GULF TIMES Epic Del Potro Beats Fever and Thiem to Set up Federer
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FOOTBALL | Page 3 BASEBALL | Page 5 Germany hit Martinez belts Norway for four homers six, England in D-backs win survive scare over Dodgers 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 Japan later in fi nal whistle. spurned a golden opportunity in the 86th Group B. “God willing we will 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.