Red-hot Ronaldoo gunningg for revengenge against Valenciaa PAGE 19 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2018

Sebastian Vettel takes stock as Team Ferrari lick Formula One wounds PAGE 18 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JUVENTUS VS VALENCIA complete historic series sweep in Sri Lanka Paris Saint-Germain’s French for- ward Kylian Mbappe (right) and Brazilian forward Neymar attend the French Ligue 1 match between PSG and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on Saturday. (AFP) Mbappe hopes everything ‘clicks into place’ for PSG in Champions Team effort League It’s been exceptional. It’s Scoreboard AFP been a complete team PARIS ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS 336 effort, it’s been a great tour. (J. Bairstow 110; L. Sandakan 5-95) PARIS Saint-Germain’s teen- England Joe Root SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS 240 age superstar Kylian Mbappe (D. Karunaratne 83; A. Rashid 5-49) has told AFP that they will ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS 230 (J. Buttler 64; D. Perera 5-88) need the breaks to fall their AFP SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS way if they are to finally fulfil COLOMBO (Target 327 - Overnight 53-4) their dream of winning the K. Mendis run out (Leach) 86 Champions League. L. Sandakan c Stokes b Leach 7 SKIPPER Joe Root hailed R. Silva lbw b Moeen 65 The French giants face England’s “complete team- N. Dickwella c Jennings b Leach 19 Liverpool in a crunch group effort” Monday after his team D. Perera c Jennings b Moeen 5 game at the Parc des Princes sealed a tense victory over Sri S. Lakmal lbw b Leach 11 on Wednesday, when a de- M. Pushpakumara 42 Lanka in the third and final Extras: (b8, w5, nb2) 15 feat could end their hopes of Test to record their first over- TOTAL: (All out, 86.4 overs) 284 even reaching the knockout seas series sweep in 55 years. Fall of : 5-82 (Sandakan), 6-184 (Mendis), rounds, unthinkable for a In the face of stubborn Sri 7-214 (Dickwella), 8-225 (Perera), 9-226 (Silva), club with their ambitions. 10-284 (Lakmal). Lankan resistance, spinners Bowling: Broad 5-0-14-0 (w3), Moeen 26-3-92-4, They may have won all Jack Leach and Leach 28.4-4-72-4, Stokes 8-1-25-1 (w2, nb1), 14 Ligue 1 games this season took four wickets each to set Rashid 19-1-73-0 (nb1). Toss: England under new coach Thomas up the 42 run win inside four Result: England beat Sri Lanka by 42 runs. Tuchel – meaning a success- Series: England win three-match series 3-0. days in Colombo. Needing Man of the match: J. Bairstow ful defence of the domestic 327 for an unlikely victory, Sri Man of the series: B. Foakes. title is inevitable – but PSG Lanka reached 284. underperformed in a 3-2 de- Leach trapped captain feat in Liverpool. Suranga Lakmal lbw for 11 to Two draws against trigger celebrations for Eng- Napoli followed, and now land who have not won all the another defeat against Jur- games in an overseas series of gen Klopp’s side and a win three or more Tests since Ted for Napoli against Red Star Dexter’s side won 3-0 in New Belgrade at the same time Zealand in 1963. would send Paris packing. It was the third time Sri England players celebrate their win against Sri Lanka on the fourth day of their third and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Stadium in Colombo on Monday. (AFP) “We have struggled a Lanka have been whitewashed bit so far, but we are still at home after India last year said Root, who has set the on Sunday with Jos Buttler 240 as the tourists built a in the running and we have and Australia in 2004. target of overtaking India as England’s 3-0 victory is the first time they have won making a crucial 64 after they crucial lead. our fate in our own hands. I The third Test highlighted world number one Test team. every Test in a series in Sri Lanka and is only the third had fallen to 39-4 against the However Sri Lanka coach think that in order to win a England’s pool of talent with “It’s easy for me to sit time – after India last year and Australia in 2004 – that opposition spinners. said competition you need things Leach coming in as the third here and take all the compli- a touring side have beaten the hosts by that scoreline. Wicketkeeper-batsman the hosts fought hard in a se- to click into place,” Mbappe spinner with Ali and Adil ments but without that squad Foakes, who hit a century on ries that was not as one-sided said in an interview. Rashid, and Ben Foakes tak- of players pushing each other, debut in the opener in Galle, as the result reflected. “There are games in ing the wicketkeeper’s gloves being willing to learning and scare with his unbeaten 42 off century but was finally trapped made an unbeaten 36 in the “I thought it was a very which you think, at first but also scoring big runs. improving, we wouldn’t have 40 deliveries, lifting the hosts lbw by Ali. second innings. closely fought series espe- sight, that nothing unusual “That’s been a big secret achieved what we have,” Root from 226-9 and raising hopes Leach also ended the 58- He was named man of the cially the last two games. The is going to happen. And in our success – being able said at the post-match presser. of a miracle. run last stand, claiming series for leading the difference between the two then there is maybe a little to bring different guys in, But Sri Lanka did not give Leach broke the Mendis- Suranga on the fourth ball of chart with 277 runs including teams was very little,” said moment in the game -- it and pick a team that is going up without a fight. Silva stand with a brilliant the final session. a ton and a half-century. Hathurusingha. can be a half, or a spell in to take 20 wickets and score Kusal Mendis, who hit a one-handed pick-up and bul- “It went a couple of hours Jonny Bairstow, returning “I thought England han- which you are on top -- and enough runs to put teams un- gritty 86, and Roshen Silva, let throw at the non-striker’s longer than I would have liked from injury, made his pres- dled tough situations well.” your team grows in confi- der pressure,” said Root. who made 65, put on 102 runs end that got Mendis out. to,” admitted England coach ence felt with 110 in England’s The whitewash sealed dence and things go in your “The experienced players for the sixth wicket to launch He had started the day on Trevor Bayliss who nonethe- first innings of 336 after they a complete domination of favour, to take you far in a have taken the extra respon- Sri Lanka’s resistance cam- 15 and registered his seventh less hailed the series win as a elected to bat first. the tour by England who competition like this.” sibility. It’s been exceptional. paign on a turning wicket. Test fifty with eight fours and “just reward”. Rashid then claimed five clinched the One-Day Inter- It is not just on the field It’s been a complete team ef- Number 11 Malinda Push- a six. England were bowled out wickets with his leg spin to nationals 3-1 and the only that PSG need things to go fort, it’s been a great tour,” pakumara also gave England a Silva hit a fighting half- for 230 in their second innings help dismiss Sri Lanka for Twenty20 match. their way, with Tuchel cur- rently sweating on the fitness of both Mbappe and Neymar for Wednesday’s game. Big delight Mbappe came off with Teen who survived horror crash flies home after surgery a shoulder injury during France’s friendly against Uruguay last week, while AFP “I am still overwhelmed by Neymar hurt a groin playing HONG KONG all the support I got from you for Brazil the same night. fans all around the world,” An injury to Neymar TEENAGE racing driver who she added. cost Paris dear against Real fractured her spine in a hor- Dramatic footage captured Madrid in the Champions rifying crash at the Macau gasps from the crowd as Flo- League last season, and they Croatia’s tennis team captain Grand Prix said on Monday ersch’s car flew through the will be desperate to have Zeljko Kraja and Marin Cilic she was flying home to Germa- air and into safety netting at both players fit. celebrate with the Davis Cup in ny for further treatment. the Guia Circuit’s sharp right- Mbappe, meanwhile, Zagreb on Monday. (REUTERS) The 17-year-old Sophia hand Lisboa bend. knows exactly what it takes Floersch’s car flew off the Lying 16th, she lost control at this level, having starred Croats dance as track in the Formula Three in a contact down the straight, in France’s glorious World Davis Cup victors race earlier this month, cata- launched off a kerb and Cup campaign in Russia, come home pulting spectacularly over bounced off Japanese racer scoring in the 4-2 final win safety barriers before hurtling Sho Tsuboi’s vehicle. I am still overwhelmed over Croatia. ZAGREB: Thousands of Croats backwards into a hut housing Floersch acknowledged by all the support I got Mbappe – who turns 20 danced and cheered in Zagreb’s media and officials. her miraculous survival. from you fans all next month – believes PSG central square on Monday as She underwent marathon “I celebrated my 2nd birth- can learn from France’s they welcomed their national ten- surgery when doctors battled day on the 18.11.2018 in Ma- around the world. campaign in Russia, and nis team back home after their for more than nine hours to cau... Now a new chapter starts F3 driver Sophia Floersch sees their 4-3 win over Ar- Davis Cup victory. Top-ranked repair her fractured vertebra and I can’t wait for it to begin. gentina in the last 16 as a ref- Marin Cilic and other players and remove a bone splinter, Let’s focus on 2019,” Floersch erence point. “At the World boarded a special bus straight which was sitting dangerously said in her post, ending with a Cup, during the group stage, from the airport, drove into the close to her spinal cord. fingers-crossed emoji. German F3 racing driver Sophia Floersch leaves hospital after a press conference in Macau to discuss her nobody thought we would heart of the capital and climbed Despite her ordeal, Flo- Tsuboi received treatment injuiries and recovery before flying home on Monday. (AFP) go on to win it,” said the onto a stage in Ban Jelacic ersch has said she is deter- but was considered to have had French forward.. Square to greet their fans. The mined to race again. a lucky escape after Floersch’s was not to blame after the acci- about 275km/h, coupled with during the Macau Grand Prix’s “I had said our aim was players sang and danced along “Today I am flying back airborne car hit the safety-arc dent raised concerns about safe- tight, blind corners. motorcycle race. to win it and people laughed with the crowd. “We’re extremely home. Really happy to see all or halo just behind his head. ty standards. The International At least three people have In 2012, Portuguese mo- at me a bit. So it can be dif- happy to bring this trophy to my family and friends in the A race commissioner and Motoring Federation (FIA) has died on the Macau Grand torcyclist Luis Carreira and ficult to look too far forward, Croatia and to show everyone next days again,” she wrote in two photographers were also opened an investigation. Prix course. Hong Kong driver Phillip Yau all the more so in the Cham- that we are the best,” Cilic said a Facebook post Monday, after injured in the accident. The 6.2 kilometre (3.9 British rider Daniel Hegar- were killed within two days of pions League where there from the stage as he held up spending more than a week in Floersch’s team boss has mile) urban circuit features ty died last year after hitting a each other during the Macau are so many matches.” the prize. (REUTERS) a Macau hospital. said the historic Macau circuit long straights with speeds of barrier at Fisherman’s Bend Grand Prix. Sports Tuesday, November 27, 2018 17 Yasir’s career-best haul destroys New Zealand

Kiwis 131-2 in SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN (IST INNINGS) 418-5 2nd Inns after (Haris Sohail 147, Babar Azam 127 not out, Azhar Ali 81; C. de Grandhomme 2-44) being made NEW ZEALAND (IST INNINGS) Qatar’s Cherif Younousse talks to QVA official Reoberto Reggiani at J. Raval b Yasir Shah ...... 31 the Aspire Park in Doha on Monday. to follow-on T. Latham c Imam b Yasir ...... 22 K. Williamson not out ...... 28 AFP R. Taylor b Yasir ...... 0 H. Nicholls b Yasir ...... 0 Qatar spikers DUBAI BJ Watling run out ...... 1 C. de Grandhomme lbw b Hasan ...... 0 LEG-SPINNER Yasir Shah I. Sodhi c Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 0 wrecked New Zealand with a N. Wagner lbw b Yasir ...... 0 Cherif and Ahmed Ajaz Patel lbw b Yasir ...... 4 career best eight-wicket haul T. Boult st Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 0 as Pakistan sniffed victory on Extras: (lb3, nb1) ...... 4 aim to end their the third day of the second TOTAL: (All out; 35.3 overs) ...... 90 Fall of wickets: 1-50 (Raval), 2-61 (Latham), 3-61 Test in Dubai on Monday. (Taylor), 4-61 (Nicholls), 5-63 (Watling), 6-69 The 32-year-old grabbed (Grandhomme), 7-72 (Sodhi), 8-72 (Wagner), 9-90 season on a high 8-41 in 12.3 overs which an- (Patel), 10-90 (Boult). nihilated New Zealand to 90 Bowling: Abbas 9-4-18-0 (1nb), Hasan 10-5-25-1, Hafeez 2-1-1-0, Yasir 12.3-1-41-8, Asif 2-1-2-0. all out in just 35.3 overs before NEW ZEALAND (2ND INNINGS FOLLOWING-ON) defending champion and the taking two more wickets as J. Raval st Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 2 Aspire Qatar pressure, he insisted, “There is New Zealand – following on T. Latham not out ...... 44 no pressure on me at all. We’ve – were 131-2 at close in their K. Williamson c Sarfraz b Yasir ...... 30 Master Beach Yasir Shah (right), who took eight wickets for 41 runs in the first innings, celebrates with captain Sarfraz R. Taylor not out ...... 49 nothing to lose here. It is just second innings. Extras: (b 4, lb 2) ...... 6 that we want to finish the tour- Yasir dismissed opener Ahmed after dismissing New Zealand’s Jeet Raval on the third day of their second Test on Monday. (AFP) TOTAL: (For two wkst; 43 overs) ~ ...... 131 Volleyball from nament with good results. Win Jeet Raval for two before ac- Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Raval), 2-66 (Williamson). or loss is not very important. counting for New Zealand to take the fight to the Paki- when the action started Yasir 27 without loss, lost Raval in Bowling: Abbas 4-1-11-0, Hasan 5-3-5-0, Yasir Wednesday 15-2-65-2, Hafeez 3-1-6-0, Asif 14-1-30-0, Sohail For us, the next season is go- skipper Kane Williamson stan bowlers. was lightening, bowling to his an unfortunate way as he tried 2-0-8-0. RAAJIV TRIPATHI ing to be very crucial. caught behind for 30 to com- But the day belonged to best ability on a turning Dubai to reverse sweep Yasir but the Toss: Pakistan. DOHA “Here, we’ll try to play our plete his third ten-wicket haul Yasir, who rocked New Zea- stadium pitch. ball deflected off his bat to his best and just keep our level in the match. land in the first innings. Yasir dismissed Latham thigh and hit the stumps. QATAR’S star players Cherif high as we did in the Asian Tom Latham (44) and Ross He also became the first (22), Taylor (nought) and Raval top-scored with 31. Wagner, Ajaz Patel and Trent Younousse and Ahmed Tijan Games and the Asian Cham- Taylor (49) were at the crease Pakistani to take ten wickets in Henry Nicholls (nought) in his From 50-1 it became Boult – all without scoring in are determined to end their pionship. I feel that it will take at close as New Zealand need a single day, ninth in the world ninth over, triggering a col- 61-2 when Yasir had Latham the space of nine balls. Asian beach volleyball season the care of the results itself.” another 197 runs to avoid an with England’s left-arm spinner lapse during which New Zea- caught at short-leg by Imam- Six New Zealand batsmen on a high. Currently world- Tijan said, “To be honest, innings defeat while Pakistan Johnny Briggs doing it twice. land lost all their ten wickets ul-Haq off the first ball of his fell without scoring, making ranked 10th, the local pair this event will not be easy. can level the series by taking “When I was coming to for just 40 runs after being ninth over. it the fifth occasion in a Test having stamped their class at We don’t underrate anyone. another eight wickets with two the ground I was thinking that well set on 50 without loss. Two balls later he bowled when six batsmen failed to the 2018 Asian Games and the Some of the teams are tough days to play. I must get ten wickets in the Yasir’s bowling figures experienced Taylor with a score in an innings. Asian Championships are now and experienced. They will New Zealand won the first match, but never thought it will – his 15th five-wicket haul – beautiful that turned Williamson remained gunning to make it three out of all try to beat us but we’ve Test in Abu Dhabi by four runs come in a single day,” said Yasir. beat his previous best of 7-76 and beat the forward push by unbeaten on 28, watching three at home. done the home work well last week to gain a 1-0 lead in “I came from injury and against Sri Lanka at Galle in the batsman. wickets fell like nine pins at With the qualifying round with the coach. the three-match series. didn’t get the needed rhythm 2015 and also the best against Off his fifth ball Yasir the other end. With Sodhi’s of the Aspire Beach Volley- “Last year, I had played Taylor has hit six bounda- against Australia (last month) New Zealand. bowled Nicholls through the wicket Yasir also completed ball Qatar Master on Tuesday with Julio (Cesar do Nasci- ries and a six in his return-to- but now I am getting it and Intikhab Alam (7-52) held gap between bat and pad. 100 wickets in 16 Tests in the being scrapped due to lack of mento) and lost in the pre- form innings while Latham very happy to achieve this the record for Pakistan’s best It was Yasir who ran United Arab Emirates (Dubai, extra entries, the main round quarters to Cherif and Jeff. has hit three boundaries as feat,” said Yasir. bowling against New Zealand, Bradley-John Watling run out Sharjah and Abu Dhabi). The will now begin straight on This year, I’m playing with the two have added 65 for the Rain had delayed the start achieved at Dunedin in 1973. soon after lunch for one be- third Test will be played in Wednesday involving 16 top Cherif. The season had been unbroken third wicket stand of the third day by an hour but New Zealand, resuming at fore dismissing Ish Sodhi, Neil Abu Dhabi from December 3. pairs of the continent. quite amazing with a lot of Besides Younousse and good results on the FIVB Tijan, Qatar’s second pair World Tour. consists of Tamer Abdelra- “As far as this tourna- soul (who was fifth at the ment is concerned, we’ll play 2014 Asian Games) and As- our natural game, take each Women provide Australia cheer in forgetful year sam Mahmoud. The third pair match just like a last match comprises Nasser Ahmed al and see how we can do this REUTERS Meer and Hamad al Kuwari. time. We also hope that a MELBOURNE After an evening work-out good crowd will turn up to under the watchful eyes of Ar- support all the three teams IN a year blighted by a ball- gentine coach Mariano Barac- from Qatar,” he added. tampering scandal that etti, the ex-world champions, Mahmoud, the Al Ahli in- brought the Australian men’s Younousse and Tijan said they door volleyball team captain, cricket team to its knees, the have had a good preparation is teaming up with Abdelra- nation’s women have given for the tournament, especially soul for the second time. They fans no small reason to cheer. after having two more teams had played together in the Meg Lanning’s team se- joining them. Asian Championship in Sa- cured their fourth World Younousse, who had won tun, Thailand and qualified for Twenty20 trophy in Antigua the event last year with Jeffer- the main round. In the group on Saturday, thrashing Eng- son Santos Pereira, said, “This league, they put up a brave land by eight wickets to earn is a home tournament. It is quite display, won one match but plaudits at home and abroad. important for us. Last year, Jeff lost the remaining two going Though being paid a frac- and I had won. And after win- down to the wire. tion of their male counter- ning both the Asian Games and Mahmoud said, “Ours is an parts, the team’s achievements the Asian Championships, we’ll experienced team. In the Asian stand at odds with the men, be natural target for all. Championships, we’d played who have lurched to four series “After the World Tour, we well but could not progress losses across test and one-day had enough time to be ready after the group league despite formats since ‘sandpaper-gate’ Being professional for a one last time this sea- good efforts. We’ve trained broke in Cape Town in March. son. We’ve put in a great deal hard and this event presents With the next Twenty20 There’s no doubt that being of efforts in getting ready a good opportunity for us to World Cup only 14 months professional allows us to for the Qatar Master. Now post appreciable results. away on home soil, Lanning put everything we can into we’ve two more good national “I’m happy to be back to speaks of dynasty-building becoming better cricketers teams and I hope they will beach volleyball and looking in much the same way men’s and better people off the also be able to make the sec- forward to playing matches captains Mark Taylor, Steve ond round,” he added. in front of the home crowd,” Waugh and Ricky Ponting did field as well. Talking about being the he added. in decades past. Australia captain Meg Lanning “We want to be a very consistent cricket team and I think we have done that over the last few years without Australia players with the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2018 trophy at Shirley Heights, English Harbour, Antigua and Barbuda. (AFP) the success at world tourna- ments,” Lanning said. season in 60 years. Steve Smith and vice-captain gives you a bit of a grounding slice of the total forecast pay- “So hopefully this win is Shortly after Lanning hoist- David Warner. and real level-headedness that ments pool of A$459 million, sort of the start of something. ed the winner’s trophy, Aaron Lanning’s team, however, potentially - through absolute- the extra funding has already “I’ve got no doubt that this Finch’s men’s T20 side were have been an exemplar of ly no fault of their own – the led to welcome results and is group is capable of something thrashed by six wickets in Syd- sportsmanship on and off the guys haven’t had in the last 10 in no way taken for granted. special. The T20 World Cup ney by Virat Kohli’s India. field, and have little need for or 15 years because the game “There’s no doubt that be- is in Australia in 2020, which The result meant the the puffed-up aggression that is so demanding and they’re ing professional allows us to is going to be massive (and) I teams split their three-match made the men’s side one of the travelling 11 months of the put everything we can into be- think we’ve shown that we can series 1-1 but Australia were game’s least likeable. year,” she told British media. coming better cricketers and be the world’s best team.” probably fortunate that rain That may be because only In the new collective bar- better people off the field as The Antigua triumph was a washed out the second match a few years ago, Australia’s top gaining agreement struck last well,” said Lanning. ray of light in another gloomy after they suffered a character- women needed jobs to support year, the women’s team saw “We’re very lucky that weekend for Australian elite istic batting collapse. their cricketing ambitions, a payments increase to A$55.2 we’ve got the support network sport, coming hours after the Three of Australia’s top burden unimaginable to most million from A$7.5 million behind the scenes to allow us Qatar’s Hamad al Kuwari (left) and Nasser Ahmed al Meer during a men’s rugby team was wal- men players remain suspend- male professionals, said star ($5.44 million) over the life of to do that. And we just love practice session at the Aspire Park on Monday, ahead of the Aspire loped by England in London ed from the ball-tampering all-rounder Ellyse Perry. a five-year deal. what we do. I guess it’s a job Qatar Master Beach Volleyball Tournament. to complete their worst test episode, including captain “In some ways, I think that While still only a small but, gee, it’s a good one to do.”

Quick Singles Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes defends ICC bids for inclusion of women’s Twenty20 Pakistan’s Azhar Ali to return to Somerset county hostile pitch after West Indies collapse in 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games as overseas player for 2019 season CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes has defended the pitch used DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has submitted a bid for the LONDON: Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali is returning to Somerset as an overseas for the first Test against West Indies where his side won in three days, insisting inclusion of women’s Twenty20 in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birming- player for the 2019 season, the club announced on Monday. The 33-year-old, foreign teams must expect hostile spin tracks in South Asia. Bangladesh spin- ham, the governing body said on Monday. Cricket has not featured in the quad- currently playing in the second Test against New Zealand in Dubai, will be ners took all 20 West Indies wickets to fall in the Chittagong game that ended rennial Games since its maiden appearance in 1998 when the South African available for the entire County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup Sunday with a 64 run victory for the home side. Rhodes strongly indicated that men’s team won the gold medal in Kuala Lumpur. campaigns in his second spell at Taunton. Azhar will not play for Pakistan at the Caribbean side should have foreseen a tough pitch after they used a pace- “Cricket and the Commonwealth are inextricably linked and almost perfectly next year’s World Cup in England and Wales, having retired from One-Day Inter- friendly track in Antigua when Bangladesh were skittled out for 43, their record aligned with 910 million of cricket’s one billion plus adult fans from Common- nationals, making him available for the whole summer after making a positive low total. “I think that’s the beauty of playing all around the world,” Rhodes wealth countries,” ICC chief executive David Richardson said in a statement. impression during a spell at Somerset last season. “I very much enjoyed my said of the Chittagong track. “There’s lots of different ways to play this wonder- “Creating a new partnership between women’s cricket and the Commonwealth time with the club this year and I am really pleased to be going back,” he said. ful game and coming to Bangladesh and playing on spinning wickets it made Games demonstrates the commitment both organisations have to growing “Somerset is a special club and it was a pleasure to play for them in 2018. for some intriguing cricket,” the Englishman added. “I think in the subcontinent, women’s sport...” Birmingham is the perfect place to launch this partnership There was a really good atmosphere in the dressing room and there are some in places like Pakistan, in Sri Lanka, in India, in Bangladesh you have come to as 23 percent of its residents have links to cricket-playing nations outside the very good players at the club. The supporters were excellent and I look forward expect turning wickets. So, it’s no surprise,” Rhodes said of the result. (AFP) United Kingdom, Richardson said. (REUTERS) to seeing everyone again next year.” (AFP) 18 Tuesday, November 27, 2018 Sports Vettel takes stock as Minister of Culture and Ferrari lick wounds Sports meets FIA chief QNA DOHA AFP gether so obviously we did a ABU DHABI step back towards the end of MINISTER of Culture and the year, which enabled us to Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem SEBASTIAN Vettel, so grace- be more competitive again,” he al Ali met with United Nations ful in his handling of defeat by said, explaining how the team (UN) Secretary General’s Spe- Lewis Hamilton in this year’s had been forced to abandon an cial Envoy for Road Safety and drivers’ title race, on Monday update package that saw them President of International Au- began serious reflections on under-performing. tomobile Federation (FIA) Jean his and Ferrari’s disappoint- “But I think we’ve under- Todt, who is participating in ing season and a harsh self- stood what went wrong. We the International Traffic Safety examination. obviously will try to do a better Conference (ITSC) in Doha. The four-time champion job in the future. That was one The meeting discussed vari- German, whose Ferrari car key thing. On the other hand, ous topics related to the future was often the fastest on the I think we had a lot of lessons. of motorsports and ways to de- grid, conceded he had to look It was a tough year in general. velop it, especially in Qatar and at himself first and the team “The team is strong and the Middle East, in addition to Minister of Culture and Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem al Ali with secondly after he had finished the team has potential, but reviewing future projects be- International Automobile Federation FIA President Jean Todt. second behind new five-time surely it was a lot of things that tween FIA and Qatar Motor and champion Hamilton in Sun- happened inside the team.... Motorcycle Federation. people express their talents The two sides also discussed day’s season-ending Abu Dha- “It’s up to us to look into They also reviewed ways within the existing regulatory means of enhancing traffic bi Grand Prix. Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel (right) with Lewis Hamilton every single detail and make to attract youth to motorsport, framework, which ensures the safety through exchanging “I don’t think I ever have during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. The German’s Ferrari was sure we come out as a stronger which is a key area where young safety of practitioners. experiences. any problems raising my hand often the fastest on the grid but Vettel’s mistakes and Mercedes’ im- group, enabling us to build a if I made a mistake,” he said, pressive run clinched Hamilton’s fifth title, one ahead of Vettel. (AFP) stronger package for next year conceding that in 2018 he had and for the future.” made a few. “I have to look at he said. In Italy, at Ferrari’s home Vettel will be joined at Fer- First Thai driver of F1’s modern era myself first.” “But there’s other things race, he tangled with Hamil- rari next year by a new team- In a spectacular season that that went wrong and don’t ton on the opening lap with mate in Monegasque prodigy saw the title race ebb and flow need a lot of reviewing or over- a similar outcome - another Charles Leclerc who replaces Thailand’s Albon to race for Toro Rosso in 2019 as Ferrari and Mercedes bat- complicating too much. Hamilton triumph that added Finn Kimi Raikkonen in a bid tled for supremacy before an “I know what I need to to the gathering momentum of to rejuvenate the drivers’ line- LONDON: Alexander Albon will become the first Thai to race in Formula One’s modern era after the exceptional purple patch from do. Certainly, here and there, the 33-year-old Briton. up and add competitive focus. Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso team announced on Monday that they had signed the British-born young- Hamilton secured both titles looking back I haven’t been at While Vettel admitted his On Sunday, Raikkonen ster for next season. The 22-year-old, who joins Russian Daniil Kvyat in a new lineup, finished third for the Silver Arrows, Vettel the top of my game so... I look own faults, he was prepared bade farewell to the Italian in this year’s Formula Two championship and had been due to compete for Nissan in the all-electric was, he admitted fallible. at myself first....” also to concede that Ferrari team with an early retirement Formula E series. The only other Thai to have raced in Formula One was the wealthy Birabongse “Knowing as well, as a rac- In his home German had not been faultless in an after losing power. It was a Bhanuban, better known as Prince Bira, who contested 18 grands prix between 1950 and 1954 with a ing driver, how quickly things Grand Prix, Vettel crashed out inconsistent season over- downbeat end to an often col- best result of fourth. Albon’s arrival means New Zealander Brendon Hartley, a Le Mans 24 Hours win- can go wrong, how quickly of the race lead and handed shadowed by team upheavals ourful career with Ferrari be- ner and world endurance champion, has lost his seat. Hartley’s French team mate Pierre Gasly has things could have gone differ- the initiative in the title race following the death of Sergio fore he moves to Sauber, but graduated to the main Red Bull Racing team. Team principal Franz Tost said Albon, who was dropped ently this year, I think I have to Hamilton who, in the rain, Marchionne. a signal that Ferrari are ready from Red Bull’s young driver programme in 2012, had showed in Formula Two -- the official feeder to review a couple of things,” claimed a famous victory. “Things didn’t come to- for change. series to Formula One -- that he had what it takes to drive in F1. (REUTERS)

Farrell to replace Schmidt as Raptors hot streak Ireland rugby continues, Vucevic coach after World Cup scores 31 for Magic

AFP AFP ic snapped the Los Angeles DUBLIN LOS ANGELES Lakers’ three-game winning streak with a 108-104 victory. WORLD coach of the year Joe KAWHI Leonard delivered 29 Terrence Ross had 16 Schmidt is to step down as Ire- points and 10 rebounds as the points including a clutch lay- land handler after next year’s NBA-leading Toronto Rap- up with 34 seconds left as the World Cup and be replaced by tors won their fifth consecutive Magic beat the Lakers for the their defence guru Andy Farrell game by cruising past the Mi- second time in eight days. On the Irish Rugby Football Union THE F1 DRIVER ami Heat 125-115 on Sunday. November 17, Orlando defeat- announced on Monday. Kyle Lowry finished with ed Los Angeles 130-117. The 53-year-old New Zea- 12 points and 10 assists for the “We’re trying to build lander – named coach of the scenario for 2019 Raptors, who are off to their something, and wins like these year on Sunday – has guided With the 2018 Formula One season ending with best 21-game start in history can really help you build some the Irish to unprecedented suc- Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, here is the situation with 17 wins and four losses. momentum,” Vucevic said. cess in his tenure since taking in the drivers’ market for next year. Jonas Valanciunas had 17 Aaron Gordon had 17 over the reins of a demoralised points and 10 rebounds, and points and D.J. Augustin add- outfit in 2013. MERCEDES: World champion Lewis Hamilton has Pascal Siakam finished just two ed 12 points and nine assists Under him they have won renewed his contract until 2020 and Valtteri Bottas is Robert Kubica points shy of his career best for the Magic. three Six Nations titles – in- also staying on. with 21 points. LeBron James had 24 cluding this year’s Grand Slam FERRARI: Sebastian Vettel is under contract until Veteran Dwyane Wade points and seven assists for – and two historic wins over 2020 and talented Charles Leclerc takes the place of turned back the clock by scoring the Lakers, who have won world champions New Zealand, veteran Kimi Raikkonen. a season high 35 points. It was six of their last seven NBA including a first ever win over RED BULL: Max Verstappen has a deal until 2020, the most points ever for a Heat games. Kyle Kuzma scored 21 them on Irish soil in an epic and Pierre Gasly is promoted in place of Daniel Ric- player coming off the bench, points and Brandon Ingram 16-9 victory earlier this month. ciardo. but they still lost for the seventh added 17. Schmidt will next year hope RENAULT: Nico Hulkenberg has a new partner in Ric- time in their last nine games. The Magic used a rock- to set right the one major dis- ciardo who takes the place of McLaren-bound Carlos Josh Richardson scored 19 solid defense and some timely appointment in his reign – the Sainz. points and Bam Adebayo had scoring by Gordon and Vuce- humbling by Argentina in the MCLAREN: Retiring Fernando Alonso is replaced by 16 points and a career-high 21 vic to outscore the Lakers 35- 2015 World Cup quarter-finals Sainz, and youngster Lando Norris arrives for Stoffel rebounds in the loss. 19 in the third quarter and – and deliver the Webb Ellis Vandoorne. seize a 86-71 lead. trophy to Ireland. HAAS: Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen were Magic beats Lakers James and Kuzma were Schmidt, who was hired as both given another year by the improving midtable Elsewhere, Nikola Vucevic a combined zero-for-five in Ireland coach on the back of a team. finished with 31 points and 15 the quarter in which the team successful spell at Irish province FORCE INDIA: Sergio Perez is to continue but Este- rebounds as the Orlando Mag- shot just five-of-21. Leinster, says he will take time ban Ocon will leave and it is an open secret he will out from coaching to be with his be replaced by Lance Stroll, who leaves Williams. family. One of Schmidt’s chil- WILLIAMS: Incoming Briton George Russell will debut dren Luke suffers from epilepsy in 2019 while Robert Kubica makes a heroic return and the coach has become heav- from injury. Stroll and Sergey Sorotkin depart. ily involved in the epilepsy char- TORO ROSSO: Gasly is promoted to sister team Red ity in Ireland. Bull and Daniil Kvyat has been signed as his replace- “I have decided to finish ment. New Zealander Brendon Hartley is expected to coaching and will prioritise depart as well. Thai-British racing driver Alex Albon family commitments after the joins Kvyat. RWC in 2019,” Schmidt said. SAUBER: Raikkonen takes Leclerc’s place and test “I feel that Irish rugby is in driver Antonio Giovinazzi replaces Marcus Ericsson. good hands. The management (DPA) and players have been incred- ible to work with and the sup- port we have had, particularly at home at Lansdowne Road , but George Russell Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) battles to get past Miami where ever we have travelled Charles Leclerc Heat centre Bam Adebayo in the second half of their NBA game at has been uplifting.” Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday. (USA TODAY SPORTS) Qatari jockeys gain valuable experience in England and South Africa

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK nises the importance of having South Africa last year. riding and racing tactics. It in- Shahania in international rac- DOHA Qatari jockeys present at races Again, another group of five cluded a series of theoretical es in Europe. to compete with the more jockeys did the same earlier this classes and practical sessions. “I would like to thank THE Qatar Racing & Equestri- famed and experienced inter- year when Khalid Abdulaziz al We sometimes even partici- Nasser bin Sherida al Kaabi, an Club (QREC) management national jockeys who ride in Kuwari, Abdulla Saleh al Yahri, pated in show jumping train- QREC General Manager, for has hailed the steps being tak- the weekly race meetings at Al Ali Khalid al Mosallam and ing to gain the experience of the valuable assistance and en by Qatari jockeys in getting Rayyan Park, which is in line Abdulla Rashid al Adgham un- balance while riding. There motivation. In the meantime, trained at world’s best avail- with the QREC’s strategy and derwent a one-month training were also fitness sessions. At I will continue my studies able horse riding academies. vision for the coming years. course in South Africa. the end of the course, Saleh for the PhD as well and I am These initiatives reflect the Recently, two riders Ab- Later, jockey Abdulla and I received accredited cer- proud that I will be a jockey jockeys’ commitment to ben- dulaziz Jaber Dharman (23) Mubarak al Maadeed attend- tificates from the Academy, with a PhD ,” he added. efit from the highest training and Saleh Salem al Marri (25) ed a training course for two which helped me obtain a Al Marri shared his col- level in order to improve their have undergone training at the months in South Africa as well. QREC jockey license. I will ride league’s attitude, saying, “Like performance and reach the British Racing School in New- “I have benefited a lot and in races both reserved for Qa- Abdulaziz, I would like to stage, which will qualify them market, England. learned a great deal about tari jockeys and others involv- thank the QREC management to realise their ambitions. However, this is not the horseracing,” said Dharman ing international jockeys. and, in particular Nasser bin QREC said it encourages first time that Qatari jockeys highlighting how valuable the “I also look forward to ride Sherida Al Kaabi. such steps with a view to creat- have gained professional ex- training course in England for Qatar’s leading farms and “I wish priority of riding at Qatari jockeys Abdulaziz Jaber Dharman and Saleh Salem al Marri ing a fine base of Qatari jock- perience as a group of them has been. “The two-month studs, including Al Shaqab QREC races would be given to during their training. eys. The QREC Board recog- attended a training course in course was dedicated to horse Racing, Umm Qarn and Al Qatari jockeys in future. Sports Tuesday, November 27, 2018 19

News QFA, China Football Association sign deal in brief TNN/QNA tional capabilities.” DOHA Italian city Genoa offers to host QFA President meets Copa Libertadores final second leg THE Qatar Football Associa- US Congressman Fi- tion (QFA) has signed a five- lemon Vela MILAN: Genoa offered River Plate and Boca Juniors on Monday year cooperation agreement President of Qatar Foot- the opportunity to play the second leg of the postponed Copa with the Chinese Football As- ball Association Sheikh Ham- Libertadores final in the Italian city after it was postponed for a sociation (CFA) at the football ad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al second time on Sunday. headquarters in Al Bidda Tow- Thani met with US Congress- The clash between the Buenos Aires arch-rivals was due to er on Monday. man Filemon Vela in Doha on be played on Sunday after initially being postponed on Satur- Du Zhaocai, Vice-Minister Monday. He is a democratic day following an attack on the Boca team bus by River fans of Sports and Acting President representative of the 34th bus near the Monumental stadium, which left Boca players of the Chinese Football Associ- District of Texas, who is visit- with injuries from shards of broken glass and suffering the ef- ation met with QFA President ing the country. fects of smoke inhalation. Sheikh Hamad bin Kahlifa During the meeting, they But the match, dubbed the biggest in the history of Argen- bin Ahmed al Thani, and oth- discussed the distinct rela- tine football, was postponed for a second time by South Ameri- er top football officials, for the tions between the two coun- can football federation Conmebol, after Boca had called earlier contract ceremony. tries and ways of developing demanded that River face a series of punishments including The new agreement also them, particularly in the field forfeiting the match. brings QFA and CFA closer of football, as Qatar is set as they look into ways and Du Zhaocai, President of the Chinese Football Association with QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Kahlifa to host the World Cup in in means to develop the world’s bin Ahmed al Thani at a signing ceremony in Doha on Monday. 2022. Klopp praises Firmino as Brazilian biggest sport. It is expected The member of the US ends goal drought for Liverpool that Qatar and China will President of the QFA for his We are proud to be working oping the sport. Their training House of Representatives was have exchange programmes warm welcome and I am also with a body like the QFA. It courses for players, officials, briefed on the development LONDON: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised “unbeliev- between the two countries in pleased to sign the coopera- is a professionally run sports referees and coaches etc are of work related to the 2022 ably valuable” Roberto Firmino after the Brazil forward ended various age brackets to de- tion agreement between the body that works diligently to hugely beneficial for the par- World Cup and the readiness his two-month Premier League goal drought in the 3-0 victory velop youth football. two federations. I look for- develop the sport in Qatar and ticipants,” he added. of Qatar to host the big foot- against Watford. Qatar will also rely on the ward to permanent coopera- around Asia,” said Du Zhaocai. “I am impressed by Qa- ball event, which is a historic He also had a hand in Mohamed Salah’s opener on Satur- help from Aspire Academy tion between the two sides in “The agreement will tar’s preparations for the 2022 opportunity to accelerate hu- day and won the free-kick for Trent Alexander-Arnold to make it and Aspetar Sports Medicine the coming period. “ strengthen the cooperation in World Cup and I’m confident man and economic develop- 2-0.Firmino, who is playing a deeper role, has just six goals for Hospital to beef up their ex- “There is no doubt that various fields related to foot- that it will be able to organise ment- from caring for workers club and country this season -- and only two in his past 15 out- change programs with CFA. Qatar has become the lead- ball. We know the experience a unique World Cup, especially to the concept of sustainability ings -- but Klopp is in no doubt about the player’s quality. “I thank Sheikh Hamad, ing sports center in Asia. Qatar has in the field of devel- with its high level of organisa- and legacy. “In the game against Fulham, 20 German coaches were in the stadium,” said Klopp. “I’m not sure how the critics were but when I saw them and we had a drink together, they were saying ‘Bobby Firmino. What a player.’ “Because of the small things he’s doing, he’s working so hard, he’s here, he’s there, he’s got six goals but he opens 5,000 gaps for everybody.” Red-hot Ronaldo guns for Scolari’s Palmeiras win Brazil title with a match to spare RIO DE JANEIRO: Palmeiras won the Brazilian championship with a match to spare when they won 1-0 at Vasco da Gama on revenge against Valencia Sunday, bringing their coach Luiz Felipe Scolari another major title at the age of 70. Scolari, Brazil coach when they won their fifth World Cup in 2002 and also in charge of the side humili- ated 7-1 by Germany on home soil in 2014, took over for a The striker was controversially sent off in tears after a small push on Jeison Murillo in Spain third spell at Palmeiras in July when they were seventh, eight points behind the leaders. Under the leadership of the man AFP who also took Portugal to the European Championship final in TURIN 2004 during his long, distinguished career, Palmeiras won 16 of their next 22 league matches and drew six, conceding just CRISTIANO Ronaldo is in hot nine goals. Substitute Deyverson scored the winner in the 71st form and gunning for revenge minute of Sunday’s match at Sao Januario after he turned in going into Tuesday’s Champi- Willian’s pass from close range and was then booked for the ons League clash against Va- almost inevitable shirtless celebration. lencia after seeing red against the Spaniards in the away leg, with Juventus needing a draw Ex-Chelsea, Juventus striker Vialli in Turin to book their ticket to reveals cancer battle the knockout rounds of the Eu- ropean competition. MILAN: Former Juventus and Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli on “Happy to have helped the Monday revealed that he has been battling cancer for the past team on another important year. Vialli, 54, who also scored 16 goals in 59 games for Italy win,” the 33-year-old wrote and is now a popular TV pundit, told Italian daily Corriere della on social media after scoring Sera that he hoped that his story would “inspire people”. his tenth goal this season for “I’m fine now, very well indeed,” said Vialli, who won a the Italian giants in Saturday’s host of trophies over his playing and short managerial career, 2-0 win over SPAL as Juventus including the Champions League with Juventus and two Serie opened up a record eight-point A titles. “It’s been a year and I’m back to having a beastly lead on the top of Serie A after physique, although I still have no certainty of how this match 13 games. will end. “I used to wear a sweater under my shirt so no-one Ronaldo was purchased by noticed anything. I was still the person everyone knew.” Juventus for 100 million euros Vialli has just published his second book ‘Goals, 98 sto- ($113 million) from Real Ma- ries +1 to face the most difficult challenges’. “I hope my story drid last summer to help their can inspire people, who are at crucial intersections of their quest for the elusive Champi- lives, and I hope mine is a book to keep on the bedside table ons League title after finishing so people can read one or two stories before falling asleep or runners up twice in the past in the morning as soon as they wake up,” he said. e became four seasons. the Blues’ player manager towards the end of the following But the Portuguese super- season, when he won both the Cup Winners’ Cup and League star is also proving to be a key Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates during training session at the Juventus Training Centre, in Turin, on Monday. (REUTERS) Cup. He also won the FA Cup as permanent manager in 2000. element in the team’s race to- wards an eighth straight Serie four games, with Manchester last 16. There are also reports he tici. “Only a fool can doubt his A title, with nine goals and five United two points behind and - ‘Best player in the world’ has been snubbed for the final qualities,” said Paratici. assists of their 28 goals this sea- the Spaniards on five. -Despite his success on the three in the Ballon d’Or for the “He is the best player in the son. No Italian team have ever Ronaldo’s Champions pitch -- leading the way in Eu- first time since 2008, with the world and the most important achieved 37 points from the League debut for Juventus in rope with 31 goals this calendar winner to be revealed in Paris in the history of football. first 13 games, with Ronaldo September was marred when year for both Real Madrid and on December 3. Colombian teammate Juan becoming the fastest forward he was controversially sent off Juventus -- Ronaldo missed out Ronaldo -- a five-time Bal- Cuadrado warned that Ron- in the club’s history to score 10 in tears after half an hour for a on the world player of the year lon d’Or winner -- spent much aldo’s focus remains on the goals in all competitions. small push on Valencia defend- award to Croatia’s Luca Modric. of last month vehemently deny- pitch, as he bids to add to his “I don’t not care about the er Jeison Murillo in Spain. ing allegations by former model five Champions League titles numbers. I don’t count any- The red card was his first in Fixtures Kathryn Mayorga that he raped between Manchester United thing, the important thing is 154 Champions League appear- her in Las Vegas in 2009. and Real Madrid. that we take it home in May,” ances, but Juventus still went AEK Athens v Ajax He was dropped by Por- “Cristiano Ronaldo’s main said coach Massimiliano Al- on to beat the Spaniards 2-0. CSKA Moskva v Viktoria Plzen tugal for the Nations League quality is his professionalism,” legri. Ronaldo scored his first Bayern Munich v Benfica internationals, with the Euro- said Cuadrado. “He’s hungry Next up is a Group H return Champions League goal for Ju- pean champions becoming the for victory and he’s come to leg clash against Valencia, who ventus and the 121st of his ca- Hoffenheim v Shakhtar first team to book their passage the right place. We all think the beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 in La reer against Manchester United Lyon v Man City to the semi-finals. same way he does.” Liga at the weekend, but are in Turin earlier this month be- Roma v Real Madrid Leaving Ronaldo off the Juventus won the elite Eu- Gianluca Vialli, former Chelsea player and manager reveals his midtable in Spain. fore a stunning comeback gave Man United v Young Boys Ballon d’Or podium would ropean title twice in 1985 and secret battle with cancer on Monday. Juventus are top of the his former club a 2-1 win to de- Juventus v Valencia be “madness,” says Juventus 1996, but have finished run- group with nine points after lay the Italians’ passage to the sporting director Fabio Para- ners-up seven times. Ramos in spotlight again but Madrid need him more than ever

of tongue and apparent readi- leaving their rivals, Sevilla. Champions League final. More Real travel to Roma in the Champions ness for confrontation has be- But there are few stadiums than 530,000 Liverpool fans come a vivid part of Ramos’ where the sound of screeching signed a petition demanding League on Tuesday football persona. whistles are not heard as soon retrospective action against In September, Antoine as Ramos leaves an opposition Ramos. “No one’s nose is more AFP Then Ramos moved onto Griezmann was in the firing striker in a heap. fractured than Ramos’,” San- MADRID the anti-doping allegations line when Ramos used a Cham- - Red-card villain -Lionel tiago Solari said this month. published on Friday by Ger- pions League press conference Messi knows the feeling. In “There is no bad intention, he MORE than hour after the final man magazine Der Spiegel. to slap down the Frenchman’s 2010, Ramos lashed him to always plays fair. This is a con- whistle had sounded on Real The most damaging among pinings for the Ballon d´Or. the ground with a swinging tact sport.” Madrid’s 3-0 humiliation by them claimed Ramos tested “Ignorance is bold,” Ramos left boot and in 2017, clattered Ramos has long been a co- Eibar on Saturday, Sergio Ra- positive for dexamethasone af- said, poker-faced. him again, sliding in as Barca lossus for Real Madrid and, mos began to let rip. ter the 2017 Champions League More recently, he turned threatened a counter-attack. over the past decade, arguably Deep in the belly of the final and failed to declare it, as Antonio Conte from favourite Both times, Ramos was the finest central defender in tiny 7,083-capacity Ipurua sta- is required according to World to no-hoper in the running to sent off, two of his 19 La Liga the world. The concern, howev- dium, Ramos said his side’s at- Anti-Doping Authority regula- replace Julen Lopetegui as Real red cards, the most of any play- er, is that this season, for club titude had been off, their inten- tions. coach. “Respect is earned, not er still playing by quite a dis- and country, he has been no- sity lacking. “When you don’t Responding for the first imposed”, Ramos said, suppos- tance. There would be more if where close to those standards. match your opponent, you be- time, Ramos said: “You can tell edly a dig at Conte, a renowned referees had interpreted differ- His increasingly error-rid- come a vulgar team,” he said. a lie many times over but it is disciplinarian. This pugnacious Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos looks dejected at the end of their La Liga ently all flailing arms, charging den partnership with Raphael It was not the result Real still a lie.” He added: “These Ramos off the pitch chimes so match against Eibar recently. (REUTERS) shoulders and misplaced feet Varane at the back became as wanted before they travel types of people try to stain my perfectly with his demonic too ambiguous to be deemed much a problem for Lopetegui to Roma in the Champions reputation and my professional reputation on it and so it seems surrounds him. tles, as well as another four in deliberate. as a lack of firepower up front. League on Tuesday, when the career.” possible that one of the game’s He is loved by Real Ma- La Liga. He is liked too at the Mohamed Salah missed Sevilla and Barcelona each winner is likely to go through The issue may have been most reviled characters has be- drid, their captain and winner Benito Villamarin, where Real most of the World Cup finals took advantage, to the tune of top of Group G. exceptional but the sharpness gun to revel in the noise that of four Champions League ti- Betis fans still appreciate him after one such tussle in the eight goals between them.