Mourinho says Pogba no longer Manchester United’s vice-captain PAGE 18 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

Asian Football Confederation chief Sheikh Salman to run for re-election PAGE 18 QNB STARS LEAGUE AL SADD VS QATAR SC

ASIA CUP CRICKET Not Pakistan, but B’desh in final vs India AFP ABU DHABI SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH MUSHFIQUR Rahim scored Liton Das b Junaid ...... 6 a fighting 99 to guide Bang- Soumya Sarkar c Zaman b Junaid ...... 0 Mominul Haque b Shaheen ...... 5 ladesh into the Asia Cup final Mushfiqur Rahim c Sarfraz b Shaheen ...... 99 with a convincing 37-run win Mohammad Mithun c and b Hasan ...... 60 over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi Imrul Kayes lbw b Shadab ...... 9 on Wednesday. Mahmudullah Riyad b Junaid ...... 25 Mehidy Hasan c sub (Masood) b Junaid ...... 12 The former skipper missed Mashrafe Mortaza c Zaman b Hasan ...... 13 out a deserving century but Rubel Hossain run out ...... 1 still lifted Bangladesh from a Mustafizur Rahman not out ...... 0 precarious 12-3 to 239 all out Extras: (lb8, w1) ...... 9 TOTAL: (All out; 48.5 overs) ...... 239 in 49.5 overs before they kept Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Sarkar), 2-12 (Mominul), 3-12 Al Duhail coach Nabil Maaloul (centre) addresses the media ahead of his team’s QNB Stars League Week 7 match against Al Ahli on Wednesday. Pakistan down to 202-9 in 50 (Das), 4-156 (Mithun), 5-167 (Kayes), 6-197 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. (Rahim), 7-221 (Mehidy), 8-230 (Riyad), 9-239 Mashrafe Mortaza’s team (Rubel), 10-239 )Mortaza). Bowling: Junaid 9-1-19-4 (1w), Shaheen 10-1-47- will now face defending cham- 2, Hasan 9.5-0-60-2, Nawaz 8-0-39-0, Malik 2-0- pions India in the final in Du- 14-0, Shadab 10-0-52-1. bai on Friday, with an oppor- PAKISTAN Maaloul wants Duhail tuntiy to win the continental Fakhar Zaman c Rubel b Mehidy ...... 1 Imam-ul-Haq st Das b Mahmudullah ...... 83 title for the first time. Babar Azam lbw b Mustafiz ...... 1 Banglades’s victory will Sarfraz Ahmed c Rahim b Mustafiz ...... 10 upset millions of fans around Shoaib Malik c Mortaza b Rubel ...... 30 the world who wanted an- Shadab Khan c Das b Sarkar ...... 4 Asif Ali st Das b Mehidy ...... 31 other Indo-Pak clash as the Mohammad Nawaz c sub (Nazim) b Mustafiz ...... 8 to tighten up defence two matches in the first and Hasan Ali c Mortaza b Mustafiz ...... 8 second round failed to live up Shaheen Shah not out ...... 14 to their billing, with India win- Junaid Khan not out ...... 3 Extras: (b1, lb2, nb1, w5) ...... 9 Duhail is joint-top in the result against Al Ahli.” ginning, mainly in the form of ning both in one-sided affairs. TOTAL: (For nine wkts; 50 overs ) ...... 202 Coach urges his league with Al Sadd on 13 points The Tunisian tactician obvi- injuries to players. But Bangladesh were wor- Fall of wickets: 1-2 Zaman), 2-3 (Azam), 3-18 but the Wolves have a better ously knows the form of rivals “The way they beat thy winners on Wednesday. (Sarfraz), 4-85 (Malik), 5-94 (Shadab), 6-165 (Asif), players not to goal difference, with 26 goals We do not have any Al Sadd and pointed that, “We Al Gharafa playing with 10- Bangladesh bowled with 7-167 (Imam), 8-186 (Hasan), 9-186 (Nawaz) problem in attack. We have Bowling: Mehidy 10-1-28-2, Mustafiz 10-2-43-4 concede a goal scored and only two conceded. respect our competitors and we men was amazing. It will be discipline with left-arm pacer (2w), Mortaza 7-1-33-0, Rubel 8-0-38-1 (2w), Riyad “All goals that we conced- outstanding players in the do not fear any team. The most very hard, but we hope we get Mustafizur Rahman leading 10-0-38-1 (1w), Sarkar 5-0-19-1. against Al Ahli ed so far were results of our midfield and frontline. The important thing is we have to full points,” said Macala. the pack with 4-43 as Paki- Toss: Bangladesh. own mistakes. We will try not problem is when we win all games if we are to be in Ahli will be without strik- stan yet again batted poorly Result: Bangladesh won by 37 runs. IKOLI VICTOR to concede any goal against strong contention for the QNB ers Meshaal Abdulla and with only opener Imam-ul- DOHA Al Ahli. I think winning by concede goals. We will try Stars League title.” Barro Siddiqi. While Meshaal Haq fighting hard through a laborious 105-ball 82. two goals without conceding to rectify the mistakes made Meanwhile, Al Ahli coach is not well, Barro reported for AL Duhail coach Nabil Maaloul any is better than winning by by our players. Milan Macala said the game training despite running high says the defending champions five goals and conceding two,” will be tough as expected. temperature on Tuesday. will try not to concede a goal Maaloul said during the pre- Al Duhail coach Nabil Maaloul Ahli have lost four of the “Even though Barro is a against Al Ahli ahead in their match press conference on six matches played so far and fast player, he has not played a QNB Stars League Week 7 Wednesday. Maaloul added that the another defeat will further match fully. I hope he regains match on Thursday. “We do not have any team had a short time to pre- push the Brigadiers into the his fitness soon. Duhail has thus far con- problem in attack. We have pare for the game after they relegation zone. The Czech coach added ceded four goals in their last outstanding players in the put in extra efforts in the pre- “Every game is tough. Our that he may resort to the two matches and scored six- midfield and frontline. The vious game against Al Gharafa preparations were difficult. Under-23 squad to replace teen, a concern that the former problem is when we concede after a red card to Murad Naji. We have to adapt our strategy the injured players, some of Tunisian World Cup coach ex- goals. We will try to rectify the “However, we will give from game to game. We had which he already fielded in pects the team to stop. mistakes made by our players.” our best to achieve a positive problems right from the be- previous games.

AL KHOR SIGN FRENCH COACH BERNARD CASONI

DOHA: QNB Stars League team Al Khor have signed French coach Bernard Casoni following the axing of Tunisian Adel Sellimi and hav- ing put Under-23 coach Omar Najhi in charge. Casoni signed the deal with Al Khor Sports Club President Hassan Juma al Mohannadi. Casoni began his coaching career in 1999 with Olympique Mar- seille. He was also at the helm of Club Africain and Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia. As a player, Casoni started off with French club Cannes in 1978. He has also represented clubs like Marseille and the French na- tional team. Al Khor will take on Umm Salal in Week 7 of the QNB Stars League at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Friday, September 28. They have only two points and are 11th in the standings. THE BIG ONE! Bangladesh’s Mohammad Mahmudullah celebrates Al Khor had drawn goalless with Qatar SC in the previous round dismisssing Pakistan batsman Imam-ul-Haq (not in the pic) at the Al Khor Sports Club President Hassan Juma al Mohannadi with coach Bernard Casoni. under caretaker coach Najhi. (QSL.COM) Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. (AFP) Afghanistan fire warning to 2019 cricket World Cup teams AFP Cup 2019, to be held in England UP & RISING: Afghanistan’s progress embodies a fairytale rise since will be in place to fulfill the our guys have played different DUBAI from May 30 to July 14 next dream of beating the bigger leagues and sharing dressing year. “We can hold our heads the Russian invasion of their country in 1978 forced millions to flee and teams. “I am just trying to make room with experienced inter- BEFORE the start of the Asia high and this performance lived in refugee camps outside Pakistan’s border city of Peshawar. It was in sure everything gets to the level national players has helped.” Cup Afghanistan captain gives us pride,” said Asghar Pakistan where they were exposed to cricket and, after learning the game, of the bigger nations,” said As- With the arrival of West In- Asghar Afghan had warned after the India game in Dubai. ghar, whose first major com- dian coach Phil Simmons this his team would not only “Remember, this is a warning started a continuous rise since 2009, featuring in the World Twenty20 petition was the 2010 World year, Afghanistan's batting has compete but would achieve for the World Cup teams.” a year later and playing their first World Cup in 2015. Twenty20 in the Caribbean. gone to next level. They posted something special. Afghanistan’s progress em- “We want to beat the bigger totals of 249, 255, 257, 246 and Despite not qualifying for bodies a fairytale rise since the teams, that’s how we improve. 252 in the tournament, with Friday's final the team from Russian invasion of their coun- At the end of the day, winning shrewd strategies. the warn-torn nation achieved try in 1978 forced millions to is important to me.” “Definitely, we have im- enough to sound warning bells flee and lived in refugee camps Exposure to Twenty20 proved in our batting," said for World Cup 2019 teams. outside Pakistan's border city leagues in India, Australia, the Asghar. "In the Asia Cup it was Afghanistan finished the of Peshawar. West Indies, Bangladesh and okay but when we're going to a tournament on a high when on It was in Pakistan where England have added a new mega event like the World Cup, Tuesday they pulled off a sensa- they were exposed to cricket dimension to the skills of Af- there is still lots to improve.” tional last over tie against world and, after learning the game, ghanistan players. They now Former India captain Ma- number two India in Dubai, started a continuous rise since have a superstar in leg-spinner hendra Singh Dhoni, who led proving they are a team on the 2009, featuring in the World Rashid Khan, who became the the team in place of rested rise. They upset Sri Lanka by 91 Twenty20 a year later and fastest to 100 one-day inter- skipper Rohit Sharma on runs before thumping Bangla- playing their first World Cup national wickets, in 44 games, Tuesday, feels Afghanistan desh by a big 136-run margin in 2015. becoming a role model in his have massively improved. to enter the Super Four Stage, Afghanistan featuring in country where cricket has be- “I think their cricket has where they narrowly lost to the semi-final of Junior World come the number one sport. gone up a lot,” said Dhoni. “If Pakistan by three wickets and Cup in New Zealand earlier He was the second highest you see how they’ve continued to Bangladesh by three runs – this year and winning the Jun- wicket taker in the Indian Pre- playing right from the start of both in last over finishes. ior Asia Cup in Malaysia in the mier League with 21 this year. the Asia Cup, it's been com- Their heroics, Asghar be- presence of India and Pakistan “I think the leagues are mendable. They’re the one lieves, have sent warnings to mean they have a bright future. very important for our play- country that has risen through major nations for the World Asghar is confident things Afghanistan cricketers celebrate after they tied the Asia Cup match against India in Dubai on Tuesday. (AFP) ers,” said Asghar. “A few of the ranks.” Sports Thursday, September 27, 2018 17

Vettel has nothing to fear but plenty to do Dennis routs Dumoulin in ahead of Russian GP ‘dream’ world TT triumph REUTERS SOCHI

FORMULA One champi- Dennis completed the 52.1km course in 1hr 03min and 02sec at an average of 49.6 km/h ons Mercedes have yet to be beaten in Russia, which hosts AFP a grand prix for the fifth time INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA this weekend, but Ferrari's Se- bastian Vettel still sees noth- ROHAN Dennis beat favourite ing to fear in Sochi. and defending champion Tom The German is 40 points Dumoulin at the world cham- adrift of Mercedes rival Lewis pionships individual time trial Hamilton with six races re- on Wednesday, the Australian maining and is running out of lifting his bike aloft in triumph time to reassert himself in the at the finish line. battle of the four times world Sebastian Vettel at the starting Dennis completed the champions. grid before the Singapore GP. 52.1km course in 1hr 03min Hamilton has plenty of (EPA-EFE) and 02sec at an average of momentum and has won 49.6 km/h despite a tough twice in Russia, even if last remaining race and still be 5km climb. year it was Finnish team mate champion, even if Vettel wins Aiming to defend the ti- Valtteri Bottas who came out all five. tle he won at Bergen in 2017, on top in a race run in late He and Mercedes also Dutchman Dumoulin finished April rather than at the sharp know how fast things can 1min 21sec behind in a race end of the season. change, though, and will be that had been widely billed as a Bottas, 110 points behind taking nothing for granted. duel between him and Dennis. the Briton in the champion- “There are no easy wins The bronze medal went ship, may this year be required this season. We have to fight to 26-year-old Victor Campe- to play a ‘wingman’ role which hard for every bit of perform- naerts of Belgium, the 2018 would leave Vettel facing a ance in order to have a chance European time trial cham- fully focused foe in Hamilton, to fight for victories,” said pion finishing just half second who has won four of the last team boss Toto Wolff. adrift of the silver medal. five races. “We have a good track Dennis, a time trial spe- Vettel did his best to stay record in Sochi but we know cialist who has worn the lead- positive after finishing third that Ferrari and Red Bull will er’s jersey at all three Grand last time out in Singapore – a give it everything to break our Tours, said earning the right round Ferrari were expected winning streak, so we must to wear the world champion to win. fight as hard as ever to make rainbow jersey for a year was “Russia, I think, has been sure we bring home as many a dream come true. getting better the last years for points as possible. “I have been targeting this us, so it should suit our car as “There are six races re- since I was a junior and it's well,” the German said. maining and plenty of points absolutely amazing, a dream Second-placed Tom Dumoulin of the Netherlands (left), winner Rohan Dennis of Australia (centre) and third-placed Victor Campenaerts of “I don’t think we have any to score, so it doesn’t give us come true,” said Dennis, the Belgium pose on the podium after the Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria on tracks to fear that are com- any comfort,” added the Aus- first Australian crowned since Wednesday. (EPA-EFE) ing,” he added. “I think our car trian. “We will continue to Michael Rogers claimed the is working pretty much every- concentrate on every single last of his three consecutive professional and specialist in Jonathan Castroviejo. Dennis. efforts. where and that’s a strength of session, trying to optimise the titles in 2005. the discipline who was giving The tactic paid off hand- “I’m going to relax and en- “I felt bad from the first our car, so no need to be afraid car in every possible area - and “I wanted to make some instructions from the team car somely for the Australian, who joy wearing this rainbow jer- kilometre,” said Dumoulin, of what's coming.” we will go for the race win.” kind of salute on the finish line behind him. has just signed a deal to join sey.” who also finished runner-up in Hamilton, who has been Red Bull’s Max Verstap- but I wasn’t sure even though “He was mainly trying to the Bahrain team led by Italy’s Dumoulin, who won the both the Giro d’Italia and Tour keeping the paparazzi busy pen will have something to everyone was telling me I’d keep me calm because I was so former Tour de France winner Giro d’Italia in 2017 before de France earlier this year. since Singapore after being celebrate regardless of the won, I wanted it to be com- nervous about the climb. Vincenzo Nibali. claiming worlds time trial vic- “I was feeling good on spotted holidaying in Dubai outcome as the Dutch young- pletely sure,” he said of the “And as soon as I got to the Adelaide native Dennis, tory for the first time, looked Sunday but here I understood with rap queen Nicki Minaj, ster turns 21 on Sunday. wait for Dumoulin to cross the top I knew I could get a time at a former holder of the hour ashen at the finish, but was quickly I wasn’t going to win. knows that he can deliver an- Saturday will be his last line. the very least as fast as he (Du- record, has won the Australian smiling again by the time he When I got off the bike at the other hammer blow to his ri- opportunity to become the But he also said he knew moulin) did.” time trial championship for got to the podium and warmly end I felt like and old man.” val. first 20-year-old to secure pole he had a good chance from Dennis never let up, hit- the past three years. congratulated the winner. Dennis added: “I’m not An eighth win of the sea- position but that will be im- 20km out. ting speeds of almost 90 km/h “I’d like to thank all the Having pushed hard in that surprised because I knew son on Sunday would mean he possible if, as expected, he col- “At the hill, Brad McGee on the narrow descent of the folks back home in Austral- the team event on Sunday, the he had pushed hard in the can finish runner-up in every lects a raft of engine penalties. was coaching me,” said Dennis day’s climb, where he overtook ia, especially my wife, I’m Dutchman appeared not to team time-trial by riding a lot of his coach McGee, a former Spanish time-trial specialist sure she’s smiling now,” said have fully recovered from his at the front.” Barty time! Impressive Aussie upsets Russian athletics takes case to Wimbledon champion Kerber in Wuhan CAS over IAAF reinstatement AFP on a high. AFP WUHAN, CHINA “I set myself that goal at the MOSCOW start of the year, that I want to IN-FORM Australian Ashleigh stay top-20. I feel like I’m a top- RUSSIAN athletics, embold- Barty said she was hitting top 20 player. Obviously I would ened by WADA’s lifting of the gear as she upset Wimbledon love to push towards the top three-year ban on Russia’s anti- champion Angelique Kerber 10,” she added. doping agency (RUSADA), has 7-5, 6-1 to reach the Wuhan “It’s been a really exciting demanded to have its ban from Open quarter-finals in China on year and hopefully there is a track and field terminated. Wednesday. couple of big tournaments left." In a statement on Wednes- for RUSAF’s restoration is in World Anti-Doping Agency Barty didn't allow Kerber Barty, who won her first day, the Russian Athletics Fed- our view wrong, because it goes used when they punished RU- any momentum as she denied tour-level tournament this year eration (RUSAF) said it had beyond RUSAF’s competen- SADA. the world number three the in Nottingham, has been in fine filed an appeal to the Court of cies,” the statement said. “Given that the outstanding chance to narrow the gap on form in Wuhan after beating Jo Arbitration of Sport (CAS) the Russian athletics chief criteria for RUSAF’s reinstate- the top ranking held by Simona Konta and Zheng Saisai in the previous day. Dmitry Shlyakhtin also sent the ment were essentially identical Halep, who lost her opening first two rounds. The statement said the ap- letter to Sebastian Coe, presi- to those that the WADA execu- match.Barty, last year’s runner- Kerber and Halep’s exits peal pointed to the “unfounded dent of the International Asso- tive committee has considered up in Wuhan, came storming Ashleigh Barty of Australia in action against Angelique Kerber of have presented an opportunity decision” to put several criteria ciation of Athletics Federations met, and that time is of the es- out of the blocks, taking a 3-0 Germany during their match at the 2018 WTA Wuhan Open tennis to world number two Caroline on the RUSAF restoration road- (IAAF), informing him he is sence, we respectfully request lead in the first set before the tournament in Wuhan city on Wednesday. (EPA-EFE) Wozniacki to push towards the map including the recognition taking the case to the CAS, the that the IAAF decide to rein- German offered some resist- top spot as well as qualification by the Russian authorities of Times reported. state RUSAF as soon as possi- ance to make it 5-5. ond set even stronger, racing to utes, setting up a quarter-final for next month’s WTA Finals in their involvement in the scheme Shlyakhtin argued that the ble,” wrote Shlyakhtin. It was a short-lived fight- a 5-0 lead as Germany's Kerber against Anastasia Pavlyuchenk- Singapore. for concealing the use of doping reasons for the ban of his organ- The IAAF told The Times back, however, as Barty, Aus- struggled to contain her un- ova. Six of eight places at the sea- by Russian athletes. isation and its athletes, which in light of the letter: “We have tralia's top-ranked player, forced errors. “I feel like by far this was my son finale are still up for grabs “The unreasonable imple- the IAAF imposed in November led the way to fight for clean quickly regained control to take The Aussie wrapped up best match,” said Barty, who is – only Halep and Kerber have mentation of these criteria and 2015, are no longer pertinent athletes and we will continue the first set. She began the sec- the match in just over 75 min- looking to end the 2018 season qualified so far. their presence on the roadmap as they were the same ones the to do so.” No pressure! Ryder Cup rookies out to combat nerves

composure is paramount. professional in 2016, securing multiple majors now, it’s differ- “It sounds, from the stories Eight of the 24 “The No. 1 thing I’ve pic- top-five finishes at both the ent. Walking to the first tee at I’ve heard in the past, there’s players competing tured since the Ryder Cup kind Masters and US PGA Champi- Augusta, walking to the first tee nothing I can do to get ready of became a goal is that first tee onship this year. at St. Andrews, walking to the for the first tee shot,” said the in France are taking shot,” said Tommy Fleetwood, “I’ve had people that have first tee in the Ryder Cup is that 25-year-old. one of five rookies on the Euro- experienced great things in golf different.” “I’ve heard multiple stories part in the event for pean team. tell me that a final tee time in Justin Rose admitted a Eu- of guys go into the first tee... and the first time “This is what we practise for a major, it’s a 2 out of 10 com- ropean team comprised of six stepping up there and saying, ‘I and what we play for week-in, pared to the first tee on a Ryder rookies put them at a disad- can’t pull the trigger, you need AFP week-out. The best piece of ad- Cup,” said Rahm, 23. vantage in the 17-11 loss at Ha- to take it.’ SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES vice that definitely (Ian) Poul- “The only time I’ve seen zeltine, but the world number “So if I do end up being ter’s given me, and Rory (McIl- stands this big is in a football two suggested the current crop odds with whoever my partner IT’S the “greatest thing” in a roy) says the same thing: He stadium.” would find life easier backed by is, I hope that I don’t have that golfer’s career, but the nerves says it’s the most special you’ll Ryder Cup stalwart Ian the home support. problem.” will be multiplied ten-fold when ever feel. Poulter has pledged to do his “I think it was a disadvan- Bryson DeChambeau has this year’s Ryder Cup newcom- “Whatever nerves you felt part to help his team-mates tage in 2016 for us, but I think been tipped to partner Tiger ers step up to the opening tee at up to now, times it by ten, and adapt to an unfamiliar environ- that’s a big deal being a rookie Woods on his debut and US Le Golf National. that’s what you have; but this is ment, but even he struggled to playing away from home versus captain Jim Furyk praised the Eight of the 24 players com- what you want and this is what describe the sensation of walk- being a rookie playing at home,” versatility of Tony Finau, but peting in France are taking part we play for, so embrace it, take ing out to the opening tee. said Rose. Fleetwood believes the key is to in the event for the first time, it all in.” “I’ve tried to explain to a “I’m thinking that our rook- simply enjoy the week. and little can prepare them for Fleetwood is joined in the number of people through the ies this year are much less rook- “That’s what you’ve got to the unique experience of the European squad by fellow rook- years what that tee shot means ies by nature, world-class play- remember. As daunting as it can first tee. ies Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, and what the feeling is in your ers.” be, it’s not a chore to be playing A colossal grandstand seat- Alex Noren and Thorbjorn body when you’re walking down Justin Thomas, the 2017 US in the Ryder Cup,” he said. ing 6,900 fans with hundreds Olesen – all automatic qualifi- to that tee shot,” said Poulter, a PGA champion who spent four “It’s the greatest thing you’ll more bunched around the tee ers for Thomas Bjorn’s team. Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood plays a tee shot during a practice session veteran of five previous Ryder weeks as world number one, is ever do in your career. I’m very box will lend itself to an electric Spaniard Rahm has enjoyed ahead of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Cups. the most accomplished of all excited about whatever those atmosphere on a course where a meteoric rise since turning Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, south-west of Paris on Wednesday. (AFP) “As a player that’s played in those on debut. feelings are.” 18 Thursday, September 27, 2018 Sports beIN Sports extends broadcast rights deal with the EFL most watched competitions in ing its fan-base in the MENA The deal means beIN will remain the world football. region and across a number of Subscribers to beIN additional territories. home of English football in MENA SPORTS will be able to watch The EFL continues to grow live matches and highlights as a global spectacle and the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK 2021/22 season. programmes across the Cham- level of fierce competition on DOHA This deal extends the cur- pionship, League One, League very positive development for offer – broadcast on our state- rent rights agreement between Two and the EFL Cup for the the EFL and our Clubs. I am of-the-art channels and OTT THE English Football League both parties and will further next four seasons. delighted we have secured this platform and supported by our (EFL) and beIN MEDIA enhance the EFL’s growing in- Subscribers will also be commitment with beIN ME- world-class pundits – makes GROUP have announced a ternational popularity. able to watch matches across DIA GROUP through until the for an exceptional viewing ex- new multi-year media rights EFL league matches are the web, tablet, and mobile de- end of the 2021/22 season. perience. agreement that will see beIN currently being broadcast vices through beIN SPORTS’ “The EFL is developing an BeIN renews EFL rights in multiple markets. With this agreement com- SPORTS exclusively broadcast or streamed into over 165 market-leading OTT platform. increasingly international au- plementing our recently an- EFL League and Cup matches countries with a reach of al- Speaking about the new dience, with Clubs recognised titions’ exposure. beIN offers Yousef al Obaidly, Deputy nounced exclusive rights deal in 24 countries across the most 670 million households agreement Shaun Harvey, and followed in countries all exceptional coverage across a Chief Executive Officer of beIN with the Premier League, beIN Middle East and North Africa across Asia, Africa, the Ameri- Chief Executive of the EFL, around the world. As our most number of key growth markets MEDIA GROUP, added; “We SPORTS remains the undis- (MENA), as well as Turkey, cas, Europe, the Middle East said; “The extension to our prominent overseas partner, and this renewed agreement is are delighted to extend our puted home of English football Australia, New Zealand and and Oceania; reinforcing the previous relationship which beIN MEDIA GROUP is cen- a further sign of the trust we long-term partnership with for fans in the Middle East and France, until the end of the EFL’s reputation as one of the includes new territories is a tral to increasing our compe- place in each other.” the EFL and to continue grow- North Africa.”

Loew blocked FROSTY EXCHANGE & THE FALL OUT from meeting Ozil at Arsenal training: Report Mourinho, Pogba in

AFP BERLIN tense feud at Man GERMANY head coach Joachim Loew was reportedly blocked from meeting Mesut Ozil at Arsenal's training ground on Monday to discuss Utd training ground the midfielder's fiery retire- ment from international duty. Loew and Germany's team director Oliver Bierhoff were in London at the weekend to take part in a FIFA coach- ing congress and then visited Arsenal's training ground in Colney, north of London, for clear-the-air talks with Ozil. According to German daily Derby players mob goalkeeper Scott Carson after their English League Bild, Loew and Bierhoff were Cup third round match at Old Trafford in Manchester on Tuesday. (AFP) turned away at the entrance to Arsenal's training ground, on the orders of Gunners' head coach Unai Emery, while the Lampard’s Derby squad was put through a re- covery session. The visit had been previ- knock Man U out ously arranged, so Loew and Bierhoff later met the Gunners' Germany internationals Bernd Leno and Shkodran Mustafi at of League Cup, the club's visitors centre with- out speaking to Ozil. "We would have liked to City into Last 16 have spoken to Mesut, but we have to accept that at the mo- ment he doesn't want to have AFP Lampard when asked how the this conversation with us," LONDON trumph compared to his highs said Bierhoff. as a player. Ozil's agent Erkut Sogut, DERBY County manager Frank "You feel like you've done who Bierhoff had reportedly Lampard piled more misery on your work when you come to contacted before the visit, de- his former Chelsea boss Jose Old Trafford and go against clined to comment on the rea- Mourinho as the Rams beat 10- Jose Mourinho and world class son for the rejection. man Manchester United 8-7 players. The feeling I got from At the start of the month, on penalties, while Manchester it was immense, it's an incred- Loew said he has often already City cruised into the last 16 of ible feeling for me." tried to contact Ozil, but with- the League Cup on Tuesday. City boss Pep Guardiola out success. Mourinho paid the price enjoyed a far more comfortable A file picture of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (left) with midfielder Paul Pogba during the team’s English Premier League match for making nine changes in a evening despite also ringing the against Tottenham at the Wembley Stadium in London recently. (AFP) thrilling 2-2 draw at Old Traf- changes as England under-19 ford before spot-kicks with international Phil Foden shone Paul Pogba rested on another in a 3-0 win at League One Ox- Pickford signs Pogba was rested by Mourinho for the shock League Cup exit against Derby day dominated by the French- ford. man's frosty relationship with "I've dreamed of this mo- new Everton AFP Sky Sports captain the Leicester and Brighton in the his manager. ment, growing up as a City sup- LONDON showed footage Stripped of club again. absence of Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones finally missed porter," said Foden. "It's a mo- contract of Pogba join- "The just as he did in last week's from the spot after 15 success- ment I'll never forget." DPA JOSE Mourinho and Paul ing training with vice captaincy only truth is Champions League win at ful penalties in a high quality The visitors dominated LONDON Pogba were involved in a tense- his teammates I made the Young Boys. shootout. throughout but had just the looking exchange at Manches- on Wednesday O Post match, Mourinho decision of Pogba scored two and set up "The penalties come, some- one goal to show for it before EVERTON goalkeeper Jordan ter United's training ground morning, includ- confirmed that Pogba would Paul not to the other in the 3-0 victory in body has to miss. I knew we half-time as Gabriel Jesus Pickford extended his contract on Wednesday, a day after the ing a seemingly no longer be Man United be the sec- Switzerland but he gave a mixed were going to be in trouble with headed home from close range. with the Premier League club manager confirmed the World terse exchange ond captain performance in Saturday's re- Jones," said Mourinho in a Fresh from his first two on Wednesday and immedi- Cup star had been stripped of between the pair. vice-captain, although he anymore," turn to league action against barb at one of his own players. goals for the club at Cardiff on ately set his sights on win- the role of vice-captain. The 25-year- denied falling out with the said Mour- Wolverhampton, which ended Mourinho also confirmed Saturday, Riyad Mahrez then ning a trophy. The 24-year-old Pogba was rested by Mour- old shook hands France midfielder. inho. in a 1-1 draw. The 25-year-old Pogba has been stripped of thrashed home a second on committed himself to the club inho for the shock League Cup with coach "I am was dispossessed in the move the United vice-captaincy af- the counter-attack 12 minutes until the summer of 2024, a third-round exit against Cham- Michael Carrick the manag- that led to Joao Moutinho's ter criticising the Portuguese's from time. reward after locking down the pionship side Derby on Tuesday and another United employee er, I make these decisions, no equaliser. After the match he tactics in a 1-1 draw at home to And Foden rounded off a England number one spot. and watched from the stands as before looking taken aback fallout at all, no problem at all. said United should attack more. Wolves on Saturday. fine individual display with his "My focus is on the team United lost on penalties after a by something Mourinho said. The same person who takes the Those comments are said "The only truth is I made first senior goal for the club in here and as a team, we want to 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. Pogba was then seen having an decision to make him second to have got under Mourinho's the decision of Paul not to be stoppage time. be pushing right up the table After the match, Mourinho apparently exasperated discus- captain makes this decision skin, but it is reported that the second captain anymore," Another League One side as high as we can be," he told confirmed that Pogba was no sion with the manager. now." Pogba's reported desire to leave added Mourinho. Burton provided the other up- Everton's website Wednesday. longer a United vice-captain, Mourinho was asked after The France international Old Trafford for Barcelona was Early on it seemed like set of the night by coming from "There is a lot of strong although he denied falling out the match on Tuesday whether captained the side in the Pre- behind the decision to strip him the United boss would get a behind to beat Premier League competition out there but in with the France midfielder. he had told Pogba he would not mier League openers against of the vice-captaincy. positive response from his Burnley 2-1. the next year or two, if we can much-changed side as one of The Clarets went in front get into a final of a cup and per- Lampard's former Chelsea through Kevin Long, but Bur- haps win a trophy, that would team-mates Juan Mata slot- ton reached the fourth round be a great step forward." ted home the opener after just for the first time in their history Sheikh Salman to run for another term as three minutes at the end of a as Liam Boyce levelled before fine team move. Jamie Allen poked home the Correa renews However, an unchanged winner. Asian Football Confederation chief next year Derby side struck back after The only all Premier League Atletico contract the break thanks to a wonder- tie of the night saw Leicester REUTERS hope that we can continue that ful free-kick from on-loan Liv- edge out in-form Wolves 3-1 AFP TASHKENT progress. "We have seen the erpool striker Harry Wilson. on penalties after a 0-0 draw MADRID strides we've made in the last Moments later, United thanks to three shootout saves ASIAN Football Confedera- five years through our football goalkeeper Sergio Romero saw from Danny Ward. ATLETICO Madrid forward tion (AFC) President Sheikh and also through the record red for handling another Wil- Fulham's strength in depth Angel Correa has extended his Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa commercial rights deal and son effort outside the area. was in evidence as they swept contract until 2024, the club an- intends to run for re-election at this has been because of the The visitors made the man aside Championship Millwall nounced on Wednesday. their 29th congress next April, support and understanding we advantage count when Jack 3-1 at The Den despite making Correa joined Atletico from the continent's governing body have achieved." Mariott headed home five min- 10 changes. Argentinian side San Lorenzo announced on Wednesday. Sheikh Salman also ran for utes from time, but Marouane Crystal Palace proved too four years ago and has played Sheikh Salman has been in president of FIFA in 2016 but Fellaini looked to have saved strong for West Brom as an 147 games for Diego Simeone's the position since 2013 after he was beaten by Swiss-Italian Gi- Mourinho's blushes with a tow- Andros Townsend double and team. "I am proud the club con- replaced Qatari Mohamed bin anni Infantino. ering header deep into stop- Patrick Van Aanholt secured a tinues to trust me and to contin- Hammam, who was banned The AFC, which is holding page time. However, substi- 3-0 win at the Hawthorns. ue to grow as a footballer here," for life by soccer's world gov- its executive committee meet- tute United 'keeper Lee Grant Bournemouth struck late Correa said. erning body FIFA in 2011 amid ing in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, failed to stop any of Derby's through Callum Wilson to "I am very grateful to the allegations of participating in AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa. also said it would increase the penalties and Jones finally fal- squeeze past Blackburn 3-2 af- club for the confidence placed a cash-for-votes scandal. "The contribution to Asian teams tered to compound a bad start ter blowing a two-goal lead in in me, we have a great team and greater good of the AFC and its to bring nations together and I am not ready to leave this or- who have qualified for next to the season for Mourinho's the second-half. a great coaching team and if we members is a priority and we to do good," Bahrain's Sheikh ganisation into a state of chaos. year's Women's World Cup men, who already trail Premier Jordan Rhodes's hat-trick all work together in the same di- have seen the progress that we Salman said in a statement. We have all seen what the AFC – Australia, China, Japan, League leaders Liverpool by ensured Norwich saw off a rection, I think we are going to have made in the last five years. "I am proud of what we was before, and we have seen South Korea and Thailand – to eight points. second-half fightback from make a great campaign." Football has shown the power have achieved in that time and what it looks like now and I $500,000. "It's right up there," said Wycombe to edge through 4-3. Sports Thursday, September 27, 2018 19 Younousse, Tijan qualify for Asian beach v’ball Last 8 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK who we will play next, but of convert their comeback in with two bronze medals in the DOHA course, I’am sure it is going to a victory in the next match Four-Star Katara Beach Cup be a tough match. We will try against Japanese Yuya Ageba (Doha) and Five-Star Vienna ASIAN GAMES champions to play according to our game and Koich Nishimura. This Major, will next take on Iran’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed plan and hope that we will win match also went down the Rahman Raoufi and Abdol- Tijan stormed into the second again,” Younousse said after wire and the Qatari pair suf- hamed Mirzaali. eliminations of the Asian Sen- the match. fered a heart-breaking loss at This could be somewhat a ior Beach Volleyball Champi- Qatar’s second pair of 23-25, 21-18, 8-15. grudge match for Tijan, espe- onships with a facile win over Tamer Abdelrasoul and Essam On the other hand, second cially, he and Julio Cesar do local favourites and top seeds Mahmoud troubled the Thais seeded Younousse and Tijan, Nascimento had lost the semi- Nuttanon Inkiew and Sedta- in the opening group match. favourites for the crown, put final last year to the Raoufi, wat Padsawud in Satun, Thai- They won the opening set but up a stellar show and won all who partnered with Bahman land, on Wednesday. could not come up with proper the group games, showing Salemiijahboroun. Tijan, who had played the finish in the closing stages and both focus and intensity. Also out of the tournament 2017 edition with Julio Cesar lost 18-21, 15-21, 12-15. Younousse and Tijan were third seeds and Pool D do Nascimento and missed Mahmoud and Abdelra- wrapped up the group stage winners Gao Peng and Yang out on the bronze medal, and soul clinched their second with the third straight victory Li from China. The Chinese Younousse packed too many match, beating Hong Kong’s when they defeated Oman’s duo lost to Kazakhs Sergey blows and posted a convinc- Chui Kam Lung and Wong Nouh al Jalbubi and Mazin Bogatu/Dmitry Yakovlev in ing 21-13, 21-16 triumph in the Pui Lam in a tight finish. Both al Hashmi at 21-19, 21-18 to straight sets 17-21,17-21. first eliminations. shared the first two sets, with go to the top. Their previous The other men’s pairing Both Qatar and Thailand the Qataris exerting pressure two wins came against Saudi advancing to the quarter- topped their respective groups on the rivals right from the Arabia’s Mahfouz Ali and Dhia finals were Raoufi and Mir- and advanced to the play the start. In the tie-breaker, Ab- Alkhawaher (21-12, 21-14) and zaali who defeated Thailand knockout stage. “We are very delrasoul and Mahmoud went Singapore’s Kingsley Tay and 2’s Surin Jongklang/Adisorn happy to beat the Thai team clear of the Hong Kong pair Shen Fan Yang (21-15, 21-11). Khaolumtarn 2-0 (21-19, 21- in the round of 16 teams. We and maintained a safe dis- Younnouse and Tijan, who 13) and Kazakhs Sidorenko/ played aggressively and tried trance before posting the 21- impressed on the FIVB Beach Dyachenko in their 2-0 (21- Cherif Younousse (top) and Ahmed Tijan (left above) of Qatar during their last sixteen stage match against to finish the game. In the quar- 12, 17-21, 15-9 victory. World Tour this season and 12, 21-18) victory over Nouh Thailand at the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships in Satun, Thailand, on Wednesday. ter-finals, we have yet known However, they could not celebrated the team’s debut and Mazin. (Right above) Essam Mahmoud during the match against Japan. QMSF to host Manateq car rally as MERC finale

partnership with our main Revised start and finish at Souq sponsor Manateq and we are grateful to Souq Waqif for al- Waqif in downtown Doha lowing us to host this exciting and prestigious champion- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Based out of the new ship in the heart of the souq. DOHA QMMF offices at Losail Sports Arena and in close proxim- THE Qatar Motor and Mo- ity to the Losail International Exciting revisions include torcycle Federation (QMMF) Circuit, the event will feature a new start and finish will host the Manateq Interna- 207.24 competitive kilome- location at Souq Waqif in tional Rally of Qatar, the finale tres and 10 special stages in a downtown Doha. The cere- to the 2018 FIA Middle East route of 639.84km. monial start is planned for Rally Championship, on No- The rally will be held vember 15-17. under the chairmanship of QMSF President Abdulrahman al 19.00hrs on November 15 Formerly the opening QMMF President Abdulrah- Mannai and the finish will take round of the prestigious re- man al Mannai and senior place from 18.40hrs on gional rallying series, this committee members Sultan press conference will also November 17 year’s revised three-day event al Muraikhi and Abdulrazaq take place prior to the start at will decide the outcome of the al Kuwari. Portugal’s Pedro Souq Waqif. championship with Qatar’s Almeida will act as Rally Di- The route has been modi- This is part of our strategy to Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah rector and works alongside fied by Sulaiti and his team bring the most exciting motor – a winner of the Qatar Inter- Qatari Clerk of the Course and longer new stages are a sporting events in the region national Rally on 13 occasions Rashed al Sulaiti. feature of the itinerary and to the people.” - bidding for a 14th regional Exciting revisions include there are three challenging Rashed al Sulaiti added: title in 16 years and trying to a new start and finish location new specials in the north of Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah is chasing yet another MERC title. “We are also very excited to be prevent Czech driver Vojtĕch at Souq Waqif in downtown Qatar. introducing three new special Štajf from snatching a first Doha. The ceremonial start is Friday’s action will be timetable includes two runs timed test. citing rally, especially since stages in the north of Qatar to ever series win. The duo are planned for 19.00hrs on No- fought out over two runs through a new northerly Al- QMMF President Abdul- Nasser will have a chance our flagship round of the re- separated by 32 points before vember 15 and the finish will through the Eraida (17.02km) Khor special (18.45km), Al- rahman al Mannai said: “This to break the championship gional rally championship.” the fourth round in Kuwait at take place from 18.40hrs on and Al-Dhakira (18.90km) Ghariyah (21.34km) and the is a special year for us and we record. Entries are now officially the start of November. November 17. The pre-event stages, while Saturday’s longest Al-Ruwais (27.91km) are looking forward to an ex- “We are proud of our open and close on October 31. Sri Lanka drop Pique mistake Aspire Dome’s wealth of hosting expertise helps lowly ‘scapegoat’ skipper Leganes shock key to successful 2018 gymnastics worlds for England ODIs Barcelona TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK AFP DOHA AFP LEGANES (SPAIN) COLOMBO ASPIRE Dome, the world’s GERARD Pique made the mis- largest indoor multipurpose SRI Lanka's sacked skipper take and Ernesto Valverde will dome, will play host to the Angelo Mathews was dropped take his share of the blame after 48th Artistic Gymnastics on Wednesday from the ODI Barcelona slipped to their first World Championships that and T20 squads against Eng- defeat of the season against Doha is set to stage from Oc- land after he accused the board Leganes on Wednesday. tober 25 to November 3 for of making him a scapegoat for Pique committed the deci- the first time in the Middle the team's Asia Cup debacle. sive error, his fluffed clearance East region. The 31-year-old all-round- allowing Oscar Rodriguez to The championship, which er was not included in the 15- score Leganes' second of two serves as the first qualifica- man squad for the five one-day Sri Lanka’s cricket team captain goals in two incredible minutes, tion event for the 2020 To- Angelo Mathews and claim a 2-1 victory at Esta- kyo Summer Olympics, is the The board said it asked dio Municipal de Butarque. world’s biggest gymnastics Mathews to step down of Sri Lanka's dismal perform- Nabil El Zhar had nodded competition and, therefore, and allow Dinesh ance against Bangladesh and in an equaliser just 68 seconds Aspire Dome was the logical Afghanistan in the Asia Cup," before and by the end Philippe pick as a host venue for an Chandimal to lead Mathews said in a letter to Coutinho's sumptuous early event of such magnitude, said Sri Lanka against England Sri Lanka Cricket after he was volley was reduced to little Anis Saoud, Deputy Compe- in all three formats of sacked earlier this week as ODI more than a footnote. tition Manager of the world the game and T20 captain. After drawing at home to championships. The board said it asked Girona on Sunday, albeit with “With the big number internationals and the one-off Mathews to step down and al- 10 men, Valverde will have of participants, we need six The main hall at Aspire Dome being readied for the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships T20 against England begin- low Dinesh Chandimal to lead questions to answer too after training halls, a warm-up hall Doha 2018, the first time that an Arab country will host such a championship for gymnastics. ning on October 10. Sri Lanka against England in he left out key players for the and the competition hall. As- Cricket officials said fitness all three formats of the game. second time in three days. pire Zone is the only place in the competition is really big that requirement,” Saoud country to host the Artistic concerns forced them to drop The sacking followed Sri Against Girona, it was Qatar that englobes this kind and this creates a challenge said, adding that all the halls Gymnastics World Champi- Mathews. However, he was Lanka's drubbing in the Asia Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and Sam- of facilities,” Saoud said. in venue operation and site of Aspire Dome will be used onships. Only Japan and Chi- retained in the Test squad, of- Cup, with losses to lower- uel Umtiti on the bench and just Aspire Dome has the ca- management,” said Feras for trainings and competition. na have organised it in Asia ficials said. ranked Afghanistan and Bang- as they all had to be called upon pacity to host 13 different Ahmed, Deputy Venues Man- A few weeks ahead of the and has never been held in "I have been made the ladesh ensuring its quick exit in the second half at the Camp sporting events simultane- ager of the 48th Artistic Gym- event, preparations are in the Africa or South America. scapegoat in this entire saga from the competition. Nou, so were Luis Suarez and ously. As part of Aspire Zone, nastics World Champion- final stage to welcome gym- Three Team Qatar gym- Jordi Alba as substitutes here. it previously hosted the Asian ships Doha 2018. nasts, offi cials and spectators nasts will be competing in SRI LANKA TEAMS Barcelona face Athletic Games in 2006, the 2010 One of the challenges to Aspire Dome. the event against world class Bilbao on Saturday and then IAAF World Indoor Champi- that were bound to arise was “The sport equipment athletes. SRI LANKA ODI AND T20 SQUAD: Tottenham at Wembley in the onships, the 2011 Arab Games meeting the requirements of should arrive in Hamad Port Tickets for this unmiss- Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Champions League four days as well as an annual event in the International Gymnastics yesterday. The Sport Equip- able event are available on Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Akila Dhananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Malinga, Amila later but one point from two the Artistic Gymnastics World Federation (FIG) in terms of ment Committee will start to Qatar’s sporting calendar at: Aponso, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Rajitha and Kusal Perera. of La Liga’s lesser opponents Cup series since 2009. venue capacity. install the different training https://bit.ly/2Nqcw9L is a worry. SRI LANKA TEST SQUAD: With nearly 700 female “FIG requires a minimum halls, the warm-up hall and More details about the Dinesh Chandimal, (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, So is the form of Pique, and male gymnasts from 83 of 6,000 Seats for the World the field of play on September event on http://worldgym- Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila who was also at fault against countries competing in next Championships. That is why 28,” Saoud added. doha18.com/ and @Do- Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan and Niroshan Girona last weekend and will month’s event, “the scale of we will add 800 seats to reach Qatar is only the first Arab haGym2018. Dickwella. have to start against Spurs, with Umtiti suspended.