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RALLYING Qatar’s Adel storms to victory in Portugal By Our Correspondent afterwards. Bellini then snatched the disqualified, it means that I will be Portalegre, Portugal lead and fought a fascinating tussle FIA T2 champion this season. Even if with Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Saleh I don’t win, to finish second and win and Adel Hussein for the win over the a couple of events is a great achieve- issan’s Adel Hussein Ab- closing kilometres. ment for a rookie on his first time in dulla wrapped up his The outcome of the FIA T2 title the championship. maiden FIA World Cup will now be decided by the sport’s “I would like to thank Nissan Mid- Ncampaign in the T2 cat- governing body, the FIA, after Adel dle East, Nissan Qatar and the QMMF egory for Series Production Cross- Hussein’s TOK Sport team protested for their support from the begin- Country vehicles by claiming a stun- the legality of his main rival’s car at ning of the season until now. I have ning victory from Italy’s Alessandro the recent round of the series in Mo- learned a lot of things and look for- Trivini Bellini at the 30th Baja Por- rocco. ward to next season.” talegre 500 yesterday afternoon. “Everything now depends upon the Adel Hussein had followed up Running with support from Nis- outcome of the protest we have made with his third quickest time in Friday san Middle East, Nissan Qatar and against our rival’s car after Morocco,” morning’s super special stage with the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Fed- said Adel Hussein. “All the odds were the fastest time and the outright T2 eration (QMMF), the Qatari produced against me here in Portugal. It was a category lead after the second section one of his best performances of the very tough event with a lot of cars, of 83.94km. The Nissan Patrol driv- season against one of the largest T2 Adel Hussein Abdulla in action bikes and quads and that makes the er was in fine form and reached the fields of the year to reach the finish in Portugal yesterday. terrain very difficult. I drove beyond night halt with a lead of 1min 26sec on the top of the podium in his Nis- my ability, perhaps, and was clever. I over César Sequeira. san Patrol. kept my foot on the ground and was Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Saleh held Partnered by French navigator Sé- focusing on my event. third place, but Adel Hussein’s main bastien Delaunay, the Doha-based “I forget what happened in Mo- title rival Yasir Saeidan rolled his car driver held third after the opening rocco and I kept pushing and push- on Friday and began the final day super special stage and then hit the ing. Now we wait for the outcome without the front screen in situ. En- front only to be pegged back by local of the FIA protest with the techni- gine damage eventually sidelined the driver César Sequeira, until the latter cal scrutineers. This will tell us if Saudi on the road section after the was penalised and then retired soon Yasir’s (Saeidan) car is legal. If he is first stage yesterday.

FOOTBALL Sadd held by Gharafa in 6-goal thriller Al Rayyan beat Kharaitiyat for second win in 5 games

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Gharafa and Al Sadd shared six goals in a scintillating 3-3 draw yesterday while Al ARayyan notched up their fi rst win under new coach Michael Laudrup in the Qatar Stars League. Al Gharafa raced to a two goal lead before Al Sadd scored three in a row to go up 3-2. Pedro Caxina’s side, how- ever, left it late to fi nd the equaliser thanks to Ghanaian central defender Rashid Sumaila. In a thrilling match, it didn’t take long Al Gharafa to score the fi rst goal as Hungarian international Krisztián Németh found the net in the sixth minute. The ball came in as a cross from the left but Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad al-Dosari made a hash of the save, allowing Németh to take advan- tage and drive it home. In the 25th minute, Othman al-Yahri doubled the Cheetahs’ advantage. The Al Sadd’s Abdelkarim Hassan is congratulated by teammates after he scored Qatari midfi elder made a diagonal run against Al Gharafa. beating the Al Sadd off side trap and found himself on the end of an inci- goal. Baghdad Bounedjah picked out minutes left to play. Ghanian defender sive pass with all the Al Sadd defend- the Spanish superstar’s run behind Rashid Sumaila powerfully headed in ers behind him. The 23-year-old ran the far post and made a clever pass. from an incoming corner to give Pedro with the ball into the box, skipped past Xavi then slotted it into the net from a Caxinia’s men a deserved share of the the keeper and guided the ball home to tight angle to make it two all in the 35th spoils. make it 2-0. minute. Meanwhile, Al Rayyan recorded Just a minute later Al Sadd got a goal Towards the end of the fi rst half, Ab- only their second victory this season, of their own to mount their spectacu- delkarim Hassan scored a spectacular bouncing back from an early defi cit to lar comeback. goal to give the Wolves the lead. The beat Al Kharaitiyat 3-1. Summer signing Jugurtha Hamroun young Qatari international nutmeged Defending champs Al Rayyan have reduced the lead, heading the ball into Al Gharafa’s Mustafa Abdulla before made a lacklustre start to the tourna- the goal after it had rebounded off the sending a powerful shot into the far ment, having drawn three of their fi ve cross bar following a thundering Ali corner to give Al Sadd the lead going games, but yesterday’s win helped Asad shot. into half time. them leapfrog Al Shahania into fourth Al Sadd’s captain fantastic Xavi also Credit goes to Al Gharafa as they place. Lekhwiya top the table on goal found the net in this game as he lev- pushed hard for an equaliser and the diff erence, while El Jaish are second elled the score line with his well taken Cheetahs found their mark with three and Al Sadd third. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 30, 2016 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA LIGUE 1 Cavani thunder strike blasts PSG past Lille Ronaldo hat-trick AFP none more so than when You- Paris nousse Sankhare missed from point blank range on 82 minutes when the ball came to him from thunderous second- an Eder cross right on the goal- half strike from Edin- line. PSG captain Thiago Silva son Cavani gave Paris was forced into a panicked over- ASaint Germain a 1-0 head clearance from his own six extends Real lead win over Lille on Friday as the yard box shortly afterwards. French champions were made to Yesterday, 10-man Lyon sur- ‘We are always going to demand goals from Cristiano, but he was good in all fi ght all night. vived a late onslaught to earn The result sees Unai Em- a 2-1 away win at high-fl ying aspects. We knew how to suff er because the first half and the start of the second ery’s PSG climb to second on Toulouse with Alexandre Laca- 23 points behind Ligue 1 leaders zette scoring both goals. It was weren’t comfortable or easy. But playing like this... we know what we can do’ Nice who have 26 ahead of host- just Lyon’s fi fth win in 11 league ing Nantes today. Third placed outings this season, after coach Monaco, on 22 points, travel to Brunio Genesio was handed an AFP St Etienne yesterday. ultimatum last week by club Madrid It was a real moment of magic owner Jean-Michel Aulas to from 29-year-old Cavani as the notch up 31 points before the Uruguayan controlled Angel winter break or face the chop. ristiano Ronaldo returned to di Maria’s pass with his chest, Last year’s runners-up now goalscoring form with his fi rst swivelled and unleashed an have 16 points with eight games hat-trick of the season and also unstoppable shot for his 10th still to come before Christmas. missed a penalty as Real Madrid league goal of the campaign on Lyon star striker Lacazette extendedC their lead at the top of La Liga 64 minutes. opened the scoring with a nerv- with a 4-1 win at Alaves yesterday. The fi rst half was marked ously struck spot-kick on 15 Ronaldo’s wayward form in recent by a duel between di Maria and minutes against the run of play. weeks had come under the spotlight — he Lille’s Nigerian international Toulouse’s central defender was booed by Real fans after missing one goalkeeper Victor Enyeama, Christopher Jullien then pro- chance recently — but he turned the game who saved twice from close duced a towering header, rising around after Deyverson had put Alaves range. The Argentine also had a above the Lyon back four to meet into a shock early lead. 22nd-minute ‘goal’ ruled out for a free-kick to level the game on Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot hand ball. 26 minutes. But after the break before his defl ected eff ort put Madrid Struggling in Ligue 1, Frederic Lacazette sped past two defend- ahead at the break. Antonetti’s Lille were no pusho- ers to latch onto a long ball, skip The Portuguese saw another penalty vers and were organised from round the 17-year-old Toulouse saved 12 minutes from time, but wasn’t to start to fi nish. They may easily ’keeper Alban Lafont and fi re be denied when he slammed home Marce- have scored on three occasions, Lyon back in front on 52 minutes. lo’s cut-back after Alvaro Morata’s cush- ioned lob had made the game safe. Real now lead Sevilla by three points at SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP the top of the table and Barcelona by fi ve. However, Barca can cut the gap back to two points with victory at home to Gra- nada later on Saturday. Rangers go second “We are always going to demand goals from Cristiano, but he was good in all as- pects,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. with Killie victory “We knew how to suff er because the first half and the start of the second weren’t AFP the goalkeeper did well to stop. comfortable or easy. But playing like this, if Glasgow The home side were in the mood you know how to suff er and then add a bit and soon took the lead through of movement, we know what we can do.” Wallace. Josh Windass played a Real’s unbeaten run stretches to 26 angers moved up to sec- perfectly weighted pass behind the matches, but their defensive struggles ond place in the Scottish Killie defence for the Gers skipper continued in Vitoria as Zidane’s men got Premiership as they de- to run onto and he took a touch be- off to the worst possible start when Dey- feated Kilmarnock 3-0 fore beating MacDonald at his near verson pounced on an error from goal- Ryesterday to record their biggest post with a low strike. keeper Keylor Navas to slot Alaves into a league victory of the season. A penalty from Halliday saw seventh-minute lead. Captain Lee Wallace opened Rangers double their advantage The visitors needed two slices of fortune the scoring in the 16th minute just before the half-hour mark. to turn the game around before half-time. before Andy Halliday slotted Steven Smith needlessly hauled Firstly, Deyverson was adjudged to have home a 29th-minute penalty af- down Holt in the box and Hal- handled a Bale free-kick inside his own area ter Jason Holt had been fouled. liday stepped up to dispatch the and Ronaldo slotted home the penalty. Joe Garner added a third just 90 spot-kick past MacDonald. Ronaldo’s second came 16 minutes later seconds after the break as Rang- Elsewhere, Celtic will when his low eff ort from outside the area ers scored three in the league for head into their Champions defl ected off Zouhair Feddal and fl ew into And Marcelo was involved again in three points back of their city rivals thanks lead when he latched onto Antoine Griez- the fi rst time this term. League match away to Borus- the far corner. the fourth as he and Ronaldo exchanged to doubles from Yannick Carrasco and mann’s fl ick-on to make it 3-1 just before The win leaves Rangers nine sia Moenchengladbach in high Alaves had a huge chance to level just passes before the latter smashed home two Kevin Gameiro in a nervy 4-2 win over the break. points behind Celtic, who have confi dence after they defeated two minutes after the restart when Victor minutes from time. Malaga despite playing with 10 men for the However, Stefan Savic picked up two a game in hand over their Old Aberdeen 1-0 at Pittodrie. Camarasa skipped past Raphael Varane, Earlier, Sevilla’s struggles away from fi nal half hour. quickfi re yellow cards to leave Atletico a Firm rivals. A superb fi rst-half strike from but shot straight at Navas. home continued in a 1-1 draw at Sporting Atletico bounced back from their fi rst man short for the fi nal half hour. Rangers made two changes Australian international Tom Rogic Madrid barely threatened in the second Gijon. Sevilla snapped a 22-game winless defeat of the season at Sevilla last week- Ignacio Camacho headed home from a from mid-week as James Taverni- was enough to earn the Hoops their half until the last 15 minutes when they fi - streak on the road in their last away league end, but made life diffi cult for themselves corner to cut Malaga’s defi cit once more, er and Kenny Miller were restored ninth victory in 10 league games. nally put the game beyond Alaves’ reach. game at Leganes and got off to the per- against Malaga. but Carrasco showed stunning speed to the starting XI and the pair St Johnstone’s hopes of claiming Ronaldo was hauled down inside the fect start in Asturias when Luciano Vietto Carrasco fi red home his sixth goal in his and produced an unerring fi nish into the combined to carve out a chance second spot were dashed after they penalty area from a corner, but saw his sec- raced onto Wissam Ben Yedder’s fl ick-on last six games to put Atletico in front be- far corner to seal the points four minutes within the fi rst 30 seconds. lost 2-1 to Partick Thistle thanks to ond spot-kick saved by Fernando Pacheco. to dink home his fourth goal of the season. fore Gameiro took advantage of some slack from time. Tavernier’s fi ercely hit pass a stoppage-time strike from Abdul Morata again made his presence felt Sporting are now without a win in seven Malaga defending to double the lead inside was touched on by Miller into the Osman. Hearts dropped to fi fth off the bench as he raced onto Marcelo’s matches, but moved out of the relegation 25 minutes. Results path of Holt, whose curling ef- despite coming from 2-0 behind to through ball and lobbed the onrushing zone as Moi Gomez volleyed home Roberto Sandro Ramirez’s stunning free-kick Sporting Gijon 1 ...... Sevilla 1 fort went narrowly wide. Michael claim a 3-3 draw away to Inverness Pacheco for his fourth goal as a substitute Canella’s cross for a share of the points. brought Malaga back into the game, but Alaves 1 ...... Real Madrid 4 O’Halloran then tested Jamie Caledonian Thistle, while Mother- this season. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid remain just Gameiro restored Atletico’s two-goal Atletico Madrid ...... Malaga MacDonald with a fi erce shot that well thrashed Ross County 4-1.

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben Lewandowski, Robben help celebrate a goal. (Reuters) Bayern fl oor Augsburg again ‘Robben and Lewandoski played very well and were a good combination. When quality players play together like that, it's really good for the team’

AFP owski spotted Robben unmarked and on their debut season in Germany's Wolfsburg, who remain in the relega- Berlin the Dutchman drilled home the pass. top fl ight — just one short of the tion places. Just after the break, Robben record for a promoted team. Wolfsburg, now winless in eight snapped up a disastrous pass from Borussia Dortmund are winless in league games, took the lead through obert Lewandowski and Ar- Augsburg's Gojko Kacar to thread a their last four league games after yes- Maximilian Arnold, leaving Bayer jen Robben combined for pass for Lewandowski to fi re home terday night's goalless draw at home coach Roger Schmidt fuming in a pri- all three goals as Bundesliga on 48 minutes for his seventh goal in to rivals Schalke in the Ruhr derby. vate box. leaders Bayern Munich eased nine league games. It was a frustrating night for Dort- The Leverkusen boss was complet- Rto an impressive 3-1 victory for their "We played well from the fi rst mund as Ousmane Dembele hit the ing his two-match ban for calling second win over Augsburg this week. minute and controlled the whole crossbar, then had a shot saved, while Hoff enheim's coach Julian Nagels- Having also beaten their Bavarian game," said Lewandowski. "I was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and mann "a nutter" during last Satur- neighbours by the same margin on happy to score again." Mario Goetze also went close in the day's 3-0 defeat which saw him ban- Wednesday at home in the German Just as they did in the cup, Augs- second half. ished to the stands. Cup, Bayern completed the double burg pulled a goal back when Koo However, Dortmund have extended But Leverkusen roared back with thanks to Robben's outstanding dis- Ja-Cheol tapped home Daniel Baier's the club record of 26 league matches two goals in fi ve second-half minutes play with two assists and a goal. pass after Bayern centre-back Mats unbeaten since Bayern beat them at by Admir Mehmedi and Tin Jedvaj to "Robben and Lewandoski played Hummels' failed clearance on 67 home in April 2015 and are fi fth in the give Bayer their fi rst win in fi ve games very well and were a good combina- minutes. table while Schalke are 12th. to go 10th. Yunus Malli and Levin Oz- tion," said Bayern coach Carlo An- Robben was taken with 14 minutes Freiburg's 3-1 win at Werder tunali scored in Mainz's 2-0 over sec- celotti. "When quality players play to go, but Ancelotti said he should be Bremen, thanks to goals by Maximil- ond-from-bottom Ingolstadt, who together like that, it's really good for available to play at Eindhoven in the ian Philipp, a Vincenzo Grifo penalty had Max Christiansen sent off late on the team." Champions League on Tuesday. and a strike by Albanian international for a second yellow card. Bayern took the lead at Augsburg's This was Augsburg's third straight Amir Abrashi, left them eighth. WWK Arena when Robben's pass loss in all competitions to leave them Defender Santiago Garcia pulled Results found Lewandowski unmarked to ri- just above the relegation places. a second-half goal back for Bremen, fl e home his fi rst Bundesliga goal for Munich are two points clear in the but the defeat leaves them 15th, one Mainz 2 Ingolstadt 0 six weeks on 19 minutes. table, but second-placed Leipzig point from the relegation places. Wolfsburg 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2 The Poland hot-shot returned the kept up the pressure with a 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen warmed up Augsburg 1 Bayern Munich 3 favour two minutes later. Darmstadt as Marcel Sabitzer scored for Wednesday's away Champions Werder Bremen 1 Freiburg 3 His shot was parried by Augsburg both goals. League match at Tottenham Hot- Darmstadt 0 RB Leipzig 2 goalkeeper Marvin Hitz, but Lewand- Leipzig are nine games unbeaten spur with a 2-1 comeback win at VfL Borussia Dortmund 0 Schalke-04 0 Gulf Times Sunday, October 30, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

MANCHESTER UNITED vs BURNLEY Mourinho banished as Heaton frustrates United

AFP Wayne Rooney, back from a thigh yard Pogba drive moments later. Heaton stopped Mata’s close-range Manchester injury, appeared as a substitute for the Burnley lost left-back Stephen Ward shot from an Ibrahimovic cut-back, fi nal 17 minutes, but could not inspire a to injury just before half-time and his then got his body in the way bravely to victory, blasting over from Daley Blind’s replacement Flanagan escaped a strong block the Swede’s thunderous volley. om Heaton’s saves frustrated low free-kick deep into stoppage time. penalty shout within two minutes of When Mourinho’s side beat the goal- his former club Manchester Former Manchester United youth coming on. keeper, they were still denied, as Mata United as Burnley drew 0-0 at goalkeeper Heaton was inspired on his The Liverpool loanee seemed to clip hit the post with a clever shot on the Old Traff ord yesterday to se- return to Old Traff ord. He had already Darmian’s trailing leg right on the edge turn and Ibrahimovic looped a header Tcure a fi rst Premier League away point made a couple of straightforward stops of the area, but referee Mark Clatten- against the bar. of the season. from Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata when he burg dismissed the home side’s appeals. United then lost Herrera to a red Heaton dived to palm away a Jesse raced off his line to block the former Swe- Mourinho protested too strongly card. The midfi elder, booked for a fi rst- Lingard header and spread himself to den forward, who had latched onto a well- during the interval and began the sec- half foul, was shown a second yellow block a powerful Zlatan Ibrahimovic judged through pass from the Spaniard. ond half in the Sir Bobby Charlton card and sent off for a late challenge on volley against a United side who fi n- Burnley, whose defence included Stand. Having taken a seat near the Dean Marney. ished with 10 men as midfi elder Ander another United academy graduate in front of the stand, the manager was The game became scrappy, with Herrera was sent off . Michael Keane, were well organised then ordered to move further back. Burnley striker Sam Vokes and United United manager Jose Mourinho was as they frustrated the home side. But As that drama unfolded off the pitch, full-back Darmian seeing penalty ap- sent to the stands at half-time for pro- they were indebted to Heaton as United United briefl y lost their focus on it. A peals rejected in quick succession. testing too vehemently to the offi cials, started to fi nd gaps in the later stages of Pogba error allowed Andre Gray a run at Ashley Barnes, on as a substitute, having seen Matteo Darmian denied a the fi rst half. goal, although Luke Shaw managed to had a chance late in the game to secure penalty after being caught by Jon Flan- He dived to his right to push the ball usher the striker into a wide position be- the visitors’ fi rst win at Old Traff ord agan’s trailing leg. aside after Mata had dug out a left-foot Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton thwarted United with some spectacular saves. (AFP) fore making a challenge to snuff out the since 1962, glancing just wide from a The draw means that United have shot from the edge of the penalty area. threat. Scott Arfi eld then fi red over with Johan Berg Gudmundsson cross. gone four Premier League matches Heaton was grateful to see former Man- shot after a lovely drag-back fl ick from inspired as he palmed away a powerful the visitors’ best chance of the afternoon. United fi nished on the attack, with without victory and have fallen eight chester City defender Ben Mee throw Paul Pogba set up the chance. Lingard header from Herrera’s right- But United were soon pressing to- Blind, Shaw and Ibrahimovic all going points behind the leaders. his head in the way of Ibrahimovic’s But the England international was wing cross, before tipping over a 25- wards the Burnley goal once more. close, but the goal would not come.

WEST BROM vs MAN CITY ON A ROLL Giroud, Sanchez Aguero double ends help Arsenal sink sorry Sunderland AFP by half-time as they were left London chasing shadows by Arsenal’s slick passing and movement. The Gunners barely missed Guardiola barren run livier Giroud came Theo Walcott, their eight-goal off the bench to score joint top scorer rested to protect The 4-0 victory at West Brom ends Man City’s six-match winless run in all competitions twice in fi ve second- a minor injury, as they deservedly half minutes as Arsenal took a 19th-minute lead. maintainedO their Premier League It arrived at the culmination title challenge with a comfort- of a 22-pass move that was an able 4-1 win at struggling Sun- exercise in retaining possession. derland yesterday. Sanchez stole in front of a stat- Alexis Sanchez (pic below) uesque Lamine Kone to send a scored the Gunners’ other two glancing header into the far cor- goals to make it 14 games unbeat- ner from an Alex Oxlade-Cham- en for Arsene Wenger’s side, who berlain cross. would have won with even more Ozil should have scored ei- to spare had they taken all their ther side of Sanchez’s strike, fi rst chances in a dominant display. aiming a tame angled drive at Sunderland momentar- Jordan Pickford after being the ily looked capable of springing benefi ciary of a sumptuous pass a surprise when they levelled from the Chilean. through Jermain Defoe’s 65th- Later on in the half, Ozil’s minute penalty. weak lob was easily saved by the But their unlikely come- Sunderland goalkeeper after the back was short-lived as Giroud German playmaker had been put claimed his fi rst Premier League clean through by Oxlade-Cham- goals since May to herald a deci- berlain. sive burst of three goals in six and Alex Iwobi curled an eff ort nar- a half minutes from the visitors. rowly over from distance after Ar- The Frenchman had been on senal again caught their hosts on the pitch for just 60 seconds the counter-attack when Patrick when he volleyed home a cross van Aanholt surrendered posses- from Kieran Gibbs to restore Ar- sion deep in opposition territory senal’s lead in the 71st minute. But while the defi cit remained The 30-year-old secured vic- at a single goal, Sunderland re- tory with a looping near-post tained hope. Van Aanholt curled header from a Mesut Ozil corner an early free-kick narrowly wide soon after, before Sanchez kept after a foul on Wahbi Khazri and his composure to add a close- although Defoe had the ball in range fourth after Gibbs’s shot the net before half-time, the for- came back off the post. ward’s eff ort was rightly ruled Arsenal provisionally moved out for off side. three points clear at the league Arsenal should have had summit ahead of the rest of Sat- a penalty when Sanchez was urday’s games. brought down by a labouring Defeat left winless Sunderland Kone after the interval. bottom of the table and with two Within seconds at the other points from 10 games, they have end, Sunderland were given an AFP of some sloppy passing from Dawson and of the relegation places after beating matched Manchester City’s un- unexpected chance to level from West Bromwich RESULTS & TABLE Fletcher just outside the Albion box to ri- Bournemouth 2-0 through a memorable wanted 1995 record for the worst 12 yards as Petr Cech earned a fl e an unstoppable drive into the top cor- Gaston Ramirez solo goal and a Stewart start to a Premier League season. yellow card for bringing down Man United 0 ...... Burnley 0 ner of the net. Downing strike. Manager David Moyes is still Duncan Watmore as he bore ergio Aguero’s brace ended Pep Middlesbrough 2 ...... Bournemouth 0 Two minutes after the break, David Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool joined City searching for a fi rst league vic- down on goal. Guardiola’s worst run as a man- Tottenham 1 ...... Leicester 1 Silva’s skidding left-foot drive clipped and Arsenal on 23 points later in the tory since succeeding Sam Al- Defoe sent the Arsenal goal- ager as Manchester City turned on Sunderland 1 ...... Arsenal 4 Nolito and defl ected just wide. Gundogan evening courtesy of an entertaining vic- lardyce in July. keeper the wrong way to bring the style with a 4-0 win at West Watford 1 ...... Hull 0 was next to try his luck when he attempt- tory at Crystal Palace. The visitors should have had Sunderland level. BromwichS Albion yesterday. ed to pick his spot inside the box, but his Palace midfi elder James McArthur hit more than Sanchez’s fi rst league But Giroud found the net in West Brom 0 ...... Man City 4 Aguero has been linked with a move Crystal Palace 2 ...... Liverpool 4 side-footed eff ort trickled wide. back twice to haul the hosts level after goal since the end of September the Premier League for the fi rst away from City after being dropped for West Brom made a double substitution Liverpool went ahead fi rst through Emre to show for their dominance be- time since his fi nal day hat-trick a Champions League tie at Barcelona re- Team P W D L Pts six minutes after the break when Jonathan Can and then Dejan Lovren. fore the break. against Aston Villa fi ve months cently, but he underlined his value with Man City 10 7 2 1 23 Leko and James Morrison replaced Jonas But Joel Matip’s 44th-minute head- Sunderland were fortunate ago and Wenger’s men did not clinical fi rst-half goals at the Hawthorns. Arsenal 10 7 2 1 23 Olsson and Fletcher. er restored the visitors’ advantage and not to concede half a dozen goals look back. The Argentine forward, who had gone six Liverpool 10 7 2 1 23 Chris Brunt set up Rondon with a pass Roberto Firmino chipped in from Jordan games without a goal, then turned provider Tottenham 10 5 5 0 20 that had keeper Claudio Bravo racing to Henderson’s pass to seal victory with 19 for Ilkay Gundogan on 79 minutes before Chelsea 9 6 1 2 19 the edge of his area and Rondon, West minutes remaining. the latter sealed it in the closing moments. Everton 9 4 3 2 15 Brom’s record signing, then headed nar- Victory ended City’s six-match win- Watford 10 4 3 3 15 rowly wide. Mourinho in more trouble less run in all competitions and was the Man Utd 10 4 3 3 15 But City were always a threat and Ster- perfect preparation for their Champions Southampton 9 3 4 2 13 ling screwed his shot over after some pin- Just when Jose Mourinho thought it could League clash with Guardiola’s former side Bournemouth 10 3 3 4 12 ball in the Albion box. not get any worse for him at Manchester Barcelona on Tuesday. Leicester 10 3 3 4 12 West Brom should have scored in the United after last week’s 4-0 drubbing at City, who made eight changes from Crystal Palace 10 3 2 5 11 72nd minute but Rondon miscued from Chelsea, his—and his team’s—season hit a Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester Burnley 10 3 2 5 11 six yards out after James McClean broke new low yesterday. While United were not United in the League Cup, rarely looked in Middlesbrough 10 2 4 4 10 down the left and crossed low into the box. beaten by Burnley, a goalless draw, with danger and controlled much of the game West Brom 10 2 4 4 10 City ended any faint hopes of a Bag- Mourinho sent to the stands, is not an as they matched their biggest Premier West Ham 9 3 1 5 10 gies comeback 11 minutes from time when outcome to ease pressure on the manager. League win of the season. Stoke 9 2 3 4 9 Aguero produced a lovely dink over the The Portuguese was punished by ref- West Brom forced the fi rst opening Hull 10 2 1 7 7 defence to beat the off side trap for Gun- eree Mark Clattenburg after an alleged al- when Nacer Chadli’s fi rst-time eff ort Swansea 9 1 2 6 5 dogan to slot home. tercation in the tunnel that saw Mourinho swerved away from goal after Craig Daw- Sunderland 10 0 2 8 2 Gundogan added a fourth on 90 min- apparently contest the referee’s decision son won the ball on the byline and Salo- utes when he stroked home fi rst time after not to give a penalty for Jon Flanagan’s mon Rondon teed him up. Given the pressure from the visitors, it substitute Kevin De Bruyne broke down challenge on Matteo Darmian just before City responded with a fl oated eff ort was no surprise when City took the lead. the left and crossed. the interval. Mourinho, who is already from Raheem Sterling that forced a save Gundogan split the Baggies defence Tottenham were left three points off the facing FA charge over his comments about from Ben Foster and the visitors had the as Aguero peeled off his man and slotted pace in fourth place after drawing at home another referee, Anthony Taylor, before ball in the net in the ninth minute when home across Foster from an acute angle. to champions Leicester, who climb one the recent visit to Liverpool, could fi nd Aguero squared for Nolito to tap home, Aguero was in superb form and set up the place to 11th. Vincent Janssen gave Spurs himself in more trouble, both for what he but the eff ort was ruled out for off side. next chance when he robbed Darren Fletch- the lead with a 44th-minute penalty, but said to Clattenburg and then for trying to City began to exert control and forced er in midfi eld and fed Gundogan, whose Ahmed Musa equalised early in the second sit in the front row of the stands as the two chances in quick succession. pass released Nolito. His shot beat Foster period, sliding in bravely to apply the fi n- second half began. First Sterling tested Foster with a fi erce but hit Gareth McAuley in front of the line. ishing touch to Jamie Vardy’s cross. He was quickly moved to the director’s volley that was palmed away, then John City fans didn’t have to wait long for a Elsewhere, Watford stole above United box where he had a fi rst-class view of his Stones produced a glaring miss after being second goal as Aguero claimed his 13th of into seventh place after edging Hull City side’s failure to score, and of the sending- left free from Nolito’s cross, fi ring wide the season. It was a thumping strike to live 1-0 courtesy of a late Michael Dawson off of Ander Herrera, which completed an- from fi ve yards out. long in the memory as he took advantage own-goal. Middlesbrough pulled clear other miserable afternoon at Old Traff ord. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, October 30, 2016 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Asian elections for FIFA council in February sian elections for three additional Aseats on the new FIFA Council will be held at the end of February in Kuala Lumpur after the extraordinary congress in Goa was postponed last month, the Conte warns Terry faces continent’s governing body said yesterday. Delegates to September’s Asian Football Confederation extraordinary congress, which had been called to conduct the elec- tion, voted down the agenda of the meet- ing in a row over the disqualification of a Qatari candidate. World governing body FIFA banned Qatar’s Saoud al-Mohannadi fi ght for Chelsea place two days before the election because of an ongoing ethics investigation, leaving insuff icient time for new candidates to join ‘I don’t like to talk about individual players. We win together and we lose together in every circum- the six remaining in the field. With FIFA President Gianni Infantino watching on, 42 stance. It’s logical that John came back from injury and it’s not easy to restart and to find quickly of the 44 members who had voting rights at the Goa meeting raised a “No” card the right shape. I have always to take the best decision for the team, never for an individual player’ when AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifah called for the agenda of the meeting to be passed. Coach Loew to extend German reign until 2020 ermany’s World Cup-winning coach GJoachim Loew is set to extend his reign until 2020 amidst reports his new contract will be confirmed tomorrow by the Ger- man FA (DFB). German daily Bild reported yesterday that the 56-year-old, who took charge in 2006, will pen a two-year exten- sion to lead Germany’s defence of the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and to the European Championships in 2020. Loew, who led die Mannschaft to their fourth World Cup title in Brazil two years ago, is set to receive a huge pay rise to four million euros ($4.4mn) per year. His current contract, which expires after the 2018 World Cup, reportedly earned him an annual salary of around three mn euros. If Loew stays in off ice until 2020, his 14-year reign would make him the joint second-longest serving Germany coach, equal to Helmut Schoen (1964-78). Sepp Herberger holds the 28-year record, from 1936-64, during which time he led West Ger- many to their first World Cup title in 1954. Man United’s Valencia set for arm surgery anchester United’s Antonio Valencia Mwill undergo surgery after fracturing his arm, the English Premier League giants announced yesterday. Ecuador defender Valencia, 31, has made 11 appearances in all competitions for United so far this season. But he was missing from Jose Mourinho’s squad for yesterday’s league match at home to Burnley, with United confirming his injury via a Twitter feed statement that said: “An- tonio Valencia has a fracture in his arm and will have surgery today.” Valencia, who made his name as a winger before featuring as a right-back under successive United manag- ers, has been replaced in the team to play AFP said. “It’s logical that John came back ‘No need to call Mourinho’ Burnley by Matteo Darmian. The 31-year-old Southampton from injury and it’s not easy to restart Valencia’s absence means he has now joined and to fi nd quickly the right shape. Jose Mourinho won’t be receiving a fellow defenders Eric Bailly and Chris Small- “John is an important player for us, phone call from his Chelsea opposite ing in being sidelined through injury. ntonio Conte has hinted if he plays, if he doesn’t play, for the number Conte to placate him about his Chelsea captain John Terry changing room, for his teammates, for behaviour in last Sunday’s 4-0 ham- Gastric-fl u sweeps (pic right) could be sent back the club. I repeat: in this case always mering of Manchester United. to the bench for today’s Pre- it’s important the team and not to Mourinho showed his displeasure by Montpellier squad mierA League trip to Southampton. think or to speak about an individual calling the emotional antics of Conte rench Ligue 1 outfit Montpellier scram- Terry’s return to action in Chelsea’s player. I have always to take the best as “humiliating” — which included Fbled youth players to make up the midweek League Cup defeat at West decision for the team, never for an in- him urging the Chelsea fans to cheer numbers for their match at Lorient yes- Ham didn’t go according to plan as the dividual player.” louder — by having words with him at terday after gastric flu swept an already centre-back struggled in his fi rst ap- Conte made seven changes against the fi nal whistle. injury-depleted squad. “Five of our players pearance following six weeks on the West Ham, stalling the momentum Conte, who took over after guiding came down with gastro-enteritis on Friday sidelines with an ankle injury. from last Sunday’s 4-0 demolition of Italy to a penalty shootout quarter- night,” a Montpellier statement said. After three successive league wins Manchester United. He wants a re- fi nal defeat by Germany at Euro 2016, Ryad Boudebouz, Paul Lasne, Mathieu without conceding a goal, Chelsea lost sponse against Southampton and has replied fi rmly when asked if he had Deplagne, Ellyes Skhiri and Steve Mounie 2-1 to the Hammers and Terry’s error- no intention of tinkering with the tac- spoken to Mourinho since. stayed in Montpellier as the 17th-placed strewn performance in Conte’s fa- tical formation that brought him suc- “No, but I don’t think it’s necessary,” team beefed up their travelling squad voured three-man defence is unlikely to cess with Juventus and Italy. said the 47-year-old. Conte, who made with youth team players for the flight to have persuaded the Italian to keep him “We wanted to win and to continue his name as a manager at Juventus, the bottom-placed Brittany club. in the starting line-up this weekend. in the cup. It didn’t happen,” Conte guiding them to three Serie A crowns, The back three system is alien to Ter- said. “It’s a pity, but we have another admitted though he needed to be care- Argentinian clubs owe ry, who thrived in a four-man defence tough game and it’s important our ful about his behaviour — for the sake of for much of his career, and the 35-year- head now stays concentrated for this his own health. “I’m worried about this. millions in unpaid tax old was beaten in the air by Cheikhou game. I think it’s the right way for the improve game by game, to continue to Premier League, Europa League and For this reason, I try to run, to maintain rgentinian tax authorities are taking Kouyate for West Ham’s fi rst goal. players. It’s a good fi t for the team, this trust in the work. These are the most League Cup commitments. And despite a good physical form. It’s important be- Anine of the country’s football clubs Conte eventually switched Terry system. For sure we must continue to important things now, not the table. In a series of defensive injuries, Saints are cause I know that I risk a bit.” to court to pursue millions in missing tax from the central position to the left of work in the off ensive situations and this league, there is great balance and on an impressive run of one defeat in 10 Conte, who likes to run for 30 to 40 revenue. The case, which also includes the defence at half-time. also in defensive situation. It’s not in every game, anything can happen. matches in all competitions. minutes at Chelsea’s training ground, the country’s national governing body for That leaves Terry as a potential easy, it’s completely diff erent when You can win, but you can lose.” “I think it was important at the says thanks to his lung-busting ef- football, the AFA, will see authorities go casualty if the Blues boss recalls Mar- you defend with four and when you Meanwhile, Southampton manager beginning to prepare all the players,” forts as a midfi elder for Juventus and after 120 mn pesos ($7.96 mn) in unpaid cos Alonso and Victor Moses to the defend with three defenders.” Claude Puel says he will carry on rotat- Puel said. “We can see it is a good thing Italy he has bought himself some time. taxes and social contributions. Some of wing-back roles and restores Cesar Chelsea enter this weekend’s fi x- ing his squad against Chelsea to keep now, because we can keep good results. “In my career I ran a lot. I’m in credit,” the country’s biggest football clubs are Azpilicueta to central defence. tures in fourth place, but Conte refus- them fresh following their midweek I hope we can recover some players for said Conte, who won the Champions involved, including San Lorenzo, the 2016 “I don’t like to talk about individual es to talk up his team’s title chances at League Cup win over Sunderland. the future, for all the games, but of League (1996), the UEFA Cup (in 1993 runners-up in the Argentinian first division, players. We win together and we lose this stage. “We shouldn’t look at the Puel has been successfully tweaking course to turn and to change the team now the Europa League) and fi ve Serie as well as many top-level clubs. together in every circumstance,” Conte table,” he added. “It’s important to his team as he juggles Southampton’s often is important.” A titles as a player with Juventus.

BOTTOMLINE Mourinho bars Rooney from United escape AFP to the top of the English game. general terms, about a potential Manchester “I know he can still play at the interest in Rooney, who left Goodi- highest level. I know he’s the type son as a 19-year-old in a £20 mn of player I need,” said Mourinho. transfer in the summer of 2004. ayne Rooney (pic “He can play at the top level. I “Even when we get one time the right) will not be al- can’t say what’s going to happen possibility that Rooney is an option lowed to leave Man- when he’s 32, 3, 4, 5 but what I can for Everton, I’m very pleased,” said chester United in the say is that he’s a very good player, Koeman. “I am not at United, I don’t WJanuary transfer window despite a very important player for us. He’s see sessions and every game. It is a his frustrations at losing his start- going nowhere. decision of the manager of Man- ing place at Old Traff ord and inter- “We like him, he likes us. He’s not chester United. But he is 31, he is est from his former club Everton. happy in the last matches because not fi nished, he still has two or three Ronald Koeman, in charge at the he was on the bench but I think he years at least at the highest level. club Rooney left to join United in the is even unhappier when he’s not on “Wayne Rooney is a top player summer of 2004, has become the the bench because he’s been injured and, of course, if there is one day fi rst Premier League manager to ex- and has to stay in the stands. when he is available of course we press an interest in signing the Eng- “There are no problems at all. would like to have him but it is too Rooney away from Old Traff ord. “I think he’s a human being like land captain should Jose Mourin- He’s my captain. He is the team early and I don’t like to speak about But Mourinho moved to quickly everybody else. He has family, like ho be prepared to allow him to leave. captain. He behaves like that. In all players who are under contract at dispel such suggestions, although everybody else,” he said. “He has Mourinho stated categorically my career I have had just a couple other teams.” he accepts the forward, who lost kids, the oldest one at an age where not only will Rooney, 31, be told to of players, they didn’t want to play Earlier in the week, reports had his starting place on the national he can read, he can feel, he gets af- forget leaving but he also expects and sometimes they wanted to hide suggested Mourinho might be pre- team shortly after suff ering a simi- fected by that. It’s just human nature the experienced veteran to play a key when things got hotter.” pared to give Koeman, and other rivals, lar fate with his club, has found this but I think he’s a big boy, a big char- role in his attempts to return United Koeman had earlier talked, in encouragement in their hopes of luring a trying period in his career. acter. He copes with the situation.” Gulf Times Sunday, October 30, 2016 5 GOLF

REPORT SPOTLIGHT ‘Saddest’ ace as Kuchar loses Matsuyama three car in Shanghai ahead as McIlroy fades in Shanghai Matsuyama sprayed 19 birdies and six bogeys all over the course with memorable attacking golf during his first 36 holes, but he reined in his aggressive Matt Kuchar of the US reacts after a shot in Shanghai yesterday. AFP the most beautiful Cadillac sit- Shanghai ting on a tee with the note below instincts Saturday to card a bogey-free four-under 68 and move to 17-under par saying, ‘This hole is under 200 yards, thus no longer qualifi es for att Kuchar had a rare the insurance for the giveaway hole-in-one but felt for the prize’.” like crying after- He said the worst part was he wards at the WGC- wasn’t sure how he was going to MHSBC Champions in Shanghai explain it all to his young golf- yesterday. mad son. The US Ryder Cup player “I’ve got this nine-year-old aced Sheshan International Golf son at home that’s just a golf Club’s treacherous par-three junkie, always asking have I ever 17th, but was 24 hours too late to made a hole-in-one with a car on win a brand new luxury Cadillac it,” said Kuchar. CT6 40T Prem. “And now I fi nally have. But “It was the saddest hole-in-one,” unfortunately the insurance was Kuchar told reporters. “I knew I taken away due to the forward tee.” just made a hole-in-one and I was Kuchar soon found out why teased by this beautiful car sitting the tee had been moved and said there, that’s not to be mine.” he knew who to blame. During Thursday and Friday’s “Henrik Stenson came up and opening two rounds of the WGC- said: ‘My fault, the back tee box HSBC Champions in Shanghai the was not in very good shape’. car had been on off er to anyone “He was the one that asked for who could make a hole-in-one. the tees to be moved forward,” But yesterday the teeing said Kuchar. He added with a ground was moved up inside 200 smile: “He owes me something.” yards as its turf had cut up badly The ace did help propel Kuchar in wet conditions this week. to a 68 and to nine-under for the The reduced length of the usually tournament. 212-yard hole negated the sponsor’s “A hole-in-one is great to insurance cover — meaning no car have. It’s an eagle and to put two- could be given away. under on a scorecard on a hole is “Most of the time a hole-in- a nice thing and certainly helps one, you’re just overjoyed with my placement out a good bit.” excitement,” said Kuchar. He is in a six-way tie for eighth “But literally, a minute before place going into Sunday’s fi nal my shot, I found out. round, eight shots behind leader “There’s a car sitting there, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.

The good, the bad and the exceptional for Scott AFP, Shanghai: Australia’s fathom how he managed to blow former world number one Adam his second round so spectacular- Scott had a smile back on his face ly after a fine first round 69, only yesterday with a stunning eight- to follow that by equalling the low under par 64 at the WGC-HSBC round of the week at Sheshan Champions in Shanghai after International Golf Club. carding a disastrous 80 in the “I don’t really know,” he told AFP second round. after his round.”I just played Hideki Matsuyama of Japan in action in Shanghai yesterday. Scott turned his week on its and started hitting a few good head by taking 16 shots fewer on shots, and then made the turn in AFP ies at 16 and 18 gave him some consola- margin courtesy of a crucial birdie at the at the second and sixth holes. Saturday than the day before to four-under and kept hitting good Shanghai tion. fi nal hole. His third birdie, at the par-fi ve eighth, propel himself remarkably within shots. McIlroy fi nished at nine under in a “It was a big, big birdie to take the lead came under the most remarkable of cir- striking distance of the top 10 in “And then I made a couple putts tie for eighth place after a 70, but is from two strokes to three,” said Mat- cumstances. At that point it seemed as if the $9.5 mn dollar event dubbed and all of a sudden I was having a ideki Matsuyama maintained a now eight shots adrift of Japan’s world suyama. “I had 248 yards to the pin. Fad- it would be the Northern Irishman’s day. “Asia’s Major”. really great round. three-shot lead after a “satisfy- number 10. ed a three-wood in there.” Going for the green in two, McIlroy The aff able Aussie was at a loss Managed to get it in with 64. ing” third round of the WGC- Matsuyama sprayed 19 birdies and six The fi rst Japanese player to make the slashed the ball so far right that it can- to explain how he could follow It’s just a wonderful game, golf.” HSBC Champions in Shanghai bogeys all over the course with memora- world’s top 10 since Jumbo Ozaki in 1998 noned into trees and across a cart path. the worst round of his year with His flawless round containing Saturday,H but Rory McIlroy’s chances all ble attacking golf during his fi rst 36 holes, is bidding to become the fi rst Asian to Faced with a tiny gap in thicket and the best. eight birdies to put him into a but melted away on the back nine. but he reined in his aggressive instincts win a World Golf Championships event. no green to work with, McIlroy somehow “I couldn’t do anything right and share of 26th place after starting Saturday is known as “moving day” Saturday to card a bogey-free four-under But he will face a fi erce battle from de- fi zzed a low wedge through the branches nothing felt good at all yesterday. the day languishing in 61st place in golf parlance but in the case of McIl- 68 and move to 17-under par. fending champion Knox, who will make hard into the bank of a stream guarding I felt hopeless out there,” admitted in the 78-player field. roy, who started the day six behind the “The fi rst two days, making lots of his own piece of history if he can be the the green and watched it hop up oblig- the 36-year-old world number six Although at three-under par for Japanese world number 10, it was in the birdies was a lot of fun,” the quietly spo- fi rst player to retain the Old Tom Morris ingly onto the putting surface. after yesterday’s exploits. “And the tournament he is too far adrift wrong direction. ken 24-year-old told reporters through Cup on Sunday. He calmly rolled in the 15-footer for today, I just tried to salvage some- of leader Hideki Matsuyama’s The world number three got to the turn an interpreter. “I’m not going to give up my title with- birdie and allowed himself to laugh, thing and it was one of my great 17-under par score to think about at three-under for the round, including “But today, when you’re in a position out a big fi ght tomorrow. I look forward to knowing he had dodged a bullet. rounds this year.” It was hard for winning, Scott is eyeing another an astonishing birdie at the long eighth to win, playing smart and making no bo- every minute and see what happens,” said But the course bit back after the turn Scott — or anybody watching — to score in the mid-60s today. hole. geys was very satisfying.” Knox. as bogeys at 11 and 12 were followed by But the FedEx Cup champion saw the Matsuyama started the day three shots McIlroy had seemed ready for a charge another at 15 before his fi nishing fl ourish course claw all his gains back before bird- clear of Russell Knox and maintained the when he got off to a fast start with birdies left him in a six-way tie for eighth place. FARMS CHAMPIONSHIP BOTTOMLINE Rookie Murray Ko fi nds groove but rain douses grabs lead ahead of Owen, Power

AFP His best fi nish was a solo sec- Los Angeles ond at the 2006 Arnold Palmer play at LPGA Malaysia Invitational. Former US Open champion AFP still have three holes to play from putts here and there but the S PGA Tour rookie Lucas Glover carded a 69 to head Kuala Lumpur the third round. putts that didn’t drop on the fi rst Grayson Murray bird- a group on 135 that also included The clubhouse lead offi cially day kind of have been dropping ied his fi nal hole Friday Canada’s Graham DeLaet (69) belonged to Suzann Petterson of the past two days,” she said. to take a two-shot lead and Americans Brandon Hagy orld number one Norway, who shot a 66 to move “Those little things I think Uover Ireland’s Seamus Power (68) and Trey Mullinax (70). Lydia Ko posted to nine-under overall. make the diff erence at the end of and England’s Greg Owen after The tournament played op- her best round yes- She was the highest golfer on the day. two rounds of the Sanderson posite the elite WGC-HSBC terday but remained the leaderboard who had fi n- But I’ve still got one long day Farms Championship in Jack- Champions in Shanghai fea- aW few strokes off the leaders after ished the round. tomorrow, so I’ve just got to son, Mississippi. tures few of golf’s marquee a rain-interrupted day three at Mother Nature’s interfer- stick to the same game plan.” Murray’s closing birdie at the names. the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. ence meant that 15 golfers will Ko is using a local Malaysian Country Club of Jackson’s ninth American Chris Kirk, at 74th The New Zealand 19-year- be making up suspended rounds caddie after she parted ways hole — where he stuck his ap- in the world, is the highest- old shot a six-under-par 65 to Sunday morning. with Australian Jason Hamilton proach shot within three feet ranked player in the fi eld. move to eight-under overall in Ko made it over the line de- earlier this month. — was his eighth of the day in a English veteran Ian Poulter, the tournament at TPC Kuala spite the lengthy delays, and Feng is hoping to reprise her seven-under 65 that gave him a playing just his second tour- Lumpur. However, play was de- will try to catch the leaders for success in 2014, when she won 12-under total of 132. nament since a foot injury layed for more than four hours her fi rst title since the Marathon the tournament. Owen nabbed six birdies in sidelined him for almost fi ve by heavy rain and eventually Classic in July. That’s an unchar- “Every week, I know that I his fi ve-under 67 for 134 while months, missed the cut. halted with several leading golf- acteristic drought for the young actually get pretty close to win- Power followed up a fi rst-round Poulter posted a two-under ers yet to fi nish their rounds, phenom, who has struggled to ning. 65 with a three-under 69 that 70 on Thursday, and endured a which will be completed Sunday seven-under on the day through lowed by Anna Nordqvist of break out on the leaderboard this So this week, I know that my included four birdies. tough back nine that included morning. 17 holes before play was stopped. Sweden at 12-under and South week. record here is really good in Ma- Owen, making his 250th US four bogeys on Friday en route China’s Feng Shanshan holed She provisionally topped the Korea’s Amy Yang another “I’ve been striking the ball laysia and I’ve won here before,” PGA Tour start this week, is in to a 75 that left him one-over for six birdies and an eagle to go to leaderboard at 13-under, fol- stroke back. Nordqvist and Yang pretty well. I’m making a few said Feng. search of his fi rst title. the tournament. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, October 30, 2016 SPORT

MLB NFL Jets a loss away Indians edge Cubs to from lost season

By Tara Sullivan seize World Series lead The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) hen the biggest ‘...you know the support for the Cubs is worldwide. Coming in here and getting the victory is big for us’ question heading into today is who the backup quar- Wterback is going to be, it tells you AFP Chicago plenty about where your football team is. When the question aris- es by the NFL’s Week 8, it tells or the Chicago Cubs to you that place is not good. capture their fi rst World So it’s no real surprise Jets Series since 1908 this coach Todd Bowles had little year and snap Ameri- interest in a detailed discus- ca’sF record longest sports title sion Friday about whether Bryce drought, they must win it in Petty or Christian Hackenberg Cleveland after losing 1-0 Fri- would get the No. 2 nod today day to the Indians at Wrigley in Cleveland, but with his sea- Field. son teetering on the edge of rel- Coco Crisp singled home evance, not even his rare fl ash of Michael Martinez in the seventh impatience could change reality. inning for the only run as the Injury may have decided the Indians, despite stranding sev- question of who will start, in- en base runners, won the fi rst serting Ryan Fitzpatrick back to World Series game at 102-year- his original position after a torn old Wrigley Field since 1945. ACL ended the brief return of “That’s a heck of a win,” In- Geno Smith last week against dians manager Terry Francona Baltimore, and in leading the Jets said. “We needed something, to their fi rst win in fi ve games, anything just to put a run across Fitzpatrick earned the chance and our staff made it hold up, to re-assert his ownership of which was a remarkable eff ort.” the job. Fitzpatrick even gets the Cleveland grabbed a 2-1 lead softest part of the schedule to do over the Cubs in Major League so, beginning in winless Cleve- Baseball’s best-of-seven cham- land and followed by games pionship showdown, which against Miami and Los Angeles, continues Saturday and Sun- giving him a chance to get this day in Chicago then returns to team back to .500. Cleveland if more games are But one more loss and the con- needed. versation changes, and quickly. The Indians, seeking their One more loss and the Jets will fi rst World Series crown since have to admit it’s time to turn the 1948, took their fi fth playoff page toward next season and be- shutout victory, a major league yond, time to see whether Petty, record for a single post-season their quarterback pick two drafts campaign, and their second Se- ago, or Hackenberg, their quar- ries blanking of the Cubs. terback pick this past spring, is a “We’ll learn from tonight, viable option for the future. come back and be ready to play With that in mind, the inter- tomorrow,” Cubs manager Joe est in who gets the fi rst crack at Maddon said. “We’re seeing taking over is fair, even if Bowles good pitching. We have to adjust doesn’t want to satisfy our col- to it.” lective curiosity just yet. Tribe relief pitcher Cody Al- “No off ense, but if I’m not len escaped a last gasp by Chi- going to tell you who it is, why cago in the ninth, striking out Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (No 12) celebrates with right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall after game three of the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley are we having this discussion?” Javier Baez to end the game with Field. The Indians defeated the Cubs 1-0. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Bowles said, conceding he had the potential tying run stranded made a decision but declining on third base. get the last out.” wild pitch by Cubs relief pitcher Anthony Rizzo led off the base, was struck out by Allen to Cleveland starter Josh Tom- to share it publicly until he said “We were in a little bit of a jam In all, four Cleveland pitch- Carl Edwards. ninth for the Cubs with a single send most of the 41,703 specta- lin, who won his two prior play- he’d spoken to his coaches. there. That’s one of those situa- ers struck out eight batters and After a pickoff try failed fol- to left fi eld, bringing the crowd tors home disappointed. off starts, allowed two hits with Bowles doesn’t have to let the tions you think about through- scattered fi ve hits. The Cubs still lowing a video review, Martinez to its feet for good. “To be on the fi eld, live that one walk and one strikeout over opposition know of his plans out the season or spring training have won only two World Series scored on pinch-hitter Crisp’s The potential tying run ad- moment of getting the last out 4 2/3 innings. either, right? “There you go,” or even as a kid. You play that games at Wrigley Field, game six single to right fi eld. vanced to second on a Wil- and feeling the emotions of get- Saturday’s starting pitchers he said. “Can we move on from over in your mind,” Allen said. in 1945 and game fi ve in 1935, “Coming here and seeing son Contreras ground out and ting a win, that’s a special feel- will be Cubs right-hander John here? Let’s move on please. It’s “All you’re trying to do is slow both over Detroit. all that blue in the stands, you took third after Jason Heyward ing,” Allen said. Lackey, a two-time World Series not happening.” the game down as much as pos- The game was decided when know the support for the Cubs is reached base on a fi elding error champion, and Cleveland right- Tabling the issue for now is sible and just try to make one Cleveland’s Roberto Perez sin- worldwide,” Crisp said. “Com- by Cleveland fi rst baseman Mike Starters baff le sluggers hander Corey Kluber, an 18- OK, especially while the Jets good pitch. Then you just try to gled and was replaced by In- ing in here and getting the vic- Napoli. Chicago starting pitcher Kyle game winner who is 3-1 in the cling to their slim playoff hopes, make another one. So we were dians pinch-runner Martinez, tory is big for us.” But Baez, who grounded out Hendricks struck out six but playoff s but who will be throw- turning back to Fitzpatrick to fortunate enough to string a few who took second base on Tyler The Indians did not manage to end the eighth inning with surrendered six hits and two ing on short rest after winning win these next three games be- good pitches together there and Naquin’s sacrifi ce and third on a another hit but didn’t need it. the potential tying run on third walks over 4 1/3 innings. Tuesday’s opener. fore their bye.

NHL Blue Jackets blank Anaheim Ducks 4-0

By Eric Stephens ousted them in the fi rst round parts right now. We just have to The Orange County Register of the Stanley Cup playoff s in go out and be prepared to out- April and a sexy pick by many to work the hockey club we’re go- emerge out of the Western Con- ing to play against tonight. If we efore one can believe in ference again this season. And it don’t do that, then we’re going the best side that was fi gured that Getzlaf’s return Fri- to be in trouble.” revealed against last day from an arm injury would be The message got lost in trans- spring’s playoff nem- an added boost. lation. Gagner scored fi rst on a Besis, the Anaheim Ducks showed Against a team that often takes simple rebound after the Jackets what the fl ip side looks like. up residence more toward the bot- were planting themselves right It was downright ugly. tom of the standings, the Ducks outside Gibson’s crease. Saad A complete reversal occurred only showed that they can use the got his fi rst just 21 seconds later Friday night at Honda Center. two newly-minted Swedes, Ham- with a rising sniper shot. As well as the Ducks played in pus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell, Saad came back with his sec- their domination of Nashville as soon as possible. ond when he was left alone to two nights before, they were as come down the right side to put horrid in a dismal 4-0 loss to Saad came back with his a shot on Gibson and then bang Columbus. second when he was left in his own rebound. Gagner fol- The announced 15,841 in at- alone to come down the lowed up with a power-play tally tendance should have been re- right side to put a shot on and the Ducks were down four quired to read a warning label Gibson and then bang in his before they could fully assess before viewing the horror show own rebound what had just happened. that was the following 2-hours. Gibson stopped 28 of 32 shots The gruesome sights came at Rakell could make his season and also was on the receiving them immediately and were un- debut sometime next week as he end of three Blue Jackets running relenting. has already started working in into him, with assistance from It took less than four minutes contact drills with teammates. Ducks teammates that couldn’t of the fi rst period for the carnage Lindholm, who signed a six-year keep them from charging hard to take place. The Blue Jackets contract Thursday, still needs to to the net. Carlyle fi nally pulled scored four times within that secure a visa and might not ready him, bringing back Dustin span, with Sam Gagner wrap- to play until the Ducks hit the Tokarski in with 9:47 remaining. ping his two goals around the road again November 9. The Ducks couldn’t keep from two that Brandon Saad also put Ducks coach Randy Carlyle being blanked for the fi rst time. past Ducks goalie John Gibson. tried to off er a warning in his Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bo- None of it was a fl uke. There meeting with the media Friday brovsky made 35 saves for his were no unfortunate bounces or morning. His point of empha- 14th career shutout and second bouts of hard luck from the home sis was to not get too caught up this season. squad. Columbus simply beat in Wednesday’s big victory over the Ducks (3-4-2) to the punch a team that was off from its star RESULTS from the fi rst drop of the puck goalie Pekka Rinne on out. Chicago 3 New Jersey 2 (OT) and a four-game unbeaten streak “We can’t feel comfortable Carolina 3 NY Rangers 2 was laid to rest. in any way, shape or form that Winnipeg 1 Colorado 0 The Ducks showed they didn’t we’ve arrived with this group,” Calgary 5 Ottawa 2 need Ryan Getzlaf in their 6-1 Carlyle said. Edmonton 2 Vancouver 0 Sergei Bobrovsky (No 72) of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save as David Savard (No 58) looks to clear during the third period of a 4-0 rout of the Predators, a team that “We’ve got lots of moving Columbus 4 Anaheim 0 win over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Centre in Anaheim, California. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, October 30, 2016 7 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Heat blow 19-point lead, fall 97-91 to Irving’s three-point Charlotte Hornets

By Ira Winderman From there, the Heat closed Sun Sentinel within 94-91 on a Whiteside basket, but a Walker driving lay- up pushed Charlotte’s advantage his was the opposite of to 96-91, eff ectively ending it. dagger sinks Raptors the third-quarter burst “It wasn’t a matter of want that put the Orlando or competitiveness,” Spoelstra Magic away in the Mi- said. “Our guys were super com- ‘He’s a big-time player and it was a big-time moment and he knocked it down’ Tami Heat’s Wednesday season petitive in this game.” opener. With Whiteside forced to the This time the third-period bench with his fourth foul mid- meltdown belonged to the Heat, way through the third period, as a 19-point lead in that quar- the Hornets battled back within ter melted away in what turned one point before a Tyler Johnson into a 97-91 loss Friday night at 3-pointer closed the scoring in AmericanAirlines Arena. the quarter and put the Heat up “We knew going in we had to 77-73 entering the fourth. play a complete game against With Whiteside closing the them,” coach Erik Spoelstra said fi rst half within one rebound after his team didn’t. of his double-double and with After dominating the Mag- Rodney McGruder making all ic with 74 points in the paint three of his fi rst-half 3-point Wednesday, the Heat this time attempts, the Heat took a 57- took their game to the perimeter 46 lead into the intermission, and rose and fell with 3-point matching their largest lead of shooting that was crisp early, the fi rst half. The Heat closed the fl at late. This time there were fi rst half 8 of 17 from beyond the 28 point points and 14-of-34 arc. 3-point shooting. The Heat stayed with the same “We knew going in this was rotation at the outset as during not a game we were going to get Wednesday’s season-opening 80 in the paint,” Spoelstra said. victory. With center Hassan Whiteside That had a starting lineup, falling into foul trouble along the with Whiteside at center, Luke way, a home opener that ap- Babbitt and Justise Winslow at peared so promising at 65-46 forward, and Dragic and Dion less than three minutes into the Waiters at guard. Tyler John- third period turned into a dou- son, James Johnson, Willie Reed ble-digit defi cit in the fourth. and McGruder then followed While Whiteside closed with in order, as they did against the 20 points and 15 rebounds, the Magic. Heat did not have enough to That had the Heat with a overcome their 20 turnovers, three-guard lineup by the mid- miscues that led to 22 Charlotte point of the opening period and points. with Winslow as the primary Guard Kemba Walker led the ballhandler at the end of the Hornets with 24 points, with quarter. Winslow had opened Charlotte committing just eight defensively as power forward, as turnovers. the initial defender against Mar- The question was whether vin Williams. Spoelstra waited too long to re- With Whiteside closing the insert Whiteside. opening period with nine points “I just wanted to make sure he and seven rebounds, the Heat could fi nish the game,” Spoelstra went into the second quarter up said. “In hindsight, there’s a lot 23-21, after leading by as many of decisions you can go back on.” as nine points in the fi rst. The Hornets erased all of their The Hornets opened with the 19-point third-quarter defi cit size of Roy Hibbert against Wh- to tie it 79-79 with 9:33 to play iteside, but Hibbert lasted only and then took their fi rst lead of fi ve minutes before being lost for the night at 81-79 on a fl oating the night with knee soreness. jumper from guard Ramon Ses- The game not only opened sions with 8:51 left. the Heat’s home schedule, but That’s when Whiteside re- was the Hornets’ fi rst game back turned, after sitting with his four since losing Game 7 of the fi rst fouls. By then, momentum be- round of last season’s playoff s. Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (Right) dribbles the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving defends during the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. The Cavaliers won longed to Charlotte, back on this The Heat remained without 94-91. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports court for the fi rst time since los- sidelined guards Josh Richardson ing Game 7 of last season’s fi rst- and Wayne Ellington, with side- AFP knocked it down.” Before the game they received victory. The Pelicans fell to 0-2 added 13 points apiece off the round series. lined forward Josh McRoberts in Los Angeles Irving’s basket brought back their 2016 NBA championship despite another masterful per- bench for Detroit. Forward Charlotte then moved to an uniform but only available for late- memories of another game win- rings and raised the banner at formance by Davis. Aaron Gordon had 17 points 85-81 lead midway through the game inbounding situations. The ner, in game seven of the 2016 Quicken Loans Arena. He fi nished with 45 points and seven rebounds and point fourth on a Jeremy Lamb tip-in, Hornets were without sidelined yrie Irving is picking NBA fi nals when he nailed a and 17 rebounds after accom- guard Elfrid Payton chipped in leading to a Heat timeout, with a forward Frank Kaminsky, who was up right where he left step-back three from the right Love factors in playoff plishing an league fi rst with 50 15 points and six assists for the Goran Dragic 3-pointer drawing held out with a foot injury. off last season, dis- side over Golden State star rematch points, 16 rebounds, fi ve assists, Magic. the Heat within 85-84. The Heat’s three-game home- playing the same late- Stephen Curry. Kevin Love chipped in with 18 four blocks and seven steals in a In New York, Brook Lopez But Walker then staked Char- stand continues Sunday against Kgame composure that allows James and Irving combined points and 10 rebounds for the season-opening 107-102 loss to scored 25 points and the Brook- lotte to an 89-84 lead with a 12- the San Antonio Spurs before him to sink clutch baskets for for 47 points as the Cavaliers Cavs who defeated the Raptors Denver on Wednesday. lyn Nets held the Indiana Pacers foot jumper, with the Hornets concluding Tuesday against the the Cleveland Cavaliers. squeezed past the Raptors in a in six games to reach the 2016 In Detroit, Tobias Harris without a basket for the fi rst fi ve pushing their lead to 10. Sacramento Kings. With the game tied 91-91, Ir- rematch of last season’s Eastern NBA fi nals. haunted his former team by minutes of the fourth quarter ving showed off his steely nerve Conference fi nals. “He drove in The 24-year-old Irving scoring 18 points as the Detroit and rallied for a 103-94 win. by draining a three pointer with the lane, got me a good look at dropped one of his fi ve three- Pistons built a 23-point half- Jeremy Lin contributed 21 44 seconds left to lift the Cava- the top of the key and I knocked pointers helping the Cavaliers time lead and then cruised to a points, nine assists and nine re- liers to a 94-91 win over the To- it down. I work on that shot remain undefeated (2-0) to start 108-92 win over the Orlando bounds for the Nets, who held ronto Raptors on Friday night. every single day,” said Irving. the season. Magic. the Pacers to 15 points in the Irving’s dagger came from Irving scored a team-high DeMar DeRozan led Toronto The former Magic forward fourth quarter. the top of the key and it was 26 points while James fi nished with a game-high 32 points added four rebounds, two as- none other than LeBron James with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven rebounds while Kyle sists, two steals and a block for RESULTS who fed him the ball. and seven assists as the Cava- Lowry added 17 points and four the Pistons. Cleveland 94 Toronto 91 “I tried to make a move for liers took to the road for the fi rst assists as the Raptors lost for Point guard Ish Smith fi n- Brooklyn 103 Indiana 94 myself, get into the seams, but time, winning in front of 19,800 the fi rst time this season. ished with 16 points and eight Detroit 108 Orlando 82 when I seen the defense col- at the Air Canada Centre arena. In New Orleans, Kevin Du- rebounds, forward Marcus Oklahoma 113 Phoenix 110 (OT) lapse, I know where my guy was The Cavaliers opened the rant scored 30 points and Klay Morris had 17 points and center Charlotte 97 Miami 91 going to be,” James said. season on an emotional night Thompson had 28 as Golden Andre Drummond tallied 12 Houston 106 Dallas 98 Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow looks to pass the ball as Charlotte “He’s a big-time player and it Tuesday with a 117-88 ham- State held off Anthony Davis points and 20 rebounds. Utah 96 LA Lakers 89 Hornets guard Jeremy Lamb (No 3) defends during the first half at was a big-time moment and he mering of the New York Knicks. and the Pelicans with a 122-114 Beno Udrih and Aron Baynes Golden State 122 Orleans 114 American Airlines Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

SPOTLIGHT Westbrook takes triple-double heroics to another level

AFP of a crowd of 18,200 at the Ches- brook’s teammates don’t seem to erson came up with a clutch Oklahoma City apeake Energy Arena. mind if he takes over a game. block at the rim. Westbrook got “You have to want to win,” “Just looking in his eyes and the rebound and was fouled. He said Westbrook, who made 17- talking to him, you see how hit both free throws to seal the ussell Westbrook doesn’t of-44 shots from the fi eld. “Very smart he is, what type of bas- game. appear to be missing simple. If you want to win, you ketball player he is. He’ll do any- After allowing the Suns to the one-two punch he don’t think about being tired. thing to win,” said Oladipo. shoot almost 70 % from the fi eld formed with ex-team- Being tired is a mind thing. It’s The Suns were led by guard in the fi rst quarter, the Thunder mateR Kevin Durant as the Okla- all in your mind. You have to go TJ Warren’s 30 points and nine got going in the second quarter homa City Thunder guard ex- out and compete at a high level rebounds. Guard Devin Booker and held Phoenix to fi ve-of-26 ploded Friday for a 51-point triple and leave it on the fl oor.” scored 21 points and Eric Bledsoe shooting. double against Phoenix. After eight seasons together added 17. Westbrook tried to single- Westbrook posted the fi rst in Oklahoma City, Westbrook With 1:11 left in the extra pe- handedly get the Thunder back 50-point triple double since is playing without Durant who riod, Oklahoma City went ahead into the game. He scored 23 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during signed with the Golden State 109-108. But Phoenix guard points in the third quarter, but the 1974-75 NBA season as he Warriors in the off season. Bledsoe hit a layup over a leap- Oklahoma City still trailed 83-77 began the post-Durant era by Durant or no Durant, over the ing Westbrook to put the Suns heading into the fourth. powering the Thunder to back- last two seasons no player has up 110-109. “That’s what he does,” the to-back wins. recorded more triple-doubles With 13 seconds left, Oklaho- Suns’ Booker said. “He is an ag- Westbrook, who just missed a than Westbrook. He tallied 18 ma City had the ball. Westbrook gressive scorer, one of the best triple double in the season open- last season and now has 38 in drove the lane for a layup that players in the league. We knew er against Philadelphia, lit Phoe- his career. Thunder guard Vic- put the Thunder ahead by one that coming in. I think he took, nix up for 51 points, 13 rebounds tor Oladipo added 21 points as with seven seconds left. like, 45 shots. and 10 assists as the Thunder no other Oklahoma City player Booker got the ball and tried “We know he is going to get Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes between Eric Bledsoe (Right) of the Phoenix Suns and won 113-110 in overtime in front scored in double fi gures. West- to go baseline. But Andre Rob- his shots.” Tyson Chandler for two points during the second half of an NBA game in Oklahoma City. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 8 Sunday, October 30, 2016 SPORT

HOCKEY/ ASIAN CHAMPIONS TROPHY FOCUS SC launches sports photography contest India beat Korea By Sports Reporter Successful graduates will then Doha go on to develop practical pro- fessional experience with SC partners to embed their skills he Supreme Com- further in the run-up to 2022. mittee for Delivery & Khalid al-Jumaily, SC Com- Legacy, the organisa- munity Engagement Man- tion responsible for ager, said of the Competition: to set up title clash Tdelivering the infrastructure “Qatar has hosted 20 mega for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, sporting events and hundreds has announced the launch of of smaller events since 2004 a photography competition to and a local passion for sports celebrate Qatar’s budding am- photography has grown along- ateur photography scene and side our hosting capabilities. create a group of world-class Through this competition, we professional sports photogra- want to further support lo- against Pakistan phers ready to showcase Qatar cal passion for photography to the world during the 2022 as part of our preparations for FIFA World Cup Qatar. the 2022 FIFA World Cup”. Indian captain Sreejesh saves the Korea’s last attempt to secure 5-4 win in the shootout Run in collaboration with The Competition is part of The Youth Hobbies Center un- a broader programme nurtur- der the auspices of The Min- ing talent in the local sports IANS South Korea started counter- istry of Culture and Sports, photography community. It is Kuantan, Malaysia attacking and received their fi rst professionals, amateurs, and seeking to develop a group of penalty corner of the match but photographers over the age of qualifi ed photographers who missed the chance for an equaliser. 18 are all eligible to enter by will document the on-fi eld ac- ndia defeated South Korea in In the second quarter, the submitting their best sports tion and impressive fan expe- the semi-fi nal of the Asian South Koreans seemed much photography material, wheth- riences of the 2022 FIFA World Champions Trophy hockey more disciplined and it paid off er this be photos of sports in Cup, showcasing Qatar to the tournament here yesterday as a defensive error by Rupinder action, portraits of players or world in the process. Ito set up a title clash with arch- saw South Korea equalising in behind-the-scenes shots. Abdulrahman al-Hajri, rivals Pakistan. the 20th minute of the game. In- First place in the Competi- General Manager of the Youth The Indians held off a strong woo slammed into the Indian net tion will receive QR10,000, Hobbies Center Manager, challenge from the Koreans to after Rupinder failed to trap the second place will receive said: “The Youth Hobbies win 5-4 (2-2) via penalty shoot- ball cleanly. QR8,000 and third place will Center aims to help amateur out in the fi rst semi-fi nal of the India, unlike the fi rst quarter, receive QR5,000. The winning photographers strengthen day. The two sides were locked tried to bring down the pace of photos will also appear in the their skills and reach a profes- 2-2 at the end of the regulation the game. It seemed like they lost Sports Photography Exhibi- sional standard. We are ex- time. For India, Talwinder Singh, their momentum after the South tion in The Youth Hobbies cited to cooperate with the SC Ramandeep Singh found the tar- Korean equaliser but soon the Center and at Building 18 at to grow the local photography get in the regulation time while Indian mid-fi eld started rotating Katara Hall for one week. community by raising aware- Seo Inwoo and Yang Jihun scored the ball with purpose. The competition will run ness and creating incentives for the Koreans. In the dying minutes of the from October 30 to midnight for people with an interest in In the penalty shoot-out, second quarter, India got many on November 10, with the photography to develop their Sardar Singh, Ramandeep Singh, chances to take the lead including winners being announced at skills. We encourage all mem- Akashdeep and Rupinder Pal a penalty corner that was denied the winners announcement bers of the community to con- Singh scored as India entered by the South Korean custodian as ceremony in Katara on No- tribute to raising Qatar’s pro- the fi nal. Rupinder also stepped both the teams went to half-time vember 14. fi le as a regional cultural hub up to convert the penalty stroke 1-1. After the half-time, South In addition to cash prizes, by taking part.” which was awarded to India af- Korea played with eight men in successful entrants will gain To submit your entry, send ter South Korean goalkeeper D. the circle while defending to look the opportunity to hone their your image to community@ Hong hit the legs of Birendra out for counter-attacks. photography skills via a tai- sc.qa or take it on a USB to Lakra with his stick during the Soon the strategy paid off and lored training programme. the Youth Hobbies Center at fi fth and fi nal shootout eff ort. they got a chance to take the lead Initially, this programme Katara building 18 before No- Indian captain and goalkeeper but Rupinder denied it. will develop technical skills vember 10. For more informa- P R Sreejesh, who took his place After witnessing this, In- Action from Asian Champions Trophy semi-final between India and South Korea yesterday. through a two-year Diploma. tion, visit www.sc.qa. under the bar after being side- dia made their move and started lined for two round-robin match- pressing the Korean defence. In es due to an ankle injury, stopped this process they got their third Johnson drop goal sees Kiwis edge England the fi fth and fi nal South Korean penalty corner but failed to con- player in the penalty shoot-out, vert it. The third quarter saw India Huddersfield: Shaun Johnson returned to haunt England once paving the way for India’s win. playing with the same strategy as again as his late drop goal helped New Zealand kick off the de- The second semi-fi nal also they were playing in the fi rst quar- fence of their Four Nations crown with a narrow 17-16 win over had to be decided by penalty ter but a crowded South Korean the tournament hosts yesterday. shoot-out as Pakistan scripted a defence and predictable moves did Jordan Rapana crossed for a try in each half for the Kiwis while 2-3 (1-1) victory over gritty Ma- not allow them to take the lead. Johnson also scored an interception try immediately after the laysia. The arch-rivals from the Both teams exchanged many interval at Huddersfield, northern England. Wayne Bennett’s sub-continent will meet in the shots and a few penalty corners England will now in all likelihood have to beat both Scotland fi nal today. in the fi nal minutes of the quar- and Australia to stand a chance of making the final next month Earlier, India tried to build up ter but failed to make the mark. at Anfield, the home of English football giants Liverpool. Gareth the early momentum right from In the fourth quarter, South Widdop’s unerring boot and tries from wingers Jermaine McGil- the push-back at the Wisma Be- Korea were the fi rst to get a pen- lvary and Ryan Hall saw England, now coached by Bennett, level lia Hockey Stadium by penetrat- alty corner in the 53rd minute the scores at 16-16 heading into the final quarter. But Johnson ing the Korean defence. and they successfully converted — the scourge of England with a last-minute try in New Zealand’s But the South Koreans stood it. Yang Jihun’s goal helped them dramatic 20-18 win in the semi-finals of the 2013 World Cup at solid against India’s probing at- take the lead as Sreejesh was London’s Wembley Stadium — slotted a drop goal from right in tacks as they denied many at- beaten by a low fl ick. front of the posts and his side held on to their narrow lead. Eng- tempts by applying sharp man- The drama unfolded in the land have a fine home record against the Kiwis, including beat- to-man marking. last fi ve minutes of the game as ing them in last year’s three-match Test series, and they came Despite the various failed at- India grabbed the scoring op- roaring out of the blocks. Widdop slotted two penalties to open tempts, the Roelant Oltmans- portunity with both hands as up a 4-0 lead, but for all their initial dominance, England failed coached side played with the Sardar Singh played a move from to pierce a strong New Zealand defence. The closest they came same attacking strategy and the left by-line. He gave a pass to was a James Graham “try” in the 24th minute that was ruled out soon it paid off as in the dying Ramandeep, who did not make a by the television match off icial for a double movement. That minutes of the fi rst quarter. mistake. was the hosts’ last real foray into Kiwi territory in the opening Talwinder, who was not in his The last few seconds saw both period as the momentum shifted firmly towards the visitors. New prime touch in this tournament, teams trying to penetrate in the Zealand got on the board when full-back Jordan Kahu slotted a found some space and played a circle but were unable to fi nd penalty and then, before the break, they scored the game’s first reverse hit to give India a vital the winner, taking the game to try with Rapana going over in the right corner. Kahu missed the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. the shoot-out where India pre- conversion but England were trailing 6-4 at the half-time hooter. Soon after conceding a goal, vailed. Pakistan and Malaysia players vying for the ball during their semi-final match yesterday.

SPOTLIGHT Josoor gears up for November training programmes

By Sports Reporter we aim to train, inspire and deliver marketing campaigns Doha grow professionals working in through practical experience. the sports and events industries The range of programmes of- in Qatar and the Mena region. fered are targeted at a range of osoor Institute completed During the professional devel- audience varying from students the second set of its train- opment workshop, industry to senior executives. ing and development pro- professionals explored diff erent The November block of pro- grammes with great suc- ways to commercialise sporting grammes will be delivered by cessJ and is gearing up towards its rights and improve commercial renowned industry experts in- November programmes that will models and were able to take cluding: Richard Kenyon, Direc- take place between November vital learnings back to their or- tor of Marketing and Communi- 21-24. The training and devel- ganisations.” cations of Everton Football Club, opment programmes are organ- The October sessions on one of the biggest clubs in the ised and delivered in partnership ‘Commercial Best Practise’ saw Premier League; Will Chignell, with Leaders, a global event, dynamic debates and interac- Chief Marketing & Commu- publishing and consultancy tive sessions amongst delegates. nications Offi cer at America’s business in sport. The focus was on developing the Cup. Also joining the esteemed Josoor Institute is a centre commercial skills required to in- speakers are: Jeff Mirman, Head of excellence for the sports and crease revenue within sports and of Digital Strategy of Qatari events industries, inspired and events organisations. The last Sports Investments who leads developed by the Supreme Com- day of the October professional the digital strategy for Paris St. mittee for Delivery & Legacy development workshop was held Germain and beIN Media Group, (SC). The training and develop- at Al Sadd Stadium. Working on and Andy Elliott, Media Con- ment programmes have fi ve sets site, the delegates got the op- sultant of UEFA who has worked of off erings that began in Sep- portunity to put their learnings The Student Outreach that side of sports clubs with partic- value in terms of sharing knowl- The upcoming training and at executive level in digital media tember and will carry on through into practice through interactive was held at Carnegie Mellon ular emphasis on team manage- edge, both theoretical and prac- development programmes will for over 30 years, to name a few. to December. group exercises. University in Qatar saw more ment. tical. A memorable moment take place from November 21 to Interested delegates are en- Speaking about Josoor Insti- The delegates also met with than 50 students from various Sharing his experience of be- from my session was seeing del- 24 and will focus on sports mar- couraged to visit Josoor Insti- tute’s Training and Develop- the commercial director from universities including Carn- ing a speaker at the workshop, egates debate fan engagement, keting, which includes devel- tute’s website www.josoorinsti- ment Programmes, Executive Al Sadd Sports Club, where they egie Mellon, Qatar University, the Managing Director of Busi- digital growth and new stadium oping new ways to engage fans, tute.qa to fi nd out more about Director (acting) of Josoor In- learned about the commercial Stenden University and College ness Development, Sales and experiences. This showed how creative marketing strategies each programme and to register. stitute Mushtaq al-Waeli said: and managerial considerations of North Atlantic. Students got Marketing of Atletico Madrid passionate and committed indi- and approaches, communicating Additionally, they may contact “We greatly value our partner- that go into running one of Qa- an opportunity to explore what Javier Martinez, said: “These viduals in the region are about eff ectively to a wider audience [email protected] for ship with Leaders and together tar’s leading sports clubs. it takes to be on the operational kinds of workshops off er great improving the sports industry.” and learning how organisations more information. Gulf Times Sunday, October 30, 2016 9 CRICKET

FIFTH ODI Mishra spins India to series victory over New Zealand Kiwis, chasing a target of 270, register their lowest ODI total against India as their innings lasted for just 23.1 overs

Indian team celebrate after winning the ODI series 3-2 against New Zealand at in Visakhapatnam, India, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Left-arm spinner Axar Patel got the big the third wicket with Dhoni (41) and (Sharma), 3-190 (Dhoni), 4-195 (Pandey), Visakhapatnam, India wicket of opposition skipper Kane Wil- played a controlled knock to register his 5-220 (Kohli), 6-266 (Patel) liamson for 27 as he mistimed a drive to 38th ODI fi fty, striking a fi ne balance Did not bat: J. Bumrah, A. Mishra, U. Yadav be caught at long-off . between attack and defence. Bowling: Southee 10-0-56-0, Boult 10-0- eg-spinner Amit Mishra Mishra’s double blow in the 16th over Dhoni, who is trying to settle in his 52-2, Neesham 6-0-30-1, Santner 10-0-36-1, claimed fi ve wickets to skittle to get Ross Taylor (19) and BJ Watling new number four slot, played a watch- Sodhi 10-0-66-2, Anderson 4-0-27-0 New Zealand out for a paltry 79 (0) out in the space of three deliveries ful innings before being trapped lbw to as India thrashed the Black Caps derailed New Zealand’s chase. The visi- Mitchell Santner after missing an at- NEW ZEALAND INNINGS Lby 190 runs to clinch the fi ve-match tors slipped to 66 for fi ve. tempted sweep. New Zealand spinners M. Guptill b Yadav 0 one-day international series 3-2 in Vi- “Mishra’s beauty is he bowls slow, so kept chipping away with Sodhi getting T. Latham c J. Yadav b Bumrah 19 sakhapatnam yesterday. as a keeper you have time to recover the Manish Pandey for nought and then the K. Williamson c Jadhav b Patel 27 The visitors, who were chasing a tar- ball to stump batsmen. And in tandem big wicket of Kohli in the 44th over to R. Taylor c Dhoni b Mishra 19 get of 270, registered their lowest ODI with Axar, who bowls fl at and quick, check India’s surge. J. Neesham b Mishra 3 total against India as the innings lasted it was very good,” said Dhoni, who af- However a late assault from Kedar BJ Watling b Mishra 0 for just 23.1 overs. Mishra, who re- fected one stumping off Mishra. Jadhav, who remained unbeaten on 39, C. Anderson lbw b J. Yadav 0 turned with impressive fi gures of 5-18 Debutant off -spinner Jayant Yadav and Patel, who struck an 18-ball 24, M. Santner b Patel 4 in six overs, claimed 15 wickets in the got his fi rst international wicket after gave the hosts’ total more muscle on a T. Southee st Dhoni b Mishra 0 fi ve matches and was judged the man of he trapped Corey Anderson for nought. tricky pitch. I. Sodhi c Rahane b Mishra 0 the match and the player of the series. Mishra, who recorded his second fi ve- SCOREBOARD T. Boult not out 1 Earlier Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli wicket haul in ODIs, then ran through INDIA INNINGS Extras (w 6) 6 set up the win with their gritty half- the New Zealand middle and lower- A. Rahane c Latham b Neesham 20 Total (all out; 23.1 overs) 79 centuries to help India post 269 for order as the innings saw a total of fi ve R. Sharma c Neesham b Boult 70 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Guptill), 2-28 six after electing to bat fi rst in the se- ducks. The Black Caps’ previous low V. Kohli c Guptill b Sodhi 65 (Latham), 3-63 (Williamson), 4-66 (Taylor), ries decider. But it was the Mishra-led against India was their 103 in Chennai India’s Amit Mishra (second right), claimed 15 wickets in the five matches and was MS Dhoni lbw b Santner 41 5-66 (Watling), 6-74 (Anderson), 7-74 bowling attack that helped India keep in 2010. “We expect a lot more of our judged the man of the match and the player of the series. (AFP) M. Pandey c Boult b Sodhi 0 (Neesham), 8-74 (Southee), 9-76, 10-79 their winning momentum after white- batting, and losing 8 for 20 or whatever K. Jadhav not out 39 (Santner) washing New Zealand in the three it is is unacceptable. Playing against second wicket stand to lay a solid foun- ger score, only to be pulled back by the A. Patel b Boult 24 Bowling: Yadav 4-0-28-1, Bumrah 5-0-16-1, Tests. India captain Mahendra Singh one of the best sides in the world, there dation for the middle order. “I think Vi- visiting bowlers, as pacer Trent Boult J. Yadav not out 1 Patel 4.1-0-9-2, Mishra 6-2-18-5, Jadhav Dhoni introduced spin into the attack is room to learn,” said Williamson. rat was superb with the bat, we got off and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi claimed two Extras (b1, lb1, w7) 9 4-0-8-1 in the ninth over after the pacers sent On the batting front, Sharma (70) to a decent start,” said Dhoni. wickets each. Total (6 wickets; 50 overs) 269 Result: India won by 190 runs the New Zealand openers packing. and Kohli (65) put together a 79-run India were at one point eyeing a big- The in-form Kohli put on 71 runs for Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Rahane), 2-119 Series: India won the five-match series 3-2

THIRD TEST FOCUS Pakistan target historic 9-0 rout Pak captain defends celebratory press-ups

AFP any disrespect to the opponents or to show any- Sharjah, United Arab Emirates thing else. It’s a gesture to people we worked with (Army trainers) and a promise that we will give tribute to them.” akistan team captain Misbah-ul-Haq Misbah made the press-ups a trademark Paki- yesterday defended the celebratory stan style of celebration after scoring a hundred press-ups his players do after high-pro- in the Lord’s Test against England in July. The fi le successes, despite government criti- entire team then performed press-ups after win- cismP back home. Press-ups (or push-ups) took ning that Test. The style became an instant hit as off as a unique way for Pakistan’s cricket team to Lord’s groundsmen, a television commentator celebrate following a Test against England in July and hundreds of fans in Pakistan copied it. Pa- when Misbah himself fi rst dropped to the ground kistan’s opener Azhar Ali also did press-ups on to fl ex his muscles. But on Wednesday, a national scoring a triple-hundred in the Dubai Test of the assembly member of the ruling party Pakistan ongoing series against West Indies. Muslim League, Rana Mohammad Afzal objected Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) executive com- to the manner of celebration. mittee chairman Najam Sethi told the commit- “The push-ups are not related to cricket,” Af- tee that it was up to the players to celebrate in Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur (right) zal said during a standing committee meeting in whatever manner they liked. “Push-ups are done chats with fast bowler Mohammad Islamabad. “What message are Misbah and other at the discretion of players,” Sethi said. Misbah Amir during a practice session in players giving to the world by doing push-ups?” said players can still celebrate in whatever man- Sharjah yesterday. (AFP) Misbah hit back at the criticism and insisted ner they want. “It was simple and there was no the celebration was merely a “tribute to the Pa- controversy in our minds,” he said. “It’s (up to) AFP “We set the challenge that we have eight Pakistan could bring in either left-arm kistan Army trainers” with whom the squad had everyone’s discretion, but we know there is no Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Tests to play (three in the UAE followed by fi ve paceman Wahab Riaz or untried right-arm attended a fi tness camp prior to touring England. negative thing in our minds. As far as the push- in New Zealand and Australia). We have only fast bowler Imran Khan while Mohammad “It should not have happened,” said Misbah when ups, there is no ban from the PCB and any player played two. We are going to judge ourselves Amir is also an option. asked about the objection by Afzal. can celebrate in whatever manner he can, but it akistan are determined to complete on the eight Tests and every Test presents a Another fl at Sharjah pitch will see Shah “I think our message was clear that it’s not should not be disrespect to the game or anyone.” an historic 9-0 rout of the West In- diff erent challenge.” and two left-arm spinners, Zulfi qar Babar dies when the two teams meet in the Pakistan fl y out to New Zealand from Shar- and Mohammad Nawaz retained. third and fi nal Test in Sharjah from jah where they play two Tests, the fi rst in Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq is con- Ptoday. Having blanked their opponents 3-0 in Christchurch from November 17. fi dent his side can master the conditions. “It both the Twenty20 and one-day internation- That will be followed by three Tests in Aus- will be another tough pitch but we hope that als, Pakistan also claimed the fi rst two Tests tralia. Arthur said that besides results, he it will help our bowlers. It’s a typical slow — by 56 runs in the day-nighter in Dubai and wants to see consistent improvement from Sharjah pitch which will be hard work for by 133 runs in the second match in Abu Dhabi. notoriously unpredictable Pakistan. “I go bowlers,” said Misbah. No team has ever won all nine matches of a deeper than getting good results. I want us to “We will try our best to win this one as well tour in cricket history. play a good brand of cricket, see improvement and the team is confi dent. I think we want to Pakistan’s strong batting line-up, coupled in the players and the roles players are ex- keep it simple and Test matches have separate with the leg-spin of Yasir Shah, proved too ecuting. Those are all things I really take note value because of rankings and future series.” good for the inexperienced West Indies who of and the way we are going is unbelievable. Meanwhile, West Indies are likely to bring started the tour on a sour note when head Everybody is improving and settled in what in fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for Miguel Cum- coach Phil Simmons was sacked. They looked they are doing and work rate is outstanding.” mins who has taken only one wicket in the rudderless in the limited-overs series and Despite targeting another win, Arthur has two Tests. Despite the UAE losing streak, despite fi ghting gallantly in both Tests by ex- not been surprised by the West Indies’ bat- West Indies captain Jason Holder believes his tending the matches to the fi fth and fi nal days tling performances in the fi rst two Tests. “The team is improving. “We had some positives with stubborn batting, they need a huge lift to conditions are conducive to fi ve days because from the two Tests,” said Holder. “The dif- avoid another whitewash. the games start very slowly and quicken up ference between our team and the big teams Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq made the press-ups a trademark Pakistan style of “Yes, we want to be ruthless, defi nitely,” towards the back end. We mustn’t under-es- is we have not capitalised after getting starts celebration after scoring a hundred in the Lord’s Test against England in July. said Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur. timate the West Indies, they are a young side.” and that is due to a lack of experience.” Gulf Times 10 Sunday, October 30, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Bangladesh just ahead in topsy-turvy second Test Hosts lead England by 128 runs at the end of the second day’s play with seven wickets still in hand

AFP Dhaka

eft-arm spinner Zafar Ansari dismissed Mahmudullah Riyad off the fi nal ball of the day to bring England back into the contest in the second Test after Bangla- Ldesh surged ahead with 152-3 at stumps on the second day. Bangladesh made a confi dent start in the sec- ond innings thanks to a fl uent batting by their top-order after Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid shared 99 runs in the ninth wicket to give Eng- land a vital 24-run fi rst innings lead yesterday. The hosts wiped out the defi cit quickly and went for almost fi ve runs in an over in the fi nal session to put the pressure back on England be- fore Ansari’s late strike restored some parity for the visitors. Ansari earlier removed Tamim Iqbal for 40 to make the fi rst innings century maker his maiden Test wicket and two balls later Ben Stokes got rid of Mominul Haque to put a brake on Bangladesh’s breakneck speed. But Imrul Kayes, unbeaten on 59, and Mah- mudullah shared 86 runs for the third wicket to help the home side claw back their advantage. They were leading England by 128 runs at the end of the second day’s play with seven wickets in hand, which must have given them hopes for setting a decent target for England to chase in the fourth innings. “I think a lead of 300 would be good enough,” said Bangladesh off -spinner Mehedi Hasan, who starred with 6-82 in England’s innings. “You cannot determine anything at the moment Bangladesh’s Shuvagata Hom (right) dives to take a catch to dismiss England’s because there is still a lot of cricket left in the re- Chris Woakes (left) as Bangladesh’s captain and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim maining three days,” he said. looks on during the second Test at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka. (Reuters) Bangladesh dominated the opening session of the day to claim fi ve wickets putting England on the ropes before Woakes and Rashid staged a and fi ve balls later left-arm spinner Taijul Is- blood, bowling overnight batsman Moeen Ali M. Ali b Mehedi 10 BANGLADESH II INNINGS fi ghtback. Woakes made 46 while Rashid added lam, who claimed 3-65, wrapped up England’s for 10 in the third over. B. Stokes c Mominul b Taijul 0 Tamim Iqbal c Cook b Ansari 40 an unbeaten 44 to lift England 244 from a pre- innings. England could have been dismissed a Taijul removed Stokes, the man of the match J. Bairstow lbw b Mehedi 24 Imrul Kayes not out 59 carious 144-8 giving them a handy 24-run lead little earlier if Woakes was not given a reprieve in the fi rst Test, for a duck two overs later before Z. Ansari c Shuvagata b Mehedi 13 Mominul Haque c Cook b Stokes 1 in the fi rst innings. when Sabbir Rahman had him caught by Mah- Root and Bairstow repaired England innings. C. Woakes Shuvagata b Mehedi 46 Mahmudullah b Ansari 47 “I think the partnership was crucial between mudullah for 38 with a full toss delivery. Replay Mehedi returned for his second spell to hit A. Rashid not out 44 Extras (b1, lb2, w1, nb1) 5 us,” Woakes said after the second day’s play. confi rmed the ball was above the waist prompt- Bairstow plumb in front in his fi rst ball, ending S. Finn c Rahim b Taijul 0 Total (three wickets, 31 overs) 152 “The slim lead surely added some advantage. ing the umpires to call Woakes back. their resistance. Taijul removed Root almost Extras (b13, lb7, nb 1) 23 Fall of wickets: 1-65 (Tamim), 2-66 (Mominul), The game would have diff erent if we were 80 Resuming on 50-3, England found them- identically to expose England’s tail after Mehedi Total (all out; 81.3 overs) 244 3-152 (Mahmudullah) runs behind.” selves in deep trouble in the morning session complete his fi ve-wicket haul with the wicket of Fall of wickets:1-10 (Duckett), 2-24 (Cook), 3-42 ( To bat: Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Their die-hard batting overshadowed the before Joe Root off ered some resistance with 56 Ansari. Ballance), 4-64 ( Ali), 5-69 (Stokes), 6-114 ( Baristow), Rahman, Shuvagata Hom, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul bowling heroics of Bangladesh’s teenage spin off 122 balls. Jonny Bairstow, who made 24, gave 7-140 (Ansari), 8-144 (Root), 9-243 ( Woakes), 10-244 Islam, Kamrul Islam sensation Mehedi, who completed his second him some support in their 45-run sixth wicket SCOREBOARD ( Finn) Bowling: Finn 3-0-18-0, Ali 8-0-34-0, Ansari 8-0-33- fi ve-wicket haul in as many matches. Mehedi stand. Mehedi, who claimed seven wickets in BANGLADESH I INNINGS 220 Bowling: Mehedi 28-2-82-6, Shakib 16-5-41-1, Taijul 2, Stokes 5-1-20-1 (nb1, w1), Rashid 5-0-30-0, Woakes broke the partnership with the second new ball Bangladesh’s 22-run loss in the fi rst Test, in- ENGLAND I INNINGS (OVERNIGHT 50-3) 25.3-3-65-3, Kamrul 3-0-16-0, Shuvagata 4-0-8-0, 2-0-14-0 when he forced an edge from Woakes at slip cluding 6-80 in a single innings, again drew fi rst J. Root lbw b Taijul 56 Sabbir 5-0-12-0 (nb1) Bangladesh lead by 128 runs with 7 wickets in hand

Bangladesh wonder kid FIRST TEST Mehedi enjoying life in big time Perera hits ton as Sri Lanka Dhaka: Doing the ordinary things right helped Bangladesh spinner Mehedi Hasan put up an ex- traordinary performance as he claimed his second punish sloppy Zimbabwe five-wicket haul in as many Tests against England yesterday. Mehedi, who celebrated his 19th birthday this AFP week, finished with 6-82 as Bangladesh bowled Harare out England for 244 in their first innings on the second day of the second Test in Dhaka. His exploits made Mehedi the first Bangladeshi usal Perera struck his maiden Test bowler to take five or more wickets in his first two century as Sri Lanka took control Tests after he claimed seven wickets in the first of the fi rst Test against Zimba- Test in Chittagong, including 6-80 in an innings. bwe on the opening day at Harare SportsK Club yesterday. Bangladesh lost the first Test by 22 runs but Me- hedi, who led Bangladesh in the last two Under-19 Perera took advantage of two dropped World Cups, earned widespread praise for his catches to make an attacking 110, while heroic performance on his Test debut. Kaushal Silva scored 94 as Sri Lanka “I never think about taking five or six wickets,” notched up 317 for four on a largely one-sid- Mehedi said after yesterday’s play. “I always try to ed day. Zimbabwe had hoped to push an un- perform averagely, which I tried in the second Test der-strength Sri Lankan side in their 100th as well.” Test match, and fi rst under new coach Heath Born to a taxi driver father in Bangladesh’s Streak, but were instead dogged by familiar Southern city Khulna, Mehedi showed his potential problems with their fi elding. in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year when Wicketkeeper-batsman Perera survived he scored four half-centuries and claimed 12 wick- chances on 15 and 30, while Silva was put ets to be adjudged as man of the tournament. down on 89 and fellow opener Dimuth He was picked in the Test side as a prospec- Karunaratne, who made 56, was dropped in tive all-rounder although his batting skills have the second over of the match. Zimbabwe did deserted him in his three innings so far with just pull things back in the fi nal hour of the day, three runs to his name. Mehedi admitted there was with legspinner Graeme Cremer picking up a huge gulf between Test cricket and the junior two wickets to close with fi gures of 3 for 82. World Cup where he made 242 runs in six matches. With regular captain Angelo Mathews “There is a huge diff erence because there are and vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal among Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Perera plays a shot en route to 110, during the first Test against many world class and mature bowlers here,” he the fi ve players ruled out of the two-Test se- hosts Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, yesterday. (AFP) said. “I wanted to do well (with the bat). Unfortu- ries by injury, 38-year-old Rangana Herath nately it didn’t work out. I will try to do it in the led Sri Lanka for the fi rst time in his career. edges — one from Silva and one from Perera SCOREBOARD future to improve.” Having won the toss, and elected to bat, — before Malcolm Waller dropped a simpler SRI LANKA I INNINGS He added: “International cricket is a diff erent he watched his openers put on a stand of chance from Perera at long-on. D. Karunaratne c Mawoyo b Cremer 56 challenge, but the senior players helped me a lot. 123, although they could have been sepa- Perera responded with a fearsome on- K. Silva c Williams b Waller 94 Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, rated early on. Zimbabwe gave a debut to slaught after tea, taking fi ve boundaries K. Perera c Waller b Perera 110 they never treat me like a newcomer. They support Bangladesh off -spinner Mehedi Hasan celebrates fast bowler Carl Mumba, making him their off a Mumba over to race into the 70s. His K. Mendis c Moor b Cremer 34 me all the time which makes my life easy.” after taking the wicket of England’s Moeen Ali 100th Test player in the process, and his scoring rate slowed thereafter as Zimbabwe U. Tharanga not out 13 during the second Test in Dhaka. (AFP) fi rst delivery caught the shoulder of Karu- went into a containing pattern and Cremer D. de Silva not out 10 WOAKES URGES ENGLAND naratne’s bat only for Sean Williams to put had Kusal Mendis caught behind for 34, but Extras 0 TO RISE TO OCCASION off ered a lot of help to spinners. “I’d like to think down a one-handed eff ort as he back-ped- he was still able to reach three fi gures in just Total (4 wkts, 90 overs) 317 Meanwhile, England all-rounder Chris Woakes we can chase 250,” he said. “We got 240 in the first alled at gully. 104 deliveries. To bat: A. Gunaratne, D. Perera, R. Herath, urged his teammates to take the fight to Bangla- innings with myself and Rash (Rashid) putting on Karunaratne departed after lunch when A sloppy stroke in the fi nal half-hour of S. Lakmal, L. Kumara. desh after the hosts seized the driving seat in the quite a big partnership. “Partnerships throughout he chipped Cremer to midwicket, but the day eventually brought his innings to a Fall of wickets: 1-123 (Karunaratne), 2-198 topsy-turvy second Test of the series. the whole innings will be crucial,” he said. that brought Perera to the crease where close as he drove a Cremer delivery to Waller (Silva), 3-282 (Mendis), 4-307 (Perera). “We need guys at the top of the order and the Woakes added that the Test is evenly balanced he quickly took the attack to Zimbabwe’s at cover, but Sri Lanka nonetheless closed Bowling: Mpofu 20-5-62-0, Mumba 15-2-65-0, middle of the order to put some partnerships at the moment but could have been diff icult with- bowlers. “They were bowling in good areas the day in a strong position with Upul Tha- Tiripano 14-4-37-0, Cremer 21-2-82-3, Masakadza together and build scores that way and then put out his partnership with Rashid. “The partnership but my normal approach is to attack. That’s ranga on 13 and Dhananjaya de Silva on 10. 6-2-22-0, Williams 8-0-24-0, Waller 6-0-25-1. the pressure on the Bangladeshi bowlers,” Woakes between me and Rash was pleasing to get us from my natural way,” he said. “I’m really happy “We need to take our chances, because we Zimbabwe XI: Tino Mawoyo, Brian Chari, said after the second day’s play. looking like we were going to be behind to getting about my fi rst Test century.” let a few go today,” refl ected Mumba. “If Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Sean Wil- Woakes hoped bowlers would also work to limit ahead of them. We’re really pleased from that The approach did give Zimbabwe oppor- we take all of our chances tomorrow then liams, Malcolm Waller, Peter Moor (wk), Graeme their target to 250 runs on a surface, which he said point of view,” he said. tunities to strike back, but wicketkeeper we might get them before they reach a big Cremer (capt), Donald Tiripano, Carl Mumba, Peter Moor was unable to hold onto two thin score.” Chris Mpofu. Gulf Times Sunday, October 30, 2016 11 SPORT

MOTORCYCLING FORMULA ONE Dovizioso grabs Force India could take Malaysia pole, time over second Rossi lurks driver In the frantic late stages of qualifying yesterday, Rossi leap-frogged Lorenzo into Reuters Force India are currently Mexico City fourth in the constructors’ second position, finishing just 0.246 behind Dovizioso standings with three races re- maining, including Mexico, and orce India could take on course for their best ever weeks to decide who performance. partners Mexican Sergio Renault drivers Kevin Mag- Perez next season, dep- nussen and Jolyon Palmer have utyF principal Bob Fernley said both been linked to Force India if on Friday. they are not kept on as Hulken- The British-based Formula berg’s future team mate. One team have one of the most Manor’s Esteban Ocon and desirable seats remaining on Pascal Wehrlein are both con- the grid after Germany’s Nico tracted to Mercedes, who pro- Hulkenberg decided to leave for vide Force India’s engines, and Renault. there has been paddock specu- There is no shortage of candi- lation that either could be pro- dates but Fernley told reporters moted up the grid. at the Mexican Grand Prix that Sauber’s Brazilian Felipe Nasr there was no deadline either. and Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson, “It’s (co-owner and princi- who have yet to score a point for pal) Vijay (Mallya)’s decision the Swiss team this season, have and we’ll start those discussions also hinted at an interest with probably when we get back next the former considered a more week,” he said. likely prospect. “I think we’ll take our time, Fernley said 2017, when the have a look at what off ers are on technical rules undergo sweep- the table, Vijay will make his de- ing changes, promised to off er cision and then we’ll announce Force India the chance of a “rea- it.” sonably level playing fi eld” for Pressed further, he said it the fi rst time. could be “next week or the week “I’m very optimistic that the after or even the week after team will be very competitive in that.” 2017,” he said.

SPOTLIGHT Member of Mercedes

Ducati Team’s Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso celebrates at the parc ferme after taking pole position after the qualifying session for the Malaysian MotoGP at the Sepang Interna- tional circuit yesterday. team robbed AFP having clinched the MotoGP crown two “It’s not the normal conditions,” he said Sepang, Malaysia weeks ago in Japan, Sunday is set up for a of the slow pace of drying in some spots. QUALIFYING RESULTS Reuters Street robberies are com- contest between Rossi and Yamaha team- “So anything can happen tomorrow.” Mexico City monplace in Mexico and also mate Jorge Lorenzo for runner-up hon- Lorenzo, the 2015 world champ, rounds 1.Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) at the next race in Brazil, ndrea Dovizioso took pole posi- ours in the world championship. out the front row, while Marquez leads 2min 11.485secs where team employees have tion yesterday for the Malaysia The 37-year-old legend Rossi leads the the second line after fi nishing fourth in 2.Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) at 0.246 member of the world been held up at gunpoint in MotoGP as fellow Italian Val- Spaniard by 24 points with two races left. qualifying despite battling gastroenteritis 3.Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) 0.302 championship-win- the past as they travelled to entino Rossi helped his own In the frantic late stages of qualifying for days. No rider has been as successful 4.Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 0.389 ning Mercedes For- and from the Interlagos cir- chancesA of fi nishing second in the world on Saturday, Rossi leap-frogged Lorenzo at Sepang as Rossi, who has won here six mula One team was cuit. 5.Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) 1.073 championship by storming to the front into second position, fi nishing just 0.246 times. Arobbed at gunpoint when he McLaren’s Jenson Button 6.Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 1.113 row. behind Dovizioso. But the nine-time world champion has 7.Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Suzuki) 1.384 arrived in Mexico for Sunday’s was the victim of an attempt- Ducati’s Dovizioso clocked a 2min not won in Malaysia since 2010, which 8.Maverick Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) 1.496 grand prix, a team spokesman ed armed robbery in 2010, the 11.485secs lap for his second pole of the It was a far better result for Rossi was also the last year he took the MotoGP 9.Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Aprilia) 1.840 said. year after he won the title, but season on a newly repaved Sepang circuit than in Australia the previous world title. 10.Loris Baz (FRA/Ducati) 1.967 The robbery happened his police driver smashed his that riders complained was taking too week, when he managed only 15th Track temperatures have been moder- on Wednesday as the team way through traffic to escape long to dry after Malaysia’s tropical rains. on the grid yet still stormed to a ate this week, but can top 50 degrees cen- good,” Rossi said. member, who was not a high- when the gunmen were seen “I’m really happy to make a pole po- second-place fi nish behind winner tigrade (122 Fahrenheit) — straining both Modifi cations to some turns also have ranking employee, was in a car approaching. sition because the conditions were dif- Cal Crutchlow of Honda man and machine. made it a learning process this week, taking him to his hotel from Sunday’s race in Mexico fi cult,” said Dovizioso, who pitted amid The tropical humidity and sudden with several riders going down at various the airport and both he and could be a title decider with qualifying for a tyre switch that confi rmed It was a far better result for Rossi than heavy downpours also can pose control points. his driver had watches and Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg the pole. in Australia the previous week, when he issues. Track offi cials said all the changes were wallets taken. 26 points clear of triple world “I was able to improve on the last lap managed only 15th on the grid yet still Riders had to contend with a heavy rain aimed at improving run-off and tyre grip. Nobody was injured in the champion team mate Lewis with the hard tyre and... stormed to a second-place fi nish behind Saturday that soaked the track before fi nal But some riders have complained in incident and the team mem- Hamilton with three races re- was able to go much faster.So I’m really winner Cal Crutchlow of Honda. qualifying got going and were still adapt- particular about the diffi culty negotiating ber remained in Mexico for maining. happy about that speed.” “Everybody is hoping for a dry race to- ing to the repaving. the modifi ed hairpin fi nal curve, which the race at the Hermanos Ro- Mercedes have already “It wasn’t easy but we did a great job.” morrow because we will be able to see a “We have to work in these conditions, now slopes away from the direction of the driguez circuit. clinched their third succes- With Honda’s Marc Marquez of Spain good fi ght,” Rossi said. but starting in the front row is really turn. His name was not released. sive constructors’ title.

BOTTOMLINE Malaysia inks fi ve-year MotoGP extension

AFP torcycling Grand Prix since the circuit But Razlan said Sepang, which can Sepang, Malaysia opened in 1999. accommodate 120,000 fans, drew just The track expects a record 90,000 45,000 to last month’s Malaysian F1 Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Italian rider spectators for today’s sold-out Grand event and TV ratings were poor. alaysia’s Sepang circuit Valentino Rossi powers his bike during the Prix, up from 85,000 last year, offi cials Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin agreed yesterday to extend qualifying session in Sepang yesterday. have said. said competition from newer events its successful MotoGP event But track CEO Razlan Razali said ear- outside of Malaysia was taking its toll. until at least 2021, in sharp lier this week Malaysia may take a “tem- “I think we should stop hosting the F1. contrastM to rumblings that it may drop porary break” from F1 after its current At least for a while. its loss-making Formula One race. race contract expires in 2018, citing ebb- Cost too high, returns limited,” he said A fi ve-year extension of Sepang’s ing ticket sales and TV viewership. on Twitter. contract with Dorna Sports, MotoGP’s “If there is no economic value, why F1 is struggling worldwide, with of- commercial rights holder, was signed should we continue? We better take a fi cial fi gures showing it has shed 200mn earlier yesterday, offi cials said. temporary break,” he told AFP. TV viewers globally since 2008. The current contract expires this year. Like MotoGP, the F1 race also has US fi rm Liberty Media announced a “I’m happy to inform that we have been held since 1999 at Sepang, which takeover of F1 last month amid hopes signed an extension for fi ve years end- is known for its tropical downpours and that a new leadership and plans for ing in 2021,” Sepang International Cir- sauna-like conditions. greater US penetration will provide a cuit chairman Azman Yahya told a press The Malaysian F1 is Asia’s second- lifeline. conference ahead of today’s race. oldest next to the Japanese Grand Prix, Malaysia’s MotoGP, by contrast, is “We will continue with the MotoGP which dates back to 1976. consistently popular. for the next fi ve years and we think that Formula One races are often loss- “It was not that diffi cult to convince we will see an even better response from making but still attractive to many cities the government of Malaysia to continue the Malaysian public.” because of their prestige and exposure to to support the Malaysia (motorcycle) Sepang has hosted the Malaysia Mo- global audiences. Grand Prix,” Razlan said yesterday. Sunday, October 30, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Rea clinches back-to-back World Superbike crowns Davies won the race at the Losail International Circuit as Rea finished second, but it was enough to wrap up the title

By Joe Koraith Doha Kawasaki's Jonathan Rea (right) started from pole but was no match for the speed of Chaz Davies who won the race by 3.9 seconds. his time there were not going to be any misses. History books could not help but include Jonathan Rea in their an- nals. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider Twon his second WSBK title at the Losail Inter- national Circuit yesterday and became the fi rst rider in 17 years to win back to back titles in WSBK. Rea needed just two points from the two races in Qatar to win the championship. And he fi nished with 20 points having fi n- ished in second position in Race 1 to comfortably wrap up the title. Rea put himself in fantastic position to win the title by grabbing the pole position for Race 1. To put things into perspective, this was only the second time this season that Rea has managed to do that. Chaz Davies riding the Ducati for Aru- ba.it Racing got off to a great start, which saw him move from third to taking the hole-shot at the fi rst corner. Honda World Superbike Team’s Nicky Hayden briefl y overtook Rea but the champion was able to wrestle it back in the very next corner. Davies went on to claim a great vic- tory, his 10th win this season while Rea brought home his bike in second to win a historic second title. His teammate Sykes who brought himself up to fourth but then dropped to fi fth after he was overtaken by Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha Offi cial WorldSBK Team) who went on to take the fi nal step on the podium. The outside chance that Sykes had before the race had vanished when Rea disappeared into the distance. For Qatar, home boy Saed al- Sulaiti fi nished in 17th place. He has the second race to put on a better show. Rea will remember this Qatar race for a long time to come. “Not just winning the WSBK championship, which is a hotly contested aff air but to win it back to back is an incredible feel- ing. The feeling will sink in after a few weeks,” said Rea after the race. “The 2016 ZX10R was launched earlier this year and during the winter tests we realised that there was a lot of work to do. I am happy to win the championship in the fi rst year for this model,” added Rea. Last season, the ZX10R was a well-oiled ma- chined that helped Rea dominate proceedings but the new model posed a lot of problems for the Kawasaki rider and he feels that this title is sweeter than the one he won last season. “Last season we were winning for fun. We won the championship at a ridiculous early point in the season. We almost achieved the points record. But when we went into the testing, even though I was a world champion, I felt like an underdog. The challenges we faced makes this title sweet- er,” he added. Jonathan Rea is ecstatic after becoming World Superbikes champion. RIGHT: The Northern Irishman celebrates with his wife and sons on the podium at Losail International Circuit in Doha. Another factor that makes this title special is that at the start of the season, his son Tyler had I didn’t think I would be able to do this but the me there on the podium. I am the guy who goes two consecutive titles but no one has managed I know that I have the best guys behind me,” said a problem and Rea couldn’t focus on the racing. strength of the people around me, especially out on track and gets the job done but I wouldn’t to do it three times in a row. Does Rea believe the 29-year-old. But support from his family helped him to fo- my wife helped me get back on track,” said Rea be able to do that without the incredible support that he can claim that elusive honour? “I believe After he won the title yesterday, Rea spray cus on the racing. “I didn’t speak about it at the yesterday. “All of this looks easy on TV but it’s a that I am getting,” said the newly-crowned 2016 that with Kawasaki I have found an incredible painted his initials on the tarmac of Losail Cir- start of the season but because of the issue that tough life. The support that I got from KRT also WSBK champion. home. My target for next year is to win the title. cuit. He has defi nitely left a mark on this circuit. Tyler was facing then I had a mental breakdown. helped a lot. Everything worked a package to put There are three other people who have won We have to see how the winter tests pan out but Now to see if he can get that triple treat.

FORMULA ONE Al-Rehmaihi on a mission to make Losail Circuit a popular destination Hamilton on pole for

By Joe Koraith cannot close these facilities for Doha that single event. You have to let people come and enjoy and Mexican Grand Prix have fun, relate to it. It’s part of Every time one comes to the our social responsibility. That’s AFP Losail International Circuit, one the main reason to have such a Mexico City is left amazed by the beauty facility and such an investment of the circuit. The facilities are in any country,” he said. incredible and the track in itself With a lot of activities like ewis Hamilton continued his fi ghting is well liked by the professionals karting, Mini Moto, the visitors late-season defence of his world title by who race on it. now have more things to do grabbing pole position ahead of his Mer- The only thing that seems at the Circuit, rather than just cedes teammate Nico Rosberg in yester- Lday’s tense qualifying session for tonight’s Mexi- to be a bit of an issue is the watch the race. And these activi- number of people coming for ties have found approval from can Grand Prix. the events aren’t as many as it the masses. The defending three-time world champion should be. Losail Circuit Sports “The response to our com- dominated the session and delivered a best lap in Club (LCSC) was formed with the munity activities like karting one minute and 18.704 seconds, two-tenths of a intention of ensuring that the have been unbelievable. Not second clear of championship leader Rosberg who stands see increased attendance because we are doing some- salvaged a front row starting spot with the last lap and also that the facility be used thing extraordinary. But because of the top-ten shootout action. by everyone and not just the the demand was already there. Hamilton’s success brought him his 10th pole Nico Rosberg of Mercedes congratulates motorsport professionals. And You only had to cater to that position of the season and the 59th of his career. teammate Lewis Hamilton after his pole position this approach has reaped rich demand. Now our job is to cater Dutchman Max Verstappen looked sure to take for the Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo dividends. more to that demand and take it second until Rosberg’s fi nal fastest eff ort and he Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. (AFP) Extra eff ort is being undertak- further. Provide more for people wound up third for Red Bull ahead of his team- en to ensure that there are more and make it a family destination mate Australian Daniel Ricciardo. 2nd row: Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) activities for people to partake and not just for motorsport,” The Red Bull pair will start Sunday’s race on Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) in, when they come for the race said al-Remaihi. super-soft tyres while the Mercedes men will be 3rd row: Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Force India-Mer- weekends. “At the end of the day if you on ordinary softs, a strategic decision that may cedes) Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) “The main reason for all these want to come and join motor- create a dramatic opening lap at the Autodromo 4th row: Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) Valtteri Bottas changes you see at the Losail Khalid al-Rehmaihi, Losail Circuit Sports Club vice chairman and sport, you want to come with Hermanos Rodriguez. (FIN/Williams-Mercedes) Circuit is to make this facility general secretary. your family. You want to come Nico Hulkenberg also delivered a spectacular 5th row: Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes) more welcoming for people. with your kids. That’s how it late lap to take fi fth place for Force India ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) You can see that with this new circuit is more accessible to the cles and around 32 sports days should be – a fantastic day out. Kimi Raikkonen and four-time champion Sebas- 6th row: Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda) setup, we want to do more for common man now. where people could come with This is a weekend activity. So we tian Vettel of Ferrari. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) people to enjoy,” said Khalid “Since January 1st this year their bicycles, bring their kids, should enjoy it with the whole Valtteri Bottas was eighth ahead of his Williams 7th row: Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Honda) al-Rehmaihi, Losail Circuit Sports till the end of June, when the walk run and enjoy the facility,” family,” he added. team-mate Felipe Massa and Carlos Sainz who Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Renault) Club vice chairman and general season ended, we’ve done a said al-Remaihi. With lots more activities was 10th for Toro Rosso. Rosberg leads the title 8th row: Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) secretary. lot and that’s not because we The identity of the circuit has planned, which al-Remaihi said race by 26 points with three races remaining and Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Manor-Mercedes) There has been a constant are superhumans. All we did is to be more than the high-profile would be revealed in due course knows that if he can win on Sunday and Hamil- 9th row: Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Haas-Ferrari) focus to ensure that the Losail opened the track for everyone events that are conducted here, of time, it looks like the Losail ton scores only one point or less he will take his Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) Circuit is utilised for as many to come and enjoy. And because insists al-Remaihi. “It’s well and Interational Circuit will be a maiden championship. 10th row: Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber-Ferrari) days of the year as possible. of that we have had 28 track good to host world champion- popular destination – not just STARTING GRID Estéban Ocon (FRA/Manor-Mercedes) From track days to walking, the days for cars, 26 for motorcy- ships but at the same time you with the motorsport fan. 1st row: Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 11th row: Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault)