Triple Diamond League champ Cheruiyot sets sights on gold in Doha PAGE 14 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

England drop One-day specialist THE ASHES Jason Roy for 5th Ashes Test PAGE 14 5th Test at the Oval (Day 1) Qatar 2022 training sites showcase legacy value – 3 years ahead of tourney

India’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu reacts after the 2022 World Cup Qualifier Round 2 Group E match against at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Tuesday. (REUTERS) A night to remember, says goalkeeper Sandhu

after the match, adding that he SC.QA Draw with Asian hoped the result would inspire DOHA them against Bangladesh and champs fills Afghanistan, the other teams QATAR 2022’s compact con- India with pride in Group E, both of whom are figuration allows for the intro- ranked even lower than India. duction of a new innovative REUTERS “The effort, the will and the accommodation and training NEW DELHI guts shown by everyone in the concept, providing team del- team was truly inspiring. This egations with a home-away- INDIA are unlikely to make it result will help us to keep grow from-home for the duration of to their first World Cup finals as a team and as a nation.” Qa- the tournament – the purpose- this time around but a 0-0 tar enjoyed 63% possession built Team Base Camp (TBC) draw in Doha against Asian and had 13 shots on target but featuring dedicated training champions Qatar in 2022 Sandhu was unbeatable. sites for each team. qualifying on Tuesday has “We have played just two The 41 training sites for filled them with pride. matches, and we have played the teams that will participate The 41 training sites for the teams that will participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ are already showcasing their legacy value, with pilot Cricket is king in India with well, that too against two power- in the FIFA World Cup Qatar usage phase well underway ahead of the official launch. football a distant second in the ful teams,” the goalkeeper said. 2022™ are already showcas- list of the country’s favourite “It gives us that added mo- ing their legacy value, with pi- and spectator areas for public same type and quality of play- pating teams have their own and Al Fohood Sports Acad- sports, though most fans rarely tivation and confidence that in lot usage phase well underway training sessions. ing surface, profile, irrigation team base camps during the emy from Oman. pay attention to Indian soccer, football, anything is possible.” ahead of the official launch. Ahmed al Obaidly, Train- and drainage system. These FIFA World Cup™. Some of the chosen loca- instead preferring to watch India’s talismanic forward Several national teams ing Sites Project Manager at the can be used any time of the Al Obaidly emphasised tions include Qatar University, the English Premier League or Sunil Chhetri missed the match including the Algerian team Supreme Committee for Deliv- day during the tournament as that the three years leading Doha Golf Course, Al Sailiya German Bundesliga. with a fever but was thrilled that won the African Cup of ery & Legacy (SC), explained: they are equipped with flood- up to the tournament will give and Onaiza, with public sports Igor Stimac’s team, ranked with the team’s gutsy display. Nations in July have already “Each training site has two nat- lighting to light up the entire the SC plenty of time to pilot grounds included in the legacy 103rd in the world, have given “THAT is my team and used the sites. The sites also ural grass pitches with a three site evenly.” different uses for the training planning for the facilities. a good account of themselves in THOSE are my boys! Can- be used before the 2019 FIFA metre auxiliary area around The training facilities are sites and ultimately highlight The extensive infrastruc- their first two matches in Group not describe how proud I am Club World Cup in December. and a five metre gap between an important pillar of the the legacy use of this state-of- ture at each site also includes E. They led Oman 1-0 in their at this moment,” tweeted the Each training facility for the pitches to guarantee the team base camps, a manda- the-art sporting infrastructure. dressing rooms, a press con- opener last week but conceded 35-year-old. the FIFA World Cup Qatar safety of the players.” tory FIFA World Cup™ host- Teams that have already ference area, a catering and two goals in the last eight min- “Not a big result for the ta- 2022™ will consist of two He continued: “The field ing concept which includes used the pitches include the lounge area, information tech- utes to go down 2-1 at home. ble, but in terms of a fight, as FIFA-compliant floodlit natu- of play in the training sites training facilities and a hotel Qatar national team, Taipei, nology and communications Few gave the side any big as it can get. Huge credit ral grass pitches, ancillary resembles the pitches at FIFA located in close proximity to Iran, Palestine, Kazakhstan, networks and broadcast and chance of coming away with to the coaching staff and the team facilities, team parking World Cup stadiums with each other. Each of the partici- the Qatar Rugby Federation media facilities. anything but a defeat to 2022 dressing room.” hosts Qatar, a team ranked Qatar top the group with 41 places higher than India, four points from two matches, but stout defending and some one ahead of Oman and Af- superb goalkeeping from Gur- ghanistan. The eight group World Cup Basketball preet Singh Sandhu helped winners and the four best run- them earn a point. ners-up advance to the third “Definitely a night to re- round of qualification for the member ...” Sandhu tweeted World Cup. France eliminate USA in major upset

AFP Sudan qualify for second DONGGUAN (CHINA) FRANCE blew the Basket- ball World Cup wide open on round of 2022 qualifiers Wednesday by handing the United States their first loss in QNA second time, having avoided the competition in 13 years in KHARTOUM defeat in an away World Cup their quarterfinal clash, pow- qualifier for the first time – ered by a double-double from SUDAN have qualified for the this after six straight defeats big man Rudy Gobert of the second round of the group on the road. Utah Jazz. stage of the African qualifiers After 77 minutes of Soma- The historic 89-79 win for for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. lia stoutly resisting Zimbabwe France eliminates the Ameri- Sudan defeated Chad 3-1 attacks, four goals in some cans early from the competi- on aggregate following a 0-0 crazy closing stages settled tion in China, dashing their draw in the second leg match this thrilling encounter in the hopes of a third straight title. held in Khartoum. hosts’ favour. Khama Billiat’s The prospect of an Ameri- The first leg was played unstoppable stoppage-time can exit had looked increasing- Kemba Walker of the US reacts after his team lost to France. (AFP) in Chad and Sudan won the effort – fired left-footed into ly possible after the USA sent a game 3-1. the top-right corner – ended squad of second-tier stars and French players exult during their Basketball World Cup quarter-final But Mitchell cooled in the World Cup hardware they won A total of ten teams were the hopes of the lowest-ranked the loss is likely to prompt soul- game against US in Dongguan, China, on Wednesday. (AFP) fourth and the French came in Russia last year. through as Round 1 concluded. team involved in Africa’s Qa- searching in USA basketball. back, led by Gobert and sharp- They will first have to get Malawi, Djibouti and Zim- tar 2022 qualifiers. The dra- Gobert, the two-time NBA of the biggest wins for French ed to compete and we did.” shooting small forward Evan past Argentina. In the other babwe all won their ties by matic winner ended a run of 11 Defensive Player of the Year, basketball for sure.” France will play Argentina Fournier of the Orlando Mag- bracket, Spain will face the one-goal margins against Bot- World Cup qualifiers without a had three blocks, including a In a hint of the sniping on Friday, who made it to the ic, who led France in scoring winner of Australia-Czech swana, Eswatini and Somalia win for Zimbabwe. key rejection down the stretch that may result in the United final four by defeating Serbia. with 22 points. Republic, who tipped off later respectively, making for sev- Mozambique, Angola, to help France seal the victory States over the debacle, shoot- The USA loss sets up an Fournier slashed to the Wednesday. eral dramatic finishes. Togo, Rwanda, Guinea-Bissau, in the southern Chinese city of ing guard Donovan Mitchell, enticing consolation match hoop for a driving lay-up to The writing was on the wall Gerald Phiri’s cooly-dis- Namibia and Sudan had an eas- Dongguan. who lead the Americans with with Serbia on Thursday. give France the lead again at for the United States which, patched late penalty saw Ma- ier time of it as they all booked The 7ft, 1in centre called 29 points, hit back at critics of Packed with NBA players, 78-76 with about three min- lacking big names like LeBron lawi through in what set a new their spots in the next round. the win “unbelievable”. the team. the two were tournament fa- utes remaining in the game. James and Steph Curry, lost to national record of three suc- Rwanda’s 10-0 aggregate “I’ve been dreaming about “You guys are going to go on vourites and will be trying to With under a minute left Australia two weeks ago in an cessive clean sheets in World victory over Seychelles was by this for a while. I was thinking and say who we didn’t have but salvage pride. and down by four, Mitchell exhibition. Cup preliminaries. far the most lopsided of all the we might never get the oppor- why don’t you all focus on who Wednesday’s contest was squirted into the lane for a The loss in Melbourne was Djibouti saw out a tense, ties in Round 1. Meanwhile, tunity (to beat the USA) again we do have?” he told reporters. marked by big lead changes, layup but Gobert smothered the first for the United States goalless second leg lacking in it was a historic evening on and I told that to the guys,” “We have 12 guys that want and Mitchell’s jumpers and the shot by his Jazz teammate in 78 consecutive games in clear-cut chances to advance home soil for Guinea-Bissau. Gobert said. to compete for America, just slashing moves to the bas- and the Americans were never major competitions and exhi- thanks to their 2-1 victory in They advanced to the second “It doesn’t mean much if like every other country. It ket helped the Americans cut able to get any closer. bition games. the sides’ first meeting. The round for the first time ever, you don’t win the gold, but it sucks that some of our country down a 10-point French ad- The win raises the prospect They also struggled to de- visitors will participate in steering past Sao Tome e will go down as one of the big- people don’t feel that way about vantage in the third quarter to of France adding a Basketball feat Turkey in overtime earlier the second round for just the Principe 2-1 in the return leg. gest wins of my career and one us, but we don’t care. We want- seize back the lead. World Cup title to the football in the World Cup. Sports Thursday, September 12, 2019 13

Valencia appoint Ronaldo’s 4-star show for Portugal; Celades to replace sacked Marcelino

REUTERS England, France stroll to victory MADRID

cluding a second for Lazio MARCELINO has been The star player is midfielder Berisha, but the sacked as Valencia coach af- 5-3 victory put England three ter an indifferent start to the now 16 goals shy Captain Ronaldo, making points clear in Group A, season, with former Spain ahead of the second-placed Under-21 boss Albert Celades of Iran’s Ali Daei’s his 160th international Czech Republic, who beat replacing him, the Spanish La int’l goals record appearance, scored four to Montenegro 3-0. Liga club said on Wednesday. take his international goals “A bizarre game,” said It is a first senior role in Southgate. “The outstanding club management for Ce- AFP to 93 as Portugal won 5-1 parts of our play were obvi- lades, who previously also PARIS in Vilnius and strengthened ous. The errors were obvious.” worked as Julen Lopetegui’s In Paris, the world cham- assistant during his ill-fated ENGLAND and Portugal both their position in Group B pions made light work of reign at Real Madrid last year. scored five goals while France after a sluggish start. beating 136-ranked Andorra The 43-year-old, who as scored three as they overcame 3-0. It was Les Bleus’ 100th a player represented both lowly-ranked Kosovo, An- match at the Stade de France. Barcelona and Real as well as dorra and Lithuania in Euro Antoine Griezmann earning four caps for Spain, 2020 qualifying on Tuesday. missed a penalty for his coun- has signed a deal until 30 Captain Ronaldo, making try for the second game run- June, 2021 and will take his 160th international ap- ning but Kinglsey Coman, charge of his first training ses- pearance, scored four to take Clement Lenglet, with his first sion on Wednesday evening. his international goals to 93 on the international goal, and Marcelino, who won the as Portugal won 5-1 in Vilnius Wissam Ben Yedder clinched Copa del Rey and secured and strengthened their posi- three points. Champions League football tion in Group B after a slug- “It is really annoying. I’ll last season, leaves after two gish start. just need to keep working. campaigns at the helm. For Ronaldo it was a sec- You can’t be on top of your “Valencia told Marcelino ond hat-trick in three inter- game all the time,” Griez- Garcia Toral on Wednesday nationals. The victory over mann said. that he is no longer first team Lithuania, 130th in the world Coman also scored two coach,” a club statement said. rankings, brought Portugal against Albania on Saturday. “The club would like to five points behind Ukraine at “It has been a very good thank him for his work and the top of Group B. week. It has gone well person- dedication during his time at Portugal, who opened ally and collectively,” Coman our entity and wish him suc- the group with home draws Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their fourth goal against Lithuania during the Group B Euro 2020 Qualifier at the LFF Stadium told television station TF1. cess for the future.” against Ukraine and Serbia, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday. (REUTERS) Cenk Tosun scored twice The departure had been started their recovery with as the Turks beat Moldova mooted in what turned out to a victory in Belgrade on Sat- this triumph would make no ried into the air by the diving fore William Carvalho added trailed early on to Kosovo, with ease in a 4-0 victory in be a tumultuous pre-season urday. They have a game in sense, and we are closer.” Ernestas Setkus. a fifth for the reigning cham- ranked 120th in the world, Chisinau. But Iceland, who for the club, with local media hand on all the other teams in Ronaldo’s first goal was The dropping ball hit the pions at the end. when Valon Berisha scored had been level with the top reporting the coach was not the group. a penalty. The second, with back of the goalie’s head be- Serbia beat Luxembourg after 34 seconds. England two, suffered a blow as they happy with owner Peter Lim. “We were better, we are the scores level after an fore rolling in. The third was 3-1, as Aleksandar Mitrovic replied with a first-half goal lost 4-2 in Albania. It appeared that the dif- better, and we won because of hour, was a scuffed low shot a clinical volley from close netted twice, to solidify their binge that ended with Jadon That result meant Iceland ferences had been resolved. it,” said Fernando Santos, the from outside the penalty range. The fourth was a low grasp on third place. They are Sancho scoring twice to make dropped three points behind. However, after taking four Portugal coach. area which took a couple of shot into the corner. a point behind Portugal. it 5-1 at the break. It also changed the tiebreak, points from their opening “We kept the pace after strange bounces off the arti- Vytautas Andriuskevicius In Southampton, Gareth The visitors claimed two allowing Turkey to take first three games. the win at Serbia, otherwise ficial turf before it was par- scored the hosts’ only goal be- Southgate’s England side back in the second half, in- place from France.

Al Rayyan a huge test for Manchester City to build statue in Al Duhail, says Edmilson honour of club legend Kompany AFP Genk last month. LONDON “Unfortunately I can’t AULO Edmilson has Which Al Rayyan ons League was sad for all of start or even play. I have a a key role to play in player worries you the us, but this is football and we MANCHESTER City will The road connecting the City slight hamstring injury and Al Duhail’s Portu- most? must move forward. There’re honour former captain Vin- Football Academy youth and can’t risk it. It’s typical me,” guese coach Rui Far- I’m not worried about many tournaments ahead cent Kompany with a statue community pitches with the said Kompany. Pia’s scheme of things, any particular player. Gener- of us. We must be on top of the Belgian outside the Club’s First Team Centre However, the Belgian in- mainly because of his untir- ally, we’ve to be wary of our physically and technically to club’s Etihad stadium. has been renamed ‘Vincent ternational played down his ing efforts, high technical opponents. achieve our goals. Kompany will miss play- frustration at missing out abilities, skills in dribbling, ing in his City testimonial on Kompany Crescent’ and with the most important goal passing as well as creating There’ve been talks Al Rayyan are moti- Wednesday due to a ham- is marked by a mosaic raising funds for charity. opportunities and scoring. that Al Duhail’s perfor- vated to score their first string injury, but was in at- inspired by Vincent’s Current City stars David The Brazilian forward spoke mance is on the decline… win after two successive tendance as the club also unforgettable Silva and Sergio Aguero will exclusively to qsl.qa ahead of Injuries have forced draws… named a road at their train- goal-celebration in the line-up alongside the likes their 2019-20 season QNB many of our players to be Every club wants victo- ing base after the centre- 2012 Manchester derby. of Mario Balotelli in a team Stars League’s Week 3 match out of action. Certainly, this ries and positive results. Al back. managed by Pep Guardiola. against Al Rayyan. has had a big impact on us. Duhail are motivated enough “The road connecting the – Man City Club statement They will face an all-star Teams missing the services to win this game. City Football Academy youth side littered with former Q: How do you view of their regular players hap- and community pitches with Manchester United greats your match against Al pens around the world. It’s Your message to Al the Club’s First Team Centre Kompany had been due like Edwin van der Sar, Gary Rayyan? normal in football. We work Duhail and Al Rayyan has been renamed ‘Vincent to feature in the star-stud- Neville, Paul Scholes and A: Certainly, it won’t be hard to win games. We all fans? Kompany Crescent’ and is ded charity match that will Ryan Giggs, but also boast- an easy game. Al Rayyan are perform strongly in training We hope there’ll be a lot marked by a mosaic inspired see a City legends team face ing Thierry Henry and Robin a big team in the Qatar league in order to fulfil our mission of fans out there and that’ll by Vincent’s unforgettable an all-star XI of former Pre- van Persie in attack. and are working hard to win on the pitch. increase the players’ determi- goal-celebration in the 2012 Vincent Kompany during Man- mier League players to raise “We are specifically deal- the title. I think fans will en- nation on the pitch. It’ll also Manchester derby,” City said chester City Premier League title money for his homelessness ing with homelessness in joy a strong performance. It’ll What do you think are encourage them to give off in a statement. celebrations in May. (REUTERS) charity Tackle4MCR. Greater Manchester. You be a good game because both the reasons for changes their best to delight the fans. “At the unveiling, the The 33-year-old left the can’t have a successful pro- teams play offensively. in the team’s perfor- Chairman (Khaldoon Al ebrate his achievements and Premier League champions ject without Manchester mance? What’re your ambi- Mubarak) revealed to Vin- contributions to Manchester in May to become player- United involved. We have Are Al Duhail able I don’t think there’s a tions with the team this cent that the Club has also City. When completed the manager at Anderlecht and, our differences - that is clear to win it or will you face change in the team’s perfor- season? begun the process of com- sculpture will take pride of much like the latter half of - but if we can get together difficulties during the mance, but we can say there’s Any footballer will’ve am- missioning a sculpture to place outside the Etihad Sta- his City career, was hit by a for these sort of events the match? a mismatch in some games. bitions to win trophies with publicly recognise and cel- dium.” muscle injury in defeat to city is stronger.” Difficulties exist in every his club and give the perfor- game, but the ability to win Is exit from the AFC mance expected from him. comes from the players’ de- Champions Now we’re facing a new sea- termination and successful League still son, new challenges and we implementation of the plan haunting must work hard to regain our Gilbert wins rapid stage as Quintana rides into picture drawn up by the technical Al Du- pride on the domestic front staff as well as performance hail? and also in Asia. REUTERS 00:03:42 behind Roglic. on the pitch. All these factors Exit- GUADALAJARA “We knew how to move, and can help Al Duhail win this ing from Are Al Duhail capable hopefully I’ll get better physi- contest. If we can give our the AFC of regaining the league PHILIPPE Gilbert claimed cally,” Quintana said after team maximum, we’ll be able to Champi- shield? a second stage victory at this mate Nelson Oliveira conceded defeat Al Rayyan. year’s Vuelta a Espana as Nairo his breakaway effort had not Quintana rode himself back been planned for by Movistar. What’re the into overall contention with a “We were able to profit on strengths of fine performance in the breaka- a day when anything could’ve both teams? way on stage 17. happened. I’m feeling a bit bet- Both teams Starting the day in sixth, ter having been suffering with have good play- seven minutes, 42 seconds be- a cold, but we’ll see how I do in ers in all de- hind race leader Primos Roglic, the mountains tomorrow.” partments Quintana finished ten seconds The 219.6km flat course - and that re- behind Gilbert to leapfrog the longest in this year’s race - flects on their team mate Alejandro Val- from Aranda del Duero to Gua- strength. Al verde into second place after dalajara was marked by strong Duhail’s performance Indeed, Al Duhail are ca- gaining five minutes on the red crosswinds, which led to a fre- Team Deceuninck rider Belgium’s Philippe Gilbert celebrates as he can rise to great heights pable of regaining the league jersey. netic pace of racing; a remark- crosses the finish line to win the 17th stage of the 2019 La Vuelta when we play with high shield. It can be achieved by The Colombian now sits able 50.6kph was the average cycling Tour of Spain on Wednesday. (AFP) spirit. working more on the pitch 00:02:24 back, with two of his speed throughout. Al Rayyan players and rectifying our mistakes favoured mountain stages still The wind saw the sizeable on stage winner Gilbert. seal a second stage victory of the have high physical that affect our performance. to come as the race nears its breakaway gain a huge ad- It had looked as though race for himself. capabilities, which The season is still long, we’re conclusion. vantage over the main pelo- sprinter Sam Bennett was go- Thursday’s stage 18 sees the is reflected on their at the beginning of the jour- Valverde is 00:02:48 be- ton, including Valverde and ing to claim a third stage of this riders tackle four punishing cat- speed on the pitch. ney. (TNN) hind, while fourth-placed Tadej Roglic, which they were un- year’s race, however Gilbert egory one climbs over 177.5km Pogacar looks to be out of con- able to claw back, finishing strode away from the Irishman between Colmenar Viejo and tention for a podium spot at five and a half minutes down inside the final 100 metres to Becerril de la Sierra in Madrid. 14 Thursday, September 12, 2019 Sports

IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS DOHA 2019 Triple Diamond League champion Cheruiyot targets Doha gold

IAAF a great competitor that day a member of RAC, Cheruiyot DOHA and he and his teammates de- finished seventh at the IAAF served the world record. I was World Championships Beijing HAD it not been for a rookie still really pleased to get silver, 2015. He took the silver medal error in his first ever interna- but people at home blamed at the African Championships tional race, Timothy Cheruiyot me for not getting gold. It was in 2016 and reduced his PB to may not be the same runner quite difficult for me.” 3:31.34. After breaking 3:30 – and three-time Diamond It wasn’t long before for the first time in 2017, he League champion – that he is Cheruiyot redeemed himself. took the silver medal behind today. He set 1,500m PBs of 3:35.24 Manangoi at the World Cham- He can now look back on and 3:34.86 in the months that pionships in London and won the experience and smile, but in followed and went on to finish his first Diamond trophy. the aftermath of the 2015 IAAF seventh in the World Cham- Further sub-3:30 clock- World Relays in The Bahamas pionships final in Beijing. The ings and Diamond trophies he faced backlash back home race in Nassau acted as the followed in 2018 and 2019. in Kenya for throwing away the catalyst for Cheruiyot wanting Manangoi, meanwhile, fol- chance of a world record in the to improve as a runner. lowed his world title with gold distance medley relay. “The experience gave me Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya gestures after winning the third Diamond medals at the 2018 Common- Cheruiyot, aged 19 at the a hunger for wanting more League championship recently. wealth Games and African time and far less experienced international races and to get Championships. than almost everyone else in better at 1,500m running.” ing partner Elijah Manangoi. der Bernard’s guidance, each “Timothy and Elijah are the race, covered the first lap Throwing away the chance The world champion pushing the other so we both unique in their own ways,” of his 1,600m leg in a lactic- of a world record wasn’t the doesn’t always get the better of improve.” explains Ouma. “The age dif- inducing 51.96, opening up first missed opportunity of Cheruiyot, though, especially Joining Ouma’s Rongai ference is a factor, but Tim a three-second lead on the Cheruiyot’s career, nor was it on the IAAF Diamond League Athletics Club (RAC) in 2014 happens to be rising faster to USA. Over the last two laps, the last. circuit. In fact, Cheruiyot has was a significant turning point join Elijah at the world-class though, USA’s Ben Blanken- One year earlier, he fin- been the more dominant in in Cheruiyot’s career. With level. Elijah is more of a tal- ship clawed back the deficit ished third over 800m at that arena, winning 11 of his Ouma’s guidance, quality ent-dominant athlete while and overtook Cheruiyot in Kenya’s trials for the 2014 12 Diamond League races be- training partners, and a tai- Tim is sheer hard work and the closing stages, clocking a World U20 Championships, tween 2018 and 2019, capped lored training plan, Cheruiyot some percentage of talent. world record of 9:15.50. missing a place on the team by last weekend in Brussels with thrived. Championship races require “It was amazing but also 0.07. He finished fourth in the his third successive Diamond “At RAC I have set up a experience, which they are nerve wracking,” he says. “I 1,500m at Kenya’s 2016 Olym- trophy. structured working system both acquiring gradually and was young and inexperienced pic Trials, missing a place on The success of the two men with individual goals, priori- differently. but I also had a lot of adren- the team for Rio by half a sec- has been very much a team tised to individual efforts and “Above all, they are dedi- alin. I was told by the team ond. effort, spearheaded by coach capabilities,” says Ouma. “Just cated individuals exploring coaches that I’d be running the He also has a streak of Bernard Ouma. like the others, Tim is very their capabilities and limita- anchor leg and my goal was four successive major cham- “We help each other,” disciplined, dedicated, and tions,” he adds. “They don’t to bring the baton home in a pionship silver medals, but Cheruiyot says of Manangoi. knows what he wants. He be- fear making mistakes and are world. It was a lot of pressure. he doesn’t count those as dis- “Elijah is three years older lieves in himself, his coach and not risk-averse. And they al- “Looking back on it now, of appointments, especially the than me but he has assisted the training plan, which he fol- ways encourage each other, Kenyan runner Timothy Cheruiyot runs a race during the Diamond course I know that I went out three that have been earned me in my running. We work lows to the letter.” regardless of which one wins League season. too fast. Ben Blankenship was when finishing second to train- hard together in training un- In his first full season as or loses.” Sheikh Khalid & Jason Roy dropped for McIlroy PGA Tour Player Bassem to figure in fifth Ashes Test of the Year again REUTERS claimed the FedExCup. Saint Tropez leg AFP said at the London ground on NEW YORK The four-times major LONDON Wednesday. champion’s other victories TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK penultimate event of the 2019 “With that we’ve had to RORY McIlroy added another came at The Players Cham- DOHA season. ENGLAND have dropped Ja- change the balance of the side, award to his trophy cabinet as pionship and RBC Canadian Ahead of the highly antici- son Roy for the fifth Ashes Test and Jason’s the unfortunate he was named the PGA Tour Open, where he set a tourna- QATAR’S star riders Sheikh pated Finals in New York at the against Australia that starts on one to miss out. Player of the Year on Wednes- ment record and won by seven Ali bin Khalid al Thani and end of September, the world’s Thursday, as they look to level “Jason’s had an opportu- day for a third time following shots -- the largest winning Bassem Hassan will partici- top athletes will come together the series at 2-2. nity to come in and play Test a 2018-19 campaign capped margin of the season. pate in the 17th leg of Longines on the spectacular French Rivi- One-day specialist Roy was cricket, get a feel for it and it’s by his FedExCup champion- PGA Tour Commissioner Global Champions Tour to be era in the hope of shaking up handed his Test debut against not quite gone how he would ship triumph. Jay Monahan said in a state- staged on scenic Pampelonne the order and elevating their po- Ireland in July after making a have liked. The 30-year-old North- ment: “While there are a Beach in Saint Tropez, France sition in the current standings. devastating impact at the top “But I’m sure he’ll go away ern Irishman beat out Brooks number of honors one can re- from Thursday to Saturday. Leading the pack is Ben Ma- of the order during England’s and work extremely hard and Koepka, Matt Kuchar and ceive in this game, PGA Tour The two Qatari riders will her (GBR) with his score of 277 victorious World Cup cam- come back again and that’s Xander Schauffele in a vote by Player of the Year has to be also participate in the Global points - the British rider fresh paign. what you expect of guys when players for the Jack Nicklaus among the most satisfying Champions League for Doha from his win last week at LGCT But the Surrey batsman they get left out.” Award. as it comes directly from his Falcons team which also in- Rome and keen to defend his failed to impress in the first Root said it would have McIlroy, who won the peers. cludes Michael Whitaker, Jur 2018 LGCT title. However the four matches of the Ashes, ei- been a risk to pick Stokes as award in 2012 and 2014, made “Rory’s season was a mod- Vrieling, Bronislav Chudyba previous long-term leader Pie- ther as an opener or when he a frontline bowler due to the 17 of 19 cuts while racking el of consistency punctuated and Mike Kawai. ter Devos (BEL) will be looking dropped down the order in the Jason Roy of England all-rounder’s fitness issues but up three victories, including by milestone victories and ul- All the top 10 riders of the for redemption, with his focus fourth Test, where he made a he fully justified his place as a at the season-ending Tour timately the FedExCup in At- Tour ranking are featuring in firmly on increasing his 266 top score of 31. ENGLAND TEAM specialist batsman. Championship where he also lanta.” a major show of force at the points and re-taking the lead. Paceman Craig Overton The 28-year-old is Eng- has also been left out for the England team for the fifth Ashes Test start- land’s top-scorer in the series clash at the Oval, with all- ing at the Oval on Thursday: with 354 runs and two cen- rounders Sam Curran and Joe Root (Capt), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow turies, including his match- (wkt), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Thirimanne, Shanaka to lead Chris Woakes, who made way Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Ben winning ton in the third Test for Overton at Old Trafford Stokes, Chris Woakes. at Headingley. Lanka on Pakistan tour last week, coming into the “He might be able to bowl a REUTERS ODI squad: Lahiru Thirimanne (captain), Danushka side. had missed out because the couple of overs here and there Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka The England and Wales side needed re-balancing due but his batting, as this series as COLOMBO Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Cricket Board confirmed that to Stokes’s injury. shown, is a massive part of our Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Ben Stokes would play as a side and he rightly deserves to LAHIRU Thirimanne and Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru specialist batsman due to a Left out be in our team as just a batter Dasun Shanaka were named Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara shoulder injury. “It’s always tough to leave and a top-four batter,” said Sri Lanka’s one-day interna- T20I squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Danushka England need a victory at guys out, but Stokesy obvi- Root. tional and Twenty20 interna- Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, the Oval to draw the series, al- ously picked up a shoulder in- “He will I’m sure want to tional captains respectively for Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Angelo Perera, though Australia have already jury in the last game and won’t find different ways of getting the upcoming tour of Pakistan Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Madushanka, retained the Ashes. be able to bowl the overs we himself into the game even if after 10 players opted out of the Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Qatar’s Sheikh Khalid Ali bin Khalid al Thani and his horse in action. Captain Joe Root said Roy normally expect him to,” he it’s not with the ball.” series over security reasons. Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara.

ISC FELICITATES INDIAN VOLLEYBALL TEAM QBF MEETING HELD IN AL GHARAFA HQ Indian Sports Centre honoured the members of the Indian volleyball team which visited Qatar on the way to the Asian Championship, to be held in Tehran from September 13 to 21. The Indian team played friendly matches with Qatar, China and Australia during its stay in Doha. HE P Kumaran, the Indian Ambassa- dor to Qatar, honoured members of the Indian team and VFI Secretary- General Ramavtar Singh Jhakhar. ISC President Nilangshu Dey wel- comed the team and highlighted the ISC role in promoting sports in the expatriate Indian community in Qatar. ISC General Secretary Habib un Nabi conducted the programme and Ashik Mohammed, Secretary of Volleyball and Basketball at ISC, Qatar Basketball Federation President Ahmed al Muftah chaired a meeting of the Board of Directors in Al proposed the vote of thanks. Gharafa on Wednesday. The past season was reviewed and various committees presented their reports. Also the preparations for the new 2019-20 season were discussed at the meeting.