MMLBLB | Page 5 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 6 Rondon’s HR India have ruins Nola’s experience to gem as Nats capitalise on stun Phils victory: Kohli

Thursday, August 30, 2018 TENNIS Dhul-Hijja 19, 1439 AH ‘Survival mode’ GULF TIMES sees Djoko through at steamy US Open SPORT Page 3 FOCUS FOOTBALL Son scorches Samba puts Qatar Vietnam in contention for as Koreans reach fi nal AFP ter the interval before Vietnam Cibinong, Indonesia pulled one back through a dip- ping free kick from Tran Minh another track gold Vuong with 20 minutes left. ottenham Hotspur’s Son Once heralded as the “Korean Heung-min played a Messi” after signing for Barce- Qatari runs a blistering first leg as the quartet top the men’s 4x400m qualifying captain’s role as South lona as a 12-year-old, Lee was Korea beat plucky Vi- carried off for treatment after etnamT 3-1 to reach the Asian being run over by beefy Syrian Agencies Jakarta Games fi nal yesterday. referee Masoud Tufayelieh, al- The World Cup star, who is though little was damaged ex- missing the start of the Premier cept his pride. bderrahman Samba League season to represent his powered Qatar to the country in Indonesia, is now just ‘WE’RE READY’ fi nal of the 4x400m 90 minutes away from a gold “It was a diffi cult game,” said relay with the fastest medal that would spare him a Son, who was removed as a pre- Aqualifying time to raise hopes career-threatening spell of mili- caution after 72 minutes while on of another gold medal for the tary service. a booking. country at the Asian Games. “I’m ready, I don’t think I need “But we dominated it and de- Samba, who had won the to say anything more,” said Son, served to win. We are all ready 400m hurdles gold a few days refusing to be drawn on the sub- for the fi nal. I’m trying to make ago, ran a blistering fi rst leg of ject. my country happy, make myself heat two yesterday to give Qatar “We’re close to winning gold, happy. It’s all positive for me.” at least a 10-metre advantage to making history, and we will Despite his spin-doctoring with 1,200 metres to go. fi ght for it.” of the situation, however, the Mohamed Abbas, Abdalelah A double from Lee Seung-woo 26-year-old Son could be called Haroun and Mohamed Moham- and another goal from free-scor- up for almost two years of com- ed then made sure that there ing striker Hwang Ui-jo sent the pulsory military service in the were no scares as Qatar easily Koreans through to this week- next 18 months if he fails to lead won the heat in 3mins06.08secs end’s fi nal, where they will face the Taegeuk Warriors to gold. ahead of Bahrain and Sri Lanka. fi erce rivals Japan as they chase a The Spurs forward was se- Bahrain clocked 3:06.29 and record fi fth title. lected to play at the 2014 tourna- Sri Lanka 3:06.66, but Japan Lee smashed South Korea in ment on home soil but his former who topped heat one a few min- front after just seven minutes in club Bayer Leverkusen refused utes earlier, recorded the sec- Cibinong, near Jakarta, following to release him — the Koreans ond-fastest time of 3:06.11. some nifty footwork from Hwang scooped gold. Bahrain were third in the Hee-chan. Nearly every able-bodied overall qualifi cation, with India, Son’s clever fl ick provided the South Korean male is required to China, Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, assist for Hwang Ui-jo to extend carry out 21 months of military Iraq and Sri Lanka also making it their advantage just before the service before the age of 28, al- to today’s fi nal. half-hour mark. though the government rewards Darting in behind the Viet- Asian Games gold medals and namese defence, Hwang — hat- Olympic medals of any colour trick hero of Korea’s 4-3 quarter- with an exemption. fi nal win over Uzbekistan earlier Japan edged the United Arab Qatar’s men’s 4x400m relay team, comprising Mohamed Abbas, Abdalelah Haroun, Mohamed Mohamed and Abderrahman Samba gesture this week — clinically hooked in Emirates 1-0 in the second semi- after topping the qualification round at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta yesterday. his ninth goal of tournament. fi nal after substitute Ayase Ueda Lee stabbed in his second, and rifl ed home a deserved winner 13 his team’s third, 10 minutes af- minutes from time.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Hamza Driouch also qualifi ed for the 1,500m fi nal, although his time of 3:47.18 was only the fourth- best overall. Musaab Ali quali- fi ed for the fi nal too with the 12th best time in qualifi cation — 3:50.90. Mohamed Tiouali topped the timesheets with 3:46.40 fol- Qatar’s Hamza Driouch (left) in action during the men’s 1,500m first qualification heat at the GBK Main Stadium in Jakarta yesterday. lowed by India’s Jinson Johnson with 3:46.50 and Iran’s Amir fer” again. of Chand who had led until late come back,” said Chand. “But tres and has had so many great Moradi with 3:46.93. Chand has hyperandrogen- but fi nished on 23.20. nobody could guarantee what results,” said Koike, 23. “I just Qatar fi elded a quartet of ism, the condition that also Chand was dropped from the will happen in the future. Caster want to achieve what he has teenagers in the 4x100m relay aff ects South African mid- Asian Games and Common- Semenya is still fi ghting. done.” only to miss out on the fi nal by dle distance star and Olympic wealth Games in 2014 after hor- “There is always fear but you Earlier, China carried forward fi nishing last among 14 coun- champion Caster Semenya. mone testing. need to overcome it.” its Rio 2016 success to win both tries. The Indian athlete won a Hyperandrogenism, the In the men’s 200m Japan’s golds in the 20km walks. Japan clocked 38.20 seconds, court battle for her right to medical condition which causes Yuki Koike won a dramatic race Wang Kaihau won a tight while China with 38.88 and Indo- compete with her hormonal im- women to produce high levels of in a photo-fi nish with Taiwan’s men’s race, fi nally pulling ahead nesia with 39.03 were second and balance, and has achieved silvers male sex hormones, is contro- Yang Chunhan. of Japan’s Toshikazulate Yaman- third, respectively. Qatar’s time in Jakarta in both the 100m and versial because it pits principles The young Japanese athlete, ishi late on to win by six seconds. was 41.03, a full two seconds be- 200m – only the second Indian of fair competition against the expected to be in the shadow In the women’s event, China’s hind third-placed Indonesia. woman ever to do so, after sprint rights of women born with the of Rio silver relay medallist and Yang Jiayu and Qieyang Shi- In the triple jump, Qatar’s queen P T Usha. condition. compatriot Shota Iizuka, fi n- jie stormed nearly fi ve minutes Rashid al-Mannai fi nished 15th. “I suff ered a lot. Nobody New rules say women rac- ished strongly and took the gold clear of the pack for gold and Meanwhile, India’s Dutee could have suff ered so much,” ing between 400m and one with a well-timed lean, as Yang silver at a joint Games record of Chand scooped her second silver said Chand. mile can only compete if they stumbled in his attempt to cling 1:29:15 – China’s fi fth consecu- of the Asian Games, four years “But I came back to give two take medication to reduce their to his lead. tive win in the event. after she was dropped from the medals to India. It will be a big testosterone levels – but short- Both recorded times of 20.23 India had three competitors South Korea’s Lee Seung-woo (left) celebrates with teammate Son team due to her high testoster- celebration back home.” distance sprinters like Chand while Iizuka fi nished sixth. across the two fi nals disqualifi ed Heung-min after scoring during the men’s football semi-final match one levels – but said she lives in Bahrain’s Edidiong Odiong were spared. “Iizuka has so much experi- for illegally losing contact with against Vietnam during the 2018 Asian Games in Bogor, Indonesia, fear she could be made to “suf- took the gold with 22.96, ahead “My legal team helped me to ence of competing at 200 me- the fl oor. yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 30, 2018 ASIAN GAMES

ATHLETICS SPOTLIGHT Olympic a distant Swapna, Arpinder dream despite Asiad boost: esports chief

Reuters I’ll be here four years ago when I Jakarta was at Incheon Games. “Four years is a long time in the world of technology. All we create Asiad history sports’ Olympic inclu- do is we work hard together and sion remains a distant take one step at a time.” dream despite its suc- The International e-Sports Swapna wins India’s first gold in women’s heptathlon; Arpinder grabs triple jump win cessful Asian Games de- Federation (IeSF) is in talks with butE as a demonstration sport in organisers of the Paris 2024 Ol- Jakarta, the game’s continental ympics about incorporating the IANS Medals tally (top 10) Jakarta chief said yesterday. discipline as a demonstration Last November, the Interna- sport at the Games. G S B T tional Olympic Committee (IOC) Fok said Southeast Asian wapna Barman created recognised esports as a sporting Games organisers have also 1. China 102 67 50 219 history by winning the activity and it is set to be a full agreed in principle to include women’s heptathlon ti- 2. Japan 52 47 63 162 medal event at the 2022 Asian esports as a medal event in next tle while Arpinder Singh 3. South Korea 37 42 50 129 Games in Hangzhou. year’s edition in the Philippines. endedS India’s 48-year wait for “Asian Games under our belt, “We’ll take it one step at a men’s triple jump gold at the 4. Indonesia 30 22 36 88 we’re so looking forward to what time, to grow esports according 18th Asian Games yesterday. 5. Iran 19 16 17 52 we are going to do in the next year to Olympic principles and ide- Experienced sprinter Dutee or so,” president of Asian Elec- als,” Fok said. Chand grabbed her second silver 6. Chinese Taipei 13 17 21 51 tronic Sports Federation (AESF) AESF vice president Lokesh medal at this year’s Asiad in the 7. Uzbekistan 12 17 16 45 Kenneth Fok told reporters. Suji said the Asiad had given the women’s 200 metres event. 8. North Korea 12 8 11 31 “Many are asking whether it gamers a dignifi ed identity. Barman’s triumph in the would be included in the Olym- “This inclusion has converted women’s heptathlon is the fi rst 9. India 11 20 23 54 pics. Simple answer is — I don’t a gamer into an athlete. Their ac- ever gold for India in the event at 10. Thailand 9 13 36 58 know. It is really upto the Olym- creditation card identifi es them the Asiad. pic Committee and the society to as ‘athlete’. Barman posted a score of 11. Bahrain 9 3 6 18 judge.” “Prior to that, they were called 6026 points. Wang Qingling of 12. Kazakhstan 8 9 34 51 IOC president Thomas Bach gamers, or pro-gamers and what China scored 5954 to take sil- said in April that esports with not. That’s a transformation.” 13. Vietnam 4 15 13 32 ver while Japan’s Yuki Yamasaki violent or discriminatory con- The AESF offi cials’ attention produced her personal best of 14. Hong Kong 4 12 17 33 tent cannot be considered for was drawn to the killing of two 5873 to bag the bronze medal. 15. Malaysia 4 11 9 24 Olympics. competitors by a gamer at a Jack- In men’s triple jump, Arpinder Three months later, the gov- sonville video game tournament won gold with an eff ort of 16.77 16. Qatar 4 3 3 10 erning body, grappling with an on Sunday. metres. He pipped Uzbekistan’s 17. Philippines 4 0 13 17 ageing audience and the waning They found it unfair to link Ruslan Kurbanov, who took the appeal of several traditional Ol- such cases with video games. silver medal with a personal 18. UAE 3 6 3 12 ympic sports, hosted an esport “Esports or gaming is largely best jump of 16.62 metres. The 19. Singapore 3 4 10 17 forum at the Olympic Museum in focused in China, Korea and bronze medal went to China’s India’s Swapna Barman celebrates winning the women’s 800m heptathlon event during the 2018 Asian 20. Mongolia 3 3 6 12 Lausanne. southeast Asia but you never Cao Shuo, who jumped 16.56 Games in Jakarta yesterday. (AFP) “There needs to be a give-and- come across this kind of episode metres. take between the two worlds in this part of the world,” Suji Before the 25-year-old China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun since no one side will easily con- said. Arpinder, the previous Indian Yingsha in the last-four clash. vince the other to completely “It’s really sad that every time champion at the Asiad was Mo- Sharath and Manika, who de- change their concepts and ide- something happens in the US, hinder Singh Gill in 1970 with an feated the North Korean pair of als...” Fok said. everybody starts blaming video eff ort of 16.11m. An Ji-song and Cha Hyo-sim “I never know where we’ll be games. It’s the bigger issue of gun Arpinder fl opped in his fi rst 3-2 (4-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6, 11- in four years’ time. I didn’t know control.” attempt. After the invalid jump, 8) in 38 minutes in the quarter- he came back strong with a jump fi nals, got India’s fi rst doubles of 16.58 metres in the second at- medal at the Asiad in the sport. tempt which made him the lead- It was also India’s second er after the fi rst two attempts. TT medal in Asiad history. The Arpinder gained further as- fi rst medal came in this edition cendancy when he came out with the men’s team winning a with a jump of 16.77m. Ruslan bronze medal. too made his best attempt of 16.62 metres. The Uzbek ath- INDIAN WOMEN BLANK lete, however, could not topple CHINA IN HOCKEY Arpinder as the former made Ending a two-decade wait, a re- attempts of 15.99, 16.43, 16.41 in silient Indian women’s hockey his fi nal three chances respec- team stormed into the fi nal after tively. India’s Arpinder Singh competes in the men’s triple jump final in Jakarta yesterday. (AFP) edging past world No.11 China Arpinder jumped 16.08 in his 1-0 in the semi-fi nal. Inspired fourth attempt before fouling Kohei Yamashita to the fourth SHARATH-MANIKA TAKE bronze after going down in the by Gurjit Kaur’s solitary goal in the last two attempts. spot. MIXED DOUBLES TT BRONZE semi-fi nals yesterday. the 52nd minute, India ensured China’s Cao delivered his best Yamashita had fouled his last The Indian mixed doubles table Sharath-Manika were out- themselves of at least a silver in his sixth and last attempt with three attempts. His best of 16.46 tennis pair of Achanta Sharath played 4-1 (9-11, 5-11, 13-11, when they face lower-ranked The Indonesian team competes in the eSports round 6 match 1 at the a jump of 16.56 to push Japanese came in his third attempt. Kamal and Manika Batra bagged 4-11, 8-11) in 39 minutes by Japan in the fi nal tomorrow. 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on Tuesday. (AFP)

DisgracedVikas ensures Japanese basketball his third Asiad medal as ugly scenes mar boxing Disgraced Japanese basketball players suspended one year: Kyodo players suspended one year: Kyodo AFP to a supporter leaping barriers team. the last two rounds as he decision over another Kazakh, Jakarta into the Jakarta International Vikas, who won gold in 2010 protected his rapidly swelling Temirtas Zhussupov. Four players from the Japanese men’s basketball team have Expo arena and scuff ling with and bronze four years ago, had eye to edge the fight 3-2 on a Light flyweight Paalam was been handed 12-month bans by the Japan Basketball Associa- security staff . to draw on all his experience split decision. delighted at securing at least tion (JBA) after being sent home from the Asian Games in ikas Krishan made his- Local favourite Sunan Agung after suff ering a nasty cut over Vikas face a tough task in a bronze at his first Asian disgrace, Kyodo News reported yesterday. tory yesterday when he Amoragam and Iraq’s Jaafar al- his right eye early in his mid- tomorrow’s semi-final if he Games. Takuya Hashimoto, Keita Imamura, Yuya Nagayoshi and Takuma Vbecame the first Indian Sudani had gone toe-to-toe for dleweight quarter-final against wants a shot at a second Asian “Of course it went to a split Sato were sent home from Jakarta on August 20 and had their to win three Asian Games box- three pulsating rounds in their China’s Erbieke Tanglatihan. Games gold. decision,” said Paalam. “He’s accreditation withdrawn by the Japanese Olympic Committee ing medals, but ugly scenes bantamweight quarter-final “It’s quite satisfying to come Lying in wait is powerhouse number one in Kazakhstan. He after they were found to have spent the night with women in a erupted after an Iraqi lost a before the Indonesian edged it through that and be the first hitter Abilkhan Amankul of has fought in the Olympics.” Jakarta hotel. split decision. 4-1 on the five judges’ cards. Indian to win three med- Kazakhstan, who produced the Paalam will now face Amit, who The report said JBA President Yuko Mitsuya would incur a 10 Bantamweight Jaafar al- “It is unacceptable. We have to als,” said Vikas after being performance of the day to bat- goes by one name, for a place percent pay cut for three months. It added that the JBA had Sudani’s coach and corner were be good sportsmen and accept guaranteed at least a bronze. ter Taiwan’s Kan Chia-wei. in the final after the 22-year-old announced the sanctions following a council meeting yesterday warned about their behaviour the decision of the judges,” “Especially as I suffered a seri- Filipino 2016 world youth became the first Indian fighter where the players gave an explanation of the incident. by the International Boxing AIBA executive director Tom ous injury.” champion Carlo Paalam, 20, to book a last-four berth by The remaining eight players of Japan’s squad were beaten by Association (AIBA) after “unac- Virgets told AFP after he had The 26-year-old fought bril- pulled off the best win of his out-boxing North Korean Kim Iran in the quarter-finals on Monday. They will face Indonesia ceptable” protests which led read the riot act to the Iraq liantly on the counter for senior career with a 4-1 split Jan-ryong. tomorrow to decide the seventh and eighth positions.

BOTTOMLINE Thai street kid skate champ ‘Oat’ sows seeds for Tokyo tilt AFP street, permanently feeling time,” said Apichat Rutnin of only strengthened his resolve. thanks to sponsorship deals, Palembang, Indonesia hungry and with nowhere to the Thailand Extreme Sports By 14, he ranked number one until recently resisting over- turn. Association. in the amateur skating ranks tures to join the Olympics. “I used to eat anything I “It’s a child’s dream to run and joined the top tier. That’s not the case for most rom runaway street could fi nd, even gum on the away with the circus.” Two years later, he was skaters in Asia, which has few urchin eating out of fl oor or the leftovers I found Thailand’s number one skater, homegrown skate brands with a trash can to Thai in the trash bin,” Oat told AFP, WAIF SKATER a place he has kept for the past cash to burn. national skateboard his voice faltering as he wipes a At 11 years old the waif skater eight years. But training for an Olympic champion,F ‘Oat’ Athiwat is a tear from his cheek. stowed away in a bus to reach Grinning broadly, Apichat sport adds a degree of legiti- graduate of life’s school of hard “I didn’t have any friends.” the capital, found his way to described the gamble to take in macy — for government minis- knocks. Oat’s way out of poverty the team’s training park and Oat as a “very good decision”. tries and concerned parents. But the 24-year-old, aban- came when a university student waited 10 hours for them to “The same guys that would doned by his parents at a young showed him some skateboard- show up. ‘IT’S A REAL SPORT’ have had to stop (skateboard- age and beaten by relatives, is ing tricks one day and he “We were moved by his At the Asian Games, Oat nar- ing) are now being supported daring to dream about the 2020 became instantly hooked. tragic story and we took him rowly missed out on a medal by the government,” said Kirk- Tokyo Olympics after a prom- “I felt I could be a real in,” said Apichat. — appropriately in the ‘street’ wood. “They just get to skate.” ising fourth place fi nish at the skateboarder,” he said. “When I “Normally a guy who joins category — demonstrating a Oat has been back many Asian Games in Jakarta. mastered new tricks, I would go our team must qualify at a cer- slick array of tricks on the rails, times to Suphanburi to train. Oat never knew his mother to sleep with good dreams.” tain level but we thought we’d stairs and ramps. One day, he passed his aunt’s and his father left him to pur- A happy twist of fate saw the try him out.” But he already has his sights house and when his relatives sue a monk’s life in a monas- Thai national team train oc- Oat was not the most gifted fi xed on Tokyo 2020 in the hip- heard he was in the national tery. casionally in Suphanburi. skater, according to Apichat. ster sport’s Olympic debut. team, they hugged him for the At the tender age of eight, Impressed by the boy’s But he was confi dent, deter- The Thai government has fi rst time. he shuffl ed around between dedication, they brought a mined and disciplined. paid for the team to train in Gone were the days when diff erent relatives living in skateboard for him on their “He didn’t watch TV or play California, where Oat “hit a they used to tell him off for Suphanburi, a city a couple of next visit as part of their out- games like other kids,” he said. new level”, according to coach “hanging out with drug ad- hours from Bangkok. reach project. “He was always the fi rst one Eric Kirkwood. dicts” at the skate park. Often the victim of violence “When we travelled there and the last one to leave.” Skaters in the United States “They’re not drug addicts,” by those looking after him, throughout Thailand, there Oat fl unked his fi rst compe- and elsewhere in the West have he would snap back. “They’re he would sleep rough on the were boys like that all the tition — coming in last — but it been able to carve out a career athletes — and it’s a real sport!” Gulf Times Thursday, August 30, 2018 3 SPORT

FOCUS Not for sale: US Open’s iconic venue names But USTA offi cials said they The African American grew That is because unlike other Reuters see more value in honouring its up in segregated Richmond, sports that have long seasons, New York sport’s heroes. Virginia, went on to speak out fanfare around the US Open is “Arthur Ashe stadium and the against South African apartheid confi ned to the two-week tour- Billie Jean King National Tennis and served as a model for ath- nament in Flushing Meadows. he US Open will not sell Center are named not only after letes addressing social issues for “It would be a tough sell,” the naming rights to the just two sports icons, but social decades to come. Prazmark said. Billie Jean King National icons,” Gordon Smith, CEO and Louis Armstrong was not “They’d get huge opposition Tennis Center, Arthur executive director of the USTA, known to swing a racquet but from the Tennis community if TAshe or Louis Armstrong stadi- said in an interview. the pioneering African Ameri- you took the names off those ums despite just completing an “We are in the business of can Jazz musician lived near the buildings and I doubt there’s expensive fi ve-year, $600 mil- selling sponsorships,” he said. Tennis center in Flushing Mead- enough value for them to do it.” lion renovation project, tourna- “But we’re also in the business ows until his death in 1971. And the US Open is hardly ment organisers told Reuters. of promoting the game and pro- “We’re lucky,” Billie Jean King wanting for sponsors. Rolex, Football, baseball and bas- moting the social icons related to told Reuters prior to the tourna- Emirates Airline, Chase, Ameri- ketball teams frequently play our game.” ment’s opening night ceremony. can Express and IBM are among in venues named after bank- “It was unbelievable for the companies that pay top dol- ing, energy, telecommunication ‘WE’RE LUCKY’ Arthur and me to be honoured in lar to have their names plas- and other companies that have Former world number one King this way. There’s a sense of per- tered around the grounds, where signed long-term contracts to is an outspoken advocate for manency.” 700,000 fans are expected to lock in the highly-visible adver- equality and is credited with come through the gates over the tising spaces. helping women achieve equal TOUGH SELL two-week tournament. With its fervent fanbases, New prize money to men at Grand Even if the USTA decided to put “We are here in the biggest York boasts the two most expen- Slam tournaments, starting with the naming rights on the block, and greatest Tennis stadium in sive naming rights contacts in the US Open in 1973. its unlikely it would attract the the world,” Tom Okker, who fell sports – Citi Field, where the The late Ashe is a Hall of Fam- kind of cash that is thrown at to Ashe in the 1968 fi nal, told the Mets play, and Barclays Center, er and was a civil rights activist other New York sports stadiums, crowd assembled at the stadium home of the Brooklyn Nets – who won the fi rst U.S. Open in said Robert Prazmark, chief ex- for the opening night ceremony. with those companies reportedly the politically-charged year of ecutive of 21 Sports and Enter- “And it’s carrying Arthur’s paying around $20 million a year. 1968. tainment Marketing Group. name forever.” Renovated Louis Armstrong Stadium.

TENNIS GOLF No guarantees for Garcia, says Ryder ‘Survival mode’ sees skipper Bjorn

AFP come into consideration. With Paris him, he falls into the same rules as everyone else and we’ll see what decision we make.” urope captain Thomas Garcia’s place in the Europe Djokovic through at Bjorn said yesterday ranks could come down to a he has not ruled Sergio straight choice between him and Garcia out of contention compatriot Rafa Cabrera-Bello. forE next month’s Ryder Cup but Ian Poulter, Paul Casey and warned that the Spaniard had Henrik Stenson are expected to not been given any assurances of take three of Bjorn’s four cap- a place in his team. tain’s picks, leaving Garcia and Garcia’s form has nosedived Cabrera-Bello battling for the steamy US Open this season following a success- fourth slot. ful 2017 which saw him win three Garcia acknowledged in re- ‘We both struggled. We were not the only ones today. Brutal conditions’ tournaments including his fi rst marks to Golf.com on Tuesday Major title at the Masters. that he hoped his past Ryder Cup AFP The charismatic Spanish star achievements would be taken New York – who has missed only one Ry- into consideration by Bjorn. der Cup since 1999 – has seen “At the moment, obviously, his world ranking dip to 27th this I have to fi nd a couple of things imbledon champi- year, leaving him needing one of here and there,” he told the web- on Novak Djokovic Bjorn’s captain’s picks to secure site. suff ered in swel- a spot in the European line-up. “It’s been a tough three to tering US Open Although Garcia off ers a three-and-a-half months. Be- Wconditions on Tuesday but wealth of Ryder Cup experi- fore that, I had started the year battled through to the second ence, playing in fi ve victorious really well and I was comfort- round with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 Europe teams and contributing able. victory over Hungarian Marton 22.5 points in total, Bjorn said he “There have been some Fucsovics. could not guarantee the Span- changes that I’ve had to get used Djokovic, playing his fi rst iard a place in his team. to and I lost a little bit of confi - match on Arthur Ashe Stadium “Certain players bring certain dence but I’ve been working hard since falling to Stan Wawrinka things to a certain environment and trying to do everything I can in the 2016 fi nal, received a and with Sergio (Garcia) you to get my game in the best shape brutal welcome back to Flush- have to take into consideration possible to, if Thomas considers ing Meadows as soaring tem- what he is as a human being and it, be part of the team and help peratures and high humidity what he brings to a team,” Bjorn out in any way I can. prompted organisers to off er the told Sky Sports. “I’ve spoken to Thomas over men a 10-minute mid-match “If that’s enough for him to be the past couple of months. He heat break for the fi rst time ever. in this team, which is going to obviously knows what I bring to “We both struggled. We were be a very strong European Ryder the team as a player – but also as not the only ones today. Brutal Cup team, time will tell when we a person. conditions,” said Djokovic, who go through all those discussions. “I think he appreciates that called for trainers who envel- “I’ve made no promises to and I think it’s a matter of if he oped him in ice packed towels Sergio and I won’t disregard him, feels what I bring to the team is late in the second set. Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates that’s for sure. What he has done good enough. “I had to fi nd a way to dig my- his victory over Marton Fucsovics in the past and what he brings to “Although he’d love me to self out of the trouble.” of Hungary at the US Open. a European Ryder Cup team is be at 100% with my game, he Until late in the third it was PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports strong, but you’ve also got to be knows that even if my game “survival mode” said Djokovic, able to play the golf on the golf is not 100%, I can bring other who endured a rocky start to the course. things to my teammates that season after elbow surgery be- “There are 10 or 15 things that might help the team overall.” fore breaking through for a 13th third set wasn’t enough to pre- Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. vent half a dozen retirements. His Cincinnati Masters vic- Italy’s Stefano Travaglia, tory over Roger Federer stamped Argentine Leonardo Mayer, him a US Open favorite along Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, with defending champion Ra- Russian Mikhail Youzhny and fael Nadal, despite his modest Serbian Filip Krajinovic were all sixth seeding. victims of the heat while Roma- He certainly looked a con- nian Marius Copil succumbed to tender as he reeled off the last 10 an arm injury in the third set of games against Fucsovics, show- his match with seventh-seeded ing signs of sharper focus even former champion Marin Cilic. before the 10-minute heat break “I had heat stroke,” Mayer between the third and fourth said of his decision to call it sets. quits against Serbia’s Laslo Federer, the second seed, es- Djere. “I was not going to die on caped the worst of the condi- the court, tennis is not for that.” tions as he headlined the night In other women’s matches, session on Ashe. Nor did he reigning Wimbledon cham- meet much resistance from Ja- pion Angelique Kerber, seeded pan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in a fourth, defeated Russian Mar- 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory. garita Gasparyan 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. Up 5-1 in the fi nal set, Fed- Two-time Wimbledon win- erer was unable to close out the ner Petra Kvitova beat Belgian match against Nishioka’s serve, Yanina Wickmayer 6-1, 6-4 and then was broken on his fi rst and 2017 runner-up Madison attempt to serve it out. Keys downed France’s Pauline Federer, who claimed his 20th Parmentier 6-4, 6-4. Grand slam title at the Austral- Maria Sharapova, who won ian Open in January, put the the last of her fi ve Grand Slam match away two games later, titles in 2014, advanced 6-2, sealing it with a service winner. 7-6 (8/6) over Patty Schnyder, “I didn’t know how really Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to Patty Schnyder of Switzerland during their 2018 US Open out of retirement and at 39 the good Nishioka was,” Federer ad- women’s match in New York. (AFP) oldest player to qualify for a mitted of the 22-year-old, who Grand Slam main draw. SERGIO GARCIA was ranked 58th in the world last to break the beginning of each 6-1, 6-2 victory over Canadian a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Sharapova led the second March before tearing a left knee set, cruise after that. I was very lucky loser Peter Polansky. Moldova’s Radu Albot. set 5-1 but didn’t have a match ligament and sliding out of the happy.” And Australian Nick Kyrgios, For many, however, the day point until the tiebreaker, fi - top 150. Fourth-seeded German Alex- opening the evening action on was a hard slog and the decision nally securing the win over the “I wanted to play well at the ander Zverev kept his time in the Louis Armstrong stadium, fi red made some two hours in to af- determined Swiss on her fourth beginning of each set. I was able sun to a minimum with a 6-2, 25 aces and 48 total winners in ford the men a heat break after a opportunity. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, August 30 2018 SPORT

F1 SPOTLIGHT Thai ‘dwarf giant’ boxer surpasses Vettel ready to haul Mayweather record in leader Hamilton with 51st victory on Ferrari’s home soil ‘Now, we have a good car that seems to work everywhere so, hopefully, we can carry the momentum’ AFP fi ghting fame in May when he AFP Bangkok dispatched Panamanian Leroy Monza, Italy Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel stands on his car Estrada, equalling “Money” in the pits aft er winning the Belgian Formula One Grand Mayweather’s win streak. Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa. (AFP) hai boxer Wanheng All three judges scored ebastian Vettel can close Menayothin grabbed in his favour after the fi nal the gap, or even over- his 51st straight victo- round. Wanheng’s record- haul it, when he takes ry yesterday in a long busting quest has generated on championship leader Tbut lop-sided bout against a buzz in Thailand and in box- LewisS Hamilton again this week- fi ghter from the Philippines, ing media outlets. end in what should be a super- defending his WBC title and But it has also been charged Italian Grand Prix. surpassing the undefeated shrugged off as a statisti- Just days after his convincing record of boxing legend Floyd cal quirk because of the two victory in Belgium, where Ham- Mayweather Jr. very diff erent careers of the ilton admitted his Mercedes was The 105-pound minimum- famous, fl ashy American and “blown away” by the power and weight champion, nicknamed the soft-spoken Thai. straight-line speed of Vettel’s the “dwarf giant” for his Wanheng has fought undis- Ferrari, Vettel should enjoy the compact build and heavy hit- tinguished rivals on home turf scarlet scuderia’s homecoming. ting style, won on points after while Mayweather defeated On Ferrari’s local track and a bruising 12 rounds against some of the sport’s all-time in front of the tifosi, at the fa- Pedro Taduran in the Thai city greats including Manny Pac- mous old Autodromo Nazion- of Nakhon Sawan. quiao and Oscar De La Hoya. ale, the four-time champion Wanheng started strong, Mayweather’s fi ghts also German can also equal Stirling landing several hard rights in come with huge purses, like Moss’s 1950s record of winning the early rounds that seemed the $100 million on off er when at Monza with three diff erent to daze Taduran and signal a he was teased from retirement teams if he delivers Ferrari’s fi rst quick route. But the 21-year- last year to take on MMA star home win since 2010. old southpaw from the Philip- Conor McGregor. Wanheng’s Monza holds special memo- pines lived up to his alias “Rat- legal name is Chayaphon ries for Vettel after his wins with tle Snake”, enduring the abuse Moonsri but he also fi ghts un- Toro Rosso in 2008 and then Red and biting back in the fi fth der the alias “Five-Star Grilled Bull in 2011 and 2013. His maiden round with a fl urry of punches. Chicken” due to a sponsorship win in torrential rain a decade The brief comeback was deal with a Thai food company. ago remains Toro Rosso’s great- put down as Wanheng kept his His latest win brings him est hour and the moment that composure in the second half of level with Mexican fl yweight signalled he was a future cham- the bout, delivering clean hits Ricardo Lopez, who retired pion. that left Taduran visibly tired. with 51 wins, one draw and no Another victory this weekend Wanheng, 32, shot to unlikely losses. would draw him level with Ham- ilton on four wins and, if the Briton suff ers ill fortune, could also catapult Vettel into the lead Froome, Thomas to lead Team of the drivers’ championship. Hamilton, who has been on Sky’s Tour of Britain bid pole at Monza for the last four years and fi ve in six, is ahead by Grand Tour winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas have 17 points, but it is Vettel who has been named in the Team Sky squad for the Tour of Britain as the confi dence and momentum. part of a strong six-rider lineup that also includes Wout Poels, “I think we’ve done everything Vasil Kiryienka, Ian Stannard and Lukasz Wisniowski. right at Spa, but I think it’s a huge Tour de France winner Thomas and defending champion compliment if people praise our Froome skipped the ongoing Vuelta a Espana – the final Grand engine now because for the last Tour of the season – to race at the Tour of Britain, which starts fi ve years people didn’t praise on Sunday. Four-time Tour de France winner Froome is set to anything other than Mercedes race in the Tour of Britain for first time since 2009, when the engines,” said Vettel. first stage begins at Pembrey Country Park in Wales. “Now, we have a good car that “It’s been a long time since I’ve raced the Tour of Britain... ,” seems to work everywhere so, the Briton told Team Sky’s website https://www.teamsky.com/ hopefully, we can carry that mo- article/team-sky-announce-full-tour-of-britain-lineup mentum and speed to Monza.” “I’m really looking forward to riding. I always remember there “It’s nice to have a change and being a great atmosphere at the Tour of Britain and the race I think all this makes Maranello has only got bigger over the years.” Double Olympic gold and all the Ferraristi and our en- winner and three-time world track champion Thomas, the first gine department very happy.” gets any better than that. defl ate Hamilton’s bid for a fi fth I am very curious to see how it’s take a new power unit and pen- Welshman to win the Tour de France, is relishing the prospect Vettel has fi nished on the po- “There are so many families title as the defending champion going to go – last year we were alties that leave him at the back of racing in his home country. “As soon as I’d finished the Tour, dium at Monza three times as a and support from our own peo- conceded in Belgium where he very much in control of the of the grid. I knew I wanted to ride the Tour of Britain and race on home Ferrari driver – second in 2015 ple there, but the main thing ob- said. “The next race, with the whole weekend and Ferrari had Of the rest, most interest will roads. It starts in Wales which will be special, and then I get to and third in 2016 and 2017 – and viously is all the fans, the Ferrari kind of performance they have their worst of the season. So, centre on the re-born Force In- go and race across the whole of the UK. I can’t wait,” Thomas said he has cherished the at- fans.” on straights, we might struggle performance-wise, I’m not wor- dia team as they seek a repeat said. Stannard, 31, finished third overall in the 2008 Tour of mosphere as the fans invade the A Ferrari win this weekend to match them.” ried.” of their Spa form and a possible Britain, seventh in 2013, and won the third stage in last year’s track. would not only reinforce their Hamilton’s concerns are not Rivals Red Bull will hope they drivers’ line-up change that may race, while Wisniowski will appear in the event for a second “If you are dressed in the right charge toward the title, but also shared by his Mercedes team can stay in touch with their Re- see Lance Stroll, son of the new time. Belarusian national time trial champion Kiryienka re- colour – which I am – then I end four years of Mercedes dom- chief Toto Wolff . nault engine, but expect to be a Force India owner Canadian bil- turns to the Tour of Britain after securing a third-placed finish think Monza is always an abso- ination at the fastest track on the “Spa was always a bit of a greater threat to the front-run- lionaire Lawrence Stroll, move in the time trial last year and is keen to use the Tour to prepare lute highlight,” added Vettel. “As F1 calendar. tricky one for us,” he told report- ners in Singapore at the end of from Williams to race for the for the World Championships in September. a racing driver, I don’t think it A Vettel victory would further ers. “Monza was a good one. So September. Daniel Ricciardo will Silverstone-based team.

CYCLING Clarke sprints to stage win, Molard takes lead Reuters Madrid RESULTS STAGE FIVE 20secs ustralia’s Simon Clarke 1. Simon Clarke (Aus/Education First-Drapac) 4hrs 2 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol/Team Sky) +1min 1sec sprinted to victory on 36mins 07secs 3 Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/Bora-Hansgrohe) stage fi ve of the Vuelta 2. Bauke Mollema (Ned/Trek-Segafredo) Same +1min 8secs a Espana yesterday as time 4 Simon Yates (GB/Mitchelton-Scott) +1min 11secs FrenchmanA Rudy Molard sur- 3. Alessandro De Marchi (Ita/BMC) 5 Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar Team) +1min prisingly moved into the race 4. Davide Villella (Ita/Astana) +8secs 13secs leader’s red jersey. 5. Floris De Tier (Bel/LottoNL-Jumbo) Same time 6 Wilco Kelderman (Ned/Team Sunweb) +1min The breakaway during the 6 Rudy Molard (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) 26secs 188.7km stage from Granada 7 Maxime Monfort (Bel/Lotto Soudal) +1min 58secs 7 Ion Izagirre (Spa/Bahrain-Merida) +1min 31secs to Roquetas de Mar saw 25 rid- 8 Jonathan Lastra Martinez (Spa/Caja Rural-Seg- 8 Tony Gallopin (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +1min ers leave the main peloton be- uros RGA) +2mins 34secs hind after an hour of racing. 9 Franco Pellizotti (Ita/Bahrain-Merida) Same time 9 Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar Team) +1min Splits then started to form in the 10 Merhawi Kudus (Eri/Dimension Data) 34secs break, with Italian Alessandro de GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 10 Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo) +1min Marchi distancing himself from 1 Rudy Molard (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) 18hrs 27mins 38secs. the rest of the course with 65km remaining. Clarke and Dutchman Bauke legs, but when you have a break- lema attacked and I just rode main contenders further back Mollema bridged the gap away with so many riders, the through it. I backed myself. including Mitchelton-Scott rid- with just over 50km left and co-operation is never very good. “I was so worried they would er Simon Yates at 1:11 down plus the trio stayed out in front, the “As we saw, the winning move catch us from behind, but in that Alejandro Valverde of Movistar Australian making his move in Education First-Drapac’s Australian cyclist Simon Clarke celebrates as he crosses the finish line, winning the fifth went on the descent. It was a situation you just have to be as (1:13) and team mate Nairo Quin- the fi nal 100 metres to secure stage of the 73rd edition of ‘La Vuelta’ race, a 188.7 km route from Granada to Roquetas de Mar, yesterday. (AFP) tricky one to pick. I knew I had cold as ice. You’ve got to be will- tana (1:34). victory. Molard, 26, who fi n- good legs and I just had to pray ing to lose to win; I was, and I Today will likely see a sprint ished eight seconds behind Team Sky’s Michal Kwiatkowski, I last won a stage here, and I just whose only previous grand stour that the moves I was doing were came out on top.” stage, with no climbs of note Clarke in the chasing group, who fi nished with the peloton couldn’t repeat it. It’s taken me stage win was at the 2012 Vuelta. the right ones. “It’s such a long Poland’s Kwiatkowski across 155.7km of the Mediterra- moved into the overall race lead, 4:55 adrift of Clarke. “It’s just so long to get back there and have “Even today I wasn’t sure it stage. It’s so hard to sprint after dropped to second overall, 1:01 nean coast from Huercal-Overa making up over 3-1/2 minutes on amazing. I worked so hard since my stars aligned,” said Clarke, was possible. I knew I had good that. I was cramping when Mol- behind Molard with the other to San Javier. Mar Menor. Gulf Times Thursday, August 30, 2018 5 SPORT

NHL Red Wings Zetterberg to miss start of season Reuters start of the season. Then we will newspaper that he has fought Detroit have to wait and see. I’ll drive on through back issues since under- with rehab here in Detroit now.” going surgery in 2014, but despite Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill playing all 82 games in each of the etroit Red Wings star has left the status of Detroit’s past three seasons, the back has Henrik Zetterberg re- longtime star up to him and his aff ected him. mains unsure whether doctors, with training camp “It actually started last season,” he will be able to play a scheduled for Sept. 14. Zetterberg said. “I felt in February HENRIK ZETTERBERG 16thD NHL season in 2018-19 be- “If he comes into camp and is that something was not right, and cause of an ailing back, but he will in a spot where he’s not cleared, I then we decided that I would stop defi nitely not be ready for training wouldn’t plan on him for the rest practising and just play games. camp or the start of the regular of the year,” Blashill said Sunday, That way I could complete the season. according to ESPN. “That would season.” Zetterberg confi rmed to multi- be my take because I don’t know He totalled 56 points (11 goals, ple outlets Tuesday that lingering how you go from not being able to 45 assists) in 2017-18, fi nishing back pain will prevent him from train and then not cleared to all of seven points back of Dylan Larkin starting the regular season with a sudden being cleared.” for the team lead. He has recorded the Red Wings, telling the Detroit Zetterberg, who turns 38 in Oc- at least 43 points in all 15 of his Free Press that he “will not be able tober, told reporters at the end of NHL seasons and has 960 for his to play from the start.” the regular season in April that he career, ranking fi fth in Red Wings “I will need more answers from would have to evaluate his health history. Only four active NHL doctors before I say I have played before deciding whether to retire. players – assuming Joe Thorn- my last game,” Zetterberg said. “I don’t want to think I have ton and Patrick Marleau continue “In my mind, I am hoping it can played my last game,” the left their careers – have more points. get solved.” winger told the Free Press. “To Zetterberg has spent the last six “I have not managed to work me, it’s still early to say that. But seasons as the Red Wings’ cap- properly throughout the sum- obviously, I’ve been through this tain. Only Steve Yzerman, Alex mer,’’ Zetterberg told Sweden’s for the last few years, and I know Delvecchio and Sid Abel have Aftonbladet. “So, I will miss it’s a thin line.” served as captain for at least seven training camp and thus also the Zetterberg told the Swedish seasons in franchise history.

MLB BASEBALL St Louis Cardinals name Shildt as Rondon’s 9th-inning full-time manager

Reuters while sitting 4 1/2 games back of New York the Chicago Cubs for the divi- sion lead. St. Louis has won nine consecutive series. he St. Louis Cardinals “Enormous amount of pride HR ruins Nola’s gem announced on Tuesday of having someone coming up that Mike Shildt will through your organisation and have the interim tag re- rise to this level is special,” said Tmoved and become the team’s Cardinals president of baseball full-time manager. operations John Mozeliak. “Why Shildt received a three-year now? It made sense to do it now. deal, which will cover the re- Everything is going well, and mainder of this season and the more importantly momentum as Nats stun Phils 2019 and 2020 campaigns, ac- is building behind our players. cording to the St. Louis Post- Having Mike Shildt as manager ‘They keep pounding and they keep grinding and it was a big win for us’ Dispatch. is a tremendous story. I hope the Shildt, 50, took over the team next chapter is even better.” on July 15, one game before the Shildt has been in the Cardi- Washington Nationals third baseman All-Star break, when previous nals’ organisation since joining Anthony Rendon (left ) heads back manager Mike Matheny was the team as an area scout in 2007. to the dugout aft er hitting a two run fi red. The team announced at the He became the Cardinals’ third home run during the ninth inning time that it would begin a search base coach midway through the against the Philadelphia Phillies. at the end of the season for its 2017 season and moved to bench PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports next manager. coach to open 2018. “This is not something I take “We are pleased to name Mike lightly,” Shildt said at a press Shildt as the St. Louis Cardinals conference. “I’m very grate- manager,” Cardinals chairman ful for my family. I grew up in a and CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. said in clubhouse around baseball. I got a statement. “Mike is a veteran my ABCs of baseball at an early member of the Cardinals organi- age.... I have been given a lot of sation who has demonstrated credit for what’s happened in the strong leadership and coaching past six weeks. I appreciate it, traits, formed by his many years but I cannot accept it.” of experience in the game, in- The Cardinals were 47-46 cluding his 15 years in the Cardi- when Shildt took over, 7 1/2 nals system. games out of the National “The team’s focused, high- League Central lead and behind level style of play under Mike is a jumble of teams fi ghting for a standard that his teams con- wild-card spots. Since then, sistently displayed during his they’ve gone an NL-best 26-12, prior years in the minors, and it entering Tuesday with a half- has continued here at the Major game lead for the fi rst wild card, League level.”

ner Vince Velasquez, one of the Phillies’ bullpens, the Athletics reigned supreme, Reuters RESULTS Philadelphia starting pitchers, was ruled to have left getting 4 1/3 scoreless innings from second base too soon in tagging up before Nationals 5-4 Phillies right-handers Shawn Kelley, Fernando going to third base on the catch. A’s 4-3 Astros Rodney, Jeurys Familia (8-4), and Blake nthony Rendon hit a two-run Phillies starter Aaron Nola allowed Treinen, who recorded his 33rd save with homer in the three-run, ninth- two runs (one earned), four hits and two Yankees 5-4 White Sox a perfect ninth. Oakland closed the gap in inning rally to help the visiting walks while striking out eight in seven Red Sox 8-7 Marlins the American League West to two games Washington Nationals defeat innings in a hard-luck no-decision. Braves 9-5 Rays in the loss column with the rubber match theA Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 on Tuesday Nationals ace Max Scherzer pitched set for Wednesday. night at Citizens Bank Park. fi ve innings before being removed for a Giants 1-0 D’backs The Astros, who had their six-game Packers trade QB Hundley to Seahawks Ryan Zimmerman had three dou- pinch hitter. He allowed three runs and Orioles 12-5 Blue Jays winning streak snapped, were up to the bles and a stolen base for the Nationals, four hits (two homers) and struck out Indians 8-1 Twins task until closer Roberto Osuna (1-2) is- Backup quarterback Brett Hun- understudy emerged when who have won the fi rst two games of the fi ve. Nola also had opposed Scherzer sued a one-out walk to Athletics cent- dley was traded to the Seattle reports leaked that the team was Cardinals 5-2 Pirates three-game series. The Phillies had a Thursday when the Phillies won a duel er fi elder Ramon Laureano, and then Seahawks from the Green Bay chasing Colts backup quarter- two-run homer from Jorge Alfaro and a 2-0 in Washington. Reds 9-7 Brewers Jonathan Lucroy followed with a seeing- Packers yesterday. Hundley and back Jacoby Brissett. Hundley solo shot from Odubel Herrera. “These guys fi ght, man, they never Rockies 3-2 Angels eye, opposite-fi eld single to right. DeShone Kizer were competing becomes the backup to Russell Tommy Hunter, who pitched a perfect quit,” Nats manager Dave Martinez said. Martini hit a ground-rule double on to be the backup to Packers QB Wilson in Seattle. He received Padres 2-1 Mariners eighth, walked Bryce Harper to start the “They keep pounding and they keep the fi rst pitch, plating Laureano with the Aaron Rodgers. Head coach his first extended playing time ninth. He was replaced by Pat Neshek, grinding and it was a big win for us.” Dodgers 8-4 Rangers go-ahead run. Mike McCarthy said the Packers in the NFL last season with who allowed Rendon’s 17th homer of the The Phillies’ second hit of the game Royals 6-2 Tigers Trailing 3-1, the Astros pulled even in were not married to the idea Rodgers injured, making nine the fi fth inning when third baseman Alex season to give the Nationals the lead. was Herrera’s 21st homer of the season in Mets 1-1 Cubs of keeping three quarterbacks starts. Drafted in the fifth round Neshek (1-1) was replaced by Hector the bottom of the fourth. Bregman lined a two-out, two-run dou- after acquiring Kizer, a second- in 2015 out of UCLA, Hundley Neris after Zimmerman’s third double of Matt Grace pitched around a single Hunter retired pinch hitter Mark Rey- ble off Oakland starter Edwin Jackson. round pick and the primary had a 70.6 passer rating with 12 the game, matching a franchise record. and struck out three in 1 2/3 innings after nolds on a called third strike to start the Bregman singled again in the eighth starter with the Cleveland interceptions, two fumbles and Zimmerman stole third and scored an replacing Scherzer in the sixth. eighth. Reynolds was ejected for arguing with George Springer on base, but Browns as a rookie last season. nine touchdown passes in 2017. important insurance run as catcher Al- The Nationals scored twice in the sev- the call. Springer was erased at third on a throw Green Bay could still retain a His biggest issue was the inabil- faro’s throw sailed into left fi eld for an enth. Rendon singled to lead off the in- from Laureano. Astros right-hander third-string quarterback, Tim ity to push the ball downfield. error. Koda Glover (1-2) pitched around ning and Zimmerman doubled with one A’S EDGE ASTROS, TIGHTEN Charlie Morton fl irted with danger by is- Boyle, on the 53-man roster. Hundley averaged a measly 5.8 a walk in the bottom of the eighth to get out. Matt Wieters grounded out to fi rst, WEST RACE AGAIN suing two-out walks in the fi rst and sec- The Packers receive a sixth- yards per attempt. The Packers the win. Justin Miller allowed doubles to but both runners scored on Carlos San- Nick Martini hit a tie-breaking double to ond innings. His control woes came home round draft pick in 2019. The landed Kizer in a trade with the Nick Williams and pinch hitter Wilson tana’s error on the throw home. center fi eld in the ninth inning and the to roost in the third when, after retiring Seahawks allowed rookie Alex Browns for Damarious Randall, Ramos with one out in the bottom of the Jimmy Cordero replaced Grace with Oakland Athletics evened the fi rst two Martini and Matt Chapman to open that McGough and last year’s backup a former first-round pick. Kizer ninth to cut the lead to one run. two out and no one on base in the bottom games of their three-game series with frame, Morton walked Jed Lowrie for a Austin Davis to compete in went 0-15 and led the NFL with Greg Holland replaced Miller to pick of the seventh, and struck out pinch hit- the Houston Astros with a 4-3 victory on second consecutive time despite getting training camp. Signs the team 22 interceptions in 2017 with the up his fi rst save of the season when Al- ter Jose Bautista, who was obtained in a Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. ahead 0-2 in the count. He then hit Khris was dissatisfied with Wilson’s Browns. faro fl ied out to center and pinch run- trade from the New York Mets Tuesday. In what amounted to a battle of the Davis with a fi rst-pitch fastball. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, August 30, 2018 SPORT

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT England recall Kohli believes India Ali and Curran have experience to as Buttler to keep wicket AFP national gloveman Buttler, who Southampton, United Kingdom deputised behind the stumps at Trent Bridge, replacing Bairstow capitalise on victory as keeper, Root said: “It was a ngland have recalled medical call, he (Bairstow) didn’t Moeen Ali and Sam Cur- seem fi t to be able to keep 100% ‘We are in a very exciting position to have gained momentum at the right time in the series’ ran for the fourth Test in a Test match for fi ve days and against India at South- that was the call that was made. ampton,E skipper Joe Root said He will be disappointed but ulti- AFP Southampton, United Kingdom yesterday. The pair replace mately we’ve got to make sure we top-order batsman Ollie Pope do the best thing for this team to and all-rounder Chris Woakes, win this game and I believe Jos is irat Kohli believes India are bet- ruled out with a thigh problem. the right man to do it this time.” ter placed to avoid the mistakes Meanwhile, Jos Buttler will keep Victory at Southampton would of four years ago as they look wicket instead of Jonny Bairstow, see England take an unassailable to build on their third Test win with the Yorkshireman deployed 3-1 lead in the fi ve-match series. Vover England when the series continues as a specialist number four bats- “We under-performed last week in Southampton today. India have arrived man only despite breaking a fi n- — that’s the bottom line — and at Hampshire’s headquarters on the back ger behind the stumps during In- we have a great opportunity to of a thumping 203-run victory at Trent dia’s crushing 203-run win in the put that right this time around,” Bridge — a match in which captain Kohli third Test at Trent Bridge. said Yorkshire batsman Root. scored exactly 200 runs, including a cen- An innings of 219 and fi gures “I think one of our big tury, for the second time this series after of eight for 89 against Yorkshire strengths as a squad is our performing a similar feat in the fi rst Test put Worcestershire off -spinning strength of character and, at at Edgbaston. all-rounder Ali’s name in the home in particular, we’re very Last week’s success in Nottingham saw frame for a match on a ground good at bouncing back after dif- India cut England’s lead in the fi ve-match where he took six for 67 during fi cult weeks. We’ve done it time campaign to 2-1. In 2014, India came to England’s 266-run win against and time again before and we Hampshire having beaten England by 95 India in the corresponding Test don’t expect anything less from runs to be 1-0 up after three Tests in a four years ago. the group this time as well.” fi ve-match series with one draw. His inclusion means England But from then on it was one-way traf- will fi eld two specialist slow TEAMS fi c, with England thrashing India by 266 bowlers at Southampton, where England: Alastair Cook, Keaton runs to start a run of three straight wins the fourth Test starts today, with Jennings, Joe Root (capt), Jonny that led to a 3-1 series success. “Last time leg-spinner Adil Rashid retained. Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler around I can’t really pinpoint as to what “He’s in fi ne form, he’s gone back (wkt), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, we did wrong or maybe England played to his county and — what you much better than us,” Kohli told reporters want from international players Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James at Southampton yesterday. is for them to go back and prove Anderson “We probably didn’t have the experi- a point — and that’s exactly what India (probable): KL Rahul, ence to capitalise on the lead is how I see India’s captain Virat Kohli (left) and Moeen’s done in the last couple Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar things four years down the line,” added Shikhar Dhawan share a light of weeks,” Root told reporters at Pujara, Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya the world’s top-ranked Test batsman. moment during a practice session in Southampton. Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wkt), “Right now, we understand that we are Southampton yesterday. (Reuters) England also have concerns Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran in a very exciting position to have gained over whether all-rounder Ben Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Moham- momentum at the right time in the series Stokes will be able to bowl a full med Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and to have played like that when two-nil sure that we are relentless and ruthless in the same team twice in a row for the fi rst culminating in a fi nal 10 deliveries. quota of overs because of a knee Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena down, when everyone thought it is going terms of capitalising on those important time in 46 matches at this level. “It has Kohli already represents India in Tests, problem, another factor in off - (SRI), Bruce Oxenford (AUS) to be a clean sweep (for England) or we are moments which we did in Nottingham,” not always been the case of changes,” said one-day internationals and Twenty20s spinner Ali’s recall in place of going to be rolled over.” he added. Kohli. “There have been injuries as well. and plays in the Indian Premier League Surrey batsman Pope, dropped TV umpire: Joel Wilson (WI) Instead, victory in Nottingham has Kohli, however, said India could not Seeing the way things are right now, we and said he did not want to be “a testing after just two Tests. Match referee: Andy Pycroft given India an opportunity to become aff ord to be complacent if the world’s don’t feel we need to change anything.” sort of cricketer for any new format...” As for England one-day inter- (ZIM) just the second side in Test history to win number-one ranked Test side were to “Obviously for the people involved in a fi ve-match series from 2-0 down — achieve their over-riding goal of a series KOHLI NOT KEEN ON NEW the whole process and the set-up it will with a Don Bradman-inspired Australia, win. “If Nottingham was hard work this 100-BALL FORMAT be really exciting but I cannot think of against England in 1936/37, the only team is going to be even harder,” he insisted. Meanwhile, Kohli has ruled out partici- one more format, to be honest,” Kohli told to have achieved that feat. “It was just “England will want to come back strong- pating in the initial stages of the England Wisden Cricket Monthly. about capitalising on the big moments ly. We understand that and we will have to and Wales Cricket Board’s new 100-ball “I am very... I wouldn’t say frustrated during the Test match,” said Kohli of his be even better (than at Trent Bridge).” format and says he is worried that com- but it can get very demanding of you side’s success at Trent Bridge. And with Kohli declaring off -spinner mercial concerns are eroding the quality when you have to play so much cricket. I “As cricketers we understand when a Ravichandran Ashwin “good to go” fol- of the game. The ECB’s new eight-team feel the commercial aspect is taking over Test match goes away from you and we lowing a groin strain at Trent Bridge, this tournament is set to begin in 2020 and the real quality of the cricket and that spoke about recognising that and making Test could be the one where India fi eld sees each side facing 15 six-ball overs, hurts me.”

ROUND-UP Ireland beat Afghanistan to level ODI series AFP ship, but when he was brilliantly run out AMBRIS IN WINDIES SQUAD named for the India tour. They have not Belfast for 39 by Paul Stirling, Afghanistan were FOR TEST SERIES IN INDIA won a Test there since 1994. Warrican, a 100-7. Najibullah Zadran top scored with Eight months after a nightmare debut 26-year-old from St. Vincent who is also 42. Stirling and Balbirnie got Ireland off Test series, opening batsman Sunil Am- handy with the bat, has played four Tests, reland levelled a three-match ODI to a fl yer at 69-1 before three quick wick- bris returns to the West Indies squad for most recently in early 2016. The Windies series with Afghanistan at 1-1 with ets put the game back in the balance. Bal- their two Tests in India in October. drew a three-Test series with Sri Lanka victory by three wickets in Belfast birnie got to 60 before being dismissed by He has been included after recovering 1-1, before thumping Bangladesh in two yesterday. The visitors chose to bat the impressive Rashid Khan. Another two from a left forearm fracture incurred in Tests. The fi rst test against India will be Ifi rst but posted a modest total of 182 for wickets fell in quick succession to set up New Zealand late last year, which ended held in Rajkot from Oct 4-8, with the sec- nine. Propelled by a half century from a grandstand fi nish, but Simi Singh’s 36 a torrid series for Ambris. ond in Hyderabad from Oct 12-16. Andrew Balbirnie, Ireland reached their not out saw Ireland over the line to level After suff ering a golden duck (hit wick- Squad: Jason Holder (C), Sunil Ambris, De- target of 183 with six overs to spare. The up the series. et) on debut, he was out in the same man- vendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston sides will meet again tomorrow to decide Brief scores: Ireland 183 for 7 (Balbirnie ner in the second Test. Ambris was then Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, the series. Afghanistan they were reduced 60, Rashid 3-37) beat Afghanistan 182 for struck on the arm in the second innings Jahmar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai to 16-4 inside 10 overs. 9 (Najibullah 42, Afghan 39, Murtagh 4-30) and retired hurt. Left-arm orthodox spin Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Kieran England cricketers pose during a practice session at the Ageas Bowl Captain Asghar Afghan steadied the by three wickets bowler Jomel Warrican has also been Powell, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican. in Southampton, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters)

GOLF Three-time major champ Spieth fi nds form aft er tough year

AFP of the US PGA season-ending playoff s that going forward because of what I’ve learned Washington lead into the Ryder Cup. “I really found this year.” Jordan Spieth hasn’t won kind of the setup that I used to putt with. It’s that hint of confi dence, sensing a a title since capturing last I’ve been searching for it for a long time and better future after grinding his way through year’s British Open. (AFP) ordan Spieth has struggled all year I found close to 100% of it,” Spieth said. “I a diffi cult campaign, that makes Spieth a with putting woes and swing issues, had been making a lot of progress over the force and one of the world’s top-ranked but the three-time major cham- last month with the putter and the results talents. “Feel like I stepped into the playoff s pion is fi nding his form just in time came through.” with my game in the best shape it has been forJ the Ryder Cup. The 25-year-old Texan Spieth went back to videos, analyzing and this entire year,” Spieth said. “I feel like qualifi ed for the US squad that will defend studying head and body positions in detail throughout the swing I know where it’s at, the trophy against Europe next month in to fi nd simple areas where his precision where it needs to be.” France but he hasn’t won since capturing movements have altered. “I went to to try Spieth matched the Masters tourna- last year’s British Open, beset by troubles and search for it, and it’s always the simplest ment record of Tiger Woods in winning the in all areas of his game. stuff with us,” Spieth said. “But it was more green jacket three years ago and became the “I got pretty far off in my golf swing from challenging than I’d like this year.” youngest US Open champion since 1923 the Players on,” Spieth said, starting down Spieth, the 2015 Masters and US Open the same year. At a time when older stars a wrong path for weeks in May and June. champion, still shone in the majors despite such as Woods and Phil Mickelson remain “I spent literally two months nailing in his season of struggles. factors and big hitters like Dustin Johnson the wrong thing and I was trying to climb He was third at the Masters, shared ninth and Bubba Watson win often, Spieth leads a back out of it. And that’s unusual. I never at the British Open and shared 12th at the new generation of US stars. had that in my career. I’ve been working PGA Championship in trying to complete a “The game’s in a cool place right now,” the right direction back, just like with the Career Grand Slam. Spieth said. “You have a mixture of Ti- putting. The putting started to improve “Actually I had more fun this year than ger and Phil playing awesome golf, DJ be- around the Players, after the Masters, but 2016, I would say. This year, I’ve done a ing number one in the world, Bubba back the swing got off . So it has been a year of great job of recognizing and being patient,” to winning a few times in a year. And then having them both not on at the same time Spieth said. “I wasn’t having much fun for you have your mid-20s players that are able and I know they are both on the rise, and the fi rst three months of the year, and since to compete in any tournament as well. It that feels good.” then, it has not been a bother to me, the shows what golf’s all about. You can play Spieth made a breakthrough at the results or anything. I’ve really kind of em- when you’re eight years old and you can Northern Trust event last week, the start braced how I feel, like I’ll be better than ever play when you’re 80.” Gulf Times Thursday, August 30, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Bale leads Wales squad for Ireland, Denmark games

Gareth Bale spearheads Ryan Giggs’s Wales squad for his first two com- petitive fixtures in charge against the Republic of Ireland and Denmark next month. Bale has been in fine form for Loew rejects Ozil’s Real Madrid, scoring in the European champions’ opening two La Liga games, as he looks to fill the void left by Cris- tiano Ronaldo. The four-time Champi- ons League winner will carry even more of the attacking burden for his country after Hal Robson-Kanu announced his retirement from international football accusations of racism after a 44-cap career. Ashley Williams also keeps his place despite being sent- off in two of his last three starts at club Germany manager drops Khedira and Rudy for next month’s matches level for Everton and Stoke.

AFP Ronaldo to skip two Munich Portugal games

oachim Loew has rejected Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will Mesut Ozil’s accusations of skip his country’s next two interna- racism within the German FA tionals including a Nations League (DFB) as the head coach gave game against Italy in order to focus on hisJ analysis of Germany’s World Cup his new club Juventus, Italian media debacle yesterday. “Mesut made alle- reported. Portugal’s all-time top goal- gations of racism, but I can clearly say scorer and skipper wants to make his that in the DFB, there have never been new team the priority and will remain in racist comments,” Loew said while Turin to be in top physical shape and to announcing his squad to face world get to know his new teammates better. champions France in Munich on Sep- The 33-year-old Ronaldo will report- tember 6, then Peru three days later. edly miss a friendly against World Cup “The players with an immigration runners-up Croatia on September 6 and background have always enjoyed play- a Nations League game on September ing for us and nothing has changed,” 10 against Italy. added Loew who has been head coach since 2006. Arsenal midfi elder Ozil retired from international football Ajax enter Champions on July 22 with a stinging three-page League group stage statement, in which he directly ac- cused DFB president Reinhard Grindel Four-time European champions Ajax of racism. booked their place in the Champions This is the fi rst time Loew has com- League group stage despite wasting mented on the Ozil saga. “His adviser a host of chances in a goalless playoff called me to inform me that Mesut second leg against Dynamo Kiev. The would issue the third part of his state- Dutch side’s 3-1 cushion from the first ment,” added Loew. “The player him- leg proved enough in the Ukrainian cap- self did not call me, which normally ital. Ajax were joined in today’s group players have done in the past. Mesut stage draw by AEK Athens, whose 1-1 has still not called and for the last draw with MOL Vidi of Hungary was two weeks I have unsuccessfully tried enough for a 3-2 win on aggregate. to reach him. I am sure there will be a Croatia’s success in reaching the World chance for a personal conversation in Cup final for the first time failed to in- the future. He has chosen this path — I spire Dinamo Zagreb, who crashed out have to accept that.” Germany manager Joachim Loew (right) said he was snubbed by Mesut Ozil after the midfielder abruptly retired from international football. to Swiss club Young Boys. Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan, who were Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia both born in Germany to Turkish debacle, fi nishing bottom of their “I ended up taking too many risks and In May, Loew signed a four-year deal Moenchengladbach), Jonas Hector parents, sparked a political storm on group in Russia, Loew announced yes- after the fi rst game (a 1-0 defeat to to take him through to the next World (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Dembele misses training the eve of the World Cup by meeting terday that assistant coach Thomas Mexico) we had our backs to the wall.” Cup, but admits Germany’s woeful Munich), Thilo Kehrer (Paris Saint-Ger- amid Marseille, Lyon links Turkey President Recep Tayyip Er- Schneider has been demoted to chief Loew’s new squad has a mix of “ex- performance in Russia puts him under main/FRA), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern dogan. When Erdogan’s offi ce put out scout. The axe has also fallen on Sami perience and youth” with his 2014 huge pressure to turn things around Munich), Antonio Ruediger (Chelsea/ Celtic striker Moussa Dembele missed pictures of the meeting, the pair’s loy- Khedira, 31, who was part of the team World Cup winning stars Mats Hum- — starting against world champions ENG), Nico Schulz (Hoff enheim), Niklas training yesterday for talks over his fu- alty to Germany was hotly questioned, which won the 2014 World Cup. mels, Jerome Boateng, Tony Kroos, France. Suele (Bayern Munich), Jonathan Tah ture amid reported interest from French sparking fi erce debate about integra- The Juventus midfi elder is the big- Thomas Mueller and Manuel Neuer “We are all being specially observed (Bayer Leverkusen) giants Marseille and Lyon. Hoops man- tion, and they were attacked by Ger- gest name casualty in the new squad, included despite below-par perform- and put under pressure, I am aware of Midfielder/forwards: Julian Brandt (Bay- ager Brendan Rodgers confirmed there man far-right politicians. which included Gundogan, as well as ances in Russia. that,” said Loew. “However, I am still er Leverkusen0, Julian Draxler (Paris is “big interest” in the French under-21 Ozil walked away from the German his Manchester City teammate Leroy Paris Saint-Germain centre-back convinced of our class and quality. The Saint-Germain/FRA), Leon Goretzka international, who has scored 51 goals set up after the World Cup, complain- Sane, who was dropped for the World Thilo Kehrer, 21, Hoff enheim left-back World Cup squad was very, very good, (Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gundogan (Man- in 94 appearances since joining Celtic in ing of facing “racism and disrespect” Cup. Loew says ‘the biggest mistake’ Nico Schulz, 25, and Bayer Leverkusen but we did not perform.” chester City/ENG), Kai Havertz (Bayer 2016. Dembele was at Celtic Park with and specifi cally took aim at Grindel. he made in Russia was to assume Ger- forward Kai Havertz, 19, are called up Leverkusen), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/ his representatives to discuss his future “In the eyes of Grindel and his sup- many could reach the knock-out stag- for the fi rst time. Sane, Leverkusen GERMANY SQUAD ESP), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), while his teammates trained in prepara- porters, I am German when we win, es by playing possession football. defender Jonathan Tah and Freiburg Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Nils Petersen (Freiburg), Marco Reus tion for the second leg of their Europa but I am an immigrant when we lose,” “That was almost arrogant. I want- striker Nils Petersen, who were cut Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barce- (Borussia Dortmund), Leroy Sane League tie against Suduva today which Ozil wrote damningly. ed to take our game to the limit and from the provisional World Cup lona/ESP) (Manchester City/ENG), Timo Werner stands at 1-1 from the first game in Following Germany’s World Cup perfect it,” admitted the 58-year-old. squad, all return. Lithuania last week. Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern (RB Leipzig)

FOCUS MATCH REPORT US, Seattle striker Dempsey West Ham survive scare, three Premier announces retirement League sides exit League Cup AFP AFP Los Angeles London

nited States and Seattle est Ham survived a scare from Sounders striker Clint League One Wimbledon to reg- Dempsey announced ister Manuel Pellegrini’s fi rst his retirement yes- win in charge and progress to Uterday, ending a 15-year career Wthe third round of the League Cup as Pre- that included three World Cup mier League sides Cardiff , Huddersfi eld and appearances as he became his Brighton bowed out on Tuesday night. country’s joint record goalscorer. The Hammers have suff ered three straight The 35-year-old forward, defeats to begin their league season, despite whose career was halted for six former Real Madrid and Manchester City boss months after the discovery of an Pellegrini being backed with nearly £100mn irregular heartbeat in 2016, said in the transfer market, and went behind in- in a statement the time was right side two minutes at Kingsmeadow through to draw a line under his playing Joe Pigott’s header. But the hosts were re- days. “After a lot of thought, my duced to 10 men after just 18 minutes as Rod West Ham’s Javier Hernandez (second left) celebrates with teammates after scoring family and I have decided that McDonald was dismissed for a second yellow against AFC Wimbledon in the League Cup in London. (Reuters) this is the right time for me to card and second-half goals from Issa Diop, step away from the game,” said Angelo Ogbonna and Javier Hernandez se- Southampton edged out Brighton 1-0 in fi eld Wednesday respectively. Crystal Pal- Dempsey. cured a 3-1 win to spare Pellegrini’s blushes. the only all-Premier League tie of the round ace needed Alexander Sorloth’s fi rst goal for “I’d like to thank all of the Cardiff ’s poor start to the season on their thanks to Charlie Austin’s winner two min- the club 20 minutes from time to edge out teammates, coaches and sup- return to the top fl ight continued with a utes from time. Leicester cruised past Joey Swansea 1-0. port staff that I’ve worked with comprehensive 3-1 defeat at home to Cham- Barton’s Fleetwood Town 4-0 with Rachid Frank Lampard’s Derby were thrashed throughout my career. It has al- pionship side Norwich. Saido Berahino Ghezzal registering his fi rst goal for the club. Hull 4-0, but Marcelo Bielsa tasted defeat ways been my dream to make it scored his fi rst goal since February 2016 to Bournemouth, Fulham and Wolves also for the fi rst time as Leeds boss, losing 2-0 at as a pro. I’m grateful to have been send Stoke into the last 32 with a 2-0 win eased into round three over lower league home to Preston, while Aston Villa also went on this ride.” over Premier League Huddersfi eld. opposition in MK Dons, Exeter and Shef- down 1-0 to League One Burton Albion. Dempsey is one of the most successful US players in history, enjoying spells with English Pre- mier League sides Fulham and Clint Dempsey played in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, Former South America football boss Napout jailed for nine years Tottenham Hotspur as well as captaining US in Brazil four years ago. (Reuters) stints in Major League Soccer New York: The former head of the South money laundering conspiracy. US prosecu- or Mauritius, and cruises on the Danube with New England and Seattle. Craven Cottage, Dempsey scored “His mark on both our club and American football confederation CONME- tors have lifted the lid on a quarter of a for families. Prosecutors said Napout At international level, Demp- 50 goals in 184 games, before the United States Men’s National BOL, Juan Angel Napout, was sentenced to century of endemic corruption in the heart deserved less mercy than Marin as he was sey scored 57 goals in 141 appear- adding seven goals in 29 appear- Team is indelible, and his hard- nine years in prison yesterday for his role in of FIFA, football’s governing body, and on “among the most culpable” among all those ances between 2004 and 2017, ances for Spurs in 2012-2013. earned reputation as a trailblazer the sweeping FIFA corruption scandal. the largest graft scandal in the world’s most indicted. He was “personally responsible putting him level with Landon His Premier League spell saw for our nation in Europe helped The sentencing of the 60-year-old popular sport. for perpetuating and expanding the corrup- Donovan as the USA’s leading him become the fi rst American pave the way for generations of Napout came just a week after the former In total, 42 off icials and marketing execu- tion of soccer at a time when it was most all-time goalscorer. Dempsey to score a hat-trick in the English future of Americans abroad,” he boss of Brazilian football, Jose Maria Marin, tives, as well as the sports company Traff ic, in need of reform,” prosecutors said in a played in the 2006, 2010 and top-fl ight in a 5-2 win over New- added. was jailed for four years in connection with were indicted with corruption crimes total- pre-sentencing memorandum. 2014 World Cups, captaining his castle in 2012. Seattle Sounders United States goalkeeper Tim the same case. Napout, who was also once ing more than $200mn. The 2017 trial of Napout received near-monthly pay- country in Brazil four years ago general manager Garth Lagerwey Howard described Dempsey as the head of Paraguayan football, was found Napout and the 86-year-old Marin exposed ments from October 2010 until March 2015, when the US reached the knock- said Dempsey deserved to be re- “an absolute legend in our game guilty on December 22 on three counts not only the corruption, but the life of totalling millions of dollars. He also tried to out phase. The Texan spent sev- membered as the greatest player who helped change the percep- in connection with bestowing television privilege, luxury and excess enjoyed by destroy evidence by attempting to get his en years in the Premier League in the history of the American tion of what It means to be an and marketing rights for major events in members of FIFA’s executive committee. computer out of CONMEBOL headquarters and was fourth in the 2011-2012 game. American footballer.” “It was exchange for millions of dollars in bribes. Prosecutors detailed a high-flying upon his arrest in Switzerland in Decem- Football Writers’ Association “As far as I’m concerned, Clint an honour to suit up with you He was convicted of racketeering con- lifestyle for the sport’s bigwigs: personal ber 2015. Of the 42 individuals originally rankings for Player of the Year Dempsey is the greatest player and always a challenge to go up spiracy and two counts of wire fraud con- chauff eurs, private jets, luxury hotels, indicted, three have since died and 22 have after a campaign that included 17 in the history of our country,” against you,” Howard wrote on spiracy, but was acquitted on two counts of meetings in idyllic resorts in the Bahamas pleaded guilty. goals for Fulham. In fi ve years at Lagerwey said in a statement. Twitter.

Thursday, August 30, 2018 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOCUS Schweinsteiger We wanted more scores on Bayern Munich farewell AFP “My past belongs only to Bayern goals, says Duhail’s Munich and nobody else. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.” It was always going to be an astian Schweinsteiger emotional night for Schwein- bid farewell to Bay- steiger, who wept openly after ern Munich in style on his 121st and fi nal appearance Tuesday night as the for Germany almost exactly two match-winner Ali formerB Germany captain scored years ago. This was the fi rst time on his fi nal appearance in the fa- Schweinsteiger had returned to mous red against his current club the Allianz Arena since leaving ‘We wanted two or three goals but fate wasn’t in our favour’ Chicago Fire. Three years after for United in July 2015. “It’s a hastily leaving for an 18-month huge honour for him — he’s been By Sports Reporter spell at Manchester United, looking forward to it all year,” Doha Schweinsteiger, 34, fi nally said his wife, former tennis star Ana goodbye to Bayern with a testi- Ivanovic said, before kick-off . monial appearance. Having joined as a 13-year-old lmoez Ali got the only goal of the For the record, Bayern won in 1998, Schweinsteiger made game in Al Duhail’s 1-0 win over 4-0, with the fi nal goal fi ttingly 500 appearances for Bayern, Persepolis in the fi rst leg of the scored by Schweinsteiger, who scoring 68 goals and winning 22 AFC Champions League quar- played the fi rst half for his MLS titles, including the 2013 Cham- ter-fiA nals on Tuesday, but the youngster side and the second for the Ger- pions League title and eight has expressed his team’s regret at not be- man champions. Bayern were Bundesliga titles. He walked out ing able to score more. 2-0 up at the break with goals by before kick-off with the words In a cagey encounter between the Qa- Serge Gnabry and Sandro Wagn- “Basti is Back” written in giant tari and Iranian champions at Khalifa er, who hit the post after just two letters across the main stand. International Stadium, chances were at minutes, before Schweinsteiger He was presented with a gi- a premium all evening. Al Duhail had to pulled on the red shirt. After Ar- ant framed photo montage of his eventually settle for the slender advan- jen Robben scored Bayern’s third key moments with Bayern, but tage provided by Ali’s 15th-minute goal, goal with an hour gone, the crowd the gifts, accolades and praise which saw him head in at the back post grew restless and started chant- were heaped on Schweinsteiger following Edmilson’s cross from the left. ing “Bastian Schweinsteiger — long before kick-off in Munich. “We managed to get a goal in the fi rst score a goal!” Having moved up He was awarded with the Bavar- half. We wanted two or three goals but from midfi eld to play as a striker, ian Order of Merit on Sunday fate wasn’t in our favour,” remarked Ali. he dutifully obliged on 83 min- and then made the 18th member “The next step for us now is to focus on utes with a superb volley. of Bayern’s Hall of Fame at the our next game in the league, go to the na- Schweinsteiger perfectly met club’s museum. tional team camp and then return to play David Alaba’s cross to hit the The 34-year-old now belongs Persepolis again in the second leg.” back of he net with the outside to the inner circle of club legends The three-week gap before the second of his boot and was lofted into such as Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd leg could provide ample time for Nabil the air by his Bayern teammates. Mueller, Sepp Maier, Lothar Maaloul’s men to improve and put up He wore a huge grin at the fi - Matthaeus and Philipp Lahm. a better showing in Tehran. “There are nal whistle, but was fi ghting Schweinsteiger returned the games coming up in which we can im- back tears when shown a video honour by donating to the club prove,” Ali said. “Hopefully, we can pre- montage of messages from Bay- his 2014 World Cup winners’ pare ourselves well for the second leg and ern and Germany stars to their medal — when his magnifi cent turn out better than we did today.” ‘Fussballgott’ (football god). display in the Rio de Janeiro fi nal Al Duhail took to the fi eld for the fi rst “I am one of you and I will al- helped Germany to a 1-0 extra- leg without three of their fi rst-team ways be,” he told Bayern fans. time win over Argentina. regulars and Ali felt that his team needed more work to adjust to the changes. “Of course, we missed Youssef (Msakni), Is- mail (Mohammad) and Karim Boudiaf. What we have to do now is to work hard- er, try to get in sync with each other and give all we have for the team. We need to make use of the chances we get; you saw today we had chances come our way but we failed to use them because of simple errors at the end of the moves,” he said. Al Duhail won all six of their group games earlier this year before notching up back-to-back wins over Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the Round of 16 and will now be confi dent of advancing to the last four, where they will meet either Almoez Ali scored the only goal for Al Duhail in their win over Iranian side Persepolis in the AFC Champions League first leg fellow Qatari side Al Sadd or Esteghlal quarter-final at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Tuesday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil from Iran. Al Sadd won the fi rst leg 3-1 in Tehran yesterday as they handed twice champi- Despite the turmoil behind the scenes, Seven minutes later he doubled his on Monday. In the other quarter-fi nal, ons Jeonbuk Motors a 3-0 defeat in the Suwon put on one of their best perform- side’s lead when he was left unmarked on Kashima Antlers will take a 2-0 lead over all-South Korean clash in the fi rst leg of ances of the year to take a three-goal ad- the edge of the area, with the Jeonbuk de- Tianjin Quanjian into their second leg. the quarter-fi nals. vantage into the second leg on Sept. 19. fence allowing him to turn and shoot into Damjanovic, who joined Suwon at the The 37-year-old Damjanovic put Suwon the bottom corner. SUWON DOWN JEONBUK THANKS start of the year from bitter rivals FC in front when he applied the fi nishing With fi ve minutes remaining Han Eui- TO DAMJANOVIC’S DOUBLE Seoul, was instrumental in securing a touch to a break out of defence 15 minutes gwon took Suwon a step closer to the next Dejan Damjanovic’s double strike moved surprise win for his side a day after coach from time when Elvis Saric played the ball round when he steered his header into the Suwon Bluewings to the verge of the Seo Jung-won announced he would be into his path and Damjanovic slid his ef- top corner following Saric’s cross from Bastian Schweinsteiger is thrown in the air by Bayern Munich players Asian Champions League semi-fi nals standing down from his role. fort home. the right. after his farewell match in Munich on Tuesday night. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT BOTTOMLINE Al Sadd and Al Rayyan drawn Exciting contests in store in same group for QSL Cup at QNB Stars League By Sports Reporter By Sports Reporter Doha Doha his week’s QNB Stars he draw for the 2018-19 season QSL League fi xtures off ers Cup was made at the Qatar Stars exciting contests. The League Management headquarters Week 3 action saw big at the Al Bidda Tower yesterday. Tguns Al Sadd and Al Duhail both TThe draw ceremony was held in the pres- drop points after being held by ence of QSLM’s Competitions and Football Al Gharafa (1-1) and Al Rayyan Development Department Acting Execu- (0-0) respectively. Al Sadd con- tive Director Mohammad Ahmad Abdulla, tinued to top the standings ahead Competitions Department Director Ahmed of Al Duhail on goal diff erence, al-Adsani and representatives of all 12 com- both teams having seven points. peting clubs. The Wolves have a goal diff er- The clubs were ranked according to their ence of +15 compared to The Red order in last season’s QNB Stars League Knights’ +9. Al Sadd were held by Al Gharafa in their last league match. (AFP) standings, with promoted Al Shahania re- Naturally, Al Sadd and Al Du- placing relegated Al Markhiya as the last hail will defi nitely look to be Persepolis 1-0 at home. Umm Salal encounters are sure to team. QNB Stars League Biggies Al Sadd back on the winning path. Al Al Sailiya should be looking to hog the limelight most. The air- and Al Rayyan were drawn in Group B, Sadd should have it easy against maintain the momentum when conditioned Khalifa Internation- which also consisted Al Sailiya, Al Khor, Al promoted side Al Shahania, who they face Al Khor who are 11th al Stadium and Al Sadd Stadium Ahli and Al Shahania. QNB Stars League did well to hold Al Khor to a 1-1 with just a point they collected in will once again host the matches, champions Al Duhail were placed in Group draw to be on four points. In the Week 3 against Al Shahania. making it comfortable for players A along with Al Gharafa, Umm Salal, Al Ara- process, they also jumped to the Al Rayyan will badly want to and spectators alike. bi, Qatar SC and Al Kharaitiyat. eighth position in standings. bounce back into the top four. The QSL Cup schedule is being fi nalised QSLM’s Competitions and Football Development Department Acting Executive Director Al Duhail face the challenge The Lions had slipped to fi fth WEEK 4 FXITURES in co-ordination with the Ministry of Cul- Mohammad Ahmad Abdulla and Competitions Department Director Ahmed al-Adsani from Qatar SC, who will be look- after the third round following Tomorrow: Al Sailiya vs Al Khor ture and Sports. It will be offi cially released conduct the draw for the QSL Cup in Doha yesterday. ing to come back into the tour- their draw with Al Duhail. (17:10) and Al Ahli vs Al Gharafa soon. The tournament will begin on Sep- nament after losing their last It is against this backdrop (19:20) at the Khalifa International tember 7th and the fi nal is scheduled for tions were discussed. The change in format need for players to co-operate fully with the two matches that followed their that they take on Al Kharaitiyat, Stadium February 2nd. Like last season, matches will will see the six-team group stage being fol- referees and abide by their decisions. The opening-round victory over Al the only team yet to open their be played during international breaks. lowed by knockout quarter-fi nals instead of teams’ jersey colours were also decided. Gharafa. The Kings had lost 0-2 account and have lost all their On Saturday: Al Rayyan vs Al The draw ceremony was followed by a four teams directly qualifying for the semi- to Al Sailiya. games. Kharaitiyat (17:10) and Al Arabi vs technical meeting, presided over by al- fi nals last season. A fourth substitute will QSL CUP DRAW Meanwhile, both Al Sadd and Al Arabi, who climbed to fourth Umm Salal (19:20) at the Al Sadd Stadium Adsani and attended by Qatar Football be allowed during extra time and only red- Group A: Al Duhail, Al Gharafa, Umm Salal, Al Al Duhail won their fi rst legs with six points after beating Al Association’s Referees’ Committee repre- card suspension will be carried forward to Arabi, Qatar SC, Al Kharaitiyat in the AFC Champions League Kharaitiyat 1-0 in the previous On Sunday: Al Sadd vs Al Sha- sentative Abdullah al-Balooshi as well as the following season’s QSL Cup. This time quarter-fi nals against Iranian round, run into Umm Salal, who hania (17:10) and Qatar SC vs clubs’ representatives. Matters related to around, the quarter-fi nal winners will clash Group B: Al Sadd, Al Rayyan, Al Sailiya, Al sides. Al Sadd defeated Estegh- are sixth with four points. The Al Al Duhail (19:20) at the Khalifa the tournament as well as rules and regula- in the semi-fi nals. The meeting stressed the Khor, Al Ahli, Al Shahania lal 3-1 away, while Al Duhail beat Ahli vs Al Gharafa and Al Arabi vs International Stadium