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Sunday, October 4, 2020 FOOTBALL Safar 17, 1442 AH Neymar bags GULF TIMES brace as PSG hit six against Angers SPORT Page 2 HORSE RACING / QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE Al-Kuwari’s Lady Princess dazzles on opening Arc day Qatari-owned horses continue their winning run in French capital; Irish raider Princess Zoe wins Qatar Prix du Cadran

Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club CEO Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi (second left) with the winners of the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Group 1 PA) after Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari’s Lady Princess won the 2000m race on Day One of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp yesterday. (Scoopdyga)

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (centre), President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, at ParisLongchamp for Day One of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe yesterday.

Agencies lighted Fourcy said. “Last year I Paris, France had a superb batch of three-year- olds and with them this year we have won some good prizes. They n presence of Qatar Olym- haven’t run much due to the con- pic Committee President fi nement and have stayed nice and HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad fresh. To have four horses fi nish in al-Thani, Qatari-owned the fi rst four places is incredible. Ihorses continued to dazzle in the Lady Princess has a huge heart. Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe She hasn’t got a lot of fl air but she weekend with Sheail bin Khalifa knows how to get the job done.” al-Kuwari-owned Lady Princess racing to an impressive victory in the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored Qa- tar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Group 1 PA) at ParisLongchamp yesterday. QREC CEO Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi took part in the trophy presentation of the day’s races. Lady Princess’ win, barely 24 Christophe Soumillon (left) rides Lady Princess to the Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments (Group 1 PA) hours after Group 1 PA victories victory yesterday. (Scoopdyga) by Al Shaqab Racing’s Alawsj and al-Kuwari’s Hadi De Carrere at Aga Khan’s fi lly a patient ride in partnered once again by jockey chained was second ahead of Saint-Cloud, demonstrates Qa- heavy conditions. Held up in last Tony Piccone in the race for three- Pouvoir Royal in third. tar’s leadership in Purebred Ara- Soumillon added, “She sat Joseph Sheridan (left) rides Princess Zoe to victory in the Qatar Prix du for the majority of the race, Valia year-olds. Danger came from bian racing. down in the stalls and we didn’t Cadran yesterday. (Scoopdyga) then came with a strong run up Pista, on the inside rail, who was QATAR GRAND HANDICAP The fi rst day of the Qatar Prix get a great break. Despite this I the middle of the tack and eas- fi nishing strongly. Fifty metres DES JUMENTS: EUDAIMONIA de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend didn’t want to force her early on, I In dramatic turn of events, Fre- sive performance to defend his ily got the better of both Nemean from the line there was very little TAKES VICTORY saw a nice race card at Paris- knew beforehand that she is a lot deric Rossi’s protege led right until title in the Qatar Prix Daniel Lion and Step By Step. between the two fi llies. Crossing She took a little while to fi nd her Longchamp. faster than the rest of the fi eld. I it ceded in the fi nal fi ve metres to Wildenstein (Group 2). Francis- the winning line, it was Wonder- stride in the extremely testing Christophe Soumillon-ridden would have liked to have held her Princess Zoe, the only runner who Henri Graff ard’s charge had not QATAR PRIX DOLLAR: ful Tonight who proved superior conditions encountered but ul- Lady Princess led a fantastic top- up in last place but Quitte lost was able to keep up the pace. been seen in competition since SKALLETI WINS AGAIN by a little more than a length. timately Eudaimonia was very four sweep for trainer Thomas a bit of ground. We got a little Princess Zoe’s jockey Joseph an excellent second place in the Last year’s winner, Skalleti, impressive in taking the 2000m Fourcy, who had also saddled bump turning for home but once Sheridan struggled to stop his Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group lined up for the Qatar Prix Dollar JADOOMI SHOWS SPEED IN Qatar Grand Handicap des Ju- the two winners at Saint-Cloud I asked her for an eff ort she accel- tears of joy on his fi rst Group 1. 1) at Ascot last year. (Group 2) alongside seven other CRITERIUM ments. Trained by young trainer on Friday, in the 2000m race for erated with ease.” “It’s a dream come true. I didn’t On the home straight, the fi ve- runners, and the Jean-Claude A devastating turn of foot 300m Edouard Monfort, Eudaimonia four-year-old fi llies yesterday. think I’d win a Group anytime year-old, ridden Pierre-Charles Seroul-owned colt did not dis- from home meant that Jadoomi was ridden to a fantastic fi ve- In second was Um Taj, third QATAR PRIX DU CADRAN: soon, let alone a Group 1. I thank Boudot, got the better of Ziegfeld, appoint. Jerome Reynier’s ward crossed the line seven lengths length victory by Barzalona. Meethag and fourth Ryme Al PRINCESS ZOE RULES all those who gave me the chance who was always close-up, ahead of won brilliantly under Maxime clear to take the Haras de Bou- Cham — all in the colours of Al Irish raider Princess Zoe won the to ride this race. I owe them so Motamarris, who on his fi rst eff ort Guyon, despite being hampered quetot – Criterium de la vente PRIX QATAR RACING Shaqab Racing. Qatar Prix du Cadran, the stay- much.” over the mile, took third place. in running by Racing Storm, fi n- d’Octobre Arqana for the training AND EQUESTRIAN CLUB: Lady Princess was second last er’s championship, in an extraor- Winning trainer Tony Mullins ishing a length and a quarter in partnership of Simon & Ed Cris- QUEENHOPE WINS through the race, which was run dinary turn of events. said, “I thought I was going to have QATAR PRIX CHAUDENAY: front of Patrick Sarsfi eld. ford in Newmarket. Queenhope got the better of at a very steady pace on heavy In heavy conditions and four a heart attack in the closing stages. VALIA REIGNS SUPREME Jockey Michael Barzalona Sunfl ower by a short head in a ground. Once on the straight, she kilometres to go, one would as- When I saw Princess Zoe hit the The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Tri- QATAR PRIX DE ROYALLIEU: looked comfortable with his thrilling fi nish to the fi nal race of came immediately on the attack, sume that jockeys would save their lead, I felt a feeling I had never felt omphe weekend opened with the WONDERFUL TONIGHT mount throughout the miler and the day in the 2000m Prix Qatar fl ying down the centre of the mounts for the closing stages. before. It’s unbelievable.” Alain de Royer Dupre-trained SHINES angled the horse out for a chal- Racing and Equestrian Club yes- track past her opponents. However, Eddy Hardouin had oth- fi lly Valia winning the Group 2 Wonderful Tonight came into the lenge as they entered the home terday. Carrying the colours of “I am having an extraordinary er ideas onboard Alkuin. They set a QATAR PRIX DANIEL Qatar Prix Chaudenay for three- 2800m Qatar Prix de Royallieu straight. Once he found his ca- Patrick Barbe, the Satoshi Koba- weekend. Yesterday I won the brutal pace up front and the com- WILDENSTEIN: THE year-olds impressively. (Group 1) having fi nished fi fth dence, Jadoomi closed strongly yashi-trained Queenhope was two Group 1’s for the Arabians at petitors fell away one by one; some REVENANT RETURNS The 3000m race for stay- in the Prix Vermeille (Group 1) on the leaders and soon stretched confi dently steered to victory by Saint-Cloud and now this,” a de- fi nishing the race nearly pulled up. The Revenant put up an impres- ers saw Soumillon give H.H. on Qatar Arc Trials day. She was clear of the fi eld. Django Un- young rider Megane Peslier. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 4, 2020 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA ‘Messi has given maximum since ending transfer saga’

Reuters debate, for me he has always been Barcelona the best player in the world, I Zidane not worried injury-prone Hazard will turn out like Bale thought that before from the out- side and I think it even more now Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is not deputy Alvaro Odriozola has strained a muscle. arcelona coach Ron- I’m working with him. He’s fully concerned that Eden Hazard will be dogged by Zidane, however, said he was not worried about ald Koeman says Lionel committed, he’s an example to injuries in the same way that Gareth Bale was in the spate of injuries for his side, who have taken Messi has been the ideal everyone as a captain should be.” his spell with the club, after the Belgian was ruled seven points from their first three games of the captain and an example to Koeman also praised the form out for up to four weeks. season. theB rest of the team for the way he of Philippe Coutinho, who has Hazard was expected to make his return for Real “I’ve always been positive and I don’t think has applied himself since deciding thrived since returning from a against Real Valladolid on Wednesday but injured negatively even when diff iculties arise. I don’t like to stay at the club this season. loan spell at Bayern Munich, hav- a muscle in his right leg on the day of the game, having injuries but we have to accept them and Messi gave an outstanding per- ing fl opped in his fi rst two sea- having started only 14 league games last season not look for excuses,” he said. formance in Barca’s 3-0 win over sons with the Catalans after a club due to two serious ankle injuries. “My squad has a lot of talent but we also have a Celta Vigo on Thursday after play- record move from Liverpool in There are a number of parallels between Hazard lot of heart and we’ll have to keep proving our ing the whole second half with 10 2018. and Bale, who also signed for Real for 100 million character on the pitch and be united because we men, crushing any fears that the Ar- “Coutinho is a very good player, euros ($117.13 million) and was haunted by inju- cannot control what happens away from it.” gentine might lack commitment af- he has learned a lot in England and ries, including having ankle surgery in 2016. ter the club refused to let him leave. with Bayern and my job as a coach But Zidane does not think Hazard will turn out “From day one Leo has trained is to get the best out of each player like Bale, who returned to Tottenham Hotspur last and played well and has given the and fi nd their best role,” he said. month on loan after starting 145 of 266 La Liga maximum for the club, for his team “A coach can help but it all starts games with Real. and for his team mates and I have with the quality of a player and “No, I’m not worried, I’m positive and I’m positive had no complaints about him on Coutinho is a great footballer.” about Hazard, this is a muscle injury that came any day,” Koeman said ahead of The Dutchman also said Barca about from working very hard to try and get Barca’s La Liga game at home to want to sign a striker and a centre back,” Zidane said ahead of Real’s trip to Levante. Sevilla today. back before the transfer window “The important thing is to now focus on getting “He proved himself once again shuts, confi rming their interest him right again.” the other day against Celta, he in Manchester City defender Eric Hazard was one of four Madrid players to fall pulled his weight as a captain, he Garcia. “We would like to sign this injured this week, with Isco straining a muscle on helped the team play the ball out player, we have four centre backs Monday. from the back because it’s so im- and we are short there. We know Right back Dani Carvajal was ruled out for two portant to keep the ball when you it’s diffi cult fi nancially but I hope months with a knee injury on Friday while his have one less player. “There’s no we can get it done,” Koeman said.

LIGUE 1 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Man United to meet PSG on October 20 Neymar bags brace as restrictions is subject to na- AFP Paris tional authorities giving the green light and UEFA acknowl- edged that certain games may aris Saint-Germain still go ahead behind closed will host Manchester doors or with even more lim- United in the opening ited numbers of fans. Away round of Champions supporters will not be allowed Paris Saint-Germain PLeague group games on Oc- in “until further notice”. tober 20, it was confi rmed on Friday as UEFA revealed all fi x- OPENING FIXTURES tures for the competition. (1900 GMT unless stated) The return clash at Old Traf- Tuesday, October 20 ford will be on December 2, Group E with the sides also facing RB Chelsea v Sevilla, Rennes v Leipzig and Istanbul Basakse- Krasnodar hit six against Angers hir in Group H. Group F Meanwhile Premier League Zenit Saint-Petersburg v Club champions and 2019 Champi- Brugge (1655), Lazio v Borus- ‘SCORING GOALS GIVES US CONFIDENCE. IT IS A GREAT VICTORY’ ons League winners Liverpool sia Dortmund will start their Group D cam- Group G paign away to Ajax in Amster- Dynamo Kiev v Juventus dam on October 21. (1655), Barcelona v Ferenc- Other highlights of the varos opening round of matches in- Group H clude Chelsea playing host to Paris Saint-Germain v Man- Europa League winners Sevilla chester United, RB Leipzig v on October 20 and Manchester Istanbul Basaksehir City beginning their latest bid Wednesday, October 21 to win the competition for the Group A fi rst time at home to Porto the Salzburg v Lokomotiv Moscow following night. (1655), Bayern Munich v Reigning champions Bayern Atletico Madrid Munich have a tough start to Group B their defence of the trophy as Real Madrid v Shakhtar they play Atletico Madrid in Donetsk (1655), Inter Milan v Bavaria. UEFA said on Thurs- Borussia Moenchengladbach day it will allow spectators back Group C into matches in the Champions Manchester City v Porto, League and its other competi- Olympiakos v Marseille tions “at a maximum of 30 per- Group D cent” of capacity. Ajax v Liverpool, Midtjylland v However, the loosening of Atalanta

Duhail part ways with coach Regragui

Qatar Stars League (QSL) management thanked the champions Al Duhail have coach for his association with parted ways with their coach the team and wished him all Walid Regragui by mutual success for his future. consent, the club announced Regragui took over the reins yesterday. In a message on last January from Portuguese their website, the Duhail coach Rui Faria.

SPOTLIGHT Paris St Germain’s Neymar (right) vying for the ball with Angers’ Vincent Manceau during their Ligue 1 match in Paris on Friday. (Reuters)

AFP up to second in the early table, a far corner. PSG’s third goal on the night just ons League fi nal in August be- Paris point behind leaders Rennes who Mbappe then cut the ball after half-time, fi nishing fi rst- hind them. Coach Tuchel will Qatar name squad play Reims today. back for Neymar to score in off time as the ball broke to him in now hope to see more new faces “Scoring goals gives us confi - the underside of the bar as PSG the box. arrive before Monday’s transfer eymar scored twice for dence. It is a great victory,” said doubled their lead before half- The goals were his fi rst two deadline, with a busy schedule for Ghana friendly Paris Saint-Germain Tuchel. time. of the new season after a start lying in store once the Champi- in a crushing 6-1 win There were only 1,000 spec- Neymar was starting after to the campaign disrupted by a ons League group stage begins By Sports Reporter Musab Khusar, Mohamed over Angers on Friday tators allowed into the Parc des avoiding punishment following positive Covid-19 test and sus- later in October. Doha Waad, Ahmed Suhail (Al Sadd), Nas the French champions con- Princes as authorities clamp allegations of racist and homo- pension. Paris will start their conti- Mohamed al-Bakri, Al Moez tinue to build up momentum down on gatherings amid a new phobic abuse in an ill-tempered Ismael Traore soon pulled one nental campaign at home to Ali, Karim Boudiaf, Ismail Mo- following a poor start to the rise in coronavirus cases in the defeat by Marseille last month. back for Angers with a back- Manchester United on October atar have named a hamed, Abdullah Abd al-Salam Ligue 1 season. French capital, but the few who The French league’s disci- post header, but Mitchel Bakker 20 before also facing Istanbul 25-member squad (Duhail), Mahdi Ali, Ahmad Alessandro Florenzi, Julian were there saw Florenzi open the plinary committee ruled on crossed for Draxler to make it 4-1 Basaksehir and RB Leipzig, who for their friendly Alaa al-Din, Humam Ahmad Draxler, Idrissa Gana Gueye and scoring with a lovely goal in the Wednesday that it did not have and Gueye added another with a they beat in last season’s semi- against Ghana on (Al Gharafa), Mohamed Salah Kylian Mbappe were also on tar- seventh minute. suffi cient proof to take action defl ected strike. fi nals. OctoberQ 12 at Antalya, Turkey. al-Nil, Ahmed Fathy (Al Arabi) get at the Parc des Princes for The Italian right-back, who against the Brazilian or Marseille Mbappe completed the scor- “It is a very diffi cult group Khaled Munir and Ahmed PSG, who claimed their fourth remains PSG’s only new face for defender Alvaro Gonzalez, who ing by converting from a Pablo with Leipzig as the third seed,” THE SQUAD Moein (Al Wakra) Abdel Aziz consecutive victory after start- this season so far after joining Neymar had accused of calling Sarabia assist six minutes from said Tuchel. Saad al-Sheeb, Pedro Miguel, Hatem, Fahd Younis (Al Rayy- ing the campaign with two on loan from Roma, controlled him a “monkey”. the end, and PSG look to have “We know how strong they Tariq Salman, Abdel-Karim an) Issa Ahmed (Qatar SC). straight defeats. the ball in the box before netting The world’s most expensive defi nitively put their defeat by are. We will need to be at our best Hassan, Boualem Khoukhi, Thomas Tuchel’s side move with a delightful volley into the player scored his second and Bayern Munich in the Champi- to go through.” Hassan al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Coach: Felix Sanchez. Gulf Times Sunday, October 4, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

FOCUS EPL Man City held by Leeds, Chelsea Bad Lak for Al Nassr click into gear

AFP was able to fi eld fi ve of his new London signings as Edouard Mendy and Ben Chilwell made their Premier League debuts with Thiago Silva, anchester City were Kai Havertz and Timo Werner as Persepolis reach forced to settle for also starting. a pulsating 1-1 draw Chilwell had the biggest im- against Leeds as pact as he opened the fl oodgates Iranian club emerge the top MRodrigo cancelled out Raheem with a thunderous strike at the Sterling’s opener, while Chel- far post fi ve minutes into the team in Asia’s west zone as they sea’s big spending began to bear second-half before his cross teed fruit as they thrashed Crystal up Kurt Zouma to double Chel- beat Saudi club on penalties Palace 4-0 yesterday. sea’s lead. fi nal of ACL While Chelsea clicked into What should have been a rou- gear and City struggled to fi nd tine win for the hosts did not go their rhythm, James Rodriguez without controversy as Jorginho guided Everton to the top of the then slotted home two penal- Premier League by scoring twice ties after Tammy Abraham and in a 4-2 win over Brighton. Havertz had been felled inside City were humiliated last the area. weekend when Leicester won 5-2 However, for the second spot- at the Etihad Stadium and Pep kick, captain Cesar Azpilicueta Guardiola responded by splash- had to intervene to take the ball ing out on Benfi ca defender Ru- off Abraham with the England ben Dias. striker desperate to get on the Dias made his debut at Elland scoresheet. Road and the Portugal centre- “If Tammy wanted to take it back had his work cut out for him because he wants a goal or what- in an entertaining game packed ever it was then he can get put in with chances at both ends. his place a little bit,” Lampard Sterling fi red City into a de- said. served 16th-minute lead, cut- “I appreciate his eagerness ting inside on the left edge of the because his performance de- penalty area driving his low shot served a goal but the rules are inside the far post. you don’t jump up ahead of the But City’s failure to turn their list at any moment.” early dominance into more Everton will head into the goals proved costly as Rodrigo Merseyside derby against Liver- pounced on a mistake by Brazil- pool after the international win- ian goalkeeper Ederson to turn dow with maximum points from the ball home from close range in their fi rst four games as James the 59th minute. City have won again shone for Carlo Ancelotti’s just one of their fi rst three league men. games and still look short of the The Toff ees also have the Pre- standard required to overhaul mier League’s form striker in champions Liverpool. their armoury as Dominic Cal- Their lack of cutting edge vert-Lewin opened the scoring without injured strikers Sergio by heading home his ninth goal Aguero and Gabriel Jesus will of the season to celebrate his concern Guardiola with just days fi rst ever call-up to the England until the transfer window closes squad. tomorrow. Jordan Pickford’s howler let For promoted Leeds, this buc- Brighton back into the game as caneering performance was fur- the Everton keeper dropped Le- ther proof that Marcelo Bielsa’s andro Trossard’s weak eff ort at commitment to attacking play the feet of Neal Maupay, who can fl ourish in the top-fl ight. turned home an equaliser. Frank Lampard has asked for Yerry Mina’s restored Ever- patience after Chelsea’s £220 ton’s lead and former Real Ma- million splurge in the market drid midfi elder James struck Persepolis players and off icials celebrate their victory over Al Nassr in the Asian Champions League in Doha yesterday.PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil ($285 million), but the pressure twice before Yves Bissouma was on the Blues to respond af- pulled a late goal back. AFP was also fi ned 10,000 dollars for received his second yellow card. ter a disappointing 3-3 draw at “We are really pleased for the Doha his slant-eyed gesture, consid- The Saudis were fi rst to score newly-promoted West Brom and start, we did really well this pe- ered a serious racial off ence. though, Abderrazzak Hamdal- a League Cup exit to a much- riod, winning games, showing “The Asian Football Confed- lah foxing goalkeeper Lak with changed Tottenham in the past good quality. The spirit is good, amed Lak produced a eration (AFC) Disciplinary and a ‘Panenka’ goal in the 36th week. but it is only the start of the sea- diving save off Maicon Ethics Committee has banned minute following Bashar Re- For the fi rst time Lampard son,” Ancelotti said. Rocque as Persepolis Issa Alekasir, of Persepolis FC, san’s foul on Khalid al-Ghan- beat Al Nassr 5-3 on from taking part in any kind of nam. But Persepolis needed Hpenalties to reach the fi nal of football-related activity for six only six minutes to draw level, the Asian Champions League months for violating Article Abdi Mehdi producing an excel- for the second time in three 58.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and lent header past Al Nassr goal- years yesterday. Ethics Code (2019 Edition),” the keeper Brad Jones off a cross Both teams had played out a AFC said in a statement. from Resan. tense 1-1 draw after 120 minutes “The ban will take eff ect im- Luck came to Lak’s rescue of action forcing the match into mediately,” the continental immediately after the break as the tie-breaker at the Jassim Bin body added Hamdallah produced a bril- Hamad Stadium. Article 58.1 states that “any- liant free-kick only for the ball But it was the Iranians who one who off ends the dignity to thud into the crossbar after emerged as the top team in of a person or group of per- the goalkeeper was thoroughly Asia’s west zone as they scored sons through contemptuous, beaten. off all their fi ve penalties, discriminatory or denigratory Both teams had their share of while Saudi giants Al Nassr words or actions concerning chances after before Lak came watched in agony from the race, skin colour, gender, dis- up with his decisive save in the sidelines as their Brazilian de- ability, language, age, physical shootout to put his team against fender Rocque’s shot, his team’s appearance, religion, political a team from Asia’s east, who are fourth, was saved by Lak, leap- opinion, wealth, birth or any yet to be determined. ing to his right. other status or ethnic, national, The event, which was halted A few hours before the match or social origin has committed in February following the coro- Persepolis were dealt a body an off ence.” navirus outbreak, resumed in blow when the Asian Football Yesterday, however, Al Nassr, a bio-secure bubble in Doha Confederation banned their Persepolis goalkeeper Hamed Lak produced a diving save off Al who were hoping to reach the last month with the matches star striker Issa Alekasir for six Nassr defender Maicon Rocque’s penalty. fi nal for the fi rst time, couldn’t packed into a tight schedule and months for a “discriminatory make the most of Alekasir’s the knockout phase doing away gesture” while celebrating his on Wednesday. In addition to last three matches in Doha and absence or the fact that Perse- with the double-legged format. Leeds United’s striker Rodrigo (right) celebrates with teammates goal against Uzbekistan’s Pa- the ban, the 30-year-old, who was chiefl y instrumental to the polis had lost Ehsan Pehlevan The tournament’s matches in after scoring against Manchester City during their English Premier khtakor in the quarter-fi nals scored four times in Persepolis’ team’s progress to the semis, just before half-time after he the east are yet to be announced. League match in Leeds, northern England, yesterday. (AFP)

BUNDESLIGA Haaland nets twice as Dortmund run riot AFP transfer. “Not bad, it could have ing midfi elder played Haaland day out to bounce back from Leipzig’s win knocked Eintra- Berlin been more,” said Haaland drily. into space for both of his goals last weekend’s shock defeat at cht Frankfurt down to second on Having also scored in and delivered a pin-point cor- Hoff enheim which ended their goal diff erence following their 2-1 Wednesday’s German Super Cup ner for Emre Can’s headed goal. 23-match winning streak. victory over Hoff eheim. Croatia rling Braut Haaland once 3-2 defeat at Bayern Munich, the Haaland, 19, once again showed Later, RB Leipzig went top striker Andrej Kramaric netted again demonstrated ‘ice- 20-year-old has netted fi ve goals dazzling fi nishing when he fi red of the league on goal diff erence his eighth goal in four games with cold’ fi nishing by net- in as many games this season. home from a right angle on 31 with a 4-0 rout of bottom side a superb strike, curled inside the ting twice yesterday as “There are already a few minutes. Schalke, who are now 19 league far corner, to give Hoff enheim the BorussiaE Dortmund climbed to creatures like him, but he’s a Can then rose highest from a games without a win. lead on 18 minutes. third in the Bundesliga table with real beast in front of goal,” said corner and his bullet header put Despite replacing head coach However, Japan midfi elder a 4-0 demolition of Freiburg. Freiburg captain Christian Dortmund 2-0 up two minutes David Wagner with ex-Augsburg Daichi Kamada turned the game “He is our centre forward, Guenter with grudging admira- after the break. boss Manuel Baum in mid-week, when he tapped home on 54 that’s what he’s paid for, but tion. “The fi rst big chance he Reyna and Haaland combined Schalke’s defensive woes con- minutes, then powered through he’s ice cold,” Dortmund captain gets, goes in.” again when they got in behind tinued. Playmaker Emil Forsberg the defence before Bas Dost Marco Reus said of Haaland’s Dortmund were missing Eng- the defence as the American de- created Leipzig’s fi rst goal when stabbed the ball over the line on latest haul in front of 11,500 land winger Jadon Sancho and layed his pass which the Norway his chip was knocked into the net 19 minutes from time. people - the biggest Bundesliga goalkeeper Roman Buerki, both forward hammered into the net by Schalke defender Can Boz- Champions League side crowd since Covid-19 hit Ger- recovering from illness having on 66 minutes. dogan ater half an hour. Moenchengladbach romped to many in March. “He will always tested negative for the corona- Winger Felix Passlack claimed Schalke’s misery continued as a 3-1 win at Cologne as Alas- score - no matter how well or virus. his fi rst Bundesliga goal in added left-back Angelino and burly de- sane Plea and Stefan Lainer fi red badly he is playing.” Reus made his fi rst start for time to complete the rout with fender Willi Orban added goals home before Lars Stindl added a Dortmund bounced back from eight months after injury. Haaland providing the fi nal pass. to make it 3-0 at the break. Ger- penalty on 56 minutes. last weekend’s shock defeat at US teenager Giovanni Reyna, many defender Marcel Halsten- Cologne scored a consolation Augsburg as Haaland shone to who set up Dortmund’s fi rst LEIPZIG GO TOP berg then netted a penalty ten goal when Elvis Rexhbecaj beat Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland applauds fans after their leave him on 21 goals in 23 games three goals, was outstanding. Defending champions Bayern minutes from time to complete Gladbach keeper Yann Sommer Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg at the Signal Iduna Park in for Dortmund since his January The 17-year-old attack- Munich host Hertha Berlin to- the rout. from 20 metres out. Dortmund yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, October 4, 2020 SPORT

CRICKET NFL Patriots vs Chiefs games put off Kohli’s unbeaten aft er positive tests

Reuters ‘In consultation with Kansas infectious disease experts, both clubs are working closely with the NFL and he New England Pa- the NFLPA to evaluate 72 helps clinical triots game at Kansas multiple close contacts, City Chiefs will not be perform additional played Sunday amid testing and monitor Tpositive Covid-19 tests for developments’ both teams, the NFL said yes- terday. player received point of care The league said it will look tests this morning and all were to move the game to Monday negative for Covid-19,” the RCB thrash RR or Tuesday night at Arrowhead statement began. Stadium. While neither the “We are in close consultation teams nor the league revealed with the NFL, as well as our Kohli received able support from young opener Devdutt Padikkal, who made 63 the players who tested posi- team of independent doctors tive, multiple reports indicated and specialists, and will follow IANS they were Patriots quarter- their guidance regarding our Abu Dhabi back Cam Newton and Chiefs’ scheduled trip to Kansas City scout-team quarterback Jor- and game against the Chiefs. dan Ta’amu. The health and safety of our oyal Challengers Ban- “In consultation with in- team, as well as our opponent, galore (RCB) skipper fectious disease experts, both are of highest priority.” Virat Kohli silenced clubs are working closely with It was the fi rst positive Cov- his critics in style as he the NFL and the NFLPA to id-19 test for the Patriots this scoredR a sparkling 72 not out to evaluate multiple close con- season. Veteran Brian Hoyer is steer his team to an eight-wick- tacts, perform additional test- Newton’s backup, with Jarrett et win over Rajasthan Royals in ing and monitor developments. Stidham, the Patriots’ fourth- the 15th match of the IPL here “All decisions will be made round pick in 2019, serving as yesterday. with the health and safety of the third-string quarterback. Kohli, who struggled in the players, team and gameday New England (2-1) will sure- earlier three games, received personnel as our primary con- ly miss Newton on the fi eld, as able support from young opener sideration,” the NFL said in he’s racked up 714 yards pass- Devdutt Padikkal, who came up its statement announcing the ing, 149 rushing and six total with a 45-ball 63 run knock. postponement. touchdowns over the fi rst three Chasing a 155-run target, The Patriots released a games with the Patriots. Shreyas Gopal drew the fi rst statement yesterday morning Newton, the No. 1 overall blood for RR after he trapped announcing a positive test. pick by the Carolina Panthers opener Aaron Finch (8) in the “Late last night, we received in 2011, signed with the Patri- third over with just 25 runs on notice that a Patriots players ots as a free agent in July. board. tested positive for Covid-19. Now, 31, he was the NFL’s RR’s joy was, however, short The player immediately en- Most Valuable Player in 2015. lived as Padikkal, who has been tered self-quarantine. A postponed game also will in fi ne form with the bat, con- Several additional players, put the Chiefs in a schedule tinued his brilliant run. coaches and staff who have crunch, with three games pos- Both batsmen helped RCB been in close contact with the sible within 10 days. touch the 50-run mark in the initial six overs and they added another 27 runs in the next four overs to take the score to 77/1 in Golden Knights re-sign G Lehner 10 overs. Virat Kohli, captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, celebrates with teammates after leading his side to victory against Rajasthan Royals in Kohli smashed Riyan Parag Abu Dhabi yesterday. PICTURE: Sportzpics for BCCI Las Vegas: Goaltender Robin the 2009 NHL Draft. for a six over deep extra cover in Lehner signed a five-year, He spent five seasons with the 13th over as RCB crossed the off 10 balls, and the pair easily Lomror, featuring in his fi rst Just after RR crossed the three- For RCB, Yuzvendra Chahal $25mn contract to remain the Senators, three with the 100-run mark. overhauled the target with fi ve match in the tournament, was digit mark, Isuru Udana sent was the pick of the bowlers as he with the Vegas Golden Buff alo Sabres and one with With the RR side struggling balls to spare. Kohli’s unbeaten joined by Robin Uthappa (17) back Paragin the 16th over be- returned with impressive fi gures Knights, the club announced the New York Islanders before for a breakthrough, Jofra Archer knock was studded with seven and the duo shared a 39-run fore Chahal cut short Lomror’s of 3/24 from four overs while an yesterday. signing a one-year, $5mn deal gave them some relief as he clean boundaries and two hits into the partnership for the fourth wick- stay in the middle, which left RR expensive Udana settled with The Golden Knights acquired with the Blackhawks before bowled a well-settled Padikkal stands. et. at 114/6. Lomror unfortunately, couple of wickets. Meanwhile, Lehner in a trade with the Chi- the 2019-20 season. in the 16th over. Earlier, Mahipal Lomror’s val- As it has been so far, Uthappa missed a well-deserved half- pacer Navdeep Saini bagged a cago Blackhawks on Feb. 24. Lehner played just three The RCB opener’s impressive iant 39-ball 47 helped RR post once again disappointed, failing century and his knock included wicket conceding 37 runs. With the two teams, Lehner games with the Golden knock contained six boundaries 154/6 in the allotted 20 overs. to convert the start into some- a boundary and three sixes. appeared in 36 games (34 Knights before the coronavi- and a six. The fall of Padikkal Opting to bat on winning the thing substantial, when Yuz- Rahul Tewatia, RR’s fi nd of Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals starts) with a 19-10-5 record. rus pandemic hit, halting the hardly aff ected RCB’s run-chase toss, RR’s top order once again vendra Chahal, who had ear- the tournament, and Jofra Arch- 154/6 wkts in 20 overs (Mahipal The 29-year-old had a.920 NHL season. as Kohli, who fi nally regained failed to give a solid start as they lier accounted for the wicket of er then added 40 runs in the Lomror 47, Rahul Tewatia 24 not save percentage and 2.89 When the games restarted, his touch, continued with his lost skipper Steve Smith (5), Jos Samson, dismissed him in the fi nal 20 deliveries as their side out; Y Chahal 3/24) lost to Royal goals-against average. Lehner overtook veteran fl uent shots and in the proc- Buttler (22) and Sanju Samson 11th over. managed to reach a respectable Challengers Bangalore 158/2 In the Stanley Cup playoff s, he Marc-Andre Fleury as the No.1 ess also completed 5,500 runs (4) within the fi rst fi ve overs Despite Uthappa’s fall, Lom- total of 154/6 in their allotted 20 wkts in 19.1 overs (Virat Kohli 72 had a 9-7-0 record,.917 save goaltender. Fleury, 35, has two in the league. The run-machine with just 31 runs on the score- ror kept the fi ght on and was overs. While Tewatia chipped in not out, Devdutt Padikkal 63; percentage and 1.99 GAA. years left on his contract at an was joined by AB de Villers, card. then involved in a 35-run part- with a 12-ball 24 not out, Archer Jofra Archer 1/18) by 8 wickets Vegas lost to the Dallas Stars average annual value of $7mn. who remained unbeaten on 12 After the top order collapse, nership with Riyan Parag (16). contributed with a 10-ball 16. in the Western Conference Lehner has 116 wins in 282 Final in five games. NHL starts and has a ca- The Ottawa Senators selected reer.918 save percentage and SPOTLIGHT REPORT FOCUS Lehner in the second round of 2.72 GAA. Stokes DC beat KKR in Dhoni NBA set to join most Butler says Heat Royals yet another capped capable of rallying against Lakers

AFP those guys over there,” Butler Sharjah thriller said.”We have yet to do it, and if Miami IANS we don’t do it soon it’s not go- Sharjah ing to be pretty.” iami forward Jim- Heat veteran Udonis Haslem my Butler vowed delivered that message force- elhi Capitals (DC) the Heat won’t roll fully to his teammates on the beat Kolkata Knight over against the sideline in the third quarter. Riders (KKR) by 18 MLos Angeles Lakers despite a “Play harder. Empty the runs in another high- second-straight double-digit tanks,” Butler said Haslem Dscoring thriller and climbed defeat in the NBA Finals on urged them. AFP AFP Dubai to the top of the table with six Dubai Friday. That’s what we’re going to points from four matches. “We’re never giving up,” have to do when we’re down KKR scored 210/8 wickets in Butler said. “We’re going to two stars like Bam and Goran. ngland all-rounder Ben their 20 overs in reply to DC’s ndia’s Mahendra Singh fi ght and we’re going to ride “Everybody’s got to lock in, Stokes is set to join his 228/4 wickets in 20 overs at the Dhoni has become the most- with this thing til the wheels we’ve got to be three places at Indian Premier League Sharjah International Cricket capped IPL player even as his fall off . “It’s not over,” Butler once. “It’s so hard to do, but side Rajasthan Royals Stadium. KKR would have had Chennai Super Kings team — insisted. we’ve got guys that have to do afterE missing the fi rst two weeks to complete the highest ever Icurrently bottom of the table — “We’re just down 0-2. We’ve it. of the Twenty20 tournament, IPL run chase to win yester- faltered in yet another run chase. got to do something special. That’s what it’s going to take the team said yesterday. day, a record that was broken The 39-year-old has now We’re capable of it.” to beat this team.” Royals tweeted a picture of just last Sunday at the same played 194 Indian Premier But the Heat were swim- Haslem’s exhortations their star player on a fl ight after ground. League matches, and overtook on ming against a fi erce tide on seemed to spark the Heat, but asking a question, “How long Kolkata were behind the pace Friday his former India and CSK Friday after Goran Dragic and Miami could do little to stop does it take from Christchurch for much of the chase, fi nding teammate Suresh Raina, who Bam Adebayo — both injured in Anthony Davis and LeBron to UAE (United Arab Emirates)?”. themselves yet to reach 100 in has 193 games. The former India Wednesday’s game one blow- James, who combined to score Captain Steve Smith was hap- the fi rst 10 overs of their in- skipper Dhoni and Raina both out loss — were ruled out of 65 points. py to hear of Stokes’ arrival. nings and losing three wickets. Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer plays a shot against announced their retirement from game two and possibly beyond The Heat trimmed 18-point “Ben (Stokes) is a quality Nitish Rana anchored the fi rst the Kolkata Knight Riders in Sharjah yesterday. PICTURE: international cricket last month. in the best-of-seven champi- defi cits to single digits multiple player, adds to our squad once half of the innings with a well Sportzpics for BCCI But unlike Dhoni, Raina at the onship series. times, but they couldn’t get the he’s arrives,” Smith said dur- crafted 58 off 34 balls scoring last minute pulled out of this Dragic was the Heat’s lead- gap below nine in the fi nal pe- ing the toss for Saturday’s IPL four fours and as many sixes. of Morgan in the process. team score 228/4. They were IPL edition which because of the ing scorer this post-season and riod. Butler said a few adjust- match with Royal Challengers KKR were brought back into Tripathi started the last over stopped from reaching 250 by coronavirus pandemic is being Adebayo was averaging dou- ments — getting more shots up Bangalore. the game by a 78-run stand bowled by Marcus Stoinis, in Andre Russell who conceded held in the United Arab Emirates. ble-digit points and rebounds. and rebounding better — can New Zealand-born Stokes for the seventh wicket be- which KKR needed 26 runs, just seven runs in the fi nal over. Dhoni has now played 164 of But Butler said it’s not about make the diff erence in game was in Christchurch with his ail- tween Eoin Morgan (44) and with a four but was dismissed his 194 games for the CSK fran- who’s on the fl oor, it’s about three. ing father, who has been battling Rahul Trupathi (36). The pair off the very next ball. Only Brief scores: DC 228/4 wkts chise.The others he played for putting in the eff ort as the Heat “I like what we’ve been do- cancer, and pulled out of the Pa- smashed 24 runs in the 17th three more runs were con- in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 88 Rising Pune Supergiant. try Sunday to avoid falling into ing,” he said. “It’s just we’ve kistan Test series in August. over and 23 runs off the 18th ceded in the rest of the over as not out, Prithvi Shaw 66; Andre The explosive wicketkeeper- an 0-3 hole — from which no got to play harder, we got to re- Stokes, 29, put up a picture over. However, Anrich Nortje DC took the match and the top Russell 2/29) beat KKR 210/8 batsman, famed for his fi nish- NBA team has come back to win bound the basketball, we’ve got with his family on instagram on came in for the penultimate spot on the league table. Ear- wkts in 20 overs (Nitish Rana ing skills during the peak of his a best-of-seven series. to get back, we’ve really got to Friday with a caption, “goodbyes over and pulled things back for lier, DC captain Shreyas Iyer’s 58, Eoin Morgan 44; Anrich international career, has lately “We’ve got to play damn- lock in to what we’re supposed never get easier”. DC, accounting for the wicket unbeaten 38-ball 88 helped his Nortje 3/33) by 18 runs faced criticism for batting slowly. near perfect in order to beat to be doing. Gulf Times Sunday, October 4, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Silver says NBA James and Davis take ‘unlikely’ to pause LA Lakers to second for the Olympics

Reuters Miami

straight win over Heat he NBA is not likely to have a break next season ‘MYSELF AND AD, WE’RE NOT SATISFIED WITH JUST THE WIN. WE WANT TO BE GREAT’ when the postponed Ol- Tympics are held, league AFP ers dominated inside, outscoring the commissioner Adam Silver said, Miami Heat 18-6 in the paint in the fi rst quar- casting doubt on the availability of ter to emerge from the opening period NBA players at the Tokyo Games. six points up. The Olympics were postponed nthony Davis and LeBron Danny Green’s three-pointer pushed by a year, to July 23-Aug 8 next James powered Los Angeles to the Lakers lead to 13 three minutes into year, because of the novel coro- a 124-114 victory over the Mi- the second quarter. navirus, which also led to the NBA Aami Heat on Friday that put The Heat got the defi cit down to season being suspended, leading the Lakers two wins away from their four three times, but Rondo, a former to a delay in the start of the new fi rst NBA title since 2010. NBA champion with the Boston Celt- season and the confl ict in sched- The injury depleted Heat hung on ics, came up big off the Lakers’ bench, ules. The NBA season usually runs as best they could, but 33 points from delivering impressive alley-oup passes from October to June but with the James and 32 from Davis were just too fi rst to James and then to Davis, whose 2019-20 Finals series now fi nish- much. dunk and free throw made it 64-49 ing this month, the new season is Davis, playing in his fi rst NBA Finals, with 1:48 remaining in the fi rst half. expected to begin in January with overpowered a Heat defence sorely Rondo himself drove for a layup in the plans for the usual 82-game cam- missing injured Bam Adebayo. fi nal minute of the half that stretched paign and playoff s to follow. He added 14 rebounds as the Lak- the Lakers’ lead to 17 points, and they “We’ll consider it. I think it’s ers took a two games to none lead in took a 68-54 advantage into the break. unlikely at the end of the day that, the best-of-seven NBA Finals in the The Lakers connected on 55.5% of their if we start late, we would stop for league’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, shots from the fi eld in the opening half. the Olympics,” Silver told NBA Florida. They were less successful from three- TV. “He’s a big-time player,” James, point range but not from lack of trying, “It’s not just a function of stop- playing in his 10th championship se- connecting on nine of their whopping ping for the period in which they ries, said of Davis, whose 14 rebounds 27 fi rst-half attempts from beyond the are competing over in Tokyo, they included eight off ensive boards. “He arc. They fi nished with 16 three-point- require a training camp and then understands the position we’re in.” ers on an astonishing 47 attempts. they require rest afterwards.” Davis made 14 of his fi rst 15 shots Davis poured it on in the third quar- Since professional players were from the fi eld, fi nishing with 15 baskets ter, piling up 15 points on an array of allowed to compete at the Ol- in 20 attempts. shots — jumpers, a step-back three and ympics, beginning with the 1992 For the second straight game James a driving fl oater just the beginning. Games in Barcelona, the United approached a triple-double, adding Although the Lakers stretched the States has won six out of seven nine assists and nine rebounds. lead to 18 points multiple times, the gold medals with star-studded Rajon Rondo added 16 points off the Heat wouldn’t go away. squads made up primarily of NBA bench and Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious They out-scored Los Angeles 39-35 players.With more than 100 inter- Caldwell-Pope added 11 points apiece in the period — but in the end they just national players in the NBA, Silver for the Lakers. didn’t have suffi cient stopping power added that he also had concerns Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 and they couldn’t get the defi cit below for other countries — some of points and Kelly Olynyk added 24 off nine points in the fi nal quarter. which have yet to qualify for the the bench as the Heat had to make do “We need a little bit more from eve- Olympics and will be competing not only without Adebayo but with star rybody, whatever that is,” Olynyk said. in qualifi ers next year. guard Goran Dragic, who was sidelined Heat coach Erik Spoelstra acknowl- “There are so many incredible by a left foot injury. edged that the Heat face a tough chal- players, beginning with the USA Even without them, James said, Mi- lenge against the bigger, physical Lak- team, we’ll be able to fi eld a very ami remained a dangerous team, add- ers. “In those moments of truth when competitive team,” Silver said. ing that the Lakers need to clamp down we had opportunities to get the game “I’m a bit worried about some harder defensively. closer it usually seemed to end up in an of the international teams, be- “Myself, coach and AD were not off ensive rebound or something near cause some of their stars play happy with our defensive presence the basket,” Spoelstra said. in our league and their absence tonight,” James said.”We can do a lot “But this is the deal. If you want would make a huge diff erence for better. Myself and AD, we’re not sat- something badly enough you’ll fi gure those national teams. isfied with just the win. We want to be out how to overcome it. “I’d only say these are such ex- great. “They have great size and Anthony traordinary circumstances that, “They have five guys on the floor Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the second half against the Miami Heat in Lake Buena Davis is an elite player. We’re trying to even if we set out to plan for the that’s a threat, as they showed to- Vista, Florida, on Friday. get something accomplished and you Olympics, how can they even night,” James added of Miami.”So we just have to go to another level,” added know what the world is going to have to continue to stay on our P’s I’s through the course of a game.” game one, the Lakers came out of the Chasing a record-equalling 17th NBA Spoelstra, whose team will try to do just be like next summer and whether and Q’s and cross our T’s and dot our Stung by the Heat’s quick start in blocks hot. title but their fi rst in a decade, the Lak- that in game three today. they can go forward?”

BASEBALL Hall of Famer Gibson dies at 84 aft er struggle with cancer Los Angeles: Legendary pitcher he was born, leaving his mother, Padres use nine pitchers to Bob Gibson, a two time World Victoria, to raise seven kids on the Series MVP who was so good that wages of a laundry worker. baseball had to change it rules to Gibson became an all-round high counter his dominance, died after a school athlete, starring in baseball, lengthy battle with cancer, the St. basketball and track and field. oust Cards, Marlins advance Louis Cardinals said on their web- He attended Creighton University site on Friday. He was 84. before touring and playing basket- AFP by Magneuris Sierra for a 2-0 Marlins Gibson, who starred for the Cardi- ball with the Harlem Globetrotters Los Angeles edge. nals from 1959-1975 and led them for one year. The 34-year-old Japanese right- to two World Series champion- Gibson’s dominance on the mound hander surrendered two runs on fi ve ships, is the second Cards’ Hall of led to a dramatic change in the he San Diego Padres used nine hits with two walks and six strikeouts, Famer to die in the past month. rules of American baseball. diff erent pitchers to shut out throwing 69 of his 94 pitches for Former Cardinals fleet-footed base Following his 22-game winning the St. Louis Cardinals and strikes. stealer Lou Brock died September season in 1968, organizers lowered punch their ticket to the sec- Miami rookie starter Sixto Sanchez 6 also after a long health struggle. the height of the pitching mound ondT round of the Major League Baseball pitched fi ve scoreless innings allowing from 38 centimetres (15 inches) to Brock was 81. playoff s with a 4-0 winner-take-all four hits and two walks, and he struck Gibson is arguably the greatest 25cm. victory in game three on Friday night. out six. pitcher the Cardinals have ever With the lower mound in 1969, San Diego’s bullpen by committee Reliever Brad Boxberger got the win had, and considered one of the Gibson won 20 games — one of five resulted in nine pitchers combining for pitching 1 1/3 innings. Richard Bleier best in American baseball history. 20-win seasons he would have. a nine-inning MLB shutout for the fi rst and Yimi Garcia also held Chicago in He had been fighting pancre- The tributes poured in from around time since 1901. check, and Brandon Kintzler complet- atic cancer for a year and died in the baseball world for Gibson on Austin Adams pitched one inning of ed the fi ve hit shutout by earning the hospice care in Omaha, Nebraska, Friday night. relief to get the win and right hander save. the St. “Thank you for all your wisdom. Trevor Rosenthal recorded the fi nal out Right fi elder Matt Joyce also had a Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper You are a legend,” said Jack Fla- as the Padres won the wild card playoff strong performance for the Marlins as reported. herty, who started for the Cardinals contest 4-0 at Petco Park in San Diego. he cut down a runner at the plate and Gibson’s death came on the 52nd in Friday’s 4-0 season-ending loss The Padres will now face the top then doubled, which led to a run. anniversary of one of his greatest to the San Diego Padres. seeded Los Angeles Dodgers in a best- “The one thing that we talked about games, a 17-strikeout performance “I just got the horrible news of the of-fi ve NL Divisional Series in the all year was why not us?” said manager in game one of the 1968 World passing of my dear friend Bob Gib- quarantine bubble in Texas. Don Mattingly of the sixth-seeded Series. son. My thoughts and prayers are The Padres’ Eric Hosmer started the Marlins, who lost 105 games last year. He won a Cy Young award and with Wendy and the Gibson Family. scoring with a run-batted-in double to “With this kind of pitching, you can MVP award the same year. A huge loss for the entire @MLB the wall in the fi fth inning. San Diego do anything.... You feel like you’ve got The nine-time all star Gibson was a and @Cardinals family.” broke the game open with a two-run a good shot at kind of stopping almost rarity, playing his entire career in a Will miss you Bob,” legendary Chi- seventh and tacked on another run anybody if you make pitches.” Cardinals’ uniform. cago Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins with a late Jake Cronenworth homer to San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (right) reacts after hitting Miami’s Corey Dickerson and Jon When he retired, Gibson finished wrote on his Twitter account. win their fi rst playoff series since 1998 a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals as centre fielder Trent Grisham (2) Berti were walked by Cubs reliever with 251 wins, 3,117 strikeouts and a Flaherty’s teammate Yadier Molina — when they reached the World Series awaits at Petco Park. PICTURE: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports Craig Kimbrel to begin the eighth but 2.91 ERA over 3,884 1/3 innings. couldn’t hold back the tears as he against the New York Yankees. Jesus Aguilar grounded into a double In 1981, he was inducted into the talked about what Gibson meant Cronenworth capped the scoring The Marlins, who hadn’t reached the thing that you can’t explain.” play and Kimbrel struck out Brian An- Hall of Fame. to him. by blasting a towering 407 foot home playoff s since winning the 2003 World Next for Miami will be National derson to end the Marlins’ threat. Early in life, Gibson battled rickets, “The game is a game,” Molina said run in the eighth inning. Cronenworth Series, captured their best-of-three League East division rival Atlanta to The Cubs had their last chance in the pneumonia, asthma, hay fever and on Friday night. “You can lose a fi nished with three hits and scored two fi rst round series with the host Cubs in decide a berth in the National League ninth and Jason Heyward opened with a heart problem. game but when you lose a guy like runs in the game three win. two games. Championship Series. a double to left fi eld. But Miami reliev- But he overcame each to realise Bob Gibson, it’s just hard. Also, Garrett Cooper smacked a “That’s probably the best feeling I’ve Darvish hurled 6 2/3 scoreless in- er Brandon Kintzler struck out Javier his dream of pitching in the major “I wish his family the best. We lost two-out home run off Chicago’s Yu had in my baseball career, the biggest nings but was sent to the showers af- Baez, David Bote and pinch-hitter Ja- leagues. another one, Cardinal Nation lost Darvish and the Miami Marlins defeat- home run that I’ve had in my baseball ter Cooper homered and Matt Joyce son Kipnis to end the Cubs’ season and His father passed away before another one.” ed the Cubs 2-0 to advance. career,” Cooper said. “It’s just some- doubled to set up a run-scoring single advance. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, October 4, 2020 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Japan’s Hataoka grabs one-stroke Confi dent Bradley LPGA ShopRite lead

AFP of Champions, losing a playoff New York, United States to Mexico’s Gaby Lopez on the seventh extra hole, and also fi n- ished second the next week at the apan’s Nasa Hataoka fi red Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio. takes two-shot PGA a four-under par 67 to Her best fi nish since the LPGA seize a one-stroke lead returned from a coronavirus over South Korea’s Lee shutdown was a share of seventh After the second round, Bradley was Mi-hyangJ and England’s Mel at last month’s ANA Inspiration. Reid after Friday’s second round Back-nine starter Lee birdied two strokes in front of fellow Americans of the LPGA ShopRite Classic. the par-3 17th and par-5 18th, Hataoka made fi ve birdies then surged ahead with birdies JT Poston and Charley Hoff man against a lone bogey at the Seav- at the par-5 third and par-4 fi fth Tour lead iew resort in Galloway, New Jer- only to stumble with birdies at sey, to stand on 11-under 131 for the par-4 sixth and par-3 sev- 36 holes. enth ahead of two closing pars. “I wasn’t striking the ball as “It was great to make two well as yesterday, but I was able to birdies in a row on the fi rst nine convert my birdie chances where I holes,” Lee said. “So it was a great wanted to and that was good,” the condition. But I made my fi rst 21-year-old Asian star said. bogey and then three-putted. “The pin placements were “Still made 2-under par. Re- pretty diffi cult, so just didn’t re- ally look forward to playing this ally change from the fi rst hole.” weekend.” Reid fi red a bogey-free 64 to Reid also began at the 10th share second on 132 with Lee, hole and birdied 14 and 18, then who stumbled late with bogeys birdied the third and fi fth as well on two of her fi nal four holes, before closing with three con- while France’s Celine Boutier secutive birdies. and American Amy Olson shared The event is the fi nal tuneup fourth on 133. for next week’s LPGA major, the After a birdie-bogey start, Women’s PGA Championship Hataoka made back-to-back at Aronimink in nearby Newton birdies at the fourth and fi fth Square, Pennsylvania. holes and closed strong with birdie putts from four feet at the LEADING ROUND II RESULTS 16th and three feet at the par-5 131 — Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 64-67 18th. 132 — Mel Reid (ENG) 68-64, Lee “Today wasn’t about making Mi-hyang (KOR) 63-69 long putts,” Hataoka said. “It was 133 — Celine Boutier (FRA) 68-65, more like converting the small Amy Olson (USA) 67-66 chances I had.” 134 — Georgia Hall (ENG) 67-67, Eighth-ranked Hataoka seeks Jennifer Song (USA) 65-69, Jenni- her fourth career LPGA victory fer Kupcho (USA) 69-65, Christina after the 2018 Northwest Arkan- Kim (USA) 69-65 sas Championship, 2018 Toto Ja- 135 — Chun In-gee (KOR) 68-67, pan Classic and 2019 Kia Classic. Anne van Dam (NED) 67-68, Kath- Hataoka had a near miss in erine Kirk (AUS) 66-69, Ryann January’s LPGA Tournament O’Toole (USA) 64-71

MOTORSPORT F1 Covid positives in

Keegan Bradley plays his shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi, on Friday. (AFP) double fi gures but

AFP dley, whose four US PGA Tour said Hoff man, who teed off on nine holes but nabbed back-to- Munoz carded a one-over par Washington, United States victories include a major title at 10. back birdies at the 10th and 11th 73, Chappell signed for an even teams are clear the 2011 PGA Championship. “Then coming down my 11th then three in a row at 13, 14 and par 72 and Walker ballooned to a “I just love the course,” added hole, which was the second hole, 15 – where he blasted out of a fi ve-over par 77. Reuters 30,000 people visited the Olym- eegan Bradley rolled Bradley, who is seeking a fi rst I had a perfect yardage, perfect greenside bunker to a foot. London, United Kingdom pic Park each day. in eight birdies in a victory since the 2018 BMW number and I dead fatted it and “My caddie was telling me LEADING ROUND II RESULTS The fi rst eight races of the seven-under par 65 on Championship. “I love the way then dead bladed it back-to- just to stay patient because I 131 — Keegan Bradley (USA) season were held behind closed Friday to seize a two- it sets up. It’s very simple. You back and actually made, when didn’t really make a whole lot on 66-65 ormula One reported 10 doors, before some 2,800 fans Kshot lead in the US PGA Tour just stand object the tee and rip it’s all said and done, a pretty the front,” Poston said, adding positive Covid-19 tests per day were allowed at the Tus- 133 — JT Poston (USA) 66-67, Sanderson Farms Champion- driver in the fairway hopefully good bogey. that he enjoyed putting on the Charley Hoff man (USA) 64-69 over the Russian Grand can Grand Prix at Italy’s Mugello ship in Jackson, Mississippi. and then the greens are small, “And then next hole I’m in the Bermuda grass greens. 134 — MJ Daff ue (USA) 65-69 Prix weekend but said on circuit. Bradley, who started the day but if you can fi nd the fairway middle of the fairway and hit it He said a par-saving putt at 12 FridayF that the teams were unaf- Most, if not all, of the remaining 135 — Denny McCarthy (USA) two shots off the lead, opened you can attack it.” way right and missed about a was key and added: “It was nice 68-67, Kristoff er Ventura (NOR) fected. seven races of the season are ex- his round at the Country Club of Bradley was two strokes in four-footer. to get going on the back.” 67-68 The sport said 1,822 people pected to have fans in attendance. Jackson with three straight bird- front of fellow Americans JT “But you know what, off the South Africa’s MJ Daff ue was 136 — Kevin Chappell (USA) had been tested between Sep- While paddock access requires ies and he closed with four bird- Poston and Charley Hoff man. tee I gave myself a ton of chanc- alone in fourth after a 69 for 134. 64-72, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 68- tember 25 and October 1 and a negative test, and only essential ies in his last six holes. Hoff man, who was part of a es,” said Hoff man, who said if he It was a further stroke back to 68, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 66-70, those who were found to be posi- staff and teams are allowed in, That included a birdie at the four-way tie for the fi rst-round could polish up his iron play and American Denny McCarthy and Brandt Snedeker (USA) 70-66, tive were all ancillary personnel. there was some concern about 18th, where he stuck his ap- lead, had seven birdies and four keep putting well he’d be OK on Norway’s Kristoff er Ventura. Talor Gooch (USA) 66-70 “Those cases have been man- safety away from the circuit in proach less than four feet from bogeys in a three-under par 69. the weekend. Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz 137 — Peter Malnati (USA) 70-67, aged quickly and eff ectively Sochi. the pin to take his 36-hole total “I put myself in position a lot, Poston joined Hoff man on and Americans Jimmy Walk- Sebastian Munoz (COL) 64-73, without impacting the event,” it “In Russia, wearing a mask to 13-under par 131. made a sloppy bogey on my fi rst 11-under 133 with a fi ve-under er and Kevin Chappell – who Corey Conners (CAN) 67-70, Mar- said in a statement. isn’t mandatory,” motorsport. “What a great day, and I’m hole of the day, missed about 67 that featured six birdies. shared the fi rst-round lead with tin Laird (SCO) 68-69, Cameron “The presence of fans has not com quoted Haas’s French driver bringing a lot to the weekend a four-footer, but then played Poston, chasing a second US Hoff man, couldn’t build on that Tringale (USA) 68-69, Aaron aff ected that situation as the Romain Grosjean as saying last that I’m happy about,” said Bra- pretty solid on that front nine,” PGA Tour title,was even through momentum. Wise (USA) 68-69 public was not allowed to enter weekend. the F1 bubble as per our protocol “Waiters do, but don’t cover in force.” their noses. There are many fans ATHLETICS It was the highest number at the hotel, so we sometimes of positives from testing so far. fi nd ourselves sharing an eleva- The previous Sept. 18-24 period tor with people from outside the showed seven, six of them ancil- F1 bubble. That’s not something Ethiopia’s ‘town of runners’ tries to outpace pandemic lary employees such as cleaners I’m super comfortable with.” or caterers. Racing Point’s Mexican Sergio AFP “When Covid showed up we The Russian race in Sochi was Perez is so far the only driver to Bekoji, Ethiopia thought it would be over within the fi rst with a substantial crowd contract the virus, missing two one week or two weeks. When in attendance. Organisers said races in August. the cases started to increase ust eight months ago, is when we started worrying,” 16-year-old Hanna Fatiya said. Awugichew believed she Though Fatiya could no longer Renault will fulfi l obligations if Red was well on her way to meet with them in person, she Bull need engines becomingJ Ethiopia’s next elite drew up individual programmes runner, having qualifi ed for a and kept in touch with them by Reuters in a row with Renault engines be- national competition in the phone. “I told them that corona- London, United Kingdom tween 2010-13, had yet to make a 400m dash. virus is a killer, but we shouldn’t request and there was plenty of But the coronavirus pandemic be neglectful of our training. We time for any discussions. threw an obstacle in her path, have to defeat the virus with our enault will meet their The rules provide a window prompting offi cials to cancel the relentless eff ort,” she said. obligations under the from May next year for the race and, under a nationwide state Bekoji’s distance-running Rrules if Red Bull ask for engine manufacturers to notify of emergency, place restrictions prowess is legendary and was an engine supply after Honda the governing FIA which teams on how athletes could train. even the focus of an award-win- leave Formula One at the end they intend to supply. “We had prepared for the ning 2012 documentary by Jerry of 2021, the French team’s boss “I guess that it is only at this competition and trained well, Rothwell titled Town of Runners. Cyril Abiteboul said on Friday. point in time that will be but we couldn’t compete be- Yet residents struggle to pin- Honda announced their depar- discussed if Red Bull fail to find cause of coronavirus, and that point the reasons for the town’s ture earlier, leaving Red Bull a solution, which I really hope was very disappointing,” said success, suggesting it could be Racing and sister team Alpha- will not be the situation,” said Hanna, adding she had been due to the altitude – which tops Tauri seeking a new power unit Abiteboul. “very excited to win”. 2,800m (9,200 feet) – or per- supply for 2022. “When you participate in a sport It’s a common story in Be- Fatiya Abdi (centre) trains a group of young runners in a forest in the village of Bekoji, Ethiopia, on haps a local diet rich in wheat The sporting regulations state you need to accept the obliga- koji, a town 225 kilometres (140 September 30, 2020. (AFP) and sorghum. that “each manufacturer must, if tions that are associated. As far miles) south of the capital Addis These conditions, however, called upon to do so by the FIA, as we are concerned, it’s part of Ababa that is renowned for pro- Fatiya Abdi, who coaches Bekoji’s runners after pandem- state of emergency, meaning are hardly unique in Ethiopia, supply at least three teams”. the sporting regulations and we ducing running stars who have Hanna and around 40 other girls ic-related disruptions. group training could resume. a distance-runner’s dreamland Mercedes are due to supply would comply to this obligation.” collectively bagged some 18 Ol- in Bekoji through an organisation For much of this year, hun- In normal times, runners with no shortage of high-alti- four teams next year, with Renault and Red Bull fell out over ympic medals. called Girls Gotta Run, hopes the dreds of youngsters in Bekoji in Bekoji spend each morning tude routes. Ferrari powering three, Honda the engine’s poor performance Today, Bekoji’s favourite event will shake her athletes out vying to emulate the town’s transforming the town’s euca- Another explanation, at least two and Renault only their in the V6 turbo era that started in son, fi ve-time world champion of their pandemic funk. stars – household names like lyptus forests into a sprawling for the town’s younger runners, is own factory outfit. “We know 2014 to such an extent that they Kenenisa Bekele was to face off “It will encourage our athletes Derartu Tulu, Fatuma Roba and training ground. a desire to follow the lead of those the regulations and we would used the French manufacturer’s against Kenyan icon and mara- to work hard and motivate them Tirunesh Dibaba – have seen But this hallowed terrain who have already achieved fame. comply with the regulations,” power units under Tag Heuer thon world record-holder Eliud to prepare for their own compe- their dreams put on hold. where Bekele started training That’s why coaches are eager to Abiteboul told Reuters. branding. Red Bull switched to Kipchoge in the London Mara- titions,” Fatiya said. But in September Prime Min- as a teenager sat largely empty see the resumption of high-pro- He said Red Bull, who won four Honda in 2019, winning races thon, before he pulled out due The marathon is the latest ister Abiy Ahmed’s government after Ethiopia recorded its fi rst fi le events like the London Mara- drivers’ and constructors’ titles with the Japanese company. to injury. sign of a return to normalcy for declined to renew Ethiopia’s Covid-19 case in mid-March. thon after a months-long hiatus. Gulf Times Sunday, October 4, 2020 7 SPORT

CYCLING / GIRO D’ITALIA RUGBY Imhoff in Argentina’s Ganna fi rst Championship squad

AFP Buenos Aires, Argentina

rgentina coach Mario leader, Thomas Ledesma on Friday called up a 45-strong squad, including 10 playersA from the French Top 14, for the November 7-December 12 Rugby Championship to be held in Australia. There is a notable call-up for opens early gap in-form Racing 92 winger Juan Imhoff , who last played for Los Pumas in the 2015 Rugby World Ineos’ Italian rider beats Portugal’s Joao Almeida by 22 seconds Cup semi-fi nal back in 2015. Imhoff has been a key player Reuters as the Parisian club made their Palermo, Italy way to the fi nal of the European Champions Cup. Other Top 14 players in- talian Filippo Ganna won the clude the Stade Francais trio of opening stage of the Giro d’Italia fl y-half Nicolas Sanchez, lock yesterday, a 15.1-km individual Marcos Kremer and backrower time trial between Monreale and Pablo Matera, the Toulon duo of IPalermo to claim the fi rst Maglia Rosa fl anker Facundo Isa and winger leader’s jersey of this year’s race as Ge- Ramiro Moyano, the Bordeaux- South Africa in Brisbane on No- Felipe Ezcurra, Rodrigo Fernan- raint Thomas opened an early gap on Begles pair of lock Guido Petti vember 7 before then taking on dez Criado, Jose Luis Gonzalez, his rivals. and winger Santiago Cordero, New Zealand and Australia in Juan Martin Gonzalez, Francisco The Ineos-Grenadiers rider, who La Rochelle hooker Facundo Sydney. Gorrissen, Santiago Grondona, claimed the time trial title at the world Bosch and Pau prop Ignacio Juan Imhoff , Facundo Isa, Mar- championships last week, clocked 15 Calles. ARGENTINA SQUAD: Tomas cos Kremer, Tomas Lezana, Juan minutes 24 seconds to beat Portugal’s Among the injury-enforced Albornoz, Matias Alemanno, Cruz Mallia, Pablo Matera, San- Joao Almeida by a massive 22 seconds. absentees are Leicester lock Gonzalo Bertranou, Emiliano tiago Medrano, Domingo Miotti, “Today I knew I was one of the hot Tomas Lavanini (ankle) and Boff elli, Facundo Bosch, Rodrigo Juian Montoya, Ramiro Moyano, favourites but I tried to stay calm,” said Jaguares centre Matias Moroni Bruni, Ignacio Calas, Ignacio Matias Orlando, Joaquin Ganna. (knee). Calles, Sebastian Cancelliere, Oviedo, Lucas Paulos, Guido “We did it, what a great result and With the aim of resurrecting Santiago Carreras, Santiago Petti, Enrique Pieretto, Nicolas what a thrill to wear the Maglia Rosa Test rugby in a Covid-disrupt- Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, San- Sanchez, Santiago Socino, Lucio on my fi rst Giro, which is a good omen ed year, Argentina kick off their tiago Cordero, Tomas Cubelli, Sordoni, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, for the rest of the race.” Rugby Championship cam- Jeronimo De la Fuente, Bautista Mayco Vivas, Federico Wegrzyn, Briton Thomas, also from Ineos- paign against world champions Delguy, Joaquín Diaz Bonilla, Juan Pablo Zeiss Grenadiers, was the best of the pre- race favourites when he took fourth place in 15:47, with his compatriot SPOTLIGHT Simon Yates losing 26 seconds to the 2018 Tour de France champion. “It was windy but I think I was com- fortable on the bike. Maybe I was just a Wallabies’ Daugunu jumps little too aggressive at the start and in the last two kilometres I lost the legs a little bit,” said Thomas. from soccer to fulfi l rugby goals “Maybe just a little too much in the fi rst half but we can still be pretty Reuters decided to put me in at goal- for Super Rugby’s Queensland happy.” Wellington, New Zealand keeper.” Reds in 2018. Two-time champion and home fa- While Daugunu was making Daugunu had a storming Su- vourite Vincenzo Nibali had a disap- inroads with soccer, he juggled per Rugby AU season with the pointing ride, fi nishing 1:06 behind eing a good high those commitments with rugby Reds this year, even if he did Thomas, with Dane Jakob Fuglsang jumper at secondary while at secondary school in receive a yellow card in the fi nal and Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk also school is what brought Suva. “Sometimes I’d play sev- for a dangerous lifting tackle, losing precious time — down 1:24 and uncapped Wallabies ens and after one game I’d go and was named in Dave Ren- 1:21 on the leader, respectively. wingerB Filipo Daugunu to the and play soccer and then back nie’s fi rst national squad. Fuglsang’s Astana team mate and attention of national selectors again to fi nish the sevens tour- Despite being relatively in- co-leader Aleksandr Vlasov of Russia — as a soccer goalkeeper. nament,” Daugunu said. experienced, there are sugges- lost 57 seconds to Thomas. The 25-year-old Daugunu Daugunu quit soccer in 2015, tions he could make his test de- Astana, however, lost key climber played for Fiji’s under-17 soccer represented the Fiji under-20 but against the All Blacks next Miguel Angel Lopez, sixth overall in team as a teenager and despite rugby team and then was part week in Wellington, something the Tour de France, who was taken into the speed that is evident on the of the Fiji sevens programme in he had only dreamed about an ambulance after crashing heavily rugby fi eld, he was stuck between 2016 before he moved to Bris- three years ago. when he hit a bump on the road. the posts in the round-ball sport. bane the following year. “When I arrived (in Brisbane) “Miguel Angel has been taken to “I was good at high jump at The Fijian soccer team’s loss the dream was to play for the hospital for further observation,” As- high school,” Daugunu told re- was Australian rugby’s gain Wallabies,” Daugunu said. tana said on Twitter. porters from the Wallabies bio- with Daugunu impressing Brad “To play the fi rst game The Giro was rescheduled from its secure hub in Christchurch. “So Thorn so much for Queensland against the All Blacks would be original May 9-31 dates with the start they could see I could jump and Country that he signed him very (special).” being moved from Hungary to Sicily Team Ineos rider Italy’s Filippo Ganna rides past the Santa Maria Nuova cathedral of Monreale during amid the Covid-19 crisis. the first stage, a 15.1km individual time trial, of Giro d’Italia yesterday. (AFP)

Alaphilippe and Hirschi head thinned Liege-Bastogne-Liege fi eld

AFP since cycling resumed after the Liege, Belgium coronavirus shutdown but the winners are absent. Belgian Wout van Aert, who n a normal year Liege-Bas- won the Milan-San Remo as well togne-Liege would attract as the Strade Bianche classic Ia stellar field, but with the in early August, is going to spring classics shifting to au- concentrate on the two cob- tumn along with the Giro d’Italia blestone monuments, the Tour and Vuelta a Espana, today’s of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, race will have a diff erent feel. later this month. After having been raced in the Dane Jakob Fuglsang, who unpredictable April weather of in August won the Tour of the Ardennes since 1892, the Lombardy, known as ‘the race of oldest of cycling’s five ‘monu- the falling leaves’ because it is ments’ has proved movable and traditionally the last monument will be run today, on the same of the year, is competing in the day as the Giro’s second stage Giro. in Sicily. Belgian Jasper Stuyven, winner This year’s race has attracted of Het Nieuwsblad at the end a only a few one-day heavy- of February, the only classic to weights, but they include the two France’s Julian Alaphilippe in action during the Men’s Elite Road have been contested before men in the best one-day form. Race in Imola, Italy, last Sunday. (Reuters) the season shut down, is also Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe focused on Flanders and is won the world championship star Marc Hirschi was third in Wallonne on Wednesday. planning his return in Ghent- last Sunday, while young Swiss the worlds and took the Fleche Two monuments have been run Wevelgem on October 11.

COMMENT Premiership Rugby to ‘review’ fi xtures aft er Sale outbreak AFP That would mean a 20-0 de- Darren Childs, chief executive health authorities involved. This miership Rugby statement came players and staff tested positive ing this killer disease. London, United Kingdom feat and potentially jeopardise of Premiership Rugby, said: “The will allow a decision to be made just an hour before the teams for Covid-19 on Thursday and “Warriors would always pre- Sale’s hopes of a top-four fi nish. health and well-being of our over the Sale Sharks v Worcester were due to be announced on have been retested as part of a fer the outcome of a match to be But Premiership chiefs said players and staff is our priority. Warriors match, and any others Saturday at midday. rigorous process that applies to decided on the pitch and will do remiership Rugby will the entire weekend programme is “More than 900 PCR Covid-19 that have been aff ected by posi- While Sale were optimistic, all clubs and which has been in so provided we are satisfi ed that conduct an “urgent re- under review following the out- screening tests were carried out tive results. Worcester were more reticent. place since before the 2019-20 all the Covid-19 protocols and view” ahead of today’s break, while the governing body on Thursday. On Friday we re- “We understand the stakes are “Warriors’ fi nal Gallagher season resumed in August. procedures have been followed top-fl ight fi xtures in says it has been made aware of ceived the results, which was fol- very high this weekend but we Premiership match of the season “The sole criterion for deciding and no health risk is posed to our PEngland after 16 Sale players positive tests at other clubs. lowed by a comprehensive contact have a responsibility to everyone against Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell whether a match can take place in players and staff . tested positive for the coronavi- Those results will be studied tracing programme at our clubs, involved with Premiership Rugby on Sunday is still the subject of the current unprecedented and “At the moment we are still rus. and may determine whether any created by those positive tests. to ensure a methodical process discussions between Premier- worrying circumstances is the awaiting confi rmation that those Sale want their crucial meet- of the matches on the fi nal week- “These results are being ana- is followed, and this cannot be ship Rugby and public health of- safety of offi cials and players and protocols and procedures can be ing with Worcester to go ahead to end of the regular season can lysed with the help of Public rushed.” fi cials,” a statement read. staff of both clubs and the risk of met to allow Sunday’s match to avoid forfeiting the game. proceed. Health England and the local Childs’ comments in a Pre- “A signifi cant number of Sale anyone contracting and spread- proceed as scheduled.”

Sunday, October 4, 2020 GULF TIMES TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT Jabeur is fi rst Arab woman to reach French Open last 16 Reuters Paris

unisia’s Ons Jabeur became the fi rst Arab woman to reach the fourth round of the TFrench Open as she beat eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(7) 2-6 6-3 yesterday. The 30th seed displayed her trademark court craft to under- mine Sabalenka’s raw power as she surpassed her previous best third round showing at Roland Garros in 2017. “She’s such an aggressive Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur (also right) in action during her French Open player. But then I had to still do third round match against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka at Roland Garros a lot of slices, drop shots, mix it in Paris yesterday. (Reuters) up. I knew that could bother her a lot. I’m so happy that my game Australia this year, re-grouped the world’s top 50 this year, said really worked today,” Jabeur, and forged 3-0 ahead in the de- the key to her win was staying who won the Roland Garros jun- ciding set.She also had points calm and weathering the storm. ior title in 2011, said. for a 4-0 lead, but Belarusian “Today was about staying Sabalenka saved three set Sabalenka upped her intensity calm, to be honest. She was points at 5-6 in the fi rst set, and the decibels to keep herself screaming, like fi ghting every then led 5-1 in tiebreak, but a in contention. point, screaming in some very series of unforced errors allowed Sabalenka saved three match important points. Especially 26-year-old Jabeur to snatch it. points at 2-5, then had a break when she got back at 6-6,” the Jabeur’s level dipped in the point in the next game. But Tunisian said. face of some fi erce Sabalenka Jabeur remained composed as “Before, maybe I gave up hitting as the second set slipped she brought up a match point too early. Even like today at 5-1 away in little over 20 minutes. and showed great touch to an- (down in the tiebreak), probably But the Tunisian, who became gle away a short forehand, then the old me would have given that the fi rst Arab woman to reach sealing the win with a fi rst serve. up. I’m progressing, I’m growing a Grand Slam quarter-fi nal in Jabeur, who made her debut in up as a person.”

FRENCH OPEN FOCUS ‘I named my cat aft er Rafa’: Korda Djokovic into last 16 purrs over Nadal ahead of last-16 duel

AFP “He’s my biggest idol. He’s Paris one of the reasons I play ten- as Altmaier stuns nis,” Korda said of Nadal. “Just watching him play, ebastian Korda devel- unbelievable competitor. Just oped such a bromance from him I have the never- with Rafael Nadal that give-up mentality. Whenever he once named his cat I’m on court, I try to be like afterS the Spanish superstar. him.” Now he gets the chance to Nadal has only ever lost 7th seed Berrettini take on the world number two twice at Roland Garros. His in an unlikely Roland Garros 95-minute, 6-1, 6-4, 6-0 last-16 duel today. demolition of Italy’s Stefano TSITSIPAS, RUBLEV, KHACHANOV THROUGH, KENIN RACES INTO FOURTH ROUND “Growing up, I named my Travaglia on Friday was his cat Rafa after him. That says 96th win at the tournament. a lot about how much I love Korda, 20, initially toyed AFP the guy,” said Korda after see- with becoming an ice hockey Paris ing off Spain’s Pedro Martinez player rather than a tennis pro 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 in Friday’s third but he caught the bug when he round. watched Radek Stepanek face ovak Djokovic demol- Korda is ranked a lowly 213 Novak Djokovic in the fourth ished Colombian lucky in the world and is making round of the 2009 US Open. loser Daniel Galan to his Paris debut having come “It was on Ashe stadium, reach the Roland Gar- through qualifying. 10:30 at night, totally packed. Nros last-16 for a record-equalling Prior to this week, he had I thought it was the coolest 11th successive year yesterday never won a match on the main thing. Went home, came back as unheralded Daniel Altmaier tour. the next year and said, This is struck another blow for the un- However, sport runs deep in exactly what I want to do. The derdogs. his DNA. His father Petr won rest is history,” he said. World number one Djokovic the Australian Open in 1998 Nadal said he was “happy to swept past 153rd-ranked Galan having been runner-up in Par- hear that” when informed that 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, his most chal- is six years earlier. Korda had named his cat after lenging moment coming when he His mother Regina Rajchr- him and that he was the Amer- helped groundstaff lay more clay tova is a former top 30 WTA ican’s idol. on the surface of Court Philippe player while sisters Nelly and “It means that I have been Chatrier after rain had made it Jessica are respectively the on the TV for such a long time, treacherous. world number two and 22 on that’s the main thing. The “I played pretty solid today, the LPGA golf rankings. same like when I was a kid, I I’m happy about that,” said Djok- Just last month, Nelly ago- was watching Sampras, Agassi, ovic, the 2016 champion who is nisingly missed out on a fi rst Carlos Moya, et cetera. chasing an 18th Grand Slam title, major of her own, losing a “I know he’s playing great. after his 71st win in Paris. play-off to Lee Mi-rim at the He’s a very young kid with a Djokovic, who has dropped ANA Inspiration in California. lot of power. I think he has an just 15 games in three rounds, “I was watching it at like amazing future - hopefully not took his 2020 record to 34 wins 12:30 in the morning in Prague. yet.” against one loss as he continues I think my heart rate at the With Nadal having dropped his bid to become the fi rst man time was 87 or something like just nine games in his last two in half a century to win all four that. I have a picture from it. I rounds, the likelihood is that Grand Slam titles twice. was just completely stressed Korda’s run in Paris will end Next up is Russian 15th seed out,” said Korda of his sister’s today. Karen Khachanov who put out near-miss. However, he has his sights Chile’s Cristian Garin. Korda is a former world jun- on future family bragging The day after world number ior number one who has mod- rights. 239 Hugo Gaston and Sebastian elled himself on Nadal, the 12- “My dad is incredibly sup- Korda, ranked at 213, made the time Roland Garros champion portive. But my goal in life is to last 16, German qualifi er Alt- who is chasing a record-equal- win two Grand Slams so I have maier kept the sport’s outsiders ling 20th major. one more than he has!” he said. in the headlines. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan during their third round French Open match in Paris yesterday. (AFP) The world number 186 stunned seventh seed Matteo Berrettini of Garros, eased past veteran South Chinese woman to reach the last Italy 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, becom- Today’s order of play African Kevin Anderson in just 16 since former champion Li Na ing just the fourth man in 20 years (Play begins at 0900 GMT, prefix number denotes seeding) 94 minutes. in 2012. to reach the round of 16 on his COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER Rublev didn’t face a break Zhang, 31, defeated French Grand Slam debut. Victory also 1-Simona Halep (Romania) v Iga Swiatek (Poland) point in his 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win as wildcard, and world number 357, means an unexpected fi nancial Sebastian Korda (U.S.) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain) he moved into the last 16 for the Clara Burel 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 and windfall for the 22-year-old who 3-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) v Caroline Garcia (France) fi rst time where he will face world will next face seventh seed Petra is guaranteed at least $221,400 Hugo Gaston (France) v 3-Dominic Thiem (Austria) number 63 Marton Fucsovics, the Kvitova who came back from 1-5 having earned $173,600 in his COURT SUZANNE LENGLEN fi rst Hungarian man in the sec- down in the fi rst set and saved entire six-year career. Martina Trevisan (Italy) v 5-Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) ond week since Balazs Taroczy in two set points to see off 18-year- Altmaier paid tribute to three- 6-Alexander Zverev (Germany) v Jannik Sinner (Italy) 1984. old Canadian Leylah Fernandez time major winner Stan Wawrin- Lorenzo Sonego (Italy) v 12-Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur became 7-5, 6-3. ka for his help when he missed COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU the fi rst Arab woman to make the Spain’s Paula Badosa, ranked virtually all of 2018 through in- Nadia Podoroska (Argentina) v Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic) last 16 with a 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 6-3 at 87, wept in her courtside chair jury. win over Belarusian eighth seed as she reached the round of 16 at “When I was watching him, he Aryna Sabalenka. a Slam for the fi rst time. always says ‘Allez, Stan.’ I copy with a right foot injury. The les Baena 6-1, 6-3 down when American fourth seed and The 2015 junior champion, him a little bit because I like to 22-year-old was on court for just he gave up due to illness. The Australian Open champion Sofi a who put out former US Open say, ‘Allez, Dan’. He has been a 80 minutes and was leading 6-1, Spaniard had shocked ninth seed Kenin eased through with a 6-2, winner Sloane Stephens in the huge reason why I’m healthy 6-2, 3-1 when Bedene called it Denis Shapovalov in the previ- 6-0 defeat of Romanian qualifi er last round, defeated 2017 cham- now.” quits. ous round but that fi ve-hour epic Irina Bara. Kenin, who defeated pion in Paris Jelena Ostapenko Greek fi fth seed Stefanos Tsit- Next up for Tsitsipas is Bul- came back to haunt him. Serena Williams in the fourth 6-4, 6-3. sipas made the fourth round for garian 18th seed Grigor Dim- Russian 13th seed Andrey Ru- round last year, will face unseed- Ostapenko was undone by 43 a second successive year when itrov who also profi ted from a blev, the champion on clay in ed French player Fiona Ferro. unforced errors and 10 double Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his third round French Open match Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene retired retirement with Roberto Carbal- Hamburg on the eve of Roland Zhang Shuai became the fi rst faults. against Italy’s Stefano Travaglia in Paris. (Reuters)