FFORMULAORMULA 1 | Page 4 NNBABA | Page 5 ‘Four titles Last-gasp will not make Griffi n helps me better Clippers stay than Senna’ unbeaten

FOOTBALL Saturday, October 28, 2017 Safar 8, 1439 AH Spurs can thrive without Kane GULF TIMES against United, says Pochettino SPORT Page 3 FOOTBALL/QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Rayyan sound World No 1 Gauliter takes warning with 2-1 on Salazar in opener

By Sports Reporter hope Abdulla Mohamed al-Tamimi ‘Clasico’ victory will be looking to start strong in front Doha of his home crowd as he comes up against Egypt’s Fares Dessouky in Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb excels with several saves but orld No 1 Gregory Gau- round one. liter of France will begin Other strong contenders in the Al Rayyan have the last laugh in key fixture of the local football season his quest for a second men’s draw include England’s former Qatar Classic title with a World No.1 Willstrop, who last won the Wfi rst round clash against Mexico’s Ce- tournament in 2005. The Yorkshire- By Sports Reporter Doha sar Salazar at the Khalifa International man faces a tough ask in round one as Tennis and Squash Complex tomorrow. he takes on Peru’s Diego Elias, who has The 34-year-old missed Septem- been one to watch on the Men’s Tour so ot for nothing it’s called the ber’s NetSuite Open in San Francisco far this season – defeating England’s ‘Qatar Clasico.’ and last week’s Chicago Open because Matthew at the NetSuite Open and With the best crowd of the of an ankle injury and has been handed Marwan ElShorbagy at the US Open. current QNB Stars League a tough draw where he will run into The younger ElShorbagy brother seasonN in attendance creating a lively Egyptian ace Mohamed ElShorbagy in will begin his tournament against New ambience, the players must have felt the semi-fi nals if both come through Zealand’s World No 10 Paul Coll. they had an extra obligation to deliver. their preceding rounds. The Qatar Classic marks the second And deliver they did – a thriller, no But getting past Mexico’s Salazar World Series event of the season for less, at the Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad could also prove a tough ask for the the Men’s Tour and presents another Stadium – as Al Rayyan buried their re- Frenchman, whose only title in Qatar chance for players to earn points for cent run of misfortunes against famed came in 2011 when he defeated Eng- the World Series Standings as they bid rivals Al Sadd with highly entertaining a lishman in the fi nal. to qualify for the season-ending PSA 2-1 victory, with Abderrazzak Hamdal- He also fi nished second twice in Qa- World Series Finals – with only the top lah and Koh Myong-Jin fi nding the net tar – in 2007 when he lost to Egyptian eight players on the men’s standings in the second half. , and in 2015 when he was earning a coveted berth at the lucrative The win helped Michael Laudrup’s beaten by ElShorbagy. tournament. Lions to go level on points (15) with Al Whether he has made a full recovery Sadd and Al Duhail after six matches, from his ankle injury will be clear to- Round one – draw (top-half) although they are in third position on morrow in the opener where Chicago October 29 goal diff erence. Open champion Salazar could push [1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Cesar had earlier given him to his limits, although the Mexican Salazar (MEX) Al Sadd a 12th minute lead, taking ad- is ranked 9th in the World Series. Zahed Mohamed (EGY) v Gregoire vantage of the empty spaces in the pen- Egyptian former World No 1 ElShor- Marche (FRA) alty area heading home from close. bagy has had a strong start to the sea- Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Al Rayyan had suff ered some of their son, which has seen him claim titles at Diego Elias (PER) v [7] James Will- most humiliating defeats against Al the NetSuite Open and Channel VAS at strop (ENG) Sadd last season, but although they Al Rayyan were inspired by their supporters who waved banners saying “We trust you” and “fight”. Picture: Noushad St George’s Hill and a runner-up fi nish [5] (EGY) v [Q] didn’t match the sensational margins Thekkayil at the US Open. ElShorbagy will open Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v [Q] of victory of the Wolves, it was good against a qualifi er in round one. Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [WC] Abdulla enough to ease their pains and put them US Open champion and current Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) in a better frame of mind for the match- leader on the World Series Standings, [Q] v [3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) es ahead. Ali Farag, will look to continue his pur- The Qatar Football Association had ple patch as he also opens against a Round one – draw (bottom-half) fl own in Serbian referee Milodad Mazic qualifi er in round one. October 30 for the match and the players took full Elsewhere, defending champi- [4] (ENG) v [Q] advantage of his offi ciating. on, – who beat Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v [Q] Thanks to his liberal outlook – he ElShorbagy 3-0 in the 2016 fi nal – Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [Q] waived several minor infringements re- opens against Spain’s Borja Golan at (EGY) v [8] sulting in a free-fl owing game – players 19:30 local time on October 30. (EGY) were able to express themselves fully on Also in the bottom half of the draw, [6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v Paul the fi eld. three-time World Champion Nick Coll (NZL) Al Rayyan escaped going down Matthew – who beat Egypt’s Karim Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v Omar by a goal in the very fi rst minute but Darwish in the 2009 Qatar Classic fi - Mosaad (EGY) Bounedjah’s shot was pouched by Omar nal – will start his tournament against Simon Rosner (GER) v [Q] Barry. a qualifi er in round one. Borga Golan (ESP) v [2] Karim Abdel A couple of minutes later Pedro Cor- Tournament wildcard and home Gawad (EGY) reia’s shot hit the goalpost after taking a defl ection, much to Al Rayyan’s relief. But they didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal, Bounedjah fi nd- ing himself in perfect position to head home a pass from Musab Kamal. Al Rayyan pulled up their socks af- ter that and came close to levelling the scores a couple of times. In the 26th minute, Al Sadd goal- Koh Myong-Jin (R) is congratulated after he scored the winner for Al Rayyan. keeper Saad al-Sheeb – who had an excellent match with several key save – ria in the 29th minute added some ex- opportunity. With Xavi and Hassan al- found a way through the Al Khor de- got to the ball a fraction of a second ear- tra spark to the Al Rayyan forwardline Haydous hardly making their presence fence, thanks to some good attacking lier than Hamdallah to prevent a certain and heightened tensions in the Al Sadd felt for Al Sadd, Al Rayyan marginally play down the left. Left-back Rami goal. camp. looked the better team. Shamalah’s cross inside the area found The introduction of Sebastian So- The Qatar international was barely And sure enough they got the winner, Mohamed El Sayed who fi rst looped the on the fi eld for two minutes when he got Korean Koh doing most of the work on ball over the defender before scoring a chance to equalise, but his perfectly the left before scything past the Al Sadd when in on goal at the second attempt. RESULTS (HOME taken header off a 40-yard free-kick defence and scoring in the 71st minute. Sagbo did have a chance to fi nish off from was again saved by Earlier, Umm Salal got back to win- the game late on as he latched onto a TEAMS FIRST): al-Sheeb. ning ways in the QNB Stars League, through ball over the top, but was un- Al Sadd 1 (Baghdad Bounedjah 12) Al The Al Sadd goalkeeper was in the thanks to a nervy 1-0 victory over Al lucky to see his volley on the turn go Rayyan 2 (Abderrazak Hamdallah 55, thick of the action in the fi rst two min- Khor at the Al Gharafa Stadium. over the bar. Koh Myong-Jin 71) utes of the second half, saving a shot Needing to start the game well, Meanwhile, Al Ahli and Al Arabi Umm Salal 1 (Mohamed Gedo 49) Al from Hamdallah and beating Soria to the home side looked well organised played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Khor 0 the ball to keep his slate clean. against Laurent Banide’s Al Khor. the Al Ahli Stadium. Al Ahli 2 (Fareed Ibrahim 50, Me- However, Al Rayyan fi nally got onto However, they were largely restricted Under-23 player Farid Ibrahim (50th shaal Budawood 85) Al Arabi 2 (Am- the scoresheet in the 55th minute when to shots from distance in the fi rst half. minute) and defender Meshaal Mubar- mar Jemal 21, Mardik Mardikian 64) Hamdallah scored from close after the Danger man Yannick Sagbo went close ak (85th) scored for Al Ahli, while cap- ball was relayed to him via Tabata and on two occasions, fi rst shooting wide tain Ammar Jamal (21st) and Mardek TODAY’S MATCHES: Soria. when in on goal and the second, a rock- Mardikian (64th) were on target for Al Qatar Sports Club vs Al Sailiya Thereafter Jugurtha Hamroun saw et of a shot from long range, was tipped Arabi. Al Duhail vs Al Gharafa his header defl ected by Al Rayyan goal- around the post. Al Ahli now have fi ve points and Al Gregory Gauliter of France poses at the Hamad International Airport yesterday keeper Barry as Al Sadd missed a golden Immediately after the break, they Arabi four. after his arrival to take part in the Qatar Classic beginning tomorrow. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, October 28, 2017 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Real Madrid travel to Girona in eye of Werner, Leipzig eager political storm Madrid: After watching Barcelona cope ably with the distraction of political tension sweeping across Spain in recent weeks, it is Real Madrid’s turn to head into the eye of the storm for Bayern revenge tomorrow when they travel to Girona. It is the European champions’ Victory would also see Leipzig edge ahead of their rivals in Bundesliga title race first trip to Catalonia since vio- lence marred a separatist called independence referendum for the region on October 1 that has sparked weeks of political Everton’s Wayne Rooney (right) and chaos. The atmosphere sur- teammates train at the Finch Farm in rounding Real’s first ever top- Liverpool, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) flight visit to Girona, a heartland of pro-independence support, could be further intensified should the Spanish government follow through with plans this weekend to seize Catalonia’s autonomous powers in an attempt to stave off a declara- tion of independence. But the protagonists insist they are preparing solely with the 90 minutes on the pitch in mind. “We will have the secu- rity there as always to play a football match, nothing more,” Real Madrid coach said Madrid coach Zinedine Zinedine Zidane. (AFP) Zidane. “We are thinking solely about the match as always and points at stake.” not about what could happen Valverde’s influence at both around it.” Barca and Athletic has been As is normal on trips to noted in the first few months of Catalonia, Real will not use the campaign. their off icial team bus for fear Whilst the Catalans have won of reprisals. “It won’t be the first 12 and drawn one of their last time that this has happened 13 games in all competitions, and there is no need to give it the Basques have just one win any further importance,” Real’s in 11 and have slipped to 11th in Director of Institutional Rela- the table. tions, Emilio Butragueno, said. Atletico Madrid are better- “Real Madrid are a football club placed just six points back and we will only talk about the on Barcelona in fourth, but football — that is all we focus have been dogged by a lack of on, to win and to make our fans ruthlessness in front of goal all happy.” season as they await the return Fresh from picking up FIFA’s of club record signing Diego award for the best player of Costa in January. 2017, will be “It is the same thing as one of number of Real stars to always, our lack of eff iciency in return after being rested for front of goal doesn’t give us the Real’s Copa del Rey last 32, first calm we need. leg at third-tier Fuenlabrada We don’t score the goals and, on Thursday. Gareth Bale once in the end, we suff er,” midfielder again misses out through in- Saul Niguez said after Atletico Timo Werner (right) missed the decisive penalty in the shootout as Bayern knocked Leipzig out of the German Cup on Wednesday. (AFP) jury, although there is hope the were held 1-1 by third-tier Elche Welshman could return from in the Cup on Wednesday. AFP Bayern players at half-time, while coach system was working at the beginning of ard. “I’ve struggled to take my chances a calf problem in time to face By contrast, Atletico’s rock Berlin Ralph Hasenhuettl accused the referee of the season,” Bosz protested. “It was fun lately, so it was a liberation to score.” his old side Tottenham Hotspur solid defence comes up against “double standards”. to watch, and fun for the players.” Pierre- Victory would see Gladbach overtake in the Champions League on the most in-form striker in the The team played 65 of the 120 min- Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Goetze Hoff enheim, who are currently in fourth, Wednesday. league today as Cedric Bakam- imo Werner will be looking for utes with ten men on Wednesday, after are expected to return to the starting but have won just one of their last fi ve Political distractions aside, bu’s Villarreal visit the Wanda redemption when RB Leipzig Naby Keita’s red card, and Hasenhuettl team against Hanover. competitive games. Real remain in need of the Metropolitano. Bakambu has travel to Bayern Munich in the is expected to rotate his exhausted squad. Still bottom of the table and without a Fellow top four contenders Schalke points in Girona in their chase scored six times in his last three Bundesliga today. The 21-year- Werner, Lukas Klostermann and Diego win this season, Cologne face an in-form host Wolfsburg, with their hopes pinned of Barcelona, who travel to La Liga outings to lift Villarreal Told striker missed the decisive penalty in Demme should all return to the starting Bayer Leverkusen side in the Rhine Derby on rising midfi eld star Leon Goretzka. Athletic Bilbao today hoping to sixth. “Three points against the shootout as Bayern knocked Leipzig line-up. “It will be a very diffi cult game today. After the shock departure of sport- The 22-year-old has scored Schalke’s to open up an eight-point lead Villarreal will put us back in a out of the German Cup on Wednesday. (on Saturday),” said Leipzig forward Mar- ing director Joerg Schmadtke last week, opener in each of the last three games, over their rivals. Barca boss good position and the dynamic Werner is expected to return to the cel Sabitzer. victory in the cup against Hertha Berlin and is looking ever more likely to secure a Ernesto Valverde returns to San of the group will change,” starting eleven today, having started on “We will need to push ourselves to the has given Cologne hope ahead of the der- place in Germany’s World Cup squad next Mames for the first time since added Saul. the bench in midweek. He and his team limit. The only good thing is that Bayern by. The relegation-threatened club have summer. Goretzka missed out on Schal- swapping Bilbao for Barcelona will be out for immediate revenge in the have also had to play 120 minutes.” beaten their local rivals just once since ke’s cup win over Wiesbaden in midweek in June. “No matter where FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) Allianz Arena. Third in the table and just Borussia Dortmund head to Hanover in 2011, and they should expect no mercy due to muscular problems, but is expect- you have made your career or Today: Alaves v Valencia (1100), a point behind Bayern, victory would also good spirits today, having picked up their from Leverkusen this time around.”It ed to return to action against Wolfsburg. where you have played, every- Atletico Madrid v Villarreal (1630), see Leipzig edge ahead of their rivals in fi rst win in four games with a midweek sounds tough, but if Cologne are already one has the club they are most Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona (1845), the Bundesliga title race. victory over Magdeburg. Dortmund still on the ground, we should keep kick- FIXTURES defined by and mine clearly is Sevilla v Leganes (2030) Both sides currently sit behind league top the Bundesliga, but their fi ve-point ing them,” said Leverkusen striker Julian (all times 1330 GMT unless stated) Athletic,” Valverde said. Tomorrow: Getafe v Real Socie- leaders Borussia Dortmund, who hope lead has evaporated in recent weeks, fol- Brandt. Today: Bayer Leverkusen v Cologne, “The first time you go back dad (1000), Girona v Real Madrid to return to winning ways when they lowing defeat by RB Leipzig and a 2-2 Thorgan Hazard’s winner fi red Borus- Hanover 96 v Borussia Dortmund, Hertha you try to concentrate on your (1415), Eibar v Levante (1630), host Hanover 96. Emotions are sure to draw at Eintracht Frankfurt. sia Moenchengladbach into the next Berlin v Hamburg, Hoff enheim v Borussia own team because if you go Malaga v Celta Vigo (1845) run high when RB Leipzig head to Mu- Bosz had been accused of reckless round of the German Cup on Tuesday, Moenchengladbach, Schalke 04 v Wolfs- around shaking hands with On Monday: Espanyol v Real nich, after tensions boiled over during tactics after the string of disappoint- and the Belgian has promised more of the burg, Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig (1630) everyone you forget there is a Betis, Las Palmas v Deportivo la Wednesday’s cup clash. Leipzig sporting ing results, but vowed this week that he same against Hoff enheim this weekend. Tomorrow: Werder Bremen v Augsburg game and three very important Coruna (1900) director Ralf Rangnick squabbled with would not change his philosophy. “The “This was just the beginning,” said Haz- (1530), Stuttgart v Freiburg (1800)

FOCUS SERIE A Qatar to play India in Juve fear Milan as big guns jostle for top spot

AFP estimate us a bit,” he added. U-19 friendly today Milan Leaders Napoli travel north to Sas- suolo, who are just two points above the By Sports Reporter week-long camp which is a mix relegation zone, looking to keep ahead of Doha of India’s U-17 World Cup squad assimiliano Allegri has Inter Milan who travel to lowly Verona on and India’s U-19 team which warned Juventus to expect Monday. Both Napoli and Inter are un- played in the SAFF U-19 Cham- a mauling from AC Milan as beaten with solid defences having con- atar and India un- pionship in Bhutan. Serie A resumes today with ceded just seven goals in ten games. der-19 teams will clash Mjust three points separating the top four Roma host Bologna on Saturday with- in a friendly match in QATAR SQUAD teams. After a week overshadowed by ac- out Dutch international Rick Karsdorp, Doha today. This the Hashim Ali, Bahaa Ellethy, Ahmed cusations of racism and anti-semitism in who picked up a ruptured cruciate liga- thirdQ friendly match for Qatar, Italian football — Lazio fans having post- ment during the week. Lazio — fi red by Suhail, Yousef Abdulrazzak, having already played against Nasser Peer, Abdullah Saai, Abdulla ed a photo of Anne Frank in a Roma jersey league leading striker Ciro Immobile — Iran and Uzbekistan in the last Almursi, Homam Elamin, Andri — the focus returns to action on the pitch show no signs of being thrown off course week as they prepare for the 2018 Syaputra, Nasser Alahraq, Nasser where all is to play for. by the racism row over their fans. AFC U-19 Championship quali- al- Kaabi, Nasser al-Harbi, Moham- Napoli lead with 28 points after ten The Roman side won in Bologna mid- fi ers, which will be held in No- med al-Naimi, Nasser Alyazidi, Kha- days with Inter Milan just two points be- week and Immobile, reportedly the tar- vember. led Saleh, Khaled Mansour, Shehab hind and champions Juventus and Lazio get of a 70mn euro ($81mn) off er from The friendlies come in the Ellethy, Youssef Farahat, Mahmoud both on 25. There should be fi reworks Chinese club Shanghai SIPG, will be back of a training camp in Slov- Abunada, Ali Karami, Abdulrasheed with Roma sitting fi fth and also well in hoping to get a few more past tailenders enia where Qatar beat Slovenia’s Ibrahim, Marwan Sherif, Khaldoon the running with 21 points and a game Benevento. Promoted Benevento have Olimpija Ljubljana 4-2 before Ismaiel, Adam Mohammed, Mo- in hand. But despite being in close touch no points — a Serie A record — just three drawing with Dynamo Zagreb of hammed Waad, Ahmed al-Janhi and with Napoli, Allegri fears Juventus have goals scored and 24 conceded. Croatia 2-2. Ahmed al-Minhali. been far from convincing even with a Fiorentina travel to Crotone looking Qatar are placed in Group INDIA SQUAD championship-leading 31 goals scored. to gain ground on Sampdoria just above C in the Asian qualifi ers along Goalkeepers: Dheeraj Singh, The Juventus boss saw worrying signs the Tuscany side in sixth and who host with Iraq and Lebanon and will Mohammad Nawaz, Prabhsukhan during a 4-1 win over SPAL in Turin mid- Chievo. Elsewhere, Genoa travel to SPAL, kick off their campaign at home Singh Gill. week, which could be exploited by Milan Udinese hosts Atalanta and Torino travel against Lebanon on November Defenders: , Sahil boosted by a 4-1 success at Chievo after to Cagliari. 6 followed by the match against Panwar, Deepak Tangri, Ashish Rai, three consecutive defeats. Iraq, two days later. Boris Singh, Sanjeev Stalin, Anwar “If we perform like that on Saturday Champions Juventus have been far from convincing this season. (AFP) FIXTURES Meanwhile, India have been Ali, Jitendra Singh. we risk leaving the San Siro with broken (all times 1300GMT unless stated) clubbed with hosts Saudi Midfielders: Abhishek Halder, Princ- bones,” warned Allegri of a classic Serie A Vincenzo Montella is fi ghting to keep giants. “We had a mental block, we need- Today: AC Milan v Juventus (1600), Roma v Arabia,Yemen and Turkmenistan eton Rebello, Suresh Singh, Amarjit clash. “We’re on a roller coaster. We don’t his job after a stuttering start sees them in ed a win to give us confi dence,” said Suso. Bologna (1845) in Group D. They play their fi rst Singh, Rahul KP, Ninthoinganba seem to understand that it’s great to score eighth some 12 points off the top despite Milan will again be without captain Le- Tomorrow: Benevento v Lazio (1030), match against Saudi Arabia on Meetei, Nongdamba Naorem, goals but when we were 2-0, instead of millions poured into the side by their am- onardo Bonucci who was red carded last Sampdoria v Chievo, SPAL v Genoa, Napoli November 4. Jeakson Singh. controlling we did everything wrong, al- bitious new Chinese owners. But Spanish weekend, but Montella wants to see “the v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta, Crotone v Head Coach Luis Norton de Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Ro- lowing (SPAL’s Alberto) Paloschi to get a forward Suso believes this week’s win was real spark”. “Next Saturday I would like Fiorentina, Torino v Cagliari (1845) Matos picked his squad after a shan Singh, Lalawmpuia, . goal back.” a turning point for the former European the real spark. I hope the Juve will under- On Monday: Verona v Inter Milan (1845) Gulf Times Saturday, October 28, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Spurs can thrive without Kane against Man Utd: Pochettino Spurs forward has already hit 13 goals this season but was forced off late on in win over Liverpool with a hamstring issue

AFP London

ottenham boss Mauricio Po- chettino said yesterday his high-fl ying side do not need to prove they can win without THarry Kane as they head to Manches- ter United without the injured forward. Kane has already hit 13 goals for Spurs this season but was forced off late on in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Liverpool with a hamstring issue. The 24-year-old will not feature against United as Tottenham look to address a recent poor record at Old Traff ord and leapfrog Jose Mourinho’s side in the Premier League table. Po- chettino said he was not willing to take Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry a risk by involving Kane, who hit a brace Kane holds leg after appearing to pick up an against Liverpool before his late injury, injury during the match against Liverpool at with other big games on the horizon. Wembley Stadium in London last week. (AFP) Manchester City boss Pep Guar- diola recently labelled Tottenham as “the team” but Pochettino pointed to last term, when Spurs coped without Kane as he nursed an ankle injury, as proof they can be successful without their talisman. “We don’t need to prove ourselves, that we’re Tottenham,” said Pochet- tino, whose side lie third in the Premier League table with 20 points, trailing United only on goal diff erence. “May- be people expect that but for us, no. I think last season, in the period he was injured, you can see the stats and the games we played — win and lose with tine said. “The doctor and medical staff playing with more passion infuriated Wagner’s three children whilst the Ter- reserves in 2011 — is downplaying the says it is only a matter of time before he Harry, win and lose without Harry. made the decision to not take the risk. Mourinho — said beating Spurs would riers handler was best man at Klopp’s personal part and highlighting the re- does take sole charge of the record. “I’m disappointed because he is our There is no sense in taking that risk and put that shock loss behind them. wedding — after a disappointing start markable rise of his modest club. “It’s “If not the next game, it’s another main striker and I think he is one of the making the problem bigger. The play- to the season domestically. a great relationship. It’s more than a one,” said Guardiola, whose side have best strikers in Europe, in the world, ers are not machines and it is so diffi - KLOPP AND WAGNER FACE OFF, Poor league form — plus an early exit friendship,” said Wagner. already beaten West Brom this season and always you are going to miss your cult to cope with international duty and AGUERO EYES RECORD in the League Cup — has left them al- “Maybe he’s more a family member in the League Cup. “He has to be fo- best striker. I am not silly or stupid to playing every three days. It is not a big David Wagner considers Jurgen Klopp ready 12 points adrift of leaders Man- rather than a friend. But I think the cused and it is going to happen. It is not talk in a diff erent way. You always want problem, only a small issue, but he is to be a member of his family but today chester City. City travel to out of form real important and extraordinary story a record he has to break by scoring 50 all the players available... We always not going to play (on Saturday).” the former will set aside their close ties West Brom who will seek to emulate is Huddersfi eld Town meets Liverpool more goals. It’s one more goal.” believe in collective, the squad. Dur- Pochettino could hand summer and hope his Huddersfi eld side beat second tier Wolves earlier this week in in the Premier League in a competi- FIXTURES ing the season, problems happen and signing Fernando Llorente his full Pre- Liverpool for the fi rst time since 1959. denying Sergio Aguero the outright all- tive game. I think nobody should forget (1400GMT kick-off s unless stated) you must trust all the players, all the mier League debut in place of Kane, Wagner’s side arrive on a high after time scoring record for the club. this. This is the real extraordinary story. Today: Arsenal v Swansea, Bournemouth squad.” while using Son Heung-Min as an out- beating Manchester United for the fi rst An ideal weekend for City manager I don’t know for how many years, the v Chelsea (1630), Liverpool v Huddersfield, The club described Kane’s injury as and-out striker is also a possibility. time since 1952 last Saturday which Pep Guardiola would be a win for his last time this football club was able to Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur a “minor strain to the left hamstring”, Mourinho will be looking for his sees them lying in a respectable 11th team and a draw between United and play at Anfi eld in a competitive game. (1130), West Brom v Manchester City, Crys- which has already been assessed. Po- players to show a considerable im- place after nine matches. Tottenham — second and third respec- This is the big story for us.” tal Palace v West Ham, Watford v Stoke. chettino said it was only a “small issue” provement on their attitude to the one A win over Liverpool would lift Hud- tively — who are both fi ve points adrift Aguero’s failure to move ahead of Playing tomorrow: Brighton v Southamp- but he did not want to exacerbate the they displayed against Huddersfi eld. dersfi eld above them and increase the of the Spaniard’s side. Wagner — who Eric Brook’s mark of 177 goals against ton (1330), Leicester v Everton (1600) problem by playing him against United. Spanish midfi elder Ander Herrera — pressure that is building on his great was brought in by then head coach Wolves was blamed by Guardiola on the On Monday: Burnley v Newcastle United “We can’t take the risk,” the Argen- whose remark about Huddersfi eld friend — who is godfather to one of Klopp to coach Borussia Dortmund’s quality of the ball but the City manager (2000)

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP FIFA no longer ‘toxic’, says Infantino as Furious Conte World Cup prize money rises to $400mn blasts reports of AFP Chelsea unrest Kolkata

AFP IFA leader Gianni Infantino in- London sisted yesterday that football’s world body is no longer a “toxic” brand shunned because of scan- ntonio Conte de- dalsF that embroiled past leaders. Infanti- scribed reports of un- no hailed the increase to $400mn in prize rest at Chelsea that cast money for next year’s World Cup in Rus- doubt over his future sia — including $38mn for the winning atA the reigning Premier League team — as a sign of FIFA’s success. champions as “b*******” yes- The $48mn increase from 2014 and terday. The furious Italian denies toughened bid rules for the 2026 tourna- his reign has been undermined ment were both agreed by FIFA’s ruling by players texting his former council at a meeting in Kolkata. The in- assistant Steve Holland to com- crease is “a positive sign in terms of the plain of his training methods and healthy fi nancial situation of FIFA,” said rejected a story that he will not Infantino who took over from the scan- see out the remaining 20 months dal-tainted Sepp Blatter in February last of his contract. Speculation has Watford last Saturday. Conte’s year. Infantino said bidding regulations linked the board with a move for side then defeated beleaguered for future World Cups have to be “bullet- Carlo Ancelotti to replace Conte, Everton 2-1 in the League Cup at proof” after the past scandal that saw but Chelsea’s indignant boss has Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, FIFA lose sponsors. “The bidding regula- accused his critics of showing a The Italian continued: “You tions are of course a milestone in not only “lack of respect”. don’t know me. This is work for FIFA’s history but I think in the history of FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks after a FIFA Council meeting in Kolkata, India, yesterday. (Reuters) “Around us there (is) a lot of me. From my experience for me sports organisations in the way bidding b*******. This is true. If I look as a player in great teams and processes are conducted,” said Infantino. federations Cup with a new world club a single match was played between the cupied West Bank. Infantino called the at the past, I see it happened the coach in great teams this is work The changes will mean the rival off ers competition, Gianni Infantino said. The champions of Europe and South America dispute “exceptionally complex” because same with the other managers. for me. You don’t know the pres- by a joint US/Canada and Mexico bid and FIFA chief also confi rmed that FIFA will in Tokyo. of the political situation in the Middle A lot of b*******” Conte said. sure you can have when you are from Morocco will face greater scrutiny offi cially recognise as world club cham- East. It involved “issues which are there “They try to create problems be- manager of your country during from an independent external auditor. pions the winners of the old Interconti- FIFA FAILS TO TAKE DECISION IN since 10,000 years and have not been tween me, the club and the play- the World Cup or Euros. Not one The bids and the FIFA evaluation com- nental Cup dating back to 1960 — a con- ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN DISPUTE solved yet and football is not going to ers. If someone is happy to con- person can know this situation. mittee will also face new restrictions on test that became notorious for some of FIFA’s leadership refused yesterday to solve them either I am afraid,” he said tinue to write this, I answer very “This is work for me, but if their activities. “We want to make sure the most unsavoury matches in the sport. intervene in a dispute between Israel and The Palestinians complain that their well in the past. I am answering someone is happy to write this that the bidding process for 2026 is abso- FIFA currently organises a Club World the Palestinians over football in the oc- players face harassment and even arrest very well about these diff erent and this make the newspaper lutely bullet proof,” he said. FIFA reported Cup every year, featuring the champion cupied territories, opening up a likely by Israel when trying to move between the issues. more interesting continue to do a $122mn loss for 2015 which it blamed on clubs of each continent, but it has recent- confrontation at the international sports occupied West Bank and Gaza and that “This is a lack of respect. I can this, but don’t put another per- the legal costs from the scandals. It had to ly suff ered from European dominance tribunal. some have been prevented from travelling accept it being written that the son in because this is incorrect.” dig into its $1.5bn reserves to pay the cost. with teams from other regions unable to The world body’s ruling council de- to international tournaments. club is ready to sack me and can Chelsea’s Premier League title But it still set a target of $5.65bn in rev- mount a serious challenge. clined to adopt any of three possible ac- The Palestinian Football Association accept the story with the players. defence has stalled and they trail enues for the four year cycle between the The Confederations Cup is held in the tions recommended by an international (PFA) said Israel had breached FIFA stat- I can accept this but to put an- leaders Manchester City by nine 2014 and 2018 World Cups. FIFA aims for year before a World Cup and features the commission which spent more than two utes which state that a member country’s other person in this way I think points ahead of today’s visit to a $100mn surplus between its revenues respective national team champions of years looking at the long-running battle. teams cannot play matches on the terri- this is incorrect and it is not good Bournemouth. Conte admitted and spending, which is mainly on nation- each continent. Infantino stressed that it The FIFA Council said it “must remain tory of another association without per- that this person has to send me a the champions, in fourth place al associations and running tournament was important not to further congest the neutral with regard to political matters” mission. Israel said FIFA should stay out message to tell me ‘I’m sorry but with 16 points from nine match- like the World Cup. international calendar. “One option could in line with the world body’s statutes. as there are no recognised frontiers for a this is not true. If you want me to es, were negotiating a diffi cult be to organise it instead of the Confedera- The Palestinian football association Palestinian state. The CAS could force do an interview I am ready’.” start to the campaign following NEW CLUB COMPETITION MAY tions Cup,” he said. The Club World Cup had demanded FIFA sanctions over six FIFA to hold a vote at its next congress on Chelsea ended a run of three a succession of injuries to key REPLACE CONFEDERATIONS CUP has been held in its current form since teams playing in the Israeli league which the Palestinian demands. Infantino said games without a win with a 4-2 players such as Eden Hazard and Meanwhile, FIFA could replace the Con- 2005. Before that, from 1980 to 2004, are based in Israeli settlements in the oc- that FIFA would follow any CAS decision. Premier League victory over N’Golo Kante. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, October 28, 2017 MOTORSPORT

FORMULA ONE Bottas fastest in fi rst Mexican GP practice Mexico City: Finland’s Valtteri dromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Bottas kept teammate and The Briton won at the high- Four titles would not title favourite Lewis Hamilton altitude circuit last season and off the top of the first-practice is the 1/500 odds on favourite timesheets yesterday as cham- to take the title with two races pions Mercedes made a quick to spare. start to the Mexican Grand Prix Sergio Perez was seventh weekend. fastest for Force India, with Bottas was 0.466 quicker regular team mate Esteban make me better than than Hamilton, who is on the Ocon sitting out the session to brink of securing his fourth make way for Mexican Adolfo title, and put in a hefty 42 laps Celis Jr. to give the home crowd during the opening session two drivers on track. Ocon will with a circuit record time of not have enjoyed being a spec- one minute 17.824 seconds. tator as Celis put the French- Hamilton’s 2016 pole time man’s car backwards into the Senna: Hamilton was 1:18.704. The Red Bulls of barriers at turn 16 and halted Max Verstappen and Daniel the session. Ricciardo were third and fourth New Zealander Brendon 'I feel very proud for my name to be mentioned alongside his name and that’s all' with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel Hartley, preparing for his 0.762 off the pace in fifth. second race with Toro Rosso, Reuters Red Bull and Ferrari were us- managed only 10 laps with Mexico City ing slower supersoft tyres than mechanics working on the car Mercedes’ ultrasofts, however, after he stopped on track. and should close the gap sig- There were also more ewis Hamilton says winning a nificantly in the afternoon. problems for McLaren, with fourth Formula One world title Hamilton is 66 points clear of Belgian Stoff el Vandoorne would not make him better than Vettel and needs only to finish sidelined completely as the boyhood hero Ayrton Senna, the fifth tomorrow to become Brit- team changed his car’s power LBrazilian whose death as a triple cham- ain’s first four times champion, unit to a spare. He already has a pion in 1994 rocked the sport. The Briton even if Vettel wins at the Auto- 35-place grid penalty. has already exceeded Senna’s career tally of race wins, podiums and pole positions and success in Mexico tomorrow would make him only the fi fth driver to claim SPOTLIGHT four championships. “Ayrton’s life was cut short and I think had he the opportunity to continue and race in safe conditions he would have Vettel hails Ferrari continued to win more championships,” the Briton told reporters on Thursday. Senna was 34 when he died in the San key man Arrivabene Marino Grand Prix at Imola. “I don’t look upon him and think that I am better be- Reuters well respected... so absolutely cause I have more wins and champion- Mexico City I’m a fan,” he added. ships and poles, but I feel very proud for Ferrari failed to win a race last my name to be mentioned alongside his year but came back this season name and that’s all.” ebastian Vettel has hailed with a bang, Vettel winning the Hamilton, who grew up idolising Sen- Ferrari team principal opener in Australia and lead- na, will become the fi rst Briton to win Maurizio Arrivabene as ing the championship until last four championships and is also by far the the right man for the job month. In 2014 they were only most successful in terms of race wins. amidS speculation about the fu- fourth in the championship, also He has already taken seven times ture leadership of Formula One’s without a win. world champion Michael Schumacher’s most successful and glamor- Events have gone against Vet- records for most pole positions and front ous team. The four times world tel since Singapore, where he and row starts and is now 29 wins away from champion made a robust defence teammate Kimi Raikkonen col- equalling the German’s all-time record of of the Italian at the Mexico Grand lided at the start, with an engine 91 victories. Some believe he could one Prix on Thursday, crediting the problem in Malaysia sending him day match Schumacher’s championships. former Philip Morris market- to the back of the grid and a bro- Unlike former teammate Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP driver Lewis Hamilton signs autographs during the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos ing executive with a key role in ken spark plug in Japan leaving who won last year’s title and promptly re- Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, yesterday. (AFP) transforming the team. him empty-handed. tired, Hamilton could be around for some Media reports have suggested The German is now 66 points time yet. “I can easily imagine myself the natural talent I have today but I didn’t mind who he raced against but rated the champion Nico Rosberg. Hamilton and Arrivabene could be replaced at behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamil- without Formula One, but it is not about have the knowledge experience,” he said. Australian highly. “I have already raced Rosberg had a notoriously frosty rela- the helm by technical head Mat- ton with three races to go. Ham- that right now,” he said. “There are some “I’m much better equipped than I was against the best and in my personal opin- tionship with both battling for the title. tia Binotto after recent technical ilton needs to fi nish only fi fth really cool things coming along that are in 2008. It’s actually been more enjoyable ion that’s Fernando (Alonso),” he said. “There are a lot of great drivers here failures saw Ferrari’s construc- tomorrow to secure his fourth going to complement where I am in For- this year being in the position I am. A lot “Daniel has a great driver in his team- that I would be happy to race against,” tors’ championship challenge championship, but Vettel refused mula One.” more comfortable in my own skin.” mate so he has to really work to make sure said Hamilton. “As long as somehow fi zzle out. to abandon hope. “We want to He would not give any further details that he continues to out-perform him, you are able to maintain positivity in the Asked whether he wanted Ar- win the last three races and I about that, but said he had been in meet- HAMILTON OPEN TO HAVING you have to beat the person you are with team, hopefully you are fi ghting another rivabene to stay, Vettel replied: think we can. So that’s our goal. ings in Los Angeles earlier this week to RICCIARDO AS A TEAMMATE fi rst before you can look at competing team and that harmony is incredibly im- “Absolutely. “Look at the results. And then we see what happens,” discuss “some creations” he had been Hamilton said he would be happy to part- against someone else and beating them. portant for everyone to enjoy what they Look at where Ferrari was after he said. “Overall, I think the working on. “I defi nitely won’t be here ner Daniel Ricciardo at Mercedes one day But Daniel is a fantastic driver and it do,” he added. 2014, how competitive Ferrari team has done incredibly to be at 40. I don’t think that is going to hap- but the Australian should keep his focus would be a privilege to race against him. Ferrari’s Vettel, Ricciardo’s former Red was in 2014 and how — sorry to where we are now. Which, again, pen. It changes all the time,” added the fi rmly on staying ahead of Red Bull team- He is a great character, he brings a lot of Bull teammate, indicated he would also say – what miserable shape it nobody expected. We’ve proven 32-year-old. “There have been times mate Max Verstappen. positivity to his team.” be happy to pair up again with the Aus- was,” said the German. “The probably everybody wrong.” where I thought I am happy to move on Ricciardo will be out of contract at the Ricciardo and Verstappen have both tralian. Ferrari are also likely to have a spirit was down so I think he’s the Vettel said Ferrari were still but you can’t come back. I can’t tell you end of next season and said recently that won this season, with the Australian vacancy in 2019, with Kimi Raikkonen’s key person responsible for bring- growing as a team with increas- how long I will be here for, but eventu- he would love to partner Hamilton, who is fourth on 192 points and his 20-year-old contract ending next year. ing most of that back and to make ingly high expectations. “The ally I will fi gure it out and know when the set to become a four-times Formula One Dutch teammate sixth on 123. Verstap- Both Verstappen and Vettel are con- the team grow, to open things up, most important thing is that if time comes. I anticipate a couple more world champion in Mexico this weekend. pen has suff ered more reliability issues, fi rmed at their respective teams through to change things that have been you look at the result, it’s com- years at least.” Finland’s Valtteri Bottas currently has a however. Hamilton said Bottas was also a 2020. “I like Daniel,” said Vettel. “Obvi- set like that for 20 years. ing,” he said. “I think where Hamilton said he had come a long way contract at Mercedes for 2018. great teammate, who had brought a more ously for next year things are sorted, and “I think he has a very innova- we’ve gone, 2015 to 2016, espe- since his fi rst title with McLaren nine Asked about Ricciardo’s comments, relaxed atmosphere to the team after the then... it depends always on what’s going tive and creative way of thinking. cially through ‘16 and then for years ago. “In 2008 I was a kid, I had all Hamilton told reporters that he did not departure of now-retired 2016 world on but in the end it’s not my choice.” So I think he’s the right man, he’s ‘17, things are going and heading a very strong leader, I think he’s the right way.”

FOCUS MOTOGP Verstappen Dovizioso dominates wet Malaysia practice AFP Sepang, Malaysia Ducati's Italian rider Andrea apologises for Dovizioso negotiates a corner during the practice session in ucati rider Andrea Dovizioso set Sepang, Malaysia, yesterday. (AFP) the pace during wet Malaysian Austin outburst MotoGP practice yesterday as world title hopeful Marc Mar- can move on and enjoy this race quezD twice went off the track. Reuters Mexico City weekend.” The Spaniard however did not fall off Formula One race director his bike as the slow run-off s outside the Charlie Whiting had said that confi nes of the track were to help him ax Verstappen made “it would be nice” if Verstappen reduce his speed. Italy’s Dovizioso, who a public apology for apologised for what he had said, faces an uphill battle to stop Marquez his criticism of a but had yet to do so. Verstappen’s winning his second straight world cham- Formula One stew- comments were widely inter- pionship, clocked 2min 00.671sec, while Mard on Thursday after the sport’s preted as being aimed at Austral- Marquez was 0.279 slower in fi fth on the governing body made clear they ian steward Garry Connelly, who overall standings. were awaiting his response. has been involved in previous “It was the perfect day,” said Dovizio- The 20-year-old Red Bull decisions against the youngster. so. “I’m really happy about the lap time I driver was demoted from third Whiting said however the of- did this morning. It was quite fast....” to fourth at last weekend’s US fi cials’ decision had been unani- “We did a good lap time. I was fi rst. Grand Prix after stewards ruled mous and rejected a suggestion There was a good feeling from the begin- he gained an advantage by ex- that Connelly’s record showed he ning, especially in the wet. In the wet we ceeding track limits while pass- “had it in” for the Dutchman. confi rm good things from last year and it ing Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen on “I know Garry very well and was even better. I’m really happy about the last lap. Verstappen called a more honest and scrupulous that,” he added. one of the offi cials an “idiot” in person you couldn’t ever come Last year Dovizioso won the Malaysian television interviews, with com- across,” added the Briton, who grand Prix on a wet track. Honda rider ments to Dutch audiences show- said other drivers who exceeded Marquez leads Dovizioso by 33 points ing even less respect. track limits in Austin went un- and he can clinch to the world title with Speaking at the Mexican GP, punished because they gained no a race to spare by fi nishing fi rst or second Verstappen stood by his view the lasting advantage. “Any idea that at Sepang, where his sole victory was in punishment was wrong but ac- he may have it in for a driver is 2014. Yesterday’s best times were all set practice. “I feel quite comfortable and I’m Crutchlow was sixth, Czech rider Karel changeable weather, fast-drying track cepted he could have used better wholly unfounded.” in the morning session, when the track happy with the fi rst day,” he said. Abraham on a Ducati seventh, and Spain’s and sudden storms: a perfect melting pot words to express his feelings. He The penalty for Verstap- was damp after a brief shower, while the Maintaining his strong performance Hector Barbera, also on a Ducati, was for an exciting showdown for the crown. later posted a message on Insta- pen has become a major talking afternoon run was soaking wet. form from Motegi, Zarco however had a eighth. Vinales continued Yamaha’s im- Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo who was 10th gram to apologise for his lan- point, but Mercedes title favour- Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista of Spain rode nasty fall in the wet afternoon session on proved wet-weather form by setting the fastest praised the Ducati machine and guage. “My comments were made ite Lewis Hamilton saw plenty to his machine to the second fastest time, turn 8 but he was seen on television cam- fourth fastest time, a further two tenths Dovizioso’s riding skills on both dry and in the heat of the moment, I know praise in the youngster. “He will posting 2:00.742, while Yamaha rider Jo- era to get up and run to his machine. back. Vinales, however, was involved in wet track. that the words I used were inap- say diff erent things when he is hann Zarco of France was third fastest. Spain’s Maverick Vinales on a Yama- an incident with Barbera’s Ducati that “Dovi’s riding really, really well,” he propriate and they were not di- 30 and handle things diff erently,” Bautista, who had an impressive day, ha was fourth quickest but Italian great cost him a damaged brake lever on his said. Riders will battle it out today for grid rected at any one person,” he said. the Briton said. “But what’s great said he was pleased with his Ducati ma- Valentino Rossi, who is fourth in the bike, forcing the Yamaha rider into the positions. A total of 50 points are still up “I certainly did not mean to about Max is that he has got this chine especially in the morning session standings with 188 points, was 12th on pits during the afternoon session. for grabs in Malaysia and in the season’s cause any off ence and I hope we great fi re in him.” when the track was drying up during the timesheets. British Honda rider Cal The Sepang circuit is known for its fi nal race in Valencia on November 12. Gulf Times Saturday, October 28, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA BASEBALL Japan’s Darvish makes World Griffi n’s 3-pointer Series debut helps LA Clippers in familiar park stay unbeaten The Clippers moved to 4-0 with the win as the Blazers fell to 3-2

AFP having adjusted his approach Houston since joining the Dodgers, at- tacking right-handed hitters with fastballs and lefties with apanese pitcher Yu breaking cutter fastballs. Darvish makes his “I really don’t change much World Series debut in a going into tomorrow’s outing, familiar ballpark, trying but to them I’m a diff erent toJ put the Los Angeles Dodgers kind of pitcher, diff erent type back atop the Houston Astros of pitcher in my pitch selec- in the championship show- tion,” Darvish said. “So they down. feel I may have a diff erent ap- The 31-year-old right- proach.” hander takes the mound with Since joining the Dodgers, a calm, composed outlook de- Darvish went 4-3 with a 3.44 spite Major League Baseball’s ERA in the season and has won best-of-seven fi nal being two playoff games, allowing deadlocked 1-1 after Houston’s two earned runs over 11 1/3 in- 7-6 win Wednesday at Los nings with 14 strikeouts and Angeles. only one walk. “It’s just who I am and “Every player has a diff er- my character,” Darvissaid ent thing that drives them Wednesday through a trans- — fame, fortune, individual lator. “When I get off the success. I think it’s just he mound, I just want the team to wants to win a champion- have a chance to win, so that’s ship,” Dodgers manager Dave my goal tomorrow.” Roberts said. “Now he’s sort LA Clippers forward Blake Griff in (32) Darvish, who came to the of on autopilot, just trying to celebrates after making a game winning United States in 2012 after do whatever it takes to win a three point basket against the Portland Trail seven seasons with Japan’s championship.” Blazers on nThursday. Picture: Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fight- Darvish has shined on some Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports ers, was traded to the Dodgers of the sport’s biggest stages, in July from the Texas Rang- leading his team to Japan’s na- AFP quick layup. I was just trying held to fewer than 30 points for pulled down 13 rebounds to lay the Atlanta Hawks 91-86 after ers, an American League West tional high school fi nal, win- Los Angeles to get a clean shot. But as time the fi rst time this season, but the foundation for a nail-biting double digit contributions from division rival of the Astros. ning a Japan League title and ticked away, I just didn’t think I still weighed in with 28 points, win in Memphis. Point guard Robin Lopez and David Nwaba. In the past fi ve years at helping his homeland capture could get to the rim in time. I just 10 rebounds, seven assists and Mike Conley added 22 points Lopez scored 16 points while Houston with the Rangers, the 2009 World Baseball Clas- lake Griffi n hit a three- kind of took what was there.” three steals. and four assists as the Grizzlies Nwaba came off the bench to Darvish was 4-1 with a 2.16 sic. pointer on the buzzer Blazers guard Damian Lillard Khris Middleton and Malcolm improved to 4-1. 15 points with 11 rebounds in a earned-run average and 56 “Yu has had a lot of experi- as the Los Angeles Clip- led the home team’s scoring with Brogdon scored 15 points each as Forward Harrison Barnes top- hard-fought fi rst win of the sea- strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings, ences and he’s prepared for pers maintained their 25 points, while guard CJ Mc- Milwaukee 45 % at the Milwau- scored for Dallas with 22 points son for the Bulls. last winning here on June 12 by this moment,” Roberts said. unbeatenB start to the season with Collum added 23, and forward kee Arena. and 11 rebounds as the Maver- Six players reached double allowing only one run in seven “I know he’s excited so there’s a 104-103 win over the Portland Al-Farouq Aminu 19. Horford spent much of his icks threatened to claim back- fi gures for the Bulls, including innings in a 6-1 victory. going to be butterfl ies. But we Trail Blazers on Thursday. The Clippers moved to 4-0 evening shadowing Antetok- to-back wins over the Grizzlies rookie Lauri Markkanen (14) and “It’s better to know this expect him to pitch well.” The Clippers’ fi rst road win with the win as the Blazers fell ounmpo on the defensive end. following their win in Dallas on Justin Holiday (13). stadium and I’ve pitched well A major part of that has of the 2017 campaign came after to 3-2. “He wills his way to the paint, Wednesday. Markkanen, who had a dis- here before,” Darvish said. been simplifying Darvish’s Griffi n made a quick dribble and Elsewhere Thursday, Kyrie and the big challenge for me was The Grizzlies looked to be appointing night of shooting “Maybe it will give me a little versatile arsenal of deceptive shot from just outside the arc to Irving and Al Horford propelled try to keep him in front and to cruising to a straightforward with 5-of-13 attempts, produced bit of an advantage, but it re- pitches. silence the crowd at Portland’s the Boston Celtics to their third stay between him and the basket win on Thursday after building a three-pointer with 48.5 seconds ally doesn’t matter.” “Simplifying his pitch mix, Moda Center. straight victory with a 96-89 and make him shoot over me,” 19-point lead at half-time. left to give Chicago a 90-86 lead. Darvish does think he we did as an organisation. I It capped a superb night for win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Horford said. But the Mavericks gradually Marco Belinelli led Atlanta’s will benefi t by playing un- think he really bought into and Griffi n, one of fi ve Clippers play- Horford scored 27 points “And I did the best that I could clawed their way back into the scoring with 23 points, while der American League rules in embraced,” Dodgers manager ers to break double-digits in a while Irving chipped in with 24 with that, just to make sure that contest and sneaked into the Kent Bazemore fi nished with 16 which pitchers don’t have to Dave Roberts said. fi ne all-round off ensive display. as Boston improved to 3-2 in the I contested those shots near the lead in the fourth quarter at 86- points and Mike Muscala 14. bat, replaced in the lineup by a “When he came over, there Griffi n fi nished with 25 points Eastern Conference to climb to basket. We had some mistakes 84 following J.J. Barea’s three designated hitter. was a lot of him trying to feel while Center DeAndre Jordan sixth place. there, but we felt like we did a free throws. RESULTS “I think it’s going to be a his way through a start, where made 18 rebounds alongside Together Horford and Irving good job on him.” Conley however scored a cru- „New Orleans 114 SACRAMEN- big advantage for me not to go now he can just worry about seven points. went 21-for-32 from the fl oor In Memphis, center Marc cial three-pointer to reclaim the TO 106 out there and swing a bat and I executing pitches. So that’s “Honestly, I was just trying to but their eff orts masked another Gasol was the star as the Mem- lead and then produced a driv- „LA Clippers 104 PORTLAND don’t have to run or anything got to lead to clarity. get two (points),” Griffi n said of poor display overall by the Celt- phis Grizzlies held off a rally by ing lay-up to give the Grizzlies 103 like that,” Darvish said. “He’s in a great place. And his game-winning the fi nal play. ics’ off ense. the Dallas Mavericks to win 96- a three-point cushion that ulti- „CHICAGO 91 Atlanta 86 Astros batters will see some he says it himself, that he’s “I was looking to see if we Milwaukee talisman Giannis 91 at FedExForum. mately proved decisive. „MEMPHIS 96 Dallas 91 changes in Darvish’s pitch- very comfortable and confi - could get something easy or a Antetokounmpo meanwhile was Gasol scored 25 points and In Chicago, the Bulls edged „Boston 96 MILWAUKEE 89 ing strategy, the Asian ace dent.”

NHL Kucherov and Stamkos strike for Lightning The Sports Xchange Vrbata, who signed a one-year, free- monton came into the game averaging treal. month, scored a short-handed goal in New York agent contract with Florida on July 1, an NHL-worst 1.88 goals. Quick posted his 46th career shutout the fi rst period and at even strength to had not scored in his fi rst eight games and second of the season as the Kings break a 1-1 tie at 13:27 of the second. with the Panthers before recording his „Canucks 6, Capitals 2 swept the season series after posting a Khudobin, playing his third straight he two hottest players on the seventh career hat trick. Aleksander Sven Baertschi scored two power- 5-1 home win last week. Rookie Adrian game for the injured Tuukka Rask, al- hottest team in the NHL con- Barkov also starred for the Panthers play goals and collected an assist as Kempe, Tyler Toff oli, Anze Kopitar and lowed only a power-play goal to former tinue to play at another level with a goal and two assists. Vancouver won its fourth straight Kurtis MacDermid scored for Los An- Boston captain Joe Thornton 10:40 into as Nikita Kucherov and Steven game. geles. the second period. StamkosT each scored again to lead the „Penguins 2, Jets 1 (overtime) Derek Dorsett scored his team- Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 victory Phil Kessel scored his 300th career leading sixth goal and added an assist „Wild 6, Islanders 4 „Rangers 5, Coyotes 2 over the Detroit Red Wings on Thurs- goal on a breakaway at 1:07 of overtime for Vancouver. Other goals came from Eric Staal and rookie Luke Kunin Pavel Buchnevich scored twice as day night. to lift Pittsburgh over Winnipeg. Thomas Vanek, Bo Horvat and Markus scored short-handed goals to lift Min- New York kept Arizona winless. Stamkos scored the game-winning Kessel got the puck on a turnover by Granlund. Brock Boeser recorded three nesota past New York. Michael Grabner also had two goals, goal on the power play in the third pe- Patrik Laine at the far blue line, zoomed power-play assists. Staal scored his 18th career short- adding an empty-netter with 35.6 sec- riod on an assist from Kucherov with down the ice and tucked the puck under handed goal to give the Wild a 3-0 lead onds remaining. Chris Kreider had the 13:38 left. Both have scored points in all the pads of Jets goaltender Connor Hel- „Hurricanes 6, Maple Leafs 3 late in the fi rst period and then assisted other goal for the Rangers, who re- 11 games, matching the Lightning team lebuyk. The Penguins’ Conor Sheary Josh Jooris scored twice and Victor on Kunin’s short-handed goal in the ceived 27 saves from backup goaltender record to start a season set by Martin St. and Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey scored Rask notched the go-ahead goal in the second. Marcus Foligno, Jason Zucker, Ondrej Pavelec in his second start of Louis in 2009. Tampa Bay (9-1-1) is off in the fi rst period for a 1-1 tie. second period as Carolina topped To- Jonas Brodin and Zack Mitchell added the season. New York’s Boo Nieves had to its best start in franchise history. ronto. even-strength goals for Minnesota. three assists in his season debut. For Kucherov, it was his 12th goal of „Oilers 5, Stars 4 Teuvo Teravainen, Elias Lindholm the season, extending his NHL lead. Matt Benning scored the winning and Brock McGinn also scored for the „Bruins 2, Sharks 1 „Senators 5, Flyers 4 Stamkos went into the night leading the Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman goal with 2:27 left in the third period as Hurricanes, who had lost their two Danton Heinen, recalled from the Jean-Gabriel Pageau recorded a goal NHL in points (20) with three goals and Victor Hedman (77) celebrates as Edmonton erupted for a season-high in previous games. Teravainen and Haydn minor leagues earlier in the day, scored and two assists as Ottawa survived a a league-best 17 assists. they beat the Detroit Red Wings on goals to beat Dallas. Fleury each added two assists while his fi rst two NHL goals, and Anton late-game scare to defeat Philadelphia. Thursday. Ryan-Nugent Hopkins scored twice Scott Darling made 31 saves for Carolina. Khudobin stopped 36 shots to lead Bos- The Senators, who lead the league „Panthers 8, Ducks 3 while Connor McDavid, Patrick Ma- „Kings 4, Canadiens 0 ton over San Jose. with three blown third-period leads, Radim Vrbata produced a hat trick pett scored his fi rst NHL goal as Florida roon and Benning added singles in the Jonathan Quick made a season-high Heinen, who had three assists in were in front 5-2 heading into the fi nal and rookie fi rst-round pick Owen Tip- routed Anaheim. Oilers’ second win in seven games. Ed- 40 saves as Los Angeles blanked Mon- three games with the Bruins earlier this fi ve minutes. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, October 28, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS BADMINTON Prannoy, Sindhu reach French Open semis Number one Prannoy will next face the winner IANS Paris between India’s Kidambi Srikanth and China’s No. 4 seed, Shi Yuqi. On the other hand, this is also Sindhu’s maid- ndia’s HS Prannoy entered the en last-four appearance in the tourna- semi-fi nals of the $325,000 French ment. Open Superseries after defeating The Hyderabadi dominated the South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok Jin 21- match throughout, except for a brief Halep crashes I16, 21, 16 in the men’s singles quarter- period in the second game, against her fi nals here yesterday. world No. 10 Chinese rival. Earlier, Rio Olympics silver medal- It also turned out to be a sweet re- list P.V. Sindhu also stormed into the venge for the Indian star, who crashed semi-fi nals of the women’s singles out of last week’s Denmark Open after after beating Chinese rising star Chen losing to Chen in the opening round. Yufei in straight games 21-14, 21-14 in a In the semi-finals today, Sindhu match that lasted for 41 minutes. will face the winner of the match out of WTA Finals Prannoy became the fi rst Indian man between third seed Sung Ju Hyun of to enter the semi-fi nal of the event ever South Korea and fifth seed Akane since it became a Superseries in 2007. Yamaguchi of Japan. Akane had de- Garcia, the lowest-ranked player in the draw, upset Wozniacki 0-6, 6-3, 7-5 He took 47 minutes to defeat the South feated another Indian Saina Nehwal Korean giant killer. in the second round. AFP Singapore orld number one Simona Halep crashed out of the WTA Finals yesterday as Australia down spirited French debutante Caro- Wline Garcia stunned Caroline Wozni- acki to reach the last four. England in WC opener Halep needed a win to keep her cam- paign alive but she was sent packing by AFP corner post by Slater and Dane Gagai the already eliminated Elina Svitolina, with six minutes left. who won 6-3, 6-4 in 71 minutes. kicked the Kan- It means Garcia, the lowest-ranked garoos eight points clear 12-4 with a player in the draw, tops Red Group ustralia’s Kangaroos weath- penalty goal four minutes to go before after she fought back from behind to ered an England fi ghtback Dugan swooped on Widdop’s crossfi eld upset Wozniacki 0-6, 6-3, 7-5 earlier to win the opening match of kick and sprinted 70 metres to score yesterday. the the clinching try. Garcia will now play American 18-4A in Melbourne yesterday. England’s loss was soured by a right veteran Venus Williams today, while The Kangaroos remained unbeaten knee injury to star forward Denmark’s Wozniacki faces Karolina against England for 22 years, stretching in the fi rst half, with initial indications Pliskova in the other semi-fi nal at the over 12 straight Test wins since 1995. that he may have suff ered medial liga- Singapore Indoor Stadium. But England, coached by Austral- ment damage. Even though her campaign ended in ian maestro Wayne Bennett, made “We were prepared for a tough battle disappointment, Halep will still fi nish the Australians work for their win and we certainly got that,” Slater said. the year as world number one if Plisk- with the clinching try by Josh Dugan “We were a little bit scratchy and we ova does not lift the trophy tomorrow. coming in the final minute. England have a little bit of improvement to do “I just felt 100 percent that the scored first through winger Jermaine but overall it was a good start to our court is not for me and I cannot fi nish McGillvary off a high cut-out pass preparation.” a point,” the Romanian said. “So it was from Gareth Widdop in the fifth England skipper Sean O’Loughlin a little bit tough to fi nd my rhythm and minute. said there was a lot of improvement to also to make a winner.” Romania’s Simona Halep waves to the crowd after losing her group stage match to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina (not pictured) But the Kangaroos dominated the re- come from both sides in the fi ve-week Svitolina said she happy to leave at the WTA Finals in Singapore yesterday. (Reuters) mainder of the fi rst half to lead 10-4 at tournament. Singapore with a win after losing her half-time after tries from back-rower “We’re disappointed, but we know fi rst two matches. straight back and her head dropped to hand Wozniacki her fi rst defeat of “I had the chance to serve it out and I Matt Gillett and . there is a lot more in us, as with the “I was sad with the way I played this when Svitolina claimed what turned the competition. didn’t. That’s really it.” England kept hammering away at the Australians. We’re not pleased with week,” she said. “I had nothing to lose out to be the decisive break in game Even so, Garcia had to endure a Wozniacki seemed headed for a Australians in an improved second half the loss but we can take a lot from it,” in this match. It means a lot (to win).” seven. nervy wait until Svitolina beat Halep third straight win after dominating in with winger tackled into the O’Loughlin said. Svitolina went for her shots and dic- to send her into the last four. the early stages, making just one un- tated from the back of the court, rattling ‘WEIRD TO BE HERE’ “It was kind of weird, actually, to be forced error as she raced through the a shaky Halep, who had suff ered a big Earlier Garcia, the world number here. I mean, I qualifi ed last minute, fi rst set in 22 minutes. loss to Wozniacki in her previous match. eight, was pinching herself after her two weeks before. I wanted to keep But the match took an unexpected Tour squad places still up for grabs, says The Ukrainian dictated from the thrilling victory over Wozniacki — her improving like I did. That’s why I think turn in the second set when Wozniacki Wallabies coach start, breaking Halep’s tentative serve fi rst win in three career meetings with I won these two matches,” Garcia said. had a time violation and argued with straight away and winning the open- the Dane. Wozniacki, who has been in sensa- the umpire during the third game. Australia coach Michael Cheika has yet to finalise his squad for the northern ing three games before claiming the Garcia, who won her last two tour- tional form in Singapore, described Garcia capitalised and won four hemisphere tour and could pluck two top performers from today’s match against fi rst set in 31 minutes. naments to reach the Finals, was two her fi rst loss as “annoying”. straight games en route to levelling the the Barbarians. Cheika will name a squad of up to 34 players over the weekend Halep fought back in the second set points from elimination in the 10th “I feel like I should have won that match, before outlasting Wozniacki in for the tour of Japan and Europe but is keen to watch the fringe players perform with an early break but she was broken game of the third set but she dug deep match, but it is what it is,” she said. a tense third set. in the non-test match at Sydney Football Stadium. “This weekend is going to be a big game for a lot of players, there’s still a couple of spots on the tour available,” Cheika told reporters in Sydney yesterday. “There’s probably one backline posi- TENNIS / ATP ROUND-UP tion and one forward position still available on tour, so we’re looking to see how we go this weekend with players that probably haven’t had a chance to play.” First-choice fullback Israel Folau has opted out of the tour and will play his last game of the season on the wing against the Barbarians before taking a break to freshen up for 2018. Karmichael Hunt, named at fullback against the Barbarians, I’m still standing, says weary del Potro is expected to replace Folau in the position on tour. Cheika has rested 13 of the starting 15 in the 23-18 win over the All Blacks last week, giving the lesser lights a AFP Potro joked. “I’ve been playing a lot a break for 5-4. Del Potro served out chance to shine. Basel, Switzerland of matches. I’ve had some problems in the match to move into a semi-fi nal my body because I’ve been playing so against either second-seeded defend- Rebels cheer as Melbourne secures more many matches in a row. ing champion Marin Cilic or Hungar- uan Martin del Potro struggled “But I’m not putting my body at risk ian Marton Fucsovics. Test rugby to dominate Roberto Bautista if I play tomorrow or next week (Paris Federer was scheduled to play later Agut on his way to a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 Bercy). I speak a lot about fi tness with yesterday against France’s seventh The embattled Melbourne Rebels have cheered a bumper government deal win at the Swiss Indoors yester- my team. There is no risk to keep on seed Adrian Mannarino. to bring a British and Irish Lions Test and other high-profile internationals to dayJ as the giant Argentine reached his playing.” the Super Rugby team’s home city in Victoria state. The Rebels were one of third successive tour semi-fi nal. Del Porto, now 17-3 since the start TOP SEED ZVEREV STUNNED BY two teams at danger of being axed from the contracting competition next Del Potro, the fourth seed, is fi ghting of the US Open, won the fi rst set yes- TSONGA IN VIENNA year. After months of legal wrangling, the Australian Rugby Union decided to for a place in the eight-man ATP Finals terday but found himself facing a chal- German top seed and world number cut the Perth-based Western Force instead, securing the Rebels’ future in the in London in just over a fortnight. the eighth and fi nal position for the lenge in the second as Spain’s Bautista fi ve Alexander Zverev crashed out of tournament after the state government committed to a major funding deal He came to Switzerland with a Stock- London showpiece. Agut, seeded sixth, broke twice to the Vienna ATP tournament yester- with the sport’s national governing body. The fruits of the deal were revealed holm title from last week and a Shanghai He was a distant 47th in the race in square the match. day, losing to France’s 15th-ranked Jo- yesterday, with Melbourne to host six international Tests over the next eight semi-fi nal boosting his chances. late August and his eff orts appeared to In the deciding third, the Argen- Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (6), 6-2. years, including Ireland next June and a coveted Bledisloe Cup Test against A third Basel title at the weekend at take their toll yesterday as he suff ered tine, who beat Federer in the 2012 and Tsonga will next face German vet- world champions New Zealand in 2020. Melbourne would also host a British an event where Roger Federer is look- a back niggle which required a visit 2013 Basel fi nals, traded service breaks eran Philipp Kohlschreiber, who beat and Irish Lions Test when the touring side returns Down Under in 2025, the ing for his eighth home trophy would from the trainer. with the Spaniard before winning the downed Argentina’s Diego Schwartz- state sports ministry government said in a media release. send the 29-year-old Del Potro into “I survived, I’m still standing,” Del seven-minute penultimate game with man 7-5, 7-6 (6) in his quarter-fi nal.

BOXING Joshua wants to be undisputed world champion in 2018 AFP over 70,000 will take their seats at the Stiverne on November 4. be against Parker, who made a second Cardiff Principality, the home of the Wales “We could fi ght Parker in February or title defence against England’s Hughie rugby union team. March, so you have the WBO and then Fury on points last month. Victory for Joshua, 28, both the In- it’s only one more,” Hearn told report- “The Titans didn’t clash, so it didn’t nthony Joshua hopes a suc- ternational Boxing Federation and ers. “We’ve only boxed twice this year, create a good, entertaining fi ght, espe- cessful fourth title defence in World Boxing Association champion, which has worked out OK because the cially for a heavyweight championship Cardiff today will keep him will see him return to fi ghting the divi- Klitschko fi ght was huge. But ideally, fi ght, nut the good thing is he’s still on course to achieve his goal sion’s big names after his thrilling 11th March, April, summer then December. champion and it still bubbles in the ofA becoming undisputed world heavy- round stoppage of Ukraine’s Wladimir That would be nice. In a perfect world, background for me,” said Joshua. weight champion in 2018. Klitschko in front of 90,000 at Wem- two of the three fi ghts would be for the On the undercard, Joshua’s former Not every fi ght can be career-de- bley in April. additional belts. In any order.” victim Dillian Whyte can put himself in fi ning and Cameroon’s France-based Beating Klitschko, who reigned for a On hearing Hearn’s plans for him, the frame for a shot at the WBC version Carlos Takam, Joshua’s opponent at the decade, was the highlight of 2012 Ol- a laughing Joshua said: “So actually, I of the world title next year. Principality Stadium, is hardly one of ympic champion Joshua’s four-year think we’ll be fi ghting Parker and Wild- Whyte, who moved to London from the biggest stars in the heavyweight di- professional career. er in 2018.” Jamaica as a child, was knocked out by vision over which British boxer Joshua Keeping all four versions of the Joshua in December 2012 but is ranked currently rules. PARKER AND WILDER ON THE world title intact is a diffi cult job due No 3 by the WBC. Takam, 36, was only drafted in at 12 HORIZON to the diff erent obligations from the ri- Meanwhile Ireland’s Katie Tayor, the days’ notice after Joshua’s original op- There could be more epic encounters val world governing bodies. “We want 2012 Olympic gold medallist, can win a ponent Kubrat Pulev, of Bulgaria, pulled next year, with Hearn hoping Joshua to become undisputed heavyweight world title in her seventh professional out with a shoulder injury. He has three can box three times in 2018 with the champion and then probably we will fi ght when she takes on Argentina’s Ana- defeats in a 39-fi ght record and this will aim being to win the other two world have to vacate the belts,” said Hearn. hi Sanchez for the WBA lightweight belt. be his fi rst world-title fi ght. title belts held by New Zealand’s Joseph Joshua has yet to fi ght outside of the Also on the bill, England’s Kal Yafai But it seems not to matter who is in Parker, the World Boxing Organisa- UK and has stopped all 19 of his profes- makes a second defence of his WBA the other corner when Joshua fi ghts in tion champion, and American Deontay sional opponents. world super-fl yweight title against Ja- the UK — fans will still turn up. Pro- Wilder, who defends his World Boxing One world title unifi cation fi ght that pan’s Sho Ishida in a clash of two un- Anthony Joshua (left) and Carlos Takam during the weigh-in on the eve of their moter Eddie Hearn claims a crowd of Council crown against Haiti’s Bermane could happen in the UK in 2018 would beaten boxers. boxing bout in Cardiff yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Saturday, October 28, 2017 7 SPORT

CRICKET GOLF / WGC-HSBC CHAMPIONS Pakistan welcomes end of isolation Johnson changes

Reuters when Pakistan hosted the fi nal of its Weeks before the fi nal was to be “I said unless and until you give me Lahore, Pakistan domestic T20 competition featuring played Sharif made the announce- top quality players, no way,” Sethi said. high-profi le international players. ment that it could go ahead. Once the players were fi nalised, “Even that baby step seemed an “I think he saw the wisdom of it and administrators and fans were thrilled putters to take ven Pakistan’s prime minister impossibility. I can tell you that none took the risk,” said Sethi to welcome a star-studded World XI did not believe it could happen of the franchises wanted it, they were team led by South Africa captain Faf but when Sri Lanka visit the scared... the government was scared... ALMOST WENT UP IN SMOKE du Plessis. eastern city of Lahore tomor- the players were scared,” Pakistan In mid-February, less than a month “There was huge tension,” Sethi Shanghai lead rowE for a T20 match, the hosts will Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam before the fi nal, a suicide attack out- said, adding that despite all the plan- celebrate the end of eight years of iso- Sethi told Reuters in an interview. side Lahore’s provincial assembly ning, the PCB was still on edge during AFP lation from international cricket. The match proved pivotal in changing killed 13 and wounded 83. the series. “There were all these cal- Shanghai Less than a year ago, none of this the global cricket community’s opinion “There was doom and gloom over culated risks but in the end it worked appeared possible for a nation that had of Pakistan’s ability to host internation- here. The franchises came to me and out,” he added largely been shunned by international al matches and garnered support from said nothing doing,” Sethi recalled. Next on the list was Sri Lanka, ustin Johnson switched teams since 2009 due to security risks. cricket’s governing body, the Interna- A series of late night phone calls whose players were reluctant to tour putters at the last moment That year gunmen attacked a bus tional Cricket Council (ICC). and endless meetings with players and Pakistan after the events of 2009. and then nailed four birdies carrying the Sri Lanka team from their The months leading up to the fi nal franchise owners ensued. The PCB On a trip to Colombo, Sethi talked in his last four holes to seize hotel to Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium for were fi lled with endless negotiations insisted that adequate security meas- about how Pakistan had always toured aD one-shot lead at the halfway stage of a Test match, injuring six players and with the government, persuading do- ures were in place. Sri Lanka even during the civil war, the $9.75 mn WGC-HSBC Champions killing six security personnel and two mestic franchise owners and convincing Despite assurances, two days before which ended in 2009, when other in Shanghai yesterday. civilians. players that security was under control. the match, four international players countries refused to visit. “I told them The world number one’s spectacular The incident forced Pakistan to play “I had two meetings with the prime pulled out, leaving the board 48 hours we need you now, when you needed us nine-under-par 63 catapulted him over their home matches in the United Arab minister, I raised it with him, he heard to fi nd replacements. “Luckily we had we were there for you,” he said. fellow American and overnight leader Emirates and the country has since re- me out, he didn’t give me an opinion, every contingency arrangement in With Sri Lanka’s visit confi rmed, — and good friend — Brooks Koepka, mained starved of international crick- he said we will think about it closer to place,” Sethi said. Sethi is confi dent that international who hung on for second on 132 overall. et at home, apart from Zimbabwe’s the event,” Sethi said. After the fi nal, Sethi went to work on cricket in Pakistan will soon be fully Also in the hunt was Englishman limited-overs tour in 2015. As the match drew closer Sethi be- bringing an international World XI to restored. West Indies have committed Justin Rose, the Rio 2016 Olympic Last year, the inaugural Pakistan came desperate, sending then Prime Pakistan with the support of the ICC. to playing a three-match series but the champion, and Thailand’s Kiradech (PSL), based on the Minister Nawaz Sharif numerous re- An international security company dates are still undecided. Aphibarnrat. They shared third on 135 franchise model of the Indian Pre- quests “from various quarters” in the hired by cricket’s world governing “I have two other countries lined up at “Asia’s major”. mier League and Australia’s Big Bash hope that he would make a favourable body gave Pakistan the green light. who are ready to come,” Sethi said. “By Fifth was Patrick Reed of the United League, became a success though all announcement. Then came the work of assembling a the end of 2020 I think every cricket States, fi ve shots off the lead. the matches were played in the UAE. Sharif’s offi ce did not respond to re- high-profi le team for the three-match country would have come and played Johnson, who triumphed in Shang- Things changed in March this year quests for comment. series. in Pakistan.” hai in 2013 and has won all four pres- green with it and I was like, ‘Oh, this tigious World Golf Championships will work pretty well’. (WGC), followed up his opening 68 “Went out and holed a lot of putts 2ND T20 with a sparkling round that started well today, so kind of like it.” and only got better as the day wore on. Koepka, whose fi rst major title came The 33-year-old had a couple of near at the US Open in June, stayed in con- birdie misses early in his second round, tention with a solid 68 at a sunny but found his range with back-to-back Sheshan International Golf Club. bridies on holes 12 and 13, then ramped The 27-year-old began his second up his challenge to fi nish with a fl ourish. round with real intent, reeling off two Johnson, tied 11th after the opening birdies on the trot to start the second Shadab’s last-over round, said: “Today obviously I played day much as he fi nished the fi rst. very well today, but I actually got a Roses’ second round would have putter like about 20 minutes before been even better but for a bogey at the I teed off , it’s a Spider, so it’s one that 18th and he carded a 68 to go with his I’ve used before. fi rst-round 67. “I wasn’t really pleased with the one But defending champion Hideki I played with yesterday so the guys here Matsuyama, the world number four six, Ashraf hat-trick in China made me one,” said the 2016 from Japan, again failed to fi re. US Open champion. He followed up his disappointing “I got it right before I walked to the opening-round 74 with another two- tee. I hit a few putts on the practice over 74 as his challenge disintegrated. seal Pakistan win Kohli’s brand value pips Messi on Forbes list India skipper Virat Kohli has pipped Argentina and Barcelona star footballer Sri Lanka and Pakistan will now travel to Lahore for third and final T20 match in the Forbes list of most valuable brands among sportspersons. Led by Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, the top five in the list comprise AFP and Babar Azam for one. American basketball star LeBron James, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, star Abu Dhabi It was Ashraf who sparkled in the Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and American golfer Phil Mickelson. fi rst half. Another US golfer Tiger Woods is at the sixth spot, followed by Kohli at the Ashraf dismissed Isuru Udana (six), No.7 position. Irish golfer Rory McIlroy is at the eighth spot while Messi and ll-rounder Shadab Khan hit a Mahela Udawatte and Dasun Shanaka basketball star Steph Curry finish the top-10. Forbes calculates the brand value last over six to give Pakistan off successive deliveries to become the of an athlete by subtracting the average income of the top 10 athletes in the a sensational two-wicket sixth bowler to register a Twenty20 same sport from the total earnings of that athlete, excluding salary and bonus win in the second Twenty20 hat-trick. from their sport and all investment income. The calculations revealed Kohli’s internationalA against Sri Lanka in Abu Australia’s Brett Lee was the fi rst brand value at $14.5 mn, a mn dollars more than Messi, and $22.7m short of Dhabi yesterday. to achieve a hat-trick in the shortest Federer. Needing 12 off the fi nal over, and format with his feat coming against eight from the last three balls, Shad- Bangladesh at Cape Town in 2007. Woods pleads guilty to reckless driving ab smashed Sri Lankan pacer Vikum New Zealand’s Jacob Oram and Tim Sanjaya for a six and then took a cou- Southee and Sri Lankan duo Thisara Tiger Woods yesterday pleaded guilty in a Florida court to reckless driving ple off the next delivery to help Pa- Perera and Lasith Malinga were the and entered a program for first-time off enders, avoiding a conviction on the kistan chase down a modest 125-run others to achieve a Twenty20 hat- charge of driving under the influence (DUI) last spring. The 41-year-old profes- target in 19.5 overs. trick. sional golfer was found asleep in May behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz, Shadab remained not out with an Sri Lanka, sent into bat for the sec- which was parked alongside a road not far from his home on Jupiter Island. eight-ball 16 with a six and a bound- ond match in succession, got off to a Woods entered his plea and accepted the conditions, including 12 months ary to give Pakistan an unbeatable 2-0 solid start with openers Gunathilaka of probation, by responding to questions from Florida Circuit Judge Sandra lead in the three-match series. and Dilshan Munaweear put on 43 for Bosso-Pardo. He will now enter a diversion program off ered in Palm Beach The fi nal match in Lahore on Sun- the opening wicket. County for first-time DUI off enders. Woods is eligible for the program since day remains of great signifi cance as it Munaweera was dismissed for 19 he had no prior criminal record, cooperated with police and was not involved will see Sri Lanka return to Pakistan before Sadeera Samarawickrama (31- in a crash, said Dave Aronberg, state attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit of eight years after the team was targeted ball 33) added 63 for the second wicket Florida. Woods has already completed 50 hours of community service as part in a deadly ambush in the same city in with Gunathilaka as Sri Lanka looked of the program, said Aronberg. 2009. set for a 150-plus total with 106-1 in Earlier yesterday, fast bowler Faheen 16.1 overs. Amateurs defy 17-million-to-one odds Ashraf derailed the Sri Lankan innings But Sadeera, Seekkuge Prasanna with fi gures of 3-16 as he became the and skipper Thisara Perera were run A pair of amateur golfers have toasted their success on the British course fi rst Pakistan player to achieve a hat- outs before Ashraf came into his own. where they defied incredibly long odds by hitting consecutive holes in one. trick in Twenty20 internationals. This is only the second time a team Jayne Mattey and Clair Shine achieved the feat at the same hole one after the That gave Pakistan eight wickets in has taken eight wickets in the last four other at East Berkshire Golf Club in southeast England. The odds of two play- the space of just 20 balls for 18 runs as Pakistan’s Hassan Ali celebrates after the win over Sri Lanka in the second T20 overs in a T20. Pakistan did the same ers from the same foursome acing the same hole is calculated at 17 mn to one, Sri Lanka ended on 124-9 in 20 overs. match in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (AFP) against Australia in the 2010 World according to the National Hole-in-One Registry. The pair had never played Danushka Gunathilaka top-scored Twenty20. together before the friendly match on Saturday. It was Mattey’s maiden hole with a 48-ball 51 with four boundaries moving Shoaib Malik for nine with the But when Hafeez and Ahmed fell, in one and a second for Shine, who gained her first more than a decade ago in and a six but Ashraf’s feat stopped Sri total at 55-4. Pakistan still needed 21 off 14 balls BRIEF SCORES: Sri Lanka 124 for 9 2005. They marked their success with a toast on Thursday as they returned Lanka from posting a challenge total. Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (28) and which Shadab made possible. (Gunathilaka 51, Samarawickrama 32; to the woodland course for another round and already have plans to play Sri Lankan skipper Thisara Perera Mohamed Hafeez (19) added 39 for the Sri Lanka had needed early wickets Faheem 3-16) lost to Pakistan 125 for 8 together again next week. then grabbed 3-24 in his four overs to fi fth wicket to bring Pakistan within 31 and they were lucky to get Fakhar Za- (Sarfraz 28, Shehzad 27; Thisara 3-24) leave Pakistan in a spot of bother, re- runs of victory. man (11) run out, Ahmed Shehzad (27) by two wickets Defending champ Feng leads in Malaysia

Defending champion Feng Shanshan of China fired a bogey-free 65 to lead BOTTOMLINE in the second round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia yesterday. Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom continued her impressive debut in the $1.8 mn tourna- ment, firing a five-under-par 66 to sit one shot behind Feng. America’s Cristie Kerr posted a 63 for the best score of the round and was in third, followed by South Korean Kim Sei-Young, trailing one shot behind in fourth. New Zealand’s Root ready for Ashes without Stokes Lydia Ko, who led the field overnight, faltered with four bogeys to finish the day one-over par 72 in tied sixth, alongside tournament debutante Su Oh. A tropical downpour, which delayed proceedings for close to four hours, did AFP proach it as if this is our team going last three Ashes tours of Australia, al- not hamper two-time defending champion Feng, who triumphed twice in the London out there for the tour,” Root told re- though they did enjoy a 3-1 triumph in event in 2014 and 2016, and is chasing her second victory of the year after her porters at Lord’s yesterday. 2010/11. LPGA Volvik Championship title in May. Ashes-holders England have yet to Many pundits believe that without ngland captain Joe Root said name a replacement vice-captain but Stokes they have no chance this time Ailing Landry grabs lead at Sanderson Farms yesterday his side were pre- Root said there was no need to rush around, but Root insisted “He is a fi ne pared to be without star all- that decision. player but I see a squad of players that’s Andrew Landry shrugged off a sore shoulder and a lingering sickness to grab rounder Ben Stokes for the “We will have to sit down and chat more than capable of going over there a share of the first-round lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jack- wholeE of their upcoming Ashes tour of about that,” said the Yorkshire bats- and doing something really special.” son on Thursday. With the elite of the golf world gathered at the WGC-HSBC Australia. man. “It’s something that’s ongoing Meanwhile Root denied England Champions event in Shanghai, Landry was among a group of less heralded Stokes, England’s vice-captain, will and over the course of the next few had a drinking culture as he vowed tour players locked in a five-way tie at the top of the leaderboard. Landry not fl y out with the rest of the squad weeks we’ll come to a decision.” there would be no repeat of the in- carded a six-under-par 66 after a blistering opening nine holes that saw him today, having been suspended from Root added neither he nor anyone cident that had jeopardised Stokes’s reach the turn at seven under on the par-72, 7,421-yard Country Club of Jack- international duty following an in- else in the England hierarchy had re- participation in the Ashes. son. His dazzling front nine included birdies on the first four holes followed cident outside a Bristol nightclub in ceived an indication as to whether “We know that what’s happened by an eagle on the fifth. Landry shared the lead with Wyndham Clark, Ryan September. The England and Wales Cricket Stokes would face criminal charges. hasn’t been good enough and we are Armour, Conrad Shindler and J.J. Spaun. Armour added his name to the lead- The Durham ace remains under in- Board have yet to rule him out of the “We don’t really know how long determined to get that right,” he said. ing pack after closing with back-to-back birdies on his final two holes. Shindler vestigation after being arrested on sus- fi ve-Test series, which starts in Bris- things are going to take and I think “I don’t think there’s a drinking meanwhile was among others to catch the eye. The PGA Tour rookie had five picion of causing actual bodily harm. bane on November 23, but he is not we’ve just got to sit tight and wait,” culture in our side... We are grown birdies and an eagle in just his fourth career start. Smylie Kaufman and 2015 Stokes and England are still wait- currently available for selection. Root said. men, we know how to behave and we’ll Sanderson winner Peter Malnati were one off the lead along with Brian Stuard ing to discover if he will face criminal “We’ve got to make sure we plan England have suff ered humiliat- make sure we conduct ourselves well and Derek Fathauer after they posted 67s. charges. and prepare as a squad and look to ap- ing 5-0 series defeats on two of their on this tour.”

Saturday, October 28, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Al Shaqab’s Almaa and Khalifa al-Attiyah’s Rodess du Loup race to wins in Toulouse

Agencies did it very well, in a nice fashion. She Toulouse, France is well in front of Muneera, who beat her last time at Chantilly. These fi llies are talented. Almaa has improved a lot l Shaqab Racing’s fi lly Al- from last year and she has won three maa and Khalifa bin Hamad Groups this season. She has a huge al-Attiyah’s Rodess du Loup heart and she gives everything.” emerged as winners in Tou- Rodess du Loup was the favourite in louseA on Thursday. the 2017 edition of the race. This was While Almaa won the French Ara- a fi rst Group level victory for the colt. bian Breeders’ Challenge Classic (Gr2 He was coming off a good second place PA), Rodess du Loup topped the French in the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Arabian Breeders’ Challenge-Poulains Poulains (Gr1 PA). Rodess du Loup trav- (Gr2 PA). elled mid-division before coming up Thomas Fourcy-trained fi lly, ridden the rail at the beginning of the straight. by Julien Auge, travelled mid-division He then pulled clear to win by over two before fi nding herself towards the rear lengths in front of Rawdah. Dynamites turning into the straight. was third. In the fi nal straight, she had to wind “His jockey, Roberto-Carlos her way through the entire fi eld be- Monténégro, knows him well. Every- fore giving her all to pass the veteran thing opened up along the rail. With his Handassa. She took her revenge on draw, I was worried that we would get third-placed Muneera, who had won blocked in, but that wasn’t the case. He the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Ju- had a clear path all the way to the line,” ments (Gr1 PA). Charles Gourdain, the winning trainer, Jockey Julien Auge (left) rides Almaa to victory in the French Arabian Breeders’ Jockey Roberto-Carlos Monténégro (left) rides Rodess du Loup to victory in the Visibly emotional, Fourcy said, “She said. Challenge Classic (Gr2 PA) in Toulouse on Thursday. PICTURES: JDG French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge-Poulains (Gr2 PA) on Thursday.

EQUESTRIAN Al-Saaq sails to victory in second leg of Hathab Mohamad Khalid al-Qashouti topped Small Tour 100/115cm class; Hamad al-Qadi was on podium for both classes

Podium winners of ‘Open Class’ pose with their trophies with Qatar Equestrian Federation secretary-general Bader al-Darwish (centre) and Showjumping Grand Jury president Nasser al-Hajri yesterday.

showjumping and dressage. The morn- ing session will begin at 8:30am with Mohamed Taleb al-Saaq astride Diamond Delemma in action during the second leg of Hathab equestrian series at Al Shaqab level 1 of dressage completion, followed yesterday. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi by level 2. The showjumping events will begin By Sports Reporter at 2pm with Medium Tour 120/130cm Doha class, followed by the feature event of the second leg, Big Tour 130/140cm at 4:30pm. ohamed Taleb al-Saaq cruised to victory on the RESULTS opening day of the second Open Class: Table A, One round leg of Hathab equestrian against the clock 115/125cm. Prize Mseries. At the Al Shaqab indoor arena money: QR 15,000 yesterday, al-Saaq, astride Diamond 1. Mohamed Taleb al-Saaq (Diamond Delemma, obliterated his rivals with a Delemma). Time: 68.56 seconds. Prize quick round to clinch the Open Class money: QR3,750 115/125cm. 2. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Daydreamer Al-Saaq’s winning time was 68.56 EC) 71.83 secs. QR3,000 seconds, more than three seconds 3. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (What A Pleas- ahead of second-placed Saeed Nasser ure) 73.12 secs. QR2,250. al-Qadi, who came home in 68.56 with his 14-year-old Day Dreamer EC. The Small Tour: Table A, Special two third spot went to Hamad Nasser al- phases 100/115cm. Prize money: QR Qadi, who piloted What A Pleasure to 10,000 podium fi nish in 73.12 seconds. 1. Mohamed Khalid al-Qashouti (Goldan) Al-Saaq said it was an honour to win Riders of the ‘Small Tours’ pose on the podium with their trophies with Al Shaqab Time: 40.51 seconds. Prize money: the event and called Hathab as an ideal Commercial manager Omar al-Mannai (centre), Qatar Equestrian Federation Event QR2,500. stepping to stone to compete in inter- director Ali al-Rumaihi (right) and Showjumping Grand Jury president Nasser al- 2. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (Belucci Van ‘T national competitions. “Hathab is one Hajri yesterday. Vleminkhof) 41.30 secs. QR2,000 of the great national competitions. It 3. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (Fudine) 41.97 prepare us to compete in international It was a fruitful day for Hamad al- spot went to Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi, secs. . QR1,500 championships and I’m very honoured Qadi, who had earlier in the afternoon who guided Fudine to fi nish line in to have come fi rst today,” said al-Saaq, fi nished second in the Small Tour 41.97 seconds. SCHEDULE who picked up QR3,750 for his eff ort. 100/115cm class. The highlight of the day was six TODAY “The competition was strong as I Mohamad Khalid al-Qashouti came Qatari women riders competing in the Dressage: At 8:30am: Level 1; At was up against top 26 national riders. It out on top in that event, as he led Small Tour class. There was a thun- 10:30am: Level 2 was tough but I won thanks to support Mohamed Khalid al-Qashouti guides Goldan to victory in Small Tour class. Goldan to victory in 40.51 seconds to derous applause as the women riders Showjumping of my team. I am glad I could repay their take home winner’s cheque of QR2,500. gave a tough fight to their male coun- At 2pm: Medium Tour: Table A, One faith and come fi rst,” he added. forward to today’s feature class. “The thrilled for tomorrow as I will be com- Hamad al-Qadi was .39 seconds be- terparts. round against the clock 120/130cm Hamad al-Qadi, who came third, was competition is strong and I am very peting for the grand prize and I hope to hind with his 11-year-old bay Belucci Today, the fi nal day the second leg of At 4:30pm: Big Tour Table A, Special two pleased with is eff ort and was looking pleased to be in top three. I am very give my best,” he said. Van ‘T Vleminkhof. The fi nal podium Hathab will see competitions in both phases 130/140cm