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Monday, October 17, 2016 MOTOGP Muharram 16, 1438 AH Marquez wins title GULF TIMES as Rossi, Lorenzo crash in Japan SPORT Page 9 UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DOHA 2016 Sagan retains rainbow with masterclass ‘I was the last rider in the lead group... I went from a little while back. Unbelievable... I’ve the biggest group of fans here’

By Yash Mudgal Doha

lovakian delivered a masterful fi nish sprint to fi nd rainbow stripes in Doha desert yesterday. SAt the end of a 257.3km race start- ing from Aspire Zone, which featured a display of extraordinary power and persistence, Sagan emerged from the swirling, straining throng of the world’s best sprinters — the 2011 winner and 2005 World Champion – to retain the title he won last year in Richmond, Virginia. Sagan was clearly delighted to take his second consecutive world title in front of a group of his fans waving the Slovakian fl ag at The Pearl, the fi nish line. “I don’t believe it, I’m still in shock,” said Sagan after the fi nish. Sagan took advantage of the Bel- gians, who tore the race into pieces at a long cross wind stretch in the desert on the way back to Doha. The Slovak was one of the last riders to make it in the fi rst echelon in the decisive battle after about 75km into the race. On the fi nish circuits around the Pearl, only and his team- mate Tom Leezer of the made late attacks before once more controlled the race with a sprint set to decide the champion. At the fi nish line, Sagan went from the opposite side of Cavendish, who just got slightly congested behind Michael Matthews as he went left for the line, and picking a clearer line through a small gap left by Giacomo ’s Peter Sagan (third from left) celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Britain’s Mark Cavendish (right) and Belgium’s Tom Boonen (second from left) to win the UCI Road World Championships 2016 Nizzolo of Italy. men’s road race title at The Pearl yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram Cavendish just got slightly congested behind Matthews as he went left for the line, with Sagan going to his right and getting clear to edge home. You can’t really fault Cavendish’s ride, given the odds he was up against it following the problems his team en- countered early in the race, but Sagan proved his class. “I am very, very happy because in the crosswinds I was the last rider in the lead group. I felt like the fi nal sprint was in a headwind, so I felt like I went from a little while back. It’s unbelievable. “I have the biggest group of fans here and I have to thank all of Slovakia be- cause I feel they give me a lot of energy here.” Sagan now is one of six riders to have won back-to-back world titles after Belgians (1928-1929), (1956-1957), Rik Slovakia’s Peter Sagan (centre) poses with his gold medal on the podium alongside Van Looy (1960-1961) and Italians Gi- second-placed Mark Cavendish (left) and Belgium’s Tom Boonen. anni Bugno (1991-1992) and Paolo Bet- tini (2006-2007). Cavendish admitted he made a tacti- cal mistake after fi nishing second. He started his sprint to the fi nish line di- rectly behind Sagan, who in turn was behind Boonen and Nizzolo. “I wanted to be on Sagan’s wheel, and ultimately I was and then all of a sudden the road was blocked. I tried to find a way through and with less than 100m to go, I had to stop pedal- Qatar Olympic Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and Qatar Cycling Federation president Sheikh ling. I got back on Boonen, but it was Khalid bin Ali al-Thani (left) watch the proceedings of the day yesterday. too late to come back on Sagan,” The Manxman said. the only one since ’s fa- with a podium fi nish. ELITE MEN’S ROAD RACE RESULTS “I’m a little bit disappointed. I feel mous eff ort in a storm-swept San Se- “We took responsibility. We did 1. Peter Sagan (Slovakia) 5:40:43 like I lost gold rather winning silver, but bastian in 1965. what we planned, to make the race 2. Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) that’s how it is. We did all we can. It was Cavendish, Luke Rowe and Adam hard from 75 kilometres to 125, and 3. Tom Boonen (Belgum) my own fault. It wasn’t my legs. I made Blythe were the only British riders who then the lock went on the race for 4. Michael Matthews (Australia) a mistake. It’s not really nice to do that made it into the front group, and their hundred kilometres. The race was too 5. (Italy) at a World Championships,” Cavendish ranks were later reduced to two when long, for spectators and everyone. But 6. (Norway) said. Rowe punctured and couldn’t catch I was happy with the result in the end. 7. (Norway) Cavendish is already one of only two back up. We actually came one guy short. The 8. William Bonnet () British men ever to win the world road The 35-year-old Etixx-QuickStep way the sprint went, I think we did 9. Niki Terpstra (Netherlands) UCI president Brian Cookson (left) and Belgian cycling legend look on race, his 2011 victory in Copenhagen ace Boonen almost rolled back the years maximum,” Boonen said. 10. (Belgium) during the podium ceremony yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 17, 2016 SPORT

Sights from fi nal day at the UCI Road World Championships SPOTLIGHT Brazil sports minister visits Aspire Academy

Riders begin the men’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships 2016 from Aspire Zone yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram

Brazilian Minister of Sport Leonardo Picciani (left) receives a memento from Qatar Olympic Committee secretary general Dr Thani al-Kuwari.

By Sports Reporter is one of the best sports academies I Doha have ever seen in the world and Qatar will be served well by the work and initiatives underway at Aspire.” esterday afternoon, the Over the last two years, Brazil has Brazilian Minister of Sport played host to the two biggest sport- Leonardo Picciani visited ing events in the world: the FIFA World Aspire Academy with a del- Cup and the Summer Olympics. With Yegation including Brazil’s ambassa- Qatar set to host the 2022 FIFA World dor Roberto Abdalla, and the Nation- Cup, Picciani shared some of the expe- al secretary in Brazil’s Ministry of riences his country learnt from these Sport, Leandro Cruz Froes da Silva. two mega events, saying: “Our expe- Aspire Academy deputy director rience with 2014 World Cup taught general Ali Salem Afi fa welcomed the us that you galvanise a nation and get delegation and took them on a guided everyone behind a common goal when tour of the Academy. you integrate and involve people in Commenting on the occasion, Pic- the event. From what I have seen go- ciani said: “It is a fantastic experience ing round Aspire Academy, Qatar is to visit Aspire Academy’s superb fa- on track and right path in terms of in- cilities. The philosophy here, which volving the nation and the people in focuses on preparing kids for life and the 2022 FIFA World Cup project. As a equipping them with sports skills result, I am sure Qatar will host an ex- and a good education, is superb. This cellent World Cup in 2022.”

FOCUS QFA holds draw for School League 2016-17

By Sports Reporter hard at nurturing the talents of the Doha students who fall under this age group to instil a passion for football. The promotion of positive values of n collaboration with the Ministry football have the greatest impact on of Education and Higher Educa- the students and society as a whole.” tion, and Qatar School Sports With QFA referees offi ciating the Association (QSSA), the Qatar matches, the students are expected to IFootball Association (QFA) organised learn more about the positive values the draw for the 4th School League at that football brings such as fair play, its headquarters yesterday. team eff orts, and good sportsman- Matches this season will be played ship. on the training sites of Al Sadd Sta- The sponsors of this year’s edi- BOTTOMLINE dium, Al Kharaitiyat, Messaimeer, Al tion include the Supreme Commit- Arabi Stadium and Umm Salal. All tee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) who matches will be played at 9am and are the Offi cial Strategic Sponsor of will be offi ciated by QFA referees. the School League, Nike, Al Kass, and Qatar Airways cricket tourney winners honoured The School League highlights QNB. QFA’s objective in promoting football among secondary schools in Qatar, SCHOOL LEAGUE 2016-17 DRAW By Sports Reporter Shahid thanked Qatar Airways and thus playing a major role in the dis- Group A Doha its CEO Akbar al-Baker, and said, “The covery of new talented players for 1. Ahmed Bin Mohamed High School QCA is proud with the way the game is Qatari football. 2. Al Shamal High School progressing in the nation. A lot of credit This season will feature 20 schools, 3. Al Wakrah High School glittering prize distribution must go to our long-time partner Qa- drawn into four groups of fi ve. The 4. Tariq Bin Zeyad High School ceremony was organised by tar Airways for supporting our various league will begin with group stage 5. Al Jumailiya High School the Qatar Cricket Association activities. We wish this relationship followed by a knock out stage. The Group B to honour the Qatar Airways grows well beyond many more years to third place decider match and fi nal 1. Al Zubara High School CricketA Tournament 2016 winners. come.” match will take place in Aspire Dome. 2. Omar Bin Abdulaziz High School The function was attended by more On this occasion, QCA general sec- The fi rst place team will receive 3. Mohame Bin Abdulaziz Al Mana than 90 guests, offi cials and players at retary Ahmad said, “The sport has a cash prize of QR40,000, second High School Holiday Villa Hotel. grown in Qatar many folds over the place QR30,000, and third place 4. Ibn Taimiya High School Al Feroz Youngsters had won the Di- years. Every year, we’re taking meas- QR20,000. 5. Hamad Bin Abdullah Bin Jassim vision A crown, while the Division B ures which help the game and players. Hilal al-Mohannadi, chairman of High School championship was claimed by Tusker We’ll continue our eff orts as we have a the School and University League Group C Club and Europe Travels emerged the long way to go. Qatar Airways has been Committee at QFA, said: “We are ex- 1. Jassim Bin Hamad High School winners in the Division C. It is worth playing a crucial role in rising level of cited to launch the fourth edition of 2. Al Shahania High School mentioning that more than 60 teams local cricket. the School League and look forward 3. Abdullah Al Misnad High School contest for three titles every year. “We all congratulate the champion to see the schools play their best to 4. Nasser Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Qatar Airways Ticketing Operation teams for their success. In the next sea- win this year’s title. Every year, we High School manager Ali Akbar Farabi was the chief son, we hope more teams would lift their try to build on the success of previ- 5. Qatar Independent Technical High guest. congratulations to the champion gether to elevate the standards of the level and challenge the winners strongly, ous editions by ensuring that we fol- School The QCA offi cials present on the oc- teams, said, “We’re delighted to gather sport in the country. With the Qatar which will make the matches tougher and low a certain standard when it comes Group D casion included QCA president MA here once again to celebrate another team putting in improved showing at more interesting,” he added. to organising the matches.” 1. Khalifa High School Shahid, general secretary Manzoor Ah- year of hard work and success by teams the international level, our long as- He added: “This league demon- 2. Doha High School mad, Domestic Cricket head Gul Khan and players, contesting in the Qatar sociation deserves a fair share of this WINNERS strates QFA’s CSR strategy which 3. Mohamed Bin Abdulwahad High and Technical Committee head Syed Airways Cricket Tournament 2016. success. I want to congratulate all the Division A: Al Feroz Youngsters Team aims to provide a platform for stu- School Hassan Raza among others. “Qatar Airways and the Qatar Crick- winners and wish they will continue to Division B: Tusker Club dents at the high school level to be 4. Ahmed Bin Hanbal High School Farabi, besides extending his warm et Association have been working to- excel in the future,” Farabi added. Division C: Europe Travels able to play more football. We work 5. Mossab Bin Omair High School Gulf Times Monday, October 17, 2016 3 CRICKET

FIRST TEST ROUND-UP Ansari stakes Bishoo sparks Pak claim in England warm-up match collapse in fi rst Test AFP with off -spinning all-rounder Chittagong, Bangladesh Mehedi Hasan and pace bowler Kamrul Islam. Sabbir is a regular member of Leg-spinner Bishoo takes a career best 8-49 to dismiss Pakistan for a paltry 123 ngland’s left-arm spin- the country’s limited-overs sides ner Zafar Ansari grabbed while Nurul played six Twenty20 four to stake his internationals. The other two claim for a Test berth have yet to play any international onE the fi rst day of their two-day match. Bangladesh have not warm-up match against a Bang- played a Test match since fac- ladesh Cricket Board XI in Chit- ing South Africa in July last year, tagong yesterday. when only three days of play was The BCB XI were all out for possible in two Tests due to rain. 294 thanks to a century by open- Pacer Shafi ul Islam and Shu- er Abdul Mazid, who made 106 vagata Hom, who were not part off 95 balls and shared two useful of the squad in the South Africa partnerships with Nazmul Hos- series, have returned. Shafi ul and sain (72) and Mosaddek Hossain Kamrul are the only two pace- (47). England were two without men in a spinner-heavy squad. loss at stumps in what could be Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), their fi nal innings before the fi rst Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Test starts in the same city on Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mahmudul- October 20. lah Riyad, Shakib Al Hasan, Shuva- Chris Woakes removed Sou- gata Hom, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi mya Sarkar early on but Mazid Hasan, Shafiul Islam, , carried the local side with fl u- Kamrul Islam, Nurul Hasan. ent batting before Ansari put the brakes on their innings with MARSH UNLIKELY FOR three quick strikes. After going SOUTH AFRICA TEST wicketless in the previous warm- Australia opener Shaun Marsh up game that ended on Saturday, is in doubt for next month’s fi rst Ansari fi nished with 4-68 as the Test against South Africa with visitors made a late comeback. a hamstring injury suff ered in a Stuart Broad bowled Mazid to domestic cup match this week- end his blistering innings, which end. Marsh, who missed Aus- included 16 fours and a six, be- tralia’s recent ODI tour of South fore fi nishing with 2-43 while Africa with a broken fi nger, was spinner Gareth Batty claimed inconvenienced during his in- 2-55. England rested leg-spinner nings of 70 against Tasmania. Adil Rashid and seamer Jake Ball WA Cricket described Marsh’s while captain Alastair Cook fl ew injury as a “low grade tear”. back home to attend the birth of Marsh returned to the Test side his second child. The second Test for the fi nal match in Sri Lanka, will start in Dhaka on October 28. replacing Joe Burns, and scored 130 — his second Test century in BANGLADESH PICK FOUR as many matches after a career- West Indies spinner Devendra Bishoo (second right) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan batsman Asad Shafiq during the first Test in Dubai. (AFP) UNCAPPED PLAYERS best 182 against West Indies last Bangladesh yesterday includ- December. AFP gered a middle-order collapse after Paki- West Indies’s overnight batsmen Asad Shafiq lbw Bishoo 5 ed four uncapped cricketers in The fi rst Test begins in Perth Dubai stan had lost opener Azhar Ali (two) and Shane Dorwich (32) and Jason Holder (20) Babar Azam b Bishoo 21 their 14-member squad for next on November 3, leaving Marsh Asad Shafi q (fi ve) just before tea. both fell to Shah while Bishoo (17) fell to Misbah-ul-Haq b Bishoo 15 week’s fi rst Test in a two-match less than three weeks to prove his Bishoo, who had trapped Shafi q leg- Nawaz as West Indies failed to delay the Sarfraz Ahmed st Dowrich b Bishoo 15 series against England. fi tness. Burns and Usman Kha- est Indies, set 346 to win by before ahead of tea, then came into his inevitable. Nawaz fi nished with 2-30 on Mohammad Nawaz b Bishoo 0 Middle-order batsman Sab- waja, who were both dropped in Pakistan, were 95-2 at close own, dismissing Babar Azam (21), Sami debut and Riaz took 2-65. The remain- Wahab Riaz c Brathwaite b Bishoo 5 bir Rahman and wicketkeeper- Sri Lanka, are in line to replace on the fourth day of the fi rst Aslam (44), Misbah-ul-Haq (15), Mo- ing two Tests will be played in Abu Dhabi c and b Holder 2 batsman Nurul Hasan made it to Marsh should he be unavailable day-night Test in Dubai hammad Nawaz (nought) and Wahab Riaz (October 21-25) and Sharjah (October Sohail Khan 1 the squad for the fi rst time along for selection. Wyesterday. Darren Bravo (26) and Marlon (fi ve) in the space of 40 balls for 21 runs. 30-November 3). Mohammad Amir b Bishoo 1 Samuels (four) were at the crease with Bishoo’s previous best bowling was Extras: (b10, nb2) 12 West Indies needing another 251 runs 6-80 against Australia at Dominica last SCOREBOARD Total: (all out; 31.5 overs) 123 while Pakistan need eight wickets to take year. Ali, who scored a career best 302 Pakistan I innings 579-3 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Ali), 2-20 (Shafiq), 3-77 a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. in the fi rst innings, was lucky to avoid a West Indies 1st innings (overnight 315-6) (Azam), 4-93 (Aslam), 5-112 (Misbah), 6-112 Leg-spinner Devendar Bishoo took a caught behind decision off Gabriel but S. Dowrich lbw Shah 32 (Nawaz), 7-118 (Riaz), 8-121 (Shah), 9-121 career best 8-49 to dismiss Pakistan for a was trapped leg-before the very next ball. J. Holder b Shah 20 (Ahmed) paltry 123 in their second innings on a day The day also belonged to Shah who D. Bishoo b Nawaz 17 Bowling: Gabriel 7-1-23-1 (1nb), Cummins 7-0- when 16 wickets fell. wrapped up the West Indies innings in M. Cummins b Shah 0 29-0 (1nb), Bishoo 13.5-1-49-8, Holder 4-0-12-1 Earlier it was Pakistani leg-spinner quick time and also reached a milestone. S. Gabriel not out 6 Shah who became the second joint- England’s right-arm medium-pacer Extras: (b9, lb8, nb11, w1) 29 West Indies II innings (Target: 346 runs) fastest bowler to take 100 wickets in Test George Lohmann reached 100 Test wick- Total: (all out; 123.5 overs) 357 K. Brathwaite b Amir 6 cricket during his 5-121 which bundled ets in just 16 Test matches in 1896, which Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Johnson), 2-69 L. Johnson lbw Amir 47 West Indies out for 357 in their fi rst in- still is a world record in Test cricket’s (Brathwaite), 3-182 (Samuels), 4-259 (Black- D. Bravo not out 26 nings. Pakistan, who scored 579-3 de- 140-year history. wood), 5-266 (Chase), 6-300 (Bravo), 7-325 M. Samuels not out 4 clared in their fi rst innings, did not en- Australia’s Charlie Turner and Clarrie (Dowrich), 8-346 (Holder), 9-351 (Cummins) Extras (lb-5 nb-2 w-5) 12 force the follow-on despite West Indies Grimmett, and England’s Sydney Barnes Bowling: Amir 22-6-54-0 (2nb), Sohail 16-2- Total (for 2 wickets, 31 overs) 95 coming up 23 runs short of the follow-on each got to the milestone in their 17th 56-1, Shah 43-15-121-5, Riaz 23.3-3-65-2 (8nb, Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Brathwaite), 2-87 target of 380. Test. Shah, who made his debut at the 1w), Nawaz 16.5-5-38-2 (1nb), Ali 2.3-1-6-0 (Johnson) Pakistan collapsed in search of quick same venue in October 2014, bettered To bat: J. Blackwood, R. Chase, S. Dowrich, J. runs to eff ect a 1-0 lead in the three- off -spinner Saeed Ajmal who held the Pakistan II innings Holder, D. Bishoo, M. Cummins, S. Gabriel match series. With the rough marks on Pakistani record of fastest to 100 Tests Sami Aslam c Blackwood b Bishoo 44 Bowling: Amir 8-0-26-2 (5w), Sohail 2-1-4-0, the pitch helping spinners, Bishoo trig- wickets in 19 matches. Azhar Ali lbw Gabriel 2 Shah 13-2-40-0, Nawaz 4-1-7-0, Riaz 4-0-13-0 England's Zafar Ansari finished with 4-68 against the BCB XI. (AFP)

FIRST ODI Pandya, Kohli lead India to 6-wicket win over Kiwis AFP attempt to make inroads into the Indian middle or- the opposition during his blitz as he hit 6 fours and Dharamsala, India der. But Kohli stayed fi rm to record his 37th ODI fi f- 3 sixes. India lead the fi ve-match series 1-0 with ty in 172 games as the prolifi c scorer hit 9 fours and the next game in Delhi on October 20. a winning six during his 81-ball stay at the crease. owlers led by debutant Hardik Pandya set Returning paceman Tim Southee gave Kohli SCOREBOARD up India’s comprehensive six-wicket win a reprieve on 60 after he dropped a caught and NEW ZEALAND INNINGS over New Zealand in the fi rst one-day in- bowled chance, but the hosts were in the driving M. Guptill c Sharma b Pandya 12 ternational as batting mainstay Virat Kohli seat by then. T. Latham not out 79 anchoredB the hosts’ chase in the low-scoring en- A mix-up between the two onfi eld batsmen re- K. Williamson c Mishra b Yadav 3 counter in Dharamsala yesterday. sulted in Dhoni being run out for 21 but the wicket R. Taylor c Dhoni b Yadav 0 The hosts, who were chasing a modest 191 for proved to be a mere hiccup in India’s road to vic- C. Anderson c Ydav b Pandya 4 win, rode on the 60-run partnership between Kohli tory. “India were too good, very good chasing side L. Ronchi c Yadav b Pandya 0 (85 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and they showed it today,” said Williamson. “We J. Neesham c & b Jadhav 10 to canter home in 33.1 overs. But it was the bowl- were below par in all areas, we need to step that up. M. Santner c Dhoni b Jadhav 0 ing led by medium-pacer Pandya (3-31) and Amit We’re a tough unit, so we need to stick together and D. Bracewell c Rahane b Mishra 15 Mishra (3-49) that helped topple New Zealand for a have to play our best cricket to beat India.” T. Southee c Pandya b Mishra 55 lowly 190 and set the platform for the big win. Earlier the visitors managed to eke out some I. Sodhi lbw b Mishra 1 Pace spearhead Umesh Yadav and off -spinner gains thanks to a 71-run stand between opener Extras (b2, lb1, w8) 11 Kedar Jadhav also took two wickets each after the Tom Latham (79 not out) and Southee, but their Total (all out; 43.5 overs) 190 hosts elected to bowl fi rst at the picturesque Dhar- total proved far from competitive. Latham bat- Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Guptill), 2-29 amsala ground. “Fantastic performance from the ted with purpose and defi ance during his 98-ball (Williamson), 3-33 (Taylor), 4-43 (Anderson), 5-48 (Ron- fast bowlers. We had no clue it (the pitch) would knock while Southee attacked the Indian bowling chi), 6-65 (Neesham), 7-65 (Santner), 8-106 (Bracewell), help the fast bowlers,” Dhoni said after the win. with more abandon as he made 55 off 45 deliveries. 9-177 (Southee), 10-190 (Sodhi) “Hardik exploited the good length. Umesh is Pandya, who was at the receiving end of three Bowling: Yadav 8-0-31-2, Pandya 7-0-31-3, Bumrah 8-1- somebody who has been quite quick consist- boundaries by Martin Guptill in his opening over, 29-0, Jadhav 3-0-6-2, Patel 9-1-41-0, Mishra 8.5-0-49-3 ently, he has gone from fi t to one of the fi ttest. got his revenge by having the opener caught at sec- Hardik is deceptive, you think he’d bowl 132, but ond slip for 12. Yadav had star batsman Kane Wil- INDIA INNINGS he crosses 135 consistently,” Dhoni said in praise of liamson caught at third man when on three after R. Sharma lbw b Bracewell 14 the 23-year-old pacer who was named man of the the Black Caps’ skipper slashed at a wide delivery. A. Rahane c Ronchi b Neesham 33 match. Yadav then bowled Ross Taylor for a duck on the V. Kohli not out 85 New Zealand pacer Doug Bracewell checked In- fi rst delivery of his very next over to be on a hat- M. Pandey c Williamson b Sodhi 17 dia’s brisk start after getting Rohit Sharma lbw for trick, only to be thwarted by Latham who went on M.S. Dhoni run out (Guptill/Ronchi) 21 14 after the batsman missed a fuller delivery while to record his fi fth ODI half century. Pandya kept K. Jadhav not out 10 trying to fl ick it on the leg side. Ajinkya Rahane did making inroads from the other end with the key Extras (lb1, w13) 14 not last long after losing his opening partner as he wickets of the destructive Corey Anderson (4) and Total (4 wickets; 33.1 overs) 194 was caught behind off James Neesham for 33, his Luke Ronchi (0) as New Zealand slipped to 48 for Fall of wickets: 1-49 (Sharma), 2-62 knock laced with 4 fours and 2 sixes. fi ve. “We had to weather the storm a little bit, the (Rahane), 3-102 (Pandey), 4-162 (Dhoni) Kohli then put on 40 runs with Manish Pandey fi rst 10 overs they bowled really well and some soft Did not bat: H. Pandya, A. Patel, A. Mishra, J. Bumrah, (17) as the duo looked to stabilise the chase. Leg- dismissals. Disappointing with the bat,” said Wil- U. Yadav Indian batsman Virat Kohli plays a shot en route to his 85 as New Zealand wicket-keeper spinner Ish Sodhi had petulant Pandey walking liamson. Southee, who returned after missing the Bowling: Southee 9-0-57-0, Bracewell 8-2-44-1, Luke Ronchi looks on during the first ODI in Dharamsala yesterday. (AFP) back to the pavilion as the visitors made a valiant Test series with an ankle injury, took the attack to Neesham 6-0-40-1. Sodhi 4.1-0-34-1, Santner 6-0-18-0 Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 17, 2016 TENNIS

FOCUS Ripping yarn tells the tale of Djokovic in crisis

AFP “I’ll try to get ready for the indoor sea- and a sparring partner since they were Shanghai son where I always, in the last couple of teenagers, said he didn’t fi nd it sur- years, played pretty well. I’ll try to get prising that the Serb’s superb run had better.” taken its toll. ovak Djokovic’s problems Recent months have not been kind “It takes so much eff ort and work came to an explosive head to Djokovic, who has suddenly and to be making fi nals almost every single at the Shanghai Masters and mystifyingly lost his way after winning week for two years. It’s a really, really the Serb now faces being six of his 12 titles in a stun- hard thing to do,” Murray said. Nknocked off his world number one spot ning two-year period. “It’s maybe normal if he’s mentally a if he can’t fi nd a quick solution. He was on top of the world after little bit tired or trying to fi nd the next Djokovic arrived in Shanghai insist- completing a career Grand Slam at the thing to achieve after what he did at the ing mental equanimity, rather than French Open in June, becoming only French Open, as well. titles, was his goal after a rough patch the third man to hold all four major ti- “I’m sure he will get it back. But it’s of form prompted a bout of soul- tles at once. just normal to have a period after what searching. But his 30-match winning streak he’s done the last few years where he’s The man who has dominated tennis at Grand Slams came to a shuddering maybe not as dominant as he was.” for the past two years even resorted to halt when he was well beaten by 41st- Djokovic, who retreated from his humming a in a bid to keep calm ranked Sam Querrey in the third round Monte Carlo residence to his native as he was taken to three sets by quali- at Wimbledon. Belgrade as the storm clouds gathered, fi er Mischa Zverev. Order was restored when Djokovic will seek solace in family comforts be- But Djokovic’s avowed cool-head- won in Toronto but he then crashed out fore resuming action at the Paris Mas- edness evaporated in a stormy semi- of the Rio Olympics’ fi rst round in tears ters in two weeks’ time. fi nal upset against Roberto Bautista and was bullied in the US Open fi nal by “I’m going to celebrate my son’s when he smashed his racquet, ripped Stan Wawrinka. second birthday. That’s an event I look his shirt and raged at the chair umpire. Wrist and elbow injuries have played forward to. I’m going to do a lot of Worse for Djokovic, second-ranked a role and Djokovic has also admit- things off the court, plenty of things won the Shanghai title ted to struggling with “private issues”. off the court,” he said. without dropping a set and is in posi- His collapse could reshape the pecking He added: “I had to experience this tion to put further heat on his number order once again with Murray now the sooner or later. I knew I could not go on one spot. foremost player of the crumbling ‘Big playing at the highest level for so many “It’s not yet over. There are a couple Four’, which also includes injury-hit years all the time. It’s good to experi- of big tournaments still along the way: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. ence this so I can hopefully get better Paris and ,” Djokovic warned. Murray, a contemporary of Djokovic in the period to come.” ROUND-UP Wozniacki back in world’s top 20 with Shanghai knight Hong Kong victory AFP Wozniacki herself has Hong Kong battled back from injury and has had a resurgent run of form in the past two months, ormer world number reaching the semi-finals of one Caroline Wozniacki the US Open and winning the Fbeat unseeded French Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Murray gallops challenger Kristina Mladen- She is still without a Grand ovic to take the Hong Kong Slam title to her name and said Open yesterday after a battle it was her ambition to win one. of wills that lasted almost “It’s the only thing missing three hours. from my CV,” she said. Wozniacki of Denmark, Wozniacki had downed sev- seeded fifth in the competition, enth seed Jelena Jankovic, stormed the first set 6-1 with also a former world number towards top ranking Mladenovic visibly despond- one, to book her finals place. ent and limping slightly. Mladenovic had been aim- The 23-year-old French- ing for her first WTA title — it ‘I believe I can get there. I definitely believe I can get there. These last few woman emerged in the was the third time she had second set with her right made a singles competition months have proved that to me. I may never get another chance to be leg bandaged and with a re- final only to lose. newed focus, forcing Wozni- She told reporters she had number one, so I’ll give it my best shot to do that while I have the opportunity’ acki to dive around the court struggled with exhaustion with a combination of drop and a hamstring injury during shots and powerful drives. the final after a week of long AFP The set went to 6-6, with matches, as well as suff ering Shanghai Mladenovic sealing the tie- in the heat and humidity. break 7-4 to go even. “I was not coming out fresh Spectators around the and when you play someone ndy Murray demol- packed stadium waved paper like Caroline, who is running ished Roberto Bautista fans constantly on a hot and down every point, you have to win the Shanghai humid afternoon, with temper- to fight,” she said, adding that Masters without drop- atures at 30 degrees Celsius she was sad and frustrated pingA a set as he edged closer to (86 degrees Fahrenheit). during the match. “It was very Novak Djokovic’s world number Dressed all in green, a diff icult. I have no idea how I one ranking yesterday. determined Wozniacki, 26, made it to three sets.” The Wimbledon and Olympic finally sealed victory in the Venus Williams and current champion won seven points in third set. A tired Mladenovic world number one Angelique a row in the fi rst-set tie-break was ultimately unable to Kerber went out earlier in the and he broke Bautista three times match the Dane’s power and competition. in the second to win his third consistency. It was the 25th career title Shanghai title 7-6 (7/1), 6-1. Frequently bending to for the former world number The rampant Murray is now lean on her racquet between one Dane, who has now won on a 10-match winning streak points, the Frenchwoman two titles in four Asian events in which he has won 20 straight was in tears as she desper- after claiming the Tokyo tro- sets, including last week’s simi- ately tried to fight back after phy last month. She returns larly impressive victory at the Wozniacki took a 5-0 lead. to a top 20 ranking as well China Open in . Wozniacki eventually took after winning 19 of her last 22 But most importantly, the the final set 6-2. matches. world number two slashes the “I’m really pleased with “I think I can be very proud gap to just 915 points from the my week this week — there of myself and the way I man- out-of-sorts Djokovic, who was was some good tennis and aged to fight back (during shocked by Spain’s Bautista in long battles,” Wozniacki told the season),” the 26-year-old the semis. reporters. added. “Before the US Open “I believe I can get there. I The Dane said the final had (she played a semi-final), I defi nitely believe I can get there. been a mental battle, as it was almost 80 in the rank- These last few months have was unclear to her how badly ings, now I’m back near the proved that to me,” Murray said Mladenovic was hurt. top 20. It’s a big step. of the top ranking. “It wasn’t easy mentally “I’ve been playing well and “I may never get another because sometimes she would getting a lot of wins in. That’s chance to be number one, so I’ll look like she couldn’t play, something I’m very proud of, give it my best shot to do that and then she would run like and something I haven’t been while I have the opportunity.” Speedy Gonzalez — clearly it’s through before. Proving to Nineteenth-ranked Bautista, not that bad if you can run side myself that I’m still one of the who was playing his fi rst Masters to side. There was definitely a top players and that I’m tough fi nal, said it was clear how much mental game. I just happened to beat is definitely something Murray wanted to secure the top with a miscued forehand. the beginning of the year is phe- The 27-year-old continued 6-2 in the fi nal of the Tianjin to win it,” she said. that I could call a success.” spot. “I think I can see it in his But Bautista twice double- nomenal in Australia and Indian probing for the advantage, let- Open to capture her fi rst Tour eyes. He’s really focused on getting faulted to go a break down before Wells, Miami. ting another two opportunities title yesterday. The 30-year-old number one,” the Spaniard said. handing over yet another break, “It’s going to be a tough thing slip before fi nally going 5-3 ahead Peng was winless in six previous Murray’s fi rst serve of the making victory a formality for to achieve that. I’m aware of that. and serving out the fi rst set. fi nals but saved 10 of the 12 break match was a thumping ace and he Murray who tucked away his fi rst I’m close-ish right now, but it’s It was Cibulkova who made all points she faced against Riske to took a grip on the opening set at championship point. going to be really tough still.” the running in the fi nal set, tak- wrap up the tense encounter in 3-3 when Bautista netted a back- With his 41st tournament vic- ing a commanding lead by break- one hour 46 minutes. hand to lose the fi rst break point tory and sixth this year, Murray ing to love in Golubic’s second Local favourite Peng, a former of the match. joins Stefan Edberg in joint 15th Cibulkova downs service game before being un- US Open semi fi nalist, fi nished But Murray, serving at 5-4, place on the list of Open-era title Golubic for Linz title expectedly pegged back by the off her rain-delayed semi-fi nal lost three set points and got in winners. World No. 62, who converted her over Danka Kovinic earlier in a tangle on a drop shot to hand Of greater concern will be Dominika Cibulkova won her fi rst break point. the day, coming back from a set Bautista his fi rst break point, his place in the rankings as he third title of 2016, and qualifi ed For the fi rst time, Golubic be- down to prevail 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. which he converted with a strong draws ever closer to the implod- for the WTA Finals thanks to a gan to pose a threat to Cibulkova Riske, who also played her forehand. ing Djokovic, who has hit a rocky 6-3, 7-5 victory over Viktorija but failed to take any of her seven semi-fi nal earlier in the day, was The Briton slammed three patch after a period of sustained Golubic at the Generali Ladies set points before losing her serve bidding for her second Tour title consecutive aces for 6-6 and he dominance. Linz, in Linz, Austria, yesterday. and allowing the No. 2 seed to but failed to recapture the form dominated the tie-break, reeling “I will try and fi nish this year It’s the fi rst time the Slovakian complete her victory. she displayed in her 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 off seven points in a row and tak- as strong as I can. And next year has qualifi ed for the season fi nale semi-fi nal upset of Russian sec- ing the set with a sizzling back- if the opportunity is there to in Singapore. ond seed Svetlana Kuznetsova. hand return. reach number one, then I want to Cibulkova had started the Peng wins first tour Defending champion Ag- A string of Bautista errors put try and take it,” Murray said. brighter of the two players, com- title at Tianjin Open nieszka Radwanska, who was to Murray a break up at the start of “But it’s not going to be easy ing close to breaking in Golubic’s face Peng in the quarter-fi nals, set two, but to his obvious frus- because Novak plays great ten- opening service game while also Chinese veteran Peng Shuai beat withdrew from the tournament tration he gave it straight back nis indoors, and also his record at squandering two break points. American Alison Riske 7-6(3), after injuring her right thigh. Gulf Times Monday, October 17, 2016 5 GOLF

HANA BANK CHAMPIONSHIP FOCUS Wagner grabs lead at soggy Safeway Open

AFP to complete the round, with Ciganda survives the third round to be played in threesomes off two tees in a bid to beat more expected in- ohnson Wagner chipped in clement weather. for one of his three birdies When play was halted, to grab a one-shot lead at Patton Kizzire was also at Jthe soggy Safeway Open, 14-under through 16 holes. where rain brought the third England’s Paul Casey was meltdown to win round to an early halt. 13-under through 15 holes Wagner was 15-under and Scotland’s Martin Laird ‘It means the world to me, and it’s nice to win here in Korea where women’s golf is so through 15 holes when the 12-under through 16. round was halted with dark- Michael Kim was the leader big. It’s been a tough two years for me. My coach passed away two years ago... so it’s ness closing in and heavy rain in the clubhouse after a 65 on causing puddles on the greens. the Silverado Resort course in been a long journey but I love this life. I love being an athlete, I couldn’t ask for a better life’ Second-round leader Scott Napa, California, for an 11-un- Piercy, who had fallen one der total of 265. off the pace, was off the 16th Wagner, who collected green when he told tourna- three top-10 fi nishes in 26 ment offi cials he couldn’t play starts last season, is in search his shot because of the water. of a fourth career US PGA Tour American Justin Thomas ap- title and his fi rst since the 2012 peared to sum up the mood of Sony Open. the players with an expletive- Piercy, who fi nished tied for laden rant about the condi- second behind Dustin John- tions after missing a par putt son at the US Open in June, at his fi nal hole. returned to the course early The borderline unplay- Saturday to complete his sec- able conditions were not the ond round, playing six holes only thing Piercy had reason and stretching his lead to three to complain about. His sev- shots over Wagner and Casey. en-iron at the par-three 11th He was one-over after two landed in the hole, but rather bogeys and a birdie in his fi rst than celebrate a hole-in-one, 15 holes of the third round. he watched in dismay as the The tournament lost some of ball clattered against the fl ag- its lustre when 14-time major stick and ricocheted 50 feet champion Tiger Woods pulled away. The rebound cost him out two days before the event, two shots, and he trudged off having earlier targeted the with a par instead of an ace. tournament as his return from Those who failed to fi n- a back injury that has sidelined ish were due to return early him for more than a year.

WELL PLAYED Sweden’s Noren wins British Masters

Reuters Watford

lexander Noren un- derlined his status as Europe’s hottest golfer by grabbing a Athird victory in eight events at the British Masters yesterday, becoming the fi rst man to win her drive and second shot, be- most 20 years before he passed the fl atstick, sinking putts from Needing only to par the last to three times on the tour in 2016. Incheon, South Korea fore almost making birdie with away in 2014. “This tournament near and far while her rivals win, she somehow managed to The 34-year-old took a a monster putt. Ciganda played is for my coach, he’s up there failed to get to grips with hard- leak her approach into water short three-stroke lead into the fi nal with more control and sank an watching me,” she added. packed greens that refused to of the green but got up and down round at The Grove course just arlota Ciganda sur- eight-foot putt for the win. Ciganda carded a clos- soak up Sunday’s incessant rain. for a bogey six to force the playoff . outside London and the Swede vived a late-round melt- “It means the world to me, ing round of 70 for a combined The fi rst sign of trouble for the Defending champion Lexi was never headed as he compiled down to beat an equally and it’s nice to win here in Korea 10-under 278, while Lee closed Spaniard came at the 14th when Thompson fi nished six shots off a closing two-under-par 69 for Cerror-prone Alison Lee where women’s golf is so big,” with a three-over-par 75. It was she made a mess of a bunker shot the pace, tied for 13th in a group an 18-under aggregate of 266. Wiesberger joined him at in a playoff at the $2mn KEB Hana Ciganda, still wearing a tradi- the native’s fi rst win and took a double bogey. A care- that included Korean number one Noren, who also won the the top of the leaderboard with Bank Championship yesterday. tional Korean hanbok from the on the LPGA Tour and earned her less tee shot at 16 saw her drop Park Sung-hyun, who delivered Scottish Open in July and last a birdie at the par-fi ve 15th but Spaniard Ciganda, a three- prize-giving ceremony, told a a winner’s cheque for $300,000. another shot and she looked to another erratic display with the month’s European Masters Noren, playing in the group be- time winner on the Ladies Eu- news conference. Ciganda had made up fi ve have blown her chances by bo- putter to fi nish two over for the day. in Switzerland, fi nished two hind, responded immediately ropean Tour and Order of Merit “It’s been a tough two years strokes on overnight leader Lee, geying the last. The three Thai players in the strokes clear of Austrian Bernd with a four at the same hole. champion in 2012, squandered a for me. My coach passed away surging ahead with six birdies The 21-year-old Lee, who is fi eld, Pornanong Phatlum and Wiesberger (67). He then picked up the fi rst four-shot lead with fi ve holes to two years ago... so it’s been a long through her fi rst 10 holes in wet balancing the demands of being sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanu- Former world number one prize of 500,000 pounds play but found herself in a playoff journey but I love this life. I love conditions at the SKY 72 Golf a student at UCLA with life on garn, all wore black following Lee Westwood ended a mis- ($621,750), and the seventh after Lee failed to par the last. being an athlete, I couldn’t ask Club in Incheon. the women’s tour, lost four shots King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death erable run of form as a 67 se- European Tour title of his ca- Korean-American Lee again for a better life.” Despite being ranked 113th in fi ve holes around the turn but on Thursday after seven decades cured third place on 269, two reer, after signing off with an- found trouble on the 18th in the Ciganda was mentored by in putting average on the LPGA took a one-stroke lead with bird- on the throne. They plan to wear ahead of fellow Englishmen other birdie four at the last. playoff , missing the fairway with coach Rogelio Echeverria for al- Tour, Ciganda was red-hot with ies at the 15th and 17th. black for the rest of the season. Tommy Fleetwood and Rich- “The big thing is you don’t ard Bland, Northern Ireland’s have to play a perfect game,” Graeme McDowell, Alexander said Noren. “You just have to Pavit beats Lahiri in play-off , dedicates Macau win to late Thai king Levy, of France, and Swede have a few parts of your game Peter Hanson. strong to get a win. My putting hailand’s Pavit Tangkamol- tled for the runner-up spot for a He turned a one-shot deficit Asked if he could ever have was probably the best thing prasert beat India’s Anirban third time in four years. into a three-shot lead with some imagined winning three times this week, I holed a lot of putts. TLahiri in a play-off at the Pavit said the inspiration from hot putting, going to six-under in one season, Noren replied: Maybe my driving wasn’t Venetian Macao Open yesterday, the king, who died on Thursday through 13 holes and seemingly “No, I didn’t see that. I’ll never the best but I didn’t lose that dedicating his first Asian Tour vic- aged 88, had helped him and the coasting to victory. believe in myself that much to much ground because of it.” tory to the late King Bhumibol. other Thai players. But Lahiri, who looked out of believe it, it’s amazing to be here Westwood was delighted to The 27-year-old Thai and Lahiri, “All the Thai players are very contention and trailed by five at now. I know golf is a tough game fi nd his form again after missing the reigning Asian Tour number sad after hearing the news back one stage, then nailed seven suc- and I’ll try to stay humble.” the cut in his last two strokeplay one, shot a seven-under-par 64 home,” he said in comments sup- cessive birdies to force a play-off . After torrential overnight tournaments and performing and 65 respectively in the final plied by the organisers. Tangkamolprasert then birdied rain left some greens fl ooded, poorly when Europe were beat- round to tie at 16-under-par 268 at “The king is our inspiration this the par-five 18th, the first hole of causing a brief suspension in en 17-11 by the United States the Macau Golf and Country Club. week, our life and this trophy is the playoff to clinch the win. play, Noren served early notice at the Ryder Cup in Minnesota Pavit won in extra time with a for him. I dedicate this win to the Former world number five Ian of his intentions with a birdie- earlier this month. birdie on the par-five 18th hole king,” he added. Poulter, making his competitive birdie blast at the start. “I played really well this when Lahiri, the 2014 champion Pavit previously had only one return after a four-and-a-half The Swede, who has also week, hit the ball well tee to here, found the water hazard with top-10 on the Asian Tour in 65 month absence caused by a foot reeled off seven top 10-fi n- green,” he said. “It was just his second shot after a wayward starts, but it all came together in problem, ended up in 28th place ishes in his last 15 appearanc- one of those weeks where I feel drive en route to a bogey. He set- a gripping final day showdown. on 281. es, then suff ered a hiccup with like I didn’t hole enough putts bogeys at the eighth and 11th. from 15 to 25 feet.”

BOTTOMLINE Long-hitter Park Sung-hyun’s time to shine on Korean Tour

Reuters cessor to Park In-bee as the next Korean basically from everywhere that you put She fi nished third, two strokes behind monster drives, which typically blow Incheon, South Korea world number one, Sung-hyun’s game her,” she said. “No weaknesses.” winner Brittany Lang. “Golf terminol- past rivals on the Korean tour by 40 could hardly be more diff erent to that of Even by typically reserved Korean ogy is in English so on the course there yards, averaging out at around 270. the Olympic champion. standards Park is quiet, painfully shy wasn’t a big inconvenience, it wasn’t as Park had worked hard with her coach ark Sung-hyun has a small While In-bee has racked up 17 US almost. She has previously said she diffi cult as I imagined,” she said. Lee Sang-woo to build a backswing that tattoo on her left wrist, the LPGA Tour wins on the back of rock- struggles to adapt to new environments While it was once automatic for the stored power effi ciently through good Latin word ‘lucete’ (which solid iron play and impeccable putting, and voiced concerns about life on tour top Korean players to switch to the US shoulder rotation and coiling eff ect, then means ‘shine’ in English). The Sung-hyun batters the ball a mile off in the United States, particularly due to LPGA, Park has yet to make a decision released that energy to the ball with per- PSouth Korean golfer endured the nee- the tee, leaving her in prime position to her lack of English. where she will play next year. fect downswing sequencing, he added. dles during the dark days of her career, a attack pins with a wedge or short iron. At the US Women’s Open in July, “In weighing up whether I will go to Symes, who is based just outside reminder that no matter how bad things When the two Parks squared off in a Park and her temporary American cad- the LPGA, there are two factors I con- Seoul and has worked with some of got she had the talent to succeed. matchplay event last year, it was Sung- die Jeff King were forced to use hand sider the most,” she said. “The fi rst is Korea’s top players, including 2012 US After a 2016 season that has includ- hyun who came out on top, thrashing gestures and draw pictures on a note- the change in environment and the sec- Women’s Open champion Choi Na- ed seven wins on the domestic KLPGA the seven-time major champion 5&3. pad to get around the language barrier. ond is the language barrier. It’s a fac- yeon, says Park is one player he would Tour, top 10 fi nishes at three global Despite standing only 1.70 metres Hana Bank Championship, has been Such communication issues would tor I’m considering very seriously and happily pay to watch. majors, $1 million in prize money and tall, the willowy Park is a match for the impressed by the Korean, particularly be a recipe for disaster for most golfers that’s why I feel I would need a lot of “No limits,” he said. “Her potential a jump to number eight in the world power hitters on the LPGA Tour such as her length with the ‘big stick’. — 18 holes of uncomfortable silence, preparation.” is up there with the best of them. She rankings, it appears there will be no Lexi Thompson and Brittany Lincicome. “I’ve played with her quite a few times... botched yardages and missed reads, but PGA golf instructor Robin Symes could be the fi rst golfer to play solely need for further ink. Thompson, defending champion at and her game is unbelievable. Very long off for the introverted Park it was probably feels that Park’s swing mechanics and on the Korean tour and become number Regarded at home as a potential suc- the LPGA/KLPGA co-sanctioned KEB the tee, has a nice high ball fl ight, stops it a match made in heaven. athletic body type are tailor made for one in the world.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 17, 2016 SPORT

FOCUS Falling value of pound lights up dollar signs in breeding stock sales ‘I think a lot of purchasers, particularly of breeding stock, tend to think in terms of dollars rather than pounds or euros and I think because of the competitive nature of the pound against the dollar that will have an eff ect’

AFP Newmarket,

here may have been much negative press about the dra- matic fall in the pound’s value Tbut for Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony it augurs well for his business. The softly-spoken Irishman, who has been chairman of Europe’s lead- ing bloodstock auction house for 23 years, told AFP he expected the posi- tive fallout from the pound’s decline from his company’s point of view to be felt most come the December breeding stock sales. “Well I suppose one of the unintend- ed consequences of the Brexit vote is that the pound has fallen considerably since June,” Mahony said after a ses- sion on the auctioneers rostrum at the highly successful fortnight long year- ling sales in Newmarket which came to an end on Friday. “So we saw rises of about 25% at our sales in July and I think a lot of that was attributable to the competitiveness of the dollar and the euro against the pound. It hasn’t been so noticeable at the yearling sales but I think at the breed- ing stock and fi llies out of training sales in December it will become quite an im- portant bit of sustaining the market here. “I think a lot of purchasers particu- larly of breeding stock tend to think in terms of dollars rather than pounds or euros and I think because of the com- petitive nature of the pound against the dollar that will have an eff ect.” Mahony, whose most treasured rid- ing accoutrement is a hunting jacket given to him by the late former Speaker of the House of Commons Bernard Weatherill who was a tailor by profes- sion, says he is not concerned the large group of Irish vendors will prefer to sell at home if the pound continues its fall. “I think the beauty of auction situa- tions is that it is not a fi xed price so they go up and down according to currency,” he said. “It is not quite as relevant as maybe when you are selling at a fi xed price. So I think what infl uences people coming here is to meet the right market couraged by the number of new faces. owners to the sales. A horse being paraded in the auction for the right horse.” “There were a lot of young Middle “Owners in Britain are very resilient ring at the Tattersalls Bloodstock Mahony, an accomplished show- Eastern buyers (largely from Qatar and in terms of prize money,” he said. “I jumper and huntsman, has just over- Dubai) who in many cases have just think they view prize money as a con- Auction in Newmarket, north of seen a bumper yearling sale at an auc- joined the ownership ranks and it was tribution towards their losses rather London, during last week's auction. tion that has produced seven of the past gratifying to see them buying in per- than a moneymaking exercise. There may have been much nega- 16 Epsom Derby winners. son,” said Mahony. “I think it’s always important to re- tive press about the dramatic fall in A total of 1,306 lots sold for “It was also very good to see so many alise that if you buy a racehorse you’re the pound’s value but for Tattersalls 132,705,800 guineas (£1.05 to a guinea), young agents who have just started really doing it for the love of the sport chairman Edmond Mahony (left) with the average and median up 19% buying this week and bringing a diff er- rather than a fi nancial benefi t. I think it augurs well for his business. The and 30% respectively to 101,612 guin- ent generation to the game as we all get most owners view it like that. Irishman, who has been chairman of eas and 52,000 guineas whilst nine a bit fed up of seeing tired old faces,” he “Having said that of course getting Europe’s leading bloodstock auction yearlings were knocked down for over added grinning. a prize money structure which actu- house for 23 years, expects the posi- 1mn guineas and two topped the sale at He admits it is not the parlous state ally makes more fi nancial sense would tive fallout from the pound’s decline 2.6mn guineas. of English racing’s prize money — in an of course mean we get more owners and Mahony, who has auctioneering in industry that supports 85,000 jobs and horses and have a healthier industry as a from his company’s point of view to the blood as his father Denis was a not- is worth an estimated £3.45bn to the result. However, I think the Holy Grail of be felt most — come the December ed auctioneer, has been especially en- economy — that is attracting these new extra prize money is still some way off .” breeding stock sales. (AFP)

TRAGEDY Daughter of US Olympic Gay fatally shot

AFP “Sending our thoughts and in history not to have an Olym- Washington prayers to TysonLGay and his loved pic medal after a career nagged by ones as they mourn the tragic and doping disqualifi cations. senseless loss of his daughter, Trin- The 2007 world 100m and he teen daughter of former ity,” USA Track and Field tweeted. 200-metre champion and four- US Olympic sprinter “Condolences to Tyson Gay and time US 100m champion suff ered Tyson Gay was fatally shot his family... 15-year-old girl dies a hamstring injury at the 2008 Ol- Tearly yesterday, police said. after shooting at Lexington res- ympic trials and did not medal at Police say 15-year-old Trinity taurant,” tweeted former Olympic Beijing. Gay, a star high school runner her- sprint rival Ato Boldon from Trini- At the 2012 London Olympics, self, was struck by a bullet during a dad and Tobago. Gay was on the US 4x100 relay that shootout at about 4am in the park- According to the Lexington Her- fi nished second to Usain Bolt-led ing lot of the Cook Out restaurant ald-Leader newspaper, Jamaica but the Americans were and pronounced dead at University Trinity Gay was a sophomore stripped of the medal in 2014 based of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. sprint star at Lafayette High on a positive test by Gay in May Witnesses told police gunfi re School, where her father once of 2013 that he blamed on an un- was exchanged between a gray ran. She was a fourth-generation named third party. Dodge Charger and a dark-col- sprinter who placed fourth in last Gay served his suspension and oured sports car with tinted win- year’s girls 100m state fi nal. returned to run again two months dows. Authorities found the Dodge “Our hearts are broken this ago at the Rio Olympics where the and detained two people for ques- morning over the loss of Trinity to Americans ran third in the 4x100 tioning as they continue to search this tragic and senseless act of vio- relay behind Jamaica and Japan, for the other vehicle. lence,” Fayette County School Su- only to be disqualifi ed because Messages of support came to perintendent Manny Caulk said in of a faulty exchange between Tyson Gay and his family from the a statement to the newspaper. teammates Justin Gatlin and Mike athletics world. Tyson Gay is the fastest sprinter Rodgers. Gulf Times Monday, October 17, 2016 7 SPORT

RUGBY AUSTRALIA’S QUEEN Munster coach Foley MEARES RETIRES Melbourne: Australia’s track Her reputation for toughness cycling queen Anna Meares was forged four years later, announced her retirement however, when she broke her yesterday, two months after neck, dislocated her shoul- grabbing her sixth Olympic der and tore ligaments in a medal to cap a career defined sickening crash at a World Cup dies, tributes pour in by courage and sacrifice. event seven months before the The twice Olympic champi- Beijing Olympics. on, who won 11 world titles and Wheelchair-bound and with bore her nation’s flag at Rio, her neck in a brace, Meares told Foley, a married father of two boys, was one of Irish rugby’s most prominent figures mulled bowing out at the 2018 a stunned media conference in her she intended to compete at AFP home state of Queensland but Beijing. Less than two weeks Paris This file photo taken on December 03, 2004 said the physical toll extracted later, she was back on her bike, shows (left), then Munster’s by 22 years of competition had starting an intensive rehabilita- player, and Alexandre Bias of Castres during helped make up her mind. tion that would culminate in unster head coach and former the European Cup rugby match. Munster Meares revealed she had a sprint silver behind Victoria Irish international Anthony head coach Foley died suddenly in Paris taken six cortisone injections Pendleton. Foley died suddenly in a Paris yesterday, at the age of 42. (AFP) in her spine just to get to Rio Her enthralling rivalry with hotel yesterday at the age of where she struggled in the de- the British great raised the pro- M42, triggering a fl ood of tributes from fence of her sprint title but took file of track cycling, off ering a stunned former teammates, opponents the keirin bronze. “Having had rare narrative of clean competi- and admirers of the rugby hardman. to change tack for six months tion, even as a seemingly end- Foley, a married father of two boys, leading into it and to achieve less string of doping scandals was one of Irish rugby’s most prominent the things I have, I feel satisfied on the men’s pro tour blighted fi gures whose father was also capped for and happy to step aside from the sport overall. his country. In a tribute, the president of the sport and try something Meares won their dramatic Ireland, Michael Higgins, dubbed Foley new and diff erent,” the 33-year- replay of the sprint final at “one of the great fi gures of Irish sport in old told local broadcaster London, the pair’s teary the modern era”. Channel Nine. embrace after the duel one of “It is with great sadness that we bid “I have been able to achieve the Games’ most memorable farewell to our coach, former captain, so many wonderful things, moments. A new generation colleague and friend today, rest in peace more than most. I am the most of riders emerged to challenge Anthony Foley,” tweeted. successful for women in my Meares in the next Olympic The Irish province’s European Champi- sport in the field.” cycle, but she remained at the ons Cup match against Racing 92, sched- A coal miner’s daughter pinnacle in her thirties, clinch- uled for yesterday in Paris, was post- raised in a remote Queensland ing her third keirin world title at poned to a later date. town, Meares spent much of Yvelines last year. Munster fans who had travelled to Paris her childhood in the back seat She said she would remain for the Racing match gathered outside the of her parents’ car, driving involved in Australian cycling in Stade Yves-du-Manoir in northwestern some 250 km to reach the near- mentoring roles, as the national Paris, laying fl owers on fl ags and breaking est velodrome for training. She team strives to regroup for into spontaneous renditions of Munster’s emerged as a 20-year-old sen- Tokyo after a disappointing adopted hymn, ‘The Fields of ’. sation in 2004, storming to the campaign in Rio. “It is hard to As a robust backrow forward, Foley led 500 metres time trial gold in close this chapter, because it Munster to European Cup victory in 2006 world record time at the Athens is a bloody big one,” she said. with victory over Biarritz in Cardiff and Games, months after winning “But I am really excited about went on to win 62 caps for Ireland, cap- the world title at her home the doors opening in to the taining the national side on three occa- championships in Melbourne. next chapter of my life.” sions, his last appearance coming in 2005 after debuting 10 years earlier. He played 86 European matches for Munster, including a record 71 consecu- tive games, and retired in 2008 as the club’s most-capped player with 194 ap- pearances for the provincial side. He was named head coach of the Irish province in 2014 after having also coached the Munster ‘A’ team, the Ireland Wolfhounds and the Irish forwards on a of Munster Rugby head coach and former Ireland President Higgins, a patron of ber of the Munster side that beat the All temporary basis in 2012. captain, Anthony Foley, today’s European the IRFU, praised Foley’s “huge contri- Blacks in 1978, said: “Everybody’s just French police in the western suburb Rugby Champions Cup Round 1 match bution to the successes of Munster and been taken by shock.” of Suresnes have opened an enquiry to between Racing 92 and Munster Rugby Ireland, in both his playing and coach- Foley’s sudden death brought a welter confi rm the cause of death of the forward has been postponed and will be resched- ing careers.” Frankie Sheahan, the former of reaction from the wider rugby family. aff ectionally known as ‘Axel’ after Eddie uled,” organisers European Professional Ireland and Munster hooker, posted a re- World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper Murphy’s character from the fi lm Beverly Club Rugby (EPCR) said. cent photo of him and others celebrating tweeted: “Shocked by the tragic news of Hills Cop. EPCR chairman Simon Halliday said: ex-Ireland international ’s Anthony Foley. All at World Rugby send “The IRFU (Ireland ) and “On behalf of EPCR, I would like to ex- birthday. our heart-felt condolences and thoughts Munster Rugby pass on our deepest sym- tend my deepest sympathies to Antho- “Distraught at the tragic news of An- to family, friends and Munster.” pathies to all of Anthony’s family and ny’s family and to everyone associated thony Foley, great friend, teammate & “Unbelievably sad news. Thoughts and friends and ask for privacy for the family with Munster and Irish rugby. “He was legend. Super form last weekend at Mick prayers with all Anthony’s family, friends at this sad time,” a joint statement said. a magnifi cent player and a superb coach Galwey’s 50th. Incomprehensible,” he and colleagues. RIP,” added the Welsh Organisers of the European Champi- and he will be sorely missed.” Racing re- said. Rugby Union. Glasgow Warriors coach ons Cup confi rmed the postponement leased a statement saying it accepted , who made his debuts and former Scotland international Gre- Australia’s Anna Meares is a six-time Olympic medallist and of Munster’s opener against Racing in without reservation the postponement of for both Munster and Ireland caps along- gor Townsend said it was a “sad day for 11-time world champion. Paris. “Due to the tragic passing in Paris the game. side Foley’s father Brendan — a mem- rugby”.

TRAGEDY FOCUS Swimmer dies in Hong Bordeaux leave it late against Ulster AFP Jackson got the extras and booted a pen- Bordeaux’s cake was provided by Australian Paris alty just before half-time after No.8 Loann winger Blair Connor, who sprinted the length Kong harbour race Goujon’s attempted pick-up from the base of the fi eld for a memorable try after full- of a scrum fl oundered as the pitch cut up and back Jean-Marcellin Buttin sparked an attack AFP There was a total of 120 lifeguards at the event, ordeaux left it late against Ulster bounced the ball beyond his reach. from his own tryline. Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK reported on its website. Swim- in their European Champions Cup Madigan hit his second penalty early in “We dominated the second-half because mers are split into racing and recreational groups opener, with hulking prop Sebast- the second half, followed by a third by Lionel we had possession,” said Bordeaux forwards — both the victims were taking part in the leisure ien Taofi fenua sparking a three-try Beauxis, before Jackson pulled one back. coach Jacques Brunel. “Everything’s less tir- swimmer drowned yesterday in Hong category, which is for slower swimmers, accord- fiB nish for a 28-13 victory yesterday. Ireland But then came the thrilling denouement in ing when you’ve got the ball. We were less Kong and another was left in critical ing to reports. fl y-half Ian Madigan opened the scoring for the Pool 5 game. With seven minutes to play, under the cosh and found ourselves on top condition as they took part in the city’s The Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Associa- Bordeaux with a third-minute penalty. Taofi fenua, weighing in at 130kg (20st), used and that helped us with the job in hand.” annual cross-harbour swim, which at- tion, who organised the event, and the title spon- But in a scrappy opening quarter, it was Ul- his immense ballast to squirm past Trimble, The Pool 1 match between last season’s tractsA world-class international competitors. Lo- sor New World Development issued a statement ster who fi rst crossed the whitewash thanks Ruan Pienaar and and dot down in beaten fi nalists Racing 92 and Munster was cal media said the man who died was rushed to expressing their “deepest sorrow” over what they to a simple two-phase set-piece move, Stu- the corner. Then came a penalty try after Fi- postponed after the death of the Irish prov- hospital after being pulled unconscious from the called a tragic accident. “The swimmer was res- art Olding’s crashball quickly reworked for jian fl yer Metuisela Talebua was taken out af- ince’s head coach Anthony Foley. The day’s water by a rescue boat. He was reported to be in cued but attempts to resuscitate him failed and he skipper to sprint through ter breaking free and gathering his own chip other game sees Exeter host French giants his forties. subsequently passed away,” the statement said. unfettered. ahead with the line beckoning. The icing on Clermont, also in Pool 5. A woman thought to be in her 60s was sepa- It is the fi rst death in the race since it was re- rately pulled unconscious from the water and is sumed in 2011 after a 30-year break, local media reported to be in intensive care in hospital. The reported. The decades-long hiatus was due to 1,500-metre race saw around 3,000 people swim fears over pollution levels in the water. American between two piers on opposite sides of Hong swimmer Charles Peterson won the men’s title in Kong’s famous harbour — 500 up from the previ- just 16 minutes 44 seconds this year. ous year according to reports. Some local media Rio Olympics 10-kilometre open water gold questioned why only 10 extra lifeguards had been medallist Sharon van Rouwendaal from the Neth- added when the fi eld had expanded so much. erlands took the women’s crown.

SKIING Svindal, Veith to skip opener

AFP the Rettenbach glacier in Soelden are too tough Paris for an early return, the Austrian ski federation added. The women will race a giant slalom on October 22, with the men taking to the piste the orway’s Aksel Lund Svindal and Aus- following day of the traditional season opener of trian Anna Veith will both skip this sea- the FIS World Cup. son’s opener in Soelden next weekend Veith, then racing under her maiden name in a bid to regain full fi tness. Svindal, of Fenninger, was crowned overall women’s ski theN 2007 and 2009 World Cup overall champion, champion in 2014 and 2015 before suff ering rup- a fi ve-time world gold medallist and 2010 Olym- tured ligaments and meniscus in a fall in training pic super-G champion, ruptured knee ligaments at Soelden in October 2015. in the famed Kitzbuehel downhill in January After an operation, the reigning Olympic Veith, formerly Fenninger, is also in full reha- super-G gold medallist and three-time world bilitation, having missed the 2016 season because champion (2011 super-combined, 2015 giant sla- of a knee injury. lom and super-G) was out for nine months and The expected icy conditions and steep pitch on was only back on her skis at the end of August. Bordeaux’s Sebastien Taofifenua (right) passes the ball during the European Champions Cup rugby union match against Ulster. (AFP) Gulf Times 8 Monday, October 17, 2016 SPORT

MLB NBA JR Smith contract pushes salary of Montero’s grand Cavaliers’ starting fi ve to new heights

By Jason Lloyd signing. “He’s a special part Akron Beacon Journal of this family and we are very slam powers Cubs pleased to have reached an agreement that we all can feel rom the time Dan Gil- good about.” bert purchased the It took a few weeks, but the Cavaliers more than a Cavs ultimately gave Smith decade ago, he made what he wanted. They were itF clear he would spare no ex- previously hesitant to commit pense to bring a championship long term to Smith, but now over Dodgers to Cleveland. Even as strands they’re guaranteed to pay him of confetti lay strewn across for the next three years. The the city, however, Gilbert is fourth and fi nal year on his ‘We have to keep it up. Toronto has a very good team. They can come back’ still writing checks. deal is not fully guaranteed. Barring any lineup changes, Smith’s contract means the JR Smith’s new contract will top nine in the Cavs’ rotation give the Cavs the most expen- is now under team control sive starting lineup in NBA for at least the next two sea- history. Smith’s deal, which sons. Channing Frye and Mike the team announced on Sat- Dunleavy will be free agents in urday, brings the salary of the 2018, and LeBron James and Cavs’ starting fi ve to about Iman Shumpert have the op- $100 million in a year the sal- portunity to join them. Kevin ary cap is $94 million. Roughly Love is under team control half the teams in the league are through the summer of 2019 projected to have payrolls un- and Smith, Kyrie Irving and der $100 million. Tristan Thompson are under Before the current television team control through 2020. deal sent the salary cap and tax As for the megabucks start- threshold soaring, $100 mil- ing fi ve, the only wrinkle could lion payrolls in the NBA were be if coach Tyronn Lue juggles rare. Now half the league has his starting lineup. Lue has them. But $100 million on fi ve hinted in recent days he might players? Never before. Even experiment with his second the Golden State Warriors, af- unit and off ered a curious re- ter adding Kevin Durant, will sponse when asked specifi cally pay their starting fi ve about about Frye. $73 million this season. “We can defi nitely experi- The Cavs’ championship ment with him because with cost Gilbert $54 million in his length he can guard 5s in luxury taxes last season, the the post, so he can play 4 or 5,” second-highest tax check Lue said. “But right now I’m ever written behind only the envisioning something else to $90 million check Mikhail start the season, something Prokhorov wrote for the we’ve been thinking about do- Brooklyn Nets’ second-round ing a little diff erent. We’ll see exit in 2014. Yet even in a year how it works.” when Gilbert lost millions, he’s Lue has reiterated through- back to do it again. The fi nal out the preseason he wants numbers won’t be known for to limit some of the pound- months yet, but Smith’s sign- ing Thompson takes against ing means the Cavs are again the league’s bigger centers. projecting a payroll and tax bill Whether or not he is consider- totaling about $160 million. ing swapping Frye for Thomp- “Bringing J.R. back as part son is pure conjecture at this of our core group was a prior- point, but if he leaves things ity for us,” Cavs general man- the way they are, the salaries ager David Griffi n said in the going to the starters will be Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero hits a grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning of game one of the 2016 NLCS playoff series at Wrigley Field. release announcing Smith’s historic. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP face either the Cleveland Indians Chicago’s Ben Zobrist opened dering four hits with one walk but he added that Cleveland Chicago or Toronto Blue Jays. the bottom of the eighth with a and three strike outs. would remain vigilant as the se- Cleveland took a 2-0 lead in double and Jason Heyward and The Cubs will try to stretch ries shifts to Toronto on Monday. the American League Champi- pinch-hitter Chris Coghlan were their series lead when they host “We have to keep it up,” San- iguel Montero’s onship Series on Saturday with a intentionally walked by Blanton, game two on Sunday. tana said. “Toronto has a very eighth-inning grand 2-1 triumph over Toronto. setting the stage for Montero to good team. They can come back.” slam powered the The Cubs, who had the best send an 0-2 pitch over the right Indians cautiously confident Santana smashed a solo hom- Chicago Cubs to an record in the major leagues this fi eld wall. In Cleveland, Carlos Santana er off Toronto starter J.A. Happ M8-4 victory over the Los Ange- season, are vying to end the “This is what I’m playing for homered and Francisco Lindor over the left-fi eld wall in the les Dodgers on Saturday in game longest title drought in North right now,” said Montero, who drove in the winning run to spark second inning to open the scor- one of their Major League Base- American sport, with their last had just 52 hits in the regular the Indians to a 2-1 victory over ing. The Blue Jays answered in ball playoff series. World Series triumph coming season and batted.216. the Blue Jays. the third as Darwin Barney sin- Montero’s blast off Dodgers in 1908. The Cubs were up 3-1 “I’m trying to take full advan- While the Cubs have endured gled, advanced to second on a relief pitcher Joe Blanton — af- heading into the eighth, but Los tage of the at-bats I get. the grand-daddy of US sporting ground out and scored on a Josh ter the Dodgers had knotted the Angeles loaded the bases with “Sure enough, today, I helped title droughts, the Indians have Donaldson double to pull Toron- score at 3-3 with two runs in the none out against Chicago relief the team.” weathered their own epic stretch to level 1-1. top of the eighth — was just the pitchers Mike Montgomery and Dexter Fowler followed with a of futility since last winning the But the Indians pushed home third pinch-hit grand slam in Pedro Strop. solo home run. Although Chap- World Series in 1948. the winning run when they post-season history and boost- The Cubs sent closer Aroldis man blew the save, he earned the Since then the Indians have came to the plate in the third as ed the Cubs to a 1-0 lead in the Chapman to the mound, and he victory. Cubs starting pitcher lost the World Series in 1954, Rajai Davis reached fi rst base best-of-seven National League struck out two before giving up a Jon Lester received a no-deci- 1995 and 1997. on a fi elder’s choice, stole sec- Championship Series. two-out single to Adrian Gonzal- sion after allowing just one run “We’re confi dent,” Santana ond, took third on a wild pitch The winner of the series ad- ez that scored Andrew Toles and in six innings. He retired 12 of the said after the Indians’ second by Happ and scored on a Lindor vances to the World Series to Chase Utley to tie the game. last 13 batters he faced, surren- home win against the Blue Jays, single to make it 2-1.

NHL Flyers rally but fall in overtime in to Coyotes

By Sam Carchidi ing to start a season 2-0 for the man Ivan Provorov got a piece front to put Arizona ahead, 2-1. The Philadelphia Inquirer fi rst time since 2011-12, had of Dvorak and nudged him into Arizona, which had three gotten within 3-2 as Claude Gi- Mason. rookies making their NHL de- roux weaved around a couple of About four minutes later, buts, took a 3-1 lead 17 seconds ne night after they defenders to get off a shot, and Michael Raffl redirected Nick into the second period as Brad started their season Wayne Simmonds banged in the Schultz’s shot past Smith, knot- Richardson scored on a short- with an impressive rebound with 13:44 left in the ting the score at 1-1 with 7:29 left handed breakaway after Shayne victory, the Flyers took second period. in the fi rst. Gostisbehere’s turnover. aO step backward Saturday night. With about 3{ minutes to go in “The puck found its way up The Flyers were 0 for 4 on the Defenseman Oliver Ekman- the second, Konency, who had a top and I was just trying to crash power play and are 0 for 6 in the Larsson scored with 1 minute, pair of assists in his NHL debut the net and ended up tipping the fi rst two games. 48 seconds left in overtime to lift Friday, came close to tying the puck,” Raffl said. Saturday marked the second Arizona to a 4-3 win at the Gila score with what would have been Just 1:29 after Raffl ’s goal, straight night the Flyers allowed River Arena. his fi rst goal. Konecny made a former Coyote Boyd Gordon ap- the game’s fi rst eight shots be- The Flyers had dominated the slick move to get free from a de- peared to have his second goal in fore steadying themselves. They overtime, and Mike Smith made fender, then fi red a tracer from two games, which would have will try to get off to a better start a sprawling save on Matt Read’s the high slot that Smith gloved. matched his total in the 2015-16 Tuesday in Chicago before play- point-blank chance with 3:05 to Arizona, benefi ting from two season. ing their home opener Thursday go. reviewed goal decisions and From behind the goal line, against Anaheim. It was the fi rst game of the sloppy play by the Flyers, built a Gordon’s shot defl ected off season for speedy and youthful 2-1 fi rst-period lead. Smith and past the goalie. The RESULTS Arizona, while the Flyers were After the Flyers’ third pen- Flyers celebrated. Briefl y. Minnesota 4 Winnipeg 3 coming off a 4-2 opening-night alty in the fi rst 8:45 _ two for too It was ruled no goal on the ice, Toronto 4 Boston 1 win in Los Angeles on Friday. many men on the ice _ Shane and the replay was inconclusive, Ottawa 4 Montreal 3 (SO) Read took a long pass from Doan scored on a power-play re- so it stayed 1-1 as another review Tampa Bay 3 New Jersey 2 Travis Konecny, maneuvered bound to put the Coyotes ahead, went Arizona’s way. Florida 4 Detroit 1 past rookie defenseman Jakob 1-0. Goalie Steve Mason was The fact that the puck blended Pittsburgh 3 Anaheim 2 Chychrun (son of former Flyer knocked down by rookie Chris- in with Smith’s black pads made Washington 2 NY Islanders 1 Jeff ), and made a pretty fore- tian Dvorak as Doan scored, and it diffi cult to see if it was entirely San Jose 3 Columbus 2 hand-backhand move to slip the Flyers coach Dave Hakstol chal- over the goal line. St. Louis 3 NY Rangers 2 puck past Smith, tying the game lenged the play, claiming goalie With 5:43 left in the fi rst pe- Chicago 5 Nashville 3 at 3-3 with 15:24 to play in the interference. riod, Mason couldn’t control Arizona 4 Philadelphia 3 (OT) Oliver Ekman-Larsson (No 23) of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates after scoring an overtime goal past third period. But the goal stood on the re- a puck off the end boards and Colorado 6 Dallas 5 goaltender Steve Mason of the Philadelphia Flyers during the NHL game at Gila River Arena in Glendale, The Flyers, who were try- view, and it appeared defense- Martin Hanzal scored from out Vancouver 2 Calgary 1 (SO) Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Flyers 4-3 in overtime. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Monday, October 17, 2016 9 SPORT

MOTOGP Marquez wins title Ogier claims fourth world as Rossi, Lorenzo title with crash in Japan Catalonia win AFP successful rally driver of all-time. Salou, Spain But he remains someway off the nine Honda rider becomes youngest man to win three premier-class titles consecutive titles won by compatriot Sebastien Loeb between 2004 and AFP renchman Sebastien Ogier 2012. Motegi, Japan sealed his fourth consecutive Ogier, 32, started the weekend in a in commanding position with a podium style by winning the Rally of almost certain to guarantee the title. arc Marquez grabbed his CataloniaF yesterday. However, his job was made even third world champion- Ogier needed just a point to seal easier when teammate and champi- ship by winning the Ja- the title, but the Volkswagen driver onship rival Mikkelsen crashed out on pan Grand Prix yesterday claimed his fi fth win of the season by Saturday meaning a solitary point was Mwith rivals and Jorge holding off home favourite . enough. Lorenzo crashing out in a stunning Belgian claimed After a diffi cult start in treacherous surprise. third to move level with Andreas conditions on Thursday and Friday, The 23-year-old Honda rider be- Mikkelsen in the battle for second in Ogier reeled in Sordo by winning fi ve of came the youngest man to win three the championship. eight speed stages on Saturday to move premier-class world championship “It’s been a tough season but fantas- in front. titles, and did so at Honda’s home cir- tic,” said a delighted Ogier, who cel- And he was faster than Sordo on all cuit, where he had never won before, ebrated by leaping onto the roof of his four of yesterday’s stages to emphati- with three more races remaining in the car with co-driver . cally seal the title by 15.6 seconds with season. “Thank you so much to the team! We Neuville a further minute back in third. Marquez fi nished the 24-lap race in have had the perfect car all weekend. “Really disappointed but I need to 42min 34.610sec in dry, sunny condi- I had so much fun behind the steering off er Seb my congratulations,” said tions, 2.992sec ahead of Ducati’s An- wheel.” Sordo. drea Dovizioso and 4.104sec ahead of Ogier’s latest title takes him level “I did my best, and I want to thank Maverick Vinales of Suzuki. with Finnish duo and my fans for their support. I did my “Obviously, amazing... Amazing Tommi Makkinen as the second most maximum.” feeling,” Marquez said immediately after his victory with a big smile, his face fl ushed with excitement. He knew he had a chance to claim the trophy but securing it would re- quire Yamaha duo Rossi and Loren- zo to perform uncharacteristically slowly, so Marquez focused on ex- panding his 52-point lead against Rossi. He started second on the grid, after Rossi. Last season’s champion Loren- zo also started in the front row. The Spaniard took the fi rst corner, but was quickly overtaken by Lorenzo, who had a commanding lead in the race’s early phase. On the second lap Marquez and Rossi swapped places several times, with the Honda rider keeping the up- per hand. In the fourth lap, Marquez closed in on Lorenzo to take the lead and gradu- ally expanded the gap. With 19 laps to go, Rossi also passed Lorenzo to pursue Marquez. But in the following lap, the Italian slipped on the tarmac at a hairpin bend on turn 10 for reasons that even the nine-time world champion could not himself im- mediately identify. He got up on his own only to with- draw from the race, sending Lorenzo French driver Sebastien Ogier (right) celebrates with co-driver Julien Ingrassia to chase Marquez who was already fl y- (left) after winning the 52nd Rally de Catalunya and retaining their world title in ing solo. Salou, near Tarragona, yesterday. (AFP) With fi ve laps remaining, Lorenzo also slipped on the track, this time at the V-shaped left-handed turn nine, sending Marquez to unexpected vic- Former Aussie world champion tory. “It was diffi cult to concentrate” Gardner arrested in Japan after Lorenzo crashed out, Marquez Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez celebrates on the podium after winning the Japan Grand Prix and securing his third said. MotoGP championship in four years at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, Japan, yesterday. (Reuters) Former Australian motorcycling world champion Wayne Gardner was arrest- Marquez said he had struggled ed at the Japan Grand Prix yesterday after he got involved in an argument fi nd his form early in the season and Friday practice. RESULTS MOTO2 with other visitors and was accused of assaulting them, police said. The 1987 felt immense personal pressure af- Lorenzo experienced a spectacular MOTOGP 1. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 42:45.854 500cc champion got into trouble after his car scratched the vehicle of three ter a stressful 2015 season, which was crash on Saturday and was airlifted 1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 42:34.610 2. Johann Zarco (Kalex) +0.386 Tokyo men, police said. marked with crashes, lost opportuni- to hospital, where he was quickly de- 2. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) +2.992 3. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) +5.863 Gardner, 57, allegedly grabbed each of the men by the collar and pushed ties and an open feud with Rossi, while clared fi t for the race but was left with 3. Maverick Vinales (Suzuki) +4.104 Standings them around, a local police spokesman said. Lorenzo reclaimed the world champi- foot pain. 4. Aleix Espargaro (Suzuki) +4.726 1. Johann Zarco (Kalex) 222 “He was arrested on charges of assault inside the Twin Ring Motegi,” the onship. Marquez also suff ered a small fall 5. Cal Crutchlow (Honda LCR) +15.049 2. Alex Rins (Kalex) 201 police spokesman told AFP, referring to the circuit where the championship “Last year, I paid an expensive price. while testing a hard tyre. 6. Pol Espargaro (Yamaha) +19.654 3. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 179 was taking place. I learned,” Marquez said, adding that Lorenzo said a wrong tyre choice 7. Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia) +23.032 MOTO3 The Australian denied the charges, saying he was only trying to disengage he became a wiser rider. and pains from the practice crash led 8. Danilo Petrucci (D Pramac) +28.555 1. Enea Bastianini (Honda) 39:24.273 himself from one of the men who had grabbed his body, the Yomiuri Shim- The stunning result came after a to his problem in the race. 9. Scott Redding (D Pramac) +28.802 2. Brad Binder (KTM) +0.017 bun daily reported. number of riders suff ered a series of Rossi said he was trying to focus on 10. Stefan Bradl (Aprilia) +32.330 3. Nicolo Bulega (KTM) +4.002 Gardner was visiting the site to watch his son’s race, the Asahi Shimbun daily crashes throughout the weekend. the remaining three races. Standings Standings said. Gardner is a legendary road racer, with four victories at the Suzuka Honda rider Dani Pedrosa returned “I was strong. The pace was good,” 1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 273 pts 1. Brad Binder (KTM) 269 pts Eight Hours motorcycle endurance race in addition to the 1987 500cc world to Spain for an operation after frac- he said. “Fortunately, we have other 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 196 2. Enea Bastianini (Honda) 164 championship. turing his collarbone in a crash during races.” 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 182 3. Jorge Navarro (Honda) 143

BOXING Bellew calls out Haye aft er retaining cruiserweight title

AFP hood dream,” Bellew told . na get smashed too. “I could win the fi ght with one hand, London “I’ve pummelled him. I could have “With ten ounce gloves on, I’ll put just my left hand, I wouldn’t even need been clinical. I’m not called the ‘Bomb- you and your pathetic haircut to sleep. my right hand.” er’ for nothing.” “Brother, I’m the biggest payday Flores traded punches with Bellew, a ritain’s Tony Bellew retained Bellew then turned his attention you’ve got right now.” fan of ’s Everton football team his World Boxing Coun- to one-time sparring partner Haye, a who won the world title with a knock- cil cruiserweight title with a former cruiserweight and heavyweight ‘WITH ONE HAND’ out of Ilunga Makabu at the club’s third-round stoppage of BJ world champion. Haye accepted Bellew had done a fi ne Goodison Park ground in May. FloresB on Saturday and then promptly Haye, competing as a heavyweight, job of work in seeing off Flores but in- But the 33-year-old Bellew, in his charged out of the ring at Liverpool’s returned to the ring aged of 35 in January sisted he would have no trouble defeat- fi rst title defence, fi nished the opening Echo Arena to confront David Haye. after three-and-a-half years with a fi rst ing him if they met as heavyweights. round the stronger. Liverpool boxer Bellew fl oored Flores round knockout win over Mark de Mori. “His performance was fi rst-class. He He dropped Flores in the second three times in the second round before But Bellew made it clear on Satur- beat BJ Flores, a good friend of mine,” round, although the American com- seeing off his American challenger in day that he thought Haye’s return was said Haye. plained of a low blow, and then capital- the next. nothing more than a money-grabbing “Bellew has dynamite in his fi sts but ised on his opponent’s loss of concen- After the fi ght was stopped, an emo- publicity stunt. would that work on me? I don’t think so. tration to fl oor him once more. tional Bellew had to be restrained by “You see him? He’s been conning the “He was taken big shots in the proc- Just before the bell, Flores was down security staff from confronting British British public since his pathetic come- ess, his defence was leaky. Against me, again but he beat the count. rival Haye, a friend of Flores’s, who was back started,” Bellew said of Haye. that’d take one shot. Nevertheless, the fi nish was in sight watching at ringside. “The last two guys you fought are “I am a heavyweight for eight or nine and a fl urry of punches from Bellew in “I’m ruthless when I get going. BJ working on nightclub doors, or they’re years. If he wants to come up, it’s an the third round ended with a left hook Flores is an old-school, respected putting the bins out.” easy night’s work. I’ll probably knock that knocked Flores to the canvas be- Tony Bellew (left) walks past BJ Flores (centre) after knocking out the latter fi ghter and he’s trying to fulfi l a child- He added: “You see you? You’re gon- him out with a jab. fore the referee stopped the contest. during their WBC World Cruiserweight title match on Saturday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 10 Monday, October 17, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT edge fi ve-goal Basque derby Intensity key to AFP chipped home Athletic’s second before teeing up Inaki Williams for the third. Inigo Martinez’s fi ne header thletic Bilbao moved to from a narrow angle gave the within three points of visitors hope seven minutes La Liga leaders Atletico from time, but Athletic held on Madrid with a 3-2 win for their fi rst win over Sociedad Real revival: Zidane overA local rivals in a since 2012. pulsating Basque derby yesterday. Athletic moved to within a Sociedad took the lead against point of Barcelona in fi fth. ‘We played with the necessary intensity to win. This is a diff icult place to come but we the run of play when David Zuru- The top four were all victori- tuza volleyed home Xabi Prieto’s ous on Saturday as Atletico, Real started strongly and it is tough for the opponent when we play like that’ corner on 17 minutes. Madrid and Barca thrashed Gra- Athletic laid siege to the So- nada, and Deportivo ciedad goal, only to be denied la Coruna respectively, whilst by the outstanding form of Ar- Sevilla sneaked past Leganes 3-2. gentine international goalkeeper Earlier, Roberto Rosales’s Geronimo Rulli before the break. stunning long-range eff ort fi ve Iker Muniain fi nally levelled minutes from time salvaged a 1-1 with a brilliant eff ort from out- draw for Malaga at Alaves. side the box that curled in off the far post to leave Rulli helpless six RESULTS minutes into the second-half. Alaves 1 (Deyverson 9) Malaga 1 Sociedad then caused their (Rosales 85) own downfall as twice they were Athletic Bilbao 3 (Muniain 51, caught in possession deep inside Aduriz 60, Williams 72) Real So- their own half as Aritz Aduriz ciedad 2 (Zurutuza 17, Martinez 83)

BUNDESLIGA Mainz register 2-1 win over Darmstadt

AFP Mainz doubled their lead Berlin when Turkey international Yu- nus Malli was brought down by Darmstadt captain Aytac Sulu, ainz moved up to but got up to bang home the spot seventh in the Ger- kick on 57 minutes. man league table Darmstadt scored a late con- yesterday with a solation goal when Mainz sub- M2-1 win at home to local rivals stitute Niko Bungert, who came Darmstadt in the Bundesliga. on in the 90th minute, gave Just 48 kilometres (30 miles) away a penalty for handball separates the two clubs in Ger- which midfi elder Jerome Gon- many’s top fl ight and while dorf gratefully converted in the Mainz are knocking on the door 93rd minute. of the top six, the result leaves Bayern Munich remain two Darmstadt 15th in the table, just points clear top of the Bundesli- above the relegation places. ga table despite their 2-2 draw at Argentinian striker Pablo De Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, Blasis gave Mainz the lead at the which left the defending cham- Opel Arena with a brilliant fl ick pions winless in their last three Real Madrid’s coach Zinedine Zidane reacts during his team’s La Liga match against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin stadium in . after just fi ve minutes to claim matches. his fourth goal in seven league Having already beaten Borus- AFP sary intensity to win,” said Zidane. And Zidane insists big wins for Atleti- ond from another Kroos assist before games this season. sia Dortmund and Hamburg, Madrid “There are no small teams (in this co, Barcelona and Sevilla that saw Real Marcelo added a third. Darmstadt were awarded a a win could see Leipzig claim league). This is a diffi cult place to come slip to fourth before kick-off hadn’t It was Real’s fourth, though, that stole penalty just before the break second place in the table on goal but we started strongly and it is tough for played an extra motivating factor in their the show as a sweeping team move in- when Mainz captain Stefan Ball diff erence from Cologne, who eal Madrid must match the in- the opponent when we play like that.” sudden return to form. volving fi ve players stormed from a Betis fouled striker Antonio-Mirko won 2-1 at Ingolstadt on Satur- tensity of a stunning fi rst 45 Zidane had slammed his side’s slow “You can have a look and see what is corner all the way down the other end of Colak, but the Croatian forward day. minutes urged coach Zinedine starts earlier this season, in particular in happening, but that is independent of the fi eld in seconds before tapped had his spot-kicked saved by Zidane after snapping a four- dropping points at home to Basque min- what we have to do,” he added. into an empty net. Mainz’s Danish goalkeeper Jo- RESULT gameR draw streak with a 6-1 rout at Real nows Eibar last time out. “I will watch it again and enjoy it,” said nas Loessl. Mainz 2 (De Blasis 5, Malli 57- Betis on Saturday. “They are intelligent, good players. GIVE IT ALL a smiling Zidane. It was a busy fi rst-half as both pen) Darmstadt 1 (Gondorf Zidane’s men surrendered top spot They know we have to start in that man- “We have the obligation to give every- Alvaro Cejudo pulled a goal back for sides hit the crossbar. 90+3-pen) on goal diff erence to city rivals Atletico ner and they did well. thing in every game we play. We are all Betis at the start of the second-half, but Madrid with three consecutive La Liga “When we play with the intensity re- satisfi ed, but we must continue like this.” a stunning strike from Isco and Cristiano draws, along with a point at Borussia quired it makes it very diffi cult for the Raphael Varane got Madrid off to the Ronaldo rounded off the scoring. SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Dortmund in the Champions League, opponent. perfect start when he headed home Toni “I needed a game like that. I needed a prior to the international break. “We have worked on that, but we need Kroos’s free-kick after just four minutes. little bit of confi dence and that will come However, a two-week layoff seemed to to be consistent. This match is a refer- “The intensity we started with made with more minutes,” said Isco, who was do the European champions a world of ence point.” everything a lot easier,” said Varane. making a rare start in the absence of the Rodgers hails Celtic good as they stormed into a 4-0 lead be- Victory took Real back level with “We have spoken a lot in the past few injured Luka Modric and James Rod- fore half-time to blow Betis away. Atletico at the top after Los Rojiblancos days about improving that aspect of our riguez. “After four draws we had to have a went one better in a 7-1 thrashing of Gra- play and everyone responded well today.” “I still don’t have full match fi tness, side’s character game like this. We played with the neces- nada earlier on Saturday. Karim Benzema slotted home the sec- but I hope to keep improving bit-by-bit.” AFP Glasgow BOTTOMLINE eltic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his side’s hunger for success as they extended their unbeatenC start to the defence of Tottenham coach Pochettino their Scottish Premiership title with a 2-0 win over Motherwell on Saturday. Celtic maintained their four point lead over Aberdeen at the positive aft er Baggies draw top of the table thanks to a fi rst- half strike from Scott Sinclair File picture of Brendan Rodgers. AFP ALDERWEIRELD INJURY “We should have been more and a late penalty from Moussa West Bromwich The home crowd reminded Po- clinical but we showed char- Dembele. fi ght,” he said. chettino that a draw between the acter aft er they scored so The in-form French striker, “That was a perfect example clubs in London had helped deny late. I’m pleased with the per- who took his tally to 13 goals for of the spirit in the team. They auricio Pochet- Spurs the title last term, but the formance. I feel very proud. the season, won the penalty after will chase everything and the tino, the Tottenham Argentinian was unimpressed. Their keeper was man-of- chasing down what looked like a penalty was from absolute desire Hotspur manager, “This is a diff erent period, it’s a the-match as you saw” lost cause only to reach the ball to get there before the keeper. insisted after a 1-1 diff erent season and we are more before Motherwell stopper Craig “That looked like it was dead Mdraw away to West Bromwich mature now,” he said. see players of such quality at The Samson, who hauled him down. and was going to go through to Albion that his delight at the Pochettino’s biggest worry Hawthorns. Rodgers, whose side host the keeper but he (Dembele) character they had shown out- after the fi nal whistle was an in- “They are one of the best Borussia Monchengladbach in made it something. The best weighed any disappointment jury to Belgium defender Toby (teams) in Europe never mind a Champions League clash on strikers do that and create some- with the result. Alderweireld, who left the fi eld England. It is wonderful that you Wednesday before facing Old thing out of nothing or make Victory would have extended on a stretcher after a second- can watch teams like that, with Firm rivals Rangers for a place in something for themselves. Spurs run of victories in all com- half collision. such an array of talent. the League Cup fi nal on Sunday, “He made the penalty through petitions to six, but Pochettino “He has a heavy knock on his “That’s because we are in the hailed the desire shown by his his endeavour. Forget about his was satisfi ed to keep his team’s knee and leg,” Pochettino said. Premier League, and I don’t players ahead of what could be a quality; that’s about a mindset record as the only unbeaten Pre- “We’ll have to wait 24 to 48 think anybody should take that crucial week in their season. to get there and he tucked it away mier League side this season. hours. Now his leg is very pain- for granted, especially clubs “It was a very good win on very well.” The draw was the least the visi- ful but we don’t know (the cause outside the top six or seven. the back of being separated for a With one eye on Wednesday’s tors deserved after forcing a man- of the injury).” “Because if you start to think couple of weeks,” said Rodgers. crucial Champions League clash, of-the-match performance from Albion manager Tony Pulis you are better than you are, the “I said to the players before Rodgers made three changes Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster at praised Foster, a member of the bottom drops out. You cannot be the game that for us to succeed with Cristian Gamboa and Stu- The Hawthorns on Saturday. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino reacts after his team’s England 2014 World Cup squad complacent.” it’s not just about us being hun- art Armstrong replacing the in- Nacer Chadli – sold by Spurs match against West Bromwich Albion. but whose international career As for Saturday’s performance, gry for success it’s about being jured Mikel Lustig and Nir Bit- to West Brom for £13 million was interrupted by a serious Pulis credited Tottenham with starving,” added the Northern ton while Liam Henderson was ($16 million, 14.4 million euros) “I’m pleased with the per- drew,” said Pochettino. “We knee injury. changing their style to such eff ect Irishman. handed his fi rst start of the sea- in August – put the home side formance. I feel very proud. missed a chance to win, but it “If you look at the whole game that Albion barely saw the ball for Rodgers, whose side redeemed son in place of Australian inter- ahead against the run of play Their keeper was man-of-the- was a diffi cult, physical game. we have Ben to thank,” Pulis the fi rst hour of the game. themselves with a 3-3 draw with national Tom Rogic. eight minutes from time. match as you saw.” When you don’t score, you leave said. “It’s about time he made a “We still looked as if half a Manchester City after opening “Today was about the squad,” Despite that setback, Spurs The result left the north Lon- yourself open.” few saves, he’s not had a lot to do dozen players were still away their Champions League group Rodgers said. “I had to leave Tom recovered to equalise through doners a point behind Manches- Alli’s goal came after he missed this season.” on international duty,” Pulis campaign were thrashed 7-0 by Rogic out totally. The guy has Dele Alli in the 89th minute. ter City after the Premier League a fi rst-half chance and Pochet- Pulis praised Spurs and re- said. “They stretched us, but we Barcelona, said the spirit shown been to Saudi Arabia and then “We should have been more leaders were also held to a 1-1 tino said: “I’m happy for Dele Alli minded his club’s fans that re- managed to work it out in the by his team had impressed him. Melbourne and he only came clinical but we showed character draw, by Everton. but he needs to improve. He had maining in the Premier League, second half and gave them a bet- “You have to really push your- back Thursday morning and after they scored so late,” Po- “Yes it was a missed chance a chance in the fi rst half when he however that can be achieved, ter game.” Now to see what hap- self in moments when you think as soon as he landed he came chettino said. but not only because Man City had to score.” is paramount if they still want to pens in their next game. things are gone and you have to straight to the training ground.” Gulf Times Monday, October 17, 2016 11 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT MISSED CHANCE City pay the penalty I’m in charge, says for lack of practice Conte aft er Costa sub dispute Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. AFP sponsibility to try and restore Manchester confi dence to his players if that ‘I know I risked it because if Costa took another yellow card he misses the next game. was an issue. “I am here to try to make that I decide the substitutions. Always I take responsibility in every situation, good or bad’ ep Guardiola admit- happen. ted his Manchester City “I try to analyse the reasons we players had not prac- don’t win. Of course, the confi - tised penalties before dence and mood is much better Pthey missed two during a 1-1 when you win.” draw at home to Everton. Despite the failure to beat Kevin De Bruyne and Ser- Everton, City enjoyed 72 per gio Aguero both had spot-kicks cent of the possession and had saved by goalkeeper Maarten 19 shots at goal to the visitors’ Stekelenburg before substitute three. Nolito’s header earned a point “I am not frustrated with the for City. team. I am sad for the players. For Aguero, it was a second They deserve to win the game. miss of the week, after he failed They did absolutely everything to convert a penalty for Argenti- to win it,” said Guardiola. na during a 1-0 World Cup quali- “Football is sometimes beau- fying defeat at home to Paraguay tiful. They have to be more open, on Tuesday. play a little bit more and fi nd Guardiola, though, insists he spaces.” has bigger priorities than penalty Everton manager Ronald Koe- practice as he attempts to get his man suggested Stekelenburg had team back to form. the best game of his career after Asked if his players had prac- not only saving two penalties, tised penalties, he said: “No. I but also making a world-class don’t have time to practise eve- stop to deny De Bruyne later in rything I want to practise. the game. “You can practise penalties in “Maybe the goalkeeper played training, but in training, no one his best game ever. We know he is (a crowd) is there. a very good goalkeeper,” Koeman “In the fi nal of the Cham- said of his fellow Dutchman. pions League, that is crucial. “He saved two penalties and If the player says, ‘I want to be two more shots from Kevin De there’ (take the penalty), that is Bruyne. enough.” “Maybe you need luck to get a Guardiola made a superb start result but I think we get a result to his reign as Manchester City today because the fi ghting spirit manager, winning his fi rst 10 was amazing.” matches in charge. Koeman also indicated City However, his players have gone are the best team he has faced in three games without a victory a managerial career spanning 15 in all competitions, and face a years. daunting Champions League trip “It is the best team we have to his former club Barcelona on played against in my managerial Wednesday. career — they have a really high Guardiola said it was his re- tempo,” Koeman said. Chelsea’s Italian head coach Antonio Conte gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Leicester City.

AFP gling with an injury, but Conte was un- “After we conceded a lot of goals I de- to lose four successive away games since NO APPEAL London moved and insisted he didn’t want to lose cided to change for the Hull game. This Blackburn in 1995-96. a player with Costa’s tone-setting ag- system suits the talents of all our players.” Ranieri believes he and his players gression even for a few minutes. have become too focused on their Euro- ntonio Conte revealed he ig- “If I can, I keep Costa until the end of VOTE OF CONFIDENCE pean adventure. “When you play in the Wenger accepts red nored Diego Costa’s request to the game. Costa is an important player Conte had laughed off suggestions he Champions League for the fi rst time in be substituted because the vol- for us,” Conte said. was about to be sacked after some book- the club’s life, the concentration can be atile Chelsea striker’s passion is “Diego is in good shape. He has pas- makers suspended betting on his depar- very high in the Champions League and card for Xhaka tooA important to lose. sion and we need his passion in every ture on Thursday. it is not the same in the Premier League,” Costa scored his seventh Premier moment of the game. And Chelsea’s best performance of the Ranieri said. League goal of the season as Chelsea “I know I risked it because if Costa season was a welcome vote of confi dence. “I can understand this. It is not only cruised to a 3-0 win over spluttering took another yellow card he misses the “I’m quite ‘tranquilo’.I’m very happy,” one man who changed the team, it is the champions Leicester at Stamford Bridge next game. I decide the substitutions. Conte said. “When you work so hard brain that changed the team. I’m not on Saturday. Always I take the responsibility in every during the week, it’s logical you want to worried. I know my job. There are good But the controversial Spain star still situation, good or bad.” see a good result. I’m very happy, above and bad moments. I have to work.” managed to cause a fuss with his demon- Conte was also rewarded for sticking all for my players.” Ranieri conceded he might have un- strative, but unsuccessful, attempt to to his beliefs about playing three central Meanwhile, Claudio Ranieri admits settled his team by resting three key convince Chelsea manager Conte to sub- defenders. Having changed to his pre- Leicester’s maiden Champions League fi gures to keep them fi t for the Champi- stitute him in the 70th minute. ferred formation after Chelsea leaked too voyage is ruining their Premier League ons League clash with Danish side Co- Costa was one booking away from be- many goals, Conte was rewarded with a title defence. penhagen. “The Premier League is one ing suspended for next Sunday’s home second consecutive clean-sheet despite Ranieri’s side are 11 points behind lead- year long, the Champions League is two clash with Jose Mourinho’s Manches- leaving fi t-again captain John Terry on ers Manchester City after their fourth months and you are in or out,” he said. ter United and, with the game against the bench. loss of the season. “We want to go in the knockout in the Leicester well in control, he gestured that “I changed the system because it’s im- That is more defeats than Leicester Champions League, to achieve this you he wanted to come off . portant to have time to understand the suff ered in the whole of last season and have to have all your players fi t. I prefer to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. He even clutched at his legs as if strug- right characteristic for the team,” he said. they are also the fi rst English champions keep players fi t for Tuesday.” AFP over the line because we played London with spirit. BOTTOMLINE “Theo could have had a hat- trick and even four. But he scored rsenal manager Arsene two goals and has six (for the Wenger has revealed he season) now. will not be appealing the “Ozil’s goal was a great goal. red card given to Granit When you see his fi nishing you XhakaA during the Gunners’ nar- think he does not take his chanc- Klopp still wary of Rooney threat row 3-2 win over Swansea City. es to shoot enough. In training he The midfi elder was controver- scores basically when he wants,” AFP stitutes again as United seek to title, in order to prevent accusa- sially sent off 20 minutes from the veteran French boss added. Liverpool deny Liverpool a victory that tions of bias. the end of Sunday’s match at the “I have some mixed feelings would see the Merseysiders go A concerned Mourinho, not Emirates Stadium for a late tack- because it looked at some points level on points with Premier averse to criticising referees, le on Modou Barrow. comfortable and then it never was. lex Ferguson once de- League leaders Manchester City. suggested the pre-match scruti- That forced the North Lon- “We have the same number of scribed Liverpool ver- ny had done Taylor few favours. doners to hang on to a victory points as Manchester City so it’s sus Manchester United REFEREE ROW “I think Mr Taylor is a very good which sent them level on points down to us to continue. If you as the biggest fi xture in As well as Rooney’s form, an- referee but I think somebody with with Premier League leaders look at the game the potential is clubA football and today’s clash other sub-plot that has emerged intention is putting such a pres- Manchester City. very interesting but we have to be at Anfi eld has been made all the in the build-up to the game con- sure on him that I feel that it will But despite believing Xhaka intelligent enough to improve.” more intriguing by the debate cerns referee Anthony Taylor. be diffi cult for him to have a very had been on the receiving end of This was American Bob Bra- over the form of Wayne Rooney. The fact Taylor is based in good performance,” he said. a rough decision, Wenger said he dley’s fi rst game in English United’s captain, dropped Manchester has led to com- Liverpool go into today’s would not contest the dismissal. football and there were enough to the bench by manager Jose plaints about the offi cial’s ob- game seeking to end a run of four “The sending off looked harsh,” positive points for the Swansea Mourinho for his club’s last three jectivity, even though he sup- straight league defeats against said Wenger. “It was a defi nite foul manager to take back. fi xtures, suff ered the same fate ports non-league Altrincham. their bitter northwest rivals, but but probably dark yellow. The ref- “None of us walk out of here with England during last week’s Former top-fl ight referee having also knocked United out eree went for a dark red. Will I be feeling good, but we’ve had a goalless draw away to Slovenia in Keith Hackett said Taylor should of last season’s Europa League. appealing it? No. good week of training and we can a World Cup qualifi er. not have been put in charge of Klopp, whose team left it late “He is not a dirty player. Do I see some good things that hap- Rooney has faced heavy said Klopp. ‘OK, he’s not good enough any the match as the “focus on him to gain a 2-1 victory at Swansea in need to speak to him? No. I think pened,” Bradley said. criticism lately, yet Liverpool “He is 30 years old and has more but he’s still playing’? Or would be intolerable” should he their last league match, is hopeful Barrow made a lot of it but you “That game had many diff er- manager Jurgen Klopp is still had a very long and more than why do they think Sam Allardyce make an error today. that Georginio Wijnaldum (hip) have to respect the decision. He ent parts. We started poorly. De- wary of the forward cum mid- a decent career in the Premier (the former England manager) Meanwhile some Liverpool and Adam Lallana (groin) will has to learn from it. fensively, the fi rst two goals were fi elder, who scored the only goal League. The longer you are part did it, or why Gareth Southgate fans have suggested that Taylor recover from injury problems in “We kept our defensive shape not handled well, but we gave as United won in the Premier of something, the more people (the interim England boss) did ought to get the same treatment time to feature today. with ten men, everyone was ourselves a real chance. League at Anfi eld in January. know about you and think they it? They all know about his qual- as Kevin Friend. Mourinho is hopeful that completely focused.” “We are confident we can “I know a lot of what eve- can say about you,” the German ity and know about his value for The Leicester-based referee left-back Luke Shaw (groin) and “A comfortable afternoon fi n- turn this around. After the rybody thinks at this moment added. each team he plays in.” was removed from Tottenham’s midfi elder Henrikh Mkhitaryan ished in an uncomfortable way week of training we have just about Wayne Rooney and I can- “Why does anybody think Despite Klopp’s kind words, game at Stoke in April, with (thigh) will be available to play but we got over the line,” said had, and the mentality of the not think the same things, even that Jose Mourinho is blind from Rooney may well have to set- Spurs then battling the Foxes, at Anfi eld following their recent Wenger. “We played in patches team, for me we are going to as the manager of Liverpool FC,” one second to the other and says, tle for a place among the sub- the eventual champions, for the injuries. some fantastic football. We got become a good team.”

Monday, October 17, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR STARS LEAGUE AFC U19 CHAMPIONSHIP Qatar colts take on Lekhwiya, Sadd Yemen in crucial tie share points aft er six-goal thriller Qatar U19 team during a training session yesterday. An 83rd minute goal from Baghdad Bounjah helped the Wolves snatch a draw from By Sports Reporter the jaws of defeat against a dominant Lekhwiya side in a scintillating encounter Doha

By Sports Reporter atar take on Yemen Doha today in their second match of the AFC U19 Championship, tak- ekhwiya and Al Sadd shared the ingQ place in Bahrain. Defending points with a thrilling 3-3 draw at champions Qatar were held to a Lekhwiya stadium yesterday. The 1-1 draw in their opening match hosts looked the better side in the against Iran. Qatar will be keen Learly exchanges, and could have set down to get a win under their belt and an early marker with a Mohammed Is- more importantly, get three cru- mael overhead kick in the 7th minute. But cial points. the shot just edged past the Al Sadd goal. Coach Oscar Cano had lauded However against the run of play it was the performance of his side, say- Al Sadd who took the lead in the 19th ing Qatar played ‘brave’ football Qatar U19 coach Oscar Cano. minute through Baghdad Bounjah. A in their 1-1 draw against Iran. well-timed through ball from Sadd de- “The fi rst game at any event is “We should aim for a win. fender Kasola found Bounjah who calmly dangerous. You don’t know what This is a strong group. We slotted the ball past Lekhwiya keeper to expect,” Cano said. have good sides playing Claude Amine to give his side the lead “But I would say the team here. We must be at our best with his fourth goal of this QSL season. played brave football. They were in the next two games” The Red Knights immediately went the better side,” he said. on the front foot and promptly found an “Iran got the equaliser from a said. “This is a strong group. We equaliser moments later. Smart midfi eld good attack. But I feel it is im- have good sides playing here. We play from Nam Tae-Hee found Mohamed portant not to lose the fi rst game must be at our best in the next Tresor on the right wing who whipped a at any tournament,” he said. two games,” he said. ball across the face of the Sadd goal and “I am proud of my team. We Iranian coach Amir Husain Yusef el-Arabi stabbed the ball into the can qualify for the next stage. We said: “We made some mistakes in back of the net. will focus on the second game the fi rst half. We corrected those Djamel Belmadi’s side began to grow now,” he said. mistakes in the second half.” in confi dence and slowly began to dictate Cano said that his team is He added: “I think the play- the play and won a host of corners. The looking forward to the remaining ers have been impacted by warm pick of the chances fell to Luiz Martin, games. “We are looking forward weather. We played good football from a short Nam Tae Hee corner how- to the next games,” he said. “Ja- to get the equaliser.” ever the Qatar international’s shot fl ew pan is a good side but we are well “Qatar played good football. well over the bar. prepared,” Cano said. It was an exciting match,” he Lekhwiya made their dominance count Al Sadd’s Hassan al-Haydous (right) celebrates with teammate Baghdad Bounjah after scoring yesterday. PICS: Noushad Thekkayil “We should aim for a win,” he added. and deservedly took a 2-1 lead going into the break. Tae-Hee delivered an inch- net to give Al Sadd the unlikeliest of perfect cross into the box which found equalisers. Tunisian international Yusef Msakni who Lekhwiya were frustrated with the de- bravely nodded the ball into the back of cision but put all their focus in fi nding a the net. winner. They pushed back Al Sadd from The second half started with Lekhwiya the kick-off and grabbed their third of Coach De Boer on the front foot again, and Belmadi’s the night on the 74th minute. side could have stretched their lead fur- South Korean international Tae-Hee ther, had Chico Flores not fl uff ed his lines scored his fourth goal of the season with a slams Inter as Icardi from an early corner. sublimely hit free kick which rebounded Lekhwiya looked totally dominant on off the post and into the back of the net ball with Tae-Hee pulling the strings much to the joy of Lekhwiya head coach feud rumbles on in the centre of the park. However Sadd Belmadi. found their way back into the contest in However Al Sadd had the fi nal say in fortuitous circumstances. the game in the 83rd minute with the In the 68th minute Al Sadd were given sixth and fi nal goal of the tie. a penalty after Ibrahim and Yusef Msa- Substitute Hamad Ismael whipped in a kni battled for a 50/50 ball. The referee low cross which sped past two Lekhwiya pointed to the spot, much to the distress defenders and Baghdad Bounjah was on of the Lekhwiya players. Qatar inter- hand to tap in the ball for his fi fth goal of national Hassan al-Haydous promptly the season and helped the Wolves snatch stepped up and slotted the ball into the a draw from the jaws of defeat. Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira (left) and Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi.

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Inter Milan’s reacts during the match yesterday.

AFP Icardi earned a chance for Qatar’s fi rst pro boxer dreams appeasement when Inter were Milan awarded a penalty in the 25th minute after he was manhandled rank De Boer slammed by Bruno Alves in the area. his forgetful Inter Mi- But he fi red his low drive of big fi ght at Khalifa Stadium lan players after a shock wide of Marco Storari’s upright, 2-1 San Siro defeat to spurning the chance to pull level In Europe, I love watching Man- and he is refreshingly upbeat FCagliari left the Nerazzurri 10 with Serie A goals leader Edin By Sports Reporter Doha chester United play, and of course about the challenges both be- points behind Serie A leaders Ju- Dzko, who took his tally to seven the legendary Brazil team of 2002 hind and in front of him. ventus yesterday. with a brace for Roma in a 3-1 win was one I will never forget, with “It was a tough decision for Inter started the season with at Napoli on Saturday. s Qatar’s fi rst profes- Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo me to turn professional, and I new Chinese owners and fresh It was the third time Icardi had sional boxer, Sheikh and Roberto Carlos. A lot of box- thought about it well. The step ambitions after capturing a failed from the spot in his last four Fahad al-Thani knows ing fi ghts are also held in football up has been to an entirely dif- number of top players in the attempts in the league, and al- what it means to push venues, so anything is possible in ferent level of competitiveness, close season. though his miss would be felt by boundariesA and dream big. Af- the future.” and I have adapted my training But eight games in, their enthu- full-time it was actually applaud- ter winning his second fi ght in Just ten years after taking up accordingly. But when you step siasm has been replaced by despair ed by some sections of the crowd. Oviedo, Spain, the 28-year-old boxing, the Qatari fi ghter says into the ring you realise that be- as an ongoing row between club De Boer said he would reserve Qatari Super Lightweight boxer daily training and a relentless ing fi rst at something doesn’t captain Mauro Icardi and irate ‘ul- judgement on Icardi “until Mon- has a perfect 2-0 record in his attention to detail have taken matter, only the fi ght at hand tra’ fans of the club has added to day”, when the player is expected ground-breaking career follow- him to the place where he is, and does. In the fi rst fi ght I took an shaky results on the pitch. to meet management for clear- ing an amateur run which saw he points to the sporting nation early hit and went down on the “No disrespect to Cagliari, but the-air talks. him get some 40 fi ghts under around him as the source of in- fl oor. But I got back up, shook against them Inter should be win- Asked if it was his “toughest” his belt. Now the talented boxer spiration behind his journey. myself off , and focussed on how ning,” De Boer fumed in comments spell since joining the club from nicknamed the ‘Panther’ says “The sporting ambitions of I could win the fi ght. Shortly to Premium Sport after Inter’s Ajax, De Boer said: “Yes, that’s he is dreaming big – of a fi ght in Qatar have allowed me to fulfi l after that I landed the winning third defeat in eight games. right. I didn’t expect this de- front of his home fans at a major my dreams of becoming a pro- punch, and it just confi rmed to “After we scored our goal, we feat. We were in command of the venue in the country. fessional boxer. I have studied in me that I am on the right track.” forgot to play.” game and then we stopped. “It was a very proud achieve- great depth the videos and pho- With two straight knock-out A week ahead of a tough trip “In the second half we strug- ment for me to become my coun- Qatar’s first professional boxer, Sheikh Fahad al-Thani tos of the legendary Muhammed wins under the belt in his prom- to Atalanta, who stunned Napoli gled to control the midfi eld and try’s fi rst professional boxer, and Ali when he fought here in Doha ising professional career, Sheikh 1-0 in Bergamo a fortnight ago, we lacked competitive spirit and then also to win my second fi ght making such a big commitment Oviedo, Spain, a surprising ref- in 1973. He is a great source of Fahad al-Thani has set his sights Inter are in crisis. for me, that’s no good.” in a row in Spain recently. Now to becoming known as a nation erence to football helped to get inspiration to me, and I believe on bringing boxing fi rmly into Inter management warned my ambition is to arrange a fi ght of sporting events and out- the local fans on the side of the that the whole of the Middle the focus in Qatar and the Mid- even before kick-off they could Results this year in front of my home standing athletes like our high- man who was once a junior team East and the Arab world is look- dle East region. concede to demands by fans to fans, at a major venue in Qatar. jump Olympic medallist Mutaz goalkeeper before switching to ing for a role model to inspire a “For me the objective is to strip captain Mauro Icardi of the Fiorentina 0 Atalanta 0 If I keep training hard and win- Barshim. In 2022, we will host the boxing gloves. young generation of boxers. We raise awareness locally and get armband over allegedly exagger- Genoa 0 Empoli 0 ning my fi ghts, I dream of one the FIFA World Cup as the first “It was an idea the promoter have plenty of talented young- more youngsters involved in the ated comments he made about 1 (Mario 56) day fi ghting in and fi lling a ma- Arab nation in history, and all had, to get me to put on the shirt of sters who are taking up the sport which I love. I want to keep them in a recently-published au- Cagliari 2 (Melchiorri 71, jor stadium like Khalifa Interna- of those of my generation and the local football team, Real Ovie- sport, and I think that when they winning my fi ghts, and to focus tobiography. Handanovic 85-og) tional Stadium in Doha,” Sheikh others in Qatar have the privi- do, as I walked up to the ring. The see my fi ghts they too will be in- on keeping my performance as Yesterday morning, fans is- Lazio 1 (Immobile 90+7-pen) Fahad al- Thani told www.sc.qa lege of making their contribu- crowd reacted in fantastic fashion. spired to dream big.” good as it can be. And of course sued a statement aimed at Icardi, Bologna 1 (Helander 10) in an exclusive interview. tion to this outstanding sport- In general I have a big passion for The sporting journey of Qa- the ideal setting for me would be declaring: “For us, you are fi n- Sassuolo 2 (Sensi 83, Iemmello “It is an honour to be repre- ing development.” football and support the Qatari tar’s fi rst professional boxer has to have a fi ght right here, in front ished. TAKE THE ARMBAND 86) Crotone 1 (Falcinelli 2) senting my country, which is Ahead of his recent fi ght in national team whenever they play. not been a straight-forward one, of my home fans.” OFF, YOU CLOWN.”