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Monday, September 21, 2020 FOOTBALL Safar 4, 1442 AH Mane double eases GULF TIMES Liverpool to 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea SPORT Page 3 FOCUS SC driving change through Generation Amazing, says al-Thawadi E Hassan al-Thawadi, ism. We all recognise that ethos and the “In Qatar, we have recognised that make sure our impact is measured and Secretary General of the Su- potential within sports for achieving potential and placed sports at the fore- based on scientifi c insights. preme Committee for Deliv- these goals. It is incumbent upon us all front of our nation’s future. We un- “By 2022 we aim to reach 1 million ery & Legacy (SC), addressed to ensure that the United Nations and derstand the precious responsibility youth globally, empowering new gen- Ha high-level meeting during the launch the global international community we have of hosting the world in 2022 erations of young leaders across the of the UN Global Programme initia- truly recognise sport’s power and uti- and ensuring that the positive eff ects region and the world to transform their tive on the Security of Major Sporting lises that power to its fullest potential.” of bringing the world together must be communities and generate exciting so- Events on Friday. The meeting comes within the frame- harnessed for a better future for our re- cial development opportunities over During his opening remarks, al- work of the UN Global Programme on gion and the globe.” the coming decades.” Thawadi discussed how the SC is using the Security of Major Sporting Events, During his video message, al-Tha- Following the launch of the initia- sport to drive change through its foot- and Promotion of Sport and Its Values wadi praised the work of Generation tive, there will be a three-day Inter- ball for development programme, Gen- as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism. Amazing, which aims to positively im- national Expert Group Meeting from eration Amazing, which has already The event saw the participation pact the lives of one million people by September 21-23. On September 22, benefi ted more than 500,000 people in of high-level speakers including HE the time the fi rst ball is kicked at the al-Khori will take part in a panel dis- Asia and the Middle East. Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. cussion called ‘Sport for preventing “Generation Amazing’s work fol- Ambassador and Permanent Repre- Speaking about the programme’s im- and countering violent extremism lows the ethos that brings us together sentative of Qatar to the UN, Mohamed pact on youth in less privileged parts of conducive to terrorism’. today — promoting tolerance and re- Hanzab, Chairman of the International porary forms of extremism and shaping “I am a fi rm believer that sports must the world, al-Khori said, “Generation Since Qatar won the right to host spect, empowering youth and women, Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), Dr international policies to tackle them be recognised as a cross-cutting theme Amazing has reached across four con- the next FIFA World Cup, a number of and encouraging health, education and Fadi Makki, Director of B4Develop- through sport’ where he discussed for attaining the sustainable development tinents, built football pitches in 30 un- legacy programmes have been launched social inclusion,” al-Thawadi said in a ment and Founder of Nudge Lebanon his work in Lebanon. Also speaking at goals,” al-Thawadi said. “The coalition of der-privileged communities, and posi- to ensure that the tournament leaves a video speech to attendees of Friday’s and Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Tot- Friday’s event was Generation Amaz- organisations and individuals from within tively impacted the lives of 500,000 positive impact on communities in event. “Each of these factors plays a tenham Hotspur Football Club. ing Programmes Director, Nasser al- the United Nations and from various other young people to date. We work closely Qatar and beyond. These include Gen- signifi cant role in the wider aim of pre- Dr Makki took part in the panel ses- Khori, who discussed in depth the pro- bodies and sectors is a very encouraging together with our partners at the B4De- eration Amazing, Workers Welfare and venting the causes of violent extrem- sion entitled ‘Understanding contem- gramme’s impact. step towards that recognition. velopment behavioural insights unit to Challenge 22. (Qatar2022.qa)

FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE It’s Al Sadd’s attack vs Al ‘We have to give our best, and we cannot relax, especially against these kind of teams. It could Nassr’s defence be one of the best games in the competition’

By Sports Reporter as in the previous match against Doha Al Ain, we will be able to get the win and the three points. As for his readiness for the l Sadd coach Xavi Her- match, Nam said: “I know I need nandez is under no to make more eff ort for the team. illusions about the Last season, I came back from an enormity of the task injury, but now I am completely Ahis team faces as they clash with ready for every match, and of Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in the course I want to improve in every Asian Champions League today. match to help the team win.” While Al Nassr, with 10 points Al Nassr coach Rui Vitoria said from four matches, have already his side won’t relax despite seal- booked their last-16 spot, Al ing qualifi cation. Sadd, although in a strong posi- “We have sealed qualifi ca- tion with eight points, can still be tion, but Al Sadd still need a re- overtaken by third-placed Sepa- sult here to qualify, though both han if they win their remaining teams are in a somewhat similar two matches in Group D. position. We want to keep win- Though that’s a remote possi- ning to prove our quality and bility, Xavi said he was not taking mentality,” said Vitoria. any chances. “The game will be diffi cult be- Speaking at the pre-match cause of the opposition’s qual- press conference, Xavi said: “Al ity. We have quality too, so we Nassr is one of the best teams in can expect a good game. We are the competition. We played them aware of their individual and in the quarter-fi nals last year team attributes, so we will en- and also in February this year. joy the game and hopefully get a But this time, it will be diff erent. good result. Our philosophies do They have strengthened the team not change, but we make minor with new players, and they have tweaks to counter diff erent op- an excellent striker – Abderrazak position. Hamdallah.” “Both teams are big, both have He emphasised that Al Sadd some really good players, and cannot aff ord to relax at this both have a winning mentality. stage of the tournament. All my players are ready, and the “Our goal is to win and to qual- line-up will be decided as we see ify for the next round. We have fi t technically,” said Vitoria. to give our best, and we cannot The previous game between relax, especially against these the two sides ended in a 2-2 draw kind of teams. It could be one of Al Sadd players celebrate a goal during the AFC Champions League match against Al Ain on Friday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil on Matchday Two on February 11 the best games in the competi- this year. tion. It will be fantastic for the and we must use this opportu- Hamdallah’s early strike was fans and also for the competition nity.” cancelled out by teammate Ab- and hopefully, we can get three Finally, with regards to chang- dulelah al-Amri’s own goal, points.” es in Al Nassr’s style compared before Hassan al-Haydos put Asked about his side’s ap- to the previous year, Xavi said: Al Sadd ahead only to have Ab- proach for the game, the coach “Al Nassr’s style has not changed dulrahman al-Obaid score the said: “Al Nassr have a good de- from last year. They are a good equaliser for Al Nassr fi ve min- fence and they have not conced- team and score a lot of goals. We utes later. ed any goals here so far. But we are speaking of a strong team that have a good attack and our aim is is capable of reaching the semi- TODAY’S FIXTURES to score more goals than our op- fi nal, and so we must be well pre- Group C at Education City Stadium ponent. pared.” 6pm: Persepolis (IRN) vs Al “That is our way. They are good Al-Sadd’s South Korean Duhail (QAT) in defence, we are good in attack. midfi elder Nam Tae-hee also 9pm: Al Taawoun (KSA) vs Shar- We want to dominate, create stressed on the importance of jah (UAE) chances to score. The players are playing to their full potential comfortable with this way. against Al Nassr. Group D at Jassim Bin Hamad “The challenge for us is to Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez. Al Nassr coach Rui Vitoria (right). Nam said: “We will face a Stadium score and also take care of de- strong team. Al Nassr is better 6pm: Al Sadd (QAT) vs Al Nassr fence. This is what happened in fence, the responsibility of not Xavi further said: “We made fi ve players who have played 90 tutions. The players are in a good than last season and therefore we (KSA) the second game against Al Ain. conceding lies with the entire changes in the last two games, minutes in both games. We can moment, physically and mental- have to be more than 100% ready. 9pm: Sepahan (IRN) vs Al Ain The problem is not with the de- team.” rotating players. We have four or manage things with the substi- ly. We are in our best conditions If we play with the same quality (UAE) Gulf Times 2 Monday, September 21, 2020 FOOTBALL

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Iran’s Persepolis wary of Duhail’s Ramin AFC peting for a place in the Round of Bassam al-Rawi. It is a diffi cult Qatar Football Association for Doha 16,” said Kamyabinia. competition and everyone has to building these stadiums. As a “Al Duhail are a strong team contribute.” player and now coach I have trav- who are capable of going far in “We are happy because we elled far and wide, but have never ersepolis FC midfi elder this competition. They lost some feel Dudu is improving. He did ever seen or experienced such Kamal Kamyabinia laud- star names in the summer, but not play for six months, so he wonderful football arenas with ed the qualities of former still brought good new players. needed match time to find his advance technology,” said the teammate and current Al But we are also a good team and rhythm. Almoez Ali scored former Islamic Republic of Iran PDuhail winger Ramin Rezaeian are confi dent of going through. twice so he is more confident international who played in the ahead of the two sides’ meeting “Ramin [Rezaeian] is a really now. Afif and Ramin as wingers 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals. on Matchday Five of the 2020 good player and has made great are doing so well but I also hope “These venues are not only a AFC Champions League Group C progress since his time with us adding Junior Edmilson we can credit to Qatar, but to the whole on Monday. here. He was at Al Shahania last add more technical skills into Asian continent.” A win for the Tehran-based season and did so well to earn a our game. “No country apart from Qa- side would mean a guaranteed move to Al Duhail. He is in form “In this competition you need tar was brave or ready enough place in the knockout stage for at the moment, and we wish him to be strong in defence, and we to stage the AFC Champions the third time in four years, while well, just not so well against us on conceded fi ve in the past two League (West Zone) competition. Al Duhail can overtake their op- Monday.” games, so for me that is an area of “I would like to express my ponents into the top spot should And while Persepolis will be improvement,” said Redragui. heartfelt gratitude to every single they beat them and Al Taawoun aware of the threat of Rezaeian The two sides met on Match- one of those involved in bring- fail to defeat Sharjah in the other who scored a sublime free-kick on day One with Al Duhail emerging ing Asian club football back to Monday fi xture. his continental debut for Al Du- 2-0 winners. Mario Mandzu- us and made it possible for us to Rezaeian represented Perse- hail against Sharjah io Matchday kic, who has since left the club, play here. I wish nothing but suc- polis for two years between 2015 Three, they will be slightly relieved opened the scoring and the now cess for the entire Qatari football and 2017, contributing to their about the absence of suspended injured Edmilson added Al Du- family. run to the 2017 AFC Champi- centre-back Medhi Benatia from hail’s second. “I hope that all Asian countries ons League semi-fi nal. He and their opponents’ ranks. Persepolis head coach Yahya learn from Qatar and duplicate Kamyabinia lined-up side-by- “We know this is a strong team Golmohammadi, meanwhile, their eff orts to promote football side in Persepolis’ midfi eld as which has just won the last two Al Duhail’s Ramin Rezaeian (centre) celebrates after scoring during the AFC Champions League Group C praised the state of Qatar and the across our continent. It is a huge they defeated Al Duhail (then games in the group stage,” said match against UAE’s Sharjah at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday. (AFP) Qatar Football Association for task and diffi cult to accomplish. Lekhwiya) 1-0 on aggregate in Al Duhail head coach Walid Re- hosting the 2020 AFC Champi- But, we across Asia can achieve the Round of 16. gragui, who like Benatia, is a “We are still unsure whether are still recovering. We know players, but we played without ons League (West Zone). this with meticulous planning as “I believe it is a really tough former Moroccan international Karim Boudiaf and Edmilson will with them playing we are strong- them from the start just like we “First of all, I would like to did the Qatari football and state group with all four teams com- defender. be available for selection, they er because they are really good played without Asim Madibo and thank the state of Qatar and authorities.”

REPORT Al Hilal in knockouts aft er 0-0 draw with Shahr Khodro The Iranian side earned their first points of the tournament Shabab Al Ahli, Pakhtakor share points in tie

AFC a corner. Ahmed Al Attas received the Doha The Tashkent-based side threat- ball at the edge of the area and ened again close to the end attempted a cheeky dink above of the first half, when a series keeper Eldorbek Suyonov, who habab Al Ahli Dubai and of passes between Ceran and just about managed to tip it Pakhtakor FC kept their his teammates ended with the away with his fingers. Squalification hopes alive Serbian passing it to teammate A few minutes later, substitute after the two sides played out Khojiakbar Alijonov who fired Azizjon Ganiev almost managed a 0-0 draw on Matchday Five at Shabab Al Ahli’s goal but his to score from a corner kick, of the 2020 AFC Champions shot was wide. though it took a botched clear- League Group B yesterday. Shabab Al Ahli’s biggest chance of ance to hit the bar and back out The previous match between the first half came through 2015 into play. the two sides took place on AFC Player of the Year Ahmed The Dubai-based side’s keeper Matchday One, when Pakhtakor Khalil, with the Emirati forward Naser was exceptional through- edged the UAE Pro League side taking on a direct free-kick from out, but his late save from Pakhta- thanks to Dragan Ceran’s eff ort far out and hitting the crossbar. kor’s Ceran - a stinging shot to 20 minutes from time instantly Early in the second half, 2015 the 36-year-old’s right - was the after Pedro Conde had cancelled Asian Young Player of the highlight of his evening as he kept out Jaloliddin Masharipov’s Year Dostonbek Khamdamov a third clean sheet in a row. early chip. received a lofted pass into the The two sides will have to wait The first threatening shot came area, where he rose to head it in till the final round of matches in the most awkward of ways, from an extremely tight angle, to confirm either side’s qualifi- when Ceran attempted a shot marginally missing and hitting cation, with Shabab Al Ahli up that flew high up and back down the side netting instead. against group leaders Al Hilal again, just scraping the crossbar Gerard Zaragoza’s men came SFC who have already qualified, and requiring keeper Majed agonisingly close shortly after and Pakhtakor facing the already Naser to intervene and concede the hour mark, when substitute eliminated Shahr Khodro FC.

Action from the AFC Champions League Group B match between Al Hilal (in white) and Shahr Khodro (in maroon). PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

By Sports Reporter A severely depleted Al Hilal Instantly after, Mansour al- Bahebri missed a golden Doha side with only three substitutes, Bishi missed a sitter after Nasser chance to put his team ahead and two of whom were goalkeepers, al-Dawsari regained the ball add his second of the tournament took to the pitch and looked lively high up the fi eld and a conse- 20 minutes from time, when eigning champions Al early on as they created chances quent string of passes ended Carillo received a ball on the edge Hilal SFC confi rmed in the fi rst 20 minutes without when Hatan Bahebri intelligent- of the area and dribbled inside their place in the 2020 converting. ly cut the ball back to al-Bishi, before tapping it gently for the AFC Champions League It took 38 minutes for the fi rst who with the slightest of touch- Saudi international who lashed RoundR of 16 with a 0-0 draw big chance to come, which fell to es put it over the net from a few a stinging shot at Mohamed Kia, against Iran’s Shahr Khodro FC Shahr Khodro but Madallah al- yards out. but the young keeper parried on Matchday Five of Group B Olayan intercepted and headed Shahr Khodro almost got their away. yesterday. away their shot from the left fi rst ever AFC Champions League The result sees Al Hilal When the two teams met ear- fl ank, conceding a corner. goal when Mohamed Khalatbary through to the Round of 16, lier in the year, Andre Carillo and Al-Olayan was involved in received a short corner and lift- while Shahr Khodro, already Bafetimbi Gomis found the net more action but at the other end ed a cross over the penalty area eliminated on Matchday Three, in a 2-0 Al Hilal win, and Shahr of the pitch, when he received the which was met by a rising Far- took their first ever point in Shabab Al Ahli goalkeeper Majed Nasser (left) makes a save during the AFC Champions League Group B Khodro have lost all their games ball and fi red away from range, his shad Faraji, but the latter headed their AFC Champions League match against Pakhtakor at Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil since. shot was marginally high. high. history.

SPOTLIGHT Esteghlal and Al Shorta settle for draw in crucial Group A match

AFC International Stadium yesterday. Following a Mohamed Mezher Esteghlal’s midfi eld and tried his corner kick into the bottom far Basil who pushed it away. The result means Estegh- Doha Both sides went into the game corner, Mazin Fayyadh climbed luck with a left-footed eff ort from corner of Hosseini’s goal to open Al Shorta’s defences fi nally lal need to defeat Al Ahli by two needing a win to join group leaders unmarked inside the box, pow- outside the box. Marwan Hus- the scoring for Al Shorta. yielded under the Iranian pres- clear goals on Matchday Six, Al Ahli into the next round, with Al ering a header towards goal, but sein tried to pounce on Hosseini’s Esteghlal piled on the pressure sure as Farshid Esmeili received while a 1-0 win for the Iranians roup A’s second ticket to Shorta holding a three-point lead, Seyed Hossein Hosseini made spilled save, but defender Roozbeh after the restart and nearly got an the ball down the right fl ank and would mean they have an identi- the 2020 AFC Champi- but having played a game more. a quality refl ex save to deny Al Cheshmi was fi rst to the ball and equaliser in the 58th minute after drilled a powerful eff ort that was cal goal-diff erence to Al Shorta ons League Round of 16 The Iraqis, having played twice Shorta their opening goal inside made the clearance. a quick exchange of passes at the spilled by Basil into the path of and the two sides would have to will have to be decided over the past week had momen- the fi rst 10 minutes. Al Shorta’s number 14 fi nally got edge of the Al Shorta box released substitute Amir Arsalan Mota- be separated by their discipli- Gon Matchday Six after Iraq’s Al tum on their side in the opening Fayyadh was the dangerman his goal in the 25th minute. Fayy- Mehdi Ghaedi free inside the box, hari who applied the fi nish from nary record. Al Shorta’s hopes of Shorta and Iran’s Esteghlal FC minutes of the game and had the again fi ve minutes later, the winger adh lost his marker once again and but the youngster fi red his eff ort point blank to bring the game qualifi cation now rely on Estegh- played out a 1-1 draw at Khalifa bulk of possession. advanced through the heart of guided his header from Ali Fayez’s straight at goalkeeper Ahmed level in the 68th minute. lal losing their next game. Gulf Times Monday, September 21, 2020 3 FOOTBALLSPORT

EPL COMMENT Arsenal a long way from being title Mane double eases contenders: Arteta

Reuters tiations over a new contract. We London have a lot of things still to do in this market and at the moment we are focusing on those things.” rsenal manager Mikel Liverpool to 2-0 win Arteta is pleased with ‘IT’S ALL LOVE NOW’ his team’s start to the Arsenal match-winner Eddie Premier League cam- Nketiah has mended fences with paignA but believes the north team mate Dani Ceballos after a London club have a long way to standoff between the pair a week go before they can be considered ago was forgotten. title contenders. During the warm-up before Arsenal fi nished eighth last Arsenal’s match at newly-pro- over 10-man Chelsea season, 43 points behind cham- moted Fulham last week, Nke- pions Liverpool, but have made a tiah, 21, and Ceballos, 24, were strong start to the new campaign seen to clash briefl y, in a clip Son Heung-min hits four goals as five-star Tottenham rout Southampton with two wins. widely shared on social media. Arteta’s side opened with a But they seem to have set their AFP 3-0 victory over promoted Ful- diff erences aside since then and London ham before battling to a 2-1 win on Saturday at The Emirates over London rivals West Ham the Spaniard laid off the ball for United on Saturday. England Under-21 captain Nke- adio Mane tormented Chelsea “I think we are very far from tiah to score. Speaking about the as the Liverpool forward struck where we want to be,” the clash with Ceballos and the goal, twice after sparking Andreas 38-year-old Spaniard said. “But Nketiah told Sky Sports: “We Christensen’s dismissal in the I think if you ask any manager had a bit of a coming together. champions’S 2-0 win, while Son Heung- in the Premier League if they are The reaction was there. We made min scored four as Tottenham crushed happy with the way everything up and got on with it. Southampton 5-2 yesterday. is going now for the team, it is “It was a great pass across, Mane was involved in the turning probably no.” good vision. I tried to stay on- point at Stamford Bridge as the fi rst clash “We had a super mini pre- side. It was an easy fi nish from between Premier League title contenders season and we are still adapting there. It was nice for him to make this season swung Liverpool’s way. some things and some players the assist - it’s all love now,” he In fi rst half stoppage-time, Jordan are still not 100% fi t either. But added. Henderson picked out Mane’s run behind it’s great to start winning and to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta Christensen and the Denmark defender have six points already and to praised Nketiah’s contribution responded by rugby-tackling the Senegal fi nd ways to keep winning.” as a substitute and suggested star to the ground. Arsenal striker Alexan- it was an example other play- Referee Paul Tierney initially booked dre Lacazette, who scored the ers who want time on the pitch Christensen, but VAR told him to consult opener against West Ham, has should follow. the pitchside monitor and he changed his been linked with a move away “It’s so important for him and decision to a red card. from the Emirates but Arteta the team as well. It’s a message to Mane grabbed his fi rst goal of the sea- remained tight-lipped over the everyone on the bench that they son in the 50th minute as he met Roberto Frenchman’s future. have a mission when they come Firmino’s cross with a thumping header “He’s a player I’m really happy on,” he told reporters. after eluding Reece James’ slack mark- with. I think we’ve shown him a Asked about the Nketiah-Ce- ing. lot of faith since I arrived here. ballos incident last week, Arteta But we cannot start any specu- gave a light-hearted response. RESULTS & STANDINGS lation. We know that any player “That’s the beauty of this sport. who is under two years of their Today they found a way to un- Chelsea ...... 0 Liverpool ...... 2 contract is always going to be derstand each other,” he said. Newcastle ...... 0 Brighton ...... 3 talked about,” Arteta said. Arsenal face Leicester City in Southampton ...2 Tottenham ...... 5 “We haven’t started any nego- the League Cup on Wednesday. Leicester 4 Burnley ...... 2

Standings P W D L F A Pts 1 Leicester 2 2 0 0 7 2 6 2 Everton 2 2 0 0 6 2 6 Liverpool’s Sadio Mane (left) celebrates scoring their second goal against Chelsea during their Premier League match in London yesterday. 3 Arsenal 2 2 0 0 5 1 6 (Reuters) 4 Liverpool 2 2 0 0 6 3 6 5 Crystal Palace 2 2 0 0 4 1 6 he looks to replace Kepa. ham on a season-long loan from Real 6 Tottenham 2 1 0 1 5 3 3 “It was a clear mistake and Kepa ac- Madrid seven years after he left the north 7 Wolves 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 cepted that,” Lampard said. London club. Danny Ings put Southamp- 8 Brighton 2 1 0 1 4 3 3 Thiago Alcantara made his Liverpool ton ahead in the fi rst half, but Son equal- 9 Leeds 2 1 0 1 7 7 3 debut at half-time after his move from ised before the break and scored three 10 Chelsea 2 1 0 1 3 3 3 Bayern Munich, but the Spain midfi elder more in the second half, with each of his 11 Newcastle 2 1 0 1 2 3 3 conceded a 74th minute penalty with a goals coming from Kane assists. 12 Aston Villa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 foul on Timo Werner. Kane, who hit the back of the net twice 13 Man City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Alisson Becker came to Thiago’s rescue in the fi rst half only to have them ruled 14 Burnley 1 0 0 1 2 4 0 as he saved Jorginho’s spot-kick. out for off side, capped a swaggering dis- 15 Man Utd 1 0 0 1 1 3 0 After their chaotic 4-3 win over Leeds play with his second goal of the season. 16 Sheff Utd 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 on the opening weekend, this was a re- “Son was on fi re and for me Harry 17 West Ham 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 turn to the kind of dominant display Liv- Kane was the man of the match, what he 18 Fulham 2 0 0 2 3 7 0 erpool produced so often en route to their did for the team,” said Mourinho, whose 19 Southampton 2 0 0 2 2 6 0 fi rst English title for 30 years last season. side had lost their league opener against 20 West Brom 2 0 0 2 2 8 0 “Chelsea were the dominant side Everton. without goals but then a massive game- “With him dropping back and con- changer which was good for us,” Liver- necting the game between the lines for Mane was gifted his second goal as pool coach Jurgen Klopp said. Sonny to attack, the space they created Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made a “After the red card, the second half is a Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean was a problem they couldn’t resolve.” hash of trying to play out from the back, diff erent game. We kept the ball rolling, striker Son Heung-min celebrates after Neal Maupay’s quick-fi re double in- allowing the Liverpool forward to inter- let them run, scored the goals. Everybody scoring his fourth goal during the spired Brighton’s 3-0 win against New- cept and slot into the empty net. had a hand in the result.” English Premier League match against castle as the Seagulls claimed their fi rst It was the latest costly blunder from While Chelsea have spent £200 mil- Southampton yesterday. (AFP) Premier League victory of the season. Kepa, who was dropped twice by Chel- lion ($258 million) on new signings in a Graham Potter’s side raced into a two- sea manager Frank Lampard last season bid to close the gap on the champions, Son and Harry Kane after the pair de- goal lead after just seven minutes at St despite his status as the world’s most ex- Liverpool remain streets ahead of the stroyed Southampton. Just 24 hours af- James’ Park thanks to the brace from pensive keeper. Blues at present. “The red card changes ter Tottenham signed Gareth Bale, Son French striker Maupay. Aaron Connolly Lampard will be relieved that Chelsea the face of the game. I think it could be delivered a virtuoso display that showed grabbed the third for Brighton, who had are reportedly close to signing Rennes’ given or not,” Lampard said. Mourinho’s side already have plenty of Yves Bissouma sent off after his raised Arsenal’s English striker Eddie Nketiah runs with the ball during the Senegal international Edouard Mendy as At St Mary’s, Jose Mourinho hailed fi repower. Bale has returned to Totten- boot caught Jamal Lewis in the face. EPL match against West Ham United in London. (AFP)

FOCUS Bale says Mourinho played a role in his Spurs return Reuters London Bale return will give Spurs massive boost, says Murphy ottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale is relishing Gareth Bale’s return to Tottenham Hotspur will give the Pre- the opportunity to work with manager Jose Mourinho mier League club a massive boost and his presence will instil who had unsuccessfully tried to sign the Welshman in fear into opposing teams, former England midfielder Danny the past. Murphy has said. TBale completed a loan move from Spanish champions Real The 31-year-old Welsh forward completed a loan move from Madrid back to his former club Spurs on Saturday, ending a Spanish champions Real Madrid back to his former club Spurs seven-year stay at the Bernabeu. on Saturday and is likely to be match-fit after the October Mourinho said he tried to sign Bale when he was in charge international break. of Real from 2010 to 2013. The Wales international was also “Gareth Bale has that ‘wow’ factor, something only a few very regularly linked with a move to Manchester United when the special players in the world have got,” Murphy, who spent a Portuguese was in charge at Old Traff ord. season at Spurs, wrote in his column for the BBC. “He’s spoken to me about a few positions that he would like “When they play, they have a diff erent aura and a presence on me to play and obviously I’m happy with that,” Bale, 31, told the pitch that aff ects everyone - even before they kick a ball. BT Sport. “He was a big reason for me coming back here, he’s “Bale will not just have a positive eff ect on his new Totten- a household name and a winner. He’s the perfect fi t for Tot- ham team-mates and give them a massive confidence boost, tenham. We need to win trophies and he knows how to do that he will change the way opposition players feel about facing better than anyone. I know every Tottenham fan is desperate Spurs.” for a trophy and we’ll be trying as hard as possible in every Bale’s return to Spurs off ers him the chance to start afresh and competition to do that.” work with manager Jose Mourinho, who once tried to sign Bale, who injured his knee playing for Wales this month, is him while in charge at Madrid. likely be match fi t after the October international break and is “I’m not surprised Mourinho wanted Bale. His quality is obvi- excited about the prospect of linking up with Son Heung-min ous and he will be hungry too,” Murphy wrote. and Harry Kane. “I haven’t trained since the Wales camp so I “I don’t think he has anything to prove at Tottenham or in the need to get on the training pitch,” he said. “Hopefully, I can hit Premier League, but he will want to make a point to Real after the ground running in my fi rst game, whenever that may be.” he was frozen out there. “Harry’s done incredibly well since he burst onto the scene “He operates at such a high level that I’m expecting him to and scored a lot of goals. To play with him and Son is an ex- make an impact in the dressing room and on the training citing prospect for all of us. If we’re all pushing in the same ground as well as on the pitch.” direction it could be a very exciting season.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, September 21, 2020 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA Werner-less Leipzig stroll to opening day win over Mainz AFP among the top sides again.” off side trap just after the break to Berlin Leipzig have now scored 16 goals bring Mainz back into the game, but in their last three games against Haidara linked up with Forsberg just Mainz, who are preparing for anoth- a few minutes later to make it 3-1 B Leipzig showed no signs er relegation dogfi ght this season. and put Leipzig out of reach. of missing Timo Werner “It’s no secret that we would like Despite the commanding display yesterday as they strolled another striker because the season Nagelsmann warned that his side to a comfortable 3-1 home will be a demanding one, but our would have to up their game when winR over hapless Mainz in their fi rst forwards did their job well today,” they travel to Bayer Leverkusen next Bundesliga game of the season. said Nagelsmann. weekend. Third in the table and Champions “If we had taken all our chances, “They are a tough opponent, so League semi-fi nalists last season, we could have scored seven or eight.” we will have to be that little bit bet- pundits in Germany had predicted The home side burst out of the ter,” he said. a tougher ride for Leipzig this year blocks, with both Dani Olmo and Leverkusen, who have also lost a after they sold star striker Werner to Marcel Halstenberg coming within star player in Kai Havertz to Chelsea, Chelsea. inches of taking the lead in the fi rst began their campaign with a goalless Yet Julian Nagelsmann’s side were few minutes. draw at Wolfsburg in Sunday’s other at their free-fl owing best as they The opener came after just a quar- game. started the new campaign in front of ter of an hour, as Olmo was tripped Wolfsburg had two clear chances 8,500 fans, chalking up 23 shots on by Leandro Barreiro in the box and to take the lead in the fi rst half, US their way to a deserved win. Forsberg slotted home the resulting international John Anthony Brooks “It was simply amazing to play in penalty. heading over the bar before Wout front of our fans again. We put on a Danish international Yussuf Weghorst forced a smart save from great performance for them today,” Poulsen then sent a fi zzing shot over Lukas Hradecky. said Emil Forsberg, who opened the the crossbar before doubling the lead After the break, Wolfsburg for- scoring from the penalty spot and with a looping header on 21 minutes. ward Admir Mehmedi had a goal set up another for Amadou Haidara. After Forsberg hit the post on the ruled out for off side against his “To beat the best teams you have half-hour mark, it seemed a rout was former club, while goalkeeper Koen to give 100 percent. If we’re as mo- on the cards. Casteels twice kept out the visitors Leipzig’s Malian midfielder Amadou Haidara (second right) celebrates with teammates scoring during their Bundesliga match tivated as we were today, we’ll be Jean-Philippe Mateta beat the at the other end. against Mainz 05 in Leipzig yesterday. (AFP)

LIGUE 1 SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Rangers’ clean-sheet run ends in Hibs draw Mbappe inspires Hibs have now gone nine AFP Glasgow games without a win against Rangers but hold on to third place. ibernian ruined Rang- Rangers’ clean-sheet run end- ers’ clean-sheet streak ed on 22 minutes when Wright as the Scottish Pre- timed his run perfectly to slot miership title chasers under Jon McLaughlin from PSG to victory in Nice wereH held to a 2-2 draw yesterday. Martin Boyle’s cross. Steven Gerrard’s side arrived Rangers were in a position at Easter Road having gone a they had not found themselves ‘I’m impressed by his performance after only one training session with the team’ British-record seven successive in since March, when David games without conceding a goal Moyo struck a shock winner for AFP since the start of the season. Hamilton, and it took them time Paris But Drey Wright, starting for to gather their senses after con- Hibernian in place of on-loan ceding for the fi rst time in 776 Rangers winger Jamie Murphy, domestic minutes. ylian Mbappe returned became the fi rst player to score In fi rst-half stoppage time the to the starting line-up a league goal against the Glas- Ibrox side levelled when Ryan for Paris Saint-Ger- gow team this season as he swept Kent clipped to the back post for man yesterday and Hibs ahead. Morelos to slam home. Kscored the opener in a 3-0 win Rangers hit back with strikes They were ahead 12 minutes at Nice which marks another from Alfredo Morelos and Scott into the second half. step on the road to recovery for Arfi eld but they were denied James Tavernier fi red in a dan- the French champions. victory by a Christian Doidge gerous pass to fi nd Arfi eld on the The 21-year-old, who tested header. Gerrard’s men go back edge of the box. positive for coronavirus on Sep- to the top of the table by a point The Canada international ex- tember 7, was on target from the but, having played a game more changed a quick-fi re combina- penalty spot in the 38th minute. than Celtic, will worry they have tion with Ianis Hagi before fi ring Angel di Maria added a sec- handed the title initiative to Neil home. ond just before half-time and Lennon’s champions. But Hibernian levelled with Marquinhos headed the third “Disappointed with the re- 19 minutes left as Boyle whipped after 66 minutes. Mbappe sult, it’s two points dropped,” in a sublime cross for Doidge to thought he had scored a fourth said Gerrard. “I don’t think the thud home despite Rangers’ pro- late on but it was ruled out for performance overall was good tests that Boyle had received the off side. He was replaced by Pa- enough to win, even though ball in an off side position. blo Sarabia shortly after. we’ve had very good chances. Arfi eld thought he had “I’m impressed by his per- “I don’t think we’ve defended grabbed a late winner, but was formance after only one train- well enough across the 90 min- denied by a brilliant double save ing session with the team,” said utes.” from Ofi r Marciano. coach Thomas Tuchel. “He always shows that he can do extraordinary things and FOCUS that he knows how to make a diff erence. It helps us a lot.” It was a second successive Ligue 1 win for PSG who began Osimhen inspires the season still smarting from defeat in the Champions League fi nal. They lost their open- Napoli at Parma as ing two games and the second ended in a mass brawl against Marseille which led to the sus- fans return to Serie A pension of Brazilian forward Neymar. With Marco Verratti AFP picked up a Lozano cross to force also back, PSG rarely looked Milan a poor clearance from Parma de- troubled in the sunshine of the Paris St Germain’s Angel Di Maria (left) celebrates scoring their second goal with Kylian Mbappe against Nice yesterday. (Reuters) fender Simone Iacoponi into the Mediterranean. path of Mertens who fi nished af- When 19-year-old Khep- shot from Rony Lopes. Mbappe PSG continued to control the the new season. Claude Puel’s fi rst home defeat in 41 years ictor Osimhen proved ter 63 minutes. hren Thuram-Ulien clipped was back in the thick of it as the game after the break and were side are level on 10 points with to 10-time league champions decisive on his Serie A Insigne hit the post before he Mbappe’s ankle as the striker game entered stoppage time at rewarded with a third when next weekend’s opponents Saint-Etienne last week when debut inspiring Napoli made it 2-0 after 77 minutes, to surged into the box, the France the end of the fi rst half. Marquinhos got in front of the Rennes after goals from Moses they host Lille at the Stade Ve- to a season-opening hand Parma, 11th last season, forward picked himself up to Losing two defenders, defence to head home. Simon in the 71st minute and lodrome. V2-0 win at Parma yesterday, the a fi rst defeat on front of their blast the ball high into the net. Mbappe fi red in a sharp shot Saint-Etienne just about Renaud fi ve minutes from time Striker Dario Benedetto is fi rst game in which fans were al- new owner US billionaire Kyle Four minutes later, Nice al- which Nice goalie Walter Beni- held onto top spot in the table cancelled out Adil Aouchiche available again after a suspen- lowed to return to an Italian sta- Krause who purchased a 90 per- most levelled when PSG goalie tez did well to parry but only as despite throwing away a two- and Yvann Macon’s strikes for sion for his role in the stoppage- dium. cent stake in the club during the Keylor Navas had to get down far as the feet of Di Maria, who goal lead to draw 2-2 at Nantes the away side. Later Marseille time brawl in the win at PSG Italy’s government from yes- week. sharply to his left to beat away a tapped in for 2-0. and end their perfect start to look to bounce back from their earlier this month. terday allowed up to 1,000 spec- For Napoli, meanwhile, it was tators at open-air sports events. a fi rst step in their bid to return And Rino Gattuso’s Napoli to Champions League next sea- SPOTLIGHT and new Parma coach Fabio Liv- son. erani’s side faced off on front of Nine-time reigning Serie A a sparse gathering at the Stadio champions Juventus kick off Ennio Tardini. their campaign against Samp- Barca chief Bartomeu will not go to war with Messi After a barren fi rst hour in doria “in the presence of a 1,000 Emilia Romagna, Osimhen came guests” in Turin later. Reuters to fi re back against Barca’s all- after a campaign group gath- off the bench to provide an elec- Barcelona time top scorer, instead prais- ered over 20,000 signatures tric shock for Gattuso’s side. ing Messi for turning a page and from members to force a vote of Dries Mertens and Lorenzo performing well in the team’s no-confi dence against him. Insigne scored both goals after arcelona president pre-season matches, including In compliance with the club’s his arrival which were set up by Josep Maria Bartomeu scoring twice in a 3-1 win over statutes, Barca are currently Mexican Hirving Lozano. said he does not wish Girona last week. “We have seen validating the votes and if over “Oshimen at this moment has to have any more dis- him do his talking on the pitch 16,520 are approved, then a ref- an extra gear,” said Gattuso of the putesB with captain Lionel Messi and we have moved on from the erendum will be held in the next 21-year-old Napoli paid French after the Argentinian reluc- saga,” Bartomeu added. three months, with two-thirds club Lille a club record 80 mil- tantly opted to stay at the club “We should congratulate of 150,000 members needing to lion euros ($94.6 million) for this this month after failing to force ourselves for getting Messi to vote against Bartomeu to force summer. through a move. stay with us and for how he has his dismissal. “He’s a serious lad who does “I won’t get into any confl ict behaved in the last few days. Yet Bartomeu, who will be not forget where he comes from, with him. He’s our captain and The best player in the world leaving the role after elections he lost his parents as a child, he the leader of our team,” Bar- Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. (Reuters) should stay at our home.” in March regardless of what is a young man with the head of a tomeu told Catalan television Bartomeu has been in the fi r- happens with the motion of 40-year-old.” network TV3 before the team’s needs him. Having Messi is a him to break his contract unilat- ing line ever since Barca’s his- censure, ruled out resigning. The decisive tactical switch 1-0 friendly win over Elche on guarantee of success.” erally and leave the club with- toric 8-2 defeat to Bayern Mu- “The board and I will keep lifted Napoli from zero opportu- Napoli’s Dries Mertens (left) Saturday. “I couldn’t let him Messi had complained earlier out a transfer fee, also lashing nich in the Champions League working to ensure we have the nities to six, with two goals, and celebrates scoring their first goal leave the club, he is the best this month that Bartomeu had out at the president’s leader- quarter-fi nals last month. He most competitive team possi- as many near misses. with Victor Osimhen against player of all time and the team not fulfi lled a promise to allow ship. But Bartomeu chose not came under renewed pressure ble,” he said. Just after his arrival, Osimhen Parma yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Monday, September 21, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Dallas Stars down Lightning 4-1 in Celtics strike back Stanley Cup opener

AFP the right moments,” Stars coach Los Angeles Rick Bowness said. “You know you’re on your heels a little bit and with their elite-level off en- he Dallas Stars struck sive skills you know they’re go- with 117-106 win hard against the Tampa ing to get some chances. Bay Lightning on Satur- You don’t want to give them a day, winning the open- goal at the wrong time and you ingT game of the Stanley Cup fi - need a big save at the right time. nal 4-1 in Edmonton. “Anton certainly did that for Joel Hanley, Jamie Oleksiak us tonight.” and Joel Kiviranta scored for the The Stars had the luxury of Stars in the fi rst two periods and four nights’ rest after complet- over Miami Heat Jason Dickinson added an emp- ing a fi ve-game Western Con- ty-netter in the waning minutes ference fi nal win over the Vegas 'We wanted to make it an emphasis to come out tonight and play 48 minutes, and we did' as Dallas held off Tampa Bay’s Golden Knights on Monday. third-quarter rally bid to take Tampa Bay had just one day a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven off after playing back-to-back championship series. overtime games in their Eastern It seems an unlikely run Conference fi nal triumph over for a Stars team that had lost the New York Islanders. six games in a row before the “Been a few days here, we got coronavirus pandemic forced some rest,” Dallas captain Jamie the NHL to pause its season in Benn said. “I thought we had March. They were outscored a good start to the game, they 10-5 in the round-robin when got a lucky one but it didn’t faze play resumed in August – but us and we just kept playing our made their way into the playoff s game.” and now have a chance to add a “They’re a good team, they’re second NHL title to the one they going to get their chances,” Benn captured in 1999. added. “(Khudobin) made a lot Hanley opened the scoring at of great saves there in the third 5:40 of the fi rst, taking a pass period, kept us in it, and we from Roope Hintz and beating found a way to win.” Andrei Vasilevskiy to notch his Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper fi rst career NHL goal. said his players came out fl at. Yanni Gourde pulled the “I don’t even know if you need Lightning level seven min- to take a shower after the fi rst utes later on a fl ukey goal after two periods,” he said. “We just the puck hit the skate of both didn’t have our legs, and clearly Gourde and Hintz. it showed. Oleksiak scored off his own “We’re going to have to make rebound at 12:30 of the second, it a little tougher on their goalie and Kiviranta – the hat-trick if we’re going to score.” hero of game seven in the sec- Game two is on Monday in ond round – stretched the lead Edmonton, one of two quaran- to 3-1 with 27.4 seconds left in tine “hub cities” used by the the second. NHL when it resumed play in Dallas held Tampa Bay’s lead- August, and host of both con- ing playoff scorer Nikita Kuch- ference fi nals and the Stanley erov without a shot until the Cup fi nal. third period, but Stars goal- The Cup itself was on dis- tender Anton Khudobin worked play Saturday – a break from hard in the third, making 22 of tradition, which usually sees it his 35 saves as Dallas were out- brought to an arena only when a shot 22-2. team has a chance to clinch the Kemba Walker of the Boston Celtics with a lay-up during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA “He made some huge saves at title. Playoff s at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Saturday.

AFP bilitate the injury, returning and going Miami through quarantine before he could re- turn to the court. Boston led 31-22 at the end of the first he Boston Celtics hit back on quarter, and were up by 12 early in the Saturday, leading wire-to- second before the Heat surged back. wire in a 117-106 victory over Miami, led by Herro’s 16 points in the Tthe Miami Heat that cut the period, twice cut the deficit to three gap in the NBA Eastern Conference fi- points before the Celtics reasserted nals to two games to one. themselves to take a 62-50 lead into Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and halftime. Jayson Tatum added 25 points and 14 “There’s some great guys in that rebounds for the Celtics, who avoided locker room,” Brown said of the Celtics’ falling into an 0-3 hole from which no unity. “A lot of emotion, a lot of pas- NBA team has rallied to win a best-of- sion, but we’re a family and we’re here seven playoff series. for each other. After their 17-point lead slipped away “We exemplified that when we came in a game-two loss on Thursday – the out together and stayed together dur- second straight game they surrendered ing some tough moments. They made a double-digit lead in defeat – Celt- a big run I think at the end of the sec- ics players could be heard exchanging ond quarter, Tyler Herro made some big heated words in their locker room. plays. But they were all on the same page on “We didn’t hang our heads, we kept Saturday, displaying a sense of purpose our will high and persevered to win this in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Or- game.” lando, Florida, and maintaining their Celtics coach Brad Stevens acknowl- Dallas Stars center Jason Dickinson (18) celebrates with teammates poise as the Heat narrowed a 20-point Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) is fouled as he shoots by Miami Heat guard edged that his team was challenged after scoring an empty net goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning fourth-quarter deficit to five with less Duncan Robinson (55). PICTURE: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports emotionally by the two tough defeats in during the third period in game one of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final at than a minute to play. the first games of the series. Rogers Place. PICTURE: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports Marcus Smart, a perfect 10-for-10 Rookie Tyler Herro scored 22 points The Celtics were buoyed by the re- Game three, he said, “was more about from the foul line, produced a string of for Miami and star forward Jimmy But- turn from injury of playmaker Gordon what are we going to show ourselves to clutch free throws and the Celtics hung ler scored 17. Hayward, who played 30 minutes off be. Astros star pitcher Verlander ends on for the win. But Boston outscored Miami 60-36 the bench and scored six points with “The first time we were pushed to “Down 0-2 in the series, we played in the paint and held the Heat to 38.8 % five rebounds and four assists in his more emotions that challenged us, we MLB season with surgery some games we thought we should have shooting from the floor. first game in more than four weeks. got better,” Stevens said. “And that’s AFP year, when the Astros lost to played better,” Brown said. “We wanted “They came out, Boston did, with “The first five minutes I was gassed,” encouraging.” New York Washington in the World Series. to make it an emphasis to come out to- great force in this game,” heat coach admitted Hayward, adding that he was The Celtics will try to level the series “I’m confident that with a night and play 48 minutes, and we did.” Erik Spoelstra said. “You do have to feeling it in the right ankle he sprained in game four on Wednesday. proper rehabilitation program Center Bam Adebayo led the Heat credit them for that. They sustained it in game one of the Heat’s first-round Brown could barely wait. “Looking ouston Astros star and my unwavering commit- with 27 points, 16 rebounds and three for the better majority of the game. We series against Philadelphia. forward to the next game,” he said. “We pitcher Justin Ver- ment that this surgery will steals. were on our heels most of the game.” Hayward left the bubble to reha- all are.” lander said on Satur- ultimately lengthen my career day he will miss the as opposed to shorten it,” said remainderH of the Major League Verlander.”I’m eager to get BOTTOMLINE Baseball season and undergo through this recovery and back “Tommy John” tendon re- on the field to continue to do placement surgery. what I love.” The 37-year-old US right-hander The Astros are 25-26, second Celtics’ Hayward won’t leave bubble for baby’s birth has not pitched for the defend- in the AL West division and ing American League cham- holding down a playoff spot pions since their July opener with nine games to play in the Reuters probably something I’ll be here. in a coronavirus-shortened regular season. Boston “By the time I get back, I might miss campaign, but had hoped for a Verlander said he consulted the birth if she goes in and she rushes comeback before the upcom- with several doctors before to the hospital. We discussed it and we ing playoff s. making the decision, which efore the NBA restarted the prayed about it. I think it’s probably “I was hopeful that I would be is likely to keep him sidelined season in July, Boston Celtics best if I stay here and help our team.” able to return to competition through the 2021 season. forward Gordon Hayward Hayward, 30, sustained a Grade in 2020,” Verlander wrote in He is set to be a free agent in Btold the team he planned to III sprain of his ankle on Aug.17 dur- a posting on his Instagram 2022. leave the bubble near Orlando for the ing Boston’s 109-101 victory over the account. After his July 24 start, Ver- birth of his fourth child. Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the “However, during my simulated lander was diagnosed with a But between the Celtics being in best-of-seven Eastern Conference game, unfortunately the injury forearm strain and shut down a battle with the Miami Heat in the fi rst-round series. worsened. for rehabilitation with plans to Eastern Conference Finals and the He made his return Saturday night Obviously, I’m extremely disap- return next week. time he already spent away from the and scored six points in 31 minutes. pointed but I will not let this Instead, Verlander will try to team to treat a sprained ankle, Hay- The Celtics trail the Heat 2-1, and slow down my aspirations for become only the 10th pitcher ward has had a change of heart. Jayson Tatum said the team got a my career. I will approach this to return from tendon replace- Instead, he said after the Celtics’ needed jolt from Hayward’s return. rehab the only way I know, at- ment surgery aged 37 or older. 117-106 win in Game 3 of the series “It meant everything,” Tatum said. tack and don’t look back.” Verlander signed a two-year Saturday night that he and his wife, “It’s crazy that anybody would think The eight-time MLB All-Star, contract extension worth $66 Robyn, decided he should remain in we would be better without him. who helped Houston capture mn before the 2019 campaign. Florida and not leave for the imminent We’re so much better when he’s out the 2017 World Series, won the He went 21-6 in 34 starts last birth of the baby. there and obviously we’re so much Cy Young Award as his league’s year with a 2.58 earned-run “Robyn could be having a baby at more dynamic, so much more versatile top pitcher in 2011 and last average and 300 strikeouts. any point in time,” Hayward said. “It’s when he’s out there.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, September 21, 2020 CRICKET

IPL PREVIEW Kohli’s RCB to start campaign against Stoinis stars in SunRisers today IANS/GloFans SQUADS Dubai SRH: David Warner (Cap- tain), Abhishek Sharma, fter fi nishing fourth Basil Thampi, Bhuvneshwar Delhi’s super over in the 2019 Indian Kumar, Billy Stanlake, Jonny Premier League Bairstow, Kane Williamson, A(IPL), SunRisers Hy- Manish Pandey, Mohamed derabad (SRH) will start their Nabi, Rashid Khan, Sandeep present campaign with a game Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, against the Royal Challeng- Shreevats Goswami, Sid- ers Bangalore (RCB), who are darth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, looking for their maiden title, T Natarajan, Vijay Shankar, win over Kings XI at the iconic Dubai Interna- Wriddhiman Saha, Virat tional Cricket stadium today. Singh, Priyam Garg, Mitchell While SRH have clinched Marsh, Sandeep Bavanaka, ‘It’s nice that the IPL has gotten going again, and tonight has been great entertainment’ the trophy once in 2016, be- Fabian Allen, Abdul Samad, sides the 2009 triumph in Sanjay Yadav their earlier avatar as Deccan RCB: Virat Kohli (Captain), AFP Chargers, the Virat Kohli-led Parthiv Patel, AB de Villiers, New Delhi RCB are yet to lay their hands Chris Morris, Yuzvendra on the coveted trophy. Chahal, Shivam Dubey, For this year’s edition of the Aaron Finch, Umesh Yadav, ustralia’s Marcus lucrative league, the David Adam Zampa, Washington Stoinis smashed a Warner-led SRH have made a Sundar, Navdeep Saini, whirlwind half-cen- few changes in their squad. Mohamed Siraj, Dale Steyn, tury as Delhi Capitals The ‘Orange Army’ will miss Moeen Ali, Pawan Negi, Gur- edgedA out Kings XI Punjab in a the services of ace all-rounder keerat Mann Singh, Isuru super-over thriller after the sec- Shakib Al Hasan, who was re- Udana, Devdutt Padikkal, ond match of the Indian Premier leased by the franchise after Shahbaz Ahamad, Joshua League ended in a tie yesterday. being banned by the Interna- Philippe, Pavan Deshpande. Stoinis proved his worth for tional Cricket Council (ICC) Delhi, who brought the all- for failing to report the ap- rounder in the December auc- proach of bookies elsewhere. will hope that he replicates the tion, with his 21-ball 53 to lift the With skipper Warner and form he had shown in the 2016 side to 157 for eight after being Jonny Bairstow, the SRH are edition where he had scored put into bat in Dubai. considered to have one of the four centuries. Mayank Agarwal nearly best opening pairs and if the Alongside Kohli, the RCB trumped the batting blitz with duo gets going, the Hyderabad also have one of the best explo- his 89 off 60 balls as Punjab franchise will pose a big threat sive T20 batsmen in AB de Vil- closed in on their target but for their opponents. liers. The RCB’s batting mostly Stoinis claimed two wickets on Warner is also the leading revolves around Kohli and de successive balls in the fi nal over run scorer for SRH after ac- Villiers and if the duo fi res, to take the match into a super cumulating 3,271 runs from things will be easier for the over. 71 games, averaging 55.44. team. Moreover, they both have “It’s a weird game, sometimes Bairstow, who joined SRH last also shown over the past how the luck goes your way, but it’s year, also impressed everyone to be a livewire in the ground easy to become the villain from after gathering 445 runs from when it comes to fi elding. the hero. So it’s important to en- 10 games at a decent average Also with the inclusion of joy the good days,” said Stoinis. of 55.62. Aaron Finch, the RCB’s top- “It’s nice that the IPL has The pace attack will be led order looks quite eff ective. gotten going again, and tonight by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who Youngster Devdutt Padikkal has been great entertainment.” hasn’t played any profes- is likely to open the innings Delhi’s South African quick sional game since December with Finch while Joshua Phil- Kagiso Rabada struck twice in 2019. The 30-year-old has 109 lipe is the other opening op- the super over to limit Punjab to wickets from 86 games and is tion for the RCB. just two runs as the loss of two the leading wicket-taker for Also, all-rounder Chris wickets in the over ended the SRH. Bhuvneshwar, however, Morris has been a great ad- team’s one-over innings. will need support from Khaleel dition to the side and will Earlier, Delhi were reeling at Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma, Bas- play the role of the explosive 87 for fi ve after the departure il Thampi and Siddarth Kaul. fi nisher that the RCB always of captain Shreyas Iyer when If SRH want to replicate looked for. Stoinis walked in to demolish their 2016 show, a lot will de- The RCB franchise has ac- the opposition bowling, getting pend on how their spinners quired the services of Morris 57 runs for the batting side in the perform in the low and slow and Isuru Udana to overcome last 18 balls. Stoinis punished tracks in the UAE. The spin at- their weaknesses at ‘death’ England paceman Chris Jordan, tack will be led by Afghanistan bowling. In the middle-order, who gave away 30 runs from the leggie Rashid Khan and will be the RCB has some quality with fi nal over with the Australian supported by his compatriot the likes of Moeen Ali, Shivam slamming a 20-ball half-century Marcus Stoinis (centre) of Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Chris Jordan (not in the picture) of Kings XI Punjab during match two of Mohamed Nabi, who had a de- Dube and Morris, who all have before being run out on the pe- Indian Premier League at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai yesterday. (BCCI) cent outing in he just conclud- the ability to demolish any nultimate ball of the innings. ed Caribbean Premier League. bowling attack. Experienced Indian paceman Mohammed Delhi off -spinner Ravichandran The world’s richest Twenty20 BRIEF SCORES Punjab 157 for 8 (Agarwal 89, Nabi picked 12 wickets from as South African pacer Dale Shami returned fi gures of 3-15 Ashwin took two wickets in his league is being played in the UAE Delhi Capitals 157 for 8 (Stoinis Ashwin 2-2, Rabada 2-28, Stoinis many games with an economy Steyn will lead the charge of from his four overs for Punjab. fi rst and only over before retiring after being shifted out of India 53, Iyer 39, Pant 31, Shami 3-15, 2-29) via the Super Over. rate of 5.10. the pace bowling attack while Punjab were struggling when hurt with an injured shoulder. due to rising coronavirus cases. Cottrell 2-24) beat Kings XI Other than these two, SRH Navdeep Saini, Isuru Udana, also have left-arm spinner Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Shahbaz Nadeem in their Yadav will look to hand equal ranks and the Jharkhand spin- support to the lethal pacer. ‘Indian Paunch League’: Stars pilloried for ‘healthy waistlines’ in IPL opener ner is known to be very accu- Meanwhile, Yuzvendra rate with his line and length. Chahal, , Pawan Negi, Adam Leading cricketers from Mumbai The virus-delayed Twenty20 sporting a post-lockdown Bhogle tweeted that there were his return to the cricket field Warner’s side also has spin- Zampa and Washington Sun- Indians and Chennai Super tournament was postponed and paunch. “I have never played a “couple of healthy waistlines after more than a year on the bowling all-rounders in Fabi- dar whosoever gets a chance Kings have been slammed then moved to the United Arab more than gully cricket but I am today”. sidelines. an Allen, Sanjay Yadav, Abdul in the playing XI, are the spin for their “healthy waistlines” Emirates, with India’s cricket- pretty shocked to see some play- Social media users joked that The veteran wicketkeeper- Samad, and Abhishek Sharma. bowling options for skip- during the opening match of the crazy fans watching Chennai ers in the #IPL2020 looking so the cash-rich IPL was now the batsman, who retired from On the other hand, RCB is per Kohli and looking at the Indian Premier League in Abu outplay Mumbai on Saturday unfit,” former India field hockey “India Paunch League”. international cricket last month, one of the three teams in the nature of wicket in the UAE, Dhabi. on their televisions and mobile captain Viren Rasquinha wrote “Indian Paunch League (IPL) last played for India in their league who are yet to win the they all need to step up if the Some players were returning to phones. on Twitter. looking at all the bulging waist- semi-final loss to New Zealand in trophy. Kohli-led RCB’s big- RCB wantsto march ahead in professional cricket for the first Many expressed surprise at “I can’t think of another physical lines..looks like a veterans series the 2019 World Cup. gest strength has been their the league. Overall, SRH looks time in six months after global seeing top players including sport where players at the high- match..,” one user tweeted. Fans swooned at their idol’s batting and the skipper is slightly better than their op- sport was put on hold amid Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma, est level could cope with these Meanwhile Chennai skipper body, with one user tweeting: undoubtedly, one of the best ponents for the Monday game the spread of the coronavirus batsman Saurabh Tiwary and fitness levels.” Mahendra Singh Dhoni stood “Dhoni looks WWE ready”. in business when it comes to but with the change in venues pandemic. Chennai spinner Piyush Chawla Veteran commentator Harsha out with his bulging biceps on (AFP) white-ball cricket. The team and conditions, it could be an- management along with Kohli ybody’s game in Dubai.

FOCUS Bubble life is very challenging, says Warner

IANS Promoted Curran hails ‘genius’ Dhoni aft er CSK win Dubai England all-rounder Sam Curran said his aggression against left-arm termed Chennai Super Kings captain spinner Krunal Pandya was premedi- unrisers Hyderabad Mahendra Singh Dhoni a “genius” after tated. (SRH) captain David justifying his surprise promotion in the “That was the over we wanted to target Warner is one of the batting order in their Indian Premier - a six or out approach mentality. Take Splayers who traded one League (IPL) opener against Mumbai the risk, and if it comes off it comes off , bio-bubble for another when he Indians on Saturday. if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.” came to the United Arab Emir- After Ravindra Jadeja fell in the 19th Dhoni’s penchant for springing tactical ates (UAE) for the Indian Pre- over, leaving Chennai needing 29 off 17 surprises was most famously illustrated mier League (IPL). deliveries, former India captain Dhoni when he asked all-rounder Joginder Warner as part of the Austral- or fellow right-hander Kedar Jadhav Sharma to bowl the last over in the ian team that toured England for was expected to join Faf du Plessis final of the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup three ODIs and three T20Is be- in the middle. Dhoni sent Curran (18) which India won. tween September 4 and 16. instead and the 22-year-old clobbered “At some point, I thought we needed “Bubble life is very challeng- two sixes and a four in his six-ball to give Jadeja and someone like Sam ing,” Warner said at his pre-IPL Australia, we can go out, play him,” said Warner. cameo before Chennai triumphed by to go ahead in the batting order and press conference. golf and drive a car. Hopefully, “We know each other’s game five wickets with four balls to spare. express themselves,” Dhoni said after “It is the hardest thing not to we can do some recreational stuff well. We have a good under- “To be honest, very surprised I went in Saturday’s win. have family with us due to re- [here too]. But fi rst and foremost standing like I have with Finchy but he’s a genius, he obviously thought “They still had two spinners remaining, strictions. But these are unprec- is that the tournament gets go- (Aaron Finch) for Australia. something,” Curran said at Abu Dhabi’s and we tried to intimidate the bowler a edented times due to Covid-19. ing. It makes a diff erence.” Looking forward to good open- Sheikh Zayed Stadium. “A great win in bit, it was just a psychological aspect. The BCCI and the organisers SRH are expected to bank on ing partnerships with him.” the end.” “We know we bat quite deep and want- have done a fantastic job by Warner and Jonny Bairstow at SRH start their campaign this The left-handed batsman reckoned his ed them to go after the bowler. If you putting this up. the top of the order once again to season against Royal Challengers promotion was partly because Dhoni clear one or two (sixes), then it is easier “Obviously the next few provide the runs. Bangalore today at the Dubai In- wanted a left-right combination and for the batsmen to follow.” (IANS) months will be challenging. In “It’s good to play alongside ternational Stadium. Gulf Times Monday, September 21, 2020 7 SPORT

GOLF / US OPEN RUGBY Youth likely to Wolff steals show, put pressure leads DeChambeau on Rennie for Bledisloe Tests

Reuters only one of the 16-uncapped Sydney, Australia players pushing Rennie to throw by two strokes them into the hot seat for the matches for the symbol of trans- allabies coach Dave Tasman supremacy and which Wolff could become first player to win his US Open debut since Ouimet in 1913 Rennie looks set to has been held by New Zealand be the main ben- since 2003. Reuters efi ciary of a decision The Brumbies’ Irae Simone Wby the country’s Super Rugby and Reds’ Hunter Paisami Mamaroneck, New York coaches to invest in youth with showed on Saturday they could several players likely to be press- be destructive in midfi eld, while atthew Wolff , play- ing for starting positions against the Reds scrumhalf Tate McDer- ing in only his sec- New Zealand’s All Blacks next mott has been superb all season. ond major, stole month. The Reds’ Harry Wilson also the show at an un- Rennie will get his hands on could be the hard running, hard Mforgiving Winged Foot with a the squad for the fi rst time this working number eight that scorching start and steady fi n- week after the ACT Brumbies Rennie needs to combat the All ish to grab an unlikely two-shot beat the Queensland Reds 28-23 Blacks loose forwards, who have lead over big-hitting Bryson De- to win the Super Rugby AU title a big, fast and physical edge to Chambeau after the third round in Canberra on Saturday. them this year. on Saturday. Brumbies fl yhalf Noah Lolesio Rennie’s toughest task will be Wolff , 21, began the day four was instrumental in his side win- in the tight fi ve, where experi- shots behind overnight leader ning the title and received a pre- enced locks Adam Coleman, Iza- Patrick Reed but erased that dictable vote of confi dence from ck Rodda and Rory Arnold have defi cit in seven holes en route his coach Dan McKellar when all gone overseas, although the to a fi ve-under-par 65 that tied asked if he felt he should start uncapped Trevor Hosea looks to the low round of the week and the Bledisloe Cup tests against be a player with enormous po- brought him to fi ve under overall. the All Blacks. tential. “I like to go out there and do “I think so,” McKellar told re- The Wallabies scrum should be what I feel comfortable with, porters after the victory. solid and while the ACT Brum- rip dog and see how it goes from “If you surround him with ex- bies’ Folau Fainga’a appears to be there,” said Wolff , who will look perience, a good forward pack, the only hooker capable of con- to become the fi rst player to win which they’ll have (in) the Walla- sistent lineout accuracy, Reds the US Open in his tournament bies, a good scrum, lineout, maul coach Brad Thorn was optimistic. debut since Francis Ouimet in and he can play, if you get on the “Everyone has talked about 1913. front-foot he’s very dangerous. the talent coming through,” “I feel comfortable with every “He’s certainly good enough.” Thorn said. “It’s good for Aus- part of my game so I don’t like Lolesio is unlikely to be the tralian rugby.” to shy away from things when I’m feeling confi dent, and I’m probably going to do the same tomorrow.” The front nine at Winged Foot is one of the more daunting stretches in golf but a steadfast Wolff came out fi ring lasers at tricky pin positions and reached the turn with a blistering fi ve- under 30 after fi ve birdies. Wolff , who hit just two of 14 fairways, made his lone bogey at the par-four 16th but responded in style with a birdie at the last after sticking his approach shot to 10 feet. It was another diffi cult day of scoring at Winged Foot as only seven players managed to break par on a layout renowned Matthew Wolff of the United States plays a shot from the rough on the 17th hole during the third round of the 120th US Open at Winged Foot for its narrow fairways, thick Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, on Saturday. (AFP) rough and wildly undulating and SPOTLIGHT speedy greens. needs to be better than that to 205 — Matthew Wolff (USA) Among those who struggled Lee withdraws from US Open aft er win a US Open.” 66-74-65 under the tough conditions and 18th hole meltdown Former British Open cham- 207 — Bryson DeChambeau faded from contention were pion Louis Oosthuizen (68) was (USA) 69-68-70 Knocked off his former world number ones Jus- alone in third place, four shots 209 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) tin Thomas and Jon Rahm after New Zealand golfer Danny Lee unravelled spectacularly. back of Wolff , while Hideki Mat- 67-74-68 matching 76s. withdrew from the US Open Lee was three over heading suyama (70), Xander Schauff ele 210 — Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) game, Reed left DeChambeau (70), who be- citing a wrist injury after a into the par-four 18th but six- (70) and Harris English (72) were 71-69-70, Xander Schauff ele gan the day one shot back of disastrous finish to his third putted from four feet to sign each a further shot adrift. (USA) 68-72-70, Harris English Reed, made a bogey-bogey round on Saturday left him off with a quintuple bogey Four-times major champion (USA) 68-70-72 without answers start but leaned on his power to 13 strokes behind leader Mat- nine. Rory McIlroy was six shots back 211 — Rory McIlroy (NIR) 67-76-68 chase down Wolff and squan- thew Wolff . The 30-year-old missed putts of the lead. 212 — Zach Johnson (USA) dered a chance to finish within Lee fired rounds of 70 and 75 from four feet, five feet, five World number 10 Reed (77) 70-74-68, Viktor Hovland (NOR) one shot of the lead when he to make the cut at an unforgiv- feet, six feet and three feet drained a nine-foot birdie at 71-71-70, Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) two-putted from six-feet for a ing Winged Foot but carded before finally holing from the ninth to share the lead but 68-70-74 closing bogey. an eight-over par 78 in the seven feet and announcing his fell apart over a nightmarish in- 213 — Alex Noren (SWE) 72-74- “Tomorrow I’ve just got to third round as his campaign withdrawal shortly after. ward nine during which he made 67, Lucas Glover (USA) 71-71-71, make sure my speed is a little bit six bogeys and a double-bogey Webb Simpson (USA) 71-71-71, better than it was starting out to fall into a share of 11th place, Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 68-73-72, the round and hitting the driver beau, who fi nished in a share Championship. eight shots back of Wolff . Thomas Pieters (BEL) 66-74-73, in the fairway,” said DeCham- of fourth at last month’s PGA “Today was pathetic and it LEADING ROUND III SCORES Patrick Reed (USA) 66-70-77

LPGA GOLF England’s Reid rolls to Portland lead

AFP the fi rst-round lead with Amer- Los Angeles, United States ican Cydney Clanton, followed her opening 66 with a four-un- der par 68 for a 10-under total el Reid fi red seven of 134. Reuters “My short game just could not birdies in a seven- She shook off a bogey at her Mamaroneck, New York save me today,” said Reed. “You under par 65 yes- opening hole, the 10th and put just can’t continue missing fair- terday to take a herself alone in second with a ways and missing greens and ex- Mtwo-stroke lead over defending birdie bomb at her fi nal hole, the disastrous seven-over pect to continue shooting under champion Hannah Green in the ninth. par performance saw par.” LPGA Portland Classic. “I got off to such a great start, former Masters cham- Reed, who is now eight strokes England’s Reid, a six-time so it’s always hard to back up a pion Patrick Reed back from leader Matthew Wolff , winner on the Ladies European low round,” said Green, whose Atumbling from the top spot of said it was tough to pinpoint Tour who is chasing a fi rst LPGA two wins last year included her the leaderboard on Saturday, as where things went wrong, telling title, heads into Sunday’s fi nal Portland triumph and her fi rst his hope for a US Open victory reporters he was “just off ” and round on 12-under par 132. major title at the Women’s PGA all but evaporated in the third struggled to hack his way out of “Put myself in great position, Championship. round. the thick rough at Winged Foot a position that everyone wants “But I’m really happy with my “Just kind of one of those days Golf Club. to be in, so I’m excited for the last putt — holed a long bomb that when I hit the quality good The 30-year-old, who is three opportunity tomorrow,” said there so gives me positive mo- golf shot, it still ended up in a over par through 54 holes, conced- Reid, who strung together four mentum for tomorrow.” spot on the green that I had to be ed that victory is unlikely headed birdies in a row from the sixth South Korean Amy Yang and really defensive, couldn’t actu- into the fi nale at Mamaroneck on through the ninth and rolled in American Amy Olson shared ally be aggressive with putting,” Sunday — though he was not ready her fi nal birdie of the day at the third on nine-under 135. said Reed (77), who had a one- to rule anything out. 18th. Yang had seven birdies with shot lead headed into Saturday’s “If I go out and shoot a re- “Just keep doing the same one bogey in her six-under 66 action. ally low one and fi nally hit some thing and see where tomorrow while Olson had four birdies The world number 10 drained fairways, hit some greens and afternoon takes us,” added Reid, without a bogey in her 68. a nine-foot birdie on the ninth make some putts, you never who shared seventh at the ANA last week, so kind of took that Thursday after the tournament “I think it did me a favour hav- Clanton tumbled out of con- hole but saw his game fall apart know. It’s a Sunday at a major,” Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, momentum going into this at Columbia Edgewater was re- ing an extra day off ,” she said. “I tention with a fi ve-over 75 that in a nightmarish back nine per- said Reed. “The guy that’s in the California, last week. week,” said Reid, who said she duced to 54 holes because of was pretty tired from last week.” included fi ve bogeys and a dou- formance with six bogeys and a lead is a great golfer, and all the “I felt like I hit it really good benefi ted from the day off on poor air quality due to wildfi res. Australia’s Green, who shared ble bogey to go with two birdies. double bogey. guys here are.”

Monday, September 21, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

CYCLING TENNIS Top seeds Halep and Pliskova to Pogacar claims clash in Rome fi nal

AFP Rome

op seed Simona Halep fi rst Tour title in set up a fi nal showdown with defending cham- pion Karolina Pliskova Tyesterday as the Romanian bids for her fi rst Italian Open title on her third attempt. World number two Halep ousted Garbine Muguruza 6-3, anti-climatic fi nale 4-6, 6-4 to close on a trophy she narrowly missed out on as run- ‘This is an incredible feeling, standing here in Paris on the top of the podium’ ner-up in 2017 and 2018. Second seed Pliskova eased past fellow Czech Marketa Von- drousova 6-2, 6-4 in the clay- court tune-up before the French Open. we will see. I am confi dent that I “Thank God I don’t play (Eli- have my chance.” na) Svitolina, because I lost two For Muguruza it was a fourth times against her,” joked Halep of semi-fi nal defeat in Rome, ahead the Ukrainian she twice fell to in of her challenge to recapture the the fi nal. French Open she won in 2016. “It’s a good chance tomorrow Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic (Monday).It’s a big challenge. I booked his ticket to the fi nal of really want to win this title, but the men’s event. it’s always tough.” A week before the start of Ro- After pulling level at one set land Garros, the Serbian, a four- each, Spanish ninth seed Mugu- time Rome winner, will play his ruza slumped to 5-1 down in the 10th fi nal on clay at Foro Italico third, before pulling out a string after dominating the Norwegian of winners to draw to within a Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3 in yester- game of Halep. day’s semi-fi nals. Serving to stay in the match, Nine-time Rome winner Ra- though, she hit successive dou- fael Nadal crashed out in the ble faults to hand Halep victory, quarter-fi nal on his return from in the match between two former a coronavirus-enforced break. French Open winners. “Of course, you know, with Wimbledon champion Halep Nadal in the fi nals and without extended her winning streak this Nadal in the fi nals makes a big season to 13 consecutive victo- diff erence,” said Djokovic, who ries, as she targets a 22nd career has lost three to Nadal, includ- title. She won the Dubai title in ing last season. The 33-year- February, before the coronavirus old, who along with Nadal has lockdown, coming back to claim been present at each Italian victory in Prague last month Open fi nal since 2005, plays ei- having skipped the US Open. ther Argentine eighth-seed Di- Pliskova eased past last year’s ego Schwartzman, who shocked French Open runner-up Von- Nadal, or Canadian Denis drousova, the former world one Shapovalov, the 12th seed, next. number fi nding her feet on clay after her disappointing second RESULTS round exit in the US Open where Women’s semi-finals: she was the top seed. Simona Halep (ROM x1) bt Garbine “It will be a tough battle,” said Muguruza (ESP x9) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 Halep who leads Pliskova 7-5 in Karolina Pliskova (CZE x2) bt previous meetings, with the pair Marketa Vondrousova (CZE x12) splitting their two matches on 6-2, 6-4 clay. Men semi-finals: “I know how to play against Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Casper Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, in action in the final stage yesterday. her because we played so many Ruud (NOR) 7-5, 6-3 times. But here, she won last Diego Schwartzman (ARG x8) bt Reuters one-two for one country since Bradley of the 107th edition. year, so she likes the court. Denis Shapovalov (CAN x12) 6-4, Paris Wiggins fi nished ahead of fellow Briton Ineos-Grenadiers had a Tour to for- “But I like also the court. So 5-7, 7-6 (7/4) Chris Froome in 2012. get as defending champion Egan Bernal “I want to thank all those who made it dropped out of contention in the Jura happen. It was three memorable weeks on stage to the Grand Colombier, pulling out adej Pogacar became the fi rst the French roads, with incredible crowds. a few days later with back pains. Qatar to host 2021 Asian Slovenian to win the Tour de I won’t fi nd the words to express my They recovered some pride later on, France after he retained the yel- feelings.” however, as Michal Kwiatkowski, their TT Championships low jersey in the 21st stage yes- Pogacar also won three stages in one of unsung hero for fi ve years, claimed an Tterday, a day after he pulled off a major the most brilliant individual performanc- emotional stage win — although that was Doha: The Qatar Table Tennis race during the ATTU General coup to take the overall lead. es in recent Tour history, leaving Roglic’s certainly not enough for a team who had Association announced that Assembly. While Sam Bennett won the fi nal stage, dominant Jumbo-Visma team wondering won seven of the previous eight editions. the Asian Table Tennis Union The State of Qatar is the first the day belonged to Team UAE Emirates what went wrong. It was an anti-climatic fi nale on the (ATTU) has off icially chosen the Arab and Gulf country to suc- rider Pogacar, who will celebrate his 22nd “We didn’t see it coming,” said Roglic’s Champs-Elysees as only 5,000 fans were State of Qatar to host the 25th ceed in winning the honour of birthday today and is the youngest man to team mate and former Tour runner-up allowed on the famous avenue as a pre- of the Asian Men’s and Women’s hosting the Asian Champion- win the race since Henri Cornet in 1904. Tom Dumoulin. Bennett became the caution against the coronavirus. Table Tennis Championships ship for the second time after Pogacar, who claimed the yellow jer- fi rst Irishman since Sean Kelly in 1989 to France reported 13,498 new confi rmed to be held in September 2021, the 2000 edition. sey from a stunned Primoz Roglic with a win the green jersey for the points clas- COVID-19 cases over the previous 24 on the sidelines of the ATTU Khalil al-Mohannadi, President monumental performance in Saturday’s sifi cation, ahead of Peter Sagan who was hours on Saturday, setting another record Executive Off ice meeting, which of the Qatari and Arab Table time trial, also won the white jersey for looking to claim it for a record-extending in daily additional infections since the was held via video conference. Tennis Associations and First the best Under-25 rider and the polka dot eighth time. start of the epidemic. The Executive Off ice decided to Vice President of the ATTU jersey for the mountains classifi cation. Bennett was the strongest at the end Reaching the Champs-Elysees was, assign the organisation of the and International Table Tennis Roglic ended up second, 59 seconds of the 122-km ride from Mantes-la Jolie however, a relief for organisers, who had Asian Table Tennis Champion- Federation (ITTF), expressed his behind, with Australian Richie Porte tak- yesterday, beating world champion Mads imposed strict sanitary rules to protect ships to the State of Qatar 20 happiness at the development. ing third place, 3:30 off the pace. French air force’s aerobatics unit “Pa- Pedersen, with Sagan coming home third. the race ‘bubble’. The bubble did not years after it hosted the tourna- He stressed that Qatar will “This is an incredible feeling, standing trouille de France” (PAF) performs as Swiss Marc Hirschi, the former Un- burst as only four team staff members ment in 2000, following the organise the tournament in here in Paris on the top of the podium. It the pack rides on the Champs-Elysees der-23 world champion was voted the tested positive and were removed from withdrawal of China and India accordance with international was an amazing three weeks, an incred- avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the most aggressive on the race after notably the race, preventing a spread that could from the hosting competition standards. ible journey,” said Pogacar after the fi rst background yesterday. taking a brilliant win in the longest stage have stopped the Tour.

MOTORCYCLING SPOTLIGHT Vinales cruises away to win ‘I know how to fi x it’: Nadal stunned in Emilia-Romagna MotoGP Rome before French Open title defence

AFP Vinales. “We have a big potential AFP champion was making his comeback after Misano Adriatico, Italy for the rest of the season.” Rome a long coronavirus-enforced break having Vinales was able to defend the skipped the US Open. lead comfortably, fi nishing more Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno paniard Maverick than four seconds clear, because afael Nadal warned he knew how to Busta, a US Open semi-fi nalist, 6-1, 6-1 in Vinales on a Yamaha Espargaro and Quartararo had fi x his errors before his French Open his fi rst match this week followed by Serb won the Emilia-Ro- tyre troubles which allowed Mir title defence after crashing in the Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-3. Smagna MotoGP yester- to pass both. quarter-fi nals of the Rome Masters But Schwartzman pulled out a stunning day to move up to within one “I am really tired, because I onR Saturday, the fi nal warm-up before Ro- performance to leave Nadal with no answer. point of the championship lead. had to give everything today, at land Garros. “After such a long time without compet- Joan Mir was second on a Su- each lap,” said Mir. “At the end, I The nine-time Rome winner slumped 6-2, ing, I played good two matches, and now zuki and another Spaniard Pol saw that I could see a highway to 7-5 on a humid night in the Italian capital to today I played a bad one against a good op- Espargaro (KTM) promoted a the podium.” Argentine Diego Schwartzman, a player the ponent,” said Nadal. place to third after Frenchman Espargaro said that after rac- second seed had beaten in all nine of their “It was not my night, at all,” he said. Then Fabio Quartararo of the Yama- victory for himself and Ducati- ing on medium tyres the week previous clashes. we have to think internally why, how I can fi x ha-SRT satellite team crossed Pramac when he leant a bit too before on the same track he had It was Nadal’s last chance to tune-up it.” Schwartzman, with just three career ti- the line behind Mir but was pe- far unto a corner with seven laps opted for softs because “I want- before his bid for a 13th French Open, and tles to Nadal’s 85, said he had come close a nalised for straying off the track. to go and slid off . ed to enjoy my race” adding that record-equalling 20th Grand Slam to match few times to beating the Spaniard. Andrea Dovizioso fi nished Vinales grabbed his chance he expected problems near the Roger Federer in just over a week. Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after losing a “I think four or fi ve times I was close eighth to cling to the champi- to become the sixth winner in end. “It’s a completely special and unpredict- point to Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman enough to feel like maybe if I play my best onship lead, one point ahead of seven MotoGP races this season. “It paid off , thanks also to the able year,” said the 34-year-old. during their quarter-final match of the tennis I’m going to have chances,” said the Quartararo and Vinales. “After he made the mistake I penalty of Fabio.” “I’ll probably go back home and then Italian Open on Saturday night. world number 15. Vinales started from pole but tried not to make a mistake and Quartararo, battling Espar- let’s see what’s going on. I did my job here. I “Also, he was coming back this tourna- soon lost the lead to Francesco take the points,” he said. garo strayed onto the green fought until the end. tising with the right attitude and try to give ment after seven months, more or less, eight Bagnaia. “We had prepared really well, out-of-bounds paint several But losing that many serves, you can’t ex- me a chance to be ready. months. And I was thinking, OK, tennis, The young Italian led by a I was very fast, I preserved my times, and having a warning on pect to win a match. “Something that I have “I did a couple of things well and other sometimes it’s really crazy and I was not second and a half at one stage tyres well at the start and I was his dashboard received a three- to fi x. I know how to do it. things bad. And that’s it. At least I played playing good, but today maybe I have the and was still on course for a fi rst able to attack when I had to”, said second penalty. “I’m going to keep working and keep prac- three matches.” The two-time defending chance.”