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WORLD SQUASH Qatar’s al-Tamimi sees off Marche for rare major win ‘I PLAYED THE THIRD GAME WITH NO SPONSORS ON MY SHIRT. IT GETS IN YOUR HEAD SOMETIMES’

By Mikhil Bhat Al-Tamimi has had the company of Doha world No 2 ElShorbagy during train- ing for the past month or so and the young Qatari was only thankful for ome hero Abdulla al-Tamimi the time. brushed aside distractions “We had a month of training to- and an often-resurgent-of- gether before this tournament. That ten-erratic world No 15 Gre- itself gives you a lot of confi dence, goireH Marche of France to become the that pace of play, playing with the best fi rst Qatari to reach the second round player in the world. It was really good, of the PSA Men’s World Squash Cham- and I enjoy being on court with him,” pionships with a historic 3-1 (11-6, 11- he said. 9, 7-11, 11-9) win at the Khalifa Inter- Though back at the court, right after national Tennis and Squash Complex his win, while he thanked the audience in Doha yesterday. and offi cials for their support during Less than two hours earlier, top the match, in a light-hearted laugh- seed Mohamed ElShorbagy opened ter-inducing moment, he remarked, “I his campaign to regain the world ti- am glad I am not playing an Egyptian. tle with a breezy 3-0 win at the same I think when I am playing an Egyptian, court. I don’t feel like I am playing at home In an unexpected turn of events, a sometimes.” second Qatar player –Syed Azlan Am- ElShorbagy, who has reached two jad – too made it to the second round. World Championships fi nals in Doha – Al-Tamimi had gotten off to bril- 2012 and 2014 – began his campaign to liant start going one game up against lift his second world title with an easy the Frenchman when the referee asked 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-6) win over French- the Aspire Academy graduate, who is man Victor Crouin. Mohamed ElShorbagy of Egypt (right) in action against Victor Crouin. ranked lower than Marche, to change Qatar’s Abdulla al-Tamimi “I felt towards the end of the US his shirt, which looked similar to that celebrates his win over Gregoire Open (when he reached the fi nal) I was The Qatar player was unable to con- (FRA) 3-1: 8-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-8 (54m) of his opponent’s on television. Marche of France in the first feeling a bit fl at mentally and physi- tinue, and since Bernabeu had acci- [2] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Raphael Kandra While his team looked for another round of the PSA World Squash cally, and it was nice to get a break, dentally contributed to the situation, (GER) 3-1: 12-10, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4 (52m) shirt, al-Tamimi continued with his Championship yesterday. refresh again. I’m coming here feeling the rules meant that the Spaniard had Abdulla al-Tamimi (QAT) bt [15] Gregoire brilliant form to go up 2-0. strong again,” the 28-year-old from to forfeit. Marche (FRA) 3-1: 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9 (50m) Just before the third game, al- Alexandria said. Also in second round is last year’s [1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Victor Tamimi changed into a blue spon- Praising Crouin, he said, “I’ve been fi nalist and second seed Tarek Momen Crouin (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (33m) sor-less shirt and the nervy match watching Victor for a while, since the of Egypt, who beat Germany’s Raphael [4] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [WC] Hamad al-Amri began heading in the opposite direc- World Juniors. He didn’t win it but he Kandra 3-1 (12-10, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4). (QAT) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 11-3 (20m) tion with Marche forcing errors and impressed me the most. The way he [3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [L] Auguste the 24-year-old Qatari dropping a moves on court, the way he plays, he SELECTED RESULTS Dussourd (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-8, 13-11 (28m) few balls. Partisan support egged al- looks hungry, he looks like he wants it, [WC] Syed Azlan Amjad (QAT) bt Iker Pajares [6] Diego Elias (PER) bt Ivan Yuen (MAS) 3-0: Tamimi on to bounce back, even as and that’s what I look for in juniors.” Bernabeu (ESP) 3-2: 8-11, 12-10, 4-11, 2-0 rtd 11-8, 11-9, 14-12 (45m) Marche dropped points by slipping on In an unexpected turn of events, (60m) [5] Simon Rösner (GER) bt Ben Coleman the glass court. However, the French- a freak incident on the court meant Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt Aqeel Rehman (AUT) (ENG) 3-1: 12-10, 4-11, 11-2, 11-2 (54m) man ran the Qatari close in his do-or- that Qatar’s Syed Azlan Amjad too 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (33m) James Willstrop (ENG) bt George Parker die game before going down 9-11. reached the second round, and will go [9] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Arturo (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-5, 12-10 (45m) Al-Tamimi will face French world up against Egyptian 12th seed Omar Salazar (MEX) 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 (22m) Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Nathan Lake (ENG) No 28 Mathieu Castagnet, who beat Mosaad tomorrow. Leo Au (HKG) bt Todd Harrity (USA) 3-0: 16-14, 3-0: 14-12, 11-6, 11-6 (38m) Canadian Shawn DeLierre 3-0 (11-7, Amjad was trailing Spain’s Iker Pa- 11-7, 11-3 (36m) Edmon Lopez (ESP) bt [L] Kristian Frost (DEN) 11-8, 11-4), in the second round today. jares Bernabeu 1-2 (8-11, 12-10, 4-11), Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Ryosei Kobayashi (JPN) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-6 (42m) “Ever since I began, it was a dream when in the fourth game, between 3-1: 12-10, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9 (52m) Declan James (ENG) bt Vikram Malhotra (IND) to play on this court, and when I fi - tion. I was leading 2-0 and he came ally happy that I was able to regain my points, Bernabeu smacked the ball to- [7] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt Tayyab 3-2: 8-11, 1-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6 (51m) nally did, there was yet another bigger back really strong. I had a few issues focus and try and stay on top of him. wards the front wall only to realise that Aslam (PAK) 3-0: 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 (25m) Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Max Lee (HKG) 3-1: 11-6, dream to win in a major event here. It with the shirt, because he was a high- “He is obviously a good player, he his opponent was in the line of fi re. Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Campbell Grayson 11-6, 8-11, 11-8 (56m) has taken me around seven years to do er-ranked player, it was me who had is one of the quickest players on the The ball had brought down Amjad af- (NZL) 3-0: 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 (42m) [13] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt Eain Yow Ng that,” said al-Tamimi, who won his to change the shirt. I played the third tour. So I had to be ready for a longer ter hitting him where it hurts the most [14] Zahed Salem (EGY) bt Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) (MAS) 3-1: 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 (58m) fi rst major match at the home court game with no sponsors on my shirt. It match and stay focused. Even till the physically, and the Team Qatar player 3-1: 11-7, 3-11, 11-3, 11-6 (33m) Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) yesterday. “I lost a bit of concentra- gets in your head sometimes. I was re- end he was picking up a lot of balls.” was forced to take a medical timeout. [12] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Baptiste Masotti 3-2: 11-5, 10-12, 11-5, 11-13, 11-9 (107m)

QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Duhail bounce back in style to beat Khor By Sports Reporter excellently side-foot home from get back on level terms when unleashing an unstoppable drive Doha 10 yards out. they were awarded a penalty for a that fl ew straight past the goal- The lead was quickly doubled Al Duhail’s Yousef Msakni is handball early in the second half keeper. when Bezerra again chased down hoisted by a teammate after he and Muntari stepped up to con- Al Wakrah responded well l Duhail produced a a long ball over the top before scored against Al Khor yesterday. vert the spot kick. and were carving out chances stunning comeback, fi nding Hammoudan with a well- The turnaround was complet- throughout the half that ought to rallying from a two- weighted pass across the box and ed in the 66th minute when Msa- have yielded an equaliser. goal defi cit to beat Al the marksman calmly slotted kni was quickest to react to a ball First, Khalid Mazeed, who was KhorA 3-2 in Week 10 of the 2019- past Amine Lecomte. in the box, skipped past his mark- in good form, found Meshaal Ab- 20 QNB Stars League at the Al Hammoudan should have put er and fi red a hard shot across the dulla with a wonderful through Khor Stadium yesterday. his side three goals up, and fi n- face of the goal and into the net to ball, but the forward screwed his Abdulla Moraisi (17th minute) ished the match, when he round- complete the scoring. shot marginally wide. and Ahmed Hammoudan (29th ed the keeper shortly after, but Earlier, Al Wakrah also came Next up was Benyettou whose minute) put Al Khor ahead, but Amine made a superb recovery to from behind to secure three trickery allowed him space to Al Duhail replied through Mo- block the striker’s shot. points with a 2-1 victory against shoot in the area, but his well- hamed Muntari’s brace (43rd and This proved to be a costly op- Al Ahli. Al Wakrah’s goals were directed shot was tipped wide of 57th minutes) and Yousef Msakni portunity missed as Al Duhail scored by Ali Karami in the 52nd the post. (66th). were not to be denied for long minute and Mohamed Benyettou The goal did fi nally come early Any ideas of an easy win for the and soon got on the scoresheet. in the 88th minute. Al Ahli had in the second half, moments af- league leaders were quickly put Paulo Edmilson whipped in an taken the lead in the 16th minute ter they had a penalty appeal to bed when Al Khor surprised out-swinging corner from the through Nabil El Zahr. turned down. Karami picked up them with an early goal on the right and Muntari rose highest to Al Ahli had started in a positive the ball outside the penalty area counter-attack. Thiago Bezerra power a header low into the cor- style, with an early dominance and struck a shot across the face drifted past two markers down ner of the goal to bring the scores providing early rewards. Al-Zahr of the goal, evading Ivanildo Ro- the right-hand side before laying level at the break. advanced inside the box, cut in- drigues in goal and fi nding the off a perfect pass for Moraisi to Al Duhail were able to quickly side Mohamed al-Bayati before back of the net. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, November 9, 2019 FOOTBALL

EUROPA LEAGUE PREVIEW Top two primed for goal feast or game MU ease into last of chess at Anfi eld

Reuters feat this season — a 3-2 loss at Manchester Norwich City in September — while Otamendi also featured in the only other defeat of this he clash of European campaign, at home to Wolves. 32, Celtic down champions Liverpool Another way to close down with Premier League ti- space in midfi eld would be to tle holders Manchester play three in the centre of de- TCity at Anfi eld tomorrow has fence, with Kyle Walker adopt- the potential to be a goal-packed ing a more central role and Joao thriller. Cancelo coming in at right back. Yet, if last season’s encounters With Cancelo and Benjamin are any guide, fans are more like- Mendy pushing forward, this Lazio to progress ly to be treated to a close, tacti- could counter the attacking cal encounter with City manager threat from Liverpool’s brilliant Pep Guardiola looking to neu- attacking fullbacks Trent Alex- United’s 18-year-old Greenwood broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute tralise Liverpool’s strengths. ander-Arnold and Andy Robert- Last term, stung by City’s son. woeful performance the previ- Klopp has shown less tactical Manchester United’s striker Mason Greenwood ous season in a 3-0 Champions fl exibility than Guardiola and is (2nd R) shoots to score the opening goal past FK League loss at Anfi eld, Guardiola expected to stick with his tried Partizan’s Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic (L) adopted a cautious approach in a and trusted 4-3-3 formation but during their UEFA Europa League Group L football goalless draw. last year his fullbacks were much match at Old Traff ord in Manchester on Thursday. Given they have not won in the less adventurous than normal. league at Anfi eld for 16 years, it If the central midfi eld areas was a strategy City were happy become crowded out, then the with and it would have paid off role of Alexander-Arnold and even more if Riyad Mahrez had Robertson will become even scored an 85th-minute penalty. more crucial, with their ability Guardiola used a narrow for- to force City’s fullbacks deep po- mation, packing the midfi eld, in tentially opening up space else- order to cut off the supply route where. to Liverpool’s trident attack of The risk in that approach is Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino that Liverpool’s fullbacks leave and Mohamed Salah and he will space behind that could be ex- likely look to frustrate Juergen ploited by former Anfi eld winger Klopp’s side again. Raheem Sterling and Mahrez, The loss of classy Spanish both of whom will look to break holding midfi elder Rodri is a out of midfi eld and stretch the blow, however, and Guardiola hosts’ central defensive pair- will have to decide whether to ing who will already be occupied push Brazilian Fernandinho back watching Sergio Aguero. into the midfi eld or rely on Ilkay The tactics will be driven by Gundogan to protect the de- the intent of the two coaches fence. with Liverpool’s six-point ad- Fernandinho has been oper- vantage at the top meaning a ating as a makeshift central de- draw is less advantageous for fender, quite eff ectively, in the City. absence through injury of Ay- Klopp knows a point is no meric Laporte but the return to tragedy for his team and has less fi tness of John Stones off ers the incentive to take risks. Guardiola option of switching the Brazilian knows that a win cuts Liverpool’s to his more familiar role. lead to just three points but de- The problem is — taking feat leaves them trying to chase AFP The comfortable victory saw hosts into a seventh-minute Dutch side’s 1-1 draw with Munir El Haddadi starred with Fernandinho out of the defence down a nine-point gap over the Paris United bounce back after a 1-0 lead, but James Forrest drew Young Boys. a hat-trick as Sevilla thrashed would mean Nicolas Otamendi course of the season. loss at Bournemouth last week- Celtic level before half-time. Bundesliga leaders Borus- Dudelange 5-2 to also reach the coming in at the back and his The onus is on the Spaniard end had ended a three-game But substitute Ntcham sia Moenchengladbach grabbed knockout rounds. partnership with Stones inspires to decide whether his side can eenager Mason Green- winning run. latched onto Odsonne Edouard’s their fi rst win of the Europa Record fi ve-time winners little confi dence. win an open game or whether his wood scored as Man- AZ Alkmaar thrashed Astana pass in the fi fth minute of added League campaign as Marcus Sevilla knew victory in Luxem- They were the disastrous team’s defensive frailties leave chester United cruised 5-0 in Kazakhstan to keep con- time and dinked a cool fi nish Thuram’s 95th-minute strike bourg would send them through pairing in City’s only away de- him playing the long game. into the Europa League trol of the race for second place over Lazio goalkeeper Thomas sealed a 2-1 triumph against from Group A and their one- Tlast 32 with a 3-0 win over Par- in Group L behind United, elim- Strakosha. Roma. sided win also sealed top spot. tizan Belgrade at Old Traff ord on inating their hosts and moving “Realistically we have very The German club moved sec- Dudelange are still in conten- EPL FIXTURES Thursday, while Celtic stunned four points clear of Partizan. little chance of qualifying. But ond in Group J, ahead of Roma tion to progress despite sitting Lazio with a last-gasp goal in Olivier Ntcham scored a dra- never say never in football,” said on head-to-head and two points bottom of the group, one point Today Leicester City v Arsenal (1730) Rome to progress. matic injury-time winner to Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi. behind leaders Istanbul Ba- behind APOEL and Qarabag af- Tomorrow Chelsea v Crystal Palace (1230) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United grab Celtic a 2-1 victory at Lazio. The other game in the group saksehir, who saw off 10-man ter the Cypriot side’s 2-1 win in Manchester United v Brighton & knew that a third victory in four Neil Lennon’s outfi t remain saw CFR Cluj move to within a Wolfsberger 3-0 in Austria. Nicosia. Burnley v West Ham United Group L games would be enough top of Group E with two games point of qualifi cation by beating Wolves made it three straight PSV Eindhoven, the 1978 (1500) Hove Albion (1400) to send them through. remaining, seven points clear Rennes 1-0 in Romania. Europa League wins despite winners, suff ered a humbling Newcastle United v AFC Bourne- Wolverhampton Wanderers v mouth (1500) The 18-year-old Greenwood of third-placed Lazio after their Celtic’s Old Firm rivals Rang- Ruben Neves missing a penalty 4-1 defeat by Austrian team Aston Villa (1400) broke the deadlock in the 22nd second straight win over the Ro- ers gave their hopes of reaching as Raul Jimenez’s 92nd-minute LASK Linz to slip to third in Southampton v Everton (1500) Liverpool v Manchester City minute with a cool fi nish to mans. the knockout stage for the fi rst goal grabbed a 1-0 success over Group D behind their opponents Tottenham Hotspur v Sheff ield score his third goal of the season “It’s great to have qualifi ed time since 2011 a massive boost Slovan Bratislava at Molineux. and Sporting Lisbon, who won United (1500) (1630) and second in this competition. with two games to spare,” Celtic with a 2-0 victory over Porto at Nuno Espirito Santo’s men 2-0 at Rosenborg. Anthony Martial doubled the manager Lennon told uefa.com. Ibrox. now sit fi ve points clear of Elsewhere, Espanyol moved advantage after the half-hour “It’s too early to say how far Second-half goals from Al- Slovan in second in Group K, to the brink of qualifi cation by mark with a brilliant individual we can go in this competition fredo Morelos and Steven Davis with Braga a point ahead of the hammering nine-man Ludog- FOCUS goal, before Marcus Rashford but we can be a diffi cult oppo- fi red Steven Gerrard’s men sec- Premier League side at the top orets 6-0, while Gent moved lashed home the third four min- nent for anyone.” ond in Group G, three points after beating Besiktas 3-1. top of Group I with a 3-1 win at utes after the interval. Ciro Immobile volleyed the ahead of Feyenoord after the Former Barcelona winger Wolfsburg. Ibrahimovic set for BOTTOMLINE AC Milan return, Celtic and Rangers enjoy says MLS chief European renaissance

AFP France and Italy. fortably,” said Gerrard. “Over London Seven years to the day since a two games we have dominated seismic Champions League win three halves.” over Barcelona, Celtic manager Rangers are just in their third eltic and Rangers gave Neil Lennon said beating Lazio, season back in European com- Scottish football a who sit fourth in Serie A, ranked petition following a six-year badly-needed shot in just behind that victory during absence after the club was liq- the arm after a famous his fi rst spell in charge. uidated in 2012 and forced to nightC for the Glasgow giants as “I’m so proud of them, not start over in Scotland’s lower they defeated Lazio and Por- just for winning the game, but leagues. Celtic took advantage to respectively in the Europa the way they played — the char- of their demise to rack up eight League. acter, the bravery and above all league titles in a row, but Rang- Olivier Ntcham’s dramatic else, real quality,” he said. ers are also fi ghting back on the 95th-minute goal handed Celtic Not to be outdone by the domestic front. a 2-1 victory at the Stadio Ol- green and white half of Glasgow, Only one extra Celtic goal impico on Thursday, their fi rst Rangers’ revival under former separates the two at the top of ever win in Italy, and booked Liverpool captain Steven Ger- the Scottish Premiership and their place in the last 32 of the rard continued with a highly- Rangers have the chance for Europa League with two games impressive win over Porto, their fi rst major trophy in seven Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to guy,” he told ESPN. “He keeps my to spare. who reached the quarter-fi nals years when the two sides meet in rejoin Italian side AC Milan after hands full and my inbox full, but Rangers are also on the brink of last season’s Champions next month’s League Cup fi nal. his successful stint at LA Galaxy, he’s a thrill-a-minute. of joining their cross-city ri- League. Morelos has been the driving Major League Soccer Commis- “He is a 38-year-old guy who vals in the knockout stages as Gerrard’s men also drew 1-1 force behind Rangers’ fi ne form sioner Don Garber has said. is being recruited by AC Milan, goals from Alfredo Morelos and Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham celebrates scoring their second goal against away in northern Portugal two as he took his tally for the season The 38-year-old Swedish one of the top clubs in the world.” Steven Davis saw two-time Eu- Lazio on Thursday. weeks ago, and another point to 21 goals in 25 games against striker has spent the past 18 Ibrahamovic was named in the ropean Cup winners Porto well away to Feyenoord in Rotterdam Porto, and Gerrard has been months in MLS but his contract MLS Best XI in 2018 and 2019 beaten 2-0 at Ibrox. fi eld. Celtic have been on the holders Lazio’s chances of qual- on November 28 will guarantee keen to stress there is no need to with Galaxy expires at the end of after netting 53 goals in the com- The Europa League may not wrong end of thrashings at the ifi cation hanging by a thread. the presence of two Scottish cash in on the Colombian in the the year and he has been linked petition. off er the same prize-money hands of Barcelona and Paris Despite another poor show- sides in Europe beyond Christ- January transfer market. with a host of European clubs. His season with Galaxy ended windfall or the glamour of the Saint-Germain in the Cham- ing from Scottish clubs outside mas for the fi rst time since “I will never get bored of Ibrahimovic played for Milan after they suff ered a 5-3 defeat Champions League, but for pions League in recent seasons, the top two in Europa League 2008. That was the year Rang- talking about him,” added Ger- between 2010 and 2012, scoring by local rivals Los Angeles Foot- clubs unable to compete fi nan- but have taken 10 points from qualifying, Celtic and Rangers’ ers reached the fi nal of the UEFA rard. “He is a top player and I 42 goals in 61 league appearanc- ball Club in the MLS Cup West- cially with the European elite, a possible 12 in Europa League exploits mean Scotland has the Cup. can’t describe how much I enjoy es, and Garber said he was on his ern Conference semi-fi nals last it provides the opportunity to Group E to eliminate French side fi fth highest coeffi cient in Eu- “We beat a good team tonight working with him. He’s a mas- way back to Serie A. month. compete on a more level playing Rennes and leave Italian Cup rope so far this season, ahead of and we’ve beaten them com- sive, massive asset to this club.” “Zlatan is such an interesting REUTERS Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW Wembley ‘To be honest sell-out proves my feeling in the boom time for Kroos urges Real league is that we should be a women’s game few points clear in England

by now. But we London, AFP to make up for aren’t and we ngland will round off a transformative year have to keep for women’s football in front of a sold-out Wembley against Germany today, with the fighting for that EFootball Association hoping the World Cup boom will have a long-lasting legacy. first place’ The record attendance for a women’s game in Britain of 80,203 for the 2012 Olympic final between the patchy Liga start United States and Japan is expected to be smashed, with 90,000 tickets sold for the clash between World Cup semi-finalists England and the Olympic Group A and the victory also After Madrid face Eibar champions. launched 18-year-old Ro- at Ipurua, Barcelona play The attendance for the friendly will also obliter- drygo onto the international at home to struggling Celta ate the previous record of 45,619 for an England Galatasaray’s Turkish midfielder Adem stage, after the Brazilian Vigo, who appointed Oscar women’s home fixture, against Germany in 2014. Buyuk (L) and Real Madrid’s German scored a hat-trick. Garcia coach on Wednesday On the back of the Lionesses’ run to the last four in midfielder Toni Kroos (R) jump for He is the second young- after Fran Escriba was sacked France this year, attendance records have already the ball during their UEFA Champions est player to hit a hat-trick earlier this week. been broken in the opening months of the Women’s League Group A football match at the in Champions League his- Celta will be hoping to lift Super League. Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid tory behind Madrid’s former the mood, and Barca too, after Boosted by the hosting of selected matches at larger on November 6. striker Raul while his fi rst two they followed up their defeat stadiums normally reserved for men’s football, the goals came before the seventh by Levante with a goalless opening weekend of the WSL attracted 62,000 sup- minute, making his the fast- draw against Slavia Prague in porters compared with a reported 92,000 across all est brace ever in the competi- front of a restless Camp Nou. 110 games last season. tion. “We know that we need to But the impact of the World Cup is not just being felt Rodrygo joined Madrid give more, especially when by bigger crowds. from Santos last summer in a we play at home,” said Frenkie According to figures released by the FA this week, 45-million euro deal and has de Jong. “I can understand there has been a spike of 850,000 women aged 16 been given his chance on the that when we’re not winning or over playing football in England since the tourna- right of the front three, in the at home, it’s normal that peo- ment, taking take the total participation figures to absence of the injured Gareth ple criticise. We’re not run- 2.6mn. Bale. ning away from that, we know “The growth we’ve experienced is proof of the ‘see “It’s impressive and I’m that we have a lot to improve.” it, play it’ mantra which is at the heart of our ethos happy for him,” Kroos said. Atletico are also looking to inspire participation across all age groups,” said “It’s not just about the goals, for a change in momentum Louise Gear, the FA’s head of women’s development. he helps us in lots of ways. He as they host Espanyol on the “In the Lionesses we’re fortunate to have a wonder- works very hard on the fl anks back of three games without ful group of role models performing at the highest and he doesn’t lose the ball. a win. level of the game, who inspire females of all ages to “He is very mature for his “The fi rst person respon- have the confidence to get out and give football a age, not only in his game but sible is me,” said Atletico try, be it for fitness, competition or fun.” off the pitch as well. I have no coach Diego Simeone, after A television audience of more than 11mn tuned in to doubt these three goals will Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at Bayer watch Phil Neville’s England’s agonising semi-final AFP ting third after a surprisingly of Saturday’s visit to Eibar in “You have to be frustrated not change anything about Leverkusen in the Champions defeat by the United States in July. Madrid strong start. La Liga. because we have missed out his character.” League. The task for the FA is to maintain that interest over But Madrid have not taken “The last few games have but we are using that as mo- Kroos has found a new the next 18 months until England host the Women’s advantage. They missed out been better,” Kroos told AFP. tivation because we are still in midfi eld partner too in recent Fixtures (all times GMT) European Championship in 2021. oni Kroos admits Real on the chance to go top last “More and more players are contention. We can’t change weeks in Fede Valverde, the TODAY “Euro 2021 will be the next big game changer,” FA Madrid’s players feel weekend by drawing at home coming into form which is anything, we have to concen- 21-year-old Uruguayan who Alaves v Real Valladolid (1200), executive Marzena Bogdanowicz told the recent frustrated they have to Real Betis, just after Barce- good because at the start of trate on our game. has established himself ahead Valencia v Granada (1500), SportsPro FAN Conference in London. not used the incon- lona were beaten by Levante the season only a few players “We will focus on the oth- of Luka Modric in the starting Eibar v Real Madrid (1730), “Euro 2021 will take this country in the same way Tsistency of Barcelona and and Atletico drew against Se- were in form which made it ers when we play them but we line-up. Barcelona v Celta Vigo (2000) as the 2012 Olympics did and I think it will have the Atletico Madrid to establish a villa. diffi cult. know when they lose points, it “He is amazing,” Kroos Tomorrow same impact on women’s sport.” hefty lead in La Liga. Zinedine Zidane’s side “To be honest my feeling in gives us a chance and we have said. “I really love this player. Mallorca v Villarreal (1200), In an eff ort to promote the game further, the FA Barca have already lost got back on track with an the league is that we should to take our chance. We have to To come here is not easy and Athletic Bilbao v Levante announced the first Women’s Football Weekend in three games out of 11 this emphatic 6-0 win over be a few points clear by now. get some points ahead.” to play like he is at this age (1400), Atletico Madrid v November, with a men’s international break creating season while Atletico have Galatasaray in the Champi- But we aren’t and we have Madrid’s thrashing of means he has a lot of quality. Espanyol (1500), Getafe v a pause in the Premier League and Championship managed only fi ve wins from ons League on Wednesday, a to keep fi ghting for that fi rst Galatasaray means they I’m sure he has a great future Osasuna (1730), Real Betis v calendars. 12, with Real Sociedad sit- morale-boosting win ahead place. are virtually qualifi ed from here for many years to come.” Sevilla (2000) The FA is calling on supporters to attend a women’s match at any level in the pyramid on November 16 and 17. But pressure is also building for the FA to follow the examples of Australia, New Zealand and Norway and adopt equal pay and conditions deals for England’s Ex-UEFA chief Platini taking action to recoup back pay men’s and women’s teams. “Australia have taken their first step and hopefully AFP Platini was expected to succeed Sepp Blat- 2.7mn euros).” many more teams will join in with that,” Chelsea and Lausanne ter as FIFA president in 2016 but fell spectac- Solari added that European football’s England midfielder Beth England told the BBC. ularly from grace a few months earlier. governing body — over which Platini pre- “If that was to happen with England as well it would The 64-year-old was suspended by world sided from 2007 until his ban in 2015 — were be amazing because we still train, we still do all the ormer UEFA president Michel Plati- football’s governing body in late 2015 over a contractually obliged to pay him for almost hard work the same as the men do.” ni is taking action to obtain substan- controversial payment of 2mn Swiss francs two years even if he was unable to work “for tial amounts of back pay as well as a (1.8mn euros, $2mn) from Blatter. whatever reason” and had, “on that basis”, bonus and legal fees, he told AFP yes- The payment, made in 2011 when Blatter already paid him one year’s salary. Klinsmann set for terday.F was seeking re-election as president, was re- They had, he insisted, “thereby acknowl- According to sources close to Platini, lated to work carried out by Platini between edged that the salary was owed regardless of Bundesliga return whose four-year suspension from football 1999 and 2002. Platini has always insisted he the suspension”. ended in October, the former France interna- did nothing wrong. However, the matter appears likely to end aft er 10-yr absence tional is seeking to recoup around 7.2mn eu- Speaking to AFP by telephone, Platini said: in a court battle. Solari said UEFA were now ros ($7.9mn), including 5.5mn euros in back “Through my lawyer, I am asking for the con- contesting the claim “without any motiva- Berlin: German World Cup winner Juergen Klins- pay. tractual elements to be applied.” tion”. mann will return to the Bundesliga on the advisory The same sources said Platini was hoping Platini contested the claims that he is One source said Platini had fi rst taken ac- board of Hertha Berlin, 10 years after being sacked to reclaim a bonus worth some 1.8mn euros seeking 7.2mn euros. His Swiss lawyer, Vin- tion to reclaim the money in the autumn of as coach by Bayern Munich. “for his contribution to the success of Euro cent Solari, argues he “is entitled to a year’s 2016 but said the triple Ballon d’Or winner Klinsmann’s agent Roland Eitel confirmed the 2016 in France”, despite the fact he was sus- salary as well as a contractually agreed bo- had not yet gone to court “because he knows move, originally reported in the Bild newspaper, to pended when the tournament was staged. nus, that is to say 3mn Swiss francs ($3mn, he has no chance of winning”. DPA late Thursday. Hertha Berlin did not want to comment. The 55-year-old Klinsmann coached Germany 2004-2006 and was dismissed by Bayern in 2009 SERIE A having failed to complete a single season in charge of the Bundesliga record champions. He has not worked in football since ending a five- year spell as United States coach in 2016. Inter, Napoli under pressure as Juve take on ailing Milan Klinsmann, who won the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96 in a glittering playing career, will take his new AFP but we must react and move for- Douglas Costa has returned from role at the club where his son Jonathan played as Milan ward,” said captain Lorenzo Insigne. a right thigh injury and scored the goalkeeper 2017-2019. In a clash between two of Italy’s 93rd-minute winner that put Ju- Investor Lars Windhorst bought a stake in Hertha most titled clubs, Sarri’s eight-time ventus through to the Champions earlier this year and will give one of his four places nter Milan and Napoli return reigning league champions host AC League knockout rounds. to allocate on the nine-strong advisory board to to the Serie A fray after a dis- Milan who are sitting 11th in the ta- The 29-year-old has only played Klinsmann, who has been a long-term member of appointing week of European ble. fi ve games in all competitions this the club supported by his father. football for the Italian giants as New Milan coach Stefano Pioli season but has now scored for three Ileaders Juventus look to pull clear has not improved the club’s for- diff erent clubs in the Europe’s pre- after punching their ticket to the tunes with just four points in as mier club competition after spells at Champions League last 16. many games. Juventus, meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk and Bayern Mu- Juventus have 29 points from 11 could be without Cristiano Ronaldo nich. games, one point ahead of Inter Mi- who was substituted by Sarri “as a lan, with resurgent Roma a further precautionary” measure with knee Key stats six points adrift in third. and thigh problems late in the 2-1 101 — Ciro Immobile’s goals for Lazio Napoli are seventh after a run of Inter Milan Champions League win over Loko- 16 — Points diff erence between three league games without a vic- coach motiv Moscow. Juventus and AC Milan tory. A win over struggling AC Milan Antonio Roma will looking to keep the mo- 9 — Roma’s points from their last would allow Juventus to keep ahead Conte. mentum going at Parma, to follow three games of Inter, who host midtable Verona their 2-1 success over Napoli last 4 — Stefano Pioli’s points in four after their 3-2 Champions League weekend which lifted them into the games as AC Milan coach defeat by Borussia Dortmund. ling the team after his arrival last Genoa after a series of poor results Champions League places. 3 — Napoli’s run of league games After the frustration of throw- summer. “We made some mistakes which has put the club management Atalanta turn their focus to without a win ing away a two-goal lead against in planning because we cannot play at loggerheads with the players who Sampdoria after bagging their fi rst the Germans, Antonio Conte’s Inter in two competitions with such a refused to be confi ned to a training ever Champions League point with a Fixtures (all times GMT) need a boost against Verona, who small squad,” said former Italy boss camp this week. dramatic 1-1 draw against Manches- Today were themselves under fi re during Conte, who won three Serie A titles Napoli have slipped 11 points off ter City.The Bergamo side are level Brescia v Torino (1400), Inter Milan the week after their fans aimed rac- in a row with Juventus from 2012- the pace after collecting just two on points with fourth-placed Lazio. v Verona (1700), Napoli v Genoa ist chants at Brescia’s Mario Balotelli 2014, and the Premier League with points from their last three matches. Fabio Grosso’s fi rst game in charge (1945) last weekend. Chelsea in 2017. Ancelotti’s side also missed a of lowly Brescia will be against Tori- Tomorrow “This defeat has really got to me “We cannot play in Serie A and chance to secure their Champions no who are also desperate for a result Cagliari v Fiorentina (1130), Lazio v and I hope that’s the same for my the Champions League constantly League last 16 berth with a 1-1 stale- after a run of six games without a Lecce, Sampdoria v Atalanta, Udi- players,” said Conte, who blamed a pushed to the limits.” mate against Salzburg. win. nese v SPAL (1400), Parma v Roma lack of resources despite remodel- Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli host “We are not in a good moment, One to watch: Douglas Costa (1700), Juventus v AC Milan (1945) Gulf Times 4 Saturday, November 9, 2019 SPORT

T20 FOCUS Malan, Morgan blast England to easy win Clinical Australia over New Zealand

AFP New Zealand started their Napier run chase at a fast clip reaching 54 in the fi fth over when Martin Guptill was dismissed for 27 and whirlwind century wickets fell regularly after that. clinch series aft er by Dawid Malan in a Only Tim Southee (39) and record-breaking stand Colin Munro (30) off ered any Awith Eoin Morgan saw further resistance while Matt England crush New Zealand in Parkinson took four for 47 for the fourth Twenty20 by 76 runs England and Chris Jordan fi n- in Napier yesterday to level the ished with two for 24. series with one game remaining. Malan is only the second Eng- Malan was unbeaten on 103 at land player to score a T20 centu- rout of Pakistan the close of the England innings ry after Alex Hales, who needed with Morgan out in the fi nal over 60 balls to reach his hundred. for 91 as England posted an im- He advanced from 61 to 89 in Openers Finch (52) and Warner (48) saw Australia to easy an victory in Perth posing 241 for three and then a brutal attack in an Ish Sodhi rolled New Zealand for 165 with over when he belted three sixes, AFP 19 balls remaining. two fours and a two, and reached Perth, Australia The overwhelming victory his maiden century pulling Boult set up a winner-takes-all fi - over the square-leg boundary for nale in the fi fth and fi nal game another six. It was a much-need uthless opening pair Aaron in Auckland tomorrow. Malan’s confi dence booster for England Finch and David Warner ran riot 48-ball century was the fastest who won the fi rst match in the as Australia routed Pakistan by T20 hundred by an Englishman, series and were then well out- 10 wickets in Perth to wrap up his 182-run stand with Morgan played in the next two. theirR Twenty20 series 2-0 yesterday in is the highest by an England pair After losing the toss, Eng- emphatic fashion. After restricting the and the 241 total is an England land then lost early wickets visitors to 106 for eight, Finch (52) and record. Morgan’s 21-ball 50 is with Santner removing Jonny Warner (48) whacked fi ve sixes and eight also an England record. Bairstow for eight and Tom Ban- fours between them as they raced to the “The message is always the ton for 31 to have the impressive fi nish line without loss. same, play aggressively and back fi gures of two for fi ve from his The home team won in Canberra by yourself,” Malan said. “It’s not fi rst two overs. But that changed seven wickets, thanks to a brilliant 80 not very often you have days like that dramatically as Morgan and Ma- out by Steve Smith, and were on track to when every time you have a hack lan took charge and blasted 20 off also triumph in Sydney only for rain to at one it lands safe or goes for six. Santner’s next over. save the visitors. Their victory in Perth It’s as good as it gets.” Of the New Zealand bowlers, has them on an impressive eight-game Between them, the two left- Blair Tickner fi nished with none winning streak in the short format as handers hit 13 sixes and 16 fours for 50 off his four overs, while they build towards the T20 World Cup on with Mitchell Santner and Trent Sodhi had none for 49 off three home soil next year. Boult the only New Zealand overs and Southee bowled his full “Really proud of the boys with the way bowlers to escape with a run rate complement to fi nish with one we applied ourselves in the last couple of below 10 an over. for 47. weeks. Each time we turn up at training, we are improving ourselves and that is very important,” said captain Finch. “We SCORECARD are growing as a team and hopefully some big things to come.” ENGLAND INNINGS Parkinson 7 In contrast, Pakistan are struggling and T. Banton lbw Santner 31 R. Taylor c Banton b Brown 14 have now lost fi ve of their last six. Despite Mitchell c Jordan b Parkinson 2 the poor run, which included an em- J. Bairstow c Mitchell b Santner 8 barrassing 3-0 home series defeat to an D. Malan not out 103 Santner c Billings b S. Curran 10 under-strength Sri Lanka that cost Sar- . Morgan c Mitchell b Southee 91 T. Southee lbw Parkinson 39 faraz Ahmed the captaincy, they remain S. Billings not out 0 I. Sodhi run out (Jordan) 9 number one in the rankings. But their cricket chiefs will be worried Extras: (lb3, w3, nb2) 8 T. Boult b Jordan 8 about the two Tests against Australia to Total: (for 3 wickets, 20 overs) 241 B. Tickner not out 5 come, starting this month in Brisbane. Australia players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Twenty20 series against Pakistan 2-0 at Optus Stadium in Perth. (AFP) Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Bairstow), Extras: (lb3, w8) 11 “Very disappointed, but we lost to a good 2-58 (Banton), 3-240 (Morgan) Total: (10 wickets, 16.5 overs) 165 team. We have learnt a lot from this se- signs of life in the batting department ries and we’ll take the positives and come this series and, again, no one else stood SCORECARD Bowling: Boult 4-0-35-0, Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Guptill), back hard in the next series,” said skipper up. Azam had hit consecutive 50s in the Southee 4-0-47-1, Santner 4-0- 2-59 (Seifert), 3-70 (de Grand- Babar Azam. previous games, but he fell early, out lbw PAKISTAN INNINGS 5-69 (Shah), 6-88 (Wasim), 7-92 (Ahmed), 32-2 (2w, 1nb), Tickner 4-0-50-0 homme), 4-70 (Munro), 5-78 (Mitchell), 6-89 (Taylor), 7-138 “As captain, I learnt a lot personally to Mitchell Starc for six. I. ul-Haq c McDermott b Abbott 14 8-92 (Shadab) (1nb), Sodhi 3-0-49-0, Mitchell (Southee), 8-144 (Santner), 9-154 too, but there’s a long way to go.” The Australian fast bowler then Bowling 1-0-25-0 (1w) B. Azam lbw Starc 6 : Starc 4-0-29-2, Richardson 4-0- (Sodhi), 10-165 (Boult) After being sent in to bat at the Perth smashed the stumps of Mohammad 18-3, Stanlake 4-0-19-0, Abbott 4-0-14-2, Arena, Iftikhar Ahmed’s 45 was the only Rizwan next ball with a searing inswing- M. Rizwan b Starc 0 Bowling: S. Curran 4-0-36-1 (2w), Agar 4-0-25-1 NEW ZEALAND INNINGS resistance by Pakistan in a repeat per- er, leaving Pakistan at 15 for two. Opener H. Sohail c Richardson b Agar 8 T. Curran 3-0-26-1, Jordan 2.5- formance of poor batting against qual- ul-Haq, in for out-of-form Fakhar Za- M. Guptill c Malan b T. Curran 27 0-24-2 (w1), Parkinson 4-0-47-4, I. Ahmed c Starc b Richardson 45 ity bowling, led by Kane Richardson who man, didn’t fare much better. He hit two AUSTRALIA INNINGS Munro c Brown b Parkinson 30 Brown 3-0-29-1 (w5) took three wickets. On a fast, bouncy boundaries in his 14 before mis-hitting a K. Shah c Starc b Richardson 8 A. Finch not out 52 T. Seifert c T. Curran b Jordan 3 Result: England won by 76 runs pitch, Finch and Warner showed no pity pull shot off Sean Abbott, playing his first I. Wasim c Agar b Abbott 6 Series: 2-2 with one match in reply, exposing Pakistan’s young and international since 2014, for Ben McDer- D. Warner not out 48 C. de Grandhomme c Banton b S. Khan c Finch b Richardson 1 remaining fragile attack. mott to take an easy catch. Extras (lb1, w8) 9 The explosive Warner hit Mohamed Haris Sohail again failed, mistiming a M. Amir not out 9 Total (0 wickets, 11.5 overs) 109 Amir for six in the fi rst over and there was shot off -spinner Ashton Agar, while Shah M. Hasnain not out 4 Did not bat: Steve Smith, Ben McDer- no looking back in a display of power- lasted 11 balls for his eight runs. Imad Extras (lb1, w4) 5 mott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, Ashton hitting from the two men. Pakistan made Wasim also fell cheaply. When Ahmed four changes with Imam ul-Haq and Mo- — who scored a quickfi re 62 in Canberra Total (eight wickets, 20 overs) 106 Agar, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Sean Abbott hammad Hasnain coming in and debuts — fi nally went looking for a boundary off Did not bat: Muhammad Musa Bowling: Amir 3-0-25-0, Musa 3.5-0-39-0, handed to batsman Khushdil Shah and Richardson, it was left to the tailenders to Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Azam), 2-15 Hasnain 4-0-32-0, Wasim 1-0-12-0 bowler Muhammad Musa. at least ensure their team made it to three (Rizwan), 3-22 (ul-Haq), 4-54 (Sohail), Only Azam and Ahmed have shown fi gures.

CRICKET ROUND-UP Porterfi eld steps down as Ireland captain, Balbirnie takes over illiam Porterfi eld has forms of the game since taking over from Scotland in 2010. He played in Ireland’s ted from the squad, is already in New stepped down as Ireland Johnston. He led Ireland in two 50-over fi rst Test against Pakistan. Zealand with the England squad playing captain after 11 years at World Cups and fi ve T20 World Cups, in the fi ve-match Twenty20 series ahead the helm, Cricket Ireland but perhaps his most signifi cant moment ENGLAND RECALL BAIRSTOW AS of the Tests. Denly has not played since Wannounced yesterday. The 35-year-old, as captain was leading Ireland out at its he damaged his right ankle ligaments in INJURY COVER FOR NZ TESTS who took over from Trent Johnston in historic fi rst-ever Test against Pakistan England have recalled Jonny Bairstow for training two weeks ago, although he did 2008, has been replaced by Andrew in Malahide in May 2018. their two Tests against New Zealand later practise in the nets on Thursday and is Balbirnie. Porterfi eld, who intends to Leinster batsman Balbirnie, who will this month as cover for the injured Joe hoping that he will be fi t to play” in the keep playing international cricket, led take over the Test and ODI teams, played Denly. Bairstow, a 69-Test wicketkeep- pre-Test warm-up match against a New England’s Dawid Malan plays a shot en route to an unbeaten 103 the senior Irish side 253 times across all his fi rst one-day international against er-batsman who was initially omit- Zealand XI at the end of next week. during the T20 match against New Zealand in Napier. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT Soweto’s rugby women look to Springboks for inspiration AFP for decades excluded non-whites. “The your head is into the right mindset, you he insists. Soweto, South Africa rugby team came to symbolise the ar- can win.” Tshegofatso Mmapitsa, who also rogance of Afrikaner power,” says Bon- SRSA founder Chris Litau says his came to celebrate with the Springboks gani Dlamini, a retired teacher from dreams are realistic, as Kolisi beat the on Thursday, initially had to train in hanyisile Makumbana knew Soweto. “Many Sowetans are proud to same path on which his 250 — including secret, as her family considered rugby she couldn’t miss the Spring- wear Springbok shirts today — 30 years 50 girls — young players are now trav- to be a violent sport. The oval ball has boks’ victorious parade ago anyone foolish enough to wear one elling. “He did not have a pair of rugby given these young Sowetans the confi - through Soweto after their would have put their life at risk.” boots, they don’t have rugby boots. dence they lacked in a society plagued KRugby World Cup triumph in Japan. On Thursday a sea of green and gold He had no food, these kids don’t have by violence against women. The 16-year-old plays rugby in the fa- greeted the country’s returning heroes food,” says Litau, whose team some- “Rugby allows you to kick, to shout, mous black township on the edge of as they began their tour of the nation in times have to stop training because without being arrested,” says Makum- Johannesburg and was overcome with what would have once been considered they don’t have drinking water. “We bana, who was for a long time embar- emotion on Thursday as she watched a enemy territory. That enmity has slow- Girls from the Soweto Rugby School Academy at the World Cup-winning South had to convince people who said rugby rassed about her masculine gait, but is hugely symbolic trip through a neigh- ly changed since the end of apartheid African team’s parade at the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto. (AFP) was only for whites,” he adds. now a person no one dares to harass. bourhood where the rugby team was and the election of Nelson Mandela in Makumbana trains three times a Keletso Seboko, 18, says that she no once reviled. 1994 as the fi rst black president. This team, forged by Kolisi on the team is fi nally representing more the week on dusty ground strewn with longer fears being assaulted while out at “Seeing them in the eyes, it brought The sight of Mandela wearing a Bok fi eld and coach Rassie Erasmus off it, nation. It is a fantastic transition,” he shards of glass and plastic bottles, but night. “We are not afraid of anything,” tears in my eyes,” says Makumbana. shirt and handing South Africa captain feels like a team that truly represents said. Having Kolisi as captain “shows nonetheless has this year been picked she says. “Nobody is going to hurt you. The Springboks’ 32-12 fi nal victory Francois Pienaar the Webb Ellis Tro- the nation, prompting the #Strong- that rugby is not for whites only,” adds for a prestigious youth tournament in You feel powerful. At night you feel you against England was greeted with joy phy after the 1995 World Cup fi nal was erTogether motto and hashtag for the Makumbana, who plays at the Soweto which most participants will be white can walk alone.” across South Africa, where rugby was iconic and immense in its own way. But Boks in Japan. That togetherness was Rugby School Academy (SRSA), one of schools. Litau did not open his acad- Daily life, however, remains compli- once the preserve of the white minority events in Yokohama last week took it to refl ected by the presence of some white only three rugby academies in a town- emy, which also off ers English, math- cated. Makumbana doesn’t have run- population. Not so long ago black peo- another level as the trophy was handed fans on the streets of Soweto. Peter ship where football is king. “I want to ematics and physics courses, in order to ning water at home, while her mother, ple, oppressed by the apartheid system, to Siya Kolisi, the fi rst black player ever Schultz wanted to bring his two chil- be Kolisi. I want to be part of the fi rst make money. “We had to convince peo- a cook, cannot aff ord a bus ticket to see despised the Springboks, a team which to captain South Africa in a test. dren to witness “a new dawning”. “The female Springboks team,” she said. “If ple who said rugby was only for whites,” her daughter play. Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Reid Ryan and Nolan Ryan out of key Leonard returns, positions with Astros

Reuters the Astros’ affi liate. He also is New York, United States a founding board member of R Bank, a Texas community bank. “Jim Crane has been a great he Houston Astros owner for the city of Houston, leads Clippers shook up the front of- and I thank him for the oppor- fi ce on Thursday, re- tunity to lead the Houston As- Tmoving Reid Ryan as tros organisation,” Ryan said in Leonard scores 27 points, team president of business oper- a statement. “Thank you to the ations and installing the owner’s many employees, fans, and part- 13 rebounds, six turnovers son in the role. ners that have supported this Later in the day, Hall of Fame team during my tenure as presi- and four assists member Nolan Ryan — Reid’s fa- dent. Baseball is about bringing over Blazers ther — said he was vacating his joy to people’s lives and I take By Andrew Greif position as executive adviser to pride in knowing that we have Los Angeles Times (TCA/DPA) the team. made so many memories for our The younger Ryan, who as- fans. While my role has changed, sumed the team president job in I will remain with the Astros and or the Los Angeles Clip- May 2013, instead was given the look forward to another great pers, Thursday began title of “executive advisor, busi- season in 2020.” with a series of phone ness relations.” In a team state- But Nolan Ryan, who sat behind calls from the NBA’s ment, the Astros said the change home plate at Minute Maid Park leagueF offi ce and a 50,000 dol- would give Ryan “more opportu- during every game of the Astros’ lar fi ne. nities to focus on his other busi- postseason run, won’t remain. For their best player, it pro- ness ventures while remaining “I will not be back with the ceeded to get worse from there. an important part of the Astros club and will leave it at that,” Only hours after the NBA took organisation.” Ryan, who pitched for the As- the step of publicly detailing Taking his spot will be Jared tros from 1980-88, wrote in a that he is suff ering from an on- Crane, the son of Astros owner text message to Mark Berman, going injury to the patella ten- Jim Crane, the team said. sports director of the Fox affi liate don in his left knee, Kawhi Le- Ryan, who turns 48 on Nov. in Houston. onard indeed did not look right. 21, founded teams at Triple-A The Astros won the Ameri- The Clippers star forward Round Rock and Double-A Cor- can League pennant but lost the made only three of his fi rst 13 pus Christi and remains the World Series to the Washington fi eld goals against Portland at owner of the Round Rock team, Nationals in seven games. Staples Center and scored nine points through three quarters. When it mattered most, how- ever, Leonard appeared not only Williamson positive about a healthy fi ne but unstoppable. return to Pelicans The NBA’s leading fourth- quarter scorer dropped 18 points in the fi nal 12 minutes to lead the Clippers to a 107-101 victory and establish, once again, that if he is not healthy enough to play every game this season, he is nonethe- less capable of taking over those in which he does appear. “He has an incredible will,” coach Doc Rivers said. “I thought he felt like he was struggling a little bit. “He has this, I don’t’ know what it is, this determination like, ‘I’m going to go get the win.’ He plays the game to win.” Zion Williamson, who had surgery to repair a torn meniscus Leonard fi nished with 27 two and a half weeks ago, says he is working out and trying to points, 13 rebounds, six turno- remain positive about his eventual return. The 19-year-old New vers and four assists in 33 min- Orleans Pelican forward and the first overall pick in the NBA utes. Teammate Lou Williams entry draft doesn’t want to rush his recovery, which doctors made a three-pointer with 32 said would take six to eight weeks. “I do feel like I’m getting seconds remaining that turned stronger day by day,” said Williamson, speaking publicly for the a one-point Clippers lead into first time since the October 21 surgery. “The trainers are telling a two-possession game and the me it’s getting stronger and I can feel the diff erence day by arena into a wall of sound. day.” Williamson doesn’t know exactly how or when he injured It was a rare make from be- the knee but he recalls feeling soreness after a preseason game yond the arc, on a night when against the San Antonio Spurs. The Pelicans are off to a dismal the Clippers (6-3) made a sea- 1-6 start this season. son-low four three-pointers on 23 attempts. 76ers guard Simmons likely out 3 “Big-time players get them- LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard in action during the NBA game against Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles, United States, on Thursday. (AFP) selves going, especially when it’s games: report time to win a game,” said Wil- docked the Clippers 50,000 dol- That knee, of course, has ap- Second-year guard Anfernee liams, who scored 26 points off lars for its handling of Leonard’s RESULTS peared just fi ne on the nights Simons scored the Trail Blaz- Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons is likely to miss the bench. absence the day before, against Boston 108-87 Charlotte Leonard has played this season, ers’ fi rst 10 points of the fourth three games with a Grade 1 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, Ivica Zubac had 15 points and Milwaukee. as he has averaged 29.3 points quarter but missed one of his Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported Thursday. Haynes report- 13 rebounds, including a career- Leonard has missed two LA Clippers 107-101 Portland per game and two free throws with 45 seconds ed earlier Thursday that Simmons would have more tests on high nine on the off ensive glass games already because of load San Antonio 121-112 Oklahoma become the NBA’s top fourth- left to keep his team down 100- his shoulder after X-rays came back negative. Multiple outlets and Montrezl Harrell had 15 management to a knee and each Miami 124-108 Phoenix quarter scorer. 99. confirmed the diagnosis of a Grade 1 AC joint sprain. Simmons points, six rebounds and one time the NBA publicly backed Right on cue against Port- Damian Lillard, the league’s sustained the injury Wednesday in Philadelphia’s 106-104 loss dousing of Rivers with a tub of the Clippers despite league rules league’s own medical team de- land (3-5), Leonard dribbled to No. 2 fourth-quarter scorer, was to the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. The 23-year-old Simmons is ice water afterward in the locker prohibiting teams from resting termined to be credible. the free-throw line and made a held scoreless in the fi nal frame averaging 13.1 points, 6.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 steals room. players for high-profi le games. League offi cials, then, were jump shot with 2:40 remaining to fi nish with 22 points. after seven games, with the Sixers losing two straight following It was a cold commemoration The NBA determined the frustrated by the comments to give his team its fi rst lead in “It’s the third game we’ve a 5-0 start. The Rookie of the Year in 2017-18 and a first-time All- of the coach’s 900th career win, team was within compliance Rivers made before Wednesday’s nearly 15 minutes. won, in my opinion, completely Star in 2018-19, Simmons owns career averages of 16.2 points, making him the 13th coach in and would not be fi ned because tipoff — including that there was “Well,” Portland coach Terry because of our defense,” Rivers 8.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists in 167 games (all starts). The No. 1 NBA history with as many victo- the Clippers medical staff had “no concern here” about Leon- Stotts said, “He looked well- said. “Our off ense was below overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of LSU, Simmons sat out ries, but the celebration capped provided the league informa- ard’s health — that suggested rested.” average and we were still able the 2016-17 season with a foot injury but has only missed four a day that began in a far less tion about Leonard’s condition the star forward wasn’t as lim- Portland only had temporary to win. Early going that’s a great games since. festive mood, after the league ahead of time — information the ited as it seemed. answers. sign for a basketball team.

NHL Blackhawks bury Canucks with strong third Reuters and a late goal by Jake Virtanen 1:02 — his seventh tally this sea- RESULTS New York, United States with an extra attacker on the ice. son. Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, In the third period after Kane Alexander Edler and Adam Gau- scored, Kampf potted an empty- NY Rangers 4-2 Carolina atrick Kane recorded dette posted assists, and Jacob net goal, and Virtanen scored Washington 5-4 Florida a goal and two assists, Markstrom stopped 32 of 35 Vancouver’s fi nal marker. Saad (OT) Dylan Strome had three shots. completed the scoring with an- Pittsburgh 4-3 NY Islanders Passists, and Corey Craw- The loss snapped the Canucks’ other empty-net tally. (OT) ford made 36 saves to lead the eight-game point streak (5-0-3). Philadelphia 3-2 Montreal Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-2 win DeBrincat scored in the fi rst PENS SCORE FOUR (OT) over the visiting Vancouver Ca- period when he took a dish from UNANSWERED TO SNAP nucks on Thursday night. Strome, leaned around Vancou- ISLES’ STREAK Toronto 2-1 Las Vegas With the Blackhawks ahead ver defenseman Quinn Hughes Bryan Rust scored his second (OT) 2-1 late in the third period, Kane and whipped in the game’s fi rst goal of the game with 1:35 left in Ottawa 3-2 Los Angeles blasted home his fi fth goal with goal at 6:41 — his fi fth tally this overtime Thursday night to cap a (OT) 5:06 remaining, drilling the season — while falling to the ice. furious comeback by the visiting Chicago 5-2 Vancouver power-play marker from above The Blackhawks capitalised on Pittsburgh Penguins, who scored the left circle for a commanding a late power play to double their four unanswered goals in the Columbus 3-2 Arizona 3-1 lead. lead as the period was reaching third period and overtime to snap Calgary 5-2 New Jersey Chicago fi nished 2-for-6 on its end. the New York Islanders’ 10-game Colorado 9-4 Nashville the man advantage. Strome won an off ensive winning streak with a 4-3 win. Alex DeBrincat, Andrew Shaw, zone faceoff after Miller’s hook- Rust stole the puck from Brock San Jose 6-5 Minnesota David Kampf and Brandon Saad ing penalty, and the home side Nelson behind the net and tucked notched goals for Chicago, which quickly moved the puck around. a wraparound shot past Islanders ray overcame a slow start to make improved to 4-3-2 on home ice. Strome then set up a one-timer goalie Semyon Varlamov to cap 20 saves. Defenseman Olli Maatta had in tight for Shaw, who buried his the comeback by the Penguins, Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck two assists. third goal at 18:43 for a 2-0 lead. Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane (centre) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks who snapped a two-game losing and Adam Pelech scored for the Vancouver entered the con- Canucks defenseman Chris- during the third period at United Center in Chicago, United States, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) streak. Islanders, whose winning streak test as the sixth-highest-scoring topher Tanev left the game after Jared McCann, Rust and Evge- was the second-longest in fran- NHL team, averaging 3.47 goals Shaw’s goal, did not return and On a man advantage that scored when Pettersson worked on the far post. ni Malkin scored in the fi rst nine chise history behind a 15-game per game, but managed just a was ruled out with an upper- carried over to start the sec- the puck to Crawford’s left and The puck caromed off Miller minutes of the third period for run during the 1981-82 season. power-play tally from J.T. Miller body injury. ond period, Vancouver fi nally fl ipped a pass over toward Miller and in for a power-play goal at the Penguins. Goalie Matt Mur- Varlamov made 35 saves. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, November 9, 2019 NFL

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Jacobs scores late, Raiders rally past Chargers Brown fi res

Reuters ing a 6-yard pass to Austin Ekeler utes, the fi rst one leading to a fi eld New York, United States with 4:02 remaining in the game for goal and the second becoming a 56- a 24-20 lead. But the Chargers’ fi nal yard touchdown return for a 10-0 off profane possession ended with a Karl Joseph Oakland lead. osh Jacobs’ 18-yard touch- interception at the Oakland 35 on a Los Angeles finally found footing down run with 1:02 left Thurs- fourth-and-10 heave with 20 sec- on offense with two second-quar- tweet at NFL day night lifted the Oakland onds left, Rivers’ third pick of the ter touchdowns in a 4:10 span. Riv- Raiders to a 26-24 win over game. ers flipped a 2-yard scoring strike theJ visiting Los Angeles Chargers. Derek Carr hit on 21 of 31 passes to tight end Hunter Henry, and On third-and-1, Jacobs burst for 218 yards with a touchdown for Gordon gave the Chargers a 14-10 through a huge hole blown open by Oakland, which was outgained 315 lead on a 3-yard run with 4:14 left center Rodney Hudson and left guard yards to 278 and had the ball for only in the half. Richie Incognito, then broke an arm 25:50. However, the Raiders sacked The Raiders’ off ense then put to- tackle near the 10 for the score. Dan- Rivers fi ve times and played a turn- gether its fi rst good drive to close the iel Carlson missed the ensuing extra- over-free game. half. Oakland marched 76 yards in point attempt, but the Raiders hung Melvin Gordon rushed 22 times 10 plays, taking a 17-14 halftime lead on to improve to 5-4. for 108 yards and a score for Los An- when Carr found Alec Ingold for a Los Angeles fell to 4-6, seriously geles, his fi rst 100-yard game of the 9-yard touchdown pass with 20 sec- damaging its playoff hopes. year. onds remaining. Chargers quarterback Philip Riv- Rivers came out of the gate in The teams exchanged short fi eld Oakland Raiders’ Josh Jacobs scores the game-winning touchdown against ers completed 17 of 31 passes for 207 shaky fashion. Erik Harris intercept- goals in the third quarter, setting the the LA Chargers in Oakland, United States, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) yards and two touchdowns, includ- ed him twice in the fi rst nine min- stage for a dramatic ending.

FOCUS

Reuters MVP candidate Wilson New York, United States ntonio Brown let loose with a pro- fanity-fi lled tweet aimed at the NFL on Thursday, one week before he is Ascheduled to meet with the league to discuss the investigation into allegations of sexual assault and rape made against the wide faces unbeaten 49ers receiver in a civil suit earlier this year. “My understanding is Brown is eager to ‘We’ve got to be on one page, still be aggressive, but understand that he can be Houdini at times’ present his side & that there r teams still in- terested in signing him pending the resolution AFP Bengals receiver Green announced of the league’s investigation,” ESPN reporter Los Angeles, United States Thursday that was not the case as the Josina Anderson tweeted on Thursday morning. swelling around his ankle is still giv- Hours later, Brown took to social media to ing him problems. vent his frustration with the league. FL MVP candidate Rus- “I can’t go out there when I am not “Imagine conforming to a system giving it a sell Wilson will lead the 100%,” said Green. 100% to see them treat me like this is unfairly!” Seattle Seahawks against Rodgers and the Packers will be Brown wrote on Twitter. “Making money off Nthe league’s last unde- seeking to rebound after a disap- my sweat and blood (expletive) the @nfl I’ll feated team the San Francisco 49ers pointing 26-11 loss to the Chargers. never play in that (expletive) treat black people in marquee showdown of NFC West Not only will Rodgers have to the worse! Clear my name and go (expletive) Division rivals. play better but also the off ensive your self.” It is not very often the league’s top line needs a bounce-back perform- Brown later deleted the tweet and posted a defence faces the MVP frontrunner ance after struggling to contain the new one, writing, “I’m just very frustrated right so the combination of Seattle’s ex- Chargers. now with the false allegations and slander to my plosive off ence and the 49ers stingy “I think this is just the kind of a name. I love football and I miss it. I just want defence should make Monday’s game that we’re going to learn from,” to play and I’m very emotional about that. I’m matchup the game of the week. Rodgers said. “Obviously, we didn’t determined to make my way back to the NFL Wilson is off to one the best starts start very fast on either side of the ball. asap.” of his career, powering Seattle to a Brown, 31, initially tweeted on September 7-2 record and making them a seri- DUD GAME 22 that he “will not be playing in the NFL any- ous playoff contender. “On off ense, we just didn’t have that more”. San Francisco defensive end Dee normal juice that we do most game That tweet came two days after the New Eng- Ford said the key to stopping the Se- days. We started off with a couple of land Patriots released him. ahawks is to bottle up Wilson. penalties and some three-and-outs The NFL released a statement on Sept. 20 “Tackle him and that’s a hard task,” and some negative-yardage plays. that said Brown would not be placed on the Ford said. “But, honestly, you’ve still “I think we just need to get back commissioner’s exempt list while he is a free got to play defense, got to play sound to the basics this week and get refo- agent but warned, “If he is signed by a club, defense, what we’ve been doing.” cused. such placement may become appropriate at any Seattle’s defense has struggled of “A lot of great teams have gone time depending on the status of the investiga- late so if there is any contest where Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of the through those dud games where tion.” they will need Russell to perform like NFL game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, United States, on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) they’re just sloshing through games.” Brown was cut by the Oakland Raiders on an MVP this is it. Rodgers will be tested by a defense September 7 and then signed with the Patriots. The electrifying Wilson protects Garoppolo will be looking to take Packers will be aiming to regroup. play as long as his knee feels strong that has compiled an NFL leading 34 He played in one game, catching four passes for the ball very well and is masterful at advantage of any weaknesses in the Arizona running back David John- enough. sacks. 56 yards and a touchdown in New England’s slipping tackles. He has just one in- Seattle defense. son and Kansas City quarterback Johnson, who missed the past two In other games, the Dallas Cow- 43-0 win at Miami on September 15. terception all season. The 49ers, who are 8-0 on the Patrick Mahomes missed recent games and most of the Week 7 game boys renew their long-standing ri- The four-time All-Pro has been under inves- “We’ve got to all be on one page, season, have home-fi eld advantage games but look ready to make some against the New York Giants, de- valry with the Minnesota Vikings at tigation by the NFL under its personal conduct still be aggressive, but understand and have had 10 days to prepare for noise on Sunday. clared that he’s “defi nitely playing” Cowboys Stadium in Texas. policy since former trainer Britney Taylor fi led that he can be Houdini at times and Seattle in the fi rst of two contests As the week goes on, Mahomes has as the Cardinals battle Tampa Bay. The Cowboys, who are playing on a lawsuit in September alleging that she was really get out outside the pocket and between the teams this season. had his workload steadily increased One injured star that is not ready a short week, have won two straight. sexually assaulted on multiple occasions. make some things happen,” Ford In other games this weekend, two in preparation for the Tennessee Ti- yet is A.J. Green, who Cincinnati had The Vikings are playing consecu- In 10 NFL seasons (the fi rst nine with the added. dynamic players are likely returning tans. hoped would be healthy enough to tive road games after losing at Kan- Pittsburgh Steelers), Brown has 841 catches for San Francisco quarterback Jimmy and Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay There is a good chance he will make his season debut. sas City. 11,263 yards and 75 touchdowns.

FEATURE Elway is a Hall of Fame quarterback, so why can’t he pick one?

By Oliver Connolly But it’s also clear how bad Elway has Twenty seven players played 30 in the candidate pool looking for the The Guardian been at evaluating quarterback tal- percent of the snaps or more in the Super next innovator. Land that guru as your ent in the post-Manning era. He has Bowl against the Seahawks. Only seven head coach, however, and you’ll have managed to pick a formidable display of those players remained when the team a sustainable output from the most t 3-6 the Broncos are set for a of incompetence: Brock Osweiler, Zac returned to the Super Bowl two years lat- crucial position in the sport. If defen- third-straight losing season. Dysert, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, er, and beat the Carolina Panthers. Not a sive performance is so varied anyway, With four tricky road games Chad Kelly, Mark Sanchez, Case Kee- single member of the secondary stayed. you may as well ride that with diff erent Aremaining, another expensive num, Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen and The coaching staff was overhauled, with hires each year, each tailored to your veteran quarterback on the sidelines, Drew Lock. Those names might tell John Fox replaced by Elway’s long- defensive personnel that year. and another young, inconsistent, you all you need to know. But just to time buddy Gary Kubiak. Completely In Elway’s tenure as the Broncos’ key inaccurate, highly drafted quarterback be sure, the average DYAR (total value) transforming a record-breaking Super decision-maker, dating back to 2011, riding the bench, the pressure is start- rating of post-Manning quarterbacks Bowl team was a ballsy move, but it was a he has hired four full-time coaches. ing to reach the team’s head of football is [cleans fake glasses, vomits a little] necessary one and Elway’s plan paid off . Three have been defensive-minded, operations, John Elway. 34th. That’s almost impossibly bad. His new defense was one of the best in one off ensive. In the one year he had Due to his status as a Broncos Elway’s reputation has taken a bat- league history, and it carried a washed- the off ensive-minded coach, Kubiak, legend during his playing days, Elway tering among self-proclaimed smart up Manning and a dreary off ense to a Denver won the Super Bowl and the has good job security but he also thinkers. He’s become the guy who championship. coach retired. The rest have a com- faces unique pressures. Most general loves tall, white, big-armed plodders The Kubiak hire was important for bined 60-45 record, which includes managers aren’t the best player to ever who struggle to throw passes to team- two reasons: he ran such a specifi c of- the Manning years. wear the team’s uniform and one of mates, but do so with a pretty spiral. fense (the one Elway played in himself) Is it possible that executives can the most gifted players to ever play the An inaccurate quarterback is like a that it was easier to sign and develop be good and then become bad? If we most important position in the sport. one-legged man: he will always be that players; he was an off ensive-minded acknowledge athletes’ form can go up How many top decision-makers walk way. Elway has taken on all the nega- coach. Some of the best coaches in and down, why do we always search around their facility with a bust already tive clichés of the old-school scout In this February 7, 2016, picture, former Denver Broncos quarterback and current history have been defensive-minded for binary answers when it comes to enshrined in Canton? who prioritises jawlines and hand size general manager John Elway celebrates as he holds the Vince Lombardi trophy coaches – Belichick, Parcells, Landry – executives? There should be nuance. When discussing Elway and the over advanced metrics. after a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s s Stadium in but the economics of the modern game Elway did a good job for the Broncos Broncos’ lack of success, the discourse Rookie quarterback Drew Lock, who Santa Clara, California, United States. (TNS) mean you should hire an off ensive guy. for a few years, now he’s doing a bad usually devolves into some form of this the Broncos picked in the second- The off ense is traditionally more stable one. He lives in the middle, like most in question: how can a Hall of Fame quar- round of this year’s draft, fi ts the bill drafts. Run through the fi rst three lot of things, but it wouldn’t transform year-to-year than defense: get a good pro football. Get a star quarterback and terback fail to evaluate quarterbacks? of an Elway bust. He has a great arm rounds of the Broncos drafts between this roster into a winner. quarterback and your off ense is good. every other decision you make looks Elway is often seen through two but is inaccurate, and he is still riding 2013 and 2017 – where you should fi nd The Broncos will have as much wig- It’s really that simple. Defense requires smart – not signing Brock Osweiler to a lenses: the man who convinced Peyton the bench despite the team sitting Joe instant starters – and you see a whole gle room as anybody in the league in 15 talented players and a good scheme, mega-money extension is probably his Manning to spend the fi nal years of his Flacco. His situation is starting to sound lot of blah. There are only two impact the coming off -season, which off ers at minimum. Injuries and attrition can best decision to date. Elway has rebuilt career in Denver, which led to unprec- eerily similar to what the Broncos went players: Justin Simmons and Bradley a glimmer hope. After all, Elway has sap that in weeks, let alone years. before, and he can do it again. edented success; and the legend living through with former fi rst-round pick Roby. More than half now play for been here before. He built one Super If your organisation, like the Broncos The Broncos are one of the NFL’s off his name. He landed Manning, Paxton Lynch. But, until we see Lock, other teams and a bunch are out of the Bowl team on the back of Manning’s under current coach Vic Fangio, is built worst teams, and Elway has a lot of detractors say, and has done little to there remains a path to success. league altogether. A 13 percent hit rate arm, but that team was smoked by the around a defensive mastermind, that responsibility for that. But if Lock nothing before or since. He got lucky. The quarterback position, as always, on picks that should be the bedrock of Seahawks. Elway promptly regrouped, means whenever you get a decent year turns out to be a good player, the entire That argument lacks nuance. Land- gets the most attention, but the Bron- the franchise is team-building apoca- and the Broncos were back in the Super on off ense your off ensive coordina- dynamic changes. If not, Elway’s ing Manning was hard, and Elway cos roster is rotten throughout. Elway lypse. The Broncos lack depth and tal- Bowl two years later with a radically tor will be poached to be a head coach legendary status may not protect him made sure the Broncos got their man. has essentially missed on fi ve straight ent. A good quarterback can change a diff erent team. elsewhere. Every year you will be back much longer. Gulf Times Saturday, November 9, 2019 7 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Austrian Schwab US captain Woods leads Turkish Open AFP 65, and he was matched by Lee Antalya, Turkey Westwood as the veteran Eng- lishman joined him on eight- under. ustria’s Matthias chooses himself to Schwab birdied the fi - LEADING SECOND-ROUND nal hole to claim a one- (par 72/GBR & IRL unless shot lead at the halfway stated): stageA of the Turkish Open yester- day, Justin Rose only two strokes 132: Matthias Schwab (AUT) behind in his chase for a third 65-67 play in Presidents Cup straight title. 133: Ross Fisher 69-64, Danny World number 104 Schwab is Willett 67-66, Thomas Detry still waiting for a maiden Euro- (BEL) 67-66, Alex Noren (SWE) pean Tour title despite posting 66-67 Woods will be the first playing captain in the Presidents Cup since Irwin in 1994 nine top-10 fi nishes this season. He started his second round with 134: Robert MacIntyre 71-63, an eagle and added four birdies Justin Harding (RSA) 69-65, AFP Jason Scrivener (AUS) 68-66, Los Angeles on the back nine to round out a fi ve-under-par 67 and reach Justin Rose 67-67, David Lipsky 12-under for the tournament. (USA) 66-68 iger Woods will be a playing cap- Schwab leads by one from a 135: Shubhankar Sharma (IND) tain when he leads the United group of four players — Ross 71-64, Aaron Rai 68-67, Scott States against an International Tiger Woods named himself Fisher, former Masters champi- Jamieson 67-68, Tom Lewis team in the Presidents Cup match among four captain’s picks on Danny Willett, Belgian Tho- 65-70 Tplay golf showdown at Royal Melbourne mas Detry and Ryder Cup winner for the 12-man team, along 136: Patrick Reed (USA) 71-65, in December. with US Open champion Gary Alex Noren. Sweden’s Noren ap- Woods, who claimed his 15th major title Woodland, former Masters peared set to take the lead when Lee Westwood 71-65, Romain at the Masters in April and won his 82nd champion Patrick Reed and he reached the par-fi ve 18th on Langasque (FRA) 70-66, US PGA Tour title at the Zozo Champion- world number 14 Tony Finau. 12-under, but he hit a wayward Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR) 69-67, ship in Japan two weeks ago, named him- second shot before three-putting Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 68-68, self among four captain’s picks for the to make an ugly closing bogey. Joachim B Hansen (DEN) 68-68, 12-man team on Thursday, along with US Rose is one further back after Jorge Campillo (ESP) 68-68, Tyr- Open champion Gary Woodland, former a second successive 67 as the Ol- rell Hatton 68-68, Joost Luiten Masters champion Patrick Reed and ympic champion bids to become (NED) 67-69, Thomas Pieters world number 14 Tony Finau. only the fourth player after Nick (BEL) 66-70 “As captain, I’m going to choose Tiger Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Co- Selected others: Woods as the last player on the team,” lin Montgomerie to win a regular Woods said. “He’s made... nine Cups European Tour event three years 137 — Shane Lowry 72-65 and he’s played in Australia twice in the in a row. 141 — Francesco Molinari (ITA) Presidents Cup, so this will be his third The former world number one 71-70, Matt Wallace 74-67, Pad- appearance as a player. And I fi nd it inter- is among a fi ve-strong group on raig Harrington 75-66 esting talking in the third person.” 10-under, including Scotland’s 142 — Martin Kaymer (GER) 71- Woods will be the fi rst playing cap- Robert MacIntyre, who fi red a 72, Eddie Pepperell 70-72 tain in the Presidents Cup since Ameri- stunning 63 which featured nine can Hale Irwin in the inaugural edition birdies. American Patrick Reed 143 — Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) in 1994. The US superstar admitted in also moved into contention with 71-72 a conference call to announce his cap- fi ve birdies and an eagle in his 144 — Li Haotong (CHN) 73-71 tain’s selections that piloting the team — choosing pairings and plotting strategy — and playing would be “a lot of work.” But the decision had been widely ex- pected since his victory at the Zozo Australia snub Stosur for Fed Championship — his fi rst outing since Cup singles, pick Tomljanovic arthroscopic surgery two months ago to address knee trouble that had slowed him Melbourne: Australia are most singles wins, with 29 from since his triumph at Augusta National. throwing debutant Ajla Toml- her 49 rubbers, but she lost As Woods himself said after his victory janovic into the Fed Cup caul- both her singles matches in the in Japan: “As a player, I got the captain’s dron against France, dropping semi-finals against Belarus. attention.” veteran Sam Stosur in favour of In selecting the 26-year-old Woods said he would rely on help from the Croatia-born debutant for Tomljanovic, Australia captain assistant captains Steve Stricker, Fred the singles just weeks after she Alicia Molik may also have been Couples and Zach Johnson to keep the The Presidents Cup, a match play ranking is, you’ve got to go out and beat He is one of just fi ve players to have became eligible to represent mindful of Stosur’s record of United States on track. “It’s going to be event modelled on the Ryder Cup that the other guys.” ever posted a perfect 5-0 record in a sin- the nation. stage-fright when playing in diffi cult but I always knew I had three pits a non-European International team The eight Americans who played their gle event. Only Phil Mickelson — who is World number 51 Tomljanovic front of home crowds. Despite amazing assistants,” Woods said. “Two against the Americans, will be held De- way onto the team via points are Dustin missing his fi rst Presidents Cup since will play French number one winning the 2011 US Open and guys who have won Presidents Cup and cember 12-15 at Royal Melbourne. That’s Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauf- the event was started in 1994 — has won Kristina Mladenovic in the first making the French Open semi- Zach, who will be a future captain. where the International team notched fele, Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas, more Presidents Cup matches. Woods’s singles at Perth Arena today, finals four times, Stosur has “Three great minds to help me when their only victory — against 10 defeats Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson and Bryson appearance comes two years after he with Ash Barty to take on Caro- long struggled to deal with the I’m playing. With the new rules, I just and one draw — in 1998. DeChambeau. served as an assistant to US captain Steve line Garcia in the second. World limelight in Australia. have to play one match prior to the sin- In 2011 at Royal Melbourne the Ameri- World number one Koepka had stem Stricker at Liberty National in New Jer- number one Barty will meet She has never gone further gles,” he added. “Two matches minimum. cans won with Woods securing the win- cell treatment on his left knee after the sey. 40th-ranked Mladenovic in the than the fourth round at the It could be more. It’s about me under- ning point. The United States will be US PGA Tour’s Tour Championship and At the time, Woods was still recovering opener of the reverse singles Australian Open and has been standing the guys, and understanding the heavy favourites, with 11 of the 12 play- pulled out of the CJ Cup in South Korea from back surgery and said that shortly tomorrow, with Tomljanovic to knocked out of the first round golf course as well.” ers ranked among the top 16 in the world. three weeks ago after he aggravated the before the event he wasn’t sure he’d be play world number 45 Garcia. at Melbourne Park for the last Woods said his assistants had off ered Australian Adam Scott at 17th in the injury when he slipped on a cart path. able to fulfi ll his role as an assistant be- Barty and Stosur are slated four tournaments in succes- plenty of advice on whether to choose world is the International team’s highest- If Koepka is unable to play, Woods can cause he didn’t know if he could toler- to play Mladenovic and Garcia sion. Australia are bidding for himself to play. “Freddie was pretty ar- ranked player. choose any player to replace him but of- ate riding in a golf cart. But he returned in the doubles, though all of their eighth title and first since dent,” Woods said. “’You’re on the team, Nevertheless, Woods said he wouldn’t fered no details Thursday as to who a re- to the PGA Tour in 2018, winning the tomorrow’s matches may be 1974, with France going for quit being stupid.’ At the time, I haven’t be taking anything for granted. “When placement might be. Woods will be play- season-ending Tour Championship that changed. Stosur, 35, holds a third after last winning the even swung a club,” Woods said. “I got we start out on Thursday it’s zero-zero,” ing in his ninth Presidents Cup, and his year before ending his major title drought Australia’s Fed Cup record for team tournament in 2003. back to him after Japan.” he said. “It doesn’t matter what the world fi rst since 2013. at Augusta National in April.

OUALLA SHINES AT HATHAB TENNIS Nadal racing to be fi t for ATP Finals AFP London

afael Nadal is facing a race against time to be ready for the ATP Fi- nals as he battles No- vakR Djokovic for the year-end number one ranking, admitting he is struggling with his serve. The 33-year-old said he was happy to be in London after being forced to pull out of last week’s Paris Masters at the semi-fi nal stage with an abdominal strain, but admitted he was not serving at full tilt ahead of his opening match against defending cham- pion Alexander Zverev. “I need to see how things evolve every single day,” he said. Achraf Oualla astride Dino BB Z won the Medium Tour title during the second leg of the Longines “I have good hopes to be 100% Hathab Equestrian Tour at the Al Shaqab Indoor Arena yesterday. Hussain Saeed Haidan (Belucci ready for Monday.” Nadal is Van ‘T Vleminkhof) came second, while Mohamed Hazim Abara (Ambre De Beaufour) came third. bidding to clinch the year-end number one spot in the ATP Players pose at the London’s iconic O2 arena yesterday on the eve of the ATP Finals. rankings for a fi fth time — he is currently 640 points ahead of it can go well but I also have the 100% ready,” he said. “I really “One of the two biggest achieve- Djokovic ahead of the season- doubt that it can go badly be- hope that I will be able to serve ments that you can have as a ending tournament in London, cause the time from what hap- every single day better.” professional competitive ten- starting tomorrow. pened in Paris until today is very Nadal’s opponents in the nis player — winning a Grand The Spaniard, who has never short. I’m not feeling uncom- Andre Agassi group are Daniil Slam and being number one in won the ATP Finals despite his fortable because I haven’t re- Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and the world at the end of the sea- trophy-laden career, dethroned ally served. I’ve only served very Zverev. The Bjorn Bjorg group son,” he said. “At this stage of Djokovic from the top of the slowly. With my training so far I features Djokovic, Roger Federer, my career in terms of goals and rankings this week. He has often don’t have any kind of problem, I Dominic Thiem and Matteo Ber- achievements obviously that’s struggled with injuries towards feel perfect, I don’t have any kind rettini. Djokovic, who won the right at the top. In order for me to the end of the season — missing of pain.” Australian Open and Wimbledon be in the position to be year-end the ATP Finals last year through Nadal, who won the French this season, must reach the fi nal number one I understand I have injury and pulling out after just Open and US Open this year, said in London to have any chance of to be healthy and schedule well.” one match in 2017. The top seed he had been happy with his form overtaking Nadal at the top of the The ATP Finals, featuring said he had only started practis- before his injury. “I’m confi dent rankings. the year’s best eight players, is ing his serving on Thursday and that I can be very competitive but The Serbian, who can claim a contested in a round-robin for- Mohammed Nasser al-Qadi won the Small Tour class with Vlacido. Abdulaziz Ghanim al-Nuaimi it had been “very slow”. of course it’s a tournament that record-equalling sixth year-end mat with the best four players (Jalieny Diamant Z) finished second, ahead of Mohamed Sultan al-Suwaidi (Birddyz). “I don’t want to lie to you,” you will face the top guys from number one fi nish, said he was and doubles teams reaching the he said. “I have confi dence that the beginning so you need to be hungry to fi nish the year on top. knockout semi-fi nals stage.

Saturday, November 9, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

FINA WORLD CUP AFC U-19 QUALIFIERS Yemen, Qatar win to Morozov signs off set up showdown emen and Qatar will play hammet Orayev found too hot off for a direct place in to handle despite it coming from AFC U-19 Champion- fully 35 yards out. ship Uzbekistan 2020 Qatari custodian Yousef Bali- Ytomorrow, after both registered deh made a stunning save to stop important wins yesterday in the Rahman Myratberdiyev from Group B qualifying matches at equalising at the other end, but with two more gold the Aspire Pitches, there was nothing he could to Yemen fl ew out of the blocks prevent Myratberdiyev from net- to beat Sri Lanka 3-0, before Qa- ting in the 58th minute, with the Romanchuk breaks the four-year-old World Cup record in the 1,500m freestyle tar defeated Turkmenistan 4-1, Turkmen striker leaving Bald- leaving both teams on six points ieh rooted to the spot with a fi ne By Sports Reporter (RUS) and Eszter Bekesi (HUN) won silver after two matches, with Qatar header. Doha and bronze. Australia was on top in the ahead on goal diff erence. With Qatari’s place on top of mixed 4x100m freestyle – the fi nal race While all is still to play for the group in danger, al-Hadhra- of the second day. Group B’s top two, Sri Lanka mi emerged as the game changer he second day of FINA World Cup 12 more fi nals will be held on the last and Turkmenistan remain win- once again, latching onto an ex- Doha 2019 witnessed more excit- day of the fi nal meet on Saturday, follow- less and are out of contention for cellent low cross from Tombari to ing action, including a dazzling ing which the overall winners and clusters AFC U-19 Championship berths. make it 2-1 just fi ve minutes later, performance by Vladimir Moro- 3 champions will be announced. A starring contribution from before Tombari gave the hosts Tzov of Russia and a new World Cup record Qatar captain Naif Abdulraheem breathing space with another by Mykhailo Romanchuk of Ukraine at RESULTS al-Hadhrami proved crucial for goal in the 68th minute, with the packed Hamad Aquatic Centre Qatar as the Group B hosts re- Turkmenistan’s defence paying Women’s 400m Individual Medley: Morozov, who is set to lift the men’s mained unbeaten with a 4-1 win the price for switching off to al- overall World Cup trophy, won two more 1. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 4:37.39; 2. over a determined Turkmeni- low Jassim Mohammed al-Me- gold medals yesterday, after his triumph Zsuzsanna Jakabos (HUN) 4:40.19; 3. stan. Al-Hadhrami scored twice hairi to deliver a pinpoint cross. in 50m freestyle on the fi rst day. The Seoyeong Kim KOR 4:40.23 in a second half which produced Turkmenistan were given an 27-year-old Russian fi rst completed a Men’s 1,500m Freestyle (Fastest all fi ve of the game’s goals, twice unexpected opportunity when clean sweep of all seven titles in 50m Heat): 1. Mykhailo Romanchuk (UKR) giving Qatar the lead before Qatar’s Mohamed Aiash was sent backstroke, winning the event in 24.75. 14:51.61; 2. Jan Micka (CZE) 14:58.30; 3. striker Mekki Tombari took his off for a second bookable off ence Morozov then claimed 100m freestyle Gergely Gyurta (HUN) 14:59.88 tally to four in two matches with with 18 minutes remaining, but victory to fi nish with three gold medals. two late goals. Tombari quashed any chance of a Men’s 50m Backstroke: 1. Vladimir “That’s it, my World Cup is over. I am While Turkmenistan pushed revival when he timed his run to Morozov (RUS) 24.75; 2. Michael Andrew very happy with my performance this the hosts for most of the contest, perfection to make it 4-1 for the year. My best moment of this World Cup (USA) 24.79; 3.Bradley Woodward (AUS) a second defeat in three days hosts. will come when I will lift the (overall) tro- 25.35 means their hopes of qualifying With Qatar’s points safe, all phy,” said Morozov. Women’s 200m Freestyle: 1. Zsuzsan- for next year’s Finals have been now hinges on tomorrow’s group In men’s 1,500m freestyle fastest heats, na Jakabos (HUN) 1:58.86; 2. Mikkayla dashed with a game against Sri decider, where a Qatari win or Romanchuk set a new World Cup record, Sheridan (AUS) 1:59.04; 3. Lanka still to come. draw against Yemen will se- winning the race in 14:51.61 to surpass Evelin Verraszto (HUN) 1:59.59 With Qatar under pressure to cure the a place in the AFC U-19 Gregorio Paltrinieri’s (ITA) record of match Yemen’s back-to-back Championship in Uzbekistan. 14:55.06, he made in Moscow 2015. Jan Men’s 200m Individual Medley: 1. wins, and Turkmenistan need- The 11 group winners and four Micka (CZE) and Gergely Gyurta took Keita Sunama (JPN) 1:59.28; 2. Philip ing a result to stay in contention, best runners-up will join hosts silver and bronze medals. Romanchuk Heintz (GER) 2:00.15; 3. David Verraszto the fi rst half was an arm wrestle Uzbekistan in the 2020 Finals. said: “The plan was to break a World Cup (HUN) 2:01.43 which produced nervous mo- Earlier, Yemen fl ew out of the record. It’s so amazing that I have done it. Women’s 100m Backstroke: 1. Kira ments for both defences. gates as al-Godaimah power- I love this country and amazing support Toussaint (NED) 59.14; 2. Emily Seebohm Odemyrat Annayev came close fully headed in a cross following here in Doha”. (AUS) 59.30; 3.Kaylee Mckeown (AUS) to nodding Turkmenistan into a short corner routine to make it Also yesterday, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 59.60 the lead, while Tombari was un- 1-0 after 12 minutes against Sri completed clean sweep of seven titles in lucky not score with a terrifi c Lanka. The lead was extended 400 IM. The Iron Lady claimed the vic- Men’s 50m Breaststroke: 1. Yasuhiro turning half-volley, but neither just six minutes later when al- tory after picking up pace in the last Koseki (JPN) 27.07; 2. Felipe Lima (BRA) side managed to fi nd the net in an Harbi outpaced the Sri Lankan 200m, leaving her team-mate Zsuzsanna 27.11; 3. Arno Kamminga (NED) 27.12 entertaining opening 45 minutes. defence before hammering the Jakabos behind to win in 4:37.39. Jakabos Women’s 50m Butterfly: 1. Jeanette Al-Hadhrami blew the game ball into the roof of the net from got silver medal for her time of 4:40.19 Ottesen (DEN) 26.06; 2. Cate Campbell open in the 51st minute, fi nding a tight angle and an acrobatic while Seoyeong Kim (KOR) won bronze in (AUS) 26.23; 3. Michelle Coleman (SWE) Russia’s Vladimir Morozov won the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle during the the net with a sensational long- volley from Mohamed Abdulwa- 4:40.23. Hosszu said: “It was a fun race. 26.76 Swimming World Cup at the Hamad Aquatic Centre. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil range piledriver which Turk- hab al-Thulaia very nearly added I am happy to win all the titles in this menistan goalkeeper Amanmu- another goal shortly after. event. It’s always nice to race in front of Men’s 100m Freestyle: 1. Vladimir nifer Conceicao (BRA) 1:08.28; 2. Vitalina (AUT) 1:58.66; 3. Maksym Shemberev Hungarian fans present here. I am having Morozov (RUS) 48.50; 2. Alexander Gra- Simonova (RUS) 1:08.64; 3. Eszter Bekesi (AZE) 1:58.96 a good time in Doha.” ham (AUS) 49.03; 3. Szebasztian Szabo (HUN) 1:08.79 Mixed 4x100m Freestyle: 1. Australia Chad Le Clos (RSA) lived up to ex- (HUN) 49.13 Men’s 200m Butterfly: 1. Chad Le Clos 3:29.55; 2. Brazil 3:37.37; 3. Poland pectations of his huge number of fans in Women’s 100m Breaststroke: 1. Jhen- (RSA) 1:57.66; 2. Xaver Gschwentner 3:37.83 Doha, sealing the 200m butterfl y title in 1:57.66 - his second gold medal after his 100m butterfl y triumph on the fi rst day. “That was a hard race. I was nervous but did well in the end to fi nish with a win. I love the support here and didn’t want to disappoint them,” said Le Clos. Jakabos also clinched a victory, win- ning the women’s 200m butterfl y while Kira Toussaint (NED) was winner in women’s 100m backstroke. Gold medal in women’s 50m butterfl y went to Jean- ette Ottesen (DEN), who swam 26.06 to fi nish on top. Cate Campbell (AUS), overall leader in women’s fi eld, came in second place. The men’s 200m IM ti- tle went to Keita Sunama (JPN), who clocked 1:59.28 for victory. He was fol- lowed by Philip Heintz (GER) 2:00.15 and David Verraszto (HUN) 2:01.43. Japan got their second gold through Yasuhiro Ko- seki, who defeated Felipe Lima (BRA) in the men’s 50m breaststroke. He clocked 27.07 while Lima fi nished in 27.11 to take silver. Dutchman Arno Kamminga (27.12) claimed the bronze medal. Jhennifer Conceicao (BRA) prevailed in the women’s 100m breaststroke, touch- Action from the Qatar-Turkmenistan qualifying match for the AFC ing the wall in 1:08.28. Vitalina Simonova Katinka Hosszu of Hungary won her seventh consecutive World Cup gold in the women’s 400m Individual Medley. U-19 Championship at the Aspire Pitches yesterday.

ASIAN SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS Yangpaiboon wins gold as Thailand seal two Olympics spots By Sports Reporter Team: 1. China 1868.9; 2. India Doha 1865.1; 3. Korea 1860.5. Women: 25m sports pistol: 1. Naphas- wan Yangpaiboon (Tha) 36 (590); 2. aphaswan Yangpaiboon se- Gundegmaa Otryad (Mgl) 33 (587); 3. cured an Olympic quota for Zhang Jingjing (Chn) 28 (585) Thailand as she won the women’s 25 metres pistol fi nal Team: 1. Korea 1751; 2. China 1751; 3. atN the Asian Shooting Championships Thailand 1748; 5. India 1735. in Doha yesterday. At the Lusail Shoot- 50m rifle prone: 1. Wan Xiangyan ing Complex, it was a double delight for (Chn) 627.2; 2. Lee Eunseo (Kor) 625.1; Thailand as Tanyaporn Prucksakorn 3. Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi (Mas) also won her country a spot at the next year’s Tokyo Games. India’s Chinki Team: 1. India 1864.8; 2. China 1862.4; Yadav and Mongolia’s Otryadyn Gun- 3. Korea 1855.5. degmaa were the others to bag the quo- Junior men: 25m standard pistol: tas for their countries. 1. Nikita Chiryukin (Kaz) 568; 2. Lee All the four had ensured the Olym- Gunhyeok (Kor) 567; 3. Harsh Gupta pic qualifi cation after having entered (Ind) 565 the fi nal, as the two Chinese and two Team: 1. Korea 1690; 2. India 1680; 3. Koreans had already won the quota. China 1663. Yangpaiboon made it an unforgettable Thailand’s Naphaswan Yangpaiboon claimed victory in the women’s 25 metres Kuwait’s Abdulrahman al-Faihan (left) and Sarah Alhawal won the mixed team day for as the 2018 Asian Games silver pistol final at the Asian Shooting Championships in Doha yesterday. trap gold at the Lusail Shooting Complex yesterday. PICTURE: Nasar K Junior men: 10m air rifle: 1. medallist won the event with a score of Rudrankksh Patil (Ind) 249.0 (620.7); 2. 36. Gundegmaa fi nished second with with Olympic quotas achieved, it was a points and was followed in the stand- Deng Weiyun 34-32. Chinese Taipei’s China-A 32 (144); 3. Chinese Taipei-A Srijay Ranjanbabu (Ind) 248.8 (624.7); 33, while China’s Zhang Jingjing took mission accomplished for the shooters. ings by Malaysia’s Nur Suryani Mo- Liu Wan-Yu and Yang Kun-Pi took 42 (141); 4. Kazakhstan-A 39 (143) 3. Liu Xiyang (Chn) 225.7 (621.1) home bronze after scoring 28. In the men’s 25m standard pistol hamed Taibi with 622.2. bronze after defeating Kazakhstan’s Men: 25m standard pistol: 1. Yao Team: 1. India 1871.0; 2. China 1858.0; South Korea’s Kim Jangmi, the Lon- event, China’s Yao Zhaonan triumphed In the equivalent men’s event, Ka- Maxim Kolomoyets and Anastassiya Zhaonan (Chn)578; 2. Udhayveer 3. Thailand 1806.6. don 2012 Olympic gold medallist in with 578 points. India’s Udhayveer Sid- zakhstan’s Konstantin Malinovskiy Davydova 42-39. Meanwhile, India’s Sidhu (Ind) 577; 3. Han Daeyoon (Kor) 10m air pistol: 1. Naveen 241.2 (Ind) the event, had to settle for fourth place hu took silver with 577 points and South won with 625.1 points. Completing the juniors continued to excel, as their 572. with 26 points. Yadav, who fi nished Korea’s Han Daeyoon came third with top three were China’s Liu Gang and (578); 2. Kim Junhyun (Kor) 238.2 medal tally swelled to 35 of which six Team: 1. India 1710; 2. China 1709; 3. sixth in the event, won India’s second 572. There was also success for China Li Xinmiao, with points totals of 623.8 are in gold. (572); 3. Yang Shuqiang (Chn) 220.1 Korea 1705. Olympic quota in her category follow- in the women’s 50m rifl e prone event, and 623.6 respectively. (564) ing Rahi Sarnobat’s triumph at the ISSF Wan Xiangyan taking the gold medal In the mixed team trap fi nal, Kuwait’s THE RESULTS: 50m rifle prone: 1. Konstantin Team: 1. India 1710; 2. Thailand 1691; 3. Munich World Cup earlier this year. with 627.2 points. South Korea’s Lee Abdulrahman al-Faihan and Sarah Al- Malinovskiy (Kaz) 625.1; 2. Lliu Gang China 1685. Mixed trap: 1. Kuwait 34 (147 AR); 2. Thai Prucksakorn came seventh but Eunseo was the runner-up with 625.1 hawal beat China’s He Weidong and (Chn) 623.8; 3. Lli Xinmiao (Chn) 623.6