FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 RRUGBYUGBY | Page 6 Spain beat All Blacks Albania to edge Boks; qualify for fi nish series 2018 WCup unbeaten

Sunday, October 8, 2017 TENNIS Muharram 18, 1439 AH Showman Kyrgios GULF TIMES goes ‘big’ to beat starlet Zverev SPORT Page 7 FOCUS Qatar 2022 World Cup will be amazing, says Sousa Two-time Champions League winner was talking at Aspire4Sport Congress and Exhibition in London

Former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund player Paulo Sousa (right) speaks during Stars Chat at Aspire4Sport Congress and Exhibition at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday.

By A Correspondent London

wo-time UEFA Champions League winner Paulo Sousa has given support to the 2022 World Cup that will take place Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani at Aspire4Sport Congress and Exhibition inT Qatar. at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. “I had the privilege to visit Doha weeks ago and I saw all the eff orts being put Makelele emphasised the importance their experiences from years working at partnerships. into this event. I think it will be amaz- of such events in providing opportuni- the highest level of world football. Speaking at the networking event, ing in terms of infrastructure, manage- ties for people from all over the globe to Discussing the challenges faced by Andrew Burke, Account Manager ment and capacity. The conditions of learn from each other. players and managers when they move for the UK Market at Stats LLC said, the infrastructure will be fantastic, and “Football is for sharing. This Global to a new country to further their career, “We’ve been involved before with this it will be an opportunity for the Qatari Summit is a great idea as it presents an Hodgson, who has managed in Sweden, event. We truly value the event as a key team to compete with the best countries opportunity for a lot of people from a Switzerland and Italy, said, “You need partner in what we’re trying to do with in the world,” the Portuguese, who won lot of countries to share ideas. Football to be prepared to immerse yourself in Qatar and Aspire Academy overall.” the Champions League with Juventus in is diff erent in diff erent countries. At the country and attempt to learn the Stats LLC is a sports data, technol- 1996 and Borussia Dortmund in 1997, Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson (centre) speaks during Stars Chat while this Aspire Academy event we learnt a language. The fact that you’re trying ogy, statistics, and content company that said at the Aspire4Sport Congress and former Chelsea and Real Madrid player Claude Makelele (right) looks on. lot about football, diff erent people and gives people encouragement and shows works closely with the Qatar Stars League Exhibition yesterday. diff erent nationalities, so it’s a good that you want to be there.” and the Qatar Football Association. Sousa also praised Aspire Academy bring positive change, so it is an honour at yesterday’s event also heard from idea,” he said. Taking place over the last two days, Burke went on to say: “Getting access for the great work being done to pro- to share my experiences,” he said at the Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, During two Star Chats hosted by BT Aspire4Sport is an exclusive network- to speak to those top level people in their mote football in Qatar and in other two-day event, which came to a close and Chelsea and Real Madrid legend Sport Presenter Lynsey Hipgrave, Hodg- ing session that off ers European and fi eld is superb. We’ve had several meet- countries around the world. at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium Claude Makelele. son, Makelele and Sousa shared their Qatari sports industry professionals ings at the Aspire4Sport Congress & Ex- “Congratulations to Aspire Academy yesterday. Speaking at the Global Summit on perspectives on a wide range of topics the chance to engage with key deci- hibition – there are a lot of people here not only for what they are doing for Qa- Designed to shape the future of the Football Performance and Science, with football coaches and industry pro- sion-makers that are shaping the land- who could really benefi t from our servic- tar, but for the game of football. Events sports industry and spread best prac- which runs in parallel to the Aspire- fessionals. Drawing on their stellar ca- scape of the Gulf region’s sports busi- es and we’re going to get equal value from like this are great for football and help tice in athlete development, delegates 4Sport Congress and Exhibition, reers, the stars passed on advice based on ness industry, paving the way for future them, so it’s really a win-win situation.”

FORMULA 1 Hamilton hits back with ‘crazy’ Japan pole

AFP is throwing us around inside and the “I knew that we’d be on front row be- smashed into a wall, mangling his Haas Suzuka, Japan way you can throw the car around is like cause of Valtteri’s penalty so I’m pretty machine. the craziest roller-coaster ride. happy.” “I don’t know what happened,” “It’s incredible, it’s been 10 years Daniel Ricciardo was fourth fastest, barked Grosjean over team radio. “The ewis Hamilton struck a huge trying to get that pole position — 10th followed by Verstappen — putting the car just went on a massive snap.” psychological blow in the For- time lucky!” two Red Bulls on the second row. Former world champion Fernando mula One title race yesterday A three-time winner of the Japa- The Force India pair of Esteban Ocon Alonso out-qualifi ed McLaren team- with a sizzling qualifying drive nese Grand Prix, Hamilton fi red a clear and Sergio Perez start on row three with mate Stoff el Vandoorne but it mattered toL take pole position for the Japanese warning to Vettel, who realistically Bottas and the Williams of Felipe Massa little as the Spaniard will start the race Grand Prix. needs to win this weekend to revive his behind them on row four. from last after changing his engine The Briton, who leads Ferrari’s Se- fading title hopes. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen qualifi ed overnight. bastian Vettel by 34 points with fi ve “The car is a lot diff erent this week- sixth quickest, has also been demoted As a result, Vandoorne will be pro- races left, steered his Mercedes to a siz- end and a lot more enjoyable to drive,” fi ve places after switching his gearbox moted from 11th to 10th on the starting zling track record of one minute, 27.319 said Hamilton. following a shunt in Saturday’s prac- grid. seconds — a remarkable 10th pole in 16 “It’s defi nitely great when it comes tice. races this season. together like this. Naturally the Ferraris There were more hair-raising mo- JAPANESE GP QUALIFYING Valtteri Bottas clocked the second- will be rapid tomorrow but the plan is to ments in qualifying as Bottas, who RESULTS (TOP 10) best time, but Vettel will join Hamilton keep them behind.” crashed in the morning’s free practice, 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:27.319 on the front row after the Finn incurred almost lost control again early on. 2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 1:27.651 a fi ve-place grid penalty for a gearbox VETTEL BLOW “It’s been a tricky weekend,” said 3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 1:27.791 change to his Mercedes on Friday. Vettel, who fi nished fourth in Malaysia Bottas, who confessed to having a cri- 4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 1:28.306 “The car is crazy here,” said Hamil- Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (left) is congratulated for his pole position by after starting from last, set the tempo in sis of confi dence after fi nishing fi fth in 5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:28.332 ton after his 71st career pole, and fi rst at third-placed Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel (right) following the qualifying session Friday’s rain-hit practice but was well Malaysia. 6. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:28.498 Suzuka. for the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka yesterday. (AFP) off the pace in qualifying. “The incident in practice made a 7. Estéban Ocon (Force India) 1:29.111 “This track has always been one of “I tried everything on that last lap as massive diff erence.” 8. Sergio Perez (Force India) 1:29.260 the greatest and with this car it’s just champion, looking to hit back in Japan Verstappen in Malaysia last weekend. I knew I had to take a bit more risks,” Romain Grosjean provided the 9. Felipe Massa (Williams) 1:29.480 mind-blowing,” added the triple world after being stunned by Red Bull’s Max “It’s just insane speeds that this car said the German. biggest scare in qualifying when he 10. Fernando Alonso (McLaren) 1:30.687 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 8, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS Aspire completes phase one of combating malaria campaign

By A Correspondent awareness on how to combat malaria unacceptable. I would like to thank London by training community champions Aspire Academy and the Leo Messi on malaria prevention and treat- Foundation for their leadership and ment. One of the main actions of the commitment to end malaria.” n day two of the Aspire- campaign has been the distribution Over the last two years the cam- 4Sport Congress and Ex- of Leo Messi branded mosquito nets paign has reached a number of sig- hibition in London, Aspire in elementary schools across Sen- nifi cant milestones. To date, the Academy announced that egal. campaign has trained 370 commu- phaseO one of the Football Combating Speaking at the start of the nity supervisors, who have trained Malaria campaign has been com- campaign, Barcelona’s Argentine four more change agents. It has pleted. forward Messi, said, “Combat- distributed more than 70,000 Leo Phase two will soon get underway, ing Malaria through Football is a Messi branded mosquito nets in where the campaign’s ambition is to very special project to me because I more than 300 Senegalese elemen- distribute 400,000 mosquito nets know it will help save thousands of tary schools. across Senegal, including to all fi rst young lives, and I’m delighted to be The campaign has trained head grade students. involved and throw my support be- nurses on how to better follow-up Launched by Aspire Academy in hind it.” on IEC (Information, Education and 2015, in conjunction with the Leo Speaking at the Aspire4Sport Communication) activities. They have Messi Foundation, the campaign has Congress and Exhibition, Speak Up educated communities on the use of been implemented in coordination Africa president and founder Yacine essential prevention tools, which have with Speak Up Africa. Djibo said, “Although Malaria is pre- touched more than 2 million people The campaign has set out to eff ect ventable and treatable, it still kills a through home visits, talks and social Professor Valter Di Salvo, director of Football Performance and Science at Aspire Academy, speaks at the close of the Aspire Academy change across Senegal by building child every two minutes. This is mobilisation activities. Global Summit yesterday.

FORMULA 1 SPOTLIGHT Big wins for Texas, Northwestern in Hamilton one of university basketball

By Sports Reporter ing to a big victory. Doha CNA-Q made it two wins from two games when they beat Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) 56-48 in a uring the fi rst four days of the close match. the greatest ever, last week at Hamad Bin Kha- Among the women, NU-Q gave no lifa University Students’ Cen- chance to CMU-Q winning with a mas- tre in Education City, the fi rst sive 41-point margin at 47-6. In the same ‘Lewis was untouchable today. roundD of the Qatar Universities Bas- group, HBKU beat WCM-Q 17-4. ketball Cup, organised in co-operation Texas A&M posted a 24-6 victory He built up the performance with the Qatar Basketball Federation, over VCU-Q while NU-Q topped Geor- got underway. getown (GU) 21-6. level lap by lap and improved’ In the fi rst match of the tournament, Group stages of the tournament con- says Wolff College of North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA- tinue today. Q) defeated the combined team of The tournament, which will con- AFP Northwestern University-Qatar (NU- tinue until mid-November, sees seven Suzuka, Japan Mercedes boss Q) and Carnegie Mellon University- teams in both men’s and women’s Toto Wolff . Qatar (CMU-Q). In what was evenly- competition. matched tie for large parts of the game, It is the fi rst tournament since the ercedes boss Toto Wolff CNA-Q emerged a 43-37 winner. Qatar Basketball Federation and HBKU hailed Lewis Hamilton Texas A&M began their campaign signed a memorandum of understand- as one of Formula One’s with a big 66-22 win over HBKU. Texas ing for extensive co-operation in or- greatest ever drivers after A&M had absolute control over the ganisation of matches, providing ref- Mthe Briton’s record-breaking pole in game and showed superiority over the erees and medical offi cials, besides Japan yesterday. opponent throughout the game, lead- logistical support. “Lewis was untouchable today,” gushed Wolff ahead of a potentially title-defi ning race at Suzuka today. ADDING ZING “He just built up the performance level lap by lap and improved with every run. It was a day that shows why he is one of the best of all time.” The voice of boxing to Hamilton leads Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel by 34 points with fi ve races left this season and will start alongside the call out F1 title rivals German on the front row. And after powering to his fi rst-ever Reuters since the US-based company took over Suzuka pole and his 10th of the year, a London the sport in January. buzzing Hamilton promised to beat his The governing FIA had granted one- title rival to the fi rst corner. off permission, backed by all the teams, “We’ve put ourselves in the best ormula One’s American bosses for the pre-race show at the Circuit of fi ghting position,” said Hamilton after have hired boxing announcer the Americas in Austin, Texas, to start smashing the previous record set by needs a victory today to keep his title the title, predicted the F1 crown was going to be very diffi cult to beat. For- Michael Buff er to bring some 15 minutes earlier than usual on Octo- Michael Schumacher in 2006 by 1.7 hopes alive. Hamilton’s to lose. tunately I managed to do it a couple big fi ght buzz to the title tussle ber 22. seconds. He also has most to lose from a rush “At the moment everything is in his of times but his pure speed is just im- Fbetween Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian It is the second time that Liberty “Obviously it’s me and Sebastian on of blood at a fi rst corner infamous for favour,” said Hamilton’s erstwhile bit- mense.” Vettel at this month’s US Grand Prix. have succeeded in changing the tight- the front row — I wouldn’t want it any a collision between Ayrton Senna and ter rival. Wolff , meanwhile, believes Mer- Buff er’s rolling vowels and drawn- ly-scheduled programme for the only other way. Alain Prost that secured the Brazilian’s “He’s got the momentum, he’s got cedes have got the balance right after out signature call of ‘Let’s get ready to round of the championship in the Unit- “He won’t be any more aggressive second world title in 1990. the form, he’s got the car, he’s got eve- being off pace in Malaysia last week- rumble’ after introducing the contend- ed States. than I am,” insisted Hamilton, who rything going his way. end, where Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ers have become a hallmark of the big- Saturday’s qualifying session will has racked up a record 71 Formula One DIFFERENT VIEW “But it can change so quickly,” add- claimed victory. gest bouts from Las Vegas to London. start later than last year to bring the poles. “It’s going to be a diff erent view (from ed Rosberg after a stint in the com- “The swings of performance we’ve “Now is my time to introduce the session closer to a Justin Timberlake “I’ve got eight metres (advantage), I the front),” said Hamilton, denied a mentary box. seen this season prove that this is a world’s fi nest racing drivers,” Buff er, concert at the circuit. need to make sure I keep the eight me- fourth world championship last year “Lewis has had some good starts complicated science and that small 72, said in a Formula One statement The music is a big draw for families tres that I have and have a good start.” by former Mercedes team mate Nico recently so that should give him confi - factors make a big diff erence to the fi- yesterday. and younger fans, who might otherwise Vettel, promoted to the front row Rosberg. dence but it’s always an adrenalin mo- nal result,” he said. “They are the stars of the show and I have to wait around for hours in be- because of a fi ve-place grid pen- “I’ve never really had this view here. ment because he knows it can decide “Today’s result brings us another want to introduce them with the ener- tween the track action and headline act alty picked up by Valtteri Bottas for I hope I can capitalise on it.” the race.” piece of the puzzle to help our under- gy and adrenaline they deserve before that has provided a big boost to ticket switching his gearbox, realistically Rosberg, who retired after winning Rosberg added: “Lewis is always standing.” they fi re up their engines and get ready sales. to race.” Liberty want to grow the sport in Commercial managing director Sean North America, a region they have iden- CHANGES Bratches said it was all part of Liberty tifi ed as full of undeveloped potential. Media’s commitment to “build the There has been talk of adding a second entertainment factor in Formula One” US race to the calendar after 2018. Sainz to replace Palmer, Kvyat returns for Austin

Reuters sixth in Singapore. Suzuka There were only 12 fi nishers in that race, with both Ferraris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen colliding at the start. panish driver Carlos Sainz will Sainz is offi cially joining Renault replace under-performing on loan from Red Bull as part of a deal Briton Jolyon Palmer for the that allows Toro Rosso to terminate last four races of the Formula their engine contract with the French OneS season, Renault said yesterday. manufacturer and start a new partner- Sainz was due to join from Toro Ros- ship with Honda. so at the end of the year but Renault His early departure will see the re- said in a statement that the team and turn to Toro Rosso in Austin of Russian Palmer had now agreed to end their driver Daniil Kvyat, who was recently relationship by mutual agreement af- dropped to make way for French rook- ter today’s Japanese Grand Prix. ie Pierre Gasly. The remaining races are the US The Italy-based team, who have yet Grand Prix in Austin, Mexico, Brazil to fi nalise their 2018 lineup, confi rmed and Abu Dhabi. that move in a separate statement. “The Japanese Grand Prix will be Sainz, who has scored most of the my last race for Renault. It’s been an Red Bull-owned team’s points this extremely challenging season and I’ve year, thanked Toro Rosso for releasing Ferrari protege Leclerc clinches F2 title been through a lot in the last three him early and promised to do his best years, but it’s been a tremendous jour- on Sunday. Ferrari protege and Formula One prospect Charles Leclerc clinched the For- ney overall with the team,” Palmer “This would be the best possible mula Two title with three races remaining yesterday after winning at the Jerez said. send off ,” added the Spaniard, who is circuit in southern Spain. The 19-year-old Monte Carlo-born driver is a member “My immediate focus is now on set to start on the back row due to a 20 of the Ferrari academy and tipped to make his F1 race debut with Sauber next achieving the best possible result in place grid penalty for changes to his season. He has an insurmountable 68-point lead over British rival Oliver Row- the Japanese GP, and then I can assess car’s power unit. land. Leclerc had started from pole position for the eighth time this season, a my options for the future.” Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz Jr. during practice at Suzuka on Friday. (Reuters) “Competing in these last four races record for the Formula One support series that was previously known as GP2. The 26-year-old’s options would with Renault gives me a good oppor- The Monegasque is due to drive for Sauber in Friday practice at three of the appear to lie outside Formula One cancies have expressed little interest. season and has drawn a blank in all tunity to get to know the team and the last four grands prix this season. since those teams with potential va- Palmer scored just one point last but one of his races this year, fi nishing car earlier than expected.” Gulf Times Sunday, October 8, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SMOOTH SAIL SPOTLIGHT Spain shrug off US edge closer to World Cup Catalonia crisis to with rout of qualify for Russia Panama Victory opened up a five-point gap on Italy atop Group G with just one qualifier remaining after the Azzurri were held 1-1 at home by Macedonia

Christian Pulisic (10) of the United States controls the ball during his team’s final round qualifying match against Panama at Orlando City Stadium on Friday.

AFP possibility. Orlando Manager Juan Carlos Osorio sent in Carlos Vela, Oribe Peralta and Hirv- ing Lozano in the second half and Loz- ano grabbed an equalizer that energized hristian Pulisic fi red the United Mexico. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez States to a 4-0 win over Panama put the hosts ahead before Hector Her- on Friday that saw the Ameri- rera added a third goal in injury time. cans inch closer to a 2018 World In Orlando, the tension was palpable CCup berth. as Panama arrived in Orlando a point The brilliant 19-year-old scored one ahead of the United States — who had goal and made another in a sensational earned just one point from their prior early barrage that left Panama reeling. two matches. Pulisic opened the scoring on eight Arena needed his side to heap early minutes and beautifully set up strike pressure onto a Panama side who have Spain’s midfielder Isco (3L) celebrates scoring against Albania at the Jose Rico Perez stadium in Alicante on Friday. partner Jozy Altidore to make it two and been notoriously diffi cult to break down, compound a nightmare start for Pana- conceding just fi ve goals in their prior AFP the boys this week leads the way to tionship between him and the rest is who came to watch the game with her ma, who now look destined to settle for matches of the six-nation fi nal round of Alicante, Spain show what we are and what we can be one of respect,” said Rodrigo. six-year-old son. a play-off match against either Syria or qualifying. as a team. Sport is a good example.” “He is a very important player for A 25,000 strong crowd at the Es- Australia to land a World Cup place for Pulisic’s youthful, skillful exuberance Victory opened up a fi ve-point gap this national team.” tadio Jose Rico Perez in Alicante were the fi rst time in their history. proved the key to unlocking the most pain sealed their place in next on Italy atop Group G of European However, some fans were less for- soon rejoicing in cries of “I am Span- Honduras, whose match in Costa Rica miserly of backlines. year’s World Cup by rout- qualifying with just one qualifi er re- giving of Pique’s decision to continue ish” and “Viva Espana” (long live was put back a day because of adverse Bobby Wood, who was given the start ing Albania 3-0 on Friday in maining after the Azzurri were held criticising the heavy-handed policing Spain) as the hosts raced into a 3-0 weather, also remain in the hunt in the ahead of veteran Clint Dempsey, led the a match laced with political 1-1 at home by Macedonia. after joining up with the Spain squad lead inside 27 minutes. North and Central America and Carib- line with Altidore. tensionS amidst Catalonia’s drive for “We did our bit which was to win this week on social media. Valencia striker Rodrigo opened the bean region (CONCACAF). And it was the former Sunderland independence and blighted by more the game and the Italy result qualifi es “In Las Rozas (Spain’s training scoring by fi ring a rising drive into the For the Americans, however, a win striker who went close early on when his jeers for Gerard Pique. us mathematically,” added Lopetegui. ground) you no longer wear the Barca top corner from Isco’s fi ne through against bottom of the hexagonal table close range shot was charged down be- Pique made his 92nd appearance “The best (part of qualifying) has shirt, but that of the national team, ball. Isco then found the net himself Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday will fore Wood shot inches wide soon after. at international level just days after been the commitment, enthusiasm, of the country you belong to and you by smashing high past Etrit Berisha seal their ticket for an eighth consecutive Pulisic settled any US nerves with a voting in a referendum on Catalan desire, humility and passion of the retweet things against that coun- before Thiago powered home a header fi nals — and even a point should do it. brilliant display in the eighth. independence deemed illegal by the players since I arrived.” try,” said Nacho Ortiz, 23, draped in a from another debutant Alvaro Odrio- “The game in Trinidad won’t be easy but Altidore fl icked the ball on and after Spanish government and marred by a As has been common for the last Spanish fl ag outside the ground who zola’s pinpoint cross to round off a we are in a good position now,” said US the Dortmund star escaped the challenge police crackdown that left hundreds two years when representing Spain, admitted he would jeer Pique before stunning three-goal blast in 11 min- manager Bruce Arena. “It won’t be easy, of Roman Torres, and Pulisic rounded needing medical attention. Pique was met with a mixture of jeers the game. utes. it will be challenging. We faced challeng- Jaime Penedo and slid home from a tight However, the outspoken Barce- and applause as many have taken as “It is a painful subject,” said Ortiz’s Pique continued to attract atten- ing conditions in Honduras and Panama angle. lona defender and his teammates put much off ence at his outspoken jibes friend Adrian Pena. tion after the break as he fi rstly picked so we will be ready. Trinidad are out but Pulisic impressed again in the 19th, the distractions of a turbulent week at rivals Real Madrid as his political Pique has campaigned for Catalo- up a yellow card that will see him miss will be a handful.” picking up the ball on the left wing and behind them to continue their sen- stance. nia’s right to self-determination but Spain’s fi nal qualifi er against Israel on Trinidad and Tobago seized a lead fi ring in a cross that was tapped in by sational form since Julien Lopetegui Along with captain Sergio Ramos has never publicly backed independ- Monday through suspension. against Mexico in San Luis Potosi before Altidore. The outcome was sealed in the took charge thanks to goals from Rod- and Barca teammate Andres Iniesta, ence for the wealthy northeastern re- And he then applauded the crowd the regional powerhouse roared back for 43rd. Wood was tripped in the area by rigo, Isco and Thiago Alcantara. Pique has called for politicians on gion of Spain. as he was replaced by Nacho to a com- a 3-1 victory. Armando Cooper and Altidore stepped “I think it is time to start focusing both sides of the political divide to “My personal opinion is that Pique bination of whistles from some and a The result left Mexico on 21 points up and chipped the ball down the middle. on positive news in football and in the negotiate in order to avoid the shock- hasn’t said he is in favour of inde- standing ovation from others. and on course for a record haul of 24 if it Pulisic left the fi eld to an ovation in the country because there are very good ing scenes of violence that reverber- pendence. He has asked for dialogue, “For sure it spoils the party,” added can beat Honduras in San Pedro Sula on 56th — before Wood capped his industri- things”, said Lopetegui. ated around the world last weekend. that there is a binding referendum,” Duperiel. “It is a shame to mix politics Tuesday. ous night with a well-taken strike. “I think sport and the behaviour of “To me Gerard is calm, the rela- said Sofi a Duperiel, an Alicante native and sport.” Trinidad and Tobago’s Shahdon Win- “It was a bad night,” Gomez said. chester put the visitors ahead in the 66th “They were totally superior, excellent. minute. With El Tri struggling to fi nd It could have been worse — it could have BOTTOMLINE momentum it looked as if defeat was a been 10-0.” Sorry Italy condemned to World Cup play-off s UNDER-17 WORLD CUP

AFP Macedonia poured forward in the Turin second half with striker Trajkovski Germany, Iran notch picking up a cross from skipper Goran Pandev to blast past Buff on, the vet- iorgio Chiellini’s fi rst-half eran goalkeeper decked out in the new up opening wins goal was cancelled out by Azzurri blue kit with the restyled logo Aleksandar Trajkovski as for the 2018 World Cup fi nals in Rus- IANS at the FIFA U-17 World Cup here yes- Italy struggled to a 1-1 draw sia. Fotorda, Goa terday. Gagainst Macedonia in Turin on Friday, “Italy are a great side, they will get Iran are now at the top of the group. condemning the four-time champions to Russia, but you could tell they had They are on three points, the same as to the World Cup play-off s. nothing to play for, as they knew they’d oah Awuku scored a late win- Germany who edged out Costa Rica 2-1 Gian Piero Ventura’s side were be second,” said Genoa striker Pandev. ner as Germany defeated a in the other Group C match earlier on jeered off the pitch at the Stadio Ol- But the Azzurri, still in a fragile state spirited Costa Rica 2-1 in Saturday. ympico after failing to secure the three Italy’s defender Giorgio Chiellini mentally and physically after a crush- their Group C match of the The Asians however, sit at the top of points demanded against the mod- ing defeat to Spain last month, are not NFIFA U-17 World Cup at the Fatorda the group due to a better goal diff er- celebrates after scoring against est Macedonians as Spain qualifi ed as Macedonia on Friday. yet guaranteed a place in the play-off s, Stadium here yesterday. ence. Group G winners after beating Albania nor of being top seeds in the draw. Awuku scored in the 89th minute to After a goalless opening half, Al- 3-0. Italy are second in Group G behind hand the Germans a rather unconvinc- lahyar Sayyad gave Iran the lead in the Chiellini tapped in just before half- Spain with their fi nal qualifying game ing victory in the fi rst match of their 59th minute with a powerful shot from time to boost home hopes but Palermo in Albania, who are third, on Monday. campaign. outside the Guinea penalty box. striker Trajkovski came on as a sec- upset.” And the Italians toiled while at- In the group, Israel are fourth ahead Prior to that the Costa Ricans seemed Guinea suff ered a blow in the 70th ond-half substitute to equalise on 77 The result not only means Italy are tempting to break down the dogged of Macedonia and Liechtenstein. to have done enough to grab a well- minute when defender Cherif Camara minutes, leaving Italy second behind guaranteed second place behind Spain Macedonians before Chiellini — earn- Despite bringing in new blood to an earned draw with Andres Gomez’s was sent off for a foul inside the pen- Spain with one qualifying game left in but the result could have a disastrous ing his 93rd cap for Italy — found his ageing team since taking over a year (64th) second half equaliser cancelling alty box. Albania. impact on their ranking in the draw for way through fi ve minutes before the ago, Ventura’s side has been badly out a fi rst half goal from German striker Mohamed Sharifi stepped forward to “We had perhaps fooled ourselves November’s play-off s. break. hampered by injury. Jann-Fiete Arp (21st). convert the resultant penalty and dou- that we were more advanced in our “I think the whistles were deserved, The breakthrough came following a Five fi rst-choice players are absent Both teams were equally matched ble Iran’s lead. work than we really were,” said veteran even if I think in principle you should corner, as Lorenzo Insigne’s through in midfi eld — Daniele De Rossi, Marco right from the start before Arp, the Saeid Karimi piled on the misery for defender Chiellini. never jeer the national side,” said Ven- ball found Ciro Immobile and he rolled Verratti, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Claudio top scorer at this year’s European U-17 Guinea in the 90th minute by capitalis- “Once we had broken the deadlock, tura. on for Chiellini. Marchisio and Riccardo Montolivo. Championship, handed the lead to the ing on a defensive mistake to score the we should have controlled it a bit bet- Ventura gave Bologna’s Simone It was almost 1-1 moments later, af- Top striker Andrea Belotti has been Germans. third goal for Iran. ter, as Macedonia weren’t really dan- Verdi and Roberto Gagliardini of Inter ter a slack Leonardo Bonucci pass gave ruled out for a month and is also un- Meanwhile, Iran overpowered 10- Fandje Toure managed to score a gerous for 75 minutes. Milan their fi rst senior starts as Italy away possession on the edge of the certain for the play-off s on November man Guinea in a Group C encounter to consolation goal for Guinea in the sec- “We understand why the fans are struggled with injuries. box, but Chiellini forced a corner. 9 and 14. enjoy a splendid start to their campaign ond half added time. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, October 8, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT AGREEMENT Norway to pay male and female England aren’t players equally

Reuters players were told to change into Oslo their tracksuits in toilets as their kit had to be shared with under- age teams. new agreement be- “In Denmark they are still ne- a one-man show, tween Norway’s foot- gotiating and in the US things ball association and the have improved, but we might be country’s international the only country where they are playersA will lead to men and treated equally,” Halltin said. women receive the same fi nan- National team winger Caro- cial compensation for represent- line Graham Hansen took to In- ing their country, with the men stagram to thank her male col- making a fi nancial contribution leagues for their donation. says striker Kane to the women’s team. “Thank you for making this In what players’ union boss step for female athletes. For Joachim Walltin believes to be showing equality and helping us ‘We’ve all got to work together as a unit. I feel physically the fi rst deal of its kind, the Nor- all, making it a bit easier, to chase wegian FA has announced that our dreams,” she wrote alongside great, every game I expect to score so I have to keep it going’ it is almost doubling the remu- a picture of the men’s side. neration pot for the women, Walltin said the details were AFP Butland handed England from 3.1mn Norwegian crowns still to be ironed out but that it London start against Lithuania ($388,000) to a total of 6mn was likely that female players crowns. would receive a monthly sum de- London: Stoke goalkeeper Jack This includes a contribution pendent on how many national arry Kane insists he isn’t Eng- Butland will replace Joe Hart for Eng- of 550,000 crowns by the male team squads they took part in, land’s only hope of a successful land’s final World Cup qualifier against players, money they currently while the men would receive run at next year’s World Cup. Lithuania today. receive for commercial activities their money annually. Gareth Southgate’s side Hart has been England’s first-choice undertaken as part of the nation- “For the girls, it will certainly Hbooked their place at the fi nals in Russia al teams. make a diff erence,” Walltin said. goalkeeper under Gareth Southgate, with a lacklustre 1-0 win over Slovenia at but with England now qualified for the “Norway is a country where “Some of them are actually Wembley on Thursday. World Cup, Butland has been handed equal standing is very important working and studying, as well as England’s wretched display somehow the shirt for the last match of the for us, so I think it is good for the playing football, and it’s hard to ended on an upbeat note when Kane campaign. country and for the sport,” Wall- improve then.” stretched to convert Kyle Walker’s cross England beat Slovenia 1-0 at Wembley tin added. Walltin said that the improved in stoppage-time. on Thursday to wrap up qualification, Norway’s equality deal comes fi nancial conditions were only The Tottenham striker, named Eng- giving Three Lions boss Southgate at a time when the disparity be- one aspect of the deal that ap- land captain for the night, was one of the the opportunity to make changes in tween the money and conditions pealed to the female players. few players to emerge with any credit as Lithuania, with Butland among the of male and female players is a “The feeling of being really he continued his hot streak. beneficiaries. topical issue. respected is very important for Kane has followed up successive Pre- “He has been patient for his oppor- Denmark recently cancelled a them. The federation can see it mier League golden boots with a blister- tunity, his form has been good. It’s a home women’s friendly against as an investment to increase the ing run of 14 goals in nine games for club good opportunity for Jack,” Southgate Netherlands due to a dispute level of the women’s team,” he and country. said yesterday. over money, and Irish female said. He has now struck 11 times in 22 ap- “Jack was my captain at under-21 pearances for his country and looks one level. He’s an outstanding personality, of the only genuine world class talents a strong leader, so why don’t we use WC QUALIFYING available to Southgate. those qualities? But Kane is adamant England have “He’s been patient for his opportunity enough quality in other positions to help and his form is good.” him shoulder the burden in Russia. Southgate believes England, who Tau stars as SA “It isn’t down to just me, it’s down to have conceded just three goals in nine the whole team,” Kane said. qualifiers, are well served for goal- “We’ve all got to work together as a keeping options ahead of next year’s get vital victory unit. I feel physically great, every game I World Cup in Russia. expect to score so I have to keep it going. Jordan Pickford, Fraser Forster and “When you’ve got someone scoring Tom Heaton, who is currently injured, AFP left South Africa desperate for goals it helps and hopefully I can con- will all be competing for places in Soweto, South Africa maximum points.Despite the tinue that from now until then, we’ll see Southgate’s squad. win, South Africa remain bottom what happens. of Group D and needing home “But I don’t want to get too far ahead ercy Tau starred for a and away victories over Senegal of myself personally and I don’t want the into a tournament with everything on much-changed and in November to have a chance of team to get too far ahead of themselves. Harry Kane. much-improved South winning the group and qualify- “I just have to keep doing what I’m do- “We want him to be in fantastic form PAfrica in a crucial 3-1 ing. ing for club and for country and see what but we want everyone to contribute. Go- victory over Burkina Faso yester- Burkina Faso and Cape Verde happens next year. We can’t put any limit ing into the tournament we want every- day in a 2018 World Cup Africa have six points, Senegal fi ve on what we can achieve, we just have to one to have the kind of confi dence he’s zone qualifi er in Soweto. and South Africa four ahead of go there and see what happens.” showing at the minute. The diminutive winger scored a match between the Cape Ver- England defender Gary Cahill was “The fearless mentality — that’s the the fi rst goal after 48 seconds, deans and Senegalese in Praia relieved to see Kane’s latest display of way he is at the minute.” played a role in the second, and later Saturday. predatory fi nishing put a fl attering gloss After dismal early exits from Euro 2016 created the third with a cheeky A Tau header gave South Af- on his team’s spluttering display. and the World Cup three years ago, there back-heel at Soccer City sta- rica the perfect start and he later But the Chelsea star agrees with Kane is little expectation that England will do dium. South Africa won with a avoided going off side, allowing that England must get quality contribu- better this time. team showing eight changes from Themba Zwane to score, before tions from other areas for Southgate’s Even their fans seem to have given that which suff ered a shock 2-1 Sibusiso Vilakazi made it 3-0 in men to have any chance of making a sus- up after they spent most of the Slov- home defeat by Cape Verde in fi rst-half stoppage time. tained run in Russia. enia qualifi er entertaining themselves Durban last month. Surprisingly, subdued Burkina “He’s in great form and he must be by throwing paper aeroplanes onto the Back-to-back losses to Cape Faso could have been fi ve goals gushing with confi dence,” Cahill said. pitch. From the fans’ perspective, if you Verde and the annulling of a win behind before Alain Traore scored “He must feel like he’s going to score look at the last time we won anything against Senegal over match ma- a consolation goal direct from a every time he takes the pitch. Not even for England it was a long, long time. So nipulation by a Ghanaian referee free-kick on 87 minutes. one, it’s like ‘how many am I going to get naturally they don’t expect. But I’d like to today?’ He must have that kind of men- think everyone is positive and behind us,” tality. Cahill said. FOCUS “But every good team has people who “I think to go into the latter stages contribute all over the pitch. He’s been would be looked on as a success if I’m be- England’s Harry Kane during a training session yesterday. fantastic for us but you don’t want to go ing honest.” Korean scores BOTTOMLINE own-goal double in Russia friendly win

AFP “But I’m worried as we played England must build bridges too unevenly, alternating the Moscow periods of good play and the slumps. We made too many mis- im Joo-Young scored takes today. But in general I feel two own goals in two that we’ve made a step ahead.” with fans — Southgate minutes as Russia beat Alexander Kokorin had a AFP that for 20 years,” he added. KSouth Korea 4-2 in chance to put the home side London “My job, my fi rst objective, Moscow yesterday in their fi rst ahead 25 minutes in, but his low is to get the country to a World game since the Confederations shot fl ew inches past the post. Cup fi nals, then make the team Cup. Tottenham forward Son He- ollowing England’s la- as good as we possibly can and Krasnodar forward Fedor ung-Min beat the Russia defence borious qualifi cation for that’s what I intend to do.” Smolov and Lokomotiv Moscow on a breakaway and forced keep- the World Cup, manager Southgate, who confi rmed the midfi elder Alexei Miranchuk er Igor Akinfeev into a diving Gareth Southgate has Football Association are already also scored for the 2018 World save with an angled shot in the acknowledgedF there is a lack of looking at potential base camps Cup hosts, who put in a much- 33rd minute. empathy between his team and in Russia, refused to set objec- improved display after their The fi rst half looked to be the country’s football fans. tives for next year’s tournament, group-stage exit from the Con- heading to a goalless conclusion A sparse Wembley crowd saying: “I don’t know how far federations Cup in June. Kwon when Smolov broke the deadlock groaned at England’s poor foot- the team can go.” Kyung-Won and Ji Dong-Won with a header from an Alexander ball and amused themselves A lack of creativity in central struck late consolation goals for Samedov corner. with paper aeroplanes during midfi eld has been pinpointed as the visitors. After the break the visitors Thursday’s 1-0 win over Slov- one of England’s weak points. It was Russia coach Stanis- upped the tempo but Russia de- enia, which secured a place in Asked if Jack Wilshere could lav Cherchesov’s fi fth win in fended well, before defender Kim Russia for Southgate’s men. provide a solution, Southgate 13 matches since taking over in Joo-Young became the villain of While Southgate believes said the injury-prone 25-year- August, 2016 — the other four the match by scoring two own more dynamic performances England manager Gareth old would need to nail down a coming against Ghana, Romania, goals in as many minutes. will get England’s support- Southgate laughs during a place in the Arsenal fi rst team in Hungary and New Zealand. Alexei Miranchuk came off the ers back onside, he says work training session yesterday. order to be considered for selec- However, Cherchesov’s team bench to score Russia’s fourth, must also be done off the pitch tion. have also suff ered fi ve defeats before Kwon and Ji reduced the to make his multi-millionaire “We’re in a position where and were facing questions about arrears. players more relatable. You can see that we’ve got some “We’re in an era where it must dered penalty against Germany there’s no way we would dismiss their ability to compete among “Though we have been beaten “We have to keep winning good characters and personali- be diffi cult for the supporters to that denied England a place in any creative player,” said South- the elite at the World Cup — for I’m pleased that my men fought football matches. The more we ties that maybe the public don’t relate to players because of what the fi nal of the 1996 European gate, whose side conclude their which they qualifi ed automati- up to the very end today,” South can play football which excites necessarily understand fully or they earn and all of the hullaba- Championship on home soil, qualifying campaign away to cally as hosts. Korea coach Shin Tae-Young people and score goals, that will know properly. loo that is around them. Southgate joked fans “might fi nd Lithuania on Sunday. “We looked physically well said. We need to keep on working of course start to win people “We’ve tried to be as open as “But these are good kids, des- it diffi cult to fi nd much love for “But of course people have to today. And of course I’m pleased on our play... Hopefully, in the over,” Southgate told reporters. we can be. I think that’s really perate to play for England.” me”. be playing and of course have to with the result,” said Cherches- future we will be able to perform “You’re dealing with the guys. important. Best known for the squan- “I’ve managed to shoulder be playing at a good level.” ov. as good as the Russian team.” Gulf Times Sunday, October 8, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB SPOTLGIHT Curry: NBA anthem protests would be Gomes caps Indians’ ‘counter-productive’

AFP portunity to be a vessel of light Shanghai and love... by how we treat each other and what we stand for,” he said. wo-time MVP ESPN reported a week ago wild rally with Stephen Curry said that the NBA already had sent yesterday it would be a memo to teams saying play- “counter-productive” ers must stand for the anthem forT NBA players to follow their when the season opens on Oc- NFL counterparts by kneeling tober 17. in protest during the national Kevin Durant, who has bol- anthem. stered the Warrior’s quest for Scores of National Football a third title in four years by game-winning single League (NFL) players have joining the team this season, taken a knee during the an- said he would not kneel but them in defi ance of US Presi- “wouldn’t look at it as a sur- ‘The understatement of the year would be to say there was a lot going on in that game’ dent Donald Trump, who two prise” if other players did. weeks ago blasted the practice Retired Los Angeles Lakers AFP as an insult to the country. great Kobe Bryant, in a pod- Los Angeles Former NFL quarterback cast released on Wednesday Colin Kaepernick fi rst began by The Hollywood Reporter, kneeling last year to highlight said he would kneel during the he Cleveland Indians perceived unjust treatment of anthem if he was still playing. overcame a fi ve-run def- African-Americans. Trump’s tirade against NFL icit to edge the New York Curry had previously said protesters provoked an un- Yankees 9-8 in a 13-in- he would likely skip the cus- precedented show of defi ance Tning marathon to seize a 2-0 lead tomary visit by his defending two weeks ago when a large in their Major League Baseball NBA champions Golden State number of mostly black play- playoff series. Warriors to the White House ers dropped to one knee dur- Yan Gomes applied the dra- over Trump’s policies, which ing the anthem, while other matic fi nal touches with a run- prompted the president to re- players stood with arms inter- batted-in single in the bottom voke the entire team’s invita- locked. of the 13th on Friday, giving the tion in a Twitter outburst. The NBA, in its memo to Indians their biggest playoff “Anything beyond that teams reported by ESPN, said comeback in history and moving is, for me, kind of counter- the league has the discretion them to one win away from ad- productive,” Curry said when to discipline players who vio- vancing to the American League asked about the possibility of late a rule requiring that teams Championship series. anthem protests in the NBA. stand for the anthem. “I am speechless. That was Curry, whose Warriors are The memo suggested that victory right there,” a shivering in Shanghai for the second of teams make an eff ort in their Gomes said after being doused two China pre-season games fi rst home game to address with a bucket of ice-cold sports against the Minnesota Tim- the current political climate drink. “I will take it every day.” berwolves, said there are bet- by having players and coach- Game three of the best-of- ter ways, such as being active es give a pregame address to fi ve series is Sunday in New in their communities, for play- their fans. NBA commissioner York, giving the players just one ers to make their views known. Adam Silver has also said he day to recover after Friday’s ex- “At the end of the day, we expects players to stand for the tended showdown in Cleveland all as individuals have an op- anthem. that lasted more than fi ve hours. In other American League ac- tion, Carlos Correa smashed a homer and drove in four runs to power Houston over Boston 8-2, pushing the Astros to the brink of advancing to the next round. Houston seized a 2-0 lead with game three set for Sunday in Boston. In Cleveland, the Indians’ Austin Jackson led off the bot- tom of the 13th by drawing a walk from Yankees pitcher Del- lin Betances, and then stealing second base. Gomes then worked the count to 3-2, and hit a hard chopper down the third base line past in- fi elder Ronald Torreyes for the Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes (second left) is congratulated by starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (left) for his game-winning RBI-single winning run. during the 13th inning in game two of the 2017 ALDS against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports “The understatement of the year would be to say there was the sixth inning to cut it to 8-7, a two-out single to left fi eld and the sixth before Boston tacked a pair of unearned runs in the a lot going on in that game,” In- and Jay Bruce’s solo home run Correa homered to left fi eld. on a run in the ninth. sixth. dians manager Terry Francona lead off the eighth and tied it at The Red Sox responded in the Elsewhere, Anthony Rizzo had Strasburg allowed three hits said. “There was so many things 8-8. second inning when Chris Young a pair of two-out RBI hits and and struck out 10 in seven in- that happened that if we don’t Cleveland starter Corey Klu- doubled, stole third base and Kyle Hendricks pitched seven nings. do one of them, we probably ber had his worst outing of the scored on Jackie Bradley’s single scoreless innings as the reign- Kris Bryant ended Stras- lose.” year, giving up six runs in 2 2/3 up the middle, slicing the Astros’ ing World Series champion Chi- burg’s no-hit bid with an RBI Josh Tomlin, the last of eight innings. lead in half. cago Cubs beat the Washington single that scored Javier Baez, Cleveland pitchers, pitched two Indians designated hitter Ed- Houston stretched the edge Nationals 3-0 in game one of who reached on an error by third scoreless innings to get the win. win Encarnacion had to leave the to 4-1 in the third when George the National League division baseman Anthony Rendon. Gary Sanchez, Aaron Hicks game in the fi rst inning with a Springer led off with a solo hom- series. In the late game, Clayton Ker- and Greg Bird homered for the right ankle sprain. er, Alex Bregman followed with a Hendricks allowed two hits, shaw recorded the fi rst postsea- Yankees, who squandered an 8-3 double and scored on an Altuve struck out six while throwing son home win of his career as the lead. Astros dominate single to left fi eld, prompting 106 pitches. Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Behind by fi ve runs, the Indi- In Houston, the Astros Boston to replace starting pitch- Washington’s Stephen Stras- the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-5 ans got a grand slam from Fran- jumped ahead 2-0 in the fi rst in- er Drew Pomeranz. burg held the Cubs hitless for in the opening game of their cisco Lindor off Chad Green in ning when Jose Altuve smacked Houston surged ahead 8-1 in 5 2/3 innings before allowing best-of-fi ve NL series.

NHL Knights win inaugural game by rallying past Stars

AFP “For them to come and stand give you too much of a chance.” Dallas behind us shows they are a great Tyler Seguin had the lone goal organization and great people,” for Dallas. Sonny Milano scored said Vegas coach Gerard Gallant. the fi rst goal a little more than a ames Neal scored the fi rst “It is great for our franchise to minute into the new season and goal in franchise history win our fi rst game but for the sad Columbus was off and running and added the game win- thing that happened last week- to a win over New York at Na- ner for good measure as end in Vegas it helps with the tionwide Arena. theJ Vegas Golden Knights won healing a little bit.” Artemi Panarin, acquired dur- their inaugural NHL game with a A two-time NHL all-star Neal ing the close-season from the 2-1 win over Dallas on Friday. was selected by Dallas in the Chicago Blackhawks, contribut- Neal provided all the scoring 2005 NHL entry draft. He played ed three assists in his Columbus and Marc-Andre Fleury made last season with the Nashville debut and Pierre-Luc Dubois, 45 saves for the Knights, who are Predators and made the switch Cam Atkinson, Ryan Murray and the fi rst National Hockey League to Vegas after they chose him in Zach Werenski also scored for the expansion team in 17 years. the 2017 Expansion Draft. Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky, “It was one of my best nights,” Neal scored his fi rst goal with the Vezina Trophy winner last Neal said. “I was drafted by Dal- 9:33 remaining in regulation, season as the top goaltender in las and I scored my fi rst goal in when he sent a wrist shot past the NHL, posted the shutout. He this building. I found myself Kari Lehtonen, who relieved fi nished with 29 saves. starting all over again with a new Stars starting goaltender Ben Tampa Bay lost a two-goal team and a new organisation.” Bishop after Bishop was injured lead in the second period, then There was a touching moment early in the third period. pulled away with a pair in the before the game at American Neal netted the game-winner third, opening the season with Airlines arena as the Stars’ play- with 2:44 remaining when he fell a win over Florida at Amalie ers skated over to the Knights and then chipped a shot over the Arena. The Lightning got two side of the ice and stood behind top of the Dallas goaltender to goals Ondrej Palat and one each them during the playing of the make it 2-1. from Vladislav Namestnikov and American national anthem. Neal said it was nice to silence Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point Players from both teams some of the sceptics around the and Nikita Kucherov. wanted to pay their respects to league and show that the Knights the 58 people who were killed will be competitive this season. RESULTS and almost 500 injured in the “For us this is a new start,” Las Vegas 2 Dallas 1 Las Vegas concert shooting on said Neal. “When you are an ex- Tampa Bay 5 Florida 3 Vegas Golden Knights left wing James Neal scores the game winning goal against Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen during the third period at Sunday night. pansion team people tend not to Columbus 5 NY Islanders 0 the American Airlines Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Sunday, October 8, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF Hatton in control All Blacks edge South at Dunhill Links AFP Kingsbarns, United Kingdom

efending champion Tyrrell Hatton will take a command- ing fi ve-shot lead Africa to complete intoD the fi nal day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as Rory McIlroy’s frustration mounted heading to his last round of the year. Hatton, 25, didn’t drop a shot in seven-under par 65 on the Kingsbarns Links course, Tyrrell Hatton of England in unbeaten series which is one of three host action during the third round venues. The Englishman re- of the lfred Dunhill Links All Blacks finish with six wins out of six, Springboks restore pride after record humbling turns to the Old Course at Championship yesterday. St. Andrews at an impressive Reuters 18-under par, with Frenchman ies but also two bogeys and an Cape Town Gregory Bourdy, who recorded 11th hole double bogey in his a 66 at Carnoustie, in second round of 68 at Kingsbarns for place on 13-under par. Hatton an overall four-under tally. orld champions has not dropped a shot since McIlroy looked headed in miss- New Zealand held the 17th hole on Thursday and ing the third day cut when he off a spirited fi ght has since played the ensuing 37 took double-bogey at his 11th from hosts South holes in 15-under par. hole or the second hole of the WAfrica to complete their Rugby Twelve months ago, Hatton course that saw him drop to Championship campaign un- took a three-shot lead into the one-under. beaten after a 25-24 win in a fe- fi nal round and eventually won rocious physical battle at New- by four. Since winning a maid- Third round leading scores lands yesterday. en Tour title Hatton has strug- 198 - Tyrrell Hatton 68 (S), 65 Each side scored three tries gled including missing the cut (C) 65 (KB); in a thrilling spectacle as South in all four Majors of 2017. 203 - Gregory Bourdy (FRA) Africa restored some pride with It has only been in the last 70 (KB), 67 (S), 66 (C); a competitive display after be- two events before this week 205 - Paul Dunne 67 (S), 68 (C), ing beaten by a record 57-0 in that Hatton has returned to 70 (KB); New Zealand last month. New form, sharing third in the 206 - Luke Donald 70 (S), 70 Zealand’s tries came from Ryan European Masters and then (C), 66 (KB); Ross Fisher 71 (S), Crotty, Rieko Ioane and Dam- sharing eighth place a week 68 (C), 67 (KB); ian McKenzie while Ross Cronje, ago at the British Masters. 207 - Joakim Lagergren (SWE) Jean-Luc du Preez and Malcolm Bourdy capped his round with 69 (C), 67 (KB), 71 (S); Bernd Marx scored for the home side. four birdies in succession from Ritthammer (GER) 70 (KB), New Zealand led 8-3 at the his 12th hole as the 35-year old 66 (S), 71 (C); Alexander Levy break after a bruising fi rst half seeks a fi fth Tour title and a fi rst (FRA) 70 (C), 69 (KB), 68 (S); but were given a scare as Marx’s since capturing the 2013 Wales Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 79th-minute try, converted by Open. European Tour number 70 (KB), 66 (S), 71 (C); Nicolas Elton Jantjies, took the hosts to one Tommy Fleetwood slumped Colsaerts (BEL) 67 (KB), 67 (S), within a single point. from a share of the overnight 73 (C); But they held on to fi nish the lead, shooting a four-over 76 208 - Victor Dubuisson (FRA) southern hemisphere champi- also at Kingsbarns to end the 74 (C), 66 (KB), 68 (S); Robert onship with a 100 percent suc- round sharing 18th place. Rock 71 (C), 68 (KB), 69 (S); cess rate for a second successive McIlroy is now 18 holes shy Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 74 (C), year. They had already secured of ending his poorest season 67 (KB), 67 (S); Marc Warren the title for a fi fth time in six since 2008 - his fi rst full year 70 (C), 71 (KB); 67 (S); David years last week. in the pro ranks. His third Drysdale 69 (C), 67 (KB), 72 (S); The teams traded early penal- round was a mix of eight bird- Romain Wattel (FRA) 70 (C) ties before Crotty scored a fi rst try for the All Blacks, chasing on to a charge down by Beau- den Barrett and scrambling be- Duncan grabs Safeway Classic lead yond the try line to ground it. American Tyler Duncan fired a six-under par 66 to take a one- The points were awarded after shot lead at the halfway stage of the USPGA Tour’s Safeway Clas- lengthy deliberations by the Tel- sic on Friday. Duncan had an erratic second round, but an eagle evision Match Offi cial. on the ninth helped off set a string of three consecutive bogeys The fi rst half extended for at the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California. eight minutes after the hooter as Duncan, who began the day tied for first, had a two-day total of the two teams kept the ball alive, 13-under 131, a stroke ahead of defending champion Brendan looking for a score in a bruis- Steele, who shot a 67. The tournament is the opener of the 2017- ing battle of attrition. After the 18 PGA Tour schedule. Duncan began the day at the 10th. He had break, South Africa piled on the three birdies on his front nine, but then had three straight bo- pressure in the scrum and scored geys coming in, at the third, fourth and fifth. He righted himself within fi ve minutes as scrumhalf with birdies at seven and eight before an eagle at his final hole, Ross Cronje took the ball from the par-five ninth. the ruck to go over. South Africa’s Francois Louw and New Zealand’s Rieko Loane (left) vying for the ball during their Rugby Championship match yesterday. Steele had a bogey in his round, but he off set that with six bird- The conversion from Elton (Reuetrs) ies. Chesson Hadley shot the best round of the day, firing an Jantjies put South Africa 10-8 for wing Ioane to pick off an in- inside the 22 and set up substi- disjointed defensive line and saw Africa rallied in the closing stag- 11-under 61 that left him alone in third place on 133. Hadley, who up but New Zealand could have terception and outsprint the de- tute loose forward Jean-Luc Du McKenzie jink his way over. es, and Marx scored with less had lost his PGA Tour card at the end of the 2016 season, carded been quickly back ahead had fence, running 80 metres for a Preez for the try. A moment of South Africa then lost centre than two minutes remaining. 10 birdies, a bogey and an eagle to put himself in the hunt going Lima Sopoaga not missed a kick- second New Zeland try. magic again proved the catalyst Damian de Allende to a red card But a turnover as they pressed into the third round. Zac Blair with a 66 and Tony Finau after a 65 able penalty from 45 metres. But within three minutes for the All Blacks at a decisive in the last fi ve minutes for a late forward in search of an upset win were tied for fourth, two strokes behind Hadley on 135. It was a With the crowd behind them, South Africa had restored their moment in the game as a coun- tackle on Sopoaga as he went allowed the All Blacks to kick out further stroke back to Graham DeLaet of Canada and Brian Davis the Springboks surged forward two-point advantage as hooker ter-attack by David Havli, on for wide with a drop kick eff ort. the ball and claim the victory - of England, DeLaet carding a 67 and Davis a 66 for 136. to try to extend their lead, only Malcom Marx Marx took the ball only his second cap, caught out a Even down to 14 men, South and 100 percent record.

23RD GULF INCON-METABO CRICKET TOURNAMENT SPOTLIGHT Qatar Shell and QFA host clinic Metabo beat Mitra Mandal ahead of Koora Time season six By Sports Reporter runs in 19.2 overs. Javaid scored and 18 runs, respectively. Fahad and Doha Motors beat McDon- Doha 34 runs with three sixes and two of Metabo took three wickets. alds by 40 runs. By Spots Reporter boundaries, while Asif contrib- Mohsin clinched two wickets. Earlier Qatar Rugby, Hockey Doha uted 18 runs with one six. Metabo’s Asif was declared man and Cricket Federation (QRHCF) osts Metabo defeated Jhon and Ajay took three and of the match. president Yousef al-Kuwari and Mitra Mandal by 25 two wickets each. Kunal, Mani, In other matches, CCRC Gulf Incon-Metabo Senior Sales he Qatar Football Association (QFA) and runs in the opening Abhijit, Ravi and Susit claimed Warriors thrashed Engineering & Marketing Manager –Tools Qatar Shell organised a three-day coach- match of the 23rd Gulf one each. Supplies by 222 runs, QVC got & Equipment Division Sajjad ing clinic in preparation for the launch of Incon-MetaboH Cricket Tourna- In reply, Mitra Mandal could the better of Qatar Quarry by 2 Ahmed Khan inaugurated the the sixth season of ‘Koora Time’, an extra- ment at the Qatar Cricket Sports only make 122 runs in 18.4 overs. wickets, Mumbai XII beat MIC tournament. Tcurricular football programme targeted at boys Complex, Losail. Sujit scored 25 runs with one six. by fi ve wickets Al Zaman Ex- The fi nal will be played on and girls ages 7-18 years. Put into bat, Metabo made 147 Rahul and Yeshwant scored 19 change defeated CDC by 23 runs December 8. Koora Time is based on FC Barcelona Founda- tion’s FutbolNet methodology and provides chil- dren with an extra 72 hours of extra-curricular physical education per year. The seminar focused on fi ve teaching modules that address healthy living through football. Over 90 local coaches from the QFA and Qatar Wom- en’s Sports Committee, including Qatari men and women, attended the seminar. Koora Time is an award winning initiative de- veloped by Qatar Shell in partnership with Qatar Football Association. The initiative is designed to improve the health and well-being of young peo- ple in Qatar through football. Since its launch in March 2013, the programme has benefi ted over 17,500 children across Qatar. Last year’s pro- gramme saw a signifi cant reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) by 80% of participants. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. In recognition for its positive impact on the health of youth, Koora Time has been the recipi- ent of numerous awards including the 2014 & 2016 ‘Sports Industry Award’ for Best CSR Initia- tive, the 2015 ‘CSR Award Qatar’ for Best CSR Im- pact Initiative, the 2014 ‘Dar Al Sharq Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ for the Best Sports Initiative, the ‘2014 and 2016 & 2017 AFC Dream of Asia Award’ in the area of social responsibil- ity and the 2017 ‘QFA Awards’ for Best CSR Pro- Qatar Rugby, Hockey and Cricket Federation (QRHCF) president Yousef al-Kuwari inaugurates the 23rd Gulf Incon-Metabo Cricket Tournament. gramme. Gulf Times Sunday, October 8, 2017 7 TENNIS

BEIJING OPEN SPOTLIGHT Now for a fi rst Grand Slam, says Showman Kyrgios new No 1 Halep

AFP pening, so I was in tears a little Beijing bit,” she said. “Maybe fi rst time on court (to cry) nice tears... It’s the motional Simona Ha- best moment in my life and I goes ‘big’ to beat lep called it the best want just to keep it. Now to- day of her life and tar- morrow already I have just geted a maiden Grand to restart everything, to start SlamE as she surged to number again to play the same and to one in the world for the fi rst work harder. time yesterday. “And I have a few more The tearful Romanian said dreams in my career.” she had fulfi lled a dream cour- Asked by AFP what those starlet Zverev tesy of her defeat of Latvia’s were, she smiled: “I tell you Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4 one, only one: to win a Grand ‘He probably didn’t play his best today, but I thought I really served well’ and will play France’s on-form Slam, which you know.” Caroline Garcia in toay’s China Halep saw off former AFP Open fi nal. number one Maria Shara- Beijing In the men’s draw, world pova earlier this week on number one Rafael Nadal beat Beijing’s outside hard courts Grigor Dimitrov to set up a and her defeat of Ostapenko ick Kyrgios claimed tasty fi nal showdown with had a whiff of revenge - the the scalp of the hot- temperamental Australian 20-year-old won their duel in test prospect in Tennis Nick Kyrgios, who pulled off the French Open fi nal earlier in Alexander Zverev a stunning 6-3, 7-5 win over this year, depriving Halep of a Nyesterday and then said he was starlet Alexander Zverev. fi rst Grand Slam. gunning for Rafael Nadal in the Halep’s ousting of Spaniard Halep will though face a China Open fi nal. Garbine Muguruza at the top tough test in the fi nal against The 22-year-old Australian of the women’s game will be Garcia, who is chasing suc- stunned the German starlet 6-3, offi cially confi rmed on Mon- cessive titles after winning the 7-5 in a high-quality semi-fi nal day when the latest rankings Wuhan Open last weekend. on Beijing’s outside hard courts are released. The 26-year-old The unseeded Garcia de- to tee up a mouthwatering will be the fi fth woman to hold feated Czech 12th seed Petra showdown with world number the top spot this year, but the Kvitova, the two-time Wim- one Nadal. Kyrgios, ranked 19 in fi rst Romanian in the history bledon champion, 6-3, 7-5. the world, has not always done of the WTA. Halep’s ascension to the top his talent justice and a year ago She smiled broadly, then brings Muguruza’s four-week was suspended for his conduct cried and was presented with reign as number one to an end, in a defeat to Zverev’s older a fl ower arrangement in the while the others who held the brother Mischa in Shanghai. fi gure “1” -which she hugged honour in 2017 are Angelique But Kyrgios showed his best tightly - to celebrate the land- Kerber, Serena Williams and side for a Beijing crowd that mark moment. Karolina Pliskova. lapped up his fearsome shot- “My dream is true now, in The outstanding Williams is making and showmanship. that moment you cannot be- temporarily out of tennis after “It was a tough match, he’s lieve 100 percent that it’s hap- having her fi rst child. one of the best players in the Nick Kyrgios of Australia serves during world right now,” Kyrgios said his semi-fi nal against Alexander Zverev of his vanquished opponent, of Germany at the China Open in Beijing ranked four in the world. yesterday. (AFP) “He has a massive future ahead and I’m really good friends with him so it’s always fun play- ing him. At the same time, I know we both want to win and We’re not 20 years old any more, says Nadal I’m just really happy with the World number one Rafael Nadal re- ‘Beijing pollution gave me headaches’ way I played today.” sponded to a simmering debate about the hina Open semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov It was the third time in four amount of tennis the top stars play, saying: said Saturday he suff ered a headache and meetings this season that Kyr- “We are not 20 years old any more.” cough during several “terrible” days in gios has come out on top. The 31-year-old Spaniard reached the final notoriously polluted Beijing. “He probably didn’t play his of the China Open on Saturday, seeing off The 26-year-old Bulgarian exited the tour- best today, but I thought I really Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in three sets. nament in three sets to world number one served well and didn’t give him Despite his advancing years Nadal is enjoy- Rafael Nadal, on a day when the outside much rhythm,” said Kyrgios, ing a stellar season following a catalogue hard court in the Chinese capital appeared who is going after his fourth ATP of injuries in previous seasons, winning five shrouded in smog. title, but fi rst this year. titles including the US Open and French “I think the toughest part is when you “My game plan today was I Open. come from Europe, and the first three days was going to play big and not But many of his rivals are suff ering injury is not easy,” he said following his defeat, let him dictate at all, and that’s or fatigue as the season approaches its cli- asked if he feared for his health playing in what happened.” max, with Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, the conditions. Earlier Nadal defeated Bul- China Open defending champion Andy “But, I mean, what can you do about it? If garian Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, Murray and Japanese star Kei Nishikori all you think about it, there’s not much you 4-6, 6-1 in semi-fi nals to reach missing. can do. I just know the feeling: the first his ninth fi nal of the year. The However, the oldest of the lot, Roger three days are absolutely terrible I think top-seeded Spaniard took con- Federer, is set to compete in Shanghai for everybody. A bit of a headache, we’re trol from the start, winning 13 next week and Nadal refused to add his coughing a little bit. consecutive points on his own powerful voice to those demanding fewer “The first match, the first set, was a little bit serve and breaking Dimitrov to tournaments. of a test for that, just to kind of see where seal the fi rst set in 35 minutes. “When I have been in that position (in- I’m at.” Nadal led the second 3-1 but jured), I don’t remember the people talking “It is true that the calendar is tough, but at The world number eight said he attempted world number eight Dimitrov that much about these things,” Nadal said the same time it is true that Federer has 36 to “sweat it out” soon after landing in Bei- fought back to level at 4-4 be- after defeating the 26-year-old Dimitrov in years, I think, I have 31, Novak 30, Andy 30, jing, which is frequently blighted by heavy fore clinching the set. their semi-final. Nishikori, I don’t know, 27. smog. China is waging a “war on pollution” Bulgarian Dimitrov’s eye- “The problem now is there is a couple of “It is normal that at some point these kind and says it is committed to improving the catching shots were not enough players (injured), it’s a coincidence, first of players that are playing a lot of matches air in the capital and other cities after rapid Simona Halep of Romania celebrates after being presented with a to overcome the 31-year-old, thing. Second thing, we cannot forget that and a lot of years in a row, at some point urbanisation brought traff ic congestion, bouquet in the shape of the number ‘1’, after taking the top however, and Nadal broke serve we are not 20 years old any more. they have some problems.” pollution and sprawl. ranking by winning her semi-final against Jelena Ostapenko of three times in the deciding set. Latvia at the China Open in Beijing yesterday. (AFP)

JAPAN OPEN Mannarino upsets Cilic, to face Goffi n in fi nal

Reuters set but Mannarino fought back Belgian Goffi n served for the Tokyo to force a tiebreak, which the match in the 10th game of the Frenchman led 4-2 before losing second set but a forehand error fi ve of the next six points. enabled Schwartzman to break nseeded Frenchman Mannarino took advantage of back and force another tiebreak. Adrian Mannarino up- Cilic’s weaker backhand to take a Goffi n sealed victory on his set top seed Marin Cilic 5-3 lead and although he lost his second match point to extend his 6-7(5) 6-4 6-0 in the Ja- next service game, the 29-year- winning streak to eight matches Upan Open semi-fi nals yesterday to old broke the Croatian’s serve to after his Shenzhen Open tri- reach his fi rst ATP 500 fi nal. win the second set. Mannarino umph last week. Mannarino, 29, will face won seven straight games to beat He moved up to 10th in the fourth seed David Goffi n after world number fi ve Cilic and se- Race to London rankings and is the in-form Belgian eked out a cure his fi rst win over a player still in contention for a place in 7-6(3) 7-6(6) victory over Ar- ranked in the world’s top fi ve. the eight-man season-ending gentina’s Diego Schwartzman in “I wouldn’t say that I am dis- tournament. the fi rst semi-fi nal. appointed, I played quite solid,” “Today was a tough match, I “It was a very tough match said Cilic. knew it would be a match with a as Marin was playing well and “I just didn’t serve as well as lot of rallies,” said Goffi n. putting me under a lot of pres- in previous days, I wasn’t getting “I knew that Diego would be sure,” said Mannarino. as many free points and ended very solid from the baseline, so “Although the third set was up having to play long rallies. I needed to be solid and aggres- 6-0, it wasn’t easy. I tried to fi ght Adrian played really well, strik- sive too, sometimes fi nishing every point and that was diffi - ing cleanly from the baseline and at the net. I think I served well cult against such a good server. I was tricky to open up. throughout the match, maybe didn’t miss that much today, my :In the last set-and-a-half, he not towards the end, but I’m forehand and backhand were re- didn’t miss a lot and attacked a happy to win in two sets. It was ally good, and consistent. For a lot. I couldn’t fi nd my rhythm on a great match, when we both set and a half, he took advantage, serve,” he said. played our best tennis,” he said. then he started to miss more. Goffi n and Schwartzman both “Mannarino is improving this From the middle of the second saved break points as the fi rst set year, he has won a lot of matches set, I felt more confi dent on his went to a tiebreak and with the and has a lot of confi dence. service games,” he said. score tied at 4-4, the eighth- “He is using his lefty serve ef- In a fi ercely-contested match, seeded Schwartzman made fectively, which can be tricky to Cilic’s powerful groundstrokes three straight errors to gift his return. He’s playing well, so it gave him a 5-3 lead in the fi rst opponent the set. will be tough.” Adrian Mannarino of France reacts after defeating Marin Cilic of Croatia during their singles semi-final of the Japan Open in Tokyo yesterday.(AFP)

Sunday, October 8, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

Qatar sailors shine in Kuwait BANGLADESH’S TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA Rabada takes SA to brink of series victory

AFP Bloemfontein, South Africa

outh Africa’s fast bowl- ers ripped through Bang- ladesh’s batting as the home side gained a mas- siveS 426-run fi rst innings lead on the second day of the second and fi nal Test at Mangaung Oval yes- terday. Bangladesh were bowled out for 147 in reply to South Af- rica’s 573 for four declared. The hosts enforced the follow- on and Bangladesh were seven South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada. for no wicket when bad light stopped play. T. Bavuma c Das b Roy 7 Kagiso Rabada took fi ve for 33 F. du Plessis not out 135 and new ball partner Duanne Ol- Q. de Kock not out 28 ivier claimed three for 40. Extras (b4, lb2, nb1, w8) 15 Only wicketkeeper Liton Das, Total (4 wkts decl, 120 overs) 573 with a career-best 70, off ered Fall of wickets: 1-243 (Elgar), prolonged resistance to the pace 2-276 (Markram), 3-288 (Bavu- barrage as the gulf between the ma), 4-535 (Amla) sides in South African conditions Bowling: M. Rahman 25-3-113-0 Qatar’s Abdulrahman al-Nasr and Faris Bakri won gold in the Kuwait International Sailing Championship at the Kuwaiti Marine Sports Club yesterday. Al-Nasr participated was ruthlessly exposed. (1nb, 2w), Roy 29-3-118-3 (1w), in Laser 4.7 event, while Bakri was in the Laser Radial event. Bangladesh’s dismal show- Hossain 22-1-113-1 (1w), Sarkar ing was in stark contrast to the 5-0-21-0, Islam 27-0-145-0, ease with which South Africa’s Mahmudullah 9-2-35-0, Haque batsmen dominated the visiting 1-0-6-0, S. Rahman 2-0-16-0 CRICKET bowlers. Hashim Amla and captain Faf BANGLADESH 1st inns du Plessis completed centuries I. Kayes c De Kock b Rabada 26 before South Africa declared. S. Sarkar b Rabada 9 Amla (132) and Du Plessis (135 M. Haque c De Kock b Olivier 4 not out) became the third and M. Rahim c Bavuma b Olivier 7 fourth centurions of the innings. Mahmudullah c De Kock b Parnell 4 They joined Dean Elgar and Aid- L. Das c Du Plessis b Rabada 70 en Markram, who made centu- S. Rahman c Parnell b Rabada 0 Pakistan fi ght as ries on the fi rst day. T. Islam b Olivier 12 Amla’s 28th Test hundred took R. Hossain b Rabada 10 him past former captain Graeme M. Rahman c Markram b Maharaj 0 Smith on South Africa’s all-time S. Roy not out 2 century-makers list, behind only Extras (lb3) 3 Jacques Kallis, who made 45. Total (all out, 42.5 overs) 147 The only previous occasion on Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Sarkar), 2-26 which South Africa scored four (Haque), 3-36 (Rahim), 4-49 (Mah- Karunaratne lift s centuries in an innings was against mudullah), 5-61 (Kayes), 6-65 the West Indies in a high-scoring (S. Rahman), 7-115 (Islam), 8-143 draw in St John’s in 2004/05. (Das), 9-143 (M. Rahman) Karunaratne misses double hundred Du Plessis hit his seventh Test Bowling: Rabada 13.5-4-33-5, century – his fi rst in 19 innings Olivier 12-3-40-3, Parnell 7-1-36-1, by four runs but lifts Sri Lanka to an going back to a day-night Test Maharaj 5-2-7-1, Phehlukwayo against Australia in Adelaide in 5-1-28-0 imposing 482; Pakistan 51-0 at stumps November 2016. Sri Lanka BANGLADESH 2nd inns SCORECARD I. Kayes not out 6 AFP SOUTH AFRICA 1st inn (o/n S. Sarkar not out 1 Dubai 428-3) Extras 0 D. Elgar c M. Rahman b Roy 113 Total (0 wkts, 1.2 overs) 7 A. Markram b Hossain 143 Bowling: Rabada 1-0-6-0, Olivier ri Lankan opener Dimuth Karu- H. Amla b Roy 132 0.2-0-1-0 naratne hit a career best 196 which left Pakistan fi ghting to avoid defeat in the second day- SPOTLIGHT nightS Test in Dubai yesterday. Karunaratne missed a double hundred by four runs but lifted Sri Lanka to an imposing 482 in their fi rst innings before Yadav inspires India Pakistan fi nished the second day at 51-0, still trailing by 431 runs. Openers Sami Aslam (30 not out) and to win in rain-hit T20 Shan Masood (15 not out) negotiated the 18 overs under light without any ma- AFP jor trouble but Pakistan still need 231 to Ranchi, India avoid the follow on. That leaves Pakistan in a spot of bother to square the series after losing the fi rst pinner Kuldeep Yadav Test by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi and, more led an inspired bowl- importantly, save their seven-year un- ing eff ort to help India beaten series record in the United Arab down Australia by nine Emirates. wicketsS in the rain-shortened It was another brilliant display by the fi rst Twenty20 international in Sri Lankan batsmen led by left-hander Ranchi yesterday. Karunaratne. Chasing a revised target of Karunaratne deserved a double hun- 48 runs in six overs, the hosts dred during a marathon nine hour stay achieved the win with three balls at the crease but he was unluckily dis- to spare. Opener Shikhar Dha- missed, playing onto leg-spinner Yasir Dimuth Karunaratne of Sri Lanka plays a shot on second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai yesterday. (AFP) wan, on 15, and skipper Virat Shah just before dinner. Kohli, on 22, remained unbeaten. allowed the opposition batsmen Karunaratne hit 19 boundaries and a the fi fth between him and Niroshan Dick- ended the innings by dismissing Nuwan N. Pradeep c Shafiq b Shah 0 But it was left-arm wrist spin- to get going after being put into six, improving on his previous best Test wella, who made a rapid 52. Pradeep for nought. Extras (b1, lb 3, nb 5, w 3) 12 ner Yadav who set up India’s 1-0 bat. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah score of 186 made against the West Indies As if that was not enough, Karu- Pakistan’s miseries were compounded Total (all out; 159.2 overs) 482 lead in the three-match series backed up Yadav’s eff orts with at Galle two years ago. naratne put on 59 for the sixth wicket in the morning when pace spearhead Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Silva), 2-131 (Sa- as he returned fi gures of 2-16 to two strikes. When on 143 he brought up his 3,000th with Dilruwan Perera, who scored a Mohamed Amir walked off the eldfi af- marawickrama), 3-136 (Mendis), 4-282 restrict Australia to 118-8 in 18.4 “Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) run in his 44th Test, the 12th Sri Lankan polished 58. ter a recurring shin injury sustained late (Chandimal), 5-370 (Dickwella), 6-429 overs when rain halted play. and Bumrah have been brilliant to reach that milestone. Resuming at 254-3, Sri Lanka lost on Friday. He managed to bowl just three (Karunaratne), 7-454 (Perera), 8-469 (Lak- “It has been a combined eff ort in limited-overs lately. You need Shah took 6-184 in a marathon 55.5 Chandimal to a leg before decision off overs in the day. mal), 9-474 (Gamage) of the players. But also the man- to be able to execute yorkers and overs of hard work and toil on a fl at Du- Shah. Chandimal knocked six bound- Bowling: Amir 19.3-5-74-1, Abbas 33-9- agement group who have given slower balls and you need skill,” bai stadium pitch. His haul makes him aries in another enterprising knock SCORECARD 100-2 (1nb), Riaz 26-6-62-1 (4nb), Shah great ideas in getting specialist said Kohli. the only spinner ever to take fi ve or more which followed his unbeaten 155 in the SRI LANKA 1st inns (o/n 254-3) 55.5-9-184-6, Shafiq 11-1-24-0 (3w), Sohail players for formats,” Kohli said at Warner was out in the fi rst wickets in fi ve consecutive Tests. first Test. D. Karunaratne b Shah 196 14-3-34-0 the post-match presentation. over after chopping a seaming England’s Sydney Barnes holds the Dickwella’s assured knock had fi ve K. Silva c Ahmed b Shah 27 “Giving the youngsters chanc- delivery from Kumar onto his record for most consecutive fi ve wicket boundaries before he edged pacer Mo- S. Samarawickrama c and b Amir 38 PAKISTAN 1st inns es... Wrist spinners if you give stumps. He made eight with the hauls with seven in as many Tests. Aus- hamed Abbas to wicketkeeper Sarfraz K. Mendis c Shafiq b Shah 1 S. Masood not out 15 them confi dence, they will get help of two boundaries. tralia’s Charlie Turner and Englishman Ahmed while Perera smashed seven D. Chandimal lbw b Shah 62 S. Aslam not out 30 hit for one game but fi ve games Finch then put together a 47- Alec Bedser had six consecutive fi ve- boundaries before becoming Shah’s fi fth N. Dickwella c Ahmed b Abbas 52 Extras (b4, lb2) 6 they will get you wickets and run second-wicket stand with fours — but all three were fast bowlers. wicket — his 13th fi ve wicket haul in 28 D. Perera b Shah 58 Total (for no loss; 18 overs) 51 turn the game around on its Glenn Maxwell to raise hopes of Karunaratne added 146 with skipper Tests. R. Herath not out 27 Bowling: Lakmal 5-2-11-0, Pradeep 2-0-7- head,” he added. an Australian recovery but spin- Dinesh Chandimal (62) for the fourth Abbas then had Suranga Lakmal for S. Lakmal lbw b Abbas 8 0, Gamage 5-1-11-0, Perera 4-1-15-0, Herath Opener Aaron Finch’s 30-ball ners soon turned on the heat. wicket before another 88 were put on for eight to fi nish with 2-100 while Shah L. Gamage st Ahmed b Shah 1 2-1-1-0 42 was the only bright spark for Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Cha- the David Warner-led side. Aus- hal got Maxwell for 17 and Yadav tralia were jolted ahead of the bowled Finch in the 10th over to clash with regular regular skip- rattle the visitors’ top order. Injured Aussie captain Smith leaves India tour Unfi t Amir ruled out of Sri Lanka ODI series per Steve Smith forced out of the Bowlers kept coming on to get series with a shoulder injury. wickets at regular intervals to Australian captain Steve Smith yes- during the fifth ODI against India last Pakistan’s pace spearhead Mohamed weeks rest after he underwent an MRI In reply, the hosts lost Rohit fl atten the Australian batting. terday left his country’s tour of India Sunday,” the team doctor Richard Saw Amir was ruled out of the five-match scan,” said a PCB release. Amir walked Sharma early after the opener was “At the end of the day, it’s a because of a shoulder injury, the team said in a statement. one-day series against Sri Lanka after off the field on Friday during the first bowled by paceman Nathan Coul- poor result for us. We have to be announced. The 28-year-old batsman’s “Subsequently he has had an MRI scan suff ering a shin injury during the ongo- day’s play in the second Test, but was ter-Nile for 11. He hit a four and a better next game,” said a disap- injury is a new blow to Australia as they which has excluded serious injury, but ing second Test in Dubai yesterday. cleared to bowl yesterday. He managed six during his seven-ball stay. pointed Warner. lost the one-day series in India and are we believe the best course of action is Pakistan Cricket Board said the 25-year- to bowl just three overs though, 19.3 in The left-right batting combi- The second T20 is scheduled preparing for a key Ashes series against for him to not continue to aggravate his old had an MRI scan, after which he was the match, before once again limping nation of Dhawan and Kohli then on Tuesday in Guwahati. England in two months. shoulder and allow it to recover.” advised to rest for two to three weeks. off the field. Pakistan were 51-0 without took the attack to the opposition They play their first T20 against the Australia said all-rounder Marcus “Amir has been ruled out of the ODI loss after Sri Lanka piled up 482 in their as they hit six boundaries be- BRIEF SCORES: Australia 118 for Indians in Ranchi on Saturday. Stoinis will take Smith’s place in the T20 series against Sri Lanka due to a stress first innings. The tourists lead the series tween them to ensure a big win. 8 (Finch 42; Yadav 2-16, Bumrah “Smith landed awkwardly on his right squad for the three-match series and related injury in the right shin. The fast 1-0. Amir will be replaced by another 2-17) lost to India 49 for 1 (Kohli shoulder whilst diving in the field David Warner will captain the side. bowler has been advised two to three left-arm paceman, Usman Shinwari. ‘BETTER NEXT GAME’ 22 not out) by nine wickets via Earlier the Indian bowlers never DLS method