SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 17 Inshallah (God willing) they (Sri Lankan team) will come, we should hope for the VOLLEYBALL best. The Pakistan Cricket Board is Pakistan England vs Australia Asian Senior Men’s trying its best and we should all pray Sarfaraz Ahmed that international cricket should come 5th Ashes Test - Day 3 Championships

back to Pakistan. ACTION at the Oval, London In Tehran, Iran TODAY’S All Blacks Gasol guides Spain to Cup aim for RWC final against Argentina three-peat AFP AFP The 2006 world TOKYO BEIJING champions beat Australia 95-88 in a New Zealand will be made to fight all NBA champion Marc Gasol the way for a third consecutive title as saved Spain yesterday as they double overtime a ground-breaking Rugby World Cup beat Australia after a thrilling semi-final gets under way in Japan next week with double overtime and will play heartbreaker. half a dozen teams confident of jock- Argentina in the Basketball eying for the William Webb Ellis trophy. World Cup final. While the bookmakers have the All An enthralling semi-final Gasol, the Toronto Blacks as clear favourites, they will not between Australia and Spain Raptors centre, be the number one-ranked team at the was 71-71 at the end of regu- finished with 33 September 20-November 2 tournament, lation time and the two sides points, six rebounds Ireland having taken that mantle after could not be separated at the two warm-up wins over Six Nations end of a nervy first overtime. and four assists Grand Slam champions Wales. Finally, the 2006 world But there is no doubt about the champions Spain jubilantly Argentina are one win strength in depth of Steve Hansen’s New emerged in Beijing to reach Zealand, a side that features three tomorrow’s final after the away from their first former World Rugby Players of the Year Boomers appeared to run out World Cup title since in skipper Kieran Read, influential lock of juice. 1950 after defeating Brodie Retallick and playmaker Sergio Llull hit two three- France 80-66 in the Beauden Barrett. pointers in the second The All Blacks’ win percentage since overtime for Spain to cap their other semi-final. winning the inaugural 1987 tournament, comeback 95-88, having alongside with those in 2011 and 2015, trailed for long periods during Red-hot Patty Mills, one of is a staggering 84 percent and it will take regulation time. the players of the World Cup, an outstanding performance to dislodge Gasol, the Toronto Raptors was unfortunate to be on the them from their path to a fourth title in centre, finished with 33 points, losing side, leading Australia the first World Cup to be held in Asia. six rebounds and four assists with 34 points. They kick off on September 21 with after stepping up when his He did though miss a free what promises to be a humdinger of a country needed him most. throw with four seconds left Pool B match against an ever-improving “We came back, we stuck in regulation that would have South Africa. The two-time champions together through tough times, put Australia in the final for the are skippered for the first time in a that means a lot,” said the first time. World Cup by a black player, flanker 34-year-old, a three-time NBA Australia coach Andrej Siya Kolisi. All-Star. Lemanis called it “a hell of a Italy, Namibia and Canada make up The Spaniard played a key game of basketball and fun to the pool, so that match against the role in the Raptors’ historic run be involved with”. Springboks will very likely decide the to the NBA crown and knows “Tough to lose, no doubt, group winner, who will go on to play that victory against Argentina it comes down to a couple of the runner-up in a Pool A that features on Sunday will cap the perfect plays here and there,” he said. Ireland, Scotland and Japan. season. “At the end of the day, we Ireland, twice winners over New “It’s been great, I have had chances to win the game, Zealand in recent times (in 2016 and been very fortunate,” he said. we had every opportunity to 2018), headline Pool A which also “I knew that it would not win the game.” includes Six Nations rivals Scotland, be easy physically (going from Argentina are one win hosts Japan, and Russia and Samoa. Marc Gasol (second right) of Spain goes for a shot over Australian players Matthew Dellavedova the NBA Finals to the World away from their first World There is no doubt that Ireland’s Kiwi (third right) and Andrew Bogut (right) during the Basketball World Cup semi-final game between Cup) but it’s definitely worth Cup title since 1950 after they coach Joe Schmidt, whose pedigree it. brushed aside France 80-66 Australia and Spain in Beijing, yesterday. includes a Top 14 title with French club “Not because of the final in the other semi-final. Clermont, two European Cups with but passing along those values Cheered on by a group of 39-year-old, dominate the points, 13 rebounds and two celebrate, after that we turn Leinster and back-to-back Six Nations to the team. It’s our turn to fans decked out in their court. assists. He was given a huge off the noise, no social media, titles with Ireland in 2014 and 2015, has pass on the legacy to the next national colours, Argentina The South Americans led ovation when he stepped off just focus on the next game, girded a solid team capable of dreaming generation (of the Spain made a fast start against 39-32 at half-time and were the court near the end. it’s 40 minutes to make of going beyond the quarter-finals for team).” France, who had ousted the US never in serious danger of sur- Argentina coach Sergio history’,” Hernandez said. a first time in their history. Ricky Rubio was also in the previous round. rendering their advantage after Hernandez gave an insight “That’s why he is still Key to that is current World Rugby pivotal once more for Spain Argentina opened the that. into what drives the veteran. playing.” player of the year Jonny Sexton. with 19 points, 12 assists, seven game up with a 10-2 run that Scola, the grand old man of “In the locker room, he France will play Australia The 34-year-old playmaker makes rebounds and four steals. saw Luis Scola, the age-defying basketball, finished with 28 said, ‘We have 25 minutes to for bronze tomorrow. Ireland tick, but they need him to regain the masterful form he has struggled to find in recent months. Home fans meanwhile will be Dates announced hoping that Japan can recreate their Pliskova reaches famous 34-32 win over South Africa in for India-Pakistan the 2015 World Cup, the biggest upset in the sport at elite level. Davis Cup tie Zhengzhou The “Brave Blossoms” also notched up pool victories over Samoa and USA REUTERS four years ago, becoming the first team NEW DELHI semi-finals to win three group matches and not progress to the quarter-finals. India’s Davis Cup tie against Pakistan at Islamabad AFP The coach of Japan in 2015 was the will begin on either November 29 or 30, but only BEIJING canny, much-travelled Australian Eddie after the security situation is reviewed, the All India Jones, now in charge of Pool C headliners Tennis Association (AITA) said yesterday. World number two Karolina Pliskova England, the sole northern hemisphere AITA wrote to the International Tennis Feder- (pictured) will play unseeded Ajla winners of the World Cup, back in 2003. ation (ITF) last month asking them to move the tie, Tomljanovic in the semi-finals of the Owen Farrell will lead an English initially scheduled to take place today and WTA Zhengzhou Open in China after winning team featuring the skilful likes of hooker tomorrow, to a neutral venue or postpone it until two matches on the bounce yesterday. Jamie George and ubiquitous lock/ political tensions simmered down between the bitter Bad weather forced organisers to squeeze in blindside Maro Itoje, desperate to banish neighbours. second-round and quarter-final matches, meaning memories of 2015, when they became The ITF agreed to postpone the tie to November a tight turnaround for the top seed and her the first host nation to not qualify for under “exceptional circumstances” after a security rivals. the quarter-finals following defeats by review. But the Czech was unperturbed, first pool rivals Australia and Wales. “The India vs Pakistan Davis Cup Tie will take defeating Polona Hercog 6-3, 7-5, then beating Sofia Their path to the knockout stages is place at Islamabad either on November 29-30 or Kenin of the United States 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in the by no means straightforward, however, November 30-December 1,” AITA said in a statement. quarter-finals. with France and Argentina having been “However, the security situation will be reviewed “To play two matches in a day is never easy, but in the drawn in Pool C, along with the United on 4th November whether the tie can be held in first one I was lucky enough to not go to a third set, just fin- States and Tonga. Islamabad or to be shifted to a neutral venue.” ished quickly and saved some power for the next one,” France have reached six World Cup Pakistan were forced to host Davis Cup ties at Pliskova, 27, said. semi-finals, but have been beset for the neutral venues for more than a decade as teams Also into the last four in central China is Petra Martic from past three years by a number of poor refused to travel to the country citing security Croatia after she battled past Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-5, performances. concerns. 5-7, 6-4. Pool D has shades of 2015 about it They played their first home tie after a gap of 12 Martic will play unseeded Frenchwoman Kristina Mlade- as Wales, twice champions Australia and years against Iran in 2017, while Hong Kong were novic or the recent US Open semi-finalist Elina Svitolina of Fiji are again drawn together, along with relegated and fined by the ITF after they refused to Ukraine. Georgia and minnows Uruguay. travel to Pakistan the same year. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2019

England’s Jofra Archer PakistanPa retain celebrates after taking a on AhAhmed as the second day of the Archer claims six as fifth Ashes Test match skskipper for against Australia at The Oval in London, SrSri Lanka series yesterday. AFP England dominate LLAHOREAHO

AFP SCOREBOARD ball-tamperingbllt mpperperipe ingngs scandal,s cacandanddal,al, wasw PakistanPaki yesterday retained LONDON again dismisseddiismismiss seded for singlesinsingsiingnggle SarfarazSarfa Ahmed as skipper for ENGLAND, 1st innings figures, ccaughtaughghtg behibehbehindehieehh nd bbyy wiwick-ck- thethe upcoming limited-overs Jofra Archer took six as R. Burns c Marsh b Hazlewood ...... 47 etkeeperr JonnyJoonny Bairstow.Baiairstow. seriesserie against Sri Lanka despite J. Denley c Smith b Cummins ...... 14 England bowled Australia out It wasass thethe eeighthightghth titimeme tthathathat a clean-upcle after a poor World J. Root b Cummins ...... 57 for 225 to gain the upper hand B. Stokes c Lyon b Marsh ...... 20 Warner hadhaad beenbeeeen dismisseddismsmmissess d inn CupCup that saw the exit of head on the second day of the fifth J. Bairstow lbw b Marsh ...... 22 single figuresgguru es inin thethe series.seeriesr . coachcoac Mickey Arthur. Ashes Test yesterday despite J. Buttler b Cummins ...... 70 Archerh err TheT South Asian side failed another Steve Smith master- S. Curran c Smith b Marsh ...... 15 then struckuck to reachre the semi-finals of the class. C. Woakes lbw b Marsh ...... 2 again withh a WorldWor Cup this year, forcing the Joe Root’s team are des- J. Archer c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 9 90-miles-es- cricketcrick board to not renew perate to level the series at 2-2 J. Leach b Marsh ...... 21 per-houroururu Arthur’sArth contract and also show to end their historic World Cup- S. Broad ...... 0 thunderbolt,bolt,ololto thethe doord to bowling coach Azhar Extras (nb2, w5, b3, lb7) ...... 17 winning season on a high but Total (all out, 87.1 overs) ...... 294 with Benene Mahmood,Mah batting coach Grant have been consistently dogged Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-103, 3-130, 4-170, Stokes holdinghololding ontoontntoo a sharpshhaarp FlowerFlow and trainer Grant Luden. by the peerless Smith. 5-176, 6-199, 7-205, 8-226, 9-294, 10-294 chance fromfrom HarrisHarriss atatts secondseecconcond ThereT was speculation that The former Australian Bowling: Cummins 25.5-6-84-3 (1nb, 1w), slip. thethe captaincy could be taken skipper has now amassed 751 Hazlewood 21-7-76-2, Siddle 17-1-61-0 (1nb), That disdismissalmmisss all broughtbrorourougoughht awayawa from Ahmed, but the runs in just six innings -- more Marsh 18.2-4-46-5, Lyon 4-0-12-0, Labuschagne Smith to the creasecrecreaassee andannd heh waswass PakistanPak Cricket Board than double the tally of the next 1-0-5-0 immediatelyattely greeggreetedreetedd wiwithitth a aannouncednno at a press con- highest runscorer on either side. AUSTRALIA, 1st innings sharp bouncer,oununceceer, muchmuchch to thethee ferenceferen that he will lead the side D. Warner c Bairstow b Archer ...... 5 But he was forced to settle M. Harris c Stokes b Archer ...... 3 delight off thethe packedpacackeckekeeddcr crowd.crrowd.owo inin theth one-day and for his lowest score of the series M. Labuschagne lbw b Archer ...... 48 Smiththha anandd MaMMarcusarcucuus seriesserie against Sri Lanka later this -- 80 -- when Chris Woakes S. Smith lbw b Woakes ...... 80 Labuschagneaggne repairedrepaired thet e earlyeaearrlyly month.mon trapped him lbw in the evening M. Wade lbw b Curran ...... 19 damage, puttingputting onn 6969fo9 fforfortr ththehe PCBP chairman Ehsan Mani session, leaving the sun- M. Marsh c Leach b Archer ...... 17 third wicketiccketckket bbefbebeforeforeree ArcherArcherr addedadde that Babar Azam has been drenched Oval crowd T. Paine c Bairstow b Curran ...... 1 struck again,againgaigag , trappingttrrappiapp ngg appointedappo vice captain in a bid dumbfounded. P. Cummins lbw b Curran ...... 0 Labuschagneaggnenen lbw for 48.48 to groomgr him for future lead- Despite a late flurry of runs, P. Siddle c Burns b Archer ...... 18 Matthewhew WadeW wwas lbwlbw to ershipersh roles. Australia had to settle for a first- N. Lyon b Archer ...... 25 Sam Curranrann forforo 1919 asa AustraliaAAusAu trtraralalia Ahmed,A 34, led Pakistan to J. Hazlewood not out ...... 1 innings deficit of 69, with Extras (w5, b1, lb2) ...... 8 slipped to 118-4118-18-4 bututt thetht e victoryvicto in the Champions Trophy paceman Archer finishing with Total (all out, 68.5 overs) ...... 225 unruffledd SmithSmith easedeased tot hishis twotwo years ago, but they have figures of 6-62. Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-14, 3-83 , 4-118, 5-160, half-centurytury offoff 911 balls.ballba s.s sincesinc lost 24 of their 47 ODIs, Smith came to the crease 6-166, 7-166, 8-187, 9-224, 10-225 Wicketskets tumbledtumblleed afterafteaf r tea,tea, wwinningin 20 with three with Australia in trouble at 14-2 Bowling: Broad 12-3-45-0, Archer 23.5-9-62-6 with Archerherhe remoremovingvivininng MitMMitchelltchechelcchhell no-results.no-r in reply to England’s first- (1w), Curran 17-6-46-3, Woakes 10-2-51-1, Leach Marsh andnd CurranCCurran dismissingddissmmissssingingg TheT 24-year-old Babar, innings total of 294 after Archer 6-1-18-0 Australiaa cacaptainptpptain TimTim PaPaineaininene anandndn meanwhile,mea has been Pakistan’s had removed openers David ENGLAND, 2nd innings Pat Cumminsmmminsins in successivesuucceuccceessivi e best batsman in limited-overs R. Burns not out ...... 4 Warner and Marcus Harris. J. Denly not out...... 1 balls. cricketcrick recently. Smith, who only returned to Extras (lb4) ...... 4 Smith’sh’ss dismissaldismdismissai allel leftlel fttA Aus-A us- ManiM also stressed that the last month following Total (4 overs) ...... 9 tralia 187-87-88 butb PeterPetetere SiddleSiddleane andand SriSri LLankan team is still set to a year-long ban for his role in a Bowling: Cummins 2-2-0-0, Hazlewood Nathan LyonLyon playedplayed enterpris-enterpris- ttourour Pakistan, after saying ball-tampering scandal, was 2-1-5-0 ingly to add 37 for the ninthninth eearlierarli this week that the Sri watchful at the start of his wicket, withw LyoLyony n smashingsmashis ngg LLankanank board is looking for innings. game from all the other batsmen Woakes forforra a sixi overover squaresquareare leg.lleg. securitys assurances from But he soon found his touch, but he had a lucky escape after Archerer bowlebowledd LLyonyon while their government. bringing up his 10th consecutive tea when, on 66, he edged a Sam Rory Burnsrns ttookooko a sensationasensationall “We are confident that Ashes fifty with a six over mid- Curran to Root in the catch to endend Siddle’sSidddle’s knock.knock. the series will be held in wicket off left-arm spinner Jack slips, only for the England At thehe sstarttart of the day Pakistan,” Mani said. The Leach. skipper to shell the chance. England addedaddea d justjust 2323 runsruns toto ODIsO will be played in Smith appeared to be Earlier, Warner, who was their overnighternirn ght score,scorcoc ewe, withwihith JosJ KarachiKa on September 27, 29 playing a completely different also banned over the Buttler oututt fororo 70.70 andand October 3, while the three T20sT20s are scheduled for Lahore onon OctoberO 5, 7 and 9. Afif snatches Bangladesh T20 win over Zimbabwe

AFP out when they lost their first six overshadowed an excellent Masakadza hailed his side’s per- SCOREBOARD DHAKA wickets for 60 runs before effort by Ryan Burl who hit 57 formance in a losing cause. ZIMBABWE Soumya Sarkar c Madziva b Jarvis ...... 4 19-year-old Afif shared 82 runs off 32 balls to help Zimbabwe “Guys at the back did well to B. Taylor c Mahmudullah b Taijul ...... 6 c Masakadza b Chatara ...... 1 Youngster Afif Hossain struck 52 for the seventh wicket with recover from 63-5 to post a com- get us a fighting total. Ryan (Burl) H. Masakadza c Sabbir b Saifuddin ...... 34 c Taylor b K Jarvis ...... 0 off 26 balls as Bangladesh to turn the petitive score. struck the ball nicely and had a C. Ervine c Mosaddek b Mustafizur ...... 11 Mahmudullah Riyad lbw b Burl ...... 14 survived a scare to beat match around. Burl also claimed a wicket brilliant game today,” he said. S. Williams c & b Mosaddek ...... 2 c Burl b Madziva ...... 15 Zimbabwe by three wickets in Neville Madziva dismissed with his leg-spin bowling and Burl hit five fours and four run out ...... 1 the opening match of the tri- Afif in the final over of the took a stunning catch in the field sixes in his maiden T20I fifty and Ryan Burl not out ...... 57 Mosaddek Hossain not out ...... 30 nation innings but Mohammad before Zimbabwe let the smashed 30 runs in one over off Tinotenda Mutombodzi not out ...... 27 Afif Hossain c Masakadza b Madziva ...... 52 tournament in Dhaka yesterday. Saifuddin took six runs from his momentum slip. Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Extras (lb2, w4) ...... 6 Mohammad Saifuddin not out ...... 6 Afif, batting at number eight, next two balls to complete the “(I) was trying to be positive Hasan. Total (five wickets; 18 overs) ...... 144 Extras (b1, lb1, w3, nb2) ...... 7 hit eight fours and a six in his win, which ended Bangladesh’s from the front. I was excited to Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Did not Bat: Tony Munyonga, Neville Madziva, Total (seven wickets; 17.4 overs) .....148 maiden international fifty that six-match losing streak in all play, having got an opportunity Rahman, Saifuddin and Kyle Jarvis, Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-26, 3-27, 4-29, 5-56, guided Bangladesh to 148-7 in formats. after so long,” said man-of-the- Mosaddek claimed one wicket Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-51, 3-56, 4-56, 5-63 6-60, 7-142 Bowling: Shakib 4-0-49-0, Taijul 3-0-26-1 17.4 overs after the hosts Mosaddek, who provided Afif match Afif who was playing only each for Bangladesh. Did not bat: Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman (w2), Saifuddin 4-0-26-1, Mustafizur 4-0-31- restricted Zimbabwe to 144-5 in brilliant support in the record his second Twenty20 interna- Zimbabwe will face Afghan- Bowling: Williams 3-0-31-0, Jarvis 4-0-31-2 1(w2), Mosaddek 3-0-10-1 the rain-hit 18-overs-per-side stand, was unbeaten on 30 from tional and first in almost two istan in their next match of the BANGLADESH (nb1), Chatara 4-0-32-2 (nb1), Burl 3-0-27-1 match. 24 balls. years. tournament at the same venue b Chatara ...... 19 (w1), Madziva 3.4-0-25-2 (w2) The hosts looked down and Afif’s performance Zimbabwe captain Hamilton today. Europe take slender Solheim Cup lead

AFP Team Europe’s Anne However, Lexi from 15 feet for an unlikely Van Dam, who covered the GLENEAGLES Thompson and Jessica Korda half. 16 holes in four under par. Van Dam in action hit back with Thompson “These two last matches “Suzann told me to enjoy it during the fourballs Europe edged the opening sinking a birdie putt on 18 to were key,” said Inkster. and I nearly made birdie at of the Solheim Cup in day of the Solheim Cup at ensure a topsy-turvy match “If someone had told me the first and got on a roll. It Gleneagles, Scotland, Gleneagles to take a 4.5-3.5 was shared. we would only be one point was great.” Britain, yesterday. lead, but USA captain Juli “It was great to turn it behind after day one I would Pettersen, playing in her Inkster was relieved to round,” said Thompson. have been quite happy. I ninth Solheim, added: “I had snatch two halves on the “But I knew if I missed think we are looking good.” the best partner today. She’s final two matches of the day Jess would make the Rookie Anne Van Dam a superstar who just bombs on the 18th. birdie. There was great was the leading light for the it.” The hosts had the better golf all round and so Europeans in the first four- Ally McDonald, who of the morning foursomes pleased to get the half balls as she and partner only stepped into the US 2.5-1.5 despite a starring role point.” Suzann Pettersen beat Dan- team when Stacy Lewis for Korda sisters, Jessica and In the final match on the ielle Kang and Lizette Salas withdrew injured on Nelly. course, Hull and Munoz were by 4 and 2. Tuesday, was another out- Europe then seemed set four up with six to play, but Pettersen led the way standing newcomer, joining for a commanding lead as Nelly Korda and Brittany with a 60-foot putt for a Angel Yin in an emphatic 7 the first two fourballs were Altomare won 14th, 16th and winning birdie at the fourth, and 5 victory over Anna Nor- shared as Carlota Ciganda 17th to set up a nervous before the Dutch star went dqvist and Caroline Hedwall. and Bronte Law along with finale. on a putting spree and the It equalled the record Charley Hull and Azahara And this time it was partnership was four up by margin for a fourball victory, Munoz were both one up rookie Altomare who the turn. and McDonald couldn’t have with one to play. snatched the birdie, holing “I was so relaxed,” said been happier. SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 19 Liverpool leave title rivals breathless

AFP Manchester City. The European Leicester will arrive at Old LONDON champions’ relentless tempo has Trafford above Maguire’s men in overwhelmed Norwich, South- the table after an impressive Liverpool’s sizzling start to the ampton, Arsenal and Burnley, unbeaten start. Premier League season has left sending a message that they are But, whatever his short- their title rivals breathless and determined to make amends for comings in some areas, Maguire’s the red-hot leaders are expected narrowly failing to pip City to the personality has made an to maintain their perfect record trophy last season. impression on his new team- against Newcastle today. Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos is mates, who expect him to come Jurgen Klopp’s side have new to English football after good soon. seized the early initiative in the joining on loan from Real Madrid “It’s been seamless,” said Premier League with four suc- and the Spain midfielder United reserve keeper Lee cessive wins to open up a two- admitted to being gob-smacked Grant. point lead over second placed at the intensity Liverpool dis- “Harry has definitely slotted played in their 3-1 victory against straight in, in terms of the social English Premier League the Gunners in August. side and in terms of his mentality “I had never seen anything and attitude, which has been first like it. I’ve not seen up until now class. Fixtures (1400 GMT unless a team that plays better, that “The most important thing, stated) Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante in action with presses better. That game had Liverpool’s Fabinho in the UEFA Super Cup though, is his quality and he was Today quite an impact on me,” Ceballos able to show that against Brighton vs Burnley, Liverpool Daily Mail. at Vodafone Arena in Istanbul, Turkey in told the this August 14, 2019 file picture. Chelsea. We could all see he is vs Newcastle (1130 GMT), “They suck the air out of you. quite at home in front of the Old Manchester Utd vs Leicester, You spend so much time Trafford crowd and quite at Norwich vs Manchester City defending and when you want two Premier League titles in thrashed West Ham and United have won only once home as a Manchester United (1630 GMT), Sheffield Utd vs to catch your breath and get on scintillating fashion, but Liv- Brighton, but their lone slip -- a in their first four games, adding player.” Southampton, Tottenham vs the ball for a bit, they’ve taken it erpool look better than ever this draw against Tottenham -- to the incentive for their England Mauricio Pochettino must Crystal Palace, Wolves vs Chelsea from you again. term and Newcastle are unlikely allowed Liverpool to seize pole defender Harry Maguire to hope the closure of the European Tomorrow “I think Jurgen Klopp now to halt their progress at Anfield position and they can’t afford inspire a victory against his transfer window lifts the mood Bournemouth vs Everton (1300 has the team he first had in mind this weekend. another against second bottom former club Leicester. at Tottenham, who host fourth GMT), Watford vs Arsenal (1530 when he started four years ago.” With City playing Norwich in Norwich. Maguire is the world’s most placed Crystal Palace looking to GMT) That glowing testimony under- today’s late game, the champions Across Manchester, Ole expensive defender after his £80 secure only their second win. On Monday lines the size of the task facing could be five points behind Liv- Gunnar Solskjaer’s United can million close-season move from Pochettino was concerned Aston Villa vs West Ham City as they try to stop Liverpool erpool by the time they kick off only dream of gate-crashing the Leicester, but he is yet to play like that speculation over the futures (1900 GMT) winning their first English crown at Carrow Road. title race after a disappointing it, as his creaky showing in Eng- of several Tottenham players, since 1990. Pep Guardiola’s team are start showed how far they have land’s midweek Euro 2020 qual- including Christian Eriksen, had City may have won the last unbeaten and have already fallen off the pace. ifier against Kosovo emphasised. unsettled his squad.

Premier League PSG ready for Neymar owns up to refereeing return ahead of CL mistakes

AFP to get his head down and help AP PARIS French Ligue 1 PSG finally succeed in Europe. LONDON Fixtures (GMT) “We turned the Eiffel Tower With the saga over his on-off Today red and white for him, in the The Premier League is finally move back to Barcelona now Paris Saint-Germain colours of PSG,” she told mag- owning up to refereeing over, Neymar could return to vs Strasbourg (1530), azine Tele Loisirs. mistakes - thanks to the tech- action with Paris Saint-Germain Bordeaux vs Metz, Brest “Now my boy, we love you nology that was supposed to cut this weekend. vs Rennes, Dijon vs Nimes, a lot, and you are going to have down on them. The world’s most expensive Montpellier vs Nice (all to work hard and win us the Uncertainty about the player has had to come to terms 1800) Champions League.” application of VAR in the with a third season in Ligue 1 Tomorrow One to watch: The stands opening month of the season after PSG and his former club Nantes vs Reims (1300), French football has been con- has left teams confused as to failed to agree terms on a Saint-Etienne vs Toulouse sumed by its battle to eradicate why wrong decisions have not transfer before the transfer (1500), Monaco vs Marseille homophobia from stadiums, so been overturned in games. window shut on September 2. (1900) all eyes will be on the stands this It turns out at least four of Neymar has since been away weekend to see if more matches them should have been cor- on international duty for Brazil will be halted by referees. rected after being reviewed on in two friendly matches in the campaign at home to Real Seven games have been video. Some managers would USA, scoring one goal and Madrid next week. Edinson interrupted so far this season add other disputed calls to that making another in a 2-2 draw Cavani is also struggling for because of anti-gay chants and list, but the candor by referees’ with Colombia and then coming fitness. banners, including a hold-up of head Mike Riley is a starting on as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Argentine striker Mauro more than 10 minutes during a point for a league that has Peru. Icardi is available after joining match between Nice and hardly ever acknowledged mis- Those were his first appear- from Inter, but Tuchel may be Marseille. takes by its officials. ances this season after the tempted to turn to Neymar, even The last week has seen “Where we have made mis- 27-year-old was left out of PSG’s though the Brazilian is sus- French Football Federation pres- takes we have to learn from opening four league games amid pended for the game against ident Noel Le Graet enter into a them,” Riley said after pre- the uncertainty over his future. Real and seems unlikely to war of words with the country’s senting to clubs on Thursday. If he is passed fit after a long receive a warm welcome from sports minister, former Olympic “There are things we can trip back across the Atlantic, fans unhappy with his posturing swimmer Roxana Maracineanu, learn and constantly improve.” coach Thomas Tuchel may for a transfer. after saying in a radio interview Penalties should have been choose to select Neymar in Sat- “He knows that he has made that stopping matches in such awarded to Manchester City’s urday’s game against Strasbourg, mistakes, but he has no bad circumstances was “a mistake”. David Silva and West Ham’s the team against whom he suf- intentions,” said his club and The number of league goals Sebastien Haller in separate fered a fractured foot in a cup tie international colleague Thiago scored by Florian Thauvin for games, Riley said. The decision back in January. Silva. Marseille in the last three of the VAR to not overturn the PSG are already without “He is an incredible kid. I seasons. This week the French initial on-pitch calls did not Kylian Mbappe, who has a ham- hope he has a great season.” World Cup-winning winger was have an impact on the results PSG forward Neymar attends a training session in Paris a day before string injury, as they prepare to Even Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo ruled out until January as he because City went on to beat a French L1 match against Strasbourg. start their Champions League has had her say, urging Neymar requires ankle surgery. Bournemouth and West Ham defeated Norwich. But Riley also acknowledged that Fabian Schar’s equalizer for Hazard to make Real Madrid debut in La Liga Newcastle wrongly stood against Watford despite a handball by a teammate. And Leicester should AFP two draws. Zidane, however, called for criticism of the team following their have had Youri Tielemens sent MADRID patience as Hazard finds his feet again. indifferent start to the season. off for a stamp on Callum Wilson “We have to go gently,” he said. “He “The comments, everything that is in a victory over Bournemouth. Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said (Hazard) was injured for three weeks, said, that’s not going to change,” he “There were a variety of yesterday that big-money summer he has been back for a week. said. factors for the decisions that signing Eden Hazard has been passed “We have seven games in 21 days “We know what we want to change were made,” Riley said. “One fit and will make his long-awaited La and we will have to go gently. It will be within (the team), we will do everything was a judgment decision. Liga debut against Levante toay. up to me to keep an eye on his minutes to do things well. Enough talk, we have Another was a process mistake. “We all want to see Eden,” said and his playing time, because we need perform on the pitch.” On the two others we were Zidane. him over a long period, for several Another midfielder, Fede Valverde, trying to protect the high bar “There’s a lot of pressure on him, a matches, not for one.” is also unavailable with a muscular and not disrupt the flow of the lot of expectation. But he is ready and Hazard’s return is timely for Madrid problem in his left leg. The 21-year-old, game.” that is the most important thing.” who also start their Champions League who has played only eight minutes for Of 227 checks of decisions Hazard was expected to make his campaign against Paris Saint-Germain Real this season, suffered the injury in the 40 games across the first debut in Vigo in the opening round in next week, especially as Luka Modric playing for Uruguay. four rounds, six decisions have mid-August after joining Madrid for an was ruled out this week with a groin In addition to Modric and Hazard, been changed on the initial 100 million euros from Chelsea strain. James Rodriguez and Isco are also assessment by the VAR. in June. “The season starts now,” said Zidane. missing with muscle injuries. Marco “As we expected when we Real Madrid’s Belgian forward Eden Hazard But the Belgian pulled up with a “We have seven games in 21 days and I Asensio is a long-term casualty with lig- introduced VAR at the start of (right) attends a training session at the thigh strain at the club’s training base think that’s what we need, anyway, to ament damage. the season we are learning as Ciudad Real Madrid training ground in in Valdebebas and had to sit out the first play, make matches, compete... that’s “All clubs have this problem, it is true we are going along and working Valdebebas, Madrid, yesterday. three weeks of the season during which what players want.” that we have many international players out how things can be Real struggled, collecting one win and The Frenchman also shrugged off who never stop,” said the coach. improved,” Riley said. SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2019 20

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Archer claims six Neymar set to wickets as England make PSG return take charge of after being included Ashes finale in squad Kenya select Doha-bound athletics team IAAF The reigning World and On Thursday, Diamond NAIROBI Olympic 1500m champion League champion and world Faith Kipyegon displays solid record holder Beatrice Chepkoech The team that will represent form, taking the victory at led a strong quarter across the Kenya at the IAAF World Athletics the Kenyan national trials. finish in the 3000m steeplechase Championships Doha 2019 took final, with the first three holding shape after the two-day trials Diamond League champion hands as they crossed line. meeting concluded in Nairobi and world record holder Chepkoech won the race in yesterday. Beatrice Chepkoech leads 9:45.15, just ahead of 2015 world With a top-three finish a strong quarter across champion Hyvin Kiyeng (9:45.20) required to make the Doha-bound the finish in the 3000m and Celliphine Chespol (9:45.24). team in the middle and long dis- steeplechase final to Fancy Cherono, the African tance events, most of the battles win ahead of 2015 world Games silver medallist, finished were hotly contested, with six of champion Hyvin Kiyeng. fourth a few steps back in 9:50.11 the eight filling out the schedule to capture the fourth spot up for on the second day of action. grabs after Chepkoech secured a The most surprising result reigning World and Olympic wildcard with her Diamond came in the men’s 800m where 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon League victory. Ng’eno Kipng’etich, the 2018 displayed solid form, taking the And in the men’s steeple- silver medallist at the World U20 victory in 4:03.22, with Winny chase, another world U20 silver Championships, took the title to Chebet in tow just another 0.01 medallist, Leonard Bett edged notch an upset victory over behind. Selah Jepleting, runner- Benjamin Kigen to take the win, Emmanuel Korir in 1:44.57. Korir up at last month’s national cham- IAAF Diamond League champion Kenyan athlete 8:20.29 to 8:20.56, to secure his was second in 1:44.62 with Fer- pionships, was third to punch her Timothy Cheruiyot (right), competes with others in the men’s first senior World Championships guson Rotich third, another 0.01 ticket to Doha, clocking 4:05.20. 1500m final of Kenya’s World Athletics Championship Trials in Nairobi, yesterday. appearance. Bett, who took the behind. Conversely, three-time IAAF 2017 world U18 title in the 2000m Jackline Wambui, the 2017 Diamond League champion steeplechase, won’t turn 19 until World U18 champion, took the Timothy Cheruiyot dominated his move with 300 metres pre-meet favourites, was a distant Chelimo was next in 15:46.65 with November. Abraham Kibiwott, women’s title in 1:58.79, just clear the men’s race in 3:34.91, well remaining to secure the 5000m ninth, his training derailed by national champion Sheila last year’s Commonwealth Games of Eunice Sum, the 2013 World clear of Ronald Kwemoi and title in 13:26.83. Daniel Simiyu, the illness in recent weeks. Chelagat third. The trio will join silver medallist, was third in champion who clocked 1:58.99 George Manangoi who clocked national champion, was second Lilian Kasait, who raced to defending 5000m champion 8:24.61 to seal his spot on the for second. Emily Tuwei rounded 3:36.61 and 3:37.00, in 13:27.95 with Nicholas Kimeli the African Games title in Rabat Hellen Obiri who will double team. The trio will join defending out the top three in 1:59.23. respectively. taking the third spot in 13:27.99. last month, took top honours in back in the 10,000m. Chelimo champion Conseslus Kipruto, After some minor injury set- On Thursday, unheralded World U20 and African champion the women’s 5000m on Friday, was fifth at the 2017 World who reportedly dropped out of backs earlier in the season, 20-year-old Michael Kibet made Edward Zakayo, one of the clocking 15:43.55. Margaret Championships. the race with laps to go. Al Arabi crush Umm Salal 5-1; Al Ahli beat Al Khor in thriller THE PENINSULA DOHA

Al Arabi climbed to the top of QNB Stars League (QSL) points table following a thumping 5-1 win over Umm Salal while Al Ahli came from behind to beat Al Khor 3-2 as Round-3 got off to a thrilling start yesterday. Al Arabi struck through Mohamed Salah Al Neel in the Monster Energy Yamaha Spanish rider, Maverick Vinales in action during a 40th minute, Aron Gunnarsson free practice session ahead of the San Marino MotoGP Grand Prix race at the (45th), Hamdi Harbaoui (50th) Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, yesterday. and Pierre Lassoga (55th minute). They were also helped by an Adil Rhaili own goal in the 65th San Marino MotoGP practice minute. Al Arabi players celebrate after scoring one of their five Umm Salal had earlier taken goals against Umm Salal duing their QNB Stars League the lead in the 25th minute match played at the Al Janoub Stadium, yesterday. through Yannick Sagbo. Vinales quickest as Al Arabi merited their QSL ROUND 3 Al Ahli’s Hernán González (front) vies for the ball nickname The Dream Team, with Al Khor captain Naif Mubarak Al Buriki during thanks to a rousing victory in Yesterday’s Results their Round-3 match played at Al Sadd Stadium, which their ruthless efficiencies Al Ahli 3-2 Al Khor yesterday. Yamahas dominate will rightly ensure their league Al Arabi 5-1 Umm Salal rivals take note. Today’s Fixtures AFP Seven-time world champion Rossi, They were not phased by Al Shahania vs Al Wakrah MISANO ADRIATICO, ITALY who has won his home San Marino GP Umm Salal taking the lead At Al Janoub Stadium (16:55) three times, said Quartararo was midway through the first half Qatar SC vs Al Gharafa Maverick Vinales was the fastest of the pressing for a first race victory. The when Sagbo struck an excellent At Al Sadd Stadium (19:05) Yamahas as they dominated yesterday’s rookie already has three pole positions finish as he latched onto a deep two practice sessions ahead of this and three podiums to his credit this cross from the right. weekend’s San Marino MotoGP. season. Dreams of an upset were to round off a fantastic victory for The Yamahas took four of the top “To win a first race, you have to be swept away in quick succession Heimir Hallgrimsson’s dominant five spots at Misano, only separated by 100% in every sense and making a good at the latter stages of the opening men. the Honda of championship leader Marc start is essential,” said the 40-year-old, period. El Neel was first on hand Yesterday’s Marquez who was third quickest. now in his 20th season in MotoGP. as he met a cross with a diving win at the Al Vinales, who won the Dutch GP at “We are not completely ready but header which he glanced into the Sadd Stadium the end of June, set the pace with a best we are almost there.” far corner of the goal, with the lifted Al Arabi’s lap of 1min 32.775secs which was just A third free practice session will be turnaround completed on the points tally to seven. 0.057secs quicker than his French held this morning before qualifying in stroke of half-time when Gun- Meanwhile, at the Al Janoub teammate Fabio Quartararo, who had the afternoon. narsson rose highest to head Stadium, Al Ahli waged a spirited topped the first session. home from a corner. battle against Al Khor. Behind Marquez, who has a 78-point PRACTICE STANDINGS Having ended the first half so Nabil El Zahr (58th-min lead over Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso in 1. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) well, they were quick out of the penalty), Abel Mathias (66th) and the title race, were the Yamahas of the 1min 32.775sec, 2. Fabio Quartararo blocks after the restart. Harbaoui Hernan Gonzalez (90th-min evergreen Valentino Rossi and Franco (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) 0.057, 3. Marc reacted well with the ball penalty) scored for Al Ahli. For Morbidelli. Marquez (ESP/Honda) 0.339, 4. Val- bouncing in the area and smashed Al Khor, Ibrahim Amada “Obviously if one of the Yamaha entino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 0.695, 5. home in uncompromising fashion. (32nd minute) and Ahmed riders goes on to win this race it would Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) More followed soon after Hammoudan (76th) were the be good,” said the 20-year-old 0.749, 6. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) when Lassoga pounced on a scorers. Quartararo. 0.849, 7. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) rebound from El Neel’s parried Al Ahli now have six “It’s always good to have someone 0.953, 8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) shot. Rhaili was the unfortunate points with their second pushing your limits and we always 1.051, 9. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 1.099, scorer of the fifth for Al Arabi as victory, while Al Khor stood look to see who is the top Yamaha 10. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda-LCR) his defensive block slid beyond on four points with one victory, rider”. 1.132 the goalkeeper and into the net one draw and a defeat.