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Monday, September 11, 2017 LA LIGA Dhul-Hijja 20, 1438 AH Messi treble ensures GULF TIMES Barcelona pounce on Real Madrid stumble SPORT Page 3 HORSE RACING TENNIS Ice-cool Stephens too good for Keys Sheikh Mohamed’s in US Open fi nal Ebraz wins Qatar Cup at Arc Trials ‘Ebraz is not at the top of his condition and he will improve from this race. He is a very good horse who goes on any ground. The World Cup distance is perfect for him’ Sloane Stephens poses with her trophy at the Arthur Ashe Stadium after defeating Madison Keys of the United States in the US Open final on Saturday.

Reuters In the fi rst all-American US Open New York women’s fi nal since Serena beat Ve- nus in 2002, Stephens made only six unforced errors to frustrate Keys. loane Stephens stayed com- It was a remarkable turnaround for posed throughout the US Stephens, who six weeks ago was still Open fi nal, playing near- ranked 957th by the WTA. Sperfect tennis to win her She sealed a straightforward win maiden grand slam title with a 6-3, on her third match point when Keys 6-0 victory against Madison Keys as sent yet another forehand into the the future of American women’s ten- net. nis seemed assured on Saturday. Stephens welcomed the biggest The 24-year-old, back this sum- victory of her career with a low-key mer from almost a year off the courts smile, going into the Arthur Ashe because of a foot injury, was never in Stadium stands to hug her coach, trouble as her defensive play derailed Kamau Murray, before embracing her the 15th-seeded Keys, who was play- mother. ing with a heavily bandaged right Stephens, who pocketed a record thigh. $3.7mn cheque, underwent foot sur- “It’s incredible. I honestly had sur- gery in late January and made her gery Jan 23 and if someone had told competitive comeback at Wimble- me I’d win the US Open I would have don. said it’s impossible,” said the unseed- Saying earlier she was simply hap- ed Stephens who, after celebrating, py to be running around on courts, sat down and chatted with Keys. Stephens did a lot of running on Sat- “Madi is one of my best friends on urday to deny the 22-year-old Keys tour and to play her here, I wouldn’t in what turned out to be a one-sided have wanted to play anyone else. I contest. told her I wish it could be a draw and Stephens played her usual defen- if it was the other way around she’d sive tennis, forcing her opponent to do the same. To stand here with her make the extra shot and testing her today is incredible, that’s what real patience. friendship is.” She was rewarded with two break Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (left) presents the trophy to trainer Julian Smart (right) after His Highness Sheikh Keys noted, “Sloane is truly one points in the fi fth game of the fi rst Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Ebraz won Qatar Cup-Prix Dragon (Gr1 PA) in Chantilly yesterday. (Scoopdyga) of my favourite people and to get to set, converting the fi rst one when play her was really special. Obviously Keys again failed to wait for the right Agencies paid off ,” Graff ard said. I didn’t play my best tennis today and moment to accelerate and fi red a Chantilly, France The 2015 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Tri- I was really disappointed but Sloane forehand long. omphe winning trio of Anthony Op- was very supportive and if there was Stephens held comfortably and penheimer, trainer John Gosden and someone I had to lose to today I’m bagged the set on her second occa- H The Emir’s Sword winner jockey Frankie Dettori got together for glad it’s her.” sion, Keys hitting a backhand long, Ebraz won the Qatar Cup- a win in the Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2), a po- The friendship could also develop her 17th unforced error — compared Prix Dragon (Gr1 PA) in style tential prep race for the big one on Oc- into a great rivalry as both women to Stephens’s only two. in Chantilly yesterday. tober 1, with English runner Cracks- showed throughout the tournament, Keys showed signs of frustration as HOwned by His Highness Sheikh Mo- man. and before that, that they could be she felt the game was slipping away. hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, Ebraz was In 2015, the owner-trainer-jockey competing for majors for a while. Stephens moved to 40-0 up on held up mid-division before coming trio had won with Golden Horn at “In America, women’s tennis Keys’s serve in the following game easily in the straight under Cristian Longchamp. needs to be really high level because with a perfect backhand passing Demuro. Olivier Peslier rode Yazeed, However, Dettori was quick to dis- it has always been and they need to be shot. owned by His Highness Sheikh Ab- miss any comparisons between his fi lling up the void after the Williams Another ill-timed rush to the net, dullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, to second two rides, after Cracksman left Avilius sisters,” former world number one though, cost Keys a break, Stephens place on his comeback. by three lengths and Finche another Mats Wilander told Reuters. punishing her with a delightful dip- Ebraz’s stablemate, Gazwan, com- length back. Venus Williams, 37, was one of four ping forehand passing shot. pleted the frame. “I don’t think that he has beaten a Americans in the semi-fi nals but her Keys fell 4-0 down when she hit a Julian Smart-trained Ebraz had gone high class group of horses here. He is sister Serena did not take part in the double fault and although she had her down by smallest of margins to Tayf in an improving colt, he will be better tournament because of the birth of fi rst break points of the match in the the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1 again at four years old. It’s not easy to her fi rst child. fi fth game, Stephens held. PA), fi rst leg of the Doha Triple Crown, compare him to Golden Horn as he was at Goodwood. more mature at this point in the season “Ebraz and Gazwan will run in the than Cracksman. The Arc? That’s for Qatar Arabian World Cup with a lead- his owner and trainer to decide,” Det- er, probably Ba’sil,” Smart declared af- tori said. ter the win. Richard Fahey-trained Ribchester “Ebraz is not at the top of his condi- won the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Long- tion and he will improve from this race. champ (Gr1) confi rming his status as He is a very good horse who goes on the best older miler around. Ribches- any ground. The World Cup distance is ter picked up well when Taareef went perfect for him. I don’t like to say too on the attack. The two horses were much at this stage, but I think that he clear of the third, Massaat. is the best four-year-old that I have German runner Dschingis Secret ever trained. For the big race, I think was a surprise winner of the Qatar that the ones to watch out for are Tayf Prix Foy, in which the Japanese horse and Thomas Fourcy’s horses. I have Cristian Demuro rides Ebraz to victory in the Qatar Cup-Prix Dragon (Gr1 PA) in Satono Diamond was the short priced won the race three times, but only with Chantilly yesterday. favourite. A winner last time out in the fi llies. I hope that Ebraz will be the fi rst Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin, he colt to give us a victory in the race.” showed her toughness to wear down other option at Ascot. She runs well followed the result up by beating Cloth In the day’s other races, Al Asayl’s Journey. Last year’s winner, Left Hand, fresh, and the Arc is in three weeks. I of Stars and Talismanic. Bateel won her fi rst Group 1 with a vic- had to be content with third place. am ready to supplement her if she is Vazirabad, last year’s winner of the tory in the Qatar Prix Vermeille. “She is not entered in the Arc. well but I will have to talk to her own- Qatar Prix Gladiateur, made a winning Very comfortable on soft ground, the When the entries were being made, ers. Today she was a bit uptight in the comeback in this race, but he had to Sloane Stephens (R) and Madison Keys of the United States pose during the fi lly trained by Francis-Henri Graff ard she wasn’t at this level. She has an- parade ring but not in a bad way. But it fi ght to hold off Holdthaisgreen. trophy presentation after the women’s US Open final on Saturday. Gulf Times 2 Monday, September 11, 2017 TENNIS

CANDID SPOTLIGHT I wish it could have been a draw, says Stephens marvels US Open champion at money and the journey to glory ‘Did you see that check that lady handed me? Like, yes. Man, if that doesn’t make you want to play tennis, I don’t know what will’

Madison Keys of the United States, USTA President Katrina Adams, and Sloane Stephens of the United States pose during the trophy presentation after the women’s singles final on Saturday.

AFP ing 11 months having undergone New York left foot surgery. Her world ranking slid to 957 before semi-fi nal runs at US Open S Open champion tuneups in Toronto and Cincin- Sloane Stephens said nati. “I had surgery on January she wished her US Open 23 and if someone had told me Ufi nal triumph over close then that I would be the US Open friend Madison Keys could have champion, I would have said been a draw rather than the rout it that would be impossible,” said turned out to be. Stephens. Stephens, the world number 83, “My journey to get here, I raced to a 6-3, 6-0 victory over her wouldn’t change it for the world. 15th seeded American compatriot “I should retire now — I’m nev- in just over an hour. er going to be able top this.” Both women embraced at the Stephens also praised her net before sitting next to each mother for her support. other courtside as they waited for “When I was a child she took the post-match ceremony to start. me to a tennis coach who said that “Maddy is one of my best I would be lucky to be a division friends, if not my best friend on two player. tour and I told her I would not have “But here I am. So parents never wanted to play anybody else,” said give up on your kids.” the 24-year-old. Keys too had fought injury bat- “It’s a special moment. I said tles in recent months, undergoing to her that I wished it could have a second left wrist surgery after been a draw. the French Open before winning a “If the situation was the other July title at Stanford. way around, Maddy would have “I didn’t play my best tennis to- said the same thing. It’s incred- day and I’m disappointed in that ible. It’s what true friendship is all but Sloane was very supportive about.” Stephens only returned to and if there’s someone I have to the tour at Wimbledon after miss- lose to today I’m glad it’s her.”

FOCUS Murray, Hingis Sloane Stephens poses with the US Open trophy after beating Madison Keys in the final on Saturday.

AFP said her desire for more major titles was “I don’t know if I have arrived or al- What she hasn’t been doing is college add US Open to New York defi nitely fuelled. ready arrived, been arrived,” she said. course work, so her scheduled Decem- “Of course,” Stephens said. “Did you “But I do know I’m a US Open cham- ber 14 graduation might not come off as see that cheque that lady handed me? pion.” planned. Wimbledon title orries didn’t end for Sloane Like, yes. Man, if that doesn’t make Stephens, 24, is the girlfriend of foot- “I’m totally not going to graduate. I Stephens after winning her you want to play tennis, I don’t know baller Jozy Altidore, who she met in the haven’t done any work for two weeks,” fi rst Grand Slam title Sat- what will.” Asked if she felt bad about fi fth grade. she said. “My professors actually texted urday at the US Open, re- infl icting the fi rst 6-0 fi nal set in a US The American international scored me, so maybe they’ll let me, you know, Wcalling the fabulous photographs of past Open women’s fi nal since 1976 upon her two goals in Toronto’s 4-0 Major League slide.” champions she admired along the hall- friend, Stephens noted Keys had a run- Soccer victory over San Jose while Stephens used the word “insane” sev- ways of Arthur Ashe Stadium. ner-up prize of $1.825mn. Stephens was in the fi nal. eral times to describe her tale of rising “Everyone has the cutest photos on “Bad for her? She was in the fi nals, “I’m happy that he scored two goals. from left foot surgery in January to a US the wall in here with this trophy and too,” Stephens said. “Did you see the That’s really good,” Stephens said. “He Open crown. that’s what I remember seeing most,” cheque she’s about to get? I’m sure she’ll should have got a hat-trick. It would “When I had surgery, I was not think- Stephens said. be just fi ne.” have been such a good day.” ing that I would be anywhere near a US “So when I was taking my pictures I Told she made only six unforced er- Stephens admitted to feel nervous the Open title. Nor did I think I was going was worried about my boob sweat be- rors in her 61-minute triumph, Stephens night before the match, saying she was to be anywhere near the top 100,” she cause I was like this is a picture they are was thrilled and shocked. searching for things to do. said. probably going to use and I look terri- “Shut the front door. I don’t think that’s “I was literally in my room twiddling “I was thinking about all the wrong ble.” ever happened to me before. Oh, my God. my thumbs, looking at car reviews last things. Once I kind of let that go and just Such natural, candid and comedic That’s a stat. Snaps for me,” Stephens night on Auto Trader. That’s how bored realised that whatever is meant to be is comments summed up the champion’s said, snapping her fi ngers for emphasis. I was. I didn’t have anything to do,” she going to be, I worked hard to get here and mood after her 6-3, 6-0 victory over fel- Stephens has already made her mark said, noting she wasn’t planning on a lot of that stress was relieved. low American and friend Madison Keys in the US Open locker room, noting — buying a car. “There are no words to describe how I for a top prize of $3.7mn (3.07mn euros). “They already engraved my name on the “No, I was just looking at safety re- got here, the process it took or anything Stephens, who won only $310,000 locker. Like, hello. This is awesome.” views, honestly,” Stephens said. “That’s like that because if you told someone this year after being sidelined for 11 But she was unsure if she had “ar- kind of weird, but that’s what I was do- this story, they’d be, like, ‘That’s in- months until July by a left foot injury, rived” as a player. ing.” sane.’”

BOTTOMLINE Hurting Keys tells Stephens ‘drinks are on you’

AFP admitted Keys, playing in her said Keys. New York fi rst Slam fi nal. “But if you told me as I was Jamie Murray of Great Britain and Martina Hingis of Switzerland “I was obviously nervous all getting on a plane to go have my pose after winning the mixed doubles title at the US Open. They morning. Sloane’s a tough op- second surgery that I could have defeated Hao-Ching Chan of Taiwan and Michael Venus of New adison Keys sur- ponent to play when you’re not a Grand Slam fi nalist trophy in Zealand in the final. veyed the wreckage making a lot of balls, but then, at my hands at the end of the year, I of her US Open rout the same time, she’s not going to think I’d be really happy. AFP ond, we let go a little bit, but in at the hands of close miss, either. “I think I mostly learned that New York the super-tiebreaker, I know we Mfriend Sloane Stephens and told “I didn’t totally know what to I’m a fi ghter. No matter what, I can still lift it up and play great the new champion to foot the do once I got on the court, which can fi gure things out. In a couple tennis.” bar bill when the championship just intensifi es those nerves even of days, I will be really happy, but op seeds Jamie Murray Hingis won the US Open party starts. more. So I was defi nitely not right now still a little bit disap- and Martina Hingis won mixed title with India’s Leander Keys, the 15th seed, was feeling 100% good on the court pointed.” their second successive Paes in 2015 while Murray was trounced 6-3, 6-0 by world at any point.” Keys said she was not sur- Grand Slam mixed dou- a mixed champion with Jelena number 83 Stephens in a one- The brutal statistics illustrate prised that Stephens had be- blesT title on Saturday with a 6-1, Jankovic at Wimbledon 10 years sided fi nal that lasted just over her lack of cutting edge in the come a fi rst-time Grand Slam 4-6, 10-8 victory over Michael ago. an hour. fi nal. champion even if her friend Venus and Chan Hao-Ching. Swiss Hingis and Britain’s But Keys fully expected her Keys, the youngest fi nalist was ranked at 957 just under Murray and Hingis had al- Murray said they fully intended pal to make up for the pain she in New York since 19-year-old two months ago after missing 11 ready won Wimbledon in July to play the Australian Open to- caused. Caroline Wozniacki lost to Kim months with a left foot injury. while Saturday’s triumph took gether next year. “Of course I will go to the cel- Clijsters in 2009, went into the “I don’t think as a 13-year- their record as a team to a perfect “It’s a great opportunity for ebration, I would 100% go. She match having fi red 34 aces in the old you have that ability to think 10-0. me to compete with Martina. can buy me drinks, all of the tournament. that far in the future,” she added. “With the super-tiebreakers, She’s such a great player, a huge drinks,” said Keys. The 22-year-old Keys had were more in the mind than with But Saturday saw her manage “But when she made her we know how to play them,” said champion of the game,” he said. Stephens would have no undergone a second left wrist the body. just three. semi-fi nal run in Australia Hingis, who was celebrating the “Every time we are on court, problem in funding the party af- surgery after the French Open “I defi nitely think my play to- Keys also committed 30 un- (2015), I think we all saw how 20th anniversary of her singles we get a lot of people coming ter her win on Saturday earned a before winning a July title at day came down to nerves and all forced errors to Stephens’s six. great she was — I’m defi nitely win in New York as a 16-year- out to watch us, a lot of people staggering $3.7mn (3.07mn eu- Stanford. of that, and I just don’t think I “I didn’t play my best tennis not surprised that she was able old. supporting us. It makes it fun to ros). But her problems on Saturday handled the occasion perfectly,” today. I’m really disappointed,” to do this.” “We had a great fi rst set, sec- play.” Gulf Times Monday, September 11, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Spanish attacker raring to go with Ahli

By Sports Reporter Doha Calderon confi dent Kings can ourishfl on league return New Qatar SC head coach Gabriel Calderón is goal of QNB Stars League survival. l Ahli new recruit Fran- confident that his side can beat the drop and “For me, I want to focus on the team not the cisco Sandaza is raring survive on their return to the QNB Stars League. individuals. The spirit of the team is good, and god to go with his new side The vastly experienced Argentine coach spoke willing we will do well. Our first aim is to survive ahead of the new QNB with QSL online during the media day ahead of in the league and then move from this point, but StarsA League season begins on the start of the season, which kicks off on Friday I have confidence in myself and my team to do Friday evening. evening. well.” Speaking on the sidelines Opening up the conversation, Calderón was clear Qatar SC start of their campaign with a tough of the media day, the Spanish about his strategy for the season. “Qatar SC have away match against newly formed Al Duhail. attacker admitted he is look- returned to the league and our first target is to ing forward to representing the stay in the league this year. Brigadiers. “I am taking the season game by game, we have “I’m very excited to start the to play for each other and with humility and if we season, we have worked hard head into each game with this spirit anything is in pre-season. This is my fi rst possible for Qatar Sports Club this season,” added season in Qatar and I’m look- the veteran coach, who boasts an enviable coach- ing forward to playing with the ing CV, including guiding Saudi Arabia to the 2006 team, and showing my skills in World Cup. the QNB Stars League.” Calderón is no stranger to the GCC and revealed Sandaza was recruited by Al Ahli new recruit Francisco Sandaza. he is relishing the challenge of managing for the new Al Ahli coach and compa- first time in Qatar. triot Joaquín Caparrós and the Spanish speaking players in Kim revealed that he will be keeping Sandaza said he does not have “This is my fifth country I have coached in the 32-year-old striker revealed he Gwi-hyeon, Cristian Nazarit an eye on his former club after a goal target for the new cam- region and I know the mentality here in Qatar is was a major infl uence on the and myself. Especially so we they were promoted to Spain’s paign. “I don’t promise to score similar. This is a new challenge and I’m looking move. can speak with the coach and La Liga last season. a number of goals, my aim is to forward to getting started with Qatar SC.” “It’s a pleasure to work with follow his instructions on the “Of course I will be looking out help the team progress. I think if “The challenge is diff icult for us, returning to the a big coach like Caparros he is a pitch. Hopefully this will work, for Gironia this season. I enjoyed we all work well like in the pre- league and making an impact. But this is what big name in Spain, and he wants and give us good results in the many good times with the club season, Al Ahli will do well in the drew me to the club. I have come to challenge my- to challenge himself in a new league,” added Sandaza when and many of my friends are still league.” self and get Qatar SC back to where they belong,” league. Now he has prepared us asked about the Spanish speak- playing for them. However for Al Ahli open up the QNB Stars noted the Argentinian coach. physically and mentally to do ing contingent that has arrived me I have a new challenge with League season with an away en- Ending the interview, Calderón stressed that the well in the league. at Al Ahli during the summer. Al Ahli and I’m fully prepared to counter against Al Gharafa on Kings will have to work together to reach their “It’s important that we have The former Girona striker also do the best for this side.” Friday.

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Ronaldo returns to boost misfi ring Real Messi treble ensures against promoted Levante. Reuters Madrid Real have lacked fi repower in Ronaldo’s absence after selling striker Alvaro Morata he return of talisman to Chelsea. They will be with- Cristiano Ronaldo to a out forward Karim Benzema misfi ring Real Madrid for around a month after the cannot come soon Frenchman injured his ham- Barcelona pounce Tenough, teammates Marcos string against Levante. Llorente and Lucas Vazquez Gareth Bale was particu- said ahead of the prolifi c Por- larly wasteful on Saturday tuguese’s expected return to after coming on for Benzema action against APOEL Nicosia against Levante, spurning on Wednesday. three clear chances to score. Ronaldo has missed Real’s Ronaldo hit top form at the last four games due to a sus- business end of last season to on Madrid stumble pension for pushing a ref- fi re Real to a Liga and Champi- eree in the Spanish Super Cup ons League double and was al- ‘Despite the result it wasn’t as easy as it looked. They (Espanyol) always play hard in these games’ against Barcelona. lowed to report back later than He still has one domestic his teammates for pre-season Reuters game to serve of the ban, but training. Barcelona he is free to face Cypriot side Real barely missed him as APOEL as Real begin their they outclassed Manchester defence of the Champions United to win the European n insatiable Lionel League. Super Cup, although he came Messi hit a hat-trick as The long ban has prevented on as a late substitute in the Barcelona hammered Ronaldo from making a single 2-1 win. Espanyol 5-0 in a lo- competitive start this season They also comfortably saw calA derby on Saturday to make it and his comeback arrives at off Barcelona in the Spanish three wins from three and take a time when Real need him Super Cup, winning 5-1 on full advantage after Liga cham- most. aggregate despite only having pions Real Madrid were held to a Zinedine Zidane’s side have Ronaldo at their service for 24 1-1 draw at home to Levante. suff ered disappointing draws out of 180 minutes. The Argentine was handed a against Valencia and Levante The four-time world player slice of luck with his fi rst goal, that have left them four points of the year’s value to the team, which should have been ruled off the pace behind Liga lead- however, has been highlighted out for off side, and then showed ers Barcelona and Real Socie- by their struggles to put their no mercy to Espanyol, moving dad in the table. chances away in the league. on to fi ve goals in three league “It’s clear that he’s very im- “Another player who can games as record signing Ous- portant to this team and has play up front is Cristiano, mane Dembele came off the the ability to score incred- we’ve been without him for bench in the second half to make ible goals and that would have four games and it’s far too his Barca debut. served us well today,” said long,” added Vazquez, who Late goals from Gerard Pique Real midfi elder Llorente after scored Real’s only goal against and Luis Suarez completed the Saturday’s surprise 1-1 draw Levante. thrashing, with Dembele grab- bing an assist, laying on the pass for the Uruguayan’s goal. Real, EPL who were still missing talis- man Cristiano Ronaldo through suspension, dropped points at home for the second game run- ‘Hazard needs time ning as a misfi ring Gareth Bale squandered a series of chances and Marcelo was sent off late on. to get back to his best’ Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid were held to a goalless draw away Reuters “We all know very well the to Valencia as they missed the London importance of this player for presence of suspended striker us,” the Italian manager said. Antoine Griezmann, while Se- “Now we must have pa- villa warmed up for their Cham- helsea manager An- tience to give him the possi- pions League trip to Liverpool by tonio Conte has wel- bility to improve his form, but beating Eibar 3-0. comed the return of I am pleased for him because At the Nou Camp Messi put Eden Hazard from after a bad injury it’s great to Barca on their way to a routine Cinjury during their Premier see him with us.” victory over their struggling League win over Leicester City Chelsea must continue neighbours in the 26th minute on Saturday but said the Bel- to work on integrating new with a trademark piece of close gian playmaker needs time to signings into the squad after control in the area and bullet fi n- get back to 100 percent. winning three games in a row ish into the top corner, although Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the La Liga match against Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (AFP) Hazard, who recovered from since their opening day defeat, he had received the ball in an off - an ankle fracture sustained Conte said. side position. “They fought very hard, but early and late to see off Depor- tained their 100 percent record vante, whilst Karim Benzema in June, played for the fi nal 12 “We must be satisfi ed... The Argentine struck next we have players like Messi, who tivo la Coruna 4-2 and move through three La Liga games as is expected to be sidelined for a minutes as Chelsea ground now we are trying to involve from close range, sliding in to scored three goals, and Suarez, alongside Barcelona at the top of Diego Llorente and Illarramendi month with a hamstring injury. out a 2-1 win with goals from new players with the older meet a Jordi Alba cutback 10 who gave everything, just like La Liga yesterday. struck again in the fi nal 10 min- striker Alvaro Morata and players and this is a process. minutes before half-time after the rest of the team.” The Basques shot into a 2-0 utes. RESULTS midfi elder N’Golo Kante to go We need time. In football there the Spain left-back had bombed Espanyol have now lost on lead at La Riazor inside fi ve min- Sociedad host an under- Yesterday third in the table. is not a lot of time but we are forward on the break. Messi their last 10 visits to the Nou utes thanks to goals from Juanmi strength Real Madrid next week- Deportivo La Coruna 2 (Adrian “This is good news for us,” working hard,” Conte said. completed his treble midway Camp and although they were and Asier Illarramendi. end with the European cham- Lopez 27, Andone 50) Real So- Conte told the club’s website Apart from striker Morata, through the second half by fi n- grossly mismatched here they Deportivo fought back, pions already four points adrift ciedad 4 (Juanmi 3, Illarramendi (www.chelseafc.com). “For the club’s record signing from ishing off a sweeping team move, were still aff orded a couple of though, as Adrian Lopez pulled of Barcelona at the top of the 4, 86, Llorente 83). sure he needs time to be 100 Real Madrid, new boys Anto- lashing home another pass from chances, both falling to Pablo a goal back before half-time be- table. Saturday percent but for us his recovery nio Rudiger, Davide Zappacos- Alba from inside the area. Piatti, who struck the post in the fore on loan Arsenal forward Lu- Madrid will be without Cris- Real Madrid 1 (Lucas Vazquez is very important.” ta and Tiemoue Bakayoko also “Despite the result it wasn’t fi rst half and narrowly missed cas Perez was summoned from tiano Ronaldo as he completes a 36) Levante 1 (Ivi 12) Chelsea are back in Cham- featured against the Foxes. as easy as it looked. They (Es- the target with an attempted the bench on his return to Gali- fi ve-game domestic suspension Valencia 0 Atletico Madrid 0 pions League action on Tues- “I think Baka is improving panyol) always play hard in these chip in the second. cia. Perez had only been on the for pushing a referee. Sevilla 3 (Ganso 46, Ben Yedder day, where they face Azerbai- his physical condition. Also, games and we came through a pitch a minute when Florin An- Marcelo will also be banned 76, Nolito 90+1) Eibar 0 jan’s Qarabag at Stamford he is starting to understand diffi cult game on top,” said Barca Sociedad beat Deportivo done levelled for the hosts. after he was sent-off in Satur- Barcelona 5 (Messi 26, 35, 66, Bridge and Conte said he and adapt to our style of foot- coach Ernesto Valverde. Real Sociedad scored twice However, Sociedad main- day’s 1-1 draw at home to Le- Pique 87, Suarez 89) Espanyol 0. would be patient with Hazard. ball,” Conte added. Gulf Times 4 Monday, September 11, 2017 FOOTBALL

EPL SERIE A Immobile hat-trick as Lazio sink Milan Wood’s winner piles volley into the top corner. Inter AFP Milan and Juventus could be joined at the top by Napoli later Sunday, when they visit Bologna. After iro Immobile scored a hat- two easy matches against Cro- trick as Lazio stunned AC tone and Cagliari, Milan got a Milan 4-1 in Serie A, while reality check against Lazio. city rivals Inter joined Ju- Immobile’s fi rst was from a pressure on De Boer ventusC at the top with a 2-0 win penalty on 38 minutes, and four over SPAL yesterday. minutes later he added a second Luciano Spalletti’s Inter were with a volley off a Senad Lulic ‘I am just focusing on what I can control and so are my staff and my players’ too strong for promoted SPAL in cross. The Italian international the San Siro and joined Juventus then got his third six minutes AFP on maximum nine points after later and quickly assisted Luis Burnley, United Kingdom the champions beat Chievo 3-0 Alberto for the fourth. on Saturday. Fiorentina bounced back from Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio ran successive defeats with their hris Wood’s dream riot over the Chinese-owned fi rst win of the season - a 5-0 home debut for Burnley Milan with an on-fi re Immo- rout at Verona. Argentine striker pushed Frank De Boer to bile scoring three goals in the Giovanni Simeone, son of Atleti- the brink of the sack as space of 10 minutes, including a co Madrid coach Diego Simeone, CrystalC Palace crashed to a 1-0 penalty, in a match delayed for scored his fi rst goal for the Tus- defeat yesterday. an hour due to torrential rain in cany club after two minutes. New Zealand international the capital. Riccardo Montolivo Elsewhere, Atalanta won 2-1 Wood marked his maiden ap- pulled one back for the visitors at home against Sassuolo while pearance for Burnley at Turf off a defl ected Hakan Calhanog- Cagliari achieved their fi rst win Moor following his club record lu free-kick, but Vincenzo Mon- in their new stadium, beating £15 million ($19 million, 16 mil- tella’s side fell to their fi rst defeat Crotone 1-0, and Udinese de- lion euros) move by fi ring the in three games. feated Genoa 1-0. Paulo Dybala winner early in the fi rst half. Lazio remain unbeaten this inspired Juventus to victory over The former Leeds striker pun- season and overtake Milan to Verona side Chievo ahead of next ished a woeful backpass by Pal- move third with seven points. week’s Champions League open- ace’s South Korean winger Lee Earlier, Inter Milan’s Mauro er at Barcelona, with the game Chung-Yong. Icardi added to his Serie A tally between Sampdoria and Roma in For Palace manager De Boer, with a 27th-minute penalty, giv- Genoa postponed because of ad- his side’s fourth successive de- ing him a fi fth goal of the sea- verse weather conditions. feat could bring an abrupt end to son after braces in the opening his fi rst season at Selhurst Park. two games. The spot-kick was RESULTS Palace have yet to score a awarded after the intervention Inter Milan 2 SPAL 0 league goal since Ajax and Inter of the video assistant referee, af- Atalanta 2 Sassuolo 1 Milan coach De Boer took charge ter Joao Mario was tripped inside Cagliari 1 Crotone 0 and reports ahead of this fi xture the box with Icardi slotting in. Udinese 1 Genoa 0 claimed Eagles chairman Steve Ivan Perisic sealed the victory Verona 0 Fiorentina 5 Parish was already considering after 87 minutes with a powerful Lazio 4 AC Milan 1 sacking the Dutchman. With Parish watching from the stands, De Boer saw second SPOTLIGHT bottom Palace waste a string of chances to at least snatch a point and he will head back to south London with his future in doubt. Al Arabi signs kit deal “I am just focusing on what I can control and so are my staff and my players,” De Boer said. with Burrda Sport “The future is for other people to decide but while I’m the man- By Sports Reporter uct development and servicing, ager of Crystal Palace I will give Doha for the fi rst time in a long time 100 per cent. We have to look in we are all very satisfi ed. Our new the mirror and be responsible match kits look amazing and the that you have to take the chanc- l Arabi Sports Club, one players will enjoy wearing them. es, and you get punished when of the most established As our club continues its growth, you don’t. sports clubs in Qatar we look forward to a long and “But if you look all over at how and Burrda Sport, an successful partnership togeth- we showed spirit, I think we were internationalA sportswear brand er,” media manager for Al-Arabi quite dynamic. What we showed with its roots in Qatar, have an- Mohamed al-Mansoori said. today gives us a lot of hope for nounced an exciting partnership Collin Allin, chief operating the future.” ahead of the new football season. offi cer of Burrda Sport said: “At Desperate to spark Palace Burrda Sport becomes the this really exciting time for our into life, De Boer had made club’s offi cial kit partner and will brand, we are very proud to be three changes and reluctantly provide the club with a specially partnering with one of the most switched to a 4-4-2 formation in designed and customised collec- established and successful clubs a bid to kick-start his season. Burnley’s New Zealand striker Chris Wood (L) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Stephen Ward, Sam Vokes (2R) and Matthew tion of match kits, training and in Qatar. But it took just three minutes Lowton (R) during their EPL match against Crystal Palace at Turf Moor in Burnley yesterday. (AFP) travel wear. “This customised sports- for his plans to go horribly wrong. The focal point of the over- wear collection has been crea- Lee, making his 100th Premier post with keeper Tom Heaton all collection is the customised tively designed with the club at League appearance, turned and beaten. Burnley suff ered a set- Lascelles provides welcome tonic for Benitez home match kit and this features its heart and will hopefully lead played the ball back in the direc- back just past the half-hour mark Jamaal Lascelles provided a welcome tonic for last season’s promotion. They were fortunate to the traditional red and white the players to future success and tion of the non-existent Palace when Heaton was forced off with a ailing Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez as finish with 11 men after Matt Ritchie escaped a red colours that are associated with glory this coming season.” defence. Wood reacted superbly, shoulder injury after landing awk- his late goal secured a 1-0 win at Swansea City yes- card for the sort of high foot just after half-time on the club but presented in a strik- intercepting the pass and slot- wardly, giving a Premier League terday. Benitez was forced to miss his side’s trip to Alfie Mawson which saw Sadio Mane sent off for ing creative design which incor- ting past Palace goalkeeper debut for 25-year-old Nick Pope. south Wales while he recovered from an infection. Liverpool at Manchester City on Saturday. porates a pixilated gradient de- Wayne Hennessey fi rst time from Jeff rey Schlupp blazed over as The 57-year-old Spaniard had an operation on Newcastle went close after 33 minutes when sign pattern. the edge of the area. Palace applied late pressure. Monday to address an infection resulting from an Ritchie’s cross was met by the head of Joselu and The collection of match kits Palace were almost level within But Benteke was denied by earlier hernia operation and was unable to recover Lukasz Fabianski sprang to his left to pull off a are produced using light weight a minute when Scott Dann took Pope in the 78th minute, then in time to travel with his squad. fantastic one-handed save. moisture wicking fabrics which aim from the right side of the Dann headed wide from no more But Benitez’s absence didn’t aff ect Newcastle’s Swansea threatened when Isaac Hayden lost out to will give the players comfort and box and his defl ected shot was than four yards out to ensure an- players and captain Lascelles boosted the former Tammy Abraham and the ball ran to Jordan Ayew, fl exibility of movement in these booted off the line by Matthew other dismal afternoon for De Liverpool manager’s spirits with his headed winner whose 20-yard shot forced Rob Elliot to parry wide. hot and challenging playing Lowton. Two minutes later Pal- Boer. in the closing stages at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea should have taken the lead on the hour conditions. ace came close again when An- Newcastle’s second win lifted them into mid-table, mark when Leroy Fer released Abraham and the “We are very pleased to choose dros Townsend lofted a pass to RESULTS providing Benitez with hope they can avoid relega- striker rounded Elliot for what looked a simple Burrda Sport as our new Offi cial Christian Benteke, who steered Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 0 tion despite their lack of top-class signings since finish. Partner. As a result of the brand’s his header inches wide of the far Swansea 0 Newcastle 1 customised approach for prod-

BUNDESLIGA Female referee makes history as Leckie nets again

AFP her performance would not at- when captain Thomas Delaney Berlin tract headlines, indicating that smashed the ball home on 59 would mean “everything will minutes after forcing his way have gone well”. through the Hertha defence. ermany’s Bibiana Australia’s Mathew Leckie Steinhaus’ performance also Steinhaus made his- scored for the hosts after 38 got the thumbs up from Bremen tory yesterday as the minutes as Steinhaus smartly al- coach Alexander Nouri, whose fi rst female referee to lowed play to continue despite a side remain in the bottom three. Goffi ciate a match in a top Euro- foul on Hertha’s Vladimir Darida “As I said before the game, the pean league by taking charge of in the build-up. Leckie now has sex of the referee doesn’t mat- Hertha Berlin’s 1-1 draw with three goals in as many league ter, only the performance and it Werder Bremen. games this season after his ar- was okay today,” said the Werder Steinhaus became the fi rst rival from Ingolstadt. boss. Her partner, Englishman woman to referee a top-tier “I can only praise Bibiana Howard Webb, who was the ref- match in the German, Eng- Steinhaus, especially for the eree for the 2010 World Cup fi - lish, French, Italian or Spanish scenes around the fi rst goal, nal, was in the German capital to leagues when she oversaw the when she let the advantage play watch Steinhaus take charge. Bundesliga encounter in Berlin. on,” said Berlin coach Pal Dardai. Named on the offi cial list of The 38-year-old had built up a “That speaks for her experi- Bundesliga referees for 2017/18, wealth of experience by referee- ence. Much respect – she let a lot Steinhaus sat out the fi rst ing 80 second-division games of things go, even though it was a two rounds of German league since 2007 and was the fourth physically-intensive game. I am matches before making her top- offi cial on numerous occasions in very happy.” tier debut on Sunday. Steinhaus the Bundesliga, but this was her Steinhaus then turned down has been refereeing since 2007 refereeing debut in the top fl ight. Hertha midfi elder Valentin and offi ciated the women’s To mark the occasion, Hertha Stocker’s appeal for a penalty Champions League fi nal this off ered half-price tickets to fe- on 76 minutes, which replays year as well as the women’s 2012 male supporters who wanted to showed was the right decision, Olympic Games fi nal in London. see Steinhaus in charge. but earned her whistles from the She kept tight control at the disgruntled home crowd. RESULTS Olympic Stadium and will have Bremen earned a point in Ber- Hertha Berlin 1 Werder Bremen 1 Referee Bibiana Steinhaus talks with Hertha Berlin’s Bosnian forward Vedad Ibisevic during the Bundesliga match between Hertha Berlin and fulfi lled her pre-match wish that lin, their fi rst of the campaign, Schalke 3 Stuttgart 1 Werder Bremen in Berlin yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, September 11, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB EUROBASKET Serbia beat Hungary to enter quarters Hosmer fuels Royals’ 84-81 to reach the EuroBasket DPA Istanbul quarter-fi nals for the fi rst time since 2007, joined by Slov- enia, Italy and surprise winner erbia reached the Eu- Greece. roBasket quarter-fi nals Germany came back from an yesterday by defeating 11-point defi cit and were led by Hungary while Latvia 22 points and seven rebounds 8th-inning rally to beatS Montenegro. from Theis while NBA star The 2009 fi nalists Serbia guard Schroeder collected 21 beat Hungary 86-78 to make it points and eight assists. to the fi nal eight for the fourth “Dennis and Daniel were straight continental champi- outstanding. Both guys were onship. just super solid tonight. We Bogdan Bogdanovic col- feel really good about it, we’re lected 17 points and six assists excited to look forward to that top Minnesota Twins while Ognjen Kuzmic picked next game,” German coach up 17 points and 10 rebounds Chris Fleming said. ‘Tomorrow we can even out the series and just try and control what we can control’ for the 2014 FIBA Basketball In the quarter-fi nals, the World Cup and 2016 Olympics Germans will play either runners-up. reigning champions Spain or By Rustin Dodd “Our players are really fo- hosts Turkey, who face off in The Kansas City Star cused, maybe even too fo- the round of 16 on Sunday. cused,” Serbia coach Ale- France got 27 points from ksandar Djordjevic said. Evan Fournier, while Boris ric Hosmer stepped to “They should just enjoy the Diaw chipped in 15 points, nine the plate in the bot- moment, enjoy the competi- rebounds and fi ve assists in the tom of the eighth inning tion, enjoy the quarter-fi nals, loss, which kept them from on Saturday night. The a lot of them are (playing it) for the fi nal eight for the fi rst time KansasE City Royals needed a run the fi rst time in a competition since 1997. to break a stalemate against the like this, or in diff erent roles. I The 2005 champions, Minnesota Twins. They needed believe we have what is need- Greece, pulled off the other a victory to maintain hope in a ed, we just need to leave it on surprise of the night in Istan- possible last-chance run for a the fl oor.” bul, with Kostas Sloukas scor- postseason spot. With the win, Serbia set up ing 21 points in a 77-64 victory All night, Hosmer had been a quarter-fi nals date with Italy over the 2013 and 2015 run- locked in at the plate, spraying on Wednesday. ners-up, Lithuania. two hits and drawing a walk. Hungary’s fi rst EuroBas- Sloukas nailed fi ve three- All season – well, at least since ket since 1999 came to an end pointers as Greece made 46 per May – he had been Kansas City’s despite 22 points from Zol- cent of their shots from out- most complete hitter. He has tan Perl. Hungary star Adam side, compared to just 25 per batted .323 and posted a career Hanga was held to just one cent for Lithuania. high in OPS, and in some ways, point. The Greeks only beat Ice- the performance has been wast- Another fi nal eight show- land and Poland in fi nishing ed, the roster weighed down by a down is set as Latvia blasted fourth in group play, but came soft bottom of the order and an Montenegro 100-68 and will out strong against Lithuania, inconsistent pitching staff . On next take on Slovenia on Tues- the winners of Group A. Greece this night, it wouldn’t be. day in their second straight ap- will next take on Croatia or Hosmer saw a fi rst-pitch cur- pearance at this stage. Russia. veball from Twins reliever Buddy Janis Timma paced Latvia Mindaugas Kuzminskas Boshers and ripped a single to with 21 points while Kristaps scored 20 points, but they were centre fi eld, scoring pinch run- Porzingis fi nished with 19 not enough for Lithuania, who ner Terrance Gore from second points and Janis Strelnieks failed to reach the top eight for base. The Royals scored three chipped in 12 points. just the second time in the last times in the eighth, securing a Bojan Dubljevic tallied 21 eight FIBA EuroBaskets. 5-2 decision over the Twins at points for Montenegro while Italy made it three quar- Kauff man Stadium. Nikola Vucevic had 16 points ter-fi nals berths in a row as “With G-Baby on the bases and nine rebounds. a strong fi rst half carried the right there,” Hosmer said. “You The other two rounds of 16 two-time champions to a 70- know they’re not gonna want to match-ups later had reigning 57 win over Finland. throw anything low and risk it champions Spain taking on Marco Belinelli scored 14 of being in the dirt.” hosts Turkey and Croatia fac- his game-high 22 points in the Hosmer fi nished 3 for 3 with ing 2007 champions Russia. fi rst half, while Luigi Datome a walk and an RBI. The victory Earlier Dennis Schroeder had 13 of his 15 in the fi rst half, propelled Kansas City (70-71) to and Daniel Theis combined and Nicolo Melli picked up within 3{games of Minnesota in for 43 points as Germany up- all 10 of his points before the the wild-card standings. The odds set 2013 champions France break. of a late run are still unlikely. The Royals require another win Sun- day to avoid falling four games back with 20 to play. But for one night, they staved off the Twins, shaking off consecutive losses to start the four-game series. Rookie starter Jakob Junis was splendid for 6 1/3 innings. Left fi elder Alex Gordon supplied a rare opposite fi eld homer – and his fi rst of any kind since July 3 Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer hits an RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports – in the bottom of the seventh. The blast tied the score at 2-2, Yost discussed the possibility of innings, Junis off ered a lifeline. while, had chances. Yet its run trol what we can control,” Hos- and the Royals struck for three starting pitcher Danny Duff y re- In his 12th start of his rookie sea- support was meagre. Cain tri- mer said. in the eight, buoyed by a leadoff turning next week. On another son, he permitted just two solo pled and scored in the bottom single from Lorenzo Cain, who side of the room, Brandon Moss homers in 61/3 innings, scat- of the fi rst. One inning later, the Results fi nished 3 for 4, and a walk by sat near his locker and conduct- tering eight hits while striking Royals loaded the bases with one Colorado 6 LA Dodgers 5 Melky Cabrera. ed a conversation about his year out seven. In his last six ma- out against Twins starter Jose Seattle 8 LA Angels 1 Reliever Brandon Mau- the plate. jor-league starts, he has been Berrios. Whit Merrifi eld dug in San Diego 8 Arizona 7 rer earned the save in the ninth. The Royals had dropped two a bright spot of a dark second and hacked at a fastball. Kansas City 5 Minnesota 2 Starter Jason Vargas will match straight games to the Twins, a half, posting a 2.48 ERA with 34 The baseball rocketed off his St. Louis 4 Pittsburgh 3 up against Bartolo Colon on ninth-inning heartbreaker on strikeouts and two walks. bat at 101 mph. It was hit right NY Mets 6 Cincinnati 1 Sunday afternoon. At Kauff man Thursday night and an 8-5 de- On Saturday, he made two at shortstop Jorge Polanco, who Atlanta 6 Miami 5 Stadium these days, there is little cision on Friday. They sat four costly pitches. Eduardo Escobar started the inning-ending dou- White Sox 13 San Francisco 1 margin for error. games behind their division ri- led off the third by pouncing on ble play. Boston 9 Tampa Bay 0 On early Saturday afternoon, val in the race for the second curveball in the middle of the For most of the evening, the Oakland 11 Houston 4 the Royals’ clubhouse was busi- American League wild card spot. zone. Three innings later, Byron Royals struggled to take advan- Philadelphia 5 Washington 4 ness as usual, a mostly-empty Another loss on Saturday would Buxton battled for 10 pitches, tage of chances. But then Gordon Toronto 5 Detroit 4 room devoid of music, a collec- leave them fi ve back with 21 hammering a 3-2 sinker that homered in the seventh, and the Oakland 11 Houston 1 tion of ballplayers preparing for games to play. tailed onto the inner half of the off ense stirred in the eighth. Milwaukee 15 Chicago Cubs 2 Serbia’s guard Stefan Jovic (C) tries to score a basket against another night of work. Inside For the Royals, a victory would plate. “Tomorrow we can even out Cleveland 4 Baltimore 2 Hungary’s Akos Keller (R) and Janos Eilingsfeld (L) during the his offi ce, Royals manager Ned be precious, and for nearly seven The Royals’ off ense, mean- the series and just try and con- NY Yankees 3 Texas 1 FIBA Eurobasket match in Istanbul yesterday. (AFP)

NFL Hicks signs 4-year contract extension with Bears

By Brad Biggs after splitting the 2015 season between ready to start Sunday in the season Chicago Tribune the Saints and Patriots. Hicks led Bears opener against the Falcons at Soldier defensive linemen with 71 tackles and Field. had seven sacks to go with fi ve tackles The Bears signed guard Kyle Long eneral manager Ryan Pace for loss, three pass breakups and two to an extension in the week of the sea- made such a hit in free agency forced fumbles. son opener last year – it’s a prime time a year ago that the Bears have Hicks was the only defensive player for deals with players seeking security gone to the bank to ensure on the team to start all 16 games in 2016. while minimising injury risk. The Bears GAkiem Hicks is a fi xture on the defen- He stands out as the best free-agent still have more than $12 million in sala- sive line well into the future. addition the Bears have made over the ry-cap room remaining for this season. Hicks signed a four-year contract last several years, a group that includes By locking up Hicks, the Bears can extension Saturday potentially worth some modest successes and fl ops. pair him with young and improving $48 million with $30 million guaran- Hicks made it clear he wanted to re- linemen Eddie Goldman and Jonathan teed, a person with knowledge of the main in Chicago and in executing a deal Bullard. Originally, sources said Hicks situation confi rmed. The deal isn’t before the season, he eliminates the risk was seeking a deal that would pay him surprising because Hicks switched to of being injured while foregoing a po- $15 million per season, a fi gure that agent Drew Rosenhaus this summer tentially bigger pay day in March in free would rank him with the elite linemen and negotiations kicked off at training agency. Hicks will earn a base salary of in the NFL. camp. $4 million this season and he already Both sides benefi t from the exten- ESPN fi rst reported the agreement, has received a $1 million roster bonus. sion: Hicks can play without the fear of and the Bears announced the exten- He was held out of practice last being injured heading into free agency, sion through the 2021 season Satur- month with what coach John Fox and the Bears secured him at a lower day afternoon. Hicks, 27, proved to be termed an Achilles tendon issue, but price than he would have commanded a strong addition last year when he Hicks said it was more of a heel injury. on the open market if performance lev- signed a two-year, $10million contract He has been back in action and looks el had remained the same. Gulf Times 6 Monday, September 11, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY ATHLETICS Farah wins Great Springboks plan North Run, announces London Marathon bid

AFP “With four miles to go I was just London hanging on, gritting my teeth. “As we got closer, I managed to be- to topple All lieve in myself and dig, and I was think- ritain’s Mo Farah announced ing ‘if I can just sit on him (Robertson), he will compete in the 2018 at the end I can sprint’. London Marathon after win- “I’m so pleased with how the season ning the Great North Run for a has gone. I’ll go on a little holiday with record-breakingB fourth successive year the missus and then come back fresh. yesterday. “I’m looking forward to sticky toff ee It will be Farah’s third London Mara- pudding and apple pie!” Blacks: Coetzee thon after he took part in the event in Farah won the 10,000m at the World 2013 and 2014. Championships in London in August, “I can’t wait to start a new adventure his sixth world gold, before losing his ‘It’s time to focus on the next one... They’re still the best side in world rugby’ racing on the roads in 2018, starting with 5,000m crown to Ethiopia’s Muktar the world’s greatest marathon,” he said. Edris. AFP “The London Marathon is my home race Perth, Australia and it is so special to me. The previous KENYAN JEPKOSGEI BREAKS times I have taken part were amazing.” WOMEN’S 10K ROAD RECORD Just hours earlier, Farah, a four-time Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei became the oach Allister Coetzee says Olympic champion, saw off a deter- fi rst woman ever to run 10 kilometres he knows what South Africa mined challenge from New Zealand’s on the road in under half an hour after must do to master their big- Jake Robertson in the closing stages of clocking 29min 43sec in Prague on Sat- gest challenge of the year the Great North Run to fi nish in a time urday. againstC the All Blacks in the battle of of one hour and six seconds. The 23-year-old Kenyan, who set the two unbeaten Rugby Champion- The 34-year-old is the fi rst athlete to the world half marathon record in the ship teams. win the Great North Run four times in a Czech capital in April, beat her own The Springboks were overtaken at row. He is now level in terms of most vic- record of 30min 04sec she had set dur- the top of the standings when they tories with Kenya’s Benson Masya, who ing that race. were held to a 23-23 draw by the Wal- was champion four times in the 1990s. “I’m so happy, I thank God for mak- labies in Perth Saturday hours after Farah, who last month fi nished his ing me the winner today and... (break- the world champion New Zealanders glittering track career with a thrilling ing) the world record,” Jepkosgei told fought back to down Argentina 39-22 5,000m victory at the Diamond League Czech Television. at home. fi nal in Zurich, produced his trademark “I was very confi dent and I was hop- South Africa have not won in New ‘Mobot’ celebration in Newcastle as he ing for the best,” she added, after beat- Zealand in eight years and get the crossed the line. ing compatriot Fancy Chemutai and chance to pit their strengths against the Robertson was six seconds back in Kenyan-born Bahrain runner Violah All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday. second place, with Ethiopia’s Feyisa Jepchumba in Prague’s historic centre. Coetzee, who has masterminded Lilesa coming third. Kenyans also dominated the men’s the Springboks’ turnaround in for- Farah told the BBC after his season- race, with Benard Kimeli taking the tunes in six unbeaten internationals concluding race: “That was really, re- honours in 27min 10sec, beating his in 2017, knows what his team must do ally tough. I’m sore everywhere — I’ve brother Matthew and fellow Kenyan to come away with a coveted victory in never been this sore! Rhonex Kipruto. New Zealand. “It’s time to focus on the next one, which will be a hell of a battle. They’re still the best side in world rugby,” Co- etzee said after Saturday’s draw. “Argentina showed that when you’re accurate and you apply pres- sure in all the areas of the game, you can take them on.” The All Blacks appear far from in- vincible after being held to a drawn Siya Kolisi of South Africa retrieves the ball during the match against Australia in Perth on Saturday. (Reuters) three-Test series by the British and Irish Lions in July and needing a try “I don’t think this Springbok side “We also continue to scrum well and “The players are spending 37 weeks two minutes from time to deny Aus- would ever be happy with a draw,” he our lineout also functioned well plus with their franchises and 13-15 weeks tralia 35-29 in Dunedin last month. said. we saw a massive improvement in our with the Springbok side and where The Springboks will be without mauling.” should conditioning take place and prop Coenie Oosthuizen, who suff ered ‘MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT’ Coetzee said a united approach to happen? a broken arm in the Test against the “I am however satisfi ed with the over- conditioning across the Springboks “Obviously at the franchise and that Wallabies. all performance, because the team and the South African Super Rugby is what we’ve started and it’s not perfect Oosthuizen, who sustained the in- showed great character in their fi ght- franchises had ensured they would be yet but we’re heading in the right direc- jury in the second half, will be replaced back.” ready in the moments like the frantic tion, therefore we are conditioning.” by uncapped front-row forward Wilco The Springboks clawed back from fi nal stages of the Perth thriller. It was the second draw in the 84 Louw. 20-10 down early in the second half to “We started that last year getting all Test matches between the Wallabies Louw, 23, will join the Springboks hit the front 23-20 before Bernard Fo- the conditioners in one room and talk and the Springboks and the fi rst since in Auckland on Monday ahead of their ley kicked a levelling penalty goal for about how are we going to get the na- a 14-14 stalemate also in Perth in 2001. Britain’s Mo Farah celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men’s elite race Test at North Harbour. the Wallabies 10 minutes from time. tional team fi t,” he said. The draw meant the Springboks of the Great North Run half-marathon in South Shields, England, yesterday. (AFP) Coetzee said he was happy with the “We had three line-breaks and no “Getting the national team two have not beaten the Wallabies in Aus- character of his team against the Wal- reward in the last couple of minutes,” weeks before the fi rst Test... how tralia since their 38-12 romp in Bris- labies, but not with the outcome. Coetzee said. much conditioning can you then do? bane in 2013. BOXING SPOTLIGHT Srisaket KOs Gonzalez in fourth to retain WBC title

AFP The 30-year-old Srisaket went to Cheika wants Wallabies to work quickly in the fi rst round easily Los Angeles landing combinations and body shots — what he called the fruits of four risaket Sor Rungvisai knocked months of training in the gym for the out Roman ‘Chocolatito’ most important fi ght of his career. channel Beale’s attitude Gonzalez in the fourth round Srisaket silenced his critics who said Saturday with a devastating his win in the fi rst fi ght in March was ‘neutral’ about the draw, which rightS hook to retain his WBC super fl y- a fl uke — the result of accidental head Reuters Sydney came after the back-to-back weight world title in his second straight butts rather than his punching skills. losses to the All Blacks with win over the former champ. Both fi ghters came out swinging which the Wallabies opened the Thailand’s Srisaket knocked Gonzal- from the opening bell in Saturday’s ustralia coach Michael Rugby Championship. ez down twice in the fi nal round, fi n- 115-pound rematch at the outdoor Cheika is hoping the The good news for the coach ishing the challenger off with a right StubHub Center stadium, as it became attitude of Kurtley was that a badly corked thigh for hook with 1:45 to go in the fourth. apparent in the early rounds that the Beale rubs off on some number eight Sean McMahon Gonzalez, already stunned from the scheduled 12-round showdown wasn’t ofA his teammates as the Wal- was the only real injury concern. fi rst knockdown, stayed on the canvas going to go the distance. labies head to Canberra still Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau for a couple of minutes before rising Gonzalez, 30, was taken to the hos- looking for their fi rst win of the got a poke to the eye and was slowly and going to his corner. pital immediately after the fi ght for Rugby Championship. taken off the fi eld for a concus- The fi rst knockdown came 42 sec- medical treatment. The livewire centre returned sion test but told reporters on onds earlier when southpaw Srisaket He was trying to avenge the only to the green and gold for the Sunday he would be fi t to face landed a similar short right hook to the loss of his career against Srisaket but competition after injuries and Argentina in the Australian cap- side of the head. Gonzalez was able to he failed to put up any defense against a spell in England kept him out ital next weekend. get up at the count of seven and con- the onslaught of the Thai’s superior of test rugby for the better part Polota-Nau, who scored Aus- tinue. punches. of two years and he has been a tralia’s other try in Perth, still revelation. might not get the start against His third try in as many games the Pumas with Stephen Moore won him the Man of the Match set to re-join the squad after the award in Perth on Saturday but birth of his third child. his brilliant fi rst-half eff ort was The lineout was an area of ultimately not enough to break concern for Cheika and the the deadlock in a 23-23 draw former captain is more accurate with the Springboks. with his throwing than Polota- “For a guy who hasn’t played Nau, who is a more powerful footy since the end of May, he’s runner and scrummager. just came in, played three or With two away tests rounding four games of footy and killed out Australia’s Rugby Cham- it, has carved it up,” Cheika said. pionships campaign after Sat- “We all need to just have that urday’s match in Canberra, the same attitude around wanting it Wallabies desperately need a a lot and staying at it. win to show for the eff orts. “We’ve seen in this cam- “They’re a tough opponent,” paign... that that attitude’s def- Cheika said of the Pumas. initely there and it’s about just “It’s always a good match. It’s concentrating on what we’re been open and there’s been a doing in every moment of the fair bit of footy played, so we’re game and we’ll fi nish some of looking forward to taking an- these opportunities that we’re other step and getting down to creating off .” Canberra and getting stuck into Australia’s Kurtley Beale runs the ball during the Rugby Championship match against South Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (right) of Thailand lands a right hand on Roman Gonzalez of Cheika said he was left feeling that match.” Africa in Perth on Saturday. (AFP) Nicaragua at StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Saturday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, September 11, 2017 7 SPORT

CYCLING GOLF Thompson cruises Froome ends to four-shot victory AFP fi fth at 12 under, seven strokes back of Indianapolis Thompson. Thompson claimed her ninth career LPGA Tour title, capping her round on exi Thompson shot a closing No. 18 with a birdie — her sixth of the round of four-under 68 on Sat- day to go with two bogeys. long Vuelta wait urday to win the inaugural Tech The 52-hole event is a new tourna- Championship tournament, ment this year and the fi nal event be- Lthe last tune-up before the fi nal major fore next week’s Evian Championship ‘I’ve been second three times, so to win the Vuelta now is incredible’ championship of the season. in Evian-les-Bains, France. Thompson’s four-shot victory at the Ko posted her best fi nish since plac- AFP Brickyard Crossing golf course gave her ing runner-up at the Lotte Champion- Madrid a 19-under 197 in the 52-hole event. ship in April. “It was such a great week overall and She said the biggest diff erence in her it was a huge honour to be here in In- game is her improved putting. s a four-time Tour de France diana.... defi nitely a memory that I’ll “I just wasn’t putting as well as I did champion Chris Froome is never forget,” the 22-year-old Ameri- the last few days and that makes a huge used to winning, but the can said. diff erence,” said Ko. “When you’re in Briton has suff ered a long New Zealand’s Lydia Ko shot an the fi nal round, fi nal group, you kind of waitA to fi nally land the Vuelta a Es- even-par 72 Saturday to fi nish alone in want those putts to drop.” pana. second at 15-under 201 for her fi rst top Lee, of Perth, punctuated her third Froome completed a historic Tour- 10 placing in three months. round with an eagle at par-fi ve No. 14. Vuelta double yesterday, becoming Australia’s Min-Jee Lee (67) placed Kristinsdottir, 24, chipped in for just the third rider in history to win third, while fourth place went to rookie eagle at No. 18 to cap Saturday’s four- both Grand Tours in the same year Olafi a Kristinsdottir, the fi rst USLPGA under 68 for a career best fi nish. She after Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil Tour player from Iceland. grabbed solo fourth at 14-under 203. (1963) and Bernard Hinault (1978). Canada’s Brooke Henderson (69) “It’s really exciting,” said Kristins- Even the normally bashful Froome and South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai dottir. “I have goals and this will get admitted with his latest feat he was (71), American Lizette Salas (69) and me closer to those goals, so that’s really “sealing my place in the history of the South Korea’s Kang Hae-Ji (68) tied for good for me.” sport”. However, Froome recognised that fi nally standing on top of the podium in Madrid in the leader’s red jersey brought out diff erent emotions to his Tour triumphs having fallen just short with three second-placed fi nishes in 2011, 2014 and 2016. “I’ve been trying for years and I’ve been second three times, so to win the Vuelta now is incredible,” he said after safely negotiating the daunting fi nal climb of a brutal three-week race up Alto de l’Angliru on Saturday before yesterday’s parade around Madrid’s city centre. “For me it certainly has been harder to win the Vuelta than the Tour.” It was seven years ago when Froome suddenly announced himself as a Grand Tour contender when he fi n- ished second by just 13 seconds de- spite operating as a domestique for Lexi Thompson of the US poses with a race car after winning the Indy Women In Team Sky’s then leader Bradley Wig- Tech Championship at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course in Indianapolis, Indiana, gins. on Saturday. (AFP) Sky and Froome aren’t accustomed to settling for second. After a tacti- cal error saw Nairo Quintana take last SELECTION year’s Vuelta, Froome orchestrated a big change in his schedule that sacri- fi ced arriving at the Tour in top shape to increase his chances of Vuelta suc- Team Sky cyclist Chris Froome celebrates on the podium after winning the Vuelta a Espana in Madrid yesterday. (AFP) India recall pacemen cess. “Up until now my focus has been Anquetil and Hinault, Froome’s atten- 100 percent on the Tour de France and Boom wins Tour of Britain tion will now turn to also equalling the Umesh and Shami for trying to survive the Vuelta, whereas record they hold with Miguel Indurain this year the plan was to start the sea- Lars Boom clinched his second Tour Jumbo rider, finished in the peloton and Eddy Merckx of fi ve Tour wins. son later,” added Froome. of Britain title after Edvald Boasson to win by eight seconds from Boas- However, Vuelta victory also opens Australia ODIs “Maybe I wasn’t quite at my top, top Hagen won the final stage in Cardiff son Hagen, who moved ahead of the door for Froome to try to enter an- for the Tour de France but it means I’ve yesterday. Norwegian Boasson Switzerland’s Stefan Kung. other of cycling’s pantheons of riders Reuters 2019 in England and Wales. been able to hold my form for longer and Hagen, who rides for Team Dimen- “It feels good to finally get this to have won all three Grand Tours by Mumbai “The team for the three ODIs against that has shown in this year’s Vuelta.” sion Data, powered clear with three victory. We had a plan from the winning the Giro d’Italia. Australia has been selected in line with kilometres remaining in the 180km beginning of the day for me to try to “It’s too early to say,” Froome re- the rotation policy of the Board and ac- MERCILESS ROUTE eighth stage from Worcester. attack with two or three kilometres sponded to queries over whether he ndia have recalled fast bowlers cordingly R Ashwin and Ravindra Jade- That conditioning has been necessary Dutchman Boom, a Team Lotto NL- to go,” Boasson Hagen said. will ride the Giro next season. “I’m Mohamed Shami and Umesh Ya- ja have been rested,” India’s chief selec- for a merciless route fi lled with sharp just going to enjoy this moment.” dav for the fi rst three one-day tor MSK Prasad said in a statement. mountain climbs in conditions rang- A well-earned rest awaits after internationals against Australia “The team’s performance during the ing from 40 degree Celsius heat to rain stellar chasing pack including Vin- on cycling’s most physically demand- more than 4,200 and 42 days of racing Iwhile they continue to rest their front- Sri Lanka tour was outstanding and and freezing cold on Angliru. cenzo Nibali and Alberto Contador on ing race straight off winning a fourth since July 1. line spinners. players like Axar Patel and Yuzvendra “I have to say it’s probably the his fi nal race before retirement. tour took hold. “Moments like this make all the Yadav and Shami were part of the Chahal, who performed very well, are toughest Grand Tour I’ve ridden,” ad- His relentless strive for every sec- Instead, he extended his advantage sacrifices, all the time away from Test squad which blanked Sri Lanka being given an extended run and this mitted Froome. ond early on had many believing he over Nibali — who arrived fresh hav- home, from family, all worth it,” 3-0 but were rested from the subse- will in turn supplement our approach, Froome hit the front as early as stage was making hay, expecting a fall off in ing skipped the Tour — to 2min 15sec. added Froome. “It’s such an incred- quent fi ve-match ODI series, which the to build a strong reserve strength, as we three and was never caught despite a the fi nal week as his eff orts in taking Having matched one historic feat of ible feeling.” tourists also swept. prepare for forthcoming tours.” Fast bowler Shardul Thakur, who India and Australia will play fi ve played two matches in the series and ODIs and three T20 matches during CRICKET took a single wicket, was dropped from their limited-overs series, starting the 16-man squad for the series against with the fi rst 50-over clash in Chennai Australia. on Sept 17. The hosts will, however, continue to Root eyes ‘special’ Ashes triumph aft er WI win be without off -spinner Ravichandran SQUAD: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Ashwin and left-arm tweaker Ravindra Sharma (vice captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Jadeja for the fi rst three of fi ve matches KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jad- AFP “Putting in his career-best fi gures against Steve Smith’s side. hav, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, Hardik London shows he is still desperate to kick on Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuz- Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and do more great things in this game,” vendra Chahal will be India’s spinners Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, said Root. as the Virat Kohli-led side continues to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, oe Root believes England have “He is one of most skilful bowlers I build toward the 50-over World Cup in Mohamed Shami the capacity to do “something have ever played with. special” by retaining the Ashes “The control he has when the ball is in Australia, after they wrapped doing a minimal amount, or when it is upJ a 2-1 Test series victory against hooping around, is remarkable. West Indies at Lord’s on Saturday. “This summer has been unreal for A nine-wicket win inside three days him, but I wouldn’t say I’m surprised at the ‘home of cricket’ meant Eng- by how it has turned out.” land had won both of Root’s fi rst two For West Indies, whose attention series as captain following a preceding now turns to the limited-overs leg of 3-1 home triumph over South Africa. their tour, the highlight of the Test se- Saturday’s success was eff ectively ries was a fi ve-wicket win at Headin- sealed by James Anderson taking his gley that squared things up at 1-1 just Test-best fi gures after all-rounder Ben days after they had suff ered an innings Stokes starred with both ball and bat. thrashing at Edgbaston. Having become the fi rst English- England’s Joe Root and teammates celebrate with the trophy after winning the The Headingley match featured man and only sixth bowler to reach the Test series against West Indies on Saturday. (Reuters) twin hundreds from Shai Hope — his India’s Umesh Yadav (right) was part of Virat Kohli-led Test squad, which blanked milestone of 500 Test wickets on Fri- fi rst centuries in Test cricket — and Sri Lanka 3-0 recently. (AFP) day, Anderson went on to record in- “We’ve played some really good stuff “Plenty of challenges lie ahead — the 23-year-old underlined his prom- nings fi gures of seven for 42 in a West this summer.” but with those challenges come great ise with two more impressive innings Indies total of 177 all out. England, though, suff ered second- opportunities,” said Root. in diffi cult conditions at Lord’s. That left England requiring a mere Test defeats in both the South Africa “We should not be afraid of going “I think we’ve got a lot to be proud England’s Anderson on top of world rankings 107 to win, with an unbroken partner- and West Indies series. over there (to Australia), performing of,” said West Indies captain Jason ship of 72 between Mark Stoneman “There were two diffi cult weeks, but at our best and (trying to) do some- Holder. “Credit must go to our bowl- James Anderson’s career-best figures regain the number one spot he most and Tom Westley completing a com- what is most pleasing is the resilience thing special. ers and obviously Shai was outstand- have catapulted the England paceman recently held in August last year. prehensive victory. and character to come back from both “We have all the attributes to go ing in this entire series, and Kraigg to the top of the International Cricket The 35-year-old Anderson is also the This was England’s last Test before of those with two extra strong per- down there and put in a strong per- (Brathwaite) did a hell of a job too — Council’s Test bowling rankings. oldest bowler to top the rankings they begin the defence of the Ashes in formances,” said Root. formance.” especially at Headingley.” The swing bowler produced some- since Sri Lanka off -spinner Muttiah Brisbane in November. “That is great to see for what is go- But the catching by both sides was thing of a clinic as he took seven for Muralitharan in July 2009, a feat that A series win in Australia would see ing to be a very challenging winter.” ‘UNREAL’ ANDERSON poor, with all-rounder Holder adding: 42 against West Indies — a haul that ends a memorable season for the star batsman Root join a select group However, doubts remain over Anderson, who starred in a 3-1 Ashes “We let ourselves down by dropping included his 500th Test wicket — in Lancashire star who took 39 wickets of post-World War II England captains whether opener Stoneman, number win in Australia in 2010/11, has long quite a few chances and giving good England’s nine-wicket win at Lord’s in seven Tests for England this home — Len Hutton, Ray Illingworth, Mike three Westley and number fi ve Dawid been regarded as ideally suited to players two opportunities to bat. on Saturday that saw them to a 2-1 season at an average of just 14.1 Brearley, Mike Gatting and Andrew Malan are the right men to fi ll their swing-friendly English conditions “In international cricket, they’ll series victory. England’s series win over West Indies Strauss — to have led a side to Ashes respective spots in a top order where and had an outstanding season with make you pay for that. Anderson has now overtaken India kept them third in the Test standings, glory Down Under. the only ‘nailed-on’ places belong to the 35-year-old Lancashire paceman “But I’m extremely proud, and can’t left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja to behind India and South Africa. “It has been great,” said Root. Alastair Cook and Root himself. taking 39 wickets in just seven Tests. fault the guys for their eff ort.”

Monday, September 11, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

MOTOGP Qatari diving team wins bronze at Asian Championship

QNA the competition in Bangkok, Tashkent Thailand, in 2015. This is the second medal for the Qatar diving team, with Marquez ties at atari duo Mohamed Balghaith having won gold in Ahmed Shweitar and the moving ladder competi- QAbdulaziz Balghaith tion on the opening day of the yesterday won the bronze competition. medal for the diving competi- The Qatar swimming team, tion of the 3m moving ladder comprising Abdul Aziz Has- at the 9th Asian Champion- san al-Obaidli, Abdulrahman ship in the Uzbek capital of Hisham Mohamed, Abdul the top with wet Tashkent. Rahim al-Ali Hussein and In the process, the duo Firas Murad al-Saidi, are also retained the medal they had participating in the same also won in the last edition of tournament.

San Marino win SPOTLIGHT Marquez and Dovizioso are now tied on 199 points with Vinales third Independence Cup

Reuters London provides players

arc Marquez seized the lead opportunity to on the last lap to win a soak- ing San Marino Grand Prix for Honda yesterday and pull boost T20I rankings Mlevel at the top of the overall standings with works Ducati rider Andrea Dovizio- so. everal leading players now, but leg-spinners Imran Ta- Italian Danilo Petrucci, who led for from the world over will hir of South Africa and Samuel much of the race at Misano’s Marco Si- get a chance to enhance Badree of the West Indies, cur- moncelli circuit on Italy’s Adriatic coast, their Twenty20 Interna- rently in second and fi fth places, had to settle for second on a non-works tionalS rankings in the upcom- respectively, will also be eyeing Ducati with compatriot Dovizioso a dis- ing three-match Independence the opportunity of doing well for tant third. Cup series against Pakistan to be the World XI and moving up the Marquez and Dovizioso are now tied played under lights at the Gadd- rankings. Tahir is presently on on 199 points with Spaniard Maverick afi Stadium in Lahore on Sep- 744 points while Badree is on 714 Vinales, who fi nished fourth for Yamaha, tember 12, 13 and 15. points. third on 183. The Faf du Plessis-led World Tahir has spent 269 days as the The top two have both won four races XI side has fi ve players from top-ranked T20I bowler from but Marquez has more second places. South Africa and also a selection September 2016 to June 2017 Vinales had started on pole position of big names from six other Test while Badree has spent most and was the sole works Yamaha rider in playing countries in a series that time at the top with a total of 785 the race after Italian Valentino Rossi, has been given T20I status and days. He reached the top for the who is fourth in the championship on 157 hence performances will count fi rst time in March 2014 while points, broke his leg in training last week. in the calculation of individual his most recent stint as the top- However it was fellow-Spaniard and rankings. ranked bowler was in September triple MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo Not surprisingly, the high- 2016. who made a lightning start to take the profi le T20I series brings together In the rankings for batsmen, lead on the opening lap for Ducati. Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez (right, also below) rides ahead of Ducati riders Danilo Petrucci (centre) and Andrea Dovizioso several top-level competitors du Plessis is the top-ranked Lorenzo pulled away but crashed on the during the San Marino Moto GP Grand Prix at the Marco Simoncelli Circuit in Misano yesterday. (AFP) including three of the top fi ve player from either side at eighth seventh of 28 laps, fl ipping off the bike at bowlers in the ICC T20I Players position while his compatriot turn six and handing the lead to Petrucci. good on the bike so the risk was too high. Rankings getting to display their Hashim Amla (15th) and Bang- The Italian, who has yet to win a race in Everybody almost crashed today,” he said. talents. Pakistan’s left-arm spin- ladesh’s left-handed opener the top category, then led the next 20 on “It was a very diffi cult weekend but ner Imad Wasim leads the T20I Tamim Iqbal (41st) are the other his Pramac Ducati with Marquez closing we are there and did another podium in a rankings table for bowlers while prominent names in terms of in and biding his time before making the strange and diffi cult moment.” two former number-one bowlers rankings for the visiting side. Ba- move at the start of the last lap. feature in the World XI side. bar Azam (27th) and Shoaib Ma- “In rainy conditions you never know MOTOGP RESULTS Imad is way ahead of others lik (34th) are the leading batsmen but I was trying to control all the race, 1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 50:41.565 at a career-best 780 points as of for the home side. (ICC) trying to control myself because I was 2. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) +1.192 able to be a little bit faster but I said ‘you 3. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) +11.706 must be patient’,” said Marquez. 4. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) +16.559 “For a moment I thought of staying 5. Michele Pirro (Ducati) +19.499 in second position. Then on the last lap 6. Jack Miller (Honda) +24.882 I said ‘I try’. This championship is really 7. Scott Redding (Ducati Pramac) +33.872 tight and fi ve points can be a lot in the 8. Alex Rins (Suzuki) +34.662 end.” 9. Jonas Folger (Yamaha Tech3) +54.082 “After Silverstone this victory is re- 10. Bradley Smith (KTM) +57.964 ally important for myself and the team,” added the 24-year-old, who retired with OVERALL STANDINGS a blown engine in the previous round in 1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 199 pts Britain. His last lap was also the fastest of 2. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) 199 the race. 3. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) 183 Dovizioso, who would have been the 4. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 157 oldest rider to win three races in a row 5. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 150 since Australian Mick Doohan in 1998 6. Johann Zarco (Yamaha Tech3) 110 had he continued his run of success from 7. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) 95 Austria and Silverstone, said he was hap- 8. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) 92 py with a fi rst podium at Misano. 9. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) 90 Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Imad Wasim leads the T20I rankings table “I was there, but I wasn’t feeling so 10. Jonas Folger (Yamaha Tech3) 84 for bowlers. (AFP)

CRICKET Pakistan take big step in from cold as World come to play

AFP in Pakistan in recent years, but mili- side, Paul Collingwood. Lahore, Pakistan tant groups retain the ability to carry A potent bowling attack comprises out spectacular attacks and offi cials are South Africa’s Morne Morkel and Imran taking no chances. Tahir, with Australian Ben Cutting and akistan take a huge step to- Some 8,000 police and paramilitary West Indies’ Samuel Badree and Darren wards reviving international forces will guard teams as they travel Sammy. cricket at home after years back and forth from Lahore’s Gaddafi “I am positive that this series will of isolation when they host a Stadium. serve to open the doors of international Pthree-match Twenty20 series amid Roads and shops will be closed cricket in Pakistan,” said PCB chairman tight security against a star-studded around the 27,000-capacity venue, Najam Sethi. World XI, starting tomorrow. while spectators will have to pass Support from the International The series will be the most high-pro- through multiple security checkpoints. Cricket Council (ICC) has been crucial. fi le in the cricket-mad country since a The ICC have accorded international 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan LONG WAIT status on the matches, which will be team bus in Lahore left eight dead and While some vendors around the sta- played tomorrow, Wednesday and Fri- drove away international cricket and dium have complained about the secu- day, and are sending former West In- most other sports. rity, fans seemed unfazed. dian great Richie Richardson as referee. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) “I had to stand in a queue for seven “The ICC wants to see regular inter- have high hopes that the series will hours before getting my ticket,” said national cricket being played safely in close that dark chapter for good — and local college student Mohamed Farooq all its member countries and the World allow a new generation of players to ex- proudly. XI playing in Lahore is a step towards perience the thrill of playing before a Since the 2009 attack Pakistan that for the PCB,” said ICC chief execu- home crowd for the fi rst time. have been forced to play most of their tive David Richardson. Just fi ve members of the current “home” games in the United Arab “We are optimistic that this will be squad have done that before — skip- Emirates — with the PCB complain- the next step in a steady and safe return per Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Imad ing they have incurred losses of around of international cricket to Pakistan.” Wasim, Sohail Khan and Ahmed Sheh- $120mn. Whatever the result, if it passes zad. On the fi eld, Pakistan will start fa- without incident it will pave the way “I can assure all Pakistan cricket fans vourites in their fi rst outing since their for a further, hugely symbolic step: the that we have missed playing in front of shock victory at the 50-over Champi- return of Sri Lanka next month. them,” Ahmed said. ons Trophy in England in June. On Saturday, Pakistan announced “But I am confi dent that through The World XI are led by South Af- the itinerary for a full Twenty20 series this tour more cricket will come our rica’s Faf du Plessis and feature his against Sri Lanka — mainly in neu- way and we will (do) our best to win for countrymen Hashim Amla and David tral venues but, if the World XI passes home fans.” Miller, plus Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal without incident, the fi nale is planned and Australia’s George Bailey in strong for Gaddafi Stadium. BIGGER ISSUES Pakistani policeman rides past a billboard featuring International World XI cricketers outside the Gaddafi cricket stadium in batting line-up. If it comes to pass, it will be eight and “Everybody involved in the series will Lahore yesterday. (AFP) a half years since the deadly attack on realise there are bigger issues at stake ICC RECOGNITION Sri Lanka’s team bus outside the same than winning at cricket,” said World XI “However, I think when these excel- fl ow and they will come together and be “I’m pretty certain about that,” add- They have also tempted out of retire- Lahore venue, which left six police and coach and former Zimbabwe batsman lent players get together as a team, their doing everything in their power to win ed the former England coach. ment at the age of 41 the captain of two civilians dead, six players wound- Andy Flower. competitive juices will undoubtedly those games. Security has dramatically improved England’s 2010 World T20-winning ed.