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Wednesday, October 3, 2018 FOOTBALL Moharram 23, 1440 AH Late Silva winner GULF TIMES gets Man City back on track in Europe SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Persepolis pick up narrow win in ‘wrestling’ match vs Al Sadd ‘The team (Sadd) must believe in its potential... they were playing wrestling and this is not football’

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

l Sadd coach Jesu- aldo Ferreira slammed Persepolis for playing “wrestling... not foot- ball”A during the fi rst leg of their AFC Champions League semi- fi nal at Jassim Bin Hamad Sta- dium. Despite dominating the pro- ceedings for much part of the game, it all came down to a Ali Alipour penalty to break the deadlock in the 86th minute, as Persepolis won 1-0. In the end, Sadd were pun- ished for their lack of penetration in front of the goal as Persepolis’ narrow win put them in the driv- er’s seat ahead of the return leg at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on October 23. Alipour won a penalty after being fouled by Sadd goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb, who had replaced injured Mishal Barshm, just in- side the box. The home players protested the referee’s decision but it was a right call as the foul occurred just inside the box. Al Sadd’s Salem al-Hajri (left) vies for the ball with Persepolis’ Ali Alipour during the match yesterday. After a prolonged delay, Al- ipour picked himself up and wasted a golden opportunity to made no mistake in fi nding the take the lead. bottom corner from the spot to After Resan crossed the ball in signal celebratory scenes from from the left, all Godwin Men- their small pocket of away fans. sha could do was head the ball There was late drama to the over the crossbar. Afi f remained a heated contest as well after an lively threat for the home team on Al Sadd goal in the injury time the left and in the 43rd minute, was ruled out. In what seemed his low drive at goal was kept out like a contentious call from the by a fi ngertip save from the div- Sri Lankan referee Dilan Per- ing Beiranvand. era, Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Hassan al-Haydos replaced Beiranvand threw the ball in front Al Sadd captain Xavi (right) vies for the ball with Persepolis’ Ahmad Nourollahi during the first leg of the Woo-young after half-time to of him to kick it down the fi eld AFC Champions League semi-final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil inject space into Sadd attack but but Sadd forward Akram Afi f in- the Persepolis were determined tercepted the ball mid-air which 3-1 scoreline. we can maintain our chance to and Gabi were employed as wide not to make it easier for them. resulted in the ball bouncing into Ferreira said Sadd must believe compete for the title. We real- midfi elders. But the mobility Bounedjah cut a frustrated fi gure the post. Even as Afi f started his they can still turn it around in the ise how diffi cult it is to achieve failed to translate into penetra- throughout the match as he failed celebratory lap, the referee ruled second leg. “The team must be- this goal but are determined to tion as Sadd’s prolifi c striker and to fi nd the opportunities and was the eff ort as a foul. lieve in its potential. There will be achieve it,” Ferreira added. tournament top-scorer Baghdad also involved in few skirmishes Despite that misfortune, Sadd an opportunity to score in Tehran There was no doubt that Sadd Bounedjah was kept silent by a with Persepolis defenders, which and Ferreira will look back at the and now we are thinking of only were the quality side at least on resolute backline marshalled by attracted attention from the ref- match as a missed opportunity one outcome: that is to win the the paper. They had won 10 of captain Jalal Hosseini. eree. and have a huge task in front of return leg,” he said. their last 14 home games, scor- Persepolis were tough nut to Having been eliminated at the them in Tehran in three weeks’ The Portuguese manager was ing over 2.5 goals per game and crack despite missing three key same stage of the tournament time. also critical of the physical game failing to score just twice. But players — Kamal Kamyabinia and last year, Persepolis now poten- For Sadd, who are chasing employed by Persepolis. “The last night it was a diff erent story Mohamed Ansari to suspension, tially are just 90 minutes away their third Asian title and fi rst Iranian team is a very diffi cult as they failed to capitalise on a and defender Hossein Mahini out Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira. from contesting their fi rst-ever since 2011, they would need a team. They were playing wres- dominating start. of the season with knee injury. In Champions League fi nal, where repeat of their quarter-fi nal win tling and this is not football. We Sadd enjoyed much of the pos- fact, the away team looked dan- The fi rst real chance of the lis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand they will be looking to become against Esteghlal in Tehran last fought a lot over the course of the session with captain and mid- gerous with Ali Mosleh, Omid match for Sadd came in the 16th was on hand to safely gather the only the third Iranian side to be month, where they stunned the match. Now we have no choice fi eld maestro Xavi playing in a Alishah and Bashar Resan linking minute. Afi f got into the box and ball. crowned Asian champions after massive, raucous crowd with a but to win the return leg, so that free role, while Jung Woo Young up down the left. had a go at the goal but Persepo- Two minutes later, Persepolis Esteghlal and PAS Tehran.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Scottish football signs Barca break billion-dollar revenue barrier Reuters transfer fee. Barcelona The club also announced a 26-country deal with beIN record budget of $1.105bn for this season, which needs to be AFP League’s chief executive, said BeIN, which is headquartered C Barcelona announced approved at a general assembly Doha it would allow Scottish football in Doha, also show live matches yesterday it has become on Oct. 20. to be shown “in new territories in the same region from Spain’s the fi rst sports club to The club added that its debt around the world”. La Liga, France’s Ligue 1, and the post annual revenues amounted to $181.3mn as of cotland’s Premier League Other countries in the agree- English Premier League. exceedingF $1bn. June 30. yesterday announced a ment include Egypt, Kuwait, News of the contract came just La Liga champions Barcelona “The extraordinary income broadcast deal to show Saudi Arabia and Morocco. 24 hours after beIN launched presented their annual accounts from payment of Neymar Jr’s matches across 26 coun- The deal comes after Scottish a huge $1-billion compensa- yesterday, showing earnings of buyout clause has been com- triesS in the Middle East, Australia league offi cials in August ended tion claim against Saudi chan- $1.05bn for the 2017-18 fi scal pensated in next year’s budget and New Zealand with Qatar- a rights agreement for overseas nels which it accuses of illegally year, breaking its own income through improved commercial based channel beIN Sports. coverage of games with media broadcasting live games. record for the fi fth successive and sponsorship revenue, media The deal, which will also cover company MP & Silva. Qatar accuses pirates in Saudi year and posting a profi t for the rights, exploitation of the stadi- the League Cup, will run until BeIN’s Daniel Markham said Arabia of industrial-scale theft eighth consecutive year. um and transfer of players,” the June 2020, a joint statement from the deal with the Scottish Pre- by using a satellite provider in Barca said the rise in rev- club said in a statement. the Scottish league and beIN mier League “reaffi rmed” the the kingdom to illegally broad- enue was driven by increased “This is the fi rst time that said. company’s position as a global cast matches through a channel income from television rights and the August 2017 sale of Paris Saint-Germain for a revenue has surpassed $1bn, a Neil Doncaster, the Premier sports broadcaster. called beoutQ. from the Champions League Brazilian forward Neymar to record 222mn euros ($257mn) huge step up from 2016-17.” Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, October 3, 2018 FOOTBALL

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Late Stanislas Late Silva winner penalty gives Bournemouth gets Man City back win over Palace

Reuters mouth — the Welsh international London keeper keeping out a shot from Wilson and then diving to push away a header from Dan Gosling. n 87th minute penalty But three minutes from the from substitute Junior end, referee Mike Dean spot- on track in Europe Stanislas gave Bourne- ted Palace defender Mamadou mouth a 2-1 victory Sakho throw out at an arm and overA Crystal Palace at the Vitality elbow into the face of Jeff erson Guardiola’s men bounce back from the loss against Lyon a fortnight ago Stadium on Monday. Lerma and awarded a penalty The win, Bournemouth’s which Stanislas slotted home for fourth in seven games, moves the three points. Eddie Howe’s team to seventh “It was a diffi cult second half. place, just two points behind Palace played well and we took Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. a while to get into our stride. David Brooks, a close season When we did, we had some great signing from Sheffi eld United, chances and it was a great win,” put the Cherries ahead in the said Howe, who added his team fi fth minute with an excellent had their “feet on the ground” left-foot fi nish after smart work despite their lofty league posi- from Callum Wilson. tion. Bournemouth dominated the Former England manager fi rst half, moving the ball well at Hodgson felt his side were un- speed while Palace struggled to lucky not to get a draw. get a foothold but Roy Hodgson’s “We played well so it’s disap- side were a diff erent proposition pointing to end up on the los- after the break. ing side for that penalty we gave Palace got back on level terms away. It was errors on our part in the 55th minute with a thun- and we paid a price for it. dering drive from Patrick van “I thought we had done Aanholt, the Dutch wing-back enough in the second half to get blasting home after being fed by back into the game and get at Wilfried Zaha. least a point out of it,” said the But the Londoners needed two Palace manager whose team have big saves from keeper Wayne seven points from seven games Hennessey to hold off Bourne- and are 13th in the table.

Manchester City’s David Silva (right) scores the winning goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match against Hoff enheim at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena in Sinsheim, Germany, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Ishak Belfodil, but Sergio Ague- lead after just 44 seconds. to get the ball away to Aguero of his goal by a Hoff enheim Sinsheim, Germany ro quickly equalised before Sil- When central midfi elder again, but he could only fi re over. counter-attack, but the hosts va’s late strike. Kerem Demirbay spotted a hole The Argentinian had a total of failed to take advantage of the “We’ve got to take all the pos- in the City defence, his pass put seven chances, fi ve in the fi rst half empty net. late David Silva goal itives out of this performance Belfodil clear to fi re past goal- alone, and moments later Hoff en- City’s growing frustrations gave Manchester City with the way we attacked and keeper Ederson to the delight of heim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann bubbled over when Kyle Walker a 2-1 victory at Hof- defended with a high line,” City the home fans. had to palm yet another Aguero was booked for a crunching fenheim yesterday as captain Vincent Kompany told City hit back in the eighth shot over the crossbar. tackle on Hoff enheim’s Pavel PepA Guardiola’s side got their BT Sport. minute when Silva’s pass split Somehow, it remained 1-1 Kaderabek. Champions League campaign “It’s a fantastic result, every the Hoff enheim defence and at the break as repeated City With 20 minutes to go, Ague- back on track in Germany. away game in the Champions found Leroy Sane who cut the chances went begging. ro had his head in his hands af- After suff ering a shock 2-1 de- League is so hard to get three ball back for Aguero to convert. ter wasting a golden chance by feat at home to Lyon a fortnight points from. From that point on, City were LIVING DANGEROUSLY heading straight at Hoff enheim ago, the Premier League champi- “It was the only way to put repeatedly thwarted in their Hoff enheim started the second ‘keeper Baumann. ons badly needed the three points right the result against Lyon.” eff orts to grab a second goal half just as they had the fi rst — Guardiola, back on the side- to move off the bottom of Group F. The away win was thoroughly against a dogged Hoff enheim at full throttle. lines after serving a one-match Silva poached the winner with deserved as City were fi nally re- side until Silva struck. Belfodil again found space in ban against Lyon, leapt off the just three minutes left when he warded for their patience after The Germans had a huge let- the City defence, but fi red wide as bench in fury when City were reacted quickest to nick the ball dominating a determined Hof- off on 14 minutes when Raheem did midfi elder Florian Grillitsch denied a penalty after Baumann off Hoff enheim defender Stefan fenheim defence for long spells. Sterling held off his marker and moments later in an explosive brought down Sane in full fl ight Posch on the penalty spot and However, City got off to a dis- dribbled across goal, but his fi - opening from the hosts. in the area. fi re home. astrous start at the Rhein-Neck- nal shot went wide. City lived dangerously in However, Silva popped up AFC Bournemouth’s Junior Stanislas (left) celebrates his goal with Hoff enheim had taken the ar Arena as Hoff enheim shocked City threatened again on 32 chasing the elusive second goal. with the winner to delight City’s teammate Dan Gosling during the Premier League match against lead in the fi rst minute through the English side by taking the minutes when Sane managed Ederson was caught way out travelling fans. Crystal Palace in Bournemouth, England, on Monday. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT Dybala fl ourishes with hat-trick in Ronaldo’s absence

Reuters run perfectly to volley gently past Turin David von Ballmoos. Juventus hit with stand Young Boys bravely went for- ward but looked vulnerable every closure, fi ne for racist uventus playmaker Paulo time Juventus attacked and Dybala Dybala fl ourished in the ab- missed a chance to extend their lead Koulibaly chants sence of suspended Cristiano by shooting weakly at von Ball- AFP All three Italian Football Ronaldo yesterday, scoring a moos. Milan Federation observers in hat-trickJ to give the Serie A cham- But the Argentine, who has diff erent parts of the sta- pions a 3-0 win over Young Boys in struggled in Serie A, struck again dium reported hearing their Champions League match. in the 33rd minute by tucking in the talian champions Koulibaly targeted by Ronaldo, sent off in last month’s rebound after von Ballmoos could Juventus were on the chanting in the sixth 2-0 win over Valencia, missed his only parry Blaise Matuidi’s shot IMonday hit with a minute of the second fi rst game since joining the Turin from the edge of the penalty area. one-match closure of half. club in July but Juventus made light Dybala hit the inside of the post their south stand and As a result, the ‘Curva of his absence as they cantered to after the restart and although fined 10,000 euros Sud’ will be closed for their ninth straight win of the sea- Young Boys then enjoyed another ($11,500) after racist one game, the Italian FA son in all competitions. good spell, they were caught out chanting was aimed at ruled. The win leaves them with six again in the 69th minute. Napoli’s Senegalese de- Napoli were fined 15,000 points in Group H while group Juan Cuadrado was released on fender Kalidou Koulibaly euros after a fan threw stage debutants Young Boys have the right and his ball into the area during their game at the a seat into a group of yet to pick up a point or score a goal was touched in by Dybala who be- weekend. Juventus supporters. after losing both games 3-0 — a came the fourth Juventus player Massimiliano Allegri’s Roma were fined 5,000 stark contrast to their Swiss league to score a Champions League hat- side won 3-1 to move euros after smoke record of nine straight wins. trick. six points clear of Carlo bombs were thrown Juve went ahead after fi ve min- Young Boys fi nished with 10 men Ancelotti’s southern- onto the pitch at the utes with the simplest of goals. after defender Mohamed Ali Cama- ers in front of a record Stadio Olimpico during Defender Leonardo Bonucci sent a ra was sent off in the 78th minute league crowd of 39,552 their derby win over long ball looping over a fl at Young after picking up two yellow cards in Juventus’ Paulo Dybala (second from right) in action during the UEFA Champions League Group H match against at Juventus Stadium. Lazio. Boys defence and Dybala timed his three minutes. Young Boys at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Wednesday, October 3, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Neymar, PSG still not at 100 percent, says coach Tuchel

AFP “I’m working, every match, “unoffi cial” reaction. season and everyone is watching Paris every day, on improving both “You can well imagine that the him to see if he is in top form or physically and technically,” Ney- offi cial reaction should not be the if he makes mistakes, it’s diffi cult mar added. unoffi cial reaction,” he said. for him. razilian star Neymar Asked about the injury in “It was a very tough defeat for “He’s a player who needs to be and his coach Thomas March which ended his PSG sea- us, we did not play to our best. in a good state of mind, training Tuchel fully agreed yes- son and compounded his build- Certain criticism had to be made with a smile. terday that no-one at up to the World Cup in Russia, in the dressing room. “Honestly, I am very happy ParisB Saint-Germain was “yet at Neymar said it had made him “It was only the fi rst match in with ‘Ney’, he will reach top form, 100 percent”. “very sad”. the group, so you cannot exag- 100 percent, and that is very nec- Neymar “is perhaps not at 100 Brazil’s elimination from the gerate the criticism, we had to essary,” the coach said. percent, but he’s close,” Tuchel quarter-fi nals of the competition keep calm,” said the German. “Now he is very confi dent, said at a press conference ahead was also a source of “great frus- “I am very happy with their involved in the club and in the of today’s Champions League tration”. reaction, we have to continue to- project here and we are very sat- home game against Red Star Bel- But he added: “My injury, the morrow.” isfi ed.” grade. World Cup, they are in the past.” “I’m not at 100 percent of my After losing their opening ‘TRAINING WITH A SMILE’ Paris Saint-Germain head coach fi tness, no one is at 100 percent, group game to Liverpool, PSG After saying that Neymar was not Thomas Tuchel (right) speaks it’s the start of the season and we need a victory against Red Star quite 100 percent, Tuchel said: with Neymar (left) during a haven’t played many matches,” if they are to salvage their group “For me, it’s normal because he training session on the eve of said Neymar. campaign. was injured for a long time and it the Champions League match “World football reaches its Tuchel said yesterday his pub- was a very diffi cult and compli- against Belgrad at the Camp des peak around February and March, lic statements after the loss at cated World Cup for him.” Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, with the biggest matches. Anfi eld were not the same as his “He did not have a normal pre- near Paris, yesterday. (AFP)

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOCUS Sturridge an Messi at Wembley extra weapon looking to make in Liverpool’s armoury AFP London up for lost time t was a sight that just a few months ago would have been unthinkable — Liverpool a Since 2011 victory over Man Utd for the title at the venue, Barca has won only once goal down in a big game, and IMohamed Salah hauled off by Ju- AFP rgen Klopp. Barcelona Klopp got the goal he craved for a 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sat- urday that preserved Liverpool’s s Lionel Messi lay on unbeaten Premier League start, the Wembley grass, not via Salah’s immediate re- his left hand grasping placement Xherdan Shaqiri, but the Champions League another late substitute, Daniel trophyA and his right pumping Sturridge. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp the air, he must have thought A reborn Sturridge is now Liv- (left) talks to Daniel Sturridge there would be many more Eu- erpool’s joint top scorer so far during the EPL match against in ropean glory nights to come. this season with four goals de- London on Saturday. (AFP) It was 2011 and Barca had spite remaining behind Salah, beaten Manchester United 3-1. Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane a huge week for Liverpool’s Pre- “No one has given us a hiding in Klopp’s pecking order. mier League title challenge with like that,” Alex Ferguson said. That he has remained there to the visit of champions Manches- They were so much better be counted on at all, though, is ter City to Anfi eld this weekend, than the rest that many predict- a huge boost to Klopp’s quest to comes another big European ed a decade of European domi- both go one step further in the night at Napoli today. nance after that mesmerising Champions League this season However, Klopp now has the display. “We have a challenge and deliver a fi rst-ever Premier luxury of making changes with with Barcelona, we all do,” Fer- League title, 29 years after they City in mind without fearing the guson said. last won the English top fl ight. consequences. Messi had scored his side’s “Thank God he is here,” said “We have still good boys who second. Barcelona bounced in Klopp after Sturridge’s sensa- are not even in the squad in the front of the photographers, the tional dipping eff ort from out- moment,” said the Liverpool club’s name carved into the tro- side the box secured a point at boss. “It’s not too nice for the phy for a fourth time. Stamford Bridge. boys but good times for us.” For the 23-year-old Messi at “It would be really unlucky the front, it was a third Champi- for both sides if he was not. He ANCELOTTI UNHAPPY WITH ons League triumph in six years. is in the best shape since we’ve HUNGARIAN REFEREE But there has been only one in worked together.” Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti said the seven seasons since, when Sturridge has endured an in- yesterday he was surprised by Luis Enrique led his 2015 Barca jury-ravaged three years since the choice of Hungarian Viktor to a brilliant treble. Klopp took charge. Kassai to referee the Champions To make matters worse, arch- Farmed out to West Brom in League Group C game against rivals Real Madrid have been January in a bid to refi nd his form Liverpool in Naples. crowned European champions and fi tness, Sturridge’s ham- The Italian was furious with four times and three times in a pions League,” Messi told Cat- other, always lurking, was that Messi dependence”) Madrid ent Lenglet and Malcom are still string went again in his third the offi cial after his Bayern Mu- row since 2016. alunya Radio last month. he had relied too much on Messi. daily AS termed it on Monday, bedding in. game and he never scored for the nich side were eliminated from “They have made history and The club feel it too. Winning Both have bubbled ever since before listing all the relevant As for Messi, pressure is noth- Baggies as they were relegated. the Champions League by Real it’s a thorn in our side,” Luis La Liga has become more rou- and then burst to the surface last statistics. ing new. Argentina proved at the “He was always a bit unlucky Madrid in 2017. Suarez said. tine than remarkable. week when Barca, with key play- But the problem is perhaps World Cup that he cannot carry with injuries and stuff like that. “The referee brings back bad Messi returns to Wembley Even last season’s double ers rested, failed to record a win in less how to cope without Messi a poor team, but he can certainly That’s how it is, timing in life is memories for me relating to my to face Tottenham today with barely laid a fi nger on the dis- three consecutive league games. than how to overcome defi cien- inspire a good one. In 2011, they pretty important,” added Klopp. last team,” Ancelotti said at a happy memories but all of this appointment of a third straight They drew at home to Gi- cies elsewhere in the team. relied on him too. “Now, the timing is perfect. We pre-match press conference at weighing on his shoulders. quarter-fi nal exit, following a rona and lost to bottom club Barca’s defence, the platform “We have great players but need him desperately and he is fi t.” the San Paolo Stadium. collapse at Roma when the Ital- Leganes. Valverde persisted, and of their domestic success last without him we would not be “I’m surprised by the referee ‘IT’S TIME WE WON’ ian side overturned Barca’s 4-1 it was Messi’s turn on the bench season, is shaking, with fi ngers able to play the way we do,” Pep ‘WORLD CLASS’ designation... a long time has For most players, four Champi- fi rst leg lead. against Athletic Bilbao. pointing at Gerard Pique whose Guardiola said, as his team cel- Sturridge’s return further passed and time usually heals ons League titles is unthinkable Ernesto Valverde bore the He came on, and set up the mistakes have become too fre- ebrated on the Wembley turf. strengthens a squad already bol- certain things, but does not ban- but for Messi, playing through brunt of the criticism, the most equaliser, but that only gave quent to be ignored. “We have hard work, talent stered by the summer signings of ish them.” this era of Barcelona, it feels popular slight being that he ex- greater weight to the argument The midfi eld, without Andres and tactics that help, but Messi Shaqiri, Naby Keita and Fabinho. The Hungarian offi cial sent off light. hausted the players in a league Barcelona cannot do without him. Iniesta, lacks thrust while new is unique, irreplaceable. He That contrasts starkly with the Bayern midfi elder Arturo Vidal “It’s time we won the Cham- that had long been won. The “LaMessidependencia,” (“the signings Arturo Vidal, Clem- gives us that something extra.” limited options available to Klopp for two bookable off ences in the when Salah went off injured just match in 2017, while Cristiano 30 minutes into last season’s Ronaldo scored in extra-time Spanish La Liga chief Plans to cut time-wasting in Mata strikes to earn Sampdoria make Champions League fi nal. from an off side position as Real determined to make US Premier League to be Getafe well-deserved point comeback to win 2-1 at “We have a great squad, world- Madrid won 6-3 on aggregate. match work examined: reports away at Celta Vigo home against Spal class players, and he’s one of Ancelotti said at the time Kassai them,” said Virgil van Dijk, whose “wasn’t up to the task” of a Cham- Spain’s La Liga remains committed to Football’s law-making body will look at Getafe came back from a goal down to Sampdoria rallied to beat Spal 2-1 on own £75mn ($98mn) move from pions League quarter-fi nal. playing Barcelona’s league match with plans to curb time-wasting in the Premier draw 1-1 away at Celta Vigo on Monday Monday, leapfrogging their guests from Southampton in January has “It’s an important game but Girona next January in Miami, despite League after Cardiff City’s home match in La Liga. The home side took the lead Ferrara in the Serie A standings after a transformed Liverpool’s defence. not a decisive one, we need to try opposition to the plans, the organisa- against Burnley on Sunday marked a on 33 minutes when Maxi Gomez scored match that closed the seventh round of “Before I arrived at Liverpool, I and bring home the three points tion’s president Javier Tebas told Reuters. five-year low for playing time, The Times from the edge of the area. The goal owed the Italian league. Spal striker Alberto said he was one of the best strik- because we dropped two at Red The Spanish football federation (RFEF) and others reported yesterday. The ball much to Getafe keeper David Soria com- Paloschi struck on 21 minutes after Emil ers in the league and he shows it Star,” Ancelotti said. “They’re has put the brakes on the league’s plans was in play in Burnley’s 2-1 win for just 42 ing out of his goal to claim the long ball, Audero’s difficult save on a Manuel when he’s fi t. one of the best teams around, by demanding more information on the minutes and two seconds out of the regu- but getting nowhere near it. It was Jaime Lazzari drive and Karol Linetty vol- “I know what he’s capable of, they reached the Champions game, which also must be approved by lation 90 minutes. Cardiff defender Sean Mata who scored the equaliser on 77 min- leyed home a close equaliser as Fabio how good he can be and when League fi nal last year and this the United States soccer federation and Morrison reportedly took an average of utes, with his first goal since joining from Quagliarella set him up with a header. he’s at his best by playing against year they’ve started really well, regional bodies UEFA and CONCACAF. 25 seconds to make long throw-ins. It was Valladolid, where he top-scored in second The veteran Quagliarella also fed Gre- him and seeing him in training with great organisation. “Playing in the United States is vital to the shortest amount of playing time in a division last season. It was no more than goire Defrel on the hour for a winner with the hard work that he puts “We’re also in top physical our strategy there, and we won’t relent Premier League match since the 40 min- the visitors deserved. They dominated that pushed the Genoa side into eighth in and the positivity he brings.” condition so I expect a very in- on what is our right,” Tebas said in an utes and 50 seconds recorded in a Stoke the game, with Jorge Molina hitting the place on 11 points; Spal are on nine. Sturridge also played his part tense match,” added Ancelotti, exclusive interview at La Liga’s headquar- City-Aston Villa game in December 2013. bar in the first half. Celta’s Gustavo Cabral Samp have the league’s best defence in getting his side’s Champions whose side were beaten by Liver- ters yesterday. “If you want to make your A report in The Times of London said the lamented the late goal saying: “We have with four goals conceded, one less than League campaign off on the right pool 5-0 in a pre-season friendly. industry more global, as La Liga wants International Football Association Board let two points get away from us once Fiorentina, Inter Milan and champions foot with the opening goal dur- “Jurgen Klopp’s a diffi cult ri- to, if you want to be among the biggest (IFAB) are considering “a number of new again.” But Getafe’s Jose Bordalas felt Juventus, who lead on a maximum ing a thrilling 3-2 win over Paris val. His teams have a clear iden- industries in world sport then you have to ideas” in regards to improving playing his team deserved victory. “They scored 21 points after beating second-place Saint-Germain two weeks ago. tity: very dynamic, aggressive be immersed in the US market.” time as part of their ‘Play Fair’ strategy. because of a mistake from us,” he said. Napoli 3-1 on Saturday. Sandwiched in the middle of and direct when they attack.” Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, October 3, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT TENNIS Federer focusing Don’t call me cool, on future with says ‘very emotional’ new sponsor Osaka Federer’s switch to Uniqlo comes at a boom time for Japanese tennis after Naomi Osaka claimed the country’s first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open last month.

Switzerland’s tennis player Roger Federer (L) is helped by Tadashi Yanai, founder and president of Fast Retailing, known as the UNIQLO brand, during their press conference at the Fast Retail- ing headquarters in Tokyo yesterday.

Naomi Osaka of Japan in action yesterday.

AFP Osaka was not the only hand- Beijing some winner yesterday on Bei- jing’s outside hard courts. China’s wildcard entry Wang aomi Osaka is the Qiang continued her hot streak reigning US Open with a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing of champion, the fi rst Latvia’s 2017 French Open Japanese to win a Grand champion Jelena Ostapenko. NSlam singles title and a fast-ris- Ostapenko, the 12th seed, ing star of tennis — but do not required treatment on her left call her cool. wrist during the match and said Osaka bolstered her growing afterwards that she had been fame as she thrashed unseeded playing at barely 50 % because American Danielle Collins 6-1, of the injury. 6-0 in 53 minutes to saunter into “I was trying to play until the round three of the China Open last point because I really don’t yesterday. like those retirements during Told afterwards that she had the match,” said the 21-year- been branded “Queen of Cool” old. by an Australian tennis maga- Three-time Grand Slam win- zine, the 20-year-old looked ner Angelique Kerber is also into startled. round three, along with reigning Reuters erer had with Nike. global brand ambassador. Uniqlo shared that vision. the 20-year-old, who has also “I don’t like the word ‘cool’ China Open champion Caroline Tokyo The 37-year-old, who has “Life will go on and Uniqlo “Some people cannot go to qualified for the season-end- because then I feel like when Garcia of France. won 20 Grand Slam singles and Mr. Yanai believed in me school, even though they want ing WTA Finals. someone meets me, they’ll be Garcia will play Aryna titles — a men’s record — sig- very strongly as being very to, some people do go to school “I think winning Indian disappointed or something,” Os- Sabalenka after the Belarusian oger Federer said his nalled the end of his associa- important to their brand, even but do not get a quality educa- Wells helped her to believe aka told reporters in Beijing. defeated former number one decision to end a 20- tion with Nike in July when he though maybe my playing days tion and so this is where the that she could also win another “So they can use ‘expression- Garbine Muguruza in two high- year association with walked out onto Wimbledon’s are going to come to an end at Roger Federer Foundation has big title,” said Federer, who is less’ or something,” she added quality sets, 7-5, 6-4. Nike and embark on a Centre Court dressed in Uniqlo some point.” tried to make a difference in planning an exhibition match with a smile, playing with the In the men’s draw, top seed Rnew chapter with Uniqlo was apparel. By incorporating Federer in the region of Southern Africa,” in Japan next year. impression formed by some ob- Juan Martin del Potro called influenced by the Japanese Federer said the belief shown their LifeWear range, Uniqlo he said. “I think she is a champion servers. for on-court treatment but was clothing company’s commit- in him by Uniqlo’s CEO Tadashi appear to see the Swiss as a Federer’s switch to Uniqlo in the sense that she doesn’t “I think actually I’m very mostly comfortable in beating ment to stay with him long af- Yanai and Executive Creative brand off court as much as on comes at a boom time for Japa- shy away from the big stage. emotional.” Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas ter his playing days are over. Director John Jay had been key. it. nese tennis after Naomi Osaka Indian Wells is the second big- Osaka, whose maiden Grand 7-5, 6-2 in his opener. While no financial details “John Jay in New York, where One of Federer’s goals af- claimed the country’s first gest tennis court we have in the Slam was overshadowed by “It was a diffi cult start to the have been announced, media I had an event there, said it very ter he retires is to develop the Grand Slam singles title at the world and the US Open is the Serena Williams’s row with tournament for me,” said the reports have said the new deal nicely: ‘One day I will retire charity work started through US Open last month. biggest one. the chair umpire in their New giant Argentine, the losing US would be worth around $30mn from tennis but I will not retire his foundation, which aims to Federer, a five-time win- “She succeeded in both of York fi nal, faces 10th seed Julia Open fi nalist, adding that he a year, compared with the from life,’” said Federer, who empower children in poverty ner at Flushing Meadows, them and that shows a winner’s Goerges next at the China Open. twisted his knee in the second $10mn a year agreement Fed- was presented as Uniqlo’s new through education, and he said praised the mental strength of mentality.” Osaka has booked her spot in half of the match. the season-ending WTA Finals “It was nothing dangerous,” he Singapore for the fi rst time, un- added. SETBACK derlining her blossoming poten- “I served well, which is im- tial. portant for my whole game, but But the world number six has I didn’t feel with that strength appeared to struggle mentally during the game.” Halep sidelined indefi nitely with back injury with the fallout from the tem- Del Potro, enjoying the best pestuous fi nal at the US Open, season of his injury-disrupted AFP lem forced her out of the China Open where Williams branded Carlos career, faces Russia’s Karen Bucharest after just 31 miserable minutes. Ramos “a thief” and later ac- Khachanov next. The Romanian never looked com- cused him of sexism. Also safely into round two is fortable against Tunisian qualifi er Ons Osaka says her breakthrough second seed Alexander Zverev, omen’s world number one Jabeur, losing the opening set of their victory last month was “bitter- who defeated Roberto Bautista Simona Halep, who re- fi rst-round match 6-1 before calling it sweet”, but has refused to point Agut 6-4, 6-4, and third seed tired during her fi rst-round quits.She said at the time she thought the fi nger at the American great. Grigor Dimitrov. match in Beijing over the it was a diff erent back problem from the weekend,W said yesterday she has a herni- one that contributed to her early loss in ated disc. Wuhan a week earlier. CRICKET “I had an MRI on my back and found “I knew that there is pain, but I out that I have a herniated disc,” the thought if I warm up during the match, 27-year-old Romanian wrote on so- it’s going to be better, but it wasn’t,” she cial media. “I will consult doctors in said. The Romanian has been struggling Curran wins young the coming days and will keep you in- with injuries over the later stages of the formed.” season. She dropped out of the New Ha- “I hope to be back quickly,” she said, ven tournament at the end of August player award without off ering any timescale. with an Achilles problem and then lost On Sunday, Halep said she was “wor- in the fi rst round of the US Open a week AFP ried now” when a persistent back prob- later. London

UPSET ngland all-rounder Sam Curran won the Cricket Writers’ Club young cricketer of the year Hot Struff ! Top seed Cilic bundled out of Japan Open awardE yesterday while his Sur- rey teammate Rory Burns was AFP set. Cilic, who reached the fi nal of this similar fate to Cilic as the Greek thrashed named County Championship cluding four hundreds, as the Tokyo year’s Australian Open, broke for 3-2 Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-1, 6-3 in the late player of the year. County Championship title re- with a peach of a backhand that dipped match. Curran, 20, made his Test turned to the Oval for the fi rst viciously onto Struff ’s toes, but the Ger- Earlier, three-time Grand Slam winner debut against Pakistan in June time since 2002. op seed Marin Cilic crashed out man struck back — not once, but twice — Stan Wawrinka beat Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4 and ended up as England’s man- The 28-year-old fi nally forced of the Japan Open in a shock 3-6, to force a tiebreak. while eighth seed Richard Gasquet also of-the-series in a 4-1 success his way into the England squad, 6-4, 7-6 defeat to Germany’s Struff smashed the breaker, snaffl ing advanced, the Frenchman ousting an- over India. He is averaging an where he will now have a chance Jan-Lennard Struff in the fi rst it 7-1 with his ninth ace to complete a other American, Denis Kudla, 7-6, 6-3. impressive 36.50 with the bat to fi ll a vacancy at the top of the roundT yesterday. stunning turnaround after two hours, 18 Frances Tiafoe restored some pride for and 23.23 with the ball after fi ve order following Alastair Cook’s The former US Open champion looked minutes. the United States by beating Germany’s Tests, with a highest score of 78 retirement from international to be in complete control after pocketing He next plays Frenchman Jeremy Maximilian Marterer 7-5, 6-4. and best bowling fi gures of four cricket. the fi rst set with a brutal drive volley, but Chardy, who edged a war of attrition with Cilic’s demise will boost Kei Nishiko- for 74 with his left-arm swing. Natalie Sciver, captain of the things quickly unravelled for the Croatian places below Cilic at 56 in the world, had Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to ri’s hopes of winning a third Japan Open Surrey captain Burns led from Surrey Stars side that won the when Struff suddenly caught fire. levelled the match, normal service ap- reach the last 16. crown after the local favourite won the the front with a tally of 1,359 Kia Super League title, won the After Struff , ranked a whopping 50 peared to have resumed in the deciding Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas avoided a tournament in 2012 and 2014. runs at an average of 64.71, in- CWC’s women’s award. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 3, 2018 5 SPORT

NFL Chiefs rally past Broncos to stay unbeaten Reuters mes completed 8 of 10 passes to After the Chiefs tied the score Los Angeles drive the Chiefs 75 yards, includ- at 13 with a 21-yard fi eld goal ing a 2-yard touchdown pass to by Harrison Butker in the third tight end Travis Kelce with 6:27 quarter, they could not capitalise ansas City quarterback left. That march brought Kansas on an interception by Eric Mur- Patrick Mahomes en- City within 23-20. ray, stalling on downs. That gave gineered two fourth- Kelce fi nished with 78 yards the Broncos a lift as they marched quarter touchdown on seven catches. Hunt added 80 yards and made it 20-13 on a Kdrives Monday, passing for 304 121 yards on 19 carries. On the 1-yard plunge by Lindsay with yards as the Chiefs outlasted the decisive drive, the Chiefs faced 2:05 left in the third quarter. host Denver Broncos 27-23. second-and-30, yet Mahomes Denver drove 60 yards in just With the Chiefs trailing 23- responded with a 23-yard pass more than two minutes for a 13, their fl ashy fi rst-year starter to Demarcus Robinson and a 34-yard fi eld goal by Brandon sparked his fi rst comeback as a 35-yarder to Demetrius Harris to McManus as time expired in pro. Kansas City went in front get the ball to the Denver 11. the fi rst half. The boot gave the when running back Kareem Rookie running backs Phil- Broncos a 13-10 halftime lead. Hunt crashed in for a 4-yard lip Lindsay and Royce Freeman Kansas City managed one fi rst- touchdown with 1:39 remaining. rushed for 69 and 67 yards, re- half TD drive, going 89 yards, Although he started slowly, spectively, to ignite the upset bid capped by Mahomes’ TD run. A Mahomes completed 28 of 45 for Denver (2-2). Freeman 14-yard run produced passes while adding an 8-yard Quarterback Case Keenum the game’s fi rst touchdown, ty- touchdown rush. drove the Broncos to the Chiefs ing the score 10-10 in the middle The victory was the sixth 28-yard line in the closing sec- of the second quarter. straight in the series for the onds, but an attempted catch- Chiefs (4-0), who opened a and-lateral on fourth down was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback two-game lead in the AFC West ruled as an incomplete pass. Patrick Mahomes celebrates a while posting their 18th win in Kansas City then took posses- fourth quarter touchdown against their past 19 matchups against sion with 12 seconds remaining. the Denver Broncos at Broncos division rivals. Before the game- Keenum fi nished 21 of 33 for Stadium at Mile High. winning, 60-yard drive, Maho- 245 yards with one interception. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

MLB SPOTLIGHT Yanks, A’s tight-lipped Buehler’s day on as on wild-card starters Reuters New York

wo days out from the American League wild- card game, the host New York Yankees and the Dodgers advance, TOakland A’s still weren’t pre- pared to declare a starting pitch- er for today’s contest. First-year Yankees manager Aaron Boone, a former ESPN analyst, texted his former tel- evision colleague Karl Ravech on Monday while Ravech was Brewers down Cubs calling the Milwaukee Brewers- Chicago Cubs tiebreaker game ‘I know how hard it is to get to this point and I’m proud to be a part of this group’ that determined the National Luis Severino League Central champion. “I know who’s starting. My it. It’s one of those things where lips are sealed,” Boone reported- if it doesn’t work, it’s going to be ly told Ravech. The likely candi- the reason, where if it does work, dates to start for New York (100- it will be the reason as well. Eve- 62) are Luis Severino, Masahiro rything’s going to be amplifi ed.” Tanaka and J.A. Happ. Oakland’s lone double-digit- As for the A’s (97-65), manager winning pitcher this season, Bob Melvin might employ an all- Sean Manaea, underwent ar- bullpen approach to his Wednes- throscopic surgery on his left day pitching staff . Multiple media (pitching) shoulder on Sept. 19, outlets reported that Liam Hen- ruling him out for the year. driks could serve as an “opener” The Athletics’ other regular with other bullpen arms follow- rotation members, with their ing him to the mound. record for Oakland this year, are Eight of Hendriks’ 25 outings Trevor Cahill (7-4), Mike Fiers this year came as a starter, but he (5-2), Edwin Jackson (6-3) and never pitched more than two in- Brett Anderson (4-5). nings. A 29-year-old Australian The Yankees’ rotation features right-hander, Hendriks would Severino (19-8), Tanaka (12-6), be an extremely unusual start- Happ (7-7) and CC Sabathia (9- ing pitcher for a team’s playoff 7), but there is a chance New opener considering he had no York could play a bullpen game wins this year. He went 0-1 with Wednesday, too. a 4.13 ERA. “I think that’s absolutely a Of the prospect of starting the consideration,” Boone said Sept. wild-card game, Hendriks said 26 on ESPN Radio’s ‘The Michael Saturday, “Whatever they need Kay Show.’ “I could see them me to do – whether they want pitching well and not necessarily me to relieve, whether they want going deep in the game because, me to start, whether they want of course, we do have those guys me to be ready in the fi rst – I’m (in the bullpen). They’ll be rest- just going to take it as it is. If they ed. They’ll be lined up to go. It’s tell me I’m starting, I’m going to conceivable that we could get start. If they tell me going to re- two, three, four, fi ve innings out lieve, I’m going to stay out in the of our starter pitching well and bullpen and wait for that phone then roll it out.” call.” The winner of the AL wild- He added of the team poten- card game will face the AL East tially taking an all-bullpen ap- champion Boston Red Sox (108- proach, “I think there’s defi nitely 54) in the best-of-fi ve AL Divi- going to be a lot more scrutiny on sion Series beginning Friday.

Sabres C Wilson undergoes ankle surgery

Buff alo Sabres forward Scott Brandon Hickey were also sent Wilson will miss eight to 10 to Rochester. Buff alo opens the Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning in the National League West division tiebreaker game at weeks after undergoing surgery season Thursday when it hosts Dodger Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports to repair a broken ankle, the the Boston Bruins. team announced Monday. AFP that includes a 98-mph fast- kee Brewers. The Rockies and get the fi nal three outs and wrap placed Jesse Chavez with Justin Wilson was injured during prac- DUCKS CLAIM LW ABERG OFF Los Angeles ball, multiple eff ective break- Dodgers had set up a deci- up the Dodgers sixth straight Wilson on the mound. tice on Sunday. WAIVERS FROM OILERS ing balls and an unfl appable sive tie-breaker game for the divisional title. Arcia singled on a ground Wilson, 26, had 14 points (six The Anaheim Ducks claimed left demeanour. NL West title after fi nishing the In Monday’s other tie-break- ball to reach fi rst before pinch- goals, eight assists) in 49 games wing Pontus Aberg off waivers alker Buehler sti- Cody Bellinger and Max regular season level with identi- er game, the Brewers sealed hitter Domingo Santana dou- last season for the Sabres after from the Edmonton Oilers on fl ed the Colorado Muncy both blasted two-run cal 91-71 records on Sunday. their fi rst divisional title since bled to leave the Brewers with being acquired from the Detroit Monday. Rockies as the Los homers for the Dodgers while With the 24-year-old Bueh- 2011 with a tense 3-1 win over men on second and third with Red Wings. Wilson was score- Aberg, 25, registered four goals Angeles Dodgers Buehler capped a superb indi- ler dominant at the mound, the Cubs at Wrigley Field. no outs. less in 17 combined games with and 12 assists last season while Wunleashed their hitting power vidual display by uncorking an the Dodgers took control when Milwaukee opened the scor- Steve Cishek then replaced the Pittsburgh Penguins and splitting time between Edmon- in a division-clinching 5-2 RBI single which allowed Kike Bellinger smashed a 95-mph ing in the third inning when star Wilson for the Cubs to staunch Detroit earlier last year. ton and the Nashville Predators. tiebreaker victory on Monday. Hernandez to scramble home fastball from German Marquez slugger Christian Yelich singled the situation but Lorenzo Cain He appeared in parts of four The Predators’ 2012 second- Dodgers rookie Buehler pro- for a 5-0 lead in the sixth in- into right centre-fi eld for a to centre fi eld to send Orlando singled with a line drive to seasons with the Penguins, who round pick has 18 points in duced a pitching masterclass ning. two-run homer in the bottom of Arcia home. allow Arcia to score for a 2-1 selected in the seventh round 68 career NHL games. Aberg to keep the Rockies off ense in a The Dodgers, beaten by the the fourth. Chicago hit back to level in lead. of the 2011 draft. Wilson has played in six Stanley Cup Final vice-like grip and provide Houston Astros in the World Muncy then doubled the the fi fth inning when Anthony The Brewers stretched the 19 goals and 27 assists in 172 games for Nashville in 2017. the platform for his team’s Series last year, will now ad- Dodgers lead in the fi fth with Rizzo blasted a solo home run lead to 3-1 shortly afterwards career NHL games. The Ducks had depth concerns formidable hitting line-up in an vance to a best-of-fi ve divi- another two-run blast before into right fi eld to make it 1-1. when Ryan Braun drove to cen- Buff alo also assigned forward at forward with right wing emphatic win at Dodger sional series against the Atlanta Buehler’s RBI in the sixth made “I know how hard it is to get tre-fi eld for an RBI single that Alexander Nylander to Roches- Corey Perry sidelined for five Stadium. Braves starting in Los Angeles it 5-0. to this point and I’m proud to brought Santana home. ter of the American Hockey months after knee surgery. Vet- His politer teammates refer on Thursday. The Dodgers were given a be a part of this group,” Yelich The Brewers then looked to League. The 2016 first-round erans Patrick Eaves (shoulder) to his confi dence — “You don’t The Rockies will head to scare when closer Kenley Jansen said. Josh Hader to shut down the draft pick has appeared in just and Ryan Kesler (hip) are also have to tell Walker how good Chicago on Tuesday to face the was pounded for home runs by With pitching units domi- Cubs in the fi nal two innings, seven NHL games and has one recovering from injuries. he is,” Clayton Kershaw said — Cubs in the wild card game, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Sto- nant, the breakthrough came in and the All-Star pitcher duly goal and one assist. Defense- Anaheim opens the regular while others off er a more can- with the winner advancing to ry in the ninth with no outs. the eighth inning shortly after delivered, getting the fi nal six men Brendan Guhle and season today at San Jose. did way to describe an arsenal a series against the Milwau- Jansen recovered however to Cubs skipper Joe Maddon re- outs to see Milwaukee home. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, October 3, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Marler admits seeking bans to avoid England duty AFP itself,” he said referring to his London seeking a way out of joining up New Kangaroos skipper suspended aft er drink-driving charge for an England training camp. “After that game, I said I can’t New Kangaroos skipper Greg Inglis has been stupid mistake” but refused to stand down from ormer England Test prop keep doing this... I can’t keep suspended for two games after being caught al- the captaincy, saying it was up to the NRL to de- Joe Marler candidly ad- doing this roller coaster. legedly drink driving just hours after his appoint- cide if he can retain the armband. “We’ll just wait mitted yesterday that he “It’s not fair on my family and ment, the National Rugby League said yesterday. and see what the NRL decide, it’s out of my hands became so disenchanted it’s not fair on my club.” Inglis, 31, was charged with drink driving and now,” Inglis told reporters in Sydney. “But it’s still withF international rugby he He said he rang England coach speeding on Monday, shortly after he was handed something that I’d really love, to be Australian sought red cards in club matches Eddie Jones the next day. the captaincy over main rival Boyd Cordner. captain. Obviously we have standards there... so so he would be banned. “I...was pretty honest with The suspension means he will miss the Kanga- it’s disappointing from my end.” The 28-year-old Harlequins him. He said, ‘I appreciate your roos’ matches against New Zealand and Tonga Inglis was pulled over for speeding in a black Mer- star, who called time on his 59- honesty, good on ya, all the best’. later this month, with Cordner – the co-captain cedes on Monday afternoon near Lithgow, west Test England career last week, It was short.” of the NRL premiership champions the Sydney of Sydney, and failed a breath test. The South told ‘The Rugby Pod’ that when Marler says becoming a father Roosters – to take over as captain. Inglis’ sanction Sydney star had been attending an indigenous a tour or the Six Nations loomed – he has two sons – had been the was decided by Australian coach Mal Meninga sports carnival and said he mistakenly felt he was he deliberately aggravated ref- turning point. and NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg, who under the limit and able to drive. erees into giving him a card of “When I had kids it com- want the Kangaroos to “uphold the principles of He is set to appear in Lithgow Local Court on No- some sort so that he missed at pletely fl ipped my perspective,” the RISE values (respect, inspire, selfless, excel- vember 22. “I don’t think I’ve let my country down the least one Test. he said. lence)”. “Greg is not just a great player, he is one of but I have let a lot of people down because of “The anxiety I would get “I need to be around more – our best role models, but he made a poor decision where I stand in the game as a proud indigenous about having to leave and go ports his claim. He missed Eng- and £20,000 ($26,369, 22,413 half the year I’m away. on this occasion,” Greenberg said. role model,” he said. “I think I’ve let a lot of kids away again would manifest itself land’s fi rst two matches in this euros) fi ne for calling Wales prop “You might as well write this The NRL said that the Queenslander had accepted down, a lot of people down in the sense of that in giving away more dull penal- year’s Six Nations because he Samson Lee “gypsy boy” dur- year off . their decision. The longer-term future of Inglis as community.” ties and looking for outs, look- was banned and prior to that ing a Six Nations international “It’s (2019) a huge year – skipper remains uncertain, with NRL.com report- Inglis said he believed he still deserved the cap- ing for a yellow card, looking sat out the fi rst two Tests of last at Wickenham – realised when World Cup, Japan. ing that the NRL Integrity Unit will investigate be- taincy and expected the matter to be dealt with for a red card, because if I could November’s home series with a he played for Harlequins in a re- “Yeah you talk about the coin fore a decision is made. South Sydney Rabbitohs’ by late Wednesday. “In 13 years I haven’t had any pick up a ban, that’s an easy way suspension. cent Premiership match against and the earnings, but you can’t Dane Gagai was added to the squad following charges laid against me or been involved in any out without actually pulling the However, Marler – who court- Bristol that his England career buy back the years or parents’ Inglis’ withdrawal. incidents at all, so hopefully we’ll wait and see,” trigger,” he said. ed controversy during his Test was up. evenings or the stuff you’re po- Inglis earlier Tuesday acknowledged he made “a he said. Marler’s recent record sup- career receiving a two-week ban “That mindset manifested tentially missing out on.”

RUGBY NBA Irving regrets ever calling Earth ‘fl at’ Hurting All Blacks education.... They lie to us.... Reuters New York “If you really think about it from a landscape of the way we travel, the way we move, and the fact that year and a half af- – can you really think of us rotat- ter rattling the NBA ing around the sun and all planets world and beyond aligned, rotating in specifi c dates, by saying he had no being perpendicular with what’s must learn lesson, doubtA that the Earth was fl at, going on with these planets?” he Boston Celtics star point guard said that day. Jeff erson that when ‘They created a bit of pressure Kyrie Irving says he regrets Irving made the comment, he used ever bringing up the topic. his fi ngers to put word “planets” in but we let them back into the “I’m sorry about all that,” Ir- air quotations. ving said Monday, speaking at His message on Monday game. We could have executed the Forbes Under 30 Summit in seemed to be that he didn’t re- Boston. He said he often hears alise how much his comments says Crotty better down the stretch’ from irate science teachers who would resonate. tell him, “You know, I gotta re- “At the time, you’re like in- teach my whole curriculum!” nocent in it, but you realise the On NBA All-Star weekend eff ect of the power of voice. in February 2017, Irving, then Even if you believe in that, just with the Cleveland Cavaliers, don’t come out and say that was a guest on a podcast along stuff – it’s for intimate con- with teammates Richard Jef- versations.... At the time, I just ferson and Channing Frye, and didn’t realise the eff ect... I’m he didn’t mince words about sorry about all that.” the shape of the world. Irving stopped short of say- “This is not even a conspira- ing what he believes now, cy. The Earth is fl at. The Earth round vs. fl at, but said, “At the is fl at. The Earth is fl at,” Irv- time, I was huge into conspira- ing said adamantly. “All these cies. Everybody’s been there. things that particular groups, I Everybody’s been there like, won’t even pinpoint one group, ‘Whoa! What’s going on with that they almost off er up this our world?!”

Ex-world champ Rocchigiani killed in accident Germany’s former world boxing champion Graciano Rocchi- giani, who won belts at two diff erent weights, was killed in a car accident in Italy yesterday, aged just 54. Police in Brandenburg confirmed Rocchigiani’s death to SID, an AFP subsidiary, having informed the former boxer’s relatives. Germany’s ‘Rocky’ won the IBF world super middleweight belt in 1988, which he defended three times before vacating to step up to light-heavyweight. He moved back down in 1994, but lost to Britain’s Chris Eubank on points when he challenged for the world WBO super mid- dleweight title in Berlin. Then in 1998, Rocchigiani was crowned world champion for the second time when he took the vacant WBC light-heavyweight title with a split decision against US fighter Michael Nunn in Berlin.

FOCUS Italy formalises bid for Winter Olympics with Milan, Cortina

DPA regional president Attilio Fon- Rome tana told reporters in Milan. All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty (right) is tackled by Argentina’s Los Pumas centre Jeronimo De La Fuente during their Rugby Championship match at Jose Amalfitani stadium in The Italian bid originally also Buenos Aires on September 29. (AFP) included Turin, but it pulled taly has formalised a bid out after refusing to co-operate “We always believed we were the title in the bag. for three weeks with a shoulder mas in Buenos Aires. to host the 2026 Win- with the other two candidate Reuters going to get it done but we didn’t “You can’t beat a test in Pre- injury, the Argentine Rugby Un- ter Olympics in the cit- cities. Turin already hosted Johannesburg and so that hurts.” toria, hopefully it’s a sellout. I ion said in a statement. SQUAD: Iies of Milan and Cortina the 2006 Winter Games, while Crotty suggested New Zea- haven’t played in a sold out sta- Coach Mario Ledesma also in- 1-Matias Alemanno, 2-Gonzalo d’Ampezzo, the country’s Na- the mountain resort of Cor- land’s lines of communica- dium there since 2009 against cluded blindside fl anker Santia- Bertranou, 3-Emiliano Bof- tional Olympics Committee tina d’Ampezzo hosted them in ew Zealand centre tion had broken down at times the Bulls and it’s an awesome go Grondona in place of the in- felli, 4-Sebastian Cancelliere, (CONI) said on Monday. 1956. Calgary in Canada, Swed- Ryan Crotty hopes the against the Springboks. atmosphere,” he said. jured Tomas Lezana and winger 5-Agustin Creevy, 6-Tomas “Italy is offi cially a candi- ish capital Stockholm and Er- world champions have “As a leadership group, we Organisers said last month Manuel Montero for Matias Os- Cubelli, 7-Jeronimo De la Fuente, date with Milan and Cortina,” a zurum in Turkey are the other learned their lesson learnt just how important our that all 50,000 tickets had been adczuk, who was released to play 8-Bautista Ezcurra, 9-Diego For- CONI spokesman said, adding candidates for the 2026 games. Nfrom last month’s home defeat communication is out there (on sold for the game. for Argentina’s second string that CONI President Giovanni The IOC is due to decide on the tuny, 10-Santiago Garcia Botta, by South Africa as they seek to the fi eld) so that we can make side in a tournament in Uruguay. 11-Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Malag confi rmed this in writ- host city in September 2019. re-establish their Rugby Cham- good decisions in terms of our ARGENTINA MAKE THREE The Pumas host Australia in 12-Santiago Grondona, 13-Ram- ing to the International Olym- Meanwhile The four British pionship dominance over the game plan,” he told a news con- CHANGES FOR WALLABIES VISIT Salta on Saturday in their last iro Herrera, 14-Marcos Kremer, pic Committee (IOC). national football associations Springboks in Pretoria at the ference as the All Blacks contin- Argentina recalled winger Ram- Rugby Championship match of 15-Martin Landajo, 16-Tomas The Italian government is of- are planning to send a Great weekend. ued their preparation for Satur- iro Moyano as they made three the season. Argentina are three Lavanini, 17-Juan Manuel Legui- fering “political support,” but the Britain women’s team to the “There were a few learnings day’s test at Loftus Versfeld. changes for Saturday’s Rugby points ahead of Australia, who zamon, 18-Juan Cruz Mallía, regions of Lombardy and Veneto, 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, for us out there. We were feeling The match is the last for both Championship test with Aus- have won only one of their fi ve 19-Pablo Matera, 20-Santiago which respectively encompass FIFA confi rmed. good when we were 14 points up nations in this year’s Rugby tralia, who need to win the match matches in the competition Medrano, 21-Manuel Montero, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, World football’s governing and we let them back in,” Crotty Championship which New Zea- to avoid the wooden spoon. this season and were surpris- 22-Julian Montoya, 23-Matias will provide funding for the bid, body said it had received writ- said yesterday of the shock 36- land secured thanks to their 35- Moyano missed the 35-17 ingly beaten 23-19 by the South Moroni, 24-Ramiro Moyano, the spokesman added. ten confi rmation from the Eng- 34 loss in Wellington. 17 win over Argentina in Buenos loss to New Zealand last Satur- Americans when the teams met 25-Matias Orlando, 26-Javier “We have to try to convince, lish Scottish, Welsh and North- “They created a bit of pressure Aires on Saturday. day due to a rib complaint but in Queensland last month. Ortega Desio, 27-Guido Petti, make the (IOC) understand ern Irish football Associations but we let them back into the Prop Owen Franks said there has been drafted into the 30- New Zealand wrapped up the 28-Nicolas Sanchez, 29-Nahuel that our proposal is the best confi rming their intention to game. We could have executed was still plenty to play for man squad as a replacement for Rugby Championship title last Tetaz Chaparro, 30-Juan Pablo proposal compared to all the allow a British women’s team to better down the stretch. against South Africa even with Bautista Delguy, who will be out weekend when they beat the Pu- Zeiss. other candidatures,” Lombardy try to qualify. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 3, 2018 7 GOLF

DEVELOPMENT Fan blinded by Koepka’s tee shot takes legal action AFP sight in my right eye and this was consequences from a ball strike,” Paris confi rmed to me today.” the organisers said, adding: “Ball She has a fractured eye socket strikes are an occasional hazard for and a damaged eyeball. Remande spectators but this kind of incident Frenchwoman blinded in said there was no warning from is extremely rare.” one eye after being hit by stewards at the course before the Organisers said they had been a wayward tee shot at the ball hurtled into the gallery. in contact with the family and had Ryder Cup is taking legal “Quite clearly, there is responsi- helped “with the logistics of re- actionA against the event’s organis- bility on the part of the organisers,” patriation, including providing a ers, she said yesterday. she told AFP. She and her husband transfer for the family from Paris Corine Remande, 49, was hit Raphael had travelled to France to Lyon. on Friday’s opening day, when from their home in Egypt to watch “We will continue to off er sup- American Brooks Koepka’s drive the biennial showdown between port for as long as necessary. on the par-four sixth hole veered Europe and the United States, held “We are hugely sympathetic and off course. She launched her legal at Le Golf National just outside will do everything we can to sup- action in the French city of Lyon Paris. Ryder Cup organisers said port the spectator, insofar as that yesterday. The complaint, seen they would “continue to off er sup- is possible under very diffi cult cir- by AFP, alleges organisers were port” to Remande, but said a warn- cumstances.” responsible for “a lack of safety ing was shouted to spectators. Remande received fi rst aid on rules”. the spot before being transferred “The player should have shouted ‘EXTREMELY RARE’ to a specialist eye hospital in Paris. ‘ball’, or ‘fore’ for English speakers. “We can confi rm that ‘fore’ was She was then driven to her par- Given the distance, the stewards shouted several times but also ents’ home in Lyon after doctors should have relayed this informa- appreciate how hard it can be to advised her not to fl y immediately tion to the green,” she adds in the know when and where every ball back to Egypt. complaint. is struck if you are in the crowd,” a Remande said: “More than any- Remande told AFP after being statement said. thing I want them to take care of all examined at a Lyon hospital on “It is distressing to hear that the medical bills to make sure there US golfer Brooks Koepka reacts next to injured spectator Corine Remande who fell during the fourball match on the first day of the 42nd Monday: “They told me I’d lost the someone might suff er long term is no risk of infection. Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, south-west of Paris on Friday. (AFP)

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Reed slams US team selection A fun golfi ng weekend aft er Ryder Cup rout

AFP in Paris – just nobody New York atrick Reed has criticised the leadership of the United States’ Ryder Cup team in the wake of their thrashing by Europe. In comments reported by the New York PTimes on Monday, Reed slammed the decision to split up his previously successful partnership mention the B-word with Jordan Spieth and suggested that “egos” had scuppered the US challenge in France. After Bjørn mentioned it in his opening speech, Brexit was a no-go area of conversation at Ryder Cup The USA were thrashed 17.5 to 10.5 on Sunday, ensuring that the long wait for an American vic- tory on European soil would continue. As Europe basked in the afterglow of vic- tory, however, Reed took aim at the “buddy sys- tem” which he claimed infl uenced the US loss. The 28-year-old Masters champion said he had wanted to play with Spieth but saw his wishes go ignored. “The issue’s obviously with Jordan not wanting to play with me,” Reed told the Times. “I don’t have any issue with Jordan. When it comes right down to it, I don’t care if I like the person I’m paired with or if the person likes me, as long as it works and sets up the team for success. “He and I know how to make each other better. We know how to get the job done.” Spieth, 25, was paired with close friend Justin Thomas, and they went 3-1 while Reed went 0-2 in two outings with Tiger Woods. Reed was left out of the pairings in the Friday and Saturday afternoon sessions by captain Jim Furyk. “For somebody as successful in the Ry- der Cup as I am, I don’t think it’s smart to sit me twice,” Reed complained. Reed said the Americans had failed to take heed of their own inspirational messages pinned up in the team room. “Every day, I saw ‘Leave your egos at the door,’” Reed said. In a reference to the vic- torious Europeans, he added: “They do that bet- ter than us.”

Ryder Cup winners left egos at door, says vice-captain McDowell

Ryder Cup vice-captain Graeme McDowell believes the key to Europe’s success against the United States was that the players treated each other as equals and left their “egos at the door”. Masters champion Patrick Reed criticised the Team Europe captain Thomas Bjorn and his team pose with the trophy after winning the Ryder Cup. (Reuters) leadership of the US team following their 17.5 to 10.5 defeat in France at the weekend. Andy Bull voted to get the hell away from. managed to reiterate his comments, No doubt May knows the story event. “The Americans are quite In comments reported by the New York The Guardian And given the demographics of “I’m a proud European,” while also of the Ryder Cup is one of Britain’s happy to treat this match as a good- Times on Monday, Reed criticised the deci- the average golf club clientele, that walking back from them, “but that pig-headed insistence on going it will gesture, a get-together, a bit of sion to split up his previously successful part- estimate is likely to be a couple of doesn’t mean I believe in the Euro- alone, failing horribly, and, in the fun,” Nicklaus explained, “But here nership with Jordan Spieth and suggested he 1st hole of the Albatros clubs short of the green. According pean Union or not. I’m not address- end, being rescued by opening up in Britain it’s treated diff erently. that “egos” had scuppered the American course at Le Golf Nation- to YouGov, the average British golf ing the people of the United King- to a partnership with continental The people here seem to want a challenge. Reed said the Americans had al runs 420 yards, down fan is unusually likely to be a right- dom in any way, shape or form.” Europe. serious, knock-em down match. If failed to take heed of their own inspirational around a dogleg curve that wing man who has an interest in, The English golfers also refused For the fi rst 50 years, it was a con- that’s what’s wanted, there has to be messages pinned up in the team room. Tturns away from the large pond you among other things, BMWs, busi- to touch the issue with a fl agstick. test between Britain and Ireland on a stronger opposition. Something “Every day, I saw ‘Leave your egos at the have to cross with your second shot ness and fi nance, Jeremy Clarkson “Sorry,” said Paul Casey, his sense the one side and the USA on the oth- has to be done to make it more of a door,’” Reed said. In a reference to the victori- to reach the small, sloping green. and Roy Chubby Brown. of irony sheathed in his golf bag er. Before the second world war, the match for the Americans.” ous Europeans, he added: “They do that It looks tricky to play any time but Of course the Ryder Cup team alongside his three wood, “I haven’t British and Irish won two matches Something was. The British team better than us.” McDowell said the European during the Ryder Cup it was ridicu- represent Europe rather than the thought about it.” out of fi ve, after it they managed to were fi nally opened to European players had come together as a team. “It lously tough, what with the packed Union, although it so happens eve- He had a good excuse. “I’ve got win one out of 17. Until, at last, the players. In 1979, Seve Ballesteros was the diff erence between bringing your grandstand behind the tee, the busy ry man who has ever played for the some matches to play the next cou- USA grew bored with it all. and Antonio Garrido were on it. And egos with you, which was apparently on the galleries either side, and the enor- team has come from a full member ple of days.” In 1979 Tom Weiskopf pulled out six years later, they fi nally won one, American locker room wall – and I’m not sure mous elephant in the middle of the state. But there is the letter and then You wonder though, how those of their team so he could go hunting for the fi rst time in 28 years, with a what that means,” the Northern Irishman fairway. there is the spirit, which was laid Brexit-voting Europe supporters in for bighorns in the Canadian Rock- team containing four Spaniards and said in comments reported in the British Curtis Strange once said golf out by Thomas Bjørn in his speech the crowd squared their support for ies. The sheep, Weiskopf thought, a German. press yesterday. “It’s not how you build a doesn’t shout, it whispers. Some- at the opening ceremony. these two causes. You guess some were better sport. The Ryder Cup, Since then, they have won 12 out team, right? You leave your egos at the door. times it doesn’t speak at all. And in “Europe can at times be a frag- might resort to the moronic re- he said, was “Lions against Chris- of the past 17, and Ballesteros, who You come together and you play together. Paris last week there was one topic mented place but when it comes to course of saying sport and politics tians.” played in eight Ryder Cups and “My objective opinion this week was that’s no one wanted to take on, the same the Ryder Cup it’s diff erent, when should be kept separate. Jack Nicklaus spent a lot of time then captained Europe in 1997, has what the guys are great at and they do it one a lot of us cannot stop talking it comes to the Ryder Cup, Europe As if sport was not infl uenced by in the mid-1970s trying to persuade become such an infl uential fi gure naturally.” Europe had their own stars and about. stands as one,” Bjørn said. government policy, as if it existed in the British PGA to allow Europeans that last week the team kept his old major winners – Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, In an act of spectacular cog- “This is the week more than ever abstraction from issues of econom- on to their team. The British, led golf bag in their locker room, with a Henrik Stenson and Francesco Molinari – but nitive dissonance, tens of thou- that that fl ag represents the bound- ics, class, and race. It’s not politics by Lord Derby, the president of the badge above it saying “He’s the rea- McDowell said team spirit was good. sands of British fans travelled to ary of this great continent.” Bjorn that should be kept out of sport but PGA, would not budge. They were son why we are here today”. “Just having an opinion on things, seeing the France to dress up in blue-and- lives in England and has an English politicians. so wedded to the idea they could go You can see why, with a story like ways these guys come together is my big yellow hats and scarves and girlfriend. He must have known how “Congratulations to Team Eu- it alone they changed the format in- that, some people might prefer to takeaway from the week,” said McDowell. scream and roar and sing support it sounded. rope on a stunning victory” tweeted stead, and still lost by fi ve. kid themselves that sport and poli- “It is the adage of ‘yeah, the Europeans have for a Europe team representing Bjørn is also far too canny to get Theresa May on Sunday, a message Eventually, Nicklaus realised he tics are best kept apart. Else it might camaraderie blah, blah, blah’ but I’ve seen it a community that, to extrapolate, into a row about it right before the that did for irony as Henry Kissing- had to force the point. The match, seem too much like a parable they with my own eyes this week.” just under 52% of them had recently tournament. Later that evening, he er’s peace prize had done for satire. he said, was turning into a non- don’t want to hear.

Wednesday, October 3, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET Qatar 2022 Stadiums taking shape India eye Windies Test boost India, under talismanic captain Virat Kohli, have new faces in uncapped batsman Mayank Agarwal and fast bowler Mohamed Siraj

AFP Siraj will bolster the pace at- It will be a good Test for us,” New Delhi tack led by Mohamed Shami Holder, captain in 26 of his 34 and Umesh Yadav who could Tests so far, said. trouble the relatively young Holder also said that leg- tung by defeat in Eng- West Indian batting line-up. spinner Devendra Bishoo could land and heading to Meanwhile spinners Ravi- prove to be key on turning In- Australia for a tough chandran Ashwin, Ravindra dian tracks. tour next month, India’s Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are a “He has been around for a cricketersS are looking for some formidable force on home turf. while and doing well. The con- Work on the Education City Stadium is progressing at a brisk pace and is expected to be completed in a few more months. confi dence-boosting home The Jason Holder-led West ditions could favour him a bit victories against the West In- Indies are arriving off the back more here. We expect him to dies from tomorrow. of a successful home season come into play in this series and The number one Test side where they drew a Test series be a match-winner,” he said of and the winner of last week’s against Sri Lanka and then Bishoo. Asia Cup start as favourites drubbed Bangladesh 2-0. It will be West Indies’ fi rst against the eighth-ranked West Batsman Sunil Ambris has India tour since the Caribbean Indies in the series of two Tests, already made his case for a side abandoned their 2014 trip fi ve one-day internationals and place in the team XI after his due to a players’ pay dispute three twenty20 games. unbeaten 114 in the tourists’ with the national cricket board. “West Indies doesn’t have a only warm-up game in India. team to compete against India. The erstwhile cricket pow- India squad: Virat Kohli (captain), They don’t stand a chance at erhouse have been bolstered by Lokesh Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank all,” veteran India spinner Har- the return of experienced quick Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya bhajan Singh told AFP ahead of bowler Kemar Roach who will Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh the fi rst Test in Rajkot starting join fellow pacemen Holder and Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran tomorrow. Shannon Gabriel. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Ya- But India may not fi nd it so “We have played some really dav, Mohamed Shami, Umesh Yadav, easy, with series defeats this good cricket in recent times. Mohamed Siraj, Shardul Thakur year in England and South Af- Quite a few of our guys stood West Indies squad: Jason Holder rica revealing some serious out individually and we have to (captain), Sunil Ambris, Devendra chinks in India’s armour, at keep that collective strength,” Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston least away from home. Holder was quoted as saying by Chase, Shane Dowrich (wicket- India, under talismanic cap- The Hindu newspaper. keeper), Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar tain Virat Kohli, have new faces “India is the number one Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai in uncapped batsman Mayank Test team. They have played Hope, Sherman Lewis, Keemo Paul, Agarwal and fast bowler Mo- some good cricket despite their Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jomel hamed Siraj. last series (against England). Warrican, Alzarri Joseph

The Al Bayt Stadium at Al Khor which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. GEARING UP FOR PAKISTAN Australian spinners show form in drawn game

AFP 54 to fi nish with nine wickets in the match but Dubai Holland — who played last of his two Tests in Sri Lanka in 2016 — took regular wickets. ustralia’s second spinner, Jon Holland, Skipper Asad Shafi q — a regular Test batsman grabbed fi ve wickets in the drawn four- for Pakistan — fought hard a solid knock of 69, day match in Dubai yesterday, sending a adding 84 for the third wicket with Abid Ali, who warning to Pakistan for the two-match followed a fi rst-innings 85 with 52. TestA series. When Shafi q was caught behind by Tim Paine Pakistan ‘A,’ who had been facing an innings off Holland, Pakistan were on 213 for four and, defeat, salvaged a draw by reaching the close on even though Holland took three more wickets, 261-7 in their second innings at the ICC academy. held on for the draw. Holland, a 31-year-old left-armer, followed Iftikhar Ahmed, who played a Test in England off -spinner Nathan Lyon’s eight wickets in the two years ago, made 45 and opener Shan Masood fi rst innings with 5-79. scored 41. The pair will be lead Australia’s spin attack in the fi rst Test starting in Dubai on Sunday. The Brief Scores: Pakistan ‘A’ 278 (Abid Ali 85, Sami second Test is in Abu Dhabi from October 16. Aslam 51; N. Lyon 8-103) and 261-7 (Asad Shafiq Australia had declared their fi rst innings at the 69, Abid Ali 52; J. Holland 5-79) overnight score of 494-4 with Travis Head un- Australia 494-4 (M. Marsh 162, S. Marsh 94, T. The Wakrah Stadium is also fast nearing completion. beaten on 90, a lead of 216. Head 90 not out) When Pakistan A batted again, Lyon took 1zz- Result: Match Drawn

GYMNASTICS Downie sisters in British team for Doha worlds Agencies injury sustained last year. Competitions will be held in the Doha She had surgery in August, 2017, all-around, individual apparatus followed by another operation in and team events with the main April this year. focus for many nations centred ownie sisters, Becky and El- Becky, on the other hand, has had on the team competition which lie, were named among the a few niggling elbow problems which presents an early opportunity for five-member Great Britain kept her out of competition for the Olympic qualifi cation women’s team for the 48th greater part of the year. FIGD Artistic World Championships. “If you’d have asked me how 2018 stage of the qualifying process for To- The event take place at the Aspire would go at the start of this year I kyo 2020. Dome from October 25 to November could never have predicted so much “The team is a blend of high calibre 3. drama but it’s an absolute honour to gymnasts who will support our ambi- Competitions will be held in the be selected to represent Great Britain tion to challenge the world’s best in all-around, individual apparatus and at the 2018 World Championships. the team event,” British Gymnastics team events with the main focus for “It’s even more special to be back Performance Director James Thomas many nations centred on the team with Ellie after an absolute emotional told bbc.com. competition which presents an early rollercoaster 18 months!! Excited to The 25-year-old Whitlock became opportunity for Olympic qualifica- see what this team can do together,” Britain’s first ever gold medallist in tion. Becky tweeted. artistic gymnastics at the 2016 Rio Becky and Ellie, who make a wel- Meanwhile, five-time Olympic Games when he won both the men’s come return after being sidelined due medallist Max Whitlock and Nile floor and pommel horse exercises. to injury, are joined by Kelly Simm, Wilson were named in Britain’s men’s Wilson claimed bronze in the hori- Georgia-Mae Fenton and Alice Kin- team. zontal bar at the 2016 Olympics and sella. “Very happy to be officially select- was a member of the British silver- Lucy Stanhope, a member of the ed for this year’s World Champion- winning team in 2015 Worlds, the first silver-winning team at the 2018 ships. It’s always an honour to rep- world men’s team medal in his coun- Commonwealth Games in Gold resent Team Great Britain,” tweeted try’s gymnastics history. Coast, will the reserve. Whitlock. Cunningham recently won the Ellie, the 2017 All-around Euro- Wilson and Whitlock are joined floor title at this year’s European pean champion and the first to win a by Dom Cunningham, Joe Fraser and Championships in Glasgow, Scot- major all-around title for her coun- James Hall for the competition in the land, while 19-year-old Fraser took try, will be competing in Doha for the Qatari capital the all-around title at the 2017 Brit- first time in 18 months after an ankle Becky and Ellie Downie of Britain The championships will be the first ish Championships.