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Sunday, August 26, 2018 FORMULA 1 Dhul-Hijja 15, 1439 AH Hamilton snatches GULF TIMES Spa pole in rain-hit qualifying SPORT Page 4 FOCUS FARES LIFTS SILVER, BRINGS JOY Fares lifts a total of 381 kilos in a close weightlifting final

By Anil John

eightlifting runs in Fares Ibra- him’s blood. His father was a Wweightlifter, so are his broth- ers. “For me weightlifting is not just a sport. It’s really my family, my job, lifestyle and passion,” he says. The passion with which he does his “job” was more than evident yesterday as he held his nerve in the wake of strong opposition to clinch a silver medal in the 94kg cat- egory at the . It was Qatar’s second med- al in after Hamad al-Marri won a bronze in shooting earlier in the week, and it lifted the mood in the camp following squash star Abdulla al-Tamimi’s heart- breaking exit in the quarter- fi nals on Friday. Fares Ibrahim (third from right) celebrates his silver medal with members of Team Qatar yesterday. Fares, who won a silver medal at the 2017 World (coach and athlete) relation- out of the way, my total focus World Championships last Weightlifting Champion- ship at the beginning was would be on winning the Ol- year. He set a world record ships in Anaheim, USA, to tough. At fi rst I had to wake ympic gold in Tokyo in 2020. yesterday with his 189kg announce his arrival on the him up to get into the training The Olympic Games are the lift in snatch, beating the global stage at the senior level mode. Now Fares is doing ex- pinnacle for any sportsman, 188-kilo mark set in 1999 by while just 19, was one of the actly what I tell him to do. We especially a weightlifter,” Greece’s Akakios Kakiasvilis. favourites for a medal here. eat and sleep and train at the added Fares. Moradi, who won the 94kg He more than justifi ed that same time,” Hassouna had gold in in 2016 tag with his outstanding dis- said in an earlier interview. , set new world records for play. “Our relationship is that clean and jerk (233kg) and to- “Thanks to God I won the of friends. I am not just his tal weight (417kg) at the World silver today. It’s hard to de- father, am his coach as well. I Championships in Anaheim. scribe how happy I am right have been coaching him since With the snatch record nailed now. I wouldn’t be able to he was 10 years old,” Has- yesterday, he now holds all achieve this without the help souna said. three world records in his and support of the Qatar Ol- Fares’ total of 381 kilos was weight division. His total of ympic Committee, my coach only one kilo more than that 410 kilos yesterday was also a and the medical team,” Fares, of the third-placed Sarat new Asian Games record. the junior world champion in Sumpradit of , who The Iranian is enjoying a 2017, said after totalling 381 fi nished with the bronze, in- second fruitful innings in the kilos to fi nish behind ’s dicating how tough the fi ght sport. He was slapped with a Sohrab Moradi who aggre- was for the silver. two-year ban by the Interna- gated 410. The Qatari lifted 166 kilos tional Weightlifting Federa- His coach, of course is his in the snatch and had to settle tion in 2013 after testing pos- father, Ibrahim Hassouna, a for 215 kilos in the clean and itive for the banned substance three-time Olympian, who jerk after twice failing to lift Iranian Moradi, who aced methadone. introduced Fares to the sport 222 kilos. the competition yesterday, “I don’t want to discuss when he was just 10. “I was confi dent through- is the reigning Olympic and that. That was in the past, let The father-son duo follow out about winning a medal. world champion, having also it stay in the past,” said the a strict training regime. “The Now that the Asian Games are beaten Fares to the gold at the 30-year-old.

SPOTLIGHT ‘Deeply emotional’: Unifi ed Korea win tearful bronze AFP a traditional Korean folk song, to hardly knew what dragon boat- together behind the Unifi ed Korea Palembang, Indonesia celebrate winning their medal. ing, a traditional form of canoe- fl ag, held aloft jointly by South “I was deeply emotional,” ing, was until the team came to- Korean women’s basketball player said South Korean canoeist Eun gether 20 days ago. Lim Yung-hui and North Korean Unifi ed Korea team Jeong-byun. “We’re divided and “I was initially worried about footballer Ju Kyong Chol. featuring athletes from forbidden from seeing each other there being a barrier between us The two Koreas had parad- North and but we both know the same song (the two coaches),” said South ed together and formed a joint won dragon boat bronze and speak the same language. Korean coach Yeong Kang-geun. women’s ice hockey team at Feb- Afor their fi rst medal at the Asian “By singing that song, we felt “But the North Korean coach ruary’s Pyeongchang Winter Ol- Games yesterday. we were one nation — yet we told me I could do whatever I ympics, setting the scene for an The highly symbolic all-Kore- aren’t able to see each other.” wanted and he would cooperate unprecedented warming of ties. an team, competing together af- The two Koreas have also because he didn’t know much ter a rapid improvement in cross- joined forces in rowing at the re- about dragon boating. Members of the Unified Korea border relations, came in behind gional Olympics as well as wom- “That happened on the fi rst team celebrate with their bronze and hosts Indonesia in the en’s basketball, in which they lie day, within fi ve minutes, so we medals during the podium women’s 200 metres race. second in their group after three became close very quickly.” ceremony for the women’s 200m The athletes were in tears af- wins out of four. At last week’s opening cere- traditional boat race at the Asian terwards as they sung “Arirang”, The North Korean athletes mony, the Korean teams marched Games yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Sunday, August 26, 2018 ASIAN GAMES

ROUND-UP Tosin upstages China star Su to fi re 100m warning 400m specialist Haroun tops his semi-final heat; Qatar in beach volleyball semis; decathlete al-Mannai in fifth on Day 1

By Anil John he now only shares. from the southern Indian state Jakarta “There are two more races (the of Kerala, who won the Asian semis and fi nal today) to go, so for Athletics Championships gold at me, this one does not have to be Bhubaneswar last year, qualifi ed osin Ogunode’s bid to the best,” Su said. fastest for the fi nal with a time of emerge out of the shad- “For me, I just need to run my 45.30 seconds, followed by Abbas ow of his elder brother normal race and not think too with 45.59 seconds. Femi got off to a promis- much,” he added. Prior to the semi-fi nals, Ha- Ting start after he upstaged Chi- Indonesia’s teenage roun had won his heat in 46.28 nese star Su Bingtian in qualify- sensation Lalu Zohri received a seconds but that was only the ing for the semi-fi nals of the 100 thunderous cheer as he clocked sixth-fastest time among all par- metres yesterday. 10.27 seconds, the eighth-fastest ticipants in the heats. Tosin, 24, who is making his time yesterday. In decathlon, Qatar’s Moham- fi rst appearance at the Asian Zohri, just 18, had won the ed al-Mannai ended the fi rst day Games, clocked a promising junior world title last month and in fi fth position on 3014 points, 10.16 seconds to win his heat, his humble background – he was while high jumper Mahamat but still found himself trailing raised in a bamboo shack in the Hamdi produced a best eff ort of Chinese Taipei’s Yang Chunhan earthquake hit Lombok island – 2.15 metres to be tied with a host and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulla Akbar has made him a national icon in of others. Mohamed, who recorded 10.13 Indonesia. Qatar’s Mohamed al-Mannai competes in the men’s long jump as part In beach volleyball, the Qatari and 10.15 seconds, respectively. Earlier, Qatari gold prospect of decathlon event in Jakarta yesterday. (AFP) duo of Cherif Samba and Ahmed The younger Ogunode is the Abdalelah Haroun was overshad- JanJankoko prevaiprevailedled over Iran’s ArasArashh only 100m specialist in the Qa- oowedwed byby India’s YahiyaYahiya MohamedMohamed Haroun,Haroun, the IAAF WoWorld seconsecondsds in tthehe semi-fi nanalsls yesyes-- VVakiliakili anandd BaBahmanhman SaSalemiin-lemiin- tar squad andnd ddespiteespite hhisis llackack of Anas aandnd BBahrain’sahrain’s AAbbasbbas AAbbasbbbas CChChampionshipsampionshhips bbronzeronze mmed-ed-e terterday.day. jejeborounboroun to aadvancedvance to tthehe semisemi-- experience ffanciesancies hhimselfimself as a in qqualifyingualifying for totoday’sday’s 40400m00m aallistllist iinn LonLondondon llastast Anas,Anas, a fi nanals.ls. medal prospect,pect, hhisis optimism fi nanal.l. yeyearar aandnd tthehe winnewinnerr ooff 223-year-3-year- SamSambaba anandd Jankko,o, wwhoho won 21- based on a coupleouple of susub-10-sec-b-10-sec- thethe DiamonDiamondd LeagueLeague oldold 117,7, 18-21, 15-11, wiwillll now tatakeke on ond times hee hhasas donedone in prac-prac- meetingmeetting in thethe BritishBritish ChChina’sina’s Peng Gao anandd Yang Li toto-- tice. ccacapital,pitaal, wwherehere hhee set ddayay in tthehe semis. “My performanceormance totodayday hhasas hhisis ppepersonalrsonal bbestest In bbasketball,asketball, ttherehere given me a llotot of confi ddence.ence. I of 444.0744.07 seconsecondsds was ddisap-isap- hope to qualifylify for tthehe fi nanall toto-- iinn JJuly,uly,y rrecordedecorded tthehe morrow and see hhowow it goes. I am tthird-fastesthirrdd-fastest not putting aanyny pressure oonn mymy-- titimeime 445.835.83 self,” Ogunodede saisaid.d. Qatar’s Ahmed Janko (right) smashes during the men’s beach Su, who iss tthehe hhotot ffavouriteavourite volleyball quarter-final against Iran in Palembang yesterday. to become ththee fafasteststesst mamanan at the Asian GamGames,es, cocouldulld popointmentintment fforor a victory. only managee 1010.27.27 sesec-c- QQataratar as However, a 31-point blitz in the onds for thee sseventh-evventhh- ttheyhey were fi nal 10 minutes took the wind fastest timee aamongmongg bbeateneaten bbyy out of Qatar’s sails as they even- 24 qualifi erss foforr ththehe ChChineseinese tually conceded the match by a semi-fi nals. TaTaipeiipei 8383-- big margin. But he admit-ddmit- 70 in ttheirheir Cheng Yingchun scored 20 ted he was aaim-im- GGrouproup C points for the winners, while ing to conservesserve matcmatch.h. Cheng Liu had 19 and Douglas his energies aass hee CChinesehinese Taipei ddom-om- Creighton 13. Abdi Khalid and attempts to bbrbreakeak inateinatedd tthehe matcmatchh for most part Nasser al-Rayes scored13 each Femi’s recordord oof bbutut a fi ne fi gghtbackhtback from Qatar for Qatar. 9.91 seconds,s, wwhwhichicch hhadad llevelledevelled at 52-a52-allll at tthehe enendd of Chinese Taipei will take on tthehe tthirdhird quarter to raise hhopesopes ofof Syria in the quarter-fi nals to- Qatar’s Tosin morrow. The other last eight Ogunode Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun matches pit South Korea against celebrates his win in competes in men’s 400m the Philippines, Iran against Ja- the men’s 100m heat semi-final yesterday. pan and China against Indonesia. yesterday. (AFP) Hero’s welcome for al-Marri

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah shot 72 on Day 1 of qualification for the men’s skeet shooting event yesterday. Al-Attiyah was ranked ninth yesterday.

Qatar’s Ali al-Marri rides Fernhill Friendly Touch during the Qatar’s Hamad al-Marri (second from left) is welcomed on his Qatar’s Rashid Saleh Hamad shot 73 to Eventing (cross-country) equestrian event in Jakarta yesterday. arrival from the 2018 Asian Games at Hamad International be ranked eighth on Qualification Day 1 Qatar’s Sarah Ghulam Mohamed was ranked eighth with a score of 68 on Day Al-Marri was ranked 16th, while compatriot Saeed al-Rashdi, Airport in on Friday evening. Al-Marri won bronze in for the men’s skeet event yesterday. 1 of qualification for the women’s skeet shooting event yesterday. riding Graff iti De Lully Ch, was ranked 20th. men’s double trap event.

BOTTOMLINE Push claim as marathon erupts in controversy

AFP lead. onzo said his athlete had been de- start time. Jakarta In the fi nal 100 metres, Elab- liberately pushed by the Japanese Tony Payne of Thailand, who bassi attempted to overtake on the athlete and “almost went down”. placed eighth, said there was some inside but fell back after apparent “The guy, when he saw he confusion before the start of the apan’s Hiroto Inoue was ac- contact. was almost overtaken, he decided race, as the fi rst athletics event cused of pushing Bahraini “The number one (leader) to push,” said Kilonzo. of the Games experienced some runner Elhassan Elabbassi pushed me,” said Elabbassi. “I Both athletes were credited with teething problems. and denying him gold as would have won.” a time of 2 hours, 17 minutes and 22 “They made us run for the start controversyJ overshadowed the end Speaking to reporters after the seconds, with pre-race favourite line because we were running a lit- of the Asian Games marathon yes- race, Inoue said he did not know Inoue crossing the line marginally tle bit late,” said the New Zealand- terday. what had happened, but had been ahead. born athlete. Both athletes had complaints “surprised” by the contact. Duo Bujie, a Chinese athlete “We were all walking down and rejected by race offi cials after they The Japanese team later reported from Tibet who took to marathon they were like ‘Run! Run for the made contact during a thrilling Elabbassi for attempting to over- running after a childhood spent start’... It was pretty hectic. They sprint fi nish, which Inoue won by a take on the inside when there was herding yaks, fi nished 26 seconds made us run an extra warm-up!” fraction of a second. no gap. further back to take bronze. Inoue’s win makes the Tokyo At the end of the 42-kilometre Referee Vadim Nigmatov reject- The winning time was the slow- 2020 hopeful the fi rst Japanese (26 miles) race through Jakarta’s ed both teams’ complaints to leave est at an Asian Games since 1982 in men’s marathon champion since streets, two runners entered the Inoue with the gold medal. Each New Delhi, as the runners strug- Hiroshima 1986, when Takeyuki stadium in Jakarta neck and neck, side has the right to appeal. gled with Jakarta’s baking heat and Nakayama set the existing Games before Inoue opened up a small Elabbassi’s coach Gregory Kil- stifl ing humidity despite a 6.00am record of 2:08:21. Japan’s Hiroto Inoue celebrates winning the men’s marathon event in Jakarta yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, August 26, 2018 3 ASIAN GAMES

FOCUS Pakistan’s Nargis wins bronze Tajinder clinches gold in shot put Indian hurls the iron ball a distance of 20.75 metres to smash the Games record

IANS Medals tally (top 10) Jakarta G S B T ndia’s Tajinderpal Singh 1. China 72 51 30 153 Toor set a new meet record to clinch the gold medal in 2. Japan 34 31 44 109 the men’s shot put event at 3. South Korea 25 26 33 84 Ithe 18th Asian Games yesterday. Toor hurled the iron ball a dis- 4. Iran 14 11 9 34 tance of 20.75 metres to smash 5. Indonesia 10 12 16 38 the previous Games record. 6. North Korea 10 5 6 21 The previous mark of 20.57m was set by Aboulmajeed Alha- 7. Thailand 8 8 24 40 bashi of Saudi Arabia at the 2010 8. India 7 5 17 29 Asiad in Guangzhou, China. 9. Chinese Taipei 6 11 13 30 China’s Liu Yang was a distant second with his season’s best 10. 5 10 7 22 throw of 19.52m. Ivan Ivanov of 27. Qatar 0 1 1 2 took bronze with 19.40m. This is the eighth gold medal took 34 minutes to beat her op- for India in men’s shot put in the ponent. history of the Asian Games. Toor dominated the fi nal right BOXER PAVITRA ENTERS from the start but reserved his 60KG QUARTERS best for the very last attempt. Indian boxer Pavitra registered Pakistan’s Nargis (also below) celebrates after winning the bronze The tall, burly 23-year-old a win over Pakistan’s Rukhsa- medal in the women’s +68kg karate event yesterday. Nargis beat from Punjab had taken the lead na Perveen to proceed to the Rita Karki of Nepal 3-1 in the bronze medal contest. (Reuters) with an eff ort of 19.96 metres in quarterfi nals of women’s 60 kg his fi rst attempt. He threw 19.15 India’s Tajinderpal Singh Toor competes during the men’s shot put event during the 2018 Asian Games at weight category. in his second attempt but fouled GBK Main Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. (Reuters) Pavitra, the former National his third throw. Games gold medallist, dominat- The fourth attempt saw the respective semi-fi nal clashes (12-10, 13-11, 6-11, 6-11, 6-11) to The 28-year-old Nehwal reg- ed the bout that saw the score- Indian clock yet another 19.96m yesterday. Chun Ming Au from Hong Kong istered a straight-sets victory line reading 10-8 in her favour before he simply blew away the Pallikal lost 0-3 (7-11, 9-11, in a cliff hanger. over Indonesia’s Fitriani Fit- after the referee was forced to competition with his last at- 6-11) to defending champion Despite the reversals, this is riani 21-6, 21-14 while Sindhu stop the competition even be- tempt. and former world No.1 Nicol India’s best ever show in the overpowered Gregoria Mariska fore the opening round ended. David of Malaysia while Chi- Asian Games in squash singles. Tunjung 21-12, 21-15 in the pre- Making her Asiad debut in PALLIKAL, CHINAPPA, nappa went down 1-3 (5-11, quarters. place of former world and Asian GHOSAL SETTLE FOR BRONZE 10-12, 11-5, 10-12) to another SAINA, SINDHU IN Saina won the fi rst game 21-6 champion L. Sarita Devi in the All three Indian racqueteers Malaysian Sivasangari Subra- BADMINTON QUARTERS before Fitriani dominated the lightweight category, Pavitra in squash singles settled for maniam. Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu early parts of the second game. wasted little time knocking bronze medals after Saurav Ghosal, meanwhile, wasted advanced to the quarter-fi nals However, the Indian fought back down the Pakistani pugilist Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal Karthik a two-set advantage to lose the of the women’s singles badmin- and sealed the aff air 21-14. twice before the bout was ruled and Joshna Chinappa lost their men’s singles semi-fi nal 2-3 ton competition. Sindhu, on the other hand, in her favour.

Indonesia’s Ginting stuns Momota in badminton

AFP in disbelief before shaking hands He said he will be fully fit to Jakarta with his shocked opponent. face China’s Chen Long in the “Thank God I could win quarter-finals. today’s match and win against South Korea’s Son Wan-ho, adminton world cham- Momota,” the world number who is now the highest ranked pion Kento Momota 12 told reporters. “I was trying men’s player after China’s Shi Bcrashed out of the Asian a new strategy with my coach Yuqi bowed out on Friday, and Games against Indonesia’s and thankfully it worked. Noth- Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen both Anthony Ginting as the home ing special, but was just more advanced to the quarters. favourite raised the roof at the focused on today’s game.” Son beat Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia Jakarta arena yesterday. The win comes only two days in straight games and Chou was Ginting, 21, beat the Japanese after Ginting had to retire with a two-games-to-one winner world number four 21-18, 21-18, af- severe cramps during Indone- against Thailand’s Kantaphon terwards collapsing on the court sia’s team final defeat to China. Wangcharoen. TENNIS FEATURE Gold medal secures Istomin’s spot in ‘Sport doesn’t mean you have to Tokyo Olympics sweat’ — esports makes Asiad bow Reuters must sweat,” said Lee, who is the some games went against Ol- Jakarta highest earning player in LOL ympic values. history with a career income “We have to draw a very clear over $1,740,000 according to red line in this respect and that kinny, pale and sitting in tracker esportsearnings.com. red line would be e-games which front of a computer, Lee “Gaming uses a lot of mental are killer games or where you Sang-hyeok doesn’t look skill rather than physical. have promotion of violence or much like a traditional “It takes a lot of mental any kind of discrimination as a OlympicS athlete. strength and requires a lot of content... they can never be rec- But that is exactly what he and eff orts and tough training, so ognised as part of the Olympic his fellow professional esports I think esports could be even movement,” he said. gamers could be if demonstra- tougher than any other sports.” Fok doesn’t want to get into tions held at the Asian Games “I think it is unfair to say that a debate about whether esports in Jakarta this week prove suc- a sport depends on whether one is more violent than boxing or cessful. sweats.” wrestling, both sports on the Esports will appear at a ma- Olympic programme, but knows jor multi-sport event for the DEMONSTRATION SPORT communication and education fi rst time today, raising the pos- It is a demonstration sport this may hold the key. sibility of gamers earning the time around, yet organisers “The red line is diff erent for Reuters ing a fl ight to New York for the same Olympic gold medals as hope events in Jakarta will prove A gamer plays the video game ‘League of Legends’ during training for everyone. We are talking about Palembang, Indonesia US Open starting tomorrow. those won by American swim- to sceptics that gamers belong in an Asian Games demonstration event in Jakarta yesterday. (Reuters) an issue that is subjective,” Fok Istomin, world number 75, mer Michael Phelps or Jamaican the same programme as mara- said. fi red 15 aces and 47 winners in a sprinter Usain Bolt. thon runners, boxers and soccer Olympic programme. Asian Games to a more main- “We have to work together zbekistan’s Denis Is- match lasting two hours and 16 Six titles, starting with Arena players. The IOC’s inclusion of sports stream, main stage. I think that as a federation, as publishers, tomin secured a place minutes, denying the Chinese of Valor and including League of This could open up questions such as skateboarding and is a very important deal,” he as gamers and as a community in probably his last Ol- another gold after they had won Legends (LOL) and Pro Evolu- about what defi nes professional sports climbing at Tokyo 2020 added. to defi ne this space and move ympic Games in 2020 the women’s singles and doubles tion Soccer (PES), will feature, sport and potentially change the is an indication of its willing- “Its an important step to- it forward. I think the Asian byU rallying from a set down to tennis titles. in what could be the fi rst step dynamic of top-tier sporting ness to promote sports aimed at wards being accepted by society Games is the fi rst step. beat China’s Wu Yibing 2-6 6-2 “I feel good to have the gold towards inclusion in the Olym- competition forever. younger audiences. and also being accepted by the “I think it is important for us 7-6(2) to win the Asian Games medal... It’s very important for pic Games. There is, however, no denying Kenneth Fok, President of the Olympic movement.” to educate and to help esports men’s tennis gold medal yester- me to win a gold medal for my In November last year, the In- the popularity of esports. Asian Esports Federation, the develop in a way that is accept- day. country. For me it means a lot,” ternational Olympic Committee Professional electronic gam- body behind the programme in GAMES VIOLENCE able to diff erent parts of society, The 31-year-old Istomin ben- said Istomin, who had won sil- recognised esports as a sporting ing boasts an estimated 250mn Jakarta, is bullish about the fu- It remains highly unlikely es- diff erent generations and diff er- efi ted from a rain delay as Wu suf- ver in the 2010 Asian Games in activity and it will be a full medal players worldwide in a growing ture of his sport. ports will feature at the 2024 ent points of view.” fered a lapse in concentration after Guangzhou. event at the 2022 Asian Games. market worth about a bn dollars “Ultimately, for us from day Paris Olympics and one of the In Jakarta, players from 18 taking the fi rst set to allow his op- “It’s very important for me to For gamers like Lee, who goes a year. one, AESF’s goal will be trying key reasons could be the IOC’s nations will compete across ponent back into the match. have the gold because probably by the online moniker “Faker” This, combined with the IOC to help put esports in the Olym- aversion to the violence that six diff erent games, including “The weather conditions it’s my last Asian Games and my this is a chance to show the enthusiasm to engage young- pics and on the bigger Olympic features in many of the world’s League of Legends, which is one changed a lot for my game and he last Olympic Games in two years, world they belong among the er viewers, means there is a stage,” Fok told Reuters yester- top video games. of the most popular games in the was also losing concentration a so I feel good,” he added. world’s top athletes. groundswell of support for elec- day. In April, IOC President Tho- world with over 27mn players little bit so that worked for me,” “Qualifying for the Olympics “Sports doesn’t mean you tronic gaming to be added to the “Now we take it through the mas Bach said the violence in daily. Istomin said on his way to catch- was the main goal.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, August 26, 2018 SPORT

F1 FOCUS Hamilton, Vettel speak out for Hamilton snatches under-threat Ocon

AFP has more money leap in front Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium of a better driver. It shouldn’t happen. The governing body defi nitely has to (address this) ewis Hamilton and Se- somehow.” Spa pole in rain-hit bastian Vettel spoke Vettel, who is 24 points out for Esteban Ocon behind Hamilton in the ti- ‘We were very close, I was hopeful, yesterday after the tle race, praised Ocon for his Lyoung French driver, who driving and said his qualifying Ferrari were very quick on the faces losing his job, qualifi ed performance “should be con- third for Force India in the sidered for signing him some- straights, then the rain came and I Belgian Grand Prix. where next year. “It’s very good The Mercedes and Ferrari to get this qualifying session qualifying can’t stress how diff icult it was’ drivers said Ocon had shown under the belt and get the car the talent to deserve his place in P3, where it doesn’t belong,” Reuters in Formula One, Hamilton he said. “I think that shows Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium adding that his predicament enough, in a session like that, was a symptom of a wider ma- that can be quite chaotic, and laise in the sport. you can easily do a mistake. To ormula One leader Lewis The two four-time cham- hold it together is crucial and Hamilton made the most pions hit out amid widespread that’s what he did.” of the changeable condi- expectations that the impres- After Saturday’s session, tions to seize pole posi- sive Mercedes junior driver Ocon was caught by cam- tionF for the Belgian Grand Prix GRID FOR BELGIAN GRAND PRIX will be replaced at Force India eras talking to Vettel and tell- ahead of Ferrari title rival Sebas- by Canadian Lance Stroll, the ing him that he would not be tian Vettel yesterday. 1st row 6th row son of the team’s new owner, staying at the re-born Force French driver Esteban Ocon Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso) billionaire Lawrence Stroll. India team because one seat qualifi ed a remarkable third for Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) Stroll is under contract to was taken “by the one who Force India for the team’s fi rst drive for Williams this year, bought it” and the other was race under new ownership, with 2nd row 7th row but is reported to be prepar- to be taken by “the other one, Mexican team mate Sergio Perez Esteban Ocon (FRA/Racing Point) Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) ing for a seat-fi tting with who brings the money”. fourth after a rain-hit fi nal ses- Sergio Pérez (MEX/Racing Point) Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) Force India in anticipation of He was clearly referring sion. The pole was Hamilton’s switching teams before next to Stroll and Mexican Sergio fi fth at Spa, a record, and 78th 3rd row 8th row weekend’s Italian Grand Prix Perez, who took fourth place of his F1 career but it was touch Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) at Monza. “I’ve always been in qualifying to confi rm that and go on a drying track with the Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) a supporter of Esteban,” said Force India, in their fi rst event clock ticking. Hamilton who took pole with as a new mid-season entry, Slipping wide and across the 4th row 9th row Vettel in second ahead of the would start Sunday’s race grass runoff , the champion left Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) impressive Ocon. with both cars on the second himself just one fi nal shot at a Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) “How he conducts himself row of the Grid. fl ying lap before the time ran out and how he performs on track, Ocon was delighted to hear and he nailed it. 5th row 10th row he is exceptional.” the two drivers, who are fi ght- “It was one of the toughest Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) Speaking at the post-quali- ing for a fi fth title, lend him qualifying sessions I can re- Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) fying news conference, Ham- such strong support. member,” said Hamilton, who ilton went on to add: “Un- “It’s awesome to hear that. won from pole in Belgium last fortunately, we’re in a weird I’m very happy to hear that,” season and is 24 points clear of place in Formula One where he said. “Of course, I want to fellow-four times champion some teams, rather than take be racing next year, and I’m Vettel with nine races remaining. the up-and-coming kid, they doing everything for it, I’m “We were very close, I was take the money. working very hard every day hopeful, Ferrari were very quick “It means the structure of for it. To hear great things on the straights, then the rain the sport is probably wrong, from those two champions is came and I can’t stress how dif- in terms of how the funds are just fantastic. I will see what fi cult it was. distributed. the future is going to bring. “The track looked dry in some “I’ve not read who has “I’m managed by Mercedes places, but it was actually wet. signed where and what seats and they’ve taken great deci- It was so hard, I went off twice, are available, but he needs to sions for me in the past so I’m but so glad I managed to keep it be in a top car as he is one of sure it will be the same again together. Everyone is on the edge the top drivers here. for me in the future, hope- of their seats.” “You can’t let someone who fully, and I will be sorted out.” Today’s race looked set up to be a battle between the two great rivals, with Vettel possi- bly having the faster car, after a Raikkonen blames lack of fuel for qualifying that shook up the grid painful qualifying fi nale beyond the two championship contenders. A frustrated Kimi Raikkonen blamed Ferrari for his painful Vettel’s team mate Kimi Raik- drop to sixth on the Grid in yesterday’s qualifying for the konen, a four-times winner Belgian Grand Prix - because he was left short of fuel in the at Spa, starts only sixth while final showdown. Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas will The 38-year-old Finn had looked a strong contender for pole line up at the back of the fi eld until rain fell in Q3, but when the track dried he could not go due to accumulated engine grid out again to fight for a front row Grid position. penalties. “I knew how much fuel I had, but I didn’t know we didn’t have The Red Bulls of Max Verstap- time to refuel and go out again,” he said pen and Daniel Ricciardo quali- “I guess we should have stopped when we changed the tyres, fi ed seventh and eighth. we should have put more fuel and then would have managed “It got drier at the end, we had to do more laps. I don’t know the reasons why, because we done our laps at the beginning haven’t had the meetings yet.” thinking it (the conditions) was “There was not much I could have done diff erently out there,” going to get worse so we were he added. “It’s frustrating, it’s painful in the way we made our just unlucky I guess,” said Ric- Sunday a hell of a lot more diff icult. ciardo. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates after qualifying in pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix yesterday. (Reuters) “Here, unfortunately, often the first corner isn’t very clean Taking advantage of the dry- because of the layout of the circuit, so the further back you ing track, surprised Frenchman earlier shattered the Spa circuit durance car in April. great from a management point “It wasn’t a nice ending to a start, the bigger risk that something goes wrong... Romain Grosjean put his Haas in record, banging in laps of one Hamilton’s pole time was a of view,” Vettel said. great qualifying up to that point. “Adding all the things, it’s definitely not great, but what can I fi fth place behind the Force India minute 41.501 and 1:41.627 re- comparatively slow 1:58.179, “I don’t feel we put everything It’s great fun but obviously not do? We’ll try tomorrow again, hopefully learn from mistakes, pair. spectively to better the 1:41.770 with Vettel managing 1:58.905. together in the last lap, we ran very rewarding when you know and keep going.” Vettel and Raikkonen had both set by a Porsche 919 world en- “It was a bit chaotic and not out of battery. you could have done a bit better.”

MOTORCYCLING Lorenzo on MotoGP pole for British Grand Prix AFP various riders crashed due to aquaplan- “It’s a great shame and I’m very upset Silverstone, United Kingdom, ing. The safety conditions subsequently because we had a good strategy with the caused the qualifying session to be de- right tyres, but unfortunately we were a layed, but once Q2 got underway Viñales little bit tight with the time. We made a hree-time MotoGP world cham- and Rossi made sure they were ready. mistake in the box and lost too much time pion Jorge Lorenzo gave his hopes Having seen how quick the weather changing the tyre and I took the fl ag by of catching Marc Marquez in the conditions can change at the Silverstone two seconds, so I was also a little bit un- championship standings a boost Circuit, Viñales headed out of the box as lucky. It’s a pity because I did a 2’10.7s on Tby claiming pole for the British Grand Prix quick as he could, eager to clock a time the last lap, so that would’ve been P5,” said yesterday. whilst it was dry. However, unable to get Rossi. The Spaniard edged out Ducati team- a good feeling on his soft rear tyre on the “It would have been good to start from mate Andrea Dovizioso by 0.159 seconds wet, he went straight for pit lane after his the second row, that was my target, but with France’s Johann Zarco completing out lap. unfortunately I took the fl ag and the lap the front row of the grid. With less than nine minutes remaining was cancelled. I have to start from 12th In a delayed qualifying session due to he returned to the track on two medium and it will be more diffi cult. For me, the heavy rain at Silverstone and a crash that tyres. His fourth lap moved him up from grip on the asphalt in the wet is not so bad, saw Tito Rabat taken to hospital with 12th to 10th position, but he was pushed the problem is that the track doesn’t drain multiple right leg fractures, champion- back as the pace picked up towards the enough, because it’s very new. If there is a ship leader Marquez was happy just to es- end of the session. The Spaniard had three lot of water, it stays on the top and causes cape unscathed. more goes at it, and his last try, a 2’12.514s, aquaplaning. When it’s like that, it’s very Marquez will start from fi fth, behind saw him fi nish in 11th place, 2.359s from dangerous.” Cal Crutchlow, who is hoping to become fi rst. Earlier, Spain’s Jorge Martin claimed his the fi rst British rider to win on home soil. Rossi was quick to adapt to the wet track seventh pole position of the season to start Veteran Valentino Rossi stands between conditions and set an initial 2‘14.839s lap Sunday’s Moto3 race from the front of the Marquez and Lorenzo in the champion- for fi fth place. He improved his time, but grid. ship standings, but the Italian’s 59-point not his position, on his second and third Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi defi cit to Marquez threatens to grow after attempt. He held eighth place as he head- will start from way down in 11th handing the nine-time world champion could only ed back into pit lane with three and a half Martin the chance to usurp the Italian’s qualify down in 12th. minutes to go. 12-point lead in the standings. Valentino Rossi took a strategy gamble He came out of the garage again as fast Due to safety conditions, the British GP in the 15-minute shoot-out, making a late as he could but wasn’t able to fi nish his out schedule has been amended for the Sun- pit stop, but it didn‘t pay off . He will start lap before the chequered fl ag went out. day. The MotoGP race will start at 11:30 the race tomorrow from 12th on the grid. His fastest lap, a 2’13.504s set on lap 4, put local track time (GMT+1). The Warm Up is The wet FP4 came to a dramatic halt as him in 12th position, 3.349s from the top. held from 09:00 - 09:20. Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo in action during qualifying round of British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, August 26, 2018 5 TENNIS

US OPEN Stephens braces for US Open title defence New York: Sloane Stephens has a new swagger in her step since winning last year’s Halep brimming with US Open but now faces the challenge of showing it in the New York spotlight as she gets set to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time in her career. “I think there is a lot of pressure. I’ve never done confi dence as No 1 it before. A lot of other people have. First go around sometimes isn’t that great,” ‘These two were my dreams — to be number one in the world and to win a Grand Slam’ said the 25-year-old American baseliner. AFP “I’m going to do whatever New York I can to make sure that I’m prepared, in the best shape possible, hopefully playing imona Halep, her number one some good tennis by the time ranking secure and a Grand Slam the US Open comes around.” title on her resume, is riding Stephens’s triumph over high heading into the US Open friend and compatriot Madi- butS that doesn’t mean she’s taking any- son Keys in last year’s final at thing for granted. “I don’t feel the pres- Flushing Meadows capped sure,” said the 26-year-old Romanian, one of the most remarkable whose intensity on the court hasn’t al- injury comebacks in recent ways worked to her advantage. memory. By the time she A victory in the French Open — after lifted the US Open trophy, disappointments in three Grand Slam Stephens had recovered from fi nals — confi rmed for Halep that she foot surgery that forced her had truly arrived at the top. “Inside my- to miss most of the season self something changed,” she said. and from a ranking that had “I’m more relaxed. These two were fallen to nearly 1,000 to win my dreams — to be No 1 one in the world her first slam all inside a year. and to win a Grand Slam. Always I say In doing so, Stephens number one in the world without a Grand became just the fourth black Slam, you are not a real number one. Af- woman to win a Grand Slam ter the French Open, I really started to singles title, following Althea believe that I’m a real number one.” Gibson, Serena Williams and That ranking isn’t in jeopardy at the Venus Williams. fi nal Grand Slam of the year, but Halep Following her US Open is under no illusion as to how diffi cult it title, Stephens embarked on will be to claim a second major. “I can an eight-match losing streak say I have a big chance for this tourna- that lasted until February this ment, but it’s tough to say that I’m the year but she has since picked favourite even if I’m No 1,” she said. up a title in Miami, reached “Everyone is playing at maybe the the French Open final and is a highest level. Every match, every round career-high third in the world is diffi cult. I’m just looking forward to rankings. playing my fi rst one. If I win it, I will fo- Stephens’s North American cus on the next one, just like that.” hard-court campaign has It’s a tried and true approach, and off ered reason for optimism a perhaps a wise one for a player who over the coming fortnight could come up against 23-time Grand Simona Halep will face Kaia Kanepi as it included a run to the Slam champion Serena Williams in in the first round of the US Open, Montreal final, where she lost the fourth round. If she makes it, the which begins tomorrow. (AFP) to world number one Simona semi-fi nals could produce a third clash Halep in a tight three-set of 2018 with defending US Open cham- match. “I’m playing good pion Sloane Stephens. tennis. There’s nothing to The two have proved compelling ri- to get her,” Stephens insisted. “Hope- cannot be worse than that. I feel confi - in withdrawing from New Haven, Halep she said of hearing herself introduced as complain about. I hope that vals, with Halep getting the better of the fully, it will be soon.” dent. I feel that I have the game to win said the week off had put things right. the world number one and French Open it keeps getting better. I hope American in the Roland Garros fi nal and Halep isn’t worrying just yet whether against her, but she’s very dangerous.” “I had a tough few days after the champion. it keeps improving,” said again in a roller-coaster fi nal in Mon- that will be at Flushing Meadows. She Halep followed her victory in Mon- Cincinnati fi nal, but now I’ve recovered, “But when you start the match you Stephens, who fell to Belgian treal two weeks ago. But Stephens is re- was looking no further than fi rst-round treal with a run to the fi nal in Cincin- I feel strong again. That means that, as forget that you are number one, you Elise Mertens in the third luctant to call it a “rivalry,” glumly not- foe Kaia Kanepi — a quarter-fi nalist last nati — where she was clearly fading as always, Halep is primed for a fi ght. The have all the titles. You just have the bat- round last week at Cincinnati ing that “it’s not a rivalry if you don’t year. “It’s a very tough draw,” Halep said. she fell to Dutch outsider Kiki Bertens. gentleman, when he’s announcing the tle ahead in front of you. You have just in her final US Open tune-up. beat the person”. “Eventually, I’m going “Last year I lost in the fi rst round, so it Although she cited a sore right Achilles players, it’s very special and very nice,” to fi ght for it, so I’m doing that.”

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Serena takes French Next generation poised for Grand Open catsuit ban in stride Slam breakthrough: Federer

AFP Reuters US Open crowd. “US Open, I’m sure, is go- New York New York ing to bring some energy to them as well, wanting to really make the breakthrough here,” he said. “That’s anyway how I felt way erena Williams down- he new crop of young players are back when, coming to New York. I wanted played any idea of friction poised for a Grand Slam break- to break through here or at Wimbledon. But between herself and the through and New York’s bright here was maybe the cooler place, especially French Tennis Federa- lights could provide the inspiration when you’re young and fearless,” he said tionS yesterday after Roland Gar- thatT fi nally gets one of them over the top, with a smile. ros chiefs described the ‘Black fi ve-times US Open champion Roger Fed- World number four Zverev on Friday said Panther’ catsuit she wore at the erer said on Friday. that after some diffi cult US Open cam- French Open as ‘going too far’. The second-seeded Swiss, who turned 37 paigns, including second-round exits in “I think that obviously the this month, believes newcomers like Ger- the last two years, he was hoping to be the Grand Slams have a right to do man Alexander Zverev, 21, Greek Stefanos fi rst player of the next generation to notch what they want to,” the 23-time Tsitsipas, 20, and Canadian Denis Shapo- a Grand Slam victory. “I hope so. I’m doing Grand Slam champion said as valov, 19, are making strides to overtake everything I can to make it be,” he said. “I’m she met reporters in Flushing himself, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. trying to play my best tennis here in New Meadows, New York, where the “It looks like the next generation has bro- York, which I’ve never really done before... US Open begins tomorrow. “I ken through even more so now. They still Hopefully it will work out that way.” feel like if they know that some need the win of a slam, the win of a Masters As for Federer, the Swiss said that while things are for health reasons, 1000, whatever you want to call it, they still it would “mean the world” to him to win his then there’s no way that they need to make that step,” Federer said. “But fi rst US Open title in 10 years, he will always wouldn’t be OK with it.” they’re defi nitely knocking on that door and have fond memories of the tournament Roger Federer Williams will be vying to there is some exciting talent around.” anyway. “I won the US Open fi ve times so has not won the match Margaret Court’s record of Federer said hoisting the trophy at Flush- I stand here pretty happy, to be quite hon- US Open in ten 24 major titles with a fi rst Grand ing Meadows was an early goal when he est,” he said. “It’s not like, God, the US Open years. (Reuters) Slam victory since the birth of set out to make his name in tennis and the never worked out for me. It hasn’t the last her daughter Olympia last Sep- young guns should be boosted by the lively couple of years, but it’s all good.” tember. But the catsuit ques- tion was the fi rst she faced.The 36-year-old American stunned Serena Williams smiles during a promotional event in New York. (AFP) ROUND-UP Paris this year in her body-hug- ging outfi t which she said was decision, saying he’d been “really she’d found “other methods” — inspired by the Black Panther su- amazing”. namely compression tights — to perhero movie and made her feel “He’s been so easy to talk to,” combat blood clots. Sabalenka reaches Connecticut Open fi nal like a “warrior princess”. Williams said. “My whole team “It will be awhile before this As well as describing it as is basically French so, yeah, we even has to come up again,” said Reuters Johanna Konta withdrew because of illness “fun and functional”, Williams have a wonderful relationship. Williams, who wasn’t surprised Connecticut and Petra Kvitova also retired from their insisted it helped her prevent a I’m sure we would come to an by the social media outcry in re- quarter-fi nal with a shoulder issue. She will return of the blood clots which understanding and everything sponse to Giudicelli’s comments. be playing in her fi rst fi nal since 2016. put her life in danger after giv- will be OK. It wouldn’t be a big “Even if I tweet something, it can ryna Sabalenka moved within one ing birth last year. However, the deal... everything’s fi ne, guys.” go viral, just a small tweet,” she win of her fi rst WTA victory after JOHNSON TO MEET MEDVEDEV French Tennis Federation (FFT) Williams indicated the catsuit said. “I just roll with it.” defeating fi fth seed Julia Goerges IN WINSTON-SALEM FINAL insist that the outfi t or anything wouldn’t feature in her US Open Former US Open winner Andy 6-4, 7-6(3) on Friday to reach the American Steve Johnson overcame second similarly eye-catching will not wardrobe. She’s set to wow New Roddick was among those con- fiA nal of the Connecticut Open. The 20-year- seeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, be welcome at Roland Garros in York with her new “Queen” col- demning the decision, tweeting: old Belarusian put Goerges under constant 6-4 to reach the fi nal of the Winston-Salem 2019. “I really believe that some- lection for Nike designed with “This is so dumb and short- pressure with her aggressive style, winning Open. Johnson served strongly to close out times we have gone too far,” FFT American stylist Virgil Abloh. sighted it hurts. Sometimes it’d 14 break points to grind the German down. the match and will try to become the fi rst president Bernard Giudicelli told Abloh — artist, architect, be nice if the sport got out of its The in-form Sabalenka will be playing player in 2018 to win a title on three diff erent Tennis Magazine in remarks re- friend of Kanye West and artistic own way.” in her third fi nal this season, having lost to surfaces. The 28-year-old won in Houston ported by French media. “The director of Louis Vuitton — cre- Nike responded to the ruling Elise Mertens at the Ladies Open Lugano in on clay in April and the Hall of Fame Open outfi t of Serena this year, for ex- ated two dresses for the court, with a play on the “Black Pan- April and Caroline Wozniacki at the Nature medical timeout at 4-3 and after a quick on grass last month. ample, will no longer be accept- one for the day in white and one ther” theme, posting on Insta- Valley International in June. service hold by Navarro, withdrew fi ghting In the Connecticut fi nal he will take on ed. You have to respect the game for the night sessions in black. gram: “You can take the super- Sabalenka will meet Spain’s Carla Suarez back tears. Daniil Medvedev, who thrashed Japan’s Taro and the place.” “When it comes to fashion, you hero out of her costume, but you Navarro in the fi nal after she secured her Navarro has played very little tennis in Daniel 6-1, 6-1. The 22-year-old Russian Williams said she had already don’t want to be a repeat off end- can never take away her super- spot when opponent Monica Puig retired reaching the fi nal. She received a walkover Medvedev is looking for his second title after spoken to Giudicelli about the er,” Williams said, adding that powers.” at 4-4 in the fi rst set. Puig took a lengthy win in the second round when opponent winning his fi rst at Sydney in January. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, August 26, 2018 SPORT

RUGBY CYCLING Mohoric makes amends to claim Tour Barrett masterclass of Germany lead

AFP to Germany’s Maximilian Merzig, Germany Schachmann in Friday’s photo fi nish in Trier, Mohoric made no mistake in Merzig by pass- lovenia’s Matej Mo- ing Politt in the fi nal metres to as All Blacks thrash horic made amends take the stage and claim the for his narrow defeat red jersey as Tour leader. 24 earlier by winning Berlin-born Schachmann theS third stage of the Tour of fi nished seventh and is now Germany yesterday to claim six seconds behind Mohoric the overall lead on the penul- in second overall. timate day. Schachmann was ham- Tour de France winner Ge- pered in the fi nal stages as he Wallabies 40-17 raint Thomas was again well swerved to avoid a crash in- outside the fi rst ten fi nish- volving several riders just be- ‘We got killed on the turnovers. That pretty much sums up the tale’ ers, crossing the line at one fore the fi nish. minute, seven seconds back “I had to slow things down, AFP in 43rd. it was annoying at the mo- Auckland The Team Sky rider is out ment, but it’s not over yet - it’s of contention for the German going to be a tough, tough fi ght title and lags four minutes, (on Sunday),” Schachmann ew Zealand’s impres- 38 seconds adrift of current told broadcaster ZDF. sive ability to produce leader Mohoric. “I had a hard time keep- long-range tries from The 23-year-old Team ing my position in the fi nal turnover ball and a -Merida rider won the straight and then the crash N“special” Beauden Barrett four- stage from Trier to Merzig, happened.” some fl oored Australia at Auck- covering the 177 kilometres in The four-day Tour de Ger- land’s Eden Park yesterday. four hours, 12.28 minutes, in a many, which is back after a The match statistics said the blanket fi nish with Germany’s ten-year hiatus, concludes two sides were even but the 40- Nils Politt second and Bel- on Sunday on the fi nal stage 12 scoreline proved otherwise gium’s Pieter Vanspeybrouck from Lorsch to Stuttgart over as the All Blacks wrapped up third. 207.5km which has three the Bledisloe Cup for the 16th Having lost out on the line climbs. straight year and stayed on track to defend their Rugby Champi- onship crown. Barrett was the chief archi- tect as he either launched the counter-attacks or produced an uncanny ability to be on hand to fi nish them off . His four tries and fi ve con- versions gave him a match haul of 30 points, an individual New Zealand record against Australia. “We got killed on the turno- vers. That pretty much sums up the tale,” said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. His side held the All Blacks to 7-7 until just before half-time, when the fl oodgates opened and in fi ve minutes of play either side of the break the All Blacks pro- Slovenia’s Matej Mohoric from Team Bahrain-Merida puts on the duced tries to Barrett and Joe red jersey of the overall leader after winning the third stage of Moody. the Tour of Germany from Trier to Merzig. (AFP) The score stretched to 21-7 New Zealand’s players pose with the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland yesterday. (Reuters) and Australia were out of the contest. gest problem facing his world- Overall, the All Blacks out- Cheika not worried despite another Wallabies loss champion side was the mind- Yang leads Canadian Women’s scored the Wallabies six tries to set to back up from last week’s Open, Henderson in hunt two with four to Barrett and one Under siege Wallabies coach think I’m worried about my job some pills to sort it out.” blowout 38-13 win in Sydney. each to Moody and Liam Squire, Michael Cheika rejected sug- you don’t know me at all,” he While the All Blacks delayed tak- But that did not appear an is- Amy Yang, who is looking for her first win in 18 months, fired a while Will Genia and Reece gestions yesterday that his told one reporter amid media ing a shower while their female sue in a high-octane perform- seven-under 65 to seize a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage Hodge touched down for Aus- position is in jeopardy following reports that Rugby Australia is prime minister was in the room, ance where they ran at every of the Canadian Women’s Open on Friday. tralia. a 40-12 loss to the All Blacks in growing increasingly concerned All Blacks coach Steve Hansen opportunity. Their two fi rst-half Yang rolled in nine birdies to reach 13-under 131, giving the All Blacks coach Steve Hansen Auckland. about a poor win ratio a emerged to defend Cheika tries were both counter-attack South Korean a slim lead over Angel Yin and Canadian Brooke called Barrett “a special player”. Australia have now lost six of year out from the next World saying it wasn’t the losses that moves from around their own Henderson at the Wascana Country Club course in Regina, “He’s been world player of the their past seven games, and Cup. mattered as much as the calibre 22-metre mark. Ben Smith won Saskatchewan. year for the last two years... you Cheika’s record is an unremark- Cheika said Australia’s rugby of teams Australia were playing. the aerial battle from an Aaron “My putting was really good today. I was hitting it pretty solid can’t buy experience and you able 25 wins from 50 Tests since bosses had not discussed his “His team, because they lose Smith box kick to launch a run out there, but I gave myself a lot of good chances, and I think I can’t buy moments in the middle he took over in future with him and he was not to us, doesn’t become a poor that led to Barrett’s fi rst try. made most of them out there,” said Yang, who needed just 26 and Beauden’s had those and we 2014. worried about his position. team,” Hansen said. Smith was again in the action putts. Yang has four top-five finishes in 2018. saw tonight what happens when As the All Blacks celebrated When pressed if there was a “The key thing is he doesn’t lose just before half-time, working Henderson, 20, is the crowd favourite and is having one of her they all click together.” winning the Bledisloe Cup in the debate in his mind about when his own convictions and the with Codie Taylor down the right best starts ever at the national championships. She fired her But the All Blacks razzle- company of their Prime Minister was the right time to walk away, team don’t lose sight of what fl ank before Barrett fi nished the second straight 66 after beginning her round on a high note dazzle performance, which left Jacinda Ardern, Cheika fronted Cheika snapped: “You wouldn’t they’re trying to do and listen- move with his second try. by chipping in for birdie. Yin got to watch Yang up close on the Wallabies chasing shadows, the news media in the next know. You’ve never coached ing to them talk it sounds like The black mark for the All Friday. was not something that can be room and angrily dismissed talk anyone... if you think there’s they’ve got plenty of belief in Blacks was their scrum, which They played together and took advantage of morning tee off taught, according to backs coach that he was under pressure. debate going on in your mind who they are and what they’re did not function as well as they times before the winds picked up. Ian Foster. “If you’re naive enough to then you need to go and get trying to do. would have wanted with tight- Yin, of the US, followed her seven-under-par 65 Thursday with “They’re making up some of head prop Owen Franks cele- a five-under-par 67 Friday to sit at 12-under with Henderson. that stuff by themselves,” he brating his milestone 100th Test. Yin is looking for her first-ever LPGA Tour title. Defending said. POOR DECISION-MAKING us. When we turned over the ver ball rather than go wide and But the All Blacks again had champion Park Sung-hyun is tied for fourth with three others “It’s just a great hunger with Wallabies captain Michael ball, and we turned over plenty stretch the All Blacks defence. the better of the lineouts which after shooting an eight-under 64. the team. The mindset to go out Hooper conceded his side had no of their ball tonight, we weren’t The Wallabies have now lost satisfi ed Hansen. Park made seven birdies and an eagle in what developed into and attack means any scraps we answer. able to capitalise.” 22 matches in a row since 2001 in “We scored six tries, three of her second lowest round of the season. “Today everything felt got we were able to switch pretty “It happened very fast. Our abil- Cheika was more blunt and New Zealand and have not won those were off the lineout, so really good from tee to putting,” said Park. quickly into an attacking mode. ity to get on the same page is the blamed poor decision-making at Eden Park since 1986. that was an area we wanted to “Even though my putting wasn’t great yesterday, it was better Then it’s a matter of not getting issue,” he said. by his side as they chose to drive Hansen had warned in the get better at and we got the re- than I anticipated. I’m pretty satisfied with my round.” too structured with it.” “They’re doing it better than through the middle with turno- lead-up to the Test that the big- wards,” he said.

GOLF Koepka’s late blitz catches Lovemark, Woods struggles Reuters was over. through 11 holes. But the three-times New York “Golf’s one of those things where you majors winner found another birdie at just have to make putts. I mean, no matter 12, then sank a 22-foot putt for the eagle how good. You hit your golf ball tee-to- before closing the round with three con- GA champion Brooks Koepka green, still got to hole it,” Woods told Golf secutive birdies. charged into a share of the lead Channel after needing 35 putts. “If I’ve got the feeling,” Koepka said. with Jamie Lovemark as Tiger “Today was one of those days when I “I’ve simplifi ed the game so much. PWoods struggled on the greens didn’t make anything.” There’s no swing thought. There’s no to narrowly make the cut at the Northern Phil Mickelson, who will go head-to- anything. I’m not trying to work on any- Trust on Friday. head with Woods in November for a $9 thing while I’m out there. I’m just trying Koepka caught fi re after an eagle at the million winner-take-all event, putted to hit the correct shot.” 13th to blitz home with a six-under 65 much better than Woods, making six and tie Lovemark at the top at 10-under birdies in a round of 68 to land four LEADING SCORES AFTER SECOND 132. Lovemark shot 66 for the second day strokes off the lead at 136. First round ROUND at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, co-leader Lovemark enjoyed a four-shot 132 - Jamie Lovemark 66-66, Brooks New Jersey. lead at one point before former champion Koepka 67-65 “I hit it about as hard as I could,” Koep- Scott and then Koepka charged home. 133 - Adam Scott (AUS) 69-64 ka said of the massive three-wood shot Scott, playing ahead of Koepka and 134 - Dustin Johnson 67-67, Bryson De- that carried more than 300 yards to set with four birdies on the front nine, Chambeau 68-66 up his eagle. bounced back from a bogey at the 10th to 135 - Sean O’Hair 66-69, Kevin Tway 66- Australian Adam Scott, another late deliver four more birdies, three in a row 69, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 67-68, Ryan charger, was a stroke back of the leaders from the 12th, to pull within one of Love- Palmer 68-67, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) after a 64, with world number one Dustin mark. 136 - Peter Uihlein 68-68, Adam Hadwin Johnson (67) and Bryson DeChambeau “I felt like I had everything under con- (CAN) 71-65, Phil Mickelson 68-68, (66) tied for fourth at eight-under 134. trol today,” said Scott. “Really important Patrick Cantlay 69-67, Tony Finau 69-67, Woods, two weeks after being run- stretch around the turn for me. I bogeyed Justin Thomas 69-67 nerup to Koepka at the PGA Champion- 10, then made a really good par save on 11 137 - Chez Reavie 71-66, Jason Day ship, stayed alive in the FedEXCup play- and got back on the horse where I wanted (AUS) 71-65, Harold Varner 69, 68, Louis off s with a repeat 71 that left him right to be.” Oosthuizen (RSA) 71-66, Cameron Smith on the projected cut at even par and 10 Then along came US Open and PGA (AUS) 69-68, Webb Simpson 71-66, Nick strokes back. champion Koepka. Watney 69-68 A three-putt bogey at the last had him A mixture of two birdies and two bo- Selected Brooks Koepka of the United States plays his shot from the 16th tee during the second round of The Northern Trust at sweating as to whether his tournament geys had left him at even par for the day 142 - Tiger Woods 71-71 the Ridgewood Championship Course in Ridgewood, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, August 26, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 Coman ‘out for weeks’ aft er second ankle injury

France winger Kingsley Coman faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing ligaments in his left ankle for the second time this year during Bayern Munich’s win on the opening weekend of the new Bundesliga season. ‘MCN’ combine as PSG Bayern have confirmed that the 22-year- old needs surgery after suff ering a fresh injury in a foul during the first half of Friday’s 3-1 home victory against Hof- fenheim. Bayern expect him to be out for “several weeks”. Coman has suff ered the same injury that sidelined him from February to May, an absence which continue perfect start cost him a place in France’s World Cup- winning squad. Coman’s injury means Fekir makes his first appearance of the new season as Lyon see off Strasbourg 2-0 Kovac is reduced to three wingers. Lyon face Champions AFP Paris League stadium ban UEFA will order Lyon to play their next ylian Mbappe again made a Champions League game behind closed decisive contribution as Par- doors after scenes of gang violence is Saint-Germain’s superstar ahead of a Europa League last-16 game front three combined for the with CSKA Moscow in March, the club Kgoals in a 3-1 win over Angers in Ligue said yesterday. Lyon revealed the 1 yesterday. On his fi rst start since upcoming ban, which includes a second winning the World Cup with France match behind closed doors if there is last month, Mbappe volleyed in PSG’s further trouble, with UEFA expected to crucial second goal just after the break confirm the ban tomorrow. The game at the Parc des Princes, and he then set concerned was a Europa League return up Neymar for the goal that clinched leg in March where Lyon lost 3-2 on the points. the night and went out on away goals Before that, Edinson Cavani had in a tense atmosphere. A group of 100 marked his fi rst appearance of the hooded black-clad fans pelted police. season with an early opener, only for Thomas Mangani’s penalty to bring Angers back level midway through Everton’s Bolasi e joins the fi rst half. This was a third win in Villa on season-long loan as many games for PSG to start their defence of the French title, and seeing Everton winger Yannick Bolasie has all three members of his ‘MCN’ attack joined Championship (second tier) fi nd the net will have been a source of side Aston Villa on a season-long loan great satisfaction for new coach Tho- deal, both clubs announced. Bolasie, mas Tuchel. This was the fi rst time in 29, joined Everton from Crystal Palace six months that Mbappe, Cavani and in August 2016 but sustained anterior Neymar had all played together, with cruciate ligament damage in a league the latter having missed the end of last match against Manchester United four season due to injury. months later. Tuchel also selected Angel Di Maria The Democratic Republic of Congo in his starting line-up, with that quar- international struggled to nail down tet alone having cost the capital side a spot in Everton’s starting XI since well over 500mn euros ($581 mn) in returning last December and the move transfer fees in the last fi ve years. The off ers him a chance to regain his form German coach also handed a debut to and help Villa return to the Premier his compatriot, the young defender League. Villa lost their ever-present Thilo Kehrer, a recent 37 million-euro Premier League status in 2016. signing from Schalke 04. To accommodate him as well as so many attacking talents, the former Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (centre) celebrates with teammates Neymar (right) and Edinson Cavani after scoring against Angers in Paris. (AFP) Leeds top Championship Borussia Dortmund coach lined his table as Bolton slip up side up in an unusual 3-4-2-1 forma- side, in his case at the expense of Gi- Monaco are in action today at Bor- son, played the last 11 minutes. substitute appearances in France’s tion, and the early signs were promis- anluigi Buff on. deaux, who are hoping to name Arse- The home side took the lead shortly triumphant campaign. Lyon, who fi n- Leeds stormed back to the top of the ing enough. Not happy with his team’s display, nal and France great Thierry Henry as before half-time as full-back Ferland ished third last season to qualify for Championship yesterday, leapfrogging A brilliant Thiago Silva intercep- Tuchel took off Kehrer at the interval, their new coach in the coming days, Mendy slipped through an inch-per- the Champions League group stage, local rivals Middlesbrough with a 3-0 tion on halfway led to Neymar send- sending on youngster Stanley N’Soki once Gustavo Poyet’s departure is fect pass for Terrier, who spent last have now won their last eight home victory against Norwich. Mateusz Klich ing a low ball across goal for Cavani to and reverting to a back four. confi rmed. season on loan at Strasbourg, to curl Ligue 1 matches. and Ezgjan Alioski pounced to reward turn in a 12th-minute opener, and the The alterations paid off as Mbappe On Friday night, Nabil Fekir made into the bottom corner. Leeds’ early dominance before the Uruguayan headed off the post from restored the lead within six minutes of his fi rst appearance of the new season Former Chelsea forward Traore FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS outstanding Pablo Hernandez added a another Neymar cross soon after. the restart, meeting Di Maria’s cross as Lyon bounced back from last week’s wrapped up the win in style with a third in the 67th minute following some Paris Saint-Germain 3 (Cavani 12, However, Angers got the chance to from the left with a superb volley low surprise loss to Reims by seeing off fantastic individual goal in the 64th individual wizardry from the Spanish Mbappe 51, Neymar 65) Angers 1 (Man- equalise when Kehrer brought down into the far corner. Strasbourg 2-0. minute, latching onto Memphis De- playmaker. gani 22-pen) Flavien Tait in the box, a challenge Mbappe was in the mood to thrill Bruno Genesio’s men eased to their pay’s ball before dribbling past visiting Bolton lost ground in the title race that led to the defender being booked the Parc des Princes crowd, and he set second victory from as many league goalkeeper Matz Sels and a backtrack- Playing today: Lille v Guingamp (1300 after slipping to their first defeat of the and the visitors winning a penalty. up the third goal on 65 minutes, his home matches this term thanks to ing defender to slot in. GMT), Bordeaux v Monaco (1500 GMT), season as Sheff ield United emerged Mangani duly slotted the spot-kick cutback being turned in by Neymar for goals from Martin Terrier and Bertrand Fekir missed the fi rst two games of Marseille v Rennes (1900 GMT) 3-0 winners at the University of Bolton past Alphonse Areola, another French the Brazilian’s third league goal this Traore, while Fekir, who saw a move to the season after returning late from Played Friday: Lyon 2 (Terrier 42, Stadium. Mark Duff y, Kieron Freeman World Cup winner returning to the season, as many as Mbappe. Liverpool fall through in the close sea- the World Cup, where he made six Traore 64) Strasbourg 0 and John Fleck were on target.

BUNDESLIGA SPOTLIGHT Schalke crash amid VAR chaos Real Madrid coach Lopetegui AFP attempt on 82 minutes to make doubts La Liga’s US expansion Berlin it 2-1 after replays showed the spot-kick should not have been Reuters awarded and VAR failed to in- Madrid dramatic late Daniel tervene. “That wasn’t clear cut,” Ginczek goal sealed admitted Bayern boss Kovac after Wolfsburg’s shock 2-1 replays showed Hoff enheim de- eal Madrid coach win over Schalke yes- fender Havard Nordtveit made Julen Lopetegui has terdayA as video assistant referee no contact with Franck Ribery cast doubt on the fea- (VAR) interventions dominated when the penalty was awarded. sibility of La Liga’s the opening weekend of the “I wouldn’t have given it”. plansR to stage a game in the Bundesliga season. After Nabil Hoff enheim had every rea- United States this season. The Bentaleb’s penalty cancelled out son to complain about the goal. Spanish football league has Wolfsburg’s fi rst-half goal by US “I don’t know where the video signed a 15-year partnership defender John Anthony Brook, assistants were for that — ap- with Relevent Sports that will, Ginzcek sealed a dramatic win by parently they weren’t at their in theory, see a regular season sweeping home the 94th-minute places,” fumed Hoff enheim coach game played in the US among winner. Julian Nagelsmann. “Why the other partnerships. The move However, the game was domi- build-up to the penalty wasn’t drew criticism from the Spanish nated by chaotic scenes mid- looked at is a mystery. For me, FA and the Spanish Footballer’s way through the second-half at that wasn’t a penalty, Ribery may Union, with the captains of all Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena not have been able to keep going, clubs in the country’s top di- as VAR interventions led to a but he jumped half an hour early vision, unanimously agreeing fl urry of card reversals. Schalke (over the tackle). Where was the that they would not be willing were reduced to 10 men when video assistant?” Despite the to take part in such a game. defender Matija Nastasic was controversy, Bayern opened the “We’re obviously thinking sent off for going in studs up on season with three points. Thomas about other things, but I’ve seen Wolfsburg’s Dutch striker Wout Mueller put Bayern ahead with a this and I’m with the players on Weghorst on 66 minutes. fi rst-half header and Adam Szalai this one,” Lopetegui told a news A VAR ruling meant the yel- Wolfsburg’s Daniel Ginczek celebrates after scoring against Schalke equalised before Lewandowski’s conference ahead of today’s low card he was initially shown in the Bundesliga in Wolfsburg, northern Germany, yesterday. (AFP) dubious spot-kick and a late Ar- game at Girona. “They’ve got was upgraded to a red by referee jen Robben goal sealed victory. arguments and reasons to think Patrick Ittrich. Weghorst was then gave away a late penalty for Werder Bremen were held to what they do and I can’t see it then sent off moments later for a kick on Schalke’s Swiss striker a 1-1 draw at home to Hanover BUNDESLIGA RESULTS happening, that’s my opinion.” boots at Real is too much for a 22-year-old Marco Asensio in barging Schalke forward Guido Breel Embolo. Ex-Tottenham 96 with Hendrik Weydandt’s On the pitch, the new Real single person. The club have yet their forward line but have just Burgstaller. However, his red card Hotspur midfi elder Bentaleb, goal for the visitors cancelled Hertha Berlin 1 (Ibisevic 27) boss refused to be drawn on lo- to sign a direct replacement for fi ve days of the current Spanish was downgraded to a yellow after who had just come off the bench, out by a late header by Bremen’s Nuremberg 0 Werder Bremen cal media reports suggesting his the Portuguese superstar, who transfer window left if they are the video assistant spotted that fi red home the 85th-minute spot Czech defender Theodor Ge- 1 (Gebre Selassie 85) Hanover new goalkeeper Thibaut Cour- switched to Juventus in July to buy a new striker. Burgstaller, who was subsequent- kick before Ginczek struck. bre Selassie. Augsburg enjoyed 96 1 (Weydandt 76); Freiburg 0 tois will make his debut against after scoring 450 goals in 438 Some reports have said ly booked, had shoved the Dutch- Elsewhere, Nuremberg suf- a 2-1 come-back win at newly- Eintracht Frankfurt 2 (Mueller 10, Girona, replacing Keylor Na- games over nine seasons at the Real are waiting to see if they man over in the penalty area. fered a 1-0 defeat at Hertha Berlin promoted Fortuna Duesseldorf Haller 82); Wolfsburg 2 (Brooks vas. “I’m not going to talk about club. can lure World Cup sensation VAR chaos in Wolfsburg comes on their return to the Bundesliga thanks to Andre Hahn’s late 33, Ginczek 90+4) Schalke 04 1 that, tomorrow you’ll see,” Lo- “Instead of asking who will Kylian Mbappe away from Paris after defending champions Bay- after a four-year absence. Hertha header after Austria defender (Bentaleb 85-pen); Fortuna Dues- petegui said. score those goals we need to Saint-Germain. “It would be ern Munich beat Hoff enheim 3-1 captain Vedad Ibisevic slammed Martin Hinteregger levelled fol- seldorf 1 (Raman 39) Augsburg 2 “We’ve got good goalkeepers, challenge ourselves by scoring useless to put that terrible pres- on Friday night with the help of a home the fi rst-half winner at lowing Benito Raman’s fi rst-half (Hinteregger 57, Hahn 76) some have arrived later than more than that as a team,” Lo- sure (of replacing Ronaldo) on controversial penalty despite the Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. goal for the hosts. Playing today: Mainz v Stuttgart, others but they’re all in good petegui said. “The whole team one person, it would be a sword referee consulting VAR. Eintracht Frankfurt, under On Friday, New head coach Borussia Dortmund v RB Leipzig shape and we need to decide. will have to score all those goals of Damocles,” Lopetegui said. Wolfsburg took the lead when new coach Adi Huetter, made up Niko Kovac admitted Bayern (1600) After the international break (that Ronaldo scored) between “We have a wonderful squad Maximilian Arnold’s corner for their shock German Cup de- should not have been awarded a there’ll be other solutions be- them. Score more goals and and I’m delighted with all of Played Friday: Bayern Munich 3 drifted to the back post and was feat to fourth-tier minnows Ulm controversial key penalty which cause we’ll be playing in mid- concede less of them.” them because I can see they (Mueller 23, Lewandowski headed into the top corner by last weekend with a 2-0 win at helped seal a 3-1 win over Hof- week as well at weekends.” Madrid boast Welsh winger are ready to give everything to 82-pen, Robben 90) Hoff enheim 1 burly centre-back Brooks on 33 Freiburg as strikers Nicolai Mu- fenheim. Robert Lewandowski Lopetegui said the pressure Gareth Bale, French striker win the league and all the other minutes. The American defender eller and Sebastien Haller scored. netted the penalty at the second (Szalai 57) of fi lling Cristiano Ronaldo’s Karim Benzema and rising competitions,” he said.

Sunday, August 26, 2018 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Sadd, Duhail brace for tougher tests against Iranian clubs By Sports Reporter is against this backdrop that Xavi leads Doha Al Sadd, who top the QNB Stars League table with seven points ahead of Al Duhail on goal diff erence, at the Azadi NB Stars League sides Al Du- Stadium. hail and Al Sadd will have to The Wolves, coached by Portuguese up at their best as they lock Jesualdo Ferreira, will also have the horns with Iranian clubs in likes of fellow Spanish midfi elder Gabi, theQ AFC Champions League quarter- who joined them from Atletico Ma- fi nals this week. Al Sadd take on Es- drid this season, Algerian spearhead teghlal tomorrow, while Duhail host Baghdad Bounedjah, who tops the QNB Iran Pro League winner Persepolis on Stars League top-scorers’ chart with 10 Tuesday. goals, Qatar international striker Has- Sparks are sure to fl y when QNB Stars san al-Haydous, South Korean mid- League leaders Al Sadd visit Esteghlal, fi elder Jung Woo-Young, young for- with the fi rst leg to kick off at the Azadi ward Akram Afi f and Boualem Khoukhi Stadium in tomorrow. The re- to deliver the goods. turn leg will be played at the Al Sadd Al Sadd may be without injured de- Stadium on 17th September. fender Ibrahim Majed. Esteghlal topped Al Sadd, who won Asia’s top club a strong Group D which also had Al Ain, tournament in 2011 and also in 1988 Al Hilal and Al Rayyan. They put it before the competition was revamped, across domestic rivals Zob Ahan in the won four of their six matches while los- Round of 16. ing two en route to fi nishing second be- On Tuesday, QNB Stars League’s de- hind Iran’s Persepolis in Group C, that fending champions Al Duhail will be also consisted of Uzbekistan’s Nasaf eager to continue their winning run in and the UAE’s Al Wasl. the AFC Champions League when they They beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli 4-3 take on Persepolis. The fi rst leg will on aggregate in the Round of 16 to book played at the Khalifa International Sta- their quarter-fi nals berth for the fi rst dium in Doha. Al Sadd will take on Iran’s Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League first leg quarter-finals at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran tomorrow. time since 2014. Spanish FIFA World Al Duhail, under Tunisian coach Cup winner (2010) and two-time Eu- Nabil Maaloul who replaced Algerian matches in Group B, that also included derlined their credentials by topping ference, with both teams collecting Arabi, new recruit from Paolo ropean Championship winner (2008 Djamel Belmadi, are the only side in this the UAE’s Al Wahda, Iran’s Zob Ahan Group C ahead of another top Qatari seven points after three rounds. Edmilson, young striker Almoez Ali and and 2012) Xavi Hernandez will seek to year’s premier continental competition and Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv, to fi nish side Al Sadd, the UAE’s Al Wasl and Uz- Al Duhail will be without the services defender Lucas Mendes. achieve what no other player has done with a 100 per cent record. After eight with a perfect 18 points. Al Duhail then bekistan’s Nasaf. They booked a second of forward Ismail Mohammed and mid- El Arabi was the QNB Stars League’s before — complete an AFC Champions victories from as many games, The Red registered an 8-3 aggregate victory over successive quarter-fi nal berth with a fi elder Karim Boudiaf as they both are top scorer in the last two seasons. Ira- League-UEFA Champions League dou- Knights will equal 2012 champions Ul- the UAE’s Al Ain in the Round of 16 to dramatic late victory over the UAE’s Al recuperating after surgery. However, nian striker Ali Alipour leads Persepo- ble. Xavi won an incredible four UEFA san Hyundai’s nine straight wins if they book their quarter-fi nal dates with Jazira in the last 16. Al Duhail are cur- they have the likes of infl uential South lis’ charge. The return leg will be played Champions League titles with Barce- beat Persepolis at home. Persepolis. rently second in the QNB Stars League Korean attacking midfi elder Nam Tae- at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on 17th lona before joining Al Sadd in 2015. It The top Qatari team had won all six On the other hand, Persepolis un- standings behind Al Sadd on goal dif- Hee, Moroccan spearhead Yousef El September.

PREMIER LEAGUE SERIE A Ronaldo makes winning Salah sends home debut as Juve cruise AFP Massimiliano Allegri opting for star failed to control the ball in Turin, Italy Federico Bernardeschi and Man- front of goal and Mandzukic fi red dzukic to spearhead the frontline home. It was the fi rst time that with Ronaldo. Ronaldo has not scored at the Al- ristiano Ronaldo made Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio had lianz Stadium, having found the a winning home debut ended Juventus’s two-year un- net three times for Real Madrid for Italian champions beaten home Serie A run last against the Italians. Ronaldo’s Liverpool top, year, but apart from a Luis Alber- Juventus with Miralem next chance for his fi rst goal will PjanicC and Mario Mandzukic to shot after an hour they failed come against promoted Parma scoring in a 2-0 win over Lazio to threaten. next Saturday. yesterday. Ronaldo, 33, played a Germany international Sami Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti role in Mandzukic’s second goal Khedira rattled the woodwork was facing an emotional home of the night on 75 minutes after after 19 minutes for the home debut as Napoli coach against old Pjanic put the hosts in front at side, with Lazio goalkeeper Tho- club AC Milan late last night. An- the Allianz Stadium. mas Strakosha diving to keep out celotti spent most of his career at Man City held a Bernardeschi angled drive. The fi ve-time Ballon d’Or AC Milan with the 59-year-old winner joined the Serie A cham- But the hosts broke through winning three Serie A and four pions from Real Madrid on July on the half-hour when Mand- European titles as a player and City come from behind to earn a point against impressive Wolves 10 in a 100-million-euro deal zukic knocked down a cross for coach with the northern giants. but has yet to score his fi rst Pjanic to power a half-volley into competitive goal. Juve have now the corner. Lazio’s Marco Parolo ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS won their opening two games missed a chance to equalise when after last weekend’s 3-2 success his header fl ew over the bar just Juventus 2 (Pjanic 30, Mandzukic against Chievo in Verona. before the break. 75) Lazio 0 Lazio — fi fth last season in Ronaldo came close after 63 Playing today: SPAL v Parma Serie A — have had their worst minutes but headed just wide (1600), Cagliari v Sassuolo, start to the season in over a dec- after connecting with a Joao Fiorentina v Chievo, Frosinone v ade following last weekend’s 2-1 Cancelo cross and again threat- Bologna, Genoa v Empoli, Inter defeat at home against Napoli. In ened on 71 minutes but Strako- Milan v Torino, Udinese v Samp- the fi rst home game for the sev- sha tipped over. Cancelo then doria (all 1830) en-time defending champions, set up Ronaldo for what looked Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa destined to be his fi rst goal for Playing tomorrow: Roma v started on the bench, with coach his new club, but the Portuguese Atalanta (1830)

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Willy Boly (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Manchester City. (AFP)

AFP free-kick. However, City boss Pep Guardiola fi rst half at Bournemouth. insisted he had no regrets and even claimed Despite being a man down, Everton went it had been a “good point” for his side. in front via Theo Walcott before the num- Liverpool were also far from their fl ow- bers were evened up by a red card for Adam iverpool took advantage of an early- ing best, but had enough to see off a reso- Smith. Michael Keane doubled the visitors’ season slip-up by Manchester City lute Brighton 1-0 thanks to one moment of advantage but Bournemouth struck back in a 1-1 draw at Wolves to move top magic from Salah. Last season’s Premier to go level on points with City at the top of of the Premier League as Mohamed League Player of the Year cushioned Rob- the table through Joshua King’s penalty and Lazio’s goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha (right) saves a shot off Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo during the LSalah’s winner saw off Brighton at Anfi eld erto Firmino’s pass in off the far post for his Nathan Ake. Italian Serie A match at the Allianz Stadium in Turin yesterday. (AFP) yesterday. At the Emirates, Arsenal ended second goal of the campaign. On an afternoon dominated by red cards, their wait for a victory under new boss Unai But Liverpool had to withstand a few Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s second booking Emery by coming from behind to beat West nervy moments with £65mn goalkeeper Al- for diving cost Southampton as Leicester FOCUS Ham 3-1. isson Becker producing a vital save to deny fought back to win 2-1 at St. Mary’s thanks But Everton’s fl ying start to their new era Pascal Gross two minutes from time to seal a to Harry Maguire’s defl ected 92nd-minute under Marco Silva stumbled as they threw third consecutive clean sheet. winner. Huddersfi eld and Cardiff showed away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth City ensured Emery was handed a bap- why they are favourites to be relegated in a Arsenal’s Emery denies Ozil rift and saw £50mn record signing Richarlison tism of fi re at the Emirates a fortnight ago 0-0 devoid of quality with Jonathan Hogg’s sent off . City looked in ominous form to and defeat in a fi ve-goal thriller at Chelsea dismissal the only action of note. Reuters a good relationship with the ate need of a positive response. start the campaign in cruising to victory last weekend put the Spaniard under pres- London 29-year-old, who he said had The Gunners, however, went 1-0 against Arsenal at the Emirates and thrash- sure to fi nally get points on the board. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS withdrawn because of illness. down to Marko Arnautovic’s ef- ing Huddersfi eld 6-1 last weekend. But a His Arsenal side faced West Ham, who are Arsenal 3 (Monreal 30, Diop 70-og, Welbeck “No problem with the player. fort from outside the box before a also pointless despite a near £100mn invest- Nacho Monreal strike, Issa Diop’s mixture of an inspired performance from 90+2) West Ham 1 (Arnautovic 25); Bourne- nai Emery played down It isn’t true, that information,” newly-promoted Wolves and some mis- ment in nine new players, and the Hammers rumours of a bust-up Emery told reporters. “I don’t own goal and Danny Welbeck’s mouth 2 (King 75-pen, Ake 79) Everton 2 fortune for Pep Guardiola’s men denied the went in front thanks to Marco Arnautovic’s with midfi elder Mesut know who started it but if you late eff ort sealed a 3-1 victory. (Walcott 56, Keane 66); Huddersfield 0 Car- visitors at Molineux as Willy Boly contro- fi ne long-range strike. However, after Na- Ozil and said the star ask me, the doctor, or the club, he Emery said that his side were versially opened the scoring by turning Joao cho Monreal had levelled, Arsenal got the diff 0 Liverpool 1 (Salah 23) Brighton 0 South- playmakerU missed the fi rst Pre- was sick. He left training because still in the midst of a transition Moutinho’s cross into the net with his arm. luck Emery needed to strike back as Issa ampton 1 (Bertrand 52) Leicester 2 (Gray 56, mier League victory of his tenure he was going home. He was sick. period following the departure of City responded via an unexpected Diop could only turn Alexandre Lacazette’s Maguire 90+2); Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 — 3-1 against West Ham United Today he was here. I said come if long-term boss Arsene Wenger, source 21 minutes from time when Aymeric cross into his own net and Danny Welbeck (Boly 57) Manchester City 1 (Laporte 69) yesterday — because of illness. you feel better and he felt better. but would be buoyed by the fi rst Laporte’s towering header registered his netted in stoppage time to wrap up victory. Playing today: Watford v Crystal Palace Rumours grew that the Ger- Before the match he was with the victory of his reign. “We need to fi rst goal for the club. Raheem Sterling and Richarlison scored three goals in his fi rst (1230 GMT), Fulham v Burnley (1500), New- man World Cup winner had had team and with me. Ask the doc- improve in this transition to get Sergio Aguero struck the woodwork for the two Everton games to dismiss doubts over castle v Chelsea (1500) a disagreement with Emery after tor. He can explain better.” the balance, to get more control visitors before the break and Aguero was de- his price tag. But the Brazilian is now set to he learnt he was to be left out of After back-to-back losses with the ball,” Emery said. Playing tomorrow: Manchester United v nied again by the crossbar with virtually the miss the next three games after seeing red the starting line-up at the Emir- against Manchester City and “We are happy but there are Tottenham (1900) last kick of the game from a fi ercely dipping for a soft headbutt on Charlie Daniels in the ates, but Emery said he still had Chelsea, Arsenal were in desper- things to improve.”