FFORMULAORMULA 1 | Page 2 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 Hamilton Sharma and joins Fangio Rayudu tons with ‘surreal’ set up India’s fi ft h title 224-run win

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 FOOTBALL Safar 21, 1440 AH Mbappe scores as GULF TIMES Paris equal Europe win record SPORT Page 7 48TH ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DOHA 2018 Russia come agonisingly close as China win gold An error on Horizontal Bar costs Russia the world title but reserve their spots at 2020 Olympics along with China, Japan

By Sahan Bidappa pion Xiao Ruoteng had a fall on formance in Montreal. But they Doha the Bars, which meant a deduc- struggled on Bars, which undid tion of one point and a low score all the good work till halfway of 12.600. point. Yusuke Tanaka came off t was so near yet so far for the Russia would have prevailed on the fourth rotation, drop- Russians. Nikita Nagornyy if Nagornyy repeated his score ping the Japanese to third place, needed a score of 13.822 from last week’s qualifying but while three-time Olympic gold on the Horizontal Bar to with all eyes on him, the 21-year- medallist and six-time world all- Iclinch Russia’s fi rst ever team old faltered on a headstand. around champion Kohei Uch- gold medal at the World Artistic In fact, it was Russians who imura was still in discomfort yes- Gymnastics Championships. were leading by a massive 1.919 terday, recovering from an ankle But a small error on an open- after four rotations before Artur injury. ing handstand meant he fi nished Dalaloyan slipped off the Parallel Uchimura said: “I feel for bad with 13.733 to hand China the Bars and China took advantage of for my teammates as I could not gold by a meagre .049 points in a it, before nearly giving it away in do well because of my injury. thrilling team fi nal at the Aspire the Bars. There is also lot of work to do Dome. The breakthrough perform- between now and 2020, but we In the end, Russia had to set- ance for China came from Zou are confi dent we can win gold in tle for a silver, their fi rst medal at Jingyuan, who was immacu- Tokyo.” the Worlds since 2006. Defend- late in Parallel Bars as he scored The US team, which came ing Olympic and world cham- 16.200, the highest of the Doha agonisingly close for a bronze, pions Japan took home bronze, Worlds far. were impressive despite bring- 1.75 points ahead of the US. The China’s coach Liang Chow was ing a young team to Doha. Sam top three teams also sealed their pleased with victory especially Mikulak said the experience of place at the 2020 Tokyo Olym- as it comes after China had to be participating at a world stage will pics. content with bronze at 2016 Rio do a world of good for his young Olympics. However, he added teammates. his team needs to improve a lot “We did the job we came out to if they have to reach the greater do. We’re all much better gym- heights of 1994 to 2014, when nasts today than we were yes- China won 10 of the 11 world terday. This is an experience for team titles. a lifetime, and now, we put the “We are very happy with the pressure on a lot of teams who I win. After 2015, new athletes think weren’t looking at us the have come in and made our team way they’re going to start looking stronger and that helped us to at us,” Mikulak said. win the championship here in “Coming into this, no one re- Doha. Russia have made a lot of ally saw us as being up on that progress and were impressive. podium, so we were coming in Winners China (in red) pose on the podium with second-placed Russia (in white and blue) and third-placed Japan (in white and red) after the Japan could not do well as they as underdogs. These guys are men’s team final at the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 at Aspire Dome yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen were missing two gymnasts due young. For a lot of them it’s to injury,” Chow said. their first Worlds. They came Ruoteng, meanwhile, was re- out and showed better than I lieved his mistake on the Bars did did, the veteran, so that’s going not cost China the title. “I was to be a huge confidence-boost- feeling very disappointed after er,” he added. my fall. But I was keen to fi nish all The women’s team fi nals will my moves and help my team. I am take place today, with the United glad it ended happily,” he said. States led by Simone Biles heav- Russia’s Dalaloyan looked at ily favoured to lead the defending the bright side and said they were champions to another gold. Rus- pleased to punch their ticket to sia, China, Brazil, Japan, France It was the closest Olympic or Olympics. “Our main task was to and Germany are other top eight world men’s or women’s team qualify for Olympics and we have teams who will be in action in the fi nal since the perfect-10 scor- done it. We made mistakes but fi nals. ing system was replaced in 2006. every team committed mistakes The eight-team fi nal was a see- in the fi nal. I am thankful to the MEN’S TEAM FINAL saw battle, with China placed fans who cheered for me after I STANDINGS seventh after the second of six fell as it gave me energy. We are 1. China 256.634 points routines. But they slowly made happy with the silver medal as 2. Russia 256.585 progress and were leading Russia a podium fi nish at this level is a 3. Japan 253.744 by 0.948 points heading into the good achievement,” he said. 4. United States 251.994 fi nal rotation — Horizontal Bar. Defending champion Japan, 5. Great Britain 248.628 Russia, however, came back cheered on by vociferous sup- 6. Switzerland 244.294 into contention after China’s de- porters, were also in contention 7. Brazil 243.994 A Chinese gymnast in action during the men’s team final round at the fending world all-around cham- for a repeat of last year’s per- 8. Netherlands 240.660 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 yesterday.

BOTTOMLINE Green shoots confi rm Romanian recovery on right track FIG The team has not won a world from this moment I think we can and then start again at the begin- live, train and study together in forts on Floor on Sunday, despite Doha championship team medal since re-build. First we had to rebuild ning. But I love Romanian gym- Deva, Romania, under the careful scoring 13.400 and fi nishing 11th. 2007 and failed to even qualify for trust in ourselves and our capac- nastics and I do everything I can eye of their coach and, despite, ac- “It could have been much bet- the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. ity to compete.” to help bring it up again.” cording to Forminte, a continued ter,” Golgota said. “I am only omania’s 13th-place fi n- That was a mighty fall for a na- Reinstated as head coach of Carmen Ghiciuc was part of lack of serious investment, the quite happy.” ish in the women’s team tion used to topping Olympic po- the women’s team in September the group that performed a suc- set-up is starting to pay dividends. Despite not having the num- qualifi cation competi- diums – the women’s team won a 2016, fi ve years after quitting the cession of clean routines in Doha, “We have always done well with bers – Forminte thinks he will tion might not seem like medal at every Games from 1972- post, Forminte has been battling propelling the team ahead of ri- very little money,” Forminte said. only have eight or nine senior Rmuch but for gymnastics lovers 2012 – and resulted in an intense hard to change attitudes. vals including Ukraine, Spain, “We are lucky that our children women to work with in 2019 – everywhere, it was arguably one period of soul-searching. “First I needed the support Hungary and the Republic of Ko- are very talented in this sport. And the coach does think Golgota’s of the most signifi cant develop- But in Doha’s Aspire Arena on from the gymnasts and I am rea. She knows the public want there are some coaches like me arrival is just the start. ments of the 2018 World Cham- Sunday, renowned medal-win- pleased they understand today more but is adamant they are who do not want to give up.” “From 2020 we will be better,” pionships so far. ning coach Nicolae Forminte saw how to compete,” he said in Doha. now on the right path. The emergence of gymnasts he said. “We have a group of six From Nadia Comaneci to Dan- something he liked. “Then I need more time because “There is pressure on us be- like Denisa Golgota confi rms or seven young juniors who are iela Silivas and Andreea Raducan “Today was a nice present from in gymnastics you cannot build cause lately Romanian gymnas- Forminte’s words. The 16-year- already on the same level as this to Catalina Ponor, women’s ar- the gymnasts because for the something easily. I cannot say I tics has not gone so well but we old is already the 2018 European group. That is the big hope for tistic gymnastics is littered with fi rst time they did a big compe- have all the support, for Roma- have hope and trust in ourselves,” Championship silver medallist me, if we can qualify the team remarkable Romanian gymnasts. tition without major mistakes,” nians it is very hard to forget the Carmen Ghiciuc of Romania Ghiciuc said. “We do six or seven on Floor and bronze medallist for the Olympic Games then for In recent times, however, the cup- Forminte said. “This is the mo- period of glory. performed a succession of clean hours per day of gymnastics.” on Vault. Encouragingly, she was sure by 2020 the Romanian team board has been dispiritingly bare. ment I have been waiting for and “It is not easy to be at the top routines in Doha. Ghiciuc and her teammates all not overly delighted with her ef- looks much better.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, October 30, 2018 FORMULA 1

GENEROUS Vettel hopes Lewis stays strong for future fi ght

Reuters year, I need him at his best to fi ght him the last year until now and yes, I think Mexico City again.” we had our chances. We used most of Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton fi nished fourth in a race them, some we did not. Hamilton (L) waves at the crowd as he that Vettel had to win to have any lin- “But in the end we were not good hugs Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian errari’s Sebastian Vettel was gering hope of denying the Mercedes enough.” The season has been marked Vettel, after winning his fifth drivers’ generous in defeat on Sunday, driver a second successive coronation by mutual respect between the main title after the F1 Mexico Grand Prix on congratulating Mercedes rival at the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. two protagonists, however, and Hamil- Sunday. Lewis Hamilton on securing a The outcome had been almost a ton responded in similar fashion. fiF fth Formula One championship and foregone conclusion, however, with “He came over and the one thing he looking forward to continuing their Hamilton winning nine races to the said was, ‘Just don’t let off . I need you battle next season. German’s fi ve so far and enjoying a run fi ghting with me next year’ — which I The two embraced after the Briton of success after the August break to go respect, naturally,” he said. “I think for secured the title at the Mexican Grand 70 points clear while Ferrari made mis- me, I just said, thank you so much for Prix, with the German later visiting the takes. being such a strong competitor this Mercedes engineers also to recognise Vettel said it had still been a “horri- year. the team’s achievement. ble moment” to realise the champion- “I don’t remember everything we “I congratulated him, I think he ship was defi nitively lost. said but ultimately it was a true show- drove superbly all year and was the “I’ve had three times now in my life ing of great sportsmanship and respect better one of us two,” Vettel, who fi n- that sort of disappointment, where you between us, as I think has been there all ished second in Mexico behind Red realise that you can’t win the cham- year long. Bull’s Max Verstappen, told reporters. pionship any more and those are not “It’s been a hard year. He’s fought “I told him well deserved and to en- happy days,” he said. so well this year and I know he drove joy it — number fi ve is something in- “You refl ect not on one moment but fantastically well today and I know he’s credible. Mainly I congratulated him the whole year: the work that goes in, going to go from strength to strength so and asked him to keep pushing for next the eff ort that goes in from the end of I’ve got to stay on my toes.”

SPOTLIGHT PROFILE Hamilton — from humble beginnings Hamilton joins to hero status

AFP speed and his style. Mexico City On and off the track, he was fast, somewhat mercurial and occasionally tempestuous and ewis Hamilton joined one this combination led to a fi erce Fangio with of sport’s most exclusive rivalry with team-mate and two- clubs on Sunday when time champion Fernando Alonso, he became just the third who left McLaren at the end of driverL to win a fi fth Formula One the year. world title. That was a signal of how tough His fourth-place fi nish at the it was to be for all his future Mexico Grand Prix lifted him into team-mates as Hamilton, who the company of the sport’s true narrowly missed out on the 2007 ‘surreal’ fi ft h title greats, joining seven-time cham- title, returned to triumph in 2008 pion Michael Schumacher and with a dramatic last-gasp fi fth- ‘I dreamed about this but I never thought I’d be standing here as a five-time champion’ fellow fi ve-time winner Juan- place fi nish in Brazil. Manuel Fangio — who he de- He also showed frustration AFP scribes as “The Godfather” — in as McLaren failed to deliver the Mexico City the F1 pantheon speed to beat Vettel and Red Bull, To have won more than men who reeled off four straight title like Australia’s Jack Brabham, triumphs from 2010 to 2013, by ewis Hamilton claimed fellow-Briton Jackie Stewart, when Hamilton had departed for his fi fth drivers’ world Austrian Niki Lauda and Brazil- Mercedes. championship on Sun- ians Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Escaping the management re- Lday to draw level with Senna as well as modern day rival gime of Dennis and his father, Juan Manuel Fangio in the For- Sebastian Vettel is a spectacular Hamilton found freedom at Mer- mula One record books when statement of achievement. cedes alongside team-mate Ger- he fi nished fourth behind a vic- The son of a black father and man Nico Rosberg, his teenage torious Max Verstappen in the a white mother, who survived a karting friend and rival. Mexican Grand Prix. broken home in his youth, Ham- This enabled Hamilton to ex- Hamilton’s success — the ilton, 33, grew up on a munici- press himself with a headline- third time he has taken the title pal housing estate in Stevenage grabbing trans-Atlantic lifestyle, without fi nishing on the race where his father Anthony at one mixing with musicians and podium — elevated him to a time held down three jobs to fund ‘fashionistas’. He showed little supreme club alongside Fangio his son’s embryonic racing career love for any duty to obey conven- with only seven-time champion in karts. tions and, for many observers, Michael Schumacher ahead of His journey was unprivileged gave his sport a welcome injec- him. and without luxury, but it was tion of freshness and diversity as He was adding the 2018 crown clear from an early age that he champion again in 2014 and 2015. to his championship wins in had an outstanding gift for speed Rosberg broke Hamilton’s se- 2008, 2014, 2015 and 2017. and all the gutsy natural instincts quence of supremacy in 2016 and The 33-year-old Briton’s only of a born racer. then retired, leaving the Eng- remaining championship rival In 1995, aged 10, and wearing a lishman to return this year and, Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, who jacket and shoes borrowed from helped by Ferrari’s October fail- needed a victory, with Hamilton his predecessor as British For- ings, deliver another season of outside the top seven, to keep his mula Cadet karting champion, he record-breaking success. hopes alive, fi nished second. went to a glittering awards cer- He arrived in Austin this He celebrated by executing emony in London where he met weekend with a record 132 pole ‘doughnut’ wheel spins for the McLaren’s then-boss Ron Den- positions to his name and 71 cheering crowd before leaping nis. wins. out of his car and into the arms He asked for an autograph and His former McLaren team- of his team. told him “one day I want to race mate Jenson Button summed After being congratulated by for you”. Dennis replied: “Phone up Hamilton’s pure speed when Vettel, Hamilton said: “It’s a me in nine years and I’ll sort you he said: “For me, over one lap, very strange feeling right now.” a deal.” I don’t think there is anyone as After surviving what turned F1 World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with his team after the Formula One Grand Prix of The McLaren chief did not wait quick as Lewis and I don’t think into a battle of attrition at the Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on Sunday. that long. After less than three there ever has been.” Autodromo Hermanos Rodrigu- years, he agreed to support Ham- That speed, which has always ez he added: “It was a horrible “It is not easy today but well races to win, it is not over. “I was very determined to Bottas. ilton’s passage through the junior been a natural talent, had last race... I really don’t know what deserved for him and I want to “In my mind I have to work, win and we’ve done that — we Nico Hulkenberg was sixth formulae en route to his F1 debut season been allied to a more ma- happened. congratulate Lewis. They did go to the debrief and try to win had the right tyres and the car for Renault ahead of Charles with his team in 2007. ture attitude to his job as team “We were struggling both a superb job all year. We need in Brazil. was working very well... Leclerc of Sauber, Stoff el Van- Bold, determined and indi- leader in the post-Rosberg era at Valtteri (Bottas) and I and we to stand there, accept that Hamilton, who started third “It was a shame to lose Dan- doorne of McLaren, Marcus vidual, he almost won the title Mercedes. had to just hang on and bring the and send congratulations. We on the grid, struggled with iel. We wanted two of us on the Ericsson in the second Sauber in his fi rst record-breaking sea- Mercedes team chief Toto car home. would have liked to have hung chronic tyre-wear after making podium. A party tonight? No, and Pierre Gasly of Toro Rosso. son as he reeled off nine succes- Wolff summed up: “He is never “I’ve been with Mercedes in there longer, but it was not a strong start in his Mercedes I’m going home!” For Ferrari, it was a fi rst dou- sive podiums from his debut in satisfi ed. He never settles. He is since I was 13 and to complete to be.” and settled for a cautious cruise A puff of smoke signalled an ble podium success in Mexico Melbourne, rocking the estab- never happy with where he is as a this, when Fangio had done it Refl ecting on his season to the title without a podium engine failure and his eighth since 1990 with Alain Prost and lishment along the way with his racing driver and a human being.” with Mercedes, is an incredible Hamilton added: “It has been fi nish. ‘Did Not Finish’ (DNF) of the Nigel Mansell. feeling and it is very surreal to the toughest year physically, Verstappen, upstaged by his season while his 21-year-old Vettel for one wants Hamilton me at the moment. mentally and personally with Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ric- Dutch tyro teammate secured a back as strong as ever in 2019. MEXICO RESULTS “I just feel very very humble, everything I’m committed to, ciardo in qualifying on Satur- repeat of his 2017 triumph, his “I told him to keep push- of course I dreamed about this but I have amazing support. day, came home 17.108 seconds second win this season and the ing for next year, as I need him 1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1hr Drivers standings but I never thought I’d be stand- “Mercedes and my team have ahead of Vettel after the luck- fi fth of his career. good to fi ght him again,” said the 38min 28.851sec, 2. Sebastian Vettel 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 358 pts — ing here as a fi ve-time cham- just been the most incredible less Australian pole-sitter re- Vettel’s Ferrari teammate German, who with Raikkonen is (GER/Ferrari) at 17.316sec, 3. Kimi Räik- champion, 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER) pion.” unit and worked to raise the bar. tired with nine laps remaining. Kimi Raikkonen came home aiming now to deliver the con- konen (FIN/Ferrari) 49.914, 4. Lewis 294, 3. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN) 236, Four-time champion Vettel In my mind it is just another “I didn’t sleep very well last third ahead of Hamilton and his structors title to Ferrari in the Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:18.738, 5. 4. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 227, 5. Max heaped praise on his rival. day of fi ghting and I have more night,” said Verstappen. Mercedes team-mate Valtteri last two races. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1 lap, Verstappen (NED) 216, 6. Daniel Ric- 6. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 2 ciardo (AUS) 146, 7. Nico Hülkenberg laps, 7. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) (GER) 69, 8. Sergio Pérez (MEX) 57, 2 laps, 8. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/ 9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 53, 10. Red Bull boss hails ‘incredible achievement’ of Verstappen McLaren) 2 laps, 9. Marcus Ericsson Fernando Alonso (ESP) 50, 11. Esteban (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps, 10. Pierre Gasly Ocon (FRA) 49, 12. Carlos Sainz Jr AFP ment for Max to win,” he said. wheel spin. That was the dif- (FRA/Toro Rosso) 2 laps, 11. Esteban (ESP) 45, 13. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Mexico City “It was a continuation from ference and then he command- Ocon (FRA/Force India) 2 laps, 12. 31, 14. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 29, 15. Charles Austin and he was incredible, ed the race from there. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 2 laps, 13. Leclerc (MON) 27, 16. Stoff el Van- but the thing that feels bitter- “Max absolutely nailed it Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) 2 laps, doorne (BEL) 12, 17. Marcus Ericsson ed Bull boss Chris- sweet is that we should have and then it was all about tyre- 14. Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso) (SWE) 9, 18. Lance Stroll (CAN) 6, 19. tian Horner described had them both up there. management, but he did that 2 laps, 15. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/ Brendon Hartley (NZL) 4, 20. Sergey Max Verstappen’s “You could see from the mo- brilliantly. Haas) 2 laps, 16. Romain Grosjean Sirotkin (RUS) 1 triumph in Sunday’s ment Max arrived at the track “After the second pit stop, (FRA/Haas) 3 laps Constructors MexicanR Grand Prix as ‘an in- this morning, the determina- we could see there was plenty DNF 1. Mercedes 585 pts, 2. Ferrari 530, 3. credible achievement’ but la- tion in his eyes — he wanted it of life left and that’s why we did Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren), Red Bull 362, 4. Renault 114, 5. Haas mented Daniel Ricciardo’s en- so much. the one-stop with Daniel. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault), Sergio 84, 6. McLaren 62, 7. Force India 47, forced retirement. “He nailed the start, while “It was just a pity that he Pérez (MEX/Force India), Daniel Ric- 8. Sauber 36, 9. Toro Rosso 33, 10. “It’s an incredible achieve- Daniel picked up a bit too much could not fi nish.” ciardo (AUS/Red Bull) Williams 7 Gulf Times Tuesday, October 30, 2018 3 CRICKET

IND VS WI, 4TH ODI SELECTION Pakistan keep winning Sharma, Rayudu combination for NZ T20s

AFP tons set up India’s Lahore, Pakistan akistan’s selectors yesterday kept the same winning combination against New Zealand for the three-match Twenty20 series which whitewashed Australia in PUnited Arab Emirates. Pakistan beat Australia by 33 runs in the third 224-run ODI victory Twenty20 international on Sunday to clinch the series 3-0 — their fi rst whitewash against Austral- Hosts set 378-run target before bowling West Indies out for 153 to take 2-1 lead in the series ia in a limited over series — prompting selectors not to make any changes. AFP Pakistan face New Zealand in the three-match Mumbai Scorecard series with the fi rst in Abu Dhabi tomorrow, fol- lowed by the last two in Dubai on Friday and Sun- INDIA day. ohit Sharma hailed his No change means experienced pace spearheads “game-changer” partner- R. Sharma c Hemraj b Nurse 162 Mohamed Amir and Wahab Riaz continued to be ship with fellow centurion S. Dhawan c K. Powell b Paul 38 left out, while fast bowler Rumman Raees is still Ambati Rayudu to set up V. Kohli c Hope b Roach 16 not fi t after suff ering a knee injury. India’sR 224-run win over West In- Meanwhile, New Zealand have added second dies in yesterday’s fourth one-day A. Rayudu run out (Allen) 100 specialist spinner to their Twenty20 squad, with international. M.S. Dhoni c Hemraj b Roach 23 left-armer Ajaz Patel drafted in from New Zealand Sharma, who smashed 162, and K. Jadhav not out 16 A side. Rayudu, who made 100, put on 211 New Zealand’s new coach Gary Stead said Patel runs for the third wicket to power R. Jadeja not out 7was on form and would off er the necessary balance the hosts to 377-5 after electing to Extras (b6, lb1, w7, nb1) 15 to the side considering the conditions in the UAE. bat fi rst at Mumbai’s Brabourne Total (5 wickets, 50 overs) 377 “It’s no secret that spin is crucial in this part of Stadium. the world and with the wickets on the slower side, Fall of wickets: 1-71 (Dhawan), India then bowled out the tourists we’ve taken the option of a second spinner to bring 2-101 (Kohli), 3-312 (Sharma), 4-344 for 153 in 36.2 overs to lead the fi ve- our squad up to 14-players,” said Stead. (Rayudu), 5-355 (Dhoni) match series 2-1. Paceman Khaleel Ahmed and left-arm wrist spinner Bowling: Roach 10-0-74-2, Holder PAKISTAN: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Za- Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets 9-0-62-0 (w3), Nurse 8-0-57-1 man, Mohamed Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar each. (w2), Paul 10-0-88-1 (w2), R. Powell Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Shadab Skipper Jason Holder hit an un- 4-0-23-0, Allen 8-0-52-0, Samuels Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, beaten 54 for West Indies after they 1-0-14-0 Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Waqas Maqsood, Faheem were reduced to 101-8 and staring at Ashraf the prospect of suff ering their big- WEST INDIES NEW ZEALAND SQUAD (UPDATED): Kane Wil- gest ever ODI loss. liamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chap- They lost to South Africa by 257 C. Hemraj c Rayudu b Kumar 14 man, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, runs in 2015. K. Powell run out (Kohli) 4Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn It was India’s third-biggest vic- S. Hope run out (Yadav) 0Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim tory margin after their 257-run tri- Southee, Ross Taylor umph over Bermuda in 2007 fol- M. Samuels c Rohit b Ahmed 18 lowed by the 256-run mauling of S. Hetmyer lbw b Ahmed 13 Hong Kong the next year. R. Powell b Ahmed 1 The day belonged to Sharma who Aussie cricket union took apart the West Indies bowling, J. Holder not out 54 hitting 20 fours and 4 sixes during F. Allen c Sharma b Yadav 10 urges cut to Smith, his 137-ball stay at the crease. A. Nurse c Sharma b Yadav 8 Warner bans “Very clinical performance from K. Paul st Dhoni b Jadeja 19 us after losing two early wickets,” AFP K. Roach b Yadav 6 said Sharma, who also took three Sydney sharp catches while fi elding at slip, Extras (lb4, w2) 6 after receiving the man of the match Total (all out, 36.2 overs) 153 award. teve Smith, David Warner and Cameron “A big partnership was the game- Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Hemraj), Bancroft should have their cheating changer, and in all four games we’ve 2-20 (Hope), 3-20 (K. Powell), Sbans slashed because they were put had big partnerships that have al- 4-45 (Hetmyer), 5-47 (R. Powell), under too much pressure by administrators, lowed us to stay in the game and post 6-56 (Samuels), 7-77 (Allen), the Australian Cricketers’ Association said big totals.” 8-101 (Nurse), 9-132 (Paul), 10-153 yesterday. Sharma — the only batsman to hit (Roach) In the wake of a scathing report about the ac- three ODI double centuries — took Bowling: Kumar 5-1-30-1 (w2), tions of Cricket Australia in the run-up to the control after the hosts lost their in- Bumrah 8-1-25-0, Ahmed 5-0-13-3, March “sandpaper” incident that rocked the form captain Virat Kohli for 16. Jadeja 10-1-39-1, Yadav 8.2-0-42-3 sport, the players’ union painted the three Sharma put on 71 runs with open- India’s Rohit Sharma (right) celebrates with teammate Ambati Rayudu after scoring a century during the fourth RESULT: India won by 224 runs Test stars as victims of circumstance and said ing partner Shikhar Dhawan, who one-day international against West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) they should be free to take the field again at was the fi rst to go off pace bowler the top level. Keemo Paul for 38. got Sharma’s wicket as the batsman three lower-order strikes. An independent review by a leading ethicist Kohli, who came into the game at sliced the ball to short third-man “We didn’t play well enough to- said the governing body put too much pres- the back of three successive centu- and Chandrapaul Hemraj took an day. We allowed them to score too sure on the players to win at all costs. ries, was caught behind off paceman excellent catch. many runs,” said Holder. “The events in South Africa were in part a Kemar Roach. He has accumulated Rayudu kept up the pace at one “We never got going with the bat by-product of a culture and system which, 420 runs in his four innings of the end to get to his third ODI century and the application defi nitely was amongst other things, placed too much pres- series so far. but was run out soon after reaching not there. sure on players to win,” said ACA President While Kohli hit 140 in India’s the three-fi gure mark. “The structure of the team prob- Greg Dyer, a former Test wicketkeeper. opening win, his next two tons had In reply, West Indies lost three of ably needs to be looked at and ob- “Basic fairness demands these independently contrasting results with the second their top batsmen for just 20 runs, viously I want to get up the order verified contributing factors must now be match ending in a tie and West In- including two run outs that spelt as well,” said Holder, who bats at taken into consideration and the penalties dies winning the third game. disaster for the tourists’ chase. number seven. reduced. There must be a reconsideration of The 20-year-old Ahmed then The fi fth and fi nal ODI is on the harshness of the penalties handed down ‘TOO MANY RUNS’ rattled the opposition middle-order Thursday in Thiruvananthapuram. to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Sharma, who made an unbeaten 152 with his left-arm pace bowling as Bancroft.” in India’s opening win, got to his he returned career-best fi gures of Then-captain Smith and his deputy Warner 21st century in just 98 deliveries and 3-13 from his fi ve overs in just his 5th West Indies captain Jason Holder received a one-year ban from international went on to register his seventh 150 ODI. plays a shot during the fourth ODI and state cricket while opening batsman plus score in 192 ODIs. Yadav then spun into action to against India at Brabourne Stadium Bancroft was suspended for nine months. Off -spinner Ashley Nurse fi nally wipe off the West Indies tail with in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE Ball-tampering report slams ‘arrogant’ Cricket Australia culture

AFP which was released yesterday. ‘GILDED BUBBLE’ charged for services that were training to improve team leaders’ Melbourne The scandal involved Austral- The Australian Cricketers’ Asso- never provided. “moral courage”. ian players using sandpaper to ciation said the 145-page report, “That a fi nancial institution “CA is already well advanced alter the fl ight of the ball in a Test written by Ethics Centre chief ‘robbed the dead’ is as unthink- in some areas with more than scathing review has match against South Africa last Simon Longstaff , clearly showed able as an Australian cricket half of the recommendations in blamed Australian March at Cape Town’s Newlands CA placed too much pressure on player taking sandpaper onto the development or already imple- cricket’s ball-tamper- Stadium. players to win. fi eld of play,” he said. “And (it) mented before we commissioned ing scandal on an “arro- Coach Darren Lehmann quit “Given this, there must be a has prompted a similar response the review,” he said. gant”A and “controlling” culture in the wake of the controversy reconsideration of the harshness from the Australian public.” Test captain Tim Paine, who overseen by the game’s national and then-captain Steve Smith, of the penalties handed down to CA chairman David Peever took over from the disgraced governing body that led to play- deputy David Warner and bats- Steve Smith, David Warner and said the review was a chance for Smith, agreed with some of ers cheating in pursuit of victory. man Cameron Bancroft received Cameron Bancroft,” it added, the body to “look in the mirror”. Longstaff ’s points but said play- The independent review by lengthy bans. calling for the bans to be reduced. “It has been a diffi cult and ers were now determined to give the Sydney-based Ethics Centre The scandal also claimed the But the players did not escape confronting time for everyone back to the game. accused Cricket Australia (CA) scalps of CA chief executive criticism in Longstaff ’s report. involved in Australian cricket, “I think we got a little bit of only paying lip service to the James Sutherland and team per- He said they existed in a and for that I am sorry,” he said. wrapped up in our own self-im- spirit of the game, leaving players formance boss Pat Howard. “gilded bubble” of privilege and “Mistakes have been made, portance,” he told reporters. without moral guidance. “The broad consensus wealth that left them isolated lessons have been learnt, and “We’re the lucky ones playing The review, which CA commis- amongst stakeholders is that CA from everyday life and unable to changes are and will continue to for Australia. It’s not our crick- sioned and was partially redacted does not consistently ‘live’ its keep their feet on the ground. take place.” et team, it’s Australia’s cricket to prevent individuals being iden- values and principles,” the review Longstaff said some felt pres- Peever indicated he would not team, and I think for a little while, tifi ed, also included complaints said. sure to “play the mongrel” be joining the exodus from CA and we lost that.” from those involved in the sport “CA is perceived to say one against opponents but could lose said the 12-month bans on Smith To coincide with the report’s that there was a bullying culture in thing and do another. The most perspective and “risk becoming and Warner and a nine-month ban release, CA released a “players elite men’s cricket. common description of CA is as that person”. on Bancroft would stand. pact” calling on cricketers to re- “Responsibility for that larger ‘arrogant’ and ‘controlling’.” He likened cricket’s relentless The review was non-binding spect the game’s tradition and picture lies with CA and not just It said under such circum- pursuit of victory to the Austral- but he said he was considering “make Australians proud”. the players held directly respon- stances, the ball-tampering ian banking sector’s drive for ex- the report’s 42 recommenda- Similar initiatives in the past, Australian captain Tim Paine (left) and vice-captain Josh Hazlewood sible for the appalling incident scandal was foreseeable but CA cessive profi ts, which has led to tions, including an anti-harass- such as the “Spirit of Cricket” attend a press conference in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) at Newlands,” said the review, failed to act. revelations that dead people were ment code to stop sledging and charter in 2003, had little impact. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, October 30, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Sousa sets up Djoko clash in Paris SC highlights DPA opened the day’s play with a 7-5, 6-2 Paris win over Djokovic’s compatriot Filip Krajinovic to meet Britain’s Kyle Ed- mund next. Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut progress ortugal’s Joao Sousa will face Novak Djokovic in the second triumphed 6-4, 7-6(2) over Ameri- round of the Paris Masters can Steve Johnson to face Bulgaria’s after successfully defeating Grigor Dimitrov in round two. PItalian Marco Cecchinato 7-5, 6-3 Australian John Millman retired yesterday. with a back injury after losing the fi rst of work at World number two Djokovic can set 6-4 against Georgia’s Nikoloz overtake Rafael Nadal and claim the Basilashvili, who will go up against top spot in the ATP rankings if the Wimbledon fi nalist Kevin Anderson. Serb wins the tournament on Sunday. Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber Sousa saved a set point trailing 5-4 battled from a tie-break down to Al Rayyan in the fi rst set before converting a dismiss Dutchman Robin Hasse 6-7 break point in the following game and (4-7), 6-4, 6-2, but compatriot Peter served out the set with an ace for the Gojowczyk is out after losing 6-4, 7-6 lead. (7-5) to Bosnian Damir Dzumhur. A quickfi re return allowed Sousa to Kohlschreiber will face world Stadium break in game seven of the second set number six Marin Cilic in the second QNA countries and help them develop before a netted return from Cecchi- round as Frenchman Adrian Manna- Doha their sporting infrastructure. nato gave the world number 48 quali- rino advances to play Kei Nishikori Design and Technical Man- fi er victory in 77 minutes. after his 6-4, 6-2 success over fellow Roberto Bautista-Agut of Spain in action against Steve Johnson of the US during their Paris ager at SC Abdulaziz al-Maw- Earlier, Russian Karen Khachanov countryman Ugo Humbert. Masters first round match yesterday. (AFP) he Supreme Committee lawi underlined that the work for Delivery and Legacy at Al Rayyan Stadium is in full (SC), the organising swing and that the stadium will GOLF committee of Qatar 2022 be completed during the second TWorld Cup, has adopted a new quarter of 2019. strategy to keep the local and As is the case with all the Qatar international public informed 2022 stadiums, Al Rayyan Stadium about the progress of work at all will not be delivered immediately the sports establishments cur- after completion. The stadium rently under construction, as will need six months to test all its well as the accompanying infra- systems and will be tested during structure. In accordance with summer and winter in order to PGA TOUR GETS A this new strategy, SC will an- check on its full readiness to host nounce the latest developments the matches, al-Mawlawi added. at the work sites of the World Wins Sanderson Cup. The stadium will need The 2022 World Cup is a full six months to test all Farms Championship state project. Therefore, all state its systems and will be institutions are working to com- tested during summer plete their projects, which are ‘ by four strokes and winter in order to NEW CHAMP part of Qatar National Vision check on its full readiness 2030 with its four pillars that to host the matches AFP are based on human, social, eco- Los Angeles nomic and environmental devel- opment. He noted that Al Rayyan Sta- The SC said in a report that the dium is distinguished because it merican rookie Cam- World Cup is not only stadiums, is the home of a large and pres- eron Champ captured it is sustainable enterprises, ma- tigious club. The club’s location his fi rst US PGA title on jor reforms and signifi cant de- is also close to the Mall of Qatar, Sunday, making bird- velopment of infrastructure in a hotel and a metro station, so it iesA on fi ve of the last six holes the country, accompanied by a is generally qualifi ed to serve the to win the Sanderson Farms futuristic view of the country World Cup and beyond. The area Championship by four strokes. and its people. around the stadium will also host The 23-year-old Californian, To further highlight the ef- a branch of Aspetar Hospital and in only his ninth tour start, took forts of the Supreme Committee sports associations. a wire-to-wire victory with a for Delivery and Legacy, the start In addition, life will continue fi nal-round four-under par 68 will be with Al Rayyan Stadium at Al Rayyan Stadium after the to fi nish 72 holes at the Country which will be ready in 2019 to Qatar 2022 World Cup, where Club of Jackson in Mississippi host the 2022 World Cup. a large park, a horse track, a on 21-under 267. Al Rayyan Stadium, which be- runway, a hockey court, train- “It just means everything, all longs to one of the oldest clubs ing grounds, tennis and cricket the hard work over the years, all in Qatar, is set to accommodate grounds will be provided. Resi- the sacrifi ces my family made 40,000 spectators at the World dents of Al Rayyan area also for me to have this opportunity. Cup. After the tournament, the called for a wedding hall which Now to be a PGA Tour winner is number of seats will be reduced was implemented, in addition just unreal.” to 23,000 seats and the rest will to the preparation of the streets Champ outlasted Canada’s be donated within the framework and the metro, to become an in- Corey Conners, who got married of the SC projects to support poor tegrated service area. last weekend and nearly won his fi rst PGA title but settled for his best tour result, shooting 68 to fi nish on 271. Anderson up to sixth as Nadal faces Champ concluded a run of four birdies in a row by rolling battle to stay top in a curving putt from 38 feet on a shadow-fi lled 16th green to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson climbed up two places to sixth in seize a two-stroke advantage. yesterday’s ATP rankings after sealing a berth at the Tour Finals At the par-4 17th, Champ was following his title in Vienna at the weekend. The 32-year-old short of the green and rolled his Anderson became the first South African singles player in over third shot 15 feet past the cup two decades to qualify for the end-of-season event with his vic- before sinking a tricky downhill tory over Kei Nishikori in Sunday’s final. Rafael Nadal’s position at par putt, keeping his margin af- the top will come under threat at this week’s Paris Masters from ter Conners left a 17-foot birdie Novak Djokovic, who arrives on an 18-match winning run after putt just short. triumphs in Cincinnati, the US Open and Shanghai. The Spaniard Conners closed with a bogey is returning to action for the first time since hobbling out of while Champ sank a seven-foot the semi-finals in New York and must match Djokovic’s result birdie putt to end it, then hugged in France to remain as world number one. Roger Federer is still his father Jeff and yelled over a cell third after his 99th career title at Basel, while runner-up Marius phone to his grandfather, who in- Copil of Romania soared to a career-high 60th after shooting up troduced him to golf. “Grandpa, 33 places. we did it for you,” Champ said. Champ began with a four- stroke lead when the day began Svitolina climbs to fourth aft er and tapped in for birdie at the Singapore triumph par-5 third, but took back-to- back bogeys at the par-3 seventh Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina jumped three places to fourth in the lat- after missing the green and the second from 11 feet and the par- while Conners blasted out of a 267 — Cameron Champ (USA) 71-70-67-66 est world rankings released yesterday after claiming the biggest par-4 eighth after fi nding water 5 third from six feet to tighten bunker and missed an 18-foot 65-70-64-68 275 — Adam Schenk (USA) title of her career at the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore. off the tee. the gap, then concluded the birdie putt. 271 — Corey Conners (CAN) 71- 70-68-70-67, Seth Reeves (USA) Svitolina overcame American Sloane Stephens in three sets “Today was a new experience front nine with a 13-foot birdie Each then birdied the par-4 68-64-68 67-70-70-68, Denny McCarthy in Sunday’s final and moves above US Open champion Naomi for me,” Champ said. “The front putt to grab a share of the lead as 15th to leave Champ ahead by 273 — Carlos Ortiz (MEX) (USA) 71-68-69-67, Dylan Meyer Osaka. Simona Halep was already guaranteed to finish the year side was a little bit of nerves. the back nine began. one as the tension mounted. 69-69-71-64, Sam Burns (USA) (USA) 71-67-68-69, Shawn Stefani as world number one despite being forced out of the event with The back side I put it all together Both birdied the par-3 13th 69-70-66-68 (USA) 68-68-68-71, Martin Laird a back injury. Petra Kvitova dropped two spots to seventh after and brought it home.” but Champ followed by sinking LEADING SCORES AFTER 274 — Roberto Castro (USA) 71- (SCO) 72-67-66-70, DJ Trahan she lost all three of her round-robin matches in Singapore. Conners birdied the par-4 a 19-foot birdie at the par-5 14th FINAL ROUND 71-67-65, Anders Albertson (USA) (USA) 67-70-67-71

BOTTOMLINE Golf Hall of Fame CEO defends selection policy

Reuters chairman Billy Payne. greats Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, egory for people who are missed nowned golf course architect. can Smith, who won 24 times on deems as too arbitrary. Cary, North Carolina Still awaiting the nod are the Annika Sorenstam and Nancy at some point,” Mona said. While Chamblee passionately the PGA Tour in the 1920s and 30s, Under a selection process re- likes of British Open champions Lopez — but he points out that “I can’t make predictions but believes both should be in, Bill the most victories by an eligible vamped four years ago, a nominee Tony Lema and Tom Weiskopf, as the vote will always be somewhat the window has not closed on Mallon thinks otherwise. player not in the Hall of Fame. needs at least 75 percent of the vote orld Golf Hall of well as Macdonald Smith, one of subjective. Tony Lema or Tom Weiskopf.” “I think both Weiskopf and Smith, however, never won a from the selection commission. Fame chief execu- the best players between the two “It’s not just strictly (based) on Even two former PGA Tour Lema are two marginal candi- major, even though he had nu- Fred Couples and Colin Mont- tive Steve Mona has world wars. playing record,” he told Reuters. players turned golf historians dates, although both are two of merous close calls at the US and gomerie were elected with barely defended the or- “I did my curmudgeonly best “The Fame element is part of cannot agree on whether Lema my favourite players,” Mallon British Opens. 50 percent of the vote in 2013 un- Wganisation’s selection process not to let my blood boil when I it. Some people were just more and Weiskopf should be in. told Reuters. Joining Goosen and Payne in der the previous system, which amid criticism that some of the read the list of Hall Of Fame in- popular than others when they Lema won the 1964 British “Of the two, I think Weiskopf the Class of 2019 are LPGA trail- had a voting panel of nearly 300. sport’s best players have yet to be ductees for 2019,” tweeted Golf were on tour.” Open at St Andrews, as well as has a better resume for inclusion blazer Jan Stephenson, LPGA Mona insisted the selection inducted. Channel analyst Brandel Cham- Lema has been on the list of 11 PGA Tour events in the United but that is certainly only because charter member Peggy Kirk Bell process is good, and that the lack The Hall recently announced blee, arguing Lema, Weiskopf nominees in the past, and could States, before being killed in a of the plane crash (that killed and disabled trick shot artist of “black and white” criteria is a the fi ve new members of the class and Smith all deserved inclusion. be again in the future, Mona said. plane crash in 1966 at the age of 32. Lema). Not sure how the voters Dennis Walters. positive. of 2019, a group that includes Mona does not vote on the “I would say people who are Weiskopf won the 1973 Open would fi gure that in.” Inductions occur every second “The process is superior to twice US Open winner Retief inductees — a task that falls to deserving over time get in be- at Royal Troon, one of 16 PGA One historic fi gure that both year, and only fi ve people can be what we had previously,” he said. Goosen and former Masters a panel of 16 headed by retired cause we have this veterans cat- Tour titles, before becoming a re- agree on is Scottish-born Ameri- inducted at once, a policy Mallon “I think the debate is healthy.” Gulf Times Tuesday, October 30, 2018 5 SPORT

MLB Red Sox beat Dodgers in Game 5 to win World Series Steve Pearce named World Series MVP, Pearce gives Boston lead it would never surrender

AFP Los Angeles

teve Pearce smashed two home runs as the Bos- ton Red Sox romped to their ninth World Series crownS on Sunday, pounding the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 with a ruthless display of hitting to clinch the Major League Baseball championship with two games to spare. Pearce’s double-blast sand- wiched home runs from Mookie Betts and JD Martinez to seal a 4-1 victory in the best-of-seven match-up as the Dodgers’ quest for a fi rst World Series title since 1988 ended in disappointment. “This has been a lifelong jour- ney,” said Pearce, who was later named Series MVP. “To be here right now is a dream come true.” The 35-year-old Pearce, who supported the Red Sox as a boy, only joined the club in June after an 11-year career in the Majors. “Best feeling in my life,” he said. “This is what you grow up wishing that you could be a part of something like this.” Red Sox pitcher David Price claimed the win with a sublime pitching performance, notching fi ve strikeouts in seven master- ful innings for one run and just three hits conceded. It was another ice-cold dis- play from Price, who had also shut down the Dodgers’ expen- sively-assembled batting line- up in game two of the series at Fenway Park on Wednesday. But it was yet another bitter postseason outing for Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who once again failed to deliver on the big occasion with the Dodgers need- ing a victory to take the series to a game six in Boston. The 30-year-old Texan lefty, who had also given up fi ve runs in a mauling by the Red Sox of- Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora hoists the Commissioner’s Trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports fense in game one, is widely re- garded as the greatest pitcher of a World Series at Dodger Sta- Dodgers manager Dave Rob- on the board. After Betts fl ied with fi rst baseman David Freese their lead in the sixth. homering to centre fi eld for 4-1. his generation. dium for a second year running erts gave a frank assessment out to left center-fi eld, Andrew bludgeoning Price’s fi rst pitch This time the opening fell to A weary Kershaw then gave But his dream of crowning a following the Houston Astros’ of his expensively assembled Benintendi drove through a gap into right fi eld for a home run to American League Most Valu- way to reliever Pedro Baez in the decade of regular season domi- victory in game seven of the Fall team’s failure to end their World to reach fi rst base. cut the lead to 2-1. able Player contender Betts, who eighth, but there was no respite nance with a World Series ring Classic last season. Series drought. Pearce, Boston’s hero from After the early burst of scor- pounced on an 89-mph slider to for the Dodgers. looks more remote than ever af- “There’s only one team that “Ran up against a very good Saturday’s 9-6 game four win ing, however, Kershaw and Price send it hurtling 385 feet into the Pearce lashed his second ter a brutal pummeling in what can win and we know that, but it ballclub,” Roberts said. “And just after blasting a home run and settled into their respective left fi eld bleachers for a 3-1 lead. home run of the night to left fi eld could turn out to be his fi nal out- just hurts worse when you make a little bit too much for us. a three-run double, picked up rhythms in a tightly contested With Price mopping up the to leave Boston 5-1 ahead and ing with the Dodgers if he opts it all the way and get second “Ultimately, and it’s tough to where he left off the previous pitching duel. bottom of the sixth with ease cruising. out of the remaining two years place,” Kershaw said. say, but the better team won.” night with a towering home run After neither side were able to for Boston, Kershaw’s night With the Dodgers unable to on his contract. “So having done that two The Red Sox took the lead in over centre fi eld to make it 2-0. engineer scoring opportunities got worse as JD Martinez bat- score in the eighth, it was left The Dodgers were left to years in a row now, it doesn’t the fi rst inning, quickly going af- The Dodgers were quick to re- through the fourth and fi fth in- tered the Dodgers ace with the to Chris Sale to mop up the fi nal watch a visiting team celebrate make it any easier.” ter Kershaw to get the fi rst runs spond in the bottom of the fi rst, nings, Boston fi nally stretched fi rst pitch of the seventh inning, three outs.

NBA NHL Meier, Sharks top Warriors fi nish strong to hold off Nets reeling Ducks in OT AFP Dallas. He shot nine-of-12 in the Los Angeles second half. Wesley Matthews Reuters the second. Meier made it 3-1 scored 22. Anaheim less than two minutes later, before Aberg closed the gap to tephen Curry set an NBA CLIPPERS PUT 9 IN DOUBLE 3-2 with 3:01 left in the middle record after draining FIGURES, ROUT WIZARDS imo Meier scored two frame as he took a pass from seven three pointers en Tobias Harris had 22 points and goals, including the Getzlaf and sent a wrister in route to a 35-point per- 11 rebounds, Lou Williams scored overtime winner, and off Sharks defenseman Brent formanceS as the Golden State 17 off the bench, and the Los An- added an assist as the Burns. The Ducks drew even Warriors defeated the Brooklyn geles Clippers routed the visiting Tvisiting San Jose Sharks edged at 8:36 of the third period on Nets 120-114 on Sunday. Washington Wizards 136-104 the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 on a solo eff ort by Aberg. He stole Curry scored 16 points in the on Sunday night. Avery Bradley Sunday night. the puck in the neutral zone, fi rst quarter and drained his fi nal chipped 15 points, and Montrezl Meier jammed in a loose puck weaved around two defense- three pointer of the contest with Harrell and Boban Marjanovic at 2:12 of overtime. The Sharks man and then sidestepped 67 seconds remaining to make it contributed 13 each for the Clip- (6-3-2, 14 points) have won Jones for the unassisted score. 115-108. Curry has made at least pers, who had nine men in double four of their last fi ve games, The goals were Aberg’s fi rst fi ve threes in all seven games this fi gures and never trailed. while the struggling Ducks two with the Ducks. The 25-year- season to surpass George Mc- Bradley Beal led the Wizards (5-5-2) incurred their fi fth old Stockholm, Sweden, native Cloud’s NBA record of six straight with 20 points, and John Wall straight loss. Logan Couture spent the last season-plus with in 1995. Kevin Durant tallied 34 had 18. The Clippers led by 15 posted a goal and an assist for Nashville before he was traded to points for the Warriors, who ap- at halftime and by 17 early in the Sharks, while Thomas Hertl Edmonton in February. peared to be cruising to victory the third quarter before Beal furnished two helpers. Rourke Jonathan Marchessault before the Nets stormed back with capped a mini-Wizards run with Chartier, with his fi rst NHL scored on a penalty shot 2:24 some superb three-point shoot- a 3-pointer that got Washing- career goal, also scored for San into overtime as the Vegas ing of their own in front of a crowd ton within 81-71. Los Angeles Jose. Pontus Aberg scored his Golden Knights rallied for a of 17,700 at Barclays Center arena. responded with 16-0 run led by fi rst two goals of the season for 4-3 victory over the Ottawa “They got hot in the fourth three 3-pointers from Patrick the Ducks, while Josh Manson Senators on Sunday night in to try to make it interesting, but Beverly and fi ve points from also scored and Ryan Getzlaf Las Vegas. Marchessault was we made enough plays down the Danilo Gallinari. had two assists. Sharks goal- hooked by Mark Stone as he stretch to obviously get the win,” The Clippers led by 20 points tender Martin Jones stopped 27 broke into the Ottawa zone on said Curry. Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell drives past Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry in the after three quarters. Washington of 30 shots for the win. a breakaway to set up his fi rst- The Warriors have won four fourth quarter at Barclays Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports converted just 5 of 27 (18.5 per- The Ducks rallied from a 3-1 ever penalty try. The Vegas straight since their only loss and cent) from 3-point range while second-period with Aberg’s center then came in from the their previous three wins were three-point range this sea- I thought they competed their ing 12 points, 19 rebounds and the Clippers made 16 of 29 (55.2 two goals to force overtime. right side of the slot and ri- by 20 points or more. They failed son. D’Angelo Russell scored 25 tails off and it was good for the a career-high nine assists for percent). The Clippers have won The loss spoiled a 45-save ef- fl ed a shot past Senators goalie to equal the franchise record of points and Caris LeVert had 23 fans to see that we didn’t just the Jazz, who took a fi ve-point four of their past fi ve, while the fort from Ducks goaltender Craig Anderson’s glove side for four straight 20 point wins set for the Nets, who made 20 three- succumb to their talent or their lead into the fourth quarter and Wizards fell to 1-3 on a fi ve- John Gibson as Anaheim was his sixth goal of the season. by the San Francisco Warriors pointers in 42 attempts and cut aura so to speak.” then won going away. Donovan game road trip that ends Tues- outshot 49-30. The Sharks in the 1966-67 season. Dray- a 19-point defi cit down to two. Elsewhere, Rudy Gobert de- Mitchell scored 20 points for day at Memphis. outshot the Ducks 34-17 in the RESULTS mond Green had a season-high “The way the fi rst half went we livered another double double, Utah, who overcame 18 turno- fi rst 40 minutes but had trou- Los Angeles ....4-3 ...... NY Rangers 13 assists while Klay Thomp- easily could have kind of folded fi nishing with 23 points and 16 vers. RESULTS ble beating Gibson. Detroit ...... 4-2 ...... Dallas son struggled from beyond the and that’s not what kind of guys rebounds as the Utah Jazz de- Jae Crowder added 15 points A Clippers ...... 136-104 ..Washington After Couture and Manson NY Islanders ...2-1 ...... Carolina arc, going one for fi ve. He fi n- we have in that locker room,” feated the Dallas Mavericks and Joe Ingles had 12. Dennis Utah ...... 113-104 ...Dallas exchanged fi rst-period goals, Edmonton ...... 2-1 ...... Chicago 1 ished with 18 points on Sunday Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. 113-104. De Andre Jordan fl irted Smith scored 16 of his game high Oklahoma City ....117-110 .....Phoenix Chartier put the Sharks ahead Las Vegas...... 4-3 ...... Ottawa and is fi ve of 36 overall from “They’re a resilient bunch and with a triple double by tally- 27 points in the third quarter for Golden State ...... 120-114 ...Brooklyn 2-1 on a wrist shot at 2:13 of San Jose ...... 4-3 ...... Anaheim Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, October 30, 2018 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Aspire cadet Aziz shines QFA, CAF healthy ties praised in West Asian Triathlon during CAF panel Aspire visit Championships delegation from the Confed- eration of African Football (CAF), which was in Qatar last week at the invitation of Qatar FootballA Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, visited the Aspire Academy. CAF and QFA enjoy a strong and friendly relationship which has given rise to many programmes and projects of mutual benefi t. At Aspire, the visit- ing CAF team was met and welcomed by Aspire Academy Director of Football Performance and Science, Professor Valter Di Salvo who went on to lead the tour. The CAF delegation had the oppor- tunity to see the new Aspire Academy Football Performance Centre, which boasts state-of-the art equipment and latest cutting- edge sporting technol- ogy. CAF Executive Committee mem- Aziz al-Ali (left) and Ebrahim al-Rumaihi during the ITU West Asian Triathlon ber and President of Djibouti Football Championships in Aqaba, Jordan. Association, Suleiman Hassan Waberi was full of praise for the relationship atar’s reigning national reality. Our sincere gratitude to the between QFA and CAF and expressed triathlon champion Ebra- Qatar Cycling & Triathlon Federa- his awe at the sport development work him al-Rumaihi fi nished tion, the Qatar Olympic Committee, carried out by Aspire Academy. 29th in the men’s race at and the Qatar National Bank,” said “We at CAF have a good friend in theQ ITU West Asian Triathlon Cham- national triathlon team head coach QFA and this opportunity today ena- Members of the Confederation of African Football delegation pose during their Aspire Academy visit. pionships in Aqaba, Jordan, last week Matt O’Halloran. bles us to see how Qatar has made while Aspire Academy’s Aziz al-Ali QCTF Vice-President Professor great strides in football development “What I saw today here at Aspire is Aspire Academy, which is really a world world-class sports programs which came fi rst in the open race (U-19) and Nasser al-Mohannadi also congratu- and we can look forward to working encouraging to countries like mine, class institution.” benefi t many in the world including ninth overall. lated the athletes. with QFA at country association level because in Qatar we fi nd an example Federacion Ecuatoguineana de Fut- countries under CAF such as my own, Despite a fl at tyre, the 17-year old “We are very happy as federation and at Confederation level to develop of sport development, structures and bol’s, (FEGUIFUT) Gustavo Ndong Equatorial Guinea. The facilities and accomplished the achievement in for having locals competing at elite our football structures, which includes programmes that enhance what we are Edu Akumu added, “The visit serves work that we have seen here in Qatar the bike leg. He was strong enough to international level and put coun- areas like Refereeing and Coaching trying to achieve with our football. We to confi rm the very cordial partner- point to a country preparing well for edge top junior athletes from around try name in the most growing sport amongst others,” Waberi said. will explore areas where we best can ship between QFA and CAF. the World Cup in 2022, and from what Asia. “The whole team would like to in world. We will continue working The President of the Liberia Foot- learn and tap into the fabulous work Aspire Academy sums up the amaz- l have seen l am confi dent Qatar will thank the supporters, which make hard to have more representatives on ball Association, Raji Mustapha said, that is done in Qatar by institutions like ing work Qatar is doing to create a host a great World Cup.” the pursuit of the athlete’s dreams a future,” said al-Mohannadi.

NFL RUGBY Ireland rest Sexton, Best for Italy Test Rams stop Packers can make a good impression AFP Dublin in the contest. “We have a very diffi cult challenge against Ire- land, who in the past created ix Nations Grand Slam that we did not manage prop- champions Ireland will erly,” Italy’s Irish-born coach have an all new half- O’Shea said on Sunday. back partnership for “But we will give 100 per- to remain unbeaten theS Test with Italy in Chicago cent on the fi eld. We are ambi- on Saturday after head coach tious and we want to show our ‘When we’re clicking and spreading the ball around we’re really tough to stop’ Joe Schmidt preferred to keep game. It will be important for Johnny Sexton fresh for tough- us to put in a physically strong AFP er matches later in November. performance.” Los Angeles Sexton has formed a world The squad contains only class pairing with scrum-half one uncapped player in South Conor Murray - who will miss African-born fl anker lock Jo- reg Zuerlein booted a the Tests as he is yet to play han Meyer who qualifi es af- 34-yard go-ahead fi eld this season - but with Argen- ter three years of playing for goal with 2:05 left as tina and world champions Zebre. Italy are without sev- the Los Angeles Rams New Zealand due to play in eral regulars, including cap- Gkept their perfect record alive Dublin in November Schmidt tain Sergio Parisse, for the test with a 29-27 win over the Green is not prepared to risk his star in the United States. Exeter Bay Packers on Sunday. fl y-half. Other key members Chiefs centre Michele Cam- Quarterback Jared Goff passed of the Six Nations triumph will pagnaro will lead the team in for 295 yards and three touch- not travel to the United States, his absence. downs for the Rams, who have including seasoned hooker and Irish-born Ian McKinley is started the season with eight captain Rory Best -who missed on the bench and will likely consecutive wins and no losses. the 2-1 Test series victory over get a run out against his na- Aaron Rodgers threw for 286 Australia in the summer - tive country, an opportunity yards as the Packers gave the fl anker Peter O’Mahony, full- he missed out on in the Six Na- Rams all they could handle but back Rob Kearney and utility tions tournament this year. ultimately came up short. Green back Keith Earls. He also qualifi es for Italy Bay dropped to 3-3-1. The absences of Sexton and on residency grounds. He had “That was a high-calibre, Murray off ers opportunities retired from Rugby in 2011 af- back-and-forth game,” Rams at fl y-half to Joey Carbery, ter losing the sight in his left coach Sean McVay said. who has impressed this season eye, but returned three years “This team has demonstrated since his move to Munster from later using specially-manu- through eight games that while Leinster, and the uncapped factured goggles. Last year, the we have a long way to go, we are Ross Byrne, who is Sexton’s 28-year-old McKinley made capable of winning games in a understudy at Leinster. his debut against Fiji and also bunch of diff erent ways.” The scrum-half berth will featured in tests against South Ramik Wilson recovered a be fi lled by either Ulster’s John Africa and Argentina. fumble for the Rams after Ty Cooney, who has two caps, or TEAM: 15-Luca Sperandio, Montgomery couldn’t hold onto Sexton’s half-back partner at 14-Mattia Bellini, 13-Michele the ball on the kickoff return im- Leinster, the six-times capped Campagnaro (captain), mediately following Zuerlein’s Luke McGrath. Soldier Field 12-Luca Morisi, 11-Giulio fi eld goal. holds happy memories for the Bisegni, 10-Carlo Canna, 9-Tito Both teams charged back from Irish, who recorded their fi rst Tebaldi, 8-Rento Giammarioli, 10-point defi cits to take a lead ever victory over the All Blacks 7-Bram Steyn, 6-Johan Meyer, in front of a crowd of 75,800 at there in 2016. 5-George Fabio Biagi, 4-Marco the historic Los Angeles Coli- Fuser, 3-Tiziano Pasquali, seum. ITALY NAME 2-Luca Bigi, 1-Nicola Quaglio Rodgers is known for his UNDER-STRENGTH SIDE Replacements: 16-Olivi- trademark fourth quarter game- Italy have named an under- ero Fabiani, 17-Cherif Traore, winning drives, but he never strength team for Saturday’s 18-Giosue Zilocchi, 19-Marco got a chance to mount one this test against Ireland at Soldier Lazzaroni, 20-Federico Ruzza, time. Field in Chicago but coach 21-Jimmy Tuivatti, 22-Gugliel- As a result, Los Angeles was Conor O’Shea is hopeful they mo Palazzani, 23-Ian McKinley. able to extend their best start to Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (right) stiff arms Green Bay Packers free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) on a fourth quarter run at a season since 1969. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Josh Reynolds caught two touchdown passes for Los An- fi eld goal in the fi rst quarter to hot streak, running for a career- Mahomes fi nished with Early Saturday morning, Ashley-Cooper added to Wallabies geles, while running back Todd tie Andersen with 2,544 points high 132 yards and two touch- his franchise-record seventh Jaguars defensive backs Barry Gurley rushed for 114 yards and and then added a 25-yarder downs. He eclipsed the personal consecutive 300-yard perform- Church, Ronnie Harrison, D.J. squad for camp ahead of Europe tour scored a touchdown. late in the second to set the best he set last week against Buf- ance. Hayden and Jarrod Wilson were “That was probably my fa- record. falo with 126 yards. “When we’re clicking and detained and released by police Veteran utility back Adam from overseas if they vourite win of the year,” said The 45-year-old American Oakland quarterback Derek spreading the ball around we’re after an issue involving a bar bill. Ashley-Cooper has been have played more than 60 Goff , who went 19 for 35 without tacked on three more points to Carr threw three touchdown really tough to stop,” said Maho- recalled to the Australia Tests. an interception. extend his career total to 2,550. passes and ran for a fourth. mes. RESULTS squad for the first time since The 34-year-old, who is The Rams played without re- Andrew Luck threw his third In London, England, Philadel- Philadelphia 24-18 Jacksonville 2016 for the team’s tour of expected to rejoin the ceiver Cooper Kupp, who missed touchdown pass of the contest to CHIEFS ROUGH UP phia’s Carson Wentz threw for Carolina 36-21 Baltimore Europe where they will play New South Wales Waratahs his second straight game with a break a tie with 5:28 to go. BRONCOS 286 yards and three touchdowns Pittsburgh 33-18 Cleveland tests against Wales, Italy and next season, has 116 caps knee injury. He connected with all three of Also, Patrick Mahomes threw in a 24-18 triumph against a Kansas City 30-23 Denver England. and is seeking to become Elsewhere, Adam Vinatieri his tight ends with the 10-yard for 303 yards and four touch- Jacksonville defence that had Chicago 24-10 Jets Ashley-Cooper joined French just the second Australian kicked a fi rst-half fi eld goal pass to Jack Doyle putting the downs, Sammy Watkins had four players detained at a Lon- Seattle 28-14 Detroit club Bordeaux after the player to appear at four to surpass Morten Andersen Colts ahead 35-28. 107 yards receiving and two don nightclub incident. Cincinnati 37-34 Tampa Bay 2015 Rugby World Cup and Rugby World Cups at next and become the NFL’s all-time Luck connected earlier in the touchdowns as the Kansas City The reigning Super Bowl Washington 20-13 Giants played twice more for year’s event in Japan. points leader in the Indianapolis game on passes to Mo Alie-Cox Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos champion Eagles improved to Indianapolis 42-28 Oakland the Wallabies in 2016 under “Adam will train with us, we’ll Colt’s 42-28 win over the Oak- and Eric Ebron and fi nished with 30-23 to maintain their led at 4-4 with the Wembley Stadium Rams 29-27 Green Bay the Giteau rule, which see where he’s at,” coach land Raiders. 239 yards in the win. the top of the AFC West stand- victory while the Jaguars fell to Arizona San 18-15 Francisco allows players to be selected Michael Cheika said. Vinatieri kicked a 26-yard Marlon Mack continued his ings. 3-5. New Orleans 30-20 Minnesota Gulf Times Tuesday, October 30, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Bale bears brunt of criticism for Real defeat

Reuters since 2007 not to feature Ronaldo the authority to do whatever they Madrid or Lionel Messi and many Real fans like and that can go against the col- were hoping Bale would step up. lective.” But it was Barca’s Luis Suarez who AS newspaper cited Bale’s failure eal Madrid coach Julen Lo- stole the headlines with a hat-trick to track Alba as the beginning of the petegui is likely to pay for and Bale was substituted as Real end while Marca columnist Jose Fe- the team’s poor start to the chased a way back into a game they lix Diaz suggested Bale went missing season, but Spanish media lost 5-1. when his side needed him most. Rhave also criticised the club’s play- “We keep looking at Bale because “It’s not the day for blaming one ers and Gareth Bale, in particular. of his price tag and that has created player, rather all of them, but the The Wales forward arrived in the this illusion that he’s some sort of Welshman was the one who was Spanish capital for a then world world superstar, but the last fi ve supposed to lead this side and show record fee of 85mn pounds ($109mn) years aren’t refl ective what Madrid character — but he just resigned. He in 2013 and was seen by club Presi- paid for him,” Jorge Valdano, the looked like he couldn’t cope with the dent Florentino Perez as the long- former Real player and sporting di- stage or the pressure,” Diaz wrote. term replacement for Cristiano Ro- rector, said on Spanish radio station “I wrote a few weeks ago that Bale naldo. Onda Cero. was showing he had what it took to Despite moments of brilliance, “Bale was the one in charge of become the leader that he hid when like his overhead kick against Liv- tracking Jordi Alba (for Barcelona’s Ronaldo was around, but I need to erpool in last season’s Champions fi rst goal) but after seven minutes his take that back. He’s picked up inju- League fi nal, the Bernabeu faith- concentration was gone. Alba was ries and disappeared. His morale is ful have never taken Bale to their on his own down that fl ank. fragile. It’s a crying shame because Real Madrid’s Gareth hearts with injury problems and a “At the start of the game, the of his incredible potential.” Bale in action with perceived lack of integration into players respected the system and With another new coach set to Barcelona’s Jordi the side often used as sticks to beat their instructions, but then they do arrive at the Bernabeu, it is a case of Alba on Sunday. him with. Sunday’s Clasico against what comes naturally to them, like now or never for Bale to show he can arch-rivals Barcelona was the fi rst Bale did, and they think they have be Real’s main man.

LIGUE 1 FOCUS Family, players pay tribute to dead Mbappe scores Leicester City owner

AFP “Today our inspectors... will Leicester start working on the recorder,” the AAIB, which is leading the inquiry, said in a statement. as Paris equal he family of the late The other victims included Thai billionaire boss two members of Vichai’s staff , of Premier League club Nursara Suknamai and Kave- TLeicester City laid a porn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaff er wreath yesterday at the site and the pilot’s girlfriend, Izabe- where his helicopter crashed as la Roza Lechowicz, also a pilot. investigators began examining Nursara Suknamai was an ac- the aircraft’s black box. tress and a runner-up in Miss Europe win record Dressed in black, Vichai Sri- Thailand Universe in 2005. vaddhanaprabha’s son Aiya- Vichai, a regular at matches watt and widow Aimon walked who used to fl y to and from Mbappe was shockingly omitted from the PSG starting line-up by coach through a sea of tributes from home games, was much-loved fans outside the stadium, in- in the city as the driving force Tuchel, apparently because he showed up late for the pre-match team talk cluding fl owers, football scarves behind the club’s historic 2016 and Buddhist statues. Premiership victory. Vichai’s son, known as “Top”, British Prime Minister There- is chief executive of his father’s sa May and Prince William, who duty-free empire King Power is president of the Football As- and also vice-chairman of the sociation, both off ered their football club Vichai bought in condolences. 2010. “I was lucky to have known Aiyawatt was later joined Vichai for several years. He was by the team, including striker a businessman of strong values Jamie Vardy, centre-back Har- who was dedicated to his fam- ry Maguire and keeper Kasper ily and who supported a number Schmeichel, with the group of important charitable causes,” pausing in refl ection in front of said William, the Duke of Cam- the fl owers. bridge. “Struggling to fi nd the right “He made such a big con- words, but to me you are a leg- tribution to football, not least end, an incredible man who had through Leicester City’s magi- the biggest heart, the soul of cal 2016 season that captured Leicester City Football Club,” the imagination of the world. Vardy wrote on Instagram. “He will be missed by all fans The team’s French manager of the sport and everyone lucky Claude Puel also joined the enough to have known him.” mourners. May said her thoughts were Vichai, 60, was among fi ve with the family and friends of people who died when the heli- the victims as well as supporters copter crashed in the stadium of the club. car park moments after taking “The outpouring of grief is a off from the pitch following Sat- testament to how many people’s urday’s match. lives were touched by those on The site is still cordoned off as board,” she said in a statement. investigators pick through the Vichai bought Leicester City wreckage. and became chairman in Febru- The government’s Air Acci- ary 2011, pouring millions into dents Investigation Branch said the team and becoming a be- yesterday it had recovered the loved fi gure in the club and the helicopter’s digital fl ight data city — a feat rarely achieved by recorder, which was subject to the Premier League’s foreign “intense heat” in a fi re. owners.

Ronaldo says he left Real because of president Perez’s attitude

Reuters: Cristiano Ronaldo about leaving. Sometimes I’d says he decided to quit Real look at the news, where they Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish defender Juan Bernat (L), forwards Neymar (C) and Kylian Mbappe (R) celebrate after their team’s win over Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Madrid this summer because were saying I was asking to Velodrome stadium in Marseille on Sunday. the Spanish club’s president, leave. There was a bit of that, Florentino Perez, only ever but the truth is that I always AFP An 11th win on the bounce from the 1-0 on Saturday and visit the Parc des Dimitri Payet played the furthest for- saw him as a means of making had the impression that the Paris start of the campaign for PSG means Princes next Friday. Marseille, mean- ward in a Marseille side lacking a proper money. president would not hold me they have equalled Tottenham Hotspur’s while, are fi fth, already 14 points behind striker, and the best chance in the fi rst “He only ever looked at me as back.” record from the 1960-61 season, the the league leaders. half came in stoppage time as Kevin a business relationship. I know Real have struggled to come ylian Mbappe responded to be- best in any of Europe’s big fi ve leagues. OM have now failed to beat their great- Strootman cleared off the line from Di it. What he told me was never to terms with his departure. ing dropped by coming off the “It was what the team needed,” est rivals in 18 meetings in all competi- Maria. from the heart,” the Portuguese Opting not to replace him in the bench and scoring the opener Mbappe told Canal Plus of his cameo off tions going back seven years, although The Argentine, who scored PSG’s forward told France Football transfer market has backfired as Paris Saint-Germain won the bench. they matched the reigning champions stoppage-time equaliser against Napoli, magazine. and the European champions 2-0K at Marseille on Sunday to make it 11 “A great team relies on its leaders and for long spells of this game. then forced an excellent save from Man- The 33-year-old Ronaldo signed are currently ninth in La Liga wins out of 11 in Ligue 1 this season and they need to be able to make the diff er- Tensions always run high in this fi x- danda seconds after the restart. for Italy’s Juventus from Real with new coach Julen Lo- match a long-standing European record. ence in key moments. I can take on that ture, and there were a couple of brief As tempers started to fray, Tuchel’s in July for 100mn euros and petegui set to be axed. Mbappe was a shock omission from role and I did it today.” hold-ups when Neymar tried to take assistant Arno Michels was sent to the has helped his new club to an Previous incumbent Zinedine the PSG starting line-up by coach Tho- The win record is a superb achieve- corners, with objects raining down from stands, but PSG were beginning to look unbeaten start in Serie A this Zidane had warned the club mas Tuchel, with broadcaster Canal ment for Tuchel, even if it is marred the stands of the Velodrome aimed at the more dangerous and Neymar fi red just season, netting seven goals in major changes were needed, Plus reporting the move was a punish- somewhat by PSG’s patchy performanc- world’s most expensive player. wide after some superb footwork. ten appearances for the Italian however pre-emptively left Real ment after the teenage World Cup win- es in the Champions League, including a At one point in the second half, Ney- Payet forced Alphonse Areola into a Champions. in what is now looking to have ner showed up late for the pre-match fortunate 2-2 draw at home to Napoli in mar stepped away from the corner mark good stop from his free-kick just before “In the first four or five years (at been a smart move. team talk. midweek. holding a miniature bottle of spirits that the hour mark, but Mbappe then made Real) I had the feeling of being The Portuguese international But he was sent on in the 62nd minute But the German admitted that the re- had been thrown in his direction. his entrance and needed little time to put ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’. Less so af- said he is satisfied with his of ‘Le Classique’ for Eric-Maxim sult had been overshadowed by the deci- While Neymar started, Tuchel left the visitors in front. terwards. The president looked decision to leave given how Choupo-Moting and scored the break- sion to drop Mbappe, which he intimat- both Mbappe and Adrien Rabiot on the Jordan Amavi hit the post with a long- at me through eyes that didn’t things have transpired at the through goal just three minutes later, be- ed was a necessary measure. bench at kick-off . range pile-driver but Marseille could want to say the same thing, as Bernabeu this season. ing released by Angel di Maria and racing “I don’t like to play without Kylian. I Edinson Cavani missed the game due not fi nd an equaliser and Paris wrapped if I was no longer indispensable “My decision to leave was not clear to fi nish past Steve Mandanda. hate playing without him in a match like to injury, so Cameroon striker Choupo- up the victory with the last kick of the to them,” he said. based on Zidane’s,” Ronaldo It was Mbappe’s 10th Ligue 1 goal this this,” he said. Moting made his fi rst start since his sur- game. Mbappe found Neymar, and his “That’s what made me think said. season, and Julian Draxler then wrapped In Ligue 1, PSG are eight points clear prise arrival late in the summer transfer shot was going wide of the far post be- up the victory in stoppage time. of second-placed Lille, who beat Caen window. fore Draxler turned it in.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR CLASSIC SQUASH FOOTBALL Former champ Our target is to reach the fi nal, Gawad survives says Qatar coach

AFC Jakarta

atar coach Bruno Pinheiro has declared scare from Eain that Qatar’s next tar- get is to reach the AFC ‘He is extremely gifted player. He played very well today’ QU-19 Championship Indonesia 2018 fi nal after Sunday’s enter- taining 7-3 extra-time win over Thailand saw them progress to the competition’s last four. An incredible game saw the West Asians take a 2-0 lead, before being forced to rely on Ahmed Suhail’s 87th minute equaliser to take the game into extra-time. Four further goals in the additional half an hour sub- sequently saw the 2014 champi- once again, to play the way we defeat, head coach Ithsara ons edge closer to a Continental play – that is our main weapon. Sritharo feels there are plenty of title showdown and, in the proc- We will do everything we can positives he can take away from ess, seal a place at next year’s to go through and maintain our the tournament. FIFA U-20 World Cup. own style throughout as that will “Overall, I feel we have an Whilst delighted with Qa- give us the best chance of reach- excellent experience playing tar’s World Cup spot at Poland ing the fi nal.” here in Indonesia. We can take in 2019, Pinheiro is already eye- Pinheiro was, however, was plenty of positives away with us ing more success for his talented unable to explain the reasons from this competition – posi- young charges – starting with behind Qatar allowing their op- tives which we hope will help the semi-fi nal clash against ponents back into the game af- the team grow stronger and be- South Korea, who defeated ter half-time, as they had done come better players going into Tajikistan 1-0 yesterday. against Indonesia on Matchday their next competition,” he ex- “We are of course very proud Two. plained. to be going to the 2019 FIFA “This is not the fi rst time this “We have had a lot of very U-20 World Cup. A lot of people type of situation has happened. good experiences, especially have been working very hard to We played well in the fi rst half playing against strong teams make this happen and I am sure and then our opponents come such as those we faced in the that all of Qatar will be proud of back after half-time, only for us group stage and Qatar. the players,” he said. to fi nish the game well,” he said. “We are delighted by how we “We now have three days to “Maybe it can be explained were able to fi ght back when we recover both physical and men- by the fact that these players are were losing, but obviously very tally before our semi-fi nal. Our relatively inexperienced. Maybe disappointed by how we con- Karim Abdel Gawad (L) plays a shot as Eain Yow Ng waits for the ball during their third round match at the Qatar Classic yesterday. target now is, of course, to reach they relax at certain moments of ceded the goals. We could have PICTURE: Jayan Orma the fi nal of the U-19s, because the game. I am not overly sure if fi nished the game off within the when you are in the last four, it is that, but it could well be. 90 minutes when we were lead- By Sports Reporter Castagnet secured his third that is all you want to do – win “But despite what happened, ing 3-2, but we just couldn’t. Doha round spot with a 3-0 win over the game and be in the fi nal. we were able to recover well and “It came down to how much Australia’s Cameron Pilley. “We never think too far ahead score four goals in extra-time strength and stamina the teams India’s Saurav Ghosal dis- though. We will focus on the that took us through. We are had – and Qatar were better at arim Abdel Gawad was patched his Asian Games nem- semi-fi nal where we intend, very happy.” Despite Thailand’s that.” stretched to the limit by esis Leo Au 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 to Eain Yow Ng before the meet second seed Ali Farag in the Kformer champion over- next round. Ghosal lost a gruel- QNB STARS LEAGUE came the valiant Malaysian 3-2 (9- ling 76-minute long Asian Games 11, 11-13, 11-3, 11-4, 11-4) to reach semi-fi nal to Leo after having a third round of the Qatar Classic upper hand during most of the yesterday. match. At the Khalifa International “I don’t consume myself with Tennis and Squash Complex, the thoughts of revenge or anything Egyptian needed more than one like that - the focus was on how I Duhail aim to go hour to fi nally break his opponent, would play any top player, which ranked 42nd in the world rankings. Leo is. I was thinking about what “It was a very tough round for I needed to do against him to im- me. I know I’m a slow starter but pose my game and execute it,” I did not start on a positive note,” India’s Saurav Ghosal in action against Leo Au of Hong Kong. Ghosal said. 7 clear with win Gawad said. Eain had beaten local favour- tillating form as he blitzed past on the opportunity and go one step RESULTS ite Abdulla al-Tamimi in the fi rst Swiss Nicolas Mueller 11-4, 11-7, further than his round of sixteen Declan James (Eng) 3-0 Karim Ali round and picked up where he 11-7, setting up a match with 2005 fi nish at the US Open earlier this Fathi (Egy) 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 (35m) left off as he produced squash of Champion James Willstrop, who month. [6] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 over Sailiya today the highest calibre in the opening defeated Hong Kong’s Max Lee 3-1 “The fi rst round match here was Eain Yow Ng (Mas) 9-11, 11-13, 11-3, 11-4, By Sports Reporter games to leave Gawad, the World (11-6, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9). tough because all the players are 11-4 (61m) Doha No 10 from Giza, searching for a Welshman Joel Makin fol- good at this level but I felt like I got Mathieu Castagnet (Fra) 3-0 Cam- way to stop the onslaught – which lowed up his win over Mohamed the win last week (over Shorbagy) eron Pilley (Aus) 16-14, 11-2, 11-8 (48m) he duly found to turn the match ElShorbagy in the recent Chan- out of my system in that match and Joel Makin (Wal) 3-2 [5] Miguel l Duhail will pull seven points clear of upside down and keep alive his nel VAS Championship with an- I felt like I played much better to- Rodriguez (Col) 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, their nearest rivals Al Rayyan if they hopes of winning the title for the other massive upset, beating 5th day,” Makin said. 11-9 (106m) beat Al Sailiya in their rescheduled second time in his career. seeded British Open Champion “I knew I had to be so patient James Willstrop (Eng) 3-1 Max Lee AQNB Stars League fixture at Al Ahli “He is extremely gifted player. Miguel Rodriguez 3-2 (11-4, 6-11, with him because if you open the (Hkg) 11-6, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9 (48m) Stadium today. He played very well today. I knew 11-7, 10-12, 11-9) in a 106-minute court up too quickly he has such [3] Tarek Momen (Egy) 3-0 Nicolas The match was held over from week 5 as Al how good he must have been al- marathon. quick reactions and can hurt you. Mueller (Sui) 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 (27m) Duhail were engaged in the AFC Champions though I never played him,” Gawad Makin will now line up against Today was a big ranking win for me Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 3-0 Leo Au League, although they bowed out of the tour- said. Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet and one that could mean me going (Hkg) 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 (29m) nament later at the quarter-final stage. In the bottom quarter of the for a place in the quarter-fi nals into the last eight, so I will do what [2] Ali Farag (Egy) 3-2 Mohamed Similarly, Al Sadd’s game versus Al Khor in draw, last year’s runner-up and No of the tournament, and the rising I can to try and make that happen Abouelghar (Egy) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, Week 5 has been also rescheduled. It will now 2 seed Tarek Momen was in scin- star says he is hungry to capitalise in a few days.” 11-9 (68m). be played on November 28. After 10 rounds of action, Al Duhail are top of the table with 22 points, followed by Al Rayyan (18), Al Sadd (17) and Al Sailiya (16). MONTHLY MUG AT DOHA GOLF CLUB Al Duhail are fresh from their 4-1 defeat of Qatar’s Mike Al Kharaitiyat, while Al Sailiya had lost 1-2 to Al Rayyan in their Week 10 matches played last Janis wins Thursday. drag racing Al Duhail, who have played only eight match- es, are the only unbeaten side in the 12-team championship competition. They have seven wins and one Duhail coach Nabil Maaloul. draw to their credit. atar’s Mike Janis won Coached by Tunisian Nabil Maaloul, The Red worth for the team. his first E3 Spark Plugs Knights’ goal difference stands at +18, having “We are facing a difficult game against Al NHRA Pro Mod Drag scored 24 goals and conceded six. Sailiya. They are a side that has proved its QRacing Series world On the other hand, Al Sailiya, under fellow worth and displayed excellence in the games championship at the season end- Tunisian Sami Trabelsi, dropped from third to even though they suffered some setbacks. ing event during the NHRA Toy- fourth place last week following their loss. It “We play all games with great concentra- ota Nationals, while Sidnei Frigo was The Peregrines’ second successive defeat tion and the team has achieved some excellent earned his first win of the year. as they had lost to Al Shahania in Week 9. results. Since the start of the league, we have Janis was the points leaders enter- Al Sailiya have recorded five victories so far. dropped only two points from the draw and we ing the weekend but was defeated They lost three games and drew one to have a always try to play to win. in the first round of eliminations goal difference of +4, having scored 16 goals “With the target of retaining the league title, by Mike Caruso. Rickie Smith, and conceded 12. we must play all games with great determina- who was second, advanced to Both teams are badly in need of points for tion, discipline and team spirit,” said Maaloul. the quarter-finals and had an op- different reasons. Al Duhail would not want to Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi is also braced portunity for him to win his fourth drop points in pursuit of the lifting the league for a tough clash. championship if he advanced to Ladies’ winner Kenza Gilmour with Joh Massey, DGC’s golf operations manager. shield again. And Al Sailiya would be looking “The clash with Al Duhail will be difficult. the semi-finals. Smith was defeated to amass maximum number of points as Umm We have made the preparations to overcome a by Rick Hord allowing Janis to Salal and Al Ahli are breathing down their neck difficult stage, especially since our recent re- claim the crown. bout 70 Golfers participated in Doha Division 3 was won by Sytse Van’T Sant with a with one point less. sults are not good. In the finals, Sidnei Frigo faced Golf Club’s Monthly Mug Sponsored by score of 38 points which gave him a three stroke “The game is important as always and our “We put up below-par performances in the Mike Castellana for the last victory Megarme. The event took place on Oc- victory. The Ladies Division was won by Ken- goal is to collect full points. We are at the top of last two games, against Al Shahania and Al of the year. Frigo was able to race Atober 26. za Gilmour who scored 41 points to win by six the table and it is an achievement for the great Rayyan, and lost both of them. Karim Al Ali to the win with a run of 5.756-sec- In the Men’s Division 1, Bob Buford held off the strokes. This was Kenza’s fi rst tournament on the efforts made by our players so far this season,” pulled out injured halfway through the first onds at 256.50 mph to the trailing in-form Ruan Jordaan to win by one stroke with a Championship Course at Doha Golf Club which said Al Duhail coach Nabeel Maaloul game and that had a major impact on the per- run of 5.861 at 249.49 for Castel- total of 40 Stableford points. made the victory even more special. “Despite the injuries to some of our players, formance of the team. lana. This is the first win of the The best score of the day came in Division 2 A special mention goes to Mikkel Mathiesen we have been doing well. I have to mention the “I hope we will make a strong comeback season for Frigo. (QNA) where Pavandeep Soodan took the spoils with a who made a stunning hole in one on the diffi cult contribution of young players who have shown against Al Duhail and the result will be positive superb score of 42 Stableford points. Par 3 third hole. good levels of excellence and proved their for us.”