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Wednesday, October 24, 2018 FOOTBALL Safar 15, 1440 AH Houllier picks out GULF TIMES PSG for Champions League glory SPORT Page 2 FIFA BOSS IN QATAR

FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the under-construction Al Wakrah Stadium during a whistle-stop tour of Qatar yesterday. He was also given a helicopter tour of the remaining seven venues that are in various stages of develop- ment. The FIFA chief was accompanied by Supreme Committee Secretary-General Hassan al-Thawadi and other off icials. Infantino praised Qatar’s infrastructure progress, along with the massive potential of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT FOOTBALL Persepolis edge out Al Sadd to reach Samba nominated AFC Champions for World Athlete League fi nal of the Year award THE AWARD WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 4 IN MONACO

By Sports Reporter

atar star Abderrah- man Samba is among 10 athletes nominated Al Sadd forward Baghdad Bounedjah (C) celebrates after scoring for the Male World against Persepolis at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran yesterday. AthleteQ of the Year, the Interna- tional Association of Athletics AFP Beiranvand. Federations (IAAF) announced Tehran Persepolis tightened up after in Monaco yesterday. that and began to test the Al Sadd The 400m hurdler was in sen- defence. In the 14th minute, Ali sational form this year, fi nishing ran’s Persepolis advanced to Mosleh was unable to connect unbeaten in nine fi nals and also the fi nal of the AFC Cham- after Mensha had headed the ball setting the second-best time in pions League for the fi rst across the goalmouth following a history when he clocked 46.98 Itime with a 2-1 aggregate corner. seconds in the Paris Diamond victory over Qatar’s Al Sadd fol- Three minutes later, League meeting in June. lowing a 1-1 draw in their semi- Bounedjah’s goal came after a That eff ort narrowly missed fi nal second leg in the Iranian rare lapse by the Persepolis de- the world record of 46.78 sec- capital yesterday. fence as the star striker latched onds set by American Kevin Persepolis edged the fi rst leg on to a Hasan al-Haydos pass Young at the 1992 Olympics in Doha 1-0 earlier this month, with two players marking him in Barcelona, but the 23-year- but a Baghdad Bounedjah strike failing to anticipate the situation. old is determined to break it in in the 17th minute yesterday gave Bounedjah, the top scorer in 2019, preferably at the IAAF “He was fantastic in the Dia- hurdles at the . IAAF Family will cast their sult. Voting for the Male World Al Sadd the lead and raised hopes the tournament with 13 goals, World Championships in Doha. mond League. His consistency The 10 nominees were se- votes by e-mail, while fans can Athlete of the Year closes on 13 of an upset victory in front of a fi nished off with a fi ne fi rst-time Samba and his coach Hennie has been amazing. Surely we are lected by an international panel vote online via the IAAF’s social November. At the conclusion capacity crowd at the Azadi Sta- shot past the outstretched arms Kotze are already working on a planning for the world record of athletics experts, compris- media platforms. Individual of the voting process, fi ve men dium. of Beiranvand. plan to see the world record fall and the title at the IAAF World ing representatives from all six graphics for each nominee will and fi ve women fi nalists will be However, Siamak Nemati Beiranvand though pulled off and the duo made no secret of Championships in Doha next continental areas of the IAAF. be posted on Facebook, Twit- announced by the IAAF. equalised for Persepolis in the a vital refl ex save to keep out a it during the course of an in- year. But we have to be careful This week marks the open- ter and Instagram this week; a 49th minute off a pass from God- Xavi header in the 86th minute terview with Gulf Times during with our planning.” ing of the voting process for ‘like’ on Facebook and Insta- Other nominees: Timothy win Mensha and the Qatar giants as Persepolis sealed their spot in the Asian Games in Jakarta last Samba himself is keen to the 2018 World Athletes of the gram or a retweet on Twitter Cheruiyot (KEN), Christian were unable to fi nd the net a sec- the fi nal where they take on ei- August. break the world record in front Year ahead of the IAAF Athlet- will count as one vote. Coleman (USA), Armand Du- ond time which would have sent ther ’s Kashima Antlers or “To be honest even I was tak- of his home fans in Doha. ics Awards 2018 in Monaco on The IAAF Council’s vote will plantis (SWE), Eliud Kipchoge them through on away goals. South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings. en by surprise. I didn’t realise he “To be sure, that’s my aim. Tuesday 4 December. count for 50% of the result, (KEN), Emmanuel Korir (KEN), Al Sadd had threatened as early Kashima won the fi rst leg 3-2, would come close to the world It would be fantastic to achieve A three-way voting process while the IAAF Family’s votes Noah Lyles (USA), Luvo Man- as the third minute, but Abdelka- with the second match to be record,” Kotze said, referring to that in Doha,” Samba said after will determine the fi nalists. and the public votes will each yonga (RSA), Kevin Mayer (FRA), rim Hassan’s shot was pouched played today at the Suwon World Samba’s Paris heroics. powering to gold in the 400m The IAAF Council and the count for 25% of the fi nal re- Tomas Walsh (NZL). by Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Cup Stadium. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, October 24, 2018 FOOTBALL

AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP Qatar face Taipei with an eye on quarter-fi nal spot in Indonesia

By Sports Reporter as we wholeheartedly believe in the three points they so desper- Jakarta our methods.” ately crave. With his team now unlikely to “The struggle is not over yet,” qualify for the last eight, Chi- he said. atar will need to beat nese Taipei’s Vom Ca Nhum is “There is still one more group Chinese Taipei today expecting another tough test for stage game to go and we have in their last Group A his side. to be prepared to fi ght until the clash in the AFC U-19 “We struggled physically in very end against the United Arab ChampionshipQ to ensure a quar- our last game against the UAE Emirates. Whatever happens in ter-fi nal spot in the prestigious and we could face the same issues the other game (between Qatar continental tournament. when we play Qatar,” he said. and Chinese Taipei) we simply After losing to the UAE and “But, we will see. Of course, must win.” clinching a thrilling 6-5 win over we will be doing everything we Indonesia approach the game hosts Indonesia, Qatar are placed can to get a positive result and with the dust still settling on second with three points from continue our development.” Sunday’s remarkable 6-5 defeat two matches. Meanwhile, Indonesia head to Qatar, a titanic tussle which The UAE, who have six points coach Indra Sjafri has vowed that has left Sjafri acutely aware that from two wins, will take on In- his players will fi ght until the end his side cannot aff ord to repeat donesia in another match. Indo- to guarantee themselves a place the errors which cost them dearly nesia, who also have three points in the AFC U-19 Championship against the West Asians. but are behind Qatar on goal dif- Indonesia 2018 quarter-fi nals. “We are guilty of making indi- ference, can also qualify for the Given that the Emiratis have vidual errors that allowed Qatar last eight stage if they beat the Qatar players take part in a training session ahead of their AFC U-19 Championship match against Chinese Taipei yesterday. PICTURE: Fadi al-Asaad impressed during their victo- to score,” declared the one-time UAE and Qatar fail to get past ries over both Qatar and Chinese Bali United coach. Taipei. of advancing,” said Qatar’s as- to the fact that Qatar were, at one tives that we saw in the last game “There are several plus points Taipei, Indonesia’s task is indeed “We have to ensure that those “It is key to remember that we sistant coach Lino Godinho, who stage, 6-1 up against the Indone- and continue to do what we do which we can take into the game a sizeable one, although Sjafri mistakes do not happen in our won the game with Indonesia, will deputise for suspended head sians. well which is keeping the ball and against Chinese Taipei and we believes the host nation will lay next match. If we do, we still have and that we still have a chance coach Bruno Pinheiro, referring “We must focus on the posi- creating chances. will not change the way we play everything on the line to secure a chance to qualify.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOCUS Klopp looks to Double strike gives Kop to inspire Bayern win at Athens his players in Quick second-half strikes by Martinez and Lewandowski help beat Greek champs Europe AFP Athens

uick-fi re goals by Javi Martinez and Robert Lewandowski yes- terday moved Bayern MunichQ top of their Champions League group with a 2-0 win at AEK Athens, as they made it back-to-back victories after a diffi cult start to the season. Dogged defending by the reigning Greek champions left Bayern facing a frustrating draw until Martinez fi nally broke through with an hour gone at AEK, who travel to the Allianz Arena in a fortnight’s time. “It was very diffi cult, the pitch was not good, we played well in the fi rst half, but the fi - nal pass was missing,” said Arjen Robben. “We started using our chances and once Javi got the fi rst goal, you could feel the re- lief. This was an important win for us.” The result leaves Bayern top Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski (left) celebrates after scoring a goal against AEK Athens during their UEFA Champions League match of Group E and puts pressure on at the OACA Spyros Louis stadium in Athens, Greece, yesterday. (AFP) nearest rivals Ajax, who earned a 1-1 draw in Munich three weeks desliga, the German champions Lewandowski. minutes later they struck again. In the day’s other earlier kick- ago, to beat Benfi ca in Amster- laboured until Martinez scored Just as it was looking like AEK Serge Gnabry, a constant off , Young Boys and Valencia dam later on Tuesday and join with an athletic half-volley. might earn their fi rst point in threat on the right wing, played drew 1-1 in Group H. the Germans on seven points, The hosts’ best chance of the the group stage, Bayern turned in Rafi nha inside the box with a while AEK remain bottom after match came on 20 minutes when the game. clever backheel, and the Brazil- RESULTS three straight defeats. Argentinian striker Ezequiel Hummels picked out Robben, ian’s low cross found Lewand- Group E: AEK Athens (GRE) 0 Bayern have never lost a Euro- Ponce held off Bayern defender whose eff ort was blocked, but owski unmarked to tap home Bayern Munich (GER) 2 (Mar- pean game in Greece, but despite Mats Hummels, but fi red wide. the ball fl ew towards Martinez, and delight the travelling fans. tinez 61, Lewandowski 63) breaking a four-match winless At the other end, Thiago Al- who slammed his shot home. It was Lewandowski’s third Group H: Young Boys (SUI) 1 streak with a 3-1 victory at Wolfs- cantara’s pass rolled agonis- Any frustrations in the Bayern goal in two games after also net- (Hoarau 55-pen) Valencia (ESP) 1 burg on Saturday in the Bun- ingly away from Bayern striker ranks disappeared and just two ting twice at Wolfsburg. (Batshuayi 26)

COMMENT Reuters tion but held Napoli 0-0 in their Liverpool, England opener. Liverpool face the 1991 European Cup winners twice in the next two weeks looking to iverpool manager Juer- steal a march on their rivals. gen Klopp has called Despite Liverpool’s favourites Houllier lauds Klopp but picks out on the Anfi eld crowd to tag in those games, Klopp did make the diff erence dur- not expect an easy task against a ingL his side’s Champions League club making their fi rst bow in the clash at home to Red Star Bel- group stage since going out as grade today. holders 26 years ago. PSG for Champions League glory “They are the top team in Ser- Liverpool won their opening Group C encounter 3-2 at home bia and they bring confi dence AFP They are second in the Pre- working.” to Paris Saint-Germain but suf- with them. They are used to win- Monaco mier League, behind leaders Liverpool go to PSG in late fered a late away defeat by Napoli ning football games and we have Manchester City on goal diff er- November and the presence of in their last match in Europe’s to make sure they cannot come in ence, but are by no means cer- Napoli in the group means it is elite club competition. that mood,” the German said. ormer Liverpool man- tain to advance from Group C by no means a given that both The Merseyside club sit sec- “You can see that they live ager Gerard Houllier has in the Champions League after of Houllier’s old sides will reach ond in the group on three points their big dream... this generation praised Jurgen Klopp losing away to Napoli in their the round of 16. along with PSG and a point be- has come through (to the group for his work at the An- last outing. His current club Lyon are also hind Napoli with only the top stage) like a miracle and now they fiF eld club but told AFP he feels involved in the competition this two teams going through to the want to extend it. That’s how I Paris Saint-Germain are the fa- ‘A GOOD FIT’ season, but he believes PSG have knockout stage. would motivate my boys if it was vourites to win the Champions Despite that, Houllier added: what it takes to go all the way in In his news conference yester- about that and that’s what makes League this season. “Klopp is a good fi t at Liverpool Europe after struggling to make day, Klopp said the atmosphere them dangerous.” Houllier has a close affi nity to thanks to his philosophy. an improvement in the knockout at Anfi eld — where the fans in the Liverpool midfi elders Jordan both clubs, who are in the same “At Liverpool you have to at- rounds in the last few years. Kop stand are famous for getting Henderson and Naby Keita will group in this season’s Cham- tack, with great forwards. They Last season they were beaten behind the team — could be Liv- not feature in Wednesday’s clash pions League, with Liverpool have had Rush, Fowler, Owen, by eventual winners Real Madrid erpool’s secret weapon. due to injury but forward Sadio beating PSG 3-2 when the sides Heskey and now they have in the last 16 after losing Neymar “We need to be ready for a re- Mane is available after recover- met at Anfi eld in September. Salah, Firmino, Sane, a magic to injury before the second leg. ally hard fi ght,” he told report- ing from surgery on a hand injury Now 71, Houllier is working as PSG coach Thomas Tuchel addresses a press conference on the eve trio. “PSG are favourites, and ers. “We need to be ready to fi ght picked up on international duty an advisor for Lyon, but earlier of their Champions League match against Napoli yesterday. (AFP) “They have already come you’ll see that this could be their for every little square of space with Senegal. in his career he coached PSG in close to winning trophies, they year, even if we say that every with all we have and we need the “Sadio looked good in training the 1980s, leading them to the Cup and League Cup. a season. They are not doing so have played in fi nals. year,” he said. crowd. in the last two days. So if nothing fi rst French title in their history “Liverpool are not doing so well now, but they are still get- “When Klopp was still at “You prepare for success, but “We learned last year that the happens he is in contention,” he in 1986. well at the moment, even if they ting through it,” added Houllier. Dortmund, I saw him at a coach- you can’t programme when it atmosphere can make the diff er- said. After a spell in charge of are still winning games,” Houl- Liverpool host Red Star Bel- es meeting at UEFA, he was sit- will happen. ence and we have to make sure of Captain Henderson came off France, he later took over at Liv- lier told AFP on Tuesday on the grade in the Champions League ting next to me, and we spoke “You need the breaks, no inju- that again. It’s a really hard group at halftime in Saturday’s Pre- erpool in 1998, lasting six years sidelines of the Sportel sports on Wednesday, fresh from a about Liverpool, about the club. ries, no suspensions at key mo- for all the teams and we have to mier League win at Huddersfi eld on Merseyside, with the high- marketing and media conven- narrow 1-0 win at Huddersfi eld “When he was appointed, I ments, like Neymar before the make sure we make the next step Town with a hamstring problem light coming in 2001 when he tion in Monaco. Town at the weekend, their fi rst thought it was a great move, I second leg against Real — that against a really good side.” and Keita suff ered a similar issue won a treble of UEFA Cup, FA “Teams go through cycles in victory in fi ve games. was sure it would work and it is did a lot of damage.” Red Star are bottom of the sec- this month on duty with Guinea. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 24, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE UPDATE English Premiership players to get Aubameyang, Ozil in-season breaks

AFP 26 and 18 for the years 2020-22 Twickenham, United Kingdom with the campaigns starting on October 20, September 12 and September 18 respectively. layers will have guaran- Traditionally, rugby union in inspire Arsenal teed in-season breaks England has been a winter sport, under a new structure but a joint agreement between for the three English the Rugby Football Union, Pre- PPremiership seasons starting miership Rugby and the Rugby with the 2019-20 campaign, of- Players’ Association will push fi cials announced yesterday. the game more into the summer The rest periods will also in- months. clude a mandatory fi ve-week But Premiership Rugby chief rally for perfect 10 post-season rest for all players, executive Mark McCaff erty, who will now be limited to 30 full speaking at a Twickenham news game equivalents, down from 32, conference, said the new set- Gabonese scores brace as Gunners bounce back from a deficit against Leicester in any one season. up would achieve “a number of The changes come amid a progressive goals for the English new structure that will see the structure over the next three English rugby season extended seasons, building in new player to 11 months, with the Premier- management approaches, reduc- ship fi nal now taking place in late ing overlaps and scheduling more June, amid attempts by rugby of Gallagher Premiership Rugby union offi cials to produce a uni- for the better weather conditions fi ed global calendar that balances of spring and early summer”. the needs of the sport in both the RPA chief executive Damian northern and southern hemi- Hopley said: “It is fundamen- spheres. tal that players had their say in Post-season tours by the Eng- the shaping of this new season land national side, previously structure”. staged in June, will take place in He added that the new agree- July. ment “gives players guaranteed Twickenham will host the in-season breaks for the fi rst time Premiership fi nals on June 20, and reduces playing thresholds”.

Prosecutors lodge appeal in German 2006 World Cup aff air

DPA Federation (DFB) presidents Frankfurt Wolfgang Niersbach and Theo Zwanziger, and former federa- tion general secretary Horst rosecutors in Frankfurt are Schmidt. appealing a decision by a The three were charged by Plocal court not to pursue a prosecutors with tax evasion case against three former senior in a World Cup payments aff air German football off icials on tax around a sum of 6.7mn euros evasion charges in connec- (7.3mn dollars) paid by the DFB tion with the 2006 World Cup. to football governing body A prosecution spokeswoman FIFA in 2005. told DPA yesterday that the The payment was declared by complaint will be dealt with by a the DFB as a contribution for a regional appeal court. cultural event at the World Cup Last week, a Frankfurt district in which never took court ruled there were insuff i- place, and as an operating ex- cient grounds to proceed with penditure for tax purposes. All a trial against German Football three denied any wrongdoing. Resistance to USA game is ‘cultural’, says La Liga president

Arsenal’s striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (second from left) celebrates with teammate Mesut Ozil (left) after scoring a goal during the English Premier League match against AFP The two clubs involved sup- Leicester City in on Monday. (AFP) Monaco port the idea, but Barca’s arch rivals Real Madrid reportedly Reuters 66th that was orchestrated by Ozil, who was skipper for that he was proud to be captain. the 31st minute. protested to the Spanish FA over London Ozil, who had scored their fi rst the night, hit a left-footed Manager Unai Emery agreed They could also have had a a Liga president Javier the matter last week, while the goal to put them level. fi rst-time shot past goalkeeper with the assessment of the per- penalty after Arsenal centre- Tebas yesterday claimed country’s players’ association Arsenal stretched their win- Kaspar Schmeichel after surg- formance but said the midfi elder back Rob Holding handled the Lthat resistance to the and football federation have rsenal substitute ning streak in all competitions to ing from the halfway line and could lead the team by example ball seconds after being booked. controversial plans to hold a both rejected the proposal. Pierre-Emerick Au- 10 games and rose to fourth with exchanging passes with Bellerin. even when he does not wear the “For me it was a penalty and a Spanish top-flight game in the “There is resistance, but it’s not bameyang scored 21 points from nine games, two The German was at the heart armband. sending off ,” said Leicester man- United States is “cultural”. really a surprise for me. There’s twice in three minutes points behind Manchester City of Arsenal’s third goal too, “From Mesut Ozil today, it’s a ager Claude Puel. “At this mo- The match between Girona a cultural reason, it’s a story of andA captain Mesut Ozil played and Liverpool and level with sparking the move with a fl icked very good performance,” Emery ment, with our domination in the and Barcelona on January 26 bureaucracy, because it’s new,” a starring role as they extended third-placed Chelsea and Tot- backheel, then dummying a pass said. “I think he can play very game, we could have continued is scheduled to be played at Tebas said. “It’s a bit like video their winning run with a 3-1 vic- tenham Hotspur in fi fth. before continuing his run to re- much with this commitment, our performance, this great per- Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, refereeing — the football family tory over Leicester City in the After falling behind to a Hec- ceive a fi rst-time ball from Alex- behaviour, also with his quality, formance, 11 against 10.” despite strong opposition and rejected it for years and all of Premier League on Monday. tor Bellerin own goal just past andre Lacazette before dinking it (as) captain or not captain.” Arsenal’s next game is at fears that the Catalan giants a sudden at the World Cup in Substitute Aubameyang was the half-hour mark, Arsenal over the onrushing Schmeichel Leicester had started stronger Crystal Palace on Sunday, after would eff ectively be gifted an we realised that it was in the right place to tap into an grew into the game and mid- to leave Aubameyang with the at The Emirates and wing-back they play Sporting in the Europa extra home game. fantastic.” empty net in the 63rd minute to fi elder Ozil stroked in an equal- simplest of fi nishes. Ben Chilwell forced the opening League in Lisbon on Thursday, give Arsenal the lead and was on iser off the post just before half- Ozil tweeted that Arsenal goal when his cross defl ected off while Leicester City will host hand to fi nish a team move in the time. had played “sexy” football and Bellerin into the Arsenal net in West Ham United on Saturday. CHANGE SPOTLIGHT Italian group wrests A-League club confi rm off er to Bolt Parma control from

Reuters lure the likes of Italian forward Chinese owners Sydney Alessandro Del Piero to the A- League would not be available to AFP hang, who was backed by a global sign Bolt. Rome company anchored in the world lympic sprint cham- Home crowds for the Mari- of sport and which, initially, gave pion Usain Bolt has ners last season averaged just a strong indication of its com- been off ered a pro- over 7,000 but the club said that group of Italian busi- mitment.” fessional contract by while they would need third nessmen has wrested Ferrari said the turning point AustralianO A-League outfi t the party help to fund a deal, media control from Chinese was a “change in the political Central Coast Mariners but a deal reports that it could be worth as investors Desports to tide in in relation to Chi- is unlikely without an external little as A$150,000 ($106,185) a acquireA a majority share in Serie nese investment in foreign foot- third party fi nancial contribu- season were “inaccurate”. A club Parma, it was announced ball clubs”. tion, the club said yesterday. “Usain Bolt’s management yesterday. He added: “But after these ini- The 32-year-old Jamaican, and the Central Coast Mariners Unsatisfi ed after Desports’ tial promises, we have unfortu- a passionate football fan, has are in conversations with exter- failure to deliver on promises nately been faced with a diff erent been on trial at the club since nal partners to fi nd a commer- made last year when they took scenario. August as he attempts to make cial solution that suits all par- over the crisis-hit side, ‘Nuovo “We’ve noticed increasing dif- an audacious switch to a second ties,” read the statement. Inizio’ (New Beginning) — a con- fi culties on the part of the Chi- professional sport after one of “Without the fi nancial con- sortium of businessmen and in- nese shareholders to deliver on a the most decorated careers in tribution of an external third- vestors from the Parma region — number of the obligations which athletics. party, it is unlikely that Usain have taken their share in the club a sector so strictly controlled “The club can confi rm that a Bolt and the Central Coast Mar- from 30 to 60 percent. as Italian football imposes on contract proposal has been of- iners will agree to terms.” Desports are now minority clubs, and therefore the majority fered by the Central Coast Mari- According to Forbes, eight- owners on 30 percent with the shareholders.” ners and negotiations remain times Olympic gold medallist remaining 10% owned by Parma Last May, Serie A giants AC ongoing with Usain Bolt and his Bolt was earning upwards of Partecipazioni Calcistiche, a Milan were taken over by Ameri- management regarding his foot- $20mn a year mostly from en- group representing supporters can hedge fund Elliott after the ball future,” the Mariners said in dorsements before his retire- and supporters groups. club’s Chinese owner, business- a statement. ment from athletics in 2017. Jiang Lizhang, the president man Li Yonghong, was unable to “The Central Coast Mariners Last week, he turned down of sports marketing group De- pay his debts to them. want to ensure that Usain Bolt an off er of a two-year contract sports, is no longer the president Parma’s fans, meanwhile, is given every chance possible to from Maltese outfi t Valletta FC of Parma. The club is soon ex- will be hoping the move pays fulfi l his dream to become a pro- gested at the weekend that the him “more individual intensive mercial matters. and his representatives have pected to elect a new president. dividends having seen the club fessional football player.” Jamaican would not on current training and competitive game made it clear that he is the sub- Marco Ferrari, one of the lead- bounce from one crisis to the Despite two goals in one pre- form be worth a place in his side. time” but that it would have to ‘COMMERCIAL SOLUTION’ ject of interest from other Euro- ers of Nuovo Inizio, was quoted next in recent years. season friendly, Bolt’s perform- The club said Bolt had made be away from the A-League. Football Federation pean clubs. as saying in Italian press reports: Their glory days were in the ances for the Mariners have “great progression” in his time The club statement said the (FFA) has made it clear that the Bolt will not train with the “A year ago we were sure we had 1990s, when they won two UEFA not been overly impressive and at the Gosford-based club and other main discussion point in “marquee” money that has in Mariners until a deal is fi nalised, identifi ed the right people when Cup trophies, a Cup winners’ Cup manager Mike Mulvey sug- they were looking at ways to give negotiations was around com- the past helped Australian clubs the statement added. we gave control... to Jiang Liz- and the European Super Cup. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, October 24, 2018 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Du Plessis braced for hostile Aussie reception

Reuters our security offi cer has been working Johannesburg hard in the gym. “We expect them to try and unset- tle us as a team when it comes to the outh African captain Faf du media space, obviously with myself Plessis said his team were being at the forefront of it, but we see braced for a hostile reception it as part and parcel of touring Aus- Sfrom supporters and the media tralia.” when they travel to play their “favour- Du Plessis said his side would be ite” opposition Australia for a limited under even greater scrutiny than on overs tour next month. previous tours. It will be South Africa’s fi rst trip “I do think this time round there Down Under since the ball-tamper- may be one or two more traps for the ing scandal earlier this year, when players to try and stay away from. At Australia captain Steve Smith, and the end of the day we want to go there batsmen David Warner and Cameron and play a brand of winning cricket.” Bancroft, received bans from Cricket He said the tour would be an eye- Australia. opener for some of the younger mem- The Australian team bemoaned the bers of the squad who have not played treatment they received from South international cricket in Australia be- African supporters during that Test fore. tour and Du Plessis said his side would “The crowds do play their part, likely face a backlash. they’re like a 12th man. Your mental “Australia is our favourite team to strength is just as important as your play against, all the stuff that comes skill. For a lot of the new guys it will be with playing them, on and off the eld,fi the fi rst time where they fi eld on the I love that and I feel that brings the boundary and they hear just how good best out of us as a team,” Du Plessis they are as human beings. told reporters yesterday. “You don’t get much of that any- Du Plessis has twice before been where else in the world anymore, it is found guilty of ball-tampering him- the one place where you still feel like self, including on a Test tour of Aus- the crowd gets on top and really be- tralia in 2016 when he was accused hind the home team.” of using sugary saliva after sucking a South Africa will play three one- sweet to change the condition of the day internationals, starting in Perth ball. on Nov 4, followed by a one-off Twen- “It will be nice and hostile. We are ty20 international on the Gold Coast not expecting anything less. Zunaid on Nov 17.

SHOCK TWENTY20 Pakistan face Australia with top Sri Lanka thrash ranking at stake

AFP motivated enough to win the Abu Dhabi series. “Pakistan played very well against us in July,” said Finch. akistan captain Sarfraz “We got the better off them in England to claim Ahmed is confi dent the fi rst game but they bat- his team can defend tled back in the last two. They their world number are world number one at the oneP ranking in a stern challenge moment and they are world from Australia in a three-match number one for a reason.” Twenty20 series starting in Abu “They played some great Dhabi today. cricket in the last two years in Sarfraz led Pakistan to a tri- this format so I think it will be consolation win series triumph by beating Aus- a great contest.” tralia in the fi nal at Harare in Finch played down the boun- While Sri Lanka took their catches and were brilliant with their ground July this year and needs to win ty of getting to the top of the at least one match to remain at rankings in case they win all the fielding, the visitors were sloppy during the home team’s innings the top of the rankings. matches. Pakistan will be without sen- “I think any time you play Reuters ior batsman Shoaib Malik who anyone in a diff erent country it’s Colombo was with his tennis star wife massively important and eve- Sania Mirza in India for the ryone wants to win,” said Finch, birth of their fi rst child. who has won eight of the 16 ri Lanka’s Niroshan “Malik will join the team matches, losing the other eight Dickwella and skip- today but will not be part of since in charge for four years. per Dinesh Chandimal the eleven, so we are ready for “If number one rankings are set up a crushing 219- Australia who are a very strong on the line or anyone down the runS win via DLS method over a Twenty20 side,” said Sarfraz. list, each game is important. much-changed England yester- Australia, who beat Pakistan Everyone wants to win. I don’t day to end their one-day inter- in the group match of the tri- think they need any motivation national series on a high. series, need to win 3-0 if they than that and we don’t need it.” Dickwella smashed 95 and want to jump from their current Chandimal 80 to help Sri Lanka third position to the top. Teams: register their highest-ever ODI Since Sarfraz took over cap- Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (cap- total against England and the taincy, Pakistan have won 23 of tain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohamed tourists slumped to 132-9 when the 27 matches they have played Hafeez, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, rain stopped play in the 27th — a momentum the skipper Hussain Talat, Shadab Khan, over. wants to maintain. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Has- It was only a consolation “We know that Australia san Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem victory for the hosts as Eng- have good bowlers like Mitchell Ashraf land, who suff ered their biggest Starc, Billy Stanlake and hitters Australia (from): Aaron Finch ODI defeat, took the weather- in Chris Lynn and D’Arcy Short (captain), Mitchell Marsh plagued fi ve-match series 3-1. so we have to be at our best to (vice-capt), Alex Carey, Ashton England’s previous heaviest beat them,” said Sarfraz. Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris loss came against the West In- Stanlake took 4-8 in a lively Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Max- dies by 165 runs in Kingstown spell in Australia’s victory in well, Ben McDermott, D’Arcy in 1994. the tri-series group game. Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell England captain Eoin Mor- Australia will also have some Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam gan, who received the man-of- fresh players after losing the Zampa. the-series award for accumu- two-match Test series 1-0 last Umpires: (PAK) lating 195 runs in four games, week, also played in United and Shozab Raza (PAK) rested himself for the fi nal Arab Emirates. Tv : (PAK) match, with opening bowlers Their Twenty20 skipper Match Referee: Ranjan Madu- Chris Woakes and Olly Stone Aaron Finch said his team was galle (SRI) also given the day off , while Jonny Bairstow was still missing after suff ering an injury playing football. Warne blasts ‘ordinary’ Aussies Akila Dananjaya took 4-19 Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha (L) celebrates after taking the wicket of England’s Jason Roy (not pictured) in Colombo yesterday. with his mix of leg-spin and off - Sydney: Shane Warne has “I hadn’t even thought before breaks, while fast bowler Dush- ting fell like a pack of cards. only hit to Jason Roy at deep A. Dananjaya not out ...... 18 A. Rashid b Dananjaya ...... 4 dismissed Australia’s struggling that series that he had estab- mantha Chameera claimed While Sri Lanka took their mid-wicket. Extras (b4, lb3, w8) ...... 15 L. Plunkett lbw b Dananjaya...... 5 Test side as “ordinary” and said lished himself in the team,” three wickets to fl atten Eng- catches and were brilliant with Curran struck again on the Total (6 wickets, 50 overs) ...... 366 T. Curran not out ...... 1 they needed a “kick up the Warne said. land’s chase. their ground fi elding, the visi- very next ball with the wicket Did not bat: D. Chameera, C. Extras: (lb1, w1) ...... 2 backside” after their series flop “I don’t think he’s cemented Chameera removed three tors were sloppy during the of Thisara Perera for 11, but was Rajitha, L. Sandakan Total: (9 wickets, 26.1 overs) ...... 132 against Pakistan. a spot and that’s why it was top-order batsmen — both Alex home team’s innings. denied a hat-trick by Danan- Fall of wickets: 1-137 (Samarawickra- Did not bat: M. Wood Australia suff ered a 373-run a strange selection for me as Hales and stand-in-skipper Jos Tom Curran put down Chan- jaya, who played a useful cameo ma), 2-168 (Dickwella), 3-270 (Mendis), Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Roy), 2-4 (Hales), defeat against Pakistan in vice-captain. Buttler for nought and Test cap- dimal off Ali when he had made of 18 not out. 4-300 (Shanaka), 5-328 (Chandimal), 3-4 (Buttler), 4-28 (Root), 5-107 (Ali), the second of the two-Test “He only averages 25 or 26 in tain Joe Root for 10 as England only six, and it proved the cost- Dananjaya put on an un- 6-328 (Perera) 6-121 (S. Curran), 7-122 (Stokes), 8-129 series last week after a familiar Test cricket.” slipped to 4-3 and 38-4. liest miss. beaten 38-run partnership with Bowling: Wood 8-0-55-0 (w5), S. (Rashid), 9-132 (Plunkett) batting collapse, following a The outspoken cricket great Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, But it was the left-handed Dhananjaya de Silva, who hit 19 Curran 6-0-46-0, T. Curran 8-0-71-2, Bowling: Rajitha 5-0-21-1, Chameera fightback to secure a draw in said he was a “huge fan” of the who made 37, put up some re- Dickwella who gave the hosts a off 15 balls. Ali 8-0-57-2 (w1), Rashid 10-0-52-1, 6-0-20-3 (w1), Perera 2-0-18-0, De the first Test. Marsh brothers Mitchell and sistance during a 79-run part- blazing start in a 137-run open- The two sides will next play a Plunkett 5-0-44-1 (w1), Stokes 5-0-34- Silva 4-0-18-1, Dananjaya 6.1-0-19-4, “It’s been pretty ordinary, hasn’t Shaun, but that “they need to nership for the fi fth wicket but ing stand with Sadeera Samara- on Sat- 0 (w1) Sandakan 3-0-35-0 it?” the Australian spin legend perform”. Dananjaya send the pair back to wickrama, who made 54. urday before a three-Test series. Toss: Sri Lanka told reporters. “Mitchell Marsh needs to go the pavilion. Chandimal soon took charge England (target 367) Result: Sri Lanka won by 219 runs “We all support the Aussie side and make some runs,” he Stokes also seemed to have to continue the momentum, Sri Lanka J. Roy b Rajitha ...... 4 (D/L method) as we do but they need a kick added. injured his calf during his 60- building crucial partnerships N. Dickwella c Root b Ali ...... 95 A. Hales c Mendis b Chameera ...... 0 Series: England won the five-match up the backside at the moment “If Mitchell Marsh comes out ball 67 as the all-rounder need- including a 101-run third-wick- S. Samarawickrama b Ali ...... 54 J. Root c Samarawickrama b Cha- series 3-1 because they’re not performing and makes some hundreds, ed regular physio attention and et stand with Kusal Mendis, D. Chandimal c Roy b T. Curran ..80 meera ...... 10 Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Ruchira well.” pick him. If Shaun Marsh makes limped to his half-century. who smashed 56 off 33 balls. K. Mendis c Stokes b Plunkett ...... 56 J. Buttler c Dickwella b Chameera 0 Palliyaguruge (SRI) Warne also took aim at Mitchell some hundreds, pick him. If Dananjaya fi nally ended his Paceman Tom Curran re- D. Shanaka c Roy b Rashid ...... 18 B. Stokes c Perera b Dananjaya ...... 67 TV umpire: Paul Reiff el (AUS) Marsh, questioning why he was they don’t, then pick the guys agony as Stokes holed out to moved the captain with a slower T. Perera c Hales b T. Curran ...... 11 M. Ali c Chandimal b Dananjaya ....37 Match referee: Richie Richardson selected as vice-captain. who are in form.” long-on and the rest of the bat- delivery that Chandimal could D. de Silva not out ...... 19 S. Curran c Sandakan b De Silva ...... 2 (WIS) Gulf Times Wednesday, October 24, 2018 5 SPORT

MLB Ryu to start World Series game two for Dodgers AFP Milwaukee in the NL Championship Se- I pitch the same way as I did prior to the Boston ries, dropping game six before the Dodg- injury.” ers advanced in seven. Only one South Korean player has ever Roberts selected right-handed rookie won the World Series, Kim Byung-hyun os Angeles Dodgers left-hander Walter Buehler to take the mound in game with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. Ryu Hyun-Jin, trying to become three against a Red Sox pitcher to be de- only the second South Korean termined. ‘GOING TO BE ROCKING’ player on a Major League Baseball Keeping Ryu on regular rest was a fac- Ryu will face an intense atmosphere in Lchampion team, will start today’s second tor in the decision, Roberts said. Fenway Park, the oldest major league game of the World Series. “We feel that for him to be able to pitch ballpark dating to 1912 with fans hopeful The 31-year-old from Incheon was two games in the series, he’s on turn,” the Red Sox will capture their fourth title named on Monday by Dodgers manager Roberts said. “And we like Walker be- in 15 seasons. Dave Roberts to start against Boston left- hind him. And we like Walker pitching at “It’s going to be rocking. This place is hander David Price at Fenway Park before home. So we just feel comfortable with going to be obviously going crazy,” game the scene shifts in the best-of-seven fi nal that, the way we line things up.” one starting pitcher Chris Sale said. “We to Los Angeles for game three on Friday. In 2013, Ryu became the fi rst South have very passionate fans. We’ve all been “With Hyun-Jin he’s been very good Korean starting pitcher in a Major League waiting for this. And our fans, too. I think at Dodger Stadium, but if he’s executing Baseball playoff game for the Dodgers, they’re just as excited as we are. I don’t pitches and being on the road, we’re not but he struggled with injuries since then, doubt this place is not going to be getting concerned,” Roberts said. missing the 2015 season with a left shoul- up and going.” “He has had a tremendous year. And der injury and undergoing left elbow sur- Red Sox manager Alex Cora said his pitching in big games, whether it be at gery in 2016. club, which won a team-record 108 home or on the road, his pulse, as we’ve “I never doubted myself, whether I games this season, has created an excite- talked about with a lot of our players, could come back the same way that I ment beyond their baseball-mad city. isn’t a concern of ours.” pitched from the past to now after the “You had a feeling that the city was go- Ryu went 7-3 with 85 strikeouts, 15 surgery,” Ryu said of his recoveries. ing to fall in love with them,” Cora said. walks and a 1.97 earned-run average in “Throughout the rehab process, it was “They fi ght all the way to the end. I’m the regular season. He threw seven score- pretty much the same. I had no doubt very proud of them. And I’m glad that less innings in the National League divi- in my mind that I could come back and people are recognizing them, not only sion series and split two starts against pitch as well as I had in the past. I feel like here in Boston but all over the world.” Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin.

NBA NHL Rantanen’s two goals lead Avs past Flyers Spurs’ overtime MRAZEK STYMIES FORMER Reuters Philadelphia TEAM AS HURRICANES TOP WINGS Petr Mrazek made 20 saves ikko Rantanen against his former team, Micheal scored two goals, Ferland scored for the fourth and Matt Nieto and straight game, and the visiting Gabriel Landeskog Carolina Hurricanes snapped a win keeps LeBron, Meach scored once to lift the vis- three-game losing streak by top- iting Colorado Avalanche past ping the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 on on Monday. Mrazek recorded 13 Monday night. shutouts in while playing parts Rantanen has at least one of six seasons with Detroit. He point in all nine of Colorado’s nearly had another, as the Wings games this season. Nathan didn’t score until the third period. MacKinnon, who earned an as- Defenseman Justin Faulk Lakers winless sist on Rantanen’s goal, also scored his fi rst goal of the sea- owns at least one point in all nine son, while Ferland tallied for a ‘I didn’t come here thinking we were going to be blazing storms right out the gate’ games. Colorado goaltender Se team-high sixth time. Jordan myon Varlamov stopped 37 shots Martinook added an empty-net AFP for the team’s third win in a row. goal. Justin Williams, Valentin Los Angeles Nolan Patrick scored for the Zykov, Sebastian Aho and Jaccob Flyers, who fell one game be- Slavin contributed one assist low.500. Philadelphia goaltender apiece in the victory. n overtime fi ghtback from the Brian Elliott allowed three goals Jimmy Howard made 36 saves San Antonio Spurs left LeBron on 32 shots. Rantanen gave the for the Red Wings. Andreas James waiting for his fi rst win Avalanche a 1-0 lead at 3:23 of Athanasiou scored their lone with the Los Angeles Lakers the fi rst period. goal with assists from Thomas inA a high-scoring thriller at the Staples The Flyers put quite a bit of Vanek and Frans Nielsen. Center on Monday. pressure on Varlamov through The Red Wings were coming San Antonio ran out 143-142 winners the fi rst 12 minutes of the second off their fi rst win of the season, after two late free throw misses from period. At 8:01, Dale Weise fi red an overtime triumph at Florida James allowed Patty Mills to drain a jump a wrist shot which was defl ected on Saturday. Carolina had the shot for the Spurs with seven seconds re- and into Varlamov for the save to fi rst 14 shots on goal but didn’t maining to snatch victory. preserve Colorado’s lead. score until later in the fi rst pe- Mills’ late winner was the fi nal act of Philadelphia was repeatedly riod. a pulsating battle which saw the Lakers denied, and the Avalanche took Dennis Cholowski took the overturn a 128-120 defi cit with a minute advantage as they took a 2-0 lead fi rst Detroit shot on goal 13 1/2 left in the fourth quarter to force over- on Nieto’s fi rst goal of the season minutes into the game. Mrazek time, with James raising the roof with a at 14:54 of the middle period. It made a pad save on a Justin Ab- three-pointer to tie the game. was Nieto’s fi fth career goal in 10 delkader breakaway shot two James had looked poised to lead the games against the Flyers. minutes later. Lakers to their fi rst victory of the regular The Flyers weren’t able to The Hurricanes scored on the season after they surged into a 141-136 capitalize on their fi rst two pow- power play with 1:35 minute re- lead with 55 seconds of overtime remain- er plays, but they picked another maining in the period. Faulk took ing. one up at the end of the sec- a backhanded pass from Wil- But San Antonio regrouped to come ond, which carried over for 1:58 liams and fi red it from the point storming back and when James missed into the third. They didn’t score past Howard. two free throws that would have given the again, going 0-for-3 on the pow- Ferland made it 2-0 at the 8:35 Lakers a three-point lead, Mills struck to er play and making them 1-for- mark of the second period on give the Spurs the win. 14 over the past fi ve games. another power play. Aho passed The defeat left James refl ecting on Landeskog scored his eighth from the left point to Zykov his fi rst 0-3 start to the season since his goal of the season and posted down low. He then pushed the rookie NBA year in 2003. The 33-year- his fourth straight game with at puck to Ferland, who one-timed old was able to draw positives from the least one for a 3-0 lead on the the puck over Howard’s glove loss, however. backhand at 2:25 of the third pe- hand. The Wings broke through “I know what I got myself into,” James riod. The Flyers fi nally got on the with 7:58 remaining on a two- told reporters. board when Patrick redirected a on-one opportunity. “It’s a process. We’ll be fi ne. I didn’t shot in front for his second goal come here thinking we were going to be in two games at 3:26. Elliott was RESULTS blazing storms right out the gate. We’re pulled with 1:50 remaining, and Colorado 4-1 Philadelphia going to continue to get better. I like the Rantanen notched an empty-net Carolina 3-1 Detroit direction we’re going in. Obviously we goal at 18:45 for his second of the Winnipeg 5-4 St. Louis haven’t got the results or the wins yet, game and a 4-1 lead. Washington 5-2 Vancouver but it’s a long process.” LaMarcus Aldridge led the scoring for San Antonio with 37 points while DeMar DeRozan added 32. Kyle Kuzma top scored for the Lakers with 37 points as James fi nished with 32 points. Lakers coach Luke Walton said his team could take positives from the game despite the defeat. “Overall, very pleased with our guys LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs grabs a rebound from LeBron James of Los Angeles Lakers during their NBA game tonight,” Walton said. at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP) “That’s three games we’ve had a chance to win now. Obviously it’s about their second win of the season in a 93-90 ford restricted to 15 points and Gordon winning and losing at the end of the day. RESULTS victory. Orlando surged into an early 28- Hayward 11. The Celtics had a chance to “It’s a tough one to take but we’ll be Orlando 93-90 Boston 19 lead at the end of the fi rst quarter and tie the game late in the fourth quarter but back in the gym tomorrow doing it all held a 48-45 lead at half-time. Hayward’s three-pointer missed as the Toronto 127-106 Charlotte over again.” The Magic kept their noses in front for buzzer sounded. Milwaukee 124-113 New York the entire contest, with Boston unable to In other games on Monday, the To- WARRIORS ROMP Minnesota 101-91 Indiana take the lead at any stage as Orlando held ronto Raptors maintained their unbeaten Elsewhere Monday, reigning NBA Finals Dallas 115-109 Chicago on. Four other Orlando players cracked start to the season with a 127-106 blow- champions the Golden State Warriors double fi gures on a night when the scor- out over the Charlotte Hornets. improved to 3-1 in the Western Confer- Memphis 92-84 Utah ing was shared around by the visitors. Kemba Walker had 26 points for Char- ence with a 123-103 demolition of the Washington 125-124 Portland Jonathan Isaac had 18 points while lotte but the Raptors all-round scoring Phoenix Suns in Oakland. Golden State 123-103 Phoenix Evan Fournier (14) and Aaron Gordon (13) proved too much for the visitors. Stephen Curry led the scoring with 29 also contributed. Kawhi Leonard led the scoring for To- points, 18 of his tally coming from three- San Antonio 143-142 LA Lakers Boston, tipped as one of the favourites ronto with 22 points, while four other point range. for the Eastern Conference title this sea- players chipped in with double-digit tal- Kevin Durant added 22 points while feated the Boston Celtics at the TD Gar- son, struggled to get going. lies. Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points off Klay Thompson added 16. den in an Eastern Conference upset. Kyrie Irving fi nished with 22 points the bench while Kyle Lowry and Danny Mikko Rantanen (No 96) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his Earlier, Nikola Vucevic weighed in Montenegrin centre Vucevic also but it was a frustrating evening for the Green made 16 points apiece as the Rap- goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with Nathan MacKinnon at the with 24 points as the Orlando Magic de- hauled down 12 rebounds to give Orlando rest of the Celtics line-up with Al Hor- tors improved to 4-0. Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, October 24, 2018 SPORT

NFL Dolphins’ WR Parker rebuts agent’s comments Reuters Monday. recovery is determined. The network Miami “My relationship is good with him,” also reported Stills was due to have an Parker said. “We talked about it. No MRI exam Monday after straining his bad feelings for one another.” groin late in Sunday’s game, which iami Dolphins wide re- Gase added of the relationship with probably will keep him out for at least ceiver DeVante Parker Parker, “It’s fi ne. I saw him this morn- Thursday’s contest. distanced himself Monday ing and we talked a little bit.” Parker missed two games with a from infl ammatory com- The situation may have ironed itself quadriceps injury earlier this season, Mments made by his agent regarding out due to injuries to two other Mi- and Gase maintained Parker wasn’t coach Adam Gase a day earlier. ami wide receivers, Albert Wilson and 100 percent healthy Sunday. After Parker was inactive for the Kenny Stills, who both likely will be Parker, 25, reportedly is a possi- Dolphins on Sunday in a game they unavailable Thursday when the Dol- ble trade candidate before the Oct. 30 wound up losing 32-21 to the Detroit phins visit the Houston Texans. deadline. The 2015 fi rst-round pick has Lions, agent Jimmy Gould slammed “We don’t have any more receivers, just two catches for 40 yards this sea- Gase. so I’m pretty sure he’s going to play,” son after posting 139 grabs for 1,908 “Coach Gase is incompetent period Gase said Monday of Parker. Asked if yards and eight touchdowns over his and not telling the truth when it comes he expects Parker to play well, Gase fi rst three seasons. to DeVante, who is totally healthy and replied, “Yeah, I’ve seen him do it be- Wilson, 26, has 26 catches for a was needed big time today,” Gould said fore.” team-high 391 yards and four scores in a statement. “This is the third game Wilson will be out some time and (tied with Stills for the team lead) this he has done this to DeVante this year. perhaps for the season due to a right season. He joined Miami on a three- It’s sickening and a grossly unfair char- hip injury, his agent said Monday. year, $24 million contract in March. acterisation of my client.” “The best-case scenario is that he Stills, 26, has 16 grabs for 281 yards Parker responded Monday by say- would miss a few weeks,” Drew Rosen- and four touchdowns in his fourth sea- ing, “I can’t control what people are haus told WSVN Fox7 in Miami, adding son with the Dolphins. saying. (Gould is) a grown man. He that the injury could keep Wilson out The short-handed receiving corps says what he said. I can’t control what for the whole season. will be on the end of passes from he says. I didn’t feel that way about NFL Network reported Wilson has a backup quarterback Brock Osweiler on Coach. That’s his own opinion.” signifi cant labrum issue and will see a Thursday, as Ryan Tannehill (shoulder) Parker met personally with Gase on hip specialist before a timeline for his will miss his third consecutive contest.

RUGBY FOCUS Cowboys thrilled to land Cooper from Barrett warns All Oakland Raiders

Reuters the 2019 wide receiver prospect Dallas options before making the trade Monday. “The value for a player like allas Cowboys head that at his age, that’s really what Blacks to be wary of coach Jason Garrett it costs you. It costs you a fi rst- anticipates Amari round pick. If we were to get Cooper stepping on him in the draft next spring, you Dthe fi eld in two weeks as the would say, ‘Boy, is there any re- team’s No. 1 receiver. ceiver who is as good as a guy like Cooper, acquired Monday Amari Cooper?’ He’s not 28, 29, from the Oakland Raiders in ex- 30. You’re not paying for a guy change for a 2019 fi rst-round for what he’s done for the past ‘confi dent’ Wallabies pick, is recovering from a con- six, seven, eight years for anoth- cussion. Dallas is on bye this er team,” Garrett said. ‘We can’t take for granted that we’re going to just keep winning’ week, and Cooper was also off in “We feel like he has it in front Week 7 during Oakland’s bye. of him and he can really benefi t FP “It’s going to require overtime our team going forward because by him, by the coaches, to get of the ability he has and the kind him going,” Garrett said yester- of person he is.” day in a radio interview with a Cooper, 24, went to the Pro ew Zealand fl y-half FM in Dallas. “But we do benefi t Bowl in his fi rst two NFL seasons Beauden Barrett yes- from having the bye and having a after the Raiders took him fourth terday warned of an few extra days.” overall in 2015, but he had a dis- Australian backlash Dallas has been without a true appointing 2017 campaign and Nwhen the fi erce rivals clash in lead receiver this season after has been up and down this year. the Bledisloe Cup in Japan this tight end Jason Witten retired. “Your numbers can be a func- weekend. Dez Bryant held the lead receiver tion of what the environment is The All Blacks, who have won designation in Dallas until he and how the team is playing in the last two Rugby World Cups, was released in April. general. There are certainly areas will be looking to complete a Garrett said the Cowboys where he can improve,” Garrett 3-0 whitewash in the annual vetted the opportunity thor- said. “He’s a young guy. We feel series in Saturday’s Test in oughly and received rave reviews like he has a bright future.” Yokohama. from those who’ve been around Cooper is under contract But Barrett pointed to Aus- Cooper most, including Ala- through the 2019 season. The tralia’s stunning recent fi ght- bama coach Nick Saban. former fi rst-round pick is owed back against Argentina – when The top receiver in the 2018 $13.9 million in 2019 on his fi fth- they wiped out a 24-point half- draft, Calvin Ridley, came out of year option, which is guaran- time defi cit to win 45-34 – as Alabama and is only six months teed for injury only, before being evidence the Wallabies have younger than Cooper. scheduled to hit unrestricted turned the corner after losing Dallas also looked ahead to free agency. six of their eight previous Tests. “We always get a confi dent Australia, there’s no doubt about that,” the two-time world player of the year told reporters. “They’ve probably redis- covered that bit of belief that may have been missing. It was a great comeback, we acknowl- edge that - be we weren’t sur- prised to see them come back. “We can’t take for granted that we’re going to just keep winning,” added Barrett, who is set to win his 70th cap at the weekend. “There’s no secret rec- ipe – we just have to keep work- ing hard. We have high standards and we have to be accountable. It’s a serious business.” New Zealand slipped up last year after winning the fi rst two Bledisloe Tests, a fact not lost on wing Rieko Ioane. “It’s a similar situation,” RFU approves in-season breaks to he said. “Last year was a huge improve player welfare learning curve for us, but they came out swinging harder and England’s Rugby Football Union the Rugby Players’ Association deserved their win.” All Blacks’ Beauden Barrett (right) with a teammate during their training session in Tokyo yesterday. The New Zealand All Blacks will play (RFU) will introduce in-season (RPA) aimed at “focusing on the New Zealand face the 2019 Australia’s Wallabies in a Bledisloe Cup match in Yokohama on Saturday. (AFP) breaks for players for the requirements of player welfare”. World Cup hosts Japan in Tokyo next three seasons along with As part of the initiative, players on November 3 before fl ying to the Rugby Championship and all the way. day with the All Blacks having dropped to number seven in the other changes to improve their in the England squad for next Europe to complete their fi ve- splitting a brutal pair of games “You always want to play the already wrapped up the annual world and they know they must welfare. Under the new rules year’s World Cup in Japan will match tour against England, with South Africa after extend- best in the world and right now series 2-0 after wins in Sydney improve in the coming weeks, unveiled by the governing be rested for the July inter- Ireland and Italy. ing their 15-year stranglehold they are the best – period,” he and Auckland. The Wallabies with matches against Wales, body on Tuesday, players will nationals the following year on the Bledisloe Cup. “I don’t said. “But for us it’s about mak- will, however, look to build mo- Italy and England to come after be allowed a maximum of 30 unless they have been involved ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT think we’re ever pleased,” he ing sure we’re prepared and mentum for next year’s World the Bledisloe clash. full games per season, instead in 20 or fewer matches during But assistant coach Ian Foster said. “We’re a grumpy bunch in have ticked off all the boxes Cup with a victory in Tokyo. Kerevi wanted his side to lay of the current 32, and a total of the previous season. England refused to look beyond their some ways, but overall we’re in to get the best outcome. The Kerevi, 25, is making a return down a marker in Japan, who 35 including those where they players called up to the British trans-Tasman rivals. an okay spot. World Cup is not too far away, to the Australian squad, having host the 2019 Rugby World Cup are involved for 20 minutes or & Irish Lions squad for 2021 “The (Bledisloe) trophy is al- “We’ve come off a pretty so hopefully it’s a rehearsal.” missed the last six games with a in less than a year. more. The English Premiership will also be given a week’s rest ready in the cabinet,” he said. tough Rugby Championship, we bicep injury sustained in June. “This weekend will be a big final will move from early to late during the November inter- “But it’s a typical Test against got really challenged by South CONSISTENCY KEY FOR The Wallabies have lost four game, here in Japan with the June to help accommodate the nationals that year. “This new Australia and the beauty of this Africa and we can still get better AUSTRALIA, SAYS KEREVI times in his absence. “It has World Cup not too far away so changes, while players will still agreement gives players guar- one is that it’s Test one of a tour, and smoother in some areas.” Australia need to be more con- been really hard to watch from hopefully it is a rehearsal,” the have to take a mandatory five anteed in-season breaks for the so it’s important we start well. Australia will also play No- sistent if they are to challenge the sidelines,” Kerevi said in To- Queensland Reds centre said. weeks of rest after each season. first time and reduces playing “We really don’t want to have vember Tests away to Wales, the best Rugby teams in the kyo on Tuesday. “Consistency “For us it is about being con- RFU Chief Executive Stephen thresholds, while protecting the to rebound from a poor per- Italy and England. world, according to returning with results is the biggest thing sistent in training and doing Brown described the new five-week post-season break formance in game one.” Centre Samu Kerevi, who is centre Samu Kerevi. for us and this consistency is the little things so when we do structure as the product of that was already in place,” RPA Foster insisted the All Blacks set to make his return from a bi- Australia are in Japan for something we want to improve come up against the best in the a collaboration between the Chief Executive Damian Hopley would come out fi ring af- cep injury, backed the Wallabies the third Bledisloe Cup clash over this fi ve-week tour.” world then we have prepared RFU, Premiership Rugby and said. ter beating Argentina twice in to push the World Cup holders against New Zealand on Satur- Australia’s rankings has and ticked all the boxes.” Gulf Times Wednesday, October 24, 2018 7 SPORT

BOXING Qatar golf team win silver medal Mayweather rematch closer as Pacquiao signs to face ‘top PBC fi ghters’ AFP Unbeaten Mayweather, who hasn’t fought Manila since knocking out mixed martial artist Conor McGregor last year, said in September he would come out of retirement to face Pac- potential blockbuster rematch be- quiao later this year. tween Manny Pacquiao and Floyd The American, 41, has since hinted at tak- Mayweather moved a step closer as ing a warm-up fi ght fi rst, talking on social the Filipino icon confi rmed he has media of a “huge boxing event” in Tokyo and signedA with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing then last week said he would be willing to ac- Champions (PBC). cept a challenge to fi ght against McGregor’s Eight-weight world champion Pacquiao MMA conqueror Khabib Nurmagomedov. said he would close out his storied career by The deal with Haymon represents a new facing “top PBC fi ghters” in announcing late chapter for the 39-year-old Pacquiao, who Monday the tie-up with infl uential May- has been promoted for the majority of his 20- weather adviser Haymon’s organisation. year professional career by Bob Arum’s Top “My team will work closely with Al Hay- Rank organisation. mon for the remainder of my career to deliver “I wish him the best of luck, a tremendous the most anticipated fi ghts with the top PBC warrior, and whatever he’s doing in the fu- fi ghters,” Pacquiao said in a statement. ture, he deserves,” Arum said of Pacquiao on “Those are the fi ghts the fans want to see PBC said in a statement without giving fur- Fighthub TV in Las Vegas at the weekend. and the ones I want to have to close out my ther details. Pacquiao pumped new life into his sto- career,” he added. “The new alliance will have team Pacquiao ried career in July when he delivered his fi rst Pacquiao said last week that he was “90 and Haymon work together to navigate the knockout in nine years against Lucas Mat- percent” sure a bout with former four-divi- remainder of his illustrious career,” it added. thysse of Argentina. sion world champion Adrien Broner would The deal could pave the way for a Pacqui- Ahead of the fi ght against big-punching Qatar’s golf team members celebrate with silver medal they won at the 38th Pan Arab Golf happen in January, possibly in Las Vegas. ao-Mayweather rematch of the 2015 meg- Matthysse, Pacquiao said he considered Championship 2018 in Tunisia. Morocco won the gold, while hosts Tunisia claimed the bronze “Pacquiao’s fi rst defence of the World afi ght which generated a record 4.6 million himself the “underdog”, but he rolled back medal. In the singles event, Qatar’s Saleh Ali al-Kaabi claimed the bronze medal. Moroccan Boxing Association welterweight world title pay-per-view buys earning $600 million and the years to register a 60th win and take the golfers finished first and second. The prestigious event brought together 12 nations. will kick off the new partnership,” Haymon’s ended with the American winning on points. Argentine’s WBA welterweight belt.

TENNIS FOCUS Third seed Cilic downs Shapovalov Wozniacki stays to reach 2nd round

AFP INJURED WAWRINKA Basel, Switzerland WITHDRAWS FROM BASEL A back injury suff ered during a Sunday practice session with hird seed Marin Cilic compatriot Roger Federer forced alive in Singapore, eased into the second Stan Wawrinka to pull out of the round of the Swiss In- Swiss Indoors tournament on doors tournament with Monday, while Marin Cilic eased aT 6-4 6-2 victory over young into the second round in Basel. Canadian Denis Shapovalov in “I turned my back, and re- Basel on Monday. tiring was the only decision I The Croatian, who was cham- could make,” said the three-time pion in Basel in 2016 and can Grand Slam champion, adding Svitolina wins again seal a spot at the ATP Finals if that he will end his season early he wins the title again this year, and not play at the Paris Masters ‘I played much better today. I served and returned pretty well, and moved really opened up a 4-0 lead in the fi rst next week. set before 19-year-old Shapo- The withdrawal of Wawrinka, well against a player who is so powerful that you have to stay on your game’ valov got on the scoreboard. ranked 68th in the world as he The Canadian wilted fur- continues to fi ght to fully re- ther in the second set, however, cover more than a year after two and his cause was not helped by knee surgeries, comes after Fe- his 23 unforced errors as Cilic derer made an injury confession wrapped up a routine victory in of his own. one hour and 15 minutes. Federer revealed in the run-up Next up for Cilic is Romanian to the start at the St Jakobshalle qualifi er Marius Copil, who beat that he had been suff ering since American Ryan Harrison 6-2 the summer with a hand injury, 7-6(8). Taylor Fritz also cruised which the 20-time Grand Slam into the second round with a 6-0 winner insisted was fi ne now. 7-5 win over Serbia’s Laslo Djere Wawrinka has been playing in and the American will face Swiss fi ts and starts this season, los- wild card Henri Laaksonen next. ing in the Shanghai fi rst round Top seed Roger Federer kicks this month after reaching the off his campaign at his home semi-fi nals in September in St tournament on Tuesday when he Petersburg. Wawrinka, twice faces world number 35 Filip Kra- a semi-fi nalist in Basel, was to jinovic of Serbia in the second have faced Adrian Mannarino in round. the fi rst round.

Golfers troubled by Delhi air ahead of Asian Tour event AFP of an issue. You feel a bit of fa- New Delhi tigue and stuff .” He added: “I am like a street dog. I am used to every kind of ew Delhi’s polluted ailment and air quality that is air is a concern for out there. golfers at a key Asian “As sportsmen we are made Tour event in the to be hardy, play in whatever NIndian capital this week, ac- course conditions, whatever cording to leading player Shiv weather conditions. Hopefully Kapur. Kapur said he would we will get through without struggle through the Panasonic any issues.” Open India starting tomorrow Another rising Indian golfer but foreign players in particu- Viraj Madappa is also troubled lar would have a hard time in by the pollution. the growing smog. “It is defi nitely something “You are spending fi ve hours to be concerned about. It’s not outdoors in bad air and smog,” the most ideal condition to be the 36-year-old defending living in. It will aff ect us over champion said. “You are out a long period,” the 21-year-old there for a long period of time.” Madappa told AFP. “I think for some of us we are “But I feel it’s going to be kind of immune to it now. But it’s the same for everyone. Some not a good thing, the visitors and of the Delhi guys are used to it. Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki celebrates after winning her WTA Finals group match Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina reacts during her WTA Finals group match against foreigners struggle a bit more,” It’s easier to catch an infection against Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova in Singapore yesterday. (Reuters) Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova in Singapore yesterday. (Reuters) added Kapur, who is from Delhi. that’s in the air. Some of my The Indian capital’s pollution friends have got a bad throat Reuters into their contest on the back “You never know what is go- set point. Sensing her title de- greeted with a big clenched fi st. has taken a toll on sport. Last or fever,” Madappa, who comes Singapore of opening defeats in round ing to happen against Petra, so I fence was hanging by a thread, The Ukrainian had played December Sri Lankan cricketers from Bangalore, said. robin play but the Danish world just stayed focused and got a lot Wozniacki regrouped to break almost perfect Tennis until wore face masks during a Test Madappa said that while number three ended a run of of balls back.” at the start of the decider when midway through the second set match in Delhi to protest at the wearing a pollution mask re- aroline Wozniacki four straight losses to the Czech The match was a cagey af- she put away a backhand to win when a combination of good hazardous smog. mains an option it is not com- overcame a mid-match to stay alive in the eight-wom- fair from the outset with seven the longest rally of the match, fortune and rasping cross-court International cricket match- mon in golf. Every winter, air wobble and withstood an tournament for at least one holds of serve in a row. But after and ran away with the contest winners earned Pliskova her es are no longer organised pollution in Delhi soars as a barrage of big hit- more match. they traded breaks as the inten- as Kvitova wilted. fi rst break of the tie, a feat she in the city during the winter cooler air traps harmful par- tingC to get her WTA Finals title The Dane, who started her sity levels picked up, Wozniacki The 28-year-old Wozniacki repeated two games later to lev- months when the toxic smog is ticles from crop fi res, exhaust defence back on track with a campaign with a 6-2 6-4 loss broke again to seal the opener sealed victory on her fi rst match el the match. at a peak. Some runners wore fumes, construction dust and 7-5 3-6 6-2 victory over Petra to Pliskova on Sunday, spent when Kvitova blasted a fore- point with a big serve that Kvi- Svitolina shrugged off the masks during the Delhi half industrial emissions. Kvitova at the Singapore Indoor most of the match against Kvi- hand into the net. tova sent long, and will hope to setback to come storming out of marathon on Sunday, when the Smog has climbed in recent Stadium yesterday. tova pinned on the baseline but complete round robin play with the blocks in the decider, racing US embassy website showed weeks as temperatures have In the second White Group her consistency and patience BUNDLE OF ENERGY a victory over Svitolina to se- to a 4-0 lead that she carried all levels of the smallest, most fallen and smoke from burning encounter of the day, Elina Svi- proved vital as she pulled away Kvitova took control of the cure a semi-fi nal berth. the way to victory despite a late harmful air pollutants reached stubble in neighbouring states tolina moved to the brink of the in the fi nal set. second set with an early break, Svitolina was a bundle of fi ghtback from Pliskova. 199 – eight times the World has reached the capital, min- semi-fi nals with a gutsy 6-3 2-6 “I played much better today. I then lost momentum when energy at the start of the sec- She only needs to take a set Health Organisation’s recom- gling with urban pollutants. 6-3 win over Karolina Pliskova, served and returned pretty well, Wozniacki took a timeout for ond match, full of intensity and off Wozniacki tomorrow to mended maximum. The WHO in May listed 14 the Ukrainian recording her and moved really well against a treatment on her knee, before covering every inch of the court reach the last four for the fi rst “I haven’t found it as bad Indian cities, including Delhi, second straight win of the tour- player who is so powerful that regaining the upper hand to as she rode her early momen- time but as it stands, all four this year as it was last year,” in the world’s top 15 with the nament to top the pool. you have to stay on your game,” level the match with a sliced tum to wrap up the opening set players can still mathematically said Kapur. “Visibility was a bit dirtiest air. Wozniacki and Kvitova came Wozniacki said backhand winner on her third with a forehand winner that was reach the semi-fi nals.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

48TH FIG ARTISTIC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DOHA 2018 FOCUS As many as 22 Gymnasts to be world, Olympic champs form all-star lineup at Worlds treated to Qatari FIG Doha

oasting 22 World and Ol- ympic champions from 13 nations, the roster for culture on welcome the upcoming 2018 Ar- tisticB Gymnastics World Cham- pionships in Doha is the deep- Organising Committee has invited members of the international federation, est the sport has seen. of the US and Kohei Uch- federations of the participating countries, and regional and Asian federations imura of Japan, 2016 Olympic All-around champions, headline By Sports Reporter the fi eld as they share the spot- Doha light with reigning champions of the US and Xiao Ruoteng of in Doha, where each) from 2001 to 2009; Brazil’s distinct and truly Qa- more than 500 gymnasts will Arthur Zanetti, the 2012 Olym- tari cultural show to- compete for 42 medals starting pic champion and 2013 World day evening will mark tomorrow. Champion on still rings; and the the welcome ceremony In addition to the All-around ‘Flying Dutchman’ Epke Zonder- forA participants and offi cials of champions from Rio and Mon- land, the 2012 Olympic cham- the 48th FIG Artistic Gymnas- treal, nine of the 10 individual pion, and 2013 and 2014 world tics World Championships Doha apparatus champions from Rio champion on horizontal bar. 2018, the fi rst of its kind to be and seven of the 10 from Mon- Additionally, Daria Spiridono- held in the Middle East, at the treal are on the roster for Doha. va, the 2015 co-world champion Torch Ballroom at Aspire Zone. Remarkably, the only reigning on , is an alternate In what is expected to be World and Olympic apparatus athlete for the Russian women’s an hour-and-a-half long cer- titlists missing from Doha will team. emony, over 1,300 delegates in- be two-time defending World The packed lineup headed for cluding gymnasts, offi cials and champions of Rus- Doha includes the sport’s rising other guests from more than 78 sia on women’s , Fan Yi- stars who have already tasted countries will be welcomed in a lin of China on uneven bars and success in 2018. All the titlists traditional Qatari way, including Pauline Schafer of Germany on from the Asian Games and Eu- cultural and heritage sections of , who are sidelined ropean Championships, and Qatari craftsmanship, folklore this year with injury, and Ol- nearly all from the Common- and dance, before the athletes ympic horizontal bar champion wealth Games and Pan American hit the centre-stage at the As- Fabian Hambuchen of German, Gymnastics Championships, are pire Dome. who retired after his fourth Ol- scheduled to be in Qatar. The participating countries ympics in Rio. China’s Chen Yile, the gold also include six Arab nations — Olympic vault champion Ri medallist in the women’s all- Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Se Gwang of North Korea, who around and balance beam at the Jordan besides host Qatar. was absent in Montreal, is back Asian Games, will hope to bring Once the gymnasts, offi cials in Doha and will be aiming for a glory to the Chinese women’s and distinguished guests are third world vault title to go with team, now led by Liang Chow, welcomed, the audience will be his 2014 and 2015 titles. Aliia who coached Americans Shawn treated to a short live show on Mustafi na of Russia, the 2012 Johnson and Gabby Douglas to Qatari children’s living in the and 2016 Olympic uneven bars Olympic gold. olden days. This will be followed champion and 2013 World cham- Dominick Cunningham of by a short fi lm on Qatar – about pion on balance beam in 2013, is Britain won the only gold for the past and present, and how also back after missing Montreal the host team at the European and has potential for several Championships in , Gymnasts take part in a practice session at Aspire Zone yesterday. medals. where he won the gold medal on All of the Rio women’s event men’s fl oor exercise, and could champions — Biles on vault and put up big points in Doha. fl oor exercise, Mustafi na on un- With golds already at the Com- even bars and Sanne Wevers monwealth Games and European of the on balance Championships, 19-year-old beam — and fi ve of the six men’s ‘Prince of the pommel’ Rhys Mc- champions — on Clenaghan of Ireland may make fl oor exercise and pommel horse; history yet again if he manages Eleftherios Petrounias of Greece to win the fi rst World medal for on still rings; Ri on vault and Ireland. Oleg Verniaiev on parallel bars — After a disappointing 2017, Ar- will be facing rematches in Doha. tur Dalaloyan of Russia refocused On the women’s side, fl oor ex- to win two individual event gold ercise champion medals in Glasgow on vault and of Japan, will face tough chal- parallel bars and will be aiming Qatar’s Jana al-Kiki takes part in a practice session ahead of the 48th lenges in defending her title. All hard for his fi rst World medal. FIG World Championships Doha 2018 at Aspire of the reigning champions in the The stylish Riley McCusker, Zone yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen six men’s events from Montreal who missed last year’s world will be back in Doha — Japan’s championships with an injury, is international federation and kick off at the Aspire Dome to- Kenzo Shirai, who won both fl oor ready to make her move into the federations of the participating morrow with the national an- exercise and vault; Whitlock on spotlight for the deep Ameri- countries, besides the regional them of Qatar, and a presenta- pommel horse; Petrounias on can women’s squad, which also and Asian federation members. tion of the participating nations still rings; Zou Jingyuan of China includes Pan American Cham- Almost all of them have already and their gymnasts. on parallel bars; and Tin Srbi of pionships winner Grace McCal- gymnastics as a sport has grown arrived in the Qatari capital. An entertainment show on Croatia on horizontal bar. lum, who turns 16 on the day of in the country. While Doha has played host to gymnastics will be then pre- ’s seven-time Ol- the team fi nal in Doha. Later, the Qatar Gymnastics many memorable major sports sented by a Chinese team. ympian , First-year senior Yeo Seo- Federation (QGF) president Ali events in the past, including the The organisers have expressed who owns world titles on fl oor jeong of Korea has also had a al-Hitmi and International Gym- Asian Games in 2006, the gym- their satisfaction with all the fa- exercise (1991) and vault (2003), banner year so far, winning gold nastics Federation (FIG) president nastics world championships cilities at Aspire and have put the with the world’s best. The Technical Committee for and an Olympic team gold medal on women’s vault at the Asian Morinari Watanabe will deliver opening is expected to be tradi- spectators at the forefront of their Al-Kiki had a good training Doha Worlds Championships with the Unifi ed Team (1992), Games and the FIG World Chal- their welcome speech. tional yet dazzling. The grand attention. A large weekend crowd session yesterday and seemed held a meeting with the referee- shows no signs of slowing down lenge Cup in Guimaraes, Por- This will be followed by the Khalifa International Stadium, is expected on the fi rst two days of in good readiness. All the three ing offi cials for the tournament at 43 as she pursues an astonish- tugal. Daughter of the great Yeo unveiling of the medals for which hosted the 2006 Asian the competition and the hall al- gymnasts recently have had with FIG Technical Committee ing eighth Olympic appearance. Hong-chul, a world and Olympic Doha Worlds which have been Games opening, is also in the ready has an enhanced capacity of training camps overseas and are for Women president Donatella Other former world champi- medallist on men’s vault, Yeo designed in Arabic and include same Aspire campus. 6,000 to accommodate all. keen to raise their performance Sacchi in the chair. ons include China’s Lin Chao- could vault herself into the spot- Islamic inscriptions refl ecting Meanwhile, Qatar gymnasts levels. All participating referees were pan, the 2013 titlist on parallel light in Doha and into the record Qatari culture. CHAMPIONSHIP TO BEGIN Ahmed al-Dayani, Ahmed Nabil given a plan of action for the bars; ’s Marian Dragu- books as the fi rst female Artistic The Organising Committee TOMORROW and Jana al-Kiki are all geared up TECHNICAL COMMITTEE championships and about the lescu, who won eight world titles gymnast to win a world medal for has invited the members of the The championships proper will to put up their best and compete HOLDS BRIEFING diff erent timing devices. on fl oor exercise and vault (four the Republic of Korea.

SPOTLIGHT Final countdown begins for Qatar Classic squash By Sports Reporter and Miguel Angel Rodriguez among this year’s tournament considering Doha others. the calibre of players. We are de- Qatari champion Abdulla Moham- lighted to play host to such a strong ed al-Tamimi, and Syed Azlan Amjad fi eld. Fans of squash in the coun- ith less than four days to and Abdulrahman al-Malki, who will try are set for a week-long feast of go, the fi nal countdown appear in the main draw for the fi rst great games which is something we has begun for the Qatar since the 2006 edition, are leading are happy about. Ticket sales have Classic 2018, the 16th the Qatari challenge. been quite encouraging and we be- Wedition of the annual premier squash As a PSA World Tour Platinum lieve Qatar Classic 2018 will be the tournament which will be held from tournament, the winner of the event best ever,” says tournament director October 27 to November 2. will automatically qualify for a cov- Tareq Zainal. World No.1 Mohamed El Shor- eted berth at the season-ending PSA Ticket sales are on for event that bagy of Egypt will lead the pack of World Tour Finals. will be hosted at the Khalifa Interna- 48 players, including most of the Men and women both will com- tional Tennis and Squash Complex, world’s top 20, who will be compet- pete at the season-ending cham- which already wears a new look with ing for the tournament’s total cash pionships, with the reigning PSA attractive branding refl ecting the prize of $177,750 and trophy. World Champions, season’s Plati- mood of the tournament. Squash fans will have the won- num event winners and players that Tickets are available online at derful opportunity of witnessing qualify by placing high enough on www.qatarsquash.org and at the their favourite stars, including world the PSA Road to Dubai Leaderboard ticket booth located next to Qatar No.2 Ali Farag, 2011 winner Gregory making up the draw. Tennis, Squash and Badminton Fed- Gaultier, the in-form Simon Rosner “There is a huge expectation from eration gate. Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex wears a new look with attractive branding reflecting the mood of the tournament.