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GULF TIMES and Attitude Both Under the Spotlight SPORT Page 3

GULF TIMES and Attitude Both Under the Spotlight SPORT Page 3

RRUGBYUGBY | Page 4 CCOMMENTOMMENT | Page 7 Springboks Racists out celebrate win of tune with at legendary changing Mandela site world: Archer

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 FOOTBALL Rabia I 15, 1441 AH Ronaldo’s fi tness GULF TIMES and attitude both under the spotlight SPORT Page 3

WORLD SQUASH Momen survives al-Tamimi scare to book spot in last 8 ‘I was 6-3 up, I had my chances. I think I am playing better squash at the moment. I had a couple of good results’

James Willstrop of Abdulla al-Tamimi England plays a shot eyes a shot against against Karim Abdel Tarek Momen during Gawad of Egypt. their third round clash yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

did today. He far exceeded my expecta- and with a rest day, that is quite posi- tions, and played unbelievable squash. tive. It is a fabulous prospect, and I just had to grind it out,” Momen said hopefully I can recover well and do jus- after the match. tice on Wednesday,” added Willstrop While Momen got through, two Willstrop will face German fi fth other Egyptians were sent packing, seed Simon Rosner, who beat 11th seed with Peruvian world number 7 Diego Makin in the shortest match of the day Elias beating Fares Dessouky 3-1 (10- at 47 minutes, in the quarterfi nals to- 12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4), and former world morrow, while Momen faces Elias. number 1 James Willstrop producing Today, the ElShorbagy brothers — a thriller against world number 4 and top seed Mohamed and ninth seed 2016 champion Karim Abdel Gawad in Marwan — are in action in their third a 3-1 (11-8, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10) victory. round matches against Ghosal and A very physical game had the audi- Mohamed Abouelghar respectively, ence at the edge of their seats. With and so is the top non-Egyptian ranked very little to separate the two players, player in the world — Paul Coll of New the referees (court and video) were put Zealand — against 12th seed Omar By Mikhil Bhat “Of course I am disappointed about Tamimi who hit the fi rst serve of the that changed the course of the game. in the spot, even as the rallies were set- Mosaad. Doha the match. I had my chances. The match out, and Momen took his op- After the Qatari hit the court taped up, ting the hearts racing. fourth game I think I had my chance, I portunities well to close it out in eight he often was seen clutching the back of “I am absolutely thrilled. It is hard to RESULTS (Round III) was playing really well, I had my mo- minutes. his right leg and grimacing. say because I am on a rush of adrena- 2-Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Abdulla Mo- or the second straight month, mentum,” world number 47 said after In the second, however, al-Tamimi Momen closed that one out, and the line, particularly in these conditions hamed al-Tamimi (QAT) 3-2: 11-5, 10-12, Egyptian world number three the match. always stayed within striking distance, fi fth was pretty much one-way. where it is shootout squash. The in- 9-11, 11-9, 11-4 (76m) Tarek Momen was pushed be- “Unfortunately I had to stop be- even as Momen managed to level the The 31-year-old from Cairo was all tensity is cranked up and you haven’t 6-Diego Elias (PER) bt 13-Fares Des- yond his wits and into a thrill- cause of the bleeding, and that kind scores at 10-10. However, the 24-year- praise for his young opponent, who got any time to settle,” said 2010 World souky (EGY) 3-1: 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 ingF fi ve-setter by Qatar number one of stopped the momentum. And he is old from Qatar, was clinical in cutting had impressed with wins over world Championships fi nalist Willstrop, who (56m) Abdulla Mohamed al-Tamimi. really experienced. So he knew exactly the pace off the next two balls to leave number 14 Gregoire Marche of , had very dear friend and 10th seed 5-Simon Rosner (GER) bt 11-Joel Makin And while the results may show what to do. He was warming the ball, Momen reeling, even as he pumped and world number 28 Mathieu Castag- Saurav Ghosal in his corner. (WAL) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 (47m) Momen having won both the matches, so much that the ball was fl ying again. fi sts and got the crowd going. net, also of France, for his place in the “His engine at the minute is strong, James Willstrop (ENG) bt 3-Karim by his own admission, he “thought I “I couldn’t really play the way I was Down 4-7 in the third, al-Tamimi last 16 match. so he is match fi t and sharp, much Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 4-11, 11-9, was going to make an exit today”. playing before that. I was 6-3 up, I had then won fi ve straight points in front “I can’t believe I am making this more probably than I am. Just be- 12-10 (71m) Al-Tamimi’s campaign at PSA Men’s my chances. I think I am playing better of a roaring crowd that had vocifer- speech now. I really thought I was cause of the amount of matches he has World Squash Championship at home squash at the moment. I had a couple ous support for both the players. While going to make an exit today. I had a played, but then I have the advantage Today’s schedule (Round III) was halted in heart-breaking circum- of good results. Momen levelled it, al-Tamimi closed tough loss last week (to Welshman Joel of being fresher. At 10-10, I knew it 3pm: 14-Zahed Salem (EGY) v 8-Miguel stances after an injury and bleeding on “Second time in a month to take it out at 11-9 mixing up the pace well, Makin) in Cairo and the circumstances was a chance, because the momentum Rodriguez (COL) his hand towards the end of the fourth Tarek, number 3 in the world, to fi ve and a bad pick up by Momen handing looked very similar on court today. would have gone with him in the fi fth. 4pm: 7-Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v game hampered his momentum with games, and to have chances to win both his opponent the 2-1 lead. “I was basically being outplayed. He played a blinding three minutes of 9-Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) the last year’s fi nalist pouncing on the the matches, that only gives me posi- Fourth is where al-Tamimi had his In the third and the fourth, he was on squash at that point, but I just had to 5pm: 4-Paul Coll (NZL) v 12-Omar opportunity to close out the game and tive vibe for the next tournament and rival tottering with a 6-3 lead. While fi re, everything was just going in. He try and take the right shot at the right Mosaad (EGY) then the decider, winning 3-2 (11-5, 10- the rest of the season 2020.” Momen came right back into the game, did what he did in the US and I had not time. 6pm: 10-Saurav Ghosal (IND) v 1-Mo- 12, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4). It started in ominous fashion for al- it was a blood injury while leading 8-7 thought he could double that, but he “To be here (in the quarterfi nals), hamed ElShorbagy (EGY)

AL THUMAMA STADIUM TAKING SHAPE

Al Thumama Stadium is starting to take shape, the Supreme Committee for & Legacy has said in a post on its Road to 2022 Twitter page. The 40,000-seat stadium is one of the venues of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, November 12, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Sanchez names Qatar squad for Afghanistan match

By Sports Reporter Doha

oach Felix Sanchez has an- nounced the Qatar squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifyingC match against Afghanistan, which will be held in Tajikistan on No- vember 19. Qatar have already played three joint qualifying matches against Afghani- stan (won 6-0), India (0-0 draw) and Bangladesh (won 2-0) since September. Al Annabi will also use the match against Afghanistan to gauge player fi t- ness and form for the 24th Gulf Cup to be held in Doha from November 27 to December 9. They are also scheduled take on Singapore in a friendly match this Thursday at home. Qatar’s goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb trains at the Aspire Zone yesterday. Meanwhile, Sanchez, who also dou- bles up as Qatar’s U-23 coach, named a QATAR SQUAD Fateh Mohamed, Fahad Ali, Yusuf Ab- 31-man squad for the AFC U-23 Cham- Saad al-Sheeb, Pedro Miguel, Salem dulrazzaq, Musab Kamal, Yusuf Hassan pionship, which will be held in Thai- al-Hajri, Tariq Salman Suleiman, Bualem Mohamed, Almehdi Ali, Ahmed Alaud- land from January 8-26 next year. Khoukhi, Hassan Khaled al-Haydos, din, Moeed Hassan, Abdulaziz Hatem, The Olympic team qualifi ed for the Akram Hassan Afif, Bassam al-Rawi, Fahad Younus, Abdulrehman Mohamed, AFC U-23 Championship winning the Almoez Ali, Karim Boudiaf, Mohamed Abdullah Abdulsalam, Ahmed Moeen qualifying event in Doha. They had Musa Abbasi, Ali Hassan Afif, Ismail and Mohamed Bakari played out a draw with Oman 2-2, beat Mohamed, Mohamed Muntari, Ahmed Coach: Felix Sanchez Afghanistan 2-0 and Nepal 5-0. Qatar Coach Felix Sanchez gestures during a training session.

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Guardiola proud of Arsenal say coach City despite defeat, avoids VAR row Reuters champions,” he said. “In this sta- Liverpool, England dium to play the way we played was incredible, so I’m so proud of my team more than ever. Against Emery is ‘the right anchester City man- the strongest team in Europe, so ager Pep Guardiola proud.” refused to be drawn Asked whether a nine-point on the controversy gap could be bridged to a side Msurrounding Liverpool’s open- that has not lost in 29 Premier ing goal in a 3-1 loss at Anfi eld on League games, Guardiola said he Sunday which left his side nine was “not a magician”. “We tried points behind the leaders in the to do our job and I would like man for the job’ Premier League. to talk about our performance Liverpool defender Trent which was so good,” he said. Alexander-Arnold appeared to “The way we played was awe- Club disappointed with the results, urges fans to get behind manager and team handle the ball inside the box some, one of the best perform- but instead of a City penalty, the ances. There is still seven months By Nick Ames ing stripped of the captaincy and eff ec- hosts broke and 22 seconds later and if Liverpool win I will be the The Guardian tively declare himself unavailable to play. Fabinho blasted in the open- fi rst to congratulate them be- He has largely kept his counsel since but ing goal. Guardiola was enraged cause we can’t deny how good told Blick, in his native Switzerland, that on the touchline, as was Sergio they are. The way they play and rsenal’s hierarchy have given he is now happy to come back. “I feel that Aguero on the pitch, and after create chances and the personal- Unai Emery a public vote of [the incident] has been dealt with and I’m the fi nal whistle he shook hands ity to play all the time. It was an confi dence, backing him to turn ready [to return],” Xhaka said. He also with Liverpool’s players before honour for both teams to show their fortunes around but add- made clear his views on the reaction in- seeking out the match offi cials the Premier League to spectators ingA a clear caveat that the team’s form side the stadium that led him to gesture and saying “thank you so much” this type of game.” must improve. Emery’s position has and swear towards the crowd. — his voice dripping with sar- Alexander-Arnold admitted come under increasing scrutiny after a “It was very hurtful and frustrating,” casm. the ball had struck his arm but turbulent start to the season that, on the he continued. “I can’t understand a reac- The incident proved a turn- said it had hit City midfi elder pitch, has brought a run of one win in six tion like it even now, especially the ve- ing point in Liverpool’s victory Bernardo Silva’s arm fi rst. “We league games. They are eight points be- hemence of it and the extreme hostility which opened up a nine-point know there’s VAR but you have hind fourth-placed Manchester City and directed against me. lead over reigning champions to carry on playing, they com- nine short of Leicester, who beat them “If the team and I don’t play well, we City who are fourth, a point be- plained but you have to keep on 2-0 on Saturday and sit in second. have to listen and work on it. But insult- hind Chelsea and Leicester City. playing. We went down the other There is an appetite at boardroom ing and swearing at your own will Asked for his opinion on the end and punished them,” he said. level to give Emery, who replaced Arsene cause upset and a bad atmosphere for the opening goal, Guardiola point- Silva also declined to talk Wenger in May 2018, signifi cantly more team you are supposed to be supporting. edly would not discuss it. “Ask to about the opening goal but said time but concern is growing that Arse- That makes no sense to me and weakens the referees, don’t ask to me,” he City would fi ght until the end. nal risk falling well out of the running the team’s spirit. Let’s face it, we’re talk- told Sky Sports. “Ask to (referees “We’ve been in this position last for Champions League qualifi cation and ing about football and a captaincy. I know chief) Mike Riley and the guys in season, we will never give up,” he it is unlikely the slide would be allowed that means the world to a lot of people the VAR, don’t ask to me.” said. “We’re only in November to continue indefi nitely. On Monday the here in London. But we’re at a point now Guardiola preferred to talk and they still have to play at the club’s head of football, Raul Sanllehi, and where I have to say clearly that we ought about what he described as an Etihad and there are plenty of the managing director, Vinai Venkate- to take stock and make sure that things “incredible” display by his beat- games to play. We are not in the sham, told a meeting of 200 club staff at are not getting completely out of hand.” en side. “What happened today ideal position, or the one we’d the Emirates Stadium that the head coach Xhaka will spend the next week with was we showed why we are the want to be, we have to improve.” retains their faith. Switzerland, who face Georgia and Gi- “We are as disappointed as everyone braltar. Upon his return Emery, who last else with both our results and perform- week suggested the midfi elder might not ances at this stage of the season. We share play for Arsenal again, will have to decide the frustration with our fans, Unai, play- whether his reintegration is a realistic ers and all our staff as they are not at the prospect. level we want or expect,” read a precis of Meanwhile, French striker Alexandre their comments, circulated by the club Lacazette has leaped to the defence of and issued in both men’s names. manager Unai Emery saying fans were “Things need to improve to meet our being fi ckle in criticising him after not objectives for the season, and we fi rmly praising him when they were on a good believe Unai is the right man for the job, run last season. Lacazette, though, said together with the backroom team we have while the players’ confi dence had dipped in place. We are all working intensively the present international break gives behind the scenes to turn things around them a chance to recharge their batteries and are confi dent we will.” ahead of their game at home to struggling The implication is that Emery, who Unai Emery shows his frustration as Arsenal slip to defeat at Leicester on Saturday, a Southampton on November 24. spent Monday at a UEFA Elite Club fifth game in succession without a win. (Reuters) “Last season when we were unbeaten Coaches forum in Nyon, must get a tune in 20 games in a row nobody said any- out of his players soon if the club’s tone is tense and those at the meeting – which hind the team in this challenging period, thing about the coach or manager,” said is not to shift signifi cantly. Successive was pre-planned and not a reaction to as together we are stronger.” Lacazette. “We miss confi dence and we matches against the bottom two, South- recent events – also heard an appeal for Those words could be interpreted as need the international break. “I hope we ampton and Norwich City, after the in- unity. an appeal directed towards, among oth- are going to come back well. We want to ternational break off er scope for at least “We never take our fantastic support ers, the fans who jeered Granit Xhaka off be top four, of course. Now we are nine a short-term uptick, as did an improved for granted,” the statement attributed the pitch during last month’s draw with points behind Chelsea and Leicester and fi rst hour at the King Power Stadium. to Sanllehi and Venkatesham said. “We Crystal Palace. Xhaka’s reaction brought it is going to be hard, but everything is But the atmosphere among the fanbase hope we can all stick together and get be- a chain of events that have led to him be- possible in football.” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters)

BOTTOMLINE Veteran defender Evans injects dose of reality into Leicester fans’ title dreams

AFP picture. The 31-year-old Northern West Bromwich Albion for £3.5mn we can battle games out but we’ve just landed the title having been originally compared to that team. I think teams London Irish international — who won his three ($4.5mn) in June last year — is too ex- got to do what we’re doing and see 5,000/1 to do so. Were the Foxes to go disrespected Leicester that season, in league winners medals with Manches- perienced a head to allow early season where it takes us. on and win the league crown this sea- terms of probably not really realising ter United — has played an integral role form to lull him into believing a genuine “It’s still really early on in the sea- son it would be even more emotional how good they were, and kept being hree-time Premier League- in the Foxes’ superb form this term un- title challenge is a cast-iron certainty. son. If you look at it there’s still teams than the previous triumph due to the caught short. winning defender Jonny Evans der compatriot Brendan Rodgers. “I don’t think you’ll be able to judge like Sheffi eld United sitting fi fth. So we death in a helicopter crash in October “After that, teams tried to become moved to calm rising expecta- Their impressive 2-0 win over an that until after Christmas when we’re know it’s going to be a long season and 2018 of their much-loved Thai owner aware that they played on the counter- tions among Leicester fans that out-of-form Arsenal on Saturday lift- getting into it,” he said. “We know how every team can beat everyone.” Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. attack and not over-commit. I’m sure Tthe club can repeat their fairytale title ed them to second in the table, eight seasons can fi nish. It’ll be tough. We Evans, capped 83 times, said com- “I think it’s hard,” said Evans. “What teams realise we are a good side and in win of 2016, saying the hectic Christ- points off leaders Liverpool. However, need a big squad to do that, and all fi r- parisons should not be drawn between they did that year was incredible. I sup- every game I think we’ve played well, mas period will give a more realistic Evans — who joined Leicester from ing in the right directions. We’ve shown the present team and the one that pose it’s a compliment, really, to be given everyone a test.” Gulf Times Tuesday, November 12, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SERIE A FOCUS Ronaldo’s fi tness and attitude both Dybala strike keeps under the spotlight Reuters a knock on the knee in training Milan a month ago was still feeling the eff ects. “When he trains with high intensity and plays matches, ristiano Ronaldo’s fi t- he feels some pain. He can’t train Juventus on top ness and attitude has too hard and has diffi culty when come under the spot- he kicks the ball.” light after he reacted Sarri added that Ronaldo was Defending champions maintain their one-point lead over Conte’s Inter Milan angrilyC to being substituted dur- also suff ering problems with his ing Juventus’ win over AC Milan thigh and calf, raising questions AFP and coach Maurizio Sarri said the as to whether the striker was tak- Milan 34-year-old had been nursing a ing unnecessary risks by playing knee injury for some time. on rather than taking some time Ronaldo now faces two out to regain full fi tness. aulo Dybala struck the decisive matches with Portugal where he Ronaldo’s career has been re- goal in Juventus’ 1-0 win over will want to help the European markably injury-free and his AC Milan on Sunday after re- champions guarantee their place longest layoff was in 2008 when placing Cristiano Ronaldo as Ju- at Euro 2020 and close in on the a fractured knee cap sidelined Pventus stayed top of Serie A, while Lazio 100-goal milestone for his coun- him for 94 days, during which he and Cagliari moved into the Champions try. He currently has 95 goals missed 11 games. An ankle injury League places. and, given his prolifi c record, it is cost him nine games in 2009 and Argentine forward Dybala hit the win- not inconceivable that he could he suff ered another knee injury ner in the 77th minute in the Allianz Sta- reach 100 against Lithuania and during the Euro 2016 fi nal for dium having taken the place of Ronaldo Luxemburg — if he can play. Portugal against France. 20 minutes earlier. Defending champions Ronaldo gave Sarri a dirty look He was also troubled by tendi- Juventus maintain their one-point lead and walked straight down the nosis around his left knee in the over Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan who tunnel after being substituted run-up to the 2014 World Cup. had taken pole position after their 2-1 win in the 55th minute on Sunday, He played in all of Portugal’s over Verona on Saturday. prompting widespread criticism games but later admitted that AC Milan’s seventh defeat in 12 games led by former Real Madrid, Ju- he had taken a risk by playing saw Stefano Pioli’s side drop to 14th po- ventus and England coach Fabio through it. According to the spe- sition, just four points above the relega- Capello. cialist website Transfermarkt, he tion zone. However Milan had threatened “Ronaldo hasn’t dribbled past has only missed 53 games in his as the former European giants chased a player in three years and I re- entire career due to injury. their fi rst win against Juventus in Turin in member when he could leave Sarri described Ronaldo’s an- eight years. them on the fl oor,” Capello told gry reaction to being substituted Wojciech Szczesny was kept busy in Sky Sport Italia. “Sarri was right as normal for a top player, but he the Juventus goal, denying fellow Pole to take him off . The fact that he will probably be more than happy Krzysztof Piatek, Lucas Paqueta and did not go and sit on the bench to let Portugal coach Fernando Hakan Calhanoglu. missed was not a good image.” Santos deal with the problem for Juventus’s best chance before Dybala’s Sarri said the player had taken the next week. winner when his powerful curling eff ort fl ew wide just after the break. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, who had also been taken off during the midweek Champions League win over Lokomotiv Moscow, reportedly left the stadium before the end of the game after being substituted on 55 minutes. Douglas Costa also came on for Fed- erico Bernardeschi after an hour, with the two substitutions changing the game for the champions. Gonzalo Higuain fed Dybala, who easily shook off Alessio Ro- Juventus’ Paulo Dybala in action during the Serie A match against AC Milan at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Sunday. (Reuters) magnoli to beat Donnarumma and claim his third league goal this season. of the Sardinians on goal diff erence. opener on 17 minutes, with Fabio Pisa- thusiasm that hasn’t been seen at Cagliari “Cristiano should be thanked because Lazio’s Argentine forward Joaquin cane nodding in the second less than ten for years.” he made himself available despite not be- Correa hit a brace either side of Sergej minutes later. Atalanta lost ground in the league days ing in optimal conditions,” said Juventus Milinkovic-Savic’s strike, with Serie A The 31-year-old was involved again in after their 1-1 draw against Manchester coach Maurizio Sarri. “In the last month top-scorer Ciro Immobile slotting in a Giovanni Simeone’s third goal against the City thanks to a goalless draw at relega- he has had this discomfort in his knee penalty at the Stadio Olimpico. Argentinian forward’s parent club, as well tion-threatened Sampdoria. The Berga- and this a little problem for him. It’s only Cagliari, who battled relegation last as Joao Pedro’s eff ort 10 minutes after the mo side are winless in three league games natural a player is going to be irritated season, have been in superb form since break, before blasting in his second goal and played the last 15 minutes in Genoa a to leave the pitch, especially when he Radja Nainggolan returned to the Sardin- of the campaign from distance. man down after Ruslan Malinovskiy was worked so hard to be there.” ian outfi t after fi ve years away, including He was given a standing ovation when sent off for a second yellow card. Behind the leaders, Lazio and Cagliari a diffi cult season at Inter Milan last term. substituted in the 78th minute. “We are Paulo Fonseca’s injury-depleted Roma moved into the top four after goal-packed The Belgian contributed three assists doing something extraordinary,” said also showed signs of fatigue after their wins. Lazio saw off newly-promoted Lec- and capped a stellar performance with Nainggolan whose side are unbeaten in 10 Europa League defeat in Germany, fall- ce 4-2, while surprise package Cagliari the fi fth goal of the game on 65 minutes. games, which include seven victories and ing 2-0 at Parma and dropping down to continued their superb form with a 5-2 Fiorentina are struggling without Franck three draws. sixth. Parma pulled through thanks to a rout of Fiorentina. Ribery who is serving a three-match ban “Nobody would have said at the be- Mattia Sprocati strike on 68 minutes and Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly left the Allianz Stadium before the final The two teams are level on 24 points, for pushing an offi cial. ginning of the year that we could play so Andreas Cornelius fi nding a way through whistle of Juventus’ 1-0 Serie A win over AC Milan on Sunday after eight behind Juventus with Lazio ahead Nainggolan set up Mark Rog for the well,” said the Belgian. “There is an en- deep into injury time. being substituted for the second match in a week. (Reuters)

ROUND-UP Tearful Shakhtar captain Taison sent off despite being racially abused hakhtar Donetsk captain Taison injury list, with Navas joining Kylian MATUIDI TO MISS FRANCE’S Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, whose on Sunday was sent off for Mbappe, Neymar, Ander Herrera, EURO QUALIFIERS WITH INJURY team slipped to 16th. They are now kicking the ball at Dynamo Kiev Thomas Meunier and Thilo Kehrer on Blaise Matuidi has been ruled out of without a win in their last six league fans after they targeted him the sidelines. Sergio Rico stepped in France’s Euro 2020 qualifi ers against matches and sit just fi ve points above withS racist abuse. Taison left the fi eld at Brest to make his Paris debut after Moldova and Albania after fracturing the relegation zone. in tears after his red card for “unsport- joining on loan from Sevilla. a rib cartilage, the midfi elder’s club ing behaviour”, which came when Juventus announced. Juventus did WARNOCK LEAVES CARDIFF he reacted to the insults from away TRAORE OUT OF SQUAD not state for how long the 32-year-old BY MUTUAL CONSENT supporters in the 74th minute of the ONE DAY AFTER FIRST CALL-UP would be out of action. Matuidi picked Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has left Ukrainian Premier League clash, at the Wolves winger Adama Traore was up the injury in the 1-0 win over AC his position by mutual consent, the Metalist stadium in Kharkiv, by fi rst forced to withdraw from the Spain Milan that kept Juve top of Serie A, and club announced with the Welsh side giving them the fi nger before kicking squad with injury on Sunday just one failed to make the trip to Paris ahead of languishing 14th in the Champion- the ball at them. day after receiving his maiden inter- the two Group H clashes on Thursday ship table. “Today I am leaving my The Brazilian, who joined Shakhtar national call-up. He was drafted in as a and Sunday which could seal qualifi ca- beloved Bluebirds after over three years in 2013, was consoled by Dynamo replacement for the injured Rodrigo on tion for next summer’s fi nals. of which have been some of the best players. Countryman and teammate Saturday, but pulled out after Wolves’ Coach Didier Deschamps has picked days in my long football career,” said Dentinho also broke down in tears. 2-1 derby win over Aston Villa. Arsenal’s uncapped Matteo Guendouzi Warnock, 70, who had planned to step The two teams briefl y left the fi eld The 23-year-old has now been in Matuidi’s place, and is sweating down at the end of the season. before the match, eventually won 1-0 replaced in the squad for the Euro 2020 on the fi tness of Tottenham Hotspur Warnock was appointed in October by Shakhtar, was restarted. “Racism is qualifi ers against Malta on November midfi elder Tanguy Ndombele, who 2016 with Cardiff second from bottom a disgrace, we have to fi ght it together, 15 and three days later by suff ered a groin injury in Tottenham’s in the Championship, but after con- every minute and every second,” said Paris Saint-Germain’s Pablo Sarabia. 1-1 Premier League draw with Sheffi eld solidating their position in England’s Shakhtar coach Luis Castro. Traore’s call-up was a surprise, United. Les Bleus’ squad will meet second tier, he guided the club to pro- In a statement, Shakhtar said that as he had reportedly closed the door at the historic Clairefontaine train- motion to the Premier League in 2018. it “categorically opposes any form on Spain earlier this week to play for ing camp with France second in their Relegation followed last season during of racism”, adding that “nothing can Mali, despite representing the Spanish group, level on 19 points with leaders a diffi cult campaign in which the club’s justify insulting people because of under-21 side earlier this year. Turkey and four ahead of third-placed record signing Emiliano Sala died in a their skin colour, their religion or their Iceland with two matches to play. plane crash. Defeat to Bristol City on political opinions”. Shakhtar’s win TONALI REPLACES VERRATTI With two teams qualifying from Sunday capped a run of one win in six ensured they stay top of the league, FOR ITALY’S EURO QUALIFIERS each group, a win against bottom side league games that left Cardiff seven two points ahead of Zorya as they hunt Paris Saint-Germain midfi elder Marco Moldova at the Stade de France this points off a playoff place. their fourth straight title. Verratti, AS Roma defender Leon- week would guarantee a spot in the ardo Spinazzola and Sassuolo striker fi nals. They will also qualify if Iceland SAUDI ARABIA TO HOST SEVILLA GO FOURTH AFTER Domenico Berardi have all been ruled fail to beat Turkey. JANUARY SPANISH SUPER CUP EDGING DERBY WITH BETIS out of Italy’s fi nal Euro 2020 quali- The Spanish Super Cup will be held in Sevilla took the spoils in a fi ercely Dynamo Kiev’s Mykola Shaparenko (right) consoles Shakhtar Donetsk’s Taison, fi ers, the country’s football federation LANZINI TO HAVE SURGERY Saudi Arabia and moved to the winter contested city derby on Sunday, beat- who was racially abused during the Ukrainian Premier League match. (Reuters) (FIGC) confi rmed. Brescia’s 19-year- ON FRACTURED COLLARBONE for the next three editions, Spain’s ing Real Betis 2-1 away from home to old midfi elder Sandro Tonali comes in Manuel Lanzini is likely to be sidelined football association (RFEF) an- move up to fourth in La Liga. Julen Lo- ing wild celebrations from Lopetegui the Costa Rican football federation for Verratti, but Spinazzola and Berardi for the rest of the year after suff ering a nounced. Jeddah’s King Abdullah sta- petegui’s side took the lead in the 14th on the sidelines. (FEDEFUT) announced on Sunday. have not been replaced. fractured collarbone during West Ham dium will host the four-team tourna- minute when Argentine forward Lucas The win took Sevilla into fourth The former Real Madrid number one Tonali made his senior international United’s 3-0 defeat by Burnley in the ment in early January as opposed to its Ocampos scooped up an attempted in the standings on 24 points after 13 pulled out of PSG’s 2-1 win at Brest on debut on October 15, coming on as a Premier League. The Argentine mid- traditional pre-season date in August. clearance inside the area and fi red games, level with third-placed Atletico Saturday after injuring himself during substitute in the 5-0 away win against fi elder, who missed most of last season The competition sees La Liga win- under Betis keeper Joel Robles. Madrid and one behind second-placed the warm-up. Liechtenstein in Vaduz. He played a with a knee injury, fell awkwardly after ners Barcelona face Atletico Madrid Betis’s top scorer Loren Moron Real Madrid and leaders Barcelona, The problem will rule him out of key role in Brescia’s promotion to Serie being fouled by Burnley’s Ashley West- and Copa del Rey champions Valencia snatched an equaliser for the hosts to- who both have a game in hand. Costa Rica’s upcoming CONCACAF A this season and scored his fi rst Serie wood during the closing stages of the play Real Madrid before a fi nal on Jan- wards the end of the fi rst half, volley- Nations League games against Curacao A goal on October 26. match on Saturday. uary 12. RFEF president Luis Rubiales ing in from close range. Sevilla restored PSG GOALKEEPER NAVAS OUT and Haiti, on November 15 and 18, and Italy, who have already qualifi ed Lanzini required oxygen and was said women would be allowed into the their lead 10 minutes into the second INJURED FOR TWO WEEKS faces a race to be fi t in time for PSG’s for next year’s European Champion- carried off on a stretcher at Turf Moor, ground for the fi xtures and the govern- period through Dutch striker Luuk de Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Champions League match at Real Ma- ship, face Bosnia and Herzegovina on before the club confi rmed the player ing body would subsequently help the Jong and withstood waves of late pres- Navas has been ruled out of action for drid on November 26. PSG coach Tho- November 15 before hosting Armenia would have surgery in London. The Saudi Arabian football federation to sure to grind out the victory, prompt- at least two weeks with a thigh injury, mas Tuchel has an extremely lengthy three days later. problems continue to mount for West organise a local league for women. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, November 12, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS/ATP FINALS F1 Mercedes boss Wolff to miss Brazilian Tsitsipas downs Grand Prix

Reuters on Nov 3 after the team sealed London the constructors’ championship in Japan on Oct 13. Mercedes have dominated the ercedes boss Toto V6 turbo-hybrid era that started Medvedev in Wolff will miss in 2014 and have won 14 of this Sunday’s Brazilian season’s 19 races so far — Ham- Grand Prix, making ilton 10 of them. Mit the fi rst race he has not at- The Briton has 83 career wins tended since 2013, now that his and is closing in on Michael team have won both Formula Schumacher’s all-time record One championships for an un- of 91. The 34-year-old won in precedented sixth year in a row. last year, while Mercedes battle of debutants A Mercedes spokesman said wrapped up the constructors’ technical director James Alli- championship there. ‘It was one of the toughest, most important victories of my career so far’ son will be the most senior team With both titles secure, and member at the track in the Aus- the top three positions in the trian’s absence. constructors’ standings locked “With both championships in, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red secured, it gives me more time Bull will also be using the last in Europe to focus on other open two races to test ideas for next topics,” Wolff said in a team pre- season. view of the season’s penultimate “Despite this record-break- race at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos ing achievement, I still feel a lot track. of hunger and desire for more “It’s great to be able to do this achievements,” said Wolff . and to know that the team will “There’s no sense of compla- represent the three-pointed star cency, everybody is still deter- in the best way possible both on mined to keep on improving... and off the track.” we have two races to go in the Lewis Hamilton won his sixth 2019 season and we want to end world championship when he this season on a high.” fi nished second to team mate The last race is in Abu Dhabi in Valtteri Bottas in Austin, Texas, December.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff . (Twitter) Stefanos Tsitsipas returns against Daniil Medvedev during their round-robin match on day two of the ATP Finals at the O2 Arena in London yesterday. ((Reuters)

AFP 6-4 victory. not let his chance slip, serving added. “I had goosebumps.” was not serving fl at out in prac- London The Greek could not convert out for victory. World number four Medvedev, tice last week due to an abdomi- Nadal retains top spot in ATP rankings the lone break point in the open- The two players have a spiky 23, has emerged as the leader of nal strain. ing set and the set went to a tie- relationship. the pack of young tyros bidding Regardless of Djokovic’s re- retains top spot in number one finishes. tefanos Tsitsipas hailed break. Tensions fl ared between to unseat the old guard of Nadal, sults this week, Nadal will clinch the battle with Top 10 rankings: one of the “most im- But at 5-5 in the breaker, them at the 2018 Novak Djokovic and Roger Fed- the year-end top spot for a fi fth for the year-ending number 1. Rafael Nadal, Spain, 9,585 portant victories” of his Tsitsipas produced one of best and Tsitsipas recently labelled erer. time if he reaches the fi nal with one in the ATP rankings. points career after breaking his points of the match and fi nished Medvedev’s way of winning as Four of the eight competitors a 4-0 record. Djokovic began his campaign 2. Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 8,945 hoodooS against Daniil Medvedev it with a forehand volley winner. “boring” after defeat against the at the ATP Finals at the O2 Arena Nadal has qualifi ed 15 straight to reclaim the world number 3. , Switzerland, yesterday as Rafael Nadal pre- He converted the opportunity Russian in Shanghai. are under 24 for the fi rst time in times for the year-end cham- one spot with a 6-2, 6-1 win over 6,190 pared to launch his bid for a fi rst with an aggressive forehand and “It was one of the toughest, 10 years. pionships but he has only made Italy’s Matteo Berrettini at the ATP 4. Daniil Medvedev, , 5,705 ATP Finals title. let out a roar of delight. most important victories of my Nadal, takes on defending eight prior appearances due to Finals in London on Sunday. 5. , , 5,025 The Greek 21-year-old came The second set remained tight career so far,” said the Greek champion in injuries. Nadal was in action late Monday 6. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece, into the match at London’s O2 but Medvedev fatally opted to world number six. the later match in Group An- Djokovic launched his bid for against Germany’s Alexander 4,000 Arena with a 5-0 losing record let a forehand go when rushing “I gave myself a big boost, I dre Agassi with major ques- a sixth ATP Finals title with a Zverev. Djokovic must at least 7. Alexander Zverev, Germany, against his Russian opponent the net at 4-4 and it landed well kept believing, kept fi ghting, tions over his fi tness since he comfortable win against Matteo reach the final at London’s O2 2,945 weighing on him. inside the baseline, giving the believing in myself, and that last withdrew injured from the Paris Berrettini on Sunday but Federer Arena with two round robin 8. Matteo Berrettini, Italy, 2,670 But he edged a tight fi rst set, Greek a break point. game was one of the toughest.” Masters at the semi-fi nal stage. slipped to a straight-sets defeat successes if he is to overtake 9. , Spain, winning the tie-break, and a Medvedev then hit a backhand “I had great support, there are The Spanish top seed is locked against Dominic Thiem, putting Nadal and equal American Pete 2,540 single break late in the second long to give Tsitsipas the fi rst Greek fl ags everywhere, it feels in a battle with Djokovic to fi nish his hopes of progress in serious Sampras’ record of six year-end 10. Gael Monfils, France, 2,530. set proved decisive in a 7-6 (7/5), break of the match and he did like I’m playing in Athens,” he as the year-end number one but jeopardy.

RUGBY Boks celebrate victory at legendary Mandela site AFP ment in South Africa’s rebirth as rica to recall who we are”. Cape Town white-minority rule crumbled. “You have again made us able to The Springboks beat England 32- forget our racial tensions, to forget 12 victory against England in Japan the gender-based violence and to outh Africa’s rugby stars yes- on November 2, earning their third focus on that which makes us great terday hoisted the World Cup world crown in rugby’s paramount as South Africa.” before thousands of ecstatic tournament. She urged them to “continue to fans at Cape Town’s City But this team broke new ground, unite this country.” Hall,S where Nelson Mandela made being the most racially-mixed in a “If politics fails, our fallback is his fi rst speech after his release from national sport which was once the sports, because there... we under- prison. preserve of the white elite. stand the rules of the game, we un- The Springboks’ fi nal stop on derstand who and what makes us a their victory tour pounded home the ‘Reach for the stars’ people,” Modise said message of unity in a country still Earlier yesterday, the Springboks In a brief response to the members nursing the wounds of apartheid a visited anti-apartheid icon Arch- of parliament building, Kolisi said quarter-century after its end. bishop Desmond Tutu, who sported “we hope that we make you proud “Look how we are all diff erent, dif- a green Springboks jersey. and we hope that we have inspired ferent races, diff erent backgrounds, “What this group of youngsters you”. and we came together for South and has achieved speaks, beyond rugby, Team members wore yellow T- we made it happen,” Siya Kolisi, the to the possibility of what we can shirts with inscription “stronger to- Springboks’ fi rst black Test captain, be. No matter where we come from, gether”. told thousands of fans. if we reach for the stars, we can ac- Three decades ago, the Spring- “I’m saying to you today, just take tually touch them,” said Tutu in a boks were widely viewed as a pawn a look around you, there is diff erent statement. or a symbol of white-minority races, diff erent people with diff erent Dwarfed by most of the squad, apartheid regime. backgrounds, but look how you are Tutu appeared particularly im- Their victorious homecoming making it special for us.” pressed by Trevor Nyakane and tour, aboard an open-topped bus. “It’s time for us South Africans to Tendai Mtawarira’s size — while has taken them to Soweto, a town- stop fi ghting, to stop arguing... and scrum half Faf de Klerk gave the ship near Johannesburg where they move forward as a country,” he said, archbishop a glimpse of his “fa- were once reviled, and to the seat of to wild applause from fans in the vast mously patriotic underwear he re- government in Pretoria where they square. vealed to Prince Harry after winning met President Cyril Ramaphosa. It was in that same square in front the cup” eight days earlier, said the They also took the trophy to Dur- of City Hall on February 11, 1990, statement. ban, East London and Port Eliza- that Nelson Mandela spoke to eu- The Springboks also met lawmak- beth, Kolisi’s home town. phoric crowds hours after his release ers outside the parliament building. Throughout the tour, thousands from 27 years in prison. The speaker of the legislature, of South Africans, from all back- That was Mandela’s fi rst major Thandi Modise, told the triumphant grounds, have come out to cheer the South African captain Siya Kolisi (centre) holds the trophy during their team’s last stop to parade the Web Ellis Trophy at the Cape Town City speech as a free man and a key mo- squad: “You have enabled South Af- national team. Hall in Cape Town yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, November 12, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Salazar lodges ban appeal with Raptors cool off top sports court trol process, and administering illicit infusions of the fat-burn- ing substance, L-carnitine. He denies any wrongdoing. Last month Nike, which red-hot Lakers, backed Salazar after his sus- pension by the US Anti-Doping Agency announced it was shut- ting down the Oregon Project. Mark Parker, who at the time was Nike chief executive but has since stepped aside, said when Salazar’s ban was announced Nuggets on a roll that the company would still support the coach, best known for coaching Britain’s four-time The Raptors are one of the best teams despite losing Leonard to free agency AFP Olympic champion Mo Farah, in Lausanne his appeal. AFP Los Angeles KIPTIM BANNED isgraced running coach Kenya’s former world half Alberto Salazar marathon record holder Abra- ascal Siakam tallied 24 has lodged an appeal ham Kiptum has been banned points and 11 rebounds RESULTS against a four-year ban for four years over an anti-dop- as the reigning NBA Dfor doping off ences, the Court of ing violation, the Athletics In- champion Toronto Rap- New York 87, Cleveland 108 Arbitration for Sport announced tegrity Unit (AIU) said. Ptors overcame a LeBron James yesterday. The AIU, which oversees in- LA Lakers 104, Toronto 113 triple double on Sunday night Orlando 102, Indiana 109 Jeff rey Brown, a Texas endo- tegrity issues in international to beat the Los Angeles Lakers Philadelphia 114, Charlotte 106 crinologist who treated many of athletics, including doping, 113-104. Portland 124, Atlanta 113 (OT) Salazar’s athletes at Nike’s Ore- had provisionally suspended Siakam fuelled a late rally by Phoenix 138, Brooklyn 112 gon Project training hub in Port- the 30-year-old on April 26 for the injury-depleted Raptors Oklahoma City 119, land, has also appealed against an Athlete Biological Passport who trailed 60-52 at the half Milwaukee 121 his suspension. (ABP) violation. but dominated down the stretch Minnesota 98, Denver CAS said it has “registered The passport uses blood tests against the host Lakers, who 100 (OT) the appeals” against decisions to detect the likelihood of dop- had a seven game win streak rendered by the American Ar- ing rather than testing for spe- snapped. bitration Association, North cifi c substances. “We had good opportunities American Court of Arbitration Kiptum’s four-year ban com- to win the game but they turned for Sport Panel “in which they mences from that date and all it up in the fourth quarter,” said were found to have committed his results going back to Oct. 13, James. anti-doping rule violations and 2018 — including a half mara- “It doesn’t matter that they sanctioned with a four-year pe- thon world record (58 minutes were shorthanded. They still riod of ineligibility.” and 18 seconds) that he had set got players with championship CAS said two arbitration pro- in Valencia later that month — DNA.” Siakam is helping Raptor cedures had been opened and have been disqualifi ed. fans forget about the loss of NBA both men had requested more His time was fi ve seconds fi nals MVP Kawhi Leonard to time to prepare their case. better than the previous mark the Los Angeles Clippers. “At this stage, it appears that set by Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese The Raptors have been one the hearings in these two mat- in Lisbon in 2010. of the best teams in the league ters are unlikely to take place Kiptum’s compatriot Geof- despite losing Leonard to free before March 2020,” said CAS. frey Kamworor broke the world agency and Danny Green to the Salazar’s doping off ences in- half-marathon record by 17 sec- Lakers. clude traffi cking testosterone, onds in Copenhagen in Septem- The Raptors were missing two tampering with the doping con- ber. of their top players Sunday, in- cluding guard Kyle Lowry, who is out with a broken thumb and forward Serge Ibaka who has a Kipchoge, Warholm fi nalists for top IAAF award severe right ankle sprain. Chris Boucher scored 15 Frankfurt : Eliud Kipchoge He also won the Diamond points, Norman Powell added 14 leads the five finalists to be League 5,000m. and Terence Davis chipped in 13 male athlete of the year, re- American Kendricks complet- points for the Raptors, who have Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors scores on a layup in front of Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green of the Los Angeles Lakers during their vealed Monday by the govern- ed the Diamond League/worlds won six of their last seven con- NBA game at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday. ing IAAF, but faces competition double in pole vault while tests. from world champions Joshua Norway’s Warholm did likewise “We got a lot of tough guys,” hurt his shoulder but stayed in On Friday, Serbia’s Jokic hit a Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 Barton drained another to put Cheptegei, Sam Kendricks, in the 400m hurdles. said Raptors Fred VanVleet who the game. Lakers coach Frank 20 footer with 1.2 seconds left to points and 16 rebounds, Andrew Denver ahead 98-94, but Min- Noah Lyles and Karsten Lyles won the 200m world fi nished with 23 points. “Our Vogel said after the game Davis lift the Nuggets to a 100-97 win Wiggins also scored 25 and Josh nesota came back to level it with Warholm. title, took the 100m/200m guys got a lot of heart and those is “fi ne with that shoulder.” over the Philadelphia 76ers. Okogie had 17 points for Min- 26 seconds left. Kenya’s Kipchoge ran a non- Diamond League sprint double guys playing tonight because of Also, Nikola Jokic nailed his “At this point, you just sit nesota. That set the stage for Jokic sanctioned marathon in under and was part of the US team injuries, they got something to second consecutive game-win- back and watch it,” Denver for- The Timberwolves were to hit his fadeaway jumper over 2 hours last month and earlier which won the 4x100m relay prove.” ning basket just before the fi nal ward Paul Millsap said. “I be- missing two of their top guards Towns to cap the scoring. in the year retained his London in Qatar. James fi nished with just 13 buzzer as the Denver Nuggets lieve in the shots he’s making, in Jeff Teague and Shabazz Na- In Oklahoma City, Giannis marathon title. A three-way voting process points but added 15 assists and outlasted the Minnesota Tim- and in those situations we’ve pier. Teague was out with an Antetokounmpo fi nished with Ugandan distance runner including blocks from the IAAF 13 rebounds for his fourth triple berwolves 100-98 in overtime. just got to give it to him.” illness and Shabazz has a ham- 35 points and 16 rebounds and Joshua Cheptegei followed council, family and fans ended double of the season as the Lak- Jokic drained a 15-foot fadea- Jokic fi nished with 20 points, string problem. Brook Lopez nailed the eventual his world cross country title in November 4 and the winner ers suff ered their fi rst loss since way jump shot with three sec- Millsap had 14 points and 10 re- The Nuggets went just over winning basket with 25 seconds March with 10,000 metres gold will be announced at the World a season opening setback to the onds left in overtime for the bounds and Will Barton scored eight minutes without a point left as the Milwaukee Bucks at the recent world champion- Athletics Awards in Monaco on Clippers. Nuggets, who won their fourth six of his 13 points in overtime. before Barton hit a three-point- posted a 121-119 win over the ships in Doha. November 23. Anthony Davis appeared to straight game. Barton also had 12 rebounds. er with 3:40 left in overtime. host Thunder.

NHL Kane, Blackhawks outscore Maple Leafs

Reuters Joel Farabee scored the lone streak since the fi rst two games of Chicago goal of the shootout as Philadel- the season. Mantha skated in on phia won at Boston. a partial breakaway and fi red a Travis Konecny and Philippe wrist shot from the right face-off atrick Kane had two Myers tallied in regulation, as the circle inside the far post and just goals and an assist, and Flyers recovered from blowing a under the crossbar for his 11th the Chicago Blackhawks two-goal lead in the third period. goal of the season. poured in four goals in Carter Hart had 26 saves and That proved enough for the Pthe fi rst period before holding turned away all three shots he Red Wings, who trailed 2-1 en- on for a 5-4 win over the visiting faced in the shootout to lead tering the third. Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday Philadelphia to its fourth straight The Golden Knights have now evening. win. Danton Heinen and Brad lost fi ve of their last six games. Kirby Dach, Jonathan Toews Marchand scored for the Bruins, They fi nished 1-2-1 on a four- and Brandon Saad also scored who have lost three in a row for game road trip against Eastern for Chicago, which has bounced the fi rst time this season. Conference opponents. back from a diffi cult start to col- Jaroslav Halak stopped 27 lect at least one point in fi ve of six shots. DEVILS 2, CANUCKS 1 games this month. New Jersey goaltender Mac- Alex DeBrincat had three as- JETS 3, STARS 2 (OT) kenzie Blackwood made 30 saves sists. William Nylander scored Mark Scheifele scored 21 sec- to beat Vancouver for the second twice, and John Tavares and An- onds into overtime as host Win- time in less than a month in the dreas Johnsson each scored once nipeg snapped Dallas’ four-game visiting Devils’ narrow win. for Toronto. winning streak with a victory. Sunday’s road win was the Auston Matthews recorded Scheifele scored his seventh 11th straight victory for the Dev- four assists. goal of the season off a two-on- ils over the Canucks, including Blackhawks goaltender Robin one that he kept and drove past Blackwood’s 25-save shutout on Lehner made 53 saves — the sec- Stars netminder Anton Khu- Oct. ond-highest total in a game in his dobin (26 saves) to help the Jets 19 IN NEW JERSEY. career — to earn the win. Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) and defenseman Duncan Keith (2) defend against Toronto Maple Leafs’ improve to 4-0-1 in their last fi ve Wayne Simmonds and Jesper Chicago blitzed Toronto with Andreas Johnsson (18) during the first period of their game on Sunday. PICTURE: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports contests. Bratt tallied for the Devils, who four goals in the fi rst 17-plus Down 2-1, Winnipeg tied the ended their fi ve-game road trip minutes and carried a 4-1 advan- game just 1:52 into the third pe- with a 3-2-0 record. tage into the fi rst intermission. as the Oilers won their third con- The Ducks are 2-2-1 on a sea- cits and recorded a wild 6-5 vic- shootout goal. Frank Vatrano riod when Andrew Copp drilled A 22-year-old native of Thun- secutive road game following a son-long seven-game home- tory over host New York. The also scored in the shootout for a Khudobin save of Tucker Pool- der Bay, Ontario, Blackwood OILERS 6, DUCKS 2 four-game road losing streak. stand. Panthers won it when Trocheck the Panthers, and rookie Kaapo man’s shot into a gaping net. improved to 4-0 against the Ca- Connor McDavid delivered Zack Kassian added a goal for made a wide move and then Kakko scored in the third round nucks, allowing a total of three his fi fth career hat trick, and Edmonton. PANTHERS 6, reached the middle of the ice. for the Rangers. RED WINGS 3, GOLDEN goals in those games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored Rickard Rakell and Max Jones RANGERS 5 (SO) He waited for New York goal- Panthers goalie Sam Montem- KNIGHTS 2 New Jersey played without two goals as visiting Edmonton scored goals for the Ducks, who Vincent Trocheck scored the tender Henrik Lundqvist to go beault made 29 saves, and Lun- Anthony Mantha scored the standout defenseman Sami Va- cruised to a victory against Ana- lost their third consecutive home game-winning goal in the third down and then fl ipped a wrist dqvist stopped 30 shots. game-winning goal with 31 sec- tanen, who took an elbow to the heim. game after opening the season round of the shootout as Florida shot over him and into the back onds remaining to lift Detroit face in Friday’s 4-0 loss in Ed- Leon Draisaitl had four assists 6-1-0 in their own building. overcame three one-goal defi - of the net for his 13th career FLYERS 3, BRUINS 2 (SO) past visiting Vegas for its fi rst win monton. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, November 12, 2019 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT Titans topple Heat ban Waiters for Chiefs, Falcons 10 games

AFP Miami

iami Heat reserve guard Dion Wait- shock for Saints ers was suspended for 10 games without ‘We’ve got a bunch of guys who believe in each other, have a lot of confidence’ Mpay on Sunday by the NBA club for “conduct detrimental to the team” after an airplane incident. The ban began with the Heat’s loss Friday at the Los Ange- les Lakers and will sideline the 27-year-old American until a December 1 game at Brooklyn. Waiters, who signed a four- year deal worth $52mn with the Heat in 2017, also had been sus- pended for the Heat’s season- game last Friday, and will be eli- opening victory last month over gible to return after the Golden Memphis, costing him $83,448. State Warriors game on Novem- According to multiple reports, ber 29th. Waiters was involved in an inci- “We are proud of how our dent on the team plane Thursday players have started the season. night on the fl ight from Phoenix We expect all of our play- to Los Angeles, one involving in- ers, including Dion, to conduct gesting THC, the active ingredi- themselves in accordance with ent in marijuana. the highest standards, and to NBA drug policy prevents show professionalism and re- Tennessee Titans teams from commenting on such spect for their teammates, the quarterback Ryan matters, but the Heat issued a team, the fans and the NBA com- Tannehill (17) runs for a statement Sunday announcing munity.” first down on the the ban on Waiters. Waiters has not joined the game-winning drive “We are very disappointed in team on the bench this season, in the fourth quarter Dion’s actions this season that even though he was activated for against the Kansas include the very scary situation a pair of games. City Chiefs on Sunday. on Thursday night, and grateful The Heat (6-3) next play on PICTURE: Christopher that the outcome wasn’t worse,” Tuesday at home against De- Hanewinckel-USA the Heat said. troit. TODAY Sports “There have been a number of Waiters, selected fourth over- instances this season in which all in the 2012 NBA Draft, has av- Dion has engaged in conduct eraged 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds detrimental to the team. and 2.8 assists a game over 409 Accordingly, he will be sus- NBA appearances in eight sea- pended without pay for 10 sons with Cleveland, Oklahoma games, including the Lakers City and Miami.

BASEBALL Giants name Harris AFP from a dislocated kneecap, had ton said. “Pick a situation and the waning minutes to beat the Los Angeles RESULTS looked on the way to victory in there’s a good chance they won Colts 16-12. a surprisingly tight game when that situation.” There were no surprises in as general manager Arizona ...... 27 Tampa Bay ...30 they stopped Tennessee on a The Cleveland Browns earned Cincinnati, where Baltimore Atlanta ...... 26 New Orleans ..9 fourth down with less than two their fi rst home win of the sea- Ravens quarterback Lamar Reuters rates assistant general manager ansas City quarter- Baltimore ..49 Cincinnati ...... 13 minutes to play. son, snapping a four-game skid Jackson’s threw for three touch- San Francisco Kevan Graves and Astros direc- back Patrick Mahomes Buff alo ...... 16 Cleveland ...... 19 But Mahomes was sacked on with a dramatic 19-16 victory downs and produced a scintil- tor of player development Pete threw for 418 yards Detroit...... 13 Chicago ...... 20 third down and a fi eld goal at- over the Buff alo Bills. lating 47-yard TD run in a 49-13 Putila. and three touchdowns Kansas City 32 Tennessee ...... 35 tempt was botched — giving the Trailing 16-12, the Browns rout of the Bengals. he San Francisco Giants “I am so appreciative and hon- butK it wasn’t enough as the Ten- Titans better position for what launched a 10-play, 82-yard NFC North leaders Baltimore named Scott Harris as oured to join the San Francisco NY Giants ..27 NY Jets...... 34 nessee Titans spoiled his return Miami ...... 16 Indianapolis ...12 proved a winning drive. drive capped by quarterback won their fi fth straight and their new general man- Giants, a storied franchise with from injury with a 35-32 victory Carolina ...... 16 Green Bay ...... 24 Astonishingly, it wasn’t even Baker Mayfi eld’s seven-yard TD notched their second win of the Tager on Sunday. a loyal, passionate and deserving over the Chiefs in just one of LA Rams .....12 Pittsburgh...... 17 close in New Orleans, where pass to wide receiver Rashard season over last-placed division Harris spent the last seven fan base,” Harris said in a state- Sunday’s NFL shockers. Minnesota 28 Dallas ...... 24 Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan Higgins. rivals Cincinnati. years in the front offi ce of the ment. “I’m humbled by the op- In New Orleans, the Saints returned from a sprained ankle Rookie kicker Austin Seib- The Green Bay Packers fend- Chicago Cubs. He was assistant portunity to help bring the next saw their six-game winning and completed 20 of 35 passes ert delivered the extra point for ed off an upset at snowy Lam- general manager the past two world championship to Giants streak snapped by the Atlanta time with a last-gasp fi eld goal for 182 yards, two touchdowns a 19-16 lead, and Bills kicker beau Field, beating the Carolina seasons. fans and San Francisco, a city that Falcons, who sacked Saints was thwarted as the Titans and one interception. Stephen Hauschka missed a 53- Panthers 24-16. “We’re thrilled to be able to has always held a special place quarterback Drew Brees six blocked the eff ort as time ex- Atlanta’s newly signed South yard fi eld goal attempt with 17 In Tampa, Jameis Winston bring in an executive of Scott’s in my heart. I’m excited to get to times in a 26-9 triumph. pired. Korean kicker Koo Young-hoe seconds remaining that would threw for 358 yards and one calibre to help lead our Baseball work with Farhan, our baseball NFC South leaders New Or- “We just kept fi ghting,” booted four fi eld goals for the have forced overtime. touchdown to help the Bucca- Operations group,” president of operations staff and the rest of leans dropped to 7-2 while di- said Tannehill, whose Titans Falcons, who became the fi rst In Chicago, the Bears ended a neers halted a four-game losing baseball operations Farhan Zaidi the Giants family.” vision stragglers Atlanta im- notched their third victory in 1-7 team to beat a 7-1 team since four-game losing streak with a streak with a 30-27 victory over said in a statement. “The com- The Giants haven’t yet fi lled proved to 2-7. four weeks to improve to 5-5. the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the 2013 win over the Detroit Lions, the Arizona Cardinals. bination of his breadth of ex- their managerial position, which In Nashville, Titans quar- “I think that’s one thing this Indianapolis Colts in November who were without quarterback Cardinals quarterback Kyler perience, contributions toward is open after Bruce Bochy’s re- terback Ryan Tannehill piloted team has done all year, We’ve of 2003. Matthew Staff ord. Murray set a rookie record for building a championship-win- tirement. the hosts 61 yards in four plays got a bunch of guys who be- New Orleans hurt their own The Lions did not confi rm an most passing attempts with- ning perennial contender in Chi- San Francisco has reportedly in less than a minute and found lieve in each other, have a lot cause with 11 penalties costing ESPN report that Staff ord has out an interception when he cago and his Bay Area roots made narrowed down that search to Adam Humphries for a 23-yard of confi dence. No matter what them 85 yards and the Atlanta broken bones in his spine, say- took the streak to 177 in the fi rst him an ideal fi t for our General three fi nalists: former Philadel- touchdown with 23 seconds re- happens, we’re just going to defense — who had mustered ing only that doctors hadn’t quarter. Manager position and I’m look- phia Phillies manager Gabe Ka- maining. keep fi ghting and fi nd a way to just seven sacks all season, pun- cleared him to play. He had run the streak to 211 ing forward to executing our vi- pler, Houston Astros bench coach Tannehill then ran for a two- win games.” The Chiefs, who ished Brees. In Indianapolis, the Miami before he was intercepted late sion together.” Joe Espada and Tampa Bay Rays point conversion that put the had been without reigning NFL “They beat us well in all three Dolphins notched just their sec- in the contest — the fi rst time he Harris, who grew up in the Bay bench coach Matt Quatraro. Es- Titans up 35-32. Most Valuable Player Mahomes areas, they played better than ond win of the season, coming was picked off since September Area suburb of Redwood City, pada is reportedly the favourite, The Chiefs’ bid to force over- for two games as he recovered us,” Saints coach Sean Pay- up with a big defensive stop in 29. was chosen over Pittsburgh Pi- according to MLB.com

BOTTOMLINE Seattle defeat Toronto 3-1 to capture MLS Cup AFP fl ected in off Toronto defender Justin kick. Los Angeles Morrow but offi cials chose not to call It was the second MLS title for it an own goal in the 57th minute, the 57-year-old hometown coach Brian score against the run of play giving the Schmetzer, who began his playing efenders Kelvin Leerdam Sounders the lead for good. career with the original Sounders in and Victor Rodriguez and Rodriguez took a centring pass from 1980. Peruvian striker Raul Ruid- Uruguayan midfi elder Nicolas Lodeiro “It’s a good moment for Seattle and Diaz scored second-half goals at the top of the box and smashed a the fans and the players, who have to spark the Seattle Sounders over right-footed shot into the far corner in overcome adversity all year,” he said. Toronto FC 3-1 in Sunday’s MLS Cup the 76th minute. “The fi rst goal, Kelvin got the de- championship match. Ruidiaz added Seattle’s fi nal goal in fl ection and that got us started. My A noisy crowd of 69,274, the larg- the 90th minute, netting his seventh team is a dangerous team and that re- est in the history of Seattle’s NFL and goal in six career playoff matches. ally got us going.” MLS stadium, roared in delight at the American Jozy Altidore, who came Toronto sustained early pressure, fi nal whistle as the Sounders collected off Toronto’s bench in the second half with Canadian and a second title in four campaigns. after missing most of the playoff s with Frenchman Nicolas Benezet forcing “The atmosphere was amazing,” a quadriceps injury, scored in the third saves by Seattle goalkeeper Stefan said Spanish reserve Rodriguez, who minute of stoppage time to avert a Frei in the fi rst 11 minutes and Sound- was named the MLS Cup Most Valu- shutout for the Reds. ers winger Jordan Morris denied on a able Player. “I will remember this mo- Leerdam, a 29-year-old - counter-attack by Toronto goalkeeper ment as long as I live. I’m really happy.” born right back, hit a shot that was go- Quentin Westberg. It was the third championship ing wide before striking Morrow. Frei defl ected a Benezet shot with match meeting over four seasons for It wasn’t the fi rst costly mistake by his left arm in the 36th minute and Toronto and Seattle, but their fi rst on Morrow in an MLS Cup fi nal. In 2016, Westberg saved a Ruidiaz right-footed US soil. the Canadian club avenged the loss by said. “We have really good mentality all my teammates. We really deserved he missed Toronto’s last penalty kick blast from the heart of the box in the The Sounders won the 2016 crown capturing the 2017 title 2-0. always. And at home with our fans it’s that.” off the crossbar just before Seattle’s 45th minute to keep the game score- on penalties after a goalless draw but “We are so competitive,” Rodriguez a little bit easier for us. I’m proud for Dutchman Leerdam’s blast de- Roman Torres netted the title-taking less at half-time. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 12, 2019 7

FOCUS COMMENT Racists out of tune with changing Hope ton powers world, says Archer WI to ODI sweep over Afghanistan ‘This was an opportunity for us to show we have that kind of venom inside us’

AFP Lucknow, India

pening batsman Shai Hope struck an un- beaten century as West Indies outplayed AfghanistanO by fi ve in the third one-day international yesterday to complete a 3-0 se- ries rout. Hope made 109 and built File photo of Jofra Archer. (IANS) crucial partnerships includ- ing an unbeaten 71-run stand AFP ground, because there were some with Roston Chase, 42 , London abusive fans when we played Pa- to anchor West Indies’ chase of kistan at Trent Bridge (heckling 250 with eight balls to spare in Ben Stokes). Lucknow. ngland’s fast-bowling The wicketkeeper-batsman sensation Jofra Archer MORE MULTICULTURAL completed his seventh ODI hun- says cricket fans who Archer, who says an elderly dred as West Indies, under new resort to racist abuse spectator at a county game with limited-overs captain Kieron shouldE realise times have moved Kent had once queried how was West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph Pollard, recorded their fi rst ODI (right) bowls to Afghanistan’s on and the world is a much more he playing for Sussex, said rac- whitewash since 2014. during the multi-cultural place. ist incidents occurred far less in “We came here with a mis- third ODI at the Ekana Cricket The 24-year-old Barbados- cricket than football. sion and specifi c roles for play- Stadium in Lucknow, India, born bowler has quickly become “The world’s changing,” he ers, and all the players deserve yesterday. (AFP) a favourite with the England fans said. credit,” said Pollard. since he became eligible to play “It’s becoming more multi- “Winning is a habit, and any- for his adopted country earlier cultural. A lot of people have ac- thing that we want to do as a this year. cepted it for what it is. team is a process, and it’s some- The Sussex star benefi ted from “Look at the England cricket thing we had to improve in a pe- the England and Wales Cricket team — there’s huge diversity. riod of time. Board reducing the eligibility pe- “It’s the same with any foot- “This was an opportunity for matches in their newly adopted West Indies bowling. timate ball of the innings as Af- us any chances.” riod from seven years to three so ball club in the world. us to show we have that kind of home in Lucknow. India has Opener Hazratullah Zazai hit ghanistan managed 54 runs from He added, “We have to focus he did not have to wait till 2022. “I think people have to accept venom inside us. We knew we been the home of the war-torn an attacking 50 but the rest of the last fi ve overs. on doing the right things, and He quickly showed his worth it. Times have changed, it’s not had to rally as a team, and we nation’s cricket team since 2015. the top-order fell fl at. “We were just trying to be making the right decisions at by bowling the decisive Super 2007 any more.” proved we can bat 50 overs, and A 127-run partnership between Afghan, who hit three fours better in each and every game. the right time. T20 is all about Over in the thrilling World Cup Archer says he sees himself once we do that, we can win and Mohammad and six sixes, then took stock to There were more positives from enjoyment, and we have to keep fi nal win over New Zealand. as a role model to young British games.” Nabi gave Afghanistan a fi ghting re-build and Nabi joined forces us in today’s game,” said Rashid. enjoying, whether in batting, He then marked his test debut West Indians who have aspira- Paceman Keemo Paul played total from a precarious 118-5 after with the batting pair taking the “The kind of fi nishing we got bowling or fi elding. The results by fl ooring ’s star bats- tions to play cricket for England. a key role in the win, returning being invited to bat fi rst. attack to the opposition. from Asghar and Nabi gave us will take care of themselves.” man Steve Smith in the second “Yeah, to let them know it’s fi gures of 3-44 in Afghanistan’s Afghan made 86 off 85 balls Nabi, who hit three fours and a chance to win the game. We The two teams will now play Ashes Test at Lord’s which saw possible,” said Archer. 249 for seven. and Nabi remained unbeaten a six in his 66-ball stay, raised should have defended this total, three internationals in him miss the following match at “It doesn’t really matter where Afghanistan’s teenage spin- on 50 to thwart a persistent his 15th ODI fi fty on the penul- but Hope played without giving Lucknow starting November 14. Headingley with concussion and you’re born. If you know that ner took two in his absence England won to cricket’s what you want to do, wickets to reduce West Indies to level the series. you never know where you’ll four for two but Hope stood fi rm Scorecard It was in the fourth Test at Old end up. I didn’t know my dreams to keep the chase on track. AFGHANISTAN (), 3-65 (), 4-74 KA Pollard c N Zadran b 32 Traff ord — which Australia won would come true and I’d end up Hope, who starred in the to ensure they retained the Ashes playing cricket for England. If it Hazratullah Zazai c Lewis b Paul 50 (Hazratullah Zazai), 5-118 (Najibullah Za- RL Chase not out 42 opening win with an unbeaten dran), 6-245 (Asghar Afghan), 7-249 (Rashid — that Archer was barracked by a happens for me, it can happen for 77, remained the top-scorer in Ibrahim Zadran lbw b Joseph 2 Khan) Extras: (b 4, lb 1, w 4) 9 couple of fans. anyone.” the series with 229 runs. “I was aware what the guys Archer says being the man Rahmat Shah c Pooran b Paul 10 Bowling: AS Joseph 9-1-59-2, R Shepherd Total: (48.4 overs) 253/5 Man of the match Hope got were saying — something about who bowled the decisive Super Ikram Alikhil b Paul 9 9-0-47-1, RL Chase 10-0-24-1, KMA Paul 10-2- Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Evin Lewis), 2-4 (Shim- support from debutant Brandon my passport — but I blanked Over in the World Cup did not 44-3, HR Walsh 7-0-51-0, KA Pollard 5-0-20-0 ron Hetmyer), 3-68 (Brandon King), 4-119 King, who made 39, and Pollard, Asghar Afghan c Shepherd b Joseph 86 them,” he told The Daily Mail in alter his profi le. WEST INDIES (Nicholas Pooran), 5-182 () who hit 32. c King b Chase 30 an interview conducted in New “Not many England fans knew SD Hope not out 109 Bowling: Mujeeb Ur Rahman 10-1-49-2, Chase was named man of the Mohammad Nabi not out 50 Zealand where England are tour- who I was anyway, so if they saw series for his 145 runs includ- E Lewis lbw b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1 Yamin Ahmadzai 8.4-1-49-0, Sharafuddin ing. me in the street they probably ing a highest of 94 in the three c Walsh b Shepherd 0 Ashraf 10-0-57-1, Mohammad Nabi 10-1-47-1, thought I was a footballer, or SO Hetmyer lbw b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 0 “It was only later that Rooty matches and six wickets with his Extras (b 1, lb 3, w 8) 12 Rashid Khan 10-0-46-1 (Joe Root the England captain) something,” he said. BA King b Rashid Khan 39 off -spin. Total (f50 overs) 249/7 Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets (with said the guys got ejected. “I guess that was the beauty Afghanistan, led by Rashid N Pooran c I. Zadran b Sharafuddin Ashraf 21 8 balls remaining) “It was the fi rst time I’d seen of it, being able to go under the Khan, were outplayed in all three Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Ibrahim Zadran), 2-45 someone get ejected from a radar.”

BOTTOMLINE SPOTLIGHT Pattinson pinching Can Iyer be the solution to himself aft er a rare run of fi tness India’s long-standing No. 4? Australia team as a fi ery 21-year- Reuters Reuters with myself. I don’t want my- Melbourne old, Pattinson has managed only Mumbai self to be judged with anyone or 19 tests in a career interrupted when you say that this position Shreyas Iyer plays a shot during the by frequent back problems. is empty in the team. third T20 match against Bangladesh ustralia paceman He was picked for the first ndia’s search for a limited- “I am really open-minded at the Vidarbha Cricket Association James Pattinson is tar- and third Ashes tests in Eng- overs No.4 batsman may and can bat at any number at a Stadium in Nagpur on Sunday. (AFP) geting back-to-back land, where Australia drew the fi nally be at an end after given point.” tests in the upcoming series 2-2 to retain the urn, and Shreyas Iyer proved his With the experienced part- seriesA against Pakistan and New is now hoping to prove to se- Iworth with a maiden Twenty20 nership of Rohit Sharma and Zealand as he savours a rare run lectors he is ready to stand up international fi fty in Sunday’s Shikhar Dhawan locked in as of fi tness heading into the home to the strain of back-to-back series decider against Bangla- openers and captain and batting summer. matches. desh. talisman Virat Kohli coming in The 29-year-old’s successful “I have been injury-free for India’s struggles to fi ll the at fi rst drop, India have a top or- return during the Ashes in Eng- the most part of a year now. The batting spot dominated the der to rival any in the game. land was a feel-good story for body is feeling good,” he said. headlines in the lead-up to this Iyer scored a couple of half- Australian cricket and a triumph “I think the next process for year’s 50-over World Cup in centuries in the 50-overs format of perseverance for an outstand- me, if I do get a chance in the test England, where they went out in in the West Indies and showed ing bowler restricted to six tests arena, is to try and play more the semi-fi nals to New Zealand. plenty of positive intent against in the past fi ve years. back-to-back cricket now.” It has been the same in the Bangladesh to suggest he could Pattinson was relieved to head Pattinson is expected to be T20 format with a number of be the long-term answer at the home at the end of the series named in the test squad, set to candidates fl uffi ng their audi- spot with the T20 World Cup in without having to contemplate be released this week, for the tions in the buildup to the World Australia less than a year away. another long spell of rehab. two-match series against Paki- Cup and Iyer was promoted to “It has been a really impor- “When I got back from Eng- stan starting in Brisbane on Nov. the spot for the three-match se- tant last few series for me to set land I sort of didn’t know what 21. ries against Bangladesh having up the benchmark at the No. to do because I’d usually be There will be fi erce compe- previously batted a spot lower. 4 position, which all of us are nursing a stress fracture or tition among Pattinson and After impressive cameos in competing for at the moment,” something like that,” he told re- pace team mates Pat Cummins, the fi rst two matches at Delhi said Iyer, who leads the Delhi porters in Melbourne yesterday. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazle- and Rajkot, the 24-year-old franchise in the Indian Premier “So, to rock up and have four wood to be one of the three Mumbai batsman smashed 62 League T20 tournament. days off and bowl again, I was seamers likely to start at the off just 33 balls in India’s series- “For me personally, they like, ‘What is this all about?’ Gabba. clinching win at Nagpur. (team management) have given “I think it’s just things like Victoria paceman Pattinson “Obviously there is lot of me a heads up that, ‘You’ll be that where you pinch yourself a will hope a few wickets against competition currently going on there at No.4 so just back your- little bit and go: ‘This is good.’” Queensland in the Sheffi eld in the team,” Iyer told reporters. self and really believe in your- Seen as a potential 100-test Shield match in Melbourne this “I personally feel that I compete self’. cricketer when he broke into the week can help his cause.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

ASIAN SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS Guk wins gold and Olympic quota with a world record score Qatar’s junior women’s skeet team of Fatima Saeed al-Muraikhi, Ghalia Ali al-Malki and Amna Ali al-Shirawi win bronze

Men’s 10m air pistol gold medallist Kim Song Guk (centre) of North Korea, runner-up Saurabh Chaudhary (left) of India and Iran’s Javad Foroughi, who won bronze, pose with their medals during the 14th Asian Shooting Championships at the Losail Qatar’s Fatima Saeed al-Muraikhi, Ghalia Ali al-Malki and Amna Ali al-Shirawi pose with their women’s skeet team bronze. Shooting Complex yesterday. PICTURES: Nasar T K

By Sports Reporter their maximum allocation of two quota of India’s Gurnihal Singh Garcha. Wu Doha each. The 19-year-old Joseph became Liangliang of Chian took silver. Abhay the third Pakistani shooter to qualify Sekhon, who had topped qualifi cation for the 2020 Tokyo Games after Mo- with a solid 120, was the second Indian orth Korea’s Kim Song Guk hamed Khalil Akhtar and Ghulam Mus- in the fi nal but fi nished fourth, narrow- broke the world record en tafa Bashir. Together with Abhishek ly missing out on a medal. route to clinching a gold med- Verma and Sharvan Kumar, Chaudhary Action in Doha will continue tomor- al and an Olympic quota at the also won the team bronze for India. row with the last day of competition. N14th Asian Shooting Championships, Meanwhile, Qatar’s junior women’s Gold medals will be decided in the while Qatar’s junior women’s team won team of Fatima Saeed al-Muraikhi, men’s 50m pistol, the skeet mixed team bronze in skeet. Ghalia Ali al-Malki and Amna Ali al- and the men’s and women’s running At the Losail Shooting Complex, Guk Shirawi brought cheer to home fans target. was in sensational form as the 34-year- with a bronze medal. They combined old shattered the previous record set for a total tally of 250 points, to fi nish RESULTS by India’s teenage sensation Saurabh behind winners (339) and run- Men’s 10m air pistol: 1. Kim Song Chaudhary, who had to settle for sil- ner-up India (309). ver yesterday. Guk, an Olympic bronze In the junior mixed air rifl e event, Guk (PRK) 246.5 WR (584); 2. Saurabh medallist at Rio 2016 in the 50m pis- Shreya Agrawal and Dhanush Sri- Chaudhary 244.5 (583); 3. Javad For- tol, scored 246.5 points which was an kanth won the gold beating China’s oughi (Irn) 221.8 (585) improvement on Chaudhary’s world Zeru Wang and Xuanle Jiang 16-14 in a Team: 1. China 1745; 2. Korea 1744; 3. record set in the Munich World Cup thrilling fi nal. China was also denied a India 1740. earlier this season, by 0.2 points. bronze as its’ second pair Junior men: 10m air pistol: 1. Kim Jinjing Yan and Junzong Hu lost 17-11 The 17-year-old Chaudhary claimed Woojong (Kor) 241.4 (574); 2. Wang silver scoring 244.5, while bronze went to Iran’s Armina Sadeghian and Amir- Zhehao (Chn) 239.5 (576); 3. Li Wei to Javad Foroughi of Iran on 221.8. siyavash Zolfagharian. Hua Chin (Tpe) 218.1 (581). Other than Guk, two other Olympic India’s second pair Khushi Saini and India’s Shreya Agrawal (left) and Dhanush Srikanth won the junior mixed air rifle event. quotas went to Foroughi and Pakistan’s Hriday Hazarika, who had topped the Team: 1. Korea 1711; 2. China 1708; 3. Gulfam Joseph, who fi nished seventh fi rst qualifi cations, fi nished fi fth even- India 1704. Team: 1. India 343; 2. China 334; 3. (Chn) 52 (113)7; 3. Zoya Kravchenko (Shreya Agrawal, Dhanush Srikanth) in the fi nal. India and South Korea had tually. Skeet: 1. Eduard Yechshenko (Kaz) Kuwait 318. (Kaz) 36 (118) Team: 1. China 339; 2. 16 (417.1; 624.3); 2. China 14 (421.5; two fi nalists, while China had one but In junior men’s skeet, Kazakhstan’s 54 (116); 2. Gurnihal Singh Garcha 50 Junior women: Skeet: 1. Song India 309; 3. Qatar 250. 628.0); 3. Iran 17 (414.3; 626.5); 4. all three countries had already reached Eduard Yechshenko won gold ahead (114); 3. Wu Liangliang (Chn) 42 (113). Zhengyi (Chn) 53 (113)8; 2. Sun Yashu Air rifle mixed team juniors: 1. India China-A 11 (416.7; 626.3)

SPOTLIGHT I’m not someone who has to be the fi rst on the moon: Klopp ith just one month to go Q. With a club that has as long and ing together the best of the best from until the FIFA Club World as rich a history as Liverpool’s it’s across the globe. So, if you had to Cup kicks off in Qatar, Liv- rare to get the chance to do some- pick one thing, what do you think erpool boss Jurgen Klopp thing fi rst. With this being the only Liverpool does better than anyone Wlooks forward to the challenge of guid- competition they’re yet to win, is else in the world? ing Liverpool to a piece of silverware that an exciting prospect for you? [Laughs] In football? European they have never lifted before. Oh, I didn’t think about that. I’m not nights at Anfi eld. They are probably 2019 is already a special chapter in someone who has to be the fi rst on the the best in world football. When the 2019 has been a special year for the history of the Reds. It includes a moon or the fi rst winning the World team is on fi re then we have an atmos- manager Jurgen Klopp as he led thrilling Champions League success, Cup with Liverpool, but when we are phere that’s diffi cult [for opponents]. Liverpool to Champions League title, a record-breaking season in the Eng- there then we will try with all we have. I worked at Dortmund and it was ab- a record-breaking season in the lish Premier League and Klopp being The very interesting and diffi cult solutely great, outstanding, but one or English Premier League and was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach. part as well is that we’ll be playing two performances at Liverpool brought named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach. But with the Club World Cup on the against teams from other continents, the whole community together and horizon, Klopp has the opportunity to which doesn’t happen that often – were really special. Probably there we turn an unforgettable year into a his- maybe a Mexican team, maybe a Brazil- are better than the rest of the world. toric one. Come December, the broad- ian team – and it will be a tough one for smiled manager has the chance to do sure. We’ll prepare for it as we would Q. European sides have dominated in something rare at such a storied club usually, and we will see if it’s right or recent years, but does the fact Liver- as Liverpool: win something they’ve wrong against the team from another pool missed out in 2005 off er a handy never won before. continent. We don’t have too much in- reminder to avoid complacency? Here, Klopp discusses potentially formation yet, but we will by then for We didn’t need what happened 14 being the fi rst to reach this peak and the sure, and it will be interesting and dif- years ago. It’s clear with European sides challenges that await his side in Doha. fi cult as well. – Real Madrid took part three or four Excerpts from an interview times in the last few years, and what a Q. What kind of challenges do you team they have, and won it. But we’re Q. This is a rare opportunity to chal- think they’ll present compared to not Real Madrid, we come from a dif- lenge for the title of world champion. what you’re used to facing in the likes ferent situation. Is there an added pressure because of the Champions League? We don’t take it for granted, not at the chance comes up so infrequently? I’ll have to see the games fi rst. I don’t all, but when we go, we want to win it. We will see. So far, I don’t feel any get to see a lot of Brazilian, Argentinian, The only reason for us to go there is for pressure. I see it as an absolute op- Mexican or Arabic football for example. the opportunity to win it, and that’s portunity as you don’t often have the I don’t have the opportunities at what we’ll try. chance to play for it. home, so I don’t know too much about You have to win the Champions them. I know a lot of players coming Q. Ending 2019 as world champions League as the European team, so that from there, so it’s clear it’s of the high- would no doubt be a special way to already makes it special. We knew it’d est quality. It will be really intense I’m end a memorable year. What would it feel great when we won the Champi- sure. We have to make sure we fi nd the mean to you and the club? ons League, but then we had no real right mindset, and I know my players Unfortunately, we won’t round off clue how it’d be around the European will fi nd it, but, so far, we don’t have 2019 in that moment because there Super Cup. So, we played it and it felt it as we have to concentrate on diff er- will still be games to come before the really great and really big. When we go ent things. But we are not here to waste year ends, fi nally. We had no clue how there, we will be prepared and looking time, so we will try everything to be as it would feel to win the Super Cup, and forward to it. The boys want to play it, successful as possible. it felt outstanding. Hopefully we’ll be so it will be very interesting, and it will able to do that again and after I’ll tell feel big for us, 100 per cent. Q. The Club World Cup will be bring- you how it feels. (sc.qa)

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