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Monday, September 12, 2016 MOTOGP Dhul-Hijja 10, 1437 AH Pedrosa stuns Rossi, GULF TIMES Lorenzo to take win in San Marino GP SPORT Page 3 SPOTLIGHT Kerber on top of the world with US Open triumph ‘Amazing to win a second Grand Slam in one year. It’s the best year of my career. It all started for me here in New York five years ago when I reached the semi-finals and now I am here with the trophy. It’s incredible’

AFP Kerber was beginning to look demor- New York alised by the power shots coming her way. Pliskova, gaining in confi dence, ngelique Kerber won the US grabbed her fi rst break of the match Open on Saturday, mark- for a 4-3 lead, lofting a lob over the de- ing her rise to world number jected German. one with a gritty victory Serving for the set three games later Aover Karolina Pliskova to add a second the Czech fi red her fourth ace of the Grand Slam crown to her magical 2016 match out wide for set point. season. Her rocket to the baseline on the “Being there as champion, this year, next point left Kerber helpless and the to hold this trophy, I can’t say it in match was level at two sets apiece. words,” said Kerber, who added the US “In the second set, I found some Open crown to the Australian Open ti- power,” Pliskova said. tle she claimed in January. Faced with the challenge, Kerber ad- Seeded second Kerber rallied from a mitted she was “a little negative” in the break down in the third set to beat the second set. hard-hitting 10th-seeded Czech 6-3, “In the second set my body language 4-6, 6-4 — breaking Pliskova at love to was not the best and I was trying to cap the triumph. change it in the third,” Kerber said. “Amazing to win a second Grand “It was not so easy because Karolina Slam in one year,” Kerber said. “It’s the is a tough opponent and she was up a best year of my career. break early. “It all started for me here in New “I was thinking a little bit of the fi nal York fi ve years ago when I reached the in Australia when I was also in the third semi-fi nals and now I am here with the set and I believed in my game. trophy,” she added. “I was just believing in myself in the “It’s incredible.” third set and going for it... I was trying It certainly seemed improbable to take the chance.” when Kerber fi nished 2015 ranked 10th in the world. IN THE MOMENT The 28-year-old left-hander, who Pliskova couldn’t maintain the advan- beat Serena Williams in the fi nal at tage. Two errors gave a break back to Melbourne and lost to the US great in Kerber in the sixth game. the Wimbledon fi nal, will offi cially rise Even after her capitulation in the fi - to world number one on Monday. nal game, Pliskova said she had no re- But she was assured of that spot grets. “We all know that the last game when Pliskova toppled Williams in the wasn’t great, but it’s so hard against semi-fi nals. her,” Pliskova said. “To be number one and win Grand “I went twice to the net and was go- Slam titles was always my dream ever ing really for the shot. It could go the since I was a little girl,” Kerber said. “It other way... So I would not change it. means so much.” It didn’t happen, but this is the way I Pliskova, who had never made it have to play.” past the third round of a Grand Slam Amidst the disappointment she was in 17 prior attempts, also beat Venus Angelique Kerber of Germany celebrates after winning (6-3) (4-6) (6-4) against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in their US Open women’s singles final. looking forward to building on her Williams en route to the title match, breakthrough Slam performance. becoming just the fourth player to unforced errors were, fi nally, too much tears fl owed. plenty of breathing room. Kerber seized her chance with a “I found out I can play against the beat both Williams sisters in the same to overcome despite her 40 winners. She was able to maintain it with forehand down the line to pocket the best players in the world on the big Grand Slam. When Pliskova’s fi nal forehand QUICK START authoritative play from the baseline, fi rst frame in 44 minutes, having com- courts,” Pliskova said. “Angie proved Pliskova was the fi rst player to take sailed out, Kerber was launched on a Kerber took advantage of Pliskova’s fending off three break points before mitted just three unforced errors. she is the number one, it was an hon- a set off Kerber at Flushing Meadows. joyous celebration, climbing into box miscues to open the match with a cracking Pliskova’s serve again when Having saved the fi rst break point our to play her.” Her powerful groundstrokes had where coach Torben Beltz was sitting break. the Czech double-faulted to give her a she faced in the second set, but unable All in all, it was an exciting fi nal that Kerber on the run at times, but her 47 then returning to the court where the The quick advantage gave Kerber set point. to make inroads on Pliskova’s serve, had the crowd on their feet.

PREVIEW Fiesty contest expected as Lekhwiya face Rayyan in the Sheikh Jassim Cup fi nal today By Sports Reporter good start to the season for us. We “All indications are it will be a Doha missed many players who were on na- feisty contest on the pitch, yes, I tional duty,” he said. expect a tough game. If we win, “I wouldn’t say that aff ected our that will be a good start to the ootball giants Al Rayyan and training since we are used to this sce- season for us. We missed many Lekhwiya will clash in the nario,” he said. players who were on national Sheikh Jassim Cup fi nal on Belmadi praised Al Rayyan for their duty,” said the Lekhwiya coach September 12. Lekhwiya coach ‘remarkable’ run to the Qatar Stars DjamelF Belmadi is expecting a ‘feisty’ League (QSL) title. Al Rayyan, winners “Lekhwiya are considered one of the contest with arch-rivals Al Rayyan of the Qatar Stars League (QSL), domi- top sides in QSL. But the confi dence of when the two sides meet in the Sheikh nated the regular season. my players is high. We want a positive Jassim Cup tomorrow. Lekhwiya won the Emir Cup in May. result from this match’’. Speaking at the pre-match press The winners of these two events con- “It is better to play some games be- conference, the former Qatar national test the one-off match Sheikh Jassim fore playing Sheikh Jassim Cup. But we coach stressed the signifi cance of the Cup fi nal. can’t control that aspect,” Fossati said. season’s opening match in easing his For Al Rayyan, Jorge Fossati will be “I hope we win and add another title side into a felicitous beginning to their looking forward to repeat last year’s fairy to our trophy cabinet,” he said. campaign to reinstate themselves as tale, as he led perennial powerhouse Al This year’s Sheikh Jassim Cup will Qatar Stars League champions. Rayyan to win the Qatar Stars League launch the football season in Qatar “All indications are it will be a feisty title to end 21 years of drought for the which will end next May. contest on the pitch, yes, I expect a country’s most popular football club. The new QSL season will commence tough game. If we win, that will be a Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi (left) and Rayyan coach Jorge Fossati during the pre-match press conference. “It will be a tough game,” he said. on September 15. Gulf Times 2 Monday, September 12, 2016 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT Kerber vs Pliskova - Key points from the US Open women’s final Key moments in Saturday’s time, leads 4-3 and holds for US Open women’s singles 5-3. final where Angelique Kerber — Pliskova levels final in 10th defeated Karolina Pliskova 6-3, game. 4-6, 6-4: Humble and jovial Key set statistics: 1ST SET Pliskova does not face break — Pliskova drops serve in point. nervous first game on back Tweet: “Did Kerber see the of double fault and a horrible finish line too soon and allow forehand volley which flies nerves to get the better of wide. her?? Pliskova certainly raised — Kerber saves a break point her level #USOpen.” Kerber is now a in her first service game to - Former tour player now a TV consolidate lead. pundit Anne Keothavong @ — Kerber wins 14-stroke rally annekeothavong in the ninth game on way to taking set with another break. 3RD SET — Weary-looking Kerber bro- Key set statistics: ken third game of decider. Pliskova commits 17 unforced — Pliskova backs it up with predictable winner errors; Kerber just 3. hold for 3-1, sealed by her fifth Kerber 44-0 this season when ace. winning first set. — Czech, however, hands ad- ‘You have to believe in your dreams. You need a lot of patience, hard work, have a great Tweet: “Pliskova PLAYS tennis. vantage straight back for 3-3. No drama. No theatrics. No — Kerber seals title when team and love what you are doing. This is when everything comes together one day’ whining. No loudness. No dirty Pliskova is broken to love, her bag of tricks.#Kerber also fate sealed when she fires wonderful. ladies! #USOpen.” forehand wide. - Tennis analyst Craig Key final statistics: O’Shannessy @BrainGameTen- Pliskova 47 unforced errors; nis Kerber 17 Tweet: “What an outstanding 2ND SET match between Kerber and — Pliskova fails to convert a Pliskova — fantastic!!! #USO- fourth break point of final and pen2016.” goes 1-2 down. - Martina Navratilova @ — The Czech breaks for first martina

Recent US Open women’s champions

Recent US Open women’s champions after Angelique Kerber won the 2016 title on Saturday:

2016: Angelique Kerber 2011: Samantha Stosur 2015: Flavia Pennetta 2010: Kim Clijsters 2014: Serena Williams 2009: Kim Clijsters 2013: Serena Williams 2008: Serena Williams 2012: Serena Williams 2007: Justine Henin

ANALYSIS It took a while, but Wawrinka fi nally has the confi dence to win majors

Angelique Kerber of Germany with the trophy after winning against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in their US Open women’s singles final.

AFP the US Open. Vegas, where Graf lives with husband gion of social media fans delight in the New York Long established in the top 10, with Andre Agassi, with helping her turn selfi es of Kerber dancing in the streets seven WTA titles before her Grand Slam things around. of New York or scuba diving in the Mal- breakthrough at the age of 28, she is now But she’s at pains to point out she’s dives. ngelique Kerber didn’t quite celebrated by her country’s biggest sports never wanted to model herself on the Her ability to stay on an even keel is know what to say. stars as one of their ranks, plaudits pour- German superstar. hard-won, something she’s learned to do Still glowing from a US Open ing in from the likes of Manchester United “She’s a great champion,” Kerber said. only after years of letting her frustrations semi-fi nal win that propelled star Bastian Schweinsteiger, NBA great “For me, it’s really important to go on my run away with her cost her matches. herA to her third Grand Slam fi nal of the Dirk Nowitzki, Formula One driver Nico own way.” “I lost a lot of matches with this stuff , year, on the same day her cherished Rosberg and even International Olympic She’s done that with the help of coach because I was frustrated,” Kerber said. dream of gaining the world number one Committee President Thomas Bach. Torben Beltz, who guided her through “When I missed one shot I was like ranking came true, the 28-year-old Ger- Through it all Kerber has maintained one of her best seasons in 2012 and was thinking about the shot the next few man was gently chided for being just a her down to earth demeanor. re-hired in 2015 after she split with Ben- minutes and few shots.” little too “predictable” in describing the She said her fi rst call after her Austral- jamin Ebrahimzadeh. Her ability to shake off those negative emotional roller-coaster of her day. ian Open triumph would be to her grand- She said Beltz and the rest of her team feelings was on full display in Flushing “I don’t know what you want to hear,” parents in Puszczykowo, Poland, where helped her focus on how to make the leap Meadows, where she fell a break down File picture of Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland. Kerber said with a smile, graciously de- they run the Centrum Tenisowe Angie this season. in the third set before defeating Karolina fl ecting the question with the same ease tennis academy and where the Bremen- “We spoke about 2016, playing better Pliskova 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to lift the title on MCT “They have made me better. she shows in blasting a forehand back at born Kerber is now based. in the majors and in the bigger tourna- Saturday. New York With them, every time I step an opponent. Coming from a tennis family, she fi rst ments and playing consistent,” Kerber “You have to believe in your dreams,” on the court, even if they are It’s a skill she’s honed over the course picked up a racquet at the age of three. said. she said. way better in their career, of a stellar 2016 campaign that saw her During her rise she’s been encouraged “This is what I changed this year. I was “You have to go with a lot of patience, tan Wawrinka could have I always have something I knock off Serena Williams in the Aus- by childhood idol Steffi Graf, and after a always believing my weapons and about working hard, have a great team around saved a lot of ink on the need to tell myself: Maybe tralian Open fi nal in January, reach the worrying dip in form in early 2015 turned my tennis.” you and love what you are doing. tattoo that sums up his I can beat them. You need Wimbledon fi nal in July and, on Satur- to the German great for help. Supremely level-headed on the court, “This is when everything comes to- tennis perspective on the to fi nd a way. If you lose, it’s day, claim a second Grand Slam title at She credited training with Graf in Las Kerber is light-hearted off it, and her le- gether one day.” insideS of his left forearm. What is OK. You go back to practice” written there is a lengthy, philo- sophical musing from Irish poet “They have made me better. BOTTOMLINE Samuel Beckett: With them, every time I step on “Ever tried. Ever failed. No the court, even if they are way matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better in their career, I always better.” have something I need to tell my- It certainly captures Wawrin- self: Maybe I can beat them. You ka’s ultimately healthy attitude need to fi nd a way. If you lose, it’s Pliskova pledges all-out attack, always about a 14-year professional OK. You go back to practice.” career that still is getting bet- Against Djokovic, Wawrinka ter months past Wawrinka’s 31st has lost 15 of 19 matches. But in AFP proved too steady an obstacle — Furthermore, before New birthday. But then, so would Slams, he four times took Djoko- New York in the fi rst set, the 28-year-old York she had never got beyond “Roll with the punches.” vic to the fi ve-set limit before committed just three unforced the third round of a Slam in 17 To get to his fi rst U.S. Open losing, and in the 2015 French errors. attempts. championship fi nal, against Open fi nal, he beat Djokovic in arolina Pliskova vowed Pliskova said that the fact Her victory over Venus Wil- top-ranked Novak Djokovic, four. not to turn her back Kerber is left-handed was also liams in the fourth round, which Wawrinka needed 12 Flushing So many of his peers, Wawrin- on her all-or-nothing a key factor in the way the fi nal she described as a tougher as- Meadows appearances. Never as ka said, faced the Federers, game despite it falling played out. signment than beating 22-time far as a major-tournament semi- Djokovics, Nadals and Murrays Kshort in her three-set defeat to It’s a style that she found hard Slam winner Serena in the fi nal in his fi rst 35 Grand Slam “not even thinking they can beat Angelique Kerber in Saturday’s to counter even though her twin semis, required her to save a events, he now has advanced at them. I always try to believe in US Open fi nal. sister Kristyna, a fellow player match point. least as far as the semis six times something, that maybe one day The 24-year-old Czech lost on the tour, is also left-handed. Her conquest of both sisters in his last 13 Slams. I can beat them, and that’s what 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to the new world “I didn’t play a lefty girl in this made her just the fourth player This was his third major fi nal happened the past few years.” number one but she came tanta- tournament. She’s always serv- to do so at a Grand Slam. in three years, and he won the With no guarantee, he re- lisingly close to a maiden Grand ing to the backhand. You can- “I beat very good players. To previous two — the 2014 Aus- minded, that will continue... “In Slam win when she led 3-1 with not do much from it. Then she win in Cincinnati was the big- tralian Open and 2015 French. a Slam is where I want to play my a break in the decider. has the whole court open,” said gest title of my career,” she said. He has risen to No. 3 in the world best tennis,” he said. “But, again, In the end, however, her 47 Pliskova. “I was thinking, OK, now I rankings. when you play Novak, even play- unforced errors — a conse- “There aren’t many left- can even lose in the fi rst or sec- “It took me a little time, and ing your best tennis, you can also quence of her big-hitting ap- handed girls in the top 100, so ond round of the US Open, but I step by step,” Wawrinka said. But lose. Novak is a strong guy. He’s proach — compared to Kerber’s there is no time where you can was able to take the game from he stuck to a realistic approach mentally a beast. He is amazing meagre 17 proved her undoing. practice against a lefty. It’s al- Cincinnati here. during an era dominated by his defender, amazing fi ghter, amaz- “You have the pressure that ways tough to play them.” “So I was just happy that I Swiss countryman Roger Fed- ing player.” she’s gonna ace you four times made it even this far. It was al- erer, Serbia’s Djokovic, Spain’s Nevertheless, Wawrinka in a game, but you still have to be Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic reacts during her US Open TAKE THE POSITIVES ways my goal to pass the third Rafael Nadal and Britain’s Andy will try again against Djokovic, aggressive and hit winners, oth- women’s singles final match against Angelique Kerber of Germany. Despite her loss, Pliskova had round, and I made it to the fi nal. Murray. whose 12 career major titles put erwise I cannot be the one who is plenty of positives to look back “I’m not gonna think about “I was looking at them — sem- him behind only Federer (17), running with her,” said Pliskova. Pliskova, the fi rst Czech Williams to reach the fi nal. on. losing, I could be the winner to- ifi nal, fi nal, every year,” Wawrin- Pete Sampras (14) and Nadal (14). “I cannot play 30 times across woman in the US Open fi nal But Kerber, the Australian She defeated Kerber in the day. Was just about a few points. ka said. “They have been (at) a If he fails, Wawrinka intends to the net. It’s gonna just kill me. I since Helena Sukova in 1993, had Open champion in January and Cincinnati fi nal on the eve of the I will just take the positives and diff erent level than every other fail better. He already has proved just have to go for my shots.” defeated both Serena and Venus Wimbledon runner-up in July, US Open. move forward.” player. he can take a punch. Gulf Times Monday, September 12, 2016 3 SPORT

CYCLING Quintana gets revenge on Froome with Vuelta win

AFP the line and until then I couldn’t raise I have to say Chapeau to them because Madrid my arms (in celebration).” they really rode well and deserve the There was also revenge for Quin- victory. tana, who has twice fi nished second to “I love this race, I love the Vuelta, the olombia’s Nairo Quintana held Froome at the Tour de France and was people here, the feeling on the race. It’s off Tour de France champion third as the Brit sealed his third Tour tough, it’s the toughest race and I hope Chris Froome to win the Vuelta title in July. to come back in the future.” a Espana in yesterday’s tradi- “He respects me and I respect him,” The Movistar rider built up a near tionalC procession around Madrid. added Quintana on his rivalry with one-minute lead over Froome with vic- Quintana beat out Froome for the Froome. “There has never been a prob- tory on stage 10. fi rst time in six Grand Tours when both lem between us and we don’t want the However, his major move came have fi nished the race by 1min 23sec media to create any controversy.” on stage 15 when an early attack left with another Colombia Esteban Chaves Quintana had suff ered from allergies Froome isolated as Quintana fi nished completing the podium. during the Tour de France, but having second on the stage to extend his lead to Denmark’s Magnus Cort Nielsen skipped the Olympics unlike Froome, a huge 3min 37sec. won the 21st stage in a sprint fi nish for who picked up a bronze medal in the Froome responded by storming to a the 104.8km ride that started in Las time trial, he was the fresher rider for time trial win on stage 19 to cut the gap Rozas on the outskirts of the Spanish the gruelling three-week tour which by 2min 16sec. capital before a 10-lap circuit through included 10 summit fi nishes in searing However, Froome could only applaud the centre of Madrid. Spanish summer heat. as Quintana staved off his attempts to Victory is Quintana’s second in a And despite fi nishing second in the breakaway on Saturday’s penultimate Grand Tour after the 2014 Giro d’Italia Vuelta for the third time, Froome in- stage before crossing the line two sec- and was celebrated wildly by thou- sisted he had still enjoyed his best ever onds in front of his rival. sands of Colombian fans on the streets season. Nielsen picked up his second stage around the fi nish line. “Of course I was here to fi ght for the win of the race by beating out Italy’s “This is spectacular, it is a dream victory, but after the season we’ve had Daniele Bennati and Belgian Gianni come true,” said Quintana. with the Tour, Olympics and Vuelta, Meersman in a time of 2hr 48min 52sec. “I have tried so many times to win this has been the best season for me so “I don’t know what to say. It is my the Vuelta. far,” said Froome. fi rst Grand Tour and it was crazy to get “This morning it was in my head that “Nairo was great this Vuelta, Team just one, so to get this one in Madrid too I was the winner, but I still had to cross Movistar were great in the Vuelta and it is fantastic,” said Nielsen. Movistar’s Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana (left) rides during the last stage of the Tour of Spain in Madrid yesterday. (AFP)

HORSE RACING RUGBY ‘The Bus’ back in business, Al Shaqab Racing’s repays Hansen’s faith Reuters Wellington

f all the positives All Blacks coach Steve Hansen could Al Mourtajez owns take from their 57-22 victory over Argentina in the Rugby ChampionshipO on Saturday, one of the biggest was the bustling performance of winger Julian Savea. The 26-year-old scored his 42nd in- ternational try at Waikato Stadium in the fi eld in Chantilly Hamilton, carried the ball a team high 11 times, achieved 116 running metres — the most by any player — and broke Left Hand wins Prix Vermeille; Doha Dream, Zelzal third in respective races several tackles. what we want,” Hansen told reporters. It was a welcome return to form for “We want the instinctive Jules because Agencies the man nicknamed ‘the Bus’, whose when he’s like that he hurts people.” Chantilly, France strike rate of 42 tries in 46 tests is Despite his struggles, Hansen stuck among the highest in world rugby after by him, though in reality the winger he struggled earlier this season. was only starting in the Rugby Cham- he Al Shaqab Racing-owned “You guys can judge if I’m back to my pionship side because of an injury to Al Mourtajez demolished the best,” Savea told reporters in Hamilton. Waisake Naholo. opposition once again in the “For me it’s just about playing rugby, On Saturday, he repaid Hansen’s Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon (Gr1 enjoying it, and playing with a clear faith. TPA) at Chantilly yesterday. mind really, not caring about making “There’s always something about Always in front, the Thomas Four- mistakes. this jersey that makes you want to not cy-trained horse was asked by jockey “That’s the mindset I have (had) the miss out on this team or miss out on Julien Auge to pick up speed with only last few weeks.” this environment,” Savea said. a furlong to go, and within only a few After making his debut in 2012, Savea “I’m just really thankful to be here. strides, he created a seven-length gap. had been a virtual automatic selection The more time you get out on the fi eld, Fourcy later said, “I’m not sure he on the left wing for Hansen, with the it’s good.” has three or four gears more than the quietly-spoken Wellingtonian’s barn- others but he is above the norm. I am storming play drawing comparisons to CANE OUT INJURED, TODD CALLED not the right person to say who could that of the late Jonah Lomu. INTO ALL BLACKS SQUAD beat him in the Qatar Arabian World The performances began to taper off All Blacks loose forward Sam Cane has Cup. But the way he is running at the last year, though he rediscovered his been ruled out of the side for up to six moment, I don’t see how he can be best form in the World Cup when he weeks with a hamstring injury, with beaten, unless the race has no pace scored three tries against France in the Matt Todd brought into the squad as like last year. The horse is a lot more quarter-fi nals, the second of which was cover, Hansen said yesterday. relaxed this year, as he had a tenden- awarded World Rugby’s Try of the Year. Cane, the long-time understudy cy to be very keen and use up a lot of However, Savea again struggled for to former captain Richie McCaw, was gas during the race. Last year, he was form this season and showed up unfi t for replaced just after halftime by rookie ill, and we have looked after him this the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby campaign. loose forward Ardie Savea during the year, so that we don’t make the same He was dropped from the Hurri- All Blacks’ Saturday win. mistakes. He is fi t and in form, and we canes’ starting side and then by Hansen Hansen, however, was loathe to con- just need to keep him there. He has a during the All Blacks’ test series against fi rm whether the 22-year-old would green light.” Wales in June. start and said the Wellington Hurri- Two Umm Qarn-owned horses — The All Blacks coach said at the time canes player was still growing and get- Majeed and TM Thunder Struck — (From left) Al Shaqab Racing general manager Khalifa al-Attiyah, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager he felt Savea was battling some demons ting used to the physicality at the top complete the podium. Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi, Al Mourtajez’s jockey Julien Auge and trainer Thomas Fourcy pose on the podium after Al that were forcing him to over-compli- level. “It’s the pace of the game. He’s a Trainer Alban de Mieulle said, “The Mourtajez’s win in the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon (Gr1 PA) at Chantilly yesterday. PICTURES: Scoopdyga cate things. really explosive athlete so is he ready to winner is unbeatable. He is an excep- “He’s probably trying too hard to play 80 minutes? We’re not sure yet at tional horse. Both my horses don’t ward by his rivals. the point where he’s over-thinking and that level but we’ll get a good 60 out of have his class. Majeed is an hon- Markus Munch’s fi lly Spectre fi n- when you over-think things you end him and we know Matty can play for as est horse and did what he could. TM ished second, just ahead of Al Shaqab up being a bit of a robot and that’s not long as we need him.” Thunder Struck pulled a little but I Racing’s colt Zelzal. think Chantilly’s 2,000m track, is too Zelzal’s trainer Jean-Claude Rouget long for him. I don’t think they will said, “He isn’t as happy on this run the Qatar Arabian World Cup, in ground. Maybe on faster ground, he Wallabies boost scrum for Pumas challenge which they won’t have a fi rst chance. would have been second, but the win- But we have to be glad to see a horse ner was untouchable. Zelzal has al- The Wallabies, lifted by an overdue like Al Mourtajez show such perform- ready won a Group 1 this year (the Prix victory, bolstered their tight five ances. He gives an excellent publicity Jean Prat). If he stays in training at 4, options yesterday ahead of next to Arabian races.” he won’t run again this year.” weekend’s scrummaging Test against the Argentina Pumas in Perth. Coach JUST GLAMOROUS WINS PETIT SILVERWAVE TAKES EASY QATAR Michael Cheika called props Toby COUVERT PRIX FOY VICTORY Smith and Tom Robertson into his The Arc Trials day at Chantilly opened Hspirit representative Silverwave won Rugby Championship squad fol- with Robert and Nina Bailey-owned the Qatar Prix Foy (Gr2) with ease. The lowing news that front-rower Allan Just Glamorous winning the Qatar lot travelled in a line led by the Ger- Alaalatoa was out with a knee injury. Prix du Petit Couvert (Gr3), a race for man Ito. In the fi nale phase, Silver- Alaalatoa was injured in the Wal- sprinters. wave accelerated well when his jockey labies’ 23-17 win over South Africa Ronald Harris-trained Just Glam- Maxime Guyon asked him to and won in Brisbane, which broke a six-Test orous fi nished ahead of Marsha and by a length. losing run and eased mounting pres- Goldream. Julien Auge rides Al Mourtajez to victory in the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon (Gr1 PA). Ito, who was supplemented to par- sure on Cheika. ticipate in this race, took the second Alaalatoa wore a brace on his left guys coming in is to deliver their JAPANESE MAKAHIKI TAKES place fi nish, Al Shaqab Racing’s rep- aged to come back up on the outside. place in front of Elliptique. knee as he returned home on Sunday strengths and I think our scrum was QATAR PRIX NIEL resentative in France, Rupert Pritch- She fought with her two closest and did not travel with the squad to very consistent last night and quite The fi rst preparatory race to the Qatar ard-Gordon, said, “Doha Dream runs rivals — Endless Time and The Ju- VAZIRABAD WINS QATAR PRIX Perth for Saturday’s Test against the dominant. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the Qatar very well. He is improving. It is nice to liet Rose — and eventually managed to GLADIATEUR Pumas. “Having those new blokes at the Prix Niel (Gr2) and it was taken home have a very regular horse like him. He beat them for the top spot. Aga Khan-owned Vazirabad did not Wallabies defence coach Nathan forefront of that is critical.” by the Japanese horse Makahiki. could run the Qatar Prix Chaudenay or disappoint in the Qatar Prix Gladi- Grey said Alaalatoa’s injury was Cheika has raised the likelihood of The lot queued up along the rail the Prix du Conseil de Paris. He is not VADAMOS WINS MOULIN DE ateur (Gr3). Ridden by Christophe disappointing, given his progress more players making their interna- with Midterm in the lead, followed by entered in the Arc. We will check with LONGCHAMP Soumillon, he travelled at the back of this year. tional debuts before the November Al Shaqab Racing’s Doha Dream and his trainer and the team what we will The Haras de Saint Pair-bred and the fi eld. “It’s unfortunate but it’s good to have tour to Europe. the eventual winner. do next.” -owned colt, Vadamos, raced to a Vazirabad was challenged by Nahual those guys ready to roll,” Grey told “We’ve got a lot of young guys and On to the home straight, Makahiki’s classy win in the Qatar Prix du Moulin but the Alain de Royer Dupré-trained reporters in Brisbane. we’ve got to get them the experience jockey Christophe Lemaire took a little LEFT HAND FIGHTS FOR PRIX de Longchamp (Gr1). gelding took the advantage at the very “He’s been among a number of the they need,” he said. bit of time before asking his partner to VERMEILLE After following Zarak, who took the end. new guys who have come into the “There’ll probably be a couple more accelerate. But once he did, Yasuo To- Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1) was won lead at fi rst, Vadamos switched places Both horses left the rest of the lot a Wallaby setup and really performed (playing) before the Rugby Champi- momichi’s ward did the job and took by three-year-old Left Hand. After with him in the midway through the few lengths behind, with Settler’s Son well. onship is out, as well, so we’ve got to the fi rst place at the very end. travelling in the middle of the lot, the race. In the fi nal phase, he easily ac- fi nishing third almost four lengths “That’s what we want from all the get them up a level.” Talking about Doha Dream’s third Wertheimer & Frère-owned fi lly man- celerated and was only pushed for- further back. Gulf Times 4 Monday, September 12, 2016 SPORT

PARALYMPICS ATHLETICS Farah wins 3rd Morris shines as Britain straight Great claims 3 rowing golds North Run AFP Morris follows up Beijing Paralympics cycling win in arm-only single sculls London ritain’s Mo Farah Agencies claimed an unprec- Rio de Janeiro edented third consecu- tive victory in the Great NorthB Run half-marathon in ritain enjoyed a golden northeast England yesterday. morning in the Paral- The four-time Olympic cham- ympic rowing, picking pion pulled clear of America’s up three gold medals. Dathan Ritzenhein to complete RachelB Morris is a Paralympic the course between Newcastle champion in a second sport after and South Shields in a time of one claiming rowing gold in Rio yes- hour and four seconds. terday, while Lauren Rowles and Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot won Laurence Whiteley also won the the women’s race in her fi rst double sculls, before the mixed half-marathon, edging out com- coxed fours completed the run of patriot Priscah Jeptoo. success, to make it 18 gold medals “I knew it was going to be a at the Games for ParalympicsGB. hard race today,” Farah told BBC The 37-year-old Morris, from television. “To be honest, I’m Guildford in Surrey, won a road knackered. I can hardly talk. cycling time-trial gold in Beijing “It’s good to fi nish on a high eight years ago. She was third in here. What a year I’ve had. I just the road race on her hand bike at have to go home now and chill London 2012, six weeks after be- out and see the kids.” ing hit by a car in training. Farah’s victory in the world’s Four years on Morris won the biggest half-marathon came af- women’s arms-only single sculls ter he completed a second con- with a perfectly timed surge in secutive Olympic double in the the second half of the 1,000m 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres race. Farnham’s Morris, who had in Rio de Janeiro. both legs amputated because Farah, 33, endeared himself of complex regional pain syn- to the large crowds watching drome, fi nished ahead of China’s by mimicking the goal celebra- Lili Wang, while Israel’s Moran tion of former Newcastle United Samuel took bronze. striker Alan Shearer as he fi n- She switched to rowing in 2013 ished, raising his right hand in and now has three Paralympic the air. medals across two sports, add- Shearer tweeted his approval, ing to the hand-cycling time tri- writing: “Love it @Mo_Farah!” al gold she won in Beijing in 2008 Farah’s triumph follows accu- and bronze at London 2012. sations made by his wife, Tania, Rowles and Whiteley then led who also ran in the race, that he from the start and held off Chi- was “humiliated” by an airline na in the double sculls, before attendant in the United States. Pamela Relph won a second gold She told the Sunday Telegraph in the mixed coxed fours, having a Delta Airlines offi cial “yelled” won the same event at London at her husband and sent him to 2012. James Fox, Daniel Brown the back of a queue. and Grace Clough, plus cox Ol- Other reports said the Farah iver James, celebrated with her family had arrived late for fi rst- on a memorable day for British class boarding. rowing. The family were reportedly Theirs was a fourth British travelling home from Rio and medal from the morning at the re- were about to embark on the fi - gatta, after Tom Aggar had to set- Rachel Morris celebrates after winning the ASW1x Final A gold in Rio de Janeiro yesterday. (AFP) nal leg of their journey from At- tle for bronze in the men’s arms- lanta to Portland, Oregon. only single sculls. Aggar won A Delta Airlines spokesper- gold in Beijing and was unbeaten Paralympic authorities probe Algeria’s no-show versus Israel son, quoted by the BBC, said the in four years until London 2012, company was investigating and where he was bitterly disappoint- Paralympic authorities said yesterday Algeria’s Paralympic off icials explained tories because of the cancelled matches. without access the venues. Some “will be working directly with ed to fi nish fourth. He dug deep to they are sceptical about Algeria’s claim that “the team has suff ered a series of The Algerian women’s team is next due 250,000 spectators were tallied in total the Farah family”. return to the podium in Brazil. that its women’s goalball team missed a flights delays and extreme bad luck in to play today against Brazil. for the park and other venues such Neither Delta Airlines nor Mo Para-triathlete Steadman, game against Israel in Rio purely due to attending the Rio 2016 Paralympics,” the In goalball, blind or partially blind play- as the athletics stadium, the triathlon Farah’s management company who was born without a lower travel delays. International Paralympic Committee said ers wear eye shades to make conditions course at the Copacabana and the could be reached by AFP. right arm, had been favourite to The Algerians did not show up for in a statement. equal, then try to score goals with a ball Deodoro sport park, also beating the add Paralympic gold to her 2013 opening matches against the US team “The IPC will continue to investigate why containing bells to help the players. highest for a day during the Olympics. and 2014 world titles. But the on Friday or Israel on Saturday, leading more than 4,300 other athletes man- The Paralympics had been struggling 23-year-old former swimmer to accusations in the Israeli media of a aged to arrive on time for these Games, Paralympics attracts record numbers last month with poor tickets sales. from Peterborough lost out to boycott by the mostly Muslim country. yet the five players and two coaches that to Rio venues However interest has grown and most the USA’s Grace Norman by one Algeria’s team says that it simply could make up the Algerian women’s goalball Spectator interest in the Paralympics venues have been well attended, with minute and four seconds. not get to Rio on time because of team have suff ered such trouble,” the in Rio de Janeiro is proving greater in 1.8mn of the 2.5mn available tickets sold. In the velodrome, London travel snarl-ups. However, following an statement said. some cases than for the Olympics. The Friedrich Julius Beucher, the president of 2012 gold medallist Fachie, who incident at the earlier Olympic Games “If we find during the course of the Olympic Park, which comprises most the German Disabled Sports Associa- has a congenital eye condi- in Rio where an Egyptian judoka broke investigation conclusive evidence that sports venues, posted 167,000 visitors tion, said yesterday: “The Paralympics tion, and his pilot Pete Mitchell protocol by refusing to shake hands with this is anything but bad luck with travel on Saturday, the largest for one day at are an aff ordable sporting event for the clocked a time of one minute his Israeli opponent, the story was not then the IPC may be in a position to take the site, organizers said. Brazilian population. Many local people 0.241 seconds to take silver, immediately accepted. relevant action.” The high numbers are being put down have told me, ‘The Olympic tickets were 0.419 seconds behind win- Political protests are banned at the The US and Israeli teams were automati- in part to a low ticket price of 10 reals too expensive for us. We can aff ord the ner Tristan Bangma of the Olympics and Paralympics. cally awarded three points and 10-0 vic- (about 3 dollars) for visits to the park Paralympics.” Netherlands.

SPOTLIGHT Broken your prosthetic leg? Go to the Paralympic ‘hospital’

AFP place before. It’s superb,” he told on how long it will take. The was famous for building Oscar Rio de Janeiro AFP. repair shop does its best to be Pistorius’s running blades in Ottobock, the world’s biggest quick. London 2012 and has sponsored prosthetics company, shipped “They rely on us,” Johnson about 20 international athletes hen Paralympians over a formidable amount of said. in Team Ossur. break a prosthetic material for the Games: 300 There are games and tables Among them is Frenchwom- leg or damage a plastic feet, 70 carbon blades, in the waiting area to help pass an Marie-Amelie Le Fur, who wheelchair in Rio, thousands of screws and other the time. Other athletes whip won gold in the longjump on Wthey know just where to go. hardware — 18 tons in all, with 77 out their mobile phones to Friday and is also taking part “It really looks a bit like a technicians from about 30 coun- record the day their prosthetic in the 100m, 200m and 400m hospital for prosthetics,” said tries to do the work. leg or wheelchair went in for an races. Peruvian Paralympian Jose Luis The service is free of charge operation. The global prosthetics indus- Casas in the waiting area of a and the technicians will operate Just a few days into the Rio try is a niche aff air worth slightly workshop set up in a large hangar on any brand of gear, either re- Paralympics, Ottobrock says it more than a bn dollars, Ossur in Athletes’ Village. pairing or sometimes replacing has already done 1,200 repairs. said, and within that the sport- The workshop is run by Ot- the piece. Around 200 a day is typical. ing prosthetics are tiny. tobock, a German fi rm that has More than 80 % of repairs in- Johnson said that building Ottobock produces some been the offi cial repairer at the volve wheelchairs and about 15 things is his passion. “What’s 150,000 prosthetics a year, but Paralympics since the 2004 % prosthetics. best of all is making things that only 800 purely for sport. Games. “We get a lot of wheelchairs help people,” he added. However, the Paralympic spir- A dozen wheelchairs were after the rugby and basket, it is catching on as the Games go lined up during a visit this week, games which are the most vio- Business too more mainstream and the tech- waiting to be given care. Casas, a lent. But we also get wheelchairs It’s not all about surgery for nology makes the sports more former soldier whose left leg has for everyday purposes, which are Paralympic gear. The Games are exciting to watch and play. been amputated, had come to get the most used,” said company also an opportunity for makers And gradually, the barriers his carbon running blade looked spokeswoman Merle Florstedt. of prosthetics and other equip- between high performance and after. ment to fi ght for market share regular equipment are blurring. Workers in the company Patients’ waiting room and publicity. “Our research and develop- colors of green shirts and grey Italian para-fencer and am- A Peruvian athlete test his new leg at the Ottobock workshop in charge of repairing the prosthesis at the “Of course there is competi- ment team is learning a lot about trousers attended to their pa- putee Alberto Andrea Pellegrini athletes village, during the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (AFP) tion” during the Games, said the biomechanics of athletes tients. The sound of drills whir- came looking for protection to Ottobock spokesman Rudiger which can perhaps be trans- ring fi lled the air. avoid cuts on his damaged leg I need and every Paralympics I has nine medals. nician Derek Johnson said. Herzog. ferred back to products for other Casas, a 200m runner, was during competitions. come here,” said Pellegrini, who There’s a waiting time of First the athletes are checked The market leader’s main ri- amputees,” said Edda Geirsdot- impressed. “I didn’t know this “There’s always something has competed in four Games and about 30 to 45 minutes, US tech- out and then given an estimate val, Icelandic company Ossur, tir, a spokeswoman for Ossur. Gulf Times Monday, September 12, 2016 5 SPORT

MLB NBA Bosh could become latest with Miami Pence scores again Heat ‘maintenance’ programme

By Ira Winderman as Giants power Sun Sentinel hen it comes to ‘maintenance’ programmes, the Miami Heat have Wnumerous blueprints to draw upon. They practically authored past Diamondbacks the approach, dating to Dan Majerle’s balky back under Pat Riley to the preemptive slants ‘He’s so valuable and so positive. He’s talking to players and building them up’ taken in recent years with Mike Miller and Dwyane Wade. And now, if Chris Bosh is By Andrew Baggarly able to make it back from the The Mercury News blood clots that have sidelined him for the second half of the past two seasons, the scheme ing, as Majerle can attest, going unter Pence’s legacy may yet have to be put in place back to the days when Riley was will be tied to those again, with the team consider- coach and current Heat coach fi ery speeches, when ing truncated scheduling for Erik Spoelstra was an assistant. he stomped around the the All-Star forward. “Make no mistake now, it GiantsH clubhouse and screamed As recently as 2013-14, the wasn’t like I was over there and his eyes bulged while im- Heat routinely held Wade out drinking a Margarita and hav- ploring his teammates to a pair of games in order to reduce the ing a donut,” said Majerle, who of World Series titles. wear on his knees and leave now is coach at Grand Canyon Pence knows he cannot go Pen- him as fresh as possible for the University in Phoenix. “I mean tecostal on his teammates every postseason. The year before, I was on the bike. I was like the day. But even amid two of the Miller was put on a shortened- Tour de France, without the worst months of baseball in Giants schedule leash, as he wore PEDs.” history, his optimism has been down from his body-as-pro- For Bosh, with contact per- impossible to slay. He has done jectile tactics. haps the greatest concern for most of his motivational work on “The one thing he does,” a player with a history of blood a quieter and more individual ba- Miller said at the time of Riley, clots, the approach could be sis, taking Matt Moore aside in the “is protect his players.” similar. It is, of course, hardly kitchen or speaking to Eduardo With Bosh, protection might optimal when it comes to con- Nunez in the trainer’s room. have been prudent at this stage tinuity. Pence also knows that words of his career even had there not “It’s tough,” LeBron James carry only so much weight with- been blood clots, with Bosh said at the time of working out deeds behind it. And after turning 33 in March. through Wade’s maintenance Saturday’s 11-3 victory over the When Wade was put on his program in 2013-14, which also Arizona Diamondbacks, there is Heat maintenance program, proved to be James’ fi nal season nothing quiet about the two games he was 31. When Miller’s work with the Heat. “We have a team he has played at Chase Field. schedule was curtailed, he was built on chemistry, built on Pence became the fi rst Giant 32. And when Majerle was held rhythm. With so many of the since Fred Snodgrass in 1912, back, he was 34. guys being in and out, and the and just the 10th major league The Heat mantra since Ri- concern with D-Wade, it’s been player in more than 100 years, ley’s arrival as franchise stew- tough on all of us. We’ve got to to score four runs in consecutive ard in 1995 has been, “Hardest go in with the mindset some- games. He followed up a 4-for-4 working. Best conditioned. times that he’s not playing, as performance on Friday by going Most professional. Unselfi sh. opposed to, ‘Is he playing?’ “ 3-for-3 with a home run and two Toughest. Nastiest. Most dis- And yet that 2013-14 roster walks Saturday. liked team in the NBA.” was uniquely built for Wade to He has reached base 10 times And yet when that work miss 28 regular-season games. in 11 plate appearances against San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (R) slaps hands with San Francisco Giants third base coach Roberto Kelly after hitting a home works against the greater good Ray Allen was in place to play Arizona. With one game yet run in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports there also has been relief. 160 minutes more that season to be played here, he’s already Fifteen years ago, during his than Wade. Shane Battier was matched the Giants record for example. But who needs a closer inning, he tagged an opposite- The Giants needed one of could make a diff erence down fi nal season with the Heat, that available to start 56 games. runs scored in a three-game se- when you outhit your opponent fi eld shot to lead off the seventh these tension-free wins. They the stretch but continues to became the case with Majerle, There also were the scoring ries. Oh, and he survived that 19-5? and he crossed the plate both had gone 4-6 in their previous work through mechanical issues. who would spend practice iso- contributions of Rashard Lewis body-fl inging, fence-crashing Johnny Cueto held the Dia- times after drawing walks. 10 games, and their four victo- lated on the sideline so he could when needed. It was similar to catch in Friday night’s 12-inning mondbacks to two runs in seven By far the most memorable ries had come by a total margin RESULTS be available as often as possible the fl exibility the San Antonio victory, too. tidy innings, contributed an RBI moment came amid the Giants’ of fi ve runs. That is no way to live Houston 2 Chicago Cubs 1 on game nights. Spurs created over the years to Pence has been the Giants’ single and even took a comic four-run third inning, when when your closer situation is a Toronto 3 Boston 2 “You want to be out there rest Tim Duncan, Manu Gino- Pettitte, which gave manager turn as a base coach as the Gi- Cueto took one his slashing full-blown crisis. Seattle 14 Oakland 3 battling in practice and doing bili and Tony Parker. Bruce Bochy one less thing to ants (76-65) won a rare laughter swings - he wields the bat like Bochy was able to take out NY Yankees 5 Tampa Bay 1 the things that they’re doing,” Behind Bosh this season, the worry about as his club careened to keep pace in two playoff races. he’s hitting groundstrokes on Cueto after just 89 pitches, Cincinnati 8 Pittsburgh 7 Majerle said. “It makes you feel fi ll-in answers are not as clear, through late July and August. They remained four games be- the hard court- and lined a bas- which might freshen him up for Washington 3 Philadelphia 0 like more of a teammate, but in from Josh McRoberts to Luke “He’s so valuable and so posi- hind the Los Angeles Dodgers in es-loaded single to right fi eld. his important assignment when Baltimore 11 Detroit 3 my case, I didn’t have a choice.” Babbitt to possibly going un- tive,” Bochy said. “He’s talking the NL West and brightened their Before Cueto (15-5) even he opens a home series against Minnesota 2 Cleveland 1 With contact a concern with dersised with Justise Winslow. to players and building them up standing in the wild-card picture reached fi rst base, he was look- the Cardinals on Thursday. (12 innings) Bosh, particularly if blood- At this stage of Bosh’s career, and pumping them up. He brings by a shade. They continue to lead ing over his shoulder at third Bochy also was able to give an Kansas City 6 White Sox 5 thinners remain part of his relief might have been prudent it every day. He’s got his rituals the St. Louis Cardinals by a half base, where Pence held up. inning to Jake Peavy, who came LA Dodgers 5 Miami 0 health regimen, practice/play- even without this growing his- with these guys.” game while the New York Mets Cueto, who clearly wanted a off the disabled list earlier in the Atlanta 4 NY Mets 3 (10 innings) ing options could be limited, as tory with blood clots. Now it No, Pence can’t do it all for the slipped to games back. second RBI, waved his arms in week, and some pressure-free St. Louis 5 Milwaukee 1 well. could have to become policy, Giants. He can’t handle a save Pence singled and scored on protest and then chatted up fi rst mound time to Josh Osich, who San Francisco 11 Arizona 3 That doesn’t mean a Heat one that has been decades in situation in the ninth inning, for Joe Panik’s double in he second base coach Bill Hayes. has the kind of lethal stuff that San Diego 6 Colorado 3 willingness to forgo condition- the shaping with the Heat.

NFL Miller has reaped rewards of Super Bowl stardom

By Charean Williams of Kanye West’s “Yeezy” foot- it just didn’t make sense to come Fort Worth Star-Telegram ball cleats made by adidas. He and play under those circum- also now has endorsement deals stances. But I think we got eve- with Microsoft, Chef’s Cut, Old rything aired out. The ultimate on Miller appeared Spice, Muzik and Best Buy. goal for me was to be a Denver everywhere this off sea- “It’s been a true blessing,” Bronco, and I’m here, so we got son. The Denver Bron- Miller said. that achieved.” cos linebacker granted “I’m loving it. I wouldn’t want A phone conversation with El- Vinterviews to Ellen, The Today it the other way around for sure. way, initiated by Miller, helped Show and The Late, Late Show. I like people to like me and no- smooth diff erences in negotia- He presented a Grammy. He tice me. It’s something I enjoy tions. competed on Dancing with the and want to keep my production “I think it helped a tremen- Stars. on the fi eld, so I continue to get dous amount,” Miller said. Ah, the rewards of being the these opportunities.” “I’m not an agent. I didn’t re- Super Bowl MVP. Oh, yeah, and Miller signed ally have a lot of conversations “Nothing comes without suc- a six-year, $114.5mn contract with Mr. Ellis (team president cess on the football fi eld,” Miller with the Broncos in the off sea- Joe Ellis) and Mr. Elway at that said in a phone interview. “I son, getting $70mn guaranteed. time, so I just felt like I wanted think our success on the football The deal, though, did not come to talk to them man-to-man and fi eld prepared all of us to a cer- without some angst. speak from the heart and really tain level of stardom.” On June 8, the Broncos re- just put the human aspect back The DeSoto, Texas, and Texas leased details of the six-year, into negotiations. I think we got A&M alum already was a rec- $114.5mn deal that Miller re- all that done.” ognisable star with his designer jected because only $38.5mn was Miller began his 2016 season glasses, his designer shoes and fully guaranteed. by playing 56 of 73 snaps in the his designer sack dance. Miller, 27, did not mask his Broncos’ 21-20 victory over the He had fi ve sacks, 11 tackles, anger at John Elway, cropping Panthers on Thursday night. two forced fumbles and an in- the Broncos general manager out He had a sack, three tackles, a terception in the Broncos’ three of an Instagram photo from the tackle for loss and a quarterback postseason wins. White House while threatening hit. He earned Super Bowl MVP to sit out the season. Miller, a favourite for NFL De- honours after making Carolina “There was defi nitely some fensive Player of the Year hon- quarterback Cam Newton mis- uncertainty,” Miller said. ours, plans to be better than he erable in the Broncos’ 24-10 “I think all the way up until was during the regular season victory. the (deadline on July 15), I was in 2015 when he made 11 sacks. Now, Miller graces the cover even on the fence. I wanted to How much better? of the NFL’s offi cial 2016 Record play football. I really wanted to “I’ve got crazy goals,” Miller & Fact Book, dances on a com- be here with the Denver Broncos, said. “I like to keep my goals to try my hardest to get them all. tivity because the type of dreams for guys to be like, ‘Ah, he’s not I just want to keep my goals to mercial for EA Sports’ Madden and I wanted to play this year. myself and with my teammates. “If I sat down and told you all and the type of goals I have, going to be able to do that.’ I just myself and grind it out and try to NFL 17 and unveiled the fi rst pair But from a business standpoint, I just want to grind. I’m going to my goals, it’d create some nega- they’re up there. It would be easy don’t need that type of energy. get them.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, September 12, 2016 SPORT

MOTOGP / SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX GOLF / BMW CHAMPIONSHIP Johnson seizes Pedrosa stuns PGA lead with late surge Rossi, Lorenzo AFP played tougher.” Chicago Johnson, 11-under on par-5 holes this week, seeks his third title of the ‘I saw Pedrosa and I thought, ‘no way’. He was faster than me’ year after the US Open and the World orld number two Dustin Golf Championships Bridgestone invi- Johnson, making his case tational. for PGA Player of the Year, “I’m not going to change anything,” birdied four of the last fi ve Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve got a good holesW Saturday to seize a three-stroke game plan out here.” lead after the third round of the BMW It would be Johnson’s 12th career Championship. PGA title and mark the fi rst season in Reigning US Open champion John- which he has won three events. But son sank a 17-foot birdie putt at the Johnson has converted only 2-of-6 18th hole to complete a four-under par 54-hole leads into wins, none since the 68 and stand on 18-under 198 for 54 2013 HSBC Championship. holes at the 7,516-yard Crooked Stick In addition, a victory would put layout in suburban Indianapolis. Johnson atop the US PGA playoff sea- “I’m seeing the lines pretty well out son points standings in quest of the here, I’ve got pretty good speed and it’s $10 mn bonus paid out after the Tour going where I’m looking,” Johnson said. Championship in two weeks at Atlanta. “I’m making some putts this week.” The 32-year-old American, who ‘A VERY TOUGH MAN TO BEAT’ captured his fi rst major title in June at “He’s going to be a very tough man to Oakmont, sank three birdie putts in beat tomorrow,” Casey said. “He has a row starting with a 10-footer at the got the best attitude in golf. When he par-4 14th, then a tap-in on the par-5 gets on his game he’s maybe the best 15th and lastly a seven-footer at 16. ball striker in golf, maybe the longest. “I struggled with the speed early in If he does the same thing tomorrow, the round,” Johnson said. “I kept leav- there’s no catching him.” ing everything short, but I got a handle Casey, who will play alongside him in on it on the back nine and fi nished re- the last group, was in the last group a ally strongly.” week ago with a three-stroke lead only England’s Paul Casey was second on to lose to Rory McIlroy. 201 after a bogey-free 68 with Ameri- Casey, a 13-time European Tour win- can J.B. Holmes third on 202, four ner, won his only US PGA title at the adrift after also shooting 68. 2009 Houston Open. On Saturday he A course drenched by rain and stirred birdied the par-5 fi fth, ninth and 15th by winds made it harsh on leaders and holes and put his approach inches from rivals alike. the cup at 16 to set up his last birdie. “Really solid. To keep a clean sheet I was really happy,” Casey said. “It was ‘A LOT OF CHASING TO DO’ pretty ugly. It wasn’t my best ball- Scott’s 67 matched the day’s low round striking day. The fact I stayed in touch from the fi eld of 69. He closed with was nice.” back-to-back birdies after ending the Roberto Castro, who shared the 36- front nine with three birdies in a row. Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa (centre, also inset) leads ahead of Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi (right) and Jorge Lorenzo (left) during the San Marino Grand hole lead with Johnson, stumbled to a “It was nice to make those to give Prix at the Marco Simoncelli Circuit in Misano yesterday. (AFP) 74 to fall to fourth on 204, one stroke myself a chance to think I can win a ahead of US compatriot Matt Kuchar golf tournament tomorrow,” Scott said. AFP Spain’s Marc Marquez, who fi nished “I tried my hardest for Lorenzo and 6. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) +19.676 and Australia’s Adam Scott. “I’ve got a lot of chasing to do.” Misano Adriatico, Italy fourth on a Honda, retains the lead in Marquez and when I saw that my pace 7. Michele Pirro (Ducati) +22.936 Johnson opened with a bogey, need- The top 30 players in points after this the world championship standings on would be good for the win, I was very 8. Pol Espargaro (Tech3) +27.155 ing two shots to escape greenside week advance to the Tour Champion- 223 points. Rossi is second on 180 with happy,” said Rossi. “But then I saw 9. Cal Crutchlow (Honda LCR) +27.202 rough, but answered with a four-foot ship and the fi ve points leaders can win pain’s Dani Pedrosa, on a Hon- Lorenzo on 162 and Pedrosa 145. Pedrosa and I thought, ‘no way’. He was 10. Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia) +33.968 birdie putt at the second and closed the bonus by simply winning the tour- da, secured an impressive vic- “I’m very happy personally,” said faster than me. I wanted to win here at MotoGP standings (top 3) the front nine with a seven-foot birdie nament. tory in the San Marino Moto GP Pedrosa, who collected two wins last Misano as it’s very special race.” 1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 223 pts putt. He missed the green at the par-3 Johnson would pace the fi ve at this yesterday after a superb over- year on his way to a fourth place fi nish Rossi’s teammate Lorenzo claimed 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 180 13th and made bogey, setting the stage point with Casey, Scott, top-ranked takingS move on Valentino Rossi ended in the championship. “Today I focused his third world title from the category for his closing brilliance. Aussie Jason Day and American Patrick 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 162 the Italian’s hopes at his home track. on my rhythm and tried to do my race. last year. “I played pretty solid,” Johnson Reed those players at this stage. Reed Pedrosa started eighth on the grid, This victory is for my fans, friends, He admitted his disappointment MOTO2 RESULTS (TOP 3) said. “It was pretty tough. The wind and Day each fi red 71 Saturday to stand several places behind compatriot family and team.” at failing to challenge and is already 1. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 42:45.885 was blowing pretty hard. The par-5s 13 strokes off the pace. and defending world champion Jorge Thousands of the estimated attend- looking ahead to the Aragon GP in 2. Alex Rins (Kalex) +2.523 Lorenzo, with Rossi in second ahead of ance of 100,000 fans at the track had three weeks’ time. 3. Takaaki Nakagami (Kalex) +6.199 Maverick Vinales. shown their support for Rossi, the “They were faster than me, but I Moto2 standings (top 3) But the Honda rider, one of only two seven-time MotoGP world champion can’t be happy because I expected to 1. Johann Zarco (Kalex) 194 pts in the fi eld to employ a soft front tyre, who is trying to win an eighth title in fi ght for the win,” said Lorenzo. “Now 2. Alex Rins (Kalex) 191 produced a tactically fl awless race motorcycling’s top category but his I have to wait for next time. I am very 3. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 141 to steadily move up to the front after fi rst since 2009. happy for Dani as he’s been through a Rossi had taken the lead from the sec- Although many of them spoiled very hard time.” MOTO3 RESULTS (TOP 3) ond of the race’s 28 laps. Pedrosa’s podium celebrations by 1. Brad Binder (KTM) 39:37.556 Pedrosa overtook Rossi with seven chanting for Rossi as he drank spu- MOTOGP RESULTS (TOP 10) 2. Enea Bastianini (Honda) 0.262 laps to go and was unassailable as he mante from his boot — the Italian 1. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 43:43.524 3. Joan Mir (KTM) 1.416 powered his way to his fi rst win of the mimicking the antics of Australia’s 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +2.837s Moto3 standings (top 3) season and 52nd of his career. A frus- Jack Miller when he won his maiden 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) +4.359 1. Brad Binder (KTM) 229 pts trated Rossi fi nished a close second Moto GP race at Assen earlier this year 4. Marc Marquez (Honda) +9.569 2. Enea Bastianini (Honda) 123 with Lorenzo in third. — the Italian readily accepted defeat. 5. Maverick Vinales (Suzuki) +15.467 3. Jorge Navarro (Honda) 118

BOXING Golovkin eyes Saunders aft er stopping Brook

AFP naturally bigger man, perhaps edging London the second round. “In the fi rst round I felt I’m stronger. Luiten wins second home Open In the second round I wanted a street he world’s top-ranked mid- fi ght and a brawl,” admitted Golovkin. AFP him a five-time winner on Tour. dleweight Gennady Golovkin “I believe he’s strong but he’s not Spijk, Netherlands It is his first win for almost two years wants another fi ght in Britain a middleweight. I didn’t feel power,” and reward for a brilliantly consistent after stopping Kell Brook and Golovkin added. 2016 so far that saw him come into Tis targeting a unifi cation bout with “He didn’t hurt me at all. There ocal favourite Joost Luiten the week with eight top tens including Billy Joe Saunders. were a lot of punches, but I didn’t feel lived to his billing as the home two runner-up finishes and represent Golovkin defended his World Box- them.” Lhero with a record-equalling the Netherlands at the Olympic Men’s ing Council (WBC) and International Golovkin’s accurate punches began final round 63 to clinch the Dutch Golf Competition in Rio. Boxing Federation (IBF) titles with a to trouble the Briton from the third Open in Spijk yesterday. South Korea’s Byeong-hun An was fi fth-round stoppage at London’s O2 round. The 30-year-old produced a dazzling third at 13 under after matching Arena on Saturday. Brook was blinking and his vision display of iron play and long-range Austria’s Wiesberger with a 65, a Golovkin’s punishingly accurate seemed hampered as Golovkin began putting to deny Austrian Bernd shot ahead of Spaniard Alejandro blows took their toll on Brook, whose to dominate. Wiesberger by three shots. Cañizares, English duo Ben Evans corner threw in the towel. In the fi fth, Golovkin’s thudding The pair went blow for blow for and David Horsey and Australia’s Brook was taken to hospital to be blows turned Brook’s legs to jelly and, much of the fourth round but three Scott Hend. treated for a suspected fractured right with visible damage to his right eye, birdies in his final five holes helped England’s Chris Hanson and French- eye socket the Sheffi eld boxer’s trainer Dominic Luiten to a 19 under par total of 265. man Mike Lorenzo-Vera were then Golovkin, whose World Boxing As- Ingle wisely threw in the towel. Luiten was the first Dutch player to at 11 under, a shot ahead of Tommy sociation (WBA) belt was not on the Brook, 30, is still IBF welterweight win his home Open twice since it Fleetwood, Scott Jamieson, Simon line, now wants to fi ght Brook’s fellow champion despite suff ering the rstfi joined the European Tour in 1972 — Khan, Mikko Korhonen, Soomin Lee Briton and World Boxing Organization defeat of his 37-fi ght career but hinted following his win in 2013 — and makes and Brandon Stone. (WBO) champion Saunders before he would not return to that weight di- moving on to Mexican Saul “Canelo” vision. Alvarez in a year’s time. Referee (right) stops Gennady Golovkin from continuing the bout with Kell Brook “I think I’m more suited at light- Saunders has the only world mid- after the latter’s trainer threw a towel into the ring at the O2 Arena in London on middleweight. I know Saul ‘Canelo’ dleweight belt not held by WBC- Saturday. (Reuters) Alvarez and Liam Smith are fi ghting WBA-IBF champion Golovkin, who and I want the winner,” Brook said in made Brook his third British victim the UK to fi ght. Absolutely I love the tion and there will be more of an in- the ring to Sky Sports. after Martin Murray and Matt Macklin UK, I’m a big fan of London.” centive to get in the ring. “I am a warrior and I wanted to car- “First of all Billy Joe Saunders, Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffl er “Gennady is open to fi ght anyone. ry on,” Brook added. and then Canelo,” Golovkin, 34, told cautioned that the US-based Kaza- The WBA is going to order a mandatory Trainer Ingle said: “When you are a news conference. A fi ght against khstan boxer may have to fi ght Ameri- with Danny Jacobs, so we will see how fi ghting someone like Golovkin, he Saunders could be made for late this can Danny Jacobs in a WBA mandatory that goes. Hopefully we can make it.” was just taking too many shots.” year or early 2017, though a mandatory defence. Golovkin’s trainer Abel Sanchez WBA defence could delay those plans. “If we can’t make the Daniel Jacobs ‘DIDN’T HURT ME’ praised Ingle for prompting the stop- “My goal is to hold all the belts in fi ght then maybe we do a unifi cation Brook, the IBF world welterweight page. “Dom did the right thing,” the middleweight division. I would fi ght,” Loeffl er said. champion, had stepped up two weight Sanchez said. like Billy Joe Saunders fi rst of all be- “We tried to make that (Saunders) divisions to fi ght the fearsome Kazakh. “As trainer we can’t let 20,000 cause he has the WBO belt. fi ght before in the UK and it didn’t go The fi ghter from Sheffi eld boxed coaches in the audience dictate to us “I would absolutely come back to very far. Maybe they will see the reac- with immense courage against the what to do. We have to be smarter.” Gulf Times Monday, September 12, 2016 7 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Monaco stroll aft er Totti saves Roma as Hart Lyon lose Paris: Monaco are the early season pacesetters in French Ligue 1 after crushing Lille 4-1 as Ten-man Lyon crashed to a ‘nightmarish’ first home de- feat at Parc OL as Bordeaux suff ers debut heart-break came from behind to claim a 3-1 victory. Aldo Kalulu marked his first appearance of the ‘That was the first time I’ve ever felt afraid of taking a penalty’ season for Lyon with the opening goal inside two min- AFP utes, but Brazilian teenager Milan Malcom replied for Bordeaux on the half hour. Lyon captain Maxime rancesco Totti came off the Gonalons was sent off for a bench to hit a late winner from reckless challenge on the the spot as Roma moved to Bordeaux goalscorer midway within two points of Juventus through the second half afterF a rain-interrupted 3-2 win over and the visitors took full Sampdoria yesterday. “That was the advantage as Gregory Sertic fi rst time I’ve ever felt afraid of taking headed the visitors in front. a penalty,” the 39-year-old veteran, Jeremy Menez then sealed who is in his 24th and fi nal season at the a third victory in four games club, said minutes after being mobbed for Jocelyn Gourvennec’s by teammates under the stadium’s pop- side in the dying stages with ular Curva Sud end. “You just can’t af- his first goal for his new club. ford to miss under the Curva (sud)!” For Lyon, who were with- Roma looked to be heading for a dif- out Clement Grenier, Mathieu fi cult second half at the Stadio Olym- Valbuena and Nabil Fekir, it pico after Sampdoria surged to a 2-1 was their first loss at their half-time lead after goals from Fabio new home since it opened Quagliarella and Luis Muriel cancelled in January and a second out Mohamed Salah’s early opener for straight in the league fol- the hosts. lowing a shock 4-2 defeat at But Roma coach Luciano Spalletti promoted Dijon last time out. was given extra time to consider his tac- Last year’s runners-up tical options when offi cials delayed the were then hit with the news restart by over 30 minutes to render the that Alexandre Lacazette will pitch playable again following a fi rst- miss Wednesday’s Cham- half deluge of rain and hailstones. pions League group game Totti replaced Diego Perotti and Edin against Dinamo Zagreb after Dzeko came on in place of Stephan El he limped off . “The result and Shaarawy for the start of the second the circumstances are night- half, and the changes made an immedi- marish because we’ve lost ate impact. After Kevin Strootman saw our first game at Parc OL, his drive palmed away by Emiliano Viv- we’ve lost Maxime Gonalons iano, Totti set Dzeko up for a shot that to a red card and Alexandre forced Viviano to parry for a corner. Lacazette who is injured,” Two minutes later, Totti sent Dzeko bemoaned Lyon coach Bruno through in the box and the Bosnian Genesio. “I’m responsible for shimmied around Viviano before tap- leaving (Lacazette) on the ping home from close range to pull the pitch, and I’ll live with that. hosts level. He’s a player who has been Roma had the momentum, but Salah injured and sometimes there glanced a header wide from Stroot- can be a relapse.” man’s defl ected delivery and seconds Lacazette, who hobbled later only the trailing foot of Viviano off at half-time during the stopped Dzeko’s goalbound shot from Dijon debacle, had originally crossing the line. shaken off a knee injury to Roma looked all set for a share of the feature in a front three that spoils until Dzeko made the most of a AS Roma’s forward Francesco Totti scores the winning penalty during the Italian Serie A match against Sampdoria at Olympic stadium in Rome. (AFP) included Rachid Ghezzal for Milan Skriniar’s challenge in the area. the first time this term after The referee pointed to the spot and Earlier, England goalkeeper Joe Hart Falque. But Atalanta were given a wrong way to seal the win. Cagliari 1 (Alves 83) a summer of stalled contract Totti made no mistake, sending Viviano conceded twice on his Torino debut as half-chance to pull level only two min- AC Milan, meanwhile, suff ered a Atalanta 2 (Masiello 56, Kessie 82-pen) extension talks and rumours the wrong way to send the fans into rap- Atalanta secured a 2-1 win in Bergamo. utes later when Hart came off his line to shock 1-0 defeat to Udinese at the San Torino 1 (Falque 54) of a move. Monaco go into tures. Hart, deemed surplus to requirements palm a corner away with one hand, and Siro, where infl uential defender Luca Chievo 1 (Gamberini 52) Lazio 1 (De Vrij 55) their Champions League tie Roma are now two points behind by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, Andrea Masiello punished the move by Antonelli was rushed off to hospital Genoa v Fiorentina — postponed with Tottenham Hotspur in champions Juventus, who claimed their completed his move to unfashionable deftly volleying the loose ball into the with a suspected serious head/neck AC Milan 0 Udinese 1 (Perica 88) buoyant mood as goals from third successive win with a 3-1 defeat of Torino on a season-long loan deal two net. injury. As he lay on the ground, a team- Roma 3 (Salah 8, Dzeko 61, Totti 90+3-pen) Djibril Sidibe, Adama Traore, Sassuolo on Saturday. Napoli sit in sec- weeks ago. When Alejandro Gomez was hauled mate reached inside his mouth to make Sampdoria 2 (Muriel 18, Quagliarella 41) Fabinho and Kamil Glik ond place, also two points behind Juve, Despite missing strikers Andrea Be- down by Lorenzo Di Silvestri inside the sure he did not swallow his tongue. Played Saturday: Juventus 3 (Higuain 5, 10, powered them past Lille, for following a 3-0 rout of Palermo on Sat- lotti and Josef Martinez due to injury, penalty area with only eight minutes Pjanic 27) Sassuolo 1 (Antei 33) whom Julian Palmieri scored urday when Jose Callejon added a brace Torino made light of the absences to on the clock, Ivorian striker Frank Kes- RESULTS Palermo 0 Napoli 3 (Hamsik 47, Callejon a late consolation. to Marek Hamsik’s 47th minute opener. take a 54th minute lead through Iago sie stepped up to coolly send Hart the Bologna 2 (Verdi 23, Di Francesco 74) 51, 65)

BUNDESLIGA ROUND-UP Rashford will be Shock win for Leipzig over Dortmund Man United star, AFP Berlin says Ibrahimovic

B Leipzig stunned Bundesliga ti- AFP about having patience.” tle hopefuls Borussia Dortmund London 1-0 on Saturday to claim the FA WILL INVESTIGATE WEST club’s fi rst win in the German HAM CROWD TROUBLE topR fl ight, while Joel Pohjanpalo scored a anchester United The Football Association will in- stunning hat-trick in Bayer Leverkusen’s striker Zlatan Ib- vestigate reports of crowd trou- 3-1 defeat of Hamburg. rahimovic has pre- ble among West Ham United Guinea international Naby Keita struck dicted that his teen- supporters at Saturday’s Premier a minute from time as Leipzig, founded Mage team-mate Marcus Rashford League game against Watford. just seven years ago, toppled Thomas will one day ‘take over every- “We have been in touch with Tuchel’s Dortmund in their fi rst Bun- thing’, in comments broadcast the club and the relevant au- desliga home game. Pierre-Emerick Au- yesterday. Rashford, 18, made thorities and there will be more bameyang threatened early for Dortmund a stunning breakthrough last conversations on Monday,” a and Andre Schuerrle hit the bar, while season, scoring eight goals in spokesman said. Timo Werner and Dominik Kaiser both his fi rst 18 United appearances West Ham, playing only went close for the hosts, before substi- and earning a berth in England’s their second league game at the tute Keita popped up with the winner on Euro 2016 squad. former Olympic Stadium, now an assist from Scottish teenage debutant Ibrahimovic’s arrival has cost known as the London Stadium, Oliver Burke. Rashford his fi rst-team place, issued a statement saying they The 19-year-old, who like Keita came but he made a big impact off the would ban for life anyone in- off the bench late on, became Scotland’s bench in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to volved in the trouble. They lost most expensive player after joining Leip- Manchester City and his Swed- the match 4-2 after leading 2-0. zig from Nottingham Forest for around ish teammate believes the future £13mn last month. “We put things in will be his. “First of all, he’s 18, COMAN RETURN GIVES place to stop our opponents, but with the he’s still young. He has a lot of BAYERN EUROPEAN BOOST substitutions we reacted when we felt we RB Leipzig players celebrate after their win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday night. (Reuters) time,” Ibrahimovic told MUTV. Bayern Munich’s French inter- could win the match,” said Leipzig coach “I think the way you have national striker Kingsley Coman Ralph Hasenhuettl. “We’ve shown we can his Bundesliga debut last month, equal- hind to beat Werder Bremen 2-1. A 73rd- getting the benefi t of a curious free-kick to approach a player like that, is fi t again and trained yesterday play at this level.” ised for Leverkusen within seven min- minute free-kick by Konstantinos Stafy- decision. where everyone is talking about ahead of the Bavarian outfi t’s Dortmund manager Tuchel admit- utes of his arrival, but was far from done lidis gave Augsburg the points to leave Augsburg striker Alfred Finnbogason the talent and what he’s able to Champions League Group D ted his side, who open their Champions as he netted twice more in stoppage time Bremen bottom after two games, follow- stumbled over the foot of Bremen’s Lam- do and what kind of potential he opener with Russians Rostov in League campaign away to Legia Warsaw to hand Roger Schmidt’s side their fi rst ing their 6-0 fi rst-day thrashing by Bay- ine Sane in the area as both were leaving has, is to remember he still has a midweek. The gifted 20-year- of Poland on Wednesday, had not been at points of the season. ern Munich two weeks ago. the box, before falling with some delay lot of time. old injured an ankle when kicked their best. “We made life a bit diffi cult for Leverkusen begin their Champions Serge Gnabry started for the fi rst time outside the area. “It’s not like he needs to take by teammate Javi Martinez three ourselves. League adventure when they host CSKA for Bremen following his move from Ar- Referee Daniel Siebert decided on a over the world today. The club weeks ago and was carted away We weren’t so much forced into mis- Moscow in the opening round of group senal and coach Viktor Skripnik’s team free-kick on the edge of the area, and knows that, the coach knows on a stretcher, but he is now takes, but we made unnecessary errors. stage matches midweek, but Borussia enjoyed a half-time lead thanks to a Greek left-back Stafylidis curled a left- that and the team knows that. available for tomorrow’s home We were ready for this match, but we were Moenchengladbach will have to recover stoppage-time penalty by Aron Johanns- foot shot over the wall and into goal. “We know his quality and European game. lacking that fi nishing touch,” he said. quickly ahead of their trip to Manchester son. Zlatko Junuzovic went down in the Bremen’s woes continued when Italian what he’s able to do. What the “A decision over whether he Earlier, US international Bobby Wood City after losing 3-1 at promoted Freiburg. box under a challenge from new signing defender Luca Caldirola, a summer ar- world is seeing now, we already plays or not will be taken on the gave Hamburg the lead just before the On Friday, Robert Lewandowski and Martin Hinteregger and Johannsson sent rival from Darmstadt, was stretchered off know because we see it every day. day,” the club said. Although hour against Leverkusen at the BayArena, Joshua Kimmich struck late goals in Bay- keeper Marwin Hitz the wrong way. with what appeared to be an ankle injury. There is no need to rush to push Bayern boast Robert Lewand- but the introduction of Finland striker ern Munich’s 2-0 win at Schalke as teen- Augsburg were level seven minutes The win gave Augsburg, who slipped to a him and put a lot of pressure on owski and Thomas Mueller in Pohjanpalo on 72 minutes swung the age Portugal star Renato Sanches made after the interval when defender Jeff rey 2-0 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt him because that can have the attack, Coman’s movement and game dramatically in the home side’s his debut for the Bavarian giants. Gouweleeuw turned in a corner in front on the fi rst weekend of the season, their opposite eff ect. Time by time, touch off er an alternative and favour. The 21-year-old, who scored on Yesterday, Augsburg came from be- of goal, and the visitors took the lead after fi rst points. he will take over everything. It’s unpredictable threat. Monday, September 12, 2016 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Costa brace rescues ragged Chelsea at Swansea The irrepressible Costa levelled with a deflected but spectacular overhead bicycle kick at the Liberty Stadium

AFP Swansea, United Kingdom

iego Costa scored twice, including an 81st-minute equaliser, as Antonio Conte maintained his unbeaten start to life as Chelsea manager in a 2-2 draw at SwanseaD City yesterday. The irrepressible Costa levelled with a de- fl ected but spectacular overhead bicycle kick af- ter Branislav Ivanovic’s shot had been sent spin- ning in his direction. The goal, Costa’s fourth in as many games, spared Conte from his fi rst loss in English football after two controversial Swansea goals in three second-half minutes had cancelled out Costa’s opener. That passage of play marked an incredible turnaround for the Welsh side, who had been second-best against a Chelsea team seeking a win to join Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. The visitors were made to pay for their string of misses in the 59th minute when a rare Swansea attack saw Modou Barrow cross for Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was tripped by Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Courtois was booked and Sigurdsson con- verted the ensuing penalty himself. Just three minutes later, Gary Cahill was caught in pos- session by Leroy Fer 25 yards from the Chelsea goal. Television replays suggested the defender had been fouled, but Fer was allowed to advance before rolling the ball beneath Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper scrambled back, but could not prevent the ball crossing the line. Costa fi rst struck 18 minutes into a half of al- most relentless Chelsea pressure after Swan- sea’s defensive frailties were exposed. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski elected not to collect a cross and Federico Fernandez’s two poor headers failed to clear the danger. Oscar pounced on the loose ball and neatly teed up Costa to unleash an impressive curling fi nish from just inside the Swansea area. By that stage, Chelsea had already wasted at least two very good chances, Willian’s terrifi c shot stinging Fabianski’s hands and the goal- keeper saving well from the Brazilian’s cross- Chelsea’s Eden Hazard (left) vies for the ball with Swansea City’s Kyle Naughton during the English Premier League match at The Liberty Stadium in Swansea, south Wales yesterday. (AFP) shot. After taking the lead, the visitors remained equally impressive, with Fabianski saving well post. Chelsea responded instantly and should of playing with three defenders, changing to striker might have seen him dismissed in the superbly saved by the fl ying Fabianski. Kyle from Eden Hazard, who surged into a shooting have doubled their lead, with Costa missing a a back four and hooking the unfortunate Neil minutes that followed. The two Swansea goals Naughton denied Costa a far-post header from position from just inside the Swansea half. far easier opening than the one he had converted Taylor. The new formation brought no immedi- followed in quick succession. As Chelsea pushed Hazard’s chipped cross, while Oscar’s low drive Not until the 40th minute did Swansea have earlier, shooting wide of an open goal from a ate change in fortune, with Jordi Amat joining for a response, Hazard inexplicably pulled out of narrowly missed the target. a real sight of goal when Fer’s drive through the Willian corner. fellow centre-back Fernandez in earning a yel- a challenge with Fabianski on the edge of the After Chelsea’s second goal, only a brilliant middle saw the ball break to Sigurdsson, whose By that stage, Swansea manager Francesco low card for a foul on Costa. Swansea area, when he looked capable of equal- Fabianski save denied Costa a hat-trick and the curling shot fl ew just beyond the left-hand Guidolin had already abandoned his game-plan Amat’s feud with the Spain international ising. Moments later, Oscar’s 20-yard shot was visitors all three points.

LA LIGA INTERNET’S MOST WANTED RONALDO Enrique takes blame for shock BITES BACK AT XAVI Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo hit back Ronaldo scored just five minutes at Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez into his return on Saturday before Barca loss to minnows Alaves by mocking the Spaniard’s inability to being withdrawn by coach Zinedine the win the Ballon d’Or and claiming Zidane just after the hour mark. AFP he is the most in-demand player on However, he rejected suggestions Barcelona the planet. he will take more time off to rest this Xavi, who now plays for Al Sadd in season and prevent a recurrence of Qatar, told Spanish radio station La the knee injuries that have plagued arca boss Luis Enrique admitted he must take SER earlier this week that despite his him towards the end of the campaign responsibility for the Spanish champions’ achievements Ronaldo couldn’t come in recent years. Bshock 1-2 home defeat to newly promoted close to matching those of Xavi’s “I have already rested,” he said, af- Alaves after starting Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez former Barca teammate Lionel Messi. ter missing Madrid’s first three games on the bench. “Something was released the other of the season. “Now I have to play. I Enrique made seven changes on Saturday night day online that said I am the most feel good. I could have played the 90 after many of his squad returned to club duty after searched for player on the internet,” minutes without any problem. The taking part in World Cup qualifi ers around the world said Ronaldo, who made a goalscoring truth is I started a bit warily which is in the past week, whilst Messi was also struggling return from a two-month injury layoff normal after a serious injury, but I feel with a minor groin injury. in Madrid’s 5-2 win over Osasuna on good, without pain and getting back “I am the one ultimately responsible for all the Saturday. to full fitness.” bad things that happen,” said the Barca boss after “When players, coaches want to suff ering just his fi fth home league defeat in three appear on the front pages they talk seasons in charge at the Camp Nou. “Many of the about Cris, it is normal. What do I care changes came from the circumstances surrounding what Xavi says. Xavi plays in Qatar, us, but we have 22 players and we are going to use it doesn’t have any relevance. Xavi everyone this season.” has won everything, the World Cup, As well as leaving out Messi and Suarez, Enrique European Championships...and he has changed his entire back four, whilst goalkeeper Jas- never won the Ballon d’Or.” per Cillessen and striker Paco Alcacer made their By contrast, Ronaldo is favourite debuts. Neymar was the only one of Barca’s star to beat out Messi to his fourth Ballon ‘MSN’ front three to start on his fi rst appearance of d’Or in January after lifting both the season after leading Brazil to Olympic gold and the Champions League with Madrid should have levelled moments later when he failed to in May and then ending Portugal’s hit the target with a free header inside the area. Alaves’ Ibai Gomez (right) celebrates after scoring against Barcelona at Camp Nou stadium. (Reuters) drought without a major tournament The Brazilian provided the assist as Jeremy Math- win at Euro 2016. ieu headed home Barca’s equaliser from a corner Enrique is expected to revert back to his strong- Antoine Griezmann handed Atletico Madrid a Madrid are expected to announce a a minute after the break and the French defender est line-up for Celtic’s visit to the Camp Nou to start much-needed fi rst win of the season in a 4-0 vic- major contract extension for Ronaldo somehow blasted wide with the goal gaping mo- their Champions League campaign. The Scottish tory at Celta Vigo. Koke met Griezmann’s fi ne cross before the month is out with a one- ments later. club will be high on confi dence after thrashing old eight minutes into the second half in Vigo to give the year transfer ban looming over the Deyverson beat Cillessen from close range to hand rivals Rangers 5-1 on Saturday. visitors the lead before Euro 2016’s top scorer Griez- European champions for the next two Alaves a surprise lead before half-time, but Jeremy “It’s clear it wasn’t our best game, they didn’t mann headed home his fi rst two goals of the season windows. And the 31-year-old called Mathieu brought Barca back into the game when have many chances but they were very eff ective,” in the fi nal 20 minutes. Angel Correa added a fourth on Real president Florentino Perez he headed home Neymar’s corner a minute into the said midfi elder Sergio Busquets. “We lacked a spark, two minutes from time. to extended his deal for a decade second-half. we lacked a lot of things. It is hard to say it is a de- Villarreal secured their fi rst victory of the season, to ensure he ends his career at the Mathieu somehow then blasted wide when it served defeat because they also didn’t create a lot. winning 2-0 at Malaga thanks to fi rst-half goals Bernabeu. seemed easier to score from another set-piece be- Now we have to think about Celtic because the sea- from Jaume Costa and Nicola Sansone. “If I was the president of Real fore Barca’s makeshift defence was caught out once son rolls on.” Madrid and I had a player like me, I more when Ibai Gomez slotted home the winner. And Iniesta insisted Barca will have licked their RESULTS would renew him for 10 years at least,” Enrique called upon Messi, Suarez and Andres Ini- wounds and learned the lesson in time for the visit Sporting Gijon 2 (Cases 17, Cop 43-pen) Leganes 1 (Rico added Ronaldo. “Everything is on esta from the bench, but even they couldn’t break of the Scottish champions. “We have to do better 58); Valencia 2 (Rodrigo 69, Garay 77) Real Betis 3 (Ru- track. I am not worried and neither is Alaves’s resistance as Messi fi red wide deep into in the next game in a diff erent competition,” added ben Castro 37, 90+2, Joaquin 55) the president. Right now I don’t see stoppage time. the Spanish international. “As always when there is On Saturday: Celta Vigo 0 Atletico Madrid 4 (Koke 53, anything that can happen to prevent “We lacked fl uidity, precision and we were fragile a defeat, we have to analyse it and correct it for the Griezmann 73, 80, Correa 88); Real Madrid 5 (Ronaldo 6, me ending my career at Real Madrid. in defence, which is one of the things that normally next game.” Danilo 40, Ramos 45+1, Pepe 56, Modric 62) Osasuna 2 As I said before, I want to be at this makes us strong,” added Enrique. “The one positive Barca now trail Real Madrid by three points at the (Riera 64, Garcia 78); Sevilla 2 (Sarabia 89-pen, Fernan- club for a long time because it is the is it is a time to refl ect on what this team has won top of the table after Cristiano Ronaldo took just fi ve dez 90+3) Las Palmas 1 (Tana 16); Malaga 0 Villarreal 2 biggest club in the world and it has to over the years. Everyone makes us favourites for minutes to score on his return from a two-month in- (Costa 33, Sansone 44); Barcelona 1 (Mathieu 46) Alaves have the best players.” everything, but it is not easy to win any game.” jury layoff in a 5-2 rout of Osasuna at the Bernabeu. 2 (Deyverson 38, Ibai Gomez 63)