Shah stars with the bat as Afghanistan shock Sri Lanka in Asia Cup PAGE 19 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

Liverpool brace up to host PSG in titatnic Champions League clash at AnfieldPAGE 18 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVERPOOL VS PSG (11PM) Al Sadd hold Esteghlal 2-2 to book AFC CL semis spot IKOLI VICTOR

BAGHDAD Bounedjah was the star player for Al Sadd as they booked their spot in the semi-finals of the 2018 AFC Champions League after a 2-2 draw in the second leg of their quarter-final clash with Es- teghlal gave them a 5-3 aggre- gate win at home on Monday. There were no clear-cut chances in the opening min- utes as both sides sized up each other for control of the midfield. It was the Iranians who secured a first corner kick in the eighth minute but yield- ed no dividend.

Al Sadd player Hassan al Haydos (top) celebrates with goalscorer .

Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira at the Jassim Bin Ha- mad Stadium on Monday. the bottom right corner. Esteghlal were gaining in Al Sadd continued to press confidence but suffered a major Results with Afif combining with blow when Rouzbeh Cheshmi Hernandez, whose shot from was sent off with his second QUARTER-FINALS outside the box parried away bookable offence in the 50th Persepolis (0) 3 Al Duhail (1) 1 in the bottom right corner. minute. Bounedjah was close Aggregate: 3-2 Persepolis win Two minutes before the with a header from the centre of Al Sadd (3) 2 Esteghlal (1) 2 break, Afif right footed shot the box that went high and wide from outside the box is close, to the left from Xavi’s cross fol- Aggregate: 5-3 Al Sadd win but misses to the right. lowing a set piece situation. The visitors went on the at- Afif then saw his shot hit The first real chance at goal tack in the second half and took the bar in the 55th minute, was from Mehdi Ghayedi’s left lead for the first time in the 49th and the striker was close again footed shot from outside the box minute when Morteza Tabrizi in the 66th minute when his but was saved in the centre of rose above the defence to head right footed shot from outside the goal by . in a Farshid Esmaeili pass. the box misses to the right. Algerian Bouendjah, the Needing just a goal to level Playing with 10-men Es- top-scorer in the tournament (Above) Al Sadd’s celebrates scoring from the spot. (Bottom) Bounedjah heads the ball during the AFC Champions League the aggregate score, Esteghlal teghlal struggled at the back with 12 goals so far, released a quarter-final second leg match against Esteghlal FC at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday.(PICS: HANSON K JOSEPH) were rising in confidence but and conceded a penalty in add- pass from the right and Akram they were struck with a blow in ed time. Rehmat fouled Afif, Afif lashed home from close Esteghlal's replied in some good fortune. Rouhollah the net, leveling the score on side the lead in the 36th minute the 50th minute when Rouz- and Bounedjah blasted home range past goalkeeper Mehdi the 32nd minute when they Bagheri's strike was fumbled the night. when his right footed shot from beh Cheshmi was sent off for a to help Al Sadd earn a draw Rehmati in the 27th minute. equalised with the help of by Aissa and the ball fell into Bounedjah almost gave his the centre of the box is saved in second bookable offence. and progress on aggregate. Persepolis break Al Duhail hearts, win 3-2 on aggregate

Al Duhail players celebrate after scoring their only goal against Persepolis FC during their AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg match at the in , , on Monday.(AFP)

tive victories, overtaking Ul- In the 56th minute, Bashar Brake to attempt a last-ditch san Hyundai’s nine set during Resan’s effort from the edge of clearance from the line which the 2012 season when the Ko- the box was tipped away by Al unfortunately sent the ball rean side won the title. Duhail goalkeeper Amine Le- into the net. Al Duhail went ahead, comte although the resulting By this time the crowd Al Duhail’s Murad Naji (centre) in action against Persepolis players Ali Alipour (left) and Omid Alishah during their AFC Champions League somewhat luckily, through Ka- corner produced the equaliser. were on their feet and Perse- quarter-final second leg match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, on Monday.(EPA-EFE) rim Boudiaf after Persepolis The cross saw the ball polis didn’t have to wait long defender ’s bounce off the heads of God- for the crucial third goal. AFP aggregate win on Monday. Earlier, Persepolis had pions Al Duhail had been re- attempted clearance from win Mensha and Ali Alipour Nigerian Mensha, one of TEHRAN They will now clash with staged a remarkable second lentless in their campaign, a free-kick bounced off the and fall perfectly for captain their stalwarts in their current another Qatar club, Al Sadd, half recovery in Tehran. winning all their previous nine former’s back and into the net. Seyed Jalal Hossein to volley campaign, latched on to a long IRANIAN giants Persepolis in the semis next month after Trailing 1-0 after the first matches right from the group Both teams failed to come home from close, much to the clearance from Alireza Beiran- broke Al Duhail’s sequence of the 2011 champions edged out leg and then conceding a 33rd stage before suffering their up with a goal-worthy move for joy of the near capacity crowd. vand and left two defenders nine straight victories to storm Iran’s Esteghlal 5-3 on aggre- minute goal they scored three only defeat. the remaining part of the first Persepolis went ahead in chasing shadows before drib- into the semi-finals of the AFC gate following their second-leg goals after the break to take Had they won, they would half, but the pace picked up in the 76th minute when Alipour bling past goalkeeper Lecomte Champions League with a stir- 2-2 draw in Doha. Al Sadd had the second leg 3-1. have set an AFC Champions the second ring which the hosts shook off the defence and shot and nudging the ball in with a ring come-from-behind 3-2 won the first leg 3-1. cham- League record of 10 consecu- were clearly the better side. goalward, forcing Sultan al- simple finish. Sports Tuesday, September 18, 2018 17 ‘Complete machine’ Hamilton offers no comfort for Ferrari REUTERS before wrapping up his fourth clear. Ferrari are hurting and the end of the season.” LONDON title in Mexico with two races to they are running out of time If Hamilton is fast ap- spare. to do anything about it, even if proaching the point at which he FORMULA One champion While Vettel was favour- many suspect them of having can secure a fifth championship Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes ite to reduce the points gap on the faster car. without having to add to his tal- won big in Singapore on Sun- Sunday at a circuit that should ly of seven wins for the season, day and the signs are looking have suited Ferrari, Hamilton ‘Special moment’' he was quick to recognise the ominous for title rival Sebastian sowed the seeds of victory with Sunday, as Hamilton said credit is not his alone. Vettel and Ferrari. a stunning qualifying lap for in his post-race news confer- Singapore was once a track The Briton’s fourth victory pole position. ence, might have left “a couple where Mercedes struggled, with in five races suggests that once Mercedes team boss Toto of people snoring” but it was overtaking difficult and grid again the 33-year-old is hitting Wolff hailed that as “the best lap also “a special moment” for him position all important, but they a purple phase just as the sea- I've ever seen in a Formula One and Mercedes, who were taking have worked hard to address son enters its critical stages. car” while Hamilton himself de- nothing for granted. their weaknesses in slow-speed “He just turns into a com- scribed it as 'surreal'. They know one retirement corners. plete machine at this time of The race was no thriller, can throw everything up in the “We’ve been just chip- year,” marvelled Mercedes with Vettel third and the top air, but the champions are cer- ping away at it over the last 12 technical head James Allison af- six finishing in starting order, tainly breathing easier than months, but with a massive ter Hamilton stretched his lead but the outcome still delivered a might have been the case. amount of effort because it's to 40 points with six rounds re- hammer blow for Ferrari, whose “It feels significant, not for quite a big thing you have to maining. immediate public response had the championship but it feels change in order to do it,” Allison “His focus and his enjoy- a distinct whiff of sour grapes. significant because we have un- told Sky Sports television. ment, and just everything about “Boredom the winner in derstood the car in Singapore,” “It’s just a real delight to him, lifts to a level that is bril- Singapore,” the team website said Wolff. come here now. Lewis got the liant to watch.” declared in a headline over “It was won on merit and job done but we gave him a Last season Hamilton went their race report. It was later real pace and I think we have car he could do that with and Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at on a run of five wins in six races modified to read “positions the right clues now and let’s see that's a huge source of pride the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on Sunday. (AFP) in the second part of the season unchanged”, but the sting was how we can translate that into to all of us.”

Wade returns to Miami for Mahomes, Fitzpatrick continue ‘Last Dance’ with Heat air assaults in NFL’s week two AFP MIAMI Mahomes equals a franchise record with six touchdown passes for the Kansas; Fitzpatrick ties Namath’s record THREE-TIME NBA champion Dwyane Wade AFP Results will play a final season LOS ANGELES ATLANTA 31 Carolina 24 for the Miami Heat, an- Indianapolis 21 WASHINGTON 9 nouncing his decision in TWO unheralded quarter- TENNESSEE 20 Houston 17 a YouTube video entitled backs dazzled for the second TAMPA BAY 27 Philadelphia 21 “One Last Dance.” week in a row and a pair of Kansas City 42 PITTSBURGH 37 Miami 20 NY JETS 12 The 36-year-old star clutch field goal kickers were LA Chargers 31 BUFFALO 20 guard played his first 13 in the spotlight during the GREEN BAY 29 Minnesota 29 (OT) seasons with Miami, join- second week of the National NEW ORLEANS 21 Cleveland 18 ing forces with Shaquille Football League season. SAN FRANCISCO 30 Detroit 27 LA RAMS 34 Arizona 0 O’Neal to bring the Heat Patrick Mahomes equalled JACKSONVILLE 31 New England 20 their first NBA crown in a franchise record with six DENVER 20 Oakland 19 2006 and with LeBron touchdown passes as the Kan- Dallas 20 NY Giants 13 James for further titles in sas City Chiefs defeated the 2012 and 2013. Pittsburgh Steelers 42-37 on Wade departed for a Sunday. Conley and Leon Hall failed season with his home- Ryan Fitzpatrick is mak- to keep him inbounds and town Chicago Bulls in ing his case for being a starter McManus came on to kick the 2016-17 and began last by throwing for four touch- game winner. season as a teammate of downs and 402 yards to pow- Quarterback Derek Carr James in Cleveland be- er the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a stellar outing by com- fore being traded to the to a 27-21 win over the Phila- pleting 29 of 32 passes for Heat. delphia Eagles. 288 yards and a score in the The 12-time All-Star, Second year player Ma- loss. who helped the United homes delivered another im- Elsewhere, Green Bay States capture Olympic pressive offensive display as quarterback Aaron Rodg- gold at Beijing in 2008, he tied Len Dawson’s team ers threw for 281 yards and said in the 10-minute record for touchdowns in a touchdown while playing video released Sunday a game. Dawson threw for with a brace on his injured night he was ready to a half a dozen touchdowns left knee as the Packers set- make this his final NBA against the Denver Broncos tled for a 29-29 tie with the campaign. in 1964. Minnesota Vikings. “I feel like it's right to Mahomes was one touch- The 34-year-old Rodg- ask you guys to join me down pass from tying the NFL ers was questionable for the for one last dance, for one record of seven touchdown game after injuring his knee last season,” Wade said. passes in a game shared by in a hotly-contested game last “This is it. I’ve given eight others, including Drew Sunday. this game everything that Brees for the New Orleans A hobbled Rodgers suf- I have and I’m happy Saints in 2015. fered a sprain in the first half about that. I’m going to He also now has a NFL- then returned to throw three give it for one last sea- record 10 touchdown passes touchdown passes to lift the son, everything else I through the first two games. Packers to a 24-23 comeback have left.” Brees (2009) and Peyton victory. Wade averaged 16.3 Manning (2013) previously Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Pitzpatrick against the Philadelphia Eagles during NFL Week 2 action in Tampa, Florida on Sunday. He took part in just one points, 3.4 rebounds and held the record with nine practice this week but didn't 3.1 assists last season each in their team's first two long touchdown passes. His we worked and the way things the Tennessee Titans held off yard field goal with six sec- skip a beat against the Vi- for Miami, which lost to games. four 50-plus-yard touchdown were going, the rapport with the Houston Texans 20-17 for onds left, pushing the Denver kings. Vikings kicker Dan- Philadelphia in the open- Fitzpatrick is right behind throws tied him with Joe the guys – I think that con- Mike Vrabel’s first win as an Broncos to a 20-19 win over iel Carlson missed two field ing round of the NBA Mahomes with eight touch- Namath, in 1972, for the most fidence has carried over into NFL head coach against the the Oakland Raiders and de- goals in overtime, including playoffs. downs on the season so far. through a team’s first two the season.” team he coached for the past nying Jon Gruden his first one from 35 yards as time ex- “This decision is big- He has more than 800 games in league history. Said teammate DeSean four seasons. win as a head coach since pired. ger than the game of bas- passing yards the last two Fitzpatrick credited his Jackson, “He’s playing his tail Succop also kicked a tying 2008. Packers kicker Mason ketball,” Wade said. “This weeks while stepping in for teammates for helping him off. He said he’s 36, but he’s 42-yarder in the fourth quar- With no timeouts and 18 Crosby matched a career high decision don’t have noth- suspended starter Jameis get off to a blazing start. playing like he’s 28.” ter as Tennessee improved to seconds left, Case Keenum with five field goals, but his ing to do with the talent Winston. “We just developed a lot of In Nashville, Tennessee, 1-1 on the season. hit Tim Patrick for a 26-yard potential game-winner from in my body.” Against the Eagles, Fitz- confidence in the offseason,” Ryan Succop kicked a 31-yard Not to be outdone, Bran- gain to the Oakland 18. 52 went wide left as time ex- patrick added a couple more said Fitzpatrick. “With how field goal with 1:00 left, and don McManus booted a 36- Cornerbacks Gareon pired in regulation. Soul-searching as Australia ranking hits new low Yates would not have reigned in AFP players, who have been guilty SYDNEY of missing simple tackles and Spain with Team Sky, says Wiggins failing to capitalise on attacking THE Wallabies slumped to their opportunities. AFP up finding a great team and lowest world ranking ever on “He has stuck by his team LONDON won a Grand Tour at 26.” Monday, sparking soul-search- through thick and thin, de- In February, Wiggins, the ing about what can be done with flecting praise onto his players BRITISH rider Simon Yates first British winner of the Tour a troubled team that has man- on those increasingly rare oc- would not have won the Tour de France, in 2012, said Team aged just two wins in their last casions when they have done of Spain had he chosen to pur- Sky’s dominance and contro- nine Tests. something wonderful, but tak- sue his career with cycling gi- versies surrounding the cy- Their alarming slide was re- ing the blame upon himself all ants Team Sky, Bradley Wig- cling team had led to a “nega- inforced by the 23-19 upset win those other times when they gins said on Monday. tive” atmosphere in the sport. by Argentina on the Gold Coast failed to deliver,” he wrote. Former Team Sky rider Asked to give advice to on Saturday – the first victory “These days he is being Wiggins believes Yates's de- Tom Pidcock, who rides for for the Pumas on Australian hung out to dry and what are his cision to steer clear of one of Team Wiggins, Wiggins re- soil in 35 years, which left the Wallabies players stand dejected following their Rugby Championship players doing to help him? Not the sport's most pre-eminent plied: “Don’t go to Sky in the Wallabies last on the four-team match loss to Argentina at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, much at all.” teams enabled him to storm to future, steer clear of them. Rugby Championship ladder. Australia on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) The Sydney Daily Tel- victory in Madrid on Sunday. Go somewhere else, because They fell to seventh from egraph was equally bleak in its Yates, who came close they’ll ruin you.” fifth in World Rugby’s adjusted disloe Cup clash ahead of a tour Such is the concern at their assessment, fearing there is not to victory in this year’s Giro Wiggins’ opinions appear to rankings are released – their to Europe. slump that Rugby Australia is much light at the end of the tun- d’Italia, had been widely ex- stem from Team Sky’s habit of lowest since the current system Coach Michael Cheika considering bringing in some- nel. pected to join Team Sky in signing up young rising stars to began in 2003. blasted his players after the Ar- one with a different perspective “Even their most loyal sup- 2013 but the move was never Simon Philip Yates celebrates act as so-called “super-domes- And it won’t be getting any gentina defeat for their lack of to work with Cheika, according porters have lost all faith after sealed over confusion relating on the podium after winning the tiques” to their leading Grand easier with a difficult trip in a enthusiasm and energy, and he to The Australian newspaper’s the Wallabies’ fourth home de- to the role of his twin brother 2018 “La Vuelta” Tour of Spain Tour contenders, in recent fortnight to a buoyant South Af- knows the time for excuses are senior sports writer Wayne feat this year,” it said, adding Adam. The brothers both ride cycling race. (AFP) years mostly Chris Froome. rica, who are full of confidence over. Smith. that the excuses have “worn for Australian team Mitchel- “We all knew that Simon after upsetting the All Blacks in “You can’t be talking about The two leading candidates thin”. ton-Scott. “It was a sliding doors was capable of it,” added Wig- Wellington on Saturday. keeping the faith, you need to act as player mentors are “And now Michael Cheika’s Wiggins told Eurosport's moment, whether his career gins. “To execute it was obvi- They then face an equally to show it,” he said. “In this former captains John Eales and wounded men are facing the The Bradley Wiggins Show: “If would have gone down this ously another thing, but I’m upbeat Argentina in Salta be- situation, it is about having the George Gregan. Smith suggest- ultimate road trip into some of he’d gone to Sky, I don’t think path. By nature of the fact that certainly not surprised be- fore travelling to Japan to take courage to stand up and turn it ed the poor run of form was not the most hostile rugby grounds he’d have won the Vuelta (Tour Sky wouldn’t take Adam as cause he’s been knocking on on New Zealand in the final Ble- around.” so much Cheika’s fault, but the on the planet.” of Spain). well in one package, he’s ended the door for years.” 18 Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Sports More Ghanian refs banned after corruption probe UEFA Champions League live and exclusive on beIN

AFP RAG general secretary TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK of 13 Champions League ti- get things back on track for year wait. English Premier ACCRA Joseph Ayita Mensah said in DOHA tles and will have a point to a fourth Champions League League champions Manches- a statement that a disciplinary prove following the departure title. ter City are in Group F with THE Referees Association of committee set up in the wake of THE 2018-19 season of the of their star man Cristiano ’s Barcelona Lyon, Shakhtar Donetsk and Ghana on Monday said it had the allegations met on Saturday UEFA Champions League is Ronaldo, who left for Juven- are in Group B find them- 1899 Hoffenheim. banned more of its members as and confirmed the CAF rulings. set to kick off on Tuesday live tus this summer. Real Ma- a tough task ahead of them if selves in a tough group with Bayern Munich find a result of an undercover bribery But it also said the number and exclusive on beIN. drid will have to face CSKA they are to replicate their run games against Tottenham themselves in Group E along and corruption investigation. of referees and assistant ref- This year’s UEFA Cham- Moscow, Roma and Viktoria in 2016-2017 and will be hop- Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven with Dutch giants Ajax, AEK The Confederation of Afri- erees banned for life was now pions League promises to Plzen in Group G. ing their star player Moham- and Inter Milan promising to Athens and Portuguese side can Football (CAF) governing eight while 53 officials were be a memorable one, as 32 Last year’s runners-up ed Salah is at his best. keep fans at the edge of their Benfica. body last month handed life subject to 10-year bans. Those teams dream battle it out for Liverpool paid the price of Italian champions Ju- seats. The Catalans last won The Bavarians will be bans to one Ghanaian official sanctioned have 14 days to ap- a chance to take part in the being seeded in the 3rd pot ventus are in Group H where the competition in 2015 but looking to add a sixth Cham- and 10-year bans to seven oth- peal. Fourteen officials were ex- final at the Wanda Metropoli- when they were handed a they will face Young Boys, Va- have failed to make it past the pions League title under new ers. That followed the broad- onerated, said Mensah. tano in Madrid on June 1st, “group of death”. Liverpool lencia and Ronaldo’s former quarter final since then. manager Niko Kovac. cast of hidden camera footage The revelations rocked Gha- 2019. will face Napoli, Paris Saint team Manchester United. Three time winners Inter The UEFA Champions in June that showed officials na, where football is the nation- Defending champions Germain and Red Star Bel- The Red Devils have been a Milan make their much an- League will be broadcasted taking bribes, including the al sport and which prides itself Real Madrid are looking to grade over two legs in Group disappointment under Jose ticipated return to the UEFA live and exclusive on beIN in then-head of the Ghana Foot- as being a stable democracy in add to their impressive record C. Jurgen Klopp’s team have Mourinho and would want to Champions League after a 7 English, Arabic and French. ball Association. an often turbulent region.

Ballon d’Or KLOPP AND TUCHEL MEET AGAIN ‘on my mind’, Kane dangerous, says Griezmann after FIFA snub but Spalletti sure AFP MADRID the buzz will ATLETICO Madrid star An- toine Griezmann says he still spur Inter can't fathom why he was not voted one of the world’s top three players by FIFA – but hopes winning the "more prestigious" Ballon d'Or will make amends. "It's a prize from FIFA and it seems a pity that no World Cup winners were nominat- ed," Griezmann, who helped France to World Cup glory in Russia this summer, told Spanish sports daily AS. Portugal's Cristiano Ron- aldo, World Cup finalist Luka Modric of Croatia and Egyptian Mohamed Salah, who enjoyed a stunning campaign with Tottenham’s (left) and Christian Eriksen attend a training Liverpool last season, were session at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Monday. (AFP) the three players nominated by FIFA for the world ruling body's top prize.Now grouped Inter Milan back in Champions League within the FIFA Best awards, it will be presented on Sept 24. for the first time since 2011-12 For Griezmann, who AFP fun world. helped Atletico to Europa Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar (right) with Kylian MBappe (2nd left) during a training session at Saint-Germain-en-Laye in Paris on Monday. (AFP) MILAN "These games are worth League glory as well as play- so much in terms of enthusi- ing a pivotal role in France's INTER Milan coach Luciano asm and conviction. World Cup win, FIFA's choice Spalletti believes Harry Kane "I think that with the pe- was unwarranted. will be the man to watch but riod we're going through this "We had a really good World Liverpool host PSG hopes the enthusiasm of re- is the game we needed. Cup campaign, the whole team turning to "the Disneyland of "It's one of those matches deserve to be awarded: (Kylian) football" will spur on his Ital- and one of those competi- Mbappe, (Raphael) Varane, ian side in Tuesday's Cham- tions you wouldn't swap for (N'Golo) Kante, who had an pions League opener against anything," added Spalletti, amazing World Cup even Tottenham. who spent two separate spells though no-one talks about it, in titanic matchup at Roma either side of a five- or even myself. But that's the year spell at Zenit Saint Pe- way it is." The snub has galva- tersburg. nised Griezmann's ambition to "I've been lucky enough land the Ballon d'Or, the prize Reds to kick off We cannot feel any to experience them several awarded by France Football campaign against pressure or be times, there are incredible magazine to the world's top intimidated by the emotions and if you've been player as voted on by journal- Europe’s deadliest there you can't do without it. ists around the globe. English players’ greater "The previous times I en- frontline experience. Rather, I tered a world that's particu- larly beautiful and entertain- AFP believe that this match ing, you can hear the music Two children LIVERPOOL is the chance to kick from inside the dressing into gear. room." among dead THE last time Thomas Tuchel Inter Milan snatched Ita- went to Anfield, he was in Inter Milan coach ly's final Champions League in Angola charge of a Borussia Dort- Luciano Spalletti berth at the wire last season by mund side who were dumped finishing fourth in Serie A. football match out of the Europa League "The effort we put in last after a stunning Liverpool year to play in this competition stampede comeback. Against the backdrop of a is a motivation that can over- On Tuesday he returns disastrous start to their do- come any lack of experience or AFP with Paris Saint-Germain mestic campaign, Inter host fear," continued Spalletti. LUANDA looking to finally get one over the English club at a sold-out "We cannot feel any pres- Jurgen Klopp in one of the San Siro in what is their first sure or be intimidated by the TWO children and three adults most enticing ties in the Cham- Champions League match English players' greater expe- were killed in a stampede at a pions League group phase. since the 2011-2012 season. rience. Rather, I believe that weekend football match in the Klopp and Tuchel are the Both teams are coming off this match is the chance to Angolan capital Luanda, spark- highest profile German coach- weekend league defeats -- In- kick into gear." ing an investigation, authorities es around today, with both ter losing 1-0 to Parma in Mi- Slovakian international said Monday. men having followed striking- lan and Tottenham falling 2-1 defender Milan Skriniar The crush occurred Sat- ly similar paths at home before at home to Liverpool. added: "I've never played in urday as fans were leaving taking up jobs with two of Eu- "Harry Kane tired? I don't the Champions League and I the CAF Champions League rope's biggest names. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah at a training session at Melwood training facility in Liverpool, on Monday. (EPA) agree, we have seen Totten- can't wait. quarter-final match between At 51, the genial Klopp is six ham matches and we have "Doing well against Tot- Primeiro Agosto of Angola and years Tuchel's senior and his CV THE FIXTURES Klopp, you have to go back to seen him working in any situ- tenham can put everything TP Mazembe of the Democratic features two Bundesliga titles April 2010, when Mainz beat ation. Tottenham rely a lot on right, it can be the turning Republic of Congo, the sports and two Champions League fi- TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Dortmund 1-0 at their old this player," Spalletti told a point. "The danger man? As ministry said. The incident nals, while his opposite number Barcelona vs PSV Eindhoven Ajax vs AEK Athens Bruchwegstadion thanks to an pre-match press conference. a defender I'd say Kane, he's "caused the death by asphyxi- was appointed by PSG in May Internazionale vs Tottenham Hotspur Shakhtar Donetsk vs Hoffenheim Adam Szalai goal. The Inter coach believes someone who even if you ation of five supporters and despite having only won one Club Brugge vs Borussia Dortmund Benfica vs Bayern München In two years at Dort- the game could be a "turning don't see him for 20 minutes, caused seven injuries at the end German Cup as a coach. mund, Tuchel could not repeat point" for his side, who have he can score with his first Monaco vs Atlético Madrid Manchester City vs Olympique Lyonnais of the match," the ministry said Klopp has won eight, and Liverpool vs PSG Klopp's successes, his path to just four points from four chance. Real Madrid vs Roma in a statement. The two children lost just one, of 12 previous Crvena Zvezda vs Napoli the Bundesliga title blocked by games in Serie A. “I played against him in were aged 10 and 12, it said. meetings with Tuchel. He is Galatasaray vs Lokomotiv Moskva Young Boys vs Manchester United Guardiola's Bayern Munich. "The Champions League the national team and we One survivor who gave his quick to play down that record, Schalke 04 vs Porto Valencia vs Juventus But he enjoyed the greater is the amusement park of lost," said Skriniar. "We need name only as Nemo, speaking however, pointing out that success at Mainz, leading football, the Disneyland of to be ready for him, but also to TV channel Zimbo from his Tuchel was not in charge of a them into Europe in 2011. football. It's a beautiful and the other players too.” hospital bed, said: "The exit side containing the likes of Ney- A year before that, at the The two men got their Liverpool's start to this door was very small, many peo- mar and Kylian Mbappe before. same stage of the Europa coaching badges together in season has raised hopes of a ple fell. The history of African “When I was at Dortmund League, Dortmund were 3-1 Cologne in 2006, but it is the genuine Premier League title football is marked by frequent I had a pretty strong side and up at Anfield before losing 4-3. differences between them that challenge, with Klopp oversee- deadly crowd stampedes. In An- he was at Mainz, he did an That was part of the learn- have stuck with Erich Rute- ing five wins out of five. gola in February 2017, 17 people outstanding job there so it's ing curve for the economics moeller, their instructor. But PSG rock up with a were killed and 58 injured near not really fair to bring that graduate Tuchel, a native Swa- Klopp “was more moti- perfect domestic record too, the northern town of Uige ahead up when you talk about the bian like Klopp, and also a de- vated than anyone and was and Tuchel has become the of a season-opening match for records,” Klopp said on Mon- fender during his playing days. especially interested in the first ever coach of the club the national championship. day. While Klopp was a stal- psychological aspect,” Rute- to win his first five Ligue 1 Earlier this month, at least “He is an outstanding wart for Mainz on the field be- moeller told Le Parisien, while matches. one person was killed and 37 in- coach, I really thought it was a fore becoming coach in 2001, stressing the more introverted “For this kind of team jured in a stampede ahead of an smart decision of PSG to sign Tuchel's own playing career Tuchel's great respect for Pep with unbelievable individual Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Tuchel.” was cut short by injury. Guardiola. quality, you still need a man- in Madagascar's capital Antan- The svelte 45-year-old is But since moving into "When I read that he spent ager who can teach or educate anarivo. the man PSG's Qatari own- coaching he has followed in a whole evening talking about them in playing together and And in July last year, eight ers are hoping can finally lead the footsteps of "Kloppo" -- tactics with Pep Guardiola, a they brought in one of the best people were killed when rival them to Champions League taking over at Mainz in 2009 few years ago in Munich, mov- I know,” Klopp added. supporters clashed during Sen- glory, despite his past experi- a year after Klopp's departure ing around the salt and pep- “That makes them quite egal's League Cup final, and a ence amounting to one quar- for Dortmund, and then di- per, I thought to myself: 'He's a big challenge for us. Indi- (From left) Inter Milan’s Andrea Ranocchia, coach Luciano Spalletti, stampede caused a wall to fall ter-final exit with Dortmund rectly replacing him at the Sig- not changed'." vidual quality mixed with a Mauro Icardi and Marcelo Brozovic during a training session in on escaping fans. in 2017. nal Iduna Park in 2015. As for a Tuchel win against really good manager makes it Appiano Gentile, Milan, on Monday. (AFP) Sports Tuesday, September 18, 2018 19 Kuwait Rally returns to MERC series after a year’s gap

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the most number of victories DOHA in the Kuwait International Rally. The event became a RALLY officials have an- round of the MERC in 1984, nounced that the Kuwait In- although regional unrest and ternational Rally will return two Gulf Wars meant it did as the fourth round of the not run between 1990-1994 2018 FIA Middle East Rally and 1997-2007. Championship on Novem- Attiyah achieved his ber 1-3. sixth success in 2016, hav- Kuwait’s flagship motor ing eclipsed the four victo- sporting event did not take ries earned by Mohammed place in 2017 but the coun- Ben Sulayem (1985, 1988, try’s welcomed return to the 1989 and 1996) in 2015. The FIA calendar will be marked event was an ever present in by the first time that the new the regional calendar since Kuwait Motor Town Race returning as a candidate rally Circuit facility has ever host- in 2008 but did not happen in ed an FIA event. 2017. The rally will be organ- That 2008 candidate ised by the Basil Salem Al- event was won by Saudi driv- Sabah Motor Racing Club er Yazeed al Rajhi, while Atti- (BMRC) under the chair- yah notched up his six wins in manship of Sheikh Athbi Kuwait Rally Clerk of the Course Meshari al Sabti (left): Planning 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 Nayef Jaber al Ahmad al a offer a challenging layout for the competitors. and 2016. Sabah and in conjunction There were solitary suc- with the General Authority November 2-3. The competi- was Rally Director and Clerk cesses for Abu Dhabi’s Kha- for Sport and the Kuwait In- tive action will get underway of the Course in 2013 and lid al Qassimi in 2010 and ternational Automobile Club with a timed super special 2014 and it is great to be back Qatar’s Khalid al Suwaidi (KIAC). at 16.00hrs on November 1 in 2018. in 2012. The experienced Meshari after the ceremonial start at “I am confident that we The most successful co- al Sabti has been appointed Kuwait Motor Town Race can lay on an exciting and drivers are Ronan Morgan as Clerk of the Course for an Circuit. challenging rally for our com- and Giovanni Bernacchini event that will be run over Sabti said: “I am delight- petitors.” with four wins apiece. three days and 13 special ed to be Clerk of the Course Qatar’s defending region- Entries are open and the stages, 12 of which will take for Kuwait’s return to the re- al champion Nasser bin Saleh closing date has been set for place on desert terrain on gional rally championship. I al Attiyah has the record for An action shot from the 2016 Kuwait Rally. October 13.

Qatari cagers throw away Awesome Afghans sizzling start against the knock Sri Lanka Philippines in Asian qualifiers out of Asia Cup

mad Nabi (2-30) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-32) sharing wickets as the five-time former winners were bowled out for 158 in 41.2 overs. Sri Lanka did not help their cause with two run outs while skipper Angelo Mathews played a reckless shot off Nabi and was caught near the boundary for 22. This becomes Afghanistan's first-ever victory against Sri Lanka in three one-day inter- nationals after losing in the Asia Cup 2014 and World Cup a year later. Sri Lanka, who now have lost 30 of their 40 matches since January 2017, had lost to Bang- Stanley Pringle of the Philippines with the ball as Qatari players try to check him during the FIBA World ladesh by 137 runs in Dubai on Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers in Manila on Monday. Saturday. Bowled out for a paltry 124 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK lead by as many as 17 points Japeth Aguilar sizzled against Bangladesh, Sri Lankan DOHA in the first half. The hosts fi- with 16 points and 9 rebounds batting again failed miserably nally righted the ship in the to lead the way for the victors, with only Upul Tharanga (36) IT took longer than they want- third quarter, outscoring Qa- while Alex Cabagnot added 16 and Thisara Perera (28) offer- ed, but the Philippines redis- tar, 28-12, thanks to some points of his own. Beau Belga ing some fight. covered their form just in time forced turnovers and snap- stepped up with 11 points and Afghanistan were helped to bounce back and beat Qatar pier execution. 3 blocks even as naturalised to 249 all out in their 50 overs at home in the FIBA World Qatar fell into a slew of floor general Stanley Prin- with Rahmat Shah scoring 72 Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers on errors in the second half, and gle finally made his FIBA Asia and Ihsanullah Janat shipping Monday. the law of averages eventually debut with 13 points and 6 in with 45. The visiting Al Annabi caught up with them as their boards. Shah struck five boundaries started like a house on fire, outside shooting went cold. Mohd Yousuf Mohammed during his 90-ball knock and hitting one three-pointer af- The Filipinos took full advan- was Qatar's most productive added 50 for the second wicket ter another in a searing first tage of this and proceeded with player with 26 points, 7 re- with Janat (45) after Afghani- quarter run that helped them the double-digit win, 92-81. bounds and 5 assists. stan won the toss and opted to bat on a flat pitch. Player of the Match Afghan cricketer Rahmat Shah with his award after the one-day international (ODI) Janat hit six boundaries in Asia Cup cricket match against Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday. his 65-ball innings while his Afghanistan won the match by 91 runs. (AFP) opening partner Mohammad Shahzad batted in his aggres- Qatar suffer close defeat AFP SCOREBOARD sive style, hitting a six and four ABU DHABI boundaries in his 47-ball 34. AFGHANISTAN: Rahmat then added another against Iran in Asian youth AFGHANISTAN continued Mohammad Shahzad lbw b Dananjaya 34 SRI LANKA: 80 runs for the fourth wicket Ihsanullah Janat lbw b Dananjaya 45 K. Mendis lbw b Mujeeb 0 their rise in international Rahmat Shah c T Perera b Chameera 72 U. Tharanga c Asghar b Naib 36 with Hashmatullah Shahidi cricket with an upset 91-run Asghar Afghan lbw b Jayasuriya 1 D. de Silva run out 23 who made a sedate 52-ball 37. handball championships win over Sri Lanka in Abu Hashmatullah Shahidi b T. Perera 37 K. Perera b Rashid 17 For Sri Lanka seamer Dhabi on Monday, knocking Mohammad Nabi c T. Perera b Malinga 15 A. Mathews c Rashid b Nabi 22 Thisara Perera took five for 55 Najibullah Zadran b T. Perera 12 S. Jayasuriya run out 14 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the former champions out of Gulbadin Naib c Dananjaya b T. Perera 4 T. Perera b Naib 28 and spinner Akila Dananjaya the Asia Cup. Rashid Khan b T. Perera 13 D. Shanaka b Mujeeb 0 finished with two for 39. DOHA Sri Lanka needed to win the Aftab Alam not out 7 A. Dananjaya b Nabi 2 Defending champions In- Group B match to stay in the Mujeeb Ur Rahman b T. Perera 0 L. Malinga lbw b Rashid 1 dia, Pakistan and qualifier Hong QATAR suffered a narrow Extras: (lb 2, w 7) 9 D. Chameera not out 2 tournament but were outwitted Total: (all out; 50 overs) 249 Extras: (b2, lb5, w6) 13 Kong are placed in Group A. 25-26 defeat in the second by smart batting from Afghani- Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Shahzad), 2-107 (Janat), 3-110 Total: (all out; 41.2 overs) 158 Pakistan beat Hong Kong Group D match against Iran stan who put up a fighting total (Asghar), 4-190 (Shah), 5-203 (Shahidi), 6-222 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Mendis), 2-54 (Silva), 3-86 (K. by eight wickets in Dubai on in the Asian Men’s Youth of 249 all out at Sheikh Zayed (Nabi), 7-227 (Najibullah), 8-249 (Rashid), 9-249 Perera), 4-88 (Tharanga), 5-108 (Jayasuriya), 6-143 Sunday. Top two teams from Handball Championship in (Rashid) (Mathews), 7-144 (Shanaka), 8-153 (Dananjaya), Stadium. Bowling: Malinga 10-0-66-1 (3w), Chameera 10-2- 9-156 (T. Perera) each group will qualify for the Amman, despite Ahmed al The fighters then laid into 43-1 (1w), T. Perera 9-0-55-5, Dananjaya 10-0-39-2 Bowling: Mujeeb 9-1-32-2 (1w), Alam 7-0-34-0, Naib Super Four stages from where Kharusi coming up with a Sri Lankan batting with spinner (3w), D. de Silva 5-0-22-0, Jayasuriya 6-0-22-1. 8-0-29-2, Nabi 10-1-30-2 (5w), Rashid 7.2-0-26-2. top two teams will play the final game-high 13 goals contribu- Rashid Khan (2-26), Moham- in Dubai on September 28. tion on Monday. Two-time champions Qa- tar trailed by four goals at the interval when Iran pumped in 12 to 8. But Al Annbai staged After two matches, Qatar keeper that turned the match India take on Hong Kong with an eye on Pakistan a spirited rally to close the gap on its head. before they ran out of time. are in the third spot in the The competition also serves IANS rat Kohli, should give them the bowling department, Jasprit next year. The Bumrah-Bhuv- For Iran, Younes Aseri had the group, led by unbeaten as a qualifier to next year's DUBAI same treatment. Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, neshwar combination will be most strikes (eight). Iran, who made it two out World Cup in Macedonia. Under Rohit Sharma's cap- Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra back in action along with the After two matches, Qatar of two. Japan are in the Head of the team's delega- FAVOURITES India will look taincy and with experienced Chahal throw up a lot of variety. Kuldeep-Chahal combination, are in the third spot in the second spot as they tion Khalifa Tayseer stressed to sweep aside minnows Hong M.S. Dhoni in their ranks, India The former India captain, which has been a steady set-up group, led by unbeaten Iran, defeated the UAE 34-20 in on the importance of winning Kong in their Asia Cup opener will look to get their combina- known for his big hitting skills, for past one year. Back in the who made it two out of two. the first match of the competi- on Tuesday and prepare for the tion right in the first game be- has been a pale shadow of his mix after a back injury, Bhuv- Japan are in the second spot other game. tion, saying that starting off a much-anticipated clash against fore the tougher test of Pakistan former self lately and will once neshwar will also look to use the as they defeated the UAE 34- competition with a win is al- arch-rivals Pakistan the next day. on which all eyes will rest. again come under the scanner if Hong Kong game as a warm-up 20 in other game. locked 17-17 after the first half. ways important. Hong Kong, expectedly, lost Besides Rohit, the likes of the same trend continues. ahead of the Pakistan tie. He re- On Sunday, Qatar had a The second half saw the Talking about the next to Pakistan by eight wickets in Shikhar Dhawan, K.L. Rahul India's middle order is an cently came back to competitive strong start to the champi- Qatari players dictate the match against Iran, he said their first game. India, who even and Kedar Jadhav add teeth issue too and needs to be re- cricket for India A against South onship, defeating the UAE match, especially after two that they are very strong team without talismanic skipper Vi- to their batting while in the solved ahead of the World Cup Africa A. counterparts 35-31. Both were phenomenal saves from the technically and physically.