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FOOTBALL Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Moharram 8, 1439 AH Neymar smart to GULF TIMES protect himself from injury: Klopp SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL/AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Al Sadd through to Persepolis edge out semis aft er draw Duhail 3-2 on aggregate

AFP The cross saw the ball bounce with Esteghlal off the heads of Godwin Mensha Tehran and Ali Alipour and fall perfectly for captain Seyed Jalal Hossein Al Sadd qualify 5-3 on aggregate, to clash with Persepolis for spot in final ranian giants Persepolis to volley home from close, much broke Al Duhail’s sequence to the joy of the near capacity of nine straight victories to crowd. storm into the semi-fi nals of Persepolis went ahead in the Ithe AFC Champions League with 76th minute when Alipour shook a stirring come-from-behind off the defence and shot goal- 3-2 aggregate win yesterday. ward, forcing Sultan al-Brake to Trailing 1-0 after the fi rst attempt a last-ditch clearance leg and then conceding a 33rd from the line which unfortu- minute goal they scored three nately sent the ball into the net. goals after the break to take the By this time the crowd were on second leg 3-1. their feet and Persepolis didn’t Qatar Stars League champions have to wait long for the crucial Al Duhail had been relentless in third goal. their campaign, winning all their Nigerian Mensha, one of their previous nine matches right stalwarts in their current cam- from the group stage before suf- paign, latched on to a long clear- fering their only defeat. ance from Alireza Beiranvand Had they won, they would and left two defenders chasing have set an AFC Champions shadows before dribbling past League record of 10 consecutive goalkeeper Lecomte and nudg- victories, overtaking Ulsan Hy- ing the ball in with a simple fi n- undai’s nine set during the 2012 ish. season when the Korean side Qatar’s other team in the won the title quarter-fi nals, Al Sadd were Al Duhail went ahead, some- playing a late match against what luckily, through Karim Iran’s Esteghlal in Doha, after Boudiaf after Persepolis defend- winning the fi rst leg 3-1. er Shojae Khalilzadeh’s attempt- “We were never out of the ed clearance from a free-kick match even when we were a goal bounced off the former’s back down,” said Persepolis coach and into the net. Branko Ivankovic. Both teams failed to come up “We knew it was all about with a goal-worthy move for keeping our calm and playing our the remaining part of the fi rst best game,” he added. half, but the pace picked up in Al Duhail coach Nabil Maaloul the second ring which the hosts lamented his team’s missed Al Sadd players, with Xavi on extreme right, celebrate their qualification to the AFC Champions League semi-finals yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and Agencies were clearly the better side. chances. In the 56th minute, Bashar “We had a great opportunity By Sports Reporter But, just fi ve minutes later, Resan’s eff ort from the edge of to enter the semi-fi nals for the Doha an error by Al Sadd goalkeeper the box was tipped away by Al fi rst time but we missed it. In Meshal Aissa Barsham – who Duhail goalkeeper Amine Le- retrospect we should have scored had scored a comical own-goal comte although the resulting more goals during our home l Sadd reached the in the fi rst leg – handed Es- corner produced the equaliser. match in Doha,” he added. semi-fi nals of the AFC teghlal the equaliser. Rouhollah Champions League af- Bagheri’s strike was fumbled by ter a 2-2 draw against a Barsham and the ball fell into Aresilient Esteghlal in the quar- the net, levelling the score on ter-fi nals at the Jassim Bin Ha- the night. mad stadium yesterday. Having As the second half kicked off , gone into match with a 3-1 lead Esteghlal went on the attack from the fi rst leg in Tehran, the with added vigour and were re- result on their home ground warded four minutes in, when yesterday was enough to send Morteza Tabrizi rose highest to Jesualdo Ferreira’s men in to the head in Farshid Esmaeili’s deliv- last four on a 5-3 on aggregate ery to put the visitors 2-1 ahead. win. Needing just a goal to level Al Sadd will now face another the aggregate score, Esteghlal Iranian side Persepolis in the were rising in confi dence but semi-fi nals. The fi rst leg will be they were struck with a blow in played on October 2nd or 3rd, the 50th minute when Rouzbeh with the second leg scheduled Cheshmi was sent off for a sec- for October 23 or 24. Al Sadd and ond bookable off ence. Persepolis have already locked Afi f then had a shot crash off horns in the group stage, with the left post in the 55th minute both sides winning their home but the game’s complexion had encounter. changed by then. Al Sadd man- Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Against Esteghlal, Al Sadd aged to hold their own against Ferreira reacts during were always the favourites on their 10-man opponents for the the match. home soil and book their place remainder of the game, before in the last four. The game’s fi rst being gifted a penalty deep into goals at Azadi Stadium in the shot on target arrived in the 15th added time. fi rst leg and it just a continu- minute, when Esteghlal mid- Al Sadd were in the middle of ation of his blistering form in fi elder Mehdi Ghayedi’s eff ort a blistering counter as Akram the Champions League this sea- was kept out by Al Sadd goal- was played in by Bounedjah and son. With 12 goals in his kitty keeper Meshaal Aissa. took the ball round Ramati, be- and certain to play two more The hosts took time to settle fore being dragged down inside matches, Bounedjah will be keen into the game but showed just the area as he was about to pull to match or even break the high- how dangerous they can be as the trigger. est goalscoring record. The cur- the fi rst half went on. Hassan al- With 11 goals in the Champi- rent record for goals in an AFC Haydos fashioned a goal-scor- Hassan al-Haydos (top) celebrates with Akram Afif after the latter ons League already to his name Champions League season is ing opportunity out of nothing scored the first goal for Al Sadd. prior to yesterday’s game, it 13, held by Muriqui (2013) and in the 26th minute, topping off was no surprise that Bounedjah Adriano (2016). a great run with a stinging shot, after excellent hold-up play by ing surrounded by a sea of de- stepped up to the spot and he Bounedjah averages just over forcing a save out of Mehdi Rah- Baghdad Bounedjah. Latching fenders before his layoff picked calmly sent Ramati the wrong two shots on target per match, mati. Hassan al-Haydos’ right-wing out the late run of Akram Afi f, way to secure his side’s passage which highlights the 26-year- But it was Al Sadd who broke cross, the Algerian international who coolly fi nished past Mehdi into the last four. old’s ruthlessness in front of Al Duhail’s players congratulate Karim Boudiaf after he scored the deadlock in the 27th minute kept his composure despite be- Ramati into the bottom corner. Bounedjah had scored two goal. against Persepolis at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, September 18, 2018 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Qatar SC sack Abdulla, name al-Noobi as coach

Qatar SC parted ways with Abdulla Mubarak and made Under-23 coach Youssef Faraj al-Noobi in charge of Neymar is smart to the senior team. Qatar SC thanked Abdulla for his services and hoped the team would improve its position in the QNB Stars League, where they are placed 10th with just three points after five matches. Abdulla had taken over protect himself from the reins of Qatar SC from Argentinian Gabriel Calderon in November, 2017. He was instrumental in The Kings earn- ing promotion to the top flight in the 2017-18 season. injury, says Klopp Win and they can fi ght over Messi’s shirt: PSV coach

PSV Eindhoven coach Mark van Bom- Liverpool’s Firmino better but still doubtful for PSG clash at Anfield today mel says his players can fight it out for Barcelona star Lionel Messi’s shirt if AFP they win at the Nou Camp today in the Liverpool Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar (left) jokes Champions League. Barcelona host the with Kylian Mbappe during a training Dutch league leaders and Van Bommel session in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near wants his players to stay professional as iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp Paris, on the eve of their UEFA Champions they face the player he described as the defended Neymar’s play-act- League match against Liverpool. (AFP) best in the world. “If tomorrow we get a ing at the World Cup and be- good result I don’t care if they fight for lieves it will be impossible to Messi’s shirt,” Van Bommel said. “That is Lcompletely snuff out the Brazilian’s part of being a professional, to always threat when Paris Saint-Germain visit be concentrating. I know they will ask Anfi eld in the Champions League to- him for the shirt, but they shouldn’t do day. Klopp insisted Neymar wasn’t it at halftime.” fully fi t in Russia after breaking a bone in his foot in February that forced him to miss the rest of the club season with Ghana referees banned the French giants before the World aft er corruption probe Cup. However, the world’s most ex- pensive player earned few plaudits for The Referees Association of Ghana said his performances and became a fi gure it had banned more of its members as a of fun for his constant feigning of inju- result of an undercover bribery and cor- ry as Brazil crashed out at the quarter- ruption investigation. The Confedera- fi nals to Belgium. tion of African Football (CAF) governing “When I saw a few games at the body last month handed life bans to World Cup and I know people are talk- one Ghanaian off icial and 10-year bans ing about that and it looked like he to seven others. made a bit more of situations. But it’s That followed the broadcast of hidden a normal reaction because players are camera footage in June that showed going for him, that’s the truth, and he off icials taking bribes, including the wants to protect himself. I understand then-head of the Ghana Football As- that,” said Klopp yesterday. sociation. RAG general secretary Joseph “I’m not sure it’s possible to avoid Ayita Mensah said in a statement that his quality 100%. He’s a fantastic a disciplinary committee set up in the footballer, outstanding. He was not wake of the allegations met on Saturday fi t at the World Cup and he tried to and confirmed the CAF rulings. take the responsibility for his country. Belgium played an outstanding game against Brazil, but if Neymar is fi t, West Ham’s Perez denies Brazil wins it. That’s how it is. refusing to play at Everton “He was injured and so he had to save himself a bit. He’s not a person West Ham United striker Lucas Perez who wants to act because if you are has defended himself in the wake of like that you cannot play football. He media reports that he refused to warm got rested at the weekend so he will be without one of his prolifi c front three. Dortmund (GER); At Monaco: Monaco up and come on as a substitute during 100% fresh, he’s not injured any more. Roberto Firmino suff ered an abra- (FRA) v Atletico Madrid (ESP) his side’s 3-1 win over Everton in the We will see the full package Neymar.” sion after being poked in his left eye by Group B: At Barcelona, Spain (1655 Premier League on Sunday. Despite splashing over 400mn eu- Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen on Satur- GMT); Barcelona (ESP) v PSV Eindhoven The Spaniard was on the bench and ros on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, day and is a doubt to partner Moham- (NED); At Milan, Italy (1655 GMT): Inter looked like he was about to replace the PSG failed to progress beyond the last ed Salah and Sadio Mane. “Would he (ITA) v Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) injured Marko Arnautovic in the second 16 in their quest to win a fi rst ever play today? No chance, but we all hope half, but manager Manuel Pellegrini Champions League. But Klopp, who tomorrow (he’ll be ok),” said Klopp. Group C: At Liverpool, England: brought on midfielder Michail Antonio led Liverpool to the fi nal in May, be- “It’s a big relief for us. It’s painful, Liverpool (ENG) v Paris Saint-Germain instead. Perez was then captured by lieves marrying a richly talented squad nobody needs that, but he will be fi ne. (FRA); At Belgrade: Red Star Belgrade TV cameras in conversation with West with new coach Thomas Tuchel makes We only don’t know exactly when. (SRB) v Napoli (ITA) Ham’s goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero the French giants an even bigger threat Another 30 hours until the game so we Group D: At Istanbul, Turkey: on the bench. to win the competition this season. will see how it develops.” Galatasaray (TUR) v Lokomotiv Mos- “The players they have, the man- Should Firmino be unable to take his cow (RUS); At Gelsenkirchen, Germany: ager they have, they all brought it to- place at centre forward, then Daniel Schalke 04 (GER) v FC Porto (POR) Mendy misses Man City gether to go as far as possible in the Sturridge is the most likely to take his match due to knee problem Champions League,” he added. “He is spot. Klopp said that forwards Domin- an outstanding coach. I really thought ic Solanke and Divock Origi were both TOMORROW: Pep Guardiola has revealed that Ben- it was a smart decision of PSG to sign ruled out for the visit of PSG due to in- Group E: At Amsterdam (1655 GMT); jamin Mendy missed Manchester City’s Tuchel,” said Klopp. “For this kind juries picked up on Sunday playing for Ajax (NED) v AEK Athens (GRE); At Premier League victory against Fulham of team with unbelievable individual the club’s Under-23 team. Lisbon: Benfica (POR) v Bayern Munich because of a knee problem and he does quality, you still need a manager who Another decision Klopp will have (GER) not know how long the French defender can teach or educate them in play- to make is whether to recall Jordan Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp ponders during a press conference. (Reuters) will be out. The left-back missed much ing together and they brought in one Henderson to central midfi eld or stick Group F: At Kharkiv, Ukraine (1655 of last season with a knee ligament of the best I know. That makes them with Naby Keita and Georgino Wi- GMT); Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Hof- injury sustained against Crystal Palace quite a big challenge for us.” jnaldum, who featured in Saturday’s choices made by Klopp. “I came back my chance when it comes,” he added. fenheim (GER): At Manchester, England: last September. Liverpool have build on the mo- win at Tottenham. Henderson, who later than everybody else so I can’t ex- Liverpool have won all fi ve of their Manchester City (ENG) v Lyon (FRA) He returned to action in April, in time mentum of reaching last season’s fi nal skippered Liverpool last season on pect to come straight back in,” he said. Premier League games so far and Group G: At Madrid: Real Madrid (ESP) to make France’s squad for their World and a summer of shrewd investment their run to the Champions League “The lads have worked so hard in Henderson said he needed a break af- v Roma (ITA); At Plzen, Czech Republic: Cup-winning campaign in Russia, where in the transfer market by winning all fi nal, where they lost to Real Madrid, pre-season. I can see the benefi ts al- ter a marathon campaign last season. Viktoria Plzen (CZE) v CSKA Moscow he played once, in the final group match fi ve of their opening Premier League has been given a restricted start to the ready. The rhythm they have — they’re (RUS) against Denmark in Moscow. But Guar- games. However, as they prepare to campaign after returning late to pre- at a very, very high level. They’re win- CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES diola revealed that Mendy, 24, missed Group H: At Bern: Young Boys (SUI) v face one of the world’s most daunting season after the World Cup. ning games. It’s normal for me that I’m Saturday’s win with a knee problem and TODAY: Group A: At Bruges, Belgium: Manchester United (ENG); At Valencia, attacking tridents in Neymar, Mbappe The England international said he not playing, I can accept it. Just means he could be missing for “weeks or days Club Brugge (BEL) v Borussia Spain: Valencia (ESP) v Juventus (ITA) and Edison Cavani, Klopp could be had no problem with the selection I have to keep working hard and take and maybe longer.”

SPOTLIGHT Spalletti sure Champions League buzz will spur Inter AFP Inter Milan snatched Italy’s fi nal dynamic young stars and well drilled Milan Champions League berth at the wire by charismatic manager Mauricio Po- last season by fi nishing fourth in Serie chettino, Tottenham appear to have all A. “The eff ort we put in last year to play the ingredients required for a winning nter Milan coach Luciano Spal- in this competition is a motivation that recipe. letti believes Harry Kane will be the can overcome any lack of experience or Having nine Tottenham players man to watch but hopes the enthu- fear,” continued Spalletti. “We cannot among the four World Cup semi-fi nal- siasm of returning to “the Disney- feel any pressure or be intimidated by ists, a group that does not include key Iland of football” will spur on his Ital- the English players’ greater experience. players Christian Eriksen and Son He- ian side in today’s Champions League Rather, I believe that this match is the ung-min, underlines just how potent opener against Tottenham. chance to kick into gear.” their squad should be. Against the backdrop of a disastrous Meanwhile, Tottenham captain Yet since Pochettino took charge in start to their domestic campaign, Inter Hugo Lloris and midfi elder Dele Alli May 2014, Tottenham have proved Eng- host the English club at a sold-out San have been ruled out of the Champions lish football’s ultimate tease. Without Siro in what is their fi rst Champions League opener. Goalkeeper Lloris is silverware since the 2008 League Cup, League match since the 2011-2012 sea- carrying a thigh injury that kept him Tottenham are in danger of becoming son. Both teams are coming off week- out of Tottenham’s to Liverpool on European football’s nearly men, a pre- end league defeats — Inter losing 1-0 to Saturday and Alli was sidelined with a dicament that has raised the stakes for Parma in Milan and Tottenham falling hamstring problem. Pochettino and his players. 2-1 at home to Liverpool. “Harry Kane Tottenham missed both players in At an age when Jose Mourinho and tired? I don’t agree, we have seen Tot- the Liverpool defeat, with errors from Pep Guardiola were already well es- tenham matches and we have seen him stand-in keeper Michel Vorm contrib- tablished as managerial titans, the working in any situation. Tottenham Tottenham players (from left) Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Moussa Dembele and Danny Rose stretch during a training uting to both of Liverpool goals. Mid- 46-year-old Pochettino is still waiting rely a lot on this player,” Spalletti said. session on the eve of their Champions League match against Inter Milan at the San Siro stadium in Milan. (AFP) fi elder Moussa Sissoko will also miss for his fi rst trophy. The Inter coach believes the game the Inter match. Spurs have been drawn Crumbling in the face of adversity could be a “turning point” for his side, “These games are worth so much in anything,” added Spalletti, who spent credible emotions and if you’ve been in a tough-looking Champions League has been a Tottenham trademark for who have just four points from four terms of enthusiasm and conviction. I two separate spells at Roma either side there you can’t do without it. The Group B, which also includes Barcelona decades and, while Pochettino has done games in Serie A. “The Champions think that with the period we’re going of a fi ve-year spell at Zenit Saint Pe- previous times I entered a world that’s and PSV Eindhoven. much to raise standards at the north League is the amusement park of foot- through this is the game we needed. It’s tersburg. particularly beautiful and entertaining, Tottenham are bidding to banish the London club, he is yet to eradicate their ball, the Disneyland of football. It’s a one of those matches and one of those “I’ve been lucky enough to experi- you can hear the music from inside the growing belief that they lack the steel tendency to repeatedly snatch failure beautiful and fun world. competitions you wouldn’t swap for ence them several times, there are in- dressing room.” to win major silverware. Packed with from the jaws of success. Gulf Times Tuesday, September 18, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barca out to make amends with memories of Rome still fresh ‘Madrid have won the Champions League in last three years. They have made history and it’s a thorn in our side’

AFP read Madrid’s daily newspaper AS the Madrid following morning. “We have to endure the pain,” said coach Ernesto Valverde. “There will be some tough days.” lmost exactly an hour after the His team were stinging for the rest of fi nal whistle, Barcelona post- the season, even as they completed the ed a tweet: “Congratulations double by thrashing Sevilla to win the to @realmadrid for winning Copa del Rey. Before the match, reports theA 2017/18 Champions League title.” had surfaced that Valverde could be Underneath some fans demanded the sacked regardless of the result. message be deleted immediately while After, the players were asked if victo- others claimed it as a classy touch. “We ry made up for their Champions League are rivals, not enemies”, one wrote. exit. The prevailing answer was no. “It Meanwhile, Barcelona’s key play- is an important trophy,” Suarez said. ers — Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Luis “But this does not hide what happened Suarez, Andres Iniesta — stayed quiet. in Rome.” Some had recently posted pictures of Motivation is one thing but shifting themselves surrounded by their fami- weight onto the Champions League will lies, with the World Cup just around demand practical adjustments too. Val- the corner. verde was accused last season of over- But from the words that have been exerting his players in the league, par- spoken since, and despite the club’s ticularly when it was clear it was won. stately message, it is clear Madrid’s tri- Three days before the capitulation umph hit home. Barcelona had failed to Roma, the likes of Messi and Suarez and this made it even harder to bear. were playing 90 minutes to beat 14th- “Obviously it’s infuriating (for us),” placed Leganes. Valverde has indicated Suarez said in an interview with RAC1 he will adapt. earlier this month. “Madrid have won Ahead of their Group B opener at the Champions League in each of the home to PSV today, Sergio Busquets last three years. They have made his- and Philippe Coutinho started as sub- tory and it’s a thorn in our side.” stitutes in Saturday’s win over Real So- Chiefl y, perhaps, because Barca will ciedad, even if both were needed before feel they were better than Madrid last the end. Messi, who turned 31 in June, season. They blew them away in a 3-0 may also need to be preserved if he is to fl urry at the Santiago Bernabeu and add a fi fth Champions League success then played with 10 men for the second to his collection. Now captain, he ap- half at the Camp Nou and still drew 2-2. pears hungrier than ever. They even led with a man fewer until “It’s time to win the Champions Gareth Bale’s late equaliser. League,” Messi told Catalunya Ra- They also fi nished an enormous 17 dio. “We’ve been knocked out in the points clear of them to win La Liga, a Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (right) trains with his teammates on the eve of the Champions League match against PSV in Barcelona. (Reuters) quarter-fi nals three seasons in a row gap that admittedly swelled when Zin- and maybe the last one was the worst edine Zidane began prioritising games cent years that both clubs are keen to Real have claimed four of the last fi ve ner of it, that was the moment of reali- personality, without Messi and with- of all because of the result and how the in Europe, but even by February, before break. Barcelona dominate domestical- Champions League crowns, Barcelona sation. out any fi ght, Barca were shipwrecked match was played. I think we have to the Champions League knock-outs ly, while Real Madrid reign in Europe. the other one. But while Madrid’s vic- Throwing away a 4-1 lead by losing at the Olimpico against an immensely aim for that, as a club, as a team and as a kicked into gear, Barcelona were 16 Barca have won seven out of the last 10 tory over Liverpool was a fi nal blow, it 3-0 in Italy was not perceived as just superior team that lowered the Barca collective. We have a spectacular squad ahead. A pattern has emerged in re- league titles, Madrid only two. was the defeat to Roma, and the man- careless, it was unforgivable. “Without players from their artifi cial pedestal,” and we can do it.”

Qatar beat Vietnam in U-19 friendly SPOTLIGHT Napoli wary of fascinating Real Madrid more of a team underdogs Red without Ronaldo, says Bale Star: Ancelotti Belgrade: Napoli will be wary AFP of fascinating Champions London League underdogs Red Star Belgrade and their raucous home fans when they visit the areth Bale has won 1991 European Cup winners in four Champions an intriguing Group C opener Leagues in fi ve years today, coach Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, but said. With Liverpool and Paris Gbelieves the Spanish giants can Saint-Germain also in the sec- be even better in their quest for tion along with debutants Red a 14th European crown despite Star, Ancelotti — who won two the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo. Champions League titles in Bale has shone in the spot- charge of AC Milan and one at light since Ronaldo’s departure Real Madrid — said his Serie A for Juventus, scoring in all of side could not aff ord a slip up. Real’s opening three La Liga “It is a very tough group wins and providing the equal- and therefore it is imperative iser for Isco in a 1-1 draw at Ath- However, it is Ronaldo’s goals led to the Welshman looking that we make a good start be- letic Bilbao on Saturday. that have led Real to so much for an exit this summer had the cause we all know how tough “Obviously it’s going to be success on the continent in re- French coach not decided to bow it is for visiting teams here,” a little diff erent from having cent times. out after winning a third straight he told a news conference. such a big player there,” Bale The Portuguese has been the Champions League in just two “We also know that Red Star told British newspaper the Daily competition’s top scorer for the and a half years in charge. played very well in the Europa Mail. “It’s maybe a bit more past six seasons. But ahead of Bale avoided the question League last season and are relaxed, yes. I suppose there is their Champions League open- of whether new boss Julen Lo- dominant in the Serbian more of a team, more working as er against last season’s semi-fi - petegui is a better manager than league, hence we will head one unit rather than one player.” nalists Roma tomorrow, Bale in- the French great, but accepts into the clash with the utmost Fired by his anger at being left sists Real can be even better this Lopetegui’s command of Eng- respect for them. We want Qatar’s under-19 teams outplayed their Vietnamese counterpart 4-1 in a friendly four-nation out of the starting line-up in season. “We can be even better lish has made it easier to com- to do well in the Champions tournament match played at the Aspire. Qatar’s youth team is playing a series of matches as they Zinedine Zidane’s last match in again,” he added.”Another start municate. “Obviously it helps,” League this season because prepare for the Asia Cup, which will be held in Indonesia in October. Uruguay beat Ivory Coast 3-1 charge of Madrid, Bale came off and another challenge. We’re said Bale. “In Spanish I can it’s a great competition and I in another friendly match. The second round of the competition will take place today, with Qatar the bench to score twice in last ready for it.” talk but maybe not go into that know my players too will be playing Uruguay, while Vietnam and Ivory Coast locking horns. season’s Champions League fi - The strained relationship be- amount of detail with them that galvanised by the atmosphere nal to beat Liverpool 3-1. tween Bale and Zidane may have I would need to.” in Belgrade.” Red Star warmed up with a 6-0 Serbian league win over LIGUE 1 10-man Radnik Surdulica on Saturday to stretch their perfect start to seven wins, having knocked out Salzburg on away goals to reach the Payet stunner helps Marseille thrash Guingamp Champions League group stage for the first time. AFP us second place, so it’s easy to get there, against a toothless Guingamp 17 min- Although the current crop Paris but it’s more diffi cult to stay there,” said utes from time, as former West Ham of players are a far cry from Marseille coach Garcia. star Payet produced an early goal-of- the generation which lifted The best chance for the home team in the-season contender. the European Cup, Red Star imitri Payet scored a stunning a disjointed fi rst-half performance fell Thauvin did his best to match Payet, coach Vladan Milojevic was goal as Marseille thrashed Gu- to Thauvin, but his shot was blocked as he showed great control before cut- confident his unfancied side ingamp 4-0 at the Stade Ve- after a jinking run had created space ting inside and curling a wonderful could give Europe’s heavy- lodrome on Sunday night to inside the box. Garcia sent on Maxime strike into the far top corner from the weights a run for their money. moveD second in the Ligue 1 table. Lopez at half-time to replace Lucas edge of the area. The 25-year-old, who “We are not here to just After Florian Thauvin had opened the Ocampos, and his side almost took the scored 26 goals in all competitions last make up the numbers, and scoring early in the second half, Payet lead in the 50th minute when Greek season, has now netted fi ve times in as heading into every match met a dipping ball 30 yards from goal striker Mitroglou somehow sent a div- many appearances this term. against Europe’s finest devoid with a magnifi cent side-footed volley ing header onto the post from barely a Payet turned provider in the 83rd of any pressure can only play which fl ew into the net off the crossbar. yard out. minute, rolling the ball perfectly into into the our hands,” he said. Winger Thauvin added another spec- “He (Lopez) brought his technical the path of Mitroglou, who had time to “We know who we are up tacular goal late on, and Payet teed up skills and quality on the ball,” added take a touch and slot in to complete the Marseille’s Dimitri Payet against but we have come Kostas Mitroglou to fi nish off a blister- Garcia. “Everyone was very, very aver- rout. Guingamp remain rooted to the celebrates after scoring this far and don’t want to stop ing second-half display. age in the fi rst period, and everyone was foot of the table, having lost all fi ve of against Guingamp in French here. With all due respect to Rudi Garcia’s Marseille took second much better in the second.” their matches so far in the campaign. Ligue 1 on Sunday. (AFP) Napoli, we fear no one and the place from Lille in the table on goal dif- OM were posing a far greater threat in Elsewhere on Sunday night, Bor- fans can put extra wind in our ference, but remain fi ve points adrift of the second period, and Thauvin looped deaux’s poor start to the season contin- sails.” Only about 1,000 Napoli reigning champions Paris Saint-Ger- a 57th-minute header over Guingamp ued as a 3-3 draw at home with Nimes fans are expected at the Rajko main, who brushed aside Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson to left them second-bottom in the stand- Mitic stadium, whose capacity 4-0 on Friday. score with the fi rst shot on target of the ings, while Nantes and Reims played out is 55,000. “Getting two straight wins has given match. Marseille wrapped up the points a goalless stalemate. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, September 18, 2018 SPORT

FORMULA 1 Red Bull TENNIS expect Verstappen Kuwait Motor Hamilton off ers to start from the back in Town venue for Russia MERC return Reuters no comfort for London Agencies timed super special at 16.00hrs Kuwait City on Thursday, November 1 after the ceremonial start at Kuwait ‘He turns into a complete ax Verstappen Motor Town Race Circuit. finished second for ally offi cials have an- Al-Sabti said: “I am delight- machine at this time of year. His MRed Bull in Singapore nounced that the ed to be Clerk of the Course for on Sunday but he can expect Kuwait International Kuwait’s return to the regional Ferrari focus lifts to a level that is brilliant’ Formula One’s next race in Rus- Rally will return as the rally championship. I was fourthR round of the 2018 FIA Rally Director and Clerk of the sia to be a hard slog from the rear of the field due to engine Middle East Rally Champion- Course in 2013 and 2014, and it penalties. ship on November 1-3. is great to be back in 2018. I am Team principal Christian Horner Kuwait’s fl agship motor confi dent that we can lay on an said the Dutchman would sporting event did not take exciting and challenging rally likely switch to an older engine place in 2017 but the country’s for our competitors.” specification after a series of welcomed return to the calen- Qatar’s defending regional problems at the weekend. dar will mark the fi rst time that champion Nasser Saleh al- “Sochi will be one to forget for the new Kuwait Motor Town Attiyah has the record for the us,” Horner told Sky Sports tel- Race Circuit facility ever hosts most number of victories in evision. “I think we are probably an FIA event. the Kuwait International Rally. going to be starting at the back. The rally will be organised by The event became a round of But then we’ve got some good the Basil Salem Al-Sabah Mo- the MERC in 1984, although ones coming up.” tor Racing Club (BMRC) under regional unrest and two Gulf He singled out Mexico, where the chairmanship of Sheikh Wars meant it did not run be- Verstappen won last year, as a Athbi Nayef Jaber al-Ahmad tween 1990-1994 and 1997- probable highlight among the six al-Sabah and in conjunction 2007. races remaining for a team who with the General Authority Al-Attiyah achieved his are switching to Honda power for Sport and the Kuwait In- sixth success in 2016, hav- next season and look sure to fin- ternational Automobile Club ing eclipsed the four victories ish third overall in 2018. (KIAC). earned by Mohamed Ben Su- Verstappen complained of en- The experienced Meshari layem (1985, 1988, 1989 and gine problems throughout the al-Sabti has been appointed 1996) in 2015. The event was Singapore weekend but man- as Clerk of the Course for an ever present in the regional aged to keep Ferrari’s Sebastian event that will be run over calendar since returning as a Vettel behind him after coming three days and 13 special stag- candidate rally in 2008 but did out almost alongside the Ger- es, 12 of which will take place not happen in 2017. man after his pitstop. on desert terrain on Novem- Entries are open and the That was only after his car ber 2-3. The competitive ac- closing date has been set for almost stalled in the pitlane, tion will get underway with a Saturday, October 13. however. “I think we maximised the result with the problems we had with TENNIS the engine,” the Dutchman, who had started on the front row alongside race winner Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday. (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton, told reporters. “I was very happy the safety car Osaka blames Reuters on a run of fi ve wins in six races but the sting was clear. how we can translate that into was gone because I was almost London in the second part of the season Ferrari are hurting and they the end of the season.” stalling on the track, even my before wrapping up his fourth are running out of time to do If Hamilton is fast approach- pit stop was not great. title in Mexico with two races anything about it, even if many ing the point at which he can “I don’t know which track will US Open tears ormula One champion to spare. suspect them of having the secure a fi fth championship come up maybe as good again. Lewis Hamilton and While Vettel was favourite to faster car. without having to add to his Maybe Mexico a little bit, but Mercedes won big in reduce the points gap on Sunday tally of seven wins for the sea- we lose a lot on the straight, so Singapore on Sunday at a circuit that should have suit- ‘SPECIAL MOMENT’ son, he was quick to recognise I’m not expecting it to be like ed Ferrari, Hamilton sowed the Sunday, as Hamilton said in the credit is not his alone. on ‘notorious’ andF the signs are looking omi- last year but you never know.” nous for title rival Sebastian seeds of victory with a stunning his post-race news conference, Singapore was once a track Verstappen was fifth in Sochi Vettel and Ferrari. qualifying lap for pole position. might have left “a couple of where Mercedes struggled, last year but that race was The Briton’s fourth victory Mercedes team boss Toto people snoring” but it was also with overtaking diffi cult and held in April rather than late in fi ve races suggests that once Wolff hailed that as “the best “a special moment” for him grid position all important, but September. nerves again the 33-year-old is hitting lap I’ve ever seen in a Formula and Mercedes, who were taking they have worked hard to ad- a purple phase just as the sea- One car” while Hamilton him- nothing for granted. dress their weaknesses in slow- AFP son enters its critical stages. self described it as ‘surreal’. They know one retirement speed corners. Tokyo “He just turns into a com- The race was no thriller, with can throw everything up in “We’ve been just chip- plete machine at this time of Vettel third and the top six fi n- the air, but the champions are ping away at it over the last 12 year,” marvelled Mercedes ishing in starting order, but the certainly breathing easier than months, but with a massive aomi Osaka has put technical head James Alli- outcome still delivered a ham- might have been the case. amount of eff ort because it’s her US Open tears son after Hamilton stretched mer blow for Ferrari, whose “It feels signifi cant, not for quite a big thing you have to down to shredded his lead to 40 points with six immediate public response had the championship but it feels change in order to do it,” Alli- nerves and her natu- rounds remaining. a distinct whiff of sour grapes. signifi cant because we have son told Sky Sports television. Nral awkwardness, rather than “His focus and his enjoy- “Boredom the winner in Sin- understood the car in Singa- “It’s just a real delight to come the tantrum thrown by Serena ment, and just everything gapore,” the team website de- pore,” said Wolff . here now. Lewis got the job done Williams that overshadowed a about him, lifts to a level that is clared in a headline over their “It was won on merit and but we gave him a car he could historic Japanese win. brilliant to watch.” race report. It was later modifi ed real pace and I think we have do that with and that’s a huge The 20-year-old melted Last season Hamilton went to read “positions unchanged”, the right clues now and let’s see source of pride to all of us.” hearts when she burst into sobs as boos rang out following her emphatic 6-2, 6-4 thrashing CYCLING of Williams in a controversial New York fi nal a little over a week ago. treated a male player in the But Osaka has refused to same fashion. blame her childhood idol, who Osaka has stayed above the called chair umpire Carlos Ra- fray since becoming Japan’s mos a “thief” in an astonishing fi rst Grand Slam singles cham- Yates would not have reigned in rant triggered by a code viola- pion but her tears at the trophy tion for coaching that culmi- presentation provoked an out- nated in a docked game. pouring of sympathy. “I feel like there was just a “I’m grateful that people lot of emotions,” Osaka said in care or sympathise but I don’t Spain with Sky, says Wiggins Tokyo on Monday. really think there was anything “I couldn’t really pinpoint to be sad about,” said Osaka, AFP British riders have won all three it at the time, I just felt very who has risen from 19th to sev- London/Milan Grand Tours in 2018. overwhelmed.” enth in the new world rankings. He also took Britain’s impres- The row that erupted be- “I don’t feel like I would’ve sive streak of consecutive Grand tween Williams and Ramos liked to savour the moment ritish rider Simon Yates Tour victories to fi ve but it was polarised opinion and sparked more — I think I do things my would not have won the fi rst British win outside of a debate about sexism in ten- own way and everyone is dif- the Tour of Spain had Team Sky. nis after the American fumed ferent in their own way so I he chosen to pursue his that the umpire would not have don’t really have any regrets. careerB with cycling giants Team NIBALI, ARU MAKE Sky, Bradley Wiggins said yes- PROVISIONAL ITALY TEAM terday. FOR CYCLING WORLDS Former Team Sky rider Wig- Veteran Italian cycling stars Vin- Cibulkova to get fi rst shot at Osaka gins believes Yates’s decision to cenzo Nibali and Fabio Aru have steer clear of one of the sport’s been selected for a provisional AFP I hope it’s going to be packed most pre-eminent teams enabled 12-man Italy team for the road Tokyo and I hope for a good match.” him to storm to victory in Madrid race world championships in Earlier, Spain’s former world on Sunday. Austria this month. number one Garbine Mugu- Yates, who came close to vic- The two all-rounders strug- ig-hitting Dominika ruza breezed into the second tory in this year’s Giro d’Italia, gled during the Tour of Spain, Cibulkova will get her round, the sixth seed beating had been widely expected to join which ended on Sunday. Bfirst crack at newly Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic Team Sky in 2013 but the move Former ‘Vuelta’ winner, crowned US Open champion 6-2, 6-4. was never sealed over confusion Aru, 28, crashed on the Span- Naomi Osaka after squeak- In other first-round matches, relating to the role of his twin ish stage race while 33-year- ing into the last 16 of the Pan Italian Camila Giorgi over- brother Adam. old Nibali, who has won all the Pacific Open yesterday. powered Japan’s Misaki Doi The brothers both ride for Grand Tours including the Tour The beefy Slovak overcame 6-2, 6-1 while Estonia’s Anett Australian team Mitchelton- de France in 2014, has struggled the eff ects of jet-leg and Kontaveit floored French- Scott. for form. pesky local qualifier Nao woman Kristina Mladenovic Wiggins told Eurosport’s The The pair were selected along- Hibino 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 to set up 6-3, 7-6. Bradley Wiggins Show: “If he’d side Domenico Pozzovivo, Gi- a potential slug-fest with Australia’s Daria Gavrilova gone to Sky, I don’t think he’d anluca Brambilla, Damiano Ca- Osaka in her first match since will need a lengthy ice bath have won the Vuelta (Tour of ruso and Gianni Moscon, winner becoming Japan’s first-ever after a marathon 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 Spain). In February, Wiggins, the fi rst Wiggins, Wiggins replied: “Don’t Tour contenders, in recent years of the Italian one-day race the grand slam singles cham- victory over Czech Kristyna “It was a sliding doors mo- British winner of the Tour de go to Sky in the future, steer clear mostly Chris Froome. Coppa Agostoni at the weekend, pion. Pliskova that went to 10-8 in ment, whether his career would France, in 2012, said Team Sky’s of them. Go somewhere else, be- “We all knew that Simon was who has returned in form from “I’m still fighting with jet-leg the third-set breaker. have gone down this path. By na- dominance and controversies cause they’ll ruin you.” capable of it,” added Wiggins. his fi ve-week suspension for vio- but it’s going to be a tough Defending champion Caro- ture of the fact that Sky wouldn’t surrounding the cycling team had Wiggins’ opinions appear to “To execute it was obviously lent conduct during the Tour de match (against Osaka),” said line Wozniacki heads the field take Adam as well in one pack- led to a “negative” atmosphere in stem from Team Sky’s habit of another thing, but I’m certainly France. Cibulkova after a surprisingly in Tokyo, where the Dane is age, he’s ended up fi nding a great the sport. signing up young rising stars to not surprised because he’s been The world championships are tough first match in Tokyo. bidding to win a third succes- team and won a Grand Tour at Asked to give advice to Tom act as so-called “super-domes- knocking on the door for years.” held in Innsbruck from Septem- “She has just won a major so sive title and fourth overall. 26.” Pidcock, who rides for Team tiques” to their leading Grand Yates’s win on Sunday meant ber 22 to 30. Gulf Times Tuesday, September 18, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA Wade to continue reunion tour with the Heat By Ira Winderman three-time Heat NBA champion show up on a stat sheet,” forward NBA draft out of Marquette, He came off the bench in all Sun Sentinel Udonis Haslem agreeing to a Josh Richardson said. “It’s a Wade shared in Heat champi- 21 of his regular-season appear- one-year contract. comforting factor out there real- onships in 2006, ‘12 and ‘13, ances for the Heat, averaging Wade, who turns 37 on Jan 17, ly. When he’s out there with you winning the fi rst title alongside 12.0 points on .409 shooting, wyane Wade’s reunion has played all but 1 of his 15 NBA it gives everybody confi dence.” Shaquille O’Neal and the latter 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in an tour with the Miami seasons with the Heat, spend- The reunion also resonated two alongside James and Chris average of 22.3 minutes in those Heat will continue, ing 2016-17 with his hometown with coach Erik Spoelstra. Bosh. He also appeared in the appearances, leading the Heat in with the franchise’s Chicago Bulls after acrimonious “This has been a treasure to be 2011 and ‘14 NBA Finals. scoring three times, in steals four all-timeD leading scorer agreeing free-agency negotiations with able to have an opportunity to be Wade went into the off season times, in assists and blocks three to return for 2018-19, in what the Heat, and then the start of able to coach him again,” Spoel- saying his choices would be re- times each, in plus/minus on two now is expected to be his fi nal last season with the Cavaliers stra said at season’s end. “I tried duced to returning to the Heat occasions and in rebounds once. season. alongside friend and former Heat to enjoy every moment of it. I or retirement, although there He was the Heat’s leading scorer Wade, who rejoined the Heat championship teammate LeBron loved seeing his transformation was outside speculation about off the bench seven times, and in February in a trade with the James. Wade told Bloomberg through the 15 years. He is just a potential reunion with James also led Heat reserves in assists Cleveland Cavaliers, had put off News earlier this off season that the ultimate teammate, player, once James joined the Los Ange- and steals eight times each. his decision while the NBA dealt he already has met his basketball champion, leader, friend, all of les Lakers as a free agent. Wade On April 3 in Atlanta, Wade with free agency. But the lure of a goals. those things. I just really respect owns a home in the Los Angeles recorded his 5,000th assist as full season back in South Florida “I’m way past where I wanted him for all those qualities. He’s area, spending parts of his off - a member of the Heat, becom- proved great enough to continue to go,” he said. “I just wanted to made me such a better coach. seasons there. ing just the ninth player in NBA on in his iconic No 3 jersey at play in the NBA, and I got a chance He’s made me a better guy.” There also were reports of history to total at least 20,000 AmericanAirlines Arena. to do that. And from there, eve- Miami Heat guard Dywane Wade. To Heat President Pat Riley, Wade receiving a sizeable off er points and 5,000 assists with the With Wade agreeing to terms, rything else has defi nitely been the return allowed both sides to to play in China, where he holds same team. the Heat now are at the maxi- the cherry on top of my career. I thrilled to be back and be around Winslow, Wayne Ellington and move past the acrimony of the a sneaker endorsement. Wade was named winner of mum of 20 players that teams couldn’t have written it any bet- these individuals on my team Haslem, among others. 2016 off season. Wade appeared in 67 games the NBA Community Assist can carry during the off season, a ter than it’s been, so I’m cool.” and getting the chance to be in Teammates had been hopeful “I love the fact he came home last season in his combined time Award for March and was a fi - total that must be reduced to no But he also previously stressed the trenches with them.” of a return, but also maintained so we got all of that dilemma and with the Cavaliers and Heat, nalist for the J. Walter Kennedy more than 15 by the start of the how much he relished the two That has had Wade back a respectful distance. drama and stuff behind us,” Riley averaging 11.4 points on .438 Citizenship Award, both for his regular season. months back with the Heat. working out recently with team- “On the court, he just showed said, “and, plus, Dwyane played shooting, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 as- eff orts in the wake of the shoot- His agreement comes in the “I was like a kid my whole time mates Hassan Whiteside, Tyler so many things that don’t show some big-time minutes for us.” sists and 0.91 steals in an average ing at Marjory Stoneman Doug- wake of close friend and fellow back,” he said, “just happy and Johnson, James Johnson, Justise up on the stat sheet and that do The No 5 selection in the 2003 of 22.9 minutes. las High School in Parkland.

MLB NHL Nearing 30, Kane is revitalised and ready Verlander pitches to get Blackhawks back to playoff s

By Jimmy Greenfield really like hanging out with the Chicago Tribune young guys. I love being with Astros past sinking them on the ice or going out to eat with them or just kind of talking lackhawks fans ap- about what they’re going through proach Patrick Kane like too. Similar things I went through an old friend all the time at that age as well. So I guess I’m because, well, he’s a su- kind of in the middle.” perstarB and that’s what fans of The way the 2017-18 sea- superstars sometimes do. son ended left a terrible taste Diamondbacks Some of them cut right to the in Kane’s mouth but, with the chase. “They’ll ask you straight benefi t of hindsight, the way it ‘I want to try to maintain that feel moving forward. This would be the right time to get hot’ up, “Are we going to be better started also troubled him. The this year?” Kane said. year before, after winning the And what does he tell them? Central Division and having the “I’ll just keep it simple and best record in the Western Con- tell them we’ll be better for sure, ference, the Hawks scored a to- which I do truly believe,” he said. tal of 3 goals in an embarrassing Kane believes it because he four-game sweep at the hands of looks around the locker room the Predators. and spots teammates who, like When preparing for last sea- himself, are dedicated to rees- son, with thoughts of the sweep tablishing the Hawks as a force still in their heads, Kane said in the Western Conference, there may have been too much something that was a given for emphasis on being ready for the a decade. Tell an NHL prognos- playoff s before they even got ticator now that the Hawks are there. a playoff team and you’re more “I think we were focused on likely to get a giggle than a con- maybe getting ourselves back to fi rmation. playoff s and see what happens That’s what happens when then,” Kane said. “We didn’t you not only miss the postseason maybe focus on training camp or for the fi rst time in 10 seasons the regular season.” but fi nish in last place in your That won’t be the case this division. It’s what happens when season. After playing in the the core players who helped win World Championships in May three Stanley Cups are either and being named tournament done with hockey (Patrick Sharp, MVP, Kane took a month off be- Marian Hossa), in their 30s fore resuming skating and work- (Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, ing out in late June, which is Brent Seabrook, Corey Crawford) not typical. Kane recalled there or struggling to recover from a some years he didn’t start skat- debilitating injury (Crawford). ing again until September. Kane doesn’t fall into any of “A lot of us trained very hard,” those categories, at least not Kane said. yet. The boy wonder, who was “A lot of us skated together the NHL’s Rookie of the Year at in the summer here in Chicago. 19 and scored a Stanley Cup- Worked on diff erent things (to) winning overtime goal at 22, is just be a little more attentive to on the cusp of turning 30. But the details coming into camp. don’t call him an elder states- In the past we’ve kind of used man, or try to suggest he’s still a training camp to get ready for the kid. Neither of those fi t. season. I think now a lot of us are “I’m still 29, it’s not like I’m ready. We’re just really fi ne-tun- Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Minute Maid Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports 45,” said Kane, who turns 30 on ing things and listening to what Noveber 19. the coaches have to say, how we and scored twice in the series fi nale. The Rockies (82-67) avoided being want to play diff erent. Reuters RESULTS “I feel like a mix of both to be Houston Greinke allowed four runs on eight hits swept in the three-game series, then honest with you. I feel like I have “I think a lot of us are almost Astros 5-4 D’backs and two walks with two strikeouts over moved back into fi rst place in the Na- a lot of experience, I’ve played for treating these training camp Rockies 3-2 Giants 6 1/3 innings. It marked the second time tional League West when the Los Ange- a while. I feel like I can connect practices like games where we eorge Springer singled and over his last three starts that Greinke les Dodgers (82-68) lost Sunday night. to the older guys on our team or want to come out and be the best scored twice, and Josh Reddick Cardinals 5-0 Dodgers surrendered four earned runs. Colorado holds a half-game edge in the the guys that have been around we can that day and really im- homered for a second consecu- Red Sox 4-3 Mets Verlander fanned the fi rst fi ve batters division. The St. Louis Cardinals (82- awhile, but at the same time I prove that day.” tive game as the Houston Astros Blue Jays 3-2 Yankees he faced and seven of his fi rst nine. He 68), who beat Los Angeles 5-0, pulled Gclaimed the rubber match of their three- tallied at least one strikeout in each of even with Los Angeles in the race for the game interleague series with the Arizona Angels 4-3 Mariners his seven innings of work and was one second National League wild card. Diamondbacks with a 5-4 victory on Padres 7-3 Rangers strike shy of six shutout innings before The Giants (70-80) fell to 2-12 in Sep- Sunday at Minute Maid Park. Reds 2-1 Cubs Diamondbacks left fi elder David Peralta tember. Senzatela (5-6) allowed one run Astros right-hander Justin Verlander drilled a fastball out to right for his 28th on fi ve hits and two walks while striking Pirates 3-2 Brewers (16-9) worked seven strong innings, pro- homer. Still, Verlander allowed just three out fi ve in earning his fi rst win since July ducing his 11th double-digit strikeout Nationals 6-4 Braves hits and one walk. He threw 101 pitches, 28. His single in the second inning - Sen- game on the season. Verlander increased Marlins 6-4 Phillies 74 for strikes. Designated hitter Daniel zatela’s fi rst hit since April 27 - scored his season total to 269 and matched his Descalso slugged a two-run, two-out Carlos Gonzalez and Ian Desmond. Two Rays 5-4 A’s career high set in 2009 with the Detroit homer in the ninth off Astros closer Rob- batters later, DJ LeMahieu lofted a sac- Tigers. Tigers 6-4 Indians erto Osuna that cut the defi cit to one run. rifi ce fl y to score what proved to be the “I think today clicked,” Verlander Twins 9-6 Royals Still, the Diamondbacks have dropped decisive run. said. “It was pretty good. I want to try to Orioles 8-4 White Sox three consecutive series and fell to 4-11 Senzatela carried a shutout into the maintain that feel moving forward. This in September. sixth before being lifted following a would be the right time to get hot.” Greinke and added another insurance run leadoff single by Joe Panik and a walk to The Astros stretched their lead over later in the seventh when second base- SENZATELA KEEPS ROCKIES ON Evan Longoria. Later in the inning, Scott the Oakland Athletics in the American man Jose Altuve delivered a sinking liner POSTSEASON PACE Oberg, the third Rockies pitcher of the League West to 4 1/2 games after the to right that dropped in front of Jon Jay Antonio Senzatela helped the Colorado frame, allowed a two-out RBI single to Athletics fell 5-4 earlier on Sunday to the and scored Tony Kemp. Altuve recorded Rockies out on the mound and at the rookie Chris Shaw. Tampa Bay Rays. his second multi-hit game of the series. plate Sunday afternoon. The Giants pulled within a run in the Reddick smacked his 15th home run Springer had leadoff singles in the fi rst The right-hander earned the win by eighth when rookie Austin Slater laced leading off the seventh inning, golfi ng and sixth innings, scoring on a double- tossing fi ve-plus solid innings and gave a two-out RBI single against Adam Ot- a curveball from Diamondbacks right- play grounder for a 1-0 lead and a Tyler the Rockies a lead they never relin- tavino, but Ottavino retired Shaw on a fl y hander Zack Greinke (14-10) into the White double that lifted the Astros to a quished with a two-run single in the sec- out to left to end the inning. Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane celebrates after scoring in the right-fi eld seats for a 3-1 lead. The Astros 2-1 lead. After posting four hits and three ond inning of a 3-2 victory over the host Wade Davis struck out two in a perfect first period against the New York Islanders at the United Centre in pulled ahead an inning earlier against runs on Saturday, Springer went 2-for-3 San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. ninth for his NL-leading 40th save. Chicago on January 20, 2018. (Chicago Tribune/TNS) Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, September 18, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Browns trying out kickers to replace Gonzalez Reuters Saints kicker Wil Lutz comforted was arrested by the Simi Valley New York a defl ated Gonzalez on the sideline Police Department after multiple after the game and tweeted his calls came in at 6:27 p.m. reporting support Sunday evening. a person who seemed to be driving he Cleveland Browns are “At the end of the day it’s not under the iNFLuence. Callers to 911 working out kickers the ‘just a game’ to us, this is our liveli- said the car had multiple collisions day after Zane Gonzalez hood. Our careers rely on personal with objects, including mailboxes, missed two fi eld goals and performance, as does everyone a trash can and a bus stop sign. Ttwo extra points in a 21-18 loss in else’s. I will never pull for someone The car did not stop after the New Orleans. to fail, as I know I will too. I hope collisions, but police were able to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo to see nothing more than Zane have locate the vehicle. reported veterans Blair Walsh and an amazing career going forward,” Police said Neary registered at Cairo Santos will audition for the he wrote. 0.17 blood alcohol content on a Browns. Cleveland.com reported The Browns selected Gonzalez, breathalyser test, more than dou- former Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey an Arizona State product, in the ble the legal state limit of 0.08 per- declined an invitation to work out seventh round of the 2017 NFL cent. with the Browns. Draft. As a rookie, he made 25 of He was booked at East County Gonzalez missed a fi eld goal 26 PATs and 15 of 20 fi eld goal at- Jail on suspicion of misdemeanour from 52 yards with eight second tempts. DUI with a blood alcohol level over remaining that would have sent the .08 percent, hit and run and prop- game into overtime on Sunday. Rams’ Neary arrested erty damage. He is scheduled to “It’s on me 100 percent,” on DUI charges appear in court on Nov 15, accord- Gonzalez said after the game. Aaron Neary, a practice squad cen- ing to the Ventura County Sheriff ’s The Browns tied the Steelers in tre for the Los Angeles Rams, was Department. A team spokesman Week 1, but Pittsburgh blocked a arrested on suspicion of driving said the team was aware of the in- potential game-winning fi eld goal under the iNFLuence on Sunday, cident but declined to comment. attempt by Gonzalez with seconds just a couple of hours after the Neary entered the NFL in 2016 as left on the clock. Rams defeated the Arizona Cardi- an undrafted free agent from East- Cleveland has not won a game nals. ern Washington. He appeared in Cleveland Browns’ Zane Gonzalez (No 2) watches his 52-yard field goal attempt with New Orleans Saints specialist Taysom Hill (No 7) and since December 24, 2016. Arrest records show Neary, 25, one game for the Rams last season. Marshon Lattimore (No 23) late in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NFL FOCUS Jags’ Bortles spreads around TDs in Mahomes, Fitzpatrick defeating Patriots

Reuters tossing a 7-yard scoring pass to New York Hogan to pull within 14 points with 1:42 left in the quarter. The Patriots tacked on continue air assaults lake Bortles passed three more points on Stephen for 377 yards and four Gostkowski’s 46-yard fi eld with Minnesota Vikings miss two field goals, tie Green Bay Packers in overtime touchdowns as the 14:10 left in the contest. Jacksonville Jaguars New England got the ball back avengedB last season’s loss in the 47 seconds later when linebacker AFC Championship game with Kyle Van Noy recorded an inter- a 31-20 victory over the visiting ception at the Jacksonville 25 New England Patriots on Sunday after Seferian-Jenkins couldn’t at TIAA Bank Field. handle the pass. Two plays lat- Keelan Cole caught seven er, Jaguars defensive end Dante passes for 116 yards and one Fowler strip-sacked Brady and touchdown for his third career recovered the fumble to thwart 100-yard receiving game for the drive. the Jaguars (2-0). Donte Mon- Less than fi ve minutes later, crief, Austin Seferian-Jenkins Westbrook turned a short pass and Dede Westbrook also caught into a 61-yard touchdown, scoring receptions for Jackson- catching the ball at his own 44 ville, which defeated the Patriots and meandering down the left for the fi rst time in eight all-time sideline to make it 31-13 with regular-season meetings. 7:35 remaining. Brady threw a Tom Brady passed for 234 29-yard pass to Hogan to trim yards for the Patriots (1-1) and Jacksonville’s lead to 11 with 3:40 threw two touchdown passes to left, but New England didn’t get wideout Chris Hogan. Tight end the ball again. Rob Gronkowski, subject to re- Jacksonville started fast with cent criticism from Jacksonville two touchdowns in the opening cornerback Jalen Ramsey, had 13 minutes with Bortles tossing just two receptions for 15 yards. a 4-yard scoring pass to Mon- The Jaguars outgained the Pa- crief and a 24-yarder to Cole. triots 481-302. The Patriots fi nally got on the Jacksonville played without scoreboard with 2:45 left in the standout runner Leonard Four- half when Gostkowski booted a nette (hamstring) and lost left 29-yard fi eld goal. tackle Cam Robinson (left knee) The Jaguars responded by during the game. New England driving 75 yards on 13 plays with lost safeties Patrick Chung and Bortles connecting on a 4-yard defensive end Trey Flowers to touchdown pass to Seferian- concussions. Jenkins to make it 21-3 with nine New England trailed 24-3 when seconds left in the half. Jacksonville receiver DJ Chark Jacksonville opened the sec- lost a fumble that Patriots safety ond half with a 15-play, 71-yard Duron Harmon recovered at his drive that took just over seven own 48-yard line with 5:48 re- minutes. Josh Lambo capped it maining in the third quarter. New with a 28-yard fi eld goal to in- England cashed in with Brady crease the margin to 21.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passes against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward during the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Heinz Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP couple more long touchdown passes. His Patrick for a 26-yard gain to the Oakland RESULTS Los Angeles four 50-plus-yard touchdown throws 18. Cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Leon tied him with Joe Namath, in 1972, for the Hall failed to keep him inbounds and Mc- Carolina 24-31 Atlanta most through a team’s fi rst two games in Manus came on to kick the game winner. wo unheralded quarterbacks Cleveland 18-21 New Orleans league history. Quarterback Derek Carr had a stellar dazzled for the second week in Houston 17-20 Tennessee Fitzpatrick credited his teammates for outing by completing 29 of 32 passes for a row and a pair of clutch fi eld Indianapolis 21-9 Washington helping him get off to a blazing start. “We 288 yards and a score in the loss. goal kickers were in the spotlight just developed a lot of confi dence in the Tduring the second week of the National Kansas City 42-37 Pittsburgh off season,” said Fitzpatrick. “With how we Rodgers plays with brace Football League season. Chargers 31-20 Buff alo worked and the way things were going, the Elsewhere, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Patrick Mahomes equalled a franchise Miami 20-12 Jets rapport with the guys - I think that con- Rodgers threw for 281 yards and a touch- record with six touchdown passes as the fi dence has carried over into the season.” down while playing with a brace on his Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pitts- Minnesota 29-29 Green Bay Said teammate DeSean Jackson, “He’s injured left knee as the Packers settled burgh Steelers 42-37 on Sunday. Philadelphia 27-21 Tampa Bay playing his tail off . He said he’s 36, but for a 29-29 tie with the Minnesota Vi- Ryan Fitzpatrick is making his case Arizona 0-34 Rams he’s playing like he’s 28.” kings. The 34-year-old Rodgers was for being a starter by throwing for four In Nashville, Tennessee, Ryan Succop questionable for the game after injuring Detroit 27-30 San Francisco touchdowns and 402 yards to power the kicked a 31-yard fi eld goal with 1:00 left, his knee in a hotly-contested game last Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 27-21 win New England 20-31 Jacksonville and the Tennessee Titans held off the Sunday. A hobbled Rodgers suff ered a over the Philadelphia Eagles. Oakland 19-20 Denver Houston Texans 20-17 for Mike Vrabel’s sprain in the fi rst half then returned to Second year player Mahomes deliv- fi rst win as an NFL head coach against the throw three touchdown passes to lift the ered another impressive off ensive dis- touchdown passes through the fi rst two team he coached for the past four seasons. Packers to a 24-23 comeback victory. play as he tied Len Dawson’s team record games. Brees (2009) and Peyton Man- Succop also kicked a tying 42-yarder He took part in just one practice this for touchdowns in a game. Dawson threw ning (2013) previously held the record in the fourth quarter as Tennessee im- week but didn’t skip a beat against the for a half a dozen touchdowns against the with nine each in their team’s fi rst two proved to 1-1 on the season. Vikings. Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson Denver Broncos in 1964. games. Fitzpatrick is right behind Maho- Not to be outdone, Brandon McManus missed two fi eld goals in overtime, in- Mahomes was one touchdown pass mes with eight touchdowns on the sea- booted a 36-yard fi eld goal with six sec- cluding one from 35 yards as time ex- from tying the NFL record of seven son so far. onds left, pushing the Denver Broncos pired. Packers kicker Mason Crosby touchdown passes in a game shared by He has more than 800 passing yards to a 20-19 win over the Oakland Raiders matched a career high with fi ve fi eld eight others, including Drew Brees for the last two weeks while stepping in for and denying Jon Gruden his fi rst win as a goals, but his potential game-winner Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles attempts a pass the New Orleans Saints in 2015. suspended starter Jameis Winston. head coach since 2008. With no timeouts from 52 went wide left as time expired in against the New England Patriots during the first-half of their NFL He also now has a NFL-record 10 Against the Eagles, Fitzpatrick added a and 18 seconds left, Case Keenum hit Tim regulation. game at TIAA Bank Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Tuesday, September 18, 2018 7 SPORT

GOLF: WORLD AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP England women to become fully professional from Jan England women international 15-a-side players will become fully professional with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announcing yesterday the introduction of full-time contracts this season. The RFU said there would be 28 full-time contracts available to England Women, eff ective from January, supplemented by seven elite player squad agreements. No financial details were given. “We are delighted to be able to off er full-time contracts to our 15s players,” said RFU Chief Executive Steve Brown in a statement. “This has long been our ambition and demonstrates the RFU’s commitment to growing the women’s game and the belief we have in the future of the sport.” All England players would be eligible to play for their clubs in the women’s Premiership, returning to the RFU for national duties with the squad based at Bisham Abbey. The RFU said it was planning to dou- ble the number of female rugby play- ers by 2021, increasing the number of women’s teams by more than 75 percent to 800, and get more women involved in coaching and off iciating. “We are at a tipping point for women’s rugby globally and it is our ambition to be world number one and drive growth at every level,” said Brown. “As Qatar national golf team players Ali al-Shahrani (left), Jaham al-Kuwari (second from left) and Saleh al-Kaabi (second from right) pose with Qatar Golf Association (QGA) general secretary Fahad Nasser an organisation, from top to bottom, al-Naimi (third from left), QGA executive secretary Mohamed Faisal al-Naimi (third from right) and coach Mike Elliott during 2018 World Amateur Team Championship which was held from September 5 we are very much behind this and to 8 in Dublin. Qatar team finished the four rounds with a total of 601 strokes. The Qatar team’s performance is the best score in the GCC and the second best among Arab countries after Morocco. About want to see the continued expansion 220 players from 72 countries took part in the championship in which each round was consists of 18 holes with a total of 72 strokes per round. The Danish team emerged champions with 541 strokes and and growth to realise the ambitious USA came second with 542 strokes, while Spain finished third with 544 strokes. targets we have set ourselves.”

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT Japan’s Sapporo pulls out of 2026 Soul-searching as Olympics race: IOC

Reuters month to name the city or cit- Tokyo ies to enter the one-year can- didature phase. Calgary will hold a plebiscite he Japanese city of on November 13 on whether Wallabies ranking Sapporo has pulled local citizens back the bid. out of the bidding to The IOC, which will name host the 2026 Winter the winning host at its session ‘In this situation, it is about TOlympics after the earthquake in September 2019, has intro- in Hokkaido, the International duced what it hopes will be having the courage to stand Olympic Committee said yes- an easier and more attractive terday, adding that the city bidding process, shorting the up and turn it around’ would focus on bidding for the candidacy by a year and re- hits new low 2030 Games. ducing the cost for potential AFP Sapporo’s withdrawal from bidders. Sydney the process means it is the third But that has so far not de- city to pull out of the 2026 bid terred cities from pulling out process after Switzerland’s in mid-race, scared off by the he Wallabies will slump Sion and Austria’s Graz. size and fi nancial scope of the to their lowest world Forty-four people were Olympics. ranking ever yesterday, killed and 660 injured when The IOC decided to give sparking soul-searching the powerful earthquake the 2024 summer Olympics Tabout what can be done with a rattled Hokkaido this month, to Paris and the 2028 Olym- troubled team that has managed causing considerable damage. pics to Los Angeles last year just two wins in their last nine “The IOC expressed its through direct awarding after Tests. understanding that recov- several cities had pulled out. Their alarming slide was re- ery from the earthquake in The 2022 Winter Games will inforced by the 23-19 upset win the region should be the im- be held in Beijing after four by Argentina on the Gold Coast mediate principle focus but other cities dropped out of the on Saturday - the fi rst victory greatly appreciated the con- race, fearing soaring costs and for the Pumas on Australian soil tinued strong commitment size of the Olympics, leaving in 35 years, which left the Walla- as a future host for the Olym- the Chinese capital and Ka- bies last on the four-team Rugby pic Winter Games,” it said in a zakhstan’s Almaty as the only Championship ladder. statement. candidates. It will see them fall to seventh The IOC had earlier met a from fi fth when World Rugby’s delegation from Sapporo, hosts adjusted rankings are released of the 1972 Winter Games, to later yesterday - their lowest discuss the matter. since the current system began With Sapporo out of con- in 2003. And it won’t be getting tention, Calgary, Stockholm any easier with a diffi cult trip in and Turkey’s Erzurum are left a fortnight to a buoyant South in the running along with an Africa, who are full of confi dence Italian bid, with the IOC next after upsetting the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday. They then face an equally up- BASKETBALL beat Argentina in Salta before travelling to Japan to take on New Zealand in the fi nal Bledisloe Cup clash ahead of a tour to Europe. Philippines edge Coach Michael Cheika blasted his players after the Argentina defeat for their lack of enthusi- Qatar 92-81 in asm and energy, and he knows Australia head coach Michael Cheika during a training session. the time for excuses are over. “You can’t be talking about times when they failed to deliv- World Cup qualifi er keeping the faith, you need to er,” he wrote. “These days he is Wayward Wallaby O’Connor faces ‘darkness’ in World Cup bid show it,” he said. “In this situ- being hung out to dry and what FIBA the double-digit win, 92-81. ation, it is about having the are his players doing to help him? Former Australian golden boy portantly, I now see who I must Manila Japeth Aguilar sizzled with courage to stand up and turn it Not much at all.” James O’Connor plans to become.” 16 points and 9 rebounds to around.” The Sydney Daily Telegraph battle his way back into the He said the experience had lead the way for the victors, was equally bleak in its assess- Wallabies squad for next year’s made him realise “a deep desire t took longer than they while Alex Cabagnot added 16 ‘Woeful Wallabies’ ment, fearing there is not much World Cup after facing his to play for the Wallabies again”. wanted, but the Philip- points of his own. Such is the concern at their light at the end of the tunnel. “darkness” at a meditation and “I have learnt from my mistakes pines rediscovered their Beau Belga stepped up with 11 slump that Rugby Australia is “Even their most loyal sup- sensory-deprivation retreat in and I am now ready. Ready to form just in time to bounce points and 3 blocks even as nat- considering bringing in someone porters have lost all faith after Iback and beat Qatar at home in uralized fl oor general Stanley Iceland. bleed green and gold. Ready to with a diff erent perspective to the Wallabies’ fourth home de- The wayward star earned the bleed for my brothers. Ready to their Asian qualifi er for next Pringle fi nally made his FIBA work with Cheika, according to feat this year,” it said, adding that last of his 44 caps in 2013, at the bleed for the people. year’s World Cup in China Asia debut with 13 points and 6 The Australian newspaper’s sen- the excuses have “worn thin”. age of just 23, when his Austral- “I will be back playing in The visiting Al Annabi start- boards. Mohamed Yousuf Mo- ior sports writer Wayne Smith. “And now Michael Cheika’s ian Rugby Union contract was October and I will have my eye ed like a house on fi re, hitting hamed was Qatar’s most pro- The two leading candidates to wounded men are facing the ul- torn up after he was prevented firmly on the World Cup. I will one three-pointer after an- ductive player with 26 points, 7 act as player mentors are former timate road trip into some of the from boarding a flight to Bali for tion, heat exhaustion and deep not let myself or anyone down other in a searing fi rst quarter rebounds and 5 assists. captains John Eales and George most hostile rugby grounds on being drunk. states of meditation. again.” run that helped them lead by The Philippines move up to Gregan. Smith suggested the the planet.” His chequered past also He said it had helped him face To realise his dream O’Connor as many as 17 points in the fi rst 5 wins and 3 losses - one full poor run of form was not so much Fairfax Media bemoaned the includes being arrested and “myself and my darkness”. would need to sign with an half. The hosts fi nally righted game ahead of Japan for third Cheika’s fault, but the players, Wallabies’ skillset as “poor -aw- fined in Paris last year during a “Coming to the end of my Australian Super Rugby club, the ship in the third quar- place in Group E, while Qa- who have been guilty of missing ful really”. cocaine bust while playing for training camp in Iceland and it as players based abroad are ter, outscoring Qatar, 28-12, tar remain at the bottom with simple tackles and failing to capi- “It seems astonishing to say Toulon, before a move to Sale has been a humbling and truly generally unable to represent thanks to some forced turno- their sixth defeat against just talise on attacking opportunities. but there are few good passers in Sharks in the English Premier- enlightening experience,” he their country. vers and snappier execution. 2 wins. “He has stuck by his team the Wallabies backline,” it said ship. said on Instagram late Sunday. The exception is those who Qatar fell into a slew of er- The Philippines next face through thick and thin, defl ect- under a headline “Woeful Wal- The versatile winger has been “My reaction to each stimulus have pulled on a Wallabies rors in the second half, and Kazakhstan also at home on 30 ing praise onto his players on labies hit a new low.” working to return from ankle has forced me to face myself jersey more than 60 times the law of averages eventually November in the fi fth window those increasingly rare occasions “After four rounds of the Rug- surgery in recent months and and my darkness in a way that and have held a professional caught up with them as their of the Asian Qualifi ers, while when they have done something by Championship the Wallabies spent time in an Icelandic cen- I have never felt before. I now contract with Australian rugby outside shooting went cold. Qatar have another road game wonderful, but taking the blame are bottom. Sadly, they deserve tre which uses sensory depriva- know who I was but more im- for at least seven years. The Filipinos took full advan- against Japan also on the same upon himself all those other to be.” tage of this and proceeded with date.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 GULF TIMES CRICKET

ASIA CUP PREVIEWPREVIEW India to take Afghanistan knock on Hong Kong Sri Lanka out aft er with eye on Sri Lanka have now lost Pakistan tie IANS 30 of their 40 matches Dubai upset victory since January 2017 avourites India will look to sweep aside Hong AFP Kong in their Asia Cup Abu Dhabi opener today and prepare forF the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan the next day. fghanistan continued Hong Kong, expectedly, lost their rise in interna- to Pakistan by eight wickets in tional cricket with an their fi rst game. India, who are upset 91-run win over without talismanic skipper Virat SriA Lanka in Abu Dhabi yester- Kohli, should give them the same day, knocking the former cham- treatment. pions out of the Asia Cup. Under Rohit Sharma’s cap- Sri Lanka needed to win the taincy and with experienced MS Group B match to stay in the Dhoni in their ranks, India will tournament but were outwitted look to get their combination by smart batting from Afghani- right in the fi rst game before the stan who put up a fi ghting total tougher test of Pakistan on which of 249 all out at Sheikh Zayed all eyes will rest. Stadium. Besides Sharma, the likes of The fi ghters then laid into Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Sri Lankan batting with spin- Kedar Jadhav add teeth to their ner Rashid Khan (2-26), Gulba- batting while in the bowling de- India captain Rohit Sharma. din Naib (2-29), Mohamed Nabi partment, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhu- (2-30) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman vneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav the Hong Kong game as a warm- (2-32) sharing wickets as the and Yuzvendra Chahal throw up up ahead of the Pakistan tie. fi ve-time former winners were a lot of variety. He recently came back to bowled out for 158 in 41.2 overs. The Asia Cup will once again competitive cricket for India A Sri Lanka did not help their bring to the fore Dhoni’s batting against South Africa A. cause with two run outs while frailties with age as his strike rate skipper Angelo Mathews played has been below par in recent lim- SQUADS a reckless shot off Nabi and was ited overs matches. The celebrat- India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), caught near the boundary for 22. ed former India captain, known Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, This becomes Afghanistan’s for his big hitting skills, has been Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, fi rst-ever victory against Sri a pale shadow of his former self Kedar Jadhav, M.S. Dhoni (wick- Lanka in three one-day inter- lately and will once again come etkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Bhuv- nationals after losing in the Asia under the scanner if the same neshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Cup 2014 and World Cup a year trend continues. Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra later. Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib (second from left) celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera (left) with his teammates during the Asia India’s middle order is an is- Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Dinesh Sri Lanka, who now have lost Cup match in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (AFP) sue too and needs to be resolved Karthik, Khaleel Ahmed. 30 of their 40 matches since ahead of the World Cup next Hong Kong: Anshuman Rath January 2017, had lost to Bang- in his 47-ball 34. year. (Captain), Aizaz Khan, Babar ladesh by 137 runs in Dubai on Rahmat then added another Scorecard The Bumrah-Kumar com- Hayat, Cameron McAulson, Saturday. 80 runs for the fourth wicket bination will be back in action Christopher Carter, Ehsan Khan, Bowled out for a paltry 124 with Hashmatullah Shahidi who AFGHANISTAN 2-107 (Janat), 3-110 (Asghar), D. Shanaka b Mujeeb 0along with the Yadav-Chahal Ehsan Nawaz, Arshad Mohamed, against Bangladesh, Sri Lankan made a sedate 52-ball 37. combination, which has been a Kinchit Shah, Nadeem Ahmed, M. Shahzad lbw b Dananjaya 34 4-190 (Shah), 5-203 (Shahidi), A. Dananjaya b Nabi 2 batting again failed miserably For Sri Lanka seamer Thisara 6-222 (Nabi), 7-227 (Najibullah), steady set-up for past one year. Raag Kapur, Scott McKehnie, Tan- with only Upul Tharanga (36) Perera took fi ve for 55 and spin- I. Janat lbw b Dananjaya 45 8-249 (Rashid), 9-249 (Rashid) L. Malinga lbw b Rashid 1 Back in the mix after a back in- vir Ahmed, Tanvir Afzal, Waqas and Thisara Perera (28) off ering ner Akila Dananjaya fi nished jury, Kumar will also look to use R. Shah c T Perera b Chameera 72 Bowling: Malinga 10-0-66-1, D. Chameera not out 2 Khan, Aftab Hussain. some fi ght. with two for 39. A. Afghan lbw b Jayasuriya 1Chameera 10-2-43-1, T. Perera Extras (b2, lb5, w6) 13 Afghanistan were helped to 249 Defending champions India, H. Shahidi b T. Perera 37 9-0-55-5, Dananjaya 10-0-39-2, Total (all out; 41.2 overs) 158 all out in their 50 overs with Rah- Pakistan and qualifi er Hong D. de Silva 5-0-22-0, Jayasuriya UPDATE mat Shah scoring 72 and Ihsanul- Kong are placed in Group A. M. Nabi c T. Perera b Malinga 15 6-0-22-1 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Mendis), lah Janat shipping in with 45. Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 2-54 (Silva), 3-86 (K. Perera), N. Zadran b T. Perera 12 SRI LANKA Shah struck fi ve boundaries eight wickets in Dubai on Sun- 4-88 (Tharanga), 5-108 (Jayas- during his 90-ball knock and day. G. Naib c Dananjaya b T. Perera 4 K. Mendis lbw b Mujeeb 0uriya), 6-143 (Mathews), 7-144 Bangladesh’s Tamim added 50 for the second wicket Top two teams from each R. Khan b T. Perera 13 U. Tharanga c Asghar b Naib 36 (Shanaka), 8-153 (Dananjaya), with Janat (45) after Afghanistan group will qualify for the Super 9-156 (T. Perera) A. Alam not out 7D. de Silva run out 23 won the toss and opted to bat on Four stages from where top two Bowling: Mujeeb 9-1-32-2, Alam out of Asia Cup aft er M. Ur Rahman b T. Perera 0 K. Perera b Rashid 17 a fl at pitch. teams will play the fi nal in Dubai 7-0-34-0, Naib 8-0-29-2, Nabi Extras (lb 2, w 7) 9 Janat hit six boundaries in his on September 28. A. Mathews c Rashid b Nabi 22 10-1-30-2, Rashid 7.2-0-26-2 65-ball innings while his open- India face Hong Kong in Du- Total (all out; 50 overs) 249 S. Jayasuriya run out 14 injury heroics ing partner Mohamed Shahzad bai on Tuesday before their high RESULT: Afghanistan win by Fall of wickets: batted in his aggressive style, profi le match against Pakistan a 1-57 (Shahzad), T. Perera b Naib 28 91 runs hitting a six and four boundaries day later at the same venue.

BOTTOMLINE To hit or not to hit? Finch faces dilemma for Test debut AFP be times you come in against a lot Sydney of spin and the ball’s reversing. “So I’ll sit down with the coach and captain over the next week ard-hitting Australian or so and start nutting out some Aaron Finch has been plans.” a dominant opener in But after plying his trade suc- shorter forms of the cessfully for more than a decade, Hgame but admits he may have to Australia’s T20 skipper and one- Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal (right) with his injured left hand looks on curb his natural aggression if he day international deputy is in- during the Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka on Saturday. (AFP) makes his Test debut against Pa- clined to simply do what he does kistan. best — score runs however he can. AFP for a scan, and when he returned The 31-year-old master-blaster “After 10 or 12 years you build up Dhaka to the ground with a sling on his has played 135 times for his coun- a game plan that works well for you injured hand his Asia Cup was try in the one-day and Twenty20 and it’s not about going right away thought to be over. formats, earning a reputation as from that because it’s Test cricket angladesh opener But the opener stunned all by one of the world’s fastest-scoring or playing in the sub-continent,” Tamim Iqbal has been striding out to bat after Bangla- batsmen. he said. ruled out of the rest of desh lost their ninth wicket for But the burly right-hander has “I think it’s about just changing the Asia Cup with a bro- 229 runs. never played a Test. your mindset slightly.” kenB hand after batting despite his He fashioned a hole in his glove This is likely to change next As well as his batting prowess, injury in the opening match, an in order to fi t his taped wrist, and month after he was a surprise call- Finch brings vast experience to a offi cial said yesterday. used one hand in facing a single up for Australia’s two-Test series squad missing Steve Smith and “He got two fractures in his delivery to give the strike back to against Pakistan in the United Arab David Warner due to suspension hand. He would not be able to Mushfi qur Rahim, who was bat- Emirates, raising the dilemma of over the South Africa ball-tam- continue here and also for the ting on 112. whether to stay true to his natural pering scandal, and including four next three to four weeks,” team Mushfi qur then scored 32 off style or tone it down. other debutants. manager Khaled Mahmud told 16 balls alone in their 10th-wick- He said yesterday it will depend He is keen to help in that depart- AFP from Dubai. et partnership, guiding Bangla- where they want him to play. ment wherever required. Tamim was hailed as national desh to 261 runs before he was “Being aggressive has made me “I’ve been around for quite hero after he returned to bat dismissed in the fi nal over for reasonably successful in interna- a while and I can probably be a with his injured hand for the fi nal 144. tional cricket in the two shorter sounding board for some of the wicket during Bangladesh’s 137- Bangladesh later bowled out formats so I suppose it depends younger guys if they need a chat,” run win in Saturday’s opening Sri Lanka for 124 runs to record where in the order they see me fi t- he said. “Where Tim (Paine) and match against Sri Lanka. their biggest win on foreign soil, ting in if there is a spot for me in Justin (Langer) think I can help The left-hander received a making a giant leap towards the the XI,” he said. out, I will.” blow to his wrist in the second Super Four round. “If it’s at the top, I think it’s The fi rst Test is in Dubai from over of Bangladesh’s innings Bangladesh will face Afghani- about playing your natural game, if October 7 with the second in Abu when he was hit by a short ball stan in their second match of the it’s in the middle there’ll obviously Dhabi from October 16. Australia’s ODI and T20 specialist Aaron Finch is likely to play his first Test next month. from Suranga Lakmal. tournament in the United Arab He left the fi eld for hospital Emirates on Thursday.