FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 7 War-torn It’ll be Syria eye Johnson 2.0 Russia World in Ashes, Cup berth warns Starc

Thursday, October 5, 2017 TENNIS Muharram 15, 1439 AH Halep eliminates GULF TIMES Sharapova to enter Beijing quarters SPORT Page 6 FOCUS BARSHIM,BARSHIM,BARSHIM, SARASARASARA NAMEDNAMEDNAMED ATHLETESATHLETESATHLETES OFOFOF THETHETHE SEASONSEASONSEASON Mutaz Barshim became world champion this year, while Sara al-Manaei won two golds at Junior Arab Athletics

QOC president His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, vice presidents His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Thani and Dr Thani al-Kuwari with other off icials and winners at the Sports Excellence Awards ceremony. PICTURES: Anas Khalid Awardee list

GOLDEN FEDERATION Abdulrahman Abdulqader Qatar Athletics Federation FEMALE PARA-ATHLETE OF OUTSTANDING FEDERATION THE SEASON Qatar Swimming Federation Sara Masoud MEN’S TEAM OF THE SEASON HORSE OWNER OF THE Qatar Equestrian Team SEASON HH Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa WOMEN’S TEAM OF THE al-Thani, Owner of Umm Qarn SEASON Farms Qatar Skeet Shooting Team JOCKEY OF THE SEASON MALE ATHLETE OF THE Faleh Bughanaim SEASON Mutaz Barshim QATARI HORSE TRAINER OF THE SEASON FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE Ibrahim Said al-Malki SEASON Sara al-Manaei CAMEL TRAINER OF THE (From left, behind) Asian shooting medallist Khulood al-Khalaf, Qatar’s first two-time SEASON PROMISING MALE ATHLETE female Olympian Nada Arakji, Olympic showjumping finalist Sheikh Ali al-Thani, high Mohamed bin Khalid al-Attiyah, OF THE SEASON jump world champion Mutaz Barshim and Paralympic silver medallist Abdulrahman Al Shihannyah Hijin Fares Ibrahim, Qatar QOC president His Excellency Sheikh Joaan speaks during the ceremony. Abdelqader at the ceremony yesterday. Weightlifting and Fencing CAMEL OWNER OF THE Federation SEASON cess seldom seen in the Middle East. ninth in the team event while Sheikh Ali promise by winning bronze in 400m at By Sports Reporter Abdalelah Haroun, Qatar Nasser bin Abdulla Al Mesnd The 26-year-old won the World fi nished an impressive sixth in the indi- the IAAF World Championships in Lon- Doha Athletics Federation Championship in London in August, vidual event. don in August. The 20-year-old former SERVICE TO SPORT to add to his Rio Olympic silver last The Qatari skeet shooters were de- world junior champion clocked 44.48 PROMISING FEMALE ATHLETE Ahmed Ali al-Ansari n a day when Qatar Olym- year and bronze at the 2012 London clared women’s team of the season. The seconds with a stunning late surge to OF THE SEASON pic Committee stepped into Games. Barshim is in the quest for Javier trio of Sarah Mohamed, Hajar Moham- fi nish on the podium. Tala Abduljabbar, Qatar Sailing DISTINGUISHED a new sporting journey, the Sotomayor’s 2.45m world record and is ed and Reem al-Sharshani had won the Two years ago, Haroun had won the and Rowing Federation GOVERNMENTAL governing body also recog- determined to break one of the longest skeet event at Asian Shotgun Champi- gold medal at the Asian Championships INSTITUTION IN nisedO the contribution of its sporting standing marks in athletics. onship in Abu Dhabi last year. They also in Wuhan, China, and a silver at the NATIONAL COACH OF THE SUPPORTING SPORT heroes. The Female Athlete of the Season picked up a bronze medal at the 49th World Indoor Championships in Port- SEASON Ministry of Education and At the Qatar National Convention award went to Sara al-Manaei for hav- CISM World Military Shooting Cham- land, USA. Khalifa Ali al-Kubaisi, Bowling Higher Education Centre yesterday, QOC honoured its ing won two gold medals in shot put and pionship held in Doha. The para-athlete awards went to Ab- PROFESSIONAL COACH OF DISTINGUISHED COMPANY IN athletes, handing out awards in diff er- javelin throw at last year’s Junior Arab Promising Male Athlete of the Season dulrahman Abdulqader and Sara Ma- THE SEASON SUPPORTING SPORT ent categories, an acknowledgement Athletics Championships. award was split by weightlifter Fares soud in the men’s and women’s catego- Hassan Bu Thalja, Qatar Paral- Ooredoo for bringing glory to Qatar in the past Qatar equestrian team was chosen as Ibrahim and 400m runner Abdalelah ries respectively. ympic Association season. the men’s team of the season. The team Haroun. Rower Tala Abduljabbar was Abdulqader had won gold in the DISTINGUISHED After QOC President His Excellency consisting of Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al- named as Promising Female Athlete of men’s shot put (F34) event at the 2017 MALE ADMINISTRATOR OF GOVERNMENTAL Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani put Thani, Bassem Hassan Mohamed, Ali the Season. World Para Athletics Championships in THE SEASON INSTITUTION IN ORGANISING words to the glittering milieu of bon- Yousef al-Rumaihi and Faleh Susead al- Ibrahim had a breakthrough year in July, while Sarah had claimed silver in Khalifa Abdulmalek SOCIAL SPORT PROGRAMMES homie and spirit with his introductory Ajami made history by qualifying for Rio 2016 with a bronze medal at the World the women’s shot put (F33). Last year, Katara Cultural Village address, athletes, sports federations Olympics during the Furusiyya 2015 FEI Youth Championships. He fi nished Abdulqader had become the fi rst Qatari FEMALE ADMINISTRATOR OF and offi cials were felicitated at QOC’s Nations Cup Jumping series in Abu Dhabi. eighth in the 85kg category at Rio Ol- medallist in the history of the Paralym- THE SEASON DISTINGUISHED annual Sport Excellence Awards. Facing experienced teams from ympics, which had seen a fi eld full of pics when he won the silver medal at Rio Al Anoud al-Naimi, Shooting INSTITUTION IN ORGANISING Predictably, it was Qatar’s high jump Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the experienced lifters and won three gold Paralympic Games. SOCIAL SPORT PROGRAMMES REFEREE OF THE SEASON Qatari Red Crescent hero Mutaz Barshim who walked away United Arab Emirates, the Qatari team medals at the Asian Junior Weightlift- Meanwhile, Ahmed Ali al-Ansari won Ibrahim al-Ni’mah, Volleyball with the Male Athlete of the Season stunned the crowd by grabbing the sole ing Championships. the Service to Sport Award for his huge SPORT CREATIVITY award. Barshim is a legend in Qatar, qualifying spot for the Rio 2016 Games On the other hand, Haroun lived up to contribution to the development of MALE PARA-ATHLETE OF THE Oola Sportswear having already leaped the sporting suc- from the event. In Rio, Qatar fi nished his reputation as a young athlete of great youth sport in Qatar. SEASON Gulf Times 2 Thursday, October 5, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS NEW LOOK FOR A NEW WAY FORWARD ‘Our new brand will reflect the values of our nation, and the values of sport’

By Sports Reporter letes, including high jump world attention of young people, speak to tar’s athletes – together with tips, able sports development” and to Doha champion Mutaz Barshim, Olym- them in a language that they under- advice, competitions, off ers and become “a leader in promoting the pic showjumping fi nalist Sheikh Ali stand and create an identity that they much more. Olympic Movement”. al-Thani, Paralympic silver med- associate with their sporting heroes Commenting on the launch of new chapter in Qatar’s allist Abdulrahman Abdelqader, and which they are proud to wear and Team Qatar Club, double Olympic QOC hosts historic sporting journey Asian shooting medallist Khulood share. medallist Barshim said, “I urge all was launched yesterday at al-Khalaf, and Qatar’s fi rst fe- “Our new brand will refl ect the my friends to join me in becoming Extraordinary a momentous gathering of male to compete in two Olympics, values of our nation, and the val- a member of the Team Qatar Club. General Assembly Qatar’sA entire sporting family. Nada Arakji, joined Qatar’s future ues of sport. Like Qatar, it is young, This will be the place to go for eve- Qatar Olympic Committee sporting stars in an inspirational bold, passionate and dynamic,” rything you need to know about meeting (QOC) president His Excellency ceremony that culminated in the Sheikh Joaan said. our athletes and sport in Qatar, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani unveiling of the QOC’s new logo to “It shares our nation’s ambition, get health and fi tness tips from the The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) with Qatar’s sporting heroes at the world. our optimism and our pride in the best, and connect with other sports held its 33rd Extraordinary General Doha’s iconic Qatar National Con- The logo builds on Qatar’s sport- strength and ability of our peo- fans. I can’t wait share my stories, Assembly meeting yesterday, with vention Centre unveiled a transfor- ing heritage and patriotic roots by ple. It is a brand for our future and get closer to our sporting commu- President His Excellency Sheikh mational vision to take sport in Qa- combining the national fl ag and one that we hope will inspire, em- nity and show the fun, exciting and Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, QOC vice tar to even greater levels of success shield as a symbol of pride, whilst power and educate our young peo- human-side to sport. I hope that president His Excellency Sheikh Saud through a new brand and strategy. looking to the future with a con- ple through the transformational we are able to inspire our whole bin Ali al-Thani, presidents of national Commenting on the new brand, temporary, adaptable and innova- power of sport. We hope that it will country to get involved with and federations, and chairpersons of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan said, tive design, which is able to adopt inspire future champions in sport enjoy sport.” the committees aff iliated to QOC, in “It feels like a sporting revolution multiple forms across modern and and for sport.” The QOC’s new strategy was attendance. The General Assembly and the start of something new. We traditional platforms. Team Qatar’s athletes are the most also unveiled yesterday, follow- approved an enhanced organisa- want the people of Qatar to feel this Team Qatar will become the powerful tool to engage young Qa- ing a three-year process to develop tional structure with Sheikh Saud bin change, share it, celebrate it, con- public-facing brand of the QOC in a taris in sport, according to the QOC. world-class structures, processes Ali al-Thani as first Vice President, Dr nect to our athletes and support bid to create an image that is fresh, Team Qatar Club, a new on- and performance measures that Thani bin Abdulrahman al-Kuwari them on their inspirational jour- sporty and dynamic, and which rep- line sporting community, which will ensure that Qatar is achieving as second Vice President and Jas- neys. We want to unite our whole resents the unity of Qatar’s entire was launched yesterday, hopes to optimal sporting success on multi- sim Rashid al-Buenain as Secretary nation through the power of sport. sporting family. It has been designed achieve just that, it said. The club ple levels. General. The General Assembly also We are all Team Qatar and I can’t to support the QOC’s new strategy by will run as a private, members-only The strategy aims to optimise saw discussion regarding the annual wait for us all to seize this oppor- inspiring, engaging and empowering area on the new Team Qatar web- partnerships between all of Qa- QOC sports events calendar, and the tunity.” more young people through the pow- site. It will provide exclusive and tar’s sporting entities “to become agenda and requirements for Team Following Sheikh Joaan’s speech, er of Olympic sport. The QOC hopes behind the scenes content about a leading nation in bringing the Qatar athletes in upcoming competi- Team Qatar’s most successful ath- that the new brand will capture the the incredible journeys of Qa- world together through sustain- tions.

QOC president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (right) with Dr Thani al-Kuwari, president of Qatar Athletics Federation, who HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani with Female Para-Athlete of Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani (left), Qatar’s ambassador to Germany, with Qatar Tennis and Squash Federation were awarded as Golden Federation. the Season Sara Masoud. president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

Sheikh Joaan with weightlifter Fares Ibrahim and 400m Sheikh Joaan with Khaleel al-Jabir, president of Qatar Swimming Sheikh Joaan with Qatar Equestrian team, comprising Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, Bassem Mohamed, Ali al-Rumaihi and Faleh runner Abdalelah Haroun, who shared Promising Male Association, who were awarded as Outstanding Federation. al-Ajami, at the ceremony yesterday. They were presented with Men’s Team of the Season award. Athlete of the Season award.

Sarah Mohamed, Hajar Mohamed and Reem al-Sharshani of Qatar skeet shooting team, who won Womens Sheikh Joaan (right) with Ibrahim al-Malki, who won the Qatari Sheikh Joaan (right) with Faleh Bughanaim, who won Jockey of the Team of the Season award. Horse Trainer of the Season award. Season award. Gulf Times Thursday, October 5, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT War-torn Syria Argentina face Peru eye World Cup hurdle berth in Russia Syria, ranked 75th, have never reached the World Cup before and they needed Soma’s injury-time equaliser against Iran last month to take them into the play-off s

Peruvian footballer Miguel Trauco (R) kicks the ball during a training session in Lima ahead of their upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup football qualifier against Argentina.

AFP to Boca Juniors’ intimidating Montevideo La Bombonera ground, where steep stands surrounding three sides of the pitch help to create rgentina’s stumbling a bearpit-like atmosphere in the 2018 World Cup quali- 49,000-capacity venue. fi cation campaign faces Peru last month requested to another awkward hur- FIFA that the game be moved dleA today as the misfi ring South to another venue on safety American giants take on in-form grounds. A 2015 Copa Libertado- Peru in Buenos Aires. res match at the ground was sus- The 2014 World Cup fi nal- pended when River Plate players ists have lurched from one dis- were assaulted with a substance appointment to the next since similar to tear gas. South America’s qualifi ers Ironically, however, the choice kicked off two years ago, with the of venue may be a good omen two-time champions invariably for Peru. The Peruvians secured failing to add up to the sum of a famous 2-2 draw at La Bom- their talented parts. bonera in 1969 which saw them Despite a formidable arsenal qualify for the 1970 World Cup at of attackers led by Lionel Messi, the expense of Argentina. It was the Argentinians have scored just the last occasion Argentina failed 16 goals in 16 games, the second to qualify for the World Cup. lowest total behind already- Whether the move to La Bom- eliminated Bolivia. bonera is able to provide the A lacklustre 1-1 home draw spark Argentina have lacked so with Venezuela in their last out- far remains to be seen. Under ing on September 5 left Argen- new coach Jorge Sampaoli — tina’s hopes of automatic quali- their third of the qualifi cation fi cation for next year’s fi nals in campaign — Argentina drew Russia hanging by the slenderest their last two matches against Members of Syria’s national football team warm up during an off icial training session a day ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifying football against Australia at the Hang Jebat of threads. Uruguay and Venezuela. Stadium in Malacca, Malaysia. With just Thursday’s game Mario Kempes, one of the against Peru and next week’s stars of Argentina’s 1978 World AFP threat since the return from the side- President Bashar al-Assad, who remains group... All of these factors have had challenging trip to Ecuador re- Cup triumph, gave voice to the Malacca, Malaysia lines of forward Firas al-Khatib, who had in power despite a confl ict which has a positive impact on us. It nourished maining, Argentina are in fi fth exasperation of many fans strug- voiced support for the Syrian rebellion, since killed more than 320,000 people a defi ant spirit, and we worked on the place in the table, outside the top gling to understand why a squad and sharpshooter Omar al-Soma, whose and displaced millions. players’ psyche to fi ll the gaps of proper four automatic qualifying places. boasting the likes of Messi, Paulo qualifying campaign that has long absence was also believed to be for When Syria played in Singapore in preparations and other things.” While a fi fth-place fi nish Dybala, Mauro Icardi and Angel defi ed civil war and internal political reasons. the early stages of qualifying, former Syria start as second-favourites would likely still see them qual- Di Maria has failed to fi re. splits has brought Syria within “Reaching the Asian play-off is almost head coach Fajr Ibrahim and midfi elder against Australia, who have played the ify for Russia — with what ought “When they pull the Argentina sight of a miraculous World a miracle, no one expected us to reach Osama Omari fronted a press conference last three World Cups and reached the to be a straight forward playoff shirt on, it’s like they suddenly ACup berth — if they can overcome Asian this stage given the tough circumstances wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the last 16 in 2006, losing controversially to assignment against New Zea- forget how to play football,” a champions Australia. we face in our country,” al-Hakim told image of a smiling Assad. eventual winners Italy. land awaiting — a crowded table bemused Kempes said in a recent Syria were given little chance of mak- AFP. Al-Soma and al-Khatib had been ab- The Socceroos missed out on auto- means Argentina can’t take any- interview. Chasing a fi rst World ing an impact in Asia’s qualifi ers but af- “It shows the will that the Syrians sent since voicing their support for the matic qualifi cation on goal diff erence thing for granted. Cup fi nals appearance since ter reaching the regional play-off s, they have and their ability to achieve the im- rebels fi ghting Assad’s forces, but their alone but they will be without their If South American champions 1982, Peru say they are ready for stand four games away from Russia 2018. possible. We hope to fulfi l the dream of return this year under al-Hakim has gal- midfi eld talisman Mile Jedinak and have Chile — currently in sixth place, the challenge. Playing their “home” fi xtures in Ma- reaching the World Cup. It’s the dream vanised the Qasioun Eagles. shown enough defensive frailty to give one point adrift of Argentina — “We are fully prepared for this, laysia because of their country’s civil of every Syrian, every member of our Al-Soma is rated as one of Asia’s best Syria hope. win their home match against we are a team that is capable of war, Syria face Australia in Malacca to- team, whether the players, coaches, of- strikers, while fellow marksman Omar “It’s a tough face-off with a strong Ecuador, and fourth-placed Peru beating anyone,” said their Ar- day, before the return leg in Sydney next fi cials.” Khribin bagged a hat-trick for his Sau- Australian team known for its profes- win or draw in Buenos Aires, Ar- gentinian coach Ricardo Gareca. Tuesday. Syria, ranked 75th, have never reached di club, Al Hilal, in their 4-0 win over sional players and a style that diff ers gentina will head into the fi nal Elsewhere today, Brazil — who The winners go into a two-legged the World Cup before and they needed Iran’s Persepolis in the fi rst leg of their from any team we have already faced,” round of games next week out- have already qualifi ed and are clash with the fourth-placed team from Soma’s injury-time equaliser against AFC Champions League semi-fi nal. al-Hakim said. side both the automatic qualify- assured of top spot — travel to La the CONCACAF federation — currently Iran last month to take them into the “Everyone knows the scope of the “I’m studying all their details to fi gure ing and playoff places. Paz to face Bolivia. the United States. Asian play-off s. tragedy that our country is enduring, out the way we have to deal with them... In a bid to avoid that scenario, Second placed Uruguay can On their way to today’s game in Ma- Soma’s breakaway goal to make it 2-2 and which is refl ected in all aspects of mistakes are not allowed here, and al- Argentina have sought to obtain book their ticket to Russia with lacca, Syria have scrapped to hard- in the 93rd minute in Tehran left an ex- life, including sports,” al-Hakim said. though the Australian team is strong, we every advantage possible against an away victory over eliminated fought draws against heavyweights cited Syrian TV commentator sobbing “It’s diffi cult for us to hold training are used to facing the big teams, and are Peru, who have reignited their Venezuela, while third placed South Korea and Iran, and wins over with happiness as he shouted his cel- camps abroad, or hold high-level friend- no longer afraid of playing away matches. qualifi cation campaign with Colombia could also qualify on China, Uzbekistan and Qatar. ebrations for two minutes. ly and warm-up matches. “There is no impossible in football and consecutive wins over Uruguay, Thursday if they beat Paraguay Coach Ayman al-Hakim has forged a But the team is not without contro- “Arab and foreign experts predicted we have proven that... we have a chance Bolivia and Ecuador. and Chile fail to win in Santiago resilient unit which has an added goal versy, backed as it is by the regime of that we will be the weakest team in our to beat Australia.” The match has been moved against Ecuador.

BOTTOMLINE Cahill relishing ‘cut-throat’ Syria play-off

AFP “It’s the cut-throat time where if we don’t last two qualifying campaigns but they have puzzle that has proved tough to solve so far in Malacca, Malaysia win over these two games, you’re out,” Cahill found things much tougher this time around. qualifying. told reporters at the Hang Jebat Stadium in A youthful Cahill, now 37, was on the pitch “That’s been our challenge throughout this Krubong. when John Aloisi’s spot-kick took the Soc- whole World Cup qualifying campaign: teams eteran forward Tim Cahill yester- “Yes, you want to go through in the group ceroos to the 2006 World Cup, but he was are quite happy to sit back against us, we’re day said Australia were relishing the but you also understand how diffi cult it is to keeping his mind fi rmly on the present on quite happy to go at them and try to test them “cut-throat” challenge of beating qualify. And now how ruthless this qualifying Wednesday. as much as we can,” he said. Syria over two legs as they look to stage can be for us. “I suppose it does bring back some mem- “There are defi nitely some similarities with Vreach next year’s World Cup via the nerve- “We really want to dictate the game tomor- ories but the biggest thing for us is just em- what we’re going to face tomorrow. jangling play-off s. row and pretty much stay the same that we bracing this challenge of having to come to “I guess we’re at that point now where the Australia’s record goal-scorer said the pre- have in every game: we want to dominate the Malaysia to play a team in Syria — we’re under players have pretty much experienced the match favourites would look to dictate play ball, and we want to win and then also take no illusions it’s going to be a tough game,” he whole gamut of what a World Cup qualify- today in steamy Malacca, Malaysia, venue for them back to Australia in a few days and fi nish said. “But we also know that we have enough ing process means, both when things go well, Syria’s ‘home’ tie due to their country’s ongo- the job off properly.” to do the job and it’s over two legs, so it’s an when things don’t go well. ing civil war. Australia haven’t been in a similar posi- exciting time for us. We really want to em- “I think it all adds to the growth of the The winner of the two-legged play-off , tion since 2005, when under Guus Hiddink brace this challenge and start off on the front team. And I think whatever we face tomor- which concludes in Sydney on Tuesday, will they edged Uruguay on penalties to qualify for foot tomorrow night with the right result.” row night, it won’t be unfamiliar to them, so... face the fourth-placed CONCACAF federa- their fi rst World Cup since 1974. Coach Ange Postecoglou said he expected I expect we will be up for the fi ght and more tion side — currently the United States — for Since joining the Asian Football Confedera- to be faced with the familiar task of break- importantly, with the experience behind us, a berth at Russia 2018. tion in 2006, they have waltzed through their ing down a defence-minded opposition — a be able to overcome it.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, October 5, 2017 FOOTBALL

Stones hails Guardiola’s impact aft er return to form for Man City SPOTLIGHT Pique to carry on Reuters behind Chelsea’s David Luiz. I feel like I’m developing as a player and a but said that results take priority on the Manchester However, Guardiola’s constant sup- person under him. international stage. port and work behind the scenes with the “That’s all down to the players around “We’ve got the players to do it,” Stones for Spain despite his 23-year-old is fi nally paying dividends as me, him and the staff that are there. All I said. anchester City defender John Stones helped City claim six clean sheets want to do is keep this run going and see “It’s so diff erent — but we’re always Stones has praised manager over the last seven games in all competi- where it takes us.” striving to become better and there’s a support for Catalonia Pep Guardiola for making him tions. Premier League leaders City have lot of likeness between how City play and a “better player and person” “He’s (Guardiola) always positive and scored 22 goals and conceded just twice international football. But to gel all those Mduring their fi rst year together at the Eti- wanting me to do better and that’s what I in their opening seven league games as things is very diffi cult.” had Stadium. try to repay him on the pitch,” Stones told players appear to be responding to the England will qualify for next year’s Stones struggled to deliver under reporters. demands of the Spanish coach’s attacking World Cup in Russia if they win at home weight of expectations when he joined “The games this season speak for philosophy. to Slovenia today, while a draw will also City from Everton last season, then as the themselves: clean sheets both in the Stones believes his England team mates do the trick if Slovakia fail to beat Scot- world’s second most expensive defender Champions League and Premier League. have what it takes to play a similar style land away in the other Group

PREVIEW England bank

AFP question my commitment. I’ve Madrid been here (in the national set-up) since the age of 15 and consider it on ‘hot’ Kane to as family.” nder-fi re Gerard Pique went on to ask for un- Pique yesterday ex- derstanding of his political views. pressed his pride at “We are players, but above all playing for Spain, in- we are humans,” he said. “Hu- sistingU he would continue with mans have opinions and opinions the Spanish national team de- come from our environment, spite his outspoken defence of where we live and through the deliver W Cup spot the independence referendum in information we get. It’s not pos- Catalonia. sible for us all to think alike. He is scoring just as many goals as the people we have related to as world-class and he “It is not incongruous,” said “I think that through dialogue Pique of his intention to carry on and respect we always get to the has been doing it for many seasons. Harry gets put in that bracket and deserves to be despite his views on the wealthy right place.” northeastern Spanish region’s Pique added that he spoke to right to self-determination. teammates “who think diff erent- AFP England’s last four games and the “I take it to the extreme, I be- ly from me. In the end we come London wearer of the armband on Thurs- lieve that a person wanting in- to the conclusion that there are day will give a clue as to South- dependence could play in the things that could be worked out, gate’s long-term thinking on the Spanish team because there is but that’s not for us to do, we’re ngland will look to red- matter. no Catalan team and because footballers”. hot Tottenham Hotspur Kane’s Spurs team-mate Dele that person has nothing against “Spain has two options — and striker Harry Kane to fi re Alli is unavailable due to sus- Spain.” when I say Spain I’m talking them to the World Cup pension after being given a one- Pique, who was jeered by on- about the government and not fiE nals when they tackle Slovenia match ban by FIFA for fl ashing his lookers during Spain’s open the people: sitting down and in their penultimate qualifying middle fi nger during England’s training on Monday, added: engaging in dialogue or this son match today. 2-1 win over Slovakia last month. “Why could a person wanting gets up and leaves. So you lose After a barren August, Manchester United centre-back independence not play for the nothing by sitting and talking.” 24-year-old Kane hit brilliant Phil Jones and Manchester City Spanish team? It’s a question I Asked directly whether he form in September, scoring 13 midfi elder Fabian Delph have put forward, and it’s not my case. supported independence for goals in eight matches for club both withdrawn from the squad, Why could he not?” Catalonia, Pique said: “Players and country. joining Spurs left-back Danny The Barcelona central de- are global fi gures, I can’t lean to Victory over Slovenia at Wem- Rose, Liverpool’s Adam Lallana fender on Sunday cast his vote in one side or the other.” bley will give England a place at and Leicester City striker Jamie a referendum deemed constitu- He added that having to make next year’s World Cup in Russia Vardy on the sidelines. tionally illegal by Madrid which a hypothetical choice between and with Kane scoring goals so Drafted into the squad to take was scarred by ugly clashes be- playing for Spain or a Catalonia freely, his team-mates will take Delph’s place, 21-year-old Spurs tween voters and security forces. side was not on his radar. to the fi eld buoyed by an extra midfi elder Harry Winks will hope Despite playing a crucial part “I don’t know what would measure of belief. to get his fi rst taste of senior in- of the Spain sides that won the happen,” he said. “It’s a scenario “He is hot, isn’t he?” goal- ternational football. 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, that I haven’t even considered.” keeper Joe Hart said to journal- Five points clear of Slovakia at Pique is routinely jeered when Pique managed to get a last ists at England’s St George’s Park the top of UEFA qualifying Group representing his country. laugh out of assembled jour- base earlier this week. F, England need just two points He has already stated his in- nalists by saying he had missed “He is scoring just as many from today’s game and Sunday’s tent to retire from international Tuesday’s speech by Spain’s goals as the people we have re- trip to Lithuania to reach the football after next year’s World King Felipe, who accused Cata- lated to as world-class and he has World Cup for the sixth time in Cup, but insisted he could step lan leaders of threatening the been doing it for many seasons. succession. aside sooner if Spain coach Ju- country’s stability, because he Harry gets put in that bracket and But having been held to a 0-0 len Lopetegui or the federation had been playing cards with his deserves to be. draw in the reverse fi xture against believe his political stance to be teammates. “He has (Mauricio) Pochet- Slovenia a year ago, they know problematic. Spain play Albania in Group G tino, one of the hottest manag- that completing the job at the “It is best to continue and ac- of European qualifying on Fri- ers in the world, who regards him fi rst time of asking will be no cept this challenge of trying to day and Israel three days later, highly and there are reasons for foregone conclusion. reverse (the criticism),” Pique with one win from these fi nal two that. Third in the group, Srecko said yesterday after having de- games likely to be enough to au- “Harry is just brilliant at what Katanec’s Slovenia trail Slovakia cided against turning his back on tomatically qualify for next year’s he does and he is just one of the by a slender point and are above Spain. World Cup in Russia thanks to best out there. He keeps scoring Scotland on goal diff erence in a “I feel very proud to be in the their far superior goal diff erence goals and you cannot ask for any knife-edge battle for a play-off Spanish team... It’s impossible to over second-placed Italy. more than that. Long may it con- berth. While Slovenia captain tinue in an England shirt.” Bostjan Cesar is conscious of Since Kane returned to the in- the threat posed by Kane and his GROUP C ternational fold at the end of last team-mates, he says his team will season following a spate of inju- approach the game with no sense ries, his goals have helped to keep of inferiority. Gareth Southgate’s England side “I saw Kane is in great form, Loew hopes to on course for qualifi cation. but England have several other His 93rd-minute equaliser quality players too,” said Cesar, prevented England from falling whose side complete their quali- restore German to a fi rst defeat against Scotland fying campaign at home to Scot- since 1999 in June’s 2-2 draw in land on Sunday. Glasgow and he netted twice as “We respect England, but we pride aft er club Southgate’s men won 4-0 away are not afraid of them. Last time to Malta last month. we played them at home and it England’s Harry Kane (L) and Ryan Bertrand train during Kane and Liverpool midfi elder was easier. Now we have to be fo- a national football team training session at the Totten- struggles Jordan Henderson have shared cused for the whole match, oth- ham Hotspur Training Ground in Enfield, north London. the captaincy between them in erwise we could be punished.” AFP state of Germany’s clubs after Belfast Bayern Munich, Borussia Dort- BOTTOMLINE mund, RB Leipzig, Hertha Ber- lin, Hoff enheim and Cologne oachim Loew said yes- were all beaten in the Cham- terday he hopes Ger- pions League or Europa League Age cheats under the scanner at U-17 World Cup many — on the brink of last week. qualifying for next year’s Bayern’s victory against JWorld Cup in Russia — can re- Anderlecht is the only win a AFP Play gets underway tomorrow in nance imaging of the wrist at its U-17 “It’s always difficult to face an African store national pride in North- German side has managed in New Delhi New Delhi, where two-time competitions,” said a FIFA spokesper- side in this age group,” the 52-year-old ern Ireland after an “alarming” a continental group game this champions Ghana play Colombia at son. Play gets underway tomorrow in added. series of results for the nation’s term, while there have been Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, while New Delhi, where two-time champions Brazil have been dealt a severe blow club sides in Europe. nine defeats, and that is trou- he Under-17 World Cup starting New Zealand clash with Turkey in Ghana play Colombia at Jawaharlal Ne- after star striker Vinicius Junior, who Germany, on 24 points, have bling the national coach. in India tomorrow should feature Mumbai hru Stadium, while New Zealand clash has drawn comparisons with Paris-Saint won all eight of their qualifi - “The weak performances only players born this century, with Turkey in Mumbai. Germain’s Neymar, was denied release ers but have still not sewn up of German clubs in Europe is but offi cials are taking no chances Age fraud is also rampant in other With the absence of Nigeria, and with by his club Flamengo. top spot in Group C because hopefully just a momentary Tafter defending champions Nigeria were countries, according to football offi- three-time winners Brazil weakened, the India, hosting their biggest football Northern Ireland have accrued blip, but it is alarming,” Loew caught in a major age-cheating scandal. cials, prompting FIFA to bring Magnet- tournament is regarded as open and un- event yet, will also be keen to mark their 19 points themselves. said. All players at the competition, which ic Resonance Imaging equipment to the predictable. debut with a strong showing. They are Anything but a defeat for the “Is it a general trend? I would has helped launch the careers of Ney- 17th edition of the tournament, which Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu said that in Group A with USA, Columbia and Germans will guarantee their say it’s too early. (But) for a mar, Ronaldinho, Andres Iniesta and is taking part in six Indian cities. it won’t be easy for the South American Ghana. place in Russia next year to de- while now we’ve been thinking Xavi Hernandez, will have their wrists MRI scans can determine whether a giants to break their 14-year-old trophy But India’s manager Luis Norton de fend the title they won in Brazil about how to improve things in scanned by MRI to check they weren’t player is below 17 with 99% accuracy, drought with “too many title contend- Matos, a former Portugal forward, did in 2014. the Bundesliga and it’s wrong born before January 1, 2000. experts say, as they can show whether ers” in fray. not mince his words when he said that Northern Ireland have guar- to praise the Bundesliga to high The measure was confirmed after Ni- he or she has stopped growing — which “All the European teams are very India have just a five % chance of win- anteed a top-two spot in Group heaven or say only the Bundes- geria, who have won the tournament a usually happens after 17. strong, including Spain and Eng- ning a game. C and would seal one of the liga produces the best talent. record five times, bombed out of quali- “While it is the responsibility of each land, while Mexico, United States and The 23-day event culminates on Octo- eight play-off berths if they “That would be untrue and fying after they lost 26 squad members member association to ensure that their the South American sides will pose a ber 28 with the final in Kolkata, the east- win today. people who say this have been who were found to be over-age ahead of players meet the age requirements, FIFA threat,” Amadeu told reporters in Mum- ern city known as the hotbed of football Yet despite international humbled by this experience. a key clash in August. has decided to conduct magnetic reso- bai. in cricket-obsessed India. success, Loew is worried by the We have to recognise this.” Gulf Times Thursday, October 5, 2017 5 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT NBA League, players announce All-Star Judge hits a home overhaul

AFP Game, which has been a pri- Los Angeles ority for all of us,” said NBPA President Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets. he NBA announced a “We’re looking forward to run in Yankees 8-4 radical overhaul of the putting on an entertaining league’s All-Star game show in LA.” format on Tuesday, NBA President of League scrappingT the traditional East- Operations Byron Spruell wel- ern Conference versus West- comed the input of players ern Conference duel in favour keen to “try something new”. of two teams chosen by nomi- In another new move, the nated captains. two All-Star teams will play win over Twins Under the changes, which for charity, raising money for were hammered out by the either a Los Angeles-based NBA and the National Bas- non-profi t or a national or- New York travel to Cleveland for Game 1 of AL division series today ketball Players Association ganisation. (NBPA), a captain from each The All Star Game start- conference will pick the sides ers and captains will be an- from a pool of starters and re- nounced on January 18. serves. NBA commissioner Adam The two captains will take Silver had signalled that turns selecting players, with changes to the All-Star Game no regard to conference affi li- were coming after this year’s ation, a statement said. event in New Orleans, which The captains will be the All- ended in a farcical 192-182 vic- Star starter from each confer- tory for the Western Confer- ence who receives the most ence over the Eastern Confer- votes in a poll of fans. ence. The All-Star Game, which “I promise this time that has been branded a meaning- next year’s will be diff erent,” less exhibition in recent years, Silver said in June. will take place next year at the “I think we all recognised, Staples Center in Los Angeles and we talked about it at least on February 18. year’s All-Star, we’ve gotten “I’m thrilled with what the to the point where everyone players and the league have seemed to agree it needed to be done to improve the All-Star more competitive.”

Trevathan ban reduced to one game Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan’s two-game suspen- sion for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams was reduced to one game on appeal on Tuesday, the National Football League said. Appeals off icer Derrick Brooks, appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, made the ruling in the case looking into Trevathan’s hit on Adams. Adams suff ered a concussion and needed hospital treatment after Trevathan smashed into his facemask with the crown of his helmet during the Bears’ 35-14 defeat at Lambeau Field last Thursday. Trevathan was later suspended for two games for a “violation of safety-related playing rules.” Trevathan had insisted he had not set out to hurt Adams and that the incident was accidental. “I was just trying to make a play. It wasn’t intentional,” he said. “I was just trying to do my job and he ended up getting hurt. I’m sorry about that and I’m going to reach out to him.” Trevathan’s initial suspension comes after the league vowed to crack down on illegal shots to the head before the season kicked off . The NFL has faced growing scrutiny in recent years over the New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge hits a two run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning in the 2017 American League wildcard playoff baseball issue of concussions and head trauma, with the league in 2015 game at Yankee Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports agreeing to a $1 billion settlement to resolve thousands of law- suits by former players suff ering from neurological problems. The Sports Xchange bullpen took it from there. Indians in the AL Division Series Five pitches in, Dozier slugged game 3-3. New York After Severino’s short outing, starting Thursday in Cleveland. a 99 mph fastball into the fi rst Gardner made it 4-3 when he Raiders QB Carr to miss at least two games four New York relievers com- Aaron Hicks drove in New row of the left fi eld seats. After sent a full-count fastball into the Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will be out at least two bined on the fi nal 26 outs. Chad York’s fi nal run with a bases- Jorge Polanco drew a one-out right fi eld seats moments after weeks after being diagnosed by doctors with a fracture in his uis Severino was knocked Green allowed one run in two loaded walk in the seventh. walk, Rosario lifted a 1-1 slider Buxton crashed into the center back, the NFL team announced. Carr suff ered the injury, called out just one out into the innings before David Robert- Brian Dozier and Eddie Ro- into the fi rst row of the right fi eld fi eld wall to rob Todd Frazier of a fractured transverse process, in a 16-10 loss to the Denver Bron- fi rst inning, but Didi son (1-0) pitched a career-high sario homered off Severino for seats. an extra-base hit. cos on Sunday. Head coach Jack Del Rio said the injury was more Gregorius hit a three- 3 1/3 scoreless innings and was Minnesota, which dropped its Rosario’s homer prompted Minnesota loaded the bases serious than originally thought. Lrun homer in the bottom of the awarded the win by the offi cial 13th straight postseason game Green to begin warming up, and against Green with one out in “Yesterday I told you Derek had suff ered spasms, and he was fi rst, and the New York Yankees scorer. since October 5, 2004, at Yankee the reliever entered after Sev- the third and tied the game at 4 in fact spasming, but the reason is he has a transverse process stormed back for an 8-4 victory Tommy Kahnle delivered 2 1/3 Stadium. erino gave up a single to Eduardo when Buxton beat out a poten- fracture,” Del Rio said. over the Minnesota Twins in scoreless frames, and Aroldis Byron Buxton drove in the Escobar and a double to Max tial double-play ball as Polanco “There’s a real good chance he’ll miss this week and these inju- the American League wild-card Chapman fi nished it off after other Minnesota run before Kepler. Green prevented further scored. ries, the time frame is typically two to six weeks.” game on Tuesday. allowing a hit and striking out leaving with a back injury. damage by striking out Buxton New York quickly broke the Carr left the game with five minutes to go in the third quarter Gregorius got the Yankees three in the ninth. Minnesota’s Ervin Santana al- and Jason Castro. deadlock in the bottom of the when he was grabbed by Shelby Harris. Just as Carr was at- right back in the game after Sev- Greg Bird added a RBI single lowed three hits and four runs in The Yankees wasted little time third when Sanchez doubled and tempting to evade Harris, Adam Gotsis came in to finish the play. erino was booed off the mound as the Yankees earned their fi rst two innings. Jose Berrios (0-1) coming back, opening the fi rst scored standing up on a sharp Del Rio said original tests on Carr did not show the fracture. for allowing three runs and postseason win since beating the allowed three runs and fi ve hits with a walk by Gardner and a base hit to right by Bird. The lead “The MRI wasn’t conclusive, so they did a CAT scan and that’s four hits. Homers from Aaron Baltimore Orioles in Game 5 of in three frames. base hit by Judge. After Santana grew to 7-4 when Judge lined a where it was determined that there was a problem,” Del Rio said. Judge and Brett Gardner helped the AL Division Series on Oct. 12, The Twins stunned the crowd retired Gary Sanchez, Gregorius 0-1 curveball into the left fi eld Carr signed a five-year, $125 million extension with Oakland New York grab a 7-4 lead after 2012. The Yankees advanced to by taking a 3-0 lead during a lifted a full-count fastball well seats for a two-run homer with before the start of the season. four innings, and the Yankees’ face the defending AL champion 21-minute top of the fi rst. into the right fi eld seats to tie the one out in the fourth.

PREVIEW Indians face great expectations, Cubs seek repeat

Reuters gins.” added Justin Verlander to a ro- competitive series. New York The Indians have all the tools tation that already featured Washington have never ad- necessary to make another deep fellow Cy Young Award winner vanced beyond a division series post-season run given a lineup Dallas Keuchel. but the return of right fi elder he Cleveland Indians featuring plenty of power from The addition of Verlander, Bryce Harper from a knee injury are done marvelling at the likes of Jose Ramirez and who has been brilliant since along with improved play from their record-setting Edwin Encarnacion, a shut- joining his new club, tilts the the bullpen make them a legiti- season, focused instead down rotation and bullpen that series in the Astros favour but mate threat. Ton avenging their dramatic extra can make quick work of most they face a Boston rotation The Nationals’ two-head- innings Game Seven loss in last teams. anchored by Chris Sale in the ed pitching monster of Max year’s World Series and snapping Cleveland used a torrid sec- best-of-fi ve series. Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg Major League Baseball’s longest ond half of the season, which could trouble the Cubs hitters title drought. included an AL-record 22 con- DODGERS CONCERN as long as the former shows no There are big expectations secutive victories between Au- The Los Angeles Dodgers ill eff ects from a tweaked ham- on Cleveland in a post-season gust and September, to fi nish fi nished with the best record in string he suff ered last Saturday. where the Chicago Cubs will two wins short of the National the majors but a recent 11-game But the Cubs, who last chase a second consecutive League’s Los Angeles Dodgers skid has raised some concern year snapped a 108-year title World Series and the Washing- for the best record in the majors. about whether the National drought, have gained plenty of ton Nationals look to fi nally win “For whatever reason, it took League West champions can playoff experience over the last a division series. us a while to get – whether it’s make a run. two seasons, have a deep lineup The Indians, who were beaten your rhythm, whether it’s your and need no motivation. by the Cubs in last year’s World footing,” Indians manager Terry The Indians, who were beat- “There’s nothing I can say Series, are favoured to celebrate Francona said. en by the Cubs in last year’s that’s going to be stirring, moti- their fi rst championship since “But once they did, it’s like World Series, are favoured vational, substantive in a sense 1948. they never took their foot off the to celebrate their fi rst that it’s going to change their Cleveland open their best- gas.” championship since 1948 minds about anything,” said of-fi ve games American League As a result, the Indians are Cubs manager Joe Maddon. Division Series on Thursday brimming with confi dence and The Dodgers will face the “I just want our guys to go out against big-hitting rookie Aar- should they eliminate the Yan- winner of Wednesday’s NL Wild and do what they’ve been do- on Judge and the New York Yan- kees will face either the AL East Card showdown between the ing since the All-Star break. No kees champion Boston Red Sox or a Colorado Rockies and Arizona diff erent. Go out and play. Play “It’s time to get to work,” In- Houston Astros team that won Diamondbacks in a best-of-fi ve unencumbered. Go out and play dians pitcher Josh Tomlin said. the AL West by a 21-game margin. series starting on Friday in Los mentally freely and play the “Everybody is looking forward The Astros had the AL’s best Angeles. The Cubs will face the game we’ve learned to play over to that. This is when the fun be- record on August 31 when they Nationals in what looks to be a the last couple years.” Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, October 5, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Chinese in thrall to tennis ‘goddess’ Sharapova

AFP champion “a cheater” who “I think that’s an American tial two-year ban reduced to 15 Beijing should never have been allowed secret,” she replied, lowering her months after the Court of Arbi- to play again. voice slightly. tration for Sport ruled she was But try telling that to Sharap- Pushed to expand on her con- not “an ntentional doper”. ne fellow player la- ova’s fans in Beijing, where along spiracy theory, she pulled out On her fi rst appearance back, belled her “a cheat- with Rafael Nadal she was the her smartphone and tapped Chi- in Stuttgart in April, the crowd er” and she is said to biggest draw at the China Open nese into a translation app. gave her a polite reception and be unpopular in the and there were tears among “Political intrigue” popped then in her Grand Slam return lockerO room, but Maria Shara- her supporters when she was up on the screen in English. She -at the US Open - the crowd was pova remains a crowd favourite dumped out on Wednesday. declined to go into further detail. largely supportive. in China despite her doping ban. Sharapova was emphatically If her Chinese fans are keen “Welcome back goddess,” said beaten by world number two ‘Beautiful and so tall’ to look forward, the Russian is one banner at the China Open in Simona Halep, 6-2, 6-2. Suky, Vivian and Lucia, both 20 and too and in one press conference Beijing this week, while a Rus- 26, fl ew from Xiamen in eastern volunteers at China’s biggest an- in Beijing she alluded to being sian fl ag had the words: “I got China to see her hero in the fl esh nual tennis event, are also die- “away from the game for a long your back Maria.” for the fi rst time this week. hard Sharapova fans. time”, without saying any more. The 30-year-old Russian was Chinese fl ags fl utter all over “She fi ghts to win every game, But in what was the sixth in the Chinese capital this week the country at this time of year even when it’s diffi cult and tournament of her stop-start for the fi rst time since coming to mark the founding of com- hard,” said Vivian, a student who comeback, she was more forth- back to tennis in April from a munist China, but the only fl ag only volunteered so she could coming when asked about the 15-month suspension for taking on Suky’s right cheek was a catch a glimpse of the Russian. unwavering support she gets in the banned substance meldo- smudged Russian tricolour. “She’s also beautiful and so China, where she won the Bei- nium. On her left arm and chest tall. We walked past her and I jing title in 2014. The former number one is she had written her version of was like, ‘Gosh!’” “It’s always really nice to have now 104 in the world and need- Sharapova’s signature in black So that makes up for the ban? that welcome and it’s really spe- ed a wildcard to make it to the biro. “So what? It doesn’t matter,” cial to see fans that take the time China Open because of her lowly “I love Maria Sharapova,” she Lucia chipped in. “It’s in the and eff ort to make signs, to come ranking. said, speaking prior to Shara- past. So you never made a mis- up with wording,” she said on Sharapova’s return to the ten- pova’s defeat. “She’s fair and take?” Tuesday. nis circuit divided opinion, with beautiful, and so powerful and Sharapova, who according to “For them to put in that eff ort the Canadian Eugenie Bouchard determined, she never gives up.” reports is not popular with some is very special. For them to cheer among her biggest critics, call- But what about that doping players because of her suppos- and welcome me back to Beijing Maria Sharapova of Russia listens to a question at a press conference after losing her match against Simona ing the fi ve-time Grand Slam ban? edly lofty attitude, had an ini- is really nice.” Halep of Romania at the China Open in Beijing yesterday. (AFP)

TENNIS FOCUS Cilic pummels Uchiyama to reach Halep eliminates Tokyo quarters

AFP Elsewhere Argentina’s Di- Tokyo ego Schwartzman advanced, the eighth seed thumping Ber- nard Tomic of Australia 6-3, op seed Marin Cilic 6-1, while Frenchman Adri- Sharapova to enter crushed local favour- an Mannarino overpowered ite Yasutaka Uchiyama Czech Jiri Vesely 6-3, 6-2. 6-3, 6-4 yesterday to In fi rst-round matches, Treach the Japan Open quarter- fourth seed David Goffi n, in- fi nals. strumental in Belgium’s run The towering Croatian, to next month’s Davis Cup runner-up to Roger Federer fi nal, beat Spain’s Feliciano at this year’s Wimbledon and Lopez 7-5, 6-1. Goffi n ended Beijing quarters a former US Open champion, a wretched run of six defeats needed just over an hour to in his previous six fi nals by ‘You work so much, you dedicate so much of your time, you have so many people around complete the rout in Tokyo. capturing the Shenzhen Open Cilic, the current world earlier this month. you, and sometimes it doesn’t work according to plan, so you start asking questions’ number fi ve and a semi-fi nal- Meanwhile, Ukrainian Ole- ist in Japan last season, hit 14 ksandr Dolgopolov thrashed AFP aces and dropped only four of Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 6-1, Beijing 34 points on his fi rst serve as 6-2 in another fi rst-round he advanced to play Ameri- match. can Ryan Harrison in the last On Thursday, third seed aria Sharapova opened eight. Harrison upset fi fth Milos Raonic of Canada con- up on the despair she seed Kevin Anderson of South tinues his return from wrist feels in defeat after Africa – who reached last surgery at the hardcourt event, she was ruthlessly month’s US Open fi nal, where whose previous champions Mknocked out of the China Open in he was beaten by Rafa Nadal include tennis greats John the third round by Romania’s Si- – 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 in a see-saw McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Roger mona Halep yesterday. match. Federer and Nadal. The world number two was an emphatic 6-2, 6-2 winner in 72 minutes to leave fi ve-time Grand Ostapenko makes season-ending WTA Finals Slam champion Sharapova still searching for her fi rst title since French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko became the seventh returning from a doping ban in player to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore, April. the WTA said yesterday. The Latvian, who will make her first ap- The Russian Sharapova, a pearance in the October 22-29 event, joins Garbine Muguruza, former number one now lan- Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova, Elina Svitolina, Venus Williams guishing at 104 in the world and Caroline Wozniacki. rankings following her 15-month “I’m extremely happy to qualify for my very first WTA Finals,” the suspension for taking meldo- 20-year-old said on the WTA website (www.wtatennis.com). nium, gave an insight into the “I’ve had a great season and hope I can continue to play my best rollercoaster of emotions in top- tennis in front of all the fans in Singapore.” level tennis. Ostapenko, who is through to the third round of the China Open “Hard work is not good in Beijing, won the second of her two career titles at the Korea enough any more, maybe it was Open in Seoul last month. The top eight singles players at the $7 – I don’t know how many years million prize money event will face off in a round-robin format ago – but that’s just not a factor for the Billie Jean King Trophy. One place is still available for the any more,” said the 30-year-old, showpiece with Britain’s Johanna Konta currently holding eighth asked about comments in a book place in the WTA Race to Singapore standings. Konta, a reserve she recently released. last year, has suff ered five straight defeats, however, and several “The reason I say that is players could still overhaul her. there’s some incredible mo- ments, very high moments, and there are very low moments. “There have been times where RUGBY I get off the court and you think, I don’t wish this on my future child. The feeling is so tough and disappointing. Engalnd’s Sinckler “You work so much, you dedi- cate so much of your time, you have so many people around you, gets seven-week ban and sometimes it doesn’t work according to plan, so you start Reuters ing cited for making contact asking questions. London with the eye and/or eye area of “But then once you work, Saints’ lock Michael Paterson. you keep going, keep fi ghting “...I am sorry that I have let through it, the rewards are very ou work so much, you my team mates down, but more incredible and special. dedicate so much of importantly I feel terrible that “They have nothing to do with your time, you have so anyone would think I would de- fi nance, they have nothing to do many people around liberately gouge an opponent,” with trophies, it’s really inter- you,Y and sometimes it doesn’t Sinckler said on his club’s web- Simona Halep of Romania hits a return during her match against Maria Sharapova of Russia at the China Open in Beijing yesterday. (AFP) nal.” work according to plan, so you site (www.quins.co.uk). “That Halep, the second seed on Bei- down in Shanghai last year as he the fl oor in anger, bending the fi rst service game of the second to myself how much I have im- start asking questions England was never my intention – it was jing’s outdoor hard courts, is the beat Mischa Zverev in the second head in half, when he conceded set and Kyrgios was never proved.” prop Kyle Sinckler will miss a genuine mistake and an act of fi rst woman into the China Open round in Beijing. the opening set yesterday. in trouble after that, surging During one changeover the the autumn internationals recklessness on my part.” quarter-fi nals. A year ago the supremely tal- That earned the world number into the quarter-fi nals 3-6, 6-2, Australian appeared so relaxed against Argentina and Austral- The 24-year-old British and Having turfed out Sharapova ented but combustible Kyrgios 19 a warning from the umpire 6-2. that he sat back on his chair, ia after being handed a seven- Irish Lions forward received an and with world number one Gar- was suspended for his petulant and raised the spectre of one Kyrgios said facing Zverev a arms behind his head, and week suspension by the RFU on-fi eld warning and conceded bine Muguruza exiting in the fi rst behaviour at the Shanghai Mas- year ago. year after Shanghai, and again sang along with a pop hit be- for eye gouging in Harlequins’ a penalty after the second-half round with a virus, the 26-year- ters, where he swore and argued But the 22-year-old returned in China, was the perfect op- ing played over the stadium Premiership defeat at North- incident was reviewed by the old Halep is now favourite in the with the crowd and appeared to for the second set with renewed portunity to show how far he has loudspeakers. ampton on Saturday. TV match offi cial at the time. Chinese capital. give away points in caving in to determination and errors began come. “Nothing really, just chilling Sinckler, England’s second Referee Luke Pearce decided the the German. creeping into Zverev’s game. “I just wanted to go out there out,” Kyrgios said afterwards, choice tighthead for the au- replay footage was inconclusive Redemption for Kyrgios? The enigmatic Australian, Zverev, ranked 27 in the world today and kind of redeem myself asked about his behaviour. tumn campaign starting against and only punished Sinckler for Nick Kyrgios said he wanted to seeded eighth in the Chinese and the older brother of rising a little bit from last year,” he said, He plays the Belgian qualifi er the Argentines on Nov. 11, ac- removing New Zealand-born make up for his notorious melt- capital, smashed his racquet on star Alexander, surrendered his adding: “I just wanted to prove Steve Darcis in the last eight. cepted the charge after be- Paterson’s scrum cap. Gulf Times Thursday, October 5, 2017 7 SPORT

COMMENT It’ll be Johnson 2.0 in Ashes, warns Starc

AFP length. Australia quick Pattinson ruled out of Ashes Sydney “It’ll be much like that attack did when Johnno took all those Australia fast bowler James Pattinson will take an indefinite break wickets, I think we complement from cricket and has been ruled out of the Ashes series against ast bowler Mitchell Starc each other really well. England after reaggravating his lower back stress fracture, Cricket warned England to ex- “Throw in Jackson Bird, and Australia said yesterday. pect a repeat of the car- Coulter-Nile is back bowling re- The 27-year-old will continue his rehabilitation after pulling out of nage caused by Mitchell ally well. So we’ve got fi ve really Australia’s recent tour of Bangladesh with inflammation in his back. JohnsonF four years ago when good guys there and if Patto is fi t “We made the decision to withdraw him from the tour of Bangla- Australia unleash their pace at- to go, six.” desh and monitor his pain. tack in the upcoming Ashes With Starc again raring to He returned to bowling after a period of rest and unfortunately he Tests. go, Pattinson is the only injury is still experiencing pain with bowling,” CA science and sports medi- A fully fi ring Australian attack cloud with infl ammation in his cine manager Alex Kountouris said in a statement. looks formidable, with spear- back. But England are in a state “During this time we have been monitoring him, including regular head Starc returning this week of disarray ahead of their arrival scans and recent imaging has confirmed that James has begun to from a foot injury to vie for a in late October. reaggravate his previous lower back stress fracture. place with Pat Cummins, Josh As well as an unsettled bat- “As such, he has discontinued bowling as part of his recovery which Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter- ting line-up, they could be with- unfortunately means that he will be unavailable for the beginning of Nile, Jackson Bird. out talismanic all-rounder Ben the Sheff ield Shield and subsequently Ashes campaign. With England’s top order Stokes, who is suspended until “Whilst this is very disappointing that James has reaggravated this largely unproven, Starc said it further notice after his arrest old injury, we are confident that he can recover from this and return could be much like the 2013- during a night out. to playing.” 2014 Ashes, when the musta- Starc believes there is a chance Pattinson’s unavailability ruins a potential fast-bowling quartet chioed Johnson took 37 wickets for Australia’s bowlers to land against England, made up of the Victorian right-arm quick and the with terrifying pace as Australia early psychological blows on New South Wales trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat won 5-0. England, whose top order is rel- Cummins. “We’ve got a really solid attack atively inexperienced aside from “I’m especially disappointed to miss out on the possibility to play in and we complement each other,” Alastair Cook and Joe Root. a home Ashes series,” said Pattinson. he said in the Sydney Daily Tel- “They’ve obviously got Root “Over the next few weeks I will discuss all available options available egraph yesterday. and Cook up the top, who have to me with medical staff , to work out the best plan to prevent this “If it’s not me, you’ve got Pat played a lot of cricket and are around them are pretty inexpe- Despite this, Starc is not un- team a bit more balanced but from happening again.” Cummins who can bowl fast probably their main guys with rienced and, hopefully, we can derestimating England, even he’s not the be all and end all Australia’s five-Test Ashes series against holders England starts in bouncers and Josh Hazlewood the bat,” he said. exploit that here in our home without Stokes. of their team. There’s plenty of Brisbane on November 23. bowling consistent line and “The guys in the top order conditions.” “He probably makes their guys we need to worry about.”

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT Afridi and Morgan spearhead T-10 Sri Lanka target revolution

AFP just four days from 21-24 De- Dubai cember with former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan he United Arab Emir- also featuring. Pak record in UAE ates will introduce a Afridi, who retired from in- new cricket format ternational cricket last year ‘We have never lost in UAE so it’s also important to keep that record intact’ when big hitters Sha- said he was thrilled at the idea. Thid Afridi of Pakistan, India’s “When I was told of the idea AFP Virender Sehwag, Sri Lanka’s I was thrilled and requested Dubai Kumar Sangakkara and Eng- that I want to play,” said Af- land’s Eoin Morgan feature in a ridi, famous as Boom Boom for T-10 league in December. his big hitting. England’s cur- ri Lanka will hope their The ten-over-a-side match- rent one-day and Twenty20 left-arm spinner Rangana es will spread over 90 minutes captain Morgan was confi dent Herath maintains pres- (45 minute each side) in Shar- that T-10 cricket will have an sure on Pakistan when jah, the details of which were impact. theS second and fi nal Test - a day- announced here on Tuesday. “The whole concept is ex- night aff air with pink ball - starts Twenty20 cricket was in- citing,” said Morgan. “We all at Dubai stadium tomorrow. troduced in England in 2003 remember when the fi rst time The 39-year-old took 6-43 while the fi rst international Twenty20 cricket was played on the fi nal day to fail Pakistan’s Twenty20 match was held be- and since then it (twenty20) has modest 136-run chase in the fi rst tween Australia and New Zea- impacted the other formats. Test in Abu Dhabi on Monday. land at Auckland in February “If this new idea takes off The narrow 21-run win gives 2005. Since then the short- then I am sure it will also im- Sri Lanka a unique chance for a est format - the other two are pact the other forms of the series win over Pakistan on their fi ve-day Tests and 50-over game.” neutral venues of United Arab internationals - has become The four teams will be se- Emirates where they have never the most popular amongst the lected through a drafts later lost a series in nine attempts. fans around the world. this month. Misbah said the They have won fi ve and drawn The league’s president Sal- new formats will be easy for four series in the UAE ever since man Iqbal hoped the idea will ageing players as well. the 2009 terrorist attacks on the kick off . “Everyone has played “Its an exciting idea and a Sri Lankan team bus forced them T-10 cricket on the streets good thing for players like me,” to play home matches out of Pa- and this will give more fi re to said 43-year-old Misbah who kistan. cricket and will be a big step retired in May this year. Herath exposed the new bat- forward and people will defi - “It will need just ten overs ting line up of Pakistan, play- nitely enjoy it,” said Iqbal. of batting and then fi elding ing without their batting greats The tournament will be as and at this age I can aff ord Younis Khan and Misbah-ul- swift as the format, lasting that.” Haq for the time since they re- tired in May this year. Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal described Herath as ‘Vettel’s gearbox is good for Japan’ “a team man and an asset.” Formula One title contender Sebastian Vettel was given “I have no idea how long he some good news yesterday after his Ferrari team ruled out is going to play, but I am sure he Sri Lankan players celebrate after victory on the fifth day of the first Test match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on October 2. (AFP) a gearbox change that would have incurred a grid penalty will do what he can for the team,” at the Japanese Grand Prix. The German is 34 points behind said Chandimal of Herath who Chandimal anchored the bat- keep that record intact.” by Australia when they took on Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohamed Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton with five races remaining, includ- completed 400 wickets in his ting with a polished 155 not out Pakistan will be assess pacer New Zealand at Adeliade in 2015. Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohamed Ab- ing Sunday’s at Suzuka. The gearbox scare followed a bizarre 84th Tests in Abu Dhabi. in Sri Lanka’s fi rst innings total Hasan Ali in the next two days Pakistan beat the West Indies bas, Wahab Riaz incident after last Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix when his “He is a team man and an of 419, ably fi lling in for the more after he had fi tness issues while in their fi rst day-night Test at car was hit from behind by Canadian Lance Stroll’s Williams asset.” The left-arm spinner also experienced Angelo Mathews they also hope spearhead Mo- the same venue last year but this Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal on the post-race slowing down lap. The impact wrecked reached 100 wickets against Pa- who didn’t come with the squad hammad Amir returns to form will be the fi rst time Sri Lanka (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, the car’s rear suspension. A change of gearbox would have kistan during the fi rst Test. due to a calf injury. with the pink ball after going feature in a pink ball Test. Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal meant a five place grid penalty for a race that Vettel needs to “We need to be at our best Sarfraz Ahmed hopes Pakistan wicketless in the fi rst Test. Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera win, but Ferrari gave the all-clear after a factory inspection. again and can’t underestimate team moves on from the defeat in Debutant Haris Sohail provid- Squads Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Pakistan because we know they his fi rst Test as captain. ed a positive in the batting after Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana are a good team,” said Chandimal “We will do our best to be scores of 76 and 34 while Azhar Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, whose team will rise one spot to more positive against Herath,” Ali scored 85. The match will be Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga replace Pakistan on sixth, even said Ahmed. “We have never lost the sixth day-night Test after Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa ‘Giant tents’ could end rain delays with a 1-0 result. in UAE so it’s also important to the innovation was fi rst adopted Yasir Shah, Mohamed Asghar, Fernando, Lahiru Gamage. English cricket chiefs are exploring deploying “giant tents” to ensure rain no longer stops play, a report said yesterday. Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper said research was being FOCUS carried out into placing mesh netting over grounds after a US company approached the England and Wales Cricket Board. The ECB has spoken to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord’s in northwest London, about the issue, the Bangladesh lose opener Tamim to thigh injury report said. A fine, transparent mesh would be held up by wires suspended from floodlights with a hot air balloon in the centre AFP habilitation. play for the Titans in a fi rst-class day international. Villiers in the ODI format. This to lift it up and create a tent-like eff ect. Johannesburg Bangladesh are already with- match this weekend - his fi rst Paterson was called up on is the start of our campaign to “We would look at any new technology and ways to get games out another of their leading appearance in a fi rst-class match Monday to replace the injured begin preparing our squad for on and more people playing cricket,” a spokesman for the ECB batsmen, Shakib Al Hassan, who since January 2016. Morne Morkel for the second test the 2019 World Cup,” he added. told the Telegraph. “There is some interesting technology around angladesh have lost asked to skip the tour to rest be- De Villiers gave up the one- against Bangladesh that starts in trying to create protection from rain and keep the game on in their opener Tamim cause of exhaustion. South Af- day captaincy after the Cham- Bloemfontein tomorrow. South Africa squad: Faf du wet weather,” Guy Lavender, the new MCC chief executive, was Iqbal to injury ahead of rica won the fi rst Test in Potch- pions Trophy in England earlier “Dane did very well in the Plessis (captain), Hashim quoted as saying. tomorrow’s second test efstroom by 333 runs on Monday. this year, enabling Faf du Plessis T20s against England earlier this Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan “It is an enormous issue for cricket. When you think about the againstB South Africa in Bloem- to be captain in all three interna- year, particularly when it came Behardien, Quinton de Kock impact of the weather on cricket in the UK we have a part to fontein, offi cials said yesterday. De Villiers returns for ODIs tional formats. to death bowling,” said Cricket (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, play, as a leading club in the game, in thinking about how those He is suff ering from a thigh AB de Villiers will be back in Left-handed batsman JP Du- South Africa selection panel of- Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne new technologies develop and are tested.” The report said there muscle tear and could be out South African colours for the miny, who retired from Test fi cial Linda Zondi. Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile are issues to address such as how to handle the run-off water for a month, jeopardising his three-match one-day interna- cricket after a poor tour of Eng- “We now want to see if he can Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, and safety in high winds The technology is believed to be at participation in three One Day tional series against Bangladesh land, will also be in what looks a do a similar job in the 50 overs Kagiso Rabada. least two years away from becoming a reality. A damp August Internationals against South Af- starting on October 15. powerful batting line-up. format. Fixtures meant a large number of Twenty20 matches were wrecked and rica which follow the two-match Star batsman De Villiers was Fast bowler Dane Paterson is “Faf du Plessis will lead the October 15, Kimberley cricket authorities will be keen to avoid disruption to a new city- test series. Tamim is to stay with not available for the Test series the only player in the squad who Proteas now that he has taken October 18, Paarl based T20 competition that starts in 2020. the squad in South Africa for re- against Bangladesh, but is due to has not yet appeared in a one- over the captaincy from AB de October 22, East London

Thursday, October 5, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

FINA WORLD CUP SWIMMING Swede Sjostrom sets pool on fi re, clinches three gold Chad Le Clos, Vladmir Morozov and Katinka Hosszu all bagged two gold medals each on the opening night

By Sports Reporter Doha

arah Sjostrom was on fi re on the opening day of the FINA Swimming World Cup stop in Doha. The Swedish swimmer set the Hamad Aquatic Centre alight as she baggedS three gold medals on the night. Sjostrom began her winning spree in the 200 freestyle as she pulled away from the Nether- lands’ Femke Heemskerk, to fi nish in 1:52.00 seconds. Finishing three seconds back in third was China’s Shen Duo (1:56.28). In her second splash of the evening session, Sjostrom was at it again. This time, she won the women’s 100 butterfl y in 55.55, less than a sec- ond shy of her world-record time of 54.61 and just off Alicia Coutts’ World Cup record of 55.30. Ahead by more than a half-second at the half- way point, Sjostrom pulled away from the fi eld. Finishing second — almost two seconds back — was China’s Zhang Yufei in 57.31, and Hong Kong’s Lin Lok Chan was third in 57.98. She then wrapped up her perfect run with a victory in 50m freestyle in 23.28. The timing was not too far off Ranomi Kromowidjojo’s world record of 22.93 set earlier in the series. Sjostrom had actually set the world record in the event at 23.10 at a World Cup stop in Moscow before Kromowidjojo lowered it days later in Berlin. Kromowidjojo fi nished second in 23.82, and was followed by Dutch teammate Femke Heem- skerk (24.40). The Olympic and world champion Sjostrom, who broke two world records in Doha in 2014, was delighted with her show on the opening Swimmers pose with their medals after day one of the FINA Swimming World Cup at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil night. “I was fast today and my performance was good,” said the 23-year-old Sjostrom, who port for me here is amazing.” Wojdak Wojciech (POL); 3. Filip Zaborowski (POL) is comfortably leading the overall points stand- Former world champion Morozov was also 200m breaststroke: 1. Kirill Progoda (RUS) 2:01.24; ings for the World Cup title. “I am very happy in top form as he claimed gold medals in 100m 2. Ilya Shymanovich (BLR) 2:04.77; 3. Ilya Khomenko on winning three gold medals. It’s always fun to freestyle and 100m IM. He clocked 46.87 for the (RUS) 2:05.08 be in Doha and I am enjoying the contest,” the freestyle title and took 51. 38 for the medley tri- 100m Individual Medley: 1. Vladimir Mozorov (RUS) Swede added. umph. It was world champion Detti Gabriele of 51. 38; 2. Pavel Sankovich (BLR) 52.61; 3. Tom Shields Meanwhile, South African Chad Le Clos, Italy, who again reigned supreme in men’s 400m (USA) 53.21 former world champion Vladmir Morozov of freestyle with a time of 3:42.57, beating rival 50m Butterfly: 1. Chad le Clos (RSA) 22.45; 2. Qibin Russia and Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu all bagged Wojdak Wojciech of Poland. Zheng (CHN) 22.74; 3. Tom Shields (USA) 23.04 two gold medals each to start the two-day con- Jamaican world champion Alia Atkinson test on a high note. Le Clos also enjoyed a per- also struck a gold medal after fi nishing the job WOMEN’S fect day, winning both the races he competed. in 1:04.21 which she felt was not very fast. As 200m Freestyle: 1. Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) 1:52.00; 2. He avenged rival Tom Shields of USA for defeat many as 18 more fi nals will be decided today, the Femke Heemskerk (NED) 1:53.11; 3. Duo Shen (CHN) in Hong Kong last week, with a victory in 50m fi nal day of the two-day meet which will bring 1:56.28 butterfl y, touching 22.45. Shields had to content curtains down to cluster two of the FINA World 100m Breaststroke: 1. Alia Atkinson (JAM) 1:04.21; 2. with bronze with China’s Qibin Zheng claiming Cup series. Rikke Pedersen (DEN) 1:05.55; 3. Lena Kreundl (AUT) the silver. 1:08.07 The race was 26th consecutive butterfl y vic- FIXTURES 100m Butterfly: 1. Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) 55.55; 2. tory for Le Clos. “I am honoured to achieve MEN’S Yufei Zhan (CHN) 57.31; 3. Lok kin Chan (HKG) 57.98 this milestone for my country. I am very happy 100m Freestyle: 1. Vladmir Morozov (RUS) 46.87; 2. 50m Backstroke: 1. Emily Seebohm (AUS) 28.29; 2. to beat Tom (Shields). He won the last race (in Damian Wierling (GER) 47.82; 3. Benjamin Hockin Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 26.30; 3. Maaike De Waard Hong Kong) so it’s good to win this title. I am (PAR) 47.89 (NED) 27:06 tired but there will be no excuses as I look for- 50m Breaststroke: 1. Cameron Van Der Burgh (RSA) 200m IM: 1. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 2:05.29; 2. Emily ward to more races,” he said. 25.70; 2. Kirill Prigoda (RUS) 25.85; 3. Shymanovich Seebohm (AUS) 2:06.65; 3. Femke Heemskerk (NED) Earlier, the South African won 200m gold Ilya (BLR) 26.24 2:08.33 with a time of 1:49.59, beating Shields who Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom won in 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle events. 100m Backstroke: 1. Christian Diener (GER) 51:00; 2. 50m Freestyle: 1. Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) 23.28; 2. claimed silver. After losing the 50m back- Radoslaw Kawecki (POL) 51.11; 3. Vladmir Morozov Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) 23.82; 3. Femke Heem- stroke fi nal to Aussie star Emily Seebohm, most stroke but she looked invulnerable in 200m IM races,” said Hosszu who clinched six out of six (RUS) 51.13 skerk (NED) 24.40 decorated female athlete in the series, Hosszu and 200m backstroke races, which she clinched gold medals in Hong Kong in the earlier leg. “I 200m Butterfly: 1. Chad Le Clos (RSA) 1:49.59; 2. Tom 200m backstroke: 1. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 2:02.06; bounced back to win back-to-back gold medals. comfortably with times of 2:05.29 and 2:02.06 am looking forward to three races on the fi nal Shields (USA) 1:49.86; 3. Yuya Yajima (JPN) 1:52.08 2. Emily Seebohm (AUS) 2:04.15; 3. Xuwei Peng The Iron Lady claimed silver in the 50m back- respectively. “I am super excited after today’s day. I love the atmosphere in Doha and the sup- 400m Freestyle: 1. Detti Gabriele (ITA) 3:42.57; 2. (CHN) 2:06.50

QSL CUP South America launches three-nation Rayyan win over Ahli bid to host 2030 football World Cup Buenos Aires: Argentina, Uruguay and Par- it but I think the 100-year anniversary of No other bid has yet been announced for aguay formally launched South America’s the first World Cup in Uruguay makes the the 2030 tournament, although China has but Markhiya stun Sadd three-nation bid to host the 2030 World region a very attractive prospect,” said declared an interest in hosting the event in Cup yesterday and said Argentina would Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes. the future. FIFA President Gianni Infantino By Sports Reporter likely host the majority of the tournament’s Uruguay won the first World Cup in Mon- met with the three leaders in Buenos Aires Doha stadiums. tevideo after beating neighbours Argentina earlier in the day but did not take part in the The presidents of the three nations, who 4-2 in the final. Argentina and Uruguay, who news conference. announced in August that they were team- have both won the World Cup twice, de- The three presidents did not say which l Sadd were shocked by ing up to bid for the tournament, kicked off cided to launch a joint bid earlier this year countries would host the final and pres- new boys Al Markhi- the campaign at the Casa Rosada, Argen- and later added Paraguay, who have never tigious opening match. They also did not ya, while Al Rayyan tina’s government palace. They said that won the tournament. discuss how much investment would be notched a 2-0 win over the bid would likely involve two or three “The original idea came from Uruguay needed for the 48-team tournament. AlA Ahli on the second day of the stadiums in Paraguay and Uruguay and six and it took us 40 seconds to say yes,” Ar- A first formal planning meeting will be QSL Cup yesterday. to eight stadiums in Argentina. gentine president Mauricio Macri said. “And held in early November, Cartes said. Qatar international Sebastian They also played up the appeal of the when Paraguay was proposed it took me Russia will host the World Cup in 2018 Soria was the hero for Al Rayyan, World Cup returning to Uruguay where another 40 seconds to agree. Uruguay was and Qatar four years later. The host nation netting once and producing a the first tournament was held in 1930. “We also very positive about their inclusion and I for the 2026 competition has yet to be fi ne assist for his team’s second know there are other countries that want think that gives the candidacy more power.” decided. goal as Michael Laudrup’s boys made a winning start in the tour- nament. Soria, made a fi ne run from the left and found himself GOLF in perfect position to meet a pass before slamming the ball into the net from a slightly diffi cult angle in the 17th minute. Al Ahli barely made an impact Thomas is PGA Tour Player of the Year in the match and conceded their second goal with two minutes re- AFP TOUR, our congratulations to Justin Tho- Hawaii and Dell Technologies Champion- maining for half time. Miami mas on being voted the PGA TOUR Player ship. Thomas’s Sony Open win in Hawaii This time it was Soria who of the Year by his peers,” Monahan said in a also saw him become the youngest player in worked his way up the left fl ank statement. history to break 60, with a fi rst-round 59 on before crossing to Abdulrahman ustin Thomas was named 2017 PGA “With fi ve remarkable wins and his sea- the way to a wire-to-wire victory. al-Korbi, who slid in and directed Tour Player of the Year yesterday, son-long consistency that resulted in the Only three other players — Jack Nicklaus, the ball into the net from barely a Al Markhiya players celebrate after their win over Al Sadd in the QSL crowning a superb season which saw FedExCup title, Justin is a deserving win- Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth — since couple of feet from the line. Cup yesterday. PICTURE: Othman Iraqi fi ve wins including a maiden major ner of PGA TOUR Player of the Year. “We 1960 have won fi ve tournaments including Al Rayyan dominated the victory.J The 24-year-old from Louisville, also salute his excellence off the course, as a major in a single season before turning 25. match and produced several header thudded into the post Nasser Ibrahim in second half Kentucky, had already brought the curtain he is one of the many young stars that have Thomas beat countrymen Dustin scoring opportunities but bad with the Al Ahli goalkeeper Mo- added time to stun Al Sadd. down on a fi ne year by winning the season- been tremendous ambassadors for the PGA Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Japan’s luck prevented them from win- hamed Mubarak Dawood well Both teams fi elded mostly un- ending FedEx Cup crown last month. TOUR this year.” Hideki Matsuyama in a vote of their peers. ning by a bigger margin. and truly beaten. der-23 and under-19 players in PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan Thomas won his fi rst career major in The Player of the Year award is voted on Towards the fi nal stages, So- Meanwhile, Al Markhiya the tournament. The third match said Thomas’s award of the Jack Nicklaus August at the PGA Championship. He also by PGA Tour professionals who have played ria was in the thick of the ac- scored through Mohamed Saleh saw Umm Salal and Al Arabi play Trophy refl ected his consistent perform- notched wins at the CIMB Classic, Sentry in at least 15 offi cial money events this sea- tion once again but his powerful Elneel in the 20th minute and out a 1-1 draw. ances across the year. “On behalf of the PGA Tournament of Champions, Sony Open in son. The ballots closed on October 2.