NNFLFL | Page 5 RUGBY | Page 7 Falcons Three-way hang on late, title fi ght as knock off Six Nations to Panthers conclude at last

Saturday, October 31, 2020 SPOTLIGHT Rabia l 14, 1442 AH Ronaldo recovers GULF TIMES from coronavirus aft er 19 days SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL/AMIR CUP Sparks expected as Al Duhail take on Al Sadd

By Sports Reporter That’s what’s required in front of a “Our ambition in this competition Doha strong side like Al Sadd,” the Al Duhail is to win the title. We are Al Sadd and coach said. we are one of the favourites to win the Al Duhail captain and key striker Al- championship and we are preparing to parks are expected to fl y when moez Ali said his team will fi ght to get a face another favourite, and we see this domestic giants Al Duhail and much-needed win. match as the fi nal. We have to win in Al Sadd clash in the semi-fi nals “This is a big tournament. We are the order to get the trophy that’s most pre- of the prestigious Amir Cup at defending champions. We will fi ght to cious to the club, the players and the theS Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium today. extend our status as champions. Yes, fans. We must play with all our strength Defending Amir Cup champions Al we are very ambitious,” Almoez said on and more, to achieve this title.” Duhail were beaten 3-1 in the QNB Stars Thursday. Al Sadd defender Pedro Miguel also League earlier this month and will be “It will be a tough clash because two spoke of his team’s desire to defeat Al keen to exact a measure of revenge, al- high quality sides are competing,” the Duhail and reach the fi nal of the Amir though their new coach Sabri Lamouchi star striker said. Cup. was averse to using that term. Al Sadd coach Xavi said his squad are “We are excited and ready to face Al “We lost to Al Sadd in the league but fully focused on the task at hand. Duhail. It is an important match and we that does not mean this is a revenge “The Amir Cup is a diff erent compe- will work hard to win it, to reach the fi - match. It will be a tough match for sure. tition. We are in the semi-fi nals and we nal,” Pedro said. There is no doubt about it,” Lamouchi consider this a fi nal against a strong and “It will be a diffi cult match against a said at his pre-match press conference. diffi cult Al Duhail team. We have faced good team and we must play with con- The Frenchman added that he ex- them a lot and we will give our best, es- centration to reach the fi nal to win the pects his players to play with a positive pecially as they will look for revenge af- most prestigious title in Qatar, which is attitude which he felt is the key to the ter losing to us last week in the league,” a dream for all players and fans.” match. said Xavi. On Al Sadd’s preparations for the “I know everything about the play- “It will be a complicated match. We match, Pedro said: “We are preparing Al Duhail striker and captain ers and our rivals. I just hope we deliver must play with a strong personality in with all our strength to face a diffi cult Almoez Ali (L) is all geared up a good performance against Al Sadd,” order to win this tournament, which is team that has excellent players, both for the clash between “two Lamouchi said on Thursday. dear to everyone in Qatar. foreign and domestic players. There- high-quality” sides. “They have good players but we have “Al Sadd players must focus and work fore, we must focus and not make mis- a plan too and we will implement that. on achieving their mission, which is to takes, and attack and defend in an ex- We need to be positive on the pitch. reach the fi nal,” he said. cellent way so that we can get the win.”

REPORT Al Arabi see off Markhiya to reach fi nal of Amir Cup ‘We are doing a good job but we still need to work hard as it is still a long way to go’

By Sahan Bidappa threat of another Markhiya up- although we could have scored Samih though couldn’t keep still dictated the play. Gun- Doha set was looming for Arabi, but more goals,” the Icelander add- out Iceland midfi elder Gunnars- narsson once again played a key coach Heimir Hallgrimson was ed. son’s strike. After Torabi’s free role in Arabi’s goal in the 59th able to call upon Marc Muniesa, Hallgrimson said it was a ‘step kick was headed away by Al- minute. The Iceland captain’s l Arabi ended a 26-year Hamdi Harbaoui and Mehdi Tor- in the right path’ and said Al douni Mohamad it fell perfectly precise pass found al-Ansari, wait to reach the fi nal abi, while Sebastian Soria made Arabi need to do more to reach on to Gunnarsson, who smashed who then played a one-two with of the Amir Cup with a second half appearance. How- the heights of past glory. it onto the net after a defl ection Harbaoui, before smashing into a convincing 2-0 win ever, Torabi’s night ended early “We are proud to make a re- of Markhiya defender Anas Bani the top right corner. Aover Al Markhiya at the Abdullah as the winger was substituted turn to the Amir Cup fi nal. It is Yaseen. Al Arabi could have scored bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday. after getting injured in the 22nd a step in the right path for us. We Markhiya coach Omar Naji’s more but their energy level After several years of frustra- minute. are doing a good job but we still plan for his players to cross the dropped signifi cantly in the last tion, Al Arabi fans will be dream- That was the only setback need to work hard as it is still a ball into the box nearly worked. 15 minutes even as Markhiya ing of a ninth Amir Cup title, Hallgrimson suff ered as Al Arabi long way to go for us. I hope this Qatar U-23 player Mohamed al- failed to take any advantage. though holders Al Duhail or Al dominated the game, and should achievement is the beginning of Qahtani played in fi ne cross from Markhiya coach Omar Na- Sadd wait for them in the fi nal. have scored more if not for some something exciting and we can right, but Jameel al-Yahmadi jhi admitted Al Arabi deserved Goals from Aron Gunnarsson poor fi nishing. reach the levels of Al Sadd and Al failed to make a connection. to win but was not happy with (17th minute) and Abdulaziz al- “We deserved the victory,” Duhail.” Arabi then went close to dou- a contentious penalty claim, Ansari (59th) were enough for Al said a delighted Hallgrimson Markhiya goalkeeper Basel bling the lead as Mehrad Keshra- which was not awarded to them Arabi to see off Markhiya, end- later. “I want to congratulate Al Samih was a busy man on the zi dribbled past three defenders by the referee. ing the second division team’s Markhiya for their strong per- night and he made his fi rst save only to hit a weak shot into the “I’m happy that we managed dream run in the prestigious formance and showing great in the eighth minute, diving to hands of Samih. to reach this far in the tourna- championship. spirit. I am satisfi ed with the his right to keep out Hamdi Am- Markhiya were a improved ment and hope to take this con- On the eve of the game, the overall performance of my team, dulmaged. side in the second half but Arabi fi dence to the league,” Najhi said.

Al Arabi’s Abdulaziz al-Ansari (L) celebrates his goal with Fahad Ali during their Amir Cup semi-final against Al Markhiya at the Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday. AT RIGHT: Aron Gunnarsson shows his joy after scoring Al Arabi’s first goal. PICTURE: Shemeer Rashid Gulf Times 2 Saturday, October 31, 2020 FOOTBALL

LOSS World Cup winner and ‘Toothless Tiger’ Nobby Stiles dies

AFP something to his family. United bought ment in British football history aside London them for £200,000 ($259,000) and the Nobby Stiles was an integral part of from Bobby Moore lifting the trophy,” medals are now housed in the club’s the Manchester United side under former United great Gary Neville said. museum. Matt Busby who became the first “Such gregariousness was not really his obby Stiles, whose celebra- “The Stiles family are sad to an- English club to win the European Cup style.” tory dance on the Wembley nounce that Nobby Stiles passed away in 1968. (Reuters) England’s offi cial Twitter account pitch holding the World Cup peacefully today (30/10/2020) sur- tweeted their condolences. “We’re in- trophy in one hand and his rounded by his family after a long ill- credibly saddened to learn of the pass- Ndentures in the other, and described as ness,” read a family statement. “The ing of Nobby Stiles, a key member of the “heart and soul” of England’s 1966 family kindly ask for privacy at this sad our @FIFAWorldCup-winning squad, World Cup winning team, has died, time.” at the age of 78. All of our thoughts are aged 78. Stiles was a tough-tackling Stiles, who also won two league titles with Nobby’s loved ones.” midfi elder and an integral part of the with United, is the latest member of Alf Stiles left United in 1971, going on Manchester United side under Matt Ramsey’s 1966 team to pass away. Jack to play for Middlesbrough and Pres- Busby who became the fi rst English Charlton died earlier this year and Nor- ton. He later managed Preston between club to win the European Cup in 1968. man Hunter — who did not play in the 1977 and 1981, before coaching Canadi- He played every minute of the World fi nal but was in the squad — also passed an side Vancouver Whitecaps and then Cup campaign and is largely credited away. Only George Cohen, Hurst, Roger West Brom between 1985 and 1986. for keeping Portugal’s superstar Euse- Hunt and Stiles’s fellow Manchester He returned to United as a youth team bio under wraps in the semi-fi nal. United icon Bobby Charlton remain coach under Alex Ferguson in 1989 for a “The heart and soul of the team, he alive of the starting XI. four-year stint where he encountered will be sorely missed,” tweeted Geoff Although Stiles featured through- the class of ‘92 including David Beck- Hurst who scored a hat-trick in the out the 1966 tournament, he ended up ham, Neville and Ryan Giggs. “You 4-2 win over West Germany in the fi - with just 28 caps, the lowest number suddenly realise at moments like these nal. Known as ‘The Toothless Tiger’ — of any of the World Cup-winning side. how special it is to spend time with for his physical appearance not for his Stiles was born in the cellar of the fam- people like Nobby,” added Neville. whole-hearted tackling — Stiles suf- ily home during a Second World War air “He was ferocious, never left any- fered a series of health issues in later raid in May 1942 and as he related in his thing out there when he played. Win- life, including prostate cancer and de- 2003 biography ‘After The Ball’ it was ning was doing everything possible to mentia. not the end of his close shaves. “I was bombed by the Germans and run over Catholic and went to Mass every day team with a grin which revealed a achieve that.” Stiles was married to In 2010, after a mini-stroke, he de- born a half-blind dwarf (he suff ered by a trolley bus when I was one.” of the fi nals — was one of the most in- number of teeth missing. “The image of Kay, a sister of Irish international John- cided to sell his medals in order to leave from severe short sightedness) who was Stiles — who was a devout Roman stantly recognisable faces of the 1966 Nobby dancing is the most iconic mo- ny Giles, and had three children.

SERIE A SPOTLIGHT Clubs grumble as Ronaldo recovers Bundesliga goes back behind closed doors

AFP lished Thursday, which found Berlin that if hygiene measures are followed, the risk of infection would be “low to very low over- from coronavirus he Bundesliga goes back all”. The results are from August’s behind closed doors this ‘RESTART-19’ project when sci- weekend with Borussia entists collected data from an in- Dortmund leading the door concert in Leipzig attended Tcomplaints against the govern- by 1,400 volunteers. ment’s decision to lock out fans For European champions Bay- in an attempt to help curb record ern Munich, all home games aft er 19 days coronavirus numbers. since the pandemic hit Europe Yesterday, Germany reported a in mid-March have been behind record 18,681 new cases of Cov- closed doors on advice from the Ronaldo missed four games including Juventus’ Champions League loss to Barcelona id-19 in the previous 24 hours. local health authority. Bayern Amid measures announced on chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- AFP Wednesday, all professional menigge says they expect “more Milan Cristiano Ronaldo first tested positive sport, including the Bundesliga, than 100mn euros ($117mn) in for Covid-19 on October 13 while must be played behind closed lost revenues” this season. playing for Portugal. (Reuters) doors until at least the end of “Across Europe, every club uventus star Cristiano Ronaldo November, a return to the end of loses between 50 and 200 mn has tested negative for coronavirus last season when terraces had to euros in a season that it has to after nearly three weeks, the club remain empty. play without spectators,” Rum- confi rmed yesterday. Ronaldo fi rst The clubs can survive on mon- menigge said last Sunday. “You testedJ positive for Covid-19 on October ey from the sale of the German can count on fi ve fi ngers how 13 while playing with Portugal. He had Football League’s broadcasting long a football club can survive been in self-isolation since returning to rights, but their funds are hit that”. Current Bundesliga lead- Italy. “Ronaldo carried out a check with hard by a lack of matchday reve- ers RB Leipzig are backed by the a diagnostic test (swab) for Covid-19. The nue. Christian Seifert, managing deep pockets of Austrian energy exam provided a negative result,” the Ital- director of the German Football drinks giants Red Bull. ian champions said in a statement. League (DFL) has advised clubs Commercial director Florian “The player has, therefore, recovered to take cost-cutting steps. Scholz says they factored a lack after 19 days and is no longer subjected to “It would be very optimistic of matchday revenue this sea- home isolation.” to assume that large amounts of son in their planning, as all clubs Juventus next play at promoted Spezia spectator income will fl ow this were advised to do by the league, tomorrow, with all matches now behind season,” Seifert said. “Every club “but that won’t work out well closed doors following a recent surge in is well advised these days to re- over a long period of time”. Covid-19 cases, with a record number of duce fi xed costs. And that in- Further down the league, Wer- over 31,000 people testing positive in a cludes personnel costs.” der Bremen are considering fur- 24-hour period in Italy yesterday. Since the season started in loughing staff . According to re- The 35-year-old had missed four games mid-September, Germany’s top- ports, Eintracht Frankfurt expect including Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions fl ight clubs had been allowed to have used up cash reserves League defeat to Lionel Messi’s Barce- to admit small number of fans, built up over the last two years by lona, and Juventus’s 2-0 win at Dynamo providing their hygiene plan the time the season ends in May. Kiev in their Group G opener. The fi ve- was approved by the local health Champions League sides Borus- time Ballon d’Or winner’s return will be authority, but even that is now sia Moenchengladbach and RB a boost for Andrea Pirlo’s faltering side on hold. Dortmund has posted Leipzig begrudgingly accept the who are fi fth in Serie A, four points be- an open letter on their website decision to keep fans out. hind leaders AC Milan. questioning the decision to ex- Ronaldo scored three goals in Juven- clude spectators again despite FIXTURES (ALL TIMES 1430 tus’s fi rst two league games — a 3-0 win having had their ‘complex hy- GMT UNLESS STATED) over Sampdoria and both goals in a 2-2 giene concept’ approved. Today: Eintracht Frankfurt v draw at Rome. But the nine-time reign- Dortmund’s home league Werder Bremen, Cologne v Bay- ing champions have been held to three showdown with Bayern Munich consecutive league draws, Rome (2-2), on November 7 will be behind ern Munich, Augsburg v Mainz Crotone (1-1) and Verona (1-1).They were closed doors. Yet 11,500 fans 05, Arminia Bielefeld v Borus- awarded a 3-0 victory after Napoli re- swab tests used to detect the virus fourth, warm up for next week’s trip to on city rivals Genoa, looking to push their were allowed to watch a 4-0 sia Dortmund (1430), Borussia fused to travel to Turin on October 4 be- Meanwhile, Unbeaten AC Milan travel Real Madrid after their goalless draw winning streak to four games. home win over Freiburg in early Moenchengladbach v RB Leipzig cause of coronavirus cases. to Udinese after their 3-0 Europa League against Shakhtar Donetsk, against 16th- October. As the rate of infection (1730) Ronaldo, the top scorer in Champions win against Sparta Prague at the San Siro, placed Parma. Lukaku, who has scored FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) has risen, so the allowed attend- Tomorrow: Freiburg v Bayer with coach Stefano Piolo saying his side seven goals this season for Inter, is be- ance limit dwindled to just 300 League history with 130 goals, was furi- Today: Crotone v Atalanta (1400), Inter Leverkusen, Hertha Berlin v VfL ous at missing this week’s game against this season were spoilt for choice. Sec- ing monitored daily. Atalanta travel to for last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Milan v Parma (1700), Bologna v Cagliari Wolfsburg (1700) Barcelona, after reportedly testing posi- ond-placed Napoli, two points behind AC rock-bottom Crotone on Saturday, ahead Schalke in the Ruhr derby. (1945) Monday: Hoff enheim v Union tive for an 18th time. They have not faced Milan, have won all the league games they of their Champions League home game Dortmund’s stance is backed off since the fi ve-time Ballon d’Or winner played this season, and next take on Sas- against Liverpool. The Bergamo club Tomorrow: Udinese v AC Milan (1130), by a study of large events, pub- Berlin (1930) left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018. suolo, third but equal on points. were held 2-2 at home against Ajax af- Spezia v Juventus, Torino v Lazio (both Hours before kick-off , Ronaldo posted Gennaro Gattuso’s southerners won ter a 3-1 loss to Sampdoria as Gian Piero 1400), Napoli v Sassuolo, Roma v Fioren- a photo on Instagram, stating: “Feeling their Europa League game at Real Socie- Gasperini conceded his attempt at “a bit tina (both 1700), Sampdoria v Genoa good and healthy! Forza Juve! #fi noal- dad this week, but captain Lorenzo In- of experimenting” in the squad backfi red. (1945) lafi ne.” Adding a comment for his 241mn signe pulled up with a thigh injury. Claudio Ranieri’s Sampdoria — equal on Monday: Hellas Verona v Benevento Instagram followers he criticised PCR Inter Milan, a further point adrift in points with Juventus and Atalanta — take (1945)

LIGUE 1 Tuchel expects Neymar to return end of November

AFP Neymar has been called up to his coun- without a number of key players. Paris try’s squad for 2022 World Cup qualifi ers Mauro Icardi, Julian Draxler and Lean- against Venezuela and Uruguay on No- dro Paredes are unavailable for the match vember 14 and 17. He scored a hat-trick in against Nantes, while Angel Di Maria is aris Saint-Germain coach Tho- a 4-2 win over Peru earlier this month. He still suspended. Tuchel is hopeful Icardi mas Tuchel said yesterday he will miss today’s trip to Nantes in Ligue and Paredes can return on Wednesday for expects Neymar to be sidelined 1, the Champions League clash with RB the RB Leipzig game. until the international break after and will likely miss his team’s next three Leipzig next week and the visit of third- “I really hope they’re with us at train- Pinjuring his thigh in Wednesday’s Cham- games. “I don’t think it’s possible he will placed Rennes on November 7. ing on Monday. We have to accept they pions League win in Istanbul. play” for the national team, said Tuchel. PSG go to Monaco on November 20 can play with just one session before,” he The Brazil forward came off just 25 “If he plays that means he’s not injured, following the international break. “With said. “Normally I would say they’re not minutes into PSG’s 2-0 victory over and that’s a bad message. The news for Ney, we’re sad because he has a small ad- ready for the Champions League, but in Borussia Dortmund have posted an open letter on their website Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir me is that he will return after the break.” ductor injury,” said Tuchel, who is already this situation perhaps they have to play.” questioning the decision to exclude spectators again. (AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, October 31, 2020 3 SPORT

EUROPA LEAGUE PREMIER LEAGUE Van Dijk’s knee Spurs stunned by surgery a success, says Liverpool AFP lems in central defence. Joel London Matip has missed the last three games injured and makeshift Antwerp as Milan, centreback Fabinho limped off in irgil van Dijk has under- the fi rst half of Tuesday’s Cham- gone successful knee pions League match against surgery and will begin Midtjylland with what is be- rehabilitation, Premier lieved to be hamstring injury. VLeague champions Liverpool “Fab (Fabinho) is not in, he has said yesterday. The club would a little injury,” said Klopp. “He’s Arsenal cruise not say how long the 29-year-old out for the weekend and slightly central defender would be out. longer but all the others are in Van Dijk, who was pivotal in contention.” 'I would like to make 11 (changes). I didn’t make five as I was afraid of a long 45 minutes' both Liverpool’s Champions Klopp said that rather than League success in 2019 and their letting the increasing number of title triumph last season, suf- injured players get to him he em- fered cruciate ligament damage braces the problem. “Do I see the after a tackle from Everton goal- challenge in the situation? Yes,” keeper Jordan Pickford earlier said Klopp. “Do I see it as an op- this month. portunity? Yes. But still we play “Virgil van Dijk has under- games every three days and this gone surgery on the knee liga- will stay a challenge. I am fi ne, ment injury he sustained earlier we are fi ne. We will deal with the this month,” read a club state- situation and make the best of it. ment. “The Liverpool defender’s That’s the plan.” planned operation took place in London and was conducted EVERTON LOSE JAMES FOR successfully. Van Dijk will now NEWCASTLE MATCH immediately focus on the begin- Premier League leaders Ever- ning of his rehabilitation with ton will be without dynamic the support of the Reds’ medical playmaker James Rodriguez for department. No timeframe has tomorrow’s away game with been placed on the Dutchman’s Newcastle said manager Carlo return to action.” Ancelotti. The 29-year-old Co- Liverpool manager Jurgen lombian international played in Klopp told his press confer- last weekend’s loss to South- ence on the eve of their Premier ampton despite being a doubt League home game with West beforehand. Ham that Van Dijk was doing However, Ancelotti – whose okay. “This time (after a opera- side lead city rivals and champi- tion) is always unpleasant,” said ons Liverpool on goal diff erence Klopp. “You don’t just wake up – said at his pre-match press and everything is fi ne, you still conference James would be rest- feel the surgery. But he’s as good ed for the weekend. Everton will as can be. It’s clear to say he is a also be without suspended duo quick healer. That’s all clear, all Richarlison and Lucas Digne these things help.” Ancelotti, like many of his fel- The 53-year-old German said low Premier League managers, it was time to move on even is increasingly concerned by the though Liverpool have spoken toll the packed schedule is taking to referee chief Mike Riley about on their players. The 61-year-old why VAR was not referred to. Italian has seen a report which Pickford’s challenge has been has been compiled about the rate labelled as “stupid” by Liverpool of injuries this season. midfi elder Georginio Wijnaldum but Klopp drew a line under it. FIXTURES (KICK-OFFS GMT) Royal Antwerp’s Lior Refaelov (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League on Thursday night. (Reuters) “I don’t want to talk about this Today: Sheff ield United v Man- anymore. I would immediately if chester City (1230), Burnley v week. The Belgian outfi t are playing in thought we we were a bad team and now Group D: Benfica (POR) 3 (Pizzi 49-pen, it would change anything but it AFP Chelsea (1500), Liverpool v West the main stage of a European competition we are proving that we are not. Milan are 76, Waldschmidt 66-pen) Standard Liege doesn’t,” he said. Paris: Ham (1730) for the fi rst time since a UEFA Cup fi rst- a great club with a fantastic tradition and (BEL) 0; Rangers (SCO) 1 (Morelos 68) “I’m not sure the world is in a round loss to Newcastle United in 1994. we always have to play with great ambi- Lech Poznan (POL) 0 place right now where we have Tomorrow: Aston Villa v ose Mourinho said he would have The hosts took the lead just before the tion.” Group E: Omonoia Nicosia (CYP) 1 to keep this story going. Yes we Southampton (1200), Newcastle liked to make 11 half-time changes half-hour mark, with Dieumerci Mboka- Arsenal overcame a plucky Dundalk (Gomez 29) PSV Eindhoven (NED) 2 still feel something about it, but v Everton (1400), Manchester after his Tottenham Hotspur side ni robbing makeshift Spurs centre-back side with a 3-0 win at the Emirates Sta- (Malen 40, 90+2); Granada (ESP) 0 PAOK nothing that will happen will United v Arsenal (1630), Totten- slumped to a shock 1-0 Europa Ben Davies before feeding Israeli forward dium. The Irish visitors held the Gunners change that. So I’ve nothing else (GRE) 0 ham v Brighton (1915) LeagueJ defeat at Royal Antwerp yester- Lior Refaelov to drill a fi erce shot into the at bay for 41 minutes, but Eddie Nketiah to say.” Monday: Fulham v West Brom day, while Serie A leaders AC Milan and corner. Antwerp wasted a golden chance and Joe Willock goals put the hosts two Group F: Real Sociedad (ESP) 0 Napoli The Dutch international’s ab- (1730), Leeds v Leicester (2000) Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal eased to straight- to double the lead in the 54th minute, as goals ahead before half-time. Nicolas (ITA) 1 (Politano 56); AZ Alkmaar (NED) 4 sence adds to Liverpool’s prob- forward wins. Congolese striker Mbokani contrived to Pepe added further gloss to the scoreline (Koopmeiners 6-pen, Gudmundsson 20, Spurs failed to create a single chance fi re the ball over an open net when only with a fi ne second-half strike. 60, Karlsson 51) Rijeka (CRO) 1 (Kulenovic of note in a lifeless display, with Gareth three yards from goal. In-form Napoli bounced back from 72) Bale, who rejoined the club on loan from Mourinho threw on Harry Kane for their opening loss to AZ Alkmaar with Group G: Zorya Luhansk (UKR) 1 (Ivanise- Real Madrid in the close-season, lasting Bale in search of an equaliser, but again a 1-0 win over La Liga leaders Real So- nia 90+6) Braga (POR) 2 (Paulinho 4, less than an hour before being substi- it was their opponents who should have ciedad in Group F. Jamie Vardy netted a Gaitan 11); AEK Athens (GRE) 1 (Tankovic tuted. Mourinho, who made four subs at scored when Norwegian wing-back Si- spot-kick as Leicester City made it back- 49) Leicester City (ENG) 2 (Vardy 18-pen, the interval including removing the out- men Jukleroed ran clean through on goal to-back victories in Group G with a 2-1 Choudhury 39) of-favour Dele Alli, suggested he would and blazed wildly over the bar. win at AEK Athens, while Paco Alcacer not give his fringe players many chances Spurs dominated possession but never scored a late double as Villarreal saw off Group H: AC Milan (ITA) 3 (Diaz 24, Leao in the future. seriously threatened, and the Antwerp Qarabag 3-1 in Group I. Steven Gerrard’s 57, Dalot 67) Sparta Prague (CZE) 0; Lille “I would like to make 11 (changes). I players were able to celebrate a famous Rangers made it two straight wins in (FRA) 2 (Celik 67, Ikone 75) Celtic (SCO) 2 didn’t make fi ve as I was afraid of a long triumph in an empty stadium. Group D by edging out Lech Poznan 1-0, (Elyounoussi 28, 33) 45 minutes,” said the Portuguese coach Milan made it two wins from two in but Benfi ca are top of the early table after Group I: Sivasspor (TUR) 1 (Kayode 55) after Spurs’ fi rst away loss since July. Group H with a 3-0 success over Spar- beating Standard Liege 3-0. Maccabi Tel-Aviv (ISR) 2 (Biton 68-pen, ta, despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic missing “At half-time I tried to improve the Peretz 75); Qarabag (AZE) 1 (Kwabena situation, but it was not enough. Second a fi rst-half penalty. Goals from Brahim EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS 78) Villarreal (ESP) 3 (Pino 80, Alcacer 85, half, we improved. In the end, though, Diaz, Rafael Leao and on-loan Manches- Group A: Roma (ITA) 0 CSKA Sofia (BUL) 90+6-pen) Antwerp got what they deserved. The ter United wing-back Diogo Dalot saw 0; CFR Cluj (ROM) 1 (Rondon 62) Young best team won and the worst team lost. Milan extend their unbeaten run to 23 Group J: Antwerp (BEL) 1 (Refaelov 29) Boys (SUI) 1 (Fassnacht 69) I always like to think the players deserve matches in all competitions. Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) 0; LASK Linz an opportunity. We have a big squad. It’s Stefano Pioli’s side sit two points clear Group B: Arsenal (ENG) 3 (Nketiah 42, (AUT) 4 (Balic 2, Gruber 12, Raguz 35, also their opportunity to catch the chance of Lille at the top of the group, after the Willock 44, Pepe 46) Dundalk (IRL) 0; Verdon-og 56) Ludogorets (BUL) 3 (Manu with both hands and ask for more. “(Af- French outfi t fought back from two goals Molde (NOR) 1 (Omoijuanfo 65) Rapid 15, 67, 74-pen) ter) tonight, my future choices are going down to grab a 2-2 home draw with Celt- Vienna (AUT) 0 Group K: Feyenoord (NED) 1 (Berghuis to be very easy.” ic. “We are not thinking about the (un- Group C: Slavia Prague (CZE) 1 (Olayinka 54) Wolfsberg (AUT) 4 (Liendl 4-pen, 11- The surprise win takes Antwerp to the beaten) streak, we are focused only on the 80) Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 0; Nice pen, 60, Joveljic 66-pen); CSKA Moscow Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp says that rather than top of the early Group J table after their next game,” said Pioli. letting the increasing number of injured players get to him he (FRA) 1 (Gouiri 23) Hapoel Beer-Sheva (RUS) 0 Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 0 opening 2-1 victory at Ludogorets last “Just a few months ago many people (ISR) 0 embraces the problem. (AFP)

Zidane says Benzema and QATAR NATIONAL BAJA TODAY Vincius Jr moving on aft er spat Madrid: The spat between Real 87th minute and Casemiro in Madrid’s star strikers Karim added time to salvage a 2-2 Benzema and Vinicius Jr, which draw. Benzema’s words were started during the Champions widely reported in the Spanish League game at Moenchengla- media. dbach is “over”, coach Zinedine Yesterday, Zidane confirmed Zidane said yesterday. the two strikers had words. As Real Madrid prepared to “There was a discussion” come out after the half-time between Benzema and Vinicius, break on Tuesday trailing 1-0 to Frenchman Zidane said. “And Borussia, cameras and micro- that’s it, it’s over. It happens phones in the tunnel caught a a lot, those little things that conversation in French between happen between two players Benzema and compatriot Fer- on a pitch. Really, I don’t say it land Mendy, a defender. to avoid the problem, because Indicating the 20-year- what happened is what hap- old Vinicius, the 30-year-old pened, but these are things that Benzema said: “He does what happen from time to time when he wants. Don’t play with him, you play a match where there is brother. He plays against us.” a bit of tension,” said Zidane. The pair were then seen “The only thing is that you The Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) held a practical training of navigation systems for motorcycle racers ahead of the fourth round of the Qatar National talking to Vinicius though the can’t let it hang around,” Zidane Baja in Al Khor yesterday. Today, the event will begin at 8am for bikes, while the car category will be flagged off at 11am. words were not caught by said. “There’s a discussion Two stages will be held with a total distance of 142km to be covered. A total of 13 drivers and 26 riders will participate in the fourth round. The event will be held with all the the microphone. Vinicius was between the two players and preventive measures put in place by the QMMF, and all safety protocols as per the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) will be strictly followed. replaced by Eden Hazard in that’s it, it’s over. The next day, The fourth round of the championship is being held after Qatar National Baja took a long break of six months. The QMMF has also introduced competition for bike cat- the 70th minute with Real 2-0 we move on to something else”, egory for the fourth and fifth round, though the riders would not be eligible for overall championship title. The winners in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 will be awarded a down. Benzema scored in the Zidane said. QR5,000 each besides a trophy. The runner-up and third placed will walk away with QR4,000 and QR3,000 respectively. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, October 31, 2020 SPORT

TENNIS Djokovic stunned by lucky loser Sonego in Vienna AFP time major champion, managed just seven win- Vienna ners against 25 unforced errors. Second seed and defending champion Do- minic Thiem also lost yesterday, going down 7-6 ovak Djokovic suff ered his heaviest (7/5), 6-2 to Russian world number eight Andrey defeat in a three-set match yesterday Rublev. Rublev hit 30 winners past the US Open when he was knocked out of the Vienna champion and goes on to face South Africa’s ATP tournament by lucky loser Lorenzo Kevin Anderson for a place in the fi nal. NSonego, stalling his bid to wrap up the year-end “I came here with the mood that I have nothing world number one ranking for a sixth time. to lose,” said Rublev who is chasing a fi fth title of Italian Sonego, ranked 42 and who had intially the year. lost in qualifying last weekend, is the fi rst lucky “I had already a really great season. I came here loser ever to beat Djokovic. with zero expectations, just wanting to do my His 6-2, 6-1 quarter-fi nal stunner was best. To try to fi ght every match. At the end, I am 33-year-old Djokovic’s heaviest ever defeat. The here in the semi-fi nals.” only other time he had won just three games was Anderson made the semi-fi nals by account- at the 2005 Australian Open at the hands of Marat ing for Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev 6-4, Safi n in a best-of-fi ve set encounter. 7-6 (7/5). It was Anderson’s fi rst top 10 win in two Friday’s defeat means Djokovic will have to wait years. a little longer before he completes the formality of equalling Pete Sampras’s all-time record of end- RESULTS ing the season top of the rankings for a sixth time. (x denotes seeding): “For sure it’s the best victory of my life. No- Quarter-finals Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego celebrates vak is the best in the world. Today I played so, so Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) winning his quarter-fi nal against good,” Sonego said. 6-2, 6-1 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in Vienna “It’s unbelievable. It’s amazing. I played the Kevin Anderson (RSA) bt Daniil Medvedev (RUS yesterday. (Reuters) best match in my life. I’m so happy for this.” x4) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) Sonego fi red 26 winners past the Serb who lost Andrey Rublev (RUS x5) bt Dominic Thiem (AUT for only the third time in 2020. Djokovic, a 17- x2) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.

FOCUS BOXING Exhibition will be real thing, say Gymnast Hernandez Tyson and Jones Jr

Reuters feeling great. We’re ready to go New York to war.” The exhibition will be dressed up as the real thing charity bout between with the bout overseen by the eyes comeback aft er former champions California State Athletic Com- Mike Tyson and Roy mission and scored by a panel Jones Jr next month of three champions using the isA being billed as an exhibition WBC’s remote scoring pro- but both boxers described it as gram. war on Thursday, promising to The winner will take owner- hold nothing back even if they ship of the “Frontline champi- have to fi ght under women’s onship belt”. years of turmoil rules. Jones Jr. spent more time The boxing greats, now into praising Tyson than baiting the their 50s and well past their former champion. ‘We’re in 2020 and we can’t treat people like we used to a couple of decades ago’ primes, will return to the ring “I am preparing like I pre- at the Staples Center in Los pare for any other fi ght be- Angeles as the main event on cause I am fi ghting the great a November 28 card that will Mike Tyson, how can you not also have YouTube celeb- prepare for that,” said Jones Jr. rity Jake Paul (1-0) taking on “I would be stupid to not former-NBA dunk champion spar when you are going to face Nate Robinson on his profes- the hardest puncher you are sional debut. probably ever going to face in On their resumes, Tyson, your life. the fi rst heavyweight to hold “Who goes into the ring with the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, the great legendary Mike Tys- and Jones Jr, who simultane- on and thinks, alright this is an ously held a record seven belts, exhibition.” would be a mouthwatering The only thing that really spectacle. seemed to get under the skin of But 54-year-old Tyson, once both men was the fact they are known as “the baddest man being made to box under wom- on the planet”, has not fought en’s rules with two-minute since a loss to Kevin McBride rounds for the eight-round in 2005 while 51-yer-old Jones fi ght. Jr’s last fi ght came in 2018. “I’m not happy at all, that’s Still both boxers, as well for women,” fumed Jones Jr. versed in the art of promotion “We’re not women, we are as the sweet science, did their two of the best to ever do it so best to drum up interest in the why we got to do two-minute pay-per-view event, making it rounds?” clear they are preparing to fi ght Jones Jr said getting in the not spar. ring with Tyson allowed him “Listen, I don’t know what to tick an item off his boxing you are talking about (it) not a bucket list. For his opponent, real fi ght,” said Tyson, during a the charity bout has much conference call. greater purpose. “You got Mike Tyson and “Mike Tyson is preparing to Roy Jones and I’m coming to meet God eventually and be- fi ght and I hope he’s coming to fore he does he has things he fi ght and that’s all you need to wants to accomplish and this know. exhibition is one of them,” he “I’m ready to do this and I’m said.

Coyotes drop draft pick Miller The Arizona Coyotes re- rez. “What we learned does Laurie Hernandez (right) and Simone Biles of USA pose with their gold medals on the podium after winning the women’s team final at 2016 Rio Olympics. (Reuters) nounced the rights to 18-year- not align with the core values old defenceman Mitchell and vision for our organisa- Reuters ing to do with gymnastics. big competition,” said Hernan- was sentenced to spend the rest California from her native New Miller, their fourth-round pick tion and leads to our decision Moscow “I don’t hate the sport and I dez, 20. “Pushing (yourself) to of his life in prison after hun- Jersey to train with diff erent in this month’s NHL Draft, to renounce our draft rights.” didn’t hate the sport,” Hernan- a physical limit and then also dreds of women testifi ed against coaches. after learning details of his Gutierrez apologised to the dez told Reuters. “I didn’t like mentally having to go back and him. “I want to make the Olympic racist bullying and assault. Meyer-Crothers family and aurie Hernandez is de- the environment that I was in.” talk about it.” NEW ENVIRONMENT team. That’s the reason why I’m “We were aware that a bul- said they were doing “the termined not be defi ned Hernandez went public in Hernandez, who won silver on During her time away from back,” she said. “But the most lying incident took place in right thing for Isaiah and by the mental abuse April, describing on social me- the balance beam and gold in the gymnastics, Hernandez trav- important part for me is that I’m 2016,” said Coyotes president the Meyer-Crothers family, she suff ered under her dia how Haney humiliated her, team competition in Rio, said the elled, competed in Dancing with feeling safe and that I’m lov- Xavier Gutierrez. “We do our fans and our partners. Lformer coach and having relo- commented on her weight and ban marked a major step toward the Stars and wrote a children’s ing what I do.” With the Tokyo not condone this type of Mr Miller is now a free agent cated from New Jersey to Cali- made her train despite multiple addressing psychologically abu- book. Olympics postponed for a year behaviour but embraced this and can pursue his dream fornia, the American gymnast is injuries. Due to the abuse, Her- sive behaviour in the sport. Now back in training, she ad- because of the coronavirus pan- as a teachable moment to of becoming an NHL player hoping the fresh start will allow nandez developed an eating dis- “We’re in 2020 and we can’t vocates for mental health. She demic, Hernandez has had more work with Mitchell to make elsewhere.” her to win more Olympic med- order. treat people like we used to a was also featured in “Defying time to hone her technique and him accountable for his ac- Miller apologised for the 2016 als. Hernandez testifi ed against couple of decades ago,” Hernan- Gravity: The Untold Story of upgrade her routines. tions and provide him with an bullying incident after details After winning two medals at Haney at a USA Gymnastics dez said. “The times are chang- Women’s Gymnastics,” a docu- “Because the Olympics were opportunity to be a leader on were revealed. Coyotes gen- the 2016 Rio Games, Hernandez hearing that led to the coach be- ing, and it’s time to be really mentary series about the lives delayed, it’s going to be that anti-bullying and anti-racism eral manager Bill Armstrong opted to take a break from the ing suspended for eight years by respectful to everybody – espe- of elite gymnasts launched on much sweeter,” she said. eff orts.” also apologised to the family. sport that had dominated her the sport’s American governing cially when it comes to kids.” YouTube last month. “I think a lot of people across But details were unveiled in He was prohibited from work- young life. But two years into her body. Separately, USA Gymnastics When away from the sport, the globe are just so excited to an Arizona Republic newspa- ing the draft after leaving the hiatus, she realised the psycho- “It was really diffi cult, espe- has also been rocked by a sexual Hernandez knew she needed to see what we can achieve and get per report on Monday about St Louis Blues in September logical abuse she had faced from cially during an Olympic year abuse scandal involving former make drastic changes in order back out there. It’s going to be Miller’s actions against Isaiah for the Arizona job. coach Maggie Haney had noth- and trying to train for a really team doctor Larry Nassar, who to return. In 2018, she moved to great.” Meyer-Crothers, a Black class- “I fully support our decision,” mate with developmental he said. “It was a unique situ- disabilities in Sylvania, Ohio. ation for me not being able to Meyer-Crothers said he was participate in this year’s draft Multiple world champion Pellegrini recovers from Covid-19 racially insulted, assaulted and we were going through a and harassed by Miller. transition with our scouting Multiple world champion and positive test, she said on Thurs- Tokyo next year. Pellegrini, who the final part of the event which championship in the same event “We have learned more about department. “Mitchell is a 200 metres freestyle world day. “This time is for real! Nega- had planned to compete in the runs until November 22. in 2009, 2011, 2017 and 2019, the entire matter, and more good hockey player, but we record holder Federica Pellegrini tive,” said the 32-year-old Italian International Swimming League Pellegrini won gold in the 200 plus the world title in the 400 importantly, the impact it has need to do the right thing as has tested negative for Covid-19, who intends to take part in her in Budapest before she tested metres freestyle at the Beijing metres freestyle in 2009 and had on Isaiah and the Meyer- an organisation and not just two weeks after a returning a fifth and final Olympic Games in positive, could now compete in Olympics in 2008 and the world 2011. Crothers family,” said Gutier- as a hockey team.” Gulf Times Saturday, October 31, 2020 5 SPORT

NFL MLB White Sox name 76-year-old La Russa Falcons hang on late, as new manager

AFP Washington

ony La Russa, a three-time World Series champion man- knock off Panthers ager and the third-winningest in Major League Baseball history, was named the new manager of the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. ‘I can’t tell if they’re laughing at me or just having a good time and excited for it’ TThe 76-year-old Hall of Famer, who retired after guiding the St. Louis Cardinals to the 2011 World Series crown, had been serving Reuters in executive adviser posts with various clubs since then. Los Angeles “While I have had other inquiries about managing since retir- ing, this opportunity with the White Sox brings together a number of important factors that make this the right time and the right uarterback Matt Ryan place,” La Russa said. threw for 281 yards and “The on-fi eld talent is amazing and the front offi ce... has done scored on a run and the everything necessary to create an atmosphere of long-term suc- visiting Atlanta Falcons cess. All of those factors aligned to make this a tremendous op- cameQ up with enough plays on de- portunity.” fense to turn away the Carolina Pan- La Russa replaces Rick Renteria, who guided the White Sox to thers for a 25-17 victory Thursday their fi rst playoff spot since 2008. After a fi rst-round loss to Oak- night at Bank of America Stadium in land, Renteria was axed on October 12. Charlotte, N.C. La Russa’s fi rst managerial post came in 1979 when the White Ryan was 21-for-30 in the air with Sox fi red Don Kessinger after a 46-60 start and installed La Russa an interception. in the job. He stayed as manager until being fi red in 1986, but was The Panthers took possession with idle less than three weeks before being hired to take over the Oak- 2:58 remaining at its own 5-yard line land A’s. after the Falcons, who had reached In a decade guiding the A’s, La Russa oversaw a 1989 World Se- Carolina territory, punted for the ries victory and World Series defeats in 1988 and 1990 before de- only time in the game. parting after the 1995 campaign to join the Cardinals. In 16 seasons The Panthers moved to the Atlan- with St. Louis, La Russa teams won the World Series in 2006 and ta 30-yard line before an intercep- 2011 and captured seven division titles. tion by Blidi Wreh-Wilson was the In 33 MLB seasons as a manager, La Russa teams made 14 playoff game’s clincher. appearances, won 12 division crowns and he was Manager of the Curtis Samuel scored two touch- Year four times. He has served as an executive adviser to MLB, the downs for Carolina, which was with- Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and most recently the Los out All-Pro running back Christian Angeles Angels. McCaff rey for the sixth consecutive La Russa has a record of 2,728-2,365 as a MLB manager and game. McCaff rey returned to prac- ranks third on the all-time managerial win list behind Connie tice earlier in the week as he recov- Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,763). ers from an ankle injury, but it was La Russa and Sparky Anderson are the only managers to win the announced earlier in the day that he World Series with teams from both the National and American would be held out. leagues. La Russa and Mack are the only managers to win World Panthers quarterback Teddy Series crowns in three diff erent decades. Bridgewater was 15-for-23 for 176 yards with a touchdown and an in- terception. Carolina (3-5) has fol- lowed a three-game winning streak Reports: Hinch emerges as favourite with three straight losses. for Tigers’ managerial job The outcome came less than three weeks since the Panthers won 23- Former Houston Astros this month that both Hinch 16 in Atlanta, and Raheem Morris manager AJ Hinch, whose and Alex Cora would be given became the Falcons’ interim coach one-year suspension for his consideration. the next day upon the fi ring of Dan role in the team’s sign-steal- Cora, Houston’s bench coach Quinn. Atlanta (2-6), which was ing scandal ended this week, in 2017, was fired as manager coming off Sunday’s one-point has emerged as the leading of the Boston Red Sox in Janu- home loss to Detroit, improved to 2-1 candidate to be the Detroit ary after MLB’s ruling regard- under Morris. Tigers’ new manager, multi- ing the Astros’ misdeeds. Atlanta receiver Julio Jones ple media outlets reported MLB subsequently suspended churned out another big game Thursday. Cora for a year based on his against the Panthers, posting 137 According to MLB Network, actions with the Astros. yards on seven catches. Hinch interviewed with the The Red Sox also were found Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo was Tigers on Thursday. to have stolen signs illegally 4-for-4 on fi eld-goal attempts, con- Detroit manager Ron Garden- in 2018, when Cora managed necting from 20, 37, 36 and 29 yards hire retired in mid-September, them to a World Series title, – although he did miss an extra- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passes the ball during the second half of their NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of and the Tigers wound up but he wasn’t given any ad- point in the fourth quarter. Samuel, America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. (USA TODAY Sports) with a 23-35 record, last place ditional punishment for his a receiver, scored on a 12-yard run in in the American League possible involvement in those the fi rst quarter. He caught a 29-yard Jones, Cowboys expect Dalton ‘next week’ Central. misdeeds. pass from Bridgewater on a second- Hinch led the Astros to a Hinch, 46, produced a 481-329 quarter fl ea fl icker. Andy Dalton was essentially ruled out of is football. It’s the game I’ve been playing help the Green Bay Packers post a 33-14 World Series championship in record in five years leading Ryan’s 13-yard run for a score tomorrow’s game against the Philadelphia since I was in seventh grade,” DiNucci said. victory over the then-Oakland Raiders in 2017 and another World Series the Astros after compiling midway through the second quarter Eagles by Dallas Cowboys owner and Garrett Gilbert is listed as the team’s backup Super Bowl II. berth in 2019, but he was fired an 89-123 mark in part of and Koo’s fi eld goal on the fi nal play general manager Jerry Jones. Jones, in a quarterback with Dalton presumed absent. “The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family by the club in January after two seasons as the Arizona in the half provided the Falcons with radio interview with 105.3 FM in Dallas, said A sixth-round pick in 2014, the 29-year-old mourns the passing of Herb Adderley,” Pro Major League Baseball’s in- Diamondbacks’ manager a 16-14 halftime lead. Ryan wasn’t Dalton “should be ready to go next week.” Gilbert is with his seventh NFL team and Football Hall of Fame President and CEO vestigation into sign-stealing (2009-10). sure whether his teammates were Dalton started the past two games but left joined Dallas two weeks ago when the Cow- David Baker said. “He was a great player allegations. Between the two managerial celebrating that he scored a 13-yard the Week 7 loss to the Washington Football boys signed him away from the Cleveland and an even greater man. Herb left an indel- MLB ruled that the Astros ille- gigs, he worked in the San touchdown, or laughing at how long Team with a concussion, his first document- Browns’ practice squad. He has six total ible mark on the Game and was respected gally stole signs in 2017, and it Diego Padres’ front off ice. it takes him to cover 13 yards. ed head injury in the NFL. pass attempts in six NFL seasons. tremendously by players and personnel issued one-year bans for both A catcher during a playing “I can’t tell if they’re laughing at Rookie seventh-round pick Ben DiNucci across the league.” Hinch and general manager career that saw him compete me or just having a good time and is preparing to start, head coach Mike Mc- HALL OF FAME CB ADDERLEY DIES A five-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time Jeff Luhnow. for the Oakland A’s, the Kan- excited for it, but they’re always Carthy confirmed Friday morning. Dak Pres- Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Herb All-Pro, Adderley was selected by the Pack- The club fired both shortly sas City Royals, Detroit and good when we get them and I think cott had started 72 games in a row before Adderley, who played in four of the first ers with a first-round pick in the 1961 NFL after the punishments were the Philadelphia Phillies from guys get fi red up by it showing that dislocating his right ankle, in addition to a six Super Bowls, passed away Friday at the Draft out of Michigan State. announced. 1998-2004, Hinch served there’s diff erent ways to get the job compound fracture, on October. 11. age of 81. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Although he began his career at running The Tigers weren’t dissuaded as minor league operations done,” Ryan said. DiNucci fumbled twice and the Cowboys announced Adderley’s passing, but did not back, Adderley was shuff led to cornerback from talking to Hinch despite manager and director of The Panthers were within 19-17 recovered both in his relief stint after divulge a cause of death. by coach Vince Lombardi after Green Bay’s the stain on his resume. player development for the after Joey Slye’s 39-yard fi eld goal on Dalton left last week. He is taking all of Adderley returned an interception 60 yards Hank Gremminger was injured during a Detroit general manager Al Diamondbacks prior to his a drive extended by a successful fake the first-team reps in practice. “Football for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to Thanksgiving Day game against Detroit. Avila acknowledged earlier first managerial job. punt.

FOCUS Brady and Bucs are showing Super Bowl potential, says Montana Reuters game of the season to a good per Bowl on his team’s home Los Angles New Orleans team and fell by fi eld. one point to Chicago in Week “That would be crazy for 5. But the team has stepped up Tampa,” Montana said. all of Fame quarter- recently, highlighted by a 38-10 Montana almost did it when back Joe Montana said rout of the previously undefeat- the 49ers won it all in 1985, but Tom Brady has found ed Green Bay Packers. San Francisco’s Candlestick Park his rhythm with Tampa “The fi rst couple weeks were was deemed too small to host the HBay and that he “has pity” on a little rocky, but it looks like championship game and it was the rest of the conference as the they’ve got it all straightened instead played at nearby Stan- Buccaneers look more and more out now,” said Montana, who ford Stadium. like Super Bowl contenders. was named Most Valuable Player Regardless of who plays in the Montana, who led the San in three of his four Super Bowl Super Bowl, Montana said it was Francisco 49ers to four cham- wins. “I have pity on the rest of good to see sports return after pionships, spent his fi nal two the NFC. Good luck!” he said being derailed by the coronavi- seasons in Kansas City and said with a laugh. rus pandemic, even with limited Brady’s adjustment after leaving While Montana believes the or no fans in attendance. New England in the off season Bucs have an excellent shot at “There’s a certain meaning to was not complicated. winning the NFC, he does not sports in this country and the “I joke that probably the most see any AFC team standing in way it makes people feel,” said diffi cult thing he had to do was the way of reigning Super Bowl Montana, who has helped raise fi nd a place to live,” Montana champions Kansas City return- money for Covid-19 relief ef- told Reuters, while promoting an ing to defend their title in Super forts. “You can forget about all ad campaign for Guinness that Bowl LV, which will be held at the other things that are going focuses on his college days with Tampa’s Raymond James Sta- on around you and pull for your the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. dium in February. team,” he said. “He’s just going down there to “You can see a defi nite uptick play a game that he loves, and I SUPER BOWL IN TAMPA in people’s mentality and how knew that as soon as people saw If Brady, a Northern California they approach their day to day his work ethic, the transition native who grew up idolising lives when they know they have would be smooth for him,” Mon- Montana, can keep the Bucs on something to look forward to,” tana said of the 6-times Super track, he will have the chance he said. Bowl champion. to do something that has never “Even if it’s just in their living New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady holds his daughter Vivian Lake Brady as he celebrates alongside the Vince Lombardi Trophy The 5-2 Bucs dropped the fi rst been done before – win the Su- rooms.” after winning Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on February 3, 2019. (Reuters) Gulf Times 6 Saturday, October 31, 2020 SPORT

CYCLING FOCUS Tokyo Olympics organisers launch Roglic back in red refunds for tickets bought in Japan

AFP amining any cancellation (of Tokyo the Games) or zero-spectator aft er third Vuelta situation”. But he added that last- okyo Olympics organ- minute refunds were being ‘I’m super happy. It’s never isers off ered refunds considered - for example, if an for tickets bought in event has to be cancelled dur- easy but I had the legs and Japan yesterday, and ing the Olympics because an Tpromised more reimburse- athlete catches coronavirus. this is really, really nice’ ments if events are cancelled Olympic offi cials have made stage victory or fewer seats are available it clear they want to avoid because of coronavirus prob- holding events behind closed lems at next year’s postponed doors, but also that virus Games. countermeasures may make The announcement comes it harder to have the cheering after International Olympic crowds of past Games. Committee president Thomas Bach’s warning about not Bach warned that full stadi- having full crowds came in an ums “may not be possible” at interview this week with South the Games, which are sched- Korean broadcaster SBS. He uled to start a year late in July has repeatedly said he wants 2021. fans at the Games. Domestic fans who bought Around 4.48 million tickets tickets can apply for a refund have been sold for the Olym- from November 10-30, or pics so far, and nearly a million December 1-21 for the Paral- for the Paralympics, according ympics, the Tokyo organising to the organising committee. committee said. It has not given details on Those who bought tickets the numbers of tickets sold in elsewhere in the world will Japan compared to overseas, have to seek refunds from their but says overseas spectators retailer, it added. accounted for around 10-20% But fans who bought tick- of the crowds at previous ets in Japan can also keep Games. them and remain eligible for According to a budget plan a refund if crowd numbers are announced late last year, ticket cut. The historic decision to sales should account for 90 postpone the Games came in billion yen ($860 million) of March. the event’s 630 billion yen rev- “Should we not be able to enue. provide an opportunity to The Games’ most recent of- spectate the Games due to fi cial price tag is 1.3 trillion yen Covid-19, we will off er an ad- ($12 billion), but the postpone- ditional opportunity to apply ment and coronavirus coun- for a refund,” the committee termeasures are set to increase said in a statement. that fi gure, though organisers Spokesman Masa Takaya are also seeking to slash costs said organisers “are not ex- where possible.

Russian athletics federation staff receive lengthy bans in Lysenko case

The Athletics Integrity Unit ing to comply with AIU’s (AIU) yesterday suspended demands in the Danil former Russian athletics Lysenko whereabouts federation off icials Elena investigation,” it said in a Ikonnikova and Elena Orlova statement. for eight years and six years “In addition to these charg- respectively for obstructing es, the AIU has charged the Team Jumbo’s Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic celebrates as he crosses the finish-line of the 10th stage of the 2020 La Vuelta cycling tour of Spain, a 185km race from Castro Urdiales an anti-doping investiga- two individuals along with to Suances, yesterday. (AFP) tion into high jumper Danil several other senior federa- Lysenko. tion off icials with Tampering Reuters RESULTS AND STANDINGS tect their general classifi cation contend- Lysenko, who won silver in & Complicity in connection Sydney ers and it was a strategy that worked per- the high jump at the 2017 with whereabouts violations STAGE (ESP/MOV) s.t., 24. Esteban Chaves (COL/ fectly for Roglic and his Jumbo-Visma world championships, committed by Lysenko in 1. Primoz Roglic (SLO/JUM) 4hrs 14min MIT) s.t., 29. Hugh Carthy (GBR/EF1) 10 team mates. failed to file his whereabouts November ’19.” rimoz Roglic produced a brilliant 11sec. 2. Felix Grossschartner (AUT/BOR) sec, 31. Marc Soler (ESP/MOV) 15 Roglic’s strong fi nish meant he pulled on three occasions and Reuters has contacted the fi nish to claim an unlikely victory s.t., 3. Andrea Bagioli (ITA/DEC) s.t., 4. Alex away from a group containing red jersey was provisionally sus- federation for comment. on stage 10 at the Vuelta a Espana Aranburu (ESP/AST) s.t., 5. Robert Stan- OVERALL wearer Richard Carapaz, whom he started pended in 2018 as three The tribunal found that yesterday and move back into the nard (AUS/MIT) s.t., 6. Julien Simon (FRA/ 1. Primoz Roglic (SLO/JUM) 40hrs 25min the day 13 seconds behind. strikes in a 12-month period both Ikonnikova and Prace leader’s jersey. There was some confusion at the line as TDE) s.t., 7. Daniel Martin (IRL/ICA), 8. 15sec, 2. Richard Carapaz (ECU/Ineos) constituted an anti-doping Orlova had failed to provide The 185km fl at route from Castro Ur- Guillaume Martin (FRA/COF) s.t., 9. Jasper s.t., 3. Daniel Martin (IRL/ICA) at 25 sec, Ecuador’s Carapaz was initially awarded violation. their mobile phones and diales to Suances had been earmarked as Philipsen (BEL/UAE) at 3sec, 10. Magnus 4. Hugh Carthy (GBR/EF1) 51, 5. Enric Mas the same fi nish time as the 2019 Vuelta Last year, the AIU concluded electronic storage devices one for the sprinters. Cort Nielsen (DEN/EF1) s.t. (ESP/MOV) 1min 54sec, 6. Felix Grosss- winner before race judges later deemed that federation off icials had for inspection by the AIU in However, the Slovenian showed fan- chartner (AUT/BOR) 3:19, 7. Esteban he had actually fi nished in the following provided “false explanations relation to the investigation tastic timing to launch away from the SELECTED Chaves (COL/MIT) 3:28, 8. Alejandro group, three seconds down. and forged documents” to into Lysenko’s whereabouts main group inside the fi nal 100 metres of 12. Wouter Poels (NED/BAH) s.t., 14. Rich- Valverde (ESP/MOV) 3:35, 9. Wouter Poels Roglic’s 10-second stage win bonus the AIU to explain Lysenko’s failures. the uphill fi nish in Cantabria on Spain’s ard Carapaz (ECU/Ineos) s.t., 16. Enric Mas (NED/BAH) 3:47, 10. Marc Soler (ESP/MOV) moved him back into the race lead, level whereabouts failures. Russia’s athletics federation northern coast. “I’m super happy. It’s (ESP/MOV) s.t., 23. Alejandro Valverde 3:52 on time with the Ineos rider but ahead “The Disciplinary Tribunal has been suspended since a never easy but I had the legs and this is re- thanks to his three stage victories so far. has upheld the AIU’s charge 2015 report commissioned ally, really nice,” he said. The race returns to the mountains to- and banned RusAF staff by the World Anti-Doping “I’m one year older (after turning 31 on to keep the momentum going. We have a fi nal position in the bunch for barging day, with a punishing 170km stage that Elena Ikonikkova and Elena Agency (WADA) found Thursday) but I’m stronger - like wine, weekend in the mountains. It will be fun into another rider in the closing stages of takes in fi ve categorised climbs - four of Orlova for eight years and evidence of mass doping the older the better. to watch and we’ll do our best.” yesterday’s ride having initially won the which are fi rst category - from Villavi- six years respectively under among the country’s track “I’m back in red but that doesn’t re- Ireland’s Sam Bennett, one of the pre- sprint, was dropped with 27km to go. ciosa, fi nishing at the summit of the Alto World Athletics rules for fail- and field athletes. ally change things for my team. We need stage favourites who was relegated to the From then on the teams fought to pro- de la Farrapona.

GOLF Malnati seizes lead by shooting a sizzling 63 AFP do.” Malnati birdied the par-3 third Miami and par-4 fourth, added another at LPGA to start 2021 season with six and began his fi ve-birdie run at spectators present at Orlando the par-4 ninth. His lone bogey came eter Malnati, chasing his on the par-5 17th but a closing birdie The LPGA Tour will stage the Tournament of Cham- fi rst title in nearly fi ve years, was enough to leave him atop the lea- pions with spectators for its 2021 season opener on reeled off fi ve consecutive derboard. January 21-24 at Orlando, Florida, the women’s circuit birdies and grabbed a one- “I feel comfortable on the greens,” announced on Thursday. Pstroke lead after Thursday’s open- he said. “You can hit a lot of wedges The event, which mixes top players and celebrities, will ing round of the US PGA Bermuda here if you put it in the fairway. And be contested at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Championship. one of my strengths has been my Golf and Sports Club and return through 2024 as part The 33-year-old American fi red wedge game.” of a three-year contract extension announced Thurs- an eight-under-par 63 at Port Royal Ghim, seeking his fi rst PGA title, day with Diamond Resorts. Golf Course in Southampton for a and Armour, whose only PGA crown “We can’t wait to kick off our season with our friends one-stroke edge over compatriots came at the 2017 Sanderson Farms across sports and entertainment for the next four Doug Ghim and Ryan Armour. “It event, each fi red bogey-free rounds. years,” LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said. feels great to be playing this well,” Doc Redman holed out for an ea- Mexico’s Gaby Lopez is the defending champion, while Malnati said. “Right now, you could gle from 94 yards at the par-4 15th former Major League Baseball pitcher John Smoltz will put me anywhere and I feel like the hole on his way to a 65 to join fellow chase a third consecutive celebrity crown in January. course would suit me.” Americans Chase Seiff ert and Vaughn “The parties, the food, the atmosphere - this isn’t just Malnati, ranked 166th, won his only Taylor in a fourth-place pack. Three- any tournament. This is one we definitely all hope to PGA crown at the 2015 Sanderson time major winner Padraig Har- play in every year,” said fourth-ranked Danielle Kang of Farms Championship, but is coming rington, who hadn’t made a US PGA the United States. off two of his best tour fi nishes earlier start since March, fi red a 67. It was the A limited number of spectators will be allowed to at- this month, second at the Sanderson 49-year-old Irishman’s lowest PGA tend following state, local and US Centers for Disease Farms and sharing fi fth at Las Vegas. round since May of last year. Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, including “I’ve had stretches where I feel Harrington admits the start of a medical screenings, daily temperature checks, face good but they have kind of been few 50-and-over Champions Tour career masks and social distancing. and far between. this one feels a lit- next September is on his mind, say- “Spectators are a vital part of our electric tournament tle diff erent,” Malnati said, calling ing, “Possibly even before the PGA atmosphere and we’re thrilled to safely welcome fans his month “fantastic” and adding, Tour scores, I look at the Champions to Orlando this January,” Diamond Resorts chief execu- “It didn’t feel exceptional. It felt like Tour scores. I don’t know what that Peter Malnati of the United States plays his shot from the tenth tee during the first round of the Bermuda tive Mike Flaskey said. what I’ve worked so long to be able to tells you.” Championship at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, October 31, 2020 7 RUGBY

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Irish old guard bid to repel young Three-way title French pretenders fi ght as Six Nations to conclude at last Ireland will be crowned champions if they win away to France with a bonus-point

AFP London

he 2020 Six Nations Championship fi nally Johnny Sexton of Ireland. concludes today, with Tthree teams still in ti- AFP Federer” of the Irish game. tle contention. Some 237 days London Murray has seen off the chal- after the coronavirus pandemic lenge of Ulster’s John Cooney, brought the tournament to a halt whose form has deserted him, Ireland, currently a point ahead reland’s Johnny Sexton and but Leinster’s New Zealand- of title rivals England and France, Conor Murray have been the born scrum-half Jamison Gib- have the destiny of the Champi- benchmark for many as the son-Park is a potential threat. onship in their hands. standout half-back partner- Sexton, described by O’Gara Ireland will be crowned cham- Iship in Test rugby over the last as “insanely competitive and pions if they win away to France decade but today they will face a driven”, may have increasingly with a bonus-point, achieved by challenge to that mantle as they creaking limbs but he provokes scoring four or more tries. come up against the young pre- nothing but admiration from With the Stade de France match tenders of France — Antoine Du- Ntamack. the last of the day’s three fi xtures, pont and Romain Ntamack. “He is a role model for me but both the Irish and the French will Sexton and Murray will start not just me but others too,” the kick-off knowing exactly what at fl y-half and scrum-half re- Toulouse star said this week. they need to do. spectively for the 61st time at “He is world class, perhaps the Ireland thrashed Italy 50-17 in the Stade de France — 63rd if you best fl y-half of the past 10 years. last week’s Covid-delayed clash include two Tests for the British “I cannot allow myself simply in Dublin, while France were im- and Irish Lions — whilst for Tou- to watch him and let him play, pressive during a 38-21 warm-up louse duo Dupont and Ntamack, otherwise things will become win over Wales. it will be just their 11th pairing. very diffi cult for us.” “We could score four tries but Whoever comes out on top be- The admiration does not just they (France) are so dangerous tween the grizzled, battle-hard- run one way. they could score six,” said Andy ened Irish duo and the dynamic, Sexton purrs over Dupont and Farrell, the Ireland coach and fa- raw talent of the Frenchmen may Ntamack whilst Murray is im- ther of England captain Owen. well determine the destination pressed by the understanding “They are a formidable side, es- of the match and the Six Nations they have built up on the pitch. pecially at home.” title. He says one of the reasons Robbie Henshaw replaces in- France’s scrum halves Antoine Dupont (R) and Baptiste Serin (L) take part in a training session in Marcoussis, southern Paris, ahead of the Six Sexton, now 35, and Murray, Fabien Galthie has turned the jured centre Garry Ringrose for a Nations rugby union match against Ireland. four years his junior, fi rst lined French into a title contender so match where Ireland prop Cian up together against the USA in quickly since he took over after Healy will win his 100th cap. midfi eld. Team manager Rap- win his 100th cap in a match Hogg and lock Jonny Gray, with “It’s a phenomenal achieve- the 2011 World Cup. last year’s World Cup is that he France would have been bid- hael Ibanez, France’s 1998 Grand where Exeter lock Jonny Hill gifted fl y-half Finn Russell start- ment,” said Pivac of Jones’s loom- They went on to become the has stuck with the same half- ding for a Grand Slam under new Slam-winning captain, said: “The makes his Test debut after help- ing after his international ex- ing landmark. puppet-masters of the team that back combination. coach Fabien Galthie but for a message to the players is simple. ing Exeter complete a European ile ended when he came off the “He not only leads by example fl ourished under Joe Schmidt, This will be the sixth match in surprise fourth-round defeat by We have as much chance of win- Champions Cup and English Pre- bench during last week’s 48-7 in the games but in training, he’s winning three Six Nations titles succession that they are paired Scotland. That match saw France ning the Six Nations as Ireland miership double during the previ- warm-up hammering of Georgia. magnifi cent in the way he carries including the 2018 Grand Slam. together. hurt by prop Mohamed Haouas’s and England in this fi nal round.” ous fortnight. Title-holders Wales, by con- himself.” Today’s match is be- There was also an historic fi rst “Firstly they’re two individu- red-card as they had been when England will look to put the England coach Eddie Jones trast, are trying to avoid a fourth ing played behind closed doors in win over New Zealand in Chicago ally brilliant players and that’s a Sebastien Vahaamahina was sent pressure on by thrashing peren- insisted bonus-point considera- successive defeat under coach Llanelli after Cardiff ’s Principal- in 2016 where Murray was sub- good starting point,” said Mur- off for a similarly reckless piece nial strugglers Italy in Rome ear- tions would not cloud his judge- Wayne Pivac. ity Stadium was transformed into lime — he missed a second win ray. of foul play during a World Cup lier in the day. ment, saying instead he wanted to The New Zealander has a fi eld hospital in response to the over the All Blacks in Dublin two “But I think their relationship quarter-fi nal defeat by Wales in They have yet to lose to the see his side “maximising our per- dropped out-of-form wing pandemic. years ago through injury. seems to have grown over the last Japan last year. Azzurri and even though their formance”. Today’s opening fi x- George North from his 23 and re- It also takes place 48 years to Schmidt stepped down after while. If France can keep 15 players on warm-up game against the Bar- ture between Wales and Scotland called Liam Williams. the day since Llanelli’s celebrated last year’s World Cup but the “They read each other really the fi eld, they could win their fi rst barians last week was cancelled may have no bearing on the title Another loss would be a miser- defeat of New Zealand, an an- veteran half-backs continue to well. You can see there is that Six Nations title for a decade. after several players from the in- but is not without signifi cance. able way for Wales captain Alun niversary given added poignancy pull the strings under new coach understanding of what the nine Arthur Vincent replaces in- vitational side breached Covid-19 The Scots are eyeing a third Wyn Jones to mark his record- by the death aged 72 on Thursday Andy Farrell. is thinking and the 10 reacts or jured wing Teddy Thomas. Gael health protocols, beaten World victory this tournament and a breaking 149th Test appearance, of Scarlets, Wales and British Li- “They are world class,” was even the other way around.” Fickou moves out wide, with cen- Cup fi nalists England remain fi rm fi rst win on Welsh soil since 2002. the lock topping the tally he ons great J J Williams, who played France wing Vincent Rattez’s ap- For Murray too, 23-year-old tre Vincent alongside Fiji-born favourites. They are bolstered by the return- shares with retired New Zealand in that 9-3 victory over the All praisal this week. Dupont is the epitome of the old powerhouse Virimi Vakatawa in Scrum-half Ben Youngs will ing Exeter duo of captain Stuart great Richie McCaw. Blacks. For Ntamack, Sexton and French scrum-halves — the gen- Murray, the king of the box-kick, erals — he used to watch growing are the heartbeat of the Irish side. up. BOTTOMLINE “They are the two key players,” “Yeah, there is an appreciation said the 21-year-old. on my side for the French scrum- “We have focussed on them halves and the way they play the since the beginning of the week. game,” said Murray. “We are aware that the game “They’re little generals, they is directed by them and must be seem to run the show a little bit extremely vigilant.” more than the 10 in France. Hooper hopes youth will help Not all, though, is rosy in the “Some French scrum-halves Irish garden as Sexton’s fi tness is are quite laid back but Dupont at of increasing concern and ques- the moment, and (Toulon’s) Bap- tion marks hover over the form tiste Serin as well who is playing of Murray, the player once de- some really great stuff , are the end Bledisloe Cup drought scribed by Ronan O’Gara as “the real deal.”

Auckland), you can’t give them AFP Jones wants England to restore rugby’s image Sydney too many. We want to pressure them to give us some opportu- aft er Barbarians ‘laughing stock’ nities, which we think we’re ca- allabies skipper pable of.” London: England coach Eddie laxed about the abandonment, Michael Hooper Rennie admitted he had an Jones has urged his players to urging rugby fans not to be yesterday said eye on the future in deciding to revive rugby union’s reputa- too harsh on flanker Robshaw, Whe was excited pick four rookies for such a cru- tion when they bid for the Six a “good young man” who has by what his young team can cial match, but Hooper said he Nations Championship title “served his country well”. achieve, but warned the error had confi dence in their abilities. away to Italy following the But Jones, speaking just hours count has to drop in their must- “Dave’s been big on earning “laughing stock” of last week’s before the RFU charged 13 win Bledisloe Cup clash against the opportunity and these guys cancelled match against the unnamed Barbarians players the All Blacks. have earned that opportunity. Barbarians. on Thursday with “prejudicial” With experienced backs Matt I mean, it’s the start of a career Jones’s losing World Cup final- conduct, took a far less con- To’omua and James O’Connor for some of these guys, the start ists could be crowned champi- ciliatory tone. ruled out injured, coach Dave of a journey,” he said. ons with a big win over peren- “Rugby at the moment is a bit Rennie is gambling on four deb- “They’ve worked hard for nial strugglers Italy in Rome of a laughing stock and we all utants to help derail the New a Super Rugby outfi t and now and if the result of a match love the game,” the veteran Zealand juggernaut in Sydney they get a chance to do it on one between title rivals France Australian coach told a confer- today. of our biggest stages.” and Ireland later on Saturday’s ence call. Two of them are in the run- All Blacks skipper Sam Cane coronavirus-delayed final “We have a great game in on side, fl y-half Noah Lolesio said his team planned to make round of the tournament goes rugby and we don’t like to see and inside centre Irae Simone, life diffi cult for the newcomers their way. it be portrayed as something with fl anker Fraser McReight as New Zealand look to seal the England, without a match for that is not a serious sport, as it and scrum-half Tate McDer- Bledisloe Cup on Australian soil months, had hoped to prepare has been.” mott set to come off the bench. for the fi rst time in 11 years. by playing the invitational Bar- Jones, who has previously “I’m not focused on his- “The best way to unsettle barians side at Twickenham coached the Barbarians, as tory, I’m focused on tomorrow Australia’s captain Michael Hooper (L) and Reece Hodge attend the captain’s run training session in them would be us as a forward last Sunday. well as his native Australia and night,” said Hooper of Austral- Sydney yesterday. pack doing a quality job at set But that fixture was dra- Japan, added: “No-one likes to ia’s failure to win the trans-Tas- piece disrupting their ball,” he matically scrapped when it see a game called off because man Bledisloe Cup since 2002. Nations with Argentina, after Veteran prop James Slipper “We talked about being ac- said. “Us getting off the line emerged several BaaBaas of a breakdown in the proto- “And we have a really good drawing the opening match in gave the squad a pep talk during curate a lot during the week, and taking away their time and players, including former Eng- cols in society at the moment. opportunity in Sydney, we have Wellington and losing 27-7 in the week and Hooper said they the way we kicked the ball to space.” land captain Chris Robshaw, That’s what happened.” a really good, exciting young Auckland. were confi dent of cutting out the opposition, the way we were But he also acknowledged the had breached Covid-19 proto- “If you look at the situation team that’s playing some pretty They were punished at Eden the mistakes. turned over through our own debutants as “quality young cols by making unauthorised with the Australian cricket good footy. We’re looking to Park for a poor defensive per- “We hope to play the sort of errors and the way the Kiwis put footballers” and noted: “If you trips, including a restaurant team and the sandpaper, that improve tomorrow night.” formance, with too many han- rugby we’ve been developing pressure on us.” think about most people who meal, outside the ‘bubble’ at time was not a great time for Australia head into the third dling errors, missed tackles and over the last couple of weeks “We need to control our game debut they have a pretty good the squad’s London hotel. cricket and it was not a great of the four-Test series, which what coach Dave Rennie said and we’ve seen three or four re- a bit better,” he added. “They game because it’s a realisation Jones initially appeared re- time for Australian cricket.” is also the fi rst game of the Tri was a lack of communication. ally good parts of it,” he said. took their opportunities well (in of a dream.”

Saturday, October 31, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT Lorgat named to South Africa Afridi and Riaz interim board bowl Pakistan to win over Zimbabwe Brendan Taylor’s had put Zimbabwe briefly on course for an upset win with a fine ton

AFP the big fi ve South African banks, Johannesburg abandoned the organisation, saying involvement with cricket was aff ecting their reputation. ormer Cricket South Af- Sports minister Nath Hether- rica (CSA) chief executive ward, who announced the stand- Haroon Lorgat was in- in board, said the members were cluded in a nine-man in- “men and women with a range of terimF board tasked with restoring skills in law, governance, busi- the image of the scandal-tainted ness and international relations”. organisation. “We think that within three The 60-year-old ex-Interna- months they would have deliv- tional Cricket Council chief ex- ered, especially because this is a ecutive led South African cricket group of people who would know for four years from 2013 before what to do.” departing after a breakdown in Jacques Ful, who temporarily his relationship with the national replaced Moroe, said this week body. that cricket in South Africa had Administrative crises led to lost credibility and those in lead- the entire board resigning by this ership positions were responsi- Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor (L) Monday and the nine replace- ble. celebrates with teammate Wesley ments headed by a judge, Zak “People do not trust us (cricket Madhevere after reaching his century Yaqoob, have been given a three- offi cials) to do the right thing against Pakistan. month tenure. and I do not think credibility will Former chief executive come back overnight. AFP Thabang Moroe was blamed for “A lesson we have learnt from Rawalpindi much of the CSA mismanage- this mess is that offi cials must ment and, after being suspended love the game and have an un- last December, was sacked two derstanding of sport and cricket haheen Shah Afridi grabbed fi ve Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi (L) celebrates months ago. rather than be interested only in wickets and Wahab Riaz took with teammate Abid Ali after the dis- Before his suspension, Moroe personal gain. four as Pakistan thwarted a fi ght- missal of Zimbabwe’s Brian Chari during alienated the national cricketers’ “Hopefully we now have peo- ing Zimbabwe to win the fi rst their first one-day international (ODI) association and banned fi ve jour- ple who are willing to serve crick- one-dayS international by 26 runs in nalists who had been critical of et and help the sport get its cred- cricket match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Rawalpindi yesterday. Stadium in Rawalpindi yesterday. his decisions. ibility back.” Afridi fi nished with 5-49 while Riaz Later, one member of the South Africa will host England had fi gures of 4-41 as Pakistan survived a former board splashed more than for three one-day internation- brilliant knock of 112 by Brendan Taylor, liams (four) fell quickly. Zimbabwe’s spinners controlled the Mumba 8-0-69-1 (3w), Muzarabani 550,000 rand ($35,000/30,000 als and three Twenty20 matches who put Zimbabwe briefl y on course for Taylor completed his 11th one-day pace, with left-arm slow bowler Tendai 9-0-39-2 (2w), Chibhabha 2-0-16-0 (1w), euros) on a full-page newspaper during November and December an upset as they chased a daunting 282- century with a sharp single on over- Chisoro taking 2-31. Madhevere 7-0-31-0 (1w), Raza 9-0-45-1 advert without authority even behind closed doors due to the run target. throw, raising his bat to the standing With this match, Pakistan’s Aleem (1nb), Chisoro 5-0-31-2 (1w), though the CSA is heavily in debt. coronavirus pandemic. The experienced Taylor lifted Zimba- ovation from his team’s dressing room. Dar equalled South African umpire Rudi CSA president Chris Anzanian, The Proteas will also host Test bwe from a struggling 115-4 with a solid Haris Sohail scored an attractive 71 Koertzen’s record of offi ciating the most Zimbabwe who was repeatedly criticised for matches against Sri Lanka (two) partnership of 119 for the fi fth wicket from 82 balls while Imam made 58 in ODIs, with 209. B. Chari b Afridi ...... 2 poor leadership, quit soon af- and Australia (three) and wel- with newcomer Wesley Madhevere, who Pakistan’s 281-8 after the hosts won the C. Chibhabha b Afridi...... 13 ter amid reports of “gross credit come Pakistan (three one-day fi nished with a career-best 55. toss and opted to bat on a slow pitch. C. Ervine c Rauf b Wasim...... 41 card abuse” within the governing internationals and three T20 Taylor knocked 11 boundaries and Once opener Abid Ali departed for 21, Scoreboard B. Taylor c Riaz b Afridi...... 112 body. matches) during the 2020/2021 three well-timed sixes in his 117-ball Pakistan had high hopes with new cap- Pakistan S. Williams c Rizwan b Riaz...... 4 Sponsors, including one of season. knock, but holed out to Afridi at mid-off tain Babar Azam, regarded as one of the Imam-ul-Haq run out ...... 58 W. Madhevere b Riaz...... 55 in the 47th over, leaving Pakistan to wrap world’s best batsmen in limited-overs Abid Ali lbw b Mumba 21 Sikander Raza b Riaz ...... 8 up the last four wickets for just 15 runs. cricket. Babar Azam c Taylor b Muzarabani...... 19 T. Chisoro b Afridi ...... 5 HORSE RACING The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in But his debut as ODI skipper ended Haris Sohail c Taylor b Raza ...... 71 C. Mumba c Riaz b Afridi ...... 1 the three-match series with the remain- early after a clumsy-looking shot off Mohamed Rizwan b Chisoro ...... 14 R Ngarava not out ...... 0 ing matches at the same venue on Sun- pacer Blessing Muzarabani for 19. Iftikhar Ahmed c Taylor b Chisoro ...... 12 B Muzarabani b Riaz ...... 5 day and Tuesday. Imam and Sohail took Pakistan past Faheem Ashraf c Ervine b Muzarabani 23 Extras: (lb2, w7) ...... 9 Shaqab’s Al Hawra They also claim 10 points in the World 100 and looked set for a big partnership Imad Wasim not out ...... 34 Total: (all out; 49.4 overs) ...... 255 Cup One-Day Super League, which de- until they were both got out at the same Wahab Riaz run out ...... 8 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Chari), 2-28 (Chib- termines qualifi ers for the next World end while taking a sharp single. Shaheen Shah Afridi not out ...... 8 habha), 3-99 (Ervine), 4-115 (Williams), remains unbeaten Cup in 2023. Imam’s knock had six hits to the Extras: (lb1, nb1, w11) ...... 13 5-234 (Madhevere), 6-240 (Taylor), 7-245 Afridi had given Pakistan two early boundary. Sohail, who hit two sixes and Total: (for eight wkts, 50 overs) ...... 281 (Raza), 8-246 (Mumba), 9-250 (Chisoro) breakthroughs by bowling Brian Chari six boundaries, pulled a leg muscle and Did not bat: Haris Rauf Bowling: Afridi 10-0-49-5 (w2), Rauf (two) and skipper Chamu Chibhabha (13) needed treatment on the ground. Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Ali), 2-89 (Azam), 10-1-57-0 (3w), Ashraf 10-1-57-0, Riaz 9.4- by the fi fth over. Imad Wasim (34 not out) and Faheem 3-119 (Imam), 4-161 (Rizwan), 5-194 0-41-4 (2w), Wasim 10-0-49-1 Taylor steadied the innings with a 71- Ashraf (23) added a quickfi re 42 in their (Ahmed), 6-205 (Sohail), 7-247 (Ashraf), run stand with Craig Ervine (41) for the late partnership and Pakistan made 48 in 8-257 (Riaz) Result: Pakistan win by 26 runs third wicket before Ervine and Sean Wil- the last fi ve overs. Bowling: Ngarava 10-0-49-0 (3w), Toss: Pakistan

IPL ‘No chance’ of playing Big Bash League, says Old Man Gayle passes 1,000 T20 sixes, bubble-weary Smith Sydney: Australian batsman Steve Smith has ruled out misses ton against Royals by one run participating in the country’s domestic Twenty20 Big Bash League this season, saying that continuing to play in bio-secure bubbles amid the Covid-19 pandemic will take a toll on his mental health. Smith has already experienced Jordan Plateaux rides Al Hawra to victory in the Prix de Pauillac at life in diff erent bubbles, first Bordeaux-le-Bouscat in France on Thursday. (Robert Polin) when the Australian T20 squad toured England and now with By a correspondent told Equidia: “I have to say that the Rajasthan Royals in the on- Bordeaux, France she has surprised me. We did not going Indian Premier League have a lot of races for her. Once (IPL), which is being played in you’ve won a maiden, you have the United Arab Emirates. to go for these races. That can Chris Gayle of Kings XI Punjab The Big Bash League is set to l Shaqab Racing’s be a bit diffi cult sometimes, but, receives the Unacademy Let’s start in December and run till homebred Al Hawra today, Al Hawra did something I crack it sixes award in Abu February, with Australia’s na- remained unbeaten on did not expect. I think she liked Dhabi yesterday. PICTURE: tional-team players expected her second start in the the heavy ground and maybe PrixA de Pauillac, a Class 2 race that’s why she won so easily. I Sportzpics for BCCI to play for their domestic sides in the latter stages after India’s over 1,900m for two-year-olds was not ready for such a display, tour of Australia – which will on turf at Bordeaux-le-Bouscat, so we will talk with all her con- AFP nament’s leading run-hitter K.L. Rahul still with a chance of going through hav- also be played in bio-secure France, on Thursday. The bay nections before deciding where Abu Dhabi contributing another 46. ing been bottom of the table just a few bubbles. fi lly won the race very easily, fol- to go next. She’s a quiet well- But Ben Stokes (50) and Sanju Samson days earlier. “I’ll be honest with you, abso- lowing a winning debut over a bred fi lly. And, at some point, (48) guided Rajasthan Royals to 186-3 King’s XI captain Rahul rued being lutely no chance,” Smith was mile on the all-weather at Pau those horses show they have hris Gayle went past 1,000 T20 with more than two overs to spare. put in to bat fi rst and then bowl with the quoted as saying by ESPN- earlier this month. quality. That’s what she did to- sixes yesterday but missed an- Missing out on his seventh IPL ton and evening dew when their bowlers had no cricinfo. “It’s still early days Having settled in third posi- day. We will see if there’s some other of his trademark quick- seeing King’s XI’s winning streak end control. with the bubbles. We don’t tion, under Jordan Plateaux, in improvement in her.” fi re centuries by one run as his after fi ve matches was a double blow for “It was a horrible toss to lose,” he said. know how long it’s going to the race at Bordeaux, Al Hawra By the top sire Wootton Bas- CKing’s XI Punjab were beaten by Rajas- Gayle. “It did get very easy to bat later on.” took the advantage rounding the sett, Al Hawra is out of the Gali- last for.” than Royals in the race for Indian Pre- King’s XI remain fourth in the eight- Stokes took full advantage of the Pun- England’s limited overs captain fi nal turn and kept on going all leo mare Salwa who was unraced mier League playoff places. team table but must now beat Chennai jab bowlers’ handicap making his half Eoin Morgan had also said the way to the post. She won the for HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad The 41-year-old Gayle hit 99 off 63 Super Kings on Sunday to make sure of century off 26 balls with nine bounda- players may withdraw from race by impressive ten lengths in al-Thani and is a sister to the balls with another eight sixes taking his staying in the top four who qualify for ries. tours if their mental health is front of Calliope. In Fall was 15 useful City Image. Al Hawra is overall Twenty20 total to 1,001. the playoff s. Smith and England’s Jos Buttler put on at risk. lengths behind in third. just the second foal of racing age King’s XI made 185-4 with the tour- Steve Smith’s Royals moved up to fi fth, 41 in 19 balls to secure the victory. Winning trainer Simone Brogi for this young mare.