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Saturday, November 10, 2018 Rabia I 2, 1440 AH ‘Outstanding’ GULF TIMES spin out in Galle SPORT Page 2 EQUESTRIAN / GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR Qatar’s Bassem revels in yet another victory at home After a shared victory on Thursday, Bassem clinches CSI5* speed class at the Global Champions Tour yesterday

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

hile many would crumble under home pressure, Bassem Hassan Mo- Whamed seems to relish perform- ing in front of the domestic audi- ence. After winning the opening class on Thursday, the Qatar rid- er struck again by clinching the CSI5* speed class at the Global Champions Tour yesterday. Under lights at the spectacu- lar Al Shaqab arena, watched by packed holiday crowd, Bassem was astride his 12-year-old Geld- ing Argelith Squid and the pair galloped around the 1.50m course in splendid fashion to eke out an- other win. Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, astride Caribis Z, poses with Qatar Argelith Squid once again was Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi in sync with Bassem and the rider after winning the CSI 5* Against-the-clock with jump-off 1.50/1.55m was all praise for the horse for event at Al Shaqab Arena yesterday. giving him his second successive win. “After three-four fences I Italian has just a four-point lead 2. Harrie Smolders (NED) Emer- really felt I could win. My horse over last year’s overall champion ald. 45.61 secs. €29,000 did an amazing job today. For Harrie Smolders of the Nether- 3. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) Main sure I am thrilled, but to be hon- lands. But what makes it interest- Road. 45.80 secs. €21,750 est I am happier how I fi nished ing is the fact that just 28 points CSI5* Against the clock that course and how I planned separate Zorzi and eighth-placed (1.50m) Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1 and how he made it easier for Christian Ahlmann of Germany. (€50,000) me,” Bassem said. And with 40 points for a win at 1. Bassem Mohamed (QAT) Arge- While on Thursday Bassem had Al Shaqab, the battle for second lith Squid. Time: 64.11 secs. Prize to share his fi rst place with Julien place can swing many ways. money: €16,500 EUR Epaillard after both fi nished on Meanwhile, yesterday’s feature 2. Julien Epaillard (FRA) Safari d same time, yesterday the Qatari class was won by Ahlmann with Auge. 64.22 secs. €10,000 rider beat his French rival. One of 11-year-old grey Stallion Caribis 3. Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) the fastest riders on the circuit, Z. The pair came home in 45.06 J’Adore van het Schaeck. 66.29 Epaillard on board Safari d Auge seconds to set the fastest time secs. €7,500 fl awlessly set a leading time of Qatar’s Bassem Hassan Mohamed celebrates his win on Argelith Squid in the CSI5* Against the clock (1.50m) Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1, at Al Shaqab as Ahlmann picked up €47,850 64.22 seconds. But Bassem and Arena yesterday. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi in prize money from a total pot TODAY’S SCHEDULE Argelith Squid shaved off 0.11 of €145.000 in the CSI 5* 1.55m GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR seconds off Epaillard’s time by faults and 66.85 seconds. at the €375,000 marquee event, Gunder for the Grand Prix, the There is a good support for us and class. Smolders fi nished sec- 2:30pm: CSI 5* GCL of Doha taking the inside line to fence 10, The third place went to Bel- including 2018 champion Ben same horse I had last year. I am I want to thank everyone who are ond with Emerald, while Shane Round 2 - 1.55/1.60m (€95.000 to that would have made course de- gium’s Nicola Philippaerts and Maher. But Bassem in current looking forward to it. I have had supporting us,” he said. Sweetnam of Ireland came third individual class winners); 5:45pm: signer Uliano Vezzani proud. J’Adore van het Schaeck, who form will fancy his chances as a good season. I was few times Meanwhile, today’s Grand with Main Road. CSI 5* Longines Global Cham- France’s Roger Yves Bost and completed their round in 66.29 he rides with Gunder, who had in the podium this year and also Prix will be see intense battle for pions Tour Grand Prix of Doha Tesway de la Batia, like many seconds. partnered him in his victory last won a few classes with Argelith championship runner-up posi- RESULTS - 1.60m (€375.000) others, cut a stride out between Bassem, who became the fi rst season. Squid,” the 31-year-old added. tion. With Maher to be crowned CSI 5* Against-the-clock with HATHAB SERIES fence 4 and 5 and was on track Qatar rider to win a home Grand “Today’s win feels good but I Bassem said the local sup- as the new champion, seven rid- jump-off 1.50/1.55m (€145.000) 9am: Against the clock NO to challenge Bassem’s time. Un- Prix last year, will be looking for am already looking forward to the port at Al Shaqab drives him to ers are in contention to fi nish 1. Christian Ahlmann (GER) Jump Off 1.15/1.25m; 11:50am: fortunately, the pair couldn’t ex- an encore today. It’s a high class last day and hope it goes well,” give his best. “To be honest, I am second. Alberto Zorzi is currently Caribis Z. Time: 45.06 secs. Prize Against the clock with Jump Off ecute the plan and fi nished with 8 fi eld that will be in action today Bassem said. “I will ride with happy when I see more people. second with 237 points, but the money: €47,850 1.30/1.45m

CRICKET / PAK VS NZ, 2ND ODI Imam head injury overshadows Pakistan triumph

AFP land down to 209-9 in their 50 Earlier, the Taylor-Nicholls Abu Dhabi overs before Zaman returned to stand lifted New Zealand after Scorecard form with a run-a-ball 88 for his Shaheen once again rocked the seventh fi fty to guide Pakistan to top order following his 4-46 in NEW ZEALAND (1nb), Hafeez 10-0-31-1 (1w), Khan akistan beat New Zea- their target for the loss of four the fi rst match. G. Worker b Hafeez 28 10-1-25-1 (1w), Wasim 5-0-24-0 land by six in the wickets in 40.3 overs. Shaheen dismissed destruc- C. Munro c Hafeez b Afridi 13 tive opener Colin Munro in the second day-night inter- Veteran batsman Ross Taylor PAKISTAN national in Abu Dhabi top-scored for New Zealand with second over of the innings, holing K. Williamson run out 1 Pyesterday but the match was a laborious 120-ball 86 not out out to a tough catch by Hafeez. Imam-ul-Haq retired hurt 16 R. Taylor not out 86 overshadowed by a worrying in- and added 75 for the fi fth In his next over he defl ected T. Latham b Afridi 1F. Zaman c Sodhi b Ferguson 88 jury to opening batsman Imam- with Henry Nicholls, who made a a straight drive to run out Kane B. Azam c Nocholls b Ferguson 46 ul-Haq who was taken to hospital gruelling 33 off 63 balls. Williamson (one) at the non- H. Nicholls b Ali 33 after being hit by a short ball. With the win Pakistan broke a striker’s end. C. de Grandhomme c Ali b Khan 3 M. Hafeez not out 27 Imam, on 16, was forced to four-year losing streak of 12 con- In his second spell, Shaheen T. Southee c Imam b Afridi 13 S. Malik c Sodhi b Ferguson 10 retire after a short from secutive one-day internationals yorked Tom Latham for one while S. Ahmed c Latham b Sodhi 13 fast bowler Lockie Ferguson hit against the Black Caps, starting Hafeez bowled George Worker for I. Sodhi b Afridi 13 the grille of his helmet, making with a 3-2 defeat in the UAE in Pakistan’s Imam ul-Haq (second from right) leaves the pitch after 28 to leave New Zealand strug- T. Boult b Ali 1S. Khan not out 2 him dizzy before he was taken to 2014. being hit by a ball during the second ODI against New Zealand in Abu gling at 73-4. L. Ferguson not out 1 Extras (lb1, w9) 10 hospital in an ambulance. New Zealand had also beaten Dhabi yesterday. (AFP) Taylor, who made 80 in the Extras (lb 6, nb1, w 9) 16 Total (for 4 wkts; 40.3 overs) 212 Team management said Imam Pakistan 2-0 (in New Zealand fi rst game, held one end intact FoW: 1-155 (Zaman), 2-156 (Azam), will undergo CT scans and will be 2015), 2-0 (in New Zealand in tionals, punished the New Zea- Ferguson, who fi nished with and together with Nicholls en- Total (for 9 wkts: 50 overs) 209 3-177 (Malik), 4-204 (Ahmed) monitored for the next 48 hours. 2016), 5-0 (in New Zealand in land bowlers with 11 boundaries 3-60, then had another lucky sured the innings did not fi nish FoW: 1-14 (Munro), 2-25 (William- On the pitch, pace bowler January this year) and in the fi rst and had given Pakistan a rapid 54 wicket of Shoaib Malik for ten under 200. son), 3-71 (Worker), 4-73 (Latham), Bowling: Boult 10-0-60-0 (2w), Shaheen Shah Afridi recorded his match of the current series by 47 run start with Imam. when a ferocious pull defl ected Nicholls was fi nally bowled in 5-148 (Nicholls), 6-157 (de Grand- Southee 9.3-0-48-0 (1w), Fergu- career best bowling while opener runs in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Undeterred by Imam’s injury, off Nicoll’s shoulder and was the 38th over by Hasan Ali who homme), 7-177 (Southee), 8-198 son 10-0-60-3 (1w), Williamson Fakhar Zaman hit a half century The win also sets up an intriguing Zaman added a quick 101 for the caught at mid-on by Ish Sodhi. fi nished with 2-59. (Sodhi), 9-199 (Boult) 1-0-7-0, Sodhi 6-2-21-1 (1w), de to help Pakistan to a series-level- fi nal match in Dubai tomorrow. second wicket with Babar Azam Sarfraz fell for 13 but Mohamed Taylor hit three boundaries Grandhomme 4-0-15-0 Bowling: Ashraf 7-1-26-0 (1w), ling victory. Zaman, who had a poor 57 runs who made a 50-ball 46 before both Hafeez hit the winning boundary and a six for his 43rd half century Afridi 9-1-38-4 (6w), Ali 9-0-59-2 RESULT: Pakistan win by six wkts Shaheen’s 4-38 kept New Zea- in the last six one-day interna- fell in the same Ferguson over. to fi nish with 27 not out. in one-day internationals. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, November 10, 2018 CRICKET

SL VS ENG, DAY 4, 1ST TEST FOCUS India beat New Zealand in Women’s ‘Outstanding’ World T20 opener England spin out Sri Lanka in Galle Set a mammoth 462 to win, Ali, Leach and Stokes bundle out the hosts for 250

AFP Galle, Sri Lanka Scorecard Harmanpreet Kaur scored 103 to become only the third woman to hit ENGLAND 1st inn 342 all out a century in World T20. ri Lanka Dinesh SRI LANKA 1st inn 203 all out Chandimal paid tribute Jemimah Rodrigues (59 off 45 ENGLAND 2nd inn 322-6 dec IANS yesterday to an “out- Georgetown balls; seven fours) to bail India standing” England after SRI LANKA 2nd inn out of a troubled start. MoeenS Ali spun the visitors to a Electing to bat after winning F. Karunaratne c & b Ali 26 commanding fi rst Test victory combined eff ort helped the toss, India found themselves J. Silva lbw b Leach 30 in what was ’s India thrash New Zea- in a vulnerable position, totter- swansong before retirement. D. de Silva c Root b Stokes 21 land by 34 runs in the ing at 40 for 3 by the sixth over, Set a mammoth 462 to win, B. Mendis c Ali b Leach 45 opening match of the after losing the top three bats- sustained pressure from Ali, fel- Women’sA World T20 at the Prov- women — Taniya Bhatia (9), Sm- A. Matthews c Buttler b Ali 53 low spinner Jack Leach and ag- idence Stadium here yesterday. riti Mandhana (2) and Dayalan gressive seam bowling from Ben L. Chandimal b Leach 1 Opting to bat, batswomen did Hemalatha (15), cheaply. Stokes bundled out the hosts for N. Dickwella c Stokes b Ali 16 a fantastic job especially centu- Making her fi rst appearance in 250 on day four. M. Perera c Stokes b Rashid 30 rion Harmanpreet Kaur (103) and a World T20, Jemimah control- The 211-run victory, Eng- Jemimah Rodrigues (59), before led her nerves playing the perfect land’s fi rst Test win away from A. Dananjaya c Stokes b Ali 8 the Indian bowlers kept the pres- second fi ddle to the fl uent Kaur, home in 13 matches, leaves Joe R. Lakmal not out 14 sure right from the fi rst ball and who was at her aggressive best Root’s men 1-0 up in the three- H. Herath run out 5restricted their opponents to 160 throughout the innings. match series, with the sec- for 9 to seal the match. Kaur raced to a 33-ball 50 and ond Test starting in Kandy on Extras (nb 1) 1 Chasing a mammoth 195, New in no time converted that to a Wednesday. Total (all out, 85.1 overs) 250 Zealand never looked in conten- magnifi cent century off only 49 “We played some really good Bowling: Curran 5-1-15-0, tion as they lost wickets at regu- deliveries. stuff ,” Root said. “We can go to Anderson 12-2-27-0, Ali 20-2- lar intervals. Sensing the urgency of putting Kandy with huge amounts of 71-4, Rashid 18.1-0-59-1, Leach Apart from opening stand of 52 up a big total, Jemimah, towards confi dence and look to still im- 21-1-60-3, Stokes 8-2-16-1, Root runs between Suzie Bates (67) and the end also pressed on the ac- prove and get better.” 1-0-1-0 Anna Petersen (14), no other play- celerator to get to her half cen- England had secured a fi rst- er rose to the occasion and failed tury off 40 balls. Fall of wickets: innings lead of 139 thanks to a 1-51 (Silva), to build partnerships. Bates and New Zealand managed to get 2-59 (Karunaratne), 3-98 (de century on debut by Ben Foakes England’s Moeen Ali (second from right) celebrates with his teammates Ben Stokes (right), Jack Leach Katey Martin (39) were the highest rid of the partnership with Jess Silva), 4-144 (Mendis), 5-154 — man of the match — and a for- (centre), Keaton Jennings (second from left) and Ben Foakes after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Niro- scorers for New Zealand. Watkin getting the back of Jemi- (Chandimal), 6-190 (Dick- midable spin attack led by Ali shan Dickwella (not pictured) on Day Four of the first Test in Galle, Sri Lanka, yesterday. (Reuters) For India, Dayalan Hemalatha mah and Sophie Devine dismiss- and assisted ably by Leach and wella), 7-197 (Mathews), 8-229 and Poonam Yadav took three ing Kaur, but by then the damage Adil Rashid restricting Sri Lanka fully back up a really good per- (Dananjaya), 9-239 (Perera), wickets each. was done as India walked back to 203 in reply. formance.” 10-250 (Herath) Earlier, India rode on a bellig- with the highest ever total in a RESULT: England won by 211 erent maiden T20 international World T20 tie. Credit goes to England, FORMIDABLE runs century from skipper Harman- they played some Fifteen without loss overnight, preet Kaur to post the highest BRIEF SCORES: India 194 for 5 in outstanding cricket. We Sri Lanka’s openers Kaushal Dikwella fell the fi rst ball after ever total of 194 for 5. 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 103, had a really good start Silva and tea, caught adroitly by Stokes Kaur belted a 51-ball 103, laced Jemimah Rodrigues 59; Lea Ta- ‘ withstood the pressure from one-handed at slip off Ali for 16. with seven boundaries and eight huhu 2 for 18) beat New Zealand in the fi rst session but we couldn’t capitalise on it England’s formidable bowling Soon afterwards Angelo Math- sixes, and more importantly 160 for 9 (Suzie Bates 67; Daya- — , attack for the fi rst hour on Fri- ews — dropped on 18 by James raised a record 134-run fourth lan Hemalatha 3 for 26, Poonam day. Anderson — went for 53, caught wicket stand with the young Sri Lanka captain Yadav 3 for 33) by 34 runs. But both fell after attacking by Jos Buttler at midwicket with shots, with Kaushal leg before Ali again the wicket-taker. He was In England’s second innings trying to sweep Leach for 30 and followed into the pavilion by Akila AFTERMATH an assured unbeaten 146 by Karunaratne caught and bowled Dananjaya for 8. Keaton Jennings, his fi rst cen- by Ali — who took four wickets Last out was silver fox Herath, tury since a ton on his 2016 de- in both innings — for 26 as he cricket’s most successful left- but that has silenced his critics skipped down the pitch for an arm spinner, run out for fi ve in Warne off ers to help for now at least, allowed Root to attempted heave. his swansong before retirement. declare at 322 for six. , after a Chandika Hathurusingha, Sri “Our batting was below-par confi dent start, was caught at Lanka’s coach, said his side were beleaguered CA during the game, you can’t stay fi rst slip by Root off Stokes in the playing catch-up since lunch on in the game (with this kind of last over before lunch for 21. The day one when England turned batting),” said Chandimal. ball earlier he was given out but the match around having been “Credit goes to England, they reprieved on review. fi ve down for 103. played some outstanding crick- Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath (second from right) is carried off the field After the break “After that, the way they bat- et. We had a really good start in by teammates after the first Test against England yesterday. (AFP) hit Leach for four over his head ted, they took the game away the fi rst session but we couldn’t but attempting a repeat the next from us. From there on we were capitalise on it,” he said. cial knocks” by England’s bats- “It’s been a fantastic start of ball skied the ball to Ali, departing chasing the game. In Test crick- Root, who only managed 35 men. things and we’ve got to build on for an otherwise impressive 46. et, especially on wickets like and 3 with the bat himself, said “We’ve done our homework it and make sure we don’t just Chandimal, suff ering from a these, it is very diffi cult to come he was “very proud” of his team, and made sure we came here rest on our laurels now. We will groin injury that kept him off the back,” he said. paying tribute to his “excellent” knowing how we were going to try work very hard now before that pitch all of Thursday, was skit- “They outplayed us in all bowling unit and to some “cru- and approach things,” Root said. second Test match and hope- tled by Leach for 11. Niroshan three departments of the game.”

AUS VS SA, 2ND ODI

AFP “I put my hand up to (outgo- Sydney ing team performance boss) Pat Stoinis helps Australia snap losing streak Howard a few times, told him I was available if they needed me,” Reuters pin king Shane Warne he told the newspaper. Adelaide Scorecard put his hand up yester- “I’ve always been happy to get day to help Australian involved in any role if Cricket AUSTRALIA SOUTH AFRICA cricket out of its cur- Australia thought I could help ll-rounder Marcus rentS spiral and urged the sport’s the team. I’m sure all the ex- A. Finch b Pretorius 41 Q. de Kock c Zampa b Starc 9 Stoinis took three beleaguered governing body to players would be the same.” T. Head lbw b Ngidi 8R. Hendricks c Carey b Hazlewood 16 wickets to fi re Aus- make better use of other former He questioned why retired tralia to a seven-run S.Marsh c de Kock b Rabada 22 A. Markram run out (Stoinis/Carey) 19 top players. stars such as Michael Clarke had winA over South Africa at the The national team has been not been appointed as a batting C. Lynn c de Kock b Rabada 44 F. du Plessis b Cummins 47 Adelaide Oval yesterday, ending A. Carey c de Kock b Rabada 47 H. Klaasen c Lynn b Stoinis 14 in a form slump since a ball- consultant, or Glenn McGrath to the hosts’ record seven-match tampering scandal in March help the fast bowlers. losing streak and levelling the G. Maxwell c de Kock b Pretorius 15 D. Miller lbw Stoinis 51 and Cricket Australia has seen a “We’ve got a lot of spinners three-match one-day interna- M. Stoinis c Hendricks b Pretorius 2 D. Pretorius c Lynn b Hazlewood 14 clean-out of top executives af- coming through who I’ve helped tional series. P. Cummins b Steyn 3D. Steyn b Stoinis 3ter a scathing review blamed its in an informal role. And I’m more Aaron Finch’s side will head culture as partly contributing to than happy to help in a formal to Sunday’s decider in Hobart M. Starc c&b Steyn 6 K. Rabada b Starc 9players cheating. basis if required,” he said. buoyed by Australia’s fi rst win in A. Zampa c Miller b Rabada 22 L. Ngidi not out 19 Warne said he was “frus- “Why not ask Glenn McGrath, the short format since January J. Hazlewood not out 10 I. Tahir not out 11 trated” at the state of Australian off er him a contract to help with and having delivered some badly cricket. the fast bowlers. needed cheer for the struggling Extras (lb9, w2) 11 Extras (b1, w11) 12 “In the words of Donald “We are not playing the Aus- cricket nation. Total (all out, 48.3 overs) 231 Total (for 9 wkts, 50 overs) 224 Trump, let’s make cricket great tralian way at the moment, at Sent in to bat, Australia again Fall of Wickets: 1-12 (Head), Fall of Wickets: 1-18 (de Kock), again,” he said in a column for any level.” laboured against a formidable 2-66 (Marsh), 3-96 (Finch), 4-133 2-46 (Markram), 3-48 (Hendricks), Melbourne’s Herald Sun. Warne said “we just think we South African attack and were South Africa’s David Miller (left) avoids a delivery from Australia’s (Lynn), 5-166 (Maxwell), 6-170 4-68 (Klaasen), 5-142 (du Plessis), “Cricket Australia is in disar- are going to produce cricketers” dismissed for 231 in the 49th Marcus Stoinis during the second ODI in Adelaide yesterday. (AFP) (Stoinis), 7-179 (Cummins), 8-187 6-174 (Pretorius), 7-184 (Steyn), ray — fact. CA has lost control but argued that would not hap- over after squandering a number (Starc), 9-204 (Carey), 10-231 8-187 (Miller), 9-202 (Rabada) and sight of what it was trying pen until the right people were of starts. “It’s been a tough six months ructions off the field. to achieve, to make cricket Aus- involved and the right environ- (Zampa) Bowling: Hazlewood 10-0-42-2, But a lionhearted perform- so just really happy that we can Yesterday, Finch had said the tralia’s favourite sport. ment was put in place. Bowling: Steyn 10-1-31-2, Ngidi Starc 10-0-51-2, Cummins 10-0- ance by Stoinis and the Austral- chill out now, at least for a day turmoil was causing “doubts” “That was its slogan and it was He advocated more game time 9-0-67-1, Rabada 9.3-0-54-4, 27-1, Stoinis 10-0-35-3, Zampa ian pacemen overwhelmed Faf and then get into the next game.” in his team, and the uncertainty right but it has lost its way and for top players in the Sheffi eld Pretorius 10-0-32-3, Tahir 10- 9-0-57-0, Maxwell 1-0-11-0 du Plessis’s men who were re- Thrashed by six wickets in the seemed on show as four of their thankfully heads are starting to Shield and said: “Stop the Twen- 1-38-0 stricted to 224 for nine off their opener in Perth on Sunday, the top six batsmen threw away their RESULT: Australia win by 7 runs roll.” ty20 greed.” 50 overs. win came after another gloomy wickets after positive starts. The leg-spin icon said retired “The talent in Australia is “We can build on this,” said week for cricket in Australia, Finch chopped onto his off Kagiso Rabada to the keeper. Rabada, who fi nished with 4-54. cricketers needed to play a bigger good. It comes back to how they Stoinis, who took 3-35 and ran where the fall-out from a cul- stumps when coasting on 41, Shaun Marsh (22) and wick- A defi ant 22 by tail-ender part in steering the sport, calling are being taught to play, more out Aiden Markram for 19 with ture review into the Cape Town while Chris Lynn was undone on etkeeper Alex Carey (47) also Adam Zampa helped Australia on a host of former teammates to importantly the style they are brilliant fi elding. ball-tampering scandal caused 44, gloving an attempted hook fell to loose shots off paceman to a defendable total. rally behind the game. being taught to play,” he added. Gulf Times Saturday, November 10, 2018 3 SPORT

FORMULA 1 BADMINTON No 1 Momota faces Mercedes set pace Olympic champ in semis showdown

AFP favourite to win the tournament Shanghai and will have the whiff of revenge in his nostrils when he faces Chen, 29, who won gold at the in practice as Bottas orld champion 2016 Rio Olympics. Kento Momota of At the French Open last Japan will be intent month, a resurgent Chen beat on revenge when Momota on the way to winning Whe plays China’s Olympic title- the title and the Japanese star holder Chen Long in a mouthwa- will be determined not to let that tering semi-fi nal at the Fuzhou happen again. China Open today. An explosive Momota has been edges out Hamilton Top seed and world number one in scorching form this year, win- Momota defeated South Korea’s ning the world championships in Mercedes need to be 43 points ahead by the end of tomorrow’s race to clinch title Son Wan-ho 21-17, 21-14 in their August, beating Chen in the fi nal quarter-fi nal on Friday while Chen of the Badminton Asia Cham- Agencies was similarly emphatic against pionships and winning three Sao Paulo unseeded Dane Anders Antonsen, events on the World Tour. winning 21-18, 21-16. In the women’s semi-fi nals, The other last-four clash in Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara plays altteri Bottas squeezed the men’s draw in Fuzhou will be home hope He Bingjiao and an- ahead of teammate between second seed Shi Yuqi of other Chinese, Chen Yufei, takes Lewis Hamilton as China and Taiwan’s fourth seed on reigning Olympic and three- Mercedes showed their Chou Tien-chen. time world champion Carolina Vpace in the second practice ses- The 24-year-old Momota is Marin of Spain. sion yesterday for tomorrow’s Brazilian Grand Prix. Bottas was just 0.003 sec- onds quicker than Hamilton, who has already clinched his fi fth Formula One drivers’ title. Mercedes are now out at the In- terlagos track to retain the con- structors’ championship. In a tight session, Ferrari’s Se- bastian Vettel was 0.073 seconds behind Bottas in third place, ahead of the Red of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, with teammate Kimi Raikkonen sixth. The second session was in- terrupted for around six min- utes with a red fl ag after Re- nault driver Nico Huelkenberg crashed into a wall, demolishing the right-hand front of his car. The German was, however, un- hurt. Verstappen had set the pace in the opening practice session, ahead of Vettel and Hamilton, on the the 4.309-kilometre Au- todromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas powers his car during the second free practice of the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos racetrack Kento Momota of Japan hits a return against Son Wan-ho of South Paulo. in Sao Paulo yesterday. (AFP) Korea during their China Open men’s singles quarter-final in Fuzhou, While the drivers’ champion- China, yesterday. (AFP) ship is settled, Mercedes are out grid penalty for tomorrow’s Bra- “You can’t really blame them, Under Formula One rules, Max Verstappen. to clinch a sixth straight con- zilian Grand Prix after Red Bull the car was obviously smoking,” grid penalties are applied ac- A disappointed Ricciardo structors’ title in the season’s replaced the turbocharger on his he said. cording to the order in which the said afterwards that he did not penultimate race. car’s power unit. “But they shot foam up the off ences are committed, as reg- see the point in doing the last Sindhu, Srikanth out of China Open Mercedes have a 55-point ad- Stewards said the sixth new exhaust and as it solidifi es in the istered by the car’s transponder two races but soon changed his vantage over Ferrari and need to turbocharger exceeded the driv- turbo, it’s terminated it. leaving the pitlane. mind. IANS game but bounced back in be 43 points ahead by the end er’s permitted allocation, trig- “He’ll take a fi ve place penalty That means anyone else who “I was angry and upset. At Fuzhou, China the second game to take the of tomorrow’s race to clinch the gering the automatic drop. but hopefully on a track like this picks up a penalty will have it the time I felt like I meant it but match to the decider. title before the season’s fi nal Team principal Christian it’s not actually that big a pen- applied after Ricciardo’s. deep down I didn’t,” he told Sky In the third game, there was no grand prix in Abu Dhabi on No- Horner told Sky Sports tel- alty.” The Australian, who is joining Sports television. “It was a good he Indian presence at match of the Chinese shuttler vember 25. evision that the problem was a Ricciardo was fi rst out of the Renault for next season, started way to express how I felt. the China Open badmin- as the Rio Olympic silver med- consequence of Ricciardo’s re- garages in practice at Interlagos the previous race in Mexico on “Fortunately, I tend to wake Tton tournament came allist was overpowered easily. TURBO SWAP HANDS tirement at the previous race in yesterday, waiting for several pole position before suff ering up Monday morning and it’s like to an end yesterday with P V In men’s singles match, fifth RICCIARDO A GRID PENALTY Mexico and the local marshals’ minutes at the end of the pits for his eighth retirement of the sea- a new day and I can forget pretty Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth seed Kidambi Srikanth lost to Ricciardo will have a fi ve place use of a fi re extinguisher. the session to start. son, twice as many as team mate quickly the Sunday.” losing their respective quarter- fourth seed Chou Tien Chen final matches. of Chinese Taipei 14-21, 14-21 in Sindhu went down in the just 35 minutes. women’s singles quarter-final In both the games, the Guntur Family aff air as Fittipaldi returns to Formula One to the eighth seed He Bingjiao player never looked to be in of China 17-21, 21-17, 15-21 in a contention and gave some AFP The 22-year-old Brazilian winning pedigree from his junior growth and development in ting behind the wheel in Abu marathon 69-minute match. easy points to bow out of the Sao Paulo follows three other famous Fit- open-wheel career and more Formula 1.” Dhabi. I’ll carry that experience Third seed Sindhu lost the first meet. tipaldis, in Emerson, Wilson and recently he has acquitted himself Fittipaldi, born in Miami, will take forward into 2019 — and hope- Christian, in reviving not only well in the IndyCar series. part in a tyre test scheduled for fully into a race seat in F1 in the ne of motor racing’s the family name, but Brazilian “We’re happy to provide Pietro Abu Dhabi later this month. He future,” said Fittipaldi, who will most famous names will participation in the sport. with his first test in a Formula started six races with Dale Coyne be reserve driver for the team’s SPOTLIGHT Obe back in Formula One “I’m pleased to welcome Pietro 1 car off the back of those ex- Racing in the Indycar series this senior men Romain Grosjean next season when Pietro Fitti- Fittipaldi to Haas F1 Team and periences. His subsequent role year, five of them after recover- and Kevin Magnussen. paldi, grandson of double world we look forward to working testing, and the feedback he’ll ing from breaking a leg during His grandfather Emerson Fitti- champion Emerson Fittipaldi, with him,” said team principal provide in support of our 2019 a sportscar race at Spa-Francor- paldi won 14 Grands Prix on his Federer, Djokovic joins the American Haas team Guenther Steiner. campaign, will no doubt further champs in Belgium in May. way to world titles with Lotus as a test driver. “He brings a championship- contribute to Haas F1 Team’s “I’m looking forward to get- and McLaren. divided over future

TENNIS venue for ATP Finals

AFP options are. I think the options clearly are also important to look US counting on debutantes in Fed Cup title defence at.” “It’s been a great formula Reuters ova, Barbora Strycova and Kvi- oger Federer and No- here,” he added. “I’ve enjoyed Prague tova, if fi t. vak Djokovic were split playing in a city that knows ten- Krejcikova and Siniakova are yesterday over whether nis very well and has got a strong the number one ranked dou- the season-ending ATP media following as well. It’s been he United States will bles players, winning the French FinalsR should remain in London a good place for us to play to send out three debu- Open and Wimbledon doubles after 2020 as tennis chiefs con- showcase our talents.” tantes to defend their titles this year. sider where the event should be But world number one Djoko- Fed Cup crown against “In sports, any given Sun- staged in future. vic, who has won the event fi ve Ta powerhouse Czech Republic day anything can happen,” said The ATP, the governing body times — four times in London — side that suddenly looks vulner- Melichar, who was born in the of men’s professional tennis, said he was in favour of moving able after being hit with injury Czech Republic but raised in announced in August the open- the tournament around to pro- and illness. America. “We just go out and ing of an international tender mote the sport. If the two most successful give it our best. Are we (US) the process to determine the future “I don’t want it to move from nations in Fed Cup history, the favorites on paper? No. But I location of the season fi nale London,” he said. “I just feel the United States, winners of 18 ti- think we can do it.” featuring the world’s best eight concept of this event should be tles, and the Czechs, champions History is certainly on the US qualifi ed singles players and the one that travels. This event in fi ve of the last seven years, side. doubles teams. is the biggest event that the ATP were to fi eld their best, fans In 12 head-to-head meetings, The event was fi rst held in To- owns and you have the best eight could look forward to a marquee the US have won 10, including kyo in 1970 and has been staged players in the world in a unique fi nal of the highest order. the last eight. in some of the world’s other ma- format, a round-robin system.” The US, however, will be But the Czechs enjoy home jor cities including New York, “I just feel like this is a great without Serena and Venus Wil- court advantage and will ride a Sydney, and Shanghai. leverage, an opportunity to liams, holders of a combined 30 10-tie winning streak into the Its longest stay in a single promote tennis all around the grand slam singles titles, world fi nal, having not lost a home tie venue was across 13 consecutive world,” he added, suggesting it number six Sloane Stephens and (From left) Members of US Fed Cup team Alison Riske, Danielle Collins, captain Kathy Rinaldi, Sofia Kenin since falling to the US 3-2 in the editions at Madison Square Gar- could move around every few Madison Keys, semi-fi nalist at and Nicole Melichar pose next to the trophy after a draw ceremony in Prague yesterday. (AFP) 2009 World Group semi-fi nals. den from 1977 to 1989 but it has years. both Roland Garros and Flush- Three of their fi ve most recent been held at London’s O2 arena “I just feel maybe 10 years in ing Meadows, in Prague. Pliskova has already been as US captain in 2017, has named over Belarus last year, but this is titles have been celebrated at the since 2009 — drawing more than one place is a bit too much and The Czechs had announced ruled out with a calf injury while world number 36 Danielle Col- a fi rst Fed Cup nomination for O2 Arena in Prague. 250,000 fans annually. not because of London and not a power-packed lineup led by Kvitova will at least miss the lins, 52nd ranked Sofi a Kenin, Collins, Kenin and Melichar. “I am glad that we are back in Federer, who has won the because of anything to do with world number seven and twice opening day’s action today due number 63 Alison Riske and Petr Pala, the most successful Prague in this arena to play the event a record six times, twice in this event,” the Serb said Wimbledon champion Petra to sickness. Czech-born doubles specialist captain in Fed Cup history hav- fi nal,” said Pala. London, said the British capital “It is a great success here and I Kvitova and eighth-ranked Kvitova, whose training has Nicole Melichar to keep her un- ing led the Czechs to fi ve titles, “The pressure is there, has was the perfect fi t. personally have had phenomenal Karolina Pliskova for the Nov been limited this week due to a beaten Fed Cup record intact. has replaced Pliskova with Fed always been there and will be “If they stay I think it’s defi - success so I should be the last 10-11 tie, but could be without fever, could still play tomorrow. Riske was a member of the US Cup rookie Barbora Krejcikova, there. We will see on the week- nitely a good choice,” said the one talking about moving it any- both. Kathy Rinaldi, who took over team that won the Fed Cup title who will join Katerina Siniak- end.” Swiss. “I don’t know what the where because I enjoy it.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, November 10, 2018 SPORT

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT Wales clash with Culture clash looms Australia in battle for pre-World Cup tonic

AFP since taking over as Wales coach Cardiff following the 2007 Rugby World Cup. But he has since seen his as England take on side go down 13 times, on many sychological one-up- occasion by a mere handful of manship will be up for points. grabs when Wales host “We’re disappointed with the Australia today in a dress run of losses we’ve had against rehearsalP of what has been billed them,” he acknowledged. “But if a pool-deciding match at next look at how close a lot of those All Blacks today year’s Rugby World Cup. The two games have been, I think there’s sides will clash on September 29, been something like seven points 2019, at Tokyo Stadium in what the diff erence between us and many reckon will be the game them on average over that peri- Dashing wing Ashton is now set to make his first Test start in four years that decides the winner of a Pool od, less than a score in it on most D that also includes Fiji, Georgia occasions. They have all gone AFP and Uruguay. right down to the wire. Unfortu- London So there is all to play for at nately, in some of those we have Cardiff ’s Principality Stadium, conceded points in the fi nal min- not least to boost confi dence lev- utes having been ahead.” Styles make fi ghts” is usually els and test squads’ strength in Looking ahead to the World the talk of boxing promoters but depth. ’s Wales Cup in Japan, Gatland added: it could prove true of England’s come into the fi xture on the back “This game is important for “long-awaited clash against world of a 21-10 victory over Scotland, the next 12 months. It is not the champions New Zealand at Twickenham their sixth win on the trot. most important, the pool game today. The Wallabies, coached by at the World Cup is going to be England coach Eddie Jones has often Michael Cheika, won just two of the most important one. This insisted that trying to play the All Blacks their six Rugby Championship will defi nitely be important from at their own running from deep, pass- matches in an indiff erent season, a confi dence point of view and ing game is a recipe for defeat, with the but have racked up 13 straight yes it’s been well-documented Australian championing the traditional wins over the Welsh since 2008. that they’re under diff erent sorts Red Rose strengths of a powerful forward Gatland, who made three chang- of pressures than we are, but the pack and solid set piece. es to his side but kept Gareth pressure for us is being favourites And All Blacks coach Steve Hansen ac- Anscombe at fl y-half ahead of and being able to handle it.” cepted there was more than one way to Dan Biggar, said the Scotland Cheika made four changes win a game. “Southern hemisphere rugby game had been the perfect aperi- to his starting XV from the one — there’s a lot of talk about , tif to larger fare. that lost most recently to New it’s very free-fl owing with a lot lot of tries “In the past, we haven’t been Zealand. But the Australian was scored, but in this part of the world, may- great starters in the autumn,” the adamant that the match was a be because the environment is diff erent, New Zealander said. “It’s tough “great opportunity for us to take the weather is diff erent, there is a neces- when you haven’t been together their scalp”. sity to play a tighter game,” said Hansen. for four months and you nor- “Every game is a Test match,” “I’m certainly not bragging about it,” mally come up against either an Cheika said. “Don’t look at the added the former Wales boss. “We have Australia, South Africa or New things further down the road, natural athletes who want to run and car- Zealand, who have just come off just have a look at what you have ry the ball and pass the ball.” a Rugby Championship. It is not to get right for Saturday and play The experienced Jones also knows the the easiest thing in the world. your best. It is a great opportu- virtues of adaptability. It was a trait Eng- Plus, there is a lot of expectation. nity for us. We love playing at land, then coached by Stuart Lancaster, The fact we have that fi rst game the Principality Stadium, a great showed in the last of just their seven wins under our belt, we have a win, we stadium.” Wales, he added, are over the All Blacks six years ago when, have some confi dence, hopefully “always very competitive across leading 12-0 at the break courtesy of four we’ll be a lot better from that the board. Gatland is one of the penalties, they ran in three performance last week to take on best coaches in the world and he second-half tries through Brad Barritt, Australia.” has had success with the (Brit- Chris Ashton and in a 38-21 Gatland actually oversaw the ish and Irish) Lions and Wales. triumph. 2008 victory over Australia, as He has got a very well organised, Dashing wing Ashton is now set to part of his fi rst autumn series well drilled team”. make his fi rst Test start in four years but the injury-prone Tuilagi’s long wait for an England recall has been delayed again by a groin problem. Fly-half Farrell has found himself in the spotlight after escaping any action for a seemingly illegal shoulder charge in the closing stages of an unconvincing 12-11 win over South Africa at Twicken- ham last weekend with which England launched their November campaign. England’s Brad Shields and Sam Underhill train in Bagshot, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) But former Wallaby and Japan boss Jones insisted Farrell required the kind of tries in a 40-cap England career inter- Williams and Jack Goodhue in midfi eld. front. It all makes for an intriguing clash protection referees routinely aff orded by rupted by suspensions and spending a “We think against sides that play a lit- fewer than 12 months out from the 2019 match offi cials to Ireland No 10 Jonathan season with French giants Toulon. “That tle diff erently than we do, having two World Cup in Japan — one made all the Sexton. “If he was Sexton then we’d be try-scoring skill is nothing coached,” playmakers makes it a lot harder for them more exciting by the fact it is four years able to complain about him, but because said Jones. “Guys like that, the only thing to shut us down,” said Hansen whose since England last played New Zealand. he’s Owen Farrell he’s allowed to be hit you can do is stuff them up by coaching side, fresh from victories over Australia “The old adage of less is more is prob- late,” said Jones. “He’s tough so he gets them.” and Japan, fi nd themselves in their famil- ably a good thing,” said Hansen. “Would up and he plays. He’s a tough rooster, a Free rein is something that comes natu- iar role of favourites. we be so excited about playing England if warrior. He puts his body on the line, he rally to an All Blacks side where fullback For all their ball-playing skill, few New we were playing twice a year, every year? doesn’t play in a dinner suit.” Damian McKenzie will act as a ‘second Zealand sides have lacked physical pres- — maybe not. “But we haven’t played Ashton, 31, who came off the bench playmaker’ to star fl y-half Beauden Barrett ence and a team captained by No 8 Ki- them in four years and everyone is on the Wales’ lock (centre) attends the captain’s run against the Springboks, has scored 19 in a fi rst-choice team featuring Sonny Bill eran Read will look to make an impact up edge of their seat, can’t wait.” training session in Cardiff , south Wales, yesterday. (AFP)

GOLF ROUND-UP FOCUS Mexico’s Lopez hits birthday Kuchar in three-way tie at Mayakoba AFP ace to grab LPGA lead Mexico City AFP Shanghai S veteran Matt Kuchar, seeking his fi rst US PGA Tour win since 2014, fi red a seven-under par 64 on aby Lopez hit a 183-yard hole-in-one Thursday to share the Mayakoba as she surged into the lead of the $2.1mn UClassic lead with Kramer Hickock and Do- Blue Bay LPGA in China to celebrate her minic Bozzelli. Each of the co-leaders played Gbirthday in style yesterday. without a bogey on the El Camaleon Golf The Mexican’s ace on the par-three 17th hole Club course in Play del Carmen, Mexico. helped her leapfrog world number one Ariya Jut- Kuchar missed just two of 14 fairways on anugarn on Hainan island and Lopez — ranked a his way to his lowest opening round on tour lowly 136th — is in pole position for her fi rst title on since a 64 in the 2017 Phoenix Open. The the US-based LPGA Tour with one round to play. 40-year-old won the most recent of his sev- Lopez’s feat was all the more satisfying because en titles at the 2014 RBC Heritage. it was her 25th birthday and she had turned around He said the relaxed atmosphere at the after making the tee shot, not appearing to know Mexican resort contributed to his produc- what she had accomplished until her caddie glee- tive day. “It’s been a little bit of a working fully told her. Cue high fi ves all round, including vacation,” said Kuchar, who brought his with overnight leader Jutanugarn. “As soon as the family to Play del Carmen. “But I had a good ball left the club I knew it was a good shot, but I time at the offi ce today as well.” couldn’t see because the sun was in my face,” Lopez The family vibe continued in Kuchar’s Matt Kuchar of the US plays a shot during the first round of the Mayakoba Classic. (AFP) said. “I turned around and my caddie goes, ‘It went group when his wife, Sybi, stepped in for in.’ I’m like, ‘No way!’” fi eld features players from six countries and in- playing partner Zach Johnson’s ailing caddie cok, who was also a two-time winner on LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES A cameraman confi rmed the ball had rolled cludes four of the top fi ve and 16 of the top 23 play- after nine holes. Kuchar himself had a local the Mackenzie Tour last year. “I’ve been out (USA unless noted, par-71) straight in. “I couldn’t give myself a better birthday ers in the world, Woods announced on Thursday. caddie on his bag, after his regular caddie there, and I’ve worked my way up. I’ve seen present,” said Lopez, who was presented afterwards Two exemptions will be issued at a later date to had made other plans before Kuchar decided the success I’ve had on each level and know- 64 — Matt Kuchar, Kramer Hickok, Dominic with two cakes. Lopez, who was joint second going round out the 18-player fi eld. The invitational event at the last minute to enter the tournament. ing I’ve had the success, making the step up Bozzelli into the third round, carded a six-under-par 66 to runs from November 29 to December 2 and will be Kuchar teed off on 10 and his three birdies to the next level, I think it’s going to help me 65 — Anirban Lahiri (IND), Richy Werenski, go nine under for the tournament, a one-shot lead held in the Bahamas for the fourth straight year. in his fi rst nine holes included an 18-footer this year.” Bud Cauley, Abraham Ancer (MEX), Emiliano on Thailand’s Jutanugarn. The South Korean pair of Tournament host Woods launched the Hero at the 16th. His four birdies coming in in- More than half of the fi eld of 132 posted Grillo (ARG), Adam Hadwin (CAN), Gary Park Sung-hyun and Kim Sei-young were tied third Challenge with his father in 1999. It will be the fi rst cluded three straight at four, fi ve and six. scores in the 60s and a group of 15 players Woodland, Kevin Chappell, J.T. on a distant four under. Moriya Jutanugarn, Ariya’s offi cial competition for the 14-time major winner Bozzelli, 27, and Hickok, 26, also had seven were just one behind the leaders. That in- sister, fell from tied second overnight to a share of Woods since the the US lost to Europe in the Ryder birdies apiece. Hickock, a buddy of three- cluded India’s Anirban Lahiri, whose six- Poston, Kang Sung (KOR), Harold Varner, seventh after a disappointing 74. Cup in September. time major winner Jordan Spieth, is play- under eff ort was highlighted by an eagle at Stephen Jaeger (GER), Danny Lee (NZL), Pat- Woods fi nished a woeful 0-4 at the Ryder Cup ing in just his eighth PGA Tour event and his the par-fi ve fi fth, and Mexico’s Abraham ton Kizzire, Matt Jones (AUS) TIGER EXPECTS STRONG taking his all-time record in the event to 13-21-3. fourth this season after spending last year Ancer. 66 — James Hahn, Keith Mitchell, Joaquin FIELD FOR HERO CHALLENGE The former world number one, who is ranked 13th on the developmental Web.com tour, where American Rickie Fowler headlined anoth- Niemann (CHI), Rickie Fowler, Brian Harman, Tiger Woods will launch his 2018-19 competitive in the world, will take on Phil Mickelson on Novem- he won the DAP Championship and had fi ve er big group on 66. Spieth wasn’t able to take Russell Henley, Adam Schenk, Im Sung-jae season later this month at the Hero World Chal- ber 23 in a one-on-one exhibition in Las Vegas for other top-10 fi nishes. advantage of the scoring conditions, balanc- (KOR), Pat Perez, Oscar Fraustro (MEX), Lee lenge which he will be headlining along with world $9mn. Woods won the Tour Championship in Sep- “It’s kind of nice to look back and know ing four birdies with four bogeys in an even Kyoung-hoon (KOR) number one Justin Rose. The Hero World Challenge tember, his fi rst PGA Tour win since August 2013. that I’ve won on every stage,” said Hick- par 71 that left him in a tie for 91st. Gulf Times Saturday, November 10, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA Bucks school Warriors, Thunder thump Rockets George scores 20 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a seventh straight victory

AFP that’s hungry and on the rise — you’re Los Angeles not going to fare very well,” he said. Paul George scored 20 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a sev- he Milwaukee Bucks made a enth straight victory, a dominant 98- statement on Thursday night 80 home triumph over the Houston with a 134-111 victory over the Rockets. Thunder point guard Russell Golden State Warriors, snap- Westbrook missed his second straight Tping the two-time defending champi- game with a sprained left ankle, but ons’ eight-game NBA winning streak. with Westbrook off ering advice and The ever-improving Bucks imposed energy from the bench Oklahoma City their will on a Warriors team that was didn’t miss a beat. without injured Draymond Green and George led the way, pulling down 11 lost Stephen Curry to a left adductor rebounds, handing out six assists and strain in the third quarter. coming up with six steals — one shy “As a team we played really hard. We of his career record. “I was all right,” moved the ball real well and we made George said. “I wasn’t great, I was all shots,” said Bucks star Giannis An- right. You can always perform better, tetokounmpo. “We’ve just got to keep you can always make more shots.” getting better every day and playing Even if he didn’t sound too enthused good basketball.” about his own performance, George Milwaukee’s Eric Bledsoe led all was pleased with the Thunder’s show- scorers with 26 points — 10 of them in ing overall as they continued their re- the Bucks’ 41-point third quarter. An- surgence in the wake of an 0-4 start tetokounmpo, touted as Most Valuable to the season. “We played hard,” he Player material, added 24 points, nine said.”That’s what’s been getting us over rebounds and four assists. The Bucks the hump is our energy and eff ort.” out-scored the Warriors 84-34 in the New Zealander Steven Adams had 19 paint and led the Warriors 20-4 in fast- points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder. break points. Terrance Ferguson and Dennis Schro- Milwaukee parlayed 18 Warriors der added 14 points apiece as all fi ve turnovers into 23 points and led by as Thunder starters and substitute Ray- many as 29 in the second half as they mond Felton scored in double fi gures. dealt the Warriors their fi rst home de- James Harden led the Rockets with 19 feat of the season. Curry was trying to points but connected on just seven of 19 contest a Bledsoe shot in the third when shots from the fi eld. Clint Capela added he clutched his thigh in pain. 17 for the Rockets, who saw a three- Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he’d game winning streak snapped. Carmelo have an MRI exam. Curry scored 10 Anthony, who played for the Thunder points before he departed — his sec- last season before being traded to the ond straight game with fewer than 20. Rockets, epitomized Houston’s woes as “Sometimes you’ve got to get hit in he endured a nightmare return to Okla- the mouth in this league to remind you homa City. how hard it is to win a game,” Kerr said, He scored two points — making one adding that Green’s absence wasn’t the of his 11 shots as the Rockets, who led Kevin Durant (second left) of the Golden State Warriors loses the ball while guarded by Donte DiVincenzo (left) and Tony Snell of the Milwaukee Bucks. (AFP) Warriors’ biggest problem. the league with 65 wins last season, fell RESULTS “When you come out with a sort of to 4-6. In Phoenix, the Boston Celtics Kyrie Irving scored 18 of his 39 points included a three-pointer with 1.1 sec- after halftime as the Celtics snapped mindless intent, and you’re fouling and rallied from a 22-point third-quarter in the fourth quarter and overtime for onds remaining in regulation that a two-game losing streak. The Suns, Warriors 111, Milwaukee 134; Portland 116, not executing, just taking quick shots defi cit to hand the Suns a heartbreaking Boston and Marcus Morris added 17 knotted the score at 100-100. meanwhile, have lost nine of 10 in the LA Clippers 105; Phoenix 109, Boston 116 against a really good team — a team 116-109 overtime defeat. points against his former team. That Jaylen Brown’s 17 points all came young season. (OT); Oklahoma City 98, Houston 80

NHL NFL Blackhawks lose in Colliton’s debut Roethlisberger throws 5 TDs as Reuters Chicago Steelers rout Panthers

AFP he Carolina Hurricanes built an Los Angeles early lead and held on for a 4-3 vic- tory against the host Blackhawks on Thursday night in the fi rst game ittsburgh quarterback afterT a Chicago coaching change. An- Ben Roethlisberger drei Svechnikov, Jaccob Slavin, Phillip Di threw for fi ve touch- Giuseppe and Calvin de Haan scored to give downs on Thursday Carolina a 4-0 lead. Di Giuseppe was in his Pas the Steelers dismantled the fi rst game since a recall this week from the Carolina Panthers 52-21 for a American Hockey League. It was a rough fi fth straight NFL victory. beginning for new Chicago coach Jeremy Seven diff erent Steelers play- Colliton, who at age 33 became the youngest ers scored touchdowns, and head coach in the NHL following the fi ring Roethlisberger was fl awless — of Joel Quenneville earlier this week. setting the tone with a 75-yard The turbulent stretch continued early in touchdown pass to JuJu Smith- the game for the Blackhawks. The Hurri- Schuster on Pittsburgh’s fi rst canes snapped a fi ve-game winless streak play from scrimmage. “That’s a despite allowing the Blackhawks to build a big win for us,” Smith-Schuster comeback attempt off goals by Patrick Kane, said after the Steelers improved Daniel Kampf and Nick Schmaltz. to 6-2-1, strengthening their grip Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger slides in front of Carolina on the AFC North division de- Panthers’ Eric Reid during NHL game. (USA TODAY Sports) SABRES 6, CANADIENS 5 (OT) spite the continuing absence of Rasmus Ristolainen scored at 1:38 of over- contract holdout Le’Veon Bell. Donald, Jesse James and rookie They have never won in Pitts- time as Buff alo came back to win at Mon- Roethlisberger posted a Steelers Jaylen Samuels with scoring burgh in four attempts. Panthers treal. Ristolainen scored his second goal of Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brandon Davidson (left) battles for the puck with record 88% completion percent- passes. quarterback Cam Newton was the season on a shot from the top of the right Carolina Hurricanes centre Sebastian Aho during the NHL game. (USA TODAY Sports) age, connecting on 22 of 25 pass- Linebacker Vince Williams sacked fi ve times, twice by Cam circle on a breakout after the Canadiens es for 328 yards, and watched returned an interception for a Heyward. Steelers defender TJ missed the net on a three-on-one chance. on home ice. Leon Draisaitl scored for Ed- their point streak snapped at seven games. most of the fourth quarter from touchdown and James Conner Watt forced the pick-six by Wil- Vladimir Sobotka and Jeff Skinner each monton, and Connor McDavid, the league’s Goalie Robin Lehner recorded 23 saves. the sidelines. ran for a TD before leaving the liams when he pressured New- scored twice for Buff alo, and Conor Sheary second-leading scorer, had an assist to give “We just found ways to capi- game in the second half to be ton into a poor throw from his scored once. Evan Rodrigues, Sam Rein- him 23 points for season. Colorado’s Mikko GOLDEN KNIGHTS 5, SENATORS 3 talise in ways we needed to in or- evaluated for a concussion. The end zone. “They did some good hart and Jack Eichel each had two assists for Rantanen leads with league with 23 points. Vegas’ struggling off ense came to life in a der to get a win,” said the veteran Panthers saw a three-game win- things against us and we made Buff alo. Jonathan Drouin, Matthew Peca, road win over Ottawa. Pierre-Edouard Bel- quarterback, who also connected ning streak halted as they fell to too many mistakes early on,” Andrew Shaw, Tomas Tatar and Nicolas De- CANUCKS 8, BRUINS 5 lemare recorded a goal and an assist, and with Antonio Brown, Vance Mc- 6-3 for the season. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. slauriers scored for Montreal. Max Domi had Loui Eriksson had two goals and an as- Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, three assists. sist as part of a fi ve-goal second period for Nick Holden and William Carrier also scored Vancouver, which fi nished a season sweep as the Golden Knights reached the fi ve-goal FLYERS 5, COYOTES 4 of host Boston. Bo Horvat added two goals plateau for the fi rst time this season. Sox’s Martinez doubles up on Silver Slugger honours Shayne Gostisbehere scored 1:01 into over- and two assists, and Ben Hutton, Antoine Vegas entered the game ranked third to time to rally Philadelphia past visiting Ari- Roussel, Erik Gudbranson and Jake Virtanen last in the league in goals scored and second Boston: JD Martinez pulled that his off ensive stats were Trout saw his streak of winning zona. Gostisbehere added an assist, Scott tallied one goal apiece for Vancouver, which to last in shot percentage. Matt Duchene, off an unprecedented feat on better as an outfielder (.384 a Silver Slugger end. He was Laughton scored two goals while Dale Weise won for the fourth time in fi ve games. Ryan Dzingel and Thomas Chabot scored for Thursday, becoming the first average,.450 on-base percent- honoured in each of his first five and Travis Konecny had one goal each as the Markus Granlund and Nikolay Goldobin the Senators. player to capture two Silver age,.680 slugging percentage) full major league seasons but Flyers came back from a 4-2 defi cit to win. each had two assists. Jake DeBrusk had two Slugger awards in the same than as a DH (.297/.373/.597). missed a large chunk of the 2017 Philadelphia goaltender Calvin Pickard goals and an assist, and Matt Grzelcyk, Pa- STARS 4, 3 year. The Boston Red Sox star He previously won one Silver season because of injury. allowed four goals and was lifted for Brian trice Bergeron and Danton Heinen had a goal Devin Shore scored his second goal of the received American League hon- Slugger, as an outfielder with He returned to form in 2018, Elliott after the fourth goal. Elliott stopped apiece for Bruins, who lost for just the sec- game with 5:47 to play, and Tyler Seguin ours at designated hitter, where the Detroit Tigers in 2015. The hitting.312 with an AL-best.460 all 16 shots he faced. Oliver Ekman-Larsson ond time at home this season. David Krejci snapped a 12-game goalless drought with a he played 93 games this season, other AL outfield winners were on-base percentage, an AL-best and Michael Grabner each had a goal and an had three assists, and Torey Krug added two. second-period tally as Dallas defeated visit- and in the outfield, where he Los Angeles Angels center 1.088 on-base-plus-slugging assist for the Coyotes. Brad Richardson and ing San Jose. The Stars snapped a two-game played 57 games. fielder Mike Trout, who captured percentage, 39 homers, 79 RBIs Derek Stepan also scored one goal apiece. LIGHTNING 4, ISLANDERS 2 losing streak and beat the Sharks at home for The honours go to the top his sixth Silver Slugger, and Red and 24 steals. National League Tyler Johnson scored the tiebreaking goal the fi fth straight time. San Jose’s loss end- hitter at each position in each Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, MVP front-runner Christian PANTHERS 4, OILERS 1 with 1:26 left in the third period as host ed a two-game win streak and was just the league. Votes are cast by who was honoured for the Yelich received his second Silver Roberto Luongo won for the second straight Tampa Bay beat New York. Mathieu Joseph Sharks’ second game without a point in its managers and coaches, who are second time. Slugger award. time in his return to the lineup to lead and JT Miller scored in the second period and past 10 outings. prohibited from selecting play- Betts, the AL Most Valuable The Milwaukee Brewers Florida past Edmonton in Sunrise, Florida. Steven Stamkos added an empty-netter with San Jose’s Joe Thornton, who had an as- ers on their teams. Player front-runner, led the outfielder led the NL with a.326 Luongo, who missed nine games, stopped 9.9 seconds remaining for the Lightning, who sist, played in his 1,500th NHL game, be- Martinez led the AL with 130 league with a.346 average and average and a.598 slugging 26 shots in his fi rst home start. have won four straight and lead the NHL in coming just the 19th player in league history RBIs, and he ranked second in a.640 slugging percentage. He percentage. He tied for second Evgenii Dadonov, Nick Bjugstad, Jonath- points. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 35 to reach the milestone. Thornton is also one both batting average (.330) and hit 32 homers, drove in 80 runs with 110 RBIs and tied for third an Huberdeau and Colton Sceviour scored saves. Josh Bailey scored both goals for the of 13 players in NHL history with 1,000 as- home runs (43). MLB.com noted and stole 30 bases. A year ago, with 36 homers. for the Panthers, who earned their fi rst win Islanders, who have lost two straight and had sists in his career. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, November 10, 2018 FOOTBALL

EPL SPOTLIGHT Mourinho side-steps Man City’s Financial City out to settle Fair Play controversy Manchester derby score as Leicester

AFP ing won three matches in a row, honour Vichai coming from a goal behind to win Manchester the past two, at Bournemouth in the Premier League and a mem- Stopping a City side averaging four goals a game is a monumental task ose Mourinho has de- orable 2-1 win against Juventus scribed the quality of Man- in the Champions League that chester City’s work on the rolled back the years. AFP Jpitch as “untouchable” United produced an arguably London while refusing to get embroiled even more impressive come- in the controversy about alleged back victory on their last visit Financial Fair Play breaches to City in April, recovering from remier League leaders Manches- made by his rivals. two goals down to win 3-2 on a ter City can ensure Manchester Mourinho’s Manchester Unit- day when Pep Guardiola’s side United’s recent revival is short- ed side travel across the city to- would have secured the title lived by opening up a 12-point morrow for a Premier League with a win. Pgap on their local rivals tomorrow. derby against their neighbours, City still won the league any- Meanwhile, a series of tributes are who are two points clear at the way, fi nishing 19 points clear of planned as Leicester return to the King top of the table. United in second, but Mourinho Power Stadium for the fi rst time since However, the build-up to the sees reason for optimism as his club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha match has been overshadowed by side look to improve on their and four other people were tragically a series of Football Leaks reports current position of seventh. killed in a helicopter crash. claiming that Abu Dhabi-owned Asked if United would attack Here, AFP Sport looks at three things City artifi cially infl ated spon- City, Mourinho said: “We are to watch out for in the Premier League sorship deals in order to comply going to try. this weekend: with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play “I cannot say we are going to regulations. be successful in our motivations, CITY WITH A SCORE TO SETTLE City, who were given a £49mn in our desire, but we played two The champions hold just a two-point fi ne after they were found to have diffi cult matches away against lead over Chelsea and Liverpool at the top breached the rules in 2014, have two very good teams, Chelsea of the table, but have looked relentless in responded by saying that they and Juventus, and we managed recent weeks and shown no sign of a slip will not comment on the specifi c to get good results.” in standards from their record-breaking allegations. Mourinho has praised Unit- 100-point Premier League campaign of They claim that the criticism ed’s ability to fi ght back from last season, scoring 12 times in their last they have faced is an “organised losing positions, but suggested two outings alone. and clear” attempt to damage he would like to see them score One of precious few blemishes from their reputation. the fi rst goal more often. last term, though, was blowing the United manager Mourinho de- “We are not a team that gives chance to claim the title by beating Unit- clined to answer in depth when up. We are a team that always ed at the Etihad as City threw away a 2-0 asked if he thought about the al- fi nds a way to fi ght back, some- half-time lead to lose 3-2. legations against City. times changing results and oth- That result only marginally stemmed “It’s diffi cult for me to answer er times not,” he said. the tide in the power shift across Man- because I focus on my job. I focus “We are a team that has that chester towards City since Alex Fergu- This handout photo taken and released by King Power on November 4 shows Leicester City’s players Danny Simpson (C), Caglar on the four lines, focus on foot- collective spirit to fi ght back but son’s retirement in 2013. Soyuncu (2nd-R) and other team members paying their respects to Leicester City’s Thai owner and duty-free mogul, Vichai Sri- ball,” Mourinho told reporters it is not always possible. United have failed to fi nish above City vaddhanaprabha during a funeral ceremony at Wat Thepsirin Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Players and staff from Leicester City yesterday. “So if we keep conceding in the league since, and are already nine will honour Vichai today when the team play Burnley in the Premier League. “So if you want to speak about goals before the opponent we points behind the leaders. their football potential we can will arrive at the day where we However, Jose Mourinho’s men were ing history as a team labelled a 5,000-1 games tomorrow, off ering the chance for worst remain just outside the top four at speak, and football potential cannot come back so we have to also buoyed by their best result of the shot won the Premier League in 2016. three diff erent teams to go top across the home to a Wolves side who have faded in starts with investment. make sure that we grow up, not season by a distance in winning at Ju- Leicester players, staff and fans united course of the day. recent weeks after a great start on their “After that, of course, there just in our approach, but also in ventus in dramatic fashion on Wednes- for an emotional victory at Cardiff last Liverpool are fi rst up as they look to return to the top fl ight. is a quality of the work, of the our compactness in order to start day to back up victories over Everton and weekend before the players fl ew to Thai- make amends for a terrible result in the But top billing is reserved for the battle organisation, I think that is un- matches well.” Bournemouth. land to pay their respects at Vichai’s fu- Champions League in losing 2-0 at Red of Manchester’s giants with City likely to touchable. Belgium striker Romelu Lu- Defensive concerns remain for Mour- neral. Star Belgrade in midweek to jeopordise need at least a point to end the weekend “But what is behind, I cannot kaku has missed United’s past inho, though, with United keeping just More tributes will be made ahead of their chances of progressing to the last where they start it — at the top of the ta- say. But in this moment I have two matches with a muscle prob- one clean sheet in their last 10 match- kick-off with an expected 20,000 fans 16. ble. only to think about football, lem, but could return against es. Stopping a City side averaging four set to take part in a walk from Leices- Fulham are therefore welcome op- and to think about football is to City. goals a game at the Etihad in the Premier ter city centre to the stadium in Vichai’s ponents to Anfi eld having slipped to the FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) think about Manchester City as “Lukaku is training with the League this season is a monumental task. honour, as well as a video tribute before bottom of the table with a run of fi ve Today a football team there.” team this morning (Friday). We kick-off and a two-minute silence jointly straight defeats. Cardiff v Brighton (1230), Huddersfield v West Mourinho has instead pre- have of course one more ses- LEICESTER REMEMBER VICHAI in memory of the victims of the crash and Chelsea then have the chance to take Ham, Leicester v Burnley, Newcastle v Bourne- ferred to focus on the fi ghting sion tomorrow (Saturday), if the Two weeks after Vichai’s helicopter Remembrance Sunday. top spot a couple of hours later when mouth, Southampton v Watford (all 1500), spirit of his own players, who answer is positive he is ready,” crashed in the car park of the King Power Everton are the visitors to Stamford Crystal Palace v Tottenham (1730) go into tomorrow’s derby hav- Mourinho added. shortly after Leicester’s last home match SUPER SUNDAY Bridge, hoping to infl ict Maurizio Sarri’s Tomorrow against West Ham, the Foxes will again A combination of European and tel- fi rst defeat as Blues boss. Liverpool v Fulham (1200), Chelsea v Everton pay tribute to the man who helped pro- evision commitments mean that fi ve of Arsenal are also in action as they look (1415), Arsenal v Wolves, Manchester City v duce one of the greatest upsets in sport- the top seven are in action across four to extend a 15-game unbeaten run and at Manchester United (both 1630) Make-or-break? Kovac in fi ring line as Bayern tackle Dortmund LA LIGA Dortmund: Bayern Munich are to compare (Dortmund with embracing the role of under- Bayern) — they have won the last dogs for today’s Bundesliga six Bundesliga titles.” showdown at leaders Borussia On paper, there is little cause for Dortmund with captain Manuel concern from Bayern’s perspec- Neuer admitting all is not well tive. Solari aims to make closing with the defending champions. They trail Dortmund by only four Bayern have won 10 of their last points and on the verge of the 19 games against Dortmund, Champions League knock-out including a 6-0 thrashing of the stages, topping their group with current league leaders last March 10 points. argument for permanent job when Robert Lewandowski Yet frustrating recent perform- scored a hat-trick against his ances tell a diff erent story with AFP team to take charge. host Real Betis after three weeks season so far. former club in Munich. rumours of unrest in the dressing Madrid Madrid have scored 11 and out with a broken arm. His form has forced Spain Six months later, third-placed room. Senior players Thomas conceded none since Solari’s ar- Messi was included in Bar- coach Luis Enrique to concede Bayern trail Dortmund by four Mueller, Mats Hummels, Arjen rival, against admittedly modest ca’s travelling squad to face defeat in his mysterious stand- points in the table and struggling Robben and Franck Ribery are antiago Solari is pitch- opposition — Melilla from the Inter Milan on Wednesday but off with the full-back, calling for form under coach Niko Ko- reportedly not behind Kovac ing for more than just Spanish third tier, Real Valladol- watched from the stands as his Alba up for the fi rst time on vac. In the wake of a 2-0 defeat — a toxic situation for any head three points as Real Ma- id at home and Plzen. side reached the Champions Thursday. at Hertha Berlin and a 3-0 upset coach at Bayern. Ex-Bayern and drid continue their re- Luck has also played its part, League knockout stages with a Diego Costa and Koke missed at home to Moenchengladbach Germany legend Lothar Mat- vivalS under the interim coach as Vinicius Junior’s defl ected 1-1 draw at the San Siro. out on the squad with injury as — with Bayern out-played in both thaeus believes today’s match and head to Celta Vigo aiming shot prevented what looked set “We wanted him to travel with Atletico Madrid head into their league games — the Bavarian gi- can make — or break — Kovac’s for their fourth straight win. to be a stalemate against Val- the team, to train to see how he clash with Athletic Bilbao on ants have laboured to beat even tenure. “A victory there and all Solari’s time as the European ladolid with seven minutes to was,” coach Ernesto Valverde Saturday with a dizzying list of limited teams in recent weeks. Bayern fans would conjure up a champions’ stop-gap follow- play. A draw there and Solari’s said. absentees. “We are not the ‘Super-Bayern’ smile again,” said Matthaeus, 57, ing Julen Lopetegui’s sacking tenure might never have got off Valverde has been aff orded Thomas Lemar, Diego Godin that everyone knows and aren’t who sees a “great chance” for will expire over the interna- the ground. the luxury of easing Messi back and Stefan Savic were also miss- setting off fireworks with our Bayern to “reassert themselves tional break, and club president However it was Solari’s deci- by his team’s strong run with- ing for Tuesday’s impressive 2-0 performances,” admitted Neuer and silence a few critical voices”. Florentino Perez needs to de- sion to bring on the 18-year-old out him. Reaching the last 16 in win over Borussia Dortmund, in after Wednesday’s laboured 2-0 However, defeat would leave cide whether to take the Argen- Vinicius, whose youthful exu- Europe came after fi ve wins on which Jose Gimenez pulled up win over AEK on Wednesday in Bayern seven points behind tine on permanently. Real have berance produced an ambitious the bounce, four of them with- with a muscle problem. the Champions League. Dortmund — a near-unthinkable bounced back under Solari, with “We’re doing fi ne with him,” strike at the end of a weaving out Messi, including one against Even Bayern president Uli situation for Hoeness — with Wednesday’s 5-0 drubbing of striker Karim Benzema said on run. Celta will off er a sterner test Inter at home and the 5-1 ham- Fixtures (times GMT) Hoeness sees the Bavarians as Matthaeus warning Kovac is ef- Viktoria Plzen a clear sign of life Wednesday. “I don’t see a coach this weekend. They are the third mering of Real Madrid. Today: Real Valladolid v Eibar “underdogs” at Dortmund, a no- fectively “not allowed to lose with in the struggling giants. coming for one or two months, highest scorers in the division A tricky period of fi xtures (1200), Getafe v Valencia (1515), tion the hosts reject. his team in Dortmund”. A win at bouncing Balaidos for me Solari has to stay until the and in Iago Aspas boast the sort continues against Betis and ends Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao “We’ve heard what has been said, Thomas Mueller expects an elec- could well be enough to con- end of the season. He’s a great of smart fi nisher Madrid might at Atletico Madrid after the in- (1730), Girona v Leganes (1945) but we don’t care — we are just tric atmosphere at Dortmund in vince Perez the job should be coach. Now we have more confi - have signed in the summer. ternational break. Tomorrow: Alaves v Huesca enjoying the situation,” said Dort- front of an 81,000 sell-out crowd. Solari’s, at least until the end dence and we are going to fi ght.” Aspas’ eight goals this term Luis Suarez’s with six goals (1100), Barcelona v Real Betis mund’s director of sport Michael “We will have to torture ourselves of the season, when a more es- Few could begrudge Solari the puts him one up on Lionel Mes- in his last fi ve games have been (1515), Rayo Vallecano v Villarreal Zorc on Thursday. a bit,” said the Germany mid- tablished alternatives could be opportunity to prove himself af- si, who could return on Sunday integral but Jordi Alba has argu- (1730), Sevilla v Espanyol (1730), “It doesn’t make much sense fielder. available. ter stepping up from Madrid’s B when league leaders Barcelona ably been Barca’s player of the Celta Vigo v Real Madrid (1945) Gulf Times Saturday, November 10, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

EUROPA LEAGUE AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ‘Whatever it takes’ — Kashima vow to seal Arsenal, Chelsea title in Tehran today

AFP But to win the game, one goal can Tehran change the situation entirely. “Having a strong defence is a must, but when we have the op- apan’s Kashima Antlers portunity to we will also look to through, Marseille pledged to keep their fo- score. This will be our style, I cus and fi nish off Persepo- think.” lis in the Asian Champions With tickets virtually sold out, LeagueJ fi nal as they head to Te- the game will set a new attend- hran’s imposing Azadi Stadium ance record, eclipsing the second with a 2-0 advantage from the leg of the 2014 fi nal when 63,763 fi rst leg. watched Al Hilal and Western The eight-time Japanese Sydney Wanderers at Riyadh’s out in group stage champions go into the game with King Fahd International Sta- a handy cushion but they will dium. face a test of nerve as well as skill A fervent home atmosphere 2018 finalists Marseille’s campaign ends after 2-1 defeat to Italy’s Lazio at the 78,000-capacity Azadi, will boost the chances of Branko arguably the region’s most in- Ivankovic’s team mounting timidating venue. another comeback, after they Second-half goals from Bra- erased a two-goal defi cit against zilian duo Leo Silva and Sergin- Qatar’s Al Duhail to reach the ho, who scored his fi fth in fi ve semi-fi nals. Champions League appearances, “I never experienced playing gave Kashima a convincing win in front of that many spectators last week on home soil. before, so I am feeling excited to But defender Shuto Yamamoto have the opportunity to do so,” said an opening goal from Perse- said Yamamoto. polis in Tehran would turn the tie “It will be a rare experience, upside down as both teams bid to but at the same time we want to lift the trophy for the fi rst time. win this game so we will do our “I believe it’s important we best as a team.” don’t concede the fi rst goal, be- Silva also said Kashima would cause if they score fi rst they will have to be on their guard in Te- build on that momentum. With hran, warning that “nothing is that in mind I really want to focus fi nished yet”. at the beginning of the match,” “We all worked together and Yamamoto said, according to the did everything we needed to to- Asian Football Confederation day, but now we have to make website. sure we keep our concentration “Of course, we don’t want to and make sure that in the end we concede and so having a strong take the title,” he said after last defence and keeping an aware- week’s game. ness of risk management is vital.

Sporting Lisbon’s Portuguese forward Carlos Mane (L) vies with Arsenal’s French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi during their UEFA Europa League group stage match in London on Thursday. Japanese Kashima Antlers’ head coach Go Oiwa poses with the trophy ahead of the second leg of the AFC Champions League Reuters stretcher in the fi rst half with jumping for a header only hours Group H. Goals from Marco Sevilla, the most successful against Iran’s Persepolis at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. London a serious ankle injury, while after being named in the Eng- Parolo and Joaquin Correa were team in the history of the com- Chelsea won 1-0 at BATE Bori- land squad for their next inter- enough to extend a miserable petition with fi ve titles, went sov in one of the early kickoff s. nationals. run for the French side, who down to 10-men at Akhisarspor SPOTLIGHT rsenal and Chelsea A heavily changed Arsenal Earlier, Chelsea’s France have now lost four games in a but came away with a 3-2 win were among seven side were unable to break down striker Giroud got his fi rst goal row in all competitions. in Group J thanks to a late Ever teams to reach the Eu- a dogged Sporting team, who this season in the second half to Lazio, meanwhile, went Banega penalty that ended the Aropa League knockout were reduced to 10 men in the secure a win at BATE, meaning through along with Eintracht Turkish side’s qualifying hopes. Germany drop stage on Thursday, while last 88th minute when defender Maurizio Sarri’s side have qual- who eliminated Apollon Limas- There was a goalfest in Rus- year’s runners-up Olympique Jeremy Mathieu fouled striker ifi ed from Group L. sol with a 3-2 victory in the sia as Spartak Moscow came de Marseille were eliminated at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as “I think the fi rst target in this other game in the section. from 3-2 behind to lead Rang- Boateng in World the group phase. he raced towards the area. competition was to qualify and Leverkusen joined both teams ers 4-3 in two minutes before The two Premier League However, the point was now the second target is to win in the next stage after beating the hour mark with the home teams were joined by Eintra- enough to guarantee the north our group so I think we need FC Zurich 1-0 at home in Group side’s eventual win taking them Cup fl op purge cht Frankfurt, Lazio, Bayer London side a place in the last one more point,” the Italian A but thanks to Ludogorets 0-0 to second place and level with Leverkusen, FC Zurich and Di- 32 atop Group E on 10 points, coach said. draw with AEK Larnaca the their opponents on fi ve points AFP he insisted. namo Zagreb in the last 32 with with Sporting behind them on “It’s very important because Swiss side also progressed. in Group G. Berlin Boateng took the news hum- two games still to play before seven. Vorskla Poltava lost 1-0 then we can talk again about Dinamo Zagreb beat Spar- Rangers’ domestic rivals bly, saying he had had a tiring the draw for the next round in to FK Qarabag, with both teams this competition in February, tak Trnava 3-1 to qualify from Celtic kept their hopes alive year. Nyon, Switzerland on Dec 17. on three points. when we will have another tar- Group D while Anderlecht, with a 2-1 win over RB Leipzig ong-time Germany “After a private conversa- Arsenal qualifi ed with a 0-0 Arsenal forward Welbeck get.” Chelsea have yet to lose UEFA Cup winners in 1983, in Group B, while AC Milan and stalwart Jerome Boat- tion we agreed it would be best draw against Sporting at The was taken off on a stretcher and under Sarri so far this season. were eliminated after their 2-0 Real Betis took a step towards eng has been left out of if I took a break after what has Emirates, although striker Dan- given oxygen in the 25th minute Marseille were dumped out defeat by Fenerbahce in the qualifying with a 1-1 draw in national coach Joachim been an exhausting year, which ny Welbeck was carried off on a after landing awkwardly when when they lost 2-1 at Lazio in same group. Group F. Loew’sL squad for internationals will allow me to focus on Mu- in November and been told he nich,” the man with 75 caps to could do with a break. his name said on Twitter. SERIE A The 30-year-old 2014 World Loew did however defend Cup winner, also struggling for Thomas Mueller when asked form at Bayern Munich, was in the about other senior players fac- side that slumped at Russia 2018. ing competition for places. “I have spoken to Jerome “He puts in a great deal of Boateng and I’m convinced he energy, which is why he is still could do with a good break,” in the team. But of course he is Juve focus on AC Milan aft er Loew told a press confer- subject to competition for his ence after naming his squad place,” he said. for a friendly with Russia on November 15 and against the SQUAD Dutch in the Nations League Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer slip-up against Man United four days later. (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno Loew added: “I told him I (Arsenal/ENG), Kevin Trapp AFP the knockout rounds of the Eu- fi ve goals in their wins last week- have several options for his po- (Frankfurt) Milan ropa League with a 2-1 win over end, and will be keen to keep the sition with many good young Defenders: Matthias Ginter Marseille with AC Milan snatch- pressure on Juventus before the players coming through.” (Borussia Moenchengladbach), ing a point at Real Betis. international break. The national coach used sim- Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats assimiliano Al- “Now we’ve got two and a half Napoli are still without Si- ilar terms in September when Hummels (Bayern Munich), legri urged Juven- hours to fl y back and do some mone Verdi, but Dries Mertens announcing there was no place Thilo Kehrer (Paris Saint-Ger- tus not to dwell on work on the plane,” said Gattuso. — who scored a hat-trick against for Juventus midfi elder Samir main/FRA), Antonio Rudiger Mtheir slip-up against “Juventus are one of the best Empoli — has recovered from Khedira, who was also left off (Chelsea/ENG), Nico Schulz Manchester United but instead sides in Europe, not just in Italy, a shoulder problem picked up the latest list. (Hoff enheim), Niklas Suele to use the Champions League but we won’t sit here crying. against PSG. Loew oversaw an unprec- (Bayern Munich), Jonathan Tah drama to avoid a repeat against We’ll face them and play our Lazio travel to Sassuolo eyeing edented German collapse in (Bayer Leverkusen) AC Milan in Serie A tomorrow. football.” a move into the top four and the Russia, where the defending Midfielders: Julian Brandt Juventus lost to two late goals Both sides have injury prob- Champions League spots. champions lost to Mexico and (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian against the Premier League club lems with Milan midfi elder Lu- City rivals Roma are down in South Korea and were knocked Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain/ for their fi rst defeat of the season, have pulled off some late win- of goal,” added the coach after a cas Biglia out for four months af- ninth, and want to start to climb out in the fi rst round. FRA), Serge Gnabry (Bay- but will be determined to extend ners themselves recently, with a series of misses on Wednesday ter surgery on a calf muscle tear. the table against Sampdoria after Calls for change have been ern Munich), Leon Goretzka their unbeaten run in Serie A as 97th-minute goal sealing victory following Cristiano Ronaldo’s Their top-scorer Gonzalo Hi- taking just two points from their growing since Germany were (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz they target an eighth consecutive over Udinese last weekend. stunning volley that put them in guain went off with a back twinge last three games. beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands (Bayer Leverkusen), Joshua league title. “No one expects to win all control. against Udinese but is expected in October and 2-1 by France Kimmich (Bayern Munich), The Italian champions have 31 games, but this kind of defeat, Allegri’s side were the only to return against his parent club Fixtures (all times GMT) three days later. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/ points from 11 games — six points especially from a psychological Italian team to lose in European after joining Milan on loan from Today: Torino v Parma (1400), “I don’t want to just dump ESP), Thomas Mueller (Bayern ahead of Inter Milan and Napoli point of view, can upset us,” said football during the week. Juve in the close season. SPAL v Cagliari (1700), Genoa v the 2014 generation,” said Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia — with AC Milan in fourth posi- Allegri. Inter Milan held Barcelona Inter, meanwhile, travel to Napoli (1930) Loew. “But it is now time for Dortmund), Sebastian Rudy tion, a further four points adrift “But it will make us smarter 1-1, with Napoli drawing against Atalanta, with Napoli, who are Tomorrow: Atalanta v Inter further changes.” (Schalke) along with Lazio. and fi rst up we have the match Paris Saint-Germain by the same behind Luciano Spalletti’s side (1130), Empoli v Udinese, Chievo “The team needs pepping up Strikers: Leroy Sane (Man- Another banana skin could against AC Milan.” scoreline, and Roma beating on goal diff erence, travelling to v Bologna, Roma v Sampdoria and it’s my job to do that. I’m chester City/ENG), Mark Uth await at the San Siro against “I’m not worried but we just CSKA Moscow 2-1. Genoa today. (1400), Sassuolo v Lazio (1600), certain there will be many more (Schalke 04), Timo Werner (RB Gennaro Gattuso’s Milan who need to be more accurate in front Lazio booked their passage to Both Inter and Napoli scored AC Milan v Juventus (1930) changes too before Euro 2020,” Leipzig)

Saturday, November 10, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Al Rayyan and Mbappe says he can Ahli share points, beat Messi, Ronaldo to Arabi pip Al Khor Ballon d’Or Al Rayyan now have 22 points and trail leaders Al Duhail by a whopping nine points AFP Paris By Sports Reporter drew parity in the next minute Doha as Moutaouli slammed home the ball from close range after team- eenage sensation Kylian mate Mohammed Reza failed to Mbappe said yesterday l Rayyan lost further connect the ball fi rst. that Cristiano Ronaldo ground in the race to- Meanwhile, Al Arabi record- Tand Lionel Messi re- wards the QNB Stars ed a hard-fought 1-0 victory main football’s greatest players ALeague title when they against a spirited Al Khor side at but that his own World Cup he- were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Ahli the Al Khor Stadium. roics could help crown him the at the Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. The only goal of the night 2018 Ballon d’Or winner. Lucca Borges scored for Al came through Mohamed Salah Mbappe, 19, inspired France to Rayyan in the fourth minute, an El Neel in the 26th minute. World Cup victory in Russia with advantage that was nullifi ed by In a highly-competitive fi rst four goals. Al Ahli’s Mouhcine Moutaouli in half, the chances were few and One of those came in the 4-2 Frenchman has time on his side. the 75th minute. far between. Wagner Ferreira fi nal victory over Croatia as he He will also have time and op- Al Rayyan now have 22 points had orchestrated much of the became just the second teenager portunity to complete his jour- and trail leaders Al Duhail by a play for Al Khor and saw a fi ery after Pele in 1958 to score in the ney from the tough streets of the whopping nine points, while Al shot from distance being well championship match. down-at-heel Paris suburb of Sadd are in second spot with 23. held by opposition goalkeeper He was also voted Young Bondy to a life of super-riches. Al Ahli, who have had a few good Masoud Zarayi. Player of the tournament and Mbappe, who will turn 20 just results in of late, are fi fth on 19. The deadlock was broken has since become Ligue 1’s lead- before Christmas, signed for PSG Al Rayyan were on the go from against the run of play midway ing scorer with 11 goals as Paris from Monaco for 180 mn euros in the beginning, with Brazilian through the half as a result of Saint-Germain run away with 2017 in the second most expen- striker Lucca spearheading their some smart link-up play be- the French title. sive transfer of all time — behind attacks and Rodrigo Tabata and tween Franco Hurtado and El Messi and Ronaldo have won PSG teammate Neymar who cost Sebastian Soria playing the sup- Neel. the last 10 Ballon d’Or awards the French champions 222mn porting roles. Hurtado’s lofted through ball and Mbappe believes that they euros. Al Ahli started without regu- was chased down by El Neel are still the sport’s top A-listers. Off the fi eld, he seems des- lar striker Meshaal Abdulla and who fi nished with great convic- “Nobody is doing better at the tined to match Ronaldo in the Ali Ferydoon. Instead, Mo- tion despite protests from the Al moment and we can’t say it’s the commercial stakes. hamed Muntari led their charge, Khor defence which claimed an end of their era because it will Will his initials “KM” match with Moutaouli advancing from infringement in the run-up to only end when somebody else the brand power of Ronaldo’s the midfi eld. the goal. does better than them,” Mbappe “CR7”? The Lions made their inten- With much of the possession told AFP. “I don’t know because CR7 is tions clear by surging ahead ear- and opportunities created by Al However, the young striker something big, he has managed ly in the game when Lucca rose Khor, Wagner was again in the added: “I don’t think one of them to build his brand and become high to head in a cross from the act midway through the second will win the Ballon d’Or this year international,” said Mbappe. right by Mowafak Awad. half when he saw his 30-yard, because it was a World Cup year, “Mine is not at this stage yet, Al Rayyan kept attacking whipped free-kick being parried and the World Cup takes prec- I’m changing little by little.” even though Al Ahli had slightly to safety by Zarayi. edence.” That development into the more possession and Lucca got In another match yesterday, While Mbappe thrived at the public consciousness saw him a chance, but Al Ahli goalkeeper Al Sailiya defeated Umm Salal World Cup, Messi’s Argentina dominate the front page of Time Ivanildo Rodriguez blocked his 2-0 with Abdulqader Ilyas and and Ronaldo’s Portugal bowed magazine in October with the shot in a one-on-one situation Fahad Yousef on target. out in the last 16. American publisher breathlessly in the 16th minute. It was Al Sailiya’s sixth win in “But if you take the player showcasing the teenage as “the Tabata then sent his shot over 11 matches and they are fourth in the purest form, there’s no- future of football”. the bar from the top of penalty with 19 points. body better yet. This year they Mbappe said that he will not box in the 37th. Late on Thursday, Al Gharafa were again the best two,” added be satisfi ed with winning just The second half witnessed rode on a double strike by Wes- Mbappe. one World Cup. more intense exchanges. It was ley Sneijder to beat Qatar SC “Messi fi nished the best goal- When asked what he wants to Al Rayyan who were more in the 2-0. Sneijder (45+2 penalty and scorer in Europe; Ronaldo was win next, he said: “All the World thick of action again. Ivanildo 83rd minute) scored Al Gharafa’s the top scorer in the Champions Cups that I can play. thwarted Tabata after one hour goals. The star Dutch midfi elder League.” “I play to win; if I play four and soon, Muntari came up with took his tally for the season to six Mbappe was speaking to AFP World Cups then I want to win a feeble header off a Moutaouli goals. at an event organised by watch- four. We go step by step. I have cross. Al Rayyan goalkeeper The night also turned sour for makers Hublot, one of his lead- already won one. You have to Omar Barry easily collected it. Sneijder as he received red card ing sponsors. prepare and win with your club Al Ahli had their best chance for fouling Qatar SC goalkeeper The last French player to win and with the national team also. to reduce defi cit in the 74th Jassim al-Hail in stoppage time. the coveted Ballon d’Or was Zin- “There are short-term goals minute, but Moutaouli sent his The victory, Al Gharafa’s fi fth edine Zidane after the national before thinking about the 2022 shot straight to the goalkeeper. in this season’s league com- team’s 1998 World Cup victory. World Cup. But the aim always is However, The Brigadiers were petition, saw them move to 18 Al Rayyan players celebrate their goal against Al Ahli in the QNB Stars League yesterday. “Frankly, I hope so (win the to win.” not to be denied for long. They points. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Ballon d’Or). We achieved some- On being tipped to be the next thing big. It would not be unjust true superstar once Messi and because that is a strong word, but Ronaldo have retired, Mpabbe HATHAB SERIES it would be a shame if a French- added: “I cannot control every- man does not win it. thing that is done and said. “We made history and it would “There is not just the pitch but be nice to be rewarded.” everything around it must also Croatia’s Luka Modric, voted be managed. It’s not easy but I’m Best Player of the World Cup, learning, I’m still learning. I have remains favourite for the Ballon people around me who help me Al-Baker rides Circus to glory d’Or. However, Modric is 14 years overcome the challenges one af- Mbappe’s senior so the young ter the other.” By Sports Reporter An initiative of HE Sheikh Joaan Doha bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Oosthuizen closes in on Garcia at Hathab was a runaway success in its halfway stage of Nedbank Golf Challenge ohamed Khalifa al-Baker inaugural season. clinched the Medium The series – worth QR1mn in over- Sun City: Home favourite ing nicely, I’m just trying to hit Tour title in the third leg all prize money – provides an oppor- Louis Oosthuizen produced a the fairways and the irons feel of the Hathab Equestrian tunity for young riders from Qatar strong back nine to card a five- pretty good. MSeries yesterday. At Al Shaqab’s in- to gain experience and test them- under-par 67 and trail leader “You have to play the wind door arena, al-Baker marshalled his selves against other best talents in Sergio Garcia by one shot at the as you feel it because it is so 13-year-old chest gelding Circus the country over a gruelling 12 legs, halfway stage of the European inconsistent. It’s a golf course to fastest time of 34.75 seconds in which is spread over six months. Tour’s Nedbank Golf Challenge that you need to be patient 1.20/1.30 class. at the Gary Player Country Club around.” Al-Baker’s time was almost three Results yesterday. At one stage Garcia led by five seconds faster than runner-up Saeed Medium Tour, Table A, One round with Garcia was faultless in shooting shots as he opened his round Nasser al-Qadi, who came home with jump-off (Teams & Ind) 120/130cm. 64 in his opening round, but with birdies on the first two Daydreamer EC in 37.89 secs. The 1. Mohamed Khalifa al-Baker (Circus). found the going much tougher holes, but four bogeys, includ- third place went to Salman Moham- Times: 34.74 secs. Prize money: on Friday as he finished with a ing the 18th, spoiled his day med al-Emadi and Eglantine du Cas- QR5,000 71 and a nine under-par total. and allowed others to close in telet, the pair timing 38.86 secs. 2. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Dadydream- South African Oosthuizen is around him. In the team event, Al Shaqab took er EC). 37.89 secs. QR 4,000 his nearest challenger as he Ross Fisher (72) looked like he the Medium Tour honours. The trio of 3. Salman Mohamed al-Emadi (Eglan- seeks a first win at a tourna- would be one of those before Mohamed Sultan al-Suwaidi, Saeed tine du Castelet) 38.86 secs. QR3,000 ment he has long coveted, with dropping an astonishing eight Nasser al-Qadi and Ghanim Nasser Medium Tour (Team) Finland’s Mikko Korhonen (70) shots on his final four holes. al-Qadi tallied a combined time of 1. Al Shaqab (Mohamed Sultan al-Su- three shots back. Fisher had eagled the second 149.93 secs, which was enough for Al waidi, Saeed Nasser al-Qadi, Ghanim Oosthuizen looked to be strug- and picked up six more birdies Shaqab to fi nish fi rst. Nasser al-Qadi) gling after a double-bogey on to reduce Garcia’s lead to two ExxonMobil (Khejaim Faraj al- 2. ExxonMobil (Khejaim Faraj al-Marri, the eighth hole saw him turn at shots. Marri, Mohamed Abdulla Juma, Faleh Mohamed Abdulla Juma, Faleh Su- one under-par for the round. But after driving into the trees Suwayed al-Ajami) came second, fol- wayed al-Ajami) But an eagle on the 10th and on the 15th, the Englishman lowed by Al Salam (Mubarak Yousuf 3. Al Salam (Mubarak Yousuf al- birdies on 14 and 15 elevated took six shots to reach the al-Rumaihi, Mohamed al-Ghazali, Rumaihi, Mohamed al-Ghazali, Khalifa the 2010 Open Championship green and then three-putted Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi). Abdulla al-Khaldi) winner up the leaderboard on for a nine. He bogeyed the final In the Small Tour, Khalifa Abdulla Small Tour: Table A 1.00/1.15m a diff icult day for scoring with a three holes as well. al-Khaldi emerged triumphant with 1. Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi (Dusty) swirling breeze. He was by no means the only 150-year-old Mare Dusty, with the Time: 52.43 secs. Prize money: “I’m pretty happy with the player to struggle on the pair clocking the fastest time in 52.43 QR25000 round,” Oosthuizen told report- 15th though as 2011 Masters secs. Khalid Mohamed al-Emadi 2. Khalid Mohamed al-Emadi (Dolce ers. champion Charl Schwartzel (78) Mohamed Khalifa al-Baker and his 13-year-old chest gelding Circus clear a hurdle en route (Dolce Vita M) was second, with Ali Vita M) 56.06 secs. QR2000 “After eight I had a good run at needed nine shots to complete to Medium Tour victory during the third leg of the Hathab Equestrian Series at Al Shaqab Mohamed al-Qadi (Henrico) fi nish- 3. Ali Mohamed al-Qadi (Henrico) a few holes. I feel like I’m play- the hole. yesterday. ing third. 57.09 secs. QR1500