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Friday, October 28, 2016 GOLF Muharram 27, 1438 AH Eagle Eye Fowler on GULF TIMES target as Karlberg leads in Shanghai SPORT Page 6 FORMULA 1 Ecclestone keen to add to the risk factor

Formula One supremo Bernie Eccle- stone, no stranger to controversial comments, has suggested building Rosberg blocks out walls on racetrack corners to add a greater sense of danger. The remarks are unlikely to sit well with, or be treated seriously by, drivers and the governing FIA, who have worked for decades to im- prove safety in a sport whose past is littered with fatalities. title talk in Mexico “In those (the old) days, and it can’t happen again, people would come German arrives in Mexico with a 26-point lead over Hamilton and three races remaining to a race and think somebody could get killed,” Ecclestone, who turns AFP 86 today, told British reporters in Mexico City Austin before Formula One headed to Mexico for this weekend’s round. “Today they know they come to a ico Rosberg plans to block race and nobody is going to get out all thoughts of a possible killed. Which is good.” maiden title triumph and fo- However, he suggested races were cus on sticking to his singular now in danger of appearing too andN simple approach when he bids to safe, with drivers exceeding track claim his 10th win of the year in this limits without suff ering any conse- weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix. quences. The 31-year-old, who will become “I’ve been criticised probably by champion if he wins and Mercedes everybody because I wanted to teammate and title rival Lewis Hamil- build 40cm walls around the cor- ton fails to score a point, has said he is ners. They keep saying they mustn’t aware of all the equations and possible go off the road, I promise they outcomes. won’t,” added Ecclestone. But, he stressed, he will aim only to Ecclestone said Formula One’s keep things simple and concentrate on street races in Baku, Monaco and repeating his victory of last year when Singapore, with walls and metal Formula One returned to the noisy and fences, concentrated the minds and atmospheric Autodromo Hermanos the racing was still good. Rodriguez for the fi rst time since 1992. Formula One is still feeling the pain In front of a packed crowd that day, from the death of Frenchman Jules Rosberg eased some of the pain from Bianchi, who crashed into a recov- losing out to Hamilton in the title race ery tractor at a wet Japanese race in by securing a well-judged victory. 2014 and died in hospital of his head Something similar coupled with an- injuries last year. other Hamilton retirement would see Before him Ayrton Senna was him take the Englishman’s crown on the last fatality in 1994, an Imola Sunday night. weekend that also took the life of “Of course I’m aware of that,” he Austrian Roland Ratzenberger. said. “It’s an obvious calculation which This season Spaniard Fernando everybody is telling me and it’s great, Alonso walked away from a massive but the approach is keep it simple – just shunt in the opening Australian look for the race win.” Grand Prix after his McLaren flew Rosberg will arrive in Mexico with a into the fence. 26-point lead over Hamilton in the title And in Austin, race director Charlie race and three races remaining. Whiting reminded drivers that, That means that if he wins he will for safety reasons, they could not increase his tally to an unassailable ad- change direction suddenly in the vantage of 51 if the three-time defend- braking zone when defending ing champion is undone by another against a fully committed rival. engine failure, poor start or other me- “What Fernando had in Australia... chanical problem. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton raises his victory trophy as teammate Nico Rosberg (left) looks on on the podium for the United States Grand Prix on Sunday. (Reuters) you wouldn’t think he was going to For Hamilton, and his race team of walk away,” said Ecclestone, before Mercedes mechanics, the over-riding with Rosberg, in Spain. position last weekend in Texas was his vation intact despite his poor run and face a robust challenge from the Red Bull coming up with another provoca- pressure, as it was during his fl awless Rosberg has also suff ered misfor- fi rst in six races since July. was boosted by visiting the Mercedes team who are confi dent they have re- tive suggestion with no chance of drive to victory in the United States tunes, but not to the same extent and He said it has restored his confi dence factory in Britain before fl ying to the duced the champions’ advantage and can being implemented. Grand Prix in Texas, is to fi nish without many Hamilton supporters believe he and he will do all he can, reliability per- United States. mount a serious bid for victory. “What we ought to do immediately any setbacks. has lost a minimum of 40 points as a mitting, in the fi nal races. “I’ve tried to keep a positive mentali- However, given the Mexican circuit’s that happens is have big sheets all In the 18 events to date, he has been result. “You don’t often get 100 per cent re- ty,” he said. “There are still points avail- long straight, Mercedes are expected the way around, bring the ambu- aff ected by at least three poor starts, Some believe, also, that the law of liability for a whole season,” he said. able, anything is possible. The moment to enjoy superior power and take ad- lance in... and take him away. He’s fi ve engine or engine-related mechani- averages will deliver at least another “Will it be the case for Nico? Only you give up, that’s the moment you’re vantage, but it is uncertain if that will gone to the hospital and later on you cal problems, one race when he was pe- twist that may see Rosberg suff er a DNF time will tell, but I can’t get fi xated on doomed.I’ve never given up all my life, be enough to allow their drivers a clear announce that, thank God, he’s out. nalised for his engine failures that re- (Did Not Finish). that.” I don’t plan on doing so now.” scrap for victory – and possibly the A bit of showbiz. People like that.” quired new power units and one crash, Hamilton’s convincing win from pole Hamilton said he has kept his moti- Both Mercedes drivers know that they championship.

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Lekhwiya aim for clean sheet against Arabi

By Sports Reporter we had a clean sheet and we are work- each game has its own situation some Doha ing on that. We have an attacking style are tactical some are physical. Lekhwi- and sometimes that leaves the defence ya are a great team, they have many vulnerable and we need to work on the players in the national team and it will ekhwiya take on Al Arabi in right balance.” be a diffi cult game,” added the Uru- round fi ve of the QSL. The The Algerian added: “I’m working on guayan coach at the press conference match will take place at the Le- fi xing conceded goals. We are looking on Wednesday. khwiya stadium today evening. to fi nd the balance between defend- Speaking about tactical diffi culties, LLekhwiya have ten points from four ing and attacking. If you analyse goal Pelusso said, “We have some issues games and sit second in the table. The by goal, there are goals we can avoid in the team we have to fi x. Some play- Cops are one of the title favourites this and those we cannot. We conceded two ers have not played for a long time and year and they will be aiming for the goals to penalties which I don’t believe their performance refl ected that. So we three points against Al Arabi. were penalties.” need more work harder to achieve our Talking at a press conference ahead Al Arabi has six points from four goals.” of their match, Lekhwiya coach Djamel games and currently sit seventh in the Lekhwiya’s head-to-head record Belmadi said, “Al Arabi started this table. They will look to get some points against Al Arabi is much better with the season with great ambition and they off Lekhwiya as they bid to make it into Cops winning six of their 12 encoun- have great players. If you saw their the top four. ters and four matches ending in a draw. game against El Jaish and Al Ahli, you Gerardo Pelusso, head coach of Al Arabi has won twice. could say that they could have at least Arabi, said, “All matches are important Lekhwiya has scored 30 out of 46 two more points because they could and we admit we didn’t have a good goals scored in these 12 matches, with have drawn those games.” game against Al Ahli. We are prepared no match ending in a goalless draw, Speaking about last week’s game for a good performance against Le- while Arabi has scored the remaining against Al Wakrah, Belmadi said, “Last khwiya and to get the three points.” 16 goals. game we conceded two goals. I wish we “We don’t play any game without Both of Arabi’s wins came in the do not concede goals like that. I wish thinking of the three points. Of course 2015-16 season. Al Arabi coach Gerardo Pelusso (left) and Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi. PICTURE: Othman Iraqi Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 28, 2016 FOOTBALL

QSL PREVIEW Jaish’s Lamouchi Newbies Shahania expects tough match against stun Sailiya 2-1 Umm Salal The victory at Al Ahli stadium was Shahania’s second of the season By Sports Reporter Doha

By Sports Reporter Doha l Jaish will battle it out against Umm Salal in the Qatar Stars League at the atar Stars League newcomers Lekhwiya Stadium to- Al Shahania stunned Al Sailiya night.E Jaish are third in the table with a hard-fought 2-1 win last level on points with Al Sadd and night. Two goals in fi ve sec- Lekhwiya. After a disappointing ondQ half minutes settled the tie for the exit from the AFC Champions Oryxes, thanks to strikes from Mohamed League semi-fi nal, they will be Tiaiba and Abdullah al-Yazidi on the 65th looking for a morale-boosting and 70th minute respectively at Al Ahli win against Umm Salal. stadium. Sabri Lamouchi, the head Al Sailiya attacker Mohammed Mud- coach of Jaish believes that Umm dather reduced the defi cit with a goal in Salal always gives his side a chal- the 93rd minute of the tie. After a cagey lenge. “We are ready to play start to the tense clash, Al Shahania tomorrow against Umm Salal. eventual goal hero Abdullah al-Yazidi Every team is a diff erent game produced a moment of excitement for but Umm Salal is always tough to his team inside the Al Sailiya box. Lurk- play against.” ing inside the area, al-Yazidi tapped a lob “They have good players like ball in front of him and quickly swiveled Sagbo and Baba Malek, who is a before letting go a ferocious shot towards great goalkeeper. They also have Al Sailiya goalmouth. some dangerous young players. The ball beat Al Sailiya goalkeeper We respect them and I know from Gregory Gomis but narrowly missed the my time in El Jaish that Umm crossbar in the 22nd minute. Seconds Salal is a tough team and we lost El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi. later Shahania‘s Algerian attacker Mo- last year to them. However, this hamed Tiaiba fi red a long-range shot but season we are much better pre- his ball was defl ected by a diving Gomis, pared,” added the Frenchman. Al Sailiya’s last line of defence. Speaking about player avail- Four minutes later, Al Sailiya registered ability, he said: “I hope Romar- their fi rst chance of note through a long- inho will be ready tomorrow, he range shot through Mirghani al-Zain but didn’t train with us this week. his shot was superbly tipped over the bar Al Shahania’s Mohamed Tiaiba (right) celebrates with a teammate after scoring a goal against Al Sailiya during a Qatar Stars Abdelkader Ilyas signed with us by Shahania goalkeeper Khalifa al-Dosari League match at the Al Ahli stadium last night. PICTURES: Anas Khalid / Noushad Thekkayil and he can play tomorrow.” for a corner kick. Umm Salal has a knack for Al Sailiya conceded a penalty on the tory of the season. Ahli grabbed a late drawing games and Lamouchi 65th minute when substitute Mohammed consolation from the penalty spot thanks hopes to avoid that in their Muddather brought down Nabeel Anwer to Meshal Abullah. The visitors started match. “I hope there is no draw, with a rough tackle. Tiaiba stepped up well and Madson, Khor’s 30-year-old I hope we win. But sometimes we and lofted the ball into the top right side Brazilian attacking midfi elder, opened are happy with a draw sometimes of the net to give his side the lead. the scoring in the 7th minute. we are not happy, we will have to Five minutes later, a solo eff ort by Unmarked near the box, Madson see after the result on Friday.” al-Yazidi saw the Oryxes go 2-0 up. Al- moved in anticipation after the ball was Umm Salal has shown resilient Yazidi sprinted from the half-line before passed onto him by a teammate from the performances over the course of receiving a ball some 60 yards from the left fl ank. After dodging one defender, the season. They are undefeated goal. Al-Yazidi, who was closely tracked the Brazilian forward met the ball half- and are currently ranked sixth by the Sailiya defence continued towards way inside the Al Ahli box before clip- in the table with six points from the goal before producing a composed ping a neat ball past a charging Abdulla four games. Bulent Uygun, the shot past Gregory Gomis. Seconds before al-Dosari. head coach of Umm Salal, be- Umm Salal coach Bülent Uygun. the end of the game Al Sailiya grabbed a Al Khor maintained pressure on the lieves that Jaish are one of the consolation. Muddather fi red from the home side, and managed to double their favourites for the title. “We are drawing a lot of our games I have edge of the box, but it proved too late lead on the 31st minute. Moroccan striker playing against a strong team one rule which is that if you can’t for Sami Trabelsi’s side. The victory was Mouhcine Iajour produced slick football who are one of the favourites for win don’t lose,” added the Turk- Shahania’s second of the season. inside the Al Ahli box, easily beating his the title. Sagbo, Anderson and ish tactician. marker before slotting the ball past goal- Geddo are injured. This will be a Uygun also believes his team AL KHOR EASE PAST AL AHLI keeper al-Dosari good game for football lovers.” will improve as the season con- In another game, Al Khor scored a 3-1 Four minutes later, Al Khor raced to Al Khor beat Al Ahli thanks to a brace from Madson and a Mouhcine Iajour strike. “El Jaish have very good play- tinues. “We give all that we have victory over Al Ahli. Al Khor scored three a 3-0 lead. Madson spotted Iajour un- ers. They are fi ghting for the title and if you see our performance fi rst half goals through Madson and a marked on the left side of the Al Ahli box. left boot as Al Khor celebrated their third kick by choosing to go left of Al Khor but we will do our best and we in the previous season you can brace from Moroccan striker Mouhcine The 31-year-old Moroccan striker slipped goal soon after the half-hour mark. goalkeeper Baba Djibril to provide a con- will give our best performance. see that we are improving day by Iajour to ensure the Knights second vic- the ball past Al Ahli goalkeeper with his Meshal Abdulla converted a penalty solation goal for the hosts. We didn’t lose yet and as for us day,” he noted.

ROUND-UP Mkhitaryan determined to fi ght for his place at Manchester United Sunderland boss Moyes hit Manchester: HENRIKH MKHITARYAN is with misconduct on Thursday over comments determined to fight for his place at Manchester he made about the referee Anthony Taylor prior United despite being left out of the matchday to the game against Liverpool – admitted Mkhi- squad for Wednesday night’s EFL Cup victory taryan “has to work more to get the intensity over Manchester City. and fitness to play at a high level”. with misconduct charge The Armenian international has made only That also came as a shock to the forward, four appearances for United since joining from who was voted the Bundesliga’s player of the Agencies Borussia Dortmund in the summer for around Season after his performances for Dortmund London £30m, the last being the 2-1 defeat to City on last season, although he did admit in pre-sea- 10 September when he was substituted at half- son that it could take time for him to settle into time. That means Mkhitaryan has played just English football. underland manager David Moyes was 105 minutes in the Premier League for his new “It doesn’t matter if they buy me for, I don’t charged by England’s governing Foot- club. He had been expected to feature against know, £38m or £40m, I am not guaranteed to ball Association with misconduct City on Wednesday and was pictured arriving play the games,” Mkhitaryan said. yesterday after being ordered off the at Old Traff ord with the rest of the squad before “So I am trying to do my best during the touchlineS during Wednesday’s 1-0 League kick-off , only to be informed that he would be training to earn this place to play and then we Cup fourth-round loss away to Southampton. watching the game from the stands. It is under- will see, because I don’t think I will play every Former Everton and Manchester United stood that the 27-year-old was surprised not to game, depending on the tactical situation, manager Moyes was sent to the stands after be involved having taken a full part in training depending on the opponent. But I will do every- complaining about a decision by referee Chris in the buildup to the match but will not seek a thing to try and help the team.” Kavanagh not to award a late penalty after move away from United in January. By Ed Aarons and Fabrizio Romano Maya Yoshida appeared to trip Victor Ani- Last week, José Mourinho – who was charged The Guardian chebe in the box. Scottish boss Moyes said afterwards he had had been dismissed for swearing at fourth of- fi cial James Adcock. “David Moyes has been charged with misconduct by the FA in relation to Sunderland’s EFL Cup tie against South- Sunderland’s manager David Moyes (left) is sent to the stands by the referee Chris Kavanagh ampton,” said an FA statement issued yester- during the League Cup fourth round match against Southampton. (AFP) day. “It is alleged that in or around the 90th minute of the fi xture Moyes used abusive will start stringing wins together after an un- in the table and the only unbeaten team in the and/or insulting words towards a match offi - derwhelming start to the season. top fl ight. “We know it will be a good match. cial. Moyes has until 6:00pm (1800 GMT) on The champions have lost four of their nine Tottenham are a fantastic team. Last year 1 November 2016 to respond to the charge.” Premier League games so far – more than they were very close to us and will continue to After Wednesday’s match, Moyes said: “I they lost in the entirety of last season’s title- fi ght for the title,” Ranieri said. Spurs are one was sent off for leaving my box and swear- winning campaign. point behind leaders Manchester City, but ing at the fourth offi cial. The problem was he All their defeats have come on the road, managed back-to-back draws against West chased me down the touchline. I swore at him while they have three wins and two draws at Bromwich Albion and Bournemouth in their and I shouldn’t have done so I deserved to be the King Power Stadium. Leicester put in a last two league outings. sent off .” much improved display against Crystal Palace With last season’s top scorer Jamie Vardy Moyes was adamant top-fl ight basement last weekend, which allowed them to climb to off the boil and winger Riyad Mahrez seem- club Sunderland should have had a penalty 12th in the standings, and their manager said ingly saving his best performances for the against their Premier League rivals, adding: he saw signs that the team were getting back Champions League, forward Shinji Okazaki “When you see it again it’s a stonewaller, no to their best. “Against Crystal Palace, we were has stepped up to the plate for Leicester, and question. Inside the box Yoshida fouls Victor, back to our philosophy, I recognised my play- scored against Palace. he comes across him, and it should have been ers again. I want to continue in this way,” the Ranieri praised the 30-year-old and used a defi nite penalty awarded.” Italian said yesterday. “I think sooner or later his catch phrase to describe how Okazaki’s we go back to winning.” work off the ball pushed his teammates to RANIERI CONFIDENT FOXES Standing in the way of Leicester recording raise their game as well. “For me, he is very ON TRACK TO START FLYING AGAIN back-to-back wins as well as a fi rst away vic- important for the team because he presses a Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri is tory of the season is a trip to White Hart Lane lot and he wakes up everybody. He has control confi dent his team have turned a corner and to take on Tottenham Hotspur, who are fi fth of the bell!” the Italian said. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP Mourinho charged by FA London: Manchester United Mata sinks City, West manager Jose Mourinho was yesterday charged with misconduct over comments he made about the referee in charge of this month’s Liverpool game, the Football Association has announced. United’s outspoken Ham shock for Chelsea Portuguese boss faces a disciplinary hearing after questioning referee Anthony United will entertain West Ham in the quarters, while Southampton’s make a trip to Arsenal Taylor’s suitability to take charge of the October 17 game at Anfield. The Altrincham-based off icial’s appointment for the Premier League derby had led former English top flight referee Keith Hackett to claim the appointment would place undue pressure on Taylor. And when those com- ments were put to Mourinho ahead of the match, the United boss said: “I think Mr Taylor is a very good referee but I think somebody with intention is putting such a pressure on him that I feel that it will be diff icult for him to have a very good performance.” The FA released a state- ment confirming: “Jose Mourinho has been charged with misconduct in respect of comments he made relating to the appointed match referee, prior to the Liverpool vs Manchester United fixture on Monday 17 October 2016. It is alleged his comments were improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3(1).” Mourinho has until Monday to respond to the charge, the governing body added. New rules were intro- duced in 2009 in an attempt to crack down on pre-match comments about off icials which could be viewed as intimidatory or influential. After the drab goalless Manchester United’s Juan Mata scores a goal during the English Football League Cup match against Manchester City at Old Traff ord on Wednesday night. (Reuters) draw Mourinho praised the performance of Taylor, AFP felt deeply such a negative result and changes, notably handing starts to Mata popped up to sweep home. end of the game, with some throwing whose four bookings in the Manchester today was a good chance to clear that youngsters Pablo Maff eo and Aleix Gar- “Congratulations to United, they chairs and bottles. “I noticed it, but I match all went to United feeling, because a derby knockout and cia. His side should have gone ahead in made a good performance,” said Guar- wasn’t watching it so I really don’t know players. “Can I speak about to win gives everyone a better feeling.” the second minute when Kelechi Ihea- diola. “We had chances on the coun- what happened,” said West Ham man- the referee without being uan Mata’s second-half strike United will now entertain West Ham nacho headed over from Jesus Navas’s ter-attack. I am happy with the young ager Slaven Bilic. punished?” he asked the earned Manchester United a 1-0 United, who claimed a 2-1 upset win cross and they might have had a penalty players. No regrets (about his team se- “The game was on. Whatever hap- club’s press off icer. win over holders Manchester over Chelsea, while Southampton’s re- when Michael Carrick caught Garcia lection).” pened it’s a shame and as a club and a After being given the City on Wednesday night as Jose ward for overcoming Sunderland 1-0 near the byline. West Ham pulled off the biggest team we are totally against it, of course.” go-ahead, the Portuguese Mourinho’sJ resurgent side reached the is a trip to Arsenal. Mourinho previ- With Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul shock of the round with victory over Southampton beat Sunderland at St added: “He had a good English Football League Cup quarter- ously won the competition three times Pogba both wasteful, United struggled Chelsea in the fi rst local derby at their Mary’s courtesy of a fi ne 20-yard curler game and I am happy for fi nals. Humiliated 4-0 by Mourinho’s at Chelsea and with City, Chelsea and to establish a foothold in City territory new London Stadium. Chelsea manager from former Lille winger Sofi ane Bou- him because people with former club Chelsea at the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur all falling by the and when they did, the visitors’ defend- Antonio Conte made seven changes fal, who was making his full debut. responsibilities put a lot of United got back to winning ways and wayside in the fourth round, his path to ers were on hand to block. Had Marcos from his side’s win over United and saw FOURTH ROUND RESULTS pressure on him and it was claimed a measure of revenge for their the fi nal is clearing once again. Rojo not rushed across to block from his team fall behind to Cheikhou Kouy- West Ham 2 (Kouyate 11, Fernandes 48) very diff icult for him to have 2-1 loss to Pep Guardiola’s City in last While City remain top of the league, Iheanacho, meanwhile, United would ate’s superb 11th-minute header. Chelsea 1 (Cahill 90) a good performance, which month’s league derby. on goal diff erence, and although Guar- have trailed at the interval. Edimilson Fernandes added a second Southampton 1 (Boufal 66) Sunderland 0 he had.” When manager of The result at Old Traff ord gave Mour- diola selected a much weaker team than But Mourinho’s half-time team talk early in the second half and although Manchester United 1 (Mata 54) Manchester Chelsea Mourinho was given inho only his third victory in 13 encoun- Mourinho, their early season momen- had the desired eff ect and after City Gary Cahill reduced the arrears in stop- City 0 a suspended stadium ban ters with Guardiola, who has gone six tum has deserted them. Mourinho used goalkeeper Willy Caballero had touched page time, after substitute Eden Hazard Quarter-final fixtures and a £50,000 ($76,000) games without victory for the fi rst time his programme notes to say “sorry” a shot from Pogba onto the post, the had hit the post, it came too late. There ties to be played the week commencing fine for his critical comments in his glittering managerial career. “The to United’s fans for the result at Chel- hosts took a 54th-minute lead. Leav- was a heavy police presence inside and November 28): about referee Robert Madley players did everything and deserved to sea and his decision to make only four ing Nicolas Otamendi on his back in an outside the former Olympic Stadium, Arsenal vs Southampton after Chelsea’s defeat at win. We are happy,” Mourinho said. “In changes to his starting XI showed his aerial challenge, Ibrahimovic crossed where there has been trouble involving Liverpool vs Leeds home to Southampton on the last week everything went against eagerness to make amends. from the left and with Ander Herrera West Ham fans in previous games. Manchester United vs West Ham October 3 2015. us, but we are professionals. The fans Guardiola, in contrast, made nine and Fernando colliding at the near post, But rival supporters clashed at the Hull vs Newcastle

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Seven arrests over violence at West Ham Guardiola not

AFP London worried despite

ondon police said yesterday they were holding seven men arrested following violence at the English winless run League Cup clash between West LHam United and Chelsea. Agencies Skirmishes broke out towards the end Manchester of the Hammers’ 2-1 win on Wednesday night, with police and stewards battling to keep supporters apart as coins, bottles anchester City’s Pep and plastic seats were thrown. There was Guardiola is mired a heavy police presence in place at the in the worst run of London Stadium, formerly the Olympic his managerial ca- Stadium, which has seen repeated vio- Mreer but is confi dent the Premier lence involving West Ham fans since they League leaders have the quality moved into their new home at the start of to bring an end to, and avoid a the season. repeat of, their current six-game The seven men were arrested for pub- winless streak. City started the lic order off ences and were being held in season by winning their fi rst 10 custody at several police stations. Tracey games in all competitions but the Crouch, Britain’s sports minister, was momentum has stalled in recent among those calling for anyone involved weeks, and Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to be given a life-ban. West Ham United’s fans gesture towards Chelsea fans during League Cup match at London Stadium. (Reuters) to Manchester United marked Guardiola also said Vincent “No-one wants to see a return to the their sixth straight game without Kompany was withdrawn at dark days of the late ’70s and ’80s,” said attended the match that were clearly in- all over her body,” he told BBC radio. said the former Croatia defender, whose a victory. halftime on Wednesday due to Crouch in a reference to the years when tent on being involved in confrontation “Other kids were hit, it was not just my team will visit Manchester United in the “We will improve. Sometimes fatigue, not a new injury. English football hooliganism was consid- and violence,” he said. “There were un- daughter. She’s never experienced vio- quarter-fi nals. “For those kind of things it happens in football that the “He told us he is tired and not ered to be at its height. “It is completely acceptable incidents inside and outside lence like this before or the aggression we to happen, especially in England, is un- managers don’t win,” Guardiola ready to play the second half,” right that strong action is taken and that the stadium, before, during and after the have had to suff er. We want to take this acceptable.” Chelsea manager Antonio told British media, adding that said Guardiola, adding that it anyone involved in last night’s trouble is game. We have already made seven arrests matter further. It is disgusting.” Conte added: “I don’t like this type of sit- he had never been through such was a positive step that the inju- banned for life,” added Crouch, a quali- and will work tirelessly to identify people West Ham said they would request uation. Above all in England, we are used a run as a manager. “It is the fi rst ry-plagued central defender was fi ed Football Association coach. involved and bring them to justice.” “severe banning orders” for support- to see the right atmosphere. This country time and hopefully it does not getting game time and not break- Meanwhile Crouch’s fellow Conserva- The police said 30 people were stopped ers involved in the violence. A Chelsea is fantastic in this aspect. I’m sorry about happen again. But it is part of ing down again. tive lawmaker Mark Field said West Ham from attending the game prior to the spokesman said the Blues were “extreme- this situation.” our profession, sometimes you City, who have seen their lead should play behind closed doors if there match between the two London sides. ly disappointed” by the disturbances and Separately, West Ham have announced win and sometimes lose. I have at the top of the Premier League was a repeat of Wednesday’s violence. Chelsea supporter Paul Streeter said he the club condemned such behaviour. an investigation after fl yers with graphic learned in all the 16 games. Every evaporate and are ahead of Ar- Commander BJ Harrington, who led the and his eight-year-old daughter were West Ham manager Slaven Bilic also homophobic content were distributed to team has streaks of good results senal and Liverpool only on goal match-day police operation, said an in- pelted with coins while sitting in the dis- condemned the violence, which over- fans before the match. The fl yers called and bad results. The strange diff erence, travel to face 13th- vestigation had been opened. abled supporters’ section of the ground. shadowed a fi ne performance by his for a homophobic song to be chanted at thing is after seven years as a placed West Bromwich Albion “There were a minority of people who “My daughter was hit with seven coins side. “We are totally against it as a club,” Chelsea captain John Terry. manager, it happens now.” tomorrow. Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 28, 2016 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Dzeko at the double as Roma stick to leaders Juventus A Napoli victory against Juventus tomorrow could see Roma go top if they beat Empoli away

AFP over Torino that, nevertheless, saw the nervous Milan Roma’s Edin Dzeko (left) celebrates Nerazzurri miss chance after chance. with teammates after a scoring De Boer was given the backing of club bosses a goal during the Serie A match earlier on Wednesday, but will remain con- din Dzeko hit his ninth and 10th league against Sassuolo. (AFP) cerned at his side’s inability to fi nish the easiest goals of the season as Roma stayed in of scoring chances. hot pursuit of leaders Juventus with a Roma travelled to Sassuolo wary of the Tus- comprehensive 3-1 win at Sassuolo on cans’ formidable home form, and were initially WednesdayE night. proved right when Paolo Cannavaro fi red a bul- Juventus were given an extra incentive to let header past Wojciech Szczesny on 12 minutes move further clear of their scudetto rivals when after being left unmarked on the edge of the box. AC Milan, who stunned the champions 1-0 last Roma missed a series of chances to pull the weekend to close the gap to two points, crashed match level, Radja Nainggolan’s screamer com- 3-0 at Genoa on Tuesday. ing off the crossbar and Dzeko also thumping Roma turned pre-match predictions on their the bar from a low Emerson cross before the in- head by handing Sassuolo their second-biggest terval. Dzeko made amends in the 57th minute, home defeat of the season to walk away with the latching on to Mohamed Salah’s superb cross- spoils, although their seventh win of the cam- fi eld ball to beat Andrea Consigli with a crisp paign was tempered by Alessandro Florenzi angled drive. crumbling to the ground with a suspected se- Salah then saw an attempt cleared a metre be- rious knee ligament injury. Although Juventus fore the line by Gregoire Defrel moments later, underlined their credentials with a classy 4-1 but Roma were soon in the driving seat after Pol win at home to Sampdoria, which saw Mario Lirola came off the bench to clumsily barge into Mandzukic hit his maiden goal of the season and Dzeko. The referee pointed to the spot and Dze- defender Giorgio Chiellini hit a brace, Roma re- ko fi red into Consigli’s top corner. main just two points in arrears. It was his 10th league goal in nine appearanc- A Napoli win against Juve tomorrow could see es this season and means he remains two goals Roma go top if they beat Empoli away, but Dzeko ahead of Icardi, who has eight goals. Stephan El played down suggestions they are now Juve’s Shaarawy threatened a third goal moments lat- biggest rivals. He said: “All we’re thinking about er, and although Consigli saved Nainggolan was is winning our next game, but we’re happy for quick to tap in the rebound. this win.” A spell of torrential rain halted the Fioren- Napoli capitalised on Milan’s earlier collapse tina v Crotone fi xture for over half an hour as to move up to third at four points adrift ahead of groundsmen worked to remove excess water the sides’ clash in Turin this weekend. Thanks from the pitch. League newcomers Crotone to a battling 2-0 home win over Empoli, with were heading for their maiden Serie A win after a Dries Mertens crucially breaking the deadlock 24th minute opener by Diego Falcinelli, only for six minutes after the restart, Maurizio Sarri’s Davide Astori to level for the hosts fi ve minutes men are now just two behind Roma. from time. “The squad is doing well, if you consider we lost the league’s top scorer over the summer, and RESULTS his substitute in September,” Sarri said in refer- Chievo 1 (Mbaye 70-og) Bologna 1 (Pulgar 52) ence to Gonzalo Higuain’s move to Juventus and Fiorentina 1 (Astori 85) Crotone 1 (Falcinelli 24) the serious knee injury suff ered by his replace- Inter Milan 2 (Icardi 35, 88) Torino 1 (Belotti 63) ment, Arek Milik. Milan dropped to fourth with Juventus 4 (Mandzukic 4, Chiellini 9, 87, Pjanic 65) Lazio moving up one place to fi fth after a 4-1 Sampdoria 1 (Schick 57) rout of Cagliari that included a superb double Lazio 4 (Keita 6, Immobile 23-pen, 28, Anderson 79) from Ciro Immobile and a great, fi nal goal from Cagliari 1 (Wallace 87-og) Felipe Anderson. Napoli 2 (Mertens 51, Chiriches 81) Empoli 0 Elsewhere, embattled Inter Milan coach Frank Pescara 0 Atalanta 1 (Caldara 60) De Boer saw his survival hopes boosted by Mau- Sassuolo 1 (Cannavaro 12) Roma 3 (Dzeko 57, 76- ro Icardi’s 88th minute winner in a 2-1 home win pen, Nainggolan 78)

REAL MADRID RUN RIOT FOCUS IN 7-1 SPANISH CUP ROMP Bayern march on in German Leon, Spain: A much-weakened Real Madrid went goal crazy in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, smashing third-division minnows Cultural Leonesa 7-1 Cup, Dortmund need penalties away from home in the first leg of their last-32 encoun- ter. Marco Asensio and Alvaro Morata each struck AFP twice in a one-sided match, but Spanish international Berlin Morata should have had at least a hat-trick as Real ran riot, ensuring the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is eff ectively a dead rubber. olders Bayern Munich reached the Real Madrid’s forgotten man Fabio Coentrao made third round of the German Cup his return following seven months out injured on a with a 3-1 win over Augsburg on routine evening for the Champions League winners. Wednesday night while second- Hdivision Union Berlin took injury-hit Borus- “I’m very pleased with the match. We started strongly and took the game seriously. That’s the most impor- sia Dortmund to penalties. tant thing for me, taking it seriously and respecting Goals by Philipp Lahm, Julian Green and the opponent,” said Real coach Zinedine Zidane. David Alaba sealed Bayern’s win at the Al- “But we haven’t won anything, we’re going to keep lianz Arena, while Borussia, last season’s going because this is a long-term thing, in the Copa fi nalists, endured nervous moments before del Rey, the Champions League or any other competi- beating Union 3-0 in a shoot-out after it tion,” he added. fi nished 1-1 in Dortmund. Real, who have won the Copa del Rey 19 times, were In Munich, Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti thrown out of last season’s competition after fielding Real Madrid’s defender Nacho Fernandez rested a host of stars for tomorrow’s away the ineligible Denis Cheryshev in a tie with Cadiz. celebrates after scoring a goal. (AFP) Bundesliga clash — also against Augsburg — and next Tuesday’s Champions League clash at PSV Eindhoven. Alaba, Holger Badstuber, Arjen Rob- ROUND-UP ben, Arturo Vidal, Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski were all on the bench while US striker Green made a rare start. Bastuber came on for the last ten min- utes for his fi rst appearance in nearly nine Barca report ‘irresponsible’ months after injury. Augsburg’s Daniel Baier (left) and Philipp Max (right) vie for the ball with Bayern Munich’s “In the fi rst galf we controlled the game, Renato Sanches during the German Cup second round match in Munich. (AFP) but we weren’t so good after the break,” admitted Ancelotti. “I’m very pleased that spot-kicks. Schalke scrapped into the third GERMAN CUP SECOND-ROUND RESULTS La Liga chief Tebas Holger is back, he worked hard for it.” round with a nervy 3-2 win over second- (aet denotes after extra time) Bayern went ahead with two minutes division Nuremberg. Astoria Walldorf 1 (Hillenbrand 32) Darmstadt 0 AFP administrative sports court to open disciplinary gone when Thomas Mueller fed Lahm and Ukraine winger Yevhen Konoplyanka Hannover 96 6 (Sobiech 5, Klaus 7, 34, Harnik Madrid proceedings against Tebas and members of the the Bayern captain drilled home his shot. scored twice as the Royal Blues raced into 15, 16, Maier 53) Fortuna Duesseldorf 1 (Ak- Spanish federation’s disciplinary committee “for Mueller then fl oated in the cross which a 3-0 half-time lead. But Ghana defender poguma 20) inadmissable assessments of the Barcelona play- Green headed home to make it 2-0 on 41 Abdul Rahman Baba, on loan from Chelsea Heidenheim 0 VfL Wolfsburg 1 (Gomez 49) arcelona reported La Liga president Javier ers’ behaviour when they were assaulted during the minutes. Bayern defender Mats Hummels netted an own goal, then Tobias Kempe con- Greuther Fuerth 2 (Sararer 79, Berisha 90) Tebas to Spain’s highest sports court yes- game.” conceded a penalty on Augsburg midfi elder verted a penalty for Nuremberg to set up a Mainz 05 1 (Cordoba 68) terday after he questioned the Barca play- Gojko Kacar, but Manuel Neuer came to the tense fi nal 20 minutes. Nuremberg 2 (Baba 59-og, Kempe 68) Schalke ers’ conduct during a heated 3-2 win at Va- CELTIC BOSS RODGERS DELIGHTED rescue when Germany’s goalkeeper saved Cologne beat Hoff enheim 2-1 as Anthony 04 3 (Konoplyanka 20, 45, Huntelaar 31) lenciaB last weekend. Koo Ja-Cheol’s spot kick on 49 minutes. Modeste, the Bundesliga’s top scorer, netted BY FRINGE BENEFITS Cologne 2 (Risse 36, Modeste 91) Hoff enheim 1 Luis Suarez and Neymar were hit by a plastic Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers declared himself Augsburg pulled a goal back on the coun- a 91st-winner in extra time as Hoff enheim (Huebner 8) — aet bottle thrown by Valencia fans as Barca celebrated delighted with the strength of his squad after a side ter attack when Ji Dong-Won cut in and suff ered their fi rst defeat of the season. Bayern Munich 3 (Lahm 2, Green 41, Alaba Lionel Messi’s 94th-minute winner on Saturday. packed with fringe players helped the Hoops to a blasted his shot home from a tight angle on There were several upsets elsewhere. 90+4) Augsburg 1 (Ji 69) A disciplinary committee of the Spanish Football 4-0 win over Ross County on Wednesday. 69 minutes. But Alaba came on with fi ve Bundesliga club Darmstadt were hum- Borussia Dortmund 1 (Parensen 44) Union Federation fi ned Valencia 1,500 euros ($1,600) on The Hoops made eight changes from the starting minutes to go and rifl ed home Bayern’s third bled 1-0 by fourth division Astoria Wall- Berlin 1 (Skrzybski 81) — aet Wednesday and said a repeat could result in a stadi- 11 who defeated rivals Rangers in their League Cup in the 94th minute to settle the result. dorf while second division Greuther Fuerth Dortmund win 3-0 on penalties um closure. However, the committee also criticised semi-fi nal clash on Sunday. Dortmund, missing a host of injured stars sealed a 2-1 win over top-tier side Mainz. In the “reproachable behaviour” of the Barca play- Only Craig Gordon, Mikel Lustig and Erik Svi- like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco total, seven top German league clubs exited THIRD ROUND DRAW ers as Neymar and Messi were recorded shouting atchenko survived as Rodgers utilised his squad Reus, went through after a scare. Dortmund at the second-round stage. Borussia Dortmund vs Hertha Berlin obscenities towards the Valencia fans. “The most ahead of crunch clashes with Aberdeen and Borus- took the lead thanks to a fi rst-half own goal On Tuesday, Champions League side Hamburg vs Cologne serious thing is the thrown bottle, but some play- sia Monchengladbach within the next seven days. from ex-Dortmund defender Michael Pa- Bayer Leverkusen lost on penalties to third- Sportfreunde Lotte vs 1860 Munich ers acted in a way we don’t like,” Tebas said of the Patrick Roberts gave Celtic a second minute lead rensen, but Union striker Steven Skrzybski division Sportfreunde Lotte which leaves Sandhausen vs Schalke 04 incident earlier this week. before a late goal rush saw Stuart Armstrong and levelled with nine minutes left. head coach Roger Schmidt under pressure. Hanover 96 vs Eintracht Frankfurt However, those comments have been branded substitutes Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele Goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller was Freiburg were beaten by second-division Bayern Munich vs VfL Wolfsburg “irresponsible and unbecoming of a sports offi cial” round off the scoring. The win — their eighth in Dortmund’s hero with two saves in the Sandhausen and Eintracht Frankfurt beat Greuther Fuerth vs Borussia by Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu. nine league games — extended Celtic’s lead at the shoot-out, while Ousmane Dembele, Mat- Ingolstadt on penalties in an all-Bundesliga Moenchengladbach Moreover, in a statement the club invited Spain’s top of the Scottish Premiership to seven points. thias Ginter and Mario Goetze netted their clash. Astoria Walldorf vs Arminia Bielefeld Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 5 SPORT

MLB NHL Pirri scores twice as Rangers rally to Cubs level World beat Bruins 5-2

By Steve Zipay Instead, as Girardi went off to Newsday the dressing room, Pastrnak was only given a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head. he venerable bromide – Jesper Fast’s hustle created Series 1-1 against it’s not how you start, a 2-2 tie, when he battled in it’s how you fi nish – was the corner, causing the puck to certainly appropri- squirt in front and was inadvert- Tate Wednesday night because ently tapped through a kneeling the Rangers fell behind by two McIntrye by David Krejci at 16:35. goals then roared back with fi ve Kevin Hayes was awarded to goal. straight to beat the Bruins 5-2, at The go-ahead score came on Madison Square Garden for their another power play when Matt Cleveland Indians third straight win. Beleskey crunched Girardi, who Brandon Pirri scored twice as had returned to the ice, and was the Rangers scored the quintet of whistled for interference. From ‘For us to win, we generally need to play a clean game and we didn’t do that’ goals, starting near the midway the left corner, JT Miller found point of the second period with Brandon Pirri in the opposite a chip shot by Rick Nash, and circle and he rifl ed a shot into the ending early in the third. Jimmy high corner at 19:24. Vesey, playing for the fi rst time The Rangers were down ear- against his hometown team, ly for the fourth time in seven fi nished a two-on-one rush off games. Off the opening faceoff , a backhanded pass through the Nick Holden turned the puck crease by Nash, and buried the over and David Pastrnak came fi fth at 3:06. off the left wall, skated un- The victim of the fl urry was touched into the crease and slid Zane McIntyre, 24, the goaltender the puck under Henrik Lun- who made his fi rst NHL start and dqvist at the 10-second mark. was the fourth diff erent net- Three other opponents struck minder in the last four games for within the fi rst 1:33. The Blues’ the Bruins, who lost both Tuukka Vladimir Tarasenko, the Capi- Rask and Anton Khudobin to in- tals’ Lars Eller, and the Coyotes’ jury. Malcolm Subban lost 5-0 to Radim Vrbata. the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Before the game several play- so McIntyre was on deck. ers talked about the need to test With the win, the Rangers McIntyre early with shots and rose to the top of the Metropoli- screens. The Rangers did nei- tan Division with 10 points; the ther after the goal. The fi rst shot Penguins have nine. came with 13:11 left, a long softie After sleepwalking and fum- that was gloved easily by McIn- bling pucks for the fi rst 20 min- tyre. utes and dropping into a 2-0 After Ryan Spooner was called hole, the Rangers rebounded in for interference at 7:40, the the second, scoring three times. Rangers did force McIntyre to On their third power play, make four stops. The best op- when Austin Czarnik was whis- portunity came when Miller cut tled for interference, Rick Nash across slot, around Adam Mc- chipped the puck over a fallen Quaid, but McIntyre caught his McIntyre at the right post at 9:16 backhander. He later stopped for his third goal of the season Miller darting in with his right and the Blueshirts had some life. pad. And they were angered by a David Pastrnak cross-check to Results the head on Dan Girardi, who Montreal 3 NY Islanders 2 was reaching up for a high puck, NY Rangers 5 Boston 2 and could have been assessed a Edmonton 4 Washington 1 major penalty with 9:05 to go. Anaheim 6 Nashville 1

Chicago Cubs players celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game two of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

Reuters pitch with over-eff ort, trying In contrast to the overpow- most outstanding off ensive singled home Zobrist. The Cubs Cleveland to take my foot off the gas a lit- ering pitching from the Cubs, player, stroked a one-out single tacked on another run when tle bit and throw some quality Cleveland used six relievers and dashed around the bases to Bryan Shaw walked Addison breaking stuff ,” said Arrieta. after removing starter Trevor score when Anthony Rizzo fol- Russell with the bases loaded to hicago’s Jake Arrieta was “I was able to spin the ball in Bauer in the fourth. lowed with a double to right. make it 5-0. almost unhittable and the the zone, and in and out of the The seven Indians pitchers Chicago extended their lead Arrieta, who threw the only middle of the Cubs lineup zone well and keep them off issued a combined nine hits and to 2-0 after two outs in the no-hitter in the majors this sea- delivered at the plate in a balance with the sinker pretty eight walks with the normally third. Rizzo fell behind 0-2 but son, gave up Cleveland’s lone 5-1C Game Two win over the Cleve- much all night.” reliable second baseman Kipnis worked a walk and Zobrist, who run in the sixth, when his wild land Indians on Wednesday which Arrieta and relievers Mike making two errors. had three hits in Game One, sin- pitch scored Kipnis from third. levelled the best-of-seven World Montgomery and Aroldis Chap- “There was traffi c all night,” gled up the middle. After Mike Napoli singled Series. man combined on a four-hitter Indians manager Terry Fran- Facing a 3-0 pitch from Bau- for the second hit off him, the Dazzling Cy Young winner on a chilly night on the shores cona said of all the baserunners er, slugger Kyle Schwarber was right-hander was lifted. Arrieta used his repertoire of of Lake Erie to ensure the Cubs for the Cubs. “For us to win, we given the green light and drilled Montgomery went two score- fastballs, cutters, sinkers and headed back to Chicago for the generally need to play a clean a single to center to score Rizzo less innings and fi reballing sliders to baffl e the Indians as next three games with the series game and we didn’t do that.” and double Chicago’s advan- Chapman got the last four outs he threw 5-1/3 innings of no-hit all square. tage. The Cubs sent nine batters to secure Chicago’s fi rst World ball before Jason Kipnis doubled Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist FIRST RUN to the plate in a three-run fi fth Series win since 1945. with one out in the sixth. and Kyle Schwarber, the num- After being shut out in the that broke the game open, with With the Fall Classic shift- While Cubs manager Joe bers three through fi ve hitters opener, the Cubs scored their the middle of the lineup coming ing to Wrigley Field, the Cubs Maddon hailed his “great stuff ”, in Chicago’s lineup, combined fi rst run of the World Series in through again. on Friday will host their fi rst Arrieta said he had focused on for fi ve hits, four runs scored the fi rst inning. Rizzo walked and scored World Series game in 71 years throwing with less eff ort. and four runs batted in after the Kris Bryant, who before the when Zobrist tripled into the with Kyle Hendricks taking the New York Rangers right wing Brandon Pirri celebrates with team- “I wanted to come out and hard-hitting Cubs were blanked game received the National right-fi eld corner off Zach mound against Cleveland’s Josh mates after scoring a goal during the second period against the Bos- pitch my game. I tried not to 6-0 in Game One in Cleveland. League Hank Aaron Award as McAllister before Schwarber Tomlin. ton Bruins at Madison Square Garden. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NBA Lakers shoot down Rockets to launch new era

AFP culture ... learning how to win on their fi rst season since 1995 fensively and ignited everyone Los Angeles games is a skill at this level. We without superstar Bryant – there out there.” did some things that could have was plenty of glamour at Sta- Six Heat players scored in cost us the win at the end of the ples Center, where Hollywood double fi gures and six players he new-look Los An- game tonight, so obviously we stars Jack Nicholson and Den- notched at least six rebounds. geles Lakers, with Kobe can learn from that – and that zel Washington were among the “It’s just game one, so it’s early, Bryant retired and coach fact that we still got that win crowd, as was NBA commis- but you’re starting to see the Luke Walton at the feels really good.” sioner Adam Silver. “We’re just foundation we want to build,” Thelm, opened their NBA season Walton admitted to “nerves going to go out there and fi ght Spoelstra said. “Guys really have with a 120-114 victory over the and excitement” before the con- every night and play the right to buy into the concept for this to Houston Rockets on Wednesday. test, but was buoyed by the pres- way,” Randle said of the Lakers’ work. You enjoy when it’s being Jordan Clarkson came off the ence of his father, former NBA expectations. “That’s all we can played the correct way out there.” bench to score 12 of his 25 points star Bill Walton. promise - to get better every day The Oklahoma City Thunder, in the fourth quarter. D’Angelo “The Walton force will and play the right way.” also adjusting to the departure of Russell scored 20 points and be strong tonight,” said the a star after Kevin Durant signed Julius Randle added 18 points, 36-year-old coach, who has Heat down Magic as a free agent with the Golden seven rebounds and six assists been tasked with turning around The Miami Heat, forging State Warriors, leaned on Russell for the Lakers, who overcame a Lakers team that plunged to a ahead after the free agent depar- Westbrook in a 103-97 victory James Harden’s 34 points and 21-61 record in 2014-15, only to ture of Dwayne Wade, opened over the Philadelphia 76ers. career-high 17 assists for Hou- follow up with a franchise worst the season with a 108-96 victory ston – who lost in former Lakers 17-65 campaign last season. Two over the Magic in Orlando. The Results coach Mike D’Antoni’s fi rst game free throws from Clarkson lifted Heat made up for what they lack Indiana 130 Dallas 121 (OT) in charge of the Rockets. the Lakers to a 108-104 lead with in star power with energy, a well- Miami 108 Orlando96 “It feels good,” said Walton, a 6:41 to play. But Harden con- balanced attack and determined Boston 122 Brooklyn 117 former Laker who cut his coach- verted a pair of foul shots with Jordan Clarkson (left) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on James Harden of the Houston Rockets during a defense. Hassan Whiteside Toronto 109 Detroit 91 ing teeth as an assistant to Steve 3:53 left to knot the score at 110. 120-114 season opening Laker win in Los Angeles. (Getty Images/AFP) scored 18 points, pulled down 14 Charlotte 107 Milwaukee 96 Kerr at Golden State. Two Russell free throws rebounds and blocked four shots. Memphis 102 Minnesota 98 “It feels really good. The guys boosted the Lakers to a 113-112 many as 10 points, grabbed a for the Lakers before the break. his young team, “real proud that “We need Hassan to be great, Denver 107 New Orleans102 really fought tonight. A big part lead with 2:47 remaining and the 71-63 edge at the half. They con- “I was real proud of the way they stuck with it.” and he was when we needed Oklahoma 103 Philadelphia 97 of what we’re trying to do here hosts wouldn’t trail from there. nected on 64.4 percent of their they accepted the challenge in While the Lakers are in re- him,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra Sacramento 113 Phoenix 94 is develop this identity, this The Rockets, who led by as shots compared to 53.2 percent the second half,” Walton said of building mode – embarking said. “He really anchored us de- LA Lakers 120 Houston 114 Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 28, 2016 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Boom! McIlroy’s new driver blows Eagle Eye Fowler on Bubba away

AFP target as Karlberg Shanghai uper-long hitter Rory McIlroy put a new driver in his bag yester- Sday, and the bad news for everyone else is that he can blast it even further off the tee. A cold putter kept the North- leads in Shanghai ern Irishman from threatening the top of the first-round lea- Karlberg, a former Asian Tour rookie of the year, showed no nerves in his first WGC derboard at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. But event as he galloped away from a field containing 40 of the world’s top 50 players the FedEx Cup champion was hugely impressive off the tee. Playing partner Bubba AFP Watson, one of the game’s long- Shanghai Rikard Karlberg of Sweden reacts after a shot at the World est hitters, could only watch as Golf Championships-HSBC Champions golf tournament in McIlroy used his new driver to Shanghai yesterday. boom the ball past him time he publicity posters plastered and again en route to an open- all over Shanghai for the WGC- ing one-under 71, seven shots and maybe a little bit behind HSBC Champions portray Rickie behind leader Rikard Karlberg. (Watson) before, and I was hit- Fowler as a superhero “Eagle McIlroy’s equipment sup- ting it by both of them so it can TEye”, and the US Ryder Cup star lived up plier Nike’s decision earlier only be a positive,” said McIlroy. to his billing yesterday. this year to stop making clubs “Especially when conditions Sporting a new mohawk haircut un- means he is now free to choose are like this and it’s so soft, it der his trademark broad-peaked cap, the the weapons that suit his game (still) goes a long way in the 27-year-old US Ryder Cup star proved a best. For the first time this week air. Hopefully that can be to my cut above all but one player as he fi red a that includes the Taylor Made benefit over the next few days.” blemish-free seven-under-par 65 to lie M2 driver, also utilised by the On the eve of the tournament one shot off the lead at Sheshan Interna- world’s two top-ranked players McIlroy remarked that the Nike tional Golf Club. Jason Day and Dustin Johnson, decision to end their equipment Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg leads on no slouches off the tee them- manufacturing had left him in eight-under after a damp fi rst round of selves. two minds. the $9.5 mn event dubbed “Asia’s Major”, “I felt like I drove the ball re- “I felt bad for a lot of the em- where Rory McIlroy’s putter proved as ally well,” world number three ployees that put so much time cool as the conditions. McIlroy said after his round on and effort into building really The FedEx Cup champion and world a cool, damp day at Sheshan In- good golf clubs. But in another number three carded a steady one-under ternational Golf Club not con- way, it’s given me a little bit of 71 with just two birdies and a solitary bo- ducive to big hitting. freedom to see what else is out gey. “Look, I’ve been driving the there. “I feel I hit the ball well,” said McIlroy, ball well anyway, but yeah, it “Now I can be in the position who was solid from tee to green but just was nice to see the ball flying where I can use whatever in my could not hole a putt of any length. where it was going.” golf bag that fits me 100% the “Greens are soft and obviously there’s McIlroy tweeted a picture last best. a lot of footprints. I feel I did everything week from practice in Dubai “So that could be a certain okay. I just didn’t really get any momen- that showed he was regularly driver, a different brand of tum going,” he added. carrying his drives over 330 three-wood, a different brand- McIlroy wasn’t alone among the fa- yards with the new club. ed set of irons, different wedges vourites to struggle. World number two “I would say I would have and a different putter. and US Open champion Dustin Johnson been level (with playing part- “That’s a process that I’m toiled to a two-over 74, as did Masters ner Adam Scott) without it still working through.” champion Danny Willett. US PGA Cham- pion Jimmy Walker had a day to forget with a six-over 78. TENNIS There were no such woes for the well- travelled Fowler, whose last tournament win came in Abu Dhabi in January and who has also recorded victories in South Cibulkova grinds Korea and Scotland. that ripped round Sheshan with a com- “When you’re playing with Rickie number 87 to nine under par but his tee Having started on the 10th, the col- bined score of 18-under par. Fowler, nobody cares if I’m defending shot at the short 17th disappeared down ourful American was three-under when “Both of those guys have been play- champion. So that always takes a little a steep bank needing a great chip from down Halep to stay he left himself short of the green at the ing well,” said Fowler. “We enjoyed each pressure off ,” said Knox with a wry smile. thick rough to save par. treacherous par-three 17th. other’s presence, fed off each other a bit. I He shares third place with American But when a second errant tee shot in a But he made the chip look ridiculously don’t think there’s a threesome that beat Daniel Berger and Japan’s Hideki Mat- row found a fairway bunker on the par- alive in Singapore easy for his birdie and almost holed an- us today.” suyama. fi ve 18th it led to his only bogey of the day. other chip at 18 leading to a tap-in birdie. Knox pulled off a massive Shanghai Meanwhile Karlberg, a former Asian “I just had a couple of uncommitted Eagle Eye indeed. surprise a year ago by recording his maid- Tour rookie of the year, showed no nerves shots at the end,” said Karlberg. “On 18 “Yeah, I was trying to have a superhero en PGA Tour win. The Scot carried on in his fi rst WGC event appearance as he my drive didn’t fade and I ended up in the performance today,” Fowler told AFP. where he left off with the highlight being galloped away from a fi eld containing 40 bunker. Apart from that everything was Fowler was playing with Russell Knox four birdies in a row from the 14th to the of the world’s top 50 players. easy, a walk in the park, just one of those (66) and Paul Casey (65) in a three-ball 17th having started his round on the 10th. A birdie at the 16th took the world days.”

LPGA Ko’s woes continue despite ditching caddie

AFP The New Zealander double-bogeyed the par-four winner Amy Yang was two shots clear after shooting Kuala Lumpur second hole and never fully recovered, carding another eight birdies for an eight-under-par 63. bogey against three birdies. America’s Marina Alex was second with 65 ahead of a “I made a really clumsy double on the second. I hit a host of players a shot further back, including 2014 win- Simona Halep of Romania (L) congratulates Dominika Cibulkova of orld number one Lydia Ko struggled to tied great drive and then I just leaked a shot in the water,” said ner Feng Shanshan and former Major winner Michelle Slovakia after their match in Singapore yesterday. 30th on the fi rst day of the Sime Darby Ko. Wie. “I don’t know why, but I do enjoy Southeast Asia. LPGA yesterday as her blip in form contin- “The rest of the day I was just trying to fi ght back and I’d rather play in this (hot) weather than cold weather,” Reuters heavily taped, was struggling to ued despite axing her caddie. put myself in position under par,” she added. said Yang. The last four holes, I hit it really solid, close to Singapore get a foothold in the contest but WThe 19-year-old, using a Malaysian bagman after Ko’s brilliant early career has faltered in recent months the pin. Like all day, my putting was good.” after halting Cibulkova’s winning ditching Australian Jason Hamilton earlier this month, and she fi nished 51st in her last tournament, the Korea Both of Yang’s titles have come in Asia, at the LPGA streak at 13 points, the Roma- shot even-par 71 in Kuala Lumpur to lie eight shots off LPGA Championship in Incheon. KEB-Hana Bank Championship in her homeland in 2013 ominika Cibulkova kept nian eked out a hold to fi nally get the lead. At the top of the leaderboard, two-time LPGA Tour and the Honda LPGA Thailand in 2015. her hopes of reaching on the scoreboard in the fourth the last four of the WTA game. Finals alive with a gritty The Slovak continued to look D6-3 7-6(5) Red Group victory over focused and determined to move RUGBY Simona Halep at the Singapore 5-2 ahead and although the Ro- Indoor Stadium yesterday. manian enjoyed her easiest hold After losing her opening round of the match in the eighth game, South Africa boss hopeful on 2023 World Cup bid robin matches to Angelique Ker- Cibulkova sealed the opening set ber and Madison Keys, the Slovak with a big serve down the middle needed a straight-sets win to have that Halep sent long. AFP Rugby League: England to host 2021 World Cup hosts Japan in staging the quad- Habana. Alexander stressed any chance of advancing and she The world number eight started Johannesburg rennial 20-nation tournament that racial transformation was managed to keep her side of the the second set as she had the fi rst, won by New Zealand in England not a “tick-box” exercise, but bargain in a display full of deter- utilising her devastating forehand AFP, London: England have highlight of the international last year. a business imperative for rugby mination. to break in the opening game as ew South African won the right to stage the 2021 sporting calendar in England Although 90 % of South Af- to remain a relevant sport in an Her victory ensured the un- she pushed for the straight sets Rugby (SAR) presi- World Cup, the Rugby League that year and RLIF looks for- ricans are black, most of the na- evolving nation. beaten Kerber qualifi ed for the triumph she needed to stay in the dent Mark Alexander International Federation an- ward to a great tournament.” tional rugby team players have “Transformation is linked to semi-fi nals without hitting a ball tournament. said yesterday he was nounced yesterday. The 2017 edition is being held been white in the post-apart- our long-term survival, pros- and Cibulkova will be hoping the Halep knew she needed to stem confiN dent racial transformation heid era. Sports minister Fikile perity and sustainable competi- German can return the favour in the fl ow quickly to avoid being England, who hosted the event by defending world champions targets will be met this year, ena- in 2013 when they reached the Australia, who claimed the Mbalula has struck an agree- tiveness.” the late match by beating Keys blown away and the Romanian bling a stalled 2023 World Cup semi-finals, were chosen ahead crown in a 34-2 rout of New ment with SAR that half the Former deputy president Al- in straight sets to take the Slovak dug deep to forge her fi rst two bid to be reignited. of rival bidders the United Zealand in the 2013 final at Man- 2019 South Africa World Cup exander was elected unopposed through with her. break points of the match and The bid has drifted into limbo States and Canada. chester’s Old Traff ord stadium. team in Japan must be black. in Johannesburg to succeed The American, however, needs seized the second of them to level because government support — RLIF chief executive David The 2021 World Cup will be Allister Coetzee, who suc- Oregan Hoskins, who quit in to take just one set off world up the second set at 1-1. essential for it to be successful Collier said: “England staged an the largest since 2000, with ceeded Heyneke Meyer as August without publicly giving number one Kerber to advance Cibulkova was still on the front — has been denied this year due outstanding World Cup in 2013 16 teams competing and 31 Springboks coach last April, has reasons. while Halep, the losing fi nalist at foot and calling the shots but af- to the slow integration of blacks and have clearly outlined their matches. chosen fi ve black starters in all The new boss spelt out the the elite eight-woman event in ter breaking her opponent twice into a white-dominated sport. vision for the 2021 World Cup The Rugby Football League but one of nine Tests this year. economic benefi ts to South Af- 2014, was eliminated following in a row towards the end of the “We have made good racial as a world-class event eclipsing received £15mn ($18mn) from Injuries and loss of form re- rica of staging the World Cup for the loss to Cibulkova. Cibulkova set, Halep came storming back transformation progress this the attendances, reach and central government to support duced the fi gure to four for the the second time after winning came out all guns blazing, look- and tensions mounted as the set year although we know more legacy of 2013. its bid and plans to stage 80% 57-15 thrashing from New Zea- the competition as 1995 hosts. ing far more composed and urgent moved inevitably to a tiebreak. work needs to be done,” stressed “The bid details that the Rugby of games in Lancashire and land in Durban during October, “We forecast that it would than her opponent, harrying Ha- Still playing the aggressor, Alexander. League World Cup will be the Yorkshire. one of fi ve defeats this season. create 38,600 temporary or per- lep on every point and breaking to the Slovak edged ahead after the “I am confi dent of a favoura- Ten of 33 Springboks chosen manent jobs and have a direct love at the fi rst opportunity as she change of ends before she pol- ble report from the government, for November Tests in England, and indirect economic impact raced to a 3-0 lead in less than 10 ished off a brilliant victory when enabling us to continue our bid tremendous impact on all South South Africa, Ireland and Italy and Wales are black, in- of 27.3bn rand ($1.97bn, 1.8bn minutes. Halep sent a backhand wide on for an event that could have a Africans.” France want to succeed 2019 cluding veteran winger Bryan euros). Halep, whose left knee was the fi rst match point. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 7 CRICKET

ENGLAND VS BANGLADESH, SECOND TEST FOCUS Bangladesh ‘still hurting’ from England call up England heartbreak

AFP fi ve days, so that if they create an Dhaka opportunity we can grab that,” said the skipper who doubles up as the team’s wicketkeeper. aptain Mushfi qur Rahim “Hopefully we won’t let that Ansari, rest Broad urged Bangladesh to put opportunity go this time. Our aside their hurt over just fi rst target will be to create that failing to clinch a fi rst situation. ‘We don’t want to go to India with too many people not playing any cricket’ Cever Test victory over England “Our performance and the and learn to cope in high-pres- fi ght we put up in the fi rst Test sure situations when their battle wasn’t unexpected. We will also AFP resumes today. try to cope with the pressure of Dhaka Bangladesh were widely expectation.” praised for their gritty perform- Bangladesh had England on ance in the fi rst Test in Chit- the ropes on several occasions pinner Zafar Ansari will tagong, which they eventually during the fi rst Test, particularly make his England de- lost on Monday by just 22 runs in when they reduced the tour- but in the second Test what was by far the closest Test ists to 52 for fi ve in their second against Bangladesh today between the two sides in nine innings before Ben Stokes and whileS veteran paceman Stuart contests. Jonny Bairstow turned the match Broad will have to wait to win his After running England so with a partnership of 127 for the 100th cap, according to skipper close, the eventual outcome sixth wicket. Alastair Cook. could have had a devastating The hosts played some im- After winning the fi rst Test eff ect on the players but Rahim pressive cricket during the by just 22 runs, England know said the team was in good spirits match, with the teenage debu- they can’t aff ord to take Bangla- after putting up such a close fi ght tant Mehedi Hasan taking six for desh lightly but also need to keep but now needed to learn how to 80 in England’s fi rst innings on a players such as Broad fresh for a seal the deal when match-win- pitch that favoured Bangladesh’s fi ve-Test tour of India immedi- ning opportunities open up. spin heavy bowling line-up. ately afterwards. “We are still hurting from the Bangladesh’s line-up will The 30-year-old was in line to loss in Chittagong so it is best see at least one change, with have made his 100th Test appear- to move on from that game,” 27-year-old Subashis Roy likely ance in Dhaka but will now have said Rahim. “We know that had to be brought in after paceman to wait until he gets to India to we given one percent more, the Shafi ul Islam was rested. achieve the landmark, with Ste- Test would have been in our fa- Bangladesh have also called up ven Finn called up in his place. vour. We would like to take the batsman Mosaddek Hossain as With Jimmy Anderson cur- positive(s) from that game, and back-up to Sabbir Rahman, who rently sidelined, Broad is Eng- use them in Dhaka,” he added on was suff ering from a stomach land’s senior bowler but he had the eve of the second Test. problem after his valiant innings little joy from what was a spin- “Our main challenge will be of 64 in the second innings of the friendly pitch in the fi rst Test in playing well consistently four to fi rst Test. Chittagong and took just two wickets. “I’m sure he’d have liked to have got that milestone but this is a case of looking a bit further to the future and he un- derstands the amount of cricket he could play over the next six weeks,” Cook said of Broad. “We want other people up and running. We don’t want to go to India with too many people not playing any cricket.” The 24-year-old Ansari has Bangladesh’s captain Mushfiqur Rahim arrives for a training session been handed his chance to im- at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. (AFP) press in place of Gareth Batty who has been left out after being recalled for the Chittagong Test ANNOUNCEMENT for the fi rst time in more than a decade. Cook said it was a tough call to omit the 39-year-old in England’s captain Alastair Cook during press conference at The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. (AFP) place of Ansari, a slow left armer Afridi, Ajmal miss out who is also a decent batsman, but that it was too risky to go Bairstow happy to silence critics with record run tally into the match with four spin- on Pakistan contracts ners and only two seamers. England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow is hoping his rich “I thought Gareth got bet- vein of form continues for as long as possible and that his AFP Ali and Twenty20 captain Sarfraz ter and better as he settled into record-breaking performances with the bat will help silence Karachi Ahmed placed among eight play- it,” said Cook. “In an ideal world his critics. ers in category A. he’d probably like another game The 27-year-old set a record for the most test runs amassed Maverick batsman Umar Ak- but we liked the three spinners- by a wicketkeeper in a calendar year during England’s akistan left out discard- mal was demoted from C to D three seamers option and when thrilling 22-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test earlier ed Shahid Afridi and category while leg spinner Yasir the ball started to reverse we saw this week. The success came after a tough few years for the Saeed Ajmal from its list Shah is promoted to A from B how dangerous our seamers were. flame-haired Yorkshireman, who was dropped for the 2013- of central contracts an- after helping Pakistan to a series “So we want that option and nouncedP yesterday. draw in England with 19 wickets 14 Ashes tour and has come under criticism for his keeping did want to give Zafar a go.” behind the wickets. The 36-year-old Afridi has not in August this year. Cook said the selectors had “You go back maybe two years and there are people writ- been selected since Pakistan’s also considered replacing the ing you off to never play Test cricket again,” Bairstow told early exit from the World Twen- Category A allrounder Chris Woakes with Sky Sports after surpassing the 1,045 run-haul accumulated ty20 in India in April this year. Azhar Ali, Mohamad Hafeez, Jake Ball, but in the end decided by Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower in 2000. The all-rounder stepped down Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, that Woakes needed more play- “To then come back and prove a few people wrong with from captaincy but expressed a Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, ing time in the build-up to the the way that I’ve been playing... there were a few mumbles wish to continue as a player. Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz India series. “In an ideal way we floating around that I wasn’t good enough.” Afridi was in category A, the Category B would have liked Jake to have a Despite having Michael Vaughan’s 14-year-old England highest rung in last year’s con- Rahat Ali, Asad Shafiq, Moham- game as well,” said Cook. record for the most test runs in a calendar year (1,481) with- tract. Off spinner Ajmal was in ed Amir “But we feel as if Chris Woakes in his sights, Bairstow is not taking anything for granted. category B last year but lost his Category C hasn’t played a huge amount “There’s still a lot of cricket to play this year and hopefully I place after his remodelled ac- Haris Sohail, Mohamad Rizwan, of cricket on the subcontinent, can carry on in the same vein with the bat and the gloves,” tion saw him left out of the team Imran Khan Sr., Shan Masood, didn’t have a huge workload in he said. since May last year. Mohamad Irfan, Sami Aslam, Ba- the last game and we feel as if it’ll “Having missed out for 18 months after the Ashes and Ajmal’s bowling action was re- bar Azam, Imad Wasim, Hassan be benefi cial for him to experi- going away and working on my game and playing for ported for chucking in July 2014 Ali, Khalid Latif, Sharjeel Khan, ence in these conditions.” Yorkshire and earning your place back, you want to play as and cleared last year but his new Mohamad Nawaz, Sohail Khan, Woakes bowled just 14 overs many games as you can for England in every single format action left him less eff ective. Sohail Tanvir in Chittagong but made useful going.” Pakistan Cricket Board said 30 Category D contributions with the bat, scor- England face Bangladesh in the second Test in Dhaka players are included in four cate- Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Moha- ing 36 and an unbeaten 19 in his starting today. gories with Test skipper Misbah- mad Asghar, Ahmed Shahzad, two innings. ul-Haq, one-day captain Azhar Umar Akmal.

COMMENT Defi ant Sammy laments West Indies ‘mess’

AFP port, with a pay dispute having surprising,” said Sammy, also Sammy said the decision by Lucia Zouks and I am looking London previously threatened the team’s the West Indies’ captain when the St Lucia prime minister had to exciting times ahead,” said participation in India. they won the 2012 World Twen- been “mind-blowing”. Sammy, who this year captained “Put me on that podium again ty20. “It’s been a trend of how “My son whispered to me af- the Zouks to their best CPL fi n- ormer captain Darren and I will do it even better,” said my former employers operate. terwards, ‘Dad, you know now ish as they reached the play-off s, Sammy said yesterday Sammy yesterday. “It was sad. They will say it you can’t lose in your own sta- while the tournament broke new the West Indies were in “I believe a man has to speak did not have an eff ect on the dium?’, so the pressure is always ground by staging six matches in Fa ‘mess’ but insisted he his heart. It was just an exten- team but, from the pictures be- on!,” he explained with a grin. Lauderhill, Florida. had no regrets over a passionate sion of what my team went ing posted on social media, I “It’s something that will al- “I met Mr Pandya for the fi rst speech that eff ectively ended his through fl owing from me.” could tell my team was not in a ways seem unreal for me. It shows time and I could just feel the international career, adding he Sammy was speaking just two happy mood.” the level of support and appreci- positive energy he brings.” would ‘do it even better’ if given days after the West Indies suf- cricket after that. To remove the “We have two young cap- ation St Lucia has for me in what Pandya, explaining his deci- another chance. fered a crushing 133-run second ‘Mind-blowing’ winning World Cup coach (as tains in Jason Holder and Carlos I have done to put the country on sion to invest in the Zouks, the The 32-year-old St Lucia all- Test defeat by Pakistan in the Sammy, the fi rst cricketer well), it’s just a mess. Brathwaite. They must be under the map and I am forever thankful last of the six CPL team to go into rounder has not played for the United Arab Emirates. from the island of St Lucia to “I am not about fi ghting it some serious pressure. I have to St Lucia for that.” private hands, said: “We felt it West Indies since captaining That left them 2-0 down in represent the West Indies, in- anymore. I’m just focused on been through it and it’s not an Sammy was speaking after a was a great addition to our sports the team to a dramatic last-over the three-match series and was sisted he was “at peace” with his wherever my services are need- easy job.” London news conference where portfolio.” victory against England in the their 19th loss in 29 Tests. own situation. ed. Right now that’s franchise Following the West Indies’ it was announced that India- Praising the CPL’s “fantastic World Twenty20 fi nal in Kolkata On the eve of the tour, the “Everything in life happens cricket...I’m not retired, I am latest World Twenty20 triumph, born businessman Jay Pandya growth”, with a television audi- in April. WICB – led by controversial for a reason,” he said. still available for (West Indies) St Lucia’s main cricket stadium of the Philadelphia-based Royal ence now estimated at 120mn, he Afterwards, an emotional president Whycliff e ‘Dave’ Cam- “I am still on a high. I refuse to selection.” was re-named in Sammy’s hon- Sports Club, had become the added: “It has energised crowds Sammy used the presentation eron – sacked winning World let people dictate my mood...It He added: “I just hope and our, making him one of the few new owner of the St Lucia Zouks to come and watch matches live ceremony to say how his side felt Twenty20 coach Phil Simmons, is disappointing to win a World pray that our youngsters are not active cricketers ever to have Hero Caribbean Premier League at stadiums across the Carib- “disrespected” by the West In- a former West Indies batsman. Cup (World Twenty20) and burdened by the decisions taken played in a ground with his name franchise. bean and the United States with dies Cricket Board’s lack of sup- “It’s disappointing but not you’ve not played international at the top. on it. “Today was a great day for St the party-like atmosphere.”

Friday, October 28, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

MOTOGP ATHLETICS Coe looks for Rossi aims to put support for his reform proposal away teammate at AAA meeting Lorenzo at Sepang Action returns to steamy Sepang where Rossi was accused of sending Marquez out of the race with a kick, earning the Italian a back-of-the-grid start in Valencia

Qatar Olympic Committee vice-president Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Thani declared the meeting open yesterday.

By Sports Reporter Doha

nternational Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Sebastian Coe asked for support from Ithe Asian Athletics Association (AAA) for his reform proposal in Doha yesterday. The 85th edition of the AAA Council meeting, which was of- fi cially declared open by Qatar Olympic Committee vice-presi- IAAF president Sebastian Coe dent Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Tha- ni, was chaired by AAA and Qatar ple. I see now the buildings that Athletics Federation president were the only ones standing at Dahlan al-Hamad. the time, surrounded by recent “Athletics is a very nice and construction: this is a constant popular sport that can fl ourish reminder of the extraordinary even more in the future,” Sheikh change that took place here at all Saud said in his welcome mes- levels in a few years’ time and has sage. shaped modern Qatar. It is the fourth time in less “Here, in our Asian family, we than a month that Coe attended mourn for two losses, in Doha an area session in an attempt to (former Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin gather support for his proposal Hamad al-Thani) and in Thai- of reforming IAAF’s governance land (King Bhumibol Adulyadej). structure, which will be brought I would like to express my sym- for consideration at a Special pathy to both countries. Congress to be held in Monaco “Allow me also to thank Dah- on December 3, 2016. lan al-Hamad for waiting to wel- “It has been an extraordinary come me at 5am in the airport. journey that brought me back to This is way beyond the duties the two things I like the most: of the role of the president of an to watch the preparation of the area, beyond what is written in athletes and spend time with the any organisation’s constitution. member federations. I am thankful!” “Your decisions will strength- Al-Hamad expressed condo- en my hand when I will fur- lences on behalf of the Asian Fed- Movistar Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi (left) looks on as Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez addresses a press conference ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang ther attempt to enrich our role erations to the governments and International Circuit yesterday. (AFP) in society, in governance, for the people of Qatar and Thailand the health and the safety of the for the loss of two great leaders AFP to thwart him in Valencia — cost him the Sepang than Rossi, who has six wins here, The track saw the tragic death in 2011 young people,” added Coe. “which we all will remember”. Sepang, Malaysia championship. yet he called it the “toughest race of the of Italian rider Marco Simoncelli in a In his opening statement ad- He also thanked Coe for com- “Of course the relationship (with Ros- season”. crash that also involved Rossi and result- dressing the delegates, Coe re- ing to Doha for the third time in si) has changed a little bit,” Marquez said The Sepang track is one of the tricki- ed in the race’s cancellation. called his fi rst visit in Doha 20 eight months: “I honestly wish alentino Rossi and Yamaha yesterday, referring to the fallout from est, especially when Malaysia’s tropical Last year’s victor in Malaysia, Dani years ago: “I still remember the that under President Coe’s guid- teammate Jorge Lorenzo reprise Sepang. “Now we have a professional re- weather comes into play. Pedrosa, will miss the race after breaking hospitality, the kindness, the ance and leadership the sport their battle for second place in lationship, nothing else.” Track temperatures can top 50 degrees his collarbone in a horrifi c crash in Japan. friendship of the Qatari peo- will get into a new era!” the MotoGP season champi- Asked to respond, Rossi said coolly: “I centigrade (122 Fahrenheit) — putting The fi nal race of the season at Valencia Vonship in Malaysia this weekend, with agree with Marc.” strain on both man and machine — and is set for November 13. memories of last year’s acrimonious race Rossi, 37, blew his hopes of catching the humidity and sudden heavy down- Malaysian police on Wednesday warned still fresh. Marquez this year to secure a 10th world pours can pose control issues. race spectators to behave, hoping to pre- Spain’s Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda title when he fell in Japan. An additional wild card this year is a vent a recurrence of an incident at Sepang clinched his third world title in four years But he rides into the Malaysia Grand Prix track resurfacing designed to hasten rain during last month’s Malaysia F1 race that in Japan a fortnight ago, shifting the fo- with momentum after a strong podium last runoff and improve tyre grip. saw nine Australian fans arrested. cus to nine-time champion Rossi and his weekend at the Australian Grand Prix. “Sepang is always a fantastic track The Australians were detained on sus- teammate and rival Lorenzo. Rossi fought back at Phillip Island from and I like it a lot. The big problem is the picion of public indecency after they They return to Malaysia’s steamy 15th on the grid to take second place be- temperature. It’s a great challenge,” Rossi stripped down to skimpy swimwear em- Sepang circuit where Rossi last year was hind Cal Crutchlow. said. blazoned with Malaysia’s fl ag while cel- accused of sending Marquez sliding out With two races left, that gave him a “It’s the toughest race of the season, ebrating countryman Daniel Ricciardo’s of the race with a kick, earning the Ital- 24-point lead over Lorenzo, who put in a and also the track is new. We have new as- win. ian legend a back-of-the-grid start in the relatively lacklustre sixth-place showing phalt. That is always a big question mark, Displays of public indecency are season decider at Valencia. in Australia. especially for the tyres.” frowned upon in Muslim-majority Ma- Rossi later suggested that the penalty Rossi’s last world title came in 2010, laysia, as are insults to the nation’s fl ag, — and what he called collusion between ‘TOUGHEST RACE’ which was also the most recent year in but they were eventually released with- fellow Spaniards Lorenzo and Marquez No one has been more successful at which he won at Sepang. out charge. AAA and QAF president Dahlan al-Hamad

Riders’ day out at Souq Waqif

Pedercini Racing’s Qatari rider Saeed al-Sulaiti guided his racing counterparts Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team), Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team), Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Michael van der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team) through the incredible Souq Waqif in Doha yesterday. (Right) Camier clicks a picture with a falcon while the rest of the riders look on at the Falcon Centre. The riders enjoyed Arabic coff ee with dried dates, before wearing the traditional Gahfia and Ghitras. (WSBK)