place but Quitte well clear of the remainder of formance, “He is one of the Meethag (Dahor de Brugere) lost a bit of ground. We got a the field. Crossing the winning horses we don’t run that of- and fourth Ryme Al Cham (Af little bump turning for home Dupre and ridden by the re- “Today was her firstat - race in perfect condition by line, it was Wonderful Tonight ten. Getting a horse ready to Albahar) – all of Al Shaqab but once I asked her for an ef- tained jockey for the Aga Khan tempt at both the ground and trainer Jerome Reynier, and who proved the superior by lit- run is already complicated Racing. fort she accelerated with ease.” Studs, Christophe Soumillon the trip but she has had an did not disappoint. tle more than a length. enough and even more so Lady Princess was rid- she was given a beautifully pa- excellent run there,” said He won brilliantly under Some way behind the first with good horses like him, den by Christophe Soumillon, Qatar Prix Chaudenay: tient ride, for her first run over Royer Dupre. jockey , despite two home, Ebaiyra (Distorted you need other good ones to who also won the first race of Valia reigns supreme the 3,000m trip coupled with being hampered in running Humor) finished third. go with them and without the day. The filly sat quietly in The opening race (Group 2 the particularly heavy condi- Qatar : Skaletti by Racing Storm (Galileo). He putting too much stress on second last through the race, race for 3-year-olds- stayers tions (4,8 on the going stick). wins for 2nd year running finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of Qatar Prix Daniel Wilden- them either. which was run at a very steady over the long distance of 3,000 Held up in last for the ma- The Qatar Prix Dollar, a Group Patrick Sarsfield (Australia), stein (Gr2): The Revenant “I am happy with that. His pace in heavy ground. Once meters) was won is impressive jority of the race, Valia then 2 over 1,950m, reunited eight for trainer Joseph O’Brien. returns exercice rider knows him off in the straight, she came im- fashion by the filly Valia (Sea came with a strong run up the runners including last year’s The Revenant (Dubawi) put by heart and assured me he mediately on the attack, flying The Stars x Veda). Owned by middle of the tack and easily winner Skaletti (Kendargent), Qatar Prix De Royallieu: up an impressive performance was as well as when winning down the center of the track her breeder, HH Aga Khan. got the better of both Nemean who runs in the colours of Wonderful Tonight shines to defend his title in the Qatar this last year. I was still a bit past her opponents. Trained in Chantilly Lion (Golden Horn) et Step by French owner Jean-Claude The Qatar Prix de Royallieu . stressed but now I’m relieved. Thomas Fourcy was de- (France) by Alain de Royer Step (Sidestep). Seroul. He was brought to the (Gr1) crowns the leading filly The horse, who runs in He is a super horse.” Sports Sunday, October 4, 2020 13 ‘Qatar has shown the rest of the world that there is a place for football to return’ Asian Football Confederation’s Deputy Director of Competitions praises Qatar’s response to pandemic, World Cup infrastructure QNA 2022 qualifiers about to re- Doha sume, we are now more con- fident that this can be done The Deputy Director of Com- so safely, with the Qatari ex- petitions and Football Events perience of hosting the AFC Division at the Asian Football Champions League playing a Confederation (AFC) Avazbek major part in that,” he said. Berdikulov has praised the He explained that with the good sports infrastructure of near return of the qualifiers Qatar and its readiness to host for the FIFA World Cup Qatar the FIFA 2022 World Cup. 2022, the AFC confidence has Berdikulov said that Qa- increased for the possibility Dr. Abdul Wahab Al Musleh, Advisor to the Minister of Public Health tar has demonstrated to the of holding these matches in a for Sports Affairs. world the possibility of a safe safe environment so that the return to football competitions Qatari experience in hosting nental championship in Doha tion (QFA), members of the by hosting the group stage the AFC Champions League enjoyed the procedures and LOC, the hotel staffers and the matches and a semi-final of the for the western continent is a arrangements that were made players and backroom staff of AFC Champions League for the central aspect of these efforts. during the competitions, as teams were all tested often,” Al western region of the continent. Berdikulov stressed that well as the technology of cool- Musleh said. Berdikulov expressed his Qatar has a good infrastruc- ing the stadiums in the sports “Although we had very views during a virtual webinar ture to host major sporting facilities in Qatar. short time to plan, and with AFC Deputy Director of Competitions and Football Events Division Avazbek. held to discuss the precaution- events and therefore the AFC The Senior Consultant to cases in the countries of the ary measures taken by Qatar had no doubt that the Cham- the Minister of Public Health participating clubs high, we positive cases. cases during the tournament. lenges will be big. This was un- to safely host the continental pions League matches would (MOPH) Dr. Abdul Wahab Al still managed to put together “We put together neces- This was the reason to set up expected but we went for fine- championship and examine go smoothly. Musleh said for his part, that a very good plan for the tour- sary arrangements for teams, the bubble-to-bubble envi- tuning right away. Out of the the lessons learned from this He praised the 2022 World Qatar conducted a staggering nament. We had written pub- officials, the LOC members. ronment. I was surprised to 8000 tests we conducted, we experience in organising ma- Cup stadiums that hosted con- 7900 Covid-19 tests during lic health protocols that were We adopted strict measures at see relatively large number of got around 96 positive cases jor sporting events and in light tinental matches, as well as the the AFC Champions League sent to participating clubs well the airport, team hotels, train- positive cases among one par- and 56 reactive cases that had of the coronavirus pandemic. Qatari preparations to host the matches held in the country in before the start of the tourna- ing venues and match stadi- ticipating club - six members, mild symptoms,” he said. Berdikulov praised the largest international football the last three weeks. ment. This was done before ums. We did this eyeing any in fact, after we tested them at The MOPH official said measures taken by the State event. From the time the teams the teams arrived in Doha,” Al possibilities of a positive case the airport. This happened de- Qatar has emerged stronger of Qatar and its hosting of this Berdikulov referred to the started arriving in Doha, a Musleh added. at any of these spots. We asked spite the players arriving with and more confident about tournament, and extended great work that has been done strict health and safety pro- “The health protocols were each team and their traveling certificates of clearance given hosting top sports events in thanks on behalf of the AFC to in cooperation between the tocol was established by the based on the MOPH guide- delegation to bring a certifi- to them two days prior. the future. Qatar for hosting the tourna- AFC and Qatar to host the six- Local Organising Committee lines. The guidelines were cate of clearance on Covid-19 “We identified the cases “The hosting of the match- ment despite all the difficult teen clubs that compete in the (LOC) that helped in keeping finalised before the teams ar- before they landed here. Ma- through a process called track es successfully gives us as- circumstances faced by the lo- group stage together. the players and officials safe rived here in September after jority of them did. There were and trace. That is part of surance that the country is cal organising committee. He explained that Qatar throughout three weeks, Al Qatar went through several certain countries which lacked MOPH guidelines. We got to ready for hosting international “When it comes to hosting has unique sports facilities, as Musleh said during the live phases as it lifted the Covid-19 proper testing. Just before the know they tested positive one sports events in the future. a tournament of this scale dur- well as an adequate number webinar. restrictions. We were in Phase teams and players entered our night prior to arriving here fol- This experience gives us a ing a pandemic, and respond- of five-star hotels, all of which “The number of tests we Four when the tournament bubble-to-bubble area, we lowing a dinner ceremony (be- boost on our understanding ing to positive cases in a swift contributed to the associa- have done so far are 7900. started. The protocol was wanted to make sure all were fore flying out toD oha). So the and experience. If for any rea- and safe manner, Qatar has tion’s approval of Qatar to host Among the various sub-groups comprehensive – detailing all negative. We tested arriving first cluster was those six play- son, a sports event happens shown the rest of the world this continental tournament. associated with the tourna- aspects of COVID-19 that in- delegations when they landed ers and they were detected on in similar situations of a pan- that there is a place for football In conclusion, Berdiku- ment, the officials of theA sian cluded prevention, mitigation, at the airport.” he pointed out. Sept 11. We did the test and got demic, the country is surely to return. lov stressed that all the teams Football Confederation (AFC), response and recovery from Al Musleh added: “We ex- the result in 6-8 hours. capable of managing it suc- “With the FIFA World Cup that participated in the conti- the Qatar Football Associa- this diseases if we found any pected to discover sporadic “Then we knew the chal- cessfully,” Al Musleh said. Lak penalty save sends Persepolis into Asian Champions League final

sons through contemptuous, Iranian side edge discriminatory or denigratory words or actions concerning Al Nassr 5-3 race, skin colour, gender, dis- ability, language, age, physical on penalties appearance, religion, political AFP opinion, wealth, birth or any Doha other status, sexual orientation, or ethnic, national, or social ori- Hamed Lak produced a div- gin has committed an offence.” ing save off Maicon Rocque On Saturday, however, as Persepolis beat Al Nassr Al Nassr, who were hoping 5-3 on penalties to reach the to reach the final for the first Qatar will play a friendly against Ghana in Turkey on October 12. final of theA sian Champions time, couldn’t make the most League for the second time in of Al Kasir’s absence or the three years on Saturday. fact that Persepolis had lost Strong Qatar squad Both teams had played out Ehsan Pehlevan just before a tense 1-1 draw after 120 min- half-time after he received his utes of action forcing the match second yellow card. named for friendly into the tie-breaker at the Jas- The Saudis were first to sim bin Hamad Stadium. score though, Abderrazzak But it was the Iranians Hamdallah foxing goalkeeper against Ghana who emerged as the top team Lak with a ‘Panenka’ goal in in Asia’s west zone as they the 36th minute following Tribune News Network fiers and well placed to seal a scored off all their five pen- Bashar Resan’s foul on Khalid Doha place in the AFC Asian Cup alties, while Saudi giants Al Goalkeeper Hamed Lak of Persepolis (Iran) during the AFC Champions League semifinal against Saudi’s al-Ghannam. China 2023 Finals. Nassr watched in agony from Al Nassr at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. (AFP) But Persepolis needed only Qatar coach Felix Sanchez The West Asian side will the sidelines as their Brazilian six minute to draw level, Abdi has announced a squad of 25 also play in the Concacaf Gold defender Rocque’s shot, his Mehdi producing an excellent players ahead of the interna- Cup 2021, having been drawn team’s fourth, was saved by header past Al Nassr goal- tional friendly against Ghana in Group D alongside Hondu- Lak, leaping to his right. keeper Brad Jones off a cross on the 12th of October in the ras, Panama and Grenada A few hours before the from Resan. Turkish city of Antalya. The national team’s train- match Persepolis were dealt a Luck came to Lak’s rescue The match, to be played ing for the current gathering blow when the Asian Football immediately after the break as in Antalya, Turkey, will see began on Saturday and will Confederation banned their Hamdallah produced a bril- a strong Qatar squad with continue until their return star striker Isa Al Kasir for six liant free-kick only for the ball Sanchez having named most from Turkey after which the months for a “discriminatory to thud into the crossbar after of players who have featured players will join the ranks of gesture” while celebrating his the goalkeeper was thorough- for him in recent times. their clubs. goal against Uzbekistan’s Pa- ly beaten. Akram Afif, the 2019 AFC khtakor in the quarter-finals Both teams had their Player of the Year, leads a The squad: Saad Al Sheeb, on Wednesday. share of chances before Lak strong Al Sadd representa- Pedro Miguel, Tariq Salman, In addition to the ban, the came up with his decisive tion of 10 players in the na- Abdel-Karim Hassan, Boualem 30-year-old, who scored four save in the shootout to put tional squad while Almoez Khoukhi, Hassan Al Haydos, times in his side’s last three his team against a team from Ali, the AFC Asian Cup UAE Akram Afif, Musab Khusar, matches in Doha and was Asia’s east, who are yet to be 2019 Most Valuable Player, is Muhammad Waad and Ahmed chiefly instrumental to their determined. among five from Qatar Stars Suhail (Al Sadd). progress to the semis, was also The event, which was League champions Al Duhail. Muhammad Al Bakri, Almoez Ali, fined $10,000 for his slant- halted in February following The friendly against Ghana Karim Boudiaf, Ismail Muham- eyed gesture, considered a se- the coronavirus outbreak, re- will give Qatar valuable match mad, Abdullah Abd Al Salam rious racial offence. sumed in a bio-secure bubble practice with the Asian Quali- (Duhail), Mahdi Ali, Ahmad Alaa “The Asian Football Con- in Doha last month with the fiers forthe FIFA World Cup Al Din, and Humam Ahmad federation (AFC) Disciplinary matches packed into a tight Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian (Al Gharafa). and Ethics Committee has schedule and the knockout Cup China 2023 postponed to Muhammad Salah Al Nil and banned Isa Al Kasir, of Perse- Persepolis players celebrate their goal against Al Nassr at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. phase doing away with the next year. Ahmed Fathy (Al Arabi), Khaled polis FC, from taking part in double-legged format. Having already quali- Munir and Ahmed Moein (Al any kind of football-related Disciplinary and Ethics Code “The ban will take effect Article 58.1 states “any- The tournament’s match- fied for the FIFA World Cup Wakrah), Abdel Aziz Hatem and activity for six months for vio- (2019 Edition),” the AFC said immediately,” the continental one who offends the dignity es in the east are yet to be 2022 as hosts, Qatar are top Fahd Younis (Al Rayyan), and lating Article 58.1 of the AFC in a statement. body added of a person or group of per- announced. of Group E of the Asian Quali- Issa Ahmed (Qatar SC). 14 Sunday, October 4, 2020 Sports

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Scores Royal Challengers Bangalore 158 for 2 (Padikkal 63, Kohli 72*, Archer 1-18) beat Rajasthan Royals 154 for 6 Man Utd to start Champions (Lomror 47, Tewatia 24*, Chahal 3-24) by 8 . League campaign at PSG

AFP Paris Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper (left) with AB de Vil- Paris Saint-Germain will liers after guiding the side to win over Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi host Manchester United in the on Saturday. opening round of Champions League group games on Oc- tober 20, it was confirmed on Friday as UEFA revealed all Kohli hits form in fixtures for the competition. The return clash at Old PSG ambitious Trafford will be on December RCB’s big IPL win 2, with the sides also facing RB and ready: Leipzig and Istanbul Basakse- AFP “But what helped was that hir in Group H. Nasser Al Dubai he got us over the line in the Meanwhile Premier League super over to finish the game champions and 2019 Champi- Khelaifi Skipper Virat Kohli hit form against (on ons League winners Liverpool QNA with his first half-century of Monday). It was only a matter will start their Group D cam- Paris this of time before he gets runs in paign away to Ajax in Amster- season as he led Royal Chal- the middle.” dam on October 21. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) lengers Bangalore to a com- Bangalore lost Other highlights of the chairman and CEO Nasser fortable win over Rajasthan – trapped lbw off Shreyas Go- opening round of matches in- Al Khelaifi has said that the Royals on Saturday. pal for eight – but the left- clude Chelsea playing host to team is ready for the new Kohli, who came into the handed Padikkal and Kohli Europa League winners Sevilla UEFA Champions League match with scores of 14, one made sure their team recorded on October 20 and Manches- season following the group and three, remained unbeaten their third win. ter City beginning their latest Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe (centre) breaks through the defence and passes the stage draw. on 72 as Bangalore chased Padikkal was bowled by bid to win the competition for ball leading to his team’s second goal during the French L1 against Angers (SCO) at the Parc des Princes Nasser Al Khelaifi said in down a target of 155 to win by Royals’ England paceman Jofra the first time at home to Porto stadium in Paris on Friday. (AFP) a statement: “It’s a real pleas- eight wickets in Abu Dhabi. Archer. South African veteran the following night. ure to be back in the Cham- He put on a key second- AB de Villiers hit the winning Reigning champions Bay- pions League after the highs partnership of 99 with boundary as Bangalore won in ern Munich have a tough Neymar bags brace, Mbappe scores one as PSG hit six we had this summer in Lis- in-form opener Devdutt Padik- 19.1 overs. start to their defence of the Paris: Neymar scored twice for Paris Saint-Germain in a crushing 6-1 win over Angers on Friday as bon. The draw for Group H kal, who made 63 – his third “It’s a different feeling (bat- trophy as they play Atletico the French champions continue to build up momentum following a poor start to the Ligue 1 season. has put us with Manchester IPL fifty in four matches for last ting with Kohli), I’ve watched Madrid in Bavaria. Alessandro Florenzi, Julian Draxler, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Kylian Mbappe were also on target at United and RB Leipzig, two years wooden spooners. him from home so much since UEFA said on Thursday it the Parc des Princes for PSG, who claimed their fourth consecutive victory after starting the cam- opponents that we have faced Kohli, 31, started cau- I was young and to bat with him will allow spectators back into paign with two straight defeats. Thomas Tuchel’s side move up to second in the early table, a point in recent seasons, as well as tiously before finding his touch is an unreal feeling,” said the matches in the Champions behind leaders Rennes who play Reims on Sunday. “Scoring goals gives us confidence.I t is a great Istanbul Basaksehir, cham- to smash seven fours and two 20-year-old Padikkal. League and its other compe- victory,” said Tuchel. Florenzi opened the scoring with a lovely goal in the seventh minute. pions of Turkey, who we will sixes in his 53-ball stay in this “I was getting tired, titions “at a maximum of 30 The Italian right-back, who remains PSG’s only new face for this season so far, controlled the ball in meet for the first time.” year’s first afternoon game of cramping up, but he pushed percent” of capacity. the box before netting with a delightful volley into the far corner. Mbappe then cut the ball back for Al Khelaifi pointed out: the Twenty20 tournament. The me. He said I need to see the Neymar to score in off the underside of the bar as PSG doubled their lead before half-time. “We are ambitious and ready players had to deal with tem- team through. That’s how he Champions League opening fix- Neymar scored his second and PSG’s third goal on the night just after half-time, finishing first-time for this new Champions peratures that hit 34 celsius. bats and he was conveying tures (1900 GMT unless stated) as the ball broke to him in the box. Ismael Traore soon pulled one back for Angers with a back-post League season, and always “Virat Kohli’s fitness is sec- that to me too.” Tuesday, October 20 header, but Mitchel Bakker crossed for Draxler to make it 4-1 and Gueye added another with a de- respect each opponent, I ond to none. And the way he Kohli’s knock took him past Group E: Chelsea v Sevilla, flected strike. Mbappe completed the scoring by converting from a PabloS arabia assist six minutes know that despite the cur- controlled that innings in the 5,500 IPL runs to extend his Rennes v Krasnodar from the end, and PSG look to have definitively put their defeat yb Bayern Munich in the Champions rent context in which we are chase was great to see,” Banga- lead at the top of the scoring Group F: Zenit Saint-Petersburg League final inA ugust behind them. (AFP) living, we will still be able to lore’s head coach chart in the absence of second- v Club Brugge (1655), Lazio v count on the extraordinary told reporters in the post-match placed Suresh Raina (Chennai Borussia Dortmund passion that drives our fans virtual chat. Super Kings) who pulled out of Group G: Dynamo Kiev v Juventus Istanbul Basaksehir v Atletico Madrid Group C: Manchester City v and which gave us this in- “The way we see it, we the tournament in the United (1655), Barcelona v Ferencvaros Wednesday, October 21 Group B: Real Madrid v Shakhtar Porto, Olympiakos v Marseille credible strength throughout don’t look at Virat being out Arab Emirates. Group H: Paris Saint-Germain v Group A: Salzburg v Lokomotiv Donetsk (1655), Inter Milan v Group D: Ajax v Liverpool, the last season.” of form at all. We thought Earlier, leg-spinner Yuzven- Manchester United, RB Leipzig v Moscow (1655), Bayern Munich Borussia Moenchengladbach Midtjylland v Atalanta. he looked magnificent in the dra Chahal returned impressive first game, unfortunately he bowling figures of 3-24 from holed out, and then missed his four overs to restrict Steve- Quick read out a couple of times and that Smith’s Royals to 154 for six Celtic face AC can happen. while batting first. Chelsea click into gear, Ben Stokes set to join Milan in Europa Rajasthan Royals League, Arsenal James takes Everton top Dubai: England all-rounder Ben Iyer slams fastest Stokes is set to join his Indian to play Dundalk Premier League side Rajasthan AFP Royals after missing the first two fifty, AFP London weeks of the Twenty20 tourna- Paris ment, the team said on Satur- Chelsea’s heavy invest- day. Royals tweeted a picture of beat KKR to top table Celtic will come up against ment in the transfer market their star player on a flight after Agencies Russell (13) cheaply, was taken Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AC began to bear fruit as they asking a question, “How long Sharjah to task by Eoin Morgan (44 Milan in a tough Europa thrashed Crystal Palace does it take from Christchurch from 18 balls) and Rahul Trip- League group while Rangers 4-0, while James Rodriguez to UAE (United Arab Emirates)?”. Shreyas Iyer showed his class athi (36 off 16 balls) in the 18th will face another former Eu- guided Everton to the top of Captain Steve Smith was happy with a captain’s knock and pac- over that got KKR 23 runs. ropean Cup winner in Ben- the Premier League by scor- to hear of Stokes’ arrival at Roy- er Anrich Nortje honoured his With 31 to get from 12 fica and Friday’s draw also ing twice in a 4-2 win over als, where he will join country- skipper’s heroics by bowling a balls, Nortje bowled a superb placed Arsenal in the same Brighton on Saturday. men Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and splendid penultimate over in 19th over getting rid of Mor- section as the Irish champi- Frank Lampard has asked Tom Curran. “Ben (Stokes) is a Delhi Capitals’ 18-run victory gan and only giving five runs ons Dundalk. for patience after Chelsea’s quality player, adds to our squad over Kolkata Knight Riders in in the process. Celtic were in the first pot £220 million splurge in the once he’s arrives,” Smith said a thrilling IPL match in Sharjah With 26 needed off the last of seeds for the draw after market ($285 million), but the during the toss for Saturday’s IPL on Saturday. over, (1/46 in scraping past Bosnian side pressure was on the Blues to match with Royal Challengers Iyer’s (88 no off 38 balls) 4 overs) proved his utility as a Sarajevo away in the play- respond after a disappointing Bangalore. New Zealand-born magnificent power-hitting after bowler by removing Tripathi offs on Thursday, but they 3-3 draw at newly-promoted Chelsea’s French defender Kurt Zouma scores the second goal Stokes was in Christchurch with Prithvi Shaw’s opening act pro- with a slower yorker after being could scarcely have asked for a West Brom and a League Cup (66’) against Crystal Palace during their English Premier League his ailing father, who has been pelled Delhi Capitals to an im- smashed by the batsman in an tougher draw than that hand- exit to a much-changed Tot- match between at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday. battling cancer, and pulled out pressive 228 for four after be- earlier over. ed to them in Group H. tenham in the past week. Chelsea won 4-0. (AFP) of the Pakistan Test series in ing put into bat first by Dinesh With their third win, Delhi As well as Milan, Neil Len- For the first time Lam- August.Stokes started practising Karthik. Then Rishabh Pant (38 (six points from four games) non’s side will take on Czech pard was able to field five of “I appreciate his eager- free-kick was headed home for his IPL stint last month with a off 17 balls) dusted off his rusti- move to the top of the table. Cup winners Sparta Prague his new signings as Edouard ness because his perfor- by Colombian international red ball at the Sydenham Cricket ness with a quickfire knock. Earlier, if the powerplay be- and French club Lille, who Mendy and Ben Chilwell mance deserved a goal but teammate Yerry Mina. Club in Christchurch as he The target was difficult but longed to Shaw, who blazed his qualified automatically for made their Premier League the rules are you don’t jump The former Real Madrid posted a video on social media not impossible but Delhi pro- way to 66 off 41 balls with four the group stage after finishing debuts with Thiago Silva, Kai up ahead of the list at any midfielder then took centre- saying, “Wrong colour ball but duced the best effort by a pace boundaries and as many sixes, fourth in Ligue 1. Havertz and Timo Werner moment.” stage after the break as he training’s training.” bowling unit on a placid track Iyer dominated the remaining Milan, the seven-time also starting. Everton will head into swept home Alex Iwobi’s low with KKR finishing at 210 for 8. part of the innings with his silk- European champions, quali- Chilwell had the biggest the Merseyside derby against cross before tapping into Harshal Patel, as Ishant en smooth batting as he scythed fied by winning 9-8 on penal- impact as he opened the flood- Liverpool after the interna- an empty net on his weaker Dhoni now most Sharma’’s replacement, did well the opposition attack with seven ties away to Rio Ave in Portu- gates with a thunderous strike tional break with maximum right foot 20 minutes from capped IPL player enough to finish with 2 for 34 in fours and half a dozen sixes. gal on Thursday after being at the far post five minutes points from their first four time. 4 overs while the ever-improv- A few of Iyer’s sixes landed rescued by a Hakan Calhano- into the second-half before his games as James again shone Yves Bissouma pulled a Dubai: India’s Mahendra Singh ing Nortje (3/33 in 4 overs) was either in the top tier or got lost glu spot-kick right at the end cross teed up Kurt Zouma to for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. late goal back but it was too Dhoni has become the most- also impressive. in the car park adjoining the of extra time. double Chelsea’s lead. The Toffees also have the little, too late for Graham capped IPL player even as his However, it was Kagiso stadium, such was the timing The Scottish champions What should have been a Premier League’s form strik- Potter’s men. Chennai Super Kings team Rabada (1/51 in 4 overs), who rather than brute force that the and Milan last met in the routine win for the hosts did er in their armoury as Domi- Everton’s victory leaves -- currently bottom of the table -- dismissed the dangerous Andre DC skipper used. Champions League group not go without controversy as nic Calvert-Lewin opened Manchester City already faltered in yet another run chase. stage in 2013/14. They also Jorginho then slotted home the scoring by heading home nine points off the top of the The 39-year-old has now played faced off several times in that two penalties after Tammy his ninth goal of the season table, but Pep Guardiola will 194 Indian Premier League competition in the previous Abraham and Havertz had to celebrate his first ever be hoping to bounce back matches, and overtook on Friday decade including in 2006/07, been felled inside the area. call-up to the England squad. from last weekend’s embar- his former India and CSK team- when the Italians narrowly However, for the sec- Jordan Pickford remains rassing 5-2 home defeat to mate Suresh Raina, who has 193 won their last-16 tie en route ond spot-kick, captain Cesar England’s number one at Leicester against one of his games. The former India skipper to winning the trophy. Azpilicueta had to intervene the other end, but the Ever- mentors, Leeds boss Marcelo Dhoni and Raina both announced Scores Rangers’ reward for to take the ball off Abra- ton goalkeeper’s howler let Bielsa, later on Saturday. their retirement from international Delhi Capitals 228 ousting Turkish giants Gal- ham with the England strik- Brighton back into the game Results: cricket last month. But unlike for 4 (Iyer 88*, Shaw Chelsea 4 (Chilwell 50, Dhoni, Raina at the last minute 66, Pant 38, Russell atasaray in the play-offs er desperate to get on the as he dropped Leandro Tros- 2-29) beat Kolkata and qualifying for the group scoresheet. sard’s weak effort right at the Zouma 66, Jorginho 78-pen, pulled out of this IPL edition. Knight Riders 210 for stage for the third season “If Tammy wanted to take feet of Neal Maupay, who 82-pen) Crystal Palace 0; Dhoni has now played 164 of his 8 (Rana 58, Morgan running was a spot in Group it because he wants a goal or turned home an equaliser. Everton 4 (Calvert-Lewin 16, 194 games for the CSK fran- 44, Tripathi 36, Nortje D with Benfica, Standard whatever it was then he can The home side quickly Mina 45+2, Rodriguez 52, 70) chise. The others he played for 3-33) by 18 runs. Liege of Belgium and Lech get put in his place a little responded to retake the lead Brighton 2 (Maupay 41, Bis- Rising Pune Supergiant. Poznan of Poland. bit,” Lampard said. before half-time as James’s souma 90) Shreyas Iyer during his unbeaten 88-run knock in Sharjah on Saturday. Sports Sunday, October 4, 2020 15 Great expectations as Jabeur becomes first Arab woman to make it to Roland Garros last 16

AFP pion Garbine Muguruza from Spain are expecting me to go as far as I can Paris or Danielle Collins of the United in this tournament.” States for a place in the last-eight. The 26-year-old, a former jun- Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur on Satur- “The people in Tunisia are really ior champion in the French capital, day became the firstA rab woman encouraging me a lot. Media, I’m not insisted she will not allow expecta- to make the last 16 at Roland Gar- sure,” said Jabeur as her standout tions to get too out of hand, lighten- ros with a 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 6-3 win season at the Slams continued after ing the mood by appearing at her over Belarusian eighth seed Aryna also becoming the firstA rab female news conference wearing a protec- Sabalenka in another breakthrough player to reach the third round at tive mask bearing an image of Greek performance which she admits has the US Open last month. player Stefanos Tsitsipas. raised expectations. “The most important thing for “I asked for it. He was like, Jabeur, seeded 30, who made the me is having Tunisian people sup- No way you’re going to wear it. Of quarter-finals at theA ustralian Open porting me all the time. That’s really course, I’m going to wear it. I’m in January, faces either 2016 cham- important for me. Also I know they Team Tsitsipas,” she said.

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur returns the ball to Japan’s Nao Hibino during their women’s singles second round of The Roland Garros tournament in Paris on October 1. On Saturday, Jabeur beat Belarusian eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 6-3 in another breakthrough performance. (AFP) Nadal eases into French Open James, Davis propel Lakers to last 16 as new kids emerge second straight AFP Paris Results win over Heat Rafael Nadal charged into Men Singles (3rd rd) the French Open last 16 on Fri- Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Daniel Galan (COL) 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 AFP want to be great. Karen Khachanov (RUS x15) bt Christian Garín (CHI x20) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 Miami day and took another confident Pablo Carreno-Busta (ESP x17) bt Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x10) 6-4, 6-3, “They have five guys on stride towards equalling Roger 5-7, 6-4 the floor that’s a threat, as they Federer’s record of 20 ma- Daniel Altmaier (GER) bt (ITA x7) 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 Anthony Davis and LeBron showed tonight,” James added jor titles while a crop of rising Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Thiago Monteiro (BRA) 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 James powered Los Angeles of Miami. “So we have to con- youngsters offered tantalising Andrey Rublev (RUS x13) bt Kevin Anderson (RSA) 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to a 124-114 victory over the tinue to stay on our P’s and Q’s glimpses of their potential. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x18) bt Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-1, 6-3 - Miami Heat on Friday that put and cross our T’s and dot our I’s The 12-time Roland Gar- retired the Lakers two wins away from through the course of a game.” ros champion dispatched Ital- Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x5) bt Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 6-1, 6-2, 3-1 - retired their first NBA title since 2010. Stung by the Heat’s quick ian world number 74 Stefano Women Singles (3rd rd) The injury depleted Heat start in game one, the Lakers Travaglia 6-1, 6-4, 6-0 in just 95 Ons Jabeur (TUN x30) bt Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x8) 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 6-3 hung on as best they could, but came out of the blocks hot. minutes, notching his 96th vic- Fiona Ferro (FRA) bt Patricia Maria Tig (ROU) 7-6 (9/7), 4-6, 6-0 33 points from James and 32 Chasing a record-equalling tory at the tournament. Sofia Kenin (USA x4) bt Irina Maria Bara (ROU) 6-2, 6-0 from Davis were just too much. 17th NBA title but their first in “I think today I played the Petra Kvitova (CZE x7) bt Leylah Fernandez (CAN) 7-5, 6-3 Davis, playing in his first a decade, the Lakers dominated best match this year at Roland Zhang Shuai (CHN) bt Clara Burel (FRA) 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 NBA Finals, overpowered a inside, outscoring the Heat 18-6 Garros,” said Nadal. Laura Siegemund (GER) bt Petra Martic (CRO x13) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-0 Heat defense sorely missing in- in the paint in the first quarter Nadal next faces 213th- Paula Badosa (ESP) bt Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 6-4, 6-3 jured Bam Adebayo. He added to emerge from the opening pe- ranked American qualifier Se- 14 rebounds as the Lakers took riod six points up. bastian Korda, the son of 1998 a two games to none lead in the Danny Green’s three-point- champion and best-of-seven NBA Finals in the er pushed the Lakers lead to 13 1992 French Open runner-up league’s quarantine bubble in three minutes into the second , for a quarter-final Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against Orlando, Florida. quarter. spot. Slovakia’s Norbert Gombos in the men’s singles third “He’s a big-time player,” The Heat got the deficit “He’s my biggest idol. He’s round at the Philippe Chatrier court at the 2020 French James, playing in his 10th down to four three times, but one of the reasons I play ten- Open in Paris on Saturday. (AFP) championship series, said of Rondo, a former NBA cham- nis,” Korda said of the Spaniard. Davis, whose 14 rebounds in- pion with the Boston Celtics, “Growing up, I named my cluded eight offensive boards. came up big off the Lakers’ cat Rafa after him. That says a “He understands the position bench, delivering impressive lot about how much I love the some gas.” Men’s last 16 line-up “I don’t feel the pressure. we’re in.” alley-oup passes first to James guy.” “I’m not going to put pres- Of course I expect from myself Davis made 14 of his first 15 and then to Davis, whose  Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) v Karen Khachanov (RUS x15) The 20-year-old Korda beat sure on myself and will try to to play good tennis but that shots from the field, finishing dunk and free throw made it  Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP x17) v Daniel Altmaier (GER) Pedro Martinez in straight sets play relaxed like I did today,” he doesn’t mean I have to win eve- with 15 baskets in 20 attempts. 64-49 with 1:48 remaining in  Marton Fucsovics (HUN) v Andrey Rublev (RUS x13) to become the first man outside added. ry match,” said Halep. For the second straight the first half.  Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x18) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x5) the top 200 to make the last 16 At 19, Italian teenager Jan- “I just want to try to take game James approached a tri- Rondo himself drove for  (ITA) v Diego Schwartzman (ARG x12) in Paris since France’s Arnaud nik Sinner is the youngest my chance every time I step on ple-double, adding nine assists a layup in the final minute of  Hugo Gaston (FRA) v Dominic Thiem (AUT x3) di Pasquale in 2002. player to reach the fourth round the court, and I’m not thinking and nine rebounds. the half that stretched the Lak-  (GER x6) v Jannik Sinner (ITA) Hugo Gaston, also 20, at Roland Garros since Novak  (USA) v Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) about title. It’s very far (off).” Rajon Rondo added 16 ers’ lead to 17 points, and they quickly became the second such Djokovic in 2006. Thiem made surprisingly points off the bench and Kyle took a 68-54 advantage into the lowly-ranked man in the fourth Last year’s Next Gen cham- short work of Norwegian 28th Kuzma and Kentavious Cald- break. round when the world number pion made the second week of a Halep, the 2018 champion, took the game in my hands.” seed , who has won well-Pope added 11 points The Lakers connected on 239 shocked 2015 champion for the first time by avenged last year’s Roland Gar- Halep meets another more tour-level matches on clay apiece for the Lakers. 55.5% of their shots from the Stan Wawrinka 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, beating Federico Coria 6-3, 7-5, ros loss to Amanda Anisimova 19-year-old opponent, Poland’s than anyone else this season. Jimmy Butler led the Heat field in the opening half. They 4-6, 6-0 in a rain-interrupted 7-5. He will meet the US Open by thrashing the American teen- Iga Swiatek, for a place in the “In general I was super with 25 points and Kelly Olynyk were less successful from three- tie. Gaston goes on to play US runner-up Alexander Zverev af- ager 6-0, 6-1 in only 54 minutes. quarter-finals. She dropped just happy with my performance. I added 24 off the bench as the point range but not from lack Open winner and Austrian ter the German sixth seed end- The reigning Wimbledon one game when the pair met think was one of the best ones Heat had to make do not only of trying, connecting on nine of third seed Dominic Thiem, the ed the run of qualifier and 2018 champion made only seven un- here in the last 16 a year ago. this year,” said Thiem following without Adebayo but with star their whopping 27 first-half at- runner-up to Nadal in Paris the semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato forced errors as she stretched Halep’s status as the wom- an impressive 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 vic- guard Goran Dragic, who was tempts from beyond the arc. past two years. in three sets. her career-best winning run to en’s frontrunner was reinforced tory. sidelined by a left foot injury. They finished with 16 “It’s amazing for me, it’s “I’m just trying to improve 17 matches. following the withdrawal of Ser- Two-time quarter-finalist Even without them, James three-pointers on an astonish- a dream. But I try to stay fo- day after day,” said the 75th- “I think I played a really ena Williams, on top of the ab- Elina Svitolina ensured she said, Miami remained a danger- ing 47 attempts. cused,” said Gaston, the lone ranked Sinner, who is yet to good match. I was very aggres- sence of world number one and will stick around for the second ous team, adding that the Lak- Davis poured it on in the Frenchman remaining in the drop a set in Paris. sive and I knew from last year defending champion Ashleigh week with a 6-4, 7-5 win over ers need to clamp down harder third quarter, piling up 15 points draw. “I’m feeling tired with the - Halep gets revenge -Top I had to change something and Barty, as well as US Open win- Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandro- defensively. on an array of shots -- jumpers, adrenaline rush but I still have seed and title favourite Simona I did that today,” said Halep. “I ner Naomi Osaka. va, the 27th seed. “Myself, coach and AD were a step-back three and a driving not happy with our defensive floater just the beginning. presence tonight,” James said. Although the Lakers “We can do a lot better. stretched the lead to 18 points NFL “Myself and AD, we’re not multiple times, the Heat Patriots star Newton contracts virus, out for Chiefs game satisfied with just the win. We wouldn’t go away. AFP “Late last night, we re- regarding our scheduled trip New York ceived notice that a Patri- to Kansas City and game ots player tested positive for against the Chiefs. New England Patriots quar- COVID-19,” the club said in a “The health and safety of terback Cam Newton has statement. our team, as well as our oppo- tested positive for COVID- “The player immediately nent, are of highest priority.” 19and will miss Sunday’s entered self-quarantine. Sev- Newton, a 31-year-old game at defending Super eral additional players, coach- from Atlanta and the NFL’s Bowl champion Kansas City es and staff who have been in 2015 Most Valuable Player, Chiefs, the NFL club an- close contact with the player was placed on the COVID- nounced on Saturday. received point of care tests 19reserve list. Former Carolina Panthers this morning and all were In three games with the ran-pass threat Newton re- negative for COVID-19. Patriots this season, he has placed Tom Brady as the sig- “We are in close consul- completed 62-of-91 passes nal caller for the Patriots this tation with the NFL as well for 714 yards and two touch- Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket season after Brady spent 20 as our team of independent downs with two interceptions against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2020 NBA Finals at years with New England, win- doctors and specialists and while rushing 35 times for 149 AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake ning six Super Bowl titles. will follow their guidance yards and four touchdowns. Buena Vista, Florida, on Friday. (Getty Images/AFP)