Established 1961 Sport THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 Visiting Hawks lose point guard Warner and Smith on fire Saracens’ Koch, Vunipola scrum 25Young, then lose to Miami Heat 26 as Australia thump S Lanka 27 face-to-face in World Cup final Astros one win away from title One-game winner-take all showdown for 115th World Series championship HOUSTON: Adam Eaton #2 of the Washington Nationals is hit by the pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. — AFP HOUSTON: Stephen Strasburg baffled Houston’s bat- “Rendon stepped up big,” Martinez said. That was controversial call in the seventh inning. Series title for Washington since 1924. ters and Anthony Rendon drove in five runs to power enough run production for the Nationals thanks to “I’m not going to criticize the umpires about any- Houston’s Justin Verlander, who won a season-best the Washington Nationals over the Astros 7-2 Tuesday, Strasburg mystifying the Houston hitters who had pro- thing,” Martinez said. “I don’t really want to make this 21 games, surrendered three runs on five hits to suffer forcing a one-game winner-take all showdown for the duced 19 runs over the prior three games. about me and take away from what the boys did. It the loss and remain winless in seven career World 115th World Series championship. “I saw an incredible pitcher,” Astros manager A.J. was a judgement call. I don’t want to make it about Series starts, the most of any pitcher without a win. His Washington pulled level at 3-3 in Major League Hinch said. “He was really good. We didn’t put a lot of one play.” 0-6 record is the all-time worst World Series mark. Baseball’s best-of-seven final, setting up a seventh stress on him.” Strasburg had been tipping his pitches The Nationals, who improved to 4-0 in playoff elimi- Washington clung to a 3-2 lead in the seventh when game today to decide the title. to Houston hitters in the first inning, when Alex nation games this month, will start three-time Cy Young controversy struck. Nationals shortstop Trea Turner Strasburg allowed two runs on five hits over 8 1/3 Bregman homered off him, but Martinez solved the Award winner Max Scherzer in game seven after neck was called out for interference on first baseman Yuli masterful innings while walking two and striking out problem. “I said, ‘You’re tipping you’re pitches. We spasms kept him out of game five. Fellow right-hander Gurriel and the decision was upheld after a 4 1/2- seven Houston batters, improving to 5-0 in the playoffs need to fix it,’” Martinez said. “After that he was lights Zack Greinke will start for Houston. minute video review. It would cost Washington a run after an 18-6 season. out.” Strasburg began to wiggle his glove to throw the “We have a great opportunity to play a game sev- when Rendon smashed a homer to left field. “Big pitchers do what he did,” said Nationals man- Astros off. “Started shaking my glove so they didn’t en in the World Series in our ballpark,” Hinch said. After the inning, Martinez angrily moved toward the ager Dave Martinez. “I told him, ‘You were tremendous. know what I was throwing. Obviously, they look for But a World Series in which Houston was one of the umpires, bench coach Chip Hale restraining him. But You picked us up and because of you we’re going to certain things,” Strasburg said. “It’s something that has heaviest favorites in years has turned into a historic Martinez yelled until home plate umpire Sam Holbrook game seven’,” added Martinez, who was ejected late on burned me in the past and they burned me there in the epic, the first World Series with road teams winning ejected him, leaving Hale to take the team to the finish. after a disputed call. first. “It’s just a part of the game. You’ve got to do your the first six games. Rendon’s two-run homer put Washington ahead 5-2 Washington’s Juan Soto and Adam Eaton blasted best to stay consistent in your delivery on each pitch.” “It’s weird,” Martinez said. “You can’t explain it.” The and his two-run double in the ninth added more insur- solo home runs in the fifth inning and Houston native Martinez became the first World Series manager eject- Astros will try for their second title in three seasons ance runs. Rendon hit a two-run homer in the seventh and a two- ed since Atlanta’s Bobby Cox in 1996, needing to be while the Nationals seek the first crown in their fran- Jose Altuve’s 25-game streak of reaching base safely run double in the ninth. restrained from angrily confronting umpires after a chise’s 50-year history. It would also be the first World was ended by Strasburg’s supreme effort. —AFP One prize that did get away from him, however, was the Lions. “I told myself that, eventually, with all the magnifi- Ballon d’Or. Liberia’s George Weah, in 1995, remains the cent players I played alongside for Cameroon, we could Eto’o, best African only African to have claimed that award, but that does not have won the World Cup,” he said. change Eto’o’s belief that he is the best player to have “It wasn’t to be. That is the only trophy I didn’t manage footballer of all come out of the continent. to win but I had some unforgettable moments with that “I don’t need to lay claim to anything, it’s just a fact. team.” Part of a golden generation that featured Rigobert Whether you accept it or not, it’s a fact,” he said, as frank Song, the late Marc-Vivien Foe and Geremi, Eto’o believes time eyes move and outspoken as ever. “Everyone is entitled to their opin- he has left a legacy by helping bring through the next gen- ion. You know, as an African, you are always being judged. eration. Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana is one player to What is unacceptable is that the first people to do it are have emerged from the Eto’o Foundation. into management always the Africans. They can’t take anything away from He has also been asked to do work for the me because I am proud to be African. Confederation of African Football, but he says it is only a “When I look at where I came from and how far I got, I matter of time before he returns to football in a more PARIS: Samuel Eto’o is convinced that he is the best tell myself that I am entitled to be proud. That doesn’t hands-on role. “I know my next challenge will be to win at African footballer of all time and is now targeting more mean I am big-headed, far from it. It is just that, in this least as much as a coach as I did as a player,” he said. success as a coach, the Cameroon great told AFP in an world, people like puppets and I don’t accept being one.” “I would like to coach in Europe, and then one day exclusive interview. The 38-year-old is pondering his next Eto’o also turned out for the likes of Real Madrid and return to Africa and win there. I don’t know how to lose. step after hanging up his boots in early September, bring- Chelsea, but for all he won in the game, it is his first major “I am lucky to have made history at different clubs. I ing the curtain down on his playing days with a brief spell title with his country that sticks out when asked for his have a lot more doors open to me than others, but you turning out for Qatar Sports Club. fondest memory. need to be prepared. “I want to learn, have all the qualifi- “There comes a point where you have to look for other “I would say my first Africa Cup of Nations (in 2000), cations, understand how things work either in my own challenges. That is what I have chosen to do. I have had a because it was my first AFCON, an unforgettable moment, businesses or in my future career, in order to come back in wonderful career,” Eto’o told AFP during a visit to Paris. and I had come away from the 1998 World Cup in France 12 or 24 months and start a new career, which I hope will His career spanned more than 20 years in which he won with the hope of making history,” he said. be just as beautiful.” But having won the Champions 18 major trophies, including two Champions Leagues with “I wasn’t a starter in that magnificent team but in the League playing for both Pep Guardiola and Jose Barcelona and another with Inter Milan. He also won the end I worked my way into the side and contributed. It is a Mourinho, whose style is he more likely to be replicate? Africa Cup of Nations twice with Cameroon as well as beautiful memory.” Eto’o also went to four World Cups but “I am a fan of Guardiola. I love football and I think it’s Olympic gold in 2000.