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Tuesday 1 November 2016 PAGE | 30 PAGE | 3311 Resolute Hamilton ccutsuts Brathwaite foils Rosberg's lleadead Pakistan with victoryry Qatar's star cager Ismail set for final bow

Rizwan Rehmat times. Overall, Ismail has won The Peninsula 60 titles in his long career. In 2014, he helped Al Rayyan win atar's most popular the prestigious Arab Champion- basketball player ship in Sale, Morocco. With Al Yaseen Musa Ismail Rayyan, he has won 46 trophies will take his final bow besides the tally of 16 with the Qon November 11, it was national side. announced yesterday. "The farewell game will be Ismail, 38, has represented played between Qatar's national the country for more than two side and a select squad of Al decades, winning events at home Rayyan and a few players from and abroad. the Philippines," Rashid Nasser The farewell match - which Al Khalifa, Vice-Chairman of Al was initially announced in June Rayyan Club, said yesterday. - will be played at Ali Bin Hamad "Yaseen has had a distin- Qatar Basketball Federation officials pose for a photograph with star player Yaseen Musa Ismail (centre) during a press Al Attiya Arena, close to Al Sadd guished career, winning many conference held in Doha yesterday. Stadium. titles for Qatar. He is well Two years ago, Ismail was respected for his long service to part of the Qatari team that won the sport and the teams he has "The QOC Chairman Sheikh continue helping my club and Yaseen Musa Ismail Khalifa said Ismail is a dream the FIBA 3x3 World Champion- represented," he said yesterday. Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and country whenever I am needed," employee for any organization. ships in Russia. "We feel we are duty-bound QBF President Sheikh Saoud bin he said. "He always gave his best, Ismail also represtented to organise a game that would Adulrehman Al Thani have "I take this opportunity to never shirking from hard work. Qatar at FIBA World and Asian be remembered for Yaseen's praised Yaseen's contribution in give thanks to QOC chairman, 20 years Every club or team he repre- Championships a number of amazing career," he said. taking the game forward in QBF President and Al Rayyan Ismail, 38, represented the sented, praised him for his Qatar," Khalifa said. Chief and the club management country for more than two professionalism," he said. "Yaseen is not just a national for making my journey so enjoy- decades, winning events at "Qatar basketball is in a bet- treasure, he also did amazingly able," he said. home and abroad. ter place because of his well for Al Rayyan," Aljan Eid Al “It is the right time to go, I contribution and selfless play," Enazi, Al Rayyan's Board Mem- feel. This is life. Every good thing he said. "Yaseen is a role model ber, said. has come to an end. You have to for all kids," El Enazi said. "We feel proud that he pro- make a decision like that if you "We say that because he was vided us with so many glory are a professional sports person," 60 a thorough professional. His fit- moments over the course of two Ismail said. Ismail has won 60 titles ness was never found wanting. decades." “Twenty three years - it’s a in his long career including We wish him best in his retire- "He did well at home, across long time. I was the of the FIBA 3x3 World ment. His tireless efforts made the Arab region and at interna- the Qatar national team and my Championships in Russia his time on court fun to watch," tional events," he said Al Rayyan side. I have won more El Enazi said. and Arab Championship in yesterday. than 60 gold medals. It has been Movenpick, Alwatan news- Sale, Morocco with Al Ismail thanked QBF for a great journey that I was part of paper, Qatar Informational and announcing the farewell game. the Qatar national team for 20 Rayyan Marketing, Peak, Dimensions "I am honoured that Qatar years and to be part of the Al Engineering Consultant, Qvision has organised this game. It has Rayyan side. Productions, gulfcrafts and been a long journey and I have “I feel it is the time to leave. "I want to thank my family, Aspire Printing Press are spon- enjoyed every moment of it," That’s why I took the decision to my coaches, my players and my sors of the farewell game. Ismail said. create room for the younger gen- fans for their support and praise. Entry at the Ali Bin Hamad "I have given my very best eration to step forward,” said Al Rayyan is the club that made Al Attiya Arena will be free for Qatari star Yaseen Musa Ismail (left) in action in this December for country and club. I have Ismail who stands 6 feet 8 inches me what I am. I thank them from the basketball fans, organisers 13, 2013 file photo. learned every day. I plan to tall. the bottom of my heart," he said. said. Teams battle to make history in first GCL Doha final

The Peninsula not something I'd ever have before, with Rolf-Goran had the opportunity to do Bengtsson (SWE) in action with oha Fursan Qatar, will without the League. We'll be Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) for bring together Qatar's going into the final to win, and the Paris Jets. Roger-Yves Bost DOlympic rider Ali are bringing our top horses to (FRA) will team up with Marco Yousef Al Rumaihi and young help give us the best chance. Kutscher (GER) for the Cannes talent Hamad Al Attiyah to We'll be giving it our all." Stars, and Scott Brash (GBR) compete in front of a home Fierce rivals and looking will join forces with U25 rider crowd during the Longines to knock the closest big threat Jessica Mendoza (GBR) for the Global Champions Tour final, off the top spot are the Ant- Miami Glory team. Another hosted by the Al Shaqab Eques- werp Diamonds, who will also winning combination will be trian Centre in Doha on field a combination of experi- back in action, with the Vienna November 3. ence and youth. Eagles combining Lauren Current leaders Valken- Harrie Smolders (NED), an Hough (USA) with Danielle swaard United are in pole anchor for the team will team Goldstein (ISR). position going into the final on up with protégé Jos Verlooy Fresh from their recent a total tally of 309.5 points. (BEL), the young Belgian tal- Qatar’s Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi clears a hurdle on the final successes, in Motion The combination of John ent whom he has trained since day of Qatar International Show Jumping Championship will field Alberto Zorzi (ITA) Whitaker (GBR) and Bertram Jos was three years old. The at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club in Doha in this and Gonzalo Anon Suarez Allen (IRL) has proved formi- pair have also had strong January 2016 file photo. (ESP), both of whom have con- dable in the debut Global results this season, with both tributed to the team’s two wins Champions League (GCL) sea- frequenting the podium mul- this season. Cascais Charms son, and they will unite once tiple times throughout the to their tally of 299.5 points Al Shaqab was established winning rider Andreas Kreu- more, with an incredible three year, and Jos contributing to overall. Similarly, the Rome as part of Father Emir H H zer (GER) will return once of the team’s four wins (Miami the only home win of the year Gladiators, who currently hold Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al more to compete with compa- Beach, Hamburg and Vienna) to date, in Antwerp. While Jos 4th place overall, will unite Thani's vision and passion to triot Philip Houston (GER), and under their belts already. and Bertram remain firm ‘Team Laura’ once more, with preserve and perpetuate the the Shanghai Swans will see John and Bertram have friends outside of the arena, the Madrid GCL winning com- Arabian horse in Qatar. It has another winning rider, Janne- solidified their partnership and rivalry is intense between the bination of Laura Kraut (USA) since developed into a major Friederike Meyer (GER) return friendship, with the men of few two young talents, and it will and Laura Renwick (GBR) in international equestrian facil- alongside Alexandra Thornton words winning hearts around be a high stakes battle as the force for the final.While it ity encompassing multiple (GBR) for the final round of the globe. final round plays out. looks to be a four horse race equine disciplines. action. Talking about the forth- Hot on their heels, and just to the finish, the teams will be With the overall rankings With the final round of the coming competition Bertram 1.5 points behind in third, are jostling up and down the rank- on a knife edge and a four way 2016 season the opener for the said: "The GCL final will be the Monaco Aces, who are also ings to set the order in what’s battle for the title, it's time to weekend in Doha, all eyes will really intense. I'll be teaming in contention for the overall been a phenomenal debut for see who will write history as be on the combinations as they up with John [Whitaker] again win. the innovative new format. the first ever winners of the take centre stage on Thursday for Valkenswaard United, and Maikel van der Vleuten The magnificent Al Shaqab, Global Champions League, and at 5.00pm. as I've said before its a real (NED) and Daniel Bluman a member of Qatar Founda- take the lion's share of the The full competition will be honour and privilege to be (COL) - both of whom com- tion will provide the perfect €4.5m bonus prize money. streamed live via GCL TV, and competing on the same team peted at this year’s Rio backdrop to the exhilarating Furthermore, Olympic ath- fans can keep up to date with as him. He's a legend and it's Olympics - will team up to add final, being the proud host. letes will unite like never all the teams on social media. SPORT 1 NOVEMBER 2016 TUESDAY 27 Cubs stay alive with win over Indians

Chicago rallied to win the title, the most Major League victory, for a 1-0 Indians lead in AFP recent being the 1985 Kansas the second inning. City Royals. And the Cubs have Lester's strong start The Cubs, who had gone 25 ith dreams of never won any playoff series and Chapman's finish innings without scoring, equal- their first after trailing 3-1. help Chicago to ized in the fourth inning when World Series Chapman, obtained last July escape elimination in Bryant, who was 1-for- crown since in a trade with the New York Game Five at 15 in the Series, smacked a solo 1908 on the Yankees, struck out four while Wrigley Field homer over the rightfield wall Wbrink of ending, the Chicago allowing only one hit, an infield off Indians starter and loser Cubs avoided elimination on single. The Indians now lead Trevor Bauer. Sunday with a 3-2 victory over "Chappy came in and did Anthony Rizzo then doubled the best-of-seven the Cleveland Indians. something he has never done to right, took third base on Ben series 3-2 ahead of Chicago's Kris Bryant before," Cubs manager Joe Mad- Zobrist's single and scored on homered to spark a three-run don said. "When you have a guy Game Six Addison Russell's infield single. outburst in the fourth inning and that can pitch that many signif- "High anxiety. Every pitch Cuban closing relief ace Aroldis icant outs in the latter part of the impressive," Francona said. gets bigger and bigger," Rizzo Chapman pitched a career-high game, it's pretty cool." "Sometimes you've got to respect said. "It gets more intense as the 2 2/3 innings to obtain the final The Indians had the tying what the other team can do, too. game goes on." outs as the Cubs pulled within run in scoring position in the Sometimes they just beat you." Javier Baez, who had been 3-2 in Major League Baseball's seventh and eighth innings but Chicago's Jake Arrieta, an 1-for-14 in the Series with run- best-of-seven championship Chapman ended the threat both 18-game winner, will take the ners on base, tapped another series. times and retired the last three mound against Cleveland's Josh infield single down the third- "It didn't feel like an elimi- batters in order in the ninth, Tomlin in a matchup of right- base line to load the bases and nation game," Bryant said. "We striking out Jose Ramirez for the handed pitchers on Tuesday. David Ross, 0-for-7 with run- had a big inning and Chapman final out. "He's a bull out there," Bry- ners on base in the playoffs, coming in for eight outs, that was "Joe talked to me this after- ant said of Arrieta, the reigning followed with a sacrifice fly to big." noon before the game," Cy Young Award winner as top score Zobrist. The showdown continues Chapman said. "He asked if I pitcher. "Hopefully he can win The Indians pulled within today in Cleveland, where a sev- could be ready possibly to come out there and then anything can the final margin in the sixth enth game would be played on into the seventh inning and I told happen in a game seven." inning when Rajai Davis singled, Wednesday if needed. him, 'I'm ready. I'm ready to go.' The Cubs, who led the major stole second base, took third on The Cubs, in their first World And whatever he needs me to leagues with 103 wins this sea- an error and scored on Francisco Series since 1945, are trying to do or how long he needs me to son, saw the white flag with blue Lindor's single. snap America's longest sports pitch for, I'm ready for it." W symbolic of victory raised Davis became, at 36, the old- title drought while the Indians Indians manager Terry Fran- over 102-year-old Wrigley Field est player to ever steal three own baseball's second-longest cona was impressed by what he for the first time since 1945. bases in a World Series game. Francisco Lindor (12) of the Cleveland Indians reacts after futility streak, last taking the tro- saw from Chapman, known for Ramirez smashed a two-out The game's seven total stolen phy in 1948. his 100-mph fastballs. solo homer off Cubs left-hander bases matched a World Series striking out in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Of 46 teams that trailed 3-1 "Chapman, that was a big Jon Lester, a two-time World record set in 1907. Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago, in the World Series, only six have ask and he answered. That was Series champion who took the Illinois, on Sunday.

Cowboys extend NFL RESULTS Westbrook posts second Washington 27 Cincinnati 27 Kansas City 30 Indianapolis 14 Oakland 30 Tampa Bay 24 winning streak New Orleans 25 Seattle 20 Houston 20 Detroit 13 straight triple-double New York Jets 31 Cleveland 28 Texas overtime after Prescott led the New England 41 Buffalo 25 AP 75-yard scoring drive. Oakland's Carolina 30 Arizona 20 Los Angeles NBA RESULTS State Warriors held off the Suns Derek Carr threw a 41-yard Denver 27 San Diego 19 AFP 106-100.

LA Clippers 88 Utah 75

allas quarterback Dak touchdown pass to Seth Roberts Atlanta 33 Green Bay 32 Klay Thompson had 14 Dallas 29 Philadelphia 23 Golden State 106 Phoenix 100 Prescott threw a 5-yard with 1:45 remaining in overtime ussell Westbrook pushed San Antonio 106 Miami 99 points and Draymond Green had Dtouchdown pass to Jason to cap a 30-24 win against the pace all night record- Detroit 98 Milwaukee 83 13 rebounds for the Warriors,

Witten in overtime, giving the Tampa Bay. expired. Janikowski misfired Ring his second consecutive Oklahoma City 113 LA Lakers 96 who trailed by as many as 13 in Cowboys their sixth straight win Carr threw for a franchise- again from 52 yards on Oak- triple-double on Sunday to lead Memphis 112 Washington 103 the first half before limiting the with a 29-23 victory over Phil- record 513 yards, completing 40 land's first possession of the the Oklahoma City Thunder to Houston 93 Dallas 92 Suns to 43 second-half points. adelphia on Sunday. of 59 passes without an inter- extra period. a 113-96 victory over the Los Golden State stretched their Oakland also won in over- ception, and the Raiders Washington and Cincinnati Angeles Lakers. lead to seven points at 101-94 time, escaping with a win overcame an NFL-record 23 drew 27-27, providing the rar- Westbrook posted 33 points, of the season. Westbrook has after a Durant alley-oop layup against Tampa Bay despite a penalties for 200 yards. ity of two NFL draws 16 assists and 12 rebounds en carried the Thunder this season from Andre Iguodala with 1:19 record number of penalties. Carr threw a touchdown back-to-back, following the tie route to his 39th career triple- by jackhammering the oppo- remaining in the fourth Overtime could not separate pass to Mychal Rivera with 1:38 between Seattle and Arizona the double. Through three games, nent's defense into pieces. quarter. Washington and Cincinnati, who remaining to tie the game, and previous weekend. he is averaging 38.6 points, 12.3 Sunday night was the hapless The Suns charged back to played a draw at London's Raiders kicker Sebastian Jan- The last time there was even rebounds and 11.6 assists. Lakers' turn. within two points on a Jared Wembley Stadium; the second ikowski missed a 50-yard field two draws in an entire season "That's what we do," West- The Lakers, who finished Dudley layup with 14.8 seconds NFL draw in seven days. goal attempt as regulation time was in 1997. brook said. with the worst record (17-65) in to play. Prescott rallied the Cow- "We have to go. That's our the Western Conference last Curry hit two free throws boys from a ten-point deficit advantage, we're athletic. We're season, are now 1-2 on the with 13 seconds left, and the in the fourth quarter with a late young and we want to run up season. Warriors denied the Suns any tying touchdown pass to Dez and down the floor. That's what "He had a masterful game more baskets before the final Bryant and Dallas (6-1) com- we should do." tonight," Lakers coach Luke buzzer. Durant sealed the win pleted a win that opened a Victor Oladipo added 20 Walton said of Westbrook. on two free throws with seven two-game lead atop the NFC points, while Steven Adams "He was getting everyone seconds to go. T.J. Warren had East division. scored 14 points and grabbed 12 involved, shooting when the 26 points and Eric Bledsoe Prescott recovered from a rebounds for the Thunder (3-0) shots were there and playmak- added 21 for the Suns, who have shaky start, completing 19 of 39 at the Chesapeake Arena in ing for teammates. opened the season with three attempted passes for 287 yards Oklahoma City. "He showed today why he straight losses. with two scores and an end zone Westbrook was coming off is one of the top point guards in In Los Angeles, Austin Riv- interception that cost the Cow- a sparkling 51 point, 13 rebound, the world." ers came off the bench to score boys points late in the first half. 10 assist performance against D'Angelo Russell and Julius 19 points, and Blake Griffin tal- He got the better of another the Phoenix Suns. He narrowly Randle paced the Lakers with lied 18 points and 10 rebounds up-and-coming quarterback in missed a triple-double in the 20 points apiece. Randle also as the Los Angeles Clippers won Philadelphia's Carson Wentz, season opener against Philadel- grabbed nine rebounds. Nick a low-scoring contest over the who had an efficient perform- phia when he collected nine Young scored 16 for Los Utah Jazz 88-75. Jamal Craw- ance but couldn't move assists. Angeles. ford chipped in 12 points, while Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) is Philadelphia (4-3) late in regu- He is the first player with In Phoenix, Kevin Durant DeAndre Jordan contributed 10 lation with the game tied. The pressured by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Tyrone Crawford 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 scored 37 points and Stephen points and 16 rebounds for the Eagles never got the ball in (98) at AT&T Stadium on Sunday. The Cowboys won 29-23. assists in the first three games Curry added 28 as the Golden Clippers in their home opener. Anderson shuts out Oilers in emotional return NHL RESULTS Buffalo 3 Winnipeg 1 Los Angeles many starts. "We couldn't really It was a selfless move that Florida 5 Detroit 2 AFP feel the gravity until the final resonated with the team. Ander- Philadelphia 4 Carolina 3 whistle," said Senators captain son, of the US, had a stellar night NY Islanders 5 Toronto 1 ttawa's Craig Anderson Erik Karlsson of Anderson. for the Senators against the Chicago 3 Los Angeles 0 blanked the Edmonton "He held a strong face but you league's highest scoring team at NY Rangers 6 Tampa Bay 1

OOilers 2-0 on Sunday in could still see the pain in his Rogers Arena in Edmonton. Ottawa 2 Edmonton 0 an emotional victory for the eyes." "It was an emotional night for Washington 3 Calgary 1 Ottawa Senators goaltender After returning home to us as a team," said Ottawa for- whose wife was recently diag- Ottawa from a road trip last week ward Bobby Ryan. nosed with cancer. to be with his wife Nicholle, "Rightfully so that he should to his character. That was the Anderson marked his return Anderson flew back west on Sun- be emotional at the end, because quietest I've ever heard a room New York Islanders players celebrate after defeating the to the NHL club following his day when backup Andrew the room was as well," Ryan said. after a win. Toronto Maple Leafs at Barclays Center on Sunday. wife's diagnosis by making 37 Hammond suffered an injury Fri- "The way he held it for 60 "What Andy did tonight was saves for his second shutout in as day in Calgary. minutes and got through it speaks pretty incredible." 28 SPORT TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016 Lyon blast Bale signs mega Madrid deal 'despicable' Valbuena Madrid AFP Gareth Bale death claim

Paris areth Bale declared £350,000 AFP the lure of "the big- Bale's new weekly salary gest club in the after tax, according to yon yesterday hit out at world" behind his British media. "despicable" social decision to sign a Lmedia reports that Gnew bumper six-year deal with French international Mathieu Real Madrid which makes him Valbuena had died. one of football's highest paid €100m "Mathieu Valbuena is players. happily alive and well con- The amount Tottenham Bale, who has won two Real Madrid's Gareth trary to what those despicable Champions League titles in three Hotspur made from selling individuals are spreading on Bale leaves a press seasons in Spain, is set to take the Welshman, a world Twitter," the club said in their conference at the home as much as £350,000 record fee in 2013. own Twitter retort. ($425,000) a week after tax, Santiago Bernabeu The Ligue 1 club acted according to British media, Stadium in Madrid, after a number of social though reported figures vary €100m from Tottenham Hotspur Spain yesterday. media posts claimed the wildly. in 2013. 32-year-old died on Sunday, However, Cristiano Ronaldo "I think I definitely made the alongside a photograph of the looks set to retain his status as right decision. We've won two player. top dog of the pay packet at the Champions Leagues in the three "It's very easy to pack up and wanted to try, something to marketable player. That could "Lyon are horrified at Bernabeu with the Portuguese years since I have been here. leave and go elsewhere, but it improve my football," he be enhanced by a first ever place such disgraceful and inhuman expected to become the latest That is better than anyone else," takes more character to stay here continued. on the podium for the Ballon acts," they said. Madrid star to extend his deal in he added. and fight," added Bale. "I had one season when it d'Or after Bale was named Valbuena is currently the coming weeks. Bale has enjoyed and "I've always grown up with maybe wasn't the best, but I among the 30 nominees for the sidelined with injury. Capped "It's Real Madrid, it is the big- endured plenty of ups and downs the idea if things are not right think this was the best season for prize last week. However, Bale 52 times by France, the play- gest club in the world," Bale told in his three seasons in the Span- you work hard to make it right." me. insisted emulating Ronaldo by maker was left out of the the world's media yesterday at ish capital. And he believes it is that "It made me grow up as a winning the Ballon d'Or is not top France squad for the Euro a press conference to announce Goals to win the 2014 Cham- campaign rather than the heights player and a person and I think of his wish list. 2016 as his form suffered the new deal. pions League and Copa del Rey of Champions League success in gave me more confidence to deal "It's never been a personal after he was targeted in a sex- "When an opportunity to finals made him an instant hit. Lisbon in Milan that has made with whatever is thrown at me." goal. I never dreamed of winning tape blackmail affair which play for Real Madrid comes up, However, he suffered from him a better player. Real president Florentino the Ballon d'Or when I was led to international colleague you don't turn it down." stinging criticism and was jeered "When British players travel Perez has long believed in Bale young, I dreamed of winning Karim Benzema being Bale joined Real for a then- by the Real fans towards the end abroad it is never usually greatly to be the man to succeed Ron- Champions Leagues and charged. world record fee of just over of a trophyless second season. successful, but it's something I aldo as Real's best and most leagues."

De Boer on brink after Inter Loew extends Germany reign until 2020 Berlin Having won a fourth World term at the DFB and I still feel title in Russia and, after we were latest loss AFP Cup in Brazil two years ago but their confidence. so close to it in France this year, lost to hosts France in the Euro "It's simply great fun to work we want to try to be Europe Milan 2016 semi-finals in July, one of with this team and these champions in 2020." AFP ermany's World Cup-win- Loew's goal is to win their first players." Grindel added that Loew's ning coach Joachim Loew European crown since 1996. Loew, who took charge of new deal was 'a reward' for the Ghas extend his contract "We have visions and things the die Mannschaft after the head coach's hard work, but the he future of Inter Milan until 2020, the German FA (DFB) that we want to tackle, so the 2006 World Cup following two president wanted to get the con- coach Frank de Boer announced yesterday. time of the extension was just years as assistant coach under tract signed before the German Twas plunged into fresh The 56-year-old, who took right," Loew told a press confer- Jurgen Klinsmann, will report- FA meets in Erfurt on Novem- doubt on Sunday after a 1-0 charge in 2006, has penned a ence in Frankfurt. edly receive a pay rise to earn ber 3-4. defeat at Sampdoria left his two-year extension to lead Ger- "The goal is, of course, to €4m ($4.4m) per year. Sepp Herberger holds the side mired in mid-table in many's defence of the World Cup repeat our success story in Rio His old deal is believed to 28-year record for a Germany Serie A. in Russia in 2018 and to the and we want to be European have earned him an annual sal- coach, from 1936-64, during Inter travelled to the Luigi European Championships in champions, which is a big goal ary of around €3m. which time he led West Germany Ferraris stadium looking to 2020. of mine. "Loew is the best coach, that to their first World Cup title in build on a 2-1 mid-week win If Loew stays in office until "When the head and the we in the DFB's executive com- 1954. over Torino that saw Argen- 2020, his 14-year reign would heart both say 'yes' at the same mittee can imagine," said Germany, who are top of tine striker Mauro Icardi put make him the joint second-long- time, then there is not much to German FA president Reinhard their 2018 World Cup qualifying Coach Joachim Loew arrives two goals past England est serving Germany coach, think about. Grindel. group with three straight wins, for a news conference in 'keeper Joe Hart. equal to Helmut Schoen "I feel the same motivation "We have the same goal - we play San Marino away in their But Sampdoria had other (1964-78). as I did at the beginning of my want to defend our World Cup next qualifier on November 11. Frankfurt, Germany yesterday. ideas, and when Fabio Quagliarella swept a loose ball past Samir Handanovic on the stroke of half-time Inter were left with a moun- Public to vote in FIFA awards tain to climb. They resumed in deter- mined fashion after the break, Zurich The annual cere- Under the new sys- most passionate partici- but Icardi squandered argu- Reuters mony in Zurich, which tem, half the votes would pants - players, coaches ably their best chance of the until last year was jointly belong to the players and and fans," said FIFA half on 67 minutes when he organised with France coaches of the world's 211 president Gianni Infan- glanced a header wide from IFA will allow the Football and known as national teams and half tino (pictured). Marcelo Brozovic's cross. public to vote in a the Ballon d'Or, would be to the public, who will Eight awards will be Inter sit in 11th place and Frebranded version renamed "The Best FIFA take part via an online handed out altogether, are now 13 points behind of its player of the year Football Awards" follow- ballot, and selected including the best coach, leaders Juventus, who, after award, world football's ing a split with the media representatives. best women's player, the a 2-1 win over Napoli hold a governing body said French magazine, a "This event will be fair play award and fan four-point lead on Roma. yesterday. statement said. about football and its award.

La Liga: Villarreal suffer first defeat QSL renews contracts with key sponsors

Madrid seal the points for Villarreal, but Las Palmas stormed back from AFP he was finally beaten by Ivan conceding three times in the Ramis's powerful header 10 opening 21 minutes. minutes from time. Daniel Wass's fiercely struck illarreal spurned the And with Villarreal looking free-kick and an Iago Aspas chance to move up to for the winner, they were caught double put Celta on course for Vthird in as Eibar on the counter-attack as Sergi a comfortable three points. struck twice in the final 10 min- Enrich teed up Pedro Leon to However, Pedro Bigas utes to inflict their first league drive home his fourth goal of the pulled a goal back just after half- defeat of the season 2-1 on season. time before Celta were reduced Sunday. Defeat leaves Villarreal in to 10 men when Sergi Gomez Celta Vigo blew a three-goal fifth, now five points adrift of saw a second yellow card in lead in a pulsating 3-3 draw at leaders Real Madrid. conceding a penalty. Las Palmas, whilst Athletic Bil- Athletic failed to make much Jonathan Viera converted bao remain seventh after being ground on Villarreal in the fight from the spot and Kevin-Prince held 1-1 at home by Osasuna. for European places. Boateng completed the come- A penalty from Villarreal Raul Garcia cancelled out back with 22 minutes captain Bruno put the visitors in Oriol Riera's opener for Osasuna remaining. Shaikha Sara bint Nasser Al Thani, (left) Head of PR & Communications at Woqod, front at Ipurua just before before half-time, but a point However, Las Palmas failed receiving a memento from Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon, Executive Director of Marketing & half-time. leaves Athletic in seventh. turn their numerical advantage Communications at Qatar Stars League during a press conference at Al Sadd Club yesterday. Heroics from goalkeeper The game of the weekend into a winner as their winless Picture by Kammutty VP/The Peninsula Sergio Asenjo then looked set to came in the Canary Islands as streak stretched to five games. TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016 SPORT 29 Misfiring Gladbach seek City await Barca test Celtic win to go second

Manchester Manchester City vs Berlin then Pep Guardiola's Reuters AFP Manchester City, to Borussia Barcelona Park in the next fortnight. anchester City isfiring Borussia "Celtic and City have to get cannot afford Man City has lost all Moenchengladbach are by us at Borussia Park and a few another defeat five previous matches Mlooking to complete a teams have had a problem today at home to against Barcelona, Champions League double over there," said Gladbach winger Barcelona, who including round of 16 Celtic today and victory could Hahn. Mthumped them 4-0 two weeks games in 2014 and see them knock Manchester The last few weeks have not ago, having taken just one point 2015. City out of second place in been easy for Schubert, who has from their last two Champions Group C. Gladbach beat just the win at Celtic and a 2-0 League Group C matches. City are in danger of Brendan Rodgers' Celtic in German Cup win at second- That third successive win for losing second place in Glasgow 2-0 a fortnight ago division VfB Stuttgart to show the Catalan pass-masters means the table to Borussia thanks to goals by Lars Stindl after 374 minutes without a goal they need only a draw in the Moenchengladbach, and Andre Hahn and another in the German league. Gladbach return game to ensure their who sit one point Manchester City manager win would put them second if are 11th in Germany's top flight annual qualification for the City lose at home to Barcelona. while runaway Scottish league behind them. Pep Guardiola knockout stage. The Germans earned their leaders Celtic have won their City, however, are in danger first points in the group by last five domestic games. of losing second place in the return there, which resulted in Saturday, romping to a 4-0 suc- prove to be the key to the beating Celtic, who are bottom Rodgers is likely to stick with table to Borussia Moenchengla- a 3-0 loss for his Bayern Munich cess at West Bromwich Albion, contest. of the table with one point. centre-backs Jozo Simunovic dbach, who sit one point behind team in the 2015 semi-final. At where Sergio Aguero and Ilkay CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES If Rodgers' side lose again, and Erik Sviatchenko with Kolo them going into a home tie with least Bayern recovered some Gundogan both scored twice. and City avoid defeat against Toure struggling with a groin Celtic. Although they beat Borus- self-respect by winning the sec- Aguero was surprisingly left Group A Barcelona, the Scottish strain and Kieran Tierney facing sia 4-0 on matchday one, Pep ond leg 3-2 on that occasion and out of the game at the Nou (19:45 GMT) champions' slim chance of a ankle surgery. FC Basel vs Paris St Germain Guardiola's side still have to a repeat would suit him . Camp, but Guardiola will need Ludogorets vs Arsenal last-16 spot will be over. Schubert is confident travel to Germany for a game Achieving it would also be a him at his best today. While City Group B But Borussia's goalless draw Brazilian forward Raffael will that could decide which team historic result for city, who have will believe they can make Besiktas vs Napoli (17: 45 GMT) at home to Eintracht Frankfurt play, even if only off the bench. qualifies with Barcelona. lost all five previous meetings inroads into a makeshift defence Benfica vs Dynamo Kiev on Friday meant they failed to Thorgan Hazard, brother of Former Barca coach Guar- with barca, including round of still missing Gerard Pique, Jordi Group C score in all four Bundesliga Chelsea star Eden, is battling to Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Celtic diola was as chastened after the 16 games in 2014 and 2015. Alba and Aleix Vidal, there will Manchester City vs Barcelona matches in October and coach overcome a knee problem Nou Camp loss, when Lionel At least they ended a run of be greater concern about how Group D Andre Schubert is under sustained in the closing stages

Messi scored a hat-trick and City six matches without a win -- the their own back-line will cope Atletico Madrid vs Rostov pressure to get his team firing of Gladbach's 4-0 defeat to goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was worst of Guardiola's managerial with Barcelona's trio Messi, Ney- PSV Eindhoven vs Bayern Munich again. Schalke at the beginning of sent off, as he was on a previous career -- in emphatic fashion on mar and Suarez. That may well Gladbach welcome Celtic, October. Cavani to lead PSG's blitz on Basel Pep needs time to make Paris being jeered for a wasteful perform- PSG have been less flamboyant but Reuters ance against Metz and although he remain confident they are on the right City great: Villa scored against Arsenal in the Cham- path. aris St Germain's Edinson Cav- pions League in September, was "It is a bit tougher this season but Manchester ani (pictured) has wasted widely blamed -- and blamed him- we know we can do better," their Italy Reuters Pcountless chances this season self -- for missing a hatful of chances midfielder Marco Verratti said. "We but has also converted more than any in a 1-1 draw. create a lot of chances and we con- ep Guardiola is the striker in Europe and they will again "He is a versatile forward, he's the cede only a few." world's top manager rely on his marksmanship in the number nine we need," PSG fullback Despite a 3-0 win against Basel Pbut needs more time to Champions League at FC Basel today. Thomas Meunier said after Cavani in the first meeting, PSG will be wary make Manchester City great With 10 Ligue 1 goals in as many netted the only goal in a 1-0 Ligue 1 of their hosts, who are 12 points clear and will have to hope for games and four goals from three win at Lille last Friday despite only in the Swiss Super League following some luck to beat his former Champions League matches, the Uru- two of his six goal attempts finding a 2-0 victory over Grasshoppers. club Barcelona today, says the guayan is the highest scorer in the the target. "We've been playing well but Spanish club's ex-forward five big European leagues despite an "Even if he misses chances, he's there are a few things we can still David Villa. unfortunate reputation for not being always in the good rhythm, he's improve," said Basel attacking mid- "Guardiola is the best the most clinical finisher. always at the right place and he's very fielder Matias Delgado. manager in the world but I With Zlatan Ibrahimovic having dangerous. We could even make his Coach Urs Fischer warned that think it is too early to com- left PSG to join Manchester United in life easier if we were more precise." his side must be more focused after pare his Barcelona side with the close season, Cavani took over PSG, second in Group A with taking their foot off the gas against Manchester City. We have to the central striking role at the Paris seven points from three games, will Grasshoppers. give him time because I am club and only AS Roma's Edin Dzeko reach the last 16 if they beat Basel at "We had the game under control sure he will make City a great has scored as many league goals this St Jakob's Park. but after an hour we gave them the team," Villa told reporters. term. Under new coach , keys," he said. "We cannot let this However, 2011 Champi- Yet Cavani started the season who took over from Laurent Blanc, happen." ons League winner Villa, now plying his trade in Major League Soccer with New York City FC at the age of 34, said Guardiola's tactics alone may not be enough to see his team Robben relishing Eindhoven return progress to the next round. "The Champions League Berlin kept the Bavarian giants two Holland, and then against my at Atletico Madrid in their sec- is not an easy competition," AFP points clear in Germany's top former club," said the Dutch ond group game means they Villa, an integral part of Guar- flight. winger. still lag three points behind diola's Barca side, said from Robben joined Eindhoven Pleasantries aside, Bayern their Spanish rivals. New York. "You're playing the rjen Robben (pictured) as an 18-year-old, scoring 21 will be all business and are Bayern will secure qualifi- best teams in the world so it's is relishing his return to goals in 75 games for PSV, for eager to complete the double cation to the last 16 if they beat tough. APSV Eindhoven, 14 years whom he made his Champions having beaten Eindhoven 4-1 PSV and Atletico avoid defeat "The key to being suc- after his Champions League League debut in October 2002. in Munich a fortnight ago. at home to Rostov in the other cessful in the competition is debut, with Bayern Munich Now, after 90 Champions Thomas Mueller, Joshua Group D fixture. a mixture between finding hunting a win to take them League games and 14 years, Kimmich, Lewandowski and PSV are bottom of the table consistency, playing in the closer to the knock-out stages. which has seen him also play Robben all scored for the hosts and have not won any of their right way at the knockout Eindhoven host Bayern at for Chelsea, Real Madrid and while Luciano Narsingh netted last five fixtures in the Cham- stages, having the best play- PSV's Philips Stadium today. Bayern, Robben will make his PSV's goal. pions League, including last ers, the best coach, the best Robben, 32, was outstand- first return to Holland for a Bottom side Eindhoven season, and have failed to score tactics and a bit of good luck, ing in Bayern's 3-1 win at European game. need a victory to maintain their in their last two home Euro- too. It is very difficult." Augsburg on Saturday as he "It's going to be the first fading hopes of reaching the pean fixtures. Bayern have a Villa spent three seasons netted and provided both time since I started playing knock-out stages. ropey away record with just with the Catalan club, win- assists for Robert Lewand- abroad that I will be playing a The Bavarian giants are two wins on the road in their ning a total of eight owski's goals in a win which Champions League game in smarting since their 1-0 defeat last 11 away European matches. trophies. Big guns eye swift qualification to next round

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLES Paris time out. The Gunners should over them at their new stadium, win will place them nicely for (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points) AFP have way too much for the Bul- where they have won 13 of their another second-round spot. Group A Group C garian champions. Plucky in their past 14 league fixtures. Napoli can In group D, With a mean Arsenal 3 2 1 0 9 1 7 Barcelona 3 3 0 0 13 1 9 3-1 home defeat to PSG, Ludog- book a place in the next round if defence and a fearsome attack Paris SG 3 2 1 0 7 2 7 Man City 3 1 1 1 7 7 4 oday's Champions League orets took a point at Basel and they win and Benfica draw with featuring French duo Antoine Basel 3 0 1 2 1 6 1 Borussia M'gladbach 3 1 0 2 3 6 3 action might witness the scored 15 goals in qualifying. But Dynamo Kyiv. Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro, Ludogorets Razgrad 3 0 1 2 2 10 1 Celtic 3 0 1 2 3 12 1 Tbeginning of what lies even if Arsenal fail to win here, The Portuguese champions a draw with Russians Rostov beyond the group stages as many they will qualify for the next and league leaders are on aston- could qualify impressive Atletico Group B Group D teams are looking to seal a place round if PSG win in Basel. ishing form, especially at their Madrid for the next round. A win Napoli 3 2 0 1 8 6 6 Atletico Madrid 3 3 0 0 3 0 9 Besiktas 3 1 2 0 5 4 5 Bayern Munich 3 2 0 1 9 2 6 in the next round Turkish champions Besiktas Stadium of Light stronghold. will certainly do it. Diego Sime-

Benfica 3 1 1 1 5 5 4 PSV Eindhoven 3 0 1 2 3 7 1 Mesut Ozil scored his first will go top of Group B if they fol- Knocked out narrowly in the one's men are top of the group Dynamo Kiev 3 0 1 2 2 5 1 Rostov 3 0 1 2 2 8 1 professional hat-trick in Arsenal's low up their 3-2 away win over quarter-finals by Bayern Munich with three wins including a cel- 6-0 whitewash of Ludogorets last Italians Napoli with a home win last season, Benfica know a home ebrated Bayern Munich scalp. 30 SPORT TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016 Resolute Brathwaite foils Pakistan

Sharjah more important and I will do my AFP best to achieve that." West Indies Hafeez ignored lost Jermaine Blackwood for 23 pener Kraigg soon after lunch and it looked Brathwaite needed like they would once again con- five runs for a fight- cede a lead but Brathwaite held yet again for Tests ing hundred as he the innings well with Chase and foiled Pakistan on Dowrich. Othe second day of the third and Chase hit leg-spinner Yasir Lahore final Test in yesterday. Shah for a straight six to bring AFP Brathwaite anchored the up his fifty but was caught in the West Indian innings with a 206- slip off Mohammad Amir in the akistan yesterday left out ball 95 after they were next over. experienced but out-of- struggling at 38-3, putting two His 89-ball stay was spiced Pform opener Mohammad solid stands of 83 each with Ros- with six fours and a six. Hafeez from the 16-man squad ton Chase (50) for the fifth Dowrich then complimented for the two-match Test series and with Shane Dowrich Brathwaite as they took West in New Zealand next month. (47) for the sixth. Indies to 234, with Dowrich ben- The 36-year-old had a At close skipper efitting from a catch off Wahab wretched time on the team's was unbeaten on six as West Riaz's no ball on 15 and a let-off England tour this summer, Indies were 244-6, just 37 runs by on 21. scraping together 102 runs in away from Pakistan's first Dowrich was finally bowled three Tests before being axed innings total of 281. by Riaz from an inside edge. for the final match. This gives West Indies a good West Indies were struggling He also failed in the three- position for the first time in the when they lost the key wicket of day side game against West series against Pakistan who are Darren Bravo for 11 before lunch. Indies in Sharjah earlier this targeting a 3-0 clean sweep after Bravo miscued a drive off a month, falling for zero and nine winning the first Test by 56 runs flighted ball from spinner which also kept him out of the in Dubai and the second by 133 Zulfiqar Babar and was smartly ongoing three-match series runs in . snapped up by a diving Amir at against the same opponents. Brathwaite batted solidly as extra cover, his first catch in 20 Chief selector Inzamam-ul- he negotiated Pakistan's spin- Tests. Amir had no catch in his Haq said Hafeez must clear his cum-pace attack with full first 19 Tests -- most matches action. confidence, having so far hit ten without a catch for a player from "Hafeez will be going for his bowling action tests soon and boundaries. the start of his career. once he is cleared he will definitely be considered," said Inzamam "There will be no butterflies," West Indies got off to a dis- of the 50-Test veteran. said the 23-year-old from astrous start, with opener Leon West Indies' batsman plays a shot during Hafeez's bowling action was reported in November 2014 for . Johnson trapped leg-before by the second day of the third and final Test against Pakistan at the first time and again in June 2015, leading to a 12-month ban "For me helping the West Riaz in the fourth over for just from bowling at international level. the Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah, yesterday Indies to a good lead will be one.Bravo, who made a fighting His place went to 27-year-old left-hander Sharjeel Khan, who hundred in the first Test, was left has played 20 one-day internationals and 15 Twenty20s but has frustrated by short-pitched SCOREBOARD yet to experience the five-day format. deliveries from Riaz and Amir "Sharjeel has been playing well in limited overs cricket so we before getting out. Pakistan (I innings): 21-3-77-4. have given him a chance as an attacking option," said Inzamam. Marlon Samuels also did not Sami Aslam c Holder b Bishoo 74 West Indies (I innings): The squad has five fast bowlers in Mohammad Amir, Wahab 95 Azhar Ali c Brathwaite b Gabriel 0 K Brathwaite (batting) 95 last long, trapped leg-before by Riaz, , Rahat Ali and Imran Khan with and Opener Brathwaite Asad Shafiq lbw Gabriel 0 L Johnson lbw Riaz 1 leg-spinner Yasir Shah without Mohammad Nawaz as two spinners. needed five runs for a Younis Khan c Johnson b Chase 51 D Bravo c Amir b Babar 11 scoring to leave West Indies Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, playing in the ongoing third fighting hundred. Misbah-ul-Haq c Dowrich b Bishoo 53 M Samuels lbw Shah 0 struggling on 38-3. Sarfraz Ahmed b Gabriel 51 J Blackwood c Shafiq b Amir 23 Test against West Indies in Sharjah, failed to land a place in the Earlier, leg-spinner Deven- Mohammad Nawaz st Dowrich b Bishoo 6 R Chase c Younis b Amir 50 New Zealand trip. dra Bishoo finished with figures lbw Bishoo 4 S Dowrich b Riaz 47 Misbah-ul-Haq will skipper the Test team. of 4-77 while fast bowlers Shan- Yasir Shah b Joseph 12 J Holder (batting) 6 The first Test starts in Christchurch from November 17 fol- non Gabriel took 3-67 and Mohammad Amir b Joseph 20 Extras (LB-6, NB-5) 11 lowed by the second in Hamilton from November 25. Zulfiqar Babar (not out 1 Total (for 6 wkts) 244 37 Alzarri Joseph 2-57 to dismiss After New Zealand Pakistan fly to Australia, where they play Extras (LB-4, NB-4, W-1) 9 To bat: D Bishoo, S Gabriel, A Joseph. West Indies are 244-6, Pakistan for 281. Total (all out) 281 Fall of : 1-6, 2-32, 3-38, 4-68, 5-151, 6-234. three Tests and five one-day internationals. Squads for these will just 37 runs away from Pakistan added 26 to their Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-107, 4-150, 5-230, 6-242, Bowling: Amir 17-4-44-2 (2nb); Riaz 16-0-65-2 be announced later. Pakistan's first innings overnight score before losing 7-248, 8-248, 9-280, 10-281. (3nb); Shah 18-2-56-1; Babar 17-3-45-1; Nawaz 4-0- Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Younis

total of 281. Amir for 20 and Shah for 12, both Bowling: Gabriel 21-1-67-3 (2nb); Joseph 16.5-5-57-2 12-0; Ali 6-0-16-0. Khan, Asad Shafiq, , Sharjeel Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed, to Joseph. The pair added 32 for (2nb, 1w); Holder 12-4-29-0; Chase 20-5-47-1; Bishoo Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, the ninth wicket. Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan. Cremer hits maiden but Sri Lanka dominate

Harare innings to lead by 169. Cremer's for 33. Sean Williams then picked SCOREBOARD Moor went on to score a AFP previous highest score in Test out the man in the deep with a career-best 79 in a 132-run stand cricket was 43, but he showed careless sweep, before Craig Sri Lanka (I innings): 536 Total (all out) 373 with Cremer which only ended raeme Cremer struck his his batsmen what was possible Ervine and Malcolm Waller were Zimbabwe (I innings): Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-92, 3-92, 4-111, 5-134, 6-139, when Lahiru Kumara produced maiden Test century but with a bit of application as he trapped lbw by Dilruwan T Mawoyo c Gunaratne b Lakmal 45 7-271, 8-363, 9-366, 10-373. a fearsome bouncer that Moor B Chari lbw Herath 5 Bowling: Lakmal 21.4-3-69-2; Kumara 22-3-90-1; Gthe Zimbabwe captain's batted for over four hours. Perera. H Masakadza c Karunaratne b Lakmal 33 Herath 37-5-97-3; D Perera 18-1-66-2; Gunaratne 3-0- fended to slip. gritty knock could not prevent Zimbabwe's collapse in the At 139 for six Zimbabwe were C Ervine lbw D Perera 12 23-0; de Silva 2-0-10-0; Mendis 4-0-10-1. Kumara went on to knock his side from closing day three morning had owed more to a in danger of being shot out, but S Williams c Gunaratne b Herath 10 Sri Lanka (II innings): Cremer's helmet off his head and of the first Test against Sri Lanka series of rash strokes than trying Peter Moor's counter-attacking M Waller lbw D Perera 22 D Karunaratne (batting) 1 rattle the Zimbabwe skipper, with a heavy deficit. conditions or outstanding knock changed the momentum P Moor c D Perera b Kumara 79 K Silva (batting) 3 who was then fortunate to see a Cremer, who arrived at the bowling. of the innings. G Cremer (not out 102 Extras (NB-1) 1 hook shot off Kumara dropped crease in Harare with Zimbabwe They resumed on a promis- His two early sixes forced the D Tiripano lbw Mendis 46 Total (for no loss) 5 at deep backward square-leg C Mumba b Herath 1 Still to bat: K Mendis, K Perera, D de Silva, U Tharanga,

139 for six in reply to Sri Lanka's ing 88 for one, but soon saw field back, while Cremer was C Mpofu b Lakmal 2 A Gunaratne, D Perera, R Herath, S Lakmal, L Kumara. with his score on 58. 537 and facing the prospect of opener Tino Mawoyo pull a short content to provide dogged sup- Extras (B-4, LB-4, W-7, NB-1) 16 Bowling: Mpofu 2-2-0-0; Cremer 1-0-5-0. Cremer went on to add 92 for following on, hit 102 not out to ball from Suranga Lakmal port from the other end. the eighth wicket with Donald drag the home side to 373 all out. straight to deep midwicket to "I think we bat quite well Tiripano as Zimbabwe's tail con- By the close of play yestern- depart for 45, and two overs later together because PJ plays some can block out a maiden if I need "So that helps me a lot, tinued to wag, but nearly ran out day, Sri Lanka had reached five Hamilton Masakadza prodded big shots and keeps the score- to and just get off strike," said knowing there's someone on the of partners on 99 when the ninth without loss in their second forward to edge Lakmal to slip board ticking, and I know that I Cremer. other end scoring." wicket went down.

ATP RANKINGS WTA RANKINGS 1 (1) Novak Djokovic(Serbia) 12900 Murray calm ahead of final ascent bid 1 (1) Angelique Kerber(Germany) 9080 2 (2) Andy Murray(Britain) 10985 2 (2) Serena Williams(U.S.) 7050 3 (3) Stanislas Wawrinka(Switzerland) 5865 3 (3) Agnieszka Radwanska(Poland) 5600 4 (5) Kei Nishikori(Japan) 4905 Paris one since Australia's John New- six, eight weeks ago. My goal following Sunday's straight-sets 4 (4) Simona Halep(Romania) 5228 5 (4) Milos Raonic(Canada) 4690 AFP combe in 1974. wasn't to finish No. 1 at the end victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 5 (8) Dominika Cibulkova(Slovakia) 4875 6 (6) Rafa Nadal(Spain) 4080 But the 29-year-old said his of this year. in Austria. 6 (5) Karolina Pliskova(Czech Republic) 4600 7 (8) Gael Monfils(France) 3635 ndy Murray insisted yes- approach would remain the "I wanted to finish this year "This year I have been 7 (6) Garbine Muguruza Blanco(Spain) 4236 8 (9) Dominic Thiem(Austria) 3250 terday he felt no same and vowed to block out the as strong as possible, and I think healthy the whole year, and the 8 (7) Madison Keys(U.S.) 4137 9 (7) Roger Federer(Switzerland) 3220 9 (9) Svetlana Kuznetsova(Russia) 4115 10 (12) Marin Cilic(Croatia) 3100 Aadditional pressure ahead hysteria surrounding his poten- there is a lot stronger chance of last four or five months I have 10 (10) Johanna Konta(Britain) 3455 11 (10) Tomas Berdych(Czech Republic) 3060 of his quest to wrest away the tial ascent to the top. doing it in the early part of next played the best of my career," 11 (11) Carla Suarez Navarro(Spain) 3170 12 (11) David Goffin(Belgium) 2780 world's top ranking from long- "It's not in my control. I can year, which is what I targeted Murray added, dismissing con- 12 (12) Victoria Azarenka(Belarus) 3061 13 (15) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(France) 2460 time incumbent Novak Djokovic obviously try and win my rather than this week." cerns over fatigue despite his 13 (13) Petra Kvitova(Czech Republic) 2840 14 (13) Nick Kyrgios(Australia) 2460 at this week's Paris Masters. matches, but even if I win all of Murray, who received a recent winning run. 14 (14) Elina Svitolina(Ukraine) 2456 15 (14) Roberto Bautista(Spain) 2385 Murray can supplant Djok- my matches this week, I still first-round bye, will begin his "I feel fine. I had a break 15 (15) Venus Williams(U.S.) 2241 16 (19) David Ferrer(Spain) 2135 ovic at the summit by claiming might not get there," said Paris campaign against former after Shanghai, which I needed, 16 (16) Caroline Wozniacki(Denmark) 2240 17 (17) Lucas Pouille(France) 2106 17 (17) Roberta Vinci(Italy) 2190 18 (18) Grigor Dimitrov(Bulgaria) 2035 a first title in the French capital Murray. world number seven Fernando and didn't hit any balls until I 18 (18) Timea Bacsinszky(Switzerland) 2188 19 (16) Richard Gasquet(France) 1975 if the Serb fails to reach the final "So it's in Novak's hands. Verdasco, after the Spaniard arrived in Vienna. 19 (19) Elena Vesnina(Russia) 2094 20 (23) Ivo Karlovic(Croatia) 1760 of an event he has dominated in He's ahead obviously just now, progressed following the "And then obviously I got 20 (20) Samantha Stosur(Australia) 2090 21 (20) Alexander Zverev(Germany) 1745 recent times. so if he wins his matches and retirement of Dutchman Robin the walkover (in the semi- 21 (21) Barbora Strycova(Czech Republic) 2070 22 (21) Pablo Cuevas(Uruguay) 1700 The Briton has won three gets to the latter stages of the last Haase. finals) on Saturday which 22 (22) Kiki Bertens(Netherlands) 1912 23 (24) Gilles Simon(France) 1585 successive tournaments -- Bei- two tournaments, then he'll most The Wimbledon champion helped, so it was pretty much 23 (23) Caroline Garcia(France) 1725

24 (22) Jack Sock(U.S.) 1540 jing, Shanghai and Vienna -- to likely keep the No. 1 spot. is riding a 15-match winning a rest day. And then, yeah, the 24 (24) Daria Gavrilova(Australia) 1665

25 (25) Bernard Tomic(Australia) 1510 25 (25) Timea Babos(Hungary) 1635

close in on Djokovic and would "So I don't feel any differ- streak and lifted his career-best final wasn't too long yesterday, become the oldest new number ently now to how I did kind of seventh title of the season either. I feel okay." TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016 SPORT 31 Hamilton cuts Rosberg's lead with victory in Mexico

Mexico City Mercedes' driver Lewis Hamilton's Reuters Lewis Hamilton Action from the 6 Hours of Fuji event of 2016 FIA eighth win of the celebrates on World Endurance Championship in Fuji. 51 season puts him level the podium after ewis Hamilton won the Mexi- with France's Alain winning the can Formula One Grand Prix on Prost in the all-time Formula One - Sunday to cut Mercedes team lists with 51 career Mexican Grand Toyota GAZOO Racing mate Nico Rosberg's lead to 19 victories. Prix in Mexico City, points and prevent the German Mexico on Sunday. Ltaking his first title with two races to wins ‘6 Hours of Fuji’ spare. The triple world The pole-to-flag victory was the tri- champion also cut The Peninsula ple world champion's eighth of the season Mercedes team-mate and put him level with France's Alain 19 oyota GAZOO Racing earned its first victory of the Nico Rosberg's lead to Prost in the all-time lists with 51 career 19 points with Mexico season on home ground in an epic '6 Hours of Fuji', victories. Only Michael Schumacher (91) win. T the seventh round of the 2016 FIA World Endurance has won more. Championship (WEC). Rosberg, who would have clinched In front of an enthusiastic Japanese crowd, all three the title had he won and Hamilton fin- after stewards imposed a five second time LMP1 manufacturers showed near identical pace, but the ished 10th or lower, finished 8.354 penalty and Vettel had to run down the TS050 Toyota Hybrid #6 of Stephane Sarrazin, Mike Con- seconds behind to anchor champions pit lane to the podium. way and Kamui Kobayashi came out on top after a thralling Mercedes to their sixth one-two finish of The arguments and accusations con- battle. The Toyota Hybrid #6 crossed the line just 1.439 the season. tinued after the ceremonies, with Vettel seconds ahead of the competitor’s car #8, bringing Toyo- The German can clinch the title if he and Verstappen's Australian team mate ta’s 11th WEC win, its fourth in five years at Fuji. That result wins the penultimate round at Sao Pau- Daniel Ricciardo under investigation for also lifts the Toyota Hybrid #6 crew to second in the driv- lo's Interlagos circuit in Brazil in two some late wheel-banging. ers’ World Championship, 23 points off the lead. weeks' time. "He (Vettel) is smiling now. He doesn't Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Naka- "Lewis has been too fast this week- deserve to be up there (on the podium)," jima recorded their best result of the season with fourth, end," said Rosberg. "I just have to accept declared the Australian. "I thought I had within a minute of the winning sister car, TS050 Toyota second place." every right to be there but he kept clos- Hybrid #5. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel took third ing the door under braking. I was The tone for a tense and closely-fought race was set at place when Red Bull's Dutch teenager Max frustrated with that." the start. Kamui and Kazuki, having slipped to fourth and Verstappen, who provided much of the In a race that saw all but one of the 22 sixth respectively at turn one, fought back, and at the first afternoon's entertainment and controversy, starters finish, the safety car was deployed pit stops the Toyota Hybrid #6 was running second while was penalised after the chequered flag for on the second lap when Mexican Esteban the Toyota Hybrid #5 was fourth. Fast work from the pit gaining an advantage when going off. Gutierrez tagged Pascal Wehrlein's Manor crew established the pattern for the race, with the Toyota That triggered the main drama of the day. and pushed him into Marcus Ericsson's Hybrid #6, now with Mike at the wheel, in a very close fight "He has to let me go, he has to let me Sauber. There was more drama at the front for the lead with the competitor’s car #8, while Anthony go," Vettel, who had been trying to pass where Hamilton made a good getaway but in the Toyota Hybrid #5 was pushing for the podium. the Red Bull driver on the 67th of the 71 then locked up and trekked across the As the race passed the half-distance point, there was laps, exclaimed furiously over the team grass, cutting the first corner. no letup as all three LMP1 manufacturers ran flat-out for radio as Verstappen refused to concede That incident was later held up by victory in a tense contest, which got even closer when the the place. Verstappen as inconsistent stewarding, competitor’s car #1 joined the battle. As the four-hour mark The German, who also directed a foul- with the Briton also gaining an advantage Formula One GP of Mexico Results approached, less than two seconds covered the top three mouthed outburst at race director Charlie but escaping any sanction. while the Toyota Hybrid #5 was less than 30 seconds from Whiting, swerved across to the Red Bull Verstappen and Rosberg made con- 1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1:40:31.402 the lead in fourth, with Kazuki pushing for the podium driver after they crossed the line and tact behind Hamiton, with the Dutch 2. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes +00:08.354 positions. Stephane enjoyed an exciting stint with wheel- wagged a raised finger theatrically. driver trying to find a way through on the 3. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull - TAG Heuer 00:20.858 to-wheel battles against competitor cars’ #8 and #1, all "I was using a lot of sign language. inside from third place on the grid, but 4. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Red Bull - TAG Heuer 00:21.323 whilst coping with heavy traffic. When Kamui took over You have to understand the adrenaline," race stewards decided to take no further the Toyota Hybrid #6 with just over 90 minutes remain- 5. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 00:27.313 said the four-times champion. action. ing, he kept up the challenge, valiantly defending second 6. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 00:49.376 Verstappen defended himself with Ricciardo finished fourth, moved up place before targeting the leader. vigour, saying Vettel should go back to by Verstappen's penalty, with the Dutch- 7. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Force India - Mercedes 00:58.891 The final stop for the Toyota Hybrid #6 saw Kamui take school. man classified fifth. 8. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams-Mercedes 01:05.612 only fuel, saving vital time and earning track position but "I don't know how many times he is Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was sixth, 9. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes 01:16.206 requiring him to maintain the pace on older tires. Kamui using very bad language," said the teen- Nico Hulkenberg seventh for Force India 10. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India - Mercedes 01:16.798 rose to the challenge during the tense final laps, with fine ager. "I will speak to him because this is and the Williams pairing of Valtteri Bot- 11. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber - Ferrari 1 lap driving through the traffic. He crossed the line to win his how ridiculous he is handling it, he is just tas and Felipe Massa eighth and ninth. 12. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 1 lap first WEC race, while Anthony took the flag shortly after a very frustrated guy at the moment." Mexican Sergio Perez, the crowd 13. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren 1 lap in the Toyota Hybrid #5. Verstappen joined the Mercedes driv- favourite, took the final point for Force 14. Jolyon Palmer (Britain) Renault 1 lap Toyota GAZOO Racing will return to action next month ers in the waiting room before the podium India in 10th place after a long battle with 15. Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber - Ferrari 1 lap with the penultimate race of the 2016 season, the 6 Hours ceremony but was hauled out Massa. of Shanghai on November 6. Freeze frames from Losail International Circuit

FIM WorldSBK 2016 World Champion Jonathan Rea of Kawasaki Racing (third left) and FIM Supersport World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu of Kawasaki Puccetti Racing (centre) pose for a photograph with other award winning riders during FIM WorldSBK 2016 World Champion Jonathan the presentation ceremony at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday. Rea of Kawasaki Racing poses for a photograph.

Chaz Davies of Aruba.it Racing-Ducati (front) takes a turn ahead of Jonathan Rea (centre) of Kawasaki Racing Jonathan Rea in action during FIM WorldSBK Race 2 FIM WorldSBK Race 2 at the Losail at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday. International Circuit on Sunday.