MOTORCYCLING | Page 2 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 7 Maverick Consolation talent wins victory for To Advertise here maiden Pakistan in Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 MotoGP fi ft h ODI

Monday, September 5, 2016 FOOTBALL Dhul-Hijja 3, 1437 AH Lallana late show GULF TIMES gives Big Sam winning start Page 3

QATAR CHAMPS IN GCC BASKETBALL

The basketball team celebrate their win in the GCC Championship which concluded in Sharjah yesterday. Qatar defeated Saudi Arabia 66-61 to retain their title. At right Qatar Basketball Federation president Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani poses with the winning trophies.

FORMULA ONE FOOTBALL Coach Carreno seeks crowd support Rosberg reigns for Uzbekistan match

By Reporter

supreme in oach Jose Daniel Carreno has urged football fans to turn The 31-year-old German took the lead at the start when Hamilton became out in large numbers when CQatar take on Uzbekistan in their World Cup qualifying clash to- bogged down, and pulled away to control the race and finish 15 seconds clear morrow at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Qatar crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Iran in their fi rst Group A match last AFP Thursday and need to get their cam- Monza, Italy paign back on track by securing three points in tomorrow’s home game. The Uruguayan, who saw his team ico Rosberg pounced on a concede two injury-time goals in front poor start by his Mercedes of a 100,000-strong partisan crowd at teammate Lewis Hamilton Tehran’s imposing Azadi Stadium, is Nto win yesterday’s Italian keen to make the most out of Qatar’s Grand Prix at Monza and cut his cham- home advantage, a major portion of pionship lead to just two points. which comes from the support of the head record against Qatar, winning six The 31-year-old German took the home fans. of the 11 matches they have played so lead at the start, when pole-sitter “I want the supporters to turn out far. Of the 11 games, Qatar have won Hamilton became bogged down, and in large numbers and support the na- only three while two were drawn. pulled away to control the race and fi n- tional side,” said the former Al Arabi Of the last fi ve matches between the ish 15 seconds clear of the defending coach. two countries, Uzbekistan have won three-time champion. Although the capacity of the Jassim four, including a 5-1 drubbing in June Hamilton, who eff ectively lost the bin Hamad Stadium is less than a quar- 2013 in a qualifi er for the 2014 World race in the fi rst 20 metres when the ter of the 128,000 spectators Tehran’s Cup in . lights went out, now leads the title bat- Azadi Stadium can hold, the coach But under Carreno, Qatar have made tle with 250 points ahead of Rosberg on cheering supporters can defi nitely spur rapid progress, with the players gel- 248. Sebastian Vettel came home third, the team. ling as a team and also showing better 5.9 seconds further adrift, ahead of his “Fans can lift the morale of the side,” physical fi tness. Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen to added the Uruguayan. “We have urged the players to forget the delight of the home fans. Carreno stressed that the players are past results and look forward to the It was Rosberg’s fi rst Italian win, in good spirits defeat the defeat against challenging match ahead of us against his seventh of the season and 21st of Iran. They fact that they dominated the Uzbekistan,” adding that he didn’t his career, boosting his championship match against Iran has led the players have any injury worries ahead of the to believe they can get the better of Uz- match. bekistan tomorrow. Like Qatar, Uzbekistan, too have Results (Top 10) Uzbekistan have a better head-to- never qualifi ed for the World Cup.

Race Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico Rosberg cheers with his team after winning the Italian Formula 1. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) 1hr One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale circuit in Monza yesterday. See also Page 2 17min 28.089sec, 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) at 15.070sec, 3. Sebas- challenge with seven races remaining. cooler when the lights went out with Hamilton scrapped to pass Bottas for tian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 20.990, 4. Kimi “Thank you very much guys,” said an air temperature of 29 degrees and fourth. After 10 laps, Rosberg led Vet- Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 27.561, 5. Daniel Rosberg. “It’s great to win Italy.” the track at 38 in the old royal park, tel by 4.4 and Hamilton, who eventu- Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 45.295, 6. Valt- It was also the 50th podium fi nish of some 20km north of Milan. ally surged past the Finn on the main teri Bottas (FIN/Williams) 51.015, 7. Max Rosberg’s career and prevented Ham- Hamilton’s initial reaction saw him straight, by 11 seconds. Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 54.236, 8. ilton completing a cherished hat-trick depart cleanly only to lose momentum “The rears are pretty wasted al- Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) 1:04.954, of Italian wins, to equal a feat achieved as Vettel, from third, passed him and ready,” Hamilton told the team as he 9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1:05.617, only once before by Juan Manuel Fan- Rosberg took the lead. The champion, fell a further second adrift before being 10. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Force India) gio in the 1950’s, and register his 50th as if glued to the asphalt, fell to sixth. instructed to push harder before the Drivers’ Standings career victory. It was the fi rst time in Hamilton clawed a place back on lap fi rst pit-stops began. 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 250 pts, 2. Nico seven years that the race was not won two when Jolyon Palmer in a Renault The Ferraris were soon in, both for Rosberg (GER) 248, 3. Daniel Ricciardo by the driver starting from pole posi- collided at the fi rst chicane with Felipe more super-softs, indicating that the (AUS) 161, 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 143, tion. Nasr’s Sauber, the Brazilian spinning, scuderia were adopting a two-stop 5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN) 136, 6. Max “Good job!” grimaced Hamilton as before soon retiring only to re-join, strategy while Mercedes, with Hamil- Verstappen (NED) 121, 7. Valtteri Bottas he shook hands with Rosberg after- and the Briton losing his car’s front ton inheriting second place 15 seconds (FIN) 70, 8. Sergio Pérez (MEX) 62, 9. wards. Daniel Ricciardo fi nished fi fth wing, before his retirement. Nasr was behind Rosberg, sticking to ‘Plan A’. Nico Hülkenberg (GER) 46, 10. Felipe for Red Bull ahead of Valtteri Bot- given a 10-seconds penalty. By lap 20, Hamilton had cut the gap to Massa (BRA) 41 tas of Williams, Dutch teenager Max For Hamilton, on soft tyres, 13.4s, reporting that his “tyres are fi ne” as Constructors’ Standings Verstappen who was seventh in the the race became a strategy exercise. he continued his pursuit of the German. 1. Mercedes 498 pts, 2. Red Bull 290, second Red Bull, Sergio Perez of Force “Remember, Lewis, the three cars After 24 laps, Rosberg pitted from 3. Ferrari 279, 4. Williams 111, 5. Force India, retirement-bound Felipe Massa ahead are on super-soft tyres so they’ll the lead for mediums. A ‘slow’ 3.9s India 108, 6. McLaren-Honda 48, 7. Toro in the second Williams and German be quick for a few laps and then they stop saw him emerge second behind Rosso 45, 8. Haas 28, 9. Renault 6, 10. Nico Hulkenberg in the second Force will degrade,” he was told. Hamilton — leading for the fi rst time Manor 1 India. After three days of searing late- At the front, Rosberg was pulling — until the Briton pitted and rejoined Qatar coach Jose Daniel Carreno (top) watches as Qatar stars Sebastian Soria, summer heat, conditions were slightly clear with a run of fastest laps while behind the two Ferraris. and others train ahead of their match against Uzbekistan. Gulf Times 2 Monday, September 5, 2016 SPORT

MOTORCYCLING SPOTLIGHT Maverick talent Hamilton in a spin aft er wins maiden poor start

Reuters too great for Hamilton to close Monza and keep life in the tyres. “Nico drove a great race... and did what he had to do. Once you ewis Hamilton’s dreams are out front here it is relatively of winning the Italian plain and simple... all he had to MotoGP in style Grand Prix for the third do was match some of my times Lyear in a row, and chalk- and he was sorted,” said Hamil- Vinales led home Honda’s Cal Crutchlow — the first Briton since Barry Sheene in 1977 ing up his 50th Formula One race ton. victory, went out with the start “It’s like less than a 10th of a to take pole — with legendary Italian Valentino Rossi third on his Yamaha lights yesterday. second (at the start) decided the In a split second the triple race and that is tough for every- world champion went from one.” AFP pole position to chaser, a slow The rules governing the start Silverstone, UK getaway leaving him sixth as were changed last year, reducing Mercedes teammate Nico Ros- the amount of information driv- berg disappeared into the dis- ers have to help with clutch set- paniard Maverick Vinales rode a tance. tings. masterful race to secure his fi rst The fault appeared to be his, Both Mercedes drivers, who ever MotoGP victory, easing to as he hinted over the team radio, have started all but one race on take the chequered fl ag in the Brit- even if he said afterwards that he pole, have suff ered slow geta- ishS Grand Prix at Silverstone yesterday. had done everything as normal ways this season. The 21-year-old — the 2013 Moto3 and the clutch was to blame. “It’s the rule change, it makes world champion — gave Suzuki its fi rst “I am told it wasn’t a driver er- it more challenging. Because win in the British edition in this category ror but it wasn’t anyone’s error,” now it’s down to the driver to do since American Kevin Schwantz in 1994. said the Briton, whose advan- it, it’s more diffi cult,” declared It was their fi rst in the category overall tage over Rosberg was cut to two Rosberg. since Australian Chris Vermeulen tri- points. “It was just we continue “I think the driver thing is the umphed in in 2007. to have an inconsistency with same as it was before,” countered Vinales led home Honda’s Cal our clutch. It has hit me quite a Hamilton. “It’s just that we have Crutchlow — the fi rst Briton since Barry lot this year. a relatively inconsistent clutch.” Sheene in 1977 to take pole — with legen- “The procedure was done ex- Team principal Toto Wolff said dary Italian Valentino Rossi third on his actly how I was supposed to do “machine and driver” had got it Yamaha for his 217th podium placing. it but unfortunately the wheels wrong. Rossi marginally reduced Marc Mar- were spinning from the get-go.” “The only thing I heard was quez’s lead in the overall standings, the Hamilton passed Red Bull’s in the race he (Hamilton) said Spaniard holding a 50-point advantage Daniel Ricciardo and Williams’ ‘Don’t worry guys I got it wrong over the Italian, 210 points to 160. Valtteri Bottas, leaving just the in the start’,” said the Austrian. Vinales, winning his 17th Grand Prix in two Ferraris between him and “A driver in the heat of the all categories, said he had felt all weekend Rosberg. moment after losing a race to his something special was on the cards. Ferrari’s two-stop strategy, team mate will say things. Once “This is a dream come true, one I compared to the single stop of we have seen all the data we will thought was possible this weekend,” said the Mercedes pair, resolved that address internally what needs to Vinales, whose win makes it seven diff er- but the gap to the German was be done.” ent winners of the last seven MotoGPs. “I hope I can deliver more dreams to Suzuki in the future as the team has worked so hard.”

Iannone dramatically fell out of that equation when he came to grief with fi ve laps to go while Mar- quez’s overzealous attempt to pass Rossi saw him exit off the track but return just behind the Italian Team Suzuki ECSTAR’s Maverick celebrates winning the MotoGP race at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in Northampton- shire, southern England, yesterday. his Suzuki to lead from Marquez with Crutchlow, whose win in the Czech Crutchlow in third and Rossi fourth. MotoGP last time out was the fi rst by a RESULTS AND STANDINGS Rossi produced a supreme passing British rider since Sheene in 1981 in the movement with 14 laps to the cheq- top category, said he couldn’t have wished MotoGP Kalex) 8.556, 10. Axel Pons (ESP/Kalex) 13.740 uered fl ag, relegating Marquez to third. for more. 1. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Suuki) 39min World championship standings Vinales was well clear of the pack “To take pole and fi nish second is more 03.559sec, 2. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda LCR) 1. Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) 181 pts, 2. Alex Rins and maintained his advantage of 2.5sec than I could have dreamt of. I thought I at 3.480, 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 4.063, (ESP/Kalex) 171, 3. Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) 137, despite Rossi’s best eff orts. would fi nish in the top six at best,” con- 4. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 5.992, 5. Dani 4. Thomas Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 131, 5. Jonas Folger Marquez lost further ground as fessed the 30-year-old. Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 6.381, 6. Andrea Dovizioso (GER/Kalex) 119, 6. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) Crutchlow and Andrea Iannone passed “I am really happy I could satisfy the (ITA/Ducati) 12.303, 7. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/ 114, 7. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) 108, 8. him in quick succession with the latter home crowd as they have supported me Suzuki) 16.672, 8. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) Hafizh Syahrin (MAL/Kalex) 92, 9. Dominique then overtaking the Englishman and through thick and thin down the years. 19.432, 9. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati Pramac) Aegerter (SUI/Kalex) 71, 10. Simone Corsi (ITA/ Rossi to move into second with eight Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton “It was great fun to be battling away 25.618, 10. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Aprilia) 32.084 Speed Up) 67 laps remaining. drives during the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo with the guys in front.” Moto3 Rossi fought back to take second Nazionale circuit in Monza yesterday. For the as always exuberant Rossi he MotoGP standings 1. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 38min 39.142sec, 2. again as an engrossing tussle took place was satisfi ed to have at least not allowed 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 210 pts, 2. Valen- Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Mahindra) at 0.183sec, for the minor placings with six riders Marquez to stretch his imposing lead. tino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 160, 3. Jorge Lorenzo 3. Bo Bendsneyder (NED/KTM) 0.336, 4. Stefano involved. IHF Super Globe Championship begins today “I am happy with that because I had to (ESP/Yamaha) 146, 4. Maverick Viñales (ESP/ Manzi (ITA/Mahindra) 0.787, 5. Nicolo Bulega Iannone dramatically fell out of that really battle very hard as my tyres were Suzuki) 125, 5. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 120, (ITA/KTM) 0.802, 6. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/ equation when he came to grief with Doha: Doha has completed all Fuchse are the defend- worn out by the end of the ninth lap and 6. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 96, 7. Andrea Honda) 0.883, 7. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA/Honda) fi ve laps to go while Marquez’s over- technical and administrative ing champions. The German I was sliding all over the place,” said the Doviziosio (ITA/Ducati) 89, 8. Cal Crutchlow 0.920, 8. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) 1.016, 9. zealous attempt to pass Rossi saw him arrangements to host the 10th wild cards beat Hungarian 37-year-old seven time world champion (GBR/Honda) 86, 9. Pol Espargaró (ITA/Yamaha) Aron Canet (ESP/Honda) 1.409, 10. Joan Mir exit off the track but return just behind International Handball Federa- club MKM-MKB Veszprem in in the class. 81, 10. Héctor Barberá (ESP/Ducati) 78 (ESP/KTM) 1.493 the Italian. tion (IHF) Super Globe Champi- overtime in last year’s thrilling The race had to be reduced to 19 laps World championship standings The lead pursuer of Vinales was now onship 2016, which will be held title clash. after it was halted following a brutal Moto2 1. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 204 pts, 2. Jorge Nav- Crutchlow, with arch-rivals Rossi and at Qatar Handball Association Sydney University (), fi rst-lap collision between French rider 1. Thomas Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 38min 49.473sec, arro (ESP/Honda) 118, 3. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/ Marquez conducting their private duel (QHA) Hall in Duhail from today HC Taubate (Brazil), Paris Saint- Loris Baz and Pol Espargaro of . 2. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) at 0.856sec, 3. Mahindra) 110, 4. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) behind him — the Spaniard going past to September 8. Germain (France), Vive Targi Baz, on a Ducati, and Espargaro on a Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) 1.179, 4. Hafizh 102, 5. Nicolo Bulega (ITA/KTM) 100, 6. Romano him with four circuits of the track to Al Sadd and Lekhwiya will Kielce () and Esperance Yamaha Tech3 were at the back of the Syahrin (MAS/Kalex) 1.359, 5. Jonas Folger (GER/ Fenati (ITA/KTM) 93, 7. Fabio Di Giannantonio cover. represent Qatar in the cham- Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) are fi eld but debris from their bikes littered Kalex) 1.970, 6. Lorenzo Baldassarri (ITA/Kalex) (ITA/Honda) 92, 8. Joan Mir (ESP/KTM) 89, 9. Crutchlow staved off a stern chal- pionship, which QHA has been the other teams competing in the corner and the track. 5.292, 7. Alex Rins (ESP/Kalex) 7.962, 8. Simone Niccolo Antonelli (ITA/Honda) 83, 10. Jakub lenge by Marquez for second spot in the hosting since 2010 according the tournament featuring conti- Once the race got underway for a sec- Corsi (ITA/Speed Up) 8.421, 9. Mattia Pasini (ITA/ Kornfeil (CZE/Honda) 68 closing stages before the latter also had to QOC. nental champions. (QNA) ond time, Vinales made a superb start on to concede third place to Rossi.

BOTTOMLINE Formula One to be sold next week: reports

AFP 2012, while also selling shares to another Amer- Monza, Italy ican investment group, BlackRock, and Norwe- gian bank Norges. Liberty Media Group, which is listed on the he long-awaited sale of Formula One to New York Stock Exchange, is expected to take an American media group is to be com- Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 control of the company that will run Formula pleted next week, according to media Team’s German driver Nico One. Treports yesterday. Rosberg celebrates winning Ecclestone, 85, said his future with the busi- The well-sourced German magazine Auto the Italian Formula One Grand ness would remain in his hands. He told Auto Motor und Sport said that the sport’s veteran Prix in Monza yesterday. Motor Und Sport: “I will do what I have always commercial ring-master Bernie Ecclestone done. What role I play is my decision.” had confirmed the deal at the Italian Grand Ecclestone, whose mother-in-law was kid- Prix. napped in Brazil recently, did not respond to The magazine reported that Ecclestone said questions about the sale when asked ahead of Liberty Media, backed by American media ty- yesterday’s race at Monza. coon John Malone, will make the fi rst of two Others who have looked at a deal to buy the payments on Tuesday in a deal valued at 8.5bn motorsport include Qatar Sports Investments, dollars the owners of Paris Saint-Germain football If that goes through, according to well-in- club, and Stephen Ross, the owner of American formed paddock sources, current owners CVC football team the Miami Dolphins. Capital Parners, who hold a 35 percent stake, The sport’s glamorous reputation has been will leave the sport. hit in recent years by a lack of genuine sporting CVC Capital Parners, who invested in the interest due to the domination of fi rst Red Bull sport in 2006, previously sold a 21 percent share and then Mercedes, with global viewing fi gures to US-based fund manager Waddell & Reed in dipping as a consequence. Gulf Times Monday, September 5, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS LANDMARK Rooney breaks Lallana late show England caps record gives Big Sam a winning start In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Lallana squeezed a shot between Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik’s legs to get England up and running in Group F England’s Wayne Rooney during his team’s match against Slovakia. AFP “To do it the second-most Trnava, Slovakia times will be great, but tomor- row (Sunday) is about the team, about getting three points. ayne Rooney be- “I’m sure one day in the future came England’s I will look back, but for now I’m most capped out- looking to the game tomorrow fi eld player when and nothing else.” Whe was awarded his 116th cap by Rooney is also England’s new manager Sam Allardyce in record goal-scorer with 53 goals, yesterday’s opening 2018 World having broken Bobby Charlton’s Cup qualifi er away to Slovakia. longstanding record of 49 in Team captain Rooney, 30, sur- September 2015. passes his former England team- As expected, the Manchester mate David Beckham, who was United skipper was selected in capped 115 times by his country. a number 10 role behind Harry Goalkeeper Peter Shilton, Kane as England began life under capped 125 times, holds the over- Allardyce. all record. Allardyce took over from Roy “I think it is always important Hodgson, who stepped down as and an honour to represent your manager following England’s country,” Rooney said on the eve humiliating last 16 defeat by Ice- of the game in Trnava. land at Euro 2016.

Kosovo set for historic debut despite player uncertainty Despite several potential else,” the head of Kosovo’s players remaining in “limbo”, football association Fadil Kosovo will make history Vokrri told AFP. today, playing their first ever “FIFA should allow a one-off competitive match in a World exemption for Kosovo.” Cup qualifier against . A FIFA spokesman said the vari- Kosovo became the 210th ous applications “are currently member of FIFA in May, but pending and being investi- excitement ahead of the gated” but he could not give Balkans outfit’s historic match an estimation of how long the has been marred by questions decision process would take. over who will be allowed to “It is a dream coming true,” England’s Adam Lallana celebrates scoring against Slovakia during their 2018 World Cup Qualifying European Zone, Group F, match at the City Arena, Trnava, Slovakia. play for the team. midfielder Alban Muja wrote on According to FIFA’s rules, his Facebook page. AFP stage encounter with Slovakia at Euro Key Results he knelt on the pitch. someone who has played for He intends to play for Kosovo Trnava, Slovakia 2016. Rooney registered England’s fi rst shot another national team cannot after switching from the It also meant that captain Wayne Group C on target in the 65th minute, a weak curl- normally switch allegiance, so Albania. Most of them play for Rooney fi nished as a winner on a night San Marino 0 Azerbaijan 1 (Gurbanov er that Kozacik pushed away uncertainly, a number of Kosovo’s poten- Albania, who are mourning dam Lallana scored with the when he won his 116th cap to become 45) before Sterling almost caught the Slova- tial players have had to apply the decision of four players so last kick of the match as Eng- England’s most-capped outfi eld player. kia goalkeeper out with an improvised individually for special permis- far from their European Cham- land edged 10-man Slovakia Allardyce had vowed that Rooney Group E chip. sion — which is still awaited. pionships squad earlier this 1-0 in Sam Allardyce’s fi rst would no longer play as a number 10 on Kazakhstan 2 (Khizhnichenko 51, 58) Allardyce sent on Dele Alli and Theo “It is unprecedented as they summer to play for Kosovo. Agame as manager in World Cup qualify- his watch, but the captain nonetheless Walcott for Henderson and Sterling, Poland 2 (Kapustka 9, Lewandowski played for other national Others include ’s ing yesterday. lined up in midfi eld beside Jordan Hend- 35-pen) while Daniel Sturridge replaced Kane late teams while Kosovo was not a Adnan Januzaj, Finland’s Per- Despite Slovakia having Martin Skr- erson in a 4-1-4-1 system. on. member of FIFA... parim Hetemaj and ’s tel sent off in the 57th minute, Allardyce With Raheem Sterling hugging the At Copenhagen But the visitors came no closer than a Now they should be given this Arber Zeneli, who all await the looked destined to become the fi rst Eng- touchline on the right and Lallana fl itting 1 (Eriksen 17) Armenia 0 left-foot snapshot from Lallana that hit opportunity like everyone green light from FIFA. land manager since Bobby Robson in infi eld from the left, it left lone striker the left-hand post and bounced across 1982 not to win his fi rst game in charge. Harry Kane isolated. Group F goal. But in the fi fth minute of stoppage time It took England until mid-way through Slovakia 0 England 1 (Lallana 90+5) The Liverpool midfi elder continued to at Trnava’s City Arena, Lallana squeezed the fi rst half to present Kane with anything Lithuania 2 (Cernych 32, Slivka 34) look like England’s best chance of a goal, MILESTONE a shot between Slovakia goalkeeper Ma- approaching a shooting chance and when Slovenia 2 (Krhin 77, Cesar 90+3) with one shot parried by Kozacik and an- tus Kozacik’s legs to get England up and Kyle Walker picked him out at the near other fi zzing wide. running in Group F. post, the number nine missed his kick. Walcott found the net in the 90th Allardyce, nicknamed ‘Big Sam’, suc- Allardyce shuffl ed his pack at half- minute, tucking the ball away after Stur- end 38-year ceeded Roy Hodgson after England’s SKRTEL STAMP time, switching Sterling and Lallana and ridge’s shot was blocked, only for his humiliating Euro 2016 elimination by Slovakia gave England a scare when pushing Rooney upfi eld, but it took the celebrations to be cut short by an off side Iceland. Michal Duris robbed Danny Rose and dismissal of Skrtel for the visitors to take fl ag. wait, Burkina also Kozacik’s gaff e enabled him to become fl ashed the ball across the six-yard box the upper hand. But just as it looked as if victory would the ninth England manager to start his that narrowly eluded Dusan Svento. Booked in the fi rst half for catching elude England, Lallana gathered Rose’s tenure with a win. The fi rst half ended with Sterling Kane with a fl ailing arm, the former Liv- cross and unleashed a hopeful shot that qualify aft er thriller Lallana’s goal spared England from fl ashing a shot wide, but England were erpool centre-back saw red after crudely crept between Kozacik’s legs and dribbed a repeat of the result from their group- toiling. stamping on the same opponent’s calf as into the net. AFP but got a second chance from the Johannesburg rebound and fi red into the net from close range. 2017 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS FINALS A tension-easing second goal ganda secured an Africa eluded the home team, however, Cup of Nations tourna- as they remained on top during ment place for the fi rst the second half at the Mandela time since 1978 and National Stadium. UBurkina Faso also qualifi ed from Burkina Faso and Uganda join Group D after a dramatic climax Algeria, , , Gha- Champions Ivory Coast survive yesterday. na, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso scored nine Mali, , Senegal, Zimba- minutes into stoppage time in bwe and hosts Gabon as qualifi - Ouagadougou to edge ers for the 2017 Cup of Nations. 2-1 and top the standings on the Sierra Leone scare to qualify head-to-head rule after a match in which three players were red- Key Results AFP against Sierra Leone and taking goal as Libya shocked Cape carded. Johannesburg four points off Sudan. Verde 1-0 in a Group F match in- Uganda defeated the Comoros Yesterday Sierra Leone fi nished with fi ve terrupted when a dog wandered 1-0 before a capacity 45,000 Group D points and Sudan with four. onto the pitch in Praia. Kampala crowd to fi nish second Burkina Faso 2 (Nakoulma 18, itle-holders Ivory Coast Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Defeat eliminated Cape Verde, and clinch one of the two places Diawara 90+9) Botswana 1 cleared a header off their , Guinea-Bissau, Mali, who were briefl y ranked No.1 in reserved for the best runners-up. (Sesinyi 80-pen) goal-line in stoppage Morocco, Senegal and Zimba- Africa this year and had been Burkina Faso and Uganda fi n- Uganda 1 (Miya 35) Comoros 0 time to hang on to a 1-1 bwe secured places ahead of the seeking a third consecutive Cup ished with 13 points each in the Tdraw with Sierra Leone on Sat- fi nal round and hosts Gabon are of Nations appearance. six-round mini-league, Botswa- Group E urday to squeeze into the 2017 automatic participants as hosts. A brilliant goal from Man- na collected six and the Comoros Congo 1 (Dore 80) Africa Cup of Nations fi nals. Another 14 matches are chester City teenager Kelechi three. Guinea-Bissau 0 Jonathan Kodjia scored via a scheduled for Sunday with the Iheanacho on 78 minutes earned After 38 years littered with bicycle kick after 35 minutes for remaining fi ve places up for already-eliminated a near misses to qualify for the Saturday the Ivorians before a sell-out grabs. 1-0 Group G win over Tanzania biennial African football show- Group H 25,000 crowd in Bouake but Kei fell behind against in Uyo. piece, some Ugandan players Ghana 1 (Tetteh 24) Rwanda 1 Kamara equalised on 67 minutes Seychelles in before The Super Eagles took a short raised their arms and others sank (Hakizimana 83) with a glancing header following goals from and corner and the striker moved to their knees as the fi nal whistle a free-kick. either side of half- across the edge of the penalty sounded. At It was Kamara, back after a time brought a 2-1 win and hope area before unleashing a left- Dominant against a limited 1 (Bheu 90+10) self-imposed one-year exile of qualifi cation as one of the best foot thunderbolt into the roof of Comoran team, Uganda took the Mauritius 0 having accused Sierra Leone of- Ivory Coast’s Gervinho (R) fights for the ball with Sierra Leone’s two runners-up. the net. lead on 35 minutes through Bel- fi cials of disrespecting him, who Yeami Dunia (L) at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake. It was the sixth goal of the Group H winners Ghana gium-based teenage midfi elder Group I almost took his country to the qualifying campaign for Kebede lacked numerous fi rst choices, Farouk Miya. Ivory Coast 1 (Kodjia 35) Sierra fi nals after a 20-year absence. page time but a far-post Kamara seventh straight Cup of Na- in Group J and moved him to the including Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew He had a shot parried by out- Leone 1 (K. Sierra Leone were awarded a header was cleared off the line. tions by winning Group I with top of the scorers charts. and Asamoah Gyan, and were standing goalkeeper Ali Ahama- Kamara 67) corner fi ve minutes into stop- Ivory Coast qualifi ed for a six points after drawing twice Fouad Al Triki scored a late held 1-1 in Accra by Rwanda. da in a one-one-one situation, Gulf Times 4 Monday, September 5, 2016 FOOTBALL

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS CONFIDENCE Ventura sure Italy will bounce back Coleman says star AFP Haifa, Israel

ew Italy coach Giampi- ero Ventura said he was unconcerned by Thurs- day’s home defeat to striker Bale primed NFrance ahead of his team’s open- ing World Cup qualifi er in Israel today. The 2006 World Cup cham- pions slumped to a 3-1 defeat in Bari on Thursday but Ventura, who took over the Azzurri hots- eat from new Chelsea manager for Wales return Antonio Conte, does not expect such a stern test in Haifa. “With the greatest of respect, File picture of Italy’s coach ‘I know he’s capable of almost anything and I think Madrid are very excited about the Israel aren’t France. We will ana- Giampiero Ventura (R). lyse (the) match, we’ll look at future with Balo. Along with that incredible ability, he’s got first-class mentality as well’ some errors that we can avoid marked and so the coach wants and I’m sure we’ll put in a better to play me as an attacking mid- AFP performance,” Ventura, 68, said. fi elder, which I’m comfortable Cardiff , Even so, there is anxiety in with,” said the 23-year-old Paris the Italian camp with striker Saint-Germain star. Graziano Pelle, who scored “Compared to before (under areth Bale takes his fi rst step on against France, insisting: “There Conte), we perhaps look to keep the road to World Cup qualifi ca- are no excuses, we must beat Is- the ball more in order to create tion with Wales against Moldo- rael.” space where we can do damage.” va today and manager Chris Italy are expected to battle Centre-back Leonardo Bo- GColeman believes he is still getting better. with Spain for top spot in Group nucci will play despite worries Bale, 27, scored three times as Wales G and the only automatic qualifi - about his young son’s health, but created a sensation by reaching the semi- cation place. the injured veteran Daniele De fi nals at Euro 2016, matching the best The 2010 world champions Rossi will miss out for Italy. performance by a British team in an over- begin their campaign against Israel are looking to qualify for seas tournament. minnows Liechtenstein while their fi rst World Cup since 1970. The challenge now facing him is to Albania and Macedonia round They will also start their quali- build on that momentum by fi ring Wales out the group. fying campaign with a new man- to the 2018 World Cup in and The winners of each group will ager after Eli Guttman resigned Coleman says the Real Madrid fl ier is qualify for the 2018 World Cup in following four mediocre years in hungry to make more history. Russia, while the eight best run- charge, to be replaced by Elisha “Gareth scored inside 75 seconds of ners-up advance to the play-off s. Levy. Real’s fi rst game of the season (against Midfi eld orchestrator Marco Israel captain Eran Zahavi says Real Sociedad), but I never get surprised Verratti, who missed the 2016 his team are aiming for qualifi - by him,” Coleman said ahead of the European Championships due to cation despite lining up with of Group D opener at Cardiff City Stadium. injury, says Italy are up against it. Europe’s biggest heavyweights in “I know he’s capable of almost any- “We have been put in a diffi cult their group. thing and I think Madrid are very excited group, but if we do what what we “Do not stop believing, we about the future with Balo. can then we have a good chance will not give up and we will give “They recognise that they’ve got of getting through,” he said. it our all,” said the 28-year-old someone who’s going to be there for a The usually deep-lying ball- forward. while and someone who is capable of player says he will operate a more Following this match, Italy winning everything. advanced role under Ventura. tackle Spain in Turin on Octo- “He’s getting better and better still. “I often speak with Ventura ber 6 while Israel travel to Sko- Along with that incredible ability, he’s about my position on the pitch. pje to face Macedonia the same got that fi rst-class mentality as well. Playmakers are often man- evening.

Key fixtures GIVING IT ALL (all kick-off s 1845 GMT unless stated):

Today Group D Giroud says France v Wales v Moldova Wales’ star striker Gareth Bale during training ahead of his team’s World Cup qualifying match against Moldova. won’t rest on laurels Group G “It’s a winning formula for Real Ma- pected to start despite missing Palace’s “It was really hard and I know a lot of Spain v Liechtenstein drid and for Wales, and I think he will 1-1 draw with Bournemouth last weekend the lads (found it hard), too. You miss AFP “I don’t know this team (Be- Israel v Italy have another good season.” due to a leg problem. that buzz. Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France larus), we haven’t had time to Wales were among the fourth seeds in Prior to the Euros, Wales had not com- “You feel like you need a rest when it study them,” said Giroud. Group I qualifying for Euro 2016, but their ex- peted at a major tournament fi nals since is going on, but once it fi nishes, you pine “We expect a diffi cult match Croatia v ploits in France catapulted them into Pot the 1958 World Cup and their exploits for it. rsenal striker Olivier but it’s up to us to make it easy. v Iceland One for the World Cup qualifying draw. electrifi ed the nation. “It was so special, but it is gone, that Giroud said France “They’re well into their league Finland v Kosovo In an evenly balanced group, they are Cardiff City Stadium will be packed to moment is fi nished. We have to create won’t be taking Bela- season so physically they’ll be in likely to face strong challenges for the one the rafters for the team’s return to action, something new.” rus lightly when they top shape, which won’t be our automatic qualifying berth from , but Coleman has warned that his side’s An independent nation since 1991, beginA World Cup 2018 qualify- case, me especially.” TOMORROW Group A Serbia and the Republic of Ireland. achievements in France will count for Moldova have never qualifi ed for a major ing in Minsk tomorrow. Although Giroud described Sweden v Georgia complete the pool. nothing in the new campaign. championship and have only won one of France have been in great France’s Euro fi nal defeat to Por- v While Bale is fi t and fi ring, Wales “When I got home, for the two weeks their last 21 games. form over the summer, reach- tugal as “painful”, he recognises Belarus v France will be without Aaron Ramsey against after it I think my wife was expecting me They fi nished rock bottom of their Euro ing the Euro 2016 fi nal on home that the national team is in rude Moldova – as they were when they lost to to be a certain way, and I was not,” said 2016 qualifying group after losing eight soil in July before triumphing health. Group B eventual champions Portugal in the Euro Coleman, whose side are unbeaten in six and drawing two of their 10 matches. 3-1 away to Italy on Thursday in “We realise that we had a good v Portugal semi-fi nals. competitive home games. The teams have only played each other a friendly. Euro, we’re on the right path Faroe Islands v The Arsenal midfi elder has a ham- “I was on a bit of a downer. The situ- twice, in qualifying for Euro 96, when Giroud scored in that match even though we lost that fi nal,” string injury. ation is so exciting. It is exhausting, but they won one game apiece. and the 29-year-old expects a he said. Group H Attacking midfi elder Jonathan Wil- you have all that emotion. Late former Wales manager Gary tough challenge from Belarus, “There was a lot of expecta- Cyprus v Belgium liams, who recently joined Ipswich Town “But when it fi nishes, you don’t get Speed, Coleman’s predecessor, scored whom France beat 3-1 at home tion and we lived up to that bill- Gibraltar v Greece on loan from Crystal Palace, is also out. weaned off it. It is over and you are back the only goal when the teams met in Car- and 4-2 away in qualifying for ing. Now, we mustn’t get over- Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is ex- into reality as fathers and husbands. diff , with Coleman also playing. the last World Cup in Brazil. confi dent or rest on our laurels.”

BOTTOMLINE IN SUPPORT Lopetegui’s new-look Spain UAE’s Al Nasr back Wanderley in begin long road to Russia nationality probe Reuters ons League (ACL) tournament as AFP Captain and record caps holder Crucially, Lopetegui has al- Dubai an ‘Asian player’. Madrid Iker Casillas was fi nally left out of ready coached David de Gea, Participating clubs are allowed the squad, as was two-time Eu- Carvajal, Saul Niguez, Koke, Thi- to fi eld three foreign players and ropean champion and World Cup ago and Alvaro Morata in his time nited Arab Emirates a fourth non-citizen who has na- aint hopes Spain’s spec- winner Cesc Fabregas. with the Spanish youth teams. club Al Nasr are back- tionality of one of the AFC’s 46 tacular fall from grace at The selection of Fabregas af- That youthful core added to ing their Brazil-born member nations. the 2014 World Cup was ter a poor season with Chelsea the likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio forward Santos Mon- The governing body said it had a mere blip were extin- ahead of Koke and Thiago Al- Ramos, Jordi Alba, Sergio Bus- Uteiro Junior Wanderley after he sought explanations from three guishedF as another early exit at cantara at the Euros was an un- quets, Andres Iniesta and Silva was provisionally suspended by players that had played in the Euro 2016 fi nally ended Vicente popular one. still in their prime means there is the Asian Football Confederation tournament about how they had del Bosque’s eight-year reign. Tellingly, having played just a no reason why Spain shouldn’t be pending an investigation into his obtained their nationalities. Julien Lopetegui is the man combined 45 minutes in France, contenders in Russia if Lopetegui nationality. It said it was also conducting charged with restoring Spain’s the Atletico Madrid and Bayern rekindles the hunger lost in the fi - The 27-year-old was banned an investigation into the mis- former glories, but he faces a de- Munich midfi elders played all nal years of Del Bosque’s reign. for 60 days by the AFC on Friday appropriation of “certain pass- manding task in just getting La 90 minutes in Belgium. A change of coach even seems after Indonesian authorities said ports” that had been used in AFC Roja to Russia in two years’ time to have done Diego Costa good. his passport was forged or falsi- national competitions. with Euros’ conquerors Italy ly- YOUTHFUL CORE “If I was a Real Madrid or Bar- fi ed passport. Wanderley, who played for ing in wait in qualifying. Dani Carvajal, 24, replaced celona player they would say I “Our legal team is already in Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Spain haven’t lost a World 31-year-old Juanfran at right- played well...but given I am not receipt of all documents so that Cruzeiro before spending the Cup qualifi er for a remarkable 23 after Del Bosque’s resignation eased after a convincing 2-0 win back, whilst the only other play- a natural Spaniard...” raged Cos- we can fi le our response before last fi ve years playing for Mid- years and that record shouldn’t was generally seen as an under- away to Belgium on his debut. er to start who missed out on ta afterwards when questioned the AFC,” Humaid al-Tayer, dle Eastern sides, scored a brace be challenged when Liechten- whelming one. Tellingly, he has already begun the Euros, Vitolo, played a cru- about failing to score. board chairman of the Al Nasr for Al Nasr against Qatari side El stein visit Leon at the start of the Despite success in winning the to inject a tired looking squad cial role in both goals scored by However, boosted by the con- Football Company, told Emirati Jaish in the fi rst leg of their ACL long road to Russia today. under-19 and under-21 European with the fresh blood it needed Manchester City’s David Silva. fi dence of early season winners newspaper Gulf News. quarter-fi nal two weeks ago. Yet, Lopetegui’s new era needs championships with the Spanish prior to the Euros. “The young players are here against West Ham and Watford “We are behind Wanderley as The return leg is in Dubai on to hit the ground running with a youth ranks, his debut in a top- Of the 11 that started in Brus- because I believe that they deserve for Chelsea, Costa looks fi t and we have signed him after duly Sept. 24. “It was a surprise for all trip to Italy next up in early Oc- fl ight managerial role with Porto sels on Thursday, nine were in to be and they have the ability,” back close to his best. “We are all scrutinising all documents and of us and I really don’t know how tober and only the group win- ended without a trophy and the Del Bosque’s Euros squad. said Lopetegui. “Little-by-little with him,” said Alba. “The best paperwork.” his absence is going to impact ners guaranteed to qualify. sack in January 2016. Yet, Lopetegui has not shied they have to assume that role and way to defend Costa is the way The AFC said Wanderley had us,” Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic Lopetegui’s appointment However, that scepticism away from big decisions. continue developing.” he played (against Belgium).” registered in the Asian Champi- told local media on Friday. Gulf Times Monday, September 5, 2016 5 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Manchester derby could shape this EPL season In terms of personalities and pedigree of the two managers, the huge amounts of money spent in the transfer window and the impeccable starts United and City have made to the new season, this is one blockbuster battle in the making

By Paul Wilson, The Guardian how long his fi tness will last. Manchester That the derby will be competitive and both teams well-matched and well-managed is a given. Manchester ith the greatest respect is lucky in that respect this season. The to Sam Allardyce and the only previous time the two sides each opening of a new England won their three opening matches was era, most people will be in 2011-12, and that was the season Wrelieved when the fi rst international City fi nally prised the title away from break of the fl edgling season is out of their neighbours on goal diff erence on the way and business proper resumes the fi nal day of the season, with Agüero on Saturday with an eagerly anticipat- scoring the now legendary late goal ed Manchester derby. against QPR. As the aforementioned All derbies are eagerly anticipated, 6-1 shock wave sender of that season of course, that is the whole point of the was in October, this is the fi rst time the exercise. But Manchester is where it is two sides will go into the Manchester all happening in English football at the derby with 100% records and two new moment. In terms of the personalities managers pretending to be uncon- and pedigree of the two managers, the cerned about their previous rivalry in staggering amounts of money spent in Spain. The stage could hardly be better the transfer window and the impecca- set or the game more delicately poised. ble starts United and City have made to the new season, it is clear things have UNITED BACK IN FORM moved up several notches since the Mourinho has done well to restore memorable Old Traff ord meeting vefi United to their former grandeur very years ago and a result the BBC suggest- quickly, largely with statement sign- ed would send shock waves through ings such as Paul Pogba and Ibrahi- the Premier League. movic, though some might argue Van That was City’s 6-1 win against Sir Gaal set the bar very low and appeared Alex Ferguson’s reigning champions, to have mere ordinariness as the vision United’s worst home defeat for more at the end of his famous three-year than half a , and recollections plan. Guardiola has not been slow to are still vivid of a fl abbergasted Fergie show decisiveness and exert authority, blaming his players for chasing the banishing Joe Hart to Italy and leav- game and conceding more goals rather ing Yaya Touré out of his Champions than switching into damage limitation League squad. With new signings Ilkay mode once Jonny Evans had been sent Gündogan and Leroy Sané still to get off and their opponents were beyond started, the City supporters are already catching. excited about the brand of football That is not how Ferguson or his their side has been playing and re- United would like to be remembered lieved to discover that the £44m spent and, in fairness, they do not deserve on Sterling last season might not have to be, but these things can happen in been a waste of money after all. derbies. Less well remembered might Somewhere in the far east the new be the scorer of the fi rst two goals in manager of Hebei China Fortune, that game, a certain Mario Balotelli, Manuel Pellegrini, is probably permit- last seen making an ignominious de- ting himself a wry smile at the possi- parture from Liverpool on a free trans- bility that the player he brought to City fer to Nice accompanied by a mocking and saw struggle is now fl ourishing tweet from Jamie Carragher to the ef- under his successor. But if Pellegrini fect that the French club had paid over failed to get the best out of Sterling the odds. The Italian was not quite the File pictures of Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho (left) and Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola. (Below) United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovich. he cannot argue with City turning to a abject failure in England that his un- manager who can. That’s football, or at happy time on Merseyside might lead unquestionably the fi nished article and when available the most lethal fi nisher discovered over and over again in the least that’s football in Manchester. one to believe, though his contribu- has already established that he is in ex- in the division in Agüero. To balance last couple of decades. The back line Going into this derby it seems bare- tion now appears tiny when set against cellent form. that, United are possibly better placed ahead of Claudio Bravo is not exactly ly credible that both these teams let the continuing eff orts of Sergio Agüero With the ever-impressive Silva and in defence, where Eric Bailly has fi t- stable either. John Stones looks the Leicester sneak past them last season and David Silva. Kevin De Bruyne just behind, and a ted in straight away and Daley Blind part already, though he showed inex- and, with Mourinho and Guardiola in That pair were also on the scoresheet rejuvenated Raheem Sterling provid- is playing well enough to keep Chris perience on occasion at Everton last charge, one doubts that will be hap- in 2011 and they would both be lining ing pace and penetration on the wing, Smalling out. Mourinho has a worry season, but until Vincent Kompany pening again. If a lot has changed in the up for the fi rst Manchester derby on City must have felt before the elbow- over Antonio Valencia’s availability, recovers full fi tness the identity of his fi ve years since Balotelli’s brace in 2011, Pep Guardiola’s watch were it not for ing incident against West Ham that with the right-back due to return from regular partner remains unclear. even more has changed in the four the suspension that has ruled Agüero they could match for quickness and international duty on Friday, but one With Eliaquim Mangala and Ja- months since City could manage only out of the game. Kelechi Iheanacho invention what is still quite a ponder- of the positives from Louis van Gaal’s son Denayer packed off to Valencia a fourth place fi nish and United ended will be a capable deputy, unless Guar- ous United attack. Ibrahimovic makes time at the club was a tightening up and Sunderland respectively, Nicolás up in the Europa League. diola opts to send Nolito further for- a fi ne fi gurehead and is likely to score at the back and United had the joint Otamendi is the obvious candidate, Paul Scholes has said this derby ward and make changes in midfi eld, plenty of goals, though with Henrikh meanest defence in the Premier League though if the Argentinian enjoyed the could turn out to be a title decider and, though Agüero’s absence subtly alters Mkhitaryan injured the only real pace last season, in no small part because of full confi dence of his manager it might daft as that sounds in September, it the dynamic. With him in the side City in the United front line is provided by David de Gea’s alert goalkeeping. not have been necessary to pursue might not be so wide of the mark. The would probably have the attacking Anthony Martial, unless José Mour- Guardiola has chosen to change Stones quite so eagerly. While this der- millions tuning in to watch will be do- edge over their rivals. Zlatan Ibrahi- inho fi nds some way to make room for City’s goalkeeper this season and by might come too soon for Kompany, ing so in the knowledge that more than movic and Wayne Rooney are both in Marcus Rashford. bringing in a new player in that posi- the Belgian captain will probably be local pride is at stake. their 30s and still a work in progress as City have pace on both fl anks, a great tion to replace a long-standing incum- back as soon as his fi tness allows. The For an early clue to the title destina- a striking partnership, while Agüero is deal of imagination in the middle, and bent is always a risk, as United have only question then, a familiar one, is tion, this is the place to look.

BOTTOMLINE Balotelli’s agent Raiola Former Real player Bayern include Goetze slams Klopp’s Gonzalez signs up for brother in Champions treatment of striker Indian Super League League squad

Mario Balotelli’s agent Mino Former Real Madrid player Felix Goetze, the 18-year-old Raiola has blasted Jurgen Ruben Gonzalez has signed younger brother of ’s Honda demands Klopp’s treatment of the for the upcoming Indian Super star Mario, has been included former Liverpool striker, after League (ISL) as the second in Bayern Munich’s ‘B’ list of the Italy international signed marquee player for the Delhi players eligible to feature for for Nice this week. Dynamos. the Bundesliga giants in the Balotelli, 26, signed a one-year Gonzalez was part of the Champions League. young players step up deal at the Allianz Riviera on Delhi side that lost 1-0 to West A central defender with Bay- Wednesday after being al- Bromwich Albion during their ern’s under-19 side, Felix had Reuters Thailand, ranked 120th in the lowed to leave Liverpool on a pre-season friendly at The already been invited to train Tokyo world, have enjoyed an impres- free transfer. Hawthorns on Saturday. with the first team several sive run to the fi nal phase of The forward struggled on The 34-year-old will play times last season by then- Asian qualifying and gave a good loan at former club AC Milan alongside former Lyon and coach Pep Guardiola. apan midfi elder Keisuke account of themselves in a 1-0 last season having made little Chelsea star Florent Malouda Current coach Carlo Ancelotti Honda has berated his defeat to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. impact at Liverpool in the for Delhi in the ISL starting on played him three times during younger team mates after AC Milan midfi elder Honda previous campaign, but Raiola October 1. pre-season, including in a 1-0 their shock loss to United said Japan, ranked 49th in the was critical of the way Klopp The Spanish international was win at home to Manchester ArabJ Emirates and demanded world, would need to go “all handled Balotelli’s departure. part of the Real Madrid squad City in July. more eff ort from them in their out” with the intention of win- “For me, he didn’t take into that won the Champions Goetze, whose brother Mario next World Cup qualifi er against ning the rest of their qualifi ers. account that he was talking to League in 2001-2002 before left Bayern to return to former Thailand tomorrow. “We have to go into the next a human being,” Raiola said, winning the La Liga in 2002- club Borussia Dortmund in A profl igate Japan lost 2-1 at game with confi dence and in quotes published Saturday 2003. “I am really excited to the close season, is one of home to 74th-ranked UAE in their with a positive mind-set,” the on the Gazzetta dello Sport join Delhi Dynamos. Having eight youngsters named on Group B opener on Thursday and bleach-blond 30-year-old said website. played for most of my career Bayern’s ‘B’ list. defeat in Bangkok would be an- in comments published by Kyo- “Mario has been exemplary, in Spain and Germany, I am The list, a supplement to the other serious setback to their do news agency. he never complained about looking forward to playing in main Champions League hopes of advancing from a sec- “There is pressure right from training alone. To say that it Asia for the first time,” said squad of 25, can include any tion that includes heavyweights the start (of the qualifi ers) but was wrong of Klopp would be Gonzalez. player born in 1995 or later Australia and Saudi Arabia. we have experienced even high- an understatement, he was a “I have spoken to the manag- and who has spent at least “A surprising number of play- er-pressure situations than this piece of shit about it.” er, Zambrotta, and I am in tune two years at the club. ers watch and read the news so before and we have to face it The outspoken Raiola, who is with his plans for the season, Bayern begin their Champions they know what I say,” Honda, Japan’s Keisuke Honda (centre) during training. head-on.” also the agent of Manchester and I believe we can do even League campaign at home to who scored his team’s only goal Australia, who beat Iraq at United midfielder Paul Pogba, better than last season.” Rostov on September 13 and against UAE, told Japanese me- “I want to give them the op- “The young players can’t ex- home on Thursday, lead Group B supported Balotelli’s earlier Coach Gianluca Zambrotta will also face Atletico Madrid dia after training in Bangkok. portunity to change their mind- pect others to lead the team and on goal diff erence from UAE and assertion that Nice had not said Gonzalez would strength- and PSV Eindhoven in Group “I don’t think they are go- set. I have to pull the team forward I am sure they are starting to un- Saudi Arabia. taken a risk in signing the en Delhi’s defences as they D. Now to see if the younger ing to change straight away, but when it needs pulling, and it’s not derstand that. Everyone has to The two top teams in the striker. look to clinch the title, after Goetze can make his mark on maybe become aware of the fact just me. There are a number of stand up and be counted. That is group qualify automatically for “It’s a gamble that’d I’d try for bowing out in the semis in the the international stage like his that they have to make more of experienced players on this team what the Japan national team is Russia with the third-placed sure,” he said. last edition. famous brother. an eff ort. that feel the same way. all about.” team entering a playoff . Gulf Times 6 Monday, September 5, 2016 SPORT

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Bumgarner outduels Arrieta as Giants edge Cubs 3-2 Bumgarner pumped a fist after winning a 10-pitch battle with Matt Szczur, striking him out on a slider

By Andrew Baggarly in Chicago The Mercury News

he have spent the past six weeks looking like the antithe- sis of a playoff team. But hand the ball to in the September Tsunshine, then play with some opportunistic aggression behind him, and you begin to see the possibilities take shape. Bumgarner shined in what could be a Game 1 matchup in another month. He struck out 10 in six innings to outduel defending NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta, the Giants hustled to support him, and their bullpen made the pitches under duress to protect a 3-2 victory over the at Wrigley Field on Saturday. The Cubs handed Bumgarner a 1-0 lead in the fi rst inning when the Giants (73-62) scored an unearned run. Angel Pagan hit a one-out double off Arrieta (16-6) and scored when third baseman Tom- my La Stella overthrew fi rst base after fi elding Hunter Pence’s ground ball. They manufactured a run in the fourth inning when Joe Panik reached on a two-out single, advanced on a passed ball, took third on a wild pitch and scored on Eduardo Nunez’s single. Crawford created another run all by himself in the sixth. He hit a one-out single and stole sec- ond base. Crawford’s theft came as such a sur- prise that neither Cubs infi elders were covering the bag as catcher Willson Contreras came up fi ring. It took an athletic play from Cubs short- stop Addison Russell to keep the throw from go- ing into center fi eld. Crawford stayed alert, and with the Cubs infi eld shifted over to defend Brandon Belt, he virtually walked to third base as Arrieta held the ball. The awareness led to a run, since Arrieta proceeded to throw a wild pitch. Bumgarner (14-8) needed the insurance run, even on a masterful afternoon when he struck out 10 and didn’t walk a batter in six innings. San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) The Cubs used their own hustle to scratch a run off Bumgarner in the fifth inning. direction. The Cubs worked Bumgarner for an- track. Hunter Strickland entered and escaped defensive awareness. Fowler put down a sacri- TEXAS 12 Houston 4 Javier Baez singled, stole second base and other run in the sixth after loading the bases on the inning, but not before Bryant hit a line single fi ce bunt and Panik, covering fi rst base, noted CINCINNATI 9 St. Louis 1 then took an aggressive turn around third when two singles and a hit batter. up the middle on a 99.6-mph fastball and Zo- that Rizzo had made a wide turn around second. TAMPA BAY 7 Toronto 5 Nunez dropped a barehanded attempt to fi eld Pence caught Baez’s foul fl y in right fi eld for brist drew a walk to load the bases. He threw to Crawford, who reached behind his Atlanta 6 PHILADELPHIA 4 (10 inn) Arrieta’s slow roller. Crawford gathered the ball a sacrifi ce fl y. Strickland escaped when he got Russell to line back while making a tag to complete a rally-kill- Milwaukee 7 PITTSBURGH 4 but Baez was too fast to cut down at the plate. Bumgarner pumped a fi st after winning a out to Pence. ing double play. BALTIMORE 2 NY Yankees 0 Bumgarner escaped the fi fth without further 10-pitch battle with Matt Szczur, striking him Sergio Romo and his balky knees beat Baez to Casilla still had to get through Bryant, the MINNESOTA 11 Chicago White Sox 3 damage, but he snapped at fi rst base umpire Phil out on a slider to strand two runners in scoring the bag on a force play in the eighth, though it presumptive NL MVP. He did, inducing a bro- CLEVELAND 8 Miami 3 Cuzzi, who always seems to be at the center of position and preserve a 3-2 lead. took a replay review to reverse Cuzzi’s safe call. ken-bat pop-up that Crawford gloved as the NY METS 3 Washington 1 something when the Giants are involved. The Giants bullpen preserved it from there, Left-hander Will Smith fi nished the eighth Giants won for the fi rst time in three tries here. KANSAS CITY 5 Detroit 2 Cuzzi had called a balk on Bumgarner’s pick- but it wasn’t easy. Javier Lopez, allowed to face and started the ninth to face Anthony Rizzo, Arizona 9 COLORADO 4 off throw, allowing Arrieta to take second base. pinch hitter David Ross in the seventh, gave up who had entered as the No.9 hitter on a double RESULTS Boston 11 OAKLAND 2 After Bumgarner struck out Dexter Fowler to a single that dropped in front of Pence who was switch. Smith issued a walk and yielded to San- (home team in CAPS) LA Angels 10 SEATTLE 3 end the inning, he continued to bark in Cuzzi’s inexplicably playing a step from the warning tiago Casilla, who benefi ted from the Giants’ San Francisco 3 CHICAGO CUBS 2 LA DODGERS 5 San Diego 1

FOCUS NFL ROUND-UP AL Player of Month Vikings sign Bradford from Eagles

Reuters nerbacks Akeem King (foot) and Los Angeles DeMarcus Van Dyke (concus- Sanchez now in a slump sion) on injured reserve. The team also reached an injury By Erik Boland in Baltimore DH Saturday night, said through his translator he settlement with running back Newsday before the game. “You go through ups and downs. found their quarter- Brandon Wilds, while linebacker Nobody’s going to be able to hit 1.000. You make back after losing Teddy Tyler Starr will be waived/in- adjustments and you go from there.” Bridgewater for the 2016 jured. n a day when Gary Sanchez added an- Sanchez said pitchers have started attacking Tseason due to a severe left knee Cornerback Jalen Collins will other award to an ever-increasing col- him diff erently in the last week. “I would say the injury, acquiring Sam Bradford be placed on the reserve sus- lection, the rookie faced far more ques- type of pitches and the location of the pitches,” he (right) in a trade with the Phila- pended list for violating the tions about a topic he hadn’t yet dealt said. “Now it’s up to me to make adjustments.” delphia Eagles on Saturday. NFL’s policy on performance- withO since his promotion a month ago. Needless to say, Joe Girardi is not concerned The Eagles will receive the enhancing substances. His fi rst slump. about what amounts to a mini-slump, the kind Vikings’ fi rst-round draft pick ------Sanchez, named the American League Player every player experiences at some point, and typi- in 2017 as well as a conditional The released of the Month and Rookie of the Month – the cally for far longer stretches. fourth-rounder in 2018. The three-time Pro Bowl guard Josh fi rst Yankees catcher in franchise history to be “I think he’s gotten out of his zone a little Vikings announced the deal for Sitton. Sitton started 112 of 121 honoured as the AL Player of the Month, which bit,” Girardi said. “Maybe he’s trying to do a lit- Bradford is pending a physical. regular-season games and all 13 dates to 1974 – entered Saturday night’s game in a tle too much, (was) too excited the way things With Bradford’s exit, the Ea- playoff games he appeared in for 3-for-17 slide before striking out against Orioles were going. I think it’s just kind of what hitters gles may start rookie quarter- Green Bay. right-hander Kevin Gausman in the fi rst inning. go through. You can’t remain that hot the whole back against the ------That, of course, is hardly something that should year. It’s just not going to happen.” Cleveland Browns in the season Among many roster moves made be panic-inducing for anyone, notable only in In becoming the fi rst player to win both AL opener if the No. 2 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts, the that the fi rst four games of this trip showed the Player and Rookie of the Month since Jose Abreu has recovered from his rib injury. back. Rookie Paxton Lynch may quired cornerback Justin Gilbert team waived seventh-round 23-year-old is human. of the White Sox did it in July 2014, Sanchez went Wentz, if healthy, would get the be the backup, depending on from the Cleveland Browns for draft choice Trevor Bates. Since becoming an everyday player Aug. 3, 37-for-95 (.389) with 11 homers, 21 RBIs, nine start over veteran Chase Daniel how Davis fi ts into the Broncos’ a sixth-round pick in the 2018 Indianapolis placed corner- Sanchez had a .425/.489/.938 slash line, 11 hom- doubles and 20 runs. According to Elias, Sanchez on Sept. 11, sources said. Wentz plans Last season, Davis played draft. back Tevin Mitchel, outside line- ers and 21 RBIs in 21 games entering this road hit his fi rst 11 home runs more quickly than any suff ered a hairline rib fracture in three games for the Browns, The 24-year-old Gilbert has backer Ron Thompson and guard trip, which began Monday in Kansas City. He won other player in MLB history. “It feels great to win during the team’s fi rst preseason including two starts. The Browns struggled since being the eighth Hugh Thornton on the injured back-to-back Player of the Week honours the the award, but the reality is the focus is to win game Aug.11. released Davis last month. overall pick in the 2014 draft. He reserve list. second and third weeks of August. games right now,” Sanchez said. “We want to keep ------appeared in 23 games with three ------“It’s part of baseball,” Sanchez, who started at winning series. This is a new month now.” The Vikings released defensive The Baltimore Ravens termi- starts with the Browns. The Detroit Lions waived 19 tackle Kenrick Ellis, placed three nated the contract of vested ------players, released two and placed players on the injured reserve list veteran running back Justin The New York Jets moved defen- tight Andrew Quarless on re- New York and waived 19 others to get down Forsett, among 20 roster moves sive lineman Sheldon Richard- serve / suspended to trim their Yankees to the mandatory NFL limit of made by the team. Former draft son to the reserve/suspended list roster to the NFL-mandated 53- catcher 53. Safety Michael Griffi n, cor- pick Arthur Brown, a linebacker, and kept four on man limit. Gary Sanchez nerback Jabari Price and quar- was waived as was former Navy their initial 53-man roster. Ryan ------terback Taylor Heinicke (non- Keenan Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, , Bryce The acquired football injury) were placed on who is trying to make it in the Petty and Christian Hackenberg safeties Dewey McDonald and LJ injured reserve. NFL as a wide receiver. all made it through the cutdown. McCray in separate trades while ------fi nalizing their 53-man regular- The released Guard Chris Scott of the Caro- The New York Giants announced season roster. McDonald was ac- and the veteran lina Panthers was suspended 20 roster moves, including waiv- quired from the Oakland Raiders quarterback then signed with without pay for the fi rst four ing quarterback Logan Thomas. for a conditional choice in the the Dallas Cowboys. The Bron- games of the 2016 regular sea- By cutting Thomas, the Giants 2017 NFL Draft. cos later made another move son for violating the NFL policy are staying with their quarter- McCray was obtained from involving a quarterback by sign- on performance enhancing sub- back tandem of Eli Manning and the San Francisco 49ers in ex- ing Austin Davis to a one-year stances. Scott will be eligible to backup Ryan Nassib for the third change for an undisclosed draft contract. return to the Panthers on Mon- straight season. choice. Among the players the Sanchez was the odd man out day, Oct. 3, the day after a game ------Seahawks parted ways with to in Denver after Broncos coach against the Atlanta Falcons. The Atlanta Falcons reached reach the roster limit was former named Trevor ------the 53-man roster by making 11 New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl Siemian his starting quarter- The ac- moves, including placing cor- guard Jahri Evans. Gulf Times Monday, September 5, 2016 7 CRICKETSPORT

FIFTH ODI Warner ton steers Australia chase against Sri Lanka Australia ride on a record 132-run partnership between Warner and Bailey (44) to chase down the 195 in 43 overs

Australian players pose with trophy after winning final ODI and series against Sri Lanka in Pallekele yesterday. (AFP)

AFP out for six as Australia were in early trouble at 25 partnership, Sri Lanka’s best fi rst- stand ruwan Perera for fi ve and Suranga Lakmal for Fall of : 1-73 (de Silva), 2-77 (Gunathilaka), Pallekele, Sri Lanka for two in 5.5 overs. of the ODI series. nought. But Amila Aponso survived the hat trick 3-78 (Chandimal), 4-121 (Mendis), 5-129 (Tharanga), Man of the match Warner then got down But Australia’s persistent attack took three ball in the 37th over. Number eight Pathirana 6-145 (K. Perera), 7-165 (Shanaka), 8-184 (D. Perera), to the grind alongside Bailey as Sri Lanka un- wickets in nine deliveries to rattle the Sri Lankan came up with a 32-run cameo to add some runs 9-184 (Lakmal), 10-195 (Pathirana) kipper David Warner’s fl uent century leashed their spin force on a slow pitch. The top order with a mini-collapse. Left-arm pacer to the Sri Lankan scorecard but got no support : Starc 9-0-40-3, Hastings 7-1-30-1, Boland and a disciplined bowling eff ort powered left-handed Warner, who completed his seventh Faulkner had de Silva trudging back to the pa- from the other end. 6.2-0-28-1, Faulkner 7-0-30-1, Zampa 6-0-43-2, Head Australia to a fi ve-wicket win over Sri ODI ton in his 79th match, became the fi rst Aus- vilion for 34. The batsman was beaten by the Spinners Zampa and Head took two wickets 5-0-22-2 Lanka in the fi fth one-day international tralian batsman to record a century in Sri Lanka. angle of the ball, giving a catch to mid-on in the each while pacers Hastings, Faulkner and Scott inS Pallekele as the visitors took the series 4-1 Bailey, who remained the highest run-getter 14th over. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa struck in Boland got one apiece. The teams now head into AUSTRALIA yesterday. with 270 in fi ve games to get the man of the se- the very next over to have Gunathilaka bowled the two-match series starting to- D. Warner c & b de Silva 106 Australia, who took an unassailable 3-1 lead in ries award, played the sheet-anchor’s role to round his legs for 39, after the batsman attempt- morrow at the same venue. M. Wade c K. Perera b D. Perera 3 Dambulla on Wednesday, rode on a record 132- perfection. But he was denied his third half- ed a sweep while exposing his leg stump. U. Khawaja c Gunathilaka b D. Perera 6 run partnership between Warner and George century of the series after Dilruwan Perera, who Starc, who was brought back for his sec- SCOREBOARD G. Bailey lbw b D. Perera 44 Bailey (44) to chase down their 196-run target returned with fi gures of 3-51, trapped the bats- ond spell in the 16th over, then had Chandimal SRI LANKA T. Head c Lakmal b de Silva 13 in 43 overs on a sluggish pitch. man lbw. caught behind for one. Kusal Mendis (33) and D. de Silva c Starc b Faulkner 34 J. Faulkner 8 Earlier pace spearhead Mitchell Starc led the Off -spinner Dhananjaya de Silva claimed two Upul Tharanga put on 43 for the fourth wicket D. Gunathilaka b Zampa 39 J. Hastings not out 8 visiting attack with three wickets to bowl out wickets including that of Warner to delay Aus- to try and rebuild the innings, but the wickets K. Mendis c Wade b Hastings 33 Extras (b 2, lb 2, w 7) 11 Sri Lanka, who elected to bat fi rst, for a modest tralia’s win as James Faulkner and John Hastings kept tumbling. D. Chandimal c Wade b Starc 1 Total (5 wickets; 43 overs) 199 195 in 40.2 overs. But it was Warner’s 106, which saw the team through. The ODI win comes as a Kusal Perera, who scored 14, may have suf- U. Tharanga c Zampa b Head 15 Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Wade), 2-25 (Khawaja), 3-157 came off 126 balls with the help of nine bounda- welcome relief for the visitors who suff ered their fered an umpiring error after reviewing his lbw K. Perera lbw b Head 14 (Bailey), 4-179 (Head), 5-189 (Warner) ries, that thwarted the Sri Lankan attack from fi rst series whitewash against Sri Lanka in the dismissal off Head. TV replays suggested he had D. Shanaka b Zampa 13 Bowling: Lakmal 8-1-30-0, D. Perera 10-1-51-3, posing any threats to the visiting batting. three Tests last month. got an inside edge on to his pad but third umpire S. Pathirana c Faulkner b Boland 32 Pathirana 10-0-36-0, Shanaka 2-0-10-0, Aponso 6-0- Off -spinner Dilruwan Perera, who shared The hosts, who were led by Dinesh Chandimal Michael Gough thought otherwise. D. Perera b Starc 5 33-0, de Silva 7-0-35-2 the new ball with pacer Suranga Lakmal, struck after regular skipper Angelo Mathews injured The rest of the batting failed to put up any re- S. Lakmal b Starc 0 Did not bat: A. Finch, M. Starc, A. Zampa, S. Boland twice in his fi rst spell to get the wickets of open- his calf in the fourth ODI, got off to a solid start sistance as Starc, who topped the bowling chart A. Aponso not out 0 Toss: Sri Lanka er Matthew Wade and Usman Khawaja. Wade but lost wickets regularly. Openers de Silva and with 12 wickets in fi ve games, returned to help Extras (lb 2, w 6, nb 1) 9 Result: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets was caught behind for three while Khawaja was Danushka Gunathilaka put together a 73-run remove the tail. Left-armer Starc bowled Dil- Total (all out; 40.2 overs) 195 Series: Australia win five-match series 4-1

SPOTLIGHT West Indies legend Walsh relishes Pakistan win 5th ODI, England series 4-1 Bangladesh challenge AFP Cardiff , United Kingdom Dhaka: Former West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh said his love of a challenge has akistan beat England by four prompted him to accept the job wickets to secure a consolation of specialist bowling coach for victory in the fi fth and fi nal one- the Bangladesh team. day international in Cardiff yes- Walsh, 53, this week agreed Pterday. England still won the series 4-1 a three-year deal after he but Pakistan’s success denied them a fi rst completed his assignment as home 5-0 ODI clean sweep and ended a selector for the West Indies their dream of an unbeaten season in 50- in August, a post he occupied over cricket. Pakistan collapsed to 77 for for the last two years. “I have three chasing 303 before a fourth-wicket always dreamed of being partnership of 163 between Shoaib Malik involved with an international (77) and Sarfraz Ahmed (90) turned this team,” Walsh said in his first match in the Welsh capital their way. press conference in Dhaka They attacked England spinner Liam yesterday. Dawson on his ODI debut and Sarfraz “There was a natural instinct struck an excellent 90 off 73 balls be- to come here. I have never ever fore skying Dawson to Alex Hales on the played in Bangladesh in my boundary. The experienced Shoaib also career. I played against them a fell to a catch in the deep off Dawson for couple of times. It was another 77. Imad Wasim, born in the nearby south chance to make new friends, Wales city of Swansea, hit the winning and I always like challenges Obviously they want to runs when he struck a four off all-round- and get a satisfactory end improve their rankings and I er Chris Jordan with 10 balls to spare as result at the end of everything. would like to be part of that. Pakistan fi nished on 304 for six. Mo- It is a combination of both. I am Walsh’s move to Bangladesh, hammad Rizwan was 34 not out and left- happy to be here,” he said. however, comes at a tense time hander Wasim 16 not out. Walsh, who took 519 Test for the South Asian team. Earlier, England made 302 for nine wickets and 227 in ODIs in a Only in late August did Eng- after being sent into bat. top- 17-year international career, land finally agree to go ahead scored with 87 and Ben Stokes made an replaced former Zimbabwean with a tour in October, after 20 ODI best 75. Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali Man of the match Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed plays a shot en route to 90 runs during the fifth ODI match against England at The captain Heath Streak in the people, mostly foreigners, were took an ODI best four for 60 and recalled SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff , south Wales, yesterday. (AFP) position. Streak stepped down killed in an attack on a Dhaka left-arm quick Mohammad Amir three in May after helping Bangla- cafe, with the Islamic State for 50. L. Dawson c Gul b Amir 10 Wasim 10-0-33-1 (1w); Nawaz 4-0-32-0 (1w) Did not bat: Umar Gul, Hasan Ali, Moham- desh make steady progress in group claiming responsibility. The sides, who drew 2-2 in the test se- C. Woakes b Ali 10 mad Amir the pace bowling department Bangladesh also recently ries, meet in a one-off Twenty20 interna- D. Willey c Nawaz b Ali 6 PAKISTAN Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Sharjeel), 2-76 (Babar), during his two-year tenure. appointed Sri Lankan Thilan tional in Manchester on Wednesday. C. Jordan not out 15 Azhar Ali c Bairstow b Wood 33 3-77 (Azhar), 4-240 (Ahmed), 5-256 (Malik), “I am hoping by the time I Samaraweera as their batting M. Wood not out 8 Sharjeel Khan c Wood b Woakes 10 6-266 (Nawaz) leave Bangladesh, there will consultant ahead of the Eng- SCOREBOARD Extras (b4, lb6, w5, nb1) 16 Babar Azam b Wood 31 Bowling: Woakes 7-0-47-1; Willey 8-2-32-0 be much improvement. What land series while off icials said ENGLAND Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 302 Shoaib Malik c Roy b Dawson 77 (2w); Wood 10-0-56-2 (1w); Stokes 8-0-47-0 really impressed me were the they are in the process of nam- J. Roy c Ali b Amir 87 Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Hales), 2-64 (Root), 3-92 Sarfraz Ahmed c Hales b Dawson 90 (1nb); Jordan 7.2-0-52-0 (3w); Dawson 8-0- strides that Bangladesh Cricket ing a spin bowling coach. A. Hales c Malik b Mohammad Amir 23 (Morgan), 4-164 (Roy), 5-219 (Bairstow), 6-258 Mohammad Rizwan not out 34 70-2 Board wants to make for their England will arrive in Dhaka J. Root b Ali 9 (Stokes), 7-270 (Woakes), 8-274 (Dawson), Mohammad Nawaz run out (Bairstow) 2 Result: Pakistan won by four wickets players,” Walsh said. “They on September 30 to play two E. Morgan c and b Wasim 10 9-283 (Willey) Imad Wasim not out 16 Man-of-the-match: Sarfraz Ahmed (PAK) have gone leaps and bounds to Tests and three one-day inter- B. Stokes c Gul b Ali 75 Bowling: Amir 10-0-50-3; Gul 10-0-77-1 (2w); Extras (w10, nb1) 11 Series: England win five-match series 4-1 improve the game. nationals. J. Bairstow c Rizwan b Gul 33 Hasan 10-0-60-4 (1nb); Malik 6-0-40-0 (1w); Total (6 wkts, 48.2 overs) 304 Man-of-the-series: (ENG) Gulf Times 8 Monday, September 5, 2016 SPORT

ATHLETICS Vetter takes win in javelin as legends bid farewell in Berlin Rudisha was the overwhelming favourite in the men’s 800m and the two-time Olympic champion did not disappoint

erman javelin throwers impressed with 7:43.00 2. Bernard Lagat (U.S.) 7:43.63 3. Birhanu personal bests in front of the home Yemataw Balew () 7:44.29 crowd at the 75th edition of World Men’s 110m Hurdles 1. (Britain) Challenge Meeting Berlin yesterday. 13.24 2. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (France) 13.24 3. GThe javelin promised fi reworks and it deliv- Andrew Riley () 13.38 ered – literally. Organisers of the ISTAF Berlin, Men’s 1. Konstadinos Filippidis (Greece) which forms part of the IAAF World Challenge 5.72 2. Thiago Braz da Silva (Brazil) 5.72 3. Sam series of one-day meetings, had installed pyro- Kendricks (U.S.) 5.62 technics for throws beyond the 80-metre mark Men’s 1. Chris Carter (U.S.) 17.01 2. Max – of which there were plenty. Hess (Germany) 16.70 3. Chris Benard (U.S.) 16.65 In the end, it was a German 1-2-3-4 with Jo- Men’s 1. Franck Elemba Owaka (Congo) hannes Vetter proving himself the strongest in 20.67 2. Konrad Bukowiecki (Poland) 20.51 3. Darrell a superb fi eld. The 23-year-old, who fi nished Hill (U.S.) 20.33 fourth at the Rio 2016 last Men’s 1. Lukas Weisshaidinger (Aus- month, secured victory with a personal best tria) 66.00 2. Piotr Malachowski (Poland) 65.39 3. 89.57m in his fi rst attempt, with four out of his Robert Harting (Germany) 63.23 six attempts sailing beyond the 84-metre mark. Men’s 1. (Germany) Olympic fi nalist Julian Weber also celebrated 89.57 2. Julian Weber (Germany) 88.29 3. Andreas a successful day at the offi ce, the 22-year-old Hofmann (Germany) 85.42 fi nishing second with a personal best 88.29m, Women’s 200m 1. Gina Lueckenkemper (Germany) while Andreas Hoff mann added a season’s best 22.92 2. Lisa Mayer (Germany) 23.01 3. Jeneba 85.42m to his tally. Tarmoh (U.S.) 23.24 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler, who was Women’s 800m 1. () competing in his fi fth competition in seven 1:55.68 2. Francine Niyonsaba () 1:57.58 3. days, fi nished in fourth with 82.55m, but was Eunice Jepkoech Sum () 1:57.95 pleased with the end result. European 100m Women’s 3000m 1. Celliphine hurdles champion Cindy Roleder was equally Chepteek Chespol (Kenya) 9:25.49 2. Gesa Felicitas inspired by the home support. Jasmin Stowers Krause (Germany) 9:30.95 3. Mariya Shatalova of the US was fi rst out the blocks, but the Ger- (Ukraine) 9:34.97 man clawed her way back into the lead with eve- Women’s 100m Hurdles 1. Cindy Roleder (Germany) ry hurdle and with a strong second half fi nished 12.65 2. Jasmin Stowers (U.S.) 12.72 3. Phylicia in 12.65 to take the victory from Stowers, who George () 12.74 clocked 12.79. Women’s 1. Jazmin Sawyers (Britain) Also pushed by the crowd was Gesa-Felic- 6.62 2. Claudia Rath (Germany) 6.52 3. Tianna Barto- itas Krause. The European champion fi nished letta (U.S.) 6.49 second in the 3000m steeplechase in 9:30.95 Women’s Shot Put 1. Michelle Carter (U.S.) 19.68 2. behind Celliphine Chespol’s winning time of Valerie Adams () 19.63 3. Anita Marton 9:25.49, while Germany’s Gina Luckenkemper (Hungary) 18.89 won the women’s 200m in 22.92. Women’s Javelin Throw 1. Christina Obergfoell (Ger- many) 64.28 2. Kathryn Mitchell (Australia) 62.20 3. 800M CHAMPIONS REIGN SUPREME Asdis Hjalmsdottir (Iceland) 60.98 was the overwhelming favourite Germnay’s Christina Obergfoell competes in the women’s Javelin Throw event at the World Challenge Athletics Meeting in Berlin. (AFP) www.iaaf.org in the men’s 800m and the two-time Olympic champion did not disappoint. Hanging well be- ner’s fl owers, only for Omoregie’s name to show since the IAAF World Indoor Championships hind pace maker Bram Som through the 400m, on the board as the winner, both being awarded Portland 2016 in March, had hinted before the the Dutchman going through the bell in 50.47, the same time of 13.24 – a personal best for last meeting he felt in good shape. In the end, the Rudisha picked up the pace in the second lap to year’s European U23 champion. Kenyan had enough left in the tank to fend off take the victory in 1:43.31. His compatriot Jazmin Sawyers followed suit Lagat and take the victory in 7:43.00, with the Only fellow Kenyan Kipyegon Bett stuck with in the women’s long jump to take the scalp of American fi nishing second in 7:43.63. the world record holder over the fi nal lap get- world and Olympic champion Tianna Bartolet- shows no signs of slowing down. ting up Rudisha’s shoulder with 300 metres to ta. The Briton improved throughout the rounds The 40-year-old wasn’t fully satisfi ed with his go before the 2016 world U20 champion fi nished to take the victory with 6.62m. 10.07 winning time in the men’s 100m, but was second with a PB of 1:43.76. pleased with the victory nonetheless. Minutes after Rudisha’s performance, Cast- OBERGFOLL BOWS OUT ON TOP In the women’s Shot Put, the result read the er Semenya once again proved her strength. Christina Obergfoll, the 2013 world champion same as it did three weeks ago; Michelle Carter The South African took victory in a dominant in the women’s javelin, celebrated her swan- at the top followed by Valerie Adams and Anita 1:55.68, just 0.4 away from her PB set when song with a win. The German had fi nished only Marton. Carter’s best of 19.68m came in the winning in Rio, while Olympic silver medallist eighth at the Olympic Games, but found some fi nal round, while in the men’s event, Congo’s Francine Niyonsaba fi nished second in 1:57.58. measure of redemption here with a fi fth-round Franck Elemba, who had set a national record of Having missed out on a spot in the fi nal in Rio, eff ort of 64.28m to take the victory over a fi eld 21.20m when fi nishing fourth in Rio, took vic- Kenya’s Eunice Sum fi nished strongly over the that included Croatia’s Olympic champion Sara tory with 20.67m. fi nal 50 metres to secure third in 1:57.95. Kolak. RESULTS Meanwhile, Great Britain’s David Omoregie Another evergreen athlete who bid farewell Men’s 100m 1. Kim Collins (St Kitts and Nevis) 10.07 emerged as the surprise winner in the men’s to track and fi eld on Berlin’s blue oval was 2007 2. Joel Fearon (Britain) 10.16 3. Christophe Lemaitre 110m hurdles. The 20-year-old got out the double world champion Bernard Lagat. Hanging (France) 10.19 blocks well and, with the focus on Pascal Marti- in the lead pack during the 3000m, the 41-year- Men’s 800m 1. David Lekuta Rudisha (Kenya) 1:43.31 not-Lagarde in lane four, Omoregie managed to old attempted an assault on leader Augustine 2. Kipyegon Bett (Kenya) 1:43.76 3. Adam Kszczot sneak through unnoticed in lane eight. Choge with 150 metres to go. (Poland) 1:45.01 The Frenchman was even handed the win- Choge, who had been struggling with injuries Men’s 3000m 1. (Kenya) German javelin thrower Johannes Vetter lets out a roar after winning the event.

CRICKET England face testing decisions for Bangladesh and India

By Vic Marks Moeen and Rashid, especially against The Guardian an India side which contains predomi- nantly right-handed batsmen. The counties have some tough deci- ust a few loose ends remain of the sions to make about the future as well international summer. Yesterday but unlike the selectors they may not there was the fi nal one-day in- reach their conclusions purely on the ternational in Cardiff and if Eng- merit of the arguments. Apparently the landJ had won – or tied – against Paki- drive for the city franchise scheme for stan it would have been the fi rst time the T20 is gaining ground – or should since 1998 that the 50-over team have we say the bribe for the scheme? It been unbeaten in an English season – seems that the ECB is imitating the ICC thanks to smashing the of a couple of years ago by using its fi - last ball of the fi rst match against Sri nancial clout to get its own way. Lanka for six back in June. But Pakistan Some clubs – such as Northampton- managed to win the last ODI and denied shire, who triumphed so brilliantly in a whitewash to England. this year’s T20 – are so impoverished Then there is Wednesday’s T20 that they feel compelled to accept the match at Old Traff ord, which Eng- money that will be on off er not to play land are obviously eager to win since cricket at their grounds. Yorkshire, they have retained all their big guns. desperate to keep their name, are in a Whatever the opposition – and there peculiar position since their survival is no doubt now about the limitations has been dependent on the infusion of of Pakistan – England are a formidable more than £20mn from Colin Graves, white-ball side. But for a calamitous fi - who is now the chairman of the ECB. nal over in April in Kolkata they would So there may be a reluctance to vote be World T20 champions; now they are against him from that quarter. among the favourites for next year’s England have a tricky task for the two winter series with some players still to confirm they will go to Bangladesh and an extra spinner for India yet to stand out. The ECB is desperate for a new prod- Champions Trophy. uct to sell to bolster its income from TV After all the talk at the last 50-over so many in-form candidates but there caution but there has, nonetheless, Haseeb Hameed, the young Lanca- injury. He is an intelligent all-round rights. No doubt we will be informed of World Cup, when England said all the are also those who could be legiti- been an oddity in their stance. Every- shire opener, may receive rapid eleva- cricketer but has been hampered by in- a wonderful new “brand” for T20 crick- right things but performed abysmally, mately rested: Joe Root and one expresses absolute confi dence in tion as a possible alternative to Hales. jury in 2016. et, even though the “brand” that sells they really do play with freedom now – most obviously, Alex Hales (if selected Reg Dickason, the England and Wales Tom Westley of Essex has made a stash On the circuit Ansari is seldom re- T20 best in this country exists and is al- in part, I suspect, because Trevor Bayl- for the Test squads) and Chris Woakes Cricket Board’s (ECB) security ad- of runs this season, including a timely garded as a better spinner than his ready a century old – the Roses match, iss does not talk too much. possibly. There remains the chance that viser, who has told them that it is safe double century against Worcestershire veteran captain, Gareth Batty, or even Middlesex vs Surrey or Gloucestershire He lets them get on with it, which is some players will opt not to tour Bang- to go, as has their ultimate boss, An- this week with Cook looking on. How Somerset’s Jack Leach. Ollie Rayner has vs Somerset. The fans love the local quite a knack for a coach. So the focus ladesh. Alastair Cook, an imminently drew Strauss. Yet there is a reluctance much are these runs devalued by being enjoyed a productive season for Mid- derbies. Even if the scheme works – and turns to a challenging winter. Bangla- expecting dad, is understood to have to commit. The selectors need answers made in the Second Division? dlesex; Liam Dawson has been in Eng- there is no guarantee that a magic wand desh is looming mostly for non-crick- declared he will tour. By contrast Eoin once the match in Cardiff was over. The Equally tricky is the selection of a land’s white-ball squads but his record can be waved to emulate the undoubted eting reasons, though they are an im- Morgan, the ODI captain, has given no choices for their Test squad will take third spinner to accompany Moeen with a red one is very modest. success of Australia’s Big Bash – there proving side. Then there are fi ve Tests such assurance and is believed to be re- longer to make – assuming there is not and Adil Rashid. Here there is no sim- In this instance the proliferation of will be great swaths of the country de- in India. The selectors have work to do. luctant to go. a mass withdrawal by the ODI men. For ple solution. Zafar Ansari of Surrey was candidates actual betrays the dearth nied a taste of the best action as the ex- For the three ODIs in Bangladesh se- It is a tricky position for the play- they are more likely to look selected for last winter’s tours but had of options. Ideally England would pre- isting NatWest Blast dwindles towards lection should be easy since there are ers. No doubt friends and families urge beyond the usual suspects. to withdraw because of a nasty thumb fer a left-arm spinner to complement irrelevance. Gulf Times Monday, September 5, 2016 9 GOLF

SPOTLIGHT LPGA TOUR Chappell grabs 1-shot Lee leads Manulife lead at Deutsche Classic by one stroke AFP day,” said Lee. “I made six bird- Toronto ies and one eagle, but I didn’t Bank championship know that until I checked my score at the score tent. It was a outh Korea’s Lee Mi- little amazing for me. ‘There’s no secret that the more I’m smiling, the more I’m having fun, the better I’m playing’ Hyang led an Asian as- “My chips were better than sault on the leaderboard maybe the last two days. Eve- Saturday by fi ring a six- rything’s good.” underS 66 in the third round of the Minjee Lee, of Australia, AFP Boston LPGA Tour’s Manulife Classic. eagled the 12th hole and is three Lee has a one-stroke lead strokes behind in a tie for fi fth over Korean compatriot Kim with Caroline Masson of Ger- evin Chappell, who is Hyo-Joo following 54 holes at many, who totalled 68. hoping to end a string of the Whistle Bear Golf Club in Lydia Ko, the top-ranked bridesmaid fi nishes this Cambridge, Ontario. player in the world, made the season and claim his Two Thai golfers, Ariya Ju- cut by only two strokes but Kfi rst PGA Tour title, has a one- tanugarn (66) and P.K. Kong- went out early in round three shot lead after 36 holes of the kraphan (69), are one shot back and put up a bogey-free 64 to Deutsche Bank Championship. of the Koreans in a tie for third climb within four strokes and a The 30-year-old American as Asians command the top tie for seventh. took the solo lead with a birdie four positions heading into the Catriona Matthew of Scot- on number 16 as he emerged fi nal round on Sunday. land and Lizette Salas both from a duel Saturday with Eng- The 20-year-old Ariya, of had 66s and were tied for sev- land’s Paul Casey to fi nished Bangkok, has won fi ve times enth with Ko. Salas is the lone with a seven-under 64. this season to rise to a career- American in the top nine spots. “There’s no secret that the more high number two in the world I’m smiling, the more I’m having rankings. Leading scores after the third fun, the better I’m playing,” said “I’m not really worried round Chappell, who fi nished the fi rst about the leader,” said Ariya, 202-Lee Mi-Hyang (KOR) 69- two rounds at 11-under 131. who won the Women’s British 67-66 “I fi nished bogey-double bo- Open and Canadian Women’s 203-Kim Hyo-Joo (KOR) 68- gey and kind of played my way Open in her last two starts. 67-68 out of the tournament (last Fri- “I want to be happy on the 204-Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) day at The Barclays). I really was course, and tomorrow’s the fi - 70-68-66, P.K. Kongkraphan bothered by that and didn’t want nal day.” (THA) 69-66-69 to let that happen again.” Lee, who eagled the ninth 205-Lee Min-Jee (AUS) 70-69- Casey parred the last two hole and birdied four of six 66, Caroline Masson (GER) holes in his 66 to stay one stroke holes through No. 16, has a 68-69-68 back and even with American leading total of 14-under 202 206-Lydia Ko (NZL) 70-72-64, Jimmy Walker, who fi red a 64. after 54 holes. Catriona Matthew (SCO) 72-68- Brian Harman posted a 65 and “I made a lot of birdies to- 66, Lizette Salas 71-69-66 is two back in solo fourth after taking the clubhouse lead with his impressive morning round. The reigning US Open champ Dustin Johnson had a 66 and is three off the pace and tied for fi fth with Smylie Kaufman, who also shot 66. Patrick Reed, who won The Barclays last week to begin the FedEx Cup playoff s, recorded a 67 and was four shots behind in a six-way tie for seventh that in- cluded Rio Olympic gold medal champion Justin Rose of Eng- land, who also had a 67.

Runner-up at Players Chappell has never won on Kevin Chappell plays his shot from the fifth tee during the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, the USPGA Tour, but has fi n- Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP) ished runner-up three times in 2016, including a second at The to hang on through the next two Australia, who fi nished at 71. Ellie sustained injuries in De- Leading scores after second Players Championship three rounds and win the event which World number one Jason Day, cember after colliding with NBA round months ago. fi nishes on Monday. of Australia, missed a birdie putt superstar LeBron James while 131-Kevin Chappell 67-64 Chappell saved par on the fi nal American Jordan Spieth shot on number 18 and fi nished at 71, sitting courtside in Cleveland as 132-Paul Casey (ENG) 66-66, hole Saturday to equal the lowest 68 and Steve Stricker had a 69 making the cut on the number. James chased down a loose ball Jimmy Walker 68-64 score of the tournament so far. He and are both a shot back of Reed On Friday, Day’s family was that went into the crowd. She 133-Brian Harman 68-65 also holed out from 37 yards for and Rose, tied for 13th. involved in a two-vehicle smash was taken from the court on a 134-Smylie Kaufman 68-66, eagle at the par-fi ve, 600-yard Open champion Henrik Sten- in Boston when their car collided stretcher and transported to a Dustin Johnson 68-66 seventh hole and collected six son shot 70 and is in a tie for with a bus. Cleveland hospital. 135-Brian Stuard 66-69, Daniel birdies opposite one bogey. 30th. World number fi ve Rory Day’s wife, Ellie, was trans- Phil Mickelson and two-time Berger 67-68, Ryan Moore 65-70, Chappell ranks 13th in the McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, ported to hospital where she was tournament winner Vijay Singh Gary Woodland 69-66, Justin Lee Mi-Hyang of South Korea walks up the 16th fairway during the PGA playoff standings, but posted a 67 and also was tied for treated and released. Day’s two missed the cut on Saturday. Rose (ENG) 68-67, Patrick Reed third round of the Manulife LPGA Classic at Whistle Bear Golf Club would vault into third if he is able 30th along with Adam Scott, of children were not injured. 68-67 in Cambridge, Canada. (Getty Images/AFP)

FOCUS Noren clinches European Masters in play-off

AFP fi ne day’s Golf to fi nish in third with Chris Wood in 49th on two Crans-Montana, Switzerland on 14 under, while Lee West- under. Alex Noren pose with the trophy wood ended in fourth on 12 un- England’s Andy Sullivan had aft er winning the European der, just ahead of his Ryder Cup missed the cut. Masters yesterday. nerveless Alex Noren team mate Matthew Fitzpatrick continued his fi ne year on 10 under. Leading final round scores by winning the Euro- “I think Alex played the 18th 263-Alex Noren (SWE) 69-63-66- pean Masters yesterday hole way better than I did and 65, Scott Hend (AUS) 65-67-65- afterA pipping overnight leader made an awesome birdie for a 66 Scott Hend to the title with a deserving win,” said Hend. Noren won at first play-off hole lengthy birdie putt in the fi rst “It feels amazing to be among 266-Andrew Johnston 65-68- playoff hole. Seve Ballesteros and Thomas 68-65 Swede Noren, who had previ- Bjorn to win two Omega Euro- 268-Lee Westwood 72-66-67-63 ously won the European Masters pean Masters titles,” said Noren. 269-Richard Bland 67-64-69-69, in 2009, started the fi nal day one “I’ve seen the boards showing Julien Quesne (FRA) 65-68-71-65 shot behind Hend, but overtook who won multiple Omega Eu- 270-Romain Langasque (FRA) the Australian after a strong ropean Masters titles walking to 68-63-70-69, Florian Fritsch front nine, hitting four consecu- the course so it is great. (GER) 67-69-66-68, Pablo tive birdies. “I’ve worked hard this season. Larrazabal (ESP) 71-68-66-65, They ended the regulation I tried to play more golf and I Renato Paratore (ITA) 75-63- holes level on 17 under, and while feel steadier with my driver. My 67-65, Matthew Fitzpatrick Hend shot par in the fi rst extra driver hasn’t been my good side 75-65-66-64 hole, Noren took the title with but now it is steadier. It is great 271-David Drysdale 70-68-64- a superb 20-metre birdie putt to have my family here, my baby 69, Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) for his second win of the season and my parents here for the fi rst 64-73-67-67, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) following his Scottish Open tri- time. 66-67-68-70, Danny Willett umph in July. “I’ve never won coming from 65-72-70-64, Raphael Jacquelin “It’s unbelievable,” Noren told behind or won in a play-off on (FRA) 69-69-67-66, Oliver Fisher Sky Sports. the European Tour so that makes 70-69-69-63 “I didn’t really believe this it more amazing.” 272-Haotong Li (CHN) 65-70-68- coming into today, (I had a) Among the other members of 69, Joachim B. Hansen (DEN) tough couple of guys hunting me Europe’s Ryder Cup contingent, 65-68-70-69, Anthony Wall 66- down. defending champion and early 73-65-68, George Coetzee (RSA) “It’s tough to be in the front.” leader Danny Willett fi nished 70-69-67-66, James Morrison England’s Andrew Johnston 12th on nine under, having been 65-70-68-69, Alexander Levy returned to contention during a 10 shots off the pace overnight, (FRA) 68-67-68-69. Gulf Times 10 Monday, September 5, 2016 SPORT

CYCLING RUGBY Four uncapped players in Quintana takes huge Wallabies squad

AFP hensive 29-9 win over the Sydney Australians last week follow- ing their 42-8 romp in Sydney the previous weekend. inger Henry Another Test defeat for the lead, Brambilla wins Speight and four Wallabies would equal their uncapped play- previous worst performance ers have been in- in the post-1995 professional Wcluded in a 33-man Wallabies era. squad named by head coach The last run of seven losses yesterday for in 2005 eventually led to the this month’s Rugby Cham- sacking of then-coach Eddie pionship home Tests against Jones. Vuelta 15th stage South Africa and Argentina. , , Speight returns after play- and Ben McCalman ing a part in Australia’s rugby were all not considered for the ‘We opened gaps and the final climb was a race against the clock to leave Froome behind’ sevens Rio Olympics cam- squad because of injury. paign, while Cheika has named The Wallabies continue debutants Fijian-born winger their Rugby Championship Sefa Naivalu, centre Kyle God- campaign against South Africa win, lock Lopeti Timani and in Brisbane on Saturday before prop Tom Robertson. taking on Argentina in Perth Naivalu will train with the on September 17. team ahead of becoming eligi- Australia, who are the hold- ble on September 18 to play for ers, are bottom of the four- the Wallabies. nation Rugby Championship Cheika continues to rebuild standings with no points. his Wallabies squad in the face They have conceded 71 of six consecutive Test defeats points in their two heavy loss- and has already had seven es to the world champions. Wallabies debutants this year. Brumbies lock THE SQUAD: Allan Alaalatoa, has overcome an elbow injury Rory Arnold, , and will join the squad, while , Kane Douglas, Luke Morahan has earned a , , recall. Winger Adam Ashley- , , Kyle Cooper has returned to Bor- Godwin, James Hanson, Dane deaux for the new Top 14 sea- Haylett-Petty, , son, after playing in his 116th Michael Hooper, Sekope Test in last weekend’s defeat Kepu, , Tevita by the All Blacks in Welling- Kuridrani, Sean McMahon, ton. , Stephen Moore Fellow French-based stars (capt), Luke Morahan, Dean Drew Mitchell (Toulon) and Mumm, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Will Genia (Stade Francais) Phipps, , Tatafu will remain with the squad. Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, The All Blacks claimed the Rob Simmons, , Will Bledisloe Cup for the 14th Skelton, , James straight year with a compre- Slipper, Lopeti Timani.

TOUR OF BRITAIN Cavendish comes a cropper as Greipel

Movistar’s Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana celebrates on the podium after winning the red jersey during the 15th stage of the 71st edition of ‘La Vuelta’ Tour of Spain, a 120km wins opening stage route Sabinanigo to Formigal, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP onds behind, but did enough to jump into pace in the chasing group. AFP this Tour of Britain with a vic- Aramon Formigal, Spain fourth overall. Instead, Froome had to rely on Astana, Castle Douglas, United Kingdom tory and now we reached our Esteban Chaves of Colombia remains despite the Kazak team having no rider goal for the fi rst day and eve- third overall, 20 seconds adrift of Froome. in general classifi cation contention, to rything else is on top,” Greipel airo Quintana took a huge step Quintana had repeatedly stressed the set the pace for most of the stage just to ritish sprint great told ITV4. towards sealing his second need to extend his morning 54 second keep the gap from extending beyond three Mark Cavendish’s “I’ve done six weeks of Grand Tour win by extending his advantage over Froome before a time- minutes. hopes of an 11th stage training after the Tour de overall lead to 3mins 37secs over trial on stage 19 and after a series of at- Up front, Quintana was in control even victory in the Tour of France and this race is really NChris Froome on Sunday’s 15th stage of tacks failed on Saturday’s queen stage, his as the breakaway splintered on the fi nal BritainB met with disaster as he important towards the next the Vuelta a Espana. early move with Contador caught Team climb and the Colombian looked set to crashed on the opening stage goal (October’s Road World Quintana and three-time Vuelta win- Sky cold. Contador attacked after just six add to his victory on stage 10 until Bram- won by German Andre Greipel Championships). ner Alberto Contador formed part of an kilometres and Quintana followed as they billa’s late burst. After two days of intense yesterday. The Tour of Britain is quite early breakaway group on the short, hilly formed a 14-man breakaway and had two climbing, a fl at fi nish to the 156.4km 16th The 31-year-old Isle of Man a tough race, but it’s the right 118.5km stage from Sabinanigo to Ara- teammates each for company. stage from Alcaniz to Peniscola today of- born rider came down along moment in the race calendar,” mon Formigal and were never caught by “It was a diffi cult start where you suf- fers the overall contenders some potential with Italy’s Elia Viviani, who added the 34-year-old Lotto- Froome as the Tour de France champion fer a lot and the punishment from yester- relief ahead of Tuesday’s second rest day. edged Cavendish out of gold Soudal rider. Cavendish’s fel- fi nished 2min 37secs back on Quintana. day took its toll. We knew how to suff er at in the omnium event at the low British cycling great and “It went much better than we imag- the start, we went with Alberto and with Results Rio Olympics, 2013 winner Bradley Wiggins ined,” Quintana told Spanish TV station his team and my team we pressed ahead,” Etixx-Quick Step cyclist Gianluca Bram- STAGE 15: 1. Gianluca Brambilla (Italy/ from the fi nish — the Italian’s — who won an eighth Olympic Teledeporte. added Quintana. billa celebrates winning the 15th stage of Etixx-Quick-Step) 2:54:30” 2. Nairo bike being broken in two. medal and fi fth gold in Rio in Italy’s Gianluca Brambilla edged out “We opened gaps and the fi nal climb the 71st edition of Tour of Spain. (AFP) Quintana (Colombia/Movistar) +3” 3. Greipel avoided the carnage the team pursuit — had an easy Quintana at the fi nish in a time of 2hrs was a race against the clock to leave Fabio Felline (Italy/Trek) +25” 4. Kenny to storm home and take his day fi nishing in the peloton. 54mins 30secs to take the stage win with Froome behind. By contrast, Froome was not only Elissonde (France/FDJ) +28” 5. David De fi fth win in the race’s history Today’s second stage sees Fabio Felline third. “It happened like this because Alberto caught out by the surprise move but also La Cruz (Spain/Etixx-Quick-Step) +31” 6. ahead of Caleb Ewan and Ra- the riders begin in Carlisle Contador faded towards the end of the is also a great strategist, we united and deserted as six of his remaining seven Sky Alberto Contador (Spain/Tinkoff ) +34” 7. mon Sinkeldam. and riding 187.7km to fi nish in fi nal 14.5km climb to end the stage 34 sec- took advantage.” teammates couldn’t even stick with the Davide Formolo (Italy/Cannondale) +53”. “It’s really nice to start off Kendal.

Qatar retain Arab Beach Volleyball title

Qatar’s Jeff erson Santos and Cherif Younousses retained the Arab Beach Volleyball Championship title defeating Oman ‘B’ in straight sets (25-23, 21-12) in Morocco on Saturday. Qatar’s Ahmed Tijan and Julio Cesar do Nascimento won the bronze medal defeating Oman ‘A’ 21-17 21-15. Gulf Times Monday, September 5, 2016 11 TENNIS

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Dimitrov ‘back in I don’t care if I win love’ with sport

AFP The summer has seen a resurgence New York with Danny Vallverdu — once part of Murray’s coaching team — in his corner becoming the Bulgarian’s sixth coach or lose: Del Potro rigor Dimitrov was once in since 2009. danger of spending his career At the Toronto Masters, he reached ‘I was close to quitting but I am playing again at a place which feels like home’ either struggling to live up to the last-eight, losing to Kei Nishikori. being dubbed the “new Fed- In Cincinnati, on the eve of the US Gerer” or being known as the boyfriend Open, Dimitrov made the semi-fi nals of Maria Sharapova. at a Masters for the fi rst time, defeating But with Federer sidelined from the world number three Stan Wawrinka in US Open and with Dimitrov and Shara- the third round before losing to even- pova no longer the sport’s golden cou- tual champion Marin Cilic in three sets. ple, the 25-year-old Bulgarian is en- “I have started to enjoy the proc- joying having the spotlight lifted from ess again. I’m enjoying the work again. him. I’m enjoying waking up in the morning “I think a lot has changed over the early to come to practice. I’m enjoying past year and a half for me. I fell in love doing the ice baths again. I’m enjoy- with tennis again. It’s simple as that,” ing pretty much everything that I do,” said Dimitrov, a former world number he said. eight, now down at 24 in the rankings. “You don’t think of anything else. A 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 win over Portu- I started to enjoy those butterfl ies be- gal’s Joao Sousa on Saturday gave him a fore a match, complaining to your place in the second week of a Slam for coach that you’re, like, short of breath the fi rst time this year. because you’re so nervous to come on World number two Andy Murray court. awaits him today with a spot in the “Those are moments I’m sure I’m al- quarter-fi nals at stake. ways going to appreciate hopefully for Dimitrov appeared to have the world the rest of my career.” at his feet in 2014. Against Wimbledon and Olympic Sharapova was his girlfriend and he champion Murray, he has a 6-3 losing reached the semi-fi nals of Wimbledon record, but he came out on top in their and quarter-fi nals of the Australian last clash in Miami in March. Open. “I think our styles just kind of fi t our But his form went downhill in 2015 games. There’s going to be a lot of chal- and in the fi rst half of this year. lenges against Andy,” he said. Between May and June, he endured “He’s going to be ready as ever. He’s a six-match losing streak and his rank- just really confi dent right now. He’s ing slumped to 40, his lowest in three been playing extremely good tennis. He years. knows what to do.”

Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro celebrates after beating Spain’s David Ferrer 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-3 on day six of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports)

AFP only other meeting, on clay in Madrid Earlier this year, he pondered re- “The crowd was supporting Juan New York this year. tirement. “I am so excited to show my Martin but I am trying to focus on my Giant Argentine del Potro has made tennis again after my surgeries. I was match, so I don’t care,” said 34-year- the last 16 without dropping a set as close to quitting but now I am playing old Ferrer who only fi nished his sec- uan Martin del Potro reached he continues the red-hot form which again at a place which feels like home. ond round match against Fabio Fogni- the US Open fourth round for took him to the Olympic fi nal in Rio, It’s an incredible atmosphere, it makes ni at 1am on Friday. the fi rst time since 2012 on beating Novak Djokovic and Rafael me happy every day.” “Juan Martin was better. He served Saturday but admitted he cares Nadal on the way. Ferrer had a 6-3 winning record better. He won the fi rst set. He had some nothingJ for the result as he rebuilds his “It doesn’t matter if I win or lose,” over del Potro heading into Saturday’s doubts in the fi rst set, but in the second career after being pushed to the brink said the 27-year-old. “I just want to third round clash, taking four of the and third, he played more aggressive of retirement. play my tennis again after so many last fi ve. and got more free points with his serve.” Del Potro, the 2009 champion in problems. If I can hit my forehand Del Potro’s chequered medical his- Ferrer described del Potro as an New York, cruised to a 7-6 (3), 6-2, again like I did in 2009, then it will be tory, however, meant that his win in “amazing” player after he marked his 6-3 victory over Spanish 11th seed fun for everyone.” the Wimbledon quarter-fi nals in 2013 comeback this year with a silver medal David Ferrer in the third round on the Del Potro won his only Grand Slam was the last time the pair met. in Rio where he lost a four-hour epic back of 37 winners. title in New York in 2009 when he beat against Andy Murray. Del Potro, once at four in the world Roger Federer in the fi nal, ending the AMAZING PLAYER “He was always a very good player. but now ranked 142 after undergoing a Swiss star’s 40-match win streak at The gritty Spaniard looked well set for Now he’s changing his game because is series of wrist injuries, will face Aus- the tournament. another victory when he sprinted to a playing more aggressive with his fore- trian eighth seed Dominic Thiem for a But his career was then derailed by 5-2 lead in the fi rst set before del Po- hand and with the serve. Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns a shot to Joao Sousa of Portugal during his US place in the quarter-fi nals. four wrist surgeries — one on his right tro hit back, much to the delight of a “He changed a little bit his game. Open third round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New He defeated the 23-year-old in their and three on his left. packed Louis Armstrong stadium. But anyway, he’s amazing player.” York on Saturday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE COMMENT Injured Kyrgios quits US Open in tears Mac slams Kyrgios

AFP New York for lack of eff ort

iery Australian Nick Kyrgios’s DPA US Open campaign ended in New York pain and tears when he retired from his third round match againstF Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko ohn McEnroe has used his pul- with a hip injury on Saturday. pit as a US Open television com- The 14th seed needed a medical mentator to slam the attitude timeout after dropping the second set of Nick Kyrgios, advising the and despite a series of further checks quirkyJ Australian to leave the game if with the trainer, he quit after the third he’s not interested in competing all- set feeling unable to move eff ectively out. enough around the Arthur Ashe Sta- The current bad boy of the ATP re- dium court. tired after the third set with hip fl exor “It’s tough. I don’t like to retire. It’s pain in his third-round match against probably like the second or third time Illya Marchenko; it was his third pull- I’ve done it,” said 21-year-old Kyrgios out since January. who was bidding to make the last 16 at McEnroe let rip after the latest epi- Flushing Meadows for the fi rst time. sode. “Nick Kyrgios, if you don’t want “It’s never easy, of course. I’ve got to be a professional tennis player, do a lot of belief in my game to still win something else,” McEnroe said. “He’s matches when I’m not feeling great.” hurt because he’s not training enough.” a lot of belief in my game to still win Marchenko’s 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win gave Kyrgios, 21, and ranked 16th, had matches when I’m not feeling great,” the world number 68 a fourth round made no secret of the fact that he’s he said. clash against two-time Grand Slam Nick Kyrgios of Australia walks off the court after retiring due to injury from his match against Ilya Marchenko of Ukraine not 100 per cent on board with ten- “My hip was bothering me my fi rst winner and third seed Stan Wawrinka. on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) nis and predicted he will not be seen in two matches and I got through. I guess The Swiss had earlier saved a match the sport by age 28. He also has trouble it was just a matter of time.” point to defeat Britain’s Dan Evans of the opportunity to see the Australian answer session that marijuana is used “He killed me completely, out- fi nding practice time while dedicating The Kyrgios availability for the 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (8), 6-2. and Wawrinka renew their bitter rivalry. on a regular basis by some players. played me in everything,” admitted the himself to playing Pokeman Go. Davis Cup World Group playoff this “To be fair, my hip was bother- At Montreal last year, Kyrgios was Marchenko, meanwhile, fi nds him- Ukrainian number two. Kyrgios was he felt he’d been “hit by his month against Slovakia in Sydney ing me my fi rst two matches and I got fi ned and given a provisional suspen- self in the last 16 of a Slam for the fi rst Even if he beats Wawrinka today, a bus” in his latest incomplete match: might be in doubt, but that will be de- through. I guess it was just a matter of sion for making a lewd sexual slur over time at the age of 28 having never pre- Marchenko is not certain that tennis “I can’t move. I can’t turn, mate,” he termined down the track. time,” added Kyrgios. Wawrinka’s girlfriend, tour player viously got beyond the second round. will make a big breakthrough in his said during an injury time out. “What’s “I don’t really care right now, to be “My physio has been helping me all Donna Vekic. He arrived in New York having not country. the point?” honest. Hopefully I get better in time. week. I’ve been trying to fi x it all week. The Australian’s latest Grand Slam won a match on the main tour since “It’s not really popular. But today I Kyrgios seems unlikely to give up his Obviously I want to play but I’m not real- But it’s the whole year leading up to it agony comes after another roller- Istanbul in April, a losing run of seven went on a practice. It was full stands. tennis gig anytime soon, saying that he ly thinking about that right now,” he said. with the whole schedule. coaster summer. successive matches. Obviously they came not for me — it was felt bad about failing to complete the Kyrgios also added some advice “I got to take more time and be more Kyrgios skipped the Olympics after Marchenko lost to Wawrinka in Djokovic next court,” he joked. “Tennis match. to himself after the pullout “I’ve got diligent with the gym and everything a row with the country’s top sports of- straight sets in their only other previ- is not really on TV. I mean, as you know, “I don’t like to retire. It’s probably to take more time and be more dili- so this doesn’t happen to me.” fi cial while he caused a stir in New York ous meeting in Indian Wells in March we have a lot of other problems. It’s not like the second or third time I’ve done gent with gym and everything so this Kyrgios’s misfortune deprived fans by suggesting in a Twitter question and this year. too much into sport right now.” it. It’s never easy, of course. I’ve got doesn’t happen to me.”

Monday, September 5, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

US OPEN HORSE RACING Al Shaqab’s Hathal wins Superior Mile Vinci fi rst through Agencies “He needs the rain, I don’t!” said jockey Dettori, “I was de- lighted when it was raining this morning and he’s a brave horse as l Shaqab’s Hathal made well. He loves a fi ght and sticks a winning return in the his head out.” Superior Mile (Gr3) at “He’s just had niggling issues Haydock on Saturday. and William took his time with to quarter-fi nals RiddenA by Frankie Dettori and him,” added Alison Begley, rep- trained by William Haggas, the resenting Al Shaqab Racing. four-year-old colt fought hard to “He’s always loved this horse Sevastova becomes first Latvian woman to reach US Open last eight since 1994 beat Mitchum Swagger by a head. and his patience has paid off . It is the fi rst Group success for William said, when the horse Reuters Hathal, who had not run since he was coming back, the QEII would New York won a listed race last season. The be an end-of-season target. It’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup Stakes at probably getting extreme out Ascot on October 15 is now the there, but he does like a bit of cut talian seventh seed Roberta Vinci was main target of the colt. in the ground.” fi rst through to the US Open quar- ter-fi nals, taming Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko 7-6(5), 6-2 yesterday. IAt number 99 the lowest ranked player to make it through to the last 16, Tsurenko represented a tricky test for last year’s US Open runner-up having knocked off 12th seed Dominika Cibulkova and 21st seed Iri- na-Camelia Begu to get to the fourth round. The 27-year-old Ukrainian looked prepared to add another seeded scalp to her Flushing Meadows collection as she forced the fi rst set to a tie-break before surrendering 7-5. After a draining 67-minute opening set, Tsurenko had little left in the tank for the second and Vinci stamped her au- thority on the match quickly by going up a break and cruising to an easy win to clinch a spot in the last eight for the third time in four years. Next up for Vinci is the winner between second-seeded Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber and 14th-seeded twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

LATVIA’S SEVASTOVA IN LAST EIGHT Anastasija Sevastova, who quit tennis be- cause of injury in 2013, became the fi rst Roberta Vinci of Italy signs autographs as she leaves the court after defeating Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine in their US Open match at Latvian woman to reach the US Open the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York yesterday. (AFP) quarter-fi nals since 1994 when she beat Britain’s 13th seed Johanna Konta 6-4, injured and not having fun and I was kind in New York since Jo Durie in 1983. MONFILS DOWNS BAGHDATIS Frankie Dettori (centre) rides Hathal to victory in the 7-5 yesterday. of depressed, but now I’m back.” French 10th seed Gael Monfils reached Superior Mile (Gr3) at Haydock on Saturday. PICTURE: Racingfotos The unseeded 26-year-old, who de- In a topsy-turvy match, containing KEYS LOCKED OUT BY WOZNIACKI the quarter-finals of the US Open for feated third seed Garbine Muguruza in 12 breaks of serve, Sevastova had match Sevastova next faces Denmark’s Caroline the third time yesterday with a 6-3, 6-2, round two, held off a late ghtbackfi from point at 5-3 and another at 5-4 only for Wozniacki, who locked American eighth 6-3 victory over Cypriot Marcos Bagh- SPOTLIGHT Konta to reach the last eight of a grand Konta to break back for 5-5. seed Madison Keys out of the quarter- datis. slam for the fi rst time. But the Latvian regained her compo- fi nals with a tidy 6-3 6-4 win yesterday. Monfi ls, whose lone Grand Slam semi- Sevastova was out of the game for 20 sure in time to hold serve and then break Wozniacki, a US Open finalist in 2009 fi nal appearance came at the French Open months until the start of last year, having Konta, who was appearing in the last 16 and 2014 but unseeded this year after back in 2008, next faces either fourth- Wawrinka saves announced her retirement in May 2013 for the second consecutive year, to clinch being sidelined for two months by an seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal, a two-time after a series of injuries. victory. ankle injury, dominated from the start champion, or compatriot Lucas Pouille as “It was hard moments for me in 2013,” Konta was bidding to become the fi rst and wrapped up victory in a speedy 78 three French men battled yesterday for match point to beat the 48th-ranked Sevastova said. “I was British woman to reach the quarter-fi nals minutes. places in the last eight. unseeded Evans

Venus takes next step to possible sisters showdown Reuters el the match, the Briton took the New York third in a tiebreak. Reuters where she beat Angelique Kerber in the The pair traded breaks at the New York final to deprive the German of overtak- start of the fourth set but Evans, ing Serena as world number one. hird seed Stan Wawrin- who surprised Wawrinka with “Every match is a little diff erent,” Venus ka saved a match point at his variety, had match point in enus Williams moved within said. “Today, my opponent tried to play the US Open on Saturday the tiebreak as the crowd rose two wins of a possible sisterly aggressively, but I played that game before squeezing past to their feet in anticipation of a unheraldedT Briton Dan Evans massive upset. Vshowdown with Serena in the just a little bit better than her.” semi-finals of the US Open by beating As for Pliskova, the elder Williams said: in fi ve sets to reach the fourth But Wawrinka saved it with a German 26th seed Laura Siegemund to “We play kind of a similar game. So round. volley winner, and that proved reach the fourth round on Saturday. it’s about one of us playing that game The Swiss faced match point the last gasp for Evans as the The sixth-seeded Williams came up better.” at 5-6 in the fourth-set tiebreak Swiss, a semi-fi nalist in New big on the critical points to make quick Fourth seed Agnieszka Radwan- but won it 10-8 and then raced York in two of the past three work of Siegemund in a 6-1 6-2 victory ska advanced with ease, dispatching through the fi nal set to clinch a years, prevailed in the tiebreak in Arthur Ashe Stadium. France’s Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-3 to set 4-6 6-3 6-7(6) 7-6(8) 6-2 vic- and then dominated the fi fth set. The 36-year-old Williams, oldest player up a meeting with Croatian Ana Konjuh, tory. “Just a bit of a heartbreaker in the women’s draw, repelled seven of a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 winner over American “It was an unbelievable fi ght,” really,” Evans told reporters. “It nine break points held by the German, Agnieszka Radwanska beat Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday. (AFP) Varvara Lepchenko. Wawrinka said. “I’m for sure was a tough one to take. Prob- and capitalised on six of 10 of her own Hungarian Timea Babos put a scare lucky to get through that match, ably hurt a bit for a while. Dis- break opportunities. reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon miscues in the 78-minute match. into Romanian fifth seed Simona Halep, saving match point. He played appointing how it sort of played “Just doing what I have to do, being and the final at Stanford. That moved Williams into a round of 16 surging back in the second set and tak- really great, he’s really talented out. able to dominate when I need to,” Wil- Siegemund appeared poised to off er clash against big-serving, 10th-seeded ing a 3-1 lead in the third before falling and he was really pushing me. Evans acknowledged that liams told reporters. the American a good test, coming off a Czech Karolina Pliskova, a 6-2 6-4 win- 6-1, 2-6, 6-4. “To fi nish like that, I’m really he was felt fatigued after fail- “Being in control of the points, so even productive stretch in which she made ner against Russian 17th seed Anastasia Halep, who fell in the semi-finals to happy to get through. It wasn’t ing to close out the match in the if I lose a point, I feel like, OK, I’m in a the semi-finals in Bucharest, won in Pavlyuchenkova. eventual champion Flavia Pennetta easy for me to fi nd my best game.” fourth-set tiebreak. position to win the point. That’s where I Bastad and reached the quarter-finals Top-seeded Serena advanced to the last year, will play Spain’s Carla Suarez World number 64 Evans de- “I was physically pretty tired. want to be every single time.” at the Rio Olympics. fourth round with a 6-2 6-1 demolition Navarro for place in the quarter-finals. scribed his loss as a “heart- Subconsciously, mentally as Williams, a seven-times grand slam sin- But she wilted under the raw power of Sweden’s Johanna Larsson. Suarez, also celebrating a birthday breaker” after coming so close well. I was hurt a bit. Just one of gles winner and twice US Open cham- of Williams, who forced her into 32 Pliskova showed her prowess last Saturday as she turned 28, defeated to reaching the last 16 of a grand those things. In the fi fth set, he’s pion, has enjoyed some recent success, errors and was gifted with 26 unforced month by winning the title in Cincinnati, Russian Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-3. slam for the fi rst time. obviously a class opponent. I sort Ranked as low as 772 in May of knew that was the chance in of last year, Evans stunned the fourth set, yeah,” the Briton Wawrinka as he took the match said. BOTTOMLINE to the two-time grand slam “It’s just a diffi cult one really champion in a packed Louis to sort of take.” Armstrong Stadium. Wawrinka, the 2014 Austral- The 26-year-old broke in the ian Open winner and 2015 French Frustrated Murray fi nds way past pesky Lorenzi 10th game to take the fi rst set and Open champion, will next play though Wawrinka hit back to lev- Ilya Marchenko of Ukraine. Reuters “He’s an extremely solid player and New York doesn’t give you many cheap points. I was trying to get cheap points, I was going for too much. lummoxed and frustrated by wily “When I slowed things down and wait- veteran Paolo Lorenzi for two ed for the right shot to go for, my unforced sets, second seed Andy Mur- errors went down, the winners went up ray changed tactics and beat the and the scoreboard started working in my F34-year-old Italian at his own game to favour as well.” advance to the US Open fourth round on Murray advanced to a fourth-round Saturday. clash with 22nd seed Grigor Dimitrov of Murray was moping and muttering to Bulgaria, a 6-4 6-1 3-6 6-2 winner over himself as he pressed for winners against Joao Sousa of Portugal. the steady Italian and piled up unforced The second seed said he did not over- errors before deciding to patiently play look Lorenzi. long rallies that enabled him to secure a “He’s ranked 40 in the world. He’s 7-6(4) 5-7 6-2 6-3 win. pretty good. So I expected a tough match. World number two Murray committed I expected long rallies, I’m just disap- 47 errors in the fi rst two sets, including pointed with the amount of errors I 31 off his forehand, and converted only made,” Murray said. “That cost me in the 4-of-12 break points before fi nding his fi rst and second sets.” form in the third set. Murray was impressed with the forti- The 40th-ranked Lorenzi put up a tude of the Italian, who battled the Scot gritty fi ght despite coming off a gruelling through a brilliant 42-stroke rally in the fi ve-set, fi ve-hour win over French 30th triumphs at Wimbledon and the Rio Ol- adding two semi-fi nals and a quarter- second set among many long exchanges. seed Gilles Simon in his second-round ympics. fi nal to his credit. “After the match he had a couple days tilt. Lorenzi is also enjoying a stellar sea- “I stopped rushing in the rallies,” 2012 ago, to come out and move like he did and The Scotsman’s harder than expected son, logging his fi rst victory ever on the US Open winner Murray said in an on- work as hard as he did out there shows three-hour 17-minute victory kept his ATP Tour, becoming the oldest fi rst-time court interview. “I was making quite a few that’s a huge quality of his and it gets you golden summer moving forward after champion by winning at Kitzbuehel, and unforced errors. a long way,” Murray said.