NNBABA | Page 5 CYCLING | Page 7 LA Lakers Thomas power past primed to Miami Heat in salvage Ineos Finals opener season at Giro

Friday, October 2, 2020 FOOTBALL Safar 15, 1442 AH Messi, Ronaldo in GULF TIMES Champions League group stage clash SPORT Page 3 Djoko storms to 70th win Greek fifth seed Tsitsipas downs Cuevas in straight sets, while ninth seed Shapovalov at Roland Garros crashes out after loss to Carballes Baena

AFP Paris, France

orld number one Novak Djokovic took another confi dent stride closer to an W18th Grand Slam title with his 70th win at Roland Garros yes- terday. Djokovic, the 2016 champion, needed just 83 minutes to com- plete a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis. The top seed went level with Roger Federer for victories at the tournament, although still 25 be- hind Rafael Nadal’s all-time best. He will now face Colombian lucky loser Daniel Elahi Galan, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in action during his second round match against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas (not ranked 153, for a place in the last 16. pictured) at yesterday. (Reuters) “It was diffi cult for Ricardas in the third set as he had an injury Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his French Open second round match against Lithuania’s Ricardas and couldn’t move very well,” Berankis (not pictured) at Roland Garros in Paris, France, yesterday. (Reuters) RESULTS sipas (GRE) bt Pablo Cuevas (URU) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 said Djokovic whose afternoon Men (Round II) stroll was eased by his opponent SHAPOVALOV LOSES IN FIVE “Scheduling is absolutely aw- was to the semi-fi nals in 2012. 1-Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Ricardas Berankis (LTU) Women (Round II) needing treatment on a back HOURS ful. It’s just complete trash,” The seventh seed defeated It- 6-1, 6-2, 6-2; Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) bt Tennys 8-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) bt Darya Kasatkina problem after the second set. Garbine Muguruza, the 2016 raged the Canadian on having to aly’s 94th-ranked Jasmine Pao- Sandgren (USA) 6-2, 6-2, 6-3; 20-Christian Garín (RUS) 7-6 (6), 6-0; 30-Ons Jabeur (TUN) bt Nao “But I felt good just as I did in champion from Spain, knocked return to the court later to play lini 6-3, 6-3 to register her 25th (CHI) bt Marc Polmans (AUS) 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3), Hibino (JPN) 7-6 (4), 6-4; Danielle Collins (USA) bt the fi rst round and I want to con- out Pliskova’s twin sister Kristy- doubles. French Open win. 6-4; 15-Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt Jiri Vesely (CZE) Clara Tauson (DEN) 6-2, 6-3; 11-Garbiñe Muguruza tinue like that.” na, 6-3, 6-2. Dimitrov downed Slovakia’s Kvitova next faces 18-year- 6-1, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (2); 10-Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) bt Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) 6-3, 6-2; Fiona Djokovic, bidding to become Ninth seed Denis Shapovalov Andrej Martin 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-1 to old Leylah Fernandez of Canada, (ESP) bt Attila Balazs (HUN) 6-3, 6-1, 6-2; 17-Pablo Ferro (FRA) bt 14-Elena Rybakina (KAZ) 6-3, 4-6, the fi rst man in half a century to committed 106 unforced errors reach the third round for a fourth last year’s junior champion, who Carreno-Busta (ESP) bt Guido Pella (ARG) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2; Patricia Maria Tig (ROU) bt Christina McHale win all four majors twice, also as he crashed out following a 7-5, successive year. reached the last 32 of a Slam for 6-1; Daniel Altmaier (GER) bt 30-Jan-Lennard Struff (USA) 6-4, 6-3; Irina Maria Bara (ROU) bt Alison Van dropped only fi ve games in his 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 8-6 loss to Rob- Greek fi fth seed Stefanos Tsit- the fi rst time by seeing off Polona (GER) 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3; 7-Matteo Berrettini (ITA) Uytvanck (BEL) 6-1, 4-0 retd; 4-Sofia Kenin (USA) fi rst round match against Mikael erto Carballes Baena. sipas, who made the fourth round Hercog 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. bt Lloyd Harris (RSA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; Marton bt Ana Bogdan (ROU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; 7-Petra Kvitova Ymer who likened facing the Serb Spanish world number 101 last year, downed claycourt spe- champion and Fucsovics (HUN) bt Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) (CZE) bt Jasmine Paolini (ITA) 6-3, 6-3; Leylah Fern- to a “snake killing its prey”. Carballes Baena prevailed after cialist Pablo Cuevas 6-1, 6-4, fourth seed Sofi a Kenin needed 7-6 (2), 6-3, 7-5; Thiago Monteiro (BRA) bt Marcos andez (CAN) bt Polona Hercog (SLO) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1; Victory stretched his 2020 a fi ve-hour battle on Court Su- 6-2 having needed to come back three sets to see off Ana Bogdan Giron (USA) 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-1; Kevin Anderson (RSA) Clara Burel (FRA) bt Kaja Juvan (SLO) 7-6 (8/6), 6-2; record to 33-1, his only defeat zanne Lenglen to set up a clash from two sets down against of Romania, winning 3-6, 6-3, bt 22-Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3; Zhang Shuai (CHN) bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-4, 7-6 coming via disqualifi cation from with 18th seed Grigor Dimitrov. Jaume Munar in his opener. 6-2 while eighth-seeded Aryna 13- Andrey Rublev (RUS) bt Alejandro Davidovich (3); 13-Petra Martic (CRO) bt Veronika Kuderme- the US Open. Shapovalov, who reached the Next up for Tsitsipas is Slov- Sabalenka of Belarus took down (ESP) 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1; Roberto Carballes Baena tova (RUS) 6-7 (1), 7-5, 6-3; Laura Siegemund (GER) Former champion Jelena Os- quarter-finals of the US Open, enia’s Aljaz Bedene, the world Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 7-6 (6), (ESP) bt 9-Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-3, bt Julia Goerges (GER) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3; Paula Badosa tapenko swept second seed twice served for the match in number 56. 6-0. 3-6, 8-6; 18-Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) bt Andrej Martin (ESP) bt 29-Sloane Stephens (USA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2; Karolina Pliskova out of the tour- the final set at 5-4 and 6-5 but Also moving on was two-time Kasatkina has now gone two (SVK) 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-1; Aljaz Bedene (SLO) bt Nikola Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) bt 2-Karolina Pliskova nament, triumphing 6-4, 6-2 on was broken three times in suc- Wimbledon winner Petra Kvito- years without beating a top 10 Milojevic (SRB) 7-5, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4); 5-Stefanos Tsit- (CZE) 6-4, 6-2 the back of 27 winners. cession. va, whose best Roland Garros run player.

Qatar 2022 Team Base Camp Sites

Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy is preparing as many as 41 Base Camp training sites for the teams that will participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Each of the base camp will consist of two FIFA-compliant floodlit natural grass pitches, ancillary team facilities, spectator areas for public training sessions and more. Here’s a glimpse... (Twitter/RoadTo2022News) Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 2, 2020 TENNIS

FRENCH OPEN SPOTLIGHT Tunisia’s Jabeur Ostapenko fi nds plays mind games to climb rankings

Reuters to her game, Jabeur said: “The Paris, France mindset. “I put something in my head art of drop shot in that I kind of got sick being all ns Jabeur was fed up the time in 50 or top 100. I know with her ranking at the that I was able to win against start of 2020, having some players from top 10, top 20. dropped to 85th in the “I was not afraid to push more world,O but after making men- or get injured. Usually I was kind tal adjustments the Tunisian is of stuck in that side with my fi rmly on course to achieve her mind: If I want to push harder, I big Paris victory target of breaking into the wom- think that I will get injured. So I en’s top 20. took that off my mind. It really Jabeur became the fi rst Arab helped me.” Former French Open champion beats second seed Pliskova in straight sets woman to reach a Grand Slam She climbed to her career-high quarter-fi nal at this year’s Aus- ranking of 31st at the end of Au- Reuters tralian Open to start climbing the gust. Paris, France rankings and she has not looked “I always want to achieve back since. the top 20 ranking,” the former The 26-year-old also made French Open junior champion atvian Jelena Ostapenko the last eight in Qatar before the said after defeating Japan’s Nao is known on the tennis shutdown of the circuit due to Hibino 7-6 (4), 6-4 to set up a circuit for her aggres- the Covid-19 pandemic. third-round clash against eighth sive play and booming She continued her strong seed Aryna Sabalenka. Lgroundstroke winners. showing after the resumption on “Obviously, it’s going to be But the former French Open the hardcourts at Lexington and diff erent this year because there champion has rediscovered her New York, where she reached the is not a lot of tournaments. But love for the drop shot in the quarter-fi nals of the Western & it’s the same goals. I’m still keep- colder and slower conditions of Southern Open and the US Open ing my motivation on to really this year’s Roland Garros, and third round. play good. To be honest, I’m lov- she put that weapon to good use Asked what changes she made ing it.” yesterday in her 6-4, 6-2 sec- ond-round demolition of sec- ond seed Karolina Pliskova. “I think I was using them when I was a junior, but then (for) some time I didn’t use them,” Ostapenko, who became champion in Paris in 2017 as an unseeded player, told reporters. “I kind of forgot that I have this good shot, because I think I do good drop shots, sometimes winners, and it’s tough for girls. I think in these conditions the ball is bouncing super low, so it’s even tougher to get it back.” This year’s French Open was moved to September from its usual May-June slot due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the autumn weather has made the claycourts more sluggish. Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in action during her French Open second round match against Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova (not pictured) at The 23-year-old Ostapenko, Roland Garros in Paris, France, yesterday. (Reuters) whose world ranking peaked at fi ve in 2018, was aggressive from “Girls are expecting me al- “Even if I can’t hit that ball, is to climb up the rankings lad- winning only one Grand Slam. I the outset against Pliskova un- ways to hit the ball so strong, hit winners, sometimes to mix der again and regularly chal- want to achieve more and I want der the closed Court Philippe and especially here on clay it’s it up and the girls don’t expect lenge for titles. to be back in top fi ve, top 10. Chatrier roof and hit 27 winners. useful because the bounce is it. I think I hit really good drop “Of course it’s (2017) in my Step by step... But she also used drop shots much lower because it’s much shots, like very close to the net memory because it’s the big- “Still being aggressive player, judiciously, often leaving Plisk- colder this year. I think it’s very so it’s hard to get them back.” gest win of my career so far, but I I think it can bring me a lot of ova with too much ground to useful,” said Ostapenko, cur- The variety helps, but con- have to move forward,” she said. wins but consistency probably cover to reach them. rently ranked 43rd. sistency will be key if Ostapenko “The world doesn’t stop with in my game is the key.”

FOCUS

Anisimova faces Halep, hoping to dedicate win to dad Spaniard is fi rst player convicted

Reuters proud. So hopefully this year, I can win of ‘courtsiding’ betting off ence Paris, France a couple of tournaments and dedicate those to him.” Reuters suspended on condition of Anisimova has looked in ominous form Paris, France there being no further breach- manda Anisimova meets top at Roland Garros so far, swatting aside es of the tennis anti-corruption seed Simona Halep in the third both Tamara Korpatsch and Bernarda programme. The ITU said the round of the French Open yes- Pera in straight sets and dropping only nranked Spaniard player had acted as a court- terday in a highly-anticipated four games in two rounds. Gerard Platero Rod- sider at an ITF M15 tournament rematchA of last year’s quarter-fi nal, Halep, who has been equally impres- Uriguez has become the held in Pittsburgh in July 2019. which the American teenager won. sive, said she expects a tricky test when first tennis player convicted of “He is the first tennis player to The 19-year-old, who lost in the last the pair meet on Court Philippe Chatrier. ‘courtsiding’, which involves be charged with and convicted four to eventual winner Ashleigh Barty “Well, it’s one year between, so it’s go- sending live scoring data from of the practice,” it said. after stunning the 2018 champion, had to ing to be a little bit tough to explain now a match to a third party for bet- The Spaniard also placed 75 deal with a personal tragedy shortly after how it’s going to be,” Halep said. ting purposes. online bets on matches during her Roland Garros high with the sudden “But I’m going to talk with the coach, I The Tennis Integrity Unit June 2019, in a clear breach of death of her father and coach Konstantin. know it’s going to be tough because she’s (ITU) said in a statement that rules banning any form of bet- Anisimova, who pulled out of last hitting the ball strong and fl at. Rodriguez, 25, had been sus- ting on tennis. year’s US Open and only returned to ac- “I remember the match from last year, pended for four years and fined It said he had also failed to tion in January, is hoping to win her fi rst Romania’s Simona Halep and Amanda Anisimova (right) of the US. (Reuters/AFP) I remember also that I didn’t play what I $15,000 for courtsiding, betting engage or co-operate with the title of the year, which she plans to dedi- wanted, so I will do some changes and I and non-cooperation off ences. investigation and disciplinary cate to her father. joy the game again,” Anisimova said ear- “Getting back on court always brings will just try to play better and to take my Six months of the ban were process. “It took a little bit of time for me to en- lier this year. me good memories and I try to make him chance.”

BOTTOMLINE Jamie Murray wants LTA to think long-term aft er French Open failures

By Kevin Mitchell bonus scheme is fair and is not would have his ideas again. As for the LTA’s academies, The Guardian enamoured of continued change “For me, that’s the biggest is- Murray sees room for improve- on the performance side. sue with it all. I really hope he is ment there, too. “I think it’s very Against that, however, he ar- doing a good job. I like talking diffi cult for you to tell me that he state of British ten- gues against a kneejerk urge for to him about British tennis and this 13-year-old kid is going to nis is not a geographical change, and he believes Scott what is going on. He really cares, be a great player and my 13-year- place but an island of de- Lloyd, who took over as chief ex- which is a huge thing. Hopefully, old kid is not going to be a player. spond for those weary of ecutive of the LTA from Michael we will start to see the fruits of How can you tell me who is going Tserial failure, and wet, grey Paris Downey in January 2018, might his labour and what he is putting to be a success at that age in the has provided a suitable miserable be the person to turn things in place.” senior game?” backdrop to another calamitous around if given a chance. “I’ve However, Murray has wider He adds: “[But] let’s get behind French Open campaign. spoken to Scott a few times about reservations. “The mentality it and hopefully they have got the However, Jamie Murray, never things,” Murray said. “I think he was: ‘We’re going to really, re- right people running these acad- one to panic on court and invari- is doing a good job. But, again, ally back the few and give them emies to get the best out of these ably considered in his judgments it’s diffi cult to judge him on two, big support’ – for, I don’t know, kids. The most important thing away from it, provided qualifi ed three years in the job. Hopefully, three to fi ve years, perhaps? – is making sure that they have the comfort for the nation’s favourite what he is putting in place now, then not much for anyone else. right people because, if not, it’s a sporting target as he moved into again if it’s seen through, you will There’s the bonus scheme, but I massive waste of money.” the second round of the doubles see rewards in fi ve, six, seven, 10 don’t think that really helps other These might be important but with . years’ time. guys that much. arcane issues in tennis that pass Speaking after six compatriots “He might leave the job in a “Personally, I don’t agree with by most casual fans. What disin- in the singles draws – including couple of years and what he has that. The margins are so small in terested parties can see, though, is his brother, Andy – had packed done, you don’t see it because tennis to decide: ‘You’re going to few players beyond Andy Murray their bags after one round, Mur- you don’t see a new player in the get £70,000 a year and I’m going standing tall on the world stage ray wondered if the Lawn Ten- top 10, or whatever, or participa- to get nothing,’ but actually the for any length of time. As a with nis Association’s funding pro- tion is not up loads and loads. So diff erence could be so marginal. a Rafael Nadal top-spun winner gramme for players will deliver people think he has done a crap And, at the end of the day, it’s on the damp and heavy clay of long-term results, questioned job, and it’s ‘get the next person someone’s opinion as to who gets Roland Garros, images leave a lin- whether the randomness of the British tennis player Jamie Murray. in and we will try him’. But he the funding.” gering impression in tennis. Gulf Times Friday, October 2, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

DRAW FOCUS Lewandowski named UEFA Messi, Ronaldo in men’s player of year

AFP the award for best forward in Geneva last season’s Champions League after amassing 15 goals in 10 games. In one match against Red obert Lewandowski Star Belgrade he needed just 14 Champions League was named UEFA men’s minutes to score four times. player of the year yes- The 32-year-old was also top Rterday following a su- scorer in the Bundesliga last sea- perb season in which he won the son with 34 goals, equal to a goal treble with Bayern Munich. a game in the 18-team league. Lewandowski was at the It was the fi fth time he Champions League group-stage claimed the award for the high- draw in Geneva to receive the est number of goals in the Ger- group stage clash award, just weeks after Bayern man top fl ight since arriving at won the 2019/20 edition of the Bayern from Borussia Dortmund competition. in 2014. Lewandowski would They will resume the rivalry they developed when Ronaldo was at Real Madrid The Poland striker, who have been the strong favourite to scored 55 goals in 47 games as win this year’s Ballon d’Or had Bayern also won the Bundesliga it not been cancelled by France and German Cup, saw off Bay- Football magazine due to the ern teammate Manuel Neuer and coronavirus pandemic. Manchester City’s Kevin de Bru- It was a good evening overall yne to win the award. for Bayern, with Neuer winning “It’s an amazing feeling, be- the 2019/20 Champions League cause you work so hard, so this goalkeeper of the season, Joshua trophy is something special,” Kimmich winning defender of said Lewandowski after receiv- the campaign and Hansi Flick ing the award. being named men’s coach of the “I have to say thank you to year. my teammates and coaches They will also be favourites to who helped me get where I am. qualify for this season’s Cham- Also my family have given me so pions League knockout stages much support and are so impor- after being drawn in Group A tant.” alongside Atletico Madrid, Salz- Lewandowski also picked up burg and Lokomotiv Moscow.

Didier Drogba and UEFA General Secretary and Director of Football Giorgio Marchetti during the Champions League draw in Geneva yesterday.

AFP Champions League groups The group stage starts on Geneva October 20, and all six rounds Group A Group C Group E Group G of games will be crammed into Bayern Munich Porto Sevilla Juventus eight weeks in a schedule that ionel Messi and Cris- Atletico Madrid Manchester City Chelsea Barcelona is even more packed than usual tiano Ronaldo will Salzburg Olympiakos Krasnodar Dynamo Kiev because of the coronavirus meet in a mouthwater- Lokomotiv Moscow Olympique de Marseille Rennes Ferencvaros pandemic. Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski poses with the Ling clash in this sea- Group B Group D Group F Group H UEFA will release the fixture 2019/2020 UEFA Player of the Year award in Geneva yesterday. son’s Champions League after Real Madrid Liverpool Zenit St Petersburg Paris St Germain schedule today, when the draw Barcelona and Juventus were Shakhtar Donetsk Ajax Amsterdam Borussia Dortmund Manchester United for the Europa League also placed in the same group in Inter Milan Atalanta Lazio RB Leipzig takes place. Genoa’s Serie A game postponed aft er 16 cases yesterday’s draw. Borussia FC Midtjylland Club Brugge Istanbul Basaksehir This season’s final is sched- Messi and Ronaldo will uled to be staged on May 29 in Milan: Italy’s football league has cannot be controlled.” resume the rivalry they devel- Istanbul, which was initially again been hit by coronavirus In Italy, the first European coun- oped when the Portuguese su- Juventus vice president Pavel appearing in the tournament holders,” pointed out Bayern’s the host for last season’s final with Genoa’s Saturday Serie A try aff ected by the coronavirus, perstar was at Real Madrid. Nedved. proper for the first time. Thomas Mueller. before UEFA was forced into a game postponed after 16 positive Serie A was first suspended in Between them they have Meanwhile, beaten 2020 fi- English Manchester City will face change of plans because of the cases were detected at the club. early March, returning mid-June won 11 of the last 12 Ballons nalists Paris Saint-Germain champions Liverpool, who Porto, Marseille and Olympia- health crisis. The third-round match against to conclude the season. d’Or. will have a chance for revenge won the Champions League kos in Group C as they contin- UEFA has said that teams Torino is the first in Serie A to After Genoa’s most recent tests, The two heavyweights were against Manchester United, in 2019, will face Ajax as well ue their hunt for a first Euro- playing in the Champions be suspended because of the 12 players and four staff mem- drawn in Group G along with who ousted the French club in as Atalanta and Midtjylland of pean Cup. League and Europa League will coronavirus pandemic since bers are positive for Covid-19, Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine and the last 16 two seasons ago. Denmark in Group D. Other notable match-ups be able to open stadiums to up the championship started on two more than announced on Ferencvaros, the Hungar- PSG will also come up Holders Bayern will take on will see 13-time European to 30% capacity, subject to the September 19. Monday. ian club returning to the group against RB Leipzig in Group H. Atletico Madrid and will also champions Real Madrid meet approval of local authorities. “This postponement is logical. If it Goalkeeper Mattia Perin and stage for the first time in quar- The sides met in last sea- have a short trip across the Inter Milan in Group B and Away fans will not be al- hadn’t been decided who would midfielder Lasse Schoene both ter of a century. son’s semi-finals in Lisbon in border to Austria to take on Chelsea come up against deb- lowed “until further notice”, have gone onto the pitch, myself missed Genoa’s 6-0 Serie A loss “The match against Barce- August, with Paris winning Salzburg in Group A. utants Rennes as well as Eu- but the announcement that and (sporting director Daniele) at Napoli on Sunday, and 14 oth- lona will be a great challenge 3-0 before losing to Bayern Lokomotiv Moscow are oth- ropa League winners Sevilla in limited crowds can return will Faggiano?” said Genoa president ers have returned positive tests and it will be fascinating be- Munich in their first ever final er team in the section. Group E. be welcomed after last season’s Enrico Preziosi. since the game, including Italian cause it confronts those who, appearance. “The pressure is on you Chelsea signed goalkeeper Champions League and Europa “This virus has an insane spread- international striker Mattia Destro in my opinion, are still the two Completing the group is straight away in the Champi- Edouard Mendy from Rennes League were both completed ing capacity. Unfortunately, it yesterday. best players in the world,” said Istanbul Basaksehir, who are ons League when you are the last week. behind closed doors.

BOTTOMLINE Persepolis’ defence did the trick, says Resan AFC Masharipov’s sending off in the 15th Wednesday. said, with Islamic Republic of Iran’s Doha minute. The Argentinian forward gave Al Persepolis FC standing in the way of Al “It was a diffi cult match against an Nassr the lead after only 13 minutes Nassr and a place in the AFC Champi- organised side,” he said. “Pakhtakor before Abdulfattah Asiri added the ons League fi nal for the fi rst time. ashar Resan hailed Persepo- were aff ected by the red card, espe- second goal 10 minutes into the sec- Midfi elder Abdulmajeed al-Su- lis’ defensive resilience after cially that it happened so early in the ond half at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium laiheem agreed that Al Nassr should the Iran side advanced to a match. That defi nitely helped us. to steer the Saudi Pro League side into not be satisfi ed in having reached the Bthird AFC Champions League “We took advantage of this and the semi-fi nals of the AFC Champions semi-fi nals. semi-fi nal in four years with a 2-0 scored two goals early in the second League for the fi rst time in their his- “We haven’t done anything yet as win over Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor on period. In general it was a good match tory. our target is to reach the fi nal and we Wednesday. from the team but we were tired as we “We are very pleased with this win have an important match next Satur- Isa al-Kasir’s second half braced at put in a lot of eff ort in the (Round of 16) as it was a diffi cult match,” said the day,” said the 26-year-old. “Hopefully the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium secured match against Al Sadd.” 27-year-old Martinez. “We scored we can score another win and qualify the win but Iraqi midfi elder Resan said Up next are Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr twice and could have scored more but for the fi nal.” it was the good work at the back which in today’s semi-fi nal and Resan said the most important thing for us is that Meanwhile, Al Ahli Saudi FC mid- powered Persepolis to victory. Persepolis will be ready as they target we qualifi ed. fi elder Ali al-Asmari believed his “We have great defensive strength a second AFC Champions League fi nal “We had a perfect match. This is a team’s mistakes helped Al Nassr score and this helped us reach the semi-fi - appearance in three years, having fi n- clear indication that if we prepare well, their win. nal,” said Resan. “It is not easy for our ished runners-up to Kashima Antlers then we will be able to perform well.” “Matches in the knockout stage are opponents to score against us. of Japan in 2018. Despite reaching the semi-fi nals of won by the slightest diff erences and “In the six matches that we have “We played six matches in Qatar the AFC Champions League for the minor details,” said al-Asmari. “Al played in Qatar, we only conceded one and all were decisive,” said Resan. Al Sadd forward Baghdad Bounedjah (L) vies for the ball with Persepolis’ mid- fi rst time and scoring his fi rst goal in Nassr took advantage of our mistakes goal and it was from a penalty. This “We must forget this match and start fielder Bashar Resan (C) during their AFC Champions League Round of 16 match Al Nassr colours, Martinez refused to tonight in order to win as they were shows that our system has worked preparing for Al Nassr with an aim of on September 27 in Doha. bask in glory as he set his sights on Sat- better positioned on the pitch. well.” Resan admitted that Pakhtakor reaching the fi nal. urday’s semi-fi nal. “We hope to make a good comeback had made it very diffi cult for his side “Our technical staff have watched prepare to give our best on Saturday.” ance in their 2-0 win against Al Ahli “The match against Al Ahli is over in the competition next year as we will despite the Uzbekistan outfi t being re- Al Nassr and they have analysed their Meanwhile, Pity Martinez believes Saudi FC in the quarter-fi nals of the and we must start thinking of the next try our best to fi x the mistakes that we duced to 10 men following Jaloliddin weaknesses and strengths. We will Al Nassr produced a perfect perform- 2020 AFC Champions League on match in order to reach the fi nal,” he made in this year’s competition.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 2, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS ROUND-UP Man City, Man Utd ease into League Calvert-Lewin gets Cup quarter-fi nals England call-up, Greenwood left out ‘I’M VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO CALL HIM UP FOR THE FIRST TIME’

Reuters London

n-form Everton striker Do- minic Calvert-Lewin has earned his fi rst call-up to the senior England squad Iwhile and Mason Burnley’s Charlie Taylor (R) in action with Manchester City’s Ferran Greenwood were dropped for Torres Pool during their League Cup match on Wednesday. disciplinary reasons. England host a friendly with AFP lead in the 44th minute when Wales on Oct 8 before Nations London Scott McTominay headed home League matches at home to Bel- from Juan Mata’s free-kick. gium and Denmark. United doubled their advan- Calvert-Lewin has scored erran Torres scored his tage in the 73rd minute, with eight goals this season in all fi rst Manchester City Donny Van De Beek fi nding competitions, including a hat- goal as the League Cup Spanish midfi elder Mata, who trick against West Ham United holders got back on track showed slotted home his 50th in the League Cup fourth round withF a 3-0 win against Burnley, goal for the club. on Wednesday. while Manchester United joined Paul Pogba came off the bench “A lot of Dominic’s game I’ve their rivals in the quarter-fi nals to score seven minutes later liked for a long time, what he’s after beating Brighton 3-0 on when his free-kick curled in via adding now is the goals that Wednesday. a defl ection off Brighton’s Joel haven’t always been there and ’s side suff ered Veltman. in the last 18 months or so he Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates their heaviest home Premier Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit has really improved in that area,” scoring the team’s fourth goal to complete League loss under the Spaniard a hat-trick as Everton thrashed England manager Gareth South- his hat-trick against West Ham United in the on Sunday when Leicester hand- West Ham 4-1, but the win was gate said yesterday. League Cup on Wednesday. ed them a humiliating 5-2 defeat. overshadowed by injuries to the “He’s been a big part of Ever- A brace from Raheem Ster- Toff ees’ Brazilian stars Richarli- ton’s starting the season as ling at Turf Moor ensured they son and Allan. well as they have and I’m very washed away some of that bitter Calvert-Lewin put Everton pleased to be able to call him up taste from that defeat and Span- ahead with his sixth goal of the for the fi rst time,” he told a news ish forward Torres, a close-sea- season after 11 minutes after conference. There are also fi rst son signing from Valencia, added Goodison Park. senior call-ups for Leicester but Southgate had said they with their clubs and enjoy their a suspended prison sentence of Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope City’s third goal. Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who City winger Harvey Barnes and would have to regain his trust football,” Southgate said, add- 21 months and 10 days but the Defenders: Trent Alexander-Ar- City have won the League Cup have won six consecutive Arsenal defender Bukayo Saka. before they can be considered ing that any future decision on United captain has been granted nold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, four times in the last fi ve seasons matches in all competitions this The decision to leave out for selection. whether to call them up would a full retrial after appealing the Eric Dier, Joe Gomez, Michael and they remain on course to re- season, were pegged back by Manchester City midfi elder “They are two very talented purely be based on form. convictions. Keane, Harry Maguire, Ainsley tain the trophy. Robert Snodgrass’s 46th minute Foden and Manchester United players but there are two parts. Skipper Maguire returns after England play Wales on Oct.8 Maitland-Niles, Tyrone Mings, Guardiola’s men would have equaliser. forward Greenwood was widely We have to send a message to he was withdrawn for the Na- before two more home games Bukayo Saka, Kieran Trippier, won by an even bigger score- But Richarlison restored expected after an incident dur- all players in our teams, at every tions League matches against against top-ranked Belgium on line but for a fi ne display from Everton’s lead 10 minutes later ing last month’s international level, that that sort of thing isn’t Iceland and Denmark follow- Oct 11 and Denmark on Oct 14. Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, Burnley keeper Bailey Peacock- before Calvert-Lewin bagged break. The pair had been called how we do things with England ing his arrest and trial in Greece Southgate’s side are second in Jack Grealish, Mason Mount, Farrell. his second treble already this up to the England senior squad but then we also have to rehabil- during the close season. Nations League A Group 2 with Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne season with goals in the 78th for the fi rst time but were sent itate these two boys, young peo- A Greek court found Maguire four points from two games, two James Ward-Prowse, Harry both started in a strong City side and 84th minute. home after breaching Covid-19 ple will make mistakes,” he said. guilty of repeated bodily harm, points behind leaders Belgium. Winks that also included Riyad Mah- Ancelotti’s joy was tempered protocols in Iceland by meeting “These lads have suff ered now attempted bribery, violence Denmark have one point and Forwards: Tammy Abraham, rez and a debut for 18-year-old by the sight of Richarlison and up with two women inside the enough, we think they need this against public employees and Iceland have none. Harvey Barnes, Dominic Calvert- midfi elder Cole Palmer. Allan limping off in the second public areas of the team hotel. period of refl ection, but then insult following a brawl on the Lewin, Danny Ings, Harry Kane, Sterling made the break- half. Newcastle survived a scare Both players issued apologies that gives them the opportu- island of Mykonos. Squad: Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, through 10 minutes before the from fourth tier Newport before in the aftermath of the incident nity to get back on their feet The 27-year-old was handed Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, interval with a powerful strike reaching the last eight with a 5-4 from ’s cross. penalty shoot-out win after their The City forward doubled his 1-1 draw. BOTTOMLINE tally on 49 minutes, fi nishing off Steve Bruce’s Premier League a good move involving De Bru- side fell behind early in the fi rst yne and Torres. half at Rodney Parade as Tristan City put the result beyond Abrahams netted for the hosts. doubt in the 65th minute when But Jonjo Shelvey equalised Sterling failed to control a Mah- with just three minutes left to rez pass and the ball ran through force the shoot-out. Old friends Pirlo, Gattuso meet for the 20-year-old Torres to Joelinton saw his eff ort saved slam past Peacock-Farrell. by Newport goalkeeper Nick At the Amex Stadium, Man- Townsend. chester United infl icted more But Mark Gillespie saved misery on Brighton four days Ryan Taylor’s eff ort and Brandon on the touchline for fi rst time after beating them 3-2 in a dra- Cooper blazed over the bar to Reuters matic Premier League game. hand the Magpies victory. Milan Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side needed a 100th minute Bruno Fourth round Fernandes penalty to see off Al- Brighton 0 Manchester United 3 t was one of football’s most bion on that occasion and con- (McTominay 44, Mata 73, Pogba successful midfi eld part- ceding an equaliser moments 80) nerships: on the one hand, early. Burnley 0 Manchester City 3 Ithe snarling, combative There was less drama this (Sterling 35, 49, Torres 65) Gennaro Gattuso, and on the time as United made 10 changes Everton 4 (Calvert-Lewin 11, 78, other, the thoughtful, elegant, and Brighton nine, with Solsk- 84, Richarlison 56) West Ham 1 unfl appable Andrea Pirlo. jaer’s stand-ins proving far su- (Snodgrass 46) The pair formed the back- perior. Newport 1 (Abrahams 5) New- bone of a memorable AC Milan United, who last won the castle 1 (Shelvey 87), Newcastle team for more than a decade and League Cup in 2017, took the won 5-4 on penalties helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup. On Sunday, the old chums will Morocco name El Haddadi aft er FIFA rule change face each other on the touchline for the fi rst time as Pirlo’s Juven- Rabat: Sevilla striker Munir El coming before the player tus host Gattuso’s Napoli in Serie Haddadi is in line to become turns 21. A. the first beneficiary of a new Playing at a World Cup or Napoli have made an impres- rule change around interna- continental tournament also sive start to the season, winning tional eligibility, adopted at prohibits a player from switch- both of their opening games, the FIFA Congress last month, ing country but appearing in a while Juve, chasing a 10th suc- after receiving a call-up from tournament qualifier – or the cessive Serie A title, began with a Morocco yesterday. Nations League – would not. win and a draw. The 25-year-old Madrid-born Morocco tried to pick El Hadd- While the coaches are good forward, who began his career adi for the 2018 World Cup friends, there is no love lost be- at Barcelona and helped in Russia but were stymied tween their teams. Sevilla win the Europa League by FIFA’s regulations, which More than any other fi xture in in August, played one match previously allowed players to Italian football, it has come to be for Spain in 2014 when he change international alle- seen as a clash between the rich, debuted in a European Cham- giance if they had only played industrial wealth of the north pionship qualifier which tied at junior level or in non-com- and the much poorer south. him to the national team, even petitive senior games. Napoli have enjoyed the upper Juventus’ Italian coach Andrea Pirlo (R) embraces forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of their Italian Serie A football against Roma on though he is also a Moroccan However, El Haddadi, who has hand in the last two meetings, September 27 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. citizen through his parents. not been in the picture for beating Juventus 2-1 in Serie A But FIFA last month tweaked Spain for years, was handed and winning last season’s Coppa sacked after three months. one where a great playing career me think I had to change profes- target. the rules so that players can the chance of a new interna- Italia fi nal on penalties after a The 41-year-old Pirlo, mean- is not enough,” warned Gattuso. sion,” Gattuso once said. “I un- In his autobiography, Pirlo told change their international tional career when he was 0-0 draw. In coaching terms, while, will be in charge of only “You have to study, work hard, derstood what I had to do, and he how he and Italy team mate Dan- allegiance provided they are named among eight new Gattuso, 42, has had a head start his third game as a coach, hav- and you don’t get much sleep.” took care of the rest. iele De Rossi once doused Gat- eligible to represent a second players in a 26-man Morocco on his former team mate. ing surprisingly been handed the Despite their very diff erent play- He helped me much more in tuso with a fi re extinguisher and country and have played no squad for friendlies against He is already at his sixth club reins in August following the dis- ing styles, the two players com- my career than I did him.” recalled Gattuso attacking him more than three matches for Senegal on Oct. 9 and Demo- since embarking on his new ca- missal of Maurizio Sarri. plemented each other perfectly They would also play pranks and other Milan players with a one national team at senior cratic Republic of Congo on reer at Swiss side FC Sion in 2013, “He’s lucky to be starting at at Milan. on each other, with Gattuso’s fork, causing at least one to miss level, with all the appearances Oct. 13. where he was unceremoniously Juventus, but this profession is “When I saw him play it made short temper making him a prime the game through injury. Gulf Times Friday, October 2, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA COMMENT Bruised Butler Lakers power past vows to bounce back aft er Heat in opener Lakers mauling Anthony Davis, in the best-of-seven title series for the first time, scores 34 points AFP had enough depth to counter the Orlando, United States loss of the Slovenian shooting guard if confi rmed. AFP “We got to try to cover up what Miami, United States immy Butler called on he gives us and make up for it,” his battered and bruised Butler said. Miami Heat teammates “We’re capable of it. We have he Los Angeles Lakers to toughen up after their to be. Moving forward with or manhandled the Miami gameJ one mauling by the Los without Goran we better hurry Heat 116-98 in game Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals up and tie it up 1-1.” one of the NBA Finals on on Wednesday. Butler meanwhile said Miami TWednesday in a dominant start Miami talisman Butler was one were clear on what needed to be to their quest for a 17th cham- of several players who picked up improved. pionship. knocks during an emphatic 116- “We talk about how damn near After a 10-year absence from 98 defeat in Orlando which saw perfect that we have to play, and the championship series, the key Heat players Goran Dragic that was nowhere near it,” he said. Lakers returned with a venge- and Bam Adebayo both exit with “There’s nothing to be said. ance in the NBA’s quarantine injuries. We can watch all the fi lm in the bubble in Orlando, Florida. Butler played down the sig- world, we understand, we know Anthony Davis, in the best- nifi cance of his twisted ankle, what we did not do. of-seven title series for the fi rst and said the team would have to “We didn’t rebound, we didn’t time after years of frustration in recover with or without Dragic in make them miss any shots, we New Orleans, scored 34 points game two. didn’t get back, all of those to lead the Lakers. “We just got to be tougher,” things led to the defi cit that we “I felt good,” Davis said. “A Butler said. “We got to put up put ourselves in.” little nervous, but when the more of a fi ght. I don’t think we Miami coach Erik Spoelstra ball was tipped up, I just went did that. And then it doesn’t help said a string of mistakes had left out there and played basketball. whenever we don’t make shots. his team with too much ground This is a moment I’ve waited “It’s been that way all year to make up as the Lakers surged for my entire career and I want long, whenever we start to miss into a 32-point lead at one stage. to make sure I take the oppor- a couple shots, we don’t do what “There were too many pos- tunity, because it doesn’t come we’re supposed to do on the oth- sessions where it was either a around too often.” er end.” poor off ensive possession or a LeBron James, the fourth Unconfi rmed reports on miss that led to a couple of poor player to make a 10th appear- Wednesday said Dragic had suf- possessions defensively or vice ance in the NBA Finals, was just fered a torn plantar fascia, a versa, and those stacked on top shy of a triple double with 25 foot injury which would almost of each other,” he said. points, 13 rebounds and nine as- certainly rule him out of the re- “We’re much better than we sists. mainder of the best-of-seven showed tonight. I don’t have my “We’ve got a lot more work to series. message right now, but I’ve got a do,” James said afterwards. “The A defi ant Butler said Miami night to fi gure it out.” job is not done. We’re not satis- fi ed winning one game. It’s that simple.” Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 13 points and Danny Green contributed 11 for the Lakers, who led by as many as 32 points. The Heat, the Eastern Con- ference fi fth seeds who swept the Indiana Pacers before top- pling the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics on the way to the Finals, showed no sign of nerves in an ener- getic start against the Western Conference top seeds, racing to a 13-point lead midway through the fi rst quarter. But the Lakers inexorably seized control and the Heat’s dream start devolved into a nightmare with key contributors Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat reacts after coming down hard after Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo a play during Game One of the 2020 NBA Finals against LA Lakers exiting with injuries and star at AdventHealth Arena in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, on forward Jimmy Butler hobbled Wednesday. (AFP) by a twisted ankle. Butler still scored 23 points to lead the Heat, who will try to bounce back in game two today. Lakers’ James tops jersey sale list

‘WE CAME OUT SLOW’ Reuters point guard Luka Doncic. Davis and James both said the Toronto, Canada James was joined in the top Lakers need to start stronger in five by Lakers team mate game two, after Miami came out Anthony Davis, Boston Celtics’ fi ring. Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis (left) is fouled during Game One of the 2020 NBA Finals against Miami Heat at AdventHealth Arena in Lake espite being tucked Jayson Tatum and twice league “They came out very hot, we Buena Vista, Florida, United States, on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) away in a Covid-19 most valuable player Milwau- came out slow.” Dquarantine bubble, Los kee Bucks’ Giannis Antetok- Added James: “I think they knotted the score 28-28 on a lay- Lakers responded and pulled to stretch the Lakers’ lead to 17 Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James ounmpo of Greece. smacked us in the mouth, and up off an assist from James before away courtesy of a 64.7 percent after a fi rst half that saw James he did not yet know the progno- remains the most popular The Lakers also topped league we got a sense of that. fi nding reserve Alex Caruso for a success rate from three-point shaking out a shoulder after sis for Dragic and Adebayo. player when it comes to jersey merchandise sales after the “And so we knew how hard three-pointer to end the fi rst with range in the fi rst half, when they colliding on the fl oor with Jae “Regardless,” he said, “The sales and social media, the Covid-19 restart according to we had to play if we wanted to the Lakers up 31-28. made 11 of 17 from beyond the Crowder in pursuit of a loose Lakers set the tenor, the tone, National Basketball Association NBAStore.com purchases from try to make it a game. From that Los Angeles continued to arc. ball. the force, the physicality for the said on Wednesday. July 30 through Sept. 28. The moment when it was 23-10, we pour it on in the second quarter, Overall the Lakers shot 45.2 But Miami endured worse majority of the game. With Los Angeles preparing sale of James jerseys is reflected started to play to our capabili- out-scoring the Heat 34-20 to percent from the fi eld and made injury news, with Dragic — the “They just took control and to take on the Miami Heat in in his social media presence. ties. We started fl ying around. take a 48-65 lead into the break. 15 three-pointers. They out-re- Heat’s leading scorer in the we weren’t able to get it back.” Game One of the NBA Finals The NBA announced that We started getting defensive Three-pointers from Kyle bounded the Heat 54-36. playoff s — exiting at halftime Lakers coach Frank Vogel said on Wednesday in the Orlando James gained the most social stops. We started sharing the Kuzma and Rajon Rondo pushed After Caldwell-Pope came with a left foot injury. his team would attempt to keep bubble in which they have media followers (more than ball a lot better off ensively the Lakers’ lead to 37-32 less up with a steal a driving Kuzma Adebayo departed in the applying the same kind of pres- been quarantined for more 4.1mn) across Instagram and and just got into a really good than two minutes into the sec- found Davis for a dunk that third quarter with a left shoul- sure in game two. than two months, the league Twitter after the restart. groove.” ond period. made it 61-48 with 1:15 left in der problem as Butler played on “This is just one win,” Vogel announced James again James was followed by Heat Caldwell-Pope drained back- Two three-pointers from the fi rst half. despite twisting his left ankle in said. “We’re happy that we got topped the sales list ahead of rookie Tyler Herro, who saw an to-back three-pointers to trim rookie Tyler Herro briefl y saw James made two free throws the fi rst half. the win, but we’ve got to keep Dallas Mavericks Slovenian increase of 790,000 followers. the defi cit to 25-18 and Davis the Heat lead 43-41 — but the and Davis threw down a dunk Immediately after the game, our foot on the gas.”

SPOTLIGHT NBA chief Silver hopes no bubble next season AFP an unprecedented 2019-2020 some kind of bubble or campus, start in January it means training able to have games with fans.” Orlando, United States season which was thrown into and if we did maybe it’s for a por- camps have begun three weeks Silver cautioned that plans chaos when the coronavirus pan- tion of the season? Can people earlier. And the players need a could change depending on the demic swept across North Amer- continue and thrive in this envi- break physically and mentally. evolution of the pandemic in the BA commissioner ica and sent sport grinding to a ronment?” There’s no question about it.” United States. Adam Silver said halt in March. Allowing fans into stadiums “Nothing has really changed Wednesday he hoped The league restarted after a Physical, mental toll next season would hinge on with this virus as far as I know,” the sport would not re- four-month hiatus in July, with Silver added that the league whether widespread rapid Cov- Silver said. “In fact in many Nturn to a “bubble” environment 22 teams based at Disney World was also uncertain as to a possi- id-19 testing was available. states, cases are ticking back next season but admitted league in Orlando, Florida, housed in a ble start date, with offi cials anx- “As for fans, it’s certainly our up again. There’s predictions of offi cials were keeping all options secure bubble aimed at shielding ious to ensure players received a goal, but it’s dependent on some combinations of fl u and corona- on the table. players and staff from Covid-19. proper off -season break. additional advancements. Rapid virus season, so what that will Speaking ahead of the open- Silver told reporters on “I’ve said previously that the testing may be the key here,” he mean? ing game of the NBA Finals, Sil- Wednesday he hoped the bubble earliest we would start at this said. “I’m hopeful that as we con- ver said plans for the new season format would be a one-off , but we’re going to have to continue diums and operating under strict point is Christmas,” Silver said. “Based on everything I’ve read tinue to study the advancements remained opaque, with no fi xed said it remained a possibility for looking at,” Silver said. safety protocols. “That’s been a traditional tent- there’s absolutely no chance that in testing, that rapid testing start date and uncertainty sur- next season. The league was monitoring “Will we able to operate as the pole date for the league. But it there will be a vaccine that is could make a diff erence in terms rounding issues such as fans in “I’m hoping, ideally, that we the progress of the NFL, which NFL is operating right now?” Sil- may come and go. widely distributed before next of getting fans in buildings, to stadiums. would not return to a bubble en- kicked off earlier this month with ver said. “The greater likelihood is we season....I’m hopeful that based help identify quickly a player The NBA is nearing the end of vironment, but it’s something teams playing in their home sta- “Will we need to operate in may start in January. But if we on what we’re learning we’ll be who is positive.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 2, 2020 SPORT

NFL Raiders stare down another QB challenge in Bills’ Allen Reuters touchdowns and two-plus rush- Las Vegas, which is second in New York ing TDs in the fi rst three weeks the AFC West behind the Chiefs Titans-Steelers tie postponed; more positives in Tennessee of a season. (3-0), returns home off its first “This is the fi rst time I’ve loss of the season. There will be no football for the Four players and five staff scheduled to host the Buff alo he Las Vegas Raiders ever really, really been excited The Patriots rolled up 406 to- Tennessee Titans this week. members had positive tests as Bills in Week 5. fi nd themselves in the about a quarterback on our tal yards, including 250 rushing, In the wake of more positive of Wednesday afternoon. No ruling has been made on middle of a fi ve-game team,” Kelly told the Los Ange- and controlled the ball for 34:39. Covid-19 test results, the NFL Their facility has been closed all the Vikings making the trip to gauntlet facing some of les Times. “We’ve had some and “No. 1, we obviously missed postponed the scheduled game week since the Titans returned Houston to play the Texans as Tthe NFL’s greatest quarterbacks. it was always, ‘We’ll see. We’ll some tackles,” Gruden said. in Nashville between the Titans from playing the Minnesota Vi- scheduled this Sunday. The Raiders (2-1) christened see. ... Yeah, he’s got potential, “No. 2, we had some guys out of and Pittsburgh Steelers. kings in Minneapolis on Sunday. The Vikings yesterday reported their brand new Allegiant Sta- but we’ll see.’ With Josh, I think their gaps. We lined up wrong “The Pittsburgh-Tennessee Cases reportedly began on “zero positive results from all dium with a 34-24 victory over he’s proven to everybody that he one time and we had a couple of game scheduled for Week 4 will Friday with outside linebackers PCR and POC tests conducted the New Orleans Saints and fu- can play. Now he just has to stay times where we didn’t get in our be rescheduled to later this sea- coach Shane Bowen. on players, coaches and football ture Hall of Famer Drew Brees healthy.” gaps appropriately on blitzes. son after one additional Titans Three Titans players – defensive operations staff ,” resulting in the in Week 2 and followed that up Buff alo Bills QB Josh Allen. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has And when you make mistakes in player and one personnel mem- tackle DaQuan Jones, long snap- reopening of the team’s practice with a 36-20 loss to 2015 MVP 20 receptions for 288 yards and a one-gap defense and you miss ber tested positive for Covid-19 per Beau Brinkley and practice facility. Cam Newton and the New Eng- ally throw the ball. He’s got a two touchdowns while Cole Bea- a few tackles, yardage can add today. An announcement of the squad tight end Tommy Hudson “As I know right now, yes, we’re land Patriots last week. great playing style. He’s got a lot sley has 15 catches for 228 for the up.” new game date will be made – were placed on the Reserve/ scheduled to get on that plane On deck are back-to-back of John Elway’s playing style. He Bills, who rank fourth in the NFL It also didn’t help that the shortly,” the NFL said in a state- Covid-19 list on Tuesday as the Saturday and play,” general games against 2018 MVP Patrick can scramble, he’s strong, he’s in total off ense (434.0 ypg) and Raiders lost three fumbles. ment yesterday morning. NFL shut down the team facility. manager Rick Spielman told Mahomes and the Super Bowl tough. He’s a big-time player.” third in scoring off ense (31.0 ppg). Quarterback Derek Carr com- “The decision to postpone the A fourth player – linebacker ESPN yesterday. champion Kansas City Chiefs Allen is second in the league Buff alo’s defense, which has pleted 24 of 32 passes for 261 game was made to ensure the Kamalei Correa – returned a “If that changes, I don’t know. followed by a October 25 home with a 124.8 passer rating and ranked in the top three in the NFL yards and two touchdowns while health and safety of players, positive test Wednesday and But as of today, we are sched- date with three-time MVP Tom set a franchise record for passing in yards allowed per game in two Josh Jacobs rushed for 71 yards coaches and game day person- was off icially added to the Covid uled as normal.” Brady and the Tampa Bay Buc- yards in the fi rst three games of a of the past three seasons, is off to on 16 carries. nel. The Titans facility will list. Vikings athletic trainer Eric Sug- caneers. season (1,038), not bad when you a slow start, allowing 380.7 yards The Raiders could be without remain closed and the team will The Titans also reported five arman said no one will be admit- But Raiders coach Jon Gruden consider Hall of Famer Jim Kelly per game (21st) and blew a 28-3 both of their fi rst-round picks continue to have no in-person positive tests among team ted to the facility without first made it a point to lavish some also starred for the Bills. lead to the Rams before Allen for the contest. activities until further notice.” personnel, including Bowen, receiving a negative test result. lofty praise on Sunday after- He has thrown 10 touchdown helped to pull it out at the end. Cornerback Damon Arnette Previously postponed with who did not make the trip to He said enhanced protocols will noon’s opposing QB, Josh Allen passes and been intercepted just “Going up 28-3, as a team, we reinjured his thumb and along consideration to playing the Minnesota. be in place, including tempera- of the AFC East-leading Buff alo once. have to be better,” Allen said. with wide receiver Henry Ruggs game Monday, the Titans (3-0) The Steelers will have a bye ture checks, wearing masks and Bills (3-0). The 6-foot-5, 238-pound Al- “We need to make sure we keep III (hamstring) was one of six and Steelers (3-0) instead have week and play the Philadelphia social distancing. “He’s a fun guy to watch, len is the only player in NFL his- our foot on the pedal and we’ve players who didn’t practice on an open week. Eagles in Week 5. The Titans are (Reuters) man,” Gruden said. “He can re- tory to record 10-plus passing got to put that game away.” Wednesday.

MLB FOCUS Gase to survive 0-4 start unless Jets Astros, Yankees embarrassed

Reuters “I can’t focus on that. It’s New York wasted energy,” Gase said this week. “It’s not going to help me at all. All I can do is make ew York coach Adam sure I get our guys into the advance, Dodgers Gase’s job does not right headspace to go out there hang in the balance and play well.... If I waste my of the Jets’ Thursday energy on anything else, it’s Nnight game against the Den- counterproductive to what ver Broncos, according to NFL we’re doing.” Network and The Athletic. With the Jets also an inju- However, The Athletic’s re- ry-ravaged club, the two re- port said Gase could be fi red if ports suggest Gase would be take series lead the 0-3 Jets were to get embar- safe even if a Brett Rypien-led rassed by the injury-riddled Broncos team comes into New 0-3 Broncos, who are starting York and sends the Jets to 0-4. ‘PEOPLE ARE MAD, PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO SEE US HERE’ their third quarterback in four However, if the Broncos em- weeks. barrass the Jets, The Athletic The speculation regarding reports that Jets CEO Christo- AFP Gase’s job security has inten- pher Johnson would be com- Los Angeles sifi ed as the Jets have lost by pelled to make a change. a bigger defi cit each week – a Johnson recently called Gase 10-point loss to the Buff alo a “brilliant off ensive mind,” he Houston Astros and the New Bills in Week 1; an 18-point but the numbers don’t bear York Yankees booked places in loss to the San Francisco 49ers that out in Gase’s tenure. The Major League Baseball’s postsea- in Week 2; a 29-point loss to Jets are last in the NFL with son division series on Wednesday the Indianapolis Colts last 263.7 yards per game, last in Tas the Los Angeles Dodgers opened their week. The minus-57 point scoring (12.3) points per game, playoff campaign with victory over the diff erential is the worst in the and next-to-last in passing Milwaukee Brewers. NFL. yards per game at 172.3. The scandal-tainted Astros secured a Gase, 7-12 in his second year The Jets fi nished last in 2019 meeting against either the Oakland Ath- leading the Jets, is now being in yards per game (273.0) and letics or Chicago White Sox in their Amer- asked about his job security. next-to-last in scoring (17.3). ican League divisional round match-up after completing a 2-0 wild card series win over Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Astros are the villains of baseball’s abbreviated 60-game campaign this year following the explosive sign-stealing cheating scandal which engulfed the franchise during the close season. A tense game two was broken open in the seventh inning when Carlos Correa belted a 430- foot homer to give Houston the lead be- fore Kyle Tucker added an insurance run with a single in the top of the ninth. “People are mad, people don’t want to see us here,” a jubilant Correa said after- wards. “What are they going to say now? We’re a solid team, we won a series on the road in Minnesota. So what are they going to say now.”

RESULTS Yankees 10-9 Indians Astros 3-1 Twins Rays 8-2 Blue Jays A’s 5-3 White Sox Braves 1-0 Reds Marlins 5-1 Cubs Dodgers 4-2 Brewers New York coach Adam Gase. Cardinals 7-4 Padres

The defeat was a crushing end to the season for Minnesota, who had not suf- Cardinals sign veteran safety fered consecutive home defeats this year Ward to practice squad before Houston’s back-to-back playoff victories. The Arizona Cardinals signed A second-round pick by It also extended the Twins’ tale of two-time Pro Bowl safety T.J. Cleveland in 2010, Ward postseason woe to a remarkable 18 straight Ward to their practice squad played four seasons with the losses, the worst playoff run of any team, yesterday. Browns and three with the in any major professional league in any Houston Astros centre fielder George Springer (left) and shortstop Carlos Correa celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Twins at Numbers were needed at the Denver Broncos before sign- sport in North America. Target Field in Minneapolis on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) position with starters Budda ing with the Bucs. He made The Astros were joined in the AL Divi- Baker (thumb surgery) and the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014 sion Series round on Wednesday by the shela for winning run. The Yankees will ries since 1988, were set up for victory the home side a two-run cushion. In Jalen Thompson (ankle) out and won Super Bowl 50 with Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays. face the top-seeded Rays in the AL Divi- after a disastrous opening inning from other playoff games on Wednesday, the with injuries and backup the Broncos. The Yankees prevailed in a thrilling sion Series. Tampa Bay advanced after Brewers starting pitcher Brent Suter. Atlanta Braves took 1-0 lead in their Na- Chris Banjo dealing with a In 107 career games (99 weather-disrupted game in Cleveland completing a 2-0 series win over the To- Suter walked four Dodgers batters in tional League wild card series against the hamstring issue. starts), he has 607 tackles, 8.5 against the Indians, winning a wild game ronto Blue Jays, romping to an 8-2 win at the fi rst inning alone, gifting the Dodgers Cincinnati Reds after a record low-scor- Ward, 33, last played in the sacks, eight interceptions and 10-9 to take the best-of-three series 2-0. Tropicana Field. two early runs with bases loaded walks. ing 13-inning battle. NFL in 2017 with the Tampa four fumble recoveries. A two-run rally in the top of the ninth Elsewhere Wednesday, the Los Angeles A Mookie Betts double scored Chris Freddie Freeman’s walk-off gave the Bay Buccaneers but could To make room for Ward, the rescued the Yankees, with Gary Sanchez’s Dodgers began their latest bid for World Taylor to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead in Braves a 1-0 win. The game had made make his Cardinals debut this Cardinals released off ensive sacrifi ce fl y allowing Mike Tauchman to Series glory with a 4-2 win over the Brew- the second inning, and although Milwau- baseball history as the fi rst ever postsea- Sunday against the Carolina lineman Rick Leonard. score to tie the game at 9-9 before D.J. ers at Dodger Stadium. kee closed to 3-2, Corey Seager’s mas- son game to go scoreless through 12 in- Panthers. (Reuters) LeMahieu’s single brought home Gio Ur- The Dodgers, chasing a fi rst World Se- sive homer in the seventh inning gave nings before Freeman’s winning single. Gulf Times Friday, October 2, 2020 7 SPORT

CYCLING MOTORSPORT Imola to allow 13,000 fans a day for Thomas primed to Emilia Romagna GP

Reuters IndyCar to welcome London 20,000 fans to season-ending race ore than 13,000 The St. Petersburg Grand salvage Ineos season spectators a day Prix will welcome 20,000 will be allowed to spectators for the IndyCar attend the Emilia season finale, organisers said MRomagna Formula One Grand yesterday, as Florida lifts all Prix at Italy’s Imola circuit lat- Covid-19 restrictions on busi- ‘He doesn’t let much get to er this month, race promoters nesses. Originally scheduled said yesterday. as the IndyCar Series opener him, he’s very level headed’ The race weekend, without in March, the race was moved at Giro d’Italia Friday practice and condensed to Oct. 25 in a reshuff ling of into two days from the usual the calendar caused by the Reuters three, is scheduled for October novel coronavirus outbreak. Paris 31 to November 1. It will be the IndyCar has had a handful of third race in Italy this season. spectators at a few tracks but The circuit last hosted a For- many races have been run in neos-Grenadiers, formerly mula One race in 2006, when it front of empty grandstands, Team Sky, have rarely shone was designated the San Marino including the series’s crown at the Giro d’Italia but af- Grand Prix, but is returning to jewel, the Indianapolis 500. ter having a Tour de France help fl esh out a calendar that St. Petersburg city coun- Ito forget, the British outfi t have has had to be rewritten due to cil yesterday approved a a lot to make up for as Geraint the Covid-19 pandemic. promoters plan to operate Thomas heads into the Corsa “Thanks to the precise and the event to spectators under Rosa as the main favourite to- meticulous anti-Covid health specific health and safety morrow. security protocol presented to protocols. Everyone attend- A year after his 2012 Tour de the Emilia-Romagna Region, ing the race will be required France title, Bradley Wiggins fo- it was possible to obtain a sig- to wear masks at all times cused on the Giro but abandoned nifi cant public presence, more unless eating or drinking. his challenge through illness, than 13,000 people for each Richie Porte pulled out injured race day,” organisers said in a in 2015, Mikel Landa retired ill statement. month’s Tuscan Grand Prix at in 2016 and Thomas left the race They said tickets had been Italy’s Mugello circuit. after a crash in 2017. on sale for a week and some Last weekend’s Russian Four-time Tour de France sectors had sold out. Grand Prix had the biggest champion Chris Froome restored The fi rst eight races of the crowd yet, with local organ- the team’s pride by winning the season were held without isers saying around 30,000 Giro title thanks to a bold long- spectators but some 2,800 a spectators had visited Sochi’s range attack in 2018, but the race day were allowed to attend last Olympic Park every day. remains the grand tour where Dave Brailsford’s outfi t have suf- fered the most. SPOTLIGHT Having lost their mojo on the Tour when defending champion Egan Bernal retired this year due to back and knee problems, Red Bull Racing Ineos-Grenadiers are now bank- ing on the Giro in a rescheduled season. spent 237.3 million The route, which features Team INEOS rider three individual time trials, fa- Geraint Thomas. (Reuters) vours Thomas over climbers like pounds in 2019 Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk and Dane Jakob Fuglsang or all- Reuters panying the fi gures. rounders like Vincenzo Nibali. London The $145 million cost cap The Welshman was initially is being imposed as part of scheduled to ride the Tour, but measures aimed at creating a his poor form in early August led ed Bull Racing spent more level playing fi eld for the Brailsford to schedule him for 237.3 million pounds 10 teams, but that excludes the Giro instead. Thomas geared ($304.84 million) in major elements such as driver up with a promising showing in told Reuters. “I don’t think it will play on within a week would trigger the Britain have another ace up fi nishing third in For- salaries, marketing and travel. Tirreno-Adriatico and he now “Like most of the grands tours his mind. He doesn’t let much ejection of the team will not ap- their sleeve in Mitchelton- mulaR One last season and rec- The budget cap drops to seems back to top shape. you have to avoid crashes and ill- get to him, he’s very level head- ply at the Giro. Scott’s Simon Yates, the Tir- ognised ‘adaptions’ would be $140 million in 2022 and $135 “It might be a blessing in dis- ness but I think he’s very experi- ed,” said Wiggins. Italy, the worst-hit country in reno-Adriatico winner. needed to meet a $145 million million for 2023-25 which will guise because he might end up enced, I think he’ll win it.” Riders and their staff will work Europe from the fi rst Covid-19 The outcome of the race, cost cap coming in for 2021. mean big teams like Red Bull winning the Giro, while he might Wiggins doesn’t believe that in a bio-secure environment wave, have since kept the situa- which is usually held in May, The Honda-powered team, having to cut their spending not have won the Tour, it’s hard Thomas’s traumatic experience amid the Covid-19 crisis, just tion under control. might also depend on the one of two owned by the Aus- while some smaller outfi ts still to imagine anyone would have from 2017, when he abandoned like on the Tour de France, but Local hopes will fall on the weather amid fears that some of trian energy drink company, have room to expand. surpassed (Slovenia’s Tadej) after being hit by a race motor- while they will be regularly test- shoulders of Nibali, the 2013 and the mountain climbs could be reported a profi t of 618,000 Red Bull did not detail how Pogacar on the Tour,” Wiggins, bike, will have any infl uence on ed for coronavirus, the Tour rule 2016 winner who has been below cancelled because of potential pounds compared to a previ- much of the 2019 expenditure a cycling expert for Eurosport, the 2018 Tour winner. stating that two positive tests par this season. snowstorms. ous 923,000 in the year ending would be exempt from the cost December 31. cap. Horner said the team had The expenditure compared examined the company’s ex- Trek-Segafredo suspend Simmons aft er controversial tweet to 239.6 million pounds in posure to Brexit and had plans 2018, when British-based Red in place to enable operations to Trek-Segafredo have suspended junior I hope this horrible presidency ends for speech, we will hold people accountable the rider’s season was probably over. Bull were also third and using continue unaff ected. world champion Quinn Simmons after he you. And for us as (former?) allies too. for their words and actions,” the team said “As of today, the rider is suspended and Renault engines. Champions Mercedes spent made “divisive, incendiary, and detrimen- “If you follow me and support Trump, you in a statement. we are deciding on the length of the Turnover was 245.4 million 333 million pounds in winning tal” statements online, the WorldTour can go. There is zero excuse to follow “Regrettably, Simmons made statements suspension but we can’t deny that with pounds, up slightly from a pre- both titles last year but also team said. The 19-year-old American’s or vote for the vile, horrible man,” Been online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, five races left this season, the probability vious 245.1 million. reported a profi t, according to response to a tweet about US President added, to which Simmons replied with a and detrimental to the team, professional that he will race again this year is remote,” “Costs remain under con- accounts published last month. Donald Trump triggered a backlash on hand-waving emoji with a Black skin tone. cycling, its fans, and the positive future we Guercilena told a news conference ahead trol and the team is mindful Red Bull have Dutch 23-year- social media, with people calling for a Trek-Segafredo condemned Simmons’ hope to help create for the sport.” of the Giro d’Italia. of adaptions necessary for old Max Verstappen on a long- boycott of the bike brand. comments, saying they valued inclusivity “In response, he will not be racing for Simmons joined the World Tour team this new FIA Financial Regulations term contract, with British- In a post on Twitter, cycling journalist Jose and diversity. Trek-Segafredo until further notice.” year after winning the 2019 junior road coming into force for 2021,” born Thai Alexander Albon his Been had said: “My dear American friends, “While we support the right to free Team manager Luca Guercilena said that world championship. Red Bull principal Christian current teammate, and are cur- Horner said in a note accom- rently second overall.

RUGBY NZ deny approving match schedule, will go alone on 2021 Super Rugby AFP “Pre-Covid our model here claimed the reported minutes land) were aware of that.” England’s Tuilagi ruled out for six months with Achilles injury Wellington was broken anyways so we were were merely someone’s notes. But when the schedule was starting to do work on what New “There has not been a SAN- made public, New Zealand Zealand was going to look like ZAAR board meeting since Au- fumed, claiming it went against ew Zealand main- going forward and Covid has re- gust 4 so the notes that have their push for a December 5 fi n- tained yesterday it ally accelerated the process.” been published are not board ish so players could complete was “blindsided” by On the Rugby Championship minutes and they have a funda- Covid-enforced quarantine re- the Rugby Champion- dispute, Impey insisted New mental error in it as far as (say- quirements and be home for Nship schedule that would leave Zealand’s position was always to ing)... the six-week draw was Christmas. “We didn’t agree to All Blacks players stranded in fi nish the four-nation tourna- agreed by all,” Impey said. the schedule and don’t agree to quarantine at Christmas, saying ment, aimed at resurrecting Test “I can tell you that it wasn’t. the schedule. Or the announce- leaked documents disputing this rugby in a Covid-disrupted year, We know that and Rugby Aus- ment,” Robinson repeated at a were incorrect. on December 5. tralia and SANZAAR know that,” press conference Wednesday, As the Covid-19 pandemic The timetable row has plunged he said. “The notes also quite hours before the details from the forces a rethink of how the SAN- New Zealand-Australia sporting clearly refer to an impasse and claimed leaked minutes emerged. ZAAR fl agship tournaments are relations to their “lowest ebb”, there are many e-mails that “In any forum that we’ve been conducted, New Zealand also according to Rugby Australia prove this, so our position has in there’s been no agreement to said it would go it alone again chairman Hamish McLennan. never changed,” he said. Impey play in the tournament on De- with Super Rugby next year. News outlets in both country’s said New Zealand’s focus was on cember 12, at any time and any But, with the prospect of a claimed to have seen leaked min- trying to resolve the issue and meeting. We’ve been very clear trans-Tasman travel bubble utes showing New Zealand had “we’re not going to bother to en- around that.” opening in coming months, a signed off on a six-week tourna- gage in tit-for-tat on so-called The issue was further clouded Injury-plagued England centre November, where they take on sign a new contract on reduced cross-over competition involv- ment ending on December 12. notes which weren’t minutes and by New Zealand Rugby Play- Manu Tuilagi will be sidelined Georgia, Ireland and Wales. terms, had joined Sale until the ing fi ve Australian teams could That schedule would mean the weren’t board minutes either.” ers Association boss Rob Nichol for six months with an Achilles “He’s had a scan... surgery end of next season. Injuries and follow later in 2021. All Blacks would still be in the The Sydney Morning Her- who said he received confl icting tendon injury sustained while next week hopefully. It’s a torn international duty had In 2022, New Zealand would two-week quarantine mandated ald said the leaked document information on the issue. playing for Sale Sharks, the Achilles,” Steve Diamond told a limited Tuilagi to an average look at adding four more teams by New Zealand for returning “revealed New Zealand Rugby “What we’ve learnt is exactly Premiership club’s director of news conference, adding that of around 11 games per season that could include two Pacifi c is- travellers over Christmas. agreed to play a six-week Rugby the same time that SANZAAR rugby said yesterday. the 29-year-old would be out for at Leicester. Tuilagi’s Sale and lands sides, Australia’s Western New Zealand Rugby chief Championship which would fi n- management put out a press re- Tuilagi suff ered the injury in six months. “It might have been England team mate Courtney Force, and a New Zealand-based Mark Robinson, along with del- ish on December 12, despite their lease eff ectively changing the Sale’s 34-14 win over Northamp- a bit of a jinx with me saying Lawes also picked up an ankle South China side that would also egates from the other SANZAAR insistence otherwise.” draw to show our last game on ton Saints on Tuesday, and will we’ve got nine games out of injury in the same game. play in Shanghai or Hong Kong. countries Australia, South Af- SANZAAR chief executive December 12, the broadcast- miss England’s postponed Six nine from him... It’ll be a loss to England begin their Autumn Na- New Zealand chairman Brent rica and Argentina, were listed Andy Marinos told Newshub the ers themselves had circulated a Nations game against Italy on both England and Sale.” tions Cup campaign on Nov. 14 Impey said change was neces- as having been at the Septem- tournament “was always agreed draw that showed the last game Oct. 31 as well as their Autumn Tuilagi, sacked by Leicester Ti- against Georgia at Twickenham sary. “I would hate to think that ber 17 meeting. But Impey, who to run from November 7 to De- on December 5,” Nichol told re- Nations Cup campaign in gers in July after deciding not to Stadium. we were arrogant,” he said. is also the SANZAAR chairman, cember 12 and they (New Zea- porters.

Friday, October 2, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET FOCUS Qatar Olympic Academy announces Rohit and bowlers 2021 Agenda

QNA Doha

atar Olympic Acad- star in Mumbai’s emy (QOA) an- nounced the agenda of its courses and agenda every year to contain programmesQ for 2021, which many programmes that focus will start on January 3 and on the benefi t of the sports continue until December 16. community and those inter- The 2021 agenda includes a va- ested in the fi eld of rehabili- riety of 21 programmes, courses tation and sports science in big win over KXIP and workshops, accredited by a its various fi elds, in addition number of international and con- to the Academy’s interest and tinental bodies, foremost among focus on educating the com- ‘Overall very happy with the batting. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy with the ball’ which is the Olympic Solidarity munity about the Olympic and Commission of the International sports culture, which is one of Olympic Committee. the most important goals of IANS The Academy’s programmes the Academy. Abu Dhabi will include postgraduate pro- Al-Nuaimi noted that a grammes, Olympic educa- number of programmes and tion workshops, training and courses will be taught through eigning champions management programmes in the distance learning system Mumbai Indians (MI) the sports fi eld and sports psy- using the Microsoft Teams produced a spirited chologist preparation, in addi- program, following the great show led by captain Ro- tion to various courses in many success of this method of hitR Sharma, as they beat Kings XI sports and Olympic fi elds. learning during the past period Punjab (KXIP) by 48 runs in the The Academy is keen on after the outbreak of the coro- 13th match of the Indian Premier diversifying its agenda every navirus pandemic and the ap- League (IPL) yesterday. year in order to reach the larg- plication of the health precau- This was MI’s second win in est segment of those interested tions and social distancing in four matches and KXIP’s third and to achieve its goals aiming all offi cial headquarters in the defeat in four games. at spreading sports and Olym- state, including educational With this win, MI have gone to pic culture in the State of Qa- institutions. the top of the eight-team table tar and abroad. Its agenda in- For his part, Head of the with four points from two wins cludes a master’s programme Sports Development Depart- and have a better run rate than in sports law for the fourth ment and Director of the four other teams who all also year in a row, which is one of Sports Management Program have four points each. KXIP have the strongest programmes in accredited to the International won a solitary match and have the region in general. Olympic Committee, Dr Ali two points. The agenda also includes Abdulrahman al-Bakri, under- After putting a challeng- the launch of the tenth edi- lined that Qatar Olympic Com- ing 191/4 wickets in 20 overs on tion of the advanced diploma mittee always strives to provide board, thanks to skipper Ro- for management of Olympic distinguished programmes and hit’s sparkling 70 (45 balls, 8x4s, sports institutions, accredited sciences that benefi t the sports 3x6s), MI rode a collective eff ort by the International Olym- system in particular and the by their bowlers to restrict KXIP pic Committee, as well as a whole society in general. to 143/8 wickets in 20 overs to set number of Olympic education Dr al-Bakri noted that the up a comprehensive win. workshops. On the other hand, Academy started in recent Chasing the 192-run target, the courses covers many fi elds, years off ering intensive and KXIP made a cautious start as such as media, law, manage- specialised courses in the their openers KL Rahul (17) and ment and planning, psychol- sports fi eld in co-operation Mayank Agarwal (25) took the ogy and others. with the International Olym- side to 37 runs in the initial four The distance learning system pic Committee. The begin- overs. Jasprit Bumrah broke the has been adopted in a number ning was with the Arab Train- partnership as he dismantled of agenda programmes. The ers Program at the foundation Mayank’s wickets in the fi fth system achieved a great suc- level, and then the advanced over. Krunal Pandya further cess and an unparalleled turn- level, in addition to the sports jolted KXIP after sending back out, therefore, the Academy psychologist preparation pro- Karun Nair for a duck with the decided to adopt it for many gramme (in both theoretical scorecard reading 39/2. Mumbai Indians players celebrates the wicket of Mayank Agarwal of Kings XI Punjab during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Abu courses in order to provide an and applied parts) in co-op- Rahul and Nicholas Pooran Dhabi yesterday. (Sportzpics for BCCI) opportunity for those wishing eration with Qatar University. then tried to avoid further as- to join the course but unable These programmes constitut- sault by the MI bowlers, sharing James Neesham (7) and Sarfaraz to 191/4 in the allotted 20 overs. Rohit kept the fi ght on and also the fi nal 23 balls which includ- to attend. Executive Director ed a great and strong addition a brief 21-run partnership for the Khan (7) were back in the hut, Rohit’s classic knock was notched-up his half-century. In ed some massive hits into the of Qatar Olympic Academy to those working in the sports third wicket before Rahul Chahar courtesy Bumrah and Pattinson decorated with eight fours and the process, he also became the stands. Saif Mohamed al-Nuaimi un- community and to preparing dislodged the former’s stumps to respectively, while Trent Boult, three maximums. The four-time third Indian to cross the 5,000 Pollard’s knock was laced with derlined the keenness of the professional sports cadres in further strengthen MI’s grip in too, joined the party as he ac- champions had a poor start as run-mark in IPL. three boundaries and four huge Academy on diversifying the all sports disciplines. the contest. counted for the wicket of Ravi they lost opener Quinton de While trying to accelerate the hits while Hardik smashed three Despite tumbling wickets, Bishnoi (1) in the 19th over with Kock, who departed without run rate, the MI skipper was out fours and a couple of sixes. Pooran showed resistance with KXIP score being 124/8. troubling the scorers and Surya- to a fi ne catch via a joint eff ort For KXIP, Krishnappa COMMENT the bat and tried to anchor KXIP Krishnappa Gowtham and kumar Yadav with just 21 runs on James Neesham and Glenn Max- Gowtham, Cottrell, and Shami innings as he shared a 41-run Mohammed Shami remained board. Sheldon Cottrell drew the well at the long-off boundary. bagged a wicket apiece. partnership with Glenn Maxwell unbeaten on 21 and two runs re- fi rst blood for KXIP as he issued Rohit played a lofted shot over “Overall very happy with the (11) which helped their side cross spectively as KXIP fell short of marching orders to de Kock in the long-off boundary off a Shami batting. We knew it wasn’t go- Simmons wants the three-digit mark. However, the target by 48 runs. very fi rst over while Yadav was delivery in the 17th over. ing to be easy with the ball,” said the joy didn’t last long for them For Mumbai, Bumrah, Chahar, run out by Shami, courtesy a di- However, Maxwell grabbed it Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma. James Pattinson got rid of a dan- and Pattinson bagged two wick- rect hit from short fi ne leg. and just when he was about to England to return gerous looking Pooran in the ets each while Krunal and Boult Ishan Kishan, who had played cross the boundary, he sensibly BRIEF SCORES: Mumbai Indians 14th over as KXIP were reduced settled with one each. a blistering 99-run knock against threw the ball to James Neesham, 191/4 wkts in 20 overs (Rohit to 101/4. Pooran’s innings con- Earlier, KXIP won the toss and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who made no mistake. Sharma 70, Kieron Pollard 47; favour with WI tour tained three fours and two sixes. opted to bowl. Mumbai skipper’s failed to replicate the show and Rohit’s fall left Mumbai at Sheldon Cottrell 1/20) beat Kings Just when KXIP added another valiant 45-ball 70, followed by fell for 28 runs. Kishan was in- 124/4 in 16.1 overs, and then XI Punjab 143/8 wkts in 20 overs six runs to their total, Chahar late fi reworks by Kieron Pollard volved in a 62-run partnership Hardik and Pollard’s cameo lifted (Nicholas Pooran 44, Mayank struck again, this time account- (47 not out) and Hardik Pandya with skipper Rohit. their side to a respectable total. Agarwal 25; Jasprit Bumrah 2/18) ing for the wicket of Maxwell. (30), propelled Mumbai Indians Despite the regular blows, The duo gathered 67 runs off by 48 runs.

PREVIEW Off -colour CSK look to bounce back against SRH IANS/GloFans Josh Hazlewood. The Caribbean their last outing, riding on their Dubai all-rounder can not only provide bowlers’ magnifi cent show, depth to CSK’s batting, but can especially Rashid Khan, who also boost their bowling attack. emerged with impressive fi gures n off -colour Chen- A lot discussion has taken of 3/14 from four overs. The leg- nai Super Kings (CSK), place on Dhoni’s decision to gie received good support from Reuters between our top brass and coming back after a come down the order in ear- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who fi nal- London the English top brass so I’m six-day rest, will hope lier matches, a decision that has ly looked in a great rhythm after sure something is being put in forA a change of luck when they backfi red so far and it remains bagging two wickets for 25 runs, place.” clash with SunRisers Hyderabad to be seen how the charismatic and T Natarajan (1/25). est Indies coach Simmons said England’s (SRH) in an IPL match between skipper approaches the game In order to contain the CSK Phil Simmons tour of the Caribbean would wooden-spooners at the Dubai against SRH. batsmen, who will defi nitely be says he hopes provide fi nancial support to International Cricket Stadium Remember, SRH are coming desperate to get some runs un- England will tour the West Indies, whose cricket here today evening. after a win against Delhi Capi- der their belts and silence their Wthe Caribbean in the future board halved salaries of staff Both teams are placed at the tals (DC), so they will be high on critics, the SRH bowlers need as a token of gratitude for and players in July for up to bottom of the eight-table points confi dence. to turn in another spirited show his team’s visit to the United six months due to the fi nancial table with two points each from In their bowling department, today. Kingdom this year during the crisis caused by the pandemic. three matches. Although there is Deepak Chahar and Sam Curran SRH skipper David Warner and Covid-19 pandemic. “I think all the countries enough time for the two teams to have not been up to the mark and opener Jonny Bairstow look in England’s board had project- below the top three (England, stage a comeback into the tour- they will surely aim to bounce good touch while the comeback ed losses of up to $491 million Australia and India) need some nament, it is always better to back. The spin workload will of Kane Williamson has further if no cricket was played during sort of assistance,” he said. “It’s qualify for the play-off s as early once again be shared by Piy- boosted their middle-order. Af- the summer and the West In- similar to the Premier League as possible – and then try out ush Chawla and Ravindra Jadeja ter missing the fi rst two games, dies were praised for agreeing looking to help the EFL.” experiments. who, too, have disappointed the New Zealand skipper’s 26- to a three-test series in July de- An England and Wales Despite being at the receiv- their team till now. ball 41 against DC would be a spite Britain struggling to curb Cricket Board spokesperson ing end in their last two games, It will be unfair to predict matter of relief for the SRH team the spread of the virus. told Reuters that England were three-time champions CSK whether the CSK bowling at- management as they lacked ex- The matches, played in a keen to support the West In- have a reputation of starting the tack remains the same or gets perience in the middle order. bio-secure environment with- dies but a tour in the near fu- league shakily before making a Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni in action during their IPL tinkered with as the side is led by However, Williamson will out spectators in Manchester ture is unlikely. roaring comeback in the later- match against Delhi Capitals in Dubai on September 25, 2020. someone who has been unpre- need to up the ante towards the and Southampton, marked the “While the current interna- half of the league. That goes for (Sportzpics for BCCI) dictable throughout his career end of his innings and the lack return of international cricket tional calendar doesn’t allow all teams, and not just CSK. vis-à-vis his decisions – Dhoni. of a genuine explosive hitter in after a 117-day hiatus and Eng- us to travel to the West Indies Coming to the match, the the playing XI, which could be the inclusion of Bravo will fur- On the other side, SRH will the lower-middle order could be land won a compelling series before our next scheduled visit David Warner-led SRH will not another concern for the Orange ther compel Mahendra Singh surely aim to register their sec- cause of worry for SRH. Histori- 2-1. “England know that at in early 2022, we are currently take their opponents lightly to- Army. Dhoni to tinker with the batting ond win of the tournament. cally, CSK has dominated their some point they will have to in discussion with them about day. Moreover, Ambati Rayudu If Rayudu fi nds a place in the line-up. Bravo may compel Dho- But, at the same time, they will southern India neighbours after give us back something,” Sim- expanding this tour to include and Dwayne Bravo are reportedly XI, he would replace an out-of- ni to include him in the XI, pos- be aware of their opponent’s winning nine of the 12 games mons told the BBC. “I think additional games,” the spokes- fi t and are likely to be inducted in form opener Murali Vijay while sibly at the cost of Aussie quick potential. SRH defeated DC in they have played so far. there has been a lot of dialogue person said.