RRUGBYUGBY | Page 4 HHORSEORSE RRACINGACING | Page 5 Ireland shrug Al Rabban off red card to Racing’s Shadn hand Samoa wins Group 2 47-5 thrashing in France

Sunday, October 13, 2019 Safar 14, 1441 AH England lose to Czechs GULF TIMES in Euro qualifi ers; Ronaldo nears 700 goals Page 7

ANOC WORLD BEACH GAMES Qatar in quarters with unbeaten streak Hosts pick up 2-0 victories over Uruguay and Tunisia on Day 2; Denmark pull off upset of world champions Brazil day. On the fi rst day, Qatar man- DENMARK UPSETS BRAZIL aged to beat strong European Before falling to Denmark, Brazil rivals Croatia and Hungary in had equalised the tournament’s shoot-outs. Croatia too qualifi ed scoring record, registering 27 from Group B. points in the fi rst set against Aus- Qatar will play Spain, who lost tralia. The record was originally to 2018 world champion bronze set by Denmark (vs the USA) on medallist Hungary in straight Day 1 of the competition. sets 2-2 (20-21, 16-19), in the last The United States managed group match at 11.30am today. to grab one win against Oman “Right now our focus is on to- — 2-0 (20-15, 16-12) — but they morrow’s Spain match, our last were defeated by Sweden 2-0 group match. Spain is a good (23-18, 19-18). team, but they are coming with a As for Australia, after they loss in their last game and hope- were demolished by Brazil, they fully we will keep the winning bounced back to defeat Oman 2-1 momentum going before the (18-19, 20-14, 7-6) in the shoot- quarter-fi nals,” he said. out.

“As we are already in the quar- In the women’s bracket, Bra- ter-fi nals we have to plan our zil faced no troubles and re- strategy diff erently according mained unbeaten in preliminary our opponents,” he said. group A. In the other matches of the Argentina and Denmark also Qatar’s Kakhi Hani (third from right) in action during the men’s Group A match against Uruguay at Al Gharafa Complex yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma day, Denmark advanced to the punched their tickets for the next round after causing a major quarter-fi nals. Greece and Spain By Yash Mudgal Complex. guay in the morning and later I am satisfi ed with the progress,” and right winger Mustafa Al- upset, handing Brazil a 2-0 loss advanced from preliminary Doha Asian champions Qatar had an fi nished the day with 2-0 (18-12, Qatar coach Khaled Hasan told saltialkrad were their main scor- in their men’s Group A match. group B, after getting their fourth easy outing yesterday as com- 18-14) win over Tunisia. Gulf Times after the match ers. The loss was the only one in the straight win in as many matches pared to the opening day, de- “Yes, I am very pleased with against Tunisia. For Tunisia, left winger Ahmed preliminary round for the world yesterday morning. atar continued their feating Uruguay and Tunisia in our performance. I was not ex- Hero of the Qatar’s shoot-out Safar’s shots were on target 80 champions, which meant they Reigning world champions impressive run in the straight sets to remain the only pecting to win both the matches win on the fi rst day, goalkeeper percent of the time as he scored had gone through too. Greece managed to survive the ANOC World Beach unbeaten team after the second on the fi rst day. Boys are combin- Rasheeed Yusuf, was again in four times out of fi ve attempts. Sweden too reached the next big scare Vietnam gave them 2-0 Games handball as day of the Group ‘B’ matches. ing very well and they are playing good form as he saved nine shots The handball schedule during round, despite a breezy Danish (24-22, 16-15) and continued Qhosts entered quarter-fi nals yes- Qatar started the day with 2-0 like a team. It is always tough to out of 20 attempts on the goal. the Games is very heavy as each 2-0 win in a Scandinavian clas- with another hard-fought shoot- terday at the Al Gharafa Sports (19-18, 22-18) victory over Uru- play two big matches in a day, but Qatar defender Morgan Ahmed team has to play two games in a sic. out victory against Poland.

BEACH Younousse guides Qatar to opening victory

By Yash Mudgal dana as the hosts were scrappy. won in three sets. momentum. We are confi dent Doha In the second set, the hosts “Each match is going to be of good show in the coming bounced back to clinch it eas- tough. It is a new format and matches and hope to perform ily, before closing it out in the new experience. We’re ad- as per the expectations,” Indo- herif Younousse guid- tie-breaker. justing and will try to improve nesia coach Bambang Eko Su- ed Qatar to register a “The Indonesians played the in next matches,” the former hartawan said. come-from-behind fi rst set very fast and it hardly world champion from Argen- Rendy Licrdo was the top victory over Indonesia gave us time to think and come tina added. scorer for Indonesia with 13 inC their fi rst match of the beach up with the right plan. We just Qatar star Ahmed Tijan had points. 4x4 volleyball campaign in the let them play their game but in to sit out the match because of In the huge upset on the fi rst ANOC World Beach Games at the second, we started to fi nd a knee injury. day, USA men’s team, consist- Al Gharafa Complex yesterday. our rhythm and went on to pull The 4x4 ing of full-time pros, including With the crowd cheering for off the fi rst victory,” Younousse tournament at the Games is a beach volleyball veteran and home team, Younousse con- said. fi rst ever of its kind sanctioned Olympian Casey Patterson, tributed 15 points to emerge the Qatar coach Mariano Ba- by the FIVB, the sport’s inter- lost 1-2 to German teenagers top-scorer of the match as Qa- racetti was also pleased with national governing body. The playing in their fi rst interna- tar won 2-1 (16-21, 21-14, 15-4). his team’s good beginning in tournament features an eclec- tional match. After trading “The fi rst match is always the games. tic mix of pro players and top- the fi rst two sets, the Germans diffi cult. Now we have won it “It is a very good beginning level amateurs from around the edged out the USA 15-13 in the and the butterfl ies are gone. for us. We knew that Indone- world, and for many players, it decider. We are in a tough group hav- sia have good players, good was their fi rst exposure to the In the other Pool B game, ing been clubbed with the USA, technique and good physical four-player format. With six Australia dominated through- Germany and Indonesia. We’re conditions. But we didn’t know players per team, 4x4 is played out the two sets against Chile relaxed to fi nish the fi rst match about their level as a team,” Ba- very much like Olympic beach and after 33 minutes of play with victory and we’re ready racetti said after the match. volleyball. emerged with a 2-0 (21-14, 21- for the next games,” 24-year- “Of course, we know how to “It was a tough beginning 17) victory. Maximillian Gue- old Younousse said after the play as a team. Ball by ball, we for us. We knew Qatar is a good hrer was the top scorer with a match. were trying to fi nd solutions. team but the format is new for total of seven points for them. In the fi rst set, the Indone- We knew that Indonesia’s both the teams. It takes time to A very young Poland side reg- sians maintained a two-point Rendy Licrdo is an important adjust in the 4x4 format. We istered a 2-0 (23-21, 24-22) lead most of the time and later player for them. We neutralised knew Qatar is an experienced victory over Mozambique. The in the second half of the set him by serving on him. This team and they have some very 19-year-old Mikolaj Miszczuk, broke away with an impressive move worked well for us and good players. My boys played the oldest player on the Polish run and closed it off with a big from the second set onwards, well in the fi rst set, but later squad, led the scorers with 16 Qatar’s Cherif Younousse (left) in action during the beach 4x4 volleyball match against Indonesia in ANOC World block by defender Ketut Ar- we controlled the match and they failed to maintain the points. Beach Games at Al Gharafa Sports Complex yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 13, 2019 ANOC WORLD BEACH GAMES

SPOTLIGHT WOMEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL Tiny Vanuatu send mighty Canada Beach tennis has crashing to defeat

By Sports Reporter a landslide 2-0 (21-7, 21-10) vic- Doha tory. Fernanda Berti Alves top- scored with nine points. “It’s ac- tually my fi rst time playing 4x4,” Fernanda said after the game. a good future, say anuatu caused a major “I had a lot of fun, because the upset in 4x4 beach vol- other girls from Brazil are nor- leyball with a stunning mally my opponents, but now straight-set victory we play together. We tried to fi nd overV fancied Canada in a Pool B ourselves on the court, because match at the ANOC World Beach it’s too many people; we are not Games. used to that, but that’s OK. We At the Al Gharafa Sports Club, have a good energy and good Qatar players the tiny Pacifi c island nation’s communication and that makes team stood up to the squad from everything easier,” she added. the mighty North American Brazil are certainly the team ‘Hopefully in the future we will see more Qatari players in these tournaments’ powerhouse to deliver a sensa- to watch in the women’s com- tional 2-0 (21-18, 21-19) upset. petition. Their stellar line- Canada’s Camille Saxton, who up includes several multiple won two gold medals on the 2017 World Tour medallists, such World Tour, was the top scorer of as 36-year-old legend Juliana the match with 12 points, while Felisberta Da Silva, an Olym- Sherysyn Toko tallied 10 for the pic bronze medallist at London winners. Both the sets were ex- 2012 and a recent gold medallist tremely close but Vanuatu held on the Snow Volleyball World their nerves to close out the Tour, Barbara Seixas De Freitas, match. Olympic silver medallist from “We were under a little bit of Rio 2016, Rebecca Cavalcanti pressure and the weather is very Barbosa Silva, member of the hot, but we tried our best to win No. 3 team in the current FIVB this match. We surprised our- World Ranking, Fernanda Alves selves, because we come from a and Carolina Horta Maximo, as small island in the Pacifi c, which well as 2013 U19 world cham- people don’t know about, and we pion Taina Silva Bigi, also a gold are very happy, because we know medallist on the Snow Volleyball that Canada is very strong,” said World Tour. Toko after the match. In the other Pool A game, “We had heard about the United States scored an 2-0 (21- World Beach Games, so we were 18, 21-15) win over Czech Repub- very happy to get a wild card. lic. Me, I play a lot of tournaments Towards the end of the fi rst set and World Tours. For some of the Czechs fought back to almost our players it was their fi rst time wipe out the lead of the Ameri- travelling. We’re very glad that cans and get back to within one our juniors are coming up and point, but USA took the next two some of them can participate in rallies to close the set. this tournament. For Majabelle In the second, they continued Lawac it is her fi rst international to dominate with Geena Urango match. She plays indoors and she hammering the closing point plays strong,” she added. with an ace. Meanwhile, Brazil registered US have a strong team in Doha, the fi rst ever match victory in with two-time silver medallists an FIVB-sanctioned beach vol- on the FIVB Snow Volleyball leyball 4x4 game. To no surprise, World Tour Karissa Cook, Emily the star-studded Brazilian squad Hartong, Katherine Spieler and took only 28 minutes to over- Alexandra Wheeler forming the come the resistance of their fi rst team. Pool A opponent, Nigeria. In another Group B match, The South American giants Australia eased past Gambia 2-0 left no doubts over their superi- (21-11, 21-17) in just under 30 ority on the sand and cruised to minutes. Qatar’s Sultan al-Alawi and Mubaraka al-Naimi react during their mixed doubles match against Japan’s Naoaki Yamamoto and Erina Otsuka yesterday at Katara Beach. At bottom, Mubaraka stretches to meet the ball. PICTURES: Angelos Zymaras / Laurel Photo Services

By Sports Reporter next round. Doha Continuing a successful day in the mixed doubles for Japan, Satoshi Goda and Aoi Shibaya- lthough it wasn’t to be ma beat Portugal’s Pedro Maio today for Qatari mixed and Catarina Alexandrino in doubles team Mubara- straight sets. Elsewhere on Ka- ka Al-Naimi and Sul- tara Beach’s four Beach Tennis tanA Al-Alawi, who lost to Japa- courts, both American teams nese team Naoaki Yamamoto crashed out of the mixed doubles and Erina Otsuka in straight sets by two sets to love, with France’s (6-0 6-1), the players nonethe- Mathieu Guegano and Mathilde less hope to kickstart a bright Hoarau beating Mark Bonfi gli future for the sport in their and Nadia Johnston, and Carlos home country. Rivera and Nicole Melch failing The Japanese were head and to overcome Russia’s Nikolai shoulders above the Qataris, Gurev and Liudmila Nikoian. both originally tennis players In the only preliminary who had only trained in beach game of the women’s doubles, tennis for a week before the Venezuela’s Valentina Persad tournament, but the home team and Iosune Roncal edged past said despite the defeat they were Manuela Cunha and Catarina happy to have taken one game Alexandrino (POR) to bag them- from their opponents. selves a spot in the last 16, where Al-Alawi also said that he can reach a good level at these She added, “I feel proud of sure they will.” they will face Americans Nicole hoped their appearance would tournaments,” he said. “Hope- my country hosting such a big Also on Centre Court, a tight Welch and Nadia Johnston. inspire other Qataris to take up fully in the future we will see tournament. To have the World match between Henrique Freitas The men’s doubles will start the sport. “I’m trying now to more Qatari players in these Athletics Championships last and Manuela Cunha (POR) and tomorrow (13 October) while speak to the Olympic Commit- tournaments.” week was so nice also, and now Javier Mendez and Beatriz Riv- the fi nal 16 women’s and mixed tee to have more beach tennis Al-Naimi said the home sup- this. I hope all the players enjoy era (PUR) saw the Puerto Ricans doubles teams will do battle, events for the local players, so port made the whole experience their time here and they expe- squeeze ahead in the fi nal set to including the top qualifi ers who Vanuatu players celebrate during their match against Canada at we can make players here who “very fun and exciting”. rience good facilities, and I am see them safely through to the received a bye to the 1/8 fi nals. Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday.

BOTTOMLINE Karate Kata makes history on memorable fi rst day of ANOC World Beach Games Sheung Grace Lau of Hong Kong and World champion Sandra Sanchez of nio Diaz of Venezuela, Tzs Man Chris By Sports Reporter Sandra Sanchez of Spain. Spain confi rmed her favourite status Cheng of Hong Kong and Mohamed Al- Doha In pool A, promising karateka Jessica and prevailed in pool D taking the high- mosawi of Kuwait. Kwong of the USA fi nished fi rst with a est score of the day 26.48. Carola Casale The biggest surprise of the day came score of 24.54. Fatemeh Sadeghi of Iran, of Italy, Dilara Eltemur of Turkey and in pool C. Promising karateka Gakuji he Karate competition of the Alexandrea Anacan of New Zealand Celine Lee of Malaysia also continue on Tozaki of the USA surprised favourites 2019 ANOC World Beach and Valerya Hernandez of Venezuela competition. and fi nished on top of the pool with a Games started with a spec- claimed the rest of the qualifying spots. In men’s, favourites took a stand and score of 25.60. Emre Goktas of Tur- Ttacular fi rst day of Kata action. Meanwhile, former Grand Winner qualifi ed for the second round of com- key, Roman Heydarov of Azerbaijan Karate showed its greatness in a sensa- Terryana D’Onofrio of Italy surprised in petition while surprises appeared in and Nykolai Arango of the Dominican tional opening day as fi rst-class karate- pool B with a score of 25.26. The other some of the pools. Current European Republic also qualifi ed for the second kas qualifi ed for the second round of the three qualifying places went to conti- Championships runner-up Ali Sofuoglu round. The last pool of the day was tournament being held at Katara. nental champion Maria Dimitrova of of Turkey was too strong in pool A with also surprisingly dominated by Sal- It is the fi rst time in the history of the the Dominican Republic, Raquel Roy a score of 25.28. Continental champion man Almosawi of Kuwait. The repre- sport that a competition of Beach Ka- of Spain and Monsicha Tararattanakul Ariel Torres of the USA, Ahmad Zaresta sentative of Kuwait headed pool D over rate is being celebrated. Karatekas dem- of Thailand. Mo Sheung Grace Lau of of Indonesia and Vu Duc Minh Dack Enzo Montarello of France, Yi Ta Wang onstrated their impressive abilities on Hong Kong demonstrated a great level of France claimed the other qualifying of Chinese Taipei and Sergio Galan of the sand, with the sun and sea of Doha and topped pool C with 25.88 points. spots. Spain. as the magnifi cent stage. Sakura Kokumai of the USA, Jas- The highest score in pool B was for The competition will continue today In women’s competition, the pools min Juettner of Germany and Phuong top favourite Damian Quintero of Spain with the rest of the rounds of the com- were dominated by Jessica Kwong of the Nguyen of Vietnam claimed positions 2 who had a score of 25.94 and prevailed petition. The fi nals are scheduled for USA, Terryana D’Onofrio of Italy, Mo to 4 in the pool. over two-time World champion Anto- 4.15pm for women and 4.22 pm for men. Gulf Times Sunday, October 13, 2019 3 ANOC WORLD BEACH GAMES

GALA CEREMONY MARKS GAMES OPENING

Performers put up a special theatrical performance that charts Qatar’s history, specifically its past as a pearling nation to Athletes take part in the opening ceremony of the ANOC World Beach Games yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil the present day, as a modern nation hosting the ANOC World Beach Games during the opening ceremony.

Qatar Olympic Committee secretary-general HE Jassim ANOC’s acting president Robin Mitchell speaks during the Rashid al-Buenain speaks during the opening ceremony. opening ceremony yesterday.

Century of goals on fi rst day

Action from the match between Brazil and Cape Verde on Friday.

By Sports Reporter Komarova (RUS) having the honour of national team and qualify for the Beach matches evenly matched. sealed victory for the Brits. until Switzerland eventually prevailed Doha scoring the fi rst ever goal at the ANOC Soccer World Cup. We did it and we also Russian Federation defeated United Most of the matches went according 10-9 on the back of Noel Robin Ott’s World Beach Games. want to win it! I came a long way, all my States 3-1, and Great Britain sucked to script, with favourites Brazil, Russia, (SUI) four goal performance. But the day belonged to Japan’s Ozu teammates came a long way and I want passed Paraguay 5-4. Paraguay, who Italy and Spain winning their opening After a day’s break, the second s the competi- Moreira, who after scoring four goals to thank them all. It’s not a matter of my were playing in their fi rst international men’s Preliminary Group matches, round of preliminary group matches tion began at Katara Beach, in his side’s 7-2 victory over Uruguay, record or that I scored four goals today. match, trailed 4-1 early in the third pe- while Asian powerhouse, Islamic Re- continues today, with the pressure fans were promised plenty of notched a personal century, scoring his It’s all about playing as a team.” riod, but a hat-trick from Fanny Godoy public of Iran, needed to kick fi ve un- firmly on today’s losing teams, who goals, and the athletes didn’t 100th international goal. With limited opportunities to com- (PAR) helped even the score. In the answered goals to defeat Ukraine 5-4. need a victory to keep their finals Adisappoint. “I have never imagined I would live pete internationally, the women’s end, Great Britain goalkeeper Hannah The day ended with an epic 19-goal hopes alive, while the victors will be A total a 113 goals were scored over this moment,” Ozu said. “All I wanted teams relished the opportunity to take Mary Haughton’s pitch-length shot, match between Switzerland and United looking to secure their spot in the Friday’s 12 matches, with Liubov when I moved to Japan was to play for the centre-stage, with the opening two snuck passed the other keeper and Arab Emirates. The teams traded goals, next round. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, October 13, 2019

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT WC warned of fresh cancellation as Ireland shrug off typhoon escalates

AFP “Remain indoors, check ty- Tokyo phoon-related updates regularly and follow the advice of local au- thorities including any evacuation ugby World Cup offi - orders and ensure you have basic red card to thrash cials warned that a third food provisions,” it warned. match could be cancelled The venues for tomorrow’s four and urged fans to stay safe matches — including Scotland’s ‘After the Japan game we knew that 10 asR a powerful typhoon slammed crunch clash with Japan — will be into Japan yesterday, leaving two inspected after the typhoon has points would do us and we’ve done that people dead. passed before deciding whether Ireland confi rmed their place they can go ahead. over the last two games’ in the quarter-fi nals with a 47-5 The potential cancellation of the Samoa bonus-point win over Samoa — Pool A showdown has prompted a the only game possible as Typhoon furious row, with Scotland — who Hagibis smashed into the country, will be eliminated if it is called off causing serious fl ooding and sev- — threatening legal action.Ire- eral landslides. land’s victory over Samoa means Organisers had already taken the Scotland must beat Japan to have unprecedented step of scrapping a chance of reaching the quarter- England’s game against France and fi nals, while the Japanese need at New Zealand against Italy yester- least two points. Even as the fate of day over the unusually large ty- today’s showdown remained un- phoon. They warned Namibia and clear, Japan’s players took to a sod- Canada of the “potential of cancel- den training fi eld in Tokyo — wad- lation” of their game tomorrow in ing through a fl ooded passageway Kamaishi, which was badly hit in to get there, widely shared footage the 2011 earthquake and tsunami showed. has found disaster. itself in the fi ring line for staging “We have advised the Namibia the tournament in Japan, which and Canada teams of the current is prone to typhoons and is also in situation and potential of cancel- one of the most seismically active lation, and our message to fans regions on the planet. not currently in Kamaishi is not to But the governing body rejected travel before confi rmation of the a British media report that the match status,” World Rugby said. back-up stadium for England v The governing body also urged France was in Tokyo, not far away fans to stay inside and follow any from the original venue in Yoko- evacuation orders as the typhoon hama, and that there were no swept into Japan’s east coast and contingency plans for the Japan v over Tokyo. Scotland game.

Ireland’s lock Iain Henderson catches the ball in a lineout during their Pool A match against Samoa at the Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) A woman walks past a Rugby World Cup billboard in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo, Japan, yesterday, after matches were cancelled due Reuters “After the Japan game we team’s sole try-scorer. Stockdale. Ireland wasted no easily split two defenders to claim to Typhoon Hagibis. (Reuters) Fukuoka, Japan knew that 10 points would do us “It’s been a very tough two time in stretching their oppo- the bonus point try near the left and we’ve done that over the last weeks but we can still hold our nents, with quick hands fi nd- corner a minute before the break. two games,” said Best. heads high.” ing battering ram Furlong, who Aki’s absence was barely not- reland played with 14 men “I think it shows a bit about Having lost to Japan and la- planted the ball over the line ed after the re-start as Ireland Davies injury better than we feared, for 50 minutes but still the character of a side when you boured to victory over Russia after bursting through four de- starved the Samoans of possession eased into the Rugby World go a man down. after a dominant opening win fenders. and rumbled forward. says assistant coach ICup quarter-fi nals with a “We’re in the quarter-fi nals over Scotland, Ireland needed By the start of the second Lethal behind the scrum, Mur- The knee injury sustained by “We don’t feel like it’s as bad as seven-try 47-5 demolition of and whatever happens tomor- to make a statement and started quarter, Ireland were 21-0 up, ray found Larmour at the right Wales centre Jonathan Davies we first feared,” Edwards told ragged Samoa in their fi nal Pool row happens. “Fukuoka escaped with a near-full strength side, with jet-heeled winger Larmour corner with a cut-out pass and against Fiji is not as bad as reporters in Kumamoto ahead A match yesterday. the violent storm that forced boosted by centre Robbie Hen- setting up Sexton’s fi rst try with the young fullback’s converted try initially feared but there was of their final Pool D clash with Centre Bundee Aki became the cancellation of yesterday’s shaw’s return from a hamstring a brilliant linebreak and inside blew the lead out to 33-5. Ireland’s nothing yet concrete on his Uruguay today. the seventh player to be shown a other two matches but Typhoon strain. pass near the right corner. forwards maintained the pressure participation in the knockout “There will be more news in a red card at the tournament when Hagibis could still prevent Japan The unstable state of the pitch and Samoa soon had a second man phase, assistant coach Sean couple of days but the medics he went for a high tackle on Sa- playing Scotland tomorrow to was a talking point in the lead- FIRST POINTS off , with TJ Ioane drawing yellow Edwards said yesterday. are working hard on him and moa fl yhalf Ulupano Seuteni decide if Ireland next face the up and despite the attentions It took a loose Irish pass and in- near the hour-mark for a ruck in- The 31-year-old was forced off we’re in a positive frame of in the 29th minute at Fukuoka champion All Blacks or South of a team of ground staff , it was tercept for Samoa to get their fi rst fringement. With team numbers in the 63rd minute against Fiji mind with regards to him being Hakatanomori Stadium but Ire- Africa. badly chopped up by halftime. points, with captain Lam com- back to parity, Samoa were soon on Wednesday after he set involved further down the land were 21-5 up by that stage. Samoa’s defence was as rag- pleting a furious drive over the pinned on their goal-line, with up winger Josh Adams for his line.” Flyhalf Johnny Sexton grabbed YELLOW CARDS ged as the playing surface and line. The game then threatened number eight CJ Stander even- third try. Wales have already advanced a brace of tries, earning the bo- Already-eliminated Samoa drew it crumbled against the fi rst to turn Samoa’s way when Aki tually crashing over for Ireland’s Head coach Warren Gatland to the quarter-finals but with nus point that secured their two yellow cards in the match Irish shove from a lineout drive, was sent off by referee Nic Berry. sixth try. said on Friday he was “hopeful” victory against the South passage to the last eight with and bowed out from a largely with Best touching down from But Ireland responded brilliantly, The game descended into an Davies would be in contention Americans can top Pool D his second just before halftime. disappointing and undisciplined the back of a maul in the fourth pushing the Samoans back over exhibition, as replacement fl yhalf for the quarter-final with the and face the inconsistent Skipper Rory Best, prop Tadgh campaign with a solitary win minute. the gain-line and soon winning a Joey Carbery threaded a grubber British and Irish Lions man of French in Oita next Sunday in Furlong, fullback Jordan Lar- over Russia in four pool games. Two minutes later, Samoa penalty scrum at the fi ve-metre kick through the Samoan line, al- the tour in New Zealand in 2017 the quarter-finals rather than mour, number eight CJ Stander “It was pretty tough, very tir- were down to 14 men with hook- line. lowing Conway to dot down 10 hard to replace as Wales seek Eddie Jones’ powerful England and winger Andrew Conway also ing, they really took it to us,” said er Seilala Lam drawing a yellow Murray whisked the ball wide minutes from the siren to spark a their first World Cup title. team. Reuters crossed for the Irish. Samoa skipper Jack Lam, his card for a high tackle on Jacob to his halfback partner and Sexton chorus of singing by Irish fans.

PREVIEW Scotland prepare to suck energy out of Japanese home crowd Reuters France in Nice in one their two World Cup warm- Yokohama, Japan up matches away from home, Townsend instead pointed to the 36-9 victory over Georgia in Tbilsi as the blueprint for his players to follow tomor- cotland know they will certainly be the row. second most popular team in Yokohama “The way the players approached that game in Stadium tomorrow, should their match Georgia was how we want to see them approach against Rugby World Cup hosts Japan go this game over the next two days, knowing that ahead.S the crowd will have an infl uence and bring a lot of The match, which will decide the outcome of energy,” he said. Pool A, is still scheduled to go ahead tomorrow “The opposition will get a lot of energy from despite the impact of Typhoon Hagibis. that so we have to stick to what we know will work World Rugby and tournament organisers will in the game and what will work for us.” make a decision on whether the match goes ahead Scotland have qualifi ed for the World Cup tomorrow morning once the damage following knockout stages at every tournament bar one the typhoon has been assessed. coming into Japan 2019 but know they must win In the meantime, Scotland are cooped up in by eight points or more to qualify from Pool A their hotel in Yokohama and must battle through ahead of the hosts.Weather conditions aside, the an unprecedented preparation for a match. two teams both play a chaotic, speedy brand of They must also overcome the mental hurdle rugby and access to quick ball could be pivotal to- of playing against the host nation in a decisive morrow. match. Townsend praised the Brave Blossoms for their “It will be a sense that it is us against 70,000 quick ball ability but also said they didn’t always people,” said Scotland coach Gregor Townsend on achieve that legally. Friday. “There are a lot of aspects to a game of rugby “When you play Japan in the World Cup you are and playing at a high tempo and generating quick the away team, all the other games are neutral.” ball is just one aspect and I would say Japan are “I think we will be going into an atmosphere one of the best teams in the world at doing that,” that will be fairly passionate for the opposition said Townsend. “They do things at the ruck that and we have to play as well as we can to win that creates a lot of quick ball, not always legal, and game.” we know they have a very eff ective way of getting “They will get energy from the crowd and we quick ball there.” will have to take away their energy.” Scotland beat Japan 45-10 at the England 2015 Japan’s Yoshitaka Tokunaga (left) takes a pass challenged by fly-half Rikiya Matsuda at a training session at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Although Scotland were embarrassed against Rugby World Cup. Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, October 13, 2019 5 SPORT

HORSE RACING NHL Al Rabban Racing’s Shadn wins Group 2 Hurricanes down Agencies already a Listed winner. Maisons-Laff itte, France Billy Jackson-Stops, manager Isles, improve of Al Rabban Racing, comment- ed: “It’s great! This is a big mo- t was a successful raid ment for Abdulaziz al-Rabban! across the Channel for the He is a young owner, and he start to 5-0-0 two-year-old Shadn, who loves racing. He currently has carries the colours of Al six horses, including yearlings. Reuters tend its historic start with a IRabban Racing, in the Critérium We bought for the fi rst time in home game scheduled for late New York, United States de Maisons-Laffi tte (Group 2). Book 1 at Tattersalls last week, last night against the Columbus The fi lly settled in behind and we should be back again for Blue Jackets. the front runners under jockey Book 2. Shadn is an extraordi- rik Haula scored his Islanders goalie Thomas Gre- Pierre-Charles Boudot; she was nary fi lly. Physically she’s not fourth goal of the season iss stopped 35 shots. quite keen in the early stages of very impressive but she’s in- to break a second-period It was a rematch of last this six-furlong run. She was credible: she gives it her all every tie, and the undefeated spring’s Eastern Conference courageous in the fi nish, digging time she runs: her heart is bigger CarolinaE Hurricanes set some semi-fi nals, which Carolina won deep to battle past the favourite than she is!” team history in a 5-2 victory in a four-game sweep. Devil to win by a head. against the New York Islanders Teravainen scored the fi rst Trained by Andrew Balding Pierre-Charles Boudot (right) on Friday night in Raleigh, North goal 3:57 into the game, set up on at Kingsclere in Britain, Shadn rides Shadn to Critérium de Carolina. a nifty pass from Hamilton. All came here following two third Maisons-Laff itte (Group 2) The Hurricanes improved to Teravainen had to do was tap the places at Group level. She was victory yesterday. (Scoopdyga) 5-0-0 for the best fi ve-game puck into the net. start in franchise history. Nelson scored eight seconds Teuvo Teravainen, Brett Pesce, into an Islanders power play to MLB Dougie Hamilton and Andrei tie the score at 8:36 of the open- Svechnikov also scored for Caro- ing period. lina, which never trailed for the The Hurricanes were back on second game in a row after three top on Pesce’s goal with 5:18 to comeback victories. Nino Nied- play in the fi rst. erreiter supplied two assists. Carolina held a 16-8 edge in Haula’s go-ahead goal came fi rst-period shots. with 4:51 to play in the middle Boychuk levelled the score at period. He moved from the right 1:53 of the middle period before Sanchez propels side to the front of the net with Haula put the Hurricanes on top the puck and converted. for good. Hamilton tacked on a goal with The game marked the NHL de- 59 seconds left in the second pe- but for Hurricanes right winger riod for a 4-2 lead. Svechnikov Julien Gauthier, who was the added an empty-netter in the organisation’s fi rst-round draft fi nal minute of the third period, pick in 2016. The 21-year-old his fi rst goal of the season. fi nished with no points and two Nationals in win Brock Nelson and Johnny Boy- penalty minutes in 8:23 of ice chuk scored power-play goals for time. the Islanders. Jordan Eberle had two assists for New York, and RESULTS Nelson had one. Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek, Buff alo 3-2 Florida who has started in three of the Anaheim 2-1 Columbus team’s games, made 17 saves. Carolina 5-2 NY Islanders over Cardinals Carolina were looking to ex- ‘Today I just wanted to get a win for the team and get us ahead in the series’

AFP inning scored Howie Kendrick Los Angeles, United States to put the Nats up 1-0. ‘A WIN FOR THE TEAM’ ashington start- Kendrick, who belted a 10th-in- ing pitcher Ani- ning grand slam in Washington’s bal Sanchez fl irted decisive win over the Dodgers, with the third no- smacked a two-out single in the Whitter in Major League seventh to score Adam Eaton. playoff history Friday, his domi- But Sanchez, who threw a nant eff ort fuelling the Nation- regular-season no-hitter as a als’ 2-0 triumph over the Cardi- rookie with the Florida Marlins nals in St. Louis in game one of in 2006, was the star. the National League Champion- He retired the fi rst 10 bat- ship Series. ters he faced and in taking his The Venezuelan-born no-hit bid into the late innings, Sanchez, a 14-year MLB vet- Sanchez became the fi rst pitcher Carolina Hurricanes left wing Erik Haula (foreground) is congratulated eran, took his no-hit bid into the in MLB history with multiple by teammates after his second period goal against the New York eighth inning before Cardinals post-season no-hit bids of at Islanders in Raleigh, United States, on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) pinch-hitter Jose Martinez lined least six innings. a two-out single to center fi eld He threw six no-hit innings in to break it up. game one of the 2013 AL Champi- Two batters earlier, Nats fi rst onship Series for Detroit against Brown wants to resolve issues, return baseman Ryan Zimmerman pre- Boston — but said he wasn’t to NFL: report served Sanchez’s eff ort with an thinking about that on Friday. outstanding leaping catch of a “Every year is diff erent, eve- ntonio Brown report- anymore.” Last week, he filed line drive by Tommy Edman. rything is diff erent,” Sanchez edly wants to resolve eight grievances against the Sanchez departed with a wave said. “Today I just wanted to Ahis off -field issues and Raiders and Patriots seeking a to fans who stood at St. Louis’s get a win for the team and get us return to the NFL soon. reported $39.8mn in lost salary, Busch Stadium, having struck ahead in the series.” The troubled former Steelers- bonuses and guaranteed money. out fi ve, hit two batters and Washington Nationals starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez reacts as he is pulled from game one of the NLCS There have been only two Raiders-Patriots wideout Despite his “retirement” an- walked one on 103 pitches. playoff baseball series against St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) post-season no-hitters in his- hopes to have his playing sta- nouncement, sources told Reliever Sean Doolittle re- tory, the fi rst when Don Larsen tus cleared up “in the next few Fowler that Brown has been corded the fi nal four outs to seal “I don’t claim to be supersti- Yankees or Houston Astros in during the team’s series-win- of the New York Yankees threw a weeks,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler training and staying in shape and the victory. tious, but when you got a no- the World Series. ning victory over the Los Ange- perfect game in game fi ve of the reported yesterday. would welcome a return to New “It was huge,” said Nationals hitter, I was freezing and didn’t The Astros were scheduled to les Dodgers, said he didn’t abide 1956 World Series against the Brown, 31, is being investigated England if he is cleared to play. manager Dave Martinez, who want to put a jacket on and I host the Yankees in game one by the baseball tradition of not Brooklyn Dodgers. by the NFL under its personal The seven-time Pro Bowl was without regular closing stayed with this, just this sweat of the American League Cham- talking to a pitcher working on a Roy Halladay threw a no-hit- conduct policy after a former selection appeared in just one pitcher Daniel Hudson. shirt the whole game,” Martinez pionship Series heavyweight no-hitter. ter for the Philadelphia Phillies trainer filed a lawsuit alleging game this season, catching Hudson missed the game to be said. showdown later yesterday. “We had at least a conversa- when he struck out eight batters that she was sexually as- four passes for 56 yards and with his wife as their third child The Nationals seized a 1-0 Nationals catcher Yan Gomes, tion every inning,” Gomes said. and surrendered one walk in a saulted on multiple occasions. a touchdown in the Patriots’ was born on Friday, but was due lead in the best-of-seven NLCS, playing behind the plate after “It was important for us to stay 4-0 victory over the Cincinnati Last month, Brown tweeted that 43-0 win against the Miami to be back for game two in St. with the winners of the series regular starter Kurt Suzuki took on the same page. Reds in game one of the 2010 he “will not be playing in the NFL Dolphins in Week 2. Louis on Saturday. to take on either the New York a defl ected fastball to the head Gomes’ double in the second National League Division Series.

NBA Nets beat Lakers to bring merciful end to tense China tour AFP The controversy erupted when stand up to China, citing its mass Mark Dreyer, who runs the China Shanghai, China Houston Rockets general man- detentions of Muslim ethnic Ui- Sports Insider website. “It’s al- ager Daryl Morey posted a since- ghurs in its Xinjiang region. most a lose-lose for the NBA.” deleted tweet on October 4 in On the court, the mood has been he Brooklyn Nets de- support of pro-democracy dem- LOSE-LOSE? more positive, with fans wildly feated the Los Angeles onstrators in Hong Kong who say “The pages of George Orwell’s cheering the players, especially Lakers 91-77 yesterday China is eroding its freedoms. 1984 are coming to life there. I Lakers superstar LeBron James. to conclude a pre-season China portrays the protest- wish the NBA would acknowl- Shenzhen authorities issued a TChina tour that leaves behind big ers as violent separatists, and its edge that,” Pompeo said during a public notice banning provocative questions over the future of a key state press and social media went speech in Nashville. banners or gestures at the game. market worth billions of dollars ballistic over Morey’s comment, NBA Commissioner Adam But, as in Shanghai, some in- to the NBA. though a government eff ort to Silver further angered China by dividuals in Shenzhen expressed The two-game tour was curb the vitriol now appears un- defending Morey’s right to speak their anger at the league. thrown into disarray, with all der way. out, but the NBA still pressed Some users posted pictures public appearances cancelled But the exhibition games were ahead with its tour, though in a on Chinese social media burn- other than the matches, after the pulled from Chinese screens by stripped-down form with every ing their game tickets outside the league found itself at the centre offi cial broadcast partners in scheduled media or public event venue yesterday, while others ar- of a raging US-China dispute protest, and the NBA’s Chinese cancelled. rived in t-shirts bearing messag- over democracy and free speech. sponsors have severed ties en The league said Friday it would es like “Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Despite the controversy, the masse. be unfair to force the teams to my soul belong to China.” teams have been embraced by The aff air exposed the fi ne fi eld media questions in China The NBA is expected to largely Chinese fans at the fi rst game line toed by the NBA in China, on the “complicated and unprec- survive the crisis due to its domi- on Thursday in Shanghai, also where it has built a vast, lucra- edented situation”. nant position as perhaps the most won by Brooklyn, and game two tive fanbase in a country where The NBA has run into what popular sports league in China, yesterday in the southern city of free speech does not exist, while many other foreign businesses also where giants billboards showing Shenzhen near Hong Kong. touting itself back home as a have learned the hard way — Bei- players like James and Golden Spectators have shown up champion of progressive values jing demands they respect Chinese State Warriors star Stephen Cur- by the thousands in Lakers and like free expression. political sensibilities if they want ry are common. Nets jerseys, but many also put Secretary of State Mike Pom- access to its huge market. “There are too many smart Chinese fl ag stickers over their peo became the latest high-pro- “But if you give in (to China) people on both sides who will shirts’ NBA logo, or held small fi le US politician to urge the NBA too much, you start to anger your fi nd a way to move past this,” Fans wearing LeBron James jerseys are seen before the pre-season NBA game between Los Angeles Lakers Chinese fl ags. to place principle over profi t and core (US) demographic,” said Dreyer said. and Brooklyn Nets in Shenzhen, China, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, October 13, 2019 SPORT

ATHLETICS MOTORSPORT F1 bosses hopeful Japanese Grand Kipchoge smashes Prix will go ahead

AFP tive equipment off pit lane oorsfl Suzuka, Japan in case of fl ooding and protecting garages with sandbags and plas- tic sheeting. apanese Grand Prix or- Should today’s rescheduled mythical two-hour ganisers were hoping that qualifying session not be possi- today’s race would be able ble then Valtteri Bottas will be on to go ahead as Typhoon pole position by virtue of being HagibisJ began to lash a deserted was quickest in Friday practice, Suzuka Circuit with wind and a whisker ahead of teammate heavy rain yesterday. and world championship leader A huge ground operation to Lewis Hamilton. protect the track and infrastruc- The Mercedes pair, benefi ting marathon barrier ture was launched as soon as from an aerodynamic upgrade, Friday practice ended and lasted were followed on the timesheets ‘I HAVE BEEN TRAINING FOR IT FOR THE LAST FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS’ late into the night after yester- by the Red Bull of Max Verstap- day’s entire programme was can- pen, with the Ferraris of Charles celled on safety grounds. Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel Thousands of sandbags were fourth and fi fth. deployed to protect pit lane ga- Qualifying has been resched- rages from fl ooding, electronic uled to 10am (0100 GMT) today, timing gear was moved inside with the race at 2:10pm (0510 and even the victory podium GMT), providing the weather signage dismantled and packed improves in time. away. Formula One sporting direc- MERCEDES SITTING tor Steve Nielson said the aim PRETTY of the massive lockdown was to As it stands Mercedes are sit- ensure that “when we come in ting pretty as they look to secure on Sunday morning, the timing, the one-two fi nish they need to the start lights, the GPS, the light clinch a record sixth successive panels around the circuit are in constructors championship. an environment where they have A win for Hamilton today a chance of surviving the storm.” would leave only Bottas, who lies He told Formula1.com on Fri- 73 points behind, able to catch day that the sport’s technical him in the drivers’ standings staff faced an unprecedented with just four races to come after logistical task to keep at bay Japan. one of the biggest typhoons to It would also put the English- hit Japan in decades and would man in line to wrap up a sixth work throughout yesterday night drivers’ title, a feat only previ- “connecting everything back up ously managed by Michael Schu- again and systems-checking” macher, and third world title in a once the worst of the storm had row at Mexico later this month. passed The typhoon is already wreak- The 10 Formula One teams also ing havoc across Japan and has went into survival mode with forced the cancellation of two mechanics and support staff matches at the Rugby World Cup working furiously to raise sensi- yesterday.

INJURY SCARE

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge celebrates after a successful attempt to run a marathon in under two hours in Vienna, Austria, yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP run an under-two-hour mara- waving Kenyan fl ags, loudly ometre-long straight alley, which His number one fan, his mother Vienna thon.” cheered him on. the Kenyan ran up and down Janet Rotich, was watching from The 34-year-old already Kipchoge’s coach, Patrick several times amid dry but foggy her home. holds the world record for the Sang, said the Kenyan had “in- weather. “I am happy today because he enya’s Eliud Kipchoge distance with a time of 2hr spired all of us that we can Throngs of fans cheered on has won... I thank him so much yesterday made his- 01min 39sec, which he set in the stretch our limits in our lives”. Kipchoge whenever he passed by. for this, for me, for Kenya and the tory, smashing the fl at Berlin marathon on Septem- Kipchoge told reporters ear- William Magachi, 33, from Nai- world,” she said. mythical two-hour ber 16, 2018. lier this week that his attempt in robi, was one of many Kenyans “You’ve done it, you’ve made Kbarrier for the marathon in the But accompanied by a posse the Austrian capital was about watching in Vienna. history and made Kenya proud “best moment” of his life on a of 41 pacemakers, who took “making history in this world, “It’s amazing. He is a super hu- while at it. Your win today, will in- specially prepared course in a turns to support him, and a car like the fi rst man to go to the man being, the positivity, what he spire tens of future generations to vast Vienna park. in front of them setting the pace, moon”. has been able to achieve. dream big and to aspire for great- With a time of 1hr 59min Kipchoge bested his mark, mak- “It’s a record breaking moment. ness,” Kenyan president Uhuru 40.2sec, the Olympic champion ing good on a failed attempt two ‘IT’S AMAZING’ It never happened and may never Kenyatta said on Twitter. became the fi rst ever to run a years ago in Monza, Italy. Because of the way the run was happen again in my lifetime... I’m Kipchoge already tried in May marathon in under two hours in Maintaining a very regular set up and paced the International a lucky man.” 2017 to break the two-hour barri- the Prater park with the course pace at around 2:50 minutes per Association of Athletics Federa- Another fan, Markus Parzer, 32 er, running on the Monza National readied to make it as even as kilometre, he passed the fi n- tions will not validate the time as a and from Vienna said: “It’s ab- Autodrome racing circuit in Italy, possible. ish line gesturing and smiling, world record. solutely amazing. I’m a runner as failing narrowly in 2hr 00min “I’m the happiest man today. describing his approach to the The running surface had well, a hobby runner. Just running 25sec. The message that no human is fi nish as “the best moment of been partly retarded and read- his pace for a few hundred metres, The world marathon record has, limited is now in everybody’s my life”. The founder of the main ied with other features such as I can’t do it longer. for the past 16 years, been con- mind,” an elated Kipchoge told sponsors, Ineos, British billion- a banked corner that could save “This really shows the magni- tested uniquely between athletes reporters after the run, adding aire Jim Ratcliff e, took a personal time and avoid injury. Pacemak- tude of what he achieved today... from Kenya and Ethiopia. The two he expected more athletes to interest in the challenge. ers took turns to support him It’s really history made here in Vi- nations are also fi erce rivals for match his feat in the future. “That last kilometre where throughout the 42.195-kilometre enna.” distance medals on the track. “From the fi rst kilometres I he actually accelerated was su- (26.219-miles) race. They includ- Fans from around the world also Kipchoge’s record was almost was really comfortable. I have per human,” said Ratcliff e, who ed 1,500-metre Olympic cham- followed the run, broadcast live beaten last month in the Berlin been training for it for the last himself competes in Ironman pion Matthew Centrowitz and over YouTube and on many televi- marathon by Ethiopia’s Kenenisa four and a half months, and triathlons.Kipchoge had been 11 former world champion Bernard sion channels, as well as on a giant Bekele, who ran 2:01.41, just two above all I have been putting in seconds in advance at mid-race Lagat. screen near Eldoret in west Kenya, seconds short of the offi cial world Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton at the Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan, on my heart and in my mind that I’ll as fans lining the course, many The course comprised a 4.3 kil- where Kipchoge’s family lives. mark. Friday. (Reuters)

GOLF Fitzpatrick maintains one-shot Italian Open lead AFP move within two strokes of the leaderboard with a seven-over 78 Rome lead. The 23-year-old MacIn- in which he failed to make a single Malnati surges into lead at Houston Open tyre, who has broken into the birdie. Rose, who was only three world’s top 100 and fi nished shots back overnight, is now 13 off Peter Malnati rode a hot start to whose wife is due to have their atthew Fitzpatrick tied-sixth in July’s British Open, the pace and tied for 51st. finish atop the leaderboard with first child in the coming weeks. “I birdied four of his is projected to leap to seventh in a seven-under 65 at the Houston then came back out and was able fi nal six holes yes- the season-long Race to Dubai SCORES Open in a weather-shortened to keep the momentum going. To terday to hold onto a standings. 200 - Matthew Fitzpatrick 67- second round at the PGA Tour make no bogeys in the conditions Mone-shot lead at the Italian Open “I’m not really looking at the 65-68 event on Friday. we played is really more than heading into the fi nal round. world ranking now,” he said. 201 - Kurt Kitayama (USA) 66- Malnati, who fired a first-round I could have ever hoped for. “I The Englishman’s strong fi n- “Just trying to run up that as fast 70-65 69, nabbed three birdies and an played the last 13 holes wishing I ish was enough for a three-un- as I can, to end the season really 202 - Robert MacIntyre 69-69-64 eagle in a confident trip around had hand-warmers.” der-par third round of 68 which high. Obviously, Race to Dubai, if 203 - Matt Wallace 69-67-67, the course in southern Texas. took him to 13-under for the I get into position coming into the Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 66-70- Countryman and overnight SCORES tournament. last three (events), you go for gold, 67 leader Talor Gooch made it 134 - Peter Malnati 69-65 “To fi nish the way I did, was don’t you.”World number 31 Fit- 204 - Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 68- through 14 holes and was one 136 - Sepp Straka (AUT) 65-71, great,” said Fitzpatrick, who zpatrick started the round with a 70-66 stroke off the lead when play was Talor Gooch 64-72, is looking to win for the fi fth one-shot lead but looked in danger 205 - Wang Jeung-hun (KOR) called due to darkness. Scott Harrington 69-67 straight year on the European of slipping adrift after 10 holes in 72-69-64, Aaron Rai 69-67-69, Austrian Sepp Straka and 137 - Carlos Ortiz (MEX) 70-67, Tour. “To put myself one in front Rome. Instead, he remains in con- Andrew Johnston 67-68-70 Americans Nick Watney and Mark Hubbard 68-69, Wes Roach going into that gives me a little trol as he bids for a sixth European 206 - Andrea Pavan (ITA) 69-67- Lanto Griff in were tied for third. 69-68 bit of help... I’m just looking for- Tour title. 70, Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 68-68- Malnati, 32, who has missed the 138 - Austin Cook 64-74, Stewart ward and ready to go already.” His compatriot Matt Wallace 70, Graeme McDowell 69-66-71 cut in his last two tournaments, Cink 70-68 American Kurt Kitayama pow- and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger 207 - Francesco Laporta (ITA) said he was grateful to get out 139 - Cameron Tringale 68-71, Sam ered up the leaderboard into sec- remain in contention, just three 69-70-68, Danny Willett 68- early. Ryder 70-69, Beau Hossler 70-69, ond place with a 65, while Scot shots behind on 10-under. 70-69, Matthias Schwab (AUT) “I got to play the first five holes in Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 68-71, Robert MacIntyre continued his It was a horrible day, though, for 68-69-70, Shubhankar Sharma perfect conditions and really took John Huh 67-72, Patrick Rodgers impressive debut season on the Justin Rose, as the former world (IND) 66-69-72, Joachim B. advantage of it,” said Malnati, 69-70, Brandon Wu 69-70. European Tour by fi ring a 64 to number one plummeted down the Hansen (DEN) 67-66-74. Matthew Fitzpatrick Gulf Times Sunday, October 13, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

EURO QUALIFIERS OOREDOO CUP Muntari rescues England lose to point for Duhail against Gharafa By Sports Reporter Khor ahead in the 59th minute. Doha Pierre Lasogga equalised for Al Czechs as Ronaldo Arabi in the 75th minute. Both Al Khor and Al Arabi were l Duhail were held to a aiming to collect full points and 2-2- draw by Al Gharafa thereby start their campaign on in the Ooredoo Cup fi rst a winning note, but the deadlock round, Group B match remained at the fi nal whistle. Al atA the Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. Arabi had beaten Al Khor 3-1 in In fact, Duhail were lucky to es- Week 6 of the QNB Stars League nears 700 goals cape with a point thanks to Mo- before it took a break due to in- hamed Muntari’s double strike. ternational commitments. Gharafa had taken the lead Both teams were without the England’s last qualifying defeat had come ahead of the 2010 World Cup through Mohammed Ramadan in services of those who are doing the 38th minute, before Muneer duty for their national teams and Abdulghani Mazeed made it also the injured players who are 2-0 in the 54th minute. Duhail undergoing treatment. Al Arabi fortunes changed after Muntari are currently second in the QNB came as substitute in the 64th Stars League standings with 13 minute. He converted penalty points, one point adrift of Al Du- fi rst, two minutes after coming hail, but it was Al Khor, who are in, before sweeping in a winners 10th with four points, who creat- in the 87th minute. ed more opportunities through- In another match yesterday, out their Ooredoo Cup game. Qatar SC eased past Al Sailiya Ahmed Hammoudan and 4-0. Kayke scored a brace, while Bezerra led the charge for The Musa Haroon and Barrahma El Knights against The Dream Mehdi found the net once apiece Team. After a barren fi rst half, for the winners at the Al Arabi Al Khor kept attacking the more Stadium. in the second session too. They In an earlier Group B match, were able to take the lead, but Al Khor and Al Arabi played out Al Arabi managed to draw parity a 1-1 draw. Tiago Bezerra put Al and share the spoils.

Czech Republic’s Zdenek Ondrasek (right) celebrates after scoring a winner against England during the Euro 2020 qualifier Group A match in Prague on Friday night. (AFP)

AFP England’s last qualifying defeat came Iceland’s fi rst home loss in qualifying earned Andorra a 1-0 victory over 10- Paris ahead of the 2010 World Cup when they since June 2013 dropped the Nordic island man Moldova. lost 1-0 away to Ukraine in October 2009. nation six points adrift of the top two. Southgate’s side remain top of Group A Juventus star Ronaldo grabbed his 94th EURO 2020 QUALIFYING RESULTS ngland missed an opportunity to on 12 points alongside the Czechs, who goal at international level in Portugal’s Group D: At Tbilisi: Georgia 0 Republic qualify for Euro 2020 on Friday have played a game extra. England could 3-0 home victory over Luxembourg. Ber- of Ireland 0; At Copenhagen: Denmark 1 night as they slid to a 2-1 loss in still clinch qualifi cation tomorrow with nardo Silva opened the scoring in Lisbon the Czech Republic, while Cris- victory in Bulgaria if Kosovo fail to beat in the fi rst half before Ronaldo added a (Poulsen 84) Switzerland 0 tianoE Ronaldo scored his 699th goal in a Montenegro. World champions France second on 65 minutes with a magnifi cent Group F: At Torshavn: Faroe Islands 0 routine Portugal win over Luxembourg. claimed a 1-0 win away to Iceland as Ol- chip following an error in the visitors’ de- Romania 3 (Puscas 74, Mitrita 83, Keseru Harry Kane converted a fi fth-minute ivier Giroud delivered the only goal with a fence. 90+4) penalty in Prague after Raheem Sterling penalty on 66 minutes in Reykjavik. Goncalo Guedes added a late third al- Group J: At Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovi- was clipped by Lukas Masopust, the Tot- Giroud has played sparingly for Chel- though defending champions Portugal na: Bosnia & Herzegovina 4 (Hajrovic 29, tenham striker taking his qualifying tally sea this season but the 33-year-old is still trail Group B leaders Ukraine by fi ve Pjanic 37-pen, 58, Hodzic 73) Finland 1 to seven goals. But Czech Republic, hum- now just four goals behind Michel Platini points. “We are already thinking about (Pohjanpalo 79) bled 5-0 by England in the reverse fi xture (41) for second on France’s list of all-time the crucial game with Ukraine, like we did Al Duhail’s Mohamed Muntari (right) hugs Al Gharafa’s Tameem last March, levelled shortly after as Jakub leading scorers. France are level on 18 for this one,” said Portugal coach Fernan- Played Friday al-Muhaza after the Ooredoo Cup match at the Al Ahli stadium. Brabec bundled in from a corner for his points with Turkey atop Group H ahead do Santos. “There are four fi nals left and Group A: At Prague: Czech Republic fi rst international goal. of tomorrow’s showdown in Paris, where this one is over. We want to fi nish fi rst.” 2 (Brabec 9, Ondrasek 85) England 1 Substitute Zdenek Ondrasek swept victory would send Didier Deschamps’ Portugal next travel to Kiev to face a (Kane 5-pen); At Podgorica: Montenegro SERIE A home the winner on his debut for the men through to the fi nals. Ukraine side on the cusp of qualifi cation 0 Bulgaria 0 hosts on 85 minutes, a goal that ended “It was very diffi cult, a really hard following a 2-0 home win over Lithuania England’s decade-long unbeaten run in match. We needed to take the three points secured by Atalanta midfi elder Ruslan Group B: At Lisbon: Portugal 3 (Bernar- qualifying spanning 43 matches. “I think and now we have an important game Malinovskyi’s brace. A goalless draw be- do Silva 16, Ronaldo 65, Goncalo Guedes Ranieri appointed we have had a lot of credit over the last coming up at home,” said Antoine Griez- tween Montenegro and Bulgaria elimi- 89) Luxembourg 0; At Kharkiv: Ukraine couple of years and tonight we did not mann, who was fouled for the penalty. nated both teams from contention in 2 (Malinovskyi 29, 58) Lithuania 0 do enough,” England manager Gareth “We’re going to suff er against Turkey and Group A, while it was a night to remem- Group H: At Andorra la Vella: Andorra Sampdoria coach Southgate said. “Our performance was we’ll need to prepare well for it.” ber for Andorra. 1 (Vales 63) Moldova 0; At Reykjavik: not good enough, it’s as simple as that. Cenk Tosun popped up with a 90th- The minnows won their fi rst European Iceland 0 France 1 (Giroud 66-pen); At AFP until June 2021. Ranieri guided The goals we conceded were typical of the minute winner for Turkey as they scraped qualifi er in history after 56 defeats in a the Roman outfi t, who he played Istanbul: Turkey 1 (Tosun 90) Albania 0 Rome chances we gave away.” past Albania 1-0 in Istanbul. row as Marc Vales’ second-half header for during his football career and had previously coached, to ormer Roma boss Clau- a sixth-place fi nish, missing out dio Ranieri has been ap- on Champions League football. DENMARK EDGE SWITZERLAND IN EURO QUALIFIERS AFTER IRELAND DRAW pointed coach of Serie A Sampdoria fi nished ninth last strugglers Sampdoria, season, with Di Francesco tak- Fthe club confi rmed yesterday. ing over after Marco Giampaolo Paris: Kasper Schmeichel produced a The Danes moved up to 12 points Group F following a 3-0 win in the Faroe Group J, can clinch their place at the series of excellent saves as Denmark alongside group leaders Ireland, who Islands secured by second-half goals finals with victory over Greece in Rome. Ranieri, who memorably guided left for AC Milan. They have just defeated Switzerland 1-0 in Euro 2020 drew 0-0 away to Georgia, while Switzer- from George Puscas, Ionut Mitrita and Bosnia and Herzegovina reignited their outsiders City to the one win in seven games and are qualifying yesterday to pull level with land are four points off the pace but with Claudiu Keseru. Sweden could move qualification hopes with a 4-1 win over 2016 English Premier League ti- bottom of the table, with 16 goals Republic of Ireland in Group D. Leicester a game in hand. Mick McCarthy’s Ireland back above Romania with victory in second-placed Finland. A brace from tle, takes over from Eusebio di conceded. Ranieri’s vast coach- City goalkeeper Schmeichel pulled off su- couldn’t establish any momentum earlier Malta later although defeat would open Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic and Francesco, who was sacked after ing experience includes spells perb stops to deny Granit Xhaka, Admir in the day in Tbilisi and were left frus- the door for three-time European cham- goals from Izet Hajrovic and Armin Hod- a poor start to the season. at Chelsea, Valencia, Monaco, Mehmedi and Ricardo Rodriguez before trated by wayward finishing from their pions Spain to secure qualification with a zic pushed Bosnia to within two points of The 67-year-old Ranieri, who Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Ju- Yussuf Poulsen grabbed an 84th-minute few opportunities to break the deadlock. win away to Norway. Finland, who could be joined by Armenia took over as coach at Roma last ventus and Napoli. His fi rst game winner for Denmark in Copenhagen. Romania took over second place in Italy, who have six wins from six in if they beat Liechtenstein in Vaduz. March after di Francesco was in charge will be at home against sacked, has signed a contract former club Roma on October 20.

SPOTLIGHT Wales star Bale relieved to be available for today’s Croatia clash AFP ment. for Wales, especially at the crunch team they are. They had a great World , United Kingdom “I’m fi t and I’m fi ne, it was just time of the group. So I have to be Cup and shown year after year how a knock on the knee and a bit of ice clever with what I’m doing, but may- good they are. But playing at home has sorted that out,” Bale said. “I was be expect someone’s going to rile me gives us an advantage and we’ve had ales star Gareth Bale more worried about getting sent off to get me suspended. I’m experienced some great results against some big admitted he is relieved to be honest. I was just happy to get enough to get through the period teams in our stadium.” to be available to face away with that one! But saying that, without picking up another booking.” Wales will make a late decision Croatia in today’s crucial I didn’t think the fi rst one deserved a Wales have failed to win in fi ve on Aaron Ramsey’s fi tness after the WEuro 2020 qualifi er after escaping a yellow, so maybe it evened itself out.” previous encounters with Croatia Juventus midfi elder, who is yet to red card in Slovakia. Bale had already Bale’s second yellow card of Euro and Bale would love to end that run feature in the Euro 2020 qualifying been booked when he fouled Slovakia 2020 qualifying means another book- against his Real teammate Luka Mo- campaign, missed the Slovakia game defender Milan Skriniar in the clos- ing would see him suspended. Wales, dric. “We know each quite well, as while he recovers from a thigh prob- ing stages of the 1-1 draw in Trnava who trail Group E leaders Croatia by we’ve played together for a long time lem. on Thursday. six points and are three adrift of sec- in Tottenham and Real Madrid, and it “We have not ruled Aaron out. He’s The Real Madrid forward could ond-placed Slovakia, with a game in would be nice to get one over on him on a diff erent schedule, he didn’t have been shown a red card that hand on both, fi nish their campaign fi nally,” Bale said. travel to Slovakia with the team and would have ruled him out of the with November games against Az- “We’ve not spoken yet, maybe stayed back with the physio,” Wales Croatia clash in Cardiff . But he was erbaijan and Hungary. there will be a little message later on. manager Ryan Giggs said. “So we’re also hurt in the collision and spent a “I can’t make too many silly tack- They’ve beaten us a few times in the just giving him all the time we can couple of minutes needing treatment les, I have to be mindful of that,” Bale past, but it’s always been a tight game and (will) see how is in the morning Wales’ Gareth Bale is all smiles during a press conference yesterday. (Reuters) before play resumed with no punish- said. “I don’t want to miss any games between us. We know what a great (on Sunday).”

Sunday, October 13, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET Maharaj overcomes pain barrier to hit maiden fi ft y Maharaj, who made 72, and Philander, unbeaten on 44, put on 109 for the 9th to frustrate Indian bowlers for 43.1 overs

AFP Pune, India

outh Africa’s Keshav Maharaj battled through pain and held back from hitting out as he re- sisted India’s drive for a decisive winS in the second Test yesterday. The tourists were eventually dismissed for 275, 127 runs away from avoiding the follow-on, but Maharaj earned praise for his courageous stand with Vernon Philander that held up India’s march towards a victory that would seal the three match series. Maharaj, who made 72 with an in- jured shoulder, and Philander, un- beaten on 44, put on 109 for the ninth wicket to frustrate the Indian bowlers for 43.1 overs in Pune. “It’s (shoulder) very sore. Yesterday I dived on it so lot of bruising. But hopefully I’ll be fi ne for the rest of the series,” Maharaj, prima- rily a left-arm spinner, said. “Vernon and I said to ourselves that we’ll just get through to tea and see af- ter that. Being a lower order batsman your fi ngers do itch to play a big shot but Vernon kept me in a good mind space. After a few pulls I felt normal (in the shoulder). It’s better to be positive, because if you go into your shell a ball with your name will come along sooner India’s spinner R Ashwin (fourth right) celebrates with teammates after dismissing South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj during the third day of the second Test match in Pune yesterday. (AFP) or later.” Ravichandran Ashwin broke the reverse, and the wicket is deteriorating, stand by taking number 10 Maharaj in but the longer you bat, the easier it is.” SCORECARD the fi nal overs and then claimed last Philander, a pace- all- man Kagiso Rabada, for two, to wrap rounder, also played a patient innings. INDIA I ST INNINGS 601-5 K. Rabada lbw b Ashwin 2 up the innings with fi gures of 4-69. He stayed on for 192 balls before run- (V. KOHLI 254 NOT OUT, Extras (lb8) 8 India, who scored 601-5 declared, have ning out of partners. Fast bowler Mo- K. RABADA 3-93) Total (all out, 105.4 overs) 275 until the start of play on Sunday to de- hammed Shami struck early to remove SOUTH AFRICA I INNINGS cide whether to enforce the follow-on. nightwatchman Anrich Nortje for three (OVERNIGHT 36-3) Fall of : 1-2 (Markram), South Africa still trail India by 326 runs. when he edged a delivery to Virat Kohli 2-13 (Elgar), 3-33 (Bavuma), 4-41 The Proteas, who resumed on 36- at fourth slip. D. Elgar b Yadav 6 (Nortje), 5-53 (de Bruyn), 6-128 3, slipped to 162-8 after skipper Faf Theunis de Bruyn was caught behind A. Markram lbw b Yadav 0 (de Kock), 7-139 (Muthusamy), du Plessis fell for 64 to Ashwin’s off off Yadav for 30 as the tourists slipped T. de Bruyn c Saha b Yadav 30 8-162 (Du Plessis), 9-271 (Maha- spin. Maharaj, who injured his shoul- to 53 for fi ve. Wicketkeeper-batsman raj), 10-275 (Rabada) T. Bavuma c Saha b Shami 8 der while fi elding on Friday and went Quinton de Kock put on a 75-run fourth Bowling: I. Sharma 10-1-36-0, off the pitch for scans, came out to join wicket stand with du Plessis to off er A. Nortje c Kohli b Shami 3 Yadav 13-2-37-3, Jadeja 36-15-81-1, Philander to make a last stand. some resistance before Ashwin’s off F. du Plessis c Rahane b Ashwin 64 Shami 17-3-44-2, Ashwin 28.4-9- Maharaj passed his previous Test spin bowled him for 31. Q. de Kock b Ashwin 31 69-4, R. Sharma 1-1-0-0 best of 45 with a boundary off Ashwin Kohli hit a career-best 254 not out and completed his fi fty to an ovation to surpass Don Bradman’s Test tally of S. Muthusamy lbw b Jadeja 7 Toss: India from the crowd. “I wanted to stay out- 6,996 runs on Friday as India tightened V. Philander not out 44 Umpires: Chris Gaff aney (NZL), side off stump to spin, I tried to stay leg the screws on the tourists. A victory Nigel Llong (ENG) K. Maharaj c Sharma b Ashwin 72 side of the ball for (Ravindra) Jadeja,” for India, already one up in the three said Maharaj, who claimed his 100th Tests, will see them beat the record of Test wicket in the Indian innings. “We 10 straight home series wins they share South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj plays a cover drive en route to saw (Mohammed) Shami got the ball to with Australia. an 72 in Pune yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS TENNIS Former England coach Flower leaves ECB Medvedev reaches sixth fi nal Reuters standing contribution to the English game London over the last 12 years,” Giles said in a state- in a row to set up Zverev clash ment. “It has been a pleasure working with AFP ormer England coach Andy, who sets such high standards of pro- Shanghai said yesterday that he was stepping fessionalism and preparation for the teams down from working with the Eng- he leads. I have no doubt he will enjoy fur- land and Wales Board (ECB) ther success in the years to come.” ominant Daniil afterF 12 years. Zimbabwean Flower coached Flower also gave his backing to new Eng- Medvedev reached a England to Ashes glory three times between land coach Chris Silverwood. “I’m really staggering sixth fi nal 2009 and 2014, with England reaching happy for Chris that he’s getting the chance in a row but will need number one in the Test rankings during his to lead England and I think he’s going to do toD beat Alexander Zverev for the fi ve-year spell in charge as well as clinching a great job,” he said. “I also want to wish Mo fi rst time to win the Shanghai a surprise World T20 triumph in 2010. Bobat, the new performance director, all the Masters yesterday. The US Open Flower was appointed England assist- best in his new role.” fi nalist defeated fellow rising star ant coach to in 2007 and took was a really proud moment in my coaching Flower hinted that he was more likely to Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 7-6 over as head coach two years later. For the career. I will still be based in England and I return to the game with a coaching role at (7/5), 7-5. last fi ve years, Flower, 51, has coached Eng- will continue to watch English cricket very a T20 franchise than in the international In the other semi-fi nal yes- land’s second-tier Lions team, but will now keenly — it has a very bright future.” game. “I haven’t had a sustained break for terday, Germany’s Zverev eased leave the ECB. “It’s been a real privilege,” he ECB managing director, , quite a long time,” he said. “I will still be past Matteo Berrettini of Italy said in a statement. “The Ashes victory in praised the work Flower had done during his based in England and I will continue to 6-3, 6-4 in a showdown between 2010-11 stands out. It’s diffi cult to win in time in England. “Andy moves on with every watch English cricket very keenly – it has a two more budding talents. With Australia, and to do it so comprehensively best wish from all of us at ECB for his out- very bright future.” Roger Federer and world number one Novak Djokovic ousted in the quarter-fi nals on Friday, the next generation of men’s tennis stars TEENAGE STAR GAUFF REACHES MAIDEN WTA FINAL has made its mark in China. The 23-year-old Russian Linz, Austria: American teenage sensation highest-level matches I’ve played. Andrea second match point. Her mother arrived in Medvedev embellished his fast- Daniil Medvedev of Russia plays a double-handed backhand during Coco Gauff reached the first WTA final of hit a lot of winners and put pressure on me. time to watch her daughter, flying in from growing reputation with a fi fth his win over Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the Shanghai Masters her career yesterday as the 15-year-old beat I was fighting for every point, even at break Luxembourg after arriving from Florida. victory in as many matches semi-finals yesterday. (AFP) Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 6-4 in the last four in points down, I just tried to get the serve in Gauff had thought she would be involved in against Tsitsipas, 21. In contrast, Linz. Gauff , who burst onto the scene with and make her play a point.” Luxembourg WTA qualifying this weekend, he is yet to overcome the 22-year- but it’s just boring. It’s so bor- jor confi dence boost. a run to the Wimbledon last 16 earlier this This is Gauff ’s first WTA tournament since but finds herself with more pressing duties old Zverev in four attempts. ing that I hate myself for putting But he said that past meetings year, is the youngest woman to make a she left the court in tears after a heavy in Linz instead. “I did say before this year and myself into that kind of situation with Medvedev stood for noth- WTA final since Nicole Vaidisova won the defeat by two-time Grand Slam champion during this year in the begin- where I have to play in his own ing because the Russian has im- Tashkent title in 2004. Naomi Osaka in the US Open third round. BRITAIN’S WATSON POWERS INTO ning that Sascha (Zverev) was terms and not in my terms.” proved markedly since their last “This is definitely unreal, my first final on Gauff showed plenty of variety in her game FIRST WTA FINAL SINCE 2016 the best in our ‘Next Gen’ group,” Sixth-ranked Zverev, long match, in 2018. “He’s diff erent the WTA,” said Gauff , who only got into the as she beat the 75th-ranked Petkovic, Britain’s Heather Watson reached her first the world number four said. “He touted as the man most likely to this year than previous years,” main draw in Austria as a lucky loser. “Linz relying frequently on well-executed drop WTA final in over three years by overcom- won three Masters when none of join the “Big Three” of Federer, said a wary Zverev. is my special place. Not even in juniors did shots. “I’m not the most confident with it ing Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-1, us were even close to doing this. Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, has “He’s been playing some un- I ever get into something as a lucky loser — but it worked well today,” she said. “I think 6-4 in the Tianjin Open. Despite having Positions have changed a little bit had a disappointing year, win- believable tennis in the last few now I’m in the final. I’ve had a lot of luck and I’ll keep using it until it doesn’t work so well played for over three hours to beat Magda so I think I can contest him right ning only one title. But the Ger- months. He’s probably the best happiness here.” anymore.” Linette on Friday, Watson showed no signs now.” man defeated 20-time Grand player in the world, making six The current world number 110 is set to The youngest-ever winner of a WTA of fatigue as she broke twice to close out The seventh-ranked Tsitsi- Slam champion Federer on Fri- fi nals in a row, winning a Mas- climb to at least 80th in the rankings next Tour title was two-time US Open champion the opening set in 25 minutes. Watson pas, who dumped out defending day and took that momentum ters (in Cincinnati in August) and week. In today’s final, she will face 2017 Tracy Austin, aged just 14, at Portland in swiftly opened up a 4-2 lead in the second champion Djokovic in three sets into his last-four clash with the making the US Open fi nal. He’s French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 1977. Gauff saved nine of 10 break points before sealing victory to reach Sunday’s on Friday, said that Medvedev’s 23-year-old Berrettini. defi nitely playing the best tennis who saved three match points in beating and broke her opponent for 3-2 in the final where she will face Sweden’s Rebecca formidable serve had been the The Italian, 13th in the world, of his life.” Russian eighth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova second set as Petkovic saved five break Peterson. World number 59 Peterson re- diff erence. “Same vibes, same put up a better fi ght in the second Nadal, the world number two 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5. points before double-faulting on a sixth. covered from an opening-set bagel to beat thing all over again,” said Tsitsi- set but was broken in the ninth and winner over Medvedev at “This is crazy,” Gauff added after winning The American fought through in the final Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 0-6 6-4 7-5 in other pas of yet another defeat to the game as his hopes of an upset Flushing Meadows, is not in in 92 minutes. “I thought I was out in quali- game to serve out victory, staving off three semi-final. British number two Watson will red-hot Russian. faded. Zverev said the victory Shanghai because of a wrist in- fying and now I’m here. This was one of the break points and coming through on her be bidding for her fourth WTA title. “I don’t mean to be rude at all, over Federer had given him a ma- jury.