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SPOTLIGHT Lyles goes from asthma to depression to Worlds gold ‘World records aren’t the thing I’m chasing. I’m chasing to be better each day. World records come when you improve’

By Sahan Bidappa faced that have toughened him Doha up on and off track. “I’ve had a lot of diff erent challenges through life and it’s fter winning the IAAF shaped me into who I am now,” World Championships Lyles said, after his dominant 200m title on Tuesday victory at Doha Worlds. night, Noah Lyles sank “I had chronic asthma, I had intoA the arms of his mother Keisha my tonsels removed at six. I had at the Khalifa International Stadi- the learning disabilities ADD um. It was an emotional moment (attention-defi cit disorder) and between the two as they remi- dyslexia. I was in the slow class nisced the hardships they went at school because I had to learn through when Lyles was a child. to read diff erently. Mainstream Touted as the next big thing school just wasn’t my strong in athletics after the retirement suit. I got isolated at middle of legendary Usain Bolt, Lyles school. I’ve gone through periods likes to put on a show. In fact, his of depression and I used track as American teammate Justin Gatlin an outlet. I tried to work on my describes him as ‘a rock star’, and character as much as I can, on Lyles certainly wears his confi - always staying happy and loving dence on his sleeve. what I do.

But self-confi dence was never “In high school I cried because his forte while growing up in I thought I was going to fail out Gainesville, Florida. Born to Kei- of college and wouldn’t be able sha Caine and Kevin Lyles, the to run. My mum said, ‘You could former a fi ne collegiate athlete, go pro out of high school.’ And I the latter a 4x400m relay world said, ‘People don’t do that.’ Little champion in Gothenburg, Swe- did I know that I was going to be den in 1995, the young Lyles had the fi rst one,” he recalled. athletics in his genes. On Tuesday night, Lyles be- But athletics was last thing on came the youngest ever winner his mind as a child. He was hos- of the men’s 200m at the World pitalised with chronic asthma Championships, earning his when he was still an infant. Later maiden senior global title with a he was diagnosed with attention- 19.83 run. Having dominated the Noah Lyles of the US celebrates his win in the men’s 200m final at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma defi cit disorder and dyslexia, and event on the international circuit studied in remedial school class- over the past two years, it was fi nished as runner-up to compa- his mind. “Don’t say I’m the new what you’re good at and take record will pop up,” Lyles added. gold. We got the gold in the 200, es. He has also spoken about the hardly a surprise. triot Michael Norman. Bolt,” said Lyles. “I’m me. If you away what you’re bad at. I’m still Lyles has now set sights on an and now we are going to get that bullying he suff ered as a child, Lyles has lost just once at a Lyles has been tipped to break like me, I’ll happily entertain you. working on my start. I still be- Olympic double from the 100m double gold.” which pushed him into depres- meeting since fi nishing fourth at Bolt‘s 200m world record of It’s my time.” lieve I can get a better top-end and 200m come Tokyo next year. Meanwhile, for now in Doha, sion. the 2016 US Olympics trials as a 19.19, which was set at the 2009 “World records aren’t the speed. There are things I can “I’m defi nitely going after the 1-2 Lyles will bid for his second gold At 22, the world at his feet, all high school student. His latest world championships in , thing I’m chasing. I’m chas- strengthen. But on the right day, double. I know everyone is asking as he is slated to run the 4x100m that is past now. But Lyles has defeat came at the Rome Dia- but the American claimed sur- ing to be better each day. World with the right conditions and the that, don’t worry,” he assured. relay where the Americans are never forgotten the hardships he mond League in June, where he passing Bolt was the last thing on records come when you improve right training, hopefully a world “Tokyo is it. This time we got the the overwhelming favourites.

FOOTBALL Xavi refuses to give up, says Al Sadd will fi ght

AFC reduced to 10 men, allowing their and Al Sadd striker Baghdad Doha visitors to reign. Bounedjah was added to the ref- “I’m extremely disappointed eree’s book in added time of the with the result,” said Xavi who is fi rst half for excessive protesta- l Sadd coach Xavi is re- staring at a second consecutive tion, meaning he joins Hassan in fusing to give up hope AFC Champions League semi- missing the return leg. of qualifying to the fi nal exit, having been part of the “Unfortunately, we will be 2019 AFC Champions Al Sadd squad that was eliminat- without two important players LeagueA fi nal despite a 4-1 home ed by Persepolis at the same stage for the second leg after the cards defeat at the hands of Al Hilal in in 2018. to Bounedjah and Hassan, but we the fi rst leg of the semi-fi nal on “We were the better team until will still do our best and will not Tuesday. Abdelkarim Hassan was sent off . lose hope. The Qatari champions sur- In my opinion, there were two “It is a really bad result, but we rendered an early lead to concede matches; one before the red card won’t give up. It is not over; there twice in each half, suff ering their and one after it. It was really dif- are still 90 minutes left and we fi rst home defeat of the campaign fi cult for us to defend and attack will fi ght hard to win the second and leaving them in need of a with 10 players, so we fell to this leg. Who knows? Maybe they will four-goal winning margin if they result.” undergo circumstances like those are to better last year’s semi-fi nal With 10 minutes left to the that happened to us today and we exit. half-time break, 2018 AFC Player can then win.” The night started brightly for of the Year Hassan received a yel- Al Sadd travel to Riyadh for the hosts as they dominated the low card for a mistimed challenge the second leg at King Saud Uni- early proceedings and struck fi rst on Mohammed al-Burayk. The versity Stadium on October 22, 14 minutes into the game, but a left-back then reacted angrily to with the winners facing either defensive mistake allowed Al Hi- the decision, earning his march- Guangzhou Evergrande or Urawa lal a way back into the match and ing orders. Red Diamonds in the 2019 AFC Al Sadd coach Xavi (right) speaks to defender Abdelkarim Hassan during the first leg of the AFC Champions League semi-finals against Saudi Al Sadd capitulated after being Tensions were fl ying high Champions League fi nal. Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Tuesday. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, October 3, 2019

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Mystery injury Hassan wins scuppers Norman 400m title bid AFP Doha

1,500m heat aft er mystery injury scup- pered Michael Nor- man’s bid for 400 me- tres gold yesterday as theA up-and-coming American star crashed out in the semi-fi - nals at the Khalifa Stadium. The 21-year-old USA sprinter, Salazar furore the fastest man in the world this year over the distance, had been ’s advances in women’s 5000m one of the favourites for gold in Doha alongside compatriot Fred Kerley. However Norman was al- ways struggling in a heat won by Trinidad’s Machel Cedenio, fi n- ishing last in seventh place in a time of 45.94. Afterwards, Norman revealed he had been troubled by a nig- gling injury in the “lower half” of his body for the past two months. He declined to elaborate on the precise nature of the injury. “I came into the race with the ed itself. Today my body got the mentality of going out there,” best of me. Norman. “But my body gave me “It’s disappointing but I just warning signs today and I lis- have to take this performance for tened to them and made the ex- what it is, and be a better athlete ecutive choice to slow down in- for next year.” stead of risking injury. With Norman injured, the “It’s real disappointing to USA’s hopes of completing a come out here after 330 days of 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m training and not even make the sweep now rest with Kerley, who fi nal, not even look good in the won his heat in 44.25sec. semi.” Kerley can face a strong chal- Norman said he had been lenge from the Bahamas’ Steven managing the problem since it Gardiner, who won his heat in fi rst fl ared up with the help of his 44.13sec, the quickest time of the trainer. semi-fi nals. “We’ve been taking it day Grenada’s Kirani James, the by day, step by step, breath by 2012 Olympic champion, quali- breath, moment by moment,” he fi ed for tomorrow’s fi nal with said. “I’ve always approached the second quickest time of each new challenge as it present- 44.23sec.

Today’s fi nals at Doha Worlds

WOMEN’S SHOT PUT 10:35pm WR: 22.63 Natalya Lisovskaya, Soviet Union, June 7, 1989, Mos- cow YB: 20.31 Gong Lijao, China DC: Gong Lijao, China OC: Michzelle Carter, United States FA: Gong Lijao, China; Chase Ealey, United States; Christina Schwanitz, Germany (second from right) of the Netherlands crosses the finish line ahead of Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon (second from left) and Nikki Hiltz (centre) of the US to win the women’s 1500m heats at the IAAF Championships Doha 2019 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. (AFP) WOMEN’S 400M 11:50pm WR: 47.60 Marita Koch, East Germany, October 6, 1985, Canberra Agencies Simpson replied: “Get him out, races,” added the German. YB: 49.05 Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Bahamas Doha that’s my reaction. If you cheat, Klosterhalfen is trained by DC: Phyllis Francis you get banned. I’m a believer in , who is also in charge OC: Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Bahamas lifetime bans. I wish it was long- of 800m winner Donovan Bra- FA: Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Bahamas; Salwa Eid Naser, Bahrain; ifan Hassan breezed er. Don’t cheat.” zier of the US, and like the other Shericka Jackson, Jamaica into the semi-fi nals of The 33-year-old 2016 Olym- athletes is not implicated in the the 1,500m at the World pics bronze medallist meanwhile aff air which dates back to years WOMEN’S HEPTATHLON (800M) 12:05am Championships yester- said there had long been suspi- they weren’t part of the group. WR: 7,291 Jackie Joyner-Kersee, United States, September 23-24, day,S just a day after her coach cions over the Oregon Project. And Klosterhalfen said she Seoul was hit with a “I mean anybody who knows sees no reason to leave again af- YB: 6,819 Nafissatou Thiam, Belgium doping ban. anything about this sport knows ter one year over the aff air. DC: Nafissatou Thiam, Belgium The Ethiopian-born Dutch there’s a black shadow, a black “It was shocking news but it OC: Nafissatou Thiam, Belgium runner, who has already won a cloud over that group,” she said. doesn’t aff ect us. I had no prob- FA: Nafissatou Thiam, Belgium; Katarina Johnson-Thompson, gold medal in the 10,000m in “So why anyone chooses to be lems to concentrate, I just needed Britain; Erica Bougard, United States Doha, won her heat comfortably part of it I have no idea.” to control my nerves,” she said. in a time of 4min 03.88sec ahead Elsewhere yesterday, another “I can only talk about what MEN’S DECATHLON (1,500M) 12:25am of Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon. Oregon Project distance runner, I see. It is the best team in the WR: 9,126 Kevin Mayer, France, September 15/16, 2018, Talence Hassan, who on Tuesday said Germany’s 5,000m medal hope world,” she added, naming Sala- YB: 8,711 Damian Warner, Canada she was “shocked” by the sus- Konstanze Klosterhalfen, said she zar “the founding father”. DC: Kevin Mayer, France pension of Salazar, did not speak Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen in action during the women’s was stunned by Salazar’s ban. Klosterhalfen has made ma- OC: Ashton Eaton, United States to reporters after her race. 5000m heats yesterday. (Reuters) “I was very shocked, I knew jor improvements since joining FA: Kevin Mayer, France; Damian Warner, Canada; Niklas Kaul, Another member of Salazar’s the team how great they are the NOP, setting six national Germany Nike-backed Oregon Project, in her heat. 4:07.27, said she was glad Salazar and how great they run,” said records, and she is also a medal Australia’s , also Meanwhile, Jenny Simpson of had been kicked out of the sport. Klosterhalfen, who joined the contender in the 5,000m where WR: World Record; YB: 2019 year’s best (as of September 22); made it through to the 1,500m the United States, who won the Asked for her reaction to group in November 2018. she wants to “show the best race DC: defending champion; OC: Olympic champion; FA: favourites semi-fi nals after fi nishing fi fth third 1,500m heat in a time of Salazar’s four-year suspension, “I just want to focus on my of the season”.

BOTTOMLINE Eatons donate 2016 World Indoors kit to IAAF Heritage Collection

AAF President Sebastian for Ashton, the multiple world in the Oregon Convention Center Coe and IAAF Ambassadors and Olympic decathlon champi- in Portland was her second world Ashton Eaton and Brianne on, and Brianne, the 2016 world indoor championships medal for Theisen-Eaton, Mike Powell indoor pentathlon champion, Canada, following her silver in Iand Stefan Holm visited the IAAF who married in 2013 and, as Or- 2014. Heritage World Athletics Cham- egon residents, were the promo- The kit will be on display in pionships Exhibition in Doha tional faces of those 2016 cham- Doha until the end of the cham- yesterday. pionships. pionships. Next year it will The vest and spikes worn by “It really is our pleasure to feature in the World Athletics two-time Olympic champion make these donations of our Heritage Indoor Display in Nan- Coe in the 1500m at the 1984 Portland 2016 competition jer- jing, China, which will be staged Los Angeles Games and the seys and bib numbers,” said Ash- ahead of the 2020 World Athlet- vest worn by long jump world ton. ics Indoor Championships in the record-holder Powell at the 1991 “Thank you for starting the city. World Championships have been Heritage Collection and allowing Also attending today were fa- among the hundreds of artefacts us to be part of it.” mous champions such as Daley on display in the exhibition since “To echo what Ashton said, Thompson, David Rudisha, Ea- it was offi cially opened by Coe on this is a truly incredible thing monn Coghlan, John Treacy, Sal- April 18 this year. Heritage is doing to promote our ly Pearson, Steve Cram, Conses- Yesterday during the visit, sport and preserve its history and lus Kipruto and the Ingebrigtsen the IAAF Heritage Collection we’re happy to donate,” added family. received further permanent do- Brianne. “We thought it would be The IAAF Heritage World Ath- nations. The winning kit and very cool if we both gave some- letics Championships Exhibition competition numbers of Ashton thing from Portland 2016 since is open from 10am to 10pm every Eaton and Brianne Theisen-Ea- we both won gold and the loca- day (until midnight on Thursday, ton from the IAAF World Indoor tion was so meaningful to Ashton Friday and Saturday) and closes Championships Portland 2016 and me.” at the end of Monday, October 7. were generously donated by the For Ashton, his Portland vic- The exhibition is located in a 400 couple. tory was his third world indoor square metres space on the third The 2016 World Indoor Cham- heptathlon title for the USA, fl oor of the City Center Mall. (From left) Stefan Holm, Ashton Eaton, IAAF President Sebastian Coe, Brianne Theisen-Eaton and Mike Powell pose for a picture at the IAAF pionships was a fairy tale event while Brianne’s pentathlon gold (IAAF) Heritage Exhibition at the City Center Mall in Doha yesterday. (Getty Images for IAAF) Gulf Times Thursday, October 3, 2019 3

TOP OF THE LINE World champs show class in coaching clinic at Doha College

By Sports Reporter go home and tell their parents Doha they’ve had fun. That’s the main thing but also that they want to work hard, but I hope they can go tudents in Qatar were away and believe in themselves. handed a golden oppor- Anything is possible.” tunity at a training ses- Tabatha, aged 16, at Doha Col- sion when former world lege took part in the coaching clin- championsS visited Doha College ic, adding: “It was really exciting to off er advice and inspire the to see the athletes in school, where next generation of athletes in we come every day. They gave us Doha. great advice such as how to deal The highly decorated team of with pressure and stress in sport. former athletes, who have col- Having athletes from across the lectively won nine World Cham- world here at Khalifa Stadium is pionships medals, led a special- great. I’ve seen the stadium grow ist coaching session for aspiring and it’s amazing to have the com- students with long jump world petition here.” record holder Mike Powell help- There is still time for fans to be ing youngsters to recreate his Former heptathlon double-silver medallist Brianne Theisen-Eaton (left), two-time decathlon Olympic a part of the IAAF World Athlet- record leap of 8.95m. champion Ashton Eaton (second from left), long jump world record holder Mike Powell (right) and former ics Championships Doha 2019 The two-time World Champi- high jump world champion Stefan Holm (second from right) pose with kids at Doha College. with four evenings of action re- onships gold medallist was joined maining at Khalifa International by double-gold medallist Ashton onships Doha 2019, where they goals and vision, the athletes met goals, so they’re making me part Stadium, including 24 fi nals Eaton, former high jump world are taking in the local culture and pupils from both the primary of their dream. I know how much where world champions will be champion Stefan Holm and hep- supporting the Championships and secondary school of Doha my coaches aff ected me and how made. tathlon double-silver medallist which will see 24 more fi nals take College, with Powell comment- much I love them for what they Tickets can be bought outside Brianne Theisen-Eaton. place in the remaining four days ing: “I coach college kids and I helped me do. It’s great to be here Khalifa International Stadium The four stars are visiting Qa- of the competition. love it because these kids have and help give back the things that from booth one, or online at ht- tar in ambassadorial roles for the Off ering advice on technique, dreams and they’re trusting me were given to me. tps://iaafworldathleticschamps. Long jump world record holder Mike Powell with kids during a training IAAF World Athletics Champi- training methods and long term to help them accomplish their “I hope the kids here today can com/doha2019/ session at Doha College.

FOCUS Salazar scandal has not aff ected Worlds, says Coe ‘(Athletes) should want to know what is being done in their name is done to the highest standards’ Nike risks being burned by doping scandal

AFP ‘SWOOSHES ON TIMEBOMBS’ who was accused of rape in New York Nike stock fell 1.75% Tuesday, 2003, and golfer Tiger Woods, minimally more than the overall who was involved in a adultery market movement (-1.28 %), the scandal in 2009. ith Nike-backed athlet- day after the company closed In the world of athletics it has ics coach Alberto the session on the highest price stood by US sprinter Justin WSalazar subjected to a in its history. Gatlin, who served a ban for four-year suspension for doping, The brand has posted glowing doping before returning to win the US sportswear giant risks results for several quarters, bol- world titles. being caught up in the scandal stered by its reorientation towards In September 2018, Nike made — its CEO is even quoted in the online sales and its performance waves when it released an ad- suspension ruling. on the Chinese market. vertising campaign featuring US Citing experiments with testoster- Could the Salazar slam the brakes football player and activist Colin IAAF president Sebastian Coe. one, fat-burning amino acid injec- on Nike’s upward movement? Kaepernick, criticised for kneeling tions and falsified medical docu- “Nike’s history is full of supporting during the US national anthem at AFP Championships, and two have ments, the American anti-doping dopers, of doped federations,” games in protest at racism. Doha already romped to gold medals, authority USADA published a list former runner Lauren Fleshman, “Nike is having a public reckon- the Netherlands’ Ethiopian- of blemishes on the record of who was sponsored by Nike for ing right now,” tweeted Flesh- born 10,000m champion Sifan the highest-profile NOP coaches a test injection of test was outside any rules as a more than nine years until 2012, man, who competed at 5,000m orld athletics chief Hassan and men’s 800m winner coach in the world. a litre of an amino acid and dex- medical doctor was involved.” said on Twitter Tuesday. in three world championships. Sebastian Coe in- of the United In that document — prepared by trose (glucose) mixture — a dose These tests were ostensibly car- “They look the other way even She also recalled that Nike was sisted yesterday the States. an independent panel for USADA clearly above what would be al- ried out in response to Salazar’s when it’s clear to everyone else revealed to have been penalis- World Champion- Coe however cautioned — was none other than Mark lowed under World Anti-Doping concern that an athlete might be that something is rotten,” she said. ing pregnant athletes, a policy it Wships had not been “derailed” by against casting a blanket of sus- Parker, the CEO of Nike, which Agency (WADA) regulations. sabotaged by someone secretly “They put swooshes on the time- revised in May after coming un- the Alberto Salazar doping case picion over athletes who were has backed Salazar for decades. And in another e-mail to Parker contaminating them with the gel. bombs. And when they blow, der pressure from track veteran after the high-profi le coach was members of the Oregon Project, Parker was copied on several two years later, Jeff rey Brown, “Mark’s understanding was that Nike is often the last to leave.” and new mother Allyson Felix. banned for four years. warning that to do so risked guilt e-mails about research done by a doctor who worked with the Alberto was attempting to pre- Nike continued to off icially sup- And she criticised their ads, in- International Association of by association. Salazar and the Nike Oregon NOP, described experiments vent doping of his athletes,” the port cyclist Lance Armstrong in cluding one featuring Serena Wil- Athletics Federations (IAAF) “I’m sorry, I don’t live in that Project (NOP), a group created in with testosterone gel. Nike spokesman told the WSJ. 2012 immediately after the publi- liams and other female athletes in president Coe said the govern- world where you just automati- 2001 by the three-time New York Parker responded to Brown, “It Salazar’s best-known athlete cation of USADA’s report showing light of the recent scandal. ing body had reacted swiftly cally assume the worst,” Coe said. Marathon winner to promote elite will be interesting to determine is Britain’s , who won damning evidence of doping “If you make ads about moms after news broke that Salazar, “The reality of it is, the charges long-distance running in the US. the minimal amount of topical four gold medals at the 2012 and against him and his team — before kicking ass but you suspend the founder of the Nike Oregon that have been laid by USADA are The alleged enhancing male hormone required to cre- 2016 Olympics at 5,000m and dropping him a few days later. pregnant women without pay Project training group, had been serious.” programme was for athletes ate a positive test.” 10,000m. Farah has never tested In June 2016, Nike maintained its while preventing them from suspended by the United States Coe however encouraged ath- competing at 5,000 metres, Nike has not responded to positive and said in response contract with tennis player Maria making money elsewhere — If Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). letes to scrutinise their training 10,000m but not for sprint races, requests for comment by AFP. A to Salazar’s ban he had left the Sharapova, who was suspended you make ads about the purity “We’re dealing with it. It environments amid comments according to the agency. spokesman for the brand told the NOP in 2017 and that he has “no for two years for doping. of sport while funding the un- doesn’t derail the champion- from USADA chief executive In a 2011 e-mail to Parker, Salazar Wall Street Journal, “Mark Parker tolerance for anyone who breaks The clothing brand also stood by derbelly that erodes it — that’s a ship,” Coe told reporters. Travis Tygart yesterday that explains he had given one of the had no reason to believe that the the rules or crosses the line”. basketball player Kobe Bryant, problem.” “It may for you guys, but in Salazar had treated Oregon reality it’s not a broader issue for Project runners like “laboratory secure and is not going to damage Coe meanwhile defended Brit- insisted USADA’s ongoing inves- larly, should this athlete be with ing raised, the athletes should ask most people watching the cham- animals.” your own reputation,” Coe said. ain’s 2012 and 2016 Olympic hero tigation into Salazar was unre- this coach?” Coe said. really tough questions. pionships.” “If you are coached by some- “(Athletes) should want to Mo Farah for his long association lated to his decision. “I say the burden of proof can “If they remain with those Several athletes who are body, you should be absolutely know what is being done in their with Salazar. “Mo is an outstanding athlete only be on malfeasance. If that’s coaches you have to presume members of the Oregon Project comfortable that you are working name is done to the highest Farah split with the Oregon and as I said at the time, and I get proven clearly they shouldn’t and they have had those questions are competing at the World in an environment that’s safe and standards.” Project in 2017 after six years, but asked the question, as I do regu- if there are questions that are be- satisfactorily answered.”

BOTTOMLINE Medical delegations participating in the Doha 2019 Worlds praise Aspetar

By Sports Reporter those related to physiotherapy, Aspetar Hospital a few metres Doha assessments, screening, and away from the place of com- podiatry. petition and warm-ups, it of- Aspetar is the National Medi- fers integrated and high-quality edical delegations cal Supplier of IAAF Doha 2019, services for all participants. Asp- participating in the with Dr Juan Manuel Alonso, etar crews work in the warm-up 2019 World Athletics chief medical offi cer of IAAF stadium adjacent to the hospital Championships vis- world Championship – Doha where there is a fi xed Aspetar Mited Aspetar, the sports medicine 2019, supervising a team of more high tech clinic equipped with and Orthopaedic Hospital today. than 100 doctors and physi- everything the medical staff The visitors were briefed on the otherapists, who provide all the needs. hospital’s state of art facilities medical support to the partici- Aspetar’s medical staff con- and the medical services it pro- pants around the clock. sists of doctors, physiothera- vides to athletes from around the Through Aspetar’s National pists, masseurs, nurses and para- world. Sports Medicine Program, Aspe- medics, in addition to a number During the visit, Aspetar of- tar provides the best medical care of volunteers who are keen to ficials provided explanations to to various participants during the provide the best medical services the attendees about the course competition; in the training ven- to all the delegations participat- of the work of the championship ue and within the accommoda- ing in the tournament. The team medical committee, and then tion of delegations, collaborating is deployed all over the training took them on a tour of the hos- with our partners from Hamad sites at The Qatar Club and the pital. Afterword’s, the visiting Corp, the Qatar Red Crescent delegation’s residence, as well as medical delegations expressed foundation and the Qatar Minis- their deployment along the Cor- great appreciation of the mod- try of Public Health. niche during the night marathon ern techniques used, especially As a result of the presence of competitions. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, October 3, 2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT ‘It’s tough’ — Aussies left uncertain over Barrett brothers tackle crackdown

AFP er you play a certain way your Tokyo whole life and I think most rugby players would look a lot of the incidents and think it’s okay, and ustralian players said see a bit more malice in certain star as All Blacks yesterday they were other ones,” To’omua said. nonplussed about a “It is an interesting space at crackdown on high the moment.” However, he de- tacklesA that left wing Reece nied that Australia felt the world Hodge banned and coach was ganging up on them, after Michael Cheika fuming. Cheika’s angry reaction to the After Hodge received a three- refereeing in the Wallabies’ 29- match suspension for a high shot 25 defeat to Wales. maul Canada against Fiji, the Wallabies were “I wouldn’t say it’s the feeling aggrieved when Wales fl y-half in camp in the sense that we’re ‘I thought particularly that first half of the second half, they really came together’ Rhys Patchell stood up high in a thinking everyone’s against us. tackle on Samu Kerevi, who was There were just a couple of in- penalised for using his forearm. cidents and you’ve seen them in With referees on notice to other games,” To’omua said. clamp down on high tackles, “I don’t think either have had a which have been linked to con- direct impact on the result of the cussions, centre Tevita Kuridrani game, that’s the main thing.” said players found the situation To’omua added that the Wal- diffi cult to judge. labies weren’t doing anything to “When we watched the video compensate for the approach by it (Patchell’s tackle) was really referees, who are following a new high. You can’t do anything more protocol on dealing with high than running it so we just keep tackles. Five players have been practising what we’ve been do- suspended for high shots so far at ing and maybe try to keep the the World Cup. “It doesn’t really elbow out a little bit,” Kuridrani change anything for us. We’ve said. Matt To’omua, who will never practised tackling high, play inside centre alongside Ku- we’ve never practised leading ridrani against Uruguay on Sat- with the forearm,” he said. urday, said some of the decisions “Most of our tackles are all at the World Cup had made him legs tackles to get the player question the habits of a lifetime. on the ground as quickly as “It is tough. As a rugby play- possible.”

Australia’s centre Matt To’omua attends a training session at the Arcs Urayasu Park in Urayasu, Japan, yesterday. (AFP)

OPINION New Zealand’s Kieran Read (left) jumps for the ball in a line out during their Pool B match against Canada at the Oita Stadium in Oita, Japan, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP The quick-thinking Weber, But with Weber dictating the ‘TRUE GRIT’ the line by Beauden Barrett. Oita, Japan coming on as a replacement fl ow they doubled that score in The New Zealanders, wear- The plucky Canadians also Farrell urges Ireland at the start of the second half, a frenetic opening 10 minutes ing black arm bands as a mark turned down the chance of three scored two tries himself and of the second half with four of respect for former All Blacks easy points by electing for a line- wo-time defending was instrumental in the other rapid tries. They only scored lock Stan ‘Tiny’ Hill, who died out rather than a shot at goal when to follow England’s champions New Zea- three. one more as the energy-sapping aged 92 just a few hours before All Blacks skipper Kieran Read was land ran nine tries past “I thought particularly that conditions took their toll, but it kick off , needed only four min- penalised for a no-arms tackle. Canada in a 63-0 romp fi rst half of the second half, they was enough to post the highest utes to get their fi rst points on It took until just before the 2007 example Tto strengthen their grip on Pool really came together and played score in this World Cup so far. the board. They were awarded break for the All Blacks to secure B at the Rugby World Cup yes- good controlled rugby,” said All However, the All Blacks fi n- a penalty try when Canada their four-try bonus point when AFP in the fi nal. terday. Blacks coach Steve Hansen. ished short of the 79-15 score- scrum-half Gordon McRorie Beauden Barrett snapped up a Kobe, Japan Mark Cueto, the England All three Barrett brothers “In really diffi cult conditions line when they last played Can- dived into a scrum to prevent a Williams grubber kick to cross wing, had a try controversially — Jordie, Beauden and Scott — — the humidity is unbelievable, ada at the 2011 World Cup. pushover try. near the posts. disallowed as South Africa won scored tries as the All Blacks and whilst people at home will The try-scoring Barrett Jordie Barrett latched on to a Rieko Ioane, who has been in a ndy Farrell believes 15-6 but Farrell said the way the totted up four before half-time be wondering why we dropped a brothers became the fi rst sib- Richie Mo’unga cross-kick for the form slump, needed only 43 sec- Ireland can take heart Red Rose brigade bounced back and added another fi ve in the few balls, it’s very, very diffi cult. ling trio to start a World Cup second try, and Sonny Bill Wil- onds to open the second half scor- from what happened to from their pool thumping pro- second period. So I think they’ve done well.” match for the All Blacks, and liams added the third with a sim- ing. AEngland back in 2007 vided Ireland with a template Brad Weber, back in the All In a messy fi rst half, where history was also made late in the ple dummy and sidestep for 21-0 Scott Barrett, who spilled the as they look to get their bid for in Japan. “The Japan defeat is a Blacks after being sidelined the clammy conditions inside second half when Ardie Savea, lead after 16 minutes. ball when diving for the line in the Rugby World Cup glory in Japan setback, but it’s also something for four years, was the inspira- the roofed Oita Stadium con- who is battling vision problems, Canada had the crowd on their fi rst half, made no mistake when back on track. you can use in the right manner,” tion the defending champions tributed to multiple handling became the tournament’s fi rst feet when a McRorie intercept put given a second opportunity before The Irish found themselves on Farrell told reporters at the Kobe needed to set their second half errors, the All Blacks only led player to wear protective gog- fl y-half Peter Nelson in the clear, Shannon Frizell and Weber’s the end of a stunning upset with Misaki Stadium yesterday. alight. 28-0 at half-time. gles. but he was cut down just short of double closed out the scoring. a 19-12 loss to tournament hosts “If you look at the last two Japan on Saturday that ignited World Cups, South Africa losing interest in this World Cup and to Japan, then going on to lose threw Pool A open. the semi-fi nal 20-18 (to New Nevertheless wins over Rus- Zealand). Gold ‘incredibly proud’ as USA push France all the way sia in Kobe today and Samoa on “Then in 2011 France seemed October 12 could now see Ireland to be in disarray throughout that AFP oka. you play against a team of the USA’s unexpectedly strong with Tier One versus Tier Two into a quarter-fi nal likely to be competition and there’s a debate Fukuoka, Japan The heavy underdogs kept French calibre, when you make showing comes after Japan and now we’re giving ourselves against either reigning champi- on whether they should have France scoreless for most of the mistakes, they’ll make you pay.” stunned Ireland, ranked world a chance with 65 minutes,” said ons New Zealand or South Af- won the fi nal (against New Zea- second half and drew within “We worked so incredibly number one at the start of the Gold. “We just can’t make mis- rica. Meanwhile defence coach land) or not. SA coach Gary Gold three points before three late hard for this today and I’m a bit tournament, and Uruguay upset takes against teams of this calibre. Farrell said there were lessons “And even in 2007 I was part hailed his players for French tries secured a 33-9 win. sad we didn’t get a try or more establish Pacifi c side Fiji. And we’re learning from that. But Ireland could learn from the of the England squad that had a going “toe-to-toe” “I’m incredibly proud of this on the scoreboard but yeah, “The gap is defi nitely clos- I think the gap is slowly but surely England team he played for at the thrashing off South Africa. There with France yesterday group of players. I feel we did just a very, very good perform- ing quite a lot. I think if you look closing.” It was quite a change 2007 World Cup in France. was a bit of turmoil in that camp Uafter they threatened an upset go toe-to-toe,” said Gold. “We ance and really positive for the back a couple of World Cups ago, from his comments after the USA England were hammered 36-0 but then we managed to get to the late in the Pool C game in Fuku- made some mistakes, and when way forward,” added Gold. The there were 70-80 point drubbings lost 45-7 to England. by South Africa in the pool phase fi nal, and there was some debate only to face the Springboks again about a try that was disallowed.”

PREVIEW Ireland look to steady WC campaign against Russia AFP 27-3 victory over old rivals Scot- enough in their locker to see off in a 30-10 opening defeat by the top of Pool D with a bonus-point Kobe, Japan land. a Russia side ranked 20th in the tournament hosts. victory over Fiji, though in real- Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has world. The Welshman has six new ity they are probably playing for made 11 changes in personnel af- Their only previous World Cup faces in the pack, as Russia aim to third place and the reward of an t is a game Ireland dare not ter a fi ve-day turnaround, with meeting saw Ireland hammer take Ireland on up front. automatic berth at the World lose and one in a sense they fl y-half Jonathan Sexton return- Russia 62-12 eight years ago. Jones, however, was under no Cup in 2023. cannot ‘win’ when they try ing to the side after missing the But Schmidt said it was im- illusions about the scale of the The Georgians have yet to to revive their Rugby World Japan loss with a thigh injury. portant Ireland did not get ahead task confronting his side. score a big win over a top tier na- ICup campaign against Russia to- Sexton, who will captain Ire- of themselves in the pursuit of a tion in the same vein as Japan’s day. land for the fi rst time in his illus- precious bonus point, achieved SLIPPERY BALL NO stunning victories over Ireland Ireland’s hopes of being trious career, reckons the Japan by scoring four tries. PROBLEM FOR GEORGIA and South Africa at the last two crowned world champions for defeat may have been a “blessing “We can’t put anything on the Hot, humid weather in Japan has tournaments but they are keen to the fi rst time suff ered a setback in disguise” because it came dur- scoreboard without getting the left players struggling to catch show the world how much they with a 19-12 defeat by Japan last ing the pool phase rather in the things we need to put in place,” even the simplest of passes at the have improved. time out. knockout stages where there is the New Zealander said. Rugby World Cup but Georgia Beating two-times quarter- But despite that loss, bonus- no chance of recovery. Meanwhile Russia coach Lyn captain Merab Sharikadze hopes fi nalists Fiji, on the back of Geor- point wins over both Russia and Even allowing for the changes Jones has made nine changes to practising with a ball dunked in gia’s impressive fi ve-try victory Samoa in their fi nal two group and humid conditions at the cov- a side that conceded six tries in soapy water will help them get to over Uruguay, would do just that, matches will see Ireland through ered Kobe Misaki Stadium that a 34-9 defeat by Samoa. That grips with the conditions. but Sharikadze said they had to to the quarter-fi nals after they make ball-handling diffi cult, Ire- reverse came just four days after With Wales and Australia not be wary of the Pacifi c islanders’ Ireland’s coach Joe Schmidt attends the captain’s run training session started Pool A with a convincing land should still have more than they had posed Japan problems in action today, Georgia can go pace and dynamism. at Mihazaki Stadium in Kobe, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, October 3, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB FOCUS Ross among many possible Cubs Nationals rally past manager candidates, Milwaukee Brewers, says Epstein Dodgers up next ‘Just get a base hit to the middle. That’s what I’m thinking’ Reuters and especially his connection New York to the 2016 team, are not nec- essarily assets that distinguish him or are important to us. ... hile acknowledg- Ross is an attractive candidate, ing that former and he’s going to be evaluated David Ross is on the merits.” a potential can- Among the names men- Wdidate to be the Cubs’ next tioned in various media re- manager, president of Base- ports as possible successors to ball operations Theo Epstein Maddon are Cubs bench coach said that the former Chicago Mark Loretta, Houston Astros catcher far from the only one. bench coach Joe Espada, cur- “He’s on our broad list of rent Cubs catching co-ordi- candidates,” Epstein said dur- nator Mark Johnson, former ing a press conference Mon- Cubs catcher (and ex-manag- day. The Cubs and Joe Maddon er of the then-Florida Marlins announced Sunday that they and the New York Yankees) Joe mutually agreed it was time to Girardi and current St. Louis part ways. Cardinals pitching coach Mike Ross was a member of the Maddux. Cubs’ 2016 World Series- Epstein also Monday that winning team, and the ESPN the Cubs “haven’t called to ask Baseball broadcaster said he for permission on anybody,” would be interested if the op- but that the front offi ce is “full portunity arose. speed ahead. We’re not go- “I think my heart is drawn ing to drag this out any longer to that dugout a little bit,” Ross than it needs to be, but we’re said Sunday. “I’ve got a lot of also going to be thorough.” thinking to do if this gets pre- The Cubs went 84-78 this sented to me as everyone says season, falling out of conten- will happen. I’m sure waiting tion with a nine-game losing for that phone call.” streak in the fi nal two weeks. Ross also called the Cubs’ In fi ve years with the Cubs, job “one of the best jobs in Maddon went 471-339, leaving Baseball.” him with a 1,252-1,068 overall Epstein emphasised, how- regular-season mark, count- ever, that the team is looking ing brief stints with the Cali- forward, not backward. fornia/Los Angeles Angels and “David Ross has a lot of nine years with the Tampa Bay great things going for him,” (Devil) Rays. In 2008, he led Epstein said. “His connection Tampa Bay to its lone World to the players on this team, Series appearance.

The Washington Nationals celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card game at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. (AFP/GETTY IMAGES) D’backs parting ways with AFP Reds part ways with hitting coach Ward But Brewers pitcher Hader allowed pitching coach Butcher Los Angeles three runs on two hits and a walk in a wild The Cincinnati Reds said Tuesday that “Speaking for the organisation, I want to eighth inning. The Arizona Diamondbacks race over the regular season’s hitting coach Turner Ward will not return thank Turner for the work he put in on our Milwaukee scored three runs in the fi rst on Monday announced they final two weeks. Butcher’s uan Soto clubbed a bases loaded to manager David Bell’s coaching staff in behalf,” president of Baseball operations two innings and held on to a 3-1 edge en- are parting ways with pitching departure comes the same single that scored three runs with 2020. Dick Williams said. “As we reflected on this tering the bottom of the eighth. coach Mike Butcher after four day the Los Angeles Angels two outs in the eighth as the Wash- Ward, 54, joined the Reds last November season, it became clear that we lacked Brewers manager Craig Counsell then seasons with the team. announced the departure ington Nationals rallied to defeat after three seasons in the same position the alignment we were seeking with our called on Hader, a hard-throwing south- The club made the announce- of Brad Ausmus, and a day theJ Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in the NL paw, who notched 37 saves this season. with the Los Angeles Dodgers. off ensive approach.” ment while also announcing after the Chicago Cubs and wildcard game on Tuesday. The Reds ended the 2019 season ranked Cincinnati finished in fourth place in But Hader wasted no time putting Na- the remainder of the manager manager Joe Maddon an- Washington trailed 3-1 entering the 24th in the majors in team batting aver- the National League Central at 75-87, 16 tionals batters on the bases. Taylor went Torey Lovullo’s coaching staff nounced they, too, were going eighth before coming from behind for age (.244), 25th in runs scored (701) and games behind the division-winning St. to fi rst after he was hit in the hand by a would return for next season. their separate ways. Upon three runs against Brewers closer Josh 14th in home runs (227). Louis Cardinals. pitch. Butcher took over a staff that Ausmus’ removal, rumours Hader. One out later Ryan Zimmerman fol- compiled a 4.04 ERA in 2015 connecting Maddon with the The Nationals advance to the National lowed with a broken-bat single, and Ren- and saw it finish dead last in Angels immediately began to League Division Series against the Los “Just get a base hit to the middle,” Soto who had won 18 of their fi nal 23 regular don drew a walk on a full count to load the ERA (5.09) in his first season swirl. Those rumours could in- Angeles Dodgers with game one set for said. “That’s what I’m thinking.” season games. bases and set the stage for Soto’s heroics. in the desert. But Arizona tensify with news of Butcher’s Thursday at Dodger Stadium. The single turned the tide for the Na- Nationals right-hander Stephen Stras- “It’s a baseball inning where something shaved nearly a run-and- newfound free agency, as The Brewers appeared to be headed tionals, setting off a wild celebration as burg earned the victory after pitching bad happens and the other team takes ad- a-half off its ERA in 2017, Maddon was one of Butcher’s to victory when the roof caved in in the Michael Taylor, Andrew Stevenson and three scoreless innings of relief. He gave vantage of it,” said Counsell. finishing third in Baseball coaches for three seasons eighth. It took a hit by pitch, a broken-bat Anthony Rendon came around to score. up two hits, walked none and struck out “Grisham tried to make a play and it got at 3.66. The staff nearly with the Angels (1993-95), single, a walk, a single and a timely error “They played to the last out. They don’t four. Daniel Hudson notched the save by away from him.” repeated the performance in and Butcher was the pitching by a Brewers’ rookie outfi elder Trent Gri- quit,” said Nationals manager Dave Mar- pitching a scoreless ninth for the Nation- The Nationals were 12 games under.500 2018, finishing fourth in the coach for Maddon in the lat- sham to erase a two-run defi cit. tinez. Yasmani Grandal and Eric Thames als, who closed the regular season with an in May, but Soto said something clicked majors at 3.72. But this season ter’s first season as manager The 20-year-old Soto came through homered for the Brewers, who got to Na- eight-game winning streak. after that. saw the ERA dip down to in Tampa Bay (2006). After with a hard-hit single with the bases tionals starting pitcher Max Scherzer Scherzer surrendered three runs as “Everything changed. The energy of the 4.25 (12th in Baseball) as the that season, Butcher returned loaded. The ball rolled under the glove of early. he exited the mound after fi ve innings team changed in May.” Diamondbacks faded out of to the Angels to serve as their Grisham, who was fi lling in for injured But Scherzer stayed in the game as the and the Nationals’ postseason hopes in The Nationals went 3-4 against the the National League wild-card pitching coach from 2007-15. reigning MVP Christian Yelich. loss was punch in the gut for the Brewers, doubt. Dodgers during the regular season.

NFL Seahawks put strong mark on line against Rams Reuters yards and a touchdown. Wilson, who 517 yards and two touchdowns. How- New York has thrown for eight touchdowns with ever, he threw three interceptions and no interceptions this season, leads the lost a fumble that was returned for a league in completion percentage at 72.9 touchdown. FL coaches generally hate and is second in passer rating at 118.7, “I know it’s not the world we want to playing in today’s night game, behind only Patrick Mahomes (120.4). live in,” Goff said of throwing that many as there is little time to prepare “I think he’s off to his best start ever,” passes. “It’s not built for success that after playing Sunday. Carroll said. “I don’t think he’s ever way. Unfortunately, we were down early NBut it doesn’t seem to bother Seattle’s been more accurate than he’s been and and had to use that as our game plan, Pete Carroll. more consistent and in command of and I don’t think that’s something we Carroll is 8-1 in Thursday night con- everything.” want to live by.” tests during his Seahawks coaching ten- Carroll said he expects Rashaad Pen- Los Angeles running back Todd Gur- ure and will put that mark on the line ny to return Thursday after the running ley scored two touchdowns but gained this week when the Los Angeles Rams back missed the past two weeks with a 16 yards on just fi ve carries. come to town. hamstring injury. Backup off ensive lin- “I don’t call the play calls, bro,” Gur- “It’s the day before the game before eman Ethan Pocic (back/neck injury) is ley said after the game when asked about you know it,” Carroll said. “We defi nite- seemingly the only Seahawks player in the lack of running. “I control what I ly have a routine and a real clear proc- danger of missing the game. control. At the end of the day, we didn’t ess to go through to help the players be The Rams (3-1) took a surprising 55- get the win, whether I had 20 carries or ready and recover from the Sunday game 40 defeat at home to the Tampa Bay two carries.” to get ready to play football.” Buccaneers on Sunday, dropping them And Gurley wasn’t shy about his feel- The Seahawks (3-1), who will honour out of fi rst place in the NFC West for the ings about playing in the Thursday night late owner Paul Allen by inducting him fi rst time in the Sean McVay era. game. into the team’s Ring of Honor before “Burn the fi lm, quite honestly,” veter- “I feel like they are the dumbest thing the game, are coming off a 27-10 vic- an Rams safety Eric Weddle told the Los ever,” he said. tory at Arizona. Chris Carson rushed for Angeles Times. “Burn it and move on.” Rams cornerback Marcus Peters, who 104 yards and defensive end Jadeveon Added defensive tackle Aaron Donald: starred in Seattle at the University of Clowney, acquired just before the sea- “You throw your pity party and you’re Washington, was put on the injury re- son in a trade with Houston, returned an right back to work. You got to get over it port Monday with a facial injury sus- interception 27 yards for a score. -- it’s a short week.” tained against Tampa Bay, but McVay Seattle quarterback Russell Wil- Rams quarterback Jared Goff com- said he passed concussion tests and The Seattle Seahawks celebrate a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first-half of their NFL game at son completed 22 of 28 passes for 240 pleted 45 of 68 passes for a career-high should be ready to go Thursday. State Farm Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Thursday, October 3, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Djokovic beats Soeda to advance in Japan Murray wins battle AFP to Go Soeda, who played a really Tokyo good match, fought hard, made me work for my win today. “For my side, I am really ovak Djokovic stepped pleased. Probably I played even up a gear at the Japan on a higher level than the fi rst Open yesterday, fend- round. So the game is going to Ning off a tough chal- the right direction for sure,” he of Britons to reach lenge from Japanese wild card Go said. Soeda 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the “I played now three days in quarter-fi nal. a row,” he said. “Everything is The world number one said he fi ne.” had no problems with the injured Elsewhere in the tournament, shoulder which forced him out third-seed David Goffi n of Bel- of the US Open as he looked to gium came from behind in a dra- face either French fi fth-seed Lu- matic fi rst-round victory against Beijing quarters cas Pouille or Japan’s Yoshihito Spanish player Pablo Carreno Nishioka at the Ariake Colosse- Busta 1-6, 7-6(8), 6-0. um, a venue for the Tokyo 2020 Their gruelling battle, the fi rst ‘I decided if I want to win I have to go and take risks and come to the net’ Olympics. match of the day, lasted over two Djokovic was cruising to a vic- hours in blazing heat, as Goffi n AFP tory until late in the second set clung on to the match to take the Beijing when the 35-year-old Japanese second set that ended with a dra- player put on a tenacious fi ght matic tie-break. while the Serb began missing After that, Carreno Busta xhausted Andy Mur- many of his fi rst serves, reducing could not fi nd much left in him- ray battled into a singles his lead to 5-4 before Soeda made self and gave up the third set. quarter-fi nal for the fi rst it 5-5. “It was a great fi ght. Such a time in a year yester- But Djokovic snapped back tough opponent,” said Goffi n, dayE — and then immediately in form and took the fi nal two who will now face Denis Shapo- grabbed a snooze. games without giving a single valov of Canada. The former world number one point to the Japanese, ending the “In the end, I am happy to go outlasted fellow Briton Cameron match in just over 90 minutes. to the second round,” Goffi n said. Norrie 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (4/7), 6-1 “Obviously, I was pleased to Australian qualifi er John Mill- over nearly three gruelling hours get that done in two (sets),” Djok- man defeated Adrian Mannarino in hot and hazy Beijing. ovic said. “We must give credit of France 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The 32-year-old, now ranked a lowly 503, will play top seed Dominic Thiem in the last eight of the China Open tomorrow. On the mend after a career- saving hip operation in January, Murray looked all in afterwards, and walked gingerly in and out of the post-match press confer- ence. Blowing out his cheeks sev- eral times, the three-time Grand Slam champion said he had slept in the 90 minutes between his victory and talking to reporters. “I’m tired, I just had a sleep before coming. I mean, I’m really tired,” he said. To save his creaking body from more punishment, Murray said that he switched tactics in the deciding third set. INJURY SCARE “I decided if I want to win I have to go and take risks and come to the net, try and fi n- ish the points quicker, which I did,” he said. Murray defeated US Open semi-fi nalist Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday for his biggest scalp since his return to Andy Murray hits a return during his second round match against Cameron Norrie at the China Open in Beijing, China, yesterday. (AFP) singles tennis in mid-August. The hard-fought triumph over of irritation as the fi rst set went The 24-year-old Norrie broke red-faced in his seat at 5-2 down. Norrie’s fi rst service game on the 69th-ranked Norrie means he to the tie break, chuntering away Murray’s serve in the sixth game He displayed the battling quali- way to a trademark gritty victory. reaches the last eight in singles in the direction of his coaching of the second set and Murray was ties which took him to number one Also into the quarter-fi nals was on the ATP Tour for the fi rst time team courtside. But he regained struggling, bending over between in 2016 to somehow surge back, Russian fourth seed Karen Khach- since Shenzhen in September his composure and captured the points with his hands on his knees only to lose the second set on the anov, a 7-6 (7/0), 7-6 (7/5) winner last year. set thanks to an untimely double to catch his breath. tie break.But he wrestled back the over France’s Jeremy Chardy.He Murray showed several fl ashes fault by his compatriot. He shook his head as he slumped initiative in the decider, breaking faces the Italian Fabio Fognini.

Andreescu advances to last 16; Barty in quarter-fi nals

US Open champion Bianca An- World number one Ash Barty dreescu was forced to dig deep won her 50th match of the cal- in the second set to beat Elise endar year but she was made Mertens in straight sets, winning to toil for a 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 victory 6-3 7-6(5) to move into the last over China’s Zheng Saisai that 16 of the China Open in Beijing sealed her spot in the quarter- yesterday. finals. Barty needed one break Novak Djokovic celebrates after a point against Go Soeda in their Canadian fifth seed Andreescu, of serve to take the opening set second round match at the Japan Open in Tokyo, yesterday. (AFP) who needed three sets to but was pushed to the limit in dispatch her Belgian opponent the second. The 39th-ranked in the US Open quarter-finals Chinese levelled the match by last month, fought back from 4-1 clinching the tiebreak after the Qatar divers win two bronze in Asian swimming down in the second set and also top seed made 23 unforced er- saved a set point to win in an rors in the second set. Qatari diver Mohamed Shweiter Shweiter and Abdulaziz hour and 55 minutes. The Australian struggled to won bronze medal in the 10m Balghith won bronze in the Andreescu not only converted convert break points (3/14 in the platform category at the 10th 3m synchronised diving on five of six break points but also match) at crucial moments but Asian Age Group Swimming the penultimate day of the saved eight of 12 she faced. She managed to win two in the final Championship in Bengaluru, championship. India’s Ramananda next faces American qualifier set to advance to the quarters India, yesterday. India’s Siddharth Sharma and Siddharth Pradeshi Jennifer Brady who upset 11th where she will face seventh seed Pradeshi won the gold, while won the gold and Ali Shakoul and seed American Madison Keys Petra Kvitova, who beat Belinda Ashleigh Barty hits a return during her third round match against Zheng Saisai at the China Open in Iran’s Mojtaba Valipour claimed Mojtaba Valipour of Iran finished 2-6 6-4 6-4. Bencic 6-3 6-3. Reuters Beijing, China, yesterday. (AFP) silver. On Tuesday, Mohamed with silver medal.

BOTTOMLINE Tanak wants to ‘fi nish the job’ and seal fi rst rally title AFP “The gap in the championship is every rally, but it’s in these kind of con- London closer now, but we have three rallies to ditions where it can really help to make go and we know that we were fast on a big diff erence.” each of them last year,” Tanak, 31, told Five-time Welsh winner Ogier has tt Tanak wants to “fi nish the Toyota’s offi cial website. just one clear aim this weekend, “to job” of securing his fi rst ever “Now we just have to fi nish the job, maintain the pace from Turkey and to world rally title with the Es- starting in Wales,” added Tanak who put as much pressure on Ott as possi- tonian taking a 17-point lead will be mindful of last year’s painful ble”. overO Sebastien Ogier into this week- outcome when he was forced to retire “That’s something I’m well capa- end’s Wales Rally GB. in the lead after a heavy smash. ble of doing,” warned the seven-time The season’s third-last rally has a Five wins from 11 rallies and top of world champion.The one unknown for new start in Liverpool today before the timesheets in 97 stages is evidence the Frenchman is that his Citroen team three tough days of forest driving with of Tanak’s dominance this year. have not won in Wales since 2010. plenty of rain forecast and frequent fog While he has the form and speed to While Neuville’s title hopes are slim, complicating matters. seal the deal, against him is the fact his team Hyundai are 19 points clear of Ogier won in Turkey last month to that he has yet to win any of the three Toyota in the manufacturers’ champi- trim Tanak’s advantage and set the remaining rallies.But despite his lack onship. stage for an enthralling season run-in of success in Wales he says it’s a rally The 75th edition of the rally with with Thierry Neuville not totally out of he likes. over 300 kilometres spread over 22 it either, 30 points adrift. “The roads are fast and they have a special stages — including night-time Tanak’s Toyota broke down in Tur- nice fl ow, but the conditions make it action — has a new base at Llandudno key but in what could prove pivotal to diffi cult, especially because the grip on the north Wales coast. the destination of the 2019 crown, he levels are constantly changing at every After Wales, the fi nal acts of the 2019 returned to pick up fi ve precious points corner. WRC season are played out at Catalun- in the closing power stage. “You need confi dence in your car on ya and Australia. Gulf Times Thursday, October 3, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PREVIEW Bayern’s rout of Duhail aim for QSL Spurs sent ‘big bounce By Sports Reporter others. We won’t rue the absence Doha of any player, we’ve players who can help the team win points,” insisted Faria. l Duhail will be aiming Meanwhile, Al Sailiya coach to climb up the charts Sami Trabelsi said his players when they take on Al were in ‘high spirit”. message’: Gnabry Sailiya in a potentially “We’re playing against a diffiA cult math in the QNB Stars strong team and are going into League today. the match in high spirit. We still ‘After going 3-1 or 4-2 up we could have stopped but we wanted more’ The former champions fi nd have some mistakes to correct, themselves in the fi fth position but the team is beginning to re- AFP after just fi ve games in the tour- gain confi dence in its abilities. I Berlin nament and risk going further hope we’ll achieve a positive re- down if they don’t pull up their sult,” said Trablesi, whose side socks, although coach Rui Faria are placed sixth. fter his four-goal haul, appeared confi dent during his “Al Duhail are a strong side Serge Gnabry says Bay- pre-match press conference. with high quality. They’re going ern Munich’s 7-2 gala “I’m confi dent in our play- through a bad phase maybe due romp at Tottenham ers’ ability to achieve a positive to injuries. However, they’ve a HotspurA sent a “big message” to result against Al Sailiya. There’s winning mentality. We want to their Champions League rivals. no doubt that the match will be go up and close the gap with Al Gnabry dazzled at Tottenham tough. Al Sailiya are a diffi cult Duhail, Al Sadd and Al Rayyan. Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday as team which has a distinguished “Al Duhail have players who Bayern handed their hosts the coach. He has good players ca- can make a diff erence any time. highest-ever home defeat suf- pable of executing his tactical On our part, we knew it was go- fered by an English team in Eu- plan,” said Faria. ing to be a tough start this sea- ropean competition. “Our preparations went off son, especially after we made a The former Arsenal winger well. Players have been perform- lot of changes to our squad be- netted his four goals in a devas- ing well in training. There was fore the start of the season. But tating second-half spell while determination on their part to things are falling in place for us,” Poland striker Robert Lewand- continue on the winning path. said Trabelsi. owski scored twice as Spurs’ de- Duhail will be without their In another match today, Al fence capitulated. top midfi elder Asim Madibo who Wakrah will take on Al Gharafa, “I think (the other teams) is nursing an injury. who are fourth on the table with know we are not stopping,” Gna- “Regarding the injury to mid- 10 points. bry said after his fi rst Champi- fi elder Asim Madibo, he’ll be Al Wakrah, on the other hand, ons League goals on his 12th ap- Bayern Munich’s Serge missed for sure, but the team has are reeling in the eighth position pearance in the competition. Gnabry celebrates many players who can replace and will be keen for a resurgence. “After going 3-1 or 4-2 up we scoring his team’s third could have stopped but we want- goal against Tottenham ed more. Hotspur on Tuesday. “I think it’s a big message for Urawa take 2-0 first-leg lead everyone else.” to close in on ACL final Germany legend and Sky pun- dit Lothar Matthaeus agreed that Bayern “set an example to their international competition as far as the Champions League title is concerned. “I don’t want to say that they are title candidates, but this re- sult will give them self-confi - dence,” he added. Gnabry is no stranger to claiming goals in high-score wins after a hat-trick on his Ger- many debut three years ago in an Bayern boasting plenty of Gal- to Gnabry and the 24-year-old’s as Bayern led 2-1 at half-time af- Bayern after that. 8-0 romp at minnows San Mari- lic fl air with France’s Kingsley impressive fi nishing. ter a superb Lewandowski fi nish. Gnabry sealed his hat-trick no in a 2018 World Cup qualifi er. Coman on the other wing. “It’s hard to put it in words. I Then ex-Arsenal forward on 83 minutes after getting be- “Serge’s attacking skills are Centre-backs Lucas Hernan- think the last time I scored four Gnabry broke down the left after hind Spurs’ defence, yet there sensational,” said Bayern coach dez and Benjamin Pavard, both goals was when I was a child,” he the break, burst into the box and was still time for Lewandowski Niko Kovac. World Cup winners with France, laughed. drilled into the bottom corner. to side home a sixth for the Ger- “With his speed, with his ball shut down Spurs attack. “I’m glad I could help the team He struck again two minutes mans. control — and he has a fantastic Fellow Russia 2018 winner to such a big win. later, fi ring home after Spurs’ The result is Bayern’s sec- shot off either foot. Corentin Tolisso was prefered “It was a great performance — Harry Winks lost possession. ond highest away victory in Urawa midfielder Fabricio (C) celebrates scoring a goal during “What I ask of him is his de- to Thiago Alcantara alongside one of the best we’ve had so far.” The hosts pulled back to 4-2 the Champions League’s group the AFC Champions League semi-final first leg football match fensive work and he made a huge Philippe Coutinho in midfi eld in Tottenham’s early lead by Son on the hour mark when Harry phase, bettered only by their 7-1 against Guangzhou Evergrande of China in Saitama yesterday. jump with that here.” London. Heung-min was wiped out 194 Kane converted a penalty after a thrashing of Roma in October Gnabry is part of a new-look However, the night belonged seconds later by Joshua Kimmich foul on Danny Rose, but it was all 2014. Tokyo: Urawa Red Diamonds’ to arrest an alarming slump in Fabricio and Takahiro Sekine form to overturn the deficit. earned a 2-0 Asian Champions “I know our opponent is very FOCUS League semi-final first-leg win strong and because I was over Chinese Super League expecting such an opponent, leaders Guangzhou Evergrande I decided on the 11 we fielded as the twice champions moved in the starting lineup,” said Icardi opens PSG account to claim win at Galatasaray towards setting up a repeat of the Italian World Cup-winner, the 2017 final. whose side are without a win in AFP “It wasn’t the hardest goal to score but wrong side of Keylor Navas’s left-hand The Japanese won the second their last six games. Istanbul it came from excellent build-up play. He’s post. Five minutes into the second half Di of their titles against Al Hilal “But I didn’t expect to concede worked a lot,” coach Thomas Tuchel said. Maria, who starred in the victory over his two years ago and, with the two goals. I didn’t expect that, “It’s good because we were without former club Madrid, wasted a one-on-one Saudi Arabia side holding a 4-1 but this is football and we have auro Icardi scored his fi rst Neymar and Cavani, and Kylian didn’t to claim the lead as Muslera saved his weak first-leg lead after demolishing to get ready and prepare for Paris Saint-Germain goal as start. “I am very happy because the team shot. Qatar’s Al Sadd on Tuesday, the the next match. the French champions beat did what was needed. It was hard but it was A matter of seconds later, Icardi grabbed odds on a rematch next month “I still think we have a chance Galatasaray 1-0 to move four deserved.” Fatih Terim brought in Ryan his fi rst PSG goal to break the deadlock af- have been slashed. to get to the final.” pointsM clear at the top of their Champions Donk and Jean Michael Seri to his side af- ter some tidy interplay. Brazilian Fabricio gave Urawa Urawa overcame dismal League group on Tuesday. ter Saturday’s Super Lig draw with Fen- Marco Verratti found winger Pablo the lead 19 minutes into the domestic form, which has Argentina forward Icardi, who joined erbahce as Algerian international Sofi ane Sarabia inside the box who squared a pass game with a fine strike from seen them slump to 13th in the PSG on loan from Inter Milan last month, Feghouli dropped to the bench. to Icardi at the back post. distance before an equally J-League, to control the game opened his account for the club to main- “For me PSG are favourites for the com- Icardi was substituted on the hour mark spectacular eff ort from Sekine and Fabricio’s opener came as tain their perfect start to their European petition. Our match against Real Madrid for World Cup winner Mbappe. 15 minutes from time put the little surprise when it flew into campaignBOTTOMLINE after downing Real Madrid 3-0 is now more important after the results Playmaker Feghouli came onto the fi eld J-League side in command of the top corner. two weeks ago. we’ve had,” Terim said. a minute later, replacing Younes Belhanda, the tie. Daiki Hashioka should have The Turkish champions sit third in the “We have nothing to lose and we’ll play who wore a face mask to protect the jaw he The second leg is at added a second seven minutes standings with a single point from the until the end.” broke last month. Guangzhou’s Tianhe Stadium later, only to see his attempt draw at Club Brugge on September 18 and The fi rst sight of goal for either side came Radamel Falcao, who moved from Ligue on Oct. 23, with Fabio Canna- cleared off the line by Gao have not registered a win in four games in as Angel Di Maria tested Galatasaray goal- 1 side Monaco in September, had a chance varo’s Chinese team needing Zhunyi. all competitions. keeper Fernando Muslera on two minutes. to equalise for the Turkish side with 20 PSG were without Neymar, serving the Icardi, returning to PSG’s starting line-up minutes to go but his right-footed free- last match of his European suspension for after recovering from an injury sustained kick from 20 metres out skimmed the abusing a referee on social media, Edin- in the victory over Real, was shown a yel- crossbar. PUNISHMENT son Cavani due to a hip injury, and Kylian low card in the seventh minute for a foul on Next for PSG is a trip to Club Brugge, Mbappe who started on the bench as he Paris St Germain’s Mauro Icardi captain Muslera. who drew 2-2 at Real Madrid earlier in the continues to recover from a thigh injury as celebrates scoring their first goal Galatasaray’s fi rst chance arrived three day despite leading 2-0 at half-time at the Icardi led the attack in Istanbul. with teammate Marquinhos. minutes later as Seri’s shot curled the Santiago Bernabeu. Uruguayan football chief banned for life Premier League appoints Pemsel as chief executive Lausanne: The former president of the Uruguayan Football Federa- tion, Eugenio Figueredo, arrested in Zurich in 2015, was suspended London: The Premier League shareholders’ meeting. Pemsel is transformation.” Her appointment had been success of the Premier League, from football for life, FIFA announced yesterday. has appointed David Pemsel chief executive of the Guardian Buck praised Richard Masters hailed as a significant step particularly in domestic and The 87-year-old was a former vice-president of the South American as its new chief executive, Media Group. for his performance in the role of forward for women in sports overseas television rights. Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and served on several FIFA com- announcing yesterday that he Bruce Buck, the chairman of the interim chief executive. administration. When Scudamore took over mittees. would take up the role “no later Premier League nominations “I am thrilled to have been When Pemsel takes over he as chief executive in 1999, the The proceedings, the governing body of world football said in a state- than April 2020”. committee, said: “We are off ered this incredible will become the permanent Premier League’s domestic ment, “referred to a bribery scheme during the period from 2004 to Last November, the league delighted to welcome David opportunity,” Pemsel said. “The successor to Richard Scudamore, television rights deal was worth 2015 in relation to his role in awarding contracts to companies for the selected Susanna Dinnage for to the Premier League. His Premier League is the most- who first joined the Premier around £670 mn ($824m). media and marketing rights to CONMEBOL competitions.” the post but, after accepting, straightforward style and watched football league in the League as chief executive in Sky and BT Sports agreed to FIFA’s Ethics Commission also fined Figueredo 1 mn Swiss francs she changed her mind and personal integrity make him an world and I am very excited to be 1999. He served as executive pay nearly £4.5 bn to show 160 (913,000 euros). Figueredo was arrested in May 2015 in Zurich with a decided she no longer wanted ideal person to lead the business. a key part of that.” chairman from June 2014 until games between 2019-20 and dozen off icials as part of the ‘Fifagate’ investigation. He was extradited the job. The league said Pemsel’s “At the Guardian, he has shown Dinnage withdrew late in 2018 his retirement in November 2018. 2021-22, while the overseas by Uruguay where he struck a deal with the courts to provide infor- appointment had been approved strong leadership through to remain in her role with the Scudamore is credited with rights earned the league a mation on frauds, in particular at FIFA and CONMEBOL. unanimously at a special league a period of change and Discovery group of TV channels. driving the huge commercial further £4.2 bn. The Uruguayan is the latest South American former FIFA off icial to be banned for life.

Thursday, October 3, 2019 GULF TIMES CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT SELECTION Pakistan recall Shehzad, Umar Pakistan beat Lanka for Sri Lanka Twenty20s

AFP in third one-dayer to Karachi akistan yesterday recalled trouble- making opener Ahmed Shehzad and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal Sri Lankan opener Gunathilaka’s for the three-match Twenty20 series Pagainst Sri Lanka starting this weekend. It will career-best century goes in vain be the fi rst time the 27-year-old Shehzad will clinch series represent Pakistan since a four-month ban for a failed dope test last year. The ban was further extended by six weeks after Shehzad violated rules by playing club matches despite the ban. Shehzad played the last of his 57 Twenty20 in- ternationals in Scotland in June last year. Umar, 29, played the last of 82 Twenty20 internationals in 2016 against the West Indies. That year, former head coach Waqar Younis labelled both Shehzad and Umar as “indisci- plined” and called on selectors to let them play domestic cricket to earn their places in the national team. The three Twenty20 interna- tionals will all be played in Lahore on October 5, 7 and 9. Chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq an- nounced the changes to the squad as it pre- pared to meet Sri Lanka for the fi nal one-day international of the tour on Wednesday in Ka- rachi. The fi rst ODI was abandoned due to rain, while Pakistan won the second on Monday. “From the ODI side against Sri Lanka there are three changes. Shehzad, Umar and Faheem Ashraf have replaced Abid Ali, Mohamed Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq,” said Misbah. Sar- faraz Ahmed will lead the Twenty20 squad.

Twenty20 squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohamed Amir, Mohamed Hasnain, Mohamed Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Umar Akmal, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz.

Tough lessons for Indian-origin South African debutant South Africa’s Indian-origin all-rounder Sen- uran Muthusamy said yesterday that making his debut in the first India Test was special despite tough lessons learnt on the opening day. Muthusamy, a left-handed batsman who bowls left-arm orthodox, sent down five Pakistan players pose with the winners trophy after winning the third and final one-day international against Sri Lanka in Karachi yesterday. (AFP) overs as India posted 202 without loss on a rain-curtailed day in Visakhapatnam at the AFP Scorecard Gunathilaka, suspended twice start of the three-match series. Karachi for breaches of discipline in the last Durban-born Muthusamy, 25, is part of SRI LANKA Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Fernando), 2-101 H. Sohail b Jayasuriya 56 two years, held the innings together South Africa’s new generation of cricketers with stands of 88 with skipper La- eyeing a permanent spot after the retire- D. Gunathilaka b Amir 133 (Thirimanne), 3-151 Perera), 4-225 I. Ahmed not out 28 akistan thwarted a spirited (Bhanuka), 5-236 (Jayasuriya), 6-243 hiru Thirimanne (36) for the second ments of Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn. career-best century by Da- A. Fernando c Sarfaraz b Amir 4 (Gunathilaka), 7-284 (Hasaranga), W. Riaz not out 1 wicket, 50 for the third with Angelo “It is really special. My forefathers are from nushka Gunathilaka to de- L. Thirimanne c and b Nawaz 36 8-284 (Sandakan), 9-297 (Shanaka) EXTRAS: (b3, lb5, w2) 10 Perera (13) and 74 with debutant Mi- south of India in Tamil Nadu,” said Muth- feat Sri Lanka by fi ve wick- nod Bhanuka (36) for the fourth. usamy. etsP in the third and fi nal one-day A. Perera c Sohail b Shinwari 13 Bowlers: Amir 10-0-50-3 (3w), TOTAL: (for five wkts; 48.2 overs) 299 He was fi nally dismissed in the “But I am firmly South African. I am quite a international in Karachi yesterday, M. Bhanuka run out 36 Shinwari 8-1-41-1 (2w), Iftikhar 9-1-43- FALL OF WICKETS: 1-123 (Abid), 45th over, bowled by paceman Mo- few generations down the line. Unfortunate- 0 (1w), Riaz 10-0-81-1 (2nb), Shadab taking the three-match series in the S. Jayasuriya c Iftikhar b Shadab 3 2-181 (Azam), 3-189 (Zaman), 4-244 hammad Amir who was the best ly I don’t speak Tamil, I am a thoroughbred process. 9-0-50-1 (2w), Nawaz 4-0-24-1. (Sarfaraz), 5-287 (Sohail) Pakistani bowler with 3-50. It was South African.” D. Shanaka c Sohail b Riaz 43 Gunathilaka’s 134-ball 133 lifted BOWLING: Pradeep 9.2-1-53-2, Amir who gave Pakistan an early South Africa, led by Faf du Plessis, is in a W. Hasaranga b Amir 10 Sri Lanka to a challenging 297-9 in PAKISTAN Shanaka 5-0-28-0, Kumara 7-0- breakthrough when he had Avishka rebuilding phase after what Muthusamy their 50 overs but Pakistan chased L. Sandakan run out 0 Fernando caught behind for four by likened to a “change of guard”. 55-1 (1w),Sandakan 10-0-62-0 (1w), down the target in 48.2 overs for F. Zaman c Shanaka b Pradeep 76 Sarfaraz who was leading Pakistan But he said: “There is fresh energy in the N. Pradeep not out 1 Hasaranga 10-0-54-1, Jayasuriya their fi rst series win in 15 months. A. Ali lbw b Hasaranga 74 7-0-39-1 for the 50th time in an ODI. room. And it is in our DNA, the South African Pakistan won the second match Extras (b1, lb7, nb2, w8) 18 Gunathilaka defi ed Pakistan’s fight that we are well known for and that’s B. Azam lbw b Pradeep 31 RESULT: Pakistan won by five by 67 runs while the fi rst match Total (for nine wkts; 50 overs) 297 bowling with guts and determina- what we will keep doing.” S. Ahmed b Kumara 23 wickets. was rained off without a ball being tion, improving his previous ODI The day belonged to India Rohit Sharma bowled – both also in Karachi. best of 116 he made against Zimba- who smashed his first century, making 115 Pakistan were indebted to Fakhar Sohail and Iftikhar hit three fours two wickets for 53 runs. Sri Lankan team bus in 2009. bwe at Hambantota in 2017. off 174 deliveries, in his new role as Test Zaman (76) and Abid Ali (74) who and a six apiece. Babar Azam, who struck a bril- Pakistan did not stage interna- Thirimanne hit four boundaries opener. The Indians pulverised the opposi- provided a solid 123-run opening Abid drove 10 well-timed liant hundred in the second game, tional Cricket for six years before off 54 balls while Bhanuka had two tion bowling with their aggressive brand of stand in 20 overs before Haris Sohail boundaries in his 67-ball innings made 31 before being trapped lbw Zimbabwe toured in 2015 followed sixes in his 39-ball knock. cricket. The opening pair together smashed (56) and Iftikhar Ahmed chipped in and looked set for his second hun- by Pradeep while skipper Sarfaraz by visits from a World XI, Sri Lanka All-rounder Dasun Shanaka hit 23 fours and seven sixes, but Muthusamy with a 22-ball 28 not out. dred in his fourth ODI before he Ahmed managed 23. The match- and the West Indies. a 24-ball 43 with fi ve fours and two is still hopeful of a South African fightback Pakistan needed 37 in the last fi ve was trapped leg-before by spinner es revived one-day international Earlier, Gunathilaka anchored Sri sixes as Sri Lanka added 50 in the on day two. “Obviously a tough day in the overs as Iftikhar cut loose, hitting a Wanindu Hasaranga. Cricket in Karachi after a gap of Lanka’s innings after they won the last fi ve overs. off ice. We have to put in the hard yards to- six and a boundary to bring up vic- Zaman hit seven fours and a six in ten years. International teams had toss and batted. The 28-year-old The two teams will now play three morrow and hopefully comeback stronger,” tory – Pakistan’s eighth consecutive his 91-ball knock before becoming mainly stayed away from Pakistan left-hander hit 16 fours and a six for Twenty20 internationals - all in La- said Muthusamy. ODI win over Sri Lanka since 2017. paceman Nuwan Pradeep’s fi rst of following the deadly attacks on the his second ODI hundred. hore - on October 5, 7 and 9.

FOCUS India’s Sharma hits ton in new role as Test opener AFP Scorecard Piedt for two successive sixes to Visakhapatnam move into the nineties. South Af- India’s Rohit Sharma plays a shot during the fi rst rica captain Faf du Plessis rotated day’s play of the fi rst Test against South Africa at INDIA 1st innings his spinners for a large part of the the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket ohit Sharma smashed M. Agarwal not out 84 day with intermittent spells from Stadium in Visakhapatnam yesterday. (AFP) an unbeaten century in R. Sharma not out 115 pacemen Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander. his new role as a Test Extras (lb1, nb2) 3 opener as India reached Philander, who got Sharma out 202R without loss on a rain-hit Total (59.1 overs) 202 for a two-ball duck in a practice opening day of their home series Bowlers: Philander 11.1-2-34- game last week, tested the senior against South Africa yesterday. 0, Rabada 13-5-35-0, Maharaj batsman early on in the innings Sharma – a star of India’s 23-4-66-0 (nb1), Piedt 7-1-43-0, by swinging the ball both ways. limited-overs side – was at the Muthusamy 5-0-23-0 (nb1). Sharma got off the mark as crease on 115 with Mayank Agar- an opener in the longer format wal on 84 after the hosts elected Agarwal, like Sharma, also in style as drove Rabada for a to bat in the fi rst of the three used his feet to good eff ect boundary at backward point. Tests in Visakhapatnam. against the South African spin- “I wanted to take the oppor- A sudden thunder storm forced ners who struggled on the bat- tunity and that’s why I made the the umpires to call tea seven ting-friendly pitch. Agarwal, management aware of it. I am minutes early and no further play playing his fi fth Test since mak- grateful to them for providing me was possible after heavy rains ing his debut last year, raised his with the opportunity and I am lashed the coastal city. Sharma fourth half-century with a six off happy I could score runs,” Rohit completed his fourth Test cen- lead spinner Keshav Maharaj. told reporters after the end of the tury in the second session with Both Sharma and Agarwal, day’s play. “I was very clear in my a single off debutant spinner who hit 11 fours and two sixes, mind what I wanted to do. The Senuran Muthusamy to raucous took apart the opposition bowl- new ball will always do a bit in the cheers from the home crowd and ing in the second session of play initial overs - whether it’s red ball the dressing room. as India scored 111 runs after tak- or white,” he said. He hit fi ve sixes and 12 fours ing lunch at 91-0. India, who top the Test World from 174 balls and showed fre- Sharma, who got to his 50 Championship rankings, are quent glimpses of the form that before lunch, shifted gears and looking for a record 11th Test has made him a feared one-day went after the slow bowlers as series win at home in the three batsman. he hammered off -spinner Danie matches.