FRIDAY 30 AUGUST 2019 SPORT 17 My performances have been getting better and better each year, Valtteri Bottas says after and this is a great way to kick start the announcement that FOOTBALL CRICKET the second half of 2019. My overall he will stay at Mercedes : Sevilla vs Celta Vigo; Second Test, Day 1: target is to become Formula One for another year. Athletic Bilbao vs West Indies vs India at ACTION Sabina Park, Kingston world champion. Real Sociedad TODAY’S Men’s Basketball World Cup set to kick off in China United States face tough task to retain title

REUTERS With the likes of Boston Celtics guard Kemba BELGRADE Anthony Davis, James Walker, one of the roster’s high Kemba Walker of the US Harden and Damnian profile players, acknowledged dribbles past Canada’s If the build-up to the men’s Lillard among the 17 the Americans had a mountain Thomas Scrubb (right) basketball World Cup in China to climb if they are to clinch a players who pulled during their friendly match is anything to go by, holders the third successive world title. in Sydney on Monday. United States face a daunting out, the Americans “A lot of us are primary task to win their sixth title after have been forced to scorers on our (NBA) teams, but a stack of household NBA names deploy a depleted side. right now, USA Basketball, it’s dropped out of their roster. not about that,” he said. With the likes of LA Lakers “It’s about us sacrificing and centre Anthony Davis, Houston The United States understanding how we can help Rockets guard James Harden and start their Group E this team win games.” Portland Trail Blazers playmaker campaign against the The United States start their Damnian Lillard among the 17 Czech Republic on Group E campaign against the players who pulled out, the Czech Republic on Sunday, fol- Americans have been forced to Sunday, followed by lowed by games against Turkey deploy a depleted team. games against Turkey and Japan. They got a taste what awaits and Japan. Serbia are likely to feature as at the August 31-September. 15 the prime candidates to topple tournament in China, which also Serbia are likely to the Americans with five NBA doubles as an Olympic qualifier, players in their ranks, including when they suffered a 98-94 feature as the prime last season’s All-NBA First Team warm-up defeat by a fired-up candidates to topple centre Nikola Jokic. Australia in Melbourne on the Americans with The Denver Nuggets pillar Saturday. five NBA players in will be instrumental in Serbia’s Coach Gregg Popovich, the bid to avenge defeats by the US winner of five NBA titles with the their ranks, including in the 2014 world title showdown San Antonio Spurs, put on a last season’s All-NBA and the 2016 Olympic final, The Greeks will rely on the first World Cup podium finish Spain, the 2006 champions, brave face after the setback First Team centre alongside the Sacramento Kings 2019 NBA regular season’s most after they reached the last 16 in should also feature as strong although he conceded the US had Nikola Jokic. duo of Bogdan Bogdanovic and valuable player Giannis the 2014 tournament. contenders with Marc Gasol, who been taught a lesson by a team Nemanja Bjelica. Antetokounmpo, but the Steady improvement saw the won the 2019 NBA title with the featuring as one of the World The Serbians won all eight of support cast will also need to Australians finish fourth in the Toronto Raptors, leading their Cup’s dark horses. Basketball official website their warm-up games, including fire on all cylinders for the ver- 2016 Olympics but their chal- charge. “I think that it was a great (usab.com). an 85-80 overtime defeat of satile Milwaukee Bucks forward lenge will be hampered by the Seven teams - two each from learning situation for us, just “These guys are grown men. Greece in Athens when they to shine. absence of point guard Ben the Americas and Europe as well about playing FIBA basketball They have families. It’s their job. edged the home side thanks to Spurs guard Patty Mills, who Simmons, who averaged 16.9 as one apiece from Africa, Asia - the physicality, the rules, how If you have a bad day, what do you Bogdanovic’s prolific shooting nailed 30 points in Australia’s points and 7.7 assists per game and Oceania, will qualify auto- it’s played, how it’s refereed,” do? Jump in a hole somewhere? despite Jokic being rested by memorable win against the US, for the Philadelphia 76ers last matically for the 2020 Tokyo Popovich told the USA You go to work the next day.” coach Aleksandar Djordjevic. will lead Australia’s quest for a season. Olympics. Golf: McIlroy no Serena and Federer rally to win; fan of compacted majors schedule Djokovic hurt at rainy US Open

REUTERS AFP many errors today. What were you NEW YORK NEW YORK thinking?’ But I’m alive. I’m happy. I’ll do better next time. I promise.” Rory McIlroy is not a fan of golf’s new compacted Serena Williams nearly crashed out Djokovic, winner of four of the major schedule and fears it might make the sport of the rain-hit US Open on past five Slam titles and 16 in all, was irrelevant to fans for much of the year, the world Wednesday while top-ranked treated for a sore left shoulder number two said on Wednesday. defending champion Novak throughout his 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 The majors came thick and fast this year, Djokovic battled through shoulder victory over Argentina’s 56th- played in a 101-day window from April to July, pain and Roger Federer advanced ranked Juan Ignacio Londero. starting with the Masters and ending with the despite a weak start. “It was definitely affecting my British Open. US eighth seed Serena Williams, serve and backhand,” Djokovic said The PGA Championship’s move from August seeking her 24th career Grand Slam of his shoulder injury. “I was defi- to May meant that players barely had a chance title to match Margaret Court’s all- nitely tested.” to catch their breath between one major and the time record, got a scare before Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam next. ousting 17-year-old US wildcard winner who last won the US Open “I’d like to see them spaced out the way tennis Caty McNally 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. in 2008, rallied to beat 99th-ranked does it,” McIlroy told the BBC on the eve of the McNally, who hadn’t been born Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 3-6, 6-2, European Masters in the Swiss Alps. when Williams won her first Slam 6-3, 6-4. “(Tennis) have the Australian Open in January at the 1999 US Open, threatened a The 38-year-old Swiss third and the US Open is going on now. struggling Williams from the start seed, who also dropped the first set “They have a nine-month window of relevancy. before the six-time US Open against Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal You want to stay relevant for as long as possible champion won nine of the last 11 in his opener, answered the throughout the year and I don’t know by spacing games to escape under the roof at wake-up call despite 17 first-set the (golf) majors so close together that that’s the Arthur Ashe Stadium. unforced errors. right thing to do.” “I survived tonight. I’m not too “It’s just a bit frustrating more Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning his second round McIlroy says his victory at the Tour Champi- pleased with the way I played at all,” than anything, especially when the match against Juan Ignacio Londero of Argentina on day three of the onship in Atlanta on Sunday, where he earned $15m Williams said. level is that low and there are that 2019 US Open on Wednesday. by winning the season-long FedEx Cup points race, “’Serena, you made way too many errors and the energy is not helped “soften the blow” of not winning a major kind of there,” said the Swiss star. Open repeat winner since Federer in 2019. “But can only do better, which is a won from 2004-2008, admitting “The money’s nice... but the satisfaction of Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after defeating Damir great thing moving forward. he wondered if he would even get winning the Fedex Cup and beating the guys that Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. “I clearly have to play better through the first set. I beat down the stretch, that’s what makes me from the get-go.” “This is something I’ve been car- happy,” he told the European Tour. What the year’s final Grand rying for quite a while now,” “I feel I’m in a very privileged position where Slam event lacked in quantity, with Djokovic said. that money isn’t going to change my life in any 22 singles matches postponed by “It wasn’t easy to play with the way. showers, it overcame with quality pain, but you have to hope you will “It’s more about the competitiveness and in amazing matches that challenged get some opportunities and some getting myself back in a position where I feel I can three of the greatest stars in tennis lucky shots. be the best golfer in the world again.” history. “It’s not the first time I’m facing McIlroy urged golf followers to consider a One point from surrendering a this kind of adversity or challenge. wider body of work than just the majors when break into a tie-breaker, McNally It is what it is and I’m just grateful assessing a player’s season. won six of the final seven points, the to be on the court.” The Northern Irishman has won four majors, last on a service winner, to capture Five-time US Open winner but it has been five years and counting since his the first set. Both players made 15 Federer, who lost to Djokovic in last most recent triumph. unforced errors. month’s epic Wimbledon final, McIlroy has a busy slate of tournaments over “I couldn’t play too much worse started poorly but broke early in the next two months. at that point,” Williams said. “I was each of the last three sets and held He will play in England and Scotland next making so many errors off my serve to the end. month before heading to Asia in October for the forehand. I knew I could play “I buckled down and told myself Zozo Championship in Japan and the WGC-HSBC better.” I was going to hang tough and not Champions in China. Djokovic’s injury casts grave get broken,” Federer said. doubts on his bid to be the first US “That made a big difference.” 18 SPORT FRIDAY 30 AUGUST 2019

Starc strikes as Qatar triathlon team’s summer training camp Smith returns to action for Aussies

AFP of 3-46 from 16 overs in Derby- DERBY shire’s total of 168-8 with uncapped fellow quick Michael Austraia’s Mitchell Starc Neser, not expected to feature (pictured) pressed his claims for at Old Trafford, having taken a Test place with three 3-31 in 11. in an over against Derbyshire as South African batsman Leus star batsman Steve Smith played du Plooy, in at nought for two, yesterday in his first match since was 82 . being concussed. Fans hoping to see Smith bat Left-arm fast bowler Starc for the first time since the drawn has yet to feature in a five-match second Test at Lord’s, when he Ashes series that is all square at was hit on his unprotected neck 1-1 with two to play following after being struck by a 92mph England’s dramatic one- Jofra Archer bouncer, had to win in the third Test at Head- wait with Derbyshire captain Qatari athletes in action during the national triathlon team’s altitude summer training camp ingley last week. Billy Godleman deciding to bat in the Swiss Alps, which lasted for five weeks. The team has now moved to the lakeside city of But Starc did his chances of after winning the toss. Montreux to give final touches to their preparations ahead of the biggest race of the season - the being included for next week’s Smith’s injury at Lord’s saw ITU Grand Final. Saad Al Mejali will be eyeing a top 10 finish while Ebrahim Al Romaihi is doubtful fourth Test in Manchester no Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne for the event due to injuries. harm by working up towards his become ’s first con- top speed after lunch on the cussion substitute. opening day of a three-day tour But Smith is set to return to game against the English county Ashes action next week provided in Derby yesterday. he comes through this match in Having gone wicketless Derby unscathed. before lunch, Starc had Matt The 30-year-old marked his Bottas stays at Mercedes; Critchley caught behind return to Test cricket following mishooking by Alex Carey for a 12-month ban that cost him the an entertaining 11 off five balls Australia captaincy with scores featuring two well-struck fours. of 144 and 142 during Australia’s Ocon joins team Renault Carey was in as wicketkeeper 251-run win in the series opener for rested Australia captain Tim at Edgbaston. Paine. In Derby, Smith spent most AFP NextNext ballball AlfiAlfiee ofof thethe fifirstrst two sesssessionsions fielding SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS Gleadall was clean- at secondsecond slip.slip. bowledbowled bbyy a ball that He also bbowled Valtteri Bottas will remain as waswas simpsimplyly too quicquickk tthehe lastla over Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes forfor him. bebefore team-mate next year while Tony Palladino susur-r- lunch,lun with Esteban Ocon will replace Nico vivedvived thethe hat-trickhat-trick onlyonly the occa- Hulkenberg at Renault, the to be bowled for a sionalsi teams announced yesterday. duck off the last ball spinner’sspi Frenchman Ocon’s return to ofof thethe 47th47th over.over. warwarm-up a race seat after a season spent AtAt teatea,, StarStarcc deliverydeli as test and reserve driver with had figuresfiguress sailingsailing yards Mercedes was announced soon widewide bebefore he after the champions Mercedes startedstarted tthe over had decided to give Bottas a properproper withwi a full fourth year alongside the five- Esteban Ocon Valtteri Bottas ttoss.oss. time champion Hamilton. On a busy first day back after the European summer shutdown, driver,” said Ocon, formerly a they had exercised an option to with the team, Mercedes is the the Formula One paddock was test driver with the team. retain Bottas, who was 30 on best option for me to achieve that alive with transfer talk and other “I have grown up at Enstone, Wednesday. goal in 2020.” speculation including a likely starting with Lotus in 2010 and Since joining Mercedes in Team chief Toto Wolff said Dhoni absent from T20 return to action by Marcus then with Renault. 2017, the Finn has won five Bottas had shown his best form Ericsson at Alfa Romeo ahead of “I am very attached to this Grands Prix and is second behind this year and remained “hungry the Belgian Grand Prix on team and everyone who works Hamilton in this year’s title race. for more and determined to squad, Pandya returns Sunday. there -- they are the ones who “I am very happy and proud keep on improving and raising Ocon has been signed on a opened the doors of top level to be part of the team for a fourth his level - the mind-set we AFP two-year contract as team-mate motorsport for me. season and wish to thank every want from all our team NEW DELHI for Daniel Ricciardo in a bid to “Secondly, I am pleased that team member and the board of members.” boost the French team’s compet- a team with big ambitions has Mercedes for their trust and After a winless season, Bottas Former captain MS Dhoni was left out of India’s squad itiveness, a move that has left the entrusted me with the oppor- belief in me,” said Bottas. bounced back this year with two announced yesterday for three matches against South Africa. widely-liked Hulkenberg in tunity to once again demonstrate “My overall target is to wins and seven other podium Fit-again all-rounder Hardik Pandya is the only change from search of a vacant seat for 2020. my skills at the highest level of become Formula One world finishes to emerge as Hamilton’s the squad for the series starting September 15 in Dharamsala. “First and foremost, I am F1.” champion. I believe that on main rival as the Briton bids for Youngster Rishabh Pant is being groomed to take over from very proud to become a Renault Earlier, Mercedes confirmed paper, and from my experience a sixth title. Dhoni as the team’s first-choice gloveman. India squad Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wkt), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Rahul Hamilton launches burger chain Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini BLOOMBERG As someone who follows a plant-based LONDON diet, I believe we need a healthier Vietnam joins F1 high-street option that tastes amazing but Sri Lankan ‘mystery Racing-driver Lewis also offers something exciting to those who calendar in record Hamilton (pictured) is want to be meat-free every now and again: jumping on the meat-free spinner’ Mendis retires boom by helping launch Lewis Hamilton 22-race season an international plant- based burger chain. locations over the next 2 something exciting to AFP REUTERS The vegan Formula years. Neat Burger will those who want to be SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS COLOMBO One champion has feature Beyond Meat meat-free every now and invested in Neat Burger, Inc.’s vegetable-based again,” Hamilton said in Formula One announced a record 22-race season Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis a fast-food joint which burgers, mixed with its a statement yesterday. next year with Vietnam joining the championship (pictured), who burst on to the will offer a variety of own herbs and Fast-food chains have and the Dutch Grand Prix making its return to scene as world cricket’s mystery meat-meat- and dairy-freedairy-free ingredients. been quick this year to delight Max Verstappen and his fans at the iconic spinner a decade ago, has bburgers,urgers, hothot dogsdogs andand “As“As sosomeonemeone whwhoo oofferffer plant-basedplant-base meat Zandvoort circuit. announced his retirement from milkshakes.milkshakes. follows a plant-plant- andand ddairyairy susubstitutesbstitu in a But Red Bull’s gifted young Dutch driver won’t all formats of the game at the It’sIt’s set to basedbased diet,diet, I race to win overove con- have the chance to repeat last month’s success age of 34, the International launchlaunch itsits bebelievelieve wwee sumers lookinlookingg to cut at Hockenheim with the German Grand Prix Cricket Council said on firstfirst outletoutlet nneedeed a downdown on animaanimall protein,p dropped from F1’s draft calendar released Wednesday. in LondonLondon healthierhealthier out of environmentalenvironme or yesterday. Mendis made his debut on MondayMonday high-h igh- healthhealth concerns. Germany’s four-time world champion against West Indies in a one- andand plansplans to ststreetr eet Burger King hhas been Sebastian Vettel described the loss of his home dayer in April 2008 but it was expandexpand optoptioni on sellingselling veveggieggie bburgers race as “a great pity”. his remarkable haul of six for 13 globallyglobally thatthat tastes mmadeade byby ImpossibleImp “Perhaps next year or the years that follow against India in the Asia Cup 50 ODI wickets, taking just 19 by amazinga mazi ng Foods Inc.,Inc., whilewhile Nestle we’ll realise that F1 should be in Germany,” the final three months later that games. Mendis took seven openingopening 14 fran-fran- but alsoalso SASA is suppsupplyinglying McDon-M Ferrari driver said at Spa-Francorchamps ahead turned heads around the world. wickets in six matches at the chiseschises in Man-Man- offers ald’sald’s Corp. in GeGermany.r of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix. His trademark “carrom 2011 50-overs World Cup but hattan, Los AnAngelesgeles BeyondBeyond Meat’sMeat’ shares “F1 can’t allow itself to lose races where motor balls” - a disguised legbreak soon lost his spot in the Sri andand ototherh er havehave surgesurgedd momore than racing has a long history like in Great Britain, produced by flicking the ball Lanka team as batsmen began 500% sincesince itsit initial Italy or Germany.” The 2020 season retains its between the thumb and the to read his variations. public offeoffering in traditional opener in Melbourne on March 15, middle finger - left batsmen He last featured played May. TheThe companyco with the chequered flag falling again in Abu Dhabi befuddled in the age of video international cricket in 2015 in suppliessupplies fast-foodfa on November 29. analysis. a one-dayer against New chainschains includingin Vietnam becomes the 34th country to stage Mendis claimed 26 wickets Zealand in Christchurch. KFCKFC and an F1 Grand Prix with the Hanoi race on April 5, in his maiden Test series against He finished with 70 wickets DunDunkin’ with the Dutch race, back after a 35-year absence, India, a record for a three-match in 19 Tests, 152 in 87 ODIs and Donuts.Don scheduled for May 3. The calendar still has to be debut rubber, and also went on 66 in 39 Twenty20 approved by the sport’s ruling body, the FIA. to become the fastest player to internationals. FRIDAY 30 AUGUST 2019 SPORT 19 Qatar Airways, Al Sadd reveal new Injury-hit Real, Barca jersey in action-packed video shoot face tricky

THE PENINSULA team both for their upcoming appearance away tests DOHA in the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, and also for the new season ahead.” REUTERS Qatar Airways and Al Sadd SC unveiled The 2019 16th FIFA Club World Cup MADRID the latest team jersey in an exciting new is a tournament will feature appearances video filmed inside the airline’s ultra- from the winners of six continental con- An injury-ravaged Real Madrid modern hangar at Hamad International federations, as well as the host nation’s will visit Villarreal in La Liga on Airport (HIA). league champions, and kicks-off at Al Sunday, looking to bounce back As Main Partner since 2017, the iconic Sadd stadium on December 11. European from last weekend’s disappointing Qatar Airways Oryx logo features prom- champions, Liverpool FC and CONCACAF home draw with minnows Real inently across the front of the updated Al champions, CF Monterrey, are among the Valladolid. Sadd jersey in the one-minute video, high profile teams already confirmed to Meanwhile, Barcelona travel which captures the excitement of the be taking part. Qatar Airways’ partnership to newly-promoted Osasuna beautiful game against the backdrop of with Al Sadd SC is one of many similar without their first choice front line. the vast airline’s aircraft maintenance agreements with top-name football clubs Real will likely be without facility. around the world, including German Bun- Eden Hazard, Brahim Diaz, Marco The video features Al Sadd players, desliga giants, FC Bayern München AG; Asensio, Rodrygo, Isco and James including Qatar national squad captain much-loved Italian club, Rodriguez for the trip east after Hassan Al Haydos, entering the AS Roma; Argentinian team, Boca the latter duo picked up muscle impressive 150,000 square metre hangar Juniors, and Belgian side, K.A.S. Eupen. problems this week. Defender Al Sadd players sporting new team jerseys, featuring Qatar Airways logo. building – one of the largest, most In addition to this, the airline is the Official Raphael Varane also missed advanced in the aviation industry, with Partner and Official Airline of FIFA, as training on Thursday. enough room to accommodate 13 air- team at the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar Airways Senior Vice President well as Official Global Airline Partner of Madrid have suffered 10 craft of different configurations – before December,” he said. Marketing & Corporate Communications, the South American Football Confeder- injuries so far this season, more engaging in a fast-paced ‘kick about’ ref- “This tournament will be the ideal Ms. Salam Al Shawa, said: “As the multi ation (CONMEBOL) until 2022. than any other team in Spain’s top ereed by baton-holding Aircraft Mar- opportunity for both the State of Qatar award-winning national carrier for the The National Carrier of the State of flight and manager Zinedine shalls, and finally revealing the new-look and Qatar Airways to showcase its com- State of Qatar, the opportunity to work Qatar has launched a host of exciting new Zidane was forced to call up a kit. mitment to the sport in front of millions in partnership with the country’s most destinations in 2019, including Lisbon, number of reserve team and Qatar Airways Group Chief Exec- of fans ahead of the 2022 FIFA World successful football club is an incredible Portugal; Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Davao, youth players to make up utive, H E Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are Cup.,” Al Baker said. honour. The new video is our way of Philippines; Izmir, Turkey; and numbers during Thursday’s extremely proud of our airline’s “In the meantime we hope that this showcasing Qatar Airways’ commitment Mogadishu, Somalia; and will add session. extensive sporting partnership portfolio, video helps to show the world a taste of to this much-loved local team, who will Langkawi, Malaysia; and Gaborone, Bot- Zidane, who returned for a particularly our links to FIFA and the passion, skill and dedication that exists carry our logo in pride of place on the swana, to its extensive network in October second spell in charge of the club football. within our nation’s footballing community, front of the squad shirt for the second year 2019. A multiple award-winning airline, in March, has asked the fans to “We are also excited that fans from and I cannot think of a more appropriate running.” Qatar Airways was named ‘Airline of the back the squad, rather than pres- across the world will soon be able to see setting than the impressive surroundings “It is also an opportunity for us to Year’ for the fifth time by the 2019 World suring them to perform. the new-look Al Sadd jersey when the of Qatar Airways’ world-class, state-of- involve our extensive network in moti- Airline Awards, managed by international “I can see the side feel more players take to the pitch as the home the-art aircraft hangar,” he said. vating fans to support and encourage the air transport rating organisation Skytrax. under pressure given the campaign we had last year,” the Frenchman said. “I can feel it too in the Bernabeu because the fans are thinking this too. This needs to Spurs seek derby boost after loss at home change. “I know it’s difficult, but I ask REUTERS reverse of a different kind, falling that just like when they were MANCHESTER to a 3-1 loss at early leaders Liv- Tottenham behind us and we were winning erpool, and will be desperate to Hotspur’s Son things, we need the fans to get Tottenham Hotspur head into avoid a derby defeat. Heung-min behind us now. Sunday’s North London derby Spanish manager Unai (left) and Toby Barcelona travel to Osasuna badly in need of the injection of Emery may be tempted to go Alderweireld the day before with fitness con- confidence that a victory over with a three-pronged attack for react after cerns of their own. old rivals Arsenal would surely the first time with new arrival their Premier Forwards Lionel Messi, bring. Nicolas Pepe impressing on the League Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez Spurs suffered a surprise right-wing and offering a poten- match against will all miss the trip to Navarre, with home defeat by Newcastle tially potent trident with Alex- Newcastle youngster Ansu Fati, who at 16 United last weekend, a lack- andre Lacazette and Pierre- United at the years and 298 days became the lustre performance that showed Emerick Aubameyang. Tottenham club’s second-youngest ever deb- they have yet to find their feet Brazilian defender David Hotspur utant in La Liga last weekend, likely in this campaign. Luiz, a close-season signing Stadium in to be included again. With manager Mauricio from Chelsea, suffered a tough London, Britain Atletico Madrid, who are one Pochettino in downbeat mood time at the hands of Liverpool’s on Sunday. of two sides with a 100% record, and worrying about the potential Mohamed Salah at Anfield and host Eibar on Sunday without loss of players before the will need to up his game against forward Alvaro Morata but will European transfer window Harry Kane and Son games, shouldn’t have too many Champions Manchester City since and have a new manager welcome back Diego Costa after closes, there has been a strange Heung-min. concerns about facing the are two points behind Liverpool in Graham Potter. he served an eight-match ban mood around a club who were Liverpool travel to Burnley Clarets, who spent last season but will expect to take care of After beating Chelsea 4-0 in dating back to last season for Champions League runners-up on Saturday for a fixture which fighting the drop. business at the Etihad against their season opener, Ole Gunnar insulting a referee. last season. manager Juergen Klopp believes Although Liverpool won last Brighton. Solskjaer’s Manchester United The weekend kicks off as As Brazilian forward Lucas is “tricky” for his side. season’s meeting at Turf Moor Pep Guardiola’s side have drawn at Wolves and lost Sevilla, the other team to have won Moura noted, however, there is On paper, a team who have 3-1, they trailed until the 62nd clinched the title with a 4-1 win at home to Crystal Palace and both games, host Celta Vigo before nothing like a derby to set the enjoyed a club record-equalling minute and Klopp will at Brighton on the final day of Tomorrow’s visit to Southampton Real Sociedad travel to Athletic pulses racing. 12 straight league wins and have remember their 2-0 loss to Sean the season, although the south will be a test of a young United Bilbao in the Basque derby. The Gunners suffered a scored nine goals in their three Dyche’s side three years ago. coast team have strengthened side’s ability to bounce back. Petkovic stuns sixth seed Kvitova as Osaka advances

AGENCIES Germany’s Andrea NEW YORK Petkovic celebrates during her US Open Top-ranked defending champion Naomi In the men’s section, Dan Evans beat second round match Osaka advanced as Czech sixth seed France’s 25th seed Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-3 against Petra Kvitova of Petra Kvitova was knocked out of the US 6-7(4) 6-4 to move into the third round Czech Republic at USTA Open yesterday. where the unseeded Briton will meet Billie Jean King National Osaka reached the third round by Roger Federer. Tennis Center in New defeating Poland’s Magda Linette 6-2, 6-4. Australian Alex de Minaur beat York, yesterday. The 21-year-old Japanese star, also Chile’s Cristian Garin 6-3 7-5 6-3 to the reigning Australian Open champion, advance. will next face either US 15-year-old Coco Garin, the 31st seed, made 51 Gauff, the world number 140 who unforced errors, nearly three times as reached the fourth round in July at Wim- many as De Minaur, who has now bledon, or 112th-ranked Hungarian qual- reached the third round two years in ifier Timea Babos. succession. Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, was beaten by Germany’s 88th-ranked Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 6-4. Petkovic, whose best US Open showing was a 2011 quarter-final run, reached the third round for the first time US OPEN: YESTERDAY’S SECOND ROUND RESULTS since 2015 and will face either Czech Kristyna Pliskova or Belgian 25th seed Men’s singles Elise Mertens. David Goffin (15), Belgium, def. Gregoire Barrere, France, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Denis Kudla, United States, def. Dusan Lajovic (27), Serbia, 7-5, 7-5, 0-6, 6-3. Britain’s Johanna Konta beat Mar- Japan’s Naomi Daniel Evans, Britain, def. Lucas Pouille (25), France, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4. garita Gasparyan 6-1 6-0, smashing 24 Osaka returns Kamil Majchrzak, Poland, def. Pablo Cuevas, Uruguay, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. winners past the hapless Russian and a shot during Women's Singles converting six of 10 break points in a her women’s Andrea Petkovic, Germany, def. Petra Kvitova (6), Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-4. 54-minute match. singles second Sofia Kenin (20), United States, def. Laura Siegemund, Germany, 7-6 (4), 6-0. Meanwhile, China’s Wang Qiang round match Ons Jabeur, Tunisia, def. Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Belarus, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. overcame the challenge of Belgium’s against Naomi Osaka (1), Japan, def. Magda Linette, Poland, 6-2, 6-4. Alison Van Uytvanck with a 7-5 6-4 win. Magda Linette Johanna Konta (16), Britain, def. Margarita Gasparyan, Russia, 6-1, 6-0. Both players smashed 19 winners each of Poland, Elise Mertens (25), Belgium, def. Kristyna Pliskova, Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-2. but the Belgian’s 37 unforced errors yesterday. Anett Kontaveit (21), Estonia, def. Ajla Tomljanovic, Australia, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. proved to be her downfall. FRIDAY 30 AUGUST 2019 20

PAGE | 17 PAGE | 18 Serena and Bottas stays at Federer rally to Mercedes; Ocon win; Djokovic hurt joins team at rainy US Open Renault Champions League: Barca get tough draw; Real to meet PSG GROUP STAGE DRAW AFP Former MONACO Netherlands star Wesley GROUP A: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona will have to come through Sneijder picks Club Brugge, Galatasaray. a group containing both Borussia Paris St Germain GROUP B: Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Dortmund and Inter Milan after the during the UEFA Olympiakos, Red Star Belgrade. three former winners all came out Champions GROUP C: Manchester City, Shaktar Donetsk, together in yesterday’s UEFA Cham- League Group pions League group stage draw in Stage draw Dinamo Zagreb, Atalanta. Monaco, while holders Liverpool will in Monaco, GROUP D: Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Bayer face Napoli again. yesterday. Leverkusen, Lokomotiv Moscow. Barcelona, Dortmund and Inter, GROUP E: Liverpool, Napoli, Salzburg, Genk. with nine European Cups between them, were drawn together in Group GROUP F: Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, F along with the Czech champions Inter Milan, Slavia Prague. Slavia Prague. GROUP G: Zenit St. Petersburg, Benfica, UEFA Men’s Player-of-the-Year award winner Beaten by Liverpool in the semi- Lyon, Leipzig. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) finals last season, Lionel Messi and GROUP H: Chelsea, Ajax, Valencia, Lille Barcelona remain favourites to advance as they seek a first Cham- pions League crown since 2015. between familiar opponents else- Van Dijk and Dortmund won the trophy in 1997 where, with Zinedine Zidane’s Real and lost in the final in 2013. Now Madrid renewing acquaintances with coached by Antonio Conte, Inter beat Paris Saint-Germain in Group A. Bronze win top Barcelona in the semi-finals en route Real eliminated the French cham- to winning the most recent of their pions in the last 16 on the way to UEFA honours three titles in 2010. winning the trophy two seasons ago. Liverpool advanced from their After losing in last season’s final, well as former Champions League Turkish champions Galatasaray AFP group at the expense of Napoli last Tottenham Hotspur can look forward runners-up Valencia and Lille in and Club Brugge of Belgium complete MONACO season on the way to lifting their sixth to a meeting with German champions Group H. Group A. European Cup in Madrid, and Carlo Bayern Munich in Group B. champions Man- Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk won the Ancelotti’s side now have a chance to That will be the first meeting of chester City were handed the kindest will come up against Atletico Madrid UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award yesterday, gain revenge. the clubs since the 1983-84 UEFA Cup. draw of all four English representa- again after beating the Spanish side edging out Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Both clubs will be fancied to They will also meet Greek champions tives, with Pep Guardiola’s men in the last 16 last season. They will also while Lucy Bronze took the women’s prize. progress from Group E, which is com- Olympiakos and Red Star Belgrade of coming up against Italian debutants face Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Dutchman Van Dijk starred as Liverpool won pleted by Austrian champions Salzburg Serbia, the 1991 European Cup Atalanta along with Shakhtar Donetsk Moscow in Group D. their sixth European Cup last season with a 2-0 and Genk, the Belgian title-holders. winners, in Group B. and Dinamo Zagreb in Group C. Perhaps the most balanced section Champions League final victory over Tottenham Liverpool are hoping to return to After winning the Europa League, City beat Shakhtar 3-0 in Ukraine sees Zenit Saint Petersburg, Benfica, in Madrid. this year’s final which will be played Chelsea are back in the Champions in last season’s group stage before a Lyon and RB Leipzig clash in Group “I need to thank my teammates, without in Istanbul, where they won their fifth League and can look forward to taking 6-0 victory in the return fixture. G. The first fixtures in all groups will them I would not have achieved what I have title back in 2005. on last season’s semi-finalists Ajax as There will be glamour ties be played on September 17 and 18. achieved,” Van Dijk told BT Sport. “It’s been a long road and it’s part of my journey. I’m very proud to get this trophy. It’s credit to everyone who has helped me.” Gunnarsson disappoints Al Duhail; Al Wakrah win The 28-year-old is the first defender to win the award since the inaugural edition in 2010-11. THE PENINSULA Al Arabi’s Icelandic Msakni missed a sitter in first-half He moved to Liverpool from Southampton DOHA international Aron injury time by skying the ball with only in January 2018 for a then-world record fee for Gunnarsson (left) scoring his Gomis to beat. a defender of £75m ($91.4m), immediately Al Arabi’s Icelandic international Aron maiden QSL goal against Al Soon after resumption, Pierre- helping them reach that season’s Champions Gunnarsson scored a brilliant goal to Duhail. Michel Lasogga’s headed goal was dis- League final where they lost to Real Madrid. cancel out ’s opener as Picture: Twitter/@QSL allowed, also for offside and the efforts But Van Dijk was a key figure as Liverpool they held former champions Al Duhail of Edmilson and El Neel went in vain. won their first major trophy since 2012 last term, to a 1-1 draw in the second of the QNB Towards the end, Gunnarsson while also setting a club-record points tally in Stars League (QSL) yesterday. wreaked havoc with a volley, Almoez finishing second by a point behind Manchester At the Al Janoub Stadium, skipper hit the side netting, Gomis saved City in the Premier League. Youssef Msakni took Al Duhail ahead Bassam Al Rawi’s effort and then Al “I wasn’t 18 and went straight to the top. I by scoring as early as the seventh Arabi defender Marc Muniesa effected had to work every step of the way,” added Van minute, only to see Al Arabi draw parity a goalline save as the teams shared Dijk, who was also part of the Netherlands side through their new signing Gunnarsson points from a thriller. who lost the inaugural Nations League final to in the 40th minute. Earlier, newly promoted Al Wakrah Ronaldo’s Portugal. Al Arabi, who had beaten Al Ahli recorded an impressive 2-0 victory Messi and Ronaldo had claimed five of the 3-1 in Week 1, trailed in ball possession over Qatar SC at the Al Sadd Stadium. previous eight awards between them, with overall (40 per cent), but proved match Al Wakrah, who had lost to reigning Andres Iniesta (2012), Franck Ribery (2013) and enough for Al Duhail, who bounced Ali. The Dream Team soon hit back, but defenders on their toes and Gomis champions Al Sadd 1-4 in their opener, Luka Modric (2018) completing the winners’ list. back to beat Qatar SC 2-1. defender Morteza Mohammed shot thwarted Almoez. surged ahead through an own goal by Full-back Bronze won the Women’s Cham- Al Arabi mainly had Gregory Gomis’ wide. After Al Duhail’s Ali Afif’s shot At the other end, Al Arabi’s Hamdi Alejandro Jimena in the 39th minute. pions League title with Lyon before helping rock-solid performance below the bar was blocked by Musab Keder, Paolo Harbaoui saw his bicycle kick go over And substitute Ismail Mahmoud England reach the women’s World Cup to thank for. Edmilson had a goal disallowed for the bar and striker Mohamed Salah El doubled their lead in the 69th minute semi-finals. The fast-paced action saw The Red offside by referee Mohammed Al Neel came up with a cracker of a shot, as Qatar SC suffered their second suc- The 27-year-old Bronze is the first English Knights seize early initiative through Shammari. a minute before Gunnarsson’s equaliser cessive defeat, having lost 1-2 to Al player to win either of the UEFA player of the Msakni off a through pass from Almoez Al Duhail attackers kept rival with a power-packed grounder. Duhail earlier. year titles. QFA discusses security for Asian Cup Qualifiers

QNA DOHA

The security meeting related to Qatari national team’s matches in the World Cup qualifiers (Qatar 2022) and the Asian Cup (China 2023) was held yesterday at the Qatar Football Asso- ciation (QFA) headquarters. The team will first face Afghan- istan on September 5, then will meet India five days later. The two matches will both take place at 7:30pm local time at the Jassim bin Hamad stadium at Al Sadd SC. The meeting finalised the agreement on all matters related to the organisation of the two matches, with the fans free to enter the stadium two hours before the match. They stressed on the importance of cooperating with security personnel to France’s Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (left) winning the men’s 110m hurdles ensure the good organization of both matches. Gate no. 3 will be for VIPs. While fourth and fifth gates will event during the Zurich Diamond League finals at the Letzigrund be allocated for media personalities and services respectively. Stadium in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. TOP: Ukraine’s Andriy Gate no. 2 will be for families, Gate no. 9 will be reserved for Protsenko in action during the men’s high jump event. Qatar’s Mutaz the Indian and Afghani fans while the rest of the gates will be Essa Barshim finished the event in the 10th place. reserved for Qatari fans.