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Saturday, August 31, 2019 TENNIS Muharram 1, 1441 AH Townsend sends GULF TIMES Halep packing from US Open SPORT Page 2

TENNIS/US OPEN Federer razor sharp in win over Evans, Nishikori upset Federer, who is seeking his sixth US Open title, rifled 48 winners and 10 aces to see off the overmatched Evans

Agencies third seed Karolina Pliskova, New York chasing her fi rst Grand Slam title, advanced to the fourth round by outlasting Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur fter slow starts in his 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. fi rst two US Open Pliskova, the 2016 US Open matches, Roger Fed- runner-up who could fi nish erer took his game up the fortnight as world number aA notch yesterday with a stress- one, booked a spot in the last 16 free 6-2 6-2 6-1 win over Briton against either British 16th seed Daniel Evans to reach the round Johanna Konta or China’s 33rd- of 16 in New York. seeded Zhang Shuai. The Swiss great was brimming After taking the fi rst set in 26 with confi dence from the start, minutes, Pliskova broke to open taking advantage of the speedy the second. Jabeur, ranked 62nd, hardcourts under the open roof had her right knee retaped and at Arthur Ashe Stadium on a battled back to break Pliskova warm and sunny day. three times in the second set, the Federer, who is seeking his last on a forehand winner to force sixth US Open title, rifl ed 48 a third set. winners and 10 aces to see off the Pliskova broke to start the overmatched Evans, who is now third set and seized another in 0-3 lifetime against the 38-year- the fi fth game on an errant Jabeur old. forehand before advancing on a Federer has had limited court backhand winner after two hours time since his epic defeat to No- and eight minutes. vak Djokovic at the Wimbledon “She improved the game a lot fi nal in July but appeared to shake in the second set, she hit a couple Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic returns a shot to Ons Jabeur off any remaining rust with the unbelievable shots and got into of Tunisia during their third round yesterday. win. her rhythm,” Pliskova said. “I really enjoyed myself today. “Especially had to serve well. Beautiful sky and you guys out Was able to hit a couple aces in Del Potro targets October return from knee injury here also helped,” he said in an the third set which really helped. on-court interview in front of an Physically it was quite a tough New York: Former US Open tweeted. adoring crowd. battle. It was important to win champion Juan Martin del Po- The injury-plagued 30-year- Next up for third seeded Fed- so it doesn’t matter how I feel. So tro said yesterday he expects old was forced to miss this erer is a meeting with either Pa- pleased to be through.” to make his return from a year’s US Open after finishing blo Carreno Busta or David Gof- Pliskova, 27, is battling top- broken right kneecap in Octo- runner-up to Novak Djokovic fi n, and Federer said he would not ranked defending champion ber at the ATP tournament in in the 2018 final. underestimate either opponent. Naomi Osaka of Japan and Aus- Stockholm. He first fractured his kneecap “They are both really quality tralia’s second-ranked Ashleigh Del Potro, the 2009 cham- last October when he fell dur- baseliners,” he said, adding that Barty, the French Open winner, pion from Argentina, has not ing a match at the Shanghai he expected the 15th seed Goffi n for the world number one spot. played since slipping and Masters. Del Potro is a two- to come out on top in his tie with Barty, who faces Greek 30th hurting his knee on the grass time winner of the Stockholm the Spaniard. seed Maria Sakkari later, has the in the Wimbledon tune-up at Open, which runs from Octo- “I expect it to be tough, not like inside track because Osaka has so Queen’s in June. He under- ber 14 to 20, and also claimed today anyway.” many points to defend. went surgery before returning the 2012 title in Vienna, Meanwhile, Australia’s Alex Osaka must win the title to home to begin his recovery. where he plans to compete de Minaur knocked out 2014 US have any chance at staying on top “I’m very happy to tell you the following week. Del Potro Open fi nalist Kei Nishikori the while Pliskova must reach at least that I’ll play in Stockholm and reached a career high of third third round to collect his fi rst the semi-fi nals. Vienna in October. These two in the world but is currently victory over a top-10 player. Former world number one Ser- tournaments are very special ranked 16th, although he will Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his The 20-year-old Aussie, ena Williams resumes her quest to me, as I had the chance to tumble down the standings win over Daniel Evans of Great Britain on day ranked 38th, advanced 6-2, for a 24th career Grand Slam win both of them,” Del Potro after the US Open. five of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in just under three title to equal Margaret Court’s National Tennis Center in New York yesterday. hours. De Minaur will face Bul- all-time record when she meets garia’s Grigor Dimitrov or Polish 44th-ranked Czech Karolina times a US Open champion, has last won a Slam crown at the 2017 lucky loser Kamil Majchrzak in Muchova in a third round match- been a runner-up in three of the Australian Open while pregnant the last 16. up at Arthur Ashe Stadium. past fi ve Slams, falling to Osaka and hasn’t won the US Open title In women’s action, Czech The 37-year-old American, six in last year’s US Open fi nal. She since 2014.

CRICKET England great Anderson out of Ashes series

AFP But after bowling during a sec- fi ve-match contest after Ben statement added. reer could be over, although the Derby, United Kingdom ond XI match against Durham Stokes’s stunning 135 not saw “Further review with the ECB prospect of becoming the fi rst this week he has been declared them to a dramatic one-wicket medical team has confi rmed that fast bowler to 600 wickets in the unfi t for the fi nal two Tests of the win in the third Test at Heading- he will be unavailable for the re- format may spur him on to make ngland star James An- series. ley last week. maining two Specsavers Ashes a comeback on England’s up- derson has been ruled On the same day Australia had “England and Lancashire Tests.” coming tours of New Zealand and out of the remainder of better news, with star batsman seamer James Anderson has Anderson has taken 575 wick- South Africa. the Ashes series with Steve Smith proving his fi tness been ruled out for the rest of the ets in 149 Tests at 26.94. England have now added Som- aE calf injury, in a blow to home by batting in his fi rst competitive Specsavers Ashes series,” said an His tally is the most by any erset quick Craig Overton into a hopes of winning the series game since suff ering concussion England and Wales Cricket Board quick bowler, with Anderson 13-man squad for the fourth Test. against Australia. after being felled by fast bowler statement issued Friday. fourth in the all-time list of lead- Anderson, England’s all-time Jofra Archer in the second Ashes “Whilst bowling in the ninth ing Test wicket-takers. England squad: leading wicket-taker, has not test. over on Thursday in Lancashire’s And his new-ball partnership Rory Burns (Surrey), Jason Roy bowled in the series since break- Smith, in the middle for 47 second XI four-day friend- with Stuart Broad is the most- (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire, ing down with the injury after minutes in Australia’s three-day ly against Durham at Chester successful in Tests between two capt), Joe Denly (Kent), Ben delivering just four overs in Aus- match against Derbyshire, faced Boughton Hall Cricket Club, An- fast bowlers — they have taken Stokes (Durham), Jonny Bairstow tralia’s 251-run win in the fi rst 38 balls and struck two fours on derson became aware of right calf more than 850 wickets in games (Yorkshire, wkt), Jos Buttler Test at Edgbaston. his way to a total of 23 before he pain following on from 20 overs together. (Lancashire), Chris Woakes (War- The 37-year-old Lancashire was caught out. Not a great in- he had bowled on Tuesday. Anderson may now have made wickshire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), paceman had tried to get fi t for nings but a morale booster for the “He immediately sought a his fi nal Ashes appearance given Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), the fourth Test at his Old Traf- tourists. medical assessment from Lan- he will be 39 by the time England Jack Leach (Somerset), Sam ford home ground starting on England will travel to Man- cashire and was withdrawn from tour Australia in 2021/22. Curran (Surrey), Craig Overton Wednesday. chester all square at 1-1 in the the remainder of the game,” the And it’s possible his Test ca- (Somerset) Gulf Times 2 Saturday, August 31, 2019 TENNIS

ROUND-UP SPOTLIGHT Kyrgios brushes off collar row to Walkover boost reach third round for Nadal as Halep falls to Townsend Alexander Zverev is the highest-ranked player remaining on Nadal’s side of the draw

Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates beating Antoine Hoang of France in the US Open on Thursday.

Reuters went quietly into the warm New New York York night on the Grandstand court. Before the match started, the iery Australian Nick Kyr- combustible Kyrgios appeared gios mostly kept his cool to be up to his usual antics when en route to a 6-4 6-2 6-4 he had the collar on his polo shirt dismantling of Antoine popped up to reveal the words HoangF in their second-round “Just Do You.” clash at the US Open on Thurs- The chair umpire told him day. to put it down and Kyrgios de- The 28th seed had a row with manded to know why, asking to the umpire even before the speak to a supervisor and saying match started but avoided a full he would not play until he was scale meltdown to reach the third shown the rule in writing. round at Flushing Meadows for After a brief conversation with the fourth time. a supervisor he backed down and Although his play was accom- the match began as scheduled. panied by the usual outbursts of Kyrgios had another minor temper, mostly aimed at him- tantrum in the third set when a self, there was little wrong with fi rst-serve ace appeared to give his tennis as he set up a meeting him a 5-3 lead. The chair umpire with Russian Andrey Rublev in said the word “game” but Hoang just under two hours. then challenged the call and the “I’ve been serving well, really review showed that the serve was well of late,” said Kyrgios. “Every long. time you can play a Grand Slam Kyrgios loudly questioned why in the early rounds, get it done a challenge was permitted after in straight sets, it saves a lot of the umpire had said the game was energy and legs, especially when over and again asked to speak to a Rublev today got a walkover.” supervisor, who explained that Kyrgios, who is under investi- the rules allow a challenge even Taylor Townsend of the US reacts after beating Simona gation by the ATP Tour for criti- after the umpire’s call. Halep of Romania in the second round of the US Open cal comments he made about the The row appeared to unset- on Thursday. organisation this week, broke the tle Kyrgios and he needed three unseeded Frenchman in the fi rst match points to fi nish off the AFP South Korean qualifi er Chung few rounds of majors, to play twice to start the second set as runner-up fi nishes in Montreal game and held serve at love to contest. New York Hyeon or Spanish 32nd seed fi ve sets,” said Zverev, who has Townsend, who had never beat- and Washington, was struck race out to a 2-0 lead he would “He called game. My oppo- Fernando Verdasco for a spot in featured in 11 fi ve-set matches en a top-10 player, levelled and down by cramp during a 6-3, not relinquish. nent challenged once the umpire the last 16. at Grand Slams since the start then served for the match at 5-4 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 win over Bolivia’s He broke Hoang again early in called game. I just thought that afael Nadal’s US Open His path to a fourth title, al- of 2018 — more than any other in the fi nal set. Hugo Dellien. the second and third sets to suck wasn’t right,” said Kyrgios. title path eased further ready helped with “Big Three” player. A double fault and a clutch “I’m not sure what happened any drama out of the aff air and The Australian is on a short on Thursday as he re- rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger American world number 116 Halep passing shot wiped out today and why I started cramp- keep his bid for a maiden Grand leash with the ATP Tour after Rceived a walkover into Federer on the opposite side of Taylor Townsend saved a match two match points for Townsend ing suddenly,” Medvedev said. “I Slam title on track. calling the organization “cor- the third round while reigning the draw, cleared further having point to upend women’s fourth but the left-hander showed obviously thought at one point The only bright spot for the rupt” on Tuesday after it levied Wimbledon champion Simona already seen four top-10 rivals seed Halep 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), remarkable resolve, saving a ‘How did I win?’ I don’t know 23-year-old Hoang came in the a record $113,000 fi ne for a slew Halep crashed out early in New dumped out in the fi rst round. consigning the Romanian to an- match point down 5-6 and how I did.” third set, when he landed a deft of breaches during his second York for a third year running. Alexander Zverev, the sixth other premature exit at Flushing bossing the ensuing tie-break Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 US backhand volley to break Kyr- round loss at the Cincinnati The Spanish 18-time Grand seed, is the highest-ranked Meadows, having been knocked as she equalled her best run at a Open champion, beat Jeremy gios, who applauded his oppo- Masters earlier this month. Slam winner advanced with- player remaining on his side of out in the opening round in 2017 Grand Slam. Chardy in four sets and is on a nent. On Wednesday he took to out striking a ball when inju- the draw, as the German sur- and 2018. “This means a lot. It has been fourth-round collision course But Kyrgios’ 24 aces and pun- Twitter to say he regretted his ry-plagued Australian Tha- vived a second successive fi ve- “I was not inspired at all to- a long journey,” said a tearful with Djokovic. ishing forehands proved too choice of words. The ATP said it nasi Kokkinakis pulled out of set marathon by outlasting day, but I fought. I thought when Townsend, who also reached the Andrea Petkovic knocked out much for Hoang to handle and he was looking into the matter. their scheduled evening clash American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, I came back that I will take it and French Open third round on her Czech sixth seed Kvitova 6-4, at Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 3-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 to equal his I will win it. But sometimes it Grand Slam debut in 2014. 6-4, while 15th seed Bianca An- right shoulder problem. best US Open run. goes the other way,” Halep said. Men’s fi fth seed Daniil dreescu continued her steady Suarez Navarro fi ned $40,000 for quitting in rstfi rd. Nadal, the US Open champion “I’ve been here before. It’s Halep strolled through the Medvedev, coming off a maiden progress with a 6-3, 7-5 win over in 2010, 2013 and 2017, will meet usually what I do in the fi rst opening set but dropped serve Masters title in Cincinnati and Kirsten Flipkens. New York: The US Open fined Carla Suarez Navarro $40,000 on Thursday for violat- BOTTOMLINE ing the First Round Perform- ance Rule. The 30-year-old Spaniard retired after losing the first set of her first-round match against qualifier Timea Babos 6-2, citing back issues. “After reviewing reports from Fighting Coco sets up Osaka Medical Staff and Grand Slam Supervisors, the determination was made that Carla Suarez Na- pain but did not directly refer to varro did not perform to the re- the fine. quired professional standards,” “We made our best eff ort to be showdown at US Open tournament referee Soeren ready and play our heart out, Friemel said in a statement. but it got really worse during Reuters opportunity, pumping her fi sts Suarez Navarro, the 28th seed, my opening match in New New York wildly and shouting in excite- said on Twitter on Thursday York,” she wrote. “Sad to leave ment in front of a packed crowd that she had had “not the easi- this way from events I deeply that was fi rmly on her side. est weeks” this year due to back appreciate.” rowd-pleaser Coco “I couldn’t even see any Gauff came through a empty seats!” Gauff said of the Murray loses in third round of Rafa Nadal Open tough battle with quali- crowd, which included retired fi er Timea Babos 6-2 NBA star Kobe Bryant. Madrid: A tired Andy Murray 4-6C 6-4 on Thursday to set up “I don’t even know how to re- was dumped out in the third a third-round clash at the US ally thank you guys. I’m super round of the Rafa Nadal Open in Open against top seed and de- honoured to be American and Majorca after losing 3-6 6-4 7-6 fending champion Naomi Osaka. play in New York City.” (3) to Italian world number 240 The 15-year-old American Gauff will face off against Matteo Viola on Thursday. phenom was forced to dig deep 21-year-old Osaka, who also Briton Murray required two to become the youngest player holds the Australian Open title, medical stoppages for cramp since Anna Kournikova in 1996 in the third round of the tourna- and received treatment to his to reach the third round of the ment on Saturday in a clash that thigh as he battled with his fit- women’s singles at Flushing may provide a glimpse at the fu- ness and form at the Challenger Meadows. ture of the women’s game. Tour tournament having receiv- “I was tested a lot. I think “Obviously she’s an amaz- ing a wildcard entry. we both were just testing each ing player,” said Gauff . “She’s The event was Murray’s third other,” Gauff said. “It’s just that on her way to the fourth round. It was another comeback “I thought that the fi rst set, I defending champion. She’s won since the former world number type of match where anyone On Thursday, the two play- for Gauff , who worked her way defi nitely was in control. In the two slams. She’s number one. one returned from hip surgery could have won.” ers were evenly matched for back from a one-set defi cit in second set, she raised her level She’s only 21. and he said it was a good run- 32-year-old told reporters. Gauff rode into this year’s most of the contest, with Gauff her fi rst-round match, and the and I wasn’t able to fi nish the “We’re both pretty young. But out as he works his way back “I would have liked to have tournament with enormous ex- maintaining a slightly tighter young upstart showed off her set,” Gauff said. I’m a little bit newer to the game. to full fitness, even if it had left played more matches but it was pectations after a dream run at performance and committing 34 fi ghting instincts after failing to A fi red up Gauff prevailed af- So I’m just curious to see how him “very tired”. good, I played two competitive Wimbledon where she beat fi ve- unforced errors compared to 42 fend off a critical break point late ter a 12-stroke rally late in the my game matches up against “It was good, I enjoyed it,” the matches.” times champion Venus Williams from Hungarian Babos. in the second set. third set to set up a break point her.” Gulf Times Saturday, August 31, 2019 3 SPORT

COMMENT GOLF / EUROPEAN MASTERS Coe more worried by heat at Tokyo Olympics McIlroy charges

AFP piece, being held for the fi rst FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES IN Zurich time in the Middle East, could DOHA easily hit 35 degrees Celsius (95 “Actually, perversely, the man- into contention degrees Fahrenheit) with ac- agement of the heat is going to AAF President Sebastian companying high humidity. be a bigger one in Tokyo than it AFP win,” said McIlroy. Coe says he is more worried But Qatari officials have will be in Doha,” Coe told AFP in Crans-Montana, Switzerland “It would have been easy for about the potentially sear- turned to technology, install- an interview in Zurich. me to take my foot off the gas af- ing heat at the 2020 Tokyo ing cooling systems at the “The technology at the Doha ter last week. I’ve given myself a IOlympics than the world cham- refurbished Khalifa Interna- stadium is jaw-dropping. I’ve ory McIlroy contin- good chance to win this tourna- pionships in Doha, which begin tional Stadium to guarantee sat in the stadium, it’s been 38- ued his excellent re- ment, which I’ve come close to next month in a temperature- ambient trackside tempera- 40C outside and it’s 23. cent form by fi ring a winning before.” controlled stadium. tures for athletes and even “The technology for the ath- seven-under-par 63 in Malaysian Green followed up All previous nine world cham- spectators. letes is going to be fi rst class, the theR second round of the Euro- his opening-round 65 with a 64 pionships held this century have Fears over intense heat and indoor warm-up facilities air- pean Masters yesterday to move yesterday to boost his hopes of a begun in August, but the edition humidity in the Tokyo summer, conditioned, the call areas also. one shot behind halfway leader fi rst European Tour success. in the Qatari capital has been however, have crystallised at “Under our auspices (in Doha) Gavin Green in Switzerland. The world number 209 sits moved to September 27-Octo- several Olympic test events in we have the technology in the The four-time major champi- just one stroke ahead of a group ber 6 because of concerns over recent weeks, with some com- stadium where the athletes are on, who won the PGA Tour’s Tour of fi ve — McIlroy, Tommy Fleet- the desert state’s weather. petitors and spectators taken ill probably going to be competing Championship and the $15mn wood, Andres Romero, Matthias Marathons and race walks will and other events curtailed. in perfect conditions.” FedEx Cup prize last weekend, Schwab and Wade Ormsby. even be held at midnight and Tokyo Games organisers have He added: “It’s interesting be- made three bogeys in his fi rst 12 Green said he was comfortable traditional morning sessions also moved up the starting times cause Doha has given us the op- holes, but stormed home with playing at 1,500m altitude due to have been scrapped. for some sports, including the portunity to do a lot of work behind Noah Lyles (left) of the US, winner of the Diamond League trophy a four-hole run of three birdies his experience as a student in the Temperatures in Doha for the marathon, over fears for ath- the scenes around the manage- in men’s 100m, talks to IAAF President Sebastian Coe in Zurich on and an eagle. United States. biennial track and fi eld show- letes’ well-being. ment of heat in competitors.” Thursday. (AFP) “Even if I do make a bogey, I’m “The altitude is similar to where having a good time here and en- I went to university in New Mexi- joying myself,” the world number co, Albuquerque, it’s a few thou- ATHLETICS two told Sky Sports. sand feet too. I’m pretty used to “That’s probably why I fi n- how altitude works,” he said. ished like I did there, despite The 13th-ranked Fleetwood dropping three shots in my also played the Tour Champion- opening 12 holes.” ship at East Lake last week, and The Northern Irishman came has recorded successive 65s at agonisingly close to lifting his Crans-Montana. maiden European Tour title at The popular Englishman was Lyles conquers Gatlin; Crans-Montana as a 19-year-old bogey-free for his second round, in 2008, but missed a short par rolling in an eagle on the par-fi ve putt for victory before losing to 15th. unheralded Frenchman Jeff Luc- “Of course it’s diffi cult. Noth- quin in a playoff . ing in life is supposed to come McIlroy is tied with four other easy,” said Fleetwood, who is yet players on 10-under overall just to win this year. Warholm, Benjamin behind Green on a strong lead- “It’s just nice to keep putting erboard. myself in positions and hopefully “I’m excited. It’s good, I’ve I’ll start winning more. Maybe light up hurdles given myself another chance to that will start this week.” ‘I just pushed during the race... it’s incredibly good feeling. I’ll now focus for Doha’

AFP Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith Zurich came in second in a season’s best of 22.08sec ahead of re- spective reigning Olympic and oah Lyles pipped Jus- world 200m champions Elaine tin Gatlin for this sea- Thompson of Jamaica and Dafne son’s Diamond League Schippers of the Netherlands. 100m crown Thursday Cuban Juan Miguel Echevar- Nas Karsten Warholm and Rai ria also produced the goods in Benjamin egged each other on the long jump, going out to a to ground-breaking times in the winning meet record of 8.65m 400m hurdles. on his fi rst eff ort. Lyles clocked 9.98 seconds, Lyles aside, there were a trio China’s Xie Zhenye claiming a of other US winners, led by Sam SPOTLIGHT shock second (10.04) from lane Kendricks in the men’s pole nine in a photo fi nish with Ja- vault (5.93m). Sydney McLaugh- maican Yohan Blake (10.07) and lin, a training partner of Ben- current world champion Gatlin jamin, clocked 52.85sec to win Ko’s blemish-free (10.08). the 400m hurdles, recent world The race looked like it was record holder Dalilah Mohamed going the way of the Gatlin, the having to be content with third. run ends at 114 holes 37-year-old who was also 2004 And Donovan Brazier pro- Olympic 100m gold medallist duced a personal best of 1:42.70, Reuters her rapidly-improving English. but went on to serve a doping smashing his previous best by Portland, United States “I don’t need to think about bo- ban between 2006-10. 0.85sec, to upset the favourite, geys. I can focus more for tomor- But Lyles, 22, made sure there Botswana’s Nijel Amos, winner row. was no repeat of last month’s of three previous diamond tro- o Jin-young’s mind- “Bogey-free is amazing (for) Monaco outing when Gatlin Norway’s Karsten Warholm poses next to the screen reading the new European record after winning in phies, to win a thrilling men’s boggling run of blem- 18 holes, but I did 114 holes and beat him by one-hundredth of the men’s 400m hurdles during the IAAF Diamond League in Zurich on Thursday. (AFP) 800m. ish-free holes ended then done. It’s cool, especially a second and has lined up a pos- “I’m quite amazed by my re- at 114 when she had a new record, something like that. sible diamond double as he will pionships in Doha, Norwegian it was tough, but it’s incredibly the mythical 47sec mark. sult,” said a speechless Brazier. bogeyK during the opening round “So I want to do (it) again, 115 compete over the 200m in the Warholm and American Ben- good feeling with my time. I’ll “I’m now focusing on Doha.” at the Portland Classic in Oregon holes bogey-free hopefully.” second fi nal in Brussels on Sep- jamin ensured a fantastic hur- now focus for Doha and do the MILLER-UIBO DOMINANT There was an academic victory on Thursday. As it happened, her bogey tember 6. dles race. same as usual — hard training!” Another notable performance of in the 3000m steeplechase by Ko’s streak fi nished in surpris- was the lone dropped shot in a “To be honest, I don’t re- Warholm was left perform- In a rare head-to-head, Ben- a high-quality evening of track Kenya’s world record holder Bea- ing fashion when she missed a four-under 68 that left her four member much of the race, I only ing celebratory press-ups on jamin became the fourth sub-47 and fi eld went to Shaunae Mill- trice Chepkoech and Ethiopian- three-foot par at the ninth hole behind the leaders, Australian remember there was a start and the line after he held on for a runner with a personal best of er-Uibo of the Bahamas, who born Dutch runner Sifan Hassan at Columbia Edgewater Country Hannah Green and South Korean an ending!” said Lyles. nail-biting win, becoming the 46.98sec. set a world-leading 21.74sec in won the 1500m, closest touted Club in Oregon. Hur Mi-jung. “This victory was very impor- third person to dip under 47sec The result left Benjamin’s the 200m, an event she won’t rival Genzebe Dibaba cramping The world number one, well Ko, 24, has clearly established tant even if it wasn’t as fast as I in a meet and with a European onlooking countryman Kevin even compete in at Doha next up over the line in fourth. aware of the streak, looked mor- herself as the premier player in wanted.” record of 46.92sec, the second Young, who set the world record month, where she will try to add Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei tifi ed when the ball dribbled left the women’s game this year, with In still conditions with a fastest time ever. of 46.78sec when winning gold at the world 400m title to her Ol- upset the men’s 5000m fi eld, and barely touched the hole. four LPGA victories including temperature of 22 degrees Cel- “It was crazy,” said Warholm, the 1992 Atlanta Olympics, gasp- ympic gold. timing a PB of 12:57.41 as he out- “I did decelerate so I made bo- two majors. sius (72F), and in one of the fi nal 23, warning that the “best is still ing for breath in the crowd. Qa- The result marked her down witted a host of fellow east Af- gey,” she said of the putt. On the men’s side, the PGA warm-ups before the Septem- to come”. tar’s Abderrahman Samba is the 11th on the all-time list in the rican favourites with an exem- Ko had not dropped a shot Tour only began keeping detailed ber 27-October 6 world cham- “I just pushed during the race, only other runner to have eclipsed half-lap race. plary gun-to-tape run. since the second hole of the records of bogey-free streaks third round of the Women’s early this century. British Open, where she fin- Nobody during this time has CYCLING ROUND-UP ished third. done better than Tiger Woods, The South Korean then nego- who went 110 holes without tiated 72 holes at last week’s CP dropping a shot during a mag- Women’s Open in Ontario with- nifi cent 2000 season in which he out a hiccup en route to victory. won nine times. Valverde wins mountain-top Vuelta fi nish LPGA offi cials could not nd fi More recently, J T Poston won any record of a player previ- this month’s Wyndham Cham- AFP Quintana was fourth having Italian Sonny Colbrelli at the ously having gone longer than Ko pionship without dropping a Mas de la Costa, Spain also done his job for his team. end of the 202km ride from without a dropped shot. shot. The four men in the breaka- Marburg. The run was on Ko’s mind Poston’s streak of 83 holes way lead the overall standings. Kristoff is now 10 seconds from the third round in Canada without a blemish spread over lejandro Valverde won Lopez is six seconds ahead of clear of Colbrelli at the top of and in some respects she was al- three tournaments ended during a heavyweight brawl to Roglic with the 39-year-old Val- the overall standings, with Bel- most relieved it was broken. the fi rst round at the Northern take victory at the top verde 16 back and Quintana at 27. gium’s Yves Lampaert third, two “Now it’s done and my mind Trust in New Jersey the follow- of the Mas de la Costas “I’m happy with my second seconds further adrift. has more freedom,” she said in ing week. climbA yesterday while Miguel place,” said Roglic. Julian Alaphilippe and Vin- Angel Lopez fi nished third to re- Both the Movistar men have cenzo Nibali, who fi nished safe- take the overall lead. won the Vuelta, Quintana in ly in the peloton, were among The 183.2km stage from Onda 2016 and Valverde in 2009, the those to attempt unsuccessful Russian race walker Medvedeva ended with a brief but brutal year before he was banned for breakaways. banned eight years for doping 4.1km climb which quickly split two years for doping. “The stage was a bit cra- the pack. In a race so far marked by zy,” said Alaphilippe, who last DPA mitted more than one off ence. With three kilometres to go, breakaways, today’s eighth stage month thrilled his home fans Moscow Medvedeva was found to have Nairo Quintana accelerated and is a hilly 166.9km ride from Valls by leading the Tour de France elevated levels of haemo- was followed by only Movistar to Igualada where the fl at fi nish for long periods before fi nishing globin, which transports team-mate Valverde, Primoz could give the sprinters a chance, fi fth. “It went all the way, it was ussian race walker oxygen around the body, and Roglic of Jumbo-Visma and As- if the pack stays together. a lot of fun.” Yekaterina Medvedeva could not provide an adequate tana’s Lopez. Team Movistar’s Alejandro Valverde (right) rides to cross the finish Australian Caleb Ewan, who Rhas been given an eight- explanation for the anomaly. Uran, a Colombian, set the line in front of Team Jumbo rider Primoz Roglic to win the seventh KRISTOFF SEIZES TOUR OF won three stages on this year’s year ban for an anti-doping Russia has been banned from pace until the fi nal kilometre, stage of the La Vuelta in Mas de la Costa , Spain, yesterday. (AFP) GERMANY LEAD Tour de France, retired from the violation, the Athletics Integ- athletics by the governing IAAF creating the springboard for his Norwegian sprinter Alexander race suff ering from a “sore throat”, rity Unit said yesterday. since 2015 over doping scandals Spanish team-mate. Valverde, Slovenian Roglic. later, expending less energy but Kristoff powered to victory on his team Lotto-Soudal said. Russian media reported the but hopes to be reinstated riding his home tour wearing “A short but sweet climb and still ensuring he regained the the second stage of the Tour of Today’s penultimate stage severity of the ban was due to ahead of the world champion- the world champion’s rainbow we know Valverde is good at overall lead from Belgian Dylan Germany yesterday in Goettin- runs 189km from Goettingen to the 25-year-old former world ships which begin in Doha from jersey, charged for the line in the this,” Roglic told Eurosport. Teuns, who struggled on the gen to take the overall lead. Eisenach and features three cat- junior champion having com- the end of next month. fi nal metres, chased home by Lopez rolled in six seconds climbs. The 32-year-old edged out egorised climbs. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, August 31, 2019 SPORT

RUGBY CRICKET Aussie star Smith out for 23 in fi rst innings Wales can give since concussion

AFP nets with Australia opener David Derby, United Kingdom Warner, not playing against Der- byshire. Warner, using the ‘dog- ‘massive’ hit to Irish ustralia star Steve thrower’ device to simulate fast Smith was out for just bowling, sent down deliveries 23 in his fi rst innings to Smith, whose brief innings since being felled by came on the same day as England EnglandA fast bowler Jofra Archer paceman James Anderson was and suff ering concussion in the ruled out of the rest of the Ashes second Ashes Test. with a calf injury. Smith took to the crease in the Anderson, England’s all-time hopes, says Gatland three-day tour game at Derby leading wicket-taker, has not yesterday, coming in with Aus- bowled in the series sice breaking tralia 179-2. down with the injury after deliv- Gatland’s men take on an Irish side hurting badly from 57-15 loss against England He played his opening ball ering just four overs in the fi rst from Hamidullah Qadri defen- Test at Edgbaston. AFP sively and later slogged the off - This was former Australia London spinner for four. captain Smith’s fi rst match since But his 38-ball knock ended being hit on his unprotected neck when he sliced a drive off Matt by a 92 mph bouncer from Archer arren Gatland’s Critchley, a leg-spinner whose during the drawn second Test at lingering bitterness previous 59 fi rst-class wickets Lord’s. over his sacking had come at an expensive aver- But against Derbyshire he was from the Ireland job age of 51.86. Qadri, running in batting with a stem guard neck Win 2001 serves as a combustible from the cover boundary, held a protector on his helmet despite backdrop to today’s World Cup well-judged catch. previously saying he felt uncom- warm-up match against Ireland, Smith, who was in the middle fortable using one. his last home match as Welsh for 47 minutes, faced 38 balls and His concussion injury meant coach. struck two fours. Smith missed England’s dramat- The 55-year-old New Zea- But the only fi ve deliveries he ic one-wicket win in the third lander, who has guided Wales to faced that weren’t from a slow Test at Headingley where Ben three Six Nations Grand Slams bowler came from medium-pac- Stokes’s stunning 135 not out saw during his 12-year tenure, takes er Anuj Dal. the hosts square the fi ve-match on an Irish side hurting badly Smith kept his pads on after series at 1-1. But Smith is now set from the 57-15 thrashing at Eng- returning to the pavilion and to return for next week’s fourth land’s hands last Saturday. soon afterwards headed into the Test at Old Traff ord. It is fair to say that Gatland, whose treatment by the IRFU many considered shabby, and his Ireland opposite number Joe Schmidt have not seen eye to eye over the years with the latter be- ing especially irked by his fellow Kiwi’s barbed remark in 2015: “Ireland don’t play a lot of rugby.” Gatland — who made 14 changes to the side that beat England two weeks ago to go top of the world rankings for the fi rst time in their history — did not with a lot of criticism given from the England game, has can’t aff ord to go into your shell vice-president Agustin Pichot let up ahead of today’s game. that they haven’t progressed in talked of a malaise in the team in now. ridiculing the fact the Welsh “I was surprised by the Ire- World Cups(beyond the quar- the aftermath of the Twicken- “We’ve got two games left, are number one without having land result against England,” ter-fi nals),” said Gatland. ham nightmare. we have to get out and express beaten the All Blacks. said Gatland, whose ambition “They’re coming here knowing However, the 53-year-old — ourselves, we have to get out and Gatland — who is to coach Su- is guide Wales to victory in the they’ve been criticised, they’ll be who steps down like Gatland af- play the game. per Rugby franchise the Chiefs World Cup staged in Japan from hurting from last week. ter the World Cup — said he has “I think the worst thing for us to after the World Cup but will September 20-November 2. “There are a lot of doubts in “seen it lift” since the heaviest do would be to be conservative or take a year out in August 2020 to “This is professional sport the coaches’ minds about who defeat in his seven year reign. to take a step backwards because coach the British & Irish Lions and we can put a massive dent their best players are. Schmidt, who has steered the we’re hesitant or we’re not utterly for a third time — responded in Springbok Dyantyi fails B sample in their confi dence, and derail “Some of their players are Irish to only their third Five/ confi dent in what we’re doing or his withering style. drug test them a little bit.” getting a bit older. Is it a time to Six Nations Grand Slam in their the people either side of us.” “I’m quite happy to decline The Wales coach — who guid- put some of the youngsters in? history and two historic victo- Amazingly despite the Eng- the position (of world number Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi’s B sample has tested positive for ed the Welsh to the 2011 World It’s a massive game for Ireland ries over world champions New land humiliation, the Irish could one),” he said. banned substances, the South African Institute for Drug Free Cup semi-fi nals — intimated that will answer a lot of ques- Zealand, says he has urged the still go top of the world rankings “We from now will forfeit it! Sport said yesterday. It was disclosed last weekend that the 2018 that another defeat for Ireland tions.” players to not change their game if they beat Wales by more than We didn’t go in and apply for it. Rugby World Breakthrough Player of the Year had tested positive would sow even more doubt in radically. 15 points. “If he’s not happy, then take it after a Springbok training camp in July. Dyantyi, who missed Schmidt’s mind. ‘DECLINE THE POSITION’ “The message is probably to Wales’s rise to world domi- off us! It doesn’t bother us. We out on a chance of selection for the Rugby World Cup in Japan “They are under an enormous Schmidt, who has made 11 keep your belief,” he said. nance has triggered controversy offi cially decline the position. this month because of a hamstring injury, insisted he had not amount of pressure back home changes to the starting line-up “Not to go into your shell. You with outspoken World Rugby Thanks very much!” taken any banned substance and requested a B sample test. The 24-year-old wing from the Golden Lions club in Johannesburg can accept the charge and plea for a reduced sanction or appeal before an independent tribunal panel. Should he plea not guilty, there will be a hearing within four weeks and Dyantyi must pro- Nerve damage gave Retallick concerns about World Cup place vide evidence that proves his innocence. Reuters hear his name read out by New I’m starting to get that feeling locks and giving me a chance Retallick said he hoped to be Wellington, New Zealand Zealand Rugby chairman Brent back now so hopefully it keeps to come right but I wasn’t sure,” fit enough for consideration India’s Rayudu in cricket retirement Impey at the squad announce- progressing.” Retallick added. for the All Blacks later pool ment on Wednesday. Coach Steve Hansen said on “I’ve made a fair amount of matches. U-turn ll Blacks lock Brodie Re- “Up until probably five or six Wednesday Retallick had been progress over the last four The three-times world champi- tallick was sweating on days ago I wasn’t that hope- selected with the expectation or five days and if it keeps ons face the Springboks in their Former India batsman Ambati Rayudu reversed his decision to re- Ahis fitness for the Rugby ful,” the 28-year-old told New he would probably need to progressing then hopefully Pool B opener on Sept. 21 then tire from all cricket yesterday, less than two months after he quit World Cup until a couple of Zealand’s Radio Sport. “The one sit out the entire pool phase come four or five weeks’ time I meet Canada on Oct. 2, Namibia following his omission for the World Cup. The 33-year-old, who days before making the squad real thing that’s holding it up is and target a comeback for the should be able to play again. on Oct. 6 and Italy on Oct. 12. was the Chennai Super Kings’ most prolific batsman in their 2018 but is now more confident his that I did a bit of nerve damage quarter-finals on Oct. 19-20. “I’ve just started running this “Ideally it would be good if I Indian Premier League triumph, was left out of India’s World Cup shoulder injury will clear up when the shoulder dislocated. The injury forced Hansen to week and have done more could get a run towards the squad in favour of the younger all-rounder Vijay Shankar. Rayudu in time for him to make some “A couple of fingers were numb select four locks for the tourna- strengthening of the shoulder. end of pool play,” Retallick said. announced his retirement in July after he was overlooked as a contribution in Japan. The and a deltoid (shoulder muscle) ment, with Patrick Tuipulotu I’m pretty confident I could do “A quarter-final will obviously replacement when Shankar was injured during the tournament. former World Player of the Year wasn’t working that well. joining Retallick, Sam White- some skill work with the ball, be a high-pressure game so to “He has written to us that after speaking with senior cricketers dislocated the shoulder in the “The shoulder itself is getting lock and Scott Barrett. catch and pass, but obviously get a bit of confidence would like VVS Laxman and others, he has withdrawn his retirement draw with South Africa on July stronger but being without “I knew that they had been we’re a wee way out from play- be nice but we’ll just have to from all forms of cricket,” Ratnakar Shetty, a member of the Board 27 and was mighty relieved to that function was a concern. thinking about taking four ing so we’re not rushing it.” see how it plays out.” of Control for Cricket in India, said. Rayudu made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2013 and scored 1,694 runs in 55 one-day internationals. One of his most memorable knocks was in New Zealand this year, when he hit 90 to guide India to victory. SECOND TEST Debutant Cornwall strikes for Windies against India SELECTION

AFP clean sweep of a Test series in Kingston, Jamaica the Caribbean. Mustafi zur rested Victory in the tour-ending victory will also elevate Kohli ebutant Rahkeem above Mahendra Singh Dhoni as for Afghanistan Test Cornwall starred in India’s most successful leader both dismissals as In- ever in Test cricket. Last week’s AFP after his recent bad patch. dia reached 72 for two win in the opening Test was his Dhaka, Bangladesh Skipper Shakib Al Hasan re- atD lunch on the opening day of 27th at the helm. turned to the Test side. Pacer the second and fi nal Test of their There was a worrying mo- Taskin Ahmed and all-rounder series against the West Indies at ment before the start of play angladesh Cricket Board Mosaddek Hossain were also re- Sabina Park yesterday. when former West Indies cap- yesterday announced called. Having wasted no time in tain Vivian Richards had to be a 15-man squad for the Pace bowler Khalid Ahmed putting the tourists in on a helped off the fi eld and taken one-off Test against was dropped. green-tinged pitch after win- away for medical treatment BAfghanistan, with the selec- Chief selector Minhajul said ning the toss in sweltering con- when he seemed to fall ill. tors resting paceman Mustafi zur wicketkeeper-batsman Liton ditions, captain Jason Holder Working as a commentator in Rahman. Das will take Tamim’s opening brought himself into the attack the television coverage of the se- Afghanistan arrived in Dhaka slot in the Test. after half-an-hour’s play and ries, Richards appeared to be af- yesterday morning for their maid- Afghanistan will also play a removed K.L. Rahul in his fi rst West Indies’ Jason Holder (centre) and Rahkeem Cornwall (right) celebrate the dismissal of Cheteshwar fected by the intense heat of the en Test against Bangladesh, start- tri-nation Twenty20 tourna- over via a straightforward catch Pujara of India on the first day of the second Test in Kingston, Jamaica, yesterday. (AFP) morning while involved in the ing September 5 in Chittagong. ment from September 13 with by Cornwall at fi rst slip. pre-match coverage. “Mustafi zur has a light in- Zimbabwe and hosts Bangladesh. One of two newcomers to sen- six off a miscued cut in Corn- Cornwall replaced medium- damaged hand, allowing Jahmar Medical offi cials confi rmed jury. Since we have only one ior international cricket in the wall’s third over. pacer Miguel Cummins from the Hamilton to become the fi rst the situation as a case of heat- Test match, we did not want to SQUAD: Shadman Islam, Mo- home side, the burly 26-year- Indian captain Virat Kohli en- team thrashed by 318 runs inside cricketer from the US Virgin Is- stroke for the legendary bats- take any risk. Moreover, we have minul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, old off -spinning all-rounder sured there were no more alarms four days in the fi rst Test a week lands to play at senior level for men and it is understood that he many matches coming. This is Shakib Al Hasan (Capt), Mah- then enjoyed his fi rst success for his team in the morning ses- earlier in Antigua. the West Indies. is recovering well. why we rested him,” chief selec- mudullah Riyad, Mohamed Mit- with the ball when he extended sion and will resume after the in- Shai Hope, who was draft- India unsurprisingly retained tor Minhajul Abedin told AFP. hun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Chesteshwar Pujara’s run of low terval in partnership with Mayank ed into wicketkeeping duties the same team as they seek a BRIEF SCORES (at lunch): India Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, scores in the series, the bats- Agarwal, the opening having ne- in that match due to injury to clean sweep of all the completed 72-2 (M. Agarwal 41 no; J. Holder was also rested for the Test fol- Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, man being caught by Shamarh gotiated the testing two hours in regular gloveman Shane Dow- international matches of this 1-7, R. Cornwall 1-20) vs West lowing a request from the player, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain Brooks at backward-point for reaching an unbeaten 41. rich, failed a late fi tness test on a campaign and also a fi rst-ever Indies who wanted the break to refresh and Abu Jayed. Gulf Times Saturday, August 31, 2019 5 SPORT

BASKETBALL FORMULA 1 Leclerc leads Vettel in Belgium as Ferrari Rivals sense dominate practice

Reuters will be held the week after, have Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium been singled out as the two best opportunities for the team to shine. harles Leclerc knocked Vettel is hoping that can help chance to end US teammate Sebastian him win his fi rst race in more Vettel off the top of the than a year, with the German last timesheets to go fastest tasting success in the 2018 edi- Con a dominant opening day of tion of the Belgian Grand Prix. practice for Ferrari ahead of the Behind the top four, Sergio Pe- Formula One Belgian Grand Prix. rez was a strong fi fth for Racing The Monegasque, who com- Point. However, the Mexican was pleted a one-two for the Ma- forced to pull over with smoke reign at World Cup ranello-based squad behind and fl ames spewing out of the Vettel in the opening session, back of his car in the dying min- ended the day with a time of one utes. Threat to LeBron-deprived US looks likely to come from Serbia among others minute, 44.123 seconds. The incident brought out the That lifted him 0.630 seconds red-fl ag and an early end to the clear of the Friday morning pace session. setter. Max Verstappen was sixth Valtteri Bottas, confi rmed for Red Bull. The Dutchman, alongside Lewis Hamilton at cheered on by his orange-clad Mercedes for another year on fans, had been third in the open- Thursday, was the Ferrari pair’s ing session but the 21-year-old, closest challenger in third with winner of two of the last four the Briton hot on his heels in races, complained of problems fourth. with his Honda power unit. The two silver cars, who be- Kimi Raikkonen, nursing tween them have won 10 of this a pulled leg muscle that had season’s 12 races, improved from prompted his Alfa Romeo team to fi fth and sixth in the morning put reserve driver Marcus Erics- but were still nearly a second off son on standby, ended the day Leclerc’s benchmark. seventh ahead of Racing Point’s Hamilton in particular had a Lance Stroll. less than straightforward day, Daniel Ricciardo, one of six with throttle and telemetry drivers carrying engine-related problems in the opening session grid penalties, was ninth for Re- and then pitted to change hel- nault. mets in the afternoon after com- Thai rookie Alexander Albon, plaining of dirt and dust coming fourth in the morning on his Red through his visor. Bull debut, rounded out the top Ferrari, still hunting for their ten. Pierre Gasly, demoted from fi rst win of the year, have strug- Red Bull to Toro Rosso in a swap gled around twisty tracks this with Albon, endured a diffi cult season. day fi nishing 17th. But their car has been better The day was largely incident- suited to high-speed layouts like free, with the most dramatic mo- Spa, which will host Sunday’s ment coming in the opening ses- race. sion when Stroll’s Racing Point That track and Monza, where shed some of its body work at Ferrari’s home Italian Grand Prix high speed.

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Beijing National Aquatics Center in China yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP coach Gregg Popovich were odds- before jetting over to China, but throne the US, many fancy it it is not all about the title. Shanghai, China on favourites to make the fi nal and their aura of invincibility has could be Serbia, beaten by the Final placings in the tourna- win it for the third time in a row, dimmed and the players have US in the fi nal in 2014. The US ment are critical because seven no matter the opponent. admitted that they are still get- also defeated the Serbs in the fi - teams will qualify directly for asketball’s World Cup But last weekend they were ting to know each other. nal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. next year’s Tokyo Olympics and launches today in China stunned 98-94 by Australia in Myles Turner, a centre with But unlike their title rivals, Ser- the rest can advance their 2020 with two-time defend- Melbourne, the hosts ending the Indiana Pacers, said that his bia will be able to call upon most Games dreams. ing champions the Unit- the USA’s run of 78 consecutive team-mates needed to adapt of their big names from the NBA, As hosts there will be added edB States missing their biggest wins in major competitions and fast to the international game. including All-Star Nikola Jokic. pressure on China, who lack a stars and looking uncharacteristi- exhibition games. “A lot of times in the NBA you The 24-year-old Denver successor to trailblazer Yao Ming cally vulnerable after surrender- Then followed another setback sort of wait until the fourth quar- Nuggets man, touted by some as but still look likely to qualify from ing their long winning streak. with Los Angeles Lakers for- ter to turn it on,” said Turner. the best centre in the sport, has Group A, which also includes Ivo- The chief threat to the LeB- ward Kyle Kuzma ruled out of the “You have to turn it on from what it takes to be the player of ry Coast, Poland and Venezuela. ron James-deprived Americans World Cup with an ankle injury. the jump here. the tournament. If that pool is comparatively looks likely to come from Serbia, San Antonio Spurs mastermind “And these teams, everybody Coach Aleksandar Djordjevic weak, Group H — comprising but Spain, France, Australia and Popovich has been forced to name wants to beat the USA. We’re the warned his side, who will play Canada, Australia, Senegal and Greece — led by NBA MVP Gi- a young squad after numerous top dog and everybody’s gunning the fi rst match of the tourna- Lithuania — has been dubbed annis Antetokounmpo — are all high-profi le NBA stars opted out for us night in and night out.” ment, against Angola, not to be the “Group of Death”. snapping at Team USA’s heels. including James, Kawhi Leonard, The US begin their title defence “exhibitionist”. Canada are led by Nick Nurse, A total of 32 countries will Stephen Curry, James Harden, in Shanghai tomorrow when they “They should play simply, to- the 52-year-old American coach begin in eight groups of four Anthony Davis, Russell West- play the Czech Republic in Group gether, very responsibly,” Djor- who had barely fi nished celebrat- spread across cities in China, brook and Paul George. E, which also contains Japan and djevic told local media, calling ing the Toronto Raptors’ fi rst NBA from Shenzhen in the south to Kevin Durant, Kyle Lowry and Turkey, runners-up to the Ameri- for “strong discipline at every title when he agreed to take on the Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc gets ready for a practice session for the the capital Beijing, where the fi - Klay Thompson are injured. cans in 2010. moment”. Canada job two months ago. Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps yesterday. (Reuters) nal will be held on September 15. The Americans bounced back While much of the interest in The World Cup sees 92 Just a few days ago the Unit- in Australia to beat Canada 84- SERBIAN WARNING China will focus on the Ameri- matches take place over 16 in- ed States under their respected 68 in their last warm-up match If anyone is going to fi nally de- cans and the fi ght for their crown, tense days of action. BOXING MLB Lara primed for shot Twins set HR mark, complete sweep of White Sox at Alvarez family AFP into the mix to challenge for the crown now held by Julian Wil- Reuters RESULTS Los Angeles New York, United States liams, who shocked previously Cleveland 2-0 Detroit unbeaten Hurd in May. rislandy Lara, long de- “My goal has been to get back to ake Cave hit two home Oakland 9-8 Kansas City nied a rematch with the top of the division,” said Lara, runs and CJ Cron homer- Tampa Bay 9-8 Houston Canelo Alvarez, will try who had held the title for more ed, doubled and drove in Minnesota 10-5 C White Sox to take out his frustration than three years. “I’ve been at the three runs as the visiting onE the Mexican world champi- top of the division all of these years MinnesotaJ Twins jumped out to Miami 4-3 Cincinnati on’s younger brother yesterday and regaining a title is huge. a 9-0 lead and then cruised to C Cubs 4-1 NY Mets in a super-welterweight bout in “It’s part of my history and my a 10-5 victory over the Chicago Seattle 5-3 Texas Minnesota. legacy,” added Lara, who brings a White Sox on Thursday. Five years ago, Lara lost a dis- record of 25-3-3 with 14 knock- Pittsburgh 11-8 Colorado Cave’s home run leading off puted decision to middleweight outs to the bout. I want to look the third inning was the 139th Arizona 11-5 LA Dodgers king Canelo when he felt he’d spectacular in this main event of the season hit on the road by San Diego 5-3 San Francisco done enough to secure a win. Saturday night on a big stage. the Twins, breaking the major Now the Cuban-born boxer Then I can move on to the biggest league single-season record set will get a shot at Canelo’s sibling fi ghts in the world.” by the San Francisco Giants in homers to make it 8-0 and a Luis Ramon Alvarez in Minneapolis Alvarez, who owns a record of 2001. Arraez added a sacrifi ce fl y in the on Saturday as he vies to return 28-7-3 with 16 knockouts, will be Nelson Cruz had two hits and fi fth to up the lead to 9-0. to the top of the super-welter- fi ghting outside Mexico for just three RBIs, Jonathan Schoop had Chicago cut it to 9-2 in weight tree. the second time. three hits and a run scored, and the bottom of the fi fth when “This fi ght against Ramon Al- While he’s not interested in Jorge Polanco and Eddie Rosario Sanchez singled in Jimenez (who varez is personal for me, as I have raking up Lara’s fi ght against each had two hits for Minnesota, had singled and gone to third history with the Alvarez family,” Canelo Alvarez, he does have which completed a three-game on a double by Matt Skole) and Lara said. brothers Canelo and Rigoberto series sweep of the White Sox Skole scored on a wild pitch. Lara lost the World Boxing As- on his mind. with its fi fth straight victory. (From left) Minnesota Twins’ Eddie Rosario, Jake Cave and Ehire Adrianza celebrate their win over the An RBI single by Jimenez in sociation’s 154-pound belt in Canelo is the reigning WBA and Jose Berrios (11-7), despite Chicago White Sox in Chicago, United States, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) the sixth made it 9-3 but Cave a narrow split-decision loss to World Boxing Council middle- hurling four wild pitches, led off the seventh his second American Jarrett Hurd in April of weight champion while Rigoberto snapped a four-start winless of relief to pick up his fi rst major the loss, allowing eight runs on run single later in the fame. homer of the game and seventh 2018, a bout in which a 12th-round briefl y held the WBA’s interim drought by allowing three runs league save. 10 hits and a walk in two-plus The Twins extended their of the season to increase Min- knockdown was the diff erence. world title at 154 pounds in 2010. on seven hits over six innings. Jose Abreu went 4-for-5 innings. He struck out three. lead to 6-0 in the second on a nesota’s lead to 10-3. The White Since then his only fi ght was a If Ramon beats Lara, they would He walked two and struck out with two doubles and an RBI, Minnesota started the game two-run single by Cruz, driv- Sox took advantage of a pair of split-decision draw against Bri- be the fi rst trio of Mexican broth- eight, improving to 10-2 in 13 and Eloy Jimenez and Yolmer with fi ve consecutive singles en ing in Schoop and Polanco, who errors by Polanco in the ninth to an Carlos Castano in March. ers to become world champions. career starts against the White Sanchez each went 2-for-4 with route to a four-run fi rst inning, reached on a single and walk, add two more runs on a force out The winner of Saturday’s bout “The Alvarez brothers are going Sox. Randy Dobnak gave up two an RBI and a run scored for Chi- including RBI singles by Cruz respectively. Cave and Cron led by Leury Garcia and a double by will claim the WBA’s second-tier to make more history for Mexico unearned runs in three innings cago. Dylan Cease (3-7) suff ered and Rosario. Cron added a two- off the third with back-to-back Abreu. “regular” world title and move when I win this title,” he said. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, August 31, 2019 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA SPOTLIGHT Solskjaer says Sanchez ‘needed to Bayern look to go’ and that he trusts his younger strikers

By Jamie Jackson will come good for them.” The Guardian Solskjaer wants his team to Lewandowski in target clean sheets after keeping one in the opening victory over le Gunnar Solskjaer Chelsea before conceding in the has said he trusts Mar- draw at Wolverhampton Wan- cus Rashford, Anthony derers and last Saturday’s home Martial and Mason defeat by Crystal Palace. GreenwoodO to be Manchester “Clean sheets are always United’s centre-forwards after the foundation to build upon,” bid to catch rivals allowing Alexis Sanchez to be he said before today’s game at loaned to Inter Milan. Southampton. “We started really Romelu Lukaku, the top scorer well against Chelsea – David [de Kovac’s side are within two points of rivals Dortmund, Leipzig and Leverkusen of the past two seasons, has been Gea] made some fantastic saves. sold to the same club yet Solsk- The last two we’ve conceded AFP tors for the title than they have in jaer is not concerned regarding three goals and they’ve had three Berlin previous years. “I think the same his striker options. shots. What can you do about the teams will be at the top again. The “I’m trusting Anthony, Mar- [Ruben] Neves goal [for Wolves]? gap between those at the top and cus, Mason to be our centre-for- The two against Palace should olish striker Robert mid-table will get bigger,” he said. wards,” the manager said. “We’ve have been avoided. We hope to Lewandowski will once Leipzig were travelling to Borus- got wingers in Chongy [Tahith go down there and look stronger again take centre stage as sia Moenchengladbach late last Chong], Dan James, [Andreas] at the back, it’s something we’ve Bayern Munich look to night, while Leverkusen host Hof- Pereira. We’ve loads of options. always needed at this club.” Pcatch up with their Bundesliga title fenheim today. Table-toppers “For me it’s time for our boys to Chris Smalling has fl own to challengers with a home win over Dortmund face a reunion with feel that pressure and responsi- Italy to conclude his loan to strugglers Mainz today. former player Neven Subotic on bility, to be more robust, to know Roma. “It’s just come up the last Two days after signing a new their visit to promoted side Union they have to play fi ve games in a couple of days, this opportunity contract which will keep him at Berlin today evening. row. I trust the fi tness staff and for Chris,” Solskjær said. “We’ve the club until 2023, the 31-year-old Subotic, who alongside Lewand- medical staff and the pre-season sat down and discussed it – at will be eager to add to the six goals owski won back-to-back Bun- work; we’re mentally and physi- the moment we’ve got six fi t he has also scored this season, even desliga titles for Dortmund under cally more ready. That’s the next centre-backs. I couldn’t promise as champions Bayern dropped ear- Jurgen Klopp in 2011 and 2012, said step for our young players. Chris regular football, so he’s on ly points in the title race. this week that he was still close to “Alexis needed to go – at the the plane over now. I think he’ll His hat-trick against Schalke his former team-mates. “What we moment we know he’s been here enjoy the experience. It’s a big last week fi red Bayern to their fi rst experienced together back then, for 18 months and it’s not really club, a big league, not many Eng- league win of the season, keep- it was bit like going to the moon. worked out for him. For him to lish players have had the chance ing Niko Kovac’s side within two You try to explain to other people restart and get himself playing to play in Italy. He’ll come back points of rivals Borussia Dort- what it was like, but words aren’t regularly and scoring goals, that stronger and fi tter for it.” mund, RB Leipzig and Bayer enough,” he said. will only benefi t everyone in the Matteo Darmian is set to join Robert Lewandowski has Leverkusen. Lewandowski’s de- Yet Subotic, who moved to Un- end. For us we’re going to watch Parma for €1.5mn (£1.4mn) but signed a new contract with cision to extend his contract is a ion before the beginning of the every weekend to see Romelu and Solskjær said Marcos Rojo was Bayern until 2023. (AFP) massive boost to Bayern as they season, said that even at Dort- Alexis playing together. Sanchez “staying defi nitely”. look to retain the Bundesliga title mund, he had never experienced and reimpose themselves as a ma- support quite like that at the East jor European power. “He has a lot Berlin club. “I have experienced a of responsibility here at Bayern, lot, but the way the Union fans cel- and he lives up to that,” said coach ebrated us after we lost 4-0 to RB Kovac on Thursday before the an- Leipzig, I have never experienced nouncement of the new contract anything like that,” he said. was made public. “(The contract Union, still searching for their extension) is also a sign of how im- fi rst ever Bundesliga win, face a portant the club is to him.” formidable Dortmund side who Lewandowski has more than have scored eight goals in their fi rst proved his worth in recent weeks, two games. Dortmund coach Lu- and more goals are expected to- cien Favre will have to do without day afternoon. The Polish star has Belgian winger Thorgan Hazard, a sparkling record of 14 goals in 17 who has been ruled out for several appearances against Mainz, who weeks after picking up a rib in- have lost their opening two games. jury against Cologne last weekend. With Lewandowski’s contract Hazard’s fellow new arrival Julian negotiations and uncertainty over Brandt is therefore expected to the future of club president Uli make his fi rst start for Dortmund. Hoeness off -fi eld matters have somewhat overshadowed Bayern’s BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES preparations this week. Yet Kovac’s (kick-off times 1330 GMT unless side, who sit in a lowly sixth thanks stated): Today: Bayern Munich v to their opening day draw with Hertha Berlin, cannot aff ord any Mainz, Bayer Leverkusen v Hof- on-fi eld slips today. fenheim, Wolfsburg v Paderborn, Dortmund, Leipzig and Freiburg v Cologne, Schalke v Her- Leverkusen fi nished in the top four tha Berlin, Union Berlin v Borussia behind Bayern last season, and all Dortmund (1630) have picked up maximum points Tomorrow: Werder Bremen v Augs- from their opening two games. burg, Eintracht Frankfurt v Fortuna Kovac admitted on Thursday that Duesseldorf (1600) Bayern may face more competi- Alexis Sanchez has joined the Inter Milan on loan. (Reuters)

ROUND-UP Belgium wait on Hazard injury ahead of Euro qualifi ers elgium will decide next week last season after bursting onto the matches must have access to tickets at fi fth and missed out on Champions whether Eden Hazard is fi t scene with a series of impressive of a reasonable price, bearing in mind the League football. enough to play in their Euro displays in Serie A. cost they have already had to incur for 2020 qualifi ers away in San However they were dropped for their trip.” NORTH KOREA’S HAN SET FOR MarinoB and Scotland, coach Roberto Italy’s last group game during the sum- The move comes after both Man- JUVENTUS LOAN DEAL: REPORT Martinez said yesterday. mer’s Under-21 tournament, held in chester United and Liverpool were North Korea international striker Han Playmaker Hazard, who has been their home country, after arriving late angered by Barcelona charging 119 eu- Kwang-song is set for a loan move included in Martinez’s squad for the for a video session and, as predicted by ros for away tickets in the Champions to Serie A champions Juventus from two games, has yet to make his La Liga Italian media, Mancini has decided to League last season. In response, the league rivals Cagliari. The 21-year- debut for new club Real Madrid after extend the punishment to the upcom- English sides raised their own prices old — the fi rst North Korean to play suff ering a thigh injury in training. ing senior matches. for visiting Barca fans and used the ad- in Serie A — has spent the past two “We will assess him on Tuesday and The ‘Azzurri’, three points clear at ditional revenue to subsidise their sup- seasons on loan from Cagliari to Serie B every day after that will be important top of Group J after winning all four of porters’ costs. United also did this for side Perugia. to see whether he can play. We only their matches so far, travel to Armenia Sevilla when the sides met in the last New Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri play Scotland on Sept 9 and before that on Thursday before taking on second- 16 of the Champions League in 2018. has long been a fan of Han, who scored San Marino on Sept 6, so we can make placed Finland away three days later. four goals in 19 games for Perugia last some adjustments,” Martinez told a BAKAYOKO SET FOR MONACO season, Gazzetta Dello Sport reported. news conference yesterday after nam- FIFA GIVES IRAN’S GHODDOS RETURN ON LOAN FROM CHELSEA Awaiting Sarri’s return to the bench af- ing his squad for the Group I matches. FOUR-MONTH BAN Tiemoue Bakayoko is closing in on a ter suff ering pneumonia, Han will train Martinez also included Chelsea Saman Ghoddos, a Swedish-born Ira- return to Monaco on loan from Chelsea with Juventus’s fi rst team but play for striker Michy Batshuayi in the squad, nian international, has been suspended after the Ligue 1 club’s vice-president the Under-23 side, Gazzetta reported. despite him not playing for his club for four months by FIFA for failing to Oleg Petrov said that the France inter- The forward spent some of his since returning from a loan spell at honour an agreement to join Huesca, national’s arrival would not be a “big youth career at a football academy Crystal Palace. With Vincent Kompany his French club Amiens said. The case surprise”. in Barcelona, before joining Cagliari and Axel Witsel out through injury, centred on the attacking midfi elder’s The Russian added Monaco was in 2017. He has been valued at 20mn Martinez included the uncapped move in August 2018 from Ostersunds hammering out the fi nal details on a euros ($24.6mn) by the Sardinian outfi t Bundesliga-based Benito Raman and to Amiens in Ligue 1 for 4mn euros “loan deal”, which is believed to be where he is under contract until until Anderlecht midfi elder Yari Verschaer- ($4.4mn). until the end of this season. Bakayoko 2022. en for the fi rst time. Belgium have Huesca, who had just been promoted came to global prominence at Monaco, already won their opening four quali- to La Liga, claimed that they already where in the 2016-2017 season he NEWCASTLE SUFFER fi ers and lead the group by three points had a deal to buy Ghoddos from his was crucial as the Principality side RITCHIE INJURY BLOW from Russia. Swedish club and that the player had won the Ligue 1 title and reached the Scotland international Matt Ritchie is signed a contract. FIFA’s Dispute Reso- semi-fi nals of the Champions League expected to be out for up two months MANCINI DROPS KEAN AND lution Chamber found that the Spanish alongside France star Kylian Mbappe due to an ankle injury in a major blow ZANIOLO FOR ILL-DISCIPLINE club had a case. and Manchester City midfi elder Ber- to struggling Premier League side Roberto Mancini has dropped Moise The 25-year-old played two games nardo Silva. Newcastle. The 29-year-old midfi elder Kean and Nicolo Zaniolo from his for Sweden before deciding to repre- Eden Hazard is yet to make his La Liga debut for new club Real Madrid He was sold to Chelsea the follow- suff ered ligament damage and cuts, Italy squad picked to face Armenia sent Iran. Amiens released a statement after suff ering a thigh injury in training. ing season but failed to impress during which required stitches, following a and Finland in Euro 2020 qualifying, pointing out that the hearing had his time in England and was loaned to tackle by Leicester’s Hamza Choud- punishing the starlets for their behav- cleared them of any wrongdoing but UEFA CAP CL TICKET PRICES AT ers in recent years. Tickets will also AC Milan after just a year in London. hury in the League Cup clash on iour during the Under-21 European adding: “The club deplores the heavy 70 EUROS FOR AWAY FANS be capped at 45 euros for away fans However that move also failed to work Wednesday. Ritchie’s injury could not Championships. sanctions imposed on Saman and Tickets for away fans in this season’s in the Europa League, with UEFA out, with Bakayoko playing 42 times come at a worse time for Newcastle Roma’s exciting midfi elder Zaniolo, intends to support him morally in this Champions League will be capped president Aleksander Ceferin saying: in all competitions but falling out with who are struggling in the league with 20, and Everton’s new 19-year-old delicate period.” at 70 euros ($77), UEFA announced “Fans are the lifeblood of the game and coach Gennaro Gattuso as the seven- just three points but scored a surprise signing Kean were selected by Mancini following complaints from support- those who follow their teams to away time European champions fi nished win over Tottenham last weekend. Gulf Times Saturday, August 31, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Lampard hopes international break rest will do Kante good

London: Chelsea manager Arsenal, Spurs battle for Frank Lampard is hopeful the upcoming international break will give midfielder N’Golo Kante the time he needs to recover from an ankle injury. Didier Deschamps chose to leave Kante out of his France squad for the world cham- bragging rights, United pions’ Euro 2020 qualifiers against Albania and Andorra next month, and Chelsea will also have to go without the 28-year-old for today’s visit of Sheff ield United to Stamford Bridge. Missing most of the Blues’ aim to bounce back pre-season action with the same injury, Lampard be- lieves he could be fit to play Wolverhampton Wanderers Arsenal missed out on Champions League football to their local rivals by a point last season on September 14, three days before his side start their AFP Champions League campaign London at home to Valencia. “N’Golo Kante is not fit due to the continuation of his rsenal and Tottenham battle ankle problem and he won’t for North London supremacy be travelling with the France tomorrow in an early indicator squad either,” Lampard said. as to who will be Manchester “I had a conversation with CityA and Liverpool’s closest challeng- Didier Deschamps and we ers for the Premier League title. City both agreed it’s the best thing and Liverpool have already moved clear for him. Let’s try and get him of the chasing pack with Jurgen Klopp’s fit over the break. My focus men boasting the only 100% record is then to make sure he’s OK. after three games to open a two-point He’s had four years of con- lead over the champions. stant football at an incredibly Both will expect to add another three high energy and output level. points before the international break We have to get that right. as City host Brighton, while Liverpool It’s the right thing to do, we travel to Burnley. But below them the have a strong squad and the rest have plenty of room for improve- performance last week was ment with Tottenham, Arsenal, Man- very good.” chester United and Chelsea having al- Tammy Abraham scored ready tasted defeat. twice as Chelsea secured Arsenal were given a lesson in how far their first win under Lampard they still have to go to challenge for the in a 3-2 thriller at Norwich title in losing 3-1 at Anfi eld last week- last weekend, but it is Mason end, but the Gunners can quickly erase Mount who has caught Eng- the memory of that defeat should they land boss Gareth Southgate’s get the better of Spurs at the Emirates. attention. A thrilling 4-2 win over the Champi- Mount, who also scored at ons League fi nalists in this fi xture last Carrow Road and was with season was the highlight of Unai Em- Lampard at Derby County ery’s fi rst season in charge and Arsenal last season, is one of four have little to fear from Tottenham’s uncapped players included start to the season. Mauricio Pochet- in Southgate’s squad for the tino believes his squad is unsettled by qualifiers against Bulgaria speculation over the futures of Chris- and Kosovo, and Lampard tian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby said the 20-year-old has the Alderweireld. maturity to take an interna- Vertonghen has been dropped for all tional call-up in his stride. three games so far this season, whilst Eriksen started on the bench against Aston Villa and Newcastle. A shock 1-0 reverse to the Magpies last weekend showed Pochettino can ill aff ord the luxury of leaving out two of his better players, even if they seem set to leave the club at the end of the season after Arsenal midfielder Nicolas Pepe (right) shone on his full debut against Liverpool last weekend and could be unleashed alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and failing to agree new contracts. Alexandre Lacazette from the start for the first time against Tottenham Hotspurs. (AFP) Arsenal missed out on Champions League football to their local rivals by in defeat at home by Crystal Palace last were caught fl at-footed for the visitor’s But at the other end of the fi eld, the want to fi nish in the top half.” a point last season, but still reinforced weekend. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men opener. European champions have not looked well in the transfer market. Nicolas paid for a missed penalty for the second The departure of Romelu Lukaku nearly as solid without injured goal- FIXTURES and Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan has keeper Alisson Becker. Pepe shone on his full debut against consecutive game as Marcus Rashford (kick-off 1400 GMT unless stated) Liverpool last weekend and could be hit the post after Paul Pogba’s spot-kick also left Solskjaer desperately short on The Reds have yet to keep a clean unleashed alongside Pierre-Emerick was saved in a 1-1 draw at Wolves the forward options, particularly with An- sheet in fi ve games this season and Today: Southampton v Man Utd Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette week before. thony Martial ruled out for today’s trip Burnley have an in-form striker ready to (1130), West Ham v Norwich, Leicester from the start for the fi rst time. Should However, the debate over who should to Southampton. pounce on any sloppiness this weekend. v Bournemouth, Manchester City v Arsenal’s exciting new attacking trio be on penalty duties has masked famil- Lose again and the alarm bells will Only Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has scored Brighton, Newcastle v Watford, Chelsea click, they can lay down an early marker iar problems from United’s disastrous already be ringing for United’s season more Premier League goals in 2019 than v Sheff ield United, Crystal Palace v Aston in the battle to be the best of the rest be- end to last season. Goalkeeper David de before September is out. Ashley Barnes’s 13, four of which have Villa, Burnley v Liverpool (1630) hind the top two. Gea was at fault for Palace’s injury-time Liverpool looked more like their old come in the opening three games of the Tomorrow: Everton v Wolves (1300), Manchester United’s bright start to equaliser, while Victor Lindelof and selves against Arsenal last weekend season. “We go into every game confi - the season also came to an abrupt end £80mn summer signing Harry Maguire with Mohamed Salah in supreme form. dent,” said Barnes. “We are striving and Arsenal v Tottenham (1530)

EUROPA LEAGUE FOCUS Arsenal drawn with Eintracht Pochettino laughs off ‘stupid’ AFP off round. Their fi rst game will be at home Monaco to Jaap Stam’s Feyenoord. All opening group rumour he could leave Spurs games will be played on September 19 with the last games on December 12. The fi nal AFP ast season’s runners-up Arsenal will be held in the Polish city of Gdansk on London were placed in the same section as May 27, 2020. Eintracht Frankfurt in the draw for the Europa League group stage in UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE ottenham Hotspur LMonaco yesterday, while Manchester Unit- manager Mauricio GROUP STAGE DRAW ed face a long trip to Kazakhstan. Pochettino insists he Group A: Sevilla (ESP); APOEL (CYP); Qarabag Unai Emery’s Arsenal side lost the fi nal will still be in charge of in Baku to Chelsea, who had already elimi- (AZE); Dudelange (LUX) theT Champions League fi nal- nated Eintracht on penalties in the last four. Group B: Dynamo Kiev (UKR); FC Copenha- ists come what may in the North Arsenal will kick off away in Frankfurt on gen (DEN); Malmo (SWE); Lugano (SUI) London derby against Arsenal September 19. Ten-time Belgian champi- Group C: Basel (SUI); Krasnodar (RUS); Getafe tomorrow. ons Standard Liege and Portugal’s Vitoria (ESP); Trabzonspor (TUR) Rumours had swirled around Guimaraes also in Group F. United, Europa social media that the enigmatic League winners in 2017, will face Astana of Group D: Sporting Lisbon (POR); PSV Eind- Argentine, now in his sixth sea- Kazakhstan as well as Partizan Belgrade and hoven (NED); Rosenborg (NOR); LASK Linz son in charge of Spurs, could former fi nalists AZ Alkmaar of the Nether- (AUT) walk out after a shock 1-0 defeat lands in Group L. Group E: Lazio (ITA); Celtic (SCO); Rennes by Newcastle last weekend. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be at (FRA); CFR Cluj (ROU) Pochettino complained after home to Astana in their fi rst game. They that match that his squad is un- will make the 12,000-kilometre round trip Group F: Arsenal (ENG); Eintracht Frankfurt settled with the futures of Chris- to face the Kazakh champions, who were (GER); Standard Liege (BEL); Vitoria Guima- tian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and knocked out of the Champions League in Europa League trophy is displayed during raes (POR) Toby Alderweireld uncertain as from Lyon in June and added sistant manager) Jesus (Perez) the fi rst qualifying round, on November 28. the draw ceremony in Monaco. (Reuters) Group G: Porto (POR); Young Boys (SUI); they have entered the fi nal year Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Ses- at dinner in London,” added Wolverhampton Wanderers, the third Feyenoord (NED); Rangers (SCO) of their contracts. segnon on the fi nal day of the Pochettino. “We talked about English team in the draw, will take on Turk- Celtic were in the same group as Rennes But he is set to stay and said he transfer window. Yet, that in- everything. We needed that con- ish side Besiktas in Group K. In their fi rst in the 2011-12 Europa League and took four Group H: CSKA Moscow (RUS); Ludogorets also had clear the air talks with vestment is unlikely to be enough versation, I think it was very pos- European campaign since 1980, Wolves points against the French club. The teams (BUL); Espanyol (ESP); Ferencvaros (HUN) chairman Daniel Levy, who has to close the gap on Premier itive. The most important thing have already come through three ties just to meet in France on September 19. “It’s a great Group I: Wolfsburg (GER); Gent (BEL); Saint- been criticised for not backing League champions Manches- is to help the club, the team’s reach the group stage. They beat Torino 5-3 draw. There’s a couple of glamour games Etienne (FRA); Olexandriya (UKR) Pochettino more heavily in the ter City and Liverpool, who beat performance on the pitch, to be on aggregate in the play-off s. Nuno Espirito there and a chance to maybe exact some sort transfer market. “That stupid- Spurs in the Champions League on the same page and make sure Santo’s team will also face Slovan Bratislava of retribution on Cluj as well, so we’re de- Group J: Roma (ITA); Borussia Moencheng- ity can happen through some fi nal in June. the communication is clear. of Slovakia and Portuguese club Braga, who lighted to be in there and delighted with the ladbach (GER); Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR); rumour sent into social media Pochettino has consistently “It doesn’t change our person- will be their fi rst opponents, at Molineux. group,” said Celtic boss Neil Lennon. Wolfsberger AC (AUT) that creates a big problem that called on Levy to release the al relationship. Of course some- The draw was far less kind to the two Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers will Group K: Besiktas (TUR); Sporting Braga doesn’t exist. I’m not going to funds to take Tottenham to the times our vision on the profes- Scottish teams. Scottish champions Celtic take on former European Cup winners Porto (POR); Wolverhampton Wanderers (ENG); walk away after the north Lon- next level, but said his personal sional side cannot be the same. meet Italian Cup holders Lazio and French and Feyenoord as well as Swiss champions Slovan Bratislava (SVK) don derby,” said Pochettino. relationship with his boss is not Sometimes we can have some Cup holders Rennes in Group E as well as Young Boys in Group G. Rangers reached the Tottenham did break their aff ected by those frustrations in disagreement but the most im- CFR Cluj, the Romanian side to whom they group stage for the second season running Group L: Manchester United (ENG); Astana club record transfer fee to bring the transfer market. portant is the personal relation- lost in Champions League qualifying. after edging out Legia Warsaw in the play- (KAZ); Partizan Belgrade (SRB); Alkmaar (NED) in midfi elder Tanguy Ndombele “I was with Daniel and (as- ship is still strong.”

Saturday, August 31, 2019 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Hammoudan strikes as Al Khor beat Umm Salal By Sports Reporter Doha

l Khor secured a fantastic 1-0 victory over Umm Salal in the QNB Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. TheA only goal of the game was scored by Ahmed Hammoudan in the 65th minute. An entertaining fi rst half saw both teams create multiple chances, with Al Khor being the most dominant of the sides. Tiago Bezerra fi rst went close after muscling his way through the op- position defence, before Wagner Dos Santos saw his curling eff ort drift just wide of the upright. With the opening period coming to an end, Umm Salal were the side in the ascendency and Lawrence Qwaye saw his goal-bound shot defl ected over, with the subsequent corner hitting the cross bar. The away side nearly took the lead after the restart when Sagbo’s header Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo Tabata (left) and Al Gharafa’s Koo Ja-Cheol vie for the was spectacularly kept out by the out- ball at the Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. stretched arm of Rajab Hamza in goal. Al Khor were rewarded for their keep the score at 1-0. saw the intervention of VAR to deny overall play with a goal, thanks to Mo- goals on two separate occasions. roccan winger Hammoudan. He react- RAYYAN, GHARAFA PLAY The fi rst, at the beginning of the ed strongly to Abdulla al-Moraisi’s pin- OUT GOALLESS DRAW match, went against Al Rayyan’s Lee point cross from the right to tap home In another match, Al Rayyan and Al Jaeik for off side as he outjumped his from close range. Gharafa played out a battling 0-0 draw marker to head the ball into the net. Not Al Khor players celebrate after Ahmed Hammoudan (unseen) scored against Umm Salal at the Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. Minutes later, Umm Salal thought at the Al Sadd Stadium. Being such an long after, it was Sofi ane Hanni’s goal they had the chance to equalise un- important fi xture, even at this early which was chalked off for Al Gharafa fa goal. It was, however, The Cheetahs alty denied late on, it was Al Gharafa A point a piece is a fair end to the til Video Assistant Referee ruled out stage of the season, it was vital that due to an infringement in the build-up with the lion’s share of opportunities as who nearly grabbed a late victory when high-intensity encounter, but both their penalty appeal following a knock neither side made any slip-ups in early to the goal. they countered with good eff orts from Sofi ane saw his shot blocked on the teams will feel they could have taken to Yannick Sagbo. They proceeded to exchanges. With a cautious, aggressive The Lions’ Yacine Brahimi later saw Ahmed Alaaeldin and Othman Al Yahri line, followed by Moreno Hector rising more from this match as they look to crank up the pressure and were denied approach from both teams, it became a his rasping shot diverted by the assured as they pushed for a winner. With Al highest at a corner to watch his header apply early pressure on their league ri- three times by goalline clearances to match with few clear-cut chances and hands of Qasem Burhan in the Al Ghara- Rayyan having a strong claim for a pen- thunder off crossbar to safety. vals.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Doubts remain for Barca, Real as Shahania are an chaotic window draws to a close AFP their early jog into a sprint. “Eve- in. Valverde has not so much Madrid ry time there is a transfer win- looked to the past as the future, dow, there is a lot of expectation throwing Ansu Fati and Carles and certain players like Neymar Perez onto the fi eld against Betis, inedine Zidane has said raise expectations too,” said Val- the former aged 16 and the sec- he will breathe a sigh of verde last week. ond youngest player ever to play excellent team: relief when the transfer Neither club appears to have for Barcelona in La Liga. window closes but Bar- benefi ted from a haphazard cou- Yet both coaches have seemed Zcelona might need every minute ple of months, given both have keen to make a point, with re- until midnight on Monday to get dropped points in their opening sults now likely to dictate wheth- a deal for Neymar fi nally done. two matches in La Liga. Madrid er friction becomes something “I can’t wait for September 2 so I started brightly against Celta more serious. don’t have to answer these ques- Vigo before familiar scoring Messi, out with a calf problem, Sadd coach Xavi tions anymore,” said Zidane. problems resurfaced at home to may not return until after the in- At the start of the summer, it Real Valladolid. “Zidane loses his ternational break, with Barcelo- was Real Madrid rubbing their immunity,” read the headline in na travelling to newly-promoted Striker Bounedjah is set to make his first domestic appearance this hands at the prospect of whole- Marca on Monday. Osasuna today. sale changes while Barca could Barca lost to Athletic Bilbao Real Madrid will hope for a season for Al Sadd, after serving out a two-match suspension justifi ably believe the majority on the season’s opening night, morale-boosting win tomorrow of their business was complete. although bounced back by ham- at Villarreal. Their slips have al- By Sports Reporter Frenkie de Jong arrived after mering Real Betis. lowed Atletico Madrid and Sevil- Doha his 75-million euro switch from The success of their transfer la to take an early advantage, each Ajax was announced in January dealings will be judged deeper sitting fi rst and second in the ta- while Antoine Griezmann soon into the campaign but already ble with six points out of six. Se- l Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez followed, with Atletico Madrid the sense is of Zidane and Val- villa were hosting Celta Vigo late praised Al Shahania as an ‘excel- claiming that transfer had been verde playing their own part in last night before Atletico play at lent team’ ahead of the QNB Stars agreed in March. what has become another politi- home to Eibar tomorrow. League clash between the two All that seemingly remained cal summer. Zidane wanted Paul sidesA at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium to- for Ernesto Valverde was some Pogba in and Gareth Bale out but FIXTURES ( TIMES GMT) neither have materialised, per- day. The Wolves go into the game with a tinkering around the edges. Ma- Today: Osasuna v Barcelona tally of three points after a 4-1 win over Al drid, though, were just getting haps as much due to the com- (1500), Getafe v Alaves (1600), Wakrah in their opening game. Al Shahania started as 300mn euros spent plexity of the deals as any failure are pointless after losing 0-3 to Al Gharafa appeared to pave the way for the from Madrid to commit to them. Levante v Valladolid (1600), Real last weekend. “It will be a very tough match sales of those Zidane wanted But two consecutive starting Betis v Leganes (1900) against an excellent team. We are playing gone and perhaps more additions line-ups without a single sign- Tomorrow: Valencia v Mallorca for the win and the three points. I am happy too. ing indicates Zidane is not im- (1500), Atletico Madrid v Eibar with our performance and the team is im- Yet as the market enters its fi - pressed, a message made more (1700), Espanyol v Granada proving from game to game. The competi- nal straight, Madrid are the ones resounding by Bale, and James (1700), Villarreal v Real Madrid tion in the league is tough. Only Al Sadd and winding down while Barca turn Rodriguez, being ushered back (1900) Al Gharafa can still have six points at the end of the week,” Xavi said at the pre-match press conference yesterday. “Every match is diff erent. Shahania is EX-SPAIN COACH LUIS ENRIQUE’S an organised side, with a good coach. The match against them will be diffi cult. If we NINE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER DIES OF CANCER think otherwise, we will suff er a lot. Sha- hania’s result in their opening game is not Madrid: Former Spain coach a measure of their quality,” the Spaniard Luis Enrique announced the added. death of his nine-year-old South Korean midfi elder Nam Tae-hee daughter from bone cancer on will be unavailable for Sadd as he is still re- Thursday. “Our daughter Xana cuperating from a muscle injury, while Ya- passed away this afternoon at sir Abubakar will also miss the game due to nine years old, after fighting the death of his father. Meanwhile, Algerian for five intense months against striker Baghdad Bounedjah is set to make his osteosarcoma,” Luis Enrique fi rst domestic appearance this season, after tweeted. “We will miss you enor- serving out a two-match suspension. mously but we will remember Xavi hoped Nam Tae-hee can return fully you every day of our lives,” he fi t in fortnight’s time. “We are waiting for added. Luis Enrique resigned as Nam Tae-hee’s his return. He is one of the national coach in June “due to best players in Asia and can always create the the reasons which had prevent- diff erence. He is getting better quickly. He ed me from fulfilling my duties needs 10-15 days to return and when he is fi t, as normal since last March” he we will depend on him. Currently, we have said at the time. His personal many excellent players who can give their issue was never made public, best,” the former Barcelona midfi elder said. until now. Assistant Robert Asked about Al Sadd’s defeat to Al Nassr Al Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez. Moreno has been in charge for in the Champions League, Xavi said: “We Spain’s last three matches and played well against in the fi rst half, despite Sadd,” Murcia added. be easy. We’ll put up a spirited fi ght. Our will now lead the team through the errors we committed. In the second In early kick-off today, Al Ahli take on new Moroccan player Mubarak Boussoufa is Euro 2020 qualifying and the half, things were balanced. We learned from Al Sailiya at the Al Janoub Stadium. Sailiya a big name. He can control the midfi eld and final tournament, in what is his our mistakes and we will study them ahead were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Khor, while Al will be a valuable addition to the league and first job as a professional coach. Luis Enrique and his daughter Xana. (AFP) of the return leg. Our focus now is on the Ahli suff ered a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Al Al Sailiya,” added Trabelsi. In his poignant Twitter post, league games.” Arabi last week. Al Ahli coach Ruben de la Barrera said his Luis Enrique thanked all the The president of the Spanish “I just learned the terrible news Meanwhile, Shahania coach Jose Murcia Ahead of today’s game, Sailiya coach Sami side will go all out for victory against Sailiya. messages of support “received football federation Luis Rubiales of Xana’s death. I am very sad said his team were looking for ‘positive re- Trabelsi said his team was focusing on cor- “Al Sailiya are a good team, but we focused during these months”. sent a message to his former and can’t even imagine the sult’. “We’ve put behind the result of our fi rst recting the mistakes from previous match. on correcting the mistakes that we made in Prominent figures were quick coach: “Always by your side, pain of the family,” wrote ten- game completely behind us. We’re looking “We had wished for a positive result against our game against Al Arabi in the opening to send Enrique their condolenc- next to (Enrique’s wife) Elena nis player Rafael Nadal, who for a positive result and will stay focused on Al Khor. At the same time, draw is better week, that resulted in us losing points,” he es, with his former Spain captain and your whole family.” is currently at the US Open in our next match against Al Sadd,” he said. than defeat. It’s normal to fi nd some dif- said “I’ve complete confi dence in our pro- Sergio Ramos posting on Twit- La Liga giants Barcelona and New York. “A huge hug to Luis “We know that we’ll have a very diffi cult fi culties at the beginning of the league be- fessional players. They’ve quality. Just be- ter: “All our support and love for Real Madrid also posted their Enrique and the whole family confrontation against a strong team. We’ll cause of the presence of more than seven cause we lost to Al Arabi, there were talks you and your family. There are condolences on social media, from a distance. play according to our capabilities and we’ll new players in the team,” he said about our professionals. We’ve a very good no words, but you always have while the reaction to the sad A lot of strength and encour- push our players to show their real level, so “We’re focusing on correcting mistakes, bunch of players and we’ve confi dence in us by your side.” news crossed into other sports. agement in these hard times.” that we get one or more points against Al especially in attack. Against Al Ahli, it won’t them. They need more time,” Barrera added.