sign in sign up
<<
Home , Albert Bunjaki, Fadil Vokrri, Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Khabib Nurmagomedov

MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 07 We showed a lot of creativity and attacking intent to beat a CRICKET FOOTBALL very good side. Portugal coach Santos Afghanistan vs Euro qualifying Getting the opening goal just pleased with 4-2 win Bangladesh Northern Ireland vs Germany

over Serbia ACTION Day 4 at Chattogram Estonia vs Netherlands

before halftime was vital. TODAY’S

Kosgei runs fastest-ever Basketball World Cup: Jokic women’s half-marathon

AFP ejected as Spain stun Serbia LONDON AFP The plain-speaking Djord- WUHAN, CHINA Serbia’s Stefan Jovic (centre) and Spain’s Ricky Rubio jevic said he had already spoken Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei ran the lose their balance during the Basketball World Cup to Jokic about the incident. fastest half-marathon ever by All-Star Nikola Jokic was ejected Group J second round game in Wuhan, yesterday. “We don’t have time for long a woman yesterday, winning for “a stupid reaction” in the meetings, he knows (he was the Great North Run in a time third quarter as strongly fancied wrong),” said Djordjevic. of one hour, four minutes and Serbia were stunned 81-69 by “He’s a tough kid, one of the 28 seconds. Spain to blow the Basketball greatest right now, (so) we need Her time was 23 seconds World Cup wide open yesterday. him on the floor. quicker than the world record Led by Ricky Rubio of the “I hope it won’t happen again set in 2017 by fellow Kenyan Phoenix Suns, Spain set up a and this is a moment for him to Joyciline Jepkosgei but the quarter-final meeting with sur- grow.” course in the northeast of prise packages Poland on Bogdan Bogdanovic of the England is not eligible for Tuesday while Serbia will need Sacramento Kings was again key records. Kosgei, who won this to pick themselves up quickly for for Serbia, keeping them within year’s London Marathon, led a Argentina on the same evening. range of Spain with 26 points, 10 Kenyan sweep of the top four Spain and European rivals rebounds and six assists. places, with Magdalyne Masai Serbia had already qualified for Rubio racked up 19 points for second (1:07.36) and Linet the last eight in China but Group the Spanish while veteran Marc Masai third (1:07:44). J supremacy and a supposedly Gasol had six rebounds and six Mo Farah won the men’s easier game in the next round assists. elite race for a record sixth suc- was at stake. “They really kicked us cessive year as he warms up to Serbia, the reigning world today,” said Bogdanovic, who has defend his Chicago Marathon and Olympic silver medallists been in sparkling form at the title next month. behind the Americans, had World Cup and was unlucky to Four-time Olympic looked imperious in their pre- be on the losing side. champion Farah, 36, was vious four matches, but this loss like the stupid reaction of my from a slow start in the first quarter, their chances of making Spain coach Sergio Scariolo pushed hard by Tamirat Tola, will raise questions about their player, who should be on the quarter to lead by eight points at a comeback suffered a fatal blow was full of praise for the 27-year- but proved too strong in the title credentials. floor. half-time in Wuhan. when Denver Nuggets’ Jokic -- old Bogdanovic, calling him final mile for the Ethiopian, fin- Coach Sasha Djordjevic said “We can even lose with him, Serbia, who had looked the one of the World Cup’s biggest “ridiculous” and “an unbe- ishing the 13.1-mile course in Spain were the better team and why not if the other team is chief threat to the young roster names -- was thrown out. lievable player”. 59min 7sec and winning by six refused to use the loss of Jokic -- better? But he should stay on the of reigning champions the US, The 24-year-old was irri- Argentina topped Group I -- seconds. Abdi Nageeye of the turfed out after yelling at a floor and be one of the leaders.” were rattled for the first time in tated initially by the close atten- and teed up a meeting with Netherlands was third (59:55). referee -- as an excuse. In one of the most eagerly China and on their way towards tions of Spain’s defence and Serbia -- after a dominant 91-65 “You just have to take it one But he hard harsh words for anticipated games of the tour- a first defeat. made his feelings clear to the victory over Poland. Both had year at a time. Hopefully, come his key man, saying: “I did not nament so far, Spain surged back Midway through the third officials. already reached the last eight. Tokyo time, we will be in the mix.” Farah, a two-time Olympic champion in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, is aiming to establish himself Yelich joins 40-30 club, Brewers top Cubs among the world’s elite mar- athon runners. REUTERS St. Louis Cardinals for first place Colten Brewer fell in between He claimed his first mar- MIAMI in the National League Central. second baseman Brock Holt and athon title last year when he The Cubs learned before the right fielder J.D. Martinez and won in Chicago in a time of Christian Yelich hit a walk-off game that shortstop Javier Baez kicked into the stands. On the 2:05.11 -- a European record. double with two strikes and two has a hairline fracture in his left next pitch, Encarnacion ham- outs in the bottom of the ninth thumb and could be out for the mered a curveball from Brewer inning, and the Milwaukee rest of the season. The star that soared over the seats atop Farah wins Brewers celebrated a 3-2 win 26-year-old is hitting.281 with the Green Monster in left-center over the visiting Chicago Cubs 29 homers and 85 RBIs in 133 field and landed on Lansdowne Great North on Saturday night. games. Street. Yelich laced an opposite- Edwin Encarnacion hit a Tyler Beede emerged from Run for sixth field line drive that bounced on two-run homer that completely some recent struggles to throw one hop off the wall in left field exited Fenway Park in the fourth five scoreless innings, and Kevin successive year to score Tyler Austin from first inning, and J.A. Happ pitched 6 Pillar’s RBI groundout was all the base. It capped a terrific night 1/3 outstanding innings as New offense visiting San Francisco REUTERS for Yelich, who finished 2-for-2 York won in Boston. needed to shut out Los Angeles. LONDON with an RBI, three walks and The Yankees won for the The Dodgers were shut out three stolen bases. He now has ninth time in 12 games as they for just the fifth time this season Britain’s Mo Farah won a 30 stolen bases, making him the work toward their first American and for the first time since May record sixth successive Great 10th player in MLB history with League East title since 2012. After 18 against the Cincinnati Reds. North Run after setting his 40 home runs and 30 stolen the first nine Yankees were retired Their magic number for personal best time yesterday. bases in the same season. in order, they sent nine men to the clinching their seventh consec- The Olympic gold medallist Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ben Gamel (16) drives in a run with Addison Russell homered in plate and took a 4-0 lead. utive NL West title remained at raced ahead of Ethiopian a base hit in the sixth inning as Chicago Cubs catcher Victor Caratini a losing effort for Chicago, which took a 2-0 lead four for the second consecutive Tamirat Tola in the final mile (7) watches at Miller Park on Saturday. dropped 3 1/2 games behind the when Gary Sanchez’s double off day. to cross the line in 59 minutes and six seconds. Farah, double Olympic champion at both 5,000 and Brown saga ends as Raiders prepare for Broncos 10,000 metres, said the race was an ideal preparation for October’s Chicago Marathon, REUTERS with the Patriots. Brown, a seven- with his sights set firmly on NEW YORK time Pro Bowl selection, wore out running at the Tokyo Olympics his welcome with the Pittsburgh next year. Antonio Brown’s arrival in Steelers, and it seemed to be a “The crowd was so loud I Oakland was supposed to Antonio’s back today. worthy move when Oakland didn’t know if he was closing represent a recharging of the We’re really excited acquired him in March for third- the gap so I kept looking offense. Instead, it was nothing but about that. Ready to and fifth-round picks. The Raiders behind,” the 36-year-old told a headache. move on. He’s had a lot later signed Brown to a three-year, BBC Sport. The “plan” was for Brown to $50.125m deal. “I’ve really enjoyed it but play in Monday’s season opener of time to think about But was filled the past couple of years has against the visiting Denver things. We’re happy to with drama, ranging from the cry- been in the middle of mar- Broncos. Instead, Brown was have him back and I otherapy treatment that caused athon preparation. It was good released by the Raiders yesterday know Raider Nation is frostbite on his feet, to Brown to test myself. Things are and then agreed on a deal with the losing two grievances against the looking good and I’m happy New England Patriots later in the excited about that too: NFL in a battle to wear a helmet with the win. day. Gruden ruled to be outdated, to $53,950 “Tokyo is definitely on the Brown’s antics in Oakland in fines for skipping a practice cards - as an athlete you always included a near-physical alter- ($40,000) and a walkthrough want to represent your country. cation with general manager Mike really excited about that,” Gruden ($13,950). You just have to take it one year Mayock on Wednesday, and nearly told reporters. Brown ratcheted up the at a time. Hopefully, come led to a suspension. Then on “Ready to move on. He’s had tension by posting a letter from Tokyo time, we will be in the Friday, Brown opened a team a lot of time to think about things. Mayock about the fines on his Wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) of mix.” meeting with an “emotional We’re happy to have him back and account on Wednesday. the Oakland Raiders warms up before The women’s course apology,” and coach Jon Gruden I know Raider Nation is excited Then came the furious exchange the NFL preseason game against the record was beaten by Kenyan welcomed him back and hopes to about that too.” of words, a day before he was Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Brigid Kosgei, who finished have him on the field against Less than 24 hours later, listed as a non-participant -- per in Glendale, Arizona in this August 15, with a time of 1:04:28, five Denver. Brown was released -- a move he the team, “not injury related - 2019 file picture. months after winning the “Antonio’s back today. We’re requested -- and agreed to sign conduct” -- for practice. London Marathon. 08 SPORT MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2019 NZ eye hat-trick of Rugby World Cup titles All Blacks head to Japan, aim to peak at right time

REUTERS the winner of Pool B and the WELLINGTON quarter-final place against the France’s hooker Guilhem Guirado arrives at the Highland Resort Pool A runner-up. and Spa in Fujiyoshida, yesterday, where the French squad will The All Blacks head to Japan The loser will likely face stay ahead of the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup which begins on today with confidence boosted Ireland, who are projected to win September 20. by the demolition of Tonga 92-7 Pool A. in their final warm-up before the After big victories in 2016 and World Cup and mindful they will 2017, the All Blacks have USA rally to claim win need to pace themselves despite struggled against the Springboks a blockbusting opening match over the last two seasons, with in final warm-up game against South Africa. the sides sharing a narrow win The Springboks loom as the each in 2018 and battling to a AFP Cam Dolan and Dylan biggest threat to the All Blacks draw in this year’s Rugby VANCOUVER Fawsitt also scored tries for the from winning a third successive Championship. Americans. trophy, while England, Ireland Hansen felt comfortable with Martin Iosefo scored what Canada got tries from Gord and Wales are also genuine the fact that his side would need proved to be the winning try as McRorie and Peter Nelson. contenders. to hit the ground running first up, the USA rallied to beat Canada Canada had lengthy pos- All Blacks coach Steve before they have easier matches 20-15 in the final tune-up for session series with five minutes Hansen, however, will be well against Canada, Namibia and both teams ahead of the 2019 to go but the American defence aware of the perils of not Italy and then raise their game Rugby World Cup. was able to ward off the attack heeding what lies ahead of them again should they make the Iosefo took a pass late in the and preserve the win. as it can trip a side up during New Zealand’s Kieran Read (left) and the head coach Steve Hansen quarter-finals. game and accelerated quickly Canadian prop Hubert the tournament, like New Zea- share a light moment during the warm-up match against Tonga in “If you follow horse racing to the outside then powered his Buydens needed stitches to land’s unsuccessful campaign in Hamilton on Saturday. The All Blacks won 92-7. you’ll understand what I mean,” way past Canadian defender repair a large cut on his 2007. Hansen said. Shane O’Leary before diving forehead. He returned to the field After sweeping through pool performances, the All Blacks in the intervening years. “You’ve “Like, you can have a horse over in the corner. but was subbed off again with play with some imperious crashed out in the quarter-finals got to pace yourself,” he said. at its first start, and it doesn’t This was the third meeting of blood streaming down his face. to France and admitted after- “You don’t win the tour- have to be in its greatest form, it the year between the two coun- The Eagles World Cup tour- The Springboks loom wards that they probably became nament in the first round and just needs to be in really good tries with the Eagles having won nament kicks off against as the biggest threat too focused on the ultimate prize once you get to the knockout form. the first meeting in March, 30-25, England in Kobe, Japan on Sep- to the All Blacks rather than their next game. round, you’ve got to earn the “But when you really want to and then again in June, 47-19. tember 26. from winning a third The team took lessons from right to come back and train on peak, you’re right at the very best, The Americans kept their six Canada open against Italy on that campaign and applied them Monday.” there’s nothing left, you can’t year over the same day in Fukuoka. successive trophy, to successful tournaments in The opener against the tinker anymore. Canada alive but they had to Canada still lead the all- while England, Ireland 2011 and 2015 and Hansen told Springboks in Yokohama is “The 31 people that are going, come back from a 12-10 halftime times series against the US with and Wales are also reporters in Hamilton yesterday arguably the most important we’ve got massive belief in each deficit at Vancouver’s BC Place 38 wins, 23 losses and two genuine contenders. they were heading to Japan match of the first tranche of and every one of them,” he Stadium to do it. draws. mindful of all they had learned games, with it likely to determine added. Star Khabib beats Poirier, stays unbeaten at UFC 242

AP that’s why he jumped into the After dominating , the powerful crowd to brawl with the Poirier with who has been entourage after his victory. Nur- and booked against Nurmagomedov Khabib Nurmagomedov stopped magomedov was suspended and throughout the several times in bouts that fell by submission in fined by the Nevada Athletic bout at Yas Island, through due to injuries. the third round on Saturday Commission, and Poirier won an McGregor, who has unper- night at UFC 242, retaining his interim lightweight title during Nurmagomedov suasively claimed to be retired, lightweight title and unbeaten Nurmagomedov’s forced absence. landed a rear naked offered his own idea for Nurma- record. “There has been a lot of choke and forced gomedov’s next bout on Twitter: After dominating Poirier pressure on me recently,” Nur- Poirier to tap midway “Book my rematch for .” with wrestling and grappling magomedov said. “I now need through the third. Nurmagomedov’s wrestling throughout the bout at Yas a couple of days rest.” has been insurmountable for Island, Nurmagomedov (28-0) Poirier (25-6) nearly fin- almost every opponent. He landed a rear naked choke and ished Nurmagomedov with a UFC’s most bankable stars. landed seven takedowns on forced Poirier to tap midway guillotine choke early in the “I feel like I let myself Poirier, and he was in a position through the third. Khabib Nurmagomedov poses for a photo third round of a fight otherwise down,” Poirier said. of control for nearly nine of the The -born Russian during a press conference after his victory. dominated by his opponent. “My career was set up for bout’s first 10 minutes. Nurma- fighter returned almost flaw- Poirier held his interim title after this moment. I was so prepared. gomedov finished it by getting lessly for his first fight since beating in April I didn’t cut any corners. When I Poirier’s back shortly after beating Conor McGregor in he is challenging and is what we showed tonight,” for his fourth consecutive wake up, I need to take a look escaping the guillotine. October 2018. Amanda Nunes for unofficial Nurmagomedov said. Nurmag- victory over elite lightweights. in the mirror.” Nurmagomedov has won his Nurmagomedov has pound-for-pound supremacy in omedov felt disrespected by But Nurmagomedov stands UFC President first 12 UFC bouts, a mark sur- stopped three of his last five . McGregor and the Irish star’s on another level entirely, and said Nurmagomedov’s next fight passed only by Anderson Silva opponents by submission, and “MMA is about respect, this friends before their bout, and he appears to be one of the is likely to be against in the promotion’s history.

Rosberg backs off after Hamilton Alex Peroni’s crash convinces Gasly of says former racers are irrelevant Halo’s worth REUTERS said the son of 1982 champion Keke Villeneuve, known for forthright the relationship grew increasingly MONZA should have stayed in Formula One and often controversial opinions frosty when they were Formula One REUTERS if he needed the money. about the sport. team-mates, said he could under- MONZA Retired world champion Nico He also compared him to 1997 Hamilton then published on stand where Hamilton and Ver- Rosberg (pictured) has moved to world champion Jacques Instagram a snapshot of a website stappen were coming from. French Formula One driver Pierre Gasly has changed defuse a Formulala One spatspat after his storystory quotiquoting Verstappen’s “When I was still active one of his opinion about the ‘Halo’ head protection device former Mercedeses teamteam-mate-mate LeLewiswis response, withwith a clapping emoji and the things I hated most was ex- after seeing Australian Formula Three driver Alex Hamilton suggestedested thethe German the commentcomment “this had me in drivers or journalists telling me Peroni’s crash in the Italian Grand Prix support event. had become “irrelevant”.relevant”. stitches!”.stitches!”. AskedAske after Italian Grand about comments that ex-drivers The 19-year-old hit a kerb and flew high in the air Rosberg, whowho hunghung up hishis Prix qualifyingqualifying about his post, and made about me, which came across before landing upside down on the tyre wall and ending helmet days afterer winninwinningg ththee 2016 what he thoughtthough of Rosberg’s com- in a critical way,” he said. up in the catch fence. title, told followerswers ooff hhisis YouTuYouTubebe ments,ments, HamiHamiltonlto made a further dig “In my case it was often David “I must say I’ve never been a fan of the Halo,” Toro blog that he woulduld “try anandd cchangehange at hishis fformerormer team-mate while Coulthard. It would drive me nuts, Rosso’s Gasly told reporters at Monza. “Looking at these my tone a littlee bit” when he didis-s- sidingsiding wwithith Verstappen.Ve seriously it was horrible. images I think it’s clearly a good reason to have it.” cussed his formermer rivals.rivals. “I“I tthinkhink MMax is generally a “So now we have the situation Peroni walked away from the accident but later Hamilton, headinging for his sixth title reallyreally funnfunnyy gguy so I was cracking that journalists have been relaying said on social media that he had fractured a vertebra. this season, madeade hishis comments up whenwhen I sawsa it,” he said. some of my stuff, or some com- Gasly, 23, had made clear last year when the halo was after Red Bull’s MaxMax Verstappen hithit “Unfortunately,“Unfortu drivers ments I said that were negative, to made mandatory that he disliked a device designed to back at criticismm from RosberRosberg,g, who becomebecome irrelevantirrelev when they retire Lewis or even Max...you can protect a driver’s head from flying wheels and debris is now a Sky SportsSportss televisiontelevision andand ultimatelyultimately have to hang on to imagine journalists must have as well as cockpit impacts. pundit and YouTubeuTube blogger.blogger. utilise otherother people’spe light to keep annoyed him pretty much if he “It’s just a big mess to get in the car and get out,” The Dutch 21-year-old21-year-old themthem in tthehe lightlig and so...but that’s Insta stories about me. he had said. suggested Rosbergsberg thethe way ooff sport,spo I guess.” “So I need to make a little bit of The Frenchman was also a friend of compatriot was just beingng Rosberg,Ros who was close a change there because I don’t want Anthoine Hubert, who died last weekend at the Belgian controversial to to HamiltonH in their go- (to upset) those guys, my ex-col- Grand Prix after his crashed car was struck at speed attract kartingk days and in leagues, whom I respect a lot,” he by that of American-Ecuadorian Juan Manuel Correa. viewers, and junior series before added. MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 09 Leclerc delivers Ferrari Monza triumph

AFP MONZA

Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first victory at their home Italian Grand Prix since 2010 yesterday when he resisted race-long pressure from both Mercedes rivals to claim his second successive Formula One triumph. The 21-year-old Monegasque, who dedicated his maiden win last Sunday to the memory of his late friend Anthoine Hubert, who was killed in an F2 race a day earlier, was exultant as a vast army of ‘tifosi’ in an estimated crowd of more than 150,000 celebrated deliriously. “What a race!” said an exhausted Leclerc. Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc celebrates with his trophy on the podium after the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Circuit in “I have never felt so tired in a Monza yesterday. RIGHT: Leclerc celebrates winning the race with team-mates of his Ferrari’s Monegasque team. race. It was so difficult. For me, it is a dream to win here like this in front of the ‘tifosi’ - thanks to Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate impressive rookie season. He fell to fifth, but Leclerc hung Italian Grand Prix everyone!” endured a torrid The air temperature was 20 on to pit a lap later for ‘hards’ and Lelcerc came home narrowly and disappointing day, finishing degrees Celsius and the track 33 return fourth as the champion Italian Grand Prix Results ahead of second-placed Valtteri 13th after spinning off and taking as the lights went out, Leclerc roared down the straight. 1. (1) Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 53 laps, 1:23.722, 25 points. Bottas and his Mercedes team- a penalty for rejoining in a dan- making a clean start and fending The two fought ferociously, 2. (3) Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 53, +00.835 seconds, 18. mate Lewis Hamilton, who gerous fashion. off Hamilton at the first chicane. Hamilton attempting to pass twice, 3. (2) Lewis Hamilton, Britain, Mercedes, 53, +35.199, 16. pursued the victor for most of the Hamilton apologised to Mer- Verstappen was an opening lap the second attack ending with him 4. (5) Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 53, +45.515, 12. race until his tyres let him down. cedes and said his tyres “had gone casualty and required a pit stop for escaping across the grass. “He 5. (6) Nico Hulkenberg, Germany, Renault, 53, +58.165, 10. After a late pit stop, Hamilton off the cliff.... I’m sorry I wasn’t able a new front wing and a set of hard didn’t leave me a car’s width,” said 6. (8) Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 53, +59.315, 8. then claimed the fastest lap of the to pull it off,” he said. tyres, after a collision at the first Hamilton. 7. (18) Sergio Perez, Mexico, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 53, +1:13.802, 6. race. The defending five-time chicane. After a wheel-banging The stewards agreed and 8. (19) Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 53, +1:14.492, 4. champion now leads his Mercedes battle between Albon and Sainz, Leclerc was shown a black-and- 9. (10) Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 53, +1:21.956, 2. team-mate Bottas by 63 points in Leclerc clocked a fastest lap and white flag, warning him to behave. 10. (16) Lando Norris, Britain, McLaren Renault, 52, +1 lap, 1. the drivers’ championship. then Vettel spun at Ascari, clipping “I need more power, man,” 11. (17) Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 52, +1 lap. Daniel Ricciardo came home Lance Stroll’s Racing Point as he exclaimed Hamilton after another 12. (9) Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 52, +1 lap. fourth ahead of his Renault team- re-joined. Both cars were foiled attack as Leclerc surged out 13. (4) Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 52, +1 lap. What a race! I have never mate Nico Hulkenberg, Red Bull damaged, Vettel pitting for a new of range again. felt so tired in a race. new boy Alex Albon, Sergio Perez front wing. On lap 36, Leclerc kept his lead 14. (14) George Russell, Britain, Williams Mercedes, 52, +1 lap. It was so difficult. For of Force India and Max Ver- Vettel was given a 10-seconds by scampering across the run-off 15. (20) Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 52, +1 lap. 16. (13) Romain Grosjean, France, Haas Ferrari, 52, +1 lap. me, it is a dream to win stappen, who finished eighth after stop-and-go penalty and dropped at the first chicane. starting from 19th in the second to last. By lap 19, Hamilton and “Some dangerous driving 17. (15) Robert Kubica, Poland, Williams Mercedes, 51, +2 laps. here like this in front of Red Bull. Local hero Antonio Gio- Vettel had warned their tyres were here,” reported Hamilton as the 18. (11) Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, did not finish, 43. the ‘tifosi’ - thanks to vinazzi came home ninth for Alfa gone, the Briton pitting immedi- stewards noted the incident and 19. (12) Daniil Kvyat, , Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, did not finish, 29. everyone!: Leclerc Romeo ahead of Lando Norris of ately for ‘mediums’ as Mercedes Bottas, remorselessly fast, closed 20. (7) Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, did not finish, 27. McLaren, who continued his went for the ‘under-cut’. to within three seconds in third.

Third placed Hamilton calls for more consistency Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton arrives on after Leclerc controversial move the podium after the Italian Formula AFP Charles Leclerc blocked him different rules. In 2018, Max not want to talk about the inci- One Grand Prix at MONZA, ITALY without leaving a car’s width of Verstappen was handed a time dents which he had said were the Autodromo space. penalty for blocking Valtteri dangerous. Nazionale Circuit in A disappointed Lewis Hamilton The incident resulted in the Bottas at the chicane in the “It doesn’t really matter what Monza, yesterday. called for greater consistency victorious 21-year-old Mon- Italian Grand Prix, in a move I think,” said the Briton. and fairness from stewards’ egasque driver being shown a almost identical to that of “I have nothing to say decisions after missing out on black-and-white flag, sig- Leclerc yesterday. about it. It is pointless to bring winning yesterday’s Italian nalling a caution but without a “That’s just racing, I guess,” it up. Grand Prix. penalty. he said. “I had to avoid collisions and The series leader and Hamilton recalled similar “I had to avoid colliding with then I tried to race hard again defending five-time world incidents in past seasons have him a couple of times and that’s and get back. This new gener- champion believed he was the resulted in time penalties and how it is, racing, today.” ation get away with more than victim of a controversial move suggested the current gener- Hamilton, who was within we did in the past. during the closely-fought race ation of younger drivers are two seconds of Leclerc for most “I’d just like to see when triumphant Ferrari driver being allowed to race under of the race, said earlier he did consistency.”

Warriors Club clinch Qatar Airways Spinners take Afghanistan close to Premier Division cricket crown historic win against Bangladesh

AFP set a record target of 398 runs, cricket. We’ve discussed in our opener Liton Das, who was CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH still needing 262. dressing room that this Test trapped leg before for nine two The highest successful run match is very important for us balls after a caught-behind Spinners Rashid Khan and Zahir chase in Bangladesh is 317-7 by to win because we want to show decision against him was over- Khan shared five wickets New Zealand at the same ground we can play Test cricket.” turned by the TV umpire on between them as Afghanistan in 2008. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan review. came within four wickets of a “Yes, we are bit excited remained unbeaten on 39 runs, One-down Mosaddek historic win over Bangladesh in because we are in a good giving a little hope to Bang- Hossain chased a ball from him the one-off Test in Chittagong position,” Afghanistan’s wicket- ladesh amid the gloom at the wide outside the off-stump to yesterday. keeper-batsman Afsar Zazai Zahur Ahmed Stadium, where give a catch to Asghar Afghan at The visitors -- playing only said. rain interrupted play in all long off after making 12 runs. their third Test ever -- reduced “It means a lot to be honest,” three sessions much to Afghan- Rashid trapped Mushfiqur Bangladesh to 136-6 before rain he added. istan’s frustration. Shakib will Rahim plumb in front after the forced early stumps on the fourth “The people know about us resume the fifth day’s play former Bangladesh skipper day, with the hosts, who were good enough in white-ball along with Soumya Sarkar, the started confidently to make 23 last recognised batsman for off 25 balls. SCOREBOARD Bangladesh, who was yet to Rashid delivered another Afghanistan (I innings) ...... 342 Bowling: Shakib 19-3-58-3, Mehidy 12.1-3-35-2, open his account. blow in his next over to dismiss Bangladesh (I innings) ...... 205 Taijul 28-6-86-2, Nayeem 17-2-61-2, Mominul Shakib seemed to be pre- Mominul Haque out lbw for Afghanistan (II innings) 10-6-13-0, Mosaddek 4-1-3-0 paring for a loss. “The realistic three. Nabi removed Shadman Ihsanullah Janat lbw b Shakib ...... 4 Bangladesh (II innings) Ibrahim Zadran c Mominul b Nayeem ...... 87 Liton Das lbw b Zahir ...... 9 result is we are very close to Islam, who made 41 runs, the Rahmat Shah c & b Shakib ...... 0 Shadman Islam lbw b Nabi ...... 41 defeat. Unless there is some highest for Bangladesh so far in Hashmatullah Shahidi c Soumya b Nayeem 12 Mosaddek Hossain c Asghar b Zahir ...... 12 rain... probably we are losing,” the second innings. Asghar Afghan c Shakib b Taijul ...... 50 Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Rashid ...... 23 he said. Rashid then snapped the Afsar Zazai not out ...... 48 Mominul Haque lbw b Rashid ...... 3 Rashid, who made his debut wicket of Mahmudullah Riyad Mohammad Nabi c Mominul b Mehidy ...... 8 Shakib Al Hasan not out ...... 39 as youngest-ever Test captain, for seven before rain provided Rashid Khan b Taijul ...... 24 Mahmudullah Riyad c Zadran b Rashid ...... 7 led Afghanistan from the front, the home side some respite. Qais Ahmad lbw b Shakib ...... 14 Soumya Sarkar ...... 0 finishing the day with 3-46 while Earlier, resuming at 237-8 Yamin Ahmadzai run out ...... 9 Extras (LB2) ...... 0 left-arm chinaman Zahir claimed after more than two hours’ delay Tamoor Sajjad, Man-of-the-final at the Qatar Airways Premier Zahir Khan c Mominul b Mehidy ...... 0 Total (six wickets) ...... 136 2-36 runs. due to drizzle, Afghanistan added Division Cricket Tournament poses for a picture. Sajjad dished Extras (B4) ...... 4 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-52, 3-78, 4-82, 5-106, Retiring all-rounder 23 runs to their overnight score out a superb all-round performance to spur his team to a thrilling Total (all out) ...... 260 6-125 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-4, 3-28, 4-136, 5-171, Bowling: Yamin 4-1-14-0, Nabi 17.2-4-38-1, Mohammad Nabi claimed the before they were all out for 260, three-wicket triumph against Tusker Club in Asian Town Stadium, 6-18, 7-210, 8-235, 9-260, 10-260 Rashid 13-0-46-3, Zahir 10-0-36-2 other wicket. Zahir started the which took their lead close to the in Industrial Area. victory push when he dismissed 400-run mark. 10 SPORT MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2019 Teen Andreescu topples Serena to win US Open AFP ANDREESCU’S PATH TO GLORY Williams box, where her close friend Meghan NEW YORK Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was BIANCA ANDREESCU (CAN X15) seated alongside sister Venus and Teenager Bianca Andreescu became 1st Round: Beat Katie Volynets (USA) 6-2, 6-4 fashion titan Anna Wintour. Canada’s first Grand Slam singles champion 2nd Round: Beat Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 6-3, 7-5 The American carved out four Saturday with a rollercoaster 6-3, 7-5 win 3rd Round: Beat Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x19) 6-4, 6-4 opportunities to hit back the following over 23-time major champion Serena 4th Round: Beat Taylor Townsend (USA) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 game, benefiting from a huge Williams in the US Open final. stroke of luck when a Quarter-final: Beat Elise Mertens (BEL x25) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 The 19-year-old Andreescu became the forehand brushed the tape youngest Grand Slam winner since Svetlana Semi-final: Beat Belinda Bencic (SUI x13) 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 and trickled over to haul Kuznetsova at the 2004 US Open, handing Final: Beat Serena Williams (USA x8) 6-3, 7-5 herself back on Williams a fourth consecutive defeat in the serve. final of a major to again deny her a record- Undeterred, equaling 24th Slam title. win this, outside of Venus, I’m happy it’s Andreescu “It’s so hard to explain in words but I’m Bianca,” Williams said. promptly just beyond grateful and truly blessed. I’ve Appearing in a 33rd Grand Slam final, regained the worked really, really hard for this moment,” and fourth since the last of her 23 major titles, initiative with said Andreescu, who had won just two Grand Williams made an inauspicious start at Arthur another break Slam matches ahead of her US Open main Ashe Stadium by conceding her opening and looked to be draw debut. service game with successive double faults. marching towards She improved her record over top-10 Andreescu, who wasn’t even born when the title when she opponents this season to 8-0 and will rise to Williams won her maiden Slam at the 1999 followed a routine a career-high ranking of fifth on Monday. US Open, responded with a comfortable hold, hold by again “This year has been a dream come true. a pattern that repeated itself until the breaking the Wil- Being able to play on this stage against Canadian threatened to run away with the liams serve for a 5-1 Serena, a true legend of the sport, is amazing. opening set. lead. Andreescu It wasn’t easy at all. I tried to prepare my best Serving at 2-4, Williams erased five break brought up champi- like I do every match, I tried not to focus on points with a combination of aces and onship point in the who I’m playing. I’m really proud of how I booming groundstrokes but Andreescu was ensuing game, but Wil- dealt with everything.” knocking on the door once more as the liams smacked a forehand Andreescu tied Monica Seles, who lifted American served to stay in the set. winner to stay alive and the 1990 Roland Garros trophy in her fourth A forehand winner earned the youngster then rattled off 14 of 17 major, for the record as the fastest player to a set point, and Williams duly her gifted her points to peg her win her first Slam title in the Open era. the opener with another double fault. opponent back at 5-all. Williams, 37, suffered a second finals loss Andreescu had failed to even reach the The Canadian stemmed the in a row at Flushing Meadows, after a 2018 main draw at Flushing Meadows the past bleeding by holding for 6-5 and defeat against Naomi Osaka best remem- two years, twice falling in the first qualifying an errant Williams backhand Bianca Andreescu of Canada celebrates with the bered for a furious tirade against chair round, and her confidence continued to flow handed Andreescu two more shots championship trophy during the trophy presentation umpire Carlos Ramos. as she surged 2-0 ahead in the second -- at the title. Williams saved the first ceremony after winning the 2019 US Open women’s singles “Bianca played an unbelievable match, Williams again doubled-faulting on break with an ace but Andreescu secured final against Serena Williams of the United States at the I am so proud and happy for you. It was point. victory on the next with a blistering USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Saturday. incredible tennis out there. If anyone could That prompted forlorn looks from the forehand return. Bianca embraces Williams legacy assured even if spotlight with maiden record 24 remains out of reach Grand Slam victory REUTERS But the rest of Williams’s NEW YORK Serena Williams (left) congratulates Bianca Andreescu during game has begun to show signs of the trophy presentation ceremony. wear of time. REUTERS Already regarded as the greatest She can no longer command NEW YORK women’s player ever to pick up the court the way she once did, a tennis racquet, Serena and her coach Patrick Moura- So new is Bianca Andreescu (pictured) to the Grand Slam stage Williams’s legacy is already toglou suggested Williams’s that after beating Serena Williams to win the US Open on Saturday, assured but the record equalling greatest weapon -- her a tournament official had to show her which side of the trophy 24th Grand Slam that would help unshakable confidence -- had was the front. build statistical proof remains faltered under the weight of her The moment marked the end of a remarkable run for the frustratingly out of reach. own high expectations. 19-year-old Canadian, who a year ago had failed to qualify for Twenty years ago a 17-year- Before the US Open the air the tournament but has gone on to become the sport’s brightest old Williams walked away from of invincibility that once sur- young star. the US Open with what would be rounded Williams had all but “Last year wasn’t an easy period in my life, I was going through the first of her 23 Grand Slam vanished. a lot with injuries,” said Andreescu. titles. On Saturday she had the Then she arrived at the doors “I just kept believing in myself I kept working hard and I just chance to equal Margaret Court’s to Flushing Meadows and looked kept that momentum and confidence.” all-time record but instead it was unbeatable, steam-rolling her Despite having never made it past the second round of a Grand Canadian teenager Bianca way into her 10th US Open final. Slam, Andreescu arrived at Flushing Meadows with many Andreescu grabbing the trophy Any concerns over the back expecting big things from her. with a 6-3 7-5 win. spasms that forced her to quit the “You’re never going to have ups all the time,” said Andreescu That victory not only raised final and pull out of after the match. questions about whether Wil- Cincinnati were eased when Wil- “So I think in those moments, you just have to deal with it the liams would ever get beyond 23 liams opened her Flushing best that you can, which is to just keep fighting for your dreams Grand Slam titles, many also Meadows account with a 6-1 6-1 and just stay as persistent and persevere as much as you can. viewed 19-year-old Andreescu’s demolition of old rival Maria “I think it builds you as a character.” win as a changing of the guard in Sharapova. Dropping only two sets in the entire tournament, the tena- women’s tennis. That was followed by routine cious, power-hitting Andreescu barrelled through the compe- Since giving birth to her wins over Karolina Muchova, tition at Flushing Meadows, showing no sign of a slowdown from daughter in 2017, Williams has Petra Martica and Cat McNally a blockbuster summer that included wins at Toronto and Indian not won a tournament. before blasting her way into the Wells. Four times now, twice at last four with a jaw dropping 6-1 “I don’t think I’ve lost a match since March, so my confidence Wimbledon (2018, 2019) and at 6-0 rout of China’s Wang Qiang is skysky-rocketing rocketing right now,”now, Andreescu told reporters. “II just don’tdon t the US Open (2018, 20192019) Wil- to register her 100th US Open want to taketake anythinganything fforor grantegrantedd bbecauseecause tthere’shere’s going to bbee liamsliams hashas come agonizinglyagonizingl close victory. An even more ruthless weeksweeks wwherehere you’re going to lose.lose. So rigrightht now I’m just on cloudcloud to thatthat 24t24thh GranGrandd SSlamlam oonly to All of it honestly, truly is super 6-3 6-1 semi-final win over fifth nine.”nine.” fall at the finafinall huhurdle.rdle. frustrating. I’m, like, so close, so seed Elina Svitolina seemed to EndingEnding 2018 witwithh a year- SheShe ddidid not just lloseose aall four close, so close, yet so far away. indicate that the title was there endend rankingranking of 178, she had finalsfinals -- she failed to win a single for the taking. rocketedrocketed to 15th whenwhen shshee set.set. And I just got to just keep fighting But on Saturday she was arrivedarrived at tthehe year’s ffinalinal TheThe nnextext ttimeime WiWilliamslliam can through it. I’m not necessarily looking across the net at a mirror major,major, a meteoric rise that attemptattempt to eequalqual Court’s record chasing a record. I’m just trying to image of her younger self. sstunnedtunned even herher coach.coach. atat thethe AustraAustralianlian Open in JJanuarya A player with a big serve, “I“I love this feelingfeeling wayway too she would be 38,38, the climclimbb to the win Grand Slams: Williams thundering forehand, all court much,”much,” AndreescuAndreescu saidsaid in a summitsummit ever steeper.steeper. game, intensity and a cat burglar’s televisedtelevised ininterviewterview afterafter ththee But a defiantdefiant WiWilliamslliams rrefused cool. match,match, as her loyalloyal Canadian to accept there would notn be Michael Jordan, Williams is an Duchess of Sussex, was cheering Down a set and 5-1 the stress fanbasefanbase cheeredcheered behindbehind hherer anotheranother GranGrandd SSlamlam in hherer future. athlete who moves the needle. her on from the players box. and frustration was written all onon the plaza outside Arthur “All“All of it honestly,honestly, trulytr is What she wears, eats and says But no amount of support, over Williams’s face. Ashe Stadium.Stadium. supersuper ffrustrating,”rustrating,” said matters. In the Big Apple, where royal or otherwise, could lift Wil- Then the spirit of a champion Williams.Williams. there is no shortage of distrac- liams to the level she needed on took over, Williams fighting off “I don’t know what toto say. I tions for A-listers on a Saturday Saturday, Andreescu breaking the match point and sweeping guessguess I got to keepkeep going ifif I want afternoon, it was the Serena Wil- former world number one to through four games to level the to be a professional tennis player. liams show that was the hot open the final and never letting set and sending a jolt of electricity “And“And I just got to jujusts keep ticket. her opponent get her nose in through a seething fightingfighting tthroughhrough it.it. When the Queen of Tennis front. Stadium. “I’m not necessarilynecessarily chasingc holds court in New York it attracts Williams’s power game has But in the end youth was a recorrecord.d. I’m just trying to win sporting royalty and on occasion never been in question. Her serve served, Andreescu living up to GrandGrand SSlams.”lams.” the real thing. Williams’s good and crushing forehands can still expectations and Williams unable Like TigerTiger WWoodsoods and friend Meghan Markle, the strike fear into opponents. to live up to her own. MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 11 Kingsley Coman Portugal revive Euro hopes with 4-2 win against Serbia

REUTERS touched the ball, twice came Portugal’s close early in the second half. Cristiano He fired inches wide from European champions Ronaldo the edge of the penalty area Portugal got their Euro 2020 (centre) and The victory lifts after cutting in from the left qualifying campaign back on his team-mates the Portuguese to and then curled a free kick nar- track with goals from William celebrate a goal second place in rowly off target before Guedes Carvalho, Goncalo Guedes, against Serbia the group on five doubled Portugal’s lead with a on Saturday. and points from three fine individual effort. Bernardo Silva helping them games, eight The forward capped a to a pulsating 4-2 Group B flowing move as he side- victory in Serbia on Saturday. behind runaway stepped a defender and rifled The victory lifted the Por- leaders Ukraine in an unstoppable shot past tuguese to second place in the who have 13 from Dmitrovic into the far corner group on five points from five matches. from 12 metres to silence the three games, eight behind raucous home crowd. runaway leaders Ukraine Centre back Nikola who have 13 from five Milenkovic pulled one back matches after their 3-0 win for Serbia in the 68th minute, in Lithuania. heading a Dusan Tadic corner Third-placed Luxem- past keeper Rui Patricio, who Coman is the bourg and Serbia in fourth was two minutes later forced both have four points from as who steered Portugal to the Tuesday’s visit to Lithuania Serbian football, we were vul- to tip a fierce Adem Ljajic shot ‘King’ of France many games while Lithuania Euro 2016 title in France and and nothing less than a win nerable defensively and that from 20 metres over the bar. are bottom with one point this year’s triumph in the will do because it’s a compli- undermines every other Taunted by chants of again after fiery from four matches. inaugural Nations League, cated group.” department.” “Messi” from Serbia’s die- Coach Fernando Santos, was pleased with his team’s His counterpart Ljubisa Portugal dominated the hard fans, Ronaldo demon- performance. Tumbakovic, who replaced opening half and Carvalho strated his class in the 80th performance “We showed a lot of cre- Mladen Krstajic on July 1 three fired them ahead in the 42nd minute when he took a Ber- ativity and attacking intent in weeks after he was sacked by minute when he poked the nardo Silva pass in his stride REUTERS a solid performance required Montenegro, conceded he had ball into an empty net from and coolly dinked the ball PARIS to beat a very good Serbian endured a sour debut as three metres after Serbia over the advancing Dmitrovic. We showed a lot side,” Santos told reporters. Serbia coach. keeper Marko Dmitrovic Serbia refused to roll over Kingsley “King” Coman lived up to his nickname of creativity and “Getting the opening goal “We lost to a majestic spilled a Bruno Fernandes as Aleksandar Mitrovic drove when he made the most of Kylian Mbappe’s attacking intent in just before halftime was vital team full of world-class cross from the right. a shot from inside the penalty absence to lead France to a 4-1 win over and in the second half we players,” said the 67-year old Cristiano Ronaldo, area into the roof of the net in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Saturday. a solid performance controlled the game. We from Belgrade. looking subdued in the after a defensive blunder in The Bayern Munich forward was handed required to beat a stifled their excellent midfield “We lacked the final pass opening half and given a the 85th minute but Silva a rare start by coach Didier Deschamps and very good Serbian and deserved the win. in the first half and it didn’t hostile reception at Red Star sealed the contest with a he made the most of his extreme pace, ter- side: Coach Santos “This win should boost help that we fell behind just stadium as Serbian fans clinical finish barely 60 rorising the Albanian defence throughout. our confidence ahead of before the break. As ever in jeered him every time he seconds later. Coman opened the scoring with a burst into the area and made sure there would be no comeback for the visitors by netting the hosts’ third in the 68th. It appears the 23-year-old’s poor 2018 is Germany under pressure behind him after Deschamps omitted him from the World Cup squad following an injury- marred season. Coman made his return with Les Bleus in after Netherlands debacle June for a friendly against Bolivia and a European qualifier in Turkey, his first taste of AFP The group stage exit in Russia “Northern Ireland are amazingly international football since November 2017. HAMBURG prompted a major generational robust, they play a lot of long balls. “It’s one of my best games with the overhaul, and after three wins in a They will sit deeper and we will not national team and from a statistical point of Joachim Loew has demanded a row in 2019, Loew’s new-look young have much space, so we need to think view, it’s even the best,” Coman told reporters reaction from his young Germany team were full of confidence ahead of something tactically,” he said. after helping France stay top of Group H with team against Group C leaders of Friday’s game. Loew defended his tactics, yet the 12 points from five games, ahead of Turkey Northern Ireland today after their Victory over the Dutch would German media remained critical on and Iceland on goal difference. recent resurgence was cut short by have put second-placed Germany nine Saturday. Berlin daily Der “I’ve had a great night but I won’t have their Euro 2020 qualifying 4-2 defeat points clear of their rivals and left Tagesspiegel warned that “lessons much time to enjoy it. I’m happy but we must to the Netherlands. Germany on the brink of automatic must be learned” from the defeat to look ahead.” Having come into the interna- qualification. the Netherlands, while the country’s France play Andorra tomorrow and Coman tional break on a wave of optimism, Instead, they now find themselves biggest tabloid Bild said that “alarm should get another chance to improve his Loew’s side now travel to Belfast only three points above the play-off bells” were now ringing around the scoring record of three goals in 18 games for today needing a win to keep their place, having played a game more qualification campaign. his country. qualification campaign on course than the Netherlands. Kicker magazine claimed there “He’s been with us for a while. He was against a Northern Irish side yet to “We will need to pick the young was “no need to panic yet”, but there before Euro 2016. His performance is drop a point in four qualifying players up a bit and give them the Germany captain Manuel Neuer in line with what he’s been doing with Bayern matches. feeling that they can be stronger. I warned his side against complacency for over a year,” said Deschamps, who handed “We need to win, we need to am sure we will see a reaction on ahead of their visit to Belfast. Coman his first cap in 2015. approach the game in such a way that Monday (today),” said Loew. “We know that anything can “He is more decisive and has this capacity we leave the pitch as winners,” said The Germany coach, who was crit- happen in football, we experienced to unsettle his opponents. We have to make Loew on Friday. icised for playing with a back three that ourselves in 2018, so it is sure he does not get injured. Germany had just begun to find and allowing his team to sit deep important we take this game seri- “When he’s like this nothing can stop him. their feet after a long period of against the Netherlands, also said that ously,” he told Bild newspaper. It’s a pleasure to see him play at that level recovery from their disastrous cam- he would make tactical changes “It is not ideal for us to be playing Joachim Loew again.” paign at last year’s World Cup. against Northern Ireland. an away game in Belfast right now. “ emerge as unlikely obstacle in England’s path

REUTERS Incredibly for a nation only ’ side began Czechs lifted them to eight The small Balkan has 20 senior caps for Albania, LONDON awarded FIFA status little over their Euro 2020 qualifying points. nation of 1.8 million Lazio’s Valon Berisha played 20 threethree years ago, aalonglong withwith campaign withwith A natnationi that only declared inhabitants may be times for Norway and Hudders- England are breezing through a Gibraltar,Gibraltar, thetheyy are unde-unde- draws aagainstgainst independenceindepend in 2008 after field Town’s Florent Hadergjonaj Euro 2020 qualifying group featedfeated in 15 matchesmatches andand BulgariaBulgaria andand decadesdecades oof political struggle and ranked 120th in the is a former Switzerland interna- featuring the fading soccer forces havehave become the surprisesurprise MontenegroMontenegro a year-longyear-lon war with Serbia from FIFA rankings but not tional. Had Kosovo entered the of Bulgaria and the Czech challengerschallengers to England’sEngland’s but tthenhen 1998-991998-99 hhas taken huge pride in even the powerhouses international soccer stage Republic but Kosovo, one of the GroupGroup A domination.domination. scoredscored a itsits soccersoccer teamt and the dream of of football world can sooner, it is not inconceivable newest members of the world Kosovo’sKosovo’s llastast defeatdefeat last-gasplast-gasp a placeplace in its first finals is match their form over that Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and soccer family, may be about to camecame againstagainst Iceland in winnerwinner to realistic.realistic. the past two years. Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri, both make their life tougher. OctoberOctober 20172017 at thethe endend of beat BBul-ul- EvenEven if they fail to qualify Swiss internationals with The small Balkan nation of a chasteningchastening WorWorldld Cup gariagaria 3-2 directly,directly, they have another Kosovar-Albanian parentage, 1.8 million inhabitants may be qualificationqualification programme in awayaway inin backupbackup optionop in the play-offs led to NATO’s bombing of the could be lining up against ranked 120th in the FIFA whichwhich theythey managedmanaged onlyonly one June and thanks to an impressive Nations former Yugoslavia. Challandes England at St Mary’s. rankings but not even the pow- pointpoint ffromrom 10 matcmatcheshes bbutut sisincence theirtheir ddefeatefeat League performance.pe has reaped the benefit. Standard With the side that played erhouses of football world can thenthen thetheyy have won 10 and ofof thethe WhileWhile their first steps into Liege defender Mergim Vojvoda, against the Czechs having an match their form over the past drawndrawn fivefive ofof internationalinternatio football were dif- scorer of Kosovo’s winner on average age of only 23, Kosovo’s two years. thetheiri r ficultficult withw nine successive Saturday, played for Albania talented young squad are already On Saturday, they came from matches.matches. defeats,defeat Albert Bunjaki, Chal- under-21s, while Swansea City’s being dubbed the “Brazil of the a goal down to beat the Czechs SwissSwiss landes’sland predecessor, attacking midfielder Bersant ” by their fans. 2-1 in front of a joyous crowd at coaccoachh workedwork tirelessly trawling Celina grew up in Norway. England have scored 14 goals the Stadium in Kos- ’sEurop Kosovan diaspora Celina represented the in three matches but will need ovo’s capital and will in searchsea of eligible players. Nordic nation until under-21 to guard against complacency head to Southampton tomorrow ManyM had played for level before switching when the against a fearless side deter- just one point behind Gareth otherother nations after moving door opened for Kosovo in 2016. mined to make their mark in Southgate’s (pictured) England awaawayy as children to escape Torino’s Samir Ujkani, Kos- what will be the biggest fixture side. a conflictcon which eventually ovo’s goalkeeper and captain, in their short footballing history. SPORT PAGE | 08 PAGE | 10 Rosberg backs off Canadian teen after Hamilton says Andreescu topples former racers are Serena to win irrelevant US Open title

Monday 9 September 2019

RECENT ASHES WINNERS 2019 Australia 2017–18 Australia 2015 England 2013–14 Australia 2013 England 2010–11 England 2009 England 2006–07 Australia 2005 England 2002–03 Australia

Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates with team-mates after taking the wicket of England's Craig Overton to win the match and retain the Ashes Series at the Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, yesterday. Clinical Australia retain Ashes REUTERS an Ashes series in England since SCOREBOARD Roy was well set before the Jonny Bairstow (25) was lbw MANCHESTER 2001. Steve Smith’s magnificent impressive Cummins bowled him to Mitchell Starc before Overton AUSTRALIA, 1st Innings 497-8 dec S. Broad not out ...... 0 double century and then second ENGLAND, 1st Innings 301 Extras (b9, lb8, nb2) ...... 19 for 31 with a beautiful delivery came in to join Buttler, in what Australia retained the Ashes after innings 82 were the key factors AUSTRALIA, 2nd Innings 186-6 dec Total (all out, 91.3 overs, 407 mins) ...... 197 that cut back off the seam to leave was probably England’s last real- beating England by 185 runs at in this win. ENGLAND, 2nd Innings (overnight 18-2, target 383) Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Burns), 2-0 (Root), 3-66 England at 66-3. istic chance of a big Old Trafford yesterday to take a The main early resistance R. Burns c Head b Cummins ...... 0 (Roy), 4-74 (Stokes), 5-93 (Denly), 6-138 (Bairstow), The crowd rose to welcome partnership. 2-1 lead in the series with just one from England came from Joe J. Denly c Labuschagne b Lyon ...... 53 7-172 (Buttler), 8-173 (Archer), 9-196 (Leach), 10-197 Stokes, the hero of England’s last But Buttler misjudged a Test remaining. Denly who made 53 from 123 balls J. Root b Cummins ...... 0 (Overton) day triumph at Headingley, but delivery from Hazlewood which England, who resumed on and Jos Buttler, who lasted 111 J. Roy b Cummins ...... 31 Bowling: Cummins 24-9-43-4 (2nb); Hazlewood 17.3- there was to be no repeat per- he left only to see it cut back B. Stokes c Paine b Cummins ...... 1 5-31-2; Lyon 29-12-51-2; Starc 16-2-46-1; Labuschagne 18-2, were bowled out for 197 on balls for his 34. J. Bairstow lbw b Starc ...... 25 4-1-9-1; Head 1-1-0-0 formance from the all-rounder. sharply and clatter into his the final day with Australia England’s hopes of an unlikely J. Buttler b Hazlewood ...... 34 AUSTRALIA: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus La- Another fine delivery from off-stump. seamer Pat Cummins taking four escape-act rose when Jack Leach C. Overton lbw b Hazlewood ...... 21 buschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Cummins clipped the inside edge Australia keep the Ashes, for 43. and Craig Overton batted for over J. Archer lbw b Lyon ...... 1 Tim Paine (capt/wkt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh of Stokes’s bat and was well taken which they won on home turf last Australia’s victory, with 81 an hour giving the crowd belief J. Leach c Wade b Labuschagne ...... 12 Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon by wicketkeeper Paine, the year and it is the first time they balls remaining, was a convincing over a second ‘miracle’ after the England batsman not waiting for have retained the urn since the one but England’s spirit cannot comeback win at Headingley. Josh Hazlewood to set off the Aus- challenge. The final day was never the umpire’s verdict as he walked end of their long period of dom- be criticised as they fought until But part-time leg spinner tralian celebrations. going to be a run-chase of Head- off. ination in 2002. the final hour in their attempt to Marnus Labuschagne finally England will look back on the ingley vintage, given the target of Denly had been the pick of There is though plenty left to save the Test and keep the series removed Leach, with a ball that second day of this Test as the 383, with England’s task simply England’s batsmen before he was play for when the teams meet alive. turned sharply in the rough and turning point when they simply to survive until the close. outdone by sharp turn and again at The Oval on Thursday -- The tourists lead 2-1 going was gloved to Matthew Wade at could find no way to remove That challenge was made all bounce from spinner Nathan England could level the series into next week’s final Test at The short leg. Overton batted with Smith and Australia’s 497-8 the more difficult after they lost Lyon, the ball striking his glove while Australia will be desperate Oval where they hope to become sense, stoicism and a strong tech- declared gave them an advantage Jason Roy and Ben Stokes before and being snaffled up by to ensure they go home as the first Australian team to win nique, but he was trapped lbw by that they were unable to seriously lunch. Labuschagne at short leg. winners. Goal machine Almoez Brussels winners one to look out for claim tickets to AFC DOHA Doha Worlds IAAF Round Two of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar BRUSSELS 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 kicked off in spectacular fashion last Thursday with 16 matches across the Continent. After last night’s thrilling conclusion to the 2019 Here is a look at few points which will be in focus on IAAF Diamond League season in Brussels, each Matchday Two, which takes place tomorrow of the 16 individual event winners at the Memorial Van Damme took home a US$50,000 bonus and Almoez Ali the goalscoring machine earned a wild card entry to the IAAF World Ath- Almoez Ali (pictured) lit up the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 letics Championships Doha 2019, which get with his record-breaking nine goals as Qatar powered to the underway 20 days from today, on September 27. title and the Al Duhail forward has continued from where he left While all of the winners in Brussels had off. already qualified for the World Championships in Ali scored a fabulous hat-trick as the West Asians cruised to Qatar, India get ready to face off in Doha at least one event, a wild card would, for some, a 6-0 win over Afghanistan on Matchday One, taking his tally pave the way to competing in another discipline to 13 international goals in 2019, and Qatar will be counting on in the Qatari capital or open up a fourth spot on the 23-year-old to power them against India at Doha’s Jassim their national team for a team-mate. bin Hamad Stadium tomorrow. Winners in Brussels: MEN Elkeson to make China PR debut? 200m: Noah Lyles (USA), 400m: Michael China also kick their campaign on Tuesday and their starting Norman (USA), 1500m: Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN), line-up will be one of tomorrow’s most eagerly awaited, with 110m hurdles: Orlando Ortega (ESP), 3000m focus on whether Brazil-born Elkeson will start in the Group A steeplechase: Getnet Wale (ETH), Triple jump: Qatar’s coach Felix Sanchez (left) gestures as Al clash against Maldives in Malé. Christian Taylor (USA), Shot put: Tom Walsh (NZL), Annabi players take part in a practice session ahead Elkeson, now also known as Ai Kesen, recently received his Discus: Daniel Stahl (SWE) of their AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifier against India Chinese citizenship and the Guangzhou Evergrande striker has WOMEN spoken of his fierce desire to power China PR to only their second which will be played in Doha tomorrow. 100m: Dina Asher-Smith (GBR), 800m: Ajee FIFA World Cup Finals. Wilson (USA), 5000m: Sifan Hassan (NED), 100m Should Elkeson make his debut, the 30-year-old will be the Indian football team players in action during a practice session in Doha, yesterday, ahead of hurdles: Danielle Williams (JAM), High jump: first footballer without Chinese ancestry to play for China. their Asian Qualifier for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 against Qatar. Mariya Lasitskene (ANA), Pole vault: Ekaterini Stefanidi (GRE), Long jump: Malaika Mihambo New men at the helm (GER), Discus: Yaime Perez (CUB) Marc Wilmots and Hervé Renard will make their compet- Wild cards are also awarded to winners of itive bows as head coaches of Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi the 2017 IAAF World Championships as well as Arabia respectively. the leaders in the IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge, Both teams, together with Asia’s three other representatives Race Walk Challenge and Combined Events Chal- at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Australia, Japan and Korea lenge. If both are from the same country, only one Republic - did not feature on Matchday One. of the two athletes can be entered as a wild card. Wilmots took charge of Iran in May, while Saudi Arabia The first 16 wild cards were allocated at the appointed Renard in July, and both have been set the same target first IAAF Diamond League final in Zurich on - qualification for the Qatar 2022 tournament. August 29.