SPORT Thursday 25 October 2018 PAGE | 27 PAGE | 29 Federer digs deep Superstar Biles to reach second ‘better’ ahead of round in Basel Doha Worlds Qatar crush Chinese Taipei, reach AFC U-19 quarter-finals THE PENINSULA given that both a spot in the semi- finals and a berth at next year’s FIFA BOGOR: Qatar progressed into the 2018 U-20 World Cup will be up for grabs. AFC U-19 Championship quarter-finals On what proved to be a tense night yesterday as a brilliant 4-0 win over a of football, Qatar came close to breaking resilient Chinese Taipei helped them the deadlock on multiple occasions but finish top of a tight Group A. resolute Chinese Taipei defending Along with Qatar, hosts Indonesia forced them to wait until the 57th and the United Arab Emirates finished minute before taking the lead with sub- tied on six points in Group A. stitute Khaled Mansour drilling a shot A flurry of second half goals ensured across Li and into the net. the nervy victory for Qatar who had Qatar added a second through gone into the game knowing that only Hashim Ali courtesy of a deft finish four a win would have guaranteed them a minutes later. As chances became few ticket through to the last eight. and far between, Qatar pressed for a In the end, Qatar assumed pole third and it duly came with 13 minutes position by the narrowest of margins remaining, Hashim Ali bagging his after scoring more goals than either second of the game with a delightful second-placed Indonesia or the United curling effort that beat Li’s despairing Arab Emirates in the games between dive. the trio. Qatar rounded off the scoring on The 2014 title winners will now 86th minute when Umaru expertly con- meet the yet to be decided runners- verted a penalty after Khaled Qatari players celebrate after beating Chinese Taipei in their final Group A match of the AFC U-19 Championship in up in Group B, with Sunday’s Mohammed had been brought down in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday. encounter sure to be a titanic tussle the area by Chiu Po-Jui.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS Club Brugge 1 - 1 Monaco Borussia Dortmund 4 - 0 Atlético Madrid Di Maria saves PSG PSV Eindhoven 2 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur Barcelona 2 - 0 Inter Milan Liverpool 4 - 0 Crvena Zvezda Paris Saint Germain 2- 2 Napoli Galatasaray 0 - 0 FC Schalke 04 with last gasp stunner Lokomotiv Moscow 1 - 3 FC Porto REUTERS Insigne goal in the 29th minute Maria collected the ball on the Red Star Belgrade 4-0 at Anfield before PSG, who have won their edge of the area and curled a yesterday to get their last-16 PARIS: Angel Di Maria curled in opening 10 games in Ligue 1, lev- delightful effort past David hopes back on track. a stoppage-time equaliser as elled when Mario Rui deflected Ospina in the third minute of Roberto Firmino set Liv- Paris St Germain twice came into his own goal in the 61st stoppage time. erpool, beaten at Napoli in their from behind to force a 2-2 draw minute. Napoli have five points from previous game, on their way in at home to Napoli in a pulsating An opportunist goal by Dries three games and PSG are on four the 20th minute with an Champions League tie yesterday. Mertens put Napoli back in front with Liverpool top with six. emphatic finish after a smart Napoli went ahead in the in the 77th minute but they were Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah pull back from Andy Robertson Group C game with a Lorenzo denied a shock win when Di scored twice as Liverpool beat found the Brazilian in space in the box. Swiss international Xherdan Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah Shaqiri, busy and creative (third, right) shoots to score throughout, fed Salah for Liver- their second goal against Red pool’s second on the stroke of Star Belgrade at Anfield in halftime, the Egyptian firing Liverpool, yesterday. home from inside the box. Red Star had threatened little and Liverpool put the game beyond them six minutes after the interval when Filip Stojkovic stuck out an arm to block Sadio Mane and Salah blasted home the penalty for his 50th goal in 65 games for the club. Mane then missed another penalty before making amends with a close-range finish in the 80th minute. In Barcelona, Rafinha replaced Lionel Messi and helped Paris St Germain’s Angel Di Maria Barcelona win without him as the celebrates after scoring their second Brazilian scored the opener in a goal against Napoli in Paris yesterday. 2-0 Champions League victory over Inter Milan.

Stage set for 48th World Championships

LEFT: The CEO of the Local Organising Committee for the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Ali Al Hitmi and Brand Ambassador Belarus’ Svetlana Boguinskaia unveiling the medals during a press conference held in Doha yesterday. The medals combine the different gymnastics apparatus, the event’s logo and symbols of Qatari culture. RIGHT: International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Morinari Watanabe (foreground) and Al Hitmi enjoying a traditional sword dance during a welcome ceremony for visiting delegations at Torch Hotel yesterday. See also pages 29 & 30 28 SPORT THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER 2018

Rampant CAF delegation arrives in Qatar Arsenal face Lisbon test; THE PENINSULA CAF and QFA in May 2015. The 2015 MoU focused on the Chelsea sweat DOHA: A high level delegation exchange of experience and of Confederation of African expertise in various areas such on Hazard Football (CAF) yesterday met as administration, coaching, with President of the Qatar sports medicine, refereeing, AFP Football Association (QFA) youth and women’s football, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin infrastructure development, PARIS: Amid a packed Ahmed Al Thani to discuss and marketing and schedule Arsenal take a matters relating to the 2022 communications. 10-match winning streak to FIFA World Cup in Qatar and The CAF delegation were Sporting Lisbon as their quest football in general. also met by QFA Vice President to win the Europa League Headed by CAF President, Saud Al Mohannadi and Hassan continues today, when city Ahmad Ahmad, the visiting Al Thawadi, Secretary-General rivals Chelsea, possibly delegation also got the of the Supreme Committee for without the influential Eden opportunity to review projects and Legacy (SC). Hazard, host BATE Borisov of carried out by Qatar ahead of The visiting delegation Belarus. the 2022 FIFA World Cup. reviewed the progress of work After sealing an Yesterday’s meeting served related to the 2022 FIFA World Ahmad Ahmad (second left), President of Confederation of African Football delegation, is seen impressive 10th straight as an extension to the Cup projects. A luncheon along with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani (second right), President of Qatar Football victory at home to Leicester Memorandum of reception was also arranged by Association (QFA), Hassan Al Thawadi (left), Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery in the Premier League on Understanding signed between the SC in honour of the visiting and Legacy and QFA Vice President Saud Al Mohannadi in Doha yesterday. Monday, Unai Emery’s outfit are the team to watch in Group E. delegation. benefited hundreds of Arsenal and Sporting sit The CAF delegation praised participants since its inception on six points apiece after two the extensive development in the field of sports games, with Azerbaijan’s work carried out by Qatar so far. management and science. Qarabag and fellow strugglers Mansoor Al Ansari, QFA Officials part of the visiting Vorskla of Ukraine still Secretary General, commenced delegation said Qatar looked pointless. the presentation for the CAF confident to delivering one of Sporting are fifth in Por- delegation while engineer the best FIFA World Cup tugal’s top flight, four points Abdulaziz Al Mawlawi editions using creativity and off the top with former Man- underlined key projects linked innovation at the heart of its chester United star Nani to the 2022 FIFA World Cup infrastructure development. having scored three goals and its legacy which stretches Details on the infrastructure from seven league outings. beyond to Qatar’s Vision 2030. development carried out by If Arsenal needed more A member of the Also yesterday Executive Qatar were also revealed to the reason to believe in their Confederation of African Director of Josoor Institute CAF delegation that also visited chances of going all the way, Football interacts with Afraa Al Noaimi highlighted the the widely-acclaimed Aspire they need not look far. As Afraa Al Noaimi (right), Institute’s major plans in the Academy and the Aspetar coach of Sevilla in 2013-2016, Executive Director of coming months and projects Sports Medicine Hospital. Emery led the Spaniards to Josoor Institute in Doha like training courses and A visit to Katara and Museum three consecutive Europa yesterday. workshops carried out in the of Islamic Art are also on the League titles. last few years. agenda for the delegation’s stay “We are beginning to play These workshops have in Qatar. with heart,” Emery said after Monday’s come-from-behind 3-1 win, in which Mesut Ozil scored and provided an assist in a man-of-the-match performance. Qatar to host 2023 World Judo Championships “I think we played some sexy football,” said the THE PENINSULA During the visit, IJF and QJF 30-year-old German. established the basis for a fruitful Sporting, who won 2-1 BUDAPEST: Qatar Taekwondo, collaboration, aiming also at imple- away to Loures in the Portu- Judo and Karate Federation menting common sports and social A file picture of the judo action guese Cup with Nani and announced that Doha will organise projects in Yemen and other con- from the 2016 London Olympics. Bruno Fernandes both on the 2023 World Judo Champion- cerned areas. target, should be fresher ships for individual athletes and for IJF President Marius Vizer said having played on Saturday. teams. at the end of the meeting: “It is an Arsenal played on Host city Doha will also honor for the IJF to organise Monday and Emery, already organise the 2020 IJF Masters. World Championships 2023 and set to make changes due to a Both events are agreed and Masters 2020 in Qatar, given that packed schedule, is set to signed with the International Judo Qatar is one of the countries tinker further after both Federation and the Qatar Taek- which contributes the most to the Nacho Monreal and Sead wondo, Judo and Karate promotion and development of Kolasinac were ruled out. Federation. sports in their countries but also “Yesterday was a very At the IJF Headquarters in internationally. bad day for injuries,” Emery Budapest the agreement was signed Qatar has a major contribution conceded on Tuesday. by IJF President Marius Vizer and to the international sports Having won both their Qatar Federation Present Khalid movement, sport being a universal opening Group L matches, Hamad Al Atiya and General Sec- value, accessible to all, and thus 2013 champions Chelsea can retary Eid Ali Almuraikhi. The they support friendship and unity take a major step to the next agreement was signed on the among the nations of the world, for round with a home win today, birthday of Qatar’s best athlete peace and a better world.” although they may have to do Ayoub El Idrissi. Doha has been organising without Hazard. Furthermore both parties major international championships The Belgian playmaker agreed on a partnership for the for years. says he was kicked so much implementation of a program that Doha hosted the 2006 Asian during Chelsea’s 2-2 weekend will support the promotion and Games as well as Arab Games. The draw with Manchester United development of judo in Qatar, facilities are amazing given the that he will miss the Stamford before and during the events that huge investments in infrastructure Bridge game against BATE they will host. due to the 2020 FIFA World Cup. with a bad back.

Golfers win silver medal Sixth edition of University League kicks off today THE PENINSULA in Arab An official awards ceremony to crown the first-, second-, and Championship DOHA: The sixth edition of the third-placed teams will imme- University League, a collabo- diately follow. THE PENINSULA ration between Qatar Football Hilal Al Mohannadi, Association (QFA) and Qatar Chairman of the Sub-Leagues TUNISIA: Qatar team made Foundation (QF), is set to kick off Committee, QFA, commented: impressive performance to today, at Qatar Foundation “We’re happy to join forces once win the silver medal on Football pitches. again with Qatar Foundation to Monday at the prestigious Taking place on the Pitch host the Sixth University League. Arab Golf Championship 2018 of QF’s Recreation Center, the This collaboration highlights our which took place in Tunisia. first match will start at 6pm and objective of nurturing a football Qatari golfers ended their will see Academic Bridge culture among the youth. We campaign on high note Program take on Qatar Aero- thank our sponsors for their con- claimed the second place nautical College, while the tinuous generous support, which overall behind Morocco the second match-up will see contributes directly to the gold medalist winners, while Northwestern University in success and development of the hosts Tunisia seized the Qatar play College of the North University League.” bronze medal. In the singles Atlantic at 7pm. The University League, event, Qatar‘s Saleh Ali Al The third match will begin at launched in the 2013-14 season, Kaabi took the bronze medal 8pm in which the Georgetown is sponsored by the Supreme behind Moroccan who University will vie against Weill Committee for Delivery & Legacy clicnhed the two palces. The Cornell Medical College. as the official strategic partner, event brought together 12 Ten colleges and universities Qatar National Bank as the nations, Qatar, Lebanon, Pal- will battle it out to take home this exclusive financial partner, Nike A file picture of last year’s University League prize distribution estine, Iraq, Jordan, KSA, year’s title. Games will be played as the official supplier, and Al ceremony. Morocco, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain on Thursdays, with the final Kass Sports Channels as the and hosts Tunisia. match played on December 6. official broadcaster. THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 29 Biles ‘better’ ahead of Doha Worlds THE PENINSULA will seriously challenge for her known, and then I got a shot of fourth world all-around title, she freedom and it became a little bit DOHA: Absent from interna- downplayed her powerhouse tougher. But it’s fine and my tional competition for the past performance. team-mates are great.” two years, superstar Simone “It went better than I Biles’ most formidable rival Biles of the US attributes her expected,” said the will likely be one of them -- remarkably quick comeback to 21-year-old. 17-year-old Morgan Hurd, who the improvements she made “I always hope beam could won All-around gold at the 2017 while enjoying a rejuvenating go a little bit better but hopefully Worlds in Montreal, Canada. break following her dominant I’ll calm my nerves once compe- She said her forecasted all- performance at the 2016 Rio tition comes around.” around duel with Hurd in Doha Olympic Games. Biles, who won four gold will be cooperative and “I think my mindset is a little medals in Rio, said “getting back respectful. Simone Biles of better,” said Biles after podium into the grind” of training was a “I think healthy competition the US competing training at Aspire Dome here. daunting challenge. is always the best, so we work during the “Physically I’m in better “To have so much fun in my really well together. Hopefully, FIG Artistic shape, which is kind of crazy.” year off and then be hooked back we’ll both do well out there,” Gymnastics World While Biles’ difficulty-packed into the gym, I was like, ‘I have Biles said. Championships, routines at the training session to do this every day?’” she said. “We always wish the best for in Doha in this file gave every indication that she “Before, that was all I had each other.” picture.

SCOREBOARD : Australia: Hope’s heroics help West Fakhar Zaman c Coulter-Nile b Stanlake ...... 14 A Finch b Wasim ...... 0 Babar Azam ...... 68 D Short b Wasim ...... 4 c McDermott b Short ...39 C Lynn b Ashraf ...... 14 Asif Ali lbw b Zampa ...... 2 G Maxwell b Ashraf ...... 2 Hussain Talat c Finch b Tye ...... 9 B McDermott run out ...... 0 Indies tie second India ODI Faheem Ashraf c Maxwell b Tye ...... 0 A Carey c Sarfraz b Wasim ...... 1 Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Stanlake ...... 0 A Agar c Sarfraz b Hasan ...... 19 AFP Shadab Khan c McDermott b Stanlake ...... 1 N Coulter-Nile b Shadab ...... 34 Imad Wasim c Finch b Tye ...... 0 A Zampa c Hasan b Shaheen ...... 3 Hasan Ali (not out) ...... 17 A Tye b Shaheen ...... 6 VISAKHAPATNAM: Centurion Extras: (B 1, LB 3, W 1) ...... 5 B Stanlake (not out) ...... 2 Shai Hope hit a last-ball Total: (for 8 wkts) ...... 155 Extras: (B1, LB3) ...... 4 boundary to help West Indies tie Did not bat: Shaheen Shah Afridi Total: (all out) ...... 89 the second one-day interna- Fall of : 1-32, 2-105, 3-110, 4-130, 5-130, Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-5, 3-16, 4-16, 5-22, 6-22, tional against India despite 6-131, 7-133, 8-133 7-60, 8-72, 9-78 Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s Bowling: Coulter-Nile 4-0-42-0, Stanlake 4-0- Bowling: Wasim 4-0-20-3, Ashraf 3-1-10-2, Has- dazzling 157 yesterday. 21-3 (1w), Tye 4-0-24-3, Agar 2-0-19-0, Zampa an 3-0-16-1, Shaheen 3-0-23-2, Shadab 3.5-0-16-1 Needing five runs on the 4-0-32-1, Short 2-0-13-1 Result: Pakistan won by 66 final ball to chase down West Indies’ target of 322, Hope -- West Indies who made a total of 123 -- got batsman Shai four off Indian paceman Umesh Hope plays a Yadav as the tourists ended on shot during the Pakistan crush 321-7 in their 50 overs. second one-day Earlier Kohli became the international quickest batsman to reach (ODI) match at the Australia in T20 10,000 ODI runs on his way to Dr YS Rajasekhara his second successive century Reddy ACA-VDCA AFP and help India amass 321-6 after Stadium in electing to bat first. The hosts Visakhapatnam, ABU DHABI: A youthful Pakistan crushed Australia by 66 runs lead the five-match series 1-0. yesterday. in the first international in Abu Dhabi yesterday to take Left-arm wrist spinner a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Kuldeep Yadav claimed three Pakistan scored 155-8 in their 20 overs as Babar Azam struck wickets in what turned out to be as he surpassed fellow 10,000 ODI CLUB an unbeaten 68 before Imad Wasim took 3 for 20 to bowl Aus- the second tied game between great Sachin Tendulkar, who The top 15 run-scorers in the 50-overs format (player/country/matches/innings/runs): tralia out for 89 in 16.5 overs -- their joint-third lowest total in all the two sides. first crossed the 10,000-run Sachin Tendulkar India 463 452 18426 T20 internationals. The West Indies were in mark in 259 innings in 2001. Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka 404 380 14234 Paceman Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi both took two Ricky Ponting Australia 375 365 13704 trouble at 78-3 when Hope “It was a great game of wickets apiece for Pakistan. Sanath Jayasuriya Sri Lanka 445 433 13430 infused life into their chase and cricket, great to be part of it. Full Mahela Jayawardene Sri Lanka 448 418 12650 The second and third T20 matches will be played in Dubai on put on 143 runs for the fourth house and credit to the West Inzamam-ul-Haq Pakistan 378 350 11739 Friday and Sunday. with Shimron Hetmyer, Indies team as well, they showed South Africa 328 314 11579 who blasted 94 off 64 great heart,” said Kohli, adding Sourav Ganguly India 311 300 11363 deliveries. Hetmyer and Hope had put on Rahul Dravid India 344 318 10889 The left-handed Hetmyer, a “beautiful partnership”. West Indies 299 289 10405 who came into the match on the “The way (the) two teams Tillakaratne Dilshan Sri Lanka 330 303 10290 back of his 106 in the West played it was a fair result,” Kohli MS Dhoni* India 329 279 10143

Indies’ opening loss, smashed added. Virat Kohli* India 213 205 10076 four fours and seven sixes to “Personally, I’m pretty proud * West Indies 284 279 9727 unsettle the Indian bowlers. of my innings and my mile- Hetmyer though fell short of stone.” Kohli’s fresh heroics SCOREBOARD what would have been his fourth came at the back of his 140 in India: West Indies ODI ton after top edging one of India’s opening win on Sunday. R Sharma c Hetmyer b Roach ...... 4 K Powell c Pant b Shami ...... 18 Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg spinners Nicknamed “King Kohli”, the S Dhawan lbw b Nurse ...... 29 C Hemraj b K Yadav ...... 32 to get caught by Kohli at cover. prolific run-getter was dropped V Kohli (not out) ...... 157 S Hope (not out) ...... 123 Hope then kept his calm to on 44 by his opposite number A Rayudu b Nurse ...... 73 M Samuels b K Yadav ...... 13 put together another 47-run Jason Holder off debutant Obed MS Dhoni b McCoy ...... 20 S Hetmyer c Kohli b Chahal ...... 94 R Pant lbw b Samuels ...... 17 R Powell c Sharma b K Yadav ...... 18 crucial partnership with skipper McCoy and made full use of the R Jadeja c Powell b McCoy ...... 13 J Holder run out (Rayudu/Chahal) ...... 12 Jason Holder to nearly pull off reprieve. He put on 139 runs for M Shami (not out) ...... 0 A Nurse c Rayudu b U Yadav ...... 5 victory for the West Indies. the third wicket with Ambati Extras (LB3, W5) ...... 8 K Roach (not out) ...... 0 Hope, who registered his Rayudu, who made 73. Rayudu Total (6 wkts) ...... 321 Extras (B1, LB4, W1) ...... 6 second ODI ton, kept chipping took stock along with Kohli after Did not bat: Y Chahal, U Yadav, K Yadav Total (7 wkts) ...... 321 away despite some tight bowling India lost their openers for 40 as Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-40, 3-179, 4-222, 5-248, Did not bat: D Bishoo, O McCoy by the Indian pacemen and the batting duo rebuilt the 6-307 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-64, 3-78, 4-221, 5-253, Bowling: Holder 6-0-50-0 (w1), Roach 10-0-67-1, 6-300, 7-315 Holder’s run out. But the day innings and counter-attack. Nurse 10-0-46-2 (w2), Bishoo 10-0-48-0, McCoy Bowling: Shami 10-0-59-1 (w1), Umesh 10-0-78-1, Kul- Pakistani players celebrate the fall of an Australian wicket belonged to Kohli who reached Rayudu was bowled by spinner 9-0-71-2 (w2), Samuels 5-0-36-1 deep 10-0-67-3, Jadeja 10-0-49-0, Chahal 10-0-63-1 during the first T20 match in Abu Dhabi yesterday. 10,000 runs in his 205th innings Ashley Nurse. Bangladesh seal series over Zimbabwe with big win

AFP Zimbabwe to 246-6 at the Zahur to break the stand and then also and SCOREBOARD Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. had number three Fazle were Zimbabwe: Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-49-1, Mustafizur 10-0-35-1, CHITTAGONG: Opener Imrul Imrul, who played a match- Mahmud in his next over, but unbeaten on 40 and 24 runs H Masakadza c Mushfiqur b Saifuddin ...... 14 Saifuddin 10-1-45-3, Mehidy 7-0-45-1 (w1), Nazmul 10- Kayes and Liton Das hit big half- winning knock of 144 runs in Imrul stood firm to deny Zim- respectively. Mithun clinched C Zhuwao c Fazle b Mehidy ...... 20 0-43-0, 3-0-21-1 centuries as Bangladesh crushed Sunday’s series opener, shared babwe further momentum. Raza Bangladesh’s 12th successive win B Taylor lbw b Mahmudullah ...... 75 Bangladesh: Zimbabwe by seven wickets in 148 runs with Liton Das in the also removed Imrul, who hit only over Zimbabwe in style, hitting S Williams c Mushfiqur b Saifuddin ...... 47 Liton Das c Tiripano b Raza ...... 83 the second one-day interna- opening stand, Bangladesh’s best seven fours in his 111-ball left-arm spinner Cephas Zhuwao S Raza c Mushfiqur b Mortaza ...... 49 Imrul Kayes c Chigumbura b Raza ...... 90 P Moor c Mehidy b Mustafizur ...... 17 Fazle Mahmud St Taylor b Raza ...... 0 tional to take an unassailable ODI start in 2018. innings, before finishing with for a six over deep square leg. E Chigumbura c Nazmul b Saifuddin ...... 3 Mushfiqur Rahim (not out) ...... 40 2-0 lead in the three-match Liton chipped in with 83 off 3-43. Bangladesh skipper Sent into bat first, Zimbabwe B Mavuta (not out) ...... 9 Mohammad Mithun (not out) ...... 24 series in Chittagong yesterday. 77 balls after being reprieved on acknowl- earlier lost skipper Hamilton D Tiripano (not out) ...... 3 Extras (LB1, W11, NB1) ...... 13 Imrul missed out on his naught by the third umpire, who edged dew in the field made Masakadza (14) quickly but Extras (B5, LB3, W1) ...... 9 Total (3 wkts) ...... 250 second century in the series overturned a leg-before decision their job easier. hit 75 off 73 balls Total (seven wkts) ...... 246 Fall of wickets: 1-148, 2-152, 3-211 when he was dismissed for 90, in the very first over of the “I think winning the toss was while Raza (49) and Sean Wil- Did not bat: K Jarvis, T Chatara Bowling: Jarvis 9-0-31-0 (w2), Chatara 7-0-48-0(w1), but this was enough to help innings following a television crucial. We knew about the dew, liams (47) played two useful Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-70, 3-147, 4-188, 5-229, 6-229, Tiripano 5-0-22-0, Mavuta 7-0-56-0 (w7), Williams 6-0- Bangladesh cruise to 250-3 in replay. Off-break bowler but it was not as much as we knocks to give them a compet- 7-234 43-0 (nb1), Raza 10-1-43-3 (w1), Zhuwao 0.1-0-6-0 44.1 overs after they restricted Sikandar Raza dismissed Liton expected,” Mortaza said. itive score. 30 SPORT THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER 2018

FIG President praises Qatar for realising ‘dream’ as Doha Worlds get under way

THE PENINSULA

DOHA: International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Morinari Watanabe heaped praise on Qatar for realising the ‘dream’ as the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 kick off at Aspire Dome today. A colourful opening cer- emony will mark the opening of the global gymnastics fiesta which will see more than 600 gymnasts from 78 nations con- verging for an event where, for the first time, Olympic places are up for grabs along with 42 World Championship medals. It is the first World Champi- onships to be staged in the Middle East and Watanabe, yesterday applauded Qatar’s Local Organ- ising Committee for the Just now, a big arrangements. “Just now, a big gymnastics gymnastics flower flower has bloomed in the desert has bloomed in the of Qatar. The meaning of this FROM LEFT: Anis Soud, Deputy Competition Manager, Ali Al Hitmi CEO of the Doha Worlds LOC, Morinari Watanabe, FIG President, Andre flower is courage,” Watanabe desert of Qatar. Gueisbuhler, FIG Secretary General and Competition Brand Ambassador Svetlana Boguinskaia during a press conference, yesterday. The meaning said on the eve of the opening ceremony. of this flower Until 2018, the hosting of this nations in the Team finals for the 2015 World Championships said Ali Al Hitmi, Chief Executive A lot at stake at Worlds is courage: FIG competition had been limited to both men and women will earn in Glasgow (GBR). The team com- Officer of the Local Organising President Morinari Europe, North America, Australia team berths directly to the 2020 petition is not held at the world Committee for the 48th Artistic Watanabe and East Asia, yet Doha is a Olympic Games in Tokyo; other championships in post-Olympic Gymnastics World Champion- familiar destination for many of nations will have further chances years. ships and President of the Qatar 42 the participants having staged an to qualify in 2019 and 2020 (click “We are thrilled and hon- Gymnastics Federation. Is the number of total medals FIG World Cup each year since here for more on the 2020 oured to provide the world’s best “We are confident that, as the up for grabs at the 48th 2008, as well as the 2006 Asian Olympic qualification process and gymnasts with the eager global competitors in Doha challenge for World Artistic Gymnastics Games. refer to the applicable rules. The media presence, optimal venue world titles and Olympic berths, Championships starting at The FIG President added: “I Japanese men and American conditions and enthusiastic spec- they will inspire fans and con- Aspire Dome today. came to Qatar for the first time women are the reigning Olympic tator support to make their tinue to propel the sport upward.” for the Asian Games in 2006. At champions from Rio and important first strides towards the Olympic All-around cham- that time, Gymnastics was defending world champions from 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo,” pions Simone Biles (USA) and nothing more than flower seeds. Kohei Uchimura (JPN), who were In just 12 years since, Qatar has absent from the All-around finals made the desert bloom with the at the 2017 World Championships flower of the World Champion- in Montreal (CAN), are back this ships. A dream is not something year in Doha and will share the we have while we’re sleeping - a spotlight with new world cham- dream is something we realise.” pions Morgan Hurd (USA) and “I offer my thanks to the Xiao Ruoteng (CHN). Biles is Qatar Gymnastics Federation for tipped to become the first female showing their great courage and gymnast to win four World All- I hope the gymnasts will respond around titles, while six-time with some wonderful perform- world champion Uchimura will ances, watering the flowers that be competing four events only. the federation has brought into The deep lineup in Doha blossom.” includes 22 World and Olympic We are confident Taking place between gold medallists from 13 nations. that, as the October 25 and November 3, All but one of the Olympic appa- competitors in these 48th World Championships ratus champions will be in the will provide the first qualification Qatari capital, and all but three of Doha challenge for route for the 2020 Olympic the reigning world apparatus world titles and Games in Tokyo (JPN). champions will be back to defend Olympic berths, The competition at the Aspire their titles. The roster also includes they will inspire Dome will determine the winners numerous young gymnasts who of eight sets of medals for men have had breakout years so far in fans and continue (Team, All-around, 2018 and are favoured for more to propel the Exercise, Pommel Horse, Still success in Doha. sport upward: QGF Rings, , Parallel Bars, and Three-time Olympian Horizontal Bar) and six for Svetlana Boguinskaia if Belarus, President Ali Al women (Team, All-around, Vault, the 1989 World All-around Hitmi , , and Team USA poses for a group photo. champion, is serving as the 2018 Floor Exercise). Artistic Gymnastics World Cham- The three medal-winning pionships Ambassador. Oleg fuelling Ukrainian resurrection

THE PENINSULA the sun was out,” Ostapenko cautiously. “Diana is one of the laughs. “But I am enjoying being best. She does have problems with DOHA: After a dispiriting fallow back in the motherland. I was some apparatus but if she keeps period stretching back more sad every time I had to leave. It’s working she can do the All- than a decade, the Ukrainian It is much better for much better to be back in around and take some medals. women’s team are once again us that Oleg has come Ukraine.” “And for sure Bachynska is talking finals and even medals back, Gymnastics in Aside from Varinska’s a good sign. We hope she will be in the final run-up to the 2018 Ukraine is getting success in Montreal, Ostapenko here to help our team next year. Artistic Gymnastics World has also helped steer her to three She has good potential.” Championships, starting in Doha better: Diana Varinska World Challenge Cup titles this The squad still has some way (QAT) today. year, while the team’s fifth place to go to match the country’s “It is much better for us that of the women’s team in 2001, in Glasgow in August was their golden period. Oleg has come back, Gymnastics going on to ply his trade in highest finish at a European When Ostapenko was last in in Ukraine is getting better,” Brazil, Russia and Belarus. Championships in almost 10 charge, the magical Lilia Pod- Diana Varinska says, referencing Results improving markedly in years. kopayeva was crowned the All- world renowned coach Oleg each, particularly in Brazil, with On top of all this, 15-year- around and Floor champion and Ostapenko who returned to take the women’s team qualifying for old Anastasiia Bachynska won won the silver medal in Balance charge of the Ukrainian two Olympic Games and bronze medals in the All-around Beam at the Atlanta 1996 women’s team in October 2017, winning three individual World and on the Floor at the Buenos Olympic Games. after 16 years away. Championship medals during his Aires 2018 Youth Olympic The team finished fifth that Qatari gymnast Jana Elkeky is excited ahead of the Artistic Ostapenko had left his seven-year stint. Games (YOG). “It is getting year and repeated the feat four Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 which begin today position as national head coach “In Brazil it was not so hard, better,” Ostapenko admits years later at the Sydney Games. at Aspire Dome. THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 31 Ducati star Davies eager to close season on a winning note in Qatar

RIZWAN REHMAT Team Ducati rider Chaz Davies addresses THE PENINSULA the media at the Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel and Villas in Doha yesterday. DOHA: Ducati star Chaz Davies Davies will be seen in action in the final I really like the is looking forward to closing round of the Motul FIM Superbike World the 2018 WorldSBK season Championship which will take place at track here. Not only with a win at the ‘challenging’ the Losail International Circuit (LIC) in the track but the Losail International Circuit’ Doha this weekend. atmosphere as well. (LIC) this week. Currently a notch behind The schedule of the World Champion Jonathan night is something Rhea (520 points), the tall I really enjoy. It is Welshman (348) will be battling to secure the second spot ahead different to how we of third-placed Michael Van race elsewhere in Der Mark (324) at the Qatar Europe. This is special. round of the championship. The first free practice session kicks off today at LIC room with the new bike. We got and 31-year-old Davies is room to improve. His domi- excited ahead of the night race. nation, does it surprise me? Yes “I really want to finish the and no! Nobody is at his level season on a high note with this right now. You don’t become team,” Davies said yesterday that rider overnight. He has at the Grand Hyatt Doha. built that up. He has won four “I want to win the last championship titles. He has full round. It’s our last race with confidence in his bike. this bike,” he added. The bike performs like the way he wants it to perform. His A special Q&A with Chaz natural progression to where Davies: WORLDSBK rains, the protocol here is we Jonathan. I think I am the guy is really amazing. That’s why delay the race and we dry the who has beaten him the most. everybody is below him. : How do you feel going CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS track. I think that’s the situation I still believe Jonathan hasn’t Qinto the final race of the Obviously the goal - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) 520 and what will they do. Every seen the best of me or the best : Do you ever plan to go season now that the champi- Chaz Davies (Ducati) 348 time I come to Qatar I have to of Ducati. Qback to MotoGP? onship has already been when you start the Michael Van Der Mark (Yamaha) 324 fight for something. So there is : Obviously as a full-time decided? season - is to fight for Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) 294 plenty of motivation. When the : Will Jonathan ever Arider, it is difficult to go to : Obviously the goal - when visor goes down and the lights relent? Does his domi- MotoGP because they are the championship. Marco Melandri (Ducati) 286 Q Ayou start the season - is to Alex Lowes (Yamaha) 232 go up and then it’s just me and nation of the sport surprises looking at (young) Moto2 and fight for the championship. That is unachievable Xavi Fores (Ducati) 227 racing. Sometimes the build- you? Moto3 riders. These guys have That is unachievable for us for us now. So we are Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki) 145 up is long. But when the lights : Hmmm never (laughs). proven they can step up and be now. So we are now looking to go up is my motivation. This is Johnny is a great rider. He’s competitive. For me to make now looking to be the Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) 145 A be the second best, to get the Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia) 133 a great lifestyle and see got a great package underneath that jump would be difficult to silver medal. It’s a really second best, to get the amazing places. It is like living him. He gets to extract 100 get the right package. In MotoGP important race. You want to be silver medal. your dream. percent from that package I would be fighting for middle the best guy, to be the WORLDSSP every weekend. He rides very positions. If the right oppor- champion. It is not the end of CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS : How do you look back well. For us to get to that level tunity comes about in 2-3 the world if it doesn’t happen. Sandro Cortese (Yamaha) 189 Qat your season? next year, we feel we have more years, I would look at it. You can still be the second best. season on a high note with this Jules Cluzel (Yamaha) 183 : It’s really been chal- You can still go into the next team. Randy Krummenacher (Yamaha) 150 Alenging. I broke my col- season with great hopes. This Lucas Mahias (Yamaha) 135 larbone twice. It came at the is the fourth time that I am in : You like the track here, Federico Caricasulo (Yamaha) 132 back off a knee injury last the second position. Qdon’t you? Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta) 128 December. There’s been a few : I really like the track here. Kyle Smith (Honda) 76 hurdles along the way. We : What’s the strategy for ANot only the track but the Thomas Gradinger (Yamaha) 74 started the season looking well. Qthis week? You have a 24 atmosphere as well. The Luke Stapleford (Yamaha) 57 We have been fairly consistent points lead. schedule of the night is some- Anthony West (Kawasaki) 51 but not spectacular. We are just : After the race in thing I really enjoy. It is different missing that a little bit. Next AArgentina, I crashed during to how we race elsewhere in year we will have a new bike. the first race. During that race Europe. This is special. It’s just a It is a 4-cylinder bike and is I was thinking ‘which cards nice feeling about the weekend make you stop and then you the first time Ducati produced do I play’. ‘Do I attack or do and then the track - it’s really turn really fast. In Qatar it is all that kind of a bike. I think that I defend?’ I could see that my good. It’s flowing, it has got char- about keeping the lines. is something really exciting for next close rival Michael was acter to it. It presents a lot of all of us. That’s the motivation quite far behind in the race. challenges. I really enjoy it. But : It rained here last week. - the new bike. We can do So I thought this is the chance here you can always find a nice QIf it rains again in the decent damage. Until the bike to score some points and I rhythm, a nice flow. It’s not too race week, does that make goes on the track, we don’t crashed. I told myself ‘why tight. Every corner links you to things difficult for you? know. It’s going to be inter- did I do that?’. That can the next one so you have to keep : I think we have to see esting. The guys who have happen. your momentum. Corner speed Awhat happens. I know in tested the bike say it has got Now it’s the last race. I have has to be high. the past everybody in Qatar is more potential. They like it. It to manage the situation as it Sometimes after racing in concerned about rain during a could be the bike to beat. Until comes. No race is the same. I’ll European tracks, you have to race week. The artificial Phillip Island next year, we obviously have one eye on reset your brains to race here. lighting causes a reflection and don’t know yet. Fingers Michael.Michael. But I want to finish the You have to let go off the brakebrakess that makes thingsthings difficult crossed.crossed. season strong.strong. I want to win the andand justjust let the bike go a little toto see. So if it RightRight now somebody needs last round. It’s our last race bitbit faster than usual. InIn toto find something to beat with thithiss bikebike.. I rereallyally wanwantt EuropeEurope thetherere a lot ooff to finishfinish ththee V-type ofof cornerscorners whiwhichch

Chaz Davies in action during last season’s final round at the Losail International Circuit in Doha in this file photo. THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER 2018 SPORT 27 The important thing was to 10.00PM` 7:55PM win this game, the players FOOTBALL FOOTBALL really needed it, and so did Julen Lopetegui Marseille Real Betis vs their coach. For me, it could be Real Madrid coach vs Lazio AC Milan ACTION

a turning point. TODAY’S

Golf: Koepka : El Shorbagy returns warns he can ‘get even to favourite hunting ground better’ AFP

THE PENINSULA 2018 DRAW SHANGHAI: Brooks Koepka (pictured) First round fixtures at Khalifa International Ten- has won half of DOHA: World No.1 Mohamed El nis and Squash Complex this year’s majors and is golf’s Shorbagy is relishing the [1] (EGY) [Bye] newly anointed world prospect of defending his Qatar [WC] Syed Azlan Amjad (QAT) vs Tsz Fung Yip number one, but the red-hot Classic title between October 27 (HKG) American insists he can get - November 2 and says that he Alan Clyne (SCO) vs Adrian Waller (ENG) Omar even better as he leads an feels at home at the Khalifa Mosaad (EGY) [Bye] elite field into this week’s International Tennis & Squash (ENG) [Bye] WGC-HSBC Champions. Complex after reaching six Chris Simpson (ENG) vs Mazen Hesham (EGY) The 2018 US PGA Tour successive finals there. It’s not going to be Raphael Kandra (GER) vs Arturo Salazar (MEX) Player of the Year is the man With three Qatar Classic [8] Diego Elias (PER) [Bye] to beat in Shanghai after he titles to his name, El Shorbagy is easy with how strong [7] Paul Coll (NZL) [Bye] coolly shot a final-round 64 the most successful player in the the draw is and each Peter Creed (WAL) vs Cesar Salazar (MEX) [Borja to clinch victory in the CJ Cup tournament’s history, and he also season it gets harder Golan (ESP) vs (ENG) Nafiizwan in South Korea last week and reached the World Champi- Adnan (MAS) vs Greg Lobban (SCO) ascend to golf’s top ranking onship final here on two occa- because each player Tom Richards (ENG) vs (EGY) for the first time. sions, in 2012 and 2014. studies me more and Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) [Bye] “The way I’m playing The 27-year-old has a rich wants to beat me Campbell Grayson (NZL) vs George Parker (ENG) right now, I feel like I can win vein of form in Doha, winning [4] Simon Rosner (GER) [Bye] anywhere,” said Koepka -- a Mohamed El Shorbagy of more: El Shorbagy 29 of his last 32 matches in the [3] (EGY) [Bye] joint runner-up in Shanghai Egypt poses for a picture country’s capital, and he looking Nicolas Mueller (SUI) [Bye] last year -- ahead of the $10 forward to returning to a after winning the 2017 Max Lee (HKG) [Bye] today. location where he has domi- Qatar Classic in Doha in (ENG) [Bye] “I don’t feel like I’ve nated his opponents in recent this file picture. (AUS) vs [WC] Abdulrahman Al- peaked at all. I feel like I can Malki (QAT) years. get a lot better. You can Youssef Soliman (EGY) vs “I always love playing there,” always improve. (FRA) said El Shorbagy. and be able to defend my title.” how strong the draw is and each keep getting better and keep “With maturity, coming (WAL) vs Rex Hedrick (AUS) “I have made six finals in the El Shorbagy’s title win in season it gets harder because challenging myself more every [5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) [Bye] out on the golf course you last six years, so I always feel that Qatar last year was one of eight each player studies me more and day. I made that mistake last [6] (EGY) [Bye] learn new things about if there is somewhere where I PSA Tour titles the Bristol-based wants to beat me more,” he said. time when I was World No.1, I Eain Yow Ng (MAS) vs [Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi yourself every day.” am the hardest to beat then it is Egyptian picked up during a “I try to get better each stayed the same and didn’t (QAT) The 28-year-old, who definitely Qatar because I always dominant 2017/18 campaign, season too, it gives me a reason motivate myself to get better, so Gregoire Marche (FRA) vs Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) combines a powerful game feel at home on that court. If with a 3-1 victory over fellow to get better each season. I have the experience I have this time (EGY) vs with a cool demeanour, said someone is going to beat me Egyptian Tarek Momen seeing been World No.1 for three years is that I know that if I stay the (ENG) he feels “no pressure” after there then it will be like they him capture his third trophy in exactly now and for me the same someone is going to hunt Leo Au (HKG) vs Ben Coleman (ENG) rising to the top ranking. have kicked me out of my home. Qatar. greatest in each sport has con- me down.” Saurav Ghosal (IND) [Bye] Chasing him is the usual

“I really look forward to He started this season with sistency. The longer you stay, the El Shorbagy receives a bye (EGY) [Bye] who’s who of star names going back there and trying to a final appearance at the Oracle longer they study you and find through to round two, where he [2] (EGY) [Bye] drawn annually to Sheshan defend my title. I had a tough NetSuite Open in San Francisco weaknesses, and the longer you will play either Qatari No.2 Syed International Golf Club for draw there last year and I - where he lost out to World No.2 stay at the top that means that Azlan Amjad or Hong Kong’s Tsz the tournament dubbed stepped up and won the tour- Ali Farag - before beating World you have been able to protect Fung Yip. involved on the opposite side. “Asia’s major” which carries nament. I really hope I can go No.5 Simon Rösner to win the US those weaknesses from being The Egyptian is drawn on A prize money of $177,750 will a winner’s purse of $1.8 back there and do it one more Open a fortnight ago, and he is exposed as much as possible. the same side of the draw as be up for grabs, as will a place million. time and let’s see what happens, anticipating some strong chal- “For me, the same means World No.5 Simon Rösner and at the PSA World Tour Finals, World number two there are a lot of good players lenges in Qatar as he bids to going backwards, so if I stay the World No.8 Paul Coll, while with the winner automatically Dustin Johnson, reigning US right now playing really well but retain his crown. same as last season then I might Farag, Momen and World No.6 qualifying for the season- Masters champion Patrick hopefully I will be up to the task “It’s not going to be easy with not win this season. I have to Miguel Angel Rodriguez are ending tournament. Reed, four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and last year’s tournament victor and world number three Justin Rose are in a field that boasts 19 of the world’s top 30. Federer digs deep to Also on hand is the “Moli- Wood” duo of Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood, who provided the reach second round spark for Europe’s domi- nating Ryder Cup win, along AFP break, the Swiss lost serve in the happy where I am right now.” with several of their sixth game of the second set The 37-year-old Federer, teammates. BASEL, SWITZERLAND: Roger before his opponent managed who revealed earlier this week Johnson memorably Federer (pictured) had to fight to square the match with a that he had been struggling imploded last year in the final hard to hold off Serbia’s Filip break in game 10. The top seed with a hand injury since the round at Sheshan, surren- Krajinovic yesterday, edging to went up an early break in the grass-court season, last lost at dering a six-stroke lead com- a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win to reach the third and broke Krajinovic in the Swiss Indoors in 2013, piled through 54 holes and second round of the Swiss an 11-minute game for a 5-2 going down to Juan Martin del opening a door that Rose Germany’s Angelique Kerber reacts as she plays against Japan’s Indoors. lead, only to fail to serve out the Potro. Seventh seed Daniil barged through to win. Naomi Osaka during their singles match at the WTA Finals in The eight-time champion match at the first time of asking. Medvedev, a semi-finalist last The long-hitting flirted with his earliest exit in But he clinched victory on week in Moscow, saw off Singapore, yesterday. American said that was Basel since his 1998 debut as a his second match point to take German Maximilian Marterer history. teenager, but cameme out on top his career record at the tourtour-- 6-3,6-3, 77-5.-5. “I didn’t play that badly. in a nervy decidingng set. nament to 67-9 as he bids to RussianR ussian Resilient Kerber I just hit a couple of iron shots “I was up 6-2,2, 3-1, it couldcould reachreach a 12t12thh successive MedvedevMedvedev stanstandsds that cost me the tournament,” have ended veryery quickly,”quickly,” finalf i nal at St.St. at a career-highcareer-high said Johnson, who lifted the Federer said. Jakobshalle.Jakobshalle. rankingranking off trophy at Sheshan in 2013 “But I madede life more “I’m“I’m glad I got 220th,0th, with overcomes Osaka with a WGC-HSBC Cham- difficult. through.through. These ththreeree tittitlesles pions record 24-under par REUTERSRE “I didn’t haveave tthehe bbestest araree thethe mamatchestches thisthis sseasoneason points in the decider,” Wim- total of 264. serving stats, maybeybe that caught you have to win,” andand will bledon champion Kerber told up to me. saidsaid FFederer.ederer. nextnext ffaceace SINGAPORE:SIN Angelique Kerber reporters. “But these are differentdifferent bballs,alls, “Things“Things ddidn’tidn’t AAndreasndreas producedpr a stunning display of “It was great to win such a more altitude thanan in Shanghai, reallyreally flow, but it SSeppieppi afteafterr defensivede tennis to see off the great match and to be able to it’s about getting useusedd to itit.. waswas a hard-hard- thethe ItalianItalian big-hittingbig Naomi Osaka 6-4 look forward to another one in “And first roundsnds are always fought win. I feel ddefeatede f eated 5-75- 6-4 in a classic Red Group two days from now.” tricky, it’s neverr a given that good physically. I JJapan’sapan’s Taro encounteren between the last two Both players made tentative you are going to win.” Earlier, havehave a day offoff Daniel 6-0,6-0, 6-4. GrandGr Slam champions at the starts to a match that began Jan-Lennard Struffuff ended the tomorrow so itit was WTAW Finals on Wednesday. with three consecutive breaks possibility of a rematch nono trouble to playplay The victory evens up Ker- of serve in the German’s favour between Federerer aandnd hihiss US threethree sets. ber’sbe record at 1-1 in round as Osaka looked to dictate with Open conqueror John Millman “I’m“I’m robinrob play as Osaka slumped to her power, while Kerber was by beating the AAustralianustralian 7-6 herhe second straight defeat at the content to counter-punch off (7/3), 6-2. seasonse ending event, leaving the back foot and keep the ball Krajinovic appearedppeared to bebe thethe US Open champion on the in play. on the way to a straight-setstraight-sets brinkbr of elimination from the Osaka fashioned five break loss in his first meeting eight-womaneig tournament. points when Kerber served for with the 20-timee Grand “I had my chances in the the set at 5-4 but the German Slam winner beforeore the secondse set but she played was able to stave off all of them momentum begangan to someso unbelievable tennis to with some gutsy tennis and turn. winwi that one, and it felt like sealed the opener with a Up a set andnd a thereth was only one or two booming serve.