SPORT Wednesday 29 August 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Nadal sends Ferrer Abdulla braces into Slam retirement; for Baja Poland Murray advances challenge Ahmed, Cherif clinch gold for Qatar ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Qatar continued their impressive run at the 18th in by clinching three more medals – one gold and two bronze to take the medals tally haul to double digits. Yesterday, the beach vol- leyball pair of Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse delivered the knock out punch by clinching the gold while Abdullah Abubakr won the bronze medal in the 800m and Qatari riders won the team bronze in showjumping event to take the medals tally to 10 medals. In beach volleyball, World’s 10th ranked Ahmed/Cherif proved their superiority by beating the host pair Ade Candra Rachmawan and Mohammad Ashfiya 2-0 (26-24, 21-17) at the final showdown at Jakabaring Sport City Beach Volleyball Court. Cheered by thousands of local spectators, host pair of Rachmawan/Asfiya came into the match quickly with their fast moving and variegated attacking. However, the Qatari duo showed no inferiority by tailing after the host duo closely before they were left behind 12-15 following a dip by opponent to finish the rally. Qatar called a timeout and it worked as they soon caught up to 19-19 tie, forcing host pair to call a timeout. Nevertheless, the Qatar duo led to reach the set point and after several deuces, they managed to win the close set 26-24. Keeping the momentum to the second set, Qatar established a narrow lead from the beginning. Despite the host duo attempted several times to draw nearer to one point difference at Action during the men’s beach volleyball final of the 2018 Asian Games between Qatar and Indonesia at the JSC Beach Volley Arena in Palembang, Indonesia yesterday. 12-13 and 15-16, Qatar refused Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan beat Ade Candra Rachmawan and Mohammad Ashfiya in the final yesterday. INSET: Podium winners pose for a photograph them to step further. Following a clean block by Cherif, Qatar during the presentation ceremony. took the set 21-17, the match 2-0 and their first Asian Games gold In the bronze medal contest, World’s 10th ranked Ahmed/Cherif proved their claimed the gold while the Jap- medal. host pair of Gilang/Anangsyah superiority by beating the host pair of Ade Candra anese team finished second. MEDAL TABLE (TOP 10) “I am so happy to win the maintained their fantastic groove In Boxing, Tharumalinga Rachmawan and Mohammad Ashfiya 2-0 (26-24, Rank Country G S B Total gold medal. We have be well pre- and knocked the higher-seeded 21-17) at the final showdown Thulasimaaran lost to Jordan’s pared and we believe the gold and taller Chinese duo Gao/Li out Eashash 0-5 in the quarter-finals 1 97 64 45 206 medal belongs to us. ” Cherif said. of the top three in 2-1 (21-15, of Men’s Welter (69kg) while the “We just focused on the play. 19-21, 15-6). 1:46.15 and his teammate Jinson day came when equestrian riders Squash team lost the Men’s Team 2 Japan 43 38 61 142 There is no much affection from In the 800m, Qatar’s Johnson who won the silver with comprising of Sheikh Ali bin Pool B match to India 2-1. 3 32 40 46 118 the local cheering spectators. We Abubakr claimed the bronze a time 1:46.35. Qatar’s Jamal Khaled Al Thani, Basem Hassan, In the men’s volleyball 4 Indonesia 24 19 29 72 experienced more spectators medal with a time of 1:46.38 after Hairana finished in six place with Hamad Al Attiayah and Salmen quarter-finals, Qatar defeated than here before. We just get used Indian runner Manjit Singh who a time of 1:49.05. Al Suwaidi claimed the third Japan 3-2 to book a place in the 5 17 16 16 49 to that.” won the gold with a time of Qatar’s second bronze of the place in the team . Saudi Arabi last four stage. 6 Chinese Taipei 13 14 20 47 7 DPR Korea 12 8 7 27 8 India 9 19 22 50 9 Uzbekistan 9 15 14 38 10 Thailand 9 11 33 53 11 8 9 30 47 12 Bahrain 8 3 5 16 13 Hong Kong 4 12 16 32 14 4 8 8 20 15 Qatar 4 3 3 10 16 UAE 3 6 3 12 17 3 4 10 17 18 Mongolia 3 2 5 10 19 Philippines 3 0 12 15 20 Vietnam 2 11 13 26 21 Kyrgyzstan 2 6 9 17 22 Jordan 2 1 8 11 23 Kuwait 2 1 0 3 FROM LEFT: Qatari equestrian riders Salmen Al Suwaidi, Sheikh Ali bin Khaled Al Thani, Hamad Al Attiyah and Basem Hassan pose for a photograph after winning the 24 Cambodia 2 0 1 3 bronze medal in the team event during the Asian Games yesterday. RIGHT: (From left) Iran’s Amir Moradi, India’s Manjit Singh, India’s Jinson Johnson, Bahrain’s Abraham Rotich and Qatar’s Abubaker Abdalla compete in the 800m final yesterday. 25 Saudi Arabia 1 2 1 4 WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST 2018 SPORT 17

Qatar’s Osman Wagihalla spikes the ball during the men’s volleyball quarter-final match against Japan in , Indonesia yesterday.

Happy 14th birthday for Yesterday’s China’s gold highlights

REUTERS winning diver AFP JAKARTA: Highlights of day 11 of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang JAKARTA: Two 14-year-old divers yesterday: from China became the youngest gold medallists at the 2018 Asian Games SOUTH KOREA WIN WOMEN’S when they romped to victory in the TEAM TRACK CYCLING GOLD women’s synchronised 10 metre South Korea avenged their defeat at Qatar clinch thriller platform yesterday. in 2014 with a dominant win, Zhang Jiaqi and Zhang Minjie which saw them overlap defending cham- (pictured above) -- fresh from a win pions China en route to victory in the at the Wuhan World Cup event in women’s team pursuit final. to set up Iran semi June -- tumbled into a commanding Japan beat Hong Kong to claim the lead from their exquisite opening dive bronze medal. and never looked threatened, AVC Mubarak Hammad scored a match-high 31 in nine players competing in securing the top spot with 361.38. IRANIAN WEIGHTLIFTER KORDA- points including 25 kills from 50 attempts and a the previous Games in Victory was the icing on the cake SIABI RETIRES JAKARTA: Devastating team-leading 5 blocks as Qatar advanced to the Incheon, where they had to for Zhang Minjie, who was cele- Iranian weightlifter Behdad Salimi Kor- Qatar saved incredible nine semi-finals of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta. be content with bronze brating her 14th birthday on Tuesday. dasiabi has announced his retirement after match points to stun Japan medal, silenced the cheering Behind the terrific teens came winning his third consecutive Asian Games (25-18, 26-28, 25-21, 22-25, home crowds with their North Korean duo Kim Kuk Hyang gold medal in the men’s 105kg category 24-22) in a clash of the Titans Nagano who joined the gold- scored a match-high 31 incredible jumping ability and Kim Mi Rae -- who placed fourth on Monday. to go up against title-holders winning team at the last points including 25 kills from and awesome combinations. in the 2016 in Rio -- The 28-year-old was also a gold med- Iran, as fired-up Korea year’s Asian Senior Men’s 50 attempts and a team- They hustled and dived on 337.86. allist at the 2012 Olympics and cruised to gritty 3-0 victory Championship in Surabaya, leading 5 blocks. Shunsuke around the court, going for Malaysian pair Leong Mun Yee twice winner at the World over hosts Indonesia to chal- Indonesia, counter-attacked Chijiki led Japan with 25 everything. Despite a sturdy and Nur Dhabitah Sabri bagged the Championships. lenge Chinese Taipei in to take the hotly-contested points. challenge from Indonesia, bronze with 310.80. “Behdad Salimi officially said goodbye tomorrow’s semi-finals of second set 28-26. Qatar advanced to the star spiker Moon Sungmin Zhang Jiaqi, ranked five in the to the sport of God’s championship after the 18th Asian Games Qatar, led by Mubarak semi-finals of the 18th Asian and Jung Jiseok unleashed on world, and world number nine Zhang the gold medal of Asian Games,” the Iran volleyball competition at the Hammad and Ndir Sadikh, Games in Jakarta, their several powerful blows to Minjie showed no hint of nerves as Weightlifting Federation said on Instagram. GBK Tennis Indoor Stadium regained their composure to second time in history that help the team storm into the they rolled out a spectacular back “Behdad Salimi took his shoes to say yesterday. bring their brilliant form they could make it to the top semi-finals after 3-0 (25-22, two-and-a-half somersaults and one- goodbye from the Championship and Japan and Qatar engaged back on track to snatch the four teams in the Asia’s 25-18, 25-18) blitz over the and-a-half twists in the fifth and final kissed the weights.” in a fiery duel in yesterday’s third set 25-21. In the fourth biggest sporting event. Their host side. round to clinch the gold. quarter-final. The hi-octane set, Qatar started slowly and first time that they reached Jung Jiseok and Moon Exiting the pool and even wiping GIDEON, SUKAMULJO TRIUMPH IN game thrilled Indonesian were errors-strewn as an the semi-finals was in the Sungmin chipped in with their faces in perfect synchronisation, ALL-INDONESIA DOUBLES FINAL fans at the venue with the energetic Japan won many 2006 Asian Games in Doha, similar 15 points for Korea, there was no smile -- just a conspir- Indonesian duo Marcus pulsating rally-capped off, crucial points at the near end where they finished fourth while Rivan Nurmulki was atorial whisper from Zhang Jiaqi, Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Suka- fighting spirit and team’s of the set. Qatar roared back on home soil. the lone Indonesian who nicknamed “Little Fu Mingzia” after muljo secured a 13-21 21-18 24-22 win resilience. with fine attacks, but still Meanwhile, Iran and scored a double-digit 11 the Chinese diving great, into the ear over compatriots Muhammad Rian Ard- Both sides sent a strong found the well-established Chinese Taipei advanced to points. of her team-mate. ianto and in the men’s doubles team to the 18th Asian Japan an impossible nut to the semi-finals through the With the scintillating win The Chinese also reigned final. Games. As Japan are crack in the fourth set as they fast-track drawing of lots, over the host side, Korea supreme in the men’s synchronised defending consecutive two- went down 22-25. which meant four teams in secured their semi-final three metre springboard, grabbing TAIWAN’S TAI OUTCLASSES time Asian champions and In the tie-breaker, both two matches (Iran took on berth of the quadrennial gold ahead of South Korea in second SINDHU TO GRAB BADMINTON silver medallists at the sides came in full force, but China and Chinese Taipei sports extravaganza, where and Japan in third. GOLD incheon Games, Qatar early Japan gradually pulled their played Saudi Arabia) had a they are due to strut their Cao Yuan, 23, and Xie Siyi, 22, Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying won gold in the this month captured the game together with an aim lucky draw as they needed stuff against Chinese Taipei. were greeted by a roar from the spell- women’s badminton singles final with a maiden AVC Cup for Men of ending the tough rivals’ only one win in their match Today is a rest day for bound crowd as they came up for air 21-13 21-16 victory over India’s world title. resistance. Still, the deter- to make it to the semi-finals. the men’s teams. The men’s from their final dive -- a forward number two Pusarla V. Sindhu. The Qataris, who fin- mined Qataris came up with Iran and Chinese Taipei semi-finals will take place at four-and-a-half somersaults -- to Tai, 24, won bronze four years ago in ished a disappointing sixth a seismically powerful emerged victorious, with the the GBK Tennis Indoor confirm their top-spot finish. Incheon and also won gold at the Asian place in Incheon, Korea four display, saving 9 match former thrashing China in Stadium tomorrow, with It was the fourth Asian Games Championships in 2017 and 2018. years ago, started solidly to points to capture the straight sets and the latter Qatar going up against title- medal for Cao, a keen piano player win the opening set 25-18 see-saw set 24-22 and the demolishing Saudi Arabia holders Iran and Korea chal- and Olympic champion in the indi- SOUTH KOREA BEAT HOLDERS before Japan, which fielded exhausting 144-minute 3-1. lenging Chinese Taipei. Clas- vidual three metre springboard, as INDIA TO ARCHERY GOLD three players including match. In the quarter-finals yes- sifications will also be held well as the synchronised 10 metre South Korea won a shoot-off to beat Takashi Dekita and Takeshi Mubarak Hammad terday, Korea, which brought on the same day. platform. holders India in the men’s archery team compound final, completing a double triumph for the nation following their women’s team success. CHRISTIE STUNS CHOU IN MEN’S Christie sends hosts into raptures BADMINTON FINAL AFP Indonesian dug the “Minions” owing to their more than double Japan’s 43, with deep to oust world number six Chou stature, rounded off the party as South Korea on 32 and Indonesia Tien-chen, of Taiwan, 21-18 20-22 21-15 JAKARTA: Jonatan Christie ended they won an all-Indonesian final on 24. in the men’s badminton final, sparking Indonesia’s long wait for the Asian against Fajar Alfian and Hong Kong’s former Olympic huge celebrations from a partisan crowd Games men’s badminton gold 13-21, bronze medallist Sarah Lee Wai-sze at the venue. medal yesterday as Bahrain won 21-18, 24-22. successfully defended her keirin Christie, who won two gold medals at the first major title in athletics’ new In a celebratory atmosphere title, becoming the first woman to the 2017 , adds to gambit, the 4x400 metres mixed at the badminton stadium, Suka- win four track cycling golds at the the silver he won in the team event earlier relay. muljo and Gideon collapsed to the Asian Games. in the Games. Christie sent the home crowd floor as their opponents’ final shot China’s supreme table tennis into raptures as he upset Taiwan’s went wide to settle a tense final players won their 10th women’s SOUTH KOREA RETAIN TEAM sixth-ranked Chou Tien-chen 21-18, game. and men’s team golds as they ARCHERY GOLD 20-22, 21-15 to become Indone- Once-dominant China failed to kicked off their latest bid for a clean South Korea have retained the gold sia’s first men’s singles champion win a singles badminton medal for sweep of the sport. medal in the women’s team compound since 2006, before ripping off his the first time in 38 years, but oth- Chinese 14-year-olds Zhang archery title after holding off a strong chal- shirt in celebration. erwise it was another productive Jiaqi and Zhang Minjie -- who was lenge from India, winning with a total score The 20-year-old’s surprise win day for the Olympic celebrating her birthday -- became of 231-228. capped a memorable run for Indo- heavyweights. the 2018 Games’ youngest winners, Taiwan won the bronze medal after nesia’s men after Anthony Sinisuka China passed 200 medals early in the women’s synchronised 10m beating Iran. Ginting knocked out world in the day and they finished with platform. champion and four golds in track and field, Cao Yuan and Xie Siyi also won KIM EDGES LEE IN ALL-KOREAN Olympic gold-medallist including Xie Wenjun’s come-from- the men’s synchronised 10m ARCHERY FINAL en route to bronze. behind victory in the 110m hurdles. platform as China extended its Kim Woo-jin, a two-time gold med- “I did not expect that I can win But it was Bahrain who took perfect record of winning both allist at the , earned a a gold at the Asian Games. Actually the honours in the Games’ inau- events five times out of five at the 6-4 victory over compatriot Lee Woo-seok there are a lot of good players here gural mixed relay, a new venture Asian Games. in the men’s recurve individual final. and I never expected that I could which will feature at the Tokyo After complaints over the judging Indonesian Riau Ega Agata Salsabilla come out as a winner,” said 2020 Olympics. India were second, in Monday’s pencak silat, in which clinched his first Asian Games medal, Jonatan Christie of Indonesia hits a shot against Chou Christie. nearly four seconds behind. Indonesian athletes won all six golds, cheered on by the home crowd, as he beat Tien-chen of Taiwan during the men’s badminton singles and As the dust settled on day 10, Uzbekistan cleaned up in kurash, Kazakhstan’s Ilfat Abdullin to win the final of the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. , nicknamed China were on 97 gold medals, another martial art making its debut. bronze. 18 SPORT WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST 2018 PCB announces Nadal sends Ferrer into Slam schedule for Australia and NZ retirement; Murray advances series in UAE

AFP Nadal, chasing his AFP NEW YORK: Defending US 18th Grand Slam title, KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Open champion Rafael Nadal will face Canada’s yesterday announced the itinerary for their sent close friend David Ferrer Vasek Pospisil for a series against Australia and New Zealand to into Grand Slam retirement place in the last 32. be played in the United Arab Emirates over on Monday when his veteran the next three months. compatriot was forced to quit Murray marked Pakistan start the season with next their first round match with his first Grand Slam month’s Asia Cup in the UAE from September injury, but former winners 15. They will then host Australia for two Tests Andy Murray and Stan tournament in 14 and three Twenty20 internationals in the Wawrinka made successful months with win over emirates from October 7 to 28. returns to New York. James Duckworth. This will be Australia’s first Test series Ferrer, a former world since the infamous ball-tampering row number three but now Juan Martin del during the Cape Town match against South standing at a lowly 148, called Potro also reached the Africa in March. it quits on a hot and humid second round with a That scandal ended in a one-year ban night on Arthur Ashe Stadium 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 victory from international cricket for the then- despite leading 4-3 with a over Donald Young. captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David break in the second set after Warner. Opener Cameron Bancroft received twice receiving treatment on a nine-month ban. a left leg injury. Following the Australia series, Pakistan Top seed Nadal had taken Canada’s Vasek Pospisil for a will host New Zealand in the UAE for three the opener 6-3. place in the last 32. Twenty20 internationals, three one-day “This is my last Grand Nadal’s potential semi- internationals and three Tests between Slam,” said Ferrer who was final opponent, Argentine October 31-December 7. runner-up to Nadal in the third seed and 2009 2013 final. champion Juan Martin del “I have great memories of Potro, also reached the ITINERARY this tournament and I am just second round with a 6-0, 6-3, Pakistan vs Australia sorry that I couldn’t finish it 6-4 win over American qual- September 29-October 2: Australia vs Pakistan ‘A’ in Dubai tonight.” ifier Donald Young. Ferrer, 36, will play his For Del Potro, whose October 7-11 Fiestt Test in Dubai last tournament on home career since his maiden October 16-20 Second Test in Abu Dhabi ground in Madrid next year. Grand Slam triumph nine October 24 Ist Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi “I am very sorry for David years ago has been decimated October 26 Second Twenty20 international in Dubai and sad for him,” said Nadal. by wrist problems, it was his Rafael Nadal of Spain competes October 28 Third Twenty20 international in Dubai “We are close friends and 30th career win at the against David Ferrer of Spain Pakistan vs New Zealand have shared great moments tournament. during the US Open 2018 at October 31 Ist Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi -- the Roland Garros final and He next faces Denis Kudla Flushing Meadows in New November 2 Second Twenty20 international in Dubai Davis Cup wins. of the United States who won York on Monday. INSET: November 4 Third Twenty20 international in Dubai “He is one of the greatest his first match in five years at Britain’s Andy Murray reacts November 7 Ist One-day international in Abu Dhabi players to have come from the tournament when he after winning against James November 9 Second One-day international in Dubai our country. He’s a great downed Matteo Berrettini of Duckworth. November 11 Third One-day international in Dubai person and great player.” Italy 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. November 16-20 First Test in Abu Dhabi Nadal, chasing his 18th Former world number

November 24-28 Second Test in Dubai

Grand Slam title, will face one Murray marked his first December 3-7 Third Test in Abu Dhabi

Grand Slam tournament in 14 case because of two knee sur- Kevin Anderson, the 2017 US months with a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, geries. But he showed no sign Open runner-up to Nadal, 7-5, 6-3 win over Australia’s of rustiness on Monday, also needed a medical Injured Bairstow This is my last James Duckworth. defeating eighth-seeded timeout for a leg injury in the Grand Slam. I have Murray, the 2012 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria third set of his clash with champion and playing just his for the second successive Ryan Harrison of the United ‘very keen’ to great memories of fifth tournament of the year Grand Slam. States. this tournament after undergoing hip surgery Wawrinka, the 2016 But Anderson, defeated in and I am just sorry in January, last featured in a champion, swept to a 6-3, the Wimbledon final last keep gloves in that I couldn’t major at Wimbledon in 2017. 6-2, 7-5 victory on Arthur month by Novak Djokovic, Murray, whose world Ashe Stadium to repeat his recovered to win 7-6 (7/4), fourth Test finish it: David ranking has slumped to 382, opening round triumph over 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Ferrer goes on to face Fernando Ver- Dimitrov at Wimbledon. Denis Shapovalov, the AFP dasco, the Spanish 31st seed Wawrinka, the former 19-year-old 28th seed, was after seeing off the error- world number three, now 7-5, 5-7, 4-1 ahead of 18-year- LONDON: Jonny Bairstow (pictured) is ‘very prone Duckworth, ranked at down at 101, shrugged off old Felix Auger-Aliassime keen’ to keep wicket for England in the 448. Like Murray, former having to take a medical when his Canadian team- fourth Test against India at Southampton champion Wawrinka also sat time-out early in the third set. mate and close friend was despite a broken finger as the hosts look to out the 2017 US Open -- in his South African fifth seed forced to retire. seal the five-match series. It was understood when England announced their 14-man squad last week that even if the Yorkshire man was passed fit to play tomorrow, he was likely to feature Serena surges into second round as a specialist batsman. The home team are seeking to recover AFP from a 203-run thrashing in Nottingham The spotlights were still former champion, Svetlana that cut their lead to 2-1. NEW YORK: Serena Williams blinking when Williams, in a Kuznetsova, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. But Bairstow was planning to test the made a triumphant return to black outfit featuring asym- Neither Williams sister injury with his wicketkeeping gloves on in the US Open on Monday, metrical sleeves and a tulle was willing to look too far training at the Ageas Bowl yesterday. launching her bid for a skirt, took the court. ahead, Venus noting that “The swelling has gone down,” he said. record-equalling 24th Grand The 68th-ranked Linette Halep’s ouster was proof of “I’m going to try and keep wicket in training Slam victory with a straight- held her own in the early just how dangerous any this afternoon as well.” sets win as top-seeded going, but Williams gained the opponent can be. England have a ready-made Simona Halep made dubious only break she needed in the Defending champion replacement in Jos Buttler, who took over history with a first-round exit. first set in the seventh game Sloane Stephens encountered from Bairstow after the Yorkshireman Williams, who counts six and rolled from there. late resistance but held on for injured his left middle finger, taking a US Open titles among her 23 She didn’t face a break a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Russian delivery from James Anderson during Eng- Grand Slams, can match Mar- point in the 70-minute match, Evgeniya Rodina. land’s heavy defeat at Trent Bridge. garet Court’s all-time record firing 23 winners and Stephens, seeded third “I’m very, very keen to keep my spot of 24 majors with another title wrapping up the second set behind Halep and Caroline as the wicketkeeper -- because I would like at Flushing Meadows. in less than half an hour. Wozniacki, looked to be to think it’s gone pretty well over the last She missed last year’s Williams’ path may have cruising with a 3-1 lead in the 38/39 Test matches that I’ve been keeping edition as she gave birth to been eased by Kaia Kanepi’s second set. for England,” said Bairstow. daughter Olympia on Sep- stunning upset of world But unseeded Rodina had tember 1, but showed every number one Halep, who other ideas, turning the tables indication she’s ready to became the first top-seeded to take a 5-4 lead before make up for lost time in a 6-4, woman to lose in the first Serena Williams of the US hits a return to Magda Linette of Stephens reasserted herself. 6-0 victory over Poland’s round of the US Open. Poland during their 2018 US Open Women’s singles match Elsewhere on the opening Magda Linette. It was the kind of Grand in New York on Monday. day, seventh-seeded Spaniard “I think I’m getting there,” Slam history Halep could Garbine Muguruza advanced said Williams, who turned up have done without as she winners to Halep’s nine, this match, just that I didn’t with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over the heat on a steamy New tried to expunge the memory cutting the rallies short and really feel the ball,” French China’s Zhang Shuai. York night that opened with of her first round loss to Maria remorselessly punishing Open champion Halep said. Two-time Grand Slam a gala celebration of the US Sharapova at Flushing Halep’s second serve. While Halep is no longer winner Victoria Azarenka, a Open’s 50th anniversary. Meadows last year. “I thought I just have to be in her path, Williams could former world number one “I love opening for Serena But the Romanian, who aggressive and try to stay face another early test -- a now ranked 80th in the Williams,” Grammy-winning broke through for a first calm,” said Kanepi, whose run possible third-round clash world, defeated Viktoria singer-song writer Kelly Grand Slam title at the French to the quarter-finals last year with 16th-seeded sister Kuzmova 6-3, 7-5 to st up a Clarkson told the crowd Open this year, had no answer is just one of her six trips to Venus. meeting with Australian Daria before she launched into her for Kanepi’s power. the last eight in majors. Venus, a seven-time Slam Gavrilova, who steamrolled anthem “Stronger”. The Estonian fired 26 “I cannot say much about winner, outlasted another Sara Sorribes 6-0, 6-0. WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST 2018 SPORT 19

Vardy and Record-equalling win gives Cahill call time on Al Duhail edge over Persepolis England FAWAD HUSSAIN Stadium. The hosts began careers THE PENINSULA brightly and had an early sight REUTERS on goal when Yasushi Endo DOHA: Al Duhail edged Perse- headed wide from close in after polis 1-0 in the first leg of the a fine Koki Anzai delivery from MANCHESTER: Leicester 2018 AFC Champions League the left, and the captain was City striker Jamie Vardy says quarter-finals for their record- again off target in the 14th he no longer wants to be equalling ninth consecutive win minute as he drilled past the left considered for England duty in the tournament in Doha, post. and wishes to focus his time yesterday. Endo should have broken the on his club career. Young striker Almoez Ali’s deadlock as the hour approached The 32-year-old, who goal in the first half at Khalifa but, following good work from featured at the World Cup in International Stadium proved Silva and Anzai, the skipper fired Russia, said he had spoken to decisive as the Qatar football over from 12 yards, but Brazilian England manager Gareth giants matched the record of Silva finally opened the scoring Southgate about his decision South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai on the hour. but remained available to tally of nine straight victories Shuto Yamamoto picked out help should the team face back in 2012. Endo on the edge of the area and injury problems. QNB Stars League cham- the captain’s cushioned header “To be honest with you, pions Al Duhail, however, could found its way to Silva, who this has been on my mind for have earned victory by a better lashed the ball home with a a while,” Vardy said. margin had they not missed sweetly taken strike from 10 “I’m not getting any chances to take a bigger yards. younger and you can see, to advantage to for the Kashima continued in the be fair to the gaffer, he wants second leg on September 17. ascendency and Serginho to make it more youthful, As promised by head coach added a stunning second in the which obviously had its ben- Nabil Maaloul, Al Duhail started Al Duhail SC’s Qatari forward Almoez Ali heads a goal 72nd minute when he rocketed efits during the World Cup - off aggressively against Perse- against Persepolis SC’s Iranian goalkeeper Alireza a left-foot effort from 25 yards we got to the semi-finals and polis in what was the first-ever Beiranvand during the AFC Champions League football past Zhang to mark his AFC finished fourth, which is equal clash between the two Asian match at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. Champions League debut in to the furthest we have ever clubs. style. been on foreign soil. ‘The Red Knights’ came close Tianjin’s star man Alex- “When you get selected, to scoring in the fourth minute equalising in the 23rd minute, Mohammad Ansari’s left Alireza Beiranvand’s reflexes andre Pato had been quiet for you want to be playing. If but striker Youssef El Arabi failed but Omid Alishah’s effort flew footed shot from outside the with a scorching free-kick, the majority of the game but the you’re playing week in, week to connect Nam Tae-hee’s just wide of Amine Lecomte’s box sailed over the crossbar which the latter tipped over the Brazilian’s free-kick with 10 out for your club, you want to header across the goalmouth. goal. following a quick free-kick as bar for a corner. minutes remaining picked out be going to England to play Al Duhail continued to The match gathered more Persepolis missed an oppor- With no further scoring in Kwon Kyung-won, only for the as well. And if it’s not hap- launch attacks and it was a 15th pace with both teams exchanging tunity to score. the match, Al Duhail took the 1-0 Korea Republic defender to pening, then for me per- minute move that yielded result attacks but failed to score as Al Al Duhail missed a chance advantage. place his effort wide under sonally now it’s better to be for the hosts. Edmilson, a Duhail took 1-0 lead to the final when Murad Naji right footed Meanwhile, in other match pressure. at home.” summer signing for Youssef session. shot from outside the box went yesterday, Leo Silva and Kashima will travel to Tianjin Chelsea central defender Msakni, sent in a teasing cross Although, Persepolis seeking high and wide to the right in the Serginho scored second-half for the second leg in three weeks’ Gary Cahill has also from the left and the unmarked the leveler came back with a 66th minute. A minute later, goals to give Japan’s Kashima time when, just like in the Round announced his decision to Ali headed in with aplomb to get renewed energy, it was a similar Edmilson’s right footed shot from Antlers a deserved 2-0 victory of 16 after defeating Shanghai take a “step back” from his second goal of the story in the second half with both a long range went close but over China’s Tianjin Quanjian SIPG at home, the Japanese side England duties after a similar tournament. teams lacking proper execution missed the target. in the first leg of the AFC will have a two-goal lead to conversation with Southgate. Iran’s domestic champions, after coming close to scoring. In the 77th minute, Al Duhail Champions League quarter- defend against Chinese The 32-year-old defender Persepolis then came close to In the 48th minute, defender Lucas Mendes tested finals at Kashima Soccer opposition. won 61 England caps. Al Sadd shift focus to Doha clash after Tehran success THE PENINSULA “I had spoken before the game pressure of playing in front of these “Al Sadd are always at their best in the saying that Al Sadd had come to win fans. It’s also not easy to overturn the big games and everyone saw our great DOHA: Al Sadd head coach Jesualdo and not for a draw or a loss, and so we scoreline in such conditions. I want to performance in this game, throughout Ferreira felt that his players were the had played with the objective of congratulate the Al Sadd players again the two halves. Despite trailing by a deserving winners after scripting a 3-1 winning. I expected that we would win for this level of performance and I want goal in the first half, we were the better comeback victory over Esteghlal in the and we managed it despite being a goal to tell them that we haven’t achieved side and had a number of clear chances first leg of the AFC Champions League down in the first half. We committed anything yet. We have a second leg that didn’t go our way.” quarter-finals in Tehran on Monday. an error and conceded a goal but in the coming up, for which we have to “In the second half, we managed Speaking at the post-match press second half, we succeeded in making prepare well.” to make the chances count and conference, Ferreira said: “We per- up for that and getting the win. I want Finally, Ferreira concluded by scored three goals that have taken formed very well. We deserve to win to congratulate my team for their saying: “Al Sadd displayed its character, us closer to qualification. But there by this scoreline and we could have excellent performance not just in this strength and desire by reaching this still is a second leg match to be scored more goals.” game but since the beginning of the stage in the tournament and the players played in Doha, during which we will “Qualification hasn’t been secured season and since the start of preseason now need to remain focused in the need to be highly focused. Winning yet. We won the first leg but there is too.” second leg because qualification will (this game) is not enough to confirm still a second leg that will undoubtedly “The team deserves appreciation only be ensured in Doha. Esteghlal will qualification. We consider the real be tough. Football has taught us that for their performances until now. But fight because they have nothing to lose. clash to be the second leg in Doha we can’t clinch the tie over just one nothing is done yet. We still have a Al Sadd need to prepare fully for the because it will be the decisive game. game in such (knockout) rounds and crucial phase ahead of us, in which we game despite this deserved victory in Every team will fight for the semi- we need to prepare well for the second need to remain focused to clinch qual- Tehran.” final spot.” leg.” ification to the semifinals and also focus Meanwhile, Al Sadd forward Akram He added: “We need to benefit from Al Sadd’s Xavi Harnandez (left) during the Asked if he had expected this result, on the league. I am confident in the Afif described his side’s 3-1 victory over this great victory that we achieved at AFC Champions League football match the coach said: “It is easy to say now, ability of the players to deal with these Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League the Azadi Stadium, which is an against Esteghlal FC , Iran at the Azadi after winning, that I expected this sce- pressures.” as an important step towards the important step towards qualification. Stadium in Tehran on Monday. nario. But the truth is I did not expect He added: “It was not easy to win semi-finals. Winning in front of our fans as well will this.” in such an atmosphere, with the Speaking after the match, Afif said: officially send us to the semifinals.” Qatar’s Abdulla braces up for Baja Poland challenge THE PENINSULA Adel said: “Jean-Michel, supported by the Qatar Motor Adel Abdulla (left) and Jean- myself and the team have pre- and Motorcycle Federation Michel Polato are seen in this SZCZECIN POLAND: Qatar’s pared ourselves to try and take (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar and file picture. Adel Abdulla heads to north-west the victory in Poland. Last year Nissan Qatar. Poland this week to take place we had a good result and we Poland’s premier off-road in Columna Medica Baja Poland, won this race. It is a little bit rally is based in the northern the ninth round of the 2018 FIA tricky and a bit sandy in some town of Szczecin, although the World Cup for Cross Country places in the forests. There are special stages will be contested Rallies. also some fast sections. It is a over tracks on the military The Nissan Patrol Y62 driver long race and not easy to training ground at Drawsko currently trails Saudi Arabia’s manage. Pomorskie and in the nearby Ahmed Al-Shegawi by 23 points Adel Abdulla and Al-Shegawi Dobra municipality. in the race to claim the T2 World face competition in Poland from Action gets underway with a Championship title for drivers of local drivers Tomasz Baronowski super special stage of 7.08km on series production cross-country and Piotr Sawicki and ’s Friday, August 31. vehicles. Laurentiu Claudiu Barbu. This will be followed by two The Qatari and French nav- “Whoever has the good runs through a selective section igator Jean-Michel Polato will be strategy for the two long stages of 220.00km on Saturday (Sep- hoping to repeat the win they of 220km will win the race. I can tember 1st) and two passes secured in Hungary earlier this see the Polish T2 drivers being through a pair of shorter stages month and close the gap still strong here as well. We need to of 10.50km (Krekowo) and further on the Saudi before the win to close the gap even more (Lubieszyn) 18.50km on Sunday final two rounds of the series in before Morocco.” before the finish ceremony on Morocco and Portugal in Adel’s challenge for T2 Lasztownia island, near October. honours this season is being Szczecin.