SPORT 21 OCTOBER 2017 SATURDAY 21 Hasan shines as Pakistan crush Sri Lanka Sharjah SCOREBOARD This was Pakistan’s eighth Resurgent AFP consecutive win which also Sri Lanka included their Champions Tro- N. Dickwella c Zaman b Junaid 22 face edium pacer U. Tharanga b Shinwari 0 phy triumph in England in June Hasan Ali D. Chandimal run out 16 while Sri Lanka succumbed to rising Windies grabbed three L. Thirimanne c Azam b Wasim 62 their 11th consecutive ODI to cele- S. Samarawickrama b Wasim 0 defeat. The fifth and final match brate his rise to M. Siriwardana c Shinwari b Hasan 13 is also in Sharjah on Monday. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Mthe top of the one-day rankings S. Prasanna b Shadab 5 “It was my childhood dream AFP as Pakistan downed Sri Lanka T. Perera c Azam b Shadab 0 to be world nunber one and it by seven wickets in the fourth A. Dananjaya c Ahmed b Hasan 18 was my goal when I started atsman day-night international in Shar- S. Lakmal 23 so I am very happy that and fast bowler Kyle jah yesterday. L. Gamage b Hasan 1 this has come true,” said Hasan. Jarvis will make their Extras: (b4, lb1, w8) 13 B Hasan took 3-37 while spin- “It’s always my aim to take returns to international Total: (all out; 43.4 overs) 173 ners Shadab Khan (2-29) and Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-30, 3-59, 4-59, 5-91, 6-99, wickets and anchor the team’s cricket today when Zimba- Imad Wasim (2-13) also chipped 7-99, 8-142, 9-164 win so I am again happy to be bwe take on the West Indies in with useful wickets as Sri : Junaid 4-0-22-1, Shinwari 6.3-0-38-1 the main bowler,” added Hasan in the first of two Tests in Lanka were skittled out for 173 (6w), Wasim 7-0-13-2 (1w), Hafeez 9.3-1-29-0, Has- who now has 12 wickets in the Bulawayo. in 43.4 overs. an 8.4-0-37-3, Shadab 8-0-29-2 (1w) series. Jarvis has not played for Only Lahiru Thirimanne Pakistan Earlier, Sri Lanka got off to Zimbabwe since signing a resisted with a 94-ball 62 on a Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Gamage 2 a disastrous start when their in- Kolpak deal with English flat pitch at Sharjah stadium on Fakhar Zaman st Dickwella b Dananjaya 17 form skipper Upul Tharanga county side Lancashire in which Babar Azam scored a Babar Azam not out 69 was bowled by debutant left- 2013, while Taylor followed stroke filled 69 not out and Mohammad Hafeez c Gamage b Prasanna 9 arm pacer Usman Shinwari for suit in 2015 when he moved Shoaib Malik matched him, also Shoaib Malik not out 69 nought off his second . to Nottinghamshire. Extras: (lb2, w9) 11 with an unbeaten 69, to help Shinwari was one of two However both players Total: (for three wkts; 39 overs) 177 Pakistan overhaul the low tar- Did not bat: Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab changes Pakistan made from the have been lured back as part get in 39 overs. Khan, Hasan Ali, Usman Shinwari, Junaid Khan third one-dayer which they won of ’s Despite Pakistan losing Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-37, 3-58 by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi. attempts to revive the three early wickets, the target Bowling: Lakmal 7-0-25-0 (1w), Gamage 5-0-27-1 Also brought back was Wasim. national team, which last year was never out of reach as Azam (6w), Dananjaya 8-1-29-1 (1w), Prasanna 10-0-44-1, They replaced Fahim Ashraf and included hiring former Zim-

and Malik shared an unbroken Perera 4-0-16-0, Siriwardana 5-0-34-0 (1w) Rumman Raees. babwe captains Tatenda 119 runs fourth- stand. Result: Pakistan won by seven wickets Sri Lanka had made three Taibu and as Malik smashed Milinda Siri- changes, with Sadeera Samara- national selector and head wardana for a boundary and a wickrama making his debut. coach respectively. six to seal the victory. boundaries off 101 balls. Another left-armer Junaid Those appointments He hit three sixes in all and Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq Khan ended Niroshan Dickwel- appear to be bearing some Hasan Ali (right) of Pakistan celebrates with a team-mate after two boundaries in his 81-ball for two after his debut hundred la’s enterprising 16-ball 22, fruit -- in July, Zimbabwe knock while Azam, who had in the last match while Fakhar studded with three boundaries dismissing Sadeera Samarawickrama of Sri Lanka during the won their first one-day inter- scored successive hundreds in Zaman fell for 17 and Moham- and a six, while Dinesh Chandi- third (ODI) match at Sharjah Cricket national series in Sri Lanka, the first two matches, had five mad Hafeez made nine. mal was run out for 16. Stadium in Sharjah yesterday. and nearly pulled off an upset in a one-off Test as well. The additions of Taylor, Jarvis and Solomon Mire, who was previously based in Australia, have given Kiwis out to tame India’s newest spin duo Zimbabwe the belief that they could cause an upset in their first home Test of Mumbai role in India’s recent 4-1 ODI the year. AFP series victory over Australia, tak- “I feel that we’ve proba- ing a hat-trick in the second bly got an even better team ew Zealand’s batsmen match at Eden Gardens in Kolk- now than we had in Sri know they will have to ata. He has been well supported Lanka,” Zimbabwe Nsubdue India’s spinners if by the 27-year-old Chahal, who Graeme Cremer said they are to have any chance of tormented the Australians with yesterday. winning their three-match One his deceptive leg spinners to bag “We’ll take that confi- Day International series starting six wickets in four matches. dence from Sri Lanka, but we tomorrow. “We obviously know that know we can perform even Left-arm wrist spinner Kul- they (Kuldeep and Chahal) are better than that.” deep Yadav and right-arm leg quality bowlers and they have The West Indies are break Yuzvendra Chahal have done really well in the previous undergoing something of a established themselves as India’s series,” Latham said. resurgence themselves. latest attacking combination, Latham has been in good Written off in the wake of keeping veterans Ravichandran form himself, compiling a quick- an innings and 209-run Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja out fire 108 in New Zealand’s 33-run thrashing by England at Edg- of the team. win over an Indian Board Pres- baston in August, they Kiwi batsman Tom Latham ident’s XI in the visitors’ second bounced back to win a pul- said the visitors were leaving no and final warm-up match in sating second Test at stone unturned in seeking a way Indian cricketers (from left) Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav and Mumbai. Headingley, proving what to counter the Indian pair, who New Zealand, ranked fifth in they are capable of. Yuzvendra Chahal warm up during a training session at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai come into the series in the best the world, have drafted in leg- “I think we’ve had a yesterday. form of their careers. spinner Ish Sodhi as a pretty reasonable year in “Our focus is big on spin replacement for Todd Astle, who terms of improvement. The here. We are focusing on facing told reporters in Mumbai. Kuldeep and Chahal’s recent best slow bowlers since taking has been ruled out of tomorrow’s guys have been getting more spin than seam here and The left-handed Latham said performances. four wickets in his Test debut match at Mumbai’s Wankhede attuned to ,” West finding ways to score, to hit gaps the Kane Williamson-led New Kuldeep, 22, has quickly against Australia in Dharamsala Stadium after picking up a groin Indies captain Jason Holder and find boundaries,” Latham Zealanders had taken note of emerged as one of the world’s in March. He also played a big injury in the warm-up game. said. QSL: Al Duhail aim to cement place at the top

Armstrong Vas “Umm Salal are the only side, who which will bring down the curtains on at the moment is that we don’t have a The Peninsula managed to beat us last season. This Round 5 action. strong striker. Our scoring rate isn’t very fact demands that we stay focused Qatar SC coach Gabriel Calderon enough. We should do more,” said the l Duhail coach on the match. We’ve assessed their repeated his philosophy that all Argentinian. has urged his players to remain strengths and weaknesses, and we matches were like a final while speak- Qatar SC have scored only five A‘focused’ in their Round 5 match know what it takes to win the match. ing ahead of their Round 5 match goals from four rounds. of the QNB Stars league against Umm They’ll have to do a lot on the pitch to against Al Ahli. On the other hand, Al Ahli’s Span- Salal at Al Gharafa Stadium. stop us.” “All matches are like a final to me. ish coach Joaquin Caparros sounded Al Duhail with an all-win record Belmadi said the match is crucial That’s my philosophy when I prepare desperate for a victory. have 12 points from four matches while for his team in their pursuit of retain- teams. We’re in a sort of must-win sit- “This is a crucial game from our Umm Salal have ten points, having an ing the title. uation, having scored just one victory point of view. We’ve had too many dis- unbeaten record in the league so far. “Umm Salal are a fierce opponent so far in our comeback campaign in appointments so far, this season and Belmadi said today’s match against but, like in every match, we’ll look for the top flight and lost three times. Al we need to win this match. We’ll throw the Orange Fortress would not a walk victory. We’ve a big game and the Ahli are also coming off a defeat, so we our everything into it, so we can have in the park if one goes by the current match is important to Umm Salal too. expect them to give us a hard fight. something to cheer as we move up the form and past record. And if we want to retain the league title, Moreover, they’re 11th in the standings standings gradually,” said Caparros. “We’ll face Umm Salal, who man- we must work more harder and sus- with one point,” Calderon said. “We’ve a good group of players. I’m aged to make a strong start this season. tain the momentum,” he added. “I’ve confidence in my players and, happy with our local and professional They won three games and tied one, Umm Salal coach Mahmoud Jaber going by form, we can expect to win. players. During training and matches, which means we’ll face a team with said the match against Al Duhail will We’re almost at the same level as the I can see their determination. I’ve also great ambitions and their statistics con- be tough one. top teams in the table. We had created seen their competitive spirit. Our firm that the game will be very “The match against Al Duhail is more chances in our previous games results aren’t a fair reflection on them, difficult,” stated Belmadi. going to be different. We’ve to further than our rivals, but we weren’t able to though. The Algerian tactician said they are lift our game if we’re to win. We’re translate them into goals. “Injuries to some key players are Al Duhail’s head coach Djamel Belmadi, tactically ready for the match and said highly motivated for this game,” said “I need more time to make this mainly affecting our performances. I speaks at a pre-match press conference it will take a lot of effort from their Mahmoud. group a winning side and I’m sure this hope this match result will favour us. ahead of his team’s QNB Stars League opponents to stop his marauding In the other match today, Qatar SC group of players can emerge as a cohe- It could be a huge morale-booster for game against Umm Salal. strikers. will take on Al Ahli at Duhail Stadium sive unit. What troubles me the most us,” he said. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2017 , Mbappe primed Sparkling City aim to continue for PSG- rivalry stunning form AFP London AFP aris Saint-Germain will unleash star strike duo anchester City will be aiming to con- Neymar and Kylian Mbappe tinue their recent scintillating form on bitter foes Marseille for Mwhen the free-scoring Premier League Zlatan Ibrahimovic the first time this weekend leaders host Burnley today. Pep Guardiola’s Pin the latest instalment of ’s side are two points clear of second-placed most heated but increasingly lopsided Manchester United as they chase a first Eng- rivalry. lish title since 2014. Zlatan could With a six-point lead at the top of While City have been finding the net at a and three wins from three in record-breaking rate, champions Chelsea are be back this the Champions League, PSG are roll- stuck in a rut and lie nine points off the top ing along smoothly both at home and ahead of their clash with Watford. on the continent. Here are five things to look out for in the year, says Neymar and Mbappe both scored Premier League this weekend: in a 4-0 rout of Anderlecht on Can anyone stop sparkling City? Mourinho Wednesday, along with Edinson Cav- Inspired by Kevin de Bruyne’s majestic ani, and the Brazilian is relishing the form, Manchester City have taken the Premier AFP chance to mentor his 18-year-old League by storm and Burnley could be the next team-mate in Paris. lambs to the slaughter. ose Mourinho said yester- “I hope to do the same thing with PSG’s Kylian City’s 7-2 rout of Stoke City last weekend day that he expects him (Mbappe) that (Lionel) Messi did made them the first English top-flight team to Mbappe in action JSwedish striker Zlatan with me,” Neymar, who spent four score 29 times in their first eight games since as Neymar looks Ibrahimovic to be ready to seasons in Barcelona before his Everton in 1894-95. return to action from his world-record move to Paris in August, on during their De Bruyne has been key to City’s surge -- career-threatening knee lig- told Brazilian television. UEFA Champions the Belgian’s 32 assists are the most by any ament injury before the end “He’s a golden kid who has all the League match Premier League player in the period since Sep- of the year. qualities to become a global star... I’m against R.S.C. tember 2015. The Manchester United going to try and help him as much as Anderlecht Adding Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Sergio manager has stubbornly possible.” in Brussels, Aguero and Raheem Sterling to the mix is refused to put a timeline on Marseille are fourth in their first Belgium on almost cruel on City’s opponents. the absences of long-term full season under but Wednesday. Conte must lift Chelsea mood injury victims Ibrahimovic needed a late equaliser from Greece Without a win in three games in all com- and Paul Pogba, who suffered striker Kostas Mitroglou on his league petitions, Chelsea are in danger of being cast a hamstring tear in debut to salvage a 3-3 draw at Stras- adrift in the title race as the injury bug bites mid-September. bourg last Sunday. hard at Stamford Bridge. He has said he does not They trail PSG by eight points and Having already lost N’Golo Kante, Victor even know when the pair will must snap a 14-match winless run -- Moses and Danny Drinkwater to injuries, Blues be back although while Pogba 12 defeats and two draws -- against boss Antonio Conte could have done without remains in Florida for reha- the capital club if they are to narrow David Luiz, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Gary Cahill bilitation, veteran the gap tomorrow at the suffering knocks in the midweek clash against Ibrahimovic is now back with Velodrome. Leonardo Jardim’s team risk exit- Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes welcome Roma. United’s medical staff in Man- Marseille were thrashed 5-1 by ing the Champions League back last season’s leading scorer Emil- Add in Roma’s fightback from two down chester and has posted social PSG in their last meeting in February prematurely after Tuesday’s 2-1 home iano Sala from a hamstring injury for to earn a 3-3 draw and it was all to much for media pictures of his and conceded it will take defeat by Besiktas left them bottom of the visit of Guingamp as they try to Conte, who lashed out at Jose Mourinho’s crit- recovery. an outstanding performance to slow their group with just a single point after extend their seven-game unbeaten icism of managers who complain about That has led Mourinho to down the league leaders. three matches. run. Lille and coach Marcelo Bielsa, injuries. predict a return for the cult “It’s difficult to stop Neymar,” the The Portuguese said last year’s with just one win on the season-open- Euro stars Spurs threaten Reds hero striker some time in Brazilian told RMC radio, semi-finalists must bear down in order ing weekend, face mounting pressure revival December after what will be ahead of what will also be his first to reverse their recent slide that ahead of a trip to Rennes, where the Fresh from their impressive 1-1 draw at eight months out with knee appearance in Le Classique. included a last-gasp 3-2 loss at Lyon future of Christian Gourcuff has also European champions Real Madrid on Wednes- ligament injury that was sus- “It’s almost impossible to stop him a week ago. been the subject of intense day, Tottenham Hotspur will pose a severe tained in April and required doing what he wants to do on the “We’re going through a tougher speculation. threat to Liverpool’s hopes of building on their surgery. pitch. I know his potential, and I’m patch right now. The important thing Today’s fixture between Amiens much-needed demolition of Maribor. “Paul is not here. I don’t very happy to play against him. We’re is to keep working as normal,” said and Bordeaux will be played 180 kil- Matching Madrid blow for blow showed know when he comes back, going to try to muzzle him so he can’t Jardim. ometres away in the coastal city of Le Tottenham deserve to be ranked among when he’s available, I’ve no express himself freely.” “We have to remain confident. Havre after the collapse of a stadium Europe’s heavyweights and their goalkeeper idea,” said Mourinho. Reigning champions Monaco will Things are going to change and barrier at Amiens’ Stade de la Licorne Hugo Lloris believes ’s “Zlatan is here, he’s work- attempt to halt a run of four matches improve. We have the same number left 29 fans injured and forced the Sep- team, unbeaten in their last 10 games, are com- ing here, under our control, without victory in all competitions of points as last season after nine tember 30 game against Lille to be ing of age. he’s working so, so, so, so when they host Caen today. matches.” abandoned. Liverpool eased the pressure on boss Jur- hard but he’s not to be back gen Klopp with a 7-0 win against Slovenian in the next week or couple of minnows Maribor, but, back in domestic action, weeks. Let him take his time Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud (left) scores their first goal during they have no margin for error after one win and be back when everyone their Europa League match against Red Star Belgrade at in their last five league games. feels is the right moment. Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia on Thursday. Mourinho makes case for defence “Do I think he will be back In the opening weeks of the season, Man- in 2017? Yes I do. But it is just chester United were playing with such a stylish a feeling.” swagger that it was briefly possible to believe Mourinho had changed his spots at last. But Mourinho, the modern game’s ultimate pragmatist, has reverted to type over the last N Korea and week, hatching safety-first game-plans for United’s goalless draw at Liverpool and the 1-0 win at Benfica. Malaysia With another away game coming up at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, it will be to play in intriguing to see if Mourinho allows his play- ers more freedom against a less intimidating neutral venue opponent. Arsenal, Everton face character test AFP With fragile Arsenal accused of lacking ‘cojones’ and Everton in the midst of a malaise sian Cup qualifiers that threatens Ronald Koeman’s job security, between Malaysia and Sunday’s meeting of two troubled teams will ANorth Korea will take serve as a referendum on their immediate place at a neutral venue next Giroud nets late winner for Arsenal futures. month after a diplomatic row Watford striker Troy Deeney’s claim that and nuclear tensions repeat- sixth-placed Arsenal can’t cope with a physi- edly delayed the first leg, Paris to his team with tomorrow’s Premier with the pace in the Serbians’ attack cal approach rubbed salt into the wounds of football officials yesterday. AFP League visit to Everton in mind. and Cech was forced into a low save the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat last weekend. North Korea’s home Only goalkeeper Petr Cech to deny Nemanja Radonjic before Koeman, whose team are just two points match was postponed twice livier Giroud scored a fantas- remained from the starting XI that lost half-time. above the relegation zone, would dearly love to after the murder of the North tic late winner as Arsenal 2-1 at Watford last weekend, as The visitors started the second prove Wilshere wrong as Everton try to win for Korean leader’s half-brother Oedged to their third straight injury-plagued French right-back period with more urgency, as Giroud just the third time in the league this season. in Malaysia in February sent Europa League win by beating Mathieu Debuchy made his first start fired over and Walcott saw his shot tensions soaring. 10-man Red Star Belgrade 1-0 in Ser- for the club in 11 months. smothered by Borjan after being EPL: FIXTURES It was finally due to go bia on Thursday. Roared on by a vociferous home released by Jack Wilshere’s through (1400 GMT unless stated): ahead earlier this month in Arsene Wenger’s men rode their crowd, Red Star made a bright start, ball. Today Pyongyang but was delayed luck at times in an uninspiring per- but it was Arsenal winger Theo Wal- Arsenal were given a great chance Chelsea vs Watford (1130 GMT), Huddersfield vs Man- again after Kuala Lumpur formance, before Giroud struck in the cott who saw the game’s first real of snatching all three points when banned travel to North Korea 85th minute after Red Star had seen chance saved by the legs of Canadian home defender Rodic was given a sec- chester United, Manchester City vs Burnley, Newcastle as global alarm grew at the Milan Rodic sent off. goalkeeper Milan Borjan. ond yellow card with 10 minutes to vs Crystal Palace, Stoke vs Bournemouth, Swansea vs regime’s weapons The Premier League side stay top The inexperienced away defend- play. Leicester, Southampton vs West Brom (1630 GMT) programme. of Group H, five points clear of Red ers were lucky not to concede in the The Londoners took it in style with Tomorrow The first leg will take Star, while Cologne remained point- 26th minute when Richmond Boakye a wonderful goal, as Wilshere’s clever Everton vs Arsenal (1230 GMT), Tottenham vs Liverpool place on November 10 and less after losing 1-0 at BATE headed onto the crossbar when flick was turned across goal by Wal- (1500 GMT) Malaysia’s “home” game will Borisov. unmarked at a corner. cott for Giroud to send an overhead be November 13, the AFC said. Wenger made sweeping changes Arsenal were struggling to cope kick spinning into the top corner. SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 23 McLaren deal allows Alonso to chase Triple Crown

Austin, Texas only the second driver to achieve under increasing criticism from much more logical in the way of Reuters motorsport’s Triple Crown but Alonso, and will switch to winning in the short-term in For- needs to win Le Mans and the Renault engines in 2018. mula One. After the summer ouble world champion Indianapolis 500. Alonso won his 2005 and break, maybe around Spa or Fernando Alonso will race He missed the Monaco Grand 2006 titles with Renault but has Monza, I was ready to make an Don with McLaren in 2018, Prix this year to compete at Indi- not been on the podium since extension to the contract.” the team said on Thursday in an anapolis and Brown said the 2014, when he was with Ferrari. Asked whether he felt he announcement that finally ended Spaniard would be able to enter His last win was in Spain in 2013, could win a third title with one of the sagas of the Formula other events when that did not again with the Italian team. McLaren, he replied: “That’s why One season. compromise McLaren’s F1 McLaren are currently ninth I stay.” “I’m extremely proud and interests. overall, out of 10 teams, and the Brown said continuing with happy to be part of the project Le Mans does not clash with season ranks as the worst of Alonso, as team mate to Belgian for next year. The challenge is any F1 race next year, but Alonso Alonso’s career with the excep- Stoffel Vandoorne, was “very, big,” the 36-year-old Spaniard said he had yet to talk to anyone tion of his debut year with very important for McLaren’s told reporters at the US Grand about that. now-defunct tail-enders Minardi. future”. Prix. “I am motivated more than The Spaniard has endured He has six retirements in 16 “Obviously the last few years ever, and happy to start working three nightmare years at races in 2017 and failed to start have been a big challenge and for 2018.” McLaren and had refused to in Russia while also missing what you want is the best team McLaren executive director commit to staying until the Monaco to compete at the Indi- and the best drivers in the world Zak Brown said the multi-year former champions felt they could anapolis 500. The Spaniard has that you can get,” he said. agreement “allows Fernando to provide him with a competitive scored points only twice. “Our shareholders have be with us for quite some time”. car. “Something inside always ambitious plans for the whole “Our desire is that for how- He said he had considered told me to stay at McLaren,” he Group, and success within For- ever long Fernando wants to leaving Formula One and had said on Thursday. mula One is a central pillar of keep driving, and whatever that also talked to other teams, who “I think this year we have that strategy. With Fernando, Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda walks in is that he wants to keep driving, had won this season, during the proved that the chassis was capa- there is no doubt that we have the Paddock ahead of the United States Formula One that he does it with McLaren,” August break. ble of fighting at the front. We a driver who can help us Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas added the American. McLaren then ended their saw a lot of progress. achieve our goal of winning on Thursday. Alonso dreams of becoming troubled partnership with Honda, “The organisation now is again in F1.” Vettel hopes to keep Espargaro edges Marquez the ‘fat lady’ quiet in Phillip Island practice Phillip Island, Australia prevailed by just 0.005secs over chart-topping 1:29.602 in the Austin, Texas Grand Prix paddock. “We need “We are still in there, our AFP Marquez, who almost bettered morning session. Reuters to make sure she shuts up for chances are slimmer than they the time on his penultimate lap. “I think for tomorrow we quite a while.” have been some races ago. leix Espargaro pipped “It is just the first day, but we can try and further improve the errari’s Sebastian Vet- Vettel led the championship There is a chance. We’re going world championship are clearly doing a great job,” set-up, especially the stability tel refused to give up from the opening race in Aus- for it,” said the four times world Aleader Marc Marquez to Espargaro said. of the bike in the fast corners,” on the Formula One tralia in March until last month champion. set the fastest time in yesterday’s “We can improve on pace. Marquez said. championship on but three races in the Far East “We need to stay focused. practice ahead of this weekend’s The RS-GP (bike) still doesn’t “There are a few places Thursday and found and Hamilton’s string of wins We have a great car, we had a Australian MotoGP at Phillip turn the way I would like it to where we could be quicker if we Fsupport from title favourite have shredded his chances. package to win the last couple Island. and I am lacking a bit of feeling can manage to take another step Lewis Hamilton. The Ferrari driver was of races. As it happens, we The Spanish Aprilia rider on the front. in that area.” Hamilton leads the German caught in a collision with team didn’t. But that doesn’t mean we posted a quickest lap of one “Finding a good feeling for Championship challenger by 59 points with four races left mate Kimi Raikkonen in Singa- have no chance to win the next minute 29.225 seconds in sec- the race will be fundamental.” Andrea Dovizioso was third and the Mercedes driver can pore and crashed out on the races.” ond free practice on a dry track Marquez, who leads the quickest overall, finishing just take his fourth championship in opening lap, then suffered an Hamilton, who has won in ahead of tomorrow’s race. world championship by 11 points 0.097secs behind Espargaro. US Grand Prix if he finishes in engine failure in qualifying in Austin four times in the last five Espargaro’s time, set on the with three races left, clocked “We have to work to the top two and results go his Malaysia that left him last on the years, said talk of wrapping up fifth lap of his afternoon session, 1:29.230 following his improve a few aspects, because way. grid. the title in Texas - as he did two in any case Marquez was also “In English, they say it’s not He raced back to fourth that years ago - was overblown. very quick and there are other over until the fat lady sings,” time but in Japan was sidelined “I think the talk of the cham- riders who have a good pace,” Vettel told reporters in the US by a broken spark plug. pionship win this weekend is Dovizioso said. silly really...you can’t expect “Let’s see what sort of con- Sebastian Vettel of them to have a difficult week- ditions we will encounter Ferrari looks on in end again,” he said. tomorrow, but for sure this was “They’re going to be quick, a positive first day for me.” the Paddock ahead they have an opportunity to win. Ducati’s Dovizioso downed of the United States The championship, as long as it’s Marquez on the final lap to win Formula One Grand done in the next four races, last weekend’s rain-soaked Jap- Prix at Circuit of the that’s my focus. I honestly anese GP and is second in the Americas in Austin, couldn’t care less if it’s here on world championship. Texas on Thursday. the last race, as long as it’s Briton Cal Crutchlow, the done.” winner of last year’s Australian Hamilton also expected Fer- race, was fourth fastest on a rari to bring some sort of Honda, only 0.104secs down on upgrade to Austin. the leader’s time. “They’ve definitely had a Spain’s Maverick Vinales couple of hiccups but I antici- was fifth fastest despite coming pate they’ll be very strong this off his Yamaha early in after- Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro of Spain powers his machine weekend and for the last four noon practice. races - so that’s why nothing during the first practice session of the Australian MotoGP “The day overall has been changes for me,” he added. Grand Prix at Phillip Island yesterday. really good,” Vinales said. Venus secures Muguruza rematch at WTA Finals

Singapore Williams, before Garcia for the second time in tomorrow without a clear Reuters Muguruza takes on three weeks after the French- favourite for the title. Three Latvia’s Ostapenko at woman beat her in the China women in the field have topped enus Williams will get an the Singapore Indoor Open final in Beijing, a day after the world rankings this season, opportunity to avenge her Stadium. the Romanian became the 25th incumbent Halep and her pred- VWimbledon final defeat by “Maybe I need to woman to climb to the top of the ecessors Muguruza and Pliskova, Garbine Muguruza at the eight- channel some of those WTA rankings. but none of them have been able player WTA Finals after the memories (from The elite event offers a to kick on and cement their place veteran American was placed in 2008) to play well healthy haul of points through- as the tour’s dominant player. the same round-robin group as here... we have an out the eight days of action and All three are also the only the Spaniard at yesterday’s draw. amazing field, the remarkably, seven players in the survivors from last year’s tour- World number two Mugu- tournament is the best field, all excluding Garcia, have nament, where they failed to ruza swatted aside the it has ever been run a chance to claim the prestigious make it out of the group stage, 37-year-old 7-5 6-0 in July to and the excitement season-ending number one and will at least be hoping to claim her second Grand Slam level is high,” Wil- ranking. advance to the semi-finals to title and next week’s showdown liams said at the glitzy The round-robin format will improve on their underwhelm- will be the highlight of the White pre-tournament gala see the top two players from ing displays of 12 months ago. Group, which also includes Czech ceremony. each pool advance to the Spain’s Muguruza is argua- Karolina Pliskova and French World number From left: Garbine Muguruza of Spain, Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic, semi-finals. bly the most talented all-round Open holder Jelena Ostapenko. one Simona Halep Venus Williams of the United States and Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia pose All eight women competing player of the octet in Singapore The power-packed pool, full was drawn in the Red for photographers during the Official Draw Ceremony of the WTA Finals at the WTA Finals will go into the but bouts of inconsistency and a of aggressive players armed with Group alongside Singapore yesterday. tournament believing they have high-risk strategy have often big serves, will open proceedings Ukraine’s Elina Svi- a genuine chance of finishing the been her downfall in big matches on Sunday when Pliskova faces tolina, Denmark’s Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, Monday. Halep will also have season on a high note when as well as a tendency to get 2008 WTA Finals champion Caroline Wozniacki and in-form with play in that pool starting on revenge in mind when she faces round-robin play starts over-emotional. SPORT

Saturday 2121 OcOctobertober 20201717

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 QSL: Al Duhail aimm Neymar, Mbappe McLarenMcLa deal allows to cement place primed for PSG- AlonsoA to chase at the top Marseille rivalry Triple Crown World’s best ready as top UIPM event begins in Doha

Chinthana Wasala The Peninsula

ulti-talented athletes from 16 countries will vie for top honours in MDoha when the Qatar leg of the International Federation of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) Champion of Champions event kicks off at the Qatar Foundation Recreation Cen- tre and Al Shaqab arena today. The two-day competition, organised by the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pen- tathlon Federation (QEMP) in collaboration with UIPM, will feature 34 athletes compet- ing in five Olympic disciplines UIPM CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 2017 swimming, fencing, riding, Today’s programme: (Women’s competition) running and shooting. 10.00am: Swimming: QF Recreation Centre Champion of Champions series brings together the best 11.00am: Fencing Ranking Round - QF Recreation Centre UIPM ranked athletes from 1.45pm: Fencing Bonus Round - Al Shaqab around the globe for a spec- 2.15pm: Riding / Draw - Al Shaqab tacular event to crown the Athletes in action during practice sessions ahead of the Qatar leg of the International 2.40pm: Riding / First athlete mounts - Al Shaqab best male and female Mod- Federation of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) Champion of Champions event which kicks 3.00pm: Riding competition starts - Al Shaqab ern Pentathletes in the world. off at the Qatar Foundation Recreation Centre and Al Shaqab arena today. 4.15pm: Laser Run starts - Al Shaqab Among the top contend- ers in the men’s competition 4.45pm: Award ceremony - Al Shaqab tomorrow will be last year’s Centre will see Hungarian hugely popular event in 2013, while the organisers expect Tomorrow’s programme (Men’s competition) champion Patrick Dogue of Tamara Alekszejev leading a secured the host status of the to make this another hugely 10.00am: Swimming: QF Recreation Centre Germany who will be chal- star cast of multi-talented series for the next three edi- successful event. 11.00am: Fencing Ranking Round- QF Recreation Centre lenged by Russia’s World pentathletes. tions when they signed an Coinciding with the Qatar 1.45pm: Fencing Bonus Round- Al Shaqab number six Alexsandr Lesun The 29-year-old world agreement with the Interna- National Vision 2030, and the 2.15pm: Riding / Draw starts - Al Shaqab and the silver winning ath- number four is likely to face tional Federation of Modern country’s ambition of becom- lete in 2016, Valentin Belaud a tough contest from 26-year- Pentathlon (UIPM) in 2015. ing an international sporting 2.40pm: Riding / First athlete mounts - Al Shaqab of France. old Italian Alice Sotero, who Al Shaqab's state-of-the hub, the organisers said that 3.00pm: Riding competition starts - Al Shaqab Today, the women’s com- is currently ranked 10th in the art facilities and Qatar Foun- they have also taken meas- 4.15pm: Laser Run starts - Al Shaqab petition which starts with world. dation's Recreation Centre ures to popularize the sport 4.45pm: Award ceremony - Al Shaqab swimming events at the Qatar Qatar, having hosted the will provide the perfect back- among the youth in the coun- Foundation Recreation inaugural edition of the drop for the world class event try as well as the gulf region. Al Markhiya shock Al Khor to open points tally; Al Rayyan win Armstrong Vaz QSL RESULTS AND FIXTURES The Peninsula Yesterday’s results ewcomers Al Markhiya stunned Al Rayyan beat Al Sailiya: 1-0 Al Khor 1-0 to pick up their first Al Sadd beat Al Arabi : 3-1 Npoints of the league while Al Al Markhiya beat Al Khor: 1-0 Rayyan left it late to secure an identical Today’s fixtures victory over Al Sailiya in Round 5 of the QNB Stars League here yesterday. 5:25pm: Umm Salal vs Al Duhail at Al Gharafa The visitors struck the match win- Stadium

ning goal in the 55th-minute to register 7:35pm: Qatar SC vs Al Ahli at Al Duhail their first win of the season. Stadium Nasser Al Nasr’s goal gave Al Markhiya, who had lost all their four matches, a much-needed boost for their Wagner Ribeiro, who first forced a fine campaign, and now have three points save from Al Rayyan’s goalkeeper before from five matches. seeing his 30-yard effort strike the post Al Khor remained on four points moments later. having earlier defeated Al Ahli and Al Sailiya did have the chance to drawn with Al Kharaitiyat break the deadlock in the second half as Ayman Mansour’s wards thus offi- Abdulkholikov ran clear on goal. How- cially opened their account after their ever, his attempted chip was thwarted victory against Al Sadd in the first round by rival goalkeeper Omar Barry. After was overturned for fielding an ineligi- Soria was substituted, more focus was ble player. on Hamdellah to take the lead role. Al Rayyan and Al Sailiya Players vie for the ball possession during their QNB Stars League match played at Al Ahli Al Nasr beat Al Khor goalkeeper After a couple of close attempts on Baba Gibril, who replaced suspended Stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan won 1-0 goal, he got his reward in the 83rd minute first-choice custodian Amin Lecomte after being felled in the penalty area amid over his altercation with an Al Gharafa Earlier, Al Markhiya made some ini- Much-experienced captain Medhat entertaining game, it was the away side protests from the home side. He stepped player in the previous round, hands tial forays in the first half which failed to Mustafa held the Al Markhiya defence who dominated possession, with Al up and duly struck the ball into the roof down off a defence-splitting pass from live up to expectations, with Kwame together. Sailiya content to sit back and attack on of the opposition net. Some late pressure Saleh Al Yahri to give Al Markhiya their Karikari and Alain Traore at the helm, Al In the next round matches, Al the counter. did come from Al Sailiya, but it was too first win. Khor took charge of the proceedings. Markhiya next face Al Kharaitiyat while Sebastian Soria was particularly late to make a real difference. Al Khor made many desperate Still, the intensity was less. After Al Khor play Umm Salal. lively throughout, having been unfortu- The result will give Al Rayyan a great attempts towards the end, their livewire Soroush Hossein and Madson sent their At Ahli Stadium, Al Rayyan left it late nate to convert on several occasions, confidence boost as they prepare for next Madson leading the charge, but to no feeble shots straight to goalkeeper to secure a crucial victory over Al, thanks thanks to fine goalkeeping from The Per- week’s huge fixture away to Al Sadd. avail. Their best chance for an equaliser Mohammed Muntazar, defender Luciano to a goal from impressive Moroccan egrines’ Abdrahman Aziz. Perhaps, the Meanwhile, Al Sailiya will be looking to came in the 78th minute when Soroush Silva saw his header off a free-kick being Abderrazzak Hamdellah. closest attempts of the first half fell to get back on track as they play Qatar SC Hussein’s shot went off the right upright. saved by the rival custodian. In what turned out to be an Al Sailiya’s in-from Brazilian maestro away.