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Wednesday, September 6, 2017 CRICKET Dhul-Hijja 15, 1438 AH West Indies’ GULF TIMES Shai Hope tipped as future ‘great’ SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL Korea reach World Cup, Syria into play-off s

AFP heartbroken hosts missed out. Mardkian said: “We played with a Tehran But there was jubilation in Tehran united spirit, for Syria, for the Syrian as Syria, who have been playing home people, for the kids, for all the people.” games in Malaysia to avoid the civil war He added: “We’re thinking about the mar al-Soma’s stoppage-time raging in their country, continued to defy play-off and there’s more work to do... equaliser extended war-torn the odds. We hope to achieve what is worthy of Syria’s World Cup fairytale Syria’s goals from Tamer Mohamad Syria’s name.” yesterday, as South Korea and al-Soma were the fi rst conceded in In Tashkent, South Korea’s Hwang Obooked their spot to reach the tourna- the fi nal round by already qualifi ed Iran, Hee-Chan hit the post early on be- ment for the ninth straight time. who were playing in their fortress Azadi fore Azizbek Khaydarov also rattled the Syria were 2-1 down against Iran Mohamed scored in the 13th minute woodwork in the 21st minute in what was and heading out, but in the third added before Iran equalised through Sardar otherwise a tepid fi rst half. minute Mardek Mardkian slid a pass to Azmoun, who chested in a rebound on After the break, Kim Min-Woo’s curl- al-Soma, who fi nished through goal- the stroke of half-time and then put the ing shot nearly opened the scoring fol- keeper Alireza Salimi’s legs. hosts ahead in the 64th minute. lowing an intricate move around the box, The 2-2 draw was enough to give Syria Al-Soma’s heart-stopping goal had as South Korea repeatedly pierced the third place in Group A and a spot in the one Syrian team offi cial in tears before Uzbek defence. Asian play-off s against either Australia the players hugged and celebrated at the Veteran striker Lee Dong-Gook or Saudi Arabia, who face later in fi nal whistle. spurned a golden opportunity in the 86th Group B. “God willing we continue the minute when his free header came off the South Korea spurned several late journey... the qualifi cations have started bar. Although the draw was enough for chances before settling for a 0-0 draw in again,” said al-Soma. “The players were the Koreans, they will want improve- Uzbekistan, grabbing the second auto- Syria’s players celebrate at the end of their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match against Iran at the Azadi heroes on the pitch from the fi rst minute ments before the World Cup next June matic qualifying spot in Group A as their Stadium in Tehran yesterday. until the last minute.” and July.

DISAPPOINTMENT Iraq snuff out UAE’s hopes with 1-0 win

Amman: Ayman Hussein’s going, allowing the Iraqis to hold first-half header gave Iraq a 1-0 sway over them for most of the victory over United Arab Emir- match. Iraq created a number ates yesterday, ending their slim of chances, keeping the UAE hopes of reaching next year’s goal under pressure right from World Cup in Russia. the start and eventually finding World Cup woe for The Emiratis needed to win by a the net through the 21-year-old convincing margin to have any Hussein, who leapt high to head chance of a play-off spot, but Waleed Saleem’s cross into the it was Iraq who showed more net on 29 minutes. purpose and determination to Iraq could have consolidated clinch only their third win in 10 their lead several times in the matches. second half but UAE goalkeeper It was a disappointing outing for Khalid Essa pulled off a string of China despite win Edgardo Bauza-coached UAE, saves, including twice in quick who upset regional giants Saudi succession in the 52nd minute Arabia last week and had held from Hussein and Bashar Resan. Syria’s draw in Iran and Uzbekistan’s goalless stalemate with South Korea out hopes of reaching only their The UAE had a great chance second World Cup. to equalise in the 70th minute meant that China’s 2-1 victory over Qatar was ultimately futile But in front of an empty stadium but Tareq al-Khaddeim’s shot in the Jordanian capital Amman, was saved by Iraq goalkeeper AFP through on China’s goal. they failed to get their game Mohamed Gassid. Doha But just two minutes later substitute Wu Lei scored to give China the lead and set up a dramatic fi nale. hina’s faint hopes of qualifying Results elsewhere though meant that SPOTLIGHT for next year’s World Cup fi nals China had failed to qualify for Russia, and in Russia fi nally ended yester- they fi nished fi fth, one point off of the Cday, despite securing the victo- play-off position, secured by Syria on a ry they needed in Qatar with just 10 men. night of high-drama in AFC Group A. Saudis fail to Syria’s draw in Iran and Uzbekistan’s While Lippi remained confi dent about goalless stalemate with South Korea China’s future, it was another sobering meant that two late goals to secure a 2-1 night for Qatar. arrange transport win in Doha were ultimately futile in Defeat meant they fi nished bottom of China’s desperate bid to snatch a play-off the group, a desperate end for a country place for next year’s tournament. anxious to qualify for its fi rst World Cup for Japan players As well as coming from behind, Chi- fi nals before they host in 2022. na also took the lead after their captain Despite the sad end to the tournament, Zheng Zhi had been sent off . coach Felix Sanchez said there were But despite being knocked out, China’s enough young players coming through to coach Marcello Lippi said his team had give Qatar hope. made real progress for the future after “We have a lot of very young players, taking 11 points from their last six games. we will keep working with them,” he said. “When I was fi rst appointed nobody Meanwhile, Fahad Al Muwallad’s sec- told me to get to the World Cup,” said the ond-half winner took Saudi Arabia to Italian at a press conference afterwards. their fi fth World Cup and consigned Aus- “They asked me to build up a very tralia to the play-off s as they beat Japan strong team. 1-0 in Jeddah yesterday. “We were unlucky, we didn’t get the The half-time substitute smashed a results we deserved,” added Lippi, who fi erce shot into the top corner on 63 min- received applause from Chinese journal- utes to secure Group B’s second automat- ists as he left the press room. ic qualifying spot for the Saudis, ahead of China began the match brightly. Australia on goal diff erence. Japanese players wait for taxis outside Jeddah airport. They dominated early on and should have scored as early as the second minute Chinese fans cheer their team during their match against Qatar in Doha yesterday. At Reuters rienced players in our team and when Xiao Zhi missed a free header from bottom, Qatar’s Akram Afif (L) is congratulated by Karim Boudaif after he scored for Results Jeddah you have to enjoy this kind of just six yards. his team. situation. You can’t let it wind They squandered several other chances Group A you up.” before Qatar made any impression, but apan’s players had to Japan Football Association of- the game remained goalless at half-time. At Tehran scramble to training in fi cials told Kyodo that the bus However, the deadlock was broken im- Iran 2 (Sardar Azmoun 45, 64) Syria 2 taxis ahead of their World was stuck in traffi c caused by the mediately in the second half and against (Tamer Mohamad 13, Omar Al Soma Cup qualifi er against end of the Haj pilgrimage. the run of play, it was Qatar who took the JSaudi Arabia after their team bus Coach Vahid Halilhodzic and 90+3) lead. At Doha failed to show up at their hotel. his players eventually made it to Striker Akram Afi f sidefooted home in Qatar 1 (Akram Afif 47) China 2 (Xiao The hosting federation bears Al-Ahli Saudi FC’s home stadium the 46th minute, after good work from Zhi 74, Wu Lei 83) responsibility for a visiting where practice began 20 minutes Ali Al-Moez. At Tashkent team’s logistics but the Samurai late. The game became more stretched as Uzbekistan 0 South Korea 0 Blue, who have already booked Japan goalkeeper Eiji Ka- China pushed men forward for an equal- Group B their ticket to Russia, put a posi- washima said his team remained iser and Afi f should have scored a second tive spin on the inconvenience focused despite the snag. soon after, but was denied by goalkeeper At Melbourne ahead of their match in Jeddah, “It was an enjoyable trip and Zeng Cheng. Australia 2 (Juric 69, Leckie 86) Thai- which they won yesterday. there’s nothing wrong with ex- The visitors equalised in the 74th land 1 (Pokklaw 82) “I don’t think I’ve ever shared periencing (something like that) minute when Xiao Zhi powered home At Amman a taxi with team-mates (to the for the fi rst time,” he said. from close range, to give China a glimmer Iraq 1 (Ayman Hussein 29) UAE 0 training ground), not even in my “Whether or not it was inten- of hope. At Jeddah youth-team days,” defender To- tional, I don’t know, but there is That appeared to end just six min- Saudi Arabia 1 (Fahad Al Muwallad moaki Makino said in comments no point in getting stressed out utes later however when Zheng was red- 63) Japan 0 published by Kyodo news agency. about it. We just have to keep our carded after he fouled Afi f, who was clean “But there are a lot of expe- focus on the task at hand.” Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 6, 2017 FOOTBALL

NEW DEAL European clubs rule out further Simeone to complete changes to Champions League Geneva: Europe’s biggest clubs do not want any more changes to the Champions unfi nished business League in the next few years, they said yesterday, promis- ing to avoid a repetition of the ‘soap opera’ which surrounded the competition last year. UEFA last year announced significant changes to the at Atletico Madrid competition for the 2018-21 cycle, rearranging the group- stage slots in favour of the The Argentine has renewed his contract till 2020 at Atletico, where he has been in charge since 2011 four top-ranked leagues — in eff ect Spain, England, AFP ing to stay? Because this club has a fu- Germany and Italy — at the Madrid ture and that future is all of us.” expense of the smaller ones. Although still unable to match the The decision came amid fi nancial muscle of Real and Barca, reports that the biggest iego Simeone’s love aff air with continued success on the fi eld and the clubs had held talks over the Atletico Madrid is set to con- stadium move have allowed Atletico to creation of a so-called Super tinue for another three years stop having to sell their best players as League if they did not get after the Argentine renewed in the early years of Simeone’s reign. their way, and was criticised hisD contract till 2020 yesterday. Antoine Griezmann, Koke and Saul by some of Europe’s smaller Since taking charge in 2011, Simeone, Niguez have all themselves recently leagues who said they had 47, has transformed the club’s fortunes, signed new contracts. Despite a ban on not been consulted. turning Atletico from perennial un- registering new players in the recently Andrea Agnelli, who was derachievers to serial contenders both closed transfer window, Atletico have appointed chairman of the domestically and in the Champions already completed a deal for Spanish European Club Association League. international Vitolo to arrive in January. (ECA) on Tuesday after Karl- However, having lost in agonising Meanwhile, Spanish media have re- Heinz Rummenigge stepped fashion twice to local rivals Real Ma- ported Diego Costa’s return to the club aside, said he did not envis- drid in two Champions League fi nals, from Chelsea was one of Simeone’s de- age further changes for the Simeone has turned his back on lucra- mands when negotiating his new deal. subsequent 2021-24 cycle. tive off ers elsewhere for the challenge of Costa, who was Atletico’s top scorer “I am comfortable in making Atletico champions of Europe when they won the title in 2013/14, stating that the majority is for the fi rst time in their history. hasn’t played for the English champions in favour of the Champions Simeone has already delivered fi ve Diego Simeone has already this season due to a fallout with man- League as it is, and also for trophies, the highlight of which was delivered five trophies at ager Antonio Conte and was left out of the 21-24 cycle, and that will ending Real and Barcelona’s hegemony Atletico Madrid, including the Chelsea’s Champions League squad give it some stability going of Spanish football with a fi rst a first La Liga title for 18 on Monday. forward,” Agnelli, the chair- title for 18 years in 2013/14. Yet, the years in 2013/14. That is doubly good news for Atletico man of Italian champions Champions League has continued to as they face Chelsea in a tough Cham- Juventus, told reporters. “We allude Los Rojiblancos with Real their pions League group also featuring Roma are not expecting a soap conquerors in all four seasons since and a tricky trip to Azerbaijani cham- opera going forward as the Simeone led them back into European pions Qarabag. Costa would also then Champions League cycle is football’s premier competition. be free to play for Atletico in Europe pretty much set for 2021-24.” Atletico were seconds away in the should they make it to the last 16 and Although Agnelli’s com- 2014 fi nal before Sergio Ramos’s injury- the Spanish international complete his ments may put paid to time header forced extra-time and Real Having initially agreed a contract to thanks to a Chinese takeover, among “The journalists continually ask me if expected return in January. further talk of a breakaway, ran out 4-1 winners. Two years later, 2020 back in 2015, he asked for the deal those interested. Yet, Simeone now I am going to stay and yes I am going to His extra fi repower could be the fi nal they could also frustrate penalties were needed to separate the to be cut by two years till 2018. seems set to add stability to a new era stay,” Simeone told his adoring public as missing piece for Atletico and Simeone those who were hoping that two in Milan in a defeat so painful Sime- That appeared to open the door for for Atletico as they move this season to Atletico bade an emotional farewell to to end their long and arduous wait to last year’s changes could one described it as a “death”. Simeone an exit with another of his former clubs the new 68,000 capacity Wanda Metro- the Vicente Calderon at the end of last lift the Champions League come May be reversed. Agnelli said he was tempted to walk away last summer. Inter Milan, freshly fl ushed with cash politano stadium. season. “And do you know why I am go- in Kiev. agreed with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin that the rich-poor divide in European SPOTLIGHT football needed to be ad- dressed, although not at the expense of further growth of the biggest clubs. “We want a competition Messi deal ‘signed’ by agent, claims Barca president that is interesting and we want to see games that AFP signed by the president of the foundation tomeu if it receives enough support from reach the last minute with Barcelona and the player’s brother; a contract with the club’s members in the coming weeks. the result in the balance,” he Leo Messi’s image rights, that his father and However, Bartomeu described the loss of said.”Stronger teams becom- administrator of his company have signed; the Brazilian as an “opportunity” for Barca ing stronger is not an issue arcelona’s under-fi re president and the work contract that Leo’s father has to build their team around the midfi eld but there are elements that Josep Maria Bartomeu launched a signed.” rather than a superstar front three of Ney- need to be addressed.” counter-attack on his critics yes- When pressed on the delay in Messi sign- mar, Messi and Luis Suarez. “The trident Agnelli said he was not terday by insisting a four-year con- ing the deal, Bartomeu claimed both the was very good but it had its consequences. concerned about possible Btract extension for superstar Lionel Messi player and club’s hectic start to the season It is an opportunity to return to the col- overspending by clubs in the has been signed by the player’s agent and was to blame and that it would be resolved lective football in the middle of the fi eld, transfer market during the father, Jorge Horacio Messi. within a month. “There are no problems. All which traditionally was Barca’s strength. It summer, despite Paris St Ger- Barca announced an agreement with the that is left is the protocol of the signature. is an opportunity, with a new coach, a new main smashing the record by fi ve-time World Player of the Year in July, We are calm,” he added. project. We need to stop being pessimistic!” splashing out 222mn euros but Messi himself is yet to put pen to paper Bartomeu and his board have received Neymar’s departure sparked a haphaz- on Brazilian forward Neymar. amid rumours he is unhappy with the run- fi erce criticism for their handling of the ard shopping spree from Barca, who land- He also suggested that ning of the club. Messi’s current deal ex- recently closed transfer window as Paris ed 20-year-old French winger Ousmane UEFA’s break-even rule pires in 2018 meaning he could leave Barca Saint-Germain enticed Neymar away from Dembele for an initial 105mn euro fee from known as Financial Fair Play for free next summer. the Catalan giants for a world record 222mn Borussia Dortmund and Paulinho for 40mn needed to be re-written, hav- “It is all agreed and signed,” said Bar- euros ($263.7mn). from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. ing achieved its initial goals tomeu in an interview with Barcelona- A vote of no confi dence motion has been However, Barca missed out on a host of of cutting overdue bills and based daily Sport. “There are three con- launched by former Barca presidential can- other targets, including Liverpool’s Philippe overall losses. tracts: one with Messi’s foundation, that is didate Agusti Benedito that could oust Bar- Coutinho

FOCUS OPINION Mentor Cruyff ’s fl ame still burns bright: Jonk Wenger wants AFP a member of the hugely-talented Dutch January transfer Manchester, side that lost on penalties to Brazil in the 1998 World Cup semi-fi nals. Jonk, who at club level won the UEFA window scrapped he late Dutch legend Johan Cru- Cup (the predecessor of the Europa yff ’s philosophy of attacking League) with Ajax and then Inter Milan, Reuters Wenger told beIN Sports. football is still relevant despite says managers also face a problem in the London “We are here to entertain peo- the emphasis placed on results by teams they inherit. ple and you can do that with Tclub owners, former inter- “Cruyff ’s principles depend on the people who are really on board national Wim Jonk said. The 50-year-old players epecially when you work with rsenal manager Arsene together, to achieve something was asked by a dying Cruyff to keep the 26 or 27 year-olds,” said Jonk, who was Wenger believes the together and not every minute fl ame of ‘Cruyff Football’ burning. brought to Ajax as a player by Cruyff who January transfer win- that it doesn’t go well to think: And he said the young Ajax side that then promptly left to take over Barcelona. dow must be scrapped ‘Where can I go next?’” lost to Manchester United in last season’s “You have to change the mentality of asA it leads unsettled players to Several Premier League man- Europa League fi nal exemplifi ed this as how they see the game and what is in their focus on their next move rather agers had previously voiced their they were largely players he and the Dutch DNA. You have to fi nd the right players to than playing for their clubs. support for the close-season master had imbued with his beliefs when play that style and revel in the pressure Arsenal forward Alexis window to be shut before the Jonk was in charge of the club’s Academy. to take it to the next level. The players at Sanchez and Liverpool play- start of the league campaign in “There is a future for Cruyff ’s phi- Former Dutch footballer and co-manager of Cruyff Football, Wim Jonk speaks during Barcelona knew what was required as it maker Philippe Coutinho were August. Wenger said that having losophy,” said Jonk after speaking at the a panel discussion at the Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester yesterday. (AFP) was in their system. Also in a team you among several players who failed a single annual transfer window Soccerex Global Convention. “It was a need players who are special passers of to secure their desired transfers at the end of the season would special moment the Europa League fi nal These included always playing the ball went to Bayern admitted to me it would the ball and can defend spaces like (Li- in the close-season window that ensure complete focus from because we (him and Cruyff ) trained all forwards, trying to recover the ball within be problematic as he was taking on a onel) Messi or (Franck) Ribery.” ended on Aug. 31 and could try players during the campaign and those players. That was for me great to three seconds rather than losing 50 me- team that had won everything,” said Jonk. Jonk, who along with Cruyff parted again in January. restore the decency of the sport. watch because I knew at the end of our tres, and the ‘third man’ which sees one “However, he still tried to implement company with Ajax in 2015 after a disa- Wenger believes that want- “I believe that we have to bring time in charge of the Academy this suc- player on the ball, another looking for some of Cruyff ’s principles which was greement with the board over imple- away players and fringe squad some decency. We all complain cess will come. “It was a very good thing space and then a third one running from very special. Koeman is a very realistic menting the great man’s philosophy, says members will not be fully com- that it has become too much a as (then Ajax coach) Peter Bosz believed behind to take the pass. coach, he wants to bring in young players his mentor displayed the same positivity mitted to their clubs as they try business, but we can do some- in Cruyff . You could feel it in the stadium Jonk admits even the likes of Manches- but also he is not taking too many risks when he was dying of cancer which fi nally to negotiate their next transfers. thing about it. We have that re- as well as the players were enjoying play- ter City manager Pep Guardiola — who because these days 3-4 games you could claimed him in March 2016. “The players who do not play sponsibility in the game,” he add- ing that way and the crowd were loving as Barcelona boss deployed a lot of what be gone and that is a problem especially “He did not talk much about his illness or the players who are tapped ed in the interview. Arsenal return watching them play in that style.” he learned under Cruyff when he was a as owners have diff erent visions.” he was always positive,” said Jonk. “For up in October they already start to Premier League action on Sat- He says Bosz, now with Borussia Dort- player under the Dutchman at Barca — “It depends on whether one takes a him there was no ‘I am going to die’, he again to think: ‘Where do I go in urday, hosting Bournemouth, mund, has to varying degrees of success and Ronald Koeman at Everton had to rein short term approach or a long term ap- was always positive on the phone saying January?’. That’s not a way to be having had a disappointing start implemented Cruyff ’s key principles. in their enthusiasm. “Guardiola when he proach,” said Jonk, capped 49 times and ‘I will get up again’.” on board with a football club...” with one win and two defeats. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 6, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

WORLD CU QUALIFIERS Germany hit Norway for six, England survive Slovakia scare Germany will have to wait until their next match, away to the Irish on October 5, to seal automatic qualification to Russia

AFP gate’s side need only two points from Paris their last two games against Slovenia and Lithuania to seal qualifi cation. “To come from behind against a side with ermany fi red six past Norway very good footballers, particularly in while England fought back midfi eld, we had to show character,” after an early scare to beat said Southgate. “Marcus Rashford Slovakia in European World showed, like the rest of the team, great GCup qualifying on Monday night. Timo character. He made the mistake for Werner scored a double in Germany’s their goal, but he kept persevering.” 6-0 rout of the Norwegians in Stuttgart Scotland kept alive their hopes of a to leave Joachim Loew’s world cham- play-off place with a 2-0 home win over pions with a perfect eight out of eight Malta, the goals coming from Christo- record atop Group C. phe Berra and Celtic striker Leigh Grif- But with second-placed Northern fi ths. Gordan Strachan’s team are alive Ireland beating the Czech Republic 2-0 and kicking on the road to Russia in in Belfast, Germany will have to wait fourth place, on 14 points. until their next match, away to the Irish Elsewhere on Monday night, Poland on October 5, to seal automatic qualifi - held on to the Group E summit, beating cation to Russia. Kazakhstan 3-0, with Denmark going Werner, booed by his own fans in second on the strength of a 4-1 win in Germany’s 2-1 win in Prague against Armenia. the Czechs last Friday, came off to a standing ovation this time after netting WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFYING in the 21st and 40th minutes. RESULTS EUROPEAN ZONE After struggling to beat the Czechs, GROUP C this was a far more polished perform- At Baku: Azerbaijan 5 (Ismailov 20, 57, ance, with Arsenal midfi elder Mesut Abdullayev 25, Cevoli 71-og., Sadygov 81) Ozil’s 10th minute opener sparking the San Marino 1 (Palazzi 73) rout. Paris Saint-Germain star Julian At Belfast: Northern Ireland 2 (Evans 28, Draxler netted the second with Wern- Brunt 41) Czech Republic 0 er’s brace putting them four goals up At Stuttgart, Germany: Germany 6 (Ozil at the break.Schalke midfi elder Leon 10, Draxler 17, Werner 21, 40, Goretzka 50, Goretzka grabbed Germany’s fi fth with Gomez 79) Norway 0 Werner’s replacement, the 32-year-old GROUP E veteran Mario Gomez, rounding off a At Yerevan: Armenia 1 (Koryan 6) Den- productive night. mark 4 (Delaney 16, 82, 90+3, Eriksen 29) It was the perfect antidote after Fri- At Warsaw: Poland 3 (Milik 11, Glik 74, day’s laboured trip to Prague marred by Germany’s Julian Draxler (second left) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammates Thomas Mueller (left) and Mezut Ozil during the FIFA World Cup 2018 Lewandowski 86-pen) Kazakhstan 0 a group of 200 right-wing German fans qualification match against Norway in the south German city of Stuttgart on Monday night. (AFP) At Podgorica: Montenegro 1 (Jovetic 75) chanting Nazi-era slogans. Romania 0 “That showed the beautiful side of combinations and goals.” freekick. “I thought I might have been display. “We’re in a great position now. by Marcus Rashford. But the 19-year- GROUP F football,” said head coach Loew, who The Northern Irish guaranteed off side,” Evans admitted. “I thought I’d We’re guaranteed second place and old atoned in style when setting up the At London: England 2 (Dier 37, Rashford had said Friday’s scenes in Prague themselves at least a place in the play- head it anyway and see what happens. seven clean sheets out of eight is a phe- equaliser for Eric Dier and then netting 59) Slovakia 1 (Lobotka 3) “shamed Germany”, following Wern- off s thanks to Jonny Evans’ second in- I saw it go into the net and I don’t re- nomenal record.” a sumptuous 20-yard winner in the At Ljubljana: Slovenia 4 (Ilicic 25-pen, er’s ovation after his two goals. “It was a ternational goal eight years after his member much after that!” At Wembley, England were stunned second half. 61-pen, Verbic 82, Birsa 90) Lithuania 0 huge amount of fun to play here and we fi rst and his West Bromwich Albion Manager Michael O’Neill praised his when Stanislav Lobotka gave Slovakia Victory sent England fi ve points clear At Glasgow, Scotland: Scotland 2 (Berra 9, played our part in that with some great teammate Chris Brunt’s 41st minute men after yet another solid defensive a third-minute lead after a costly error of Slovakia in Group F — Gareth South- Griff iths 49) Malta 0

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS England’s Alli Werner cements status as top striker AFP tap home Germany’s third before Muel- Stuttgart, Germany ler’s pin-point cross was headed home says off ensive just before the break. Werner was the top German scorer in ith six goals in eight interna- the Bundesliga last season with 21 goals in tionals, Timo Werner seems 31 games. However, he has a bad reputa- gesture was ‘joke’ to be the answer to Ger- tion amongst German fans — branded a many’s quest for a world- cheat after diving to earn a penalty in a was overturned on appeal. Wclass striker, yet the fl eet-footed forward German league win against Schalke 04, AFP London “Kyle and Dele were mucking remains unpopular with some German which has haunted him since December. about and Dele’s made a gesture fans. The 21-year-old, a classic striker, It was the reason why a group of Ger- towards Kyle. I don’t know what netted twice in Monday’s 6-0 thrashing man hooligans jeered him in Prague on ngland’s Dele Alli said the angle picked up by the cam- of Norway, but Germany must wait until Friday. Germany’s head coach Joachim he was having ‘a joke’ era is, so I don’t know if that is their next World Cup qualifi er, against Loew was unimpressed with the whistles with teammate Kyle clear (who it was aimed at). The Northern Ireland in Belfast on October 5, and jeers Werner has endured for both Walker after he was pair of them have a strange way to secure their Russia 2018 place. club and country. “These insults against caughtE on camera raising his of communicating! But that’s Werner came off to a standing ovation Timo are extremely painful. It’s not fair middle fi nger during Monday’s what they’ve said when it’s been in Stuttgart, a far cry from the jeers and and it’s not funny. He made a mistake and 2-1 win over Slovakia. raised.” verbal abuse he suff ered at the hands of recognised that,” said Loew. “I now call “Just to clarify, the gesture to- Alli, 21, has had a number of German fans in Prague last Friday. “That for the public to treat him like a full-time night was a joke between me and run-ins with the football au- meant a lot to me, because this is my player of the national team.” my good friend Kyle Walker!” thorities and has faced calls to home town,” said Stuttgart-born Werner Germany’s Timo Werner (centre) rise above the Norwegian defence to head in his Against Norway, Werner was applaud- Alli wrote on Twitter after the curb his fi ery temperament. He after his double against Norway. side’s fourth goal during the World Cup qualification match on Monday night. (AFP) ed off on 66 minutes and replaced by game. “Apologies for any off ence missed the Premier League title “I grew up here and I am pleased I could veteran Mario Gomez. The 32-year-old caused! Great win 2nite.” run-in in 2015-16 after punching score twice to pay back the fans. Things Germany’s all-time top-scorer Miro- have too few options in this central posi- Gomez proved he will not yield his place Television footage of the West Bromwich Albion’s Claudio were diff erent, in terms of the emotion slav Klose retired after the 2014 World tion, which is a fundamental problem,” a without a fi ght by netting Germany’s World Cup qualifi er at Wem- Yacob and was sent off for a dan- and attitude, compared to the Czech Re- Cup. Klose, who now coaches Germany’s worried Thomas Mueller said a year ago. sixth goal on Monday and his 31st in 71 bley showed Tottenham Hotspur gerous foul on Gent’s Brecht De- public match, we took it seriously from strikers, netted 71 goals in 137 games to “It would be conducive for German matches in the famous white shirt. midfi elder Alli make the gesture jaegere during a Europa League the fi rst minute today. fi nally beat Gerd Mueller’s phenomenal football if in the next few years players Gomez was full of praise for Werner: in the 77th minute of the game, game last February. “I believe we have got more used to the record of 68 goals in 62 matches for West come along who are amongst the best in “He’s a great lad and a great player. I don’t but it was not clear at whom it Marcus Rashford was Eng- system, which the boys have been using Germany between 1966-1974. the world.” Yet nine months before the compare myself to him as we’re diff erent was aimed. Pictures and video land’s saviour against Slovakia, for a while. Personally, I am delighted to Now Werner is walking in the footsteps World Cup starts in Russia, Mueller’s types of players”. Yet their is no doubt that footage of Alli’s gesture were atoning for an error that gift- have scored so often, it’s been a lot of fun. of those legendary strikers, fi nally solv- wish has come true. Werner’s all-action style suits the high- widely shared on social media, ed Stanislav Lobotka an early I never thought it would turn out like this ing the issue Germany had 12 months ago It was the Bayern Munich forward who tempo game Loew wants better than the but manager Gareth Southgate opener by setting up Eric Dier’s for me and I am so happy about it.” when midfi elder Mario Goetze played up set up Werner for both of his goals on burly Gomez who has often only been a played down the incident. equaliser and then netting a fi ne Werner has fi lled the void created when front with limited success. “Of course, we Monday. A deft fl ick allowed Werner to threat for Germany when in the box. In a recent precedent, Lionel 59th-minute winner. England Messi was given a four-game ban now require just two points from for swearing at an assistant ref- their last two games, at home to eree during a World Cup qualifi er Slovenia and away to Lithuania, between Argentina and Chile in to qualify for next year’s World DRAW MOVES NIGERIA CLOSER TO WORLD CUP March, although his suspension Cup in Russia. : Nigeria survived a tions lifted the “Indomitable Lions” and threatening going forward, thanks to his thigh and rifling a shot past goalkeep- late Cameroon onslaught to draw 1-1 in put pressure on the “Super Eagles”. crisp passing, good off -the-ball move- er Naby Yattara. Tunisia lead the group Yaounde on Monday and move closer Simon scored with a close-range shot ment and dazzling individual skills. with nine points, three more than the to qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa after a Nigeria have dedicated the qualifying Democratic Republic of Congo, ahead Russia. Moses Simon put Nigeria ahead low cross eluded several defenders. campaign to goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who of a top-of-the-table clash in Kinshasa on 30 minutes and substitute Vincent A collision between Arnaud Djoum is battling leukaemia in England. last night. Guinea and Libya have three Aboubakar equalised from a 75th-minute and Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu The disease was discovered when he points. Libya were forced to play in Tuni- penalty at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo to Ezenwa led to the spot-kick, and Abou- went for a routine pre-season medical sia for security reasons. spark a rally by the hosts. bakar scored with a shot into the middle at second-tier club Wolverhampton Unbeaten leaders Nigeria moved to 10 of the net. Cameroon had another Wanderers three months ago. “Carl is WORLD CUP AFRICA ZONE points from four matches in Group B and penalty appeal rejected by the Gambian constantly in my thoughts, those of the QUALIFYING RESULTS a home win over Zambia on October 7 referee as they pushed for a first win other coaches, the players and the of- GROUP A will clinch a sixth World Cup appearance. in the “group of death” that includes ficials,” said Germany-born Nigeria coach At Monastir, Tunisia: Libya 1 (Mohamed 36) Dropping two points in Yaounde elimi- Algeria and Zambia, who were playing . Guinea 0 nated seven-time World Cup qualifiers last night. Libya shaded Guinea 1-0 in Tunisia Note: match switched from Libya for secu- Cameroon as only group winners go to Ezenwa came to the rescue six despite playing the last quarter a man rity reasons Russia and they trail Nigeria by seven minutes from time with a double save, short after Mohammed Al Gadi was red- GROUP B points with two matches to play. the second particularly being brave as carded following his second caution. The At Yaounde: Cameroon 1 (Aboubakar 75- The draw came three days after Ni- he dived at the feet of Djoum and was Ivorian referee was the busiest man on pen) Nigeria 1 (Simon 30) geria thrashed African champions Cam- injured. But for much of the match it the pitch in Monastir, showing one red GROUP E eroon 4-0 in Uyo — a result that prompt- looked like the central Africans were go- and 10 yellow cards during the clash of At Brazzaville: Congo Brazzaville 1 ed losing coach Hugo Broos to make four ing to suff er a first World Cup qualifying Group A also-rans. (Illoy-Ayyet 43) Ghana 5 (Boakye 23, 85, changes. Among those dropped were defeat at home since losing to Congo Amid the indiscipline, Hamdou Partey 26, 45+2, 69) striker Aboubakar and winger Christian Brazzaville in October 1976. Mohamed scored the only goal on 36 Note: group winners qualify for 2018 World Bassogog, whose second-half introduc- The “Super Eagles” Nigeria were more minutes by controlling a long ball with Cup in Russia Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, September 6, 2017 CRICKET

SECOND TEST FOCUS West Indies’ Shai Warner, Handscomb Hope tipped as future ‘great’ give Aussies impetus AFP chasing 322 for victory, could bat London until tea, then see if there was still a shot at pushing for victory. “He looked at me and I said Visitors were 225-2 at stumps in their first innings, trailing Bangladesh by 80 runs est Indies batsman ‘What’s wrong with that?’,” said Shai Hope could Law. “He looked at me (again), become a modern shook his head and shrugged “great”, coach Stu- his shoulders — and I said ‘OK, Wart Law said yesterday ahead of what’s your plan?’ ‘We’re going the Test series decider against to win’ (he said). That’s God’s England. The tourists’ 23-year- honest truth...(and) he went out old batsman starred in their and won the game.” shock fi ve-wicket victory in the The Australian added: “I think second Test last week, becoming the fact he wasn’t over the top in the fi rst player in Headingley’s his celebrations just means he’s history to hit a century in both hungry, he’s driven. He doesn’t innings of a match. want to stop where he’s at now, West Indies — who were once he wants to keep going. I think the most feared team in world that’s a great sign. He’s a tough cricket — were widely written off cookie. He’s pretty good now, but after they crashed to defeat by an he’s got the potential to go great.” innings and 209 runs in the fi rst Law retained faith in his Test at Edgbaston. But they now charges despite their fi rst-Test have the chance to win their fi rst trouncing. “I’ve seen these guys Test series in England since 1988 at close quarters — I’ve talked after Hope’s fi rst two centuries to them,” he said. “Just the re- in Test cricket — 147 in the fi rst sponses they give you, there’s innings and an undefeated 118 in immense confi dence there. the second innings. “He’s a rock, There’s probably a couple that isn’t he?” said Law, who recalled doubted their ability to cope at a telling conversation with Hope this level but I hope those doubts before start of play on the fi nal are now well and truly put to bed morning in Leeds. The coach of and they can start fl ourishing.” the Caribbean side suggested The third and fi nal Test starts at to the player that the tourists, Lord’s tomorrow.

Australian batsman David Warner (left) plays a shot as Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim (right) and Mominul Haque look on during the second day of the second Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Australia coach Darren Lehmann told Warner was then involved in a 93-run Mushfiqur Rahim b Lyon 68 Chittagong, Bangladesh reporters. “...Very special day and hope- second-wicket partnership with Smith as Nasir Hossain c Wade b Agar 45 fully tomorrow they can kick on,” the the pair steadied the innings. Smith, who Mehidy Hasan run out (Warner) 11 47-year-old former batsman added. registered his 21st Test half-century, was Taijul Islam c Smith b Lyon 9 n unbeaten century stand be- The swashbuckling Warner played done in by an arm ball from Taijul that Mustafizur Rahman not out 0 tween David Warner and Pe- a sedate innings, having hit just four sneaked through the bat-pad gap to hit Extras (b5) 5 ter Handscomb led Australia’s boundaries during his 170-ball stay at the the middle stump. Total (all out, 113.2 overs) 305 strong reply against Bangladesh crease so far. Warner rode his luck with Earlier, Australian off -spinner Nathan Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Tamim), 2-21 (Imrul), onA day two of the second and fi nal Test in two reprieves. He was dropped at short Lyon claimed seven wickets to help bowl 3-70 (Soumya), 4-85 (Mominul), 5- 117 Chittagong yesterday. The visitors were leg on 52 and then Mushfi qur Rahim out the hosts, who resumed the day on (Shakib), 6-222 (Sabbir), 7-265 (Mushfiqur 225-2 at stumps in their fi rst innings, missed a stumping when he was on 73, 253-6, in the fi rst session. Lyon returned Rahim), 8-293 (Nasir Hossain), 9-296 (Mehedi trailing by 80 runs after Bangladesh were with Taijul and Mehedi Hasan being the impressive fi gures of 7-94 including Ra- Hasan), 10-305 (Taijul Islam) bowled out for 305. unlucky bowlers. him’s prized scalp for 68. Bowling: Cummins 22-5-46-0, Lyon 36.2- Warner was on 88 with Handscomb on “You don’t want to miss any chances “I think we fell short by 100-150 runs, 7-94-7, O’Keefe 23-0-79-0, Agar 23-9-52-2, 69 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Sta- do you? We missed a couple early in their looking at the wicket,” Bangladesh all- Maxwell 4-0-13-0, Cartwright 5-1-16-0 dium. Skipper Steve Smith hit a gritty 58 innings, one of the things I do know over rounder Nasir Hossain, who scored 45, off 94 balls before being bowled by left- here is you’ve got to take every chance,” said of his team’s fi rst innings total. AUSTRALIA I INNINGS arm spinner Taijul Islam as the visitors said Lehmann. “So we had a couple of let- “We are slightly on the back foot. A lot M. Renshaw c Rahim b Mustafizur 4 slipped to 98-2. off s which is handy for us but when we get can however change in an hour in a Test D. Warner not out 88 The left-handed Warner and Hands- our chance tomorrow we’ve got to keep match... we are not thinking about the re- S. Smith b Taijul 58 comb then put on 127 to thwart the Bang- making sure we’re scoring at a nice rate sult at this stage,” Nasir added. P. Handscomb not out 69 ladesh bowling attack, which failed to and when you come to bowl again, make Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 af- Extras (b4, lb2) 6 take a wicket in the fi nal session of play. sure you take all those chances.” ter registering their fi rst-ever Test win Total (2 wickets, 64 overs) 225 Handscomb, who recorded his fourth Warner’s opening partner Matt Ren- against Australia last week. The home Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Renshaw), 2-98 (Smith) Test fi fty in just his 10th game, took regu- shaw departed early, dismissed by fast team tightened security after the visitors’ To bat: G. Maxwell, H. Cartwright, M. Wade, lar drinks breaks as he battled exhaustion bowler Mustafi zur Rahman for four be- team bus was hit with a stone following A. Agar, P. Cummins, S. O’Keefe, N. Lyon and dehydration in the fi nal half-hour. fore the lunch break. The left-hander the end of play on day one. Bowling: Mehedi 20-2-53-0, Mustafizur 10- “Really gutsy, obviously it’s pretty hot tried to tickle a sliding delivery down the 0-45-1, Shakib 15-0-52-0, Taijul 15-1-50-1, Nasir out there, we saw that yesterday and you leg side but wicketkeeper Rahim took a SCOREBOARD 1-0-4-0, Mominul 2-0-6-0, Sabbir 10-0-9-0 West Indies batsman Shai Hope trains at the Lord’s cricket stadium have to work really hard for your runs,” stunning catch. BANGLADESH I INNINGS (OVERNIGHT 253-6) Toss: Bangladesh in London yesterday. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT Bangladesh tightens security aft er England need Ashes momentum, rock hits Australian team bus Dhaka: Security was tightened around the desh authorities were taking the incident seriously Australian cricket team in Bangladesh yesterday and security had been increased along the route after a bus carrying the team was hit by a rock, on which the team travels between the ground and says fast bowler Anderson which could have been thrown up by another its hotel. AFP vehicle, Cricket Australia (CA) said yesterday. Bangladeshi authorities, however, suggested the London The incident happened on Monday as the play- incident could have been an accident. Chittagong ers were travelling back to their hotel after the division police commissioner Mohammad Iqbal first day’s play in the second and final test against Bahar said another vehicle escorting the team bus ngland bowler James Anderson says Bangladesh in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowd- could have kicked up a loose rock, which hit the his side already have half an eye on hury Stadium. bus window. the upcoming Ashes series ahead of “En route back to the hotel last night a window “We inquired into it yesterday. Construction this weekend’s third and fi nal Test on the Australian team bus was broken. No one works are going on along the route and one of againstE West Indies. England and West In- was injured in the incident,” CA security manager the escorting vehicles sent the rock flying into the dies face a series decider at Lord’s after the Sean Carroll said in a statement. window of the team bus,” Bahar said. Australia tourists bounced back from a fi rst-Test “Team security personnel are currently in discus- postponed their 2015 tour of Bangladesh because pasting at Edgbaston to record a fi ve-wicket sion with local authorities while they investigate of security fears in the South Asian nation, and also triumph at Headingley last week. the cause, which is believed to have come from a withdrew from the under-19 World Cup there last With England’s next Test match a series- small rock or stone,” he said. Carroll said Bangla- year for the same reason. opener against Australia at The Gabba in November, Anderson says it is vital his side end the summer on a high. “You’re always trying to win Test match series,” he told Sky SCHEDULE Sports News yesterday. “It’s very important to try to build mo- mentum and with this team going forward I think we really need to get some momen- England to host India in 2018 tum going as it’s an important winter for us. We’ve done some good things over the few AFP India, the world’s number one June 13: 1st ODI, The Oval months, or maybe 12 months, but not quite London Test side, play a fi ve-Test series June 16: 2nd ODI, Sophia Gardens got that consistency going yet and that’s in England since 1959. England’s June 19: 3rd ODI, Trent Bridge something that we’re really striving for.” summer will begin in May with June 21: 4th ODI, Chester-le-Street Having been taken by surprise at Headin- ngland will host India in two Tests against Pakistan at June 24: 5th ODI, Old Traff ord gley, Anderson says England will be primed a fi ve-match Test series Lord’s and Headingley. June 27: T20, Edgbaston for action at Lord’s. “It was disappointing in 2018, the England and They have a one-off one-day for us after such a performance at Edgbas- Wales Cricket Board an- game against Scotland in Edin- INDIA ton,” he said. nouncedE yesterday. burgh on June 10, followed by July 3: 1st T20, Old Traff ord “We thought we could build on that and England seamers James Anderson (right) and Stuart Broad share a joke during the nets The teams will play three fi ve one-day internationals and a July 6: 2nd T20, Sophia Gardens close out the series at Headingley. As bowl- session at the Lord’s cricket stadium in London yesterday. (Reuters) Twenty20 matches in July, fol- T20 match against Australia later July 8: 3rd T20, County Ground ers we were confi dent we could bowl them lowed by three one-day inter- that month. July 12: 1st ODI, Trent Bridge out, but full credit to the West Indies — I extra pressure will fi nd out a bit more about to 500 is something that I’m very proud of,” nationals and then Tests at Edg- July 14: 2nd ODI, Lord’s thought they played fantastically well that people’s character and things like that so it he said. baston, Lord’s, Trent Bridge, the ENGLAND SCHEDULE 2018 July 17: 3rd ODI, Headingley last day. I thought the West Indies came should be an exciting week.” “But to be honest, I do try to put it to the Rose Bowl and The Oval. PAKISTAN August 1-5: 1st Test, Edgbaston back very strong, which we expected them Anderson is just three wickets short of back of my mind. I’ve got a job to do this England’s schedule for the May 24-28: 1st Test, Lord’s August 9-13: 2nd Test, Lord’s to do, and we didn’t play at our best at all, 500 in England Tests, but he says he will not week. We desperately need to win this Test next year also includes meet- June 1-5: 2nd Test, Headingley August 18-22: 3rd Test, Trent Bridge which is really frustrating for us as we are allow himself to be distracted by personal match to win the series so I’m going to be ings with Pakistan, Australia and SCOTLAND August 30-September 3: 4th Test, trying to build momentum. But it makes for milestones. “It’s obviously nice. The fact focused completely on doing my job for the Scotland. June 10: ODI, Edinburgh Rose Bowl an exciting Test match here, a decider. That I’ve played for long enough to get this close team when we get out there.” It will be only the second time AUSTRALIA September 7-11: 5th Test, The Oval Gulf Times Wednesday, September 6, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL GOLF Thomas holds off jittery Spieth to win Martinez belts Dell Championship four homers in D-backs’ victory ‘Shocked, no. I don’t think someone goes up there not trying to hit the ball hard. I was just happy it went over (the fence)’

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder JD Martinez (28) celebrates his solo home run hit in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. PICTURE: Gary A Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Thomas of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston on Monday in Norton, Massachusetts.

AFP Thomas bogeyed No. 11 but closed Norton with a pair of birdies and fi ve pars to pull away from Spieth. “Yeah, it was a good day. It was a pa- ustin Thomas fi red a fi nal round tient day,” said Thomas. fi ve-under 66 to win his fi fth “It just was a great week because I tournament of 2017, outduelling felt like I didn’t have my best stuff at fellow American Jordan Spieth the start of the week and that’s just onJ the back nine at the Dell Champion- something I’ve gotten so much better ship on Monday. at, and I’m proud of myself more than The two Americans battled hard anything.” down the stretch until Spieth saw his Spieth had a bogey at the 12th and hopes dashed on the fairway at 18 when a birdie at No. 13 before making bogey his approach sailed right and landed in at Nos. 14 and 18. He got off to a strong a large bunker. His next shot travelled start with three birdies and an eagle clear across the green as he fi nished over the fi rst four holes. with a bogey six on the hole. “I’ve been striking the ball well. Thomas completed the second tour- I didn’t think anything was going nament of the PGA Tour playoff s with wrong,” Spieth said. a 17-under 267 total for a three-shot “I got unlucky on 12, and from there, victory which propelled him into sec- the one on 14 was just a bad swing, and AFP think someone goes up there not try- Trevor Bauer (15-8) allowed two which lost ace Jake Arrieta to an ap- ond place in the FedExCup standings that one really hurt. I brought it back on Los Angeles ing to hit the ball hard. I was just hap- runs on three hits in 6-1/3 innings for parent right hamstring injury. behind Spieth. 13. Fourteen was the diff erence-maker py it went over (the fence).” Cleveland. Arrieta lasted just 2-1/3 innings “I have had a great year, just two for me.” The 30-year-old Martinez fl irted Chicago starter James Shields (2- before grabbing his hamstring in pain more events to fi nish it off ,” said Tho- Leishman saw the lead disappear D Martinez tied a major league with the magic number four once be- 6) exited in the seventh inning with a after a pitch. He attempted one more mas. with fi ve bogeys on the back side, in- record with four home runs in a fore in 2015 when he hammered three right knee contusion. He allowed four pitch under the eye of trainers before Spieth’s bungle on 18 allowed Tho- cluding three straight beginning at No. game as the Arizona Diamond- home runs in a game. That experience runs in 6-1/3 innings. again grabbing his hamstring and re- mas, who was in the group behind, the 10. backs won their 11th straight helped him Monday, he said. Rymer Liriano hit a two-run homer moving himself from the game. luxury of taking a victory stroll up the “I got things going just the way I byJ pounding the Los Angeles Dodgers “I got to my last at-bat (in 2015) and for the White Sox. Bell hit a two-run homer in the fi rst fairway on 18 which he easily parred. wanted to on the front and then a bad 13-0 on Monday night. I started thinking about it and that’s inning off Arrieta (14-9) and added Spieth’s self-destruction at the Dell tee shot on 10. There was some tough Martinez became the second player when it didn’t happen,” he said. YANKEES 7, ORIOLES 4 an RBI single in the fi fth. Pittsburgh’s came one week after he blew a fi ve- holes out there,” he said. this season and just the 18th in Major “In this at-bat, I came up and said, Starlin Castro homered and drove Chad Kuhl (7-10) scattered four hits in stroke lead in the fi nal round and lost Kevin Na (66), Patrick Reed (66), Pat League Baseball history to achieve the ‘You know what? Just go up here and in three runs, leading New York past seven innings. to Dustin Johnson in a playoff at The Perez (67) shared sixth place with Phil milestone. try to have a good at-bat. Keep doing Baltimore. Northern Trust to open the postseason. Mickelson, who shot 68. “It’s one of those things. When what you’ve been doing all day. If it’s Castro hit a two-run homer in the ROYALS 7, TIGERS 6 Spieth, who shot a 67, fi nished solo World No. 1 Johnson stumbled to a 73 you’re seeing the ball well and you hit meant to be, it’s meant to be. fi fth inning off Baltimore starter Dylan Eric Hosmer homered and drove in runner-up at 14-under 270 while Aus- and fi nished in a tie for 18th. the ball,” said Martinez, who joined “There’s no point in forcing it. Bundy (13-9) and added an RBI single three runs as Kansas City held off De- sie Marc Leishman fi red a 70 to place The top 70 players on the playoff the Diamondbacks in July via a trade “Have a good at-bat.’ That’s what I in the sixth. Didi Gregorius also hit a troit. alone in third, four strokes back of points list now advance to the BMW with the Detroit Tigers. was telling myself.” two-run homer for the Yankees. Melky Cabrera added a two-run Thomas. Championship, set for September 14- Cincinnati Reds’ Scooter Gennett Martinez’s homer surge was just Welington Castillo, Chris Davis and double while Salvador Perez and Al- Spain’s John Rahm (68) and Eng- 17 at Conway Farms Golf Club in Illi- also hit four homers on June 6 against part of an all-around strong game for Tim Beckham homered for the Ori- cides Escobar hit solo homers for Kan- land’s Paul Casey (70) tied for fourth at nois. the St. Louis Cardinals. Arizona. oles. sas City. 12-under 272 at the par-71 TPC Boston. Then the top 30 players following the Martinez was four-for-fi ve with Pitcher Robbie Ray had a career- Nicholas Castellanos drove in four Thomas, who won the PGA Champi- BMW Championship will qualify for six RBIs in front of a crowd of 47,200 high 14 strikeouts. The Diamondbacks REDS 5, BREWERS 4 runs for Detroit. onship last month, erased a two-shot the Tour Championship at East Lake at Dodger Stadium. He hit his 34th hit six home runs in the rout, hand- Billy Hamilton homered with two defi cit over the fi nal nine holes for his Golf Club in Atlanta, beginning Sep- home run of the year in the ninth off ing the Dodgers their ninth loss in 10 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, METS 11, PHILLIES 7 Tour-leading fi fth win of the season. tember 21. pitcher Wilmer Font after also going games. lifting Cincinnati over Milwaukee. Jose Reyes sparked a three-run long in the fourth, seventh and eighth The Diamondbacks have scored Hamilton won the game by hitting third inning with a solo homer and innings. fi ve or more runs in eight consecutive a 1-1 pitch from Josh Hader (1-3) over contributed an RBI single during a six- SPOTLIGHT Martinez hit his four home runs off games. the left-center fi eld fence. run fourth as New York beat Philadel- four pitchers — Rich Hill, Pedro Baez, Ryan Braun hit a solo homer and Or- phia. Josh Fields and Font. INDIANS 5, WHITE SOX 3 lando Arcia hit a three-run homer for Reyes extended his hitting streak to He said he was trying not to think Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana Milwaukee. 10 games by going 2-for-3 with a walk. Hadwin makes too much about making history with homered as the red-hot Cleveland In- Kim Hyun Soo hit a two-run dou- his at-bats against the struggling dians ran their season-high winning PIRATES 12, CUBS 0 ble while Freddy Galvis and Odubel Dodgers. streak to 12 games with a 5-3 victory Josh Bell homered and drove in four Herrera hit RBI singles in the ninth for International team “Shocked, no,” he said. “I don’t over the Chicago White Sox. runs as Pittsburgh routed Chicago, Philadelphia. for Presidents Cup BOTTOMLINE

Reuters to fi gure in Stricker’s plans. Toronto International captain Nick Price has N. Korea concerns hit Winter Olympics sales considerably less obvious options. Ar- gentine Emiliano Grillo and Japanese AFP actually been sold. “It’s true that the Popular events such as ice hockey and to play down fears over the weapons anadian Adam Hadwin Hideto Tanihara are among those who Seoul fi rst-phase sale was rather disappoint- fi gure skating have sold well, but there ambitions of neighbouring North Ko- clinched the fi nal automatic might catch Price’s eye. ing,” said Song Hun-Seok, media serv- is lack of enthusiasm for snow events, rea, which carried out its sixth nuclear spot on the International The Americans have lost the bien- ice chief at the Pyeongchang Organizing where South Korea is weak. test at the weekend and tested two in- Cteam for this month’s Presi- nial match play event only once and nline ticket sales for next Committee (POCOG). Gunilla Lindberg, head of the IOC’s tercontinental ballistic missiles in July dents Cup in New Jersey, while Kevin will start hot favourites again at Liberty year’s Winter Olympics At the time the country was reeling Coordination Commission, said last that appeared to bring much of the US Chappell secured the last berth on the National in Jersey City on Sept. 28 with opened in South Korea yes- over the sprawling corruption scandal week that she was “very pleased” with mainland into range. United States side yesterday.. Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Jus- Oterday, with organisers ad- that saw president Park Geun-Hye im- the progress of preparations, but that “Regardless of the jitters over the The International team, selected off tin Thomas three of the top four players mitting far fewer places had so far been peached. “We will make eff orts to cre- more buzz needed to be created to drive North’s nuclear drive, we’ll continue the world rankings, will be dominated in the world. sold than previously implied, and con- ate a greater Olympic buzz with various ticket sales and there were questions making preparations to ensure the by Australians and South Africans, cerns growing over North Korea’s nu- build-up events” including perform- over some of the venues’ post-Olympics Olympics will be a success,” POCOG each with three representatives. AUTOMATIC SELECTIONS: clear antics. ances and street campaigns, said Song. use. Online and mobile sales on a fi rst spokesman Sung Baikyu told AFP. Hadwin retained 10th spot in the United States — Dustin Johnson, The 2018 Pyeongchang Games will There are 1.18mn seats available for come, fi rst served basis began Tuesday “We’ve been under constant threats International rankings after nobody Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Rickie take place in a country with a limited the two-week event next February. in South Korea. from the North and the atmosphere here played well enough at the Dell Tech- Fowler, Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, winter sports tradition and far from Of those, 70% have been allotted to Full-price tickets available on the is much calmer than it may look to for- nologies Championship at TPC Boston Kevin Kisner, Patrick Reed, Matt Ku- the core markets of Europe and North South Korean residents, with 30% going website ranged from as little as 20,000 eign eyes,” he said. to pass him. char, Kevin Chappell America — making local attendance to overseas fans and sponsors through won ($18) for early rounds of cross- The South has successfully staged Chappell, however, barely edged International — Hideki Matsuyama crucial to ensuring the grandstands are separate processes. country skiing and bobsleigh, up to several international sporting events Charley Hoff man for the 10th spot (Japan), Jason Day (Australia), Adam full. But in the fi rst phase of South Ko- In all, POCOG said, 229,000 spots 900,000 won for top-tier seats at the over decades despite military tensions on the US team, though Hoff man will Scott (Australia), Louis Ootshui- rean sales earlier this year, organisers had been sold up to July 17, the latest men’s ice hockey fi nal — although avail- on the peninsula, including the 1988 probably merit consideration for one zen (South Africa), Charl Schwartzel allocated 162,000 tickets in an applica- fi gures available, including 177,000 to ability for that event was described as Seoul Olympics — which took place only of the two captain’s picks that Steve (South Africa), Marc Leishman (Aus- tion lottery — just over a quarter of their overseas fans. “low”. Opening and closing ceremony months after a mid-air explosion killed Stricker will announce today. tralia), Branden Grace (South Africa), 600,000 target. That amounts to less than 20% of the tickets could also be had, at 1,500,000 all 115 people on board a South Korean Veteran Phil Mickelson, who has Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela), Kim Worse still, they admitted Tuesday total, with little more than fi ve months won and 950,000 won for the best cat- plane, with Seoul blaming a terror at- never missed a Presidents Cup since Si-woo (South Korea), Adam Hadwin that only 52,000 of those tickets had to the opening ceremony. egory seats respectively. Offi cials sought tack by the North. the event started in 1994, is also likely (Canada) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, September 6, 2017 SPORT

FORMULA ONE SPOTLGIHT Red Bull boss wants engine Hamilton says heart allocation increased

Reuters he said. London “Maybe fi ve engines is the right number rather than four going to three.” ed Bull boss Christian Some, including Formula has led his surge to Horner has called for One’s managing director for Formula One drivers motorsport , have to be allowed more suggested changing the pen- enginesR per season to reduce alty system. the rash of starting grid penal- “I hate the fact that we’re ties that reached farcical levels having to aff ect the racing be- at the weekend. cause of the technical issues,” Mercedes’s championship Brawn said ahead of Monza. top of championship leader , who But others operating on took a record 69th pole posi- tight budgets, such as Force tion at the , India, are against easing the ‘I’ve found more in the last three or four races. I think Silverstone was a real empowering weekend was the only driver at Monza restrictions. on Sunday to start from where “In the old days, before we and from then it’s sparked a forest fire within me – and that’s hopefully reflected in my driving’ he had actually qualifi ed. had a set number of engines Behind him, nine of the 20 per driver, you could use one AFP drivers took penalties for en- engine per race and that cost Monza, Italy gine and gearbox changes. a lot of money,” said Force In- Drivers are allowed four dia’s chief operating offi cer power units, divided into six . ewis Hamilton attributes component parts, per season The spate of penalties puz- his surge to the top of before penalties are incurred. zled even paddock insiders at the Formula One drivers Next year’s allocation will be Monza. world championship to reduced to three while the cal- Horner was one of them, Lan increased level of “heart and endar expands from 20 to 21 with Red Bull’s Max Verstap- passion” since winning the Brit- rounds. pen and qual- ish Grand Prix in July. “For me that should be ifying second and third fastest The 32-year-old Briton, number one on the agenda for but collecting 20 and 25 place whose victory in Sunday’s Ital- the next strategy meeting,” grid drops respectively before ian Grand Prix lifted him three Horner told reporters. starting 13th and 16th. points clear of “I tried to get it changed at Ricciardo fi nished fourth of Ferrari, has won three of the an earlier meeting in the year in the race, with Verstappen last four races to become leader but there was no support for 10th. Without the penalties at for the fi rst time this year. it. I would hope that would least one could have expected As Ferrari retreated from their now perhaps be diff erent with to be on the podium. home race to lick their wounds teams incurring and star- “Even going to the grid after being outclassed by a Mer- ing down the barrel of further we were trying to work out cedes master-class that saw penalties between now and the whether we were going to be Valtteri Bottas fi nish second, end of the year.” 12th or 13th because (Force In- Hamilton admitted he felt he The engine restrictions were dia’s Sergio) Perez had picked now has the momentum. introduced as a cost-saving up a penalty but he’d picked “To come through these measure, and to reinforce it up before or after some- last races – they’ve been real the sport’s energy-effi cient body. It’s too confusing,” said solid races – I think I’ve felt credentials, but Horner said Horner. more heart and passion within that objective was not being “I think it needs a serious myself,” said Hamilton, who achieved. look at to see whether there’s claimed a record-breaking 69th “It’s not saving the cost be- a better way of penalising a career pole on Saturday and then cause the engines are going on manufacturer... as opposed to his 59th win on Sunday. a world tour anyway, they’re messing around with the grid. “I’ve found more in the last being used and you’re just in- “I think it will only get three or four races. I think Sil- Winner Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (2R) and second placed Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas celebrate with team members curring penalties as a result. worse. It would be a shame to verstone was a real empower- after the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale circuit in Monza on September 3, 2017. (AFP) Perhaps we need to get back see this championship decided ing weekend and from then it’s to a more equitable balance,” on grid penalties.” sparked a forest fi re within me McLaren hoping to secure Renault power – and that’s hopefully refl ected in my driving and the way I’m The McLaren team were still hoping to plier. Many observers believe that McLaren predominantly red and white livery, the same working with my guys. secure a supply of Renault engines next year is hoping to land a Renault supply and move as Marlboro’s traditional branding although Porsche not ruling out F1 “To be leading, whilst it’s only as part of a complex web of deals that would to Toro Rosso, currently running with the Italian sportscar manufacturer has always return as engine supplier a couple of points, I’m grateful keep Honda in Formula One. The team’s Renault power, but after several meetings in been associated with the colour red. Ferrari for it. By no means do I feel com- French racing director Eric Boullier told the Monza paddock no announcement was team principal Maurizio Arrivabene previously Porsche has not ruled out a return to Formula One as an engine fortable and I will apply myself reporters following Sunday’s Italian Grand forthcoming at the weekend. worked for Philip Morris International while supplier, the German car manufacturer’s financial chief said the same that I have these past Prix that McLaren, frustrated by three years Meanwhile the Ferrari Formula One team and Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne is on the yesterday. “F1 could be one of the right places,” Lutz Meschke three or four races. Earlier on of disappointment with Honda, were trying tobacco company Philip Morris International tobacco company’s board of directors. told Motorsport.com. in the year, it was obviously 20 to keep the Japanese manufacturer in the announced the renewal of one of the longest- The European Union’s health commissioner “As you know Formula E is very important for us now, and F1 is points gap, or whatever, between sport. “It is complicated because you want running and least obvious sponsorships in sport. asked Ferrari back in 2007 to end tobacco always a good topic to think about. And I think we are in quite myself and him, so now I’m go- to do the best for F1 as well – it is not only A Ferrari statement gave no details about the sponsorship of the team, saying it undermined good discussions regarding the new engine.” ing to see if we can have that about McLaren. “Whatever will happen – and it amount or time frame of the deal. The partner- the goal to end cigarette advertising at sporting Asked if the current plans for a twin-turbo V6 with less technol- feeling for a while.” is a good collaborative work with all the parties ship has been running for more than 40 years, events. In 2010 a “bar code” livery was removed ogy could attract Porsche to F1, Meschke said: “Absolutely. We He added that his success had in the paddock – we all try to make the best of surviving a ban on visible cigarette advertising from the Ferrari cars after complaints that it have to cut costs in F1, and it’s a good way to reach this target.” come after a “real constant search the situation, but I will not comment more than that led other teams to kick the lucrative habit represented subliminal advertising for Marlboro. Meschke also confirmed that “discussions are around being a and battle for perfection, which this.” It has been an unconfirmed open secret and look for revenues elsewhere. Philip Mor- Ferrari said it did so to end speculation and had supplier”, with no plans to form a works team. is what’s been needed to overhaul in the F1 paddock that McLaren is seeking to ris’s Marlboro brand was last seen on Ferrari’s never intended the code to be associated with Porsche already has a commitment to Formula E with a works- the Ferraris because they’ve been switch from Honda engines to another sup- grand prix cars in 2007. The team race in a the brand. backed team from the 2019/20 season. exceptional all year long.” F1’s commercial boss Sean Bratches told Motorsport.com that He added that he had felt re- the sport’s new owners Liberty Media would be delighted to charged and ready after the Eu- operating at the top end now and four-time champion Vettel at- “Emotions run high and when regained the momentum and ex- have Porsche on board in 2021. ropean summer break in August. it’s a good feeling. tempted to put on a brave face af- you have a bad day you can’t hide pect a Ferrari fi ght-back in Sin- “Ultimately we’re trying to create a platform and environment “I timed it just perfectly “Whilst I feel I always drive ter a disappointing result in front it, so I can understand his feel- gapore, the fi rst of three upcom- where more engine manufacturers and brands and teams where I came off and made sure with my heart, my heart is the of a record 93,000 impassioned ings,” said Mercedes team chief ing races in Asia. come into this sport and make it a compelling business propo- I recharged the batteries and engine and the power and the . His boss, Ferrari chief ex- . “To be leading the champion- sition to do so,” Bratches told the website. that’s what they are, they’re fully force behind what I do... My ecutive Sergio Marchionne, de- “For me it looks like Ferrari ship – whilst it is only a couple “As the individual who kind of runs marketing and branding at charged and ready to go! mind is really like the rudder and scribed the performance gap be- have taken a step back this week- of points – I am grateful, but F1 the inclusion of Porsche, which is a heritage racing brand in I feel like it’s really steering me tween Mercedes and his team as end. I think we were very solid, by no means do I feel comfort- our sport, would be highly valued.” ‘Drive with my heart’ in the right direction in terms of ‘embarrassing’, acknowledging but they have not performed in able,” added Hamilton, who is Porsche has not been involved in F1 since 1991. It was engine “It’s like an ERS pack. To- how I prepared.” the pain felt when Daniel Ric- the way everybody expected.” scheduled to take part in a tyres- supplier for McLaren when Niki Lauda (1984) and wards the end of the season, As Hamilton celebrated his ciardo, who started 16th on the Mercedes know that their glo- testing day at Le Castellet in the (1985, 1986) were crowned world champions driving McLaren- you’re running on the low end and Mercedes’ supremacy by grid, overtook Kimi Raikkonen rious end to the European season south of France on Thursday. TAG-Porsche cars. of the battery pack, whereas I’m skateboarding in Monte Carlo, to take fourth place. may not signal they have truly “But I want to stay here...”

RUGBY Tycoon announces rebel Indo-Pacifi c competition Reuters commenced within our own courts with the support of For- off their axing by arguing at ar- Pacifi c. Melbourne state and country to ensure this rest, one of the country’s richest bitration they had signed an “I’m asking every Western competition starts and starts men. alliance agreement with the Force player to stay strong to strong.” The state’s premier has also ARU that guaranteed them Su- allow me the time to be fully illionaire mining tycoon After expanding quickly in the threatened to sue the ARU over per Rugby until the end of the briefed... I’d like to start (the Andrew Forrest has said past six years and opening new public funds spent on the Force’s current broadcasting deal in competition) with an interna- he will set up a rebel markets in Japan and Argentina, home stadium, while federal 2020. tional game which is yet to be competition spanning has become vul- lawmakers have called for en- The ARU contended that, with announced,” he added. theB Indo-Pacifi c region after nerable. quiries over the team’s axing. the competition contracting, a Emotional former Wallabies Australia’s lost The 18-team format of the Pundits have called on Aus- new broadcast agreement would loose forward and long-serving their court appeal to remain in past two seasons has been jet- tralia to leave Super Rugby alto- be in place for 2018. Force captain Matt Hodgson Super Rugby yesterday. tisoned and its governing body gether, claiming it fails to repre- The NSW Supreme Court wept during the media confer- Forrest has underwritten the SANZAAR agreed earlier this sent the nation’s interests. backed the arbitrator’s decision, ence with Forrest and said the Force’s legal fi ght to remain in year to cut three teams amid de- Forrest off ered the ARU A$50 saying that as owners of the players would stand fi rm. Super Rugby but angrily de- clining ratings and crowds. million ($40 million) in fi nancial Force, the ARU were entitled to “You’re here 12 years, serving clared the side would live on in Two of South Africa’s teams support to save the Force but the withdraw the team. a state, serving a country. They his new tournament, which he have been cut and are now play- governing body turned it down, “It is to be remembered that take it away,” he said after break- claimed would challenge the ing in Europe’s Pro14 league. saying they had committed their ARU owns the Force... and can ing down in tears. primacy of the southern hemi- The cash-strapped Australian course and the off er came too do with what it likes, even de- He added that he would be sphere’s incumbent competi- committed to cut- late. stroy it,” Justice David Hammer- surprised if local fans turned up tion. ting either the Force or the Mel- Yesterday, Forrest reiter- schlag said in his case notes. to support the Wallabies in “This is the beginning of the bourne Rebels in April but legal ated his call for ARU chairman on Saturday when they host new Force, this is the beginning challenges delayed their fi nal Cameron Clyne to follow CEO NEW COMPETITION South Africa in a Rugby Cham- of the new Indo-Pacifi c compe- decision to axe the Perth team Bill Pulver in resigning over the Forrest said he had engaged pionship match. tition and I am delighted to be an until last month. crisis. Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest. a prominent lawyer to consider Rather than wear Wallabies instigator of it,” Forrest told re- Clyne declined to comment an appeal to the High Court, but gold, those who did turn up porters in Perth yesterday. UGLY DIVORCE on Forrest’s proposed breaka- compared to Victoria state’s toria put through and we had to made clear his priority was to might be wearing the Force’s blue “I will be releasing details im- RugbyWA, the sport’s gov- way competition but shifted the commitment to retain the Mel- make a decision, so we made that push on with the new compe- colours, or “probably black.” mediately of the initial adminis- erning body in Western Aus- blame onto RugbyWA for failing bourne Rebels. decision,” Clyne told reporters in tition, which he saw involving “A day of mourning for not tration structure and can assure tralia state, had vowed to fi ght to provide a strong business case “At that point in time, it was Sydney. six teams initially and involving only Western Australians but for all of you that discussions have for Force’s survival through the to keep Force in Super Rugby an inferior package to what Vic- The Force had sought to stave ‘key countries’ across the Indo- rugby in general,” he said. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 6, 2017 7 SPORT

TENNIS BOXING Joshua to face Pulev in Cardiff in October Is it quick or slow? AFP “I have been eager to get London back in the ring since Wembley and now we are confi rmed and ready. ritain’s Anthony “I’ll be locked away focus- Joshua will defend his ing on fi ght number 20 for the IBF and WBA world next eight weeks. I am excited heavyweight titles to experience the atmosphere Players divided over againstB Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev in a sold-out Principality Sta- at Cardiff ’s Principality Sta- dium and aim to give the fans a dium on October 28, the two spectacular night.” fi ghters announced yesterday. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Joshua, 27, had been pursu- Hearn, said a crowd of 80,000 ing a Las Vegas rematch with was expected for the fi ght. Wladimir Klitschko, who he Pulev, 36, lost his only pre- beat at Wembley in April, only vious world title fi ght to Kl- US Open court speed for the Ukrainian to announce itschko inside fi ve rounds in his retirement. November 2014. ‘...Of course if you ask me what I prefer, I prefer these conditions (hot) than indoor’ Instead, Joshua (19-0) will “We will not hug and hold, face IBF mandatory challenger we will not run. We will stand Pulev beneath a closed roof in and fi ght,” vowed Pulev (25-1). Cardiff , paving the way for him “His style fi ts mine per- to make his United States de- fectly and in boxing, styles but next year. make fi ghts. My preparation “October 28 can’t come soon will be very intense and I will enough,” Joshua said in a press be perfectly ready when I enter release issued by Matchroom the ring so that he will have no Boxing. chance to beat me.”

SPOTLIGHT ‘Doping doctor’ jailed for nine months

AFP picting a fake doctor – was Caen, France sentenced to two years in pris- on in 2014, with 20 months suspended, for inciting doping ormer Cycling medical and illegally working as a A general view as an American flag waves in the wind over Arthur Ashe Stadium during the match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany on adviser Bernard Sainz, doctor. day eight of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports alias Dr Mabuse, 74, He was initially convicted was sentenced to nine on charges of incitement to what I prefer, I prefer these con- slower,” Brewer told Reuters. Confusion about the speed of tors that can aff ect conditions. monthsF in prison yesterday doping and illegally practising Reuters New York ditions (hot) than indoor.” “We do measurements with our courts is not unique to the US “Players have their own sub- for inciting amateur riders to medicine during and after the Spain’s Pablo Carreno-Busta, own proprietary tools prior to Open. At the Australian Open jective values of any number of cheat with drugs. 1998 Festina aff air at the Tour who played on Ashe for the fi rst the tournament and then again this year, tournament offi cials things,” Brewer said. Deputy prosecutor Jose- de France during which police he speed of the Arthur time on Sunday, said he thought after the tournament. insisted the courts were no faster “It could (be that) they phine Lecardeur said eight found a stash of performance- Ashe Stadium court at the court surface was similar to “We do that each year and than the previous year. How- changed their string tension for witnesses had implicated enhancing drugs in a team car, the US Open has been the outside courts. we’ve done that for about a doz- ever, as some courts were re-laid the day to they had a bad night’s Sainz as being the kingpin in a throwing the sport into tur- hotly debated over the American Coco Vandeweghe en years now. Our data tells us earlier than others, they played sleep or it is really humid today doping network. moil. In 2013, he was also fi ned Tpast few days but among the said court speed was rarely that the CPR – the Court Pace faster initially, before they even- and it plays a little diff erently. All Lecardeur had asked for a 3,000 euros for horse doping. players, there seems to be no something she pays attention Rating – is just like any other tually all evened out. that stuff comes into it.” six-month prison term and “I have this diabolical cari- consensus. to and Czech Petra Kvitova even court on the site right now.” Brewer said all the courts at Even Gilbert, speaking on the 20,000-euro ($22,600) fi ne. cature of godfather, but what Brad Gilbert, the former player went the other way. “I do feel Brewer, who added that not this year’s US Open were re- eve of the tournament on The court in the northern port is concrete? Nothing,” Sainz, and ESPN analyst, is convinced that the courts are little bit faster one player or coach had men- surfaced within a 30-day win- an ESPN conference call, ad- city of Caen opted to increase who has no bank account in his the surface is slower than in pre- maybe than the past years or last tioned anything to him about the dow, depending on construction mitted that weather played a big the jail time. name, insisted before the court vious years, something that, in year,” Kvitova said on Sunday surface speed, said the DecoTurf schedules, and said Ashe was re- role. “This court is a put-up in July. theory, should benefi t the likes after her win over Wimbledon courts at Flushing Meadows, laid at roughly the same time as “I do know one thing, that the job. It is as if they wanted to But Caen presiding judge of Rafael Nadal. champion Garbine Muguruza. which are resurfaced every year, the majority of others. court can drastically change… prevent alternative medicine Christophe Subts found other- But players tend to be notori- David Brewer, the US Open are generally medium-fast. From the type of balls used to even if it’s a slower court, if it’s therapists from having a sports wise, noting that Sainz owned ously bad judges of court speed. tournament director, said the Each court speeds up a little the weather – which was unsea- 100 degrees, the court is going clientele,” Sainz told France a country house, employed “I don’t know,” Nadal said on speed on Ashe is the same as the during the tournament as the sonably cool in the fi rst week and to play quicker. If it’s 50 degrees Bleu radio, adding he would service staff and enjoyed a life- Monday. “I feel the court is in outside courts and that overall, top level of acrylic paint, which thus made the ball travel slower at night, it plays considerably appeal the sentence. style well beyond what a 700- good conditions to play good the speed is exactly the same as contains sand, is worn away by through the air than in hot tem- slower, and the balls can react to Sainz – known as ‘Dr Ma- euro a-month pension could tennis. Of course if you ask me in previous years. “Ashe is not the volume of matches. peratures – there are several fac- the conditions.” buse’ after the 1922 fi lm de- aff ord him.

CYCLING Froome wins time trial for commanding lead AFP just 29 seconds back on Froome, “Only coming into the last six Logrono, Spain moved the Dutchman 27 seconds or seven kilometres I found out ahead of Russia’s Ilnur Zakarin that I was on track to fi ght for the into third overall. stage. hris Froome claimed his Zakarin was fourth with Al- “(It was a) really big relief and second stage win of the berto Contador moving up to fi fth obviously super, super happy to 2017 Vuelta a Espana to in the general classifi cation in his be in this situation.” extend his overall race fi nal race before retirement with Today’s 16th stage sees the race leadC on Vincenzo Nibali to 1min fi fth on the stage. “I’ve had a good return to the mountains with a 58sec with victory in the individ- time trial and the most important steep hors category climb to the ual time trial yesterday. thing is I think I have good legs for fi nish of the 180.5km ride from Froome beat out Wilco Kelder- what remains of the Vuelta,” said Villadiego to Los Machucos. man and Nibali in a time of exactly Contador. “Tomorrow is going to be bru- 47 minutes for the 40.2km 16th “Although the podium is a long tal,” added Froome. “Los Machu- stage from the Navarra motor rac- way off , we’ll keep trying day-by- cos from what I can see is a wall ing circuit to Logrono. day to see if we can achieve it.” and a big, big GC battle for sure.” “It’s an absolutely amazing Froome started slowly on the feeling to extend my lead now tarmac of the motor racing cir- Ewan sprints to second Tour and to be in this position,” said cuit more used to hosting events of Britain stage win Froome. “It’s a great position to be on four wheels than two as the Australia’s Caleb Ewan secured in now, it’s a good buff er, but the Sky rider was 23 seconds down on his second victory in this year’s race isn’t over.” Kelderman at the fi rst check point Tour of Britain by winning yes- The Briton, who is aiming to after 13 kilometres. terday’s third stage to reclaim the become only the third rider in Yet, the four-time Tour de France overall leader’s green jersey. The history to win the Tour de France champion surged through the sec- Orica-Scott rider repeated his and Vuelta in the same year, now ond sector to lead by seven sec- victory in the race’s opening stage has just four competitive stages onds by the second check point and by pipping Norway’s Edvald Boas- to defend his lead before Sunday’s continued to extend his lead all the son Hagen in a dramatic sprint traditional parade around Madrid. way to the fi nish line as Kelderman fi nish in Scunthorpe, northeast However, Nibali’s impres- faltered. “I was just riding it at the England. Philippe Gilbert (Quick- sive showing in fi nishing 57 sec- speed I felt best,” added Froome. Step) launched an attack with a onds behind Froome on the day “I wasn’t really getting that kilometre of the 182km course re- maintained his hopes of a sec- many time checks from the car so maining, only to be reeled in with ond Vuelta win with a series of I didn’t really know where I was. around 200 metres to go. The en- strenuous climbs, including Sat- Actually I presumed it wasn’t suing sprint pitted Ewan against urday’s queen stage up the Alto de good news if I wasn’t getting the Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) L’Angliru, still to come. time checks, so I was a bit worried and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha Sky’s British cyclist Christopher Froome celebrates retaining his red jersey on the podium after winning the 16th stage of the 72nd edition of Kelderman’s second place, halfway through. Alpecin). La Vuelta Tour of Spain cycling race, a 40.2km individual time trial from Circuito de Navarra in Los Arcos to Logrono, yesterday. (AFP)

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS/ US OPEN Epic Del Potro beats fever and Thiem to set up Federer match Top seed Rafael Nadal claims his 50th win at the US Open and will meet Russian teenager Andrey Rublev in quarters

Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina celebrates after defeating Dominic Thiem of Austria in their fourth round US Open match at the USTA Billie Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his win over Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in their fourth Jean King National Tennis Centre. (Getty Images/AFP) round US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre. (Getty Images/AFP)

AFP Pablo Carreno Busta who had been 2-5 down in the not many mistakes,” said Nadal, Eight years on, Federer has Del Potro record to set straight New York into semi-fi nals fourth set. the reigning French Open cham- “I was sick the last two days. I pion. Rublev, ranked 53, has won Eight years after losing to Juan in their head-to-head record tournaments. Spanish 12th seed Pablo came here trying to play the best 13 of his last 17 matches after Martin del Potro in the US Open although his win in Miami this At one stage last year, his world uan Martin del Potro Carreno Busta, who has not I can and then when I see this breaking the top 100 for the fi rst final, Roger Federer locks horns year represented the first time ranking, once as high as four in shrugged off sickness to dropped a set at the US Open, crowd cheering for me, I was try- time in June. again with the giant Argentine the pair had met in four years. the world, slumped to 1,045 and save two match points and advanced to his first Grand ing to play better every game. I “Rafa is a real champion. I will in New York still convinced he Despite his disappointment at he even considered retiring. defeat Dominic Thiem in a Slam semi-final yesterday by will always remember this.” try to do my best – I have nothing should have won the match losing the 2009 championship Federer said he was happy fiJ ve-set US Open epic on Monday Federer has a 16-5 advantage to lose,” said Rublev. defeating Argentine 29th seed which ended his five-year reign match, Federer admits that hav- to see the likeable Del Potro to book a quarter-fi nal show- Diego Schartzman 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. over Del Potro but they have split Meanwhile, the 32-year-old as champion. ing also defeated Rafael Nadal back on tour and the feeling down with fi ve-time champion Carreno Busta, the first player their last six meetings. Kanepi, a former world number Del Potro was just 20 years old in the semi-finals, Del Potro was is mutual. “I admire him, too. Roger Federer. to face four qualifiers in any The 36-year-old Swiss maes- 15 whose career was almost end- when he downed the Swiss leg- overall a worthy winner. Everybody loves him,” said Del Argentina 24th seed Del Potro Grand Slam, booked a Friday tro didn’t face a break point ed by illness and a crippling in- end 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), Federer had already won the Potro. claimed a heroic 1-6, 2-6, 6-1, semi-final against the winner of against Kohlschreiber with his jury, downed Russia’s Daria Ka- 6-2 but Federer believes that he French Open, to complete the “It’s going to be an interesting 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 victory over the a night match between South biggest challenge having to take a satkina 6-4, 6-4. was the dominant force in that career Grand Slam in 2009, match to play. It will be the first sixth-seeded Austrian on a rock- Africa’s Kevin Anderson and medical time-out off court at the She will next face either 2009 showdown. before going onto to win a sixth time after eight years again in ing Grandstand court, describing American Sam Querrey, whose end of the second set. Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svi- “The only time when he was Wimbledon. He also became a the central court of this tourna- it as night he would remember first Slam semi-final in was July “I needed a rub on my back... tolina or Madison Keys of the really better, in my opinion, was father for the first time. ment. forever. at Wimbledon. or bottom and I didn’t want to United States. the fifth set. Obviously that was “Making the finals here was ac- “I know how to play if I want to Del Potro famously defeated do it in front of you guys,” he ex- It will be Kanepi’s sixth quar- good enough to beat me that tually a good run. But it ended win, but always is a pleasure Federer in the 2009 fi nal for his plained. World number one and ter-fi nal at the majors and sec- day,” said Federer on Monday my five-year reign in New York,” to play the greatest guy in only career Grand Slam title be- tonia’s world number 418 Kaia 2010 and 2013 champion Nadal, ond in New York after also reach- after seeing off Philipp Kohls- he said. history.” fore his career was almost tor- Kanepi also reached the quarter- who could meet Federer for the ing the last eight in 2010. chreiber 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 to set-up Federer believes that had Del Now the 28-year-old hopes to pedoed by a succession of wrist fi nals, just the second qualifi er to fi rst time in New York in the “It’s very tough to believe todasy’s quarter-final with Del Potro remained fit he could recover in time for Wednes- surgeries. make the last eight. semi-fi nals, crushed Ukraine’s where I am now after all that has Potro. have become world number day’s clash having needed Federer, the third seed, eased But the day belonged to Del Alexander Dolgopolov 6-2, 6-4, happened. I didn’t expect it,” “I felt like that I left that match one after that breakthrough. to save two match points to into the last-eight with a 6-4, Potro, who celebrated his win, 6-1. said Kanepi, who is playing in the with a lot of regrets. Probably For Del Potro, beating Federer defeat Dominic Thiem 1-6, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 win over Philipp Kohls- which came off a Thiem double The 31-year-old Spaniard goes main draw of an event for the fi rst feels like one of those matches I should have meant he had the 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 in the fourth chreiber, taking his record over fault, by stretching out his arms, on to face Russian 19-year-old time this year. would like to play over again. world at his feet. round on Monday. the German veteran to 12-0. head facing the night sky, as his Rublev, who stunned Belgian Top seed Pliskova will face “Feel like I would probably win Sadly, it was his wrists which He even admitted he had come Elsewhere, top seed Rafael legion of fans, many dressed in ninth seed David Goffi n 7-5, 7-6 American 20th seed CoCo it somehow because I should proved the problem as he went close to quitting the match as Nadal claimed his 50th win at the the light blue colours of Argen- (7/5), 6-3 to become the youngest Vandeweghe, who made the last have been up maybe two sets on to undergo four surgeries. a fever had left him with breath- US Open and will meet Russian tina’s famed football and Pumas quarter-fi nalist since Andy Rod- eight for the fi rst time by beating to love.” After his 2009 triumph, he was ing diff iculties. “I feel tired, but teenager Andrey Rublev. rugby teams, celebrated wildly. dick in 2001. Lucie Safarova of the Czech Re- Federer leads Del Potro 16-5 to miss a total of 10 Grand Slam we cannot do magic,” he said. In the women’s event, Es- “Oh my God,” said Del Potro, “I played a solid match with public 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).

SPOTLIGHT Evergreen Nadal settles for timeless, not forever young AFP my birthday, to be 9. Still the to change, because is true that New York same. I am 31 and I am not happy the tournaments on this surface when my birthday going to be 32. are probably easier to maintain “I am happy being young, no? and probably less expensive for afael Nadal wants to be I don’t want to get older. For the the organisation, but at the same forever young, but the moment, I didn’t fi nd the way to time, is not for me today but is world number one will stop that watch.” the most aggressive surface for probably have to settle In a year where Nadal appears the body.” forR tennis immortality. to be turning back the clock, he Rublev says he has nothing to The 31-year-old Spaniard ad- has won his record 10th French lose against Nadal, but the 2010 vanced to his 32nd Grand Slam Open title and fallen to Roger and 2013 US Open champion quarter-fi nal and seventh US Federer in the Australian Open knows that is youthful bluster. Open last-eight on Monday by fi nal. “He’s young, but at the same defeating Ukraine’s 64th-ranked Nadal would, however, like to time, he’s in quarter-fi nals. He Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-2, 6-4, ease the load on his ageing body has a chance to be in the semi- 6-1 for his 50th Open match win. and future stars by not playing fi nals for the fi rst time and I’ve The 15-time Grand Slam so much on hardcourts like those been there couple of times. So champion, who had not made the he is cruising to victory upon in of course he has things to lose,” US Open last eight since captur- New York, although he says they Nadal said. ing the 2013 title, will next face give him less trouble now than “And of course I have things Russian 19-year-old Andrey Ru- Wimbledon grass. to lose and things to win. But I blev, the youngest quarter-fi nal- “Is a little bit easy to play here tell you one thing. This sport is ist since Andy Roddick in 2001. than on grass,” Nadal said. about victory. This is not about Rublev could become the “But at the same time, I feel defeats. At the end of your ca- youngest US Open semi-fi nalist this surface is much more ag- reer, nobody remember your since Australian Lleyton Hewitt gressive than grass or clay. For defeats, your losses. People re- in 2000 and the youngest Slam the hip, for the knees, for the an- member the victories. For every- semi-fi nalist since Nadal at the kles, for the back.” body is everything to win. 2005 French Open on the way to Nadal warns it could hamper One thing Nadal doesn’t want his fi rst major title. the longevity of Rublev and oth- to lose is his chance to face Fe- “Of course if I can come back er rising young stars. derer in the semi-fi nals, what to 19, I take it,” Nadal said. “A lot “Is true that the players are would be their fi rst Grand Slam more years to enjoy the tour, a lot playing longer, but at the same meeting in New York. more years to enjoy the life. Of time, young players are playing “You can ask me about that in course, better be 19 than 31. a lot on hard and I don’t know two days if I am here with vic- “I always wanted to be young. if that’s going to be very healthy tory and I will answer you with a Even when I was 8 years old, I for the future,” Nadal said. lot of great pleasure if that hap- Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during their fourth round US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean was not very happy, when it was “Is something that is diffi cult pens,” Nadal said. King National Tennis Centre. (Getty Images/AFP)